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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13645 ***
+
+#THE TATLER#
+
+Edited with Introduction & Notes by #George A. Aitken#
+
+_Author of_ "The Life of Richard Steele," Etc.
+
+Vol. I
+
+New York
+Hadley & Mathews
+156 Fifth Avenue
+London: Duckworth & Co.
+1899
+
+
+
+Preface
+
+_The original numbers of the _Tatler_ were reissued in two forms in
+1710-11; one edition, in octavo, being published by subscription, while
+the other, in duodecimo, was for the general public. The present edition
+has been printed from a copy of the latter issue, which, as recorded on
+the title-page, was "revised and corrected by the Author"; but I have
+had by my side, for constant reference, a complete set of the folio
+sheets, containing the "Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff" in the form
+in which they were first presented to the world. Scrupulous accuracy in
+the text has been aimed at, but the eccentricities of spelling--which
+were the printer's, not the author's--have not been preserved, and the
+punctuation has occasionally been corrected.
+
+The first and the most valuable of the annotated editions of the
+_Tatler_ was published by John Nichols and others in 1786, with notes by
+Dr. Percy, Bishop of Dromore, Dr. John Calder, and Dr. Pearce, Bishop
+of Rochester; and though these notes are often irrelevant and out of
+date, they contain an immense amount of information, and have been
+freely made use of by subsequent editors. I have endeavoured to preserve
+what is of value in the older editions, and to supplement it, as
+concisely as possible, by such further information as appeared
+desirable. The eighteenth-century diaries and letters published of late
+years have in many cases enabled me to throw light on passages which
+have hitherto been obscure, and sometimes useful illustrations have been
+found in the contemporary newspapers and periodicals.
+
+The portraits of Steele, Addison, and Swift, the writers most associated
+with the _Tatler_, have been taken from contemporary engravings in the
+British Museum; and the imaginary portrait of Isaac Bickerstaff in the
+last volume is from a rare picture drawn by Lens in 1710 as a
+frontispiece to collections of the original folio numbers._
+
+G. A. A.
+
+_August 1898._
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+When the first number of the _Tatler_ appeared in 1709, Steele and
+Addison were about thirty-seven years of age, while Swift, then still
+counted among the Whigs, was more than four years their senior. Addison
+and Steele had been friends at the Charterhouse School and at Oxford,
+and though they had during the following years had varying experiences,
+their friendship had in no way lessened. Addison had been a fellow of
+his college, had gained the patronage of Charles Montague and Lord
+Somers, had made the grand tour, and published an account of his
+travels; had gained popularity by his poem "The Campaign," written in
+celebration of the victory at Blenheim; had been made an Under-Secretary
+of State, and finally (in December 1708) had been appointed secretary to
+Lord Wharton, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Steele, on the other hand,
+had enlisted in the Guards, without taking any degree; had obtained an
+ensign's commission after dedicating to Lord Cutts a poem on Queen
+Mary's death; and had written a little book called "The Christian Hero,"
+designed "to fix upon his own mind a strong impression of virtue and
+religion, in opposition to a stronger propensity towards unwarrantable
+pleasures." At the close of the same year (1701) he brought out a
+successful comedy, "The Funeral," which was followed by "The Lying
+Lover" and "The Tender Husband," plays which gave strong evidence of the
+influence of Jeremy Collier's attack on the immorality of the stage.
+"The Tender Husband" owed "many applauded strokes" to Addison, to whom
+it was dedicated by Steele, who wished "to show 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." In 1705 Steele married a lady with
+property in Barbados, and on her death married, in 1707, Mary Scurlock,
+the "dear Prue" to whom he addressed his well-known letters. For the
+rest, he had been made gentleman-waiter to Prince George of Denmark, and
+appointed Gazetteer, with a salary of £300, less a tax of £45 a year. He
+was disappointed in his hopes of obtaining the Under-Secretaryship
+vacated by Addison.
+
+From 1705 onwards there is evidence of frequent and familiar intercourse
+between Swift and Addison and Steele. After Sir William Temple's death,
+Swift had become chaplain to the Earl of Berkeley, who gave him the
+living of Laracor; and during a visit to England in 1704 he had gained a
+position in the front rank of authors by the "Tale of a Tub" and the
+"Battle of the Books." At the close of 1707 he was again in England,
+charged with a mission to obtain for the Irish clergy the remission of
+First Fruits and Tenths already conceded to the English, and throughout
+1708 what he calls "the triumvirate of Addison, Steele and me" were in
+constant communication. In that year Swift published a pamphlet called
+"A Project for the Advancement of Religion and the Reformation of
+Manners," which anticipated many of the arguments used in the _Tatler_
+and _Spectator_; and he also commenced his attack on John Partridge,
+quack doctor and maker of astrological almanacs. On the appearance of
+Partridge's "Merlinus Liberatus" for 1708, Swift--borrowing a name from
+the signboard of a shoemaker--published "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." Isaac Bickerstaff professed to be a true astrologer,
+disgusted at the lies told by impostors, and he said that he was willing
+to be hooted at as a cheat if his prophecies were not exactly fulfilled.
+His first prediction was that Partridge would die on the 29th of March;
+and on the 30th a second pamphlet was published, "The accomplishment of
+the first of Mr. Bickerstaff's Predictions ... in a letter to a person
+of quality, in which a detailed account is given of Partridge's death,
+at five minutes after seven, by which it is clear that Mr. Bickerstaff
+was mistaken almost four hours in his calculation.... Whether he had
+been the cause of this poor man's death, as well as the predictor, may
+be very reasonably disputed." The joke was maintained by Swift and
+others in various pieces, and when Partridge, in his almanac for 1709,
+protested that he was still living, Swift replied, in "A Vindication of
+Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.," which was advertised in the fifth number of
+the _Tatler_, that he could prove that Partridge was not alive; for no
+one living could have written such rubbish as the new almanac. In
+starting his new paper Steele assumed the name of the astrologer Isaac
+Bickerstaff, rendered famous by Swift, and made frequent use of Swift's
+leading idea. He himself summed up the controversy in the words, "if a
+man's art is gone, the man is gone, though his body still appear."
+
+Much has been written on the interesting question of the early history
+of the periodical press; but with one exception none of its predecessors
+had much effect on the _Tatler_. John Dunton's _Athenian Mercury_ was
+the forerunner of our _Notes and Queries_; and it was followed by the
+_British Apollo_ (1708-11), the second title of which was "Curious
+Amusements for the Ingenious. To which are added the most Material
+Occurrences, Foreign and Domestic. Performed by a Society of Gentlemen."
+_The Gentleman's Journal_ of 1692-4, a monthly paper of poems and other
+miscellaneous matter, was succeeded, in 1707, by Oldmixon's _Muses'
+Mercury; or, The Monthly Miscellany_, a periodical which contained also
+notices of new plays and books, and numbered Steele among its
+contributors. Defoe's _Review_, begun in 1704, aimed at setting the
+affairs of Europe in a clearer light, regardless of party; but, added
+Defoe, "After our serious matters are over, we shall at the end of every
+paper present you with a little diversion, as anything occurs to make
+the world merry; and whether friend or foe, one party or another, if
+anything happens so scandalous as to require an open reproof, the world
+will meet with it there." Accordingly, of the eight pages in the first
+number, one and a half pages consist of "Mercure Scandale; or, Advice
+from the Scandalous Club, Translated out of French." The censure was to
+be of the actions of men, not of parties; and the design was to expose
+not persons but things. A monthly supplement, dealing with "the
+immediate subject then on the tongues of the town," was begun in
+September 1704; and pressure on the space before long pushed the Advices
+from the Scandal Club out of the ordinary issue of the _Review_.
+Subsequently Defoe wrote more than once in praise of the way in which
+his work had been taken up by Isaac Bickerstaff.
+
+Probably the _Tatler_ was started by Steele without any very definite
+designs for the future. According to the first number, published on
+April 12, 1709, the aim was to instruct the public what to think, after
+their reading, and there was to be something for the entertainment of
+the fair sex. The numbers were published three times a week, on the
+post-days, at the price of one penny. Each paper consisted of a single
+folio sheet, and the first four were distributed gratuitously. Steele
+probably thought that his position of Gazetteer would enable him to give
+the latest news, and he says that these paragraphs brought in a
+multitude of readers; but as the position of the _Tatler_ became
+established, the need for the support of these items of news grew less,
+and after the first eighty numbers they are of rare occurrence. Quite
+early in the career of the paper Addison, speaking of the distress which
+would be caused among the news-writers by the conclusion of a peace,
+said that Bickerstaff was not personally concerned in the matter; "for
+as my chief scenes of action are coffee-houses, playhouses, and my own
+apartment, I am in no need of camps, fortifications, and fields of
+battle to support me.... I shall still be safe as long as there are men
+or women, or politicians, or lovers, or poets, or nymphs, or swains, or
+cits, or courtiers in being."[1]
+
+The subject of each article was to be indicated by the name of the
+coffee-house or other place from which it was supposed to come: "All
+accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment shall be under the
+article of White's Chocolate-house; Poetry, under that of Will's
+Coffee-house; Learning, under the title of Grecian; Foreign and Domestic
+News you will have from Saint James's Coffee-house; and what else I have
+to offer on any other subject shall be dated from my own Apartment." For
+some time each number contained short papers from all or several of
+these places; but gradually it became usual to devote the whole number
+to one topic. The motto of the first forty numbers was "Quicquid agunt
+homines ... nostri farrago libelli"; but in the following numbers it was
+changed to "Celebrare domestica facta"; and afterwards each number
+generally had a quotation bearing upon the subject of the day. Writing
+some time after the commencement of the fatter, Steele said, in the
+Dedication prefixed to the first volume, "The general purpose of this
+paper is to expose the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of
+cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general simplicity
+in our dress, our discourse, and our behaviour." And elsewhere he says:
+"As for my labours, which he is pleased to inquire after, if they but
+wear one impertinence out of human life, destroy a single vice, or give
+a morning's cheerfulness to an honest mind; in short, if the world can
+be but one virtue the better, or in any degree less vicious, or receive
+from them the smallest addition to their innocent diversions; I shall
+not think my pains, or indeed my life, to have been spent in vain."[2]
+At the close, speaking in his own name, Steele wrote: "The general
+purpose of the whole has been to recommend truth, innocence, honour, and
+virtue, as the chief ornaments of life; but I considered, that severity
+of manners was absolutely necessary to him who would censure others, and
+for that reason, and that only, chose to talk in a mask. I shall not
+carry my humility so far as to call myself a vicious man, but at the
+same time must confess my life is at best but pardonable."[3]
+
+With his usual generosity, Steele more than once spoke in the warmest
+terms of the assistance rendered to him by Addison. In the preface to
+the collected edition he said: "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 to one with whom he had
+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
+called him in I could not subsist without dependence on him." And in
+1722, after Addison's death, in a preface to his friend's play, "The
+Drummer," Steele wrote of the _Tatler_, "That paper 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."
+
+It is only fair to Steele to point out that the original idea of the
+_Tatler_ was entirely his own, and that he alone was responsible for the
+regular supply of material. Addison was in Ireland when the paper was
+begun, and did not know who was the author until several numbers had
+appeared. His occasional contributions were of little importance until
+after eighty numbers had been published; and of the whole 271 numbers
+Steele wrote about 188 and Addison only 42, while they were jointly
+responsible for 36. Swift contributed only to about a dozen numbers; and
+the assistance received from other writers was so slight that it does
+not call for notice here. Steele, unlike Addison, was probably at his
+best in the _Tatler_, where he had a freer hand, and described, in a
+perfectly fresh and unaffected style, the impressions of the moment.
+Hastily composed in coffee-house or printing-office, as they often were,
+and at very short notice, his papers frequently appeal to the reader of
+the present day more than the carefully elaborated and highly finished
+work of his friend, who wrote only when he found a suitable topic. And
+if Addison's art is of a higher standard than Steele's, it is to Steele
+that we owe Addison. A minor poet and the author of a book of travels
+and of an unsuccessful opera, Addison found no opportunity for his
+peculiar genius until his friend provided the means in the _Tatler_. It
+is tolerably certain that he would himself never have taken the
+necessary step of founding a periodical appealing to the general public;
+and Steele himself said with perfect truth, "I claim to myself the merit
+of having extorted excellent productions from a person of the greatest
+abilities, who would not have let them appear by any other means."[4]
+
+If more is said here of Steele than of Addison, it is because it is
+Steele whose name is most intimately connected with the _Tatler_. The
+field in which Addison shone brightest was the _Spectator_, where the
+whole plan was arranged in the manner best suited to his genius. But his
+influence is, nevertheless, visible in the development of the earlier
+paper, and some of his individual articles are equal to anything he
+afterwards wrote. It is only necessary to mention his papers on the
+Distress of the News-Writers[5]; on the poetaster, Ned Softly[6]; on the
+pedant and "broker in learning," Tom Folio[7]; on the Political
+Upholsterer, who was more inquisitive to know what passed in Poland than
+in his own family[8]; and on the Adventures of a Shilling.[9] His, too,
+are the Vision of Justice[10]; the story of a dream;[11] and the amusing
+account of the visit to London of Sir Harry Quickset, who, with his
+old-world breeding, was the forerunner of Sir Roger de Coverley.[12]
+
+Unlike the members of the Spectator's Club, the _dramatis personæ_
+introduced in the _Tatler_ do not occupy a very prominent place in
+the development of the work. Isaac Bickerstaff himself, an old man of
+sixty-four, "a philosopher, an humourist, an astrologer, and a censor,"
+is rather vaguely sketched, and his familiar, Pacolet, is made use of
+chiefly in the earlier numbers. The occasional references to Bickerstaff's
+half-sister, Jenny Distaff,[13] and her husband, Tanquillus, and to his
+three nephews and their conduct in the presence of a "beautiful woman of
+honour,"[14] gave Steele a framework for some charming sketches of
+domestic life. It is not until No. 132 that we have the amusing account
+of the members of Bickerstaff's Club, the Trumpet, in Shire Lane. There
+were Sir Geoffrey Notch, a gentleman of an ancient family, who had
+wasted his estate in his youth, and called every thriving man a pitiful
+upstart; Major Matchlock, with his reminiscences of the Civil War; Dick
+Reptile, and the Bencher who was always praising the wit of former days,
+and telling stories of Jack Ogle, with whom he pretended to have been
+intimate in his youth. Very little use was afterwards made of this
+promising material.
+
+The poet John Gay has given an excellent account of the work
+accomplished by Steele and Addison in a pamphlet called "The Present
+State of Wit" (1711). Speaking of the discontinuance of the _Tatler_, he
+says: "His disappearing 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 newspapers 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....
+There is this 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 vain
+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
+showing them it was their own fault if they were not so; and, lastly,
+how entirely they have convinced our 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 upon a
+new way of thinking, of which they had little or no notion before; and
+though we cannot yet 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."
+
+Gay's opinion has been confirmed by the best judges of nearly two
+centuries, and there is no need to labour the question of the wit and
+wisdom of the _Tatler_. But some examples may be cited in illustration
+of the topics on which Steele and his friends wrote, and the manner in
+which they dealt with them. The very first numbers contained
+illustrations of most of what were to be the characteristics of the
+paper. There is the account of the very pretty gentleman at White's
+Chocolate-house thrown into a sad condition by a passing vision of a
+young lady; the notice of Betterton's benefit performance; the comments
+on the war; the campaign against Partridge, with the declaration that
+all who were good for nothing would be included among the deceased; the
+discussion on the morality of the stage, with praise of Mrs. Bicknell
+and reproaches upon a young nobleman who came drunk to the play; the
+comparison of the rival beauties, Chloe and Clarissa; the satire on the
+Italian opera, and on Pinkethman's company of strollers; and the
+allegorical paper on Fælicia, or Britain. All these and other matters
+are dealt with in the four numbers which were distributed gratuitously;
+as the work progressed the principal change, besides the disappearance
+of the paragraphs of news, was the development of the sustained essay on
+morals or manners, and the less frequent indulgence in satire upon
+individual offenders, and in personal allusions in general. This change
+seems to have been the result partly of design, and partly of
+circumstances, including Addison's influence on the work. Steele himself
+said, as we have seen, that the _Tatler_ was raised to a greater height
+than he had designed; but no doubt he realised that he must feel his
+way, and be at first a tatler rather than a preacher. After some grave
+remarks about duelling in an early paper (No. 26), he makes Pacolet,
+Bickerstaff's familiar, say, "It was too soon to give my discourse on
+this subject so serious a turn; you have chiefly to do with that part of
+mankind which must be led into reflection by degrees, and you must treat
+this custom with humour and raillery to get an audience, before you come
+to pronounce sentence upon it."
+
+Follies and weaknesses are ridiculed in the _Tatler_ in a genial
+spirit, by one who was fully alive to his own imperfections, and point
+is usually given to the papers by a sketch of some veiled or imaginary
+individual. In this way Bickerstaff treats of fops,[15] of wags,[16] of
+coquettes,[17] of the lady who condemned the vice of the age, meaning
+the only vice of which she was not guilty;[18] of impudence;[19] and of
+pride and vanity.[20] In a graver tone he attacks the practice of
+duelling;[21] gamesters and sharpers;[22] drunken "roarers" and
+"scowrers";[23] and brutal pastimes at the Bear Garden and
+elsewhere.[24] The campaign against swindlers exposed Steele to serious
+threats on more than one occasion.[25]
+
+Of what Coleridge called Steele's "pure humanity" there is nowhere
+better evidence than in the _Tatler_. It is enough to cite once more the
+well-known examples of the account of his father's death and his
+mother's grief;[26] the stories of Unnion and Valentine,[27] of the
+Cornish lovers,[28] of Clarinda and Chloe,[29] and of Mr. Eustace,[30]
+and the charming account of the married happiness of an old friend, with
+the pathetic picture of the death of the wife, and the grief of husband
+and children.[31] In the last number Steele said, "It has been a most
+exquisite pleasure to me to frame characters of domestic life"; and we
+know from his letters that when he wrote of children he was only
+expressing the deep affection which he felt for his own. Equally in
+advance of his time was his respect for women, one of whom--Lady
+Elizabeth Hastings--he has immortalised in the words, "To love her is a
+liberal education."[32] In the same number he wrote, "As charity is
+esteemed a conjunction of the good qualities necessary to a virtuous
+man, so love is the happy composition of all the accomplishments that
+make a fine gentleman." In a time of much laxity he constantly dwelt on
+the happiness of marriage; "wife is the most amiable term in human
+life."[33] But good nature must be cultivated if the married life is to
+be happy,[34] and all unnecessary provocations avoided. "Dear Jenny,"
+says Bickerstaff to his sister, "remember me, and avoid
+Snap-Dragon."[35] Women must be rightly educated before they can expect
+to be treated by, and to influence men as they should.[36] The make of
+the mind greatly contributes to the ornament of the body; "there is so
+immediate a relation between our thoughts and gestures that a woman must
+think well to look well."[37] The habit of scandal-mongering and other
+weaknesses are the result of an improper training of the mind.[38] "All
+women especially," says Thackeray, "are bound to be grateful to Steele,
+as he was the first of our writers who really seemed to admire and
+respect them." His pity extended to the hunted deer: "I have more than
+once rode off at the death," he says; "to be apt to shed tears is a sign
+of a great as well as a little spirit."[39]
+
+Steele's teaching on morals and right living enters intimately into his
+literary criticism. His love for Shakespeare was real and intelligent;
+there is no formal discussion of the rules of the drama, but throughout
+the _Tatler_ there are references which show the keenest appreciation
+of Shakespeare's powers as poet and philosopher. "The vitiated tastes of
+the audience at the theatre could only be amended," says Steele, "by
+encouraging the representation of the noble characters drawn by
+Shakespeare and others, from whence it is impossible to return without
+strong impressions of honour and humanity. On these occasions, distress
+is laid before us with all its causes and consequences, and our
+resentment placed according to the merit of the persons afflicted. Were
+dramas of this nature more acceptable to the taste of the town, men who
+have genius would bend their studies to excel in them."[40] Still more
+remarkable are the allusions to "Paradise Lost," for Milton was then even
+less appreciated than Shakespeare. As in so many other things, Addison's
+more elaborate criticism in the _Spectator_ was foreshadowed in the
+_Tatler_ by Steele; and the comparison of passages by Milton and
+Dryden[41] must have been very striking to the reader of that time, who
+usually knew Shakespeare or Chaucer only through the adaptations of Dryden
+or Tate.
+
+Though it is not true, as some have represented, that the _Tatler_ is
+for the most part a mere society journal, concerned chiefly with the
+gossip of the day, yet its contributors made use of the scenes and
+events familiar to their readers in order to bring home the kindly
+lessons they wished to teach; and in so doing they have given us a
+picture of the daily life of the town which would alone have given
+lasting interest to the paper. The distinctly "moral" papers have had
+countless imitators, and sometimes therefore they are apt to pall upon
+us, but the social articles are at least as interesting now as when they
+were written, and one of the reasons why some excellent judges have
+prefered the _Tatler_ to the _Spectator_, is that there is a greater
+proportion of these gossiping papers, combining wisdom with satire, and
+bringing before us as in a mirror the London of Queen Anne's day.
+Bickerstaff takes us from club to coffee-house, from St. James's to the
+Exchange; we see the poets and wits at Will's, the politicians at
+White's, the merchants at Garraway's, the Templars at the Smyrna; we see
+Betterton and the rest on the stage, and the ladies and gentlemen in the
+front or side boxes; we see Pinkethman's players at Greenwich, Powell's
+puppet-show, Don Saltero's Museum at Chelsea, and the bear-baiting and
+prize-fights at Hockley-in-the-Hole. We are taken to the Mall at St.
+James's, or the Ring in Hyde Park, and we study the fine ladies and the
+beaux, with their red heels and their amber-headed canes suspended from
+their waistcoats; or we follow them to Charles Lillie's, the perfumer,
+or to Mather's toy-shop, or to Motteux's china warehouse; or to the
+shops in the New Exchange, where the men bought trifles and ogled the
+attendants. Or yet again we watch the exposure of the sharpers and
+bullies, and the denunciation of others who brought even greater ruin on
+those who fell into their clutches. We see the worshipping and the
+flirtations in the church, with Smalridge and Atterbury, Hoadly and
+Blackall among the preachers, and hear something of the controversies
+between High and Low Church, Whig and Tory. We hear, too, of the war
+with France, and of the hopes of peace. Steele tells us not only of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene, but of privates and non-commissioned
+officers, of their lives and tragedies, of their comrades and friends.
+All Sergeant Hall knew of the battle was that he wished there had not
+been so many killed; he had himself a very bad shot in the head, but
+would recover, if it pleased God. "To me," says Steele, recalling his
+own service as a trooper, "I take the gallantry of private soldiers to
+proceed from the same, if not from a nobler impulse than that of
+gentlemen and officers.... Sergeant Hall would die ten thousand deaths
+rather than a word should be spoken at the Red Lattice, or any part of
+the Butcher Row, in prejudice to his courage or honesty." His letter to
+his friend was "the picture of the bravest sort of man, that is to say,
+a man of great courage and small hopes."[42]
+
+Something must be said of the events of 1710, which led to the
+discontinuance of the _Tatler_. The trial of Dr. Sacheverell in March
+was followed by the fall of the Whigs in the autumn; and in October
+Steele lost his post of Gazetteer. Swift says it was "for writing a
+_Tatler_ some months ago, against Mr. Harley, who gave him the post at
+first." There was a growing coldness between Swift and his old friends,
+and on the 3rd of November Swift wrote, "We have scurvy _Tatlers_ of
+late, so pray do not suspect me." On the preceding day Swift's first
+paper in the Tory _Examiner_ had been published. He still met Steele
+from time to time, and he says that he interceded for him with Harley,
+but was frustrated by Addison. However this may be, it is certain that
+Harley saw Steele, and that as the result of their interview Steele
+retained his post as Commissioner of the Stamp Office, and brought the
+_Tatler_ to a close on January 2, 1711, without consulting Addison. "To
+say the truth, it was time," says Swift; "for he grew cruel dull and
+dry." It is true that there is a falling off towards the close of the
+_Tatler_, but that it was not want of matter that brought about the
+abandonment of the paper is proved by the commencement only two months
+later of the _Spectator_. Steele himself said that on many accounts it
+had become an irksome task to personate Mr. Bickerstaff any longer; he
+had in some places touched upon matters concerning Church and State, and
+he could not be cold enough to conceal his opinions. Gay tells us, in
+"The Present State of Wit," that the town being generally of opinion
+that Steele was quite spent as regards matter, was the more surprised
+when the _Spectator_ appeared; people were therefore driven to accept
+the alternative view that the _Tatler_ was laid down "as a sort of
+submission to, or composition with, the Government for some past
+offences."
+
+Excellent testimony to the immediate popularity of the _Tatler_ is
+furnished by the fact that its successive numbers were reprinted in
+Dublin and in Edinburgh. At least sixty-nine numbers of the Dublin
+issue, in quarto, were printed. The Scottish re-issue was a folio sheet,
+commenced about February 1710, and continued until the close of the
+paper. The date of each number of the Edinburgh paper--"printed by
+James Watson, and sold at his shop next door to the Red Lion, opposite
+to the Lucken Booths"--is five or six days later than that of the
+original issue; it was evidently worked off as soon as the London post
+came in. Other evidence of the popularity of the _Tatler_ in the
+provinces is afforded by the foundation of the "Gentleman's Society" at
+Spalding. Maurice Johnson, a native of Spalding and a member of the
+Inner Temple, gives this account of the matter: "In April 1709, that
+great genius Captain Richard Steele ... published the _Tatlers_, which,
+as they came out in half-sheets, were taken in by a gentleman, who
+communicated them to his acquaintances at the coffee-house then in the
+Abbey Yard; and these papers being universally approved as both
+instructive and entertaining, they ordered them to be sent down thither,
+with the Gazettes and Votes, for which they paid out of charity to the
+person who kept the coffee-house, and they were accordingly had and read
+there every post-day, generally aloud to the company, who would sit and
+talk over the subject afterwards. This insensibly drew the men of sense
+and letters into a sociable way of conversing, and continued the next
+year, 1710, until the publication of these papers desisted, which was in
+December, to their great regret." Afterwards the _Spectator_ was taken
+in, and a regular society was started in 1712, by the encouragement of
+Addison, Steele, and other members of Button's Club.
+
+One indication of the popularity of the _Tatler_ in its own day is the
+long subscription list prefixed to the reprint in four octavo volumes.
+Some copies were printed on "royal," others on "medium" paper; and the
+price of the former was a guinea a volume, while that of the latter was
+half a guinea. There was also an authorised cheap edition, in duodecimo,
+at half a crown a volume, besides a pirated edition at the same price. A
+still more conclusive proof of the success of the _Tatler_ was the
+number of papers started in imitation of its methods. Addison mentioned
+some of those periodicals in No. 229, where details will be found of the
+"Female Tatler," "Tit for Tat," and the like. But besides these, several
+spurious continuations of the _Tatler_ appeared directly after the
+discontinuance of the genuine paper, including one by William Harrison,
+written with Swift's encouragement and assistance. But Harrison, as
+Swift said, had "not the true vein for it," and his paper reached only
+to fifty-two numbers, which were afterwards reprinted as a fifth volume
+to the collected edition of the original _Tatler_. Gay said that
+Steele's imitators seemed 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." The town,
+in the absence of anything better, welcomed their occasional and faint
+endeavours at humour; "but even those are at present become wholly
+invisible, and quite swallowed up in the blaze of the _Spectator_."
+Steele himself said that his imitators held the censorship in
+commission.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 1: No. 18.]
+
+[Footnote 2: No. 89.]
+
+[Footnote 3: No. 271.]
+
+[Footnote 4: _Spectator_, No. 532.]
+
+[Footnote 5: _Tatler_, No. 18.]
+
+[Footnote 6: No. 163.]
+
+[Footnote 7: No. 158.]
+
+[Footnote 8: Nos. 155, 160.]
+
+[Footnote 9: No. 249.]
+
+[Footnote 10: Nos. 100, 102.]
+
+[Footnote 11: No. 117.]
+
+[Footnote 12: No. 86.]
+
+[Footnote 13: No. 10.]
+
+[Footnote 14: No. 30.]
+
+[Footnote 15: No. 142.]
+
+[Footnote 16: No. 184.]
+
+[Footnote 17: No. 27.]
+
+[Footnote 18: No. 210.]
+
+[Footnote 19: No. 168.]
+
+[Footnote 20: Nos. 127, 186.]
+
+[Footnote 21: Nos. 25, 26, 29, 31, 38, 39.]
+
+[Footnote 22: Nos. 56, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 23: Nos. 40, 45.]
+
+[Footnote 24: No. 134.]
+
+[Footnote 25: See Nos. 115, 271.]
+
+[Footnote 26: No. 181.]
+
+[Footnote 27: No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 28: No. 82.]
+
+[Footnote 29: No. 94.]
+
+[Footnote 30: No. 172.]
+
+[Footnote 31: Nos. 95, 114.]
+
+[Footnote 32: No. 49.]
+
+[Footnote 33: No. 33.]
+
+[Footnote 34: No. 149.]
+
+[Footnote 35: No. 85. See, too, No. 104.]
+
+[Footnote 36: Nos. 141, 248.]
+
+[Footnote 37: No. 212.]
+
+[Footnote 38: Nos, 40, 42, 47.]
+
+[Footnote 39: No. 68.]
+
+[Footnote 40: No. 8.]
+
+[Footnote 41: No. 6.]
+
+[Footnote 42: No. 87.]
+
+
+
+
+THE TATLER
+
+
+
+
+THE PREFACE.[43]
+
+In the last _Tatler_ I promised some explanation of passages and persons
+mentioned in this work, as well as some account of the assistances I
+have had in the performance. I shall do this in very few words; for when
+a man has no design but to speak plain truth, he may say a great deal in
+a very narrow compass. I have in the dedication of the first volume made
+my acknowledgments to Dr. Swift, whose pleasant writings, in the name of
+Bickerstaff, created an inclination in the town towards anything that
+could appear in the same disguise. I must acknowledge also, that at my
+first entering upon this work, a certain uncommon way of thinking, and a
+turn in conversation peculiar to that agreeable gentleman, rendered his
+company very advantageous to one whose imagination was to be continually
+employed upon obvious and common subjects, though at the same time
+obliged to treat of them in a new and unbeaten method. His verses on the
+Shower in Town,[44] and the Description of the Morning,[45] are
+instances of the happiness of that genius, which could raise such
+pleasing ideas upon occasions so barren to an ordinary invention.
+
+When I am upon the house of Bickerstaff, I must not forget that
+genealogy of the family sent to me by the post, and written, as I since
+understand, by Mr. Twysden,[46] who died at the battle of Mons, and has
+a monument in Westminster Abbey, suitable to the respect which is due to
+his wit and his valour. There are through the course of the work very
+many incidents which were written by unknown correspondents. Of this
+kind is the tale in the second _Tatler_, and the epistle from Mr. Downes
+the prompter,[47] with others which were very well received by the
+public. But I have only one gentleman,[48] who will be nameless, to
+thank for any frequent assistance to me, which indeed it would have been
+barbarous in him to have denied to one with whom he has lived in an
+intimacy from childhood, considering the great ease with which he is
+able to dispatch 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 writ the distinguishing characters of men and women under
+the names of Musical Instruments, the Distress of the News-writers, the
+Inventory of the Playhouse, and the Description of the Thermometer,[49]
+which I cannot but look upon as the greatest embellishments of this
+work.
+
+Thus far I thought necessary to say relating to the great hands which
+have been concerned in these volumes, with relation to the spirit and
+genius of the work; and am far from pretending to modesty in making this
+acknowledgment. What a man obtains from the good opinion and friendship
+of worthy men, is a much greater honour than he can possibly reap from
+any accomplishments of his own. But all the credit of wit which was
+given me by the gentlemen above mentioned (with whom I have now
+accounted) has not been able to atone for the exceptions made against me
+for some raillery in behalf of that learned advocate for the episcopacy
+of the Church, and the liberty of the people, Mr. Hoadly. I mention this
+only to defend myself against the imputation of being moved rather by
+party than opinion;[50] and I think it is apparent, I have with the
+utmost frankness allowed merit wherever I found it, though joined in
+interests different from those for which I have declared myself. When my
+Favonius[51] is acknowledged to be Dr. Smalridge, and the amiable
+character of the dean in the sixty-sixth _Tatler_ drawn for Dr.
+Atterbury, I hope I need say no more as to my impartiality.
+
+I really have acted in these cases with honesty, and am concerned it
+should be thought otherwise: for wit, if a man had it, unless it be
+directed to some useful end, is but a wanton frivolous quality; all that
+one should value himself upon in this kind is, that he had some
+honourable intention in it.
+
+As for this point, never hero in romance was carried away with a more
+furious ambition to conquer giants and tyrants, than I have been in
+extirpating gamesters and duellists. And indeed, like one of those
+knights too, though I was calm before, I am apt to fly out again, when
+the thing that first disturbed me is presented to my imagination. I
+shall therefore leave off when I am well, and fight with windmills no
+more: only shall be so arrogant as to say of myself, that in spite of
+all the force of fashion and prejudice, in the face of all the world, I
+alone bewailed the condition of an English gentleman, whose fortune and
+life are at this day precarious; while his estate is liable to the
+demands of gamesters, through a false sense of justice; and to the
+demands of duellists, through a false sense of honour. As to the first
+of these orders of men, I have not one word more to say of them: as to
+the latter, I shall conclude all I have more to offer against them (with
+respect to their being prompted by the fear of shame) by applying to the
+duellist what I think Dr. South says somewhere of the liar, "He is a
+coward to man, and a brave to God."
+
+_To_ Mr. Maynwaring.[52]
+
+SIR,
+
+The state of conversation and business in this town having been long
+perplexed with pretenders in both kinds, in order to open men's eyes
+against such abuses, it appeared no unprofitable undertaking to publish
+a paper which should observe upon the manners of the pleasureable, as
+well as the busy part of mankind. To make this generally read, it seemed
+the most proper method to form it by way of a letter of intelligence,
+consisting of such parts as might gratify the curiosity of persons of
+all conditions, and of each sex. But a work of this nature requiring
+time to grow into the notice of the world, it happened very luckily,
+that a little before I had resolved upon this design, a gentleman[53]
+had written Predictions, and two or three other pieces in my name, which
+had rendered it famous through all parts of Europe; and by an inimitable
+spirit and humour, raised it to as high a pitch of reputation as it
+could possibly arrive at.
+
+By this good fortune, the name of Isaac Bickerstaff gained an audience
+of all who had any taste of wit, and the addition of the ordinary
+occurrences of common journals of news brought in a multitude of other
+readers. I could not, I confess, long keep up the opinion of the town,
+that these lucubrations were written by the same hand with the first
+works which were published under my name; but before I lost the
+participation of that author's fame, I had already found the advantage
+of his authority, to which I owe the sudden acceptance which my labours
+met with in the world.
+
+The general purpose of this paper, is to expose the false arts of life,
+to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and
+recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our discourse, and our
+behaviour. No man has a better judgment for the discovery, or a nobler
+spirit for the contempt of such impostures, than your self; which
+qualities render you the most proper patron for the author of these
+essays. In the general, the design, however executed, has met with so
+great success, that there is hardly a name now eminent among us for
+power, wit, beauty, valour, or wisdom, which is not subscribed, for the
+encouragement of the two volumes in octavo, on a royal or medium
+paper.[54] This is indeed an honour, for which it is impossible to
+express a suitable gratitude; and there is nothing could be an addition
+to the pleasure I take in it, but the reflection that it gives me the
+most conspicuous occasion I can ever have, of subscribing myself,
+
+Sir,
+
+Your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble Servant,
+
+ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 43: This Preface was originally prefixed to the fourth volume
+of the collected edition issued in 1710-11.]
+
+[Footnote 44: No. 238.]
+
+[Footnote 45: No. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 46: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 47: No. 193.]
+
+[Footnote 48: Addison.]
+
+[Footnote 49: Nos. 153, 18, 42, 220.]
+
+[Footnote 50: Benjamin Hoadly, afterwards Bishop of Bangor, Salisbury,
+and Winchester, successively, was in 1709 engaged in controversy with
+Dr. Francis Atterbury, who represented the high-church party. George
+Smalridge, afterwards Bishop of Bristol, was a Jacobite.]
+
+[Footnote 51: See Nos. 72, 114.]
+
+[Footnote 52: Arthur Maynwaring was descended from the ancient family of
+the Maynwarings of Over Peover, Cheshire. He was born in 1668, at
+Ightfield, Shropshire, and was educated at the Shrewsbury Grammar School
+and at Christ Church, Oxford, where Smalridge was his tutor. Filled with
+prejudices against the Revolution, he came to London to study law, but a
+political satire which he published brought him under Dryden's notice,
+and the kind reception given him by several Whig statesmen, to whom he
+was introduced, caused him to change his views on politics, and after
+his father's death in 1693 he gave up the law and determined to push his
+fortunes at the Court. He was made a Commissioner of Customs and
+afterwards Auditor of the Imprests. He was admitted to the Kit-Cat Club,
+and in 1706 the interest of Godolphin procured him a seat in the House
+of Commons. Upon the fall of the Whig ministry in 1710, Maynwaring set
+up the _Medley_, a weekly paper in which the attacks of the _Examiner_
+were answered, and wrote various political pamphlets. But his health
+soon broke down, and he died in November, 1712. Mrs. Oldfield, the
+actress, was the sole executrix of his will, by which he divided his
+small property of some £3000 between her, a son that he had by her, and
+his sister. There appear to have been many good points in his character.
+His "Life and Posthumous Works" were published by Oldmixon in 1715.
+"Maynwaring, whom we hear nothing of now, was the ruling man in all
+conversations, indeed what he wrote had very little merit in it" (Pope,
+in Spence's "Anecdotes," 1820, p. 338). Steele says that Harley told him
+that he had to thank Maynwaring for his post of Gazetteer.]
+
+[Footnote 53: Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 54: "Encouragement of these volumes," in the octavo edition.
+The list of subscribers to the original octavo edition comprised the
+names of some four hundred of the most prominent persons of the day.]
+
+
+
+
+THE TATLER
+
+BY ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, ESQ.
+
+
+
+
+No. 1. [STEELE.
+
+_Tuesday, April 12_, 1709.
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            Juv., Sat. I. 85, 86.[55]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Though the other papers which are published for the use of the good
+people of England have certainly very wholesome effects, and are
+laudable in their particular kinds, yet they do not seem to come up to
+the main design of such narrations, which, I humbly presume, should be
+principally intended for the use of politic persons, who are so public
+spirited as to neglect their own affairs to look into transactions of
+State. Now these gentlemen, for the most part, being men of strong zeal
+and weak intellects, it is both a charitable and necessary work to offer
+something, whereby such worthy and well-affected members of the
+commonwealth may be instructed, after their reading, what to think;
+which shall be the end and purpose of this my paper: wherein I shall
+from time to time report and consider all matters of what kind soever
+that shall occur to me, and publish such my advices and reflections
+every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in the week for the convenience
+of the post.[56] I have also resolved to have something which may be of
+entertainment to the fair sex, in honour of whom I have taken the title
+of this paper. I therefore earnestly desire all persons, without
+distinction, to take it in for the present gratis, and hereafter at the
+price of one penny, forbidding all hawkers to take more for it at their
+peril. And I desire my readers to consider, that I am at a very great
+charge for proper materials for this work, as well as that before I
+resolved upon it, I had settled a correspondence in all parts of the
+known and knowing world. And forasmuch as this globe is not trodden upon
+by mere drudges of business only, but that men of spirit and genius are
+justly to be esteemed as considerable agents in it, we shall not, upon a
+dearth of news, present you with musty foreign edicts, or dull
+proclamations, but shall divide our relation of the passages which occur
+in action or discourse throughout this town, as well as elsewhere, under
+such dates of places as may prepare you for the matter you are to
+expect, in the following manner:
+
+All accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment, shall be under
+the article of White's Chocolate-house;[57] poetry, under that of Will's
+Coffee-house;[58] learning, under the title of Grecian;[59] foreign and
+domestic news, you will have from St. James's Coffee-house;[60] and what
+else I shall on any other subject offer, shall be dated from my own
+apartment.
+
+I once more desire my readers to consider that as I cannot keep an
+ingenious man to go daily to Will's under twopence each day merely
+for his charges,[61] to White's under sixpence, nor to the Grecian
+without allowing him some plain Spanish,[62] to be as able as others at
+the learned table; and that a good observer cannot speak with even
+Kidney[63] at St. James's without clean linen; I say, these
+considerations will, I hope, make all persons willing to comply with my
+humble request (when my gratis stock is exhausted) of a penny a piece;
+especially since they are sure of some proper amusement, and that it is
+impossible for me to want means to entertain them, having, besides the
+helps of my own parts, the power of divination, and that I can, by
+casting a figure, tell you all that will happen before it comes to pass.
+
+But this last faculty I shall use very sparingly, and not speak of
+anything until it is passed, for fear of divulging matters which may
+offend our superiors.[64]
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 11.
+
+The deplorable condition of a very pretty gentleman, who walks here at
+the hours when men of quality first appear, is what is very much
+lamented. His history is, that on the 9th of September, 1705, being in
+his one and twentieth year, he was washing his teeth at a tavern window
+in Pall Mall, when a fine equipage passed by, and in it a young lady,
+who looked up at him; away goes the coach, and the young gentleman
+pulled off his nightcap, and instead of rubbing his gums, as he ought to
+do out of the window till about four o'clock, he sits him down, and
+spoke not a word till twelve at night; after which, he began to inquire,
+if anybody knew the lady. The company asked, "What lady?" But he said no
+more until they broke up at six in the morning. All the ensuing winter
+he went from church to church every Sunday, and from play-house to
+play-house all the week, but could never find the original of the
+picture which dwelt in his bosom. In a word, his attention to anything
+but his passion, was utterly gone. He has lost all the money he ever
+played for, and been confuted in every argument he has entered upon
+since the moment he first saw her. He is of a noble family, has
+naturally a very good air, and is of a frank, honest temper: but this
+passion has so extremely mauled him, that his features are set and
+uninformed, and his whole visage is deadened by a long absence of
+thought. He never appears in any alacrity, but when raised by wine; at
+which time he is sure to come hither, and throw away a great deal of wit
+on fellows, who have no sense further than just to observe, that our
+poor lover has most understanding when he is drunk, and is least in his
+senses when he is sober.[65]
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 8.
+
+On Thursday last[66] was presented, for the benefit of Mr.
+Betterton,[67] the celebrated comedy, called "Love for Love."[68] Those
+excellent players, Mrs. Barry,[69] Mrs. Bracegirdle,[70] and Mr.
+Doggett,[71] though not at present concerned in the house, acted on that
+occasion. There has not been known so great a concourse of persons of
+distinction as at that time; the stage itself was covered with gentlemen
+and ladies, and when the curtain was drawn, it discovered even there a
+very splendid audience. This unusual encouragement, which was given to a
+play for the advantage of so great an actor, gives an undeniable
+instance, that the true relish for manly entertainments and rational
+pleasures is not wholly lost. All the parts were acted to perfection;
+the actors were careful of their carriage, and no one was guilty of the
+affectation to insert witticisms of his own, but a due respect was had
+to the audience, for encouraging this accomplished player. It is not now
+doubted but plays will revive, and take their usual place in the opinion
+of persons of wit and merit, notwithstanding their late apostacy in
+favour of dress and sound. This place is very much altered since Mr.
+Dryden frequented it; where you used to see songs, epigrams, and satires
+in the hands of every man you met, you have now only a pack of cards;
+and instead of the cavils about the turn of the expression, the elegance
+of the style, and the like, the learned now dispute only about the truth
+of the game. But, however the company is altered, all have shown a great
+respect for Mr. Betterton: and the very gaming part of this house have
+been so much touched with a sense of the uncertainty of human affairs
+(which alter with themselves every moment) that in this gentleman, they
+pitied Mark Antony of Rome, Hamlet of Denmark, Mithridates of Pontus,
+Theodosius of Greece, and Henry the Eighth of England. It is well known
+he has been in the condition of each of those illustrious personages for
+several hours together, and behaved himself in those high stations, in
+all the changes of the scene, with suitable dignity. For these reasons,
+we intend to repeat this favour to him on a proper occasion, lest he who
+can instruct us so well in personating feigned sorrows, should be lost
+to us by suffering under real ones. The town is at present in very great
+expectation of seeing a comedy now in rehearsal, which is the
+twenty-fifth production of my honoured friend Mr. Thomas D'Urfey;[72]
+who, besides his great abilities in the dramatic, has a peculiar talent
+in the lyric way of writing, and that with a manner wholly new and
+unknown to the ancient Greeks and Romans, wherein he is but faintly
+imitated in the translations of the modern Italian operas.[73]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 11.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 16th say, that Major-General Cadogan[74]
+was gone to Brussels, with orders to disperse proper instructions for
+assembling the whole force of the allies in Flanders in the beginning of
+the next month.[75] The late offers concerning peace were made in the
+style of persons who think themselves upon equal terms. But the allies
+have so just a sense of their present advantages, that they will not
+admit of a treaty, except France offers what is more suitable to her
+present condition. At the same time we make preparations, as if we were
+alarmed by a greater force than that which we are carrying into the
+field. Thus this point seems now to be argued sword in hand. This was
+what a great general[76] alluded to, when being asked the names of those
+who were to be plenipotentiaries for the ensuing peace, answered, with a
+serious air, "There are about a hundred thousand of us." Mr. Kidney, who
+has the ear of the greatest politicians that come hither, tells me,
+there is a mail come in to-day with letters, dated Hague, April 19,
+N.S., which say, a design of bringing part of our troops into the field
+at the latter end of this month, is now altered to a resolution of
+marching towards the camp about the 20th of the next. There happened the
+other day, in the road of Scheveling, an engagement between a privateer
+of Zealand and one of Dunkirk. The Dunkirker, carrying 33 pieces of
+cannon, was taken and brought into the Texel. It is said, the courier of
+Monsieur Rouillé[77] is returned to him from the Court of France.
+Monsieur Vendôme being reinstated in the favour of the Duchess of
+Burgundy, is to command in Flanders.
+
+Mr. Kidney added, that there were letters of the 17th from Ghent, which
+give an account, that the enemy had formed a design to surprise two
+battalions of the allies which lay at Alost; but those battalions
+received advice of their march, and retired to Dendermond.
+Lieutenant-General Wood[78] appeared on this occasion at the head of
+5000 foot, and 1000 horse, upon which the enemy withdrew, without making
+any further attempt.
+
+
+From my own Apartment.
+
+I am sorry I am obliged to trouble the public with so much discourse
+upon a matter which I at the very first mentioned as a trifle--viz. the
+death of Mr. Partridge,[79] under whose name there is an almanack come
+out for the year 1709, in one page of which it is asserted by the said
+John Partridge, that he is still living, and that not only so, but that
+he was also living some time before, and even at the instant when I writ
+of his death. I have in another place, and in a paper by itself,
+sufficiently convinced this man that he is dead, and if he has any
+shame, I don't doubt but that by this time he owns it to all his
+acquaintance: for though the legs and arms, and whole body of that man
+may still appear and perform their animal functions; yet since, as I
+have elsewhere observed, his art is gone, the man is gone. I am, as I
+said, concerned, that this little matter should make so much noise; but
+since I am engaged, I take myself obliged in honour to go on in my
+lucubrations, and by the help of these arts of which I am master, as
+well as my skill in astrological speculations, I shall, as I see
+occasion, proceed to confute other dead men, who pretend to be in being,
+that they are actually deceased. I therefore give all men fair warning
+to mend their manners, for I shall from time to time print bills of
+mortality; and I beg the pardon of all such who shall be named therein,
+if they who are good for nothing shall find themselves in the number of
+the deceased.[80]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 55: This motto was repeated at the head of each of the first
+40 numbers in the folio issue.]
+
+[Footnote 56: These were the days on which the post left London for the
+different parts of the country.]
+
+[Footnote 57: White's Chocolate-house, five doors from the bottom of the
+west side of St. James's Street, was established in 1698. It was burnt
+on April 28, 1733, while kept by Mr. Arthur. Plate VI. of Hogarth's
+"Rake's Progress" depicts gamblers engrossed in play in a room in this
+house during the fire; see also Plate IV. Swift gives it a bad character
+in his "Essay on Modern Education;" it had a strong character for
+gambling (Timbs's "Clubs and Club Life in London," where, at p. 48,
+there is a sketch of White's from an old drawing). The house became a
+private club, as we now have it, about 1736.]
+
+[Footnote 58: Will's Coffee-house, named after Will Urwin, its
+proprietor, was the corner house on the north side of Russell Street,
+Covent Garden, at the end of Bow Street. The present house, 21 Russell
+Street, is probably part of the old building. Will's was ceasing to be
+the resort of the wits in 1709; it was in its glory at the close of the
+seventeenth century. The wits' room, where Dryden presided, was on the
+first floor.]
+
+[Footnote 59: The Grecian, in Devereux Court in the Strand, was probably
+the most ancient coffee-house in or about London. In 1652 an English
+Turkey merchant brought home with him a Greek servant, who first opened
+a house for making and selling coffee. This man's name was Constantine,
+and his house was much resorted to by lawyers, Greek scholars, and
+Members of the Royal Society. (See Thoresby's Diary, i. 111, 117.) Foote
+and Goldsmith afterwards frequented it. In Dr. King's "Anecdotes" there
+is a story of two gentlemen friends who disputed at the Grecian
+Coffee-house about the accent of a Greek word to such a length that they
+went out into Devereux Court and drew swords, when one of them was
+killed on the spot.]
+
+[Footnote 60: The St. James's Coffee-house was the last house but one on
+the S.W. corner of St. James's Street. It was frequented by Whig
+statesmen, and was closed about 1806. Swift and Steele were at a supper
+given by the keeper on the 19th November, 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 61: Cf. the _Spectator_, No. 31: "Laying down my penny upon
+the bar."]
+
+[Footnote 62: Wine.]
+
+[Footnote 63: A waiter. See Nos. 10, 26.]
+
+[Footnote 64: This introduction was repeated in Nos. 2 and 3 of the
+original issue.]
+
+[Footnote 65: "The reader is desired to take notice of the article from
+this place from time to time, for I design to be very exact in the
+progress this unhappy gentleman makes, which may be of great instruction
+to all who actually are, or who ever shall be, in love." (Original
+folio.) For Viscount Hinchinbroke ("Cynthio"), see No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 66: April 7, 1709. Cibber acknowledges that Steele did the
+stage very considerable service by the papers on the theatre in the
+_Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 67: For further particulars of Thomas Betterton (1635-1710),
+see Nos. 71 and 167. Cibber says: "I never heard a line in tragedy come
+from Betterton wherein my judgment, my ear and my imagination were not
+fully satisfied.... The person of this excellent actor was suitable to
+his voice, more manly than sweet, not exceeding the middle stature,
+inclining to be corpulent; of a serious and penetrating aspect; his
+limbs nearer the athletic than the delicate proportion; yet, however
+formed, there arose from the harmony of the whole a commanding mien of
+majesty."]
+
+[Footnote 68: By Congreve, 1695.]
+
+[Footnote 69: Mrs. Elizabeth Barry on this occasion spoke an epilogue,
+written by Rowe. She was the daughter of Edward Barry, barrister, whose
+fortunes were ruined by his attachment to Charles I. Tony Aston, in his
+"Supplement to Cibber's Apology," says she was woman to Lady Shelton, of
+Norfolk, his godmother; and Curll tells us that she was early taken
+under the protection of Lady Davenant. She was certainly on the stage in
+1673. At her first appearance there was so little hope of her success,
+that at the end of the season she was discharged [from] the theatre. It
+is probable that at this time she became acquainted with Lord Rochester,
+who took her under his protection, and gave her instructions in her
+theatrical performances. By his interest she seems to have been restored
+to the stage, and, improving daily in her profession, she soon eclipsed
+all her competitors, and in the part of Monimia in "The Orphan"
+established her reputation, which was enhanced by her performance as
+Belvidera in "Venice Preserved," and as Isabella in "The Fatal
+Marriage." "In characters of greatness," says Cibber, "Mrs. Barry had a
+presence of elevated dignity, her mien and motion superb, and gracefully
+majestic; her voice full, clear, and strong, so that no violence of
+passion could be too much for her, and when distress or tenderness
+possessed her she subsided into the most affecting melody and softness.
+In the art of exciting pity she had a power beyond all the actresses I
+have yet seen, or what your imagination can conceive. In scenes of
+anger, defiance, or resentment, while she was impetuous and terrible,
+she poured out the sentiment with an enchanting harmony.... In tragedy
+she was solemn and august, in comedy alert, easy, and genteel, pleasant
+in her face and action, filling the stage with a variety of gesture. She
+could neither sing nor dance, no not in a country dance. She adhered to
+Betterton in all the revolutions of the theatre, which she quitted about
+1707, on account of ill-health." She returned, however, for one night
+with Mrs. Bracegirdle, April 7, 1709, and performed Mrs. Frail in "Love
+for Love" for Betterton's benefit. She died at Acton in 1713. Mrs.
+Barry, Mrs. Bracegirdle, Mr. Betterton, and Mr. Varbriggen were sworn as
+Comedians in Ordinary to her Majesty, 30th Oct., 2 Anne (1703). On the
+3rd March, 1692, Mrs. Barry received £25 for acting in "The Orphan"
+before their Majesties, and on the 10th June, 1693, £25 for Caius
+Marius. (Lord Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Books, No. 20, p. 151; No.
+18, pp. 30, 242.)]
+
+[Footnote 70: Mrs. Anne Bracegirdle was the daughter of Justinian
+Bracegirdle, of Northamptonshire. By the imprudence of her father, who
+ruined himself by becoming surety for some friends, she was early left
+to the care of Betterton and his wife, whose attentions to her she
+always acknowledged to be truly paternal. By them she was first
+introduced to the stage, and, while very young, performed the page in
+"The Orphan." Increasing in years, and in ability, she became the
+favourite performer of the times. Cibber describes her in these terms:
+"Mrs. Bracegirdle was now but just blooming in her maturity; her
+reputation, as an actress, gradually rising with that of her person;
+never any woman was in such general favour of her spectators, which, to
+the last scene of her dramatic life, she maintained by not being
+unguarded in her private character. This discretion contributed not a
+little to make her the _Cara_, the darling of the theatre: for it will
+be no extravagant thing to say scarce an audience saw her that were less
+than half of them lovers, without a suspected favourite among them: and
+though she might be said to have been the universal passion and under
+the highest temptations, her constancy in resisting them served but to
+increase the number of her admirers. And this perhaps you will more
+easily believe, when I extend not my encomiums on her person beyond a
+sincerity that can be suspected; for she had no greater claim to beauty
+than what the most desirable brunette might pretend to. But her youth
+and lively aspect threw out such a glow of health and cheerfulness,
+that, on the stage, few spectators that were not past it, could behold
+her without desire. There were two very different characters in which
+she acquitted herself with uncommon applause: if anything could excuse
+that desperate extravagance of love, that almost frantic passion of
+Lee's Alexander the Great, it must have been when Mrs. Bracegirdle was
+his Statira: as when she acted Millamant, all the faults, follies, and
+affectation of that agreeable tyrant were venially melted down into so
+many charms and attractions of a conscious beauty." In the theatrical
+disputes of the times, she adhered to her benefactor Betterton, and
+continued to perform with applause until 1707, when, on the preference
+being given to Mrs. Oldfield in a contention between that actress and
+Mrs. Bracegirdle, she left the stage, except for one night, when she
+returned with Mrs. Barry to the theatre, and performed Angelica for
+Betterton's benefit (the performance described in this number). She died
+in 1748.]
+
+[Footnote 71: Thomas Doggett died in 1721. In 1695 he created the
+character of Ben in Congreve's "Love for Love." Afterwards he was
+associated with Steele in the management of Drury Lane Theatre.]
+
+[Footnote 72: D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets" was produced in 1709. Thomas
+D'Urfey died in 1723, aged 70, leaving Steele a watch and chain, which
+his friend wore at the funeral. He wrote many plays and songs. See also
+Nos. 11, 43.]
+
+[Footnote 73: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 74: William, First Earl Cadogan (1675-1726), was an able
+officer who took a very prominent part in Marlborough's campaigns. In
+January, 1709, he was made lieutenant-general, and he was dangerously
+wounded at the siege of Mons. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower
+of London in December.]
+
+[Footnote 75: The news-paragraphs in the earlier numbers of the _Tatler_
+are here preserved for the sake of completeness, but for the most part
+the details recorded are not of permanent interest, and do not call for
+comment. The reader may be reminded generally that in the spring of 1709
+the French, after the battle of Oudenarde and the fall of Lille,
+followed by a very severe winter, were driven to think of terms of
+peace. The negotiations, however, fell through for the time, and the
+campaign was begun in the Netherlands, where Marlborough and Prince
+Eugene had an army of 110,000 men. The French were entrenched under
+Villars between Douay and Béthune, and were strengthened by part of the
+garrison of Tournay. Marlborough seized the opportunity of attacking the
+half-defended town, which was obliged to surrender on July 29, after a
+siege of nineteen days. The French then made a great effort, and brought
+an army of 100,000 men into the field, with the result that the battle
+of Malplaquet (Sept. 11) was a very bloody and hard-earned victory for
+the allies. The subsequent fall of Mons brought the campaign to a
+close.]
+
+[Footnote 76: Marlborough.]
+
+[Footnote 77: A merchant entrusted by Lewis XIV. to negotiate terms of
+peace with the Dutch.]
+
+[Footnote 78: General Wood played a distinguished part in the battles of
+Donauwerth (1704) and Ramilies (1706).]
+
+[Footnote 79: See the Introduction.]
+
+[Footnote 80: "A Vindication of Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., against what is
+objected to him by Mr. Partridge in his Almanack for the present year
+1709. By the said Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., London, printed in the year
+1709." (Advertisement in folio issue.) In a pamphlet called "Predictions
+for the Year 1712. By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; in a Letter to the author
+of the Oxford Almanack. Printed in the year 1712," this "Vindication" is
+thus noticed: "I can't but express my resentment against a gentleman who
+personated me in a paper called 'Mr. Bickerstaff's Vindication.' I'm
+grieved to find the times should be so very wicked, that one impostor
+should set up to reform another, and that a false Bickerstaff should
+write against an imaginary Partridge. And I am heartily concerned that
+one who shows so much wit, such extreme civility, and writes such a
+gentlemanlike style, should prefix my name to writings in which there
+appears so little solidity and no knowledge of the Arabian philosophy.
+If this paper should be transmitted to posterity (as, perhaps, it might
+have been by the authority of the name it wears in the front) it might
+have been a lasting reflection upon me to the end of the world.... Till
+seeing four volumes of writings--the collected edition of the
+_Tatler_--pretended to be mine, and a serious philosopher's name
+prefixed to papers as free from my solidity as they are full of wit, I
+thought it high time to vindicate myself, and give the world a taste of
+my writings; for I am now persuaded 'twill be more for my reputation to
+convince than to despise mankind."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 2. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 12_, to _Thursday, April 14_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 13.
+
+There has lain all this evening, on the table, the following poem. The
+subject of it being matter very useful for families, I thought it
+deserved to be considered, and made more public. The turn the poet[81]
+gives it is very happy; but the foundation is from a real accident
+which happened among my acquaintance.[82] A young gentleman of a great
+estate fell desperately in love with a great beauty of very high
+quality, but as ill-natured as long flattery and an habitual self-will
+could make her. However, my young spark ventures upon her, like a man of
+quality, without being acquainted with her, or having ever saluted her,
+till it was a crime to kiss any woman else. Beauty is a thing which
+palls with possession; and the charms of this lady soon wanted the
+support of good humour and complaisancy of manners. Upon this my spark
+flies to the bottle for relief from his satiety. She disdains him for
+being tired with that for which all men envied him; and he never came
+home, but it was: "Was there no sot that would stay longer? Would any
+man living but you? Did I leave all the world for this usage?" To which
+he: "Madam, split me, you are very impertinent!" In a word, this match
+was wedlock in its most terrible appearances. She, at last weary of
+railing to no purpose, applies to a good uncle, who gives her a bottle
+of water. "The virtue of this powerful liquor," said he, "is such, that
+if the woman you marry proves a scold (which, it seems, my dear niece,
+is your misfortune, as it was your good mother's before you), let her
+hold six spoonfuls in her mouth, for a full half hour after you come
+home--" But I find I am not in humour for telling a tale, and nothing in
+nature is so ungrateful as story-telling against the grain, therefore
+take it as the author has given it you.
+
+
+The MEDECINE.
+
+#A Tale--for the Ladies.#
+
+    Miss Molly, a famed toast, was fair and young,
+    Had wealth and charms, but then she had a tongue
+    From morn to night, the eternal larum run,
+    Which often lost those hearts her eyes had won.
+
+    Sir John was smitten, and confessed his flame,
+    Sighed out the usual time, then wed the dame:
+    Possessed he thought of every joy of life,
+    But his dear Molly proved a very wife.
+    Excess of fondness did in time decline,
+    Madam loved money, and the knight loved wine.
+    From whence some petty discords would arise,
+    As, "You're a fool"; and, "You are mighty wise!"
+
+    Though he and all the world allowed her wit,
+    Her voice was shrill, and rather loud than sweet,
+    When she began,--for hat and sword he'd call.
+    Then, after a faint kiss, cry, "B'y, dear Moll:
+    Supper and friends expect me at the Rose."[83]
+    And, "What, Sir John, you'll get your usual dose!
+    Go, stink of smoke, and guzzle nasty wine,
+    Sure, never virtuous love was used like mine!"
+
+    Oft as the watchful bellman marched his round,
+    At a fresh bottle gay Sir John he found.
+    By four the knight would get his business done,
+    And only then reeled off, because alone;
+    Full well he knew the dreadful storm to come,
+    But armed with bordeaux, he durst venture home.
+
+    My lady with her tongue was still prepared,
+    She rattled loud, and he impatient heard:
+    "'Tis a fine hour? In a sweet pickle made!
+    And this, Sir John, is every day the trade.
+    Here I sit moping all the live-long night,
+    Devoured with spleen, and stranger to delight;
+    'Till morn sends staggering home a drunken beast,
+    Resolved to break my heart, as well as rest."
+
+    "Hey! Hoop! d'ye hear my damned obstreperous spouse!
+    What, can't you find one bed about the house!
+    Will that perpetual clack lie never still!
+    That rival to the softness of a mill!
+    Some couch and distant room must be my choice,
+    Where I may sleep uncursed with wife and noise."
+
+    Long this uncomfortable life they led,
+    With snarling meals, and each, a separate bed.
+    To an old uncle oft she would complain,
+    Beg his advice, and scarce from tears refrain.
+    Old Wisewood smoked the matter as it was,
+    "Cheer up!" cried he, "and I'll remove the cause.
+
+    "A wonderous spring within my garden flows,
+    Of sovereign virtue, chiefly to compose
+    Domestic jars, and matrimonial strife,
+    The best elixir t' appease man and wife;
+    Strange are th' effects, the qualities divine,
+    'Tis water called, but worth its weight in wine.
+    If in his sullen airs Sir John should come,
+    Three spoonfuls take, hold in your mouth--then mum:
+    Smile, and look pleased, when he shall rage and scold,
+    Still in your mouth the healing cordial hold;
+    One month this sympathetic medecine tried,
+    He'll grow a lover, you a happy bride.
+    But, dearest niece, keep this grand secret close,
+    Or every prattling hussy'll beg a dose."
+
+    A water-bottle's brought for her relief,
+    Not Nantz could sooner ease the lady's grief:
+    Her busy thoughts are on the trial bent,
+    And female-like, impatient for th' event:
+
+    The bonny knight reels home exceeding clear,
+    Prepared for clamour, and domestic war.
+    Entering, he cries, "Hey! where's our thunder fled?
+    No hurricane! Betty, 's your lady dead?"
+    Madam, aside, an ample mouthful takes,
+    Curtsies, looks kind, but not a word she speaks:
+    Wondering, he stared, scarcely his eyes believed,
+    But found his ears agreeably deceived.
+    "Why, how now, Molly, what's the crotchet now?"
+    She smiles, and answers only with a bow.
+    Then clasping her about,--"Why, let me die!
+    These nightclothes, Moll, become thee mightily!"
+    With that, he sighed, her hand began to press,
+    And Betty calls, her lady to undress;
+    "Nay, kiss me, Molly, for I'm much inclined."
+    Her lace she cuts, to take him in the mind.
+    Thus the fond pair to bed enamoured went,
+    The lady pleased, and the good knight content.
+
+    For many days these fond endearments passed,
+    The reconciling bottle fails at last;
+    'Twas used and gone: Then midnight storms arose,
+    And looks and words the union discompose.
+    Her coach is ordered, and post-haste she flies,
+    To beg her uncle for some fresh supplies;
+    Transported does the strange effects relate,
+    Her knight's conversion, and her happy state!
+
+    "Why, niece," says he, "I prithee apprehend
+    The water's water. Be thyself thy friend;
+    Such beauty would the coldest husband warm,
+    But your provoking tongue undoes the charm:
+    Be silent, and complying; you'll soon find,
+    Sir John, without a medecine, will be kind."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 13.
+
+Letters from Venice say, the disappointment of their expectation to see
+his Danish Majesty, has very much disquieted the Court of Rome. Our last
+advices from Germany inform us, that the minister of Hanover has urged
+the council at Ratisbon to exert themselves in behalf of the common
+cause, and taken the liberty to say, that the dignity, the virtue, the
+prudence of his electoral highness, his master, were called to the head
+of their affairs in vain, if they thought fit to leave him naked of the
+proper means to make those excellences useful for the honour and safety
+of the Empire. They write from Berlin of the 13th, O.S., that the true
+design of General Fleming's visit to that Court was, to insinuate, that
+it will be for the mutual interest of the King of Prussia and King
+Augustus to enter into a new alliance; but that the ministers of Prussia
+are not inclined to his sentiments. We hear from Vienna, that his
+Imperial Majesty has expressed great satisfaction in their high
+mightinesses having communicated to him the whole that has passed in the
+affair of a peace. Though there have been practices used by the agents
+of France, in all the Courts of Europe, to break the good understanding
+of the allies, they have had no other effect, but to make all the
+members concerned in the alliance, more doubtful of their safety from
+the great offers of the enemy. The Empire is roused by this alarm, and
+the frontiers of all the French dominions are in danger of being
+insulted the ensuing campaign: advices from all parts confirm, that it
+is impossible for France to find a way to obtain so much credit, as to
+gain any one potentate of the allies, or make any hope for safety from
+other prospects.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 13.
+
+I find it of very great use, now I am setting up for a writer of news,
+that I am an adept in astrological speculations; by which means, I avoid
+speaking of things which may offend great persons. But at the same time,
+I must not prostitute the liberal sciences so far, as not to utter the
+truth in cases which do not immediately concern the good of my native
+country. I must therefore boldly contradict what has been so assuredly
+reported by the news-writers of England, that France is in the most
+deplorable condition, and that their people die in great multitudes. I
+will therefore let the world know, that my correspondent, by the way of
+Brussels, informs me, upon his honour, that the gentleman who writes the
+Gazette of Paris, and ought to know as well as any man, has told him,
+that ever since the king has been past his 63rd year, or grand
+climacteric, there has not one man died of the French nation who was
+younger than his Majesty, except a very few, who were taken suddenly
+near the village of Hochsted[84] in Germany; and some more, who were
+straitened for lodging at a place called Ramilies, and died on the road
+to Ghent and Bruges. There are also other things given out by the
+allies, which are shifts below a conquering nation to make use of. Among
+others, 'tis said, there is a general murmuring among the people of
+France, though at the same time all my letters agree, that there is so
+good an understanding among them, that there is not one morsel carried
+out of any market in the kingdom, but what is delivered upon credit.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 81: William Harrison (1685-1713) was a favourite with Swift
+and Addison. He wrote verses, and a continuation of the _Tatler_, and
+afterwards obtained office in the diplomatic service; but his health
+soon broke down, and he died when 28.]
+
+[Footnote 82: There is a similar story in Burton's "Anatomy of
+Melancholy."]
+
+[Footnote 83: The Rose Tavern, in Russell Street, adjoined Drury Lane
+Theatre, and was a favourite resort during and after the play.]
+
+[Footnote 84: The Battle of Blenheim.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 3. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 14_, to _Saturday, April 16_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 14.
+
+This evening, the comedy called "The Country Wife"[85] was acted in
+Drury Lane, for the benefit of Mrs. Bignell.[86] The part which gives
+name to the play was performed by herself. Through the whole action, she
+made a very pretty figure, and exactly entered into the nature of the
+part. Her husband in the drama, is represented to be one of those
+debauchees who run through the vices of the town, and believe when they
+think fit they can marry, and settle at their ease. His own knowledge of
+the iniquity of the age, makes him choose a wife wholly ignorant of it,
+and place his security in her want of skill how to abuse him. The poet,
+on many occasions, where the propriety of the character will admit of
+it, insinuates, that there is no defence against vice, but the contempt
+of it: and has, in the natural ideas of an untainted innocent, shown the
+gradual steps to ruin and destruction, which persons of condition run
+into, without the help of a good education how to form their conduct.
+The torment of a jealous coxcomb, which arises from his own false
+maxims, and the aggravation of his pain, by the very words in which he
+sees her innocence, makes a very pleasant and instructive satire. The
+character of Horner, and the design of it, is a good representation of
+the age in which that comedy was written; at which time love and
+wenching were the business of life, and the gallant manner of pursuing
+women was the best recommendation at Court. To which only it is to be
+imputed, that a gentleman of Mr. Wycherley's character and sense,
+condescends to represent the insults done to the honour of the bed,
+without just reproof; but to have drawn a man of probity with regard to
+such considerations, had been a monster, and a poet had at that time
+discovered his want of knowing the manners of the Court he lived in, by
+a virtuous character in his fine gentleman, as he would show his
+ignorance, by drawing a vicious one to please the present audience. Mrs.
+Bignell did her part very happily, and had a certain grace in her
+rusticity, which gave us hopes of seeing her a very skilful player, and
+in some parts, supply our loss of Mrs. Verbruggen.[87] I cannot be of
+the same opinion with my friends and fellow-labourers, the Reformers of
+Manners,[88] in their severity towards plays, but must allow that a good
+play acted before a well-bred audience, must raise very proper
+incitements to good behaviour, and be the most quick and most prevailing
+method of giving young people a turn of sense and breeding. But as I
+have set up for a weekly historian, I resolve to be a faithful one; and
+therefore take this public occasion to admonish a young nobleman, who
+came flustered into the box last night, and let him know, how much all
+his friends were out of countenance for him. The women sat in terror of
+hearing something that should shock their modesty, and all the gentlemen
+in as much pain, out of compassion to the ladies, and perhaps resentment
+for the indignity which was offered in coming into their presence in so
+disrespectful a manner. Wine made him say nothing that was rude,
+therefore he is forgiven, upon condition he will never hazard his
+offending more in this kind. As I just now hinted, I own myself of the
+Society for Reformation of Manners. We have lower instruments than those
+of the family of Bickerstaff, for punishing great crimes, and exposing
+the abandoned. Therefore, as I design to have notices from all public
+assemblies, I shall take upon me only indecorums, improprieties, and
+negligences, in such as should give us better examples. After this
+declaration, if a fine lady thinks fit to giggle at church, or a great
+beau come in drunk to a play, either shall be sure to hear of it in my
+ensuing paper: for merely as a well-bred man, I cannot bear these
+enormities.
+
+After the play, we naturally stroll to this coffee-house, in hopes of
+meeting some new poem, or other entertainment, among the men of wit and
+pleasure, where there is a dearth at present. But it is wonderful there
+should be so few writers, when the art is become merely mechanic, and
+men may make themselves great that way, by as certain and infallible
+rules, as you may be a joiner or a mason. There happens a good instance
+of this, in what the hawker just now has offered to sale; to wit,
+"Instructions to Vanderbank; a Sequel to the Advice to the Poets: A
+Poem, occasioned by the Glorious Success of her Majesty's Arms, under
+the Command of the Duke of Marlborough, the last Year in Flanders."[89]
+Here you are to understand, that the author finding the poets would not
+take his advice, he troubles himself no more about them; but has met
+with one Vanderbank,[90] who works in arras, and makes very good
+tapestry hangings. Therefore, in order to celebrate the hero of the age,
+he claps me together all that can be said of a man that makes hangings, as:
+
+    _Then, artist, who dost Nature's face express
+    In silk and gold, and scenes of action dress;
+    Dost figured arras animated leave,
+    Spin a bright story, or a passion weave
+    By mingling threads; canst mingle shade and light,
+    Delineate triumphs, or describe a fight._
+
+Well, what shall this workman do? Why, to show how great an hero the
+poet intends, he provides him a very good horse:
+
+    _Champing his foam, and bounding on the plain,
+    Arch his high neck, and graceful spread his mane._
+
+Now as to the intrepidity, the calm courage, the constant application of
+the hero, it is not necessary to take that upon yourself; you may, in
+the lump, bid him you employ raise him as high as he can, and if he does
+it not, let him answer for disobeying orders:
+
+    _Let fame and victory in inferior sky,
+    Hover with ballanced wings, and smiling fly
+    Above his head, &c._
+
+A whole poem of this kind may be ready against an ensuing campaign, as
+well as a space left in the canvas of a piece of tapestry for the
+principal figure, while the underparts are working: so that in effect,
+the adviser copies after the man he pretends to direct. This method
+should, methinks, encourage young beginners: for the invention is so
+fitted to all capacities, that by the help of it a man may make a
+receipt for a poem. A young man may observe, that the jig[91] of the
+thing is, as I said, finding out all that can be said of his way [whom]
+you employ to set forth your worthy. Waller and Denham had worn out the
+expedient of "Advice to a Painter."[92] This author has transferred the
+work, and sent his advice to the Poets; that is to say, to the turners
+of verse, as he calls them. Well, that thought is worn out also,
+therefore he directs his genius to the loom, and will have a new set of
+hangings in honour of the last year in Flanders. I must own to you, I
+approve extremely this invention, and it might be improved for the
+benefit of manufactory: as, suppose an ingenious gentleman should write
+a poem of advice to a calico-printer: do you think there is a girl in
+England, that would wear anything but the taking of Lille, or the Battle
+of Oudenarde? They would certainly be all the fashion, till the heroes
+abroad had cut out some more patterns. I should fancy small skirmishes
+might do for under-petticoats, provided they had a siege for the upper.
+If our adviser were well imitated, many industrious people might be put
+to work. Little Mr. Dactile, now in the room, who formerly writ a song
+and a half, is a week gone in a very pretty work upon this hint: he is
+writing an epigram to a young virgin who knits very well ('tis a
+thousand pities he is a Jacobite); but his epigram is by way of advice
+to this damsel, to knit all the actions of the Pretender and the Duke of
+Burgundy last campaign in the clock of a stocking. It were endless to
+enumerate the many hands and trades that may be employed by poets, of so
+useful a turn as this adviser's. I shall think of it; and in this time
+of taxes, shall consult a great critic employed in the custom-house, in
+order to propose what tax may be proper to put upon knives, seals,
+rings, hangings, wrought-beds, gowns and petticoats, where any of those
+commodities bear mottoes, or are worked upon poetical grounds.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 15.
+
+Letters from Turin of the 3rd instant, N.S., inform us, that his Royal
+Highness employs all his address in alarming the enemy, and perplexing
+their speculations concerning his real designs the ensuing campaign.
+Contracts are entered into with the merchants of Milan, for a great
+number of mules to transport his provisions and ammunition. His Royal
+Highness has ordered the train of artillery to be conveyed to Susa
+before the 20th of the next month. In the meantime, all accounts agree,
+that the enemy are very backward in their preparations, and almost
+incapable of defending themselves against an invasion, by reason of the
+general murmurs of their own people; which, they find, are no way to be
+quieted, but by giving them hopes of a speedy peace. When these letters
+were dispatched, the Marshal de Thesse was arrived at Genoa, where he
+has taken much pains to keep the correspondents of the merchants of
+France in hopes, that measures will be found out to support the credit
+and commerce between that state and Lyons. But the late declaration of
+the agents of Monsieur Bernard, that they cannot discharge the demands
+made upon them, has quite dispirited all those who are engaged in the
+remittances of France.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 15.
+
+It is a very natural passion in all good members of the commonwealth, to
+take what care they can of their families. Therefore I hope the reader
+will forgive me, that I desire he would go to the play, called the
+"Stratagem,"[93] this evening, which is to be acted for the benefit of
+my near kinsman, Mr. John Bickerstaff.[94] I protest to you the
+gentleman has not spoken to me to desire this favour; but I have a
+respect for him, as well in regard to consanguinity, as that he is an
+intimate friend of that famous and heroic actor, Mr. George Powell, who
+formerly played Alexander the Great in all places, though he is lately
+grown so reserved as to act it only on the stage.[95]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 85: By Wycherley, first acted in 1683.]
+
+[Footnote 86: Mrs. Bicknell (or Bignell) was born about 1695. It is not
+clear whether she was married, or whether the name Bicknell was taken to
+distinguish her from her sister, Mrs. Young, who was also an actress. We
+first hear of her acting in 1706; she took parts in which sauciness and
+coquetry were the chief features. Her last recorded appearance was on
+the 2nd of April, 1723; and she died in May. She signed a petition "M.
+Bicknell"; probably her name was Margaret, her mother's name. Steele
+alludes to her as "pretty Mrs. Bignell" in No. 11, and as his friend in
+the _Guardian_, No. 50. She was Miss Prue in Congreve's "Love for Love,"
+and Miss Hoyden in Vanbrugh's "Relapse." In the _Spectator_ (No. 370)
+Steele praises her dancing.]
+
+[Footnote 87: Cibber writes thus of this actress: "Mrs. Mountford, whose
+second marriage gave her the name of Verbruggen, was mistress of more
+variety of humour than I ever knew in any one woman actress. This
+variety, too, was attended with an equal vivacity, which made her
+excellent in characters extremely different.... She was so fond of
+humour, in what low part soever to be found, that she would make no
+scruple of defacing her fair form to come heartily into it." She could
+act admirably as a Devonshire lass, a pretty fellow, or a fine lady.
+Mrs. Verbruggen's first husband, the actor Mountford, was killed by
+Captain Hill, with the assistance of Lord Mohun, in 1692, because Hill,
+who was making unsuccessful suit to Mrs. Bracegirdle was jealous of her
+fellow-actor. Mountford was then in his thirty-third year. Mrs.
+Mountford's second husband, John Verbruggen, is described by Tony Aston
+as "nature without extravagance." ... "That rough diamond shone more
+bright than all the artful polished brilliants that ever sparkled on our
+stage." The same writer says of Mrs. Verbruggen: "She was all art, but
+dressed so nice, it looked like nature. She was the most easy actress in
+the world. Her maiden name was Percival."]
+
+[Footnote 88: Various Societies for the Reformation of Manners were
+founded in the reign of William III. An "Account" of these societies was
+published in 1699, and Defoe often wrote on the subject. In 1708 the
+Society for London and Westminster secured the conviction of 3299 "lewd
+and scandalous" persons, guilty of Sunday trading swearing, drunkenness,
+&c.]
+
+[Footnote 89: See Steele's apology to Blackmore, author of this poem, in
+No. 14. Sir Richard Blackmore (died 1729) was a Whig physician who wrote
+epics on religious and other subjects, and was often at loggerheads with
+the actors and wits. Though he was not a poet, Addison and Steele
+praised him on account of the religious tone of his work (see
+_Spectator_, Nos. 6, 339).]
+
+[Footnote 90: Vanderbank, or as his father sometimes wrote his name,
+Vandrebanc, was a son of Peter Vanderbank, a Parisian, who came into
+England with Gascar the painter, about 1674, and died at Bradfield, in
+Hertfordshire, in 1697. His father was admired for the softness of his
+prints, and still more for the size of them, some of his heads being the
+largest that had then appeared in England; but the prices he received by
+no means compensated for the time employed on his works, and he was
+reduced to want, and died at the house of Mr. Forester, his
+brother-in-law. After his death, his widow sold his plates to one Brown,
+a print-seller, who made a great profit by them. His eldest son had some
+share in the theatre at Dublin; the youngest, William, was a poor
+labourer, who gave an account of his father and the family to Vertue.
+The person mentioned in this paper was probably his father's name-son,
+and might be, as Walpole conjectures, an engraver. Whatever concern the
+father might have had in any manufacture of tapestry, he could not be
+the person meant here, for at this time he had been dead above ten
+years. The suite of tapestry, in the Duke of Ancaster's sale, with
+Vanderbank's name to it, mentioned by Walpole, must therefore be
+supposed to belong to the son, who is said, upon the authority of the
+French translator of the _Tatler_, to have represented nature very
+happily in works of tapestry, and to have been a man inimitable in this
+way. (See Walpole's "Anecdotes of Painting," 1782, vol. v. p. 166.)]
+
+[Footnote 91: Trick (the early editions have "gigg").]
+
+[Footnote 92: Waller wrote "Instructions to a Painter" and "Advice to a
+Painter," and Denham "Directions to a Painter."]
+
+[Footnote 93: Farquhar's "Beaux' Stratagem," 1707.]
+
+[Footnote 94: Bickerstaff acted the part of the Captain in Mrs.
+Centlivre's farce, "A Bickerstaff's Burying; or, Work for the Upholders"
+(1713), which was dedicated to the "magnificent Company of Upholders,
+whom the judicious Censor of Great Britain has so often condescended to
+mention." In the "British Apollo," vol. ii. No. 107 (Feb. 27 to March 1,
+1710), is a "New Prologue to 'Don Quixote' for Mr. Bickerstaff's Benefit
+at the Theatre Royal, spoken by himself." The prologue ends:
+
+    "I need not from the ladies fear my doom,
+    When it shall thus be said, in my behalf,
+    He bears the awful name of BICKERSTAFF."
+
+In the _Daily Courant_ for Feb. 4, 1710, there was advertised a
+performance of the "Comical History of Don Quixote" at Drury Lane, "at
+the desire of Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., for the benefit of his cousin,
+John Bickerstaff."]
+
+[Footnote 95: George Powell, actor and dramatist, gave way often to
+drink. He died in 1714. Addison praised his acting of tragic parts in
+No. 40 of the _Spectator_. See also No. 31. An order to the comedians in
+Dorset Gardens forbade them acting till further order, because they had
+allowed Powell to play after he was committed for drawing his sword on
+Colonel Stanhope and Mr. Davenant. This is dated May 3, 10 Will. III.
+(1698); but on May 4 there was another order for the comedians to resume
+acting. (Lord Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Book No. 19, p. 80.)
+Cibber's remarks on this incident will be found in his "Apology," chap.
+x.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 4. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday April 16_, to _Tuesday, April 19, 1709_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is usual with persons who mount the stage for the cure or information
+of the crowd about them, to make solemn professions of their being
+wholly disinterested in the pains they take for the public good. At the
+same time, those very men, who make harangues in plush doublets, and
+extol their own abilities and generous inclinations, tear their lungs in
+vending a drug, and show no act of bounty, except it be, that they lower
+a demand of a crown, to six, nay, to one penny. We have a contempt for
+such paltry barterers, and have therefore all along informed the public
+that we intend to give them our advices for our own sakes, and are
+labouring to make our lucubrations come to some price in money, for our
+more convenient support in the service of the public. It is certain,
+that many other schemes have been proposed to me; as a friend offered to
+show me a treatise he had writ, which he called "The Whole Art of Life,
+or the Introduction to Great Men, illustrated in a Pack of Cards." But
+being a novice at all manner of play I declined the offer. Another
+advised me, for want of money, to set up my coach and practise physic,
+but having been bred a scholar, I feared I should not succeed that way
+neither; therefore resolved to go on in my present project. But you are
+to understand, that I shall not pretend to raise a credit to this work,
+upon the weight of my politic news only, but, as my Latin sentence in
+the title-page informs you, shall take anything that offers for the
+subject of my discourse. Thus, new persons, as well as new things, are
+to come under my consideration; as, when a toast, or a wit, is first
+pronounced such, you shall have the freshest advice of their preferment
+from me, with a description of the beauty's manner, and the wit's style;
+as also, in whose places they are advanced. For this town is never
+good-natured enough to raise one, without depressing another. But it is
+my design, to avoid saying anything, of any person, which ought justly
+to displease; but shall endeavour, by the variety of the matter and
+style, to give entertainment for men of pleasure, without offence to
+those of business.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 18.
+
+All hearts at present pant for two ladies only[96], who have for some
+time engrossed the dominion of the town. They are indeed both exceeding
+charming, but differ very much in their excellences. The beauty of
+Clarissa is soft, that of Chloe piercing. When you look at Clarissa,
+you see the most exact harmony of feature, complexion, and shape; you
+find in Chloe nothing extraordinary in any one of those particulars, but
+the whole woman irresistible. Clarissa looks languishing; Chloe,
+killing. Clarissa never fails of gaining admiration; Chloe, of moving
+desire. The gazers at Clarissa are at first unconcerned, as if they were
+observing a fine picture. They who behold Chloe, at the first glance,
+discover transport, as if they met their dearest friend. These different
+perfections are suitably represented by the last great painter Italy has
+sent us, Mr. Jervas.[97] Clarissa is, by that skilful hand, placed in a
+manner that looks artless, and innocent of the torments she gives; Chloe
+drawn with a liveliness that shows she is conscious, but not affected,
+of her perfections. Clarissa is a shepherdess; Chloe, a country girl. I
+must own, the design of Chloe's picture shows, to me, great mastery in
+the painter; for nothing could be better imagined than the dress he has
+given her, of a straw hat and riband, to represent that sort of beauty
+which enters the heart with a certain familiarity, and cheats it into a
+belief, that it has received a lover as well as an object of love. The
+force of their different beauties is seen also in the effects it makes
+on their lovers. The admirers of Chloe are eternally gay and
+well-pleased: those of Clarissa, melancholy and thoughtful. And as this
+passion always changes the natural man into a quite different creature
+from what he was before, the love of Chloe makes coxcombs; that of
+Clarissa, madmen. There were of each kind just now here. Here was one
+that whistles, laughs, sings, and cuts capers, for love of Chloe.
+Another has just now written three lines to Clarissa, then taken a turn
+in the garden, then came back again, then tore his fragment, then called
+for some chocolate, then went away without it.
+
+Chloe has so many admirers in the room at present, that there is too
+much noise to proceed in my narration, so that the progress of the loves
+of Clarissa and Chloe, together with the bottles that are drank each
+night for the one, and the many sighs which are uttered, and songs
+written, on the other, must be our subject on future occasions.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 18.
+
+Letters from the Haymarket inform us, that on Saturday night last the
+opera of "Pyrrhus and Demetrius"[98] was performed with great applause.
+This intelligence is not very acceptable to us friends of the theatre;
+for the stage being an entertainment of the reason and all our
+faculties, this way of being pleased with the suspense of them for three
+hours together, and being given up to the shallow satisfaction of the
+eyes and ears only, seems to arise rather from the degeneracy of our
+understanding, than an improvement of our diversions.[99] That the
+understanding has no part in the pleasure is evident, from what these
+letters very positively assert, to wit, that a great part of the
+performance was done in Italian: and a great critic fell into fits in
+the gallery, at feeling, not only time and place, but languages and
+nations confused in the most incorrigible manner. His spleen is so
+extremely moved on this occasion, that he is going to publish a treatise
+against operas, which, he thinks, have already inclined us to thoughts
+of peace, and if tolerated, must infallibly dispirit us from carrying on
+the war. He has communicated his scheme to the whole room, and declared
+in what manner things of this kind were first introduced. He has upon
+this occasion considered the nature of sounds in general, and made a
+very elaborate digression upon the London cries,[100] wherein he has
+shown from reason and philosophy why oysters are cried,
+card-matches[101] sung, and turnips and all other vegetables neither
+cried, sung, nor said, but sold, with an accent and tone neither natural
+to man or beast. This piece seems to be taken from the model of that
+excellent discourse of Mrs. Manly the schoolmistress, concerning
+samplers.[102] Advices from the upper end of Piccadilly say that Mayfair
+is utterly abolished;[103] and we hear Mr. Pinkethman[104] has removed
+his ingenious company of strollers to Greenwich: but other letters from
+Deptford say, the company is only making thither, and not yet settled;
+but that several heathen gods and goddesses, which are to descend in
+machines, landed at the King's Head Stairs last Saturday. Venus and
+Cupid went on foot from thence to Greenwich; Mars got drunk in the town,
+and broke his landlord's head; for which he sat in the stocks the whole
+evening; but Mr. Pinkethman giving security that he should do nothing
+this ensuing summer, he was set at liberty. The most melancholy part of
+all, was, that Diana was taken in the act of fornication with a boatman,
+and committed by Justice Wrathful, which has, it seems, put a stop to
+the diversions of the theatre of Blackheath. But there goes down another
+Diana and a patient Grissel next tide from Billingsgate.[105]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 18.
+
+They write from Saxony of the 13th instant, N.S., that the Grand General
+of the Crown of Poland was so far from entering into a treaty with King
+Stanislaus, that he had written circular letters, wherein he exhorted
+the Palatinates to join against him; declaring, that this was the most
+favourable conjuncture for asserting their liberty.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, they have advices
+from Vienna, which import, that his Electoral Highness of Hanover had
+signified to the Imperial Court, that he did not intend to put himself
+at the head of the troops of the Empire, except more effectual measures
+were taken for acting vigorously against the enemy the ensuing campaign.
+Upon this representation, the Emperor has given orders to several
+regiments to march towards the Rhine, and despatched expresses to the
+respective princes of the Empire to desire an augmentation of their
+forces.
+
+These letters add, that an express arrived at the Hague on the 20th
+instant, with advice, that the enemy having made a detachment from
+Tournay of 1500 horse, each trooper carrying a foot-soldier behind him,
+in order to surprise the garrison of Alost; the allies, upon notice of
+their march, sent out a strong body of troops from Ghent, which engaged
+the enemy at Asche, and took 200 of them prisoners, obliging the rest to
+retire without making any further attempt. On the 22nd in the morning a
+fleet of merchant ships coming from Scotland, were attacked by six
+French privateers at the entrance of the Meuse. We have yet no certain
+advice of the event: but letters from Rotterdam say, that a Dutch
+man-of-war of forty guns, which was convoy to the said fleet, was taken,
+as were also eighteen of the merchants. The Swiss troops, in the
+service of the States, have completed the augmentation of their
+respective companies. Those of Wirtemberg and Prussia are expected on
+the frontiers within few days; and the auxiliaries from Saxony, as also
+a battalion of Holstein, and another of Wolfembuttel, are advancing
+thither with all expedition. On the 21st instant, the deputies of the
+States had a conference near Woerden with the President Rouillé, but the
+matter which was therein debated is not made public. His Grace the Duke
+of Marlborough and Prince Eugene continue at the Hague.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 18.
+
+I have lately been very studious for intelligence, and have just now, by
+my astrological flying-post, received a packet from Felicia,[106] an
+island in America, with an account that gives me great satisfaction, and
+lets me understand that the island was never in greater prosperity, or
+the administration in so good hands, since the death of their late
+valiant king. These letters import, that the chief minister has entered
+into a firm league with the ablest and best men of the nation, to carry
+on the cause of liberty, to the encouragement of religion, virtue, and
+honour. Those persons at the helm are so useful, and in themselves of
+such weight, that their strict alliance must needs tend to the universal
+prosperity of the people. Camillo,[107] it seems, presides over the
+deliberations of state; and is so highly valued by all men, for his
+singular probity, courage, affability, and love of mankind, that his
+being placed in that station has dissipated the fears of that people,
+who of all the world are the most jealous of their liberty and
+happiness. The next member of their society is Horatio,[108] who makes
+all the public despatches. This minister is master of all the languages
+in use to great perfection: he is held in the highest veneration
+imaginable for a severe honesty, and love of his country: he lives in a
+court, unsullied with any of its artifices, the refuge of the oppressed,
+and terror of oppressors. Martio[109] has joined himself to this
+council; a man of most undaunted resolution and great knowledge in
+maritime affairs; famous for destroying the navy of the Franks,[110] and
+singularly happy in one particular, that he never preferred a man who
+has not proved remarkably serviceable to his country. Philander[111] is
+mentioned with particular distinction; a nobleman who has the most
+refined taste of the true pleasures and elegance of life, joined to an
+indefatigable industry in business; a man eloquent in assemblies,
+agreeable in conversation, and dextrous in all manner of public
+negotiations. These letters add, that Verono,[112] who is also of this
+council, has lately set sail to his government of Patricia, with design
+to confirm the affections of the people in the interests of his queen.
+This minister is master of great abilities, and is as industrious and
+restless for the preservation of the liberties of the people, as the
+greatest enemy can be to subvert them. The influence of these
+personages, who are men of such distinguished parts and virtues, makes
+the people enjoy the utmost tranquillity in the midst of a war, and
+gives them undoubted hopes of a secure peace from their vigilance and
+integrity.[113]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 96: In a copy of the original edition of the _Tatler_, with
+MS. notes written early in the last century, which was sold at Messrs.
+Sotheby's, in April, 1887, the ladies here described were said to be
+Mrs. Chetwine and Mrs. Hales respectively. Mrs. Hales was a maid of
+honour who married Mr. Coke, vice-chamberlain, in July, 1709 (Luttrell's
+"Brief Relation," vi. 462); "Mrs. Chetwine" was probably the wife of
+William Richard Chetwynd, afterwards third Viscount Chetwynd, who
+married Honora, daughter of John Baker, Consul at Algiers; or the wife
+of his brother Walter, M.P. for Stafford, and Master of the Buckhounds.
+In 1717, Lady M. W. Montagu, describing a week spent by a fashionable
+lady, said, 'Friday, Mrs. Chetwynd's, &c.; a perpetual round of hearing
+the same scandal' (Pope's Works, ix. 385).]
+
+[Footnote 97: Charles Jervas, portrait painter (died 1739), became
+principal painter to George I. and George II. He also made a translation
+of "Don Quixote," first published in 1742.]
+
+[Footnote 98: A translation of Owen McSwiney (1709) from the Italian of
+Scarlatti.]
+
+[Footnote 99: In the _Spectator_ (Nos. 1, 5, 13, &c.) Addison often
+wrote against the Italian opera. In 1706, Dennis published "An Essay on
+the Operas after the Italian Manner, which are about to be established
+on the English Stage: with some reflections on the damage which they may
+bring to the Public." He traces to the recent alterations in the
+entertainments of the stage, the fact that familiar conversation among
+all classes was confined to two points, news and toasting, neither of
+which required much intelligence.]
+
+[Footnote 100: The street cries of 1709 are described in Lauron's
+"Habits and Cries of the City of London." They included "Any
+card-matches or save-alls" and "Twelve-pence a peck, oysters."]
+
+[Footnote 101: Matches made by dipping pieces of card in melted sulphur.
+In the _Spectator_ (No. 251), Addison speaks of vendors of card-matches
+as examples of the fact that those made most noise who had least to
+sell.]
+
+[Footnote 102: In vol. ii. of Dr. W. King's Works (1776) is "An Essay on
+the Invention of Samplers, by Mrs. Arabella Manly, schoolmistress at
+Hackney."]
+
+[Footnote 103: May Fair was abolished in 1709, after it had on several
+occasions been presented as a nuisance by the Grand Jury at Westminster.
+This fair was granted by King James II. under the Great Seal, in the
+fourth year of his reign, to Sir John Coell and his heirs for ever, in
+trust for Henry Lord Dover and his heirs for ever, to be held in the
+field called Brookfield, in the parish of St. Martin's, Westminster, to
+commence on the first day of May, and to continue fifteen days yearly.
+It soon became the resort of the idle, the dissipated, and the
+profligate, insomuch that the peace-officers were frequently opposed in
+the performance of their duty; and, in the year 1702, John Cooper, one
+of the constables, was killed, for which a fencing-master, named Cook,
+was executed. (See also No. 20.) The fair was revived under George I.,
+but was finally abolished through the exertions of the sixth Earl of
+Coventry.]
+
+[Footnote 104: William Pinkethman, the popular actor and droll, was
+spoken of by Gildon as "the flower of Bartholomew Fair, and the idol of
+the rabble." In June, 1710, he opened a theatre at Greenwich, and in
+1711 his "wonderful invention called The Pantheon, or, The Temple of the
+Heathen Gods," with over 100 figures, was to be seen in the Little
+Piazza, Covent Garden (_Spectator_, No. 46, advertisement).]
+
+[Footnote 105: "It is credibly reported that Mr. D----y has agreed with
+Mr. Pinkethman to have his play acted before that audience as soon as it
+has had its first sixteen days' run in Drury Lane" (folio). The play was
+D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets."]
+
+[Footnote 106: Britain.]
+
+[Footnote 107: John, Lord Somers, President of the Council.]
+
+[Footnote 108: Sidney, Lord Godolphin, the Lord High Treasurer; or
+(according to the MS. notes in the copy mentioned above) Lord
+Sunderland.]
+
+[Footnote 109: Edward, Earl of Orford.]
+
+[Footnote 110: At La Hogue, 1692.]
+
+[Footnote 111: Probably Lord Halifax.]
+
+[Footnote 112: Thomas, Earl of Wharton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.]
+
+[Footnote 113: "Advertisement.--Upon the humble petition of Running
+Stationers, &c., this paper maybe had of them, for the future, at the
+price of one penny" (folio). The first four numbers were distributed
+gratuitously.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 5. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 19_, to _Thursday, April 21_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 20.
+
+    _Who names that lost thing, love, without a tear,
+    Since so debauched by ill-bred customs here,
+    To an exact perfection they have brought
+    The action, love, the passion is forgot._
+
+This was long ago a witty author's lamentation, but the evil still
+continues; and if a man of any delicacy were to attend the discourses of
+the young fellows of this age, they would believe there were none but
+prostitutes to make the objects of passion. So true it is what the
+author of the above verses said, a little before his death, of the
+modern pretenders to gallantry: "They set up for wits in this age, by
+saying when they are sober, what they of the last spoke only when they
+were drunk." But Cupid is not only blind at present, but dead-drunk, he
+has lost all his faculties: else how should Celia be so long a maid with
+that agreeable behaviour? Corinna, with that uprightly wit? Lesbia, with
+that heavenly voice? And Sacharissa, with all those excellences in one
+person, frequent the park, the play, and murder the poor tits that drag
+her to public places, and not a man turn pale at her appearance? But
+such is the fallen state of love, that if it were not for honest
+Cynthio,[114] who is true to the cause, we should hardly have a pattern
+left of the ancient worthies that way: and indeed he has but very little
+encouragement to persevere; but he has a devotion, rather than love, for
+his mistress; and says,
+
+    Only tell her that I love,
+      Leave the rest to her, and Fate;
+    Some kind planet from above,
+    May, perhaps, her passsion move:
+      Lovers on their stars must wait.[115]
+
+But the stars I am so intimately acquainted with, that I can assure him,
+he will never have her: for would you believe it, though Cynthio has
+wit, good sense, fortune, and his very being depends on her, the
+termagant for whom he sighs, is in love with a fellow, who stares in the
+glass all the time he is with her, and lets her plainly see, she may
+possibly be his rival, but never his mistress. Yet Cynthio, the same
+unhappy man whom I mentioned in my first narrative, pleases himself with
+a vain imagination, that with the language of his eyes, now he has found
+who she is, he shall conquer her, though her eyes are intent upon one
+who looks from her; which is ordinary with the sex. It is certainly a
+mistake in the ancients, to draw the little gentleman, Love, as a blind
+boy; for his real character is, a little thief that squints. For ask
+Mrs. Meddle, who is a confidante, or spy, upon all the passions in town,
+and she will tell you, that the whole is a game of cross purposes. The
+lover is generally pursuing one who is in pursuit of another, and
+running from one that desires to meet him. Nay, the figure of this
+passion is so justly represented in a squinting little thief (who is
+always in a double action) that do but observe Clarissa next time you
+see her, and you'll find, when her eyes have made their tour round the
+company, she makes no stay on him they say she is to marry, but rests
+two seconds of a minute on Wildair, who neither looks nor thinks on her,
+or any woman else. However, Cynthio had a bow from her the other day,
+upon which he is very much come to himself; and I heard him send his man
+of an errand yesterday without any manner of hesitation; a quarter of an
+hour after which he reckoned twenty, remembered he was to sup with a
+friend, and went exactly to his appointment. I sent to know how he did
+this morning, and I find he very perfectly remembers that he spoke to me
+yesterday.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 20.
+
+This week[116] being sacred to holy things, and no public diversions
+allowed, there has been taken notice of, even here, a little treatise,
+called, "A Project for the Advancement of Religion; dedicated to the
+Countess of Berkeley."[117] The title was so uncommon, and promised so
+peculiar a way of thinking, that every man here has read it, and as
+many as have done so, have approved it. It is written with the spirit of
+one, who has seen the world enough to undervalue it with good breeding.
+The author must certainly be a man of wisdom, as well as piety, and have
+spent much time in the exercise of both. The real causes of the decay of
+the interest of religion, are set forth in a clear and lively manner,
+without unseasonable passions; and the whole air of the book, as to the
+language, the sentiments, and the reasonings, show it was written by one
+whose virtue sits easy about him, and to whom vice is thoroughly
+contemptible. It was said by one of this company,[118] alluding to the
+knowledge the author seems to have of the world, "The man writes much
+like a gentleman, and goes to heaven with a very good mien."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 20.
+
+Letters from Italy say, that the Marquis de Prie, upon the receipt of an
+express from the Court of Vienna, went immediately to the palace of
+Cardinal Paulucci, minister of state to his Holiness, and demanded in
+the name of his Imperial Majesty, that King Charles should be forthwith
+acknowledged king of Spain, by a solemn act of the congregation of
+cardinals appointed for that purpose: he declared at the same time, that
+if the least hesitation were made in this most important article of the
+late treaty, he should not only be obliged to leave Rome himself, but
+also transmit his master's orders to the imperial troops to face about,
+and return into the ecclesiastical dominions. When the cardinal reported
+this message to the Pope, he was struck with so sensible an affliction,
+that he burst into tears. His sorrow was aggravated by letters which
+immediately after arrived from the Court of Madrid, wherein his Nuncio
+acquainted his Holiness, that upon the news of his accommodation with
+the Emperor, he had received a message to forbear coming to Court; and
+the people were so highly provoked, that they could hardly be restrained
+from insulting his palace. These letters add, that the King of Denmark
+was gone from Florence to Pisa, and from Pisa to Leghorn, where the
+governor paid his Majesty all imaginable honours. The king designed to
+go from thence to Lucca, where a magnificent tournament was prepared for
+his diversion. An English man-of-war, which came from Port Mahon to
+Leghorn in six days, brought advice, that the fleet commanded by Admiral
+Whitaker, was safely arrived at Barcelona, with the troops and
+ammunition which he had taken in at Naples.
+
+General Boneval, Governor of Commacchio, had summoned the magistrates of
+all the towns near that place to appear before him, and take an oath of
+fidelity to his Imperial Majesty, commanding also the gentry to pay him
+homage, on pain of death and confiscation of goods. Advices from
+Switzerland inform us, that the bankers of Geneva were utterly ruined by
+the failure of Mr. Bernard. They add, that the deputies of the Swiss
+Cantons were returned from Solleure, where they were assembled at the
+instance of the French Ambassador; but were very much dissatisfied with
+the reception they had from that minister. 'Tis true, he omitted no
+civilities, or expressions of friendship from his master, but he took no
+notice of their pensions and arrears; what further provoked their
+indignation, was, that instead of twenty-five pistoles formerly allowed
+to each member, for their charge in coming to the Diet, he had
+presented them with six only. They write from Dresden, that King
+Augustus was still busy in recruiting his cavalry, and that the Danish
+troops, which lately served in Hungary, had orders to be in Saxony in
+the middle of May, and that his Majesty of Denmark was expected at
+Dresden in the beginning of that month. King Augustus makes great
+preparations for his reception, and has appointed sixty coaches, each
+drawn by six horses for that purpose: the interview of these princes
+affords great matter for speculation. Letters from Paris of the 22nd of
+this month say, that Mareschal Harcourt and the Duke of Berwick were
+preparing to go into Alsace and Dauphine, but that their troops were in
+want of all manner of necessaries. The Court of France had received
+advices from Madrid, that on the 7th of this month, the States of Spain
+had with much magnificence acknowledged the Prince of Asturias
+presumptive heir of the crown. This was performed at Buen Retiro; the
+deputies took the oaths on that occasion by the hands of Cardinal
+Portocarrero. Those advices add, that it was signified to the Pope's
+Nuncio, by order of council, to depart from that Court in twenty-four
+hours, and that a guard was accordingly appointed to conduct him to
+Bayonne.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 26th instant inform us, that Prince Eugene
+was to set out the next day for Brussels, to put all things in a
+readiness for opening the campaign. They add, that the Grand Pensioner
+having reported to the Duke of Marlborough what passed in the last
+conference with Mr. Rouillé,[119] his Grace had taken a resolution
+immediately to return to Great Britain, to communicate to her Majesty
+all that has been transacted in that important affair.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 20.
+
+The nature of my miscellaneous work is such, that I shall always take
+the liberty to tell for news such things (let them have happened never
+so much before the time of writing) as have escaped public notice, or
+have been misrepresented to the world, provided that I am still within
+rules, and trespass not as a Tatler any further than in an incorrectness
+of style, and writing in an air of common speech. Thus if anything that
+is said, even of old Anchises or Æneas, be set by me in a different
+light than has hitherto been hit upon, in order to inspire the love and
+admiration of worthy actions, you will, gentle reader, I hope, accept of
+it for intelligence you had not before. But I am going upon a narrative,
+the matter of which I know to be true: it is not only doing justice to
+the deceased merit[120] of such persons, as, had they lived, would not
+have had it in their power to thank me, but also an instance of the
+greatness of spirit in the lowest of her Majesty's subjects; take it as
+follows:
+
+At the siege of Namur by the Allies, there were in the ranks of the
+company commanded by Captain Pincent, in Colonel Frederick Hamilton's
+regiment, one Unnion a corporal, and one Valentine a private sentinel:
+there happened between these two men a dispute about a matter of love,
+which, upon some aggravations, grew to an irreconcilable hatred. Unnion
+being the officer of Valentine, took all opportunities even to strike
+his rival, and profess the spite and revenge which moved him to it. The
+sentinel bore it without resistance, but frequently said he would die to
+be revenged of that tyrant. They had spent whole months thus, one
+injuring, the other complaining; when in the midst of this rage towards
+each other, they were commanded upon the attack of the castle, where the
+corporal received a shot in the thigh, and fell; the French pressing on,
+and he expecting to be trampled to death, called out to his enemy, "Ah,
+Valentine! Can you leave me here?" Valentine immediately ran back, and
+in the midst of a thick fire of the French, took the corporal upon his
+back, and brought him through all that danger as far as the Abbey of
+Salsine, where a cannon-ball took off his head: his body fell under his
+enemy whom he was carrying off Unnion immediately forgot his wound, rose
+up, tearing his hair, and then threw himself upon the bleeding carcass,
+crying, "Ah, Valentine! Was it for me, who have so barbarously used
+thee, that thou hast died? I will not Jive after thee." He was not by
+any means to be forced from the body, but was removed with it bleeding
+in his arms, and attended with tears by all their comrades, who knew
+their enmity. When he was brought to a tent, his wounds were dressed by
+force; but the next day, still calling upon Valentine, and lamenting his
+cruelties to him, he died in the pangs of remorse and despair.
+
+It may be a question among men of noble sentiments, whether of these
+unfortunate persons had the greater soul; he that was so generous as to
+venture his life for his enemy, or he who could not survive the man that
+died, in laying upon him such an obligation?
+
+When we see spirits like these in a people, to what heights may we not
+suppose their glory may arise, but (as it is excellently observed by
+Sallust[121]) it is not only to the general bent of a nation that great
+revolutions are owing, but to the extraordinary genios[122] that lead
+them. On which occasion he proceeds to say that the Roman greatness was
+neither to be attributed to their superior policy, for in that the
+Carthaginians excelled; nor to their valour, for in that the French were
+preferable; but to particular men, who were born for the good of their
+country, and formed for great attempts. This he says, to introduce the
+characters of Cassar and Cato. It would be entering into too weighty a
+discourse for this place, if I attempted to show that our nation has
+produced as great and able men for public affairs, as any other. But I
+believe the reader outruns me, and fixes his imagination upon the Duke
+of Marlborough. It is, methinks, a pleasing reflection, to consider the
+dispensations of Providence in the fortune of this illustrious man, who,
+in the space of forty years, has passed through all the gradations of
+human life, till he has ascended to the character of a prince, and
+become the scourge of a tyrant, who sat in one of the greatest thrones
+of Europe, before the man who was to have the greatest part in his
+downfall had made one step in the world.[123] But such elevations are
+the natural consequences of an exact prudence, a calm courage, a
+well-governed temper, a patient ambition, and an affable behaviour.
+These arts, as they are the steps to his greatness, so they are the
+pillars of it now it is raised. To this her glorious son, Great Britain
+is indebted for the happy conduct of her arms, in whom she can boast,
+she has produced a man formed by nature to lead a nation of heroes.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 114: Edward Richard Montagu, styled Viscount Hinchinbroke, who
+died before his father, on October 3, 1722, was the only son of Edward,
+third Earl of Sandwich. He was born about 1690, and became colonel of
+the First Regiment of Foot Guards, and Lord Lieutenant of
+Huntingdonshire. In 1707, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander
+Popham, of Littlecot, Wilts, and of Anne, daughter of the first Duke of
+Montagu. (See Nos. 1, 22, 35, 85, and the _Lover_, No. 38.)]
+
+[Footnote 115: These lines are part of a song by Lord Cutts, under whom
+Steele had served as secretary when in the army. The verses will be
+found in Nichols' "Select Collection" (1780), ii. 327.]
+
+[Footnote 116: Passion Week.]
+
+[Footnote 117: First published as "By a Person of Quality." "The
+gentleman I here intended was Dr. Swift, this kind of man I thought him
+at that time. We have not met of late, but I hope he deserves this
+character still." (Steele's "Apology," 1714.) This pamphlet is closely
+in accord with the _Tatler_ in its condemnation of gaming, drunkenness,
+swearing, immorality on the stage, and other evils of the time. Swift
+suggests, too, a revival of censors.]
+
+[Footnote 118: Forster suggests that it was Addison.]
+
+[Footnote 119: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 120: This phrase, as well as Unnion's forgetting his wound, is
+criticised in a little book called, "Annotations on the _Tatler_, in two
+parts," 12mo, said to have been written originally in French by Monsieur
+Bournelle, and translated into English by Walter Wagstaff, Esq. London,
+Bernard Lintott, 1710. The annotator goes no farther with his
+annotations than to _Tatler_ No. 83. See Nos. 78, 191.]
+
+[Footnote 121: "Bell. Catal.," c. 53.]
+
+[Footnote 122: "A man of a particular turn of mind" (Johnson).]
+
+[Footnote 123: In 1705, after the battle of Blenheim, Marlborough was
+made Prince of Mildenheim by the Emperor. Lewis XIV. succeeded to the
+French throne in 1643; Marlborough was born in 1650.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 6. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 21_, to _Saturday, April 23_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+I am just come from visiting Sappho,[124] a fine lady, who writes
+verses, sings, dances and can say and do whatever she pleases, without
+the imputation of anything that can injure her character; for she is so
+well known to have no passion but self-love, or folly, but affectation;
+that now upon any occasion they only cry, "'Tis her way," and "That's so
+like her," without further reflection. As I came into the room, she
+cries, "O Mr. Bickerstaff, I am utterly undone! I have broke that pretty
+Italian fan I showed you when you were here last, wherein were so
+admirably drawn our first parents in Paradise asleep in each other's
+arms." But there is such an affinity between painting and poetry, that I
+have been improving the images which were raised by that picture, by
+reading the same representation in two of our greatest poets. Look you,
+here are the passages in Milton and in Dryden. All Milton's thoughts are
+wonderfully just and natural, in this inimitable description which Adam
+makes of himself in the eighth book of "Paradise Lost." But there is
+none of them finer than that contained in the following lines, where he
+tells us his thoughts when he was falling asleep a little after his
+creation.
+
+    _While thus I called, and strayed I know not whither,
+    From whence I first drew air, and first beheld
+    This happy light; when answer none returned,
+    On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers,
+    Pensive I sate me down, there gentle sleep
+    First found me, and with soft oppression seized
+    My drowned sense, untroubled, though I thought
+    I then was passing to my former state,
+    Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve._[125]
+
+But now I can't forgive this odious thing, this Dryden, who, in his
+"State of Innocence," has given my great-grand-mother Eve the same
+apprehension of annihilation, on a very different occasion, as Adam
+pronounces it of himself, when he was seized with a pleasing kind of
+stupor and deadness, Eve fancies herself falling away, and dissolving in
+the hurry of a rapture. However, the verses are very good, and I don't
+know but it may be natural what she says. I'll read them:
+
+    _When your kind eyes looked languishing on mine,
+    And wreathing arms did soft embraces join,
+    A doubtful trembling seized me first all o'er,
+    Then wishes, and a warmth unknown before;
+    What followed was all extasy and trance,
+    Immortal pleasures round my swimming eyes did dance,
+    And speechless joys, in whose sweet tumults tost,
+    I thought my breath and my new being lost._[126]
+
+She went on, and said a thousand good things at random, but so strangely
+mixed that you would be apt to say all her wit is mere good luck, and
+not the effect of reason and judgment. When I made my escape hither I
+found a gentleman playing the critic on two other great poets, even
+Virgil and Homer.[127] He was observing, that Virgil is more judicious
+than the other in the epithets he gives his hero. "Homer's usual
+epithet," said he, "is Πόδας ὠχὺς [Pódas ôchùs], or Ποδάρχης [Podárchês],
+and his indiscretion has been often rallied by the critics, for
+mentioning the nimbleness of foot in Achilles, though he describes him
+standing, sitting, lying down, fighting, eating, drinking, or in any
+other circumstance, however foreign or repugnant to speed and activity.
+Virgil's common epithet to Æneas, is 'Pius' or 'Pater.' I have therefore
+considered," said he, "what passage there is in any of his hero's actions,
+where either of these appellations would have been most improper, to see
+if I could catch him at the same fault with Homer: and this, I think, is
+his meeting with Dido in the cave, where Pius Æneas would have been
+absurd, and Pater Æneas a burlesque: the poet has therefore wisely
+dropped them both for Dux Trojanus,
+
+    "_Speluncam Dido dux et Trojanus eandem Devenient;_[128]
+
+which he has repeated twice in Juno's speech, and his own narration: for
+he very well knew a loose action might be consistent enough with the
+usual manners of a soldier, though it became neither the chastity of a
+pious man, nor the gravity of the father of a people."
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+While other parts of the town are amused with the present actions, we
+generally spend the evening at this table in inquiries into antiquity,
+and think anything news which gives us new knowledge. Thus we are making
+a very pleasant entertainment to ourselves, in putting the actions of
+Homer's "Iliad" into an exact journal.
+
+This poem is introduced by Chryses, King of Chryseis, and priest of
+Apollo, who comes to re-demand his daughter, who was carried off at the
+taking of that city, and given to Agamemnon for his part of the booty.
+The refusal he received enrages Apollo, who for nine days showered down
+darts upon them, which occasioned the pestilence.
+
+The tenth day Achilles assembles the council, and encourages Chalcas to
+speak for the surrender of Chryseis to appease Apollo. Agamemnon and
+Achilles storm at one another, notwithstanding which Agamemnon will not
+release his prisoner, unless he has Briseis in her stead. After long
+contestations, wherein Agamemnon gives a glorious character of Achilles'
+valour, he determines to restore Briseis to her father, and sends two
+heralds to fetch away Chryseis from Achilles, who abandons himself to
+sorrow and despair. His mother Thetis came to comfort him under his
+affliction, and promises to represent his sorrowful lamentations to
+Jupiter; but he could not attend it; for the evening before, he had
+appointed to divert himself for two days beyond the seas with the
+harmless Æthiopians.
+
+It was the twenty-first day after Chryseis' arrival to the camp, that
+Thetis went very early to demand an audience of Jupiter. The means he
+uses to satisfy her were, to persuade the Greeks to attack the Trojans;
+that so they might perceive the consequence of condemning Achilles and
+the miseries they suffer if he does not head them. The next night he
+orders Agamemnon, in a dream, to attack them; who was deceived with the
+hopes of obtaining a victory, and also taking the city, without sharing
+the honour with Achilles.
+
+On the 22nd, in the morning, he assembles the council, and having made a
+feint of raising the siege and retiring, he declares to them his dream;
+and, together with Nestor and Ulysses, resolves on an engagement.
+
+This was the twenty-third day, which is full of incidents, and which
+continues from almost the beginning of the second canto to the eighth.
+The armies being then drawn up in view of one another, Hector brings it
+about that Menelaus and Paris, the two persons concerned in the quarrel,
+should decide it by a single combat; which tending to the advantage of
+Menelaus, was interrupted by a cowardice infused by Minerva: then both
+armies engage, where the Trojans have the disadvantage; but being
+afterwards animated by Apollo, they repulse the enemy, yet they are once
+again forced to give ground; but their affairs were retrieved by Hector,
+who has a single combat with Ajax. The gods threw themselves into the
+battle, Juno and Minerva took the Grecians' part, and Apollo and Mars
+the Trojans': but Mars and Venus are both wounded by Diomedes.
+
+The truce for burying the slain ended the twenty-third day; after which
+the Greeks threw up a great entrenchment to secure their navy from
+danger. Councils are held on both sides. On the morning of the
+twenty-fourth day the battle is renewed, but in a very disadvantageous
+manner to the Greeks, who were beaten back to their retrenchments.
+Agamemnon being in despair at this ill success, proposes to the council
+to quit the enterprise and retire from Troy. But by the advice of
+Nestor, he is persuaded to regain Achilles, by returning Chryseis, and
+sending him considerable presents. Hereupon, Ulysses and Ajax are sent
+to that hero, who continues inflexible in his anger. Ulysses, at his
+return, joins himself with Diomedes, and goes in the night to gain
+intelligence of the enemy: they enter into their very camp, where,
+finding the sentinels asleep, they made a great slaughter. Rhesus, who
+was just then arrived with recruits from Thrace for the Trojans, was
+killed in that action. Here ends the tenth canto. The sequel of this
+journal will be inserted in the next article from this place.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+We hear from Italy, that notwithstanding the Pope has received a letter
+from the Duke of Anjou, demanding of him to explain himself upon the
+affair of acknowledging King Charles: his Holiness has not yet thought
+fit to send any answer to that prince. The Court of Rome appears very
+much mortified, that they are not to see his Majesty of Denmark in that
+city, having perhaps given themselves vain hopes from a visit made by a
+Protestant priest to that see. The Pope has despatched a gentleman to
+compliment his Majesty, and sent the king a present of all the
+curiosities and antiquities of Rome, represented in seventeen volumes,
+very richly bound, which were taken out of the Vatican library. Letters
+from Genoa of the 14th instant say, a felucca was arrived there in five
+days from Marseilles, with an account, that the people of that city had
+made an insurrection, by reason of the scarcity of provisions, and that
+the Intendant had ordered some companies of marines, and the men
+belonging to the galleys, to stand to their arms to protect him from
+violence; but that he began to be in as much apprehension of his guards
+as those from whom they were to defend him. When that vessel came away,
+the soldiers murmured publicly for want of pay, and it was generally
+believed they would pillage the magazines, as the garrison of Grenoble,
+and other towns of France, had already done. A vessel which lately came
+into Leghorn, brought advice, that the British squadron was arrived at
+Port Mahon, where they were taking in more troops, in order to attempt
+the relief of Alicante, which still made a very vigorous defence. 'Tis
+said, Admiral Byng will be at the head of that expedition. The King of
+Denmark was gone from Leghorn towards Lucca.
+
+They write from Vienna, that in case the Allies should enter into a
+treaty of peace with France, Count Zinzendorf will be appointed first
+plenipotentiary, the Count de Goes the second, and Monsieur van
+Konsbruch a third. Major-General Palmes, Envoy Extraordinary from her
+Britannic Majesty, has been very urgent with that Court to make their
+utmost efforts against France the ensuing campaign, in order to oblige
+it to such a peace, as may establish the tranquillity of Europe for the
+future.
+
+We are also informed, that the Pope uses all imaginable shifts to elude
+the treaty concluded with the Emperor, and that he demanded the
+immediate restitution of Commacchio; insisting also, that his Imperial
+Majesty should ask pardon, and desire absolution for what has formerly
+passed, before he would solemnly acknowledge King Charles: but this was
+utterly refused.
+
+They hear at Vienna, by letters from Constantinople, dated the 22nd of
+February last, that on the 12th of that month the Grand Signior took
+occasion, at the celebration of the festivals of the Mussulmen, to set
+all the Christian slaves which were in the galleys at liberty.
+
+Advices from Switzerland import, that the preachers of the county of
+Tockenburg continue to create new jealousies of the Protestants, and
+some disturbances lately happened there on that account. The Protestants
+and Papists in the town of Hamman go to divine service one after another
+in the same church, as is usual in many other parts of Switzerland; but
+on Sunday, the 10th instant, the Popish curate, having ended his
+service, attempted to hinder the Protestants from entering into the
+church according to custom; but the Protestants briskly attacked him and
+his party, and broke into it by force.
+
+Last night between seven and eight, his Grace the Duke of Marlborough
+arrived at Court.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 22.
+
+The present great captains of the age, the Duke of Marlborough and
+Prince Eugene, having been the subject of the discourse of the last
+company I was in, it has naturally led me into a consideration of
+Alexander and Cæsar, the two greatest names which ever appeared before
+this century. In order to enter into their characters, there needs no
+more but examining their behaviour in parallel circumstances. It must be
+allowed, that they had an equal greatness of soul; but Cæsar's was more
+corrected and allayed by a mixture of prudence and circumspection. This
+is seen conspicuously in one particular in their histories, wherein they
+seem to have shown exactly the difference of their tempers. When
+Alexander, after a long course of victories, would still have led his
+soldiers farther from home, they unanimously refused to follow him. We
+meet with the like behaviour in Cæsar's army in the midst of his march
+against Ariovistus. Let us therefore observe the conduct of our two
+generals in so nice an affair: and here we find Alexander at the head of
+his army, upbraiding them with their cowardice, and meanness of spirit;
+and in the end, telling them plainly, he would go forward himself,
+though not a man followed him. This showed indeed an excessive bravery;
+but how would the commander have come off, if the speech had not
+succeeded, and the soldiers had taken him at his word? The project seems
+of a piece with Mr. Bayes' in "The Rehearsal,"[129] who, to gain a clap
+in his prologue, comes out, with a terrible fellow in a fur cap
+following him, and tells his audience, if they would not like his play,
+he would lie down and have his head struck off. If this gained a clap,
+all was well; but if not, there was nothing left but for the executioner
+to do his office. But Cæsar would not leave the success of his speech
+to such uncertain events: he shows his men the unreasonableness of their
+fears in an obliging manner, and concludes, that if none else would
+march along with them, he would go himself with the Tenth Legion, for he
+was assured of their fidelity and valour, though all the rest forsook
+him; not but that in all probability they were as much against the march
+as the rest. The result of all was very natural: the Tenth Legion, fired
+with the praises of their general, send thanks to him for the just
+opinion he entertains of them; and the rest, ashamed to be outdone,
+assure him, that they are as ready to follow where he pleases to lead
+them, as any other part of the army.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 124: It has been suggested, with little or no reason, that
+Sappho is meant for Mrs. Manley (Author of the "New Atalantis"), or Mrs.
+Elizabeth Thomas (known as "Corinna"), or Mrs. Elizabeth Heywood. See
+No. 40.]
+
+[Footnote 125: "Paradise Lost," viii. 283.]
+
+[Footnote 126: Dryden's "State of Innocence and Fall of Man: an Opera,"
+act iii. sc. i. In the _Spectator_ (No. 345), Addison illustrated
+Milton's chaste treatment of the subject of Eve's nuptials by
+contrasting what he says with the account in the opera in which Dryden,
+according to Lee's verses, refined "Milton's golden ore, and new-weaved
+his hard-spun thought."]
+
+[Footnote 127: Addison, on reading here this remark upon Virgil, which
+he himself had communicated to Steele, discovered that his friend was
+the author of the _Tatler_. He was at this time in Ireland, Secretary to
+Lord Wharton, and returned to England with the Lord Lieutenant on the
+8th of September following. (Tickell's Preface to Addison's Works.)]
+
+[Footnote 128: "Æneid," iv. 124.]
+
+[Footnote 129: "The Rehearsal," act i. sc. 2. This play of the Duke of
+Buckingham's was produced in 1671, and the poet Bayes, as finally drawn
+after revision, was a satire on Dryden.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 7. [STEELE
+
+From _Saturday, April 23_, to _Tuesday, April 26_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is so just an observation, that mocking is catching, that I am become
+an unhappy instance of it, and am (in the same manner that I have
+represented Mr. Partridge) myself a dying man in comparison of the
+vigour with which I first set out in the world. Had it been otherwise,
+you may be sure I would not have pretended to have given for news, as I
+did last Saturday, a diary of the siege of Troy. But man is a creature
+very inconsistent with himself: the greatest heroes are sometimes
+fearful, the sprightliest wits at some hours dull; and the greatest
+politicians on some occasions whimsical. But I shall not pretend to
+palliate, or excuse the matter; for I find, by a calculation of my own
+nativity, that I cannot hold out with any tolerable wit longer than two
+minutes after twelve o'clock at night, between the 18th and 19th of the
+next month. For which space of time you may still expect to hear from
+me, but no longer, except you will transmit to me the occurrences you
+meet with relating to your amours, or any other subject within the rules
+by which I have proposed to walk. If any gentleman or lady sends to
+Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., at Mr. Morphew's,[130] near Stationers' Hall,
+by the Penny Post, the grief or joy of their soul, what they think fit
+of the matter shall be related in colours as much to their advantage, as
+those in which Jervas[131] has drawn the agreeable Chloe. But since,
+without such assistance, I frankly confess, and am sensible, that I
+have not a month's wit more, I think I ought, while I am in my sound
+health and senses, to make my will and testament; which I do in manner
+and form following:
+
+Imprimis, I give to the stockjobbers about the Exchange of London, as a
+security for the trusts daily reposed in them, all my real estate; which
+I do hereby vest in the said body of worthy citizens for ever.
+
+Item, Forasmuch as it is very hard to keep land in repair without ready
+cash, I do, out of my personal estate, bestow the bearskin,[132] which I
+have frequently lent to several societies about this town, to supply
+their necessities. I say, I give also the said bearskin, as an immediate
+fund to the said citizens for ever.
+
+Item, I do hereby appoint a certain number of the said citizens to take
+all the custom-house or customary oaths, concerning all goods imported
+to the whole city, strictly directing, that some select members, and not
+the whole number of a body corporate, should be perjured.
+
+Item, I forbid all n----s and persons of q----ty to watch bargains near
+and about the Exchange, to the diminution and wrong of the said
+stockjobbers.
+
+Thus far, in as brief and intelligible a manner as any will can appear,
+till it is explained by the learned, I have disposed of my real and
+personal estate: but, as I am an adept, I have by birth an equal right
+to give also an indefeasible title to my endowments and qualifications;
+which I do in the following manner:
+
+Item, I give my chastity to all virgins who have withstood their
+market.
+
+Item, I give my courage among all who are ashamed of their distressed
+friends, all sneakers in assemblies, and men who show valour in common
+conversation.
+
+Item, I give my wit (as rich men give to the rich) among such as think
+they have enough already. And in case they shall not accept of the
+legacy, I give it to Bentivolio,[133] to defend his works from time to
+time, as he shall think fit to publish them.
+
+Item, I bestow my learning upon the honorary members of the Royal
+Society.[134]
+
+Now for the disposal of this body.
+
+As these eyes must one day cease to gaze on Teraminta, and this heart
+shall one day pant no more for her indignation: that is to say, since
+this body must be earth, I shall commit it to the dust in a manner
+suitable to my character. Therefore, as there are those who dispute,
+whether there is any such real person as Isaac Bickerstaff or not, I
+shall excuse all persons who appear what they really are, from coming to
+my funeral. But all those who are, in their way of life, persons, as the
+Latins have it, persons assumed, and who appear what they really are
+not, are hereby invited to that solemnity.
+
+The body shall be carried by six watchmen, who are never seen in the
+day.
+
+Item, The pall shall be held up by the six most known pretenders to
+honesty, wealth and power, who are not possessed of any of them. The
+two first, an half-lawyer, a complete justice. The two next, a chemist,
+a projector. The third couple, a Treasury solicitor, and a small
+courtier.
+
+To make my funeral (what that solemnity, when done to common men, really
+is in itself) a very farce; and since all mourners are mere actors on
+these occasions, I shall desire those who are professedly such, to
+attend me. I humbly therefore beseech Mrs. Barry[135] to act once more,
+and be my widow. When she swoons away at the church-porch, I appoint the
+merry Sir John Falstaff, and the gay Sir Harry Wildair, to support her.
+I desire Mr. Pinkethman[136] to follow in the habit of a cardinal, and
+Mr. Bullock[137] in that of a privy councillor. To make up the rest of
+the appearance, I desire all the ladies from the balconies to weep with
+Mrs. Barry, as they hope to be wives and widows themselves. I invite
+all, who have nothing else to do, to accept of gloves and scarves.
+
+Thus, with the great Charles V. of Spain, I resign the glories of this
+transitory world: yet, at the same time, to show you my indifference,
+and that my desires are not too much fixed upon anything, I own to you,
+I am as willing to stay as go: therefore leave it in the choice of my
+gentle readers, whether I shall hear from them, or they hear no more
+from me.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 25.
+
+Easter Day being a time when you can't well meet with any but humble
+adventures; and there being such a thing as low gallantry, as well as a
+low comedy, Colonel Ramble[138] and myself went early this morning into
+the fields, which were strewed with shepherds and shepherdesses, but
+indeed of a different turn from the simplicity of those of Arcadia.
+Every hedge was conscious of more than what the representations of
+enamoured swains admit of. While we were surveying the crowd around us,
+we saw at a distance a company coming towards Pancras Church; but though
+there was not much disorder, we thought we saw the figure of a man stuck
+through with a sword, and at every step ready to fall, if a woman by his
+side had not supported him; the rest followed two and two. When we came
+nearer this appearance, who should it be but Monsieur Guardeloop, mine
+and Ramble's French tailor, attended by others, leading one of Madame
+Depingle's[139] maids to the church, in order to their espousals. It was
+his sword tucked so high above his waist, and the circumflex which
+persons of his profession take in their walking, that made him appear at
+a distance wounded and falling. But the morning being rainy, methought
+the march to this wedding was but too lively a picture of wedlock
+itself. They seemed both to have a month's mind to make the best of
+their way single; yet both tugged arm in arm; and when they were in a
+dirty way, he was but deeper in the mire, by endeavouring to pull out
+his companion, and yet without helping her. The bridegroom's feathers in
+his hat all drooped, one of his shoes had lost an heel. In short, he was
+in his whole person and dress so extremely soused, that there did not
+appear one inch or single thread about him unmarried.[140] Pardon me,
+that the melancholy object still dwells upon me so far, as to reduce me
+to punning. However, we attended to the chapel, where we stayed to hear
+the irrevocable words pronounced upon our old servant, and made the best
+of our way to town. I took a resolution to forbear all married persons,
+or any, in danger of being such, for four-and-twenty hours at least;
+therefore dressed, and went to visit Florimel, the vainest thing in
+town, where I knew would drop in Colonel Picket, just come from the
+camp, her professed admirer. He is of that order of men who has much
+honour and merit, but withal a coxcomb; the other of that set of
+females, who has innocence and wit, but the first of coquettes. It is
+easy to believe, these must be admirers of each other. She says, "The
+Colonel rides the best of any man in England": the Colonel says, "She
+talks the best of any woman." At the same time, he understands wit just
+as she does horsemanship. You are to know, these extraordinary persons
+see each other daily; and they themselves, as well as the town, think it
+will be a match: but it can never happen that they can come to the
+point; for instead of addressing to each other, they spend their whole
+time in reports of themselves. He is satisfied if he can convince her he
+is a fine gentleman, and a man of consequence; and she, in appearing to
+him an accomplished lady and a wit, without further design. Thus he
+tells her of his manner of posting his men at such a pass, with the
+numbers he commanded on that detachment: she tells him, how she was
+dressed on such a day at Court, and what offers were made her the week
+following. She seems to hear the repetition of his men's names with
+admiration; and waits only to answer him with as false a muster of
+lovers. They talk to each other not to be informed, but approved. Thus
+they are so like, that they are to be ever distant, and the parallel
+lines may run together for ever, but never meet.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 25.
+
+This evening, the comedy, called "Epsom Wells,"[141] was acted for the
+benefit of Mr. Bullock,[142] who, though he is a person of much wit and
+ingenuity, has a peculiar talent of looking like a fool, and therefore
+excellently well qualified for the part of Biskett in this play. I
+cannot indeed sufficiently admire his way of bearing a beating, as he
+does in this drama, and that with such a natural air and propriety of
+folly, that one cannot help wishing the whip in one's own hand; so
+richly does he seem to deserve his chastisement. Skilful actors think it
+a very peculiar happiness to play in a scene with such as top their
+parts. Therefore I cannot but say, when the judgment of any good author
+directs him to write a beating for Mr. Bullock from Mr. William
+Pinkethman, or for Mr. William Pinkethman from Mr. Bullock, those
+excellent players seem to be in their most shining circumstances, and
+please me more, but with a different sort of delight, than that which I
+receive from those grave scenes of Brutus and Cassius, or Antony and
+Ventidius. The whole comedy is very just, and the low part of human life
+represented with much humour and wit.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 25.
+
+We are advised from Vienna, by letters of the 20th instant, that the
+Emperor hath lately added twenty new members to his Council of State,
+but they have not yet taken their places at the board. General Thaun is
+returned from Baden, his health being so well re-established by the
+baths of that place, that he designs to set out next week for Turin, to
+his command of the Imperial troops in the service of the Duke of Savoy.
+His Imperial Majesty has advanced his brother Count Henry Thaun to be a
+brigadier, and a Councillor of the Aulic Council of War. These letters
+import, that King Stanislaus and the Swedish General Crassau are
+directing their march to the Nieper, to join the King of Sweden's army
+in Ukrania: that the States of Austria have furnished Marshal Heister
+with a considerable sum of money, to enable him to push on the war
+vigorously in Hungary, where all things as yet are in perfect
+tranquillity: and that General Thungen has been very importunate for a
+speedy reinforcement of the forces on the Upper Rhine, representing at
+the same time, what miseries the inhabitants must necessarily undergo,
+if the designs of France on those parts be not speedily and effectually
+prevented.
+
+Letters from Rome, dated the 13th instant, say, that on the preceding
+Sunday his Holiness was carried in an open chair from St. Peter's to St.
+Mary's, attended by the Sacred College, in cavalcade; and, after Mass,
+distributed several dowries for the marriage of poor and distressed
+virgins. The proceedings of that Court are very dilatory concerning the
+recognition of King Charles, notwithstanding the pressing instances of
+the Marquis de Prie, who has declared, that if this affair be not wholly
+concluded by the 15th instant, he will retire from that Court, and order
+the Imperial troops to return into the ecclesiastical state. On the
+other hand, the Duke of Anjou's minister has, in the name of his master,
+demanded of his Holiness to explain himself on that affair; which, it is
+said, will be finally determined in a consistory to be held on Monday
+next; the Duke d'Uzeda designing to delay his departure till he sees the
+issue. These letters also say, that the Court was mightily alarmed at
+the news which they received by an express from Ferrara, that General
+Boneval, who commands in Commachio, had sent circular letters to the
+inhabitants of St. Alberto, Longastrino, Fillo, and other adjacent
+parts, enjoining them to come and swear fealty to the Emperor, and
+receive new investitures of their fiefs from his hands. Letters from
+other parts of Italy say, that the King of Denmark continues at Lucca;
+that four English and Dutch men-of-war were seen off of Oneglia, bound
+for Final, in order to transport the troops designed for Barcelona; and
+that her Majesty's ship the _Colchester_ arrived at Leghorn the 4th
+instant from Port Mahon, with advice, that Major-General Stanhope
+designed to part from thence the 1st instant with 6000 or 7000 men to
+attempt the relief of the Castle of Alicant.
+
+Our last advices from Berlin, bearing date the 27th instant, import,
+that the King was gone to Linum, and the Queen to Mecklenburg; but that
+their Majesties designed to return the next week to Oranienburg, where a
+great chase of wild beasts was prepared for their diversion, and from
+thence they intend to proceed together to Potsdam; that the Prince Royal
+was set out for Brabant, but intended to make some short stay at
+Hanover. These letters also inform us, that they are advised from Obory,
+that the King of Sweden, being on his march towards Holki, met General
+Renne with a detachment of Muscovites, who placing some regiments in
+ambuscade, attacked the Swedes in their rear, and putting them to
+flight, killed 2000 men, the king himself having his horse shot under
+him.
+
+We hear from Copenhagen, that, the ice being broke, the Sound is again
+open for the ships; and that they hoped his Majesty would return sooner
+than they at first expected.
+
+Letters from the Hague, dated May the 4th, N.S., say that an express
+arrived there on the 1st from Prince Eugene to his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough. The States are advised, that the auxiliaries of Saxony
+were arrived on the frontiers of the United Provinces; as also, that the
+two regiments of Wolfembuttel, and 4000 troops from Wirtemberg, which
+are to serve in Flanders, are in full march thither. Letters from
+Flanders, say that the great convoy of ammunition and provisions which
+set out from Ghent for Lille, was safely arrived at Courtray. We hear
+from Paris, that the King has ordered the militia on the coasts of
+Normandy and Bretagne to be in a readiness to march; and that the Court
+was in apprehension of a descent, to animate the people to rise in the
+midst of their present hardships.
+
+They write from Spain, that the Pope's Nuncio left Madrid the 10th of
+April, in order to go to Bayonne; that the Marquis de Bay was at Badajos
+to observe the motions of the Portuguese; and that the Count d'Estain,
+with a body of 5000 men, was on his march to attack Gironne. The Duke
+of Anjou has deposed the Bishop of Lerida, as being a favourer of the
+interest of King Charles; and has summoned a convocation at Madrid,
+composed of the archbishops, bishops and states of that kingdom,
+wherein he hopes they will come to a resolution to send for no more
+bulls to Rome.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 130: John Morphew was the publisher of the _Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 131: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 132: Stockjobbers, who contract for a sale of stock which they
+do not possess, are called sellers of bearskins; and universally whoever
+sells what he does not possess was said to sell the bear's skin, while
+the bear runs in the woods. "You never heard such bellowing about the
+town of the state of the nation, especially among the sharpers, sellers
+of bearskins--_i.e._ stockjobbers, &c." (Swift). See No. 38.]
+
+[Footnote 133: Dr. Richard Bentley, Master of Trinity College,
+Cambridge, took a leading part in the controversy regarding the
+genuineness of the Epistles of Phalaris. In 1709 he published critical
+notes on the Tusculan Disputations.]
+
+[Footnote 134: There are several sneers at the members of the Royal
+Society in the _Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 135: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 136: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 137: William Bullock was a comic actor whose abilities are
+praised by Gildon and others. He was the original Sir Tunbelly Clumsy in
+Vanbrugh's "Relapse." Later on in this number (p. 70), Steele says that
+Bullock had a peculiar talent of looking like a fool, and in No. 188 he
+compares Bullock and Pinkethman in a satirical vein.]
+
+[Footnote 138: Perhaps Colonel Hunter, afterwards Governor of New York;
+or Colonel Brett, one of the managers of Drury Lane Theatre.]
+
+[Footnote 139: See No. 34.]
+
+[Footnote 140: The pun is, of course, on the word "unmarred."]
+
+[Footnote 141: By Thomas Shadwell, 1676.]
+
+[Footnote 142: See note on p. 67, above.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 8. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 26._ to _Thursday, April 28_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Wills Coffee-house, April 26.
+
+The play of "The London Cuckolds"[143] was acted this evening before a
+suitable audience, who were extremely well diverted with that heap of
+vice and absurdity. The indignation which Eugenio, who is a gentleman
+of a just taste, has, upon occasion of seeing human nature fall so low
+in their delights, made him, I thought, expatiate upon the mention of
+this play very agreeably. "Of all men living," said he, "I pity players
+(who must be men of good understanding to be capable of being such) that
+they are obliged to repeat and assume proper gestures for representing
+things, of which their reason must be ashamed, and which they must
+disdain their audience for approving. The amendment of these low
+gratifications is only to be made by people of condition, by encouraging
+the presentation of the noble characters drawn by Shakespeare and
+others, from whence it is impossible to return without strong
+impressions of honour and humanity. On these occasions, distress is laid
+before us with all its causes and consequences, and our resentment
+placed according to the merit of the persons afflicted. Were dramas of
+this nature more acceptable to the taste of the town, men who have
+genius would bend their studies to excel in them. How forcible an effect
+this would have on our minds, one needs no more than to observe how
+strongly we are touched by mere pictures. Who can see Le Brun's[144]
+picture of the Battle of Porus, without entering into the character of
+that fierce gallant man,[145] and being accordingly spurred to an
+emulation of his constancy and courage? When he is falling with his
+wound, the features are at the same time very terrible and languishing;
+and there is such a stern faintness diffused through his look, as is
+apt to move a kind of horror, as well as pity, in the beholder. This, I
+say, is an effect wrought by mere lights and shades; consider also a
+representation made by words only, as in an account given by a good
+writer: Catiline in Sallust makes just such a figure as Porus by Le
+Brun. It is said of him, 'Catilina vero longe a suis inter hostium
+cadavera repertus est; paululum etiam spirans, ferocitatemque animi quam
+vivus habuerat in vultu retinens.'[146] ('Catiline was found killed far
+from his own men among the dead bodies of the enemy: he seemed still to
+breathe, and still retained in his face the same fierceness he had when
+he was living.') You have in that one sentence, a lively impression of
+his whole life and actions. What I would insinuate from all this, is,
+that if the painter and the historian can do thus much in colours and
+language, what may not be performed by an excellent poet, when the
+character he draws is presented by the person, the manner, the look, and
+the motion, of an accomplished player? If a thing painted or related can
+irresistibly enter our hearts, what may not be brought to pass by seeing
+generous things performed before our eyes?" Eugenio ended his discourse,
+by recommending the apt use of a theatre, as the most agreeable and easy
+method of making a polite and moral gentry, which would end in rendering
+the rest of the people regular in their behaviour, and ambitious of
+laudable undertakings.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 27.
+
+Letters from Naples of the 9th instant, N.S., advise, that Cardinal
+Grimani had ordered the regiment commanded by General Pate to march
+towards Final, in order to embark for Catalonia, whither also a
+thousand horse are to be transported from Sardinia, besides the troops
+which come from the Milanese. An English man-of-war has taken two
+prizes, one a vessel of Malta, the other of Genoa, both laden with goods
+of the enemy. They write from Florence of the 13th, that his Majesty of
+Denmark had received a courier from the Hague, with an account of some
+matters relating to the treaty of a peace; upon which he declared, that
+he thought it necessary to hasten to his own dominions.
+
+Letters from Switzerland inform us, that the effects of the great
+scarcity of corn in France were felt at Geneva; the magistrates of which
+city had appointed deputies to treat with the cantons of Berne and
+Zurich, for leave to buy up such quantities of grain within their
+territories as should be thought necessary. The Protestants of
+Tockenburg are still in arms about the convent of St. John, and have
+declared, that they will not lay them down, till they shall have
+sufficient security from the Roman Catholics, of living unmolested in
+the exercise of their religion. In the meantime the deputies of Berne
+and Tockenburg have frequent conferences at Zurich, with the regency of
+that canton, to find out methods for the quieting these disorders.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 3rd of May advise, that the President
+Rouillé, after his last conference with the deputies of the States, had
+retired to Bodegrave, five miles distant from Worden, and expected the
+return of a courier from France on the 4th, with new instructions. It is
+said, if his answer from the French Court shall not prove satisfactory,
+he will be desired to withdraw out of these parts. In the meantime it is
+also reported, that his equipage, as an ambassador on this great
+occasion, is actually on the march towards him. They write from
+Flanders, that the great convoy of provisions, which set out from Ghent,
+is safely arrived at Lille. Those advices add, that the enemy had
+assembled near Tournay a considerable body of troops drawn out of the
+neighbouring garrisons. Their high mightinesses having sent orders to
+their Ministers at Hamburg and Dantzic, to engage the magistrates of
+those cities to forbid the sale of corn to the French, and to signify to
+them, that the Dutch merchants will buy up as much of that commodity as
+they can spare, the Hamburgers have accordingly contracted with the
+Dutch, and refused any commerce with the French on that occasion.
+
+
+From my own Apartment.
+
+After the lassitude of a day spent in the strolling manner, which is
+usual with men of pleasure in this town, and with a head full of a
+million of impertinences, which had danced round it for ten hours
+together, I came to my lodging, and hastened to bed. My
+_valet-de-chambre_[147] knows my University trick of reading there; and
+he being: a good scholar for a gentleman, ran over the names of Horace,
+Tibullus, Ovid, and others, to know which I would have. "Bring Virgil,"
+said I, "and if I fall asleep, take care of the candle." I read the
+sixth book over with the most exquisite delight, and had gone half
+through it a second time, when the pleasing ideas of Elysian Fields,
+deceased worthies walking in them, sincere lovers enjoying their
+languishment without pain, compassion for the unhappy spirits who had
+misspent their short daylight, and were exiled from the seats of bliss
+for ever; I say, I was deep again in my reading, when this mixture of
+images had taken place of all others in my imagination before, and
+lulled me into a dream, from which I am just awake, to my great
+disadvantage. The happy mansions of Elysium by degrees seemed to be
+wafted from me, and the very traces of my late waking thoughts began to
+fade away, when I was cast by a sudden whirlwind upon an island,
+encompassed with a roaring and troubled sea, which shaked its very
+centre, and rocked its inhabitants as in a cradle. The islanders lay on
+their faces, without offering to look up, or hope for preservation; all
+her harbours were crowded with mariners, and tall vessels of war lay in
+danger of being driven to pieces on her shores. "Bless me!" said I, "why
+have I lived in such a manner that the convulsion of nature should be so
+terrible to me, when I feel in myself, that the better part of me is to
+survive it? Oh! may that be in happiness." A sudden shriek, in which the
+whole people on their faces joined, interrupted my soliloquy, and turned
+my eyes and attention to the object which had given us that sudden
+start, in the midst of an inconsolable and speechless affliction.
+Immediately the winds grew calm, the waves subsided, and the people
+stood up, turning their faces upon a magnificent pile in the midst of
+the island. There we beheld an hero of a comely and erect aspect, but
+pale and languid, sitting under a canopy of state. By the faces and dumb
+sorrow of those who attended we thought him in the article of death. At
+a distance sat a lady, whose life seemed to hang upon the same thread
+with his: she kept her eyes fixed upon him, and seemed to smother ten
+thousand thousand nameless things, which urged her tenderness to clasp
+him in her arms: but her greatness of spirit overcame those sentiments,
+and gave her power to forbear disturbing his last moment; which
+immediately approached. The hero looked up with an air of negligence,
+and satiety of being, rather than of pain to leave it; and leaning back
+his head, expired.[148]
+
+When the heroine, who sat at a distance, saw his last instant come, she
+threw herself at his feet, and kneeling, pressed his hand to her lips;
+in which posture she continued under the agony of an unutterable sorrow,
+till conducted from our sight by her attendants. That commanding awe,
+which accompanies the grief of great minds, restrained the multitude
+while in her presence; but as soon as she retired, they gave way to
+their distraction, and all the islanders called upon their deceased
+hero. To him, methought, they cried out, as to a guardian being, and I
+gathered from their broken accents, that it was he who had the empire
+over the ocean and its powers, by which he had long protected the island
+from shipwreck and invasion. They now give a loose to their moan, and
+think themselves exposed without hopes of human or divine assistance.
+While the people ran wild, and expressed all the different forms of
+lamentation, methought a sable cloud overshadowed the whole land, and
+covered its inhabitants with darkness: no glimpse of light appeared,
+except one ray from heaven upon the place in which the heroine now
+secluded herself from the world, with her eyes fixed on those abodes to
+which her consort was ascended.[149] Methought, a long period of time
+had passed away in mourning and in darkness, when a twilight began by
+degrees to enlighten the hemisphere; and looking round me, I saw a boat
+rowed towards the shore, in which sat a personage adorned with warlike
+trophies, bearing on his left arm a shield, on which was engraven the
+image of Victory, and in his right hand a branch of olive. His visage
+was at once so winning and so awful, that the shield and the olive
+seemed equally suitable to his genius.
+
+When this illustrious person[150] touched on the shore, he was received
+by the acclamations of the people, and followed to the palace of the
+heroine. No pleasure in the glory of her arms, or the acclamations
+of her applauding subjects, were ever capable to suspend her sorrow for
+one moment, until she saw the olive branch in the hand of that
+auspicious messenger. At that sight, as Heaven bestows its blessings on
+the wants and importunities of mortals, out of its native bounty, and
+not to increase its own power, or honour, in compassion to the world,
+the celestial mourner was then first seen to turn her regard to things
+below; and taking the branch out of the warrior's hand, looked at it
+with much satisfaction, and spoke of the blessings of peace, with a
+voice and accent, such as that in which guardian spirits whisper to
+dying penitents assurances of happiness. The air was hushed, the
+multitude attentive, and all nature in a pause, while she was speaking.
+But as soon as the messenger of peace had made some low reply, in
+which, methought, I heard the word Iberia, the heroine assuming a more
+severe air, but such as spoke resolution, without rage, returned him
+the olive, and again veiled her face. Loud cries and clashing of arms
+immediately followed, which forced me from my charming vision, and
+drove me back to these mansions of care and sorrow.[151]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 143: A very coarse play by Edward Ravenscroft, produced in
+1682, and often acted on Lord Mayors' days and other holidays.]
+
+[Footnote 144: Charles Le Brun, who was born in 1619, and died in 1690,
+was the son of a sculptor, of Scotch extraction. Under Colbert's
+patronage he founded the Academy of Painting and Sculpture, at Paris,
+and he received many honours from Louis XIV. Le Brun's painting of the
+Defeat of Porus is 16 feet high and 39 feet 5 inches long.]
+
+[Footnote 145: Porus was an Indian king who was defeated and put to
+death by Alexander the Great. See Q. Curtius, viii. 12, 14.]
+
+[Footnote 146: "Bell. Catil." cap. 61.]
+
+[Footnote 147: Steele seems to have forgotten that he was Isaac
+Bickerstaff, Esq., and had only an old maid-servant. (Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 148: Prince George of Denmark, the consort of Queen Anne, died
+on October 21, 1708, after a few days' illness. This dream gives a
+picture of the state of England from his death until the conclusion of
+the negotiations at the Hague in 1709.]
+
+[Footnote 149: The mourning of Queen Anne was so long that the
+manufacturers remonstrated, and secured a limit to the duration of
+public mournings.]
+
+[Footnote 150: About this time the D[uke]. of M[arlborough]. returned
+from Holland with the preliminaries of a peace.--(Steele.)]
+
+[Footnote 151: "Mr. Bickerstaff thanks Mr. Quarterstaff for his kind and
+instructive letter dated the 26th instant" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 9. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 28_, to _Saturday, April 30_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 28.
+
+This evening we were entertained with "The Old Bachelor,"[152] a comedy
+of deserved reputation. In the character which gives name to the play,
+there is excellently represented the reluctance of a battered debauchee
+to come into the trammels of order and decency: he neither languishes
+nor burns, but frets for love. The gentlemen of more regular behaviour
+are drawn with much spirit and wit, and the drama introduced by the
+dialogue of the first scene with uncommon, yet natural conversation. The
+part of Fondlewife is a lively image of the unseasonable fondness of age
+and impotence. But instead of such agreeable works as these, the town
+has this half age been tormented with insects called "easy writers,"
+whose abilities Mr. Wycherley one day described excellently well in one
+word: "That," said he, "among these fellows is called easy writing,
+which any one may easily write." Such jaunty scribblers are so justly
+laughed at for their sonnets on Phillis and Chloris, and fantastical
+descriptions in them, that an ingenious kinsman of mine,[153] of the
+family of the Staffs, Mr. Humphrey Wagstaff by name, has, to avoid their
+strain, run into a way perfectly new, and described things exactly as
+they happen: he never forms fields, or nymphs, or groves, where they are
+not, but makes the incidents just as they really appear. For an example
+of it; I stole out of his manuscript the following lines: they are a
+Description of the Morning, but of the morning in town; nay, of the
+morning at this end of the town, where my kinsman at present lodges.
+
+    Now hardly here and there an hackney coach
+    Appearing, showed the ruddy morn's approach.
+    Now Betty from her master's bed had flown,
+    And softly stole to discompose her own.
+    The slipshod 'prentice from his master's door,
+    Had pared the street, and sprinkled round the floor.
+    Now Moll had whirled her mop with dext'rous airs,
+    Prepared to scrub the entry and the stairs.
+    The youth with broomy stumps began to trace
+    The kennel edge, where wheels had worn the place.
+    The smallcoal-man was heard with cadence deep,
+    Till drowned in shriller notes of chimney-sweep.
+    Duns at his lordship's gate began to meet;
+    And Brickdust Moll had screamed through half a street;
+    The turnkey now his flock returning sees,
+    Duly let out at nights to steal for fees.
+    The watchful bailiffs take their silent stands;
+    And schoolboys lag with satchels in their hands.
+
+All that I apprehend is, that dear Numps will be angry I have published
+these lines; not that he has any reason to be ashamed of them, but for
+fear of those rogues, the bane to all excellent performances, the
+imitators. Therefore, beforehand, I bar all descriptions of the
+evenings; as, a medley of verses signifying, grey-peas are now cried
+warm: that wenches now begin to amble round the passages of the
+playhouse: or of noon; as, that fine ladies and great beaux are just
+yawning out of their beds and windows in Pall Mall, and so forth. I
+forewarn also all persons from encouraging any draughts after my
+cousin; and foretell any man who shall go about to imitate him, that he
+will be very insipid. The family stock is embarked in this design, and
+we will not admit of counterfeits: Dr. Anderson[154] and his heirs enjoy
+his pills, Sir. William Read[155] has the cure of eyes, and Monsieur
+Rozelli[156] can only cure the gout. We pretend to none of these things;
+but to examine who and who are together, to tell any mistaken man he is
+not what he believes he is, to distinguish merit, and expose false
+pretences to it, is a liberty our family has by law in them, from an
+intermarriage with a daughter of Mr. Scoggan,[157] the famous droll of
+the last century. This right I design to make use of; but will not
+encroach upon the above-mentioned adepts, or any other. At the same
+time I shall take all the privileges I may, as an Englishman, and will
+lay hold of the late Act of Naturalisation[158] to introduce what I
+shall think fit from France. The use of that law may, I hope, be
+extended to people the polite world with new characters, as well as the
+kingdom itself with new subjects. Therefore an author of that nation,
+called La Bruyère, I shall make bold with on such occasions. The last
+person I read of in that writer, was Lord Timon.[159] Timon, says my
+author, is the most generous of all men; but is so hurried away with
+that strong impulse of bestowing, that he confers benefits without
+distinction, and is munificent without laying obligations. For all the
+unworthy, who receive from him, have so little sense of this noble
+infirmity, that they look upon themselves rather as partners in a spoil,
+than partakers of a bounty. The other day, coming into Paris, I met
+Timon going out on horseback, attended only by one servant. It struck me
+with a sudden damp, to see a man of so excellent a disposition, and that
+understood making a figure so very well, so much shortened in his
+retinue. But passing by his house, I saw his great coach break to pieces
+before his door, and by a strange enchantment, immediately turned into
+many different vehicles. The first was a very pretty chariot, into which
+stepped his lordship's secretary. The second was hung a little heavier;
+into that strutted the fat steward. In an instant followed a chaise,
+which was entered by the butler. The rest of the body and wheels were
+forthwith changed into go-carts, and ran away with by the nurses and
+brats of the rest of the family. What makes these misfortunes in the
+affairs of Timon the more astonishing, is, that he has a better
+understanding than those who cheat him; so that a man knows not which
+more to wonder at, the indifference of the master, or the impudence of
+the servant.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 29.
+
+It is matter of much speculation among the beaux and oglers, what it is
+that can have made so sudden a change, as has been of late observed, in
+the whole behaviour of Pastorella, who never sat still a moment till she
+was eighteen, which she has now exceeded by two months. Her aunt, who
+has the care of her, has not been always so rigid as she is at this
+present date; but has so good a sense of the frailty of woman, and
+falsehood of man, that she resolved on all manner of methods to keep
+Pastorella, if possible, in safety, against herself, and all her
+admirers. At the same time the good lady knew by long experience, that
+a gay inclination, curbed too rashly, would but run to the greater
+excesses for that restraint: therefore intended to watch her, and take
+some opportunity of engaging her insensibly in her own interests,
+without the anguish of an admonition. You are to know then, that miss,
+with all her flirting and ogling, had also naturally a strong curiosity
+in her, and was the greatest eavesdropper breathing. Parisatis (for so
+her prudent aunt is called) observed this humour, and retires one day to
+her closet, into which she knew Pastorella would peep, and listen to
+know how she was employed. It happened accordingly, and the young lady
+saw her good governante on her knees, and after a mental behaviour,
+break into these words: "As for the dear child committed to my care, let
+her sobriety of carriage, and severity of behaviour, be such, as may
+make that noble lord, who is taken with her beauty, turn his designs to
+such as are honourable." Here Parisatis heard her niece nestle closer to
+the keyhole: she then goes on; "Make her the joyful mother of a numerous
+and wealthy offspring, and let her carriage be such, as may make this
+noble youth expect the blessings of an happy marriage, from the
+singularity of her life, in this loose and censorious age." Miss having
+heard enough, sneaks off for fear of discovery, and immediately at her
+glass, alters the sitting of her head; then pulls up her tucker,[160]
+and forms herself into the exact manner of Lindamira: in a word, becomes
+a sincere convert to everything that's commendable in a fine young lady;
+and two or three such matches as her aunt feigned in her devotions, are
+at this day in her choice. This is the history and original cause of
+Pastorella's conversion from coquetry. The prudence in the management
+of this young lady's temper, and good judgment of it, is hardly to be
+exceeded. I scarce remember a greater instance of forbearance of the
+usual peevish way with which the aged treat the young, than this, except
+that of our famous Noye,[161] whose good nature went so far, as to make
+him put off his admonitions to his son, even till after his death; and
+did not give him his thoughts of him, till he came to read that
+memorable passage in his will: "All the rest of my estate," says he, "I
+leave to my son Edward (who is executor to this my will) to be
+squandered as he shall think fit: I leave it him for that purpose, and
+hope no better from him." A generous disdain and reflection, upon how
+little he deserved from so excellent a father, reformed the young man,
+and made Edward, from an errant rake, become a fine gentleman.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 29.
+
+Letters from Portugal of the 18th instant, dated from Estremos, say,
+that on the 6th the Earl of Galway arrived at that place, and had the
+satisfaction to see the quarters well furnished with all manner of
+provisions, and a quantity of bread sufficient for subsisting the troops
+for sixty days, besides biscuits for twenty-five days. The enemy give
+out, that they shall bring into the field 14 regiments of horse, and 24
+battalions. The troops in the service of Portugal will make up 14,000
+foot, and 4000 horse. On the day these letters were despatched, the
+Earl of Galway received advice, that the Marquis de Bay was preparing
+for some enterprise, by gathering his troops together on the frontiers.
+Whereupon his Excellency resolved to go that same night to Villa-Vicosa,
+to assemble the troops in that neighbourhood, in order to disappoint his
+designs.
+
+Yesterday in the evening Captain Foxon, aide-de-camp to Major-General
+Cadogan, arrived here express from the Duke of Marlborough. And this day
+a mail is come in, with letters dated from Brussels of the 6th of May,
+N.S., which advise, that the enemy had drawn together a body, consisting
+of 20,000 men, with a design, as was supposed, to intercept the great
+convoy on the march towards Lille, which was safely arrived at Menin and
+Courtray, in its way to that place, the French having retired without
+making any attempt.
+
+We hear from the Hague, that a person of the first quality is arrived in
+the Low Countries from France, in order to be a plenipotentiary in an
+ensuing treaty of peace.
+
+Letters from France acknowledge, that Monsieur Bernard has made no
+higher offers of satisfaction to his creditors than of £35 per cent.
+
+These advices add, that the Marshal Boufflers, Monsieur Torcy (who
+distinguished himself formerly, by advising the Court of France to
+adhere to the treaty of partition), and Monsieur d'Harcourt (who
+negotiated with Cardinal Portocarrero for the succession of the crown of
+Spain in the House of Bourbon), are all three joined in a commission for
+a treaty of peace. The Marshal is come to Ghent: the other two are
+arrived at the Hague.
+
+It is confidently reported here that the Right Honourable the Lord
+Townshend is to go with his Grace the Duke of Marlborough into
+Holland.[162]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 152: Congreve's first play, produced in 1693. See also No.
+193. This piece is attacked in Jeremy Collier's "Short View of the
+Profaneness and Immorality of the English Stage," 1698.]
+
+[Footnote 153: Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 154: A Scotch physician in the reigns of Charles I. and
+Charles II. An advertisement of his "famous Scots Pills" requested the
+public to beware of counterfeits, especially an ignorant pretender, one
+Muffen, who kept a china-shop.]
+
+[Footnote 155: "Henley would fain have me to go with Steele and Rowe,
+&c., to an invitation at Sir William Read's. Surely you have heard of
+him. He has been a mountebank, and is the Queen's oculist; he makes
+admirable punch, and treats you in gold vessels. But I am engaged, and
+won't go; neither indeed am I fond of the jaunt" (Swift's "Journal,"
+April 11, 1711). Read was knighted in 1705, for services done in curing
+soldiers and sailors of blindness gratis. Beginning life as a tailor, he
+became Queen Anne's oculist in ordinary, and died in 1715. See
+_Spectator_, No. 547.]
+
+[Footnote 156: Rozelli, the inventor of a specific for the gout, died at
+the Hague. In No. 33 was an advertisement of the "Memoirs of the Life
+and Adventures of Signior Rozelli, at the Hague, giving a particular
+account of his birth, education, slavery, monastic state, imprisonment
+in the Inquisition at Rome, and the different figures he has since made,
+as well in Italy, as in France and Holland.... Done into English from
+the second edition of the French." This work, like the continuation of
+1724, has been wrongly attributed to Defoe. Rozelli advertised in the
+_London Gazette_, for July 19, 1709, that the book was entirely
+fictitious, and a libel upon his character.]
+
+[Footnote 157: We learn from Ben Jonson, that Scoggan, or Skogan, was
+M.A., and lived in the time of Henry IV. "He made disguises for the
+King's sons, writ in ballad-royal daintily well, and was regarded and
+rewarded." Jonson calls him the moral Skogan; and introduces him with
+Skelton, the poet laureate of Henry VIII., into his Masque, entitled
+"The Fortunate Isles," where he keeps them in character, and makes them
+rhyme in their own manner.]
+
+[Footnote 158: 7 Anne, cap. 5, was an "Act for naturalising Foreign
+Protestants." After the preamble, "Whereas many strangers of the
+Protestant or reformed religion would be induced to transport themselves
+and their estates into this kingdom, if they might be made partakers of
+the advantages and privileges which the natural-born subjects thereof do
+enjoy," it was enacted that all persons taking the oaths, and making and
+subscribing the declaration appointed by 6 Anne, cap. 23, should be
+deemed natural-born subjects; but no person was to have the benefit of
+this Act unless he received the sacrament. The Act was repealed by 10
+Anne, c. 5, because "divers mischiefs and inconveniences have been found
+by experience to follow from the same, to the discouragement of the
+natural-born subjects of this kingdom, and to the detriment of the trade
+and wealth thereof."]
+
+[Footnote 159: It has been alleged that there is here an allusion to the
+Duke of Ormond, whose servants enriched themselves at their master's
+expense (see _Examiner_, vol. iii. p. 48). But in the _Guardian_, No.
+53, Steele, writing in his own name, declared that the character of
+Timon was not disgraceful, and that when he drew it he thought it
+resembled himself more than any one else.]
+
+[Footnote 160: The tucker, an edging round the top of a low dress, began
+to be discontinued about 1713, as appears from complaints in the
+_Guardian_, _passim_.]
+
+[Footnote 161: "William Noye, of St. Burian in Cornwall, gentleman, was
+made Attorney-General in 1631; his will is dated June 3, 1634, about a
+month or six weeks before his death. The expedient did not operate an
+alteration in his son so altogether favourable; for within two years
+Edward was slain in a duel by one Captain Byron, who was pardoned for
+it" (Wood's "Athen. Oxon." 1691, i. 506). Noye's character is drawn in
+the first book of Clarendon's "History of the Civil War."]
+
+[Footnote 162: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received the epistles of Mrs.
+Rebecca Wagstaff, Timothy Pikestaff and Wagstaff, which he will
+acknowledge farther as occasion shall serve" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 10. [STEELE.
+
+By Mrs.[163] JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Saturday, April 30_, to _Tuesday, May 3_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 1.
+
+My brother Isaac having a sudden occasion to go out of town, ordered me
+to take upon me the despatch of the next advices from home, with liberty
+to speak it my own way; not doubting the allowances which would be given
+to a writer of my sex. You may be sure I undertook it with much
+satisfaction, and I confess, I am not a little pleased with the
+opportunity of running over all the papers in his closet, which he has
+left open for my use on this occasion. The first that I lay my hands on,
+is, a treatise concerning "The Empire of Beauty," and the effects it
+has had in all nations of the world, upon the public and private actions
+of men; with an appendix, which he calls, "The Bachelor's Scheme for
+Governing his Wife." The first thing he makes this gentleman propose,
+is, that she shall be no woman; for she is to have an aversion to balls,
+to operas, to visits: she is to think his company sufficient to fill up
+all the hours of life with great satisfaction: she is never to believe
+any other man wise, learned, or valiant; or at least but in a second
+degree. In the next place, he intends she shall be a cuckold; but
+expects, that he himself must live in perfect security from that terror.
+He dwells a great while on instructions for her discreet behaviour, in
+case of his falsehood. I have not patience with these unreasonable
+expectations, therefore turn back to the treatise itself. Here, indeed,
+my brother deduces all the revolutions among men from the passion of
+love; and in his preface, answers that usual observation against us,
+that there is no quarrel without a woman in it, with a gallant
+assertion, that there is nothing else worth quarrelling for. My brother
+is of a complexion truly amorous; all his thoughts and actions carry in
+them a tincture of that obliging inclination; and this turn has opened
+his eyes to see, we are not the inconsiderable creatures which unlucky
+pretenders to our favour would insinuate. He observes that no man begins
+to make any tolerable figure, till he sets out with the hopes of
+pleasing some one of us. No sooner he takes that in hand, but he pleases
+every one else by-the-bye. It has an immediate effect upon his
+behaviour. There is Colonel Ranter, who never spoke without an oath,
+till he saw the Lady Betty Modish;[164] now never gives his man an
+order, but it is, "Pray, Tom, do it." The drawers where he drinks live
+in perfect happiness. He asked Will at the "George" the other day how he
+did? Where he used to say, "Damn it, it is so," he now believes there is
+some mistake: he must confess, he is of another opinion; but however he
+won't insist.
+
+Every temper, except downright insipid, is to be animated and softened
+by the influence of beauty: but of this untractable sort is a lifeless
+handsome fellow that visits us, whom I have dressed at this twelvemonth;
+but he is as insensible of all the arts I use, as if he conversed all
+that time with his nurse. He outdoes our whole sex in all the faults our
+enemies impute to us; he has brought laziness into an opinion, and makes
+his indolence his philosophy: insomuch, that no longer ago than
+yesterday in the evening he gave me this account of himself: "I am,
+madam, perfectly unmoved at all that passes among men, and seldom give
+myself the fatigue of going among them; but when I do, I always appear
+the same thing to those whom I converse with. My hours of existence, or
+being awake, are from eleven in the morning to eleven at night; half of
+which I live to myself, in picking my teeth, washing my hands, paring my
+nails, and looking in the glass. The insignificancy of my manners to the
+rest of the world makes the laughers call me a _quidnunc_, a phrase I
+shall never inquire what they mean by it. The last of me each night is
+at St. James's Coffee-house, where I converse, yet never fall into a
+dispute on any occasion, but leave the understanding I have, passive of
+all that goes through it, without entering into the business of life.
+And thus, madam, have I arrived by laziness, to what others pretend to
+by devotion, a perfect neglect of the world." Sure, if our sex had the
+liberty of frequenting public-houses and conversations, we should put
+these rivals of our faults and follies out of countenance. However, we
+shall soon have the pleasure of being acquainted with them one way or
+other, for my brother Isaac designs, for the use of our sex, to give the
+exact characters of all the chief politicians who frequent any of the
+coffee-houses from St. James's to the Change; but designs to begin with
+that cluster of wise heads, as they are found sitting every evening,
+from the left side of the fire, at the Smyrna,[165] to the door. This
+will be of great service for us, and I have authority to promise an
+exact journal of their deliberations; the publication of which I am to
+be allowed for pin-money. In the meantime, I cast my eye upon a new
+book, which gave me a more pleasing entertainment, being a sixth part of
+"Miscellany Poems," published by Jacob Tonson,[166] which I find, by my
+brother's notes upon it, no way inferior to the other volumes. There
+are, it seems, in this, a collection of the best pastorals that have
+hitherto appeared in England; but among them, none superior to that
+dialogue between Sylvia and Dorinda, written by one of my own sex,[167]
+where all our little weaknesses are laid open in a manner more just,
+and with, truer raillery than ever man yet hit upon.
+
+    _Only this I now discern.
+    From the things thou'st have me learn;
+    That womankind's peculiar joys
+    From past or present beauties rise._
+
+But to reassume my first design, there cannot be a greater instance of
+the command of females, than in the prevailing charms of the heroine in
+the play which was acted this night, called "All for Love; or, The World
+Well Lost."[168] The enamoured Antony resigns glory and power to the
+force of the attractive Cleopatra, whose charms were the defence of her
+diadem, against a people otherwise invincible. It is so natural for
+women to talk of themselves, that it is to be hoped all my own sex, at
+least, will pardon me, that I could fall into no other discourse. If we
+have their favour, we give ourselves very little anxiety for the rest of
+our readers. I believe I see a sentence of Latin in my brother's
+day-book of wit, which seems applicable on this occasion, and in
+contempt of the critics.
+
+      --_Tristitiam et metus
+    Tradam protectis in mare Criticum
+    Portare ventis._[169]
+
+But I am interrupted by a packet from Mr. Kidney,[170] from the St.
+James's Coffee-house, which I am obliged to insert in the very style and
+words which Mr. Kidney uses in his letter.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 2.
+
+We are advised by letters from Berne, dated the 1st instant, N.S., that
+the Duke of Berwick arrived at Lyons the 25th of the last month, and
+continued his journey the next day to visit the passes of the mountains,
+and other posts in Dauphine and Provence. These letters also informed
+us, that the miseries of the people in France are heightened to that
+degree, that unless a peace be speedily concluded, half of that kingdom
+would perish for want of bread. On the 24th, the Marshal de Thesse
+passed through Lyons, in his way to Versailles; and two battalions,
+which were marching from Alsace to reinforce the army of the Duke of
+Berwick, passed also through that place. Those troops were to be
+followed by six Battalions more.
+
+Letters from Naples of the 16th of April say, that the Marquis de Prie's
+son was arrived there, with instructions from his father, to signify to
+the viceroy the necessity his Imperial Majesty was under, of desiring an
+aid from that kingdom, for carrying on the extraordinary expenses of the
+war. On the 14th of the same month, they made a review of the Spanish
+troops in that garrison, and afterwards of the marines; one part of whom
+will embark with those designed for Barcelona, and the rest are to be
+sent on board the galleys appointed to convoy provisions to that place.
+
+We hear from Rome, by letters dated the 20th of April, that the Count de
+Mellos, envoy from the King of Portugal, had made his public entry into
+that city with much state and magnificence. The Pope has lately held two
+other consistories, wherein he made a promotion of two cardinals; but
+the acknowledgment of King Charles is still deferred.
+
+Letters from other parts of Italy advise us, that the Doge of Venice
+continues dangerously ill: that the Prince de Carignan, having relapsed
+into a violent fever, died the 23rd of April, in his 80th year.
+
+Advices from Vienna of the 27th of April import, that the Archbishop of
+Saltzburg is dead, who is succeeded by Count Harrach, formerly Bishop of
+Vienna, and for these last three years coadjutor to the said Archbishop;
+and that Prince Maximilian of Lichtenstein has likewise departed this
+life, at his country seat called Cromaw in Moravia. These advices add,
+that the Emperor has named Count Zinzendorf, Count Goes, and Monsieur
+Consbruck, for his plenipotentiaries in an ensuing treaty of peace; and
+they hear from Hungary, that the Imperialists have had several
+successful skirmishes with the malcontents.
+
+Letters from Paris, dated May the 6th, say, that the Marshal de Thesse
+arrived there on the 29th of the last month; and that the Chevalier de
+Beuil was sent thither by Don Pedro Ronquillo with advice, that the
+confederate squadron appeared before Alicante the 17th, and having for
+some time cannonaded the city, endeavoured to land some troops for the
+relief of the castle; but General Stanhope finding the passes well
+guarded, and the enterprise dangerous, demanded to capitulate for the
+castle; which being granted him, the garrison, consisting of 600 regular
+troops, marched out with their arms and baggage the day following; and
+being received on board, they immediately set sail for Barcelona. These
+letters add, that the march of the French and Swiss regiments is further
+deferred for a few days; and that the Duke of Noailles was just ready to
+set out for Roussillon, as well as the Count de Bezons for Catalonia.
+
+The same advices say, bread was sold at Paris for 6d. per pound; and
+that there was not half enough, even at that rate, to supply the
+necessities of the people, which reduced them to the utmost despair;
+that 300 men had taken up arms, and having plundered the market of the
+suburb St. Germain, pressed down by their multitude the King's Guards
+who opposed them. Two of those mutineers were afterwards seized, and
+condemned to death; but four others went to the magistrate who
+pronounced that sentence, and told him, he must expect to answer with
+his own life for those of their comrades. All order and sense of
+government being thus lost among the enraged people, to keep up a show
+of authority, the captain of the Guards, who saw all their insolence,
+pretended, that he had represented to the King their deplorable
+condition, and had obtained their pardon. It is further reported, that
+the Dauphin and Duchess of Burgundy, as they went to the Opera, were
+surrounded by crowds of people, who upbraided them with their neglect of
+the general calamity, in going to diversions, when the whole people were
+ready to perish for want of bread. Edicts are daily published to
+suppress these riots, and papers, with menaces against the Government,
+are publicly thrown about. Among others, these words were dropped in a
+court of justice: "France wants a Ravilliac or a Jesuit to deliver her."
+Besides this universal distress, there is a contagious sickness, which,
+it is feared, will end in a pestilence. Letters from Bordeaux bring
+accounts no less lamentable: the peasants are driven by hunger from
+their abodes into that city, and make lamentations in the streets
+without redress.
+
+We are advised by letters from the Hague, dated the 10th instant, N.S.,
+that on the 6th, the Marquis de Torcy arrived there from Paris; but the
+passport, by which he came, having been sent blank by Monsieur Rouillé,
+he was there two days before his quality was known. That Minister
+offered to communicate to Monsieur Heinsius the proposals which he had
+to make; but the pensionary refused to see them, and said, he would
+signify it to the States, who deputed some of their own body to acquaint
+him, That they would enter into no negotiation till the arrival of his
+Grace the Duke of Marlborough, and the other Ministers of the Alliance.
+Prince Eugene was expected there the 12th instant from Brussels. It is
+said, that besides Monsieur de Torcy and Monsieur Pajot,
+Director-general of the Posts, there are two or three persons at the
+Hague whose names are not known; but it is supposed that the Duke
+d'Alba, ambassador from the Duke of Anjou, was one of them. The States
+have sent letters to all the cities of the Provinces, desiring them to
+send their deputies to receive the propositions of peace made by the
+Court of France.[171]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 163: The word "Miss" was still confined, in Steele's day, to
+very young girls or to young women of giddy or doubtful character. Thus
+Pastorella in No. 9 is called "Miss," and similarly we find "Miss Gruel"
+in No. 33. In the "Original Letters to the _Tatler_ and _Spectator_,"
+printed by Charles Lillie (i. 223) there is a "Table of the Titles and
+Distinctions of Women," from which what follows is extracted. "Let all
+country-gentlewomen, without regard to more or less fortune, content
+themselves with being addressed by the style of 'Mrs.' Let 'Madam'
+govern independently in the city, &c. Let no women after the known age
+of 21 presume to admit of her being called 'Miss,' unless she can fairly
+prove she is not out of her sampler. Let every common maid-servant be
+plain 'Jane,' 'Doll,' or 'Sue,' and let the better-born and
+higher-placed be distinguished by 'Mrs. Patience,' 'Mrs. Prue,' or 'Mrs.
+Abigail.'"]
+
+[Footnote 164: Perhaps there is here an illusion to Mrs. Anne Oldfield
+(died 1730), and Brigadier-General Charles Churchill, brother of the
+Duke of Marlborough. Mrs. Oldfield acted as Lady Betty Modish in
+Cibber's "Careless Husband," a part which was not only written for, but
+copied from her. Her son by Churchill married Lady Mary Walpole.]
+
+[Footnote 165: A coffee-house in Pall Mall. Swift and Prior frequented
+it: "Prior and I came away at nine, and sat at the Smyrna till eleven
+receiving acquaintance." "I walked a little in the Park till Prior made
+me go with him to the Smyrna Coffee-house."--("Journal to Stella," Oct.
+15, 1710; Feb. 19, 1711.)]
+
+[Footnote 166: The sixth and last volume of the "Dryden" Miscellany
+Poems was published by Tonson in 1709. The elder Tonson, who was founder
+and secretary of the Kit Cat Club, died in 1736.]
+
+[Footnote 167: By Elizabeth Singer, who became Mrs. Rowe in 1710, and
+died in 1737. Besides poems which gained for her the friendship of
+Prior, Dr. Watts, and Bishop Ken, she published "Friendship in Death, in
+twenty letters from the Dead to the Living," and "Letters Moral and
+Entertaining."]
+
+[Footnote 168: Dryden's version of "Antony and Cleopatra" was produced
+in 1673.]
+
+[Footnote 169: Horace, 1 Od. xxvi. 2. The joke consists in Mrs. Jenny
+Distaff mistaking Horace's "Creticum" for "Criticum," and so misapplying
+the passage.]
+
+[Footnote 170: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 171: "In the absence of Mr. Bickerstaff, Mrs. Distaff has
+received Mr. Nathaniel Broomstick's letter" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 11. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Tuesday May 3,_ to _Thursday, May 5_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 3.
+
+A kinsman[172] has sent me a letter, wherein he informs me, he had
+lately resolved to write an heroic poem, but by business had been
+interrupted, and has only made one similitude, which he should be
+afflicted to have wholly lost, and begs of me to apply it to something,
+being very desirous to see it well placed in the world. I am so willing
+to help the distressed, that I have taken it in; but though his greater
+genius might very well distinguish his verses from mine, I have marked
+where his begin. His lines are a description of the sun in eclipse,
+which I know nothing more like than a brave man in sorrow, who bears it
+as he should, without imploring the pity of his friends, or being
+dejected with the contempt of his enemies. As in the case of Cato:
+
+    When all the globe to Cæsar's fortune bowed,
+    Cato alone his empire disallowed;
+    With inborn strength alone opposed mankind,
+    With heaven in view, to all below it blind:
+    Regardless of his friend's applause, or moan,
+    Alone triumphant, since he falls alone.
+
+    "Thus when the Ruler of the genial day,
+    Behind some darkening planet forms his way,
+    Desponding mortals, with officious care,
+    The concave drum, and magic brass prepare;
+    Implore him to sustain the important fight,
+    And save depending worlds from endless night.
+    Fondly they hope their labour may avail,
+    To ease his conflict, and assist his toil.
+    Whilst he in beams of native splendour bright, }
+    (Though dark his orb appear to human sight)    }
+    Shines to the gods with more diffusive light.  }
+    To distant stars with equal glory burns,
+    Inflames their lamps, and feeds their golden urns.
+    Sure to retain his known superior tract,
+    And proves the more illustrious by defect."
+
+This is a very lively image; but I must take the liberty to say, my
+kinsman drives the sun a little like Phaëton: he has all the warmth of
+Phœbus, but won't stay for his direction of it. Avail and toil, defect
+and tract, will never do for rhymes. But, however, he has the true
+spirit in him; for which reason I was willing to entertain anything he
+pleased to send me. The subject which he writes upon, naturally raises
+great reflections in the soul, and puts us in mind of the mixed
+condition which we mortals are to support; which, as it varies to good
+or bad, adorns or defaces our actions to the beholders: All which glory
+and shame must end in what we so much repine at, death. But doctrines on
+this occasion, any other than that of living well, are the most
+insignificant and most empty of all the labours of men. None but a
+tragedian can die by rule, and wait till he discovers a plot, or says a
+fine thing upon his exit. In real life, this is a chimera; and by noble
+spirits, it will be done decently, without the ostentation of it. We see
+men of all conditions and characters go through it with equal
+resolution: and if we consider the speeches of the mighty philosophers,
+heroes, law-givers, and great captains, they can produce no more in a
+discerning spirit, than rules to make a man a fop on his death-bed.
+Commend me to that natural greatness of soul, expressed by an innocent,
+and consequently resolute, country fellow, who said in the pains of the
+colic, "If I once get this breath out of my body, you shall hang me
+before you put it in again." Honest Ned! and so he died.[173]
+
+But it is to be supposed, from this place you may expect an account of
+such a thing as a new play is not to be omitted. That acted this night
+is the newest that ever was writ. The author is my ingenious friend Mr.
+Thomas D----y. The drama is called, "The Modern Prophets,"[174] and is a
+most unanswerable satire against the late spirit of enthusiasm. The
+writer had by long experience observed, that in company, very grave
+discourses have been followed by bawdry; and therefore has turned the
+humour that way with great success, and taken from his audience all
+manner of superstition, by the agitations of pretty Mrs. Bignell,[175]
+whom he has, with great subtlety, made a lay-sister, as well as a
+prophetess; by which means, she carries on the affairs of both worlds
+with great success. My friend designs to go on with another work against
+winter, which he intends to call, "The Modern Poets"; a people no less
+mistaken in their opinions of being inspired than the other. In order to
+this, he has by him seven songs, besides many ambiguities, which cannot
+be mistaken for anything but what he means them. Mr. D----y generally
+writes state-plays, and is wonderfully useful to the world in such
+representations. This method is the same that was used by old Athenians,
+to laugh out of countenance, or promote opinions among the people. My
+friend has therefore, against this play is acted for his own benefit,
+made two dances, which may be also of an universal benefit. In the first
+he has represenced absolute power, in the person of a tall man with a
+hat and feather, who gives his first minister, that stands just before
+him, a huge kick: the minister gives the kick to the next before; and so
+to the end of the stage. In this moral and practical jest, you are made
+to understand, that there is, in an absolute government, no
+gratification, but giving the kick you receive from one above you to one
+below you. This is performed to a grave and melancholy air; but on a
+sudden the tune moves quicker, and the whole company fall into a circle
+and take hands; then, at a certain sharp note, they move round, and kick
+as kick can. This latter performance he makes to be the representation
+of a free state; where, if you all mind your steps, you may go round and
+round very jollily, with a motion pleasant to yourselves and those you
+dance with: nay, if you put yourselves out, at the worst you only kick,
+and are kicked, like friends and equals.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 4.
+
+Of all the vanities under the sun, I confess, that of being proud of
+one's birth is the greatest. At the same time, since in this
+unreasonable age, by the force of prevailing custom, things in which men
+have no hand are imputed to them; and that I am used by some people, as
+if Isaac Bickerstaff, though I write myself "Esquire," was nobody: to
+set the world right in that particular, I shall give you my genealogy,
+as a kinsman of ours has sent it me from the Heralds' Office. It is
+certain, and observed by the wisest writers, that there are women who
+are not nicely chaste, and men not severely honest in all families;
+therefore let those who may be apt to raise aspersions upon ours, please
+to give us as impartial an account of their own, and we shall be
+satisfied. The business of heralds is a matter of so great nicety, that
+to avoid mistakes, I shall give you my cousin's letter verbatim, without
+altering a syllable.[176]
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"Since you have been pleased to make yourself so famous of late, by your
+ingenious writings, and some time ago by your learned Predictions: since
+Partridge, of immortal memory, is dead and gone, who, poetical as he
+was, could not understand his own poetry; and philomathical as he was,
+could not read his own destiny: since the Pope, the King of France, and
+great part of his Court, are either literally or metaphorically defunct:
+since, I say, these things (not foretold by any one but yourself) have
+come to pass after so surprising a manner; it is with no small concern I
+see the original of the Staffian race so little known in the world as it
+is at this time; for which reason, as you have employed your studies in
+astronomy and the occult sciences, so I, my mother being a Welsh woman,
+dedicated mine to genealogy, particularly that of our own family, which,
+for its antiquity and number, may challenge any in Great Britain. The
+Staffs are originally of Staffordshire, which took its name from them:
+the first that I find of the Staffs was one Jacobstaff, a famous and
+renowned astronomer, who by Dorothy his wife, had issue seven sons;
+viz., Bickerstaff, Longstaff, Wagstaff, Quarterstaff, Whitestaff,
+Falstaff, and Tipstaff. He also had a younger brother who was twice
+married, and had five sons; viz., Distaff, Pikestaff, Mopstaff,
+Broomstaff, and Raggedstaff. As for the branch from whence you spring,
+I shall say very little of it, only that it is the chief of the Staffs,
+and called Bickerstaff, _quasi_ Biggerstaff; as much as to say, the
+great staff, or staff of staffs; and that it has applied itself to
+astronomy with great success, after the example of our aforesaid
+forefather. The descendants from Longstaff, the second son, were a
+rakish disorderly sort of people, and rambled from one place to another,
+till in Harry II.'s time they settled in Kent, and were called
+Long-tails, from the long tails which were sent them as a punishment for
+the murder of Thomas-à-Becket, as the legends say; they have been always
+sought after by the ladies; but whether it be to show their aversion to
+popery, or their love to miracles, I can't say. The Wagstaffs are a
+merry thoughtless sort of people, who have always been opinionated of
+their own wit; they have turned themselves mostly to poetry. This is the
+most numerous branch of our family, and the poorest. The Quarterstaffs
+are most of them prize-fighters or deer-stealers. There have been so
+many of them hanged lately, that there are very few of that branch of
+our family left. The Whitestaffs[177] are all courtiers, and have had
+very considerable places: there have been some of them of that strength
+and dexterity, that five hundred of the ablest men in the kingdom[178]
+have often tugged in vain to pull a staff out of their hands. The
+Falstaffs are strangely given to whoring and drinking: there are
+abundance of them in and about London. And one thing is very remarkable
+of this branch, and that is, there are just as many women as men in it.
+There was a wicked stick of wood of this name in Harry IV.'s time, one
+Sir John Falstaff. As for Tipstaff, the youngest son, he was an honest
+fellow; but his sons, and his sons' sons, have all of them been the
+veriest rogues living: it is this unlucky branch has stocked the nation
+with that swarm of lawyers, attorneys, serjeants, and bailiffs, with
+which the nation is overrun. Tipstaff, being a seventh son, used to cure
+the king's evil; but his rascally descendants are so far from having
+that healing quality, that by a touch upon the shoulder, they give a man
+such an ill habit of body, that he can never come abroad afterwards.
+This is all I know of the line of Jacobstaff: his younger brother
+Isaacstaff, as I told you before, had five sons, and was married twice;
+his first wife was a Staff (for they did not stand upon false heraldry
+in those days), by whom he had one son, who in process of time, being a
+schoolmaster, and well read in the Greek, called himself Distaff or
+Twicestaff: he was not very rich, so he put his children out to trades;
+and the Distaffs have ever since been employed in the woollen and linen
+manufactures, except myself, who am a genealogist. Pikestaff, the eldest
+son by the second venter, was a man of business, a downright plodding
+fellow, and withal so plain, that he became a proverb. Most of this
+family are at present in the army. Raggedstaff was an unlucky boy, and
+used to tear his clothes getting birds' nests, and was always playing
+with a tame bear his father kept. Mopstaff fell in love with one of his
+father's maids, and used to help her to clean the house. Broomstaff was
+a chimney-sweeper. The Mopstaffs and Broomstaffs are naturally as civil
+people as ever went out of doors; but alas! if they once get into ill
+hands, they knock down all before them. Pilgrimstaff run away from his
+friends, and went strolling about the country: and Pipestaff was a
+wine-cooper. These two were the unlawful issue of Longstaff.
+
+"N.B. The Canes, the Clubs, the Cudgels, the Wands, the Devil upon two
+Sticks, and one Bread, that goes by the name of Staff of Life, are none
+of our relations.
+
+"I am, dear Cousin,
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "D. DISTAFF.
+
+"From the Heralds' Office, _May 1_."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 4.
+
+As politic news is not the principal subject on which we treat, we are
+so happy as to have no occasion for that art of cookery, which our
+brother-newsmongers so much excel in; as appears by their excellent and
+inimitable manner of dressing up a second time for your taste the same
+dish which they gave you the day before, in case there come over no new
+pickles from Holland. Therefore, when we have nothing to say to you from
+courts and camps, we hope still to give you somewhat new and curious
+from ourselves: the women of our house, upon occasion, being capable of
+carrying on the business, according to the laudable custom of the wives
+in Holland; but, without further preface, take what we have not
+mentioned in our former relations.
+
+Letters from Hanover of the 30th of the last month say, that the Prince
+Royal of Prussia arrived there on the 15th, and left that Court on the
+2nd of this month, in pursuit of his journey to Flanders, where he makes
+the ensuing campaign. Those advices add, that the young Prince Nassau,
+hereditary governor of Friesland, consummated on the 26th of the last
+month his marriage with the beauteous princess of Hesse-Cassel, with a
+pomp and magnificence suitable to their age and quality.
+
+Letters from Paris say, his most Christian Majesty retired to Marli on
+the 1st instant, N.S., and our last advices from Spain inform us, that
+the Prince of Asturias had made his public entry into Madrid in great
+splendour. The Duke of Anjou has given Don Joseph Hartado de Amaraga the
+government of Terra-Firma de Veragua, and the presidency of Panama in
+America. They add, That the forces commanded by the Marquis de Bay had
+been reinforced by six battalions of Spanish and Walloon guards. Letters
+from Lisbon advise, That the army of the King of Portugal was at Elvas
+on the 22nd of the last month, and would decamp on the 24th, in order to
+march upon the enemy, who lay at Badajos.
+
+Yesterday, at four in the morning, his Grace the Duke of Marlborough set
+out for Margate, and embarked for Holland at eight this morning.
+
+Yesterday also, Sir George Thorold was declared Alderman of Cordwainers'
+Ward, in the room of his brother Sir Charles Thorold, deceased.[179]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 172: Jabez Hughes (died 1731), the author of these verses, was
+the younger brother of John Hughes. He published several translations,
+and his "Miscellanies in Verse and Prose" appeared in 1737.]
+
+[Footnote 173: "Honest Ned" was a farmer on the estate of Anthony
+Henley, who mentions this saying in a letter to Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 174: D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets" attacked the enthusiasts
+known as "French Prophets," who were in the habit of assembling in
+Moorfields to exert their alleged gifts. Lord Chesterfield says that the
+Government took no steps, except to direct Powell, the puppet-show man,
+to make Punch turn prophet, which he did so well, that it put an end to
+the fanatics.]
+
+[Footnote 175: See No. 3.]
+
+[Footnote 176: The letter is by Heneage Twysden. (See Steele's Preface.)
+Heneage Twysden was the seventh son of Sir William Twysden, Bart., of
+Roydon Hall, East Peckham, Kent. At the time of his death (1709, aged
+29) he was a captain of foot in Sir Richard Temple's Regiment, and
+aide-de-camp to John, Duke of Argyle. Near his monument in the north
+aisle of the Abbey are two other small ones to the memory of his
+brothers Josiah and John. Josiah, a captain of foot, was killed in
+Flanders in 1708, in his 23rd year; John was a lieutenant in the
+admiral's ship, under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, and perished with him in
+1707, in his 24th year. [Chalmers.]--Heneage Twysden was killed at the
+battle of Blarequies.]
+
+[Footnote 177: The allusion is to the staff carried by the First Lord of
+the Treasury.]
+
+[Footnote 178: The House of Commons.]
+
+[Footnote 179: "Any ladies who have any particular stories of their
+acquaintance, which they are willing privately to make public, may send
+them by the penny-post to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., enclosed to Mr. John
+Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 12. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 5_, to _Saturday, May 7_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+May 5.
+
+When a man has engaged to keep a stage-coach, he is obliged, whether he
+has passengers or not, to set out: thus it fares with us weekly
+historians; but indeed, for my particular, I hope I shall soon have
+little more to do in this work, than to publish what is sent me from
+such as have leisure and capacity for giving delight, and being pleased
+in an elegant manner. The present grandeur of the British nation might
+make us expect, that we should rise in our public diversions, and manner
+of enjoying life, in proportion to our advancement in glory and power.
+Instead of that, take and survey this town, and you'll find, rakes and
+debauchees are your men of pleasure; thoughtless atheists, and
+illiterate drunkards, call themselves free thinkers; and gamesters,
+banterers, biters,[180] swearers, and twenty new-born insects more, are,
+in their several species, the modern men of wit. Hence it is, that a man
+who has been out of town but one half-year, has lost the language, and
+must have some friend to stand by him, and keep him in countenance for
+talking common sense. To-day I saw a short interlude at White's of this
+nature, which I took notes of, and put together as well as I could in a
+public place. The persons of the drama are, Pip, the last gentleman that
+has been made so at cards; Trimmer, a person half undone at them, and is
+now between a cheat and a gentleman; Acorn, an honest Englishman, of
+good plain sense and meaning; and Mr. Friendly, a reasonable man of the
+town.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 5.
+
+[_Enter_ PIP, TRIM, _and_ ACORN.
+
+AC. What's the matter, gentlemen? What! Take no notice of an old friend?
+
+PIP. Pox on it! don't talk to me, I am voweled by the Count, and
+cursedly out of humour.
+
+AC. Voweled! Prithee, Trimmer, what does he mean by that?
+
+TRIM. Have a care, Harry, speak softly; don't show your ignorance:--If
+you do, they'll bite you where-e'er they meet you; they are such cursed
+curs,--the present wits.
+
+AC. Bite me! What do you mean?
+
+PIP. Why! Don't you know what biting is? Nay, you are in the right on
+it. However, one would learn it only to defend oneself against men of
+wit, as one would know the tricks of play, to be secure against the
+cheats. But don't you hear, Acorn, that report, that some potentates of
+the Alliance have taken care of themselves, exclusive of us?
+
+AC. How! Heaven forbid! After all our glorious victories; all this
+expense of blood and treasure!
+
+PIP. Bite--
+
+AC. Bite! How?
+
+TRIM. Nay, he has bit you fairly enough; that's certain.
+
+AC. Pox! I don't feel it--how? Where?
+
+[_Exit_ PIP _and_ TRIMMER, _laughing._
+
+AC. Ho! Mr. Friendly, your most humble servant; you heard what passed
+between those fine gentlemen and me. Pip complained to me, that he has
+been voweled; and they tell me, I am bit.
+
+FRIEND. You are to understand, sir, that simplicity of behaviour, which
+is the perfection of good breeding and good sense, is utterly lost in
+the world; and in the room of it, there are started a thousand little
+inventions, which men, barren of better things, take up in the place of
+it. Thus, for every character in conversation that used to please, there
+is an impostor put upon you. Him whom we allowed formerly for a certain
+pleasant subtilty, and natural way of giving you an unexpected hit,
+called a droll, is now mimicked by a biter, who is a dull fellow, that
+tells you a lie with a grave face, and laughs at you for knowing him no
+better than to believe him. Instead of that sort of companion, who could
+rally you, and keep his countenance, till he made you fall into some
+little inconsistency of behaviour, at which you yourself could laugh
+with him, you have the sneerer, who will keep you company from morning
+to night, to gather your follies of the day (which perhaps you commit
+out of confidence in him), and expose you in the evening to all the
+scorners in town. For your man of sense and free spirit, whose set of
+thoughts were built upon learning, reason, and experience, you have now
+an impudent creature made up of vice only, who supports his ignorance by
+his courage, and want of learning by contempt of it.
+
+AC. Dear sir, hold: what you have told me already of this change in
+conversation, is too miserable to be heard with any delight; but,
+methinks, as these new creatures appear in the world, it might give an
+excellent field to writers for the stage, to divert us with the
+representation of them there.
+
+FRIEND. No, no: as you say, there might be some hopes of redress of
+these grievances, if there were proper care taken of the theatre; but
+the history of that is yet more lamentable than that of the decay of
+conversation I gave you.
+
+AC. Pray, sir, a little: I haven't been in town these six years, till
+within this fortnight.
+
+FRIEND. It is now some years since several revolutions in the gay world
+had made the empire of the stage subject to very fatal convulsions,
+which were too dangerous to be cured by the skill of little King
+Oberon,[181] who then sat in the throne of it. The laziness of this
+prince threw him upon the choice of a person who was fit to spend his
+life in contentions, an able and profound attorney, to whom he mortgaged
+his whole empire. This Divito[182] is the most skilful of all
+politicians: he has a perfect art in being unintelligible in discourse,
+and uncomeatable in business. But he having no understanding in this
+polite way, brought in upon us, to get in his money,
+ladder-dancers,[183] rope-dancers, jugglers, and mountebanks, to strut
+in the place of Shakespeare's heroes, and Jonson's humorists. When the
+seat of wit was thus mortgaged, without equity of redemption, an
+architect[184] arose, who has built the muse a new palace, but secured
+her no retinue; so that instead of action there, we have been put off
+by song and dance. This latter help of sound has also begun to fail for
+want of voices; therefore the palace has since been put into the hands
+of a surgeon,[185] who cuts any foreign fellow into an eunuch, and
+passes him upon us for a singer of Italy.
+
+AC. I'll go out of town to-morrow.
+
+FRIEND.[186] Things are come to this pass; and yet the world will not
+understand, that the theatre has much the same effect on the manners of
+the age, as the bank on the credit of the nation. Wit and spirit, humour
+and good sense, can never be revived, but under the government of those
+who are judges of such talents, who know, that whatever is put up in
+their stead, is but a short and trifling expedient, to support the
+appearance of them for a season. It is possible, a peace will give
+leisure to put these matters under new regulations; but at present, all
+the assistance we can see towards our recovery, is as far from giving us
+help, as a poultice is from performing what can be done only by the
+Grand Elixir.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 6.
+
+According to our late design in the applauded verses on the
+Morning,[187] which you lately had from hence, we proceed to improve
+that just intention, and present you with other labours, made proper to
+the place in which they were written. The following poem comes from
+Copenhagen, and is as fine a winter-piece as we have ever had from any
+of the schools of the most learned painters. Such images as these give
+us a new pleasure in our sight, and fix upon our minds traces of
+reflection, which accompany us whenever the like objects occur. In
+short, excellent poetry and description dwell upon us so agreeably, that
+all the readers of them are made to think, if not write, like men of
+wit. But it would be injury to detain you longer from this excellent
+performance, which is addressed to the Earl of Dorset by Mr.
+Philips,[188] the author of several choice poems in Mr. Tonson's new
+Miscellany.[189]
+
+                                            _Copenhagen, March 9_, 1709.
+    From frozen climes, and endless tracks of snow,
+    From streams that northern winds forbid to flow;
+    What present shall the muse to Dorset bring;
+    Or how, so near the Pole, attempt to sing?
+    The hoary winter here conceals from sight
+    All pleasing objects that to verse invite.
+    The hills and dales, and the delightful woods,
+    The flowery plains, and silver streaming floods,
+    By snow disguised, in bright confusion lie,
+    And with one dazzling waste fatigue the eye.
+
+    No gentle breathing breeze prepares the spring,
+    No birds within the desert region sing.
+    The ships unmoved the boisterous winds defy,
+    While rattling chariots o'er the ocean fly.
+    The vast leviathan wants room to play,
+    And spout his waters in the face of day.
+    The starving wolves along the main sea prowl,
+    And to the moon in icy valleys howl.
+    For many a shining league the level main
+    Here spreads itself into a glassy plain:
+    There solid billows of enormous size,
+    Alps of green ice, in wild disorder rise.
+
+    And yet but lately have I seen e'en here,
+    The winter in a lovely dress appear;
+    Ere yet the clouds let fall the treasured snow,
+    Or winds begun through hazy skies to blow.
+    At evening a keen eastern breeze arose;
+    And the descending rain unsullied froze.
+    Soon as the silent shades of night withdrew,
+    The ruddy morn disclosed at once to view
+    The face of nature in a rich disguise,
+    And brightened every object to my eyes.
+    For every shrub, and every blade of grass,
+    And every pointed thorn, seemed wrought in glass,
+    In pearls and rubies rich the hawthorns show,
+    While through the ice the crimson berries glow.
+    The thick-sprung reeds the watery marshes yield,
+    Seem polished lances in a hostile field.
+    The stag in limpid currents with surprise,
+    Sees crystal branches on his forehead rise.
+    The spreading oak, the beech, and towering pine,
+    Glazed over, in the freezing ether shine.
+    The frighted birds the rattling branches shun,
+    That wave and glitter in the distant sun.
+
+    When if a sudden gust of wind arise,
+    The brittle forest into atoms flies:
+    The crackling wood beneath the tempest bends,
+    And in a spangled shower the prospect ends.
+    Or if a southern gale the region warm,
+    And by degrees unbind the wintry charm;
+    The traveller a miry country sees,
+    And journeys sad beneath the dropping trees.
+
+    Like some deluded peasant, Merlin leads
+    Through fragrant bowers, and through delicious meads;
+    While here enchanted gardens to him rise,
+    And airy fabrics there attract his eyes,
+    His wandering feet the magic paths pursue;
+    And while he thinks the fair illusion true,
+    The trackless scenes disperse in fluid air,
+    And woods and wilds, and thorny ways appear:
+    A tedious road the weary wretch returns,
+    And, as he goes, the transient vision mourns.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 6.
+
+There has a mail this day arrived from Holland; but the matter of the
+advices importing rather what gives us great expectations, than any
+positive assurances, I shall, for this time, decline giving you what I
+know, and apply the following verses of Mr. Dryden, in the second part
+of "Almanzor," to the present circumstances of things, without
+discovering what my knowledge in astronomy suggests to me.
+
+    _When empire in its childhood first appears,
+    A watchful fate o'er sees its tender years:
+    Till grown more strong, it thrusts and stretches out,
+    And elbows all the kingdoms round about.
+    The place thus made for its first breathing free,
+    It moves again for ease and luxury;
+    Till swelling by degrees it has possest
+    The greater space, and now crowds up the rest.
+    When from behind there starts some petty state,
+    And pushes on its now unwieldy fate.
+    Then down the precipice of time it goes,
+    And sinks in minutes, which in ages rose._[190]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 180: "I'll teach you a way to outwit Mrs. Johnson; it is a
+new-fashioned way of being witty, and they call it a _bite_. You must
+ask a bantering question, or tell some damned lie in a serious manner,
+then she will answer, or speak as if you were in earnest, and then cry
+you, 'Madam, there's a _bite_.' I would not have you undervalue this,
+for it is the constant amusement in Court, and everywhere else among the
+great people; and I let you know it, in order to have it obtain among
+you, and to teach you a new refinement" (Swift's "Journal"). See the
+_Spectator_, Nos. 47, 504: "_A Biter_ is one who tells you a thing you
+have no reason to disbelieve in itself; and perhaps has given you,
+before he bit you, no reason to disbelieve it for his saying it; and if
+you give him credit, laughs in your face, and triumphs that he has
+deceived you. In a word, a _Biter_ is one who thinks you a fool, because
+you do not think him a knave."]
+
+[Footnote 181: Owen McSwiney, a manager of Drury Lane Theatre, and
+afterwards of the Haymarket Theatre. After living in Italy for some
+years, he obtained a place in the Custom-house, and was keeper of the
+King's Mews. On his death in 1754 he left his fortune to Mrs.
+Woffington.]
+
+[Footnote 182: Christopher Rich, manager of Drury Lane Theatre, who died
+in 1714, was at this time involved in a quarrel with the principal
+actors about the profits of their benefits.]
+
+[Footnote 183: Cibber ("Apology," chap. x.) complains that Rich paid
+extraordinary prices to singers, dancers, and other exotic performers,
+which were as constantly deducted out of the sinking salaries of his
+actors. In December, 1709, the Lord Chamberlain ordered that no new
+representations were to be brought upon the stage which were not
+necessary to the better performance of comedy or opera, "such as
+ladder-dancing, antic postures," &c., without his leave.--(Lord
+Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Book, No. 22.)]
+
+[Footnote 184: Sir John Vanbrugh built the Haymarket Theatre in 1705.
+The new house was opened with a translation of an Italian opera, "The
+Triumph of Love", which met with little success. This was followed by
+Vanbrugh's "Confederacy."]
+
+[Footnote 185: John James Heidegger, who died in 1749, aged 90, was the
+son of a Swiss clergyman. When over 40 he came to England, and became
+the chief director of the opera-house and masquerades. His face was
+remarkably ugly.]
+
+[Footnote 186: "Trim", in original editions.]
+
+[Footnote 187: See No. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 188: "Philips writeth verses in a sledge upon the frozen sea,"
+wrote Swift, "and transmits them hither to thrive in our warm climate
+under the shelter of my Lord Dorset." Addison refers to this poem by
+Ambrose Philips in No. 223 of the _Spectator_, and Pope commends it.]
+
+[Footnote 189: The sixth and last volume of Tonson's "Miscellany" opens
+with Philips' Pastorals, and closes with those of Pope.]
+
+[Footnote 190: "Almanzor and Almahide; or, The Conquest of Granada. The
+Second Part," act i. sc. I.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 13. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 7_, to _Tuesday, May 10_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 8.
+
+Much hurry and business had to-day perplexed me into a mood too
+thoughtful for going into company; for which reason, instead of the
+tavern, I went into Lincoln's Inn Walks; and having taken a round or
+two, I sat down, according to the allowed familiarity of these places,
+on a bench; at the other end of which sat a venerable gentleman, who
+speaking with a very affable air, "Mr. Bickerstaff," said he, "I take it
+for a very great piece of good fortune, that you have found me out."
+"Sir," said I, "I had never, that I know of, the honour of seeing you
+before." "That," replied he, "is what I have often lamented; but I
+assure you, I have for many years done you good offices, without being
+observed by you; or else, when you had any little glimpse of my being
+concerned in an affair, you have fled from me, and shunned me like an
+enemy; but however, the part I am to act in the world is such, that I am
+to go on in doing good, though I meet with never so many repulses, even
+from those I oblige." This, thought I, shows a great good nature, but
+little judgment in the persons upon whom he confers his favours. He
+immediately took notice to me, that he observed by my countenance I
+thought him indiscreet in his beneficence, and proceeded to tell me his
+quality in the following manner: "I know thee, Isaac, to be so well
+versed in the occult sciences, that I need not much preface, or make
+long preparations to gain your faith that there are airy beings, who are
+employed in the care and attendance of men, as nurses are to infants,
+till they come to an age in which they can act of themselves. These
+beings are usually called amongst men, guardian angels; and, Mr.
+Bickerstaff, I am to acquaint you, that I am to be yours for some time
+to come; it being our orders to vary our stations, and sometimes to have
+one patient under our protection, and sometimes another, with a power of
+assuming what shape we please, to ensnare our wards into their own good.
+I have of late been upon such hard duty, and know you have so much work
+for me, that I think fit to appear to you face to face, to desire you
+would give me as little occasion for vigilance as you can." "Sir," said
+I, "it will be a great instruction to me in my behaviour, if you please
+to give me some account of your late employments, and what hardships or
+satisfactions you have had in them, that I may govern myself
+accordingly." He answered: "To give you an example of the drudgery we go
+through, I will entertain you only with my three last stations: I was on
+the 1st of April last, put to mortify a great beauty, with whom I was a
+week; from her I went to a common swearer, and have been last with a
+gamester. When I first came to my lady, I found my great work was to
+guard well her eyes and ears; but her flatterers were so numerous, and
+the house, after the modern way, so full of looking-glasses, that I
+seldom had her safe but in her sleep. Whenever we went abroad, we were
+surrounded by an army of enemies: when a well-made man appeared, he was
+sure to have a side-glance of observation: if a disagreeable fellow, he
+had a full face, out of mere inclination to conquests. But at the close
+of the evening, on the sixth of the last month, my ward was sitting on a
+couch, reading Ovid's 'Epistles'; and as she came to this line of Helen
+to Paris,
+
+    _She half consents who silently denies;_[191]
+
+entered Philander,[192] who is the most skilful of all men in an address
+to women. He is arrived at the perfection of that art which gains them,
+which is, to talk like a very miserable man, but look like a very happy
+one. I saw Dictinna blush at his entrance, which gave me the alarm; but
+he immediately said something so agreeable on her being at study, and
+the novelty of finding a lady employed in so grave a manner, that he on
+a sudden became very familiarly a man of no consequence; and in an
+instant laid all her suspicions of his skill asleep, as he almost had
+done mine, till I observed him very dangerously turn his discourse upon
+the elegance of her dress, and her judgment in the choice of that very
+pretty mourning. Having had women before under my care, I trembled at
+the apprehension of a man of sense, who could talk upon trifles, and
+resolved to stick to my post with all the circumspection imaginable. In
+short, I prepossessed her against all he could say to the advantage of
+her dress and person; but he turned again the discourse, where I found I
+had no power over her, on the abusing her friends and acquaintance. He
+allowed indeed, that Flora had a little beauty, and a great deal of wit;
+but then she was so ungainly in her behaviour, and such a laughing
+hoyden--Pastorella had with him the allowance of being blameless: but
+what was that towards being praiseworthy? To be only innocent, is not to
+be virtuous. He afterwards spoke so much against Mrs. Dipple's forehead,
+Mrs. Prim's mouth, Mrs. Dentifrice's teeth, and Mrs. Fidget's cheeks,
+that she grew downright in love with him: for it is always to be
+understood, that a lady takes all you detract from the rest of her sex
+to be a gift to her. In a word, things went so far, that I was
+dismissed, and she will remember that evening nine months, from the 6th
+of April, by a very remarkable token. The next, as I said, I went to was
+a common swearer: never was creature so puzzled as myself when I came
+first to view his brain; half of it was worn out, and filled up with
+mere expletives, that had nothing to do with any other parts of the
+texture; therefore, when he called for his clothes in a morning, he
+would cry, 'John--?' John does not answer. 'What a plague! Nobody there?
+What the devil, and rot me! John, for a lazy dog as you are.' I knew no
+way to cure him, but by writing down all he said one morning as he was
+dressing, and laying it before him on the toilet when he came to pick
+his teeth. The last recital I gave him of what he said for half an hour
+before, was, 'What, a pox rot me! Where is the washball? Call the
+chairmen: damn them, I warrant they are at the ale-house already!
+Zounds, and confound them.' When he came to the glass, he takes up my
+note--'Ha! this fellow is worse than me: what, does he swear with pen
+and ink?' But reading on, he found them to be his own words. The
+stratagem had so good an effect upon him, that he grew immediately a new
+man, and is learning to speak without an oath, which makes him extremely
+short in his phrases; for, as I observed before, a common swearer has a
+brain without any idea on the swearing side; therefore my ward has yet
+mighty little to say, and is forced to substitute some other vehicle of
+nonsense to supply the defect of his usual expletives. When I left him,
+he made use of, 'Oddsbodikins!' 'Oh me!' and, 'Never stir alive!' and so
+forth; which gave me hopes of his recovery. So I went to the next I told
+you of, the gamester. When we first take our place about a man, the
+receptacles of the pericranium are immediately searched. In his, I found
+no one ordinary trace of thinking; but strong passion, violent desires,
+and a continued series of different changes, had torn it to pieces.
+There appeared no middle condition; the triumph of a prince, or the
+misery of a beggar, were his alternate states. I was with him no longer
+than one day, which was yesterday. In the morning at twelve, we were
+worth four thousand pounds; at three, we were arrived at six thousand;
+half an hour after, we were reduced to one thousand; at four of the
+clock, we were down to two hundred; at five, to fifty; at six, to five;
+at seven, to one guinea; the next bet, to nothing: this morning, he
+borrowed half a crown of the maid who cleans his shoes; and is now
+gaming in Lincoln's Inn Fields among the boys for farthings and oranges,
+till he has made up three pieces, and then he returns to White's into
+the best company in town." This ended our first discourse; and it is
+hoped, you will forgive me, that I have picked so little out of my
+companion at our first interview. In the next, it is possible he may
+tell me more pleasing incidents; for though he is a familiar, he is not
+an evil spirit.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 9.
+
+We hear from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., that Monsieur de Torcy
+hath had frequent conferences with the Grand Pensioner, and the other
+Ministers who were heretofore commissioned to treat with Monsieur
+Rouillé. The preliminaries of a peace are almost settled, and the
+proceedings wait only for the arrival of the Duke of Marlborough; after
+whose approbation of the articles proposed, it is not doubted but the
+methods of the treaty will be publicly known. In the meantime, the
+States have declared an abhorrence of making any step in this great
+affair, but in concert with the Court of Great Britain, and other
+princes of the Alliance. The posture of affairs in France does
+necessarily oblige that nation to be very much in earnest in their
+offers; and Monsieur de Torcy hath professed to the Grand Pensioner,
+that he will avoid all occasions of giving him the least jealousy of his
+using any address in private conversations for accomplishing the ends of
+his embassy. It is said, that as soon as the preliminaries are adjusted,
+that Minister is to return to the French Court. The States of Holland
+have resolved to make it an instruction to all their men-of-war and
+privateers, to bring into their ports whatever neutral ships they shall
+meet with laden with corn, and bound for France; and to avoid all cause
+of complaint from the potentates to whom these ships shall belong, their
+full demand for their freight shall be paid them there. The French
+Protestants residing in that country have applied themselves to their
+respective magistrates, desiring that there may be an article in the
+treaty of peace, which may give liberty of conscience to the Protestants
+in France. Monsieur Bosnage, minister of the Walloon church at
+Rotterdam, has been at the Hague and hath had some conferences with the
+deputies of the States on that subject. It is reported there, that all
+the French refugees in those dominions are to be naturalised, that they
+may enjoy the same good effects of the treaty with the Hollanders
+themselves, in respect of France.
+
+Letters from Paris say, the people conceive great hopes of a sudden
+peace, from Monsieur Torcy's being employed in the negotiation, he being
+a Minister of too great weight in that Court, to be sent on any
+employment in which his master would not act in a manner wherein he
+might justly promise himself success. The French advices add, that there
+is an insurrection in Poictou; 3000 men having taken up arms, and beaten
+the troops which were appointed to disperse them: three of the mutineers
+being taken, were immediately executed; and as many of the king's party
+were used after the same manner.
+
+Our late Act of Naturalisation[193] hath had so great an effect in
+foreign parts, that some princes have prohibited the French refugees in
+their dominions to sell or transfer their estates to any other of their
+subjects; and at the same time have granted them greater immunities than
+they hitherto enjoyed. It has been also thought necessary to restrain
+their own subjects from leaving their native country, on pain of death.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 191: Ovid's "Epistles," 1709; translation of "Helen's Epistle
+to Paris," by the Earl of Mulgrave and Dryden.]
+
+[Footnote 192: An original for Philander has been found in Lord Halifax.
+See No. 49.]
+
+[Footnote 193: See No. 9. "If the Whigs were now restored to power, the
+bill [for a general naturalisation] now to be repealed, would then be
+re-enacted, and the birthright of an Englishman reduced again to the
+value of twelve pence."--(_Examiner_, vol. i. No. 26.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 14. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday May 10_, to _Thursday, May 12_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 10.
+
+Had it not been that my familiar had appeared to me, as I told you in my
+last, in person, I had certainly been unable to have found even words,
+without meaning, to keep up my intelligence with the town: but he has
+checked me severely for my despondence, and ordered me to go on in my
+design of observing upon things, and forbearing persons; "for," said he,
+"the age you live in is such, that a good picture of any vice or virtue
+will infallibly be misrepresented; and though none will take the kind
+descriptions you make so much to themselves, as to wish well to the
+author, yet all will resent the ill characters you produce, out of fear
+of their own turn in the licence you must be obliged to take, if you
+point at particular persons." I took his admonition kindly, and
+immediately promised him to beg pardon of the author of the "Advice to
+the Poets,"[194] for my raillery upon his work; though I aimed at no
+more in that examination, but to convince him, and all men of genius, of
+the folly of laying themselves out on such plans as are below their
+characters. I hope too it was done without ill-breeding, and nothing
+spoken below what a civilian (as it is allowed I am) may utter to a
+physician. After this preface, all the world may be safe from my
+writings; for if I can find nothing to commend, I am silent, and will
+forbear the subject: for, though I am a reformer, I scorn to be an
+inquisitor.
+
+It would become all men, as well as me, to lay before them the noble
+character of Verus the magistrate,[195] who always sat in triumph over,
+and contempt of, vice; he never searched after it, or spared it when it
+came before him: at the same time, he could see through the hypocrisy
+and disguise of those, who have no pretence to virtue themselves, but by
+their severity to the vicious. This same Verus was, in times long past,
+chief justice (as we call it amongst us) in Fælicia.[196] He was a man
+of profound knowledge of the laws of his country, and as just an
+observer of them in his own person. He considered justice as a cardinal
+virtue, not as a trade for maintenance. Wherever he was judge, he never
+forgot that he was also counsel. The criminal before him was always sure
+he stood before his country, and, in a sort, a parent of it. The
+prisoner knew, that though his spirit was broken with guilt, and
+incapable of language to defend itself, all would be gathered from him
+which could conduce to his safety; and that his judge would wrest no law
+to destroy him, nor conceal any that could save him. In his time, there
+were a nest of pretenders to justice, who happened to be employed to put
+things in a method for being examined before him at his usual sessions:
+these animals were to Verus, as monkeys are to men, so like, that you
+can hardly disown them; but so base, that you are ashamed of their
+fraternity. It grew a phrase, "Who would do justice on the justices?"
+That certainly would Verus. I have seen an old trial where he sat judge
+on two of them; one was called Trick-Track, the other Tearshift;[197]
+one was a learned judge of sharpers, the other the quickest of all men
+at finding out a wench. Trick-Track never spared a pickpocket, but was a
+companion to cheats: Tearshift would make compliments to wenches of
+quality, but certainly commit poor ones. If a poor rogue wanted a
+lodging, Trick-Track sent him to gaol for a thief: if a poor whore went
+only with one thin petticoat, Tearshift would imprison her for being
+loose in her dress. These patriots infested the days of Verus, while
+they alternately committed and released each other's prisoners. But
+Verus regarded them as criminals, and always looked upon men as they
+stood in the eye of justice, without respecting whether they sat on the
+bench, or stood at the bar.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 11
+
+Yesterday we were entertained with the tragedy of "The Earl of
+Essex,"[198] in which there is not one good line, and yet a play which
+was never seen without drawing tears from some part of the audience: a
+remarkable instance, that the soul is not to be moved by words, but
+things; for the incidents in this drama are laid together so happily,
+that the spectator makes the play for himself, by the force which the
+circumstance has upon his imagination. Thus, in spite of the most dry
+discourses, and expressions almost ridiculous with respect to propriety,
+it is impossible for one unprejudiced to see it untouched with pity. I
+must confess, this effect is not wrought on such as examine why they are
+pleased; but it never fails to appear on those who are not too learned
+in nature, to be moved by her first suggestions. It is certain, the
+person and behaviour of Mr. Wilks[199] has no small share in conducing
+to the popularity of the play; and when a handsome fellow is going to a
+more coarse exit than beheading, his shape and countenance make every
+tender one reprieve him with all her heart, without waiting till she
+hears his dying words.
+
+This evening "The Alchemist"[200] was played. This comedy is an example
+of Ben's extensive genius and penetration into the passions and follies
+of mankind. The scene in the fourth act, where all the cheated people
+oppose the man that would open their eyes, has something in it so
+inimitably excellent, that it is certainly as great a masterpiece as has
+ever appeared by any hand. The author's great address in showing
+covetousness the motive of the actions of the Puritan, the epicure, the
+gamester, and the trader; and that all their endeavours, how differently
+soever they seem to tend, centre only in that one point of gain, shows
+he had to a great perfection, that discernment of spirit, which
+constitutes a genius for comedy.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 11.
+
+It is not to be imagined how far the violence of our desires will carry
+us towards our own deceit in the pursuit of what we wish for. A
+gentleman here this evening was giving me an account of a dumb
+fortune-teller,[201] who outdoes Mr. Partridge, myself, or the
+unborn-doctor,[202] for predictions. All his visitants come to him full
+of expectations, and pay his own rate for the interpretations they put
+upon his shrugs and nods. There is a fine rich City widow stole thither
+the other day (though it is not six weeks since her husband's departure
+from her company to rest), and, with her trusty maid, demanded of him,
+whether she should marry again, by holding up two fingers, like horns on
+her forehead. The wizard held up both his hands forked. The relict
+desired to know, whether he meant by his holding up both hands, to
+represent that she had one husband before, and that she should have
+another? Or that he intimated, she should have two more? The cunning-man
+looked a little sour; upon which Betty jogged her mistress, who gave the
+other guinea; and he made her understand, she should positively have two
+more; but shaked his head, and hinted, that they should not live long
+with her. The widow sighed, and gave him the other half-guinea. After
+this prepossession, all that she had next to do, was to make sallies to
+our end of the town, and find out who it is her fate to have. There are
+two who frequent this place, whom she takes for men of vogue, and of
+whom her imagination has given her the choice. They are both the
+appearances of fine gentlemen, to such as do not know when they see
+persons of that turn; and indeed, they are industrious enough to come at
+that character, to deserve the reputation of being such: but this town
+will not allow us to be the things we seem to aim at, and are too
+discerning to be fobbed off with pretences. One of these pretty fellows
+fails by his laborious exactness; the other, by his as much studied
+negligence. Frank Careless, as soon as his valet has helped on and
+adjusted his clothes, goes to his glass, sets his wig awry, tumbles his
+cravat; and in short, undresses himself to go into company. Will Nice is
+so little satisfied with his dress, that all the time he is at a visit,
+he is still mending it, and is for that reason the more insufferable;
+for he who studies carelessness, has, at least, his work the sooner done
+of the two. The widow is distracted whom to take for her first man; for
+Nice is every way so careful, that she fears his length of days; and
+Frank is so loose, that she has apprehensions for her own health with
+him. I am puzzled how to give a just idea of them; but in a word,
+Careless is a coxcomb, and Nice a fop: both, you'll say, very hopeful
+candidates for a gay woman just set at liberty. But there is a whisper,
+her maid will give her to Tom Terrour the gamester. This fellow has
+undone so many women, that he'll certainly succeed if he is introduced;
+for nothing so much prevails with the vain part of that sex, as the
+glory of deceiving them who have deceived others.
+
+    _Desunt multa_.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 11.
+
+Letters from Berlin, bearing date May 11, N.S., inform us, that the
+birthday of her Prussian Majesty has been celebrated there with all
+possible magnificence; and the king made her on that occasion a present
+of jewels to the value of thirty thousand crowns. The Marquis de Quesne,
+who has distinguished himself by his great zeal for the Protestant
+interest, was, at the time of the despatch of these letters, at that
+Court, soliciting the king to take care, that an article in behalf of
+the refugees, admitting their return to France, should be inserted in
+the treaty of peace. They write from Hanover of the 14th, that his
+electoral highness had received an express from Count Merci,
+representing how necessary it was to the common cause, that he would
+please to hasten to the Rhine; for that nothing but his presence could
+quicken the measures towards bringing the imperial army into the field.
+There are very many speculations upon the intended interview of the King
+of Denmark and King Augustus. The latter has made such preparations for
+the reception of the other, that it is said his Danish Majesty will be
+entertained in Saxony with much more elegance than he met with in Italy
+itself.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 18th instant, N.S., say, that his Grace
+the Duke of Marlborough landed the night before at the Brill, after
+having been kept out at sea by adverse winds two days longer than is
+usual in that passage. His Excellency the Lord Townshend, her Majesty's
+ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the States-General, was
+driven into the Veere in Zealand on Thursday last, from whence he came
+to the Hague within few hours after the arrival of his grace. The duke,
+soon after his coming to the Hague, had a visit from the Pensioner of
+Holland. All things relating to the peace were in suspense till this
+interview; nor is it yet known what resolutions will be taken on that
+subject; for the troops of the Allies have fresh orders despatched to
+them to move from their respective quarters, and march with all
+expedition to the frontiers, where the enemy are making their utmost
+efforts for the defence of their country. These advices further inform
+us, that the Marquis de Torcy had received an answer from the Court of
+France to his letters which he had sent thither by an express on the
+Friday before.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff has received letters from Mr. Coltstaff, Mr. Whipstaff,
+and Mrs. Rebecca Wagstaff; all which relate chiefly to their being left
+out in the genealogy of the family lately published;[203] but my cousin
+being a clerk in the Heralds' Office who writ that draught, and being at
+present under the displeasure of the chapter, it is feared, if that
+matter should be touched upon at this time, the young gentleman would
+lose his place for treason against the Kings at Arms.[204]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 194: Sir Richard Blackmore. See No. 3.]
+
+[Footnote 195: Sir John Holt (see _Examiner_, vol. iv. No. 14) was born
+in 1642, made Recorder of London and knighted in 1686, and appointed
+Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1689, a position which he filled
+very ably and impartially for twenty-one years. He died March 5, 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 196: Britain.]
+
+[Footnote 197: According to a MS. note in the copy of the Tatler
+referred to in a note to No. 4, these justices were "Sir H. C---- and
+Mr. C----r." Who the latter was I do not know; the former appears to be
+meant for Sir Henry Colt, of whom Luttrell gives some particulars. In
+April 1694, a Bill was found against Sir Henry Colt and Mr. Lake, son to
+the late Bishop of Chichester, for fighting a duel in St. James's Park;
+the trial was to be on May 31. Sir Henry Colt, a Justice of the Peace,
+had a duel with Beau Feilding on the 11th January, 1696, and Colt was
+run through the body. A reward of £200 was offered for Feilding's
+arrest, and he was captured in March; but in the following month he was
+set at liberty upon Colt promising not to prosecute. In July 1698, Colt
+unsuccessfully contested Westminster, and in December the Committee of
+Privileges decided that his petition against the return of Mr.
+Chancellor Montague and Mr. Secretary Vernon was vexatious, frivolous
+and scandalous; and Colt was put out of the commission of the peace for
+Westminster and Middlesex. In 1701, he became M.P. for Westminster, for
+one Parliament only. In August 1702, he was again displaced from being a
+Justice for Westminster. In July 1708, he was defeated at Westminster,
+and the petition which he lodged against Mr. Medlicot's election was
+dismissed, after Huggins, the head bailiff, had been examined.]
+
+[Footnote 198: By John Banks, 1685.]
+
+[Footnote 199: Robert Wilks died in 1732, age 62. See No. 182, and the
+_Spectator_, Nos. 268, 370: "When I am commending Wilks for representing
+the tenderness of a husband and a father in 'Macbeth', the contrition of
+a reformed prodigal in 'Harry the Fourth', the winning emptiness of a
+young man of good-nature and wealth in 'The Trip to the Jubilee', the
+officiousness of an artful servant in 'The Fox', when thus I celebrate
+Wilks, I talk to all the world who are engaged in any of those
+circumstances."]
+
+[Footnote 200: Ben Jonson's "Alchemist" was published in 1610.]
+
+[Footnote 201: Duncan Campbell, who is best known through Defoe's
+"History of the Life and Adventures of Mr. Duncan Campbell, a gentleman,
+who, though deaf and dumb, writes down any strange name at first sight,
+with their future contingencies of fortune," 1720. Several other books
+about Campbell appeared, and some said that he only pretended to be deaf
+and dumb. Campbell had a very large number of clients (_Spectator_, No.
+560). He died in 1730.]
+
+[Footnote 202: The name of this quack was Kirleus. He pretended to
+extraordinary endowments, on the score of his having been introduced
+into the world by means of the Cesarean operation. In the _Examiner_,
+vol. i. No. 49, original edition in folio, there is among the
+advertisements subjoined, July 5, 1711, notice given that some of his
+nostrums, which had been tested for fifty years, were to be had of "Mary
+Kirleus, widow of John Kirleus, son of Dr. Tho. Kirleus, a sworn
+physician in ordinary to K. Charles II." Nichols says that there were
+two male and two female quacks of the name of Kirleus; Thomas the
+father, and his son John, Susannah the widow of Thomas, and Mary the
+relict of John; but it does not appear that any of them all were rich.
+The women, after the decease of their husbands, engaged in a paper war,
+which was carried on about this time in polemical advertisements. Dr.
+Kirleus and Dr. Case (see No. 20) are said to have been sent for to
+prescribe to Partridge in his last illness. Garth ("Dispensary," canto
+iii.) wrote:
+
+    "Whole troops of quacks shall join us on the place,
+    From great Kirleus down to Doctor Case."
+
+"In Grays-Inn-lane in Plow-yard, the third door, lives Dr. Thomas
+Kirleus, a Collegiate Physician and sworn Physician in Ordinary to King
+Charles the Second until his death; who with a drink and pill (hindring
+no business) undertakes to cure any ulcers," &c. &c. "Take heed whom you
+trust in physick, for it's become a common cheat to profess it. He gives
+his opinion to all that writes or comes for nothing" (_Athenian
+Mercury_, February 13, 1694). See also _Tatler_, Nos. 41, 226, 240.]
+
+[Footnote 203: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 204: "Castabella's complaint is come to hand" (folio). See No.
+16.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 15. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 12_, to _Saturday, May 14_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 12.
+
+I have taken a resolution hereafter, on any want of intelligence, to
+carry my familiar abroad with me, who has promised to give me very
+proper and just notices of persons and things, to make up the history of
+the passing day. He is wonderfully skilful in the knowledge of men and
+manners, which has made me more than ordinary curious to know how he
+came to that perfection, and I communicated to him that doubt. "Mr.
+Pacolet," said I, "I am mightily surprised to see you so good a judge of
+our nature and circumstances, since you are a mere spirit, and have no
+knowledge of the bodily part of us." He answered, smiling, "You are
+mistaken, I have been one of you, and lived a month amongst you, which
+gives me an exact sense of your condition. You are to know, that all who
+enter into human life, have a certain date or stamen given to their
+being, which they only who die of age may be said to have arrived at;
+but it is ordered sometimes by fate, that such as die infants, are after
+death to attend mankind to the end of that stamen of being in
+themselves, which was broke off by sickness or any other disaster. These
+are proper guardians to men, as being sensible of the infirmity of their
+state. You are philosopher enough to know, that the difference of men's
+understanding proceeds only from the various dispositions of their
+organs; so that he who dies at a month old, is in the next life as
+knowing (though more innocent) as they who live to fifty; and after
+death, they have as perfect a memory and judgment of all that passed in
+their lifetime, as I have of all the revolutions in that uneasy,
+turbulent condition of yours; and, you'd say, I had enough of it in a
+month, were I to tell you all my misfortunes." "A life of a month, can't
+have, one would think, much variety; but pray," said I, "let us have
+your story."
+
+Then he proceeds in the following manner:
+
+"It was one of the most wealthy families in Great Britain into which I
+was born, and it was a very great happiness to me that it so happened,
+otherwise I had still, in all probability, been living: but I shall
+recount to you all the occurrences of my short and miserable existence,
+just as, by examining into the traces made in my brain, they appeared
+to me at that time. The first thing that ever struck my senses, was a
+noise over my head of one shrieking; after which, methought I took a
+full jump, and found myself in the hands of a sorceress, who seemed as
+if she had been long waking and employed in some incantation: I was
+thoroughly frightened, and cried out, but she immediately seemed to go
+on in some magical operation, and anointed me from head to foot. What
+they meant I could not imagine; for there gathered a great crowd about
+me, crying, 'An heir, an heir'; upon which I grew a little still, and
+believed this was a ceremony to be used only to great persons, and such
+as made them, what they called, Heirs. I lay very quiet; but the witch,
+for no manner of reason or provocation in the world, takes me and binds
+my head as hard as possibly she could, then ties up both my legs, and
+makes me swallow down a horrid mixture; I thought it a harsh entrance
+into life to begin with taking physic; but I was forced to it, or else
+must have taken down a great instrument in which she gave it me. When I
+was thus dressed, I was carried to a bedside, where a fine young lady
+(my mother I wot) had like to have hugged me to death. From her, they
+faced me about, and there was a thing with quite another look from the
+rest of the room, to whom they talked about my nose. He seemed
+wonderfully pleased to see me; but I knew since, my nose belonged to
+another family. That into which I was born, is one of the most numerous
+amongst you; therefore crowds of relations came every day to
+congratulate my arrival; among others, my cousin Betty, the greatest
+romp in nature; she whisks me such a height over her head, that I cried
+out for fear of falling. She pinched me, and called me squealing chit,
+and threw me into a girl's arms that was taken in to tend me. The girl
+was very proud of the womanly employment of a nurse, and took upon her
+to strip and dress me anew, because I made a noise, to see what ailed
+me: she did so, and stuck a pin in every joint about me. I still cried:
+upon which, she lays me on my face in her lap; and to quiet me, fell a
+nailing in all the pins, by clapping me on the back, and screaming a
+lullaby. But my pain made me exalt my voice above hers, which brought up
+the nurse, the witch I first saw, and my grandmother. The girl is turned
+down stairs, and I stripped again, as well to find out what ailed me, as
+to satisfy my granam's further curiosity. This good old woman's visit
+was the cause of all my troubles. You are to understand, that I was
+hitherto bred by hand, and anybody that stood next, gave me pap, if I
+did but open my lips; insomuch, that I was grown so cunning, as to
+pretend myself asleep when I was not, to prevent my being crammed. But
+my grandmother began a loud lecture upon the idleness of the wives of
+this age, who, for fear of their shape, forbear suckling their own
+offspring; and ten nurses were immediately sent for; one was whispered
+to have a wanton eye, and would soon spoil her milk; another was in a
+consumption; the third had an ill voice, and would frighten me, instead
+of lulling me to sleep. Such exceptions were made against all but one
+country milch-wench, to whom I was committed, and put to the breast.
+This careless jade was eternally romping with the footmen, and downright
+starved me; insomuch that I daily pined away, and should never have been
+relieved, had it not been, that on the thirtieth day of my life, a
+fellow of the Royal Society,[205] who had writ upon Cold Baths, came to
+visit me, and solemnly protested, I was utterly lost for want of that
+method: upon which he soused me head and ears into a pail of water,
+where I had the good fortune to be drowned, and so escaped being lashed
+into a linguist till sixteen, running after wenches till twenty-five,
+and being married to an ill-natured wife till sixty: which had certainly
+been my fate, had not the enchantment between body and soul been broke
+by this philosopher. Thus, till the age I should have otherwise lived, I
+am obliged to watch the steps of men; and if you please, shall accompany
+you in your present walks, and get you intelligence from the aërial
+lackey, who is in waiting, what are the thoughts and purposes of any
+whom you inquire for." I accepted his kind offer, and immediately took
+him with me in a hack to White's.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 13.
+
+We got in hither, and my companion threw a powder round us, that made me
+as invisible as himself; so that we could see and hear all others;
+ourselves unseen and unheard.
+
+The first thing we took notice of, was a nobleman of a goodly and frank
+aspect, with his generous birth and temper visible in it, playing at
+cards with a creature of a black and horrid countenance, wherein were
+plainly delineated the arts of his mind, cozenage and falsehood. They
+were marking their game with counters, on which we could see
+inscriptions, imperceptible to any but us. My lord had scored with
+pieces of ivory, on which were writ, Good Fame, Glory, Riches, Honour,
+and Posterity. The spectre over against him had on his counters the
+inscriptions of, Dishonour, Impudence, Poverty, Ignorance, and Want of
+Shame. "Bless me!" said I, "sure my lord does not see what he plays
+for!" "As well as I do," says Pacolet. "He despises that fellow he
+plays with, and scorns himself for making him his companion." At the
+very instant he was speaking, I saw the fellow who played with my lord,
+hide two cards in the roll of his stocking: Pacolet immediately stole
+them from thence; upon which the nobleman soon after won the game. The
+little triumph he appeared in, when he got such a trifling stock of
+ready money, though he had ventured so great sums with indifference,
+increased my admiration. But Pacolet began to talk to me. "Mr. Isaac,
+this to you looks wonderful, but not at all to us higher beings: that
+noble has as many good qualities as any man of his order, and seems to
+have no faults but what, as I may say, are excrescences from virtues: he
+is generous to a prodigality, more affable than is consistent with his
+quality, and courageous to a rashness. Yet, after all this, the source
+of his whole conduct is (though he would hate himself if he knew it)
+mere avarice. The ready cash laid before the gamester's counters makes
+him venture, as you see, and lay distinction against infamy, abundance
+against want; in a word, all that's desirable against all that's to be
+avoided." "However," said I, "be sure you disappoint the sharpers
+to-night, and steal from them all the cards they hide." Pacolet obeyed
+me, and my lord went home with their whole bank in his pocket.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 13.
+
+To-night was acted a second time a comedy, called "The Busy Body:"[206]
+this play is written by a lady. In old times, we used to sit upon a play
+here after it was acted; but now the entertainment is turned another
+way; not but there are considerable men appear in all ages, who, for
+some eminent quality or invention, deserve the esteem and thanks of the
+public. Such a benefactor is a gentleman of this house, who is observed
+by the surgeons with much envy; for he has invented an engine for the
+prevention of harms by love adventures, and by great care and
+application, hath made it an immodesty to name his name. This act of
+self-denial has gained this worthy member of the commonwealth a great
+reputation. Some lawgivers have departed from their abodes for ever, and
+commanded the observation of their laws till their return; others have
+used other artifices to fly the applause of their merit; but this person
+shuns glory with greater address, and has, by giving his engine his own
+name, made it obscene to speak of him more. However, he is ranked among,
+and received by the modern wits, as a great promoter of gallantry and
+pleasure. But I fear, pleasure is less understood in this age, which so
+much pretends to it, than in any since the creation. It was admirably
+said of him who first took notice, that (_res est severa voluptas_)
+there is a certain severity in pleasure. Without that, all decency is
+banished; and if reason is not to be present at our greatest
+satisfactions, of all the races of creatures, the human is the most
+miserable. It was not so of old; when Virgil describes a wit, he always
+means a virtuous man; and all his sentiments of men of genius are such
+as show persons distinguished from the common level of mankind; such as
+placed happiness in the contempt of low fears, and mean gratifications:
+fears, which we are subject to with the vulgar; and pleasures, which we
+have in common with beasts. With these illustrious personages, the
+wisest man was the greatest wit; and none was thought worthy of that
+character, unless he answered this excellent description of the poet:
+
+    _Qui--metus omnes et inexorabile fatum
+    Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari._[207]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 13.
+
+We had this morning advice, that some English merchant-ships, convoyed
+by the _Bristol_ of fifty-four guns, were met with by a part of Mons. du
+Guy Trouin's squadron, who engaged the convoy. That ship defended itself
+till the English merchants got clear of the enemy, but being disabled
+was herself taken. Within few hours after, my Lord Dursley[208] came up
+with part of his squadron and engaging the French, retook the _Bristol_
+(which being very much shattered, sunk), and took the _Glorieux_, a ship
+of forty-four guns, as also a privateer of fourteen. Before this action,
+his lordship had taken two French merchant-men; and had, at the despatch
+of these advices, brought the whole safe into Plymouth.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 205: Probably William Oliver, M.D., F.R.S., who published a
+Dissertation on Bath waters, and cold baths, in 1709 (_Flying Post_,
+Feb. 10 to 12, 1709). Sir John Floyer's "Inquiry into the right Use and
+Abuses of the Hot, Cold, and Temperate Baths in England, &c.," appeared
+in 1697.]
+
+[Footnote 206: By Mrs. Susannah Centlivre, a lady of Whig views, who was
+possessed of considerable beauty. (See also No. 19.) Isaac Bickerstaff
+had promised a prologue to "The Busy Body" before it was to be first
+played, as appears from a poetical epistle of Mrs. Centlivre, claiming
+the performance of such a promise, printed by Charles Lillie ("Orig.
+Letters to _Tatler_ and _Spectator_" vol. ii. pp. 33, 34). Leigh Hunt
+("The Town") suggests that Pope put Mrs. Centlivre in the "Dunciad" (ii.
+410--"At last Centlivre felt her voice to fail") on account of her
+intimacy with Steele and other friends of Addison. Mrs. Centlivre
+(1667-1723) married, as her second husband, Mr. Carrol, a gentleman of
+the army, and afterwards Mr. Joseph Centlivre, principal cook to Queen
+Anne, 1706.]
+
+[Footnote 207: Virgil, "Georgics," ii. 492.]
+
+[Footnote 208: In November 1709, James Viscount Dursley was raised to
+the rank of Vice-Admiral of the Blue. Next year he succeeded his father
+in the title of Earl of Berkeley.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 16. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 14_, to _Tuesday, May 17_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 15.
+
+Sir Thomas,[209] of this house, has shown me some letters from the Bath,
+which give accounts of what passes among the good company of that place;
+and allowed me to transcribe one of them, that seems to be writ by some
+of Sir Thomas' particular acquaintances, and is as follows:
+
+"DEAR KNIGHT,
+
+"I desire you would give my humble service to all our friends, which I
+speak of to you (out of method) in the very beginning of my epistle,
+lest the present disorders, by which this seat of gallantry and pleasure
+is torn to pieces, should make me forget it. You keep so good company,
+that you know Bath is stocked with such as come hither to be relieved
+from luxuriant health, or imaginary sickness, and consequently is always
+as well stowed with gallants as invalids, who live together in a very
+good understanding. But the season is so early, that our fine company is
+not yet arrived: and the warm Bath, which in heathen times was dedicated
+to Venus, is now used only by such as really want it for health's sake.
+There are however a good many strangers, among whom are two ambitious
+ladies, who being both in the autumn of their life, take the opportunity
+of placing themselves at the head of such as we are, before the Chloes,
+Clarissas, and Pastorellas come down. One of these two is excessively
+in pain, that the ugly being called Time will make wrinkles in spite of
+the lead forehead-cloth; and therefore hides, with the gaiety of her
+air, the volubility of her tongue, and quickness of her motion, the
+injuries which it has done her. The other lady is but two years behind
+her in life, and dreads as much being laid aside as the former, and
+consequently has taken the necessary precautions to prevent her reign
+over us. But she is very discreet, and wonderfully turned for ambition,
+being never apparently transported either with affection or malice.
+Thus, while Florimel is talking in public, and spreading her graces in
+assemblies, to gain a popular dominion over our diversions, Prudentia
+visits very cunningly all the lame, the splenetic, and the
+superannuated, who have their distinct classes of followers and friends.
+Among these, she has found that some body has sent down printed
+certificates of Florimel's age, which she has read and distributed to
+this unjoyful set of people, who are always enemies to those in
+possession of the good opinion of the company. This unprovoked injury
+done by Prudentia, was the first occasion of our fatal divisions here,
+and a declaration of war between these rivals. Florimel has abundance of
+wit, which she has lavished in decrying Prudentia, and giving defiance
+to her little arts. For an instance of her superior power, she bespoke
+the play of 'Alexander the Great,'[210] to be acted by the company of
+strollers, and desired us all to be there on Thursday last. When she
+spoke to me to come, 'As you are,' said she, 'a lover, you will not fail
+the death of Alexander: the passion of love is wonderfully hit--Statira!
+Oh that happy woman--to have a conqueror at her feet--but you will be
+sure to be there.' I, and several others, resolved to be of her party.
+But see the irresistible strength of that unsuspected creature, a silent
+woman. Prudentia had counterplotted us, and had bespoke on the same
+evening the puppet-show of 'The Creation of the World.'[211] She had
+engaged everybody to be there, and, to turn our leader into ridicule,
+had secretly let them know, that the puppet Eve was made the most like
+Florimel that ever was seen. On Thursday morning the puppet-drummer,
+Adam and Eve, and several others who lived before the Flood, passed
+through the streets on horseback, to invite us all to the pastime, and
+the representation of such things as we all knew to be true; and Mr.
+Mayor was so wise as to prefer these innocent people the puppets, who,
+he said, were to represent Christians, before the wicked players, who
+were to show Alexander, a heathen philosopher. To be short, this
+Prudentia had so laid it, that at ten of the clock footmen were sent to
+take places at the puppet-show, and all we of Florimel's party were to
+be out of fashion, or desert her. We chose the latter. All the world
+crowded to Prudentia's house, because it was given out, nobody could get
+in. When we came to Noah's flood in the show, Punch and his wife were
+introduced dancing in the Ark. An honest plain friend of Florimel's, but
+a critic withal, rose up in the midst of the representation, and made
+many very good exceptions to the drama itself, and told us, that it was
+against all morality, as well as rules of the stage, that Punch should
+be in jest in the Deluge, or indeed that he should appear at all. This
+was certainly a just remark, and I thought to second him; but he was
+hissed by Prudentia's party; upon which, really, Sir Thomas, we who were
+his friends, hissed him too. Old Mrs. Petulant desired both her
+daughters to mind the moral; then whispered Mrs. Mayoress, 'This is very
+proper for young people to see.' Punch at the end of the play made Madam
+Prudentia a compliment, and was very civil to the whole company, making
+bows till his buttons touched the ground. All was carried triumphantly
+against our party. In the meantime Florimel went to the tragedy, dressed
+as fine as hands could make her, in hopes to see Prudentia pine away
+with envy. Instead of that, she sat a full hour alone, and at last was
+entertained with this whole relation from Statira, who wiped her eyes
+with her tragical-cut handkerchief, and lamented the ignorance of the
+quality. Florimel was stung with this affront, and the next day bespoke
+the puppet-show. Prudentia, insolent with power, bespoke 'Alexander.'
+The whole company came then to 'Alexander.' Madam Petulant desired her
+daughters to mind the moral, and believe no man's fair words; 'For
+you'll see, children,' said she, 'these soldiers are never to be
+depended upon; they are sometimes here, sometimes there--don't you see,
+daughter Betty, Colonel Clod, our next neighbour in the country, pulls
+off his hat to you? Courtesy, good child, his estate is just by us.'
+Florimel was now mortified down to Prudentia's humour; and Prudentia
+exalted into hers. This was observed: Florimel invites us to the play a
+second time, Prudentia to the show. See the uncertainty of human
+affairs! The beaux, the wits, the gamesters, the prues,[212] the
+coquettes, the valetudinarians, and gallants, all now wait upon
+Florimel. Such is the state of things at this present date; and if there
+happens any new commotions, you shall have immediate advice from,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your affectionate Friend
+
+"and Servant.
+
+"Bath, _May 11_, 1709."
+
+#"_To Castabella._#
+
+"MADAM,
+
+I have the honour of a letter from a friend of yours, relating to an
+incivility done to you at the opera, by one of your own sex; but I, who
+was an eye-witness of the accident, can testify to you, that though she
+pressed before you, she lost her ends in that design; for she was taken
+notice of for no other reason, but her endeavours to hide a finer woman
+than herself. But indeed, I dare not go farther in this matter, than
+just this bare mention; for though it was taking your place of right,
+rather than place of precedence, yet it is so tender a point, and on
+which the very life of female ambition depends, that it is of the last
+consequence to meddle in it: all my hopes are from your beautiful sex;
+and those bright eyes, which are the bane of others, are my only
+sunshine. My writings are sacred to you; and I hope I shall always have
+the good fortune to live under your protection; therefore take this
+public opportunity to signify to all the world, that I design to forbear
+anything that may in the least tend to the diminution of your interest,
+reputation, or power. You will therefore forgive me, that I strive to
+conceal every wrong step made by any who have the honour to wear
+petticoats; and shall at all times do what is in my power, to make all
+mankind as much their slaves as myself. If they would consider things as
+they ought, there needs not much argument to convince them, that it is
+their fate to be obedient to you, and that your greatest rebels do only
+serve with a worse grace.
+
+"I am, Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient, and
+
+"most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.
+
+"_May 16._"
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 16.
+
+Letters from the Hague, bearing date the 21st instant, N.S., advise,
+that his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, immediately after his arrival,
+sent his secretary to the President and the Pensionary, to acquaint them
+therewith. Soon after, these Ministers visited the duke, and made him
+compliments in the name of the States-General; after which they entered
+into a conference with him on the present posture of affairs, and gave
+his grace assurances of the firm adherence of the States to the
+alliance: at the same time acquainting him, that all overtures of peace
+were rejected, till they had an opportunity of acting in concert with
+their allies on that subject. After this interview, the Pensionary and
+the President returned to the assembly of the States. Monsieur Torcy has
+had a conference at the Pensioner's house with his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough, Prince Eugene, and his Excellency the Lord Townshend. The
+result of what was debated at that time is kept secret; but there
+appears an air of satisfaction and good understanding between these
+Ministers. We are apt also to give ourselves very hopeful prospects from
+Monsieur Torcy's being employed in this negotiation, who has been always
+remarkable for a particular way of thinking, in his sense of the
+greatness of France; which he has always said, was to be promoted rather
+by the arts of peace, than those of war. His delivering himself freely
+on this subject, has formerly appeared an unsuccessful way to power in
+that Court; but in its present circumstances, those maxims are better
+received; and it is thought a certain argument of the sincerity of the
+French king's intentions, that this Minister is at present made use of.
+The marquis is to return to Paris within few days, who has sent a
+courier thither to give notice of the reasons of his return, that the
+Court may be the sooner able to despatch commissions for a formal
+treaty.
+
+The expectations of peace are increased by advices from Paris of the
+17th instant, which say, the Dauphin hath altered his resolution of
+commanding in Flanders the ensuing campaign. The Saxon and Prussian
+reinforcements, together with Count Merci's regiment of Imperial horse,
+are encamped in the neighbourhood of Brussels; and sufficient stores of
+corn and forage are transported to that place and Ghent for the service
+of the confederate army.
+
+They write from Mons, that the Elector of Bavaria had advice, that an
+advanced party of the Portuguese army had been defeated by the
+Spaniards.
+
+We hear from Languedoc, that their corn, olives and figs, were wholly
+destroyed; but that they have a hopeful prospect of a plentiful vintage.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 209: The nickname of a waiter at White's (see No. 1).]
+
+[Footnote 210: "The Rival Queens; or, Alexander the Great," by Nathaniel
+Lee, 1677.]
+
+[Footnote 211: The following advertisement is among the Harleian MSS.
+(Bayford's Coll. 5931): "At Crawley's show at the Golden Lion, near St.
+George's Church, during the time of Southwark Fair, will be presented
+the whole story of the old 'Creation of the World, or Paradise Lost,'
+yet newly revived with the addition of 'Noah's Flood'; &c. The best
+known puppet-show man was Martin Powell. (See No. 236.)]
+
+[Footnote 212: So in the folio and original collected editions. "Prue"
+was Steele's favourite name for his wife; here it means "prude," and no
+doubt Steele sometimes thought "dear Prue" was unnecessarily and
+unreasonably particular.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 17. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 17_, to _Thursday, May 19_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 18.
+
+The discourse has happened to turn this evening upon the true nature of
+panegyric, the perfection of which was asserted to consist in a certain
+artful way of conveying the applause in an indirect manner. There was a
+gentleman gave us several instances of it: among others, he quoted, from
+Sir Francis Bacon, in his "Advancement of Learning," a very great
+compliment made to Tiberius, as follows: In a full debate upon public
+affairs in the Senate, one of the assembly rose up, and with a very
+grave air said, he thought it for the honour and dignity of the
+commonwealth, that Tiberius should be declared a god, and have divine
+worship paid him. The Emperor was surprised at the proposal, and
+demanded of him to declare whether he had made any application to
+incline him to that overture? The senator answered, with a bold and
+haughty tone, "Sir, in matters that concern the commonwealth, I will be
+governed by no man."[213] Another gentleman mentioned something of the
+same kind spoken by the late Duke of B----m,[214] to the late Earl of
+O----y:[215] "My lord," says the duke, after his libertine way, "you
+will certainly be damned." "How, my lord!" says the earl with some
+warmth. "Nay," said the duke, "there's no help for it, for it is
+positively said, 'Cursed is he of whom all men speak well.'"[216] This
+is taking a man by surprise, and being welcome when you have so
+surprised him. The person flattered receives you into his closet at
+once; and the sudden change in his heart, from the expectation of an
+ill-wisher, to find you his friend, makes you in his full favour in a
+moment. The spirits that were raised so suddenly against you, are as
+suddenly for you. There was another instance given of this kind at the
+table: a gentleman who had a very great favour done him, and an
+employment bestowed upon him, without so much as being known to his
+benefactor, waited upon the great man who was so generous, and was
+beginning to say, he was infinitely obliged. "Not at all," says the
+patron, turning from him to another, "had I known a more deserving man
+in England, he should not have had it."
+
+We should certainly have had more examples, had not a gentleman
+produced a book which he thought an instance of this kind: it was a
+pamphlet, called, "The Naked Truth."[217] The idea any one would have
+of that work from the title, was, that there would be much plain
+dealing with people in power, and that we should see things in their
+proper light, stripped of the ornaments which are usually given to the
+actions of the great: but the skill of this author is such, that he
+has, under that rugged appearance, approved himself the finest
+gentleman and courtier that ever writ. The language is extremely
+sublime, and not at all to be understood by the vulgar: the sentiments
+are such as would make no figure in ordinary words; but such is the
+art of the expression, and the thoughts are elevated to so high a
+degree, that I question whether the discourse will sell much. There
+was an ill-natured fellow present, who hates all panegyric mortally.
+"P---- take him!" said he, "what the devil means his 'Naked Truth,'
+in speaking nothing but to the advantage of all whom he mentions?
+This is just such a great action as that of the champion's on a
+coronation day, who challenges all mankind to dispute with him the
+right of the sovereign, surrounded with his guards." The gentleman
+who produced the treatise, desired him to be cautious, and said, it
+was writ by an excellent soldier, which made the company observe it
+more narrowly: and, as critics are the greatest conjurers at finding
+out a known truth, one said, he was sure it was writ by the hand of
+his sword-arm. I could not perceive much wit in that expression: but
+it raised a laugh, and I suppose, was meant as a sneer upon valiant men.
+The same man pretended to see in the style, that it was a horse officer;
+but sure that's being too nice: for though you may know officers of the
+cavalry by the turn of their feet, I can't imagine how you should
+discern their hands from those of other men. But it is always thus with
+pedants, they will ever be carping; if a gentleman or a man of honour
+puts pen to paper, I don't doubt, but this author will find this
+assertion too true, and that obloquy is not repulsed by the force of
+arms. I will therefore set this excellent piece in a light too glaring
+for weak eyes, and, in imitation of the critic Longinus, shall, as well
+as I can, make my observations in a style like the author's, of whom I
+treat; which perhaps I am as capable of as another, having an unbounded
+force of thinking, as well as a most exquisite address, extensively and
+wisely indulged to me by the supreme powers. My author, I will dare to
+assert, shows the most universal knowledge of any writer who has
+appeared this century. He is a poet, and merchant, which is seen in two
+master-words, Credit Blossoms. He is a grammarian, and a politician; for
+he says, the uniting the two kingdoms is the emphasis of the security to
+the Protestant Succession. Some would be apt to say he is a conjurer;
+for he has found that a republic is not made up of every body of
+animals, but is composed of men only, and not of horses. Liberty and
+property have chosen their retreat within the emulating circle of a
+human commonwealth. He is a physician; for he says, "I observe a
+constant equality in its pulse, and a just quickness of its vigorous
+circulation." And again: "I view the strength of our Constitution
+plainly appear in the sanguine and ruddy complexion of a well-contented
+city." He is a divine; for he says, "I cannot but bless myself." And
+indeed, this excellent treatise has had that good effect upon me, who am
+far from being superstitious, that I, also, can't but bless myself.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 18.
+
+This day arrived a mail from Lisbon, with letters of the 13th instant,
+N.S., containing a particular account of the late action in Portugal. On
+the 7th instant, the army of Portugal, under the command of the Marquis
+de Frontera, lay on the side of the Caya, and the army of the Duke of
+Anjou, commanded by the Marquis de Bay, on the other. The latter
+commander having an ambition to ravage the country, in a manner in sight
+of the Portuguese, made a motion with the whole body of his horse toward
+Fort St. Christopher, near the town of Badajos. The generals of the
+Portuguese, disdaining that such an insult should be offered to their
+arms, took a resolution to pass the river, and oppose the designs of the
+enemy. The Earl of Galway represented to them, that the present posture
+of affairs was such on the side of the Allies, that there needed no more
+to be done at present in that country, but to carry on a defensive part.
+But his arguments could not avail in the council of war. Upon which, a
+great detachment of foot, and the whole of the horse of the King of
+Portugal's army, passed the river, and with some pieces of cannon did
+good execution on the enemy. Upon observing this, the Marquis de Bay
+advanced with his horse, and attacked the right wing of the Portuguese
+cavalry, who faced about, and fled, without standing the first
+encounter. But their foot repulsed the same body of horse in three
+successive charges, with great order and resolution. While this was
+transacting, the British general commanded the brigade of Pearce to
+keep the enemy in diversion by a new attack. This was so well executed,
+that the Portuguese infantry had time to retire in good order, and
+repass the river. But that brigade, which rescued them, was itself
+surrounded by the enemy, and Major-General Sarkey, Brigadier Pearce,
+together with both their regiments, and that of the Lord Galway, lately
+raised, were taken prisoners.
+
+During the engagement, the Earl of Barrymore having advanced too far to
+give some necessary order, was hemmed in by a squadron of the enemy; but
+found means to gallop up to the brigade of Pearce, with which he remains
+also a prisoner. My Lord Galway had his horse shot under him in this
+action; and the Conde de St. Juan, a Portuguese general, was taken
+prisoner. The same night the army encamped at Aronches, and on the 9th
+moved to Elvas, where they lay when these despatches came away. Colonel
+Stanwix's regiment is also taken. The whole of this affair has given the
+Portuguese a great idea of the capacity and courage of my Lord Galway,
+against whose advice they entered upon this unfortunate affair, and by
+whose conduct they were rescued from it. The prodigious constancy and
+resolution of that great man is hardly to be paralleled, who, under the
+oppression of a maimed body, and the reflection of repeated ill fortune,
+goes on with an unspeakable alacrity in the service of the common cause.
+He has already put things in a very good posture after this ill
+accident, and made the necessary dispositions for covering the country
+from any further attempt of the enemy, who lie still in the camp they
+were in before the battle.
+
+Letters from Brussels, dated the 25th instant, advise, that
+notwithstanding the negotiations of a peace seem so far advanced, that
+some do confidently report the preliminaries of a treaty to be actually
+agreed on; yet the Allies hasten their preparations for opening the
+campaign; and the forces of the Empire, the Prussians, the Danes, the
+Wirtembergers, the Palatines, and Saxon auxiliaries, are in motion
+towards the general rendezvous, they being already arrived in the
+neighbourhood of Brussels. These advices add, that the deputies of the
+States of Holland having made a general review of the troops in
+Flanders, set out for Antwerp on the 21st instant from that place. On
+the same day the Prince Royal of Prussia came thither _incognito_, with
+a design to make the ensuing campaign under his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough.
+
+This day is published a treatise called, "The Difference between Scandal
+and Admonition." By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; and on the 1st of July
+next, you may expect, "A Prophecy of Things Past; wherein the Art of
+Fortune-telling is laid open to the meanest capacity." And on the Monday
+following, "Choice Sentences for the Company of Masons and Bricklayers,
+to be put upon new Houses, with a translation of all the Latin sentences
+that have been built of late years, together with a comment upon stone
+walls," by the same hand.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 213: See Tacitus, "Annals," i. 8.]
+
+[Footnote 214: George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.]
+
+[Footnote 215: Roger Boyle, Earl of Orrery.]
+
+[Footnote 216: Luke vi. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 217: Like Nichols, I have not been able to see a copy of this
+pamphlet, or the defence of it, mentioned in No. 21; but a letter from
+Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, dated 20 May, 1709, throws some light on
+the matter: "Dear Brother, ... Brigadeer Crowder of late has made some
+talk in the Coffee Houses upon a peice he has lately been pleased to
+print, he did me the favour to show it me some time agoe in manuscript,
+and I complymented him with desiring a coppy of it, that I might have
+the pleasure of reading it more than once, and that I might communicate
+the like sattisfaction to you by sending it to Berlin. He told me it had
+the approbation of very ingenious men and good scholars, and his very
+good friends who had persuaded him to print it, and then you, as he
+always esteem'd to be such, shou'd be sure to have one. The day before
+yesterday he perform'd his promise but desir'd I wou'd not tell you
+directly who was the author, but recommend it to you with his most
+humble service, as from a friend of his. Yesterday came out this
+_Tatler_, and tho' I reckon myself a little base after all the fine
+complyments he made me upon my great judgment, I can't forbear sending
+it you as a fine peice of rallery upon his elaborate work, which I can
+assure you he has not been a little proud of. I han't seen him since to
+know if this _Tatler_ has given him any mortification. I know before he
+was prepar'd for the censorious, for he said lett people say what they
+wou'd, he was sure the intention was good, and his meaning for the
+service of the public. I am sorry he has printed, for he's very civill
+to me, and always profess a great respect for you, and I wou'd have none
+that does so exposed" ("Wentworth Papers," pp. 86-7). See No. 46. A
+writer in "Notes and Queries" (7 S. iii. 526), in reply to a question of
+mine, stated that there is a copy of "Naked Truth," 4to, 1709, in the
+Bamburgh Castle Library. The pamphlet is anonymous, but is ascribed in
+the catalogue to Colonel Crowder. In May 1710, Thomas Crowther was made
+a Major-General (Pointer's "Chron. History," ii. 679).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 18. [STEELE AND ADDISON.[218]
+
+From _Thursday, May 19_, to _Saturday, May 21_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 20.
+
+It is observed too often, that men of wit do so much employ their
+thoughts upon fine speculations, that things useful to mankind are
+wholly neglected; and they are busy in making emendations upon some
+enclitics in a Greek author, while obvious things, that every man may
+have use for, are wholly overlooked. It would be a happy thing, if such
+as have real capacities for public service, were employed in works of
+general use; but because a thing is everybody's business, it is nobody's
+business: this is for want of public spirit. As for my part, who am only
+a student, and a man of no great interest, I can only remark things, and
+recommend the correction of them to higher powers. There is an offence I
+have a thousand times lamented, but fear I shall never see remedied;
+which is, that in a nation where learning is so frequent as in Great
+Britain, there should be so many gross errors as there are in the very
+directions of things, wherein accuracy is necessary for the conduct of
+life. This is notoriously observed by all men of letters when they first
+come to town (at which time they are usually curious that way) in the
+inscriptions on sign-posts. I have cause to know this matter as well as
+anybody; for I have (when I went to Merchant Taylors' School) suffered
+stripes for spelling after the signs I observed in my way; though at the
+same time, I must confess, staring at those inscriptions first gave me
+an idea and curiosity for medals; in which I have since arrived at some
+knowledge.[219] Many a man has lost his way and his dinner by this
+general want of skill in orthography: for, considering that the painters
+are usually so very bad, that you cannot know the animal under whose
+sign you are to live that day, how must the stranger be misled, if it be
+wrong spelled, as well as ill painted? I have a cousin now in town, who
+has answered under Bachelor at Queen's College, whose name is Humphrey
+Mopstaff (he is akin to us by his mother). This young man going to see a
+relation in Barbican, wandered a whole day by the mistake of one letter;
+for it was written, "This is the BEER," instead of "This is the BEAR."
+He was set right at last, by inquiring for the house, of a fellow who
+could not read, and knew the place mechanically, only by having been
+often drunk there. But, in the name of goodness, let us make our
+learning of use to us, or not. Was not this a shame, that a philosopher
+should be thus directed by a cobbler? I'll be sworn, if it were known
+how many have suffered in this kind by false spelling since the union,
+this matter would not long lie thus. What makes these evils the more
+insupportable, is, that they are so easily amended, and nothing done in
+it. But it is so far from that, that the evil goes on in other arts as
+well as orthography. Places are confounded, as well for want of proper
+distinctions, as things for want of true characters. Had I not come by
+the other day very early in the morning, there might have been mischief
+done; for a worthy North Briton was swearing at Stocks Market,[220] that
+they would not let him in at his lodgings; but I knowing the gentleman,
+and observing him look often at the King on horseback, and then double
+his oaths, that he was sure he was right, found he mistook that for
+Charing Cross, by the erection of the like statue in each place. I
+grant, private men may distinguish their abodes as they please; as one
+of my acquaintance who lives at Marylebone, has put a good sentence of
+his own invention upon his dwelling-place, to find out where he lives:
+he is so near London, that his conceit is this, "The country in town;
+or, the town in the country"; for you know, if they are both in one,
+they are all one. Besides that, the ambiguity is not of great
+consequence; if you are safe at the place, it is no matter if you do not
+distinctly know where to say the place is. But to return to the
+orthography of public places: I propose that every tradesman in the
+cities of London and Westminster shall give me sixpence a quarter for
+keeping their signs in repair, as to the grammatical part; and I will
+take into my house a Swiss Count[221] of my acquaintance, who can
+remember all their names without book, for despatch sake, setting up the
+head of the said foreigner for my sign; the features being strong, and
+fit for hanging high.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 20.
+
+This day a mail arrived from Holland, by which there are advices from
+Paris, that the kingdom of France is in the utmost misery and
+distraction. The merchants of Lyons have been at Court, to remonstrate
+their great sufferings by the failure of their public credit; but have
+received no other satisfaction, than promises of a sudden peace; and
+that their debts will be made good by funds out of the revenue, which
+will not answer, but in case of the peace which is promised. In the
+meantime, the cries of the common people are loud for want of bread, the
+gentry have lost all spirit and zeal for their country, and the king
+himself seems to languish under the anxiety of the pressing calamities
+of the nation, and retires from hearing those grievances which he hath
+not power to redress. Instead of preparations for war, and the defence
+of their country, there is nothing to be seen but evident marks of a
+general despair. Processions, fastings, public mournings, and
+humiliations, are become the sole employments of a people, who were
+lately the most vain and gay of any in the universe.
+
+The Pope has written to the French king on the subject of a peace, and
+his Majesty has answered in the lowliest terms, that he entirely submits
+his affairs to divine providence, and shall soon show the world, that he
+prefers the tranquillity of his people to the glory of his arms, and
+extent of his conquests.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 24th say, that his Excellency the Lord
+Townshend delivered his credentials on that day to the States-General,
+as plenipotentiary from the Queen of Great Britain; as did also Count
+Zinzendorf, who bears the same character from the Emperor.
+
+Prince Eugene intended to set out the next day for Brussels, and his
+Grace the Duke of Marlborough on the Tuesday following. The Marquis de
+Torcy talks daily of going, but still continues here. The army of the
+Allies is to assemble on the 7th of the next month at Helchin; though it
+is generally believed, that the preliminaries to a treaty are fully
+adjusted.
+
+The approach of a peace[222] strikes a panic through our armies, though
+that of a battle could never do it, and they almost repent of their
+bravery, that made such haste to humble themselves and the French king.
+The Duke of Marlborough, though otherwise the greatest general of the
+age, has plainly shown himself unacquainted with the arts of husbanding
+a war. He might have grown as old as the Duke of Alva, or Prince
+Waldeck, in the Low Countries, and yet have got reputation enough every
+year for any reasonable man: for the command of general in Flanders hath
+been ever looked upon as a provision for life. For my part, I can't see
+how his grace can answer it to the world, for the great eagerness he
+hath shown to send a hundred thousand of the bravest fellows in Europe a
+begging. But the private gentlemen of the infantry will be able to shift
+for themselves; a brave man can never starve in a country stocked with
+hen-roosts. "There is not a yard of linen," says my honoured progenitor,
+Sir John Falstaff, "in my whole company; but as for that," says this
+worthy knight, "I am in no great pain, we shall find shirts on every
+hedge."[223] There is another sort of gentlemen whom I am much more
+concerned for, and that is, the ingenious fraternity of which I have the
+honour to be an unworthy member; I mean the news-writers of Great
+Britain, whether Postmen or Postboys,[224] or by what other name or
+title soever dignified or distinguished. The case of these gentlemen is,
+I think, more hard than that of the soldiers, considering that they
+have taken more towns, and fought more battles. They have been upon
+parties and skirmishes, when our armies have lain still; and given the
+general assault to many a place, when the besiegers were quiet in their
+trenches. They have made us masters of several strong towns many weeks
+before our generals could do it; and completed victories, when our
+greatest captains have been glad to come off with a drawn battle. Where
+Prince Eugene has slain his thousands, Boyer[225] has slain his ten
+thousands. This, gentleman can indeed be never enough commended for his
+courage and intrepidity during this whole war: he has laid about him
+with an inexpressible fury, and like the offended Marius of ancient
+Rome, made such havoc among his countrymen, as must be the work of two
+or three ages to repair. It must be confessed, the redoubted Mr.
+Buckley[226] has shed as much blood as the former; but I cannot forbear
+saying (and I hope it will not look like envy) that we regard our
+brother Buckley as a Drawcansir,[227] who spares neither friend nor foe,
+but generally kills as many of his own side as the enemy's. It is
+impossible for this ingenious sort of men to subsist after a peace:
+every one remembers the shifts they were driven to in the reign of King
+Charles II., when they could not furnish out a single paper of news,
+without lighting up a comet in Germany, or a fire in Moscow. There
+scarce appeared a letter without a paragraph on an earthquake. Prodigies
+were grown so familiar, that they had lost their name, as a great poet
+of that age has it. I remember Mr. Dyer,[228] who is justly looked upon
+by all the fox-hunters in the nation as the greatest statesman our
+country has produced, was particularly famous for dealing in whales;
+insomuch that in five months' time (for I had the curiosity to examine
+his letters on that occasion) he brought three into the mouth of the
+river Thames, besides two porpoises and a sturgeon. The judicious and
+wary Mr. I. Dawks[229] hath all along been the rival of this great
+writer, and got himself a reputation from plagues and famines, by which,
+in those days, he destroyed as great multitudes as he has lately done by
+the sword. In every dearth of news, Grand Cairo was sure to be
+unpeopled.
+
+It being therefore visible, that our society will be greater sufferers
+by the peace than the soldiery itself; insomuch that the _Daily
+Courant_[230] is in danger of being broken, my friend Dyer of being
+reformed, and the very best of the whole band of being reduced to
+half-pay; might I presume to offer anything in the behalf of my
+distressed brethren, I would humbly move, that an appendix of proper
+apartments furnished with pen, ink, and paper, and other necessaries of
+life should be added to the Hospital of Chelsea,[231] for the relief of
+such decayed news-writers as have served their country in the wars; and
+that for their exercise, they should compile the annals of their
+brother-veterans, who have been engaged in the same service, and are
+still obliged to do duty after the same manner.
+
+I cannot be thought to speak this out of an eye to any private interest;
+for, as my chief scenes of action are coffee-houses, play-houses, and my
+own apartment, I am in no need of camps, fortifications, and fields of
+battle, to support me; I don't call out for heroes and generals to my
+assistance. Though the officers are broken, and the armies disbanded, I
+shall still be safe as long as there are men or women, or politicians,
+or lovers, or poets, or nymphs, or swains, or cits, or courtiers in
+being.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 218: It is very possible that the first article in this number
+(see the allusion to medals) is by Addison, as well as the account of
+the Distress of the News-writers.]
+
+[Footnote 219: There is much about medals in Addison's "Remarks on
+several Parts of Italy," 1705. His "Dialogues on Medals" was published
+posthumously by Tickell.]
+
+[Footnote 220: Stocks Market was so named from a pair of stocks which
+were erected there as early as the 13th century. The two statues
+referred to were really very unlike. The one was of white marble; the
+other, of brass, was originally intended for John Sobieski, King of
+Poland, but being bought by Sir Robert Viner in 1672, it was altered and
+erected in honour of King Charles II. The Turk underneath the horse was
+metamorphosed into Oliver Cromwell; but his turban escaped unnoticed or
+unaltered, to testify the truth. The statue in Stocks Market, with the
+conduit and all its ornaments, was removed to make way for the Mansion
+House in 1739. Marvell refers to these statues in his "Satires."]
+
+[Footnote 221: Heidegger. See No. 12.]
+
+[Footnote 222: The remainder of this paper is by Addison. See Steele's
+Preface, and his Dedication of "The Drummer" to Congreve.]
+
+[Footnote 223: "There's but a shirt and a half in all my company; and
+the half-shirt is two napkins, tacked together, and thrown over the
+shoulders like a herald's coat without sleeves; and the shirt, to say
+the truth, stolen from my host of St. Alban, or the red-nosed innkeeper
+of Daintry. But that's all one, they'll find linen enough on every
+hedge." (1 Henry IV., act iii. sc. 2).]
+
+[Footnote 224: The Tory _Postboy_ was published by Abel Roper; and the
+Whig _Flying Post_ by George Ridpath:
+
+    "There Ridpath, Roper, cudgelled might ye view,
+    The very worsted still looked black and blue."
+
+("Dunciad," ii. 149.) It is remarkable that both Roper and Ridpath died
+on the same day, Feb. 5, 1726. Swift and others sometimes contributed to
+Roper's paper for party purposes.]
+
+[Footnote 225: Abel Boyer (1667-1729), author of "The Political State of
+Great Britain," was a Whig journalist towards whom Swift felt bitterly.
+"The Secretary promises me to swinge him," he wrote in 1711; "I must
+make that rogue an example for a warning to others." Boyer compiled a
+valuable French and English dictionary.]
+
+[Footnote 226: Samuel Buckley was printer of the _London Gazette, Daily
+Courant_, and _Spectator_. He died in 1741.]
+
+[Footnote 227: Drawcansir, in "The Rehearsal," is described by another
+character as "a great hero, who frights his mistress, snubs up kings,
+baffles armies, and does what he will, without regard to number, good
+sense, or justice."]
+
+[Footnote 228: John Dyer was a Jacobite journalist who issued a
+news-letter to country subscribers, among whom was Sir Roger de Coverley
+(_Spectator_, No. 127), by whom he was held in high esteem. Defoe
+(_Review_, vi. 132) says that Dyer "did not so much write what his
+readers should believe, as what they would believe." Vellum, in
+Addison's "The Drummer" (act ii. sc. i), cannot but believe his master
+is living, "because the news of his death was first published in Dyer's
+Letter." See also _Spectator_, Nos. 43 and 457. At the trial of John
+Tutchin for seditious libel (Howell's "State Trials," xiv. 1150), on
+complaint being made by counsel that Dyer had charged him with broaching
+seditious principles, Lord Chief Justice Holt said, "Dyer is very
+familiar with me too sometimes; but you need not fear such a little
+scandalous paper of such a scandalous author."]
+
+[Footnote 229: Ichabod Dawks was another "epistolary historian" (see
+_Spectator_, No. 457, and _Tatler_, No. 178). Dawks and Dyer are both
+introduced by Edmund Smith, author of "Phædra and Hippolitus," in his
+poem, "Charlettus Percivallo suo":
+
+    "Scribe securus, quid agit Senatus,
+    Quid caput stertit grave Lambethanum,
+    Quid comes Guilford, quid habent novorum.
+                                            "Dawksque Dyerque."
+]
+
+[Footnote 230: The _Daily Courant_, our first daily newspaper, was begun
+in 1702.]
+
+[Footnote 231: Chelsea Hospital, for old soldiers, was founded in 1682.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 19. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 21_, to _Tuesday, May 24_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 23.
+
+There is nothing can give a man of any consideration greater pain, than
+to see order and distinction laid aside amongst men, especially when the
+rank (of which he himself is a member) is intruded upon by such as have
+no pretence to that honour. The appellation of Esquire is the most
+notoriously abused in this kind of any class amongst men, insomuch that
+it is become almost the subject of derision: but I will be bold to say,
+this behaviour towards it proceeds from the ignorance of the people in
+its true origin. I shall therefore, as briefly as possible, do myself
+and all true esquires the justice to look into antiquity upon this
+subject.
+
+In the first ages of the world, before the invention of jointures and
+settlements, when the noble passion of love had possession of the hearts
+of men, and the fair sex were not yet cultivated into the merciful
+disposition which they have showed in latter centuries, it was natural
+for great and heroic spirits to retire to rivulets, woods, and caves, to
+lament their destiny, and the cruelty of the fair persons who were deaf
+to their lamentations. The hero in this distress was generally in
+armour, and in a readiness to fight any man he met with, especially if
+distinguished by any extraordinary qualifications, it being the nature
+of heroic love to hate all merit, lest it should come within the
+observation of the cruel one, by whom its own perfections are neglected.
+A lover of this kind had always about him a person of a second value,
+and subordinate to him, who could hear his afflictions, carry an
+enchantment for his wounds, hold his helmet when he was eating (if ever
+he did eat); or in his absence, when he was retired to his apartment in
+any king's palace, tell the prince himself, or perhaps his daughter, the
+birth, parentage, and adventures, of his valiant master. This trusty
+companion was styled his esquire, and was always fit for any offices
+about him; was as gentle and chaste as a gentleman usher, quick and
+active as an equerry, smooth and eloquent as a master of the ceremonies.
+A man thus qualified was the first, as the ancients affirm, who was
+called an esquire; and none without these accomplishments ought to
+assume our order: but, to the utter disgrace and confusion of the
+heralds, every pretender is admitted into this fraternity, even persons
+the most foreign to this courteous institution. I have taken an
+inventory of all within this city, and looked over every letter in the
+post-office for my better information. There are of the Middle Temple,
+including all in the buttery books, and in the lists of the house, 5000.
+In the Inner, 4000. In the King's Bench Walks, the whole buildings are
+inhabited by esquires only. The adjacent street of Essex, from Morris'
+Coffee-house, and the turning towards the Grecian, you cannot meet one
+who is not an esquire, till you take water. Every house in Norfolk and
+Arundel Streets is governed also by a squire, or his lady. Soho Square,
+Bloomsbury Square, and all other places where the floors rise above nine
+feet, are so many universities, where you enter yourselves, and become
+of our order. However, if this were the worst of the evil, it were to be
+supported, because they are generally men of some figure and use; though
+I know no pretence they have to an honour which had its rise from
+chivalry. But if you travel into the counties of Great Britain, we are
+still more imposed upon by innovation. We are indeed derived from the
+field: but shall that give title to all that ride mad after foxes, that
+halloo when they see a hare, or venture their necks full speed after a
+hawk, immediately to commence esquires? No, our order is temperate,
+cleanly, sober, and chaste; but these rural esquires commit immodesties
+upon haycocks, wear shirts half a week, and are drunk twice a day. These
+men are also to the last degree excessive in their food: an esquire of
+Norfolk eats two pounds of dumpling every meal, as if obliged to it by
+our order: an esquire of Hampshire is as ravenous in devouring hogs'
+flesh: one of Essex has as little mercy on calves. But I must take the
+liberty to protest against them, and acquaint those persons, that it is
+not the quantity they eat, but the manner of eating, that shows a
+squire. But above all, I am most offended at small quillmen, and
+transcribing clerks, who are all come into our order, for no reason that
+I know of, but that they can easily flourish it at the end of their
+name. I'll undertake, that if you read the superscriptions to all the
+offices in the kingdom, you will not find three letters directed to any
+but esquires. I have myself a couple of clerks, and the rogues make
+nothing of leaving messages upon each other's desk: one directs, to
+"Degory Goosequill, Esq."; to which the other replies by a note, to
+"Nehemiah Dashwell, Esq.; with respect." In a word, it is now, _populus
+armigerorum_, a people of esquires. And I don't know, but, by the late
+Act of Naturalisation,[232] foreigners will assume that title, as part
+of the immunity of being Englishmen. All these improprieties flow from
+the negligence of the Heralds' Office. Those gentlemen in parti-coloured
+habits do not so rightly, as they ought, understand themselves; though
+they are dressed _cap-a-pié_ in hieroglyphics, they are inwardly but
+ignorant men. I asked an acquaintance of mine, who is a man of wit, but
+of no fortune, and is forced to appear as Jack Pudding on the stage to a
+mountebank: "Prithee, Jack, why is your coat of so many colours?" He
+replied, "I act a fool, and this spotted dress is to signify, that every
+man living has a weak place about him; for I am knight of the shire, and
+represent you all." I wish the heralds would know as well as this man
+does, in his way, that they are to act for us in the case of our arms
+and appellations: we should not then be jumbled together in so
+promiscuous and absurd a manner. I design to take this matter into
+further consideration, and no man shall be received as an esquire, who
+cannot bring a certificate, that he has conquered some lady's obdurate
+heart; that he can lead up a country dance, or carry a message between
+her and her lover, with address, secrecy and diligence. A squire is
+properly born for the service of the sex, and his credentials shall be
+signed by three toasts, and one prude, before his title shall be
+received in my office.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 23.
+
+On Saturday last was presented, "The Busy Body," a comedy, written (as I
+have heretofore remarked) by a woman.[233] The plot and incidents of the
+play are laid with that subtlety of spirit which is peculiar to females
+of wit, and is very seldom well performed by those of the other sex, in
+whom craft in love is an act of invention, and not, as with women, the
+effect of nature and instinct.
+
+To-morrow will be acted a play, called, "The Trip to the Jubilee."[234]
+This performance is the greatest instance that we can have of the
+irresistible force of proper action. The dialogue in itself has
+something too low to bear a criticism upon it: but Mr. Wilks enters into
+the part with so much skill, that the gallantry, the youth, and gaiety
+of a young man of a plentiful fortune, is looked upon with as much
+indulgence on the stage, as in real life, without any of those
+intermixtures of wit and humour, which usually prepossess us in favour
+of such characters in other plays.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 23.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, Mr. Walpole[235]
+(who is since arrived) was going with all expedition to Great Britain,
+whither they doubted not but he carried with him the preliminaries to a
+treaty of peace. The French Minister, Monsieur Torcy, has been observed
+in this whole negotiation to turn his discourse upon the calamities sent
+down by Heaven upon France, and imputed the necessities they were under
+to the immediate hand of Providence, in inflicting a general scarcity of
+provision, rather than the superior genius of the generals, or the
+bravery of the armies against them. It would be impious not to
+acknowledge the indulgence of Heaven to us; but at the same time, as we
+are to love our enemies, we are glad to see them mortified enough to mix
+Christianity with their politics. An authentic letter from Madame
+Maintenon to Monsieur Torcy has been stolen by a person about him, who
+has communicated a copy of it to some of the dependants of a Minister of
+the Allies. That epistle is writ in the most pathetic manner imaginable,
+and in a style which shows her genius, that has so long engrossed the
+heart of this great monarch.[236]
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I received yours, and am sensible of the address and capacity with
+which you have hitherto transacted the great affair under your
+management. You well observe, that our wants here are not to be
+concealed; and that it is vanity to use artifices with the knowing men
+with whom you are to deal. Let me beg you therefore, in this
+representation of our circumstances, to lay aside art, which ceases to
+be such when it is seen, and make use of all your skill, to gain us what
+advantages you can from the enemy's jealousy of each other's greatness;
+which is the place where only you have room for any dexterity. If you
+have any passion for your unhappy country, or any affection for your
+distressed master, come home with peace. O Heaven! Do I live to talk of
+Lewis the Great as the object of pity? The king shows a great uneasiness
+to be informed of all that passes; but at the same time, is fearful of
+every one who appears in his presence, lest he should bring an account
+of some new calamity. I know not in what terms to represent my thoughts
+to you, when I speak of the king, with relation to his bodily health.
+Figure to yourself that immortal man, who stood in our public places,
+represented with trophies, armour, and terrors, on his pedestal:
+consider, the Invincible, the Great, the Good, the Pious, the Mighty,
+which were the usual epithets we gave him, both in our language and
+thoughts. I say, consider him whom you knew the most glorious and great
+of monarchs; and now think you see the same man an unhappy Lazar, in the
+lowest circumstances of human nature itself, without regard to the state
+from whence he is fallen. I write from his bedside: he is at present in
+a slumber. I have many, many things to add; but my tears flow too fast,
+and my sorrow is too big for utterance.
+
+"I am, etc."
+
+There is such a veneration due from all men to the persons of princes,
+that it were a sort of dishonesty to represent further the condition
+which the king is in; but it is certain, that soon after the receipt of
+these advices, Monsieur Torcy waited upon his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Lord Townshend, and in that conference gave up many
+points, which he had before said were such, as he must return to France
+before he could answer.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 232: See No. 13.]
+
+[Footnote 233: Mrs. Centlivre. See No. 15.]
+
+[Footnote 234: Wilks took the part of Sir Harry Wildair in Farquhar's
+"The Constant Couple; or, A Trip to the Jubilee," 1699.]
+
+[Footnote 235: Horatio Walpole, Secretary to the Embassy at the Hague,
+and brother of Sir Robert Walpole.]
+
+[Footnote 236: This letter is a pure invention.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 20. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 24_, to _Thursday, May 26_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 24.
+
+It is not to be imagined how far prepossession will run away with
+people's understandings, in cases wherein they are under present
+uneasiness. The following narration is a sufficient testimony of the
+truth of this observation.
+
+I had the honour the other day of a visit from a gentlewoman (a stranger
+to me) who seemed to be about thirty. Her complexion is brown; but the
+air of her face has an agreeableness, which surpasses the beauties of
+the fairest women. There appeared in her look and mien a sprightly
+health; and her eyes had too much vivacity to become the language of
+complaint, which she began to enter into. She seemed sensible of it; and
+therefore, with downcast looks, said she, "Mr. Bickerstaff, you see
+before you the unhappiest of women; and therefore, as you are esteemed
+by all the world both a great civilian, as well as an astrologer, I must
+desire your advice and assistance, in putting me in a method of
+obtaining a divorce from a marriage, which I know the law will pronounce
+void." "Madam," said I, "your grievance is of such a nature, that you
+must be very ingenuous in representing the causes of your complaint, or
+I cannot give you the satisfaction you desire." "Sir," she answers, "I
+believed there would be no need of half your skill in the art of
+divination, to guess why a woman would part from her husband." "It is
+true," said I; "but suspicions, or guesses at what you mean, nay
+certainty of it, except you plainly speak it, are no foundation for a
+formal suit." She clapped her fan before her face; "My husband," said
+she, "is no more a husband" (here she burst into tears) "than one of the
+Italian singers."
+
+"Madam," said I, "the affliction you complain of, is to be redressed by
+law; but at the same time, consider what mortifications you are to go
+through in bringing it into open court; how you will be able to bear the
+impertinent whispers of the people present at the trial, the licentious
+reflections of the pleaders, and the interpretations that will in
+general be put upon your conduct by all the world: 'How little,' will
+they say, 'could that lady command her passions.' Besides, consider,
+that curbing our desires is the greatest glory we can arrive at in this
+world, and will be most rewarded in the next." She answered, like a
+prudent matron, "Sir, if you please to remember the office of matrimony,
+the first cause of its institution is that of having posterity:
+therefore, as to the curbing desires, I am willing to undergo any
+abstinence from food as you please to enjoin me; but I cannot, with any
+quiet of mind, live in the neglect of a necessary duty, and an express
+commandment, Increase and multiply." Observing she was learned, and
+knew so well the duties of life, I turned my arguments rather to dehort
+her from this public procedure by examples, than precepts. "Do but
+consider, madam, what crowds of beauteous women live in nunneries,
+secluded for ever from the sight and conversation of men, with all the
+alacrity of spirit imaginable; they spend their time in heavenly
+raptures, in constant and frequent devotions, and at proper hours in
+agreeable conversations." "Sir," said she hastily, "tell not me of
+Papists, or any of their idolatries." "Well then, madam, consider how
+many fine ladies live innocently in the eye of the world, and this gay
+town, in the midst of temptation: there's the witty Mrs. W---- is a
+virgin of 44, Mrs. T----s is 39, Mrs. L----ce, 33; yet you see, they
+laugh and are gay, at the park, at the playhouse, at balls, and at
+visits; and so much at ease, that all this seems hardly a self-denial."
+"Mr. Bickerstaff," said she, with some emotion, "you are an excellent
+casuist; but the last word destroyed your whole argument; if it is not
+self-denial, it is no virtue. I presented you with a half-guinea, in
+hopes not only to have my conscience eased, but my fortune told. Yet--"
+"Well, madam," said I, "pray of what age is your husband?" "He is,"
+replied my injured client, "fifty, and I have been his wife fifteen
+years." "How happened it, you never communicated your distress in all
+this time to your friends and relations?" She answered, "He has been
+thus but a fortnight." I am the most serious man in the world to look
+at, and yet could not forbear laughing out. "Why, madam, in case of
+infirmity, which proceeds only from age, the law gives no remedy."
+"Sir," said she, "I find you have no more learning than Dr. Case;[237]
+and I am told of a young man, not five and twenty, just come from
+Oxford, to whom I will communicate this whole matter, and doubt not but
+he will appear to have seven times more useful and satisfactory
+knowledge than you and all your boasted family." Thus I have entirely
+lost my client: but if this tedious narrative preserves Pastorella from
+the intended marriage with one twenty years her senior--To save a fine
+lady, I am contented to have my learning decried, and my predictions
+bound up with Poor Robin's Almanacks.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 25.
+
+This evening was acted, "The Recruiting Officer,"[238] in which Mr.
+Estcourt's[239] proper sense and observation is what supports the play.
+There is not, in my humble opinion, the humour hit in Sergeant Kite; but
+it is admirably supplied by his action. If I have skill to judge, that
+man is an excellent actor; but the crowd of the audience are fitter for
+representations at Mayfair, than a theatre royal. Yet that fair is now
+broke,[240] as well as the theatre is breaking: but it is allowed still
+to sell animals there. Therefore, if any lady or gentleman have occasion
+for a tame elephant, let them inquire of Mr. Pinkethman, who has one to
+dispose of at a reasonable rate.[241] The downfall of Mayfair has quite
+sunk the price of this noble creature, as well as of many other
+curiosities of nature. A tiger will sell almost as cheap as an ox; and I
+am credibly informed, a man may purchase a cat with three legs, for very
+near the value of one with four. I hear likewise, that there is a great
+desolation among the gentlemen and ladies who were the ornaments of the
+town, and used to shine in plumes and diadems; the heroes being most of
+them pressed, and the queens beating hemp. Mrs. Sarabrand, so famous for
+her ingenious puppet-show, has set up a shop in the Exchange,[242] where
+she sells her little troop under the term of jointed babies.[243] I
+could not but be solicitous to know of her, how she had disposed of that
+rake-hell Punch, whose lewd life and conversation had given so much
+scandal, and did not a little contribute to the ruin of the fair. She
+told me, with a sigh, that despairing of ever reclaiming him, she would
+not offer to place him in a civil family, but got him in a post upon a
+stall in Wapping, where he may be seen from sun-rising to sun-setting,
+with a glass in one hand, and a pipe in the other, as sentry to a
+brandy-shop. The great revolutions of this nature bring to my mind the
+distresses of the unfortunate Camilla[244], who has had the ill-luck to
+break before her voice, and to disappear at a time when her beauty was
+in the height of its bloom. This lady entered so thoroughly into the
+great characters she acted, that when she had finished her part, she
+could not think of retrenching her equipage, but would appear in her own
+lodgings with the same magnificence that she did upon the stage. This
+greatness of soul has reduced that unhappy princess to an involuntary
+retirement, where she now passes her time among the woods and forests,
+thinking on the crowns and sceptres she has lost, and often humming over
+in her solitude,
+
+    _"I was born of royal race,
+    Yet must wander in disgrace," &c._
+
+But for fear of being overheard, and her quality known, she usually
+sings it in Italian:
+
+    _"Naqui al regno, naqui al trono
+    E pur sono
+    Inventurata Pastorella--"_
+
+Since I have touched upon this subject, I shall communicate to my reader
+part of a letter I have received from an ingenious friend at Amsterdam,
+where there is a very noble theatre; though the manner of furnishing it
+with actors is something peculiar to that place, and gives us occasion
+to admire both the politeness and frugality of the people.
+
+My friends have kept me here a week longer than ordinary to see one of
+their plays, which was performed last night with great applause. The
+actors are all of them tradesmen, who, after their day's work is over,
+earn about a guilder a night by personating kings and generals. The hero
+of the tragedy I saw, was a journeyman tailor, and his first minister of
+state a coffee-man. The empress made me think of Parthenope[245] in "The
+Rehearsal"; for her mother keeps an ale-house in the suburbs of
+Amsterdam. When the tragedy was over, they entertained us with a short
+farce, in which the cobbler did his part to a miracle; but upon inquiry,
+I found he had really been working at his own trade, and representing on
+the stage what he acted every day in his shop. The profits of the
+theatre maintain a hospital: for as here they do not think the
+profession of an actor the only trade that a man ought to exercise, so
+they will not allow anybody to grow rich on a profession that in their
+opinion so little conduces to the good of the commonwealth. If I am not
+mistaken, your playhouses in England have done the same thing; for,
+unless I am misinformed, the hospital at Dulwich was erected and endowed
+by Mr. Alleyn,[246] a player: and it is also said, a famous
+she-tragedian[247] has settled her estate, after her death, for the
+maintenance of decayed wits, who are to be taken in as soon as they grow
+dull, at whatever time of their life that shall happen.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 25.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 31st instant, N.S., say, that the articles
+preliminary to a general peace were settled, communicated to the
+States-General and all the foreign Ministers residing there, and
+transmitted to their respective masters on the 28th. Monsieur Torcy
+immediately returned to the Court of France, from whence he is expected
+again on the 4th of the next month, with those articles ratified by that
+Court. The Hague is agreed upon for the place of treaty, and the 15th of
+the next month the day on which it is to commence. The terms on which
+this negotiation is founded, are not yet declared by public authority;
+but what is most generally received, is as follows:
+
+Her Majesty's right and title, and the Protestant succession to those
+dominions, is forthwith to be acknowledged. King Charles is also to be
+owned the lawful sovereign of Spain; and the French king shall not only
+recall his troops out of that kingdom, and deliver up to the Allies the
+towns of Roses, Fontarabia, and Pampeluna; but in case the Duke of Anjou
+shall not retire out of the Spanish dominions, he shall be obliged to
+assist the Allies to force him from thence. A cessation of arms is
+agreed upon for two months from the first day of the treaty. The port
+and fortifications of Dunkirk are to be demolished within four months;
+but the town itself left in the hands of the French. The Pretender is to
+be obliged to leave France. All Newfoundland is to be restored to the
+English. As to the other parts of America, the French are to restore
+whatever they may have taken from the English, as the English in like
+manner to give up what they may have taken from the French before the
+commencement of the treaty. The trade between Great Britain and France
+shall be settled upon the same foundation as in the reign of King
+Charles II.
+
+The Dutch are to have for their barriers, Nieuport, Berg, St. Vinox,
+Furnes, Ipres, Lille, Tournay, Douay, Valenciennes, Condé, Maubeuge,
+Mons, Charleroy, Namur, and Luxemburg; all which places shall be
+delivered up to the Allies before the end of June. The trade between
+Holland and France shall be on the same foot as in 1664. The cities of
+Strasburg, Brisac, and Alsatia, shall be restored to the Emperor and
+Empire; and the King of France, pursuant to the Treaty of Westphalia in
+1648, shall only retain the protection of ten imperial cities, viz.,
+Colmar, Schlestat, Haguenau, Munster, Turkeim, Keisemberg, Obrenheim,
+Rosheim, Weisemburg, and Landau. Huninguen, Fort Louis, Fort Kiel, and
+New Brisac shall be demolished, and all the fortifications from Basle to
+Philipsburg. The King of Prussia shall remain in the peaceable
+possession of Neufchatel. The affair of Orange, as also the pretensions
+of his Prussian Majesty in the French Comté, shall be determined at this
+general negotiation of peace. The Duke of Savoy shall have a restitution
+made of all that has been taken from him by the French, and remain
+master of Exilles, Chamont, Fenestrelles, and the Valley of
+Pragelas.[248]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 237: John Case, astrologer and friend of John Partridge,
+succeeded to Saffold's habitation in Blackfriars gateway, opposite to
+Ludgate Church, whence he issued many advertisements. "Their old
+physician begged they would not forget him--he gives his advice for
+nothing--his cures are private. At Lilly's Head, &c., is the only place
+to obtain health, long life, and happiness, by your old friend Dr. Case,
+who extirpates the foundation of all diseases":
+
+    "At the Golden Ball and Lillie's Head
+    John Case lives though Saffold's dead."
+
+His handbills were commonly adorned with a variety of emblematic devices
+and poetry. See note on Kirleus, in No. 14; and Nos. 216, 240. Case's
+most important book was his "Compendium Anatomicum nova methodo
+institutum," 1695.]
+
+[Footnote 238: By Farquhar; first acted in 1706.]
+
+[Footnote 239: Richard Estcourt (1668-1712), whom Farquhar specially
+selected to act the part of Sergeant Kite, is celebrated by Steele in a
+well-known paper in the _Spectator_ (No. 468; see also No. 390).
+Estcourt was providore of the Beefsteak Club, and wrote two or three
+dramatic pieces. See No. 51.]
+
+[Footnote 240: See No. 4. This article was printed by Tickell among
+Addison's works.]
+
+[Footnote 241: In 1704, Pinkethman advertised that at his booth he would
+speak an epilogue upon an elephant between nine and ten feet high,
+arrived from Guinea, led upon the stage by six blacks.]
+
+[Footnote 242: This may be either the Royal Exchange or the New
+Exchange, in the Strand. There were shops for the sale of trinkets and
+toys at both places.]
+
+[Footnote 243: "Baby" was a term often applied to dolls.]
+
+[Footnote 244: Mrs. Katherine Tofts sang in English to Nicolini's
+Italian, in Buononcini's opera of "Camilla," but this absurdity was
+forgiven on account of the charm of their voices. In 1709, in the height
+of her beauty, Mrs. Tofts left the stage, owing to her intellect
+becoming disordered; but afterwards she married Mr. Joseph Smith, a
+gentleman who lived in great state; but his wife's mind again gave way,
+and she spent hours walking and singing in a garden attached to a remote
+part of the house. She died in 1760. See _Spectator,_ Nos. 18, 22 and
+443, where there is a letter purporting to be from Mrs. Tofts, at
+Venice.]
+
+[Footnote 245: In act iii. sc. 2 of "The Rehearsal," Prince Volscius
+falls in love at first sight with Parthenope, who says:
+
+    "My mother, sir, sells ale by the town-walls,
+    And me her dear Parthenope she calls;"
+
+whereupon Volscius (repeating words from Davenant's "Siege of Rhodes")
+replies:
+
+    "Can vulgar vestments high-born beauty shroud?
+    Thou bring'st the morning pictured in a cloud."
+]
+
+[Footnote 246: Edward Alleyn, the actor, who died in 1626, aged 61,
+founded Dulwich Hospital.]
+
+[Footnote 247: Mrs. Bracegirdle; see No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 248: "It is said that Monsieur Torcy, when he signed this
+instrument broke into this exclamation: 'Would Colbert have signed such
+a treaty for France?' On which a Minister present was pleased to say,
+'Colbert himself would have been proud to have saved France in these
+circumstances on such terms'" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 21. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 26_, to _Saturday, May 28_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 26.
+
+A gentleman has writ to me out of the country a very civil letter, and
+said things which I suppress with great violence to my vanity. There are
+many terms in my narratives which he complains want explaining, and has
+therefore desired, that, for the benefit of my country readers, I would
+let him know what I mean by a Gentleman, a Pretty Fellow, a Toast, a
+Coquette, a Critic, a Wit, and all other appellations in the gayer
+world, who are in present possession of these several characters;
+together with an account of those who unfortunately pretend to them. I
+shall begin with him we usually call a Gentleman, or man of
+conversation. It is generally thought, that warmth of imagination, quick
+relish of pleasure, and a manner of becoming it, are the most essential
+qualities for forming this sort of man. But any one that is much in
+company will observe, that the height of good breeding is shown rather
+in never giving offence, than in doing obliging things. Thus, he that
+never shocks you, though he is seldom entertaining, is more likely to
+keep your favour, than he who often entertains, and sometimes displeases
+you. The most necessary talent therefore in a man of conversation, which
+is what we ordinarily intend by a fine gentleman, is a good judgment. He
+that has this in perfection, is master of his companion, without letting
+him see it; and has the same advantage over men of any other
+qualifications whatsoever, as one that can see would have over a blind
+man of ten times his strength. This is what makes Sophronius the
+darling of all who converse with him, and the most powerful with his
+acquaintance of any man in town. By the light of this faculty, he acts
+with great ease and freedom among the men of pleasure, and acquits
+himself with skill and despatch among the men of business. This he
+performs with so much success, that, with as much discretion in life as
+any man ever had, he neither is, nor appears, cunning. But as he does a
+good office, if he ever does it, with readiness and alacrity; so he
+denies what he does not care to engage in, in a manner that convinces
+you, that you ought not to have asked it. His judgment is so good and
+unerring, and accompanied with so cheerful a spirit, that his
+conversation is a continual feast, at which he helps some, and is helped
+by others, in such a manner, that the equality of society is perfectly
+kept up, and every man obliges as much as he is obliged: for it is the
+greatest and justest skill in a man of superior understanding, to know
+how to be on a level with his companions. This sweet disposition runs
+through all the actions of Sophronius, and makes his company desired by
+women, without being envied by men. Sophronius would be as just as he
+is, if there were no law; and would be as discreet as he is, if there
+were no such thing as calumny.
+
+In imitation of this agreeable being, is made that animal we call a
+Pretty Fellow; who being just able to find out, that what makes
+Sophronius acceptable, is a natural behaviour; in order to the same
+reputation, makes his own an artificial one. Jack Dimple is his perfect
+mimic, whereby he is of course the most unlike him of all men living.
+Sophronius just now passed into the inner room directly forward: Jack
+comes as fast after as he can for the right and left looking-glass, in
+which he had but just approved himself by a nod at each, and marched on.
+He will meditate within for half an hour, till he thinks he is not
+careless enough in his air, and come back to the mirror to recollect his
+forgetfulness.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 27.
+
+This night was acted the comedy, called, "The Fox";[249] but I wonder
+the modern writers do not use their interest in the house to suppress
+such representations. A man that has been at this, will hardly like any
+other play during the season: therefore I humbly move, that the
+writings, as well as dresses, of the last age, should give way to the
+present fashion. We are come into a good method enough (if we were not
+interrupted in our mirth by such an apparition as a play of Jonson's) to
+be entertained at more ease, both to the spectator and the writer, than
+in the days of old. It is no difficulty to get hats, and swords, and
+wigs, and shoes, and everything else, from the shops in town, and make a
+man show himself by his habit, without more ado, to be a counsellor, a
+fop, a courtier, or a citizen, and not be obliged to make those
+characters talk in different dialects to be distinguished from each
+other. This is certainly the surest and best way of writing: but such a
+play as this makes a man for a month after overrun with criticism, and
+inquire, what every man on the stage said? What had such a one to do to
+meddle with such a thing? How came the other, who was bred after such a
+manner, to speak so like a man conversant among a different people?
+These questions rob us of all our pleasure; for at this rate, no one
+sentence in a play should be spoken by any one character, which could
+possibly enter into the head of any other man represented in it; but
+every sentiment should be peculiar to him only who utters it. Laborious
+Ben's works will bear this sort of inquisition; but if the present
+writers were thus examined, and the offences against this rule cut out,
+few plays would be long enough for the whole evening's entertainment.
+But I don't know how they did in those old times: this same Ben Jonson
+has made every one's passion in this play be towards money, and yet not
+one of them expresses that desire, or endeavours to obtain it any way
+but what is peculiar to him only: one sacrifices his wife, another his
+profession, another his posterity from the same motive; but their
+characters are kept so skilfully apart, that it seems prodigious their
+discourses should rise from the invention of the same author. But the
+poets are a nest of hornets, and I'll drive these thoughts no farther,
+but must mention some hard treatment I am like to meet with from my
+brother-writers. I am credibly informed, that the author of a play,
+called, "Love in a Hollow Tree,"[250] has made some remarks upon my late
+discourse on "The Naked Truth."[251] I cannot blame a gentleman for
+writing against any error; it is for the good of the learned world. But
+I would have the thing fairly left between us two, and not under the
+protection of patrons. But my intelligence is, that he has dedicated his
+treatise to the Honourable Mr. Ed----d H----rd.[252]
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 27.
+
+"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._
+
+"York, May 16, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Being convinced as the whole world is, how infallible your predictions
+are, and having the honour to be your near relation, of the Staffian
+family, I was under great concern at one of your predictions relating to
+yourself, wherein you foretold your own death would happen on the 17th
+instant, unless it were prevented by the assistance of well-disposed
+people:[253] I have therefore prevailed on my own modesty to send you a
+piece of news, which may serve instead of Goddard's Drops,[254] to keep
+you alive for two days, till nature be able to recover itself, or till
+you meet with some better help from other hands. Therefore, without
+further ceremony, I will go on to relate a singular adventure just
+happened in the place where I am writing, wherein it may be highly
+useful for the public to be informed.[255]
+
+"Three young ladies of our town were on Saturday last indicted for
+witchcraft. The witnesses against the first deposed upon oath before
+Justice Bindover, that she kept spirits locked up in velvets, which
+sometimes appeared in flames of blue fire; that she used magical herbs,
+with some of which she drew in hundreds of men daily to her, who went
+out from her presence all inflamed, their mouths parched, and a hot
+steam issuing from them, attended with a grievous stench; that many of
+the said men were by the force of that herb metamorphosed into swine,
+and lay wallowing in the kennels for twenty-four hours, before they
+could reassume their shapes or their senses.
+
+"It was proved against the second, that she cut off by night the limbs
+from dead bodies that were hanged, and was seen to dig holes in the
+ground, to mutter some conjuring words, and bury pieces of the flesh,
+after the usual manner of witches.
+
+"The third was accused for a notorious piece of sorcery, long practised
+by hags, of moulding up pieces of dough into the shapes of men, women,
+and children; then heating them at a gentle fire, which had a
+sympathetic power to torment the bowels of those in the neighbourhood.
+
+"This was the sum of what was objected against the three ladies, who
+indeed had nothing to say in their own defence, but downright denying
+the facts, which is like to avail very little when they come upon their
+trials.
+
+"But the parson of our parish, a strange refractory man, will believe
+nothing of all this; so that the whole town cries out, 'Shame! that one
+of his coat should be such an atheist;' and design to complain of him to
+the bishop. He goes about very oddly to solve the matter. He supposes,
+that the first of these ladies keeping a brandy and tobacco shop, the
+fellows went out smoking, and got drunk towards evening, and made
+themselves beasts. He says, the second is a butcher's daughter, and
+sometimes brings a quarter of mutton from the slaughter-house overnight
+against a market-day, and once buried a bit of beef in the ground, as a
+known receipt to cure warts on her hands. The parson affirms, that the
+third sells gingerbread, which, to please the children, she is forced to
+stamp with images before it is baked; and if it burns their guts, it is
+because they eat too much, or do not drink after it.
+
+"These are the answers he gives to solve this wonderful phenomenon; upon
+which I shall not animadvert, but leave it among the philosophers: and
+so wishing you all success in your undertakings for the amendment of the
+world, I remain,
+
+"Dear Cousin,
+
+"Your most affectionate Kinsman,
+
+"and humble Servant,
+
+                                        "EPHRAIM BEDSTAFF."
+
+"P.S.--Those who were condemned to death among the Athenians, were
+obliged to take a dose of poison, which made them die upwards, seizing
+first upon their feet, making them cold and insensible, and so ascending
+gradually, till it reached the vital parts. I believe your death, which
+you foretold would happen on the 17th instant, will fall out the same
+way, and that your distemper hath already seized on you, and makes
+progress daily. The lower part of you, that is, the advertisements,[256]
+is dead; and these have risen for these ten days last past, so that they
+now take up almost a whole paragraph. Pray, sir, do your endeavour to
+drive this distemper as much as possible to the extreme parts, and keep
+it there, as wise folks do the gout; for if it once gets into your
+stomach, it will soon fly up into your head, and you are a dead man."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 27.
+
+We hear from Leghorn, that Sir Edward Whitaker, with five men-of-war,
+four transports, and two fire-ships, was arrived at that port, and
+Admiral Byng was suddenly expected. Their squadrons being joined, they
+design to sail directly for Final, to transport the reinforcements,
+lodged in those parts, to Barcelona.
+
+They write from Milan, that Count Thaun arrived there on the 16th
+instant, N.S., and proceeded on his journey to Turin on the 21st, in
+order to concert such measures with his royal highness, as shall appear
+necessary for the operations of the ensuing campaign.
+
+Advices from Dauphiny say, that the troops of the Duke of Savoy began
+already to appear in those valleys, whereof he made himself master the
+last year; and that the Duke of Berwick applied himself with all
+imaginable diligence to secure the passes of the mountains by ordering
+entrenchments to be made towards Briançon, Tourneau, and the Valley of
+Queiras. That general has also been at Marseilles and Toulon, to hasten
+the transportation of the corn and provisions designed for his army.
+
+Letters from Vienna, bearing date May 23, N.S., import, that the
+Cardinal of Saxe-Zeits and the Prince of Lichtenstein were preparing to
+set out for Presburg, to assist at the Diet of the States of Hungary,
+which is to be assembled at that place on the 25th of this month.
+General Heister would shortly appear at the head of his army at
+Trentschin, which place is appointed for the general rendezvous of the
+Imperial forces in Hungary; from whence he will advance to lay siege to
+Neuhausel: in the meantime, reinforcements, with a great train of
+artillery, are marching the same way. The King of Denmark arrived on the
+both instant at Innspruck, and on the 26th at Dresden, under a triple
+discharge of the artillery of that place; but his Majesty refused the
+ceremonies of a public entry.
+
+Our letters from the Upper Rhine say, that the Imperial army began to
+form itself at Etlingen; where the respective deputies of the Elector
+Palatine, the Prince of Baden Durlach, the Bishopric of Spires, &c. were
+assembled, and had taken the necessary measures for the provision of
+forage, the security of the country against the incursions of the enemy,
+and laying a bridge over the Rhine. Several vessels laden with corn are
+daily passing before Frankfort for the Lower Rhine.
+
+Letters from Poland inform us, that a detachment of Muscovite cavalry,
+under the command of General Infland, had joined the confederate army;
+and the infantry commanded by General Goltz, was expected to come up
+within few days. These succours will amount to 20,000 men.
+
+Our last advices from the Hague, dated June the 4th, N.S., say, that
+they expected a courier from the French Court with the ratification of
+the preliminaries that night or the day following. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough will set out for Brussels on Wednesday or Thursday next, if
+the despatches which are expected from Paris don't alter his
+resolutions. Letters from Majorca confirm the honourable capitulation of
+the castle of Alicante, and also the death of the governor,
+Major-General Richards, Colonel Sibourg, and Major Vignolles, who were
+all buried in the ruins of that place, by the springing of their great
+mine, which did, it seems, more execution than was reported. Monsieur
+Torcy passed through Mons in his return, and had there a long conference
+with the Elector of Bavaria; after which, that prince spoke publicly of
+the treatment he had from France with the utmost indignation.
+
+Any person that shall come publicly abroad in a fantastical habit,
+contrary to the present mode and fashion, except Don Diego
+Dismallo,[257] or any other out of poverty, shall have his name and
+dress inserted in our next.
+
+N.B.--Mr. How'd'call is desired to leave off those buttons.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 249: Ben Jonson's "Volpone; or, The Fox."]
+
+[Footnote 250: The comedy, "Love in a Hollow Tree; or, The Lawyer's
+Fortune," was published by William, Lord Viscount Grimston (1683-1756),
+when he was twenty-two years of age. On the occasion of a contested
+election for the borough of St. Albans (1736), it was reprinted--by the
+Duchess of Marlborough, it is said--with notes attacking the author, and
+adorned with the frontispiece of an elephant dancing on a rope. The
+viscount bought up as nearly as he could the whole edition. "This worthy
+notleman was a good husband to one of the best of wives, an indulgent
+father of a numerous offspring, a kind master to his servants, a
+generous friend, and an affable, hospitable neighbour." (Biog. Dram.)]
+
+[Footnote 251: See No. 17]
+
+[Footnote 252: Probably the Hon. Edward Howard, second son of Henry,
+fifth Earl of Suffolk. On the death of his nephew without issue in 1722,
+he became eighth Earl of Suffolk, but he died unmarried in 1731.]
+
+[Footnote 253: See No. 7.]
+
+[Footnote 254: Dr. Jonathan Goddard, the physician and confidant of
+Cromwell, a member of the Royal Society, and medical professor of
+Gresham College, discovered in the course of his chemical experiments,
+the famous elixir, called here his "drops." Dr. Goddard died of an
+apoplexy in 1675. "March 24, 1674-5. About 10 o'clock that night, my
+very good friend, Dr. Jonathan Goddard, reader of the physic lectures at
+Gresham College, suddenly fell down dead in the street, as he was
+entering into a coach. He was a pretty corpulent and tall man, a
+bachelor between 45 and 50 years of age; he was melancholy, inclined to
+be cynical, and used now and then to complain of giddiness in his head.
+He was an excellent mathematician, and some time physician to Oliver the
+Protector" (John Coniers, apothecary, in Shoe Lane. MSS. Sloan. 958).
+The "drops" were a preparation of spirit of hartshorn, with other
+things; they were used in fainting, apoplexies, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 255: With this satire on the vulgar prejudices concerning
+witches, may be compared what Addison says in the _Spectator_ (No. 117):
+"I believe in general that there is and has been such a thing as
+witchcraft; but at the same time can give no credit to any particular
+instance of it."]
+
+[Footnote 256: The number of advertisements in the Tatler gradually
+increased; but as a compensation the "news" paragraph was dropped.]
+
+[Footnote 257: This name was afterwards applied by the Tory writers to
+the Earl of Nottingham; and the author of the 'Examiner' (vol. iii. No
+48) says that it was Steele who first used the name for this nobleman,
+"and upon no less an important affair, than the oddness of his buttons."
+In the 'Guardian (No. 53), however, Steele disavowed any reference to
+Lord Nottingham: "I do not remember the mention of Don Diego; nor do I
+remember tht ever I thought of Lord Nottingham in any character drawn in
+any one paper of Bickerstaff." See also No. 31, below.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 22. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 28_, to _Tuesday, May 31_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 28.
+
+I came hither this evening to see fashions, and who should I first
+encounter but my old friend Cynthio[258] (encompassed by a crowd of
+young fellows) dictating on the passion of love with the gayest air
+imaginable. "Well," says he, "as to what I know of the matter, there is
+nothing but ogling with skill carries a woman; but indeed it is not
+every fool that is capable of this art: you will find twenty can speak
+eloquently, fifty can fight manfully, and a thousand that can dress
+genteelly at a mistress, where there is one that can gaze skilfully.
+This requires an exquisite judgment, to take the language of her eyes to
+yours exactly, and not let yours talk too fast for hers; as at a play
+between the acts, when Beau Frisk stands upon a bench full in
+Lindamira's face, and her dear eyes are searching round to avoid that
+flaring open fool; she meets the watchful glance of her true lover, and
+sees his heart attentive on her charms, and waiting for a second twinkle
+of her eye for its next motion." Here the good company sneered; but he
+goes on. "Nor is this attendance a slavery, when a man meets
+encouragement, and her eye comes often in his way: for, after an evening
+so spent, and the repetition of four or five significant looks at him,
+the happy man goes home to his lodging, full of ten thousand pleasing
+images: his brain is dilated, and gives him all the ideas and prospects
+which it ever lets in to its seat of pleasure. Thus a kind look from
+Lindamira revives in his imagination all the beauteous lawns, green
+fields, woods, forests, rivers and solitudes, which he had ever before
+seen in picture, description, or real life: and all with this addition,
+that he now sees them with the eyes of a happy lover, as before only
+with those of a common man. You laugh, gentlemen: but consider
+yourselves (you common people that were never in love) and compare
+yourselves in good humour with yourselves out of humour, and you will
+then acknowledge, that all external objects affect you according to the
+disposition you are in to receive their impressions, and not as those
+objects are in their own nature. How much more shall all that passes
+within his view and observation, touch with delight a man who is
+prepossessed with successful love, which is an assemblage of soft
+affections, gay desires, and hopeful resolutions?" Poor Cynthio went on
+at this rate to the crowd about him, without any purpose in his talk,
+but to vent a heart overflowing with sense of success. I wondered what
+could exalt him from the distress in which he had long appeared, to so
+much alacrity. But my familiar has given me the state of his affairs. It
+seems then, that lately coming out of the play-house, his mistress, who
+knows he is in her livery (as the manner of insolent beauties is),
+resolved to keep him still so, and gave him so much wages, as to
+complain to him of the crowd she was to pass through. He had his wits
+and resolution enough about him to take her hand, and say, he would
+attend her to her coach. All the way thither, my good young man
+stammered at every word, and stumbled at every step. His mistress,
+wonderfully pleased with her triumph, put him to a thousand questions,
+to make a man of his natural wit speak with hesitation, and let drop her
+fan, to see him recover it awkwardly. This is the whole foundation of
+Cynthio's recovery to the sprightly air he appears with at present. I
+grew mighty curious to know something more of that lady's affairs, as
+being amazed how she could dally with an offer of one of his merit and
+fortune. I sent Pacolet to her lodgings; he immediately brought me back
+the following letter to her friend and confidante Amanda in the country,
+wherein she has opened her heart and all its folds.
+
+"DEAR AMANDA,
+
+The town grows so empty, that you must expect my letter so too, except
+you will allow me to talk of myself instead of others: you cannot
+imagine what pain it is, after a whole day spent in public, to want
+your company, and the ease which friendship allows in being vain to each
+other, and speaking all our minds. An account of the slaughter which
+these unhappy eyes have made within ten days last past, would make me
+appear too great a tyrant to be allowed in a Christian country. I shall
+therefore confine myself to my principal conquests, which are the hearts
+of Beau Frisk, and Jack Freeland, besides Cynthio, who, you know, wore
+my fetters before you went out of town. Shall I tell you my weakness? I
+begin to love Frisk: it is the best-humoured impertinent thing in the
+world: he is always too in waiting, and will certainly carry me off one
+time or other. Freeland's father and mine have been upon treaty without
+consulting me; and Cynthio has been eternally watching my eyes, without
+approaching me, my friends, my maid, or any one about me: he hopes to
+get me, I believe, as they say the rattlesnake does the squirrel, by
+staring at me till I drop into his mouth. Freeland demands me for a
+jointure which he thinks deserves me; Cynthio thinks nothing high enough
+to be my value: Freeland therefore will take it for no obligation to
+have me; and Cynthio's idea of me, is what will vanish by knowing me
+better. Familiarity will equally turn the veneration of the one, and the
+indifference of the other, into contempt. I will stick therefore to my
+old maxim, to have that sort of man, who can have no greater views than
+what are in my power to give him possession of. The utmost of my dear
+Frisk's ambition is, to be thought a man of fashion; and therefore has
+been so much in mode, as to resolve upon me, because the whole town
+likes me. Thus I choose rather a man who loves me because others do,
+than one who approves me on his own judgment. He that judges for himself
+in love, will often change his opinion; but he that follows the sense of
+others, must be constant, as long as a woman can make advances. The
+visits I make, the entertainments I give, and the addresses I receive,
+will be all arguments for me with a man of Frisk's second-hand genius;
+but would be so many bars to my happiness with any other man. However,
+since Frisk can wait, I shall enjoy a summer or two longer, and remain a
+single woman, in the sublime pleasure of being followed and admired;
+which nothing can equal, except that of being beloved by you.
+
+"I am, &c."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 30.
+
+My chief business here this evening was to speak to my friends in behalf
+of honest Cave Underhill,[259] who has been a comic for three
+generations: my father[260] admired him extremely when he was a boy.
+There is certainly nature excellently represented in his manner of
+action; in which he ever avoided that general fault in players, of doing
+too much. It must be confessed, he has not the merit of some ingenious
+persons now on the stage, of adding to his authors; for the actors were
+so dull in the last age, that many of them have gone out of the world,
+without having ever spoke one word of their own in the theatre. Poor
+Cave is so mortified, that he quibbles, and tells you, he pretends only
+to act a part fit for a man who has one foot in the grave; viz., a
+gravedigger. All admirers of true comedy, it is hoped, will have the
+gratitude to be present on the last day of his acting, who, if he does
+not happen to please them, will have it even then to say, that it is his
+first offence.
+
+But there is a gentleman here, who says he has it from good hands, that
+there is actually a subscription made by many persons of wit and
+quality, for the encouragement of new comedies. This design will very
+much contribute to the improvement and diversion of the town: but as
+every man is most concerned for himself, I, who am of a saturnine and
+melancholy complexion, cannot but murmur, that there is not an equal
+invitation to write tragedies, having by me, in my book of commonplaces,
+enough to enable me to finish a very sad one by the 5th of next month. I
+have the farewell of a general, with a truncheon in his hand, dying for
+love, in six lines. I have the principles of a politician (who does all
+the mischief in the play) together with his declaration on the vanity of
+ambition in his last moments, expressed in a page and a half. I have all
+my oaths ready, and my similes want nothing but application. I won't
+pretend to give you an account of the plot, it being the same design
+upon which all tragedies have been writ for several years last past; and
+from the beginning of the first scene, the frequenters of the house may
+know, as well as the author, when the battle is to be fought, the lady
+to yield, and the hero to proceed to his wedding and coronation. Besides
+these advantages which I have in readiness, I have an eminent tragedian
+very much my friend, who shall come in, and go through the whole five
+acts, without troubling me for one sentence, whether he is to kill or be
+killed, love or be loved, win battles or lose them, or whatever other
+tragical performance I shall please to assign him.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 30.
+
+I have this day received a letter subscribed "Fidelia," that gives me an
+account of an enchantment under which a young lady suffers, and desires
+my help to exorcise her from the power of the sorcerer. Her lover is a
+rake of sixty; the lady a virtuous woman of twenty-five: her relations
+are to the last degree afflicted, and amazed at this irregular passion:
+their sorrow I know not how to remove, but can their astonishment; for
+there is no spirit in woman half so prevalent as that of contradiction,
+which is the sole cause of her perseverance. Let the whole family go
+dressed in a body, and call the bride to-morrow morning to her nuptials,
+and I'll undertake, the inconstant will forget her lover in the midst of
+all his aches. But if this expedient does not succeed, I must be so just
+to the young lady's distinguishing sense, as to applaud her choice. A
+fine young woman, at last, is but what is due from fate to an honest
+fellow, who has suffered so unmercifully by the sex; and I think we
+cannot enough celebrate her heroic virtue, who (like the patriot that
+ended a pestilence by plunging himself into a gulf) gives herself up to
+gorge that dragon which has devoured so many virgins before her.
+
+A letter directed to "Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; astrologer and physician
+in ordinary to her Majesty's subjects of Great Britain, with respect,"
+is come to hand.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 258: See Nos. 1, 5, 35, 85.]
+
+[Footnote 259: The following advertisement appeared in Nos. 20 and 22:
+"Mr. Cave Underhill, the famous comedian in the reigns of Charles II.,
+King James II., King William and Queen Mary, and her present Majesty
+Queen Anne; but now not able to perform so often as heretofore in the
+playhouse, and having had losses to the value of near £2500, is to have
+the tragedy of 'Hamlet' acted for his benefit, on Friday, the 3rd of
+June next, at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, in which he is to perform
+his original part, the Grave-maker. Tickets may be had at the Mitre
+Tavern in Fleet Street." Colley Cibber says that Underhill was
+particularly admired in the character of the Grave-digger; and he adds:
+"Underhill was a correct and natural comedian; his particular excellence
+was in characters that may be called still-life; I mean the stiff, the
+heavy, and the stupid; to these he gave the exactest and most expressive
+colours, and in some of them looked as if it were not in the power of
+human passions to alter a feature of him. A countenance of wood could
+not be more fixed than his, when the blockhead of a character required
+it; his face was full and long; from his crown to the end of his nose
+was the shorter half of it, so that the disproportion of his lower
+features, when soberly composed, threw him into the most lumpish, moping
+mortal, that ever made beholders merry; not but, at other times, he
+could be wakened into spirit equally ridiculous." Genest says that
+Underhill acted again as the Grave-digger on Feb. 23, 1710, at Drury
+Lane.]
+
+[Footnote 260: "Grandfather" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 23. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 31_, to _Thursday, June 2_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 31.
+
+The generality of mankind are so very fond of this world, and of staying
+in it, that a man cannot have eminent skill in any one art, but they
+will, in spite of his teeth, make him a physician also, that being the
+science the worldlings have most need of. I pretended, when I first set
+up, to astrology only; but I am told, I have deep skill also in
+medicine. I am applied to now by a gentleman for my advice in behalf of
+his wife, who, upon the least matrimonial difficulty, is excessively
+troubled with fits, and can bear no manner of passion without falling
+into immediate convulsions. I must confess, it is a case I have known
+before, and remember the party was recovered by certain words pronounced
+in the midst of the fit by the learned doctor who performed the cure.
+These ails have usually their beginning from the affections of the mind:
+therefore you must have patience to let me give you an instance, whereby
+you may discern the cause of the distemper, and then proceed in the cure
+as follows:
+
+A fine town lady was married to a gentleman of ancient descent in one of
+the counties of Great Britain, who had good humour to a weakness, and
+was that sort of person, of whom it is usually said, he is no man's
+enemy but his own: one who had too much tenderness of soul to have any
+authority with his wife; and she too little sense to give him authority
+for that reason. His kind wife observed this temper in him, and made
+proper use of it. But knowing it was below a gentlewoman to wrangle, she
+resolved upon an expedient to save decorum, and wear her dear to her
+point at the same time. She therefore took upon her to govern him, by
+falling into fits whenever she was repulsed in a request, or
+contradicted in a discourse. It was a fish-day, when in the midst of her
+husband's good humour at table, she bethought herself to try her
+project. She made signs that she had swallowed a bone. The man grew pale
+as ashes, and ran to her assistance, calling for drink. "No, my dear,"
+said she, recovering, "it is down; don't be frightened." This accident
+betrayed his softness enough. The next day she complained, a lady's
+chariot, whose husband had not half his estate, had a crane-neck, and
+hung with twice the air that hers did. He answered, "Madam, you know my
+income; you know I have lost two coach-horses this spring."--Down she
+fell.--"Hartshorn! Betty, Susan, Alice, throw water in her face." With
+much care and pains she was at last brought to herself, and the vehicle
+in which she visited was amended in the nicest manner, to prevent
+relapses; but they frequently happened during that husband's whole life,
+which he had the good fortune to end in few years after. The
+disconsolate soon pitched upon a very agreeable successor, whom she very
+prudently designed to govern by the same method. This man knew her
+little arts, and resolved to break through all tenderness, and be
+absolute master, as soon as occasion offered. One day it happened, that
+a discourse arose about furniture: he was very glad of the occasion, and
+fell into an invective against china,[261] protesting, he would never
+let five pounds more of his money be laid out that way as long as he
+breathed. She immediately fainted--he starts up as amazed, and calls for
+help--the maids ran to the closet--he chafes her face, bends her
+forwards, and beats the palms of her hands: her convulsions increase,
+and down she tumbles on the floor, where she lies quite dead, in spite
+of what the whole family, from the nursery to the kitchen, could do for
+her relief.
+
+While every servant was thus helping or lamenting their mistress, he,
+fixing his cheek to hers, seemed to be following her in a trance of
+sorrow; but secretly whispers her, "My dear, this will never do: what is
+within my power and fortune, you may always command, but none of your
+artifices: you are quite in other hands than those you passed these
+pretty passions upon." This made her almost in the condition she
+pretended; her convulsions now came thicker, nor was she to be held
+down. The kind man doubles his care, helps the servants to throw water
+in her face by full quarts; and when the sinking part of the fit came
+again, "Well, my dear," said he, "I applaud your action; but I must take
+my leave of you till you are more sincere with me. Farewell for ever:
+you shall always know where to hear of me, and want for nothing." With
+that, he ordered the maids to keep plying her with hartshorn, while he
+went for a physician: he was scarce at the stairhead when she followed;
+and pulling him into a closet, thanked him for her cure; which was so
+absolute, that she gave me this relation herself, to be communicated for
+the benefit of all the voluntary invalids of her sex.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 31.
+
+The public is not so little my concern, though I am but a student, as
+that I should not interest myself in the present great things in
+agitation. I am still of opinion, the French king will sign the
+preliminaries. With that view, I have sent him by my familiar the
+following epistle, and admonished him, on pain of what I shall say of
+him to future generations, to act with sincerity on this occasion.
+
+#"London, May 31.#
+
+#"Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., of Great Britain, to Lewis XIV. of France.#
+
+"The surprising news which arrived this day, of your Majesty's having
+refused to sign the treaty your Ministers have in a manner sued for, is
+what gives ground to this application to your Majesty, from one whose
+name, perhaps, is too obscure to have ever reached your territories; but
+one who, with all the European world, is affected with your
+determinations. Therefore, as it is mine and the common cause of
+mankind, I presume to expostulate with you on this occasion. It will, I
+doubt not, appear to the vulgar extravagant, that the actions of a
+mighty prince should be balanced by the censure of a private man, whose
+approbation or dislike are equally contemptible in their eyes, when they
+regard the thrones of sovereigns. But your Majesty has shown, through
+the whole course of your reign, too great a value for liberal arts to be
+insensible, that true fame lies only in the hands of learned men, by
+whom it is to be transmitted to futurity, with marks of honour or
+reproach to the end of time. The date of human life is too short to
+recompense the cares which attend the most private condition: therefore
+it is, that our souls are made as it were too big for it, and extend
+themselves in the prospect of a longer existence, in a good fame and
+memory of worthy actions after our decease. The whole race of men have
+this passion in some degree implanted in their bosoms, which is the
+strongest and noblest incitation to honest attempts: but the base use of
+the arts of peace, eloquence, poetry, and all the parts of learning,
+have been possessed by souls so unworthy those faculties, that the names
+and appellations of things have been confounded by the labours and
+writings of prostituted men, who have stamped a reputation upon such
+actions as are in themselves the objects of contempt and disgrace. This
+is that which has misled your Majesty in the conduct of your reign, and
+made that life, which might have been the most imitable, the most to be
+avoided. To this it is, that the great and excellent qualities of which
+your Majesty is master, are lost in their application; and your Majesty
+has been carrying on for many years the most cruel tyranny, with all the
+noble methods which are used to support a just reign. Thus it is, that
+it avails nothing that you are a bountiful master; that you are so
+generous as to reward even the unsuccessful with honour and riches; that
+no laudable action passes unrewarded in your kingdoms; that you have
+searched all nations for obscure merit; in a word, that you are in your
+private character endowed with every princely quality, when all this is
+subjected to unjust and ill-taught ambition, which to the injury of the
+world, is gilded by those endowments. However, if your Majesty will
+condescend to look into your own soul, and consider all its faculties
+and weaknesses with impartiality; if you will but be convinced, that
+life is supported in you by the ordinary methods of food, rest, and
+sleep; you would think it impossible that you could ever be so much
+imposed on, as to have been wrought into a belief, that so many
+thousands of the same make with yourself, were formed by Providence for
+no other end, but by the hazard of their very being to extend the
+conquests and glory of an individual of their own species. A very little
+reflection will convince your Majesty, that such cannot be the intent of
+the Creator; and if not, what horror must it give your Majesty to think
+of the vast devastations your ambition has made among your fellow
+creatures? While the warmth of youth, the flattery of crowds, and a
+continual series of success and triumph, indulged your Majesty in this
+allusion of mind, it was less to be wondered at, that you proceeded in
+this mistaken pursuit of grandeur; but when age, disappointments, public
+calamities, personal distempers, and the reverse of all that makes men
+forget their true being, are fallen upon you: heavens! is it possible
+you can live without remorse? Can the wretched man be a tyrant? Can
+grief study torments? Can sorrow be cruel?--
+
+"Your Majesty will observe, I do not bring against you a railing
+accusation; but as you are a strict professor of religion, I beseech
+your Majesty to stop the effusion of blood, by receiving the opportunity
+which presents itself, for the preservation of your distressed people.
+Be no longer so infatuated, as to hope for renown from murder and
+violence: but consider, that the great day will come, in which this
+world and all its glory shall change in a moment: when nature shall
+sicken, and the earth and sea give up the bodies committed to them, to
+appear before the last tribunal. Will it then, O king! be an answer for
+the lives of millions who have fallen by the sword, 'They perished for
+my glory'? That day will come on, and one like it is immediately
+approaching: injured nations advance towards thy habitation: vengeance
+has begun its march, which is to be diverted only by the penitence of
+the oppressor. Awake, O monarch, from thy lethargy! Disdain the abuses
+thou hast received: pull down the statue which calls thee immortal: be
+truly great: tear thy purple, and put on sackcloth.
+
+"I am,
+
+"Thy generous Enemy,
+
+                                        "ISAAC BICKERSTAFF."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 1.
+
+Advices from Brussels of the 6th instant, N.S., say, his Highness Prince
+Eugene had received a letter from Monsieur Torcy, wherein that Minister,
+after many expressions of great respect, acquaints him, that his master
+had absolutely refused to sign the preliminaries to the treaty which he
+had, in his Majesty's behalf, consented to at the Hague. Upon the
+receipt of this intelligence, the face of things at that place were
+immediately altered, and the necessary orders were transmitted to the
+troops (which lay most remote from thence) to move towards the place of
+rendezvous with all expedition. The enemy seem also to prepare for the
+field, and have at present drawn together twenty-five thousand men in
+the plains of Lenz. Marshal Villars is at the head of those troops; and
+has given the generals under his command all possible assurances, that
+he will turn the fate of the war to the advantage of his master.
+
+They write from the Hague of the 7th, that Monsieur Rouillé had received
+orders from the Court of France, to signify to the States-General and
+the Ministers of the High Allies, that the king could not consent to the
+preliminaries of a treaty of peace, as it was offered to him by Monsieur
+Torcy. The great difficulty is the business of Spain, on which
+particular his Ministers seemed only to say, during the treaty, that it
+was not so immediately under their master's direction, as that he could
+answer for its being relinquished by the Duke of Anjou: but now he
+positively answers, that he cannot comply with what his Minister has
+promised in his behalf, even in such points as are wholly in himself to
+act in or not. This has had no other effect, than to give the Alliance
+fresh arguments for being diffident of engagements entered into by
+France. The Pensioner made a report of all which this Minister had
+declared to the Deputies of the States-General, and all things turn
+towards a vigorous war. The Duke of Marlborough designed to leave the
+Hague within two days, in order to put himself at the head of the army,
+which is to assemble on the 17th instant between the Scheldt and the
+Lis. A fleet of eighty sail, laden with corn from the Baltic, is arrived
+in the Texel. The States have sent circular letters to all the
+provinces, to notify this change of affairs, and animate their subjects
+to new resolutions in defence of their country.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 261: Addison ridiculed the prevalent craze for collecting
+china in No. 10 of the _Lover_; and Swift wrote to Steele, "What do I
+know whether china is dear or not; I once took a fancy of resolving to
+go mad for it, but now it is off."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 24. [ADDISON.
+
+From _Thursday, June 2_, to _Saturday, June 4_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 2.
+
+In my paper of the 28th of the last month,[262] I mentioned several
+characters which want explanation to the generality of readers: among
+others, I spoke of a Pretty Fellow; but I have received a kind
+admonition in a letter, to take care that I do not omit to show also
+what is meant by a Very Pretty Fellow, which is to be allowed as a
+character by itself, and a person exalted above the other by a peculiar
+sprightliness, as one who, by a distinguishing vigour, outstrips his
+companions, and has thereby deserved and obtained a particular
+appellation, or nickname of familiarity. Some have this distinction from
+the fair sex, who are so generous as to take into their protection those
+who are laughed at by the men, and place them for that reason in degrees
+of favour. The chief of this sort is Colonel Brunett, who is a man of
+fashion, because he will be so; and practises a very jaunty way of
+behaviour, because he is too careless to know when he offends, and too
+sanguine to be mortified if he did know it. Thus the colonel has met
+with a town ready to receive him, and cannot possibly see why he should
+not make use of their favour, and set himself in the first degree of
+conversation. Therefore he is very successfully loud among the wits,
+familiar among the ladies, and dissolute among the rakes. Thus he is
+admitted in one place, because he is so in another; and every man treats
+Brunett well, not out of his particular esteem for him, but in respect
+to the opinion of others. It is to me a solid pleasure to see the world
+thus mistaken on the good-natured side; for it is ten to one but the
+colonel mounts into a general officer, marries a fine lady, and is
+master of a good estate, before they come to explain upon him. What
+gives most delight to me in this observation, is, that all this arises
+from pure nature, and the colonel can account for his success no more
+than those by whom he succeeds. For these causes and considerations, I
+pronounce him a true woman's man, and in the first degree, "a very
+pretty fellow." The next to a man of this universal genius, is one who
+is peculiarly formed for the service of the ladies, and his merit
+chiefly is to be of no consequence. I am indeed a little in doubt,
+whether he ought not rather to be called a "very happy," than a "very
+pretty" fellow? For he is admitted at all hours: all he says or does,
+which would offend in another, are passed over in him; and all actions
+and speeches which please, doubly please if they come from him: no one
+wonders or takes notice when he is wrong; but all admire him when he is
+in the right. By the way it is fit to remark, that there are people of
+better sense than these, who endeavour at this character; but they are
+out of nature; and though, with some industry, they get the characters
+of fools, they cannot arrive to be "very," seldom to be merely "pretty
+fellows." But where nature has formed a person for this station amongst
+men, he is gifted with a peculiar genius for success, and his very
+errors and absurdities contribute to it; this felicity attending him to
+his life's end. For it being in a manner necessary that he should be of
+no consequence, he is as well in old age as youth; and I know a man,
+whose son has been some years a pretty fellow, who is himself at this
+hour a "very" pretty fellow. One must move tenderly in this place, for
+we are now in the ladies' lodgings, and speaking of such as are
+supported by their influence and favour; against which there is not,
+neither ought there to be, any dispute or observation. But when we come
+into more free air, one may talk a little more at large. Give me leave
+then to mention three, whom I do not doubt but we shall see make
+considerable figures; and these are such as, for their Bacchanalian
+performances, must be admitted into this order. They are three brothers
+lately landed from Holland: as yet, indeed, they have not made their
+public entry, but lodge and converse at Wapping. They have merited
+already on the waterside particular titles: the first is called
+Hogshead; the second Culverin; and the third Musket. This fraternity is
+preparing for our end of the town by their ability in the exercises of
+Bacchus, and measure their time and merit by liquid weight, and power
+of drinking. Hogshead is a prettier fellow than Culverin by two quarts,
+and Culverin than Musket by a full pint. It is to be feared, Hogshead is
+so often too full, and Culverin overloaded, that Musket will be the only
+lasting "very" pretty fellow of the three.[263] A third sort of this
+denomination are such as, by very daring adventures in love, have
+purchased to themselves renown and new names; as, Joe Carry, for his
+excessive strength and vigour; Tom Drybones, for his generous loss of
+youth and health; and Cancrum, for his meritorious rottenness. These
+great and leading spirits are proposed to all such of our British youth
+as would arrive at perfection in these different kinds; and if their
+parts and accomplishments were well imitated, it is not doubted but that
+our nation would soon excel all others in wit and arts, as they already
+do in arms.
+
+N.B.--The gentleman who stole Betty Pepin,[264] may own it, for he is
+allowed to be a "very" pretty fellow.
+
+#But we must proceed to the explanation of other terms in our writings.#
+
+To know what a Toast is in the country, gives as much perplexity as she
+herself does in town: and, indeed, the learned differ very much upon the
+original of this word, and the acceptation of it among the moderns.
+However, it is by all agreed to have a joyous and cheerful import. A
+toast in a cold morning, heightened by nutmeg, and sweetened with sugar,
+has for many ages been given to our rural dissenters of justice, before
+they entered upon causes, and has been of great and politic use to take
+off the severity of their sentences; but has indeed been remarkable for
+one ill effect, that it inclines those who use it immoderately, to speak
+Latin, to the admiration, rather than information, of an audience. This
+application of "a toast" makes it very obvious, that the word may,
+without a metaphor, be understood as an apt name for a thing which
+raises us in the most sovereign degree. But many of the wits of the last
+age will assert, that the word, in its present sense, was known among
+them in their youth, and had its rise from an accident at the town of
+Bath, in the reign of King Charles II. It happened, that on a public day
+a celebrated beauty of those times was in the Cross Bath, and one of the
+crowd of her admirers took a glass of the water in which the fair one
+stood, and drank her health to the company. There was in the place a gay
+fellow, half fuddled, who offered to jump in, and swore, though he liked
+not the liquor, he would have the toast. He was opposed in his
+resolution; yet this whim gave foundation to the present honour which is
+done to the lady we mention in our liquors, who has ever since been
+called a "toast." Though this institution had so trivial a beginning, it
+is now elevated into a formal order; and that happy virgin who is
+received and drank to at their meetings, has no more to do in this life,
+but to judge and accept of the first good offer. The manner of her
+inauguration is much like that of the choice of a Doge in Venice: it is
+performed by balloting; and when she is so chosen, she reigns
+indisputably for that ensuing year; but must be elected anew to prolong
+her empire a moment beyond it. When she is regularly chosen, her name is
+written with a diamond on a drinking-glass.[265] The hieroglyphic of the
+diamond is to show her, that her value is imaginary; and that of the
+glass to acquaint her, that her condition is frail, and depends on the
+hand which holds her. This wise design admonishes her, neither to
+overrate nor depreciate her charms; as well considering and applying,
+that it is perfectly according to the humour and taste of the company,
+whether the toast is eaten, or left as an offal.
+
+The foremost of the whole rank of toasts, and the most undisputed in
+their present empire, are Mrs. Gatty and Mrs. Frontlet: the first, an
+agreeable; the second, an awful beauty. These ladies are perfect
+friends, out of a knowledge that their perfections are too different to
+stand in competition. He that likes Gatty can have no relish for so
+solemn a creature as Frontlet; and an admirer of Frontlet will call
+Gatty a maypole-girl. Gatty for ever smiles upon you; and Frontlet
+disdains to see you smile. Gatty's love is a shining quick flame;
+Frontlet's a slow wasting fire. Gatty likes the man that diverts her;
+Frontlet him who adores her. Gatty always improves the soil in which she
+travels; Frontlet lays waste the country. Gatty does not only smile, but
+laughs at her lover; Frontlet not only looks serious, but frowns at him.
+All the men of wit (and coxcombs their followers) are professed servants
+of Gatty: the politicians and pretenders give solemn worship to
+Frontlet. Their reign will be best judged of by its duration. Frontlet
+will never be chosen more; and Gatty is a toast for life.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 3.
+
+Letters from Hamburg of the 7th instant, N.S., inform us, that no art or
+cost is omitted to make the stay of his Danish Majesty at Dresden
+agreeable; but there are various speculations upon the interview between
+King Augustus and that prince, many putting politic constructions upon
+his Danish Majesty's arrival, at a time when his troops are marching out
+of Hungary, with orders to pass through Saxony, where it is given out,
+that they are to be recruited. It is said also, that several Polish
+senators have invited King Augustus to return into Poland. His Majesty
+of Sweden, according to the same advices, has passed the Dnieper without
+any opposition from the Muscovites, and advances with all possible
+expedition towards Voldinia, where he proposes to join King Stanislaus
+and General Cressau.
+
+We hear from Berne of the 1st instant, N.S., that there is not a
+province in France, from whence the Court is not apprehensive of
+receiving accounts of public emotions, occasioned by the want of corn.
+The General Diet of the thirteen cantons is assembled at Baden, but have
+not yet entered upon business, so that the affair of Tockenburg is yet
+at a stand.
+
+Letters from the Hague, dated the 11th instant, N.S., advise that
+Monsieur Rouillé having acquainted the Ministers of the Allies, that his
+master had refused to ratify the preliminaries of a treaty adjusted with
+Monsieur Torcy, set out for Paris on Sunday morning. The same day the
+foreign Ministers met a committee of the States-General, where Monsieur
+van Hessen opened the business upon which they were assembled, and in a
+very warm discourse laid before them the conduct of France in the late
+negotiations, representing the abject manner in which she had laid open
+her own distresses, which reduced her to a compliance with the demands
+of all the Allies, and the mean manner in receding from those points to
+which her Minister had consented. The respective Ministers of each
+potentate of the Alliance severally expressed their resentment of the
+faithless behaviour of the French, and gave each other mutual assurances
+of the constancy and resolution of their principles to proceed with the
+utmost vigour against the common enemy. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough set out from the Hague on the 9th, in the afternoon, and lay
+that night at Rotterdam, from whence at four the next morning he
+proceeded towards Antwerp, with design to reach Ghent as on this day.
+All the troops in the Low Countries are in motion towards the general
+rendezvous between the Scheldt and Lis, and the whole army will be
+formed on the 12th instant; and it is said that on the 14th they will
+advance towards the enemy's country. In the meantime the Marshal de
+Villars has assembled the French army between Lens, la Bassée, and
+Douay.
+
+Yesterday morning Sir John Norris[266] with the squadron under his
+command, sailed from the Downs for Holland.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 3.
+
+I have the honour of the following letter from a gentleman whom I
+receive into my family, and order the heralds at arms to enroll him
+accordingly.
+
+"MR. BICKERSTAFF,
+
+"Though you have excluded me the honour of your family, yet I have
+ventured to correspond with the same great persons as yourself, and have
+wrote this post to the King of France; though I'm in a manner unknown
+in his country, and have not been seen there these many months.
+
+#"'To Lewis le Grand.#
+
+    "'Though in your country I'm unknown,
+      Yet, sir, I must advise you;
+    Of late so poor and mean you're grown,
+      That all the world despise you.
+
+    Here vermin eat your majesty,
+      There meagre subjects stand unfed;
+    What surer signs of poverty,
+      Than many lice, and little bread?
+
+    Then, sir, the present minute choose,
+      Our armies are advanced;
+    Those terms you at the Hague refuse,
+      At Paris won't be granted.
+
+    Consider this, and Dunkirk raze,
+      And Anna's title own;
+    Send one Pretender out to graze,
+      And call the other home.'
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "BREAD, THE STAFF OF LIFE."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 262: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 263: It would seem from the passage in the _Examiner_ (vol.
+iii. No. 48), that three men of distinction at that time, probably
+noblemen, were supposed to be denoted under the names of Hogshead,
+Culverin, and Musket, from Wapping; or, as they are named by the
+_Examiner_, "Tun, Gun, and Pistol, from Wapping." They are there
+mentioned among others, said to have been, "with at least fifty more,
+sufferers of figure under this author's satire, in the days of his
+mirth," &c. In the _Guardian_ (No. 53) Steele says, "Tun, Gun, and
+Pistol from Wapping, laughed at the representation which was made of
+them, and were observed to be more regular in their conduct
+afterwards."]
+
+[Footnote 264: The kept mistress of a knight of the shire near
+Brentford, who squandered his estate on women, and in contested
+elections. He has long since gone into the land of oblivion. See No.
+51.--(Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 265: Several such verses, inscribed on the glasses of the Kit
+Cat Club, are given in Nichols' "Select Collection of Poems," v.
+168-178.]
+
+[Footnote 266: Admiral Sir John Norris (died 1749) was sent in June
+1709, with a small squadron, to stop the French supply of corn from the
+Baltic.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 25. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 4_, to _Tuesday, June 7_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 6.
+
+A letter from a young lady, written in the most passionate terms
+(wherein she laments the misfortune of a gentleman, her lover, who was
+lately wounded in a duel), has turned my thoughts to that subject, and
+inclined me to examine into the causes which precipitate men into so
+fatal a folly.[267] And as it has been proposed to treat of subjects of
+gallantry in the article from hence, and no one point of nature is more
+proper to be considered by the company who frequent this place, than
+that of duels, it is worth our consideration to examine into this
+chimerical groundless humour, and to lay every other thought aside, till
+we have stripped it of all its false pretences to credit and reputation
+amongst men. But I must confess, when I consider what I am going about,
+and run over in my imagination all the endless crowd of men of honour
+who will be offended at such a discourse, I am undertaking, methinks, a
+work worthy an invulnerable hero in romance, rather than a private
+gentleman with a single rapier; but as I am pretty well acquainted by
+great opportunities with the nature of man, and know of a truth, that
+all men fight against their will, the danger vanishes, and resolution
+rises upon this subject. For this reason I shall talk very freely on a
+custom which all men wish exploded, though no man has courage enough to
+resist it. But there is one unintelligible word which I fear will
+extremely perplex my dissertation, and I confess to you I find very
+hard to explain, which is, the term "satisfaction." An honest country
+gentleman had the misfortune to fall into company with two or three
+modern men of honour, where he happened to be very ill-treated; and one
+of the company being conscious of his offence, sends a note to him in
+the morning, and tells him, he was ready to give him satisfaction. "This
+is fine doing," says the plain fellow: "last night he sent me away
+cursedly out of humour, and this morning he fancies it would be a
+satisfaction to be run through the body." As the matter at present
+stands, it is not to do handsome actions denominates a man of honour; it
+is enough if he dares to defend ill ones. Thus you often see a common
+sharper in competition with a gentleman of the first rank; though all
+mankind is convinced, that a fighting gamester is only a pickpocket with
+the courage of a highwayman. One cannot with any patience reflect on the
+unaccountable jumble of persons and things in this town and nation,
+which occasions very frequently, that a brave man falls by a hand below
+that of the common hangman, and yet his executioner escapes the clutches
+of the hangman for doing it. I shall therefore hereafter consider, how
+the bravest men in other ages and nations have behaved themselves upon
+such incidents as we decide by combat; and show, from their practice,
+that this resentment neither has its foundation from true reason, nor
+solid fame; but is an imposture,[268] made up of cowardice, falsehood,
+and want of understanding. For this work, a good history of quarrels
+would be very edifying to the public, and I apply myself to the town for
+particulars and circumstances within their knowledge, which may serve to
+embellish the dissertation with proper cuts. Most of the quarrels I have
+ever known, have proceeded from some valiant coxcomb's persisting in
+the wrong, to defend some prevailing folly, and preserve himself from
+the ingenuity of owning a mistake.[269]
+
+By this means it is called, "giving a man satisfaction," to urge your
+offence against him with your sword; which puts me in mind of Peter's
+order to the keeper, in the "Tale of a Tub": "If you neglect to do all
+this, damn you and your generation for ever; and so we bid you heartily
+farewell."[270] If the contradiction in the very terms of one of our
+challenges were as well explained, and turned into plain English, would
+it not run after this manner?
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Your extraordinary behaviour last night, and the liberty you were
+pleased to take with me, makes me this morning give you this, to tell
+you, because you are an ill-bred puppy, I will meet you in Hyde Park an
+hour hence; and because you want both breeding and humanity, I desire
+you would come with a pistol in your hand, on horseback, and endeavour
+to shoot me through the head; to teach you more manners. If you fail of
+doing me this pleasure, I shall say, you are a rascal on every post in
+town: and so, sir, if you will not injure me more, I shall never forgive
+what you have done already. Pray sir, do not fail of getting everything
+ready, and you will infinitely oblige,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"humble Servant, &c."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 6.
+
+Among the many employments I am necessarily put upon by my friends, that
+of giving advice is the most unwelcome to me; and indeed, I am forced to
+use a little art in the matter; for some people will ask counsel of you,
+when they have already acted what they tell you is still under
+deliberation. I had almost lost a very good friend the other day, who
+came to know how I liked his design to marry such a lady. I answered,
+"By no means; and I must be positive against it, for very solid reasons,
+which are not proper to communicate." "Not proper to communicate!" said
+he with a grave air, "I will know the bottom of this." I saw him moved,
+and knew from thence he was already determined; therefore evaded it by
+saying, "To tell you the truth, dear Frank, of all women living, I would
+have her myself." "Isaac," said he, "thou art too late, for we have been
+both one these two months." I learned this caution by a gentleman's
+consulting me formerly about his son. He railed at his damned
+extravagance, and told me, in a very little time, he would beggar him by
+the exorbitant bills which came from Oxford every quarter. "Make the
+rogue bite upon the bridle,"[271] said I, "pay none of his bills, it
+will but encourage him to further trespasses." He looked plaguy sour at
+me. His son soon after sent up a paper of verses, forsooth, in print, on
+the last public occasion; upon which, he is convinced the boy has parts,
+and a lad of spirit is not to be too much cramped in his maintenance,
+lest he take ill courses. Neither father nor son can ever since endure
+the sight of me. These sort of people ask opinions, only out of the
+fulness of their heart on the subject of their perplexity, and not from
+a desire of information. There is nothing so easy as to find out which
+opinion the person in doubt has a mind to; therefore the sure way is to
+tell him, that is certainly to be chosen. Then you are to be very clear
+and positive; leave no handle for scruple. "Bless me! sir, there is no
+room for a question." This rivets you into his heart; for you at once
+applaud his wisdom, and gratify his inclination. However, I had too much
+bowels to be insincere to a man who came yesterday to know of me, with
+which of two eminent men in the City he should place his son? Their
+names are Paulo and Avaro.[272] This gave me much debate with myself,
+because not only the fortune of the youth, but his virtue also depended
+upon this choice. The men are equally wealthy; but they differ in the
+use and application of their riches, which you immediately see upon
+entering their doors.
+
+The habitation of Paulo has at once the air of a nobleman and a
+merchant. You see the servants act with affection to their master, and
+satisfaction in themselves: the master meets you with an open
+countenance, full of benevolence and integrity: your business is
+despatched with that confidence and welcome which always accompanies
+honest minds: his table is the image of plenty and generosity, supported
+by justice and frugality. After we had dined here, our affair was to
+visit Avaro: out comes an awkward fellow with a careful countenance;
+"Sir, would you speak with my master? May I crave your name?" After the
+first preambles, he leads us into a noble solitude, a great house that
+seemed uninhabited; but from the end of the spacious hall moves towards
+us Avaro, with a suspicious aspect, as if he believed us thieves; and as
+for my part, I approached him as if I knew him a cut-purse. We fell
+into discourse of his noble dwelling, and the great estate all the world
+knew he had to enjoy in it: and I, to plague him, fell a commending
+Paulo's way of living. "Paulo," answered Avaro, "is a very good man; but
+we who have smaller estates, must cut our coat according to our cloth."
+"Nay," says I, "every man knows his own circumstance best; you are in
+the right, if you haven't wherewithal." He looked very sour (for it is,
+you must know, the utmost vanity of a mean-spirited rich man to be
+contradicted, when he calls himself poor). But I was resolved to vex
+him, by consenting to all he said; the main design of which was, that he
+would have us find out, he was one of the wealthiest men in London, and
+lived like a beggar. We left him, and took a turn on the 'Change. My
+friend was ravished with Avaro. "This," said he, "is certainly a sure
+man." I contradicted him with much warmth, and summed up their different
+characters as well as I could. "This Paulo," said I, "grows wealthy by
+being a common good; Avaro, by being a general evil: Paulo has the art,
+Avaro the craft of trade. When Paulo gains, all men he deals with are
+the better: whenever Avaro profits, another certainly loses. In a word,
+Paulo is a citizen, and Avaro a cit." I convinced my friend, and carried
+the young gentleman the next day to Paulo, where he will learn the way
+both to gain, and enjoy a good fortune. And though I cannot say, I have,
+by keeping him from Avaro, saved him from the gallows, I have prevented
+his deserving it every day he lives: for with Paulo he will be an honest
+man, without being so for fear of the law; as with Avaro, he would have
+been a villain within the protection of it.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 6.
+
+We hear from Vienna of the 1st instant, that Baron Imoff, who attended
+her Catholic Majesty with the character of Envoy from the Duke of
+Wolfembuttel, was returned thither. That Minister brought an account,
+that Major-general Stanhope, with the troops which embarked at Naples,
+was returned to Barcelona. We hear from Berlin, by advices of the 8th
+instant, that his Prussian Majesty had received intelligence from his
+Minister at Dresden, that the King of Denmark desired to meet his
+Majesty at Magdeburg. The King of Prussia has sent answer, that his
+present indisposition will not admit of so great a journey; but has sent
+the king a very pressing invitation to come to Berlin or Potsdam. These
+advices say, that the Minister of the King of Sweden has produced a
+letter from his master to the King of Poland, dated from Batitzau the
+30th of March, O.S., wherein he acquaints him, that he has been
+successful against the Muscovites in all the occasions which have
+happened since his march into their country. Great numbers have revolted
+to the Swedes since General Mazeppa went over to that side; and as many
+as have done so, have taken solemn oaths to adhere to the interests of
+his Swedish Majesty.
+
+Advices from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., say, that all things
+tended to a vigorous and active campaign; the Allies having strong
+resentments against the late behaviour of the Court of France; and the
+French using all possible endeavours to animate their men to defend
+their country against a victorious and exasperated enemy. Monsieur
+Rouillé had passed through Brussels without visiting either the Duke of
+Marlborough or Prince Eugene, who were both there at that time. The
+States have met, and publicly declared their satisfaction in the
+conduct of their deputies during the whole treaty. Letters from France
+say, that the Court is resolved to put all to the issue of the ensuing
+campaign. In the meantime, they have ordered the preliminary treaty to
+be published, with observation upon each article, in order to quiet the
+minds of the people, and persuade them, that it has not been in the
+power of the king to procure a peace, but to the diminution of his
+Majesty's glory, and the hazard of his dominions. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene arrived at Ghent on Wednesday last, where,
+at an assembly of all the general officers, it was thought proper, by
+reason of the great rains which have lately fallen, to defer forming a
+camp, or bringing the troops together; but as soon as the weather would
+permit, to march upon the enemy with all expedition.[273]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 267: For Steele's other papers on duelling, see Nos. 26, 28,
+29, 31, 38, 39.]
+
+[Footnote 268: Something imposed upon us.]
+
+[Footnote 269: "While this barbarous custom of duelling is tolerated, we
+shall never be rid of coxcombs, who will defend their understandings by
+the sword, and force us to bear nonsense on pain of death."--(Steele,
+_Theatre_, No. 26.)]
+
+[Footnote 270: Swift's "Tale of a Tub," sect. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 271: _I.e._, hold him in.]
+
+[Footnote 272: Said to be Bateman and Heathcote, both eminent
+citizens--(_Gentleman's Magazine_, lx. 679.)]
+
+[Footnote 273: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received a letter, dated June 6,
+with the just exceptions against the pretence of persons therein
+mentioned, to the name of Pretty Fellows, which shall be taken notice of
+accordingly: as likewise, the letter from Anthony Longtail of
+Canterbury, concerning the death of Thomas à Becket" (folio). See Nos.
+24, 26.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 26. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 7_, to _Thursday, June 9_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 8.
+
+I have read the following letter with delight and approbation, and I
+hereby order Mr. Kidney at St. James's, and Sir Thomas at White's[274]
+(who are my clerks for enrolling all men in their distant classes,
+before they presume to drink tea or chocolate in those places), to take
+care, that the persons within the descriptions in the letter be
+admitted, and excluded according to my friend's remonstrance.[275]
+
+"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; at Mr. Morphew's near Stationers' Hall._
+
+"_June 6_, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Your paper of Saturday[276] has raised up in me a noble emulation, to
+be recorded in the foremost rank of worthies therein mentioned; and if
+any regard be had to merit or industry, I may hope to succeed in the
+promotion, for I have omitted no toil or expense to be a proficient; and
+if my friends do not flatter, they assure me, I have not lost my time
+since I came to town. To enumerate but a few particulars; there's hardly
+a coachman I meet with, but desires to be excused taking me, because he
+has had me before. I have compounded two or three rapes; and let out to
+hire as many bastards to beggars. I never saw above the first act of a
+play: and as to my courage, it is well known, I have more than once had
+sufficient witnesses of my drawing my sword both in tavern and
+playhouse. Dr. Wall[277] is my particular friend; and if it were any
+service to the public to compose the difference between Marten and
+Sintilaer[278] the pearl-driller, I don't know a judge of more
+experience than myself: for in that I may say with the poet,
+
+    "'_Quæ regio in villa nostri non plena laboris?_'[279]
+
+"I omit other less particulars, the necessary consequences of greater
+actions. But my reason for troubling you at this present is, to put a
+stop, if it may be, to an insinuating, increasing set of people, who
+sticking to the letter of your treatise, and not to the spirit of it, do
+assume the name of 'pretty fellows'; nay, and even get new names, as you
+very well hint. Some of them I have heard calling to one another, as I
+have sat at White's and St. James's, by the names of Betty, Nelly, and
+so forth. You see them accost each other with effeminate airs: they have
+their signs and tokens like freemasons: they rail at women-kind; receive
+visits on their beds in gowns, and do a thousand other unintelligible
+prettinesses that I cannot tell what to make of. I therefore heartily
+desire you would exclude all this sort of animals.
+
+"There is another matter I am foreseeing an ill consequence from, but
+may be timely prevented by prudence; which is, that for the last
+fortnight, prodigious shoals of volunteers have gone over to bully the
+French, upon hearing the peace was just signing; and this is so true,
+that I can assure you, all engrossing work about the Temple is risen
+above 3_s_. in the pound for want of hands. Now as it is possible some
+little alteration of affairs may have broken their measures, and that
+they will post back again, I am under the last apprehension, that these
+will, at their return, all set up for 'pretty fellows,' and thereby
+confound all merit and service, and impose on us some new alteration in
+our nightcap-wigs[280] and pockets, unless you can provide a particular
+class for them. I cannot apply myself better than to you, and I am sure
+I speak the mind of a very great number as deserving as myself."
+
+The pretensions of this correspondent are worthy a particular
+distinction: he cannot indeed be admitted as a "pretty," but is, what we
+more justly call, a "smart fellow." Never to pay at the playhouse, is an
+act of frugality, that lets you into his character. And his expedient in
+sending his children a-begging before they can go, are characteristical
+instances that he belongs to this class. I never saw the gentleman; but
+I know by his letter, he hangs his cane on his button;[281] and by some
+lines of it, he should wear red-heeled shoes;[282] which are essential
+parts of the habit belonging to the order of "smart fellows."
+
+My familiar is returned with the following letter from the French king:
+
+"Versailles, _June 13_, 1709.
+
+#"_Louis XIV. to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._[283]#
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I have your epistle, and must take the liberty to say, that there has
+been a time, when there were generous spirits in Great Britain, who
+would not have suffered my name to be treated with the familiarity you
+think fit to use. I thought liberal men would not be such time-servers,
+as to fall upon a man because his friends are not in power. But having
+some concern for what you may transmit to posterity concerning me, I am
+willing to keep terms with you, and make a request to you, which is,
+that you would give my service to the nineteenth century (if ever you or
+yours reach to them), and tell them, that I have settled all matters
+between them and me by Monsieur Boileau. I should be glad to see you
+here."
+
+It is very odd this prince should offer to invite me into his dominions,
+or believe I should accept the invitation. No, no, I remember too well
+how he served an ingenious gentleman, a friend of mine,[284] whom he
+locked up in the Bastille for no reason in the world, but because he was
+a wit, and feared he might mention him with justice in some of his
+writings. His way is, that all men of sense are preferred, banished, or
+imprisoned. He has indeed a sort of justice in him, like that of the
+gamesters; if a stander-by sees one at play cheat, he has a right to
+come in for snares, for knowing the mysteries of the game. This is a
+very wise and just maxim; and if I have not left at Mr. Morphew's,
+directed to me, bank bills for £200 on or before this day sevennight, I
+shall tell how Tom Cash got his estate. I expect three hundred pounds of
+Mr. Soilett, for concealing all the money he has lent to himself, and
+his landed friend bound with him, at thirty per cent. at his
+scrivener's. Absolute princes make people pay what they please in
+deference to their power: I do not know why I should not do the same,
+out of fear or respect to my knowledge. I always preserve decorums and
+civilities to the fair sex: therefore if a certain lady, who left her
+coach at the New Exchange[285] door in the Strand, and whipped down
+Durham Yard into a boat with a young gentleman for Fox Hall;[286] I say,
+if she will send me word, that I may give the fan which she dropped, and
+I found, to my sister Jenny, there shall be no more said of it. I expect
+hush-money to be regularly sent for every folly or vice any one commits
+in this whole town; and hope I may pretend to deserve it better than a
+chamber-maid, or _valet-de-chambre_: they only whisper it to the little
+set of their companions; but I can tell it to all men living, or who are
+to live. Therefore I desire all my readers to pay their fines, or mend
+their lives.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 8.
+
+My familiar being come from France, with an answer to my letter to Lewis
+of that kingdom, instead of going on in a discourse of what he had seen
+in that Court, he put on the immediate concern of a guardian, and fell
+to inquiring into my thoughts and adventures since his journey. As short
+as his stay had been, I confessed I had had many occasions for his
+assistance in my conduct; but communicated to him my thoughts of putting
+all my force against the horrid and senseless custom of duels. "If it
+were possible," said he, "to laugh at things in themselves so deeply
+tragical as the impertinent profusion of human life, I think I could
+divert you with a figure I saw just after my death, when the philosopher
+threw me, as I told you some days ago, into the pail of water.[287] You
+are to know, that when men leave the body, there are receptacles for
+them as soon as they depart, according to the manner in which they lived
+and died. At the very instant that I was killed, there came away with me
+a spirit which had lost its body in a duel. We were both examined. Me,
+the whole assembly looked at with kindness and pity, but at the same
+time with an air of welcome, and consolation: they pronounced me very
+happy, who had died in innocence; and told me, a quite different place
+was allotted to me, than that which was appointed for my companion;
+there being a great distance from the mansions of fools and innocents:
+'though at the same time,' said one of the ghosts, there is a great
+affinity between an idiot who has been so for long life, and a child who
+departs before maturity. But this gentleman who has arrived with you is
+a fool of his own making, is ignorant out of choice, and will fare
+accordingly.' The assembly began to flock about him, and one said to
+him, 'Sir, I observed you came into the gate of persons murdered, and I
+desire to know what brought you to your untimely end?' He said, he had
+been a second. Socrates (who may be said to have been murdered by the
+commonwealth of Athens) stood by, and began to draw near him, in order,
+after his manner, to lead him into a sense of his error by concessions
+in his own discourse. 'Sir,' said that divine and amicable spirit, 'what
+was the quarrel?' He answered, 'We shall know very suddenly, when the
+principal in the business comes, for he was desperately wounded before I
+fell.' 'Sir,' said the sage, 'had you an estate?' 'Yes, sir,' the new
+guest answered, 'I have left it in a very good condition; I made my will
+the night before this occasion.' 'Did you read it before you signed it?'
+'Yes sure, sir,' said the newcomer. Socrates replies, could a man that
+would not give his estate without reading the instrument, dispose of his
+life without asking a question? That illustrious shade turned from him,
+and a crowd of impertinent goblins, who had been drolls and parasites in
+their lifetime, and were knocked on the head for their sauciness, came
+about my fellow-traveller, and made themselves very merry with questions
+about the words 'carte' and 'terce' and other terms of fencers. But his
+thoughts began to settle into reflection upon the adventure which had
+robbed him of his late being; and with a wretched sigh, said he, 'How
+terrible are conviction and guilt when they come too late for
+penitence!'" Pacolet was going on in this strain, but he recovered from
+it, and told me, it was too soon to give my discourse on this subject so
+serious a turn; you have chiefly to do with that part of mankind which
+must be led into reflection by degrees, and you must treat this custom
+with humour and raillery to get an audience, before you come to
+pronounce sentence upon it. There is foundation enough for raising such
+entertainments from the practice on this occasion. Don't you know, that
+often a man is called out of bed to follow implicitly a coxcomb (with
+whom he would not keep company on any other occasion) to ruin and death?
+Then a good list of such as are qualified by the laws of these
+uncourteous men of chivalry to enter into combat (who are often persons
+of honour without common honesty): these, I say, ranged and drawn up in
+their proper order, would give an aversion to doing anything in common
+with such as men laugh at and contemn. But to go through this work, you
+must not let your thoughts vary, or make excursions from your theme:
+consider at the same time, that the matter has been often treated by the
+ablest and greatest writers; yet that must not discourage you; for the
+properest person to handle it, is one who has roved into mixed
+conversations, and must have opportunities (which I shall give you) of
+seeing these sort of men in their pleasures and gratifications; among
+which, they pretend to reckon fighting. It was pleasantly enough said of
+a bully in France, when duels first began to be punished: "The king has
+taken away gaming, and stage-playing, and now fighting too; how does he
+expect gentlemen shall divert themselves?"[288]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 274: See Nos. 1, 10, 16.]
+
+[Footnote 275: This letter is probably by Anthony Henley; see
+advertisement at end of No. 25. At this time Henley was M.P. for
+Weymouth, and a friend of the wits belonging to the Whig party. He died
+in 1711. See Nos. 11, 193.]
+
+[Footnote 276: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 277: Wall and the others named were quack doctors.]
+
+[Footnote 278: Sintelaer, who lived in High Holborn, published in Feb.
+1709, "The Scourge of Venus and Mercury. With an appendix in answer to
+Mr. John Marten's reflections thereupon" (_Postman_, Feb. 24 to 26,
+1709).]
+
+[Footnote 279: "Æneid," i. 460. Steele alters Virgil's "terriss" to
+"villa."]
+
+[Footnote 280: A sort of periwig, with a short tie and small round head.
+See No. 30, end. In the _Spectator_ (No. 319), Dorinda describes a
+humble servant of hers who "appeared to me in one of those wigs that I
+think you call a 'night-cap,' which had altered him more effectually
+than before. He afterwards played a couple of black riding wigs upon me,
+with the same success."]
+
+[Footnote 281: The elaborate canes used by the beaux commonly had a
+ribbon to enable them to be hung on the button of the waistcoat. Thus we
+find among the advertisements for lost canes, "A cane with a silver head
+and a black ribbon in it, the top of it amber, part of the head to turn
+round, and in it a perspective glass."]
+
+[Footnote 282: Men of fashion wore very high-heeled shoes, and their red
+heels are often satirised by Steele and Addison (cf. _Spectator_, No.
+311). In No. 16 of the _Spectator_ Addison said, "It is not my intention
+to sink the dignity of this my paper with reflections upon red-heels or
+topknots."]
+
+[Footnote 283: See Nos. 19, 23.]
+
+[Footnote 284: Probably Sir John Vanbrugh.]
+
+[Footnote 285: A bazaar on the south side of the Strand, between George
+Court and Durham Street, and opposite Bedford Street. There were two
+long and double galleries, one above the other, containing shops, with
+pretty attendants. The New Exchange was a favourite lounge, and is
+frequently mentioned in the Restoration literature; it was pulled down
+in 1737. See _Spectator_, Nos. 96, 155, and Steele's "Lying Lover," act
+ii. sc. 2, where Young Bookwit says, "My choice was so distracted among
+the pretty merchants and their dealers, that I knew not where to run
+first." On the other hand, we find complaints that young fops hindered
+business by lolling on the counter an hour longer than was necessary,
+and annoyed the young women who served them with ingenious ribaldry.]
+
+[Footnote 286: Vauxhall, or Fox-hall, Gardens were formed about 1661, on
+the Surrey side of the Thames, and were at first called the New Spring
+Gardens, to distinguish them from the Old Spring Gardens at Charing
+Cross. At the end of the seventeenth century Vauxhall was a favourite
+place for assignations, and Pepys was scandalised at scenes he there
+witnessed. The gardens were reopened in 1732, after being closed, it
+would seem, for some years, and they continued to be a place of
+fashionable resort until the end of the reign of George III.]
+
+[Footnote 287: See No. 15.]
+
+[Footnote 288: "Whereas several gentlemen have desired this paper with a
+blank leaf to write business on, and for the convenience of the post;
+this is to give notice, that this day, and for the future, it may be had
+of Mr. Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio, advertisement).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 27. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, June 9_, to _Saturday, June 11, 1709_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 9.
+
+Pacolet being gone a strolling among the men of the sword, in order to
+find out the secret causes of the frequent disputes we meet with, and
+furnish me with material for my treatise on duelling; I have room left
+to go on in my information to my country readers, whereby they may
+understand the bright people whose memoirs I have taken upon me to
+write. But in my discourse of the 28th of the last month,[289] I omitted
+to mention the most agreeable of all bad characters; and that is, a
+Rake.
+
+A Rake is a man always to be pitied; and if he lives, is one day
+certainly reclaimed; for his faults proceed not from choice or
+inclination, but from strong passions and appetites, which are in youth
+too violent for the curb of reason, good sense, good manners, and good
+nature: all which he must have by nature and education, before he can be
+allowed to be, or have been of this order. He is a poor unwieldy wretch,
+that commits faults out of the redundance of his good qualities. His
+pity and compassion make him sometimes a bubble to all his fellows, let
+them be never so much below him in understanding. His desires run away
+with him through the strength and force of a lively imagination, which
+hurries him on to unlawful pleasures, before reason has power to come in
+to his rescue. Thus, with all the good intentions in the world to
+amendment, this creature sins on against heaven, himself, his friends,
+and his country, who all call for a better use of his talents. There is
+not a being under the sun so miserable as this: he goes on in a pursuit
+he himself disapproves, and has no enjoyment but what is followed by
+remorse; no relief from remorse, but the repetition of his crime. It is
+possible I may talk of this person with too much indulgence; but I must
+repeat it, that I think this a character which is the most the object of
+pity of any in the world. The man in the pangs of the stone, gout, or
+any acute distempers, is not in so deplorable a condition in the eye of
+right sense, as he that errs and repents, and repents and errs on. The
+fellow with broken limbs justly deserves your alms for his impotent
+condition; but he that cannot use his own reason, is in a much worse
+state; for you see him in miserable circumstances, with his remedy at
+the same time in his own possession, if he would or could use it. This
+is the cause, that of all ill characters, the rake has the best quarter
+in the world; for when he is himself, and unruffled with intemperance,
+you see his natural faculties exert themselves, and attract an eye of
+favour towards his infirmities. But if we look round us here, how many
+dull rogues are there, that would fain be what this poor man hates
+himself for? All the noise towards six in the evening,[290] is caused by
+his mimics and imitators. How ought men of sense to be careful of their
+actions, if it were merely from the indignation of feeling themselves
+ill drawn by such little pretenders? not to say, he that leads, is
+guilty of all the actions of his followers: and a rake has imitators
+whom you would never expect should prove so. Second-hand vice sure of
+all is the most nauseous. There is hardly a folly more absurd, or which
+seems less to be accounted for (though it is what we see every day) than
+that grave and honest natures give into this way, and at the same time
+have good sense, if they thought fit to use it: but the fatality (under
+which most men labour) of desiring to be what they are not, makes them
+go out of a method, in which they might be received with applause, and
+would certainly excel, into one, wherein they will all their life have
+the air of strangers to what they aim at. For this reason, I have not
+lamented the metamorphosis of any one I know so much as of Nobilis, who
+was born with sweetness of temper, just apprehension, and everything
+else that might make him a man fit for his order. But instead of the
+pursuit of sober studies and applications, in which he would certainly
+be capable of making a considerable figure in the noblest assembly of
+men in the world; I say, in spite of that good nature, which is his
+proper bent, he will say ill-natured things aloud, put such as he was,
+and still should be, out of countenance, and drown all the natural good
+in him, to receive an artificial ill character, in which he will never
+succeed: for Nobilis is no rake. He may guzzle as much wine as he
+pleases, talk bawdy if he thinks fit; but he may as well drink
+water-gruel, and go twice a day to church, for it will never do. I
+pronounce it again, Nobilis is no rake. To be of that order, he must be
+vicious against his will, and not so by study or application. All Pretty
+Fellows are also excluded to a man, as well as all Inamaratos, or
+persons of the epicene gender, who gaze at one another in the presence
+of ladies. This class, of which I am giving you an account, is pretended
+to also by men of strong abilities in drinking; though they are such
+whom the liquor, not the conversation, keeps together. But blockheads
+may roar, fight, and stab, and be never the nearer; their labour is also
+lost; they want sense: they are no rakes.
+
+As a rake among men is the man who lives in the constant abuse of his
+reason, so a coquette among women is one who lives in continual
+misapplication of her beauty. The chief of all whom I have the honour to
+be acquainted with, is pretty Mrs. Toss: she is ever in practice of
+something which disfigures her, and takes from her charms; though all
+she does, tends to a contrary effect. She has naturally a very agreeable
+voice and utterance, which she has changed for the prettiest lisp
+imaginable. She sees what she has a mind to see, at half a mile distance;
+but poring with her eyes half shut at every one she passes by, she
+believes much more becoming. The Cupid on her fan and she have their eyes
+full on each other, all the time in which they are not both in motion.
+Whenever her eye is turned from that dear object, you may have a glance,
+and your bow, if she is in humour, returned as civilly as you make it;
+but that must not be in the presence of a man of greater quality: for
+Mrs. Toss is so thoroughly well bred, that the chief person present has
+all her regards. And she, who giggles at divine service, and laughs at
+her very mother, can compose herself at the approach of a man of a good
+estate.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 9.
+
+A fine lady showed a gentleman of this company, for an eternal answer to
+all his addresses, a paper of verses, with which she is so captivated,
+that she professed, the author should be the happy man in spite of all
+other pretenders. It is ordinary for love to make men poetical, and it
+had that effect on this enamoured man: but he was resolved to try his
+vein upon some of her confidantes or retinue, before he ventured upon so
+high a theme as herself. To do otherwise than so, would be like making
+an heroic poem a man's first attempt. Among the favourites to the fair
+one, he found her parrot not to be in the last degree: he saw Poll had
+her ear, when his sighs were neglected. To write against him, had been a
+fruitless labour; therefore he resolved to flatter him into his
+interests, in the following manner:
+
+#"To a Lady on her Parrot.#
+
+    _"When nymphs were coy, and love could not prevail,
+    The gods disguised were seldom known to fail,
+    Leda was chaste, but yet a feathered Jove
+    Surprised the fair, and taught her how to love.
+    There's no celestial but his heaven would quit,
+    For any form which might to thee admit.
+    See how the wanton bird, at every glance,
+    Swells his glad plumes, and feels an amorous trance.
+    The queen of beauty has forsook the dove,
+    Henceforth the parrot be the bird of love."_
+
+It is indeed a very just proposition, to give that honour rather to the
+parrot than the other volatile. The parrot represents us in the state of
+making love: the dove in the possession of the object beloved. But
+instead of turning the dove off, I fancy it would be better if the
+chaise of Venus had hereafter a parrot added (as we see sometimes a
+third horse to a coach) which might intimate, that to be a parrot, is
+the only way to succeed; and to be a dove, to preserve your conquests.
+If the swain would go on successfully, he must imitate the bird he
+writes upon. For he who would be loved by women, must never be silent
+before the favour, or open his lips after it.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 10.
+
+I have so many messages from young gentlemen who expect preferment and
+distinction, that I am wholly at a loss in what manner to acquit myself.
+The writer of the following letter tells me in a postscript, he cannot
+go out of town till I have taken some notice of him, and is very urgent
+to be somebody, in town before he leaves it, and returns to his commons
+at the university. But take it from himself.
+
+#"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., Monitor-General of Great Britain._#
+
+"Shire Lane, _June 8._
+
+I have been above six months from the university, of age these three
+months, and so long in town. I was recommended to one Charles
+Bubbleboy[291] near the Temple, who has supplied me with all the
+furniture he says a gentleman ought to have. I desired a certificate
+thereof from him, which he said would require some time to consider of;
+and when I went yesterday morning for it, he tells me, upon due
+consideration, I still want some few odd things more, to the value of
+threescore or fourscore pounds, to make me complete. I have bespoke
+them; and the favour I beg of you is, to know, when I am equipped, in
+what part or class of men in this town you will place me. Pray send me
+word what I am, and you shall find me,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "JEFFRY NICKNACK."
+
+I am very willing to encourage young beginners; but am extremely in the
+dark how to dispose of this gentleman. I cannot see either his person or
+habit in this letter; but I'll call at Charles', and know the shape of
+his snuff-box, by which I can settle his character. Though indeed, to
+know his full capacity, I ought to be informed, whether he takes Spanish
+or musty.[292]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 10.
+
+Letters from the Low Countries of the 17th instant say, that the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Prince of Savoy intended to leave Ghent on that day,
+and join the army, which lies between Pont d'Espiere and Courtray, their
+headquarters being at Helchin. The same day the Palatine foot was
+expected at Brussels. Lieutenant-General Dompre, with a body of eight
+thousand men, is posted at Alost, in order to cover Ghent and Brussels.
+The Marshal de Villars was still on the plains of Lens; and it is said,
+the Duke of Vendôme is appointed to command in conjunction with that
+general. Advices from Paris say, Monsieur Voisin is made Secretary of
+State, upon Monsieur Chamillard's resignation of that employment. The
+want of money in that kingdom is so great, that the Court has thought
+fit to command all the plate of private families to be brought into the
+Mint. They write from the Hague of the 18th, that the States of Holland
+continue their session; and that they have approved the resolution of
+the States-General, to publish a second edict to prohibit the sale of
+corn to the enemy. Many eminent persons in that assembly have declared,
+that they are of opinion, that all commerce whatsoever with France
+should be wholly forbidden: which point is under present deliberation;
+but it is feared it will meet with powerful opposition.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 289: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 290: People of fashion dined at about four o'clock in Queen
+Anne's time, and by six the men, who had often drunk a good deal of
+wine, would be finding their way to the clubs and coffee-houses.]
+
+[Footnote 291: Charles Mather, a toyman in Fleet Street, next door to
+Nandoe's Coffee-house, over against Chancery Lane. Swift wrote ("Sid
+Hamet's Rod," 1710):
+
+    "No hobby horse with gorgeous top,
+    The dearest in Charles Mather's shop;
+    Or glittering tinsel of Mayfair
+    Could with the rod of Sid compare."
+
+See Nos. 113, 142, and _Spectator_, Nos. 328, 503 ("One of Charles
+Mather's fine tablets"), and 570 ("The famous Charles Mather was bred up
+under him").]
+
+[Footnote 292: Charles Lillie, the perfumer, tells us how snuff came
+into use. A great quantity of musty snuff was captured in the Spanish
+fleet taken at Vigo in 1702, and snuff with this special musty flavour
+became the fashion. In No. 138 of the _Spectator_, Steele humorously
+announced that "the exercise of the snuff-box, according to the most
+fashionable airs and motions, in opposition to the exercise of the fair,
+will be taught with the best plain or perfumed snuff at Charles
+Lillie's, perfumer, at the corner of Beaufort Buildings in the Strand."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 28. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 11_, to _Tuesday, June 14, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 13.
+
+I had suspended the business of duelling to a distant time, but that I
+am called upon to declare myself on a point proposed in the following
+letter.
+
+                                        "_June 9, at night._
+
+"Sir,
+
+"I desire the favour of you to decide this question, whether calling a
+gentleman a 'smart fellow' is an affront or not? A youth entering a
+certain coffee-house, with his cane tied at his button, wearing
+red-heeled shoes, I thought of your description,[293] and could not
+forbear telling a friend of mine next to me, 'There enters a smart
+fellow.' The gentleman hearing it, had immediately a mind to pick a
+quarrel with me, and desired satisfaction: at which I was more puzzled
+than at the other, remembering what mention your familiar makes of those
+that had lost their lives on such occasions. The thing is referred to
+your judgment, and I expect you to be my second, since you have been the
+cause of our quarrel. I am,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your Friend and humble Servant."
+
+I absolutely pronounce, that there is no occasion of offence given in
+this expression; for a "smart fellow" is always an appellation of
+praise, and is a man of double capacity. The true cast or mould in which
+you may be sure to know him is, when his livelihood or education is in
+the Civil List, and you see him express a vivacity or mettle above the
+way he is in by a little jerk in his motion, short trip in his steps,
+well-fancied lining of his coat, or any other indications which may be
+given in a vigorous dress. Now, what possible insinuation can there be,
+that it is a cause of quarrel for a man to say, he allows a gentleman
+really to be, what he, his tailor, his hosier, and his milliner, have
+conspired to make him? I confess, if this person who appeals to me had
+said, he was _not_ a "smart fellow," there had been cause for
+resentment; but if he stands to it that he is one, he leaves no manner
+of ground for a misunderstanding. Indeed, it is a most lamentable thing,
+that there should be a dispute raised upon a man's saying another is,
+what he plainly takes pains to be thought. But this point cannot be so
+well adjusted, as by inquiring what are the sentiments of wise nations
+and communities of the use of the sword, and from thence conclude,
+whether it is honourable to draw it so frequently or not? An illustrious
+commonwealth of Italy[294] has preserved itself for many ages, without
+letting one of their subjects handle this destructive instrument, always
+leaving that work to such of mankind as understand the use of a whole
+skin so little, as to make a profession of exposing it to cuts and
+scars. But what need we run to such foreign instances: our own ancient
+and well-governed cities are conspicuous examples to all mankind in
+their regulation of military achievements. The chief citizens, like the
+noble Italians, hire mercenaries to carry arms in their stead; and you
+shall have a fellow of a desperate fortune, for the gain of one
+half-crown, go through all the dangers of Tothill Fields, or the
+Artillery Ground,[295] clap his right jaw within two inches of the
+touch-hole of a musket, fire it off, and huzza, with as little concern
+as he tears a pullet. Thus you see to what scorn of danger these
+mercenaries arrive, out of a mere love of sordid gain: but methinks it
+should take off the strong prepossession men have in favour of bold
+actions, when they see upon what low motives men aspire to them. Do but
+observe the common practice in the government of those heroic bodies,
+our militia and lieutenancies, the most ancient corps of soldiers,
+perhaps, in the universe. I question whether there is one instance of an
+animosity between any two of these illustrious sons of Mars since their
+institution, which was decided by combat? I remember indeed to have read
+the chronicle of an accident which had like to have occasioned bloodshed
+in the very field before all the general officers, though most of them
+were justices of the peace: Captain Crabtree of Birching Lane,
+haberdasher, had drawn a bill upon Major-General Maggot, cheesemonger in
+Thames Street. Crabtree draws this upon Mr. William Maggot and Company.
+A country lad received this bill, and not understanding the word
+"company," used in drawing bills on men in partnership, carried it to
+Mr. Jeffry Stick of Crooked Lane (lieutenant of the major-general's
+company) whom he had the day before seen march by the door in all the
+pomp of his commission. The lieutenant accepts it, for the honour of the
+company, since it had come to him. But repayment being asked from the
+major-general, he absolutely refuses. Upon this, the lieutenant thinks
+of nothing less than to bring this to a rupture, and takes for his
+second, Tobias Armstrong of the Counter,[296] and sends him with a
+challenge in a script of parchment, wherein was written, "Stitch contra
+Maggot," and all the fury vanished in a moment. The major-general gives
+satisfaction to the second, and all was well. Hence it is, that the bold
+spirits of our city are kept in such subjection to the civil power.
+Otherwise, where would our liberties soon be? If wealth and valour were
+suffered to exert themselves with their utmost force: if such officers
+as are employed in the terrible bands above-mentioned, were to draw
+bills as well as swords: these dangerous captains, who could victual an
+army as well as lead it, would be too powerful for the State. But the
+point of honour justly gives way to that of gain; and by long and wise
+regulation, the richest is the bravest man. I have known a captain rise
+to a colonel in two days by the fall of stocks; and a major, my good
+friend, near the Monument, ascended to that honour by the fall of the
+price of spirits, and the rising of right Nantz. By this true sense of
+honour, that body of warriors are ever in good order and discipline,
+with their colours and coats all whole: as in other battalions (where
+their principles of action are less solid) you see the men of service
+look like spectres, with long sides, and lank cheeks. In this army, you
+may measure a man's services by his waist, and the most prominent belly
+is certainly the man who has been most upon action. Besides all this,
+there is another excellent remark to be made in the discipline of these
+troops. It being of absolute necessity that the people of England should
+see what they have for their money, and be eye-witnesses of the
+advantages they gain by it, all battles which are fought abroad are
+represented here. But since one side must be beaten, and the other
+conquer, which might create disputes, the eldest company is always to
+make the other run, and the younger retreats, according to the last news
+and best intelligence. I have myself seen Prince Eugene make Catinat fly
+from the back-side of Gray's Inn Lane to Hockley-in-the-Hole,[297] and
+not give over the pursuit, till obliged to leave the Bear Garden on the
+right, to avoid being borne down by fencers, wild bulls and monsters,
+too terrible for the encounter of any heroes, but such whose lives are
+their livelihood.
+
+We have here seen, that wise nations do not admit of fighting, even in
+the defence of their country, as a laudable action; and they live
+within the walls of our own city in great honour and reputation without
+it. It would be very necessary to understand, by what force of the
+climate, food, education, or employment, one man's sense is brought to
+differ so essentially from that of another; that one is ridiculous and
+contemptible for forbearing a thing which makes for his safety; and
+another applauded for consulting his ruin and destruction.
+
+It will therefore be necessary for us (to show our travelling) to
+examine this subject fully, and tell you how it comes to pass, that a
+man of honour in Spain, though you offend him never so gallantly, stabs
+you basely; in England, though you offend never so basely, challenges
+fairly: the former kills you out of revenge; the latter out of good
+breeding. But to probe the heart of a man in this particular to its
+utmost thoughts and recesses, I must wait for the return of Pacolet, who
+is now attending a gentleman lately in a duel, and sometimes visits the
+person by whose hand he received his wounds.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 13.
+
+Letters from Vienna of the 8th instant say, there has been a journal of
+the marches and actions of the King of Sweden, from the beginning of
+January to the 11th of April, N.S., communicated by the Swedish
+Ministers to that Court. These advices inform, that his Swedish Majesty
+entered the territories of Muscovy in February last with the main body
+of his army, in order to oblige the enemy to a general engagement; but
+that the Muscovites declining a battle, and a universal thaw having
+rendered the rivers unpassable, the king returned into Ukrania. There
+are mentioned several rencounters between considerable detachments of
+the Swedish and Russian armies. Marshal Heister intended to take his
+leave of the Court on the day after the date of these letters, and put
+himself at the head of the army in Hungary. The malcontents had
+attempted to send in a supply of provisions into Neuheusel; but their
+design was disappointed by the Germans.
+
+Advices from Berlin of the 15th instant, N.S., say, that his Danish
+Majesty having received an invitation from the King of Prussia to an
+interview, designed to come to Potsdam within few days; and that King
+Augustus resolved to accompany him thither. To avoid all difficulties in
+ceremony, the three kings, and all the company who shall have the honour
+to sit with them at table, are to draw lots, and take precedence
+accordingly.
+
+They write from Hamburg of the 18th instant, N.S., that some particular
+letters from Dantzic speak of a late action between the Swedes and
+Muscovites near Jaroslaw; but that engagement being mentioned from no
+other place, there is not much credit given to this intelligence.
+
+We hear from Brussels, by letters, dated the 20th, that on the 14th in
+the evening the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene arrived at
+Courtray, with a design to proceed the day following to Lille, in the
+neighbourhood of which city the confederate army was to rendezvous the
+same day. Advices from Paris inform us, that the Marshal de Bezons is
+appointed to command in Dauphiné; and that the Duke of Berwick is set
+out for Spain, with a design to follow the fortunes of the Duke of
+Anjou, in case the French king should comply with the late demands of
+the Allies.
+
+The Court of France has sent a circular letter to all the governors of
+the provinces, to recommend to their consideration his Majesty's late
+conduct in the affair of peace. It is thought fit in that epistle, to
+condescend to a certain appeal to the people, whether it is consistent
+with the dignity of the crown, or the French name, to submit to the
+preliminaries demanded by the confederates? The letter dwells upon the
+unreasonableness of the Allies, in requiring, that his Majesty should
+assist in dethroning his grandson, and treats this particular in
+language more suitable to it, as it is a topic of oratory, than a real
+circumstance, on which the interests of nations, and reasons of State,
+which affect all Europe, are concerned.
+
+The close of this memorial seems to prepare the people to expect all
+events, attributing the confidence of the enemy to the goodness of their
+troops; but acknowledging, that his sole dependence is upon the
+intervention of Providence.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 293: See No. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 294: Venice, where mercenaries were employed for fighting
+purposes.]
+
+[Footnote 295: The City train-bands were often the subject of ridicule
+by the wits. See "Harleian Misc." i. 206, Cowper's "John Gilpin," and
+Nos. 38, 41. Tothill Fields, Westminster, and the Artillery Ground,
+Finsbury, were the usual exercising-grounds for the train-bands.]
+
+[Footnote 296: The Compter was a prison for the city of London, where
+debtors and others were confined.]
+
+[Footnote 297: Steele wrote at length in the _Spectator_ (No. 436) of a
+trial of skill in the noble art of self-defence at Hockley-in-the-Hole;
+and in No. 630 there is an allusion to the gladiators of
+Hockley-in-the-Hole. In the "Beggar's Opera," Mrs. Peachum says: "You
+should to Hockley-in-the-Hole and to Marybone, child, to learn valour;
+there are the schools that have bred so many brave men." As to the other
+sports at the Bear Garden, see No. 134, and Gay's "Trivia," ii. 407-12:
+
+    "When thro' the town, with slow and solemn air,
+    Led by the nostril, walks the muzzled bear;
+    Behind him moves, majestically dull,
+    The pride of Hockley-hole, the surly bull;
+    Learn hence the periods of the week to name:
+    Mondays and Thursdays are the days of game."
+
+There were seats, at half a crown and upwards, for the quality; the
+neighbourhood of the Bear Garden was infested by thieves. The following
+are specimens of the advertisements common about 1709: "At the
+Bear-garden, in Hockley in the Hole. A trial of skill, to be performed
+between two profound masters of the noble science of defence, on
+Wednesday next, the 13th of July, 1702, at two o'clock precisely. I
+George Gray, born in the city of Norwich, who has fought in most parts
+of the West Indies, viz., Jamaica, Barbadoes, and several other parts of
+the world, in all twenty-five times upon the stage, and was never yet
+worsted; and am now lately come to London, do invite James Harris to
+meet, and exercise at the following weapons, back-sword, sword and
+dagger, sword and buckler, single falchon, and case of falchons. I James
+Harris, master of the said noble science of defence, who formerly rid in
+the Horse-guards, and hath fought 110 prizes, and never left a stage to
+any man, will not fail (God willing) to meet this brave and bold
+inviter, at the time and place appointed, desiring sharp swords, and
+from him no favour. No person to be upon the stage, but the seconds.
+_Vivat Regina_."
+
+"At the Bear-garden in Hockley in the Hole, near Clerkenwell Green,
+1710. This is to give notice to all gentlemen, gamesters, and others,
+that on this present Monday is a match to be fought by two dogs, one
+from Newgate-market, against one from Honey-lane market, at a bull, for
+a guinea to be spent, five let-goes out of hand, which goes fairest and
+fastest in, wins all. Likewise, a green bull to be baited, which was
+never baited before; and a bull to be turned loose with fireworks all
+over him. Also a mad ass to be baited. With a variety of bull-baiting
+and bear-baiting, and a dog to be drawn up with fireworks. To begin
+exactly at three of the clock."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 29. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 14_, to _Thursday, June 16, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 14.
+
+Having a very solid respect for human nature, however it is distorted
+from its natural make, by affectation, humour, custom, misfortune, or
+vice, I do apply myself to my friends to help me in raising arguments
+for preserving it in all its individuals, as long as it is permitted. To
+one of my letters on this subject, I have received the following
+answer:[298]
+
+"SIR,
+
+"In answer to your question, why men of sense, virtue, and experience,
+are seen still to comply with that ridiculous custom of duelling, I must
+desire you to reflect, that custom has dished up in ruffs the wisest
+heads of our ancestors, and put the best of the present age into huge
+falbala periwigs.[299] Men of sense would not impose such encumbrances
+on themselves; but be glad they might show their faces decently in
+public upon easier terms. If then such men appear reasonably slaves to
+the fashion, in what regards the figure of their persons, we ought not
+to wonder, that they are at least so in what seems to touch their
+reputations. Besides, you can't be ignorant, that dress and chivalry
+have been always encouraged by the ladies, as the two principal branches
+of gallantry. It is to avoid being sneered at for his singularity, and
+from a desire to appear more agreeable to his mistress, that a wise,
+experienced, and polite man, complies with the dress commonly received,
+and is prevailed upon to violate his reason and principles, in hazarding
+his life and estate by a tilt, as well as suffering his pleasures to be
+constrained and soured by the constant apprehension of a quarrel. This
+is the more surprising, because men of the most delicate sense and
+principles have naturally in other cases a particular repugnance in
+accommodating themselves to the maxims of the world: but one may easily
+distinguish the man that is affected with beauty, and the reputation of
+a tilt, from him who complies with both, merely as they are imposed upon
+him by custom; for in the former you will remark an air of vanity and
+triumph; whereas when the latter appears in a long Duvillier full of
+powder, or has decided a quarrel by the sword, you may perceive in his
+face, that he appeals to custom for an excuse. I think it may not be
+improper to inquire into the genealogy of this chimerical monster,
+called a 'duel', which I take to be an illegitimate species of the
+ancient knight-errantry. By the laws of this whim, your heroic person,
+or man of gallantry, was indispensably obliged to starve in armour a
+certain number of years in the chase of monsters, encounter them at the
+peril of his life, and suffer great hardships, in order to gain the
+affection of the fair lady, and qualify himself for assuming the
+_belair_, that is, of a pretty fellow, or man of honour according to the
+fashion: but since the publishing of 'Don Quixote' and extinction of the
+race of dragons, which Suetonius says happened in that of Wantley,[300]
+the gallant and heroic spirits of these latter times have been under the
+necessity of creating new chimerical monsters to entertain themselves
+with, by way of single combats, as the only proofs they are able to give
+their own sex, and the ladies, that they are in all points men of nice
+honour. But to do justice to the ancient and real monsters, I must
+observe, that they never molested those who were not of a humour to hunt
+for them in the woods and deserts; whereas on the contrary, our modern
+monsters are so familiarly admitted and entertained in all the Courts
+and cities of Europe (except France) that one can scarce be in the most
+humanised society without risking one's life; the people of the best
+sort, and the fine gentlemen of the age, being so fond of them, that
+they seldom appear in any public place without one. I have some further
+considerations upon this subject, which, as you encourage me, shall be
+communicated to you, by, sir, a cousin but once removed from the best
+family of the Staffs, namely, "Sir,
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+"Kinsman and Friend,
+
+                                        "TIM SWITCH."
+
+It is certain, Mr. Switch has hit upon the true source of this evil; and
+that it proceeds only from the force of custom that we contradict
+ourselves in half the particulars and occurrences of life. But such a
+tyranny in love, which the fair impose upon us, is a little too severe,
+that we must demonstrate our affection for them by no certain proof but
+hatred to one another, or come at them (only as one does to an estate)
+by survivorship. This way of application to gain a lady's heart, is
+taking her as we do towns and castles, by distressing the place, and
+letting none come near them without our pass. Were such a lover once to
+write the truth of his heart, and let her know his whole thoughts, he
+would appear indeed to have a passion for her; but it would hardly be
+called love. The billet-doux would run to this purpose:
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I have so tender a regard for you and your interests, that I'll knock
+any man in the head whom I observe to be of my mind, and like you. Mr.
+Truman the other day looked at you in so languishing a manner, that I am
+resolved to run him through to-morrow morning: this, I think, he
+deserves for his guilt in admiring you; than which I cannot have a
+greater reason for murdering him, except it be that you also approve
+him. Whoever says he dies for you, I will make his words good, for I
+will kill him. I am,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"Most humble Servant."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 14.
+
+I am just come hither at ten at night, and have ever since six been in
+the most celebrated, though most nauseous, company in town: the two
+leaders of the society were a critic and a wit. These two gentlemen are
+great opponents upon all occasions, not discerning that they are the
+nearest each other in temper and talents of any two classes of men in
+the world; for to profess judgment, and to profess wit, both arise from
+the same failure, which is want of judgment. The poverty of the critic
+this way proceeds from the abuse of his faculty; that of the wit from
+the neglect of it. It is a particular observation I have always made,
+that of all mortals, a critic is the silliest; for by inuring himself
+to examine all things, whether they are of consequence or not, be never
+looks upon anything but with a design of passing sentence upon it; by
+which means, he is never a companion, but always a censor. This makes
+him earnest upon trifles; and dispute on the most indifferent occasions
+with vehemence. If he offers to speak or write, that talent which should
+approve the work of the other faculties, prevents their operation. He
+comes upon action in armour; but without weapons: he stands in safety;
+but can gain no glory. The wit on the other hand has been hurried so
+long away by imagination only, that judgment seems not to have ever been
+one of his natural faculties. This gentleman takes himself to be as much
+obliged to be merry, as the other to be grave. A thorough critic is a
+sort of Puritan in the polite world. As an enthusiast in religion
+stumbles at the ordinary occurrences of life, if he cannot quote
+scripture examples on the occasion; so the critic is never safe in his
+speech or writing, without he has among the celebrated writers an
+authority for the truth of his sentence. You will believe we had a very
+good time with these brethren, who were so far out of the dress of their
+native country, and so lost to its dialect, that they were as much
+strangers to themselves, as to their relation to each other. They took
+up the whole discourse; sometimes the critic grew passionate, and when
+reprimanded by the wit for any trip or hesitation in his voice, he would
+answer, Mr. Dryden makes such a character on such an occasion break off
+in the same manner; so that the stop was according to nature, and as a
+man in a passion should do. The wit, who is as far gone in letters as
+himself, seems to be at a loss to answer such an apology; and concludes
+only, that though his anger is justly vented, it wants fire in the
+utterance. If wit is to be measured by the circumstances of time and
+place, there is no man has generally so little of that talent, as he who
+is a wit by profession. What he says, instead of arising from the
+occasion, has an occasion invented to bring it in. Thus he is new for no
+other reason, but that he talks like nobody else; but has taken up a
+method of his own, without commerce of dialogue with other people. The
+lively Jasper Dactyle[301] is one of this character. He seems to have
+made a vow to be witty to his life's end. When you meet him, "What do
+you think," says he, "I have been entertaining myself with?" Then out
+comes a premeditated turn, to which it is to no purpose to answer; for
+he goes on in the same strain of thought he designed without your
+speaking. Therefore I have a general answer to all he can say; as, "Sure
+there never was any creature had so much fire!" Spondee, who is a
+critic, is seldom out of this fine man's company. They have no manner of
+affection for each other, but keep together, like Novel and Oldfox in
+"The Plain Dealer,"[302] because they show each other. I know several of
+sense who can be diverted with this couple; but I see no curiosity in
+the thing, except it be, that Spondee is dull, and seems dull; but
+Dactyle is heavy with a brisk face. It must be owned also, that Dactyle
+has almost vigour enough to be a coxcomb; but Spondee, by the lowness of
+his constitution, is only a blockhead.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 15.
+
+We have no particulars of moment since our last, except it be, that the
+copy of the following original letter came by the way of Ostend. It is
+said to have been found in the closet of Monsieur Chamillard, the late
+Secretary of State of France, since his disgrace. It was signed by two
+brothers of the famous Cavallier,[303] who led the Cevennois, and had a
+personal interview with the king, as well as a capitulation to lay down
+his arms, and leave the dominions of France. There are many other names
+to it; among whom, is the chief of the family of the Marquis
+Guiscard.[304] It is not yet known, whether Monsieur Chamillard had any
+real design to favour the Protestant interest, or only thought to place
+himself at the head of that people, to make himself considerable enough
+to oppose his enemies at Court, and reinstate himself in power there.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"We have read your Majesty's[305] letter to the governors of your
+provinces, with instructions what sentiments to insinuate into the minds
+of your people: but as you have always acted upon the maxim, that we
+were made for you, and not you for us, we must take leave to assure your
+Majesty, that we are exactly of the contrary opinion, and must desire
+you to send for your grandson home, and acquaint him, that you now know
+by experience, absolute power is only a vertigo in the brain of princes,
+which for a time may quicken their motion, and double in their diseased
+sight the instances of power above them; but must end in their fall and
+destruction. Your memorial speaks a good father of your family, but a
+very ill one of your people. Your Majesty is reduced to hear truth when
+you are obliged to speak it: there is no governing any but savages by
+any methods but their own consent, which you seem to acknowledge, in
+appealing to us for our opinion of your conduct in treating of peace.
+Had your people been always of your council, the King of France had
+never been reduced so low, as to acknowledge his arms were fallen into
+contempt. But since it is thus, we must ask, 'How is any man of France,
+but they of the House of Bourbon, the better that Philip is King of
+Spain?' We have outgrown that folly of placing our happiness in your
+Majesty's being called, The Great; therefore as you and we are all alike
+bankrupts,[306] and undone, let us not deceive ourselves, but compound
+with our adversaries, and not talk like their equals. Your Majesty must
+forgive us that we cannot wish you success, or lend you help; for if you
+lose one battle more, we may have a hand in the peace you make; and
+doubt not but your Majesty's faith in treaties will require the
+ratification of the states of your kingdoms. So we bid you heartily
+farewell, till we have the honour to meet you assembled in Parliament.
+This happy expectation makes us willing to wait the event of another
+campaign, from whence we hope to be raised from the misery of slaves, to
+the privileges of subjects. We are,
+
+"Your Majesty's
+
+"Truly faithful, and
+
+"Loyal Subjects, &c."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 298: See Nos. 25, 26, 28.]
+
+[Footnote 299: The full-bottomed dress wigs. Another name was
+"Duvillier," used below.]
+
+[Footnote 300: See Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," ed.
+Wheatley, iii. 279. "The Dragon of Wantley" is a satire on the old
+ballads of chivalry.]
+
+[Footnote 301: See Nos. 3, 63.]
+
+[Footnote 302: In the list of characters, Wycherley defines Novel as "a
+pert railing coxcomb, and an admirer of novelties," and Major Oldfox as
+"an old impertinent fop, given to scribbling."]
+
+[Footnote 303: James Cavallier was the celebrated leader of the French
+Protestants in the Cevennes, when these warlike but enthusiastic
+mountaineers opposed the tyranny of Lewis XIV. and made a vigorous stand
+against the whole power of France, which for a long time laboured in
+vain to subdue them. It was in the heat of this gallant struggle to
+preserve themselves from religious slavery, that the first seeds of that
+wild fanaticism were sown, which afterwards grew up to such an amazing
+extravagance, and distinguished them, by the name of French Prophets,
+among the most extraordinary enthusiasts that are to be found in the
+history of human folly. Cavallier, who found in his latter days an
+hospitable asylum in Ireland, published, in 1726, "Memoirs of the Wars
+of the Cevennes, under Col. Cavallier, in defence of the Protestants
+persecuted in that country, and of the peace concluded between him and
+the Mareschal Duke of Villars; of his conference with the King of
+France, after the conclusion of the peace; with letters relating
+thereto, from Mareschal Villars, and Chamillard, secretary of state."
+(Percy.)]
+
+[Footnote 304: It was a younger brother, an abbé, who used his pen and
+sword against Lewis XIV. He was employed in England, had preferment in
+the army, and a pension; but, being found a useless villain, he was soon
+discarded. He then endeavoured to make his peace with France, by acting
+here as a spy; but being detected, he was brought before the Cabinet
+Council, to be examined, March 8, 1711. In the course of his examination
+he took an opportunity to stab Mr. Harley. Of the wounds given to this
+assassin on that occasion, he died in Newgate soon after. See the
+"Narrative of Guiscard's Examination," by Mrs. Manley, from facts
+communicated to her by Dr. Swift. See also _Examiner_, No. 32.
+(Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 305: Soon after the conclusion of the late treaty of peace,
+the French king dispersed a letter through his dominions, wherein he
+shows the reasons why he could not ratify the preliminaries. _Vide_ the
+public newspapers of this date. (Steele.)]
+
+[Footnote 306: N.B.--Mons. Bernard and the chief bankers of France
+became bankrupts about this time (Steele).--See news paragraph in Nos.
+3, 5, 9.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 30. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, June 16_, to _Saturday, June 18, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 16.
+
+The vigilance, the anxiety, the tenderness, which I have for the good
+people of England, I am persuaded will in time be much commended; but I
+doubt whether they will ever be rewarded. However, I must go on
+cheerfully in my work of reformation: that being my great design, I am
+studious to prevent my labours increasing upon me; therefore am
+particularly observant of the temper and inclinations of childhood and
+youth, that we may not give vice and folly supplies from the growing
+generation. It is hardly to be imagined how useful this study is, and
+what great evils or benefits arise from putting us in our tender years
+to what we are fit, or unfit: therefore on Tuesday last (with a design
+to sound their inclinations) I took three lads who are under my
+guardianship a rambling, in a hackney-coach, to show them the town, as
+the lions,[307] the tombs,[308] Bedlam,[309] and the other places which
+are entertainments to raw minds, because they strike forcibly on the
+fancy. The boys are brothers, one of sixteen, the other of fourteen, the
+other of twelve. The first was his father's darling, the second his
+mother's, and the third is mine, who am their uncle. Mr. William is a
+lad of true genius; but being at the upper end of a great school, and
+having all the lads below him, his arrogance is insupportable. If I
+begin to show a little of my Latin, he immediately interrupts: "Uncle,
+under favour, that which you say is not understood in that manner."
+"Brother," says my boy Jack, "you do not show your manners much in
+contradicting my Uncle Isaac." "You queer cur," says Mr. William, "do
+you think my uncle takes any notice of such a dull rogue as you are?"
+Mr. William goes on; "He is the most stupid of all my mother's children:
+he knows nothing of his book: when he should mind that, he is hiding or
+hoarding his taws and marbles, or laying up farthings. His way of
+thinking is, four and twenty farthings make sixpence, and two sixpences
+a shilling, two shillings and sixpence half a crown, and two half-crowns
+five shillings. So within these two months, the close hunks has scraped
+up twenty shillings, and we'll make him spend it all before he comes
+home." Jack immediately claps his hands into both pockets, and turns as
+pale as ashes. There is nothing touches a parent (and such I am to Jack)
+so nearly, as a provident temper. This lad has in him the true temper
+for a good husband, a kind father, and an honest executor. All the great
+people you see make considerable figures on the 'Change, in Court, and
+sometimes in Senates, are such as in reality have no greater faculty
+than what may be called human instinct, which is a natural tendency to
+their own preservation, and that of their friends, without being capable
+of striking out of the road for adventures. There is Sir William Scrip
+was of this sort of capacity from his childhood: he has bought the
+country round him, and makes a bargain better than Sir Harry Wildfire
+with all his wit and humour. Sir Harry never wants money but he comes to
+Scrip, laughs at him half an hour, and then gives bond for the other
+thousand. The close men are incapable of placing merit anywhere but in
+their pence, and therefore gain it; while others, who have larger
+capacities, are diverted from the pursuit by enjoyments, which can be
+supported only by that cash which they despise; and therefore are in the
+end, slaves to their inferiors both in fortune and understanding. I once
+heard a man of excellent sense observe, that more affairs in the world
+failed by being in the hands of men of too large capacities for their
+business, than by being in the conduct of such as wanted abilities to
+execute them. Jack therefore being of a plodding make, shall be a
+citizen; and I design him to be the refuge of the family in their
+distress, as well as their jest in prosperity. His brother Will, shall
+go to Oxford with all speed, where, if he does not arrive at being a man
+of sense, he will soon be informed wherein he is a coxcomb. There is in
+that place such a true spirit of raillery and humour, that if they can't
+make you a wise man, they will certainly let you know you are a fool,
+which is all my cousin wants to cease to be so. Thus having taken these
+two out of the way, I have leisure to look at my third lad. I observe in
+the young rogue a natural subtilty of mind, which discovers itself
+rather in forbearing to declare his thoughts on any occasion, than in
+any visible way of exerting himself in discourse. For which reason I
+will place him where, if he commits no faults, he may go farther than
+those in other stations, though they excel in virtues. The boy is well
+fashioned, and will easily fall into a graceful manner; wherefore, I
+have a design to make him a page to a great lady of my acquaintance; by
+which means he will be well skilled in the common modes of life, and
+make a greater progress in the world by that knowledge, than with the
+greatest qualities without it. A good mien in a Court will carry a man
+greater lengths than a good understanding in any other place. We see a
+world of pains taken, and the best years of life spent, in collecting a
+set of thoughts in a college for the conduct of life; and after all, the
+man so qualified shall hesitate in his speech to a good suit of clothes,
+and want common sense before an agreeable woman. Hence it is, that
+wisdom, valour, justice, and learning, can't keep a man in countenance
+that is possessed with these excellences, if he wants that less art of
+life and behaviour, called "good breeding." A man endowed with great
+perfections without this, is like one who has his pockets full of gold,
+but always wants change for his ordinary occasions. Will. Courtly is a
+living instance of this truth, and has had the same education which I am
+giving my nephew. He never spoke a thing but what was said before; and
+yet can converse with the wittiest men without being ridiculous. Among
+the learned, he does not appear ignorant; nor with the wise, indiscreet.
+Living in conversation from his infancy, makes him nowhere at a loss;
+and a long familiarity with the persons of men, is in a manner of the
+same service to him, as if he knew their arts. As ceremony is the
+invention of wise men to keep fools at a distance, so good breeding is
+an expedient to make fools and wise men equals.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 17.
+
+The suspension of the playhouse[310] has made me have nothing to send
+you from hence; but calling here this evening, I found the party I
+usually sit with, upon the business of writing, and examining what was
+the handsomest style in which to address women, and write letters of
+gallantry. Many were the opinions which were immediately declared on
+this subject: some were for a certain softness; some for I know not what
+delicacy; others for something inexpressibly tender: when it came to me,
+I said there was no rule in the world to be made for writing letters,
+but that of being as near what you speak face to face as you can; which
+is so great a truth, that I am of opinion, writing has lost more
+mistresses than any one mistake in the whole legend of love. For when
+you write to a lady for whom you have a solid and honourable love, the
+great idea you have of her, joined to a quick sense of her absence,
+fills your mind with a sort of tenderness, that gives your language too
+much the air of complaint, which is seldom successful. For a man may
+flatter himself as he pleases, but he will find, that the women have
+more understanding in their own affairs than we have, and women of
+spirit are not to be won by mourners. Therefore he that can keep
+handsomely within rules, and support the carriage of a companion to his
+mistress, is much more likely to prevail, than he who lets her see, the
+whole relish of his life depends upon her. If possible therefore divert
+your mistress, rather than sigh to her. The pleasant man she will desire
+for her own sake; but the languishing lover has nothing to hope from but
+her pity. To show the difference I produced two letters a lady gave me,
+which had been writ to her by two gentlemen who pretended to her, but
+were both killed the next day after the date at the battle of Almanza.
+One of them was a mercurial gay-humoured man; the other a man of a
+serious, but a great and gallant spirit. Poor Jack Careless! This is his
+letter: you see how it is folded: the air of it is so negligent, one
+might have read half of it by peeping into it, without breaking it open.
+He had no exactness.
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"It is a very pleasant circumstance I am in, that while I should be
+thinking of the good company we are to meet within a day or two, where
+we shall go to loggerheads, my thoughts are running upon a fair enemy in
+England. I was in hopes I had left you there; but you follow the camp,
+though I have endeavoured to make some of our leaguer ladies drive you
+out of the field. All my comfort is, you are more troublesome to my
+colonel than myself: I permit you to visit me only now and then; but he
+downright keeps you. I laugh at his Honour as far as his gravity will
+allow me; but I know him to be a man of too much merit to succeed with a
+woman. Therefore defend your heart as well as you can, I shall come home
+this winter irresistibly dressed, and with quite a new foreign air. And
+so I had like to say, I rest, but alas! I remain,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"Most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "JOHN CARELESS."
+
+Now for Colonel Constant's epistle; you see it is folded and directed
+with the utmost care.
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I do myself the honour to write to you this evening, because I believe
+to-morrow will be a day of battle, and something forebodes in my breast
+that I shall fall in it. If it proves so, I hope you will hear, I have
+done nothing below a man who had a love of his country, quickened by a
+passion for a woman of honour. If there be anything noble in going to a
+certain death; if there be any merit, that I meet it with pleasure, by
+promising myself a place in your esteem; if your applause, when I am no
+more, is preferable to the most glorious life without you: I say, madam,
+if any of these considerations can have weight with you, you will give
+me a kind place in your memory, which I prefer to the glory of Cæsar. I
+hope, this will be read, as it is writ, with tears."
+
+The beloved lady is a woman of a sensible mind; but she has confessed
+to me, that after all her true and solid value for Constant, she had
+much more concern for the loss of Careless. Those great and serious
+spirits have something equal to the adversities they meet with, and
+consequently lessen the objects of pity. Great accidents seem not cut
+out so much for men of familiar characters, which makes them more easily
+pitied, and soon after beloved. Add to this, that the sort of love which
+generally succeeds, is a stranger to awe and distance. I asked Romana,
+whether of the two she should have chosen had they survived? She said,
+she knew she ought to have taken Constant; but believed she should have
+chosen Careless.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 17.
+
+Letters from Lisbon of the 9th instant, N.S., say, that the enemy's
+army, having blocked up Olivenza, was posted on the Guadiana. The
+Portuguese are very apprehensive that the garrison of that place, though
+it consists of five of the best regiments of their army, will be obliged
+to surrender, if not timely relieved, they not being supplied with
+provisions for more than six weeks. Hereupon their generals held a
+council of war on the 4th instant, wherein it was concluded to advance
+towards Badajos. With this design the army decamped on the 5th from
+Jerumena, and marched to Cancaon. It is hoped, that if the enemy follow
+their motions, they may have opportunity to put a sufficient quantity of
+provision and ammunition into Olivenza.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff gives notice to all persons that dress themselves as
+they please, without regard to decorum (as with blue and red stockings
+in mourning; tucked cravats, and nightcap wigs, before people of the
+first quality) that he has yet received no fine for indulging them in
+that liberty, and that he expects their compliance with this demand, or
+that they go home immediately and shift themselves. This is further to
+acquaint the town, that the report that the hosiers, toymen, and
+milliners, have compounded with Mr. Bickerstaff for tolerating such
+enormities, is utterly false and scandalous.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 307: At the Tower of London. The Tower menagerie was one of
+the sights of London until its removal in 1834. See Addison's
+_Freeholder_; No. 47.]
+
+[Footnote 308: In Westminster Abbey.]
+
+[Footnote 309: The Priory of Bethlem, in St. Botolph Without,
+Bishopsgate, was given by Henry VIII. to the Corporation of London, and
+was from thenceforth used as a hospital for lunatics. In 1675 a new
+hospital was built near London Wall, in Moorfields, at a cost of
+£17,000. See Hogarth's "Rake's Progress," Plate 8. In No. 127, Steele
+calls Bedlam "that magnificent palace."]
+
+[Footnote 310: Drury Lane Theatre was closed on June 6, 1709, by order
+of the Lord Chamberlain, in consequence of Rich's ill-treatment of the
+actors.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 31. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 18_, to _Tuesday, June 21, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, June 18.
+
+In my dissertation against the custom of single combat,[311] it has been
+objected, that there is not learning, or much reading, shown therein,
+which is the very life and soul of all treatises; for which reason,
+being always easy to receive admonitions, and reform my errors, I
+thought fit to consult this learned board on the subject. Upon proposing
+some doubts, and desiring their assistance, a very hopeful young
+gentleman, my relation, who is to be called to the bar within a year and
+a half at farthest, told me, that he had ever since I first mentioned
+duelling turned his head that way; and that he was principally moved
+thereto, by reason that he thought to follow the circuits in the North
+of England and South of Scotland, and to reside mostly at his own estate
+at Landbadernawz[312] in Cardiganshire. The northern Britons and
+southern Scots are a warm people, and the Welsh a nation of gentlemen;
+so that it behoved him to understand well the science of quarrelling.
+The young gentleman proceeded admirably well, and gave the board an
+account, that he had read Fitzherbert's "Grand Abridgment,"[313] and had
+found, that duelling is a very ancient part of the law: for when a man
+is sued, be it for his life or his land, the person that joins the
+issue, whether plaintiff or defendant, may put the trial upon the duel.
+Further he argued, under favour of the court, that when the issue is
+joined by the duel in treason or other capital crimes, the parties
+accused and accuser must fight in their own proper persons: but if the
+dispute be for lands, you may hire a champion at
+Hockley-in-the-Hole,[314] for anywhere else. This part of the law we had
+from the Saxons; and they had it, as also the trial by ordeal, from the
+Laplanders.[315] "It is indeed agreed," said he, "the Southern and
+Eastern nations never knew anything of it; for though the ancient Romans
+would scold, and call names filthily, yet there is not an example of a
+challenge that ever passed amongst them." His quoting the Eastern
+nations, put another gentleman in mind of an account he had from a
+boatswain of an East Indiaman; which was, that a Chinese had tricked and
+bubbled him, and that when he came to demand satisfaction the next
+morning, and like a true tar of honour called him "Son of a whore,"
+"Liar," "Dog," and other rough appellatives used by persons conversant
+with winds and waves; the Chinese, with great tranquillity, desired him
+not to come aboard fasting, nor put himself in a heat, for it would
+prejudice his health. Thus the East knows nothing of this gallantry.
+There sat at the left of the table a person of a venerable aspect, who
+asserted, that half the impositions which are put upon these ages, have
+been transmitted by writers who have given too great pomp and
+magnificence to the exploits of the ancient Bear Garden, and made their
+gladiators, by fabulous tradition, greater than Gorman[316] and others
+of Great Britain. He informed the company, that he had searched
+authorities for what he said, and that a learned antiquary, Humphrey
+Scarecrow, Esq., of Hockley-in-the-Hole, recorder to the Bear Garden,
+was then writing a discourse on the subject. It appears by the best
+accounts, says this gentleman, that the high names which are used among
+us with so great veneration, were no other than stage-fighters, and
+worthies of the ancient Bear Garden. The renowned Hercules always
+carried a quarterstaff, and was from thence called Claviger. A learned
+chronologist is about proving what wood this staff was made of, whether
+oak, ash, or crab-tree. The first trial of skill he ever performed, was
+with one Cacus, a deer-stealer; the next was with Typhonus, a giant of
+forty feet four inches. Indeed it was unhappily recorded, that meeting
+at last with a sailor's wife, she made his staff of prowess serve her
+own use, and dwindle away to a distaff: she clapped him on an old tar
+jacket of her husband's; so that this great hero drooped like a scabbed
+sheep. Him his contemporary Theseus succeeded in the Bear Garden, which
+honour he held for many years: this grand duellist went to hell, and was
+the only one of that sort that ever came back again. As for Achilles and
+Hector (as the ballads of those times mention), they were pretty smart
+fellows; they fought at sword and buckler; but the former had much the
+better of it; his mother, who was an oyster-woman, having got a
+blacksmith of Lemnos to make her son's weapons. There is a pair of
+trusty Trojans in a song of Virgil's, that were famous for handling
+their gauntlets, Dares, and Entellus;[317] and indeed it does appear,
+they fought [for] no sham prize. What arms the great Alexander used, is
+uncertain; however, the historian mentions, when he attacked Thalestris,
+it was only at single rapier; but the weapon soon failed; for it was
+always observed, that the Amazons had a sort of enchantment about them,
+which made the blade of the weapon, though of never so good metal, at
+every home push, lose its edge and grow feeble. The Roman Bear Garden
+was abundantly more magnificent than anything Greece could boast of; it
+flourished most under those delights of mankind, Nero and Domitian: at
+one time it is recorded, four hundred senators entered the list, and
+thought it an honour to be cudgelled and quarterstaffed.[318] I observe,
+the Lanistaé were the people chiefly employed, which makes me imagine
+our Bear Garden copied much after this, the butchers being the greatest
+men in it. Thus far the glory and honour of the Bear Garden stood
+secure, till fate, that irresistible ruler of sublunary things, in that
+universal ruin of arts and politer learning, by those savage people the
+Goths and Vandals, destroyed and levelled it to the ground. Thus fell
+the grandeur and bravery of the Roman state, till at last the warlike
+genius (but accompanied with more courtesy) revived in the Christian
+world under those puissant champions, St. George, St. Denis, and other
+dignified heroes: one killed his dragon, another his lion, and were all
+afterwards canonised for it, having red letters before them to
+illustrate their martial temper.[319] The Spanish nation, it must be
+owned, were devoted to gallantry and chivalry above the rest of the
+world. What a great figure does that great name, Don Quixote, make in
+history? How shines this glorious star in the Western world? O renowned
+hero! O mirror of knighthood!
+
+    _Thy brandished whinyard all the world defies,
+    And kills as sure as del Tobosa's eyes._
+
+I am forced to break off abruptly, being sent for in haste, with my
+rule, to measure the degree of an affront, before the two gentlemen (who
+are now in their breeches and pumps ready to engage behind Montague
+House[320]) have made a pass.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 18.
+
+It is an unreasonable objection I find against my labours, that my stock
+is not all my own, and therefore the kind reception I have met with is
+not so deserved as it ought to be. But I hope, though it be never so
+true that I am obliged to my friends for laying their cash in my hands,
+since I give it them again when they please, and leave them at their
+liberty to call it home, it will not hurt me with my gentle readers. Ask
+all the merchants who act upon consignments, where is the necessity (if
+they answer readily what their correspondents draw) of their being
+wealthy themselves? Ask the greatest bankers, if all the men they deal
+with were to draw at once, what would be the consequence? But indeed a
+country friend has writ me a letter which gives me great mortification;
+wherein I find I am so far from expecting a supply from thence, that
+some have not heard of me, and the rest do not understand me. His
+epistle is as follows:[321]
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"I thought when I left the town to have raised your fame here, and
+helped you to support it by intelligence from hence; but alas! they had
+never heard of the _Tatler_ until I brought down a set. I lent them from
+house to house; but they asked me what they meant. I began to enlighten
+them, by telling who and who were supposed to be intended by the
+characters drawn. I said for instance, Chloe[322] and Clarissa are two
+eminent toasts. A gentleman (who keeps his greyhound and gun, and one
+would think might know better) told me, he supposed they were papishes,
+for their names were not English: 'Then,' said he, 'why do you call live
+people "toasts"?' I answered, that was a new name found out by the wits,
+to make a lady have the same effect as burridge[323] in the glass when a
+man is drinking. 'But,' says I, 'sir, I perceive this is to you all
+bamboozling; why you look as if you were Don Diego'd[324] to the tune of
+a thousand pounds.' All this good language was lost upon him: he only
+stared, though he is as good a scholar as any layman in the town, except
+the barber. Thus, cousin, you must be content with London for the centre
+of your wealth and fame; we have no relish for you. Wit must describe
+its proper circumference, and not go beyond it, lest (like little boys,
+when they straggle out of their own parish), it may wander to places
+where it is not known, and be lost. Since it is so, you must excuse me
+that I am forced at a visit to sit silent, and only lay up what
+excellent things pass at such conversations.
+
+"This evening I was with a couple of young ladies; one of them has the
+character of the prettiest company, yet really I thought her but silly;
+the other, who talked a great deal less, I observed to have
+understanding. The lady who is reckoned such a companion among her
+acquaintance, has only, with a very brisk air, a knack of saying the
+commonest things: the other, with a sly serious one, says home things
+enough. The first (Mistress Giddy) is very quick; but the second (Mrs.
+Slim) fell into Giddy's own style, and was as good company as she. Giddy
+happens to drop her glove; Slim reaches it to her: 'Madam,' says Giddy,
+'I hope you'll have a better office.' Upon which Slim immediately
+repartees, and sits in her lap, and cries, 'Are you not sorry for my
+heaviness?' This sly wench pleased me to see how she hit her height of
+understanding so well. We sat down to supper. Says Giddy, mighty
+prettily, 'Two hands in a dish and one in a purse': says Slim, 'Ay,
+madam, the more the merrier; but the fewer the better cheer.' I quickly
+took the hint, and was as witty and talkative as they. Says I,
+
+    "_'He that will not when he may,
+    When he will he shall have nay;'_
+
+and so helped myself. Giddy turns about, 'What, have you found your
+tongue?' 'Yes,' says I, 'it is manners to speak when I am spoken to; but
+your greatest talkers are little doers, and the still sow eats up all
+the broth.' 'Ha! ha!' says Giddy, 'one would think he had nothing in
+him, and do you hear how he talks when he pleases.' I grew immediately
+roguish and pleasant to a degree in the same strain. Slim, who knew how
+good company we had been, cries, 'You'll certainly print this bright
+conversation.'"
+
+It is so; and hereby you may see how small an appearance the prettiest
+things said in company, make when in print.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 20.
+
+A mail from Lisbon has brought advices of June the 12th, from the King
+of Portugal's army encamped at Torre Allegada, which inform us, that the
+general of the army called a court-martial on the 4th at the camp of
+Gerumhena, where it was resolved to march with a design to attempt the
+succour of Olivenza. Accordingly the army moved on the 5th, and marched
+towards Badajos. Upon their approach, the Marquis de Bay detached so
+great a party from the blockade of Olivenza, that the Marquis des Minas,
+at the head of a large detachment, covered a great convoy of provisions
+towards Olivenza, which threw in their stores, and marched back to the
+main army, without molestation from the Spaniards. They add, that each
+army must necessarily march into quarters within twenty days.
+
+Whosoever can discover a surgeon's apprentice, who fell upon Mr.
+Bickerstaff's messenger, or (as the printers call him) devil, going to
+the press, and tore out of his hand part of his essay against duels, in
+the fragments of which were the words, "You lie," and "Man of honour,"
+taken up at the Temple Gate; and the words, "Perhaps,"--"May be
+not,"--"By your leave, sir,"--and other terms of provocation, taken up
+at the door of Young Man's Coffee-house,[325] shall receive satisfaction
+from Mr. Morphew, besides a set of arguments to be spoken to any man in
+a passion, which, if the said enraged man listens to, will prevent
+quarrelling.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff does hereby give notice, that he has taken the two
+famous universities of this land under his immediate care, and does
+hereby promise all tutors and pupils, that he will hear what can be said
+of each side between them, and to correct them impartially, by placing
+them in orders and classes in the learned world, according to their
+merit.[326]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 311: See Nos. 25, 26, 28, 29.]
+
+[Footnote 312: Probably meant for Llanbadern Vawr, if not a name coined
+for the occasion.]
+
+[Footnote 313: Sir Anthony Fitzherbert's book was published in 1514.]
+
+[Footnote 314: See Nos. 28, 134.]
+
+[Footnote 315: See Selden, "De Duello" (1610), p. 19.]
+
+[Footnote 316: A prize-fighter mentioned in Lansdowne's epilogue to "The
+Jew of Venice."]
+
+[Footnote 317: "Æneid," v. 437 _seq._]
+
+[Footnote 318: Suetonius, "Life of Nero," chap. 12.]
+
+[Footnote 319: An allusion to the rubrics in Roman missals.]
+
+[Footnote 320: The fields at the back of Montague House, Bloomsbury,
+were a favourite place for duels in the first half of the eighteenth
+century. Cf. _Spectator_, No. 91: "I shall be glad to meet you
+immediately in Hyde Park or behind Montague House, or attend you to Barn
+Elms, or any other fashionable place that's fit for a gentleman to die
+in."]
+
+[Footnote 321: It has been suggested, with some probability, that this
+letter is by Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 322: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 323: Borago was a plant formerly used as a cordial.]
+
+[Footnote 324: See No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 325: Young Man's Coffee-house at Charing Cross, had a back
+door into Spring Garden. It seems to have been specially frequented by
+officers.]
+
+[Footnote 326: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received the advices from Clay Hill,
+which, with all intelligence from honest Mr. Sturdy and others, shall
+have their place in our future story" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 32. [SWIFT AND STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 21_, to _Thursday, June 23, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 22.
+
+An answer to the following letter being absolutely necessary to be
+despatched with all expedition, I must trespass upon all that come with
+horary questions into my ante-chamber, to give the gentlemen my opinion.
+
+#"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._#
+
+"_June 18_, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I know not whether you ought to pity or laugh at me; for I am fallen
+desperately in love with a professed Platonne, the most unaccountable
+creature of her sex. To hear her talk seraphics, and run over
+Norris,[327] and More,[328] and Milton,[329] and the whole set of
+intellectual triflers, torments me heartily; for to a lover who
+understands metaphors, all this pretty prattle of ideas gives very fine
+views of pleasure, which only the dear declaimer prevents, by
+understanding them literally. Why should she wish to be a cherubim, when
+it is flesh and blood that makes her adorable? If I speak to her, that
+is a high breach of the idea of intuition: if I offer at her hand or
+lip, she shrinks from the touch like a sensitive plant, and would
+contract herself into mere spirit. She calls her chariot, 'vehicle'; her
+furbelowed scarf, 'pinions': her blue mant and petticoat is her 'azure
+dress'; and her footman goes by the name of Oberon. It is my misfortune
+to be six foot and a half high, two full spans between the shoulders,
+thirteen inches diameter in the calves; and before I was in love, I had
+a noble stomach, and usually went to bed sober with two bottles. I am
+not quite six and twenty, and my nose is marked truly aquiline. For
+these reasons, I am in a very particular manner her aversion. What shall
+I do? Impudence itself cannot reclaim her. If I write miserable, she
+reckons me among the children of perdition, and discards me her region:
+if I assume the gross and substantial, she plays the real ghost with me,
+and vanishes in a moment. I had hopes in the hypocrisy of her sex; but
+perseverance makes it as bad as fixed aversion. I desire your opinion,
+whether I may not lawfully play the Inquisition upon her, make use of a
+little force, and put her to the rack and the torture, only to convince
+her she has really fine limbs, without spoiling or distorting them. I
+expect your directions, ere I proceed to dwindle and fall away with
+despair; which at present I don't think advisable; because, if she
+should recant, she may then hate me perhaps in the other extreme for my
+tenuity. I am (with impatience) "Your most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "CHARLES STURDY."
+
+My patient has put his case with very much warmth, and represented it in
+so lively a manner, that I see both his torment and tormentor with great
+perspicuity. This order of platonic ladies are to be dealt with in a
+peculiar manner from all the rest of the sex. Flattery is the general
+way, and the way in this case; but it is not to be done grossly. Every
+man that has wit, and humour, and raillery, can make a good flatterer
+for woman in general; but a Platonne is not to be touched with
+panegyric: she will tell you, it is a sensuality in the soul to be
+delighted that way. You are not therefore to commend, but silently
+consent to all she does, and says. You are to consider in her the scorn
+of you is not humour, but opinion. There were some years since a set of
+these ladies who were of quality, and gave out, that virginity was to be
+their state of life during this mortal condition, and therefore resolved
+to join their fortunes, and erect a nunnery. The place of residence was
+pitched upon; and a pretty situation, full of natural falls and risings
+of waters, with shady coverts, and flowery arbours, was approved by
+seven of the founders. There were as many of our sex who took the
+liberty to visit those mansions of intended severity; among others, a
+famous rake of that time, who had the grave way to an excellence. He
+came in first; but upon seeing a servant coming towards him, with a
+design to tell him, this was no place for him or his companions, up goes
+my grave impudence to the maid: "Young woman," said he, "if any of the
+ladies are in the way on this side of the house, pray carry us on the
+other side towards the gardens: we are, you must know, gentlemen that
+are travelling England; after which we shall go into foreign parts,
+where some of us have already been." Here he bows in the most humble
+manner, and kissed the girl, who knew not how to behave to such a sort
+of carriage. He goes on: "Now you must know we have an ambition to have
+it to say, that we have a Protestant nunnery in England: but pray Mrs.
+Betty--" "Sir," she replied, "my name is Susan, at your service." "Then
+I heartily beg your pardon--" "No offence in the least," says she, "for
+I have a cousin-german whose name is Betty." "Indeed," said he, "I
+protest to you that was more than I knew, I spoke at random: but since
+it happens that I was near in the right, give me leave to present this
+gentleman to the favour of a civil salute." His friend advances, and so
+on, till that they had all saluted her. By this means, the poor girl was
+in the middle of the crowd of these fellows, at a loss what to do,
+without courage to pass through them; and the Platonics, at several
+peep-holes, pale, trembling, and fretting. Rake perceived they were
+observed, and therefore took care to keep Suky in chat with questions
+concerning their way of life; when appeared at last Madonella,[330] a
+lady who had writ a fine book concerning the recluse life, and was the
+projectrix of the foundation. She approaches into the hall; and Rake,
+knowing the dignity of his own mien and aspect, goes deputy from his
+company. She begins, "Sir, I am obliged to follow the servant, who was
+sent out to know, what affair could make strangers press upon a solitude
+which we, who are to inhabit this place, have devoted to Heaven and our
+own thoughts?" "Madam," replies Rake, with an air of great distance,
+mixed with a certain indifference, by which he could dissemble
+dissimulation, "your great intention has made more noise in the world
+than you design it should; and we travellers, who have seen many foreign
+institutions of this kind, have a curiosity to see, in its first
+rudiments, this seat of primitive piety; for such it must be called by
+future ages, to the eternal honour of the founders. I have read
+Madonella's excellent and seraphic discourse on this subject." The lady
+immediately answers, "If what I have said could have contributed to
+raise any thoughts in you that may make for the advancement of
+intellectual and divine conversation, I should think myself extremely
+happy." He immediately fell back with the profoundest veneration; then
+advancing, "Are you then that admired lady? If I may approach lips which
+have uttered things so sacred--" He salutes her. His friends follow his
+example. The devoted within stood in amazement where this would end, to
+see Madonella receive their address and their company. But Rake goes on,
+"We would not transgress rules; but if we may take the liberty to see
+the place you have thought fit to choose for ever, we would go into such
+parts of the gardens as is consistent with the severities you have
+imposed on yourselves." To be short, Madonella permitted Rake to lead
+her into the assembly of nuns, followed by his friends, and each took
+his fair one by the hand, after due explanation, to walk round the
+gardens. The conversation turned upon the lilies, the flowers, the
+arbors, and the growing vegetables; and Rake had the solemn impudence,
+when the whole company stood round him, to say, "That he sincerely
+wished that men might rise out of the earth like plants; and that our
+minds were not of necessity to be sullied with carnivorous appetites for
+the generation, as well as support of our species."[331] This was spoke
+with so easy and fixed an assurance, that Madonella answered, "Sir,
+under the notion of a pious thought, you deceive yourself in wishing an
+institution foreign to that of Providence: these desires were implanted
+in us for reverent purposes, in preserving the race of men, and giving
+opportunities for making our chastity more heroic." The conference was
+continued in this celestial strain, and carried on so well by the
+managers on both sides, that it created a second and a third[332]
+interview; and, without entering into further particulars, there was
+hardly one of them but was a mother or father that day twelve-month.
+
+Any unnatural part is long taking up, and as long laying aside;
+therefore Mr. Sturdy may assure himself, Platonica will fly for ever
+from a forward behaviour; but if he approaches her according to this
+model, she will fall in with the necessities of mortal life, and
+condescend to look with pity upon an unhappy man, imprisoned in so much
+body, and urged by such violent desires.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 22.
+
+The evils of this town increase upon me to so great a degree, that I am
+half afraid I shall not leave the world much better than I found it.
+Several worthy gentlemen and critics have applied to me, to give my
+censure of an enormity which has been revived (after being long
+oppressed) and is called Punning.[333] I have several arguments ready to
+prove, that he cannot be a man of honour who is guilty of this abuse of
+human society. But the way to expose it, is like the expedient of curing
+drunkenness, showing a man in that condition: therefore I must give my
+reader warning, to expect a collection of these offences; without which
+preparation, I thought it too adventurous to introduce the very mention
+of it in good company; and hope I shall be understood to do it, as a
+divine mentions oaths and curses, only for their condemnation. I shall
+dedicate this discourse to a gentleman my very good friend, who is the
+Janus[334] of our times, and whom by his years and wit, you would take
+to be of the last age; but by his dress and morals, of this.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 22.
+
+Last night arrived two mails from Holland, which brings letters from the
+Hague of the 28th instant, N.S., with advice, that the enemy lay
+encamped behind a strong retrenchment, with the marsh of Remières on
+their right and left, extending itself as far as Bethune: La Bassée is
+in their front, Lens in their rear, and their camp is strengthened by
+another line from Lens to Douay. The Duke of Marlborough caused an exact
+observation to be made of their ground, and the works by which they were
+covered, which appeared so strong, that it was not thought proper to
+attack them in their present posture. However, the Duke thought fit to
+make a feint as if he designed it; and accordingly marching from the
+abbey at Looze, as did Prince Eugene from Lampret, advanced with all
+possible diligence towards the enemy. To favour the appearance of an
+intended assault, the ways were made, and orders distributed in such a
+manner, that none in either camp could have thoughts of anything but
+charging the enemy by break of day the next morning: but soon after the
+fall of the night of the 26th, the whole army faced towards Tournay,
+which place they invested early in the morning of the 27th. The Marshal
+Villars was so confident that we designed to attack him, that he had
+drawn great part of the garrison of the place, which is now invested,
+into the field: for which reason, it is presumed it must submit within a
+small time; which the enemy cannot prevent, but by coming out of their
+present camp, and hazarding a general engagement. These advices add,
+that the garrison of Mons had marched out under the command of Marshal
+d'Arco; which, with the Bavarians, Walloons, and the troops of Cologne,
+have joined the grand army of the enemy.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 327: John Norris (1657-1711), the divine, published, in 1688,
+"The Theory and Regulation of Love, a Moral Essay; to which are added
+Letters Philosophical and Moral between the author and Doctor Henry
+More."]
+
+[Footnote 328: Henry More, the platonist (1614-87), published "Divine
+Dialogues," "Conjectura Cabalistica," and many other works.]
+
+[Footnote 329: It is not clear why Milton is bracketed with Norris and
+More; perhaps Swift had in mind such passages about heavenly love as
+that in "Paradise Lost," viii. 588-614.]
+
+[Footnote 330: Swift seems to have been the author of this first portion
+of No. 32, which contains a scandalous attack on Mary Astell. Nichols
+thought that Addison also had a share in it. See Nos. 59, 63. Mrs.
+Astell, a friend of Lady Elizabeth Hastings and John Norris, published,
+in 1694, her "Serious Proposal to the Ladies," advocating a Church of
+England monastery, without any irrevocable vows. Provision was made for
+mental as well as moral training; in fact, the institution was to have
+been "rather academical than monastic." But Bishop Burnet advised Lady
+Elizabeth Hastings not to subscribe to the proposed building, and the
+scheme fell through. In 1709, Miss Astell published a book called
+"Bart'lemy Fair; or, An Enquiry after Wit.... By Mr. Wotton, in answer
+to Lord Shaftesbury's Letter concerning Enthusiasm, and other profane
+writers." In the advertisement to the Second Edition ("An Enquiry after
+Wit," &c., 1722), Mary Astell says that, although her book was at first
+published under a borrowed name, it was ascribed to her, and drew upon
+her the resentment of that sort of men of wit who were exposed, and was
+the true cause of the fable published in the _Tatler_ a little after the
+"Enquiry" appeared. But she notes that, although the _Tatler_ showed its
+teeth against the "Proposal to the Ladies," the compilator made amends
+to the author (if not to the bookseller), by transcribing above a
+hundred pages into his _Ladies' Library_ verbatim, except in a few
+places, which would not be found to be improved. The "Enquiry after Wit"
+is dedicated "To the most Illustrious Society of the Kit-Cats," with
+many sarcastic allusions to their luxury, oaths, &c. True, their names
+had not been heard of from Hochsted or Ramillies, but then their heroism
+found in every place an ample theatre for their merits. "The Bath, the
+Wells, and every Fair, each Chocolate, Gaming House and Tavern resounds
+with your noble exploits."]
+
+[Footnote 331: This is borrowed from Sir Thomas Browne's "Religio
+Medici," part ii. sect. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 332: "Second," in original editions.]
+
+[Footnote 333: There is an apology for punning in No. 36 of the
+_Guardian_.]
+
+[Footnote 334: Swift.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 33. [STEELE.
+
+By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Thursday, June 23_, to _Saturday, June 25_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 23.
+
+My brother has made an excursion into the country, and the work against
+Saturday lies upon me. I am very glad I have got pen and ink in my hand;
+for I have for some time longed for his absence, to give a right idea of
+things, which I thought he put in a very odd light, and some of them to
+the disadvantage of my own sex. It is much to be lamented, that it is
+necessary to make discourses, and publish treatises, to keep the horrid
+creatures, the men, within the rules of common decency. Turning over the
+papers of memorials or hints for the ensuing discourses, I find a letter
+subscribed by Mr. Truman.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I am lately come to town, and have read your works with much pleasure.
+You make wit subservient to good principles and good manners. Yet,
+because I design to buy the _Tatlers_ for my daughters to read, I take
+the freedom to desire you, for the future, to say nothing about any
+combat between Alexander and Thalestris."[335]
+
+This offence gives me occasion to express myself with the resentment I
+ought, on people who take liberties of speech before that sex of whom
+the honoured names of mother, daughter, and sister, are a part: I had
+liked to have named wife in the number; but the senseless world are so
+mistaken in their sentiments of pleasure, that the most amiable term in
+human life is become the derision of fools and scorners. My brother and
+I have at least fifty times quarrelled upon this topic. I ever argue,
+that the frailties of women are to be imputed to the false ornaments
+which men of wit put upon our folly and coquetry. He lays all the vices
+of men upon women's secret approbation of libertine characters in them.
+I did not care to give up a point; but now he is out of the way, I
+cannot but own I believe there is very much in what he asserted: for if
+you will believe your eyes, and own, that the wickedest and the wittiest
+of them all marry one day or other, is it possible to believe, that if a
+man thought he should be for ever incapable of being received by a woman
+of merit and honour, he would persist in an abandoned way, and deny
+himself the possibility of enjoying the happiness of well-governed
+desires, orderly satisfactions, and honourable methods of life? If our
+sex were wise, a lover should have a certificate from the last woman he
+served, how he was turned away, before he was received into the service
+of another: but at present any vagabond is welcome, provided he promises
+to enter into our livery. It is wonderful, that we will not take a
+footman without credentials from his last master; and in the greatest
+concern of life, we make no scruple of falling into a treaty with the
+most notorious offender in his behaviour against others. But this breach
+of commerce between the sexes, proceeds from an unaccountable prevalence
+of custom, by which a woman is to the last degree reproachable for being
+deceived, and a man suffers no loss of credit for being a deceiver.
+Since this tyrant humour has gained place, why are we represented in the
+writings of men in ill figures for artifice in our carriage, when we
+have to do with a professed impostor? When oaths, imprecations, vows,
+and adorations, are made use of as words of course, what arts are not
+necessary to defend us from such as glory in the breach of them? As for
+my part, I am resolved to hear all, and believe none of them; and
+therefore solemnly declare, no vow shall deceive me, but that of
+marriage: for I am turned of twenty, and being of a small fortune, some
+wit, and (if I can believe my lovers and my glass) handsome, I have
+heard all that can be said towards my undoing, and shall therefore, for
+warning sake, give an account of the offers that have been made me, my
+manner of rejecting them, and my assistances to keep my resolution. In
+the sixteenth year of my life, I fell into the acquaintance of a lady,
+extremely well known in this town for the quick advancement of her
+husband, and the honours and distinctions which her industry has
+procured him, and all who belong to her. This excellent body sat next to
+me for some months at church, and took the liberty (which she said her
+years and the zeal she had for my welfare gave her claim to) to assure
+me, that she observed some parts of my behaviour which would lead me
+into errors, and give encouragement to some to entertain hopes I did not
+think of. "What made you," said she, "look through your fan at that
+lord, when your eyes should have been turned upward, or closed in
+attention upon better objects?" I blushed, and pretended fifty odd
+excuses;--but confounded myself the more. She wanted nothing but to see
+that confusion, and goes on: "Nay, child, do not be troubled that I take
+notice of it, my value for you made me speak it; for though he is my
+kinsman, I have a nearer regard to virtue than any other consideration."
+She had hardly done speaking, when this noble lord came up to us, and
+took her hand to lead her to her coach. My head ran all that day and
+night on the exemplary carriage of this woman who could be so virtuously
+impertinent, as to admonish one she was hardly acquainted with.
+However, it struck upon the vanity of a girl that it may possibly be,
+his thoughts might have been as favourable of me, as mine were amorous
+of him, and as unlikely things as that have happened, if he should make
+me his wife. She never mentioned this more to me; but I still in all
+public places stole looks at this man, who easily observed my passion
+for him. It is so hard a thing to check the return of agreeable
+thoughts, that he became my dream, my vision, my food, my wish, my
+torment. That minister of darkness, the Lady Sempronia,[336] perceived
+too well the temper I was in, and would one day after evening service
+needs take me to the Park. When we were there, my lord passes by; I
+flushed into a flame. "Mrs. Distaff," said she, "you may very well
+remember the concern I was in upon the first notice I took of your
+regard to that lord, and forgive me, who had a tender friendship for
+your mother (now in her grave) that I am vigilant of your conduct." She
+went on with much severity, and after great solicitation, prevailed on
+me to go with her into the country, and there spend the ensuing summer
+out of the way of a man she saw I loved, and one whom she perceived
+meditated my ruin, by frequently desiring her to introduce him to me;
+which she absolutely refused, except he would give his honour that he
+had no other design but to marry me. To her country house a week or two
+after we went: there was at the farther end of her garden a kind of
+wilderness, in the middle of which ran a soft rivulet by an arbour of
+jessamine. In this place I usually passed my retired hours, and read
+some romantic or poetical tale till the close of the evening. It was
+near that time in the heat of summer, when gentle winds, soft murmurs
+of water, and notes of nightingales had given my mind an indolence,
+which added to that repose of soul, which twilight and the end of a warm
+day naturally throws upon the spirits. It was at such an hour, and in
+such a state of tranquillity I sat, when, to my unexpressible amazement,
+I saw my lord walking towards me, whom I knew not till that moment to
+have been in the country. I could observe in his approach the perplexity
+which attends a man big with design; and I had, while he was coming
+forward, time to reflect that I was betrayed; the sense of which gave me
+a resentment suitable to such a baseness: but when he entered into the
+bower where I was, my heart flew towards him, and, I confess, a certain
+joy came into my mind, with a hope that he might then make a declaration
+of honour and passion. This threw my eye upon him with such tenderness,
+as gave him power, with a broken accent, to begin. "Madam,--You will
+wonder--For it is certain, you must have observed--though I fear you
+will misinterpret the motives--But by Heaven, and all that's sacred! If
+you could--" Here he made a full stand. And I recovered power to say,
+"The consternation I am in you will not, I hope, believe--A helpless
+innocent maid--Besides that, the place--" He saw me in as great
+confusion as himself; which attributing to the same causes, he had the
+audaciousness to throw himself at my feet, and talk of the stillness of
+the evening; then ran into deifications of my person, pure flames,
+constant love, eternal raptures, and a thousand other phrases drawn from
+the images we have of heaven, which ill men use for the service of hell,
+were run over with uncommon vehemence. After which, he seized me in his
+arms: his design was too evident. In my utmost distress, I fell upon my
+knees--"My lord, pity me, on my knees--On my knees in the cause of
+virtue, as you were lately in that of wickedness. Can you think of
+destroying the labour of a whole life, the purpose of a long education,
+for the base service of a sudden appetite, to throw one that loves you,
+that dotes on you, out of the company and road of all that is virtuous
+and praiseworthy? Have I taken in all the instructions of piety,
+religion, and reason, for no other end, but to be the sacrifice of lust,
+and abandoned to scorn? Assume yourself, my lord, and do not attempt to
+vitiate a temple sacred to innocence, honour, and religion. If I have
+injured you, stab this bosom, and let me die, but not be ruined by the
+hand I love." The ardency of my passion made me incapable of uttering
+more; and I saw my lover astonished and reformed by my behaviour: when
+rushed in Sempronia. "Ha! Faithless, base man, could you then steal out
+of town, and lurk like a robber about my house for such brutish
+purposes?" My lord was by this time recovered, and fell into a violent
+laughter at the turn which Sempronia designed to give her villany. He
+bowed to me with the utmost respect: "Mrs. Distaff," said he, "be
+careful hereafter of your company"; and so retired. The fiend Sempronia
+congratulated my deliverance with a flood of tears. This nobleman has
+since very frequently made his addresses to me with honour, but I have
+as often refused them; as well knowing, that familiarity and marriage
+will make him, on some ill-natured occasion, call all I said in the
+arbour a theatrical action. Besides that, I glory in contemning a man
+who had thoughts to my dishonour. And if this method were the imitation
+of the whole sex, innocence would be the only dress of beauty; and all
+affectation by any other arts to please the eyes of men, would be
+banished to the stews for ever. The conquest of passion gives ten times
+more happiness than we can reap from the gratification of it; and she
+that has got over such a one as mine, will stand among beaux and pretty
+fellows, with as much safety as in a summer's day among grasshoppers and
+butterflies.
+
+P.S.--I have ten millions of things more against men, if I ever get the
+pen again.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 24.
+
+Our last advices from the Hague, dated the 28th instant, say, that on
+the 25th a squadron of Dutch men-of-war sailed out of the Texel to join
+Admiral Baker at Spithead. The 26th was observed as a day of fasting and
+humiliation, to implore a blessing on the arms of the Allies this
+ensuing campaign. Letters from Dresden are very particular in the
+account of the gallantry and magnificence in which that Court has
+appeared since the arrival of the King of Denmark. No day has passed in
+which public shows have not been exhibited for his entertainment and
+diversion: the last of that kind which is mentioned is a carousal,
+wherein many of the youth of the first quality, dressed in the most
+splendid manner, ran for the prize. His Danish Majesty condescended to
+the same; but having observed that there was a design laid to throw it
+in his way, passed by without attempting to gain it. The Court of
+Dresden was preparing to accompany his Danish Majesty to Potsdam, where
+the expectation of an interview of three kings had drawn together such
+multitudes of people, that many persons of distinction will be obliged
+to lie in tents as long as those Courts continue in that place.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 335: See No. 31.]
+
+[Footnote 336: See Sallust, "Bell. Catal." chap. 21. The person here
+referred to as Sempronia is said to be the same as the Madam d'Epingle
+elsewhere alluded to.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 34. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Saturday, June 25_, to _Tuesday, June 28, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 25.
+
+Having taken upon me to cure all the distempers which proceed from
+affections of the mind, I have laboured since I first kept this public
+stage, to do all the good I could possibly, and have perfected many
+cures at my own lodging; carefully avoiding the common method of
+mountebanks, to do their most eminent operations in sight of the people;
+but must be so just to my patients as to declare, they have testified
+under their hands their sense of my poor abilities, and the good I have
+done them, which I publish for the benefit of the world, and not out of
+any thoughts of private advantage. I have cured fine Mrs. Spy of a great
+imperfection in her eyes, which made her eternally rolling them from one
+coxcomb to another in public places, in so languishing a manner, that it
+at once lessened her own power, and her beholder's vanity. Twenty drops
+of my ink, placed in certain letters on which she attentively looked for
+half an hour, have restored her to the true use of her sight; which is,
+to guide, and not mislead us. Ever since she took this liquor, which I
+call Bickerstaff's Circumspection Water, she looks right forward, and
+can bear being looked at for half a day without returning one glance.
+This water has a peculiar virtue in it, which makes it the only true
+cosmetic or beauty wash in the world: the nature of it is such, that if
+you go to a glass, with design to admire your face, it immediately
+changes it into downright deformity. If you consult it only to look
+with a better countenance upon your friends, it immediately gives an
+alacrity to the visage, and new grace to the whole person. There is
+indeed a great deal owing to the constitution of the person to whom it
+is applied: it is in vain to give it when the patient is in the rage of
+the distemper; a bride in her first month, a lady soon after her
+husband's being knighted, or any person of either sex who has lately
+obtained any new good fortune or preferment, must be prepared some time
+before they use it. It has an effect upon others, as well as the
+patient, when it is taken in due form. Lady Petulant has by the use of
+it cured her husband of jealousy, and Lady Gad her whole neighbourhood
+of detraction. The fame of these things, added to my being an old
+fellow, makes me extremely acceptable to the fair sex. You would hardly
+believe me, when I tell you there is not a man in town so much their
+delight as myself. They make no more of visiting me, than going to Madam
+d'Epingle's.[337] There were two of them, namely, Damia and Clidamira (I
+assure you women of distinction) who came to see me this morning in
+their way to prayers, and being in a very diverting humour as (innocence
+always makes people cheerful) they would needs have me, according to the
+distinction of "pretty" and "very pretty" fellows, inform them if I
+thought either of them had a title to the "very pretty" among those of
+their own sex; and if I did, which was the more deserving of the two. To
+put them to the trial, "Look ye," said I, "I must not rashly give my
+judgment in matters of this importance; pray let me see you dance: I
+play upon the kit."[338] They immediately fell back to the lower end of
+the room (you may be sure they curtsied low enough to me): and began.
+Never were two in the world so equally matched, and both scholars to my
+namesake Isaac.[339] Never was man in so dangerous a condition as
+myself, when they began to expand their charms. "O! ladies, ladies,"
+cried I, "not half that air, you'll fire the house." Both smiled; for
+by-the bye, there's no carrying a metaphor too far, when a lady's charms
+are spoken of. Somebody, I think, has called a fine woman dancing, a
+brandished torch of beauty.[340] These rivals moved with such an
+agreeable freedom, that you would believe their gesture was the
+necessary effect of the music, and not the product of skill and
+practice. Now Clidamira came on with a crowd of graces, and demanded my
+judgment with so sweet an air--and she had no sooner carried it, but
+Damia made her utterly forgot by a gentle sinking, and a rigadoon
+step.[341] The contest held a full half-hour; and I protest, I saw no
+manner of difference in their perfections, till they came up together,
+and expected my sentence. "Look ye, ladies," said I, "I see no
+difference in the least in your performance; but you Clidamira seem to
+be so well satisfied that I shall determine for you, that I must give it
+to Damia, who stands with so much diffidence and fear, after showing an
+equal merit to what she pretends to. Therefore, Clidamira, you are a
+'pretty'; but, Damia, you are a 'very pretty' lady. For," said I,
+"beauty loses its force, if not accompanied with modesty. She that has a
+humble opinion of herself, will have everybody's applause, because she
+does not expect it; while the vain creature loses approbation through
+too great a sense of deserving it."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 27.
+
+Being of a very spare and hective constitution, I am forced to make
+frequent journeys of a mile or two for fresh air; and indeed by this
+last, which was no further than the village of Chelsea, I am farther
+convinced of the necessity of travelling to know the world. For as it is
+usual with young voyagers, as soon as they land upon a shore, to begin
+their accounts of the nature of the people, their soil, their
+government, their inclinations, and their passions, so really I fancied
+I could give you an immediate description of this village, from the Five
+Fields,[342] where the robbers lie in wait, to the coffee-house where
+the _literati_ sit in council. A great ancestor of ours by the mother's
+side, Mr. Justice Overdo (whose history is written by Ben Jonson),[343]
+met with more enormities by walking _incog._ than he was capable of
+correcting; and found great mortifications in observing also persons of
+eminence, whom he before knew nothing of. Thus it fared with me, even in
+a place so near the town as this. When I came into the
+coffee-house,[344] I had not time to salute the company, before my eye
+was diverted by ten thousand gimcracks round the room and on the
+ceiling. When my first astonishment was over, comes to me a sage of a
+thin and meagre countenance; which aspect made me doubt, whether reading
+or fretting had made it so philosophic: but I very soon perceived him to
+be of that sect which the ancients call Gingivistæ,[345] in our
+language, tooth-drawers. I immediately had a respect for the man; for
+these practical philosophers go upon a very rational hypothesis, not to
+cure, but take away the part affected. My love of mankind made me very
+benevolent to Mr. Salter, for such is the name of this eminent barber
+and antiquary. Men are usually, but unjustly, distinguished rather by
+their fortunes, than their talents, otherwise this personage would make
+a great figure in that class of men which I distinguish under the title
+of Odd Fellows. But it is the misfortune of persons of great genius, to
+have their faculties dissipated by attention to too many things at once.
+Mr. Salter is an instance of this: if he would wholly give himself up to
+the string,[346] instead of playing twenty beginnings to tunes, he might
+before he dies play "Roger de Caubly"[347] quite out. I heard him go
+through his whole round, and indeed I think he does play the "Merry
+Christ-Church Bells"[348] pretty justly; but he confessed to me, he did
+that rather to show he was orthodox, than that he valued himself upon
+the music itself. Or if he did proceed in his anatomy, why might not he
+hope in time to cut off legs, as well as draw teeth? The particularity
+of this man put me into a deep thought, whence it should proceed, that
+of all the lower order barbers should go farther in hitting the
+ridiculous, than any other set of men. Watermen brawl, cobblers sing;
+but why must a barber be for ever a politician, a musician, an
+anatomist, a poet, and a physician? The learned Vossus says,[349] his
+barber used to comb his head in iambics. And indeed in all ages, one of
+this useful profession, this order of cosmetic philosophers, has been
+celebrated by the most eminent hands. You see the barber in "Don
+Quixote,"[350] is one of the principal characters in the history, which
+gave me satisfaction in the doubt, why Don Saltero writ his name with a
+Spanish termination: for he is descended in a right line, not from John
+Tradescant,[351] as he himself asserts, but from that memorable
+companion of the Knight of Mancha. And I hereby certify all the worthy
+citizens who travel to see his rarities, that his double-barrelled
+pistols, targets, coats of mail, his sclopeta,[352] and sword of
+Toledo,[353] were left to his ancestor by the said Don Quixote, and by
+the said ancestor to all his progeny down to Don Saltero. Though I go
+thus far in favour of Don Saltero's great merit, I cannot allow a
+liberty he takes of imposing several names (without my licence) on the
+collections he has made, to the abuse of the good people of England; one
+of which is particularly calculated to deceive religious persons, to the
+great scandal of the well disposed, and may introduce heterodox
+opinions. He shows you a straw hat, which I know to be made by Madge
+Peskad, within three miles of Bedford; and tells you, it is Pontius
+Pilate's wife's chamber-maid's sister's hat. To my knowledge of this
+very hat, it may be added, that the covering of straw was never used
+among the Jews, since it was demanded of them to make bricks without it.
+Therefore this is really nothing, but under the specious pretence of
+learning and antiquity, to impose upon the world. There are other things
+which I cannot tolerate among his rarities; as, the china figure of a
+lady in the glass case; the Italian engine for the imprisonment of those
+who go abroad with it: both which I hereby order to be taken down, or
+else he may expect to have his letters patents for making punch
+superseded, be debarred wearing his muff next winter, or ever coming to
+London without his wife.[354] It may perhaps be thought I have dwelt too
+long upon the affairs of this operator; but I desire the reader to
+remember, that it is my way to consider men as they stand in merit, and
+not according to their fortune or figure; and if he is in a coffee-house
+at the reading hereof, let him look round, and he will find there may be
+more characters drawn in this account than that of Don Saltero; for half
+the politicians about him, he may observe, are, by their place in
+nature, of the class of tooth-drawers.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 337: See p. 273, note.]
+
+[Footnote 338: A small violin or fiddle. See No. 160.]
+
+[Footnote 339: A dancing-master, who either was French, or pretended to
+be so. See No. 109.]
+
+[Footnote 340: A song of Waller's begins:
+
+    "Behold the brand of beauty tost!
+    See, how the motion doth dilate the flame!"
+                                            (Dobson).
+]
+
+[Footnote 341: The rigadoon was a dance for two persons. Cf. _Guardian_,
+No. 154: "We danced a rigadoon together."]
+
+[Footnote 342: On the site of Eaton and Belgrave Squares. See
+_Spectator_, No. 137: "The Five Fields towards Chelsea."]
+
+[Footnote 343: In "Bartholomew Fair," act ii. sc. i. Overdo went to the
+Fair in disguise, and being mistaken for a cutpurse, was well beaten.]
+
+[Footnote 344: Salter, a barber, opened a coffee-house in Cheyne Walk,
+Chelsea, in 1695. Sir Harry Sloane, whose servant he had been, gave him
+some curiosities to start a museum. Others, including Admiral Munden and
+his fellow-officers, added to the collection, and the first catalogue
+appeared in 1729. The more startling curiosities were, of course, not
+genuine. The remains of the collection were sold in 1799 for about £50.
+A view of Salter's house will be found in Timbs' "Clubs and Club Life in
+London." Verses of a more or less coarse nature by Don Saltero appeared
+not unfrequently in the "British Apollo," in 1709.]
+
+[Footnote 345: From "gingiva," the gum.]
+
+[Footnote 346: Salter played very badly on the fiddle.]
+
+[Footnote 347: "Sir Roger de Coverley," the famous country-dance tune.]
+
+[Footnote 348: By Dr. Henry Aldrich, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford,
+where Steele matriculated.]
+
+[Footnote 349: "De Poematum cantu, et viribus Rythmi," 1673.]
+
+[Footnote 350: Master Nicholas. See "Don Quixote," chap. v.]
+
+[Footnote 351: There were two John Tradescants (father and son) who
+collected objects of natural history. Their collection formed the
+foundation of the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford. The "Museum
+Tradescantianum: or, A Collection of Rarities preserved at South
+Lambeth, near London, by John Tradescant," contains interesting
+portraits of both John Tradescant, senior, and John Tradescant, junior,
+as well as a plate of the Tradescant arms.]
+
+[Footnote 352: A sclopeta or sclopetta was a hand-gun used by
+Spaniards.]
+
+[Footnote 353: Toledo was famous for its sword-blades.]
+
+[Footnote 354: Salter had an old grey muff, which he clapped constantly
+to his nose, and by which he was distinguishable at the distance of a
+quarter of a mile. His wife was none of the best, being much addicted to
+scolding.-(Nichols.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 35. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 28_, to _Thursday, June 30_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, June 28.
+
+There is a habit or custom which I have put my patience to the utmost
+stretch to have suffered so long, because several of my intimate friends
+are in the guilt; and that is, the humour of taking snuff, and looking
+dirty about the mouth by way of ornament. My method is to dive to the
+bottom of a sore before I pretend to apply a remedy. For this reason, I
+sat by an eminent story-teller and politician who takes half an ounce in
+five seconds, and has mortgaged a pretty tenement near the town, merely
+to improve and dung his brains with this prolific powder. I observed
+this gentleman the other day in the midst of a story diverted from it by
+looking at something at a distance, and I softly hid his box. But he
+returns to his tale, and looking for his box, he cries, "And so, sir--"
+Then when he should have taken a pinch, "As I was saying," says he--"Has
+nobody seen my box?" His friend beseeches him to finish his narration.
+Then he proceeds, "And so, sir--Where can my box be?" Then, turning to
+me, "Pray, sir, did you see my box?" "Yes, sir," said I, "I took it to
+see how long you could live without it." He resumes his tale; and I took
+notice, that his dulness was much more regular and fluent than before. A
+pinch supplied the place of, "As I was saying," "And so, sir"; and he
+went on currently enough in that style which the learned call the
+insipid. This observation easily led me into a philosophic reason for
+taking snuff, which is done only to supply with sensations the want of
+reflection. This I take to be an Ἕυρηκα [Heurêka], a nostrum; upon which
+I hope to receive the thanks of this board. For as it is natural to lift
+a man's hand to a sore, when you fear anything coming at you; so when a
+person feels his thoughts are run out, and has no more to say, it is as
+natural to supply his weak brain with powder at the nearest place of
+access, viz., the nostrils. This is so evident, that nature suggests the
+use according to the indigence of the persons who use this medicine,
+without being prepossessed with the force of fashion or custom. For
+example; the native Hibernians, who are reckoned not much unlike the
+ancient Bœotians, take this specific for emptiness in the head, in
+greater abundance than any other nation under the sun. The learned
+Sotus, as sparing as he is in his words, would be still more silent if
+it were not for this powder. But however low and poor the taking snuff
+argues a man to be in his own stock of thought, or means to employ his
+brains and his fingers, yet there is a poorer creature in the world than
+he, and this is a borrower of snuff; a fellow that keeps no box of his
+own, but is always asking others for a pinch. Such poor rogues put me
+always in mind of a common phrase among schoolboys when they are
+composing their exercise, who run to an upper scholar, and cry, "Pray
+give me a little sense." But of all things, commend me to the ladies who
+are got into this pretty help to discourse.[355] I have been this three
+years persuading Sagissa[356] to leave it off; but she talks so much,
+and is so learned, that she is above contradiction. However, an
+accident the other day brought that about, which my eloquence never
+could accomplish: she had a very pretty fellow in her closet, who ran
+thither to avoid some company that came to visit her. She made an excuse
+to go in to him for some implement they were talking of. Her eager
+gallant snatched a kiss; but being unused to snuff, some grains from off
+her upper lip made him sneeze aloud, which alarmed the visitants, and
+has made a discovery, that profound reading, very much intelligence, and
+a general knowledge of who and who's together, cannot fill up her vacant
+hours so much, but that she is sometimes obliged to descend to
+entertainments less intellectual.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 29.
+
+I know no manner of news for this place, but that Cynthio, having been
+long in despair for the inexorable Clarissa, lately resolved to fall in
+love the good old way of bargain and sale, and has pitched upon a very
+agreeable young woman.[357] He will undoubtedly succeed; for he accosts
+her in a strain of familiarity, without breaking through the deference
+that is due to woman whom a man would choose for his life. I have hardly
+ever heard rough truth spoken with a better grace than in this his
+letter.[358]
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I writ to you on Saturday by Mrs. Lucy, and give you this trouble to
+urge the same request I made then, which was, that I may be admitted to
+wait upon you. I should be very far from desiring this, if it were a
+transgression of the most severe rules to allow it: I know you are very
+much above the little arts which are frequent in your sex, of giving
+unnecessary torments to their admirers; therefore hope, you'll do so
+much justice to the generous passion I have for you, as to let me have
+an opportunity of acquainting you upon what motives I pretend to your
+good opinion. I shall not trouble you with my sentiments, till I know
+how they will be received; and as I know no reason why difference of sex
+should make our language to each other differ from the ordinary rules of
+right reason, I shall affect plainness and sincerity in my discourse to
+you, as much as other lovers do perplexity and rapture. Instead of
+saying, 'I shall die for you,' I profess I should be glad to lead my
+life with you: you are as beautiful, as witty, as prudent, and as
+good-humoured, as any woman breathing; but I must confess to you, I
+regard all these excellences as you will please to direct them, for my
+happiness or misery. With me, madam, the only lasting motive to love is
+the hope of its becoming mutual. I beg of you to let Mrs. Lucy send me
+word when I may attend you. I promise you, I'll talk of nothing but
+indifferent things; though at the same time I know not how I shall
+approach you in the tender moment of first seeing you, after this
+declaration, of,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"And most faithful
+
+"Humble Servant, &c."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 29.
+
+Having taken a resolution when plays are acted next winter by an entire
+good company, to publish observations from time to time on the
+performance of the actors, I think it but just to give an abstract of
+the law of action, for the help of the less learned part of the
+audience, that they may rationally enjoy so refined and instructive a
+pleasure as a just representation of human life. The great errors in
+playing are admirably well exposed in Hamlet's direction to the
+actors[359] who are to play in his supposed tragedy; by which we shall
+form our future judgments on their behaviour, and for that reason you
+have the discourse as follows:
+
+"Speak the speech as I pronounce it to you, trippingly on the tongue;
+but if you mouth it, as many of our players do, I had as lieve the
+town-crier had spoke my lines: nor do not saw the air too much with your
+hand thus; but use all gently: for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as
+I may say, the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a
+temperance that may give it smoothness. Oh! it offends me to the soul,
+to see a robustious periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to
+very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who (for the most part)
+are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and noise. I could
+have such a fellow whipped for overdoing termagant: it out-Herods Herod.
+Be not too tame neither; but let your own discretion be your tutor: suit
+the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special
+observance, that you overstep not the modesty of nature; for anything so
+overdone, is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first
+and now, was, and is, to hold as it were the mirror up to Nature; to
+show Virtue her own feature; scorn her own image; and the very age and
+body of the time its form and pressure. Now this overdone, or come tardy
+off, though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious
+grieve. The censures of which one, must, in your allowance, oversway a
+whole theatre of others. Oh! there be players, that I have seen play,
+and heard others praise, and that highly (not to speak it profanely),
+that neither having the accent of Christian, Pagan, or Norman, have so
+strutted and bellowed, that I have thought some of Nature's journeymen
+had made men, and not made them well, they imitated humanity so
+abominably. This should be reformed altogether; and let those that play
+your clowns, speak no more than is set down for them: for there be of
+them that will of themselves laugh, to set on some quantity of barren
+spectators to laugh too; though in the meantime, some necessary question
+of the play be then to be considered; that is villanous, and shows a
+most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 29.
+
+It would be a very great obligation, and an assistance to my treatise
+upon Punning,[360] if any one would please to inform in what class,
+among the learned who play with words, to place the author of the
+following letter.[361]
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Not long since you were pleased to give us a chimerical account of the
+famous family of Staffs,[362] from whence I suppose you would insinuate,
+that it is the most ancient and numerous house in all Europe. But I
+positively deny that it is either; and wonder much at your audacious
+proceedings in this matter, since it is well known, that our most
+illustrious, most renowned, and most celebrated Roman family of Ix, has
+enjoyed the precedency to all others from the reign of good old Saturn.
+I could say much to the defamation and disgrace of your family; as, that
+your relations Distaff and Broomstaff were both inconsiderate mean
+persons, one spinning, the other sweeping the streets, for their daily
+bread. But I forbear to vent my spleen on objects so much beneath my
+indignation. I shall only give the world a catalogue of my ancestors,
+and leave them to determine which hath hitherto had, and which for the
+future ought to have, the preference.
+
+"First then comes the most famous and popular Lady Meretrix, parent of
+the fertile family of Bellatrix, Lotrix, Netrix, Nutrix, Obstetrix,
+Famulatrix, Coctrix, Ornatrix, Sarcinatrix, Fextrix, Balneatrix,
+Portatrix, Saltatrix, Divinatrix, Conjectrix, Comtrix, Debitrix,
+Creditrix, Donatrix, Ambulatrix, Mercatrix, Adsectrix, Assectatrix,
+Palpatrix, Præceptrix, Pistrix.
+
+"I am yours,
+
+                                        "ELIZ. POTATRIX."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 29.
+
+Letters from Brussels of the 2nd of July, N.S., say, that the Duke of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene having received advice, that the Marshal
+Villars had drawn a considerable body out of the garrison of Tournay to
+reinforce his army, marched towards that place, and came before it early
+in the morning of the 27th. As soon as they came into that ground, the
+Prince of Nassau was sent with a strong detachment to take post at St.
+Amand; and at the same time my Lord Orkney received orders to possess
+himself of Mortagne; both which were successfully executed; whereby we
+are masters of the Scheldt and the Scarp. Eight men were drawn out of
+each troop of dragoons and company of foot in the garrison of Tournay,
+to make up the reinforcement which was ordered to join Marshal Villars;
+but upon advice that the Allies were marching towards Tournay, they
+endeavoured to return into the town; but were intercepted by the Earl of
+Orkney, by whom that whole body was killed or taken. These letters add,
+that 1200 dragoons (each horseman carrying a foot-soldier behind him)
+were detached from Mons to throw themselves into Tournay; but upon
+appearance of a great body of horse of the Allies, retired towards
+Condé. We hear, that the garrison does not consist of more than 3500
+men. Of the sixty battalions designed to be employed in this siege,
+seven [_sic_] are English, viz., two of Guards, and the regiments of
+Argyle, Temple, Evans and Meredith.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 355: See Nos. 79, 140; and Swift's "Journal to Stella," Nov.
+3, 1711. A correspondent begged the _Spectator_ (No. 344) to "take
+notice of an impertinent custom the women, the fine women, have lately
+fallen into, of taking snuff."]
+
+[Footnote 356: It has been suggested that Steele here alludes to Mrs. De
+la Rivière Manley.]
+
+[Footnote 357: Lord Hinchinbroke married Elizabeth, only daughter of
+Alexander Popham, Esq. See Nos. 1, 5, 22.]
+
+[Footnote 358: This was one of Steele's own letters to Miss Scurlock.
+(See "Correspondence," 1809, vol. i. p. 93.) "Mrs. Lucy" is "Mrs.
+Warren" in the original.]
+
+[Footnote 359: "Hamlet," act iii. sc. 2.]
+
+[Footnote 360: See No. 32.]
+
+[Footnote 361: This letter is printed in Scott's edition of Swift's
+works.]
+
+[Footnote 362: See No. II.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 36. [? STEELE.[363]
+
+By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Thursday, June 30_, to _Saturday, July 2_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From our own Apartment, June 30.
+
+Many affairs calling my brother into the country, the care of our
+intelligence with the town is left to me for some time; therefore you
+must expect the advices you meet with in this paper to be such as more
+immediately and naturally fall under the consideration of our sex:
+history therefore written by a woman, you will easily imagine to consist
+of love in all its forms, both in the abuse of, and obedience to that
+passion. As to the faculty of writing itself, it will not, it is hoped,
+be demanded, that style and ornament shall be so much consulted, as
+truth and simplicity; which latter qualities we may more justly pretend
+to beyond the other sex. While therefore the administration of our
+affairs is in my hands, you shall from time to time have an exact
+account of all false lovers, and their shallow pretences for breaking
+off; of all termagant wives who make wedlock a yoke; of men who affect
+the entertainments and manners suitable only to our sex, and women who
+pretend to the conduct of such affairs as are only within the province
+of men. It is necessary further to advertise the reader, that the usual
+places of resort being utterly out of my province or observation, I
+shall be obliged frequently to change the dates of places, as
+occurrences come into my way. The following letter I lately received
+from Epsom.[364]
+
+
+Epsom, June 28.
+
+"It is now almost three weeks since what you writ about happened in this
+place: the quarrel between my friends did not run so high as I find your
+accounts have made it. The truth of the fact you shall have very
+faithfully. You are to understand, that the persons concerned in this
+scene were, Lady Autumn, and Lady Springly:[365] Autumn is a person of
+good breeding, formality, and a singular way practised in the last age;
+and Lady Springly, a modern impertinent of our sex, who affects as
+improper familiarity, as the other does distance. Lady Autumn knows to a
+hair's-breadth where her place is in all assemblies and conversations;
+but Springly neither gives nor takes place of anybody, but understands
+the place to signify no more, than to have room enough to be at ease
+wherever she comes. Thus while Autumn takes the whole of this life to
+consist in understanding punctilio and decorum, Springly takes
+everything to be becoming which contributes to her ease and
+satisfaction. These heroines have married two brothers, both knights.
+Springly is the spouse of the elder, who is a baronet; and Autumn, being
+a rich widow, has taken the younger, and her purse endowed him with an
+equal fortune and knighthood of the same order. This jumble of titles,
+you need not doubt, has been an aching torment to Autumn, who took place
+of the other on no pretence, but her carelessness and disregard of
+distinction. This secret occasion of envy broiled long in the breast of
+Autumn; but no opportunity of contention on that subject happening, kept
+all things quiet till the accident, of which you demand an account.
+
+"It was given out among all the gay people of this place, that on the
+9th instant several damsels, swift of foot, were to run for a suit of
+head-clothes at the Old Wells. Lady Autumn on this occasion invited
+Springly to go with her in her coach to see the race. When they came to
+the place where the governor of Epsom and all his court of citizens were
+assembled, as well as a crowd of people of all orders, a brisk young
+fellow addresses himself to the younger of the ladies, viz., Springly,
+and offers her his service to conduct her into the music-room. Springly
+accepts the compliment, and is led triumphantly through the bowing
+crowd, while Autumn is left among the rabble, and has much ado to get
+back into her coach; but she did it at last: and as it is usual to see
+by the horses my lady's present disposition, she orders John to whip
+furiously home to her husband; where, when she enters, down she sits,
+began to unpin her hood, and lament her foolish fond heart to marry into
+a family where she was so little regarded, she that might--Here she
+stops; then rises up and stamps, and sits down again. Her gentle knight
+made his approaches with a supple beseeching gesture. 'My dear,' said
+he--'Tell me no dears,' replied Autumn; in the presence of the governor
+and all the merchants; 'What will the world say of a woman that has
+thrown herself away at this rate?' Sir Thomas withdrew, and knew it
+would not be long a secret to him; as well as that experience told him,
+he that marries a fortune, is of course guilty of all faults against his
+wife, let them be committed by whom they will. But Springly, an hour or
+two after, returns from the Wells, and finds the whole company together.
+Down she sat, and a profound silence ensued. You know a premeditated
+quarrel usually begins and works up with the words, 'Some people.' The
+silence was broken by Lady Autumn, who began to say, 'There are some
+people who fancy, that if some people--' Springly immediately takes her
+up; 'There are some people who fancy, if other people--' Autumn
+repartees, 'People may give themselves airs; but other people, perhaps,
+who make less ado, may be, perhaps, as agreeable as people who set
+themselves out more.' All the other people at the table sat mute, while
+these two people, who were quarrelling, went on with the use of the word
+'people,' instancing the very accidents between them, as if they kept
+only in distant hints. 'Therefore,' says Autumn, reddening, 'there are
+some people who will go abroad in other people's coaches, and leave
+those, with whom they went, to shift for themselves; and if, perhaps,
+those people have married the younger brother, yet, perhaps, he may be
+beholden to those people for what he is.' Springly smartly answers,
+'People may bring so much ill humour into a family, as people may repent
+their receiving their money'; and goes on--'Everybody is not
+considerable enough to give her uneasiness.' Upon this, Autumn comes up
+to her, and desired her to kiss her, and never to see her again; which
+her sister refusing, my lady gave her a box on the ear. Springly
+returns; 'Ay, ay,' said she, 'I knew well enough you meant me by your
+"some people,"' and gives her another on the other side. To it they went
+with most masculine fury: each husband ran in. The wives immediately
+fell upon their husbands, and tore periwigs and cravats. The company
+interposed; when (according to the slip-knot of matrimony, which makes
+them return to one another when any put in between) the ladies and their
+husbands fell upon all the rest of the company; and having beat all
+their friends and relations out of the house, came to themselves time
+enough to know, there was no bearing the jest of the place after these
+adventures, and therefore marched off the next day. It is said, the
+governor has sent several joints of mutton, and has proposed divers
+dishes very exquisitely dressed, to bring them down again. From his
+address and knowledge in roast and boiled, all our hopes of the return
+of this good company depend. I am,
+
+"Dear Jenny,
+
+"Your ready Friend
+
+"And Servant,
+
+                                        "MARTHA TATLER."
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 30.
+
+This day appeared here a figure of a person, whose services to the fair
+sex have reduced him to a kind of existence, for which there is no name.
+If there be a condition between life and death, without being absolutely
+dead or living, his state is that. His aspect and complexion in his
+robust days gave him the illustrious title of Africanus:[366] but it is
+not only from the warm climates in which he has served, nor from the
+disasters which he has suffered, that he deserves the same appellation
+with that renowned Roman; but the magnanimity with which he appears in
+his last moments, is what gives him the undoubted character of Hero.
+Cato stabbed himself, and Hannibal drank poison; but our Africanus lives
+in the continual puncture of aching bones and poisoned juices. The old
+heroes fled from torments by death, and this modern lives in death and
+torments, with a heart wholly bent upon a supply for remaining in them.
+An ordinary spirit would sink under his oppressions; but he makes an
+advantage of his very sorrow, and raises an income from his diseases.
+Long has this worthy been conversant in bartering, and knows, that when
+stocks are lowest, it is the time to buy. Therefore, with much prudence
+and tranquillity, he thinks, that now he has not a bone sound, but a
+thousand nodous parts for which the anatomists have not words, and more
+diseases than the College ever heard of, it is the only time to purchase
+an annuity for life. Sir Thomas[367] told me, it was an entertainment
+more surprising and pleasant than can be imagined, to see an inhabitant
+of neither world without hand to lift, or leg to move, scarce tongue to
+utter his meaning, so keen upon biting the whole world, and making
+bubbles at his exit. Sir Thomas added, that he would have bought twelve
+shillings a year of him, but that he feared there was some trick in it,
+and believed him already dead: "What!" says that knight, "is Mr.
+Partridge, whom I met just now going on both his legs firmer than I can,
+allowed to be quite dead; and shall Africanus, without one limb that can
+do its office, be pronounced alive?" What heightened the tragi-comedy of
+this market for annuities was, that the observation of it provoked
+Monoculus[368] (who is the most eloquent of all men) to many excellent
+reflections, which he spoke with the vehemence and language both of a
+gamester and an orator. "When I cast," said that delightful speaker, "my
+eye upon thee, thou unaccountable Africanus, I cannot but call myself as
+unaccountable as thou art; for certainly we were born to show what
+contradictions nature is pleased to form in the same species. Here am I,
+able to eat, to drink, to sleep, and do all acts of nature, except
+begetting my like; and yet by an unintelligible force of spleen and
+fancy, I every moment imagine I am dying. It is utter madness in thee to
+provide for supper; for I'll bet you ten to one, you don't live till
+half an hour after four; and yet I am so distracted as to be in fear
+every moment, though I'll lay ten to three, I drink three pints of burnt
+claret at your funeral three nights hence. After all, I envy thee; thou
+who dying hast no sense of death, art happier than one in health
+that[369] always fears it." The knight had gone on, but that a third man
+ended the scene by applauding the knight's eloquence and philosophy, in
+a laughter too violent for his own constitution, as much as he mocked
+that of Africanus and Monoculus.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 1.
+
+This day arrived three mails from Holland, with advices relating to the
+posture of affairs in the Low Countries, which say, that the Confederate
+army extends from Luchin, on the causeway between Tournay and Lisle, to
+Epain near Mortagne on the Scheldt. The Marshal Villars remains in his
+camp at Lens; but it is said, he detached ten thousand men under the
+command of the Chevalier de Luxembourg, with orders to form a camp at
+Crepin on the Haine, between Condé and St. Guillain, where he is to be
+joined by the Elector of Bavaria with a body of troops, and after their
+conjunction, to attempt to march into Brabant. But they write from
+Brussels, that the Duke of Marlborough having it equally in his power to
+make detachments to the same parts, they are under no apprehensions from
+these reports for the safety of their country. They further add from
+Brussels, that they have good authority for believing that the French
+troops under the conduct of Marshal de Bezons are retiring out of
+Spain.[370]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 363: Nichols argued that this and the two following numbers
+were by Addison. (1) At the end of No. 37 there is a list of errata for
+the preceding number. It was Addison's frequent practice to make verbal
+alterations in a preceding paper, and this Steele never did, except in
+rare cases, or where there was a positive mistake. (2) All the three
+papers are _superscribed_, as Addison's often were, and appear upon the
+face of them, to be of the nature, and in the number of those, for which
+Steele stood sponsor, and was very patiently traduced and calumniated,
+as he acknowledges to Congreve, in the Dedication prefixed to "The
+Drummer." There is nothing in the style or manner of any of the three
+that appears incongruous with such a supposition; and the nature of
+their principal contents seems to support it. They consist chiefly of
+pleasantries and oblique strokes, apparently on persons of fashion, in
+that age, of both sexes. It appears from the Dedication to "The
+Drummer," that Steele had Addison's direct injunctions to hide papers
+which he never did declare to be Addison's. The case, in short, seems to
+be, that as, as Steele says, there are communications in the course of
+this work, which Addison's modesty, so there are likewise others, which
+Addison's prudence, "would never have admitted to come into daylight,
+but under such a shelter." According to the usual rule where there is
+uncertainty, Steele's name is placed at the head of the papers in this
+edition. Probably he was responsible in any case for part of the
+contents of each of these numbers.]
+
+[Footnote 364: Epsom was frequented for its mineral waters, and was also
+a favourite holiday resort. "At the Crown Coffee-house, behind the Royal
+Exchange, fresh Epsom water, with the rest of the purging waters, at 2d.
+per quart, and sold both winter and summer, and Epsom salt." (See
+"British Apollo," vol. iii. No. 15, 1710, and "Post Man," June 11,
+1700.) "The New Wells at Epsom, with variety of raffling-shops, a
+billiard-table, and a bowling-green, and attended with a new set of
+music, are now open," &c. (_Flying Post_, Aug. 4-6, 1709.) The new Wells
+were opened on Easter Monday, 1709 (_Daily Courant_, April 23, 1709). We
+can form some idea of Epsom some years before, with its wells and
+bowling-green, from Shadwell's play, "Epsom Wells," 1673. See also No.
+7.]
+
+[Footnote 365: On July 8, 1709, Peter Wentworth wrote to Lord Raby: "I
+have not sent you the _Tatler_ of last Saturday, because I was told
+'twas dull, but that persons judgement I shall take no more; for having
+since read it I think it diverting enough, the news from Epsom is almost
+matter of fact, wch makes the jest the better; the Ladys are city ladys,
+named Turners" ("Wentworth Papers," p. 93). This is confirmed by the MS.
+annotator mentioned in No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 366: "I like the description of Africanus, wch is Sir Scipio
+Hill ... Sir Scipio Hill with his new project of getting money occasions
+some diversion and talk at White's. You may have heard for this long
+while he was dieing of the ----; he now come abroad and look a divel, or
+at least a sad _memento mori_. He gives forescore guineas to receive ten
+guineas a quarter for his life, Sir James of the Peak is his agent, and
+runs about offering it all that will take. Boscowen has took it, and two
+or three more, who are of opinion he will not live a month. Those he had
+made his heirs does not approve of this whim, for he's resolved to
+dispose of all his ready money this way if he can find substantial fools
+enough to take it; but the crack begins to run as if he may live a great
+while for all he looks so ill, for he has recovered his voice to a
+miracle" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, July 1 and 8, 1709; "Wentworth
+Papers," pp. 92-3).]
+
+[Footnote 367: The waiter. See No. 16.]
+
+[Footnote 368: Said to be Sir Humphrey Monoux, Bart., who was elected
+M.P. for Tavistock in 1728, and for Stockbridge in 1734. He succeeded to
+the baronetage in 1707, and died without issue in 1757.]
+
+[Footnote 369: "Thou that hast no sense of death, art happier than one
+that" (folio; altered in Errata in No. 37).]
+
+[Footnote 370: "This paper, with a blank leaf to write business on, may
+be had of J. Morphew, near Stationers'-hall" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 37. [?STEELE.[371]
+
+From _Saturday, July 2_, to _Tuesday, July 5_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 2.
+
+It may be thought very unaccountable, that I,[372] who can never be
+supposed to go to White's, should pretend to talk to you of matters
+proper for, or in the style of, that place. But though I do not go to
+these public haunts, I receive visits from those who do; and for all
+they pretend so much to the contrary, they are as talkative as our sex,
+and as much at a loss to entertain the present company, without
+sacrificing the last, as we ourselves. This reflection has led me into
+the consideration of the use of speech; and made me look over in my
+memory all my acquaintance of both sexes, to know to which I may more
+justly impute the sin of superfluous discourse, with regard to
+conversation, and not entering into it as it respects religion. I
+foresee my acquaintance will immediately, upon starting this subject,
+ask me, how I shall celebrate Mrs. Alse Copswood,[373] the Yorkshire
+huntress, who is come to town lately, and moves as if she were on her
+nag, and going to take a five-bar gate; and is as loud as if she were
+following her dogs. I can easily answer that; for she is as soft as
+Damon, in comparison of her brother-in-law Tom Bellfrey,[374] who is the
+most accomplished man in this kingdom for all gentlemanlike activities
+and accomplishments. It is allowed, that he is a professed enemy to the
+Italian performers in music. But then for our own native manner,
+according to the customs and known usages of our island, he is to be
+preferred, for the generality of the pleasure he bestows, much above
+those fellows,[375] though they sing to full theatres. For what is a
+theatrical voice to that of a fox-hunter? I have been at a musical
+entertainment in an open field, where it amazed me to hear to what
+pitches the chief masters would reach. There was a meeting near our seat
+in Staffordshire, and the most eminent of all the counties of England
+were at it. How wonderful was the harmony between men and dogs! Robin
+Cartail of Bucks was to answer to Jowler; Mr. Tinbreast of Cornwall was
+appointed to open with Sweetlips, and Beau Slimber, a Londoner,
+undertook to keep up with Trips, a whelp just set in: Tom Bellfrey and
+Ringwood were coupled together, to fill the cry on all occasions, and be
+in at the death of the fox, hare, or stag; for which both the dog and
+the man were excellently suited, and loved one another, and were as much
+together as Banister and King. When Jowler first alarmed the field,
+Cartail repeated every note; Sweetlips' treble succeeded, and shook the
+wood; Tinbreast echoed a quarter of a mile beyond it. We were soon after
+all at a loss, till we rid up, and found Trips and Slimber at a default
+in half-notes: but the day and the tune was recovered by Tom Bellfrey
+and Ringwood, to the great joy of us all, though they drowned every
+other voice: for Bellfrey carries a note four furlongs, three rood, and
+six paces, farther than any other in England. But I fear the mention of
+this will be thought a digression from my purpose about speech: but I
+answer, No. Since this is used where speech rather should be employed,
+it may come into consideration in the same chapter: for Mr. Bellfrey
+being at a visit where I was, viz., his cousin's (Lady Dainty's) in
+Soho, was asked, what entertainments they had in the country? Now
+Bellfrey is very ignorant, and much a clown; but confident withal. In a
+word, he struck up a fox-chase: Lady Dainty's dog, Mr. Sippet, as she
+calls him, started and jumped out of his lady's lap, and fell a barking.
+Bellfrey went on, and called all the neighbouring parishes into the
+square. Never was woman in such confusion as that delicate lady. But
+there was no stopping her kinsman. A room full of ladies fell into the
+most violent laughter: my lady looked as if she was shrieking; Mr.
+Sippet in the middle of the room, breaking his heart with barking, but
+all of us unheard. As soon as Bellfrey became silent, up gets my lady,
+and takes him by the arm to lead him off: Bellfrey was in his boots. As
+she was hurrying him away, his spurs takes hold of her petticoat; his
+whip throws down a cabinet of china: he cries, "What! are your crocks
+rotten? Are your petticoats ragged? A man can't walk in your house for
+trincums." Every county of Great Britain has one hundred or more of this
+sort of fellows, who roar instead of speaking. Therefore if it be true,
+that we women are also given to greater fluency of words than is
+necessary, sure one that disturbs but a room or a family is more to be
+tolerated, than one who draws together parishes and counties, and
+sometimes (with an estate that might make him the blessing and ornament
+of the world around him) has no other view and ambition, but to be an
+animal above dogs and horses, without the relish of any one enjoyment,
+which is peculiar to the faculties of human nature. But I know it will
+here be said, that talking of mere country squires at this rate, is, as
+it were, to write against Valentine or Orson. To prove anything against
+the race of men, you must take them as they are adorned with education,
+as they live in Courts, or have received instructions in colleges.
+
+But I was so full of my late entertainment by Mr. Bellfrey, that I must
+defer pursuing this subject to another day; and waive the proper
+observations upon the different offenders in this kind, some by profound
+eloquence, on small occasions, others by degrading speech upon great
+circumstances. Expect therefore to hear of the whisperer without
+business, the laugher without wit, the complainer without receiving
+injuries, and a very large crowd, which I shall not forestall, who are
+common (though not commonly observed) impertinents, whose tongues are
+too voluble for their brains, and are the general despisers of us women,
+though we have their superiors, the men of sense, for our servants.[376]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 4.
+
+There has arrived no mail since our last; so that we have no manner of
+foreign news, except we were to give you, for such, the many
+speculations which are on foot concerning what was imported by the last
+advices. There are, it seems, sixty battalions and seventeen squadrons
+appointed to serve in the siege of Tournay; the garrison of which place
+consists but of eleven battalions and four squadrons. Letters of the
+29th of the last month from Berlin have brought advice, that the Kings
+of Denmark, Prussia, and his Majesty Augustus, were within few days to
+come to an interview at Potsdam. These letters mention, that two Polish
+princes of the family of the Sapicha and Lubermirsky, lately arrived
+from Paris, confirm the reports of the misery in France for want of
+provisions, and give a particular instance of it, which is, that on the
+day Monsieur Rouillé returned to Court, the common people gathered in
+crowds about the Dauphin's coach, crying, "Peace and bread, bread and
+peace."
+
+Mrs. Distaff has taken upon her, while she writes this paper, to turn
+her thoughts wholly to the service of her own sex, and to propose
+remedies against the greatest vexations attending female life. She has
+for this end written a small treatise concerning the second word, with
+an appendix on the use of a reply, very useful to all such as are
+married to persons either ill-bred or ill-natured. There is in this
+tract a digression for the use of virgins concerning the words, "I
+will."
+
+A gentlewoman who has a very delicate ear, wants a maid who can whisper,
+and help her in the government of her family. If the said servant can
+clear-starch, lisp, and tread softly, she shall have suitable
+encouragement in her wages.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 371: See note to No. 36.]
+
+[Footnote 372: Jenny Distaff.]
+
+[Footnote 373: The Jacobite Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sharpe, who
+died in 1713. See _Examiner_, vol. iv. No. 22.]
+
+[Footnote 374: Dr. Blackall (1654-1716), who was made Bishop of Exeter
+in 1708.]
+
+[Footnote 375: The French Prophets, from the Cevennes. Dr. Blackall's
+sermon against them was printed by order of the Queen.]
+
+[Footnote 376: The following article appeared only in the folio issue:--
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 3.
+
+A very ingenious gentleman was complaining this evening, that the
+players are grown so severe critics, that they would not take in his
+play, though it has as many fine things in it as any play that has been
+writ since the days of Dryden. He began his discourse about his play
+with a preface.
+
+"There is," said he, "somewhat (however we palliate it) in the very
+frame and make of us, that subjects our minds to chagrin and
+irresolution on any emergency of time or place. The difficulty grows on
+our sickened imagination, under all the killing circumstances of danger
+and disappointment. This we see, not only in the men of retirement and
+fancy, but in the characters of the men of action; with this only
+difference, the coward sees the danger, and sickens under it; the hero,
+warmed by the difficulty, dilates, and rises in proportion to that, and
+in some sort makes use of his very fears to disarm it. A remarkable
+instance of this we have in the great Cæsar, when he came to the
+Rubicon, and was entering upon a part, perhaps, the most hazardous he
+ever bore (certainly the most ungrateful), a war with his countrymen.
+When his mind brooded over personal affronts, perhaps his anger burned
+with a desire of revenge. But when more serious reflections laid before
+him the hazard of the enterprise, with the dismal consequences which
+were likely to attend it, aggravated by a special circumstance, What
+figure it would bear in the world, or how be excused to posterity. What
+shall he do?--His honour, which was his religion, bids him arm; and he
+sounds the inclinations of his party, by this set speech:
+
+#_CÆSAR_ to his Party at the Rubicon.#
+
+    Great Jove, attend, and thou my native soil,
+    Safe in my triumphs, glutted in my spoil;
+    Witness with what reluctance I oppose
+    My arms to thine, secure of other foes.
+    What passive breast can bear disgrace like mine?
+    Traitor!--For this I conquered on the Rhine,
+    Endured their ten years' drudgery in Gaul,
+    Adjourned their fate, and saved the Capitol.
+    I grew by every guilty triumph less;
+    The crowd, when drunk with joy, their souls express,
+    Impatient of the war, yet fear success.
+    Brave actions dazzle with too bright a ray,
+    Like birds obscene they chatter at the day;
+    Giddy with rule, and valiant in debate,
+    They throw the die of war, to save the state;
+    And gods! to gild ingratitude with fame,
+    Assume the patriot's, we the rebel's name.
+    Farewell, my friends, your general forlorn,
+    To your bare pity, and the public scorn,
+    Must lay that honour and his laurel down,
+    To serve the vain caprices of the gown;
+    Exposed to all indignities, the brave
+    Deserve of those they gloried but to save,
+    To rods and axes!--No, the slaves can't dare
+    Play with my grief, and tempt my last despair.
+    This shall the honours which it won maintain,
+    Or do me justice, ere I hug my chain."
+
+The reason for cancelling this article when these papers were
+republished in octavo, is obvious; for, being printed by Steele, it
+would naturally be applied to the circumstances in which the Duke of
+Marlborough was at that time: "The Duke having his commission under the
+Great Seal, the order of the Queen was not sufficient to dissolve his
+power. His friends advised him to assemble, by his authority as general,
+all the troops in London, in the different squares, and to take
+possession of St. James's, and the person of the Queen. Oxford, apprised
+of this design, suddenly called together the Cabinet Council. Though he
+probably concealed his intelligence to prevent their fears, he told them
+of the necessity of superseding Marlborough under the Great Seal. This
+business was soon despatched. His dismission in form was sent to the
+Duke. The Earl of Oxford, no stranger to the character of Marlborough,
+knew that he would not act against law, by assembling the troops. The
+natural diffidence of his disposition had made him unfit for enterprises
+of danger, in a degree that furnished his enemies with insinuations
+against his personal courage."--(Macpherson's "State Papers," quoted by
+Nichols.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 38. [?STEELE.[377]
+
+From _Tuesday, July 5_, to _Thursday, July 7, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 6.
+
+I find among my brother's papers the following letter verbatim, which I
+wonder how he could suppress so long as he has, since it was sent him
+for no other end, but to show the good effect his writings have already
+had upon the ill customs of the age.
+
+                                        "London, _June 23_.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"The end of all public papers ought to be the benefit and instruction,
+as well as the diversion of the readers: to which I see none so truly
+conducive as your late performances; especially those tending to the
+rooting out from amongst us that unchristianlike and bloody custom of
+duelling; which, that you have already in some measure performed, will
+appear to the public in the following no less true than heroic story.
+
+"A noble gentleman of this city, who has the honour of serving his
+country as major in the train-bands, being at that general mart of
+stockjobbers called Jonathan's,[378] endeavouring to raise himself (as
+all men of honour ought) to the degree of colonel at least; it happened
+that he bought the 'bear'[379] of another officer, who, though not
+commissioned in the army, yet no less eminently serves the public than
+the other, in raising the credit of the kingdom, by raising that of the
+stocks. However, having sold the 'bear,' and words arising about the
+delivery, the most noble major, no less scorning to be outwitted in the
+coffee-house, than to run into the field, according to method, abused
+the other with the titles of, 'rogue,' 'villain,' 'bearskin-man,' and
+the like. Whereupon satisfaction was demanded, and accepted: so, forth
+the major marched, commanding his adversary to follow. To a most
+spacious room in the sheriff's house, near the place of quarrel, they
+come; where, having due regard to what you have lately published, they
+resolved not to shed one another's blood in that barbarous manner you
+prohibited; yet, not willing to put up affronts without satisfaction,
+they stripped, and in decent manner fought full fairly with their
+wrathful hands. The combat lasted a quarter of an hour; in which time
+victory was often doubtful, and many a dry blow was strenuously laid on
+by each side, till the major finding his adversary obstinate, unwilling
+to give him further chastisement, with most shrill voice cried out, 'I
+am satisfied, enough.' Whereupon the combat ceased, and both were
+friends immediately.
+
+"Thus the world may see, how necessary it is to encourage those men who
+make it their business to instruct the people in everything necessary
+for their preservation. I am informed, a body of worthy citizens have
+agreed on an address of thanks to you for what you have writ on the
+foregoing subject, whereby they acknowledge one of their highly esteemed
+officers preserved from death.
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "A. B."
+
+I fear the word "bear" is hardly to be understood among the polite
+people; but I take the meaning to be, that one who ensures a real value
+upon an imaginary thing, is said to sell a "bear," and is the same thing
+as a promise among courtiers, or a vow between lovers. I have writ to my
+brother to hasten to town; and hope, that printing the letters directed
+to him, which I knew not how to answer, will bring him speedily; and
+therefore I add also the following:
+
+                                        "_July 5_, 1709.
+
+"MR. BICKERSTAFF,
+
+You having hinted a generous intention of taking under your
+consideration the whisperers without business, and laughers without
+occasion; as you tender the welfare of your country, I entreat you not
+to forget or delay so public-spirited a work. Now or never is the time.
+Many other calamities may cease with the war; but I dismally dread the
+multiplication of these mortals under the ease and luxuriousness of a
+settled peace, half the blessing of which may be destroyed by them.
+Their mistake lies certainly here, in a wretched belief, that their
+mimicry passes for real business, or true wit. Dear sir, convince them,
+that it never was, is, or ever will be, either of them; nor ever did,
+does, or to all futurity ever can, look like either of them; but that it
+is the most cursed disturbance in nature, which is possible to be
+inflicted on mankind, under the noble definition of a sociable creature.
+In doing this, sir, you will oblige more humble servants than can find
+room to subscribe their names."
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 6.
+
+In pursuance of my last date from hence, I am to proceed on the accounts
+I promised of several personages among the men, whose conspicuous
+fortunes, or ambition in showing their follies, have exalted them above
+their fellows: the levity of their minds is visible in their every word
+and gesture, and there is not a day passes but puts me in mind of Mr.
+Wycherley's character of a coxcomb: "He is ugly all over with the
+affectation of the fine gentleman." Now though the women may put on
+softness in their looks, or affected severity, or impertinent gaiety, or
+pert smartness, their self-love and admiration cannot, under any of
+these disguises, appear so invincible as that of the men. You may easily
+take notice, that in all their actions there is a secret approbation,
+either in the tone of their voice, the turn of their body, or cast of
+their eye, which shows that they are extremely in their own favour. Take
+one of your men of business, he shall keep you half an hour with your
+hat off, entertaining you with his consideration of that affair you
+spoke of to him last, till he has drawn a crowd that observes you in
+this grimace. Then when he is public enough, he immediately runs into
+secrets, and falls a whispering. You and he make breaks with adverbs;
+as, "But however, thus far"; and then you whisper again, and so on, till
+they who are about you are dispersed, and your busy man's vanity is no
+longer gratified by the notice taken of what importance he is, and how
+inconsiderable you are; for your pretender to business is never in
+secret, but in public. There is my dear Lord Nowhere, of all men the
+most gracious and most obliging, the terror of all _valets-de-chambre_,
+whom he oppresses with good breeding, in inquiring for my good lord, and
+for my good lady's health. This inimitable courtier will whisper a privy
+councillor's lackey with the utmost goodness and condescension, to know
+when they next sit; and is thoroughly taken up, and thinks he has a part
+in a secret, if he knows that there is a secret. "What it is," he will
+whisper you, "that time will discover"; then he shrugs, and calls you
+back again--"Sir, I need not say to you, that these things are not to be
+spoken of--and hark you, no names, I would not be quoted." What adds to
+the jest is, that his emptiness has its moods and seasons, and he will
+not condescend to let you into these his discoveries, except he is in
+very good humour, or has seen somebody in fashion talk to you. He will
+keep his nothing to himself, and pass by and overlook as well as the
+best of them; not observing that he is insolent when he is gracious, and
+obliging when he is haughty. Show me a woman so inconsiderable as this
+frequent character. But my mind (now I am in) turns to many no less
+observable: thou dear Will Shoestring![380] I profess myself in love
+with thee: how shall I speak thee? How shall I address thee? How shall I
+draw thee? Thou dear outside! Will you be combing your wig,[381] playing
+with your box, or picking your teeth? Or choosest thou rather to be
+speaking; to be speaking for thy only purpose in speaking, to show your
+teeth? Rub them no longer, dear Shoestring: do not premeditate murder:
+do not for ever whiten: Oh! that for my quiet and his own they were
+rotten. But I will forget him, and give my hand to the courteous Umbra;
+he is a fine man indeed, but the soft creature bows below my
+apron-string before he takes it; but after the first ceremonies, he is
+as familiar as my physician, and his insignificancy makes me half ready
+to complain to him of all I would to my doctor. But he is so courteous,
+that he carries half the messages of ladies' ails in town to their
+midwives and nurses. He understands too the art of medicine as far as to
+the cure of a pimple or a rash. On occasions of the like importance, he
+is the most assiduous of all men living, in consulting and searching
+precedents from family to family; and then he speaks of his
+obsequiousness and diligence in the style of real services. If you sneer
+at him, and thank him for his great friendship, he bows, and says,
+"Madam, all the good offices in my power, while I have any knowledge or
+credit, shall be at your service." The consideration of so shallow a
+being, and the intent application with which he pursues trifles, has
+made me carefully reflect upon that sort of men we usually call an
+Impertinent: and I am, upon mature deliberation, so far from being
+offended with him, that I am really obliged to him; for though he will
+take you aside, and talk half an hour to you upon matters wholly
+insignificant with the most solemn air, yet I consider, that these
+things are of weight in his imagination, and he thinks he is
+communicating what is for my service. If therefore it be a just rule to
+judge of a man by his intention, according to the equity of good
+breeding, he that is impertinently kind or wise, to do you service,
+ought in return to have a proportionable place both in your affection
+and esteem; so that the courteous Umbra deserves the favour of all his
+acquaintance; for though he never served them, he is ever willing to do
+it, and believes he does it. But as impotent kindness is to be returned
+with all our abilities to oblige, so impotent malice is to be treated
+with all our force to depress it. For this reason Flyblow (who is
+received in all the families in town through the degeneracy and iniquity
+of their manners) is to be treated like a knave, though he is one of the
+weakest of fools: he has by rote, and at second-hand, all that can be
+said of any man of figure, wit, and virtue in town. Name a man of worth,
+and this creature tells you the worst passage of his life. Speak of a
+beautiful woman, and this puppy will whisper the next man to him, though
+he has nothing to say of her. He is a Fly that feeds on the sore part,
+and would have nothing to live on, if the whole body were in health. You
+may know him by the frequency of pronouncing the particle "but"; for
+which reason I never hear him spoke of with common charity, without
+using my "but" against him: for a friend of mine saying the other day,
+Mrs. Distaff has wit, good humour, virtue, and friendship, this oaf
+added, "'But' she is not handsome." Coxcomb! The gentleman was saying
+what I was, not what I was not.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 6.
+
+The approaches before Tournay have been carried on with great success;
+and our advices from the camp before that place of the 11th instant say,
+that they had already made a lodgment on the glacis. Two hundred boats
+were come up the Scheldt with a heavy artillery and ammunition, which
+would be employed in dismounting the enemy's defences, and raised on the
+batteries the 15th. A great body of miners are summoned to the camp to
+countermine the works of the enemy. We are convinced of the weakness of
+the garrison, by a certain account, that they called a council of war,
+to consult whether it was not advisable to march into the citadel, and
+leave the town defenceless. We are assured, that when the Confederate
+army was advancing towards the camp of Marshal Villars, that general
+despatched a courier to his master with a letter, giving an account of
+their approach, which concluded with the following words: "The day
+begins to break, and your Majesty's army is already in order of battle.
+Before noon, I hope to have the honour of congratulating your Majesty on
+the success of a great action; and you shall be very well satisfied with
+the Marshal Villars."
+
+It is to be noted, that when any part of this paper appears dull, there
+is a design in it.[382]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 377: See note to No. 36.]
+
+[Footnote 378: A coffee-house in Change Alley. See _Spectator_, No. 1,
+and Mrs. Centlivre's "Bold Stroke for a Wife."]
+
+[Footnote 379: See No. 7.]
+
+[Footnote 380: Sir William Whitlocke, Knt., Member for Oxon, Bencher of
+the Middle Temple. He is the learned knight mentioned in No. 43 (Percy).
+This is confirmed by the MS. annotator mentioned in a note to No. 4.
+Nichols explains that Whitlocke is called Will Shoestring, for his
+singularity in using shoe-strings, so long after the era of
+shoe-buckles, which commenced in the reign of Charles II., although
+ordinary people, and such as affected plainness in their garb, wore
+strings in their shoes after that time.]
+
+[Footnote 381: "Combing the peruke, at the time when men of fashion wore
+large wigs, was even at public places an act of gallantry. The combs,
+for this purpose, were of a very large size, of ivory or tortoise-shell,
+curiously chased and ornamented, and were carried in the pocket as
+constantly as the snuff-box. At Court, on the Mall, and in the boxes,
+gentlemen conversed and combed their perukes "(Sir John Hawkins' "Hist,
+of Music," vol. iv. p. 447, note). Cf. Dryden's prologue to "Almanzor
+and Almahide":--
+
+    "But as when vizard mask appears in pit,
+    Straight every man who thinks himself a wit,
+    Perks up; and managing his comb with grace,
+    With his white wig sets off his nut-brown face."
+
+And "The Fortune Hunters," act i. sc. 2 (1689): "He looked, indeed, and
+sighed, and set his cravat-string, and sighed again, and combed his
+periwig: sighed a third time, and then took snuff, I guess to show the
+whiteness of his hand." See, too, Wycherley's "Love in a Wood," act iii.
+sc. 1:--
+
+"DAPPERWIT. Let me prune and flounce my perruque a little for her;
+there's ne'er a young fellow in the town but will do as much for a mere
+stranger in the play-house.
+
+"RANGER. A wit's wig has the privilege of being uncombed in the very
+play-house, or in the presence--
+
+"DAPPERWIT. But not in the presence of his mistress; 'tis a greater
+neglect of her than himself; pray lend me your comb.... She comes, she
+comes; pray, your comb. (_Snatches_ RANGER'S _comb_.)"]
+
+[Footnote 382: "Mrs. Distaff hath received the Dialogue dated Monday
+evening, which she has sent forward to Mr. Bickerstaff at Maidenhead:
+and in the meantime gives her service to the parties" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 39. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Thursday, July 7_, to _Saturday, July 9_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 7.
+
+As I am called forth by the immense love I bear to my fellow creatures,
+and the warm inclination I feel within me, to stem, as far as I can, the
+prevailing torrent of vice and ignorance; so I cannot more properly
+pursue that noble impulse, than by setting forth the excellence of
+virtue and knowledge in their native and beautiful colours. For this
+reason I made my late excursion to Oxford, where those qualities appear
+in their highest lustre, and are the only pretences to honour and
+distinction: superiority is there given in proportion to men's
+advancement in wisdom and learning; and that just rule of life is so
+universally received among those happy people, that you shall see an
+earl walk bareheaded to the son of the meanest artificer, in respect to
+seven years more worth and knowledge than the nobleman is possessed of.
+In other places they bow to men's fortunes, but here to their
+understandings. It is not to be expressed, how pleasing the order, the
+discipline, the regularity of their lives, is to a philosopher, who has,
+by many years' experience in the world, learned to contemn everything
+but what is revered in this mansion of select and well-taught spirits.
+The magnificence of their palaces, the greatness of their revenues, the
+sweetness of their groves and retirements, seem equally adapted for the
+residence of princes and philosophers; and a familiarity with objects of
+splendour, as well as places of recess, prepares the inhabitants with an
+equanimity for their future fortunes, whether humble or illustrious. How
+was I pleased when I looked round at St. Mary's, and could, in the faces
+of the ingenious youth, see ministers of state, chancellors, bishops,
+and judges. Here only is human life! Here only the life of man is a
+rational being! Here men understand and are employed in works worthy
+their noble nature. This transitory being passes away in an employment
+not unworthy a future state, the contemplation of the great decrees of
+Providence. Each man lives as if he were to answer the questions made to
+Job, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?... Who
+shut up the sea with doors, ... and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, and
+no further?"[383] Such speculations make life agreeable, make death
+welcome, But alas! I was torn from this noble society by the business of
+this dirty mean world, and the cares of fortune: for I was obliged to be
+in town against the 7th day of the term, and accordingly governed myself
+by my Oxford Almanack, and came last night; but find, to my great
+astonishment, that this ignorant town began the term on the 24th of the
+last month, in opposition to all the learning and astronomy of the
+famous university of which I have been speaking; according to which, the
+term certainly was to commence on the 1st instant.[384] You may be sure,
+a man who has turned his studies as I have, could not be mistaken in
+point of time; for knowing I was to come to town in term, I examined the
+passing moments very narrowly, and called an eminent astronomer to my
+assistance. Upon very strict observation we found, that the cold has
+been so severe this last winter (which is allowed to have a benumbing
+quality), that it retarded the earth in moving round from Christmas to
+this season full seven days and two seconds. My learned friend assured
+me further, that the earth had lately received a shog from a comet that
+crossed its vortex, which, if it had come ten degrees nearer us, had
+made us lose this whole term. I was indeed once of opinion, that the
+Gregorian computation was the most regular, as being eleven days before
+the Julian; but am now fully convinced, that we ought to be seven days
+after the chancellor and judges, and eighteen before the Pope of Rome;
+and that the Oxonian computation is the best of the three. These are the
+reasons which I have gathered from philosophy and nature; to which I can
+add other circumstances in vindication of the account of this learned
+body who published this almanack. It is notorious to philosophers, that
+joy and grief can hasten and delay time. Mr. Locke is of opinion, that a
+man in great misery may so far lose his measure, as to think a minute an
+hour; or in joy, make an hour a minute. Let us examine the present case
+by this rule, and we shall find, that the cause of this general mistake
+in the British nation, has been the great success of the last campaign,
+and the following hopes of peace. Stocks ran so high at the 'Change,
+that the citizens had gained three days of the courtiers; and we have
+indeed been so happy this reign, that if the University did not rectify
+our mistakes, we should think ourselves but in the second year of her
+present Majesty. It would be endless to enumerate the many damages that
+have happened by this ignorance of the vulgar. All the recognisances
+within the Diocese of Oxford have been forfeited, for not appearing on
+the first day of this fictitious term. The University has been nonsuited
+in their action against the booksellers for printing Clarendon in
+quarto. But indeed what gives me the most quick concern, is the case of
+a poor gentleman my friend, who was the other day taken in execution by
+a set of ignorant bailiffs. He should, it seems, have pleaded in the
+first week of term; but being a Master of Arts of Oxford, he would not
+recede from the Oxonian computation. He showed Mr. Broad the almanack,
+and the very day when the term began; but the merciless ignorant fellow,
+against all sense and learning, would hurry him away. He went indeed
+quietly enough; but he has taken exact notes of the time of arrest, and
+sufficient witnesses of his being carried into gaol; and has, by advice
+of the Recorder of Oxford, brought his action; and we doubt not but we
+shall pay them off with damages, and blemish the reputation of Mr.
+Broad. We have one convincing proof, which all that frequent the Courts
+of Justice are witnesses of: the dog that comes constantly to
+Westminster on the first day of the term, did not appear till the first
+day according to the Oxford Almanack; whose instinct I take to be a
+better guide than men's erroneous opinions, which are usually biased by
+interest. I judge in this case, as King Charles II. victualled his navy,
+with the bread which one of his dogs chose of several pieces thrown
+before him, rather than trust to the asseverations of the victuallers.
+Mr. Cowper,[385] and other learned counsel, have already urged the
+authority of this almanack, in behalf of their clients. We shall
+therefore go on with all speed in our cause; and doubt not, but Chancery
+will give at the end what we lost in the beginning, by protracting the
+term for us till Wednesday come se'nnight: and the University orator
+shall for ever pray, &c.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 7.
+
+The subject of duels[386] has, I find, been started with so good
+success, that it has been the frequent subject of conversation among
+polite men; and a dialogue of that kind has been transmitted to me
+verbatim, as follows. The persons concerned in it are men of honour, and
+experience in the manners of men, and have fallen upon the truest
+foundation, as well as searched the bottom, of this evil.
+
+Mr. SAGE. If it were in my power, every man that drew his sword, unless
+in the Service, or purely to defend his life, person, or goods, from
+violence (I mean abstracted from all punctos or whims of honour) should
+ride the wooden horse in the Tilt Yard[387] for such first offence, for
+the second stand in the pillory, and for the third be prisoner in Bedlam
+for life.
+
+Col. PLUME. I remember, that a rencounter or duel was so far from being
+in fashion among the officers that served in the Parliament army, that
+on the contrary, it was as disreputable, and as great an impediment to
+advancement in the Service, as being bashful in time of action.
+
+Sir MARK. Yet I have been informed by some old Cavaliers, of famous
+reputation for brave and gallant men, that they were much more in mode
+among their party, than they have been during this last war.
+
+Col. PLUME. That is true too, sir. Mr. SAGE. By what you say,
+gentlemen, one should think that our present military officers are
+compounded of an equal proportion of both those tempers; since duels are
+neither quite discountenanced, nor much in vogue.
+
+Sir MARK. That difference of temper, in regard to duels, which appears
+to have been between the Court and Parliament-men of the sword, was not
+(I conceive) for want of courage in the latter, nor of a liberal
+education; because there were some of the best families in England
+engaged in that party; but gallantry and mode, which glitter agreeably
+to the imagination, were encouraged by the Court, as promoting its
+splendour; and it was as natural that the contrary party (who were to
+recommend themselves to the public for men of serious and solid parts)
+should deviate from everything chimerical.
+
+Mr. SAGE. I have never read of a duel among the Romans; and yet their
+nobility used more liberty with their tongues than one may do now
+without being challenged.
+
+Sir MARK. Perhaps the Romans were of opinion, that ill language, and
+brutal manners, reflected only on those who were guilty of them; and
+that a man's reputation was not at all cleared by cutting the person's
+throat who had reflected upon it: but the custom of those times had
+fixed the scandal in the action; whereas now it lies in the reproach.
+
+Mr. SAGE. And yet the only sort of duel that one can conceive to have
+been fought upon motives truly honourable and allowable, was that
+between the Horatii and Curiatii.
+
+Sir MARK. Colonel Plume, pray what was the method of single combat in
+your time among the Cavaliers? I suppose, that as the use of clothes
+continues, though the fashion of them has been mutable; so duels,
+though still in use, have had in all times their particular modes of
+performance.
+
+Col. PLUME. We had no constant rule, but generally conducted our dispute
+and tilt according to the last that had happened between persons of
+reputation among the very top fellows for bravery and gallantry.
+
+Sir MARK. If the fashion of quarrelling and tilting was so often changed
+in your time, Colonel Plume, a man might fight, yet lose his credit for
+want of understanding the fashion.
+
+Col. PLUME. Why, Sir Mark, in the beginning of July, a man would have
+been censured for want of courage, or been thought indigent of the true
+notions of honour, if he had put up [with] words, which in the end of
+September following, one could not resent without passing for a brutal
+and quarrelsome fellow.
+
+Sir MARK. But, Colonel, were duels or rencounters most in fashion in
+those days?
+
+Col. PLUME. Your men of nice honour, sir, were for avoiding all censure
+of advantage which they supposed might be taken in a rencounter;
+therefore they used seconds, who were to see that all was upon the
+square, and make a faithful report of the whole combat; but in a little
+time it became a fashion for the seconds to fight, and I'll tell you how
+it happened.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Pray do, Colonel Plume, and the method of a duel at that time,
+and give us some notion of the punctos upon which your nice men
+quarrelled in those days.
+
+Col. PLUME. I was going to tell you, Mr. Sage, that one Cornet Modish
+had desired his friend, Captain Smart's, opinion in some affair, but did
+not follow it; upon which Captain Smart sent Major Adroit (a very
+topping fellow of those times) to the person that had slighted his
+advice. The Major never inquired into the quarrel, because it was not
+the manner then among the very topping fellows; but got two swords of an
+equal length, and then waited upon Cornet Modish, desiring him to choose
+his sword, and meet his friend Captain Smart. Cornet Modish came with
+his friend to the place of combat; there the principals put on their
+pumps, and stripped to their shirts, to show they had nothing but what
+men of honour carry about them, and then engaged.
+
+Sir MARK. And did the seconds stand by, sir?
+
+Col. PLUME. It was a received custom till that time; but the swords of
+those days being pretty long, and the principals acting on both sides
+upon the defensive, and the morning being frosty, Major Adroit desired
+that the other second, who was also a very topping fellow, would try a
+thrust or two only to keep them warm, till the principals had decided
+the matter, which was agreed to by Modish's second, who presently
+whipped Adroit through the body, disarmed him, and then parted the
+principals, who had received no harm at all.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But was not Adroit laughed at?
+
+Col. PLUME. On the contrary, the very topping fellows were ever after of
+opinion, that no man who deserved that character, could serve as a
+second, without fighting; and the Smarts and Modishes finding their
+account in it, the humour took without opposition.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Pray, Colonel, how long did that fashion continue?
+
+Col. PLUME, Not long neither, Mr. Sage; for as soon as it became a
+fashion, the very topping fellows thought their honour reflected upon,
+if they did not proffer themselves as seconds when any of their friends
+had a quarrel; so that sometimes there were a dozen of a side.
+
+Sir MARK. Bless me! If that custom had continued, we should have been
+at a loss now for our very pretty fellows; for they seem to be the
+proper men to officer, animate, and keep up an army: but, pray, sir, how
+did that sociable manner of tilting grow out of mode?
+
+Col. PLUME. Why, sir, I'll tell you; it was a law among the combatants,
+that the party which happened to have the first man disarmed or killed,
+should yield as vanquished; which some people thought might encourage
+the Modishes and Smarts in quarrelling, to the destruction of only the
+very topping fellows; and as soon as this reflection was started, the
+very topping fellows thought it an incumbrance upon their honour to
+fight at all themselves. Since that time, the Modishes and the Smarts,
+throughout all Europe, have extolled the French king's edict.
+
+Sir MARK. Our very pretty fellows, whom I take to be the successors of
+the very topping fellows, think a quarrel so little fashionable, that
+they will not be exposed to it by another man's vanity, or want of
+sense.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But, Colonel, I have observed in your account of duels, that
+there was a great exactness in avoiding all advantage that might
+possibly be between the combatants.
+
+Col. PLUME. That's true, sir; for the weapons were always equal.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Yes, sir; but suppose an active, adroit, strong man, had
+insulted an awkward, or a feeble, or an unpractised swordsman.
+
+Col. PLUME. Then, sir, they fought with pistols.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But, sir, there might be a certain advantage that way; for a
+good marksman will be sure to hit his man at twenty yards distance; and
+a man whose hand shakes (which is common to men that debauch in
+pleasures, or have not used pistols out of their holsters) won't
+venture to fire, unless he touches the person he shoots at. Now, sir, I
+am of opinion, that one can get no honour in killing a man (if one has
+it all rug,[388] as the gamesters say), when they have a trick to make
+the game secure, though they seem to play upon the square.
+
+Sir MARK. In truth, Mr. Sage, I think such a fact must be murder in a
+man's own private conscience, whatever it may appear to the world.
+
+Col. PLUME. I have known some men so nice, that they would not fight but
+upon a cloak without pistols.
+
+Mr. SAGE. I believe a custom, well established, would outdo the Grand
+Monarch's edict.[389]
+
+Sir MARK. And bullies would then leave off their long swords; but I
+don't find that a very pretty fellow can stay to change his sword, when
+he is insulted by a bully with a long diego,[390] though his own at the
+same time be no longer than a penknife; which will certainly be the
+case, if such little swords are in mode. Pray, Colonel, how was it
+between the hectors of your time and the very topping fellows?
+
+Col. PLUME. Sir, long swords happened to be generally worn in those
+times.
+
+Mr. SAGE. In answer to what you were saying, Sir Mark, give me leave to
+inform you, that your knights-errant (who were the very pretty fellows
+of those ancient times) thought they could not honourably yield, though
+they had fought their own trusty weapons to the stumps; but would
+venture as boldly with the page's leaden sword, as if it had been of
+enchanted metal. Whence I conceive, there must be a spice of romantic
+gallantry in the composition of that very pretty fellow.
+
+Sir MARK. I am of opinion, Mr. Sage, that fashion governs a very pretty
+fellow; nature, or common sense, your ordinary persons, and sometimes
+men of fine parts.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But what is the reason, that men of the most excellent sense
+and morals (in other points) associate their understandings with the
+very pretty fellows in that chimæra of a duel?
+
+Sir MARK. There's no disputing against so great a majority.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But there is one scruple (Colonel Plume) and I have done:
+don't you believe there may be some advantage even upon a cloak with
+pistols, which a man of nice honour would scruple to take?
+
+Col. PLUME. Faith, I can't tell, sir; but since one may reasonably
+suppose, that (in such a case) there can be but one so far in the wrong
+as to occasion matters to come to that extremity, I think the chance of
+being killed should fall but on one; whereas by their close and
+desperate manner of fighting, it may very probably happen to both.
+
+Sir MARK. Why, gentlemen, if they are men of such nice honour (and must
+fight), there will be no fear of foul play, if they threw up cross or
+pile[391] who should be shot.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 383: Job xxxviii. 4, 8, 11.]
+
+[Footnote 384: There was a difference between the University terms and
+the Law terms.]
+
+[Footnote 385: Spencer Cowper (1669-1727), brother of Earl Cowper, and
+afterwards a judge of the Common Pleas. He was one of the managers of
+the impeachment of Sacheverell in 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 386: See Nos. 25, 26, 29, 31, 38, 205.]
+
+[Footnote 387: At Whitehall.]
+
+[Footnote 388: _Cf._ "Wentworth Papers," p. 394: "June 29, 1714. The
+changes at Court does not go so rug as some people expected and gave
+out, that 'twas to be all intire Tory with the least seeming mixture of
+Whigs."]
+
+[Footnote 389: See _Spectator_, No. 97.]
+
+[Footnote 390: A sword. Don Diego was a familiar name for a Spaniard
+with both English and French writers in the seventeenth century. San
+Diego is a corruption of Santiago (St. James), the patron saint of
+Spain.]
+
+[Footnote 391: A pillar, the design on one side of a coin, bearing on
+the other a cross. Swift says, "This I humbly conceive to be perfect
+boys' play; cross, I win, and pile, you lose."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 40. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 9_, to _Tuesday, July 12_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 11.
+
+Letters from the city of London give an account of a very great
+consternation that place is in at present, by reason of a late inquiry
+made at Guildhall, whether a noble person[392] has parts enough to
+deserve the enjoyment of the great estate of which he is possessed. The
+city is apprehensive that this precedent may go further than was at
+first imagined. The person against whom this inquisition is set up by
+his relations, is a peer of a neighbouring kingdom, and has in his youth
+made some few bulls, by which it is insinuated, that he has forfeited
+his goods and chattels. This is the more astonishing, in that there are
+many persons in the said city who are still more guilty than his
+lordship, and who, though they are idiots, do not only possess, but have
+also themselves acquired great estates, contrary to the known laws of
+this realm, which vests their possessions in the Crown. There is a
+gentleman of this coffee-house at this time exhibiting a bill in
+Chancery against his father's younger brother, who by some strange magic
+has arrived at the value of half a plum, as the citizens call a hundred
+thousand pounds; and in all the time of growing up to that wealth, was
+never known in any of his ordinary words or actions to discover any
+proof of reason. Upon this foundation my friend has set forth, that he
+is illegally master of his coffers, and has writ two epigrams to signify
+his own pretensions and sufficiency for spending that estate. He has
+inserted in his plea some things which I fear will give offence; for he
+pretends to argue, that though a man has a little of the knave mixed
+with the fool, he is nevertheless liable to the loss of goods; and makes
+the abuse of reason as just an avoidance of an estate as the total
+absence of it. This is what can never pass; but witty men are so full of
+themselves, that there is no persuading them; and my friend will not be
+convinced, but that upon quoting Solomon, who always used the word
+"fool" as a term of the same signification with "unjust," and makes all
+deviation from goodness and virtue to come under the notion of folly--I
+say, he doubts not, but by the force of this authority, let his idiot
+uncle appear never so great a knave, he shall prove him a fool at the
+same time. This affair led the company here into an examination of these
+points; and none coming here but wits, what was asserted by a young
+lawyer, that a lunatic is in the care of the Chancery, but a fool in
+that of the Crown, was received with general indignation. "Why that?"
+says old Renault. "Why that? Why must a fool be a courtier more than a
+madman? This is the iniquity of this dull age: I remember the time when
+it went on the mad side; all your top wits were scowrers,[393] rakes,
+roarers, and demolishers of windows. I remember a mad lord who was drunk
+five years together, and was the envy of that age, and is faintly
+imitated by the dull pretenders to vice and madness in this. Had he
+lived to this day, there had not been a fool in fashion in the whole
+kingdom." When Renault had done speaking, a very worthy man assumed the
+discourse: "This is," said he, "Mr. Bickerstaff, a proper argument for
+you to treat in your article from this place; and if you would send your
+Pacolet into all our brains, you would find, that a little fibre or
+valve, scarce discernible, makes the distinction between a politician
+and an idiot. We should therefore throw a veil upon those unhappy
+instances of human nature, who seem to breathe without the direction of
+reason and understanding, as we should avert our eyes with abhorrence
+from such as live in perpetual abuse and contradiction to these noble
+faculties. Shall this unfortunate man be divested of his estate, because
+he is tractable and indolent, runs in no man's debt, invades no man's
+bed, nor spends the estate he owes his children and his character; when
+one who shows no sense above him, but in such practices, shall be
+esteemed in his senses, and possibly may pretend to the guardianship of
+him who is no ways his inferior, but in being less wicked? We see old
+age brings us indifferently into the same impotence of soul, wherein
+nature has placed this lord. There is something very fantastical in the
+distribution of civil power and capacity among men. The law certainly
+gives these persons into the ward and care of the Crown, because that is
+best able to protect them from injuries, and the impositions of craft
+and knavery; that the life of an idiot may not ruin the entail of a
+noble house, and his weakness may not frustrate the industry or capacity
+of the founder of his family. But when one of bright parts, as we say,
+with his eyes open, and all men's eyes upon him, destroys those
+purposes, there is no remedy. Folly and ignorance are punished! Folly
+and guilt are tolerated! Mr. Locke has somewhere made a distinction
+between a madman and a fool:[394] a fool is he that from right
+principles makes a wrong conclusion; but a madman is one who draws a
+just inference from false principles. Thus the fool who cut off the
+fellow's head that lay asleep, and hid it, and then waited to see what
+he would say when he awakened and missed his headpiece, was in the right
+in the first thought, that a man would be surprised to find such an
+alteration in things since he fell asleep; but he was a little mistaken
+to imagine he could awake at all after his head was off. A madman
+fancies himself a prince; but upon his mistake, he acts suitably to that
+character; and though he is out in supposing he has principalities,
+while he drinks gruel, and lies in straw, yet you shall see him keep the
+port of a distressed monarch in all his words and actions. These two
+persons are equally taken into custody: but what must be done to half
+this good company, who every hour of their life are knowingly and
+wittingly both fools and madmen, and yet have capacities both of forming
+principles, and drawing conclusions, with the full use of reason?"
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 11.
+
+This evening some ladies came to visit my sister Jenny; and the
+discourse, after very many frivolous and public matters, turned upon the
+main point among the women, the passion of love.[395] Sappho, who always
+leads on this occasion, began to show her reading, and told us, that Sir
+John Suckling and Milton had, upon a parallel occasion, said the
+tenderest things she had ever read. "The circumstance," said she, "is
+such as gives us a notion of that protecting part which is the duty of
+men in their honourable designs upon, or possession of, women. In
+Suckling's tragedy of 'Brennoralt' he makes the lover steal into his
+mistress's bedchamber, and draw the curtains; then, when his heart is
+full of her charms, as she lies sleeping, instead of being carried away
+by the violence of his desires into thoughts of a warmer nature, sleep,
+which is the image of death, gives this generous lover reflections of a
+different kind, which regard rather her safety than his own passion.
+For, beholding her as she lies sleeping, he utters these words:
+
+    _"So misers look upon their gold,
+    Which, while they joy to see, they fear to lose:
+    The pleasure of the sight scarce equalling
+    The jealousy of being dispossessed by others.
+    Her face is like the Milky Way i' th' sky,
+    A meeting of gentle lights without name!
+
+    "Heavens I shall this fresh ornament of the world,
+    These precious love-lines, pass with other common things
+    Amongst the wastes of time? what pity 'twere!_[396]
+
+"When Milton makes Adam leaning on his arm, beholding Eve, and lying in
+the contemplation of her beauty, he describes the utmost tenderness and
+guardian affection in one word:
+
+    "_Adam with looks of cordial love
+    Hung over her enamoured._[397]
+
+"This is that sort of passion which truly deserves the name of 'love,'
+and has something more generous than friendship itself; for it has a
+constant care of the object beloved, abstracted from its own interests
+in the possession of it." Sappho was proceeding on the subject, when my
+sister produced a letter sent to her in the time of my absence, in
+celebration of the marriage state, which is the condition wherein only
+this sort of passion reigns in full authority. The epistle is as
+follows:
+
+"DEAR MADAM,
+
+"Your brother being absent, I dare take the liberty of writing to you my
+thoughts of that state, which our whole sex either is or desires to be
+in: you'll easily guess I mean matrimony, which I hear so much decried,
+that it was with no small labour I maintained my ground against two
+opponents; but, as your brother observed of Socrates, I drew them into
+my conclusion from their own concessions; thus:
+
+    _"In marriage are two happy things allowed,
+    A wife in wedding-sheets, and in a shroud.
+    How can a marriage state then be accursed,
+    Since the last day's as happy as the first?_
+
+"If you think they were too easily confuted, you may conclude them not
+of the first sense, by their talking against marriage.
+
+"Yours,
+
+                                        "MARIANA."
+
+I observed Sappho began to redden at this epistle; and turning to a
+lady, who was playing with a dog she was so fond of as to carry him
+abroad with her; "Nay," says she, "I cannot blame the men if they have
+mean ideas of our souls and affections, and wonder so many are brought
+to take us for companions for life, when they see our endearments so
+triflingly placed: for, to my knowledge, Mr. Truman would give half his
+estate for half the affection you have shown to that Shock: nor do I
+believe you would be ashamed to confess, that I saw you cry, when he had
+the colic last week with lapping sour milk. What more could you do for
+your lover himself?" "What more!" replied the lady, "there is not a man
+in England for whom I could lament half so much." Then she stifled the
+animal with kisses, and called him, Beau, Life, Dear, Monsieur, Pretty
+Fellow, and what not, in the hurry of her impertinence. Sappho rose up;
+as she always does at anything she observes done, which discovers in her
+own sex a levity of mind, which renders them inconsiderable in the
+opinion of others.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 11.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 16th instant, N.S., say, that the siege of
+Tournay went on with all imaginable success; and that there has been no
+manner of stop given to the attempts of the Confederates since they
+undertook it, except that by an accident of firing a piece of ordnance,
+it burst, and killed fifteen or sixteen men. The French army is still
+in the camp of Lens, and goes on in improving their entrenchments. When
+the last advices came away, it was believed the town of Tournay would be
+in the hands of the Confederates by the end of this month. Advices from
+Brussels inform us, that they have an account of a great action between
+the malcontents in the Vivarez, and the French king's forces under the
+command of the Duke of Roquelaure, in which engagement there were
+eighteen hundred men killed on the spot. They add, that all sorts of
+people who are under any oppression or discontent do daily join the
+Vivarois; and that their present body of men in arms consisted of six
+thousand. This sudden insurrection has put the Court of France under
+great difficulties; and the king has given orders, that the main body of
+his troops in Spain shall withdraw into his own dominions, where they
+are to be quartered in such countries as have of late discovered an
+inclination to take up arms: the calamities of that kingdom being such,
+that the people are not by any means to be kept in obedience, except by
+the terror of military execution. What makes the distresses still
+greater, is, that the Court begins to be doubtful of their troops, some
+regiments in the action in the Cevennes having faced about against their
+officers; and after the battle was over, joined the malcontents. Upon
+receiving advice of this battle, the Duke of Berwick detached twelve
+battalions into those parts, and began to add new works to his
+entrenchments near Briançon, in order to defend his camp, after being
+weakened by sending so great a reinforcement into the Cevennes. Letters
+from Spain say, that the Duchess of Anjou was lately delivered of a
+second son. They write from Madrid of the 25th of June, that the
+blockade of Olivenza was continued; but acknowledge, that the late
+provisions which were thrown into the place, make them doubt whether
+they shall be masters of it this campaign; though it is at present so
+closely blocked up, that it appears impracticable to send in any more
+stores or succours. They are preparing with all expedition to repair the
+fortifications of Alicante, for the security of the kingdom of Valencia.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 392: It appears from Luttrell's "Brief Relation," that in Feb.
+1707, Commissioners sat in the Exchequer Room at Westminster to try
+whether Viscount Wenman, "aged 19, of £5000 per annum estate in
+Oxfordshire," were an idiot or not. On the 14th February the Commission
+was superseded. In June 1709, a new Commission passed the Great Seal for
+inquiring into the Viscount's idiocy, and on July 29 they found that he
+was no idiot. On July 12, Peter Wentworth wrote thus to Lord Raby: "The
+prosecution of Lord Wainman is now order'd again, upon wch the _Tatler_
+is to day; the accation I am told is this, that last year when there was
+a stopt put to't 'twas upon the intercession lady Wainman the mother
+made to the Queen, and that she designed to marry her son, the fool, to
+Sir John Packington's daughter, 'twas then said that my Lady her self
+had married her Butler, wch the Queen desired her to tell the truth, and
+she did assure the Queen upon her word and honour,'twas false, and she
+never intended any such thing, but of late she has own her marriage to
+that same Butler, and put off the match with Sir John P----daughter, and
+married him to her husband's sister, wch they say the Queen is angry at
+and therefore this fresh prosecution is order'd" ("Wentworth Papers," p.
+93). Lord Wenman, the fifth Viscount, was born in 1687, married
+Susannah, daughter of Seymour Wroughton, Esq., in 1709, and died in
+1729. Lord Wenman's brother-in-law, Francis Wroughton, was also his
+father-in-law, for he had married, in 1699, as her third husband, the
+Viscount's mother, the Countess of Abingdon.]
+
+[Footnote 393: The Scowrers and Roarers were the forerunners of the
+Mohocks of 1712. Shadwell wrote a play called "The Scowrers," and often
+alludes to the window-breakers of his time. See Gay's "Trivia," iii.
+325:
+
+    "Who has not heard the Scowrer's midnight fame?
+    Who has not trembled at the Mohock's name?"
+]
+
+[Footnote 394: "Essay concerning Human Understanding," chap. xii. sect.
+14.]
+
+[Footnote 395: See Nos. 6, 35.]
+
+[Footnote 396: "Brennoralt," act iii.]
+
+[Footnote 397: "Paradise Lost," iv. 12, 13.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 41. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 12_, to _Thursday, July 14_, 1709.
+
+    Celebrare domestica facta.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 12.
+
+There is no one thing more to be lamented in our nation, than their
+general affectation of everything that is foreign; nay, we carry it so
+far, that we are more anxious for our own countrymen when they have
+crossed the seas, than when we see them in the same dangerous condition
+before our eyes at home: else how is it possible, that on the 29th of
+the last month, there should have been a battle fought in our very
+streets of London, and nobody at this end of the town have heard of it?
+I protest, I, who make it my business to inquire after adventures,
+should never have known this, had not the following account been sent me
+enclosed in a letter. This, it seems, is the way of giving out of orders
+in the Artillery Company;[398] and they prepare for a day of action with
+so little concern, as only to call it, "An Exercise of Arms."
+
+"An Exercise at Arms of the Artillery Company, to be performed on
+Wednesday, June 29, 1709, under the command of Sir Joseph Woolfe, Knight
+and Alderman, General; Charles Hopson, Esquire, present Sheriff,
+Lieutenant-General; Captain Richard Synge, Major; Major John Shorey,
+Captain of Grenadiers; Captain William Grayhurst, Captain John Buttler,
+Captain Robert Carellis, Captains.
+
+"The body march from the Artillery Ground through Moorgate, Coleman
+Street, Lothbury, Broad Street, Finch Lane, Cornhill, Cheapside, St.
+Martin's, St. Anne's Lane, halt the pikes under the wall in Noble
+Street, draw up the firelocks facing the Goldsmiths' Hall, make ready
+and face to the left, and fire, and so ditto three times. Beat to arms,
+and march round the hall, as up Lad Lane, Gutter Lane, Honey Lane, and
+so wheel to the right, and make your salute to my lord, and so down St.
+Anne's Lane, up Aldersgate Street, Barbican, and draw up in Red Cross
+Street, the right at St. Paul's Alley in the rear. March off
+Lieutenant-General with half the body up Beech Lane: he sends a
+subdivision up King's Head Court, and takes post in it, and marches two
+divisions round into Red Lion Market, to defend that pass, and succour
+the division in King's Head Court, but keeps in White Cross Street,
+facing Beech Lane, the rest of the body ready drawn up. Then the General
+marches up Beech Lane, is attacked, but forces the division in the court
+into the market, and enters with three divisions while he presses the
+Lieutenant-General's main body; and at the same time, the three
+divisions force those of the revolters out of the market, and so all the
+Lieutenant-General's body retreats into Chiswell Street, and lodges two
+divisions in Grub Street; and as the General marches on, they fall on
+his flank, but soon made to give way; but having a retreating place in
+Red Lion Court, but could not hold it, being put to flight through
+Paul's Alley, and pursued by the General's grenadiers, while he marches
+up and attacks their main body, but are opposed again by a party of men
+as lay in Black Raven Court; but they are forced also to retire soon in
+the utmost confusion; and at the same time those brave divisions in
+Paul's Alley ply their rear with grenadiers, that with precipitation
+they take to the rout along Bunhill Row: so the General marches into the
+Artillery Ground, and being drawn up, finds the revolting party to have
+found entrance, and makes a show as if for a battle, and both armies
+soon engage in form, and fire by platoons."
+
+Much might be said for the improvement of this system; which, for its
+style and invention, may instruct generals and their historians, both in
+fighting a battle, and describing it when it is over. These elegant
+expressions, "Ditto," "And so," "But soon," "But having," "But could
+not," "But are," "But they," "Finds the party to have found," &c., do
+certainly give great life and spirit to the relation. Indeed I am
+extremely concerned for the Lieutenant-General, who, by his overthrow
+and defeat, is made a deplorable instance of the fortune of war, and
+vicissitudes of human affairs. He, alas! has lost in Beech Lane and
+Chiswell Street, all the glory he lately gained in and about Holborn and
+St. Giles's. The art of subdividing first, and dividing afterwards, is
+new and surprising; and according to this method, the troops are
+disposed in King's Head Court and Red Lion Market: nor is the conduct of
+these leaders less conspicuous in their choice of the ground or field of
+battle. Happy was it, that the greatest part of the achievements of this
+day was to be performed near Grub Street,[399] that there might not be
+wanting a sufficient number of faithful historians, who being
+eye-witnesses of these wonders, should impartially transmit them to
+posterity: but then it can never be enough regretted, that we are left
+in the dark as to the name and title of that extraordinary hero who
+commanded the divisions in Paul's Alley; especially because those
+divisions are justly styled brave, and accordingly were to push the
+enemy along Bunhill Row, and thereby occasion a general battle. But
+Pallas appeared in the form of a shower of rain, and prevented the
+slaughter and desolation which were threatened by these extraordinary
+preparations.
+
+    _Hi motus animorum atque hæc certamina tanta
+    Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescunt._[400]
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 13.
+
+Some part of the company keep up the old way of conversation in this
+place, which usually turned upon the examination of nature, and an
+inquiry into the manners of men. There is one in the room so very
+judicious, that he manages impertinents with the utmost dexterity. It
+was diverting this evening to hear a discourse between him and one of
+these gentlemen. He told me before that person joined us, that he was a
+questioner, who, according to his description, is one who asks
+questions, not with a design to receive information, but an affectation
+to show his uneasiness for want of it. He went on in asserting, that
+there are crowds of that modest ambition, as to aim no farther than to
+demonstrate that they are in doubt. But by this time Will Why-not was
+sat down by us. "So, gentlemen," says he, "in how many days, think you,
+shall we be masters of Tournay? Is the account of the action of the
+Vivarois to be depended upon? Could you have imagined England had so
+much money in it, as you see it has produced? Pray, sirs, what do you
+think? Will the Duke of Savoy make an eruption into France? But," says
+he, "time will clear all these mysteries." His answer to himself gave me
+the altitude of his head, and to all his questions I thus answered very
+satisfactorily: "Sir, have you heard that this Slaughterford[401] never
+owned the fact for which he died? Have the newspapers mentioned that
+matter? But, pray, can you tell me what method will be taken to provide
+for these Palatines?[402] But this, as you say, time will clear." "Ay,
+ay," says he, and whispers me, "they will never let us into these things
+beforehand." I whispered him again, "We shall know it as soon as there
+is a proclamation." He tells me in the other ear, "You are in the right
+of it." Then he whispered my friend to know what my name was; then made
+an obliging bow, and went to examine another table. This led my friend
+and me to weigh this wandering manner in many other incidents, and he
+took out of his pockets several little notes or tickets to solicit for
+votes to employments: as, "Mr. John Taplash having served all offices,
+and being reduced to great poverty, desires your vote for singing clerk
+of this parish." Another "has had ten children, all whom his wife has
+suckled herself; therefore humbly desires to be a schoolmaster." There
+is nothing so frequent as this way of application for offices. It is not
+that you are fit for the place, but because the place would be
+convenient for you, that you claim a merit to it. But commend me to the
+great Kirleus,[403] who has lately set up for midwifery, and to help
+childbirth, for no other reason, but that he is himself the Unborn
+Doctor. The way is to hit upon something that puts the vulgar upon the
+stare, or that touches their compassion, which is often the weakest part
+about us. I know a good lady, who has taken her daughters from their old
+dancing-master, to place them with another, for no other reason, but
+because the new man has broke his leg, which is so ill set, that he can
+never dance more.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 13.
+
+As it is a frequent mortification to me to receive letters, wherein
+people tell me, without a name, they know I meant them in such and such
+a passage; so that very accusation is an argument, that there are such
+beings in human life, as fall under our description and our discourse,
+is not altogether fantastical and groundless. But in this case I am
+treated as I saw a boy was the other day, who gave out poxy bills: every
+plain fellow took it that passed by, and went on his way without further
+notice: at last came one with his nose a little abridged; who knocks the
+lad down, with a, "Why, you son of a w----e, do you think I am p----d?"
+But Shakespeare has made the best apology for this way of talking
+against the public errors: he makes Jaques, in the play called "As You
+Like It," express himself thus:
+
+    _Why, who cries out on pride,
+    That can therein tax any private party?
+    What woman in the city do I name,
+    When that I say the city woman bears
+    The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders?
+    Who can come in and say that I mean her,
+    When such a one as she, such is her neighbour?
+    Or, what is he of basest function,
+    That says his bravery is not on my cost?
+    Thinking that I mean him, but therein suits
+    His folly to the mettle of my speech.
+    There then! How then? Then let me see wherein
+    My tongue hath wronged him: if it do him right,
+    Then he hath wronged himself: if he be free,
+    Why then my taxing like a wild goose flies,
+    Unclaimed of any man._[404]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 13.
+
+We have received, by letters of the 18th instant from the camp before
+Tournay, an account, that we were in a fair prospect of being masters of
+the town within seven days after that date. Our batteries had utterly
+overthrown those of the enemy. On the 16th instant, N.S., General
+Schuylemburg had made a lodgment on the counterscarp of the Tenaille;
+which post was so weakly defended, that we lost but six men in gaining
+it. So that there seems reason to hope, that the citadel will also be in
+the hands of the Confederates about the 6th of August, O.S. These
+advices inform us further, that Marshal Villars had ordered large
+detachments to make motions towards Douay and Condé. The swift progress
+of this siege has so much alarmed the other frontier towns of France,
+that they were throwing down some houses in the suburbs of Valenciennes,
+which they think may stand commodiously for the enemy in case that place
+should be invested. The Elector of Cologne is making all imaginable
+haste to remove from thence to Rheims.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 398: See Nos. 28, 38.]
+
+[Footnote 399: Grub Street, Cripplegate (now Milton Street), became,
+towards the end of the seventeenth century, the abode of what Johnson
+calls "writers of small histories, dictionaries and temporary poems;
+whence any mean production is called Grub Street."]
+
+[Footnote 400: Virgil, "Georgics," iv. 86.]
+
+[Footnote 401: The _Flying Post_ records that one Slaughterford was
+sentenced to death on July 2, 1709, for murdering his sweetheart.]
+
+[Footnote 402: See Nos. 24, 51.]
+
+[Footnote 403: See No. 14.]
+
+[Footnote 404: "As You Like It," act ii. sc. 7.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 42. [STEELE AND ADDISON.
+
+From _Thursday, July 14, to Saturday, July 16_, 1709.
+
+    Celebrare domestica facta.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 15.
+
+Looking over some old papers, I found a little treatise, written by my
+great-grandfather, concerning bribery, and thought his manner of
+treating that subject not unworthy my remark. He there has a digression
+concerning a possibility, that in some circumstances a man may receive
+an injury, and yet be conscious to himself that he deserves it. There
+are abundance of fine things said on the subject; but the whole wrapped
+up in so much jingle and pun (which was the wit of those times) that it
+is scarce intelligible; but I thought the design was well enough in the
+following sketch of the old gentleman's poetry: for in this case, where
+two are rivals for the same thing, and propose to attain it by presents,
+he that attempts the judge's honesty, by making him offers of reward,
+ought not to complain when he loses his cause for a better bidder. But
+the good old doggerel runs thus:[405]
+
+    _A poor man once a judge besought,
+      To judge aright his cause,
+    And with a pot of oil salutes
+      This judger of the laws.
+
+    "My friend" quoth he, "thy cause is good":
+      He glad away did trudge;
+    Anon his wealthy foe did come
+      Before this partial judge.
+
+    An hog well fed this churl presents,
+      And craves a strain of law;
+    The hog received, the poor man's right
+      Was judged not worth a straw.
+
+    Therewith he cried, "O! partial judge,
+      Thy doom has me undone;
+    When oil I gave, my cause was good,
+      But now to ruin run."
+
+    "Poor man" quoth he, "I thee forgot,
+      And see thy cause of foil;
+    An hog came since into my house,
+      And broke thy pot of oil."_
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 15.
+
+The discourse happened this evening to fall upon characters drawn in
+plays, and a gentleman remarked, that there was no method in the world
+of knowing the taste of an age, or period of time so good, as by the
+observations of the persons represented in their comedies. There were
+several instances produced, as Ben Jonson's bringing in a fellow smoking
+as a piece of foppery;[406] "But," said the gentleman who entertained us
+on this subject, "this matter is nowhere so observable as in the
+difference of the characters of women on the stage in the last age, and
+in this. It is not to be supposed that it was a poverty of genius in
+Shakespeare, that his women made so small a figure in his dialogues; but
+it certainly is, that he drew women as they then were in life; for that
+sex had not in those days that freedom in conversation; and their
+characters were only, that they were mothers, sisters, daughters, and
+wives. There were not then among the ladies, shining wits, politicians,
+virtuosas, free-thinkers, and disputants; nay, there was then hardly
+such a creature even as a coquette: but vanity had quite another turn,
+and the most conspicuous woman at that time of day was only the best
+housewife. Were it possible to bring into life an assembly of matrons of
+that age, and introduce the learned Lady Woodby into their company, they
+would not believe the same nation could produce a creature so unlike
+anything they ever saw in it. But these ancients would be as much
+astonished to see in the same age so illustrious a pattern to all who
+love things praiseworthy, as the divine Aspasia.[407] Methinks, I now
+see her walking in her garden like our first parent, with unaffected
+charms, before beauty had spectators, and bearing celestial conscious
+virtue in her aspect. Her countenance is the lively picture of her mind,
+which is the seat of honour, truth, compassion, knowledge, and
+innocence.
+
+    _There dwells the scorn of vice and pity too._
+
+In the midst of the most ample fortune, and veneration of all that
+behold and know her, without the least affectation, she consults
+retirement, the contemplation of her own being, and that supreme power
+which bestowed it. Without the learning of schools, or knowledge of a
+long course of arguments, she goes on in a steady course of
+uninterrupted piety and virtue, and adds to the severity and privacy of
+the last age all the freedom and ease of this. The language and mien of
+a Court she is possessed of in the highest degree; but the simplicity
+and humble thoughts of a cottage, are her more welcome entertainments.
+Aspasia is a female philosopher, who does not only live up to the
+resignation of the most retired lives of the ancient sages, but also to
+the schemes and plans which they thought beautiful, though inimitable.
+This lady is the most exact economist, without appearing busy; the most
+strictly virtuous, without tasting the praise of it; and shuns applause
+with as much industry, as others do reproach. This character is so
+particular, that it will very easily be fixed on her only, by all that
+know her: but I daresay, she will be the last that finds it out. But,
+alas! if we have one or two such ladies, how many dozens are there like
+the restless Poluglossa, who is acquainted with all the world but
+herself; who has the appearance of all, and possession of no one virtue:
+she has indeed in her practice the absence of vice; but her discourse is
+the continual history of it; and it is apparent, when she speaks of the
+criminal gratifications of others, that her innocence is only a
+restraint, with a certain mixture of envy. She is so perfectly opposite
+to the character of Aspasia, that as vice is terrible to her only as it
+is the object of reproach, so virtue is agreeable only as it is attended
+with applause.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 15.
+
+It is now twelve o'clock at noon, and no mail come in; therefore I am
+not without hopes, that the town will allow me the liberty which my
+brother news-writers take, in giving them what may be for their
+information in another kind, and indulge me in doing an act of
+friendship, by publishing the following account of goods and
+movables.[408]
+
+This is to give notice, that a magnificent palace, with great variety of
+gardens, statues, and waterworks, may be bought cheap in Drury Lane;
+where there are likewise several castles to be disposed of, very
+delightfully situated; as also groves, woods, forests, fountains, and
+country seats, with very pleasant prospects on all sides of them; being
+the movables of Ch----r R----ch,[409] Esq.; who is breaking up
+housekeeping, and has many curious pieces of furniture to dispose of,
+which may be seen between the hours of six and ten in the evening.
+
+#The INVENTORY.#
+
+    Spirits of right Nantes brandy, for lambent flames and apparitions.
+
+    Three bottles and a half of lightning.
+
+    One shower of snow in the whitest French paper.
+
+    Two showers of a browner sort.
+
+    A sea, consisting of a dozen large waves; the tenth bigger than
+    ordinary, and a little damaged.
+
+    A dozen and a half of clouds, trimmed with black, and well
+    conditioned.
+
+    A rainbow a little faded.
+
+    A set of clouds after the French mode, streaked with lightning, and
+    furbelowed.
+
+    A new-moon, something decayed.
+
+    A pint of the finest Spanish wash, being all that is left of two
+    hogsheads sent over last winter.
+
+    A coach very finely gilt, and little used, with a pair of dragons,
+    to be sold cheap.
+
+    A setting sun, a pennyworth.[410]
+
+    An imperial mantle, made for Cyrus the Great, and worn by Julius
+    Cæsar, Bajazet, King Harry the Eighth, and Signior Valentin.[411]
+
+    A basket-hilt sword, very convenient to carry milk in.
+
+    Roxana's night-gown.
+
+    Othello's handkerchief.
+
+    The imperial robes of Xerxes, never worn but once.
+
+    A wild-boar, killed by Mrs. Tofts[412] and Dioclesian.
+
+    A serpent to sting Cleopatra.
+
+    A mustard-bowl to make thunder with.
+
+    Another of a bigger sort, by Mr. D----is's directions, little
+    used.[413]
+
+    Six elbow-chairs, very expert in country-dances, with six
+    flower-pots for their partners.
+
+    The whiskers of a Turkish bassa.
+
+    The complexion of a murderer in a band-box; consisting of a large
+    piece of burnt cork, and a coal-black peruke.
+
+    A suit of clothes for a ghost, viz., a bloody shirt, a doublet
+    curiously pinked, and a coat with three great eyelet-holes upon the
+    breast.
+
+    A bale of red Spanish wool.
+
+    Modern plots, commonly known by the name of trapdoors, ladders of
+    ropes, vizard-masks, and tables with broad carpets over them.
+
+    Three oak cudgels, with one of crab-tree; all bought for the use of
+    Mr. Pinkethman.
+
+    Materials for dancing; as masks, castanets, and a ladder of ten
+    rounds.
+
+    Aurengezebe's scimitar, made by Will Brown in Piccadilly.
+
+    A plume of feathers, never used but by Oedipus and the Earl of
+    Essex.
+
+There are also swords, halberts, sheep-hooks, cardinals' hats, turbans,
+drums, gallipots, a gibbet, a cradle, a rack, a cart-wheel, an altar, a
+helmet, a back-piece, a breast-plate, a bell, a tub, and a jointed
+baby.[414]
+
+These are the hard shifts we intelligencers are forced to; therefore our
+readers ought to excuse us, if a westerly wind blowing for a fortnight
+together, generally fills every paper with an order of battle; when we
+show our martial skill in each line, and, according to the space we have
+to fill, we range our men in squadrons and battalions, or draw out
+company by company, and troop by troop; ever observing, that no muster
+is to be made, but when the wind is in a cross point, which often
+happens at the end of a campaign, when half the men are deserted or
+killed. The _Courant_ is sometimes ten deep, his ranks close: the
+_Postboy_[415] is generally in files, for greater exactness; and the
+_Postman_ comes down upon you rather after the Turkish way, sword in
+hand, pell-mell, without form or discipline; but sure to bring men
+enough into the field; and wherever they are raised, never to lose a
+battle for want of numbers.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 405: From George Whetstone's "English Mirror," 1586.]
+
+[Footnote 406: See "Every Man out of his Humour," act ii. sc. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 407: Lady Elizabeth Hastings, unquestionably one of the most
+accomplished and virtuous characters of the age in which she lived, was
+the daughter of Theophilus Hastings, the 7th Earl of Huntingdon, and of
+Elizabeth, eldest daughter and co-heiress to John Lewes, of Ledstone, in
+Yorkshire, Knt. and Bart. Her father succeeded to the honours and estate
+of the family, Feb. 13, 1655, and was in 1687 Lord Chief Justice, and
+Justice in Eyre of all the King's forests, &c., beyond Trent; Lord
+Lieutenant of the counties of Leicester and Derby; Captain of the Band
+of Gentlemen Pensioners, and of the Privy Council to King James II. He
+died suddenly at his lodgings in Charles Street, St. James's, May 13,
+1701, and was succeeded in his honours and estate by his son, and her
+brother, Charles, who died unmarried, Feb. 22, 1704. Lady Elizabeth
+Hastings was born April 19, 1682, and died Dec. 22, 1739. It is said,
+with great probability, that since the commencement of the Christian
+era, scarce any age has produced a lady of such high birth and superior
+accomplishments, that was a greater blessing to many, or a brighter
+pattern to all. There is an admirable sketch of this illustrious lady's
+character, drawn soon after her death, in the tenth volume of the
+_Gentleman's Magazine_, p. 36, probably by Samuel Johnson. See also "An
+historical Character relating to the holy and exemplary Life of the
+Right Honourable the Lady Elisabeth Hastings, &c. By Thomas Barnard,
+A.M. Printed at Leeds, in 1742, 12mo" (Nichols).--Lady Elizabeth
+Hastings, who came into a fortune upon the death of her brother George,
+Earl of Huntingdon, settled at Ledstone House, where she was the Lady
+Bountiful of the neighbourhood. Her whole estate, however, is said to
+have been less than £3000 a year. The best of the clergy of the day were
+among her friends. She helped Berkeley in his Bermuda Mission scheme,
+and she befriended Miss Mary Astell. Ralph Thoresby, who visited her,
+was "extremely pleased with the most agreeable conversation of the pious
+and excellent Lady Elizabeth Hastings." ("Diary," ii. 82). She was one
+of the numerous eligible ladies that the friends of Lord Raby,
+afterwards Earl of Strafford, suggested to him as a suitable wife
+("Wentworth Papers," pp. 29, 56). The character of Aspasia in this paper
+has been attributed to Congreve, on the ground, apparently, that he knew
+Lady Elizabeth Hastings' half-brother, Theophilus, afterwards Earl of
+Huntingdon. See No. 49, note.]
+
+[Footnote 408: The remainder of this paper is by Addison; see Steele's
+Preface. Drury Lane Theatre was closed by an order of the Lord
+Chamberlain, as mentioned in No. 30.]
+
+[Footnote 409: Christopher Rich.]
+
+[Footnote 410: A bargain.]
+
+[Footnote 411: Valentini Urbani sang in Italian in the opera of
+"Camilla," in 1707. His acting seems to have been better than his voice
+(Burney's "History of Music," iv. 208).]
+
+[Footnote 412: See No. 20.]
+
+[Footnote 413: John Dennis's unsuccessful tragedy of "Appius and
+Virginia" was produced in 1709. On that occasion he introduced a new
+method of making thunder (see "Dunciad," ii. 226), which was found
+useful by managers. Afterwards, when Dennis found his invention being
+used in "Macbeth," he exclaimed, "'Sdeath! that's my thunder. See how
+the fellows use me, they have silenced my tragedy, and they roar out my
+thunder" (Oldys, MS. notes on Langbaine).]
+
+[Footnote 414: "Baby" was often used for "doll."]
+
+[Footnote 415: See No. 18.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 43. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 16_, to _Tuesday, July 19_, 1709.
+
+    Bene nummatum decorat suadela Venusque,
+                                            HOR. 1 Ep. vi. 38.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 18.
+
+I write from hence at present to complain, that wit and merit are so
+little encouraged by people of rank and quality, that the wits of the
+age are obliged to run within Temple Bar for patronage. There is a
+deplorable instance of this in the case of Mr. D----y,[416] who has
+dedicated his inimitable comedy, called, "The Modern Prophets," to a
+worthy knight,[417] to whom, it seems, he had before communicated his
+plan, which was, to ridicule the ridiculous of our established doctrine.
+I have elsewhere celebrated the contrivance of this excellent drama; but
+was not, till I read the dedication, wholly let into the religious
+design of it. I am afraid it has suffered discontinuance at this gay end
+of the town, for no other reason but the piety of the purpose. There is
+however in this epistle the true life of panegyrical performance; and I
+do not doubt but, if the patron would part with it, I can help him to
+others with good pretensions to it; viz., of uncommon understanding, who
+would give him as much as he gave for it. I know perfectly well a noble
+person to whom these words (which are the body of the panegyric) would
+fit to a hair.
+
+"Your easiness of humour, or rather your harmonious disposition, is so
+admirably mixed with your composure, that the rugged cares and
+disturbance that public affairs brings with it, which does so
+vexatiously affect the heads of other great men of business, &c. does
+scarce ever ruffle your unclouded brow so much as with a frown. And what
+above all is praiseworthy, you are so far from thinking yourself better
+than others, that a flourishing and opulent fortune, which by a certain
+natural corruption in its quality, seldom fails to infect other
+possessors with pride, seems in this case as if only providentially
+disposed to enlarge your humility.
+
+"But I find, sir, I am now got into a very large field, where though I
+could with great ease raise a number of plants in relation to your merit
+of this plauditory nature; yet for fear of an author's general vice, and
+that the plain justice I have done you should, by my proceeding and
+others' mistaken judgment, be imagined flattery, a thing the bluntness
+of my nature does not care to be concerned with, and which I also know
+you abominate."
+
+It is wonderful to see how many judges of these fine things spring up
+every day by the rise of stocks, and other elegant methods of abridging
+the way to learning and criticism. But I do hereby forbid all
+dedications to any persons within the city of London, except Sir
+Francis, Sir Stephen,[418] and the Bank, will take epigrams and epistles
+as value received for their notes; and the East India Companies accept
+of heroic poems for their sealed bonds. Upon which bottom, our
+publishers have full power to treat with the city in behalf of us
+authors, to enable traders to become patrons and Fellows of the Royal
+Society, as well as receive certain degrees of skill in the Latin and
+Greek tongues, according to the quantity of the commodities which they
+take off our hands.
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+The learned have so long laboured under the imputation of dryness and
+dulness in their accounts of their phenomena, that an ingenious
+gentleman of our society has resolved to write a system of philosophy in
+a more lively method, both as to the matter and language, than has been
+hitherto attempted. He read to us the plan upon which he intends to
+proceed. I thought his account, by way of fable of the worlds about us,
+had so much vivacity in it, that I could not forbear transcribing his
+hypothesis, to give the reader a taste of my friend's treatise, which is
+now in the press.[419]
+
+"The inferior deities having designed on a day to play a game at
+football, knead together a numberless collection of dancing atoms into
+the form of seven rolling globes: and that nature might be kept from a
+dull inactivity, each separate particle is endued with a principle of
+motion, or a power of attraction, whereby all the several parcels of
+matter draw each other proportionately to their magnitudes and
+distances, into such a remarkable variety of different forms, as to
+produce all the wonderful appearances we now observe in empire,
+philosophy, and religion. To proceed; at the beginning of the game, each
+of the globes being struck forward with a vast violence, ran out of
+sight, and wandered in a straight line through the infinite spaces. The
+nimble deities pursue, breathless almost, and spent in the eager chase;
+each of them caught hold of one, and stamped it with his name; as,
+Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and so of the rest. To prevent this inconvenience
+for the future, the seven are condemned to a precipitation, which in our
+inferior style we call 'gravity.' Thus the tangential and centripetal
+forces, by their counter-struggle, make the celestial bodies describe an
+exact ellipsis."
+
+There will be added to this an appendix, in defence of the first day of
+the term according to the Oxford Almanac,[420] by a learned knight of
+this realm, with an apology for the said knight's manner of dress;
+proving, that his habit, according to this hypothesis, is the true
+modern and fashionable; and that buckles are not to be worn, by this
+system, till the 10th of March, in the year 1714, which, according to
+the computation of some of our greatest divines, is to be the first year
+of the Millennium[421]; in which blessed age, all habits will be reduced
+to a primitive simplicity; and whoever shall be found to have persevered
+in a constancy of dress, in spite of all the allurements of profane and
+heathen habits, shall be rewarded with a never-fading doublet of a
+thousand years. All points in the system which are doubted, shall be
+attested by the knight's extemporary oath, for the satisfaction of his
+readers.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+We were upon the heroic strain this evening, and the question was, What
+is the True Sublime? Many very good discourses happened thereupon; after
+which a gentleman at the table, who is, it seems, writing on that
+subject, assumed the argument; and though he ran through many instances
+of sublimity from the ancient writers, said, he had hardly known an
+occasion wherein the true greatness of soul, which animates a general in
+action, is so well represented, with regard to the person of whom it was
+spoken, and the time in which it was writ, as in a few lines in a modern
+poem: "there is," continued he, "nothing so forced and constrained, as
+what we frequently meet with in tragedies; to make a man under the
+weight of a great sorrow, or full of meditation upon what he is soon to
+execute, cast about for a simile to what he himself is, or the thing
+which he is going to act: but there is nothing more proper and natural
+than for a poet, whose business is to describe, and who is spectator of
+one in that circumstance when his mind is working upon a great image,
+and that the ideas hurry upon his imagination--I say, there is nothing
+so natural, as for a poet to relieve and clear himself from the burthen
+of thought at that time, by uttering his conception in simile and
+metaphor. The highest act of the mind of man, is to possess itself with
+tranquillity in imminent danger, and to have its thoughts so free, as to
+act at that time without perplexity. The ancient poets have compared
+this sedate courage to a rock that remains immovable amidst the rage of
+winds and waves; but that is too stupid and inanimate a similitude, and
+could do no credit to the hero. At other times they are all of them
+wonderfully obliged to a Lybian lion, which may give indeed very
+agreeable terrors to a description; but is no compliment to the person
+to whom it is applied: eagles, tigers, and wolves, are made use of on
+the same occasion, and very often with much beauty; but this is still an
+honour done to the brute, rather than the hero. Mars, Pallas, Bacchus,
+and Hercules, have each of them furnished very good similes in their
+time, and made, doubtless, a greater impression on the mind of a
+heathen, than they have on that of a modern reader. But the sublime
+image that I am talking of, and which I really think as great as ever
+entered into the thought of man, is in the poem called, 'The
+Campaign';[422] where the simile of a ministering angel sets forth the
+most sedate and the most active courage, engaged in an uproar of nature,
+a confusion of elements, and a scene of divine vengeance. Add to all,
+that these lines compliment the General and his Queen at the same time,
+and have all the natural horrors, heightened by the image that was still
+fresh in the mind of every reader.[423]
+
+    "_'Twas then great Marlborough's mighty soul was proved,
+    That, in the shock of charging hosts unmoved,
+    Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,
+    Examined all the dreadful scenes of war;
+    In peaceful thought the field of death surveyed,
+    To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid,
+    Inspired repulsed battalions to engage,
+    And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
+    So when an angel by divine command,
+    With rising tempests shakes a guilty land,
+    Such as of late o'er pale Britannia past,
+    Calm and serene he drives the furious blast;
+    And, pleased the Almighty's orders to perform,
+    Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm._
+
+"The whole poem is so exquisitely noble and poetic, that I think it an
+honour to our nation and language." The gentleman concluded his critique
+on this work, by saying, that he esteemed it wholly new, and a wonderful
+attempt to keep up the ordinary ideas of a march of an army, just as
+they happened in so warm and great a style, and yet be at once familiar
+and heroic. Such a performance is a chronicle as well as a poem, and
+will preserve the memory of our hero, when all the edifices and statues
+erected to his honour are blended with common dust.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, that the Allies
+were so forward in the siege of Tournay, that they were preparing for a
+general assault, which, it was supposed, would be made within a few
+days. Deserters from the town gave an account, that the garrison was
+carrying their ammunition and provisions into the citadel, which
+occasioned a tumult among the inhabitants of the town. The French army
+had laid bridges over the Scarp, and made a motion as if they intended
+to pass that river; but though they are joined by the reinforcement
+expected from Germany, it was not believed they should make any attempt
+towards relieving Tournay. Letters from Brabant say, there has been a
+discovery made of a design to deliver up Antwerp to the enemy. The
+States of Holland have agreed to a general naturalisation of all
+Protestants who shall fly into their dominions; to which purpose, a
+proclamation was to be issued within few days.
+
+They write from France, that the great misery and want under which that
+nation has so long laboured, has ended in a pestilence, which began to
+appear in Burgundy and Dauphiné. They add, that in the town of Mazon,
+three hundred persons had died in the space of ten days. Letters from
+Lille of the 24th instant advise, that great numbers of deserters came
+daily into that city, the most part of whom are dragoons. We are advised
+from France, that the Loire having overflowed its banks, hath laid the
+country under water for three hundred miles together.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 416: See Nos. 1 and 11. In No. 29 of the _Guardian_ Steele
+accused the world of ingratitude in not properly "rewarding the jocose
+labours of my friend, Mr. Durfey"; and in No. 67 Addison urged the town
+to go to a performance at the theatre given for Durfey's benefit. "He
+has made the town merry, and I hope they will make him easy, so long as
+he stays among us."]
+
+[Footnote 417: Sir William Scawen, a merchant who was knighted in 1692.]
+
+[Footnote 418: Probably Sir Francis Child and Sir Stephen Evance, the
+bankers. The latter was ruined at the time of the South Sea mania. The
+following advertisement appeared in the _Postman_ for Jan. 1, 1709:
+"Lost or mislaid, some time the last summer, at Winchester House, in
+Chelsea, a gold snuff-box, a cypher graved on the cover, with trophies
+round it, and over the cypher these words, 'DD. Illust. Princ. Jac. Duci
+Ormond.' Whoever brings it to Sir Stephen Evance, at the Black Boy in
+Lombard Street, shall have ten guineas reward, and be asked no
+questions."]
+
+[Footnote 419: This seems to be a banter upon Mr. Whiston's book
+intituled, "Prælectiones Physicæ Mathematicæ; sive Philosophia
+clarissimi Newtoni Mathematica illustrata, 1710"; wherein he explained
+the Newtonian philosophy, which now began to grow into vogue. Both
+Addison and Steele, however, very much befriended Whiston; and after his
+banishment from Cambridge, promoted a subscription for his astronomical
+lectures at Button's Coffee-house (Nichols).--See No. 251.]
+
+[Footnote 420: See No. 39.]
+
+[Footnote 421: Whiston had fixed that day for the destruction of
+Anti-Christ and the beginning of the Millennium.]
+
+[Footnote 422: Written by Addison in 1705, in celebration of the victory
+at Blenheim.]
+
+[Footnote 423: The great storm of November 1703 formed the subject of a
+volume published by Defoe in 1704.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 44. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 19_, to _Thursday, July 21_, 1709.
+
+    --Nullis amor est medicabilis herbis.
+                                            OVID, Met. i. 523.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 19.
+
+This day, passing through Covent Garden, I was stopped in the Piazza by
+Pacolet, to observe what he called the "triumph of love and youth." I
+turned to the object he pointed at; and there I saw a gay gilt chariot
+drawn by fresh prancing horses; the coachman with a new cockade, and the
+lackeys with insolence and plenty in their countenances. I asked
+immediately, what young heir or lover owned that glittering equipage?
+But my companion interrupted: "Do not you see there the mourning
+Æsculapius?"[424] "The mourning!" said I. "Yes, Isaac," said Pacolet,
+"he is in deep mourning, and is the languishing hopeless lover of the
+divine Hebe, the emblem of youth and beauty. The excellent and learned
+sage you behold in that furniture, is the strongest instance imaginable,
+that love is the most powerful of all things. You are not so ignorant as
+to be a stranger to the character of Æsculapius, as the patron and most
+successful of all who profess the art of medicine. But as most of his
+operations are owing to a natural sagacity or impulse, he has very
+little troubled himself with the doctrine of drugs; but has always given
+Nature more room to help herself, than any of her learned assistants;
+and consequently has done greater wonders than is in the power of art to
+perform;[425] for which reason, he is half deified by the people; and
+has ever been justly courted by all the world, as if he were a seventh
+son. It happened, that the charming Hebe was reduced, by a long and
+violent fever, to the most extreme danger of death; and when all skill
+failed, they sent for Æsculapius. The renowned artist was touched with
+the deepest compassion to see the faded charms and faint bloom of Hebe;
+and had a generous concern in beholding a struggle, not between life,
+but rather between youth, and death. All his skill and his passion
+tended to the recovery of Hebe, beautiful even in sickness: but, alas!
+the unhappy physician knew not, that in all his care he was only
+sharpening darts for his own destruction. In a word, his fortune was the
+same with that of the statuary, who fell in love with the image of his
+own making; and the unfortunate Æsculapius is become the patient of her
+whom he lately recovered. Long before this disaster, Æsculapius was far
+gone in the unnecessary and superfluous amusements of old age, in
+increasing unwieldy stores, and providing, in the midst of an incapacity
+of enjoyment of what he had, for a supply of more wants than he had
+calls for in youth itself. But these low considerations are now no more,
+and love has taken place of avarice, or rather has become an avarice of
+another kind, which still urges him to pursue what he does not want. But
+behold the metamorphosis; the anxious mean cares of an usurer are turned
+into the languishments and complaints of a lover. 'Behold,' says the
+aged Æsculapius, 'I submit, I own, great Love, thy empire: pity, Hebe,
+the fop you have made: what have I to do with gilding but on pills? Yet,
+O fair! For thee I sit amidst a crowd of painted deities on my chariot,
+buttoned in gold, clasped in gold, without having any value for that
+beloved metal, but as it adorns the person, and laces the hat of thy
+dying lover. I ask not to live, O Hebe! Give me but gentle death:
+euthanasia, euthanasia, that is all I implore.'" When Æsculapius had
+finished his complaint, Pacolet went on in deep morals on the
+uncertainty of riches, with this remarkable exclamation; "O wealth! How
+impotent art thou! And how little dost thou supply us with real
+happiness, when the usurer himself can forget thee for the love of what
+is as foreign to his felicity as thou art?"
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 19.
+
+The company here, who have all a delicate taste of theatrical
+representations, had made a gathering to purchase the movables of the
+neighbouring playhouse,[426] for the encouragement of one which is
+setting up in the Haymarket. But the proceedings at the auction (by
+which method the goods have been sold this evening) have been so unfair,
+that this generous design has been frustrated; for the Imperial Mantle
+made for Cyrus was missing, as also the Chariot and Two Dragons: but
+upon examination it was found, that a gentleman of Hampshire[427] had
+clandestinely bought them both, and is gone down to his country seat;
+and that on Saturday last he passed through Staines attired in that
+robe, and drawn by the said Dragons, assisted by two only of his own
+horses. This theatrical traveller has also left orders with Mr.
+Hall[428] to send the faded rainbow to the scourers, and when it comes
+home, to despatch it after him. At the same time C---- R----[429] Esq.
+is invited to bring down himself his Setting Sun, and be box-keeper to a
+theatre erected by this gentleman near Southampton. Thus there has been
+nothing but artifice in the management of this affair; for which reason
+I beg pardon of the town, that I inserted the inventory in my paper and
+solemnly protest, I knew nothing of this artful design of vending these
+rarities: but I meant only the good of the world in that and all other
+things which I divulge. And now I am upon this subject, I must do myself
+justice in relation to an article in a former paper, wherein I made
+mention of a person who keeps a puppet-show in the town of Bath;[430] I
+was tender of naming names, and only just hinted, that he makes larger
+promises, when he invites people to his dramatic representations, than
+he is able to perform: but I am credibly informed, that he makes a
+profane lewd jester, which he calls Punch, speak to the dishonour of
+Isaac Bickerstaff with great familiarity; and before all my learned
+friends in that place, takes upon him to dispute my title to the
+appellation of Esquire. I think I need not say much to convince all the
+world, that this Mr. Powell (for that is his name) is a pragmatical and
+vain person to pretend to argue with me on any subject. _Mecum certasse
+feretur_[431]; that is to say, it will be an honour to him to have it
+said he contended with me; but I would have him to know, that I can look
+beyond his wires, and know very well the whole trick of his art, and
+that it is only by these wires that the eye of the spectator is cheated,
+and hindered from seeing that there is a thread on one of Punch's chops,
+which draws it up, and lets it fall at the discretion of the said
+Powell, who stands behind and plays him, and makes him speak saucily of
+his betters. He! to pretend to make prologues against me! But a man
+never behaves himself with decency in his own case; therefore I shall
+command myself, and never trouble me further with this little fellow,
+who is himself but a tall puppet, and has not brains enough to make even
+wood speak as it ought to do: and I, that have heard the groaning
+board,[432] can despise all that his puppets shall be able to speak as
+long as they live. But, _Ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius_[433]. He has
+pretended to write to me also from the Bath, and says, he thought to
+have deferred giving me an answer till he came to his books[434]; but
+that my writings might do well with the waters: which are pert
+expressions that become a schoolboy, better than one that is to teach
+others: and when I have said a civil thing to him, he cries, "Oh! I
+thank you for that--I am your humble servant for that."[435] Ah! Mr.
+Powell, these smart civilities will never run down men of learning: I
+know well enough your design is to have all men automata, like your
+puppets; but the world is grown too wise, and can look through these
+thin devices. I know you design to make a reply to this; but be sure you
+stick close to my words; for if you bring me into discourses concerning
+the government of your puppets, I must tell you, I neither am, nor have
+been, nor will be, at leisure to answer you. It is really a burning
+shame this man should be tolerated in abusing the world with such
+representations of things: but his parts decay, and he is not much more
+alive than Partridge.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 14.
+
+I must beg pardon of my readers that for this time I have, I fear,
+huddled up my discourse, having been very busy in helping an old friend
+of mine out of town. He has a very good estate, is a man of wit; but he
+had been three years absent from town, and cannot bear a jest; for
+which reason I have, with some pains, convinced him, that he can no
+more live here than if he were a downright bankrupt. He was so fond of
+dear London, that he began to fret only inwardly; but being unable to
+laugh and be laughed at, I took a place in the northern coach for him
+and his family; and hope he is got to-night safe from all sneerers in
+his own parlour.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 20.
+
+This morning we received by express, the agreeable news of the surrender
+of the town of Tournay on the 28th instant, N.S. The place was assaulted
+at the attacks of General Schuylemburg, and that of General Lottum, at
+the same time. The action at both those parts of the town was very
+obstinate, and the Allies lost a considerable number at the beginning of
+the dispute; but the fight was continued with so great bravery, that the
+enemy observing that we were masters of all the posts which were
+necessary for a general attack, beat the chamade,[436] and hostages were
+received from the town, and others sent from the besiegers, in order to
+come to a formal capitulation for the surrender of the place. We have
+also this day received advice, that Sir John Leake, who lies off of
+Dunkirk, had intercepted several ships laden with corn from the Baltic;
+and that the Dutch privateers had fallen in with others, and carried
+them into Holland. The French letters advise, that the young son to the
+Duke of Anjou lived but eight days.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 424: Dr. John Radcliffe, the physician (1650-1714), was
+disappointed in love when about sixty. The matter is referred to again
+in Nos. 46, 47, 50 and 67. Radcliffe became rich, but was considered to
+be a quack by many other doctors. "The last _Tatler_ is upon Dr. Ratclif
+who they say is desparately in love with Dutchess of Bolton, his passion
+runs so high as to declare he'll make her eldest son his heir, upon wch
+account they say the Duke of B---- is not at all alarm'd, but gives the
+Old amorist opportunity to make his Court, the Dr. lately gave the
+Dutchess and some other Ladys an entertainm' of musick upon the water,
+and a fine supper in the Barge" ("Wentworth Papers," p. 97). This
+identification of Hebe with the Duchess of Bolton is corroborated by the
+MS. annotator mentioned in a note to No. 4. According to another account
+she was a Miss Tempest, a maid of honour to the Queen. The writer of the
+article on Radcliffe in the "Biog. Britannica" says: "The lady, who made
+the doctor, at this advanced age, stand in need of a physician himself,
+was of great beauty, wealth, and quality; and too attractive not to
+inspire the coldest heart with the warmest sentiments. After he had made
+a cure of her, he could not but imagine, as naturally he might, that her
+ladyship would entertain a favourable opinion of him. But the lady,
+however grateful she might be for the care he had taken of her health,
+divulged the secret, and one of her confidants revealed it to Steele,
+who, on account of party, was so ill-natured as to write the ridicule of
+it in the _Tatler_" Radcliffe never married.]
+
+[Footnote 425: I have a pamphlet called "The _Tatler's_ Character (July
+21) of Æsculapius guessing diseases, without the knowledge of drugs;
+applied to the British Physicians and Surgeons: or, The difficult
+diseases of the Royal Family, Nobility and Gentry will never be
+understood and recover'd, when the populace are oppress'd and destroy'd
+by the Practising-Apothecaries and Empiricks confess'd by the College
+and Mr. Bernard the Surgeon. By a Consultation of Gentlemen of Quality."
+London, 8vo, 1709. The pamphlet contains some interesting remarks on the
+physicians, apothecaries and hospitals of the time. Mr. Bickerstaff is
+called "the most ingenious physician of our vices and follies."]
+
+[Footnote 426: See No. 42.]
+
+[Footnote 427: A friend of Nichols said, "I have seen somewhere, but
+cannot immediately refer to the book, an account of a theatre built at
+Southwick, in the county of Hants, by a Mr. Richard Norton, whose will
+is in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1733, p. 57. He is the person, I
+believe, who wrote a play called 'Pausanias' (1696). Cibber dedicated
+his first play to him." The MS. annotator mentioned in No. 4 also
+identifies the gentleman of Hampshire with "Mr. N----n."]
+
+[Footnote 428: An auctioneer.]
+
+[Footnote 429: Christopher Rich, the manager.]
+
+[Footnote 430: Under the name of Powell, the puppet-show man, Steele
+attacked Dr. Blackall, Bishop of Exeter (see No. 37), who was engaged in
+a controversy with Benjamin Hoadly. In March 1709, Blackall preached
+before the Queen a sermon laying down the doctrine of passive obedience
+in its most extreme form, but in 1704 he had preached obedience limited
+by the laws of the State. Hoadly wrote against the sermon of 1709, and
+brought against the Bishop the sermon of 1704. The Bishop, angry at this
+mode of refutation, answered haughtily, and dwelt on the superiority of
+his rank as compared with that of Hoadly, then simply rector of a London
+parish. Bickerstaff here reproaches Blackall for the pride and rudeness
+of his answer, and then, under the guise of Powell, proprietor of the
+puppet-show, satirises the extreme doctrine of divine right taught by
+the Bishop, a doctrine which would make the subjects mere automata, to
+be moved only at the will of the prince.]
+
+[Footnote 431: Ovid, "Met." xiii. 20.]
+
+[Footnote 432: The following printed advertisement appeared in 1682: "At
+the sign of the wool-sack, in Newgate-market, is to be seen, a strange
+and wonderful thing, which is an elm-board, being touched with a hot
+iron, doth express itself, as if it were a man dying with groans, and
+trembling, to the great admiration of all the hearers. It hath been
+presented before the King and his nobles, and hath given great
+satisfaction. _Vivat Rex_."--(MSS. Sloan. 958.)]
+
+[Footnote 433: "Ne e quovis ligno Mercurius fiat" is one of the proverbs
+in the "Adagia" of Erasmus. But its history, as originally from the
+Greek, is thus given in a note of Andr. Schottus, quoted by Gaisford in
+his "Parcemiographia Græci," p. 39, Ox. 1836:--"Illiud adagium ὀυκ ἐκ
+παντὸς ξύλου Ἕρμης ἂν γένοιτο [ouk ek pantòs zýlon Hermês àn génoito],
+quod a Pythagora primum profectum auctor est Apuleius 'Apol.'" [t. ii.
+p. 499] (Ed. Marshall, "Notes and Queries," March 26, 1887). See
+Apuleius, "Apologia," 476: "Non enim ex omni ligno, ut Pythagoras
+dicebat, debet Mercurius exsculpi."]
+
+[Footnote 434: In the Bishop's answer to Hoadly's letter, 1709, there is
+this passage: "I have no books here; and being under these
+circumstances, I hope I may be excused, if, in citing Scripture, I
+should not always name chapter and verse, nor hit exactly upon the very
+words of the translation" (Lord Bishop of Exeter's Answer, &c., pp. 2
+and 3).--"As to the _Tatlers_ relating to Powell's puppets, and the
+doctrines of passive obedience and absolute non-resistance, and to
+Bishop Blackall, I know it gave my father some uneasiness, that there is
+a reference to a fact, which, as he resolved himself never to take
+notice of, thinking it ungenerous, so he was sorry to see any friend of
+the cause had; which is, that the Bishop had said inadvertently, he was
+at Bath, and had not a Bible in his family. It is worth remarking, that
+all the arguments used by Powell about his power over Punch, 'lighting
+his pipe with one of his legs,' &c., are a good burlesque of those used
+by the advocates of non-resistance."--(Dr. John Hoadly.)]
+
+[Footnote 435: The Bishop, after quoting a respectful expression of
+Hoadly's, says, "Your servant, sir, for that."]
+
+[Footnote 436: A beat of the drum or sound of a trumpet, which summons
+the enemy to a parley. In _Spectator_, No. 165, Addison ridiculed the
+use of this and other French war terms by English writers.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 45. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, July 21, to Saturday, July 23_, 1709.
+
+    Credo pudicitiam Saturno rege moratam
+    In terris.
+                                            Juv., Sat. vi. I.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 22.
+
+The other day I took a walk a mile or two out of town and strolling
+wherever chance led me, I was insensibly carried into a by-road, along
+which was a very agreeable quickset, of an extraordinary height, which
+surrounded a very delicious seat and garden. From one angle of the
+hedge, I heard a voice cry, "Sir, sir--" This raised my curiosity, and I
+heard the same voice say, but in a gentle tone, "Come forward, come
+forward." I did so, and one through the hedge called me by my name, and
+bade me go on to the left, and I should be admitted to visit an old
+acquaintance in distress. The laws of knight-errantry made me obey the
+summons without hesitation; and I was let in at the back gate of a
+lovely house by a maid-servant, who carried me from room to room, until
+I came into a gallery; at the end of which, I saw a fine lady dressed in
+the most sumptuous habit, as if she were going to a ball, but with the
+most abject and disconsolate sorrow in her face that I ever beheld. As I
+came near, she burst into tears, and cried, "Sir, do not you know the
+unhappy Teraminta?" I soon recollected her whole person: "But," said I,
+"madam, the simplicity of dress, in which I have ever seen you at your
+good father's house, and the cheerfulness of countenance with which you
+always appeared, are so unlike the fashion and temper you are now in,
+that I did not easily recover the memory of you. Your habit was then
+decent and modest, your looks serene and beautiful: whence then this
+unaccountable change? Nothing can speak so deep a sorrow as your present
+aspect; yet your dress is made for jollity and revelling." "It is," said
+she, "an unspeakable pleasure to meet with one I know, and to bewail
+myself to any that is not an utter stranger to humanity. When your
+friend my father died, he left me to a wide world, with no defence
+against the insults of fortune, but rather, a thousand snares to entrap
+me in the dangers to which youth and innocence are exposed, in an age
+wherein honour and virtue are become mere words, and used only as they
+serve to betray those who understand them in their native sense, and
+obey them as the guides and motives of their being. The wickedest of all
+men living, the abandoned Decius, who has no knowledge of any good art
+or purpose of human life, but as it tends to the satisfaction of his
+appetites, had opportunities of frequently seeing and entertaining me at
+a house where mixed company boarded, and where he placed himself for the
+base intention which he has since brought to pass. Decius saw enough in
+me to raise his brutal desires, and my circumstances gave him hopes of
+accomplishing them. But all the glittering expectations he could lay
+before me, joined by my private terrors of poverty itself, could not for
+some months prevail upon me; yet, however I hated his intention, I still
+had a secret satisfaction in his courtship, and always exposed myself to
+his solicitations. See here the bane of our sex! Let the flattery be
+never so apparent, the flatterer never so ill thought of, his praises
+are still agreeable and we contribute to our own deceit. I was therefore
+ever fond of all opportunities and pretences of being in his company. In
+a word, I was at last ruined by him, and brought to this place, where I
+have been ever since immured; and from the fatal day after my fall from
+innocence, my worshipper became my master and my tyrant. Thus you see me
+habited in the most gorgeous manner, not in honour of me as a woman he
+loves, but as this attire charms his own eye, and urges him to repeat
+the gratification he takes in me, as the servant of his brutish lusts
+and appetites. I know not where to fly for redress; but am here pining
+away life in the solitude and severity of a nun, but the conscience and
+guilt of a harlot. I live in this lewd practice with a religious awe of
+my minister of darkness, upbraided with the support I receive from him,
+for the inestimable possession of youth, of innocence, of honour, and of
+conscience. I see, sir, my discourse grows painful to you; all I beg of
+you is, to paint in so strong colours, as to let Decius see I am
+discovered to be in his possession, that I may be turned out of this
+detestable scene of regular iniquity, and either think no more, or sin
+no more. If your writings have the good effect of gaining my
+enlargement, I promise you I will atone for this unhappy step, by
+preferring an innocent laborious poverty, to all the guilty affluence
+the world can offer me."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 21.
+
+To show that I do not bear an irreconcilable hatred to my mortal enemy,
+Mr. Powell at Bath, I do his function the honour to publish to the
+world, that plays represented by puppets are permitted in our
+universities,[437] and that sort of drama is not wholly thought unworthy
+the critic of learned heads: but as I have been conversant rather with
+the greater Ode, as I think the critics call it, I must be so humble as
+to make a request to Mr. Powell, and desire him to apply his thoughts
+to answering the difficulties with which my kinsman, the author of the
+following letter, seems to be embarrassed.
+
+#"_To my Honoured Kinsman, Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._#
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"Had the family of the Beadlestaffs,[438] whereof I, though unworthy, am
+one, known of your being lately at Oxon, we had in our own name, and in
+the Universities' (as it is our office), made you a compliment: but your
+short stay here robbed us of an opportunity of paying our due respects,
+and you of receiving an ingenious entertainment, with which we at
+present divert ourselves and strangers. A puppet-show at this time
+supplies the want of an Act.[439] And since the nymphs of this city are
+disappointed of a luscious music-speech, and the country ladies of
+hearing their sons or brothers speak verses; yet the vocal machines,
+like them, by the help of a prompter, say things as much to the benefit
+of the audience, and almost as properly their own. The licence of a
+Terræ-Filius[440] is refined to the well-bred satire of Punchinello.
+Now, Cousin Bickerstaff, though Punch has neither a French nightcap, nor
+long pockets, yet you must own him to be a pretty fellow, a 'very'
+pretty fellow: nay, since he seldom leaves the company, without
+calling, 'Son of a whore,' demanding satisfaction, and duelling, he must
+be owned a smart fellow too. Yet, by some indecencies towards the
+ladies, he seems to be of a third character, distinct from any you have
+yet touched upon. A young gentleman who sat next me (for I had the
+curiosity of seeing this entertainment), in a tufted gown, red
+stockings, and long wig (which I pronounce to be tantamount to red heels
+and a dangling cane[441]) was enraged when Punchinello disturbed a soft
+love-scene with his ribaldry. You would oblige us mightily by laying
+down some rules for adjusting the extravagant behaviour of this
+Almanzor[442] of the play, and by writing a treatise on this sort of
+dramatic poetry, so much favoured, and so little understood, by the
+learned world. From its being conveyed in a cart after the Thespian
+manner, all the parts being recited by one person, as the custom was
+before Æschylus, and the behaviour of Punch as if he had won the goal,
+you may possibly deduce its antiquity, and settle the chronology, as
+well as some of our modern critics. In its natural transitions, from
+mournful to merry; as, from the hanging of a lover, to dancing upon the
+rope; from the stalking of a ghost, to a lady's presenting you with a
+jig; you may discover such a decorum, as is not to be found elsewhere
+than in our tragi-comedies. But I forget myself; it is not for me to
+dictate: I thought fit, dear cousin, to give you these hints, to show
+you that the Beadlestaffs don't walk before men of letters to no
+purpose; and that though we do but hold up the train of arts and
+sciences, yet like other pages, we are now and then let into our
+ladies' secrets. I am,
+
+"Your most
+
+"Affectionate Kinsman,
+
+                                        "BENJAMIN BEADLESTAFF.
+
+"From Mother Gourdon's, at Hedington,[443] near Oxon, _June 18_."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 22.
+
+I am got hither safe, but never spent time with so little satisfaction
+as this evening; for you must know, I was five hours with three Merry,
+and two Honest Fellows. The former sang catches; and the latter even
+died with laughing at the noise they made. "Well," says Tom Belfrey,
+"you scholars, Mr. Bickerstaff, are the worst company in the world."
+"Ay," says his opposite, "you are dull to-night; prithee be merry." With
+that I huzzaed, and took a jump across the table, then came clever upon
+my legs, and fell a-laughing. "Let Mr. Bickerstaff alone," says one of
+the Honest Fellows, "when he's in a good humour, he's as good company as
+any man in England." He had no sooner spoke, but I snatched his hat off
+his head, and clapped his upon my own, and burst out a-laughing again;
+upon which we all fell a-laughing for half an hour. One of the Honest
+Fellows got behind me in the interim, and hit me a sound slap on the
+back; upon which he got the laugh out of my hands, and it was such a
+twang on my shoulders, that I confess he was much merrier than I. I was
+half angry; but resolved to keep up the good humour of the company; and
+after holloing as loud as I could possibly, I drank off a bumper of
+claret, that made me stare again. "Nay," says one of the Honest Fellows,
+"Mr. Isaac is in the right, there is no conversation in this; what
+signifies jumping, or hitting one another on the back? Let's drink
+about." We did so from seven o'clock till eleven; and now I am come
+hither, and, after the manner of the wise Pythagoras, begin to reflect
+upon the passages of the day. I remember nothing, but that I am bruised
+to death; and as it is my way to write down all the good things I have
+heard in the last conversation to furnish my paper, I can from this only
+tell you my sufferings and my bangs. I named Pythagoras just now, and I
+protest to you, as he believed men after death entered into other
+species, I am now and then tempted to think other animals enter into
+men, and could name several on two legs, that never discover any
+sentiment above what is common with the species of a lower kind; as we
+see in these bodily wits whom I was with to-night, whose parts consist
+in strength and activity; but their boisterous mirth gives me great
+impatience for the return of such happiness as I enjoyed in a
+conversation last week. Among others in that company, we had Florio, who
+never interrupted any man living when he was speaking, or ever ceased to
+speak, but others lamented that he had done. His discourse ever arises
+from a fulness of the matter before him, and not from ostentation or
+triumph of his understanding; for though he seldom delivers what he need
+fear being repeated, he speaks without having that end in view; and his
+forbearance of calumny or bitterness, is owing rather to his good nature
+than his discretion; for which reason, he is esteemed a gentleman
+perfectly qualified for conversation, in whom a general goodwill to
+mankind takes off the necessity of caution and circumspection. We had
+at the same time that evening the best sort of companion that can be, a
+good-natured old man. This person meets in the company of young men,
+veneration for his benevolence, and is not only valued for the good
+qualities of which he is master, but reaps an acceptance from the pardon
+he gives to other men's faults: and the ingenuous sort of men with whom
+he converses, have so just a regard for him, that he rather is an
+example, than a check to their behaviour. For this reason, as Senecio
+never pretends to be a man of pleasure before youth, so young men never
+set up for wisdom before Senecio; so that you never meet, where he is,
+those monsters of conversation, who are grave or gay above their years.
+He never converses but with followers of nature and good sense, where
+all that is uttered is only the effect of a communicable temper, and not
+of emulation to excel their companions; all desire of superiority being
+a contradiction to that spirit which makes a just conversation, the very
+essence of which is mutual goodwill. Hence it is, that I take it for a
+rule, that the natural, and not the acquired man, is the companion.
+Learning, wit, gallantry, and good breeding, are all but subordinate
+qualities in society, and are of no value, but as they are subservient
+to benevolence, and tend to a certain manner of being or appearing equal
+to the rest of the company; for conversation is composed of an assembly
+of men, as they are men, and not as they are distinguished by fortune:
+therefore he that brings his quality with him into conversation, should
+always pay the reckoning; for he came to receive homage, and not to meet
+his friends--But the din about my ears from the clamour of the people I
+was with this evening, has carried me beyond my intended purpose, which
+was to explain upon the Order of Merry Fellows; but I think I may
+pronounce of them, as I heard good Senecio, with a spice of wit of the
+last age, say, viz. that a Merry Fellow is the Saddest Fellow in the
+world.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 437: See No. 44. Blackall was a bishop; and the University of
+Oxford had declared publicly in his favour.]
+
+[Footnote 438: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 439: A meeting for conferring degrees, when speeches, &c., are
+delivered.]
+
+[Footnote 440: An undergraduate who made extempore speeches at the Act,
+often of a very satirical kind. Sometimes there were two _terræ filii_,
+who carried on a dialogue. In 1721, Amberst published a periodical with
+the title "Terræ-Filius: or, The Secret History of the University of
+Oxford," and these papers were reprinted in two volumes in 1726, with a
+curious engraving of the Theatre at Oxford, by Hogarth, as
+frontispiece.]
+
+[Footnote 441: See No. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 442: In an Essay "Of Heroic Plays," prefixed to his play,
+"Almanzor and Almahide; or, The Conquest of Granada," Dryden defended at
+length the character of Almanzor.]
+
+[Footnote 443: This village is the scene of Dr. William King's play,
+"Joan of Hedington" ("Works," 1776, vol. iii. p. 16).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 46. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 23_, to _Tuesday, July 26_, 1709.
+
+    Non bene conveniunt, nec in una sede morantur,
+    Majestas et amor.
+                                            OVID, Met. ii. 846.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 25.
+
+We see every day volumes written against that tyrant of human life
+called Love, and yet there is no help found against his cruelties, or
+barrier against the inroads he is pleased to make into the mind of man.
+After this preface, you will expect I am going to give particular
+instances of what I have asserted. That expectation cannot be raised too
+high for the novelty of the history, and manner of life, of the Emperor
+Aurengezebe,[444] who has resided for some years in the cities of London
+and Westminster, with the air and mien indeed of his imperial quality,
+but the equipage and appointment only of a private gentleman. This
+potentate, for a long series of time, appeared from the hour of twelve
+till that of two at a coffee-house near the 'Change, and had a seat
+(though without a canopy) sacred to himself, where he gave diurnal
+audiences concerning commerce, politics, tare and tret, usury and
+abatement, with all things necessary for helping the distressed, who
+were willing to give one limb for the better maintenance of the rest; or
+such joyous youths, whose philosophy is confined to the present hour,
+and were desirous to call in the revenue of next half-year to double the
+enjoyment of this. Long did this growing monarch employ himself after
+this manner: and as alliances are necessary to all great kingdoms, he
+took particularly the interests of Lewis XIV. into his care and
+protection. When all mankind were attacking that unhappy monarch, and
+those who had neither valour nor wit to oppose against him would be
+still showing their impotent malice by laying wagers in opposition to
+his interests, Aurengezebe ever took the part of his contemporary, and
+laid immense treasures on his side in defence of his important magazine
+of Toulon. Aurengezebe also had all this while a constant intelligence
+with India, and his letters were answered in jewels, which he soon made
+brilliant, and caused to be affixed to his imperial castor, which he
+always wears cocked in front, to show his defiance; with a heap of
+imperial snuff in the middle of his ample visage, to show his sagacity.
+The zealots for this little spot called Great Britain fell universally
+into this emperor's policies, and paid homage to his superior genius, in
+forfeiting their coffers to his treasury: but wealth and wisdom are
+possessions too solemn not to give weariness to active minds, without
+the relief (in vacant hours) of wit and love, which are the proper
+amusements of the powerful and the wise: this emperor therefore, with
+great regularity, every day at five in the afternoon, leaves his
+money-changers, his publicans, and little hoarders of wealth, to their
+low pursuits, and ascends his chariot to drive to Will's; where the
+taste is refined, and a relish given to men's possessions, by a polite
+skill in gratifying their passions and appetites. There it is that the
+emperor has learned to live and to love, and not, like a miser, to gaze
+only on his ingots or his treasures; but with a nobler satisfaction, to
+live the admiration of others, for his splendour and happiness in being
+master of them. But a prince is no more to be his own caterer in his
+love, than in his food; therefore Aurengezebe has ever in waiting two
+purveyors for his dishes, and his wenches for his retired hours, by whom
+the scene of his diversion is prepared in the following manner:
+
+There is near Covent Garden a street known by the name of Drury, which,
+before the days of Christianity, was purchased by the Queen of Paphos,
+and is the only part of Great Britain where the tenure of vassalage is
+still in being. All that long course of building is under particular
+districts or ladyships, after the manner of lordships in other parts,
+over which matrons of known abilities preside, and have, for the support
+of their age and infirmities, certain taxes paid out of the rewards for
+the amorous labours of the young. This seraglio of Great Britain is
+disposed into convenient alleys and apartments, and every house, from
+the cellar to the garret, inhabited by nymphs of different orders, that
+persons of every rank may be accommodated with an immediate consort, to
+allay their flames, and partake of their cares. Here it is, that when
+Aurengezebe thinks fit to give a loose to dalliance, the purveyors
+prepare the entertainments; and what makes it more august is, that every
+person concerned in the interlude has his set part, and the prince sends
+beforehand word what he designs to say, and directs also the very answer
+which shall be made to him.
+
+It has been before hinted, that this emperor has a continual commerce
+with India; and it is to be noted, that the largest stone that rich
+earth has produced, is in our Aurengezebe's possession.
+
+But all things are now disposed for his reception. At his entrance into
+the seraglio, a servant delivers him his bever of state and love, on
+which is fixed this inestimable jewel as his diadem. When he is seated,
+the purveyors, Pandarus and Nuncio, marching on each side of the matron
+of the house, introduce her into his presence. In the midst of the room,
+they bow altogether to the diadem.
+
+When the matron:
+
+"Whoever thou art (as thy awful aspect speaks thee a man of power), be
+propitious to this mansion of love, and let not the severity of thy
+wisdom disdain, that by the representation of naked innocence, or
+pastoral figures, we revive in thee the memory at least of that power of
+Venus, to which all the wise and the brave are some part of their lives
+devoted." Aurengezebe consents by a nod, and they go out backward.
+
+After this, an unhappy nymph, who is to be supposed just escaped from
+the hands of a ravisher, with her tresses dishevelled, runs into the
+room with a dagger in her hand, and falls before the emperor.
+
+"Pity, oh! pity! whoever thou art, an unhappy virgin, whom one of thy
+train has robbed of her innocence; her innocence, which was all her
+portion--Or rather, let me die like the memorable Lucretia--" Upon which
+she stabs herself. The body is immediately examined after the manner of
+our coroners. Lucretia recovers by a cup of right Nantes; and the
+matron, who is her next relation, stops all process at law.
+
+This unhappy affair is no sooner over, but a naked mad woman breaks into
+the room, calls for her duke, her lord, her emperor. As soon as she
+spies Aurengezebe, the object of all her fury and love, she calls for
+petticoats, is ready to sink with shame, and is dressed in all haste in
+new attire at his charge. This unexpected accident of the mad woman
+makes Aurengezebe curious to know, whether others who are in their
+senses can guess at his quality. For which reason the whole convent is
+examined one by one. The matron marches in with a tawdry country girl:
+"Pray, Winifred," says she, "who do you think that fine man with those
+jewels and pearls is?" "I believe," says Winifred, "it is our landlord.
+It must be the squire himself." The emperor laughs at her simplicity.
+"Go, fool," says the matron: then turning to the emperor, "Your
+greatness will pardon her ignorance!" After her, several others of
+different characters are instructed to mistake who he is in the same
+manner: then the whole sisterhood are called together, and the emperor
+rises, and cocking his hat, declares, he is the Great Mogul, and they
+his concubines. A general murmur goes through the assembly, and
+Aurengezebe certifying, that he keeps them for state rather than use,
+tells them, they are permitted to receive all men into their apartments;
+then proceeds through the crowd, among whom he throws medals shaped like
+half-crowns, and returns to his chariot.
+
+This being all that passed the last day in which Aurengezebe visited the
+women's apartments, I consulted Pacolet concerning the foundation of
+such strange amusements in old age: to which he answered; "You may
+remember, when I gave you an account of my good fortune in being drowned
+on the thirtieth day of my human life, I told you of the disasters I
+should otherwise have met with before I arrived at the end of my stamen,
+which was sixty years. I may now add an observation to you, that all who
+exceed that period, except the latter part of it is spent in the
+exercise of virtue and contemplation of futurity, must necessarily fall
+into an indecent old age, because, with regard to all the enjoyments of
+the years of vigour and manhood, childhood returns upon them: and as
+infants ride on sticks, build houses in dirt, and make ships in gutters,
+by a faint idea of things they are to act hereafter; so old men play the
+lovers, potentates, and emperors, from the decaying image of the more
+perfect performances of their stronger years: therefore be sure to
+insert Æsculapius and Aurengezebe in your next bill of mortality of the
+metaphorically defunct."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 24.
+
+As soon as I came hither this evening, no less than ten people produced
+the following poem, which they all reported was sent to each of them by
+the penny post from an unknown hand. All the battle-writers in the room
+were in debate, who could be the author of a piece so martially written;
+and everybody applauded the address and skill of the author, in calling
+it a Postscript: it being the nature of a postscript to contain
+something very material which was forgotten, or not clearly expressed in
+the letter itself. Thus, the verses being occasioned by a march without
+beat of drum, and that circumstance being no ways taken notice of in any
+of the stanzas, the author calls it a postscript; not that it is a
+postscript, but figuratively, because it wants a postscript. Common
+writers, when what they mean is not expressed in the book itself, supply
+it by a preface; but a postscript seems to me the more just way of
+apology; because otherwise a man makes an excuse before the offence is
+committed. All the heroic poets were guessed at for its author; but
+though we could not find out his name, yet one repeated a couplet in
+"Hudibras" which spoke his qualifications:
+
+    _"I' th' midst of all this warlike rabble,
+    Crowdero marched, expert and able"_[445]
+
+The poem is admirably suited to the occasion: for to write without
+discovering your meaning, bears a just resemblance to marching without
+beat of drum.
+
+#On the March to Tournay without Beat of Drum.#
+
+#The Brussels POSTSCRIPT.#[446]
+
+      Could I with plainest words express
+      That great man's wonderful address,
+    His penetration, and his towering thought;
+      It would the gazing world surprise,
+      To see one man at all times wise,
+    To view the wonders he with ease has wrought.
+
+      Refining schemes approach his mind,
+      Like breezes of a southern wind,
+    To temperate a sultry glorious day;
+      Whose fannings, with an useful pride,
+      Its mighty heat doth softly guide,
+    And having cleared the air, glide silently away.
+
+      Thus his immensity of thought
+      Is deeply formed, and gently wrought,
+    His temper always softening life's disease;
+      That Fortune, when she does intend
+      To rudely frown, she turns his friend,
+    Admires his judgment, and applauds his ease.
+
+    His great address in this design,
+      Does now, and will for ever shine,
+    And wants a Waller but to do him right:
+      The whole amusement was so strong,
+      Like fate he doomed them to be wrong,
+    And Tournay's took by a peculiar sleight.
+
+      Thus, madam, all mankind behold
+      Your vast ascendant, not by gold,
+    But by your wisdom, and your pious life;
+      Your aim no more than to destroy
+      That which does Europe's ease annoy,
+    And supersede a reign of shame and strife.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 24.
+
+My brethren of the quill, the ingenious society of news-writers, having
+with great spirit and elegance already informed the world, that the town
+of Tournay capitulated on the 28th instant, there is nothing left for me
+to say, but to congratulate the good company here, that we have reason
+to hope for an opportunity of thanking Mr. Withers[447] next winter in
+this place, for the service he has done his country. No man deserves
+better of his friends than that gentleman, whose distinguishing
+character it is, that he gives his orders with the familiarity, and
+enjoys his fortune with the generosity, of a fellow-soldier. His Grace
+the Duke of Argyle had also an eminent part in the reduction of this
+important place. That illustrious youth[448] discovers the peculiar
+turn of spirit and greatness of soul which only make men of high birth
+and quality useful to their country; and considers nobility as an
+imaginary distinction, unless accompanied with the practice of those
+generous virtues by which it ought to be obtained. But[449] that our
+military glory is arrived at its present height, and that men of all
+ranks so passionately affect their share in it, is certainly owing to
+the merit and conduct of our glorious general; for as the great secret
+in chemistry, though not in nature, has occasioned many useful
+discoveries; and the fantastic notion of being wholly disinterested in
+friendship, has made men do a thousand generous actions above
+themselves; so, though the present grandeur and fame of the Duke of
+Marlborough is a station of glory to which no one hopes to arrive, yet
+all carry their actions to a higher pitch, by having that great example
+laid before them.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 444: "Aurenzeb is Tom Colson, who never had any friendship
+with anybody but S'r Edward Seymour, who brought him into Parliament"
+(Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709; "Wentworth Papers," p. 97).
+Thomas Coulson was elected M.P. for Totnes, with Sir Edward Seymour,
+Bart., in 1698. He was re-elected in 1701, 1702, and in 1705. At the
+election of 1708, Sir Edward Seymour, previously member for Exeter, was
+elected for Totnes; but in 1710, Sir Edward having transferred himself
+to Great Bedwyn, Coulson again became member for Totnes. In 1715,
+Coulson's arrest was sought in the neighbourhood of Bristol for joining
+in the rising on behalf of the Pretender; see a letter of Addison's in
+Hist. MSS. Comm., Second Report, p. 250.]
+
+[Footnote 445: "Hudibras," part i. canto ii. 105-6. Butler wrote, "I'
+the head," &c.]
+
+[Footnote 446: "I should have given you a key to the two _Tatlers_ I
+sent you last, the Brussels Postscript are verses of Crowders. He show'd
+them me in manuscript" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709;
+"Wentworth Papers," p. 97). See No. 17 note on Brigadier Crowther.]
+
+[Footnote 447: General Henry Withers commanded at the capitulation of
+Tournay. On his death in 1729, he was buried in Westminster Abbey. Pope
+wrote an epitaph beginning:
+
+    "Here, Withers, rest! thou bravest, gentlest mind,
+    Thy country's friend, but more of human-kind."
+]
+
+[Footnote 448: John, second Duke of Argyle (1678-1743), took an active
+part in the battles of Ramilies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, and at the
+siege of Tournay.]
+
+[Footnote 449: There was a long-standing hostility between the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Duke of Argyle.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 47. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 26_, to _Thursday, July 28_, 1709.
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            Juv., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 27.
+
+My friend Sir Thomas[450] has communicated to me his letters from Epsom
+of the 25th instant, which give, in general, a very good account of the
+posture of affairs at present in that place; but that the tranquillity
+and correspondence[451] of the company begins to be interrupted by the
+arrival of Sir Taffety Trippet,[452] a fortune-hunter, whose follies
+are too gross to give diversion; and whose vanity is too stupid to let
+him be sensible that he is a public offence. But if people will indulge
+a splenetic humour, it is impossible to be at ease, when such creatures
+as are the scandal of our species, set up for gallantry and adventures.
+It will be much more easy therefore to laugh him into reason, than
+convert him from his foppery by any serious contempt. I knew a gentleman
+that made it a maxim to open his doors, and ever run into the way of
+bullies, to avoid their insolence. The rule will hold as well with
+coxcombs: they are never mortified, but when they see you receive, and
+despise them; otherwise they rest assured, that it is your ignorance
+makes them out of your good graces; or, that it is only want of
+admittance prevents their being amiable where they are shunned and
+avoided. But Sir Taffety is a fop of so sanguine complexion, that I fear
+it will be very hard for the fair one he at present pursues to get rid
+of the chase, without being so tired, as for her own ease to fall into
+the mouth of the mongrel she runs from. But the history of Sir Taffety
+is as pleasant as his character. It happened, that when he first set up
+for a fortune-hunter, he chose Tunbridge for the scene of action; where
+were at that time two sisters upon the same design. The knight believed
+of course the elder must be the better prize; and consequently makes all
+his sail that way. People that want sense, do always in an egregious
+manner want modesty, which made our hero triumph in making his amour as
+public as was possible. The adored lady was no less vain of his public
+addresses. An attorney with one cause is not half so restless as a woman
+with one lover. Wherever they met, they talked to each other aloud,
+chose each other partner at balls, saluted at the most conspicuous parts
+of the service at church, and practised in honour of each other all the
+remarkable particularities which are usual for persons who admire one
+another, and are contemptible to the rest of the world. These two lovers
+seemed as much made for each other as Adam and Eve, and all pronounced
+it a match of Nature's own making; but the night before the nuptials (so
+universally approved), the younger sister, envious of the good fortune
+even of her sister, who had been present at most of their interviews,
+and had an equal taste for the charms of a fop (as there are a set of
+women made for that order of men); the younger, I say, unable to see so
+rich a prize pass by her, discovered to Sir Taffety, that a coquette
+air, much tongue, and three suits, was all the portion of his mistress.
+His love vanished that moment, himself and equipage the next morning. It
+is uncertain where the lover has been ever since engaged; but certain it
+is, he has not appeared in his character as a follower of love and
+fortune till he arrived at Epsom, where there is at present a young lady
+of youth, beauty, and fortune, who has alarmed[453] all the vain and the
+impertinent to infest that quarter. At the head of this assembly, Sir
+Taffety shines in the brightest manner, with all the accomplishments
+which usually ensnare the heart of woman; with this particular merit
+(which often is of great service), that he is laughed at for her sake.
+The friends of the fair one are in much pain for the sufferings she goes
+through from the perseverance of this hero; but they may be much more so
+from the danger of his succeeding, toward which they give him a helping
+hand, if they dissuade her with bitterness; for there is a fantastical
+generosity in the sex, to approve creatures of the least merit
+imaginable, when they see the imperfections of their admirers are become
+the marks of derision for their sakes; and there is nothing so frequent,
+as that he who was contemptible to a woman in her own judgment, has won
+her by being too violently opposed by others.
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 27.
+
+In the several capacities I bear, of astrologer, civilian, and
+physician, I have with great application studied the public emolument:
+to this end serve all my lucubrations, speculations, and whatever other
+labours I undertake, whether nocturnal or diurnal. On this motive am I
+induced to publish a never-failing medicine for the spleen: my
+experience in this distemper came from a very remarkable cure on my ever
+worthy friend Tom Spindle,[454] who, through excessive gaiety, had
+exhausted that natural stock of wit and spirits he had long been blessed
+with: he was sunk and flattened to the lowest degree imaginable, sitting
+whole hours over the "Book of Martyrs," and "Pilgrim's Progress"; his
+other contemplations never rising higher than the colour of his urine,
+or regularity of his pulse. In this condition I found him, accompanied
+by the learned Dr. Drachm, and a good old nurse. Drachm had prescribed
+magazines of herbs, and mines of steel. I soon discovered the malady,
+and descanted on the nature of it, till I convinced both the patient and
+his nurse, that the spleen is not to be cured by medicine, but by
+poetry. Apollo, the author of physic, shone with diffusive rays the best
+of poets as well as of physicians; and it is in this double capacity
+that I have made my way, and have found, sweet, easy, flowering numbers,
+are oft superior to our noblest medicines. When the spirits are low, and
+nature sunk, the muse, with sprightly and harmonious notes, gives an
+unexpected turn with a grain of poetry, which I prepare without the use
+of mercury. I have done wonders in this kind; for the spleen is like the
+tarantula,[455] the effects of whose malignant poison are to be
+prevented by no other remedy but the charms of music: for you are to
+understand, that as some noxious animals carry antidotes for their own
+poisons; so there is something equally unaccountable in poetry: for
+though it is sometimes a disease, it is to be cured only by itself. Now
+I knowing Tom Spindle's constitution, and that he is not only a pretty
+gentleman, but also a pretty poet, found the true cause of his distemper
+was a violent grief that moved his affections too strongly: for during
+the late Treaty of Peace, he had written a most excellent poem on that
+subject; and when he wanted but two lines in the last stanza for
+finishing the whole piece, there comes news that the French tyrant would
+not sign. Spindle in few days took his bed, and had lain there still,
+had not I been sent for. I immediately told him, there was great
+probability the French would now sue to us for peace. I saw immediately
+a new life in his eyes; and knew, that nothing could help him forward
+so well, as hearing verses which he would believe worse than his own; I
+read him therefore the "Brussels Postscript";[456] after which I recited
+some heroic lines of my own, which operated so strongly on the tympanum
+of his ear, that I doubt not but I have kept out all other sounds for a
+fortnight; and have reason to hope, we shall see him abroad the day
+before his poem. This you see, is a particular secret I have found out,
+viz., that you are not to choose your physician for his knowledge in
+your distemper, but for having it himself. Therefore I am at hand for
+all maladies arising from poetical vapours, beyond which I never
+pretend. For being called the other day to one in love, I took indeed
+their three guineas, and gave them my advice; which was, to send for
+Æsculapius.[457] Æsculapius, as soon as he saw the patient, cries out,
+"'Tis love! 'tis love! Oh! the unequal pulse! these are the symptoms a
+lover feels; such sighs, such pangs, attend the uneasy mind; nor can our
+art, or all our boasted skill, avail--Yet O fair! for thee--" Thus the
+sage ran on, and owned the passion which he pitied, as well as that he
+felt a greater pain than ever he cured. After which he concluded, "All I
+can advise, is marriage: charms and beauty will give new life and
+vigour, and turn the course of nature to its better prospect." This is
+the new way; and thus Æsculapius has left his beloved powders, and
+writes a recipe for a wife at sixty. In short, my friend followed the
+prescription, and married youth and beauty in its perfect bloom.
+
+    _Supine in Silvia's snowy arms he lies,
+    And all the busy care of life defies:
+    Each happy hour is filled with fresh delight,
+    While peace the day, and pleasure crowns the night._
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 27.
+
+Tragical passion was the subject of the discourse where I last visited
+this evening; and a gentleman who knows that I am at present writing a
+very deep tragedy, directed his discourse in a particular manner to me.
+"It is the common fault," said he, "of you, gentlemen, who write in the
+buskin style, that you give us rather the sentiments of such who behold
+tragical events, than of such who bear a part in them themselves. I
+would advise all who pretend this way, to read Shakespeare with care,
+and they will soon be deterred from putting forth what is usually called
+'tragedy.' The way of common writers in this kind, is rather the
+description, than the expression of sorrow. There is no medium in these
+attempts; and you must go to the very bottom of the heart, or it is all
+mere language; and the writer of such lines is no more a poet, than a
+man is a physician for knowing the names of distempers, without the
+causes of them. Men of sense are professed enemies to all such empty
+labours: for he who pretends to be sorrowful, and is not, is a wretch
+yet more contemptible than he who pretends to be merry, and is not. Such
+a tragedian is only maudlin drunk." The gentleman went on with much
+warmth; but all he could say had little effect upon me: but when I came
+hither, I so far observed his counsel, that I looked into Shakespeare.
+The tragedy I dipped into was, "Harry the Fourth." In the scene where
+Morton is preparing to tell Northumberland of his son's death, the old
+man does not give him time to speak, but says,
+
+    "_The whiteness of thy cheeks
+    Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand;
+    Even such a man, so faint, so spiritless,
+    So dull, so dead in look, so woebegone,
+    Drew Priam's curtain at the dead of night,
+    And would have told him half his Troy was burnt:
+    But Priam found the fire, ere he his tongue,
+    And I my Percy's death ere thou reportest it_"[458]
+
+The image in this place is wonderfully noble and great; yet this man in
+all this is but rising towards his great affliction, and is still enough
+himself, as you see, to make a simile: but when he is certain of his
+son's death, he is lost to all patience, and gives up all the regards of
+this life; and since the last of evils is fallen upon him, he calls for
+it upon all the world.
+
+      "_Now let not Nature's hand
+    Keep the wild flood confined; let Order die,
+    And let the world no longer be a stage,
+    To feed contention in a lingering act;
+    But let one spirit of the firstborn Cain
+    Reign in all bosoms, that each heart being set
+    On bloody courses, the wide scene may end,
+    And darkness be the burier of the dead_."
+
+Reading but this one scene has convinced me, that he who describes the
+concern of great men, must have a soul as noble, and as susceptible of
+high thoughts, as they whom he represents: I shall therefore lay by my
+drama for some time, and turn my thoughts to cares and griefs, somewhat
+below that of heroes, but no less moving. A misfortune proper for me to
+take notice of, has too lately happened: the disconsolate Maria[459] has
+three days kept her chamber for the loss of the beauteous Fidelia, her
+lap-dog. Lesbia herself[460] did not shed more tears for her sparrow.
+What makes her the more concerned, is, that we know not whether Fidelia
+was killed or stolen; but she was seen in the parlour window when the
+train-bands went by, and never since. Whoever gives notice of her, dead
+or alive, shall be rewarded with a kiss of her lady.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 450: See No. 16.]
+
+[Footnote 451: Intercourse.]
+
+[Footnote 452: Henry Cromwell (died 1728) was a correspondent of Pope's,
+and a friend of Wycherley's. "I cannot choose," wrote Mrs. Elizabeth
+Thomas, "but be pleased with the conquest of a person whose fame our
+incomparable Tatler has rendered immortal, by the three distinguishing
+titles of 'Squire Easy the amorous bard'; 'Sir Timothy the critic'; and
+'Sir Taffety Trippet the fortune-hunter'" ("Pylades and Corinna," i. 96,
+194). See also Nos. 49, 165. Cromwell was a man about town, of private
+means, with property in Lincolnshire, who had contributed verses to
+Tonson's "Miscellany." Gay ("Mr. Pope's Welcome from Greece," st. xvii.)
+speaks of "Honest, hatless Cromwell, with red breeches."]
+
+[Footnote 453: Called forth, drawn as with an alarum.]
+
+[Footnote 454: Henry Cromwell; see note on p. 380. According to another
+suggestion, Spindle is intended for Thomas Tickell, who published a
+poem, "The Prospect of Peace," in 1713; but it is not probable that in
+1709 either Addison or Steele would have satirised him; and Cromwell may
+very likely have written verses on the same subject.]
+
+[Footnote 455: A spider named from Tarentum, in Apulia. Strange stories
+were told of the effects of its bite, and of their cure by music and
+dancing.]
+
+[Footnote 456: See No. 46.]
+
+[Footnote 457: Dr. Radcliffe. See No. 44.]
+
+[Footnote 458: 2 Henry IV., act i. sc. I.]
+
+[Footnote 459: "This _Tatler_ I know nothing of, only they say the
+Dutchess of Montague has lately lost a bitch she call'd fidel, and has
+had it cry'd."--(Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby; "Wentworth Papers," p.
+97.)]
+
+[Footnote 460: See Catullus, passim.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 48. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, July 28_, to _Saturday, July 30_, 1709.
+
+    --Virtutem verba putant, et
+    Lucum ligna.
+                                            HOR., 1 Ep. vi. 31.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 29.
+
+This day I obliged Pacolet to entertain me with matters which regarded
+persons of his own character and occupation. We chose to take our walk
+on Tower Hill; and as we were coming from thence in order to stroll as
+far as Garraway's,[461] I observed two men, who had but just landed,
+coming from the waterside. I thought there was something uncommon in
+their mien and aspect; but though they seemed by their visage to be
+related, yet was there a warmth in their manner, as if they differed
+very much in their sentiments of the subject on which they were talking.
+One of them seemed to have a natural confidence, mixed with an ingenious
+freedom in his gesture, his dress very plain, but very graceful and
+becoming: the other, in the midst of an overbearing carriage, betrayed
+(by frequently looking round him) a suspicion that he was not enough
+regarded by those he met, or that he feared they would make some attack
+upon him. This person was much taller than his companion, and added to
+that height the advantage of a feather in his hat, and heels to his
+shoes so monstrously high, that he had three or four times fallen down,
+had he not been supported by his friend. They made a full stop as they
+came within a few yards of the place where we stood. The plain gentleman
+bowed to Pacolet; the other looked on him with some displeasure: upon
+which I asked him, who they both were, when he thus informed me of their
+persons and circumstances.
+
+"You may remember, Mr. Isaac, that I have often told you, there are
+beings of a superior rank to mankind, who frequently visit the
+habitations of men, in order to call them from some wrong pursuits in
+which they are actually engaged, or divert them from methods which will
+lead them into errors for the future. He that will carefully reflect
+upon the occurrences of his life, will find he has been sometimes
+extricated out of difficulties, and received favours where he could
+never have expected such benefits; as well as met with cross events from
+some unseen hand, which have disappointed his best laid designs. Such
+accidents arrive from the interventions of aërial beings, as they are
+benevolent or hurtful to the nature of man, and attend his steps in the
+tracts of ambition, of business, and of pleasure. Before I ever appeared
+to you in the manner I do now, I have frequently followed you in your
+evening walks, and have often, by throwing some accident in your way, as
+the passing by of a funeral, or the appearance of some other solemn
+object, given your imagination a new turn, and changed a night you had
+destined to mirth and jollity, into an exercise of study and
+contemplation. I was the old soldier who met you last summer in Chelsea
+Fields, and pretended that I had broken my wooden leg, and could not get
+home; but I snapped it short off on purpose, that you might fall into
+the reflections you did on that subject, and take me into your hack. If
+you remember, you made yourself very merry on that fracture, and asked
+me, whether I thought I should next winter feel cold in the toes of that
+leg? As is usually observed, that those who lose limbs, are sensible of
+pains in the extreme parts, even after those limbs are cut off. However,
+my keeping you then in the story of the battle of the Boyne, prevented
+an assignation, which would have led you into more disasters than I then
+related.
+
+"To be short; those two persons you see yonder, are such as I am; they
+are not real men, but are mere shades and figures: one is named Alethes;
+the other, Verisimilis. Their office is to be the guardians and
+representatives of Conscience and Honour. They are now going to visit
+the several parts of the town, to see how their interests in the world
+decay or flourish, and to purge themselves from the many false
+imputations they daily meet with in the commerce and conversation of
+men. You observed Verisimilis frowned when he first saw me. What he is
+provoked at, is, that I told him one day, though he strutted and dressed
+with so much ostentation, if he kept himself within his own bounds, he
+was but a lackey, and wore only that gentleman's livery whom he is now
+with. This frets him to the heart; for you must know, he has pretended a
+long time to set up for himself, and gets among a crowd of the more
+unthinking part of mankind, who take him for a person of the first
+quality; though his introduction into the world was wholly owing to his
+present companion."
+
+This encounter was very agreeable to me, and I was resolved to dog
+them, and desired Pacolet to accompany me. I soon perceived what he told
+me in the gesture of the persons: for when they looked at each other in
+discourse, the well-dressed man suddenly cast down his eyes, and
+discovered that the other had a painful superiority over him. After some
+further discourse, they took leave. The plain gentleman went down
+towards Thames Street, in order to be present, at least, at the oaths
+taken at the Custom-house; and the other made directly for the heart of
+the city. It is incredible how great a change there immediately appeared
+in the man of honour when he got rid of his uneasy companion: he
+adjusted the cock of his hat anew, settled his sword-knot, and had an
+appearance that attracted a sudden inclination for him and his interests
+in all who beheld him. "For my part," said I to Pacolet, "I cannot but
+think you are mistaken in calling this person, of the lower quality; for
+he looks much more like a gentleman than the other. Don't you observe
+all eyes are upon him as he advances: how each sex gazes at his stature,
+aspect, address, and motion?" Pacolet only smiled, and shaked his head;
+as leaving me to be convinced by my own further observation. We kept on
+our way after him till we came to Exchange Alley, where the plain
+gentleman again came up to the other; and they stood together after the
+manner of eminent merchants, as if ready to receive application; but I
+could observe no man talk to either of them. The one was laughed at as a
+fop; and I heard many whispers against the other, as a whimsical sort of
+fellow, and a great enemy to trade. They crossed Cornhill together, and
+came into the full 'Change, where some bowed, and gave themselves airs
+in being known to so fine a man as Verisimilis, who, they said, had
+great interests in all princes' courts; and the other was taken notice
+of by several as one they had seen somewhere long before. One more
+particularly said, he had formerly been a man of consideration in the
+world; but was so unlucky, that they who dealt with him, by some strange
+infatuation or other, had a way of cutting off their own bills, and were
+prodigiously slow in improving their stock. But as much as I was curious
+to observe the reception these gentlemen met with upon 'Change, I could
+not help being interrupted by one that came up towards us, to whom
+everybody made their compliments. He was of the common height, and in
+his dress there seemed to be great care to appear no way particular,
+except in a certain exact and feat[462] manner of behaviour and
+circumspection. He was wonderfully careful that his shoes and clothes
+should be without the least speck upon them; and seemed to think, that
+on such an accident depended his very life and fortune. There was hardly
+a man on 'Change who had not a note upon him; and each seemed very well
+satisfied that their money lay in his hands, without demanding payment.
+I asked Pacolet, what great merchant that was, who was so universally
+addressed to, yet made too familiar an appearance to command that
+extraordinary deference? Pacolet answered, "This person is the demon or
+genius of credit: his name is Umbra. If you observe, he follows Alethes
+and Verisimilis at a distance; and indeed has no foundation for the
+figure he makes in the world, but that he is thought to keep their cash;
+though at the same time, none who trust him would trust the others for a
+groat." As the company rolled about, the three spectres were jumbled
+into one place: when they were so, and all thought there was an alliance
+between them, they immediately drew upon them the business of the whole
+'Change. But their affairs soon increased to such an unwieldy bulk, that
+Alethes took his leave, and said, he would not engage further than he
+had an immediate fund to answer. Verisimilis pretended that though he
+had revenues large enough to go on his own bottom, yet it was below one
+of his family to condescend to trade in his own name; therefore he also
+retired. I was extremely troubled to see the glorious mart of London
+left with no other guardian, but him of credit. But Pacolet told me,
+that traders had nothing to do with the honour or conscience of their
+correspondents, provided they supported a general behaviour in the
+world, which could not hurt their credit or their purses: "for," said
+he, "you may in this one tract of building of London and Westminster see
+the imaginary motives on which the greatest affairs move, as well as in
+rambling over the face of the earth. For though Alethes is the real
+governor, as well as legislator of mankind, he has very little business
+but to make up quarrels, and is only a general referee, to whom every
+man pretends to appeal; but is satisfied with his determinations no
+further than they promote his own interest. Hence it is, that the
+soldier and the courtier model their actions according to Verisimilis'
+manner, and the merchant according to that of Umbra. Among these men,
+honour and credit are not valuable possessions in themselves, or pursued
+out of a principle of justice; but merely as they are serviceable to
+ambition and to commerce. But the world will never be in any manner of
+order or tranquillity, till men are firmly convinced, that conscience,
+honour, and credit, are all in one interest; and that without the
+concurrence of the former, the latter are but impositions upon ourselves
+and others. The force these delusive words have, is not seen in the
+transactions of the busy world only, but also have their tyranny over
+the fair sex. Were you to ask the unhappy Lais, what pangs of
+reflection, preferring the consideration of her honour to her
+conscience, has given her? She could tell you, that it has forced her to
+drink up half a gallon this winter of Tom Dassapas' potions; that she
+still pines away for fear of being a mother; and knows not, but the
+moment she is such, she shall be a murderess: but if conscience had as
+strong a force upon the mind, as honour, the first step to her unhappy
+condition had never been made; she had still been innocent, as she's
+beautiful. Were men so enlightened and studious of their own good, as to
+act by the dictates of their reason and reflection, and not the opinion
+of others, Conscience would be the steady ruler of human life; and the
+words, Truth, Law, Reason, Equity, and Religion, would be but synonymous
+terms for that only guide which makes us pass our days in our own favour
+and approbation."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 461: A coffee-house in Exchange Alley, Cornhill, with an
+auction-room on the first floor, where wine and other things were sold
+(see No, 147). Thomas Garway was originally a tobacconist and
+coffee-man. Defoe ("Journey through England") says that this
+coffee-house was frequented by "the people of quality who have business
+in the City, and the most considerable and wealthy citizens."]
+
+[Footnote 462: Adroit.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 49. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 30_, to _Tuesday, August 2, 1709._
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            JUV., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, August 1.
+
+The imposition of honest names and words upon improper subjects, has
+made so regular a confusion amongst us, that we are apt to sit down with
+our errors, well enough satisfied with the methods we are fallen into,
+without attempting to deliver ourselves from the tyranny under which we
+are reduced by such innovations. Of all the laudable motives of human
+life, none has suffered so much in this kind as love; under which
+revered name, a brutal desire called lust is frequently concealed and
+admitted; though they differ as much as a matron from a prostitute, or a
+companion from a buffoon. Philander[463] the other day was bewailing
+this misfortune with much indignation, and upbraided me for having some
+time since quoted those excellent lines of the satirist:
+
+    _To an exact perfection they have brought
+    The action love, the passion is forgot._[464]
+
+"How could you," said he, "leave such a hint so coldly? How could
+Aspasia[465] and Sempronia[466] enter into your imagination at the same
+time, and you never declare to us the different reception you gave them?
+The figures which the ancient mythologists and poets put upon love and
+lust in their writings, are very instructive. Love is a beauteous blind
+child, adorned with a quiver and a bow, which he plays with, and shoots
+around him, without design or direction; to intimate to us, that the
+person beloved has no intention to give us the anxieties we meet with;
+but that the beauties of a worthy object are like the charms of a lovely
+infant: they cannot but attract your concern and fondness, though the
+child so regarded is as insensible of the value you put upon it, as it
+is that it deserves your benevolence. On the other side, the sages
+figured Lust in the form of a satyr; of shape, part human, part bestial;
+to signify, that the followers of it prostitute the reason of a man to
+pursue the appetites of a beast. This satyr is made to haunt the paths
+and coverts of the wood-nymphs and shepherdesses, to lurk on the banks
+of rivulets, and watch the purling streams (as the resorts of retired
+virgins), to show, that lawless desire tends chiefly to prey upon
+innocence, and has something so unnatural in it, that it hates its own
+make, and shuns the object it loved, as soon as it has made it like
+itself. Love therefore is a child that complains and bewails its
+inability to help itself, and weeps for assistance, without an immediate
+reflection of knowledge of the food it wants: Lust, a watchful thief
+which seizes its prey, and lays snares for its own relief; and its
+principal object being innocence, it never robs, but it murders at the
+same time. From this idea of a Cupid and a Satyr, we may settle our
+notion of these different desires, and accordingly rank their followers.
+Aspasia must therefore be allowed to be the first of the beauteous Order
+of Love, whose unaffected freedom, and conscious innocence, give her the
+attendance of the graces in all her actions. That awful distance which
+we bear towards her in all our thoughts of her, and that cheerful
+familiarity with which we approach her, are certain instances of her
+being the truest object of love of any of her sex. In this accomplished
+lady, love is the constant effect, because it is never the design. Yet,
+though her mien carries much more invitation than command, to behold her
+is an immediate check to loose behaviour; and to love her is a liberal
+education:[467] for, it being the nature of all love to create an
+imitation of the beloved person in the lover, a regard for Aspasia
+naturally produces decency of manners, and good conduct of life in her
+admirers. If therefore the giggling Lucippe could but see her train of
+fops assembled, and Aspasia move by them, she would be mortified at the
+veneration with which she is beheld, even by Lucippe's own unthinking
+equipage, whose passions have long taken leave of their understandings.
+But as charity is esteemed a conjunction of the good qualities necessary
+to a virtuous man, so love is the happy composition of all the
+accomplishments that make a fine gentleman. The motive of a man's life
+is seen in all his actions; and such as have the beauteous boy for their
+inspirer have a simplicity of behaviour, and a certain evenness of
+desire, which burns like the lamp of life in their bosoms; while they
+who are instigated by the satyr are ever tortured by jealousies of the
+object of their wishes; often desire what they scorn, and as often
+consciously and knowingly embrace where they are mutually indifferent.
+
+Florio, the generous husband, and Limberham, the "kind keeper,"[468] are
+noted examples of the different effects which these desires produce in
+the mind. Amanda, who is the wife of Florio, lives in the continual
+enjoyment of new instances of her husband's friendship, and sees it the
+end of all his ambition to make her life one series of pleasure and
+satisfaction; and Amanda's relish of the goods of life, is all that
+makes them pleasing to Florio: they behave themselves to each other when
+present with a certain apparent benevolence, which transports above
+rapture; and they think of each other in absence with a confidence
+unknown to the highest friendship: their satisfactions are doubled,
+their sorrows lessened by participation. On the other hand, Corinna, who
+is the mistress of Limberham,[469] lives in constant torment: her
+equipage is, an old woman, who was what Corinna is now; an antiquated
+footman, who was pimp to Limberham's father; and a chambermaid, who is
+Limberham's wench by fits, out of a principle of politics to make her
+jealous and watchful of Corinna. Under this guard, and in this
+conversation, Corinna lives in state: the furniture of her habitation,
+and her own gorgeous dress, make her the envy of all the strolling
+ladies in the town; but Corinna knows she herself is but part of
+Limberham's household stuff, and is as capable of being disposed of
+elsewhere, as any other movable. But while her keeper is persuaded by
+his spies, that no enemy has been within his doors since his last visit,
+no Persian prince was ever so magnificently bountiful: a kind look or
+falling tear is worth a piece of brocade, a sigh is a jewel, and a smile
+is a cupboard of plate. All this is shared between Corinna and her guard
+in his absence. With this great economy and industry does the unhappy
+Limberham purchase the constant tortures of jealousy, the favour of
+spending his estate, and the opportunity of enriching one by whom he
+knows he is hated and despised. These are the ordinary and common evils
+which attend keepers, and Corinna is a wench but of common size of
+wickedness. Were you to know what passes under the roof where the fair
+Messalina reigns with her humble adorer! Messalina is the professed
+mistress of mankind; she has left the bed of her husband and her
+beauteous offspring, to give a loose to want of shame and fulness of
+desire. Wretched Nocturnus, her feeble keeper! How the poor creature
+fribbles in his gait, and scuttles from place to place to despatch his
+necessary affairs in painful daylight, that he may return to the
+constant twilight preserved in that scene of wantonness, Messalina's
+bedchamber. How does he, while he is absent from thence, consider in his
+imagination the breadth of his porter's shoulders, the spruce nightcap
+of his valet, the ready attendance of his butler! Any of all whom he
+knows she admits, and professes to approve of. This, alas! is the
+gallantry; this the freedom of our fine gentlemen: for this they
+preserve their liberty, and keep clear of that bugbear, marriage. But he
+does not understand either vice or virtue, who will not allow, that life
+without the rules of morality is a wayward uneasy being, with snatches
+only of pleasure; but under the regulation of virtue, a reasonable and
+uniform habit of enjoyment. I have seen in a play of old Heywood's, a
+speech at the end of an act, which touched this point with much spirit.
+He makes a married man in the play, upon some endearing occasion, look
+at his spouse with an air of fondness, and fall into the following
+reflection on his condition:
+
+    "_O Marriage! happiest, easiest, safest state;
+    Let debauchees and drunkards scorn thy rights,
+    Who, in their nauseous draughts and lusts, profane
+    Both thee and Heaven by whom thou wert ordained.
+    How can the savage call it loss of freedom,
+    Thus to converse with, thus to gaze at
+    A faithful, beauteous friend?
+    Blush not, my fair one, that thy love applauds thee,
+    Nor be it painful to my wedded wife,
+    That my full heart overflows in praise of thee.
+    Thou art by law, by interest, passion, mine:
+    Passion and reason join in love of thee.
+    Thus, through a world of calumny and fraud,
+    We pass both unreproached, both undeceived;
+    While in each other's interest and happiness,
+    We without art all faculties employ,
+    And all our senses without guilt enjoy_."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house August 1.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 6th instant, N.S., say, that there daily
+arrive at our camp deserters in considerable numbers; and that several
+of the enemy concealed themselves in the town of Tournay when the
+garrison marched into the citadel; after which, they presented
+themselves to the Duke of Marlborough; some of whom were commissioned
+officers. The Earl of Albemarle is appointed governor of the town. Soon
+after the surrender, there arose a dispute about a considerable work,
+which was asserted by the Allies to be part of the town, and by the
+French to belong to the citadel. It is said, Monsieur de Surville was so
+ingenious as to declare, he thought it to be comprehended within the
+limits of the town; but Monsieur de Mesgrigny, governor of the citadel,
+was of a contrary opinion. It is reported, that this affair occasioned
+great difficulties, which ended in a capitulation for the citadel
+itself; the principal article of which is, that it shall be surrendered
+on the 5th of September next, in case they are not in the meantime
+relieved. This circumstance gives foundation to believe, that the enemy
+have acted in this manner, rather from some hopes they conceive of a
+treaty of peace before that time, than any expectation from their army,
+which has retired towards their former works between Lens and La Bassée.
+These advices add, that his Excellency the Czarish Ambassador has
+communicated to the States-General, and the foreign Ministers residing
+at the Hague, a copy of a letter from his master's camp, which gives an
+account of the entire defeat of the Swedish army. They further say, that
+Count Piper is taken prisoner, and that it is doubted whether the King
+of Sweden himself was not killed in the action. We hear from Savoy, that
+Count Thaun having amused the enemy by a march as far as the Tarantaise,
+had suddenly repassed Mount Cenis, and moved towards Briançon. This
+unexpected disposition is apprehended by the enemy as a piece of the
+Duke of Savoy's dexterity; and the French adding this circumstance to
+that of the Confederate squadron's lying before Toulon, convince
+themselves, that his royal highness has his thoughts upon the execution
+of some great design in those parts.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 463: See No. 13.]
+
+[Footnote 464: See No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 465: Lady Elizabeth Hastings (see No. 42).]
+
+[Footnote 466: See No. 33.]
+
+[Footnote 467: In the _Spectator_ for March 29, 1884, Mr. Swinburne
+published a letter saying that Steele was not the author of these famous
+words,--"the most exquisite tribute ever paid to the memory of a noble
+woman"; for the article in No. 42 was by Congreve. But Mr. Justin
+McCarthy afterwards pointed out that these words occur in No. 49, not
+No. 42; and whether or no Congreve wrote the paper in No. 42 which is at
+least doubtful--the article in No. 49 is certainly Steele's.]
+
+[Footnote 468: The title of one of Dryden's plays.]
+
+[Footnote 469: Henry Cromwell and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas. See No. 47.]
+
+
+
+
+END OF VOL. I.
+
+Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. London & Edinburgh.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899, by George A. Aitken
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13645 ***
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+
+  <title>The Tatler, Volume 1 of 4.</title>
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+<body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13645 ***</div>
+
+  <h1><a class="pagenum" name='pageI' title='I' id=
+  "pageI"></a><a class="pagenum" name='pageII' title='II' id=
+  "pageII"></a><a class="pagenum" name='pageIII' title='III' id=
+  "pageIII"></a>THE TATLER</h1>
+
+  <h2>Edited with Introduction &amp; Notes by <b>George A.
+  Aitken</b></h2>
+
+  <h3><i>Author of</i> "The Life of Richard Steele," Etc.</h3>
+
+  <h2>Vol. I</h2>
+  <hr />
+
+  <h3>New York<br />
+  Hadley &amp; Mathews<br />
+  156 Fifth Avenue<br />
+  London: Duckworth &amp; Co.<br />
+  1899</h3>
+  <hr class="full" />
+
+  <h2>Contents</h2>
+
+  <ul>
+    <li><a href='#preface'>Editor's Preface</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#introduction'>Editor's Introduction</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#thepreface'>The Preface.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#dedication'>Dedication to Mr.
+    Maynwaring.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number1'>No. 1. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number2'>No. 2. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number3'>No. 3. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number4'>No. 4. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number5'>No. 5. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number6'>No. 6. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number7'>No. 7. [Steele</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number8'>No. 8. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number9'>No. 9. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number10'>No. 10. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number11'>No. 11. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number12'>No. 12. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number13'>No. 13. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number14'>No. 14. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number15'>No. 15. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number16'>No. 16. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number17'>No. 17. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number18'>No. 18. [Steele and Addison.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number19'>No. 19. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number20'>No. 20. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number21'>No. 21. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number22'>No. 22. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number23'>No. 23. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number24'>No. 24. [Addison.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number25'>No. 25. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number26'>No. 26. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number27'>No. 27. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number28'>No. 28. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number29'>No. 29. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number30'>No. 30. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number31'>No. 31. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number32'>No. 32. [Swift and Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number33'>No. 33. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number34'>No. 34. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number35'>No. 35. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number36'>No. 36. [?Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number37'>No. 37. [?Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number38'>No. 38. [?Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number39'>No. 39. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number40'>No. 40. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number41'>No. 41. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number42'>No. 42. [Steele and Addison.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number43'>No. 43. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number44'>No. 44. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number45'>No. 45. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number46'>No. 46. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number47'>No. 47. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number48'>No. 48. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number49'>No. 49. [Steele.</a></li>
+  </ul>
+  <hr class='full' />
+
+  <p><a name='preface' id="preface"></a></p>
+
+  <h2>Preface</h2>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='pageIV' title='IV' id=
+  "pageIV"></a><a class="pagenum" name='pageV' title='V' id=
+  "pageV"></a></p>
+
+  <div class="italic">
+    <p>The original numbers of the <i>Tatler</i> were reissued in
+    two forms in 1710-11; one edition, in octavo, being published
+    by subscription, while the other, in duodecimo, was for the
+    general public. The present edition has been printed from a
+    copy of the latter issue, which, as recorded on the title-page,
+    was "revised and corrected by the Author"; but I have had by my
+    side, for constant reference, a complete set of the folio
+    sheets, containing the "Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff" in
+    the form in which they were first presented to the world.
+    Scrupulous accuracy in the text has been aimed at, but the
+    eccentricities of spelling&#8212;which were the printer's, not
+    the author's&#8212;have not been preserved, and the punctuation
+    has occasionally been corrected.</p>
+
+    <p>The first and the most valuable of the annotated editions of
+    the <i>Tatler</i> was published by John Nichols and others in
+    1786, with notes by Dr. Percy, Bishop of Dromore, Dr. John
+    Calder, and Dr. Pearce, Bishop of Rochester; and though these
+    notes are often irrelevant and out of<a class="pagenum" name=
+    'pageVI' title='VI' id="pageVI"></a> date, they contain an
+    immense amount of information, and have been freely made use of
+    by subsequent editors. I have endeavoured to preserve what is
+    of value in the older editions, and to supplement it, as
+    concisely as possible, by such further information as appeared
+    desirable. The eighteenth-century diaries and letters published
+    of late years have in many cases enabled me to throw light on
+    passages which have hitherto been obscure, and sometimes useful
+    illustrations have been found in the contemporary newspapers
+    and periodicals.</p>
+
+    <p>The portraits of Steele, Addison, and Swift, the writers
+    most associated with the <i>Tatler</i>, have been taken from
+    contemporary engravings in the British Museum; and the
+    imaginary portrait of Isaac Bickerstaff in the last volume is
+    from a rare picture drawn by Lens in 1710 as a frontispiece to
+    collections of the original folio numbers.</p>
+
+    <p class="right"><i>G. A. A.</i></p>
+
+    <p>August 1898.</p>
+  </div>
+  <hr class='full' />
+
+  <p><a name='introduction' id="introduction"></a></p>
+
+  <h2>Introduction</h2>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='pageVII' title='VII' id=
+  "pageVII"></a></p>
+
+  <p>When the first number of the <i>Tatler</i> appeared in 1709,
+  Steele and Addison were about thirty-seven years of age, while
+  Swift, then still counted among the Whigs, was more than four
+  years their senior. Addison and Steele had been friends at the
+  Charterhouse School and at Oxford, and though they had during the
+  following years had varying experiences, their friendship had in
+  no way lessened. Addison had been a fellow of his college, had
+  gained the patronage of Charles Montague and Lord Somers, had
+  made the grand tour, and published an account of his travels; had
+  gained popularity by his poem "The Campaign," written in
+  celebration of the victory at Blenheim; had been made an
+  Under-Secretary of State, and finally (in December 1708) had been
+  appointed secretary to Lord Wharton, the Lord Lieutenant of
+  Ireland. Steele, on the other hand, had enlisted in the Guards,
+  without taking any degree; had obtained an ensign's commission
+  after dedicating to Lord Cutts a poem on Queen Mary's death; and
+  had written a little book called "The Christian Hero," designed
+  "to fix upon his own mind a strong impression of virtue
+  and<a class="pagenum" name='pageVIII' title='VIII' id=
+  "pageVIII"></a> religion, in opposition to a stronger propensity
+  towards unwarrantable pleasures." At the close of the same year
+  (1701) he brought out a successful comedy, "The Funeral," which
+  was followed by "The Lying Lover" and "The Tender Husband," plays
+  which gave strong evidence of the influence of Jeremy Collier's
+  attack on the immorality of the stage. "The Tender Husband" owed
+  "many applauded strokes" to Addison, to whom it was dedicated by
+  Steele, who wished "to show 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." In 1705 Steele married a lady with
+  property in Barbados, and on her death married, in 1707, Mary
+  Scurlock, the "dear Prue" to whom he addressed his well-known
+  letters. For the rest, he had been made gentleman-waiter to
+  Prince George of Denmark, and appointed Gazetteer, with a salary
+  of £300, less a tax of £45 a year. He was disappointed in his
+  hopes of obtaining the Under-Secretaryship vacated by
+  Addison.</p>
+
+  <p>From 1705 onwards there is evidence of frequent and familiar
+  intercourse between Swift and Addison and Steele. After Sir
+  William Temple's death, Swift had become chaplain to the Earl of
+  Berkeley, who gave him the living of Laracor; and during a visit
+  to England in 1704 he had gained a position in the front rank of
+  authors by the "Tale of a Tub" and the "Battle of the Books." At
+  the close of 1707 he was again in England, charged with a mission
+  to obtain for the Irish clergy the remission of First Fruits and
+  Tenths already conceded to the English, and throughout 1708 what
+  he calls "the triumvirate of <a name="pageIX" id=
+  "pageIX"></a>Addison, Steele and me" were in constant
+  communication. In that year Swift published a pamphlet called "A
+  Project for the Advancement of Religion and the Reformation of
+  Manners," which anticipated many of the arguments used in the
+  <i>Tatler</i> and <i>Spectator</i>; and he also commenced his
+  attack on John Partridge, quack doctor and maker of astrological
+  almanacs. On the appearance of Partridge's "Merlinus Liberatus"
+  for 1708, Swift&#8212;borrowing a name from the signboard of a
+  shoemaker&#8212;published "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." Isaac Bickerstaff
+  professed to be a true astrologer, disgusted at the lies told by
+  impostors, and he said that he was willing to be hooted at as a
+  cheat if his prophecies were not exactly fulfilled. His first
+  prediction was that Partridge would die on the 29th of March; and
+  on the 30th a second pamphlet was published, "The accomplishment
+  of the first of Mr. Bickerstaff's Predictions ... in a letter to
+  a person of quality, in which a detailed account is given of
+  Partridge's death, at five minutes after seven, by which it is
+  clear that Mr. Bickerstaff was mistaken almost four hours in his
+  calculation.... Whether he had been the cause of this poor man's
+  death, as well as the predictor, may be very reasonably
+  disputed." The joke was maintained by Swift and others in various
+  pieces, and when Partridge, in his almanac for 1709, protested
+  that he was still living, Swift <a class="pagenum" name='pageX'
+  title='X' id="pageX"></a>replied, in "A Vindication of Isaac
+  Bickerstaff, Esq.," which was advertised in the fifth number of
+  the <i>Tatler</i>, that he could prove that Partridge was not
+  alive; for no one living could have written such rubbish as the
+  new almanac. In starting his new paper Steele assumed the name of
+  the astrologer Isaac Bickerstaff, rendered famous by Swift, and
+  made frequent use of Swift's leading idea. He himself summed up
+  the controversy in the words, "if a man's art is gone, the man is
+  gone, though his body still appear."</p>
+
+  <p>Much has been written on the interesting question of the early
+  history of the periodical press; but with one exception none of
+  its predecessors had much effect on the <i>Tatler</i>. John
+  Dunton's <i>Athenian Mercury</i> was the forerunner of our
+  <i>Notes and Queries</i>; and it was followed by the <i>British
+  Apollo</i> (1708-11), the second title of which was "Curious
+  Amusements for the Ingenious. To which are added the most
+  Material Occurrences, Foreign and Domestic. Performed by a
+  Society of Gentlemen." <i>The Gentleman's Journal</i> of 1692-4,
+  a monthly paper of poems and other miscellaneous matter, was
+  succeeded, in 1707, by Oldmixon's <i>Muses' Mercury; or, The
+  Monthly Miscellany</i>, a periodical which contained also notices
+  of new plays and books, and numbered Steele among its
+  contributors. Defoe's <i>Review</i>, begun in 1704, aimed at
+  setting the affairs of Europe in a clearer light, regardless of
+  party; but, added Defoe, "After our serious matters are over, we
+  shall at the end of every paper present you with a little
+  diversion, as anything occurs to make the world merry; and
+  whether friend or foe, one party or another, <a class="pagenum"
+  name='pageXI' title='XI' id="pageXI"></a>if anything happens so
+  scandalous as to require an open reproof, the world will meet
+  with it there." Accordingly, of the eight pages in the first
+  number, one and a half pages consist of "Mercure Scandale; or,
+  Advice from the Scandalous Club, Translated out of French." The
+  censure was to be of the actions of men, not of parties; and the
+  design was to expose not persons but things. A monthly
+  supplement, dealing with "the immediate subject then on the
+  tongues of the town," was begun in September 1704; and pressure
+  on the space before long pushed the Advices from the Scandal Club
+  out of the ordinary issue of the <i>Review</i>. Subsequently
+  Defoe wrote more than once in praise of the way in which his work
+  had been taken up by Isaac Bickerstaff.</p>
+
+  <p>Probably the <i>Tatler</i> was started by Steele without any
+  very definite designs for the future. According to the first
+  number, published on April 12, 1709, the aim was to instruct the
+  public what to think, after their reading, and there was to be
+  something for the entertainment of the fair sex. The numbers were
+  published three times a week, on the post-days, at the price of
+  one penny. Each paper consisted of a single folio sheet, and the
+  first four were distributed gratuitously. Steele probably thought
+  that his position of Gazetteer would enable him to give the
+  latest news, and he says that these paragraphs brought in a
+  multitude of readers; but as the position of the <i>Tatler</i>
+  became established, the need for the support of these items of
+  news grew less, and after the first eighty numbers they are of
+  rare occurrence. Quite early in the career of the paper Addison,
+  speaking of the distress which would be <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'pageXII' title='XII' id="pageXII"></a>caused among the
+  news-writers by the conclusion of a peace, said that Bickerstaff
+  was not personally concerned in the matter; "for as my chief
+  scenes of action are coffee-houses, playhouses, and my own
+  apartment, I am in no need of camps, fortifications, and fields
+  of battle to support me.... I shall still be safe as long as
+  there are men or women, or politicians, or lovers, or poets, or
+  nymphs, or swains, or cits, or courtiers in being."<a name=
+  'fntag1' id="fntag1"></a><a class="fn" href=
+  '#footnote1'><sup>1</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>The subject of each article was to be indicated by the name of
+  the coffee-house or other place from which it was supposed to
+  come: "All accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment
+  shall be under the article of White's Chocolate-house; Poetry,
+  under that of Will's Coffee-house; Learning, under the title of
+  Grecian; Foreign and Domestic News you will have from Saint
+  James's Coffee-house; and what else I have to offer on any other
+  subject shall be dated from my own Apartment." For some time each
+  number contained short papers from all or several of these
+  places; but gradually it became usual to devote the whole number
+  to one topic. The motto of the first forty numbers was "Quicquid
+  agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli"; but in the following
+  numbers it was changed to "Celebrare domestica facta"; and
+  afterwards each number generally had a quotation bearing upon the
+  subject of the day. Writing some time after the commencement of
+  the latter, Steele said, in the Dedication prefixed to the first
+  volume, "The general purpose of this paper is to expose the false
+  arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and
+  affectation, and to recommend a general sim<a class="pagenum"
+  name='pageXIII' title='XIII' id="pageXIII"></a>plicity in our
+  dress, our discourse, and our behaviour." And elsewhere he says:
+  "As for my labours, which he is pleased to inquire after, if they
+  but wear one impertinence out of human life, destroy a single
+  vice, or give a morning's cheerfulness to an honest mind; in
+  short, if the world can be but one virtue the better, or in any
+  degree less vicious, or receive from them the smallest addition
+  to their innocent diversions; I shall not think my pains, or
+  indeed my life, to have been spent in vain."<a name='fntag2' id=
+  "fntag2"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote2'><sup>2</sup></a> At
+  the close, speaking in his own name, Steele wrote: "The general
+  purpose of the whole has been to recommend truth, innocence,
+  honour, and virtue, as the chief ornaments of life; but I
+  considered, that severity of manners was absolutely necessary to
+  him who would censure others, and for that reason, and that only,
+  chose to talk in a mask. I shall not carry my humility so far as
+  to call myself a vicious man, but at the same time must confess
+  my life is at best but pardonable."<a name='fntag3' id=
+  "fntag3"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote3'><sup>3</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>With his usual generosity, Steele more than once spoke in the
+  warmest terms of the assistance rendered to him by Addison. In
+  the preface to the collected edition he said: "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 to one with whom he had 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 <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='pageXIV' title='XIV' id="pageXIV"></a>my
+  auxiliary; when I had called him in I could not subsist without
+  dependence on him." And in 1722, after Addison's death, in a
+  preface to his friend's play, "The Drummer," Steele wrote of the
+  <i>Tatler</i>, "That paper 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."</p>
+
+  <p>It is only fair to Steele to point out that the original idea
+  of the <i>Tatler</i> was entirely his own, and that he alone was
+  responsible for the regular supply of material. Addison was in
+  Ireland when the paper was begun, and did not know who was the
+  author until several numbers had appeared. His occasional
+  contributions were of little importance until after eighty
+  numbers had been published; and of the whole 271 numbers Steele
+  wrote about 188 and Addison only 42, while they were jointly
+  responsible for 36. Swift contributed only to about a dozen
+  numbers; and the assistance received from other writers was so
+  slight that it does not call for notice here. Steele, unlike
+  Addison, was probably at his best in the <i>Tatler</i>, where he
+  had a freer hand, and described, in a perfectly fresh and
+  unaffected style, the impressions of the moment. Hastily composed
+  in coffee-house or printing-office, as they often were, and at
+  very short notice, his papers frequently appeal to the reader of
+  the present day more than the carefully elaborated and highly
+  finished work of his friend, who <a class="pagenum" name='pageXV'
+  title='XV' id="pageXV"></a>wrote only when he found a suitable
+  topic. And if Addison's art is of a higher standard than
+  Steele's, it is to Steele that we owe Addison. A minor poet and
+  the author of a book of travels and of an unsuccessful opera,
+  Addison found no opportunity for his peculiar genius until his
+  friend provided the means in the <i>Tatler</i>. It is tolerably
+  certain that he would himself never have taken the necessary step
+  of founding a periodical appealing to the general public; and
+  Steele himself said with perfect truth, "I claim to myself the
+  merit of having extorted excellent productions from a person of
+  the greatest abilities, who would not have let them appear by any
+  other means."<a name='fntag4' id="fntag4"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote4'><sup>4</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>If more is said here of Steele than of Addison, it is because
+  it is Steele whose name is most intimately connected with the
+  <i>Tatler</i>. The field in which Addison shone brightest was the
+  <i>Spectator</i>, where the whole plan was arranged in the manner
+  best suited to his genius. But his influence is, nevertheless,
+  visible in the development of the earlier paper, and some of his
+  individual articles are equal to anything he afterwards wrote. It
+  is only necessary to mention his papers on the Distress of the
+  News-Writers<a name='fntag5' id="fntag5"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote5'><sup>5</sup></a>; on the poetaster, Ned
+  Softly<a name='fntag6' id="fntag6"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote6'><sup>6</sup></a>; on the pedant and "broker in
+  learning," Tom Folio<a name='fntag7' id="fntag7"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote7'><sup>7</sup></a>; on the Political
+  Upholsterer, who was more inquisitive to know what passed in
+  Poland than in his own family<a name='fntag8' id=
+  "fntag8"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote8'><sup>8</sup></a>;
+  and on the Adventures of a Shilling.<a name='fntag9' id=
+  "fntag9"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote9'><sup>9</sup></a>
+  His, too, are the Vision of Justice<a name='fntag10' id=
+  "fntag10"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote10'><sup>10</sup></a>;
+  the story of a dream;<a name='fntag11' id="fntag11"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote11'><sup>11</sup></a> and the amusing account
+  of the visit to <a class="pagenum" name='pageXVI' title='XVI' id=
+  "pageXVI"></a>London of Sir Harry Quickset, who, with his
+  old-world breeding, was the forerunner of Sir Roger de
+  Coverley.<a name='fntag12' id="fntag12"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote12'><sup>12</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>Unlike the members of the Spectator's Club, the <i>dramatis
+  personæ</i> introduced in the <i>Tatler</i> do not occupy a very
+  prominent place in the development of the work. Isaac Bickerstaff
+  himself, an old man of sixty-four, "a philosopher, an humourist,
+  an astrologer, and a censor," is rather vaguely sketched, and his
+  familiar, Pacolet, is made use of chiefly in the earlier numbers.
+  The occasional references to Bickerstaff's half-sister, Jenny
+  Distaff,<a name='fntag13' id="fntag13"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote13'><sup>13</sup></a> and her husband, Tanquillus, and
+  to his three nephews and their conduct in the presence of a
+  "beautiful woman of honour,"<a name='fntag14' id=
+  "fntag14"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote14'><sup>14</sup></a>
+  gave Steele a framework for some charming sketches of domestic
+  life. It is not until No. 132 that we
+  have the amusing account of the members of Bickerstaff's Club,
+  the Trumpet, in Shire Lane. There were Sir Geoffrey Notch, a
+  gentleman of an ancient family, who had wasted his estate in his
+  youth, and called every thriving man a pitiful upstart; Major
+  Matchlock, with his reminiscences of the Civil War; Dick Reptile,
+  and the Bencher who was always praising the wit of former days,
+  and telling stories of Jack Ogle, with whom he pretended to have
+  been intimate in his youth. Very little use was afterwards made
+  of this promising material.</p>
+
+  <p>The poet John Gay has given an excellent account of the work
+  accomplished by Steele and Addison in a pamphlet called "The
+  Present State of Wit" (1711). Speaking of the discontinuance of
+  the <i>Tatler</i>, he says: "His disappearing seemed to be
+  bewailed as some general <a class="pagenum" name='pageXVII'
+  title='XVII' id="pageXVII"></a>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 newspapers 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.... There is this 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 vain
+  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.</p>
+
+  <p>"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; <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'pageXVIII' title='XVIII' id="pageXVIII"></a>how many people they
+  have rendered happy, by showing them it was their own fault if
+  they were not so; and, lastly, how entirely they have convinced
+  our 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.</p>
+
+  <p>"Lastly, his writings have set all our wits and men of letters
+  upon a new way of thinking, of which they had little or no notion
+  before; and though we cannot yet 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."</p>
+
+  <p>Gay's opinion has been confirmed by the best judges of nearly
+  two centuries, and there is no need to labour the question of the
+  wit and wisdom of the <i>Tatler</i>. But some examples may be
+  cited in illustration of the topics on which Steele and his
+  friends wrote, and the manner in which they dealt with them. The
+  very first numbers contained illustrations of most of what were
+  to be the characteristics of the paper. There is the account of
+  the very pretty gentleman at White's Chocolate-house thrown into
+  a sad condition by a passing vision of a young lady; <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='pageXIX' title='XIX' id="pageXIX"></a>the notice
+  of Betterton's benefit performance; the comments on the war; the
+  campaign against Partridge, with the declaration that all who
+  were good for nothing would be included among the deceased; the
+  discussion on the morality of the stage, with praise of Mrs.
+  Bicknell and reproaches upon a young nobleman who came drunk to
+  the play; the comparison of the rival beauties, Chloe and
+  Clarissa; the satire on the Italian opera, and on Pinkethman's
+  company of strollers; and the allegorical paper on Fælicia, or
+  Britain. All these and other matters are dealt with in the four
+  numbers which were distributed gratuitously; as the work
+  progressed the principal change, besides the disappearance of the
+  paragraphs of news, was the development of the sustained essay on
+  morals or manners, and the less frequent indulgence in satire
+  upon individual offenders, and in personal allusions in general.
+  This change seems to have been the result partly of design, and
+  partly of circumstances, including Addison's influence on the
+  work. Steele himself said, as we have seen, that the
+  <i>Tatler</i> was raised to a greater height than he had
+  designed; but no doubt he realised that he must feel his way, and
+  be at first a tatler rather than a preacher. After some grave
+  remarks about duelling in an early paper (<a href='#number26'>No.
+  26</a>), he makes Pacolet, Bickerstaff's familiar, say, "It was
+  too soon to give my discourse on this subject so serious a turn;
+  you have chiefly to do with that part of mankind which must be
+  led into reflection by degrees, and you must treat this custom
+  with humour and raillery to get an audience, before you come to
+  pronounce sentence upon it."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='pageXX' title='XX' id=
+  "pageXX"></a>Follies and weaknesses are ridiculed in the
+  <i>Tatler</i> in a genial spirit, by one who was fully alive to
+  his own imperfections, and point is usually given to the papers
+  by a sketch of some veiled or imaginary individual. In this way
+  Bickerstaff treats of fops,<a name='fntag15' id=
+  "fntag15"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote15'><sup>15</sup></a>
+  of wags,<a name='fntag16' id="fntag16"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote16'><sup>16</sup></a> of coquettes,<a name='fntag17'
+  id="fntag17"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote17'><sup>17</sup></a> of the lady who condemned the
+  vice of the age, meaning the only vice of which she was not
+  guilty;<a name='fntag18' id="fntag18"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote18'><sup>18</sup></a> of impudence;<a name='fntag19'
+  id="fntag19"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote19'><sup>19</sup></a> and of pride and vanity.<a name=
+  'fntag20' id="fntag20"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote20'><sup>20</sup></a> In a graver tone he attacks the
+  practice of duelling;<a name='fntag21' id="fntag21"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote21'><sup>21</sup></a> gamesters and
+  sharpers;<a name='fntag22' id="fntag22"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote22'><sup>22</sup></a> drunken "roarers" and
+  "scowrers";<a name='fntag23' id="fntag23"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote23'><sup>23</sup></a> and brutal pastimes at the Bear
+  Garden and elsewhere.<a name='fntag24' id="fntag24"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote24'><sup>24</sup></a> The campaign against
+  swindlers exposed Steele to serious threats on more than one
+  occasion.<a name='fntag25' id="fntag25"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote25'><sup>25</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>Of what Coleridge called Steele's "pure humanity" there is
+  nowhere better evidence than in the <i>Tatler</i>. It is enough
+  to cite once more the well-known examples of the account of his
+  father's death and his mother's grief;<a name='fntag26' id=
+  "fntag26"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote26'><sup>26</sup></a>
+  the stories of Unnion and Valentine,<a name='fntag27' id=
+  "fntag27"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote27'><sup>27</sup></a>
+  of the Cornish lovers,<a name='fntag28' id=
+  "fntag28"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote28'><sup>28</sup></a>
+  of Clarinda and Chloe,<a name='fntag29' id=
+  "fntag29"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote29'><sup>29</sup></a>
+  and of Mr. Eustace,<a name='fntag30' id="fntag30"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote30'><sup>30</sup></a> and the charming
+  account of the married happiness of an old friend, with the
+  pathetic picture of the death of the wife, and the grief of
+  husband and children.<a name='fntag31' id="fntag31"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote31'><sup>31</sup></a> In the last number
+  Steele said, "It has been a most exquisite pleasure to me to
+  frame characters of domestic life"; and we know from his letters
+  that when he wrote of children he <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'pageXXI' title='XXI' id="pageXXI"></a>was only expressing the
+  deep affection which he felt for his own. Equally in advance of
+  his time was his respect for women, one of whom&#8212;Lady
+  Elizabeth Hastings&#8212;he has immortalised in the words, "To
+  love her is a liberal education."<a name='fntag32' id=
+  "fntag32"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote32'><sup>32</sup></a>
+  In the same number he wrote, "As charity is esteemed a
+  conjunction of the good qualities necessary to a virtuous man, so
+  love is the happy composition of all the accomplishments that
+  make a fine gentleman." In a time of much laxity he constantly
+  dwelt on the happiness of marriage; "wife is the most amiable
+  term in human life."<a name='fntag33' id="fntag33"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote33'><sup>33</sup></a> But good nature must be
+  cultivated if the married life is to be happy,<a name='fntag34'
+  id="fntag34"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote34'><sup>34</sup></a> and all unnecessary provocations
+  avoided. "Dear Jenny," says Bickerstaff to his sister, "remember
+  me, and avoid Snap-Dragon."<a name='fntag35' id=
+  "fntag35"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote35'><sup>35</sup></a>
+  Women must be rightly educated before they can expect to be
+  treated by, and to influence men as they should.<a name='fntag36'
+  id="fntag36"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote36'><sup>36</sup></a> The make of the mind greatly
+  contributes to the ornament of the body; "there is so immediate a
+  relation between our thoughts and gestures that a woman must
+  think well to look well."<a name='fntag37' id=
+  "fntag37"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote37'><sup>37</sup></a>
+  The habit of scandal-mongering and other weaknesses are the
+  result of an improper training of the mind.<a name='fntag38' id=
+  "fntag38"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote38'><sup>38</sup></a>
+  "All women especially," says Thackeray, "are bound to be grateful
+  to Steele, as he was the first of our writers who really seemed
+  to admire and respect them." His pity extended to the hunted
+  deer: "I have more than once rode off at the death," he says; "to
+  be apt to shed tears is a sign of a great as well as a little
+  spirit."<a name='fntag39' id="fntag39"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote39'><sup>39</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='pageXXII' title='XXII' id=
+  "pageXXII"></a>Steele's teaching on morals and right living
+  enters intimately into his literary criticism. His love for
+  Shakespeare was real and intelligent; there is no formal
+  discussion of the rules of the drama, but throughout the
+  <i>Tatler</i> there are references which show the keenest
+  appreciation of Shakespeare's powers as poet and philosopher.
+  "The vitiated tastes of the audience at the theatre could only be
+  amended," says Steele, "by encouraging the representation of the
+  noble characters drawn by Shakespeare and others, from whence it
+  is impossible to return without strong impressions of honour and
+  humanity. On these occasions, distress is laid before us with all
+  its causes and consequences, and our resentment placed according
+  to the merit of the persons afflicted. Were dramas of this nature
+  more acceptable to the taste of the town, men who have genius
+  would bend their studies to excel in them."<a name='fntag40' id=
+  "fntag40"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote40'><sup>40</sup></a>
+  Still more remarkable are the allusions to "Paradise Lost," for
+  Milton was then even less appreciated than Shakespeare. As in so
+  many other things, Addison's more elaborate criticism in the
+  <i>Spectator</i> was foreshadowed in the <i>Tatler</i> by Steele;
+  and the comparison of passages by Milton and Dryden<a name=
+  'fntag41' id="fntag41"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote41'><sup>41</sup></a> must have been very striking to
+  the reader of that time, who usually knew Shakespeare or Chaucer
+  only through the adaptations of Dryden or Tate.</p>
+
+  <p>Though it is not true, as some have represented, that the
+  <i>Tatler</i> is for the most part a mere society journal,
+  concerned chiefly with the gossip of the day, yet its
+  contributors made use of the scenes and events familiar to their
+  readers in order to bring home the kindly lessons <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='pageXXIII' title='XXIII' id="pageXXIII"></a>they
+  wished to teach; and in so doing they have given us a picture of
+  the daily life of the town which would alone have given lasting
+  interest to the paper. The distinctly "moral" papers have had
+  countless imitators, and sometimes therefore they are apt to pall
+  upon us, but the social articles are at least as interesting now
+  as when they were written, and one of the reasons why some
+  excellent judges have prefered the <i>Tatler</i> to the
+  <i>Spectator</i>, is that there is a greater proportion of these
+  gossiping papers, combining wisdom with satire, and bringing
+  before us as in a mirror the London of Queen Anne's day.
+  Bickerstaff takes us from club to coffee-house, from St. James's
+  to the Exchange; we see the poets and wits at Will's, the
+  politicians at White's, the merchants at Garraway's, the Templars
+  at the Smyrna; we see Betterton and the rest on the stage, and
+  the ladies and gentlemen in the front or side boxes; we see
+  Pinkethman's players at Greenwich, Powell's puppet-show, Don
+  Saltero's Museum at Chelsea, and the bear-baiting and
+  prize-fights at Hockley-in-the-Hole. We are taken to the Mall at
+  St. James's, or the Ring in Hyde Park, and we study the fine
+  ladies and the beaux, with their red heels and their amber-headed
+  canes suspended from their waistcoats; or we follow them to
+  Charles Lillie's, the perfumer, or to Mather's toy-shop, or to
+  Motteux's china warehouse; or to the shops in the New Exchange,
+  where the men bought trifles and ogled the attendants. Or yet
+  again we watch the exposure of the sharpers and bullies, and the
+  denunciation of others who brought even greater ruin on those who
+  fell into their clutches. We see the worshipping and the
+  flirtations in the church, with Smal<a class="pagenum" name=
+  'pageXXIV' title='XXIV' id="pageXXIV"></a>ridge and Atterbury,
+  Hoadly and Blackall among the preachers, and hear something of
+  the controversies between High and Low Church, Whig and Tory. We
+  hear, too, of the war with France, and of the hopes of peace.
+  Steele tells us not only of Marlborough and Prince Eugene, but of
+  privates and non-commissioned officers, of their lives and
+  tragedies, of their comrades and friends. All Sergeant Hall knew
+  of the battle was that he wished there had not been so many
+  killed; he had himself a very bad shot in the head, but would
+  recover, if it pleased God. "To me," says Steele, recalling his
+  own service as a trooper, "I take the gallantry of private
+  soldiers to proceed from the same, if not from a nobler impulse
+  than that of gentlemen and officers.... Sergeant Hall would die
+  ten thousand deaths rather than a word should be spoken at the
+  Red Lattice, or any part of the Butcher Row, in prejudice to his
+  courage or honesty." His letter to his friend was "the picture of
+  the bravest sort of man, that is to say, a man of great courage
+  and small hopes."<a name='fntag42' id="fntag42"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote42'><sup>42</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>Something must be said of the events of 1710, which led to the
+  discontinuance of the <i>Tatler</i>. The trial of Dr. Sacheverell
+  in March was followed by the fall of the Whigs in the autumn; and
+  in October Steele lost his post of Gazetteer. Swift says it was
+  "for writing a <i>Tatler</i> some months ago, against Mr. Harley,
+  who gave him the post at first." There was a growing coldness
+  between Swift and his old friends, and on the 3rd of November
+  Swift wrote, "We have scurvy <i>Tatlers</i> of late, so pray do
+  not suspect me." On the preceding day Swift's first paper
+  <a class="pagenum" name='pageXXV' title='XXV' id="pageXXV"></a>in
+  the Tory <i>Examiner</i> had been published. He still met Steele
+  from time to time, and he says that he interceded for him with
+  Harley, but was frustrated by Addison. However this may be, it is
+  certain that Harley saw Steele, and that as the result of their
+  interview Steele retained his post as Commissioner of the Stamp
+  Office, and brought the <i>Tatler</i> to a close on January 2,
+  1711, without consulting Addison. "To say the truth, it was
+  time," says Swift; "for he grew cruel dull and dry." It is true
+  that there is a falling off towards the close of the
+  <i>Tatler</i>, but that it was not want of matter that brought
+  about the abandonment of the paper is proved by the commencement
+  only two months later of the <i>Spectator</i>. Steele himself
+  said that on many accounts it had become an irksome task to
+  personate Mr. Bickerstaff any longer; he had in some places
+  touched upon matters concerning Church and State, and he could
+  not be cold enough to conceal his opinions. Gay tells us, in "The
+  Present State of Wit," that the town being generally of opinion
+  that Steele was quite spent as regards matter, was the more
+  surprised when the <i>Spectator</i> appeared; people were
+  therefore driven to accept the alternative view that the
+  <i>Tatler</i> was laid down "as a sort of submission to, or
+  composition with, the Government for some past offences."</p>
+
+  <p>Excellent testimony to the immediate popularity of the
+  <i>Tatler</i> is furnished by the fact that its successive
+  numbers were reprinted in Dublin and in Edinburgh. At least
+  sixty-nine numbers of the Dublin issue, in quarto, were printed.
+  The Scottish re-issue was a folio sheet, commenced about February
+  1710, and continued until the close of the <a class="pagenum"
+  name='pageXXVI' title='XXVI' id="pageXXVI"></a>paper. The date of
+  each number of the Edinburgh paper&#8212;"printed by James
+  Watson, and sold at his shop next door to the Red Lion, opposite
+  to the Lucken Booths"&#8212;is five or six days later than that
+  of the original issue; it was evidently worked off as soon as the
+  London post came in. Other evidence of the popularity of the
+  <i>Tatler</i> in the provinces is afforded by the foundation of
+  the "Gentleman's Society" at Spalding. Maurice Johnson, a native
+  of Spalding and a member of the Inner Temple, gives this account
+  of the matter: "In April 1709, that great genius Captain Richard
+  Steele ... published the <i>Tatlers</i>, which, as they came out
+  in half-sheets, were taken in by a gentleman, who communicated
+  them to his acquaintances at the coffee-house then in the Abbey
+  Yard; and these papers being universally approved as both
+  instructive and entertaining, they ordered them to be sent down
+  thither, with the Gazettes and Votes, for which they paid out of
+  charity to the person who kept the coffee-house, and they were
+  accordingly had and read there every post-day, generally aloud to
+  the company, who would sit and talk over the subject afterwards.
+  This insensibly drew the men of sense and letters into a sociable
+  way of conversing, and continued the next year, 1710, until the
+  publication of these papers desisted, which was in December, to
+  their great regret." Afterwards the <i>Spectator</i> was taken
+  in, and a regular society was started in 1712, by the
+  encouragement of Addison, Steele, and other members of Button's
+  Club.</p>
+
+  <p>One indication of the popularity of the <i>Tatler</i> in its
+  own day is the long subscription list prefixed to the reprint in
+  four octavo volumes. Some copies were printed on <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='pageXXVII' title='XXVII' id=
+  "pageXXVII"></a>"royal," others on "medium" paper; and the price
+  of the former was a guinea a volume, while that of the latter was
+  half a guinea. There was also an authorised cheap edition, in
+  duodecimo, at half a crown a volume, besides a pirated edition at
+  the same price. A still more conclusive proof of the success of
+  the <i>Tatler</i> was the number of papers started in imitation
+  of its methods. Addison mentioned some of those periodicals in
+  No. 229, where details will be found of
+  the "Female Tatler," "Tit for Tat," and the like. But besides
+  these, several spurious continuations of the <i>Tatler</i>
+  appeared directly after the discontinuance of the genuine paper,
+  including one by William Harrison, written with Swift's
+  encouragement and assistance. But Harrison, as Swift said, had
+  "not the true vein for it," and his paper reached only to
+  fifty-two numbers, which were afterwards reprinted as a fifth
+  volume to the collected edition of the original <i>Tatler</i>.
+  Gay said that Steele's imitators seemed to think "that what was
+  only the garnish of the former <i>Tatlers</i> was that which
+  recommended them, and not those substantial entertainments which
+  they everywhere abound in." The town, in the absence of anything
+  better, welcomed their occasional and faint endeavours at humour;
+  "but even those are at present become wholly invisible, and quite
+  swallowed up in the blaze of the <i>Spectator</i>." Steele
+  himself said that his imitators held the censorship in
+  commission.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class="label">
+        <a href="#fntag1">[1]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote1' id="footnote1"></a><a href=
+      '#number18'>No. 18.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag2'>[2]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote2' id="footnote2"></a>No. 89.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag3'>[3]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote3' id="footnote3"></a>No. 271.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag4'>[4]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote4' id="footnote4"></a><i>Spectator</i>,
+      No. 532.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag5'>[5]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote5' id="footnote5"></a><i>Tatler</i>,
+      <a href='#number18'>No. 18.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag6'>[6]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote6' id="footnote6"></a>No. 163.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag7'>[7]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote7' id="footnote7"></a>No. 158.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag8'>[8]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote8' id="footnote8"></a>Nos. 155, 160.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag9'>[9]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote9' id="footnote9"></a>No. 249.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag10'>[10]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote10' id="footnote10"></a>Nos. 100, 102.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag11'>[11]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote11' id="footnote11"></a>No. 117.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag12'>[12]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote12' id="footnote12"></a>No. 86.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag13'>[13]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote13' id="footnote13"></a><a href=
+      '#number10'>No. 10.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag14'>[14]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote14' id="footnote14"></a><a href=
+      '#number30'>No. 30.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag15'>[15]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote15' id="footnote15"></a>No. 142.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag16'>[16]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote16' id="footnote16"></a>No. 184.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag17'>[17]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote17' id="footnote17"></a><a href=
+      '#number27'>No. 27.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag18'>[18]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote18' id="footnote18"></a>No. 210.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag19'>[19]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote19' id="footnote19"></a>No. 168.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag20'>[20]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote20' id="footnote20"></a>Nos. 127, 186.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag21'>[21]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote21' id="footnote21"></a>Nos. <a href=
+      "#number25">25</a>, <a href="#number26">26</a>, <a href=
+      "#number29">29</a>, <a href="#number31">31</a>, <a href=
+      "#number38">38</a>, <a href="#number39">39</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag22'>[22]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote22' id="footnote22"></a>Nos. 56, &amp;c.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag23'>[23]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote23' id="footnote23"></a>Nos. <a href=
+      "#number40">40</a>, <a href="#number45">45</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag24'>[24]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote24' id="footnote24"></a>No. 134.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag25'>[25]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote25' id="footnote25"></a>See Nos. 115, 271.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag26'>[26]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote26' id="footnote26"></a>No. 181.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag27'>[27]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote27' id="footnote27"></a><a href=
+      '#number5'>No. 5.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag28'>[28]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote28' id="footnote28"></a>No. 82.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag29'>[29]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote29' id="footnote29"></a>No. 94.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag30'>[30]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote30' id="footnote30"></a>No. 172.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag31'>[31]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote31' id="footnote31"></a>Nos. 95, 114.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag32'>[32]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote32' id="footnote32"></a><a href=
+      '#number49'>No. 49.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag33'>[33]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote33' id="footnote33"></a><a href=
+      '#number33'>No. 33.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag34'>[34]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote34' id="footnote34"></a>No. 149.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag35'>[35]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote35' id="footnote35"></a>No. 85. See, too, No.
+      104.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag36'>[36]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote36' id="footnote36"></a>Nos. 141, 248.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag37'>[37]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote37' id="footnote37"></a>No. 212.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag38'>[38]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote38' id="footnote38"></a>Nos. 40, 42, 47.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag39'>[39]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote39' id="footnote39"></a>No. 68.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag40'>[40]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote40' id="footnote40"></a><a href=
+      '#number8'>No. 8.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag41'>[41]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote41' id="footnote41"></a><a href=
+      '#number6'>No. 6.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag42'>[42]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote42' id="footnote42"></a>No. 87.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+  <hr class="full" />
+
+  <p><a name='thepreface' id="thepreface"></a></p>
+
+  <h2><a class="pagenum" name='page1' title='1' id=
+  "page1"></a><a class="pagenum" name='page2' title='2' id=
+  "page2"></a> <a class="pagenum" name='page3' title='3' id=
+  "page3"></a>The <i>Preface</i>.<a name='fntag43' id=
+  "fntag43"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote43'><sup>43</sup></a></h2>
+
+  <p>In the last <i>Tatler</i> I promised some explanation of
+  passages and persons mentioned in this work, as well as some
+  account of the assistances I have had in the performance. I shall
+  do this in very few words; for when a man has no design but to
+  speak plain truth, he may say a great deal in a very narrow
+  compass. I have in the dedication of the first volume made my
+  acknowledgments to Dr. Swift, whose pleasant writings, in the
+  name of Bickerstaff, created an inclination in the town towards
+  anything that could appear in the same disguise. I must
+  acknowledge also, that at my first entering upon this work, a
+  certain uncommon way of thinking, and a turn in conversation
+  peculiar to that agreeable gentleman, rendered his company very
+  advantageous to one whose imagination was to be continually
+  employed upon obvious and common subjects, though at the same
+  time obliged to treat of them in a new and unbeaten method. His
+  verses on the Shower in Town,<a name='fntag44' id=
+  "fntag44"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote44'><sup>44</sup></a>
+  and the Description of the Morning,<a name='fntag45' id=
+  "fntag45"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote45'><sup>45</sup></a>
+  are instances of the happiness of that genius, which could raise
+  such pleasing ideas upon occasions so barren to an ordinary
+  invention.</p>
+
+  <p>When I am upon the house of Bickerstaff, I must not forget
+  that genealogy of the family sent to me by the post, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page5' title='5' id="page5"></a>and written, as I
+  since understand, by Mr. Twysden,<a name='fntag46' id=
+  "fntag46"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote46'><sup>46</sup></a>
+  who died at the battle of Mons, and has a monument in Westminster
+  Abbey, suitable to the respect which is due to his wit and his
+  valour. There are through the course of the work very many
+  incidents which were written by unknown correspondents. Of this
+  kind is the tale in the second <i>Tatler</i>, and the epistle
+  from Mr. Downes the prompter,<a name='fntag47' id=
+  "fntag47"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote47'><sup>47</sup></a>
+  with others which were very well received by the public. But I
+  have only one gentleman,<a name='fntag48' id=
+  "fntag48"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote48'><sup>48</sup></a>
+  who will be nameless, to thank for any frequent assistance to me,
+  which indeed it would have been barbarous in him to have denied
+  to one with whom he has lived in an intimacy from childhood,
+  considering the great ease with which he is able to dispatch 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.</p>
+
+  <p>The same hand writ the distinguishing characters of men and
+  women under the names of Musical Instruments, the Distress of the
+  News-writers, the Inventory of the Playhouse, and the Description
+  of the Thermometer,<a name='fntag49' id="fntag49"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote49'><sup>49</sup></a> which I cannot but look
+  upon as the greatest embellishments of this work.</p>
+
+  <p>Thus far I thought necessary to say relating to the great
+  hands which have been concerned in these volumes, with relation
+  to the spirit and genius of the work; and am far from pretending
+  to modesty in making this acknowledgment. What a man obtains from
+  the good opinion and friendship of worthy men, is a much greater
+  honour than he can possibly reap from any accomplishments
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page6' title='6' id="page6"></a>of his
+  own. But all the credit of wit which was given me by the
+  gentlemen above mentioned (with whom I have now accounted) has
+  not been able to atone for the exceptions made against me for
+  some raillery in behalf of that learned advocate for the
+  episcopacy of the Church, and the liberty of the people, Mr.
+  Hoadly. I mention this only to defend myself against the
+  imputation of being moved rather by party than opinion;<a name=
+  'fntag50' id="fntag50"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote50'><sup>50</sup></a> and I think it is apparent, I
+  have with the utmost frankness allowed merit wherever I found it,
+  though joined in interests different from those for which I have
+  declared myself. When my Favonius<a name='fntag51' id=
+  "fntag51"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote51'><sup>51</sup></a>
+  is acknowledged to be Dr. Smalridge, and the amiable character of
+  the dean in the sixty-sixth <i>Tatler</i> drawn for Dr.
+  Atterbury, I hope I need say no more as to my impartiality.</p>
+
+  <p>I really have acted in these cases with honesty, and am
+  concerned it should be thought otherwise: for wit, if a man had
+  it, unless it be directed to some useful end, is but a wanton
+  frivolous quality; all that one should value himself upon in this
+  kind is, that he had some honourable intention in it.</p>
+
+  <p>As for this point, never hero in romance was carried away with
+  a more furious ambition to conquer giants and tyrants, than I
+  have been in extirpating gamesters and duellists. And indeed,
+  like one of those knights too, though I was calm before, I am apt
+  to fly out again, when the thing that first disturbed me is
+  presented to my imagination. I shall therefore leave off when I
+  am well, and fight with windmills no more: only shall be so
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page7' title='7' id="page7"></a>arrogant
+  as to say of myself, that in spite of all the force of fashion
+  and prejudice, in the face of all the world, I alone bewailed the
+  condition of an English gentleman, whose fortune and life are at
+  this day precarious; while his estate is liable to the demands of
+  gamesters, through a false sense of justice; and to the demands
+  of duellists, through a false sense of honour. As to the first of
+  these orders of men, I have not one word more to say of them: as
+  to the latter, I shall conclude all I have more to offer against
+  them (with respect to their being prompted by the fear of shame)
+  by applying to the duellist what I think Dr. South says somewhere
+  of the liar, "He is a coward to man, and a brave to God."</p>
+
+  <div class="footnotes">
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag43'>[43]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote43' id="footnote43"></a>This Preface was
+      originally prefixed to the fourth volume of the collected
+      edition issued in 1710-11.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag44'>[44]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote44' id="footnote44"></a>No. 238.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag45'>[45]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote45' id="footnote45"></a><a href=
+      '#number9'>No. 9.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag46'>[46]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote46' id="footnote46"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number11'>No. 11.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag47'>[47]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote47' id="footnote47"></a>No. 193.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag48'>[48]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote48' id="footnote48"></a>Addison.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag49'>[49]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote49' id="footnote49"></a>Nos. 153, <a href="#number18">18</a>, <a href=
+      "#number42">42</a>, 220.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag50'>[50]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote50' id="footnote50"></a>Benjamin Hoadly,
+      afterwards Bishop of Bangor, Salisbury, and Winchester,
+      successively, was in 1709 engaged in controversy with Dr.
+      Francis Atterbury, who represented the high-church party.
+      George Smalridge, afterwards Bishop of Bristol, was a
+      Jacobite.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag51'>[51]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote51' id="footnote51"></a>See Nos. 72, 114.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+  <hr class="full" />
+
+  <h2><a name="dedication" id="dedication"></a> <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page8' title='8' id="page8"></a><i>To</i> Mr.
+  Maynwaring.<a name='fntag52' id="fntag52"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote52'><sup>52</sup></a></h2>
+
+  <p>SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>The state of conversation and business in this town having
+  been long perplexed with pretenders in both kinds, in order to
+  open men's eyes against such abuses, it appeared no unprofitable
+  undertaking to publish a paper which should observe upon the
+  manners of the pleasureable, as well as the busy part of mankind.
+  To make this generally read, it seemed the most proper method to
+  form it by way of a letter of intelligence, consisting of such
+  parts as might gratify the curiosity of persons of all
+  conditions, and of each sex. But a work of this nature <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page9' title='9' id="page9"></a>requiring time to
+  grow into the notice of the world, it happened very luckily, that
+  a little before I had resolved upon this design, a
+  gentleman<a name='fntag53' id="fntag53"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote53'><sup>53</sup></a> had written Predictions, and two
+  or three other pieces in my name, which had rendered it famous
+  through all parts of Europe; and by an inimitable spirit and
+  humour, raised it to as high a pitch of reputation as it could
+  possibly arrive at.</p>
+
+  <p>By this good fortune, the name of Isaac Bickerstaff gained an
+  audience of all who had any taste of wit, and the addition of the
+  ordinary occurrences of common journals of news brought in a
+  multitude of other readers. I could not, I confess, long keep up
+  the opinion of the town, that these lucubrations were written by
+  the same hand with the first works which were published under my
+  name; but before I lost the participation of that author's fame,
+  I had already found the advantage of his authority, to which I
+  owe the sudden acceptance which my labours met with in the
+  world.</p>
+
+  <p>The general purpose of this paper, is to expose the false arts
+  of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and
+  affectation, and recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our
+  discourse, and our behaviour. No man has a better judgment for
+  the discovery, or a nobler spirit for the contempt of such
+  impostures, than your self; which qualities render you the most
+  proper patron for the author of these essays. In the general, the
+  design, however <a class="pagenum" name='page10' title='10' id=
+  "page10"></a>executed, has met with so great success, that there
+  is hardly a name now eminent among us for power, wit, beauty,
+  valour, or wisdom, which is not subscribed, for the encouragement
+  of the two volumes in octavo, on a royal or medium paper.<a name=
+  'fntag54' id="fntag54"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote54'><sup>54</sup></a> This is indeed an honour, for
+  which it is impossible to express a suitable gratitude; and there
+  is nothing could be an addition to the pleasure I take in it, but
+  the reflection that it gives me the most conspicuous occasion I
+  can ever have, of subscribing myself,</p>
+
+  <p>Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>Your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.</p>
+
+  <div class="footnotes">
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag52'>[52]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote52' id="footnote52"></a>Arthur Maynwaring
+      was descended from the ancient family of the Maynwarings of
+      Over Peover, Cheshire. He was born in 1668, at Ightfield,
+      Shropshire, and was educated at the Shrewsbury Grammar School
+      and at Christ Church, Oxford, where Smalridge was his tutor.
+      Filled with prejudices against the Revolution, he came to
+      London to study law, but a political satire which he
+      published brought him under Dryden's notice, and the kind
+      reception given him by several Whig statesmen, to whom he was
+      introduced, caused him to change his views on politics, and
+      after his father's death in 1693 he gave up the law and
+      determined to push his fortunes at the Court. He was made a
+      Commissioner of Customs and afterwards Auditor of the
+      Imprests. He was admitted to the Kit-Cat Club, and in 1706
+      the interest of Godolphin procured him a seat in the House of
+      Commons. Upon the fall of the Whig ministry in 1710,
+      Maynwaring set up the <i>Medley</i>, a weekly paper in which
+      the attacks of the <i>Examiner</i> were answered, and wrote
+      various political pamphlets. But his health soon broke down,
+      and he died in November, 1712. Mrs. Oldfield, the actress,
+      was the sole executrix of his will, by which he divided his
+      small property of some £3000 between her, a son that he had
+      by her, and his sister. There appear to have been many good
+      points in his character. His "Life and Posthumous Works" were
+      published by Oldmixon in 1715. "Maynwaring, whom we hear
+      nothing of now, was the ruling man in all conversations,
+      indeed what he wrote had very little merit in it" (Pope, in
+      Spence's "Anecdotes," 1820, p. 338). Steele says that Harley
+      told him that he had to thank Maynwaring for his post of
+      Gazetteer.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag53'>[53]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote53' id="footnote53"></a>Swift.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag54'>[54]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote54' id="footnote54"></a>"Encouragement of
+      these volumes," in the octavo edition. The list of
+      subscribers to the original octavo edition comprised the
+      names of some four hundred of the most prominent persons of
+      the day.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+  <hr class="full" />
+
+  <h1><a class="pagenum" name='page11' title='11' id=
+  "page11"></a>THE TATLER</h1>
+
+  <h3>BY ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, ESQ.</h3>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number1' id="number1"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 1.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3><i>Tuesday, April 12</i>, 1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line right">
+        Juv., Sat. I. 85, 86.<a name='fntag55' id=
+        "fntag55"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote55'><sup>55</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>Though the other papers which are published for the use of the
+  good people of England have certainly very wholesome effects, and
+  are laudable in their particular kinds, yet they do not seem to
+  come up to the main design of such narrations, which, I humbly
+  presume, should be principally intended for the use of politic
+  persons, who are so public spirited as to neglect their own
+  affairs to look into transactions of State. Now these gentlemen,
+  for the most part, being men of strong zeal and weak intellects,
+  it is both a charitable and necessary work to offer something,
+  whereby such worthy and well-affected members of the commonwealth
+  may be instructed, after their reading, what to think; which
+  shall be the end and purpose of this my paper: wherein I shall
+  from time to time report and consider all matters of what kind
+  soever that shall occur to me, and publish such my advices and
+  reflections every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page12' title='12' id="page12"></a>the week for
+  the convenience of the post.<a name='fntag56' id=
+  "fntag56"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote56'><sup>56</sup></a>
+  I have also resolved to have something which may be of
+  entertainment to the fair sex, in honour of whom I have taken the
+  title of this paper. I therefore earnestly desire all persons,
+  without distinction, to take it in for the present gratis, and
+  hereafter at the price of one penny, forbidding all hawkers to
+  take more for it at their peril. And I desire my readers to
+  consider, that I am at a very great charge for proper materials
+  for this work, as well as that before I resolved upon it, I had
+  settled a correspondence in all parts of the known and knowing
+  world. And forasmuch as this globe is not trodden upon by mere
+  drudges of business only, but that men of spirit and genius are
+  justly to be esteemed as considerable agents in it, we shall not,
+  upon a dearth of news, present you with musty foreign edicts, or
+  dull proclamations, but shall divide our relation of the passages
+  which occur in action or discourse throughout this town, as well
+  as elsewhere, under such dates of places as may prepare you for
+  the matter you are to expect, in the following manner:</p>
+
+  <p>All accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment, shall
+  be under the article of White's Chocolate-house;<a name='fntag57'
+  id="fntag57"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote57'><sup>57</sup></a> poetry, under that of Will's
+  Coffee-house;<a name='fntag58' id="fntag58"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote58'><sup>58</sup></a> learning, <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page13' title='13' id="page13"></a>under the title of
+  Grecian;<a name='fntag59' id="fntag59"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote59'><sup>59</sup></a> foreign and domestic news, you
+  will have from St. James's Coffee-house;<a name='fntag60' id=
+  "fntag60"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote60'><sup>60</sup></a>
+  and what else I shall on any other subject offer, shall be dated
+  from my own apartment.</p>
+
+  <p>I once more desire my readers to consider that as I cannot
+  keep an ingenious man to go daily to Will's under twopence each
+  day merely for his charges,<a name='fntag61' id=
+  "fntag61"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote61'><sup>61</sup></a>
+  to White's under sixpence, nor to the Grecian without allowing
+  him some plain Spanish,<a name='fntag62' id=
+  "fntag62"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote62'><sup>62</sup></a>
+  to be as able as others at the learned table; and that a good
+  observer cannot speak with even Kidney<a name='fntag63' id=
+  "fntag63"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote63'><sup>63</sup></a>
+  at St. James's without clean linen; I say, these considerations
+  will, I hope, make all persons willing to comply with my humble
+  request (when my gratis stock is exhausted) of a penny a piece;
+  especially since they are sure of some proper amusement, and that
+  it is impossible <a class="pagenum" name='page14' title='14' id=
+  "page14"></a>for me to want means to entertain them, having,
+  besides the helps of my own parts, the power of divination, and
+  that I can, by casting a figure, tell you all that will happen
+  before it comes to pass.</p>
+
+  <p>But this last faculty I shall use very sparingly, and not
+  speak of anything until it is passed, for fear of divulging
+  matters which may offend our superiors.<a name='fntag64' id=
+  "fntag64"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote64'><sup>64</sup></a></p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, April 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>The deplorable condition of a very pretty gentleman, who walks
+  here at the hours when men of quality first appear, is what is
+  very much lamented. His history is, that on the 9th of September,
+  1705, being in his one and twentieth year, he was washing his
+  teeth at a tavern window in Pall Mall, when a fine equipage
+  passed by, and in it a young lady, who looked up at him; away
+  goes the coach, and the young gentleman pulled off his nightcap,
+  and instead of rubbing his gums, as he ought to do out of the
+  window till about four o'clock, he sits him down, and spoke not a
+  word till twelve at night; after which, he began to inquire, if
+  anybody knew the lady. The company asked, "What lady?" But he
+  said no more until they broke up at six in the morning. All the
+  ensuing winter he went from church to church every Sunday, and
+  from play-house to play-house all the week, but could never find
+  the original of the picture which dwelt in his bosom. In a word,
+  his attention to anything but his passion, was utterly gone. He
+  has lost all the money he ever played for, and been confuted in
+  every argument he has entered upon since the moment he first saw
+  her. He is of a noble family, has naturally a very good air, and
+  is of a frank, honest temper: but this <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page15' title='15' id="page15"></a>passion has so extremely
+  mauled him, that his features are set and uninformed, and his
+  whole visage is deadened by a long absence of thought. He never
+  appears in any alacrity, but when raised by wine; at which time
+  he is sure to come hither, and throw away a great deal of wit on
+  fellows, who have no sense further than just to observe, that our
+  poor lover has most understanding when he is drunk, and is least
+  in his senses when he is sober.<a name='fntag65' id=
+  "fntag65"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote65'><sup>65</sup></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 8.</h3>
+
+  <p>On Thursday last<a name='fntag66' id="fntag66"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote66'><sup>66</sup></a> was presented, for the
+  benefit of Mr. Betterton,<a name='fntag67' id=
+  "fntag67"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote67'><sup>67</sup></a>
+  the celebrated comedy, called "Love for Love."<a name='fntag68'
+  id="fntag68"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote68'><sup>68</sup></a> Those excellent players, Mrs.
+  Barry,<a name='fntag69' id="fntag69"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote69'><sup>69</sup></a> Mrs. <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page16' title='16' id="page16"></a>Bracegirdle,<a name='fntag70'
+  id="fntag70"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote70'><sup>70</sup></a> and Mr. Doggett,<a name='fntag71'
+  id="fntag71"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote71'><sup>71</sup></a> though not at present concerned
+  in the house, acted on that occasion. There has not been known so
+  great a concourse of persons of distinction as at that time; the
+  stage itself was covered with gentlemen and ladies, and when the
+  curtain was <a class="pagenum" name='page17' title='17' id=
+  "page17"></a>drawn, it discovered even there a very splendid
+  audience. This unusual encouragement, which was given to a play
+  for the advantage of so great an actor, gives an undeniable
+  instance, that the true relish for manly entertainments and
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page18' title='18' id=
+  "page18"></a>rational pleasures is not wholly lost. All the parts
+  were acted to perfection; the actors were careful of their
+  carriage, and no one was guilty of the affectation to insert
+  witticisms of his own, but a due respect was had to the audience,
+  for encouraging this accomplished player. It is not now doubted
+  but plays will revive, and take their usual place in the opinion
+  of persons of wit and merit, notwithstanding their late apostacy
+  in favour of dress and sound. This place is very much altered
+  since Mr. Dryden frequented it; where you used to see songs,
+  epigrams, and satires in the hands of every man you met, you have
+  now only a pack of cards; and instead of the cavils about the
+  turn of the expression, the elegance of the style, and the like,
+  the learned now dispute only about the truth of the game. But,
+  however the company is altered, all have shown a great respect
+  for Mr. Betterton: and the very gaming part of this house have
+  been so much touched with a sense of the uncertainty of human
+  affairs (which alter with themselves every moment) that in this
+  gentleman, they pitied Mark Antony of Rome, Hamlet of Denmark,
+  Mithridates of Pontus, Theodosius of Greece, and Henry the Eighth
+  of England. It is well known he has been in the condition of each
+  of those illustrious personages for several hours together, and
+  behaved himself in those high stations, in all the changes of the
+  scene, with suitable dignity. For these reasons, we intend to
+  repeat this favour to him on a proper occasion, lest he who can
+  instruct us so well in personating feigned sorrows, should be
+  lost to us by suffering under real ones. The town is at present
+  in very great expectation of seeing a comedy now in rehearsal,
+  which is the twenty-fifth production of my honoured friend Mr.
+  Thomas D'Urfey;<a name='fntag72' id="fntag72"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote72'><sup>72</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page19' title='19' id="page19"></a>who, besides his great
+  abilities in the dramatic, has a peculiar talent in the lyric way
+  of writing, and that with a manner wholly new and unknown to the
+  ancient Greeks and Romans, wherein he is but faintly imitated in
+  the translations of the modern Italian operas.<a name='fntag73'
+  id="fntag73"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote73'><sup>73</sup></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 16th say, that Major-General
+  Cadogan<a name='fntag74' id="fntag74"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote74'><sup>74</sup></a> was gone to Brussels, with orders
+  to disperse proper instructions for assembling the whole force of
+  the allies in Flanders in the beginning of the next
+  month.<a name='fntag75' id="fntag75"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote75'><sup>75</sup></a> The late offers concerning peace
+  were made in the style of persons who think themselves upon equal
+  terms. But the allies have so just a sense of their present
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page20' title='20' id=
+  "page20"></a>advantages, that they will not admit of a treaty,
+  except France offers what is more suitable to her present
+  condition. At the same time we make preparations, as if we were
+  alarmed by a greater force than that which we are carrying into
+  the field. Thus this point seems now to be argued sword in hand.
+  This was what a great general<a name='fntag76' id=
+  "fntag76"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote76'><sup>76</sup></a>
+  alluded to, when being asked the names of those who were to be
+  plenipotentiaries for the ensuing peace, answered, with a serious
+  air, "There are about a hundred thousand of us." Mr. Kidney, who
+  has the ear of the greatest politicians that come hither, tells
+  me, there is a mail come in to-day with letters, dated Hague,
+  April 19, N.S., which say, a design of bringing part of our
+  troops into the field at the latter end of this month, is now
+  altered to a resolution of marching towards the camp about the
+  20th of the next. There happened the other day, in the road of
+  Scheveling, an engagement between a privateer of Zealand and one
+  of Dunkirk. The Dunkirker, carrying 33 pieces of cannon, was
+  taken and brought into the Texel. It is said, the courier of
+  Monsieur Rouillé<a name='fntag77' id="fntag77"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote77'><sup>77</sup></a> is returned to him from the
+  Court of France. Monsieur Vendôme being reinstated in the favour
+  of the Duchess of Burgundy, is to command in Flanders.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Kidney added, that there were letters of the 17th from
+  Ghent, which give an account, that the enemy had formed a design
+  to surprise two battalions of the allies which lay at Alost; but
+  those battalions received advice of their march, and retired to
+  Dendermond. Lieutenant-General Wood<a name='fntag78' id=
+  "fntag78"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote78'><sup>78</sup></a>
+  appeared on this occasion at the head of <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page21' title='21' id="page21"></a>5000 foot, and 1000 horse,
+  upon which the enemy withdrew, without making any further
+  attempt.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment.</h3>
+
+  <p>I am sorry I am obliged to trouble the public with so much
+  discourse upon a matter which I at the very first mentioned as a
+  trifle&#8212;viz. the death of Mr. Partridge,<a name='fntag79'
+  id="fntag79"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote79'><sup>79</sup></a> under whose name there is an
+  almanack come out for the year 1709, in one page of which it is
+  asserted by the said John Partridge, that he is still living, and
+  that not only so, but that he was also living some time before,
+  and even at the instant when I writ of his death. I have in
+  another place, and in a paper by itself, sufficiently convinced
+  this man that he is dead, and if he has any shame, I don't doubt
+  but that by this time he owns it to all his acquaintance: for
+  though the legs and arms, and whole body of that man may still
+  appear and perform their animal functions; yet since, as I have
+  elsewhere observed, his art is gone, the man is gone. I am, as I
+  said, concerned, that this little matter should make so much
+  noise; but since I am engaged, I take myself obliged in honour to
+  go on in my lucubrations, and by the help of these arts of which
+  I am master, as well as my skill in astrological speculations, I
+  shall, as I see occasion, proceed to confute other dead men, who
+  pretend to be in being, that they are actually deceased. I
+  therefore give all men fair warning to mend their manners, for I
+  shall from time to time print bills of mortality; and I beg the
+  pardon of all such who shall be named therein, if they who are
+  good for nothing shall find themselves in the number of the
+  deceased.<a name='fntag80' id="fntag80"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote80'><sup>80</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag55'>[55]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote55' id="footnote55"></a>This motto was
+      repeated at the head of each of the first 40 numbers in the
+      folio issue.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag56'>[56]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote56' id="footnote56"></a>These were the
+      days on which the post left London for the different parts of
+      the country.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag57'>[57]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote57' id="footnote57"></a>White's
+      Chocolate-house, five doors from the bottom of the west side
+      of St. James's Street, was established in 1698. It was burnt
+      on April 28, 1733, while kept by Mr. Arthur. Plate VI. of
+      Hogarth's "Rake's Progress" depicts gamblers engrossed in
+      play in a room in this house during the fire; see also Plate
+      IV. Swift gives it a bad character in his "Essay on Modern
+      Education;" it had a strong character for gambling (Timbs's
+      "Clubs and Club Life in London," where, at p. 48, there is a
+      sketch of White's from an old drawing). The house became a
+      private club, as we now have it, about 1736.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag58'>[58]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote58' id="footnote58"></a>Will's
+      Coffee-house, named after Will Urwin, its proprietor, was the
+      corner house on the north side of Russell Street, Covent
+      Garden, at the end of Bow Street. The present house, 21
+      Russell Street, is probably part of the old building. Will's
+      was ceasing to be the resort of the wits in 1709; it was in
+      its glory at the close of the seventeenth century. The wits'
+      room, where Dryden presided, was on the first floor.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag59'>[59]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote59' id="footnote59"></a>The Grecian, in
+      Devereux Court in the Strand, was probably the most ancient
+      coffee-house in or about London. In 1652 an English Turkey
+      merchant brought home with him a Greek servant, who first
+      opened a house for making and selling coffee. This man's name
+      was Constantine, and his house was much resorted to by
+      lawyers, Greek scholars, and Members of the Royal Society.
+      (See Thoresby's Diary, i. 111, 117.) Foote and Goldsmith
+      afterwards frequented it. In Dr. King's "Anecdotes" there is
+      a story of two gentlemen friends who disputed at the Grecian
+      Coffee-house about the accent of a Greek word to such a
+      length that they went out into Devereux Court and drew
+      swords, when one of them was killed on the spot.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag60'>[60]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote60' id="footnote60"></a>The St. James's
+      Coffee-house was the last house but one on the S.W. corner of
+      St. James's Street. It was frequented by Whig statesmen, and
+      was closed about 1806. Swift and Steele were at a supper
+      given by the keeper on the 19th November, 1710.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag61'>[61]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote61' id="footnote61"></a>Cf. the
+      <i>Spectator</i>, No. 31: "Laying down my penny upon the
+      bar."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag62'>[62]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote62' id="footnote62"></a>Wine.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag63'>[63]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote63' id="footnote63"></a>A waiter. See
+      Nos. <a href="#number10">10</a>, <a href=
+      "#number26">26</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag64'>[64]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote64' id="footnote64"></a>This introduction
+      was repeated in Nos. <a href="#number2">2</a> and <a href=
+      "#number3">3</a> of the original issue.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag65'>[65]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote65' id="footnote65"></a>"The reader is
+      desired to take notice of the article from this place from
+      time to time, for I design to be very exact in the progress
+      this unhappy gentleman makes, which may be of great
+      instruction to all who actually are, or who ever shall be, in
+      love." (Original folio.) For Viscount Hinchinbroke
+      ("Cynthio"), see <a href='#number5'>No. 5.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag66'>[66]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote66' id="footnote66"></a>April 7, 1709.
+      Cibber acknowledges that Steele did the stage very
+      considerable service by the papers on the theatre in the
+      <i>Tatler</i>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag67'>[67]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote67' id="footnote67"></a>For further
+      particulars of Thomas Betterton (1635-1710), see Nos.
+      71 and 167.
+      Cibber says: "I never heard a line in tragedy come from
+      Betterton wherein my judgment, my ear and my imagination were
+      not fully satisfied.... The person of this excellent actor
+      was suitable to his voice, more manly than sweet, not
+      exceeding the middle stature, inclining to be corpulent; of a
+      serious and penetrating aspect; his limbs nearer the athletic
+      than the delicate proportion; yet, however formed, there
+      arose from the harmony of the whole a commanding mien of
+      majesty."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag68'>[68]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote68' id="footnote68"></a>By Congreve,
+      1695.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag69'>[69]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote69' id="footnote69"></a>Mrs. Elizabeth
+      Barry on this occasion spoke an epilogue, written by Rowe.
+      She was the daughter of Edward Barry, barrister, whose
+      fortunes were ruined by his attachment to Charles I. Tony
+      Aston, in his "Supplement to Cibber's Apology," says she was
+      woman to Lady Shelton, of Norfolk, his godmother; and Curll
+      tells us that she was early taken under the protection of
+      Lady Davenant. She was certainly on the stage in 1673. At her
+      first appearance there was so little hope of her success,
+      that at the end of the season she was discharged [from] the
+      theatre. It is probable that at this time she became
+      acquainted with Lord Rochester, who took her under his
+      protection, and gave her instructions in her theatrical
+      performances. By his interest she seems to have been restored
+      to the stage, and, improving daily in her profession, she
+      soon eclipsed all her competitors, and in the part of Monimia
+      in "The Orphan" established her reputation, which was
+      enhanced by her performance as Belvidera in "Venice
+      Preserved," and as Isabella in "The Fatal Marriage." "In
+      characters of greatness," says Cibber, "Mrs. Barry had a
+      presence of elevated dignity, her mien and motion superb, and
+      gracefully majestic; her voice full, clear, and strong, so
+      that no violence of passion could be too much for her, and
+      when distress or tenderness possessed her she subsided into
+      the most affecting melody and softness. In the art of
+      exciting pity she had a power beyond all the actresses I have
+      yet seen, or what your imagination can conceive. In scenes of
+      anger, defiance, or resentment, while she was impetuous and
+      terrible, she poured out the sentiment with an enchanting
+      harmony.... In tragedy she was solemn and august, in comedy
+      alert, easy, and genteel, pleasant in her face and action,
+      filling the stage with a variety of gesture. She could
+      neither sing nor dance, no not in a country dance. She
+      adhered to Betterton in all the revolutions of the theatre,
+      which she quitted about 1707, on account of ill-health." She
+      returned, however, for one night with Mrs. Bracegirdle, April
+      7, 1709, and performed Mrs. Frail in "Love for Love" for
+      Betterton's benefit. She died at Acton in 1713. Mrs. Barry,
+      Mrs. Bracegirdle, Mr. Betterton, and Mr. Varbriggen were
+      sworn as Comedians in Ordinary to her Majesty, 30th Oct., 2
+      Anne (1703). On the 3rd March, 1692, Mrs. Barry received £25
+      for acting in "The Orphan" before their Majesties, and on the
+      10th June, 1693, £25 for Caius Marius. (Lord Chamberlain's
+      Records, Warrant Books, No. 20, p. 151; No. 18, pp. 30,
+      242.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag70'>[70]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote70' id="footnote70"></a>Mrs. Anne
+      Bracegirdle was the daughter of Justinian Bracegirdle, of
+      Northamptonshire. By the imprudence of her father, who ruined
+      himself by becoming surety for some friends, she was early
+      left to the care of Betterton and his wife, whose attentions
+      to her she always acknowledged to be truly paternal. By them
+      she was first introduced to the stage, and, while very young,
+      performed the page in "The Orphan." Increasing in years, and
+      in ability, she became the favourite performer of the times.
+      Cibber describes her in these terms: "Mrs. Bracegirdle was
+      now but just blooming in her maturity; her reputation, as an
+      actress, gradually rising with that of her person; never any
+      woman was in such general favour of her spectators, which, to
+      the last scene of her dramatic life, she maintained by not
+      being unguarded in her private character. This discretion
+      contributed not a little to make her the <i>Cara</i>, the
+      darling of the theatre: for it will be no extravagant thing
+      to say scarce an audience saw her that were less than half of
+      them lovers, without a suspected favourite among them: and
+      though she might be said to have been the universal passion
+      and under the highest temptations, her constancy in resisting
+      them served but to increase the number of her admirers. And
+      this perhaps you will more easily believe, when I extend not
+      my encomiums on her person beyond a sincerity that can be
+      suspected; for she had no greater claim to beauty than what
+      the most desirable brunette might pretend to. But her youth
+      and lively aspect threw out such a glow of health and
+      cheerfulness, that, on the stage, few spectators that were
+      not past it, could behold her without desire. There were two
+      very different characters in which she acquitted herself with
+      uncommon applause: if anything could excuse that desperate
+      extravagance of love, that almost frantic passion of Lee's
+      Alexander the Great, it must have been when Mrs. Bracegirdle
+      was his Statira: as when she acted Millamant, all the faults,
+      follies, and affectation of that agreeable tyrant were
+      venially melted down into so many charms and attractions of a
+      conscious beauty." In the theatrical disputes of the times,
+      she adhered to her benefactor Betterton, and continued to
+      perform with applause until 1707, when, on the preference
+      being given to Mrs. Oldfield in a contention between that
+      actress and Mrs. Bracegirdle, she left the stage, except for
+      one night, when she returned with Mrs. Barry to the theatre,
+      and performed Angelica for Betterton's benefit (the
+      performance described in this number). She died in 1748.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag71'>[71]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote71' id="footnote71"></a>Thomas Doggett
+      died in 1721. In 1695 he created the character of Ben in
+      Congreve's "Love for Love." Afterwards he was associated with
+      Steele in the management of Drury Lane Theatre.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag72'>[72]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote72' id="footnote72"></a>D'Urfey's "Modern
+      Prophets" was produced in 1709. Thomas D'Urfey died in 1723,
+      aged 70, leaving Steele a watch and chain, which his friend
+      wore at the funeral. He wrote many plays and songs. See also
+      Nos. <a href="#number11">11</a>, <a href=
+      "#number43">43</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag73'>[73]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote73' id="footnote73"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number4'>No. 4.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag74'>[74]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote74' id="footnote74"></a>William, First
+      Earl Cadogan (1675-1726), was an able officer who took a very
+      prominent part in Marlborough's campaigns. In January, 1709,
+      he was made lieutenant-general, and he was dangerously
+      wounded at the siege of Mons. He was appointed Lieutenant of
+      the Tower of London in December.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag75'>[75]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote75' id="footnote75"></a>The
+      news-paragraphs in the earlier numbers of the <i>Tatler</i>
+      are here preserved for the sake of completeness, but for the
+      most part the details recorded are not of permanent interest,
+      and do not call for comment. The reader may be reminded
+      generally that in the spring of 1709 the French, after the
+      battle of Oudenarde and the fall of Lille, followed by a very
+      severe winter, were driven to think of terms of peace. The
+      negotiations, however, fell through for the time, and the
+      campaign was begun in the Netherlands, where Marlborough and
+      Prince Eugene had an army of 110,000 men. The French were
+      entrenched under Villars between Douay and Béthune, and were
+      strengthened by part of the garrison of Tournay. Marlborough
+      seized the opportunity of attacking the half-defended town,
+      which was obliged to surrender on July 29, after a siege of
+      nineteen days. The French then made a great effort, and
+      brought an army of 100,000 men into the field, with the
+      result that the battle of Malplaquet (Sept. 11) was a very
+      bloody and hard-earned victory for the allies. The subsequent
+      fall of Mons brought the campaign to a close.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag76'>[76]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote76' id="footnote76"></a>Marlborough.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag77'>[77]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote77' id="footnote77"></a>A merchant
+      entrusted by Lewis XIV. to negotiate terms of peace with the
+      Dutch.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag78'>[78]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote78' id="footnote78"></a>General Wood
+      played a distinguished part in the battles of Donauwerth
+      (1704) and Ramilies (1706).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag79'>[79]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote79' id="footnote79"></a>See the
+      Introduction.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag80'>[80]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote80' id="footnote80"></a>"A Vindication of
+      Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., against what is objected to him by
+      Mr. Partridge in his Almanack for the present year 1709. By
+      the said Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., London, printed in the year
+      1709." (Advertisement in folio issue.) In a pamphlet called
+      "Predictions for the Year 1712. By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.;
+      in a Letter to the author of the Oxford Almanack. Printed in
+      the year 1712," this "Vindication" is thus noticed: "I can't
+      but express my resentment against a gentleman who personated
+      me in a paper called 'Mr. Bickerstaff's Vindication.' I'm
+      grieved to find the times should be so very wicked, that one
+      impostor should set up to reform another, and that a false
+      Bickerstaff should write against an imaginary Partridge. And
+      I am heartily concerned that one who shows so much wit, such
+      extreme civility, and writes such a gentlemanlike style,
+      should prefix my name to writings in which there appears so
+      little solidity and no knowledge of the Arabian philosophy.
+      If this paper should be transmitted to posterity (as,
+      perhaps, it might have been by the authority of the name it
+      wears in the front) it might have been a lasting reflection
+      upon me to the end of the world.... Till seeing four volumes
+      of writings&#8212;the collected edition of the
+      <i>Tatler</i>&#8212;pretended to be mine, and a serious
+      philosopher's name prefixed to papers as free from my
+      solidity as they are full of wit, I thought it high time to
+      vindicate myself, and give the world a taste of my writings;
+      for I am now persuaded 'twill be more for my reputation to
+      convince than to despise mankind."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number2' id="number2"></a><a class="pagenum" name=
+    'page22' title='22' id="page22"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 2.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, April 12</i>, to <i>Thursday, April
+    14</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>There has lain all this evening, on the table, the following
+  poem. The subject of it being matter very useful for families, I
+  thought it deserved to be considered, and made more public. The
+  turn the poet<a name='fntag81' id="fntag81"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote81'><sup>81</sup></a> gives it is very happy; but
+  the foundation is from a real accident <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page23' title='23' id="page23"></a>which happened among my
+  acquaintance.<a name='fntag82' id="fntag82"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote82'><sup>82</sup></a> A young gentleman of a great
+  estate fell desperately in love with a great beauty of very high
+  quality, but as ill-natured as long flattery and an habitual
+  self-will could make her. However, my young spark ventures upon
+  her, like a man of quality, without being acquainted with her, or
+  having ever saluted her, till it was a crime to kiss any woman
+  else. Beauty is a thing which palls with possession; and the
+  charms of this lady soon wanted the support of good humour and
+  complaisancy of manners. Upon this my spark flies to the bottle
+  for relief from his satiety. She disdains him for being tired
+  with that for which all men envied him; and he never came home,
+  but it was: "Was there no sot that would stay longer? Would any
+  man living but you? Did I leave all the world for this usage?" To
+  which he: "Madam, split me, you are very impertinent!" In a word,
+  this match was wedlock in its most terrible appearances. She, at
+  last weary of railing to no purpose, applies to a good uncle, who
+  gives her a bottle of water. "The virtue of this powerful
+  liquor," said he, "is such, that if the woman you marry proves a
+  scold (which, it seems, my dear niece, is your misfortune, as it
+  was your good mother's before you), let her hold six spoonfuls in
+  her mouth, for a full half hour after you come home&#8212;" But I
+  find I am not in humour for telling a tale, and nothing in nature
+  is so ungrateful as story-telling against the grain, therefore
+  take it as the author has given it you.</p>
+
+  <h3>The MEDECINE.</h3>
+
+  <h4>A Tale&#8212;for the Ladies.</h4>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Miss Molly, a famed toast, was fair and young,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Had wealth and charms, but then she had a tongue
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page24' title='24' id=
+        "page24"></a>From morn to night, the eternal larum run,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Which often lost those hearts her eyes had won.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Sir John was smitten, and confessed his flame,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Sighed out the usual time, then wed the dame:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Possessed he thought of every joy of life,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But his dear Molly proved a very wife.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Excess of fondness did in time decline,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Madam loved money, and the knight loved wine.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From whence some petty discords would arise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        As, "You're a fool"; and, "You are mighty wise!"
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Though he and all the world allowed her wit,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Her voice was shrill, and rather loud than sweet,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        When she began,&#8212;for hat and sword he'd call.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Then, after a faint kiss, cry, "B'y, dear Moll:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Supper and friends expect me at the Rose."<a name='fntag83'
+        id="fntag83"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote83'><sup>83</sup></a>
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And, "What, Sir John, you'll get your usual dose!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Go, stink of smoke, and guzzle nasty wine,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Sure, never virtuous love was used like mine!"
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Oft as the watchful bellman marched his round,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        At a fresh bottle gay Sir John he found.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        By four the knight would get his business done,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And only then reeled off, because alone;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Full well he knew the dreadful storm to come,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But armed with bordeaux, he durst venture home.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        My lady with her tongue was still prepared,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        She rattled loud, and he impatient heard:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        "'Tis a fine hour? In a sweet pickle made!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And this, Sir John, is every day the trade.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Here I sit moping all the live-long night,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Devoured with spleen, and stranger to delight;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page25' title='25' id=
+        "page25"></a>'Till morn sends staggering home a drunken
+        beast,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Resolved to break my heart, as well as rest."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Hey! Hoop! d'ye hear my damned obstreperous spouse!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        What, can't you find one bed about the house!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Will that perpetual clack lie never still!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That rival to the softness of a mill!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Some couch and distant room must be my choice,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Where I may sleep uncursed with wife and noise."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Long this uncomfortable life they led,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        With snarling meals, and each, a separate bed.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To an old uncle oft she would complain,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Beg his advice, and scarce from tears refrain.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Old Wisewood smoked the matter as it was,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        "Cheer up!" cried he, "and I'll remove the cause.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "A wonderous spring within my garden flows,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Of sovereign virtue, chiefly to compose
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Domestic jars, and matrimonial strife,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The best elixir t' appease man and wife;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Strange are th' effects, the qualities divine,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        'Tis water called, but worth its weight in wine.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        If in his sullen airs Sir John should come,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Three spoonfuls take, hold in your mouth&#8212;then mum:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Smile, and look pleased, when he shall rage and scold,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Still in your mouth the healing cordial hold;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        One month this sympathetic medecine tried,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        He'll grow a lover, you a happy bride.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But, dearest niece, keep this grand secret close,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Or every prattling hussy'll beg a dose."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        A water-bottle's brought for her relief,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Not Nantz could sooner ease the lady's grief:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page26' title='26' id=
+        "page26"></a>Her busy thoughts are on the trial bent,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And female-like, impatient for th' event:
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        The bonny knight reels home exceeding clear,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Prepared for clamour, and domestic war.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Entering, he cries, "Hey! where's our thunder fled?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        No hurricane! Betty, 's your lady dead?"
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Madam, aside, an ample mouthful takes,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Curtsies, looks kind, but not a word she speaks:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Wondering, he stared, scarcely his eyes believed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But found his ears agreeably deceived.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        "Why, how now, Molly, what's the crotchet now?"
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        She smiles, and answers only with a bow.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Then clasping her about,&#8212;"Why, let me die!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        These nightclothes, Moll, become thee mightily!"
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        With that, he sighed, her hand began to press,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And Betty calls, her lady to undress;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        "Nay, kiss me, Molly, for I'm much inclined."
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Her lace she cuts, to take him in the mind.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Thus the fond pair to bed enamoured went,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The lady pleased, and the good knight content.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        For many days these fond endearments passed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The reconciling bottle fails at last;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        'Twas used and gone: Then midnight storms arose,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And looks and words the union discompose.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Her coach is ordered, and post-haste she flies,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To beg her uncle for some fresh supplies;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Transported does the strange effects relate,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Her knight's conversion, and her happy state!
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Why, niece," says he, "I prithee apprehend
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The water's water. Be thyself thy friend;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Such beauty would the coldest husband warm,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But your provoking tongue undoes the charm:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page27' title='27' id=
+        "page27"></a>Be silent, and complying; you'll soon find,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Sir John, without a medecine, will be kind."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Venice say, the disappointment of their
+  expectation to see his Danish Majesty, has very much disquieted
+  the Court of Rome. Our last advices from Germany inform us, that
+  the minister of Hanover has urged the council at Ratisbon to
+  exert themselves in behalf of the common cause, and taken the
+  liberty to say, that the dignity, the virtue, the prudence of his
+  electoral highness, his master, were called to the head of their
+  affairs in vain, if they thought fit to leave him naked of the
+  proper means to make those excellences useful for the honour and
+  safety of the Empire. They write from Berlin of the 13th, O.S.,
+  that the true design of General Fleming's visit to that Court
+  was, to insinuate, that it will be for the mutual interest of the
+  King of Prussia and King Augustus to enter into a new alliance;
+  but that the ministers of Prussia are not inclined to his
+  sentiments. We hear from Vienna, that his Imperial Majesty has
+  expressed great satisfaction in their high mightinesses having
+  communicated to him the whole that has passed in the affair of a
+  peace. Though there have been practices used by the agents of
+  France, in all the Courts of Europe, to break the good
+  understanding of the allies, they have had no other effect, but
+  to make all the members concerned in the alliance, more doubtful
+  of their safety from the great offers of the enemy. The Empire is
+  roused by this alarm, and the frontiers of all the French
+  dominions are in danger of being insulted the ensuing campaign:
+  advices from all parts confirm, that it is impossible for France
+  to find a way to obtain so much credit, as to gain any one
+  potentate <a class="pagenum" name='page28' title='28' id=
+  "page28"></a>of the allies, or make any hope for safety from
+  other prospects.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, April 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>I find it of very great use, now I am setting up for a writer
+  of news, that I am an adept in astrological speculations; by
+  which means, I avoid speaking of things which may offend great
+  persons. But at the same time, I must not prostitute the liberal
+  sciences so far, as not to utter the truth in cases which do not
+  immediately concern the good of my native country. I must
+  therefore boldly contradict what has been so assuredly reported
+  by the news-writers of England, that France is in the most
+  deplorable condition, and that their people die in great
+  multitudes. I will therefore let the world know, that my
+  correspondent, by the way of Brussels, informs me, upon his
+  honour, that the gentleman who writes the Gazette of Paris, and
+  ought to know as well as any man, has told him, that ever since
+  the king has been past his 63rd year, or grand climacteric, there
+  has not one man died of the French nation who was younger than
+  his Majesty, except a very few, who were taken suddenly near the
+  village of Hochsted<a name='fntag84' id="fntag84"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote84'><sup>84</sup></a> in Germany; and some
+  more, who were straitened for lodging at a place called Ramilies,
+  and died on the road to Ghent and Bruges. There are also other
+  things given out by the allies, which are shifts below a
+  conquering nation to make use of. Among others, 'tis said, there
+  is a general murmuring among the people of France, though at the
+  same time all my letters agree, that there is so good an
+  understanding among them, that there is not one morsel carried
+  out of any market in the kingdom, but what is delivered upon
+  credit.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag81'>[81]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote81' id="footnote81"></a>William Harrison
+      (1685-1713) was a favourite with Swift and Addison. He wrote
+      verses, and a continuation of the <i>Tatler</i>, and
+      afterwards obtained office in the diplomatic service; but his
+      health soon broke down, and he died when 28.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag82'>[82]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote82' id="footnote82"></a>There is a
+      similar story in Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag83'>[83]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote83' id="footnote83"></a>The Rose Tavern,
+      in Russell Street, adjoined Drury Lane Theatre, and was a
+      favourite resort during and after the play.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag84'>[84]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote84' id="footnote84"></a>The Battle of
+      Blenheim.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page29' title='29' id=
+    "page29"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number3' id="number3"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 3.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, April 14</i>, to <i>Saturday, April
+    16</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 14.</h3>
+
+  <p>This evening, the comedy called "The Country Wife"<a name=
+  'fntag85' id="fntag85"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote85'><sup>85</sup></a> was acted in Drury Lane, for the
+  benefit of Mrs. Bignell.<a name='fntag86' id=
+  "fntag86"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote86'><sup>86</sup></a>
+  The part which gives name to the play was performed by herself.
+  Through the whole action, she made a very pretty figure, and
+  exactly entered into the nature of the part. Her husband in the
+  drama, is represented to be one of those debauchees who run
+  through the vices of the town, and believe when they think fit
+  they can marry, and settle at their ease. His own knowledge of
+  the iniquity of the age, makes him choose a wife wholly ignorant
+  of it, and place his security in her want of skill how to abuse
+  him. The poet, on many occasions, where the propriety of the
+  character will admit of it, insinuates, that there is no defence
+  against vice, but the contempt of it: and has, in the natural
+  ideas of an untainted innocent, shown the gradual steps to ruin
+  and destruction, which <a class="pagenum" name='page30' title=
+  '30' id="page30"></a>persons of condition run into, without the
+  help of a good education how to form their conduct. The torment
+  of a jealous coxcomb, which arises from his own false maxims, and
+  the aggravation of his pain, by the very words in which he sees
+  her innocence, makes a very pleasant and instructive satire. The
+  character of Horner, and the design of it, is a good
+  representation of the age in which that comedy was written; at
+  which time love and wenching were the business of life, and the
+  gallant manner of pursuing women was the best recommendation at
+  Court. To which only it is to be imputed, that a gentleman of Mr.
+  Wycherley's character and sense, condescends to represent the
+  insults done to the honour of the bed, without just reproof; but
+  to have drawn a man of probity with regard to such
+  considerations, had been a monster, and a poet had at that time
+  discovered his want of knowing the manners of the Court he lived
+  in, by a virtuous character in his fine gentleman, as he would
+  show his ignorance, by drawing a vicious one to please the
+  present audience. Mrs. Bignell did her part very happily, and had
+  a certain grace in her rusticity, which gave us hopes of seeing
+  her a very skilful player, and in some parts, supply our loss of
+  Mrs. Verbruggen.<a name='fntag87' id="fntag87"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote87'><sup>87</sup></a> I cannot be <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page31' title='31' id="page31"></a>of the same
+  opinion with my friends and fellow-labourers, the Reformers of
+  Manners,<a name='fntag88' id="fntag88"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote88'><sup>88</sup></a> in their severity towards plays,
+  but must allow that a good play acted before a well-bred
+  audience, must raise very proper incitements to good behaviour,
+  and be the most quick and most prevailing method of giving young
+  people a turn of sense and breeding. But as I have set up for a
+  weekly historian, I resolve to be a faithful one; and therefore
+  take this public occasion to admonish a young nobleman, who came
+  flustered into the box last night, and let him know, how much all
+  his friends were out of countenance for him. The women sat in
+  terror of hearing something that should shock their modesty, and
+  all the gentlemen in as much pain, out of compassion to the
+  ladies, and perhaps resentment for the indignity which was
+  offered in coming into their presence in so disrespectful a
+  manner. Wine made him say nothing that was rude, therefore he is
+  forgiven, upon condition he will never hazard his offending more
+  in this kind. As I just now hinted, I own myself of the Society
+  for Reformation of Manners. We have lower instruments than those
+  of the family of Bickerstaff, for punishing great crimes, and
+  exposing the abandoned. Therefore, as I design to have notices
+  from all public assemblies, I shall take upon me only indecorums,
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page32' title='32' id=
+  "page32"></a>improprieties, and negligences, in such as should
+  give us better examples. After this declaration, if a fine lady
+  thinks fit to giggle at church, or a great beau come in drunk to
+  a play, either shall be sure to hear of it in my ensuing paper:
+  for merely as a well-bred man, I cannot bear these
+  enormities.</p>
+
+  <p>After the play, we naturally stroll to this coffee-house, in
+  hopes of meeting some new poem, or other entertainment, among the
+  men of wit and pleasure, where there is a dearth at present. But
+  it is wonderful there should be so few writers, when the art is
+  become merely mechanic, and men may make themselves great that
+  way, by as certain and infallible rules, as you may be a joiner
+  or a mason. There happens a good instance of this, in what the
+  hawker just now has offered to sale; to wit, "Instructions to
+  Vanderbank; a Sequel to the Advice to the Poets: A Poem,
+  occasioned by the Glorious Success of her Majesty's Arms, under
+  the Command of the Duke of Marlborough, the last Year in
+  Flanders."<a name='fntag89' id="fntag89"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote89'><sup>89</sup></a> Here you are to understand, that
+  the author finding the poets would not take his advice, he
+  troubles himself no more about them; but has met with one
+  Vanderbank,<a name='fntag90' id="fntag90"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote90'><sup>90</sup></a> who works in arras, and makes
+  very <a class="pagenum" name='page33' title='33' id=
+  "page33"></a>good tapestry hangings. Therefore, in order to
+  celebrate the hero of the age, he claps me together all that can
+  be said of a man that makes hangings, as:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Then, artist, who dost Nature's face express
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        In silk and gold, and scenes of action dress;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Dost figured arras animated leave,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Spin a bright story, or a passion weave
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        By mingling threads; canst mingle shade and light,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Delineate triumphs, or describe a fight.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>Well, what shall this workman do? Why, to show how great an
+  hero the poet intends, he provides him a very good horse:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Champing his foam, and bounding on the plain,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Arch his high neck, and graceful spread his mane.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>Now as to the intrepidity, the calm courage, the constant
+  application of the hero, it is not necessary to take that upon
+  yourself; you may, in the lump, bid him you employ raise him as
+  high as he can, and if he does it not, let him answer for
+  disobeying orders:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Let fame and victory in inferior sky,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Hover with ballanced wings, and smiling fly
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Above his head, &amp;c.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>A whole poem of this kind may be ready against an ensuing
+  campaign, as well as a space left in the canvas of a piece of
+  tapestry for the principal figure, while the under<a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page34' title='34' id="page34"></a>parts are
+  working: so that in effect, the adviser copies after the man he
+  pretends to direct. This method should, methinks, encourage young
+  beginners: for the invention is so fitted to all capacities, that
+  by the help of it a man may make a receipt for a poem. A young
+  man may observe, that the jig<a name='fntag91' id=
+  "fntag91"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote91'><sup>91</sup></a>
+  of the thing is, as I said, finding out all that can be said of
+  his way [whom] you employ to set forth your worthy. Waller and
+  Denham had worn out the expedient of "Advice to a
+  Painter."<a name='fntag92' id="fntag92"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote92'><sup>92</sup></a> This author has transferred the
+  work, and sent his advice to the Poets; that is to say, to the
+  turners of verse, as he calls them. Well, that thought is worn
+  out also, therefore he directs his genius to the loom, and will
+  have a new set of hangings in honour of the last year in
+  Flanders. I must own to you, I approve extremely this invention,
+  and it might be improved for the benefit of manufactory: as,
+  suppose an ingenious gentleman should write a poem of advice to a
+  calico-printer: do you think there is a girl in England, that
+  would wear anything but the taking of Lille, or the Battle of
+  Oudenarde? They would certainly be all the fashion, till the
+  heroes abroad had cut out some more patterns. I should fancy
+  small skirmishes might do for under-petticoats, provided they had
+  a siege for the upper. If our adviser were well imitated, many
+  industrious people might be put to work. Little Mr. Dactile, now
+  in the room, who formerly writ a song and a half, is a week
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page35' title='35' id="page35"></a>gone
+  in a very pretty work upon this hint: he is writing an epigram to
+  a young virgin who knits very well ('tis a thousand pities he is
+  a Jacobite); but his epigram is by way of advice to this damsel,
+  to knit all the actions of the Pretender and the Duke of Burgundy
+  last campaign in the clock of a stocking. It were endless to
+  enumerate the many hands and trades that may be employed by
+  poets, of so useful a turn as this adviser's. I shall think of
+  it; and in this time of taxes, shall consult a great critic
+  employed in the custom-house, in order to propose what tax may be
+  proper to put upon knives, seals, rings, hangings, wrought-beds,
+  gowns and petticoats, where any of those commodities bear
+  mottoes, or are worked upon poetical grounds.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Turin of the 3rd instant, N.S., inform us, that
+  his Royal Highness employs all his address in alarming the enemy,
+  and perplexing their speculations concerning his real designs the
+  ensuing campaign. Contracts are entered into with the merchants
+  of Milan, for a great number of mules to transport his provisions
+  and ammunition. His Royal Highness has ordered the train of
+  artillery to be conveyed to Susa before the 20th of the next
+  month. In the meantime, all accounts agree, that the enemy are
+  very backward in their preparations, and almost incapable of
+  defending themselves against an invasion, by reason of the
+  general murmurs of their own people; which, they find, are no way
+  to be quieted, but by giving them hopes of a speedy peace. When
+  these letters were dispatched, the Marshal de Thesse was arrived
+  at Genoa, where he has taken much pains to keep the
+  correspondents of the merchants of France in hopes, that measures
+  will be found out to support the credit and commerce between that
+  state and Lyons. But the late <a class="pagenum" name='page36'
+  title='36' id="page36"></a>declaration of the agents of Monsieur
+  Bernard, that they cannot discharge the demands made upon them,
+  has quite dispirited all those who are engaged in the remittances
+  of France.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, April 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is a very natural passion in all good members of the
+  commonwealth, to take what care they can of their families.
+  Therefore I hope the reader will forgive me, that I desire he
+  would go to the play, called the "Stratagem,"<a name='fntag93'
+  id="fntag93"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote93'><sup>93</sup></a> this evening, which is to be
+  acted for the benefit of my near kinsman, Mr. John
+  Bickerstaff.<a name='fntag94' id="fntag94"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote94'><sup>94</sup></a> I protest to you the
+  gentleman has not spoken to me to desire this favour; but I have
+  a respect for him, as well in regard to consanguinity, as that he
+  is an intimate friend of that famous and heroic actor, Mr. George
+  Powell, who formerly played Alexander the Great in all places,
+  though he is lately grown so reserved as to act it only on the
+  stage.<a name='fntag95' id="fntag95"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote95'><sup>95</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag85'>[85]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote85' id="footnote85"></a>By Wycherley,
+      first acted in 1683.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag86'>[86]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote86' id="footnote86"></a>Mrs. Bicknell (or
+      Bignell) was born about 1695. It is not clear whether she was
+      married, or whether the name Bicknell was taken to
+      distinguish her from her sister, Mrs. Young, who was also an
+      actress. We first hear of her acting in 1706; she took parts
+      in which sauciness and coquetry were the chief features. Her
+      last recorded appearance was on the 2nd of April, 1723; and
+      she died in May. She signed a petition "M. Bicknell";
+      probably her name was Margaret, her mother's name. Steele
+      alludes to her as "pretty Mrs. Bignell" in <a href=
+      '#number11'>No. 11</a>, and as his friend in the
+      <i>Guardian</i>, No. 50. She was Miss
+      Prue in Congreve's "Love for Love," and Miss Hoyden in
+      Vanbrugh's "Relapse." In the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 370)
+      Steele praises her dancing.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag87'>[87]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote87' id="footnote87"></a>Cibber writes
+      thus of this actress: "Mrs. Mountford, whose second marriage
+      gave her the name of Verbruggen, was mistress of more variety
+      of humour than I ever knew in any one woman actress. This
+      variety, too, was attended with an equal vivacity, which made
+      her excellent in characters extremely different.... She was
+      so fond of humour, in what low part soever to be found, that
+      she would make no scruple of defacing her fair form to come
+      heartily into it." She could act admirably as a Devonshire
+      lass, a pretty fellow, or a fine lady. Mrs. Verbruggen's
+      first husband, the actor Mountford, was killed by Captain
+      Hill, with the assistance of Lord Mohun, in 1692, because
+      Hill, who was making unsuccessful suit to Mrs. Bracegirdle
+      was jealous of her fellow-actor. Mountford was then in his
+      thirty-third year. Mrs. Mountford's second husband, John
+      Verbruggen, is described by Tony Aston as "nature without
+      extravagance." ... "That rough diamond shone more bright than
+      all the artful polished brilliants that ever sparkled on our
+      stage." The same writer says of Mrs. Verbruggen: "She was all
+      art, but dressed so nice, it looked like nature. She was the
+      most easy actress in the world. Her maiden name was
+      Percival."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag88'>[88]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote88' id="footnote88"></a>Various Societies
+      for the Reformation of Manners were founded in the reign of
+      William III. An "Account" of these societies was published in
+      1699, and Defoe often wrote on the subject. In 1708 the
+      Society for London and Westminster secured the conviction of
+      3299 "lewd and scandalous" persons, guilty of Sunday trading
+      swearing, drunkenness, &amp;c.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag89'>[89]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote89' id="footnote89"></a>See Steele's
+      apology to Blackmore, author of this poem, in No. 14. Sir
+      Richard Blackmore (died 1729) was a Whig physician who wrote
+      epics on religious and other subjects, and was often at
+      loggerheads with the actors and wits. Though he was not a
+      poet, Addison and Steele praised him on account of the
+      religious tone of his work (see <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 6,
+      339).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag90'>[90]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote90' id="footnote90"></a>Vanderbank, or as
+      his father sometimes wrote his name, Vandrebanc, was a son of
+      Peter Vanderbank, a Parisian, who came into England with
+      Gascar the painter, about 1674, and died at Bradfield, in
+      Hertfordshire, in 1697. His father was admired for the
+      softness of his prints, and still more for the size of them,
+      some of his heads being the largest that had then appeared in
+      England; but the prices he received by no means compensated
+      for the time employed on his works, and he was reduced to
+      want, and died at the house of Mr. Forester, his
+      brother-in-law. After his death, his widow sold his plates to
+      one Brown, a print-seller, who made a great profit by them.
+      His eldest son had some share in the theatre at Dublin; the
+      youngest, William, was a poor labourer, who gave an account
+      of his father and the family to Vertue. The person mentioned
+      in this paper was probably his father's name-son, and might
+      be, as Walpole conjectures, an engraver. Whatever concern the
+      father might have had in any manufacture of tapestry, he
+      could not be the person meant here, for at this time he had
+      been dead above ten years. The suite of tapestry, in the Duke
+      of Ancaster's sale, with Vanderbank's name to it, mentioned
+      by Walpole, must therefore be supposed to belong to the son,
+      who is said, upon the authority of the French translator of
+      the <i>Tatler</i>, to have represented nature very happily in
+      works of tapestry, and to have been a man inimitable in this
+      way. (See Walpole's "Anecdotes of Painting," 1782, vol. v. p.
+      166.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag91'>[91]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote91' id="footnote91"></a>Trick (the early
+      editions have "gigg").</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag92'>[92]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote92' id="footnote92"></a>Waller wrote
+      "Instructions to a Painter" and "Advice to a Painter," and
+      Denham "Directions to a Painter."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag93'>[93]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote93' id="footnote93"></a>Farquhar's
+      "Beaux' Stratagem," 1707.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag94'>[94]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote94' id="footnote94"></a>Bickerstaff acted
+      the part of the Captain in Mrs. Centlivre's farce, "A
+      Bickerstaff's Burying; or, Work for the Upholders" (1713),
+      which was dedicated to the "magnificent Company of Upholders,
+      whom the judicious Censor of Great Britain has so often
+      condescended to mention." In the "British Apollo," vol. ii.
+      No. 107 (Feb. 27 to March 1, 1710),
+      is a "New Prologue to 'Don Quixote' for Mr. Bickerstaff's
+      Benefit at the Theatre Royal, spoken by himself." The
+      prologue ends:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "I need not from the ladies fear my doom,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            When it shall thus be said, in my behalf,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            He bears the awful name of BICKERSTAFF."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>In the <i>Daily Courant</i> for Feb. 4, 1710, there was
+      advertised a performance of the "Comical History of Don
+      Quixote" at Drury Lane, "at the desire of Isaac Bickerstaff,
+      Esq., for the benefit of his cousin, John Bickerstaff."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag95'>[95]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote95' id="footnote95"></a>George Powell,
+      actor and dramatist, gave way often to drink. He died in
+      1714. Addison praised his acting of tragic parts in No. 40 of
+      the <i>Spectator</i>. See also <a href='#number31'>No.
+      31</a>. An order to the comedians in Dorset Gardens forbade
+      them acting till further order, because they had allowed
+      Powell to play after he was committed for drawing his sword
+      on Colonel Stanhope and Mr. Davenant. This is dated May 3, 10
+      Will. III. (1698); but on May 4 there was another order for
+      the comedians to resume acting. (Lord Chamberlain's Records,
+      Warrant Book No. 19, p. 80.) Cibber's remarks on this
+      incident will be found in his "Apology," chap. x.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page37' title='37' id=
+    "page37"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number4' id="number4"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 4.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday April 16</i>, to <i>Tuesday, April 19,
+    1709</i>.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>It is usual with persons who mount the stage for the cure or
+  information of the crowd about them, to make solemn professions
+  of their being wholly disinterested in the pains they take for
+  the public good. At the same time, those very men, who make
+  harangues in plush doublets, and extol their own abilities and
+  generous inclinations, tear their lungs in vending a drug, and
+  show no act of bounty, except it be, that they lower a demand of
+  a crown, to six, nay, to one penny. We have a contempt for such
+  paltry barterers, and have therefore all along informed the
+  public that we intend to give them our advices for our own sakes,
+  and are labouring to make our lucubrations come to some price in
+  money, for our more convenient support in the service of the
+  public. It is certain, that many other schemes have been proposed
+  to me; as a friend offered to show me a treatise he had writ,
+  which he called "The Whole Art of Life, or the Introduction to
+  Great Men, illustrated in a Pack of Cards." But being a novice at
+  all manner of play I declined the offer. Another advised me, for
+  want of money, to set up my coach and practise physic, but having
+  been bred a scholar, I feared I should not succeed <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page38' title='38' id="page38"></a>that way
+  neither; therefore resolved to go on in my present project. But
+  you are to understand, that I shall not pretend to raise a credit
+  to this work, upon the weight of my politic news only, but, as my
+  Latin sentence in the title-page informs you, shall take anything
+  that offers for the subject of my discourse. Thus, new persons,
+  as well as new things, are to come under my consideration; as,
+  when a toast, or a wit, is first pronounced such, you shall have
+  the freshest advice of their preferment from me, with a
+  description of the beauty's manner, and the wit's style; as also,
+  in whose places they are advanced. For this town is never
+  good-natured enough to raise one, without depressing another. But
+  it is my design, to avoid saying anything, of any person, which
+  ought justly to displease; but shall endeavour, by the variety of
+  the matter and style, to give entertainment for men of pleasure,
+  without offence to those of business.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, April 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>All hearts at present pant for two ladies only<a name=
+  'fntag96' id="fntag96"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote96'><sup>96</sup></a>, who have for some time engrossed
+  the dominion of the town. They are indeed both exceeding
+  charming, but differ very much in their excellences. The beauty
+  of <a class="pagenum" name='page39' title='39' id=
+  "page39"></a>Clarissa is soft, that of Chloe piercing. When you
+  look at Clarissa, you see the most exact harmony of feature,
+  complexion, and shape; you find in Chloe nothing extraordinary in
+  any one of those particulars, but the whole woman irresistible.
+  Clarissa looks languishing; Chloe, killing. Clarissa never fails
+  of gaining admiration; Chloe, of moving desire. The gazers at
+  Clarissa are at first unconcerned, as if they were observing a
+  fine picture. They who behold Chloe, at the first glance,
+  discover transport, as if they met their dearest friend. These
+  different perfections are suitably represented by the last great
+  painter Italy has sent us, Mr. Jervas.<a name='fntag97' id=
+  "fntag97"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote97'><sup>97</sup></a>
+  Clarissa is, by that skilful hand, placed in a manner that looks
+  artless, and innocent of the torments she gives; Chloe drawn with
+  a liveliness that shows she is conscious, but not affected, of
+  her perfections. Clarissa is a shepherdess; Chloe, a country
+  girl. I must own, the design of Chloe's picture shows, to me,
+  great mastery in the painter; for nothing could be better
+  imagined than the dress he has given her, of a straw hat and
+  riband, to represent that sort of beauty which enters the heart
+  with a certain familiarity, and cheats it into a belief, that it
+  has received a lover as well as an object of love. The force of
+  their different beauties is seen also in the effects it makes on
+  their lovers. The admirers of Chloe are eternally gay and
+  well-pleased: those of Clarissa, melancholy and thoughtful. And
+  as this passion always changes the natural man into a quite
+  different creature from what he was before, the love of Chloe
+  makes coxcombs; that of Clarissa, madmen. There were of each kind
+  just now here. Here was one that whistles, laughs, sings, and
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page40' title='40' id="page40"></a>cuts
+  capers, for love of Chloe. Another has just now written three
+  lines to Clarissa, then taken a turn in the garden, then came
+  back again, then tore his fragment, then called for some
+  chocolate, then went away without it.</p>
+
+  <p>Chloe has so many admirers in the room at present, that there
+  is too much noise to proceed in my narration, so that the
+  progress of the loves of Clarissa and Chloe, together with the
+  bottles that are drank each night for the one, and the many sighs
+  which are uttered, and songs written, on the other, must be our
+  subject on future occasions.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Haymarket inform us, that on Saturday night
+  last the opera of "Pyrrhus and Demetrius"<a name='fntag98' id=
+  "fntag98"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote98'><sup>98</sup></a>
+  was performed with great applause. This intelligence is not very
+  acceptable to us friends of the theatre; for the stage being an
+  entertainment of the reason and all our faculties, this way of
+  being pleased with the suspense of them for three hours together,
+  and being given up to the shallow satisfaction of the eyes and
+  ears only, seems to arise rather from the degeneracy of our
+  understanding, than an improvement of our diversions.<a name=
+  'fntag99' id="fntag99"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote99'><sup>99</sup></a> That the understanding has no
+  part in the pleasure is evident, from <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page41' title='41' id="page41"></a>what these letters very
+  positively assert, to wit, that a great part of the performance
+  was done in Italian: and a great critic fell into fits in the
+  gallery, at feeling, not only time and place, but languages and
+  nations confused in the most incorrigible manner. His spleen is
+  so extremely moved on this occasion, that he is going to publish
+  a treatise against operas, which, he thinks, have already
+  inclined us to thoughts of peace, and if tolerated, must
+  infallibly dispirit us from carrying on the war. He has
+  communicated his scheme to the whole room, and declared in what
+  manner things of this kind were first introduced. He has upon
+  this occasion considered the nature of sounds in general, and
+  made a very elaborate digression upon the London cries,<a name=
+  'fntag100' id="fntag100"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote100'><sup>100</sup></a> wherein he has shown from
+  reason and philosophy why oysters are cried, card-matches<a name=
+  'fntag101' id="fntag101"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote101'><sup>101</sup></a> sung, and turnips and all other
+  vegetables neither cried, sung, nor said, but sold, with an
+  accent and tone neither natural to man or beast. This piece seems
+  to be taken from the model of that excellent discourse of Mrs.
+  Manly the schoolmistress, concerning samplers.<a name='fntag102'
+  id="fntag102"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote102'><sup>102</sup></a> Advices from the upper end of
+  Piccadilly say that Mayfair is utterly abolished;<a name=
+  'fntag103' id="fntag103"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote103'><sup>103</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page42' title='42' id="page42"></a>and we hear Mr.
+  Pinkethman<a name='fntag104' id="fntag104"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote104'><sup>104</sup></a> has removed his ingenious
+  company of strollers to Greenwich: but other letters from
+  Deptford say, the company is only making thither, and not yet
+  settled; but that several heathen gods and goddesses, which are
+  to descend in machines, landed at the King's Head Stairs last
+  Saturday. Venus and Cupid went on foot from thence to Greenwich;
+  Mars got drunk in the town, and broke his landlord's head; for
+  which he sat in the stocks the whole evening; but Mr. Pinkethman
+  giving security that he should do nothing this ensuing summer, he
+  was set at liberty. The most melancholy part of all, was, that
+  Diana was taken in the act of fornication with a boatman, and
+  committed by Justice Wrathful, which has, it seems, put a stop to
+  the diversions of the theatre of Blackheath. But there goes down
+  another Diana and a patient Grissel next tide from
+  Billingsgate.<a name='fntag105' id="fntag105"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote105'><sup>105</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page43' title='43' id="page43"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>They write from Saxony of the 13th instant, N.S., that the
+  Grand General of the Crown of Poland was so far from entering
+  into a treaty with King Stanislaus, that he had written circular
+  letters, wherein he exhorted the Palatinates to join against him;
+  declaring, that this was the most favourable conjuncture for
+  asserting their liberty.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, they
+  have advices from Vienna, which import, that his Electoral
+  Highness of Hanover had signified to the Imperial Court, that he
+  did not intend to put himself at the head of the troops of the
+  Empire, except more effectual measures were taken for acting
+  vigorously against the enemy the ensuing campaign. Upon this
+  representation, the Emperor has given orders to several regiments
+  to march towards the Rhine, and despatched expresses to the
+  respective princes of the Empire to desire an augmentation of
+  their forces.</p>
+
+  <p>These letters add, that an express arrived at the Hague on the
+  20th instant, with advice, that the enemy having made a
+  detachment from Tournay of 1500 horse, each trooper carrying a
+  foot-soldier behind him, in order to surprise the garrison of
+  Alost; the allies, upon notice of their march, sent out a strong
+  body of troops from Ghent, which engaged the enemy at Asche, and
+  took 200 of them prisoners, obliging the rest to retire without
+  making any further attempt. On the 22nd in the morning a fleet of
+  merchant ships coming from Scotland, were attacked by six French
+  privateers at the entrance of the Meuse. We have yet no certain
+  advice of the event: but letters from Rotterdam say, that a Dutch
+  man-of-war of forty guns, which was convoy to the said fleet, was
+  taken, as <a class="pagenum" name='page44' title='44' id=
+  "page44"></a>were also eighteen of the merchants. The Swiss
+  troops, in the service of the States, have completed the
+  augmentation of their respective companies. Those of Wirtemberg
+  and Prussia are expected on the frontiers within few days; and
+  the auxiliaries from Saxony, as also a battalion of Holstein, and
+  another of Wolfembuttel, are advancing thither with all
+  expedition. On the 21st instant, the deputies of the States had a
+  conference near Woerden with the President Rouillé, but the
+  matter which was therein debated is not made public. His Grace
+  the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene continue at the
+  Hague.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, April 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have lately been very studious for intelligence, and have
+  just now, by my astrological flying-post, received a packet from
+  Felicia,<a name='fntag106' id="fntag106"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote106'><sup>106</sup></a> an island in America, with an
+  account that gives me great satisfaction, and lets me understand
+  that the island was never in greater prosperity, or the
+  administration in so good hands, since the death of their late
+  valiant king. These letters import, that the chief minister has
+  entered into a firm league with the ablest and best men of the
+  nation, to carry on the cause of liberty, to the encouragement of
+  religion, virtue, and honour. Those persons at the helm are so
+  useful, and in themselves of such weight, that their strict
+  alliance must needs tend to the universal prosperity of the
+  people. Camillo,<a name='fntag107' id="fntag107"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote107'><sup>107</sup></a> it seems, presides
+  over the deliberations of state; and is so highly valued by all
+  men, for his singular probity, courage, affability, and love of
+  mankind, that his being placed in that station has dissipated the
+  fears of that people, who of all the world are the most jealous
+  of their <a class="pagenum" name='page45' title='45' id=
+  "page45"></a>liberty and happiness. The next member of their
+  society is Horatio,<a name='fntag108' id="fntag108"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote108'><sup>108</sup></a> who makes all the
+  public despatches. This minister is master of all the languages
+  in use to great perfection: he is held in the highest veneration
+  imaginable for a severe honesty, and love of his country: he
+  lives in a court, unsullied with any of its artifices, the refuge
+  of the oppressed, and terror of oppressors. Martio<a name=
+  'fntag109' id="fntag109"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote109'><sup>109</sup></a> has joined himself to this
+  council; a man of most undaunted resolution and great knowledge
+  in maritime affairs; famous for destroying the navy of the
+  Franks,<a name='fntag110' id="fntag110"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote110'><sup>110</sup></a> and singularly happy in one
+  particular, that he never preferred a man who has not proved
+  remarkably serviceable to his country. Philander<a name=
+  'fntag111' id="fntag111"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote111'><sup>111</sup></a> is mentioned with particular
+  distinction; a nobleman who has the most refined taste of the
+  true pleasures and elegance of life, joined to an indefatigable
+  industry in business; a man eloquent in assemblies, agreeable in
+  conversation, and dextrous in all manner of public negotiations.
+  These letters add, that Verono,<a name='fntag112' id=
+  "fntag112"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote112'><sup>112</sup></a> who is also of this council,
+  has lately set sail to his government of Patricia, with design to
+  confirm the affections of the people in the interests of his
+  queen. This minister is master of great abilities, and is as
+  industrious and restless for the preservation of the liberties of
+  the people, as the greatest enemy can be to subvert them. The
+  influence of these personages, who are men of such distinguished
+  parts and virtues, makes the people enjoy the utmost tranquillity
+  in the midst of a war, and <a class="pagenum" name='page46'
+  title='46' id="page46"></a>gives them undoubted hopes of a secure
+  peace from their vigilance and integrity.<a name='fntag113' id=
+  "fntag113"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote113'><sup>113</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag96'>[96]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote96' id="footnote96"></a>In a copy of the
+      original edition of the <i>Tatler</i>, with MS. notes written
+      early in the last century, which was sold at Messrs.
+      Sotheby's, in April, 1887, the ladies here described were
+      said to be Mrs. Chetwine and Mrs. Hales respectively. Mrs.
+      Hales was a maid of honour who married Mr. Coke,
+      vice-chamberlain, in July, 1709 (Luttrell's "Brief Relation,"
+      vi. 462); "Mrs. Chetwine" was probably the wife of William
+      Richard Chetwynd, afterwards third Viscount Chetwynd, who
+      married Honora, daughter of John Baker, Consul at Algiers; or
+      the wife of his brother Walter, M.P. for Stafford, and Master
+      of the Buckhounds. In 1717, Lady M. W. Montagu, describing a
+      week spent by a fashionable lady, said, 'Friday, Mrs.
+      Chetwynd's, &amp;c.; a perpetual round of hearing the same
+      scandal' (Pope's Works, ix. 385).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag97'>[97]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote97' id="footnote97"></a>Charles Jervas,
+      portrait painter (died 1739), became principal painter to
+      George I. and George II. He also made a translation of "Don
+      Quixote," first published in 1742.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag98'>[98]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote98' id="footnote98"></a>A translation of
+      Owen McSwiney (1709) from the Italian of Scarlatti.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag99'>[99]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote99' id="footnote99"></a>In the
+      <i>Spectator</i> (Nos. 1, 5, 13, &amp;c.) Addison often wrote
+      against the Italian opera. In 1706, Dennis published "An
+      Essay on the Operas after the Italian Manner, which are about
+      to be established on the English Stage: with some reflections
+      on the damage which they may bring to the Public." He traces
+      to the recent alterations in the entertainments of the stage,
+      the fact that familiar conversation among all classes was
+      confined to two points, news and toasting, neither of which
+      required much intelligence.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag100'>[100]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote100' id="footnote100"></a>The street
+      cries of 1709 are described in Lauron's "Habits and Cries of
+      the City of London." They included "Any card-matches or
+      save-alls" and "Twelve-pence a peck, oysters."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag101'>[101]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote101' id="footnote101"></a>Matches made by
+      dipping pieces of card in melted sulphur. In the
+      <i>Spectator</i> (No. 251), Addison speaks of vendors of
+      card-matches as examples of the fact that those made most
+      noise who had least to sell.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag102'>[102]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote102' id="footnote102"></a>In vol. ii. of
+      Dr. W. King's Works (1776) is "An Essay on the Invention of
+      Samplers, by Mrs. Arabella Manly, schoolmistress at
+      Hackney."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag103'>[103]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote103' id="footnote103"></a>May Fair was
+      abolished in 1709, after it had on several occasions been
+      presented as a nuisance by the Grand Jury at Westminster.
+      This fair was granted by King James II. under the Great Seal,
+      in the fourth year of his reign, to Sir John Coell and his
+      heirs for ever, in trust for Henry Lord Dover and his heirs
+      for ever, to be held in the field called Brookfield, in the
+      parish of St. Martin's, Westminster, to commence on the first
+      day of May, and to continue fifteen days yearly. It soon
+      became the resort of the idle, the dissipated, and the
+      profligate, insomuch that the peace-officers were frequently
+      opposed in the performance of their duty; and, in the year
+      1702, John Cooper, one of the constables, was killed, for
+      which a fencing-master, named Cook, was executed. (See also
+      <a href='#number20'>No. 20</a>.) The fair was revived under
+      George I., but was finally abolished through the exertions of
+      the sixth Earl of Coventry.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag104'>[104]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote104' id="footnote104"></a>William
+      Pinkethman, the popular actor and droll, was spoken of by
+      Gildon as "the flower of Bartholomew Fair, and the idol of
+      the rabble." In June, 1710, he opened a theatre at Greenwich,
+      and in 1711 his "wonderful invention called The Pantheon, or,
+      The Temple of the Heathen Gods," with over 100 figures, was
+      to be seen in the Little Piazza, Covent Garden
+      (<i>Spectator</i>, No. 46, advertisement).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag105'>[105]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote105' id="footnote105"></a>"It is credibly
+      reported that Mr. D&#8212;&#8212;y has agreed with Mr.
+      Pinkethman to have his play acted before that audience as
+      soon as it has had its first sixteen days' run in Drury Lane"
+      (folio). The play was D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag106'>[106]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote106' id="footnote106"></a>Britain.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag107'>[107]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote107' id="footnote107"></a>John, Lord
+      Somers, President of the Council.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag108'>[108]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote108' id="footnote108"></a>Sidney, Lord
+      Godolphin, the Lord High Treasurer; or (according to the MS.
+      notes in the copy mentioned above) Lord Sunderland.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag109'>[109]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote109' id="footnote109"></a>Edward, Earl of
+      Orford.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag110'>[110]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote110' id="footnote110"></a>At La Hogue,
+      1692.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag111'>[111]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote111' id="footnote111"></a>Probably Lord
+      Halifax.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag112'>[112]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote112' id="footnote112"></a>Thomas, Earl of
+      Wharton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag113'>[113]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote113' id=
+      "footnote113"></a>"Advertisement.&#8212;Upon the humble
+      petition of Running Stationers, &amp;c., this paper maybe had
+      of them, for the future, at the price of one penny" (folio).
+      The first four numbers were distributed gratuitously.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number5' id="number5"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 5.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, April 19</i>, to <i>Thursday, April
+    21</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, April 20.</h3>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Who names that lost thing, love, without a tear,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Since so debauched by ill-bred customs here,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To an exact perfection they have brought
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The action, love, the passion is forgot.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>This was long ago a witty author's lamentation, but the evil
+  still continues; and if a man of any delicacy were to attend the
+  discourses of the young fellows of this age, they would believe
+  there were none but prostitutes to make the objects of passion.
+  So true it is what the author of the above verses said, a little
+  before his death, of the modern pretenders to gallantry: "They
+  set up for wits in this age, by saying when they are sober, what
+  they of the last spoke only when they were drunk." But Cupid is
+  not only blind at present, but dead-drunk, he has lost all his
+  faculties: else how should Celia be so long a maid with that
+  agreeable behaviour? Corinna, with that uprightly wit? Lesbia,
+  with that heavenly voice? And Sacharissa, with all those
+  excellences in one person, frequent the park, the play, and
+  murder the poor tits that drag her to public places, and not a
+  man turn pale at her appearance? But such is the fallen state of
+  love, that <a class="pagenum" name='page47' title='47' id=
+  "page47"></a>if it were not for honest Cynthio,<a name='fntag114'
+  id="fntag114"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote114'><sup>114</sup></a> who is true to the cause, we
+  should hardly have a pattern left of the ancient worthies that
+  way: and indeed he has but very little encouragement to
+  persevere; but he has a devotion, rather than love, for his
+  mistress; and says,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem italic'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Only tell her that I love,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Leave the rest to her, and Fate;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Some kind planet from above,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        May, perhaps, her passsion move:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Lovers on their stars must wait.<a name='fntag115' id=
+        "fntag115"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote115'><sup>115</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>But the stars I am so intimately acquainted with, that I can
+  assure him, he will never have her: for would you believe it,
+  though Cynthio has wit, good sense, fortune, and his very being
+  depends on her, the termagant for whom he sighs, is in love with
+  a fellow, who stares in the glass all the time he is with her,
+  and lets her plainly see, she may possibly be his rival, but
+  never his mistress. Yet Cynthio, the same unhappy man whom I
+  mentioned in my first narrative, pleases himself with a vain
+  imagination, that with the language of his eyes, now he has found
+  who she is, he shall conquer her, though her eyes are intent upon
+  one who looks from her; which is ordinary with the sex. It is
+  certainly a mistake in the ancients, to draw the little
+  gentleman, Love, as a blind boy; for his real <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page48' title='48' id="page48"></a>character is, a little
+  thief that squints. For ask Mrs. Meddle, who is a confidante, or
+  spy, upon all the passions in town, and she will tell you, that
+  the whole is a game of cross purposes. The lover is generally
+  pursuing one who is in pursuit of another, and running from one
+  that desires to meet him. Nay, the figure of this passion is so
+  justly represented in a squinting little thief (who is always in
+  a double action) that do but observe Clarissa next time you see
+  her, and you'll find, when her eyes have made their tour round
+  the company, she makes no stay on him they say she is to marry,
+  but rests two seconds of a minute on Wildair, who neither looks
+  nor thinks on her, or any woman else. However, Cynthio had a bow
+  from her the other day, upon which he is very much come to
+  himself; and I heard him send his man of an errand yesterday
+  without any manner of hesitation; a quarter of an hour after
+  which he reckoned twenty, remembered he was to sup with a friend,
+  and went exactly to his appointment. I sent to know how he did
+  this morning, and I find he very perfectly remembers that he
+  spoke to me yesterday.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>This week<a name='fntag116' id="fntag116"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote116'><sup>116</sup></a> being sacred to holy
+  things, and no public diversions allowed, there has been taken
+  notice of, even here, a little treatise, called, "A Project for
+  the Advancement of Religion; dedicated to the Countess of
+  Berkeley."<a name='fntag117' id="fntag117"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote117'><sup>117</sup></a> The title was so uncommon,
+  and promised so <a class="pagenum" name='page49' title='49' id=
+  "page49"></a>peculiar a way of thinking, that every man here has
+  read it, and as many as have done so, have approved it. It is
+  written with the spirit of one, who has seen the world enough to
+  undervalue it with good breeding. The author must certainly be a
+  man of wisdom, as well as piety, and have spent much time in the
+  exercise of both. The real causes of the decay of the interest of
+  religion, are set forth in a clear and lively manner, without
+  unseasonable passions; and the whole air of the book, as to the
+  language, the sentiments, and the reasonings, show it was written
+  by one whose virtue sits easy about him, and to whom vice is
+  thoroughly contemptible. It was said by one of this
+  company,<a name='fntag118' id="fntag118"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote118'><sup>118</sup></a> alluding to the knowledge the
+  author seems to have of the world, "The man writes much like a
+  gentleman, and goes to heaven with a very good mien."</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Italy say, that the Marquis de Prie, upon the
+  receipt of an express from the Court of Vienna, went immediately
+  to the palace of Cardinal Paulucci, minister of state to his
+  Holiness, and demanded in the name of his Imperial Majesty, that
+  King Charles should be forthwith acknowledged king of Spain, by a
+  solemn act of the congregation of cardinals appointed for that
+  purpose: he declared at the same time, that if the least
+  hesitation were made in this most important article of the late
+  treaty, he should not only be obliged to leave Rome himself, but
+  also transmit his master's orders to the imperial troops to face
+  about, and return into the ecclesiastical dominions. When the
+  cardinal reported this <a class="pagenum" name='page50' title=
+  '50' id="page50"></a>message to the Pope, he was struck with so
+  sensible an affliction, that he burst into tears. His sorrow was
+  aggravated by letters which immediately after arrived from the
+  Court of Madrid, wherein his Nuncio acquainted his Holiness, that
+  upon the news of his accommodation with the Emperor, he had
+  received a message to forbear coming to Court; and the people
+  were so highly provoked, that they could hardly be restrained
+  from insulting his palace. These letters add, that the King of
+  Denmark was gone from Florence to Pisa, and from Pisa to Leghorn,
+  where the governor paid his Majesty all imaginable honours. The
+  king designed to go from thence to Lucca, where a magnificent
+  tournament was prepared for his diversion. An English man-of-war,
+  which came from Port Mahon to Leghorn in six days, brought
+  advice, that the fleet commanded by Admiral Whitaker, was safely
+  arrived at Barcelona, with the troops and ammunition which he had
+  taken in at Naples.</p>
+
+  <p>General Boneval, Governor of Commacchio, had summoned the
+  magistrates of all the towns near that place to appear before
+  him, and take an oath of fidelity to his Imperial Majesty,
+  commanding also the gentry to pay him homage, on pain of death
+  and confiscation of goods. Advices from Switzerland inform us,
+  that the bankers of Geneva were utterly ruined by the failure of
+  Mr. Bernard. They add, that the deputies of the Swiss Cantons
+  were returned from Solleure, where they were assembled at the
+  instance of the French Ambassador; but were very much
+  dissatisfied with the reception they had from that minister. 'Tis
+  true, he omitted no civilities, or expressions of friendship from
+  his master, but he took no notice of their pensions and arrears;
+  what further provoked their indignation, was, that instead of
+  twenty-five pistoles formerly allowed to each member, for their
+  charge in <a class="pagenum" name='page51' title='51' id=
+  "page51"></a>coming to the Diet, he had presented them with six
+  only. They write from Dresden, that King Augustus was still busy
+  in recruiting his cavalry, and that the Danish troops, which
+  lately served in Hungary, had orders to be in Saxony in the
+  middle of May, and that his Majesty of Denmark was expected at
+  Dresden in the beginning of that month. King Augustus makes great
+  preparations for his reception, and has appointed sixty coaches,
+  each drawn by six horses for that purpose: the interview of these
+  princes affords great matter for speculation. Letters from Paris
+  of the 22nd of this month say, that Mareschal Harcourt and the
+  Duke of Berwick were preparing to go into Alsace and Dauphine,
+  but that their troops were in want of all manner of necessaries.
+  The Court of France had received advices from Madrid, that on the
+  7th of this month, the States of Spain had with much magnificence
+  acknowledged the Prince of Asturias presumptive heir of the
+  crown. This was performed at Buen Retiro; the deputies took the
+  oaths on that occasion by the hands of Cardinal Portocarrero.
+  Those advices add, that it was signified to the Pope's Nuncio, by
+  order of council, to depart from that Court in twenty-four hours,
+  and that a guard was accordingly appointed to conduct him to
+  Bayonne.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 26th instant inform us, that
+  Prince Eugene was to set out the next day for Brussels, to put
+  all things in a readiness for opening the campaign. They add,
+  that the Grand Pensioner having reported to the Duke of
+  Marlborough what passed in the last conference with Mr.
+  Rouillé,<a name='fntag119' id="fntag119"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote119'><sup>119</sup></a> his Grace had taken a
+  resolution immediately to return to Great Britain, to communicate
+  to her Majesty all that has been transacted in that important
+  affair.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page52' title='52' id=
+  "page52"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, April 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>The nature of my miscellaneous work is such, that I shall
+  always take the liberty to tell for news such things (let them
+  have happened never so much before the time of writing) as have
+  escaped public notice, or have been misrepresented to the world,
+  provided that I am still within rules, and trespass not as a
+  Tatler any further than in an incorrectness of style, and writing
+  in an air of common speech. Thus if anything that is said, even
+  of old Anchises or Æneas, be set by me in a different light than
+  has hitherto been hit upon, in order to inspire the love and
+  admiration of worthy actions, you will, gentle reader, I hope,
+  accept of it for intelligence you had not before. But I am going
+  upon a narrative, the matter of which I know to be true: it is
+  not only doing justice to the deceased merit<a name='fntag120'
+  id="fntag120"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote120'><sup>120</sup></a> of such persons, as, had they
+  lived, would not have had it in their power to thank me, but also
+  an instance of the greatness of spirit in the lowest of her
+  Majesty's subjects; take it as follows:</p>
+
+  <p>At the siege of Namur by the Allies, there were in the ranks
+  of the company commanded by Captain Pincent, in Colonel Frederick
+  Hamilton's regiment, one Unnion a corporal, and one Valentine a
+  private sentinel: there happened between these two men a dispute
+  about a matter of love, which, upon some aggravations, grew to an
+  irreconcilable hatred. Unnion being the officer of Valentine,
+  took all opportunities even to strike his rival, and profess
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page53' title='53' id="page53"></a>the
+  spite and revenge which moved him to it. The sentinel bore it
+  without resistance, but frequently said he would die to be
+  revenged of that tyrant. They had spent whole months thus, one
+  injuring, the other complaining; when in the midst of this rage
+  towards each other, they were commanded upon the attack of the
+  castle, where the corporal received a shot in the thigh, and
+  fell; the French pressing on, and he expecting to be trampled to
+  death, called out to his enemy, "Ah, Valentine! Can you leave me
+  here?" Valentine immediately ran back, and in the midst of a
+  thick fire of the French, took the corporal upon his back, and
+  brought him through all that danger as far as the Abbey of
+  Salsine, where a cannon-ball took off his head: his body fell
+  under his enemy whom he was carrying off Unnion immediately
+  forgot his wound, rose up, tearing his hair, and then threw
+  himself upon the bleeding carcass, crying, "Ah, Valentine! Was it
+  for me, who have so barbarously used thee, that thou hast died? I
+  will not Jive after thee." He was not by any means to be forced
+  from the body, but was removed with it bleeding in his arms, and
+  attended with tears by all their comrades, who knew their enmity.
+  When he was brought to a tent, his wounds were dressed by force;
+  but the next day, still calling upon Valentine, and lamenting his
+  cruelties to him, he died in the pangs of remorse and
+  despair.</p>
+
+  <p>It may be a question among men of noble sentiments, whether of
+  these unfortunate persons had the greater soul; he that was so
+  generous as to venture his life for his enemy, or he who could
+  not survive the man that died, in laying upon him such an
+  obligation?</p>
+
+  <p>When we see spirits like these in a people, to what heights
+  may we not suppose their glory may arise, but (as it is
+  excellently observed by Sallust<a name='fntag121' id=
+  "fntag121"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote121'><sup>121</sup></a>) it is not only to the
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page54' title='54' id=
+  "page54"></a>general bent of a nation that great revolutions are
+  owing, but to the extraordinary genios<a name='fntag122' id=
+  "fntag122"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote122'><sup>122</sup></a> that lead them. On which
+  occasion he proceeds to say that the Roman greatness was neither
+  to be attributed to their superior policy, for in that the
+  Carthaginians excelled; nor to their valour, for in that the
+  French were preferable; but to particular men, who were born for
+  the good of their country, and formed for great attempts. This he
+  says, to introduce the characters of Cassar and Cato. It would be
+  entering into too weighty a discourse for this place, if I
+  attempted to show that our nation has produced as great and able
+  men for public affairs, as any other. But I believe the reader
+  outruns me, and fixes his imagination upon the Duke of
+  Marlborough. It is, methinks, a pleasing reflection, to consider
+  the dispensations of Providence in the fortune of this
+  illustrious man, who, in the space of forty years, has passed
+  through all the gradations of human life, till he has ascended to
+  the character of a prince, and become the scourge of a tyrant,
+  who sat in one of the greatest thrones of Europe, before the man
+  who was to have the greatest part in his downfall had made one
+  step in the world.<a name='fntag123' id="fntag123"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote123'><sup>123</sup></a> But such elevations
+  are the natural consequences of an exact prudence, a calm
+  courage, a well-governed temper, a patient ambition, and an
+  affable behaviour. These arts, as they are the steps to his
+  greatness, so they are the pillars of it now it is raised. To
+  this her glorious son, Great Britain is indebted for the happy
+  conduct of her arms, in whom she can boast, she has produced a
+  man formed by nature to lead a nation of heroes.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag114'>[114]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote114' id="footnote114"></a>Edward Richard
+      Montagu, styled Viscount Hinchinbroke, who died before his
+      father, on October 3, 1722, was the only son of Edward, third
+      Earl of Sandwich. He was born about 1690, and became colonel
+      of the First Regiment of Foot Guards, and Lord Lieutenant of
+      Huntingdonshire. In 1707, he married Elizabeth, daughter of
+      Alexander Popham, of Littlecot, Wilts, and of Anne, daughter
+      of the first Duke of Montagu. (See Nos. <a href=
+      "#number1">1</a>, <a href="#number22">22</a>, <a href=
+      "#number35">35</a>, 85, and the
+      <i>Lover</i>, No. 38.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag115'>[115]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote115' id="footnote115"></a>These lines are
+      part of a song by Lord Cutts, under whom Steele had served as
+      secretary when in the army. The verses will be found in
+      Nichols' "Select Collection" (1780), ii. 327.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag116'>[116]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote116' id="footnote116"></a>Passion
+      Week.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag117'>[117]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote117' id="footnote117"></a>First published
+      as "By a Person of Quality." "The gentleman I here intended
+      was Dr. Swift, this kind of man I thought him at that time.
+      We have not met of late, but I hope he deserves this
+      character still." (Steele's "Apology," 1714.) This pamphlet
+      is closely in accord with the <i>Tatler</i> in its
+      condemnation of gaming, drunkenness, swearing, immorality on
+      the stage, and other evils of the time. Swift suggests, too,
+      a revival of censors.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag118'>[118]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote118' id="footnote118"></a>Forster
+      suggests that it was Addison.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag119'>[119]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote119' id="footnote119"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number1'>No. 1</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag120'>[120]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote120' id="footnote120"></a>This phrase, as
+      well as Unnion's forgetting his wound, is criticised in a
+      little book called, "Annotations on the <i>Tatler</i>, in two
+      parts," 12mo, said to have been written originally in French
+      by Monsieur Bournelle, and translated into English by Walter
+      Wagstaff, Esq. London, Bernard Lintott, 1710. The annotator
+      goes no farther with his annotations than to <i>Tatler</i>
+      No. 83. See Nos. 78, 191.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag121'>[121]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote121' id="footnote121"></a>"Bell. Catal.,"
+      c. 53.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag122'>[122]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote122' id="footnote122"></a>"A man of a
+      particular turn of mind" (Johnson).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag123'>[123]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote123' id="footnote123"></a>In 1705, after
+      the battle of Blenheim, Marlborough was made Prince of
+      Mildenheim by the Emperor. Lewis XIV. succeeded to the French
+      throne in 1643; Marlborough was born in 1650.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page55' title='55' id=
+    "page55"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number6' id="number6"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 6.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, April 21</i>, to <i>Saturday, April
+    23</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>I am just come from visiting Sappho,<a name='fntag124' id=
+  "fntag124"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote124'><sup>124</sup></a> a fine lady, who writes verses,
+  sings, dances and can say and do whatever she pleases, without
+  the imputation of anything that can injure her character; for she
+  is so well known to have no passion but self-love, or folly, but
+  affectation; that now upon any occasion they only cry, "'Tis her
+  way," and "That's so like her," without further reflection. As I
+  came into the room, she cries, "O Mr. Bickerstaff, I am utterly
+  undone! I have broke that pretty Italian fan I showed you when
+  you were here last, wherein were so admirably drawn our first
+  parents in Paradise asleep in each other's arms." But there is
+  such an affinity between painting and poetry, that I have been
+  improving the images which were raised by that picture, by
+  reading the same representation in two of our greatest poets.
+  Look you, here are the passages in Milton and in Dryden. All
+  Milton's thoughts are wonderfully just and natural, in this
+  inimitable description which Adam makes of himself in the eighth
+  book of "Paradise Lost." But there is none of them finer than
+  that contained in the following lines, where he tells us his
+  thoughts when he was falling asleep a little after his
+  creation.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <a class="pagenum" name='page56' title='56' id="page56"></a>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While thus I called, and strayed I know not whither,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From whence I first drew air, and first beheld
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        This happy light; when answer none returned,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Pensive I sate me down, there gentle sleep
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        First found me, and with soft oppression seized
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        My drowned sense, untroubled, though I thought
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        I then was passing to my former state,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve.<a name='fntag125'
+        id="fntag125"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote125'><sup>125</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>But now I can't forgive this odious thing, this Dryden, who,
+  in his "State of Innocence," has given my great-grand-mother Eve
+  the same apprehension of annihilation, on a very different
+  occasion, as Adam pronounces it of himself, when he was seized
+  with a pleasing kind of stupor and deadness, Eve fancies herself
+  falling away, and dissolving in the hurry of a rapture. However,
+  the verses are very good, and I don't know but it may be natural
+  what she says. I'll read them:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        When your kind eyes looked languishing on mine,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And wreathing arms did soft embraces join,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A doubtful trembling seized me first all o'er,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Then wishes, and a warmth unknown before;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        What followed was all extasy and trance,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Immortal pleasures round my swimming eyes did dance,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And speechless joys, in whose sweet tumults tost,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        I thought my breath and my new being lost.<a name=
+        'fntag126' id="fntag126"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote126'><sup>126</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>She went on, and said a thousand good things at random, but so
+  strangely mixed that you would be apt to say all her wit is mere
+  good luck, and not the effect of <a class="pagenum" name='page57'
+  title='57' id="page57"></a>reason and judgment. When I made my
+  escape hither I found a gentleman playing the critic on two other
+  great poets, even Virgil and Homer.<a name='fntag127' id=
+  "fntag127"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote127'><sup>127</sup></a> He was observing, that Virgil
+  is more judicious than the other in the epithets he gives his
+  hero. "Homer's usual epithet," said he, "is <span lang="el"
+  title="Pódas ôchùs" xml:lang=
+  "el">&#928;&#8057;&#948;&#945;&#962; &#8032;&#967;&#8058;&#962;</span>,
+  or <span lang="el" title="Podárchês" xml:lang=
+  "el">&#928;&#959;&#948;&#8049;&#961;&#967;&#951;&#962;</span>,
+  and his indiscretion has been often rallied by the critics, for
+  mentioning the nimbleness of foot in Achilles, though he
+  describes him standing, sitting, lying down, fighting, eating,
+  drinking, or in any other circumstance, however foreign or
+  repugnant to speed and activity. Virgil's common epithet to
+  Æneas, is 'Pius' or 'Pater.' I have therefore considered," said
+  he, "what passage there is in any of his hero's actions, where
+  either of these appellations would have been most improper, to
+  see if I could catch him at the same fault with Homer: and this,
+  I think, is his meeting with Dido in the cave, where Pius Æneas
+  would have been absurd, and Pater Æneas a burlesque: the poet has
+  therefore wisely dropped them both for Dux Trojanus,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Speluncam Dido dux et Trojanus eandem Devenient;<a name=
+        'fntag128' id="fntag128"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote128'><sup>128</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>which he has repeated twice in Juno's speech, and his own
+  narration: for he very well knew a loose action might be
+  consistent enough with the usual manners of a soldier, though it
+  became neither the chastity of a pious man, nor the gravity of
+  the father of a people."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page58' title='58' id=
+  "page58"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, April 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>While other parts of the town are amused with the present
+  actions, we generally spend the evening at this table in
+  inquiries into antiquity, and think anything news which gives us
+  new knowledge. Thus we are making a very pleasant entertainment
+  to ourselves, in putting the actions of Homer's "Iliad" into an
+  exact journal.</p>
+
+  <p>This poem is introduced by Chryses, King of Chryseis, and
+  priest of Apollo, who comes to re-demand his daughter, who was
+  carried off at the taking of that city, and given to Agamemnon
+  for his part of the booty. The refusal he received enrages
+  Apollo, who for nine days showered down darts upon them, which
+  occasioned the pestilence.</p>
+
+  <p>The tenth day Achilles assembles the council, and encourages
+  Chalcas to speak for the surrender of Chryseis to appease Apollo.
+  Agamemnon and Achilles storm at one another, notwithstanding
+  which Agamemnon will not release his prisoner, unless he has
+  Briseis in her stead. After long contestations, wherein Agamemnon
+  gives a glorious character of Achilles' valour, he determines to
+  restore Briseis to her father, and sends two heralds to fetch
+  away Chryseis from Achilles, who abandons himself to sorrow and
+  despair. His mother Thetis came to comfort him under his
+  affliction, and promises to represent his sorrowful lamentations
+  to Jupiter; but he could not attend it; for the evening before,
+  he had appointed to divert himself for two days beyond the seas
+  with the harmless Æthiopians.</p>
+
+  <p>It was the twenty-first day after Chryseis' arrival to the
+  camp, that Thetis went very early to demand an audience of
+  Jupiter. The means he uses to satisfy her were, to persuade the
+  Greeks to attack the Trojans; that so they <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page59' title='59' id="page59"></a>might perceive the
+  consequence of condemning Achilles and the miseries they suffer
+  if he does not head them. The next night he orders Agamemnon, in
+  a dream, to attack them; who was deceived with the hopes of
+  obtaining a victory, and also taking the city, without sharing
+  the honour with Achilles.</p>
+
+  <p>On the 22nd, in the morning, he assembles the council, and
+  having made a feint of raising the siege and retiring, he
+  declares to them his dream; and, together with Nestor and
+  Ulysses, resolves on an engagement.</p>
+
+  <p>This was the twenty-third day, which is full of incidents, and
+  which continues from almost the beginning of the second canto to
+  the eighth. The armies being then drawn up in view of one
+  another, Hector brings it about that Menelaus and Paris, the two
+  persons concerned in the quarrel, should decide it by a single
+  combat; which tending to the advantage of Menelaus, was
+  interrupted by a cowardice infused by Minerva: then both armies
+  engage, where the Trojans have the disadvantage; but being
+  afterwards animated by Apollo, they repulse the enemy, yet they
+  are once again forced to give ground; but their affairs were
+  retrieved by Hector, who has a single combat with Ajax. The gods
+  threw themselves into the battle, Juno and Minerva took the
+  Grecians' part, and Apollo and Mars the Trojans': but Mars and
+  Venus are both wounded by Diomedes.</p>
+
+  <p>The truce for burying the slain ended the twenty-third day;
+  after which the Greeks threw up a great entrenchment to secure
+  their navy from danger. Councils are held on both sides. On the
+  morning of the twenty-fourth day the battle is renewed, but in a
+  very disadvantageous manner to the Greeks, who were beaten back
+  to their retrenchments. Agamemnon being in despair at this ill
+  success, proposes to the council to quit the enterprise and
+  retire from Troy. <a class="pagenum" name='page60' title='60' id=
+  "page60"></a>But by the advice of Nestor, he is persuaded to
+  regain Achilles, by returning Chryseis, and sending him
+  considerable presents. Hereupon, Ulysses and Ajax are sent to
+  that hero, who continues inflexible in his anger. Ulysses, at his
+  return, joins himself with Diomedes, and goes in the night to
+  gain intelligence of the enemy: they enter into their very camp,
+  where, finding the sentinels asleep, they made a great slaughter.
+  Rhesus, who was just then arrived with recruits from Thrace for
+  the Trojans, was killed in that action. Here ends the tenth
+  canto. The sequel of this journal will be inserted in the next
+  article from this place.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>We hear from Italy, that notwithstanding the Pope has received
+  a letter from the Duke of Anjou, demanding of him to explain
+  himself upon the affair of acknowledging King Charles: his
+  Holiness has not yet thought fit to send any answer to that
+  prince. The Court of Rome appears very much mortified, that they
+  are not to see his Majesty of Denmark in that city, having
+  perhaps given themselves vain hopes from a visit made by a
+  Protestant priest to that see. The Pope has despatched a
+  gentleman to compliment his Majesty, and sent the king a present
+  of all the curiosities and antiquities of Rome, represented in
+  seventeen volumes, very richly bound, which were taken out of the
+  Vatican library. Letters from Genoa of the 14th instant say, a
+  felucca was arrived there in five days from Marseilles, with an
+  account, that the people of that city had made an insurrection,
+  by reason of the scarcity of provisions, and that the Intendant
+  had ordered some companies of marines, and the men belonging to
+  the galleys, to stand to their arms to protect him from violence;
+  but that he began to be in as much <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page61' title='61' id="page61"></a>apprehension of his guards as
+  those from whom they were to defend him. When that vessel came
+  away, the soldiers murmured publicly for want of pay, and it was
+  generally believed they would pillage the magazines, as the
+  garrison of Grenoble, and other towns of France, had already
+  done. A vessel which lately came into Leghorn, brought advice,
+  that the British squadron was arrived at Port Mahon, where they
+  were taking in more troops, in order to attempt the relief of
+  Alicante, which still made a very vigorous defence. 'Tis said,
+  Admiral Byng will be at the head of that expedition. The King of
+  Denmark was gone from Leghorn towards Lucca.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from Vienna, that in case the Allies should enter
+  into a treaty of peace with France, Count Zinzendorf will be
+  appointed first plenipotentiary, the Count de Goes the second,
+  and Monsieur van Konsbruch a third. Major-General Palmes, Envoy
+  Extraordinary from her Britannic Majesty, has been very urgent
+  with that Court to make their utmost efforts against France the
+  ensuing campaign, in order to oblige it to such a peace, as may
+  establish the tranquillity of Europe for the future.</p>
+
+  <p>We are also informed, that the Pope uses all imaginable shifts
+  to elude the treaty concluded with the Emperor, and that he
+  demanded the immediate restitution of Commacchio; insisting also,
+  that his Imperial Majesty should ask pardon, and desire
+  absolution for what has formerly passed, before he would solemnly
+  acknowledge King Charles: but this was utterly refused.</p>
+
+  <p>They hear at Vienna, by letters from Constantinople, dated the
+  22nd of February last, that on the 12th of that month the Grand
+  Signior took occasion, at the celebration of the festivals of the
+  Mussulmen, to set all the Christian slaves which were in the
+  galleys at liberty.</p>
+
+  <p>Advices from Switzerland import, that the preachers of
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page62' title='62' id="page62"></a>the
+  county of Tockenburg continue to create new jealousies of the
+  Protestants, and some disturbances lately happened there on that
+  account. The Protestants and Papists in the town of Hamman go to
+  divine service one after another in the same church, as is usual
+  in many other parts of Switzerland; but on Sunday, the 10th
+  instant, the Popish curate, having ended his service, attempted
+  to hinder the Protestants from entering into the church according
+  to custom; but the Protestants briskly attacked him and his
+  party, and broke into it by force.</p>
+
+  <p>Last night between seven and eight, his Grace the Duke of
+  Marlborough arrived at Court.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, April 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>The present great captains of the age, the Duke of Marlborough
+  and Prince Eugene, having been the subject of the discourse of
+  the last company I was in, it has naturally led me into a
+  consideration of Alexander and Cæsar, the two greatest names
+  which ever appeared before this century. In order to enter into
+  their characters, there needs no more but examining their
+  behaviour in parallel circumstances. It must be allowed, that
+  they had an equal greatness of soul; but Cæsar's was more
+  corrected and allayed by a mixture of prudence and
+  circumspection. This is seen conspicuously in one particular in
+  their histories, wherein they seem to have shown exactly the
+  difference of their tempers. When Alexander, after a long course
+  of victories, would still have led his soldiers farther from
+  home, they unanimously refused to follow him. We meet with the
+  like behaviour in Cæsar's army in the midst of his march against
+  Ariovistus. Let us therefore observe the conduct of our two
+  generals in so nice an affair: and here we find Alexander at the
+  head of his army, upbraiding them with <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page63' title='63' id="page63"></a>their cowardice, and meanness
+  of spirit; and in the end, telling them plainly, he would go
+  forward himself, though not a man followed him. This showed
+  indeed an excessive bravery; but how would the commander have
+  come off, if the speech had not succeeded, and the soldiers had
+  taken him at his word? The project seems of a piece with Mr.
+  Bayes' in "The Rehearsal,"<a name='fntag129' id=
+  "fntag129"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote129'><sup>129</sup></a> who, to gain a clap in his
+  prologue, comes out, with a terrible fellow in a fur cap
+  following him, and tells his audience, if they would not like his
+  play, he would lie down and have his head struck off. If this
+  gained a clap, all was well; but if not, there was nothing left
+  but for the executioner to do his office. But Cæsar would not
+  leave the success of his speech to such uncertain events: he
+  shows his men the unreasonableness of their fears in an obliging
+  manner, and concludes, that if none else would march along with
+  them, he would go himself with the Tenth Legion, for he was
+  assured of their fidelity and valour, though all the rest forsook
+  him; not but that in all probability they were as much against
+  the march as the rest. The result of all was very natural: the
+  Tenth Legion, fired with the praises of their general, send
+  thanks to him for the just opinion he entertains of them; and the
+  rest, ashamed to be outdone, assure him, that they are as ready
+  to follow where he pleases to lead them, as any other part of the
+  army.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag124'>[124]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote124' id="footnote124"></a>It has been
+      suggested, with little or no reason, that Sappho is meant for
+      Mrs. Manley (Author of the "New Atalantis"), or Mrs.
+      Elizabeth Thomas (known as "Corinna"), or Mrs. Elizabeth
+      Heywood. See <a href='#number40'>No. 40</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag125'>[125]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote125' id="footnote125"></a>"Paradise
+      Lost," viii. 283.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag126'>[126]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote126' id="footnote126"></a>Dryden's "State
+      of Innocence and Fall of Man: an Opera," act iii. sc. i. In
+      the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 345), Addison illustrated Milton's
+      chaste treatment of the subject of Eve's nuptials by
+      contrasting what he says with the account in the opera in
+      which Dryden, according to Lee's verses, refined "Milton's
+      golden ore, and new-weaved his hard-spun thought."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag127'>[127]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote127' id="footnote127"></a>Addison, on
+      reading here this remark upon Virgil, which he himself had
+      communicated to Steele, discovered that his friend was the
+      author of the <i>Tatler</i>. He was at this time in Ireland,
+      Secretary to Lord Wharton, and returned to England with the
+      Lord Lieutenant on the 8th of September following. (Tickell's
+      Preface to Addison's Works.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag128'>[128]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote128' id="footnote128"></a>"Æneid," iv.
+      124.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag129'>[129]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote129' id="footnote129"></a>"The
+      Rehearsal," act i. sc. 2. This play of the Duke of
+      Buckingham's was produced in 1671, and the poet Bayes, as
+      finally drawn after revision, was a satire on Dryden.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number7' id="number7"></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+    'page64' title='64' id="page64"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 7.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, April 23</i>, to <i>Tuesday, April
+    26</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>It is so just an observation, that mocking is catching, that I
+  am become an unhappy instance of it, and am (in the same manner
+  that I have represented Mr. Partridge) myself a dying man in
+  comparison of the vigour with which I first set out in the world.
+  Had it been otherwise, you may be sure I would not have pretended
+  to have given for news, as I did last Saturday, a diary of the
+  siege of Troy. But man is a creature very inconsistent with
+  himself: the greatest heroes are sometimes fearful, the
+  sprightliest wits at some hours dull; and the greatest
+  politicians on some occasions whimsical. But I shall not pretend
+  to palliate, or excuse the matter; for I find, by a calculation
+  of my own nativity, that I cannot hold out with any tolerable wit
+  longer than two minutes after twelve o'clock at night, between
+  the 18th and 19th of the next month. For which space of time you
+  may still expect to hear from me, but no longer, except you will
+  transmit to me the occurrences you meet with relating to your
+  amours, or any other subject within the rules by which I have
+  proposed to walk. If any gentleman or lady sends to Isaac
+  Bickerstaff, Esq., at Mr. Morphew's,<a name='fntag130' id=
+  "fntag130"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote130'><sup>130</sup></a> near Stationers' Hall, by the
+  Penny Post, the grief or joy of their soul, what they think fit
+  of the matter shall be related in colours as much to their
+  advantage, as those in which Jervas<a name='fntag131' id=
+  "fntag131"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote131'><sup>131</sup></a> has drawn the agreeable Chloe.
+  But since, without such assistance, I frankly confess, and am
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page65' title='65' id=
+  "page65"></a>sensible, that I have not a month's wit more, I
+  think I ought, while I am in my sound health and senses, to make
+  my will and testament; which I do in manner and form
+  following:</p>
+
+  <p>Imprimis, I give to the stockjobbers about the Exchange of
+  London, as a security for the trusts daily reposed in them, all
+  my real estate; which I do hereby vest in the said body of worthy
+  citizens for ever.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, Forasmuch as it is very hard to keep land in repair
+  without ready cash, I do, out of my personal estate, bestow the
+  bearskin,<a name='fntag132' id="fntag132"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote132'><sup>132</sup></a> which I have frequently lent to
+  several societies about this town, to supply their necessities. I
+  say, I give also the said bearskin, as an immediate fund to the
+  said citizens for ever.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, I do hereby appoint a certain number of the said
+  citizens to take all the custom-house or customary oaths,
+  concerning all goods imported to the whole city, strictly
+  directing, that some select members, and not the whole number of
+  a body corporate, should be perjured.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, I forbid all n&#8212;&#8212;s and persons of
+  q&#8212;&#8212;ty to watch bargains near and about the Exchange,
+  to the diminution and wrong of the said stockjobbers.</p>
+
+  <p>Thus far, in as brief and intelligible a manner as any will
+  can appear, till it is explained by the learned, I have disposed
+  of my real and personal estate: but, as I am an adept, I have by
+  birth an equal right to give also an indefeasible title to my
+  endowments and qualifications; which I do in the following
+  manner:</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page66' title='66' id=
+  "page66"></a>Item, I give my chastity to all virgins who have
+  withstood their market.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, I give my courage among all who are ashamed of their
+  distressed friends, all sneakers in assemblies, and men who show
+  valour in common conversation.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, I give my wit (as rich men give to the rich) among such
+  as think they have enough already. And in case they shall not
+  accept of the legacy, I give it to Bentivolio,<a name='fntag133'
+  id="fntag133"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote133'><sup>133</sup></a> to defend his works from time
+  to time, as he shall think fit to publish them.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, I bestow my learning upon the honorary members of the
+  Royal Society.<a name='fntag134' id="fntag134"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote134'><sup>134</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>Now for the disposal of this body.</p>
+
+  <p>As these eyes must one day cease to gaze on Teraminta, and
+  this heart shall one day pant no more for her indignation: that
+  is to say, since this body must be earth, I shall commit it to
+  the dust in a manner suitable to my character. Therefore, as
+  there are those who dispute, whether there is any such real
+  person as Isaac Bickerstaff or not, I shall excuse all persons
+  who appear what they really are, from coming to my funeral. But
+  all those who are, in their way of life, persons, as the Latins
+  have it, persons assumed, and who appear what they really are
+  not, are hereby invited to that solemnity.</p>
+
+  <p>The body shall be carried by six watchmen, who are never seen
+  in the day.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, The pall shall be held up by the six most known
+  pretenders to honesty, wealth and power, who are not <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page67' title='67' id="page67"></a>possessed of
+  any of them. The two first, an half-lawyer, a complete justice.
+  The two next, a chemist, a projector. The third couple, a
+  Treasury solicitor, and a small courtier.</p>
+
+  <p>To make my funeral (what that solemnity, when done to common
+  men, really is in itself) a very farce; and since all mourners
+  are mere actors on these occasions, I shall desire those who are
+  professedly such, to attend me. I humbly therefore beseech Mrs.
+  Barry<a name='fntag135' id="fntag135"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote135'><sup>135</sup></a> to act once more, and be my
+  widow. When she swoons away at the church-porch, I appoint the
+  merry Sir John Falstaff, and the gay Sir Harry Wildair, to
+  support her. I desire Mr. Pinkethman<a name='fntag136' id=
+  "fntag136"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote136'><sup>136</sup></a> to follow in the habit of a
+  cardinal, and Mr. Bullock<a name='fntag137' id=
+  "fntag137"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote137'><sup>137</sup></a> in that of a privy councillor.
+  To make up the rest of the appearance, I desire all the ladies
+  from the balconies to weep with Mrs. Barry, as they hope to be
+  wives and widows themselves. I invite all, who have nothing else
+  to do, to accept of gloves and scarves.</p>
+
+  <p>Thus, with the great Charles V. of Spain, I resign the glories
+  of this transitory world: yet, at the same time, to show you my
+  indifference, and that my desires are not too much fixed upon
+  anything, I own to you, I am as willing to stay as go: therefore
+  leave it in the choice of my gentle readers, whether I shall hear
+  from them, or they hear no more from me.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, April 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>Easter Day being a time when you can't well meet with any but
+  humble adventures; and there being such a thing as low gallantry,
+  as well as a low comedy, Colonel <a class="pagenum" name='page68'
+  title='68' id="page68"></a>Ramble<a name='fntag138' id=
+  "fntag138"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote138'><sup>138</sup></a> and myself went early this
+  morning into the fields, which were strewed with shepherds and
+  shepherdesses, but indeed of a different turn from the simplicity
+  of those of Arcadia. Every hedge was conscious of more than what
+  the representations of enamoured swains admit of. While we were
+  surveying the crowd around us, we saw at a distance a company
+  coming towards Pancras Church; but though there was not much
+  disorder, we thought we saw the figure of a man stuck through
+  with a sword, and at every step ready to fall, if a woman by his
+  side had not supported him; the rest followed two and two. When
+  we came nearer this appearance, who should it be but Monsieur
+  Guardeloop, mine and Ramble's French tailor, attended by others,
+  leading one of Madame Depingle's<a name='fntag139' id=
+  "fntag139"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote139'><sup>139</sup></a> maids to the church, in order
+  to their espousals. It was his sword tucked so high above his
+  waist, and the circumflex which persons of his profession take in
+  their walking, that made him appear at a distance wounded and
+  falling. But the morning being rainy, methought the march to this
+  wedding was but too lively a picture of wedlock itself. They
+  seemed both to have a month's mind to make the best of their way
+  single; yet both tugged arm in arm; and when they were in a dirty
+  way, he was but deeper in the mire, by endeavouring to pull out
+  his companion, and yet without helping her. The bridegroom's
+  feathers in his hat all drooped, one of his shoes had lost an
+  heel. In short, he was in his whole person and dress so extremely
+  soused, that there did not appear one inch or single thread about
+  him unmarried.<a name='fntag140' id="fntag140"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote140'><sup>140</sup></a> Pardon me, that the
+  melancholy <a class="pagenum" name='page69' title='69' id=
+  "page69"></a>object still dwells upon me so far, as to reduce me
+  to punning. However, we attended to the chapel, where we stayed
+  to hear the irrevocable words pronounced upon our old servant,
+  and made the best of our way to town. I took a resolution to
+  forbear all married persons, or any, in danger of being such, for
+  four-and-twenty hours at least; therefore dressed, and went to
+  visit Florimel, the vainest thing in town, where I knew would
+  drop in Colonel Picket, just come from the camp, her professed
+  admirer. He is of that order of men who has much honour and
+  merit, but withal a coxcomb; the other of that set of females,
+  who has innocence and wit, but the first of coquettes. It is easy
+  to believe, these must be admirers of each other. She says, "The
+  Colonel rides the best of any man in England": the Colonel says,
+  "She talks the best of any woman." At the same time, he
+  understands wit just as she does horsemanship. You are to know,
+  these extraordinary persons see each other daily; and they
+  themselves, as well as the town, think it will be a match: but it
+  can never happen that they can come to the point; for instead of
+  addressing to each other, they spend their whole time in reports
+  of themselves. He is satisfied if he can convince her he is a
+  fine gentleman, and a man of consequence; and she, in appearing
+  to him an accomplished lady and a wit, without further design.
+  Thus he tells her of his manner of posting his men at such a
+  pass, with the numbers he commanded on that detachment: she tells
+  him, how she was dressed on such a day at Court, and what offers
+  were made her the week following. She seems to hear the
+  repetition of his men's names with admiration; and waits only to
+  answer him with as false a muster of lovers. They talk to each
+  other not to be informed, but approved. Thus they are so like,
+  that they are to be ever distant, and the parallel lines may run
+  together for ever, but never meet.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page70' title='70' id=
+  "page70"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>This evening, the comedy, called "Epsom Wells,"<a name=
+  'fntag141' id="fntag141"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote141'><sup>141</sup></a> was acted for the benefit of
+  Mr. Bullock,<a name='fntag142' id="fntag142"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote142'><sup>142</sup></a> who, though he is a person
+  of much wit and ingenuity, has a peculiar talent of looking like
+  a fool, and therefore excellently well qualified for the part of
+  Biskett in this play. I cannot indeed sufficiently admire his way
+  of bearing a beating, as he does in this drama, and that with
+  such a natural air and propriety of folly, that one cannot help
+  wishing the whip in one's own hand; so richly does he seem to
+  deserve his chastisement. Skilful actors think it a very peculiar
+  happiness to play in a scene with such as top their parts.
+  Therefore I cannot but say, when the judgment of any good author
+  directs him to write a beating for Mr. Bullock from Mr. William
+  Pinkethman, or for Mr. William Pinkethman from Mr. Bullock, those
+  excellent players seem to be in their most shining circumstances,
+  and please me more, but with a different sort of delight, than
+  that which I receive from those grave scenes of Brutus and
+  Cassius, or Antony and Ventidius. The whole comedy is very just,
+  and the low part of human life represented with much humour and
+  wit.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>We are advised from Vienna, by letters of the 20th instant,
+  that the Emperor hath lately added twenty new members to his
+  Council of State, but they have not yet taken their places at the
+  board. General Thaun is returned from Baden, his health being so
+  well re-established by the baths of that place, that he designs
+  to set out next week for Turin, to his command of the Imperial
+  troops in <a class="pagenum" name='page71' title='71' id=
+  "page71"></a>the service of the Duke of Savoy. His Imperial
+  Majesty has advanced his brother Count Henry Thaun to be a
+  brigadier, and a Councillor of the Aulic Council of War. These
+  letters import, that King Stanislaus and the Swedish General
+  Crassau are directing their march to the Nieper, to join the King
+  of Sweden's army in Ukrania: that the States of Austria have
+  furnished Marshal Heister with a considerable sum of money, to
+  enable him to push on the war vigorously in Hungary, where all
+  things as yet are in perfect tranquillity: and that General
+  Thungen has been very importunate for a speedy reinforcement of
+  the forces on the Upper Rhine, representing at the same time,
+  what miseries the inhabitants must necessarily undergo, if the
+  designs of France on those parts be not speedily and effectually
+  prevented.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Rome, dated the 13th instant, say, that on the
+  preceding Sunday his Holiness was carried in an open chair from
+  St. Peter's to St. Mary's, attended by the Sacred College, in
+  cavalcade; and, after Mass, distributed several dowries for the
+  marriage of poor and distressed virgins. The proceedings of that
+  Court are very dilatory concerning the recognition of King
+  Charles, notwithstanding the pressing instances of the Marquis de
+  Prie, who has declared, that if this affair be not wholly
+  concluded by the 15th instant, he will retire from that Court,
+  and order the Imperial troops to return into the ecclesiastical
+  state. On the other hand, the Duke of Anjou's minister has, in
+  the name of his master, demanded of his Holiness to explain
+  himself on that affair; which, it is said, will be finally
+  determined in a consistory to be held on Monday next; the Duke
+  d'Uzeda designing to delay his departure till he sees the issue.
+  These letters also say, that the Court was mightily alarmed at
+  the news which they received by an express from Ferrara, that
+  General Boneval, who commands <a class="pagenum" name='page72'
+  title='72' id="page72"></a>in Commachio, had sent circular
+  letters to the inhabitants of St. Alberto, Longastrino, Fillo,
+  and other adjacent parts, enjoining them to come and swear fealty
+  to the Emperor, and receive new investitures of their fiefs from
+  his hands. Letters from other parts of Italy say, that the King
+  of Denmark continues at Lucca; that four English and Dutch
+  men-of-war were seen off of Oneglia, bound for Final, in order to
+  transport the troops designed for Barcelona; and that her
+  Majesty's ship the <i>Colchester</i> arrived at Leghorn the 4th
+  instant from Port Mahon, with advice, that Major-General Stanhope
+  designed to part from thence the 1st instant with 6000 or 7000
+  men to attempt the relief of the Castle of Alicant.</p>
+
+  <p>Our last advices from Berlin, bearing date the 27th instant,
+  import, that the King was gone to Linum, and the Queen to
+  Mecklenburg; but that their Majesties designed to return the next
+  week to Oranienburg, where a great chase of wild beasts was
+  prepared for their diversion, and from thence they intend to
+  proceed together to Potsdam; that the Prince Royal was set out
+  for Brabant, but intended to make some short stay at Hanover.
+  These letters also inform us, that they are advised from Obory,
+  that the King of Sweden, being on his march towards Holki, met
+  General Renne with a detachment of Muscovites, who placing some
+  regiments in ambuscade, attacked the Swedes in their rear, and
+  putting them to flight, killed 2000 men, the king himself having
+  his horse shot under him.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from Copenhagen, that, the ice being broke, the Sound
+  is again open for the ships; and that they hoped his Majesty
+  would return sooner than they at first expected.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague, dated May the 4th, N.S., say that an
+  express arrived there on the 1st from Prince Eugene to his Grace
+  the Duke of Marlborough. The States are <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page73' title='73' id="page73"></a>advised, that the auxiliaries
+  of Saxony were arrived on the frontiers of the United Provinces;
+  as also, that the two regiments of Wolfembuttel, and 4000 troops
+  from Wirtemberg, which are to serve in Flanders, are in full
+  march thither. Letters from Flanders, say that the great convoy
+  of ammunition and provisions which set out from Ghent for Lille,
+  was safely arrived at Courtray. We hear from Paris, that the King
+  has ordered the militia on the coasts of Normandy and Bretagne to
+  be in a readiness to march; and that the Court was in
+  apprehension of a descent, to animate the people to rise in the
+  midst of their present hardships.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from Spain, that the Pope's Nuncio left Madrid the
+  10th of April, in order to go to Bayonne; that the Marquis de Bay
+  was at Badajos to observe the motions of the Portuguese; and that
+  the Count d'Estain, with a body of 5000 men, was on his march to
+  attack Gironne. The Duke of Anjou has deposed the Bishop of
+  Lerida, as being a favourer of the interest of King Charles; and
+  has summoned a convocation at Madrid, composed of the
+  archbishops, bishops and states of that kingdom, wherein he hopes
+  they will come to a resolution to send for no more bulls to
+  Rome.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag130'>[130]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote130' id="footnote130"></a>John Morphew
+      was the publisher of the <i>Tatler</i>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag131'>[131]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote131' id="footnote131"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number4'>No. 4</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag132'>[132]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote132' id="footnote132"></a>Stockjobbers,
+      who contract for a sale of stock which they do not possess,
+      are called sellers of bearskins; and universally whoever
+      sells what he does not possess was said to sell the bear's
+      skin, while the bear runs in the woods. "You never heard such
+      bellowing about the town of the state of the nation,
+      especially among the sharpers, sellers of
+      bearskins&#8212;<i>i.e.</i> stockjobbers, &amp;c." (Swift).
+      See <a href='#number38'>No. 38</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag133'>[133]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote133' id="footnote133"></a>Dr. Richard
+      Bentley, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, took a leading
+      part in the controversy regarding the genuineness of the
+      Epistles of Phalaris. In 1709 he published critical notes on
+      the Tusculan Disputations.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag134'>[134]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote134' id="footnote134"></a>There are
+      several sneers at the members of the Royal Society in the
+      <i>Tatler</i>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag135'>[135]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote135' id="footnote135"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number1'>No. 1</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag136'>[136]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote136' id="footnote136"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number4'>No. 4</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag137'>[137]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote137' id="footnote137"></a>William Bullock
+      was a comic actor whose abilities are praised by Gildon and
+      others. He was the original Sir Tunbelly Clumsy in Vanbrugh's
+      "Relapse." Later on in this number (p. 70), Steele says that
+      Bullock had a peculiar talent of looking like a fool, and in
+      No. 188 he compares Bullock and
+      Pinkethman in a satirical vein.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag138'>[138]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote138' id="footnote138"></a>Perhaps Colonel
+      Hunter, afterwards Governor of New York; or Colonel Brett,
+      one of the managers of Drury Lane Theatre.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag139'>[139]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote139' id="footnote139"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number34'>No. 34</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag140'>[140]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote140' id="footnote140"></a>The pun is, of
+      course, on the word "unmarred."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag141'>[141]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote141' id="footnote141"></a>By Thomas
+      Shadwell, 1676.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag142'>[142]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote142' id="footnote142"></a>See note on p.
+      67, above.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number8' id="number8"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 8.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, April 26.</i> to <i>Thursday, April
+    28</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Wills Coffee-house, April 26.</h3>
+
+  <p>The play of "The London Cuckolds"<a name='fntag143' id=
+  "fntag143"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote143'><sup>143</sup></a> was acted this evening before a
+  suitable audience, who were extremely well diverted with that
+  heap of vice and <a class="pagenum" name='page74' title='74' id=
+  "page74"></a>absurdity. The indignation which Eugenio, who is a
+  gentleman of a just taste, has, upon occasion of seeing human
+  nature fall so low in their delights, made him, I thought,
+  expatiate upon the mention of this play very agreeably. "Of all
+  men living," said he, "I pity players (who must be men of good
+  understanding to be capable of being such) that they are obliged
+  to repeat and assume proper gestures for representing things, of
+  which their reason must be ashamed, and which they must disdain
+  their audience for approving. The amendment of these low
+  gratifications is only to be made by people of condition, by
+  encouraging the presentation of the noble characters drawn by
+  Shakespeare and others, from whence it is impossible to return
+  without strong impressions of honour and humanity. On these
+  occasions, distress is laid before us with all its causes and
+  consequences, and our resentment placed according to the merit of
+  the persons afflicted. Were dramas of this nature more acceptable
+  to the taste of the town, men who have genius would bend their
+  studies to excel in them. How forcible an effect this would have
+  on our minds, one needs no more than to observe how strongly we
+  are touched by mere pictures. Who can see Le Brun's<a name=
+  'fntag144' id="fntag144"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote144'><sup>144</sup></a> picture of the Battle of Porus,
+  without entering into the character of that fierce gallant
+  man,<a name='fntag145' id="fntag145"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote145'><sup>145</sup></a> and being accordingly spurred
+  to an emulation of his constancy and courage? When he is falling
+  with his wound, the features are at the same time very terrible
+  and languishing; and there is such a stern faintness <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page75' title='75' id="page75"></a>diffused
+  through his look, as is apt to move a kind of horror, as well as
+  pity, in the beholder. This, I say, is an effect wrought by mere
+  lights and shades; consider also a representation made by words
+  only, as in an account given by a good writer: Catiline in
+  Sallust makes just such a figure as Porus by Le Brun. It is said
+  of him, 'Catilina vero longe a suis inter hostium cadavera
+  repertus est; paululum etiam spirans, ferocitatemque animi quam
+  vivus habuerat in vultu retinens.'<a name='fntag146' id=
+  "fntag146"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote146'><sup>146</sup></a> ('Catiline was found killed far
+  from his own men among the dead bodies of the enemy: he seemed
+  still to breathe, and still retained in his face the same
+  fierceness he had when he was living.') You have in that one
+  sentence, a lively impression of his whole life and actions. What
+  I would insinuate from all this, is, that if the painter and the
+  historian can do thus much in colours and language, what may not
+  be performed by an excellent poet, when the character he draws is
+  presented by the person, the manner, the look, and the motion, of
+  an accomplished player? If a thing painted or related can
+  irresistibly enter our hearts, what may not be brought to pass by
+  seeing generous things performed before our eyes?" Eugenio ended
+  his discourse, by recommending the apt use of a theatre, as the
+  most agreeable and easy method of making a polite and moral
+  gentry, which would end in rendering the rest of the people
+  regular in their behaviour, and ambitious of laudable
+  undertakings.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Naples of the 9th instant, N.S., advise, that
+  Cardinal Grimani had ordered the regiment commanded by General
+  Pate to march towards Final, in <a class="pagenum" name='page76'
+  title='76' id="page76"></a>order to embark for Catalonia, whither
+  also a thousand horse are to be transported from Sardinia,
+  besides the troops which come from the Milanese. An English
+  man-of-war has taken two prizes, one a vessel of Malta, the other
+  of Genoa, both laden with goods of the enemy. They write from
+  Florence of the 13th, that his Majesty of Denmark had received a
+  courier from the Hague, with an account of some matters relating
+  to the treaty of a peace; upon which he declared, that he thought
+  it necessary to hasten to his own dominions.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Switzerland inform us, that the effects of the
+  great scarcity of corn in France were felt at Geneva; the
+  magistrates of which city had appointed deputies to treat with
+  the cantons of Berne and Zurich, for leave to buy up such
+  quantities of grain within their territories as should be thought
+  necessary. The Protestants of Tockenburg are still in arms about
+  the convent of St. John, and have declared, that they will not
+  lay them down, till they shall have sufficient security from the
+  Roman Catholics, of living unmolested in the exercise of their
+  religion. In the meantime the deputies of Berne and Tockenburg
+  have frequent conferences at Zurich, with the regency of that
+  canton, to find out methods for the quieting these disorders.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 3rd of May advise, that the
+  President Rouillé, after his last conference with the deputies of
+  the States, had retired to Bodegrave, five miles distant from
+  Worden, and expected the return of a courier from France on the
+  4th, with new instructions. It is said, if his answer from the
+  French Court shall not prove satisfactory, he will be desired to
+  withdraw out of these parts. In the meantime it is also reported,
+  that his equipage, as an ambassador on this great occasion, is
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page77' title='77' id=
+  "page77"></a>actually on the march towards him. They write from
+  Flanders, that the great convoy of provisions, which set out from
+  Ghent, is safely arrived at Lille. Those advices add, that the
+  enemy had assembled near Tournay a considerable body of troops
+  drawn out of the neighbouring garrisons. Their high mightinesses
+  having sent orders to their Ministers at Hamburg and Dantzic, to
+  engage the magistrates of those cities to forbid the sale of corn
+  to the French, and to signify to them, that the Dutch merchants
+  will buy up as much of that commodity as they can spare, the
+  Hamburgers have accordingly contracted with the Dutch, and
+  refused any commerce with the French on that occasion.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment.</h3>
+
+  <p>After the lassitude of a day spent in the strolling manner,
+  which is usual with men of pleasure in this town, and with a head
+  full of a million of impertinences, which had danced round it for
+  ten hours together, I came to my lodging, and hastened to bed. My
+  <i>valet-de-chambre</i><a name='fntag147' id=
+  "fntag147"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote147'><sup>147</sup></a> knows my University trick of
+  reading there; and he being: a good scholar for a gentleman, ran
+  over the names of Horace, Tibullus, Ovid, and others, to know
+  which I would have. "Bring Virgil," said I, "and if I fall
+  asleep, take care of the candle." I read the sixth book over with
+  the most exquisite delight, and had gone half through it a second
+  time, when the pleasing ideas of Elysian Fields, deceased
+  worthies walking in them, sincere lovers enjoying their
+  languishment without pain, compassion for the unhappy spirits who
+  had misspent their short daylight, and were exiled from the seats
+  of bliss for ever; I say, I was deep again in my reading, when
+  this mixture of <a class="pagenum" name='page78' title='78' id=
+  "page78"></a>images had taken place of all others in my
+  imagination before, and lulled me into a dream, from which I am
+  just awake, to my great disadvantage. The happy mansions of
+  Elysium by degrees seemed to be wafted from me, and the very
+  traces of my late waking thoughts began to fade away, when I was
+  cast by a sudden whirlwind upon an island, encompassed with a
+  roaring and troubled sea, which shaked its very centre, and
+  rocked its inhabitants as in a cradle. The islanders lay on their
+  faces, without offering to look up, or hope for preservation; all
+  her harbours were crowded with mariners, and tall vessels of war
+  lay in danger of being driven to pieces on her shores. "Bless
+  me!" said I, "why have I lived in such a manner that the
+  convulsion of nature should be so terrible to me, when I feel in
+  myself, that the better part of me is to survive it? Oh! may that
+  be in happiness." A sudden shriek, in which the whole people on
+  their faces joined, interrupted my soliloquy, and turned my eyes
+  and attention to the object which had given us that sudden start,
+  in the midst of an inconsolable and speechless affliction.
+  Immediately the winds grew calm, the waves subsided, and the
+  people stood up, turning their faces upon a magnificent pile in
+  the midst of the island. There we beheld an hero of a comely and
+  erect aspect, but pale and languid, sitting under a canopy of
+  state. By the faces and dumb sorrow of those who attended we
+  thought him in the article of death. At a distance sat a lady,
+  whose life seemed to hang upon the same thread with his: she kept
+  her eyes fixed upon him, and seemed to smother ten thousand
+  thousand nameless things, which urged her tenderness to clasp him
+  in her arms: but her greatness of spirit overcame those
+  sentiments, and gave her power to forbear disturbing his last
+  moment; which immediately approached. The hero looked up with an
+  air of negligence, and satiety <a class="pagenum" name='page79'
+  title='79' id="page79"></a>of being, rather than of pain to leave
+  it; and leaning back his head, expired.<a name='fntag148' id=
+  "fntag148"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote148'><sup>148</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>When the heroine, who sat at a distance, saw his last instant
+  come, she threw herself at his feet, and kneeling, pressed his
+  hand to her lips; in which posture she continued under the agony
+  of an unutterable sorrow, till conducted from our sight by her
+  attendants. That commanding awe, which accompanies the grief of
+  great minds, restrained the multitude while in her presence; but
+  as soon as she retired, they gave way to their distraction, and
+  all the islanders called upon their deceased hero. To him,
+  methought, they cried out, as to a guardian being, and I gathered
+  from their broken accents, that it was he who had the empire over
+  the ocean and its powers, by which he had long protected the
+  island from shipwreck and invasion. They now give a loose to
+  their moan, and think themselves exposed without hopes of human
+  or divine assistance. While the people ran wild, and expressed
+  all the different forms of lamentation, methought a sable cloud
+  overshadowed the whole land, and covered its inhabitants with
+  darkness: no glimpse of light appeared, except one ray from
+  heaven upon the place in which the heroine now secluded herself
+  from the world, with her eyes fixed on those abodes to which her
+  consort was ascended.<a name='fntag149' id=
+  "fntag149"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote149'><sup>149</sup></a> Methought, a long period of
+  time had passed away in mourning and in darkness, when a twilight
+  began by degrees to enlighten the hemisphere; and looking round
+  me, I saw a boat rowed towards the shore, in which <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page80' title='80' id="page80"></a>sat a
+  personage adorned with warlike trophies, bearing on his left arm
+  a shield, on which was engraven the image of Victory, and in his
+  right hand a branch of olive. His visage was at once so winning
+  and so awful, that the shield and the olive seemed equally
+  suitable to his genius.</p>
+
+  <p>When this illustrious person<a name='fntag150' id=
+  "fntag150"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote150'><sup>150</sup></a> touched on the shore, he was
+  received by the acclamations of the people, and followed to the
+  palace of the heroine. No pleasure in the glory of her arms, or
+  the acclamations of her applauding subjects, were ever capable to
+  suspend her sorrow for one moment, until she saw the olive branch
+  in the hand of that auspicious messenger. At that sight, as
+  Heaven bestows its blessings on the wants and importunities of
+  mortals, out of its native bounty, and not to increase its own
+  power, or honour, in compassion to the world, the celestial
+  mourner was then first seen to turn her regard to things below;
+  and taking the branch out of the warrior's hand, looked at it
+  with much satisfaction, and spoke of the blessings of peace, with
+  a voice and accent, such as that in which guardian spirits
+  whisper to dying penitents assurances of happiness. The air was
+  hushed, the multitude attentive, and all nature in a pause, while
+  she was speaking. But as soon as the messenger of peace had made
+  some low reply, in which, methought, I heard the word Iberia, the
+  heroine assuming a more severe air, but such as spoke resolution,
+  without rage, returned him the olive, and again veiled her face.
+  Loud cries and clashing of arms immediately followed, which
+  forced me from my charming vision, and drove me back to these
+  mansions of care and sorrow.<a name='fntag151' id=
+  "fntag151"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote151'><sup>151</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag143'>[143]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote143' id="footnote143"></a>A very coarse
+      play by Edward Ravenscroft, produced in 1682, and often acted
+      on Lord Mayors' days and other holidays.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag144'>[144]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote144' id="footnote144"></a>Charles Le
+      Brun, who was born in 1619, and died in 1690, was the son of
+      a sculptor, of Scotch extraction. Under Colbert's patronage
+      he founded the Academy of Painting and Sculpture, at Paris,
+      and he received many honours from Louis XIV. Le Brun's
+      painting of the Defeat of Porus is 16 feet high and 39 feet 5
+      inches long.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag145'>[145]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote145' id="footnote145"></a>Porus was an
+      Indian king who was defeated and put to death by Alexander
+      the Great. See Q. Curtius, viii. 12, 14.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag146'>[146]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote146' id="footnote146"></a>"Bell. Catil."
+      cap. 61.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag147'>[147]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote147' id="footnote147"></a>Steele seems to
+      have forgotten that he was Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., and had
+      only an old maid-servant. (Nichols.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag148'>[148]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote148' id="footnote148"></a>Prince George
+      of Denmark, the consort of Queen Anne, died on October 21,
+      1708, after a few days' illness. This dream gives a picture
+      of the state of England from his death until the conclusion
+      of the negotiations at the Hague in 1709.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag149'>[149]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote149' id="footnote149"></a>The mourning of
+      Queen Anne was so long that the manufacturers remonstrated,
+      and secured a limit to the duration of public mournings.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag150'>[150]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote150' id="footnote150"></a>About this time
+      the D[uke]. of M[arlborough]. returned from Holland with the
+      preliminaries of a peace.&#8212;(Steele.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag151'>[151]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote151' id="footnote151"></a>"Mr.
+      Bickerstaff thanks Mr. Quarterstaff for his kind and
+      instructive letter dated the 26th instant" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number9' id="number9"></a><a class="pagenum" name=
+    'page81' title='81' id="page81"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 9.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, April 28</i>, to <i>Saturday, April
+    30</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 28.</h3>
+
+  <p>This evening we were entertained with "The Old
+  Bachelor,"<a name='fntag152' id="fntag152"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote152'><sup>152</sup></a> a comedy of deserved
+  reputation. In the character which gives name to the play, there
+  is excellently represented the reluctance of a battered debauchee
+  to come into the trammels of order and decency: he neither
+  languishes nor burns, but frets for love. The gentlemen of more
+  regular behaviour are drawn with much spirit and wit, and the
+  drama introduced by the dialogue of the first scene with
+  uncommon, yet natural conversation. The part of Fondlewife is a
+  lively image of the unseasonable fondness of age and impotence.
+  But instead of such agreeable works as these, the town has this
+  half age been tormented with insects called "easy writers," whose
+  abilities Mr. Wycherley one day described excellently well in one
+  word: "That," said he, "among these fellows is called easy
+  writing, which any one may easily write." Such jaunty scribblers
+  are so justly laughed at for their sonnets on Phillis and
+  Chloris, and fantastical descriptions in them, that an ingenious
+  kinsman of mine,<a name='fntag153' id="fntag153"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote153'><sup>153</sup></a> of the family of the
+  Staffs, Mr. Humphrey Wagstaff by name, has, to avoid their
+  strain, run into a way perfectly new, and described things
+  exactly as they happen: he never forms fields, or nymphs, or
+  groves, where they are not, but makes the incidents just as they
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page82' title='82' id=
+  "page82"></a>really appear. For an example of it; I stole out of
+  his manuscript the following lines: they are a Description of the
+  Morning, but of the morning in town; nay, of the morning at this
+  end of the town, where my kinsman at present lodges.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Now hardly here and there an hackney coach
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Appearing, showed the ruddy morn's approach.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Now Betty from her master's bed had flown,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And softly stole to discompose her own.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The slipshod 'prentice from his master's door,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Had pared the street, and sprinkled round the floor.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Now Moll had whirled her mop with dext'rous airs,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Prepared to scrub the entry and the stairs.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The youth with broomy stumps began to trace
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The kennel edge, where wheels had worn the place.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The smallcoal-man was heard with cadence deep,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Till drowned in shriller notes of chimney-sweep.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Duns at his lordship's gate began to meet;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And Brickdust Moll had screamed through half a street;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The turnkey now his flock returning sees,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Duly let out at nights to steal for fees.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The watchful bailiffs take their silent stands;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And schoolboys lag with satchels in their hands.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>All that I apprehend is, that dear Numps will be angry I have
+  published these lines; not that he has any reason to be ashamed
+  of them, but for fear of those rogues, the bane to all excellent
+  performances, the imitators. Therefore, beforehand, I bar all
+  descriptions of the evenings; as, a medley of verses signifying,
+  grey-peas are now cried warm: that wenches now begin to amble
+  round the passages of the playhouse: or of noon; as, that fine
+  ladies and great beaux are just yawning out of their beds and
+  windows in Pall Mall, and so forth. I forewarn also all <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page83' title='83' id="page83"></a>persons from
+  encouraging any draughts after my cousin; and foretell any man
+  who shall go about to imitate him, that he will be very insipid.
+  The family stock is embarked in this design, and we will not
+  admit of counterfeits: Dr. Anderson<a name='fntag154' id=
+  "fntag154"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote154'><sup>154</sup></a> and his heirs enjoy his pills,
+  Sir. William Read<a name='fntag155' id="fntag155"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote155'><sup>155</sup></a> has the cure of eyes,
+  and Monsieur Rozelli<a name='fntag156' id=
+  "fntag156"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote156'><sup>156</sup></a> can only cure the gout. We
+  pretend to none of these things; but to examine who and who are
+  together, to tell any mistaken man he is not what he believes he
+  is, to distinguish merit, and expose false pretences to it, is a
+  liberty our family has by law in them, from an intermarriage with
+  a daughter of Mr. Scoggan,<a name='fntag157' id=
+  "fntag157"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote157'><sup>157</sup></a> the famous droll of the last
+  century. This right I design to make use of; but will not
+  encroach upon <a class="pagenum" name='page84' title='84' id=
+  "page84"></a>the above-mentioned adepts, or any other. At the
+  same time I shall take all the privileges I may, as an
+  Englishman, and will lay hold of the late Act of
+  Naturalisation<a name='fntag158' id="fntag158"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote158'><sup>158</sup></a> to introduce what I shall
+  think fit from France. The use of that law may, I hope, be
+  extended to people the polite world with new characters, as well
+  as the kingdom itself with new subjects. Therefore an author of
+  that nation, called La Bruyère, I shall make bold with on such
+  occasions. The last person I read of in that writer, was Lord
+  Timon.<a name='fntag159' id="fntag159"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote159'><sup>159</sup></a> Timon, says my author, is the
+  most generous of all men; but is so hurried away with that strong
+  impulse of bestowing, that he confers benefits without
+  distinction, and is munificent without laying obligations. For
+  all the unworthy, who receive from him, <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page85' title='85' id="page85"></a>have so little sense of this
+  noble infirmity, that they look upon themselves rather as
+  partners in a spoil, than partakers of a bounty. The other day,
+  coming into Paris, I met Timon going out on horseback, attended
+  only by one servant. It struck me with a sudden damp, to see a
+  man of so excellent a disposition, and that understood making a
+  figure so very well, so much shortened in his retinue. But
+  passing by his house, I saw his great coach break to pieces
+  before his door, and by a strange enchantment, immediately turned
+  into many different vehicles. The first was a very pretty
+  chariot, into which stepped his lordship's secretary. The second
+  was hung a little heavier; into that strutted the fat steward. In
+  an instant followed a chaise, which was entered by the butler.
+  The rest of the body and wheels were forthwith changed into
+  go-carts, and ran away with by the nurses and brats of the rest
+  of the family. What makes these misfortunes in the affairs of
+  Timon the more astonishing, is, that he has a better
+  understanding than those who cheat him; so that a man knows not
+  which more to wonder at, the indifference of the master, or the
+  impudence of the servant.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, April 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is matter of much speculation among the beaux and oglers,
+  what it is that can have made so sudden a change, as has been of
+  late observed, in the whole behaviour of Pastorella, who never
+  sat still a moment till she was eighteen, which she has now
+  exceeded by two months. Her aunt, who has the care of her, has
+  not been always so rigid as she is at this present date; but has
+  so good a sense of the frailty of woman, and falsehood of man,
+  that she resolved on all manner of methods to keep Pastorella, if
+  possible, in safety, against herself, and all her admirers. At
+  the same time the good lady knew by long <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page86' title='86' id="page86"></a>experience, that a gay
+  inclination, curbed too rashly, would but run to the greater
+  excesses for that restraint: therefore intended to watch her, and
+  take some opportunity of engaging her insensibly in her own
+  interests, without the anguish of an admonition. You are to know
+  then, that miss, with all her flirting and ogling, had also
+  naturally a strong curiosity in her, and was the greatest
+  eavesdropper breathing. Parisatis (for so her prudent aunt is
+  called) observed this humour, and retires one day to her closet,
+  into which she knew Pastorella would peep, and listen to know how
+  she was employed. It happened accordingly, and the young lady saw
+  her good governante on her knees, and after a mental behaviour,
+  break into these words: "As for the dear child committed to my
+  care, let her sobriety of carriage, and severity of behaviour, be
+  such, as may make that noble lord, who is taken with her beauty,
+  turn his designs to such as are honourable." Here Parisatis heard
+  her niece nestle closer to the keyhole: she then goes on; "Make
+  her the joyful mother of a numerous and wealthy offspring, and
+  let her carriage be such, as may make this noble youth expect the
+  blessings of an happy marriage, from the singularity of her life,
+  in this loose and censorious age." Miss having heard enough,
+  sneaks off for fear of discovery, and immediately at her glass,
+  alters the sitting of her head; then pulls up her tucker,<a name=
+  'fntag160' id="fntag160"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote160'><sup>160</sup></a> and forms herself into the
+  exact manner of Lindamira: in a word, becomes a sincere convert
+  to everything that's commendable in a fine young lady; and two or
+  three such matches as her aunt feigned in her devotions, are at
+  this day in her choice. This is the history and original cause of
+  Pastorella's conversion from coquetry. The prudence <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page87' title='87' id="page87"></a>in the
+  management of this young lady's temper, and good judgment of it,
+  is hardly to be exceeded. I scarce remember a greater instance of
+  forbearance of the usual peevish way with which the aged treat
+  the young, than this, except that of our famous Noye,<a name=
+  'fntag161' id="fntag161"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote161'><sup>161</sup></a> whose good nature went so far,
+  as to make him put off his admonitions to his son, even till
+  after his death; and did not give him his thoughts of him, till
+  he came to read that memorable passage in his will: "All the rest
+  of my estate," says he, "I leave to my son Edward (who is
+  executor to this my will) to be squandered as he shall think fit:
+  I leave it him for that purpose, and hope no better from him." A
+  generous disdain and reflection, upon how little he deserved from
+  so excellent a father, reformed the young man, and made Edward,
+  from an errant rake, become a fine gentleman.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Portugal of the 18th instant, dated from
+  Estremos, say, that on the 6th the Earl of Galway arrived at that
+  place, and had the satisfaction to see the quarters well
+  furnished with all manner of provisions, and a quantity of bread
+  sufficient for subsisting the troops for sixty days, besides
+  biscuits for twenty-five days. The enemy give out, that they
+  shall bring into the field 14 regiments of horse, and 24
+  battalions. The troops in the service of Portugal will make up
+  14,000 foot, and 4000 <a class="pagenum" name='page88' title='88'
+  id="page88"></a>horse. On the day these letters were despatched,
+  the Earl of Galway received advice, that the Marquis de Bay was
+  preparing for some enterprise, by gathering his troops together
+  on the frontiers. Whereupon his Excellency resolved to go that
+  same night to Villa-Vicosa, to assemble the troops in that
+  neighbourhood, in order to disappoint his designs.</p>
+
+  <p>Yesterday in the evening Captain Foxon, aide-de-camp to
+  Major-General Cadogan, arrived here express from the Duke of
+  Marlborough. And this day a mail is come in, with letters dated
+  from Brussels of the 6th of May, N.S., which advise, that the
+  enemy had drawn together a body, consisting of 20,000 men, with a
+  design, as was supposed, to intercept the great convoy on the
+  march towards Lille, which was safely arrived at Menin and
+  Courtray, in its way to that place, the French having retired
+  without making any attempt.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from the Hague, that a person of the first quality is
+  arrived in the Low Countries from France, in order to be a
+  plenipotentiary in an ensuing treaty of peace.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from France acknowledge, that Monsieur Bernard has
+  made no higher offers of satisfaction to his creditors than of
+  £35 per cent.</p>
+
+  <p>These advices add, that the Marshal Boufflers, Monsieur Torcy
+  (who distinguished himself formerly, by advising the Court of
+  France to adhere to the treaty of partition), and Monsieur
+  d'Harcourt (who negotiated with Cardinal Portocarrero for the
+  succession of the crown of Spain in the House of Bourbon), are
+  all three joined in a commission for a treaty of peace. The
+  Marshal is come to Ghent: the other two are arrived at the
+  Hague.</p>
+
+  <p>It is confidently reported here that the Right Honour<a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page89' title='89' id="page89"></a>able the Lord
+  Townshend is to go with his Grace the Duke of Marlborough into
+  Holland.<a name='fntag162' id="fntag162"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote162'><sup>162</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag152'>[152]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote152' id="footnote152"></a>Congreve's
+      first play, produced in 1693. See also No. 193. This piece is attacked in Jeremy
+      Collier's "Short View of the Profaneness and Immorality of
+      the English Stage," 1698.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag153'>[153]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote153' id="footnote153"></a>Swift.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag154'>[154]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote154' id="footnote154"></a>A Scotch
+      physician in the reigns of Charles I. and Charles II. An
+      advertisement of his "famous Scots Pills" requested the
+      public to beware of counterfeits, especially an ignorant
+      pretender, one Muffen, who kept a china-shop.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag155'>[155]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote155' id="footnote155"></a>"Henley would
+      fain have me to go with Steele and Rowe, &amp;c., to an
+      invitation at Sir William Read's. Surely you have heard of
+      him. He has been a mountebank, and is the Queen's oculist; he
+      makes admirable punch, and treats you in gold vessels. But I
+      am engaged, and won't go; neither indeed am I fond of the
+      jaunt" (Swift's "Journal," April 11, 1711). Read was knighted
+      in 1705, for services done in curing soldiers and sailors of
+      blindness gratis. Beginning life as a tailor, he became Queen
+      Anne's oculist in ordinary, and died in 1715. See
+      <i>Spectator</i>, No. 547.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag156'>[156]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote156' id="footnote156"></a>Rozelli, the
+      inventor of a specific for the gout, died at the Hague. In
+      <a href='#number33'>No. 33</a> was an advertisement of the
+      "Memoirs of the Life and Adventures of Signior Rozelli, at
+      the Hague, giving a particular account of his birth,
+      education, slavery, monastic state, imprisonment in the
+      Inquisition at Rome, and the different figures he has since
+      made, as well in Italy, as in France and Holland.... Done
+      into English from the second edition of the French." This
+      work, like the continuation of 1724, has been wrongly
+      attributed to Defoe. Rozelli advertised in the <i>London
+      Gazette</i>, for July 19, 1709, that the book was entirely
+      fictitious, and a libel upon his character.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag157'>[157]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote157' id="footnote157"></a>We learn from
+      Ben Jonson, that Scoggan, or Skogan, was M.A., and lived in
+      the time of Henry IV. "He made disguises for the King's sons,
+      writ in ballad-royal daintily well, and was regarded and
+      rewarded." Jonson calls him the moral Skogan; and introduces
+      him with Skelton, the poet laureate of Henry VIII., into his
+      Masque, entitled "The Fortunate Isles," where he keeps them
+      in character, and makes them rhyme in their own manner.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag158'>[158]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote158' id="footnote158"></a>7 Anne, cap. 5,
+      was an "Act for naturalising Foreign Protestants." After the
+      preamble, "Whereas many strangers of the Protestant or
+      reformed religion would be induced to transport themselves
+      and their estates into this kingdom, if they might be made
+      partakers of the advantages and privileges which the
+      natural-born subjects thereof do enjoy," it was enacted that
+      all persons taking the oaths, and making and subscribing the
+      declaration appointed by 6 Anne, cap. 23, should be deemed
+      natural-born subjects; but no person was to have the benefit
+      of this Act unless he received the sacrament. The Act was
+      repealed by 10 Anne, c. 5, because "divers mischiefs and
+      inconveniences have been found by experience to follow from
+      the same, to the discouragement of the natural-born subjects
+      of this kingdom, and to the detriment of the trade and wealth
+      thereof."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag159'>[159]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote159' id="footnote159"></a>It has been
+      alleged that there is here an allusion to the Duke of Ormond,
+      whose servants enriched themselves at their master's expense
+      (see <i>Examiner</i>, vol. iii. p. 48). But in the
+      <i>Guardian</i>, No. 53, Steele, writing in his own name,
+      declared that the character of Timon was not disgraceful, and
+      that when he drew it he thought it resembled himself more
+      than any one else.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag160'>[160]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote160' id="footnote160"></a>The tucker, an
+      edging round the top of a low dress, began to be discontinued
+      about 1713, as appears from complaints in the
+      <i>Guardian</i>, <i>passim</i>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag161'>[161]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote161' id="footnote161"></a>"William Noye,
+      of St. Burian in Cornwall, gentleman, was made
+      Attorney-General in 1631; his will is dated June 3, 1634,
+      about a month or six weeks before his death. The expedient
+      did not operate an alteration in his son so altogether
+      favourable; for within two years Edward was slain in a duel
+      by one Captain Byron, who was pardoned for it" (Wood's
+      "Athen. Oxon." 1691, i. 506). Noye's character is drawn in
+      the first book of Clarendon's "History of the Civil War."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag162'>[162]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote162' id="footnote162"></a>"Mr.
+      Bickerstaff has received the epistles of Mrs. Rebecca
+      Wagstaff, Timothy Pikestaff and Wagstaff, which he will
+      acknowledge farther as occasion shall serve" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number10' id="number10"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 10.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>By Mrs.<a name='fntag163' id="fntag163"></a><a class='fn'
+    href='#footnote163'><sup>163</sup></a> JENNY DISTAFF,
+    half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, April 30</i>, to <i>Tuesday, May 3</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 1.</h3>
+
+  <p>My brother Isaac having a sudden occasion to go out of town,
+  ordered me to take upon me the despatch of the next advices from
+  home, with liberty to speak it my own way; not doubting the
+  allowances which would be given to a writer of my sex. You may be
+  sure I undertook it with much satisfaction, and I confess, I am
+  not a little pleased with the opportunity of running over all the
+  papers in his closet, which he has left open for my use on this
+  occasion. The first that I lay my hands on, is, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page90' title='90' id="page90"></a>a treatise
+  concerning "The Empire of Beauty," and the effects it has had in
+  all nations of the world, upon the public and private actions of
+  men; with an appendix, which he calls, "The Bachelor's Scheme for
+  Governing his Wife." The first thing he makes this gentleman
+  propose, is, that she shall be no woman; for she is to have an
+  aversion to balls, to operas, to visits: she is to think his
+  company sufficient to fill up all the hours of life with great
+  satisfaction: she is never to believe any other man wise,
+  learned, or valiant; or at least but in a second degree. In the
+  next place, he intends she shall be a cuckold; but expects, that
+  he himself must live in perfect security from that terror. He
+  dwells a great while on instructions for her discreet behaviour,
+  in case of his falsehood. I have not patience with these
+  unreasonable expectations, therefore turn back to the treatise
+  itself. Here, indeed, my brother deduces all the revolutions
+  among men from the passion of love; and in his preface, answers
+  that usual observation against us, that there is no quarrel
+  without a woman in it, with a gallant assertion, that there is
+  nothing else worth quarrelling for. My brother is of a complexion
+  truly amorous; all his thoughts and actions carry in them a
+  tincture of that obliging inclination; and this turn has opened
+  his eyes to see, we are not the inconsiderable creatures which
+  unlucky pretenders to our favour would insinuate. He observes
+  that no man begins to make any tolerable figure, till he sets out
+  with the hopes of pleasing some one of us. No sooner he takes
+  that in hand, but he pleases every one else by-the-bye. It has an
+  immediate effect upon his behaviour. There is Colonel Ranter, who
+  never spoke without an oath, till he saw the Lady Betty
+  Modish;<a name='fntag164' id="fntag164"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote164'><sup>164</sup></a> now never gives his man an
+  order, <a class="pagenum" name='page91' title='91' id=
+  "page91"></a>but it is, "Pray, Tom, do it." The drawers where he
+  drinks live in perfect happiness. He asked Will at the "George"
+  the other day how he did? Where he used to say, "Damn it, it is
+  so," he now believes there is some mistake: he must confess, he
+  is of another opinion; but however he won't insist.</p>
+
+  <p>Every temper, except downright insipid, is to be animated and
+  softened by the influence of beauty: but of this untractable sort
+  is a lifeless handsome fellow that visits us, whom I have dressed
+  at this twelvemonth; but he is as insensible of all the arts I
+  use, as if he conversed all that time with his nurse. He outdoes
+  our whole sex in all the faults our enemies impute to us; he has
+  brought laziness into an opinion, and makes his indolence his
+  philosophy: insomuch, that no longer ago than yesterday in the
+  evening he gave me this account of himself: "I am, madam,
+  perfectly unmoved at all that passes among men, and seldom give
+  myself the fatigue of going among them; but when I do, I always
+  appear the same thing to those whom I converse with. My hours of
+  existence, or being awake, are from eleven in the morning to
+  eleven at night; half of which I live to myself, in picking my
+  teeth, washing my hands, paring my nails, and looking in the
+  glass. The insignificancy of my manners to the rest of the world
+  makes the laughers call me a <i>quidnunc</i>, a phrase I shall
+  never inquire what they mean by it. The last of me each night is
+  at St. James's Coffee-house, where I converse, yet never fall
+  into a dispute on any occasion, but leave the understanding I
+  have, passive of all that goes through it, without entering into
+  the business of life. <a class="pagenum" name='page92' title='92'
+  id="page92"></a>And thus, madam, have I arrived by laziness, to
+  what others pretend to by devotion, a perfect neglect of the
+  world." Sure, if our sex had the liberty of frequenting
+  public-houses and conversations, we should put these rivals of
+  our faults and follies out of countenance. However, we shall soon
+  have the pleasure of being acquainted with them one way or other,
+  for my brother Isaac designs, for the use of our sex, to give the
+  exact characters of all the chief politicians who frequent any of
+  the coffee-houses from St. James's to the Change; but designs to
+  begin with that cluster of wise heads, as they are found sitting
+  every evening, from the left side of the fire, at the
+  Smyrna,<a name='fntag165' id="fntag165"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote165'><sup>165</sup></a> to the door. This will be of
+  great service for us, and I have authority to promise an exact
+  journal of their deliberations; the publication of which I am to
+  be allowed for pin-money. In the meantime, I cast my eye upon a
+  new book, which gave me a more pleasing entertainment, being a
+  sixth part of "Miscellany Poems," published by Jacob
+  Tonson,<a name='fntag166' id="fntag166"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote166'><sup>166</sup></a> which I find, by my brother's
+  notes upon it, no way inferior to the other volumes. There are,
+  it seems, in this, a collection of the best pastorals that have
+  hitherto appeared in England; but among them, none superior to
+  that dialogue between Sylvia and Dorinda, written by one of my
+  own sex,<a name='fntag167' id="fntag167"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote167'><sup>167</sup></a> where all our little
+  weak<a class="pagenum" name='page93' title='93' id=
+  "page93"></a>nesses are laid open in a manner more just, and
+  with, truer raillery than ever man yet hit upon.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Only this I now discern.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From the things thou'st have me learn;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That womankind's peculiar joys
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From past or present beauties rise.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>But to reassume my first design, there cannot be a greater
+  instance of the command of females, than in the prevailing charms
+  of the heroine in the play which was acted this night, called
+  "All for Love; or, The World Well Lost."<a name='fntag168' id=
+  "fntag168"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote168'><sup>168</sup></a> The enamoured Antony resigns
+  glory and power to the force of the attractive Cleopatra, whose
+  charms were the defence of her diadem, against a people otherwise
+  invincible. It is so natural for women to talk of themselves,
+  that it is to be hoped all my own sex, at least, will pardon me,
+  that I could fall into no other discourse. If we have their
+  favour, we give ourselves very little anxiety for the rest of our
+  readers. I believe I see a sentence of Latin in my brother's
+  day-book of wit, which seems applicable on this occasion, and in
+  contempt of the critics.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        &#8212;Tristitiam et metus
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Tradam protectis in mare Criticum
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Portare ventis.<a name='fntag169' id=
+        "fntag169"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote169'><sup>169</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>But I am interrupted by a packet from Mr. Kidney,<a name=
+  'fntag170' id="fntag170"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote170'><sup>170</sup></a> from the St. James's
+  Coffee-house, which I am obliged to insert in the very style and
+  words which Mr. Kidney uses in his letter.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page94' title='94' id=
+  "page94"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 2.</h3>
+
+  <p>We are advised by letters from Berne, dated the 1st instant,
+  N.S., that the Duke of Berwick arrived at Lyons the 25th of the
+  last month, and continued his journey the next day to visit the
+  passes of the mountains, and other posts in Dauphine and
+  Provence. These letters also informed us, that the miseries of
+  the people in France are heightened to that degree, that unless a
+  peace be speedily concluded, half of that kingdom would perish
+  for want of bread. On the 24th, the Marshal de Thesse passed
+  through Lyons, in his way to Versailles; and two battalions,
+  which were marching from Alsace to reinforce the army of the Duke
+  of Berwick, passed also through that place. Those troops were to
+  be followed by six Battalions more.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Naples of the 16th of April say, that the Marquis
+  de Prie's son was arrived there, with instructions from his
+  father, to signify to the viceroy the necessity his Imperial
+  Majesty was under, of desiring an aid from that kingdom, for
+  carrying on the extraordinary expenses of the war. On the 14th of
+  the same month, they made a review of the Spanish troops in that
+  garrison, and afterwards of the marines; one part of whom will
+  embark with those designed for Barcelona, and the rest are to be
+  sent on board the galleys appointed to convoy provisions to that
+  place.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from Rome, by letters dated the 20th of April, that
+  the Count de Mellos, envoy from the King of Portugal, had made
+  his public entry into that city with much state and magnificence.
+  The Pope has lately held two other consistories, wherein he made
+  a promotion of two cardinals; but the acknowledgment of King
+  Charles is still deferred.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page95' title='95' id=
+  "page95"></a>Letters from other parts of Italy advise us, that
+  the Doge of Venice continues dangerously ill: that the Prince de
+  Carignan, having relapsed into a violent fever, died the 23rd of
+  April, in his 80th year.</p>
+
+  <p>Advices from Vienna of the 27th of April import, that the
+  Archbishop of Saltzburg is dead, who is succeeded by Count
+  Harrach, formerly Bishop of Vienna, and for these last three
+  years coadjutor to the said Archbishop; and that Prince
+  Maximilian of Lichtenstein has likewise departed this life, at
+  his country seat called Cromaw in Moravia. These advices add,
+  that the Emperor has named Count Zinzendorf, Count Goes, and
+  Monsieur Consbruck, for his plenipotentiaries in an ensuing
+  treaty of peace; and they hear from Hungary, that the
+  Imperialists have had several successful skirmishes with the
+  malcontents.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Paris, dated May the 6th, say, that the Marshal
+  de Thesse arrived there on the 29th of the last month; and that
+  the Chevalier de Beuil was sent thither by Don Pedro Ronquillo
+  with advice, that the confederate squadron appeared before
+  Alicante the 17th, and having for some time cannonaded the city,
+  endeavoured to land some troops for the relief of the castle; but
+  General Stanhope finding the passes well guarded, and the
+  enterprise dangerous, demanded to capitulate for the castle;
+  which being granted him, the garrison, consisting of 600 regular
+  troops, marched out with their arms and baggage the day
+  following; and being received on board, they immediately set sail
+  for Barcelona. These letters add, that the march of the French
+  and Swiss regiments is further deferred for a few days; and that
+  the Duke of Noailles was just ready to set out for Roussillon, as
+  well as the Count de Bezons for Catalonia.</p>
+
+  <p>The same advices say, bread was sold at Paris for 6d.
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page96' title='96' id="page96"></a>per
+  pound; and that there was not half enough, even at that rate, to
+  supply the necessities of the people, which reduced them to the
+  utmost despair; that 300 men had taken up arms, and having
+  plundered the market of the suburb St. Germain, pressed down by
+  their multitude the King's Guards who opposed them. Two of those
+  mutineers were afterwards seized, and condemned to death; but
+  four others went to the magistrate who pronounced that sentence,
+  and told him, he must expect to answer with his own life for
+  those of their comrades. All order and sense of government being
+  thus lost among the enraged people, to keep up a show of
+  authority, the captain of the Guards, who saw all their
+  insolence, pretended, that he had represented to the King their
+  deplorable condition, and had obtained their pardon. It is
+  further reported, that the Dauphin and Duchess of Burgundy, as
+  they went to the Opera, were surrounded by crowds of people, who
+  upbraided them with their neglect of the general calamity, in
+  going to diversions, when the whole people were ready to perish
+  for want of bread. Edicts are daily published to suppress these
+  riots, and papers, with menaces against the Government, are
+  publicly thrown about. Among others, these words were dropped in
+  a court of justice: "France wants a Ravilliac or a Jesuit to
+  deliver her." Besides this universal distress, there is a
+  contagious sickness, which, it is feared, will end in a
+  pestilence. Letters from Bordeaux bring accounts no less
+  lamentable: the peasants are driven by hunger from their abodes
+  into that city, and make lamentations in the streets without
+  redress.</p>
+
+  <p>We are advised by letters from the Hague, dated the 10th
+  instant, N.S., that on the 6th, the Marquis de Torcy arrived
+  there from Paris; but the passport, by which he came, having been
+  sent blank by Monsieur Rouillé, he <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page97' title='97' id="page97"></a>was there two days before his
+  quality was known. That Minister offered to communicate to
+  Monsieur Heinsius the proposals which he had to make; but the
+  pensionary refused to see them, and said, he would signify it to
+  the States, who deputed some of their own body to acquaint him,
+  That they would enter into no negotiation till the arrival of his
+  Grace the Duke of Marlborough, and the other Ministers of the
+  Alliance. Prince Eugene was expected there the 12th instant from
+  Brussels. It is said, that besides Monsieur de Torcy and Monsieur
+  Pajot, Director-general of the Posts, there are two or three
+  persons at the Hague whose names are not known; but it is
+  supposed that the Duke d'Alba, ambassador from the Duke of Anjou,
+  was one of them. The States have sent letters to all the cities
+  of the Provinces, desiring them to send their deputies to receive
+  the propositions of peace made by the Court of France.<a name=
+  'fntag171' id="fntag171"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote171'><sup>171</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag163'>[163]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote163' id="footnote163"></a>The word "Miss"
+      was still confined, in Steele's day, to very young girls or
+      to young women of giddy or doubtful character. Thus
+      Pastorella in <a href='#number9'>No. 9</a> is called "Miss,"
+      and similarly we find "Miss Gruel" in <a href='#number33'>No.
+      33</a>. In the "Original Letters to the <i>Tatler</i> and
+      <i>Spectator</i>," printed by Charles Lillie (i. 223) there
+      is a "Table of the Titles and Distinctions of Women," from
+      which what follows is extracted. "Let all
+      country-gentlewomen, without regard to more or less fortune,
+      content themselves with being addressed by the style of
+      'Mrs.' Let 'Madam' govern independently in the city, &amp;c.
+      Let no women after the known age of 21 presume to admit of
+      her being called 'Miss,' unless she can fairly prove she is
+      not out of her sampler. Let every common maid-servant be
+      plain 'Jane,' 'Doll,' or 'Sue,' and let the better-born and
+      higher-placed be distinguished by 'Mrs. Patience,' 'Mrs.
+      Prue,' or 'Mrs. Abigail.'"</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag164'>[164]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote164' id="footnote164"></a>Perhaps there
+      is here an illusion to Mrs. Anne Oldfield (died 1730), and
+      Brigadier-General Charles Churchill, brother of the Duke of
+      Marlborough. Mrs. Oldfield acted as Lady Betty Modish in
+      Cibber's "Careless Husband," a part which was not only
+      written for, but copied from her. Her son by Churchill
+      married Lady Mary Walpole.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag165'>[165]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote165' id="footnote165"></a>A coffee-house
+      in Pall Mall. Swift and Prior frequented it: "Prior and I
+      came away at nine, and sat at the Smyrna till eleven
+      receiving acquaintance." "I walked a little in the Park till
+      Prior made me go with him to the Smyrna
+      Coffee-house."&#8212;("Journal to Stella," Oct. 15, 1710;
+      Feb. 19, 1711.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag166'>[166]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote166' id="footnote166"></a>The sixth and
+      last volume of the "Dryden" Miscellany Poems was published by
+      Tonson in 1709. The elder Tonson, who was founder and
+      secretary of the Kit Cat Club, died in 1736.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag167'>[167]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote167' id="footnote167"></a>By Elizabeth
+      Singer, who became Mrs. Rowe in 1710, and died in 1737.
+      Besides poems which gained for her the friendship of Prior,
+      Dr. Watts, and Bishop Ken, she published "Friendship in
+      Death, in twenty letters from the Dead to the Living," and
+      "Letters Moral and Entertaining."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag168'>[168]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote168' id="footnote168"></a>Dryden's
+      version of "Antony and Cleopatra" was produced in 1673.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag169'>[169]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote169' id="footnote169"></a>Horace, 1 Od.
+      xxvi. 2. The joke consists in Mrs. Jenny Distaff mistaking
+      Horace's "Creticum" for "Criticum," and so misapplying the
+      passage.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag170'>[170]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote170' id="footnote170"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number1'>No. 1</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag171'>[171]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote171' id="footnote171"></a>"In the absence
+      of Mr. Bickerstaff, Mrs. Distaff has received Mr. Nathaniel
+      Broomstick's letter" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number11' id="number11"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 11.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday May 3,</i> to <i>Thursday, May 5</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 3.</h3>
+
+  <p>A kinsman<a name='fntag172' id="fntag172"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote172'><sup>172</sup></a> has sent me a letter,
+  wherein he informs me, he had lately resolved to write an heroic
+  poem, but by business had been interrupted, and has only made one
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page98' title='98' id=
+  "page98"></a>similitude, which he should be afflicted to have
+  wholly lost, and begs of me to apply it to something, being very
+  desirous to see it well placed in the world. I am so willing to
+  help the distressed, that I have taken it in; but though his
+  greater genius might very well distinguish his verses from mine,
+  I have marked where his begin. His lines are a description of the
+  sun in eclipse, which I know nothing more like than a brave man
+  in sorrow, who bears it as he should, without imploring the pity
+  of his friends, or being dejected with the contempt of his
+  enemies. As in the case of Cato:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        When all the globe to Cæsar's fortune bowed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Cato alone his empire disallowed;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        With inborn strength alone opposed mankind,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        With heaven in view, to all below it blind:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Regardless of his friend's applause, or moan,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Alone triumphant, since he falls alone.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Thus when the Ruler of the genial day,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Behind some darkening planet forms his way,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Desponding mortals, with officious care,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The concave drum, and magic brass prepare;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Implore him to sustain the important fight,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And save depending worlds from endless night.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Fondly they hope their labour may avail,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To ease his conflict, and assist his toil.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Whilst he in beams of native splendour bright, }
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        (Though dark his orb appear to human sight) }
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Shines to the gods with more diffusive light. }
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To distant stars with equal glory burns,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Inflames their lamps, and feeds their golden urns.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Sure to retain his known superior tract,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And proves the more illustrious by defect."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page99' title='99' id=
+  "page99"></a>This is a very lively image; but I must take the
+  liberty to say, my kinsman drives the sun a little like Phaëton:
+  he has all the warmth of Ph&#339;bus, but won't stay for his
+  direction of it. Avail and toil, defect and tract, will never do
+  for rhymes. But, however, he has the true spirit in him; for
+  which reason I was willing to entertain anything he pleased to
+  send me. The subject which he writes upon, naturally raises great
+  reflections in the soul, and puts us in mind of the mixed
+  condition which we mortals are to support; which, as it varies to
+  good or bad, adorns or defaces our actions to the beholders: All
+  which glory and shame must end in what we so much repine at,
+  death. But doctrines on this occasion, any other than that of
+  living well, are the most insignificant and most empty of all the
+  labours of men. None but a tragedian can die by rule, and wait
+  till he discovers a plot, or says a fine thing upon his exit. In
+  real life, this is a chimera; and by noble spirits, it will be
+  done decently, without the ostentation of it. We see men of all
+  conditions and characters go through it with equal resolution:
+  and if we consider the speeches of the mighty philosophers,
+  heroes, law-givers, and great captains, they can produce no more
+  in a discerning spirit, than rules to make a man a fop on his
+  death-bed. Commend me to that natural greatness of soul,
+  expressed by an innocent, and consequently resolute, country
+  fellow, who said in the pains of the colic, "If I once get this
+  breath out of my body, you shall hang me before you put it in
+  again." Honest Ned! and so he died.<a name='fntag173' id=
+  "fntag173"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote173'><sup>173</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>But it is to be supposed, from this place you may expect an
+  account of such a thing as a new play is not to be omitted. That
+  acted this night is the newest that ever <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page100' title='100' id="page100"></a>was writ. The author is my
+  ingenious friend Mr. Thomas D&#8212;&#8212;y. The drama is
+  called, "The Modern Prophets,"<a name='fntag174' id=
+  "fntag174"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote174'><sup>174</sup></a> and is a most unanswerable
+  satire against the late spirit of enthusiasm. The writer had by
+  long experience observed, that in company, very grave discourses
+  have been followed by bawdry; and therefore has turned the humour
+  that way with great success, and taken from his audience all
+  manner of superstition, by the agitations of pretty Mrs.
+  Bignell,<a name='fntag175' id="fntag175"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote175'><sup>175</sup></a> whom he has, with great
+  subtlety, made a lay-sister, as well as a prophetess; by which
+  means, she carries on the affairs of both worlds with great
+  success. My friend designs to go on with another work against
+  winter, which he intends to call, "The Modern Poets"; a people no
+  less mistaken in their opinions of being inspired than the other.
+  In order to this, he has by him seven songs, besides many
+  ambiguities, which cannot be mistaken for anything but what he
+  means them. Mr. D&#8212;&#8212;y generally writes state-plays,
+  and is wonderfully useful to the world in such representations.
+  This method is the same that was used by old Athenians, to laugh
+  out of countenance, or promote opinions among the people. My
+  friend has therefore, against this play is acted for his own
+  benefit, made two dances, which may be also of an universal
+  benefit. In the first he has represenced absolute power, in the
+  person of a tall man with a hat and feather, who gives his first
+  minister, that stands just before him, a huge kick: the minister
+  gives the kick to the next before; and so to the end of the
+  stage. In this moral and practical jest, you <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page101' title='101' id="page101"></a>are made to
+  understand, that there is, in an absolute government, no
+  gratification, but giving the kick you receive from one above you
+  to one below you. This is performed to a grave and melancholy
+  air; but on a sudden the tune moves quicker, and the whole
+  company fall into a circle and take hands; then, at a certain
+  sharp note, they move round, and kick as kick can. This latter
+  performance he makes to be the representation of a free state;
+  where, if you all mind your steps, you may go round and round
+  very jollily, with a motion pleasant to yourselves and those you
+  dance with: nay, if you put yourselves out, at the worst you only
+  kick, and are kicked, like friends and equals.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 4.</h3>
+
+  <p>Of all the vanities under the sun, I confess, that of being
+  proud of one's birth is the greatest. At the same time, since in
+  this unreasonable age, by the force of prevailing custom, things
+  in which men have no hand are imputed to them; and that I am used
+  by some people, as if Isaac Bickerstaff, though I write myself
+  "Esquire," was nobody: to set the world right in that particular,
+  I shall give you my genealogy, as a kinsman of ours has sent it
+  me from the Heralds' Office. It is certain, and observed by the
+  wisest writers, that there are women who are not nicely chaste,
+  and men not severely honest in all families; therefore let those
+  who may be apt to raise aspersions upon ours, please to give us
+  as impartial an account of their own, and we shall be satisfied.
+  The business of heralds is a matter of so great nicety, that to
+  avoid mistakes, I shall give you my cousin's letter verbatim,
+  without altering a syllable.<a name='fntag176' id=
+  "fntag176"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote176'><sup>176</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page102' title='102' id=
+  "page102"></a>DEAR COUSIN,</p>
+
+  <p>"Since you have been pleased to make yourself so famous of
+  late, by your ingenious writings, and some time ago by your
+  learned Predictions: since Partridge, of immortal memory, is dead
+  and gone, who, poetical as he was, could not understand his own
+  poetry; and philomathical as he was, could not read his own
+  destiny: since the Pope, the King of France, and great part of
+  his Court, are either literally or metaphorically defunct: since,
+  I say, these things (not foretold by any one but yourself) have
+  come to pass after so surprising a manner; it is with no small
+  concern I see the original of the Staffian race so little known
+  in the world as it is at this time; for which reason, as you have
+  employed your studies in astronomy and the occult sciences, so I,
+  my mother being a Welsh woman, dedicated mine to genealogy,
+  particularly that of our own family, which, for its antiquity and
+  number, may challenge any in Great Britain. The Staffs are
+  originally of Staffordshire, which took its name from them: the
+  first that I find of the Staffs was one Jacobstaff, a famous and
+  renowned astronomer, who by Dorothy his wife, had issue seven
+  sons; viz., Bickerstaff, Longstaff, Wagstaff, Quarterstaff,
+  Whitestaff, Falstaff, and Tipstaff. He also had a younger brother
+  who was twice married, and had five sons; viz., Distaff,
+  Pikestaff, Mopstaff, Broomstaff, and Raggedstaff. As for the
+  branch from whence you <a class="pagenum" name='page103' title=
+  '103' id="page103"></a>spring, I shall say very little of it,
+  only that it is the chief of the Staffs, and called Bickerstaff,
+  <i>quasi</i> Biggerstaff; as much as to say, the great staff, or
+  staff of staffs; and that it has applied itself to astronomy with
+  great success, after the example of our aforesaid forefather. The
+  descendants from Longstaff, the second son, were a rakish
+  disorderly sort of people, and rambled from one place to another,
+  till in Harry II.'s time they settled in Kent, and were called
+  Long-tails, from the long tails which were sent them as a
+  punishment for the murder of Thomas-à-Becket, as the legends say;
+  they have been always sought after by the ladies; but whether it
+  be to show their aversion to popery, or their love to miracles, I
+  can't say. The Wagstaffs are a merry thoughtless sort of people,
+  who have always been opinionated of their own wit; they have
+  turned themselves mostly to poetry. This is the most numerous
+  branch of our family, and the poorest. The Quarterstaffs are most
+  of them prize-fighters or deer-stealers. There have been so many
+  of them hanged lately, that there are very few of that branch of
+  our family left. The Whitestaffs<a name='fntag177' id=
+  "fntag177"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote177'><sup>177</sup></a> are all courtiers, and have had
+  very considerable places: there have been some of them of that
+  strength and dexterity, that five hundred of the ablest men in
+  the kingdom<a name='fntag178' id="fntag178"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote178'><sup>178</sup></a> have often tugged in vain
+  to pull a staff out of their hands. The Falstaffs are strangely
+  given to whoring and drinking: there are abundance of them in and
+  about London. And one thing is very remarkable of this branch,
+  and that is, there are just as many women as men in it. There was
+  a wicked stick of wood of this name in Harry IV.'s time, one Sir
+  John Falstaff. As for Tipstaff, the youngest son, he was
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page104' title='104' id="page104"></a>an
+  honest fellow; but his sons, and his sons' sons, have all of them
+  been the veriest rogues living: it is this unlucky branch has
+  stocked the nation with that swarm of lawyers, attorneys,
+  serjeants, and bailiffs, with which the nation is overrun.
+  Tipstaff, being a seventh son, used to cure the king's evil; but
+  his rascally descendants are so far from having that healing
+  quality, that by a touch upon the shoulder, they give a man such
+  an ill habit of body, that he can never come abroad afterwards.
+  This is all I know of the line of Jacobstaff: his younger brother
+  Isaacstaff, as I told you before, had five sons, and was married
+  twice; his first wife was a Staff (for they did not stand upon
+  false heraldry in those days), by whom he had one son, who in
+  process of time, being a schoolmaster, and well read in the
+  Greek, called himself Distaff or Twicestaff: he was not very
+  rich, so he put his children out to trades; and the Distaffs have
+  ever since been employed in the woollen and linen manufactures,
+  except myself, who am a genealogist. Pikestaff, the eldest son by
+  the second venter, was a man of business, a downright plodding
+  fellow, and withal so plain, that he became a proverb. Most of
+  this family are at present in the army. Raggedstaff was an
+  unlucky boy, and used to tear his clothes getting birds' nests,
+  and was always playing with a tame bear his father kept. Mopstaff
+  fell in love with one of his father's maids, and used to help her
+  to clean the house. Broomstaff was a chimney-sweeper. The
+  Mopstaffs and Broomstaffs are naturally as civil people as ever
+  went out of doors; but alas! if they once get into ill hands,
+  they knock down all before them. Pilgrimstaff run away from his
+  friends, and went strolling about the country: and Pipestaff was
+  a wine-cooper. These two were the unlawful issue of
+  Longstaff.</p>
+
+  <p>"N.B. The Canes, the Clubs, the Cudgels, the Wands, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page105' title='105' id="page105"></a>the Devil
+  upon two Sticks, and one Bread, that goes by the name of Staff of
+  Life, are none of our relations.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am, dear Cousin,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"D. DISTAFF.</p>
+
+  <p>"From the Heralds' Office, <i>May 1</i>."</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 4.</h3>
+
+  <p>As politic news is not the principal subject on which we
+  treat, we are so happy as to have no occasion for that art of
+  cookery, which our brother-newsmongers so much excel in; as
+  appears by their excellent and inimitable manner of dressing up a
+  second time for your taste the same dish which they gave you the
+  day before, in case there come over no new pickles from Holland.
+  Therefore, when we have nothing to say to you from courts and
+  camps, we hope still to give you somewhat new and curious from
+  ourselves: the women of our house, upon occasion, being capable
+  of carrying on the business, according to the laudable custom of
+  the wives in Holland; but, without further preface, take what we
+  have not mentioned in our former relations.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Hanover of the 30th of the last month say, that
+  the Prince Royal of Prussia arrived there on the 15th, and left
+  that Court on the 2nd of this month, in pursuit of his journey to
+  Flanders, where he makes the ensuing campaign. Those advices add,
+  that the young Prince Nassau, hereditary governor of Friesland,
+  consummated on the 26th of the last month his marriage with the
+  beauteous princess of Hesse-Cassel, with a pomp and magnificence
+  suitable to their age and quality.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Paris say, his most Christian Majesty retired to
+  Marli on the 1st instant, N.S., and our last advices from Spain
+  inform us, that the Prince of Asturias had made his public entry
+  into Madrid in great splendour. The Duke of Anjou has given Don
+  Joseph Hartado de Amaraga the government of Terra-Firma de
+  Veragua, and the presidency of Panama in America. They add, That
+  the forces commanded by the Marquis de Bay had been reinforced by
+  six battalions of Spanish and Walloon guards. Letters from Lisbon
+  advise, That the army of the King of Portugal was at Elvas on the
+  22nd of the last month, and would decamp on the 24th, in order to
+  march upon the enemy, who lay at Badajos.</p>
+
+  <p>Yesterday, at four in the morning, his Grace the Duke of
+  Marlborough set out for Margate, and embarked for Holland at
+  eight this morning.</p>
+
+  <p>Yesterday also, Sir George Thorold was declared Alderman of
+  Cordwainers' Ward, in the room of his brother Sir Charles
+  Thorold, deceased.<a name='fntag179' id="fntag179"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote179'><sup>179</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag172'>[172]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote172' id="footnote172"></a>Jabez Hughes
+      (died 1731), the author of these verses, was the younger
+      brother of John Hughes. He published several translations,
+      and his "Miscellanies in Verse and Prose" appeared in
+      1737.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag173'>[173]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote173' id="footnote173"></a>"Honest Ned"
+      was a farmer on the estate of Anthony Henley, who mentions
+      this saying in a letter to Swift.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag174'>[174]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote174' id="footnote174"></a>D'Urfey's
+      "Modern Prophets" attacked the enthusiasts known as "French
+      Prophets," who were in the habit of assembling in Moorfields
+      to exert their alleged gifts. Lord Chesterfield says that the
+      Government took no steps, except to direct Powell, the
+      puppet-show man, to make Punch turn prophet, which he did so
+      well, that it put an end to the fanatics.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag175'>[175]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote175' id="footnote175"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number3'>No. 3</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag176'>[176]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote176' id="footnote176"></a>The letter is
+      by Heneage Twysden. (See Steele's Preface.) Heneage Twysden
+      was the seventh son of Sir William Twysden, Bart., of Roydon
+      Hall, East Peckham, Kent. At the time of his death (1709,
+      aged 29) he was a captain of foot in Sir Richard Temple's
+      Regiment, and aide-de-camp to John, Duke of Argyle. Near his
+      monument in the north aisle of the Abbey are two other small
+      ones to the memory of his brothers Josiah and John. Josiah, a
+      captain of foot, was killed in Flanders in 1708, in his 23rd
+      year; John was a lieutenant in the admiral's ship, under Sir
+      Cloudesley Shovel, and perished with him in 1707, in his 24th
+      year. [Chalmers.]&#8212;Heneage Twysden was killed at the
+      battle of Blarequies.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag177'>[177]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote177' id="footnote177"></a>The allusion is
+      to the staff carried by the First Lord of the Treasury.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag178'>[178]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote178' id="footnote178"></a>The House of
+      Commons.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag179'>[179]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote179' id="footnote179"></a>"Any ladies who
+      have any particular stories of their acquaintance, which they
+      are willing privately to make public, may send them by the
+      penny-post to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., enclosed to Mr. John
+      Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page106' title='106' id=
+    "page106"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number12' id="number12"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 12.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, May 5</i>, to <i>Saturday, May 7</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>May 5.</h3>
+
+  <p>When a man has engaged to keep a stage-coach, he is obliged,
+  whether he has passengers or not, to set out: thus it fares with
+  us weekly historians; but indeed, for my particular, I hope I
+  shall soon have little more to do in this work, than to publish
+  what is sent me from such as have leisure and capacity for giving
+  delight, and <a class="pagenum" name='page107' title='107' id=
+  "page107"></a>being pleased in an elegant manner. The present
+  grandeur of the British nation might make us expect, that we
+  should rise in our public diversions, and manner of enjoying
+  life, in proportion to our advancement in glory and power.
+  Instead of that, take and survey this town, and you'll find,
+  rakes and debauchees are your men of pleasure; thoughtless
+  atheists, and illiterate drunkards, call themselves free
+  thinkers; and gamesters, banterers, biters,<a name='fntag180' id=
+  "fntag180"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote180'><sup>180</sup></a> swearers, and twenty new-born
+  insects more, are, in their several species, the modern men of
+  wit. Hence it is, that a man who has been out of town but one
+  half-year, has lost the language, and must have some friend to
+  stand by him, and keep him in countenance for talking common
+  sense. To-day I saw a short interlude at White's of this nature,
+  which I took notes of, and put together as well as I could in a
+  public place. The persons of the drama are, Pip, the last
+  gentleman that has been made so at cards; Trimmer, a person half
+  undone at them, and is now between a cheat and a gentleman;
+  Acorn, an honest Englishman, of good plain sense and meaning; and
+  Mr. Friendly, a reasonable man of the town.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page108' title='108' id=
+  "page108"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 5.</h3>
+
+  <p class="right">[<i>Enter</i> PIP, TRIM, <i>and</i> ACORN.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. What's the matter, gentlemen? What! Take no notice of an
+  old friend?</p>
+
+  <p>PIP. Pox on it! don't talk to me, I am voweled by the Count,
+  and cursedly out of humour.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. Voweled! Prithee, Trimmer, what does he mean by that?</p>
+
+  <p>TRIM. Have a care, Harry, speak softly; don't show your
+  ignorance:&#8212;If you do, they'll bite you where-e'er they meet
+  you; they are such cursed curs,&#8212;the present wits.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. Bite me! What do you mean?</p>
+
+  <p>PIP. Why! Don't you know what biting is? Nay, you are in the
+  right on it. However, one would learn it only to defend oneself
+  against men of wit, as one would know the tricks of play, to be
+  secure against the cheats. But don't you hear, Acorn, that
+  report, that some potentates of the Alliance have taken care of
+  themselves, exclusive of us?</p>
+
+  <p>AC. How! Heaven forbid! After all our glorious victories; all
+  this expense of blood and treasure!</p>
+
+  <p>PIP. Bite&#8212;</p>
+
+  <p>AC. Bite! How?</p>
+
+  <p>TRIM. Nay, he has bit you fairly enough; that's certain.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. Pox! I don't feel it&#8212;how? Where?</p>
+
+  <p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> PIP <i>and</i> TRIMMER,
+  <i>laughing.</i></p>
+
+  <p>AC. Ho! Mr. Friendly, your most humble servant; you heard what
+  passed between those fine gentlemen and me. Pip complained to me,
+  that he has been voweled; and they tell me, I am bit.</p>
+
+  <p>FRIEND. You are to understand, sir, that simplicity of
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page109' title='109' id=
+  "page109"></a>behaviour, which is the perfection of good breeding
+  and good sense, is utterly lost in the world; and in the room of
+  it, there are started a thousand little inventions, which men,
+  barren of better things, take up in the place of it. Thus, for
+  every character in conversation that used to please, there is an
+  impostor put upon you. Him whom we allowed formerly for a certain
+  pleasant subtilty, and natural way of giving you an unexpected
+  hit, called a droll, is now mimicked by a biter, who is a dull
+  fellow, that tells you a lie with a grave face, and laughs at you
+  for knowing him no better than to believe him. Instead of that
+  sort of companion, who could rally you, and keep his countenance,
+  till he made you fall into some little inconsistency of
+  behaviour, at which you yourself could laugh with him, you have
+  the sneerer, who will keep you company from morning to night, to
+  gather your follies of the day (which perhaps you commit out of
+  confidence in him), and expose you in the evening to all the
+  scorners in town. For your man of sense and free spirit, whose
+  set of thoughts were built upon learning, reason, and experience,
+  you have now an impudent creature made up of vice only, who
+  supports his ignorance by his courage, and want of learning by
+  contempt of it.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. Dear sir, hold: what you have told me already of this
+  change in conversation, is too miserable to be heard with any
+  delight; but, methinks, as these new creatures appear in the
+  world, it might give an excellent field to writers for the stage,
+  to divert us with the representation of them there.</p>
+
+  <p>FRIEND. No, no: as you say, there might be some hopes of
+  redress of these grievances, if there were proper care taken of
+  the theatre; but the history of that is yet more lamentable than
+  that of the decay of conversation I gave you.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page110' title='110' id=
+  "page110"></a>AC. Pray, sir, a little: I haven't been in town
+  these six years, till within this fortnight.</p>
+
+  <p>FRIEND. It is now some years since several revolutions in the
+  gay world had made the empire of the stage subject to very fatal
+  convulsions, which were too dangerous to be cured by the skill of
+  little King Oberon,<a name='fntag181' id="fntag181"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote181'><sup>181</sup></a> who then sat in the
+  throne of it. The laziness of this prince threw him upon the
+  choice of a person who was fit to spend his life in contentions,
+  an able and profound attorney, to whom he mortgaged his whole
+  empire. This Divito<a name='fntag182' id="fntag182"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote182'><sup>182</sup></a> is the most skilful
+  of all politicians: he has a perfect art in being unintelligible
+  in discourse, and uncomeatable in business. But he having no
+  understanding in this polite way, brought in upon us, to get in
+  his money, ladder-dancers,<a name='fntag183' id=
+  "fntag183"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote183'><sup>183</sup></a> rope-dancers, jugglers, and
+  mountebanks, to strut in the place of Shakespeare's heroes, and
+  Jonson's humorists. When the seat of wit was thus mortgaged,
+  without equity of redemption, an architect<a name='fntag184' id=
+  "fntag184"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote184'><sup>184</sup></a> arose, who has built the muse a
+  new palace, but secured her no <a class="pagenum" name='page111'
+  title='111' id="page111"></a>retinue; so that instead of action
+  there, we have been put off by song and dance. This latter help
+  of sound has also begun to fail for want of voices; therefore the
+  palace has since been put into the hands of a surgeon,<a name=
+  'fntag185' id="fntag185"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote185'><sup>185</sup></a> who cuts any foreign fellow
+  into an eunuch, and passes him upon us for a singer of Italy.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. I'll go out of town to-morrow.</p>
+
+  <p>FRIEND.<a name='fntag186' id="fntag186"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote186'><sup>186</sup></a> Things are come to this
+  pass; and yet the world will not understand, that the theatre has
+  much the same effect on the manners of the age, as the bank on
+  the credit of the nation. Wit and spirit, humour and good sense,
+  can never be revived, but under the government of those who are
+  judges of such talents, who know, that whatever is put up in
+  their stead, is but a short and trifling expedient, to support
+  the appearance of them for a season. It is possible, a peace will
+  give leisure to put these matters under new regulations; but at
+  present, all the assistance we can see towards our recovery, is
+  as far from giving us help, as a poultice is from performing what
+  can be done only by the Grand Elixir.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>According to our late design in the applauded verses on the
+  Morning,<a name='fntag187' id="fntag187"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote187'><sup>187</sup></a> which you lately had from
+  hence, we proceed to improve that just intention, and present you
+  with other labours, made proper to the place in which they were
+  written. The following poem comes from <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page112' title='112' id="page112"></a>Copenhagen, and is as fine
+  a winter-piece as we have ever had from any of the schools of the
+  most learned painters. Such images as these give us a new
+  pleasure in our sight, and fix upon our minds traces of
+  reflection, which accompany us whenever the like objects occur.
+  In short, excellent poetry and description dwell upon us so
+  agreeably, that all the readers of them are made to think, if not
+  write, like men of wit. But it would be injury to detain you
+  longer from this excellent performance, which is addressed to the
+  Earl of Dorset by Mr. Philips,<a name='fntag188' id=
+  "fntag188"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote188'><sup>188</sup></a> the author of several choice
+  poems in Mr. Tonson's new Miscellany.<a name='fntag189' id=
+  "fntag189"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote189'><sup>189</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line right">
+        <i>Copenhagen, March 9</i>, 1709.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From frozen climes, and endless tracks of snow,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From streams that northern winds forbid to flow;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        What present shall the muse to Dorset bring;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Or how, so near the Pole, attempt to sing?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The hoary winter here conceals from sight
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        All pleasing objects that to verse invite.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The hills and dales, and the delightful woods,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The flowery plains, and silver streaming floods,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        By snow disguised, in bright confusion lie,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And with one dazzling waste fatigue the eye.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        No gentle breathing breeze prepares the spring,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        No birds within the desert region sing.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The ships unmoved the boisterous winds defy,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While rattling chariots o'er the ocean fly.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The vast leviathan wants room to play,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And spout his waters in the face of day.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The starving wolves along the main sea prowl,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And to the moon in icy valleys howl.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        For many a shining league the level main
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Here spreads itself into a glassy plain:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        There solid billows of enormous size,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page113' title='113' id=
+        "page113"></a>Alps of green ice, in wild disorder rise.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        And yet but lately have I seen e'en here,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The winter in a lovely dress appear;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Ere yet the clouds let fall the treasured snow,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Or winds begun through hazy skies to blow.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        At evening a keen eastern breeze arose;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And the descending rain unsullied froze.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Soon as the silent shades of night withdrew,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The ruddy morn disclosed at once to view
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The face of nature in a rich disguise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And brightened every object to my eyes.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        For every shrub, and every blade of grass,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And every pointed thorn, seemed wrought in glass,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        In pearls and rubies rich the hawthorns show,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While through the ice the crimson berries glow.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The thick-sprung reeds the watery marshes yield,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Seem polished lances in a hostile field.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The stag in limpid currents with surprise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Sees crystal branches on his forehead rise.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The spreading oak, the beech, and towering pine,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Glazed over, in the freezing ether shine.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The frighted birds the rattling branches shun,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That wave and glitter in the distant sun.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        When if a sudden gust of wind arise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The brittle forest into atoms flies:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The crackling wood beneath the tempest bends,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And in a spangled shower the prospect ends.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Or if a southern gale the region warm,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And by degrees unbind the wintry charm;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The traveller a miry country sees,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page114' title='114' id=
+        "page114"></a>And journeys sad beneath the dropping trees.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Like some deluded peasant, Merlin leads
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Through fragrant bowers, and through delicious meads;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While here enchanted gardens to him rise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And airy fabrics there attract his eyes,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        His wandering feet the magic paths pursue;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And while he thinks the fair illusion true,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The trackless scenes disperse in fluid air,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And woods and wilds, and thorny ways appear:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A tedious road the weary wretch returns,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And, as he goes, the transient vision mourns.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>There has a mail this day arrived from Holland; but the matter
+  of the advices importing rather what gives us great expectations,
+  than any positive assurances, I shall, for this time, decline
+  giving you what I know, and apply the following verses of Mr.
+  Dryden, in the second part of "Almanzor," to the present
+  circumstances of things, without discovering what my knowledge in
+  astronomy suggests to me.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        When empire in its childhood first appears,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A watchful fate o'er sees its tender years:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Till grown more strong, it thrusts and stretches out,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And elbows all the kingdoms round about.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The place thus made for its first breathing free,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        It moves again for ease and luxury;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Till swelling by degrees it has possest
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The greater space, and now crowds up the rest.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page115' title='115' id=
+        "page115"></a>When from behind there starts some petty
+        state,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And pushes on its now unwieldy fate.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Then down the precipice of time it goes,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And sinks in minutes, which in ages rose.<a name='fntag190'
+        id="fntag190"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote190'><sup>190</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag180'>[180]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote180' id="footnote180"></a>"I'll teach you
+      a way to outwit Mrs. Johnson; it is a new-fashioned way of
+      being witty, and they call it a <i>bite</i>. You must ask a
+      bantering question, or tell some damned lie in a serious
+      manner, then she will answer, or speak as if you were in
+      earnest, and then cry you, 'Madam, there's a <i>bite</i>.' I
+      would not have you undervalue this, for it is the constant
+      amusement in Court, and everywhere else among the great
+      people; and I let you know it, in order to have it obtain
+      among you, and to teach you a new refinement" (Swift's
+      "Journal"). See the <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 47, 504: "<i>A
+      Biter</i> is one who tells you a thing you have no reason to
+      disbelieve in itself; and perhaps has given you, before he
+      bit you, no reason to disbelieve it for his saying it; and if
+      you give him credit, laughs in your face, and triumphs that
+      he has deceived you. In a word, a <i>Biter</i> is one who
+      thinks you a fool, because you do not think him a knave."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag181'>[181]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote181' id="footnote181"></a>Owen McSwiney,
+      a manager of Drury Lane Theatre, and afterwards of the
+      Haymarket Theatre. After living in Italy for some years, he
+      obtained a place in the Custom-house, and was keeper of the
+      King's Mews. On his death in 1754 he left his fortune to Mrs.
+      Woffington.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag182'>[182]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote182' id="footnote182"></a>Christopher
+      Rich, manager of Drury Lane Theatre, who died in 1714, was at
+      this time involved in a quarrel with the principal actors
+      about the profits of their benefits.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag183'>[183]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote183' id="footnote183"></a>Cibber
+      ("Apology," chap. x.) complains that Rich paid extraordinary
+      prices to singers, dancers, and other exotic performers,
+      which were as constantly deducted out of the sinking salaries
+      of his actors. In December, 1709, the Lord Chamberlain
+      ordered that no new representations were to be brought upon
+      the stage which were not necessary to the better performance
+      of comedy or opera, "such as ladder-dancing, antic postures,"
+      &amp;c., without his leave.&#8212;(Lord Chamberlain's
+      Records, Warrant Book, No. 22.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag184'>[184]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote184' id="footnote184"></a>Sir John
+      Vanbrugh built the Haymarket Theatre in 1705. The new house
+      was opened with a translation of an Italian opera, "The
+      Triumph of Love", which met with little success. This was
+      followed by Vanbrugh's "Confederacy."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag185'>[185]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote185' id="footnote185"></a>John James
+      Heidegger, who died in 1749, aged 90, was the son of a Swiss
+      clergyman. When over 40 he came to England, and became the
+      chief director of the opera-house and masquerades. His face
+      was remarkably ugly.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag186'>[186]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote186' id="footnote186"></a>"Trim", in
+      original editions.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag187'>[187]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote187' id="footnote187"></a>See No. 9.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag188'>[188]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote188' id="footnote188"></a>"Philips
+      writeth verses in a sledge upon the frozen sea," wrote Swift,
+      "and transmits them hither to thrive in our warm climate
+      under the shelter of my Lord Dorset." Addison refers to this
+      poem by Ambrose Philips in No. 223 of the <i>Spectator</i>,
+      and Pope commends it.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag189'>[189]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote189' id="footnote189"></a>The sixth and
+      last volume of Tonson's "Miscellany" opens with Philips'
+      Pastorals, and closes with those of Pope.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag190'>[190]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote190' id="footnote190"></a>"Almanzor and
+      Almahide; or, The Conquest of Granada. The Second Part," act
+      i. sc. I.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number13' id="number13"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 13.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, May 7</i>, to <i>Tuesday, May 10</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 8.</h3>
+
+  <p>Much hurry and business had to-day perplexed me into a mood
+  too thoughtful for going into company; for which reason, instead
+  of the tavern, I went into Lincoln's Inn Walks; and having taken
+  a round or two, I sat down, according to the allowed familiarity
+  of these places, on a bench; at the other end of which sat a
+  venerable gentleman, who speaking with a very affable air, "Mr.
+  Bickerstaff," said he, "I take it for a very great piece of good
+  fortune, that you have found me out." "Sir," said I, "I had
+  never, that I know of, the honour of seeing you before." "That,"
+  replied he, "is what I have often lamented; but I assure you, I
+  have for many years done you good offices, without being observed
+  by you; or else, when you had any little glimpse of my being
+  concerned in an affair, you have fled from me, and shunned me
+  like an enemy; but however, the part I am to act in the world is
+  such, that I am to go on in doing good, though I meet with never
+  so many repulses, even from those I oblige." This, thought I,
+  shows a great good nature, but little judgment in the persons
+  upon whom he confers his favours. He immediately took notice to
+  me, that he observed by my countenance I <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page116' title='116' id="page116"></a>thought him indiscreet in
+  his beneficence, and proceeded to tell me his quality in the
+  following manner: "I know thee, Isaac, to be so well versed in
+  the occult sciences, that I need not much preface, or make long
+  preparations to gain your faith that there are airy beings, who
+  are employed in the care and attendance of men, as nurses are to
+  infants, till they come to an age in which they can act of
+  themselves. These beings are usually called amongst men, guardian
+  angels; and, Mr. Bickerstaff, I am to acquaint you, that I am to
+  be yours for some time to come; it being our orders to vary our
+  stations, and sometimes to have one patient under our protection,
+  and sometimes another, with a power of assuming what shape we
+  please, to ensnare our wards into their own good. I have of late
+  been upon such hard duty, and know you have so much work for me,
+  that I think fit to appear to you face to face, to desire you
+  would give me as little occasion for vigilance as you can."
+  "Sir," said I, "it will be a great instruction to me in my
+  behaviour, if you please to give me some account of your late
+  employments, and what hardships or satisfactions you have had in
+  them, that I may govern myself accordingly." He answered: "To
+  give you an example of the drudgery we go through, I will
+  entertain you only with my three last stations: I was on the 1st
+  of April last, put to mortify a great beauty, with whom I was a
+  week; from her I went to a common swearer, and have been last
+  with a gamester. When I first came to my lady, I found my great
+  work was to guard well her eyes and ears; but her flatterers were
+  so numerous, and the house, after the modern way, so full of
+  looking-glasses, that I seldom had her safe but in her sleep.
+  Whenever we went abroad, we were surrounded by an army of
+  enemies: when a well-made man appeared, he was sure to have a
+  side-glance of <a class="pagenum" name='page117' title='117' id=
+  "page117"></a>observation: if a disagreeable fellow, he had a
+  full face, out of mere inclination to conquests. But at the close
+  of the evening, on the sixth of the last month, my ward was
+  sitting on a couch, reading Ovid's 'Epistles'; and as she came to
+  this line of Helen to Paris,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        She half consents who silently denies;<a name='fntag191'
+        id="fntag191"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote191'><sup>191</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>entered Philander,<a name='fntag192' id=
+  "fntag192"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote192'><sup>192</sup></a> who is the most skilful of all
+  men in an address to women. He is arrived at the perfection of
+  that art which gains them, which is, to talk like a very
+  miserable man, but look like a very happy one. I saw Dictinna
+  blush at his entrance, which gave me the alarm; but he
+  immediately said something so agreeable on her being at study,
+  and the novelty of finding a lady employed in so grave a manner,
+  that he on a sudden became very familiarly a man of no
+  consequence; and in an instant laid all her suspicions of his
+  skill asleep, as he almost had done mine, till I observed him
+  very dangerously turn his discourse upon the elegance of her
+  dress, and her judgment in the choice of that very pretty
+  mourning. Having had women before under my care, I trembled at
+  the apprehension of a man of sense, who could talk upon trifles,
+  and resolved to stick to my post with all the circumspection
+  imaginable. In short, I prepossessed her against all he could say
+  to the advantage of her dress and person; but he turned again the
+  discourse, where I found I had no power over her, on the abusing
+  her friends and acquaintance. He allowed indeed, that Flora had a
+  little beauty, and a great deal of wit; but then she was so
+  ungainly in her behaviour, and such a laughing
+  hoyden&#8212;Pastorella <a class="pagenum" name='page118' title=
+  '118' id="page118"></a>had with him the allowance of being
+  blameless: but what was that towards being praiseworthy? To be
+  only innocent, is not to be virtuous. He afterwards spoke so much
+  against Mrs. Dipple's forehead, Mrs. Prim's mouth, Mrs.
+  Dentifrice's teeth, and Mrs. Fidget's cheeks, that she grew
+  downright in love with him: for it is always to be understood,
+  that a lady takes all you detract from the rest of her sex to be
+  a gift to her. In a word, things went so far, that I was
+  dismissed, and she will remember that evening nine months, from
+  the 6th of April, by a very remarkable token. The next, as I
+  said, I went to was a common swearer: never was creature so
+  puzzled as myself when I came first to view his brain; half of it
+  was worn out, and filled up with mere expletives, that had
+  nothing to do with any other parts of the texture; therefore,
+  when he called for his clothes in a morning, he would cry,
+  'John&#8212;?' John does not answer. 'What a plague! Nobody
+  there? What the devil, and rot me! John, for a lazy dog as you
+  are.' I knew no way to cure him, but by writing down all he said
+  one morning as he was dressing, and laying it before him on the
+  toilet when he came to pick his teeth. The last recital I gave
+  him of what he said for half an hour before, was, 'What, a pox
+  rot me! Where is the washball? Call the chairmen: damn them, I
+  warrant they are at the ale-house already! Zounds, and confound
+  them.' When he came to the glass, he takes up my note&#8212;'Ha!
+  this fellow is worse than me: what, does he swear with pen and
+  ink?' But reading on, he found them to be his own words. The
+  stratagem had so good an effect upon him, that he grew
+  immediately a new man, and is learning to speak without an oath,
+  which makes him extremely short in his phrases; for, as I
+  observed before, a common swearer has a brain without any idea on
+  the swearing <a class="pagenum" name='page119' title='119' id=
+  "page119"></a>side; therefore my ward has yet mighty little to
+  say, and is forced to substitute some other vehicle of nonsense
+  to supply the defect of his usual expletives. When I left him, he
+  made use of, 'Oddsbodikins!' 'Oh me!' and, 'Never stir alive!'
+  and so forth; which gave me hopes of his recovery. So I went to
+  the next I told you of, the gamester. When we first take our
+  place about a man, the receptacles of the pericranium are
+  immediately searched. In his, I found no one ordinary trace of
+  thinking; but strong passion, violent desires, and a continued
+  series of different changes, had torn it to pieces. There
+  appeared no middle condition; the triumph of a prince, or the
+  misery of a beggar, were his alternate states. I was with him no
+  longer than one day, which was yesterday. In the morning at
+  twelve, we were worth four thousand pounds; at three, we were
+  arrived at six thousand; half an hour after, we were reduced to
+  one thousand; at four of the clock, we were down to two hundred;
+  at five, to fifty; at six, to five; at seven, to one guinea; the
+  next bet, to nothing: this morning, he borrowed half a crown of
+  the maid who cleans his shoes; and is now gaming in Lincoln's Inn
+  Fields among the boys for farthings and oranges, till he has made
+  up three pieces, and then he returns to White's into the best
+  company in town." This ended our first discourse; and it is
+  hoped, you will forgive me, that I have picked so little out of
+  my companion at our first interview. In the next, it is possible
+  he may tell me more pleasing incidents; for though he is a
+  familiar, he is not an evil spirit.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page120' title='120' id=
+  "page120"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 9.</h3>
+
+  <p>We hear from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., that
+  Monsieur de Torcy hath had frequent conferences with the Grand
+  Pensioner, and the other Ministers who were heretofore
+  commissioned to treat with Monsieur Rouillé. The preliminaries of
+  a peace are almost settled, and the proceedings wait only for the
+  arrival of the Duke of Marlborough; after whose approbation of
+  the articles proposed, it is not doubted but the methods of the
+  treaty will be publicly known. In the meantime, the States have
+  declared an abhorrence of making any step in this great affair,
+  but in concert with the Court of Great Britain, and other princes
+  of the Alliance. The posture of affairs in France does
+  necessarily oblige that nation to be very much in earnest in
+  their offers; and Monsieur de Torcy hath professed to the Grand
+  Pensioner, that he will avoid all occasions of giving him the
+  least jealousy of his using any address in private conversations
+  for accomplishing the ends of his embassy. It is said, that as
+  soon as the preliminaries are adjusted, that Minister is to
+  return to the French Court. The States of Holland have resolved
+  to make it an instruction to all their men-of-war and privateers,
+  to bring into their ports whatever neutral ships they shall meet
+  with laden with corn, and bound for France; and to avoid all
+  cause of complaint from the potentates to whom these ships shall
+  belong, their full demand for their freight shall be paid them
+  there. The French Protestants residing in that country have
+  applied themselves to their respective magistrates, desiring that
+  there may be an article in the treaty of peace, which may give
+  liberty of conscience to the Protestants in France. Monsieur
+  Bosnage, minister of the Walloon church at Rotterdam, has been at
+  the Hague and hath had some <a class="pagenum" name='page121'
+  title='121' id="page121"></a>conferences with the deputies of the
+  States on that subject. It is reported there, that all the French
+  refugees in those dominions are to be naturalised, that they may
+  enjoy the same good effects of the treaty with the Hollanders
+  themselves, in respect of France.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Paris say, the people conceive great hopes of a
+  sudden peace, from Monsieur Torcy's being employed in the
+  negotiation, he being a Minister of too great weight in that
+  Court, to be sent on any employment in which his master would not
+  act in a manner wherein he might justly promise himself success.
+  The French advices add, that there is an insurrection in Poictou;
+  3000 men having taken up arms, and beaten the troops which were
+  appointed to disperse them: three of the mutineers being taken,
+  were immediately executed; and as many of the king's party were
+  used after the same manner.</p>
+
+  <p>Our late Act of Naturalisation<a name='fntag193' id=
+  "fntag193"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote193'><sup>193</sup></a> hath had so great an effect in
+  foreign parts, that some princes have prohibited the French
+  refugees in their dominions to sell or transfer their estates to
+  any other of their subjects; and at the same time have granted
+  them greater immunities than they hitherto enjoyed. It has been
+  also thought necessary to restrain their own subjects from
+  leaving their native country, on pain of death.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag191'>[191]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote191' id="footnote191"></a>Ovid's
+      "Epistles," 1709; translation of "Helen's Epistle to Paris,"
+      by the Earl of Mulgrave and Dryden.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag192'>[192]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote192' id="footnote192"></a>An original for
+      Philander has been found in Lord Halifax. See <a href=
+      '#number49'>No. 49</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag193'>[193]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote193' id="footnote193"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number9'>No. 9</a>. "If the Whigs were now restored to
+      power, the bill [for a general naturalisation] now to be
+      repealed, would then be re-enacted, and the birthright of an
+      Englishman reduced again to the value of twelve
+      pence."&#8212;(<i>Examiner</i>, vol. i. No. 26.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number14' id="number14"></a><a class="pagenum" name=
+    'page122' title='122' id="page122"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 14.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday May 10</i>, to <i>Thursday, May 12</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 10.</h3>
+
+  <p>Had it not been that my familiar had appeared to me, as I told
+  you in my last, in person, I had certainly been unable to have
+  found even words, without meaning, to keep up my intelligence
+  with the town: but he has checked me severely for my despondence,
+  and ordered me to go on in my design of observing upon things,
+  and forbearing persons; "for," said he, "the age you live in is
+  such, that a good picture of any vice or virtue will infallibly
+  be misrepresented; and though none will take the kind
+  descriptions you make so much to themselves, as to wish well to
+  the author, yet all will resent the ill characters you produce,
+  out of fear of their own turn in the licence you must be obliged
+  to take, if you point at particular persons." I took his
+  admonition kindly, and immediately promised him to beg pardon of
+  the author of the "Advice to the Poets,"<a name='fntag194' id=
+  "fntag194"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote194'><sup>194</sup></a> for my raillery upon his work;
+  though I aimed at no more in that examination, but to convince
+  him, and all men of genius, of the folly of laying themselves out
+  on such plans as are below their characters. I hope too it was
+  done without ill-breeding, and nothing spoken below what a
+  civilian (as it is allowed I am) may utter to a physician. After
+  this preface, all the world may be safe from my writings; for if
+  I can find nothing to commend, I am silent, and will forbear the
+  subject: for, though I am a reformer, I scorn to be an
+  inquisitor.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page123' title='123' id=
+  "page123"></a>It would become all men, as well as me, to lay
+  before them the noble character of Verus the magistrate,<a name=
+  'fntag195' id="fntag195"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote195'><sup>195</sup></a> who always sat in triumph over,
+  and contempt of, vice; he never searched after it, or spared it
+  when it came before him: at the same time, he could see through
+  the hypocrisy and disguise of those, who have no pretence to
+  virtue themselves, but by their severity to the vicious. This
+  same Verus was, in times long past, chief justice (as we call it
+  amongst us) in Fælicia.<a name='fntag196' id=
+  "fntag196"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote196'><sup>196</sup></a> He was a man of profound
+  knowledge of the laws of his country, and as just an observer of
+  them in his own person. He considered justice as a cardinal
+  virtue, not as a trade for maintenance. Wherever he was judge, he
+  never forgot that he was also counsel. The criminal before him
+  was always sure he stood before his country, and, in a sort, a
+  parent of it. The prisoner knew, that though his spirit was
+  broken with guilt, and incapable of language to defend itself,
+  all would be gathered from him which could conduce to his safety;
+  and that his judge would wrest no law to destroy him, nor conceal
+  any that could save him. In his time, there were a nest of
+  pretenders to justice, who happened to be employed to put things
+  in a method for being examined before him at his usual sessions:
+  these animals were to Verus, as monkeys are to men, so like, that
+  you can hardly disown them; but so base, that you are ashamed of
+  their fraternity. It grew a phrase, "Who would do justice on the
+  justices?" That certainly would Verus. I have seen an old trial
+  where he sat judge on two of them; one was called Trick-Track,
+  the other <a class="pagenum" name='page124' title='124' id=
+  "page124"></a>Tearshift;<a name='fntag197' id=
+  "fntag197"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote197'><sup>197</sup></a> one was a learned judge of
+  sharpers, the other the quickest of all men at finding out a
+  wench. Trick-Track never spared a pickpocket, but was a companion
+  to cheats: Tearshift would make compliments to wenches of
+  quality, but certainly commit poor ones. If a poor rogue wanted a
+  lodging, Trick-Track sent him to gaol for a thief: if a poor
+  whore went only with one thin petticoat, Tearshift would imprison
+  her for being loose in her dress. These patriots infested the
+  days of Verus, while they alternately committed and released each
+  other's prisoners. But Verus regarded them as criminals, and
+  always looked upon men as they stood in the eye of justice,
+  without respecting whether they sat on the bench, or stood at the
+  bar.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page125' title='125' id=
+  "page125"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 11</h3>
+
+  <p>Yesterday we were entertained with the tragedy of "The Earl of
+  Essex,"<a name='fntag198' id="fntag198"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote198'><sup>198</sup></a> in which there is not one good
+  line, and yet a play which was never seen without drawing tears
+  from some part of the audience: a remarkable instance, that the
+  soul is not to be moved by words, but things; for the incidents
+  in this drama are laid together so happily, that the spectator
+  makes the play for himself, by the force which the circumstance
+  has upon his imagination. Thus, in spite of the most dry
+  discourses, and expressions almost ridiculous with respect to
+  propriety, it is impossible for one unprejudiced to see it
+  untouched with pity. I must confess, this effect is not wrought
+  on such as examine why they are pleased; but it never fails to
+  appear on those who are not too learned in nature, to be moved by
+  her first suggestions. It is certain, the person and behaviour of
+  Mr. Wilks<a name='fntag199' id="fntag199"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote199'><sup>199</sup></a> has no small share in conducing
+  to the popularity of the play; and when a handsome fellow is
+  going to a more coarse exit than beheading, his shape and
+  countenance make every tender one reprieve him with all her
+  heart, without waiting till she hears his dying words.</p>
+
+  <p>This evening "The Alchemist"<a name='fntag200' id=
+  "fntag200"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote200'><sup>200</sup></a> was played. This comedy is an
+  example of Ben's extensive genius and <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page126' title='126' id="page126"></a>penetration into the
+  passions and follies of mankind. The scene in the fourth act,
+  where all the cheated people oppose the man that would open their
+  eyes, has something in it so inimitably excellent, that it is
+  certainly as great a masterpiece as has ever appeared by any
+  hand. The author's great address in showing covetousness the
+  motive of the actions of the Puritan, the epicure, the gamester,
+  and the trader; and that all their endeavours, how differently
+  soever they seem to tend, centre only in that one point of gain,
+  shows he had to a great perfection, that discernment of spirit,
+  which constitutes a genius for comedy.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is not to be imagined how far the violence of our desires
+  will carry us towards our own deceit in the pursuit of what we
+  wish for. A gentleman here this evening was giving me an account
+  of a dumb fortune-teller,<a name='fntag201' id=
+  "fntag201"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote201'><sup>201</sup></a> who outdoes Mr. Partridge,
+  myself, or the unborn-doctor,<a name='fntag202' id=
+  "fntag202"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote202'><sup>202</sup></a> for predictions. All his
+  visitants come to him <a class="pagenum" name='page127' title=
+  '127' id="page127"></a>full of expectations, and pay his own rate
+  for the interpretations they put upon his shrugs and nods. There
+  is a fine rich City widow stole thither the other day (though it
+  is not six weeks since her husband's departure from her company
+  to rest), and, with her trusty maid, demanded of him, whether she
+  should marry again, by holding up two fingers, like horns on her
+  forehead. The wizard held up both his hands forked. The relict
+  desired to know, whether he meant by his holding up both hands,
+  to represent that she had one husband before, and that she should
+  have another? Or that he intimated, she should have two more? The
+  cunning-man looked a little sour; upon which Betty jogged her
+  mistress, who gave the other guinea; and he made her understand,
+  she should positively have two more; but shaked his head, and
+  hinted, that they should not live long with her. The widow
+  sighed, and gave him the other half-guinea. After this
+  prepossession, all that she had next to do, was to make sallies
+  to our end of the town, and find out who it is her fate to have.
+  There are two who frequent this place, whom she <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page128' title='128' id="page128"></a>takes for
+  men of vogue, and of whom her imagination has given her the
+  choice. They are both the appearances of fine gentlemen, to such
+  as do not know when they see persons of that turn; and indeed,
+  they are industrious enough to come at that character, to deserve
+  the reputation of being such: but this town will not allow us to
+  be the things we seem to aim at, and are too discerning to be
+  fobbed off with pretences. One of these pretty fellows fails by
+  his laborious exactness; the other, by his as much studied
+  negligence. Frank Careless, as soon as his valet has helped on
+  and adjusted his clothes, goes to his glass, sets his wig awry,
+  tumbles his cravat; and in short, undresses himself to go into
+  company. Will Nice is so little satisfied with his dress, that
+  all the time he is at a visit, he is still mending it, and is for
+  that reason the more insufferable; for he who studies
+  carelessness, has, at least, his work the sooner done of the two.
+  The widow is distracted whom to take for her first man; for Nice
+  is every way so careful, that she fears his length of days; and
+  Frank is so loose, that she has apprehensions for her own health
+  with him. I am puzzled how to give a just idea of them; but in a
+  word, Careless is a coxcomb, and Nice a fop: both, you'll say,
+  very hopeful candidates for a gay woman just set at liberty. But
+  there is a whisper, her maid will give her to Tom Terrour the
+  gamester. This fellow has undone so many women, that he'll
+  certainly succeed if he is introduced; for nothing so much
+  prevails with the vain part of that sex, as the glory of
+  deceiving them who have deceived others.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Desunt multa.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page129' title='129' id=
+  "page129"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Berlin, bearing date May 11, N.S., inform us,
+  that the birthday of her Prussian Majesty has been celebrated
+  there with all possible magnificence; and the king made her on
+  that occasion a present of jewels to the value of thirty thousand
+  crowns. The Marquis de Quesne, who has distinguished himself by
+  his great zeal for the Protestant interest, was, at the time of
+  the despatch of these letters, at that Court, soliciting the king
+  to take care, that an article in behalf of the refugees,
+  admitting their return to France, should be inserted in the
+  treaty of peace. They write from Hanover of the 14th, that his
+  electoral highness had received an express from Count Merci,
+  representing how necessary it was to the common cause, that he
+  would please to hasten to the Rhine; for that nothing but his
+  presence could quicken the measures towards bringing the imperial
+  army into the field. There are very many speculations upon the
+  intended interview of the King of Denmark and King Augustus. The
+  latter has made such preparations for the reception of the other,
+  that it is said his Danish Majesty will be entertained in Saxony
+  with much more elegance than he met with in Italy itself.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 18th instant, N.S., say, that
+  his Grace the Duke of Marlborough landed the night before at the
+  Brill, after having been kept out at sea by adverse winds two
+  days longer than is usual in that passage. His Excellency the
+  Lord Townshend, her Majesty's ambassador extraordinary and
+  plenipotentiary to the States-General, was driven into the Veere
+  in Zealand on Thursday last, from whence he came to the Hague
+  within few hours after the arrival of his grace. The duke, soon
+  after his coming to the Hague, had a visit from the Pensioner of
+  Holland. All things relating to the peace <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page130' title='130' id="page130"></a>were in suspense till
+  this interview; nor is it yet known what resolutions will be
+  taken on that subject; for the troops of the Allies have fresh
+  orders despatched to them to move from their respective quarters,
+  and march with all expedition to the frontiers, where the enemy
+  are making their utmost efforts for the defence of their country.
+  These advices further inform us, that the Marquis de Torcy had
+  received an answer from the Court of France to his letters which
+  he had sent thither by an express on the Friday before.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Bickerstaff has received letters from Mr. Coltstaff, Mr.
+  Whipstaff, and Mrs. Rebecca Wagstaff; all which relate chiefly to
+  their being left out in the genealogy of the family lately
+  published;<a name='fntag203' id="fntag203"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote203'><sup>203</sup></a> but my cousin being a
+  clerk in the Heralds' Office who writ that draught, and being at
+  present under the displeasure of the chapter, it is feared, if
+  that matter should be touched upon at this time, the young
+  gentleman would lose his place for treason against the Kings at
+  Arms.<a name='fntag204' id="fntag204"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote204'><sup>204</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag194'>[194]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote194' id="footnote194"></a>Sir Richard
+      Blackmore. See <a href='#number3'>No. 3</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag195'>[195]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote195' id="footnote195"></a>Sir John Holt
+      (see <i>Examiner</i>, vol. iv. No. 14) was born in 1642, made
+      Recorder of London and knighted in 1686, and appointed Chief
+      Justice of the King's Bench in 1689, a position which he
+      filled very ably and impartially for twenty-one years. He
+      died March 5, 1710.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag196'>[196]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote196' id="footnote196"></a>Britain.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag197'>[197]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote197' id="footnote197"></a>According to a
+      MS. note in the copy of the Tatler referred to in a note to
+      <a href='#number4'>No. 4</a>, these justices were "Sir H.
+      C&#8212;&#8212; and Mr. C&#8212;&#8212;r." Who the latter was
+      I do not know; the former appears to be meant for Sir Henry
+      Colt, of whom Luttrell gives some particulars. In April 1694,
+      a Bill was found against Sir Henry Colt and Mr. Lake, son to
+      the late Bishop of Chichester, for fighting a duel in St.
+      James's Park; the trial was to be on May 31. Sir Henry Colt,
+      a Justice of the Peace, had a duel with Beau Feilding on the
+      11th January, 1696, and Colt was run through the body. A
+      reward of £200 was offered for Feilding's arrest, and he was
+      captured in March; but in the following month he was set at
+      liberty upon Colt promising not to prosecute. In July 1698,
+      Colt unsuccessfully contested Westminster, and in December
+      the Committee of Privileges decided that his petition against
+      the return of Mr. Chancellor Montague and Mr. Secretary
+      Vernon was vexatious, frivolous and scandalous; and Colt was
+      put out of the commission of the peace for Westminster and
+      Middlesex. In 1701, he became M.P. for Westminster, for one
+      Parliament only. In August 1702, he was again displaced from
+      being a Justice for Westminster. In July 1708, he was
+      defeated at Westminster, and the petition which he lodged
+      against Mr. Medlicot's election was dismissed, after Huggins,
+      the head bailiff, had been examined.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag198'>[198]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote198' id="footnote198"></a>By John Banks,
+      1685.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag199'>[199]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote199' id="footnote199"></a>Robert Wilks
+      died in 1732, age 62. See No. 182,
+      and the <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 268, 370: "When I am
+      commending Wilks for representing the tenderness of a husband
+      and a father in 'Macbeth', the contrition of a reformed
+      prodigal in 'Harry the Fourth', the winning emptiness of a
+      young man of good-nature and wealth in 'The Trip to the
+      Jubilee', the officiousness of an artful servant in 'The
+      Fox', when thus I celebrate Wilks, I talk to all the world
+      who are engaged in any of those circumstances."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag200'>[200]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote200' id="footnote200"></a>Ben Jonson's
+      "Alchemist" was published in 1610.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag201'>[201]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote201' id="footnote201"></a>Duncan
+      Campbell, who is best known through Defoe's "History of the
+      Life and Adventures of Mr. Duncan Campbell, a gentleman, who,
+      though deaf and dumb, writes down any strange name at first
+      sight, with their future contingencies of fortune," 1720.
+      Several other books about Campbell appeared, and some said
+      that he only pretended to be deaf and dumb. Campbell had a
+      very large number of clients (<i>Spectator</i>, No. 560). He
+      died in 1730.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag202'>[202]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote202' id="footnote202"></a>The name of
+      this quack was Kirleus. He pretended to extraordinary
+      endowments, on the score of his having been introduced into
+      the world by means of the Cesarean operation. In the
+      <i>Examiner</i>, vol. i. No. 49, original edition in folio,
+      there is among the advertisements subjoined, July 5, 1711,
+      notice given that some of his nostrums, which had been tested
+      for fifty years, were to be had of "Mary Kirleus, widow of
+      John Kirleus, son of Dr. Tho. Kirleus, a sworn physician in
+      ordinary to K. Charles II." Nichols says that there were two
+      male and two female quacks of the name of Kirleus; Thomas the
+      father, and his son John, Susannah the widow of Thomas, and
+      Mary the relict of John; but it does not appear that any of
+      them all were rich. The women, after the decease of their
+      husbands, engaged in a paper war, which was carried on about
+      this time in polemical advertisements. Dr. Kirleus and Dr.
+      Case (see <a href='#number20'>No. 20</a>) are said to have
+      been sent for to prescribe to Partridge in his last illness.
+      Garth ("Dispensary," canto iii.) wrote:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Whole troops of quacks shall join us on the place,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            From great Kirleus down to Doctor Case."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>"In Grays-Inn-lane in Plow-yard, the third door, lives Dr.
+      Thomas Kirleus, a Collegiate Physician and sworn Physician in
+      Ordinary to King Charles the Second until his death; who with
+      a drink and pill (hindring no business) undertakes to cure
+      any ulcers," &amp;c. &amp;c. "Take heed whom you trust in
+      physick, for it's become a common cheat to profess it. He
+      gives his opinion to all that writes or comes for nothing"
+      (<i>Athenian Mercury</i>, February 13, 1694). See also
+      <i>Tatler</i>, Nos. <a href="#number41">41</a>, 226, 240.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag203'>[203]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote203' id="footnote203"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number11'>No. 11</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag204'>[204]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote204' id="footnote204"></a>"Castabella's
+      complaint is come to hand" (folio). See No. 16.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number15' id="number15"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 15.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, May 12</i>, to <i>Saturday, May 14</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 12.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have taken a resolution hereafter, on any want of
+  intelligence, to carry my familiar abroad with me, who has
+  promised to give me very proper and just notices of persons and
+  things, to make up the history of the passing day. He is
+  wonderfully skilful in the knowledge of men and manners, which
+  has made me more than ordinary <a class="pagenum" name='page131'
+  title='131' id="page131"></a>curious to know how he came to that
+  perfection, and I communicated to him that doubt. "Mr. Pacolet,"
+  said I, "I am mightily surprised to see you so good a judge of
+  our nature and circumstances, since you are a mere spirit, and
+  have no knowledge of the bodily part of us." He answered,
+  smiling, "You are mistaken, I have been one of you, and lived a
+  month amongst you, which gives me an exact sense of your
+  condition. You are to know, that all who enter into human life,
+  have a certain date or stamen given to their being, which they
+  only who die of age may be said to have arrived at; but it is
+  ordered sometimes by fate, that such as die infants, are after
+  death to attend mankind to the end of that stamen of being in
+  themselves, which was broke off by sickness or any other
+  disaster. These are proper guardians to men, as being sensible of
+  the infirmity of their state. You are philosopher enough to know,
+  that the difference of men's understanding proceeds only from the
+  various dispositions of their organs; so that he who dies at a
+  month old, is in the next life as knowing (though more innocent)
+  as they who live to fifty; and after death, they have as perfect
+  a memory and judgment of all that passed in their lifetime, as I
+  have of all the revolutions in that uneasy, turbulent condition
+  of yours; and, you'd say, I had enough of it in a month, were I
+  to tell you all my misfortunes." "A life of a month, can't have,
+  one would think, much variety; but pray," said I, "let us have
+  your story."</p>
+
+  <p>Then he proceeds in the following manner:</p>
+
+  <p>"It was one of the most wealthy families in Great Britain into
+  which I was born, and it was a very great happiness to me that it
+  so happened, otherwise I had still, in all probability, been
+  living: but I shall recount to you all the occurrences of my
+  short and miserable existence, just as, by examining into the
+  traces made in my brain, <a class="pagenum" name='page132' title=
+  '132' id="page132"></a>they appeared to me at that time. The
+  first thing that ever struck my senses, was a noise over my head
+  of one shrieking; after which, methought I took a full jump, and
+  found myself in the hands of a sorceress, who seemed as if she
+  had been long waking and employed in some incantation: I was
+  thoroughly frightened, and cried out, but she immediately seemed
+  to go on in some magical operation, and anointed me from head to
+  foot. What they meant I could not imagine; for there gathered a
+  great crowd about me, crying, 'An heir, an heir'; upon which I
+  grew a little still, and believed this was a ceremony to be used
+  only to great persons, and such as made them, what they called,
+  Heirs. I lay very quiet; but the witch, for no manner of reason
+  or provocation in the world, takes me and binds my head as hard
+  as possibly she could, then ties up both my legs, and makes me
+  swallow down a horrid mixture; I thought it a harsh entrance into
+  life to begin with taking physic; but I was forced to it, or else
+  must have taken down a great instrument in which she gave it me.
+  When I was thus dressed, I was carried to a bedside, where a fine
+  young lady (my mother I wot) had like to have hugged me to death.
+  From her, they faced me about, and there was a thing with quite
+  another look from the rest of the room, to whom they talked about
+  my nose. He seemed wonderfully pleased to see me; but I knew
+  since, my nose belonged to another family. That into which I was
+  born, is one of the most numerous amongst you; therefore crowds
+  of relations came every day to congratulate my arrival; among
+  others, my cousin Betty, the greatest romp in nature; she whisks
+  me such a height over her head, that I cried out for fear of
+  falling. She pinched me, and called me squealing chit, and threw
+  me into a girl's arms that was taken in to tend me. The girl was
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page133' title='133' id=
+  "page133"></a>very proud of the womanly employment of a nurse,
+  and took upon her to strip and dress me anew, because I made a
+  noise, to see what ailed me: she did so, and stuck a pin in every
+  joint about me. I still cried: upon which, she lays me on my face
+  in her lap; and to quiet me, fell a nailing in all the pins, by
+  clapping me on the back, and screaming a lullaby. But my pain
+  made me exalt my voice above hers, which brought up the nurse,
+  the witch I first saw, and my grandmother. The girl is turned
+  down stairs, and I stripped again, as well to find out what ailed
+  me, as to satisfy my granam's further curiosity. This good old
+  woman's visit was the cause of all my troubles. You are to
+  understand, that I was hitherto bred by hand, and anybody that
+  stood next, gave me pap, if I did but open my lips; insomuch,
+  that I was grown so cunning, as to pretend myself asleep when I
+  was not, to prevent my being crammed. But my grandmother began a
+  loud lecture upon the idleness of the wives of this age, who, for
+  fear of their shape, forbear suckling their own offspring; and
+  ten nurses were immediately sent for; one was whispered to have a
+  wanton eye, and would soon spoil her milk; another was in a
+  consumption; the third had an ill voice, and would frighten me,
+  instead of lulling me to sleep. Such exceptions were made against
+  all but one country milch-wench, to whom I was committed, and put
+  to the breast. This careless jade was eternally romping with the
+  footmen, and downright starved me; insomuch that I daily pined
+  away, and should never have been relieved, had it not been, that
+  on the thirtieth day of my life, a fellow of the Royal
+  Society,<a name='fntag205' id="fntag205"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote205'><sup>205</sup></a> who had writ upon <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page134' title='134' id="page134"></a>Cold Baths,
+  came to visit me, and solemnly protested, I was utterly lost for
+  want of that method: upon which he soused me head and ears into a
+  pail of water, where I had the good fortune to be drowned, and so
+  escaped being lashed into a linguist till sixteen, running after
+  wenches till twenty-five, and being married to an ill-natured
+  wife till sixty: which had certainly been my fate, had not the
+  enchantment between body and soul been broke by this philosopher.
+  Thus, till the age I should have otherwise lived, I am obliged to
+  watch the steps of men; and if you please, shall accompany you in
+  your present walks, and get you intelligence from the aërial
+  lackey, who is in waiting, what are the thoughts and purposes of
+  any whom you inquire for." I accepted his kind offer, and
+  immediately took him with me in a hack to White's.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>We got in hither, and my companion threw a powder round us,
+  that made me as invisible as himself; so that we could see and
+  hear all others; ourselves unseen and unheard.</p>
+
+  <p>The first thing we took notice of, was a nobleman of a goodly
+  and frank aspect, with his generous birth and temper visible in
+  it, playing at cards with a creature of a black and horrid
+  countenance, wherein were plainly delineated the arts of his
+  mind, cozenage and falsehood. They were marking their game with
+  counters, on which we could see inscriptions, imperceptible to
+  any but us. My lord had scored with pieces of ivory, on which
+  were writ, Good Fame, Glory, Riches, Honour, and Posterity. The
+  spectre over against him had on his counters the inscriptions of,
+  Dishonour, Impudence, Poverty, Ignorance, and Want of Shame.
+  "Bless me!" said I, "sure my lord does not see what he plays
+  for!" "As well as I <a class="pagenum" name='page135' title='135'
+  id="page135"></a>do," says Pacolet. "He despises that fellow he
+  plays with, and scorns himself for making him his companion." At
+  the very instant he was speaking, I saw the fellow who played
+  with my lord, hide two cards in the roll of his stocking: Pacolet
+  immediately stole them from thence; upon which the nobleman soon
+  after won the game. The little triumph he appeared in, when he
+  got such a trifling stock of ready money, though he had ventured
+  so great sums with indifference, increased my admiration. But
+  Pacolet began to talk to me. "Mr. Isaac, this to you looks
+  wonderful, but not at all to us higher beings: that noble has as
+  many good qualities as any man of his order, and seems to have no
+  faults but what, as I may say, are excrescences from virtues: he
+  is generous to a prodigality, more affable than is consistent
+  with his quality, and courageous to a rashness. Yet, after all
+  this, the source of his whole conduct is (though he would hate
+  himself if he knew it) mere avarice. The ready cash laid before
+  the gamester's counters makes him venture, as you see, and lay
+  distinction against infamy, abundance against want; in a word,
+  all that's desirable against all that's to be avoided."
+  "However," said I, "be sure you disappoint the sharpers to-night,
+  and steal from them all the cards they hide." Pacolet obeyed me,
+  and my lord went home with their whole bank in his pocket.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>To-night was acted a second time a comedy, called "The Busy
+  Body:"<a name='fntag206' id="fntag206"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote206'><sup>206</sup></a> this play is written by a lady.
+  In old times, we used to sit upon a play here after it was acted;
+  but now the entertainment is turned another way; <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page136' title='136' id="page136"></a>not but
+  there are considerable men appear in all ages, who, for some
+  eminent quality or invention, deserve the esteem and thanks of
+  the public. Such a benefactor is a gentleman of this house, who
+  is observed by the surgeons with much envy; for he has invented
+  an engine for the prevention of harms by love adventures, and by
+  great care and application, hath made it an immodesty to name his
+  name. This act of self-denial has gained this worthy member of
+  the commonwealth a great reputation. Some lawgivers have departed
+  from their abodes for ever, and commanded the observation of
+  their laws till their return; others have used other artifices to
+  fly the applause of their merit; but this person shuns glory with
+  greater address, and has, by giving his engine his own name, made
+  it obscene to speak of him more. However, he is ranked among, and
+  received by the modern wits, as a great promoter of gallantry and
+  pleasure. But I fear, pleasure is less understood in this age,
+  which so much pretends to it, than in any since the creation. It
+  was admirably said of him who first took notice, that (<i>res est
+  severa voluptas</i>) there is a certain severity in pleasure.
+  Without that, all decency is banished; and if reason is not to be
+  present at our greatest satisfactions, of all the races of
+  creatures, the human is the most miserable. It was not so of old;
+  when Virgil describes a wit, he always means a virtuous man; and
+  all his sentiments of men of genius are such as show persons
+  distin<a class="pagenum" name='page137' title='137' id=
+  "page137"></a>guished from the common level of mankind; such as
+  placed happiness in the contempt of low fears, and mean
+  gratifications: fears, which we are subject to with the vulgar;
+  and pleasures, which we have in common with beasts. With these
+  illustrious personages, the wisest man was the greatest wit; and
+  none was thought worthy of that character, unless he answered
+  this excellent description of the poet:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Qui&#8212;metus omnes et inexorabile fatum
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari.<a name=
+        'fntag207' id="fntag207"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote207'><sup>207</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>We had this morning advice, that some English merchant-ships,
+  convoyed by the <i>Bristol</i> of fifty-four guns, were met with
+  by a part of Mons. du Guy Trouin's squadron, who engaged the
+  convoy. That ship defended itself till the English merchants got
+  clear of the enemy, but being disabled was herself taken. Within
+  few hours after, my Lord Dursley<a name='fntag208' id=
+  "fntag208"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote208'><sup>208</sup></a> came up with part of his
+  squadron and engaging the French, retook the <i>Bristol</i>
+  (which being very much shattered, sunk), and took the
+  <i>Glorieux</i>, a ship of forty-four guns, as also a privateer
+  of fourteen. Before this action, his lordship had taken two
+  French merchant-men; and had, at the despatch of these advices,
+  brought the whole safe into Plymouth.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag205'>[205]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote205' id="footnote205"></a>Probably
+      William Oliver, M.D., F.R.S., who published a Dissertation on
+      Bath waters, and cold baths, in 1709 (<i>Flying Post</i>,
+      Feb. 10 to 12, 1709). Sir John Floyer's "Inquiry into the
+      right Use and Abuses of the Hot, Cold, and Temperate Baths in
+      England, &amp;c.," appeared in 1697.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag206'>[206]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote206' id="footnote206"></a>By Mrs.
+      Susannah Centlivre, a lady of Whig views, who was possessed
+      of considerable beauty. (See also <a href='#number19'>No.
+      19</a>.) Isaac Bickerstaff had promised a prologue to "The
+      Busy Body" before it was to be first played, as appears from
+      a poetical epistle of Mrs. Centlivre, claiming the
+      performance of such a promise, printed by Charles Lillie
+      ("Orig. Letters to <i>Tatler</i> and <i>Spectator</i>" vol.
+      ii. pp. 33, 34). Leigh Hunt ("The Town") suggests that Pope
+      put Mrs. Centlivre in the "Dunciad" (ii. 410&#8212;"At last
+      Centlivre felt her voice to fail") on account of her intimacy
+      with Steele and other friends of Addison. Mrs. Centlivre
+      (1667-1723) married, as her second husband, Mr. Carrol, a
+      gentleman of the army, and afterwards Mr. Joseph Centlivre,
+      principal cook to Queen Anne, 1706.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag207'>[207]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote207' id="footnote207"></a>Virgil,
+      "Georgics," ii. 492.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag208'>[208]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote208' id="footnote208"></a>In November
+      1709, James Viscount Dursley was raised to the rank of
+      Vice-Admiral of the Blue. Next year he succeeded his father
+      in the title of Earl of Berkeley.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page138' title='138' id=
+    "page138"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number16' id="number16"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 16.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, May 14</i>, to <i>Tuesday, May 17</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>Sir Thomas,<a name='fntag209' id="fntag209"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote209'><sup>209</sup></a> of this house, has shown
+  me some letters from the Bath, which give accounts of what passes
+  among the good company of that place; and allowed me to
+  transcribe one of them, that seems to be writ by some of Sir
+  Thomas' particular acquaintances, and is as follows:</p>
+
+  <p>"DEAR KNIGHT,</p>
+
+  <p>"I desire you would give my humble service to all our friends,
+  which I speak of to you (out of method) in the very beginning of
+  my epistle, lest the present disorders, by which this seat of
+  gallantry and pleasure is torn to pieces, should make me forget
+  it. You keep so good company, that you know Bath is stocked with
+  such as come hither to be relieved from luxuriant health, or
+  imaginary sickness, and consequently is always as well stowed
+  with gallants as invalids, who live together in a very good
+  understanding. But the season is so early, that our fine company
+  is not yet arrived: and the warm Bath, which in heathen times was
+  dedicated to Venus, is now used only by such as really want it
+  for health's sake. There are however a good many strangers, among
+  whom are two ambitious ladies, who being both in the autumn of
+  their life, take the opportunity of placing themselves at the
+  head of such as we are, before the Chloes, Clarissas, and
+  Pastorellas come down. One of <a class="pagenum" name='page139'
+  title='139' id="page139"></a>these two is excessively in pain,
+  that the ugly being called Time will make wrinkles in spite of
+  the lead forehead-cloth; and therefore hides, with the gaiety of
+  her air, the volubility of her tongue, and quickness of her
+  motion, the injuries which it has done her. The other lady is but
+  two years behind her in life, and dreads as much being laid aside
+  as the former, and consequently has taken the necessary
+  precautions to prevent her reign over us. But she is very
+  discreet, and wonderfully turned for ambition, being never
+  apparently transported either with affection or malice. Thus,
+  while Florimel is talking in public, and spreading her graces in
+  assemblies, to gain a popular dominion over our diversions,
+  Prudentia visits very cunningly all the lame, the splenetic, and
+  the superannuated, who have their distinct classes of followers
+  and friends. Among these, she has found that some body has sent
+  down printed certificates of Florimel's age, which she has read
+  and distributed to this unjoyful set of people, who are always
+  enemies to those in possession of the good opinion of the
+  company. This unprovoked injury done by Prudentia, was the first
+  occasion of our fatal divisions here, and a declaration of war
+  between these rivals. Florimel has abundance of wit, which she
+  has lavished in decrying Prudentia, and giving defiance to her
+  little arts. For an instance of her superior power, she bespoke
+  the play of 'Alexander the Great,'<a name='fntag210' id=
+  "fntag210"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote210'><sup>210</sup></a> to be acted by the company of
+  strollers, and desired us all to be there on Thursday last. When
+  she spoke to me to come, 'As you are,' said she, 'a lover, you
+  will not fail the death of Alexander: the passion of love is
+  wonderfully hit&#8212;Statira! Oh that happy woman&#8212;to have
+  a conqueror at her feet&#8212;but you will be sure to be there.'
+  I, and several others, <a class="pagenum" name='page140' title=
+  '140' id="page140"></a>resolved to be of her party. But see the
+  irresistible strength of that unsuspected creature, a silent
+  woman. Prudentia had counterplotted us, and had bespoke on the
+  same evening the puppet-show of 'The Creation of the
+  World.'<a name='fntag211' id="fntag211"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote211'><sup>211</sup></a> She had engaged everybody to be
+  there, and, to turn our leader into ridicule, had secretly let
+  them know, that the puppet Eve was made the most like Florimel
+  that ever was seen. On Thursday morning the puppet-drummer, Adam
+  and Eve, and several others who lived before the Flood, passed
+  through the streets on horseback, to invite us all to the
+  pastime, and the representation of such things as we all knew to
+  be true; and Mr. Mayor was so wise as to prefer these innocent
+  people the puppets, who, he said, were to represent Christians,
+  before the wicked players, who were to show Alexander, a heathen
+  philosopher. To be short, this Prudentia had so laid it, that at
+  ten of the clock footmen were sent to take places at the
+  puppet-show, and all we of Florimel's party were to be out of
+  fashion, or desert her. We chose the latter. All the world
+  crowded to Prudentia's house, because it was given out, nobody
+  could get in. When we came to Noah's flood in the show, Punch and
+  his wife were introduced dancing in the Ark. An honest plain
+  friend of Florimel's, but a critic withal, rose up in the midst
+  of the representation, and made many very good exceptions to the
+  drama itself, and told us, that it was against all morality, as
+  well as rules of the stage, that Punch should be in jest in the
+  Deluge, or indeed that he should <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page141' title='141' id="page141"></a>appear at all. This was
+  certainly a just remark, and I thought to second him; but he was
+  hissed by Prudentia's party; upon which, really, Sir Thomas, we
+  who were his friends, hissed him too. Old Mrs. Petulant desired
+  both her daughters to mind the moral; then whispered Mrs.
+  Mayoress, 'This is very proper for young people to see.' Punch at
+  the end of the play made Madam Prudentia a compliment, and was
+  very civil to the whole company, making bows till his buttons
+  touched the ground. All was carried triumphantly against our
+  party. In the meantime Florimel went to the tragedy, dressed as
+  fine as hands could make her, in hopes to see Prudentia pine away
+  with envy. Instead of that, she sat a full hour alone, and at
+  last was entertained with this whole relation from Statira, who
+  wiped her eyes with her tragical-cut handkerchief, and lamented
+  the ignorance of the quality. Florimel was stung with this
+  affront, and the next day bespoke the puppet-show. Prudentia,
+  insolent with power, bespoke 'Alexander.' The whole company came
+  then to 'Alexander.' Madam Petulant desired her daughters to mind
+  the moral, and believe no man's fair words; 'For you'll see,
+  children,' said she, 'these soldiers are never to be depended
+  upon; they are sometimes here, sometimes there&#8212;don't you
+  see, daughter Betty, Colonel Clod, our next neighbour in the
+  country, pulls off his hat to you? Courtesy, good child, his
+  estate is just by us.' Florimel was now mortified down to
+  Prudentia's humour; and Prudentia exalted into hers. This was
+  observed: Florimel invites us to the play a second time,
+  Prudentia to the show. See the uncertainty of human affairs! The
+  beaux, the wits, the gamesters, the prues,<a name='fntag212' id=
+  "fntag212"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote212'><sup>212</sup></a> the coquettes, the
+  valetudinarians, and gallants, all now <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page142' title='142' id="page142"></a>wait upon Florimel. Such
+  is the state of things at this present date; and if there happens
+  any new commotions, you shall have immediate advice from,</p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your affectionate Friend</p>
+
+  <p>"and Servant.</p>
+
+  <p>"Bath, <i>May 11</i>, 1709."</p>
+
+  <h4>"<i>To Castabella.</i></h4>
+
+  <p>"MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>I have the honour of a letter from a friend of yours, relating
+  to an incivility done to you at the opera, by one of your own
+  sex; but I, who was an eye-witness of the accident, can testify
+  to you, that though she pressed before you, she lost her ends in
+  that design; for she was taken notice of for no other reason, but
+  her endeavours to hide a finer woman than herself. But indeed, I
+  dare not go farther in this matter, than just this bare mention;
+  for though it was taking your place of right, rather than place
+  of precedence, yet it is so tender a point, and on which the very
+  life of female ambition depends, that it is of the last
+  consequence to meddle in it: all my hopes are from your beautiful
+  sex; and those bright eyes, which are the bane of others, are my
+  only sunshine. My writings are sacred to you; and I hope I shall
+  always have the good fortune to live under your protection;
+  therefore take this public opportunity to signify to all the
+  world, that I design to forbear anything that may in the least
+  tend to the diminution of your interest, reputation, or power.
+  You will therefore <a class="pagenum" name='page143' title='143'
+  id="page143"></a>forgive me, that I strive to conceal every wrong
+  step made by any who have the honour to wear petticoats; and
+  shall at all times do what is in my power, to make all mankind as
+  much their slaves as myself. If they would consider things as
+  they ought, there needs not much argument to convince them, that
+  it is their fate to be obedient to you, and that your greatest
+  rebels do only serve with a worse grace.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am, Madam,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most obedient, and</p>
+
+  <p>"most humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.</p>
+
+  <p>"<i>May 16.</i>"</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 16.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague, bearing date the 21st instant, N.S.,
+  advise, that his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, immediately after
+  his arrival, sent his secretary to the President and the
+  Pensionary, to acquaint them therewith. Soon after, these
+  Ministers visited the duke, and made him compliments in the name
+  of the States-General; after which they entered into a conference
+  with him on the present posture of affairs, and gave his grace
+  assurances of the firm adherence of the States to the alliance:
+  at the same time acquainting him, that all overtures of peace
+  were rejected, till they had an opportunity of acting in concert
+  with their allies on that subject. After this interview, the
+  Pensionary and the President returned to the assembly of the
+  States. Monsieur Torcy has had a conference at the Pensioner's
+  house with his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, Prince Eugene, and
+  his Excellency the Lord Townshend. The result of what <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page144' title='144' id="page144"></a>was debated
+  at that time is kept secret; but there appears an air of
+  satisfaction and good understanding between these Ministers. We
+  are apt also to give ourselves very hopeful prospects from
+  Monsieur Torcy's being employed in this negotiation, who has been
+  always remarkable for a particular way of thinking, in his sense
+  of the greatness of France; which he has always said, was to be
+  promoted rather by the arts of peace, than those of war. His
+  delivering himself freely on this subject, has formerly appeared
+  an unsuccessful way to power in that Court; but in its present
+  circumstances, those maxims are better received; and it is
+  thought a certain argument of the sincerity of the French king's
+  intentions, that this Minister is at present made use of. The
+  marquis is to return to Paris within few days, who has sent a
+  courier thither to give notice of the reasons of his return, that
+  the Court may be the sooner able to despatch commissions for a
+  formal treaty.</p>
+
+  <p>The expectations of peace are increased by advices from Paris
+  of the 17th instant, which say, the Dauphin hath altered his
+  resolution of commanding in Flanders the ensuing campaign. The
+  Saxon and Prussian reinforcements, together with Count Merci's
+  regiment of Imperial horse, are encamped in the neighbourhood of
+  Brussels; and sufficient stores of corn and forage are
+  transported to that place and Ghent for the service of the
+  confederate army.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from Mons, that the Elector of Bavaria had advice,
+  that an advanced party of the Portuguese army had been defeated
+  by the Spaniards.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from Languedoc, that their corn, olives and figs, were
+  wholly destroyed; but that they have a hopeful prospect of a
+  plentiful vintage.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag209'>[209]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote209' id="footnote209"></a>The nickname of
+      a waiter at White's (see <a href='#number1'>No. 1</a>).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag210'>[210]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote210' id="footnote210"></a>"The Rival
+      Queens; or, Alexander the Great," by Nathaniel Lee, 1677.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag211'>[211]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote211' id="footnote211"></a>The following
+      advertisement is among the Harleian MSS. (Bayford's Coll.
+      5931): "At Crawley's show at the Golden Lion, near St.
+      George's Church, during the time of Southwark Fair, will be
+      presented the whole story of the old 'Creation of the World,
+      or Paradise Lost,' yet newly revived with the addition of
+      'Noah's Flood'; &amp;c. The best known puppet-show man was
+      Martin Powell. (See No. 236.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag212'>[212]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote212' id="footnote212"></a>So in the folio
+      and original collected editions. "Prue" was Steele's
+      favourite name for his wife; here it means "prude," and no
+      doubt Steele sometimes thought "dear Prue" was unnecessarily
+      and unreasonably particular.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page145' title='145' id=
+    "page145"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number17' id="number17"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 17.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, May 17</i>, to <i>Thursday, May 19</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>The discourse has happened to turn this evening upon the true
+  nature of panegyric, the perfection of which was asserted to
+  consist in a certain artful way of conveying the applause in an
+  indirect manner. There was a gentleman gave us several instances
+  of it: among others, he quoted, from Sir Francis Bacon, in his
+  "Advancement of Learning," a very great compliment made to
+  Tiberius, as follows: In a full debate upon public affairs in the
+  Senate, one of the assembly rose up, and with a very grave air
+  said, he thought it for the honour and dignity of the
+  commonwealth, that Tiberius should be declared a god, and have
+  divine worship paid him. The Emperor was surprised at the
+  proposal, and demanded of him to declare whether he had made any
+  application to incline him to that overture? The senator
+  answered, with a bold and haughty tone, "Sir, in matters that
+  concern the commonwealth, I will be governed by no man."<a name=
+  'fntag213' id="fntag213"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote213'><sup>213</sup></a> Another gentleman mentioned
+  something of the same kind spoken by the late Duke of
+  B&#8212;&#8212;m,<a name='fntag214' id="fntag214"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote214'><sup>214</sup></a> to the late Earl of
+  O&#8212;&#8212;y:<a name='fntag215' id="fntag215"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote215'><sup>215</sup></a> "My lord," says the
+  duke, after his libertine way, "you will certainly be damned."
+  "How, my lord!" says the earl with some warmth. "Nay," said the
+  duke, "there's no help for it, for it is positively said, 'Cursed
+  is he of whom all men speak well.'"<a name='fntag216' id=
+  "fntag216"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote216'><sup>216</sup></a> This is taking a man by
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page146' title='146' id=
+  "page146"></a>surprise, and being welcome when you have so
+  surprised him. The person flattered receives you into his closet
+  at once; and the sudden change in his heart, from the expectation
+  of an ill-wisher, to find you his friend, makes you in his full
+  favour in a moment. The spirits that were raised so suddenly
+  against you, are as suddenly for you. There was another instance
+  given of this kind at the table: a gentleman who had a very great
+  favour done him, and an employment bestowed upon him, without so
+  much as being known to his benefactor, waited upon the great man
+  who was so generous, and was beginning to say, he was infinitely
+  obliged. "Not at all," says the patron, turning from him to
+  another, "had I known a more deserving man in England, he should
+  not have had it."</p>
+
+  <p>We should certainly have had more examples, had not a
+  gentleman produced a book which he thought an instance of this
+  kind: it was a pamphlet, called, "The Naked Truth."<a name=
+  'fntag217' id="fntag217"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote217'><sup>217</sup></a> The idea any one would have of
+  that work from the title, was, that there would be much plain
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page147' title='147' id=
+  "page147"></a>dealing with people in power, and that we should
+  see things in their proper light, stripped of the ornaments which
+  are usually given to the actions of the great: but the skill of
+  this author is such, that he has, under that rugged appearance,
+  approved himself the finest gentleman and courtier that ever
+  writ. The language is extremely sublime, and not at all to be
+  understood by the vulgar: the sentiments are such as would make
+  no figure in ordinary words; but such is the art of the
+  expression, and the thoughts are elevated to so high a degree,
+  that I question whether the discourse will sell much. There was
+  an ill-natured fellow present, who hates all panegyric mortally.
+  "P&#8212;&#8212; take him!" said he, "what the devil means his
+  'Naked Truth,' in speaking nothing but to the advantage of all
+  whom he mentions? This is just such a great action as that of the
+  champion's on a coronation day, who challenges all mankind to
+  dispute with him the right of the sovereign, surrounded with his
+  guards." The gentleman who produced the treatise, desired him to
+  be cautious, and said, it was writ by an excellent soldier, which
+  made the company observe it more narrowly: and, as critics are
+  the greatest conjurers at finding out a known <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page148' title='148' id="page148"></a>truth, one said, he
+  was sure it was writ by the hand of his sword-arm. I could not
+  perceive much wit in that expression: but it raised a laugh, and
+  I suppose, was meant as a sneer upon valiant men. The same man
+  pretended to see in the style, that it was a horse officer; but
+  sure that's being too nice: for though you may know officers of
+  the cavalry by the turn of their feet, I can't imagine how you
+  should discern their hands from those of other men. But it is
+  always thus with pedants, they will ever be carping; if a
+  gentleman or a man of honour puts pen to paper, I don't doubt,
+  but this author will find this assertion too true, and that
+  obloquy is not repulsed by the force of arms. I will therefore
+  set this excellent piece in a light too glaring for weak eyes,
+  and, in imitation of the critic Longinus, shall, as well as I
+  can, make my observations in a style like the author's, of whom I
+  treat; which perhaps I am as capable of as another, having an
+  unbounded force of thinking, as well as a most exquisite address,
+  extensively and wisely indulged to me by the supreme powers. My
+  author, I will dare to assert, shows the most universal knowledge
+  of any writer who has appeared this century. He is a poet, and
+  merchant, which is seen in two master-words, Credit Blossoms. He
+  is a grammarian, and a politician; for he says, the uniting the
+  two kingdoms is the emphasis of the security to the Protestant
+  Succession. Some would be apt to say he is a conjurer; for he has
+  found that a republic is not made up of every body of animals,
+  but is composed of men only, and not of horses. Liberty and
+  property have chosen their retreat within the emulating circle of
+  a human commonwealth. He is a physician; for he says, "I observe
+  a constant equality in its pulse, and a just quickness of its
+  vigorous circulation." And again: "I view the strength of our
+  Constitution plainly appear in the sanguine <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page149' title='149' id="page149"></a>and ruddy complexion
+  of a well-contented city." He is a divine; for he says, "I cannot
+  but bless myself." And indeed, this excellent treatise has had
+  that good effect upon me, who am far from being superstitious,
+  that I, also, can't but bless myself.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day arrived a mail from Lisbon, with letters of the 13th
+  instant, N.S., containing a particular account of the late action
+  in Portugal. On the 7th instant, the army of Portugal, under the
+  command of the Marquis de Frontera, lay on the side of the Caya,
+  and the army of the Duke of Anjou, commanded by the Marquis de
+  Bay, on the other. The latter commander having an ambition to
+  ravage the country, in a manner in sight of the Portuguese, made
+  a motion with the whole body of his horse toward Fort St.
+  Christopher, near the town of Badajos. The generals of the
+  Portuguese, disdaining that such an insult should be offered to
+  their arms, took a resolution to pass the river, and oppose the
+  designs of the enemy. The Earl of Galway represented to them,
+  that the present posture of affairs was such on the side of the
+  Allies, that there needed no more to be done at present in that
+  country, but to carry on a defensive part. But his arguments
+  could not avail in the council of war. Upon which, a great
+  detachment of foot, and the whole of the horse of the King of
+  Portugal's army, passed the river, and with some pieces of cannon
+  did good execution on the enemy. Upon observing this, the Marquis
+  de Bay advanced with his horse, and attacked the right wing of
+  the Portuguese cavalry, who faced about, and fled, without
+  standing the first encounter. But their foot repulsed the same
+  body of horse in three successive charges, with great order and
+  resolution. While this was transacting, the <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page150' title='150' id="page150"></a>British general
+  commanded the brigade of Pearce to keep the enemy in diversion by
+  a new attack. This was so well executed, that the Portuguese
+  infantry had time to retire in good order, and repass the river.
+  But that brigade, which rescued them, was itself surrounded by
+  the enemy, and Major-General Sarkey, Brigadier Pearce, together
+  with both their regiments, and that of the Lord Galway, lately
+  raised, were taken prisoners.</p>
+
+  <p>During the engagement, the Earl of Barrymore having advanced
+  too far to give some necessary order, was hemmed in by a squadron
+  of the enemy; but found means to gallop up to the brigade of
+  Pearce, with which he remains also a prisoner. My Lord Galway had
+  his horse shot under him in this action; and the Conde de St.
+  Juan, a Portuguese general, was taken prisoner. The same night
+  the army encamped at Aronches, and on the 9th moved to Elvas,
+  where they lay when these despatches came away. Colonel Stanwix's
+  regiment is also taken. The whole of this affair has given the
+  Portuguese a great idea of the capacity and courage of my Lord
+  Galway, against whose advice they entered upon this unfortunate
+  affair, and by whose conduct they were rescued from it. The
+  prodigious constancy and resolution of that great man is hardly
+  to be paralleled, who, under the oppression of a maimed body, and
+  the reflection of repeated ill fortune, goes on with an
+  unspeakable alacrity in the service of the common cause. He has
+  already put things in a very good posture after this ill
+  accident, and made the necessary dispositions for covering the
+  country from any further attempt of the enemy, who lie still in
+  the camp they were in before the battle.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Brussels, dated the 25th instant, advise, that
+  notwithstanding the negotiations of a peace seem so far advanced,
+  that some do confidently report the pre<a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page151' title='151' id="page151"></a>liminaries of a treaty to
+  be actually agreed on; yet the Allies hasten their preparations
+  for opening the campaign; and the forces of the Empire, the
+  Prussians, the Danes, the Wirtembergers, the Palatines, and Saxon
+  auxiliaries, are in motion towards the general rendezvous, they
+  being already arrived in the neighbourhood of Brussels. These
+  advices add, that the deputies of the States of Holland having
+  made a general review of the troops in Flanders, set out for
+  Antwerp on the 21st instant from that place. On the same day the
+  Prince Royal of Prussia came thither <i>incognito</i>, with a
+  design to make the ensuing campaign under his Grace the Duke of
+  Marlborough.</p>
+
+  <p>This day is published a treatise called, "The Difference
+  between Scandal and Admonition." By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; and
+  on the 1st of July next, you may expect, "A Prophecy of Things
+  Past; wherein the Art of Fortune-telling is laid open to the
+  meanest capacity." And on the Monday following, "Choice Sentences
+  for the Company of Masons and Bricklayers, to be put upon new
+  Houses, with a translation of all the Latin sentences that have
+  been built of late years, together with a comment upon stone
+  walls," by the same hand.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag213'>[213]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote213' id="footnote213"></a>See Tacitus,
+      "Annals," i. 8.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag214'>[214]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote214' id="footnote214"></a>George
+      Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag215'>[215]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote215' id="footnote215"></a>Roger Boyle,
+      Earl of Orrery.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag216'>[216]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote216' id="footnote216"></a>Luke vi.
+      26.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag217'>[217]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote217' id="footnote217"></a>Like Nichols, I
+      have not been able to see a copy of this pamphlet, or the
+      defence of it, mentioned in <a href='#number21'>No. 21</a>;
+      but a letter from Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, dated 20 May,
+      1709, throws some light on the matter: "Dear Brother, ...
+      Brigadeer Crowder of late has made some talk in the Coffee
+      Houses upon a peice he has lately been pleased to print, he
+      did me the favour to show it me some time agoe in manuscript,
+      and I complymented him with desiring a coppy of it, that I
+      might have the pleasure of reading it more than once, and
+      that I might communicate the like sattisfaction to you by
+      sending it to Berlin. He told me it had the approbation of
+      very ingenious men and good scholars, and his very good
+      friends who had persuaded him to print it, and then you, as
+      he always esteem'd to be such, shou'd be sure to have one.
+      The day before yesterday he perform'd his promise but desir'd
+      I wou'd not tell you directly who was the author, but
+      recommend it to you with his most humble service, as from a
+      friend of his. Yesterday came out this <i>Tatler</i>, and
+      tho' I reckon myself a little base after all the fine
+      complyments he made me upon my great judgment, I can't
+      forbear sending it you as a fine peice of rallery upon his
+      elaborate work, which I can assure you he has not been a
+      little proud of. I han't seen him since to know if this
+      <i>Tatler</i> has given him any mortification. I know before
+      he was prepar'd for the censorious, for he said lett people
+      say what they wou'd, he was sure the intention was good, and
+      his meaning for the service of the public. I am sorry he has
+      printed, for he's very civill to me, and always profess a
+      great respect for you, and I wou'd have none that does so
+      exposed" ("Wentworth Papers," pp. 86-7). See <a href=
+      '#number46'>No. 46</a>. A writer in "Notes and Queries" (7 S.
+      iii. 526), in reply to a question of mine, stated that there
+      is a copy of "Naked Truth," 4to, 1709, in the Bamburgh Castle
+      Library. The pamphlet is anonymous, but is ascribed in the
+      catalogue to Colonel Crowder. In May 1710, Thomas Crowther
+      was made a Major-General (Pointer's "Chron. History," ii.
+      679).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number18' id="number18"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 18.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE AND ADDISON.<a name='fntag218'
+    id="fntag218"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote218'><sup>218</sup></a></h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, May 19</i>, to <i>Saturday, May 21</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is observed too often, that men of wit do so much employ
+  their thoughts upon fine speculations, that things useful to
+  mankind are wholly neglected; and they <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page152' title='152' id="page152"></a>are busy in making
+  emendations upon some enclitics in a Greek author, while obvious
+  things, that every man may have use for, are wholly overlooked.
+  It would be a happy thing, if such as have real capacities for
+  public service, were employed in works of general use; but
+  because a thing is everybody's business, it is nobody's business:
+  this is for want of public spirit. As for my part, who am only a
+  student, and a man of no great interest, I can only remark
+  things, and recommend the correction of them to higher powers.
+  There is an offence I have a thousand times lamented, but fear I
+  shall never see remedied; which is, that in a nation where
+  learning is so frequent as in Great Britain, there should be so
+  many gross errors as there are in the very directions of things,
+  wherein accuracy is necessary for the conduct of life. This is
+  notoriously observed by all men of letters when they first come
+  to town (at which time they are usually curious that way) in the
+  inscriptions on sign-posts. I have cause to know this matter as
+  well as anybody; for I have (when I went to Merchant Taylors'
+  School) suffered stripes for spelling after the signs I observed
+  in my way; though at the same time, I must confess, staring at
+  those inscriptions first gave me an idea and curiosity for
+  medals; in which I have since arrived at some knowledge.<a name=
+  'fntag219' id="fntag219"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote219'><sup>219</sup></a> Many a man has lost his way and
+  his dinner by this general want of skill in orthography: for,
+  considering that the painters are usually so very bad, that you
+  cannot know the animal under whose sign you are to live that day,
+  how must the stranger be misled, if it be wrong spelled, as well
+  as ill painted? I have a cousin now in town, who has answered
+  under Bachelor at Queen's College, whose name is <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page153' title='153' id="page153"></a>Humphrey
+  Mopstaff (he is akin to us by his mother). This young man going
+  to see a relation in Barbican, wandered a whole day by the
+  mistake of one letter; for it was written, "This is the BEER,"
+  instead of "This is the BEAR." He was set right at last, by
+  inquiring for the house, of a fellow who could not read, and knew
+  the place mechanically, only by having been often drunk there.
+  But, in the name of goodness, let us make our learning of use to
+  us, or not. Was not this a shame, that a philosopher should be
+  thus directed by a cobbler? I'll be sworn, if it were known how
+  many have suffered in this kind by false spelling since the
+  union, this matter would not long lie thus. What makes these
+  evils the more insupportable, is, that they are so easily
+  amended, and nothing done in it. But it is so far from that, that
+  the evil goes on in other arts as well as orthography. Places are
+  confounded, as well for want of proper distinctions, as things
+  for want of true characters. Had I not come by the other day very
+  early in the morning, there might have been mischief done; for a
+  worthy North Briton was swearing at Stocks Market,<a name=
+  'fntag220' id="fntag220"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote220'><sup>220</sup></a> that they would not let him in
+  at his lodgings; but I knowing the gentleman, and observing him
+  look often at the King on horseback, and then double his oaths,
+  that he was sure he was right, found he mistook that for
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page154' title='154' id=
+  "page154"></a>Charing Cross, by the erection of the like statue
+  in each place. I grant, private men may distinguish their abodes
+  as they please; as one of my acquaintance who lives at
+  Marylebone, has put a good sentence of his own invention upon his
+  dwelling-place, to find out where he lives: he is so near London,
+  that his conceit is this, "The country in town; or, the town in
+  the country"; for you know, if they are both in one, they are all
+  one. Besides that, the ambiguity is not of great consequence; if
+  you are safe at the place, it is no matter if you do not
+  distinctly know where to say the place is. But to return to the
+  orthography of public places: I propose that every tradesman in
+  the cities of London and Westminster shall give me sixpence a
+  quarter for keeping their signs in repair, as to the grammatical
+  part; and I will take into my house a Swiss Count<a name=
+  'fntag221' id="fntag221"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote221'><sup>221</sup></a> of my acquaintance, who can
+  remember all their names without book, for despatch sake, setting
+  up the head of the said foreigner for my sign; the features being
+  strong, and fit for hanging high.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day a mail arrived from Holland, by which there are
+  advices from Paris, that the kingdom of France is in the utmost
+  misery and distraction. The merchants of Lyons have been at
+  Court, to remonstrate their great sufferings by the failure of
+  their public credit; but have received no other satisfaction,
+  than promises of a sudden peace; and that their debts will be
+  made good by funds out of the revenue, which will not answer, but
+  in case of the peace which is promised. In the meantime, the
+  cries of the common people are loud for want of bread, the gentry
+  have lost all spirit and zeal for their country, and the king
+  himself seems to languish under the anxiety of <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page155' title='155' id="page155"></a>the pressing
+  calamities of the nation, and retires from hearing those
+  grievances which he hath not power to redress. Instead of
+  preparations for war, and the defence of their country, there is
+  nothing to be seen but evident marks of a general despair.
+  Processions, fastings, public mournings, and humiliations, are
+  become the sole employments of a people, who were lately the most
+  vain and gay of any in the universe.</p>
+
+  <p>The Pope has written to the French king on the subject of a
+  peace, and his Majesty has answered in the lowliest terms, that
+  he entirely submits his affairs to divine providence, and shall
+  soon show the world, that he prefers the tranquillity of his
+  people to the glory of his arms, and extent of his conquests.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 24th say, that his Excellency
+  the Lord Townshend delivered his credentials on that day to the
+  States-General, as plenipotentiary from the Queen of Great
+  Britain; as did also Count Zinzendorf, who bears the same
+  character from the Emperor.</p>
+
+  <p>Prince Eugene intended to set out the next day for Brussels,
+  and his Grace the Duke of Marlborough on the Tuesday following.
+  The Marquis de Torcy talks daily of going, but still continues
+  here. The army of the Allies is to assemble on the 7th of the
+  next month at Helchin; though it is generally believed, that the
+  preliminaries to a treaty are fully adjusted.</p>
+
+  <p>The approach of a peace<a name='fntag222' id=
+  "fntag222"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote222'><sup>222</sup></a> strikes a panic through our
+  armies, though that of a battle could never do it, and they
+  almost repent of their bravery, that made such haste to humble
+  themselves and the French king. The Duke of Marlborough, though
+  otherwise the greatest general of the age, has plainly shown
+  himself unacquainted with the arts <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page156' title='156' id="page156"></a>of husbanding a war. He
+  might have grown as old as the Duke of Alva, or Prince Waldeck,
+  in the Low Countries, and yet have got reputation enough every
+  year for any reasonable man: for the command of general in
+  Flanders hath been ever looked upon as a provision for life. For
+  my part, I can't see how his grace can answer it to the world,
+  for the great eagerness he hath shown to send a hundred thousand
+  of the bravest fellows in Europe a begging. But the private
+  gentlemen of the infantry will be able to shift for themselves; a
+  brave man can never starve in a country stocked with hen-roosts.
+  "There is not a yard of linen," says my honoured progenitor, Sir
+  John Falstaff, "in my whole company; but as for that," says this
+  worthy knight, "I am in no great pain, we shall find shirts on
+  every hedge."<a name='fntag223' id="fntag223"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote223'><sup>223</sup></a> There is another sort of
+  gentlemen whom I am much more concerned for, and that is, the
+  ingenious fraternity of which I have the honour to be an unworthy
+  member; I mean the news-writers of Great Britain, whether Postmen
+  or Postboys,<a name='fntag224' id="fntag224"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote224'><sup>224</sup></a> or by what other name or
+  title soever dignified or distinguished. The case of these
+  gentlemen is, I think, more hard than that of <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page157' title='157' id="page157"></a>the soldiers,
+  considering that they have taken more towns, and fought more
+  battles. They have been upon parties and skirmishes, when our
+  armies have lain still; and given the general assault to many a
+  place, when the besiegers were quiet in their trenches. They have
+  made us masters of several strong towns many weeks before our
+  generals could do it; and completed victories, when our greatest
+  captains have been glad to come off with a drawn battle. Where
+  Prince Eugene has slain his thousands, Boyer<a name='fntag225'
+  id="fntag225"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote225'><sup>225</sup></a> has slain his ten thousands.
+  This, gentleman can indeed be never enough commended for his
+  courage and intrepidity during this whole war: he has laid about
+  him with an inexpressible fury, and like the offended Marius of
+  ancient Rome, made such havoc among his countrymen, as must be
+  the work of two or three ages to repair. It must be confessed,
+  the redoubted Mr. Buckley<a name='fntag226' id=
+  "fntag226"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote226'><sup>226</sup></a> has shed as much blood as the
+  former; but I cannot forbear saying (and I hope it will not look
+  like envy) that we regard our brother Buckley as a
+  Drawcansir,<a name='fntag227' id="fntag227"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote227'><sup>227</sup></a> who spares neither friend
+  nor foe, but generally kills as many of his own side as the
+  enemy's. It is impossible for this ingenious sort of men to
+  subsist after a peace: every one remembers the shifts they were
+  driven to in the reign of King Charles II., when they could not
+  furnish out <a class="pagenum" name='page158' title='158' id=
+  "page158"></a>a single paper of news, without lighting up a comet
+  in Germany, or a fire in Moscow. There scarce appeared a letter
+  without a paragraph on an earthquake. Prodigies were grown so
+  familiar, that they had lost their name, as a great poet of that
+  age has it. I remember Mr. Dyer,<a name='fntag228' id=
+  "fntag228"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote228'><sup>228</sup></a> who is justly looked upon by
+  all the fox-hunters in the nation as the greatest statesman our
+  country has produced, was particularly famous for dealing in
+  whales; insomuch that in five months' time (for I had the
+  curiosity to examine his letters on that occasion) he brought
+  three into the mouth of the river Thames, besides two porpoises
+  and a sturgeon. The judicious and wary Mr. I. Dawks<a name=
+  'fntag229' id="fntag229"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote229'><sup>229</sup></a> hath all along been the rival
+  of this great writer, and got himself a reputation from plagues
+  and famines, by which, in those days, he destroyed as great
+  multitudes as he has lately done by the sword. In every dearth of
+  news, Grand Cairo was sure to be unpeopled.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page159' title='159' id=
+  "page159"></a>It being therefore visible, that our society will
+  be greater sufferers by the peace than the soldiery itself;
+  insomuch that the <i>Daily Courant</i><a name='fntag230' id=
+  "fntag230"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote230'><sup>230</sup></a> is in danger of being broken,
+  my friend Dyer of being reformed, and the very best of the whole
+  band of being reduced to half-pay; might I presume to offer
+  anything in the behalf of my distressed brethren, I would humbly
+  move, that an appendix of proper apartments furnished with pen,
+  ink, and paper, and other necessaries of life should be added to
+  the Hospital of Chelsea,<a name='fntag231' id=
+  "fntag231"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote231'><sup>231</sup></a> for the relief of such decayed
+  news-writers as have served their country in the wars; and that
+  for their exercise, they should compile the annals of their
+  brother-veterans, who have been engaged in the same service, and
+  are still obliged to do duty after the same manner.</p>
+
+  <p>I cannot be thought to speak this out of an eye to any private
+  interest; for, as my chief scenes of action are coffee-houses,
+  play-houses, and my own apartment, I am in no need of camps,
+  fortifications, and fields of battle, to support me; I don't call
+  out for heroes and generals to my assistance. Though the officers
+  are broken, and the armies disbanded, I shall still be safe as
+  long as there are men or women, or politicians, or lovers, or
+  poets, or nymphs, or swains, or cits, or courtiers in being.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag218'>[218]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote218' id="footnote218"></a>It is very
+      possible that the first article in this number (see the
+      allusion to medals) is by Addison, as well as the account of
+      the Distress of the News-writers.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag219'>[219]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote219' id="footnote219"></a>There is much
+      about medals in Addison's "Remarks on several Parts of
+      Italy," 1705. His "Dialogues on Medals" was published
+      posthumously by Tickell.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag220'>[220]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote220' id="footnote220"></a>Stocks Market
+      was so named from a pair of stocks which were erected there
+      as early as the 13th century. The two statues referred to
+      were really very unlike. The one was of white marble; the
+      other, of brass, was originally intended for John Sobieski,
+      King of Poland, but being bought by Sir Robert Viner in 1672,
+      it was altered and erected in honour of King Charles II. The
+      Turk underneath the horse was metamorphosed into Oliver
+      Cromwell; but his turban escaped unnoticed or unaltered, to
+      testify the truth. The statue in Stocks Market, with the
+      conduit and all its ornaments, was removed to make way for
+      the Mansion House in 1739. Marvell refers to these statues in
+      his "Satires."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag221'>[221]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote221' id="footnote221"></a>Heidegger. See
+      <a href='#number12'>No. 12</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag222'>[222]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote222' id="footnote222"></a>The remainder
+      of this paper is by Addison. See Steele's Preface, and his
+      Dedication of "The Drummer" to Congreve.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag223'>[223]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote223' id="footnote223"></a>"There's but a
+      shirt and a half in all my company; and the half-shirt is two
+      napkins, tacked together, and thrown over the shoulders like
+      a herald's coat without sleeves; and the shirt, to say the
+      truth, stolen from my host of St. Alban, or the red-nosed
+      innkeeper of Daintry. But that's all one, they'll find linen
+      enough on every hedge." (1 Henry IV., act iii. sc. 2).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag224'>[224]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote224' id="footnote224"></a>The Tory
+      <i>Postboy</i> was published by Abel Roper; and the Whig
+      <i>Flying Post</i> by George Ridpath:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "There Ridpath, Roper, cudgelled might ye view,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            The very worsted still looked black and blue."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>("Dunciad," ii. 149.) It is remarkable that both Roper and
+      Ridpath died on the same day, Feb. 5, 1726. Swift and others
+      sometimes contributed to Roper's paper for party
+      purposes.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag225'>[225]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote225' id="footnote225"></a>Abel Boyer
+      (1667-1729), author of "The Political State of Great
+      Britain," was a Whig journalist towards whom Swift felt
+      bitterly. "The Secretary promises me to swinge him," he wrote
+      in 1711; "I must make that rogue an example for a warning to
+      others." Boyer compiled a valuable French and English
+      dictionary.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag226'>[226]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote226' id="footnote226"></a>Samuel Buckley
+      was printer of the <i>London Gazette, Daily Courant</i>, and
+      <i>Spectator</i>. He died in 1741.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag227'>[227]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote227' id="footnote227"></a>Drawcansir, in
+      "The Rehearsal," is described by another character as "a
+      great hero, who frights his mistress, snubs up kings, baffles
+      armies, and does what he will, without regard to number, good
+      sense, or justice."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag228'>[228]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote228' id="footnote228"></a>John Dyer was a
+      Jacobite journalist who issued a news-letter to country
+      subscribers, among whom was Sir Roger de Coverley
+      (<i>Spectator</i>, No. 127), by whom he was held in high
+      esteem. Defoe (<i>Review</i>, vi. 132) says that Dyer "did
+      not so much write what his readers should believe, as what
+      they would believe." Vellum, in Addison's "The Drummer" (act
+      ii. sc. i), cannot but believe his master is living, "because
+      the news of his death was first published in Dyer's Letter."
+      See also <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 43 and 457. At the trial of
+      John Tutchin for seditious libel (Howell's "State Trials,"
+      xiv. 1150), on complaint being made by counsel that Dyer had
+      charged him with broaching seditious principles, Lord Chief
+      Justice Holt said, "Dyer is very familiar with me too
+      sometimes; but you need not fear such a little scandalous
+      paper of such a scandalous author."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag229'>[229]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote229' id="footnote229"></a>Ichabod Dawks
+      was another "epistolary historian" (see <i>Spectator</i>, No.
+      457, and <i>Tatler</i>, No. 178).
+      Dawks and Dyer are both introduced by Edmund Smith, author of
+      "Phædra and Hippolitus," in his poem, "Charlettus Percivallo
+      suo":</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Scribe securus, quid agit Senatus,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Quid caput stertit grave Lambethanum,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Quid comes Guilford, quid habent novorum.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line right">
+            "Dawksque Dyerque."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag230'>[230]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote230' id="footnote230"></a>The <i>Daily
+      Courant</i>, our first daily newspaper, was begun in
+      1702.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag231'>[231]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote231' id="footnote231"></a>Chelsea
+      Hospital, for old soldiers, was founded in 1682.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page160' title='160' id=
+    "page160"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number19' id="number19"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 19.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, May 21</i>, to <i>Tuesday, May 24</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 23.</h3>
+
+  <p>There is nothing can give a man of any consideration greater
+  pain, than to see order and distinction laid aside amongst men,
+  especially when the rank (of which he himself is a member) is
+  intruded upon by such as have no pretence to that honour. The
+  appellation of Esquire is the most notoriously abused in this
+  kind of any class amongst men, insomuch that it is become almost
+  the subject of derision: but I will be bold to say, this
+  behaviour towards it proceeds from the ignorance of the people in
+  its true origin. I shall therefore, as briefly as possible, do
+  myself and all true esquires the justice to look into antiquity
+  upon this subject.</p>
+
+  <p>In the first ages of the world, before the invention of
+  jointures and settlements, when the noble passion of love had
+  possession of the hearts of men, and the fair sex were not yet
+  cultivated into the merciful disposition which they have showed
+  in latter centuries, it was natural for great and heroic spirits
+  to retire to rivulets, woods, and caves, to lament their destiny,
+  and the cruelty of the fair persons who were deaf to their
+  lamentations. The hero in this distress was generally in armour,
+  and in a readiness to fight any man he met with, especially if
+  distinguished by any extraordinary qualifications, it being the
+  nature of heroic love to hate all merit, lest it should come
+  within the observation of the cruel one, by whom its own
+  perfections are neglected. A lover of this kind had always about
+  him a person of a second value, and subordinate to <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page161' title='161' id="page161"></a>him, who
+  could hear his afflictions, carry an enchantment for his wounds,
+  hold his helmet when he was eating (if ever he did eat); or in
+  his absence, when he was retired to his apartment in any king's
+  palace, tell the prince himself, or perhaps his daughter, the
+  birth, parentage, and adventures, of his valiant master. This
+  trusty companion was styled his esquire, and was always fit for
+  any offices about him; was as gentle and chaste as a gentleman
+  usher, quick and active as an equerry, smooth and eloquent as a
+  master of the ceremonies. A man thus qualified was the first, as
+  the ancients affirm, who was called an esquire; and none without
+  these accomplishments ought to assume our order: but, to the
+  utter disgrace and confusion of the heralds, every pretender is
+  admitted into this fraternity, even persons the most foreign to
+  this courteous institution. I have taken an inventory of all
+  within this city, and looked over every letter in the post-office
+  for my better information. There are of the Middle Temple,
+  including all in the buttery books, and in the lists of the
+  house, 5000. In the Inner, 4000. In the King's Bench Walks, the
+  whole buildings are inhabited by esquires only. The adjacent
+  street of Essex, from Morris' Coffee-house, and the turning
+  towards the Grecian, you cannot meet one who is not an esquire,
+  till you take water. Every house in Norfolk and Arundel Streets
+  is governed also by a squire, or his lady. Soho Square,
+  Bloomsbury Square, and all other places where the floors rise
+  above nine feet, are so many universities, where you enter
+  yourselves, and become of our order. However, if this were the
+  worst of the evil, it were to be supported, because they are
+  generally men of some figure and use; though I know no pretence
+  they have to an honour which had its rise from chivalry. But if
+  you travel into the counties of Great Britain, we are still more
+  imposed upon by innovation. <a class="pagenum" name='page162'
+  title='162' id="page162"></a>We are indeed derived from the
+  field: but shall that give title to all that ride mad after
+  foxes, that halloo when they see a hare, or venture their necks
+  full speed after a hawk, immediately to commence esquires? No,
+  our order is temperate, cleanly, sober, and chaste; but these
+  rural esquires commit immodesties upon haycocks, wear shirts half
+  a week, and are drunk twice a day. These men are also to the last
+  degree excessive in their food: an esquire of Norfolk eats two
+  pounds of dumpling every meal, as if obliged to it by our order:
+  an esquire of Hampshire is as ravenous in devouring hogs' flesh:
+  one of Essex has as little mercy on calves. But I must take the
+  liberty to protest against them, and acquaint those persons, that
+  it is not the quantity they eat, but the manner of eating, that
+  shows a squire. But above all, I am most offended at small
+  quillmen, and transcribing clerks, who are all come into our
+  order, for no reason that I know of, but that they can easily
+  flourish it at the end of their name. I'll undertake, that if you
+  read the superscriptions to all the offices in the kingdom, you
+  will not find three letters directed to any but esquires. I have
+  myself a couple of clerks, and the rogues make nothing of leaving
+  messages upon each other's desk: one directs, to "Degory
+  Goosequill, Esq."; to which the other replies by a note, to
+  "Nehemiah Dashwell, Esq.; with respect." In a word, it is now,
+  <i>populus armigerorum</i>, a people of esquires. And I don't
+  know, but, by the late Act of Naturalisation,<a name='fntag232'
+  id="fntag232"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote232'><sup>232</sup></a> foreigners will assume that
+  title, as part of the immunity of being Englishmen. All these
+  improprieties flow from the negligence of the Heralds' Office.
+  Those gentlemen in parti-coloured habits do not so rightly, as
+  they ought, understand themselves; though they are dressed
+  <i>cap-a-pié</i> in hieroglyphics, they are inwardly but ignorant
+  men. I <a class="pagenum" name='page163' title='163' id=
+  "page163"></a>asked an acquaintance of mine, who is a man of wit,
+  but of no fortune, and is forced to appear as Jack Pudding on the
+  stage to a mountebank: "Prithee, Jack, why is your coat of so
+  many colours?" He replied, "I act a fool, and this spotted dress
+  is to signify, that every man living has a weak place about him;
+  for I am knight of the shire, and represent you all." I wish the
+  heralds would know as well as this man does, in his way, that
+  they are to act for us in the case of our arms and appellations:
+  we should not then be jumbled together in so promiscuous and
+  absurd a manner. I design to take this matter into further
+  consideration, and no man shall be received as an esquire, who
+  cannot bring a certificate, that he has conquered some lady's
+  obdurate heart; that he can lead up a country dance, or carry a
+  message between her and her lover, with address, secrecy and
+  diligence. A squire is properly born for the service of the sex,
+  and his credentials shall be signed by three toasts, and one
+  prude, before his title shall be received in my office.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 23.</h3>
+
+  <p>On Saturday last was presented, "The Busy Body," a comedy,
+  written (as I have heretofore remarked) by a woman.<a name=
+  'fntag233' id="fntag233"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote233'><sup>233</sup></a> The plot and incidents of the
+  play are laid with that subtlety of spirit which is peculiar to
+  females of wit, and is very seldom well performed by those of the
+  other sex, in whom craft in love is an act of invention, and not,
+  as with women, the effect of nature and instinct.</p>
+
+  <p>To-morrow will be acted a play, called, "The Trip to the
+  Jubilee."<a name='fntag234' id="fntag234"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote234'><sup>234</sup></a> This performance is the
+  greatest instance that we can have of the irresistible force of
+  proper action. <a class="pagenum" name='page164' title='164' id=
+  "page164"></a>The dialogue in itself has something too low to
+  bear a criticism upon it: but Mr. Wilks enters into the part with
+  so much skill, that the gallantry, the youth, and gaiety of a
+  young man of a plentiful fortune, is looked upon with as much
+  indulgence on the stage, as in real life, without any of those
+  intermixtures of wit and humour, which usually prepossess us in
+  favour of such characters in other plays.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 23.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, Mr.
+  Walpole<a name='fntag235' id="fntag235"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote235'><sup>235</sup></a> (who is since arrived) was
+  going with all expedition to Great Britain, whither they doubted
+  not but he carried with him the preliminaries to a treaty of
+  peace. The French Minister, Monsieur Torcy, has been observed in
+  this whole negotiation to turn his discourse upon the calamities
+  sent down by Heaven upon France, and imputed the necessities they
+  were under to the immediate hand of Providence, in inflicting a
+  general scarcity of provision, rather than the superior genius of
+  the generals, or the bravery of the armies against them. It would
+  be impious not to acknowledge the indulgence of Heaven to us; but
+  at the same time, as we are to love our enemies, we are glad to
+  see them mortified enough to mix Christianity with their
+  politics. An authentic letter from Madame Maintenon to Monsieur
+  Torcy has been stolen by a person about him, who has communicated
+  a copy of it to some of the dependants of a Minister of the
+  Allies. That epistle is writ in the most pathetic manner
+  imaginable, and in a style which shows her genius, that has so
+  long engrossed the heart of this great monarch.<a name='fntag236'
+  id="fntag236"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote236'><sup>236</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page165' title='165' id=
+  "page165"></a>SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"I received yours, and am sensible of the address and capacity
+  with which you have hitherto transacted the great affair under
+  your management. You well observe, that our wants here are not to
+  be concealed; and that it is vanity to use artifices with the
+  knowing men with whom you are to deal. Let me beg you therefore,
+  in this representation of our circumstances, to lay aside art,
+  which ceases to be such when it is seen, and make use of all your
+  skill, to gain us what advantages you can from the enemy's
+  jealousy of each other's greatness; which is the place where only
+  you have room for any dexterity. If you have any passion for your
+  unhappy country, or any affection for your distressed master,
+  come home with peace. O Heaven! Do I live to talk of Lewis the
+  Great as the object of pity? The king shows a great uneasiness to
+  be informed of all that passes; but at the same time, is fearful
+  of every one who appears in his presence, lest he should bring an
+  account of some new calamity. I know not in what terms to
+  represent my thoughts to you, when I speak of the king, with
+  relation to his bodily health. Figure to yourself that immortal
+  man, who stood in our public places, represented with trophies,
+  armour, and terrors, on his pedestal: consider, the Invincible,
+  the Great, the Good, the Pious, the Mighty, which were the usual
+  epithets we gave him, both in our language and thoughts. I say,
+  consider him whom you knew the most glorious and great of
+  monarchs; and now think you see the same man an unhappy Lazar, in
+  the lowest circumstances of human nature itself, without regard
+  to the state from whence he is fallen. I write from his bedside:
+  he is at present in a slumber. I have many, many things to add;
+  but my <a class="pagenum" name='page166' title='166' id=
+  "page166"></a>tears flow too fast, and my sorrow is too big for
+  utterance.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am, etc."</p>
+
+  <p>There is such a veneration due from all men to the persons of
+  princes, that it were a sort of dishonesty to represent further
+  the condition which the king is in; but it is certain, that soon
+  after the receipt of these advices, Monsieur Torcy waited upon
+  his Grace the Duke of Marlborough and the Lord Townshend, and in
+  that conference gave up many points, which he had before said
+  were such, as he must return to France before he could
+  answer.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag232'>[232]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote232' id="footnote232"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number13'>No. 13</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag233'>[233]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote233' id="footnote233"></a>Mrs. Centlivre.
+      See <a href='#number15'>No. 15</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag234'>[234]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote234' id="footnote234"></a>Wilks took the
+      part of Sir Harry Wildair in Farquhar's "The Constant Couple;
+      or, A Trip to the Jubilee," 1699.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag235'>[235]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote235' id="footnote235"></a>Horatio
+      Walpole, Secretary to the Embassy at the Hague, and brother
+      of Sir Robert Walpole.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag236'>[236]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote236' id="footnote236"></a>This letter is
+      a pure invention.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number20' id="number20"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 20.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, May 24</i>, to <i>Thursday, May 26</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 24.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is not to be imagined how far prepossession will run away
+  with people's understandings, in cases wherein they are under
+  present uneasiness. The following narration is a sufficient
+  testimony of the truth of this observation.</p>
+
+  <p>I had the honour the other day of a visit from a gentlewoman
+  (a stranger to me) who seemed to be about thirty. Her complexion
+  is brown; but the air of her face has an agreeableness, which
+  surpasses the beauties of the fairest women. There appeared in
+  her look and mien a sprightly health; and her eyes had too much
+  vivacity to become the language of complaint, which she began to
+  enter into. She seemed sensible of it; and therefore, with
+  downcast looks, said she, "Mr. Bickerstaff, you see before you
+  the <a class="pagenum" name='page167' title='167' id=
+  "page167"></a>unhappiest of women; and therefore, as you are
+  esteemed by all the world both a great civilian, as well as an
+  astrologer, I must desire your advice and assistance, in putting
+  me in a method of obtaining a divorce from a marriage, which I
+  know the law will pronounce void." "Madam," said I, "your
+  grievance is of such a nature, that you must be very ingenuous in
+  representing the causes of your complaint, or I cannot give you
+  the satisfaction you desire." "Sir," she answers, "I believed
+  there would be no need of half your skill in the art of
+  divination, to guess why a woman would part from her husband."
+  "It is true," said I; "but suspicions, or guesses at what you
+  mean, nay certainty of it, except you plainly speak it, are no
+  foundation for a formal suit." She clapped her fan before her
+  face; "My husband," said she, "is no more a husband" (here she
+  burst into tears) "than one of the Italian singers."</p>
+
+  <p>"Madam," said I, "the affliction you complain of, is to be
+  redressed by law; but at the same time, consider what
+  mortifications you are to go through in bringing it into open
+  court; how you will be able to bear the impertinent whispers of
+  the people present at the trial, the licentious reflections of
+  the pleaders, and the interpretations that will in general be put
+  upon your conduct by all the world: 'How little,' will they say,
+  'could that lady command her passions.' Besides, consider, that
+  curbing our desires is the greatest glory we can arrive at in
+  this world, and will be most rewarded in the next." She answered,
+  like a prudent matron, "Sir, if you please to remember the office
+  of matrimony, the first cause of its institution is that of
+  having posterity: therefore, as to the curbing desires, I am
+  willing to undergo any abstinence from food as you please to
+  enjoin me; but I cannot, with any quiet of mind, live in the
+  neglect of a necessary duty, and an express <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page168' title='168' id="page168"></a>commandment, Increase
+  and multiply." Observing she was learned, and knew so well the
+  duties of life, I turned my arguments rather to dehort her from
+  this public procedure by examples, than precepts. "Do but
+  consider, madam, what crowds of beauteous women live in
+  nunneries, secluded for ever from the sight and conversation of
+  men, with all the alacrity of spirit imaginable; they spend their
+  time in heavenly raptures, in constant and frequent devotions,
+  and at proper hours in agreeable conversations." "Sir," said she
+  hastily, "tell not me of Papists, or any of their idolatries."
+  "Well then, madam, consider how many fine ladies live innocently
+  in the eye of the world, and this gay town, in the midst of
+  temptation: there's the witty Mrs. W&#8212;&#8212; is a virgin of
+  44, Mrs. T&#8212;&#8212;s is 39, Mrs. L&#8212;&#8212;ce, 33; yet
+  you see, they laugh and are gay, at the park, at the playhouse,
+  at balls, and at visits; and so much at ease, that all this seems
+  hardly a self-denial." "Mr. Bickerstaff," said she, with some
+  emotion, "you are an excellent casuist; but the last word
+  destroyed your whole argument; if it is not self-denial, it is no
+  virtue. I presented you with a half-guinea, in hopes not only to
+  have my conscience eased, but my fortune told. Yet&#8212;" "Well,
+  madam," said I, "pray of what age is your husband?" "He is,"
+  replied my injured client, "fifty, and I have been his wife
+  fifteen years." "How happened it, you never communicated your
+  distress in all this time to your friends and relations?" She
+  answered, "He has been thus but a fortnight." I am the most
+  serious man in the world to look at, and yet could not forbear
+  laughing out. "Why, madam, in case of infirmity, which proceeds
+  only from age, the law gives no remedy." "Sir," said she, "I find
+  you have no more learning than Dr. Case;<a name='fntag237' id=
+  "fntag237"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote237'><sup>237</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page169' title='169' id="page169"></a>and I am told of a young
+  man, not five and twenty, just come from Oxford, to whom I will
+  communicate this whole matter, and doubt not but he will appear
+  to have seven times more useful and satisfactory knowledge than
+  you and all your boasted family." Thus I have entirely lost my
+  client: but if this tedious narrative preserves Pastorella from
+  the intended marriage with one twenty years her senior&#8212;To
+  save a fine lady, I am contented to have my learning decried, and
+  my predictions bound up with Poor Robin's Almanacks.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>This evening was acted, "The Recruiting Officer,"<a name=
+  'fntag238' id="fntag238"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote238'><sup>238</sup></a> in which Mr. Estcourt's<a name=
+  'fntag239' id="fntag239"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote239'><sup>239</sup></a> proper sense and observation is
+  what supports the play. There is not, in my humble opinion, the
+  humour hit in Sergeant Kite; but it is admirably supplied by his
+  action. If I have skill to judge, that man is an excellent actor;
+  but the crowd of the audience are fitter for representations at
+  Mayfair, than a <a class="pagenum" name='page170' title='170' id=
+  "page170"></a>theatre royal. Yet that fair is now broke,<a name=
+  'fntag240' id="fntag240"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote240'><sup>240</sup></a> as well as the theatre is
+  breaking: but it is allowed still to sell animals there.
+  Therefore, if any lady or gentleman have occasion for a tame
+  elephant, let them inquire of Mr. Pinkethman, who has one to
+  dispose of at a reasonable rate.<a name='fntag241' id=
+  "fntag241"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote241'><sup>241</sup></a> The downfall of Mayfair has
+  quite sunk the price of this noble creature, as well as of many
+  other curiosities of nature. A tiger will sell almost as cheap as
+  an ox; and I am credibly informed, a man may purchase a cat with
+  three legs, for very near the value of one with four. I hear
+  likewise, that there is a great desolation among the gentlemen
+  and ladies who were the ornaments of the town, and used to shine
+  in plumes and diadems; the heroes being most of them pressed, and
+  the queens beating hemp. Mrs. Sarabrand, so famous for her
+  ingenious puppet-show, has set up a shop in the Exchange,<a name=
+  'fntag242' id="fntag242"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote242'><sup>242</sup></a> where she sells her little
+  troop under the term of jointed babies.<a name='fntag243' id=
+  "fntag243"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote243'><sup>243</sup></a> I could not but be solicitous
+  to know of her, how she had disposed of that rake-hell Punch,
+  whose lewd life and conversation had given so much scandal, and
+  did not a little contribute to the ruin of the fair. She told me,
+  with a sigh, that despairing of ever reclaiming him, she would
+  not offer to place him in a civil family, but got him in a post
+  upon a stall in Wapping, where he may be seen from sun-rising to
+  sun-setting, with a glass in one hand, and a pipe in the other,
+  as sentry to a brandy-shop. <a class="pagenum" name='page171'
+  title='171' id="page171"></a>The great revolutions of this nature
+  bring to my mind the distresses of the unfortunate
+  Camilla<a name='fntag244' id="fntag244"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote244'><sup>244</sup></a>, who has had the ill-luck to
+  break before her voice, and to disappear at a time when her
+  beauty was in the height of its bloom. This lady entered so
+  thoroughly into the great characters she acted, that when she had
+  finished her part, she could not think of retrenching her
+  equipage, but would appear in her own lodgings with the same
+  magnificence that she did upon the stage. This greatness of soul
+  has reduced that unhappy princess to an involuntary retirement,
+  where she now passes her time among the woods and forests,
+  thinking on the crowns and sceptres she has lost, and often
+  humming over in her solitude,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "I was born of royal race,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Yet must wander in disgrace," &amp;c.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>But for fear of being overheard, and her quality known, she
+  usually sings it in Italian:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Naqui al regno, naqui al trono
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        E pur sono
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Inventurata Pastorella&#8212;"
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>Since I have touched upon this subject, I shall communicate to
+  my reader part of a letter I have received from an ingenious
+  friend at Amsterdam, where there is a very noble theatre; though
+  the manner of furnishing it <a class="pagenum" name='page172'
+  title='172' id="page172"></a>with actors is something peculiar to
+  that place, and gives us occasion to admire both the politeness
+  and frugality of the people.</p>
+
+  <p>My friends have kept me here a week longer than ordinary to
+  see one of their plays, which was performed last night with great
+  applause. The actors are all of them tradesmen, who, after their
+  day's work is over, earn about a guilder a night by personating
+  kings and generals. The hero of the tragedy I saw, was a
+  journeyman tailor, and his first minister of state a coffee-man.
+  The empress made me think of Parthenope<a name='fntag245' id=
+  "fntag245"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote245'><sup>245</sup></a> in "The Rehearsal"; for her
+  mother keeps an ale-house in the suburbs of Amsterdam. When the
+  tragedy was over, they entertained us with a short farce, in
+  which the cobbler did his part to a miracle; but upon inquiry, I
+  found he had really been working at his own trade, and
+  representing on the stage what he acted every day in his shop.
+  The profits of the theatre maintain a hospital: for as here they
+  do not think the profession of an actor the only trade that a man
+  ought to exercise, so they will not allow anybody to grow rich on
+  a profession that in their opinion so little conduces to the good
+  of the commonwealth. If I am not mistaken, your playhouses in
+  England have done the same thing; for, unless I am misinformed,
+  the hospital at Dulwich was erected and endowed by Mr.
+  Alleyn,<a name='fntag246' id="fntag246"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote246'><sup>246</sup></a> a player: and it is <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page173' title='173' id="page173"></a>also said,
+  a famous she-tragedian<a name='fntag247' id=
+  "fntag247"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote247'><sup>247</sup></a> has settled her estate, after
+  her death, for the maintenance of decayed wits, who are to be
+  taken in as soon as they grow dull, at whatever time of their
+  life that shall happen.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 31st instant, N.S., say, that
+  the articles preliminary to a general peace were settled,
+  communicated to the States-General and all the foreign Ministers
+  residing there, and transmitted to their respective masters on
+  the 28th. Monsieur Torcy immediately returned to the Court of
+  France, from whence he is expected again on the 4th of the next
+  month, with those articles ratified by that Court. The Hague is
+  agreed upon for the place of treaty, and the 15th of the next
+  month the day on which it is to commence. The terms on which this
+  negotiation is founded, are not yet declared by public authority;
+  but what is most generally received, is as follows:</p>
+
+  <p>Her Majesty's right and title, and the Protestant succession
+  to those dominions, is forthwith to be acknowledged. King Charles
+  is also to be owned the lawful sovereign of Spain; and the French
+  king shall not only recall his troops out of that kingdom, and
+  deliver up to the Allies the towns of Roses, Fontarabia, and
+  Pampeluna; but in case the Duke of Anjou shall not retire out of
+  the Spanish dominions, he shall be obliged to assist the Allies
+  to force him from thence. A cessation of arms is agreed upon for
+  two months from the first day of the treaty. The port and
+  fortifications of Dunkirk are to be demolished within four
+  months; but the town itself left in the hands of the French. The
+  Pretender is to be obliged to leave France. All Newfoundland is
+  to be restored to the <a class="pagenum" name='page174' title=
+  '174' id="page174"></a>English. As to the other parts of America,
+  the French are to restore whatever they may have taken from the
+  English, as the English in like manner to give up what they may
+  have taken from the French before the commencement of the treaty.
+  The trade between Great Britain and France shall be settled upon
+  the same foundation as in the reign of King Charles II.</p>
+
+  <p>The Dutch are to have for their barriers, Nieuport, Berg, St.
+  Vinox, Furnes, Ipres, Lille, Tournay, Douay, Valenciennes, Condé,
+  Maubeuge, Mons, Charleroy, Namur, and Luxemburg; all which places
+  shall be delivered up to the Allies before the end of June. The
+  trade between Holland and France shall be on the same foot as in
+  1664. The cities of Strasburg, Brisac, and Alsatia, shall be
+  restored to the Emperor and Empire; and the King of France,
+  pursuant to the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, shall only retain
+  the protection of ten imperial cities, viz., Colmar, Schlestat,
+  Haguenau, Munster, Turkeim, Keisemberg, Obrenheim, Rosheim,
+  Weisemburg, and Landau. Huninguen, Fort Louis, Fort Kiel, and New
+  Brisac shall be demolished, and all the fortifications from Basle
+  to Philipsburg. The King of Prussia shall remain in the peaceable
+  possession of Neufchatel. The affair of Orange, as also the
+  pretensions of his Prussian Majesty in the French Comté, shall be
+  determined at this general negotiation of peace. The Duke of
+  Savoy shall have a restitution made of all that has been taken
+  from him by the French, and remain master of Exilles, Chamont,
+  Fenestrelles, and the Valley of Pragelas.<a name='fntag248' id=
+  "fntag248"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote248'><sup>248</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag237'>[237]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote237' id="footnote237"></a>John Case,
+      astrologer and friend of John Partridge, succeeded to
+      Saffold's habitation in Blackfriars gateway, opposite to
+      Ludgate Church, whence he issued many advertisements. "Their
+      old physician begged they would not forget him&#8212;he gives
+      his advice for nothing&#8212;his cures are private. At
+      Lilly's Head, &amp;c., is the only place to obtain health,
+      long life, and happiness, by your old friend Dr. Case, who
+      extirpates the foundation of all diseases":</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "At the Golden Ball and Lillie's Head
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            John Case lives though Saffold's dead."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>His handbills were commonly adorned with a variety of
+      emblematic devices and poetry. See note on Kirleus, in
+      <a href='#number14'>No. 14</a>; and Nos. 216, 240. Case's
+      most important book was his "Compendium Anatomicum nova
+      methodo institutum," 1695.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag238'>[238]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote238' id="footnote238"></a>By Farquhar;
+      first acted in 1706.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag239'>[239]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote239' id="footnote239"></a>Richard
+      Estcourt (1668-1712), whom Farquhar specially selected to act
+      the part of Sergeant Kite, is celebrated by Steele in a
+      well-known paper in the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 468; see also
+      No. 390). Estcourt was providore of the Beefsteak Club, and
+      wrote two or three dramatic pieces. See No. 51.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag240'>[240]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote240' id="footnote240"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number4'>No. 4</a>. This article was printed by Tickell
+      among Addison's works.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag241'>[241]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote241' id="footnote241"></a>In 1704,
+      Pinkethman advertised that at his booth he would speak an
+      epilogue upon an elephant between nine and ten feet high,
+      arrived from Guinea, led upon the stage by six blacks.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag242'>[242]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote242' id="footnote242"></a>This may be
+      either the Royal Exchange or the New Exchange, in the Strand.
+      There were shops for the sale of trinkets and toys at both
+      places.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag243'>[243]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote243' id="footnote243"></a>"Baby" was a
+      term often applied to dolls.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag244'>[244]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote244' id="footnote244"></a>Mrs. Katherine
+      Tofts sang in English to Nicolini's Italian, in Buononcini's
+      opera of "Camilla," but this absurdity was forgiven on
+      account of the charm of their voices. In 1709, in the height
+      of her beauty, Mrs. Tofts left the stage, owing to her
+      intellect becoming disordered; but afterwards she married Mr.
+      Joseph Smith, a gentleman who lived in great state; but his
+      wife's mind again gave way, and she spent hours walking and
+      singing in a garden attached to a remote part of the house.
+      She died in 1760. See <i>Spectator,</i> Nos. 18, 22 and 443,
+      where there is a letter purporting to be from Mrs. Tofts, at
+      Venice.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag245'>[245]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote245' id="footnote245"></a>In act iii. sc.
+      2 of "The Rehearsal," Prince Volscius falls in love at first
+      sight with Parthenope, who says:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "My mother, sir, sells ale by the town-walls,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            And me her dear Parthenope she calls;"
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>whereupon Volscius (repeating words from Davenant's "Siege
+      of Rhodes") replies:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Can vulgar vestments high-born beauty shroud?
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Thou bring'st the morning pictured in a cloud."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag246'>[246]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote246' id="footnote246"></a>Edward Alleyn,
+      the actor, who died in 1626, aged 61, founded Dulwich
+      Hospital.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag247'>[247]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote247' id="footnote247"></a>Mrs.
+      Bracegirdle; see <a href='#number1'>No. 1</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag248'>[248]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote248' id="footnote248"></a>"It is said
+      that Monsieur Torcy, when he signed this instrument broke
+      into this exclamation: 'Would Colbert have signed such a
+      treaty for France?' On which a Minister present was pleased
+      to say, 'Colbert himself would have been proud to have saved
+      France in these circumstances on such terms'" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page175' title='175' id=
+    "page175"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number21' id="number21"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 21.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, May 26</i>, to <i>Saturday, May 28</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 26.</h3>
+
+  <p>A gentleman has writ to me out of the country a very civil
+  letter, and said things which I suppress with great violence to
+  my vanity. There are many terms in my narratives which he
+  complains want explaining, and has therefore desired, that, for
+  the benefit of my country readers, I would let him know what I
+  mean by a Gentleman, a Pretty Fellow, a Toast, a Coquette, a
+  Critic, a Wit, and all other appellations in the gayer world, who
+  are in present possession of these several characters; together
+  with an account of those who unfortunately pretend to them. I
+  shall begin with him we usually call a Gentleman, or man of
+  conversation. It is generally thought, that warmth of
+  imagination, quick relish of pleasure, and a manner of becoming
+  it, are the most essential qualities for forming this sort of
+  man. But any one that is much in company will observe, that the
+  height of good breeding is shown rather in never giving offence,
+  than in doing obliging things. Thus, he that never shocks you,
+  though he is seldom entertaining, is more likely to keep your
+  favour, than he who often entertains, and sometimes displeases
+  you. The most necessary talent therefore in a man of
+  conversation, which is what we ordinarily intend by a fine
+  gentleman, is a good judgment. He that has this in perfection, is
+  master of his companion, without letting him see it; and has the
+  same advantage over men of any other qualifications whatsoever,
+  as one that can see would have over a blind man of ten times his
+  strength. <a class="pagenum" name='page176' title='176' id=
+  "page176"></a>This is what makes Sophronius the darling of all
+  who converse with him, and the most powerful with his
+  acquaintance of any man in town. By the light of this faculty, he
+  acts with great ease and freedom among the men of pleasure, and
+  acquits himself with skill and despatch among the men of
+  business. This he performs with so much success, that, with as
+  much discretion in life as any man ever had, he neither is, nor
+  appears, cunning. But as he does a good office, if he ever does
+  it, with readiness and alacrity; so he denies what he does not
+  care to engage in, in a manner that convinces you, that you ought
+  not to have asked it. His judgment is so good and unerring, and
+  accompanied with so cheerful a spirit, that his conversation is a
+  continual feast, at which he helps some, and is helped by others,
+  in such a manner, that the equality of society is perfectly kept
+  up, and every man obliges as much as he is obliged: for it is the
+  greatest and justest skill in a man of superior understanding, to
+  know how to be on a level with his companions. This sweet
+  disposition runs through all the actions of Sophronius, and makes
+  his company desired by women, without being envied by men.
+  Sophronius would be as just as he is, if there were no law; and
+  would be as discreet as he is, if there were no such thing as
+  calumny.</p>
+
+  <p>In imitation of this agreeable being, is made that animal we
+  call a Pretty Fellow; who being just able to find out, that what
+  makes Sophronius acceptable, is a natural behaviour; in order to
+  the same reputation, makes his own an artificial one. Jack Dimple
+  is his perfect mimic, whereby he is of course the most unlike him
+  of all men living. Sophronius just now passed into the inner room
+  directly forward: Jack comes as fast after as he can for the
+  right and left looking-glass, in which he had but just approved
+  himself by a nod at each, and marched on. He <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page177' title='177' id="page177"></a>will meditate within
+  for half an hour, till he thinks he is not careless enough in his
+  air, and come back to the mirror to recollect his
+  forgetfulness.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>This night was acted the comedy, called, "The Fox";<a name=
+  'fntag249' id="fntag249"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote249'><sup>249</sup></a> but I wonder the modern writers
+  do not use their interest in the house to suppress such
+  representations. A man that has been at this, will hardly like
+  any other play during the season: therefore I humbly move, that
+  the writings, as well as dresses, of the last age, should give
+  way to the present fashion. We are come into a good method enough
+  (if we were not interrupted in our mirth by such an apparition as
+  a play of Jonson's) to be entertained at more ease, both to the
+  spectator and the writer, than in the days of old. It is no
+  difficulty to get hats, and swords, and wigs, and shoes, and
+  everything else, from the shops in town, and make a man show
+  himself by his habit, without more ado, to be a counsellor, a
+  fop, a courtier, or a citizen, and not be obliged to make those
+  characters talk in different dialects to be distinguished from
+  each other. This is certainly the surest and best way of writing:
+  but such a play as this makes a man for a month after overrun
+  with criticism, and inquire, what every man on the stage said?
+  What had such a one to do to meddle with such a thing? How came
+  the other, who was bred after such a manner, to speak so like a
+  man conversant among a different people? These questions rob us
+  of all our pleasure; for at this rate, no one sentence in a play
+  should be spoken by any one character, which could possibly enter
+  into the head of any other man represented in it; but every
+  sentiment should be peculiar to him only who utters it. Laborious
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page178' title='178' id=
+  "page178"></a>Ben's works will bear this sort of inquisition; but
+  if the present writers were thus examined, and the offences
+  against this rule cut out, few plays would be long enough for the
+  whole evening's entertainment. But I don't know how they did in
+  those old times: this same Ben Jonson has made every one's
+  passion in this play be towards money, and yet not one of them
+  expresses that desire, or endeavours to obtain it any way but
+  what is peculiar to him only: one sacrifices his wife, another
+  his profession, another his posterity from the same motive; but
+  their characters are kept so skilfully apart, that it seems
+  prodigious their discourses should rise from the invention of the
+  same author. But the poets are a nest of hornets, and I'll drive
+  these thoughts no farther, but must mention some hard treatment I
+  am like to meet with from my brother-writers. I am credibly
+  informed, that the author of a play, called, "Love in a Hollow
+  Tree,"<a name='fntag250' id="fntag250"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote250'><sup>250</sup></a> has made some remarks upon my
+  late discourse on "The Naked Truth."<a name='fntag251' id=
+  "fntag251"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote251'><sup>251</sup></a> I cannot blame a gentleman for
+  writing against any error; it is for the good of the learned
+  world. But I would have the thing fairly left between us two, and
+  not under the protection of patrons. But my intelligence is, that
+  he has dedicated his treatise to the Honourable Mr.
+  Ed&#8212;&#8212;d H&#8212;&#8212;rd.<a name='fntag252' id=
+  "fntag252"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote252'><sup>252</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page179' title='179' id="page179"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 27.</h3>
+
+  <p><i>"To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.</i></p>
+
+  <p>"York, May 16, 1709.</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"Being convinced as the whole world is, how infallible your
+  predictions are, and having the honour to be your near relation,
+  of the Staffian family, I was under great concern at one of your
+  predictions relating to yourself, wherein you foretold your own
+  death would happen on the 17th instant, unless it were prevented
+  by the assistance of well-disposed people:<a name='fntag253' id=
+  "fntag253"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote253'><sup>253</sup></a> I have therefore prevailed on
+  my own modesty to send you a piece of news, which may serve
+  instead of Goddard's Drops,<a name='fntag254' id=
+  "fntag254"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote254'><sup>254</sup></a> to keep you alive for two days,
+  till nature be able to recover itself, or till you meet with some
+  better help from other hands. Therefore, without further
+  ceremony, I will go on to relate a singular adventure just
+  happened in the place where I am <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page180' title='180' id="page180"></a>writing, wherein it may be
+  highly useful for the public to be informed.<a name='fntag255'
+  id="fntag255"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote255'><sup>255</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"Three young ladies of our town were on Saturday last indicted
+  for witchcraft. The witnesses against the first deposed upon oath
+  before Justice Bindover, that she kept spirits locked up in
+  velvets, which sometimes appeared in flames of blue fire; that
+  she used magical herbs, with some of which she drew in hundreds
+  of men daily to her, who went out from her presence all inflamed,
+  their mouths parched, and a hot steam issuing from them, attended
+  with a grievous stench; that many of the said men were by the
+  force of that herb metamorphosed into swine, and lay wallowing in
+  the kennels for twenty-four hours, before they could reassume
+  their shapes or their senses.</p>
+
+  <p>"It was proved against the second, that she cut off by night
+  the limbs from dead bodies that were hanged, and was seen to dig
+  holes in the ground, to mutter some conjuring words, and bury
+  pieces of the flesh, after the usual manner of witches.</p>
+
+  <p>"The third was accused for a notorious piece of sorcery, long
+  practised by hags, of moulding up pieces of dough into the shapes
+  of men, women, and children; then heating them at a gentle fire,
+  which had a sympathetic power to torment the bowels of those in
+  the neighbourhood.</p>
+
+  <p>"This was the sum of what was objected against the three
+  ladies, who indeed had nothing to say in their own defence, but
+  downright denying the facts, which is like to avail very little
+  when they come upon their trials.</p>
+
+  <p>"But the parson of our parish, a strange refractory <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page181' title='181' id="page181"></a>man, will
+  believe nothing of all this; so that the whole town cries out,
+  'Shame! that one of his coat should be such an atheist;' and
+  design to complain of him to the bishop. He goes about very oddly
+  to solve the matter. He supposes, that the first of these ladies
+  keeping a brandy and tobacco shop, the fellows went out smoking,
+  and got drunk towards evening, and made themselves beasts. He
+  says, the second is a butcher's daughter, and sometimes brings a
+  quarter of mutton from the slaughter-house overnight against a
+  market-day, and once buried a bit of beef in the ground, as a
+  known receipt to cure warts on her hands. The parson affirms,
+  that the third sells gingerbread, which, to please the children,
+  she is forced to stamp with images before it is baked; and if it
+  burns their guts, it is because they eat too much, or do not
+  drink after it.</p>
+
+  <p>"These are the answers he gives to solve this wonderful
+  phenomenon; upon which I shall not animadvert, but leave it among
+  the philosophers: and so wishing you all success in your
+  undertakings for the amendment of the world, I remain,</p>
+
+  <p>"Dear Cousin,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most affectionate Kinsman,</p>
+
+  <p>"and humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"EPHRAIM BEDSTAFF."</p>
+
+  <p>"P.S.&#8212;Those who were condemned to death among the
+  Athenians, were obliged to take a dose of poison, which made them
+  die upwards, seizing first upon their feet, making them cold and
+  insensible, and so ascending gradually, till it reached the vital
+  parts. I believe your death, which you foretold would happen on
+  the 17th instant, will fall <a class="pagenum" name='page182'
+  title='182' id="page182"></a>out the same way, and that your
+  distemper hath already seized on you, and makes progress daily.
+  The lower part of you, that is, the advertisements,<a name=
+  'fntag256' id="fntag256"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote256'><sup>256</sup></a> is dead; and these have risen
+  for these ten days last past, so that they now take up almost a
+  whole paragraph. Pray, sir, do your endeavour to drive this
+  distemper as much as possible to the extreme parts, and keep it
+  there, as wise folks do the gout; for if it once gets into your
+  stomach, it will soon fly up into your head, and you are a dead
+  man."</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>We hear from Leghorn, that Sir Edward Whitaker, with five
+  men-of-war, four transports, and two fire-ships, was arrived at
+  that port, and Admiral Byng was suddenly expected. Their
+  squadrons being joined, they design to sail directly for Final,
+  to transport the reinforcements, lodged in those parts, to
+  Barcelona.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from Milan, that Count Thaun arrived there on the
+  16th instant, N.S., and proceeded on his journey to Turin on the
+  21st, in order to concert such measures with his royal highness,
+  as shall appear necessary for the operations of the ensuing
+  campaign.</p>
+
+  <p>Advices from Dauphiny say, that the troops of the Duke of
+  Savoy began already to appear in those valleys, whereof he made
+  himself master the last year; and that the Duke of Berwick
+  applied himself with all imaginable diligence to secure the
+  passes of the mountains by ordering entrenchments to be made
+  towards Briançon, Tourneau, and the Valley of Queiras. That
+  general has also been at Marseilles and Toulon, to hasten the
+  transportation of the corn and provisions designed for his
+  army.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Vienna, bearing date May 23, N.S., <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page183' title='183' id="page183"></a>import,
+  that the Cardinal of Saxe-Zeits and the Prince of Lichtenstein
+  were preparing to set out for Presburg, to assist at the Diet of
+  the States of Hungary, which is to be assembled at that place on
+  the 25th of this month. General Heister would shortly appear at
+  the head of his army at Trentschin, which place is appointed for
+  the general rendezvous of the Imperial forces in Hungary; from
+  whence he will advance to lay siege to Neuhausel: in the
+  meantime, reinforcements, with a great train of artillery, are
+  marching the same way. The King of Denmark arrived on the both
+  instant at Innspruck, and on the 26th at Dresden, under a triple
+  discharge of the artillery of that place; but his Majesty refused
+  the ceremonies of a public entry.</p>
+
+  <p>Our letters from the Upper Rhine say, that the Imperial army
+  began to form itself at Etlingen; where the respective deputies
+  of the Elector Palatine, the Prince of Baden Durlach, the
+  Bishopric of Spires, &amp;c. were assembled, and had taken the
+  necessary measures for the provision of forage, the security of
+  the country against the incursions of the enemy, and laying a
+  bridge over the Rhine. Several vessels laden with corn are daily
+  passing before Frankfort for the Lower Rhine.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Poland inform us, that a detachment of Muscovite
+  cavalry, under the command of General Infland, had joined the
+  confederate army; and the infantry commanded by General Goltz,
+  was expected to come up within few days. These succours will
+  amount to 20,000 men.</p>
+
+  <p>Our last advices from the Hague, dated June the 4th, N.S.,
+  say, that they expected a courier from the French Court with the
+  ratification of the preliminaries that night or the day
+  following. His Grace the Duke of Marlborough will set out for
+  Brussels on Wednesday or Thursday next, if the despatches which
+  are expected from Paris don't alter <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page184' title='184' id="page184"></a>his resolutions. Letters
+  from Majorca confirm the honourable capitulation of the castle of
+  Alicante, and also the death of the governor, Major-General
+  Richards, Colonel Sibourg, and Major Vignolles, who were all
+  buried in the ruins of that place, by the springing of their
+  great mine, which did, it seems, more execution than was
+  reported. Monsieur Torcy passed through Mons in his return, and
+  had there a long conference with the Elector of Bavaria; after
+  which, that prince spoke publicly of the treatment he had from
+  France with the utmost indignation.</p>
+
+  <p>Any person that shall come publicly abroad in a fantastical
+  habit, contrary to the present mode and fashion, except Don Diego
+  Dismallo,<a name='fntag257' id="fntag257"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote257'><sup>257</sup></a> or any other out of poverty,
+  shall have his name and dress inserted in our next.</p>
+
+  <p>N.B.&#8212;Mr. How'd'call is desired to leave off those
+  buttons.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag249'>[249]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote249' id="footnote249"></a>Ben Jonson's
+      "Volpone; or, The Fox."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag250'>[250]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote250' id="footnote250"></a>The comedy,
+      "Love in a Hollow Tree; or, The Lawyer's Fortune," was
+      published by William, Lord Viscount Grimston (1683-1756),
+      when he was twenty-two years of age. On the occasion of a
+      contested election for the borough of St. Albans (1736), it
+      was reprinted&#8212;by the Duchess of Marlborough, it is
+      said&#8212;with notes attacking the author, and adorned with
+      the frontispiece of an elephant dancing on a rope. The
+      viscount bought up as nearly as he could the whole edition.
+      "This worthy notleman was a good husband to one of the best
+      of wives, an indulgent father of a numerous offspring, a kind
+      master to his servants, a generous friend, and an affable,
+      hospitable neighbour." (Biog. Dram.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag251'>[251]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote251' id="footnote251"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number17'>No. 17</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag252'>[252]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote252' id="footnote252"></a>Probably the
+      Hon. Edward Howard, second son of Henry, fifth Earl of
+      Suffolk. On the death of his nephew without issue in 1722, he
+      became eighth Earl of Suffolk, but he died unmarried in
+      1731.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag253'>[253]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote253' id="footnote253"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number7'>No. 7</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag254'>[254]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote254' id="footnote254"></a>Dr. Jonathan
+      Goddard, the physician and confidant of Cromwell, a member of
+      the Royal Society, and medical professor of Gresham College,
+      discovered in the course of his chemical experiments, the
+      famous elixir, called here his "drops." Dr. Goddard died of
+      an apoplexy in 1675. "March 24, 1674-5. About 10 o'clock that
+      night, my very good friend, Dr. Jonathan Goddard, reader of
+      the physic lectures at Gresham College, suddenly fell down
+      dead in the street, as he was entering into a coach. He was a
+      pretty corpulent and tall man, a bachelor between 45 and 50
+      years of age; he was melancholy, inclined to be cynical, and
+      used now and then to complain of giddiness in his head. He
+      was an excellent mathematician, and some time physician to
+      Oliver the Protector" (John Coniers, apothecary, in Shoe
+      Lane. MSS. Sloan. 958). The "drops" were a preparation of
+      spirit of hartshorn, with other things; they were used in
+      fainting, apoplexies, &amp;c.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag255'>[255]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote255' id="footnote255"></a>With this
+      satire on the vulgar prejudices concerning witches, may be
+      compared what Addison says in the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 117):
+      "I believe in general that there is and has been such a thing
+      as witchcraft; but at the same time can give no credit to any
+      particular instance of it."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag256'>[256]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote256' id="footnote256"></a>The number of
+      advertisements in the Tatler gradually increased; but as a
+      compensation the "news" paragraph was dropped.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag257'>[257]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote257' id="footnote257"></a>This name was
+      afterwards applied by the Tory writers to the Earl of
+      Nottingham; and the author of the 'Examiner' (vol. iii. No
+      48) says that it was Steele who first used the name for this
+      nobleman, "and upon no less an important affair, than the
+      oddness of his buttons." In the 'Guardian (No. 53), however,
+      Steele disavowed any reference to Lord Nottingham: "I do not
+      remember the mention of Don Diego; nor do I remember tht ever
+      I thought of Lord Nottingham in any character drawn in any
+      one paper of Bickerstaff." See also <a href='#number31'>No.
+      31</a>, below.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number22' id="number22"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 22.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, May 28</i>, to <i>Tuesday, May 31</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 28.</h3>
+
+  <p>I came hither this evening to see fashions, and who should I
+  first encounter but my old friend Cynthio<a name='fntag258' id=
+  "fntag258"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote258'><sup>258</sup></a> (encompassed by a crowd of
+  young fellows) dictating on the <a class="pagenum" name='page185'
+  title='185' id="page185"></a>passion of love with the gayest air
+  imaginable. "Well," says he, "as to what I know of the matter,
+  there is nothing but ogling with skill carries a woman; but
+  indeed it is not every fool that is capable of this art: you will
+  find twenty can speak eloquently, fifty can fight manfully, and a
+  thousand that can dress genteelly at a mistress, where there is
+  one that can gaze skilfully. This requires an exquisite judgment,
+  to take the language of her eyes to yours exactly, and not let
+  yours talk too fast for hers; as at a play between the acts, when
+  Beau Frisk stands upon a bench full in Lindamira's face, and her
+  dear eyes are searching round to avoid that flaring open fool;
+  she meets the watchful glance of her true lover, and sees his
+  heart attentive on her charms, and waiting for a second twinkle
+  of her eye for its next motion." Here the good company sneered;
+  but he goes on. "Nor is this attendance a slavery, when a man
+  meets encouragement, and her eye comes often in his way: for,
+  after an evening so spent, and the repetition of four or five
+  significant looks at him, the happy man goes home to his lodging,
+  full of ten thousand pleasing images: his brain is dilated, and
+  gives him all the ideas and prospects which it ever lets in to
+  its seat of pleasure. Thus a kind look from Lindamira revives in
+  his imagination all the beauteous lawns, green fields, woods,
+  forests, rivers and solitudes, which he had ever before seen in
+  picture, description, or real life: and all with this addition,
+  that he now sees them with the eyes of a happy lover, as before
+  only with those of a common man. You laugh, gentlemen: but
+  consider yourselves (you common people that were never in love)
+  and compare yourselves in good humour with yourselves out of
+  humour, and you will then acknowledge, that all external objects
+  affect you according to the disposition you are in to receive
+  their impressions, and not as those objects are in their own
+  nature. How <a class="pagenum" name='page186' title='186' id=
+  "page186"></a>much more shall all that passes within his view and
+  observation, touch with delight a man who is prepossessed with
+  successful love, which is an assemblage of soft affections, gay
+  desires, and hopeful resolutions?" Poor Cynthio went on at this
+  rate to the crowd about him, without any purpose in his talk, but
+  to vent a heart overflowing with sense of success. I wondered
+  what could exalt him from the distress in which he had long
+  appeared, to so much alacrity. But my familiar has given me the
+  state of his affairs. It seems then, that lately coming out of
+  the play-house, his mistress, who knows he is in her livery (as
+  the manner of insolent beauties is), resolved to keep him still
+  so, and gave him so much wages, as to complain to him of the
+  crowd she was to pass through. He had his wits and resolution
+  enough about him to take her hand, and say, he would attend her
+  to her coach. All the way thither, my good young man stammered at
+  every word, and stumbled at every step. His mistress, wonderfully
+  pleased with her triumph, put him to a thousand questions, to
+  make a man of his natural wit speak with hesitation, and let drop
+  her fan, to see him recover it awkwardly. This is the whole
+  foundation of Cynthio's recovery to the sprightly air he appears
+  with at present. I grew mighty curious to know something more of
+  that lady's affairs, as being amazed how she could dally with an
+  offer of one of his merit and fortune. I sent Pacolet to her
+  lodgings; he immediately brought me back the following letter to
+  her friend and confidante Amanda in the country, wherein she has
+  opened her heart and all its folds.</p>
+
+  <p>"DEAR AMANDA,</p>
+
+  <p>The town grows so empty, that you must expect my letter so
+  too, except you will allow me to talk of myself instead of
+  others: you cannot imagine what pain it <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page187' title='187' id="page187"></a>is, after a whole day
+  spent in public, to want your company, and the ease which
+  friendship allows in being vain to each other, and speaking all
+  our minds. An account of the slaughter which these unhappy eyes
+  have made within ten days last past, would make me appear too
+  great a tyrant to be allowed in a Christian country. I shall
+  therefore confine myself to my principal conquests, which are the
+  hearts of Beau Frisk, and Jack Freeland, besides Cynthio, who,
+  you know, wore my fetters before you went out of town. Shall I
+  tell you my weakness? I begin to love Frisk: it is the
+  best-humoured impertinent thing in the world: he is always too in
+  waiting, and will certainly carry me off one time or other.
+  Freeland's father and mine have been upon treaty without
+  consulting me; and Cynthio has been eternally watching my eyes,
+  without approaching me, my friends, my maid, or any one about me:
+  he hopes to get me, I believe, as they say the rattlesnake does
+  the squirrel, by staring at me till I drop into his mouth.
+  Freeland demands me for a jointure which he thinks deserves me;
+  Cynthio thinks nothing high enough to be my value: Freeland
+  therefore will take it for no obligation to have me; and
+  Cynthio's idea of me, is what will vanish by knowing me better.
+  Familiarity will equally turn the veneration of the one, and the
+  indifference of the other, into contempt. I will stick therefore
+  to my old maxim, to have that sort of man, who can have no
+  greater views than what are in my power to give him possession
+  of. The utmost of my dear Frisk's ambition is, to be thought a
+  man of fashion; and therefore has been so much in mode, as to
+  resolve upon me, because the whole town likes me. Thus I choose
+  rather a man who loves me because others do, than one who
+  approves me on his own judgment. He that judges for himself in
+  love, will often change his opinion; but he that follows the
+  sense of others, must be <a class="pagenum" name='page188' title=
+  '188' id="page188"></a>constant, as long as a woman can make
+  advances. The visits I make, the entertainments I give, and the
+  addresses I receive, will be all arguments for me with a man of
+  Frisk's second-hand genius; but would be so many bars to my
+  happiness with any other man. However, since Frisk can wait, I
+  shall enjoy a summer or two longer, and remain a single woman, in
+  the sublime pleasure of being followed and admired; which nothing
+  can equal, except that of being beloved by you.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am, &amp;c."</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 30.</h3>
+
+  <p>My chief business here this evening was to speak to my friends
+  in behalf of honest Cave Underhill,<a name='fntag259' id=
+  "fntag259"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote259'><sup>259</sup></a> who has been a comic for three
+  generations: my father<a name='fntag260' id=
+  "fntag260"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote260'><sup>260</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page189' title='189' id="page189"></a>admired him extremely when
+  he was a boy. There is certainly nature excellently represented
+  in his manner of action; in which he ever avoided that general
+  fault in players, of doing too much. It must be confessed, he has
+  not the merit of some ingenious persons now on the stage, of
+  adding to his authors; for the actors were so dull in the last
+  age, that many of them have gone out of the world, without having
+  ever spoke one word of their own in the theatre. Poor Cave is so
+  mortified, that he quibbles, and tells you, he pretends only to
+  act a part fit for a man who has one foot in the grave; viz., a
+  gravedigger. All admirers of true comedy, it is hoped, will have
+  the gratitude to be present on the last day of his acting, who,
+  if he does not happen to please them, will have it even then to
+  say, that it is his first offence.</p>
+
+  <p>But there is a gentleman here, who says he has it from good
+  hands, that there is actually a subscription made by many persons
+  of wit and quality, for the encouragement of new comedies. This
+  design will very much contribute to the improvement and diversion
+  of the town: but as every man is most concerned for himself, I,
+  who am of a saturnine and melancholy complexion, cannot but
+  murmur, that there is not an equal invitation to write tragedies,
+  having by me, in my book of commonplaces, enough to enable me to
+  finish a very sad one by the 5th of next month. I have the
+  farewell of a general, with a truncheon in his hand, dying for
+  love, in six lines. I have the principles of a politician (who
+  does all the mischief in the play) together with his declaration
+  on the vanity of ambition in his last moments, expressed in a
+  page and a half. I have all my oaths ready, and my similes want
+  nothing but application. I won't pretend to give you an account
+  of the plot, it being the same design upon which all tragedies
+  have been writ for several years last past; and <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page190' title='190' id="page190"></a>from the
+  beginning of the first scene, the frequenters of the house may
+  know, as well as the author, when the battle is to be fought, the
+  lady to yield, and the hero to proceed to his wedding and
+  coronation. Besides these advantages which I have in readiness, I
+  have an eminent tragedian very much my friend, who shall come in,
+  and go through the whole five acts, without troubling me for one
+  sentence, whether he is to kill or be killed, love or be loved,
+  win battles or lose them, or whatever other tragical performance
+  I shall please to assign him.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 30.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have this day received a letter subscribed "Fidelia," that
+  gives me an account of an enchantment under which a young lady
+  suffers, and desires my help to exorcise her from the power of
+  the sorcerer. Her lover is a rake of sixty; the lady a virtuous
+  woman of twenty-five: her relations are to the last degree
+  afflicted, and amazed at this irregular passion: their sorrow I
+  know not how to remove, but can their astonishment; for there is
+  no spirit in woman half so prevalent as that of contradiction,
+  which is the sole cause of her perseverance. Let the whole family
+  go dressed in a body, and call the bride to-morrow morning to her
+  nuptials, and I'll undertake, the inconstant will forget her
+  lover in the midst of all his aches. But if this expedient does
+  not succeed, I must be so just to the young lady's distinguishing
+  sense, as to applaud her choice. A fine young woman, at last, is
+  but what is due from fate to an honest fellow, who has suffered
+  so unmercifully by the sex; and I think we cannot enough
+  celebrate her heroic virtue, who (like the patriot that ended a
+  pestilence by plunging himself into a gulf) gives herself up to
+  gorge that dragon which has devoured so many virgins before
+  her.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page191' title='191' id=
+  "page191"></a>A letter directed to "Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.;
+  astrologer and physician in ordinary to her Majesty's subjects of
+  Great Britain, with respect," is come to hand.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag258'>[258]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote258' id="footnote258"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number1">1</a>, <a href="#number5">5</a>, <a href=
+      "#number35">35</a>, 85.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag259'>[259]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote259' id="footnote259"></a>The following
+      advertisement appeared in Nos. <a href="#number20">20</a> and
+      <a href="#number22">22</a>: "Mr. Cave Underhill, the famous
+      comedian in the reigns of Charles II., King James II., King
+      William and Queen Mary, and her present Majesty Queen Anne;
+      but now not able to perform so often as heretofore in the
+      playhouse, and having had losses to the value of near £2500,
+      is to have the tragedy of 'Hamlet' acted for his benefit, on
+      Friday, the 3rd of June next, at the Theatre Royal in Drury
+      Lane, in which he is to perform his original part, the
+      Grave-maker. Tickets may be had at the Mitre Tavern in Fleet
+      Street." Colley Cibber says that Underhill was particularly
+      admired in the character of the Grave-digger; and he adds:
+      "Underhill was a correct and natural comedian; his particular
+      excellence was in characters that may be called still-life; I
+      mean the stiff, the heavy, and the stupid; to these he gave
+      the exactest and most expressive colours, and in some of them
+      looked as if it were not in the power of human passions to
+      alter a feature of him. A countenance of wood could not be
+      more fixed than his, when the blockhead of a character
+      required it; his face was full and long; from his crown to
+      the end of his nose was the shorter half of it, so that the
+      disproportion of his lower features, when soberly composed,
+      threw him into the most lumpish, moping mortal, that ever
+      made beholders merry; not but, at other times, he could be
+      wakened into spirit equally ridiculous." Genest says that
+      Underhill acted again as the Grave-digger on Feb. 23, 1710,
+      at Drury Lane.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag260'>[260]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote260' id="footnote260"></a>"Grandfather"
+      (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number23' id="number23"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 23.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, May 31</i>, to <i>Thursday, June 2</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 31.</h3>
+
+  <p>The generality of mankind are so very fond of this world, and
+  of staying in it, that a man cannot have eminent skill in any one
+  art, but they will, in spite of his teeth, make him a physician
+  also, that being the science the worldlings have most need of. I
+  pretended, when I first set up, to astrology only; but I am told,
+  I have deep skill also in medicine. I am applied to now by a
+  gentleman for my advice in behalf of his wife, who, upon the
+  least matrimonial difficulty, is excessively troubled with fits,
+  and can bear no manner of passion without falling into immediate
+  convulsions. I must confess, it is a case I have known before,
+  and remember the party was recovered by certain words pronounced
+  in the midst of the fit by the learned doctor who performed the
+  cure. These ails have usually their beginning from the affections
+  of the mind: therefore you must have patience to let me give you
+  an instance, whereby you may discern the cause of the distemper,
+  and then proceed in the cure as follows:</p>
+
+  <p>A fine town lady was married to a gentleman of ancient descent
+  in one of the counties of Great Britain, who had good humour to a
+  weakness, and was that sort of person, of whom it is usually
+  said, he is no man's enemy but his own: one who had too much
+  tenderness of soul to have any authority with his wife; and she
+  too little sense to <a class="pagenum" name='page192' title='192'
+  id="page192"></a>give him authority for that reason. His kind
+  wife observed this temper in him, and made proper use of it. But
+  knowing it was below a gentlewoman to wrangle, she resolved upon
+  an expedient to save decorum, and wear her dear to her point at
+  the same time. She therefore took upon her to govern him, by
+  falling into fits whenever she was repulsed in a request, or
+  contradicted in a discourse. It was a fish-day, when in the midst
+  of her husband's good humour at table, she bethought herself to
+  try her project. She made signs that she had swallowed a bone.
+  The man grew pale as ashes, and ran to her assistance, calling
+  for drink. "No, my dear," said she, recovering, "it is down;
+  don't be frightened." This accident betrayed his softness enough.
+  The next day she complained, a lady's chariot, whose husband had
+  not half his estate, had a crane-neck, and hung with twice the
+  air that hers did. He answered, "Madam, you know my income; you
+  know I have lost two coach-horses this spring."&#8212;Down she
+  fell.&#8212;"Hartshorn! Betty, Susan, Alice, throw water in her
+  face." With much care and pains she was at last brought to
+  herself, and the vehicle in which she visited was amended in the
+  nicest manner, to prevent relapses; but they frequently happened
+  during that husband's whole life, which he had the good fortune
+  to end in few years after. The disconsolate soon pitched upon a
+  very agreeable successor, whom she very prudently designed to
+  govern by the same method. This man knew her little arts, and
+  resolved to break through all tenderness, and be absolute master,
+  as soon as occasion offered. One day it happened, that a
+  discourse arose about furniture: he was very glad of the
+  occasion, and fell into an invective against china,<a name=
+  'fntag261' id="fntag261"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote261'><sup>261</sup></a> protesting, he would never let
+  five pounds more of his <a class="pagenum" name='page193' title=
+  '193' id="page193"></a>money be laid out that way as long as he
+  breathed. She immediately fainted&#8212;he starts up as amazed,
+  and calls for help&#8212;the maids ran to the closet&#8212;he
+  chafes her face, bends her forwards, and beats the palms of her
+  hands: her convulsions increase, and down she tumbles on the
+  floor, where she lies quite dead, in spite of what the whole
+  family, from the nursery to the kitchen, could do for her
+  relief.</p>
+
+  <p>While every servant was thus helping or lamenting their
+  mistress, he, fixing his cheek to hers, seemed to be following
+  her in a trance of sorrow; but secretly whispers her, "My dear,
+  this will never do: what is within my power and fortune, you may
+  always command, but none of your artifices: you are quite in
+  other hands than those you passed these pretty passions upon."
+  This made her almost in the condition she pretended; her
+  convulsions now came thicker, nor was she to be held down. The
+  kind man doubles his care, helps the servants to throw water in
+  her face by full quarts; and when the sinking part of the fit
+  came again, "Well, my dear," said he, "I applaud your action; but
+  I must take my leave of you till you are more sincere with me.
+  Farewell for ever: you shall always know where to hear of me, and
+  want for nothing." With that, he ordered the maids to keep plying
+  her with hartshorn, while he went for a physician: he was scarce
+  at the stairhead when she followed; and pulling him into a
+  closet, thanked him for her cure; which was so absolute, that she
+  gave me this relation herself, to be communicated for the benefit
+  of all the voluntary invalids of her sex.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page194' title='194' id=
+  "page194"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 31.</h3>
+
+  <p>The public is not so little my concern, though I am but a
+  student, as that I should not interest myself in the present
+  great things in agitation. I am still of opinion, the French king
+  will sign the preliminaries. With that view, I have sent him by
+  my familiar the following epistle, and admonished him, on pain of
+  what I shall say of him to future generations, to act with
+  sincerity on this occasion.</p>
+
+  <h3>"London, May 31.</h3>
+
+  <h4>"Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., of Great Britain, to Lewis XIV. of
+  France.</h4>
+
+  <p>"The surprising news which arrived this day, of your Majesty's
+  having refused to sign the treaty your Ministers have in a manner
+  sued for, is what gives ground to this application to your
+  Majesty, from one whose name, perhaps, is too obscure to have
+  ever reached your territories; but one who, with all the European
+  world, is affected with your determinations. Therefore, as it is
+  mine and the common cause of mankind, I presume to expostulate
+  with you on this occasion. It will, I doubt not, appear to the
+  vulgar extravagant, that the actions of a mighty prince should be
+  balanced by the censure of a private man, whose approbation or
+  dislike are equally contemptible in their eyes, when they regard
+  the thrones of sovereigns. But your Majesty has shown, through
+  the whole course of your reign, too great a value for liberal
+  arts to be insensible, that true fame lies only in the hands of
+  learned men, by whom it is to be transmitted to futurity, with
+  marks of honour or reproach to the end of time. The date of human
+  life is too short to recompense the cares which attend the most
+  private condition: <a class="pagenum" name='page195' title='195'
+  id="page195"></a>therefore it is, that our souls are made as it
+  were too big for it, and extend themselves in the prospect of a
+  longer existence, in a good fame and memory of worthy actions
+  after our decease. The whole race of men have this passion in
+  some degree implanted in their bosoms, which is the strongest and
+  noblest incitation to honest attempts: but the base use of the
+  arts of peace, eloquence, poetry, and all the parts of learning,
+  have been possessed by souls so unworthy those faculties, that
+  the names and appellations of things have been confounded by the
+  labours and writings of prostituted men, who have stamped a
+  reputation upon such actions as are in themselves the objects of
+  contempt and disgrace. This is that which has misled your Majesty
+  in the conduct of your reign, and made that life, which might
+  have been the most imitable, the most to be avoided. To this it
+  is, that the great and excellent qualities of which your Majesty
+  is master, are lost in their application; and your Majesty has
+  been carrying on for many years the most cruel tyranny, with all
+  the noble methods which are used to support a just reign. Thus it
+  is, that it avails nothing that you are a bountiful master; that
+  you are so generous as to reward even the unsuccessful with
+  honour and riches; that no laudable action passes unrewarded in
+  your kingdoms; that you have searched all nations for obscure
+  merit; in a word, that you are in your private character endowed
+  with every princely quality, when all this is subjected to unjust
+  and ill-taught ambition, which to the injury of the world, is
+  gilded by those endowments. However, if your Majesty will
+  condescend to look into your own soul, and consider all its
+  faculties and weaknesses with impartiality; if you will but be
+  convinced, that life is supported in you by the ordinary methods
+  of food, rest, and sleep; you would think it impossible that you
+  could ever be so much <a class="pagenum" name='page196' title=
+  '196' id="page196"></a>imposed on, as to have been wrought into a
+  belief, that so many thousands of the same make with yourself,
+  were formed by Providence for no other end, but by the hazard of
+  their very being to extend the conquests and glory of an
+  individual of their own species. A very little reflection will
+  convince your Majesty, that such cannot be the intent of the
+  Creator; and if not, what horror must it give your Majesty to
+  think of the vast devastations your ambition has made among your
+  fellow creatures? While the warmth of youth, the flattery of
+  crowds, and a continual series of success and triumph, indulged
+  your Majesty in this allusion of mind, it was less to be wondered
+  at, that you proceeded in this mistaken pursuit of grandeur; but
+  when age, disappointments, public calamities, personal
+  distempers, and the reverse of all that makes men forget their
+  true being, are fallen upon you: heavens! is it possible you can
+  live without remorse? Can the wretched man be a tyrant? Can grief
+  study torments? Can sorrow be cruel?&#8212;</p>
+
+  <p>"Your Majesty will observe, I do not bring against you a
+  railing accusation; but as you are a strict professor of
+  religion, I beseech your Majesty to stop the effusion of blood,
+  by receiving the opportunity which presents itself, for the
+  preservation of your distressed people. Be no longer so
+  infatuated, as to hope for renown from murder and violence: but
+  consider, that the great day will come, in which this world and
+  all its glory shall change in a moment: when nature shall sicken,
+  and the earth and sea give up the bodies committed to them, to
+  appear before the last tribunal. Will it then, O king! be an
+  answer for the lives of millions who have fallen by the sword,
+  'They perished for my glory'? That day will come on, and one like
+  it is immediately approaching: injured nations advance towards
+  thy habitation: vengeance has begun its <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page197' title='197' id="page197"></a>march, which is to be
+  diverted only by the penitence of the oppressor. Awake, O
+  monarch, from thy lethargy! Disdain the abuses thou hast
+  received: pull down the statue which calls thee immortal: be
+  truly great: tear thy purple, and put on sackcloth.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am,</p>
+
+  <p>"Thy generous Enemy,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"ISAAC BICKERSTAFF."</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 1.</h3>
+
+  <p>Advices from Brussels of the 6th instant, N.S., say, his
+  Highness Prince Eugene had received a letter from Monsieur Torcy,
+  wherein that Minister, after many expressions of great respect,
+  acquaints him, that his master had absolutely refused to sign the
+  preliminaries to the treaty which he had, in his Majesty's
+  behalf, consented to at the Hague. Upon the receipt of this
+  intelligence, the face of things at that place were immediately
+  altered, and the necessary orders were transmitted to the troops
+  (which lay most remote from thence) to move towards the place of
+  rendezvous with all expedition. The enemy seem also to prepare
+  for the field, and have at present drawn together twenty-five
+  thousand men in the plains of Lenz. Marshal Villars is at the
+  head of those troops; and has given the generals under his
+  command all possible assurances, that he will turn the fate of
+  the war to the advantage of his master.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from the Hague of the 7th, that Monsieur Rouillé
+  had received orders from the Court of France, to signify to the
+  States-General and the Ministers of the High Allies, that the
+  king could not consent to the preliminaries of a treaty of peace,
+  as it was offered to him by Monsieur Torcy. The great difficulty
+  is the business of Spain, on <a class="pagenum" name='page198'
+  title='198' id="page198"></a>which particular his Ministers
+  seemed only to say, during the treaty, that it was not so
+  immediately under their master's direction, as that he could
+  answer for its being relinquished by the Duke of Anjou: but now
+  he positively answers, that he cannot comply with what his
+  Minister has promised in his behalf, even in such points as are
+  wholly in himself to act in or not. This has had no other effect,
+  than to give the Alliance fresh arguments for being diffident of
+  engagements entered into by France. The Pensioner made a report
+  of all which this Minister had declared to the Deputies of the
+  States-General, and all things turn towards a vigorous war. The
+  Duke of Marlborough designed to leave the Hague within two days,
+  in order to put himself at the head of the army, which is to
+  assemble on the 17th instant between the Scheldt and the Lis. A
+  fleet of eighty sail, laden with corn from the Baltic, is arrived
+  in the Texel. The States have sent circular letters to all the
+  provinces, to notify this change of affairs, and animate their
+  subjects to new resolutions in defence of their country.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag261'>[261]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote261' id="footnote261"></a>Addison
+      ridiculed the prevalent craze for collecting china in No. 10
+      of the <i>Lover</i>; and Swift wrote to Steele, "What do I
+      know whether china is dear or not; I once took a fancy of
+      resolving to go mad for it, but now it is off."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number24' id="number24"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 24.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[ADDISON.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, June 2</i>, to <i>Saturday, June 4</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 2.</h3>
+
+  <p>In my paper of the 28th of the last month,<a name='fntag262'
+  id="fntag262"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote262'><sup>262</sup></a> I mentioned several characters
+  which want explanation to the generality of readers: among
+  others, I spoke of a Pretty Fellow; but I have received a kind
+  admonition in a letter, to take care that I do not omit to show
+  also what is meant by a Very Pretty Fellow, which is to be
+  allowed as a <a class="pagenum" name='page199' title='199' id=
+  "page199"></a>character by itself, and a person exalted above the
+  other by a peculiar sprightliness, as one who, by a
+  distinguishing vigour, outstrips his companions, and has thereby
+  deserved and obtained a particular appellation, or nickname of
+  familiarity. Some have this distinction from the fair sex, who
+  are so generous as to take into their protection those who are
+  laughed at by the men, and place them for that reason in degrees
+  of favour. The chief of this sort is Colonel Brunett, who is a
+  man of fashion, because he will be so; and practises a very
+  jaunty way of behaviour, because he is too careless to know when
+  he offends, and too sanguine to be mortified if he did know it.
+  Thus the colonel has met with a town ready to receive him, and
+  cannot possibly see why he should not make use of their favour,
+  and set himself in the first degree of conversation. Therefore he
+  is very successfully loud among the wits, familiar among the
+  ladies, and dissolute among the rakes. Thus he is admitted in one
+  place, because he is so in another; and every man treats Brunett
+  well, not out of his particular esteem for him, but in respect to
+  the opinion of others. It is to me a solid pleasure to see the
+  world thus mistaken on the good-natured side; for it is ten to
+  one but the colonel mounts into a general officer, marries a fine
+  lady, and is master of a good estate, before they come to explain
+  upon him. What gives most delight to me in this observation, is,
+  that all this arises from pure nature, and the colonel can
+  account for his success no more than those by whom he succeeds.
+  For these causes and considerations, I pronounce him a true
+  woman's man, and in the first degree, "a very pretty fellow." The
+  next to a man of this universal genius, is one who is peculiarly
+  formed for the service of the ladies, and his merit chiefly is to
+  be of no consequence. I am indeed a little in doubt, whether he
+  ought not rather to be called a "very happy," <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page200' title='200' id="page200"></a>than a "very pretty"
+  fellow? For he is admitted at all hours: all he says or does,
+  which would offend in another, are passed over in him; and all
+  actions and speeches which please, doubly please if they come
+  from him: no one wonders or takes notice when he is wrong; but
+  all admire him when he is in the right. By the way it is fit to
+  remark, that there are people of better sense than these, who
+  endeavour at this character; but they are out of nature; and
+  though, with some industry, they get the characters of fools,
+  they cannot arrive to be "very," seldom to be merely "pretty
+  fellows." But where nature has formed a person for this station
+  amongst men, he is gifted with a peculiar genius for success, and
+  his very errors and absurdities contribute to it; this felicity
+  attending him to his life's end. For it being in a manner
+  necessary that he should be of no consequence, he is as well in
+  old age as youth; and I know a man, whose son has been some years
+  a pretty fellow, who is himself at this hour a "very" pretty
+  fellow. One must move tenderly in this place, for we are now in
+  the ladies' lodgings, and speaking of such as are supported by
+  their influence and favour; against which there is not, neither
+  ought there to be, any dispute or observation. But when we come
+  into more free air, one may talk a little more at large. Give me
+  leave then to mention three, whom I do not doubt but we shall see
+  make considerable figures; and these are such as, for their
+  Bacchanalian performances, must be admitted into this order. They
+  are three brothers lately landed from Holland: as yet, indeed,
+  they have not made their public entry, but lodge and converse at
+  Wapping. They have merited already on the waterside particular
+  titles: the first is called Hogshead; the second Culverin; and
+  the third Musket. This fraternity is preparing for our end of the
+  town by their ability in the exercises of Bacchus, and measure
+  their time <a class="pagenum" name='page201' title='201' id=
+  "page201"></a>and merit by liquid weight, and power of drinking.
+  Hogshead is a prettier fellow than Culverin by two quarts, and
+  Culverin than Musket by a full pint. It is to be feared, Hogshead
+  is so often too full, and Culverin overloaded, that Musket will
+  be the only lasting "very" pretty fellow of the three.<a name=
+  'fntag263' id="fntag263"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote263'><sup>263</sup></a> A third sort of this
+  denomination are such as, by very daring adventures in love, have
+  purchased to themselves renown and new names; as, Joe Carry, for
+  his excessive strength and vigour; Tom Drybones, for his generous
+  loss of youth and health; and Cancrum, for his meritorious
+  rottenness. These great and leading spirits are proposed to all
+  such of our British youth as would arrive at perfection in these
+  different kinds; and if their parts and accomplishments were well
+  imitated, it is not doubted but that our nation would soon excel
+  all others in wit and arts, as they already do in arms.</p>
+
+  <p>N.B.&#8212;The gentleman who stole Betty Pepin,<a name=
+  'fntag264' id="fntag264"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote264'><sup>264</sup></a> may own it, for he is allowed
+  to be a "very" pretty fellow.</p>
+
+  <h4>But we must proceed to the explanation of other terms in our
+  writings.</h4>
+
+  <p>To know what a Toast is in the country, gives as much
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page202' title='202' id=
+  "page202"></a>perplexity as she herself does in town: and,
+  indeed, the learned differ very much upon the original of this
+  word, and the acceptation of it among the moderns. However, it is
+  by all agreed to have a joyous and cheerful import. A toast in a
+  cold morning, heightened by nutmeg, and sweetened with sugar, has
+  for many ages been given to our rural dissenters of justice,
+  before they entered upon causes, and has been of great and
+  politic use to take off the severity of their sentences; but has
+  indeed been remarkable for one ill effect, that it inclines those
+  who use it immoderately, to speak Latin, to the admiration,
+  rather than information, of an audience. This application of "a
+  toast" makes it very obvious, that the word may, without a
+  metaphor, be understood as an apt name for a thing which raises
+  us in the most sovereign degree. But many of the wits of the last
+  age will assert, that the word, in its present sense, was known
+  among them in their youth, and had its rise from an accident at
+  the town of Bath, in the reign of King Charles II. It happened,
+  that on a public day a celebrated beauty of those times was in
+  the Cross Bath, and one of the crowd of her admirers took a glass
+  of the water in which the fair one stood, and drank her health to
+  the company. There was in the place a gay fellow, half fuddled,
+  who offered to jump in, and swore, though he liked not the
+  liquor, he would have the toast. He was opposed in his
+  resolution; yet this whim gave foundation to the present honour
+  which is done to the lady we mention in our liquors, who has ever
+  since been called a "toast." Though this institution had so
+  trivial a beginning, it is now elevated into a formal order; and
+  that happy virgin who is received and drank to at their meetings,
+  has no more to do in this life, but to judge and accept of the
+  first good offer. The manner of her inauguration is much like
+  that of the choice of a Doge in <a class="pagenum" name='page203'
+  title='203' id="page203"></a>Venice: it is performed by
+  balloting; and when she is so chosen, she reigns indisputably for
+  that ensuing year; but must be elected anew to prolong her empire
+  a moment beyond it. When she is regularly chosen, her name is
+  written with a diamond on a drinking-glass.<a name='fntag265' id=
+  "fntag265"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote265'><sup>265</sup></a> The hieroglyphic of the diamond
+  is to show her, that her value is imaginary; and that of the
+  glass to acquaint her, that her condition is frail, and depends
+  on the hand which holds her. This wise design admonishes her,
+  neither to overrate nor depreciate her charms; as well
+  considering and applying, that it is perfectly according to the
+  humour and taste of the company, whether the toast is eaten, or
+  left as an offal.</p>
+
+  <p>The foremost of the whole rank of toasts, and the most
+  undisputed in their present empire, are Mrs. Gatty and Mrs.
+  Frontlet: the first, an agreeable; the second, an awful beauty.
+  These ladies are perfect friends, out of a knowledge that their
+  perfections are too different to stand in competition. He that
+  likes Gatty can have no relish for so solemn a creature as
+  Frontlet; and an admirer of Frontlet will call Gatty a
+  maypole-girl. Gatty for ever smiles upon you; and Frontlet
+  disdains to see you smile. Gatty's love is a shining quick flame;
+  Frontlet's a slow wasting fire. Gatty likes the man that diverts
+  her; Frontlet him who adores her. Gatty always improves the soil
+  in which she travels; Frontlet lays waste the country. Gatty does
+  not only smile, but laughs at her lover; Frontlet not only looks
+  serious, but frowns at him. All the men of wit (and coxcombs
+  their followers) are professed servants of Gatty: the politicians
+  and pretenders give solemn worship to Frontlet. Their reign will
+  be best judged of by its duration. Frontlet will never be chosen
+  more; and Gatty is a toast for life.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page204' title='204' id=
+  "page204"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 3.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Hamburg of the 7th instant, N.S., inform us, that
+  no art or cost is omitted to make the stay of his Danish Majesty
+  at Dresden agreeable; but there are various speculations upon the
+  interview between King Augustus and that prince, many putting
+  politic constructions upon his Danish Majesty's arrival, at a
+  time when his troops are marching out of Hungary, with orders to
+  pass through Saxony, where it is given out, that they are to be
+  recruited. It is said also, that several Polish senators have
+  invited King Augustus to return into Poland. His Majesty of
+  Sweden, according to the same advices, has passed the Dnieper
+  without any opposition from the Muscovites, and advances with all
+  possible expedition towards Voldinia, where he proposes to join
+  King Stanislaus and General Cressau.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from Berne of the 1st instant, N.S., that there is not
+  a province in France, from whence the Court is not apprehensive
+  of receiving accounts of public emotions, occasioned by the want
+  of corn. The General Diet of the thirteen cantons is assembled at
+  Baden, but have not yet entered upon business, so that the affair
+  of Tockenburg is yet at a stand.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague, dated the 11th instant, N.S., advise
+  that Monsieur Rouillé having acquainted the Ministers of the
+  Allies, that his master had refused to ratify the preliminaries
+  of a treaty adjusted with Monsieur Torcy, set out for Paris on
+  Sunday morning. The same day the foreign Ministers met a
+  committee of the States-General, where Monsieur van Hessen opened
+  the business upon which they were assembled, and in a very warm
+  discourse laid before them the conduct of France in the late
+  negotiations, representing the abject manner in which she had
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page205' title='205' id=
+  "page205"></a>laid open her own distresses, which reduced her to
+  a compliance with the demands of all the Allies, and the mean
+  manner in receding from those points to which her Minister had
+  consented. The respective Ministers of each potentate of the
+  Alliance severally expressed their resentment of the faithless
+  behaviour of the French, and gave each other mutual assurances of
+  the constancy and resolution of their principles to proceed with
+  the utmost vigour against the common enemy. His Grace the Duke of
+  Marlborough set out from the Hague on the 9th, in the afternoon,
+  and lay that night at Rotterdam, from whence at four the next
+  morning he proceeded towards Antwerp, with design to reach Ghent
+  as on this day. All the troops in the Low Countries are in motion
+  towards the general rendezvous between the Scheldt and Lis, and
+  the whole army will be formed on the 12th instant; and it is said
+  that on the 14th they will advance towards the enemy's country.
+  In the meantime the Marshal de Villars has assembled the French
+  army between Lens, la Bassée, and Douay.</p>
+
+  <p>Yesterday morning Sir John Norris<a name='fntag266' id=
+  "fntag266"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote266'><sup>266</sup></a> with the squadron under his
+  command, sailed from the Downs for Holland.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 3.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have the honour of the following letter from a gentleman
+  whom I receive into my family, and order the heralds at arms to
+  enroll him accordingly.</p>
+
+  <p>"MR. BICKERSTAFF,</p>
+
+  <p>"Though you have excluded me the honour of your family, yet I
+  have ventured to correspond with the same great persons as
+  yourself, and have wrote this post <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page206' title='206' id="page206"></a>to the King of France;
+  though I'm in a manner unknown in his country, and have not been
+  seen there these many months.</p>
+
+  <h4>"'To Lewis le Grand.</h4>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "'Though in your country I'm unknown,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Yet, sir, I must advise you;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Of late so poor and mean you're grown,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        That all the world despise you.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Here vermin eat your majesty,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        There meagre subjects stand unfed;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        What surer signs of poverty,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Than many lice, and little bread?
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Then, sir, the present minute choose,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Our armies are advanced;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Those terms you at the Hague refuse,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        At Paris won't be granted.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Consider this, and Dunkirk raze,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        And Anna's title own;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Send one Pretender out to graze,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        And call the other home.'
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"Your humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"BREAD, THE STAFF OF LIFE."</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag262'>[262]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote262' id="footnote262"></a>No. 21.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag263'>[263]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote263' id="footnote263"></a>It would seem
+      from the passage in the <i>Examiner</i> (vol. iii. No. 48),
+      that three men of distinction at that time, probably
+      noblemen, were supposed to be denoted under the names of
+      Hogshead, Culverin, and Musket, from Wapping; or, as they are
+      named by the <i>Examiner</i>, "Tun, Gun, and Pistol, from
+      Wapping." They are there mentioned among others, said to have
+      been, "with at least fifty more, sufferers of figure under
+      this author's satire, in the days of his mirth," &amp;c. In
+      the <i>Guardian</i> (No. 53) Steele says, "Tun, Gun, and
+      Pistol from Wapping, laughed at the representation which was
+      made of them, and were observed to be more regular in their
+      conduct afterwards."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag264'>[264]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote264' id="footnote264"></a>The kept
+      mistress of a knight of the shire near Brentford, who
+      squandered his estate on women, and in contested elections.
+      He has long since gone into the land of oblivion. See No.
+      51.&#8212;(Nichols.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag265'>[265]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote265' id="footnote265"></a>Several such
+      verses, inscribed on the glasses of the Kit Cat Club, are
+      given in Nichols' "Select Collection of Poems," v.
+      168-178.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag266'>[266]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote266' id="footnote266"></a>Admiral Sir
+      John Norris (died 1749) was sent in June 1709, with a small
+      squadron, to stop the French supply of corn from the
+      Baltic.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page207' title='207' id=
+    "page207"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number25' id="number25"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 25.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, June 4</i>, to <i>Tuesday, June 7</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>A letter from a young lady, written in the most passionate
+  terms (wherein she laments the misfortune of a gentleman, her
+  lover, who was lately wounded in a duel), has turned my thoughts
+  to that subject, and inclined me to examine into the causes which
+  precipitate men into so fatal a folly.<a name='fntag267' id=
+  "fntag267"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote267'><sup>267</sup></a> And as it has been proposed to
+  treat of subjects of gallantry in the article from hence, and no
+  one point of nature is more proper to be considered by the
+  company who frequent this place, than that of duels, it is worth
+  our consideration to examine into this chimerical groundless
+  humour, and to lay every other thought aside, till we have
+  stripped it of all its false pretences to credit and reputation
+  amongst men. But I must confess, when I consider what I am going
+  about, and run over in my imagination all the endless crowd of
+  men of honour who will be offended at such a discourse, I am
+  undertaking, methinks, a work worthy an invulnerable hero in
+  romance, rather than a private gentleman with a single rapier;
+  but as I am pretty well acquainted by great opportunities with
+  the nature of man, and know of a truth, that all men fight
+  against their will, the danger vanishes, and resolution rises
+  upon this subject. For this reason I shall talk very freely on a
+  custom which all men wish exploded, though no man has courage
+  enough to resist it. But there is one unintelligible word which I
+  fear will extremely perplex my <a class="pagenum" name='page208'
+  title='208' id="page208"></a>dissertation, and I confess to you I
+  find very hard to explain, which is, the term "satisfaction." An
+  honest country gentleman had the misfortune to fall into company
+  with two or three modern men of honour, where he happened to be
+  very ill-treated; and one of the company being conscious of his
+  offence, sends a note to him in the morning, and tells him, he
+  was ready to give him satisfaction. "This is fine doing," says
+  the plain fellow: "last night he sent me away cursedly out of
+  humour, and this morning he fancies it would be a satisfaction to
+  be run through the body." As the matter at present stands, it is
+  not to do handsome actions denominates a man of honour; it is
+  enough if he dares to defend ill ones. Thus you often see a
+  common sharper in competition with a gentleman of the first rank;
+  though all mankind is convinced, that a fighting gamester is only
+  a pickpocket with the courage of a highwayman. One cannot with
+  any patience reflect on the unaccountable jumble of persons and
+  things in this town and nation, which occasions very frequently,
+  that a brave man falls by a hand below that of the common
+  hangman, and yet his executioner escapes the clutches of the
+  hangman for doing it. I shall therefore hereafter consider, how
+  the bravest men in other ages and nations have behaved themselves
+  upon such incidents as we decide by combat; and show, from their
+  practice, that this resentment neither has its foundation from
+  true reason, nor solid fame; but is an imposture,<a name=
+  'fntag268' id="fntag268"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote268'><sup>268</sup></a> made up of cowardice,
+  falsehood, and want of understanding. For this work, a good
+  history of quarrels would be very edifying to the public, and I
+  apply myself to the town for particulars and circumstances within
+  their knowledge, which may serve to embellish the dissertation
+  with proper cuts. Most of the quarrels I have ever known, have
+  proceeded from some <a class="pagenum" name='page209' title='209'
+  id="page209"></a>valiant coxcomb's persisting in the wrong, to
+  defend some prevailing folly, and preserve himself from the
+  ingenuity of owning a mistake.<a name='fntag269' id=
+  "fntag269"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote269'><sup>269</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>By this means it is called, "giving a man satisfaction," to
+  urge your offence against him with your sword; which puts me in
+  mind of Peter's order to the keeper, in the "Tale of a Tub": "If
+  you neglect to do all this, damn you and your generation for
+  ever; and so we bid you heartily farewell."<a name='fntag270' id=
+  "fntag270"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote270'><sup>270</sup></a> If the contradiction in the
+  very terms of one of our challenges were as well explained, and
+  turned into plain English, would it not run after this
+  manner?</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your extraordinary behaviour last night, and the liberty you
+  were pleased to take with me, makes me this morning give you
+  this, to tell you, because you are an ill-bred puppy, I will meet
+  you in Hyde Park an hour hence; and because you want both
+  breeding and humanity, I desire you would come with a pistol in
+  your hand, on horseback, and endeavour to shoot me through the
+  head; to teach you more manners. If you fail of doing me this
+  pleasure, I shall say, you are a rascal on every post in town:
+  and so, sir, if you will not injure me more, I shall never
+  forgive what you have done already. Pray sir, do not fail of
+  getting everything ready, and you will infinitely oblige,</p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most obedient,</p>
+
+  <p>"humble Servant, &amp;c."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page210' title='210' id=
+  "page210"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>Among the many employments I am necessarily put upon by my
+  friends, that of giving advice is the most unwelcome to me; and
+  indeed, I am forced to use a little art in the matter; for some
+  people will ask counsel of you, when they have already acted what
+  they tell you is still under deliberation. I had almost lost a
+  very good friend the other day, who came to know how I liked his
+  design to marry such a lady. I answered, "By no means; and I must
+  be positive against it, for very solid reasons, which are not
+  proper to communicate." "Not proper to communicate!" said he with
+  a grave air, "I will know the bottom of this." I saw him moved,
+  and knew from thence he was already determined; therefore evaded
+  it by saying, "To tell you the truth, dear Frank, of all women
+  living, I would have her myself." "Isaac," said he, "thou art too
+  late, for we have been both one these two months." I learned this
+  caution by a gentleman's consulting me formerly about his son. He
+  railed at his damned extravagance, and told me, in a very little
+  time, he would beggar him by the exorbitant bills which came from
+  Oxford every quarter. "Make the rogue bite upon the
+  bridle,"<a name='fntag271' id="fntag271"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote271'><sup>271</sup></a> said I, "pay none of his bills,
+  it will but encourage him to further trespasses." He looked
+  plaguy sour at me. His son soon after sent up a paper of verses,
+  forsooth, in print, on the last public occasion; upon which, he
+  is convinced the boy has parts, and a lad of spirit is not to be
+  too much cramped in his maintenance, lest he take ill courses.
+  Neither father nor son can ever since endure the sight of me.
+  These sort of people ask opinions, only out of the fulness of
+  their heart on the subject of their perplexity, and not from a
+  desire of infor<a class="pagenum" name='page211' title='211' id=
+  "page211"></a>mation. There is nothing so easy as to find out
+  which opinion the person in doubt has a mind to; therefore the
+  sure way is to tell him, that is certainly to be chosen. Then you
+  are to be very clear and positive; leave no handle for scruple.
+  "Bless me! sir, there is no room for a question." This rivets you
+  into his heart; for you at once applaud his wisdom, and gratify
+  his inclination. However, I had too much bowels to be insincere
+  to a man who came yesterday to know of me, with which of two
+  eminent men in the City he should place his son? Their names are
+  Paulo and Avaro.<a name='fntag272' id="fntag272"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote272'><sup>272</sup></a> This gave me much
+  debate with myself, because not only the fortune of the youth,
+  but his virtue also depended upon this choice. The men are
+  equally wealthy; but they differ in the use and application of
+  their riches, which you immediately see upon entering their
+  doors.</p>
+
+  <p>The habitation of Paulo has at once the air of a nobleman and
+  a merchant. You see the servants act with affection to their
+  master, and satisfaction in themselves: the master meets you with
+  an open countenance, full of benevolence and integrity: your
+  business is despatched with that confidence and welcome which
+  always accompanies honest minds: his table is the image of plenty
+  and generosity, supported by justice and frugality. After we had
+  dined here, our affair was to visit Avaro: out comes an awkward
+  fellow with a careful countenance; "Sir, would you speak with my
+  master? May I crave your name?" After the first preambles, he
+  leads us into a noble solitude, a great house that seemed
+  uninhabited; but from the end of the spacious hall moves towards
+  us Avaro, with a suspicious aspect, as if he believed us thieves;
+  and as for my part, I approached him as if I knew him a
+  cut-purse. <a class="pagenum" name='page212' title='212' id=
+  "page212"></a>We fell into discourse of his noble dwelling, and
+  the great estate all the world knew he had to enjoy in it: and I,
+  to plague him, fell a commending Paulo's way of living. "Paulo,"
+  answered Avaro, "is a very good man; but we who have smaller
+  estates, must cut our coat according to our cloth." "Nay," says
+  I, "every man knows his own circumstance best; you are in the
+  right, if you haven't wherewithal." He looked very sour (for it
+  is, you must know, the utmost vanity of a mean-spirited rich man
+  to be contradicted, when he calls himself poor). But I was
+  resolved to vex him, by consenting to all he said; the main
+  design of which was, that he would have us find out, he was one
+  of the wealthiest men in London, and lived like a beggar. We left
+  him, and took a turn on the 'Change. My friend was ravished with
+  Avaro. "This," said he, "is certainly a sure man." I contradicted
+  him with much warmth, and summed up their different characters as
+  well as I could. "This Paulo," said I, "grows wealthy by being a
+  common good; Avaro, by being a general evil: Paulo has the art,
+  Avaro the craft of trade. When Paulo gains, all men he deals with
+  are the better: whenever Avaro profits, another certainly loses.
+  In a word, Paulo is a citizen, and Avaro a cit." I convinced my
+  friend, and carried the young gentleman the next day to Paulo,
+  where he will learn the way both to gain, and enjoy a good
+  fortune. And though I cannot say, I have, by keeping him from
+  Avaro, saved him from the gallows, I have prevented his deserving
+  it every day he lives: for with Paulo he will be an honest man,
+  without being so for fear of the law; as with Avaro, he would
+  have been a villain within the protection of it.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page213' title='213' id=
+  "page213"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>We hear from Vienna of the 1st instant, that Baron Imoff, who
+  attended her Catholic Majesty with the character of Envoy from
+  the Duke of Wolfembuttel, was returned thither. That Minister
+  brought an account, that Major-general Stanhope, with the troops
+  which embarked at Naples, was returned to Barcelona. We hear from
+  Berlin, by advices of the 8th instant, that his Prussian Majesty
+  had received intelligence from his Minister at Dresden, that the
+  King of Denmark desired to meet his Majesty at Magdeburg. The
+  King of Prussia has sent answer, that his present indisposition
+  will not admit of so great a journey; but has sent the king a
+  very pressing invitation to come to Berlin or Potsdam. These
+  advices say, that the Minister of the King of Sweden has produced
+  a letter from his master to the King of Poland, dated from
+  Batitzau the 30th of March, O.S., wherein he acquaints him, that
+  he has been successful against the Muscovites in all the
+  occasions which have happened since his march into their country.
+  Great numbers have revolted to the Swedes since General Mazeppa
+  went over to that side; and as many as have done so, have taken
+  solemn oaths to adhere to the interests of his Swedish
+  Majesty.</p>
+
+  <p>Advices from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., say, that
+  all things tended to a vigorous and active campaign; the Allies
+  having strong resentments against the late behaviour of the Court
+  of France; and the French using all possible endeavours to
+  animate their men to defend their country against a victorious
+  and exasperated enemy. Monsieur Rouillé had passed through
+  Brussels without visiting either the Duke of Marlborough or
+  Prince Eugene, who were both there at that time. The States
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page214' title='214' id=
+  "page214"></a>have met, and publicly declared their satisfaction
+  in the conduct of their deputies during the whole treaty. Letters
+  from France say, that the Court is resolved to put all to the
+  issue of the ensuing campaign. In the meantime, they have ordered
+  the preliminary treaty to be published, with observation upon
+  each article, in order to quiet the minds of the people, and
+  persuade them, that it has not been in the power of the king to
+  procure a peace, but to the diminution of his Majesty's glory,
+  and the hazard of his dominions. His Grace the Duke of
+  Marlborough and Prince Eugene arrived at Ghent on Wednesday last,
+  where, at an assembly of all the general officers, it was thought
+  proper, by reason of the great rains which have lately fallen, to
+  defer forming a camp, or bringing the troops together; but as
+  soon as the weather would permit, to march upon the enemy with
+  all expedition.<a name='fntag273' id="fntag273"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote273'><sup>273</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag267'>[267]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote267' id="footnote267"></a>For Steele's
+      other papers on duelling, see Nos. <a href=
+      "#number26">26</a>, <a href="#number28">28</a>, <a href=
+      "#number29">29</a>, <a href="#number31">31</a>, <a href=
+      "#number38">38</a>, <a href="#number39">39</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag268'>[268]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote268' id="footnote268"></a>Something
+      imposed upon us.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag269'>[269]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote269' id="footnote269"></a>"While this
+      barbarous custom of duelling is tolerated, we shall never be
+      rid of coxcombs, who will defend their understandings by the
+      sword, and force us to bear nonsense on pain of
+      death."&#8212;(Steele, <i>Theatre</i>, No. 26.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag270'>[270]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote270' id="footnote270"></a>Swift's "Tale
+      of a Tub," sect. 4.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag271'>[271]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote271' id="footnote271"></a><i>I.e.</i>,
+      hold him in.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag272'>[272]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote272' id="footnote272"></a>Said to be
+      Bateman and Heathcote, both eminent
+      citizens&#8212;(<i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, lx. 679.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag273'>[273]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote273' id="footnote273"></a>"Mr.
+      Bickerstaff has received a letter, dated June 6, with the
+      just exceptions against the pretence of persons therein
+      mentioned, to the name of Pretty Fellows, which shall be
+      taken notice of accordingly: as likewise, the letter from
+      Anthony Longtail of Canterbury, concerning the death of
+      Thomas à Becket" (folio). See Nos. <a href=
+      "#number24">24</a>, <a href="#number26">26</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number26' id="number26"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 26.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, June 7</i>, to <i>Thursday, June 9</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 8.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have read the following letter with delight and approbation,
+  and I hereby order Mr. Kidney at St. James's, and Sir Thomas at
+  White's<a name='fntag274' id="fntag274"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote274'><sup>274</sup></a> (who are my clerks for
+  enrolling all men in their distant classes, before they presume
+  to drink tea or chocolate in those places), to take care, that
+  the persons within the descriptions in the letter <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page215' title='215' id="page215"></a>be
+  admitted, and excluded according to my friend's
+  remonstrance.<a name='fntag275' id="fntag275"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote275'><sup>275</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"<i>To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; at Mr. Morphew's near
+  Stationers' Hall.</i></p>
+
+  <p>"<i>June 6</i>, 1709.</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your paper of Saturday<a name='fntag276' id=
+  "fntag276"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote276'><sup>276</sup></a> has raised up in me a noble
+  emulation, to be recorded in the foremost rank of worthies
+  therein mentioned; and if any regard be had to merit or industry,
+  I may hope to succeed in the promotion, for I have omitted no
+  toil or expense to be a proficient; and if my friends do not
+  flatter, they assure me, I have not lost my time since I came to
+  town. To enumerate but a few particulars; there's hardly a
+  coachman I meet with, but desires to be excused taking me,
+  because he has had me before. I have compounded two or three
+  rapes; and let out to hire as many bastards to beggars. I never
+  saw above the first act of a play: and as to my courage, it is
+  well known, I have more than once had sufficient witnesses of my
+  drawing my sword both in tavern and playhouse. Dr. Wall<a name=
+  'fntag277' id="fntag277"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote277'><sup>277</sup></a> is my particular friend; and if
+  it were any service to the public to compose the difference
+  between Marten and Sintilaer<a name='fntag278' id=
+  "fntag278"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote278'><sup>278</sup></a> the pearl-driller, I don't know
+  a judge of more experience than myself: for in that I may say
+  with the poet,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "'Quæ regio in villa nostri non plena laboris?'<a name=
+        'fntag279' id="fntag279"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote279'><sup>279</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page216' title='216' id=
+  "page216"></a>I omit other less particulars, the necessary
+  consequences of greater actions. But my reason for troubling you
+  at this present is, to put a stop, if it may be, to an
+  insinuating, increasing set of people, who sticking to the letter
+  of your treatise, and not to the spirit of it, do assume the name
+  of 'pretty fellows'; nay, and even get new names, as you very
+  well hint. Some of them I have heard calling to one another, as I
+  have sat at White's and St. James's, by the names of Betty,
+  Nelly, and so forth. You see them accost each other with
+  effeminate airs: they have their signs and tokens like
+  freemasons: they rail at women-kind; receive visits on their beds
+  in gowns, and do a thousand other unintelligible prettinesses
+  that I cannot tell what to make of. I therefore heartily desire
+  you would exclude all this sort of animals.</p>
+
+  <p>"There is another matter I am foreseeing an ill consequence
+  from, but may be timely prevented by prudence; which is, that for
+  the last fortnight, prodigious shoals of volunteers have gone
+  over to bully the French, upon hearing the peace was just
+  signing; and this is so true, that I can assure you, all
+  engrossing work about the Temple is risen above 3<i>s</i>. in the
+  pound for want of hands. Now as it is possible some little
+  alteration of affairs may have broken their measures, and that
+  they will post back again, I am under the last apprehension, that
+  these will, at their return, all set up for 'pretty fellows,' and
+  thereby confound all merit and service, and impose on us some new
+  alteration in our nightcap-wigs<a name='fntag280' id=
+  "fntag280"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote280'><sup>280</sup></a> and pockets, unless you can
+  provide <a class="pagenum" name='page217' title='217' id=
+  "page217"></a>a particular class for them. I cannot apply myself
+  better than to you, and I am sure I speak the mind of a very
+  great number as deserving as myself."</p>
+
+  <p>The pretensions of this correspondent are worthy a particular
+  distinction: he cannot indeed be admitted as a "pretty," but is,
+  what we more justly call, a "smart fellow." Never to pay at the
+  playhouse, is an act of frugality, that lets you into his
+  character. And his expedient in sending his children a-begging
+  before they can go, are characteristical instances that he
+  belongs to this class. I never saw the gentleman; but I know by
+  his letter, he hangs his cane on his button;<a name='fntag281'
+  id="fntag281"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote281'><sup>281</sup></a> and by some lines of it, he
+  should wear red-heeled shoes;<a name='fntag282' id=
+  "fntag282"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote282'><sup>282</sup></a> which are essential parts of
+  the habit belonging to the order of "smart fellows."</p>
+
+  <p>My familiar is returned with the following letter from the
+  French king:</p>
+
+  <p>"Versailles, <i>June 13</i>, 1709.</p>
+
+  <h4>"<i>Louis XIV. to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.</i><a name=
+  'fntag283' id="fntag283"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote283'><sup>283</sup></a></h4>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"I have your epistle, and must take the liberty to say, that
+  there has been a time, when there were generous spirits in Great
+  Britain, who would not have suffered my <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page218' title='218' id="page218"></a>name to be treated with
+  the familiarity you think fit to use. I thought liberal men would
+  not be such time-servers, as to fall upon a man because his
+  friends are not in power. But having some concern for what you
+  may transmit to posterity concerning me, I am willing to keep
+  terms with you, and make a request to you, which is, that you
+  would give my service to the nineteenth century (if ever you or
+  yours reach to them), and tell them, that I have settled all
+  matters between them and me by Monsieur Boileau. I should be glad
+  to see you here."</p>
+
+  <p>It is very odd this prince should offer to invite me into his
+  dominions, or believe I should accept the invitation. No, no, I
+  remember too well how he served an ingenious gentleman, a friend
+  of mine,<a name='fntag284' id="fntag284"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote284'><sup>284</sup></a> whom he locked up in the
+  Bastille for no reason in the world, but because he was a wit,
+  and feared he might mention him with justice in some of his
+  writings. His way is, that all men of sense are preferred,
+  banished, or imprisoned. He has indeed a sort of justice in him,
+  like that of the gamesters; if a stander-by sees one at play
+  cheat, he has a right to come in for snares, for knowing the
+  mysteries of the game. This is a very wise and just maxim; and if
+  I have not left at Mr. Morphew's, directed to me, bank bills for
+  £200 on or before this day sevennight, I shall tell how Tom Cash
+  got his estate. I expect three hundred pounds of Mr. Soilett, for
+  concealing all the money he has lent to himself, and his landed
+  friend bound with him, at thirty per cent. at his scrivener's.
+  Absolute princes make people pay what they please in deference to
+  their power: I do not know why I should not do the same, out of
+  fear or respect to my knowledge. I always preserve decorums and
+  civilities to the fair sex: therefore if a certain lady,
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page219' title='219' id=
+  "page219"></a>who left her coach at the New Exchange<a name=
+  'fntag285' id="fntag285"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote285'><sup>285</sup></a> door in the Strand, and whipped
+  down Durham Yard into a boat with a young gentleman for Fox
+  Hall;<a name='fntag286' id="fntag286"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote286'><sup>286</sup></a> I say, if she will send me
+  word, that I may give the fan which she dropped, and I found, to
+  my sister Jenny, there shall be no more said of it. I expect
+  hush-money to be regularly sent for every folly or vice any one
+  commits in this whole town; and hope I may pretend to deserve it
+  better than a chamber-maid, or <i>valet-de-chambre</i>: they only
+  whisper it to the little set of their companions; but I can tell
+  it to all men living, or who are to live. Therefore I desire all
+  my readers to pay their fines, or mend their lives.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 8.</h3>
+
+  <p>My familiar being come from France, with an answer to my
+  letter to Lewis of that kingdom, instead of going on in a
+  discourse of what he had seen in that Court, <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page220' title='220' id="page220"></a>he put on the
+  immediate concern of a guardian, and fell to inquiring into my
+  thoughts and adventures since his journey. As short as his stay
+  had been, I confessed I had had many occasions for his assistance
+  in my conduct; but communicated to him my thoughts of putting all
+  my force against the horrid and senseless custom of duels. "If it
+  were possible," said he, "to laugh at things in themselves so
+  deeply tragical as the impertinent profusion of human life, I
+  think I could divert you with a figure I saw just after my death,
+  when the philosopher threw me, as I told you some days ago, into
+  the pail of water.<a name='fntag287' id="fntag287"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote287'><sup>287</sup></a> You are to know, that
+  when men leave the body, there are receptacles for them as soon
+  as they depart, according to the manner in which they lived and
+  died. At the very instant that I was killed, there came away with
+  me a spirit which had lost its body in a duel. We were both
+  examined. Me, the whole assembly looked at with kindness and
+  pity, but at the same time with an air of welcome, and
+  consolation: they pronounced me very happy, who had died in
+  innocence; and told me, a quite different place was allotted to
+  me, than that which was appointed for my companion; there being a
+  great distance from the mansions of fools and innocents: 'though
+  at the same time,' said one of the ghosts, there is a great
+  affinity between an idiot who has been so for long life, and a
+  child who departs before maturity. But this gentleman who has
+  arrived with you is a fool of his own making, is ignorant out of
+  choice, and will fare accordingly.' The assembly began to flock
+  about him, and one said to him, 'Sir, I observed you came into
+  the gate of persons murdered, and I desire to know what brought
+  you to your untimely end?' He said, he had been a second.
+  Socrates (who may be said to have been murdered by the
+  commonwealth of Athens) stood by, and <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page221' title='221' id="page221"></a>began to draw near him, in
+  order, after his manner, to lead him into a sense of his error by
+  concessions in his own discourse. 'Sir,' said that divine and
+  amicable spirit, 'what was the quarrel?' He answered, 'We shall
+  know very suddenly, when the principal in the business comes, for
+  he was desperately wounded before I fell.' 'Sir,' said the sage,
+  'had you an estate?' 'Yes, sir,' the new guest answered, 'I have
+  left it in a very good condition; I made my will the night before
+  this occasion.' 'Did you read it before you signed it?' 'Yes
+  sure, sir,' said the newcomer. Socrates replies, could a man that
+  would not give his estate without reading the instrument, dispose
+  of his life without asking a question? That illustrious shade
+  turned from him, and a crowd of impertinent goblins, who had been
+  drolls and parasites in their lifetime, and were knocked on the
+  head for their sauciness, came about my fellow-traveller, and
+  made themselves very merry with questions about the words 'carte'
+  and 'terce' and other terms of fencers. But his thoughts began to
+  settle into reflection upon the adventure which had robbed him of
+  his late being; and with a wretched sigh, said he, 'How terrible
+  are conviction and guilt when they come too late for penitence!'"
+  Pacolet was going on in this strain, but he recovered from it,
+  and told me, it was too soon to give my discourse on this subject
+  so serious a turn; you have chiefly to do with that part of
+  mankind which must be led into reflection by degrees, and you
+  must treat this custom with humour and raillery to get an
+  audience, before you come to pronounce sentence upon it. There is
+  foundation enough for raising such entertainments from the
+  practice on this occasion. Don't you know, that often a man is
+  called out of bed to follow implicitly a coxcomb (with whom he
+  would not keep company on any other occasion) to ruin and death?
+  Then a good list of such as are qualified by the laws of
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page222' title='222' id=
+  "page222"></a>these uncourteous men of chivalry to enter into
+  combat (who are often persons of honour without common honesty):
+  these, I say, ranged and drawn up in their proper order, would
+  give an aversion to doing anything in common with such as men
+  laugh at and contemn. But to go through this work, you must not
+  let your thoughts vary, or make excursions from your theme:
+  consider at the same time, that the matter has been often treated
+  by the ablest and greatest writers; yet that must not discourage
+  you; for the properest person to handle it, is one who has roved
+  into mixed conversations, and must have opportunities (which I
+  shall give you) of seeing these sort of men in their pleasures
+  and gratifications; among which, they pretend to reckon fighting.
+  It was pleasantly enough said of a bully in France, when duels
+  first began to be punished: "The king has taken away gaming, and
+  stage-playing, and now fighting too; how does he expect gentlemen
+  shall divert themselves?"<a name='fntag288' id=
+  "fntag288"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote288'><sup>288</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag274'>[274]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote274' id="footnote274"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number1">1</a>, <a href="#number10">10</a>,
+      <a href="#number16">16</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag275'>[275]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote275' id="footnote275"></a>This letter is
+      probably by Anthony Henley; see advertisement at end of
+      <a href='#number25'>No. 25</a>. At this time Henley was M.P.
+      for Weymouth, and a friend of the wits belonging to the Whig
+      party. He died in 1711. See Nos. <a href="#number11">11</a>,
+      193.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag276'>[276]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote276' id="footnote276"></a>No. 21.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag277'>[277]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote277' id="footnote277"></a>Wall and the
+      others named were quack doctors.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag278'>[278]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote278' id="footnote278"></a>Sintelaer, who
+      lived in High Holborn, published in Feb. 1709, "The Scourge
+      of Venus and Mercury. With an appendix in answer to Mr. John
+      Marten's reflections thereupon" (<i>Postman</i>, Feb. 24 to
+      26, 1709).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag279'>[279]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote279' id="footnote279"></a>"Æneid," i.
+      460. Steele alters Virgil's "terriss" to "villa."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag280'>[280]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote280' id="footnote280"></a>A sort of
+      periwig, with a short tie and small round head. See No. 30,
+      end. In the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 319), Dorinda describes a
+      humble servant of hers who "appeared to me in one of those
+      wigs that I think you call a 'night-cap,' which had altered
+      him more effectually than before. He afterwards played a
+      couple of black riding wigs upon me, with the same
+      success."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag281'>[281]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote281' id="footnote281"></a>The elaborate
+      canes used by the beaux commonly had a ribbon to enable them
+      to be hung on the button of the waistcoat. Thus we find among
+      the advertisements for lost canes, "A cane with a silver head
+      and a black ribbon in it, the top of it amber, part of the
+      head to turn round, and in it a perspective glass."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag282'>[282]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote282' id="footnote282"></a>Men of fashion
+      wore very high-heeled shoes, and their red heels are often
+      satirised by Steele and Addison (cf. <i>Spectator</i>, No.
+      311). In No. 16 of the <i>Spectator</i> Addison said, "It is
+      not my intention to sink the dignity of this my paper with
+      reflections upon red-heels or topknots."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag283'>[283]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote283' id="footnote283"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number19">19</a>, <a href="#number23">23</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag284'>[284]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote284' id="footnote284"></a>Probably Sir
+      John Vanbrugh.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag285'>[285]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote285' id="footnote285"></a>A bazaar on the
+      south side of the Strand, between George Court and Durham
+      Street, and opposite Bedford Street. There were two long and
+      double galleries, one above the other, containing shops, with
+      pretty attendants. The New Exchange was a favourite lounge,
+      and is frequently mentioned in the Restoration literature; it
+      was pulled down in 1737. See <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 96, 155,
+      and Steele's "Lying Lover," act ii. sc. 2, where Young
+      Bookwit says, "My choice was so distracted among the pretty
+      merchants and their dealers, that I knew not where to run
+      first." On the other hand, we find complaints that young fops
+      hindered business by lolling on the counter an hour longer
+      than was necessary, and annoyed the young women who served
+      them with ingenious ribaldry.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag286'>[286]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote286' id="footnote286"></a>Vauxhall, or
+      Fox-hall, Gardens were formed about 1661, on the Surrey side
+      of the Thames, and were at first called the New Spring
+      Gardens, to distinguish them from the Old Spring Gardens at
+      Charing Cross. At the end of the seventeenth century Vauxhall
+      was a favourite place for assignations, and Pepys was
+      scandalised at scenes he there witnessed. The gardens were
+      reopened in 1732, after being closed, it would seem, for some
+      years, and they continued to be a place of fashionable resort
+      until the end of the reign of George III.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag287'>[287]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote287' id="footnote287"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number15'>No. 15</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag288'>[288]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote288' id="footnote288"></a>"Whereas
+      several gentlemen have desired this paper with a blank leaf
+      to write business on, and for the convenience of the post;
+      this is to give notice, that this day, and for the future, it
+      may be had of Mr. Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio,
+      advertisement).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number27' id="number27"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 27.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, June 9</i>, to <i>Saturday, June 11,
+    1709</i>.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 9.</h3>
+
+  <p>Pacolet being gone a strolling among the men of the sword, in
+  order to find out the secret causes of the frequent disputes we
+  meet with, and furnish me with material for my treatise on
+  duelling; I have room left to go on in my information to my
+  country readers, whereby <a class="pagenum" name='page223' title=
+  '223' id="page223"></a>they may understand the bright people
+  whose memoirs I have taken upon me to write. But in my discourse
+  of the 28th of the last month,<a name='fntag289' id=
+  "fntag289"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote289'><sup>289</sup></a> I omitted to mention the most
+  agreeable of all bad characters; and that is, a Rake.</p>
+
+  <p>A Rake is a man always to be pitied; and if he lives, is one
+  day certainly reclaimed; for his faults proceed not from choice
+  or inclination, but from strong passions and appetites, which are
+  in youth too violent for the curb of reason, good sense, good
+  manners, and good nature: all which he must have by nature and
+  education, before he can be allowed to be, or have been of this
+  order. He is a poor unwieldy wretch, that commits faults out of
+  the redundance of his good qualities. His pity and compassion
+  make him sometimes a bubble to all his fellows, let them be never
+  so much below him in understanding. His desires run away with him
+  through the strength and force of a lively imagination, which
+  hurries him on to unlawful pleasures, before reason has power to
+  come in to his rescue. Thus, with all the good intentions in the
+  world to amendment, this creature sins on against heaven,
+  himself, his friends, and his country, who all call for a better
+  use of his talents. There is not a being under the sun so
+  miserable as this: he goes on in a pursuit he himself
+  disapproves, and has no enjoyment but what is followed by
+  remorse; no relief from remorse, but the repetition of his crime.
+  It is possible I may talk of this person with too much
+  indulgence; but I must repeat it, that I think this a character
+  which is the most the object of pity of any in the world. The man
+  in the pangs of the stone, gout, or any acute distempers, is not
+  in so deplorable a condition in the eye of right sense, as he
+  that errs and repents, and repents and errs on. The fellow with
+  broken limbs justly deserves your alms for his impotent
+  condition; but he that cannot use his own reason, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page224' title='224' id="page224"></a>is in a
+  much worse state; for you see him in miserable circumstances,
+  with his remedy at the same time in his own possession, if he
+  would or could use it. This is the cause, that of all ill
+  characters, the rake has the best quarter in the world; for when
+  he is himself, and unruffled with intemperance, you see his
+  natural faculties exert themselves, and attract an eye of favour
+  towards his infirmities. But if we look round us here, how many
+  dull rogues are there, that would fain be what this poor man
+  hates himself for? All the noise towards six in the
+  evening,<a name='fntag290' id="fntag290"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote290'><sup>290</sup></a> is caused by his mimics and
+  imitators. How ought men of sense to be careful of their actions,
+  if it were merely from the indignation of feeling themselves ill
+  drawn by such little pretenders? not to say, he that leads, is
+  guilty of all the actions of his followers: and a rake has
+  imitators whom you would never expect should prove so.
+  Second-hand vice sure of all is the most nauseous. There is
+  hardly a folly more absurd, or which seems less to be accounted
+  for (though it is what we see every day) than that grave and
+  honest natures give into this way, and at the same time have good
+  sense, if they thought fit to use it: but the fatality (under
+  which most men labour) of desiring to be what they are not, makes
+  them go out of a method, in which they might be received with
+  applause, and would certainly excel, into one, wherein they will
+  all their life have the air of strangers to what they aim at. For
+  this reason, I have not lamented the metamorphosis of any one I
+  know so much as of Nobilis, who was born with sweetness of
+  temper, just apprehension, and everything else that might make
+  him a man fit for his order. But instead of the pursuit of sober
+  studies and applications, in which he <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page225' title='225' id="page225"></a>would certainly be capable
+  of making a considerable figure in the noblest assembly of men in
+  the world; I say, in spite of that good nature, which is his
+  proper bent, he will say ill-natured things aloud, put such as he
+  was, and still should be, out of countenance, and drown all the
+  natural good in him, to receive an artificial ill character, in
+  which he will never succeed: for Nobilis is no rake. He may
+  guzzle as much wine as he pleases, talk bawdy if he thinks fit;
+  but he may as well drink water-gruel, and go twice a day to
+  church, for it will never do. I pronounce it again, Nobilis is no
+  rake. To be of that order, he must be vicious against his will,
+  and not so by study or application. All Pretty Fellows are also
+  excluded to a man, as well as all Inamaratos, or persons of the
+  epicene gender, who gaze at one another in the presence of
+  ladies. This class, of which I am giving you an account, is
+  pretended to also by men of strong abilities in drinking; though
+  they are such whom the liquor, not the conversation, keeps
+  together. But blockheads may roar, fight, and stab, and be never
+  the nearer; their labour is also lost; they want sense: they are
+  no rakes.</p>
+
+  <p>As a rake among men is the man who lives in the constant abuse
+  of his reason, so a coquette among women is one who lives in
+  continual misapplication of her beauty. The chief of all whom I
+  have the honour to be acquainted with, is pretty Mrs. Toss: she
+  is ever in practice of something which disfigures her, and takes
+  from her charms; though all she does, tends to a contrary effect.
+  She has naturally a very agreeable voice and utterance, which she
+  has changed for the prettiest lisp imaginable. She sees what she
+  has a mind to see, at half a mile distance; but poring with her
+  eyes half shut at every one she passes by, she believes much more
+  becoming. The Cupid on her fan and she have their eyes full on
+  each other, all the time <a class="pagenum" name='page226' title=
+  '226' id="page226"></a>in which they are not both in motion.
+  Whenever her eye is turned from that dear object, you may have a
+  glance, and your bow, if she is in humour, returned as civilly as
+  you make it; but that must not be in the presence of a man of
+  greater quality: for Mrs. Toss is so thoroughly well bred, that
+  the chief person present has all her regards. And she, who
+  giggles at divine service, and laughs at her very mother, can
+  compose herself at the approach of a man of a good estate.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, June 9.</h3>
+
+  <p>A fine lady showed a gentleman of this company, for an eternal
+  answer to all his addresses, a paper of verses, with which she is
+  so captivated, that she professed, the author should be the happy
+  man in spite of all other pretenders. It is ordinary for love to
+  make men poetical, and it had that effect on this enamoured man:
+  but he was resolved to try his vein upon some of her confidantes
+  or retinue, before he ventured upon so high a theme as herself.
+  To do otherwise than so, would be like making an heroic poem a
+  man's first attempt. Among the favourites to the fair one, he
+  found her parrot not to be in the last degree: he saw Poll had
+  her ear, when his sighs were neglected. To write against him, had
+  been a fruitless labour; therefore he resolved to flatter him
+  into his interests, in the following manner:</p>
+
+  <h4>"To a Lady on her Parrot.</h4>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "When nymphs were coy, and love could not prevail,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The gods disguised were seldom known to fail,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Leda was chaste, but yet a feathered Jove
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Surprised the fair, and taught her how to love.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        There's no celestial but his heaven would quit,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        For any form which might to thee admit.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page227' title='227' id=
+        "page227"></a>See how the wanton bird, at every glance,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Swells his glad plumes, and feels an amorous trance.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The queen of beauty has forsook the dove,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Henceforth the parrot be the bird of love."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>It is indeed a very just proposition, to give that honour
+  rather to the parrot than the other volatile. The parrot
+  represents us in the state of making love: the dove in the
+  possession of the object beloved. But instead of turning the dove
+  off, I fancy it would be better if the chaise of Venus had
+  hereafter a parrot added (as we see sometimes a third horse to a
+  coach) which might intimate, that to be a parrot, is the only way
+  to succeed; and to be a dove, to preserve your conquests. If the
+  swain would go on successfully, he must imitate the bird he
+  writes upon. For he who would be loved by women, must never be
+  silent before the favour, or open his lips after it.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 10.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have so many messages from young gentlemen who expect
+  preferment and distinction, that I am wholly at a loss in what
+  manner to acquit myself. The writer of the following letter tells
+  me in a postscript, he cannot go out of town till I have taken
+  some notice of him, and is very urgent to be somebody, in town
+  before he leaves it, and returns to his commons at the
+  university. But take it from himself.<a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page228' title='228' id="page228"></a></p>
+
+  <h4>"<i>To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., Monitor-General of Great
+  Britain.</i></h4>
+
+  <p>"Shire Lane, <i>June 8.</i></p>
+
+  <p>I have been above six months from the university, of age these
+  three months, and so long in town. I was recommended to one
+  Charles Bubbleboy<a name='fntag291' id="fntag291"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote291'><sup>291</sup></a> near the Temple, who
+  has supplied me with all the furniture he says a gentleman ought
+  to have. I desired a certificate thereof from him, which he said
+  would require some time to consider of; and when I went yesterday
+  morning for it, he tells me, upon due consideration, I still want
+  some few odd things more, to the value of threescore or fourscore
+  pounds, to make me complete. I have bespoke them; and the favour
+  I beg of you is, to know, when I am equipped, in what part or
+  class of men in this town you will place me. Pray send me word
+  what I am, and you shall find me,</p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"JEFFRY NICKNACK."</p>
+
+  <p>I am very willing to encourage young beginners; but <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page229' title='229' id="page229"></a>am
+  extremely in the dark how to dispose of this gentleman. I cannot
+  see either his person or habit in this letter; but I'll call at
+  Charles', and know the shape of his snuff-box, by which I can
+  settle his character. Though indeed, to know his full capacity, I
+  ought to be informed, whether he takes Spanish or musty.<a name=
+  'fntag292' id="fntag292"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote292'><sup>292</sup></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 10.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Low Countries of the 17th instant say, that
+  the Duke of Marlborough and the Prince of Savoy intended to leave
+  Ghent on that day, and join the army, which lies between Pont
+  d'Espiere and Courtray, their headquarters being at Helchin. The
+  same day the Palatine foot was expected at Brussels.
+  Lieutenant-General Dompre, with a body of eight thousand men, is
+  posted at Alost, in order to cover Ghent and Brussels. The
+  Marshal de Villars was still on the plains of Lens; and it is
+  said, the Duke of Vendôme is appointed to command in conjunction
+  with that general. Advices from Paris say, Monsieur Voisin is
+  made Secretary of State, upon Monsieur Chamillard's resignation
+  of that employment. The want of money in that kingdom is so
+  great, that the Court has thought fit to command all the plate of
+  private families to be brought into the Mint. They write from the
+  Hague of the 18th, that the States of Holland continue their
+  session; and that they have approved the resolution of the
+  States-General, to publish a second <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page230' title='230' id="page230"></a>edict to prohibit the sale
+  of corn to the enemy. Many eminent persons in that assembly have
+  declared, that they are of opinion, that all commerce whatsoever
+  with France should be wholly forbidden: which point is under
+  present deliberation; but it is feared it will meet with powerful
+  opposition.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag289'>[289]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote289' id="footnote289"></a><a href=
+      '#number21'>No. 21</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag290'>[290]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote290' id="footnote290"></a>People of
+      fashion dined at about four o'clock in Queen Anne's time, and
+      by six the men, who had often drunk a good deal of wine,
+      would be finding their way to the clubs and
+      coffee-houses.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag291'>[291]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote291' id="footnote291"></a>Charles Mather,
+      a toyman in Fleet Street, next door to Nandoe's Coffee-house,
+      over against Chancery Lane. Swift wrote ("Sid Hamet's Rod,"
+      1710):</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "No hobby horse with gorgeous top,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            The dearest in Charles Mather's shop;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Or glittering tinsel of Mayfair
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Could with the rod of Sid compare."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>See Nos. 113, 142, and <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 328, 503
+      ("One of Charles Mather's fine tablets"), and 570 ("The
+      famous Charles Mather was bred up under him").</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag292'>[292]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote292' id="footnote292"></a>Charles Lillie,
+      the perfumer, tells us how snuff came into use. A great
+      quantity of musty snuff was captured in the Spanish fleet
+      taken at Vigo in 1702, and snuff with this special musty
+      flavour became the fashion. In No. 138 of the
+      <i>Spectator</i>, Steele humorously announced that "the
+      exercise of the snuff-box, according to the most fashionable
+      airs and motions, in opposition to the exercise of the fair,
+      will be taught with the best plain or perfumed snuff at
+      Charles Lillie's, perfumer, at the corner of Beaufort
+      Buildings in the Strand."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number28' id="number28"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 28.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, June 11</i>, to <i>Tuesday, June 14,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>I had suspended the business of duelling to a distant time,
+  but that I am called upon to declare myself on a point proposed
+  in the following letter.</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"<i>June 9, at night.</i></p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"I desire the favour of you to decide this question, whether
+  calling a gentleman a 'smart fellow' is an affront or not? A
+  youth entering a certain coffee-house, with his cane tied at his
+  button, wearing red-heeled shoes, I thought of your
+  description,<a name='fntag293' id="fntag293"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote293'><sup>293</sup></a> and could not forbear
+  telling a friend of mine next to me, 'There enters a smart
+  fellow.' The gentleman hearing it, had immediately a mind to pick
+  a quarrel with me, and desired satisfaction: at which I was more
+  puzzled than at the other, remembering what mention your familiar
+  makes of those that had lost their lives on such occasions. The
+  thing is referred to your judgment, and I expect you to be my
+  second, since you have been the cause of our quarrel. I am,</p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your Friend and humble Servant."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page231' title='231' id=
+  "page231"></a>I absolutely pronounce, that there is no occasion
+  of offence given in this expression; for a "smart fellow" is
+  always an appellation of praise, and is a man of double capacity.
+  The true cast or mould in which you may be sure to know him is,
+  when his livelihood or education is in the Civil List, and you
+  see him express a vivacity or mettle above the way he is in by a
+  little jerk in his motion, short trip in his steps, well-fancied
+  lining of his coat, or any other indications which may be given
+  in a vigorous dress. Now, what possible insinuation can there be,
+  that it is a cause of quarrel for a man to say, he allows a
+  gentleman really to be, what he, his tailor, his hosier, and his
+  milliner, have conspired to make him? I confess, if this person
+  who appeals to me had said, he was <i>not</i> a "smart fellow,"
+  there had been cause for resentment; but if he stands to it that
+  he is one, he leaves no manner of ground for a misunderstanding.
+  Indeed, it is a most lamentable thing, that there should be a
+  dispute raised upon a man's saying another is, what he plainly
+  takes pains to be thought. But this point cannot be so well
+  adjusted, as by inquiring what are the sentiments of wise nations
+  and communities of the use of the sword, and from thence
+  conclude, whether it is honourable to draw it so frequently or
+  not? An illustrious commonwealth of Italy<a name='fntag294' id=
+  "fntag294"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote294'><sup>294</sup></a> has preserved itself for many
+  ages, without letting one of their subjects handle this
+  destructive instrument, always leaving that work to such of
+  mankind as understand the use of a whole skin so little, as to
+  make a profession of exposing it to cuts and scars. But what need
+  we run to such foreign instances: our own ancient and
+  well-governed cities are conspicuous examples to all mankind in
+  their regulation of military achievements. The chief citizens,
+  like the noble Italians, hire mercenaries to carry <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page232' title='232' id="page232"></a>arms in
+  their stead; and you shall have a fellow of a desperate fortune,
+  for the gain of one half-crown, go through all the dangers of
+  Tothill Fields, or the Artillery Ground,<a name='fntag295' id=
+  "fntag295"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote295'><sup>295</sup></a> clap his right jaw within two
+  inches of the touch-hole of a musket, fire it off, and huzza,
+  with as little concern as he tears a pullet. Thus you see to what
+  scorn of danger these mercenaries arrive, out of a mere love of
+  sordid gain: but methinks it should take off the strong
+  prepossession men have in favour of bold actions, when they see
+  upon what low motives men aspire to them. Do but observe the
+  common practice in the government of those heroic bodies, our
+  militia and lieutenancies, the most ancient corps of soldiers,
+  perhaps, in the universe. I question whether there is one
+  instance of an animosity between any two of these illustrious
+  sons of Mars since their institution, which was decided by
+  combat? I remember indeed to have read the chronicle of an
+  accident which had like to have occasioned bloodshed in the very
+  field before all the general officers, though most of them were
+  justices of the peace: Captain Crabtree of Birching Lane,
+  haberdasher, had drawn a bill upon Major-General Maggot,
+  cheesemonger in Thames Street. Crabtree draws this upon Mr.
+  William Maggot and Company. A country lad received this bill, and
+  not understanding the word "company," used in drawing bills on
+  men in partnership, carried it to Mr. Jeffry Stick of Crooked
+  Lane (lieutenant of the major-general's company) whom he had the
+  day before seen march by the door in all the pomp of his
+  commission. The lieutenant accepts it, for the honour of the
+  company, since it had come to him. But repayment <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page233' title='233' id="page233"></a>being asked
+  from the major-general, he absolutely refuses. Upon this, the
+  lieutenant thinks of nothing less than to bring this to a
+  rupture, and takes for his second, Tobias Armstrong of the
+  Counter,<a name='fntag296' id="fntag296"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote296'><sup>296</sup></a> and sends him with a challenge
+  in a script of parchment, wherein was written, "Stitch contra
+  Maggot," and all the fury vanished in a moment. The major-general
+  gives satisfaction to the second, and all was well. Hence it is,
+  that the bold spirits of our city are kept in such subjection to
+  the civil power. Otherwise, where would our liberties soon be? If
+  wealth and valour were suffered to exert themselves with their
+  utmost force: if such officers as are employed in the terrible
+  bands above-mentioned, were to draw bills as well as swords:
+  these dangerous captains, who could victual an army as well as
+  lead it, would be too powerful for the State. But the point of
+  honour justly gives way to that of gain; and by long and wise
+  regulation, the richest is the bravest man. I have known a
+  captain rise to a colonel in two days by the fall of stocks; and
+  a major, my good friend, near the Monument, ascended to that
+  honour by the fall of the price of spirits, and the rising of
+  right Nantz. By this true sense of honour, that body of warriors
+  are ever in good order and discipline, with their colours and
+  coats all whole: as in other battalions (where their principles
+  of action are less solid) you see the men of service look like
+  spectres, with long sides, and lank cheeks. In this army, you may
+  measure a man's services by his waist, and the most prominent
+  belly is certainly the man who has been most upon action. Besides
+  all this, there is another excellent remark to be made in the
+  discipline of these troops. It being of absolute necessity that
+  the people of England should see what they have for their money,
+  and <a class="pagenum" name='page234' title='234' id=
+  "page234"></a>be eye-witnesses of the advantages they gain by it,
+  all battles which are fought abroad are represented here. But
+  since one side must be beaten, and the other conquer, which might
+  create disputes, the eldest company is always to make the other
+  run, and the younger retreats, according to the last news and
+  best intelligence. I have myself seen Prince Eugene make Catinat
+  fly from the back-side of Gray's Inn Lane to
+  Hockley-in-the-Hole,<a name='fntag297' id=
+  "fntag297"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote297'><sup>297</sup></a> and not give over the pursuit,
+  till obliged to leave the Bear Garden on the right, to avoid
+  being borne down by fencers, wild bulls and monsters, too
+  terrible for the encounter of any heroes, but such whose lives
+  are their livelihood.</p>
+
+  <p>We have here seen, that wise nations do not admit of fighting,
+  even in the defence of their country, as a laudable action; and
+  they live within the walls of our own city in great honour and
+  reputation without it. It would be very <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page235' title='235' id="page235"></a>necessary to understand,
+  by what force of the climate, food, education, or employment, one
+  man's sense is brought to differ so essentially from that of
+  another; that one is ridiculous and contemptible for forbearing a
+  thing which makes for his safety; and another applauded for
+  consulting his ruin and destruction.</p>
+
+  <p>It will therefore be necessary for us (to show our travelling)
+  to examine this subject fully, and tell you how it comes to pass,
+  that a man of honour in Spain, though you offend him never so
+  gallantly, stabs you basely; in England, though you offend never
+  so basely, challenges fairly: the former kills you out of
+  revenge; the latter out of good breeding. But to probe the heart
+  of a man in this particular to its utmost thoughts and recesses,
+  I must wait for the return of Pacolet, who is now attending a
+  gentleman lately in a duel, and sometimes visits the person by
+  whose hand he received his wounds.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page236' title='236' id=
+  "page236"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Vienna of the 8th instant say, there has been a
+  journal of the marches and actions of the King of Sweden, from
+  the beginning of January to the 11th of April, N.S., communicated
+  by the Swedish Ministers to that Court. These advices inform,
+  that his Swedish Majesty entered the territories of Muscovy in
+  February last with the main body of his army, in order to oblige
+  the enemy to a general engagement; but that the Muscovites
+  declining a battle, and a universal thaw having rendered the
+  rivers unpassable, the king returned into Ukrania. There are
+  mentioned several rencounters between considerable detachments of
+  the Swedish and Russian armies. Marshal Heister intended to take
+  his leave of the Court on the day after the date of these
+  letters, and put himself at the head of the army in Hungary. The
+  malcontents had attempted to send in a supply of provisions into
+  Neuheusel; but their design was disappointed by the Germans.</p>
+
+  <p>Advices from Berlin of the 15th instant, N.S., say, that his
+  Danish Majesty having received an invitation from the King of
+  Prussia to an interview, designed to come to Potsdam within few
+  days; and that King Augustus resolved to accompany him thither.
+  To avoid all difficulties in ceremony, the three kings, and all
+  the company who shall have the honour to sit with them at table,
+  are to draw lots, and take precedence accordingly.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from Hamburg of the 18th instant, N.S., that some
+  particular letters from Dantzic speak of a late action between
+  the Swedes and Muscovites near Jaroslaw; but that engagement
+  being mentioned from no other place, there is not much credit
+  given to this intelligence.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from Brussels, by letters, dated the 20th, that on the
+  14th in the evening the Duke of Marlborough and <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page237' title='237' id="page237"></a>Prince
+  Eugene arrived at Courtray, with a design to proceed the day
+  following to Lille, in the neighbourhood of which city the
+  confederate army was to rendezvous the same day. Advices from
+  Paris inform us, that the Marshal de Bezons is appointed to
+  command in Dauphiné; and that the Duke of Berwick is set out for
+  Spain, with a design to follow the fortunes of the Duke of Anjou,
+  in case the French king should comply with the late demands of
+  the Allies.</p>
+
+  <p>The Court of France has sent a circular letter to all the
+  governors of the provinces, to recommend to their consideration
+  his Majesty's late conduct in the affair of peace. It is thought
+  fit in that epistle, to condescend to a certain appeal to the
+  people, whether it is consistent with the dignity of the crown,
+  or the French name, to submit to the preliminaries demanded by
+  the confederates? The letter dwells upon the unreasonableness of
+  the Allies, in requiring, that his Majesty should assist in
+  dethroning his grandson, and treats this particular in language
+  more suitable to it, as it is a topic of oratory, than a real
+  circumstance, on which the interests of nations, and reasons of
+  State, which affect all Europe, are concerned.</p>
+
+  <p>The close of this memorial seems to prepare the people to
+  expect all events, attributing the confidence of the enemy to the
+  goodness of their troops; but acknowledging, that his sole
+  dependence is upon the intervention of Providence.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag293'>[293]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote293' id="footnote293"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number26'>No. 26</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag294'>[294]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote294' id="footnote294"></a>Venice, where
+      mercenaries were employed for fighting purposes.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag295'>[295]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote295' id="footnote295"></a>The City
+      train-bands were often the subject of ridicule by the wits.
+      See "Harleian Misc." i. 206, Cowper's "John Gilpin," and Nos.
+      <a href="#number38">38</a>, <a href="#number41">41</a>.
+      Tothill Fields, Westminster, and the Artillery Ground,
+      Finsbury, were the usual exercising-grounds for the
+      train-bands.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag296'>[296]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote296' id="footnote296"></a>The Compter was
+      a prison for the city of London, where debtors and others
+      were confined.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag297'>[297]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote297' id="footnote297"></a>Steele wrote at
+      length in the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 436) of a trial of skill
+      in the noble art of self-defence at Hockley-in-the-Hole; and
+      in No. 630 there is an allusion to the gladiators of
+      Hockley-in-the-Hole. In the "Beggar's Opera," Mrs. Peachum
+      says: "You should to Hockley-in-the-Hole and to Marybone,
+      child, to learn valour; there are the schools that have bred
+      so many brave men." As to the other sports at the Bear
+      Garden, see No. 134, and Gay's
+      "Trivia," ii. 407-12:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "When thro' the town, with slow and solemn air,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Led by the nostril, walks the muzzled bear;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Behind him moves, majestically dull,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            The pride of Hockley-hole, the surly bull;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Learn hence the periods of the week to name:
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Mondays and Thursdays are the days of game."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>There were seats, at half a crown and upwards, for the
+      quality; the neighbourhood of the Bear Garden was infested by
+      thieves. The following are specimens of the advertisements
+      common about 1709: "At the Bear-garden, in Hockley in the
+      Hole. A trial of skill, to be performed between two profound
+      masters of the noble science of defence, on Wednesday next,
+      the 13th of July, 1702, at two o'clock precisely. I George
+      Gray, born in the city of Norwich, who has fought in most
+      parts of the West Indies, viz., Jamaica, Barbadoes, and
+      several other parts of the world, in all twenty-five times
+      upon the stage, and was never yet worsted; and am now lately
+      come to London, do invite James Harris to meet, and exercise
+      at the following weapons, back-sword, sword and dagger, sword
+      and buckler, single falchon, and case of falchons. I James
+      Harris, master of the said noble science of defence, who
+      formerly rid in the Horse-guards, and hath fought 110 prizes,
+      and never left a stage to any man, will not fail (God
+      willing) to meet this brave and bold inviter, at the time and
+      place appointed, desiring sharp swords, and from him no
+      favour. No person to be upon the stage, but the seconds.
+      <i>Vivat Regina</i>."</p>
+
+      <p>"At the Bear-garden in Hockley in the Hole, near
+      Clerkenwell Green, 1710. This is to give notice to all
+      gentlemen, gamesters, and others, that on this present Monday
+      is a match to be fought by two dogs, one from Newgate-market,
+      against one from Honey-lane market, at a bull, for a guinea
+      to be spent, five let-goes out of hand, which goes fairest
+      and fastest in, wins all. Likewise, a green bull to be
+      baited, which was never baited before; and a bull to be
+      turned loose with fireworks all over him. Also a mad ass to
+      be baited. With a variety of bull-baiting and bear-baiting,
+      and a dog to be drawn up with fireworks. To begin exactly at
+      three of the clock."</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page238' title='238' id=
+    "page238"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number29' id="number29"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 29.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, June 14</i>, to <i>Thursday, June 16,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 14.</h3>
+
+  <p>Having a very solid respect for human nature, however it is
+  distorted from its natural make, by affectation, humour, custom,
+  misfortune, or vice, I do apply myself to my friends to help me
+  in raising arguments for preserving it in all its individuals, as
+  long as it is permitted. To one of my letters on this subject, I
+  have received the following answer:<a name='fntag298' id=
+  "fntag298"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote298'><sup>298</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"In answer to your question, why men of sense, virtue, and
+  experience, are seen still to comply with that ridiculous custom
+  of duelling, I must desire you to reflect, that custom has dished
+  up in ruffs the wisest heads of our ancestors, and put the best
+  of the present age into huge falbala periwigs.<a name='fntag299'
+  id="fntag299"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote299'><sup>299</sup></a> Men of sense would not impose
+  such encumbrances on themselves; but be glad they might show
+  their faces decently in public upon easier terms. If then such
+  men appear reasonably slaves to the fashion, in what regards the
+  figure of their persons, we ought not to wonder, that they are at
+  least so in what seems to touch their reputations. Besides, you
+  can't be ignorant, that dress and chivalry have been always
+  encouraged by the ladies, as the two principal branches of
+  gallantry. It is to avoid being sneered at for his singularity,
+  and from a <a class="pagenum" name='page239' title='239' id=
+  "page239"></a>desire to appear more agreeable to his mistress,
+  that a wise, experienced, and polite man, complies with the dress
+  commonly received, and is prevailed upon to violate his reason
+  and principles, in hazarding his life and estate by a tilt, as
+  well as suffering his pleasures to be constrained and soured by
+  the constant apprehension of a quarrel. This is the more
+  surprising, because men of the most delicate sense and principles
+  have naturally in other cases a particular repugnance in
+  accommodating themselves to the maxims of the world: but one may
+  easily distinguish the man that is affected with beauty, and the
+  reputation of a tilt, from him who complies with both, merely as
+  they are imposed upon him by custom; for in the former you will
+  remark an air of vanity and triumph; whereas when the latter
+  appears in a long Duvillier full of powder, or has decided a
+  quarrel by the sword, you may perceive in his face, that he
+  appeals to custom for an excuse. I think it may not be improper
+  to inquire into the genealogy of this chimerical monster, called
+  a 'duel', which I take to be an illegitimate species of the
+  ancient knight-errantry. By the laws of this whim, your heroic
+  person, or man of gallantry, was indispensably obliged to starve
+  in armour a certain number of years in the chase of monsters,
+  encounter them at the peril of his life, and suffer great
+  hardships, in order to gain the affection of the fair lady, and
+  qualify himself for assuming the <i>belair</i>, that is, of a
+  pretty fellow, or man of honour according to the fashion: but
+  since the publishing of 'Don Quixote' and extinction of the race
+  of dragons, which Suetonius says happened in that of
+  Wantley,<a name='fntag300' id="fntag300"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote300'><sup>300</sup></a> the gallant and heroic spirits
+  of these latter times have been under the necessity of creating
+  new chimerical monsters to entertain <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page240' title='240' id="page240"></a>themselves with, by way of
+  single combats, as the only proofs they are able to give their
+  own sex, and the ladies, that they are in all points men of nice
+  honour. But to do justice to the ancient and real monsters, I
+  must observe, that they never molested those who were not of a
+  humour to hunt for them in the woods and deserts; whereas on the
+  contrary, our modern monsters are so familiarly admitted and
+  entertained in all the Courts and cities of Europe (except
+  France) that one can scarce be in the most humanised society
+  without risking one's life; the people of the best sort, and the
+  fine gentlemen of the age, being so fond of them, that they
+  seldom appear in any public place without one. I have some
+  further considerations upon this subject, which, as you encourage
+  me, shall be communicated to you, by, sir, a cousin but once
+  removed from the best family of the Staffs, namely, "Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p>"Kinsman and Friend,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"TIM SWITCH."</p>
+
+  <p>It is certain, Mr. Switch has hit upon the true source of this
+  evil; and that it proceeds only from the force of custom that we
+  contradict ourselves in half the particulars and occurrences of
+  life. But such a tyranny in love, which the fair impose upon us,
+  is a little too severe, that we must demonstrate our affection
+  for them by no certain proof but hatred to one another, or come
+  at them (only as one does to an estate) by survivorship. This way
+  of application to gain a lady's heart, is taking her as we do
+  towns and castles, by distressing the place, and letting none
+  come near them without our pass. Were such a lover once to
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page241' title='241' id=
+  "page241"></a>write the truth of his heart, and let her know his
+  whole thoughts, he would appear indeed to have a passion for her;
+  but it would hardly be called love. The billet-doux would run to
+  this purpose:</p>
+
+  <p>"MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>"I have so tender a regard for you and your interests, that
+  I'll knock any man in the head whom I observe to be of my mind,
+  and like you. Mr. Truman the other day looked at you in so
+  languishing a manner, that I am resolved to run him through
+  to-morrow morning: this, I think, he deserves for his guilt in
+  admiring you; than which I cannot have a greater reason for
+  murdering him, except it be that you also approve him. Whoever
+  says he dies for you, I will make his words good, for I will kill
+  him. I am,</p>
+
+  <p>"Madam,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most obedient,</p>
+
+  <p>"Most humble Servant."</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 14.</h3>
+
+  <p>I am just come hither at ten at night, and have ever since six
+  been in the most celebrated, though most nauseous, company in
+  town: the two leaders of the society were a critic and a wit.
+  These two gentlemen are great opponents upon all occasions, not
+  discerning that they are the nearest each other in temper and
+  talents of any two classes of men in the world; for to profess
+  judgment, and to profess wit, both arise from the same failure,
+  which is want of judgment. The poverty of the critic this way
+  proceeds from the abuse of his faculty; that of the wit from the
+  neglect of it. It is a particular observation I have always made,
+  that of all mortals, a critic is the <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page242' title='242' id="page242"></a>silliest; for by inuring
+  himself to examine all things, whether they are of consequence or
+  not, be never looks upon anything but with a design of passing
+  sentence upon it; by which means, he is never a companion, but
+  always a censor. This makes him earnest upon trifles; and dispute
+  on the most indifferent occasions with vehemence. If he offers to
+  speak or write, that talent which should approve the work of the
+  other faculties, prevents their operation. He comes upon action
+  in armour; but without weapons: he stands in safety; but can gain
+  no glory. The wit on the other hand has been hurried so long away
+  by imagination only, that judgment seems not to have ever been
+  one of his natural faculties. This gentleman takes himself to be
+  as much obliged to be merry, as the other to be grave. A thorough
+  critic is a sort of Puritan in the polite world. As an enthusiast
+  in religion stumbles at the ordinary occurrences of life, if he
+  cannot quote scripture examples on the occasion; so the critic is
+  never safe in his speech or writing, without he has among the
+  celebrated writers an authority for the truth of his sentence.
+  You will believe we had a very good time with these brethren, who
+  were so far out of the dress of their native country, and so lost
+  to its dialect, that they were as much strangers to themselves,
+  as to their relation to each other. They took up the whole
+  discourse; sometimes the critic grew passionate, and when
+  reprimanded by the wit for any trip or hesitation in his voice,
+  he would answer, Mr. Dryden makes such a character on such an
+  occasion break off in the same manner; so that the stop was
+  according to nature, and as a man in a passion should do. The
+  wit, who is as far gone in letters as himself, seems to be at a
+  loss to answer such an apology; and concludes only, that though
+  his anger is justly vented, it wants fire in the utterance. If
+  wit is to be measured by the circum<a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page243' title='243' id="page243"></a>stances of time and place,
+  there is no man has generally so little of that talent, as he who
+  is a wit by profession. What he says, instead of arising from the
+  occasion, has an occasion invented to bring it in. Thus he is new
+  for no other reason, but that he talks like nobody else; but has
+  taken up a method of his own, without commerce of dialogue with
+  other people. The lively Jasper Dactyle<a name='fntag301' id=
+  "fntag301"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote301'><sup>301</sup></a> is one of this character. He
+  seems to have made a vow to be witty to his life's end. When you
+  meet him, "What do you think," says he, "I have been entertaining
+  myself with?" Then out comes a premeditated turn, to which it is
+  to no purpose to answer; for he goes on in the same strain of
+  thought he designed without your speaking. Therefore I have a
+  general answer to all he can say; as, "Sure there never was any
+  creature had so much fire!" Spondee, who is a critic, is seldom
+  out of this fine man's company. They have no manner of affection
+  for each other, but keep together, like Novel and Oldfox in "The
+  Plain Dealer,"<a name='fntag302' id="fntag302"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote302'><sup>302</sup></a> because they show each
+  other. I know several of sense who can be diverted with this
+  couple; but I see no curiosity in the thing, except it be, that
+  Spondee is dull, and seems dull; but Dactyle is heavy with a
+  brisk face. It must be owned also, that Dactyle has almost vigour
+  enough to be a coxcomb; but Spondee, by the lowness of his
+  constitution, is only a blockhead.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page244' title='244' id=
+  "page244"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>We have no particulars of moment since our last, except it be,
+  that the copy of the following original letter came by the way of
+  Ostend. It is said to have been found in the closet of Monsieur
+  Chamillard, the late Secretary of State of France, since his
+  disgrace. It was signed by two brothers of the famous
+  Cavallier,<a name='fntag303' id="fntag303"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote303'><sup>303</sup></a> who led the Cevennois, and
+  had a personal interview with the king, as well as a capitulation
+  to lay down his arms, and leave the dominions of France. There
+  are many other names to it; among whom, is the chief of the
+  family of the Marquis Guiscard.<a name='fntag304' id=
+  "fntag304"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote304'><sup>304</sup></a> It is not yet known, whether
+  Monsieur Chamillard had any real design to favour the Protestant
+  interest, or only thought to place himself at the head of that
+  people, to make himself considerable enough to oppose his enemies
+  at Court, and reinstate himself in power there.</p>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page245' title='245' id=
+  "page245"></a>SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"We have read your Majesty's<a name='fntag305' id=
+  "fntag305"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote305'><sup>305</sup></a> letter to the governors of your
+  provinces, with instructions what sentiments to insinuate into
+  the minds of your people: but as you have always acted upon the
+  maxim, that we were made for you, and not you for us, we must
+  take leave to assure your Majesty, that we are exactly of the
+  contrary opinion, and must desire you to send for your grandson
+  home, and acquaint him, that you now know by experience, absolute
+  power is only a vertigo in the brain of princes, which for a time
+  may quicken their motion, and double in their diseased sight the
+  instances of power above them; but must end in their fall and
+  destruction. Your memorial speaks a good father of your family,
+  but a very ill one of your people. Your Majesty is reduced to
+  hear truth when you are obliged to speak it: there is no
+  governing any but savages by any methods but their own consent,
+  which you seem to acknowledge, in appealing to us for our opinion
+  of your conduct in treating of peace. Had your people been always
+  of your council, the King of France had never been reduced so
+  low, as to acknowledge his arms were fallen into contempt. But
+  since it is thus, we must ask, 'How is any man of France, but
+  they of the <a class="pagenum" name='page246' title='246' id=
+  "page246"></a>House of Bourbon, the better that Philip is King of
+  Spain?' We have outgrown that folly of placing our happiness in
+  your Majesty's being called, The Great; therefore as you and we
+  are all alike bankrupts,<a name='fntag306' id=
+  "fntag306"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote306'><sup>306</sup></a> and undone, let us not deceive
+  ourselves, but compound with our adversaries, and not talk like
+  their equals. Your Majesty must forgive us that we cannot wish
+  you success, or lend you help; for if you lose one battle more,
+  we may have a hand in the peace you make; and doubt not but your
+  Majesty's faith in treaties will require the ratification of the
+  states of your kingdoms. So we bid you heartily farewell, till we
+  have the honour to meet you assembled in Parliament. This happy
+  expectation makes us willing to wait the event of another
+  campaign, from whence we hope to be raised from the misery of
+  slaves, to the privileges of subjects. We are,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your Majesty's</p>
+
+  <p>"Truly faithful, and</p>
+
+  <p>"Loyal Subjects, &amp;c."</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag298'>[298]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote298' id="footnote298"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number25">25</a>, <a href="#number26">26</a>,
+      <a href="#number28">28</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag299'>[299]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote299' id="footnote299"></a>The
+      full-bottomed dress wigs. Another name was "Duvillier," used
+      below.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag300'>[300]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote300' id="footnote300"></a>See Percy's
+      "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," ed. Wheatley, iii. 279.
+      "The Dragon of Wantley" is a satire on the old ballads of
+      chivalry.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag301'>[301]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote301' id="footnote301"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number3">3</a>, 63.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag302'>[302]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote302' id="footnote302"></a>In the list of
+      characters, Wycherley defines Novel as "a pert railing
+      coxcomb, and an admirer of novelties," and Major Oldfox as
+      "an old impertinent fop, given to scribbling."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag303'>[303]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote303' id="footnote303"></a>James Cavallier
+      was the celebrated leader of the French Protestants in the
+      Cevennes, when these warlike but enthusiastic mountaineers
+      opposed the tyranny of Lewis XIV. and made a vigorous stand
+      against the whole power of France, which for a long time
+      laboured in vain to subdue them. It was in the heat of this
+      gallant struggle to preserve themselves from religious
+      slavery, that the first seeds of that wild fanaticism were
+      sown, which afterwards grew up to such an amazing
+      extravagance, and distinguished them, by the name of French
+      Prophets, among the most extraordinary enthusiasts that are
+      to be found in the history of human folly. Cavallier, who
+      found in his latter days an hospitable asylum in Ireland,
+      published, in 1726, "Memoirs of the Wars of the Cevennes,
+      under Col. Cavallier, in defence of the Protestants
+      persecuted in that country, and of the peace concluded
+      between him and the Mareschal Duke of Villars; of his
+      conference with the King of France, after the conclusion of
+      the peace; with letters relating thereto, from Mareschal
+      Villars, and Chamillard, secretary of state." (Percy.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag304'>[304]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote304' id="footnote304"></a>It was a
+      younger brother, an abbé, who used his pen and sword against
+      Lewis XIV. He was employed in England, had preferment in the
+      army, and a pension; but, being found a useless villain, he
+      was soon discarded. He then endeavoured to make his peace
+      with France, by acting here as a spy; but being detected, he
+      was brought before the Cabinet Council, to be examined, March
+      8, 1711. In the course of his examination he took an
+      opportunity to stab Mr. Harley. Of the wounds given to this
+      assassin on that occasion, he died in Newgate soon after. See
+      the "Narrative of Guiscard's Examination," by Mrs. Manley,
+      from facts communicated to her by Dr. Swift. See also
+      <i>Examiner</i>, No. 32. (Nichols.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag305'>[305]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote305' id="footnote305"></a>Soon after the
+      conclusion of the late treaty of peace, the French king
+      dispersed a letter through his dominions, wherein he shows
+      the reasons why he could not ratify the preliminaries.
+      <i>Vide</i> the public newspapers of this date. (Steele.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag306'>[306]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote306' id=
+      "footnote306"></a>N.B.&#8212;Mons. Bernard and the chief
+      bankers of France became bankrupts about this time
+      (Steele).&#8212;See news paragraph in Nos. <a href=
+      "#number3">3</a>, <a href="#number5">5</a>, <a href=
+      "#number9">9</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number30' id="number30"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 30.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, June 16</i>, to <i>Saturday, June 18,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 16.</h3>
+
+  <p>The vigilance, the anxiety, the tenderness, which I have for
+  the good people of England, I am persuaded will in time be much
+  commended; but I doubt whether they will ever be rewarded.
+  However, I must go on <a class="pagenum" name='page247' title=
+  '247' id="page247"></a>cheerfully in my work of reformation: that
+  being my great design, I am studious to prevent my labours
+  increasing upon me; therefore am particularly observant of the
+  temper and inclinations of childhood and youth, that we may not
+  give vice and folly supplies from the growing generation. It is
+  hardly to be imagined how useful this study is, and what great
+  evils or benefits arise from putting us in our tender years to
+  what we are fit, or unfit: therefore on Tuesday last (with a
+  design to sound their inclinations) I took three lads who are
+  under my guardianship a rambling, in a hackney-coach, to show
+  them the town, as the lions,<a name='fntag307' id=
+  "fntag307"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote307'><sup>307</sup></a> the tombs,<a name='fntag308'
+  id="fntag308"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote308'><sup>308</sup></a> Bedlam,<a name='fntag309' id=
+  "fntag309"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote309'><sup>309</sup></a> and the other places which are
+  entertainments to raw minds, because they strike forcibly on the
+  fancy. The boys are brothers, one of sixteen, the other of
+  fourteen, the other of twelve. The first was his father's
+  darling, the second his mother's, and the third is mine, who am
+  their uncle. Mr. William is a lad of true genius; but being at
+  the upper end of a great school, and having all the lads below
+  him, his arrogance is insupportable. If I begin to show a little
+  of my Latin, he immediately interrupts: "Uncle, under favour,
+  that which you say is not understood in that manner." "Brother,"
+  says my boy Jack, "you do not show your manners much in
+  contradicting my Uncle Isaac." "You queer cur," says Mr. William,
+  "do you <a class="pagenum" name='page248' title='248' id=
+  "page248"></a>think my uncle takes any notice of such a dull
+  rogue as you are?" Mr. William goes on; "He is the most stupid of
+  all my mother's children: he knows nothing of his book: when he
+  should mind that, he is hiding or hoarding his taws and marbles,
+  or laying up farthings. His way of thinking is, four and twenty
+  farthings make sixpence, and two sixpences a shilling, two
+  shillings and sixpence half a crown, and two half-crowns five
+  shillings. So within these two months, the close hunks has
+  scraped up twenty shillings, and we'll make him spend it all
+  before he comes home." Jack immediately claps his hands into both
+  pockets, and turns as pale as ashes. There is nothing touches a
+  parent (and such I am to Jack) so nearly, as a provident temper.
+  This lad has in him the true temper for a good husband, a kind
+  father, and an honest executor. All the great people you see make
+  considerable figures on the 'Change, in Court, and sometimes in
+  Senates, are such as in reality have no greater faculty than what
+  may be called human instinct, which is a natural tendency to
+  their own preservation, and that of their friends, without being
+  capable of striking out of the road for adventures. There is Sir
+  William Scrip was of this sort of capacity from his childhood: he
+  has bought the country round him, and makes a bargain better than
+  Sir Harry Wildfire with all his wit and humour. Sir Harry never
+  wants money but he comes to Scrip, laughs at him half an hour,
+  and then gives bond for the other thousand. The close men are
+  incapable of placing merit anywhere but in their pence, and
+  therefore gain it; while others, who have larger capacities, are
+  diverted from the pursuit by enjoyments, which can be supported
+  only by that cash which they despise; and therefore are in the
+  end, slaves to their inferiors both in fortune and understanding.
+  I once heard a man of excellent sense observe, <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page249' title='249' id="page249"></a>that more affairs in
+  the world failed by being in the hands of men of too large
+  capacities for their business, than by being in the conduct of
+  such as wanted abilities to execute them. Jack therefore being of
+  a plodding make, shall be a citizen; and I design him to be the
+  refuge of the family in their distress, as well as their jest in
+  prosperity. His brother Will, shall go to Oxford with all speed,
+  where, if he does not arrive at being a man of sense, he will
+  soon be informed wherein he is a coxcomb. There is in that place
+  such a true spirit of raillery and humour, that if they can't
+  make you a wise man, they will certainly let you know you are a
+  fool, which is all my cousin wants to cease to be so. Thus having
+  taken these two out of the way, I have leisure to look at my
+  third lad. I observe in the young rogue a natural subtilty of
+  mind, which discovers itself rather in forbearing to declare his
+  thoughts on any occasion, than in any visible way of exerting
+  himself in discourse. For which reason I will place him where, if
+  he commits no faults, he may go farther than those in other
+  stations, though they excel in virtues. The boy is well
+  fashioned, and will easily fall into a graceful manner;
+  wherefore, I have a design to make him a page to a great lady of
+  my acquaintance; by which means he will be well skilled in the
+  common modes of life, and make a greater progress in the world by
+  that knowledge, than with the greatest qualities without it. A
+  good mien in a Court will carry a man greater lengths than a good
+  understanding in any other place. We see a world of pains taken,
+  and the best years of life spent, in collecting a set of thoughts
+  in a college for the conduct of life; and after all, the man so
+  qualified shall hesitate in his speech to a good suit of clothes,
+  and want common sense before an agreeable woman. Hence it is,
+  that wisdom, valour, justice, and learning, can't keep a man in
+  countenance that is possessed <a class="pagenum" name='page250'
+  title='250' id="page250"></a>with these excellences, if he wants
+  that less art of life and behaviour, called "good breeding." A
+  man endowed with great perfections without this, is like one who
+  has his pockets full of gold, but always wants change for his
+  ordinary occasions. Will. Courtly is a living instance of this
+  truth, and has had the same education which I am giving my
+  nephew. He never spoke a thing but what was said before; and yet
+  can converse with the wittiest men without being ridiculous.
+  Among the learned, he does not appear ignorant; nor with the
+  wise, indiscreet. Living in conversation from his infancy, makes
+  him nowhere at a loss; and a long familiarity with the persons of
+  men, is in a manner of the same service to him, as if he knew
+  their arts. As ceremony is the invention of wise men to keep
+  fools at a distance, so good breeding is an expedient to make
+  fools and wise men equals.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, June 17.</h3>
+
+  <p>The suspension of the playhouse<a name='fntag310' id=
+  "fntag310"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote310'><sup>310</sup></a> has made me have nothing to
+  send you from hence; but calling here this evening, I found the
+  party I usually sit with, upon the business of writing, and
+  examining what was the handsomest style in which to address
+  women, and write letters of gallantry. Many were the opinions
+  which were immediately declared on this subject: some were for a
+  certain softness; some for I know not what delicacy; others for
+  something inexpressibly tender: when it came to me, I said there
+  was no rule in the world to be made for writing letters, but that
+  of being as near what you speak face to face as you can; which is
+  so great a truth, that I am of opinion, writing has lost more
+  mistresses than any <a class="pagenum" name='page251' title='251'
+  id="page251"></a>one mistake in the whole legend of love. For
+  when you write to a lady for whom you have a solid and honourable
+  love, the great idea you have of her, joined to a quick sense of
+  her absence, fills your mind with a sort of tenderness, that
+  gives your language too much the air of complaint, which is
+  seldom successful. For a man may flatter himself as he pleases,
+  but he will find, that the women have more understanding in their
+  own affairs than we have, and women of spirit are not to be won
+  by mourners. Therefore he that can keep handsomely within rules,
+  and support the carriage of a companion to his mistress, is much
+  more likely to prevail, than he who lets her see, the whole
+  relish of his life depends upon her. If possible therefore divert
+  your mistress, rather than sigh to her. The pleasant man she will
+  desire for her own sake; but the languishing lover has nothing to
+  hope from but her pity. To show the difference I produced two
+  letters a lady gave me, which had been writ to her by two
+  gentlemen who pretended to her, but were both killed the next day
+  after the date at the battle of Almanza. One of them was a
+  mercurial gay-humoured man; the other a man of a serious, but a
+  great and gallant spirit. Poor Jack Careless! This is his letter:
+  you see how it is folded: the air of it is so negligent, one
+  might have read half of it by peeping into it, without breaking
+  it open. He had no exactness.</p>
+
+  <p>"MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>"It is a very pleasant circumstance I am in, that while I
+  should be thinking of the good company we are to meet within a
+  day or two, where we shall go to loggerheads, my thoughts are
+  running upon a fair enemy in England. I was in hopes I had left
+  you there; but you follow the camp, though I have endeavoured to
+  make <a class="pagenum" name='page252' title='252' id=
+  "page252"></a>some of our leaguer ladies drive you out of the
+  field. All my comfort is, you are more troublesome to my colonel
+  than myself: I permit you to visit me only now and then; but he
+  downright keeps you. I laugh at his Honour as far as his gravity
+  will allow me; but I know him to be a man of too much merit to
+  succeed with a woman. Therefore defend your heart as well as you
+  can, I shall come home this winter irresistibly dressed, and with
+  quite a new foreign air. And so I had like to say, I rest, but
+  alas! I remain,</p>
+
+  <p>"Madam,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most obedient,</p>
+
+  <p>"Most humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"JOHN CARELESS."</p>
+
+  <p>Now for Colonel Constant's epistle; you see it is folded and
+  directed with the utmost care.</p>
+
+  <p>"MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>"I do myself the honour to write to you this evening, because
+  I believe to-morrow will be a day of battle, and something
+  forebodes in my breast that I shall fall in it. If it proves so,
+  I hope you will hear, I have done nothing below a man who had a
+  love of his country, quickened by a passion for a woman of
+  honour. If there be anything noble in going to a certain death;
+  if there be any merit, that I meet it with pleasure, by promising
+  myself a place in your esteem; if your applause, when I am no
+  more, is preferable to the most glorious life without you: I say,
+  madam, if any of these considerations can have weight with you,
+  you will give me a kind place in your memory, which I prefer to
+  the glory of Cæsar. I hope, this will be read, as it is writ,
+  with tears."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page253' title='253' id=
+  "page253"></a>The beloved lady is a woman of a sensible mind; but
+  she has confessed to me, that after all her true and solid value
+  for Constant, she had much more concern for the loss of Careless.
+  Those great and serious spirits have something equal to the
+  adversities they meet with, and consequently lessen the objects
+  of pity. Great accidents seem not cut out so much for men of
+  familiar characters, which makes them more easily pitied, and
+  soon after beloved. Add to this, that the sort of love which
+  generally succeeds, is a stranger to awe and distance. I asked
+  Romana, whether of the two she should have chosen had they
+  survived? She said, she knew she ought to have taken Constant;
+  but believed she should have chosen Careless.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 17.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Lisbon of the 9th instant, N.S., say, that the
+  enemy's army, having blocked up Olivenza, was posted on the
+  Guadiana. The Portuguese are very apprehensive that the garrison
+  of that place, though it consists of five of the best regiments
+  of their army, will be obliged to surrender, if not timely
+  relieved, they not being supplied with provisions for more than
+  six weeks. Hereupon their generals held a council of war on the
+  4th instant, wherein it was concluded to advance towards Badajos.
+  With this design the army decamped on the 5th from Jerumena, and
+  marched to Cancaon. It is hoped, that if the enemy follow their
+  motions, they may have opportunity to put a sufficient quantity
+  of provision and ammunition into Olivenza.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Bickerstaff gives notice to all persons that dress
+  themselves as they please, without regard to decorum (as with
+  blue and red stockings in mourning; tucked cravats, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page254' title='254' id="page254"></a>and
+  nightcap wigs, before people of the first quality) that he has
+  yet received no fine for indulging them in that liberty, and that
+  he expects their compliance with this demand, or that they go
+  home immediately and shift themselves. This is further to
+  acquaint the town, that the report that the hosiers, toymen, and
+  milliners, have compounded with Mr. Bickerstaff for tolerating
+  such enormities, is utterly false and scandalous.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag307'>[307]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote307' id="footnote307"></a>At the Tower of
+      London. The Tower menagerie was one of the sights of London
+      until its removal in 1834. See Addison's <i>Freeholder</i>;
+      No. 47.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag308'>[308]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote308' id="footnote308"></a>In Westminster
+      Abbey.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag309'>[309]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote309' id="footnote309"></a>The Priory of
+      Bethlem, in St. Botolph Without, Bishopsgate, was given by
+      Henry VIII. to the Corporation of London, and was from
+      thenceforth used as a hospital for lunatics. In 1675 a new
+      hospital was built near London Wall, in Moorfields, at a cost
+      of £17,000. See Hogarth's "Rake's Progress," Plate 8. In
+      No. 127, Steele calls Bedlam "that
+      magnificent palace."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag310'>[310]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote310' id="footnote310"></a>Drury Lane
+      Theatre was closed on June 6, 1709, by order of the Lord
+      Chamberlain, in consequence of Rich's ill-treatment of the
+      actors.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number31' id="number31"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 31.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, June 18</i>, to <i>Tuesday, June 21,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, June 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>In my dissertation against the custom of single
+  combat,<a name='fntag311' id="fntag311"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote311'><sup>311</sup></a> it has been objected, that
+  there is not learning, or much reading, shown therein, which is
+  the very life and soul of all treatises; for which reason, being
+  always easy to receive admonitions, and reform my errors, I
+  thought fit to consult this learned board on the subject. Upon
+  proposing some doubts, and desiring their assistance, a very
+  hopeful young gentleman, my relation, who is to be called to the
+  bar within a year and a half at farthest, told me, that he had
+  ever since I first mentioned duelling turned his head that way;
+  and that he was principally moved thereto, by reason that he
+  thought to follow the circuits in the North of England and South
+  of Scotland, and to reside mostly at his own estate at
+  Landbadernawz<a name='fntag312' id="fntag312"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote312'><sup>312</sup></a> in Cardiganshire. The
+  northern Britons and southern Scots are a warm people, and the
+  Welsh a nation of gentlemen; <a class="pagenum" name='page255'
+  title='255' id="page255"></a>so that it behoved him to understand
+  well the science of quarrelling. The young gentleman proceeded
+  admirably well, and gave the board an account, that he had read
+  Fitzherbert's "Grand Abridgment,"<a name='fntag313' id=
+  "fntag313"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote313'><sup>313</sup></a> and had found, that duelling is
+  a very ancient part of the law: for when a man is sued, be it for
+  his life or his land, the person that joins the issue, whether
+  plaintiff or defendant, may put the trial upon the duel. Further
+  he argued, under favour of the court, that when the issue is
+  joined by the duel in treason or other capital crimes, the
+  parties accused and accuser must fight in their own proper
+  persons: but if the dispute be for lands, you may hire a champion
+  at Hockley-in-the-Hole,<a name='fntag314' id=
+  "fntag314"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote314'><sup>314</sup></a> for anywhere else. This part of
+  the law we had from the Saxons; and they had it, as also the
+  trial by ordeal, from the Laplanders.<a name='fntag315' id=
+  "fntag315"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote315'><sup>315</sup></a> "It is indeed agreed," said he,
+  "the Southern and Eastern nations never knew anything of it; for
+  though the ancient Romans would scold, and call names filthily,
+  yet there is not an example of a challenge that ever passed
+  amongst them." His quoting the Eastern nations, put another
+  gentleman in mind of an account he had from a boatswain of an
+  East Indiaman; which was, that a Chinese had tricked and bubbled
+  him, and that when he came to demand satisfaction the next
+  morning, and like a true tar of honour called him "Son of a
+  whore," "Liar," "Dog," and other rough appellatives used by
+  persons conversant with winds and waves; the Chinese, with great
+  tranquillity, desired him not to come aboard fasting, nor put
+  himself in a heat, for it would prejudice his health. Thus the
+  East knows nothing of this gallantry. There sat at the left of
+  the table a person of a venerable aspect, who asserted, that half
+  the impositions which <a class="pagenum" name='page256' title=
+  '256' id="page256"></a>are put upon these ages, have been
+  transmitted by writers who have given too great pomp and
+  magnificence to the exploits of the ancient Bear Garden, and made
+  their gladiators, by fabulous tradition, greater than
+  Gorman<a name='fntag316' id="fntag316"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote316'><sup>316</sup></a> and others of Great Britain. He
+  informed the company, that he had searched authorities for what
+  he said, and that a learned antiquary, Humphrey Scarecrow, Esq.,
+  of Hockley-in-the-Hole, recorder to the Bear Garden, was then
+  writing a discourse on the subject. It appears by the best
+  accounts, says this gentleman, that the high names which are used
+  among us with so great veneration, were no other than
+  stage-fighters, and worthies of the ancient Bear Garden. The
+  renowned Hercules always carried a quarterstaff, and was from
+  thence called Claviger. A learned chronologist is about proving
+  what wood this staff was made of, whether oak, ash, or crab-tree.
+  The first trial of skill he ever performed, was with one Cacus, a
+  deer-stealer; the next was with Typhonus, a giant of forty feet
+  four inches. Indeed it was unhappily recorded, that meeting at
+  last with a sailor's wife, she made his staff of prowess serve
+  her own use, and dwindle away to a distaff: she clapped him on an
+  old tar jacket of her husband's; so that this great hero drooped
+  like a scabbed sheep. Him his contemporary Theseus succeeded in
+  the Bear Garden, which honour he held for many years: this grand
+  duellist went to hell, and was the only one of that sort that
+  ever came back again. As for Achilles and Hector (as the ballads
+  of those times mention), they were pretty smart fellows; they
+  fought at sword and buckler; but the former had much the better
+  of it; his mother, who was an oyster-woman, having got a
+  blacksmith of Lemnos to make her son's weapons. There is a pair
+  of trusty Trojans <a class="pagenum" name='page257' title='257'
+  id="page257"></a>in a song of Virgil's, that were famous for
+  handling their gauntlets, Dares, and Entellus;<a name='fntag317'
+  id="fntag317"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote317'><sup>317</sup></a> and indeed it does appear, they
+  fought [for] no sham prize. What arms the great Alexander used,
+  is uncertain; however, the historian mentions, when he attacked
+  Thalestris, it was only at single rapier; but the weapon soon
+  failed; for it was always observed, that the Amazons had a sort
+  of enchantment about them, which made the blade of the weapon,
+  though of never so good metal, at every home push, lose its edge
+  and grow feeble. The Roman Bear Garden was abundantly more
+  magnificent than anything Greece could boast of; it flourished
+  most under those delights of mankind, Nero and Domitian: at one
+  time it is recorded, four hundred senators entered the list, and
+  thought it an honour to be cudgelled and quarterstaffed.<a name=
+  'fntag318' id="fntag318"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote318'><sup>318</sup></a> I observe, the Lanistaé were
+  the people chiefly employed, which makes me imagine our Bear
+  Garden copied much after this, the butchers being the greatest
+  men in it. Thus far the glory and honour of the Bear Garden stood
+  secure, till fate, that irresistible ruler of sublunary things,
+  in that universal ruin of arts and politer learning, by those
+  savage people the Goths and Vandals, destroyed and levelled it to
+  the ground. Thus fell the grandeur and bravery of the Roman
+  state, till at last the warlike genius (but accompanied with more
+  courtesy) revived in the Christian world under those puissant
+  champions, St. George, St. Denis, and other dignified heroes: one
+  killed his dragon, another his lion, and were all afterwards
+  canonised for it, having red letters before them to illustrate
+  their martial temper.<a name='fntag319' id=
+  "fntag319"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote319'><sup>319</sup></a> The Spanish nation, it must be
+  owned, were devoted to gallantry and chivalry above the rest of
+  the world. What <a class="pagenum" name='page258' title='258' id=
+  "page258"></a>a great figure does that great name, Don Quixote,
+  make in history? How shines this glorious star in the Western
+  world? O renowned hero! O mirror of knighthood!</p>
+
+  <div class="poem italic">
+    <div class="line">
+      Thy brandished whinyard all the world defies,
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="line">
+      And kills as sure as del Tobosa's eyes.
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>I am forced to break off abruptly, being sent for in haste,
+  with my rule, to measure the degree of an affront, before the two
+  gentlemen (who are now in their breeches and pumps ready to
+  engage behind Montague House<a name='fntag320' id=
+  "fntag320"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote320'><sup>320</sup></a>) have made a pass.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is an unreasonable objection I find against my labours,
+  that my stock is not all my own, and therefore the kind reception
+  I have met with is not so deserved as it ought to be. But I hope,
+  though it be never so true that I am obliged to my friends for
+  laying their cash in my hands, since I give it them again when
+  they please, and leave them at their liberty to call it home, it
+  will not hurt me with my gentle readers. Ask all the merchants
+  who act upon consignments, where is the necessity (if they answer
+  readily what their correspondents draw) of their being wealthy
+  themselves? Ask the greatest bankers, if all the men they deal
+  with were to draw at once, what would be the consequence? But
+  indeed a country friend has writ me a letter which gives me great
+  mortification; wherein I find I am so far from expecting a supply
+  from <a class="pagenum" name='page259' title='259' id=
+  "page259"></a>thence, that some have not heard of me, and the
+  rest do not understand me. His epistle is as follows:<a name=
+  'fntag321' id="fntag321"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote321'><sup>321</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"DEAR COUSIN,</p>
+
+  <p>"I thought when I left the town to have raised your fame here,
+  and helped you to support it by intelligence from hence; but
+  alas! they had never heard of the <i>Tatler</i> until I brought
+  down a set. I lent them from house to house; but they asked me
+  what they meant. I began to enlighten them, by telling who and
+  who were supposed to be intended by the characters drawn. I said
+  for instance, Chloe<a name='fntag322' id="fntag322"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote322'><sup>322</sup></a> and Clarissa are two
+  eminent toasts. A gentleman (who keeps his greyhound and gun, and
+  one would think might know better) told me, he supposed they were
+  papishes, for their names were not English: 'Then,' said he, 'why
+  do you call live people "toasts"?' I answered, that was a new
+  name found out by the wits, to make a lady have the same effect
+  as burridge<a name='fntag323' id="fntag323"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote323'><sup>323</sup></a> in the glass when a man is
+  drinking. 'But,' says I, 'sir, I perceive this is to you all
+  bamboozling; why you look as if you were Don Diego'd<a name=
+  'fntag324' id="fntag324"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote324'><sup>324</sup></a> to the tune of a thousand
+  pounds.' All this good language was lost upon him: he only
+  stared, though he is as good a scholar as any layman in the town,
+  except the barber. Thus, cousin, you must be content with London
+  for the centre of your wealth and fame; we have no relish for
+  you. Wit must describe its proper circumference, and not go
+  beyond it, lest (like little boys, when they straggle out of
+  their own parish), it may wander to places where it is not known,
+  and be lost. Since it is so, you must excuse me that I am forced
+  at a visit to sit <a class="pagenum" name='page260' title='260'
+  id="page260"></a>silent, and only lay up what excellent things
+  pass at such conversations.</p>
+
+  <p>"This evening I was with a couple of young ladies; one of them
+  has the character of the prettiest company, yet really I thought
+  her but silly; the other, who talked a great deal less, I
+  observed to have understanding. The lady who is reckoned such a
+  companion among her acquaintance, has only, with a very brisk
+  air, a knack of saying the commonest things: the other, with a
+  sly serious one, says home things enough. The first (Mistress
+  Giddy) is very quick; but the second (Mrs. Slim) fell into
+  Giddy's own style, and was as good company as she. Giddy happens
+  to drop her glove; Slim reaches it to her: 'Madam,' says Giddy,
+  'I hope you'll have a better office.' Upon which Slim immediately
+  repartees, and sits in her lap, and cries, 'Are you not sorry for
+  my heaviness?' This sly wench pleased me to see how she hit her
+  height of understanding so well. We sat down to supper. Says
+  Giddy, mighty prettily, 'Two hands in a dish and one in a purse':
+  says Slim, 'Ay, madam, the more the merrier; but the fewer the
+  better cheer.' I quickly took the hint, and was as witty and
+  talkative as they. Says I,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "'He that will not when he may,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        When he will he shall have nay;'
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>and so helped myself. Giddy turns about, 'What, have you found
+  your tongue?' 'Yes,' says I, 'it is manners to speak when I am
+  spoken to; but your greatest talkers are little doers, and the
+  still sow eats up all the broth.' 'Ha! ha!' says Giddy, 'one
+  would think he had nothing in him, and do you hear how he talks
+  when he pleases.' I grew immediately roguish and pleasant to a
+  degree in the same strain. Slim, who knew how good company we had
+  been, cries, 'You'll certainly print this bright
+  conversation.'"</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page261' title='261' id=
+  "page261"></a>It is so; and hereby you may see how small an
+  appearance the prettiest things said in company, make when in
+  print.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>A mail from Lisbon has brought advices of June the 12th, from
+  the King of Portugal's army encamped at Torre Allegada, which
+  inform us, that the general of the army called a court-martial on
+  the 4th at the camp of Gerumhena, where it was resolved to march
+  with a design to attempt the succour of Olivenza. Accordingly the
+  army moved on the 5th, and marched towards Badajos. Upon their
+  approach, the Marquis de Bay detached so great a party from the
+  blockade of Olivenza, that the Marquis des Minas, at the head of
+  a large detachment, covered a great convoy of provisions towards
+  Olivenza, which threw in their stores, and marched back to the
+  main army, without molestation from the Spaniards. They add, that
+  each army must necessarily march into quarters within twenty
+  days.</p>
+
+  <p>Whosoever can discover a surgeon's apprentice, who fell upon
+  Mr. Bickerstaff's messenger, or (as the printers call him) devil,
+  going to the press, and tore out of his hand part of his essay
+  against duels, in the fragments of which were the words, "You
+  lie," and "Man of honour," taken up at the Temple Gate; and the
+  words, "Perhaps,"&#8212;"May be not,"&#8212;"By your leave,
+  sir,"&#8212;and other terms of provocation, taken up at the door
+  of Young Man's Coffee-house,<a name='fntag325' id=
+  "fntag325"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote325'><sup>325</sup></a> shall receive satisfaction from
+  Mr. Morphew, besides a set of arguments to be spoken to any man
+  in a passion, which, if the said enraged man listens to, will
+  prevent quarrelling.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page262' title='262' id=
+  "page262"></a>Mr. Bickerstaff does hereby give notice, that he
+  has taken the two famous universities of this land under his
+  immediate care, and does hereby promise all tutors and pupils,
+  that he will hear what can be said of each side between them, and
+  to correct them impartially, by placing them in orders and
+  classes in the learned world, according to their merit.<a name=
+  'fntag326' id="fntag326"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote326'><sup>326</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag311'>[311]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote311' id="footnote311"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number25">25</a>, <a href="#number26">26</a>,
+      <a href="#number28">28</a>, <a href="#number29">29</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag312'>[312]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote312' id="footnote312"></a>Probably meant
+      for Llanbadern Vawr, if not a name coined for the
+      occasion.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag313'>[313]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote313' id="footnote313"></a>Sir Anthony
+      Fitzherbert's book was published in 1514.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag314'>[314]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote314' id="footnote314"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number28">28</a>, 134.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag315'>[315]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote315' id="footnote315"></a>See Selden, "De
+      Duello" (1610), p. 19.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag316'>[316]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote316' id="footnote316"></a>A prize-fighter
+      mentioned in Lansdowne's epilogue to "The Jew of Venice."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag317'>[317]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote317' id="footnote317"></a>"Æneid," v. 437
+      <i>seq.</i></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag318'>[318]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote318' id="footnote318"></a>Suetonius,
+      "Life of Nero," chap. 12.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag319'>[319]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote319' id="footnote319"></a>An allusion to
+      the rubrics in Roman missals.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag320'>[320]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote320' id="footnote320"></a>The fields at
+      the back of Montague House, Bloomsbury, were a favourite
+      place for duels in the first half of the eighteenth century.
+      Cf. <i>Spectator</i>, No. 91: "I shall be glad to meet you
+      immediately in Hyde Park or behind Montague House, or attend
+      you to Barn Elms, or any other fashionable place that's fit
+      for a gentleman to die in."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag321'>[321]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote321' id="footnote321"></a>It has been
+      suggested, with some probability, that this letter is by
+      Swift.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag322'>[322]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote322' id="footnote322"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number4'>No. 4</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag323'>[323]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote323' id="footnote323"></a>Borago was a
+      plant formerly used as a cordial.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag324'>[324]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote324' id="footnote324"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number21'>No. 21</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag325'>[325]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote325' id="footnote325"></a>Young Man's
+      Coffee-house at Charing Cross, had a back door into Spring
+      Garden. It seems to have been specially frequented by
+      officers.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag326'>[326]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote326' id="footnote326"></a>"Mr.
+      Bickerstaff has received the advices from Clay Hill, which,
+      with all intelligence from honest Mr. Sturdy and others,
+      shall have their place in our future story" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number32' id="number32"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 32.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[SWIFT AND STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, June 21</i>, to <i>Thursday, June 23,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>An answer to the following letter being absolutely necessary
+  to be despatched with all expedition, I must trespass upon all
+  that come with horary questions into my ante-chamber, to give the
+  gentlemen my opinion.</p>
+
+  <h4>"<i>To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.</i></h4>
+
+  <p>"<i>June 18</i>, 1709.</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"I know not whether you ought to pity or laugh at me; for I am
+  fallen desperately in love with a professed Platonne, the most
+  unaccountable creature of her sex. To hear her talk seraphics,
+  and run over Norris,<a name='fntag327' id=
+  "fntag327"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote327'><sup>327</sup></a> and More,<a name='fntag328' id=
+  "fntag328"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote328'><sup>328</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page263' title='263' id="page263"></a>and Milton,<a name=
+  'fntag329' id="fntag329"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote329'><sup>329</sup></a> and the whole set of
+  intellectual triflers, torments me heartily; for to a lover who
+  understands metaphors, all this pretty prattle of ideas gives
+  very fine views of pleasure, which only the dear declaimer
+  prevents, by understanding them literally. Why should she wish to
+  be a cherubim, when it is flesh and blood that makes her
+  adorable? If I speak to her, that is a high breach of the idea of
+  intuition: if I offer at her hand or lip, she shrinks from the
+  touch like a sensitive plant, and would contract herself into
+  mere spirit. She calls her chariot, 'vehicle'; her furbelowed
+  scarf, 'pinions': her blue mant and petticoat is her 'azure
+  dress'; and her footman goes by the name of Oberon. It is my
+  misfortune to be six foot and a half high, two full spans between
+  the shoulders, thirteen inches diameter in the calves; and before
+  I was in love, I had a noble stomach, and usually went to bed
+  sober with two bottles. I am not quite six and twenty, and my
+  nose is marked truly aquiline. For these reasons, I am in a very
+  particular manner her aversion. What shall I do? Impudence itself
+  cannot reclaim her. If I write miserable, she reckons me among
+  the children of perdition, and discards me her region: if I
+  assume the gross and substantial, she plays the real ghost with
+  me, and vanishes in a moment. I had hopes in the hypocrisy of her
+  sex; but perseverance makes it as bad as fixed aversion. I desire
+  your opinion, whether I may not lawfully play the Inquisition
+  upon her, make use of a little force, and put her to the rack and
+  the torture, only to convince her she has really fine limbs,
+  without spoiling or distorting them. I expect your directions,
+  ere I proceed to dwindle and fall away with despair; which at
+  present I don't think advisable; because, if she <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page264' title='264' id="page264"></a>should
+  recant, she may then hate me perhaps in the other extreme for my
+  tenuity. I am (with impatience) "Your most humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"CHARLES STURDY."</p>
+
+  <p>My patient has put his case with very much warmth, and
+  represented it in so lively a manner, that I see both his torment
+  and tormentor with great perspicuity. This order of platonic
+  ladies are to be dealt with in a peculiar manner from all the
+  rest of the sex. Flattery is the general way, and the way in this
+  case; but it is not to be done grossly. Every man that has wit,
+  and humour, and raillery, can make a good flatterer for woman in
+  general; but a Platonne is not to be touched with panegyric: she
+  will tell you, it is a sensuality in the soul to be delighted
+  that way. You are not therefore to commend, but silently consent
+  to all she does, and says. You are to consider in her the scorn
+  of you is not humour, but opinion. There were some years since a
+  set of these ladies who were of quality, and gave out, that
+  virginity was to be their state of life during this mortal
+  condition, and therefore resolved to join their fortunes, and
+  erect a nunnery. The place of residence was pitched upon; and a
+  pretty situation, full of natural falls and risings of waters,
+  with shady coverts, and flowery arbours, was approved by seven of
+  the founders. There were as many of our sex who took the liberty
+  to visit those mansions of intended severity; among others, a
+  famous rake of that time, who had the grave way to an excellence.
+  He came in first; but upon seeing a servant coming towards him,
+  with a design to tell him, this was no place for him or his
+  companions, up goes my grave impudence to the maid: "Young
+  woman," said he, "if any of the ladies are in the way on this
+  side of the <a class="pagenum" name='page265' title='265' id=
+  "page265"></a>house, pray carry us on the other side towards the
+  gardens: we are, you must know, gentlemen that are travelling
+  England; after which we shall go into foreign parts, where some
+  of us have already been." Here he bows in the most humble manner,
+  and kissed the girl, who knew not how to behave to such a sort of
+  carriage. He goes on: "Now you must know we have an ambition to
+  have it to say, that we have a Protestant nunnery in England: but
+  pray Mrs. Betty&#8212;" "Sir," she replied, "my name is Susan, at
+  your service." "Then I heartily beg your pardon&#8212;" "No
+  offence in the least," says she, "for I have a cousin-german
+  whose name is Betty." "Indeed," said he, "I protest to you that
+  was more than I knew, I spoke at random: but since it happens
+  that I was near in the right, give me leave to present this
+  gentleman to the favour of a civil salute." His friend advances,
+  and so on, till that they had all saluted her. By this means, the
+  poor girl was in the middle of the crowd of these fellows, at a
+  loss what to do, without courage to pass through them; and the
+  Platonics, at several peep-holes, pale, trembling, and fretting.
+  Rake perceived they were observed, and therefore took care to
+  keep Suky in chat with questions concerning their way of life;
+  when appeared at last Madonella,<a name='fntag330' id=
+  "fntag330"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote330'><sup>330</sup></a> a lady who had writ a fine book
+  concerning <a class="pagenum" name='page266' title='266' id=
+  "page266"></a>the recluse life, and was the projectrix of the
+  foundation. She approaches into the hall; and Rake, knowing the
+  dignity of his own mien and aspect, goes deputy from his company.
+  She begins, "Sir, I am obliged to follow the servant, who was
+  sent out to know, what affair could make strangers press upon a
+  solitude which we, who are to inhabit this place, have devoted to
+  Heaven and our own thoughts?" "Madam," replies Rake, with an air
+  of great distance, mixed with a certain indifference, by which he
+  could dissemble dissimulation, "your great intention has made
+  more noise in the world than you design it should; and we
+  travellers, who have seen many foreign institutions of this kind,
+  have a curiosity to see, in its first rudiments, this seat of
+  primitive piety; for such it must be called by future ages, to
+  the eternal honour of the founders. I have read Madonella's
+  excellent and seraphic discourse on this subject." The lady
+  immediately answers, "If what I have said could have contributed
+  to raise any thoughts in you that may make for the
+  advance<a class="pagenum" name='page267' title='267' id=
+  "page267"></a>ment of intellectual and divine conversation, I
+  should think myself extremely happy." He immediately fell back
+  with the profoundest veneration; then advancing, "Are you then
+  that admired lady? If I may approach lips which have uttered
+  things so sacred&#8212;" He salutes her. His friends follow his
+  example. The devoted within stood in amazement where this would
+  end, to see Madonella receive their address and their company.
+  But Rake goes on, "We would not transgress rules; but if we may
+  take the liberty to see the place you have thought fit to choose
+  for ever, we would go into such parts of the gardens as is
+  consistent with the severities you have imposed on yourselves."
+  To be short, Madonella permitted Rake to lead her into the
+  assembly of nuns, followed by his friends, and each took his fair
+  one by the hand, after due explanation, to walk round the
+  gardens. The conversation turned upon the lilies, the flowers,
+  the arbors, and the growing vegetables; and Rake had the solemn
+  impudence, when the whole company stood round him, to say, "That
+  he sincerely wished that men might rise out of the earth like
+  plants; and that our minds were not of necessity to be sullied
+  with carnivorous appetites for the generation, as well as support
+  of our species."<a name='fntag331' id="fntag331"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote331'><sup>331</sup></a> This was spoke with
+  so easy and fixed an assurance, that Madonella answered, "Sir,
+  under the notion of a pious thought, you deceive yourself in
+  wishing an institution foreign to that of Providence: these
+  desires were implanted in us for reverent purposes, in preserving
+  the race of men, and giving opportunities for making our chastity
+  more heroic." The conference was continued in this celestial
+  strain, and carried on so well by the managers on both sides,
+  that it created a second and a third<a name='fntag332' id=
+  "fntag332"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote332'><sup>332</sup></a> interview; and, without
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page268' title='268' id=
+  "page268"></a>entering into further particulars, there was hardly
+  one of them but was a mother or father that day twelve-month.</p>
+
+  <p>Any unnatural part is long taking up, and as long laying
+  aside; therefore Mr. Sturdy may assure himself, Platonica will
+  fly for ever from a forward behaviour; but if he approaches her
+  according to this model, she will fall in with the necessities of
+  mortal life, and condescend to look with pity upon an unhappy
+  man, imprisoned in so much body, and urged by such violent
+  desires.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>The evils of this town increase upon me to so great a degree,
+  that I am half afraid I shall not leave the world much better
+  than I found it. Several worthy gentlemen and critics have
+  applied to me, to give my censure of an enormity which has been
+  revived (after being long oppressed) and is called
+  Punning.<a name='fntag333' id="fntag333"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote333'><sup>333</sup></a> I have several arguments ready
+  to prove, that he cannot be a man of honour who is guilty of this
+  abuse of human society. But the way to expose it, is like the
+  expedient of curing drunkenness, showing a man in that condition:
+  therefore I must give my reader warning, to expect a collection
+  of these offences; without which preparation, I thought it too
+  adventurous to introduce the very mention of it in good company;
+  and hope I shall be understood to do it, as a divine mentions
+  oaths and curses, only for their condemnation. I shall dedicate
+  this discourse to a gentleman my very good friend, who is the
+  Janus<a name='fntag334' id="fntag334"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote334'><sup>334</sup></a> of our times, and whom by his
+  years and wit, you would take to be of the last age; but by his
+  dress and morals, of this.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page269' title='269' id=
+  "page269"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>Last night arrived two mails from Holland, which brings
+  letters from the Hague of the 28th instant, N.S., with advice,
+  that the enemy lay encamped behind a strong retrenchment, with
+  the marsh of Remières on their right and left, extending itself
+  as far as Bethune: La Bassée is in their front, Lens in their
+  rear, and their camp is strengthened by another line from Lens to
+  Douay. The Duke of Marlborough caused an exact observation to be
+  made of their ground, and the works by which they were covered,
+  which appeared so strong, that it was not thought proper to
+  attack them in their present posture. However, the Duke thought
+  fit to make a feint as if he designed it; and accordingly
+  marching from the abbey at Looze, as did Prince Eugene from
+  Lampret, advanced with all possible diligence towards the enemy.
+  To favour the appearance of an intended assault, the ways were
+  made, and orders distributed in such a manner, that none in
+  either camp could have thoughts of anything but charging the
+  enemy by break of day the next morning: but soon after the fall
+  of the night of the 26th, the whole army faced towards Tournay,
+  which place they invested early in the morning of the 27th. The
+  Marshal Villars was so confident that we designed to attack him,
+  that he had drawn great part of the garrison of the place, which
+  is now invested, into the field: for which reason, it is presumed
+  it must submit within a small time; which the enemy cannot
+  prevent, but by coming out of their present camp, and hazarding a
+  general engagement. These advices add, that the garrison of Mons
+  had marched out under the command of Marshal d'Arco; which, with
+  the Bavarians, Walloons, and the troops of Cologne, have joined
+  the grand army of the enemy.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag327'>[327]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote327' id="footnote327"></a>John Norris
+      (1657-1711), the divine, published, in 1688, "The Theory and
+      Regulation of Love, a Moral Essay; to which are added Letters
+      Philosophical and Moral between the author and Doctor Henry
+      More."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag328'>[328]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote328' id="footnote328"></a>Henry More, the
+      platonist (1614-87), published "Divine Dialogues,"
+      "Conjectura Cabalistica," and many other works.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag329'>[329]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote329' id="footnote329"></a>It is not clear
+      why Milton is bracketed with Norris and More; perhaps Swift
+      had in mind such passages about heavenly love as that in
+      "Paradise Lost," viii. 588-614.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag330'>[330]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote330' id="footnote330"></a>Swift seems to
+      have been the author of this first portion of <a href=
+      '#number32'>No. 32</a>, which contains a scandalous attack on
+      Mary Astell. Nichols thought that Addison also had a share in
+      it. See Nos. 59, 63. Mrs. Astell, a friend of Lady Elizabeth
+      Hastings and John Norris, published, in 1694, her "Serious
+      Proposal to the Ladies," advocating a Church of England
+      monastery, without any irrevocable vows. Provision was made
+      for mental as well as moral training; in fact, the
+      institution was to have been "rather academical than
+      monastic." But Bishop Burnet advised Lady Elizabeth Hastings
+      not to subscribe to the proposed building, and the scheme
+      fell through. In 1709, Miss Astell published a book called
+      "Bart'lemy Fair; or, An Enquiry after Wit.... By Mr. Wotton,
+      in answer to Lord Shaftesbury's Letter concerning Enthusiasm,
+      and other profane writers." In the advertisement to the
+      Second Edition ("An Enquiry after Wit," &amp;c., 1722), Mary
+      Astell says that, although her book was at first published
+      under a borrowed name, it was ascribed to her, and drew upon
+      her the resentment of that sort of men of wit who were
+      exposed, and was the true cause of the fable published in the
+      <i>Tatler</i> a little after the "Enquiry" appeared. But she
+      notes that, although the <i>Tatler</i> showed its teeth
+      against the "Proposal to the Ladies," the compilator made
+      amends to the author (if not to the bookseller), by
+      transcribing above a hundred pages into his <i>Ladies'
+      Library</i> verbatim, except in a few places, which would not
+      be found to be improved. The "Enquiry after Wit" is dedicated
+      "To the most Illustrious Society of the Kit-Cats," with many
+      sarcastic allusions to their luxury, oaths, &amp;c. True,
+      their names had not been heard of from Hochsted or Ramillies,
+      but then their heroism found in every place an ample theatre
+      for their merits. "The Bath, the Wells, and every Fair, each
+      Chocolate, Gaming House and Tavern resounds with your noble
+      exploits."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag331'>[331]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote331' id="footnote331"></a>This is
+      borrowed from Sir Thomas Browne's "Religio Medici," part ii.
+      sect. 9.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag332'>[332]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote332' id="footnote332"></a>"Second," in
+      original editions.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag333'>[333]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote333' id="footnote333"></a>There is an
+      apology for punning in No. 36 of the <i>Guardian</i>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag334'>[334]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote334' id="footnote334"></a>Swift.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number33' id="number33"></a><a class="pagenum" name=
+    'page270' title='270' id="page270"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 33.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, June 23</i>, to <i>Saturday, June 25</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 23.</h3>
+
+  <p>My brother has made an excursion into the country, and the
+  work against Saturday lies upon me. I am very glad I have got pen
+  and ink in my hand; for I have for some time longed for his
+  absence, to give a right idea of things, which I thought he put
+  in a very odd light, and some of them to the disadvantage of my
+  own sex. It is much to be lamented, that it is necessary to make
+  discourses, and publish treatises, to keep the horrid creatures,
+  the men, within the rules of common decency. Turning over the
+  papers of memorials or hints for the ensuing discourses, I find a
+  letter subscribed by Mr. Truman.</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"I am lately come to town, and have read your works with much
+  pleasure. You make wit subservient to good principles and good
+  manners. Yet, because I design to buy the <i>Tatlers</i> for my
+  daughters to read, I take the freedom to desire you, for the
+  future, to say nothing about any combat between Alexander and
+  Thalestris."<a name='fntag335' id="fntag335"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote335'><sup>335</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>This offence gives me occasion to express myself with the
+  resentment I ought, on people who take liberties of speech before
+  that sex of whom the honoured names of mother, daughter, and
+  sister, are a part: I had liked to have named wife in the number;
+  but the senseless world <a class="pagenum" name='page271' title=
+  '271' id="page271"></a>are so mistaken in their sentiments of
+  pleasure, that the most amiable term in human life is become the
+  derision of fools and scorners. My brother and I have at least
+  fifty times quarrelled upon this topic. I ever argue, that the
+  frailties of women are to be imputed to the false ornaments which
+  men of wit put upon our folly and coquetry. He lays all the vices
+  of men upon women's secret approbation of libertine characters in
+  them. I did not care to give up a point; but now he is out of the
+  way, I cannot but own I believe there is very much in what he
+  asserted: for if you will believe your eyes, and own, that the
+  wickedest and the wittiest of them all marry one day or other, is
+  it possible to believe, that if a man thought he should be for
+  ever incapable of being received by a woman of merit and honour,
+  he would persist in an abandoned way, and deny himself the
+  possibility of enjoying the happiness of well-governed desires,
+  orderly satisfactions, and honourable methods of life? If our sex
+  were wise, a lover should have a certificate from the last woman
+  he served, how he was turned away, before he was received into
+  the service of another: but at present any vagabond is welcome,
+  provided he promises to enter into our livery. It is wonderful,
+  that we will not take a footman without credentials from his last
+  master; and in the greatest concern of life, we make no scruple
+  of falling into a treaty with the most notorious offender in his
+  behaviour against others. But this breach of commerce between the
+  sexes, proceeds from an unaccountable prevalence of custom, by
+  which a woman is to the last degree reproachable for being
+  deceived, and a man suffers no loss of credit for being a
+  deceiver. Since this tyrant humour has gained place, why are we
+  represented in the writings of men in ill figures for artifice in
+  our carriage, when we have to do with a professed impostor? When
+  oaths, imprecations, vows, and adorations, <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page272' title='272' id="page272"></a>are made use of as
+  words of course, what arts are not necessary to defend us from
+  such as glory in the breach of them? As for my part, I am
+  resolved to hear all, and believe none of them; and therefore
+  solemnly declare, no vow shall deceive me, but that of marriage:
+  for I am turned of twenty, and being of a small fortune, some
+  wit, and (if I can believe my lovers and my glass) handsome, I
+  have heard all that can be said towards my undoing, and shall
+  therefore, for warning sake, give an account of the offers that
+  have been made me, my manner of rejecting them, and my
+  assistances to keep my resolution. In the sixteenth year of my
+  life, I fell into the acquaintance of a lady, extremely well
+  known in this town for the quick advancement of her husband, and
+  the honours and distinctions which her industry has procured him,
+  and all who belong to her. This excellent body sat next to me for
+  some months at church, and took the liberty (which she said her
+  years and the zeal she had for my welfare gave her claim to) to
+  assure me, that she observed some parts of my behaviour which
+  would lead me into errors, and give encouragement to some to
+  entertain hopes I did not think of. "What made you," said she,
+  "look through your fan at that lord, when your eyes should have
+  been turned upward, or closed in attention upon better objects?"
+  I blushed, and pretended fifty odd excuses;&#8212;but confounded
+  myself the more. She wanted nothing but to see that confusion,
+  and goes on: "Nay, child, do not be troubled that I take notice
+  of it, my value for you made me speak it; for though he is my
+  kinsman, I have a nearer regard to virtue than any other
+  consideration." She had hardly done speaking, when this noble
+  lord came up to us, and took her hand to lead her to her coach.
+  My head ran all that day and night on the exemplary carriage of
+  this woman who could be so virtuously impertinent, as to admonish
+  one she <a class="pagenum" name='page273' title='273' id=
+  "page273"></a>was hardly acquainted with. However, it struck upon
+  the vanity of a girl that it may possibly be, his thoughts might
+  have been as favourable of me, as mine were amorous of him, and
+  as unlikely things as that have happened, if he should make me
+  his wife. She never mentioned this more to me; but I still in all
+  public places stole looks at this man, who easily observed my
+  passion for him. It is so hard a thing to check the return of
+  agreeable thoughts, that he became my dream, my vision, my food,
+  my wish, my torment. That minister of darkness, the Lady
+  Sempronia,<a name='fntag336' id="fntag336"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote336'><sup>336</sup></a> perceived too well the
+  temper I was in, and would one day after evening service needs
+  take me to the Park. When we were there, my lord passes by; I
+  flushed into a flame. "Mrs. Distaff," said she, "you may very
+  well remember the concern I was in upon the first notice I took
+  of your regard to that lord, and forgive me, who had a tender
+  friendship for your mother (now in her grave) that I am vigilant
+  of your conduct." She went on with much severity, and after great
+  solicitation, prevailed on me to go with her into the country,
+  and there spend the ensuing summer out of the way of a man she
+  saw I loved, and one whom she perceived meditated my ruin, by
+  frequently desiring her to introduce him to me; which she
+  absolutely refused, except he would give his honour that he had
+  no other design but to marry me. To her country house a week or
+  two after we went: there was at the farther end of her garden a
+  kind of wilderness, in the middle of which ran a soft rivulet by
+  an arbour of jessamine. In this place I usually passed my retired
+  hours, and read some romantic or poetical tale till the close of
+  the evening. It was near that time in the heat of summer, when
+  gentle winds, soft <a class="pagenum" name='page274' title='274'
+  id="page274"></a>murmurs of water, and notes of nightingales had
+  given my mind an indolence, which added to that repose of soul,
+  which twilight and the end of a warm day naturally throws upon
+  the spirits. It was at such an hour, and in such a state of
+  tranquillity I sat, when, to my unexpressible amazement, I saw my
+  lord walking towards me, whom I knew not till that moment to have
+  been in the country. I could observe in his approach the
+  perplexity which attends a man big with design; and I had, while
+  he was coming forward, time to reflect that I was betrayed; the
+  sense of which gave me a resentment suitable to such a baseness:
+  but when he entered into the bower where I was, my heart flew
+  towards him, and, I confess, a certain joy came into my mind,
+  with a hope that he might then make a declaration of honour and
+  passion. This threw my eye upon him with such tenderness, as gave
+  him power, with a broken accent, to begin. "Madam,&#8212;You will
+  wonder&#8212;For it is certain, you must have
+  observed&#8212;though I fear you will misinterpret the
+  motives&#8212;But by Heaven, and all that's sacred! If you
+  could&#8212;" Here he made a full stand. And I recovered power to
+  say, "The consternation I am in you will not, I hope,
+  believe&#8212;A helpless innocent maid&#8212;Besides that, the
+  place&#8212;" He saw me in as great confusion as himself; which
+  attributing to the same causes, he had the audaciousness to throw
+  himself at my feet, and talk of the stillness of the evening;
+  then ran into deifications of my person, pure flames, constant
+  love, eternal raptures, and a thousand other phrases drawn from
+  the images we have of heaven, which ill men use for the service
+  of hell, were run over with uncommon vehemence. After which, he
+  seized me in his arms: his design was too evident. In my utmost
+  distress, I fell upon my knees&#8212;"My lord, pity me, on my
+  knees&#8212;On my knees in the cause of virtue, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page275' title='275' id="page275"></a>as you were
+  lately in that of wickedness. Can you think of destroying the
+  labour of a whole life, the purpose of a long education, for the
+  base service of a sudden appetite, to throw one that loves you,
+  that dotes on you, out of the company and road of all that is
+  virtuous and praiseworthy? Have I taken in all the instructions
+  of piety, religion, and reason, for no other end, but to be the
+  sacrifice of lust, and abandoned to scorn? Assume yourself, my
+  lord, and do not attempt to vitiate a temple sacred to innocence,
+  honour, and religion. If I have injured you, stab this bosom, and
+  let me die, but not be ruined by the hand I love." The ardency of
+  my passion made me incapable of uttering more; and I saw my lover
+  astonished and reformed by my behaviour: when rushed in
+  Sempronia. "Ha! Faithless, base man, could you then steal out of
+  town, and lurk like a robber about my house for such brutish
+  purposes?" My lord was by this time recovered, and fell into a
+  violent laughter at the turn which Sempronia designed to give her
+  villany. He bowed to me with the utmost respect: "Mrs. Distaff,"
+  said he, "be careful hereafter of your company"; and so retired.
+  The fiend Sempronia congratulated my deliverance with a flood of
+  tears. This nobleman has since very frequently made his addresses
+  to me with honour, but I have as often refused them; as well
+  knowing, that familiarity and marriage will make him, on some
+  ill-natured occasion, call all I said in the arbour a theatrical
+  action. Besides that, I glory in contemning a man who had
+  thoughts to my dishonour. And if this method were the imitation
+  of the whole sex, innocence would be the only dress of beauty;
+  and all affectation by any other arts to please the eyes of men,
+  would be banished to the stews for ever. The conquest of passion
+  gives ten times more happiness than we can reap from the
+  gratification of it; and she that has got over <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page276' title='276' id="page276"></a>such a one as mine,
+  will stand among beaux and pretty fellows, with as much safety as
+  in a summer's day among grasshoppers and butterflies.</p>
+
+  <p>P.S.&#8212;I have ten millions of things more against men, if
+  I ever get the pen again.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 24.</h3>
+
+  <p>Our last advices from the Hague, dated the 28th instant, say,
+  that on the 25th a squadron of Dutch men-of-war sailed out of the
+  Texel to join Admiral Baker at Spithead. The 26th was observed as
+  a day of fasting and humiliation, to implore a blessing on the
+  arms of the Allies this ensuing campaign. Letters from Dresden
+  are very particular in the account of the gallantry and
+  magnificence in which that Court has appeared since the arrival
+  of the King of Denmark. No day has passed in which public shows
+  have not been exhibited for his entertainment and diversion: the
+  last of that kind which is mentioned is a carousal, wherein many
+  of the youth of the first quality, dressed in the most splendid
+  manner, ran for the prize. His Danish Majesty condescended to the
+  same; but having observed that there was a design laid to throw
+  it in his way, passed by without attempting to gain it. The Court
+  of Dresden was preparing to accompany his Danish Majesty to
+  Potsdam, where the expectation of an interview of three kings had
+  drawn together such multitudes of people, that many persons of
+  distinction will be obliged to lie in tents as long as those
+  Courts continue in that place.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag335'>[335]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote335' id="footnote335"></a>See No. 31.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag336'>[336]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote336' id="footnote336"></a>See Sallust,
+      "Bell. Catal." chap. 21. The person here referred to as
+      Sempronia is said to be the same as the Madam d'Epingle
+      elsewhere alluded to.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page277' title='277' id=
+    "page277"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number34' id="number34"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 34.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, June 25</i>, to <i>Tuesday, June 28,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>Having taken upon me to cure all the distempers which proceed
+  from affections of the mind, I have laboured since I first kept
+  this public stage, to do all the good I could possibly, and have
+  perfected many cures at my own lodging; carefully avoiding the
+  common method of mountebanks, to do their most eminent operations
+  in sight of the people; but must be so just to my patients as to
+  declare, they have testified under their hands their sense of my
+  poor abilities, and the good I have done them, which I publish
+  for the benefit of the world, and not out of any thoughts of
+  private advantage. I have cured fine Mrs. Spy of a great
+  imperfection in her eyes, which made her eternally rolling them
+  from one coxcomb to another in public places, in so languishing a
+  manner, that it at once lessened her own power, and her
+  beholder's vanity. Twenty drops of my ink, placed in certain
+  letters on which she attentively looked for half an hour, have
+  restored her to the true use of her sight; which is, to guide,
+  and not mislead us. Ever since she took this liquor, which I call
+  Bickerstaff's Circumspection Water, she looks right forward, and
+  can bear being looked at for half a day without returning one
+  glance. This water has a peculiar virtue in it, which makes it
+  the only true cosmetic or beauty wash in the world: the nature of
+  it is such, that if you go to a glass, with design to admire your
+  face, it immediately changes it into downright deformity. If you
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page278' title='278' id=
+  "page278"></a>consult it only to look with a better countenance
+  upon your friends, it immediately gives an alacrity to the
+  visage, and new grace to the whole person. There is indeed a
+  great deal owing to the constitution of the person to whom it is
+  applied: it is in vain to give it when the patient is in the rage
+  of the distemper; a bride in her first month, a lady soon after
+  her husband's being knighted, or any person of either sex who has
+  lately obtained any new good fortune or preferment, must be
+  prepared some time before they use it. It has an effect upon
+  others, as well as the patient, when it is taken in due form.
+  Lady Petulant has by the use of it cured her husband of jealousy,
+  and Lady Gad her whole neighbourhood of detraction. The fame of
+  these things, added to my being an old fellow, makes me extremely
+  acceptable to the fair sex. You would hardly believe me, when I
+  tell you there is not a man in town so much their delight as
+  myself. They make no more of visiting me, than going to Madam
+  d'Epingle's.<a name='fntag337' id="fntag337"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote337'><sup>337</sup></a> There were two of them,
+  namely, Damia and Clidamira (I assure you women of distinction)
+  who came to see me this morning in their way to prayers, and
+  being in a very diverting humour as (innocence always makes
+  people cheerful) they would needs have me, according to the
+  distinction of "pretty" and "very pretty" fellows, inform them if
+  I thought either of them had a title to the "very pretty" among
+  those of their own sex; and if I did, which was the more
+  deserving of the two. To put them to the trial, "Look ye," said
+  I, "I must not rashly give my judgment in matters of this
+  importance; pray let me see you dance: I play upon the
+  kit."<a name='fntag338' id="fntag338"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote338'><sup>338</sup></a> They immediately fell back to
+  the lower end of the room (you may be sure they curtsied low
+  enough to me): and began. Never <a class="pagenum" name='page279'
+  title='279' id="page279"></a>were two in the world so equally
+  matched, and both scholars to my namesake Isaac.<a name=
+  'fntag339' id="fntag339"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote339'><sup>339</sup></a> Never was man in so dangerous a
+  condition as myself, when they began to expand their charms. "O!
+  ladies, ladies," cried I, "not half that air, you'll fire the
+  house." Both smiled; for by-the bye, there's no carrying a
+  metaphor too far, when a lady's charms are spoken of. Somebody, I
+  think, has called a fine woman dancing, a brandished torch of
+  beauty.<a name='fntag340' id="fntag340"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote340'><sup>340</sup></a> These rivals moved with such an
+  agreeable freedom, that you would believe their gesture was the
+  necessary effect of the music, and not the product of skill and
+  practice. Now Clidamira came on with a crowd of graces, and
+  demanded my judgment with so sweet an air&#8212;and she had no
+  sooner carried it, but Damia made her utterly forgot by a gentle
+  sinking, and a rigadoon step.<a name='fntag341' id=
+  "fntag341"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote341'><sup>341</sup></a> The contest held a full
+  half-hour; and I protest, I saw no manner of difference in their
+  perfections, till they came up together, and expected my
+  sentence. "Look ye, ladies," said I, "I see no difference in the
+  least in your performance; but you Clidamira seem to be so well
+  satisfied that I shall determine for you, that I must give it to
+  Damia, who stands with so much diffidence and fear, after showing
+  an equal merit to what she pretends to. Therefore, Clidamira, you
+  are a 'pretty'; but, Damia, you are a 'very pretty' lady. For,"
+  said I, "beauty loses its force, if not accompanied with modesty.
+  She that has a humble opinion of herself, will have everybody's
+  applause, because she does not expect it; while the vain creature
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page280' title='280' id=
+  "page280"></a>loses approbation through too great a sense of
+  deserving it."</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>Being of a very spare and hective constitution, I am forced to
+  make frequent journeys of a mile or two for fresh air; and indeed
+  by this last, which was no further than the village of Chelsea, I
+  am farther convinced of the necessity of travelling to know the
+  world. For as it is usual with young voyagers, as soon as they
+  land upon a shore, to begin their accounts of the nature of the
+  people, their soil, their government, their inclinations, and
+  their passions, so really I fancied I could give you an immediate
+  description of this village, from the Five Fields,<a name=
+  'fntag342' id="fntag342"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote342'><sup>342</sup></a> where the robbers lie in wait,
+  to the coffee-house where the <i>literati</i> sit in council. A
+  great ancestor of ours by the mother's side, Mr. Justice Overdo
+  (whose history is written by Ben Jonson),<a name='fntag343' id=
+  "fntag343"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote343'><sup>343</sup></a> met with more enormities by
+  walking <i>incog.</i> than he was capable of correcting; and
+  found great mortifications in observing also persons of eminence,
+  whom he before knew nothing of. Thus it fared with me, even in a
+  place so near the town as this. When I came into the
+  coffee-house,<a name='fntag344' id="fntag344"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote344'><sup>344</sup></a> I had not time to salute
+  the company, before <a class="pagenum" name='page281' title='281'
+  id="page281"></a>my eye was diverted by ten thousand gimcracks
+  round the room and on the ceiling. When my first astonishment was
+  over, comes to me a sage of a thin and meagre countenance; which
+  aspect made me doubt, whether reading or fretting had made it so
+  philosophic: but I very soon perceived him to be of that sect
+  which the ancients call Gingivistæ,<a name='fntag345' id=
+  "fntag345"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote345'><sup>345</sup></a> in our language, tooth-drawers.
+  I immediately had a respect for the man; for these practical
+  philosophers go upon a very rational hypothesis, not to cure, but
+  take away the part affected. My love of mankind made me very
+  benevolent to Mr. Salter, for such is the name of this eminent
+  barber and antiquary. Men are usually, but unjustly,
+  distinguished rather by their fortunes, than their talents,
+  otherwise this personage would make a great figure in that class
+  of men which I distinguish under the title of Odd Fellows. But it
+  is the misfortune of persons of great genius, to have their
+  faculties dissipated by attention to too many things at once. Mr.
+  Salter is an instance of this: if he would wholly give himself up
+  to the string,<a name='fntag346' id="fntag346"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote346'><sup>346</sup></a> instead of playing twenty
+  beginnings to tunes, he might before he dies play "Roger de
+  Caubly"<a name='fntag347' id="fntag347"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote347'><sup>347</sup></a> quite out. I heard him go
+  through his whole round, and indeed I think he does play the
+  "Merry Christ-Church Bells"<a name='fntag348' id=
+  "fntag348"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote348'><sup>348</sup></a> pretty justly; but he confessed
+  to me, he did that rather to show he was orthodox, than that he
+  valued himself upon the music itself. Or if he did proceed in his
+  anatomy, why might not he hope in time to cut off legs, as well
+  as draw teeth? The particularity of this man put me into a deep
+  thought, whence it should proceed, that of all the lower order
+  barbers should <a class="pagenum" name='page282' title='282' id=
+  "page282"></a>go farther in hitting the ridiculous, than any
+  other set of men. Watermen brawl, cobblers sing; but why must a
+  barber be for ever a politician, a musician, an anatomist, a
+  poet, and a physician? The learned Vossus says,<a name='fntag349'
+  id="fntag349"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote349'><sup>349</sup></a> his barber used to comb his
+  head in iambics. And indeed in all ages, one of this useful
+  profession, this order of cosmetic philosophers, has been
+  celebrated by the most eminent hands. You see the barber in "Don
+  Quixote,"<a name='fntag350' id="fntag350"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote350'><sup>350</sup></a> is one of the principal
+  characters in the history, which gave me satisfaction in the
+  doubt, why Don Saltero writ his name with a Spanish termination:
+  for he is descended in a right line, not from John
+  Tradescant,<a name='fntag351' id="fntag351"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote351'><sup>351</sup></a> as he himself asserts, but
+  from that memorable companion of the Knight of Mancha. And I
+  hereby certify all the worthy citizens who travel to see his
+  rarities, that his double-barrelled pistols, targets, coats of
+  mail, his sclopeta,<a name='fntag352' id="fntag352"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote352'><sup>352</sup></a> and sword of
+  Toledo,<a name='fntag353' id="fntag353"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote353'><sup>353</sup></a> were left to his ancestor by
+  the said Don Quixote, and by the said ancestor to all his progeny
+  down to Don Saltero. Though I go thus far in favour of Don
+  Saltero's great merit, I cannot allow a liberty he takes of
+  imposing several names (without my licence) on the collections he
+  has made, to the abuse of the good people of England; one of
+  which is particularly calculated to deceive religious persons, to
+  the great scandal of the well disposed, and may introduce
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page283' title='283' id=
+  "page283"></a>heterodox opinions. He shows you a straw hat, which
+  I know to be made by Madge Peskad, within three miles of Bedford;
+  and tells you, it is Pontius Pilate's wife's chamber-maid's
+  sister's hat. To my knowledge of this very hat, it may be added,
+  that the covering of straw was never used among the Jews, since
+  it was demanded of them to make bricks without it. Therefore this
+  is really nothing, but under the specious pretence of learning
+  and antiquity, to impose upon the world. There are other things
+  which I cannot tolerate among his rarities; as, the china figure
+  of a lady in the glass case; the Italian engine for the
+  imprisonment of those who go abroad with it: both which I hereby
+  order to be taken down, or else he may expect to have his letters
+  patents for making punch superseded, be debarred wearing his muff
+  next winter, or ever coming to London without his wife.<a name=
+  'fntag354' id="fntag354"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote354'><sup>354</sup></a> It may perhaps be thought I
+  have dwelt too long upon the affairs of this operator; but I
+  desire the reader to remember, that it is my way to consider men
+  as they stand in merit, and not according to their fortune or
+  figure; and if he is in a coffee-house at the reading hereof, let
+  him look round, and he will find there may be more characters
+  drawn in this account than that of Don Saltero; for half the
+  politicians about him, he may observe, are, by their place in
+  nature, of the class of tooth-drawers.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag337'>[337]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote337' id="footnote337"></a>See p. 273,
+      note.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag338'>[338]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote338' id="footnote338"></a>A small violin
+      or fiddle. See No. 160.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag339'>[339]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote339' id="footnote339"></a>A
+      dancing-master, who either was French, or pretended to be so.
+      See No. 109.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag340'>[340]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote340' id="footnote340"></a>A song of
+      Waller's begins:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Behold the brand of beauty tost!
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            See, how the motion doth dilate the flame!"
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line right">
+            (Dobson).
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag341'>[341]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote341' id="footnote341"></a>The rigadoon
+      was a dance for two persons. Cf. <i>Guardian</i>, No. 154: "We danced a rigadoon
+      together."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag342'>[342]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote342' id="footnote342"></a>On the site of
+      Eaton and Belgrave Squares. See <i>Spectator</i>, No. 137:
+      "The Five Fields towards Chelsea."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag343'>[343]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote343' id="footnote343"></a>In "Bartholomew
+      Fair," act ii. sc. i. Overdo went to the Fair in disguise,
+      and being mistaken for a cutpurse, was well beaten.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag344'>[344]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote344' id="footnote344"></a>Salter, a
+      barber, opened a coffee-house in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, in
+      1695. Sir Harry Sloane, whose servant he had been, gave him
+      some curiosities to start a museum. Others, including Admiral
+      Munden and his fellow-officers, added to the collection, and
+      the first catalogue appeared in 1729. The more startling
+      curiosities were, of course, not genuine. The remains of the
+      collection were sold in 1799 for about £50. A view of
+      Salter's house will be found in Timbs' "Clubs and Club Life
+      in London." Verses of a more or less coarse nature by Don
+      Saltero appeared not unfrequently in the "British Apollo," in
+      1709.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag345'>[345]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote345' id="footnote345"></a>From "gingiva,"
+      the gum.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag346'>[346]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote346' id="footnote346"></a>Salter played
+      very badly on the fiddle.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag347'>[347]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote347' id="footnote347"></a>"Sir Roger de
+      Coverley," the famous country-dance tune.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag348'>[348]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote348' id="footnote348"></a>By Dr. Henry
+      Aldrich, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, where Steele
+      matriculated.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag349'>[349]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote349' id="footnote349"></a>"De Poematum
+      cantu, et viribus Rythmi," 1673.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag350'>[350]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote350' id="footnote350"></a>Master
+      Nicholas. See "Don Quixote," chap. v.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag351'>[351]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote351' id="footnote351"></a>There were two
+      John Tradescants (father and son) who collected objects of
+      natural history. Their collection formed the foundation of
+      the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford. The "Museum Tradescantianum:
+      or, A Collection of Rarities preserved at South Lambeth, near
+      London, by John Tradescant," contains interesting portraits
+      of both John Tradescant, senior, and John Tradescant, junior,
+      as well as a plate of the Tradescant arms.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag352'>[352]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote352' id="footnote352"></a>A sclopeta or
+      sclopetta was a hand-gun used by Spaniards.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag353'>[353]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote353' id="footnote353"></a>Toledo was
+      famous for its sword-blades.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag354'>[354]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote354' id="footnote354"></a>Salter had an
+      old grey muff, which he clapped constantly to his nose, and
+      by which he was distinguishable at the distance of a quarter
+      of a mile. His wife was none of the best, being much addicted
+      to scolding.-(Nichols.)</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page284' title='284' id=
+    "page284"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number35' id="number35"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 35.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, June 28</i>, to <i>Thursday, June 30</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, June 28.</h3>
+
+  <p>There is a habit or custom which I have put my patience to the
+  utmost stretch to have suffered so long, because several of my
+  intimate friends are in the guilt; and that is, the humour of
+  taking snuff, and looking dirty about the mouth by way of
+  ornament. My method is to dive to the bottom of a sore before I
+  pretend to apply a remedy. For this reason, I sat by an eminent
+  story-teller and politician who takes half an ounce in five
+  seconds, and has mortgaged a pretty tenement near the town,
+  merely to improve and dung his brains with this prolific powder.
+  I observed this gentleman the other day in the midst of a story
+  diverted from it by looking at something at a distance, and I
+  softly hid his box. But he returns to his tale, and looking for
+  his box, he cries, "And so, sir&#8212;" Then when he should have
+  taken a pinch, "As I was saying," says he&#8212;"Has nobody seen
+  my box?" His friend beseeches him to finish his narration. Then
+  he proceeds, "And so, sir&#8212;Where can my box be?" Then,
+  turning to me, "Pray, sir, did you see my box?" "Yes, sir," said
+  I, "I took it to see how long you could live without it." He
+  resumes his tale; and I took notice, that his dulness was much
+  more regular and fluent than before. A pinch supplied the place
+  of, "As I was saying," "And so, sir"; and he went on currently
+  enough in that style which the learned call the insipid. This
+  observation easily led me into a philosophic reason for taking
+  snuff, which is done only to supply with sensations the want of
+  reflection. This I take <a class="pagenum" name='page285' title=
+  '285' id="page285"></a>to be an <span lang="el" title="Heurêka"
+  xml:lang=
+  "el">&#7965;&#965;&#961;&#951;&#954;&#945;</span>,
+  a nostrum; upon which I hope to receive the thanks of this board.
+  For as it is natural to lift a man's hand to a sore, when you
+  fear anything coming at you; so when a person feels his thoughts
+  are run out, and has no more to say, it is as natural to supply
+  his weak brain with powder at the nearest place of access, viz.,
+  the nostrils. This is so evident, that nature suggests the use
+  according to the indigence of the persons who use this medicine,
+  without being prepossessed with the force of fashion or custom.
+  For example; the native Hibernians, who are reckoned not much
+  unlike the ancient B&#339;otians, take this specific for
+  emptiness in the head, in greater abundance than any other nation
+  under the sun. The learned Sotus, as sparing as he is in his
+  words, would be still more silent if it were not for this powder.
+  But however low and poor the taking snuff argues a man to be in
+  his own stock of thought, or means to employ his brains and his
+  fingers, yet there is a poorer creature in the world than he, and
+  this is a borrower of snuff; a fellow that keeps no box of his
+  own, but is always asking others for a pinch. Such poor rogues
+  put me always in mind of a common phrase among schoolboys when
+  they are composing their exercise, who run to an upper scholar,
+  and cry, "Pray give me a little sense." But of all things,
+  commend me to the ladies who are got into this pretty help to
+  discourse.<a name='fntag355' id="fntag355"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote355'><sup>355</sup></a> I have been this three
+  years persuading Sagissa<a name='fntag356' id=
+  "fntag356"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote356'><sup>356</sup></a> to leave it off; but she talks
+  so much, and is so learned, that she is above contradiction.
+  However, an <a class="pagenum" name='page286' title='286' id=
+  "page286"></a>accident the other day brought that about, which my
+  eloquence never could accomplish: she had a very pretty fellow in
+  her closet, who ran thither to avoid some company that came to
+  visit her. She made an excuse to go in to him for some implement
+  they were talking of. Her eager gallant snatched a kiss; but
+  being unused to snuff, some grains from off her upper lip made
+  him sneeze aloud, which alarmed the visitants, and has made a
+  discovery, that profound reading, very much intelligence, and a
+  general knowledge of who and who's together, cannot fill up her
+  vacant hours so much, but that she is sometimes obliged to
+  descend to entertainments less intellectual.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>I know no manner of news for this place, but that Cynthio,
+  having been long in despair for the inexorable Clarissa, lately
+  resolved to fall in love the good old way of bargain and sale,
+  and has pitched upon a very agreeable young woman.<a name=
+  'fntag357' id="fntag357"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote357'><sup>357</sup></a> He will undoubtedly succeed;
+  for he accosts her in a strain of familiarity, without breaking
+  through the deference that is due to woman whom a man would
+  choose for his life. I have hardly ever heard rough truth spoken
+  with a better grace than in this his letter.<a name='fntag358'
+  id="fntag358"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote358'><sup>358</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>"I writ to you on Saturday by Mrs. Lucy, and give you this
+  trouble to urge the same request I made then, which was, that I
+  may be admitted to wait upon you. I <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page287' title='287' id="page287"></a>should be very far from
+  desiring this, if it were a transgression of the most severe
+  rules to allow it: I know you are very much above the little arts
+  which are frequent in your sex, of giving unnecessary torments to
+  their admirers; therefore hope, you'll do so much justice to the
+  generous passion I have for you, as to let me have an opportunity
+  of acquainting you upon what motives I pretend to your good
+  opinion. I shall not trouble you with my sentiments, till I know
+  how they will be received; and as I know no reason why difference
+  of sex should make our language to each other differ from the
+  ordinary rules of right reason, I shall affect plainness and
+  sincerity in my discourse to you, as much as other lovers do
+  perplexity and rapture. Instead of saying, 'I shall die for you,'
+  I profess I should be glad to lead my life with you: you are as
+  beautiful, as witty, as prudent, and as good-humoured, as any
+  woman breathing; but I must confess to you, I regard all these
+  excellences as you will please to direct them, for my happiness
+  or misery. With me, madam, the only lasting motive to love is the
+  hope of its becoming mutual. I beg of you to let Mrs. Lucy send
+  me word when I may attend you. I promise you, I'll talk of
+  nothing but indifferent things; though at the same time I know
+  not how I shall approach you in the tender moment of first seeing
+  you, after this declaration, of,</p>
+
+  <p>"Madam,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most obedient,</p>
+
+  <p>"And most faithful</p>
+
+  <p>"Humble Servant, &amp;c."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page288' title='288' id=
+  "page288"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, June 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>Having taken a resolution when plays are acted next winter by
+  an entire good company, to publish observations from time to time
+  on the performance of the actors, I think it but just to give an
+  abstract of the law of action, for the help of the less learned
+  part of the audience, that they may rationally enjoy so refined
+  and instructive a pleasure as a just representation of human
+  life. The great errors in playing are admirably well exposed in
+  Hamlet's direction to the actors<a name='fntag359' id=
+  "fntag359"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote359'><sup>359</sup></a> who are to play in his supposed
+  tragedy; by which we shall form our future judgments on their
+  behaviour, and for that reason you have the discourse as
+  follows:</p>
+
+  <p>"Speak the speech as I pronounce it to you, trippingly on the
+  tongue; but if you mouth it, as many of our players do, I had as
+  lieve the town-crier had spoke my lines: nor do not saw the air
+  too much with your hand thus; but use all gently: for in the very
+  torrent, tempest, and, as I may say, the whirlwind of passion,
+  you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it
+  smoothness. Oh! it offends me to the soul, to see a robustious
+  periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to
+  split the ears of the groundlings, who (for the most part) are
+  capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and noise. I could
+  have such a fellow whipped for overdoing termagant: it out-Herods
+  Herod. Be not too tame neither; but let your own discretion be
+  your tutor: suit the action to the word, the word to the action;
+  with this special observance, that you overstep not the modesty
+  of nature; for anything so overdone, is from the purpose of
+  playing, whose end, both at the first and now, was, and is, to
+  hold as it were the mirror up to Nature; to show Virtue her own
+  feature; <a class="pagenum" name='page289' title='289' id=
+  "page289"></a>scorn her own image; and the very age and body of
+  the time its form and pressure. Now this overdone, or come tardy
+  off, though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the
+  judicious grieve. The censures of which one, must, in your
+  allowance, oversway a whole theatre of others. Oh! there be
+  players, that I have seen play, and heard others praise, and that
+  highly (not to speak it profanely), that neither having the
+  accent of Christian, Pagan, or Norman, have so strutted and
+  bellowed, that I have thought some of Nature's journeymen had
+  made men, and not made them well, they imitated humanity so
+  abominably. This should be reformed altogether; and let those
+  that play your clowns, speak no more than is set down for them:
+  for there be of them that will of themselves laugh, to set on
+  some quantity of barren spectators to laugh too; though in the
+  meantime, some necessary question of the play be then to be
+  considered; that is villanous, and shows a most pitiful ambition
+  in the fool that uses it."</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>It would be a very great obligation, and an assistance to my
+  treatise upon Punning,<a name='fntag360' id=
+  "fntag360"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote360'><sup>360</sup></a> if any one would please to
+  inform in what class, among the learned who play with words, to
+  place the author of the following letter.<a name='fntag361' id=
+  "fntag361"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote361'><sup>361</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Not long since you were pleased to give us a chimerical
+  account of the famous family of Staffs,<a name='fntag362' id=
+  "fntag362"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote362'><sup>362</sup></a> from whence I suppose you would
+  insinuate, that it is the most ancient and numerous house in all
+  Europe. But I positively deny that it is either; and wonder much
+  at your audacious pro<a class="pagenum" name='page290' title=
+  '290' id="page290"></a>ceedings in this matter, since it is well
+  known, that our most illustrious, most renowned, and most
+  celebrated Roman family of Ix, has enjoyed the precedency to all
+  others from the reign of good old Saturn. I could say much to the
+  defamation and disgrace of your family; as, that your relations
+  Distaff and Broomstaff were both inconsiderate mean persons, one
+  spinning, the other sweeping the streets, for their daily bread.
+  But I forbear to vent my spleen on objects so much beneath my
+  indignation. I shall only give the world a catalogue of my
+  ancestors, and leave them to determine which hath hitherto had,
+  and which for the future ought to have, the preference.</p>
+
+  <p>"First then comes the most famous and popular Lady Meretrix,
+  parent of the fertile family of Bellatrix, Lotrix, Netrix,
+  Nutrix, Obstetrix, Famulatrix, Coctrix, Ornatrix, Sarcinatrix,
+  Fextrix, Balneatrix, Portatrix, Saltatrix, Divinatrix,
+  Conjectrix, Comtrix, Debitrix, Creditrix, Donatrix, Ambulatrix,
+  Mercatrix, Adsectrix, Assectatrix, Palpatrix, Præceptrix,
+  Pistrix.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am yours,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"ELIZ. POTATRIX."</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Brussels of the 2nd of July, N.S., say, that the
+  Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene having received advice,
+  that the Marshal Villars had drawn a considerable body out of the
+  garrison of Tournay to reinforce his army, marched towards that
+  place, and came before it early in the morning of the 27th. As
+  soon as they came into that ground, the Prince of Nassau was sent
+  with a strong detachment to take post at St. Amand; and at the
+  same time my Lord Orkney received orders to possess himself of
+  Mortagne; both which were successfully exe<a class="pagenum"
+  name='page291' title='291' id="page291"></a>cuted; whereby we are
+  masters of the Scheldt and the Scarp. Eight men were drawn out of
+  each troop of dragoons and company of foot in the garrison of
+  Tournay, to make up the reinforcement which was ordered to join
+  Marshal Villars; but upon advice that the Allies were marching
+  towards Tournay, they endeavoured to return into the town; but
+  were intercepted by the Earl of Orkney, by whom that whole body
+  was killed or taken. These letters add, that 1200 dragoons (each
+  horseman carrying a foot-soldier behind him) were detached from
+  Mons to throw themselves into Tournay; but upon appearance of a
+  great body of horse of the Allies, retired towards Condé. We
+  hear, that the garrison does not consist of more than 3500 men.
+  Of the sixty battalions designed to be employed in this siege,
+  seven [<i>sic</i>] are English, viz., two of Guards, and the
+  regiments of Argyle, Temple, Evans and Meredith.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag355'>[355]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote355' id="footnote355"></a>See Nos.
+      79, 140; and
+      Swift's "Journal to Stella," Nov. 3, 1711. A correspondent
+      begged the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 344) to "take notice of an
+      impertinent custom the women, the fine women, have lately
+      fallen into, of taking snuff."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag356'>[356]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote356' id="footnote356"></a>It has been
+      suggested that Steele here alludes to Mrs. De la Rivière
+      Manley.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag357'>[357]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote357' id="footnote357"></a>Lord
+      Hinchinbroke married Elizabeth, only daughter of Alexander
+      Popham, Esq. See Nos. <a href="#number1">1</a>, <a href=
+      "#number5">5</a>, <a href="#number22">22</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag358'>[358]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote358' id="footnote358"></a>This was one of
+      Steele's own letters to Miss Scurlock. (See "Correspondence,"
+      1809, vol. i. p. 93.) "Mrs. Lucy" is "Mrs. Warren" in the
+      original.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag359'>[359]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote359' id="footnote359"></a>"Hamlet," act
+      iii. sc. 2.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag360'>[360]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote360' id="footnote360"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number32'>No. 32</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag361'>[361]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote361' id="footnote361"></a>This letter is
+      printed in Scott's edition of Swift's works.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag362'>[362]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote362' id="footnote362"></a>See No. II.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number36' id="number36"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 36.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[?STEELE.<a name='fntag363' id=
+    "fntag363"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote363'><sup>363</sup></a></h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, June 30</i>, to <i>Saturday, July 2</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From our own Apartment, June 30.</h3>
+
+  <p>Many affairs calling my brother into the country, the care of
+  our intelligence with the town is left to me for some time;
+  therefore you must expect the advices you <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page292' title='292' id="page292"></a>meet with in this
+  paper to be such as more immediately and naturally fall under the
+  consideration of our sex: history therefore written by a woman,
+  you will easily imagine to consist of love in all its forms, both
+  in the abuse of, and obedience to that passion. As to the faculty
+  of writing itself, it will not, it is hoped, be demanded, that
+  style and ornament shall be so much consulted, as truth and
+  simplicity; which latter qualities we may more justly pretend to
+  beyond the other sex. While therefore the administration of our
+  affairs is in my hands, you shall from time to time have an exact
+  account of all false lovers, and their shallow pretences for
+  breaking off; of all termagant wives who make wedlock a yoke; of
+  men who affect the entertainments and manners suitable only to
+  our sex, and women who pretend to the conduct of such affairs as
+  are only within the province of men. It is necessary further to
+  advertise the reader, that the usual places of resort being
+  utterly out of my province or observation, I shall be obliged
+  frequently to change the dates of places, as occurrences
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page293' title='293' id=
+  "page293"></a>come into my way. The following letter I lately
+  received from Epsom.<a name='fntag364' id=
+  "fntag364"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote364'><sup>364</sup></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Epsom, June 28.</h3>
+
+  <p>"It is now almost three weeks since what you writ about
+  happened in this place: the quarrel between my friends did not
+  run so high as I find your accounts have made it. The truth of
+  the fact you shall have very faithfully. You are to understand,
+  that the persons concerned in this scene were, Lady Autumn, and
+  Lady Springly:<a name='fntag365' id="fntag365"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote365'><sup>365</sup></a> Autumn is a person of good
+  breeding, formality, and a singular way practised in the last
+  age; and Lady Springly, a modern impertinent of our sex, who
+  affects as improper familiarity, as the other does distance. Lady
+  Autumn knows to a hair's-breadth where her place is in all
+  assemblies and conversations; but Springly neither gives nor
+  takes place of anybody, but understands the place to signify no
+  more, than to have room enough to be at ease wherever <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page294' title='294' id="page294"></a>she comes.
+  Thus while Autumn takes the whole of this life to consist in
+  understanding punctilio and decorum, Springly takes everything to
+  be becoming which contributes to her ease and satisfaction. These
+  heroines have married two brothers, both knights. Springly is the
+  spouse of the elder, who is a baronet; and Autumn, being a rich
+  widow, has taken the younger, and her purse endowed him with an
+  equal fortune and knighthood of the same order. This jumble of
+  titles, you need not doubt, has been an aching torment to Autumn,
+  who took place of the other on no pretence, but her carelessness
+  and disregard of distinction. This secret occasion of envy
+  broiled long in the breast of Autumn; but no opportunity of
+  contention on that subject happening, kept all things quiet till
+  the accident, of which you demand an account.</p>
+
+  <p>"It was given out among all the gay people of this place, that
+  on the 9th instant several damsels, swift of foot, were to run
+  for a suit of head-clothes at the Old Wells. Lady Autumn on this
+  occasion invited Springly to go with her in her coach to see the
+  race. When they came to the place where the governor of Epsom and
+  all his court of citizens were assembled, as well as a crowd of
+  people of all orders, a brisk young fellow addresses himself to
+  the younger of the ladies, viz., Springly, and offers her his
+  service to conduct her into the music-room. Springly accepts the
+  compliment, and is led triumphantly through the bowing crowd,
+  while Autumn is left among the rabble, and has much ado to get
+  back into her coach; but she did it at last: and as it is usual
+  to see by the horses my lady's present disposition, she orders
+  John to whip furiously home to her husband; where, when she
+  enters, down she sits, began to unpin her hood, and lament her
+  foolish fond heart to marry into a family where she was so
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page295' title='295' id=
+  "page295"></a>little regarded, she that might&#8212;Here she
+  stops; then rises up and stamps, and sits down again. Her gentle
+  knight made his approaches with a supple beseeching gesture. 'My
+  dear,' said he&#8212;'Tell me no dears,' replied Autumn; in the
+  presence of the governor and all the merchants; 'What will the
+  world say of a woman that has thrown herself away at this rate?'
+  Sir Thomas withdrew, and knew it would not be long a secret to
+  him; as well as that experience told him, he that marries a
+  fortune, is of course guilty of all faults against his wife, let
+  them be committed by whom they will. But Springly, an hour or two
+  after, returns from the Wells, and finds the whole company
+  together. Down she sat, and a profound silence ensued. You know a
+  premeditated quarrel usually begins and works up with the words,
+  'Some people.' The silence was broken by Lady Autumn, who began
+  to say, 'There are some people who fancy, that if some
+  people&#8212;' Springly immediately takes her up; 'There are some
+  people who fancy, if other people&#8212;' Autumn repartees,
+  'People may give themselves airs; but other people, perhaps, who
+  make less ado, may be, perhaps, as agreeable as people who set
+  themselves out more.' All the other people at the table sat mute,
+  while these two people, who were quarrelling, went on with the
+  use of the word 'people,' instancing the very accidents between
+  them, as if they kept only in distant hints. 'Therefore,' says
+  Autumn, reddening, 'there are some people who will go abroad in
+  other people's coaches, and leave those, with whom they went, to
+  shift for themselves; and if, perhaps, those people have married
+  the younger brother, yet, perhaps, he may be beholden to those
+  people for what he is.' Springly smartly answers, 'People may
+  bring so much ill humour into a family, as people may repent
+  their receiving their money'; and goes <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page296' title='296' id="page296"></a>on&#8212;'Everybody is not
+  considerable enough to give her uneasiness.' Upon this, Autumn
+  comes up to her, and desired her to kiss her, and never to see
+  her again; which her sister refusing, my lady gave her a box on
+  the ear. Springly returns; 'Ay, ay,' said she, 'I knew well
+  enough you meant me by your "some people,"' and gives her another
+  on the other side. To it they went with most masculine fury: each
+  husband ran in. The wives immediately fell upon their husbands,
+  and tore periwigs and cravats. The company interposed; when
+  (according to the slip-knot of matrimony, which makes them return
+  to one another when any put in between) the ladies and their
+  husbands fell upon all the rest of the company; and having beat
+  all their friends and relations out of the house, came to
+  themselves time enough to know, there was no bearing the jest of
+  the place after these adventures, and therefore marched off the
+  next day. It is said, the governor has sent several joints of
+  mutton, and has proposed divers dishes very exquisitely dressed,
+  to bring them down again. From his address and knowledge in roast
+  and boiled, all our hopes of the return of this good company
+  depend. I am,</p>
+
+  <p>"Dear Jenny,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your ready Friend</p>
+
+  <p>"And Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"MARTHA TATLER."</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 30.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day appeared here a figure of a person, whose services to
+  the fair sex have reduced him to a kind of existence, for which
+  there is no name. If there be a condition between life and death,
+  without being absolutely <a class="pagenum" name='page297' title=
+  '297' id="page297"></a>dead or living, his state is that. His
+  aspect and complexion in his robust days gave him the illustrious
+  title of Africanus:<a name='fntag366' id="fntag366"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote366'><sup>366</sup></a> but it is not only
+  from the warm climates in which he has served, nor from the
+  disasters which he has suffered, that he deserves the same
+  appellation with that renowned Roman; but the magnanimity with
+  which he appears in his last moments, is what gives him the
+  undoubted character of Hero. Cato stabbed himself, and Hannibal
+  drank poison; but our Africanus lives in the continual puncture
+  of aching bones and poisoned juices. The old heroes fled from
+  torments by death, and this modern lives in death and torments,
+  with a heart wholly bent upon a supply for remaining in them. An
+  ordinary spirit would sink under his oppressions; but he makes an
+  advantage of his very sorrow, and raises an income from his
+  diseases. Long has this worthy been conversant in bartering, and
+  knows, that when stocks are lowest, it is the time to buy.
+  Therefore, with much prudence and tranquillity, he thinks, that
+  now he has not a bone sound, but a thousand nodous parts for
+  which the anatomists have not words, and more diseases than the
+  College ever heard of, it is the only time to purchase an annuity
+  for life. Sir <a class="pagenum" name='page298' title='298' id=
+  "page298"></a>Thomas<a name='fntag367' id=
+  "fntag367"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote367'><sup>367</sup></a> told me, it was an
+  entertainment more surprising and pleasant than can be imagined,
+  to see an inhabitant of neither world without hand to lift, or
+  leg to move, scarce tongue to utter his meaning, so keen upon
+  biting the whole world, and making bubbles at his exit. Sir
+  Thomas added, that he would have bought twelve shillings a year
+  of him, but that he feared there was some trick in it, and
+  believed him already dead: "What!" says that knight, "is Mr.
+  Partridge, whom I met just now going on both his legs firmer than
+  I can, allowed to be quite dead; and shall Africanus, without one
+  limb that can do its office, be pronounced alive?" What
+  heightened the tragi-comedy of this market for annuities was,
+  that the observation of it provoked Monoculus<a name='fntag368'
+  id="fntag368"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote368'><sup>368</sup></a> (who is the most eloquent of
+  all men) to many excellent reflections, which he spoke with the
+  vehemence and language both of a gamester and an orator. "When I
+  cast," said that delightful speaker, "my eye upon thee, thou
+  unaccountable Africanus, I cannot but call myself as
+  unaccountable as thou art; for certainly we were born to show
+  what contradictions nature is pleased to form in the same
+  species. Here am I, able to eat, to drink, to sleep, and do all
+  acts of nature, except begetting my like; and yet by an
+  unintelligible force of spleen and fancy, I every moment imagine
+  I am dying. It is utter madness in thee to provide for supper;
+  for I'll bet you ten to one, you don't live till half an hour
+  after four; and yet I am so distracted as to be in fear every
+  moment, though I'll lay ten to three, I drink three pints of
+  burnt claret at your funeral three nights hence. After all, I
+  envy thee; thou who dying hast no sense of death, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page299' title='299' id="page299"></a>art happier
+  than one in health that<a name='fntag369' id=
+  "fntag369"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote369'><sup>369</sup></a> always fears it." The knight
+  had gone on, but that a third man ended the scene by applauding
+  the knight's eloquence and philosophy, in a laughter too violent
+  for his own constitution, as much as he mocked that of Africanus
+  and Monoculus.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 1.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day arrived three mails from Holland, with advices
+  relating to the posture of affairs in the Low Countries, which
+  say, that the Confederate army extends from Luchin, on the
+  causeway between Tournay and Lisle, to Epain near Mortagne on the
+  Scheldt. The Marshal Villars remains in his camp at Lens; but it
+  is said, he detached ten thousand men under the command of the
+  Chevalier de Luxembourg, with orders to form a camp at Crepin on
+  the Haine, between Condé and St. Guillain, where he is to be
+  joined by the Elector of Bavaria with a body of troops, and after
+  their conjunction, to attempt to march into Brabant. But they
+  write from Brussels, that the Duke of Marlborough having it
+  equally in his power to make detachments to the same parts, they
+  are under no apprehensions from these reports for the safety of
+  their country. They further add from Brussels, that they have
+  good authority for believing that the French troops under the
+  conduct of Marshal de Bezons are retiring out of Spain.<a name=
+  'fntag370' id="fntag370"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote370'><sup>370</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag363'>[363]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote363' id="footnote363"></a>Nichols argued
+      that this and the two following numbers were by Addison. (1)
+      At the end of <a href='#number37'>No. 37</a> there is a list
+      of errata for the preceding number. It was Addison's frequent
+      practice to make verbal alterations in a preceding paper, and
+      this Steele never did, except in rare cases, or where there
+      was a positive mistake. (2) All the three papers are
+      <i>superscribed</i>, as Addison's often were, and appear upon
+      the face of them, to be of the nature, and in the number of
+      those, for which Steele stood sponsor, and was very patiently
+      traduced and calumniated, as he acknowledges to Congreve, in
+      the Dedication prefixed to "The Drummer." There is nothing in
+      the style or manner of any of the three that appears
+      incongruous with such a supposition; and the nature of their
+      principal contents seems to support it. They consist chiefly
+      of pleasantries and oblique strokes, apparently on persons of
+      fashion, in that age, of both sexes. It appears from the
+      Dedication to "The Drummer," that Steele had Addison's direct
+      injunctions to hide papers which he never did declare to be
+      Addison's. The case, in short, seems to be, that as, as
+      Steele says, there are communications in the course of this
+      work, which Addison's modesty, so there are likewise others,
+      which Addison's prudence, "would never have admitted to come
+      into daylight, but under such a shelter." According to the
+      usual rule where there is uncertainty, Steele's name is
+      placed at the head of the papers in this edition. Probably he
+      was responsible in any case for part of the contents of each
+      of these numbers.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag364'>[364]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote364' id="footnote364"></a>Epsom was
+      frequented for its mineral waters, and was also a favourite
+      holiday resort. "At the Crown Coffee-house, behind the Royal
+      Exchange, fresh Epsom water, with the rest of the purging
+      waters, at 2d. per quart, and sold both winter and summer,
+      and Epsom salt." (See "British Apollo," vol. iii. <a href=
+      '#number15'>No. 15</a>, 1710, and "Post Man," June 11, 1700.)
+      "The New Wells at Epsom, with variety of raffling-shops, a
+      billiard-table, and a bowling-green, and attended with a new
+      set of music, are now open," &amp;c. (<i>Flying Post</i>,
+      Aug. 4-6, 1709.) The new Wells were opened on Easter Monday,
+      1709 (<i>Daily Courant</i>, April 23, 1709). We can form some
+      idea of Epsom some years before, with its wells and
+      bowling-green, from Shadwell's play, "Epsom Wells," 1673. See
+      also <a href='#number7'>No. 7</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag365'>[365]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote365' id="footnote365"></a>On July 8,
+      1709, Peter Wentworth wrote to Lord Raby: "I have not sent
+      you the <i>Tatler</i> of last Saturday, because I was told
+      'twas dull, but that persons judgement I shall take no more;
+      for having since read it I think it diverting enough, the
+      news from Epsom is almost matter of fact, wch makes the jest
+      the better; the Ladys are city ladys, named Turners"
+      ("Wentworth Papers," p. 93). This is confirmed by the MS.
+      annotator mentioned in <a href='#number4'>No. 4</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag366'>[366]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote366' id="footnote366"></a>"I like the
+      description of Africanus, wch is Sir Scipio Hill ... Sir
+      Scipio Hill with his new project of getting money occasions
+      some diversion and talk at White's. You may have heard for
+      this long while he was dieing of the &#8212;&#8212;; he now
+      come abroad and look a divel, or at least a sad <i>memento
+      mori</i>. He gives forescore guineas to receive ten guineas a
+      quarter for his life, Sir James of the Peak is his agent, and
+      runs about offering it all that will take. Boscowen has took
+      it, and two or three more, who are of opinion he will not
+      live a month. Those he had made his heirs does not approve of
+      this whim, for he's resolved to dispose of all his ready
+      money this way if he can find substantial fools enough to
+      take it; but the crack begins to run as if he may live a
+      great while for all he looks so ill, for he has recovered his
+      voice to a miracle" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, July 1 and
+      8, 1709; "Wentworth Papers," pp. 92-3).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag367'>[367]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote367' id="footnote367"></a>The waiter. See
+      <a href='#number16'>No. 16</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag368'>[368]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote368' id="footnote368"></a>Said to be Sir
+      Humphrey Monoux, Bart., who was elected M.P. for Tavistock in
+      1728, and for Stockbridge in 1734. He succeeded to the
+      baronetage in 1707, and died without issue in 1757.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag369'>[369]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote369' id="footnote369"></a>"Thou that hast
+      no sense of death, art happier than one that" (folio; altered
+      in Errata in <a href='#number37'>No. 37</a>).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag370'>[370]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote370' id="footnote370"></a>"This paper,
+      with a blank leaf to write business on, may be had of J.
+      Morphew, near Stationers'-hall" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page300' title='300' id=
+    "page300"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number37' id="number37"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 37.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[?STEELE.<a name='fntag371' id=
+    "fntag371"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote371'><sup>371</sup></a></h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, July 2</i>, to <i>Tuesday, July 5</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 2.</h3>
+
+  <p>It may be thought very unaccountable, that I,<a name=
+  'fntag372' id="fntag372"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote372'><sup>372</sup></a> who can never be supposed to go
+  to White's, should pretend to talk to you of matters proper for,
+  or in the style of, that place. But though I do not go to these
+  public haunts, I receive visits from those who do; and for all
+  they pretend so much to the contrary, they are as talkative as
+  our sex, and as much at a loss to entertain the present company,
+  without sacrificing the last, as we ourselves. This reflection
+  has led me into the consideration of the use of speech; and made
+  me look over in my memory all my acquaintance of both sexes, to
+  know to which I may more justly impute the sin of superfluous
+  discourse, with regard to conversation, and not entering into it
+  as it respects religion. I foresee my acquaintance will
+  immediately, upon starting this subject, ask me, how I shall
+  celebrate Mrs. Alse Copswood,<a name='fntag373' id=
+  "fntag373"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote373'><sup>373</sup></a> the Yorkshire huntress, who is
+  come to town lately, and moves as if she were on her nag, and
+  going to take a five-bar gate; and is as loud as if she were
+  following her dogs. I can easily answer that; for she is as soft
+  as Damon, in comparison of her brother-in-law Tom
+  Bellfrey,<a name='fntag374' id="fntag374"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote374'><sup>374</sup></a> who is the most accomplished
+  man in this kingdom for all gentlemanlike activities and
+  accomplishments. It <a class="pagenum" name='page301' title='301'
+  id="page301"></a>is allowed, that he is a professed enemy to the
+  Italian performers in music. But then for our own native manner,
+  according to the customs and known usages of our island, he is to
+  be preferred, for the generality of the pleasure he bestows, much
+  above those fellows,<a name='fntag375' id=
+  "fntag375"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote375'><sup>375</sup></a> though they sing to full
+  theatres. For what is a theatrical voice to that of a fox-hunter?
+  I have been at a musical entertainment in an open field, where it
+  amazed me to hear to what pitches the chief masters would reach.
+  There was a meeting near our seat in Staffordshire, and the most
+  eminent of all the counties of England were at it. How wonderful
+  was the harmony between men and dogs! Robin Cartail of Bucks was
+  to answer to Jowler; Mr. Tinbreast of Cornwall was appointed to
+  open with Sweetlips, and Beau Slimber, a Londoner, undertook to
+  keep up with Trips, a whelp just set in: Tom Bellfrey and
+  Ringwood were coupled together, to fill the cry on all occasions,
+  and be in at the death of the fox, hare, or stag; for which both
+  the dog and the man were excellently suited, and loved one
+  another, and were as much together as Banister and King. When
+  Jowler first alarmed the field, Cartail repeated every note;
+  Sweetlips' treble succeeded, and shook the wood; Tinbreast echoed
+  a quarter of a mile beyond it. We were soon after all at a loss,
+  till we rid up, and found Trips and Slimber at a default in
+  half-notes: but the day and the tune was recovered by Tom
+  Bellfrey and Ringwood, to the great joy of us all, though they
+  drowned every other voice: for Bellfrey carries a note four
+  furlongs, three rood, and six paces, farther than any other in
+  England. But I fear the mention of this will be thought a
+  digression from my purpose about speech: but I answer, No. Since
+  this is used where speech rather should be employed, it may come
+  into con<a class="pagenum" name='page302' title='302' id=
+  "page302"></a>sideration in the same chapter: for Mr. Bellfrey
+  being at a visit where I was, viz., his cousin's (Lady Dainty's)
+  in Soho, was asked, what entertainments they had in the country?
+  Now Bellfrey is very ignorant, and much a clown; but confident
+  withal. In a word, he struck up a fox-chase: Lady Dainty's dog,
+  Mr. Sippet, as she calls him, started and jumped out of his
+  lady's lap, and fell a barking. Bellfrey went on, and called all
+  the neighbouring parishes into the square. Never was woman in
+  such confusion as that delicate lady. But there was no stopping
+  her kinsman. A room full of ladies fell into the most violent
+  laughter: my lady looked as if she was shrieking; Mr. Sippet in
+  the middle of the room, breaking his heart with barking, but all
+  of us unheard. As soon as Bellfrey became silent, up gets my
+  lady, and takes him by the arm to lead him off: Bellfrey was in
+  his boots. As she was hurrying him away, his spurs takes hold of
+  her petticoat; his whip throws down a cabinet of china: he cries,
+  "What! are your crocks rotten? Are your petticoats ragged? A man
+  can't walk in your house for trincums." Every county of Great
+  Britain has one hundred or more of this sort of fellows, who roar
+  instead of speaking. Therefore if it be true, that we women are
+  also given to greater fluency of words than is necessary, sure
+  one that disturbs but a room or a family is more to be tolerated,
+  than one who draws together parishes and counties, and sometimes
+  (with an estate that might make him the blessing and ornament of
+  the world around him) has no other view and ambition, but to be
+  an animal above dogs and horses, without the relish of any one
+  enjoyment, which is peculiar to the faculties of human nature.
+  But I know it will here be said, that talking of mere country
+  squires at this rate, is, as it were, to write against Valentine
+  or Orson. To prove anything against the race of men, you must
+  take them as <a class="pagenum" name='page303' title='303' id=
+  "page303"></a>they are adorned with education, as they live in
+  Courts, or have received instructions in colleges.</p>
+
+  <p>But I was so full of my late entertainment by Mr. Bellfrey,
+  that I must defer pursuing this subject to another day; and waive
+  the proper observations upon the different offenders in this
+  kind, some by profound eloquence, on small occasions, others by
+  degrading speech upon great circumstances. Expect therefore to
+  hear of the whisperer without business, the laugher without wit,
+  the complainer without receiving injuries, and a very large
+  crowd, which I shall not forestall, who are common (though not
+  commonly observed) impertinents, whose tongues are too voluble
+  for their brains, and are the general despisers of us women,
+  though we have their superiors, the men of sense, for our
+  servants.<a name='fntag376' id="fntag376"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote376'><sup>376</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page304' title='304' id=
+  "page304"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 4.</h3>
+
+  <p>There has arrived no mail since our last; so that we have no
+  manner of foreign news, except we were to give you, for such, the
+  many speculations which are on foot concerning what was imported
+  by the last advices. There are, it seems, sixty battalions and
+  seventeen squadrons appointed to serve in the siege of Tournay;
+  the garrison of which place consists but of eleven battalions and
+  four squadrons. Letters of the 29th of the last month from Berlin
+  have brought advice, that the Kings of Denmark, Prussia, and his
+  Majesty Augustus, were within few days <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page305' title='305' id="page305"></a>to come to an interview at
+  Potsdam. These letters mention, that two Polish princes of the
+  family of the Sapicha and Lubermirsky, lately arrived from Paris,
+  confirm the reports of the misery in France for want of
+  provisions, and give a particular instance of it, which is, that
+  on the day Monsieur Rouillé returned to Court, the common people
+  gathered in crowds about the Dauphin's coach, crying, "Peace and
+  bread, bread and peace."</p>
+
+  <p>Mrs. Distaff has taken upon her, while she writes this paper,
+  to turn her thoughts wholly to the service of her own sex, and to
+  propose remedies against the greatest vexations <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page306' title='306' id="page306"></a>attending
+  female life. She has for this end written a small treatise
+  concerning the second word, with an appendix on the use of a
+  reply, very useful to all such as are married to persons either
+  ill-bred or ill-natured. There is in this tract a digression for
+  the use of virgins concerning the words, "I will."</p>
+
+  <p>A gentlewoman who has a very delicate ear, wants a maid who
+  can whisper, and help her in the government of her family. If the
+  said servant can clear-starch, lisp, and tread softly, she shall
+  have suitable encouragement in her wages.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag371'>[371]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote371' id="footnote371"></a>See note to
+      <a href='#number36'>No. 36</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag372'>[372]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote372' id="footnote372"></a>Jenny
+      Distaff.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag373'>[373]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote373' id="footnote373"></a>The Jacobite
+      Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sharpe, who died in 1713. See
+      <i>Examiner</i>, vol. iv. No. 22.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag374'>[374]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote374' id="footnote374"></a>Dr. Blackall
+      (1654-1716), who was made Bishop of Exeter in 1708.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag375'>[375]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote375' id="footnote375"></a>The French
+      Prophets, from the Cevennes. Dr. Blackall's sermon against
+      them was printed by order of the Queen.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag376'>[376]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote376' id="footnote376"></a>The following
+      article appeared only in the folio issue:&#8212;</p>
+
+      <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 3.</h3>
+
+      <p>A very ingenious gentleman was complaining this evening,
+      that the players are grown so severe critics, that they would
+      not take in his play, though it has as many fine things in it
+      as any play that has been writ since the days of Dryden. He
+      began his discourse about his play with a preface.</p>
+
+      <p>"There is," said he, "somewhat (however we palliate it) in
+      the very frame and make of us, that subjects our minds to
+      chagrin and irresolution on any emergency of time or place.
+      The difficulty grows on our sickened imagination, under all
+      the killing circumstances of danger and disappointment. This
+      we see, not only in the men of retirement and fancy, but in
+      the characters of the men of action; with this only
+      difference, the coward sees the danger, and sickens under it;
+      the hero, warmed by the difficulty, dilates, and rises in
+      proportion to that, and in some sort makes use of his very
+      fears to disarm it. A remarkable instance of this we have in
+      the great Cæsar, when he came to the Rubicon, and was
+      entering upon a part, perhaps, the most hazardous he ever
+      bore (certainly the most ungrateful), a war with his
+      countrymen. When his mind brooded over personal affronts,
+      perhaps his anger burned with a desire of revenge. But when
+      more serious reflections laid before him the hazard of the
+      enterprise, with the dismal consequences which were likely to
+      attend it, aggravated by a special circumstance, What figure
+      it would bear in the world, or how be excused to posterity.
+      What shall he do?&#8212;His honour, which was his religion,
+      bids him arm; and he sounds the inclinations of his party, by
+      this set speech:</p>
+
+      <h4><i>CÆSAR</i> to his Party at the Rubicon.</h4>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            Great Jove, attend, and thou my native soil,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Safe in my triumphs, glutted in my spoil;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Witness with what reluctance I oppose
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            My arms to thine, secure of other foes.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            What passive breast can bear disgrace like mine?
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Traitor!&#8212;For this I conquered on the Rhine,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Endured their ten years' drudgery in Gaul,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Adjourned their fate, and saved the Capitol.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            I grew by every guilty triumph less;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            The crowd, when drunk with joy, their souls express,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Impatient of the war, yet fear success.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Brave actions dazzle with too bright a ray,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Like birds obscene they chatter at the day;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Giddy with rule, and valiant in debate,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            They throw the die of war, to save the state;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            And gods! to gild ingratitude with fame,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Assume the patriot's, we the rebel's name.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Farewell, my friends, your general forlorn,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            To your bare pity, and the public scorn,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Must lay that honour and his laurel down,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            To serve the vain caprices of the gown;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Exposed to all indignities, the brave
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Deserve of those they gloried but to save,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            To rods and axes!&#8212;No, the slaves can't dare
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Play with my grief, and tempt my last despair.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            This shall the honours which it won maintain,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Or do me justice, ere I hug my chain."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>The reason for cancelling this article when these papers
+      were republished in octavo, is obvious; for, being printed by
+      Steele, it would naturally be applied to the circumstances in
+      which the Duke of Marlborough was at that time: "The Duke
+      having his commission under the Great Seal, the order of the
+      Queen was not sufficient to dissolve his power. His friends
+      advised him to assemble, by his authority as general, all the
+      troops in London, in the different squares, and to take
+      possession of St. James's, and the person of the Queen.
+      Oxford, apprised of this design, suddenly called together the
+      Cabinet Council. Though he probably concealed his
+      intelligence to prevent their fears, he told them of the
+      necessity of superseding Marlborough under the Great Seal.
+      This business was soon despatched. His dismission in form was
+      sent to the Duke. The Earl of Oxford, no stranger to the
+      character of Marlborough, knew that he would not act against
+      law, by assembling the troops. The natural diffidence of his
+      disposition had made him unfit for enterprises of danger, in
+      a degree that furnished his enemies with insinuations against
+      his personal courage."&#8212;(Macpherson's "State Papers,"
+      quoted by Nichols.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number38' id="number38"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 38.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[?STEELE.<a name='fntag377' id=
+    "fntag377"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote377'><sup>377</sup></a></h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, July 5</i>, to <i>Thursday, July 7,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>I find among my brother's papers the following letter
+  verbatim, which I wonder how he could suppress so long as he has,
+  since it was sent him for no other end, but to show the good
+  effect his writings have already had upon the ill customs of the
+  age.</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"London, <i>June 23</i>.</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"The end of all public papers ought to be the benefit and
+  instruction, as well as the diversion of the readers: to which I
+  see none so truly conducive as your late performances; especially
+  those tending to the rooting out from amongst us that
+  unchristianlike and bloody custom of duelling; which, that you
+  have already in some measure performed, will appear to the public
+  in the following no less true than heroic story.</p>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page307' title='307' id=
+  "page307"></a>A noble gentleman of this city, who has the honour
+  of serving his country as major in the train-bands, being at that
+  general mart of stockjobbers called Jonathan's,<a name='fntag378'
+  id="fntag378"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote378'><sup>378</sup></a> endeavouring to raise himself
+  (as all men of honour ought) to the degree of colonel at least;
+  it happened that he bought the 'bear'<a name='fntag379' id=
+  "fntag379"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote379'><sup>379</sup></a> of another officer, who, though
+  not commissioned in the army, yet no less eminently serves the
+  public than the other, in raising the credit of the kingdom, by
+  raising that of the stocks. However, having sold the 'bear,' and
+  words arising about the delivery, the most noble major, no less
+  scorning to be outwitted in the coffee-house, than to run into
+  the field, according to method, abused the other with the titles
+  of, 'rogue,' 'villain,' 'bearskin-man,' and the like. Whereupon
+  satisfaction was demanded, and accepted: so, forth the major
+  marched, commanding his adversary to follow. To a most spacious
+  room in the sheriff's house, near the place of quarrel, they
+  come; where, having due regard to what you have lately published,
+  they resolved not to shed one another's blood in that barbarous
+  manner you prohibited; yet, not willing to put up affronts
+  without satisfaction, they stripped, and in decent manner fought
+  full fairly with their wrathful hands. The combat lasted a
+  quarter of an hour; in which time victory was often doubtful, and
+  many a dry blow was strenuously laid on by each side, till the
+  major finding his adversary obstinate, unwilling to give him
+  further chastisement, with most shrill voice cried out, 'I am
+  satisfied, enough.' Whereupon the combat ceased, and both were
+  friends immediately.</p>
+
+  <p>"Thus the world may see, how necessary it is to encourage
+  those men who make it their business to instruct <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page308' title='308' id="page308"></a>the people
+  in everything necessary for their preservation. I am informed, a
+  body of worthy citizens have agreed on an address of thanks to
+  you for what you have writ on the foregoing subject, whereby they
+  acknowledge one of their highly esteemed officers preserved from
+  death.</p>
+
+  <p>"Your humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"A. B."</p>
+
+  <p>I fear the word "bear" is hardly to be understood among the
+  polite people; but I take the meaning to be, that one who ensures
+  a real value upon an imaginary thing, is said to sell a "bear,"
+  and is the same thing as a promise among courtiers, or a vow
+  between lovers. I have writ to my brother to hasten to town; and
+  hope, that printing the letters directed to him, which I knew not
+  how to answer, will bring him speedily; and therefore I add also
+  the following:</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"<i>July 5</i>, 1709.</p>
+
+  <p>"MR. BICKERSTAFF,</p>
+
+  <p>You having hinted a generous intention of taking under your
+  consideration the whisperers without business, and laughers
+  without occasion; as you tender the welfare of your country, I
+  entreat you not to forget or delay so public-spirited a work. Now
+  or never is the time. Many other calamities may cease with the
+  war; but I dismally dread the multiplication of these mortals
+  under the ease and luxuriousness of a settled peace, half the
+  blessing of which may be destroyed by them. Their mistake lies
+  certainly here, in a wretched belief, that their mimicry passes
+  for real business, or true wit. Dear sir, convince them, that it
+  never was, is, or ever will be, either of them; nor ever did,
+  does, or to all futurity ever can, look like either of them; but
+  that it is the most cursed <a class="pagenum" name='page309'
+  title='309' id="page309"></a>disturbance in nature, which is
+  possible to be inflicted on mankind, under the noble definition
+  of a sociable creature. In doing this, sir, you will oblige more
+  humble servants than can find room to subscribe their names."</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>In pursuance of my last date from hence, I am to proceed on
+  the accounts I promised of several personages among the men,
+  whose conspicuous fortunes, or ambition in showing their follies,
+  have exalted them above their fellows: the levity of their minds
+  is visible in their every word and gesture, and there is not a
+  day passes but puts me in mind of Mr. Wycherley's character of a
+  coxcomb: "He is ugly all over with the affectation of the fine
+  gentleman." Now though the women may put on softness in their
+  looks, or affected severity, or impertinent gaiety, or pert
+  smartness, their self-love and admiration cannot, under any of
+  these disguises, appear so invincible as that of the men. You may
+  easily take notice, that in all their actions there is a secret
+  approbation, either in the tone of their voice, the turn of their
+  body, or cast of their eye, which shows that they are extremely
+  in their own favour. Take one of your men of business, he shall
+  keep you half an hour with your hat off, entertaining you with
+  his consideration of that affair you spoke of to him last, till
+  he has drawn a crowd that observes you in this grimace. Then when
+  he is public enough, he immediately runs into secrets, and falls
+  a whispering. You and he make breaks with adverbs; as, "But
+  however, thus far"; and then you whisper again, and so on, till
+  they who are about you are dispersed, and your busy man's vanity
+  is no longer gratified by the notice taken of what importance he
+  is, and how inconsiderable you are; for your pretender to
+  business is never in secret, but in public. There is my dear Lord
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page310' title='310' id=
+  "page310"></a>Nowhere, of all men the most gracious and most
+  obliging, the terror of all <i>valets-de-chambre</i>, whom he
+  oppresses with good breeding, in inquiring for my good lord, and
+  for my good lady's health. This inimitable courtier will whisper
+  a privy councillor's lackey with the utmost goodness and
+  condescension, to know when they next sit; and is thoroughly
+  taken up, and thinks he has a part in a secret, if he knows that
+  there is a secret. "What it is," he will whisper you, "that time
+  will discover"; then he shrugs, and calls you back
+  again&#8212;"Sir, I need not say to you, that these things are
+  not to be spoken of&#8212;and hark you, no names, I would not be
+  quoted." What adds to the jest is, that his emptiness has its
+  moods and seasons, and he will not condescend to let you into
+  these his discoveries, except he is in very good humour, or has
+  seen somebody in fashion talk to you. He will keep his nothing to
+  himself, and pass by and overlook as well as the best of them;
+  not observing that he is insolent when he is gracious, and
+  obliging when he is haughty. Show me a woman so inconsiderable as
+  this frequent character. But my mind (now I am in) turns to many
+  no less observable: thou dear Will Shoestring!<a name='fntag380'
+  id="fntag380"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote380'><sup>380</sup></a> I profess myself in love with
+  thee: how shall I speak thee? How shall I address thee? How shall
+  I draw thee? Thou dear outside! Will you be combing your
+  wig,<a name='fntag381' id="fntag381"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote381'><sup>381</sup></a> playing with your <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page311' title='311' id="page311"></a>box, or
+  picking your teeth? Or choosest thou rather to be speaking; to be
+  speaking for thy only purpose in speaking, to show your teeth?
+  Rub them no longer, dear Shoestring: do not premeditate murder:
+  do not for ever whiten: Oh! that for my quiet and his own they
+  were rotten. But I will forget him, and give my hand to the
+  courteous Umbra; he is a fine man indeed, but the soft creature
+  bows below my apron-string before he takes it; but after the
+  first ceremonies, he is as familiar as my physician, and his
+  insignificancy makes me half ready to complain to him of all I
+  would to my doctor. But he is so courteous, that he carries half
+  the messages of ladies' ails in town to their midwives and
+  nurses. He understands too the art of medicine as far as to the
+  cure of a pimple or a rash. On occasions of the like
+  import<a class="pagenum" name='page312' title='312' id=
+  "page312"></a>ance, he is the most assiduous of all men living,
+  in consulting and searching precedents from family to family; and
+  then he speaks of his obsequiousness and diligence in the style
+  of real services. If you sneer at him, and thank him for his
+  great friendship, he bows, and says, "Madam, all the good offices
+  in my power, while I have any knowledge or credit, shall be at
+  your service." The consideration of so shallow a being, and the
+  intent application with which he pursues trifles, has made me
+  carefully reflect upon that sort of men we usually call an
+  Impertinent: and I am, upon mature deliberation, so far from
+  being offended with him, that I am really obliged to him; for
+  though he will take you aside, and talk half an hour to you upon
+  matters wholly insignificant with the most solemn air, yet I
+  consider, that these things are of weight in his imagination, and
+  he thinks he is communicating what is for my service. If
+  therefore it be a just rule to judge of a man by his intention,
+  according to the equity of good breeding, he that is
+  impertinently kind or wise, to do you service, ought in return to
+  have a proportionable place both in your affection and esteem; so
+  that the courteous Umbra deserves the favour of all his
+  acquaintance; for though he never served them, he is ever willing
+  to do it, and believes he does it. But as impotent kindness is to
+  be returned with all our abilities to oblige, so impotent malice
+  is to be treated with all our force to depress it. For this
+  reason Flyblow (who is received in all the families in town
+  through the degeneracy and iniquity of their manners) is to be
+  treated like a knave, though he is one of the weakest of fools:
+  he has by rote, and at second-hand, all that can be said of any
+  man of figure, wit, and virtue in town. Name a man of worth, and
+  this creature tells you the worst passage of his life. Speak of a
+  beautiful woman, and this puppy will whisper the next man to him,
+  though <a class="pagenum" name='page313' title='313' id=
+  "page313"></a>he has nothing to say of her. He is a Fly that
+  feeds on the sore part, and would have nothing to live on, if the
+  whole body were in health. You may know him by the frequency of
+  pronouncing the particle "but"; for which reason I never hear him
+  spoke of with common charity, without using my "but" against him:
+  for a friend of mine saying the other day, Mrs. Distaff has wit,
+  good humour, virtue, and friendship, this oaf added, "'But' she
+  is not handsome." Coxcomb! The gentleman was saying what I was,
+  not what I was not.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>The approaches before Tournay have been carried on with great
+  success; and our advices from the camp before that place of the
+  11th instant say, that they had already made a lodgment on the
+  glacis. Two hundred boats were come up the Scheldt with a heavy
+  artillery and ammunition, which would be employed in dismounting
+  the enemy's defences, and raised on the batteries the 15th. A
+  great body of miners are summoned to the camp to countermine the
+  works of the enemy. We are convinced of the weakness of the
+  garrison, by a certain account, that they called a council of
+  war, to consult whether it was not advisable to march into the
+  citadel, and leave the town defenceless. We are assured, that
+  when the Confederate army was advancing towards the camp of
+  Marshal Villars, that general despatched a courier to his master
+  with a letter, giving an account of their approach, which
+  concluded with the following words: "The day begins to break, and
+  your Majesty's army is already in order of battle. Before noon, I
+  hope to have the honour of congratulating your Majesty on the
+  success of a great action; and you shall be very well satisfied
+  with the Marshal Villars."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page314' title='314' id=
+  "page314"></a>It is to be noted, that when any part of this paper
+  appears dull, there is a design in it.<a name='fntag382' id=
+  "fntag382"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote382'><sup>382</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag377'>[377]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote377' id="footnote377"></a>See note to
+      <a href='#number36'>No. 36</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag378'>[378]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote378' id="footnote378"></a>A coffee-house
+      in Change Alley. See <i>Spectator</i>, No. 1, and Mrs.
+      Centlivre's "Bold Stroke for a Wife."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag379'>[379]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote379' id="footnote379"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number7'>No. 7</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag380'>[380]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote380' id="footnote380"></a>Sir William
+      Whitlocke, Knt., Member for Oxon, Bencher of the Middle
+      Temple. He is the learned knight mentioned in <a href=
+      '#number43'>No. 43</a> (Percy). This is confirmed by the MS.
+      annotator mentioned in a note to <a href='#number4'>No.
+      4</a>. Nichols explains that Whitlocke is called Will
+      Shoestring, for his singularity in using shoe-strings, so
+      long after the era of shoe-buckles, which commenced in the
+      reign of Charles II., although ordinary people, and such as
+      affected plainness in their garb, wore strings in their shoes
+      after that time.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag381'>[381]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote381' id="footnote381"></a>"Combing the
+      peruke, at the time when men of fashion wore large wigs, was
+      even at public places an act of gallantry. The combs, for
+      this purpose, were of a very large size, of ivory or
+      tortoise-shell, curiously chased and ornamented, and were
+      carried in the pocket as constantly as the snuff-box. At
+      Court, on the Mall, and in the boxes, gentlemen conversed and
+      combed their perukes "(Sir John Hawkins' "Hist, of Music,"
+      vol. iv. p. 447, note). Cf. Dryden's prologue to "Almanzor
+      and Almahide":&#8212;</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "But as when vizard mask appears in pit,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Straight every man who thinks himself a wit,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Perks up; and managing his comb with grace,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            With his white wig sets off his nut-brown face."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>And "The Fortune Hunters," act i. sc. 2 (1689): "He
+      looked, indeed, and sighed, and set his cravat-string, and
+      sighed again, and combed his periwig: sighed a third time,
+      and then took snuff, I guess to show the whiteness of his
+      hand." See, too, Wycherley's "Love in a Wood," act iii. sc.
+      1:&#8212;</p>
+
+      <p>"DAPPERWIT. Let me prune and flounce my perruque a little
+      for her; there's ne'er a young fellow in the town but will do
+      as much for a mere stranger in the play-house.</p>
+
+      <p>"RANGER. A wit's wig has the privilege of being uncombed
+      in the very play-house, or in the presence&#8212;</p>
+
+      <p>"DAPPERWIT. But not in the presence of his mistress; 'tis
+      a greater neglect of her than himself; pray lend me your
+      comb.... She comes, she comes; pray, your comb.
+      (<i>Snatches</i> RANGER'S <i>comb</i>.)"</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag382'>[382]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote382' id="footnote382"></a>"Mrs. Distaff
+      hath received the Dialogue dated Monday evening, which she
+      has sent forward to Mr. Bickerstaff at Maidenhead: and in the
+      meantime gives her service to the parties" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number39' id="number39"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 39.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, July 7</i>, to <i>Saturday, July 9</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, July 7.</h3>
+
+  <p>As I am called forth by the immense love I bear to my fellow
+  creatures, and the warm inclination I feel within me, to stem, as
+  far as I can, the prevailing torrent of vice and ignorance; so I
+  cannot more properly pursue that noble impulse, than by setting
+  forth the excellence of virtue and knowledge in their native and
+  beautiful colours. For this reason I made my late excursion to
+  Oxford, where those qualities appear in their highest lustre, and
+  are the only pretences to honour and distinction: superiority is
+  there given in proportion to men's advancement in wisdom and
+  learning; and that just rule of life is so universally received
+  among those happy people, that you shall see an earl walk
+  bareheaded to the son of the meanest artificer, in respect to
+  seven years more worth and knowledge than the nobleman is
+  possessed of. In other places they bow to men's fortunes, but
+  here to their understandings. It is not to be expressed, how
+  pleasing the order, the discipline, the regularity of their
+  lives, is to a philosopher, who has, by many years' experience in
+  the world, learned to contemn everything but what is revered
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page315' title='315' id="page315"></a>in
+  this mansion of select and well-taught spirits. The magnificence
+  of their palaces, the greatness of their revenues, the sweetness
+  of their groves and retirements, seem equally adapted for the
+  residence of princes and philosophers; and a familiarity with
+  objects of splendour, as well as places of recess, prepares the
+  inhabitants with an equanimity for their future fortunes, whether
+  humble or illustrious. How was I pleased when I looked round at
+  St. Mary's, and could, in the faces of the ingenious youth, see
+  ministers of state, chancellors, bishops, and judges. Here only
+  is human life! Here only the life of man is a rational being!
+  Here men understand and are employed in works worthy their noble
+  nature. This transitory being passes away in an employment not
+  unworthy a future state, the contemplation of the great decrees
+  of Providence. Each man lives as if he were to answer the
+  questions made to Job, "Where wast thou when I laid the
+  foundations of the earth?... Who shut up the sea with doors, ...
+  and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further?"<a name=
+  'fntag383' id="fntag383"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote383'><sup>383</sup></a> Such speculations make life
+  agreeable, make death welcome, But alas! I was torn from this
+  noble society by the business of this dirty mean world, and the
+  cares of fortune: for I was obliged to be in town against the 7th
+  day of the term, and accordingly governed myself by my Oxford
+  Almanack, and came last night; but find, to my great
+  astonishment, that this ignorant town began the term on the 24th
+  of the last month, in opposition to all the learning and
+  astronomy of the famous university of which I have been speaking;
+  according to which, the term certainly was to commence on the 1st
+  instant.<a name='fntag384' id="fntag384"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote384'><sup>384</sup></a> You may be sure, a man who has
+  turned his studies as I have, could not be <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page316' title='316' id="page316"></a>mistaken in point of
+  time; for knowing I was to come to town in term, I examined the
+  passing moments very narrowly, and called an eminent astronomer
+  to my assistance. Upon very strict observation we found, that the
+  cold has been so severe this last winter (which is allowed to
+  have a benumbing quality), that it retarded the earth in moving
+  round from Christmas to this season full seven days and two
+  seconds. My learned friend assured me further, that the earth had
+  lately received a shog from a comet that crossed its vortex,
+  which, if it had come ten degrees nearer us, had made us lose
+  this whole term. I was indeed once of opinion, that the Gregorian
+  computation was the most regular, as being eleven days before the
+  Julian; but am now fully convinced, that we ought to be seven
+  days after the chancellor and judges, and eighteen before the
+  Pope of Rome; and that the Oxonian computation is the best of the
+  three. These are the reasons which I have gathered from
+  philosophy and nature; to which I can add other circumstances in
+  vindication of the account of this learned body who published
+  this almanack. It is notorious to philosophers, that joy and
+  grief can hasten and delay time. Mr. Locke is of opinion, that a
+  man in great misery may so far lose his measure, as to think a
+  minute an hour; or in joy, make an hour a minute. Let us examine
+  the present case by this rule, and we shall find, that the cause
+  of this general mistake in the British nation, has been the great
+  success of the last campaign, and the following hopes of peace.
+  Stocks ran so high at the 'Change, that the citizens had gained
+  three days of the courtiers; and we have indeed been so happy
+  this reign, that if the University did not rectify our mistakes,
+  we should think ourselves but in the second year of her present
+  Majesty. It would be endless to enumerate the many damages that
+  have happened by this <a class="pagenum" name='page317' title=
+  '317' id="page317"></a>ignorance of the vulgar. All the
+  recognisances within the Diocese of Oxford have been forfeited,
+  for not appearing on the first day of this fictitious term. The
+  University has been nonsuited in their action against the
+  booksellers for printing Clarendon in quarto. But indeed what
+  gives me the most quick concern, is the case of a poor gentleman
+  my friend, who was the other day taken in execution by a set of
+  ignorant bailiffs. He should, it seems, have pleaded in the first
+  week of term; but being a Master of Arts of Oxford, he would not
+  recede from the Oxonian computation. He showed Mr. Broad the
+  almanack, and the very day when the term began; but the merciless
+  ignorant fellow, against all sense and learning, would hurry him
+  away. He went indeed quietly enough; but he has taken exact notes
+  of the time of arrest, and sufficient witnesses of his being
+  carried into gaol; and has, by advice of the Recorder of Oxford,
+  brought his action; and we doubt not but we shall pay them off
+  with damages, and blemish the reputation of Mr. Broad. We have
+  one convincing proof, which all that frequent the Courts of
+  Justice are witnesses of: the dog that comes constantly to
+  Westminster on the first day of the term, did not appear till the
+  first day according to the Oxford Almanack; whose instinct I take
+  to be a better guide than men's erroneous opinions, which are
+  usually biased by interest. I judge in this case, as King Charles
+  II. victualled his navy, with the bread which one of his dogs
+  chose of several pieces thrown before him, rather than trust to
+  the asseverations of the victuallers. Mr. Cowper,<a name=
+  'fntag385' id="fntag385"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote385'><sup>385</sup></a> and other learned counsel, have
+  already urged the authority of this almanack, in behalf of their
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page318' title='318' id=
+  "page318"></a>clients. We shall therefore go on with all speed in
+  our cause; and doubt not, but Chancery will give at the end what
+  we lost in the beginning, by protracting the term for us till
+  Wednesday come se'nnight: and the University orator shall for
+  ever pray, &amp;c.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 7.</h3>
+
+  <p>The subject of duels<a name='fntag386' id=
+  "fntag386"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote386'><sup>386</sup></a> has, I find, been started with
+  so good success, that it has been the frequent subject of
+  conversation among polite men; and a dialogue of that kind has
+  been transmitted to me verbatim, as follows. The persons
+  concerned in it are men of honour, and experience in the manners
+  of men, and have fallen upon the truest foundation, as well as
+  searched the bottom, of this evil.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. If it were in my power, every man that drew his
+  sword, unless in the Service, or purely to defend his life,
+  person, or goods, from violence (I mean abstracted from all
+  punctos or whims of honour) should ride the wooden horse in the
+  Tilt Yard<a name='fntag387' id="fntag387"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote387'><sup>387</sup></a> for such first offence, for the
+  second stand in the pillory, and for the third be prisoner in
+  Bedlam for life.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. I remember, that a rencounter or duel was so far
+  from being in fashion among the officers that served in the
+  Parliament army, that on the contrary, it was as disreputable,
+  and as great an impediment to advancement in the Service, as
+  being bashful in time of action.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. Yet I have been informed by some old Cavaliers, of
+  famous reputation for brave and gallant men, that they were much
+  more in mode among their party, than they have been during this
+  last war.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. That is true too, sir. <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page319' title='319' id="page319"></a>Mr. SAGE. By what you say,
+  gentlemen, one should think that our present military officers
+  are compounded of an equal proportion of both those tempers;
+  since duels are neither quite discountenanced, nor much in
+  vogue.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. That difference of temper, in regard to duels, which
+  appears to have been between the Court and Parliament-men of the
+  sword, was not (I conceive) for want of courage in the latter,
+  nor of a liberal education; because there were some of the best
+  families in England engaged in that party; but gallantry and
+  mode, which glitter agreeably to the imagination, were encouraged
+  by the Court, as promoting its splendour; and it was as natural
+  that the contrary party (who were to recommend themselves to the
+  public for men of serious and solid parts) should deviate from
+  everything chimerical.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. I have never read of a duel among the Romans; and
+  yet their nobility used more liberty with their tongues than one
+  may do now without being challenged.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. Perhaps the Romans were of opinion, that ill
+  language, and brutal manners, reflected only on those who were
+  guilty of them; and that a man's reputation was not at all
+  cleared by cutting the person's throat who had reflected upon it:
+  but the custom of those times had fixed the scandal in the
+  action; whereas now it lies in the reproach.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. And yet the only sort of duel that one can conceive
+  to have been fought upon motives truly honourable and allowable,
+  was that between the Horatii and Curiatii.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. Colonel Plume, pray what was the method of single
+  combat in your time among the Cavaliers? I suppose, that as the
+  use of clothes continues, though the <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page320' title='320' id="page320"></a>fashion of them has been
+  mutable; so duels, though still in use, have had in all times
+  their particular modes of performance.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. We had no constant rule, but generally conducted
+  our dispute and tilt according to the last that had happened
+  between persons of reputation among the very top fellows for
+  bravery and gallantry.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. If the fashion of quarrelling and tilting was so
+  often changed in your time, Colonel Plume, a man might fight, yet
+  lose his credit for want of understanding the fashion.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Why, Sir Mark, in the beginning of July, a man
+  would have been censured for want of courage, or been thought
+  indigent of the true notions of honour, if he had put up [with]
+  words, which in the end of September following, one could not
+  resent without passing for a brutal and quarrelsome fellow.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. But, Colonel, were duels or rencounters most in
+  fashion in those days?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Your men of nice honour, sir, were for avoiding
+  all censure of advantage which they supposed might be taken in a
+  rencounter; therefore they used seconds, who were to see that all
+  was upon the square, and make a faithful report of the whole
+  combat; but in a little time it became a fashion for the seconds
+  to fight, and I'll tell you how it happened.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. Pray do, Colonel Plume, and the method of a duel at
+  that time, and give us some notion of the punctos upon which your
+  nice men quarrelled in those days.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. I was going to tell you, Mr. Sage, that one Cornet
+  Modish had desired his friend, Captain Smart's, opinion in some
+  affair, but did not follow it; upon which Captain Smart sent
+  Major Adroit (a very <a class="pagenum" name='page321' title=
+  '321' id="page321"></a>topping fellow of those times) to the
+  person that had slighted his advice. The Major never inquired
+  into the quarrel, because it was not the manner then among the
+  very topping fellows; but got two swords of an equal length, and
+  then waited upon Cornet Modish, desiring him to choose his sword,
+  and meet his friend Captain Smart. Cornet Modish came with his
+  friend to the place of combat; there the principals put on their
+  pumps, and stripped to their shirts, to show they had nothing but
+  what men of honour carry about them, and then engaged.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. And did the seconds stand by, sir?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. It was a received custom till that time; but the
+  swords of those days being pretty long, and the principals acting
+  on both sides upon the defensive, and the morning being frosty,
+  Major Adroit desired that the other second, who was also a very
+  topping fellow, would try a thrust or two only to keep them warm,
+  till the principals had decided the matter, which was agreed to
+  by Modish's second, who presently whipped Adroit through the
+  body, disarmed him, and then parted the principals, who had
+  received no harm at all.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. But was not Adroit laughed at?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. On the contrary, the very topping fellows were
+  ever after of opinion, that no man who deserved that character,
+  could serve as a second, without fighting; and the Smarts and
+  Modishes finding their account in it, the humour took without
+  opposition.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. Pray, Colonel, how long did that fashion
+  continue?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME, Not long neither, Mr. Sage; for as soon as it
+  became a fashion, the very topping fellows thought their honour
+  reflected upon, if they did not proffer themselves as seconds
+  when any of their friends had a quarrel; so that sometimes there
+  were a dozen of a side.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page322' title='322' id=
+  "page322"></a>Sir MARK. Bless me! If that custom had continued,
+  we should have been at a loss now for our very pretty fellows;
+  for they seem to be the proper men to officer, animate, and keep
+  up an army: but, pray, sir, how did that sociable manner of
+  tilting grow out of mode?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Why, sir, I'll tell you; it was a law among the
+  combatants, that the party which happened to have the first man
+  disarmed or killed, should yield as vanquished; which some people
+  thought might encourage the Modishes and Smarts in quarrelling,
+  to the destruction of only the very topping fellows; and as soon
+  as this reflection was started, the very topping fellows thought
+  it an incumbrance upon their honour to fight at all themselves.
+  Since that time, the Modishes and the Smarts, throughout all
+  Europe, have extolled the French king's edict.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. Our very pretty fellows, whom I take to be the
+  successors of the very topping fellows, think a quarrel so little
+  fashionable, that they will not be exposed to it by another man's
+  vanity, or want of sense.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. But, Colonel, I have observed in your account of
+  duels, that there was a great exactness in avoiding all advantage
+  that might possibly be between the combatants.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. That's true, sir; for the weapons were always
+  equal.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. Yes, sir; but suppose an active, adroit, strong man,
+  had insulted an awkward, or a feeble, or an unpractised
+  swordsman.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Then, sir, they fought with pistols.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. But, sir, there might be a certain advantage that
+  way; for a good marksman will be sure to hit his man at twenty
+  yards distance; and a man whose hand shakes (which is common to
+  men that debauch in pleasures, <a class="pagenum" name='page323'
+  title='323' id="page323"></a>or have not used pistols out of
+  their holsters) won't venture to fire, unless he touches the
+  person he shoots at. Now, sir, I am of opinion, that one can get
+  no honour in killing a man (if one has it all rug,<a name=
+  'fntag388' id="fntag388"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote388'><sup>388</sup></a> as the gamesters say), when
+  they have a trick to make the game secure, though they seem to
+  play upon the square.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. In truth, Mr. Sage, I think such a fact must be
+  murder in a man's own private conscience, whatever it may appear
+  to the world.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. I have known some men so nice, that they would not
+  fight but upon a cloak without pistols.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. I believe a custom, well established, would outdo
+  the Grand Monarch's edict.<a name='fntag389' id=
+  "fntag389"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote389'><sup>389</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. And bullies would then leave off their long swords;
+  but I don't find that a very pretty fellow can stay to change his
+  sword, when he is insulted by a bully with a long diego,<a name=
+  'fntag390' id="fntag390"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote390'><sup>390</sup></a> though his own at the same time
+  be no longer than a penknife; which will certainly be the case,
+  if such little swords are in mode. Pray, Colonel, how was it
+  between the hectors of your time and the very topping
+  fellows?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Sir, long swords happened to be generally worn in
+  those times.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. In answer to what you were saying, Sir Mark, give me
+  leave to inform you, that your knights-errant (who were the very
+  pretty fellows of those ancient times) thought they could not
+  honourably yield, though they <a class="pagenum" name='page324'
+  title='324' id="page324"></a>had fought their own trusty weapons
+  to the stumps; but would venture as boldly with the page's leaden
+  sword, as if it had been of enchanted metal. Whence I conceive,
+  there must be a spice of romantic gallantry in the composition of
+  that very pretty fellow.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. I am of opinion, Mr. Sage, that fashion governs a
+  very pretty fellow; nature, or common sense, your ordinary
+  persons, and sometimes men of fine parts.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. But what is the reason, that men of the most
+  excellent sense and morals (in other points) associate their
+  understandings with the very pretty fellows in that chimæra of a
+  duel?</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. There's no disputing against so great a
+  majority.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. But there is one scruple (Colonel Plume) and I have
+  done: don't you believe there may be some advantage even upon a
+  cloak with pistols, which a man of nice honour would scruple to
+  take?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Faith, I can't tell, sir; but since one may
+  reasonably suppose, that (in such a case) there can be but one so
+  far in the wrong as to occasion matters to come to that
+  extremity, I think the chance of being killed should fall but on
+  one; whereas by their close and desperate manner of fighting, it
+  may very probably happen to both.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. Why, gentlemen, if they are men of such nice honour
+  (and must fight), there will be no fear of foul play, if they
+  threw up cross or pile<a name='fntag391' id=
+  "fntag391"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote391'><sup>391</sup></a> who should be shot.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag383'>[383]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote383' id="footnote383"></a>Job xxxviii. 4,
+      8, 11.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag384'>[384]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote384' id="footnote384"></a>There was a
+      difference between the University terms and the Law
+      terms.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag385'>[385]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote385' id="footnote385"></a>Spencer Cowper
+      (1669-1727), brother of Earl Cowper, and afterwards a judge
+      of the Common Pleas. He was one of the managers of the
+      impeachment of Sacheverell in 1710.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag386'>[386]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote386' id="footnote386"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number25">25</a>, <a href="#number26">26</a>,
+      <a href="#number29">29</a>, <a href="#number31">31</a>,
+      <a href="#number38">38</a>, 205.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag387'>[387]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote387' id="footnote387"></a>At
+      Whitehall.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag388'>[388]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote388' id="footnote388"></a><i>Cf.</i>
+      "Wentworth Papers," p. 394: "June 29, 1714. The changes at
+      Court does not go so rug as some people expected and gave
+      out, that 'twas to be all intire Tory with the least seeming
+      mixture of Whigs."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag389'>[389]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote389' id="footnote389"></a>See
+      <i>Spectator</i>, No. 97.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag390'>[390]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote390' id="footnote390"></a>A sword. Don
+      Diego was a familiar name for a Spaniard with both English
+      and French writers in the seventeenth century. San Diego is a
+      corruption of Santiago (St. James), the patron saint of
+      Spain.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag391'>[391]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote391' id="footnote391"></a>A pillar, the
+      design on one side of a coin, bearing on the other a cross.
+      Swift says, "This I humbly conceive to be perfect boys' play;
+      cross, I win, and pile, you lose."</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page325' title='325' id=
+    "page325"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number40' id="number40"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 40.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, July 9</i>, to <i>Tuesday, July 12</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the city of London give an account of a very
+  great consternation that place is in at present, by reason of a
+  late inquiry made at Guildhall, whether a noble person<a name=
+  'fntag392' id="fntag392"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote392'><sup>392</sup></a> has parts enough to deserve the
+  enjoyment of the great estate of which he is possessed. The city
+  is apprehensive that this precedent may go further than was at
+  first imagined. The person against whom this inquisi<a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page326' title='326' id="page326"></a>tion is set
+  up by his relations, is a peer of a neighbouring kingdom, and has
+  in his youth made some few bulls, by which it is insinuated, that
+  he has forfeited his goods and chattels. This is the more
+  astonishing, in that there are many persons in the said city who
+  are still more guilty than his lordship, and who, though they are
+  idiots, do not only possess, but have also themselves acquired
+  great estates, contrary to the known laws of this realm, which
+  vests their possessions in the Crown. There is a gentleman of
+  this coffee-house at this time exhibiting a bill in Chancery
+  against his father's younger brother, who by some strange magic
+  has arrived at the value of half a plum, as the citizens call a
+  hundred thousand pounds; and in all the time of growing up to
+  that wealth, was never known in any of his ordinary words or
+  actions to discover any proof of reason. Upon this foundation my
+  friend has set forth, that he is illegally master of his coffers,
+  and has writ two epigrams to signify his own pretensions and
+  sufficiency for spending that estate. He has inserted in his plea
+  some things which I fear will give offence; for he pretends to
+  argue, that though a man has a little of the knave mixed with the
+  fool, he is nevertheless liable to the loss of goods; and makes
+  the abuse of reason as just an avoidance of an estate as the
+  total absence of it. This is what can never pass; but witty men
+  are so full of themselves, that there is no persuading them; and
+  my friend will not be convinced, but that upon quoting Solomon,
+  who always used the word "fool" as a term of the same
+  signification with "unjust," and makes all deviation from
+  goodness and virtue to come under the notion of folly&#8212;I
+  say, he doubts not, but by the force of this authority, let his
+  idiot uncle appear never so great a knave, he shall prove him a
+  fool at the same time. This affair led the company here into an
+  examination of these points; and none coming here <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page327' title='327' id="page327"></a>but wits,
+  what was asserted by a young lawyer, that a lunatic is in the
+  care of the Chancery, but a fool in that of the Crown, was
+  received with general indignation. "Why that?" says old Renault.
+  "Why that? Why must a fool be a courtier more than a madman? This
+  is the iniquity of this dull age: I remember the time when it
+  went on the mad side; all your top wits were scowrers,<a name=
+  'fntag393' id="fntag393"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote393'><sup>393</sup></a> rakes, roarers, and demolishers
+  of windows. I remember a mad lord who was drunk five years
+  together, and was the envy of that age, and is faintly imitated
+  by the dull pretenders to vice and madness in this. Had he lived
+  to this day, there had not been a fool in fashion in the whole
+  kingdom." When Renault had done speaking, a very worthy man
+  assumed the discourse: "This is," said he, "Mr. Bickerstaff, a
+  proper argument for you to treat in your article from this place;
+  and if you would send your Pacolet into all our brains, you would
+  find, that a little fibre or valve, scarce discernible, makes the
+  distinction between a politician and an idiot. We should
+  therefore throw a veil upon those unhappy instances of human
+  nature, who seem to breathe without the direction of reason and
+  understanding, as we should avert our eyes with abhorrence from
+  such as live in perpetual abuse and contradiction to these noble
+  faculties. Shall this unfortunate man be divested of his estate,
+  because he is tractable and indolent, runs in no man's debt,
+  invades no man's bed, nor spends the estate he owes his children
+  and his character; when one who shows no sense above him, but
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page328' title='328' id="page328"></a>in
+  such practices, shall be esteemed in his senses, and possibly may
+  pretend to the guardianship of him who is no ways his inferior,
+  but in being less wicked? We see old age brings us indifferently
+  into the same impotence of soul, wherein nature has placed this
+  lord. There is something very fantastical in the distribution of
+  civil power and capacity among men. The law certainly gives these
+  persons into the ward and care of the Crown, because that is best
+  able to protect them from injuries, and the impositions of craft
+  and knavery; that the life of an idiot may not ruin the entail of
+  a noble house, and his weakness may not frustrate the industry or
+  capacity of the founder of his family. But when one of bright
+  parts, as we say, with his eyes open, and all men's eyes upon
+  him, destroys those purposes, there is no remedy. Folly and
+  ignorance are punished! Folly and guilt are tolerated! Mr. Locke
+  has somewhere made a distinction between a madman and a
+  fool:<a name='fntag394' id="fntag394"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote394'><sup>394</sup></a> a fool is he that from right
+  principles makes a wrong conclusion; but a madman is one who
+  draws a just inference from false principles. Thus the fool who
+  cut off the fellow's head that lay asleep, and hid it, and then
+  waited to see what he would say when he awakened and missed his
+  headpiece, was in the right in the first thought, that a man
+  would be surprised to find such an alteration in things since he
+  fell asleep; but he was a little mistaken to imagine he could
+  awake at all after his head was off. A madman fancies himself a
+  prince; but upon his mistake, he acts suitably to that character;
+  and though he is out in supposing he has principalities, while he
+  drinks gruel, and lies in straw, yet you shall see him keep the
+  port of a distressed monarch in all his words and actions. These
+  two persons are equally taken into custody: but what must be done
+  to half this good com<a class="pagenum" name='page329' title=
+  '329' id="page329"></a>pany, who every hour of their life are
+  knowingly and wittingly both fools and madmen, and yet have
+  capacities both of forming principles, and drawing conclusions,
+  with the full use of reason?"</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>This evening some ladies came to visit my sister Jenny; and
+  the discourse, after very many frivolous and public matters,
+  turned upon the main point among the women, the passion of
+  love.<a name='fntag395' id="fntag395"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote395'><sup>395</sup></a> Sappho, who always leads on
+  this occasion, began to show her reading, and told us, that Sir
+  John Suckling and Milton had, upon a parallel occasion, said the
+  tenderest things she had ever read. "The circumstance," said she,
+  "is such as gives us a notion of that protecting part which is
+  the duty of men in their honourable designs upon, or possession
+  of, women. In Suckling's tragedy of 'Brennoralt' he makes the
+  lover steal into his mistress's bedchamber, and draw the
+  curtains; then, when his heart is full of her charms, as she lies
+  sleeping, instead of being carried away by the violence of his
+  desires into thoughts of a warmer nature, sleep, which is the
+  image of death, gives this generous lover reflections of a
+  different kind, which regard rather her safety than his own
+  passion. For, beholding her as she lies sleeping, he utters these
+  words:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "So misers look upon their gold,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Which, while they joy to see, they fear to lose:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The pleasure of the sight scarce equalling
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The jealousy of being dispossessed by others.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Her face is like the Milky Way i' th' sky,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A meeting of gentle lights without name!
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "<a class="pagenum" name='page330' title='330' id=
+        "page330"></a>Heavens I shall this fresh ornament of the
+        world,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        These precious love-lines, pass with other common things
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Amongst the wastes of time? what pity 'twere!<a name=
+        'fntag396' id="fntag396"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote396'><sup>396</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"When Milton makes Adam leaning on his arm, beholding Eve, and
+  lying in the contemplation of her beauty, he describes the utmost
+  tenderness and guardian affection in one word:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Adam with looks of cordial love
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Hung over her enamoured.<a name='fntag397' id=
+        "fntag397"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote397'><sup>397</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"This is that sort of passion which truly deserves the name of
+  'love,' and has something more generous than friendship itself;
+  for it has a constant care of the object beloved, abstracted from
+  its own interests in the possession of it." Sappho was proceeding
+  on the subject, when my sister produced a letter sent to her in
+  the time of my absence, in celebration of the marriage state,
+  which is the condition wherein only this sort of passion reigns
+  in full authority. The epistle is as follows:</p>
+
+  <p>"DEAR MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your brother being absent, I dare take the liberty of writing
+  to you my thoughts of that state, which our whole sex either is
+  or desires to be in: you'll easily guess I mean matrimony, which
+  I hear so much decried, that it was with no small labour I
+  maintained my ground against two opponents; but, as your brother
+  observed of Socrates, I drew them into my conclusion from their
+  own concessions; thus:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "In marriage are two happy things allowed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A wife in wedding-sheets, and in a shroud.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        How can a marriage state then be accursed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Since the last day's as happy as the first?
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page331' title='331' id=
+  "page331"></a>If you think they were too easily confuted, you may
+  conclude them not of the first sense, by their talking against
+  marriage.</p>
+
+  <p>"Yours,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"MARIANA."</p>
+
+  <p>I observed Sappho began to redden at this epistle; and turning
+  to a lady, who was playing with a dog she was so fond of as to
+  carry him abroad with her; "Nay," says she, "I cannot blame the
+  men if they have mean ideas of our souls and affections, and
+  wonder so many are brought to take us for companions for life,
+  when they see our endearments so triflingly placed: for, to my
+  knowledge, Mr. Truman would give half his estate for half the
+  affection you have shown to that Shock: nor do I believe you
+  would be ashamed to confess, that I saw you cry, when he had the
+  colic last week with lapping sour milk. What more could you do
+  for your lover himself?" "What more!" replied the lady, "there is
+  not a man in England for whom I could lament half so much." Then
+  she stifled the animal with kisses, and called him, Beau, Life,
+  Dear, Monsieur, Pretty Fellow, and what not, in the hurry of her
+  impertinence. Sappho rose up; as she always does at anything she
+  observes done, which discovers in her own sex a levity of mind,
+  which renders them inconsiderable in the opinion of others.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 16th instant, N.S., say, that
+  the siege of Tournay went on with all imaginable success; and
+  that there has been no manner of stop given to the attempts of
+  the Confederates since they undertook it, except that by an
+  accident of firing a piece of ordnance, it burst, and killed
+  fifteen or sixteen men. The French army <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page332' title='332' id="page332"></a>is still in the camp of
+  Lens, and goes on in improving their entrenchments. When the last
+  advices came away, it was believed the town of Tournay would be
+  in the hands of the Confederates by the end of this month.
+  Advices from Brussels inform us, that they have an account of a
+  great action between the malcontents in the Vivarez, and the
+  French king's forces under the command of the Duke of Roquelaure,
+  in which engagement there were eighteen hundred men killed on the
+  spot. They add, that all sorts of people who are under any
+  oppression or discontent do daily join the Vivarois; and that
+  their present body of men in arms consisted of six thousand. This
+  sudden insurrection has put the Court of France under great
+  difficulties; and the king has given orders, that the main body
+  of his troops in Spain shall withdraw into his own dominions,
+  where they are to be quartered in such countries as have of late
+  discovered an inclination to take up arms: the calamities of that
+  kingdom being such, that the people are not by any means to be
+  kept in obedience, except by the terror of military execution.
+  What makes the distresses still greater, is, that the Court
+  begins to be doubtful of their troops, some regiments in the
+  action in the Cevennes having faced about against their officers;
+  and after the battle was over, joined the malcontents. Upon
+  receiving advice of this battle, the Duke of Berwick detached
+  twelve battalions into those parts, and began to add new works to
+  his entrenchments near Briançon, in order to defend his camp,
+  after being weakened by sending so great a reinforcement into the
+  Cevennes. Letters from Spain say, that the Duchess of Anjou was
+  lately delivered of a second son. They write from Madrid of the
+  25th of June, that the blockade of Olivenza was continued; but
+  acknowledge, that the late provisions which were thrown into the
+  place, make them <a class="pagenum" name='page333' title='333'
+  id="page333"></a>doubt whether they shall be masters of it this
+  campaign; though it is at present so closely blocked up, that it
+  appears impracticable to send in any more stores or succours.
+  They are preparing with all expedition to repair the
+  fortifications of Alicante, for the security of the kingdom of
+  Valencia.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag392'>[392]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote392' id="footnote392"></a>It appears from
+      Luttrell's "Brief Relation," that in Feb. 1707, Commissioners
+      sat in the Exchequer Room at Westminster to try whether
+      Viscount Wenman, "aged 19, of £5000 per annum estate in
+      Oxfordshire," were an idiot or not. On the 14th February the
+      Commission was superseded. In June 1709, a new Commission
+      passed the Great Seal for inquiring into the Viscount's
+      idiocy, and on July 29 they found that he was no idiot. On
+      July 12, Peter Wentworth wrote thus to Lord Raby: "The
+      prosecution of Lord Wainman is now order'd again, upon wch
+      the <i>Tatler</i> is to day; the accation I am told is this,
+      that last year when there was a stopt put to't 'twas upon the
+      intercession lady Wainman the mother made to the Queen, and
+      that she designed to marry her son, the fool, to Sir John
+      Packington's daughter, 'twas then said that my Lady her self
+      had married her Butler, wch the Queen desired her to tell the
+      truth, and she did assure the Queen upon her word and
+      honour,'twas false, and she never intended any such thing,
+      but of late she has own her marriage to that same Butler, and
+      put off the match with Sir John P&#8212;&#8212;daughter, and
+      married him to her husband's sister, wch they say the Queen
+      is angry at and therefore this fresh prosecution is order'd"
+      ("Wentworth Papers," p. 93). Lord Wenman, the fifth Viscount,
+      was born in 1687, married Susannah, daughter of Seymour
+      Wroughton, Esq., in 1709, and died in 1729. Lord Wenman's
+      brother-in-law, Francis Wroughton, was also his
+      father-in-law, for he had married, in 1699, as her third
+      husband, the Viscount's mother, the Countess of Abingdon.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag393'>[393]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote393' id="footnote393"></a>The Scowrers
+      and Roarers were the forerunners of the Mohocks of 1712.
+      Shadwell wrote a play called "The Scowrers," and often
+      alludes to the window-breakers of his time. See Gay's
+      "Trivia," iii. 325:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Who has not heard the Scowrer's midnight fame?
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Who has not trembled at the Mohock's name?"
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag394'>[394]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote394' id="footnote394"></a>"Essay
+      concerning Human Understanding," chap. xii. sect. 14.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag395'>[395]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote395' id="footnote395"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number6">6</a>, <a href="#number35">35</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag396'>[396]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote396' id="footnote396"></a>"Brennoralt,"
+      act iii.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag397'>[397]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote397' id="footnote397"></a>"Paradise
+      Lost," iv. 12, 13.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number41' id="number41"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 41.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, July 12</i>, to <i>Thursday, July 14</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Celebrare domestica facta.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 12.</h3>
+
+  <p>There is no one thing more to be lamented in our nation, than
+  their general affectation of everything that is foreign; nay, we
+  carry it so far, that we are more anxious for our own countrymen
+  when they have crossed the seas, than when we see them in the
+  same dangerous condition before our eyes at home: else how is it
+  possible, that on the 29th of the last month, there should have
+  been a battle fought in our very streets of London, and nobody at
+  this end of the town have heard of it? I protest, I, who make it
+  my business to inquire after adventures, should never have known
+  this, had not the following account been sent me enclosed in a
+  letter. This, it seems, is the way of giving out of orders in the
+  Artillery Company;<a name='fntag398' id="fntag398"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote398'><sup>398</sup></a> and they prepare for
+  a day of action with so little concern, as only to call it, "An
+  Exercise of Arms."</p>
+
+  <p>"An Exercise at Arms of the Artillery Company, to be performed
+  on Wednesday, June 29, 1709, under the command of Sir Joseph
+  Woolfe, Knight and Alderman, General; <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page334' title='334' id="page334"></a>Charles Hopson, Esquire,
+  present Sheriff, Lieutenant-General; Captain Richard Synge,
+  Major; Major John Shorey, Captain of Grenadiers; Captain William
+  Grayhurst, Captain John Buttler, Captain Robert Carellis,
+  Captains.</p>
+
+  <p>"The body march from the Artillery Ground through Moorgate,
+  Coleman Street, Lothbury, Broad Street, Finch Lane, Cornhill,
+  Cheapside, St. Martin's, St. Anne's Lane, halt the pikes under
+  the wall in Noble Street, draw up the firelocks facing the
+  Goldsmiths' Hall, make ready and face to the left, and fire, and
+  so ditto three times. Beat to arms, and march round the hall, as
+  up Lad Lane, Gutter Lane, Honey Lane, and so wheel to the right,
+  and make your salute to my lord, and so down St. Anne's Lane, up
+  Aldersgate Street, Barbican, and draw up in Red Cross Street, the
+  right at St. Paul's Alley in the rear. March off
+  Lieutenant-General with half the body up Beech Lane: he sends a
+  subdivision up King's Head Court, and takes post in it, and
+  marches two divisions round into Red Lion Market, to defend that
+  pass, and succour the division in King's Head Court, but keeps in
+  White Cross Street, facing Beech Lane, the rest of the body ready
+  drawn up. Then the General marches up Beech Lane, is attacked,
+  but forces the division in the court into the market, and enters
+  with three divisions while he presses the Lieutenant-General's
+  main body; and at the same time, the three divisions force those
+  of the revolters out of the market, and so all the
+  Lieutenant-General's body retreats into Chiswell Street, and
+  lodges two divisions in Grub Street; and as the General marches
+  on, they fall on his flank, but soon made to give way; but having
+  a retreating place in Red Lion Court, but could not hold it,
+  being put to flight through Paul's Alley, and pursued by the
+  General's grenadiers, while he marches up and <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page335' title='335' id="page335"></a>attacks their main
+  body, but are opposed again by a party of men as lay in Black
+  Raven Court; but they are forced also to retire soon in the
+  utmost confusion; and at the same time those brave divisions in
+  Paul's Alley ply their rear with grenadiers, that with
+  precipitation they take to the rout along Bunhill Row: so the
+  General marches into the Artillery Ground, and being drawn up,
+  finds the revolting party to have found entrance, and makes a
+  show as if for a battle, and both armies soon engage in form, and
+  fire by platoons."</p>
+
+  <p>Much might be said for the improvement of this system; which,
+  for its style and invention, may instruct generals and their
+  historians, both in fighting a battle, and describing it when it
+  is over. These elegant expressions, "Ditto," "And so," "But
+  soon," "But having," "But could not," "But are," "But they,"
+  "Finds the party to have found," &amp;c., do certainly give great
+  life and spirit to the relation. Indeed I am extremely concerned
+  for the Lieutenant-General, who, by his overthrow and defeat, is
+  made a deplorable instance of the fortune of war, and
+  vicissitudes of human affairs. He, alas! has lost in Beech Lane
+  and Chiswell Street, all the glory he lately gained in and about
+  Holborn and St. Giles's. The art of subdividing first, and
+  dividing afterwards, is new and surprising; and according to this
+  method, the troops are disposed in King's Head Court and Red Lion
+  Market: nor is the conduct of these leaders less conspicuous in
+  their choice of the ground or field of battle. Happy was it, that
+  the greatest part of the achievements of this day was to be
+  performed near Grub Street,<a name='fntag399' id=
+  "fntag399"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote399'><sup>399</sup></a> that there might not be
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page336' title='336' id=
+  "page336"></a>wanting a sufficient number of faithful historians,
+  who being eye-witnesses of these wonders, should impartially
+  transmit them to posterity: but then it can never be enough
+  regretted, that we are left in the dark as to the name and title
+  of that extraordinary hero who commanded the divisions in Paul's
+  Alley; especially because those divisions are justly styled
+  brave, and accordingly were to push the enemy along Bunhill Row,
+  and thereby occasion a general battle. But Pallas appeared in the
+  form of a shower of rain, and prevented the slaughter and
+  desolation which were threatened by these extraordinary
+  preparations.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Hi motus animorum atque hæc certamina tanta
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescunt.<a name=
+        'fntag400' id="fntag400"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote400'><sup>400</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>Some part of the company keep up the old way of conversation
+  in this place, which usually turned upon the examination of
+  nature, and an inquiry into the manners of men. There is one in
+  the room so very judicious, that he manages impertinents with the
+  utmost dexterity. It was diverting this evening to hear a
+  discourse between him and one of these gentlemen. He told me
+  before that person joined us, that he was a questioner, who,
+  according to his description, is one who asks questions, not with
+  a design to receive information, but an affectation to show his
+  uneasiness for want of it. He went on in asserting, that there
+  are crowds of that modest ambition, as to aim no farther than to
+  demonstrate that they are in doubt. But by this time Will Why-not
+  was sat down by <a class="pagenum" name='page337' title='337' id=
+  "page337"></a>us. "So, gentlemen," says he, "in how many days,
+  think you, shall we be masters of Tournay? Is the account of the
+  action of the Vivarois to be depended upon? Could you have
+  imagined England had so much money in it, as you see it has
+  produced? Pray, sirs, what do you think? Will the Duke of Savoy
+  make an eruption into France? But," says he, "time will clear all
+  these mysteries." His answer to himself gave me the altitude of
+  his head, and to all his questions I thus answered very
+  satisfactorily: "Sir, have you heard that this
+  Slaughterford<a name='fntag401' id="fntag401"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote401'><sup>401</sup></a> never owned the fact for
+  which he died? Have the newspapers mentioned that matter? But,
+  pray, can you tell me what method will be taken to provide for
+  these Palatines?<a name='fntag402' id="fntag402"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote402'><sup>402</sup></a> But this, as you say,
+  time will clear." "Ay, ay," says he, and whispers me, "they will
+  never let us into these things beforehand." I whispered him
+  again, "We shall know it as soon as there is a proclamation." He
+  tells me in the other ear, "You are in the right of it." Then he
+  whispered my friend to know what my name was; then made an
+  obliging bow, and went to examine another table. This led my
+  friend and me to weigh this wandering manner in many other
+  incidents, and he took out of his pockets several little notes or
+  tickets to solicit for votes to employments: as, "Mr. John
+  Taplash having served all offices, and being reduced to great
+  poverty, desires your vote for singing clerk of this parish."
+  Another "has had ten children, all whom his wife has suckled
+  herself; therefore humbly desires to be a schoolmaster." There is
+  nothing so frequent as this way of application for offices. It is
+  not that you are fit for the place, but because the place would
+  be convenient for you, that you claim a merit to it. But commend
+  me to the great Kirleus,<a name='fntag403' id=
+  "fntag403"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote403'><sup>403</sup></a> who has <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page338' title='338' id="page338"></a>lately set up for
+  midwifery, and to help childbirth, for no other reason, but that
+  he is himself the Unborn Doctor. The way is to hit upon something
+  that puts the vulgar upon the stare, or that touches their
+  compassion, which is often the weakest part about us. I know a
+  good lady, who has taken her daughters from their old
+  dancing-master, to place them with another, for no other reason,
+  but because the new man has broke his leg, which is so ill set,
+  that he can never dance more.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>As it is a frequent mortification to me to receive letters,
+  wherein people tell me, without a name, they know I meant them in
+  such and such a passage; so that very accusation is an argument,
+  that there are such beings in human life, as fall under our
+  description and our discourse, is not altogether fantastical and
+  groundless. But in this case I am treated as I saw a boy was the
+  other day, who gave out poxy bills: every plain fellow took it
+  that passed by, and went on his way without further notice: at
+  last came one with his nose a little abridged; who knocks the lad
+  down, with a, "Why, you son of a w&#8212;&#8212;e, do you think I
+  am p&#8212;&#8212;d?" But Shakespeare has made the best apology
+  for this way of talking against the public errors: he makes
+  Jaques, in the play called "As You Like It," express himself
+  thus:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Why, who cries out on pride,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That can therein tax any private party?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        What woman in the city do I name,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        When that I say the city woman bears
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Who can come in and say that I mean her,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        When such a one as she, such is her neighbour?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Or, what is he of basest function,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That says his bravery is not on my cost?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page339' title='339' id=
+        "page339"></a>Thinking that I mean him, but therein suits
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        His folly to the mettle of my speech.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        There then! How then? Then let me see wherein
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        My tongue hath wronged him: if it do him right,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Then he hath wronged himself: if he be free,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Why then my taxing like a wild goose flies,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Unclaimed of any man.<a name='fntag404' id=
+        "fntag404"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote404'><sup>404</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>We have received, by letters of the 18th instant from the camp
+  before Tournay, an account, that we were in a fair prospect of
+  being masters of the town within seven days after that date. Our
+  batteries had utterly overthrown those of the enemy. On the 16th
+  instant, N.S., General Schuylemburg had made a lodgment on the
+  counterscarp of the Tenaille; which post was so weakly defended,
+  that we lost but six men in gaining it. So that there seems
+  reason to hope, that the citadel will also be in the hands of the
+  Confederates about the 6th of August, O.S. These advices inform
+  us further, that Marshal Villars had ordered large detachments to
+  make motions towards Douay and Condé. The swift progress of this
+  siege has so much alarmed the other frontier towns of France,
+  that they were throwing down some houses in the suburbs of
+  Valenciennes, which they think may stand commodiously for the
+  enemy in case that place should be invested. The Elector of
+  Cologne is making all imaginable haste to remove from thence to
+  Rheims.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag398'>[398]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote398' id="footnote398"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number28">28</a>, <a href="#number38">38</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag399'>[399]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote399' id="footnote399"></a>Grub Street,
+      Cripplegate (now Milton Street), became, towards the end of
+      the seventeenth century, the abode of what Johnson calls
+      "writers of small histories, dictionaries and temporary
+      poems; whence any mean production is called Grub Street."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag400'>[400]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote400' id="footnote400"></a>Virgil,
+      "Georgics," iv. 86.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag401'>[401]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote401' id="footnote401"></a>The <i>Flying
+      Post</i> records that one Slaughterford was sentenced to
+      death on July 2, 1709, for murdering his sweetheart.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag402'>[402]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote402' id="footnote402"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number24">24</a>, 51.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag403'>[403]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote403' id="footnote403"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number14'>No. 14</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag404'>[404]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote404' id="footnote404"></a>"As You Like
+      It," act ii. sc. 7.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page340' title='340' id=
+    "page340"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number42' id="number42"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 42.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE AND ADDISON.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, July 14, to Saturday, July 16</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Celebrare domestica facta.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>Looking over some old papers, I found a little treatise,
+  written by my great-grandfather, concerning bribery, and thought
+  his manner of treating that subject not unworthy my remark. He
+  there has a digression concerning a possibility, that in some
+  circumstances a man may receive an injury, and yet be conscious
+  to himself that he deserves it. There are abundance of fine
+  things said on the subject; but the whole wrapped up in so much
+  jingle and pun (which was the wit of those times) that it is
+  scarce intelligible; but I thought the design was well enough in
+  the following sketch of the old gentleman's poetry: for in this
+  case, where two are rivals for the same thing, and propose to
+  attain it by presents, he that attempts the judge's honesty, by
+  making him offers of reward, ought not to complain when he loses
+  his cause for a better bidder. But the good old doggerel runs
+  thus:<a name='fntag405' id="fntag405"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote405'><sup>405</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        A poor man once a judge besought,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        To judge aright his cause,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And with a pot of oil salutes
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        This judger of the laws.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "My friend" quoth he, "thy cause is good":
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        He glad away did trudge;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Anon his wealthy foe did come
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Before this partial judge.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page341' title='341' id=
+        "page341"></a>An hog well fed this churl presents,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        And craves a strain of law;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The hog received, the poor man's right
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Was judged not worth a straw.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Therewith he cried, "O! partial judge,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Thy doom has me undone;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        When oil I gave, my cause was good,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        But now to ruin run."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Poor man" quoth he, "I thee forgot,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        And see thy cause of foil;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        An hog came since into my house,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        And broke thy pot of oil."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>The discourse happened this evening to fall upon characters
+  drawn in plays, and a gentleman remarked, that there was no
+  method in the world of knowing the taste of an age, or period of
+  time so good, as by the observations of the persons represented
+  in their comedies. There were several instances produced, as Ben
+  Jonson's bringing in a fellow smoking as a piece of
+  foppery;<a name='fntag406' id="fntag406"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote406'><sup>406</sup></a> "But," said the gentleman who
+  entertained us on this subject, "this matter is nowhere so
+  observable as in the difference of the characters of women on the
+  stage in the last age, and in this. It is not to be supposed that
+  it was a poverty of genius in Shakespeare, that his women made so
+  small a figure in his dialogues; but it certainly is, that he
+  drew women as they then were in life; for that sex had not in
+  those days that freedom in conversation; and their characters
+  were only, that they were mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives.
+  There were not then among the ladies, shining wits, politicians,
+  virtuosas, free-thinkers, and disputants; nay, there was then
+  hardly such <a class="pagenum" name='page342' title='342' id=
+  "page342"></a>a creature even as a coquette: but vanity had quite
+  another turn, and the most conspicuous woman at that time of day
+  was only the best housewife. Were it possible to bring into life
+  an assembly of matrons of that age, and introduce the learned
+  Lady Woodby into their company, they would not believe the same
+  nation could produce a creature so unlike anything they ever saw
+  in it. But these ancients would be as much astonished to see in
+  the same age so illustrious a pattern to all who love things
+  praiseworthy, as the divine Aspasia.<a name='fntag407' id=
+  "fntag407"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote407'><sup>407</sup></a> Methinks, I now see her walking
+  in her garden like our first parent, with unaffected charms,
+  before beauty had spectators, and bearing celestial conscious
+  virtue in her aspect. Her countenance is the lively picture of
+  her mind, which is the seat of honour, truth, compassion,
+  knowledge, and innocence.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        There dwells the scorn of vice and pity too.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>In the midst of the most ample fortune, and veneration of all
+  that behold and know her, without the least affectation,
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page343' title='343' id=
+  "page343"></a>she consults retirement, the contemplation of her
+  own being, and that supreme power which bestowed it. Without the
+  learning of schools, or knowledge of a long course of arguments,
+  she goes on in a steady course of uninterrupted piety and virtue,
+  and adds to the severity and privacy of the last age all the
+  freedom and ease of this. The language and mien of a Court she is
+  possessed of in the highest degree; but the simplicity and humble
+  thoughts of a cottage, are her more welcome entertainments.
+  Aspasia is a female philosopher, who does not only live up to the
+  resignation of the most retired lives of the ancient sages, but
+  also to the schemes and plans which they thought beautiful,
+  though inimitable. This lady is the most exact economist, without
+  appearing busy; the most strictly virtuous, without tasting the
+  praise of it; and shuns applause with as much industry, as others
+  do <a class="pagenum" name='page344' title='344' id=
+  "page344"></a>reproach. This character is so particular, that it
+  will very easily be fixed on her only, by all that know her: but
+  I daresay, she will be the last that finds it out. But, alas! if
+  we have one or two such ladies, how many dozens are there like
+  the restless Poluglossa, who is acquainted with all the world but
+  herself; who has the appearance of all, and possession of no one
+  virtue: she has indeed in her practice the absence of vice; but
+  her discourse is the continual history of it; and it is apparent,
+  when she speaks of the criminal gratifications of others, that
+  her innocence is only a restraint, with a certain mixture of
+  envy. She is so perfectly opposite to the character of Aspasia,
+  that as vice is terrible to her only as it is the object of
+  reproach, so virtue is agreeable only as it is attended with
+  applause.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is now twelve o'clock at noon, and no mail come in;
+  therefore I am not without hopes, that the town will allow me the
+  liberty which my brother news-writers take, in giving them what
+  may be for their information in another kind, and indulge me in
+  doing an act of friendship, by publishing the following account
+  of goods and movables.<a name='fntag408' id=
+  "fntag408"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote408'><sup>408</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>This is to give notice, that a magnificent palace, with great
+  variety of gardens, statues, and waterworks, may be bought cheap
+  in Drury Lane; where there are likewise several castles to be
+  disposed of, very delightfully situated; as also groves, woods,
+  forests, fountains, and country seats, with very pleasant
+  prospects on all sides of <a class="pagenum" name='page345'
+  title='345' id="page345"></a>them; being the movables of
+  Ch&#8212;&#8212;r R&#8212;&#8212;ch,<a name='fntag409' id=
+  "fntag409"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote409'><sup>409</sup></a> Esq.; who is breaking up
+  housekeeping, and has many curious pieces of furniture to dispose
+  of, which may be seen between the hours of six and ten in the
+  evening.</p>
+
+  <h4>The INVENTORY.</h4>
+
+  <ul>
+    <li>Spirits of right Nantes brandy, for lambent flames and
+    apparitions.</li>
+
+    <li>Three bottles and a half of lightning.</li>
+
+    <li>One shower of snow in the whitest French paper.</li>
+
+    <li>Two showers of a browner sort.</li>
+
+    <li>A sea, consisting of a dozen large waves; the tenth bigger
+    than ordinary, and a little damaged.</li>
+
+    <li>A dozen and a half of clouds, trimmed with black, and well
+    conditioned.</li>
+
+    <li>A rainbow a little faded.</li>
+
+    <li>A set of clouds after the French mode, streaked with
+    lightning, and furbelowed.</li>
+
+    <li>A new-moon, something decayed.</li>
+
+    <li>A pint of the finest Spanish wash, being all that is left
+    of two hogsheads sent over last winter.</li>
+
+    <li>A coach very finely gilt, and little used, with a pair of
+    dragons, to be sold cheap.</li>
+
+    <li>A setting sun, a pennyworth.<a name='fntag410' id=
+    "fntag410"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote410'><sup>410</sup></a></li>
+
+    <li>An imperial mantle, made for Cyrus the Great, and worn by
+    Julius Cæsar, Bajazet, King Harry the Eighth, and Signior
+    Valentin.<a name='fntag411' id="fntag411"></a><a class='fn'
+    href='#footnote411'><sup>411</sup></a></li>
+
+    <li>A basket-hilt sword, very convenient to carry milk in.</li>
+
+    <li>Roxana's night-gown.</li>
+
+    <li>Othello's handkerchief.</li>
+
+    <li><a class="pagenum" name='page346' title='346' id=
+    "page346"></a>The imperial robes of Xerxes, never worn but
+    once.</li>
+
+    <li>A wild-boar, killed by Mrs. Tofts<a name='fntag412' id=
+    "fntag412"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote412'><sup>412</sup></a> and Dioclesian.</li>
+
+    <li>A serpent to sting Cleopatra.</li>
+
+    <li>A mustard-bowl to make thunder with.</li>
+
+    <li>Another of a bigger sort, by Mr. D&#8212;&#8212;is's
+    directions, little used.<a name='fntag413' id=
+    "fntag413"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote413'><sup>413</sup></a></li>
+
+    <li>Six elbow-chairs, very expert in country-dances, with six
+    flower-pots for their partners.</li>
+
+    <li>The whiskers of a Turkish bassa.</li>
+
+    <li>The complexion of a murderer in a band-box; consisting of a
+    large piece of burnt cork, and a coal-black peruke.</li>
+
+    <li>A suit of clothes for a ghost, viz., a bloody shirt, a
+    doublet curiously pinked, and a coat with three great
+    eyelet-holes upon the breast.</li>
+
+    <li>A bale of red Spanish wool.</li>
+
+    <li>Modern plots, commonly known by the name of trapdoors,
+    ladders of ropes, vizard-masks, and tables with broad carpets
+    over them.</li>
+
+    <li>Three oak cudgels, with one of crab-tree; all bought for
+    the use of Mr. Pinkethman.</li>
+
+    <li>Materials for dancing; as masks, castanets, and a ladder of
+    ten rounds.</li>
+
+    <li>Aurengezebe's scimitar, made by Will Brown in
+    Piccadilly.</li>
+
+    <li>A plume of feathers, never used but by Oedipus and the Earl
+    of Essex.</li>
+  </ul>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page347' title='347' id=
+  "page347"></a>There are also swords, halberts, sheep-hooks,
+  cardinals' hats, turbans, drums, gallipots, a gibbet, a cradle, a
+  rack, a cart-wheel, an altar, a helmet, a back-piece, a
+  breast-plate, a bell, a tub, and a jointed baby.<a name=
+  'fntag414' id="fntag414"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote414'><sup>414</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>These are the hard shifts we intelligencers are forced to;
+  therefore our readers ought to excuse us, if a westerly wind
+  blowing for a fortnight together, generally fills every paper
+  with an order of battle; when we show our martial skill in each
+  line, and, according to the space we have to fill, we range our
+  men in squadrons and battalions, or draw out company by company,
+  and troop by troop; ever observing, that no muster is to be made,
+  but when the wind is in a cross point, which often happens at the
+  end of a campaign, when half the men are deserted or killed. The
+  <i>Courant</i> is sometimes ten deep, his ranks close: the
+  <i>Postboy</i><a name='fntag415' id="fntag415"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote415'><sup>415</sup></a> is generally in files, for
+  greater exactness; and the <i>Postman</i> comes down upon you
+  rather after the Turkish way, sword in hand, pell-mell, without
+  form or discipline; but sure to bring men enough into the field;
+  and wherever they are raised, never to lose a battle for want of
+  numbers.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag405'>[405]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote405' id="footnote405"></a>From George
+      Whetstone's "English Mirror," 1586.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag406'>[406]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote406' id="footnote406"></a>See "Every Man
+      out of his Humour," act ii. sc. 1.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag407'>[407]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote407' id="footnote407"></a>Lady Elizabeth
+      Hastings, unquestionably one of the most accomplished and
+      virtuous characters of the age in which she lived, was the
+      daughter of Theophilus Hastings, the 7th Earl of Huntingdon,
+      and of Elizabeth, eldest daughter and co-heiress to John
+      Lewes, of Ledstone, in Yorkshire, Knt. and Bart. Her father
+      succeeded to the honours and estate of the family, Feb. 13,
+      1655, and was in 1687 Lord Chief Justice, and Justice in Eyre
+      of all the King's forests, &amp;c., beyond Trent; Lord
+      Lieutenant of the counties of Leicester and Derby; Captain of
+      the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners, and of the Privy Council to
+      King James II. He died suddenly at his lodgings in Charles
+      Street, St. James's, May 13, 1701, and was succeeded in his
+      honours and estate by his son, and her brother, Charles, who
+      died unmarried, Feb. 22, 1704. Lady Elizabeth Hastings was
+      born April 19, 1682, and died Dec. 22, 1739. It is said, with
+      great probability, that since the commencement of the
+      Christian era, scarce any age has produced a lady of such
+      high birth and superior accomplishments, that was a greater
+      blessing to many, or a brighter pattern to all. There is an
+      admirable sketch of this illustrious lady's character, drawn
+      soon after her death, in the tenth volume of the
+      <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, p. 36, probably by Samuel
+      Johnson. See also "An historical Character relating to the
+      holy and exemplary Life of the Right Honourable the Lady
+      Elisabeth Hastings, &amp;c. By Thomas Barnard, A.M. Printed
+      at Leeds, in 1742, 12mo" (Nichols).&#8212;Lady Elizabeth
+      Hastings, who came into a fortune upon the death of her
+      brother George, Earl of Huntingdon, settled at Ledstone
+      House, where she was the Lady Bountiful of the neighbourhood.
+      Her whole estate, however, is said to have been less than
+      £3000 a year. The best of the clergy of the day were among
+      her friends. She helped Berkeley in his Bermuda Mission
+      scheme, and she befriended Miss Mary Astell. Ralph Thoresby,
+      who visited her, was "extremely pleased with the most
+      agreeable conversation of the pious and excellent Lady
+      Elizabeth Hastings." ("Diary," ii. 82). She was one of the
+      numerous eligible ladies that the friends of Lord Raby,
+      afterwards Earl of Strafford, suggested to him as a suitable
+      wife ("Wentworth Papers," pp. 29, 56). The character of
+      Aspasia in this paper has been attributed to Congreve, on the
+      ground, apparently, that he knew Lady Elizabeth Hastings'
+      half-brother, Theophilus, afterwards Earl of Huntingdon. See
+      <a href='#number49'>No. 49</a>, note.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag408'>[408]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote408' id="footnote408"></a>The remainder
+      of this paper is by Addison; see Steele's Preface. Drury Lane
+      Theatre was closed by an order of the Lord Chamberlain, as
+      mentioned in <a href='#number30'>No. 30</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag409'>[409]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote409' id="footnote409"></a>Christopher
+      Rich.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag410'>[410]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote410' id="footnote410"></a>A bargain.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag411'>[411]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote411' id="footnote411"></a>Valentini
+      Urbani sang in Italian in the opera of "Camilla," in 1707.
+      His acting seems to have been better than his voice (Burney's
+      "History of Music," iv. 208).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag412'>[412]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote412' id="footnote412"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number20'>No. 20</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag413'>[413]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote413' id="footnote413"></a>John Dennis's
+      unsuccessful tragedy of "Appius and Virginia" was produced in
+      1709. On that occasion he introduced a new method of making
+      thunder (see "Dunciad," ii. 226), which was found useful by
+      managers. Afterwards, when Dennis found his invention being
+      used in "Macbeth," he exclaimed, "'Sdeath! that's my thunder.
+      See how the fellows use me, they have silenced my tragedy,
+      and they roar out my thunder" (Oldys, MS. notes on
+      Langbaine).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag414'>[414]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote414' id="footnote414"></a>"Baby" was
+      often used for "doll."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag415'>[415]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote415' id="footnote415"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number18'>No. 18</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number43' id="number43"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 43.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, July 16</i>, to <i>Tuesday, July 19</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Bene nummatum decorat suadela Venusque,
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Hor. 1 Ep. vi. 38.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>I write from hence at present to complain, that wit and merit
+  are so little encouraged by people of rank and quality, that the
+  wits of the age are obliged to run within <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page348' title='348' id="page348"></a>Temple Bar for
+  patronage. There is a deplorable instance of this in the case of
+  Mr. D&#8212;&#8212;y,<a name='fntag416' id=
+  "fntag416"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote416'><sup>416</sup></a> who has dedicated his
+  inimitable comedy, called, "The Modern Prophets," to a worthy
+  knight,<a name='fntag417' id="fntag417"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote417'><sup>417</sup></a> to whom, it seems, he had
+  before communicated his plan, which was, to ridicule the
+  ridiculous of our established doctrine. I have elsewhere
+  celebrated the contrivance of this excellent drama; but was not,
+  till I read the dedication, wholly let into the religious design
+  of it. I am afraid it has suffered discontinuance at this gay end
+  of the town, for no other reason but the piety of the purpose.
+  There is however in this epistle the true life of panegyrical
+  performance; and I do not doubt but, if the patron would part
+  with it, I can help him to others with good pretensions to it;
+  viz., of uncommon understanding, who would give him as much as he
+  gave for it. I know perfectly well a noble person to whom these
+  words (which are the body of the panegyric) would fit to a
+  hair.</p>
+
+  <p>"Your easiness of humour, or rather your harmonious
+  disposition, is so admirably mixed with your composure, that the
+  rugged cares and disturbance that public affairs brings with it,
+  which does so vexatiously affect the heads of other great men of
+  business, &amp;c. does scarce ever ruffle your unclouded brow so
+  much as with a frown. And what above all is praiseworthy, you are
+  so far from thinking yourself better than others, that a
+  flourishing and opulent fortune, which by a certain natural
+  corruption in its <a class="pagenum" name='page349' title='349'
+  id="page349"></a>quality, seldom fails to infect other possessors
+  with pride, seems in this case as if only providentially disposed
+  to enlarge your humility.</p>
+
+  <p>"But I find, sir, I am now got into a very large field, where
+  though I could with great ease raise a number of plants in
+  relation to your merit of this plauditory nature; yet for fear of
+  an author's general vice, and that the plain justice I have done
+  you should, by my proceeding and others' mistaken judgment, be
+  imagined flattery, a thing the bluntness of my nature does not
+  care to be concerned with, and which I also know you
+  abominate."</p>
+
+  <p>It is wonderful to see how many judges of these fine things
+  spring up every day by the rise of stocks, and other elegant
+  methods of abridging the way to learning and criticism. But I do
+  hereby forbid all dedications to any persons within the city of
+  London, except Sir Francis, Sir Stephen,<a name='fntag418' id=
+  "fntag418"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote418'><sup>418</sup></a> and the Bank, will take
+  epigrams and epistles as value received for their notes; and the
+  East India Companies accept of heroic poems for their sealed
+  bonds. Upon which bottom, our publishers have full power to treat
+  with the city in behalf of us authors, to enable traders to
+  become patrons and Fellows of the Royal Society, as well as
+  receive certain degrees of skill in the Latin and Greek tongues,
+  according to the quantity of the commodities which they take off
+  our hands.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page350' title='350' id=
+  "page350"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, July 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>The learned have so long laboured under the imputation of
+  dryness and dulness in their accounts of their phenomena, that an
+  ingenious gentleman of our society has resolved to write a system
+  of philosophy in a more lively method, both as to the matter and
+  language, than has been hitherto attempted. He read to us the
+  plan upon which he intends to proceed. I thought his account, by
+  way of fable of the worlds about us, had so much vivacity in it,
+  that I could not forbear transcribing his hypothesis, to give the
+  reader a taste of my friend's treatise, which is now in the
+  press.<a name='fntag419' id="fntag419"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote419'><sup>419</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"The inferior deities having designed on a day to play a game
+  at football, knead together a numberless collection of dancing
+  atoms into the form of seven rolling globes: and that nature
+  might be kept from a dull inactivity, each separate particle is
+  endued with a principle of motion, or a power of attraction,
+  whereby all the several parcels of matter draw each other
+  proportionately to their magnitudes and distances, into such a
+  remarkable variety of different forms, as to produce all the
+  wonderful appearances we now observe in empire, philosophy, and
+  religion. To proceed; at the beginning of the game, each of the
+  globes being struck forward with a vast violence, ran out of
+  sight, and wandered in a straight line through the infinite
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page351' title='351' id=
+  "page351"></a>spaces. The nimble deities pursue, breathless
+  almost, and spent in the eager chase; each of them caught hold of
+  one, and stamped it with his name; as, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and
+  so of the rest. To prevent this inconvenience for the future, the
+  seven are condemned to a precipitation, which in our inferior
+  style we call 'gravity.' Thus the tangential and centripetal
+  forces, by their counter-struggle, make the celestial bodies
+  describe an exact ellipsis."</p>
+
+  <p>There will be added to this an appendix, in defence of the
+  first day of the term according to the Oxford Almanac,<a name=
+  'fntag420' id="fntag420"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote420'><sup>420</sup></a> by a learned knight of this
+  realm, with an apology for the said knight's manner of dress;
+  proving, that his habit, according to this hypothesis, is the
+  true modern and fashionable; and that buckles are not to be worn,
+  by this system, till the 10th of March, in the year 1714, which,
+  according to the computation of some of our greatest divines, is
+  to be the first year of the Millennium<a name='fntag421' id=
+  "fntag421"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote421'><sup>421</sup></a>; in which blessed age, all
+  habits will be reduced to a primitive simplicity; and whoever
+  shall be found to have persevered in a constancy of dress, in
+  spite of all the allurements of profane and heathen habits, shall
+  be rewarded with a never-fading doublet of a thousand years. All
+  points in the system which are doubted, shall be attested by the
+  knight's extemporary oath, for the satisfaction of his
+  readers.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>We were upon the heroic strain this evening, and the question
+  was, What is the True Sublime? Many very good discourses happened
+  thereupon; after which a gentleman at the table, who is, it
+  seems, writing on that <a class="pagenum" name='page352' title=
+  '352' id="page352"></a>subject, assumed the argument; and though
+  he ran through many instances of sublimity from the ancient
+  writers, said, he had hardly known an occasion wherein the true
+  greatness of soul, which animates a general in action, is so well
+  represented, with regard to the person of whom it was spoken, and
+  the time in which it was writ, as in a few lines in a modern
+  poem: "there is," continued he, "nothing so forced and
+  constrained, as what we frequently meet with in tragedies; to
+  make a man under the weight of a great sorrow, or full of
+  meditation upon what he is soon to execute, cast about for a
+  simile to what he himself is, or the thing which he is going to
+  act: but there is nothing more proper and natural than for a
+  poet, whose business is to describe, and who is spectator of one
+  in that circumstance when his mind is working upon a great image,
+  and that the ideas hurry upon his imagination&#8212;I say, there
+  is nothing so natural, as for a poet to relieve and clear himself
+  from the burthen of thought at that time, by uttering his
+  conception in simile and metaphor. The highest act of the mind of
+  man, is to possess itself with tranquillity in imminent danger,
+  and to have its thoughts so free, as to act at that time without
+  perplexity. The ancient poets have compared this sedate courage
+  to a rock that remains immovable amidst the rage of winds and
+  waves; but that is too stupid and inanimate a similitude, and
+  could do no credit to the hero. At other times they are all of
+  them wonderfully obliged to a Lybian lion, which may give indeed
+  very agreeable terrors to a description; but is no compliment to
+  the person to whom it is applied: eagles, tigers, and wolves, are
+  made use of on the same occasion, and very often with much
+  beauty; but this is still an honour done to the brute, rather
+  than the hero. Mars, Pallas, Bacchus, and Hercules, have each of
+  them furnished very good similes in their time, and made,
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page353' title='353' id=
+  "page353"></a>doubtless, a greater impression on the mind of a
+  heathen, than they have on that of a modern reader. But the
+  sublime image that I am talking of, and which I really think as
+  great as ever entered into the thought of man, is in the poem
+  called, 'The Campaign';<a name='fntag422' id=
+  "fntag422"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote422'><sup>422</sup></a> where the simile of a
+  ministering angel sets forth the most sedate and the most active
+  courage, engaged in an uproar of nature, a confusion of elements,
+  and a scene of divine vengeance. Add to all, that these lines
+  compliment the General and his Queen at the same time, and have
+  all the natural horrors, heightened by the image that was still
+  fresh in the mind of every reader.<a name='fntag423' id=
+  "fntag423"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote423'><sup>423</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "'Twas then great Marlborough's mighty soul was proved,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That, in the shock of charging hosts unmoved,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Examined all the dreadful scenes of war;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        In peaceful thought the field of death surveyed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Inspired repulsed battalions to engage,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        So when an angel by divine command,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        With rising tempests shakes a guilty land,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Such as of late o'er pale Britannia past,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Calm and serene he drives the furious blast;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And, pleased the Almighty's orders to perform,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"The whole poem is so exquisitely noble and poetic, that I
+  think it an honour to our nation and language." The gentleman
+  concluded his critique on this work, by saying, that he esteemed
+  it wholly new, and a wonderful attempt to keep up the ordinary
+  ideas of a march of an army, just <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page354' title='354' id="page354"></a>as they happened in so
+  warm and great a style, and yet be at once familiar and heroic.
+  Such a performance is a chronicle as well as a poem, and will
+  preserve the memory of our hero, when all the edifices and
+  statues erected to his honour are blended with common dust.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, that
+  the Allies were so forward in the siege of Tournay, that they
+  were preparing for a general assault, which, it was supposed,
+  would be made within a few days. Deserters from the town gave an
+  account, that the garrison was carrying their ammunition and
+  provisions into the citadel, which occasioned a tumult among the
+  inhabitants of the town. The French army had laid bridges over
+  the Scarp, and made a motion as if they intended to pass that
+  river; but though they are joined by the reinforcement expected
+  from Germany, it was not believed they should make any attempt
+  towards relieving Tournay. Letters from Brabant say, there has
+  been a discovery made of a design to deliver up Antwerp to the
+  enemy. The States of Holland have agreed to a general
+  naturalisation of all Protestants who shall fly into their
+  dominions; to which purpose, a proclamation was to be issued
+  within few days.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from France, that the great misery and want under
+  which that nation has so long laboured, has ended in a
+  pestilence, which began to appear in Burgundy and Dauphiné. They
+  add, that in the town of Mazon, three hundred persons had died in
+  the space of ten days. Letters from Lille of the 24th instant
+  advise, that great numbers of deserters came daily into that
+  city, the most part of whom are dragoons. We are advised from
+  France, that the Loire having overflowed its banks, hath laid the
+  country under water for three hundred miles together.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag416'>[416]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote416' id="footnote416"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number1">1</a> and <a href="#number11">11</a>. In
+      No. 29 of the <i>Guardian</i> Steele accused the world of
+      ingratitude in not properly "rewarding the jocose labours of
+      my friend, Mr. Durfey"; and in No. 67
+      Addison urged the town to go to a performance at the theatre
+      given for Durfey's benefit. "He has made the town merry, and
+      I hope they will make him easy, so long as he stays among
+      us."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag417'>[417]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote417' id="footnote417"></a>Sir William
+      Scawen, a merchant who was knighted in 1692.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag418'>[418]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote418' id="footnote418"></a>Probably Sir
+      Francis Child and Sir Stephen Evance, the bankers. The latter
+      was ruined at the time of the South Sea mania. The following
+      advertisement appeared in the <i>Postman</i> for Jan. 1,
+      1709: "Lost or mislaid, some time the last summer, at
+      Winchester House, in Chelsea, a gold snuff-box, a cypher
+      graved on the cover, with trophies round it, and over the
+      cypher these words, 'DD. Illust. Princ. Jac. Duci Ormond.'
+      Whoever brings it to Sir Stephen Evance, at the Black Boy in
+      Lombard Street, shall have ten guineas reward, and be asked
+      no questions."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag419'>[419]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote419' id="footnote419"></a>This seems to
+      be a banter upon Mr. Whiston's book intituled, "Prælectiones
+      Physicæ Mathematicæ; sive Philosophia clarissimi Newtoni
+      Mathematica illustrata, 1710"; wherein he explained the
+      Newtonian philosophy, which now began to grow into vogue.
+      Both Addison and Steele, however, very much befriended
+      Whiston; and after his banishment from Cambridge, promoted a
+      subscription for his astronomical lectures at Button's
+      Coffee-house (Nichols).&#8212;See No.
+      251.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag420'>[420]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote420' id="footnote420"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number39'>No. 39</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag421'>[421]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote421' id="footnote421"></a>Whiston had
+      fixed that day for the destruction of Anti-Christ and the
+      beginning of the Millennium.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag422'>[422]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote422' id="footnote422"></a>Written by
+      Addison in 1705, in celebration of the victory at
+      Blenheim.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag423'>[423]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote423' id="footnote423"></a>The great storm
+      of November 1703 formed the subject of a volume published by
+      Defoe in 1704.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page355' title='355' id=
+    "page355"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number44' id="number44"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 44.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, July 19</i>, to <i>Thursday, July 21</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          &#8212;Nullis amor est medicabilis herbis.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Ovid, Met. i. 523.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 19.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day, passing through Covent Garden, I was stopped in the
+  Piazza by Pacolet, to observe what he called the "triumph of love
+  and youth." I turned to the object he pointed at; and there I saw
+  a gay gilt chariot drawn by fresh prancing horses; the coachman
+  with a new cockade, and the lackeys with insolence and plenty in
+  their countenances. I asked immediately, what young heir or lover
+  owned that glittering equipage? But my companion interrupted: "Do
+  not you see there the mourning Æsculapius?"<a name='fntag424' id=
+  "fntag424"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote424'><sup>424</sup></a> "The mourning!" said I.
+  "<a class="pagenum" name='page356' title='356' id=
+  "page356"></a>Yes, Isaac," said Pacolet, "he is in deep mourning,
+  and is the languishing hopeless lover of the divine Hebe, the
+  emblem of youth and beauty. The excellent and learned sage you
+  behold in that furniture, is the strongest instance imaginable,
+  that love is the most powerful of all things. You are not so
+  ignorant as to be a stranger to the character of Æsculapius, as
+  the patron and most successful of all who profess the art of
+  medicine. But as most of his operations are owing to a natural
+  sagacity or impulse, he has very little troubled himself with the
+  doctrine of drugs; but has always given Nature more room to help
+  herself, than any of her learned assistants; and consequently has
+  done greater wonders than is in the power of art to
+  perform;<a name='fntag425' id="fntag425"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote425'><sup>425</sup></a> for which reason, he is half
+  deified by the people; and has ever been justly courted by all
+  the world, as if he were a seventh son. It happened, that the
+  charming Hebe was reduced, by a long and violent fever, to the
+  most extreme danger of death; and when all skill failed, they
+  sent for Æsculapius. The renowned artist was touched <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page357' title='357' id="page357"></a>with the
+  deepest compassion to see the faded charms and faint bloom of
+  Hebe; and had a generous concern in beholding a struggle, not
+  between life, but rather between youth, and death. All his skill
+  and his passion tended to the recovery of Hebe, beautiful even in
+  sickness: but, alas! the unhappy physician knew not, that in all
+  his care he was only sharpening darts for his own destruction. In
+  a word, his fortune was the same with that of the statuary, who
+  fell in love with the image of his own making; and the
+  unfortunate Æsculapius is become the patient of her whom he
+  lately recovered. Long before this disaster, Æsculapius was far
+  gone in the unnecessary and superfluous amusements of old age, in
+  increasing unwieldy stores, and providing, in the midst of an
+  incapacity of enjoyment of what he had, for a supply of more
+  wants than he had calls for in youth itself. But these low
+  considerations are now no more, and love has taken place of
+  avarice, or rather has become an avarice of another kind, which
+  still urges him to pursue what he does not want. But behold the
+  metamorphosis; the anxious mean cares of an usurer are turned
+  into the languishments and complaints of a lover. 'Behold,' says
+  the aged Æsculapius, 'I submit, I own, great Love, thy empire:
+  pity, Hebe, the fop you have made: what have I to do with gilding
+  but on pills? Yet, O fair! For thee I sit amidst a crowd of
+  painted deities on my chariot, buttoned in gold, clasped in gold,
+  without having any value for that beloved metal, but as it adorns
+  the person, and laces the hat of thy dying lover. I ask not to
+  live, O Hebe! Give me but gentle death: euthanasia, euthanasia,
+  that is all I implore.'" When Æsculapius had finished his
+  complaint, Pacolet went on in deep morals on the uncertainty of
+  riches, with this remarkable exclamation; "O wealth! How impotent
+  art thou! And how little dost thou supply us with real happiness,
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page358' title='358' id=
+  "page358"></a>when the usurer himself can forget thee for the
+  love of what is as foreign to his felicity as thou art?"</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 19.</h3>
+
+  <p>The company here, who have all a delicate taste of theatrical
+  representations, had made a gathering to purchase the movables of
+  the neighbouring playhouse,<a name='fntag426' id=
+  "fntag426"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote426'><sup>426</sup></a> for the encouragement of one
+  which is setting up in the Haymarket. But the proceedings at the
+  auction (by which method the goods have been sold this evening)
+  have been so unfair, that this generous design has been
+  frustrated; for the Imperial Mantle made for Cyrus was missing,
+  as also the Chariot and Two Dragons: but upon examination it was
+  found, that a gentleman of Hampshire<a name='fntag427' id=
+  "fntag427"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote427'><sup>427</sup></a> had clandestinely bought them
+  both, and is gone down to his country seat; and that on Saturday
+  last he passed through Staines attired in that robe, and drawn by
+  the said Dragons, assisted by two only of his own horses. This
+  theatrical traveller has also left orders with Mr. Hall<a name=
+  'fntag428' id="fntag428"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote428'><sup>428</sup></a> to send the faded rainbow to
+  the scourers, and when it comes home, to despatch it after him.
+  At the same time C&#8212;&#8212; R&#8212;&#8212;<a name=
+  'fntag429' id="fntag429"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote429'><sup>429</sup></a> Esq. is invited to bring down
+  himself his Setting Sun, and be box-keeper to a theatre erected
+  by this gentleman near Southampton. Thus there has been nothing
+  but artifice in the management of this affair; for which reason I
+  beg <a class="pagenum" name='page359' title='359' id=
+  "page359"></a>pardon of the town, that I inserted the inventory
+  in my paper and solemnly protest, I knew nothing of this artful
+  design of vending these rarities: but I meant only the good of
+  the world in that and all other things which I divulge. And now I
+  am upon this subject, I must do myself justice in relation to an
+  article in a former paper, wherein I made mention of a person who
+  keeps a puppet-show in the town of Bath;<a name='fntag430' id=
+  "fntag430"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote430'><sup>430</sup></a> I was tender of naming names,
+  and only just hinted, that he makes larger promises, when he
+  invites people to his dramatic representations, than he is able
+  to perform: but I am credibly informed, that he makes a profane
+  lewd jester, which he calls Punch, speak to the dishonour of
+  Isaac Bickerstaff with great familiarity; and before all my
+  learned friends in that place, takes upon him to dispute my title
+  to the appellation of Esquire. I think I need not say much to
+  convince all the world, that this Mr. Powell (for that is his
+  name) is a pragmatical and vain person to pretend to argue with
+  me on any subject. <i>Mecum certasse feretur</i><a name=
+  'fntag431' id="fntag431"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote431'><sup>431</sup></a>; that is to say, it will be an
+  honour to him to have it said he contended with me; but I would
+  have him to know, that I can look beyond his wires, and <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page360' title='360' id="page360"></a>know very
+  well the whole trick of his art, and that it is only by these
+  wires that the eye of the spectator is cheated, and hindered from
+  seeing that there is a thread on one of Punch's chops, which
+  draws it up, and lets it fall at the discretion of the said
+  Powell, who stands behind and plays him, and makes him speak
+  saucily of his betters. He! to pretend to make prologues against
+  me! But a man never behaves himself with decency in his own case;
+  therefore I shall command myself, and never trouble me further
+  with this little fellow, who is himself but a tall puppet, and
+  has not brains enough to make even wood speak as it ought to do:
+  and I, that have heard the groaning board,<a name='fntag432' id=
+  "fntag432"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote432'><sup>432</sup></a> can despise all that his
+  puppets shall be able to speak as long as they live. But, <i>Ex
+  quovis ligno non fit Mercurius</i><a name='fntag433' id=
+  "fntag433"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote433'><sup>433</sup></a>. He has pretended to write to
+  me also from the Bath, and says, he thought to have deferred
+  giving me an answer till he came to his books<a name='fntag434'
+  id="fntag434"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote434'><sup>434</sup></a>; but that my writings might do
+  well with the <a class="pagenum" name='page361' title='361' id=
+  "page361"></a>waters: which are pert expressions that become a
+  schoolboy, better than one that is to teach others: and when I
+  have said a civil thing to him, he cries, "Oh! I thank you for
+  that&#8212;I am your humble servant for that."<a name='fntag435'
+  id="fntag435"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote435'><sup>435</sup></a> Ah! Mr. Powell, these smart
+  civilities will never run down men of learning: I know well
+  enough your design is to have all men automata, like your
+  puppets; but the world is grown too wise, and can look through
+  these thin devices. I know you design to make a reply to this;
+  but be sure you stick close to my words; for if you bring me into
+  discourses concerning the government of your puppets, I must tell
+  you, I neither am, nor have been, nor will be, at leisure to
+  answer you. It is really a burning shame this man should be
+  tolerated in abusing the world with such representations of
+  things: but his parts decay, and he is not much more alive than
+  Partridge.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 14.</h3>
+
+  <p>I must beg pardon of my readers that for this time I have, I
+  fear, huddled up my discourse, having been very busy in helping
+  an old friend of mine out of town. He has a very good estate, is
+  a man of wit; but he had been three years absent from town, and
+  cannot bear a jest; for <a class="pagenum" name='page362' title=
+  '362' id="page362"></a>which reason I have, with some pains,
+  convinced him, that he can no more live here than if he were a
+  downright bankrupt. He was so fond of dear London, that he began
+  to fret only inwardly; but being unable to laugh and be laughed
+  at, I took a place in the northern coach for him and his family;
+  and hope he is got to-night safe from all sneerers in his own
+  parlour.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>This morning we received by express, the agreeable news of the
+  surrender of the town of Tournay on the 28th instant, N.S. The
+  place was assaulted at the attacks of General Schuylemburg, and
+  that of General Lottum, at the same time. The action at both
+  those parts of the town was very obstinate, and the Allies lost a
+  considerable number at the beginning of the dispute; but the
+  fight was continued with so great bravery, that the enemy
+  observing that we were masters of all the posts which were
+  necessary for a general attack, beat the chamade,<a name=
+  'fntag436' id="fntag436"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote436'><sup>436</sup></a> and hostages were received from
+  the town, and others sent from the besiegers, in order to come to
+  a formal capitulation for the surrender of the place. We have
+  also this day received advice, that Sir John Leake, who lies off
+  of Dunkirk, had intercepted several ships laden with corn from
+  the Baltic; and that the Dutch privateers had fallen in with
+  others, and carried them into Holland. The French letters advise,
+  that the young son to the Duke of Anjou lived but eight days.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag424'>[424]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote424' id="footnote424"></a>Dr. John
+      Radcliffe, the physician (1650-1714), was disappointed in
+      love when about sixty. The matter is referred to again in
+      Nos. <a href="#number46">46</a>, <a href="#number47">47</a>,
+      50 and 67.
+      Radcliffe became rich, but was considered to be a quack by
+      many other doctors. "The last <i>Tatler</i> is upon Dr.
+      Ratclif who they say is desparately in love with Dutchess of
+      Bolton, his passion runs so high as to declare he'll make her
+      eldest son his heir, upon wch account they say the Duke of
+      B&#8212;&#8212; is not at all alarm'd, but gives the Old
+      amorist opportunity to make his Court, the Dr. lately gave
+      the Dutchess and some other Ladys an entertainm' of musick
+      upon the water, and a fine supper in the Barge" ("Wentworth
+      Papers," p. 97). This identification of Hebe with the Duchess
+      of Bolton is corroborated by the MS. annotator mentioned in a
+      note to <a href='#number4'>No. 4</a>. According to another
+      account she was a Miss Tempest, a maid of honour to the
+      Queen. The writer of the article on Radcliffe in the "Biog.
+      Britannica" says: "The lady, who made the doctor, at this
+      advanced age, stand in need of a physician himself, was of
+      great beauty, wealth, and quality; and too attractive not to
+      inspire the coldest heart with the warmest sentiments. After
+      he had made a cure of her, he could not but imagine, as
+      naturally he might, that her ladyship would entertain a
+      favourable opinion of him. But the lady, however grateful she
+      might be for the care he had taken of her health, divulged
+      the secret, and one of her confidants revealed it to Steele,
+      who, on account of party, was so ill-natured as to write the
+      ridicule of it in the <i>Tatler</i>" Radcliffe never
+      married.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag425'>[425]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote425' id="footnote425"></a>I have a
+      pamphlet called "The <i>Tatler's</i> Character (July 21) of
+      Æsculapius guessing diseases, without the knowledge of drugs;
+      applied to the British Physicians and Surgeons: or, The
+      difficult diseases of the Royal Family, Nobility and Gentry
+      will never be understood and recover'd, when the populace are
+      oppress'd and destroy'd by the Practising-Apothecaries and
+      Empiricks confess'd by the College and Mr. Bernard the
+      Surgeon. By a Consultation of Gentlemen of Quality." London,
+      8vo, 1709. The pamphlet contains some interesting remarks on
+      the physicians, apothecaries and hospitals of the time. Mr.
+      Bickerstaff is called "the most ingenious physician of our
+      vices and follies."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag426'>[426]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote426' id="footnote426"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number42'>No. 42</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag427'>[427]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote427' id="footnote427"></a>A friend of
+      Nichols said, "I have seen somewhere, but cannot immediately
+      refer to the book, an account of a theatre built at
+      Southwick, in the county of Hants, by a Mr. Richard Norton,
+      whose will is in the <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, 1733, p.
+      57. He is the person, I believe, who wrote a play called
+      'Pausanias' (1696). Cibber dedicated his first play to him."
+      The MS. annotator mentioned in <a href='#number4'>No. 4</a>
+      also identifies the gentleman of Hampshire with "Mr.
+      N&#8212;&#8212;n."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag428'>[428]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote428' id="footnote428"></a>An
+      auctioneer.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag429'>[429]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote429' id="footnote429"></a>Christopher
+      Rich, the manager.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag430'>[430]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote430' id="footnote430"></a>Under the name
+      of Powell, the puppet-show man, Steele attacked Dr. Blackall,
+      Bishop of Exeter (see <a href='#number37'>No. 37</a>), who
+      was engaged in a controversy with Benjamin Hoadly. In March
+      1709, Blackall preached before the Queen a sermon laying down
+      the doctrine of passive obedience in its most extreme form,
+      but in 1704 he had preached obedience limited by the laws of
+      the State. Hoadly wrote against the sermon of 1709, and
+      brought against the Bishop the sermon of 1704. The Bishop,
+      angry at this mode of refutation, answered haughtily, and
+      dwelt on the superiority of his rank as compared with that of
+      Hoadly, then simply rector of a London parish. Bickerstaff
+      here reproaches Blackall for the pride and rudeness of his
+      answer, and then, under the guise of Powell, proprietor of
+      the puppet-show, satirises the extreme doctrine of divine
+      right taught by the Bishop, a doctrine which would make the
+      subjects mere automata, to be moved only at the will of the
+      prince.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag431'>[431]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote431' id="footnote431"></a>Ovid, "Met."
+      xiii. 20.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag432'>[432]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote432' id="footnote432"></a>The following
+      printed advertisement appeared in 1682: "At the sign of the
+      wool-sack, in Newgate-market, is to be seen, a strange and
+      wonderful thing, which is an elm-board, being touched with a
+      hot iron, doth express itself, as if it were a man dying with
+      groans, and trembling, to the great admiration of all the
+      hearers. It hath been presented before the King and his
+      nobles, and hath given great satisfaction. <i>Vivat
+      Rex</i>."&#8212;(MSS. Sloan. 958.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag433'>[433]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote433' id="footnote433"></a>"Ne e quovis
+      ligno Mercurius fiat" is one of the proverbs in the "Adagia"
+      of Erasmus. But its history, as originally from the Greek, is
+      thus given in a note of Andr. Schottus, quoted by Gaisford in
+      his "Parcemiographia Græci," p. 39, Ox. 1836:&#8212;"Illiud
+      adagium <span lang="el" title=
+      "ouk ek pantòs zýlon Hermês àn génoito" xml:lang=
+      "el">&#8000;&#965;&#954; &#7952;&#954;
+      &#960;&#945;&#957;&#964;&#8056;&#962;
+      &#958;&#8059;&#955;&#959;&#965;
+      &#7965;&#961;&#956;&#951;&#962;
+      &#7938;&#957;
+      &#947;&#8051;&#957;&#959;&#953;&#964;&#959;</span>,
+      quod a Pythagora primum profectum auctor est Apuleius
+      'Apol.'" [t. ii. p. 499] (Ed. Marshall, "Notes and Queries,"
+      March 26, 1887). See Apuleius, "Apologia," 476: "Non enim ex
+      omni ligno, ut Pythagoras dicebat, debet Mercurius
+      exsculpi."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag434'>[434]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote434' id="footnote434"></a>In the Bishop's
+      answer to Hoadly's letter, 1709, there is this passage: "I
+      have no books here; and being under these circumstances, I
+      hope I may be excused, if, in citing Scripture, I should not
+      always name chapter and verse, nor hit exactly upon the very
+      words of the translation" (Lord Bishop of Exeter's Answer,
+      &amp;c., pp. 2 and 3).&#8212;"As to the <i>Tatlers</i>
+      relating to Powell's puppets, and the doctrines of passive
+      obedience and absolute non-resistance, and to Bishop
+      Blackall, I know it gave my father some uneasiness, that
+      there is a reference to a fact, which, as he resolved himself
+      never to take notice of, thinking it ungenerous, so he was
+      sorry to see any friend of the cause had; which is, that the
+      Bishop had said inadvertently, he was at Bath, and had not a
+      Bible in his family. It is worth remarking, that all the
+      arguments used by Powell about his power over Punch,
+      'lighting his pipe with one of his legs,' &amp;c., are a good
+      burlesque of those used by the advocates of
+      non-resistance."&#8212;(Dr. John Hoadly.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag435'>[435]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote435' id="footnote435"></a>The Bishop,
+      after quoting a respectful expression of Hoadly's, says,
+      "Your servant, sir, for that."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag436'>[436]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote436' id="footnote436"></a>A beat of the
+      drum or sound of a trumpet, which summons the enemy to a
+      parley. In <i>Spectator</i>, No. 165, Addison ridiculed the
+      use of this and other French war terms by English
+      writers.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page363' title='363' id=
+    "page363"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number45' id="number45"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 45.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, July 21, to Saturday, July 23</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Credo pudicitiam Saturno rege moratam
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line">
+          In terris.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Juv., Sat. vi. I.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>The other day I took a walk a mile or two out of town and
+  strolling wherever chance led me, I was insensibly carried into a
+  by-road, along which was a very agreeable quickset, of an
+  extraordinary height, which surrounded a very delicious seat and
+  garden. From one angle of the hedge, I heard a voice cry, "Sir,
+  sir&#8212;" This raised my curiosity, and I heard the same voice
+  say, but in a gentle tone, "Come forward, come forward." I did
+  so, and one through the hedge called me by my name, and bade me
+  go on to the left, and I should be admitted to visit an old
+  acquaintance in distress. The laws of knight-errantry made me
+  obey the summons without hesitation; and I was let in at the back
+  gate of a lovely house by a maid-servant, who carried me from
+  room to room, until I came into a gallery; at the end of which, I
+  saw a fine lady dressed in the most sumptuous habit, as if she
+  were going to a ball, but with the most abject and disconsolate
+  sorrow in her face that I ever beheld. As I came near, she burst
+  into tears, and cried, "Sir, do not you know the unhappy
+  Teraminta?" I soon recollected her whole person: "But," said I,
+  "madam, the simplicity of dress, in which I have ever seen you at
+  your good father's house, and the cheerfulness of countenance
+  with which you always appeared, are so unlike the fashion and
+  temper you are now in, that I did not easily recover the
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page364' title='364' id=
+  "page364"></a>memory of you. Your habit was then decent and
+  modest, your looks serene and beautiful: whence then this
+  unaccountable change? Nothing can speak so deep a sorrow as your
+  present aspect; yet your dress is made for jollity and
+  revelling." "It is," said she, "an unspeakable pleasure to meet
+  with one I know, and to bewail myself to any that is not an utter
+  stranger to humanity. When your friend my father died, he left me
+  to a wide world, with no defence against the insults of fortune,
+  but rather, a thousand snares to entrap me in the dangers to
+  which youth and innocence are exposed, in an age wherein honour
+  and virtue are become mere words, and used only as they serve to
+  betray those who understand them in their native sense, and obey
+  them as the guides and motives of their being. The wickedest of
+  all men living, the abandoned Decius, who has no knowledge of any
+  good art or purpose of human life, but as it tends to the
+  satisfaction of his appetites, had opportunities of frequently
+  seeing and entertaining me at a house where mixed company
+  boarded, and where he placed himself for the base intention which
+  he has since brought to pass. Decius saw enough in me to raise
+  his brutal desires, and my circumstances gave him hopes of
+  accomplishing them. But all the glittering expectations he could
+  lay before me, joined by my private terrors of poverty itself,
+  could not for some months prevail upon me; yet, however I hated
+  his intention, I still had a secret satisfaction in his
+  courtship, and always exposed myself to his solicitations. See
+  here the bane of our sex! Let the flattery be never so apparent,
+  the flatterer never so ill thought of, his praises are still
+  agreeable and we contribute to our own deceit. I was therefore
+  ever fond of all opportunities and pretences of being in his
+  company. In a word, I was at last ruined by him, and brought to
+  this place, where I have been ever since <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page365' title='365' id="page365"></a>immured; and from the
+  fatal day after my fall from innocence, my worshipper became my
+  master and my tyrant. Thus you see me habited in the most
+  gorgeous manner, not in honour of me as a woman he loves, but as
+  this attire charms his own eye, and urges him to repeat the
+  gratification he takes in me, as the servant of his brutish lusts
+  and appetites. I know not where to fly for redress; but am here
+  pining away life in the solitude and severity of a nun, but the
+  conscience and guilt of a harlot. I live in this lewd practice
+  with a religious awe of my minister of darkness, upbraided with
+  the support I receive from him, for the inestimable possession of
+  youth, of innocence, of honour, and of conscience. I see, sir, my
+  discourse grows painful to you; all I beg of you is, to paint in
+  so strong colours, as to let Decius see I am discovered to be in
+  his possession, that I may be turned out of this detestable scene
+  of regular iniquity, and either think no more, or sin no more. If
+  your writings have the good effect of gaining my enlargement, I
+  promise you I will atone for this unhappy step, by preferring an
+  innocent laborious poverty, to all the guilty affluence the world
+  can offer me."</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 21.</h3>
+
+  <p>To show that I do not bear an irreconcilable hatred to my
+  mortal enemy, Mr. Powell at Bath, I do his function the honour to
+  publish to the world, that plays represented by puppets are
+  permitted in our universities,<a name='fntag437' id=
+  "fntag437"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote437'><sup>437</sup></a> and that sort of drama is not
+  wholly thought unworthy the critic of learned heads: but as I
+  have been conversant rather with the greater Ode, as I think the
+  critics call it, I must be so humble as to make a request to Mr.
+  Powell, <a class="pagenum" name='page366' title='366' id=
+  "page366"></a>and desire him to apply his thoughts to answering
+  the difficulties with which my kinsman, the author of the
+  following letter, seems to be embarrassed.</p>
+
+  <h4>"<i>To my Honoured Kinsman, Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.</i></h4>
+
+  <p>"DEAR COUSIN,</p>
+
+  <p>"Had the family of the Beadlestaffs,<a name='fntag438' id=
+  "fntag438"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote438'><sup>438</sup></a> whereof I, though unworthy, am
+  one, known of your being lately at Oxon, we had in our own name,
+  and in the Universities' (as it is our office), made you a
+  compliment: but your short stay here robbed us of an opportunity
+  of paying our due respects, and you of receiving an ingenious
+  entertainment, with which we at present divert ourselves and
+  strangers. A puppet-show at this time supplies the want of an
+  Act.<a name='fntag439' id="fntag439"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote439'><sup>439</sup></a> And since the nymphs of this
+  city are disappointed of a luscious music-speech, and the country
+  ladies of hearing their sons or brothers speak verses; yet the
+  vocal machines, like them, by the help of a prompter, say things
+  as much to the benefit of the audience, and almost as properly
+  their own. The licence of a Terræ-Filius<a name='fntag440' id=
+  "fntag440"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote440'><sup>440</sup></a> is refined to the well-bred
+  satire of Punchinello. Now, Cousin Bickerstaff, though Punch has
+  neither a French nightcap, nor long pockets, yet you must own him
+  to be a pretty fellow, a 'very' pretty fellow: nay, since he
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page367' title='367' id=
+  "page367"></a>seldom leaves the company, without calling, 'Son of
+  a whore,' demanding satisfaction, and duelling, he must be owned
+  a smart fellow too. Yet, by some indecencies towards the ladies,
+  he seems to be of a third character, distinct from any you have
+  yet touched upon. A young gentleman who sat next me (for I had
+  the curiosity of seeing this entertainment), in a tufted gown,
+  red stockings, and long wig (which I pronounce to be tantamount
+  to red heels and a dangling cane<a name='fntag441' id=
+  "fntag441"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote441'><sup>441</sup></a>) was enraged when Punchinello
+  disturbed a soft love-scene with his ribaldry. You would oblige
+  us mightily by laying down some rules for adjusting the
+  extravagant behaviour of this Almanzor<a name='fntag442' id=
+  "fntag442"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote442'><sup>442</sup></a> of the play, and by writing a
+  treatise on this sort of dramatic poetry, so much favoured, and
+  so little understood, by the learned world. From its being
+  conveyed in a cart after the Thespian manner, all the parts being
+  recited by one person, as the custom was before Æschylus, and the
+  behaviour of Punch as if he had won the goal, you may possibly
+  deduce its antiquity, and settle the chronology, as well as some
+  of our modern critics. In its natural transitions, from mournful
+  to merry; as, from the hanging of a lover, to dancing upon the
+  rope; from the stalking of a ghost, to a lady's presenting you
+  with a jig; you may discover such a decorum, as is not to be
+  found elsewhere than in our tragi-comedies. But I forget myself;
+  it is not for me to dictate: I thought fit, dear cousin, to give
+  you these hints, to show you that the Beadlestaffs don't walk
+  before men of letters to no purpose; and that though we do but
+  hold up the train of arts and sciences, yet like other <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page368' title='368' id="page368"></a>pages, we
+  are now and then let into our ladies' secrets. I am,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most</p>
+
+  <p>"Affectionate Kinsman,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"BENJAMIN BEADLESTAFF.</p>
+
+  <p>"From Mother Gourdon's, at Hedington,<a name='fntag443' id=
+  "fntag443"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote443'><sup>443</sup></a> near Oxon, <i>June 18</i>."</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>I am got hither safe, but never spent time with so little
+  satisfaction as this evening; for you must know, I was five hours
+  with three Merry, and two Honest Fellows. The former sang
+  catches; and the latter even died with laughing at the noise they
+  made. "Well," says Tom Belfrey, "you scholars, Mr. Bickerstaff,
+  are the worst company in the world." "Ay," says his opposite,
+  "you are dull to-night; prithee be merry." With that I huzzaed,
+  and took a jump across the table, then came clever upon my legs,
+  and fell a-laughing. "Let Mr. Bickerstaff alone," says one of the
+  Honest Fellows, "when he's in a good humour, he's as good company
+  as any man in England." He had no sooner spoke, but I snatched
+  his hat off his head, and clapped his upon my own, and burst out
+  a-laughing again; upon which we all fell a-laughing for half an
+  hour. One of the Honest Fellows got behind me in the interim, and
+  hit me a sound slap on the back; upon which he got the laugh out
+  of my hands, and it was such a twang on my shoulders, that I
+  confess he was much merrier than I. I was half angry; but
+  resolved <a class="pagenum" name='page369' title='369' id=
+  "page369"></a>to keep up the good humour of the company; and
+  after holloing as loud as I could possibly, I drank off a bumper
+  of claret, that made me stare again. "Nay," says one of the
+  Honest Fellows, "Mr. Isaac is in the right, there is no
+  conversation in this; what signifies jumping, or hitting one
+  another on the back? Let's drink about." We did so from seven
+  o'clock till eleven; and now I am come hither, and, after the
+  manner of the wise Pythagoras, begin to reflect upon the passages
+  of the day. I remember nothing, but that I am bruised to death;
+  and as it is my way to write down all the good things I have
+  heard in the last conversation to furnish my paper, I can from
+  this only tell you my sufferings and my bangs. I named Pythagoras
+  just now, and I protest to you, as he believed men after death
+  entered into other species, I am now and then tempted to think
+  other animals enter into men, and could name several on two legs,
+  that never discover any sentiment above what is common with the
+  species of a lower kind; as we see in these bodily wits whom I
+  was with to-night, whose parts consist in strength and activity;
+  but their boisterous mirth gives me great impatience for the
+  return of such happiness as I enjoyed in a conversation last
+  week. Among others in that company, we had Florio, who never
+  interrupted any man living when he was speaking, or ever ceased
+  to speak, but others lamented that he had done. His discourse
+  ever arises from a fulness of the matter before him, and not from
+  ostentation or triumph of his understanding; for though he seldom
+  delivers what he need fear being repeated, he speaks without
+  having that end in view; and his forbearance of calumny or
+  bitterness, is owing rather to his good nature than his
+  discretion; for which reason, he is esteemed a gentleman
+  perfectly qualified for conversation, in whom a general goodwill
+  to mankind takes off the necessity of caution and circum<a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page370' title='370' id="page370"></a>spection.
+  We had at the same time that evening the best sort of companion
+  that can be, a good-natured old man. This person meets in the
+  company of young men, veneration for his benevolence, and is not
+  only valued for the good qualities of which he is master, but
+  reaps an acceptance from the pardon he gives to other men's
+  faults: and the ingenuous sort of men with whom he converses,
+  have so just a regard for him, that he rather is an example, than
+  a check to their behaviour. For this reason, as Senecio never
+  pretends to be a man of pleasure before youth, so young men never
+  set up for wisdom before Senecio; so that you never meet, where
+  he is, those monsters of conversation, who are grave or gay above
+  their years. He never converses but with followers of nature and
+  good sense, where all that is uttered is only the effect of a
+  communicable temper, and not of emulation to excel their
+  companions; all desire of superiority being a contradiction to
+  that spirit which makes a just conversation, the very essence of
+  which is mutual goodwill. Hence it is, that I take it for a rule,
+  that the natural, and not the acquired man, is the companion.
+  Learning, wit, gallantry, and good breeding, are all but
+  subordinate qualities in society, and are of no value, but as
+  they are subservient to benevolence, and tend to a certain manner
+  of being or appearing equal to the rest of the company; for
+  conversation is composed of an assembly of men, as they are men,
+  and not as they are distinguished by fortune: therefore he that
+  brings his quality with him into conversation, should always pay
+  the reckoning; for he came to receive homage, and not to meet his
+  friends&#8212;But the din about my ears from the clamour of the
+  people I was with this evening, has carried me beyond my intended
+  purpose, which was to explain upon the Order of Merry Fellows;
+  but I think I may pronounce of them, as I heard good Senecio,
+  with a <a class="pagenum" name='page371' title='371' id=
+  "page371"></a>spice of wit of the last age, say, viz. that a
+  Merry Fellow is the Saddest Fellow in the world.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag437'>[437]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote437' id="footnote437"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number44'>No. 44</a>. Blackall was a bishop; and the
+      University of Oxford had declared publicly in his favour.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag438'>[438]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote438' id="footnote438"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number11'>No. 11</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag439'>[439]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote439' id="footnote439"></a>A meeting for
+      conferring degrees, when speeches, &amp;c., are
+      delivered.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag440'>[440]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote440' id="footnote440"></a>An
+      undergraduate who made extempore speeches at the Act, often
+      of a very satirical kind. Sometimes there were two <i>terræ
+      filii</i>, who carried on a dialogue. In 1721, Amberst
+      published a periodical with the title "Terræ-Filius: or, The
+      Secret History of the University of Oxford," and these papers
+      were reprinted in two volumes in 1726, with a curious
+      engraving of the Theatre at Oxford, by Hogarth, as
+      frontispiece.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag441'>[441]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote441' id="footnote441"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number26'>No. 26</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag442'>[442]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote442' id="footnote442"></a>In an Essay "Of
+      Heroic Plays," prefixed to his play, "Almanzor and Almahide;
+      or, The Conquest of Granada," Dryden defended at length the
+      character of Almanzor.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag443'>[443]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote443' id="footnote443"></a>This village is
+      the scene of Dr. William King's play, "Joan of Hedington"
+      ("Works," 1776, vol. iii. p. 16).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number46' id="number46"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 46.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, July 23</i>, to <i>Tuesday, July 26</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Non bene conveniunt, nec in una sede morantur,
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line">
+          Majestas et amor.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Ovid, Met. ii. 846.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>We see every day volumes written against that tyrant of human
+  life called Love, and yet there is no help found against his
+  cruelties, or barrier against the inroads he is pleased to make
+  into the mind of man. After this preface, you will expect I am
+  going to give particular instances of what I have asserted. That
+  expectation cannot be raised too high for the novelty of the
+  history, and manner of life, of the Emperor Aurengezebe,<a name=
+  'fntag444' id="fntag444"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote444'><sup>444</sup></a> who has resided for some years
+  in the cities of London and Westminster, with the air and mien
+  indeed of his imperial quality, but the equipage and appointment
+  only of a private gentleman. This potentate, for a long series of
+  time, appeared from the hour of twelve till that of two at
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page372' title='372' id="page372"></a>a
+  coffee-house near the 'Change, and had a seat (though without a
+  canopy) sacred to himself, where he gave diurnal audiences
+  concerning commerce, politics, tare and tret, usury and
+  abatement, with all things necessary for helping the distressed,
+  who were willing to give one limb for the better maintenance of
+  the rest; or such joyous youths, whose philosophy is confined to
+  the present hour, and were desirous to call in the revenue of
+  next half-year to double the enjoyment of this. Long did this
+  growing monarch employ himself after this manner: and as
+  alliances are necessary to all great kingdoms, he took
+  particularly the interests of Lewis XIV. into his care and
+  protection. When all mankind were attacking that unhappy monarch,
+  and those who had neither valour nor wit to oppose against him
+  would be still showing their impotent malice by laying wagers in
+  opposition to his interests, Aurengezebe ever took the part of
+  his contemporary, and laid immense treasures on his side in
+  defence of his important magazine of Toulon. Aurengezebe also had
+  all this while a constant intelligence with India, and his
+  letters were answered in jewels, which he soon made brilliant,
+  and caused to be affixed to his imperial castor, which he always
+  wears cocked in front, to show his defiance; with a heap of
+  imperial snuff in the middle of his ample visage, to show his
+  sagacity. The zealots for this little spot called Great Britain
+  fell universally into this emperor's policies, and paid homage to
+  his superior genius, in forfeiting their coffers to his treasury:
+  but wealth and wisdom are possessions too solemn not to give
+  weariness to active minds, without the relief (in vacant hours)
+  of wit and love, which are the proper amusements of the powerful
+  and the wise: this emperor therefore, with great regularity,
+  every day at five in the afternoon, leaves his money-changers,
+  his publicans, and little hoarders of <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page373' title='373' id="page373"></a>wealth, to their low
+  pursuits, and ascends his chariot to drive to Will's; where the
+  taste is refined, and a relish given to men's possessions, by a
+  polite skill in gratifying their passions and appetites. There it
+  is that the emperor has learned to live and to love, and not,
+  like a miser, to gaze only on his ingots or his treasures; but
+  with a nobler satisfaction, to live the admiration of others, for
+  his splendour and happiness in being master of them. But a prince
+  is no more to be his own caterer in his love, than in his food;
+  therefore Aurengezebe has ever in waiting two purveyors for his
+  dishes, and his wenches for his retired hours, by whom the scene
+  of his diversion is prepared in the following manner:</p>
+
+  <p>There is near Covent Garden a street known by the name of
+  Drury, which, before the days of Christianity, was purchased by
+  the Queen of Paphos, and is the only part of Great Britain where
+  the tenure of vassalage is still in being. All that long course
+  of building is under particular districts or ladyships, after the
+  manner of lordships in other parts, over which matrons of known
+  abilities preside, and have, for the support of their age and
+  infirmities, certain taxes paid out of the rewards for the
+  amorous labours of the young. This seraglio of Great Britain is
+  disposed into convenient alleys and apartments, and every house,
+  from the cellar to the garret, inhabited by nymphs of different
+  orders, that persons of every rank may be accommodated with an
+  immediate consort, to allay their flames, and partake of their
+  cares. Here it is, that when Aurengezebe thinks fit to give a
+  loose to dalliance, the purveyors prepare the entertainments; and
+  what makes it more august is, that every person concerned in the
+  interlude has his set part, and the prince sends beforehand word
+  what he designs to say, and directs also the very answer which
+  shall be made to him.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page374' title='374' id=
+  "page374"></a>It has been before hinted, that this emperor has a
+  continual commerce with India; and it is to be noted, that the
+  largest stone that rich earth has produced, is in our
+  Aurengezebe's possession.</p>
+
+  <p>But all things are now disposed for his reception. At his
+  entrance into the seraglio, a servant delivers him his bever of
+  state and love, on which is fixed this inestimable jewel as his
+  diadem. When he is seated, the purveyors, Pandarus and Nuncio,
+  marching on each side of the matron of the house, introduce her
+  into his presence. In the midst of the room, they bow altogether
+  to the diadem.</p>
+
+  <p>When the matron:</p>
+
+  <p>"Whoever thou art (as thy awful aspect speaks thee a man of
+  power), be propitious to this mansion of love, and let not the
+  severity of thy wisdom disdain, that by the representation of
+  naked innocence, or pastoral figures, we revive in thee the
+  memory at least of that power of Venus, to which all the wise and
+  the brave are some part of their lives devoted." Aurengezebe
+  consents by a nod, and they go out backward.</p>
+
+  <p>After this, an unhappy nymph, who is to be supposed just
+  escaped from the hands of a ravisher, with her tresses
+  dishevelled, runs into the room with a dagger in her hand, and
+  falls before the emperor.</p>
+
+  <p>"Pity, oh! pity! whoever thou art, an unhappy virgin, whom one
+  of thy train has robbed of her innocence; her innocence, which
+  was all her portion&#8212;Or rather, let me die like the
+  memorable Lucretia&#8212;" Upon which she stabs herself. The body
+  is immediately examined after the manner of our coroners.
+  Lucretia recovers by a cup of right Nantes; and the matron, who
+  is her next relation, stops all process at law.</p>
+
+  <p>This unhappy affair is no sooner over, but a naked mad woman
+  breaks into the room, calls for her duke, her lord, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page375' title='375' id="page375"></a>her
+  emperor. As soon as she spies Aurengezebe, the object of all her
+  fury and love, she calls for petticoats, is ready to sink with
+  shame, and is dressed in all haste in new attire at his charge.
+  This unexpected accident of the mad woman makes Aurengezebe
+  curious to know, whether others who are in their senses can guess
+  at his quality. For which reason the whole convent is examined
+  one by one. The matron marches in with a tawdry country girl:
+  "Pray, Winifred," says she, "who do you think that fine man with
+  those jewels and pearls is?" "I believe," says Winifred, "it is
+  our landlord. It must be the squire himself." The emperor laughs
+  at her simplicity. "Go, fool," says the matron: then turning to
+  the emperor, "Your greatness will pardon her ignorance!" After
+  her, several others of different characters are instructed to
+  mistake who he is in the same manner: then the whole sisterhood
+  are called together, and the emperor rises, and cocking his hat,
+  declares, he is the Great Mogul, and they his concubines. A
+  general murmur goes through the assembly, and Aurengezebe
+  certifying, that he keeps them for state rather than use, tells
+  them, they are permitted to receive all men into their
+  apartments; then proceeds through the crowd, among whom he throws
+  medals shaped like half-crowns, and returns to his chariot.</p>
+
+  <p>This being all that passed the last day in which Aurengezebe
+  visited the women's apartments, I consulted Pacolet concerning
+  the foundation of such strange amusements in old age: to which he
+  answered; "You may remember, when I gave you an account of my
+  good fortune in being drowned on the thirtieth day of my human
+  life, I told you of the disasters I should otherwise have met
+  with before I arrived at the end of my stamen, which was sixty
+  years. I may now add an observation to you, that all who exceed
+  that period, except the latter part of it is spent in the
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page376' title='376' id=
+  "page376"></a>exercise of virtue and contemplation of futurity,
+  must necessarily fall into an indecent old age, because, with
+  regard to all the enjoyments of the years of vigour and manhood,
+  childhood returns upon them: and as infants ride on sticks, build
+  houses in dirt, and make ships in gutters, by a faint idea of
+  things they are to act hereafter; so old men play the lovers,
+  potentates, and emperors, from the decaying image of the more
+  perfect performances of their stronger years: therefore be sure
+  to insert Æsculapius and Aurengezebe in your next bill of
+  mortality of the metaphorically defunct."</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 24.</h3>
+
+  <p>As soon as I came hither this evening, no less than ten people
+  produced the following poem, which they all reported was sent to
+  each of them by the penny post from an unknown hand. All the
+  battle-writers in the room were in debate, who could be the
+  author of a piece so martially written; and everybody applauded
+  the address and skill of the author, in calling it a Postscript:
+  it being the nature of a postscript to contain something very
+  material which was forgotten, or not clearly expressed in the
+  letter itself. Thus, the verses being occasioned by a march
+  without beat of drum, and that circumstance being no ways taken
+  notice of in any of the stanzas, the author calls it a
+  postscript; not that it is a postscript, but figuratively,
+  because it wants a postscript. Common writers, when what they
+  mean is not expressed in the book itself, supply it by a preface;
+  but a postscript seems to me the more just way of apology;
+  because otherwise a man makes an excuse before the offence is
+  committed. All the heroic poets were guessed at for its author;
+  but though we could not find out his name, yet one repeated a
+  couplet in "Hudibras" which spoke his qualifications:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <a class="pagenum" name='page377' title='377' id=
+      "page377"></a>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        "I' th' midst of all this warlike rabble,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Crowdero marched, expert and able"<a name='fntag445' id=
+        "fntag445"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote445'><sup>445</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>The poem is admirably suited to the occasion: for to write
+  without discovering your meaning, bears a just resemblance to
+  marching without beat of drum.</p>
+
+  <h4>On the March to Tournay without Beat of Drum.</h4>
+
+  <h4>The Brussels POSTSCRIPT.<a name='fntag446' id=
+  "fntag446"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote446'><sup>446</sup></a></h4>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Could I with plainest words express
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        That great man's wonderful address,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        His penetration, and his towering thought;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        It would the gazing world surprise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        To see one man at all times wise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To view the wonders he with ease has wrought.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Refining schemes approach his mind,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Like breezes of a southern wind,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To temperate a sultry glorious day;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Whose fannings, with an useful pride,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Its mighty heat doth softly guide,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And having cleared the air, glide silently away.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Thus his immensity of thought
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Is deeply formed, and gently wrought,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        His temper always softening life's disease;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        That Fortune, when she does intend
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        To rudely frown, she turns his friend,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Admires his judgment, and applauds his ease.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page378' title='378' id=
+        "page378"></a>His great address in this design,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Does now, and will for ever shine,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And wants a Waller but to do him right:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        The whole amusement was so strong,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Like fate he doomed them to be wrong,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And Tournay's took by a peculiar sleight.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Thus, madam, all mankind behold
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Your vast ascendant, not by gold,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But by your wisdom, and your pious life;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Your aim no more than to destroy
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        That which does Europe's ease annoy,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And supersede a reign of shame and strife.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 24.</h3>
+
+  <p>My brethren of the quill, the ingenious society of
+  news-writers, having with great spirit and elegance already
+  informed the world, that the town of Tournay capitulated on the
+  28th instant, there is nothing left for me to say, but to
+  congratulate the good company here, that we have reason to hope
+  for an opportunity of thanking Mr. Withers<a name='fntag447' id=
+  "fntag447"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote447'><sup>447</sup></a> next winter in this place, for
+  the service he has done his country. No man deserves better of
+  his friends than that gentleman, whose distinguishing character
+  it is, that he gives his orders with the familiarity, and enjoys
+  his fortune with the generosity, of a fellow-soldier. His Grace
+  the Duke of Argyle had also an eminent part in the reduction of
+  this important place. That illustrious youth<a name='fntag448'
+  id="fntag448"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote448'><sup>448</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page379' title='379' id="page379"></a>discovers the peculiar
+  turn of spirit and greatness of soul which only make men of high
+  birth and quality useful to their country; and considers nobility
+  as an imaginary distinction, unless accompanied with the practice
+  of those generous virtues by which it ought to be obtained.
+  But<a name='fntag449' id="fntag449"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote449'><sup>449</sup></a> that our military glory is
+  arrived at its present height, and that men of all ranks so
+  passionately affect their share in it, is certainly owing to the
+  merit and conduct of our glorious general; for as the great
+  secret in chemistry, though not in nature, has occasioned many
+  useful discoveries; and the fantastic notion of being wholly
+  disinterested in friendship, has made men do a thousand generous
+  actions above themselves; so, though the present grandeur and
+  fame of the Duke of Marlborough is a station of glory to which no
+  one hopes to arrive, yet all carry their actions to a higher
+  pitch, by having that great example laid before them.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag444'>[444]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote444' id="footnote444"></a>"Aurenzeb is
+      Tom Colson, who never had any friendship with anybody but S'r
+      Edward Seymour, who brought him into Parliament" (Peter
+      Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709; "Wentworth Papers," p.
+      97). Thomas Coulson was elected M.P. for Totnes, with Sir
+      Edward Seymour, Bart., in 1698. He was re-elected in 1701,
+      1702, and in 1705. At the election of 1708, Sir Edward
+      Seymour, previously member for Exeter, was elected for
+      Totnes; but in 1710, Sir Edward having transferred himself to
+      Great Bedwyn, Coulson again became member for Totnes. In
+      1715, Coulson's arrest was sought in the neighbourhood of
+      Bristol for joining in the rising on behalf of the Pretender;
+      see a letter of Addison's in Hist. MSS. Comm., Second Report,
+      p. 250.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag445'>[445]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote445' id="footnote445"></a>"Hudibras,"
+      part i. canto ii. 105-6. Butler wrote, "I' the head,"
+      &amp;c.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag446'>[446]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote446' id="footnote446"></a>"I should have
+      given you a key to the two <i>Tatlers</i> I sent you last,
+      the Brussels Postscript are verses of Crowders. He show'd
+      them me in manuscript" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July
+      1709; "Wentworth Papers," p. 97). See <a href='#number17'>No.
+      17</a> note on Brigadier Crowther.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag447'>[447]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote447' id="footnote447"></a>General Henry
+      Withers commanded at the capitulation of Tournay. On his
+      death in 1729, he was buried in Westminster Abbey. Pope wrote
+      an epitaph beginning:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Here, Withers, rest! thou bravest, gentlest mind,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Thy country's friend, but more of human-kind."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag448'>[448]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote448' id="footnote448"></a>John, second
+      Duke of Argyle (1678-1743), took an active part in the
+      battles of Ramilies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, and at the
+      siege of Tournay.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag449'>[449]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote449' id="footnote449"></a>There was a
+      long-standing hostility between the Duke of Marlborough and
+      the Duke of Argyle.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number47' id="number47"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 47.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, July 26</i>, to <i>Thursday, July 28</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Juv., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>My friend Sir Thomas<a name='fntag450' id=
+  "fntag450"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote450'><sup>450</sup></a> has communicated to me his
+  letters from Epsom of the 25th instant, which give, in general, a
+  very good account of the posture of affairs at present in that
+  place; but that the tranquillity and correspondence<a name=
+  'fntag451' id="fntag451"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote451'><sup>451</sup></a> of the company begins to be
+  interrupted by the <a class="pagenum" name='page380' title='380'
+  id="page380"></a>arrival of Sir Taffety Trippet,<a name=
+  'fntag452' id="fntag452"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote452'><sup>452</sup></a> a fortune-hunter, whose follies
+  are too gross to give diversion; and whose vanity is too stupid
+  to let him be sensible that he is a public offence. But if people
+  will indulge a splenetic humour, it is impossible to be at ease,
+  when such creatures as are the scandal of our species, set up for
+  gallantry and adventures. It will be much more easy therefore to
+  laugh him into reason, than convert him from his foppery by any
+  serious contempt. I knew a gentleman that made it a maxim to open
+  his doors, and ever run into the way of bullies, to avoid their
+  insolence. The rule will hold as well with coxcombs: they are
+  never mortified, but when they see you receive, and despise them;
+  otherwise they rest assured, that it is your ignorance makes them
+  out of your good graces; or, that it is only want of admittance
+  prevents their being amiable where they are shunned and avoided.
+  But Sir Taffety is a fop of so sanguine complexion, that I fear
+  it will be very hard for the fair one he at present pursues to
+  get rid of the chase, without being so tired, as for her own ease
+  to fall into the mouth of the mongrel she runs from. But the
+  history of Sir Taffety is as pleasant as his character. It
+  happened, that when he first set up for a fortune-hunter, he
+  chose Tunbridge for the scene of action; where were at that time
+  two sisters upon the same design. <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page381' title='381' id="page381"></a>The knight believed of
+  course the elder must be the better prize; and consequently makes
+  all his sail that way. People that want sense, do always in an
+  egregious manner want modesty, which made our hero triumph in
+  making his amour as public as was possible. The adored lady was
+  no less vain of his public addresses. An attorney with one cause
+  is not half so restless as a woman with one lover. Wherever they
+  met, they talked to each other aloud, chose each other partner at
+  balls, saluted at the most conspicuous parts of the service at
+  church, and practised in honour of each other all the remarkable
+  particularities which are usual for persons who admire one
+  another, and are contemptible to the rest of the world. These two
+  lovers seemed as much made for each other as Adam and Eve, and
+  all pronounced it a match of Nature's own making; but the night
+  before the nuptials (so universally approved), the younger
+  sister, envious of the good fortune even of her sister, who had
+  been present at most of their interviews, and had an equal taste
+  for the charms of a fop (as there are a set of women made for
+  that order of men); the younger, I say, unable to see so rich a
+  prize pass by her, discovered to Sir Taffety, that a coquette
+  air, much tongue, and three suits, was all the portion of his
+  mistress. His love vanished that moment, himself and equipage the
+  next morning. It is uncertain where the lover has been ever since
+  engaged; but certain it is, he has not appeared in his character
+  as a follower of love and fortune till he arrived at Epsom, where
+  there is at present a young lady of youth, beauty, and fortune,
+  who has alarmed<a name='fntag453' id="fntag453"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote453'><sup>453</sup></a> all the vain and the
+  impertinent to infest that quarter. At the head of this assembly,
+  Sir Taffety shines in the brightest manner, with all the
+  accomplishments which usually ensnare the heart of woman; with
+  this particular merit (which often is of <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page382' title='382' id="page382"></a>great service), that he is
+  laughed at for her sake. The friends of the fair one are in much
+  pain for the sufferings she goes through from the perseverance of
+  this hero; but they may be much more so from the danger of his
+  succeeding, toward which they give him a helping hand, if they
+  dissuade her with bitterness; for there is a fantastical
+  generosity in the sex, to approve creatures of the least merit
+  imaginable, when they see the imperfections of their admirers are
+  become the marks of derision for their sakes; and there is
+  nothing so frequent, as that he who was contemptible to a woman
+  in her own judgment, has won her by being too violently opposed
+  by others.</p>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, July 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>In the several capacities I bear, of astrologer, civilian, and
+  physician, I have with great application studied the public
+  emolument: to this end serve all my lucubrations, speculations,
+  and whatever other labours I undertake, whether nocturnal or
+  diurnal. On this motive am I induced to publish a never-failing
+  medicine for the spleen: my experience in this distemper came
+  from a very remarkable cure on my ever worthy friend Tom
+  Spindle,<a name='fntag454' id="fntag454"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote454'><sup>454</sup></a> who, through excessive gaiety,
+  had exhausted that natural stock of wit and spirits he had long
+  been blessed with: he was sunk and flattened to the lowest degree
+  imaginable, sitting whole hours over the "Book of Martyrs," and
+  "Pilgrim's Progress"; his other contemplations never rising
+  higher than the colour of his urine, or regularity of his pulse.
+  In this condition I found him, accompanied by the learned
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page383' title='383' id=
+  "page383"></a>Dr. Drachm, and a good old nurse. Drachm had
+  prescribed magazines of herbs, and mines of steel. I soon
+  discovered the malady, and descanted on the nature of it, till I
+  convinced both the patient and his nurse, that the spleen is not
+  to be cured by medicine, but by poetry. Apollo, the author of
+  physic, shone with diffusive rays the best of poets as well as of
+  physicians; and it is in this double capacity that I have made my
+  way, and have found, sweet, easy, flowering numbers, are oft
+  superior to our noblest medicines. When the spirits are low, and
+  nature sunk, the muse, with sprightly and harmonious notes, gives
+  an unexpected turn with a grain of poetry, which I prepare
+  without the use of mercury. I have done wonders in this kind; for
+  the spleen is like the tarantula,<a name='fntag455' id=
+  "fntag455"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote455'><sup>455</sup></a> the effects of whose malignant
+  poison are to be prevented by no other remedy but the charms of
+  music: for you are to understand, that as some noxious animals
+  carry antidotes for their own poisons; so there is something
+  equally unaccountable in poetry: for though it is sometimes a
+  disease, it is to be cured only by itself. Now I knowing Tom
+  Spindle's constitution, and that he is not only a pretty
+  gentleman, but also a pretty poet, found the true cause of his
+  distemper was a violent grief that moved his affections too
+  strongly: for during the late Treaty of Peace, he had written a
+  most excellent poem on that subject; and when he wanted but two
+  lines in the last stanza for finishing the whole piece, there
+  comes news that the French tyrant would not sign. Spindle in few
+  days took his bed, and had lain there still, had not I been sent
+  for. I immediately told him, there was great probability the
+  French would now sue to us for peace. I saw immediately a new
+  life in his eyes; and knew, that nothing could help him forward
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page384' title='384' id="page384"></a>so
+  well, as hearing verses which he would believe worse than his
+  own; I read him therefore the "Brussels Postscript";<a name=
+  'fntag456' id="fntag456"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote456'><sup>456</sup></a> after which I recited some
+  heroic lines of my own, which operated so strongly on the
+  tympanum of his ear, that I doubt not but I have kept out all
+  other sounds for a fortnight; and have reason to hope, we shall
+  see him abroad the day before his poem. This you see, is a
+  particular secret I have found out, viz., that you are not to
+  choose your physician for his knowledge in your distemper, but
+  for having it himself. Therefore I am at hand for all maladies
+  arising from poetical vapours, beyond which I never pretend. For
+  being called the other day to one in love, I took indeed their
+  three guineas, and gave them my advice; which was, to send for
+  Æsculapius.<a name='fntag457' id="fntag457"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote457'><sup>457</sup></a> Æsculapius, as soon as he
+  saw the patient, cries out, "'Tis love! 'tis love! Oh! the
+  unequal pulse! these are the symptoms a lover feels; such sighs,
+  such pangs, attend the uneasy mind; nor can our art, or all our
+  boasted skill, avail&#8212;Yet O fair! for thee&#8212;" Thus the
+  sage ran on, and owned the passion which he pitied, as well as
+  that he felt a greater pain than ever he cured. After which he
+  concluded, "All I can advise, is marriage: charms and beauty will
+  give new life and vigour, and turn the course of nature to its
+  better prospect." This is the new way; and thus Æsculapius has
+  left his beloved powders, and writes a recipe for a wife at
+  sixty. In short, my friend followed the prescription, and married
+  youth and beauty in its perfect bloom.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Supine in Silvia's snowy arms he lies,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And all the busy care of life defies:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Each happy hour is filled with fresh delight,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While peace the day, and pleasure crowns the night.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page385' title='385' id=
+  "page385"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>Tragical passion was the subject of the discourse where I last
+  visited this evening; and a gentleman who knows that I am at
+  present writing a very deep tragedy, directed his discourse in a
+  particular manner to me. "It is the common fault," said he, "of
+  you, gentlemen, who write in the buskin style, that you give us
+  rather the sentiments of such who behold tragical events, than of
+  such who bear a part in them themselves. I would advise all who
+  pretend this way, to read Shakespeare with care, and they will
+  soon be deterred from putting forth what is usually called
+  'tragedy.' The way of common writers in this kind, is rather the
+  description, than the expression of sorrow. There is no medium in
+  these attempts; and you must go to the very bottom of the heart,
+  or it is all mere language; and the writer of such lines is no
+  more a poet, than a man is a physician for knowing the names of
+  distempers, without the causes of them. Men of sense are
+  professed enemies to all such empty labours: for he who pretends
+  to be sorrowful, and is not, is a wretch yet more contemptible
+  than he who pretends to be merry, and is not. Such a tragedian is
+  only maudlin drunk." The gentleman went on with much warmth; but
+  all he could say had little effect upon me: but when I came
+  hither, I so far observed his counsel, that I looked into
+  Shakespeare. The tragedy I dipped into was, "Harry the Fourth."
+  In the scene where Morton is preparing to tell Northumberland of
+  his son's death, the old man does not give him time to speak, but
+  says,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "The whiteness of thy cheeks
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Even such a man, so faint, so spiritless,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        So dull, so dead in look, so woebegone,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page386' title='386' id=
+        "page386"></a>Drew Priam's curtain at the dead of night,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And would have told him half his Troy was burnt:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But Priam found the fire, ere he his tongue,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And I my Percy's death ere thou reportest it"<a name=
+        'fntag458' id="fntag458"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote458'><sup>458</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>The image in this place is wonderfully noble and great; yet
+  this man in all this is but rising towards his great affliction,
+  and is still enough himself, as you see, to make a simile: but
+  when he is certain of his son's death, he is lost to all
+  patience, and gives up all the regards of this life; and since
+  the last of evils is fallen upon him, he calls for it upon all
+  the world.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        "Now let not Nature's hand
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Keep the wild flood confined; let Order die,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And let the world no longer be a stage,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To feed contention in a lingering act;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But let one spirit of the firstborn Cain
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Reign in all bosoms, that each heart being set
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        On bloody courses, the wide scene may end,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And darkness be the burier of the dead."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>Reading but this one scene has convinced me, that he who
+  describes the concern of great men, must have a soul as noble,
+  and as susceptible of high thoughts, as they whom he represents:
+  I shall therefore lay by my drama for some time, and turn my
+  thoughts to cares and griefs, somewhat below that of heroes, but
+  no less moving. A misfortune proper for me to take notice of, has
+  too lately happened: the disconsolate Maria<a name='fntag459' id=
+  "fntag459"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote459'><sup>459</sup></a> has three days kept her chamber
+  for the loss of the beauteous Fidelia, her <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page387' title='387' id="page387"></a>lap-dog. Lesbia
+  herself<a name='fntag460' id="fntag460"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote460'><sup>460</sup></a> did not shed more tears for her
+  sparrow. What makes her the more concerned, is, that we know not
+  whether Fidelia was killed or stolen; but she was seen in the
+  parlour window when the train-bands went by, and never since.
+  Whoever gives notice of her, dead or alive, shall be rewarded
+  with a kiss of her lady.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag450'>[450]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote450' id="footnote450"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number16'>No. 16</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag451'>[451]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote451' id=
+      "footnote451"></a>Intercourse.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag452'>[452]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote452' id="footnote452"></a>Henry Cromwell
+      (died 1728) was a correspondent of Pope's, and a friend of
+      Wycherley's. "I cannot choose," wrote Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas,
+      "but be pleased with the conquest of a person whose fame our
+      incomparable Tatler has rendered immortal, by the three
+      distinguishing titles of 'Squire Easy the amorous bard'; 'Sir
+      Timothy the critic'; and 'Sir Taffety Trippet the
+      fortune-hunter'" ("Pylades and Corinna," i. 96, 194). See
+      also Nos. <a href="#number49">49</a>, 165. Cromwell was a man about town, of
+      private means, with property in Lincolnshire, who had
+      contributed verses to Tonson's "Miscellany." Gay ("Mr. Pope's
+      Welcome from Greece," st. xvii.) speaks of "Honest, hatless
+      Cromwell, with red breeches."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag453'>[453]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote453' id="footnote453"></a>Called forth,
+      drawn as with an alarum.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag454'>[454]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote454' id="footnote454"></a>Henry Cromwell;
+      see note on p. 380. According to another suggestion, Spindle
+      is intended for Thomas Tickell, who published a poem, "The
+      Prospect of Peace," in 1713; but it is not probable that in
+      1709 either Addison or Steele would have satirised him; and
+      Cromwell may very likely have written verses on the same
+      subject.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag455'>[455]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote455' id="footnote455"></a>A spider named
+      from Tarentum, in Apulia. Strange stories were told of the
+      effects of its bite, and of their cure by music and
+      dancing.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag456'>[456]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote456' id="footnote456"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number46'>No. 46</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag457'>[457]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote457' id="footnote457"></a>Dr. Radcliffe.
+      See <a href='#number44'>No. 44</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag458'>[458]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote458' id="footnote458"></a>2 Henry IV.,
+      act i. sc. I.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag459'>[459]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote459' id="footnote459"></a>"This
+      <i>Tatler</i> I know nothing of, only they say the Dutchess
+      of Montague has lately lost a bitch she call'd fidel, and has
+      had it cry'd."&#8212;(Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby;
+      "Wentworth Papers," p. 97.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag460'>[460]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote460' id="footnote460"></a>See Catullus,
+      passim.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number48' id="number48"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 48.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, July 28</i>, to <i>Saturday, July 30</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          &#8212;Virtutem verba putant, et
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line">
+          Lucum ligna.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Hor., 1 Ep. vi. 31.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day I obliged Pacolet to entertain me with matters which
+  regarded persons of his own character and occupation. We chose to
+  take our walk on Tower Hill; and as we were coming from thence in
+  order to stroll as far as Garraway's,<a name='fntag461' id=
+  "fntag461"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote461'><sup>461</sup></a> I observed two men, who had but
+  just landed, coming from the waterside. I thought there was
+  something uncommon in their mien and aspect; but though they
+  seemed by their visage to be related, yet was there a warmth in
+  their manner, as if they differed very much in their sentiments
+  of the subject on which they were talking. One of them seemed to
+  have a natural confidence, mixed with an ingenious freedom in his
+  gesture, his dress very plain, but very graceful and
+  becom<a class="pagenum" name='page388' title='388' id=
+  "page388"></a>ing: the other, in the midst of an overbearing
+  carriage, betrayed (by frequently looking round him) a suspicion
+  that he was not enough regarded by those he met, or that he
+  feared they would make some attack upon him. This person was much
+  taller than his companion, and added to that height the advantage
+  of a feather in his hat, and heels to his shoes so monstrously
+  high, that he had three or four times fallen down, had he not
+  been supported by his friend. They made a full stop as they came
+  within a few yards of the place where we stood. The plain
+  gentleman bowed to Pacolet; the other looked on him with some
+  displeasure: upon which I asked him, who they both were, when he
+  thus informed me of their persons and circumstances.</p>
+
+  <p>"You may remember, Mr. Isaac, that I have often told you,
+  there are beings of a superior rank to mankind, who frequently
+  visit the habitations of men, in order to call them from some
+  wrong pursuits in which they are actually engaged, or divert them
+  from methods which will lead them into errors for the future. He
+  that will carefully reflect upon the occurrences of his life,
+  will find he has been sometimes extricated out of difficulties,
+  and received favours where he could never have expected such
+  benefits; as well as met with cross events from some unseen hand,
+  which have disappointed his best laid designs. Such accidents
+  arrive from the interventions of aërial beings, as they are
+  benevolent or hurtful to the nature of man, and attend his steps
+  in the tracts of ambition, of business, and of pleasure. Before I
+  ever appeared to you in the manner I do now, I have frequently
+  followed you in your evening walks, and have often, by throwing
+  some accident in your way, as the passing by of a funeral, or the
+  appearance of some other solemn object, given your imagination a
+  new turn, and changed a night you had destined to mirth and
+  jollity, into an exercise of study and contemplation. I <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page389' title='389' id="page389"></a>was the old
+  soldier who met you last summer in Chelsea Fields, and pretended
+  that I had broken my wooden leg, and could not get home; but I
+  snapped it short off on purpose, that you might fall into the
+  reflections you did on that subject, and take me into your hack.
+  If you remember, you made yourself very merry on that fracture,
+  and asked me, whether I thought I should next winter feel cold in
+  the toes of that leg? As is usually observed, that those who lose
+  limbs, are sensible of pains in the extreme parts, even after
+  those limbs are cut off. However, my keeping you then in the
+  story of the battle of the Boyne, prevented an assignation, which
+  would have led you into more disasters than I then related.</p>
+
+  <p>"To be short; those two persons you see yonder, are such as I
+  am; they are not real men, but are mere shades and figures: one
+  is named Alethes; the other, Verisimilis. Their office is to be
+  the guardians and representatives of Conscience and Honour. They
+  are now going to visit the several parts of the town, to see how
+  their interests in the world decay or flourish, and to purge
+  themselves from the many false imputations they daily meet with
+  in the commerce and conversation of men. You observed Verisimilis
+  frowned when he first saw me. What he is provoked at, is, that I
+  told him one day, though he strutted and dressed with so much
+  ostentation, if he kept himself within his own bounds, he was but
+  a lackey, and wore only that gentleman's livery whom he is now
+  with. This frets him to the heart; for you must know, he has
+  pretended a long time to set up for himself, and gets among a
+  crowd of the more unthinking part of mankind, who take him for a
+  person of the first quality; though his introduction into the
+  world was wholly owing to his present companion."</p>
+
+  <p>This encounter was very agreeable to me, and I was <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page390' title='390' id="page390"></a>resolved to
+  dog them, and desired Pacolet to accompany me. I soon perceived
+  what he told me in the gesture of the persons: for when they
+  looked at each other in discourse, the well-dressed man suddenly
+  cast down his eyes, and discovered that the other had a painful
+  superiority over him. After some further discourse, they took
+  leave. The plain gentleman went down towards Thames Street, in
+  order to be present, at least, at the oaths taken at the
+  Custom-house; and the other made directly for the heart of the
+  city. It is incredible how great a change there immediately
+  appeared in the man of honour when he got rid of his uneasy
+  companion: he adjusted the cock of his hat anew, settled his
+  sword-knot, and had an appearance that attracted a sudden
+  inclination for him and his interests in all who beheld him. "For
+  my part," said I to Pacolet, "I cannot but think you are mistaken
+  in calling this person, of the lower quality; for he looks much
+  more like a gentleman than the other. Don't you observe all eyes
+  are upon him as he advances: how each sex gazes at his stature,
+  aspect, address, and motion?" Pacolet only smiled, and shaked his
+  head; as leaving me to be convinced by my own further
+  observation. We kept on our way after him till we came to
+  Exchange Alley, where the plain gentleman again came up to the
+  other; and they stood together after the manner of eminent
+  merchants, as if ready to receive application; but I could
+  observe no man talk to either of them. The one was laughed at as
+  a fop; and I heard many whispers against the other, as a
+  whimsical sort of fellow, and a great enemy to trade. They
+  crossed Cornhill together, and came into the full 'Change, where
+  some bowed, and gave themselves airs in being known to so fine a
+  man as Verisimilis, who, they said, had great interests in all
+  princes' courts; and the other was taken notice of by several as
+  one they had seen <a class="pagenum" name='page391' title='391'
+  id="page391"></a>somewhere long before. One more particularly
+  said, he had formerly been a man of consideration in the world;
+  but was so unlucky, that they who dealt with him, by some strange
+  infatuation or other, had a way of cutting off their own bills,
+  and were prodigiously slow in improving their stock. But as much
+  as I was curious to observe the reception these gentlemen met
+  with upon 'Change, I could not help being interrupted by one that
+  came up towards us, to whom everybody made their compliments. He
+  was of the common height, and in his dress there seemed to be
+  great care to appear no way particular, except in a certain exact
+  and feat<a name='fntag462' id="fntag462"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote462'><sup>462</sup></a> manner of behaviour and
+  circumspection. He was wonderfully careful that his shoes and
+  clothes should be without the least speck upon them; and seemed
+  to think, that on such an accident depended his very life and
+  fortune. There was hardly a man on 'Change who had not a note
+  upon him; and each seemed very well satisfied that their money
+  lay in his hands, without demanding payment. I asked Pacolet,
+  what great merchant that was, who was so universally addressed
+  to, yet made too familiar an appearance to command that
+  extraordinary deference? Pacolet answered, "This person is the
+  demon or genius of credit: his name is Umbra. If you observe, he
+  follows Alethes and Verisimilis at a distance; and indeed has no
+  foundation for the figure he makes in the world, but that he is
+  thought to keep their cash; though at the same time, none who
+  trust him would trust the others for a groat." As the company
+  rolled about, the three spectres were jumbled into one place:
+  when they were so, and all thought there was an alliance between
+  them, they immediately drew upon them the business of the whole
+  'Change. But their affairs soon increased to such an unwieldy
+  bulk, that Alethes took his <a class="pagenum" name='page392'
+  title='392' id="page392"></a>leave, and said, he would not engage
+  further than he had an immediate fund to answer. Verisimilis
+  pretended that though he had revenues large enough to go on his
+  own bottom, yet it was below one of his family to condescend to
+  trade in his own name; therefore he also retired. I was extremely
+  troubled to see the glorious mart of London left with no other
+  guardian, but him of credit. But Pacolet told me, that traders
+  had nothing to do with the honour or conscience of their
+  correspondents, provided they supported a general behaviour in
+  the world, which could not hurt their credit or their purses:
+  "for," said he, "you may in this one tract of building of London
+  and Westminster see the imaginary motives on which the greatest
+  affairs move, as well as in rambling over the face of the earth.
+  For though Alethes is the real governor, as well as legislator of
+  mankind, he has very little business but to make up quarrels, and
+  is only a general referee, to whom every man pretends to appeal;
+  but is satisfied with his determinations no further than they
+  promote his own interest. Hence it is, that the soldier and the
+  courtier model their actions according to Verisimilis' manner,
+  and the merchant according to that of Umbra. Among these men,
+  honour and credit are not valuable possessions in themselves, or
+  pursued out of a principle of justice; but merely as they are
+  serviceable to ambition and to commerce. But the world will never
+  be in any manner of order or tranquillity, till men are firmly
+  convinced, that conscience, honour, and credit, are all in one
+  interest; and that without the concurrence of the former, the
+  latter are but impositions upon ourselves and others. The force
+  these delusive words have, is not seen in the transactions of the
+  busy world only, but also have their tyranny over the fair sex.
+  Were you to ask the unhappy Lais, what pangs of reflection,
+  preferring the consideration of her honour to <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page393' title='393' id="page393"></a>her conscience, has
+  given her? She could tell you, that it has forced her to drink up
+  half a gallon this winter of Tom Dassapas' potions; that she
+  still pines away for fear of being a mother; and knows not, but
+  the moment she is such, she shall be a murderess: but if
+  conscience had as strong a force upon the mind, as honour, the
+  first step to her unhappy condition had never been made; she had
+  still been innocent, as she's beautiful. Were men so enlightened
+  and studious of their own good, as to act by the dictates of
+  their reason and reflection, and not the opinion of others,
+  Conscience would be the steady ruler of human life; and the
+  words, Truth, Law, Reason, Equity, and Religion, would be but
+  synonymous terms for that only guide which makes us pass our days
+  in our own favour and approbation."</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag461'>[461]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote461' id="footnote461"></a>A coffee-house
+      in Exchange Alley, Cornhill, with an auction-room on the
+      first floor, where wine and other things were sold (see No,
+      147). Thomas Garway was originally a tobacconist and
+      coffee-man. Defoe ("Journey through England") says that this
+      coffee-house was frequented by "the people of quality who
+      have business in the City, and the most considerable and
+      wealthy citizens."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag462'>[462]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote462' id="footnote462"></a>Adroit.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number49' id="number49"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 49.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2> </h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, July 30</i>, to <i>Tuesday, August 2,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Juv., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, August 1.</h3>
+
+  <p>The imposition of honest names and words upon improper
+  subjects, has made so regular a confusion amongst us, that we are
+  apt to sit down with our errors, well enough satisfied with the
+  methods we are fallen into, without attempting to deliver
+  ourselves from the tyranny under which we are reduced by such
+  innovations. Of all the laudable motives of human life, none has
+  suffered so much in this kind as love; under which revered name,
+  a <a class="pagenum" name='page394' title='394' id=
+  "page394"></a>brutal desire called lust is frequently concealed
+  and admitted; though they differ as much as a matron from a
+  prostitute, or a companion from a buffoon. Philander<a name=
+  'fntag463' id="fntag463"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote463'><sup>463</sup></a> the other day was bewailing
+  this misfortune with much indignation, and upbraided me for
+  having some time since quoted those excellent lines of the
+  satirist:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        To an exact perfection they have brought
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The action love, the passion is forgot.<a name='fntag464'
+        id="fntag464"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote464'><sup>464</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"How could you," said he, "leave such a hint so coldly? How
+  could Aspasia<a name='fntag465' id="fntag465"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote465'><sup>465</sup></a> and Sempronia<a name=
+  'fntag466' id="fntag466"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote466'><sup>466</sup></a> enter into your imagination at
+  the same time, and you never declare to us the different
+  reception you gave them? The figures which the ancient
+  mythologists and poets put upon love and lust in their writings,
+  are very instructive. Love is a beauteous blind child, adorned
+  with a quiver and a bow, which he plays with, and shoots around
+  him, without design or direction; to intimate to us, that the
+  person beloved has no intention to give us the anxieties we meet
+  with; but that the beauties of a worthy object are like the
+  charms of a lovely infant: they cannot but attract your concern
+  and fondness, though the child so regarded is as insensible of
+  the value you put upon it, as it is that it deserves your
+  benevolence. On the other side, the sages figured Lust in the
+  form of a satyr; of shape, part human, part bestial; to signify,
+  that the followers of it prostitute the reason of a man to pursue
+  the appetites of a beast. This satyr is made to haunt the paths
+  and coverts of the wood-nymphs and shepherdesses, to lurk on the
+  banks of rivulets, and watch the purling streams (as the resorts
+  of retired virgins), to show, that lawless desire tends chiefly
+  to <a class="pagenum" name='page395' title='395' id=
+  "page395"></a>prey upon innocence, and has something so unnatural
+  in it, that it hates its own make, and shuns the object it loved,
+  as soon as it has made it like itself. Love therefore is a child
+  that complains and bewails its inability to help itself, and
+  weeps for assistance, without an immediate reflection of
+  knowledge of the food it wants: Lust, a watchful thief which
+  seizes its prey, and lays snares for its own relief; and its
+  principal object being innocence, it never robs, but it murders
+  at the same time. From this idea of a Cupid and a Satyr, we may
+  settle our notion of these different desires, and accordingly
+  rank their followers. Aspasia must therefore be allowed to be the
+  first of the beauteous Order of Love, whose unaffected freedom,
+  and conscious innocence, give her the attendance of the graces in
+  all her actions. That awful distance which we bear towards her in
+  all our thoughts of her, and that cheerful familiarity with which
+  we approach her, are certain instances of her being the truest
+  object of love of any of her sex. In this accomplished lady, love
+  is the constant effect, because it is never the design. Yet,
+  though her mien carries much more invitation than command, to
+  behold her is an immediate check to loose behaviour; and to love
+  her is a liberal education:<a name='fntag467' id=
+  "fntag467"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote467'><sup>467</sup></a> for, it being the nature of all
+  love to create an imitation of the beloved person in the lover, a
+  regard for Aspasia naturally produces decency of manners, and
+  good conduct of life in her admirers. If therefore the giggling
+  Lucippe could but see her train of fops <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page396' title='396' id="page396"></a>assembled, and Aspasia
+  move by them, she would be mortified at the veneration with which
+  she is beheld, even by Lucippe's own unthinking equipage, whose
+  passions have long taken leave of their understandings. But as
+  charity is esteemed a conjunction of the good qualities necessary
+  to a virtuous man, so love is the happy composition of all the
+  accomplishments that make a fine gentleman. The motive of a man's
+  life is seen in all his actions; and such as have the beauteous
+  boy for their inspirer have a simplicity of behaviour, and a
+  certain evenness of desire, which burns like the lamp of life in
+  their bosoms; while they who are instigated by the satyr are ever
+  tortured by jealousies of the object of their wishes; often
+  desire what they scorn, and as often consciously and knowingly
+  embrace where they are mutually indifferent.</p>
+
+  <p>Florio, the generous husband, and Limberham, the "kind
+  keeper,"<a name='fntag468' id="fntag468"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote468'><sup>468</sup></a> are noted examples of the
+  different effects which these desires produce in the mind.
+  Amanda, who is the wife of Florio, lives in the continual
+  enjoyment of new instances of her husband's friendship, and sees
+  it the end of all his ambition to make her life one series of
+  pleasure and satisfaction; and Amanda's relish of the goods of
+  life, is all that makes them pleasing to Florio: they behave
+  themselves to each other when present with a certain apparent
+  benevolence, which transports above rapture; and they think of
+  each other in absence with a confidence unknown to the highest
+  friendship: their satisfactions are doubled, their sorrows
+  lessened by participation. On the other hand, Corinna, who is the
+  mistress of Limberham,<a name='fntag469' id=
+  "fntag469"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote469'><sup>469</sup></a> lives in constant torment: her
+  equipage is, an old woman, who was what Corinna is now; <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page397' title='397' id="page397"></a>an
+  antiquated footman, who was pimp to Limberham's father; and a
+  chambermaid, who is Limberham's wench by fits, out of a principle
+  of politics to make her jealous and watchful of Corinna. Under
+  this guard, and in this conversation, Corinna lives in state: the
+  furniture of her habitation, and her own gorgeous dress, make her
+  the envy of all the strolling ladies in the town; but Corinna
+  knows she herself is but part of Limberham's household stuff, and
+  is as capable of being disposed of elsewhere, as any other
+  movable. But while her keeper is persuaded by his spies, that no
+  enemy has been within his doors since his last visit, no Persian
+  prince was ever so magnificently bountiful: a kind look or
+  falling tear is worth a piece of brocade, a sigh is a jewel, and
+  a smile is a cupboard of plate. All this is shared between
+  Corinna and her guard in his absence. With this great economy and
+  industry does the unhappy Limberham purchase the constant
+  tortures of jealousy, the favour of spending his estate, and the
+  opportunity of enriching one by whom he knows he is hated and
+  despised. These are the ordinary and common evils which attend
+  keepers, and Corinna is a wench but of common size of wickedness.
+  Were you to know what passes under the roof where the fair
+  Messalina reigns with her humble adorer! Messalina is the
+  professed mistress of mankind; she has left the bed of her
+  husband and her beauteous offspring, to give a loose to want of
+  shame and fulness of desire. Wretched Nocturnus, her feeble
+  keeper! How the poor creature fribbles in his gait, and scuttles
+  from place to place to despatch his necessary affairs in painful
+  daylight, that he may return to the constant twilight preserved
+  in that scene of wantonness, Messalina's bedchamber. How does he,
+  while he is absent from thence, consider in his imagination the
+  breadth of his porter's shoulders, the spruce nightcap of his
+  valet, <a class="pagenum" name='page398' title='398' id=
+  "page398"></a>the ready attendance of his butler! Any of all whom
+  he knows she admits, and professes to approve of. This, alas! is
+  the gallantry; this the freedom of our fine gentlemen: for this
+  they preserve their liberty, and keep clear of that bugbear,
+  marriage. But he does not understand either vice or virtue, who
+  will not allow, that life without the rules of morality is a
+  wayward uneasy being, with snatches only of pleasure; but under
+  the regulation of virtue, a reasonable and uniform habit of
+  enjoyment. I have seen in a play of old Heywood's, a speech at
+  the end of an act, which touched this point with much spirit. He
+  makes a married man in the play, upon some endearing occasion,
+  look at his spouse with an air of fondness, and fall into the
+  following reflection on his condition:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "O Marriage! happiest, easiest, safest state;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Let debauchees and drunkards scorn thy rights,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Who, in their nauseous draughts and lusts, profane
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Both thee and Heaven by whom thou wert ordained.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        How can the savage call it loss of freedom,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Thus to converse with, thus to gaze at
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A faithful, beauteous friend?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Blush not, my fair one, that thy love applauds thee,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Nor be it painful to my wedded wife,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That my full heart overflows in praise of thee.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Thou art by law, by interest, passion, mine:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Passion and reason join in love of thee.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Thus, through a world of calumny and fraud,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        We pass both unreproached, both undeceived;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While in each other's interest and happiness,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        We without art all faculties employ,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And all our senses without guilt enjoy."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house August 1.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 6th instant, N.S., say, that
+  there daily arrive at our camp deserters in con<a class="pagenum"
+  name='page399' title='399' id="page399"></a>siderable numbers;
+  and that several of the enemy concealed themselves in the town of
+  Tournay when the garrison marched into the citadel; after which,
+  they presented themselves to the Duke of Marlborough; some of
+  whom were commissioned officers. The Earl of Albemarle is
+  appointed governor of the town. Soon after the surrender, there
+  arose a dispute about a considerable work, which was asserted by
+  the Allies to be part of the town, and by the French to belong to
+  the citadel. It is said, Monsieur de Surville was so ingenious as
+  to declare, he thought it to be comprehended within the limits of
+  the town; but Monsieur de Mesgrigny, governor of the citadel, was
+  of a contrary opinion. It is reported, that this affair
+  occasioned great difficulties, which ended in a capitulation for
+  the citadel itself; the principal article of which is, that it
+  shall be surrendered on the 5th of September next, in case they
+  are not in the meantime relieved. This circumstance gives
+  foundation to believe, that the enemy have acted in this manner,
+  rather from some hopes they conceive of a treaty of peace before
+  that time, than any expectation from their army, which has
+  retired towards their former works between Lens and La Bassée.
+  These advices add, that his Excellency the Czarish Ambassador has
+  communicated to the States-General, and the foreign Ministers
+  residing at the Hague, a copy of a letter from his master's camp,
+  which gives an account of the entire defeat of the Swedish army.
+  They further say, that Count Piper is taken prisoner, and that it
+  is doubted whether the King of Sweden himself was not killed in
+  the action. We hear from Savoy, that Count Thaun having amused
+  the enemy by a march as far as the Tarantaise, had suddenly
+  repassed Mount Cenis, and moved towards Briançon. This unexpected
+  disposition <a class="pagenum" name='page400' title='400' id=
+  "page400"></a>is apprehended by the enemy as a piece of the Duke
+  of Savoy's dexterity; and the French adding this circumstance to
+  that of the Confederate squadron's lying before Toulon, convince
+  themselves, that his royal highness has his thoughts upon the
+  execution of some great design in those parts.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag463'>[463]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote463' id="footnote463"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number13'>No. 13</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag464'>[464]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote464' id="footnote464"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number5'>No. 5</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag465'>[465]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote465' id="footnote465"></a>Lady Elizabeth
+      Hastings (see <a href='#number42'>No. 42</a>).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag466'>[466]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote466' id="footnote466"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number33'>No. 33</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag467'>[467]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote467' id="footnote467"></a>In the
+      <i>Spectator</i> for March 29, 1884, Mr. Swinburne published
+      a letter saying that Steele was not the author of these
+      famous words,&#8212;"the most exquisite tribute ever paid to
+      the memory of a noble woman"; for the article in <a href=
+      '#number42'>No. 42</a> was by Congreve. But Mr. Justin
+      McCarthy afterwards pointed out that these words occur in
+      <a href='#number49'>No. 49</a>, not <a href='#number42'>No.
+      42</a>; and whether or no Congreve wrote the paper in
+      <a href='#number42'>No. 42</a> which is at least
+      doubtful&#8212;the article in <a href='#number49'>No. 49</a>
+      is certainly Steele's.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag468'>[468]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote468' id="footnote468"></a>The title of
+      one of Dryden's plays.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag469'>[469]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote469' id="footnote469"></a>Henry Cromwell
+      and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas. See <a href='#number47'>No.
+      47</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <h2>END OF VOL. I.</h2>
+
+  <h3>Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON &amp; Co. London &amp;
+  Edinburgh.</h3>
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13645 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #13645 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13645)
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+Project Gutenberg's The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899, by George A. Aitken
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  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: The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899
+
+Author: George A. Aitken
+
+Release Date: October 5, 2004 [EBook #13645]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TATLER, VOLUME 1, 1899 ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jon Ingram and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+#THE TATLER#
+
+Edited with Introduction & Notes by #George A. Aitken#
+
+_Author of_ "The Life of Richard Steele," Etc.
+
+Vol. I
+
+New York
+Hadley & Mathews
+156 Fifth Avenue
+London: Duckworth & Co.
+1899
+
+
+
+Preface
+
+_The original numbers of the _Tatler_ were reissued in two forms in
+1710-11; one edition, in octavo, being published by subscription, while
+the other, in duodecimo, was for the general public. The present edition
+has been printed from a copy of the latter issue, which, as recorded on
+the title-page, was "revised and corrected by the Author"; but I have
+had by my side, for constant reference, a complete set of the folio
+sheets, containing the "Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff" in the form
+in which they were first presented to the world. Scrupulous accuracy in
+the text has been aimed at, but the eccentricities of spelling--which
+were the printer's, not the author's--have not been preserved, and the
+punctuation has occasionally been corrected.
+
+The first and the most valuable of the annotated editions of the
+_Tatler_ was published by John Nichols and others in 1786, with notes by
+Dr. Percy, Bishop of Dromore, Dr. John Calder, and Dr. Pearce, Bishop
+of Rochester; and though these notes are often irrelevant and out of
+date, they contain an immense amount of information, and have been
+freely made use of by subsequent editors. I have endeavoured to preserve
+what is of value in the older editions, and to supplement it, as
+concisely as possible, by such further information as appeared
+desirable. The eighteenth-century diaries and letters published of late
+years have in many cases enabled me to throw light on passages which
+have hitherto been obscure, and sometimes useful illustrations have been
+found in the contemporary newspapers and periodicals.
+
+The portraits of Steele, Addison, and Swift, the writers most associated
+with the _Tatler_, have been taken from contemporary engravings in the
+British Museum; and the imaginary portrait of Isaac Bickerstaff in the
+last volume is from a rare picture drawn by Lens in 1710 as a
+frontispiece to collections of the original folio numbers._
+
+G. A. A.
+
+_August 1898._
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+When the first number of the _Tatler_ appeared in 1709, Steele and
+Addison were about thirty-seven years of age, while Swift, then still
+counted among the Whigs, was more than four years their senior. Addison
+and Steele had been friends at the Charterhouse School and at Oxford,
+and though they had during the following years had varying experiences,
+their friendship had in no way lessened. Addison had been a fellow of
+his college, had gained the patronage of Charles Montague and Lord
+Somers, had made the grand tour, and published an account of his
+travels; had gained popularity by his poem "The Campaign," written in
+celebration of the victory at Blenheim; had been made an Under-Secretary
+of State, and finally (in December 1708) had been appointed secretary to
+Lord Wharton, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Steele, on the other hand,
+had enlisted in the Guards, without taking any degree; had obtained an
+ensign's commission after dedicating to Lord Cutts a poem on Queen
+Mary's death; and had written a little book called "The Christian Hero,"
+designed "to fix upon his own mind a strong impression of virtue and
+religion, in opposition to a stronger propensity towards unwarrantable
+pleasures." At the close of the same year (1701) he brought out a
+successful comedy, "The Funeral," which was followed by "The Lying
+Lover" and "The Tender Husband," plays which gave strong evidence of the
+influence of Jeremy Collier's attack on the immorality of the stage.
+"The Tender Husband" owed "many applauded strokes" to Addison, to whom
+it was dedicated by Steele, who wished "to show 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." In 1705 Steele married a lady with
+property in Barbados, and on her death married, in 1707, Mary Scurlock,
+the "dear Prue" to whom he addressed his well-known letters. For the
+rest, he had been made gentleman-waiter to Prince George of Denmark, and
+appointed Gazetteer, with a salary of £300, less a tax of £45 a year. He
+was disappointed in his hopes of obtaining the Under-Secretaryship
+vacated by Addison.
+
+From 1705 onwards there is evidence of frequent and familiar intercourse
+between Swift and Addison and Steele. After Sir William Temple's death,
+Swift had become chaplain to the Earl of Berkeley, who gave him the
+living of Laracor; and during a visit to England in 1704 he had gained a
+position in the front rank of authors by the "Tale of a Tub" and the
+"Battle of the Books." At the close of 1707 he was again in England,
+charged with a mission to obtain for the Irish clergy the remission of
+First Fruits and Tenths already conceded to the English, and throughout
+1708 what he calls "the triumvirate of Addison, Steele and me" were in
+constant communication. In that year Swift published a pamphlet called
+"A Project for the Advancement of Religion and the Reformation of
+Manners," which anticipated many of the arguments used in the _Tatler_
+and _Spectator_; and he also commenced his attack on John Partridge,
+quack doctor and maker of astrological almanacs. On the appearance of
+Partridge's "Merlinus Liberatus" for 1708, Swift--borrowing a name from
+the signboard of a shoemaker--published "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." Isaac Bickerstaff professed to be a true astrologer,
+disgusted at the lies told by impostors, and he said that he was willing
+to be hooted at as a cheat if his prophecies were not exactly fulfilled.
+His first prediction was that Partridge would die on the 29th of March;
+and on the 30th a second pamphlet was published, "The accomplishment of
+the first of Mr. Bickerstaff's Predictions ... in a letter to a person
+of quality, in which a detailed account is given of Partridge's death,
+at five minutes after seven, by which it is clear that Mr. Bickerstaff
+was mistaken almost four hours in his calculation.... Whether he had
+been the cause of this poor man's death, as well as the predictor, may
+be very reasonably disputed." The joke was maintained by Swift and
+others in various pieces, and when Partridge, in his almanac for 1709,
+protested that he was still living, Swift replied, in "A Vindication of
+Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.," which was advertised in the fifth number of
+the _Tatler_, that he could prove that Partridge was not alive; for no
+one living could have written such rubbish as the new almanac. In
+starting his new paper Steele assumed the name of the astrologer Isaac
+Bickerstaff, rendered famous by Swift, and made frequent use of Swift's
+leading idea. He himself summed up the controversy in the words, "if a
+man's art is gone, the man is gone, though his body still appear."
+
+Much has been written on the interesting question of the early history
+of the periodical press; but with one exception none of its predecessors
+had much effect on the _Tatler_. John Dunton's _Athenian Mercury_ was
+the forerunner of our _Notes and Queries_; and it was followed by the
+_British Apollo_ (1708-11), the second title of which was "Curious
+Amusements for the Ingenious. To which are added the most Material
+Occurrences, Foreign and Domestic. Performed by a Society of Gentlemen."
+_The Gentleman's Journal_ of 1692-4, a monthly paper of poems and other
+miscellaneous matter, was succeeded, in 1707, by Oldmixon's _Muses'
+Mercury; or, The Monthly Miscellany_, a periodical which contained also
+notices of new plays and books, and numbered Steele among its
+contributors. Defoe's _Review_, begun in 1704, aimed at setting the
+affairs of Europe in a clearer light, regardless of party; but, added
+Defoe, "After our serious matters are over, we shall at the end of every
+paper present you with a little diversion, as anything occurs to make
+the world merry; and whether friend or foe, one party or another, if
+anything happens so scandalous as to require an open reproof, the world
+will meet with it there." Accordingly, of the eight pages in the first
+number, one and a half pages consist of "Mercure Scandale; or, Advice
+from the Scandalous Club, Translated out of French." The censure was to
+be of the actions of men, not of parties; and the design was to expose
+not persons but things. A monthly supplement, dealing with "the
+immediate subject then on the tongues of the town," was begun in
+September 1704; and pressure on the space before long pushed the Advices
+from the Scandal Club out of the ordinary issue of the _Review_.
+Subsequently Defoe wrote more than once in praise of the way in which
+his work had been taken up by Isaac Bickerstaff.
+
+Probably the _Tatler_ was started by Steele without any very definite
+designs for the future. According to the first number, published on
+April 12, 1709, the aim was to instruct the public what to think, after
+their reading, and there was to be something for the entertainment of
+the fair sex. The numbers were published three times a week, on the
+post-days, at the price of one penny. Each paper consisted of a single
+folio sheet, and the first four were distributed gratuitously. Steele
+probably thought that his position of Gazetteer would enable him to give
+the latest news, and he says that these paragraphs brought in a
+multitude of readers; but as the position of the _Tatler_ became
+established, the need for the support of these items of news grew less,
+and after the first eighty numbers they are of rare occurrence. Quite
+early in the career of the paper Addison, speaking of the distress which
+would be caused among the news-writers by the conclusion of a peace,
+said that Bickerstaff was not personally concerned in the matter; "for
+as my chief scenes of action are coffee-houses, playhouses, and my own
+apartment, I am in no need of camps, fortifications, and fields of
+battle to support me.... I shall still be safe as long as there are men
+or women, or politicians, or lovers, or poets, or nymphs, or swains, or
+cits, or courtiers in being."[1]
+
+The subject of each article was to be indicated by the name of the
+coffee-house or other place from which it was supposed to come: "All
+accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment shall be under the
+article of White's Chocolate-house; Poetry, under that of Will's
+Coffee-house; Learning, under the title of Grecian; Foreign and Domestic
+News you will have from Saint James's Coffee-house; and what else I have
+to offer on any other subject shall be dated from my own Apartment." For
+some time each number contained short papers from all or several of
+these places; but gradually it became usual to devote the whole number
+to one topic. The motto of the first forty numbers was "Quicquid agunt
+homines ... nostri farrago libelli"; but in the following numbers it was
+changed to "Celebrare domestica facta"; and afterwards each number
+generally had a quotation bearing upon the subject of the day. Writing
+some time after the commencement of the fatter, Steele said, in the
+Dedication prefixed to the first volume, "The general purpose of this
+paper is to expose the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of
+cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general simplicity
+in our dress, our discourse, and our behaviour." And elsewhere he says:
+"As for my labours, which he is pleased to inquire after, if they but
+wear one impertinence out of human life, destroy a single vice, or give
+a morning's cheerfulness to an honest mind; in short, if the world can
+be but one virtue the better, or in any degree less vicious, or receive
+from them the smallest addition to their innocent diversions; I shall
+not think my pains, or indeed my life, to have been spent in vain."[2]
+At the close, speaking in his own name, Steele wrote: "The general
+purpose of the whole has been to recommend truth, innocence, honour, and
+virtue, as the chief ornaments of life; but I considered, that severity
+of manners was absolutely necessary to him who would censure others, and
+for that reason, and that only, chose to talk in a mask. I shall not
+carry my humility so far as to call myself a vicious man, but at the
+same time must confess my life is at best but pardonable."[3]
+
+With his usual generosity, Steele more than once spoke in the warmest
+terms of the assistance rendered to him by Addison. In the preface to
+the collected edition he said: "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 to one with whom he had
+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
+called him in I could not subsist without dependence on him." And in
+1722, after Addison's death, in a preface to his friend's play, "The
+Drummer," Steele wrote of the _Tatler_, "That paper 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."
+
+It is only fair to Steele to point out that the original idea of the
+_Tatler_ was entirely his own, and that he alone was responsible for the
+regular supply of material. Addison was in Ireland when the paper was
+begun, and did not know who was the author until several numbers had
+appeared. His occasional contributions were of little importance until
+after eighty numbers had been published; and of the whole 271 numbers
+Steele wrote about 188 and Addison only 42, while they were jointly
+responsible for 36. Swift contributed only to about a dozen numbers; and
+the assistance received from other writers was so slight that it does
+not call for notice here. Steele, unlike Addison, was probably at his
+best in the _Tatler_, where he had a freer hand, and described, in a
+perfectly fresh and unaffected style, the impressions of the moment.
+Hastily composed in coffee-house or printing-office, as they often were,
+and at very short notice, his papers frequently appeal to the reader of
+the present day more than the carefully elaborated and highly finished
+work of his friend, who wrote only when he found a suitable topic. And
+if Addison's art is of a higher standard than Steele's, it is to Steele
+that we owe Addison. A minor poet and the author of a book of travels
+and of an unsuccessful opera, Addison found no opportunity for his
+peculiar genius until his friend provided the means in the _Tatler_. It
+is tolerably certain that he would himself never have taken the
+necessary step of founding a periodical appealing to the general public;
+and Steele himself said with perfect truth, "I claim to myself the merit
+of having extorted excellent productions from a person of the greatest
+abilities, who would not have let them appear by any other means."[4]
+
+If more is said here of Steele than of Addison, it is because it is
+Steele whose name is most intimately connected with the _Tatler_. The
+field in which Addison shone brightest was the _Spectator_, where the
+whole plan was arranged in the manner best suited to his genius. But his
+influence is, nevertheless, visible in the development of the earlier
+paper, and some of his individual articles are equal to anything he
+afterwards wrote. It is only necessary to mention his papers on the
+Distress of the News-Writers[5]; on the poetaster, Ned Softly[6]; on the
+pedant and "broker in learning," Tom Folio[7]; on the Political
+Upholsterer, who was more inquisitive to know what passed in Poland than
+in his own family[8]; and on the Adventures of a Shilling.[9] His, too,
+are the Vision of Justice[10]; the story of a dream;[11] and the amusing
+account of the visit to London of Sir Harry Quickset, who, with his
+old-world breeding, was the forerunner of Sir Roger de Coverley.[12]
+
+Unlike the members of the Spectator's Club, the _dramatis personæ_
+introduced in the _Tatler_ do not occupy a very prominent place in
+the development of the work. Isaac Bickerstaff himself, an old man of
+sixty-four, "a philosopher, an humourist, an astrologer, and a censor,"
+is rather vaguely sketched, and his familiar, Pacolet, is made use of
+chiefly in the earlier numbers. The occasional references to Bickerstaff's
+half-sister, Jenny Distaff,[13] and her husband, Tanquillus, and to his
+three nephews and their conduct in the presence of a "beautiful woman of
+honour,"[14] gave Steele a framework for some charming sketches of
+domestic life. It is not until No. 132 that we have the amusing account
+of the members of Bickerstaff's Club, the Trumpet, in Shire Lane. There
+were Sir Geoffrey Notch, a gentleman of an ancient family, who had
+wasted his estate in his youth, and called every thriving man a pitiful
+upstart; Major Matchlock, with his reminiscences of the Civil War; Dick
+Reptile, and the Bencher who was always praising the wit of former days,
+and telling stories of Jack Ogle, with whom he pretended to have been
+intimate in his youth. Very little use was afterwards made of this
+promising material.
+
+The poet John Gay has given an excellent account of the work
+accomplished by Steele and Addison in a pamphlet called "The Present
+State of Wit" (1711). Speaking of the discontinuance of the _Tatler_, he
+says: "His disappearing 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 newspapers 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....
+There is this 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 vain
+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
+showing them it was their own fault if they were not so; and, lastly,
+how entirely they have convinced our 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 upon a
+new way of thinking, of which they had little or no notion before; and
+though we cannot yet 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."
+
+Gay's opinion has been confirmed by the best judges of nearly two
+centuries, and there is no need to labour the question of the wit and
+wisdom of the _Tatler_. But some examples may be cited in illustration
+of the topics on which Steele and his friends wrote, and the manner in
+which they dealt with them. The very first numbers contained
+illustrations of most of what were to be the characteristics of the
+paper. There is the account of the very pretty gentleman at White's
+Chocolate-house thrown into a sad condition by a passing vision of a
+young lady; the notice of Betterton's benefit performance; the comments
+on the war; the campaign against Partridge, with the declaration that
+all who were good for nothing would be included among the deceased; the
+discussion on the morality of the stage, with praise of Mrs. Bicknell
+and reproaches upon a young nobleman who came drunk to the play; the
+comparison of the rival beauties, Chloe and Clarissa; the satire on the
+Italian opera, and on Pinkethman's company of strollers; and the
+allegorical paper on Fælicia, or Britain. All these and other matters
+are dealt with in the four numbers which were distributed gratuitously;
+as the work progressed the principal change, besides the disappearance
+of the paragraphs of news, was the development of the sustained essay on
+morals or manners, and the less frequent indulgence in satire upon
+individual offenders, and in personal allusions in general. This change
+seems to have been the result partly of design, and partly of
+circumstances, including Addison's influence on the work. Steele himself
+said, as we have seen, that the _Tatler_ was raised to a greater height
+than he had designed; but no doubt he realised that he must feel his
+way, and be at first a tatler rather than a preacher. After some grave
+remarks about duelling in an early paper (No. 26), he makes Pacolet,
+Bickerstaff's familiar, say, "It was too soon to give my discourse on
+this subject so serious a turn; you have chiefly to do with that part of
+mankind which must be led into reflection by degrees, and you must treat
+this custom with humour and raillery to get an audience, before you come
+to pronounce sentence upon it."
+
+Follies and weaknesses are ridiculed in the _Tatler_ in a genial
+spirit, by one who was fully alive to his own imperfections, and point
+is usually given to the papers by a sketch of some veiled or imaginary
+individual. In this way Bickerstaff treats of fops,[15] of wags,[16] of
+coquettes,[17] of the lady who condemned the vice of the age, meaning
+the only vice of which she was not guilty;[18] of impudence;[19] and of
+pride and vanity.[20] In a graver tone he attacks the practice of
+duelling;[21] gamesters and sharpers;[22] drunken "roarers" and
+"scowrers";[23] and brutal pastimes at the Bear Garden and
+elsewhere.[24] The campaign against swindlers exposed Steele to serious
+threats on more than one occasion.[25]
+
+Of what Coleridge called Steele's "pure humanity" there is nowhere
+better evidence than in the _Tatler_. It is enough to cite once more the
+well-known examples of the account of his father's death and his
+mother's grief;[26] the stories of Unnion and Valentine,[27] of the
+Cornish lovers,[28] of Clarinda and Chloe,[29] and of Mr. Eustace,[30]
+and the charming account of the married happiness of an old friend, with
+the pathetic picture of the death of the wife, and the grief of husband
+and children.[31] In the last number Steele said, "It has been a most
+exquisite pleasure to me to frame characters of domestic life"; and we
+know from his letters that when he wrote of children he was only
+expressing the deep affection which he felt for his own. Equally in
+advance of his time was his respect for women, one of whom--Lady
+Elizabeth Hastings--he has immortalised in the words, "To love her is a
+liberal education."[32] In the same number he wrote, "As charity is
+esteemed a conjunction of the good qualities necessary to a virtuous
+man, so love is the happy composition of all the accomplishments that
+make a fine gentleman." In a time of much laxity he constantly dwelt on
+the happiness of marriage; "wife is the most amiable term in human
+life."[33] But good nature must be cultivated if the married life is to
+be happy,[34] and all unnecessary provocations avoided. "Dear Jenny,"
+says Bickerstaff to his sister, "remember me, and avoid
+Snap-Dragon."[35] Women must be rightly educated before they can expect
+to be treated by, and to influence men as they should.[36] The make of
+the mind greatly contributes to the ornament of the body; "there is so
+immediate a relation between our thoughts and gestures that a woman must
+think well to look well."[37] The habit of scandal-mongering and other
+weaknesses are the result of an improper training of the mind.[38] "All
+women especially," says Thackeray, "are bound to be grateful to Steele,
+as he was the first of our writers who really seemed to admire and
+respect them." His pity extended to the hunted deer: "I have more than
+once rode off at the death," he says; "to be apt to shed tears is a sign
+of a great as well as a little spirit."[39]
+
+Steele's teaching on morals and right living enters intimately into his
+literary criticism. His love for Shakespeare was real and intelligent;
+there is no formal discussion of the rules of the drama, but throughout
+the _Tatler_ there are references which show the keenest appreciation
+of Shakespeare's powers as poet and philosopher. "The vitiated tastes of
+the audience at the theatre could only be amended," says Steele, "by
+encouraging the representation of the noble characters drawn by
+Shakespeare and others, from whence it is impossible to return without
+strong impressions of honour and humanity. On these occasions, distress
+is laid before us with all its causes and consequences, and our
+resentment placed according to the merit of the persons afflicted. Were
+dramas of this nature more acceptable to the taste of the town, men who
+have genius would bend their studies to excel in them."[40] Still more
+remarkable are the allusions to "Paradise Lost," for Milton was then even
+less appreciated than Shakespeare. As in so many other things, Addison's
+more elaborate criticism in the _Spectator_ was foreshadowed in the
+_Tatler_ by Steele; and the comparison of passages by Milton and
+Dryden[41] must have been very striking to the reader of that time, who
+usually knew Shakespeare or Chaucer only through the adaptations of Dryden
+or Tate.
+
+Though it is not true, as some have represented, that the _Tatler_ is
+for the most part a mere society journal, concerned chiefly with the
+gossip of the day, yet its contributors made use of the scenes and
+events familiar to their readers in order to bring home the kindly
+lessons they wished to teach; and in so doing they have given us a
+picture of the daily life of the town which would alone have given
+lasting interest to the paper. The distinctly "moral" papers have had
+countless imitators, and sometimes therefore they are apt to pall upon
+us, but the social articles are at least as interesting now as when they
+were written, and one of the reasons why some excellent judges have
+prefered the _Tatler_ to the _Spectator_, is that there is a greater
+proportion of these gossiping papers, combining wisdom with satire, and
+bringing before us as in a mirror the London of Queen Anne's day.
+Bickerstaff takes us from club to coffee-house, from St. James's to the
+Exchange; we see the poets and wits at Will's, the politicians at
+White's, the merchants at Garraway's, the Templars at the Smyrna; we see
+Betterton and the rest on the stage, and the ladies and gentlemen in the
+front or side boxes; we see Pinkethman's players at Greenwich, Powell's
+puppet-show, Don Saltero's Museum at Chelsea, and the bear-baiting and
+prize-fights at Hockley-in-the-Hole. We are taken to the Mall at St.
+James's, or the Ring in Hyde Park, and we study the fine ladies and the
+beaux, with their red heels and their amber-headed canes suspended from
+their waistcoats; or we follow them to Charles Lillie's, the perfumer,
+or to Mather's toy-shop, or to Motteux's china warehouse; or to the
+shops in the New Exchange, where the men bought trifles and ogled the
+attendants. Or yet again we watch the exposure of the sharpers and
+bullies, and the denunciation of others who brought even greater ruin on
+those who fell into their clutches. We see the worshipping and the
+flirtations in the church, with Smalridge and Atterbury, Hoadly and
+Blackall among the preachers, and hear something of the controversies
+between High and Low Church, Whig and Tory. We hear, too, of the war
+with France, and of the hopes of peace. Steele tells us not only of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene, but of privates and non-commissioned
+officers, of their lives and tragedies, of their comrades and friends.
+All Sergeant Hall knew of the battle was that he wished there had not
+been so many killed; he had himself a very bad shot in the head, but
+would recover, if it pleased God. "To me," says Steele, recalling his
+own service as a trooper, "I take the gallantry of private soldiers to
+proceed from the same, if not from a nobler impulse than that of
+gentlemen and officers.... Sergeant Hall would die ten thousand deaths
+rather than a word should be spoken at the Red Lattice, or any part of
+the Butcher Row, in prejudice to his courage or honesty." His letter to
+his friend was "the picture of the bravest sort of man, that is to say,
+a man of great courage and small hopes."[42]
+
+Something must be said of the events of 1710, which led to the
+discontinuance of the _Tatler_. The trial of Dr. Sacheverell in March
+was followed by the fall of the Whigs in the autumn; and in October
+Steele lost his post of Gazetteer. Swift says it was "for writing a
+_Tatler_ some months ago, against Mr. Harley, who gave him the post at
+first." There was a growing coldness between Swift and his old friends,
+and on the 3rd of November Swift wrote, "We have scurvy _Tatlers_ of
+late, so pray do not suspect me." On the preceding day Swift's first
+paper in the Tory _Examiner_ had been published. He still met Steele
+from time to time, and he says that he interceded for him with Harley,
+but was frustrated by Addison. However this may be, it is certain that
+Harley saw Steele, and that as the result of their interview Steele
+retained his post as Commissioner of the Stamp Office, and brought the
+_Tatler_ to a close on January 2, 1711, without consulting Addison. "To
+say the truth, it was time," says Swift; "for he grew cruel dull and
+dry." It is true that there is a falling off towards the close of the
+_Tatler_, but that it was not want of matter that brought about the
+abandonment of the paper is proved by the commencement only two months
+later of the _Spectator_. Steele himself said that on many accounts it
+had become an irksome task to personate Mr. Bickerstaff any longer; he
+had in some places touched upon matters concerning Church and State, and
+he could not be cold enough to conceal his opinions. Gay tells us, in
+"The Present State of Wit," that the town being generally of opinion
+that Steele was quite spent as regards matter, was the more surprised
+when the _Spectator_ appeared; people were therefore driven to accept
+the alternative view that the _Tatler_ was laid down "as a sort of
+submission to, or composition with, the Government for some past
+offences."
+
+Excellent testimony to the immediate popularity of the _Tatler_ is
+furnished by the fact that its successive numbers were reprinted in
+Dublin and in Edinburgh. At least sixty-nine numbers of the Dublin
+issue, in quarto, were printed. The Scottish re-issue was a folio sheet,
+commenced about February 1710, and continued until the close of the
+paper. The date of each number of the Edinburgh paper--"printed by
+James Watson, and sold at his shop next door to the Red Lion, opposite
+to the Lucken Booths"--is five or six days later than that of the
+original issue; it was evidently worked off as soon as the London post
+came in. Other evidence of the popularity of the _Tatler_ in the
+provinces is afforded by the foundation of the "Gentleman's Society" at
+Spalding. Maurice Johnson, a native of Spalding and a member of the
+Inner Temple, gives this account of the matter: "In April 1709, that
+great genius Captain Richard Steele ... published the _Tatlers_, which,
+as they came out in half-sheets, were taken in by a gentleman, who
+communicated them to his acquaintances at the coffee-house then in the
+Abbey Yard; and these papers being universally approved as both
+instructive and entertaining, they ordered them to be sent down thither,
+with the Gazettes and Votes, for which they paid out of charity to the
+person who kept the coffee-house, and they were accordingly had and read
+there every post-day, generally aloud to the company, who would sit and
+talk over the subject afterwards. This insensibly drew the men of sense
+and letters into a sociable way of conversing, and continued the next
+year, 1710, until the publication of these papers desisted, which was in
+December, to their great regret." Afterwards the _Spectator_ was taken
+in, and a regular society was started in 1712, by the encouragement of
+Addison, Steele, and other members of Button's Club.
+
+One indication of the popularity of the _Tatler_ in its own day is the
+long subscription list prefixed to the reprint in four octavo volumes.
+Some copies were printed on "royal," others on "medium" paper; and the
+price of the former was a guinea a volume, while that of the latter was
+half a guinea. There was also an authorised cheap edition, in duodecimo,
+at half a crown a volume, besides a pirated edition at the same price. A
+still more conclusive proof of the success of the _Tatler_ was the
+number of papers started in imitation of its methods. Addison mentioned
+some of those periodicals in No. 229, where details will be found of the
+"Female Tatler," "Tit for Tat," and the like. But besides these, several
+spurious continuations of the _Tatler_ appeared directly after the
+discontinuance of the genuine paper, including one by William Harrison,
+written with Swift's encouragement and assistance. But Harrison, as
+Swift said, had "not the true vein for it," and his paper reached only
+to fifty-two numbers, which were afterwards reprinted as a fifth volume
+to the collected edition of the original _Tatler_. Gay said that
+Steele's imitators seemed 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." The town,
+in the absence of anything better, welcomed their occasional and faint
+endeavours at humour; "but even those are at present become wholly
+invisible, and quite swallowed up in the blaze of the _Spectator_."
+Steele himself said that his imitators held the censorship in
+commission.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 1: No. 18.]
+
+[Footnote 2: No. 89.]
+
+[Footnote 3: No. 271.]
+
+[Footnote 4: _Spectator_, No. 532.]
+
+[Footnote 5: _Tatler_, No. 18.]
+
+[Footnote 6: No. 163.]
+
+[Footnote 7: No. 158.]
+
+[Footnote 8: Nos. 155, 160.]
+
+[Footnote 9: No. 249.]
+
+[Footnote 10: Nos. 100, 102.]
+
+[Footnote 11: No. 117.]
+
+[Footnote 12: No. 86.]
+
+[Footnote 13: No. 10.]
+
+[Footnote 14: No. 30.]
+
+[Footnote 15: No. 142.]
+
+[Footnote 16: No. 184.]
+
+[Footnote 17: No. 27.]
+
+[Footnote 18: No. 210.]
+
+[Footnote 19: No. 168.]
+
+[Footnote 20: Nos. 127, 186.]
+
+[Footnote 21: Nos. 25, 26, 29, 31, 38, 39.]
+
+[Footnote 22: Nos. 56, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 23: Nos. 40, 45.]
+
+[Footnote 24: No. 134.]
+
+[Footnote 25: See Nos. 115, 271.]
+
+[Footnote 26: No. 181.]
+
+[Footnote 27: No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 28: No. 82.]
+
+[Footnote 29: No. 94.]
+
+[Footnote 30: No. 172.]
+
+[Footnote 31: Nos. 95, 114.]
+
+[Footnote 32: No. 49.]
+
+[Footnote 33: No. 33.]
+
+[Footnote 34: No. 149.]
+
+[Footnote 35: No. 85. See, too, No. 104.]
+
+[Footnote 36: Nos. 141, 248.]
+
+[Footnote 37: No. 212.]
+
+[Footnote 38: Nos, 40, 42, 47.]
+
+[Footnote 39: No. 68.]
+
+[Footnote 40: No. 8.]
+
+[Footnote 41: No. 6.]
+
+[Footnote 42: No. 87.]
+
+
+
+
+THE TATLER
+
+
+
+
+THE PREFACE.[43]
+
+In the last _Tatler_ I promised some explanation of passages and persons
+mentioned in this work, as well as some account of the assistances I
+have had in the performance. I shall do this in very few words; for when
+a man has no design but to speak plain truth, he may say a great deal in
+a very narrow compass. I have in the dedication of the first volume made
+my acknowledgments to Dr. Swift, whose pleasant writings, in the name of
+Bickerstaff, created an inclination in the town towards anything that
+could appear in the same disguise. I must acknowledge also, that at my
+first entering upon this work, a certain uncommon way of thinking, and a
+turn in conversation peculiar to that agreeable gentleman, rendered his
+company very advantageous to one whose imagination was to be continually
+employed upon obvious and common subjects, though at the same time
+obliged to treat of them in a new and unbeaten method. His verses on the
+Shower in Town,[44] and the Description of the Morning,[45] are
+instances of the happiness of that genius, which could raise such
+pleasing ideas upon occasions so barren to an ordinary invention.
+
+When I am upon the house of Bickerstaff, I must not forget that
+genealogy of the family sent to me by the post, and written, as I since
+understand, by Mr. Twysden,[46] who died at the battle of Mons, and has
+a monument in Westminster Abbey, suitable to the respect which is due to
+his wit and his valour. There are through the course of the work very
+many incidents which were written by unknown correspondents. Of this
+kind is the tale in the second _Tatler_, and the epistle from Mr. Downes
+the prompter,[47] with others which were very well received by the
+public. But I have only one gentleman,[48] who will be nameless, to
+thank for any frequent assistance to me, which indeed it would have been
+barbarous in him to have denied to one with whom he has lived in an
+intimacy from childhood, considering the great ease with which he is
+able to dispatch 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 writ the distinguishing characters of men and women under
+the names of Musical Instruments, the Distress of the News-writers, the
+Inventory of the Playhouse, and the Description of the Thermometer,[49]
+which I cannot but look upon as the greatest embellishments of this
+work.
+
+Thus far I thought necessary to say relating to the great hands which
+have been concerned in these volumes, with relation to the spirit and
+genius of the work; and am far from pretending to modesty in making this
+acknowledgment. What a man obtains from the good opinion and friendship
+of worthy men, is a much greater honour than he can possibly reap from
+any accomplishments of his own. But all the credit of wit which was
+given me by the gentlemen above mentioned (with whom I have now
+accounted) has not been able to atone for the exceptions made against me
+for some raillery in behalf of that learned advocate for the episcopacy
+of the Church, and the liberty of the people, Mr. Hoadly. I mention this
+only to defend myself against the imputation of being moved rather by
+party than opinion;[50] and I think it is apparent, I have with the
+utmost frankness allowed merit wherever I found it, though joined in
+interests different from those for which I have declared myself. When my
+Favonius[51] is acknowledged to be Dr. Smalridge, and the amiable
+character of the dean in the sixty-sixth _Tatler_ drawn for Dr.
+Atterbury, I hope I need say no more as to my impartiality.
+
+I really have acted in these cases with honesty, and am concerned it
+should be thought otherwise: for wit, if a man had it, unless it be
+directed to some useful end, is but a wanton frivolous quality; all that
+one should value himself upon in this kind is, that he had some
+honourable intention in it.
+
+As for this point, never hero in romance was carried away with a more
+furious ambition to conquer giants and tyrants, than I have been in
+extirpating gamesters and duellists. And indeed, like one of those
+knights too, though I was calm before, I am apt to fly out again, when
+the thing that first disturbed me is presented to my imagination. I
+shall therefore leave off when I am well, and fight with windmills no
+more: only shall be so arrogant as to say of myself, that in spite of
+all the force of fashion and prejudice, in the face of all the world, I
+alone bewailed the condition of an English gentleman, whose fortune and
+life are at this day precarious; while his estate is liable to the
+demands of gamesters, through a false sense of justice; and to the
+demands of duellists, through a false sense of honour. As to the first
+of these orders of men, I have not one word more to say of them: as to
+the latter, I shall conclude all I have more to offer against them (with
+respect to their being prompted by the fear of shame) by applying to the
+duellist what I think Dr. South says somewhere of the liar, "He is a
+coward to man, and a brave to God."
+
+_To_ Mr. Maynwaring.[52]
+
+SIR,
+
+The state of conversation and business in this town having been long
+perplexed with pretenders in both kinds, in order to open men's eyes
+against such abuses, it appeared no unprofitable undertaking to publish
+a paper which should observe upon the manners of the pleasureable, as
+well as the busy part of mankind. To make this generally read, it seemed
+the most proper method to form it by way of a letter of intelligence,
+consisting of such parts as might gratify the curiosity of persons of
+all conditions, and of each sex. But a work of this nature requiring
+time to grow into the notice of the world, it happened very luckily,
+that a little before I had resolved upon this design, a gentleman[53]
+had written Predictions, and two or three other pieces in my name, which
+had rendered it famous through all parts of Europe; and by an inimitable
+spirit and humour, raised it to as high a pitch of reputation as it
+could possibly arrive at.
+
+By this good fortune, the name of Isaac Bickerstaff gained an audience
+of all who had any taste of wit, and the addition of the ordinary
+occurrences of common journals of news brought in a multitude of other
+readers. I could not, I confess, long keep up the opinion of the town,
+that these lucubrations were written by the same hand with the first
+works which were published under my name; but before I lost the
+participation of that author's fame, I had already found the advantage
+of his authority, to which I owe the sudden acceptance which my labours
+met with in the world.
+
+The general purpose of this paper, is to expose the false arts of life,
+to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and
+recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our discourse, and our
+behaviour. No man has a better judgment for the discovery, or a nobler
+spirit for the contempt of such impostures, than your self; which
+qualities render you the most proper patron for the author of these
+essays. In the general, the design, however executed, has met with so
+great success, that there is hardly a name now eminent among us for
+power, wit, beauty, valour, or wisdom, which is not subscribed, for the
+encouragement of the two volumes in octavo, on a royal or medium
+paper.[54] This is indeed an honour, for which it is impossible to
+express a suitable gratitude; and there is nothing could be an addition
+to the pleasure I take in it, but the reflection that it gives me the
+most conspicuous occasion I can ever have, of subscribing myself,
+
+Sir,
+
+Your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble Servant,
+
+ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 43: This Preface was originally prefixed to the fourth volume
+of the collected edition issued in 1710-11.]
+
+[Footnote 44: No. 238.]
+
+[Footnote 45: No. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 46: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 47: No. 193.]
+
+[Footnote 48: Addison.]
+
+[Footnote 49: Nos. 153, 18, 42, 220.]
+
+[Footnote 50: Benjamin Hoadly, afterwards Bishop of Bangor, Salisbury,
+and Winchester, successively, was in 1709 engaged in controversy with
+Dr. Francis Atterbury, who represented the high-church party. George
+Smalridge, afterwards Bishop of Bristol, was a Jacobite.]
+
+[Footnote 51: See Nos. 72, 114.]
+
+[Footnote 52: Arthur Maynwaring was descended from the ancient family of
+the Maynwarings of Over Peover, Cheshire. He was born in 1668, at
+Ightfield, Shropshire, and was educated at the Shrewsbury Grammar School
+and at Christ Church, Oxford, where Smalridge was his tutor. Filled with
+prejudices against the Revolution, he came to London to study law, but a
+political satire which he published brought him under Dryden's notice,
+and the kind reception given him by several Whig statesmen, to whom he
+was introduced, caused him to change his views on politics, and after
+his father's death in 1693 he gave up the law and determined to push his
+fortunes at the Court. He was made a Commissioner of Customs and
+afterwards Auditor of the Imprests. He was admitted to the Kit-Cat Club,
+and in 1706 the interest of Godolphin procured him a seat in the House
+of Commons. Upon the fall of the Whig ministry in 1710, Maynwaring set
+up the _Medley_, a weekly paper in which the attacks of the _Examiner_
+were answered, and wrote various political pamphlets. But his health
+soon broke down, and he died in November, 1712. Mrs. Oldfield, the
+actress, was the sole executrix of his will, by which he divided his
+small property of some £3000 between her, a son that he had by her, and
+his sister. There appear to have been many good points in his character.
+His "Life and Posthumous Works" were published by Oldmixon in 1715.
+"Maynwaring, whom we hear nothing of now, was the ruling man in all
+conversations, indeed what he wrote had very little merit in it" (Pope,
+in Spence's "Anecdotes," 1820, p. 338). Steele says that Harley told him
+that he had to thank Maynwaring for his post of Gazetteer.]
+
+[Footnote 53: Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 54: "Encouragement of these volumes," in the octavo edition.
+The list of subscribers to the original octavo edition comprised the
+names of some four hundred of the most prominent persons of the day.]
+
+
+
+
+THE TATLER
+
+BY ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, ESQ.
+
+
+
+
+No. 1. [STEELE.
+
+_Tuesday, April 12_, 1709.
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            Juv., Sat. I. 85, 86.[55]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Though the other papers which are published for the use of the good
+people of England have certainly very wholesome effects, and are
+laudable in their particular kinds, yet they do not seem to come up to
+the main design of such narrations, which, I humbly presume, should be
+principally intended for the use of politic persons, who are so public
+spirited as to neglect their own affairs to look into transactions of
+State. Now these gentlemen, for the most part, being men of strong zeal
+and weak intellects, it is both a charitable and necessary work to offer
+something, whereby such worthy and well-affected members of the
+commonwealth may be instructed, after their reading, what to think;
+which shall be the end and purpose of this my paper: wherein I shall
+from time to time report and consider all matters of what kind soever
+that shall occur to me, and publish such my advices and reflections
+every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in the week for the convenience
+of the post.[56] I have also resolved to have something which may be of
+entertainment to the fair sex, in honour of whom I have taken the title
+of this paper. I therefore earnestly desire all persons, without
+distinction, to take it in for the present gratis, and hereafter at the
+price of one penny, forbidding all hawkers to take more for it at their
+peril. And I desire my readers to consider, that I am at a very great
+charge for proper materials for this work, as well as that before I
+resolved upon it, I had settled a correspondence in all parts of the
+known and knowing world. And forasmuch as this globe is not trodden upon
+by mere drudges of business only, but that men of spirit and genius are
+justly to be esteemed as considerable agents in it, we shall not, upon a
+dearth of news, present you with musty foreign edicts, or dull
+proclamations, but shall divide our relation of the passages which occur
+in action or discourse throughout this town, as well as elsewhere, under
+such dates of places as may prepare you for the matter you are to
+expect, in the following manner:
+
+All accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment, shall be under
+the article of White's Chocolate-house;[57] poetry, under that of Will's
+Coffee-house;[58] learning, under the title of Grecian;[59] foreign and
+domestic news, you will have from St. James's Coffee-house;[60] and what
+else I shall on any other subject offer, shall be dated from my own
+apartment.
+
+I once more desire my readers to consider that as I cannot keep an
+ingenious man to go daily to Will's under twopence each day merely
+for his charges,[61] to White's under sixpence, nor to the Grecian
+without allowing him some plain Spanish,[62] to be as able as others at
+the learned table; and that a good observer cannot speak with even
+Kidney[63] at St. James's without clean linen; I say, these
+considerations will, I hope, make all persons willing to comply with my
+humble request (when my gratis stock is exhausted) of a penny a piece;
+especially since they are sure of some proper amusement, and that it is
+impossible for me to want means to entertain them, having, besides the
+helps of my own parts, the power of divination, and that I can, by
+casting a figure, tell you all that will happen before it comes to pass.
+
+But this last faculty I shall use very sparingly, and not speak of
+anything until it is passed, for fear of divulging matters which may
+offend our superiors.[64]
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 11.
+
+The deplorable condition of a very pretty gentleman, who walks here at
+the hours when men of quality first appear, is what is very much
+lamented. His history is, that on the 9th of September, 1705, being in
+his one and twentieth year, he was washing his teeth at a tavern window
+in Pall Mall, when a fine equipage passed by, and in it a young lady,
+who looked up at him; away goes the coach, and the young gentleman
+pulled off his nightcap, and instead of rubbing his gums, as he ought to
+do out of the window till about four o'clock, he sits him down, and
+spoke not a word till twelve at night; after which, he began to inquire,
+if anybody knew the lady. The company asked, "What lady?" But he said no
+more until they broke up at six in the morning. All the ensuing winter
+he went from church to church every Sunday, and from play-house to
+play-house all the week, but could never find the original of the
+picture which dwelt in his bosom. In a word, his attention to anything
+but his passion, was utterly gone. He has lost all the money he ever
+played for, and been confuted in every argument he has entered upon
+since the moment he first saw her. He is of a noble family, has
+naturally a very good air, and is of a frank, honest temper: but this
+passion has so extremely mauled him, that his features are set and
+uninformed, and his whole visage is deadened by a long absence of
+thought. He never appears in any alacrity, but when raised by wine; at
+which time he is sure to come hither, and throw away a great deal of wit
+on fellows, who have no sense further than just to observe, that our
+poor lover has most understanding when he is drunk, and is least in his
+senses when he is sober.[65]
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 8.
+
+On Thursday last[66] was presented, for the benefit of Mr.
+Betterton,[67] the celebrated comedy, called "Love for Love."[68] Those
+excellent players, Mrs. Barry,[69] Mrs. Bracegirdle,[70] and Mr.
+Doggett,[71] though not at present concerned in the house, acted on that
+occasion. There has not been known so great a concourse of persons of
+distinction as at that time; the stage itself was covered with gentlemen
+and ladies, and when the curtain was drawn, it discovered even there a
+very splendid audience. This unusual encouragement, which was given to a
+play for the advantage of so great an actor, gives an undeniable
+instance, that the true relish for manly entertainments and rational
+pleasures is not wholly lost. All the parts were acted to perfection;
+the actors were careful of their carriage, and no one was guilty of the
+affectation to insert witticisms of his own, but a due respect was had
+to the audience, for encouraging this accomplished player. It is not now
+doubted but plays will revive, and take their usual place in the opinion
+of persons of wit and merit, notwithstanding their late apostacy in
+favour of dress and sound. This place is very much altered since Mr.
+Dryden frequented it; where you used to see songs, epigrams, and satires
+in the hands of every man you met, you have now only a pack of cards;
+and instead of the cavils about the turn of the expression, the elegance
+of the style, and the like, the learned now dispute only about the truth
+of the game. But, however the company is altered, all have shown a great
+respect for Mr. Betterton: and the very gaming part of this house have
+been so much touched with a sense of the uncertainty of human affairs
+(which alter with themselves every moment) that in this gentleman, they
+pitied Mark Antony of Rome, Hamlet of Denmark, Mithridates of Pontus,
+Theodosius of Greece, and Henry the Eighth of England. It is well known
+he has been in the condition of each of those illustrious personages for
+several hours together, and behaved himself in those high stations, in
+all the changes of the scene, with suitable dignity. For these reasons,
+we intend to repeat this favour to him on a proper occasion, lest he who
+can instruct us so well in personating feigned sorrows, should be lost
+to us by suffering under real ones. The town is at present in very great
+expectation of seeing a comedy now in rehearsal, which is the
+twenty-fifth production of my honoured friend Mr. Thomas D'Urfey;[72]
+who, besides his great abilities in the dramatic, has a peculiar talent
+in the lyric way of writing, and that with a manner wholly new and
+unknown to the ancient Greeks and Romans, wherein he is but faintly
+imitated in the translations of the modern Italian operas.[73]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 11.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 16th say, that Major-General Cadogan[74]
+was gone to Brussels, with orders to disperse proper instructions for
+assembling the whole force of the allies in Flanders in the beginning of
+the next month.[75] The late offers concerning peace were made in the
+style of persons who think themselves upon equal terms. But the allies
+have so just a sense of their present advantages, that they will not
+admit of a treaty, except France offers what is more suitable to her
+present condition. At the same time we make preparations, as if we were
+alarmed by a greater force than that which we are carrying into the
+field. Thus this point seems now to be argued sword in hand. This was
+what a great general[76] alluded to, when being asked the names of those
+who were to be plenipotentiaries for the ensuing peace, answered, with a
+serious air, "There are about a hundred thousand of us." Mr. Kidney, who
+has the ear of the greatest politicians that come hither, tells me,
+there is a mail come in to-day with letters, dated Hague, April 19,
+N.S., which say, a design of bringing part of our troops into the field
+at the latter end of this month, is now altered to a resolution of
+marching towards the camp about the 20th of the next. There happened the
+other day, in the road of Scheveling, an engagement between a privateer
+of Zealand and one of Dunkirk. The Dunkirker, carrying 33 pieces of
+cannon, was taken and brought into the Texel. It is said, the courier of
+Monsieur Rouillé[77] is returned to him from the Court of France.
+Monsieur Vendôme being reinstated in the favour of the Duchess of
+Burgundy, is to command in Flanders.
+
+Mr. Kidney added, that there were letters of the 17th from Ghent, which
+give an account, that the enemy had formed a design to surprise two
+battalions of the allies which lay at Alost; but those battalions
+received advice of their march, and retired to Dendermond.
+Lieutenant-General Wood[78] appeared on this occasion at the head of
+5000 foot, and 1000 horse, upon which the enemy withdrew, without making
+any further attempt.
+
+
+From my own Apartment.
+
+I am sorry I am obliged to trouble the public with so much discourse
+upon a matter which I at the very first mentioned as a trifle--viz. the
+death of Mr. Partridge,[79] under whose name there is an almanack come
+out for the year 1709, in one page of which it is asserted by the said
+John Partridge, that he is still living, and that not only so, but that
+he was also living some time before, and even at the instant when I writ
+of his death. I have in another place, and in a paper by itself,
+sufficiently convinced this man that he is dead, and if he has any
+shame, I don't doubt but that by this time he owns it to all his
+acquaintance: for though the legs and arms, and whole body of that man
+may still appear and perform their animal functions; yet since, as I
+have elsewhere observed, his art is gone, the man is gone. I am, as I
+said, concerned, that this little matter should make so much noise; but
+since I am engaged, I take myself obliged in honour to go on in my
+lucubrations, and by the help of these arts of which I am master, as
+well as my skill in astrological speculations, I shall, as I see
+occasion, proceed to confute other dead men, who pretend to be in being,
+that they are actually deceased. I therefore give all men fair warning
+to mend their manners, for I shall from time to time print bills of
+mortality; and I beg the pardon of all such who shall be named therein,
+if they who are good for nothing shall find themselves in the number of
+the deceased.[80]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 55: This motto was repeated at the head of each of the first
+40 numbers in the folio issue.]
+
+[Footnote 56: These were the days on which the post left London for the
+different parts of the country.]
+
+[Footnote 57: White's Chocolate-house, five doors from the bottom of the
+west side of St. James's Street, was established in 1698. It was burnt
+on April 28, 1733, while kept by Mr. Arthur. Plate VI. of Hogarth's
+"Rake's Progress" depicts gamblers engrossed in play in a room in this
+house during the fire; see also Plate IV. Swift gives it a bad character
+in his "Essay on Modern Education;" it had a strong character for
+gambling (Timbs's "Clubs and Club Life in London," where, at p. 48,
+there is a sketch of White's from an old drawing). The house became a
+private club, as we now have it, about 1736.]
+
+[Footnote 58: Will's Coffee-house, named after Will Urwin, its
+proprietor, was the corner house on the north side of Russell Street,
+Covent Garden, at the end of Bow Street. The present house, 21 Russell
+Street, is probably part of the old building. Will's was ceasing to be
+the resort of the wits in 1709; it was in its glory at the close of the
+seventeenth century. The wits' room, where Dryden presided, was on the
+first floor.]
+
+[Footnote 59: The Grecian, in Devereux Court in the Strand, was probably
+the most ancient coffee-house in or about London. In 1652 an English
+Turkey merchant brought home with him a Greek servant, who first opened
+a house for making and selling coffee. This man's name was Constantine,
+and his house was much resorted to by lawyers, Greek scholars, and
+Members of the Royal Society. (See Thoresby's Diary, i. 111, 117.) Foote
+and Goldsmith afterwards frequented it. In Dr. King's "Anecdotes" there
+is a story of two gentlemen friends who disputed at the Grecian
+Coffee-house about the accent of a Greek word to such a length that they
+went out into Devereux Court and drew swords, when one of them was
+killed on the spot.]
+
+[Footnote 60: The St. James's Coffee-house was the last house but one on
+the S.W. corner of St. James's Street. It was frequented by Whig
+statesmen, and was closed about 1806. Swift and Steele were at a supper
+given by the keeper on the 19th November, 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 61: Cf. the _Spectator_, No. 31: "Laying down my penny upon
+the bar."]
+
+[Footnote 62: Wine.]
+
+[Footnote 63: A waiter. See Nos. 10, 26.]
+
+[Footnote 64: This introduction was repeated in Nos. 2 and 3 of the
+original issue.]
+
+[Footnote 65: "The reader is desired to take notice of the article from
+this place from time to time, for I design to be very exact in the
+progress this unhappy gentleman makes, which may be of great instruction
+to all who actually are, or who ever shall be, in love." (Original
+folio.) For Viscount Hinchinbroke ("Cynthio"), see No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 66: April 7, 1709. Cibber acknowledges that Steele did the
+stage very considerable service by the papers on the theatre in the
+_Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 67: For further particulars of Thomas Betterton (1635-1710),
+see Nos. 71 and 167. Cibber says: "I never heard a line in tragedy come
+from Betterton wherein my judgment, my ear and my imagination were not
+fully satisfied.... The person of this excellent actor was suitable to
+his voice, more manly than sweet, not exceeding the middle stature,
+inclining to be corpulent; of a serious and penetrating aspect; his
+limbs nearer the athletic than the delicate proportion; yet, however
+formed, there arose from the harmony of the whole a commanding mien of
+majesty."]
+
+[Footnote 68: By Congreve, 1695.]
+
+[Footnote 69: Mrs. Elizabeth Barry on this occasion spoke an epilogue,
+written by Rowe. She was the daughter of Edward Barry, barrister, whose
+fortunes were ruined by his attachment to Charles I. Tony Aston, in his
+"Supplement to Cibber's Apology," says she was woman to Lady Shelton, of
+Norfolk, his godmother; and Curll tells us that she was early taken
+under the protection of Lady Davenant. She was certainly on the stage in
+1673. At her first appearance there was so little hope of her success,
+that at the end of the season she was discharged [from] the theatre. It
+is probable that at this time she became acquainted with Lord Rochester,
+who took her under his protection, and gave her instructions in her
+theatrical performances. By his interest she seems to have been restored
+to the stage, and, improving daily in her profession, she soon eclipsed
+all her competitors, and in the part of Monimia in "The Orphan"
+established her reputation, which was enhanced by her performance as
+Belvidera in "Venice Preserved," and as Isabella in "The Fatal
+Marriage." "In characters of greatness," says Cibber, "Mrs. Barry had a
+presence of elevated dignity, her mien and motion superb, and gracefully
+majestic; her voice full, clear, and strong, so that no violence of
+passion could be too much for her, and when distress or tenderness
+possessed her she subsided into the most affecting melody and softness.
+In the art of exciting pity she had a power beyond all the actresses I
+have yet seen, or what your imagination can conceive. In scenes of
+anger, defiance, or resentment, while she was impetuous and terrible,
+she poured out the sentiment with an enchanting harmony.... In tragedy
+she was solemn and august, in comedy alert, easy, and genteel, pleasant
+in her face and action, filling the stage with a variety of gesture. She
+could neither sing nor dance, no not in a country dance. She adhered to
+Betterton in all the revolutions of the theatre, which she quitted about
+1707, on account of ill-health." She returned, however, for one night
+with Mrs. Bracegirdle, April 7, 1709, and performed Mrs. Frail in "Love
+for Love" for Betterton's benefit. She died at Acton in 1713. Mrs.
+Barry, Mrs. Bracegirdle, Mr. Betterton, and Mr. Varbriggen were sworn as
+Comedians in Ordinary to her Majesty, 30th Oct., 2 Anne (1703). On the
+3rd March, 1692, Mrs. Barry received £25 for acting in "The Orphan"
+before their Majesties, and on the 10th June, 1693, £25 for Caius
+Marius. (Lord Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Books, No. 20, p. 151; No.
+18, pp. 30, 242.)]
+
+[Footnote 70: Mrs. Anne Bracegirdle was the daughter of Justinian
+Bracegirdle, of Northamptonshire. By the imprudence of her father, who
+ruined himself by becoming surety for some friends, she was early left
+to the care of Betterton and his wife, whose attentions to her she
+always acknowledged to be truly paternal. By them she was first
+introduced to the stage, and, while very young, performed the page in
+"The Orphan." Increasing in years, and in ability, she became the
+favourite performer of the times. Cibber describes her in these terms:
+"Mrs. Bracegirdle was now but just blooming in her maturity; her
+reputation, as an actress, gradually rising with that of her person;
+never any woman was in such general favour of her spectators, which, to
+the last scene of her dramatic life, she maintained by not being
+unguarded in her private character. This discretion contributed not a
+little to make her the _Cara_, the darling of the theatre: for it will
+be no extravagant thing to say scarce an audience saw her that were less
+than half of them lovers, without a suspected favourite among them: and
+though she might be said to have been the universal passion and under
+the highest temptations, her constancy in resisting them served but to
+increase the number of her admirers. And this perhaps you will more
+easily believe, when I extend not my encomiums on her person beyond a
+sincerity that can be suspected; for she had no greater claim to beauty
+than what the most desirable brunette might pretend to. But her youth
+and lively aspect threw out such a glow of health and cheerfulness,
+that, on the stage, few spectators that were not past it, could behold
+her without desire. There were two very different characters in which
+she acquitted herself with uncommon applause: if anything could excuse
+that desperate extravagance of love, that almost frantic passion of
+Lee's Alexander the Great, it must have been when Mrs. Bracegirdle was
+his Statira: as when she acted Millamant, all the faults, follies, and
+affectation of that agreeable tyrant were venially melted down into so
+many charms and attractions of a conscious beauty." In the theatrical
+disputes of the times, she adhered to her benefactor Betterton, and
+continued to perform with applause until 1707, when, on the preference
+being given to Mrs. Oldfield in a contention between that actress and
+Mrs. Bracegirdle, she left the stage, except for one night, when she
+returned with Mrs. Barry to the theatre, and performed Angelica for
+Betterton's benefit (the performance described in this number). She died
+in 1748.]
+
+[Footnote 71: Thomas Doggett died in 1721. In 1695 he created the
+character of Ben in Congreve's "Love for Love." Afterwards he was
+associated with Steele in the management of Drury Lane Theatre.]
+
+[Footnote 72: D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets" was produced in 1709. Thomas
+D'Urfey died in 1723, aged 70, leaving Steele a watch and chain, which
+his friend wore at the funeral. He wrote many plays and songs. See also
+Nos. 11, 43.]
+
+[Footnote 73: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 74: William, First Earl Cadogan (1675-1726), was an able
+officer who took a very prominent part in Marlborough's campaigns. In
+January, 1709, he was made lieutenant-general, and he was dangerously
+wounded at the siege of Mons. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower
+of London in December.]
+
+[Footnote 75: The news-paragraphs in the earlier numbers of the _Tatler_
+are here preserved for the sake of completeness, but for the most part
+the details recorded are not of permanent interest, and do not call for
+comment. The reader may be reminded generally that in the spring of 1709
+the French, after the battle of Oudenarde and the fall of Lille,
+followed by a very severe winter, were driven to think of terms of
+peace. The negotiations, however, fell through for the time, and the
+campaign was begun in the Netherlands, where Marlborough and Prince
+Eugene had an army of 110,000 men. The French were entrenched under
+Villars between Douay and Béthune, and were strengthened by part of the
+garrison of Tournay. Marlborough seized the opportunity of attacking the
+half-defended town, which was obliged to surrender on July 29, after a
+siege of nineteen days. The French then made a great effort, and brought
+an army of 100,000 men into the field, with the result that the battle
+of Malplaquet (Sept. 11) was a very bloody and hard-earned victory for
+the allies. The subsequent fall of Mons brought the campaign to a
+close.]
+
+[Footnote 76: Marlborough.]
+
+[Footnote 77: A merchant entrusted by Lewis XIV. to negotiate terms of
+peace with the Dutch.]
+
+[Footnote 78: General Wood played a distinguished part in the battles of
+Donauwerth (1704) and Ramilies (1706).]
+
+[Footnote 79: See the Introduction.]
+
+[Footnote 80: "A Vindication of Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., against what is
+objected to him by Mr. Partridge in his Almanack for the present year
+1709. By the said Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., London, printed in the year
+1709." (Advertisement in folio issue.) In a pamphlet called "Predictions
+for the Year 1712. By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; in a Letter to the author
+of the Oxford Almanack. Printed in the year 1712," this "Vindication" is
+thus noticed: "I can't but express my resentment against a gentleman who
+personated me in a paper called 'Mr. Bickerstaff's Vindication.' I'm
+grieved to find the times should be so very wicked, that one impostor
+should set up to reform another, and that a false Bickerstaff should
+write against an imaginary Partridge. And I am heartily concerned that
+one who shows so much wit, such extreme civility, and writes such a
+gentlemanlike style, should prefix my name to writings in which there
+appears so little solidity and no knowledge of the Arabian philosophy.
+If this paper should be transmitted to posterity (as, perhaps, it might
+have been by the authority of the name it wears in the front) it might
+have been a lasting reflection upon me to the end of the world.... Till
+seeing four volumes of writings--the collected edition of the
+_Tatler_--pretended to be mine, and a serious philosopher's name
+prefixed to papers as free from my solidity as they are full of wit, I
+thought it high time to vindicate myself, and give the world a taste of
+my writings; for I am now persuaded 'twill be more for my reputation to
+convince than to despise mankind."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 2. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 12_, to _Thursday, April 14_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 13.
+
+There has lain all this evening, on the table, the following poem. The
+subject of it being matter very useful for families, I thought it
+deserved to be considered, and made more public. The turn the poet[81]
+gives it is very happy; but the foundation is from a real accident
+which happened among my acquaintance.[82] A young gentleman of a great
+estate fell desperately in love with a great beauty of very high
+quality, but as ill-natured as long flattery and an habitual self-will
+could make her. However, my young spark ventures upon her, like a man of
+quality, without being acquainted with her, or having ever saluted her,
+till it was a crime to kiss any woman else. Beauty is a thing which
+palls with possession; and the charms of this lady soon wanted the
+support of good humour and complaisancy of manners. Upon this my spark
+flies to the bottle for relief from his satiety. She disdains him for
+being tired with that for which all men envied him; and he never came
+home, but it was: "Was there no sot that would stay longer? Would any
+man living but you? Did I leave all the world for this usage?" To which
+he: "Madam, split me, you are very impertinent!" In a word, this match
+was wedlock in its most terrible appearances. She, at last weary of
+railing to no purpose, applies to a good uncle, who gives her a bottle
+of water. "The virtue of this powerful liquor," said he, "is such, that
+if the woman you marry proves a scold (which, it seems, my dear niece,
+is your misfortune, as it was your good mother's before you), let her
+hold six spoonfuls in her mouth, for a full half hour after you come
+home--" But I find I am not in humour for telling a tale, and nothing in
+nature is so ungrateful as story-telling against the grain, therefore
+take it as the author has given it you.
+
+
+The MEDECINE.
+
+#A Tale--for the Ladies.#
+
+    Miss Molly, a famed toast, was fair and young,
+    Had wealth and charms, but then she had a tongue
+    From morn to night, the eternal larum run,
+    Which often lost those hearts her eyes had won.
+
+    Sir John was smitten, and confessed his flame,
+    Sighed out the usual time, then wed the dame:
+    Possessed he thought of every joy of life,
+    But his dear Molly proved a very wife.
+    Excess of fondness did in time decline,
+    Madam loved money, and the knight loved wine.
+    From whence some petty discords would arise,
+    As, "You're a fool"; and, "You are mighty wise!"
+
+    Though he and all the world allowed her wit,
+    Her voice was shrill, and rather loud than sweet,
+    When she began,--for hat and sword he'd call.
+    Then, after a faint kiss, cry, "B'y, dear Moll:
+    Supper and friends expect me at the Rose."[83]
+    And, "What, Sir John, you'll get your usual dose!
+    Go, stink of smoke, and guzzle nasty wine,
+    Sure, never virtuous love was used like mine!"
+
+    Oft as the watchful bellman marched his round,
+    At a fresh bottle gay Sir John he found.
+    By four the knight would get his business done,
+    And only then reeled off, because alone;
+    Full well he knew the dreadful storm to come,
+    But armed with bordeaux, he durst venture home.
+
+    My lady with her tongue was still prepared,
+    She rattled loud, and he impatient heard:
+    "'Tis a fine hour? In a sweet pickle made!
+    And this, Sir John, is every day the trade.
+    Here I sit moping all the live-long night,
+    Devoured with spleen, and stranger to delight;
+    'Till morn sends staggering home a drunken beast,
+    Resolved to break my heart, as well as rest."
+
+    "Hey! Hoop! d'ye hear my damned obstreperous spouse!
+    What, can't you find one bed about the house!
+    Will that perpetual clack lie never still!
+    That rival to the softness of a mill!
+    Some couch and distant room must be my choice,
+    Where I may sleep uncursed with wife and noise."
+
+    Long this uncomfortable life they led,
+    With snarling meals, and each, a separate bed.
+    To an old uncle oft she would complain,
+    Beg his advice, and scarce from tears refrain.
+    Old Wisewood smoked the matter as it was,
+    "Cheer up!" cried he, "and I'll remove the cause.
+
+    "A wonderous spring within my garden flows,
+    Of sovereign virtue, chiefly to compose
+    Domestic jars, and matrimonial strife,
+    The best elixir t' appease man and wife;
+    Strange are th' effects, the qualities divine,
+    'Tis water called, but worth its weight in wine.
+    If in his sullen airs Sir John should come,
+    Three spoonfuls take, hold in your mouth--then mum:
+    Smile, and look pleased, when he shall rage and scold,
+    Still in your mouth the healing cordial hold;
+    One month this sympathetic medecine tried,
+    He'll grow a lover, you a happy bride.
+    But, dearest niece, keep this grand secret close,
+    Or every prattling hussy'll beg a dose."
+
+    A water-bottle's brought for her relief,
+    Not Nantz could sooner ease the lady's grief:
+    Her busy thoughts are on the trial bent,
+    And female-like, impatient for th' event:
+
+    The bonny knight reels home exceeding clear,
+    Prepared for clamour, and domestic war.
+    Entering, he cries, "Hey! where's our thunder fled?
+    No hurricane! Betty, 's your lady dead?"
+    Madam, aside, an ample mouthful takes,
+    Curtsies, looks kind, but not a word she speaks:
+    Wondering, he stared, scarcely his eyes believed,
+    But found his ears agreeably deceived.
+    "Why, how now, Molly, what's the crotchet now?"
+    She smiles, and answers only with a bow.
+    Then clasping her about,--"Why, let me die!
+    These nightclothes, Moll, become thee mightily!"
+    With that, he sighed, her hand began to press,
+    And Betty calls, her lady to undress;
+    "Nay, kiss me, Molly, for I'm much inclined."
+    Her lace she cuts, to take him in the mind.
+    Thus the fond pair to bed enamoured went,
+    The lady pleased, and the good knight content.
+
+    For many days these fond endearments passed,
+    The reconciling bottle fails at last;
+    'Twas used and gone: Then midnight storms arose,
+    And looks and words the union discompose.
+    Her coach is ordered, and post-haste she flies,
+    To beg her uncle for some fresh supplies;
+    Transported does the strange effects relate,
+    Her knight's conversion, and her happy state!
+
+    "Why, niece," says he, "I prithee apprehend
+    The water's water. Be thyself thy friend;
+    Such beauty would the coldest husband warm,
+    But your provoking tongue undoes the charm:
+    Be silent, and complying; you'll soon find,
+    Sir John, without a medecine, will be kind."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 13.
+
+Letters from Venice say, the disappointment of their expectation to see
+his Danish Majesty, has very much disquieted the Court of Rome. Our last
+advices from Germany inform us, that the minister of Hanover has urged
+the council at Ratisbon to exert themselves in behalf of the common
+cause, and taken the liberty to say, that the dignity, the virtue, the
+prudence of his electoral highness, his master, were called to the head
+of their affairs in vain, if they thought fit to leave him naked of the
+proper means to make those excellences useful for the honour and safety
+of the Empire. They write from Berlin of the 13th, O.S., that the true
+design of General Fleming's visit to that Court was, to insinuate, that
+it will be for the mutual interest of the King of Prussia and King
+Augustus to enter into a new alliance; but that the ministers of Prussia
+are not inclined to his sentiments. We hear from Vienna, that his
+Imperial Majesty has expressed great satisfaction in their high
+mightinesses having communicated to him the whole that has passed in the
+affair of a peace. Though there have been practices used by the agents
+of France, in all the Courts of Europe, to break the good understanding
+of the allies, they have had no other effect, but to make all the
+members concerned in the alliance, more doubtful of their safety from
+the great offers of the enemy. The Empire is roused by this alarm, and
+the frontiers of all the French dominions are in danger of being
+insulted the ensuing campaign: advices from all parts confirm, that it
+is impossible for France to find a way to obtain so much credit, as to
+gain any one potentate of the allies, or make any hope for safety from
+other prospects.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 13.
+
+I find it of very great use, now I am setting up for a writer of news,
+that I am an adept in astrological speculations; by which means, I avoid
+speaking of things which may offend great persons. But at the same time,
+I must not prostitute the liberal sciences so far, as not to utter the
+truth in cases which do not immediately concern the good of my native
+country. I must therefore boldly contradict what has been so assuredly
+reported by the news-writers of England, that France is in the most
+deplorable condition, and that their people die in great multitudes. I
+will therefore let the world know, that my correspondent, by the way of
+Brussels, informs me, upon his honour, that the gentleman who writes the
+Gazette of Paris, and ought to know as well as any man, has told him,
+that ever since the king has been past his 63rd year, or grand
+climacteric, there has not one man died of the French nation who was
+younger than his Majesty, except a very few, who were taken suddenly
+near the village of Hochsted[84] in Germany; and some more, who were
+straitened for lodging at a place called Ramilies, and died on the road
+to Ghent and Bruges. There are also other things given out by the
+allies, which are shifts below a conquering nation to make use of. Among
+others, 'tis said, there is a general murmuring among the people of
+France, though at the same time all my letters agree, that there is so
+good an understanding among them, that there is not one morsel carried
+out of any market in the kingdom, but what is delivered upon credit.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 81: William Harrison (1685-1713) was a favourite with Swift
+and Addison. He wrote verses, and a continuation of the _Tatler_, and
+afterwards obtained office in the diplomatic service; but his health
+soon broke down, and he died when 28.]
+
+[Footnote 82: There is a similar story in Burton's "Anatomy of
+Melancholy."]
+
+[Footnote 83: The Rose Tavern, in Russell Street, adjoined Drury Lane
+Theatre, and was a favourite resort during and after the play.]
+
+[Footnote 84: The Battle of Blenheim.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 3. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 14_, to _Saturday, April 16_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 14.
+
+This evening, the comedy called "The Country Wife"[85] was acted in
+Drury Lane, for the benefit of Mrs. Bignell.[86] The part which gives
+name to the play was performed by herself. Through the whole action, she
+made a very pretty figure, and exactly entered into the nature of the
+part. Her husband in the drama, is represented to be one of those
+debauchees who run through the vices of the town, and believe when they
+think fit they can marry, and settle at their ease. His own knowledge of
+the iniquity of the age, makes him choose a wife wholly ignorant of it,
+and place his security in her want of skill how to abuse him. The poet,
+on many occasions, where the propriety of the character will admit of
+it, insinuates, that there is no defence against vice, but the contempt
+of it: and has, in the natural ideas of an untainted innocent, shown the
+gradual steps to ruin and destruction, which persons of condition run
+into, without the help of a good education how to form their conduct.
+The torment of a jealous coxcomb, which arises from his own false
+maxims, and the aggravation of his pain, by the very words in which he
+sees her innocence, makes a very pleasant and instructive satire. The
+character of Horner, and the design of it, is a good representation of
+the age in which that comedy was written; at which time love and
+wenching were the business of life, and the gallant manner of pursuing
+women was the best recommendation at Court. To which only it is to be
+imputed, that a gentleman of Mr. Wycherley's character and sense,
+condescends to represent the insults done to the honour of the bed,
+without just reproof; but to have drawn a man of probity with regard to
+such considerations, had been a monster, and a poet had at that time
+discovered his want of knowing the manners of the Court he lived in, by
+a virtuous character in his fine gentleman, as he would show his
+ignorance, by drawing a vicious one to please the present audience. Mrs.
+Bignell did her part very happily, and had a certain grace in her
+rusticity, which gave us hopes of seeing her a very skilful player, and
+in some parts, supply our loss of Mrs. Verbruggen.[87] I cannot be of
+the same opinion with my friends and fellow-labourers, the Reformers of
+Manners,[88] in their severity towards plays, but must allow that a good
+play acted before a well-bred audience, must raise very proper
+incitements to good behaviour, and be the most quick and most prevailing
+method of giving young people a turn of sense and breeding. But as I
+have set up for a weekly historian, I resolve to be a faithful one; and
+therefore take this public occasion to admonish a young nobleman, who
+came flustered into the box last night, and let him know, how much all
+his friends were out of countenance for him. The women sat in terror of
+hearing something that should shock their modesty, and all the gentlemen
+in as much pain, out of compassion to the ladies, and perhaps resentment
+for the indignity which was offered in coming into their presence in so
+disrespectful a manner. Wine made him say nothing that was rude,
+therefore he is forgiven, upon condition he will never hazard his
+offending more in this kind. As I just now hinted, I own myself of the
+Society for Reformation of Manners. We have lower instruments than those
+of the family of Bickerstaff, for punishing great crimes, and exposing
+the abandoned. Therefore, as I design to have notices from all public
+assemblies, I shall take upon me only indecorums, improprieties, and
+negligences, in such as should give us better examples. After this
+declaration, if a fine lady thinks fit to giggle at church, or a great
+beau come in drunk to a play, either shall be sure to hear of it in my
+ensuing paper: for merely as a well-bred man, I cannot bear these
+enormities.
+
+After the play, we naturally stroll to this coffee-house, in hopes of
+meeting some new poem, or other entertainment, among the men of wit and
+pleasure, where there is a dearth at present. But it is wonderful there
+should be so few writers, when the art is become merely mechanic, and
+men may make themselves great that way, by as certain and infallible
+rules, as you may be a joiner or a mason. There happens a good instance
+of this, in what the hawker just now has offered to sale; to wit,
+"Instructions to Vanderbank; a Sequel to the Advice to the Poets: A
+Poem, occasioned by the Glorious Success of her Majesty's Arms, under
+the Command of the Duke of Marlborough, the last Year in Flanders."[89]
+Here you are to understand, that the author finding the poets would not
+take his advice, he troubles himself no more about them; but has met
+with one Vanderbank,[90] who works in arras, and makes very good
+tapestry hangings. Therefore, in order to celebrate the hero of the age,
+he claps me together all that can be said of a man that makes hangings, as:
+
+    _Then, artist, who dost Nature's face express
+    In silk and gold, and scenes of action dress;
+    Dost figured arras animated leave,
+    Spin a bright story, or a passion weave
+    By mingling threads; canst mingle shade and light,
+    Delineate triumphs, or describe a fight._
+
+Well, what shall this workman do? Why, to show how great an hero the
+poet intends, he provides him a very good horse:
+
+    _Champing his foam, and bounding on the plain,
+    Arch his high neck, and graceful spread his mane._
+
+Now as to the intrepidity, the calm courage, the constant application of
+the hero, it is not necessary to take that upon yourself; you may, in
+the lump, bid him you employ raise him as high as he can, and if he does
+it not, let him answer for disobeying orders:
+
+    _Let fame and victory in inferior sky,
+    Hover with ballanced wings, and smiling fly
+    Above his head, &c._
+
+A whole poem of this kind may be ready against an ensuing campaign, as
+well as a space left in the canvas of a piece of tapestry for the
+principal figure, while the underparts are working: so that in effect,
+the adviser copies after the man he pretends to direct. This method
+should, methinks, encourage young beginners: for the invention is so
+fitted to all capacities, that by the help of it a man may make a
+receipt for a poem. A young man may observe, that the jig[91] of the
+thing is, as I said, finding out all that can be said of his way [whom]
+you employ to set forth your worthy. Waller and Denham had worn out the
+expedient of "Advice to a Painter."[92] This author has transferred the
+work, and sent his advice to the Poets; that is to say, to the turners
+of verse, as he calls them. Well, that thought is worn out also,
+therefore he directs his genius to the loom, and will have a new set of
+hangings in honour of the last year in Flanders. I must own to you, I
+approve extremely this invention, and it might be improved for the
+benefit of manufactory: as, suppose an ingenious gentleman should write
+a poem of advice to a calico-printer: do you think there is a girl in
+England, that would wear anything but the taking of Lille, or the Battle
+of Oudenarde? They would certainly be all the fashion, till the heroes
+abroad had cut out some more patterns. I should fancy small skirmishes
+might do for under-petticoats, provided they had a siege for the upper.
+If our adviser were well imitated, many industrious people might be put
+to work. Little Mr. Dactile, now in the room, who formerly writ a song
+and a half, is a week gone in a very pretty work upon this hint: he is
+writing an epigram to a young virgin who knits very well ('tis a
+thousand pities he is a Jacobite); but his epigram is by way of advice
+to this damsel, to knit all the actions of the Pretender and the Duke of
+Burgundy last campaign in the clock of a stocking. It were endless to
+enumerate the many hands and trades that may be employed by poets, of so
+useful a turn as this adviser's. I shall think of it; and in this time
+of taxes, shall consult a great critic employed in the custom-house, in
+order to propose what tax may be proper to put upon knives, seals,
+rings, hangings, wrought-beds, gowns and petticoats, where any of those
+commodities bear mottoes, or are worked upon poetical grounds.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 15.
+
+Letters from Turin of the 3rd instant, N.S., inform us, that his Royal
+Highness employs all his address in alarming the enemy, and perplexing
+their speculations concerning his real designs the ensuing campaign.
+Contracts are entered into with the merchants of Milan, for a great
+number of mules to transport his provisions and ammunition. His Royal
+Highness has ordered the train of artillery to be conveyed to Susa
+before the 20th of the next month. In the meantime, all accounts agree,
+that the enemy are very backward in their preparations, and almost
+incapable of defending themselves against an invasion, by reason of the
+general murmurs of their own people; which, they find, are no way to be
+quieted, but by giving them hopes of a speedy peace. When these letters
+were dispatched, the Marshal de Thesse was arrived at Genoa, where he
+has taken much pains to keep the correspondents of the merchants of
+France in hopes, that measures will be found out to support the credit
+and commerce between that state and Lyons. But the late declaration of
+the agents of Monsieur Bernard, that they cannot discharge the demands
+made upon them, has quite dispirited all those who are engaged in the
+remittances of France.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 15.
+
+It is a very natural passion in all good members of the commonwealth, to
+take what care they can of their families. Therefore I hope the reader
+will forgive me, that I desire he would go to the play, called the
+"Stratagem,"[93] this evening, which is to be acted for the benefit of
+my near kinsman, Mr. John Bickerstaff.[94] I protest to you the
+gentleman has not spoken to me to desire this favour; but I have a
+respect for him, as well in regard to consanguinity, as that he is an
+intimate friend of that famous and heroic actor, Mr. George Powell, who
+formerly played Alexander the Great in all places, though he is lately
+grown so reserved as to act it only on the stage.[95]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 85: By Wycherley, first acted in 1683.]
+
+[Footnote 86: Mrs. Bicknell (or Bignell) was born about 1695. It is not
+clear whether she was married, or whether the name Bicknell was taken to
+distinguish her from her sister, Mrs. Young, who was also an actress. We
+first hear of her acting in 1706; she took parts in which sauciness and
+coquetry were the chief features. Her last recorded appearance was on
+the 2nd of April, 1723; and she died in May. She signed a petition "M.
+Bicknell"; probably her name was Margaret, her mother's name. Steele
+alludes to her as "pretty Mrs. Bignell" in No. 11, and as his friend in
+the _Guardian_, No. 50. She was Miss Prue in Congreve's "Love for Love,"
+and Miss Hoyden in Vanbrugh's "Relapse." In the _Spectator_ (No. 370)
+Steele praises her dancing.]
+
+[Footnote 87: Cibber writes thus of this actress: "Mrs. Mountford, whose
+second marriage gave her the name of Verbruggen, was mistress of more
+variety of humour than I ever knew in any one woman actress. This
+variety, too, was attended with an equal vivacity, which made her
+excellent in characters extremely different.... She was so fond of
+humour, in what low part soever to be found, that she would make no
+scruple of defacing her fair form to come heartily into it." She could
+act admirably as a Devonshire lass, a pretty fellow, or a fine lady.
+Mrs. Verbruggen's first husband, the actor Mountford, was killed by
+Captain Hill, with the assistance of Lord Mohun, in 1692, because Hill,
+who was making unsuccessful suit to Mrs. Bracegirdle was jealous of her
+fellow-actor. Mountford was then in his thirty-third year. Mrs.
+Mountford's second husband, John Verbruggen, is described by Tony Aston
+as "nature without extravagance." ... "That rough diamond shone more
+bright than all the artful polished brilliants that ever sparkled on our
+stage." The same writer says of Mrs. Verbruggen: "She was all art, but
+dressed so nice, it looked like nature. She was the most easy actress in
+the world. Her maiden name was Percival."]
+
+[Footnote 88: Various Societies for the Reformation of Manners were
+founded in the reign of William III. An "Account" of these societies was
+published in 1699, and Defoe often wrote on the subject. In 1708 the
+Society for London and Westminster secured the conviction of 3299 "lewd
+and scandalous" persons, guilty of Sunday trading swearing, drunkenness,
+&c.]
+
+[Footnote 89: See Steele's apology to Blackmore, author of this poem, in
+No. 14. Sir Richard Blackmore (died 1729) was a Whig physician who wrote
+epics on religious and other subjects, and was often at loggerheads with
+the actors and wits. Though he was not a poet, Addison and Steele
+praised him on account of the religious tone of his work (see
+_Spectator_, Nos. 6, 339).]
+
+[Footnote 90: Vanderbank, or as his father sometimes wrote his name,
+Vandrebanc, was a son of Peter Vanderbank, a Parisian, who came into
+England with Gascar the painter, about 1674, and died at Bradfield, in
+Hertfordshire, in 1697. His father was admired for the softness of his
+prints, and still more for the size of them, some of his heads being the
+largest that had then appeared in England; but the prices he received by
+no means compensated for the time employed on his works, and he was
+reduced to want, and died at the house of Mr. Forester, his
+brother-in-law. After his death, his widow sold his plates to one Brown,
+a print-seller, who made a great profit by them. His eldest son had some
+share in the theatre at Dublin; the youngest, William, was a poor
+labourer, who gave an account of his father and the family to Vertue.
+The person mentioned in this paper was probably his father's name-son,
+and might be, as Walpole conjectures, an engraver. Whatever concern the
+father might have had in any manufacture of tapestry, he could not be
+the person meant here, for at this time he had been dead above ten
+years. The suite of tapestry, in the Duke of Ancaster's sale, with
+Vanderbank's name to it, mentioned by Walpole, must therefore be
+supposed to belong to the son, who is said, upon the authority of the
+French translator of the _Tatler_, to have represented nature very
+happily in works of tapestry, and to have been a man inimitable in this
+way. (See Walpole's "Anecdotes of Painting," 1782, vol. v. p. 166.)]
+
+[Footnote 91: Trick (the early editions have "gigg").]
+
+[Footnote 92: Waller wrote "Instructions to a Painter" and "Advice to a
+Painter," and Denham "Directions to a Painter."]
+
+[Footnote 93: Farquhar's "Beaux' Stratagem," 1707.]
+
+[Footnote 94: Bickerstaff acted the part of the Captain in Mrs.
+Centlivre's farce, "A Bickerstaff's Burying; or, Work for the Upholders"
+(1713), which was dedicated to the "magnificent Company of Upholders,
+whom the judicious Censor of Great Britain has so often condescended to
+mention." In the "British Apollo," vol. ii. No. 107 (Feb. 27 to March 1,
+1710), is a "New Prologue to 'Don Quixote' for Mr. Bickerstaff's Benefit
+at the Theatre Royal, spoken by himself." The prologue ends:
+
+    "I need not from the ladies fear my doom,
+    When it shall thus be said, in my behalf,
+    He bears the awful name of BICKERSTAFF."
+
+In the _Daily Courant_ for Feb. 4, 1710, there was advertised a
+performance of the "Comical History of Don Quixote" at Drury Lane, "at
+the desire of Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., for the benefit of his cousin,
+John Bickerstaff."]
+
+[Footnote 95: George Powell, actor and dramatist, gave way often to
+drink. He died in 1714. Addison praised his acting of tragic parts in
+No. 40 of the _Spectator_. See also No. 31. An order to the comedians in
+Dorset Gardens forbade them acting till further order, because they had
+allowed Powell to play after he was committed for drawing his sword on
+Colonel Stanhope and Mr. Davenant. This is dated May 3, 10 Will. III.
+(1698); but on May 4 there was another order for the comedians to resume
+acting. (Lord Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Book No. 19, p. 80.)
+Cibber's remarks on this incident will be found in his "Apology," chap.
+x.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 4. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday April 16_, to _Tuesday, April 19, 1709_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is usual with persons who mount the stage for the cure or information
+of the crowd about them, to make solemn professions of their being
+wholly disinterested in the pains they take for the public good. At the
+same time, those very men, who make harangues in plush doublets, and
+extol their own abilities and generous inclinations, tear their lungs in
+vending a drug, and show no act of bounty, except it be, that they lower
+a demand of a crown, to six, nay, to one penny. We have a contempt for
+such paltry barterers, and have therefore all along informed the public
+that we intend to give them our advices for our own sakes, and are
+labouring to make our lucubrations come to some price in money, for our
+more convenient support in the service of the public. It is certain,
+that many other schemes have been proposed to me; as a friend offered to
+show me a treatise he had writ, which he called "The Whole Art of Life,
+or the Introduction to Great Men, illustrated in a Pack of Cards." But
+being a novice at all manner of play I declined the offer. Another
+advised me, for want of money, to set up my coach and practise physic,
+but having been bred a scholar, I feared I should not succeed that way
+neither; therefore resolved to go on in my present project. But you are
+to understand, that I shall not pretend to raise a credit to this work,
+upon the weight of my politic news only, but, as my Latin sentence in
+the title-page informs you, shall take anything that offers for the
+subject of my discourse. Thus, new persons, as well as new things, are
+to come under my consideration; as, when a toast, or a wit, is first
+pronounced such, you shall have the freshest advice of their preferment
+from me, with a description of the beauty's manner, and the wit's style;
+as also, in whose places they are advanced. For this town is never
+good-natured enough to raise one, without depressing another. But it is
+my design, to avoid saying anything, of any person, which ought justly
+to displease; but shall endeavour, by the variety of the matter and
+style, to give entertainment for men of pleasure, without offence to
+those of business.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 18.
+
+All hearts at present pant for two ladies only[96], who have for some
+time engrossed the dominion of the town. They are indeed both exceeding
+charming, but differ very much in their excellences. The beauty of
+Clarissa is soft, that of Chloe piercing. When you look at Clarissa,
+you see the most exact harmony of feature, complexion, and shape; you
+find in Chloe nothing extraordinary in any one of those particulars, but
+the whole woman irresistible. Clarissa looks languishing; Chloe,
+killing. Clarissa never fails of gaining admiration; Chloe, of moving
+desire. The gazers at Clarissa are at first unconcerned, as if they were
+observing a fine picture. They who behold Chloe, at the first glance,
+discover transport, as if they met their dearest friend. These different
+perfections are suitably represented by the last great painter Italy has
+sent us, Mr. Jervas.[97] Clarissa is, by that skilful hand, placed in a
+manner that looks artless, and innocent of the torments she gives; Chloe
+drawn with a liveliness that shows she is conscious, but not affected,
+of her perfections. Clarissa is a shepherdess; Chloe, a country girl. I
+must own, the design of Chloe's picture shows, to me, great mastery in
+the painter; for nothing could be better imagined than the dress he has
+given her, of a straw hat and riband, to represent that sort of beauty
+which enters the heart with a certain familiarity, and cheats it into a
+belief, that it has received a lover as well as an object of love. The
+force of their different beauties is seen also in the effects it makes
+on their lovers. The admirers of Chloe are eternally gay and
+well-pleased: those of Clarissa, melancholy and thoughtful. And as this
+passion always changes the natural man into a quite different creature
+from what he was before, the love of Chloe makes coxcombs; that of
+Clarissa, madmen. There were of each kind just now here. Here was one
+that whistles, laughs, sings, and cuts capers, for love of Chloe.
+Another has just now written three lines to Clarissa, then taken a turn
+in the garden, then came back again, then tore his fragment, then called
+for some chocolate, then went away without it.
+
+Chloe has so many admirers in the room at present, that there is too
+much noise to proceed in my narration, so that the progress of the loves
+of Clarissa and Chloe, together with the bottles that are drank each
+night for the one, and the many sighs which are uttered, and songs
+written, on the other, must be our subject on future occasions.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 18.
+
+Letters from the Haymarket inform us, that on Saturday night last the
+opera of "Pyrrhus and Demetrius"[98] was performed with great applause.
+This intelligence is not very acceptable to us friends of the theatre;
+for the stage being an entertainment of the reason and all our
+faculties, this way of being pleased with the suspense of them for three
+hours together, and being given up to the shallow satisfaction of the
+eyes and ears only, seems to arise rather from the degeneracy of our
+understanding, than an improvement of our diversions.[99] That the
+understanding has no part in the pleasure is evident, from what these
+letters very positively assert, to wit, that a great part of the
+performance was done in Italian: and a great critic fell into fits in
+the gallery, at feeling, not only time and place, but languages and
+nations confused in the most incorrigible manner. His spleen is so
+extremely moved on this occasion, that he is going to publish a treatise
+against operas, which, he thinks, have already inclined us to thoughts
+of peace, and if tolerated, must infallibly dispirit us from carrying on
+the war. He has communicated his scheme to the whole room, and declared
+in what manner things of this kind were first introduced. He has upon
+this occasion considered the nature of sounds in general, and made a
+very elaborate digression upon the London cries,[100] wherein he has
+shown from reason and philosophy why oysters are cried,
+card-matches[101] sung, and turnips and all other vegetables neither
+cried, sung, nor said, but sold, with an accent and tone neither natural
+to man or beast. This piece seems to be taken from the model of that
+excellent discourse of Mrs. Manly the schoolmistress, concerning
+samplers.[102] Advices from the upper end of Piccadilly say that Mayfair
+is utterly abolished;[103] and we hear Mr. Pinkethman[104] has removed
+his ingenious company of strollers to Greenwich: but other letters from
+Deptford say, the company is only making thither, and not yet settled;
+but that several heathen gods and goddesses, which are to descend in
+machines, landed at the King's Head Stairs last Saturday. Venus and
+Cupid went on foot from thence to Greenwich; Mars got drunk in the town,
+and broke his landlord's head; for which he sat in the stocks the whole
+evening; but Mr. Pinkethman giving security that he should do nothing
+this ensuing summer, he was set at liberty. The most melancholy part of
+all, was, that Diana was taken in the act of fornication with a boatman,
+and committed by Justice Wrathful, which has, it seems, put a stop to
+the diversions of the theatre of Blackheath. But there goes down another
+Diana and a patient Grissel next tide from Billingsgate.[105]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 18.
+
+They write from Saxony of the 13th instant, N.S., that the Grand General
+of the Crown of Poland was so far from entering into a treaty with King
+Stanislaus, that he had written circular letters, wherein he exhorted
+the Palatinates to join against him; declaring, that this was the most
+favourable conjuncture for asserting their liberty.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, they have advices
+from Vienna, which import, that his Electoral Highness of Hanover had
+signified to the Imperial Court, that he did not intend to put himself
+at the head of the troops of the Empire, except more effectual measures
+were taken for acting vigorously against the enemy the ensuing campaign.
+Upon this representation, the Emperor has given orders to several
+regiments to march towards the Rhine, and despatched expresses to the
+respective princes of the Empire to desire an augmentation of their
+forces.
+
+These letters add, that an express arrived at the Hague on the 20th
+instant, with advice, that the enemy having made a detachment from
+Tournay of 1500 horse, each trooper carrying a foot-soldier behind him,
+in order to surprise the garrison of Alost; the allies, upon notice of
+their march, sent out a strong body of troops from Ghent, which engaged
+the enemy at Asche, and took 200 of them prisoners, obliging the rest to
+retire without making any further attempt. On the 22nd in the morning a
+fleet of merchant ships coming from Scotland, were attacked by six
+French privateers at the entrance of the Meuse. We have yet no certain
+advice of the event: but letters from Rotterdam say, that a Dutch
+man-of-war of forty guns, which was convoy to the said fleet, was taken,
+as were also eighteen of the merchants. The Swiss troops, in the
+service of the States, have completed the augmentation of their
+respective companies. Those of Wirtemberg and Prussia are expected on
+the frontiers within few days; and the auxiliaries from Saxony, as also
+a battalion of Holstein, and another of Wolfembuttel, are advancing
+thither with all expedition. On the 21st instant, the deputies of the
+States had a conference near Woerden with the President Rouillé, but the
+matter which was therein debated is not made public. His Grace the Duke
+of Marlborough and Prince Eugene continue at the Hague.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 18.
+
+I have lately been very studious for intelligence, and have just now, by
+my astrological flying-post, received a packet from Felicia,[106] an
+island in America, with an account that gives me great satisfaction, and
+lets me understand that the island was never in greater prosperity, or
+the administration in so good hands, since the death of their late
+valiant king. These letters import, that the chief minister has entered
+into a firm league with the ablest and best men of the nation, to carry
+on the cause of liberty, to the encouragement of religion, virtue, and
+honour. Those persons at the helm are so useful, and in themselves of
+such weight, that their strict alliance must needs tend to the universal
+prosperity of the people. Camillo,[107] it seems, presides over the
+deliberations of state; and is so highly valued by all men, for his
+singular probity, courage, affability, and love of mankind, that his
+being placed in that station has dissipated the fears of that people,
+who of all the world are the most jealous of their liberty and
+happiness. The next member of their society is Horatio,[108] who makes
+all the public despatches. This minister is master of all the languages
+in use to great perfection: he is held in the highest veneration
+imaginable for a severe honesty, and love of his country: he lives in a
+court, unsullied with any of its artifices, the refuge of the oppressed,
+and terror of oppressors. Martio[109] has joined himself to this
+council; a man of most undaunted resolution and great knowledge in
+maritime affairs; famous for destroying the navy of the Franks,[110] and
+singularly happy in one particular, that he never preferred a man who
+has not proved remarkably serviceable to his country. Philander[111] is
+mentioned with particular distinction; a nobleman who has the most
+refined taste of the true pleasures and elegance of life, joined to an
+indefatigable industry in business; a man eloquent in assemblies,
+agreeable in conversation, and dextrous in all manner of public
+negotiations. These letters add, that Verono,[112] who is also of this
+council, has lately set sail to his government of Patricia, with design
+to confirm the affections of the people in the interests of his queen.
+This minister is master of great abilities, and is as industrious and
+restless for the preservation of the liberties of the people, as the
+greatest enemy can be to subvert them. The influence of these
+personages, who are men of such distinguished parts and virtues, makes
+the people enjoy the utmost tranquillity in the midst of a war, and
+gives them undoubted hopes of a secure peace from their vigilance and
+integrity.[113]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 96: In a copy of the original edition of the _Tatler_, with
+MS. notes written early in the last century, which was sold at Messrs.
+Sotheby's, in April, 1887, the ladies here described were said to be
+Mrs. Chetwine and Mrs. Hales respectively. Mrs. Hales was a maid of
+honour who married Mr. Coke, vice-chamberlain, in July, 1709 (Luttrell's
+"Brief Relation," vi. 462); "Mrs. Chetwine" was probably the wife of
+William Richard Chetwynd, afterwards third Viscount Chetwynd, who
+married Honora, daughter of John Baker, Consul at Algiers; or the wife
+of his brother Walter, M.P. for Stafford, and Master of the Buckhounds.
+In 1717, Lady M. W. Montagu, describing a week spent by a fashionable
+lady, said, 'Friday, Mrs. Chetwynd's, &c.; a perpetual round of hearing
+the same scandal' (Pope's Works, ix. 385).]
+
+[Footnote 97: Charles Jervas, portrait painter (died 1739), became
+principal painter to George I. and George II. He also made a translation
+of "Don Quixote," first published in 1742.]
+
+[Footnote 98: A translation of Owen McSwiney (1709) from the Italian of
+Scarlatti.]
+
+[Footnote 99: In the _Spectator_ (Nos. 1, 5, 13, &c.) Addison often
+wrote against the Italian opera. In 1706, Dennis published "An Essay on
+the Operas after the Italian Manner, which are about to be established
+on the English Stage: with some reflections on the damage which they may
+bring to the Public." He traces to the recent alterations in the
+entertainments of the stage, the fact that familiar conversation among
+all classes was confined to two points, news and toasting, neither of
+which required much intelligence.]
+
+[Footnote 100: The street cries of 1709 are described in Lauron's
+"Habits and Cries of the City of London." They included "Any
+card-matches or save-alls" and "Twelve-pence a peck, oysters."]
+
+[Footnote 101: Matches made by dipping pieces of card in melted sulphur.
+In the _Spectator_ (No. 251), Addison speaks of vendors of card-matches
+as examples of the fact that those made most noise who had least to
+sell.]
+
+[Footnote 102: In vol. ii. of Dr. W. King's Works (1776) is "An Essay on
+the Invention of Samplers, by Mrs. Arabella Manly, schoolmistress at
+Hackney."]
+
+[Footnote 103: May Fair was abolished in 1709, after it had on several
+occasions been presented as a nuisance by the Grand Jury at Westminster.
+This fair was granted by King James II. under the Great Seal, in the
+fourth year of his reign, to Sir John Coell and his heirs for ever, in
+trust for Henry Lord Dover and his heirs for ever, to be held in the
+field called Brookfield, in the parish of St. Martin's, Westminster, to
+commence on the first day of May, and to continue fifteen days yearly.
+It soon became the resort of the idle, the dissipated, and the
+profligate, insomuch that the peace-officers were frequently opposed in
+the performance of their duty; and, in the year 1702, John Cooper, one
+of the constables, was killed, for which a fencing-master, named Cook,
+was executed. (See also No. 20.) The fair was revived under George I.,
+but was finally abolished through the exertions of the sixth Earl of
+Coventry.]
+
+[Footnote 104: William Pinkethman, the popular actor and droll, was
+spoken of by Gildon as "the flower of Bartholomew Fair, and the idol of
+the rabble." In June, 1710, he opened a theatre at Greenwich, and in
+1711 his "wonderful invention called The Pantheon, or, The Temple of the
+Heathen Gods," with over 100 figures, was to be seen in the Little
+Piazza, Covent Garden (_Spectator_, No. 46, advertisement).]
+
+[Footnote 105: "It is credibly reported that Mr. D----y has agreed with
+Mr. Pinkethman to have his play acted before that audience as soon as it
+has had its first sixteen days' run in Drury Lane" (folio). The play was
+D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets."]
+
+[Footnote 106: Britain.]
+
+[Footnote 107: John, Lord Somers, President of the Council.]
+
+[Footnote 108: Sidney, Lord Godolphin, the Lord High Treasurer; or
+(according to the MS. notes in the copy mentioned above) Lord
+Sunderland.]
+
+[Footnote 109: Edward, Earl of Orford.]
+
+[Footnote 110: At La Hogue, 1692.]
+
+[Footnote 111: Probably Lord Halifax.]
+
+[Footnote 112: Thomas, Earl of Wharton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.]
+
+[Footnote 113: "Advertisement.--Upon the humble petition of Running
+Stationers, &c., this paper maybe had of them, for the future, at the
+price of one penny" (folio). The first four numbers were distributed
+gratuitously.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 5. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 19_, to _Thursday, April 21_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 20.
+
+    _Who names that lost thing, love, without a tear,
+    Since so debauched by ill-bred customs here,
+    To an exact perfection they have brought
+    The action, love, the passion is forgot._
+
+This was long ago a witty author's lamentation, but the evil still
+continues; and if a man of any delicacy were to attend the discourses of
+the young fellows of this age, they would believe there were none but
+prostitutes to make the objects of passion. So true it is what the
+author of the above verses said, a little before his death, of the
+modern pretenders to gallantry: "They set up for wits in this age, by
+saying when they are sober, what they of the last spoke only when they
+were drunk." But Cupid is not only blind at present, but dead-drunk, he
+has lost all his faculties: else how should Celia be so long a maid with
+that agreeable behaviour? Corinna, with that uprightly wit? Lesbia, with
+that heavenly voice? And Sacharissa, with all those excellences in one
+person, frequent the park, the play, and murder the poor tits that drag
+her to public places, and not a man turn pale at her appearance? But
+such is the fallen state of love, that if it were not for honest
+Cynthio,[114] who is true to the cause, we should hardly have a pattern
+left of the ancient worthies that way: and indeed he has but very little
+encouragement to persevere; but he has a devotion, rather than love, for
+his mistress; and says,
+
+    Only tell her that I love,
+      Leave the rest to her, and Fate;
+    Some kind planet from above,
+    May, perhaps, her passsion move:
+      Lovers on their stars must wait.[115]
+
+But the stars I am so intimately acquainted with, that I can assure him,
+he will never have her: for would you believe it, though Cynthio has
+wit, good sense, fortune, and his very being depends on her, the
+termagant for whom he sighs, is in love with a fellow, who stares in the
+glass all the time he is with her, and lets her plainly see, she may
+possibly be his rival, but never his mistress. Yet Cynthio, the same
+unhappy man whom I mentioned in my first narrative, pleases himself with
+a vain imagination, that with the language of his eyes, now he has found
+who she is, he shall conquer her, though her eyes are intent upon one
+who looks from her; which is ordinary with the sex. It is certainly a
+mistake in the ancients, to draw the little gentleman, Love, as a blind
+boy; for his real character is, a little thief that squints. For ask
+Mrs. Meddle, who is a confidante, or spy, upon all the passions in town,
+and she will tell you, that the whole is a game of cross purposes. The
+lover is generally pursuing one who is in pursuit of another, and
+running from one that desires to meet him. Nay, the figure of this
+passion is so justly represented in a squinting little thief (who is
+always in a double action) that do but observe Clarissa next time you
+see her, and you'll find, when her eyes have made their tour round the
+company, she makes no stay on him they say she is to marry, but rests
+two seconds of a minute on Wildair, who neither looks nor thinks on her,
+or any woman else. However, Cynthio had a bow from her the other day,
+upon which he is very much come to himself; and I heard him send his man
+of an errand yesterday without any manner of hesitation; a quarter of an
+hour after which he reckoned twenty, remembered he was to sup with a
+friend, and went exactly to his appointment. I sent to know how he did
+this morning, and I find he very perfectly remembers that he spoke to me
+yesterday.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 20.
+
+This week[116] being sacred to holy things, and no public diversions
+allowed, there has been taken notice of, even here, a little treatise,
+called, "A Project for the Advancement of Religion; dedicated to the
+Countess of Berkeley."[117] The title was so uncommon, and promised so
+peculiar a way of thinking, that every man here has read it, and as
+many as have done so, have approved it. It is written with the spirit of
+one, who has seen the world enough to undervalue it with good breeding.
+The author must certainly be a man of wisdom, as well as piety, and have
+spent much time in the exercise of both. The real causes of the decay of
+the interest of religion, are set forth in a clear and lively manner,
+without unseasonable passions; and the whole air of the book, as to the
+language, the sentiments, and the reasonings, show it was written by one
+whose virtue sits easy about him, and to whom vice is thoroughly
+contemptible. It was said by one of this company,[118] alluding to the
+knowledge the author seems to have of the world, "The man writes much
+like a gentleman, and goes to heaven with a very good mien."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 20.
+
+Letters from Italy say, that the Marquis de Prie, upon the receipt of an
+express from the Court of Vienna, went immediately to the palace of
+Cardinal Paulucci, minister of state to his Holiness, and demanded in
+the name of his Imperial Majesty, that King Charles should be forthwith
+acknowledged king of Spain, by a solemn act of the congregation of
+cardinals appointed for that purpose: he declared at the same time, that
+if the least hesitation were made in this most important article of the
+late treaty, he should not only be obliged to leave Rome himself, but
+also transmit his master's orders to the imperial troops to face about,
+and return into the ecclesiastical dominions. When the cardinal reported
+this message to the Pope, he was struck with so sensible an affliction,
+that he burst into tears. His sorrow was aggravated by letters which
+immediately after arrived from the Court of Madrid, wherein his Nuncio
+acquainted his Holiness, that upon the news of his accommodation with
+the Emperor, he had received a message to forbear coming to Court; and
+the people were so highly provoked, that they could hardly be restrained
+from insulting his palace. These letters add, that the King of Denmark
+was gone from Florence to Pisa, and from Pisa to Leghorn, where the
+governor paid his Majesty all imaginable honours. The king designed to
+go from thence to Lucca, where a magnificent tournament was prepared for
+his diversion. An English man-of-war, which came from Port Mahon to
+Leghorn in six days, brought advice, that the fleet commanded by Admiral
+Whitaker, was safely arrived at Barcelona, with the troops and
+ammunition which he had taken in at Naples.
+
+General Boneval, Governor of Commacchio, had summoned the magistrates of
+all the towns near that place to appear before him, and take an oath of
+fidelity to his Imperial Majesty, commanding also the gentry to pay him
+homage, on pain of death and confiscation of goods. Advices from
+Switzerland inform us, that the bankers of Geneva were utterly ruined by
+the failure of Mr. Bernard. They add, that the deputies of the Swiss
+Cantons were returned from Solleure, where they were assembled at the
+instance of the French Ambassador; but were very much dissatisfied with
+the reception they had from that minister. 'Tis true, he omitted no
+civilities, or expressions of friendship from his master, but he took no
+notice of their pensions and arrears; what further provoked their
+indignation, was, that instead of twenty-five pistoles formerly allowed
+to each member, for their charge in coming to the Diet, he had
+presented them with six only. They write from Dresden, that King
+Augustus was still busy in recruiting his cavalry, and that the Danish
+troops, which lately served in Hungary, had orders to be in Saxony in
+the middle of May, and that his Majesty of Denmark was expected at
+Dresden in the beginning of that month. King Augustus makes great
+preparations for his reception, and has appointed sixty coaches, each
+drawn by six horses for that purpose: the interview of these princes
+affords great matter for speculation. Letters from Paris of the 22nd of
+this month say, that Mareschal Harcourt and the Duke of Berwick were
+preparing to go into Alsace and Dauphine, but that their troops were in
+want of all manner of necessaries. The Court of France had received
+advices from Madrid, that on the 7th of this month, the States of Spain
+had with much magnificence acknowledged the Prince of Asturias
+presumptive heir of the crown. This was performed at Buen Retiro; the
+deputies took the oaths on that occasion by the hands of Cardinal
+Portocarrero. Those advices add, that it was signified to the Pope's
+Nuncio, by order of council, to depart from that Court in twenty-four
+hours, and that a guard was accordingly appointed to conduct him to
+Bayonne.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 26th instant inform us, that Prince Eugene
+was to set out the next day for Brussels, to put all things in a
+readiness for opening the campaign. They add, that the Grand Pensioner
+having reported to the Duke of Marlborough what passed in the last
+conference with Mr. Rouillé,[119] his Grace had taken a resolution
+immediately to return to Great Britain, to communicate to her Majesty
+all that has been transacted in that important affair.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 20.
+
+The nature of my miscellaneous work is such, that I shall always take
+the liberty to tell for news such things (let them have happened never
+so much before the time of writing) as have escaped public notice, or
+have been misrepresented to the world, provided that I am still within
+rules, and trespass not as a Tatler any further than in an incorrectness
+of style, and writing in an air of common speech. Thus if anything that
+is said, even of old Anchises or Æneas, be set by me in a different
+light than has hitherto been hit upon, in order to inspire the love and
+admiration of worthy actions, you will, gentle reader, I hope, accept of
+it for intelligence you had not before. But I am going upon a narrative,
+the matter of which I know to be true: it is not only doing justice to
+the deceased merit[120] of such persons, as, had they lived, would not
+have had it in their power to thank me, but also an instance of the
+greatness of spirit in the lowest of her Majesty's subjects; take it as
+follows:
+
+At the siege of Namur by the Allies, there were in the ranks of the
+company commanded by Captain Pincent, in Colonel Frederick Hamilton's
+regiment, one Unnion a corporal, and one Valentine a private sentinel:
+there happened between these two men a dispute about a matter of love,
+which, upon some aggravations, grew to an irreconcilable hatred. Unnion
+being the officer of Valentine, took all opportunities even to strike
+his rival, and profess the spite and revenge which moved him to it. The
+sentinel bore it without resistance, but frequently said he would die to
+be revenged of that tyrant. They had spent whole months thus, one
+injuring, the other complaining; when in the midst of this rage towards
+each other, they were commanded upon the attack of the castle, where the
+corporal received a shot in the thigh, and fell; the French pressing on,
+and he expecting to be trampled to death, called out to his enemy, "Ah,
+Valentine! Can you leave me here?" Valentine immediately ran back, and
+in the midst of a thick fire of the French, took the corporal upon his
+back, and brought him through all that danger as far as the Abbey of
+Salsine, where a cannon-ball took off his head: his body fell under his
+enemy whom he was carrying off Unnion immediately forgot his wound, rose
+up, tearing his hair, and then threw himself upon the bleeding carcass,
+crying, "Ah, Valentine! Was it for me, who have so barbarously used
+thee, that thou hast died? I will not Jive after thee." He was not by
+any means to be forced from the body, but was removed with it bleeding
+in his arms, and attended with tears by all their comrades, who knew
+their enmity. When he was brought to a tent, his wounds were dressed by
+force; but the next day, still calling upon Valentine, and lamenting his
+cruelties to him, he died in the pangs of remorse and despair.
+
+It may be a question among men of noble sentiments, whether of these
+unfortunate persons had the greater soul; he that was so generous as to
+venture his life for his enemy, or he who could not survive the man that
+died, in laying upon him such an obligation?
+
+When we see spirits like these in a people, to what heights may we not
+suppose their glory may arise, but (as it is excellently observed by
+Sallust[121]) it is not only to the general bent of a nation that great
+revolutions are owing, but to the extraordinary genios[122] that lead
+them. On which occasion he proceeds to say that the Roman greatness was
+neither to be attributed to their superior policy, for in that the
+Carthaginians excelled; nor to their valour, for in that the French were
+preferable; but to particular men, who were born for the good of their
+country, and formed for great attempts. This he says, to introduce the
+characters of Cassar and Cato. It would be entering into too weighty a
+discourse for this place, if I attempted to show that our nation has
+produced as great and able men for public affairs, as any other. But I
+believe the reader outruns me, and fixes his imagination upon the Duke
+of Marlborough. It is, methinks, a pleasing reflection, to consider the
+dispensations of Providence in the fortune of this illustrious man, who,
+in the space of forty years, has passed through all the gradations of
+human life, till he has ascended to the character of a prince, and
+become the scourge of a tyrant, who sat in one of the greatest thrones
+of Europe, before the man who was to have the greatest part in his
+downfall had made one step in the world.[123] But such elevations are
+the natural consequences of an exact prudence, a calm courage, a
+well-governed temper, a patient ambition, and an affable behaviour.
+These arts, as they are the steps to his greatness, so they are the
+pillars of it now it is raised. To this her glorious son, Great Britain
+is indebted for the happy conduct of her arms, in whom she can boast,
+she has produced a man formed by nature to lead a nation of heroes.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 114: Edward Richard Montagu, styled Viscount Hinchinbroke, who
+died before his father, on October 3, 1722, was the only son of Edward,
+third Earl of Sandwich. He was born about 1690, and became colonel of
+the First Regiment of Foot Guards, and Lord Lieutenant of
+Huntingdonshire. In 1707, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander
+Popham, of Littlecot, Wilts, and of Anne, daughter of the first Duke of
+Montagu. (See Nos. 1, 22, 35, 85, and the _Lover_, No. 38.)]
+
+[Footnote 115: These lines are part of a song by Lord Cutts, under whom
+Steele had served as secretary when in the army. The verses will be
+found in Nichols' "Select Collection" (1780), ii. 327.]
+
+[Footnote 116: Passion Week.]
+
+[Footnote 117: First published as "By a Person of Quality." "The
+gentleman I here intended was Dr. Swift, this kind of man I thought him
+at that time. We have not met of late, but I hope he deserves this
+character still." (Steele's "Apology," 1714.) This pamphlet is closely
+in accord with the _Tatler_ in its condemnation of gaming, drunkenness,
+swearing, immorality on the stage, and other evils of the time. Swift
+suggests, too, a revival of censors.]
+
+[Footnote 118: Forster suggests that it was Addison.]
+
+[Footnote 119: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 120: This phrase, as well as Unnion's forgetting his wound, is
+criticised in a little book called, "Annotations on the _Tatler_, in two
+parts," 12mo, said to have been written originally in French by Monsieur
+Bournelle, and translated into English by Walter Wagstaff, Esq. London,
+Bernard Lintott, 1710. The annotator goes no farther with his
+annotations than to _Tatler_ No. 83. See Nos. 78, 191.]
+
+[Footnote 121: "Bell. Catal.," c. 53.]
+
+[Footnote 122: "A man of a particular turn of mind" (Johnson).]
+
+[Footnote 123: In 1705, after the battle of Blenheim, Marlborough was
+made Prince of Mildenheim by the Emperor. Lewis XIV. succeeded to the
+French throne in 1643; Marlborough was born in 1650.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 6. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 21_, to _Saturday, April 23_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+I am just come from visiting Sappho,[124] a fine lady, who writes
+verses, sings, dances and can say and do whatever she pleases, without
+the imputation of anything that can injure her character; for she is so
+well known to have no passion but self-love, or folly, but affectation;
+that now upon any occasion they only cry, "'Tis her way," and "That's so
+like her," without further reflection. As I came into the room, she
+cries, "O Mr. Bickerstaff, I am utterly undone! I have broke that pretty
+Italian fan I showed you when you were here last, wherein were so
+admirably drawn our first parents in Paradise asleep in each other's
+arms." But there is such an affinity between painting and poetry, that I
+have been improving the images which were raised by that picture, by
+reading the same representation in two of our greatest poets. Look you,
+here are the passages in Milton and in Dryden. All Milton's thoughts are
+wonderfully just and natural, in this inimitable description which Adam
+makes of himself in the eighth book of "Paradise Lost." But there is
+none of them finer than that contained in the following lines, where he
+tells us his thoughts when he was falling asleep a little after his
+creation.
+
+    _While thus I called, and strayed I know not whither,
+    From whence I first drew air, and first beheld
+    This happy light; when answer none returned,
+    On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers,
+    Pensive I sate me down, there gentle sleep
+    First found me, and with soft oppression seized
+    My drowned sense, untroubled, though I thought
+    I then was passing to my former state,
+    Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve._[125]
+
+But now I can't forgive this odious thing, this Dryden, who, in his
+"State of Innocence," has given my great-grand-mother Eve the same
+apprehension of annihilation, on a very different occasion, as Adam
+pronounces it of himself, when he was seized with a pleasing kind of
+stupor and deadness, Eve fancies herself falling away, and dissolving in
+the hurry of a rapture. However, the verses are very good, and I don't
+know but it may be natural what she says. I'll read them:
+
+    _When your kind eyes looked languishing on mine,
+    And wreathing arms did soft embraces join,
+    A doubtful trembling seized me first all o'er,
+    Then wishes, and a warmth unknown before;
+    What followed was all extasy and trance,
+    Immortal pleasures round my swimming eyes did dance,
+    And speechless joys, in whose sweet tumults tost,
+    I thought my breath and my new being lost._[126]
+
+She went on, and said a thousand good things at random, but so strangely
+mixed that you would be apt to say all her wit is mere good luck, and
+not the effect of reason and judgment. When I made my escape hither I
+found a gentleman playing the critic on two other great poets, even
+Virgil and Homer.[127] He was observing, that Virgil is more judicious
+than the other in the epithets he gives his hero. "Homer's usual
+epithet," said he, "is Πόδας ὠχὺς [Pódas ôchùs], or Ποδάρχης [Podárchês],
+and his indiscretion has been often rallied by the critics, for
+mentioning the nimbleness of foot in Achilles, though he describes him
+standing, sitting, lying down, fighting, eating, drinking, or in any
+other circumstance, however foreign or repugnant to speed and activity.
+Virgil's common epithet to Æneas, is 'Pius' or 'Pater.' I have therefore
+considered," said he, "what passage there is in any of his hero's actions,
+where either of these appellations would have been most improper, to see
+if I could catch him at the same fault with Homer: and this, I think, is
+his meeting with Dido in the cave, where Pius Æneas would have been
+absurd, and Pater Æneas a burlesque: the poet has therefore wisely
+dropped them both for Dux Trojanus,
+
+    "_Speluncam Dido dux et Trojanus eandem Devenient;_[128]
+
+which he has repeated twice in Juno's speech, and his own narration: for
+he very well knew a loose action might be consistent enough with the
+usual manners of a soldier, though it became neither the chastity of a
+pious man, nor the gravity of the father of a people."
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+While other parts of the town are amused with the present actions, we
+generally spend the evening at this table in inquiries into antiquity,
+and think anything news which gives us new knowledge. Thus we are making
+a very pleasant entertainment to ourselves, in putting the actions of
+Homer's "Iliad" into an exact journal.
+
+This poem is introduced by Chryses, King of Chryseis, and priest of
+Apollo, who comes to re-demand his daughter, who was carried off at the
+taking of that city, and given to Agamemnon for his part of the booty.
+The refusal he received enrages Apollo, who for nine days showered down
+darts upon them, which occasioned the pestilence.
+
+The tenth day Achilles assembles the council, and encourages Chalcas to
+speak for the surrender of Chryseis to appease Apollo. Agamemnon and
+Achilles storm at one another, notwithstanding which Agamemnon will not
+release his prisoner, unless he has Briseis in her stead. After long
+contestations, wherein Agamemnon gives a glorious character of Achilles'
+valour, he determines to restore Briseis to her father, and sends two
+heralds to fetch away Chryseis from Achilles, who abandons himself to
+sorrow and despair. His mother Thetis came to comfort him under his
+affliction, and promises to represent his sorrowful lamentations to
+Jupiter; but he could not attend it; for the evening before, he had
+appointed to divert himself for two days beyond the seas with the
+harmless Æthiopians.
+
+It was the twenty-first day after Chryseis' arrival to the camp, that
+Thetis went very early to demand an audience of Jupiter. The means he
+uses to satisfy her were, to persuade the Greeks to attack the Trojans;
+that so they might perceive the consequence of condemning Achilles and
+the miseries they suffer if he does not head them. The next night he
+orders Agamemnon, in a dream, to attack them; who was deceived with the
+hopes of obtaining a victory, and also taking the city, without sharing
+the honour with Achilles.
+
+On the 22nd, in the morning, he assembles the council, and having made a
+feint of raising the siege and retiring, he declares to them his dream;
+and, together with Nestor and Ulysses, resolves on an engagement.
+
+This was the twenty-third day, which is full of incidents, and which
+continues from almost the beginning of the second canto to the eighth.
+The armies being then drawn up in view of one another, Hector brings it
+about that Menelaus and Paris, the two persons concerned in the quarrel,
+should decide it by a single combat; which tending to the advantage of
+Menelaus, was interrupted by a cowardice infused by Minerva: then both
+armies engage, where the Trojans have the disadvantage; but being
+afterwards animated by Apollo, they repulse the enemy, yet they are once
+again forced to give ground; but their affairs were retrieved by Hector,
+who has a single combat with Ajax. The gods threw themselves into the
+battle, Juno and Minerva took the Grecians' part, and Apollo and Mars
+the Trojans': but Mars and Venus are both wounded by Diomedes.
+
+The truce for burying the slain ended the twenty-third day; after which
+the Greeks threw up a great entrenchment to secure their navy from
+danger. Councils are held on both sides. On the morning of the
+twenty-fourth day the battle is renewed, but in a very disadvantageous
+manner to the Greeks, who were beaten back to their retrenchments.
+Agamemnon being in despair at this ill success, proposes to the council
+to quit the enterprise and retire from Troy. But by the advice of
+Nestor, he is persuaded to regain Achilles, by returning Chryseis, and
+sending him considerable presents. Hereupon, Ulysses and Ajax are sent
+to that hero, who continues inflexible in his anger. Ulysses, at his
+return, joins himself with Diomedes, and goes in the night to gain
+intelligence of the enemy: they enter into their very camp, where,
+finding the sentinels asleep, they made a great slaughter. Rhesus, who
+was just then arrived with recruits from Thrace for the Trojans, was
+killed in that action. Here ends the tenth canto. The sequel of this
+journal will be inserted in the next article from this place.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+We hear from Italy, that notwithstanding the Pope has received a letter
+from the Duke of Anjou, demanding of him to explain himself upon the
+affair of acknowledging King Charles: his Holiness has not yet thought
+fit to send any answer to that prince. The Court of Rome appears very
+much mortified, that they are not to see his Majesty of Denmark in that
+city, having perhaps given themselves vain hopes from a visit made by a
+Protestant priest to that see. The Pope has despatched a gentleman to
+compliment his Majesty, and sent the king a present of all the
+curiosities and antiquities of Rome, represented in seventeen volumes,
+very richly bound, which were taken out of the Vatican library. Letters
+from Genoa of the 14th instant say, a felucca was arrived there in five
+days from Marseilles, with an account, that the people of that city had
+made an insurrection, by reason of the scarcity of provisions, and that
+the Intendant had ordered some companies of marines, and the men
+belonging to the galleys, to stand to their arms to protect him from
+violence; but that he began to be in as much apprehension of his guards
+as those from whom they were to defend him. When that vessel came away,
+the soldiers murmured publicly for want of pay, and it was generally
+believed they would pillage the magazines, as the garrison of Grenoble,
+and other towns of France, had already done. A vessel which lately came
+into Leghorn, brought advice, that the British squadron was arrived at
+Port Mahon, where they were taking in more troops, in order to attempt
+the relief of Alicante, which still made a very vigorous defence. 'Tis
+said, Admiral Byng will be at the head of that expedition. The King of
+Denmark was gone from Leghorn towards Lucca.
+
+They write from Vienna, that in case the Allies should enter into a
+treaty of peace with France, Count Zinzendorf will be appointed first
+plenipotentiary, the Count de Goes the second, and Monsieur van
+Konsbruch a third. Major-General Palmes, Envoy Extraordinary from her
+Britannic Majesty, has been very urgent with that Court to make their
+utmost efforts against France the ensuing campaign, in order to oblige
+it to such a peace, as may establish the tranquillity of Europe for the
+future.
+
+We are also informed, that the Pope uses all imaginable shifts to elude
+the treaty concluded with the Emperor, and that he demanded the
+immediate restitution of Commacchio; insisting also, that his Imperial
+Majesty should ask pardon, and desire absolution for what has formerly
+passed, before he would solemnly acknowledge King Charles: but this was
+utterly refused.
+
+They hear at Vienna, by letters from Constantinople, dated the 22nd of
+February last, that on the 12th of that month the Grand Signior took
+occasion, at the celebration of the festivals of the Mussulmen, to set
+all the Christian slaves which were in the galleys at liberty.
+
+Advices from Switzerland import, that the preachers of the county of
+Tockenburg continue to create new jealousies of the Protestants, and
+some disturbances lately happened there on that account. The Protestants
+and Papists in the town of Hamman go to divine service one after another
+in the same church, as is usual in many other parts of Switzerland; but
+on Sunday, the 10th instant, the Popish curate, having ended his
+service, attempted to hinder the Protestants from entering into the
+church according to custom; but the Protestants briskly attacked him and
+his party, and broke into it by force.
+
+Last night between seven and eight, his Grace the Duke of Marlborough
+arrived at Court.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 22.
+
+The present great captains of the age, the Duke of Marlborough and
+Prince Eugene, having been the subject of the discourse of the last
+company I was in, it has naturally led me into a consideration of
+Alexander and Cæsar, the two greatest names which ever appeared before
+this century. In order to enter into their characters, there needs no
+more but examining their behaviour in parallel circumstances. It must be
+allowed, that they had an equal greatness of soul; but Cæsar's was more
+corrected and allayed by a mixture of prudence and circumspection. This
+is seen conspicuously in one particular in their histories, wherein they
+seem to have shown exactly the difference of their tempers. When
+Alexander, after a long course of victories, would still have led his
+soldiers farther from home, they unanimously refused to follow him. We
+meet with the like behaviour in Cæsar's army in the midst of his march
+against Ariovistus. Let us therefore observe the conduct of our two
+generals in so nice an affair: and here we find Alexander at the head of
+his army, upbraiding them with their cowardice, and meanness of spirit;
+and in the end, telling them plainly, he would go forward himself,
+though not a man followed him. This showed indeed an excessive bravery;
+but how would the commander have come off, if the speech had not
+succeeded, and the soldiers had taken him at his word? The project seems
+of a piece with Mr. Bayes' in "The Rehearsal,"[129] who, to gain a clap
+in his prologue, comes out, with a terrible fellow in a fur cap
+following him, and tells his audience, if they would not like his play,
+he would lie down and have his head struck off. If this gained a clap,
+all was well; but if not, there was nothing left but for the executioner
+to do his office. But Cæsar would not leave the success of his speech
+to such uncertain events: he shows his men the unreasonableness of their
+fears in an obliging manner, and concludes, that if none else would
+march along with them, he would go himself with the Tenth Legion, for he
+was assured of their fidelity and valour, though all the rest forsook
+him; not but that in all probability they were as much against the march
+as the rest. The result of all was very natural: the Tenth Legion, fired
+with the praises of their general, send thanks to him for the just
+opinion he entertains of them; and the rest, ashamed to be outdone,
+assure him, that they are as ready to follow where he pleases to lead
+them, as any other part of the army.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 124: It has been suggested, with little or no reason, that
+Sappho is meant for Mrs. Manley (Author of the "New Atalantis"), or Mrs.
+Elizabeth Thomas (known as "Corinna"), or Mrs. Elizabeth Heywood. See
+No. 40.]
+
+[Footnote 125: "Paradise Lost," viii. 283.]
+
+[Footnote 126: Dryden's "State of Innocence and Fall of Man: an Opera,"
+act iii. sc. i. In the _Spectator_ (No. 345), Addison illustrated
+Milton's chaste treatment of the subject of Eve's nuptials by
+contrasting what he says with the account in the opera in which Dryden,
+according to Lee's verses, refined "Milton's golden ore, and new-weaved
+his hard-spun thought."]
+
+[Footnote 127: Addison, on reading here this remark upon Virgil, which
+he himself had communicated to Steele, discovered that his friend was
+the author of the _Tatler_. He was at this time in Ireland, Secretary to
+Lord Wharton, and returned to England with the Lord Lieutenant on the
+8th of September following. (Tickell's Preface to Addison's Works.)]
+
+[Footnote 128: "Æneid," iv. 124.]
+
+[Footnote 129: "The Rehearsal," act i. sc. 2. This play of the Duke of
+Buckingham's was produced in 1671, and the poet Bayes, as finally drawn
+after revision, was a satire on Dryden.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 7. [STEELE
+
+From _Saturday, April 23_, to _Tuesday, April 26_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is so just an observation, that mocking is catching, that I am become
+an unhappy instance of it, and am (in the same manner that I have
+represented Mr. Partridge) myself a dying man in comparison of the
+vigour with which I first set out in the world. Had it been otherwise,
+you may be sure I would not have pretended to have given for news, as I
+did last Saturday, a diary of the siege of Troy. But man is a creature
+very inconsistent with himself: the greatest heroes are sometimes
+fearful, the sprightliest wits at some hours dull; and the greatest
+politicians on some occasions whimsical. But I shall not pretend to
+palliate, or excuse the matter; for I find, by a calculation of my own
+nativity, that I cannot hold out with any tolerable wit longer than two
+minutes after twelve o'clock at night, between the 18th and 19th of the
+next month. For which space of time you may still expect to hear from
+me, but no longer, except you will transmit to me the occurrences you
+meet with relating to your amours, or any other subject within the rules
+by which I have proposed to walk. If any gentleman or lady sends to
+Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., at Mr. Morphew's,[130] near Stationers' Hall,
+by the Penny Post, the grief or joy of their soul, what they think fit
+of the matter shall be related in colours as much to their advantage, as
+those in which Jervas[131] has drawn the agreeable Chloe. But since,
+without such assistance, I frankly confess, and am sensible, that I
+have not a month's wit more, I think I ought, while I am in my sound
+health and senses, to make my will and testament; which I do in manner
+and form following:
+
+Imprimis, I give to the stockjobbers about the Exchange of London, as a
+security for the trusts daily reposed in them, all my real estate; which
+I do hereby vest in the said body of worthy citizens for ever.
+
+Item, Forasmuch as it is very hard to keep land in repair without ready
+cash, I do, out of my personal estate, bestow the bearskin,[132] which I
+have frequently lent to several societies about this town, to supply
+their necessities. I say, I give also the said bearskin, as an immediate
+fund to the said citizens for ever.
+
+Item, I do hereby appoint a certain number of the said citizens to take
+all the custom-house or customary oaths, concerning all goods imported
+to the whole city, strictly directing, that some select members, and not
+the whole number of a body corporate, should be perjured.
+
+Item, I forbid all n----s and persons of q----ty to watch bargains near
+and about the Exchange, to the diminution and wrong of the said
+stockjobbers.
+
+Thus far, in as brief and intelligible a manner as any will can appear,
+till it is explained by the learned, I have disposed of my real and
+personal estate: but, as I am an adept, I have by birth an equal right
+to give also an indefeasible title to my endowments and qualifications;
+which I do in the following manner:
+
+Item, I give my chastity to all virgins who have withstood their
+market.
+
+Item, I give my courage among all who are ashamed of their distressed
+friends, all sneakers in assemblies, and men who show valour in common
+conversation.
+
+Item, I give my wit (as rich men give to the rich) among such as think
+they have enough already. And in case they shall not accept of the
+legacy, I give it to Bentivolio,[133] to defend his works from time to
+time, as he shall think fit to publish them.
+
+Item, I bestow my learning upon the honorary members of the Royal
+Society.[134]
+
+Now for the disposal of this body.
+
+As these eyes must one day cease to gaze on Teraminta, and this heart
+shall one day pant no more for her indignation: that is to say, since
+this body must be earth, I shall commit it to the dust in a manner
+suitable to my character. Therefore, as there are those who dispute,
+whether there is any such real person as Isaac Bickerstaff or not, I
+shall excuse all persons who appear what they really are, from coming to
+my funeral. But all those who are, in their way of life, persons, as the
+Latins have it, persons assumed, and who appear what they really are
+not, are hereby invited to that solemnity.
+
+The body shall be carried by six watchmen, who are never seen in the
+day.
+
+Item, The pall shall be held up by the six most known pretenders to
+honesty, wealth and power, who are not possessed of any of them. The
+two first, an half-lawyer, a complete justice. The two next, a chemist,
+a projector. The third couple, a Treasury solicitor, and a small
+courtier.
+
+To make my funeral (what that solemnity, when done to common men, really
+is in itself) a very farce; and since all mourners are mere actors on
+these occasions, I shall desire those who are professedly such, to
+attend me. I humbly therefore beseech Mrs. Barry[135] to act once more,
+and be my widow. When she swoons away at the church-porch, I appoint the
+merry Sir John Falstaff, and the gay Sir Harry Wildair, to support her.
+I desire Mr. Pinkethman[136] to follow in the habit of a cardinal, and
+Mr. Bullock[137] in that of a privy councillor. To make up the rest of
+the appearance, I desire all the ladies from the balconies to weep with
+Mrs. Barry, as they hope to be wives and widows themselves. I invite
+all, who have nothing else to do, to accept of gloves and scarves.
+
+Thus, with the great Charles V. of Spain, I resign the glories of this
+transitory world: yet, at the same time, to show you my indifference,
+and that my desires are not too much fixed upon anything, I own to you,
+I am as willing to stay as go: therefore leave it in the choice of my
+gentle readers, whether I shall hear from them, or they hear no more
+from me.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 25.
+
+Easter Day being a time when you can't well meet with any but humble
+adventures; and there being such a thing as low gallantry, as well as a
+low comedy, Colonel Ramble[138] and myself went early this morning into
+the fields, which were strewed with shepherds and shepherdesses, but
+indeed of a different turn from the simplicity of those of Arcadia.
+Every hedge was conscious of more than what the representations of
+enamoured swains admit of. While we were surveying the crowd around us,
+we saw at a distance a company coming towards Pancras Church; but though
+there was not much disorder, we thought we saw the figure of a man stuck
+through with a sword, and at every step ready to fall, if a woman by his
+side had not supported him; the rest followed two and two. When we came
+nearer this appearance, who should it be but Monsieur Guardeloop, mine
+and Ramble's French tailor, attended by others, leading one of Madame
+Depingle's[139] maids to the church, in order to their espousals. It was
+his sword tucked so high above his waist, and the circumflex which
+persons of his profession take in their walking, that made him appear at
+a distance wounded and falling. But the morning being rainy, methought
+the march to this wedding was but too lively a picture of wedlock
+itself. They seemed both to have a month's mind to make the best of
+their way single; yet both tugged arm in arm; and when they were in a
+dirty way, he was but deeper in the mire, by endeavouring to pull out
+his companion, and yet without helping her. The bridegroom's feathers in
+his hat all drooped, one of his shoes had lost an heel. In short, he was
+in his whole person and dress so extremely soused, that there did not
+appear one inch or single thread about him unmarried.[140] Pardon me,
+that the melancholy object still dwells upon me so far, as to reduce me
+to punning. However, we attended to the chapel, where we stayed to hear
+the irrevocable words pronounced upon our old servant, and made the best
+of our way to town. I took a resolution to forbear all married persons,
+or any, in danger of being such, for four-and-twenty hours at least;
+therefore dressed, and went to visit Florimel, the vainest thing in
+town, where I knew would drop in Colonel Picket, just come from the
+camp, her professed admirer. He is of that order of men who has much
+honour and merit, but withal a coxcomb; the other of that set of
+females, who has innocence and wit, but the first of coquettes. It is
+easy to believe, these must be admirers of each other. She says, "The
+Colonel rides the best of any man in England": the Colonel says, "She
+talks the best of any woman." At the same time, he understands wit just
+as she does horsemanship. You are to know, these extraordinary persons
+see each other daily; and they themselves, as well as the town, think it
+will be a match: but it can never happen that they can come to the
+point; for instead of addressing to each other, they spend their whole
+time in reports of themselves. He is satisfied if he can convince her he
+is a fine gentleman, and a man of consequence; and she, in appearing to
+him an accomplished lady and a wit, without further design. Thus he
+tells her of his manner of posting his men at such a pass, with the
+numbers he commanded on that detachment: she tells him, how she was
+dressed on such a day at Court, and what offers were made her the week
+following. She seems to hear the repetition of his men's names with
+admiration; and waits only to answer him with as false a muster of
+lovers. They talk to each other not to be informed, but approved. Thus
+they are so like, that they are to be ever distant, and the parallel
+lines may run together for ever, but never meet.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 25.
+
+This evening, the comedy, called "Epsom Wells,"[141] was acted for the
+benefit of Mr. Bullock,[142] who, though he is a person of much wit and
+ingenuity, has a peculiar talent of looking like a fool, and therefore
+excellently well qualified for the part of Biskett in this play. I
+cannot indeed sufficiently admire his way of bearing a beating, as he
+does in this drama, and that with such a natural air and propriety of
+folly, that one cannot help wishing the whip in one's own hand; so
+richly does he seem to deserve his chastisement. Skilful actors think it
+a very peculiar happiness to play in a scene with such as top their
+parts. Therefore I cannot but say, when the judgment of any good author
+directs him to write a beating for Mr. Bullock from Mr. William
+Pinkethman, or for Mr. William Pinkethman from Mr. Bullock, those
+excellent players seem to be in their most shining circumstances, and
+please me more, but with a different sort of delight, than that which I
+receive from those grave scenes of Brutus and Cassius, or Antony and
+Ventidius. The whole comedy is very just, and the low part of human life
+represented with much humour and wit.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 25.
+
+We are advised from Vienna, by letters of the 20th instant, that the
+Emperor hath lately added twenty new members to his Council of State,
+but they have not yet taken their places at the board. General Thaun is
+returned from Baden, his health being so well re-established by the
+baths of that place, that he designs to set out next week for Turin, to
+his command of the Imperial troops in the service of the Duke of Savoy.
+His Imperial Majesty has advanced his brother Count Henry Thaun to be a
+brigadier, and a Councillor of the Aulic Council of War. These letters
+import, that King Stanislaus and the Swedish General Crassau are
+directing their march to the Nieper, to join the King of Sweden's army
+in Ukrania: that the States of Austria have furnished Marshal Heister
+with a considerable sum of money, to enable him to push on the war
+vigorously in Hungary, where all things as yet are in perfect
+tranquillity: and that General Thungen has been very importunate for a
+speedy reinforcement of the forces on the Upper Rhine, representing at
+the same time, what miseries the inhabitants must necessarily undergo,
+if the designs of France on those parts be not speedily and effectually
+prevented.
+
+Letters from Rome, dated the 13th instant, say, that on the preceding
+Sunday his Holiness was carried in an open chair from St. Peter's to St.
+Mary's, attended by the Sacred College, in cavalcade; and, after Mass,
+distributed several dowries for the marriage of poor and distressed
+virgins. The proceedings of that Court are very dilatory concerning the
+recognition of King Charles, notwithstanding the pressing instances of
+the Marquis de Prie, who has declared, that if this affair be not wholly
+concluded by the 15th instant, he will retire from that Court, and order
+the Imperial troops to return into the ecclesiastical state. On the
+other hand, the Duke of Anjou's minister has, in the name of his master,
+demanded of his Holiness to explain himself on that affair; which, it is
+said, will be finally determined in a consistory to be held on Monday
+next; the Duke d'Uzeda designing to delay his departure till he sees the
+issue. These letters also say, that the Court was mightily alarmed at
+the news which they received by an express from Ferrara, that General
+Boneval, who commands in Commachio, had sent circular letters to the
+inhabitants of St. Alberto, Longastrino, Fillo, and other adjacent
+parts, enjoining them to come and swear fealty to the Emperor, and
+receive new investitures of their fiefs from his hands. Letters from
+other parts of Italy say, that the King of Denmark continues at Lucca;
+that four English and Dutch men-of-war were seen off of Oneglia, bound
+for Final, in order to transport the troops designed for Barcelona; and
+that her Majesty's ship the _Colchester_ arrived at Leghorn the 4th
+instant from Port Mahon, with advice, that Major-General Stanhope
+designed to part from thence the 1st instant with 6000 or 7000 men to
+attempt the relief of the Castle of Alicant.
+
+Our last advices from Berlin, bearing date the 27th instant, import,
+that the King was gone to Linum, and the Queen to Mecklenburg; but that
+their Majesties designed to return the next week to Oranienburg, where a
+great chase of wild beasts was prepared for their diversion, and from
+thence they intend to proceed together to Potsdam; that the Prince Royal
+was set out for Brabant, but intended to make some short stay at
+Hanover. These letters also inform us, that they are advised from Obory,
+that the King of Sweden, being on his march towards Holki, met General
+Renne with a detachment of Muscovites, who placing some regiments in
+ambuscade, attacked the Swedes in their rear, and putting them to
+flight, killed 2000 men, the king himself having his horse shot under
+him.
+
+We hear from Copenhagen, that, the ice being broke, the Sound is again
+open for the ships; and that they hoped his Majesty would return sooner
+than they at first expected.
+
+Letters from the Hague, dated May the 4th, N.S., say that an express
+arrived there on the 1st from Prince Eugene to his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough. The States are advised, that the auxiliaries of Saxony
+were arrived on the frontiers of the United Provinces; as also, that the
+two regiments of Wolfembuttel, and 4000 troops from Wirtemberg, which
+are to serve in Flanders, are in full march thither. Letters from
+Flanders, say that the great convoy of ammunition and provisions which
+set out from Ghent for Lille, was safely arrived at Courtray. We hear
+from Paris, that the King has ordered the militia on the coasts of
+Normandy and Bretagne to be in a readiness to march; and that the Court
+was in apprehension of a descent, to animate the people to rise in the
+midst of their present hardships.
+
+They write from Spain, that the Pope's Nuncio left Madrid the 10th of
+April, in order to go to Bayonne; that the Marquis de Bay was at Badajos
+to observe the motions of the Portuguese; and that the Count d'Estain,
+with a body of 5000 men, was on his march to attack Gironne. The Duke
+of Anjou has deposed the Bishop of Lerida, as being a favourer of the
+interest of King Charles; and has summoned a convocation at Madrid,
+composed of the archbishops, bishops and states of that kingdom,
+wherein he hopes they will come to a resolution to send for no more
+bulls to Rome.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 130: John Morphew was the publisher of the _Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 131: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 132: Stockjobbers, who contract for a sale of stock which they
+do not possess, are called sellers of bearskins; and universally whoever
+sells what he does not possess was said to sell the bear's skin, while
+the bear runs in the woods. "You never heard such bellowing about the
+town of the state of the nation, especially among the sharpers, sellers
+of bearskins--_i.e._ stockjobbers, &c." (Swift). See No. 38.]
+
+[Footnote 133: Dr. Richard Bentley, Master of Trinity College,
+Cambridge, took a leading part in the controversy regarding the
+genuineness of the Epistles of Phalaris. In 1709 he published critical
+notes on the Tusculan Disputations.]
+
+[Footnote 134: There are several sneers at the members of the Royal
+Society in the _Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 135: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 136: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 137: William Bullock was a comic actor whose abilities are
+praised by Gildon and others. He was the original Sir Tunbelly Clumsy in
+Vanbrugh's "Relapse." Later on in this number (p. 70), Steele says that
+Bullock had a peculiar talent of looking like a fool, and in No. 188 he
+compares Bullock and Pinkethman in a satirical vein.]
+
+[Footnote 138: Perhaps Colonel Hunter, afterwards Governor of New York;
+or Colonel Brett, one of the managers of Drury Lane Theatre.]
+
+[Footnote 139: See No. 34.]
+
+[Footnote 140: The pun is, of course, on the word "unmarred."]
+
+[Footnote 141: By Thomas Shadwell, 1676.]
+
+[Footnote 142: See note on p. 67, above.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 8. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 26._ to _Thursday, April 28_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Wills Coffee-house, April 26.
+
+The play of "The London Cuckolds"[143] was acted this evening before a
+suitable audience, who were extremely well diverted with that heap of
+vice and absurdity. The indignation which Eugenio, who is a gentleman
+of a just taste, has, upon occasion of seeing human nature fall so low
+in their delights, made him, I thought, expatiate upon the mention of
+this play very agreeably. "Of all men living," said he, "I pity players
+(who must be men of good understanding to be capable of being such) that
+they are obliged to repeat and assume proper gestures for representing
+things, of which their reason must be ashamed, and which they must
+disdain their audience for approving. The amendment of these low
+gratifications is only to be made by people of condition, by encouraging
+the presentation of the noble characters drawn by Shakespeare and
+others, from whence it is impossible to return without strong
+impressions of honour and humanity. On these occasions, distress is laid
+before us with all its causes and consequences, and our resentment
+placed according to the merit of the persons afflicted. Were dramas of
+this nature more acceptable to the taste of the town, men who have
+genius would bend their studies to excel in them. How forcible an effect
+this would have on our minds, one needs no more than to observe how
+strongly we are touched by mere pictures. Who can see Le Brun's[144]
+picture of the Battle of Porus, without entering into the character of
+that fierce gallant man,[145] and being accordingly spurred to an
+emulation of his constancy and courage? When he is falling with his
+wound, the features are at the same time very terrible and languishing;
+and there is such a stern faintness diffused through his look, as is
+apt to move a kind of horror, as well as pity, in the beholder. This, I
+say, is an effect wrought by mere lights and shades; consider also a
+representation made by words only, as in an account given by a good
+writer: Catiline in Sallust makes just such a figure as Porus by Le
+Brun. It is said of him, 'Catilina vero longe a suis inter hostium
+cadavera repertus est; paululum etiam spirans, ferocitatemque animi quam
+vivus habuerat in vultu retinens.'[146] ('Catiline was found killed far
+from his own men among the dead bodies of the enemy: he seemed still to
+breathe, and still retained in his face the same fierceness he had when
+he was living.') You have in that one sentence, a lively impression of
+his whole life and actions. What I would insinuate from all this, is,
+that if the painter and the historian can do thus much in colours and
+language, what may not be performed by an excellent poet, when the
+character he draws is presented by the person, the manner, the look, and
+the motion, of an accomplished player? If a thing painted or related can
+irresistibly enter our hearts, what may not be brought to pass by seeing
+generous things performed before our eyes?" Eugenio ended his discourse,
+by recommending the apt use of a theatre, as the most agreeable and easy
+method of making a polite and moral gentry, which would end in rendering
+the rest of the people regular in their behaviour, and ambitious of
+laudable undertakings.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 27.
+
+Letters from Naples of the 9th instant, N.S., advise, that Cardinal
+Grimani had ordered the regiment commanded by General Pate to march
+towards Final, in order to embark for Catalonia, whither also a
+thousand horse are to be transported from Sardinia, besides the troops
+which come from the Milanese. An English man-of-war has taken two
+prizes, one a vessel of Malta, the other of Genoa, both laden with goods
+of the enemy. They write from Florence of the 13th, that his Majesty of
+Denmark had received a courier from the Hague, with an account of some
+matters relating to the treaty of a peace; upon which he declared, that
+he thought it necessary to hasten to his own dominions.
+
+Letters from Switzerland inform us, that the effects of the great
+scarcity of corn in France were felt at Geneva; the magistrates of which
+city had appointed deputies to treat with the cantons of Berne and
+Zurich, for leave to buy up such quantities of grain within their
+territories as should be thought necessary. The Protestants of
+Tockenburg are still in arms about the convent of St. John, and have
+declared, that they will not lay them down, till they shall have
+sufficient security from the Roman Catholics, of living unmolested in
+the exercise of their religion. In the meantime the deputies of Berne
+and Tockenburg have frequent conferences at Zurich, with the regency of
+that canton, to find out methods for the quieting these disorders.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 3rd of May advise, that the President
+Rouillé, after his last conference with the deputies of the States, had
+retired to Bodegrave, five miles distant from Worden, and expected the
+return of a courier from France on the 4th, with new instructions. It is
+said, if his answer from the French Court shall not prove satisfactory,
+he will be desired to withdraw out of these parts. In the meantime it is
+also reported, that his equipage, as an ambassador on this great
+occasion, is actually on the march towards him. They write from
+Flanders, that the great convoy of provisions, which set out from Ghent,
+is safely arrived at Lille. Those advices add, that the enemy had
+assembled near Tournay a considerable body of troops drawn out of the
+neighbouring garrisons. Their high mightinesses having sent orders to
+their Ministers at Hamburg and Dantzic, to engage the magistrates of
+those cities to forbid the sale of corn to the French, and to signify to
+them, that the Dutch merchants will buy up as much of that commodity as
+they can spare, the Hamburgers have accordingly contracted with the
+Dutch, and refused any commerce with the French on that occasion.
+
+
+From my own Apartment.
+
+After the lassitude of a day spent in the strolling manner, which is
+usual with men of pleasure in this town, and with a head full of a
+million of impertinences, which had danced round it for ten hours
+together, I came to my lodging, and hastened to bed. My
+_valet-de-chambre_[147] knows my University trick of reading there; and
+he being: a good scholar for a gentleman, ran over the names of Horace,
+Tibullus, Ovid, and others, to know which I would have. "Bring Virgil,"
+said I, "and if I fall asleep, take care of the candle." I read the
+sixth book over with the most exquisite delight, and had gone half
+through it a second time, when the pleasing ideas of Elysian Fields,
+deceased worthies walking in them, sincere lovers enjoying their
+languishment without pain, compassion for the unhappy spirits who had
+misspent their short daylight, and were exiled from the seats of bliss
+for ever; I say, I was deep again in my reading, when this mixture of
+images had taken place of all others in my imagination before, and
+lulled me into a dream, from which I am just awake, to my great
+disadvantage. The happy mansions of Elysium by degrees seemed to be
+wafted from me, and the very traces of my late waking thoughts began to
+fade away, when I was cast by a sudden whirlwind upon an island,
+encompassed with a roaring and troubled sea, which shaked its very
+centre, and rocked its inhabitants as in a cradle. The islanders lay on
+their faces, without offering to look up, or hope for preservation; all
+her harbours were crowded with mariners, and tall vessels of war lay in
+danger of being driven to pieces on her shores. "Bless me!" said I, "why
+have I lived in such a manner that the convulsion of nature should be so
+terrible to me, when I feel in myself, that the better part of me is to
+survive it? Oh! may that be in happiness." A sudden shriek, in which the
+whole people on their faces joined, interrupted my soliloquy, and turned
+my eyes and attention to the object which had given us that sudden
+start, in the midst of an inconsolable and speechless affliction.
+Immediately the winds grew calm, the waves subsided, and the people
+stood up, turning their faces upon a magnificent pile in the midst of
+the island. There we beheld an hero of a comely and erect aspect, but
+pale and languid, sitting under a canopy of state. By the faces and dumb
+sorrow of those who attended we thought him in the article of death. At
+a distance sat a lady, whose life seemed to hang upon the same thread
+with his: she kept her eyes fixed upon him, and seemed to smother ten
+thousand thousand nameless things, which urged her tenderness to clasp
+him in her arms: but her greatness of spirit overcame those sentiments,
+and gave her power to forbear disturbing his last moment; which
+immediately approached. The hero looked up with an air of negligence,
+and satiety of being, rather than of pain to leave it; and leaning back
+his head, expired.[148]
+
+When the heroine, who sat at a distance, saw his last instant come, she
+threw herself at his feet, and kneeling, pressed his hand to her lips;
+in which posture she continued under the agony of an unutterable sorrow,
+till conducted from our sight by her attendants. That commanding awe,
+which accompanies the grief of great minds, restrained the multitude
+while in her presence; but as soon as she retired, they gave way to
+their distraction, and all the islanders called upon their deceased
+hero. To him, methought, they cried out, as to a guardian being, and I
+gathered from their broken accents, that it was he who had the empire
+over the ocean and its powers, by which he had long protected the island
+from shipwreck and invasion. They now give a loose to their moan, and
+think themselves exposed without hopes of human or divine assistance.
+While the people ran wild, and expressed all the different forms of
+lamentation, methought a sable cloud overshadowed the whole land, and
+covered its inhabitants with darkness: no glimpse of light appeared,
+except one ray from heaven upon the place in which the heroine now
+secluded herself from the world, with her eyes fixed on those abodes to
+which her consort was ascended.[149] Methought, a long period of time
+had passed away in mourning and in darkness, when a twilight began by
+degrees to enlighten the hemisphere; and looking round me, I saw a boat
+rowed towards the shore, in which sat a personage adorned with warlike
+trophies, bearing on his left arm a shield, on which was engraven the
+image of Victory, and in his right hand a branch of olive. His visage
+was at once so winning and so awful, that the shield and the olive
+seemed equally suitable to his genius.
+
+When this illustrious person[150] touched on the shore, he was received
+by the acclamations of the people, and followed to the palace of the
+heroine. No pleasure in the glory of her arms, or the acclamations
+of her applauding subjects, were ever capable to suspend her sorrow for
+one moment, until she saw the olive branch in the hand of that
+auspicious messenger. At that sight, as Heaven bestows its blessings on
+the wants and importunities of mortals, out of its native bounty, and
+not to increase its own power, or honour, in compassion to the world,
+the celestial mourner was then first seen to turn her regard to things
+below; and taking the branch out of the warrior's hand, looked at it
+with much satisfaction, and spoke of the blessings of peace, with a
+voice and accent, such as that in which guardian spirits whisper to
+dying penitents assurances of happiness. The air was hushed, the
+multitude attentive, and all nature in a pause, while she was speaking.
+But as soon as the messenger of peace had made some low reply, in
+which, methought, I heard the word Iberia, the heroine assuming a more
+severe air, but such as spoke resolution, without rage, returned him
+the olive, and again veiled her face. Loud cries and clashing of arms
+immediately followed, which forced me from my charming vision, and
+drove me back to these mansions of care and sorrow.[151]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 143: A very coarse play by Edward Ravenscroft, produced in
+1682, and often acted on Lord Mayors' days and other holidays.]
+
+[Footnote 144: Charles Le Brun, who was born in 1619, and died in 1690,
+was the son of a sculptor, of Scotch extraction. Under Colbert's
+patronage he founded the Academy of Painting and Sculpture, at Paris,
+and he received many honours from Louis XIV. Le Brun's painting of the
+Defeat of Porus is 16 feet high and 39 feet 5 inches long.]
+
+[Footnote 145: Porus was an Indian king who was defeated and put to
+death by Alexander the Great. See Q. Curtius, viii. 12, 14.]
+
+[Footnote 146: "Bell. Catil." cap. 61.]
+
+[Footnote 147: Steele seems to have forgotten that he was Isaac
+Bickerstaff, Esq., and had only an old maid-servant. (Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 148: Prince George of Denmark, the consort of Queen Anne, died
+on October 21, 1708, after a few days' illness. This dream gives a
+picture of the state of England from his death until the conclusion of
+the negotiations at the Hague in 1709.]
+
+[Footnote 149: The mourning of Queen Anne was so long that the
+manufacturers remonstrated, and secured a limit to the duration of
+public mournings.]
+
+[Footnote 150: About this time the D[uke]. of M[arlborough]. returned
+from Holland with the preliminaries of a peace.--(Steele.)]
+
+[Footnote 151: "Mr. Bickerstaff thanks Mr. Quarterstaff for his kind and
+instructive letter dated the 26th instant" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 9. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 28_, to _Saturday, April 30_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 28.
+
+This evening we were entertained with "The Old Bachelor,"[152] a comedy
+of deserved reputation. In the character which gives name to the play,
+there is excellently represented the reluctance of a battered debauchee
+to come into the trammels of order and decency: he neither languishes
+nor burns, but frets for love. The gentlemen of more regular behaviour
+are drawn with much spirit and wit, and the drama introduced by the
+dialogue of the first scene with uncommon, yet natural conversation. The
+part of Fondlewife is a lively image of the unseasonable fondness of age
+and impotence. But instead of such agreeable works as these, the town
+has this half age been tormented with insects called "easy writers,"
+whose abilities Mr. Wycherley one day described excellently well in one
+word: "That," said he, "among these fellows is called easy writing,
+which any one may easily write." Such jaunty scribblers are so justly
+laughed at for their sonnets on Phillis and Chloris, and fantastical
+descriptions in them, that an ingenious kinsman of mine,[153] of the
+family of the Staffs, Mr. Humphrey Wagstaff by name, has, to avoid their
+strain, run into a way perfectly new, and described things exactly as
+they happen: he never forms fields, or nymphs, or groves, where they are
+not, but makes the incidents just as they really appear. For an example
+of it; I stole out of his manuscript the following lines: they are a
+Description of the Morning, but of the morning in town; nay, of the
+morning at this end of the town, where my kinsman at present lodges.
+
+    Now hardly here and there an hackney coach
+    Appearing, showed the ruddy morn's approach.
+    Now Betty from her master's bed had flown,
+    And softly stole to discompose her own.
+    The slipshod 'prentice from his master's door,
+    Had pared the street, and sprinkled round the floor.
+    Now Moll had whirled her mop with dext'rous airs,
+    Prepared to scrub the entry and the stairs.
+    The youth with broomy stumps began to trace
+    The kennel edge, where wheels had worn the place.
+    The smallcoal-man was heard with cadence deep,
+    Till drowned in shriller notes of chimney-sweep.
+    Duns at his lordship's gate began to meet;
+    And Brickdust Moll had screamed through half a street;
+    The turnkey now his flock returning sees,
+    Duly let out at nights to steal for fees.
+    The watchful bailiffs take their silent stands;
+    And schoolboys lag with satchels in their hands.
+
+All that I apprehend is, that dear Numps will be angry I have published
+these lines; not that he has any reason to be ashamed of them, but for
+fear of those rogues, the bane to all excellent performances, the
+imitators. Therefore, beforehand, I bar all descriptions of the
+evenings; as, a medley of verses signifying, grey-peas are now cried
+warm: that wenches now begin to amble round the passages of the
+playhouse: or of noon; as, that fine ladies and great beaux are just
+yawning out of their beds and windows in Pall Mall, and so forth. I
+forewarn also all persons from encouraging any draughts after my
+cousin; and foretell any man who shall go about to imitate him, that he
+will be very insipid. The family stock is embarked in this design, and
+we will not admit of counterfeits: Dr. Anderson[154] and his heirs enjoy
+his pills, Sir. William Read[155] has the cure of eyes, and Monsieur
+Rozelli[156] can only cure the gout. We pretend to none of these things;
+but to examine who and who are together, to tell any mistaken man he is
+not what he believes he is, to distinguish merit, and expose false
+pretences to it, is a liberty our family has by law in them, from an
+intermarriage with a daughter of Mr. Scoggan,[157] the famous droll of
+the last century. This right I design to make use of; but will not
+encroach upon the above-mentioned adepts, or any other. At the same
+time I shall take all the privileges I may, as an Englishman, and will
+lay hold of the late Act of Naturalisation[158] to introduce what I
+shall think fit from France. The use of that law may, I hope, be
+extended to people the polite world with new characters, as well as the
+kingdom itself with new subjects. Therefore an author of that nation,
+called La Bruyère, I shall make bold with on such occasions. The last
+person I read of in that writer, was Lord Timon.[159] Timon, says my
+author, is the most generous of all men; but is so hurried away with
+that strong impulse of bestowing, that he confers benefits without
+distinction, and is munificent without laying obligations. For all the
+unworthy, who receive from him, have so little sense of this noble
+infirmity, that they look upon themselves rather as partners in a spoil,
+than partakers of a bounty. The other day, coming into Paris, I met
+Timon going out on horseback, attended only by one servant. It struck me
+with a sudden damp, to see a man of so excellent a disposition, and that
+understood making a figure so very well, so much shortened in his
+retinue. But passing by his house, I saw his great coach break to pieces
+before his door, and by a strange enchantment, immediately turned into
+many different vehicles. The first was a very pretty chariot, into which
+stepped his lordship's secretary. The second was hung a little heavier;
+into that strutted the fat steward. In an instant followed a chaise,
+which was entered by the butler. The rest of the body and wheels were
+forthwith changed into go-carts, and ran away with by the nurses and
+brats of the rest of the family. What makes these misfortunes in the
+affairs of Timon the more astonishing, is, that he has a better
+understanding than those who cheat him; so that a man knows not which
+more to wonder at, the indifference of the master, or the impudence of
+the servant.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 29.
+
+It is matter of much speculation among the beaux and oglers, what it is
+that can have made so sudden a change, as has been of late observed, in
+the whole behaviour of Pastorella, who never sat still a moment till she
+was eighteen, which she has now exceeded by two months. Her aunt, who
+has the care of her, has not been always so rigid as she is at this
+present date; but has so good a sense of the frailty of woman, and
+falsehood of man, that she resolved on all manner of methods to keep
+Pastorella, if possible, in safety, against herself, and all her
+admirers. At the same time the good lady knew by long experience, that
+a gay inclination, curbed too rashly, would but run to the greater
+excesses for that restraint: therefore intended to watch her, and take
+some opportunity of engaging her insensibly in her own interests,
+without the anguish of an admonition. You are to know then, that miss,
+with all her flirting and ogling, had also naturally a strong curiosity
+in her, and was the greatest eavesdropper breathing. Parisatis (for so
+her prudent aunt is called) observed this humour, and retires one day to
+her closet, into which she knew Pastorella would peep, and listen to
+know how she was employed. It happened accordingly, and the young lady
+saw her good governante on her knees, and after a mental behaviour,
+break into these words: "As for the dear child committed to my care, let
+her sobriety of carriage, and severity of behaviour, be such, as may
+make that noble lord, who is taken with her beauty, turn his designs to
+such as are honourable." Here Parisatis heard her niece nestle closer to
+the keyhole: she then goes on; "Make her the joyful mother of a numerous
+and wealthy offspring, and let her carriage be such, as may make this
+noble youth expect the blessings of an happy marriage, from the
+singularity of her life, in this loose and censorious age." Miss having
+heard enough, sneaks off for fear of discovery, and immediately at her
+glass, alters the sitting of her head; then pulls up her tucker,[160]
+and forms herself into the exact manner of Lindamira: in a word, becomes
+a sincere convert to everything that's commendable in a fine young lady;
+and two or three such matches as her aunt feigned in her devotions, are
+at this day in her choice. This is the history and original cause of
+Pastorella's conversion from coquetry. The prudence in the management
+of this young lady's temper, and good judgment of it, is hardly to be
+exceeded. I scarce remember a greater instance of forbearance of the
+usual peevish way with which the aged treat the young, than this, except
+that of our famous Noye,[161] whose good nature went so far, as to make
+him put off his admonitions to his son, even till after his death; and
+did not give him his thoughts of him, till he came to read that
+memorable passage in his will: "All the rest of my estate," says he, "I
+leave to my son Edward (who is executor to this my will) to be
+squandered as he shall think fit: I leave it him for that purpose, and
+hope no better from him." A generous disdain and reflection, upon how
+little he deserved from so excellent a father, reformed the young man,
+and made Edward, from an errant rake, become a fine gentleman.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 29.
+
+Letters from Portugal of the 18th instant, dated from Estremos, say,
+that on the 6th the Earl of Galway arrived at that place, and had the
+satisfaction to see the quarters well furnished with all manner of
+provisions, and a quantity of bread sufficient for subsisting the troops
+for sixty days, besides biscuits for twenty-five days. The enemy give
+out, that they shall bring into the field 14 regiments of horse, and 24
+battalions. The troops in the service of Portugal will make up 14,000
+foot, and 4000 horse. On the day these letters were despatched, the
+Earl of Galway received advice, that the Marquis de Bay was preparing
+for some enterprise, by gathering his troops together on the frontiers.
+Whereupon his Excellency resolved to go that same night to Villa-Vicosa,
+to assemble the troops in that neighbourhood, in order to disappoint his
+designs.
+
+Yesterday in the evening Captain Foxon, aide-de-camp to Major-General
+Cadogan, arrived here express from the Duke of Marlborough. And this day
+a mail is come in, with letters dated from Brussels of the 6th of May,
+N.S., which advise, that the enemy had drawn together a body, consisting
+of 20,000 men, with a design, as was supposed, to intercept the great
+convoy on the march towards Lille, which was safely arrived at Menin and
+Courtray, in its way to that place, the French having retired without
+making any attempt.
+
+We hear from the Hague, that a person of the first quality is arrived in
+the Low Countries from France, in order to be a plenipotentiary in an
+ensuing treaty of peace.
+
+Letters from France acknowledge, that Monsieur Bernard has made no
+higher offers of satisfaction to his creditors than of £35 per cent.
+
+These advices add, that the Marshal Boufflers, Monsieur Torcy (who
+distinguished himself formerly, by advising the Court of France to
+adhere to the treaty of partition), and Monsieur d'Harcourt (who
+negotiated with Cardinal Portocarrero for the succession of the crown of
+Spain in the House of Bourbon), are all three joined in a commission for
+a treaty of peace. The Marshal is come to Ghent: the other two are
+arrived at the Hague.
+
+It is confidently reported here that the Right Honourable the Lord
+Townshend is to go with his Grace the Duke of Marlborough into
+Holland.[162]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 152: Congreve's first play, produced in 1693. See also No.
+193. This piece is attacked in Jeremy Collier's "Short View of the
+Profaneness and Immorality of the English Stage," 1698.]
+
+[Footnote 153: Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 154: A Scotch physician in the reigns of Charles I. and
+Charles II. An advertisement of his "famous Scots Pills" requested the
+public to beware of counterfeits, especially an ignorant pretender, one
+Muffen, who kept a china-shop.]
+
+[Footnote 155: "Henley would fain have me to go with Steele and Rowe,
+&c., to an invitation at Sir William Read's. Surely you have heard of
+him. He has been a mountebank, and is the Queen's oculist; he makes
+admirable punch, and treats you in gold vessels. But I am engaged, and
+won't go; neither indeed am I fond of the jaunt" (Swift's "Journal,"
+April 11, 1711). Read was knighted in 1705, for services done in curing
+soldiers and sailors of blindness gratis. Beginning life as a tailor, he
+became Queen Anne's oculist in ordinary, and died in 1715. See
+_Spectator_, No. 547.]
+
+[Footnote 156: Rozelli, the inventor of a specific for the gout, died at
+the Hague. In No. 33 was an advertisement of the "Memoirs of the Life
+and Adventures of Signior Rozelli, at the Hague, giving a particular
+account of his birth, education, slavery, monastic state, imprisonment
+in the Inquisition at Rome, and the different figures he has since made,
+as well in Italy, as in France and Holland.... Done into English from
+the second edition of the French." This work, like the continuation of
+1724, has been wrongly attributed to Defoe. Rozelli advertised in the
+_London Gazette_, for July 19, 1709, that the book was entirely
+fictitious, and a libel upon his character.]
+
+[Footnote 157: We learn from Ben Jonson, that Scoggan, or Skogan, was
+M.A., and lived in the time of Henry IV. "He made disguises for the
+King's sons, writ in ballad-royal daintily well, and was regarded and
+rewarded." Jonson calls him the moral Skogan; and introduces him with
+Skelton, the poet laureate of Henry VIII., into his Masque, entitled
+"The Fortunate Isles," where he keeps them in character, and makes them
+rhyme in their own manner.]
+
+[Footnote 158: 7 Anne, cap. 5, was an "Act for naturalising Foreign
+Protestants." After the preamble, "Whereas many strangers of the
+Protestant or reformed religion would be induced to transport themselves
+and their estates into this kingdom, if they might be made partakers of
+the advantages and privileges which the natural-born subjects thereof do
+enjoy," it was enacted that all persons taking the oaths, and making and
+subscribing the declaration appointed by 6 Anne, cap. 23, should be
+deemed natural-born subjects; but no person was to have the benefit of
+this Act unless he received the sacrament. The Act was repealed by 10
+Anne, c. 5, because "divers mischiefs and inconveniences have been found
+by experience to follow from the same, to the discouragement of the
+natural-born subjects of this kingdom, and to the detriment of the trade
+and wealth thereof."]
+
+[Footnote 159: It has been alleged that there is here an allusion to the
+Duke of Ormond, whose servants enriched themselves at their master's
+expense (see _Examiner_, vol. iii. p. 48). But in the _Guardian_, No.
+53, Steele, writing in his own name, declared that the character of
+Timon was not disgraceful, and that when he drew it he thought it
+resembled himself more than any one else.]
+
+[Footnote 160: The tucker, an edging round the top of a low dress, began
+to be discontinued about 1713, as appears from complaints in the
+_Guardian_, _passim_.]
+
+[Footnote 161: "William Noye, of St. Burian in Cornwall, gentleman, was
+made Attorney-General in 1631; his will is dated June 3, 1634, about a
+month or six weeks before his death. The expedient did not operate an
+alteration in his son so altogether favourable; for within two years
+Edward was slain in a duel by one Captain Byron, who was pardoned for
+it" (Wood's "Athen. Oxon." 1691, i. 506). Noye's character is drawn in
+the first book of Clarendon's "History of the Civil War."]
+
+[Footnote 162: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received the epistles of Mrs.
+Rebecca Wagstaff, Timothy Pikestaff and Wagstaff, which he will
+acknowledge farther as occasion shall serve" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 10. [STEELE.
+
+By Mrs.[163] JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Saturday, April 30_, to _Tuesday, May 3_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 1.
+
+My brother Isaac having a sudden occasion to go out of town, ordered me
+to take upon me the despatch of the next advices from home, with liberty
+to speak it my own way; not doubting the allowances which would be given
+to a writer of my sex. You may be sure I undertook it with much
+satisfaction, and I confess, I am not a little pleased with the
+opportunity of running over all the papers in his closet, which he has
+left open for my use on this occasion. The first that I lay my hands on,
+is, a treatise concerning "The Empire of Beauty," and the effects it
+has had in all nations of the world, upon the public and private actions
+of men; with an appendix, which he calls, "The Bachelor's Scheme for
+Governing his Wife." The first thing he makes this gentleman propose,
+is, that she shall be no woman; for she is to have an aversion to balls,
+to operas, to visits: she is to think his company sufficient to fill up
+all the hours of life with great satisfaction: she is never to believe
+any other man wise, learned, or valiant; or at least but in a second
+degree. In the next place, he intends she shall be a cuckold; but
+expects, that he himself must live in perfect security from that terror.
+He dwells a great while on instructions for her discreet behaviour, in
+case of his falsehood. I have not patience with these unreasonable
+expectations, therefore turn back to the treatise itself. Here, indeed,
+my brother deduces all the revolutions among men from the passion of
+love; and in his preface, answers that usual observation against us,
+that there is no quarrel without a woman in it, with a gallant
+assertion, that there is nothing else worth quarrelling for. My brother
+is of a complexion truly amorous; all his thoughts and actions carry in
+them a tincture of that obliging inclination; and this turn has opened
+his eyes to see, we are not the inconsiderable creatures which unlucky
+pretenders to our favour would insinuate. He observes that no man begins
+to make any tolerable figure, till he sets out with the hopes of
+pleasing some one of us. No sooner he takes that in hand, but he pleases
+every one else by-the-bye. It has an immediate effect upon his
+behaviour. There is Colonel Ranter, who never spoke without an oath,
+till he saw the Lady Betty Modish;[164] now never gives his man an
+order, but it is, "Pray, Tom, do it." The drawers where he drinks live
+in perfect happiness. He asked Will at the "George" the other day how he
+did? Where he used to say, "Damn it, it is so," he now believes there is
+some mistake: he must confess, he is of another opinion; but however he
+won't insist.
+
+Every temper, except downright insipid, is to be animated and softened
+by the influence of beauty: but of this untractable sort is a lifeless
+handsome fellow that visits us, whom I have dressed at this twelvemonth;
+but he is as insensible of all the arts I use, as if he conversed all
+that time with his nurse. He outdoes our whole sex in all the faults our
+enemies impute to us; he has brought laziness into an opinion, and makes
+his indolence his philosophy: insomuch, that no longer ago than
+yesterday in the evening he gave me this account of himself: "I am,
+madam, perfectly unmoved at all that passes among men, and seldom give
+myself the fatigue of going among them; but when I do, I always appear
+the same thing to those whom I converse with. My hours of existence, or
+being awake, are from eleven in the morning to eleven at night; half of
+which I live to myself, in picking my teeth, washing my hands, paring my
+nails, and looking in the glass. The insignificancy of my manners to the
+rest of the world makes the laughers call me a _quidnunc_, a phrase I
+shall never inquire what they mean by it. The last of me each night is
+at St. James's Coffee-house, where I converse, yet never fall into a
+dispute on any occasion, but leave the understanding I have, passive of
+all that goes through it, without entering into the business of life.
+And thus, madam, have I arrived by laziness, to what others pretend to
+by devotion, a perfect neglect of the world." Sure, if our sex had the
+liberty of frequenting public-houses and conversations, we should put
+these rivals of our faults and follies out of countenance. However, we
+shall soon have the pleasure of being acquainted with them one way or
+other, for my brother Isaac designs, for the use of our sex, to give the
+exact characters of all the chief politicians who frequent any of the
+coffee-houses from St. James's to the Change; but designs to begin with
+that cluster of wise heads, as they are found sitting every evening,
+from the left side of the fire, at the Smyrna,[165] to the door. This
+will be of great service for us, and I have authority to promise an
+exact journal of their deliberations; the publication of which I am to
+be allowed for pin-money. In the meantime, I cast my eye upon a new
+book, which gave me a more pleasing entertainment, being a sixth part of
+"Miscellany Poems," published by Jacob Tonson,[166] which I find, by my
+brother's notes upon it, no way inferior to the other volumes. There
+are, it seems, in this, a collection of the best pastorals that have
+hitherto appeared in England; but among them, none superior to that
+dialogue between Sylvia and Dorinda, written by one of my own sex,[167]
+where all our little weaknesses are laid open in a manner more just,
+and with, truer raillery than ever man yet hit upon.
+
+    _Only this I now discern.
+    From the things thou'st have me learn;
+    That womankind's peculiar joys
+    From past or present beauties rise._
+
+But to reassume my first design, there cannot be a greater instance of
+the command of females, than in the prevailing charms of the heroine in
+the play which was acted this night, called "All for Love; or, The World
+Well Lost."[168] The enamoured Antony resigns glory and power to the
+force of the attractive Cleopatra, whose charms were the defence of her
+diadem, against a people otherwise invincible. It is so natural for
+women to talk of themselves, that it is to be hoped all my own sex, at
+least, will pardon me, that I could fall into no other discourse. If we
+have their favour, we give ourselves very little anxiety for the rest of
+our readers. I believe I see a sentence of Latin in my brother's
+day-book of wit, which seems applicable on this occasion, and in
+contempt of the critics.
+
+      --_Tristitiam et metus
+    Tradam protectis in mare Criticum
+    Portare ventis._[169]
+
+But I am interrupted by a packet from Mr. Kidney,[170] from the St.
+James's Coffee-house, which I am obliged to insert in the very style and
+words which Mr. Kidney uses in his letter.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 2.
+
+We are advised by letters from Berne, dated the 1st instant, N.S., that
+the Duke of Berwick arrived at Lyons the 25th of the last month, and
+continued his journey the next day to visit the passes of the mountains,
+and other posts in Dauphine and Provence. These letters also informed
+us, that the miseries of the people in France are heightened to that
+degree, that unless a peace be speedily concluded, half of that kingdom
+would perish for want of bread. On the 24th, the Marshal de Thesse
+passed through Lyons, in his way to Versailles; and two battalions,
+which were marching from Alsace to reinforce the army of the Duke of
+Berwick, passed also through that place. Those troops were to be
+followed by six Battalions more.
+
+Letters from Naples of the 16th of April say, that the Marquis de Prie's
+son was arrived there, with instructions from his father, to signify to
+the viceroy the necessity his Imperial Majesty was under, of desiring an
+aid from that kingdom, for carrying on the extraordinary expenses of the
+war. On the 14th of the same month, they made a review of the Spanish
+troops in that garrison, and afterwards of the marines; one part of whom
+will embark with those designed for Barcelona, and the rest are to be
+sent on board the galleys appointed to convoy provisions to that place.
+
+We hear from Rome, by letters dated the 20th of April, that the Count de
+Mellos, envoy from the King of Portugal, had made his public entry into
+that city with much state and magnificence. The Pope has lately held two
+other consistories, wherein he made a promotion of two cardinals; but
+the acknowledgment of King Charles is still deferred.
+
+Letters from other parts of Italy advise us, that the Doge of Venice
+continues dangerously ill: that the Prince de Carignan, having relapsed
+into a violent fever, died the 23rd of April, in his 80th year.
+
+Advices from Vienna of the 27th of April import, that the Archbishop of
+Saltzburg is dead, who is succeeded by Count Harrach, formerly Bishop of
+Vienna, and for these last three years coadjutor to the said Archbishop;
+and that Prince Maximilian of Lichtenstein has likewise departed this
+life, at his country seat called Cromaw in Moravia. These advices add,
+that the Emperor has named Count Zinzendorf, Count Goes, and Monsieur
+Consbruck, for his plenipotentiaries in an ensuing treaty of peace; and
+they hear from Hungary, that the Imperialists have had several
+successful skirmishes with the malcontents.
+
+Letters from Paris, dated May the 6th, say, that the Marshal de Thesse
+arrived there on the 29th of the last month; and that the Chevalier de
+Beuil was sent thither by Don Pedro Ronquillo with advice, that the
+confederate squadron appeared before Alicante the 17th, and having for
+some time cannonaded the city, endeavoured to land some troops for the
+relief of the castle; but General Stanhope finding the passes well
+guarded, and the enterprise dangerous, demanded to capitulate for the
+castle; which being granted him, the garrison, consisting of 600 regular
+troops, marched out with their arms and baggage the day following; and
+being received on board, they immediately set sail for Barcelona. These
+letters add, that the march of the French and Swiss regiments is further
+deferred for a few days; and that the Duke of Noailles was just ready to
+set out for Roussillon, as well as the Count de Bezons for Catalonia.
+
+The same advices say, bread was sold at Paris for 6d. per pound; and
+that there was not half enough, even at that rate, to supply the
+necessities of the people, which reduced them to the utmost despair;
+that 300 men had taken up arms, and having plundered the market of the
+suburb St. Germain, pressed down by their multitude the King's Guards
+who opposed them. Two of those mutineers were afterwards seized, and
+condemned to death; but four others went to the magistrate who
+pronounced that sentence, and told him, he must expect to answer with
+his own life for those of their comrades. All order and sense of
+government being thus lost among the enraged people, to keep up a show
+of authority, the captain of the Guards, who saw all their insolence,
+pretended, that he had represented to the King their deplorable
+condition, and had obtained their pardon. It is further reported, that
+the Dauphin and Duchess of Burgundy, as they went to the Opera, were
+surrounded by crowds of people, who upbraided them with their neglect of
+the general calamity, in going to diversions, when the whole people were
+ready to perish for want of bread. Edicts are daily published to
+suppress these riots, and papers, with menaces against the Government,
+are publicly thrown about. Among others, these words were dropped in a
+court of justice: "France wants a Ravilliac or a Jesuit to deliver her."
+Besides this universal distress, there is a contagious sickness, which,
+it is feared, will end in a pestilence. Letters from Bordeaux bring
+accounts no less lamentable: the peasants are driven by hunger from
+their abodes into that city, and make lamentations in the streets
+without redress.
+
+We are advised by letters from the Hague, dated the 10th instant, N.S.,
+that on the 6th, the Marquis de Torcy arrived there from Paris; but the
+passport, by which he came, having been sent blank by Monsieur Rouillé,
+he was there two days before his quality was known. That Minister
+offered to communicate to Monsieur Heinsius the proposals which he had
+to make; but the pensionary refused to see them, and said, he would
+signify it to the States, who deputed some of their own body to acquaint
+him, That they would enter into no negotiation till the arrival of his
+Grace the Duke of Marlborough, and the other Ministers of the Alliance.
+Prince Eugene was expected there the 12th instant from Brussels. It is
+said, that besides Monsieur de Torcy and Monsieur Pajot,
+Director-general of the Posts, there are two or three persons at the
+Hague whose names are not known; but it is supposed that the Duke
+d'Alba, ambassador from the Duke of Anjou, was one of them. The States
+have sent letters to all the cities of the Provinces, desiring them to
+send their deputies to receive the propositions of peace made by the
+Court of France.[171]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 163: The word "Miss" was still confined, in Steele's day, to
+very young girls or to young women of giddy or doubtful character. Thus
+Pastorella in No. 9 is called "Miss," and similarly we find "Miss Gruel"
+in No. 33. In the "Original Letters to the _Tatler_ and _Spectator_,"
+printed by Charles Lillie (i. 223) there is a "Table of the Titles and
+Distinctions of Women," from which what follows is extracted. "Let all
+country-gentlewomen, without regard to more or less fortune, content
+themselves with being addressed by the style of 'Mrs.' Let 'Madam'
+govern independently in the city, &c. Let no women after the known age
+of 21 presume to admit of her being called 'Miss,' unless she can fairly
+prove she is not out of her sampler. Let every common maid-servant be
+plain 'Jane,' 'Doll,' or 'Sue,' and let the better-born and
+higher-placed be distinguished by 'Mrs. Patience,' 'Mrs. Prue,' or 'Mrs.
+Abigail.'"]
+
+[Footnote 164: Perhaps there is here an illusion to Mrs. Anne Oldfield
+(died 1730), and Brigadier-General Charles Churchill, brother of the
+Duke of Marlborough. Mrs. Oldfield acted as Lady Betty Modish in
+Cibber's "Careless Husband," a part which was not only written for, but
+copied from her. Her son by Churchill married Lady Mary Walpole.]
+
+[Footnote 165: A coffee-house in Pall Mall. Swift and Prior frequented
+it: "Prior and I came away at nine, and sat at the Smyrna till eleven
+receiving acquaintance." "I walked a little in the Park till Prior made
+me go with him to the Smyrna Coffee-house."--("Journal to Stella," Oct.
+15, 1710; Feb. 19, 1711.)]
+
+[Footnote 166: The sixth and last volume of the "Dryden" Miscellany
+Poems was published by Tonson in 1709. The elder Tonson, who was founder
+and secretary of the Kit Cat Club, died in 1736.]
+
+[Footnote 167: By Elizabeth Singer, who became Mrs. Rowe in 1710, and
+died in 1737. Besides poems which gained for her the friendship of
+Prior, Dr. Watts, and Bishop Ken, she published "Friendship in Death, in
+twenty letters from the Dead to the Living," and "Letters Moral and
+Entertaining."]
+
+[Footnote 168: Dryden's version of "Antony and Cleopatra" was produced
+in 1673.]
+
+[Footnote 169: Horace, 1 Od. xxvi. 2. The joke consists in Mrs. Jenny
+Distaff mistaking Horace's "Creticum" for "Criticum," and so misapplying
+the passage.]
+
+[Footnote 170: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 171: "In the absence of Mr. Bickerstaff, Mrs. Distaff has
+received Mr. Nathaniel Broomstick's letter" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 11. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Tuesday May 3,_ to _Thursday, May 5_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 3.
+
+A kinsman[172] has sent me a letter, wherein he informs me, he had
+lately resolved to write an heroic poem, but by business had been
+interrupted, and has only made one similitude, which he should be
+afflicted to have wholly lost, and begs of me to apply it to something,
+being very desirous to see it well placed in the world. I am so willing
+to help the distressed, that I have taken it in; but though his greater
+genius might very well distinguish his verses from mine, I have marked
+where his begin. His lines are a description of the sun in eclipse,
+which I know nothing more like than a brave man in sorrow, who bears it
+as he should, without imploring the pity of his friends, or being
+dejected with the contempt of his enemies. As in the case of Cato:
+
+    When all the globe to Cæsar's fortune bowed,
+    Cato alone his empire disallowed;
+    With inborn strength alone opposed mankind,
+    With heaven in view, to all below it blind:
+    Regardless of his friend's applause, or moan,
+    Alone triumphant, since he falls alone.
+
+    "Thus when the Ruler of the genial day,
+    Behind some darkening planet forms his way,
+    Desponding mortals, with officious care,
+    The concave drum, and magic brass prepare;
+    Implore him to sustain the important fight,
+    And save depending worlds from endless night.
+    Fondly they hope their labour may avail,
+    To ease his conflict, and assist his toil.
+    Whilst he in beams of native splendour bright, }
+    (Though dark his orb appear to human sight)    }
+    Shines to the gods with more diffusive light.  }
+    To distant stars with equal glory burns,
+    Inflames their lamps, and feeds their golden urns.
+    Sure to retain his known superior tract,
+    And proves the more illustrious by defect."
+
+This is a very lively image; but I must take the liberty to say, my
+kinsman drives the sun a little like Phaëton: he has all the warmth of
+Phœbus, but won't stay for his direction of it. Avail and toil, defect
+and tract, will never do for rhymes. But, however, he has the true
+spirit in him; for which reason I was willing to entertain anything he
+pleased to send me. The subject which he writes upon, naturally raises
+great reflections in the soul, and puts us in mind of the mixed
+condition which we mortals are to support; which, as it varies to good
+or bad, adorns or defaces our actions to the beholders: All which glory
+and shame must end in what we so much repine at, death. But doctrines on
+this occasion, any other than that of living well, are the most
+insignificant and most empty of all the labours of men. None but a
+tragedian can die by rule, and wait till he discovers a plot, or says a
+fine thing upon his exit. In real life, this is a chimera; and by noble
+spirits, it will be done decently, without the ostentation of it. We see
+men of all conditions and characters go through it with equal
+resolution: and if we consider the speeches of the mighty philosophers,
+heroes, law-givers, and great captains, they can produce no more in a
+discerning spirit, than rules to make a man a fop on his death-bed.
+Commend me to that natural greatness of soul, expressed by an innocent,
+and consequently resolute, country fellow, who said in the pains of the
+colic, "If I once get this breath out of my body, you shall hang me
+before you put it in again." Honest Ned! and so he died.[173]
+
+But it is to be supposed, from this place you may expect an account of
+such a thing as a new play is not to be omitted. That acted this night
+is the newest that ever was writ. The author is my ingenious friend Mr.
+Thomas D----y. The drama is called, "The Modern Prophets,"[174] and is a
+most unanswerable satire against the late spirit of enthusiasm. The
+writer had by long experience observed, that in company, very grave
+discourses have been followed by bawdry; and therefore has turned the
+humour that way with great success, and taken from his audience all
+manner of superstition, by the agitations of pretty Mrs. Bignell,[175]
+whom he has, with great subtlety, made a lay-sister, as well as a
+prophetess; by which means, she carries on the affairs of both worlds
+with great success. My friend designs to go on with another work against
+winter, which he intends to call, "The Modern Poets"; a people no less
+mistaken in their opinions of being inspired than the other. In order to
+this, he has by him seven songs, besides many ambiguities, which cannot
+be mistaken for anything but what he means them. Mr. D----y generally
+writes state-plays, and is wonderfully useful to the world in such
+representations. This method is the same that was used by old Athenians,
+to laugh out of countenance, or promote opinions among the people. My
+friend has therefore, against this play is acted for his own benefit,
+made two dances, which may be also of an universal benefit. In the first
+he has represenced absolute power, in the person of a tall man with a
+hat and feather, who gives his first minister, that stands just before
+him, a huge kick: the minister gives the kick to the next before; and so
+to the end of the stage. In this moral and practical jest, you are made
+to understand, that there is, in an absolute government, no
+gratification, but giving the kick you receive from one above you to one
+below you. This is performed to a grave and melancholy air; but on a
+sudden the tune moves quicker, and the whole company fall into a circle
+and take hands; then, at a certain sharp note, they move round, and kick
+as kick can. This latter performance he makes to be the representation
+of a free state; where, if you all mind your steps, you may go round and
+round very jollily, with a motion pleasant to yourselves and those you
+dance with: nay, if you put yourselves out, at the worst you only kick,
+and are kicked, like friends and equals.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 4.
+
+Of all the vanities under the sun, I confess, that of being proud of
+one's birth is the greatest. At the same time, since in this
+unreasonable age, by the force of prevailing custom, things in which men
+have no hand are imputed to them; and that I am used by some people, as
+if Isaac Bickerstaff, though I write myself "Esquire," was nobody: to
+set the world right in that particular, I shall give you my genealogy,
+as a kinsman of ours has sent it me from the Heralds' Office. It is
+certain, and observed by the wisest writers, that there are women who
+are not nicely chaste, and men not severely honest in all families;
+therefore let those who may be apt to raise aspersions upon ours, please
+to give us as impartial an account of their own, and we shall be
+satisfied. The business of heralds is a matter of so great nicety, that
+to avoid mistakes, I shall give you my cousin's letter verbatim, without
+altering a syllable.[176]
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"Since you have been pleased to make yourself so famous of late, by your
+ingenious writings, and some time ago by your learned Predictions: since
+Partridge, of immortal memory, is dead and gone, who, poetical as he
+was, could not understand his own poetry; and philomathical as he was,
+could not read his own destiny: since the Pope, the King of France, and
+great part of his Court, are either literally or metaphorically defunct:
+since, I say, these things (not foretold by any one but yourself) have
+come to pass after so surprising a manner; it is with no small concern I
+see the original of the Staffian race so little known in the world as it
+is at this time; for which reason, as you have employed your studies in
+astronomy and the occult sciences, so I, my mother being a Welsh woman,
+dedicated mine to genealogy, particularly that of our own family, which,
+for its antiquity and number, may challenge any in Great Britain. The
+Staffs are originally of Staffordshire, which took its name from them:
+the first that I find of the Staffs was one Jacobstaff, a famous and
+renowned astronomer, who by Dorothy his wife, had issue seven sons;
+viz., Bickerstaff, Longstaff, Wagstaff, Quarterstaff, Whitestaff,
+Falstaff, and Tipstaff. He also had a younger brother who was twice
+married, and had five sons; viz., Distaff, Pikestaff, Mopstaff,
+Broomstaff, and Raggedstaff. As for the branch from whence you spring,
+I shall say very little of it, only that it is the chief of the Staffs,
+and called Bickerstaff, _quasi_ Biggerstaff; as much as to say, the
+great staff, or staff of staffs; and that it has applied itself to
+astronomy with great success, after the example of our aforesaid
+forefather. The descendants from Longstaff, the second son, were a
+rakish disorderly sort of people, and rambled from one place to another,
+till in Harry II.'s time they settled in Kent, and were called
+Long-tails, from the long tails which were sent them as a punishment for
+the murder of Thomas-à-Becket, as the legends say; they have been always
+sought after by the ladies; but whether it be to show their aversion to
+popery, or their love to miracles, I can't say. The Wagstaffs are a
+merry thoughtless sort of people, who have always been opinionated of
+their own wit; they have turned themselves mostly to poetry. This is the
+most numerous branch of our family, and the poorest. The Quarterstaffs
+are most of them prize-fighters or deer-stealers. There have been so
+many of them hanged lately, that there are very few of that branch of
+our family left. The Whitestaffs[177] are all courtiers, and have had
+very considerable places: there have been some of them of that strength
+and dexterity, that five hundred of the ablest men in the kingdom[178]
+have often tugged in vain to pull a staff out of their hands. The
+Falstaffs are strangely given to whoring and drinking: there are
+abundance of them in and about London. And one thing is very remarkable
+of this branch, and that is, there are just as many women as men in it.
+There was a wicked stick of wood of this name in Harry IV.'s time, one
+Sir John Falstaff. As for Tipstaff, the youngest son, he was an honest
+fellow; but his sons, and his sons' sons, have all of them been the
+veriest rogues living: it is this unlucky branch has stocked the nation
+with that swarm of lawyers, attorneys, serjeants, and bailiffs, with
+which the nation is overrun. Tipstaff, being a seventh son, used to cure
+the king's evil; but his rascally descendants are so far from having
+that healing quality, that by a touch upon the shoulder, they give a man
+such an ill habit of body, that he can never come abroad afterwards.
+This is all I know of the line of Jacobstaff: his younger brother
+Isaacstaff, as I told you before, had five sons, and was married twice;
+his first wife was a Staff (for they did not stand upon false heraldry
+in those days), by whom he had one son, who in process of time, being a
+schoolmaster, and well read in the Greek, called himself Distaff or
+Twicestaff: he was not very rich, so he put his children out to trades;
+and the Distaffs have ever since been employed in the woollen and linen
+manufactures, except myself, who am a genealogist. Pikestaff, the eldest
+son by the second venter, was a man of business, a downright plodding
+fellow, and withal so plain, that he became a proverb. Most of this
+family are at present in the army. Raggedstaff was an unlucky boy, and
+used to tear his clothes getting birds' nests, and was always playing
+with a tame bear his father kept. Mopstaff fell in love with one of his
+father's maids, and used to help her to clean the house. Broomstaff was
+a chimney-sweeper. The Mopstaffs and Broomstaffs are naturally as civil
+people as ever went out of doors; but alas! if they once get into ill
+hands, they knock down all before them. Pilgrimstaff run away from his
+friends, and went strolling about the country: and Pipestaff was a
+wine-cooper. These two were the unlawful issue of Longstaff.
+
+"N.B. The Canes, the Clubs, the Cudgels, the Wands, the Devil upon two
+Sticks, and one Bread, that goes by the name of Staff of Life, are none
+of our relations.
+
+"I am, dear Cousin,
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "D. DISTAFF.
+
+"From the Heralds' Office, _May 1_."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 4.
+
+As politic news is not the principal subject on which we treat, we are
+so happy as to have no occasion for that art of cookery, which our
+brother-newsmongers so much excel in; as appears by their excellent and
+inimitable manner of dressing up a second time for your taste the same
+dish which they gave you the day before, in case there come over no new
+pickles from Holland. Therefore, when we have nothing to say to you from
+courts and camps, we hope still to give you somewhat new and curious
+from ourselves: the women of our house, upon occasion, being capable of
+carrying on the business, according to the laudable custom of the wives
+in Holland; but, without further preface, take what we have not
+mentioned in our former relations.
+
+Letters from Hanover of the 30th of the last month say, that the Prince
+Royal of Prussia arrived there on the 15th, and left that Court on the
+2nd of this month, in pursuit of his journey to Flanders, where he makes
+the ensuing campaign. Those advices add, that the young Prince Nassau,
+hereditary governor of Friesland, consummated on the 26th of the last
+month his marriage with the beauteous princess of Hesse-Cassel, with a
+pomp and magnificence suitable to their age and quality.
+
+Letters from Paris say, his most Christian Majesty retired to Marli on
+the 1st instant, N.S., and our last advices from Spain inform us, that
+the Prince of Asturias had made his public entry into Madrid in great
+splendour. The Duke of Anjou has given Don Joseph Hartado de Amaraga the
+government of Terra-Firma de Veragua, and the presidency of Panama in
+America. They add, That the forces commanded by the Marquis de Bay had
+been reinforced by six battalions of Spanish and Walloon guards. Letters
+from Lisbon advise, That the army of the King of Portugal was at Elvas
+on the 22nd of the last month, and would decamp on the 24th, in order to
+march upon the enemy, who lay at Badajos.
+
+Yesterday, at four in the morning, his Grace the Duke of Marlborough set
+out for Margate, and embarked for Holland at eight this morning.
+
+Yesterday also, Sir George Thorold was declared Alderman of Cordwainers'
+Ward, in the room of his brother Sir Charles Thorold, deceased.[179]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 172: Jabez Hughes (died 1731), the author of these verses, was
+the younger brother of John Hughes. He published several translations,
+and his "Miscellanies in Verse and Prose" appeared in 1737.]
+
+[Footnote 173: "Honest Ned" was a farmer on the estate of Anthony
+Henley, who mentions this saying in a letter to Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 174: D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets" attacked the enthusiasts
+known as "French Prophets," who were in the habit of assembling in
+Moorfields to exert their alleged gifts. Lord Chesterfield says that the
+Government took no steps, except to direct Powell, the puppet-show man,
+to make Punch turn prophet, which he did so well, that it put an end to
+the fanatics.]
+
+[Footnote 175: See No. 3.]
+
+[Footnote 176: The letter is by Heneage Twysden. (See Steele's Preface.)
+Heneage Twysden was the seventh son of Sir William Twysden, Bart., of
+Roydon Hall, East Peckham, Kent. At the time of his death (1709, aged
+29) he was a captain of foot in Sir Richard Temple's Regiment, and
+aide-de-camp to John, Duke of Argyle. Near his monument in the north
+aisle of the Abbey are two other small ones to the memory of his
+brothers Josiah and John. Josiah, a captain of foot, was killed in
+Flanders in 1708, in his 23rd year; John was a lieutenant in the
+admiral's ship, under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, and perished with him in
+1707, in his 24th year. [Chalmers.]--Heneage Twysden was killed at the
+battle of Blarequies.]
+
+[Footnote 177: The allusion is to the staff carried by the First Lord of
+the Treasury.]
+
+[Footnote 178: The House of Commons.]
+
+[Footnote 179: "Any ladies who have any particular stories of their
+acquaintance, which they are willing privately to make public, may send
+them by the penny-post to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., enclosed to Mr. John
+Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 12. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 5_, to _Saturday, May 7_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+May 5.
+
+When a man has engaged to keep a stage-coach, he is obliged, whether he
+has passengers or not, to set out: thus it fares with us weekly
+historians; but indeed, for my particular, I hope I shall soon have
+little more to do in this work, than to publish what is sent me from
+such as have leisure and capacity for giving delight, and being pleased
+in an elegant manner. The present grandeur of the British nation might
+make us expect, that we should rise in our public diversions, and manner
+of enjoying life, in proportion to our advancement in glory and power.
+Instead of that, take and survey this town, and you'll find, rakes and
+debauchees are your men of pleasure; thoughtless atheists, and
+illiterate drunkards, call themselves free thinkers; and gamesters,
+banterers, biters,[180] swearers, and twenty new-born insects more, are,
+in their several species, the modern men of wit. Hence it is, that a man
+who has been out of town but one half-year, has lost the language, and
+must have some friend to stand by him, and keep him in countenance for
+talking common sense. To-day I saw a short interlude at White's of this
+nature, which I took notes of, and put together as well as I could in a
+public place. The persons of the drama are, Pip, the last gentleman that
+has been made so at cards; Trimmer, a person half undone at them, and is
+now between a cheat and a gentleman; Acorn, an honest Englishman, of
+good plain sense and meaning; and Mr. Friendly, a reasonable man of the
+town.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 5.
+
+[_Enter_ PIP, TRIM, _and_ ACORN.
+
+AC. What's the matter, gentlemen? What! Take no notice of an old friend?
+
+PIP. Pox on it! don't talk to me, I am voweled by the Count, and
+cursedly out of humour.
+
+AC. Voweled! Prithee, Trimmer, what does he mean by that?
+
+TRIM. Have a care, Harry, speak softly; don't show your ignorance:--If
+you do, they'll bite you where-e'er they meet you; they are such cursed
+curs,--the present wits.
+
+AC. Bite me! What do you mean?
+
+PIP. Why! Don't you know what biting is? Nay, you are in the right on
+it. However, one would learn it only to defend oneself against men of
+wit, as one would know the tricks of play, to be secure against the
+cheats. But don't you hear, Acorn, that report, that some potentates of
+the Alliance have taken care of themselves, exclusive of us?
+
+AC. How! Heaven forbid! After all our glorious victories; all this
+expense of blood and treasure!
+
+PIP. Bite--
+
+AC. Bite! How?
+
+TRIM. Nay, he has bit you fairly enough; that's certain.
+
+AC. Pox! I don't feel it--how? Where?
+
+[_Exit_ PIP _and_ TRIMMER, _laughing._
+
+AC. Ho! Mr. Friendly, your most humble servant; you heard what passed
+between those fine gentlemen and me. Pip complained to me, that he has
+been voweled; and they tell me, I am bit.
+
+FRIEND. You are to understand, sir, that simplicity of behaviour, which
+is the perfection of good breeding and good sense, is utterly lost in
+the world; and in the room of it, there are started a thousand little
+inventions, which men, barren of better things, take up in the place of
+it. Thus, for every character in conversation that used to please, there
+is an impostor put upon you. Him whom we allowed formerly for a certain
+pleasant subtilty, and natural way of giving you an unexpected hit,
+called a droll, is now mimicked by a biter, who is a dull fellow, that
+tells you a lie with a grave face, and laughs at you for knowing him no
+better than to believe him. Instead of that sort of companion, who could
+rally you, and keep his countenance, till he made you fall into some
+little inconsistency of behaviour, at which you yourself could laugh
+with him, you have the sneerer, who will keep you company from morning
+to night, to gather your follies of the day (which perhaps you commit
+out of confidence in him), and expose you in the evening to all the
+scorners in town. For your man of sense and free spirit, whose set of
+thoughts were built upon learning, reason, and experience, you have now
+an impudent creature made up of vice only, who supports his ignorance by
+his courage, and want of learning by contempt of it.
+
+AC. Dear sir, hold: what you have told me already of this change in
+conversation, is too miserable to be heard with any delight; but,
+methinks, as these new creatures appear in the world, it might give an
+excellent field to writers for the stage, to divert us with the
+representation of them there.
+
+FRIEND. No, no: as you say, there might be some hopes of redress of
+these grievances, if there were proper care taken of the theatre; but
+the history of that is yet more lamentable than that of the decay of
+conversation I gave you.
+
+AC. Pray, sir, a little: I haven't been in town these six years, till
+within this fortnight.
+
+FRIEND. It is now some years since several revolutions in the gay world
+had made the empire of the stage subject to very fatal convulsions,
+which were too dangerous to be cured by the skill of little King
+Oberon,[181] who then sat in the throne of it. The laziness of this
+prince threw him upon the choice of a person who was fit to spend his
+life in contentions, an able and profound attorney, to whom he mortgaged
+his whole empire. This Divito[182] is the most skilful of all
+politicians: he has a perfect art in being unintelligible in discourse,
+and uncomeatable in business. But he having no understanding in this
+polite way, brought in upon us, to get in his money,
+ladder-dancers,[183] rope-dancers, jugglers, and mountebanks, to strut
+in the place of Shakespeare's heroes, and Jonson's humorists. When the
+seat of wit was thus mortgaged, without equity of redemption, an
+architect[184] arose, who has built the muse a new palace, but secured
+her no retinue; so that instead of action there, we have been put off
+by song and dance. This latter help of sound has also begun to fail for
+want of voices; therefore the palace has since been put into the hands
+of a surgeon,[185] who cuts any foreign fellow into an eunuch, and
+passes him upon us for a singer of Italy.
+
+AC. I'll go out of town to-morrow.
+
+FRIEND.[186] Things are come to this pass; and yet the world will not
+understand, that the theatre has much the same effect on the manners of
+the age, as the bank on the credit of the nation. Wit and spirit, humour
+and good sense, can never be revived, but under the government of those
+who are judges of such talents, who know, that whatever is put up in
+their stead, is but a short and trifling expedient, to support the
+appearance of them for a season. It is possible, a peace will give
+leisure to put these matters under new regulations; but at present, all
+the assistance we can see towards our recovery, is as far from giving us
+help, as a poultice is from performing what can be done only by the
+Grand Elixir.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 6.
+
+According to our late design in the applauded verses on the
+Morning,[187] which you lately had from hence, we proceed to improve
+that just intention, and present you with other labours, made proper to
+the place in which they were written. The following poem comes from
+Copenhagen, and is as fine a winter-piece as we have ever had from any
+of the schools of the most learned painters. Such images as these give
+us a new pleasure in our sight, and fix upon our minds traces of
+reflection, which accompany us whenever the like objects occur. In
+short, excellent poetry and description dwell upon us so agreeably, that
+all the readers of them are made to think, if not write, like men of
+wit. But it would be injury to detain you longer from this excellent
+performance, which is addressed to the Earl of Dorset by Mr.
+Philips,[188] the author of several choice poems in Mr. Tonson's new
+Miscellany.[189]
+
+                                            _Copenhagen, March 9_, 1709.
+    From frozen climes, and endless tracks of snow,
+    From streams that northern winds forbid to flow;
+    What present shall the muse to Dorset bring;
+    Or how, so near the Pole, attempt to sing?
+    The hoary winter here conceals from sight
+    All pleasing objects that to verse invite.
+    The hills and dales, and the delightful woods,
+    The flowery plains, and silver streaming floods,
+    By snow disguised, in bright confusion lie,
+    And with one dazzling waste fatigue the eye.
+
+    No gentle breathing breeze prepares the spring,
+    No birds within the desert region sing.
+    The ships unmoved the boisterous winds defy,
+    While rattling chariots o'er the ocean fly.
+    The vast leviathan wants room to play,
+    And spout his waters in the face of day.
+    The starving wolves along the main sea prowl,
+    And to the moon in icy valleys howl.
+    For many a shining league the level main
+    Here spreads itself into a glassy plain:
+    There solid billows of enormous size,
+    Alps of green ice, in wild disorder rise.
+
+    And yet but lately have I seen e'en here,
+    The winter in a lovely dress appear;
+    Ere yet the clouds let fall the treasured snow,
+    Or winds begun through hazy skies to blow.
+    At evening a keen eastern breeze arose;
+    And the descending rain unsullied froze.
+    Soon as the silent shades of night withdrew,
+    The ruddy morn disclosed at once to view
+    The face of nature in a rich disguise,
+    And brightened every object to my eyes.
+    For every shrub, and every blade of grass,
+    And every pointed thorn, seemed wrought in glass,
+    In pearls and rubies rich the hawthorns show,
+    While through the ice the crimson berries glow.
+    The thick-sprung reeds the watery marshes yield,
+    Seem polished lances in a hostile field.
+    The stag in limpid currents with surprise,
+    Sees crystal branches on his forehead rise.
+    The spreading oak, the beech, and towering pine,
+    Glazed over, in the freezing ether shine.
+    The frighted birds the rattling branches shun,
+    That wave and glitter in the distant sun.
+
+    When if a sudden gust of wind arise,
+    The brittle forest into atoms flies:
+    The crackling wood beneath the tempest bends,
+    And in a spangled shower the prospect ends.
+    Or if a southern gale the region warm,
+    And by degrees unbind the wintry charm;
+    The traveller a miry country sees,
+    And journeys sad beneath the dropping trees.
+
+    Like some deluded peasant, Merlin leads
+    Through fragrant bowers, and through delicious meads;
+    While here enchanted gardens to him rise,
+    And airy fabrics there attract his eyes,
+    His wandering feet the magic paths pursue;
+    And while he thinks the fair illusion true,
+    The trackless scenes disperse in fluid air,
+    And woods and wilds, and thorny ways appear:
+    A tedious road the weary wretch returns,
+    And, as he goes, the transient vision mourns.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 6.
+
+There has a mail this day arrived from Holland; but the matter of the
+advices importing rather what gives us great expectations, than any
+positive assurances, I shall, for this time, decline giving you what I
+know, and apply the following verses of Mr. Dryden, in the second part
+of "Almanzor," to the present circumstances of things, without
+discovering what my knowledge in astronomy suggests to me.
+
+    _When empire in its childhood first appears,
+    A watchful fate o'er sees its tender years:
+    Till grown more strong, it thrusts and stretches out,
+    And elbows all the kingdoms round about.
+    The place thus made for its first breathing free,
+    It moves again for ease and luxury;
+    Till swelling by degrees it has possest
+    The greater space, and now crowds up the rest.
+    When from behind there starts some petty state,
+    And pushes on its now unwieldy fate.
+    Then down the precipice of time it goes,
+    And sinks in minutes, which in ages rose._[190]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 180: "I'll teach you a way to outwit Mrs. Johnson; it is a
+new-fashioned way of being witty, and they call it a _bite_. You must
+ask a bantering question, or tell some damned lie in a serious manner,
+then she will answer, or speak as if you were in earnest, and then cry
+you, 'Madam, there's a _bite_.' I would not have you undervalue this,
+for it is the constant amusement in Court, and everywhere else among the
+great people; and I let you know it, in order to have it obtain among
+you, and to teach you a new refinement" (Swift's "Journal"). See the
+_Spectator_, Nos. 47, 504: "_A Biter_ is one who tells you a thing you
+have no reason to disbelieve in itself; and perhaps has given you,
+before he bit you, no reason to disbelieve it for his saying it; and if
+you give him credit, laughs in your face, and triumphs that he has
+deceived you. In a word, a _Biter_ is one who thinks you a fool, because
+you do not think him a knave."]
+
+[Footnote 181: Owen McSwiney, a manager of Drury Lane Theatre, and
+afterwards of the Haymarket Theatre. After living in Italy for some
+years, he obtained a place in the Custom-house, and was keeper of the
+King's Mews. On his death in 1754 he left his fortune to Mrs.
+Woffington.]
+
+[Footnote 182: Christopher Rich, manager of Drury Lane Theatre, who died
+in 1714, was at this time involved in a quarrel with the principal
+actors about the profits of their benefits.]
+
+[Footnote 183: Cibber ("Apology," chap. x.) complains that Rich paid
+extraordinary prices to singers, dancers, and other exotic performers,
+which were as constantly deducted out of the sinking salaries of his
+actors. In December, 1709, the Lord Chamberlain ordered that no new
+representations were to be brought upon the stage which were not
+necessary to the better performance of comedy or opera, "such as
+ladder-dancing, antic postures," &c., without his leave.--(Lord
+Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Book, No. 22.)]
+
+[Footnote 184: Sir John Vanbrugh built the Haymarket Theatre in 1705.
+The new house was opened with a translation of an Italian opera, "The
+Triumph of Love", which met with little success. This was followed by
+Vanbrugh's "Confederacy."]
+
+[Footnote 185: John James Heidegger, who died in 1749, aged 90, was the
+son of a Swiss clergyman. When over 40 he came to England, and became
+the chief director of the opera-house and masquerades. His face was
+remarkably ugly.]
+
+[Footnote 186: "Trim", in original editions.]
+
+[Footnote 187: See No. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 188: "Philips writeth verses in a sledge upon the frozen sea,"
+wrote Swift, "and transmits them hither to thrive in our warm climate
+under the shelter of my Lord Dorset." Addison refers to this poem by
+Ambrose Philips in No. 223 of the _Spectator_, and Pope commends it.]
+
+[Footnote 189: The sixth and last volume of Tonson's "Miscellany" opens
+with Philips' Pastorals, and closes with those of Pope.]
+
+[Footnote 190: "Almanzor and Almahide; or, The Conquest of Granada. The
+Second Part," act i. sc. I.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 13. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 7_, to _Tuesday, May 10_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 8.
+
+Much hurry and business had to-day perplexed me into a mood too
+thoughtful for going into company; for which reason, instead of the
+tavern, I went into Lincoln's Inn Walks; and having taken a round or
+two, I sat down, according to the allowed familiarity of these places,
+on a bench; at the other end of which sat a venerable gentleman, who
+speaking with a very affable air, "Mr. Bickerstaff," said he, "I take it
+for a very great piece of good fortune, that you have found me out."
+"Sir," said I, "I had never, that I know of, the honour of seeing you
+before." "That," replied he, "is what I have often lamented; but I
+assure you, I have for many years done you good offices, without being
+observed by you; or else, when you had any little glimpse of my being
+concerned in an affair, you have fled from me, and shunned me like an
+enemy; but however, the part I am to act in the world is such, that I am
+to go on in doing good, though I meet with never so many repulses, even
+from those I oblige." This, thought I, shows a great good nature, but
+little judgment in the persons upon whom he confers his favours. He
+immediately took notice to me, that he observed by my countenance I
+thought him indiscreet in his beneficence, and proceeded to tell me his
+quality in the following manner: "I know thee, Isaac, to be so well
+versed in the occult sciences, that I need not much preface, or make
+long preparations to gain your faith that there are airy beings, who are
+employed in the care and attendance of men, as nurses are to infants,
+till they come to an age in which they can act of themselves. These
+beings are usually called amongst men, guardian angels; and, Mr.
+Bickerstaff, I am to acquaint you, that I am to be yours for some time
+to come; it being our orders to vary our stations, and sometimes to have
+one patient under our protection, and sometimes another, with a power of
+assuming what shape we please, to ensnare our wards into their own good.
+I have of late been upon such hard duty, and know you have so much work
+for me, that I think fit to appear to you face to face, to desire you
+would give me as little occasion for vigilance as you can." "Sir," said
+I, "it will be a great instruction to me in my behaviour, if you please
+to give me some account of your late employments, and what hardships or
+satisfactions you have had in them, that I may govern myself
+accordingly." He answered: "To give you an example of the drudgery we go
+through, I will entertain you only with my three last stations: I was on
+the 1st of April last, put to mortify a great beauty, with whom I was a
+week; from her I went to a common swearer, and have been last with a
+gamester. When I first came to my lady, I found my great work was to
+guard well her eyes and ears; but her flatterers were so numerous, and
+the house, after the modern way, so full of looking-glasses, that I
+seldom had her safe but in her sleep. Whenever we went abroad, we were
+surrounded by an army of enemies: when a well-made man appeared, he was
+sure to have a side-glance of observation: if a disagreeable fellow, he
+had a full face, out of mere inclination to conquests. But at the close
+of the evening, on the sixth of the last month, my ward was sitting on a
+couch, reading Ovid's 'Epistles'; and as she came to this line of Helen
+to Paris,
+
+    _She half consents who silently denies;_[191]
+
+entered Philander,[192] who is the most skilful of all men in an address
+to women. He is arrived at the perfection of that art which gains them,
+which is, to talk like a very miserable man, but look like a very happy
+one. I saw Dictinna blush at his entrance, which gave me the alarm; but
+he immediately said something so agreeable on her being at study, and
+the novelty of finding a lady employed in so grave a manner, that he on
+a sudden became very familiarly a man of no consequence; and in an
+instant laid all her suspicions of his skill asleep, as he almost had
+done mine, till I observed him very dangerously turn his discourse upon
+the elegance of her dress, and her judgment in the choice of that very
+pretty mourning. Having had women before under my care, I trembled at
+the apprehension of a man of sense, who could talk upon trifles, and
+resolved to stick to my post with all the circumspection imaginable. In
+short, I prepossessed her against all he could say to the advantage of
+her dress and person; but he turned again the discourse, where I found I
+had no power over her, on the abusing her friends and acquaintance. He
+allowed indeed, that Flora had a little beauty, and a great deal of wit;
+but then she was so ungainly in her behaviour, and such a laughing
+hoyden--Pastorella had with him the allowance of being blameless: but
+what was that towards being praiseworthy? To be only innocent, is not to
+be virtuous. He afterwards spoke so much against Mrs. Dipple's forehead,
+Mrs. Prim's mouth, Mrs. Dentifrice's teeth, and Mrs. Fidget's cheeks,
+that she grew downright in love with him: for it is always to be
+understood, that a lady takes all you detract from the rest of her sex
+to be a gift to her. In a word, things went so far, that I was
+dismissed, and she will remember that evening nine months, from the 6th
+of April, by a very remarkable token. The next, as I said, I went to was
+a common swearer: never was creature so puzzled as myself when I came
+first to view his brain; half of it was worn out, and filled up with
+mere expletives, that had nothing to do with any other parts of the
+texture; therefore, when he called for his clothes in a morning, he
+would cry, 'John--?' John does not answer. 'What a plague! Nobody there?
+What the devil, and rot me! John, for a lazy dog as you are.' I knew no
+way to cure him, but by writing down all he said one morning as he was
+dressing, and laying it before him on the toilet when he came to pick
+his teeth. The last recital I gave him of what he said for half an hour
+before, was, 'What, a pox rot me! Where is the washball? Call the
+chairmen: damn them, I warrant they are at the ale-house already!
+Zounds, and confound them.' When he came to the glass, he takes up my
+note--'Ha! this fellow is worse than me: what, does he swear with pen
+and ink?' But reading on, he found them to be his own words. The
+stratagem had so good an effect upon him, that he grew immediately a new
+man, and is learning to speak without an oath, which makes him extremely
+short in his phrases; for, as I observed before, a common swearer has a
+brain without any idea on the swearing side; therefore my ward has yet
+mighty little to say, and is forced to substitute some other vehicle of
+nonsense to supply the defect of his usual expletives. When I left him,
+he made use of, 'Oddsbodikins!' 'Oh me!' and, 'Never stir alive!' and so
+forth; which gave me hopes of his recovery. So I went to the next I told
+you of, the gamester. When we first take our place about a man, the
+receptacles of the pericranium are immediately searched. In his, I found
+no one ordinary trace of thinking; but strong passion, violent desires,
+and a continued series of different changes, had torn it to pieces.
+There appeared no middle condition; the triumph of a prince, or the
+misery of a beggar, were his alternate states. I was with him no longer
+than one day, which was yesterday. In the morning at twelve, we were
+worth four thousand pounds; at three, we were arrived at six thousand;
+half an hour after, we were reduced to one thousand; at four of the
+clock, we were down to two hundred; at five, to fifty; at six, to five;
+at seven, to one guinea; the next bet, to nothing: this morning, he
+borrowed half a crown of the maid who cleans his shoes; and is now
+gaming in Lincoln's Inn Fields among the boys for farthings and oranges,
+till he has made up three pieces, and then he returns to White's into
+the best company in town." This ended our first discourse; and it is
+hoped, you will forgive me, that I have picked so little out of my
+companion at our first interview. In the next, it is possible he may
+tell me more pleasing incidents; for though he is a familiar, he is not
+an evil spirit.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 9.
+
+We hear from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., that Monsieur de Torcy
+hath had frequent conferences with the Grand Pensioner, and the other
+Ministers who were heretofore commissioned to treat with Monsieur
+Rouillé. The preliminaries of a peace are almost settled, and the
+proceedings wait only for the arrival of the Duke of Marlborough; after
+whose approbation of the articles proposed, it is not doubted but the
+methods of the treaty will be publicly known. In the meantime, the
+States have declared an abhorrence of making any step in this great
+affair, but in concert with the Court of Great Britain, and other
+princes of the Alliance. The posture of affairs in France does
+necessarily oblige that nation to be very much in earnest in their
+offers; and Monsieur de Torcy hath professed to the Grand Pensioner,
+that he will avoid all occasions of giving him the least jealousy of his
+using any address in private conversations for accomplishing the ends of
+his embassy. It is said, that as soon as the preliminaries are adjusted,
+that Minister is to return to the French Court. The States of Holland
+have resolved to make it an instruction to all their men-of-war and
+privateers, to bring into their ports whatever neutral ships they shall
+meet with laden with corn, and bound for France; and to avoid all cause
+of complaint from the potentates to whom these ships shall belong, their
+full demand for their freight shall be paid them there. The French
+Protestants residing in that country have applied themselves to their
+respective magistrates, desiring that there may be an article in the
+treaty of peace, which may give liberty of conscience to the Protestants
+in France. Monsieur Bosnage, minister of the Walloon church at
+Rotterdam, has been at the Hague and hath had some conferences with the
+deputies of the States on that subject. It is reported there, that all
+the French refugees in those dominions are to be naturalised, that they
+may enjoy the same good effects of the treaty with the Hollanders
+themselves, in respect of France.
+
+Letters from Paris say, the people conceive great hopes of a sudden
+peace, from Monsieur Torcy's being employed in the negotiation, he being
+a Minister of too great weight in that Court, to be sent on any
+employment in which his master would not act in a manner wherein he
+might justly promise himself success. The French advices add, that there
+is an insurrection in Poictou; 3000 men having taken up arms, and beaten
+the troops which were appointed to disperse them: three of the mutineers
+being taken, were immediately executed; and as many of the king's party
+were used after the same manner.
+
+Our late Act of Naturalisation[193] hath had so great an effect in
+foreign parts, that some princes have prohibited the French refugees in
+their dominions to sell or transfer their estates to any other of their
+subjects; and at the same time have granted them greater immunities than
+they hitherto enjoyed. It has been also thought necessary to restrain
+their own subjects from leaving their native country, on pain of death.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 191: Ovid's "Epistles," 1709; translation of "Helen's Epistle
+to Paris," by the Earl of Mulgrave and Dryden.]
+
+[Footnote 192: An original for Philander has been found in Lord Halifax.
+See No. 49.]
+
+[Footnote 193: See No. 9. "If the Whigs were now restored to power, the
+bill [for a general naturalisation] now to be repealed, would then be
+re-enacted, and the birthright of an Englishman reduced again to the
+value of twelve pence."--(_Examiner_, vol. i. No. 26.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 14. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday May 10_, to _Thursday, May 12_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 10.
+
+Had it not been that my familiar had appeared to me, as I told you in my
+last, in person, I had certainly been unable to have found even words,
+without meaning, to keep up my intelligence with the town: but he has
+checked me severely for my despondence, and ordered me to go on in my
+design of observing upon things, and forbearing persons; "for," said he,
+"the age you live in is such, that a good picture of any vice or virtue
+will infallibly be misrepresented; and though none will take the kind
+descriptions you make so much to themselves, as to wish well to the
+author, yet all will resent the ill characters you produce, out of fear
+of their own turn in the licence you must be obliged to take, if you
+point at particular persons." I took his admonition kindly, and
+immediately promised him to beg pardon of the author of the "Advice to
+the Poets,"[194] for my raillery upon his work; though I aimed at no
+more in that examination, but to convince him, and all men of genius, of
+the folly of laying themselves out on such plans as are below their
+characters. I hope too it was done without ill-breeding, and nothing
+spoken below what a civilian (as it is allowed I am) may utter to a
+physician. After this preface, all the world may be safe from my
+writings; for if I can find nothing to commend, I am silent, and will
+forbear the subject: for, though I am a reformer, I scorn to be an
+inquisitor.
+
+It would become all men, as well as me, to lay before them the noble
+character of Verus the magistrate,[195] who always sat in triumph over,
+and contempt of, vice; he never searched after it, or spared it when it
+came before him: at the same time, he could see through the hypocrisy
+and disguise of those, who have no pretence to virtue themselves, but by
+their severity to the vicious. This same Verus was, in times long past,
+chief justice (as we call it amongst us) in Fælicia.[196] He was a man
+of profound knowledge of the laws of his country, and as just an
+observer of them in his own person. He considered justice as a cardinal
+virtue, not as a trade for maintenance. Wherever he was judge, he never
+forgot that he was also counsel. The criminal before him was always sure
+he stood before his country, and, in a sort, a parent of it. The
+prisoner knew, that though his spirit was broken with guilt, and
+incapable of language to defend itself, all would be gathered from him
+which could conduce to his safety; and that his judge would wrest no law
+to destroy him, nor conceal any that could save him. In his time, there
+were a nest of pretenders to justice, who happened to be employed to put
+things in a method for being examined before him at his usual sessions:
+these animals were to Verus, as monkeys are to men, so like, that you
+can hardly disown them; but so base, that you are ashamed of their
+fraternity. It grew a phrase, "Who would do justice on the justices?"
+That certainly would Verus. I have seen an old trial where he sat judge
+on two of them; one was called Trick-Track, the other Tearshift;[197]
+one was a learned judge of sharpers, the other the quickest of all men
+at finding out a wench. Trick-Track never spared a pickpocket, but was a
+companion to cheats: Tearshift would make compliments to wenches of
+quality, but certainly commit poor ones. If a poor rogue wanted a
+lodging, Trick-Track sent him to gaol for a thief: if a poor whore went
+only with one thin petticoat, Tearshift would imprison her for being
+loose in her dress. These patriots infested the days of Verus, while
+they alternately committed and released each other's prisoners. But
+Verus regarded them as criminals, and always looked upon men as they
+stood in the eye of justice, without respecting whether they sat on the
+bench, or stood at the bar.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 11
+
+Yesterday we were entertained with the tragedy of "The Earl of
+Essex,"[198] in which there is not one good line, and yet a play which
+was never seen without drawing tears from some part of the audience: a
+remarkable instance, that the soul is not to be moved by words, but
+things; for the incidents in this drama are laid together so happily,
+that the spectator makes the play for himself, by the force which the
+circumstance has upon his imagination. Thus, in spite of the most dry
+discourses, and expressions almost ridiculous with respect to propriety,
+it is impossible for one unprejudiced to see it untouched with pity. I
+must confess, this effect is not wrought on such as examine why they are
+pleased; but it never fails to appear on those who are not too learned
+in nature, to be moved by her first suggestions. It is certain, the
+person and behaviour of Mr. Wilks[199] has no small share in conducing
+to the popularity of the play; and when a handsome fellow is going to a
+more coarse exit than beheading, his shape and countenance make every
+tender one reprieve him with all her heart, without waiting till she
+hears his dying words.
+
+This evening "The Alchemist"[200] was played. This comedy is an example
+of Ben's extensive genius and penetration into the passions and follies
+of mankind. The scene in the fourth act, where all the cheated people
+oppose the man that would open their eyes, has something in it so
+inimitably excellent, that it is certainly as great a masterpiece as has
+ever appeared by any hand. The author's great address in showing
+covetousness the motive of the actions of the Puritan, the epicure, the
+gamester, and the trader; and that all their endeavours, how differently
+soever they seem to tend, centre only in that one point of gain, shows
+he had to a great perfection, that discernment of spirit, which
+constitutes a genius for comedy.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 11.
+
+It is not to be imagined how far the violence of our desires will carry
+us towards our own deceit in the pursuit of what we wish for. A
+gentleman here this evening was giving me an account of a dumb
+fortune-teller,[201] who outdoes Mr. Partridge, myself, or the
+unborn-doctor,[202] for predictions. All his visitants come to him full
+of expectations, and pay his own rate for the interpretations they put
+upon his shrugs and nods. There is a fine rich City widow stole thither
+the other day (though it is not six weeks since her husband's departure
+from her company to rest), and, with her trusty maid, demanded of him,
+whether she should marry again, by holding up two fingers, like horns on
+her forehead. The wizard held up both his hands forked. The relict
+desired to know, whether he meant by his holding up both hands, to
+represent that she had one husband before, and that she should have
+another? Or that he intimated, she should have two more? The cunning-man
+looked a little sour; upon which Betty jogged her mistress, who gave the
+other guinea; and he made her understand, she should positively have two
+more; but shaked his head, and hinted, that they should not live long
+with her. The widow sighed, and gave him the other half-guinea. After
+this prepossession, all that she had next to do, was to make sallies to
+our end of the town, and find out who it is her fate to have. There are
+two who frequent this place, whom she takes for men of vogue, and of
+whom her imagination has given her the choice. They are both the
+appearances of fine gentlemen, to such as do not know when they see
+persons of that turn; and indeed, they are industrious enough to come at
+that character, to deserve the reputation of being such: but this town
+will not allow us to be the things we seem to aim at, and are too
+discerning to be fobbed off with pretences. One of these pretty fellows
+fails by his laborious exactness; the other, by his as much studied
+negligence. Frank Careless, as soon as his valet has helped on and
+adjusted his clothes, goes to his glass, sets his wig awry, tumbles his
+cravat; and in short, undresses himself to go into company. Will Nice is
+so little satisfied with his dress, that all the time he is at a visit,
+he is still mending it, and is for that reason the more insufferable;
+for he who studies carelessness, has, at least, his work the sooner done
+of the two. The widow is distracted whom to take for her first man; for
+Nice is every way so careful, that she fears his length of days; and
+Frank is so loose, that she has apprehensions for her own health with
+him. I am puzzled how to give a just idea of them; but in a word,
+Careless is a coxcomb, and Nice a fop: both, you'll say, very hopeful
+candidates for a gay woman just set at liberty. But there is a whisper,
+her maid will give her to Tom Terrour the gamester. This fellow has
+undone so many women, that he'll certainly succeed if he is introduced;
+for nothing so much prevails with the vain part of that sex, as the
+glory of deceiving them who have deceived others.
+
+    _Desunt multa_.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 11.
+
+Letters from Berlin, bearing date May 11, N.S., inform us, that the
+birthday of her Prussian Majesty has been celebrated there with all
+possible magnificence; and the king made her on that occasion a present
+of jewels to the value of thirty thousand crowns. The Marquis de Quesne,
+who has distinguished himself by his great zeal for the Protestant
+interest, was, at the time of the despatch of these letters, at that
+Court, soliciting the king to take care, that an article in behalf of
+the refugees, admitting their return to France, should be inserted in
+the treaty of peace. They write from Hanover of the 14th, that his
+electoral highness had received an express from Count Merci,
+representing how necessary it was to the common cause, that he would
+please to hasten to the Rhine; for that nothing but his presence could
+quicken the measures towards bringing the imperial army into the field.
+There are very many speculations upon the intended interview of the King
+of Denmark and King Augustus. The latter has made such preparations for
+the reception of the other, that it is said his Danish Majesty will be
+entertained in Saxony with much more elegance than he met with in Italy
+itself.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 18th instant, N.S., say, that his Grace
+the Duke of Marlborough landed the night before at the Brill, after
+having been kept out at sea by adverse winds two days longer than is
+usual in that passage. His Excellency the Lord Townshend, her Majesty's
+ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the States-General, was
+driven into the Veere in Zealand on Thursday last, from whence he came
+to the Hague within few hours after the arrival of his grace. The duke,
+soon after his coming to the Hague, had a visit from the Pensioner of
+Holland. All things relating to the peace were in suspense till this
+interview; nor is it yet known what resolutions will be taken on that
+subject; for the troops of the Allies have fresh orders despatched to
+them to move from their respective quarters, and march with all
+expedition to the frontiers, where the enemy are making their utmost
+efforts for the defence of their country. These advices further inform
+us, that the Marquis de Torcy had received an answer from the Court of
+France to his letters which he had sent thither by an express on the
+Friday before.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff has received letters from Mr. Coltstaff, Mr. Whipstaff,
+and Mrs. Rebecca Wagstaff; all which relate chiefly to their being left
+out in the genealogy of the family lately published;[203] but my cousin
+being a clerk in the Heralds' Office who writ that draught, and being at
+present under the displeasure of the chapter, it is feared, if that
+matter should be touched upon at this time, the young gentleman would
+lose his place for treason against the Kings at Arms.[204]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 194: Sir Richard Blackmore. See No. 3.]
+
+[Footnote 195: Sir John Holt (see _Examiner_, vol. iv. No. 14) was born
+in 1642, made Recorder of London and knighted in 1686, and appointed
+Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1689, a position which he filled
+very ably and impartially for twenty-one years. He died March 5, 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 196: Britain.]
+
+[Footnote 197: According to a MS. note in the copy of the Tatler
+referred to in a note to No. 4, these justices were "Sir H. C---- and
+Mr. C----r." Who the latter was I do not know; the former appears to be
+meant for Sir Henry Colt, of whom Luttrell gives some particulars. In
+April 1694, a Bill was found against Sir Henry Colt and Mr. Lake, son to
+the late Bishop of Chichester, for fighting a duel in St. James's Park;
+the trial was to be on May 31. Sir Henry Colt, a Justice of the Peace,
+had a duel with Beau Feilding on the 11th January, 1696, and Colt was
+run through the body. A reward of £200 was offered for Feilding's
+arrest, and he was captured in March; but in the following month he was
+set at liberty upon Colt promising not to prosecute. In July 1698, Colt
+unsuccessfully contested Westminster, and in December the Committee of
+Privileges decided that his petition against the return of Mr.
+Chancellor Montague and Mr. Secretary Vernon was vexatious, frivolous
+and scandalous; and Colt was put out of the commission of the peace for
+Westminster and Middlesex. In 1701, he became M.P. for Westminster, for
+one Parliament only. In August 1702, he was again displaced from being a
+Justice for Westminster. In July 1708, he was defeated at Westminster,
+and the petition which he lodged against Mr. Medlicot's election was
+dismissed, after Huggins, the head bailiff, had been examined.]
+
+[Footnote 198: By John Banks, 1685.]
+
+[Footnote 199: Robert Wilks died in 1732, age 62. See No. 182, and the
+_Spectator_, Nos. 268, 370: "When I am commending Wilks for representing
+the tenderness of a husband and a father in 'Macbeth', the contrition of
+a reformed prodigal in 'Harry the Fourth', the winning emptiness of a
+young man of good-nature and wealth in 'The Trip to the Jubilee', the
+officiousness of an artful servant in 'The Fox', when thus I celebrate
+Wilks, I talk to all the world who are engaged in any of those
+circumstances."]
+
+[Footnote 200: Ben Jonson's "Alchemist" was published in 1610.]
+
+[Footnote 201: Duncan Campbell, who is best known through Defoe's
+"History of the Life and Adventures of Mr. Duncan Campbell, a gentleman,
+who, though deaf and dumb, writes down any strange name at first sight,
+with their future contingencies of fortune," 1720. Several other books
+about Campbell appeared, and some said that he only pretended to be deaf
+and dumb. Campbell had a very large number of clients (_Spectator_, No.
+560). He died in 1730.]
+
+[Footnote 202: The name of this quack was Kirleus. He pretended to
+extraordinary endowments, on the score of his having been introduced
+into the world by means of the Cesarean operation. In the _Examiner_,
+vol. i. No. 49, original edition in folio, there is among the
+advertisements subjoined, July 5, 1711, notice given that some of his
+nostrums, which had been tested for fifty years, were to be had of "Mary
+Kirleus, widow of John Kirleus, son of Dr. Tho. Kirleus, a sworn
+physician in ordinary to K. Charles II." Nichols says that there were
+two male and two female quacks of the name of Kirleus; Thomas the
+father, and his son John, Susannah the widow of Thomas, and Mary the
+relict of John; but it does not appear that any of them all were rich.
+The women, after the decease of their husbands, engaged in a paper war,
+which was carried on about this time in polemical advertisements. Dr.
+Kirleus and Dr. Case (see No. 20) are said to have been sent for to
+prescribe to Partridge in his last illness. Garth ("Dispensary," canto
+iii.) wrote:
+
+    "Whole troops of quacks shall join us on the place,
+    From great Kirleus down to Doctor Case."
+
+"In Grays-Inn-lane in Plow-yard, the third door, lives Dr. Thomas
+Kirleus, a Collegiate Physician and sworn Physician in Ordinary to King
+Charles the Second until his death; who with a drink and pill (hindring
+no business) undertakes to cure any ulcers," &c. &c. "Take heed whom you
+trust in physick, for it's become a common cheat to profess it. He gives
+his opinion to all that writes or comes for nothing" (_Athenian
+Mercury_, February 13, 1694). See also _Tatler_, Nos. 41, 226, 240.]
+
+[Footnote 203: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 204: "Castabella's complaint is come to hand" (folio). See No.
+16.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 15. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 12_, to _Saturday, May 14_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 12.
+
+I have taken a resolution hereafter, on any want of intelligence, to
+carry my familiar abroad with me, who has promised to give me very
+proper and just notices of persons and things, to make up the history of
+the passing day. He is wonderfully skilful in the knowledge of men and
+manners, which has made me more than ordinary curious to know how he
+came to that perfection, and I communicated to him that doubt. "Mr.
+Pacolet," said I, "I am mightily surprised to see you so good a judge of
+our nature and circumstances, since you are a mere spirit, and have no
+knowledge of the bodily part of us." He answered, smiling, "You are
+mistaken, I have been one of you, and lived a month amongst you, which
+gives me an exact sense of your condition. You are to know, that all who
+enter into human life, have a certain date or stamen given to their
+being, which they only who die of age may be said to have arrived at;
+but it is ordered sometimes by fate, that such as die infants, are after
+death to attend mankind to the end of that stamen of being in
+themselves, which was broke off by sickness or any other disaster. These
+are proper guardians to men, as being sensible of the infirmity of their
+state. You are philosopher enough to know, that the difference of men's
+understanding proceeds only from the various dispositions of their
+organs; so that he who dies at a month old, is in the next life as
+knowing (though more innocent) as they who live to fifty; and after
+death, they have as perfect a memory and judgment of all that passed in
+their lifetime, as I have of all the revolutions in that uneasy,
+turbulent condition of yours; and, you'd say, I had enough of it in a
+month, were I to tell you all my misfortunes." "A life of a month, can't
+have, one would think, much variety; but pray," said I, "let us have
+your story."
+
+Then he proceeds in the following manner:
+
+"It was one of the most wealthy families in Great Britain into which I
+was born, and it was a very great happiness to me that it so happened,
+otherwise I had still, in all probability, been living: but I shall
+recount to you all the occurrences of my short and miserable existence,
+just as, by examining into the traces made in my brain, they appeared
+to me at that time. The first thing that ever struck my senses, was a
+noise over my head of one shrieking; after which, methought I took a
+full jump, and found myself in the hands of a sorceress, who seemed as
+if she had been long waking and employed in some incantation: I was
+thoroughly frightened, and cried out, but she immediately seemed to go
+on in some magical operation, and anointed me from head to foot. What
+they meant I could not imagine; for there gathered a great crowd about
+me, crying, 'An heir, an heir'; upon which I grew a little still, and
+believed this was a ceremony to be used only to great persons, and such
+as made them, what they called, Heirs. I lay very quiet; but the witch,
+for no manner of reason or provocation in the world, takes me and binds
+my head as hard as possibly she could, then ties up both my legs, and
+makes me swallow down a horrid mixture; I thought it a harsh entrance
+into life to begin with taking physic; but I was forced to it, or else
+must have taken down a great instrument in which she gave it me. When I
+was thus dressed, I was carried to a bedside, where a fine young lady
+(my mother I wot) had like to have hugged me to death. From her, they
+faced me about, and there was a thing with quite another look from the
+rest of the room, to whom they talked about my nose. He seemed
+wonderfully pleased to see me; but I knew since, my nose belonged to
+another family. That into which I was born, is one of the most numerous
+amongst you; therefore crowds of relations came every day to
+congratulate my arrival; among others, my cousin Betty, the greatest
+romp in nature; she whisks me such a height over her head, that I cried
+out for fear of falling. She pinched me, and called me squealing chit,
+and threw me into a girl's arms that was taken in to tend me. The girl
+was very proud of the womanly employment of a nurse, and took upon her
+to strip and dress me anew, because I made a noise, to see what ailed
+me: she did so, and stuck a pin in every joint about me. I still cried:
+upon which, she lays me on my face in her lap; and to quiet me, fell a
+nailing in all the pins, by clapping me on the back, and screaming a
+lullaby. But my pain made me exalt my voice above hers, which brought up
+the nurse, the witch I first saw, and my grandmother. The girl is turned
+down stairs, and I stripped again, as well to find out what ailed me, as
+to satisfy my granam's further curiosity. This good old woman's visit
+was the cause of all my troubles. You are to understand, that I was
+hitherto bred by hand, and anybody that stood next, gave me pap, if I
+did but open my lips; insomuch, that I was grown so cunning, as to
+pretend myself asleep when I was not, to prevent my being crammed. But
+my grandmother began a loud lecture upon the idleness of the wives of
+this age, who, for fear of their shape, forbear suckling their own
+offspring; and ten nurses were immediately sent for; one was whispered
+to have a wanton eye, and would soon spoil her milk; another was in a
+consumption; the third had an ill voice, and would frighten me, instead
+of lulling me to sleep. Such exceptions were made against all but one
+country milch-wench, to whom I was committed, and put to the breast.
+This careless jade was eternally romping with the footmen, and downright
+starved me; insomuch that I daily pined away, and should never have been
+relieved, had it not been, that on the thirtieth day of my life, a
+fellow of the Royal Society,[205] who had writ upon Cold Baths, came to
+visit me, and solemnly protested, I was utterly lost for want of that
+method: upon which he soused me head and ears into a pail of water,
+where I had the good fortune to be drowned, and so escaped being lashed
+into a linguist till sixteen, running after wenches till twenty-five,
+and being married to an ill-natured wife till sixty: which had certainly
+been my fate, had not the enchantment between body and soul been broke
+by this philosopher. Thus, till the age I should have otherwise lived, I
+am obliged to watch the steps of men; and if you please, shall accompany
+you in your present walks, and get you intelligence from the aërial
+lackey, who is in waiting, what are the thoughts and purposes of any
+whom you inquire for." I accepted his kind offer, and immediately took
+him with me in a hack to White's.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 13.
+
+We got in hither, and my companion threw a powder round us, that made me
+as invisible as himself; so that we could see and hear all others;
+ourselves unseen and unheard.
+
+The first thing we took notice of, was a nobleman of a goodly and frank
+aspect, with his generous birth and temper visible in it, playing at
+cards with a creature of a black and horrid countenance, wherein were
+plainly delineated the arts of his mind, cozenage and falsehood. They
+were marking their game with counters, on which we could see
+inscriptions, imperceptible to any but us. My lord had scored with
+pieces of ivory, on which were writ, Good Fame, Glory, Riches, Honour,
+and Posterity. The spectre over against him had on his counters the
+inscriptions of, Dishonour, Impudence, Poverty, Ignorance, and Want of
+Shame. "Bless me!" said I, "sure my lord does not see what he plays
+for!" "As well as I do," says Pacolet. "He despises that fellow he
+plays with, and scorns himself for making him his companion." At the
+very instant he was speaking, I saw the fellow who played with my lord,
+hide two cards in the roll of his stocking: Pacolet immediately stole
+them from thence; upon which the nobleman soon after won the game. The
+little triumph he appeared in, when he got such a trifling stock of
+ready money, though he had ventured so great sums with indifference,
+increased my admiration. But Pacolet began to talk to me. "Mr. Isaac,
+this to you looks wonderful, but not at all to us higher beings: that
+noble has as many good qualities as any man of his order, and seems to
+have no faults but what, as I may say, are excrescences from virtues: he
+is generous to a prodigality, more affable than is consistent with his
+quality, and courageous to a rashness. Yet, after all this, the source
+of his whole conduct is (though he would hate himself if he knew it)
+mere avarice. The ready cash laid before the gamester's counters makes
+him venture, as you see, and lay distinction against infamy, abundance
+against want; in a word, all that's desirable against all that's to be
+avoided." "However," said I, "be sure you disappoint the sharpers
+to-night, and steal from them all the cards they hide." Pacolet obeyed
+me, and my lord went home with their whole bank in his pocket.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 13.
+
+To-night was acted a second time a comedy, called "The Busy Body:"[206]
+this play is written by a lady. In old times, we used to sit upon a play
+here after it was acted; but now the entertainment is turned another
+way; not but there are considerable men appear in all ages, who, for
+some eminent quality or invention, deserve the esteem and thanks of the
+public. Such a benefactor is a gentleman of this house, who is observed
+by the surgeons with much envy; for he has invented an engine for the
+prevention of harms by love adventures, and by great care and
+application, hath made it an immodesty to name his name. This act of
+self-denial has gained this worthy member of the commonwealth a great
+reputation. Some lawgivers have departed from their abodes for ever, and
+commanded the observation of their laws till their return; others have
+used other artifices to fly the applause of their merit; but this person
+shuns glory with greater address, and has, by giving his engine his own
+name, made it obscene to speak of him more. However, he is ranked among,
+and received by the modern wits, as a great promoter of gallantry and
+pleasure. But I fear, pleasure is less understood in this age, which so
+much pretends to it, than in any since the creation. It was admirably
+said of him who first took notice, that (_res est severa voluptas_)
+there is a certain severity in pleasure. Without that, all decency is
+banished; and if reason is not to be present at our greatest
+satisfactions, of all the races of creatures, the human is the most
+miserable. It was not so of old; when Virgil describes a wit, he always
+means a virtuous man; and all his sentiments of men of genius are such
+as show persons distinguished from the common level of mankind; such as
+placed happiness in the contempt of low fears, and mean gratifications:
+fears, which we are subject to with the vulgar; and pleasures, which we
+have in common with beasts. With these illustrious personages, the
+wisest man was the greatest wit; and none was thought worthy of that
+character, unless he answered this excellent description of the poet:
+
+    _Qui--metus omnes et inexorabile fatum
+    Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari._[207]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 13.
+
+We had this morning advice, that some English merchant-ships, convoyed
+by the _Bristol_ of fifty-four guns, were met with by a part of Mons. du
+Guy Trouin's squadron, who engaged the convoy. That ship defended itself
+till the English merchants got clear of the enemy, but being disabled
+was herself taken. Within few hours after, my Lord Dursley[208] came up
+with part of his squadron and engaging the French, retook the _Bristol_
+(which being very much shattered, sunk), and took the _Glorieux_, a ship
+of forty-four guns, as also a privateer of fourteen. Before this action,
+his lordship had taken two French merchant-men; and had, at the despatch
+of these advices, brought the whole safe into Plymouth.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 205: Probably William Oliver, M.D., F.R.S., who published a
+Dissertation on Bath waters, and cold baths, in 1709 (_Flying Post_,
+Feb. 10 to 12, 1709). Sir John Floyer's "Inquiry into the right Use and
+Abuses of the Hot, Cold, and Temperate Baths in England, &c.," appeared
+in 1697.]
+
+[Footnote 206: By Mrs. Susannah Centlivre, a lady of Whig views, who was
+possessed of considerable beauty. (See also No. 19.) Isaac Bickerstaff
+had promised a prologue to "The Busy Body" before it was to be first
+played, as appears from a poetical epistle of Mrs. Centlivre, claiming
+the performance of such a promise, printed by Charles Lillie ("Orig.
+Letters to _Tatler_ and _Spectator_" vol. ii. pp. 33, 34). Leigh Hunt
+("The Town") suggests that Pope put Mrs. Centlivre in the "Dunciad" (ii.
+410--"At last Centlivre felt her voice to fail") on account of her
+intimacy with Steele and other friends of Addison. Mrs. Centlivre
+(1667-1723) married, as her second husband, Mr. Carrol, a gentleman of
+the army, and afterwards Mr. Joseph Centlivre, principal cook to Queen
+Anne, 1706.]
+
+[Footnote 207: Virgil, "Georgics," ii. 492.]
+
+[Footnote 208: In November 1709, James Viscount Dursley was raised to
+the rank of Vice-Admiral of the Blue. Next year he succeeded his father
+in the title of Earl of Berkeley.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 16. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 14_, to _Tuesday, May 17_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 15.
+
+Sir Thomas,[209] of this house, has shown me some letters from the Bath,
+which give accounts of what passes among the good company of that place;
+and allowed me to transcribe one of them, that seems to be writ by some
+of Sir Thomas' particular acquaintances, and is as follows:
+
+"DEAR KNIGHT,
+
+"I desire you would give my humble service to all our friends, which I
+speak of to you (out of method) in the very beginning of my epistle,
+lest the present disorders, by which this seat of gallantry and pleasure
+is torn to pieces, should make me forget it. You keep so good company,
+that you know Bath is stocked with such as come hither to be relieved
+from luxuriant health, or imaginary sickness, and consequently is always
+as well stowed with gallants as invalids, who live together in a very
+good understanding. But the season is so early, that our fine company is
+not yet arrived: and the warm Bath, which in heathen times was dedicated
+to Venus, is now used only by such as really want it for health's sake.
+There are however a good many strangers, among whom are two ambitious
+ladies, who being both in the autumn of their life, take the opportunity
+of placing themselves at the head of such as we are, before the Chloes,
+Clarissas, and Pastorellas come down. One of these two is excessively
+in pain, that the ugly being called Time will make wrinkles in spite of
+the lead forehead-cloth; and therefore hides, with the gaiety of her
+air, the volubility of her tongue, and quickness of her motion, the
+injuries which it has done her. The other lady is but two years behind
+her in life, and dreads as much being laid aside as the former, and
+consequently has taken the necessary precautions to prevent her reign
+over us. But she is very discreet, and wonderfully turned for ambition,
+being never apparently transported either with affection or malice.
+Thus, while Florimel is talking in public, and spreading her graces in
+assemblies, to gain a popular dominion over our diversions, Prudentia
+visits very cunningly all the lame, the splenetic, and the
+superannuated, who have their distinct classes of followers and friends.
+Among these, she has found that some body has sent down printed
+certificates of Florimel's age, which she has read and distributed to
+this unjoyful set of people, who are always enemies to those in
+possession of the good opinion of the company. This unprovoked injury
+done by Prudentia, was the first occasion of our fatal divisions here,
+and a declaration of war between these rivals. Florimel has abundance of
+wit, which she has lavished in decrying Prudentia, and giving defiance
+to her little arts. For an instance of her superior power, she bespoke
+the play of 'Alexander the Great,'[210] to be acted by the company of
+strollers, and desired us all to be there on Thursday last. When she
+spoke to me to come, 'As you are,' said she, 'a lover, you will not fail
+the death of Alexander: the passion of love is wonderfully hit--Statira!
+Oh that happy woman--to have a conqueror at her feet--but you will be
+sure to be there.' I, and several others, resolved to be of her party.
+But see the irresistible strength of that unsuspected creature, a silent
+woman. Prudentia had counterplotted us, and had bespoke on the same
+evening the puppet-show of 'The Creation of the World.'[211] She had
+engaged everybody to be there, and, to turn our leader into ridicule,
+had secretly let them know, that the puppet Eve was made the most like
+Florimel that ever was seen. On Thursday morning the puppet-drummer,
+Adam and Eve, and several others who lived before the Flood, passed
+through the streets on horseback, to invite us all to the pastime, and
+the representation of such things as we all knew to be true; and Mr.
+Mayor was so wise as to prefer these innocent people the puppets, who,
+he said, were to represent Christians, before the wicked players, who
+were to show Alexander, a heathen philosopher. To be short, this
+Prudentia had so laid it, that at ten of the clock footmen were sent to
+take places at the puppet-show, and all we of Florimel's party were to
+be out of fashion, or desert her. We chose the latter. All the world
+crowded to Prudentia's house, because it was given out, nobody could get
+in. When we came to Noah's flood in the show, Punch and his wife were
+introduced dancing in the Ark. An honest plain friend of Florimel's, but
+a critic withal, rose up in the midst of the representation, and made
+many very good exceptions to the drama itself, and told us, that it was
+against all morality, as well as rules of the stage, that Punch should
+be in jest in the Deluge, or indeed that he should appear at all. This
+was certainly a just remark, and I thought to second him; but he was
+hissed by Prudentia's party; upon which, really, Sir Thomas, we who were
+his friends, hissed him too. Old Mrs. Petulant desired both her
+daughters to mind the moral; then whispered Mrs. Mayoress, 'This is very
+proper for young people to see.' Punch at the end of the play made Madam
+Prudentia a compliment, and was very civil to the whole company, making
+bows till his buttons touched the ground. All was carried triumphantly
+against our party. In the meantime Florimel went to the tragedy, dressed
+as fine as hands could make her, in hopes to see Prudentia pine away
+with envy. Instead of that, she sat a full hour alone, and at last was
+entertained with this whole relation from Statira, who wiped her eyes
+with her tragical-cut handkerchief, and lamented the ignorance of the
+quality. Florimel was stung with this affront, and the next day bespoke
+the puppet-show. Prudentia, insolent with power, bespoke 'Alexander.'
+The whole company came then to 'Alexander.' Madam Petulant desired her
+daughters to mind the moral, and believe no man's fair words; 'For
+you'll see, children,' said she, 'these soldiers are never to be
+depended upon; they are sometimes here, sometimes there--don't you see,
+daughter Betty, Colonel Clod, our next neighbour in the country, pulls
+off his hat to you? Courtesy, good child, his estate is just by us.'
+Florimel was now mortified down to Prudentia's humour; and Prudentia
+exalted into hers. This was observed: Florimel invites us to the play a
+second time, Prudentia to the show. See the uncertainty of human
+affairs! The beaux, the wits, the gamesters, the prues,[212] the
+coquettes, the valetudinarians, and gallants, all now wait upon
+Florimel. Such is the state of things at this present date; and if there
+happens any new commotions, you shall have immediate advice from,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your affectionate Friend
+
+"and Servant.
+
+"Bath, _May 11_, 1709."
+
+#"_To Castabella._#
+
+"MADAM,
+
+I have the honour of a letter from a friend of yours, relating to an
+incivility done to you at the opera, by one of your own sex; but I, who
+was an eye-witness of the accident, can testify to you, that though she
+pressed before you, she lost her ends in that design; for she was taken
+notice of for no other reason, but her endeavours to hide a finer woman
+than herself. But indeed, I dare not go farther in this matter, than
+just this bare mention; for though it was taking your place of right,
+rather than place of precedence, yet it is so tender a point, and on
+which the very life of female ambition depends, that it is of the last
+consequence to meddle in it: all my hopes are from your beautiful sex;
+and those bright eyes, which are the bane of others, are my only
+sunshine. My writings are sacred to you; and I hope I shall always have
+the good fortune to live under your protection; therefore take this
+public opportunity to signify to all the world, that I design to forbear
+anything that may in the least tend to the diminution of your interest,
+reputation, or power. You will therefore forgive me, that I strive to
+conceal every wrong step made by any who have the honour to wear
+petticoats; and shall at all times do what is in my power, to make all
+mankind as much their slaves as myself. If they would consider things as
+they ought, there needs not much argument to convince them, that it is
+their fate to be obedient to you, and that your greatest rebels do only
+serve with a worse grace.
+
+"I am, Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient, and
+
+"most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.
+
+"_May 16._"
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 16.
+
+Letters from the Hague, bearing date the 21st instant, N.S., advise,
+that his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, immediately after his arrival,
+sent his secretary to the President and the Pensionary, to acquaint them
+therewith. Soon after, these Ministers visited the duke, and made him
+compliments in the name of the States-General; after which they entered
+into a conference with him on the present posture of affairs, and gave
+his grace assurances of the firm adherence of the States to the
+alliance: at the same time acquainting him, that all overtures of peace
+were rejected, till they had an opportunity of acting in concert with
+their allies on that subject. After this interview, the Pensionary and
+the President returned to the assembly of the States. Monsieur Torcy has
+had a conference at the Pensioner's house with his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough, Prince Eugene, and his Excellency the Lord Townshend. The
+result of what was debated at that time is kept secret; but there
+appears an air of satisfaction and good understanding between these
+Ministers. We are apt also to give ourselves very hopeful prospects from
+Monsieur Torcy's being employed in this negotiation, who has been always
+remarkable for a particular way of thinking, in his sense of the
+greatness of France; which he has always said, was to be promoted rather
+by the arts of peace, than those of war. His delivering himself freely
+on this subject, has formerly appeared an unsuccessful way to power in
+that Court; but in its present circumstances, those maxims are better
+received; and it is thought a certain argument of the sincerity of the
+French king's intentions, that this Minister is at present made use of.
+The marquis is to return to Paris within few days, who has sent a
+courier thither to give notice of the reasons of his return, that the
+Court may be the sooner able to despatch commissions for a formal
+treaty.
+
+The expectations of peace are increased by advices from Paris of the
+17th instant, which say, the Dauphin hath altered his resolution of
+commanding in Flanders the ensuing campaign. The Saxon and Prussian
+reinforcements, together with Count Merci's regiment of Imperial horse,
+are encamped in the neighbourhood of Brussels; and sufficient stores of
+corn and forage are transported to that place and Ghent for the service
+of the confederate army.
+
+They write from Mons, that the Elector of Bavaria had advice, that an
+advanced party of the Portuguese army had been defeated by the
+Spaniards.
+
+We hear from Languedoc, that their corn, olives and figs, were wholly
+destroyed; but that they have a hopeful prospect of a plentiful vintage.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 209: The nickname of a waiter at White's (see No. 1).]
+
+[Footnote 210: "The Rival Queens; or, Alexander the Great," by Nathaniel
+Lee, 1677.]
+
+[Footnote 211: The following advertisement is among the Harleian MSS.
+(Bayford's Coll. 5931): "At Crawley's show at the Golden Lion, near St.
+George's Church, during the time of Southwark Fair, will be presented
+the whole story of the old 'Creation of the World, or Paradise Lost,'
+yet newly revived with the addition of 'Noah's Flood'; &c. The best
+known puppet-show man was Martin Powell. (See No. 236.)]
+
+[Footnote 212: So in the folio and original collected editions. "Prue"
+was Steele's favourite name for his wife; here it means "prude," and no
+doubt Steele sometimes thought "dear Prue" was unnecessarily and
+unreasonably particular.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 17. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 17_, to _Thursday, May 19_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 18.
+
+The discourse has happened to turn this evening upon the true nature of
+panegyric, the perfection of which was asserted to consist in a certain
+artful way of conveying the applause in an indirect manner. There was a
+gentleman gave us several instances of it: among others, he quoted, from
+Sir Francis Bacon, in his "Advancement of Learning," a very great
+compliment made to Tiberius, as follows: In a full debate upon public
+affairs in the Senate, one of the assembly rose up, and with a very
+grave air said, he thought it for the honour and dignity of the
+commonwealth, that Tiberius should be declared a god, and have divine
+worship paid him. The Emperor was surprised at the proposal, and
+demanded of him to declare whether he had made any application to
+incline him to that overture? The senator answered, with a bold and
+haughty tone, "Sir, in matters that concern the commonwealth, I will be
+governed by no man."[213] Another gentleman mentioned something of the
+same kind spoken by the late Duke of B----m,[214] to the late Earl of
+O----y:[215] "My lord," says the duke, after his libertine way, "you
+will certainly be damned." "How, my lord!" says the earl with some
+warmth. "Nay," said the duke, "there's no help for it, for it is
+positively said, 'Cursed is he of whom all men speak well.'"[216] This
+is taking a man by surprise, and being welcome when you have so
+surprised him. The person flattered receives you into his closet at
+once; and the sudden change in his heart, from the expectation of an
+ill-wisher, to find you his friend, makes you in his full favour in a
+moment. The spirits that were raised so suddenly against you, are as
+suddenly for you. There was another instance given of this kind at the
+table: a gentleman who had a very great favour done him, and an
+employment bestowed upon him, without so much as being known to his
+benefactor, waited upon the great man who was so generous, and was
+beginning to say, he was infinitely obliged. "Not at all," says the
+patron, turning from him to another, "had I known a more deserving man
+in England, he should not have had it."
+
+We should certainly have had more examples, had not a gentleman
+produced a book which he thought an instance of this kind: it was a
+pamphlet, called, "The Naked Truth."[217] The idea any one would have
+of that work from the title, was, that there would be much plain
+dealing with people in power, and that we should see things in their
+proper light, stripped of the ornaments which are usually given to the
+actions of the great: but the skill of this author is such, that he
+has, under that rugged appearance, approved himself the finest
+gentleman and courtier that ever writ. The language is extremely
+sublime, and not at all to be understood by the vulgar: the sentiments
+are such as would make no figure in ordinary words; but such is the
+art of the expression, and the thoughts are elevated to so high a
+degree, that I question whether the discourse will sell much. There
+was an ill-natured fellow present, who hates all panegyric mortally.
+"P---- take him!" said he, "what the devil means his 'Naked Truth,'
+in speaking nothing but to the advantage of all whom he mentions?
+This is just such a great action as that of the champion's on a
+coronation day, who challenges all mankind to dispute with him the
+right of the sovereign, surrounded with his guards." The gentleman
+who produced the treatise, desired him to be cautious, and said, it
+was writ by an excellent soldier, which made the company observe it
+more narrowly: and, as critics are the greatest conjurers at finding
+out a known truth, one said, he was sure it was writ by the hand of
+his sword-arm. I could not perceive much wit in that expression: but
+it raised a laugh, and I suppose, was meant as a sneer upon valiant men.
+The same man pretended to see in the style, that it was a horse officer;
+but sure that's being too nice: for though you may know officers of the
+cavalry by the turn of their feet, I can't imagine how you should
+discern their hands from those of other men. But it is always thus with
+pedants, they will ever be carping; if a gentleman or a man of honour
+puts pen to paper, I don't doubt, but this author will find this
+assertion too true, and that obloquy is not repulsed by the force of
+arms. I will therefore set this excellent piece in a light too glaring
+for weak eyes, and, in imitation of the critic Longinus, shall, as well
+as I can, make my observations in a style like the author's, of whom I
+treat; which perhaps I am as capable of as another, having an unbounded
+force of thinking, as well as a most exquisite address, extensively and
+wisely indulged to me by the supreme powers. My author, I will dare to
+assert, shows the most universal knowledge of any writer who has
+appeared this century. He is a poet, and merchant, which is seen in two
+master-words, Credit Blossoms. He is a grammarian, and a politician; for
+he says, the uniting the two kingdoms is the emphasis of the security to
+the Protestant Succession. Some would be apt to say he is a conjurer;
+for he has found that a republic is not made up of every body of
+animals, but is composed of men only, and not of horses. Liberty and
+property have chosen their retreat within the emulating circle of a
+human commonwealth. He is a physician; for he says, "I observe a
+constant equality in its pulse, and a just quickness of its vigorous
+circulation." And again: "I view the strength of our Constitution
+plainly appear in the sanguine and ruddy complexion of a well-contented
+city." He is a divine; for he says, "I cannot but bless myself." And
+indeed, this excellent treatise has had that good effect upon me, who am
+far from being superstitious, that I, also, can't but bless myself.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 18.
+
+This day arrived a mail from Lisbon, with letters of the 13th instant,
+N.S., containing a particular account of the late action in Portugal. On
+the 7th instant, the army of Portugal, under the command of the Marquis
+de Frontera, lay on the side of the Caya, and the army of the Duke of
+Anjou, commanded by the Marquis de Bay, on the other. The latter
+commander having an ambition to ravage the country, in a manner in sight
+of the Portuguese, made a motion with the whole body of his horse toward
+Fort St. Christopher, near the town of Badajos. The generals of the
+Portuguese, disdaining that such an insult should be offered to their
+arms, took a resolution to pass the river, and oppose the designs of the
+enemy. The Earl of Galway represented to them, that the present posture
+of affairs was such on the side of the Allies, that there needed no more
+to be done at present in that country, but to carry on a defensive part.
+But his arguments could not avail in the council of war. Upon which, a
+great detachment of foot, and the whole of the horse of the King of
+Portugal's army, passed the river, and with some pieces of cannon did
+good execution on the enemy. Upon observing this, the Marquis de Bay
+advanced with his horse, and attacked the right wing of the Portuguese
+cavalry, who faced about, and fled, without standing the first
+encounter. But their foot repulsed the same body of horse in three
+successive charges, with great order and resolution. While this was
+transacting, the British general commanded the brigade of Pearce to
+keep the enemy in diversion by a new attack. This was so well executed,
+that the Portuguese infantry had time to retire in good order, and
+repass the river. But that brigade, which rescued them, was itself
+surrounded by the enemy, and Major-General Sarkey, Brigadier Pearce,
+together with both their regiments, and that of the Lord Galway, lately
+raised, were taken prisoners.
+
+During the engagement, the Earl of Barrymore having advanced too far to
+give some necessary order, was hemmed in by a squadron of the enemy; but
+found means to gallop up to the brigade of Pearce, with which he remains
+also a prisoner. My Lord Galway had his horse shot under him in this
+action; and the Conde de St. Juan, a Portuguese general, was taken
+prisoner. The same night the army encamped at Aronches, and on the 9th
+moved to Elvas, where they lay when these despatches came away. Colonel
+Stanwix's regiment is also taken. The whole of this affair has given the
+Portuguese a great idea of the capacity and courage of my Lord Galway,
+against whose advice they entered upon this unfortunate affair, and by
+whose conduct they were rescued from it. The prodigious constancy and
+resolution of that great man is hardly to be paralleled, who, under the
+oppression of a maimed body, and the reflection of repeated ill fortune,
+goes on with an unspeakable alacrity in the service of the common cause.
+He has already put things in a very good posture after this ill
+accident, and made the necessary dispositions for covering the country
+from any further attempt of the enemy, who lie still in the camp they
+were in before the battle.
+
+Letters from Brussels, dated the 25th instant, advise, that
+notwithstanding the negotiations of a peace seem so far advanced, that
+some do confidently report the preliminaries of a treaty to be actually
+agreed on; yet the Allies hasten their preparations for opening the
+campaign; and the forces of the Empire, the Prussians, the Danes, the
+Wirtembergers, the Palatines, and Saxon auxiliaries, are in motion
+towards the general rendezvous, they being already arrived in the
+neighbourhood of Brussels. These advices add, that the deputies of the
+States of Holland having made a general review of the troops in
+Flanders, set out for Antwerp on the 21st instant from that place. On
+the same day the Prince Royal of Prussia came thither _incognito_, with
+a design to make the ensuing campaign under his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough.
+
+This day is published a treatise called, "The Difference between Scandal
+and Admonition." By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; and on the 1st of July
+next, you may expect, "A Prophecy of Things Past; wherein the Art of
+Fortune-telling is laid open to the meanest capacity." And on the Monday
+following, "Choice Sentences for the Company of Masons and Bricklayers,
+to be put upon new Houses, with a translation of all the Latin sentences
+that have been built of late years, together with a comment upon stone
+walls," by the same hand.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 213: See Tacitus, "Annals," i. 8.]
+
+[Footnote 214: George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.]
+
+[Footnote 215: Roger Boyle, Earl of Orrery.]
+
+[Footnote 216: Luke vi. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 217: Like Nichols, I have not been able to see a copy of this
+pamphlet, or the defence of it, mentioned in No. 21; but a letter from
+Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, dated 20 May, 1709, throws some light on
+the matter: "Dear Brother, ... Brigadeer Crowder of late has made some
+talk in the Coffee Houses upon a peice he has lately been pleased to
+print, he did me the favour to show it me some time agoe in manuscript,
+and I complymented him with desiring a coppy of it, that I might have
+the pleasure of reading it more than once, and that I might communicate
+the like sattisfaction to you by sending it to Berlin. He told me it had
+the approbation of very ingenious men and good scholars, and his very
+good friends who had persuaded him to print it, and then you, as he
+always esteem'd to be such, shou'd be sure to have one. The day before
+yesterday he perform'd his promise but desir'd I wou'd not tell you
+directly who was the author, but recommend it to you with his most
+humble service, as from a friend of his. Yesterday came out this
+_Tatler_, and tho' I reckon myself a little base after all the fine
+complyments he made me upon my great judgment, I can't forbear sending
+it you as a fine peice of rallery upon his elaborate work, which I can
+assure you he has not been a little proud of. I han't seen him since to
+know if this _Tatler_ has given him any mortification. I know before he
+was prepar'd for the censorious, for he said lett people say what they
+wou'd, he was sure the intention was good, and his meaning for the
+service of the public. I am sorry he has printed, for he's very civill
+to me, and always profess a great respect for you, and I wou'd have none
+that does so exposed" ("Wentworth Papers," pp. 86-7). See No. 46. A
+writer in "Notes and Queries" (7 S. iii. 526), in reply to a question of
+mine, stated that there is a copy of "Naked Truth," 4to, 1709, in the
+Bamburgh Castle Library. The pamphlet is anonymous, but is ascribed in
+the catalogue to Colonel Crowder. In May 1710, Thomas Crowther was made
+a Major-General (Pointer's "Chron. History," ii. 679).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 18. [STEELE AND ADDISON.[218]
+
+From _Thursday, May 19_, to _Saturday, May 21_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 20.
+
+It is observed too often, that men of wit do so much employ their
+thoughts upon fine speculations, that things useful to mankind are
+wholly neglected; and they are busy in making emendations upon some
+enclitics in a Greek author, while obvious things, that every man may
+have use for, are wholly overlooked. It would be a happy thing, if such
+as have real capacities for public service, were employed in works of
+general use; but because a thing is everybody's business, it is nobody's
+business: this is for want of public spirit. As for my part, who am only
+a student, and a man of no great interest, I can only remark things, and
+recommend the correction of them to higher powers. There is an offence I
+have a thousand times lamented, but fear I shall never see remedied;
+which is, that in a nation where learning is so frequent as in Great
+Britain, there should be so many gross errors as there are in the very
+directions of things, wherein accuracy is necessary for the conduct of
+life. This is notoriously observed by all men of letters when they first
+come to town (at which time they are usually curious that way) in the
+inscriptions on sign-posts. I have cause to know this matter as well as
+anybody; for I have (when I went to Merchant Taylors' School) suffered
+stripes for spelling after the signs I observed in my way; though at the
+same time, I must confess, staring at those inscriptions first gave me
+an idea and curiosity for medals; in which I have since arrived at some
+knowledge.[219] Many a man has lost his way and his dinner by this
+general want of skill in orthography: for, considering that the painters
+are usually so very bad, that you cannot know the animal under whose
+sign you are to live that day, how must the stranger be misled, if it be
+wrong spelled, as well as ill painted? I have a cousin now in town, who
+has answered under Bachelor at Queen's College, whose name is Humphrey
+Mopstaff (he is akin to us by his mother). This young man going to see a
+relation in Barbican, wandered a whole day by the mistake of one letter;
+for it was written, "This is the BEER," instead of "This is the BEAR."
+He was set right at last, by inquiring for the house, of a fellow who
+could not read, and knew the place mechanically, only by having been
+often drunk there. But, in the name of goodness, let us make our
+learning of use to us, or not. Was not this a shame, that a philosopher
+should be thus directed by a cobbler? I'll be sworn, if it were known
+how many have suffered in this kind by false spelling since the union,
+this matter would not long lie thus. What makes these evils the more
+insupportable, is, that they are so easily amended, and nothing done in
+it. But it is so far from that, that the evil goes on in other arts as
+well as orthography. Places are confounded, as well for want of proper
+distinctions, as things for want of true characters. Had I not come by
+the other day very early in the morning, there might have been mischief
+done; for a worthy North Briton was swearing at Stocks Market,[220] that
+they would not let him in at his lodgings; but I knowing the gentleman,
+and observing him look often at the King on horseback, and then double
+his oaths, that he was sure he was right, found he mistook that for
+Charing Cross, by the erection of the like statue in each place. I
+grant, private men may distinguish their abodes as they please; as one
+of my acquaintance who lives at Marylebone, has put a good sentence of
+his own invention upon his dwelling-place, to find out where he lives:
+he is so near London, that his conceit is this, "The country in town;
+or, the town in the country"; for you know, if they are both in one,
+they are all one. Besides that, the ambiguity is not of great
+consequence; if you are safe at the place, it is no matter if you do not
+distinctly know where to say the place is. But to return to the
+orthography of public places: I propose that every tradesman in the
+cities of London and Westminster shall give me sixpence a quarter for
+keeping their signs in repair, as to the grammatical part; and I will
+take into my house a Swiss Count[221] of my acquaintance, who can
+remember all their names without book, for despatch sake, setting up the
+head of the said foreigner for my sign; the features being strong, and
+fit for hanging high.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 20.
+
+This day a mail arrived from Holland, by which there are advices from
+Paris, that the kingdom of France is in the utmost misery and
+distraction. The merchants of Lyons have been at Court, to remonstrate
+their great sufferings by the failure of their public credit; but have
+received no other satisfaction, than promises of a sudden peace; and
+that their debts will be made good by funds out of the revenue, which
+will not answer, but in case of the peace which is promised. In the
+meantime, the cries of the common people are loud for want of bread, the
+gentry have lost all spirit and zeal for their country, and the king
+himself seems to languish under the anxiety of the pressing calamities
+of the nation, and retires from hearing those grievances which he hath
+not power to redress. Instead of preparations for war, and the defence
+of their country, there is nothing to be seen but evident marks of a
+general despair. Processions, fastings, public mournings, and
+humiliations, are become the sole employments of a people, who were
+lately the most vain and gay of any in the universe.
+
+The Pope has written to the French king on the subject of a peace, and
+his Majesty has answered in the lowliest terms, that he entirely submits
+his affairs to divine providence, and shall soon show the world, that he
+prefers the tranquillity of his people to the glory of his arms, and
+extent of his conquests.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 24th say, that his Excellency the Lord
+Townshend delivered his credentials on that day to the States-General,
+as plenipotentiary from the Queen of Great Britain; as did also Count
+Zinzendorf, who bears the same character from the Emperor.
+
+Prince Eugene intended to set out the next day for Brussels, and his
+Grace the Duke of Marlborough on the Tuesday following. The Marquis de
+Torcy talks daily of going, but still continues here. The army of the
+Allies is to assemble on the 7th of the next month at Helchin; though it
+is generally believed, that the preliminaries to a treaty are fully
+adjusted.
+
+The approach of a peace[222] strikes a panic through our armies, though
+that of a battle could never do it, and they almost repent of their
+bravery, that made such haste to humble themselves and the French king.
+The Duke of Marlborough, though otherwise the greatest general of the
+age, has plainly shown himself unacquainted with the arts of husbanding
+a war. He might have grown as old as the Duke of Alva, or Prince
+Waldeck, in the Low Countries, and yet have got reputation enough every
+year for any reasonable man: for the command of general in Flanders hath
+been ever looked upon as a provision for life. For my part, I can't see
+how his grace can answer it to the world, for the great eagerness he
+hath shown to send a hundred thousand of the bravest fellows in Europe a
+begging. But the private gentlemen of the infantry will be able to shift
+for themselves; a brave man can never starve in a country stocked with
+hen-roosts. "There is not a yard of linen," says my honoured progenitor,
+Sir John Falstaff, "in my whole company; but as for that," says this
+worthy knight, "I am in no great pain, we shall find shirts on every
+hedge."[223] There is another sort of gentlemen whom I am much more
+concerned for, and that is, the ingenious fraternity of which I have the
+honour to be an unworthy member; I mean the news-writers of Great
+Britain, whether Postmen or Postboys,[224] or by what other name or
+title soever dignified or distinguished. The case of these gentlemen is,
+I think, more hard than that of the soldiers, considering that they
+have taken more towns, and fought more battles. They have been upon
+parties and skirmishes, when our armies have lain still; and given the
+general assault to many a place, when the besiegers were quiet in their
+trenches. They have made us masters of several strong towns many weeks
+before our generals could do it; and completed victories, when our
+greatest captains have been glad to come off with a drawn battle. Where
+Prince Eugene has slain his thousands, Boyer[225] has slain his ten
+thousands. This, gentleman can indeed be never enough commended for his
+courage and intrepidity during this whole war: he has laid about him
+with an inexpressible fury, and like the offended Marius of ancient
+Rome, made such havoc among his countrymen, as must be the work of two
+or three ages to repair. It must be confessed, the redoubted Mr.
+Buckley[226] has shed as much blood as the former; but I cannot forbear
+saying (and I hope it will not look like envy) that we regard our
+brother Buckley as a Drawcansir,[227] who spares neither friend nor foe,
+but generally kills as many of his own side as the enemy's. It is
+impossible for this ingenious sort of men to subsist after a peace:
+every one remembers the shifts they were driven to in the reign of King
+Charles II., when they could not furnish out a single paper of news,
+without lighting up a comet in Germany, or a fire in Moscow. There
+scarce appeared a letter without a paragraph on an earthquake. Prodigies
+were grown so familiar, that they had lost their name, as a great poet
+of that age has it. I remember Mr. Dyer,[228] who is justly looked upon
+by all the fox-hunters in the nation as the greatest statesman our
+country has produced, was particularly famous for dealing in whales;
+insomuch that in five months' time (for I had the curiosity to examine
+his letters on that occasion) he brought three into the mouth of the
+river Thames, besides two porpoises and a sturgeon. The judicious and
+wary Mr. I. Dawks[229] hath all along been the rival of this great
+writer, and got himself a reputation from plagues and famines, by which,
+in those days, he destroyed as great multitudes as he has lately done by
+the sword. In every dearth of news, Grand Cairo was sure to be
+unpeopled.
+
+It being therefore visible, that our society will be greater sufferers
+by the peace than the soldiery itself; insomuch that the _Daily
+Courant_[230] is in danger of being broken, my friend Dyer of being
+reformed, and the very best of the whole band of being reduced to
+half-pay; might I presume to offer anything in the behalf of my
+distressed brethren, I would humbly move, that an appendix of proper
+apartments furnished with pen, ink, and paper, and other necessaries of
+life should be added to the Hospital of Chelsea,[231] for the relief of
+such decayed news-writers as have served their country in the wars; and
+that for their exercise, they should compile the annals of their
+brother-veterans, who have been engaged in the same service, and are
+still obliged to do duty after the same manner.
+
+I cannot be thought to speak this out of an eye to any private interest;
+for, as my chief scenes of action are coffee-houses, play-houses, and my
+own apartment, I am in no need of camps, fortifications, and fields of
+battle, to support me; I don't call out for heroes and generals to my
+assistance. Though the officers are broken, and the armies disbanded, I
+shall still be safe as long as there are men or women, or politicians,
+or lovers, or poets, or nymphs, or swains, or cits, or courtiers in
+being.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 218: It is very possible that the first article in this number
+(see the allusion to medals) is by Addison, as well as the account of
+the Distress of the News-writers.]
+
+[Footnote 219: There is much about medals in Addison's "Remarks on
+several Parts of Italy," 1705. His "Dialogues on Medals" was published
+posthumously by Tickell.]
+
+[Footnote 220: Stocks Market was so named from a pair of stocks which
+were erected there as early as the 13th century. The two statues
+referred to were really very unlike. The one was of white marble; the
+other, of brass, was originally intended for John Sobieski, King of
+Poland, but being bought by Sir Robert Viner in 1672, it was altered and
+erected in honour of King Charles II. The Turk underneath the horse was
+metamorphosed into Oliver Cromwell; but his turban escaped unnoticed or
+unaltered, to testify the truth. The statue in Stocks Market, with the
+conduit and all its ornaments, was removed to make way for the Mansion
+House in 1739. Marvell refers to these statues in his "Satires."]
+
+[Footnote 221: Heidegger. See No. 12.]
+
+[Footnote 222: The remainder of this paper is by Addison. See Steele's
+Preface, and his Dedication of "The Drummer" to Congreve.]
+
+[Footnote 223: "There's but a shirt and a half in all my company; and
+the half-shirt is two napkins, tacked together, and thrown over the
+shoulders like a herald's coat without sleeves; and the shirt, to say
+the truth, stolen from my host of St. Alban, or the red-nosed innkeeper
+of Daintry. But that's all one, they'll find linen enough on every
+hedge." (1 Henry IV., act iii. sc. 2).]
+
+[Footnote 224: The Tory _Postboy_ was published by Abel Roper; and the
+Whig _Flying Post_ by George Ridpath:
+
+    "There Ridpath, Roper, cudgelled might ye view,
+    The very worsted still looked black and blue."
+
+("Dunciad," ii. 149.) It is remarkable that both Roper and Ridpath died
+on the same day, Feb. 5, 1726. Swift and others sometimes contributed to
+Roper's paper for party purposes.]
+
+[Footnote 225: Abel Boyer (1667-1729), author of "The Political State of
+Great Britain," was a Whig journalist towards whom Swift felt bitterly.
+"The Secretary promises me to swinge him," he wrote in 1711; "I must
+make that rogue an example for a warning to others." Boyer compiled a
+valuable French and English dictionary.]
+
+[Footnote 226: Samuel Buckley was printer of the _London Gazette, Daily
+Courant_, and _Spectator_. He died in 1741.]
+
+[Footnote 227: Drawcansir, in "The Rehearsal," is described by another
+character as "a great hero, who frights his mistress, snubs up kings,
+baffles armies, and does what he will, without regard to number, good
+sense, or justice."]
+
+[Footnote 228: John Dyer was a Jacobite journalist who issued a
+news-letter to country subscribers, among whom was Sir Roger de Coverley
+(_Spectator_, No. 127), by whom he was held in high esteem. Defoe
+(_Review_, vi. 132) says that Dyer "did not so much write what his
+readers should believe, as what they would believe." Vellum, in
+Addison's "The Drummer" (act ii. sc. i), cannot but believe his master
+is living, "because the news of his death was first published in Dyer's
+Letter." See also _Spectator_, Nos. 43 and 457. At the trial of John
+Tutchin for seditious libel (Howell's "State Trials," xiv. 1150), on
+complaint being made by counsel that Dyer had charged him with broaching
+seditious principles, Lord Chief Justice Holt said, "Dyer is very
+familiar with me too sometimes; but you need not fear such a little
+scandalous paper of such a scandalous author."]
+
+[Footnote 229: Ichabod Dawks was another "epistolary historian" (see
+_Spectator_, No. 457, and _Tatler_, No. 178). Dawks and Dyer are both
+introduced by Edmund Smith, author of "Phædra and Hippolitus," in his
+poem, "Charlettus Percivallo suo":
+
+    "Scribe securus, quid agit Senatus,
+    Quid caput stertit grave Lambethanum,
+    Quid comes Guilford, quid habent novorum.
+                                            "Dawksque Dyerque."
+]
+
+[Footnote 230: The _Daily Courant_, our first daily newspaper, was begun
+in 1702.]
+
+[Footnote 231: Chelsea Hospital, for old soldiers, was founded in 1682.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 19. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 21_, to _Tuesday, May 24_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 23.
+
+There is nothing can give a man of any consideration greater pain, than
+to see order and distinction laid aside amongst men, especially when the
+rank (of which he himself is a member) is intruded upon by such as have
+no pretence to that honour. The appellation of Esquire is the most
+notoriously abused in this kind of any class amongst men, insomuch that
+it is become almost the subject of derision: but I will be bold to say,
+this behaviour towards it proceeds from the ignorance of the people in
+its true origin. I shall therefore, as briefly as possible, do myself
+and all true esquires the justice to look into antiquity upon this
+subject.
+
+In the first ages of the world, before the invention of jointures and
+settlements, when the noble passion of love had possession of the hearts
+of men, and the fair sex were not yet cultivated into the merciful
+disposition which they have showed in latter centuries, it was natural
+for great and heroic spirits to retire to rivulets, woods, and caves, to
+lament their destiny, and the cruelty of the fair persons who were deaf
+to their lamentations. The hero in this distress was generally in
+armour, and in a readiness to fight any man he met with, especially if
+distinguished by any extraordinary qualifications, it being the nature
+of heroic love to hate all merit, lest it should come within the
+observation of the cruel one, by whom its own perfections are neglected.
+A lover of this kind had always about him a person of a second value,
+and subordinate to him, who could hear his afflictions, carry an
+enchantment for his wounds, hold his helmet when he was eating (if ever
+he did eat); or in his absence, when he was retired to his apartment in
+any king's palace, tell the prince himself, or perhaps his daughter, the
+birth, parentage, and adventures, of his valiant master. This trusty
+companion was styled his esquire, and was always fit for any offices
+about him; was as gentle and chaste as a gentleman usher, quick and
+active as an equerry, smooth and eloquent as a master of the ceremonies.
+A man thus qualified was the first, as the ancients affirm, who was
+called an esquire; and none without these accomplishments ought to
+assume our order: but, to the utter disgrace and confusion of the
+heralds, every pretender is admitted into this fraternity, even persons
+the most foreign to this courteous institution. I have taken an
+inventory of all within this city, and looked over every letter in the
+post-office for my better information. There are of the Middle Temple,
+including all in the buttery books, and in the lists of the house, 5000.
+In the Inner, 4000. In the King's Bench Walks, the whole buildings are
+inhabited by esquires only. The adjacent street of Essex, from Morris'
+Coffee-house, and the turning towards the Grecian, you cannot meet one
+who is not an esquire, till you take water. Every house in Norfolk and
+Arundel Streets is governed also by a squire, or his lady. Soho Square,
+Bloomsbury Square, and all other places where the floors rise above nine
+feet, are so many universities, where you enter yourselves, and become
+of our order. However, if this were the worst of the evil, it were to be
+supported, because they are generally men of some figure and use; though
+I know no pretence they have to an honour which had its rise from
+chivalry. But if you travel into the counties of Great Britain, we are
+still more imposed upon by innovation. We are indeed derived from the
+field: but shall that give title to all that ride mad after foxes, that
+halloo when they see a hare, or venture their necks full speed after a
+hawk, immediately to commence esquires? No, our order is temperate,
+cleanly, sober, and chaste; but these rural esquires commit immodesties
+upon haycocks, wear shirts half a week, and are drunk twice a day. These
+men are also to the last degree excessive in their food: an esquire of
+Norfolk eats two pounds of dumpling every meal, as if obliged to it by
+our order: an esquire of Hampshire is as ravenous in devouring hogs'
+flesh: one of Essex has as little mercy on calves. But I must take the
+liberty to protest against them, and acquaint those persons, that it is
+not the quantity they eat, but the manner of eating, that shows a
+squire. But above all, I am most offended at small quillmen, and
+transcribing clerks, who are all come into our order, for no reason that
+I know of, but that they can easily flourish it at the end of their
+name. I'll undertake, that if you read the superscriptions to all the
+offices in the kingdom, you will not find three letters directed to any
+but esquires. I have myself a couple of clerks, and the rogues make
+nothing of leaving messages upon each other's desk: one directs, to
+"Degory Goosequill, Esq."; to which the other replies by a note, to
+"Nehemiah Dashwell, Esq.; with respect." In a word, it is now, _populus
+armigerorum_, a people of esquires. And I don't know, but, by the late
+Act of Naturalisation,[232] foreigners will assume that title, as part
+of the immunity of being Englishmen. All these improprieties flow from
+the negligence of the Heralds' Office. Those gentlemen in parti-coloured
+habits do not so rightly, as they ought, understand themselves; though
+they are dressed _cap-a-pié_ in hieroglyphics, they are inwardly but
+ignorant men. I asked an acquaintance of mine, who is a man of wit, but
+of no fortune, and is forced to appear as Jack Pudding on the stage to a
+mountebank: "Prithee, Jack, why is your coat of so many colours?" He
+replied, "I act a fool, and this spotted dress is to signify, that every
+man living has a weak place about him; for I am knight of the shire, and
+represent you all." I wish the heralds would know as well as this man
+does, in his way, that they are to act for us in the case of our arms
+and appellations: we should not then be jumbled together in so
+promiscuous and absurd a manner. I design to take this matter into
+further consideration, and no man shall be received as an esquire, who
+cannot bring a certificate, that he has conquered some lady's obdurate
+heart; that he can lead up a country dance, or carry a message between
+her and her lover, with address, secrecy and diligence. A squire is
+properly born for the service of the sex, and his credentials shall be
+signed by three toasts, and one prude, before his title shall be
+received in my office.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 23.
+
+On Saturday last was presented, "The Busy Body," a comedy, written (as I
+have heretofore remarked) by a woman.[233] The plot and incidents of the
+play are laid with that subtlety of spirit which is peculiar to females
+of wit, and is very seldom well performed by those of the other sex, in
+whom craft in love is an act of invention, and not, as with women, the
+effect of nature and instinct.
+
+To-morrow will be acted a play, called, "The Trip to the Jubilee."[234]
+This performance is the greatest instance that we can have of the
+irresistible force of proper action. The dialogue in itself has
+something too low to bear a criticism upon it: but Mr. Wilks enters into
+the part with so much skill, that the gallantry, the youth, and gaiety
+of a young man of a plentiful fortune, is looked upon with as much
+indulgence on the stage, as in real life, without any of those
+intermixtures of wit and humour, which usually prepossess us in favour
+of such characters in other plays.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 23.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, Mr. Walpole[235]
+(who is since arrived) was going with all expedition to Great Britain,
+whither they doubted not but he carried with him the preliminaries to a
+treaty of peace. The French Minister, Monsieur Torcy, has been observed
+in this whole negotiation to turn his discourse upon the calamities sent
+down by Heaven upon France, and imputed the necessities they were under
+to the immediate hand of Providence, in inflicting a general scarcity of
+provision, rather than the superior genius of the generals, or the
+bravery of the armies against them. It would be impious not to
+acknowledge the indulgence of Heaven to us; but at the same time, as we
+are to love our enemies, we are glad to see them mortified enough to mix
+Christianity with their politics. An authentic letter from Madame
+Maintenon to Monsieur Torcy has been stolen by a person about him, who
+has communicated a copy of it to some of the dependants of a Minister of
+the Allies. That epistle is writ in the most pathetic manner imaginable,
+and in a style which shows her genius, that has so long engrossed the
+heart of this great monarch.[236]
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I received yours, and am sensible of the address and capacity with
+which you have hitherto transacted the great affair under your
+management. You well observe, that our wants here are not to be
+concealed; and that it is vanity to use artifices with the knowing men
+with whom you are to deal. Let me beg you therefore, in this
+representation of our circumstances, to lay aside art, which ceases to
+be such when it is seen, and make use of all your skill, to gain us what
+advantages you can from the enemy's jealousy of each other's greatness;
+which is the place where only you have room for any dexterity. If you
+have any passion for your unhappy country, or any affection for your
+distressed master, come home with peace. O Heaven! Do I live to talk of
+Lewis the Great as the object of pity? The king shows a great uneasiness
+to be informed of all that passes; but at the same time, is fearful of
+every one who appears in his presence, lest he should bring an account
+of some new calamity. I know not in what terms to represent my thoughts
+to you, when I speak of the king, with relation to his bodily health.
+Figure to yourself that immortal man, who stood in our public places,
+represented with trophies, armour, and terrors, on his pedestal:
+consider, the Invincible, the Great, the Good, the Pious, the Mighty,
+which were the usual epithets we gave him, both in our language and
+thoughts. I say, consider him whom you knew the most glorious and great
+of monarchs; and now think you see the same man an unhappy Lazar, in the
+lowest circumstances of human nature itself, without regard to the state
+from whence he is fallen. I write from his bedside: he is at present in
+a slumber. I have many, many things to add; but my tears flow too fast,
+and my sorrow is too big for utterance.
+
+"I am, etc."
+
+There is such a veneration due from all men to the persons of princes,
+that it were a sort of dishonesty to represent further the condition
+which the king is in; but it is certain, that soon after the receipt of
+these advices, Monsieur Torcy waited upon his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Lord Townshend, and in that conference gave up many
+points, which he had before said were such, as he must return to France
+before he could answer.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 232: See No. 13.]
+
+[Footnote 233: Mrs. Centlivre. See No. 15.]
+
+[Footnote 234: Wilks took the part of Sir Harry Wildair in Farquhar's
+"The Constant Couple; or, A Trip to the Jubilee," 1699.]
+
+[Footnote 235: Horatio Walpole, Secretary to the Embassy at the Hague,
+and brother of Sir Robert Walpole.]
+
+[Footnote 236: This letter is a pure invention.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 20. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 24_, to _Thursday, May 26_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 24.
+
+It is not to be imagined how far prepossession will run away with
+people's understandings, in cases wherein they are under present
+uneasiness. The following narration is a sufficient testimony of the
+truth of this observation.
+
+I had the honour the other day of a visit from a gentlewoman (a stranger
+to me) who seemed to be about thirty. Her complexion is brown; but the
+air of her face has an agreeableness, which surpasses the beauties of
+the fairest women. There appeared in her look and mien a sprightly
+health; and her eyes had too much vivacity to become the language of
+complaint, which she began to enter into. She seemed sensible of it; and
+therefore, with downcast looks, said she, "Mr. Bickerstaff, you see
+before you the unhappiest of women; and therefore, as you are esteemed
+by all the world both a great civilian, as well as an astrologer, I must
+desire your advice and assistance, in putting me in a method of
+obtaining a divorce from a marriage, which I know the law will pronounce
+void." "Madam," said I, "your grievance is of such a nature, that you
+must be very ingenuous in representing the causes of your complaint, or
+I cannot give you the satisfaction you desire." "Sir," she answers, "I
+believed there would be no need of half your skill in the art of
+divination, to guess why a woman would part from her husband." "It is
+true," said I; "but suspicions, or guesses at what you mean, nay
+certainty of it, except you plainly speak it, are no foundation for a
+formal suit." She clapped her fan before her face; "My husband," said
+she, "is no more a husband" (here she burst into tears) "than one of the
+Italian singers."
+
+"Madam," said I, "the affliction you complain of, is to be redressed by
+law; but at the same time, consider what mortifications you are to go
+through in bringing it into open court; how you will be able to bear the
+impertinent whispers of the people present at the trial, the licentious
+reflections of the pleaders, and the interpretations that will in
+general be put upon your conduct by all the world: 'How little,' will
+they say, 'could that lady command her passions.' Besides, consider,
+that curbing our desires is the greatest glory we can arrive at in this
+world, and will be most rewarded in the next." She answered, like a
+prudent matron, "Sir, if you please to remember the office of matrimony,
+the first cause of its institution is that of having posterity:
+therefore, as to the curbing desires, I am willing to undergo any
+abstinence from food as you please to enjoin me; but I cannot, with any
+quiet of mind, live in the neglect of a necessary duty, and an express
+commandment, Increase and multiply." Observing she was learned, and
+knew so well the duties of life, I turned my arguments rather to dehort
+her from this public procedure by examples, than precepts. "Do but
+consider, madam, what crowds of beauteous women live in nunneries,
+secluded for ever from the sight and conversation of men, with all the
+alacrity of spirit imaginable; they spend their time in heavenly
+raptures, in constant and frequent devotions, and at proper hours in
+agreeable conversations." "Sir," said she hastily, "tell not me of
+Papists, or any of their idolatries." "Well then, madam, consider how
+many fine ladies live innocently in the eye of the world, and this gay
+town, in the midst of temptation: there's the witty Mrs. W---- is a
+virgin of 44, Mrs. T----s is 39, Mrs. L----ce, 33; yet you see, they
+laugh and are gay, at the park, at the playhouse, at balls, and at
+visits; and so much at ease, that all this seems hardly a self-denial."
+"Mr. Bickerstaff," said she, with some emotion, "you are an excellent
+casuist; but the last word destroyed your whole argument; if it is not
+self-denial, it is no virtue. I presented you with a half-guinea, in
+hopes not only to have my conscience eased, but my fortune told. Yet--"
+"Well, madam," said I, "pray of what age is your husband?" "He is,"
+replied my injured client, "fifty, and I have been his wife fifteen
+years." "How happened it, you never communicated your distress in all
+this time to your friends and relations?" She answered, "He has been
+thus but a fortnight." I am the most serious man in the world to look
+at, and yet could not forbear laughing out. "Why, madam, in case of
+infirmity, which proceeds only from age, the law gives no remedy."
+"Sir," said she, "I find you have no more learning than Dr. Case;[237]
+and I am told of a young man, not five and twenty, just come from
+Oxford, to whom I will communicate this whole matter, and doubt not but
+he will appear to have seven times more useful and satisfactory
+knowledge than you and all your boasted family." Thus I have entirely
+lost my client: but if this tedious narrative preserves Pastorella from
+the intended marriage with one twenty years her senior--To save a fine
+lady, I am contented to have my learning decried, and my predictions
+bound up with Poor Robin's Almanacks.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 25.
+
+This evening was acted, "The Recruiting Officer,"[238] in which Mr.
+Estcourt's[239] proper sense and observation is what supports the play.
+There is not, in my humble opinion, the humour hit in Sergeant Kite; but
+it is admirably supplied by his action. If I have skill to judge, that
+man is an excellent actor; but the crowd of the audience are fitter for
+representations at Mayfair, than a theatre royal. Yet that fair is now
+broke,[240] as well as the theatre is breaking: but it is allowed still
+to sell animals there. Therefore, if any lady or gentleman have occasion
+for a tame elephant, let them inquire of Mr. Pinkethman, who has one to
+dispose of at a reasonable rate.[241] The downfall of Mayfair has quite
+sunk the price of this noble creature, as well as of many other
+curiosities of nature. A tiger will sell almost as cheap as an ox; and I
+am credibly informed, a man may purchase a cat with three legs, for very
+near the value of one with four. I hear likewise, that there is a great
+desolation among the gentlemen and ladies who were the ornaments of the
+town, and used to shine in plumes and diadems; the heroes being most of
+them pressed, and the queens beating hemp. Mrs. Sarabrand, so famous for
+her ingenious puppet-show, has set up a shop in the Exchange,[242] where
+she sells her little troop under the term of jointed babies.[243] I
+could not but be solicitous to know of her, how she had disposed of that
+rake-hell Punch, whose lewd life and conversation had given so much
+scandal, and did not a little contribute to the ruin of the fair. She
+told me, with a sigh, that despairing of ever reclaiming him, she would
+not offer to place him in a civil family, but got him in a post upon a
+stall in Wapping, where he may be seen from sun-rising to sun-setting,
+with a glass in one hand, and a pipe in the other, as sentry to a
+brandy-shop. The great revolutions of this nature bring to my mind the
+distresses of the unfortunate Camilla[244], who has had the ill-luck to
+break before her voice, and to disappear at a time when her beauty was
+in the height of its bloom. This lady entered so thoroughly into the
+great characters she acted, that when she had finished her part, she
+could not think of retrenching her equipage, but would appear in her own
+lodgings with the same magnificence that she did upon the stage. This
+greatness of soul has reduced that unhappy princess to an involuntary
+retirement, where she now passes her time among the woods and forests,
+thinking on the crowns and sceptres she has lost, and often humming over
+in her solitude,
+
+    _"I was born of royal race,
+    Yet must wander in disgrace," &c._
+
+But for fear of being overheard, and her quality known, she usually
+sings it in Italian:
+
+    _"Naqui al regno, naqui al trono
+    E pur sono
+    Inventurata Pastorella--"_
+
+Since I have touched upon this subject, I shall communicate to my reader
+part of a letter I have received from an ingenious friend at Amsterdam,
+where there is a very noble theatre; though the manner of furnishing it
+with actors is something peculiar to that place, and gives us occasion
+to admire both the politeness and frugality of the people.
+
+My friends have kept me here a week longer than ordinary to see one of
+their plays, which was performed last night with great applause. The
+actors are all of them tradesmen, who, after their day's work is over,
+earn about a guilder a night by personating kings and generals. The hero
+of the tragedy I saw, was a journeyman tailor, and his first minister of
+state a coffee-man. The empress made me think of Parthenope[245] in "The
+Rehearsal"; for her mother keeps an ale-house in the suburbs of
+Amsterdam. When the tragedy was over, they entertained us with a short
+farce, in which the cobbler did his part to a miracle; but upon inquiry,
+I found he had really been working at his own trade, and representing on
+the stage what he acted every day in his shop. The profits of the
+theatre maintain a hospital: for as here they do not think the
+profession of an actor the only trade that a man ought to exercise, so
+they will not allow anybody to grow rich on a profession that in their
+opinion so little conduces to the good of the commonwealth. If I am not
+mistaken, your playhouses in England have done the same thing; for,
+unless I am misinformed, the hospital at Dulwich was erected and endowed
+by Mr. Alleyn,[246] a player: and it is also said, a famous
+she-tragedian[247] has settled her estate, after her death, for the
+maintenance of decayed wits, who are to be taken in as soon as they grow
+dull, at whatever time of their life that shall happen.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 25.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 31st instant, N.S., say, that the articles
+preliminary to a general peace were settled, communicated to the
+States-General and all the foreign Ministers residing there, and
+transmitted to their respective masters on the 28th. Monsieur Torcy
+immediately returned to the Court of France, from whence he is expected
+again on the 4th of the next month, with those articles ratified by that
+Court. The Hague is agreed upon for the place of treaty, and the 15th of
+the next month the day on which it is to commence. The terms on which
+this negotiation is founded, are not yet declared by public authority;
+but what is most generally received, is as follows:
+
+Her Majesty's right and title, and the Protestant succession to those
+dominions, is forthwith to be acknowledged. King Charles is also to be
+owned the lawful sovereign of Spain; and the French king shall not only
+recall his troops out of that kingdom, and deliver up to the Allies the
+towns of Roses, Fontarabia, and Pampeluna; but in case the Duke of Anjou
+shall not retire out of the Spanish dominions, he shall be obliged to
+assist the Allies to force him from thence. A cessation of arms is
+agreed upon for two months from the first day of the treaty. The port
+and fortifications of Dunkirk are to be demolished within four months;
+but the town itself left in the hands of the French. The Pretender is to
+be obliged to leave France. All Newfoundland is to be restored to the
+English. As to the other parts of America, the French are to restore
+whatever they may have taken from the English, as the English in like
+manner to give up what they may have taken from the French before the
+commencement of the treaty. The trade between Great Britain and France
+shall be settled upon the same foundation as in the reign of King
+Charles II.
+
+The Dutch are to have for their barriers, Nieuport, Berg, St. Vinox,
+Furnes, Ipres, Lille, Tournay, Douay, Valenciennes, Condé, Maubeuge,
+Mons, Charleroy, Namur, and Luxemburg; all which places shall be
+delivered up to the Allies before the end of June. The trade between
+Holland and France shall be on the same foot as in 1664. The cities of
+Strasburg, Brisac, and Alsatia, shall be restored to the Emperor and
+Empire; and the King of France, pursuant to the Treaty of Westphalia in
+1648, shall only retain the protection of ten imperial cities, viz.,
+Colmar, Schlestat, Haguenau, Munster, Turkeim, Keisemberg, Obrenheim,
+Rosheim, Weisemburg, and Landau. Huninguen, Fort Louis, Fort Kiel, and
+New Brisac shall be demolished, and all the fortifications from Basle to
+Philipsburg. The King of Prussia shall remain in the peaceable
+possession of Neufchatel. The affair of Orange, as also the pretensions
+of his Prussian Majesty in the French Comté, shall be determined at this
+general negotiation of peace. The Duke of Savoy shall have a restitution
+made of all that has been taken from him by the French, and remain
+master of Exilles, Chamont, Fenestrelles, and the Valley of
+Pragelas.[248]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 237: John Case, astrologer and friend of John Partridge,
+succeeded to Saffold's habitation in Blackfriars gateway, opposite to
+Ludgate Church, whence he issued many advertisements. "Their old
+physician begged they would not forget him--he gives his advice for
+nothing--his cures are private. At Lilly's Head, &c., is the only place
+to obtain health, long life, and happiness, by your old friend Dr. Case,
+who extirpates the foundation of all diseases":
+
+    "At the Golden Ball and Lillie's Head
+    John Case lives though Saffold's dead."
+
+His handbills were commonly adorned with a variety of emblematic devices
+and poetry. See note on Kirleus, in No. 14; and Nos. 216, 240. Case's
+most important book was his "Compendium Anatomicum nova methodo
+institutum," 1695.]
+
+[Footnote 238: By Farquhar; first acted in 1706.]
+
+[Footnote 239: Richard Estcourt (1668-1712), whom Farquhar specially
+selected to act the part of Sergeant Kite, is celebrated by Steele in a
+well-known paper in the _Spectator_ (No. 468; see also No. 390).
+Estcourt was providore of the Beefsteak Club, and wrote two or three
+dramatic pieces. See No. 51.]
+
+[Footnote 240: See No. 4. This article was printed by Tickell among
+Addison's works.]
+
+[Footnote 241: In 1704, Pinkethman advertised that at his booth he would
+speak an epilogue upon an elephant between nine and ten feet high,
+arrived from Guinea, led upon the stage by six blacks.]
+
+[Footnote 242: This may be either the Royal Exchange or the New
+Exchange, in the Strand. There were shops for the sale of trinkets and
+toys at both places.]
+
+[Footnote 243: "Baby" was a term often applied to dolls.]
+
+[Footnote 244: Mrs. Katherine Tofts sang in English to Nicolini's
+Italian, in Buononcini's opera of "Camilla," but this absurdity was
+forgiven on account of the charm of their voices. In 1709, in the height
+of her beauty, Mrs. Tofts left the stage, owing to her intellect
+becoming disordered; but afterwards she married Mr. Joseph Smith, a
+gentleman who lived in great state; but his wife's mind again gave way,
+and she spent hours walking and singing in a garden attached to a remote
+part of the house. She died in 1760. See _Spectator,_ Nos. 18, 22 and
+443, where there is a letter purporting to be from Mrs. Tofts, at
+Venice.]
+
+[Footnote 245: In act iii. sc. 2 of "The Rehearsal," Prince Volscius
+falls in love at first sight with Parthenope, who says:
+
+    "My mother, sir, sells ale by the town-walls,
+    And me her dear Parthenope she calls;"
+
+whereupon Volscius (repeating words from Davenant's "Siege of Rhodes")
+replies:
+
+    "Can vulgar vestments high-born beauty shroud?
+    Thou bring'st the morning pictured in a cloud."
+]
+
+[Footnote 246: Edward Alleyn, the actor, who died in 1626, aged 61,
+founded Dulwich Hospital.]
+
+[Footnote 247: Mrs. Bracegirdle; see No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 248: "It is said that Monsieur Torcy, when he signed this
+instrument broke into this exclamation: 'Would Colbert have signed such
+a treaty for France?' On which a Minister present was pleased to say,
+'Colbert himself would have been proud to have saved France in these
+circumstances on such terms'" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 21. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 26_, to _Saturday, May 28_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 26.
+
+A gentleman has writ to me out of the country a very civil letter, and
+said things which I suppress with great violence to my vanity. There are
+many terms in my narratives which he complains want explaining, and has
+therefore desired, that, for the benefit of my country readers, I would
+let him know what I mean by a Gentleman, a Pretty Fellow, a Toast, a
+Coquette, a Critic, a Wit, and all other appellations in the gayer
+world, who are in present possession of these several characters;
+together with an account of those who unfortunately pretend to them. I
+shall begin with him we usually call a Gentleman, or man of
+conversation. It is generally thought, that warmth of imagination, quick
+relish of pleasure, and a manner of becoming it, are the most essential
+qualities for forming this sort of man. But any one that is much in
+company will observe, that the height of good breeding is shown rather
+in never giving offence, than in doing obliging things. Thus, he that
+never shocks you, though he is seldom entertaining, is more likely to
+keep your favour, than he who often entertains, and sometimes displeases
+you. The most necessary talent therefore in a man of conversation, which
+is what we ordinarily intend by a fine gentleman, is a good judgment. He
+that has this in perfection, is master of his companion, without letting
+him see it; and has the same advantage over men of any other
+qualifications whatsoever, as one that can see would have over a blind
+man of ten times his strength. This is what makes Sophronius the
+darling of all who converse with him, and the most powerful with his
+acquaintance of any man in town. By the light of this faculty, he acts
+with great ease and freedom among the men of pleasure, and acquits
+himself with skill and despatch among the men of business. This he
+performs with so much success, that, with as much discretion in life as
+any man ever had, he neither is, nor appears, cunning. But as he does a
+good office, if he ever does it, with readiness and alacrity; so he
+denies what he does not care to engage in, in a manner that convinces
+you, that you ought not to have asked it. His judgment is so good and
+unerring, and accompanied with so cheerful a spirit, that his
+conversation is a continual feast, at which he helps some, and is helped
+by others, in such a manner, that the equality of society is perfectly
+kept up, and every man obliges as much as he is obliged: for it is the
+greatest and justest skill in a man of superior understanding, to know
+how to be on a level with his companions. This sweet disposition runs
+through all the actions of Sophronius, and makes his company desired by
+women, without being envied by men. Sophronius would be as just as he
+is, if there were no law; and would be as discreet as he is, if there
+were no such thing as calumny.
+
+In imitation of this agreeable being, is made that animal we call a
+Pretty Fellow; who being just able to find out, that what makes
+Sophronius acceptable, is a natural behaviour; in order to the same
+reputation, makes his own an artificial one. Jack Dimple is his perfect
+mimic, whereby he is of course the most unlike him of all men living.
+Sophronius just now passed into the inner room directly forward: Jack
+comes as fast after as he can for the right and left looking-glass, in
+which he had but just approved himself by a nod at each, and marched on.
+He will meditate within for half an hour, till he thinks he is not
+careless enough in his air, and come back to the mirror to recollect his
+forgetfulness.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 27.
+
+This night was acted the comedy, called, "The Fox";[249] but I wonder
+the modern writers do not use their interest in the house to suppress
+such representations. A man that has been at this, will hardly like any
+other play during the season: therefore I humbly move, that the
+writings, as well as dresses, of the last age, should give way to the
+present fashion. We are come into a good method enough (if we were not
+interrupted in our mirth by such an apparition as a play of Jonson's) to
+be entertained at more ease, both to the spectator and the writer, than
+in the days of old. It is no difficulty to get hats, and swords, and
+wigs, and shoes, and everything else, from the shops in town, and make a
+man show himself by his habit, without more ado, to be a counsellor, a
+fop, a courtier, or a citizen, and not be obliged to make those
+characters talk in different dialects to be distinguished from each
+other. This is certainly the surest and best way of writing: but such a
+play as this makes a man for a month after overrun with criticism, and
+inquire, what every man on the stage said? What had such a one to do to
+meddle with such a thing? How came the other, who was bred after such a
+manner, to speak so like a man conversant among a different people?
+These questions rob us of all our pleasure; for at this rate, no one
+sentence in a play should be spoken by any one character, which could
+possibly enter into the head of any other man represented in it; but
+every sentiment should be peculiar to him only who utters it. Laborious
+Ben's works will bear this sort of inquisition; but if the present
+writers were thus examined, and the offences against this rule cut out,
+few plays would be long enough for the whole evening's entertainment.
+But I don't know how they did in those old times: this same Ben Jonson
+has made every one's passion in this play be towards money, and yet not
+one of them expresses that desire, or endeavours to obtain it any way
+but what is peculiar to him only: one sacrifices his wife, another his
+profession, another his posterity from the same motive; but their
+characters are kept so skilfully apart, that it seems prodigious their
+discourses should rise from the invention of the same author. But the
+poets are a nest of hornets, and I'll drive these thoughts no farther,
+but must mention some hard treatment I am like to meet with from my
+brother-writers. I am credibly informed, that the author of a play,
+called, "Love in a Hollow Tree,"[250] has made some remarks upon my late
+discourse on "The Naked Truth."[251] I cannot blame a gentleman for
+writing against any error; it is for the good of the learned world. But
+I would have the thing fairly left between us two, and not under the
+protection of patrons. But my intelligence is, that he has dedicated his
+treatise to the Honourable Mr. Ed----d H----rd.[252]
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 27.
+
+"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._
+
+"York, May 16, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Being convinced as the whole world is, how infallible your predictions
+are, and having the honour to be your near relation, of the Staffian
+family, I was under great concern at one of your predictions relating to
+yourself, wherein you foretold your own death would happen on the 17th
+instant, unless it were prevented by the assistance of well-disposed
+people:[253] I have therefore prevailed on my own modesty to send you a
+piece of news, which may serve instead of Goddard's Drops,[254] to keep
+you alive for two days, till nature be able to recover itself, or till
+you meet with some better help from other hands. Therefore, without
+further ceremony, I will go on to relate a singular adventure just
+happened in the place where I am writing, wherein it may be highly
+useful for the public to be informed.[255]
+
+"Three young ladies of our town were on Saturday last indicted for
+witchcraft. The witnesses against the first deposed upon oath before
+Justice Bindover, that she kept spirits locked up in velvets, which
+sometimes appeared in flames of blue fire; that she used magical herbs,
+with some of which she drew in hundreds of men daily to her, who went
+out from her presence all inflamed, their mouths parched, and a hot
+steam issuing from them, attended with a grievous stench; that many of
+the said men were by the force of that herb metamorphosed into swine,
+and lay wallowing in the kennels for twenty-four hours, before they
+could reassume their shapes or their senses.
+
+"It was proved against the second, that she cut off by night the limbs
+from dead bodies that were hanged, and was seen to dig holes in the
+ground, to mutter some conjuring words, and bury pieces of the flesh,
+after the usual manner of witches.
+
+"The third was accused for a notorious piece of sorcery, long practised
+by hags, of moulding up pieces of dough into the shapes of men, women,
+and children; then heating them at a gentle fire, which had a
+sympathetic power to torment the bowels of those in the neighbourhood.
+
+"This was the sum of what was objected against the three ladies, who
+indeed had nothing to say in their own defence, but downright denying
+the facts, which is like to avail very little when they come upon their
+trials.
+
+"But the parson of our parish, a strange refractory man, will believe
+nothing of all this; so that the whole town cries out, 'Shame! that one
+of his coat should be such an atheist;' and design to complain of him to
+the bishop. He goes about very oddly to solve the matter. He supposes,
+that the first of these ladies keeping a brandy and tobacco shop, the
+fellows went out smoking, and got drunk towards evening, and made
+themselves beasts. He says, the second is a butcher's daughter, and
+sometimes brings a quarter of mutton from the slaughter-house overnight
+against a market-day, and once buried a bit of beef in the ground, as a
+known receipt to cure warts on her hands. The parson affirms, that the
+third sells gingerbread, which, to please the children, she is forced to
+stamp with images before it is baked; and if it burns their guts, it is
+because they eat too much, or do not drink after it.
+
+"These are the answers he gives to solve this wonderful phenomenon; upon
+which I shall not animadvert, but leave it among the philosophers: and
+so wishing you all success in your undertakings for the amendment of the
+world, I remain,
+
+"Dear Cousin,
+
+"Your most affectionate Kinsman,
+
+"and humble Servant,
+
+                                        "EPHRAIM BEDSTAFF."
+
+"P.S.--Those who were condemned to death among the Athenians, were
+obliged to take a dose of poison, which made them die upwards, seizing
+first upon their feet, making them cold and insensible, and so ascending
+gradually, till it reached the vital parts. I believe your death, which
+you foretold would happen on the 17th instant, will fall out the same
+way, and that your distemper hath already seized on you, and makes
+progress daily. The lower part of you, that is, the advertisements,[256]
+is dead; and these have risen for these ten days last past, so that they
+now take up almost a whole paragraph. Pray, sir, do your endeavour to
+drive this distemper as much as possible to the extreme parts, and keep
+it there, as wise folks do the gout; for if it once gets into your
+stomach, it will soon fly up into your head, and you are a dead man."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 27.
+
+We hear from Leghorn, that Sir Edward Whitaker, with five men-of-war,
+four transports, and two fire-ships, was arrived at that port, and
+Admiral Byng was suddenly expected. Their squadrons being joined, they
+design to sail directly for Final, to transport the reinforcements,
+lodged in those parts, to Barcelona.
+
+They write from Milan, that Count Thaun arrived there on the 16th
+instant, N.S., and proceeded on his journey to Turin on the 21st, in
+order to concert such measures with his royal highness, as shall appear
+necessary for the operations of the ensuing campaign.
+
+Advices from Dauphiny say, that the troops of the Duke of Savoy began
+already to appear in those valleys, whereof he made himself master the
+last year; and that the Duke of Berwick applied himself with all
+imaginable diligence to secure the passes of the mountains by ordering
+entrenchments to be made towards Briançon, Tourneau, and the Valley of
+Queiras. That general has also been at Marseilles and Toulon, to hasten
+the transportation of the corn and provisions designed for his army.
+
+Letters from Vienna, bearing date May 23, N.S., import, that the
+Cardinal of Saxe-Zeits and the Prince of Lichtenstein were preparing to
+set out for Presburg, to assist at the Diet of the States of Hungary,
+which is to be assembled at that place on the 25th of this month.
+General Heister would shortly appear at the head of his army at
+Trentschin, which place is appointed for the general rendezvous of the
+Imperial forces in Hungary; from whence he will advance to lay siege to
+Neuhausel: in the meantime, reinforcements, with a great train of
+artillery, are marching the same way. The King of Denmark arrived on the
+both instant at Innspruck, and on the 26th at Dresden, under a triple
+discharge of the artillery of that place; but his Majesty refused the
+ceremonies of a public entry.
+
+Our letters from the Upper Rhine say, that the Imperial army began to
+form itself at Etlingen; where the respective deputies of the Elector
+Palatine, the Prince of Baden Durlach, the Bishopric of Spires, &c. were
+assembled, and had taken the necessary measures for the provision of
+forage, the security of the country against the incursions of the enemy,
+and laying a bridge over the Rhine. Several vessels laden with corn are
+daily passing before Frankfort for the Lower Rhine.
+
+Letters from Poland inform us, that a detachment of Muscovite cavalry,
+under the command of General Infland, had joined the confederate army;
+and the infantry commanded by General Goltz, was expected to come up
+within few days. These succours will amount to 20,000 men.
+
+Our last advices from the Hague, dated June the 4th, N.S., say, that
+they expected a courier from the French Court with the ratification of
+the preliminaries that night or the day following. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough will set out for Brussels on Wednesday or Thursday next, if
+the despatches which are expected from Paris don't alter his
+resolutions. Letters from Majorca confirm the honourable capitulation of
+the castle of Alicante, and also the death of the governor,
+Major-General Richards, Colonel Sibourg, and Major Vignolles, who were
+all buried in the ruins of that place, by the springing of their great
+mine, which did, it seems, more execution than was reported. Monsieur
+Torcy passed through Mons in his return, and had there a long conference
+with the Elector of Bavaria; after which, that prince spoke publicly of
+the treatment he had from France with the utmost indignation.
+
+Any person that shall come publicly abroad in a fantastical habit,
+contrary to the present mode and fashion, except Don Diego
+Dismallo,[257] or any other out of poverty, shall have his name and
+dress inserted in our next.
+
+N.B.--Mr. How'd'call is desired to leave off those buttons.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 249: Ben Jonson's "Volpone; or, The Fox."]
+
+[Footnote 250: The comedy, "Love in a Hollow Tree; or, The Lawyer's
+Fortune," was published by William, Lord Viscount Grimston (1683-1756),
+when he was twenty-two years of age. On the occasion of a contested
+election for the borough of St. Albans (1736), it was reprinted--by the
+Duchess of Marlborough, it is said--with notes attacking the author, and
+adorned with the frontispiece of an elephant dancing on a rope. The
+viscount bought up as nearly as he could the whole edition. "This worthy
+notleman was a good husband to one of the best of wives, an indulgent
+father of a numerous offspring, a kind master to his servants, a
+generous friend, and an affable, hospitable neighbour." (Biog. Dram.)]
+
+[Footnote 251: See No. 17]
+
+[Footnote 252: Probably the Hon. Edward Howard, second son of Henry,
+fifth Earl of Suffolk. On the death of his nephew without issue in 1722,
+he became eighth Earl of Suffolk, but he died unmarried in 1731.]
+
+[Footnote 253: See No. 7.]
+
+[Footnote 254: Dr. Jonathan Goddard, the physician and confidant of
+Cromwell, a member of the Royal Society, and medical professor of
+Gresham College, discovered in the course of his chemical experiments,
+the famous elixir, called here his "drops." Dr. Goddard died of an
+apoplexy in 1675. "March 24, 1674-5. About 10 o'clock that night, my
+very good friend, Dr. Jonathan Goddard, reader of the physic lectures at
+Gresham College, suddenly fell down dead in the street, as he was
+entering into a coach. He was a pretty corpulent and tall man, a
+bachelor between 45 and 50 years of age; he was melancholy, inclined to
+be cynical, and used now and then to complain of giddiness in his head.
+He was an excellent mathematician, and some time physician to Oliver the
+Protector" (John Coniers, apothecary, in Shoe Lane. MSS. Sloan. 958).
+The "drops" were a preparation of spirit of hartshorn, with other
+things; they were used in fainting, apoplexies, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 255: With this satire on the vulgar prejudices concerning
+witches, may be compared what Addison says in the _Spectator_ (No. 117):
+"I believe in general that there is and has been such a thing as
+witchcraft; but at the same time can give no credit to any particular
+instance of it."]
+
+[Footnote 256: The number of advertisements in the Tatler gradually
+increased; but as a compensation the "news" paragraph was dropped.]
+
+[Footnote 257: This name was afterwards applied by the Tory writers to
+the Earl of Nottingham; and the author of the 'Examiner' (vol. iii. No
+48) says that it was Steele who first used the name for this nobleman,
+"and upon no less an important affair, than the oddness of his buttons."
+In the 'Guardian (No. 53), however, Steele disavowed any reference to
+Lord Nottingham: "I do not remember the mention of Don Diego; nor do I
+remember tht ever I thought of Lord Nottingham in any character drawn in
+any one paper of Bickerstaff." See also No. 31, below.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 22. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 28_, to _Tuesday, May 31_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 28.
+
+I came hither this evening to see fashions, and who should I first
+encounter but my old friend Cynthio[258] (encompassed by a crowd of
+young fellows) dictating on the passion of love with the gayest air
+imaginable. "Well," says he, "as to what I know of the matter, there is
+nothing but ogling with skill carries a woman; but indeed it is not
+every fool that is capable of this art: you will find twenty can speak
+eloquently, fifty can fight manfully, and a thousand that can dress
+genteelly at a mistress, where there is one that can gaze skilfully.
+This requires an exquisite judgment, to take the language of her eyes to
+yours exactly, and not let yours talk too fast for hers; as at a play
+between the acts, when Beau Frisk stands upon a bench full in
+Lindamira's face, and her dear eyes are searching round to avoid that
+flaring open fool; she meets the watchful glance of her true lover, and
+sees his heart attentive on her charms, and waiting for a second twinkle
+of her eye for its next motion." Here the good company sneered; but he
+goes on. "Nor is this attendance a slavery, when a man meets
+encouragement, and her eye comes often in his way: for, after an evening
+so spent, and the repetition of four or five significant looks at him,
+the happy man goes home to his lodging, full of ten thousand pleasing
+images: his brain is dilated, and gives him all the ideas and prospects
+which it ever lets in to its seat of pleasure. Thus a kind look from
+Lindamira revives in his imagination all the beauteous lawns, green
+fields, woods, forests, rivers and solitudes, which he had ever before
+seen in picture, description, or real life: and all with this addition,
+that he now sees them with the eyes of a happy lover, as before only
+with those of a common man. You laugh, gentlemen: but consider
+yourselves (you common people that were never in love) and compare
+yourselves in good humour with yourselves out of humour, and you will
+then acknowledge, that all external objects affect you according to the
+disposition you are in to receive their impressions, and not as those
+objects are in their own nature. How much more shall all that passes
+within his view and observation, touch with delight a man who is
+prepossessed with successful love, which is an assemblage of soft
+affections, gay desires, and hopeful resolutions?" Poor Cynthio went on
+at this rate to the crowd about him, without any purpose in his talk,
+but to vent a heart overflowing with sense of success. I wondered what
+could exalt him from the distress in which he had long appeared, to so
+much alacrity. But my familiar has given me the state of his affairs. It
+seems then, that lately coming out of the play-house, his mistress, who
+knows he is in her livery (as the manner of insolent beauties is),
+resolved to keep him still so, and gave him so much wages, as to
+complain to him of the crowd she was to pass through. He had his wits
+and resolution enough about him to take her hand, and say, he would
+attend her to her coach. All the way thither, my good young man
+stammered at every word, and stumbled at every step. His mistress,
+wonderfully pleased with her triumph, put him to a thousand questions,
+to make a man of his natural wit speak with hesitation, and let drop her
+fan, to see him recover it awkwardly. This is the whole foundation of
+Cynthio's recovery to the sprightly air he appears with at present. I
+grew mighty curious to know something more of that lady's affairs, as
+being amazed how she could dally with an offer of one of his merit and
+fortune. I sent Pacolet to her lodgings; he immediately brought me back
+the following letter to her friend and confidante Amanda in the country,
+wherein she has opened her heart and all its folds.
+
+"DEAR AMANDA,
+
+The town grows so empty, that you must expect my letter so too, except
+you will allow me to talk of myself instead of others: you cannot
+imagine what pain it is, after a whole day spent in public, to want
+your company, and the ease which friendship allows in being vain to each
+other, and speaking all our minds. An account of the slaughter which
+these unhappy eyes have made within ten days last past, would make me
+appear too great a tyrant to be allowed in a Christian country. I shall
+therefore confine myself to my principal conquests, which are the hearts
+of Beau Frisk, and Jack Freeland, besides Cynthio, who, you know, wore
+my fetters before you went out of town. Shall I tell you my weakness? I
+begin to love Frisk: it is the best-humoured impertinent thing in the
+world: he is always too in waiting, and will certainly carry me off one
+time or other. Freeland's father and mine have been upon treaty without
+consulting me; and Cynthio has been eternally watching my eyes, without
+approaching me, my friends, my maid, or any one about me: he hopes to
+get me, I believe, as they say the rattlesnake does the squirrel, by
+staring at me till I drop into his mouth. Freeland demands me for a
+jointure which he thinks deserves me; Cynthio thinks nothing high enough
+to be my value: Freeland therefore will take it for no obligation to
+have me; and Cynthio's idea of me, is what will vanish by knowing me
+better. Familiarity will equally turn the veneration of the one, and the
+indifference of the other, into contempt. I will stick therefore to my
+old maxim, to have that sort of man, who can have no greater views than
+what are in my power to give him possession of. The utmost of my dear
+Frisk's ambition is, to be thought a man of fashion; and therefore has
+been so much in mode, as to resolve upon me, because the whole town
+likes me. Thus I choose rather a man who loves me because others do,
+than one who approves me on his own judgment. He that judges for himself
+in love, will often change his opinion; but he that follows the sense of
+others, must be constant, as long as a woman can make advances. The
+visits I make, the entertainments I give, and the addresses I receive,
+will be all arguments for me with a man of Frisk's second-hand genius;
+but would be so many bars to my happiness with any other man. However,
+since Frisk can wait, I shall enjoy a summer or two longer, and remain a
+single woman, in the sublime pleasure of being followed and admired;
+which nothing can equal, except that of being beloved by you.
+
+"I am, &c."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 30.
+
+My chief business here this evening was to speak to my friends in behalf
+of honest Cave Underhill,[259] who has been a comic for three
+generations: my father[260] admired him extremely when he was a boy.
+There is certainly nature excellently represented in his manner of
+action; in which he ever avoided that general fault in players, of doing
+too much. It must be confessed, he has not the merit of some ingenious
+persons now on the stage, of adding to his authors; for the actors were
+so dull in the last age, that many of them have gone out of the world,
+without having ever spoke one word of their own in the theatre. Poor
+Cave is so mortified, that he quibbles, and tells you, he pretends only
+to act a part fit for a man who has one foot in the grave; viz., a
+gravedigger. All admirers of true comedy, it is hoped, will have the
+gratitude to be present on the last day of his acting, who, if he does
+not happen to please them, will have it even then to say, that it is his
+first offence.
+
+But there is a gentleman here, who says he has it from good hands, that
+there is actually a subscription made by many persons of wit and
+quality, for the encouragement of new comedies. This design will very
+much contribute to the improvement and diversion of the town: but as
+every man is most concerned for himself, I, who am of a saturnine and
+melancholy complexion, cannot but murmur, that there is not an equal
+invitation to write tragedies, having by me, in my book of commonplaces,
+enough to enable me to finish a very sad one by the 5th of next month. I
+have the farewell of a general, with a truncheon in his hand, dying for
+love, in six lines. I have the principles of a politician (who does all
+the mischief in the play) together with his declaration on the vanity of
+ambition in his last moments, expressed in a page and a half. I have all
+my oaths ready, and my similes want nothing but application. I won't
+pretend to give you an account of the plot, it being the same design
+upon which all tragedies have been writ for several years last past; and
+from the beginning of the first scene, the frequenters of the house may
+know, as well as the author, when the battle is to be fought, the lady
+to yield, and the hero to proceed to his wedding and coronation. Besides
+these advantages which I have in readiness, I have an eminent tragedian
+very much my friend, who shall come in, and go through the whole five
+acts, without troubling me for one sentence, whether he is to kill or be
+killed, love or be loved, win battles or lose them, or whatever other
+tragical performance I shall please to assign him.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 30.
+
+I have this day received a letter subscribed "Fidelia," that gives me an
+account of an enchantment under which a young lady suffers, and desires
+my help to exorcise her from the power of the sorcerer. Her lover is a
+rake of sixty; the lady a virtuous woman of twenty-five: her relations
+are to the last degree afflicted, and amazed at this irregular passion:
+their sorrow I know not how to remove, but can their astonishment; for
+there is no spirit in woman half so prevalent as that of contradiction,
+which is the sole cause of her perseverance. Let the whole family go
+dressed in a body, and call the bride to-morrow morning to her nuptials,
+and I'll undertake, the inconstant will forget her lover in the midst of
+all his aches. But if this expedient does not succeed, I must be so just
+to the young lady's distinguishing sense, as to applaud her choice. A
+fine young woman, at last, is but what is due from fate to an honest
+fellow, who has suffered so unmercifully by the sex; and I think we
+cannot enough celebrate her heroic virtue, who (like the patriot that
+ended a pestilence by plunging himself into a gulf) gives herself up to
+gorge that dragon which has devoured so many virgins before her.
+
+A letter directed to "Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; astrologer and physician
+in ordinary to her Majesty's subjects of Great Britain, with respect,"
+is come to hand.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 258: See Nos. 1, 5, 35, 85.]
+
+[Footnote 259: The following advertisement appeared in Nos. 20 and 22:
+"Mr. Cave Underhill, the famous comedian in the reigns of Charles II.,
+King James II., King William and Queen Mary, and her present Majesty
+Queen Anne; but now not able to perform so often as heretofore in the
+playhouse, and having had losses to the value of near £2500, is to have
+the tragedy of 'Hamlet' acted for his benefit, on Friday, the 3rd of
+June next, at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, in which he is to perform
+his original part, the Grave-maker. Tickets may be had at the Mitre
+Tavern in Fleet Street." Colley Cibber says that Underhill was
+particularly admired in the character of the Grave-digger; and he adds:
+"Underhill was a correct and natural comedian; his particular excellence
+was in characters that may be called still-life; I mean the stiff, the
+heavy, and the stupid; to these he gave the exactest and most expressive
+colours, and in some of them looked as if it were not in the power of
+human passions to alter a feature of him. A countenance of wood could
+not be more fixed than his, when the blockhead of a character required
+it; his face was full and long; from his crown to the end of his nose
+was the shorter half of it, so that the disproportion of his lower
+features, when soberly composed, threw him into the most lumpish, moping
+mortal, that ever made beholders merry; not but, at other times, he
+could be wakened into spirit equally ridiculous." Genest says that
+Underhill acted again as the Grave-digger on Feb. 23, 1710, at Drury
+Lane.]
+
+[Footnote 260: "Grandfather" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 23. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 31_, to _Thursday, June 2_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 31.
+
+The generality of mankind are so very fond of this world, and of staying
+in it, that a man cannot have eminent skill in any one art, but they
+will, in spite of his teeth, make him a physician also, that being the
+science the worldlings have most need of. I pretended, when I first set
+up, to astrology only; but I am told, I have deep skill also in
+medicine. I am applied to now by a gentleman for my advice in behalf of
+his wife, who, upon the least matrimonial difficulty, is excessively
+troubled with fits, and can bear no manner of passion without falling
+into immediate convulsions. I must confess, it is a case I have known
+before, and remember the party was recovered by certain words pronounced
+in the midst of the fit by the learned doctor who performed the cure.
+These ails have usually their beginning from the affections of the mind:
+therefore you must have patience to let me give you an instance, whereby
+you may discern the cause of the distemper, and then proceed in the cure
+as follows:
+
+A fine town lady was married to a gentleman of ancient descent in one of
+the counties of Great Britain, who had good humour to a weakness, and
+was that sort of person, of whom it is usually said, he is no man's
+enemy but his own: one who had too much tenderness of soul to have any
+authority with his wife; and she too little sense to give him authority
+for that reason. His kind wife observed this temper in him, and made
+proper use of it. But knowing it was below a gentlewoman to wrangle, she
+resolved upon an expedient to save decorum, and wear her dear to her
+point at the same time. She therefore took upon her to govern him, by
+falling into fits whenever she was repulsed in a request, or
+contradicted in a discourse. It was a fish-day, when in the midst of her
+husband's good humour at table, she bethought herself to try her
+project. She made signs that she had swallowed a bone. The man grew pale
+as ashes, and ran to her assistance, calling for drink. "No, my dear,"
+said she, recovering, "it is down; don't be frightened." This accident
+betrayed his softness enough. The next day she complained, a lady's
+chariot, whose husband had not half his estate, had a crane-neck, and
+hung with twice the air that hers did. He answered, "Madam, you know my
+income; you know I have lost two coach-horses this spring."--Down she
+fell.--"Hartshorn! Betty, Susan, Alice, throw water in her face." With
+much care and pains she was at last brought to herself, and the vehicle
+in which she visited was amended in the nicest manner, to prevent
+relapses; but they frequently happened during that husband's whole life,
+which he had the good fortune to end in few years after. The
+disconsolate soon pitched upon a very agreeable successor, whom she very
+prudently designed to govern by the same method. This man knew her
+little arts, and resolved to break through all tenderness, and be
+absolute master, as soon as occasion offered. One day it happened, that
+a discourse arose about furniture: he was very glad of the occasion, and
+fell into an invective against china,[261] protesting, he would never
+let five pounds more of his money be laid out that way as long as he
+breathed. She immediately fainted--he starts up as amazed, and calls for
+help--the maids ran to the closet--he chafes her face, bends her
+forwards, and beats the palms of her hands: her convulsions increase,
+and down she tumbles on the floor, where she lies quite dead, in spite
+of what the whole family, from the nursery to the kitchen, could do for
+her relief.
+
+While every servant was thus helping or lamenting their mistress, he,
+fixing his cheek to hers, seemed to be following her in a trance of
+sorrow; but secretly whispers her, "My dear, this will never do: what is
+within my power and fortune, you may always command, but none of your
+artifices: you are quite in other hands than those you passed these
+pretty passions upon." This made her almost in the condition she
+pretended; her convulsions now came thicker, nor was she to be held
+down. The kind man doubles his care, helps the servants to throw water
+in her face by full quarts; and when the sinking part of the fit came
+again, "Well, my dear," said he, "I applaud your action; but I must take
+my leave of you till you are more sincere with me. Farewell for ever:
+you shall always know where to hear of me, and want for nothing." With
+that, he ordered the maids to keep plying her with hartshorn, while he
+went for a physician: he was scarce at the stairhead when she followed;
+and pulling him into a closet, thanked him for her cure; which was so
+absolute, that she gave me this relation herself, to be communicated for
+the benefit of all the voluntary invalids of her sex.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 31.
+
+The public is not so little my concern, though I am but a student, as
+that I should not interest myself in the present great things in
+agitation. I am still of opinion, the French king will sign the
+preliminaries. With that view, I have sent him by my familiar the
+following epistle, and admonished him, on pain of what I shall say of
+him to future generations, to act with sincerity on this occasion.
+
+#"London, May 31.#
+
+#"Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., of Great Britain, to Lewis XIV. of France.#
+
+"The surprising news which arrived this day, of your Majesty's having
+refused to sign the treaty your Ministers have in a manner sued for, is
+what gives ground to this application to your Majesty, from one whose
+name, perhaps, is too obscure to have ever reached your territories; but
+one who, with all the European world, is affected with your
+determinations. Therefore, as it is mine and the common cause of
+mankind, I presume to expostulate with you on this occasion. It will, I
+doubt not, appear to the vulgar extravagant, that the actions of a
+mighty prince should be balanced by the censure of a private man, whose
+approbation or dislike are equally contemptible in their eyes, when they
+regard the thrones of sovereigns. But your Majesty has shown, through
+the whole course of your reign, too great a value for liberal arts to be
+insensible, that true fame lies only in the hands of learned men, by
+whom it is to be transmitted to futurity, with marks of honour or
+reproach to the end of time. The date of human life is too short to
+recompense the cares which attend the most private condition: therefore
+it is, that our souls are made as it were too big for it, and extend
+themselves in the prospect of a longer existence, in a good fame and
+memory of worthy actions after our decease. The whole race of men have
+this passion in some degree implanted in their bosoms, which is the
+strongest and noblest incitation to honest attempts: but the base use of
+the arts of peace, eloquence, poetry, and all the parts of learning,
+have been possessed by souls so unworthy those faculties, that the names
+and appellations of things have been confounded by the labours and
+writings of prostituted men, who have stamped a reputation upon such
+actions as are in themselves the objects of contempt and disgrace. This
+is that which has misled your Majesty in the conduct of your reign, and
+made that life, which might have been the most imitable, the most to be
+avoided. To this it is, that the great and excellent qualities of which
+your Majesty is master, are lost in their application; and your Majesty
+has been carrying on for many years the most cruel tyranny, with all the
+noble methods which are used to support a just reign. Thus it is, that
+it avails nothing that you are a bountiful master; that you are so
+generous as to reward even the unsuccessful with honour and riches; that
+no laudable action passes unrewarded in your kingdoms; that you have
+searched all nations for obscure merit; in a word, that you are in your
+private character endowed with every princely quality, when all this is
+subjected to unjust and ill-taught ambition, which to the injury of the
+world, is gilded by those endowments. However, if your Majesty will
+condescend to look into your own soul, and consider all its faculties
+and weaknesses with impartiality; if you will but be convinced, that
+life is supported in you by the ordinary methods of food, rest, and
+sleep; you would think it impossible that you could ever be so much
+imposed on, as to have been wrought into a belief, that so many
+thousands of the same make with yourself, were formed by Providence for
+no other end, but by the hazard of their very being to extend the
+conquests and glory of an individual of their own species. A very little
+reflection will convince your Majesty, that such cannot be the intent of
+the Creator; and if not, what horror must it give your Majesty to think
+of the vast devastations your ambition has made among your fellow
+creatures? While the warmth of youth, the flattery of crowds, and a
+continual series of success and triumph, indulged your Majesty in this
+allusion of mind, it was less to be wondered at, that you proceeded in
+this mistaken pursuit of grandeur; but when age, disappointments, public
+calamities, personal distempers, and the reverse of all that makes men
+forget their true being, are fallen upon you: heavens! is it possible
+you can live without remorse? Can the wretched man be a tyrant? Can
+grief study torments? Can sorrow be cruel?--
+
+"Your Majesty will observe, I do not bring against you a railing
+accusation; but as you are a strict professor of religion, I beseech
+your Majesty to stop the effusion of blood, by receiving the opportunity
+which presents itself, for the preservation of your distressed people.
+Be no longer so infatuated, as to hope for renown from murder and
+violence: but consider, that the great day will come, in which this
+world and all its glory shall change in a moment: when nature shall
+sicken, and the earth and sea give up the bodies committed to them, to
+appear before the last tribunal. Will it then, O king! be an answer for
+the lives of millions who have fallen by the sword, 'They perished for
+my glory'? That day will come on, and one like it is immediately
+approaching: injured nations advance towards thy habitation: vengeance
+has begun its march, which is to be diverted only by the penitence of
+the oppressor. Awake, O monarch, from thy lethargy! Disdain the abuses
+thou hast received: pull down the statue which calls thee immortal: be
+truly great: tear thy purple, and put on sackcloth.
+
+"I am,
+
+"Thy generous Enemy,
+
+                                        "ISAAC BICKERSTAFF."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 1.
+
+Advices from Brussels of the 6th instant, N.S., say, his Highness Prince
+Eugene had received a letter from Monsieur Torcy, wherein that Minister,
+after many expressions of great respect, acquaints him, that his master
+had absolutely refused to sign the preliminaries to the treaty which he
+had, in his Majesty's behalf, consented to at the Hague. Upon the
+receipt of this intelligence, the face of things at that place were
+immediately altered, and the necessary orders were transmitted to the
+troops (which lay most remote from thence) to move towards the place of
+rendezvous with all expedition. The enemy seem also to prepare for the
+field, and have at present drawn together twenty-five thousand men in
+the plains of Lenz. Marshal Villars is at the head of those troops; and
+has given the generals under his command all possible assurances, that
+he will turn the fate of the war to the advantage of his master.
+
+They write from the Hague of the 7th, that Monsieur Rouillé had received
+orders from the Court of France, to signify to the States-General and
+the Ministers of the High Allies, that the king could not consent to the
+preliminaries of a treaty of peace, as it was offered to him by Monsieur
+Torcy. The great difficulty is the business of Spain, on which
+particular his Ministers seemed only to say, during the treaty, that it
+was not so immediately under their master's direction, as that he could
+answer for its being relinquished by the Duke of Anjou: but now he
+positively answers, that he cannot comply with what his Minister has
+promised in his behalf, even in such points as are wholly in himself to
+act in or not. This has had no other effect, than to give the Alliance
+fresh arguments for being diffident of engagements entered into by
+France. The Pensioner made a report of all which this Minister had
+declared to the Deputies of the States-General, and all things turn
+towards a vigorous war. The Duke of Marlborough designed to leave the
+Hague within two days, in order to put himself at the head of the army,
+which is to assemble on the 17th instant between the Scheldt and the
+Lis. A fleet of eighty sail, laden with corn from the Baltic, is arrived
+in the Texel. The States have sent circular letters to all the
+provinces, to notify this change of affairs, and animate their subjects
+to new resolutions in defence of their country.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 261: Addison ridiculed the prevalent craze for collecting
+china in No. 10 of the _Lover_; and Swift wrote to Steele, "What do I
+know whether china is dear or not; I once took a fancy of resolving to
+go mad for it, but now it is off."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 24. [ADDISON.
+
+From _Thursday, June 2_, to _Saturday, June 4_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 2.
+
+In my paper of the 28th of the last month,[262] I mentioned several
+characters which want explanation to the generality of readers: among
+others, I spoke of a Pretty Fellow; but I have received a kind
+admonition in a letter, to take care that I do not omit to show also
+what is meant by a Very Pretty Fellow, which is to be allowed as a
+character by itself, and a person exalted above the other by a peculiar
+sprightliness, as one who, by a distinguishing vigour, outstrips his
+companions, and has thereby deserved and obtained a particular
+appellation, or nickname of familiarity. Some have this distinction from
+the fair sex, who are so generous as to take into their protection those
+who are laughed at by the men, and place them for that reason in degrees
+of favour. The chief of this sort is Colonel Brunett, who is a man of
+fashion, because he will be so; and practises a very jaunty way of
+behaviour, because he is too careless to know when he offends, and too
+sanguine to be mortified if he did know it. Thus the colonel has met
+with a town ready to receive him, and cannot possibly see why he should
+not make use of their favour, and set himself in the first degree of
+conversation. Therefore he is very successfully loud among the wits,
+familiar among the ladies, and dissolute among the rakes. Thus he is
+admitted in one place, because he is so in another; and every man treats
+Brunett well, not out of his particular esteem for him, but in respect
+to the opinion of others. It is to me a solid pleasure to see the world
+thus mistaken on the good-natured side; for it is ten to one but the
+colonel mounts into a general officer, marries a fine lady, and is
+master of a good estate, before they come to explain upon him. What
+gives most delight to me in this observation, is, that all this arises
+from pure nature, and the colonel can account for his success no more
+than those by whom he succeeds. For these causes and considerations, I
+pronounce him a true woman's man, and in the first degree, "a very
+pretty fellow." The next to a man of this universal genius, is one who
+is peculiarly formed for the service of the ladies, and his merit
+chiefly is to be of no consequence. I am indeed a little in doubt,
+whether he ought not rather to be called a "very happy," than a "very
+pretty" fellow? For he is admitted at all hours: all he says or does,
+which would offend in another, are passed over in him; and all actions
+and speeches which please, doubly please if they come from him: no one
+wonders or takes notice when he is wrong; but all admire him when he is
+in the right. By the way it is fit to remark, that there are people of
+better sense than these, who endeavour at this character; but they are
+out of nature; and though, with some industry, they get the characters
+of fools, they cannot arrive to be "very," seldom to be merely "pretty
+fellows." But where nature has formed a person for this station amongst
+men, he is gifted with a peculiar genius for success, and his very
+errors and absurdities contribute to it; this felicity attending him to
+his life's end. For it being in a manner necessary that he should be of
+no consequence, he is as well in old age as youth; and I know a man,
+whose son has been some years a pretty fellow, who is himself at this
+hour a "very" pretty fellow. One must move tenderly in this place, for
+we are now in the ladies' lodgings, and speaking of such as are
+supported by their influence and favour; against which there is not,
+neither ought there to be, any dispute or observation. But when we come
+into more free air, one may talk a little more at large. Give me leave
+then to mention three, whom I do not doubt but we shall see make
+considerable figures; and these are such as, for their Bacchanalian
+performances, must be admitted into this order. They are three brothers
+lately landed from Holland: as yet, indeed, they have not made their
+public entry, but lodge and converse at Wapping. They have merited
+already on the waterside particular titles: the first is called
+Hogshead; the second Culverin; and the third Musket. This fraternity is
+preparing for our end of the town by their ability in the exercises of
+Bacchus, and measure their time and merit by liquid weight, and power
+of drinking. Hogshead is a prettier fellow than Culverin by two quarts,
+and Culverin than Musket by a full pint. It is to be feared, Hogshead is
+so often too full, and Culverin overloaded, that Musket will be the only
+lasting "very" pretty fellow of the three.[263] A third sort of this
+denomination are such as, by very daring adventures in love, have
+purchased to themselves renown and new names; as, Joe Carry, for his
+excessive strength and vigour; Tom Drybones, for his generous loss of
+youth and health; and Cancrum, for his meritorious rottenness. These
+great and leading spirits are proposed to all such of our British youth
+as would arrive at perfection in these different kinds; and if their
+parts and accomplishments were well imitated, it is not doubted but that
+our nation would soon excel all others in wit and arts, as they already
+do in arms.
+
+N.B.--The gentleman who stole Betty Pepin,[264] may own it, for he is
+allowed to be a "very" pretty fellow.
+
+#But we must proceed to the explanation of other terms in our writings.#
+
+To know what a Toast is in the country, gives as much perplexity as she
+herself does in town: and, indeed, the learned differ very much upon the
+original of this word, and the acceptation of it among the moderns.
+However, it is by all agreed to have a joyous and cheerful import. A
+toast in a cold morning, heightened by nutmeg, and sweetened with sugar,
+has for many ages been given to our rural dissenters of justice, before
+they entered upon causes, and has been of great and politic use to take
+off the severity of their sentences; but has indeed been remarkable for
+one ill effect, that it inclines those who use it immoderately, to speak
+Latin, to the admiration, rather than information, of an audience. This
+application of "a toast" makes it very obvious, that the word may,
+without a metaphor, be understood as an apt name for a thing which
+raises us in the most sovereign degree. But many of the wits of the last
+age will assert, that the word, in its present sense, was known among
+them in their youth, and had its rise from an accident at the town of
+Bath, in the reign of King Charles II. It happened, that on a public day
+a celebrated beauty of those times was in the Cross Bath, and one of the
+crowd of her admirers took a glass of the water in which the fair one
+stood, and drank her health to the company. There was in the place a gay
+fellow, half fuddled, who offered to jump in, and swore, though he liked
+not the liquor, he would have the toast. He was opposed in his
+resolution; yet this whim gave foundation to the present honour which is
+done to the lady we mention in our liquors, who has ever since been
+called a "toast." Though this institution had so trivial a beginning, it
+is now elevated into a formal order; and that happy virgin who is
+received and drank to at their meetings, has no more to do in this life,
+but to judge and accept of the first good offer. The manner of her
+inauguration is much like that of the choice of a Doge in Venice: it is
+performed by balloting; and when she is so chosen, she reigns
+indisputably for that ensuing year; but must be elected anew to prolong
+her empire a moment beyond it. When she is regularly chosen, her name is
+written with a diamond on a drinking-glass.[265] The hieroglyphic of the
+diamond is to show her, that her value is imaginary; and that of the
+glass to acquaint her, that her condition is frail, and depends on the
+hand which holds her. This wise design admonishes her, neither to
+overrate nor depreciate her charms; as well considering and applying,
+that it is perfectly according to the humour and taste of the company,
+whether the toast is eaten, or left as an offal.
+
+The foremost of the whole rank of toasts, and the most undisputed in
+their present empire, are Mrs. Gatty and Mrs. Frontlet: the first, an
+agreeable; the second, an awful beauty. These ladies are perfect
+friends, out of a knowledge that their perfections are too different to
+stand in competition. He that likes Gatty can have no relish for so
+solemn a creature as Frontlet; and an admirer of Frontlet will call
+Gatty a maypole-girl. Gatty for ever smiles upon you; and Frontlet
+disdains to see you smile. Gatty's love is a shining quick flame;
+Frontlet's a slow wasting fire. Gatty likes the man that diverts her;
+Frontlet him who adores her. Gatty always improves the soil in which she
+travels; Frontlet lays waste the country. Gatty does not only smile, but
+laughs at her lover; Frontlet not only looks serious, but frowns at him.
+All the men of wit (and coxcombs their followers) are professed servants
+of Gatty: the politicians and pretenders give solemn worship to
+Frontlet. Their reign will be best judged of by its duration. Frontlet
+will never be chosen more; and Gatty is a toast for life.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 3.
+
+Letters from Hamburg of the 7th instant, N.S., inform us, that no art or
+cost is omitted to make the stay of his Danish Majesty at Dresden
+agreeable; but there are various speculations upon the interview between
+King Augustus and that prince, many putting politic constructions upon
+his Danish Majesty's arrival, at a time when his troops are marching out
+of Hungary, with orders to pass through Saxony, where it is given out,
+that they are to be recruited. It is said also, that several Polish
+senators have invited King Augustus to return into Poland. His Majesty
+of Sweden, according to the same advices, has passed the Dnieper without
+any opposition from the Muscovites, and advances with all possible
+expedition towards Voldinia, where he proposes to join King Stanislaus
+and General Cressau.
+
+We hear from Berne of the 1st instant, N.S., that there is not a
+province in France, from whence the Court is not apprehensive of
+receiving accounts of public emotions, occasioned by the want of corn.
+The General Diet of the thirteen cantons is assembled at Baden, but have
+not yet entered upon business, so that the affair of Tockenburg is yet
+at a stand.
+
+Letters from the Hague, dated the 11th instant, N.S., advise that
+Monsieur Rouillé having acquainted the Ministers of the Allies, that his
+master had refused to ratify the preliminaries of a treaty adjusted with
+Monsieur Torcy, set out for Paris on Sunday morning. The same day the
+foreign Ministers met a committee of the States-General, where Monsieur
+van Hessen opened the business upon which they were assembled, and in a
+very warm discourse laid before them the conduct of France in the late
+negotiations, representing the abject manner in which she had laid open
+her own distresses, which reduced her to a compliance with the demands
+of all the Allies, and the mean manner in receding from those points to
+which her Minister had consented. The respective Ministers of each
+potentate of the Alliance severally expressed their resentment of the
+faithless behaviour of the French, and gave each other mutual assurances
+of the constancy and resolution of their principles to proceed with the
+utmost vigour against the common enemy. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough set out from the Hague on the 9th, in the afternoon, and lay
+that night at Rotterdam, from whence at four the next morning he
+proceeded towards Antwerp, with design to reach Ghent as on this day.
+All the troops in the Low Countries are in motion towards the general
+rendezvous between the Scheldt and Lis, and the whole army will be
+formed on the 12th instant; and it is said that on the 14th they will
+advance towards the enemy's country. In the meantime the Marshal de
+Villars has assembled the French army between Lens, la Bassée, and
+Douay.
+
+Yesterday morning Sir John Norris[266] with the squadron under his
+command, sailed from the Downs for Holland.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 3.
+
+I have the honour of the following letter from a gentleman whom I
+receive into my family, and order the heralds at arms to enroll him
+accordingly.
+
+"MR. BICKERSTAFF,
+
+"Though you have excluded me the honour of your family, yet I have
+ventured to correspond with the same great persons as yourself, and have
+wrote this post to the King of France; though I'm in a manner unknown
+in his country, and have not been seen there these many months.
+
+#"'To Lewis le Grand.#
+
+    "'Though in your country I'm unknown,
+      Yet, sir, I must advise you;
+    Of late so poor and mean you're grown,
+      That all the world despise you.
+
+    Here vermin eat your majesty,
+      There meagre subjects stand unfed;
+    What surer signs of poverty,
+      Than many lice, and little bread?
+
+    Then, sir, the present minute choose,
+      Our armies are advanced;
+    Those terms you at the Hague refuse,
+      At Paris won't be granted.
+
+    Consider this, and Dunkirk raze,
+      And Anna's title own;
+    Send one Pretender out to graze,
+      And call the other home.'
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "BREAD, THE STAFF OF LIFE."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 262: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 263: It would seem from the passage in the _Examiner_ (vol.
+iii. No. 48), that three men of distinction at that time, probably
+noblemen, were supposed to be denoted under the names of Hogshead,
+Culverin, and Musket, from Wapping; or, as they are named by the
+_Examiner_, "Tun, Gun, and Pistol, from Wapping." They are there
+mentioned among others, said to have been, "with at least fifty more,
+sufferers of figure under this author's satire, in the days of his
+mirth," &c. In the _Guardian_ (No. 53) Steele says, "Tun, Gun, and
+Pistol from Wapping, laughed at the representation which was made of
+them, and were observed to be more regular in their conduct
+afterwards."]
+
+[Footnote 264: The kept mistress of a knight of the shire near
+Brentford, who squandered his estate on women, and in contested
+elections. He has long since gone into the land of oblivion. See No.
+51.--(Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 265: Several such verses, inscribed on the glasses of the Kit
+Cat Club, are given in Nichols' "Select Collection of Poems," v.
+168-178.]
+
+[Footnote 266: Admiral Sir John Norris (died 1749) was sent in June
+1709, with a small squadron, to stop the French supply of corn from the
+Baltic.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 25. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 4_, to _Tuesday, June 7_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 6.
+
+A letter from a young lady, written in the most passionate terms
+(wherein she laments the misfortune of a gentleman, her lover, who was
+lately wounded in a duel), has turned my thoughts to that subject, and
+inclined me to examine into the causes which precipitate men into so
+fatal a folly.[267] And as it has been proposed to treat of subjects of
+gallantry in the article from hence, and no one point of nature is more
+proper to be considered by the company who frequent this place, than
+that of duels, it is worth our consideration to examine into this
+chimerical groundless humour, and to lay every other thought aside, till
+we have stripped it of all its false pretences to credit and reputation
+amongst men. But I must confess, when I consider what I am going about,
+and run over in my imagination all the endless crowd of men of honour
+who will be offended at such a discourse, I am undertaking, methinks, a
+work worthy an invulnerable hero in romance, rather than a private
+gentleman with a single rapier; but as I am pretty well acquainted by
+great opportunities with the nature of man, and know of a truth, that
+all men fight against their will, the danger vanishes, and resolution
+rises upon this subject. For this reason I shall talk very freely on a
+custom which all men wish exploded, though no man has courage enough to
+resist it. But there is one unintelligible word which I fear will
+extremely perplex my dissertation, and I confess to you I find very
+hard to explain, which is, the term "satisfaction." An honest country
+gentleman had the misfortune to fall into company with two or three
+modern men of honour, where he happened to be very ill-treated; and one
+of the company being conscious of his offence, sends a note to him in
+the morning, and tells him, he was ready to give him satisfaction. "This
+is fine doing," says the plain fellow: "last night he sent me away
+cursedly out of humour, and this morning he fancies it would be a
+satisfaction to be run through the body." As the matter at present
+stands, it is not to do handsome actions denominates a man of honour; it
+is enough if he dares to defend ill ones. Thus you often see a common
+sharper in competition with a gentleman of the first rank; though all
+mankind is convinced, that a fighting gamester is only a pickpocket with
+the courage of a highwayman. One cannot with any patience reflect on the
+unaccountable jumble of persons and things in this town and nation,
+which occasions very frequently, that a brave man falls by a hand below
+that of the common hangman, and yet his executioner escapes the clutches
+of the hangman for doing it. I shall therefore hereafter consider, how
+the bravest men in other ages and nations have behaved themselves upon
+such incidents as we decide by combat; and show, from their practice,
+that this resentment neither has its foundation from true reason, nor
+solid fame; but is an imposture,[268] made up of cowardice, falsehood,
+and want of understanding. For this work, a good history of quarrels
+would be very edifying to the public, and I apply myself to the town for
+particulars and circumstances within their knowledge, which may serve to
+embellish the dissertation with proper cuts. Most of the quarrels I have
+ever known, have proceeded from some valiant coxcomb's persisting in
+the wrong, to defend some prevailing folly, and preserve himself from
+the ingenuity of owning a mistake.[269]
+
+By this means it is called, "giving a man satisfaction," to urge your
+offence against him with your sword; which puts me in mind of Peter's
+order to the keeper, in the "Tale of a Tub": "If you neglect to do all
+this, damn you and your generation for ever; and so we bid you heartily
+farewell."[270] If the contradiction in the very terms of one of our
+challenges were as well explained, and turned into plain English, would
+it not run after this manner?
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Your extraordinary behaviour last night, and the liberty you were
+pleased to take with me, makes me this morning give you this, to tell
+you, because you are an ill-bred puppy, I will meet you in Hyde Park an
+hour hence; and because you want both breeding and humanity, I desire
+you would come with a pistol in your hand, on horseback, and endeavour
+to shoot me through the head; to teach you more manners. If you fail of
+doing me this pleasure, I shall say, you are a rascal on every post in
+town: and so, sir, if you will not injure me more, I shall never forgive
+what you have done already. Pray sir, do not fail of getting everything
+ready, and you will infinitely oblige,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"humble Servant, &c."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 6.
+
+Among the many employments I am necessarily put upon by my friends, that
+of giving advice is the most unwelcome to me; and indeed, I am forced to
+use a little art in the matter; for some people will ask counsel of you,
+when they have already acted what they tell you is still under
+deliberation. I had almost lost a very good friend the other day, who
+came to know how I liked his design to marry such a lady. I answered,
+"By no means; and I must be positive against it, for very solid reasons,
+which are not proper to communicate." "Not proper to communicate!" said
+he with a grave air, "I will know the bottom of this." I saw him moved,
+and knew from thence he was already determined; therefore evaded it by
+saying, "To tell you the truth, dear Frank, of all women living, I would
+have her myself." "Isaac," said he, "thou art too late, for we have been
+both one these two months." I learned this caution by a gentleman's
+consulting me formerly about his son. He railed at his damned
+extravagance, and told me, in a very little time, he would beggar him by
+the exorbitant bills which came from Oxford every quarter. "Make the
+rogue bite upon the bridle,"[271] said I, "pay none of his bills, it
+will but encourage him to further trespasses." He looked plaguy sour at
+me. His son soon after sent up a paper of verses, forsooth, in print, on
+the last public occasion; upon which, he is convinced the boy has parts,
+and a lad of spirit is not to be too much cramped in his maintenance,
+lest he take ill courses. Neither father nor son can ever since endure
+the sight of me. These sort of people ask opinions, only out of the
+fulness of their heart on the subject of their perplexity, and not from
+a desire of information. There is nothing so easy as to find out which
+opinion the person in doubt has a mind to; therefore the sure way is to
+tell him, that is certainly to be chosen. Then you are to be very clear
+and positive; leave no handle for scruple. "Bless me! sir, there is no
+room for a question." This rivets you into his heart; for you at once
+applaud his wisdom, and gratify his inclination. However, I had too much
+bowels to be insincere to a man who came yesterday to know of me, with
+which of two eminent men in the City he should place his son? Their
+names are Paulo and Avaro.[272] This gave me much debate with myself,
+because not only the fortune of the youth, but his virtue also depended
+upon this choice. The men are equally wealthy; but they differ in the
+use and application of their riches, which you immediately see upon
+entering their doors.
+
+The habitation of Paulo has at once the air of a nobleman and a
+merchant. You see the servants act with affection to their master, and
+satisfaction in themselves: the master meets you with an open
+countenance, full of benevolence and integrity: your business is
+despatched with that confidence and welcome which always accompanies
+honest minds: his table is the image of plenty and generosity, supported
+by justice and frugality. After we had dined here, our affair was to
+visit Avaro: out comes an awkward fellow with a careful countenance;
+"Sir, would you speak with my master? May I crave your name?" After the
+first preambles, he leads us into a noble solitude, a great house that
+seemed uninhabited; but from the end of the spacious hall moves towards
+us Avaro, with a suspicious aspect, as if he believed us thieves; and as
+for my part, I approached him as if I knew him a cut-purse. We fell
+into discourse of his noble dwelling, and the great estate all the world
+knew he had to enjoy in it: and I, to plague him, fell a commending
+Paulo's way of living. "Paulo," answered Avaro, "is a very good man; but
+we who have smaller estates, must cut our coat according to our cloth."
+"Nay," says I, "every man knows his own circumstance best; you are in
+the right, if you haven't wherewithal." He looked very sour (for it is,
+you must know, the utmost vanity of a mean-spirited rich man to be
+contradicted, when he calls himself poor). But I was resolved to vex
+him, by consenting to all he said; the main design of which was, that he
+would have us find out, he was one of the wealthiest men in London, and
+lived like a beggar. We left him, and took a turn on the 'Change. My
+friend was ravished with Avaro. "This," said he, "is certainly a sure
+man." I contradicted him with much warmth, and summed up their different
+characters as well as I could. "This Paulo," said I, "grows wealthy by
+being a common good; Avaro, by being a general evil: Paulo has the art,
+Avaro the craft of trade. When Paulo gains, all men he deals with are
+the better: whenever Avaro profits, another certainly loses. In a word,
+Paulo is a citizen, and Avaro a cit." I convinced my friend, and carried
+the young gentleman the next day to Paulo, where he will learn the way
+both to gain, and enjoy a good fortune. And though I cannot say, I have,
+by keeping him from Avaro, saved him from the gallows, I have prevented
+his deserving it every day he lives: for with Paulo he will be an honest
+man, without being so for fear of the law; as with Avaro, he would have
+been a villain within the protection of it.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 6.
+
+We hear from Vienna of the 1st instant, that Baron Imoff, who attended
+her Catholic Majesty with the character of Envoy from the Duke of
+Wolfembuttel, was returned thither. That Minister brought an account,
+that Major-general Stanhope, with the troops which embarked at Naples,
+was returned to Barcelona. We hear from Berlin, by advices of the 8th
+instant, that his Prussian Majesty had received intelligence from his
+Minister at Dresden, that the King of Denmark desired to meet his
+Majesty at Magdeburg. The King of Prussia has sent answer, that his
+present indisposition will not admit of so great a journey; but has sent
+the king a very pressing invitation to come to Berlin or Potsdam. These
+advices say, that the Minister of the King of Sweden has produced a
+letter from his master to the King of Poland, dated from Batitzau the
+30th of March, O.S., wherein he acquaints him, that he has been
+successful against the Muscovites in all the occasions which have
+happened since his march into their country. Great numbers have revolted
+to the Swedes since General Mazeppa went over to that side; and as many
+as have done so, have taken solemn oaths to adhere to the interests of
+his Swedish Majesty.
+
+Advices from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., say, that all things
+tended to a vigorous and active campaign; the Allies having strong
+resentments against the late behaviour of the Court of France; and the
+French using all possible endeavours to animate their men to defend
+their country against a victorious and exasperated enemy. Monsieur
+Rouillé had passed through Brussels without visiting either the Duke of
+Marlborough or Prince Eugene, who were both there at that time. The
+States have met, and publicly declared their satisfaction in the
+conduct of their deputies during the whole treaty. Letters from France
+say, that the Court is resolved to put all to the issue of the ensuing
+campaign. In the meantime, they have ordered the preliminary treaty to
+be published, with observation upon each article, in order to quiet the
+minds of the people, and persuade them, that it has not been in the
+power of the king to procure a peace, but to the diminution of his
+Majesty's glory, and the hazard of his dominions. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene arrived at Ghent on Wednesday last, where,
+at an assembly of all the general officers, it was thought proper, by
+reason of the great rains which have lately fallen, to defer forming a
+camp, or bringing the troops together; but as soon as the weather would
+permit, to march upon the enemy with all expedition.[273]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 267: For Steele's other papers on duelling, see Nos. 26, 28,
+29, 31, 38, 39.]
+
+[Footnote 268: Something imposed upon us.]
+
+[Footnote 269: "While this barbarous custom of duelling is tolerated, we
+shall never be rid of coxcombs, who will defend their understandings by
+the sword, and force us to bear nonsense on pain of death."--(Steele,
+_Theatre_, No. 26.)]
+
+[Footnote 270: Swift's "Tale of a Tub," sect. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 271: _I.e._, hold him in.]
+
+[Footnote 272: Said to be Bateman and Heathcote, both eminent
+citizens--(_Gentleman's Magazine_, lx. 679.)]
+
+[Footnote 273: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received a letter, dated June 6,
+with the just exceptions against the pretence of persons therein
+mentioned, to the name of Pretty Fellows, which shall be taken notice of
+accordingly: as likewise, the letter from Anthony Longtail of
+Canterbury, concerning the death of Thomas à Becket" (folio). See Nos.
+24, 26.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 26. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 7_, to _Thursday, June 9_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 8.
+
+I have read the following letter with delight and approbation, and I
+hereby order Mr. Kidney at St. James's, and Sir Thomas at White's[274]
+(who are my clerks for enrolling all men in their distant classes,
+before they presume to drink tea or chocolate in those places), to take
+care, that the persons within the descriptions in the letter be
+admitted, and excluded according to my friend's remonstrance.[275]
+
+"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; at Mr. Morphew's near Stationers' Hall._
+
+"_June 6_, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Your paper of Saturday[276] has raised up in me a noble emulation, to
+be recorded in the foremost rank of worthies therein mentioned; and if
+any regard be had to merit or industry, I may hope to succeed in the
+promotion, for I have omitted no toil or expense to be a proficient; and
+if my friends do not flatter, they assure me, I have not lost my time
+since I came to town. To enumerate but a few particulars; there's hardly
+a coachman I meet with, but desires to be excused taking me, because he
+has had me before. I have compounded two or three rapes; and let out to
+hire as many bastards to beggars. I never saw above the first act of a
+play: and as to my courage, it is well known, I have more than once had
+sufficient witnesses of my drawing my sword both in tavern and
+playhouse. Dr. Wall[277] is my particular friend; and if it were any
+service to the public to compose the difference between Marten and
+Sintilaer[278] the pearl-driller, I don't know a judge of more
+experience than myself: for in that I may say with the poet,
+
+    "'_Quæ regio in villa nostri non plena laboris?_'[279]
+
+"I omit other less particulars, the necessary consequences of greater
+actions. But my reason for troubling you at this present is, to put a
+stop, if it may be, to an insinuating, increasing set of people, who
+sticking to the letter of your treatise, and not to the spirit of it, do
+assume the name of 'pretty fellows'; nay, and even get new names, as you
+very well hint. Some of them I have heard calling to one another, as I
+have sat at White's and St. James's, by the names of Betty, Nelly, and
+so forth. You see them accost each other with effeminate airs: they have
+their signs and tokens like freemasons: they rail at women-kind; receive
+visits on their beds in gowns, and do a thousand other unintelligible
+prettinesses that I cannot tell what to make of. I therefore heartily
+desire you would exclude all this sort of animals.
+
+"There is another matter I am foreseeing an ill consequence from, but
+may be timely prevented by prudence; which is, that for the last
+fortnight, prodigious shoals of volunteers have gone over to bully the
+French, upon hearing the peace was just signing; and this is so true,
+that I can assure you, all engrossing work about the Temple is risen
+above 3_s_. in the pound for want of hands. Now as it is possible some
+little alteration of affairs may have broken their measures, and that
+they will post back again, I am under the last apprehension, that these
+will, at their return, all set up for 'pretty fellows,' and thereby
+confound all merit and service, and impose on us some new alteration in
+our nightcap-wigs[280] and pockets, unless you can provide a particular
+class for them. I cannot apply myself better than to you, and I am sure
+I speak the mind of a very great number as deserving as myself."
+
+The pretensions of this correspondent are worthy a particular
+distinction: he cannot indeed be admitted as a "pretty," but is, what we
+more justly call, a "smart fellow." Never to pay at the playhouse, is an
+act of frugality, that lets you into his character. And his expedient in
+sending his children a-begging before they can go, are characteristical
+instances that he belongs to this class. I never saw the gentleman; but
+I know by his letter, he hangs his cane on his button;[281] and by some
+lines of it, he should wear red-heeled shoes;[282] which are essential
+parts of the habit belonging to the order of "smart fellows."
+
+My familiar is returned with the following letter from the French king:
+
+"Versailles, _June 13_, 1709.
+
+#"_Louis XIV. to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._[283]#
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I have your epistle, and must take the liberty to say, that there has
+been a time, when there were generous spirits in Great Britain, who
+would not have suffered my name to be treated with the familiarity you
+think fit to use. I thought liberal men would not be such time-servers,
+as to fall upon a man because his friends are not in power. But having
+some concern for what you may transmit to posterity concerning me, I am
+willing to keep terms with you, and make a request to you, which is,
+that you would give my service to the nineteenth century (if ever you or
+yours reach to them), and tell them, that I have settled all matters
+between them and me by Monsieur Boileau. I should be glad to see you
+here."
+
+It is very odd this prince should offer to invite me into his dominions,
+or believe I should accept the invitation. No, no, I remember too well
+how he served an ingenious gentleman, a friend of mine,[284] whom he
+locked up in the Bastille for no reason in the world, but because he was
+a wit, and feared he might mention him with justice in some of his
+writings. His way is, that all men of sense are preferred, banished, or
+imprisoned. He has indeed a sort of justice in him, like that of the
+gamesters; if a stander-by sees one at play cheat, he has a right to
+come in for snares, for knowing the mysteries of the game. This is a
+very wise and just maxim; and if I have not left at Mr. Morphew's,
+directed to me, bank bills for £200 on or before this day sevennight, I
+shall tell how Tom Cash got his estate. I expect three hundred pounds of
+Mr. Soilett, for concealing all the money he has lent to himself, and
+his landed friend bound with him, at thirty per cent. at his
+scrivener's. Absolute princes make people pay what they please in
+deference to their power: I do not know why I should not do the same,
+out of fear or respect to my knowledge. I always preserve decorums and
+civilities to the fair sex: therefore if a certain lady, who left her
+coach at the New Exchange[285] door in the Strand, and whipped down
+Durham Yard into a boat with a young gentleman for Fox Hall;[286] I say,
+if she will send me word, that I may give the fan which she dropped, and
+I found, to my sister Jenny, there shall be no more said of it. I expect
+hush-money to be regularly sent for every folly or vice any one commits
+in this whole town; and hope I may pretend to deserve it better than a
+chamber-maid, or _valet-de-chambre_: they only whisper it to the little
+set of their companions; but I can tell it to all men living, or who are
+to live. Therefore I desire all my readers to pay their fines, or mend
+their lives.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 8.
+
+My familiar being come from France, with an answer to my letter to Lewis
+of that kingdom, instead of going on in a discourse of what he had seen
+in that Court, he put on the immediate concern of a guardian, and fell
+to inquiring into my thoughts and adventures since his journey. As short
+as his stay had been, I confessed I had had many occasions for his
+assistance in my conduct; but communicated to him my thoughts of putting
+all my force against the horrid and senseless custom of duels. "If it
+were possible," said he, "to laugh at things in themselves so deeply
+tragical as the impertinent profusion of human life, I think I could
+divert you with a figure I saw just after my death, when the philosopher
+threw me, as I told you some days ago, into the pail of water.[287] You
+are to know, that when men leave the body, there are receptacles for
+them as soon as they depart, according to the manner in which they lived
+and died. At the very instant that I was killed, there came away with me
+a spirit which had lost its body in a duel. We were both examined. Me,
+the whole assembly looked at with kindness and pity, but at the same
+time with an air of welcome, and consolation: they pronounced me very
+happy, who had died in innocence; and told me, a quite different place
+was allotted to me, than that which was appointed for my companion;
+there being a great distance from the mansions of fools and innocents:
+'though at the same time,' said one of the ghosts, there is a great
+affinity between an idiot who has been so for long life, and a child who
+departs before maturity. But this gentleman who has arrived with you is
+a fool of his own making, is ignorant out of choice, and will fare
+accordingly.' The assembly began to flock about him, and one said to
+him, 'Sir, I observed you came into the gate of persons murdered, and I
+desire to know what brought you to your untimely end?' He said, he had
+been a second. Socrates (who may be said to have been murdered by the
+commonwealth of Athens) stood by, and began to draw near him, in order,
+after his manner, to lead him into a sense of his error by concessions
+in his own discourse. 'Sir,' said that divine and amicable spirit, 'what
+was the quarrel?' He answered, 'We shall know very suddenly, when the
+principal in the business comes, for he was desperately wounded before I
+fell.' 'Sir,' said the sage, 'had you an estate?' 'Yes, sir,' the new
+guest answered, 'I have left it in a very good condition; I made my will
+the night before this occasion.' 'Did you read it before you signed it?'
+'Yes sure, sir,' said the newcomer. Socrates replies, could a man that
+would not give his estate without reading the instrument, dispose of his
+life without asking a question? That illustrious shade turned from him,
+and a crowd of impertinent goblins, who had been drolls and parasites in
+their lifetime, and were knocked on the head for their sauciness, came
+about my fellow-traveller, and made themselves very merry with questions
+about the words 'carte' and 'terce' and other terms of fencers. But his
+thoughts began to settle into reflection upon the adventure which had
+robbed him of his late being; and with a wretched sigh, said he, 'How
+terrible are conviction and guilt when they come too late for
+penitence!'" Pacolet was going on in this strain, but he recovered from
+it, and told me, it was too soon to give my discourse on this subject so
+serious a turn; you have chiefly to do with that part of mankind which
+must be led into reflection by degrees, and you must treat this custom
+with humour and raillery to get an audience, before you come to
+pronounce sentence upon it. There is foundation enough for raising such
+entertainments from the practice on this occasion. Don't you know, that
+often a man is called out of bed to follow implicitly a coxcomb (with
+whom he would not keep company on any other occasion) to ruin and death?
+Then a good list of such as are qualified by the laws of these
+uncourteous men of chivalry to enter into combat (who are often persons
+of honour without common honesty): these, I say, ranged and drawn up in
+their proper order, would give an aversion to doing anything in common
+with such as men laugh at and contemn. But to go through this work, you
+must not let your thoughts vary, or make excursions from your theme:
+consider at the same time, that the matter has been often treated by the
+ablest and greatest writers; yet that must not discourage you; for the
+properest person to handle it, is one who has roved into mixed
+conversations, and must have opportunities (which I shall give you) of
+seeing these sort of men in their pleasures and gratifications; among
+which, they pretend to reckon fighting. It was pleasantly enough said of
+a bully in France, when duels first began to be punished: "The king has
+taken away gaming, and stage-playing, and now fighting too; how does he
+expect gentlemen shall divert themselves?"[288]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 274: See Nos. 1, 10, 16.]
+
+[Footnote 275: This letter is probably by Anthony Henley; see
+advertisement at end of No. 25. At this time Henley was M.P. for
+Weymouth, and a friend of the wits belonging to the Whig party. He died
+in 1711. See Nos. 11, 193.]
+
+[Footnote 276: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 277: Wall and the others named were quack doctors.]
+
+[Footnote 278: Sintelaer, who lived in High Holborn, published in Feb.
+1709, "The Scourge of Venus and Mercury. With an appendix in answer to
+Mr. John Marten's reflections thereupon" (_Postman_, Feb. 24 to 26,
+1709).]
+
+[Footnote 279: "Æneid," i. 460. Steele alters Virgil's "terriss" to
+"villa."]
+
+[Footnote 280: A sort of periwig, with a short tie and small round head.
+See No. 30, end. In the _Spectator_ (No. 319), Dorinda describes a
+humble servant of hers who "appeared to me in one of those wigs that I
+think you call a 'night-cap,' which had altered him more effectually
+than before. He afterwards played a couple of black riding wigs upon me,
+with the same success."]
+
+[Footnote 281: The elaborate canes used by the beaux commonly had a
+ribbon to enable them to be hung on the button of the waistcoat. Thus we
+find among the advertisements for lost canes, "A cane with a silver head
+and a black ribbon in it, the top of it amber, part of the head to turn
+round, and in it a perspective glass."]
+
+[Footnote 282: Men of fashion wore very high-heeled shoes, and their red
+heels are often satirised by Steele and Addison (cf. _Spectator_, No.
+311). In No. 16 of the _Spectator_ Addison said, "It is not my intention
+to sink the dignity of this my paper with reflections upon red-heels or
+topknots."]
+
+[Footnote 283: See Nos. 19, 23.]
+
+[Footnote 284: Probably Sir John Vanbrugh.]
+
+[Footnote 285: A bazaar on the south side of the Strand, between George
+Court and Durham Street, and opposite Bedford Street. There were two
+long and double galleries, one above the other, containing shops, with
+pretty attendants. The New Exchange was a favourite lounge, and is
+frequently mentioned in the Restoration literature; it was pulled down
+in 1737. See _Spectator_, Nos. 96, 155, and Steele's "Lying Lover," act
+ii. sc. 2, where Young Bookwit says, "My choice was so distracted among
+the pretty merchants and their dealers, that I knew not where to run
+first." On the other hand, we find complaints that young fops hindered
+business by lolling on the counter an hour longer than was necessary,
+and annoyed the young women who served them with ingenious ribaldry.]
+
+[Footnote 286: Vauxhall, or Fox-hall, Gardens were formed about 1661, on
+the Surrey side of the Thames, and were at first called the New Spring
+Gardens, to distinguish them from the Old Spring Gardens at Charing
+Cross. At the end of the seventeenth century Vauxhall was a favourite
+place for assignations, and Pepys was scandalised at scenes he there
+witnessed. The gardens were reopened in 1732, after being closed, it
+would seem, for some years, and they continued to be a place of
+fashionable resort until the end of the reign of George III.]
+
+[Footnote 287: See No. 15.]
+
+[Footnote 288: "Whereas several gentlemen have desired this paper with a
+blank leaf to write business on, and for the convenience of the post;
+this is to give notice, that this day, and for the future, it may be had
+of Mr. Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio, advertisement).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 27. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, June 9_, to _Saturday, June 11, 1709_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 9.
+
+Pacolet being gone a strolling among the men of the sword, in order to
+find out the secret causes of the frequent disputes we meet with, and
+furnish me with material for my treatise on duelling; I have room left
+to go on in my information to my country readers, whereby they may
+understand the bright people whose memoirs I have taken upon me to
+write. But in my discourse of the 28th of the last month,[289] I omitted
+to mention the most agreeable of all bad characters; and that is, a
+Rake.
+
+A Rake is a man always to be pitied; and if he lives, is one day
+certainly reclaimed; for his faults proceed not from choice or
+inclination, but from strong passions and appetites, which are in youth
+too violent for the curb of reason, good sense, good manners, and good
+nature: all which he must have by nature and education, before he can be
+allowed to be, or have been of this order. He is a poor unwieldy wretch,
+that commits faults out of the redundance of his good qualities. His
+pity and compassion make him sometimes a bubble to all his fellows, let
+them be never so much below him in understanding. His desires run away
+with him through the strength and force of a lively imagination, which
+hurries him on to unlawful pleasures, before reason has power to come in
+to his rescue. Thus, with all the good intentions in the world to
+amendment, this creature sins on against heaven, himself, his friends,
+and his country, who all call for a better use of his talents. There is
+not a being under the sun so miserable as this: he goes on in a pursuit
+he himself disapproves, and has no enjoyment but what is followed by
+remorse; no relief from remorse, but the repetition of his crime. It is
+possible I may talk of this person with too much indulgence; but I must
+repeat it, that I think this a character which is the most the object of
+pity of any in the world. The man in the pangs of the stone, gout, or
+any acute distempers, is not in so deplorable a condition in the eye of
+right sense, as he that errs and repents, and repents and errs on. The
+fellow with broken limbs justly deserves your alms for his impotent
+condition; but he that cannot use his own reason, is in a much worse
+state; for you see him in miserable circumstances, with his remedy at
+the same time in his own possession, if he would or could use it. This
+is the cause, that of all ill characters, the rake has the best quarter
+in the world; for when he is himself, and unruffled with intemperance,
+you see his natural faculties exert themselves, and attract an eye of
+favour towards his infirmities. But if we look round us here, how many
+dull rogues are there, that would fain be what this poor man hates
+himself for? All the noise towards six in the evening,[290] is caused by
+his mimics and imitators. How ought men of sense to be careful of their
+actions, if it were merely from the indignation of feeling themselves
+ill drawn by such little pretenders? not to say, he that leads, is
+guilty of all the actions of his followers: and a rake has imitators
+whom you would never expect should prove so. Second-hand vice sure of
+all is the most nauseous. There is hardly a folly more absurd, or which
+seems less to be accounted for (though it is what we see every day) than
+that grave and honest natures give into this way, and at the same time
+have good sense, if they thought fit to use it: but the fatality (under
+which most men labour) of desiring to be what they are not, makes them
+go out of a method, in which they might be received with applause, and
+would certainly excel, into one, wherein they will all their life have
+the air of strangers to what they aim at. For this reason, I have not
+lamented the metamorphosis of any one I know so much as of Nobilis, who
+was born with sweetness of temper, just apprehension, and everything
+else that might make him a man fit for his order. But instead of the
+pursuit of sober studies and applications, in which he would certainly
+be capable of making a considerable figure in the noblest assembly of
+men in the world; I say, in spite of that good nature, which is his
+proper bent, he will say ill-natured things aloud, put such as he was,
+and still should be, out of countenance, and drown all the natural good
+in him, to receive an artificial ill character, in which he will never
+succeed: for Nobilis is no rake. He may guzzle as much wine as he
+pleases, talk bawdy if he thinks fit; but he may as well drink
+water-gruel, and go twice a day to church, for it will never do. I
+pronounce it again, Nobilis is no rake. To be of that order, he must be
+vicious against his will, and not so by study or application. All Pretty
+Fellows are also excluded to a man, as well as all Inamaratos, or
+persons of the epicene gender, who gaze at one another in the presence
+of ladies. This class, of which I am giving you an account, is pretended
+to also by men of strong abilities in drinking; though they are such
+whom the liquor, not the conversation, keeps together. But blockheads
+may roar, fight, and stab, and be never the nearer; their labour is also
+lost; they want sense: they are no rakes.
+
+As a rake among men is the man who lives in the constant abuse of his
+reason, so a coquette among women is one who lives in continual
+misapplication of her beauty. The chief of all whom I have the honour to
+be acquainted with, is pretty Mrs. Toss: she is ever in practice of
+something which disfigures her, and takes from her charms; though all
+she does, tends to a contrary effect. She has naturally a very agreeable
+voice and utterance, which she has changed for the prettiest lisp
+imaginable. She sees what she has a mind to see, at half a mile distance;
+but poring with her eyes half shut at every one she passes by, she
+believes much more becoming. The Cupid on her fan and she have their eyes
+full on each other, all the time in which they are not both in motion.
+Whenever her eye is turned from that dear object, you may have a glance,
+and your bow, if she is in humour, returned as civilly as you make it;
+but that must not be in the presence of a man of greater quality: for
+Mrs. Toss is so thoroughly well bred, that the chief person present has
+all her regards. And she, who giggles at divine service, and laughs at
+her very mother, can compose herself at the approach of a man of a good
+estate.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 9.
+
+A fine lady showed a gentleman of this company, for an eternal answer to
+all his addresses, a paper of verses, with which she is so captivated,
+that she professed, the author should be the happy man in spite of all
+other pretenders. It is ordinary for love to make men poetical, and it
+had that effect on this enamoured man: but he was resolved to try his
+vein upon some of her confidantes or retinue, before he ventured upon so
+high a theme as herself. To do otherwise than so, would be like making
+an heroic poem a man's first attempt. Among the favourites to the fair
+one, he found her parrot not to be in the last degree: he saw Poll had
+her ear, when his sighs were neglected. To write against him, had been a
+fruitless labour; therefore he resolved to flatter him into his
+interests, in the following manner:
+
+#"To a Lady on her Parrot.#
+
+    _"When nymphs were coy, and love could not prevail,
+    The gods disguised were seldom known to fail,
+    Leda was chaste, but yet a feathered Jove
+    Surprised the fair, and taught her how to love.
+    There's no celestial but his heaven would quit,
+    For any form which might to thee admit.
+    See how the wanton bird, at every glance,
+    Swells his glad plumes, and feels an amorous trance.
+    The queen of beauty has forsook the dove,
+    Henceforth the parrot be the bird of love."_
+
+It is indeed a very just proposition, to give that honour rather to the
+parrot than the other volatile. The parrot represents us in the state of
+making love: the dove in the possession of the object beloved. But
+instead of turning the dove off, I fancy it would be better if the
+chaise of Venus had hereafter a parrot added (as we see sometimes a
+third horse to a coach) which might intimate, that to be a parrot, is
+the only way to succeed; and to be a dove, to preserve your conquests.
+If the swain would go on successfully, he must imitate the bird he
+writes upon. For he who would be loved by women, must never be silent
+before the favour, or open his lips after it.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 10.
+
+I have so many messages from young gentlemen who expect preferment and
+distinction, that I am wholly at a loss in what manner to acquit myself.
+The writer of the following letter tells me in a postscript, he cannot
+go out of town till I have taken some notice of him, and is very urgent
+to be somebody, in town before he leaves it, and returns to his commons
+at the university. But take it from himself.
+
+#"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., Monitor-General of Great Britain._#
+
+"Shire Lane, _June 8._
+
+I have been above six months from the university, of age these three
+months, and so long in town. I was recommended to one Charles
+Bubbleboy[291] near the Temple, who has supplied me with all the
+furniture he says a gentleman ought to have. I desired a certificate
+thereof from him, which he said would require some time to consider of;
+and when I went yesterday morning for it, he tells me, upon due
+consideration, I still want some few odd things more, to the value of
+threescore or fourscore pounds, to make me complete. I have bespoke
+them; and the favour I beg of you is, to know, when I am equipped, in
+what part or class of men in this town you will place me. Pray send me
+word what I am, and you shall find me,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "JEFFRY NICKNACK."
+
+I am very willing to encourage young beginners; but am extremely in the
+dark how to dispose of this gentleman. I cannot see either his person or
+habit in this letter; but I'll call at Charles', and know the shape of
+his snuff-box, by which I can settle his character. Though indeed, to
+know his full capacity, I ought to be informed, whether he takes Spanish
+or musty.[292]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 10.
+
+Letters from the Low Countries of the 17th instant say, that the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Prince of Savoy intended to leave Ghent on that day,
+and join the army, which lies between Pont d'Espiere and Courtray, their
+headquarters being at Helchin. The same day the Palatine foot was
+expected at Brussels. Lieutenant-General Dompre, with a body of eight
+thousand men, is posted at Alost, in order to cover Ghent and Brussels.
+The Marshal de Villars was still on the plains of Lens; and it is said,
+the Duke of Vendôme is appointed to command in conjunction with that
+general. Advices from Paris say, Monsieur Voisin is made Secretary of
+State, upon Monsieur Chamillard's resignation of that employment. The
+want of money in that kingdom is so great, that the Court has thought
+fit to command all the plate of private families to be brought into the
+Mint. They write from the Hague of the 18th, that the States of Holland
+continue their session; and that they have approved the resolution of
+the States-General, to publish a second edict to prohibit the sale of
+corn to the enemy. Many eminent persons in that assembly have declared,
+that they are of opinion, that all commerce whatsoever with France
+should be wholly forbidden: which point is under present deliberation;
+but it is feared it will meet with powerful opposition.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 289: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 290: People of fashion dined at about four o'clock in Queen
+Anne's time, and by six the men, who had often drunk a good deal of
+wine, would be finding their way to the clubs and coffee-houses.]
+
+[Footnote 291: Charles Mather, a toyman in Fleet Street, next door to
+Nandoe's Coffee-house, over against Chancery Lane. Swift wrote ("Sid
+Hamet's Rod," 1710):
+
+    "No hobby horse with gorgeous top,
+    The dearest in Charles Mather's shop;
+    Or glittering tinsel of Mayfair
+    Could with the rod of Sid compare."
+
+See Nos. 113, 142, and _Spectator_, Nos. 328, 503 ("One of Charles
+Mather's fine tablets"), and 570 ("The famous Charles Mather was bred up
+under him").]
+
+[Footnote 292: Charles Lillie, the perfumer, tells us how snuff came
+into use. A great quantity of musty snuff was captured in the Spanish
+fleet taken at Vigo in 1702, and snuff with this special musty flavour
+became the fashion. In No. 138 of the _Spectator_, Steele humorously
+announced that "the exercise of the snuff-box, according to the most
+fashionable airs and motions, in opposition to the exercise of the fair,
+will be taught with the best plain or perfumed snuff at Charles
+Lillie's, perfumer, at the corner of Beaufort Buildings in the Strand."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 28. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 11_, to _Tuesday, June 14, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 13.
+
+I had suspended the business of duelling to a distant time, but that I
+am called upon to declare myself on a point proposed in the following
+letter.
+
+                                        "_June 9, at night._
+
+"Sir,
+
+"I desire the favour of you to decide this question, whether calling a
+gentleman a 'smart fellow' is an affront or not? A youth entering a
+certain coffee-house, with his cane tied at his button, wearing
+red-heeled shoes, I thought of your description,[293] and could not
+forbear telling a friend of mine next to me, 'There enters a smart
+fellow.' The gentleman hearing it, had immediately a mind to pick a
+quarrel with me, and desired satisfaction: at which I was more puzzled
+than at the other, remembering what mention your familiar makes of those
+that had lost their lives on such occasions. The thing is referred to
+your judgment, and I expect you to be my second, since you have been the
+cause of our quarrel. I am,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your Friend and humble Servant."
+
+I absolutely pronounce, that there is no occasion of offence given in
+this expression; for a "smart fellow" is always an appellation of
+praise, and is a man of double capacity. The true cast or mould in which
+you may be sure to know him is, when his livelihood or education is in
+the Civil List, and you see him express a vivacity or mettle above the
+way he is in by a little jerk in his motion, short trip in his steps,
+well-fancied lining of his coat, or any other indications which may be
+given in a vigorous dress. Now, what possible insinuation can there be,
+that it is a cause of quarrel for a man to say, he allows a gentleman
+really to be, what he, his tailor, his hosier, and his milliner, have
+conspired to make him? I confess, if this person who appeals to me had
+said, he was _not_ a "smart fellow," there had been cause for
+resentment; but if he stands to it that he is one, he leaves no manner
+of ground for a misunderstanding. Indeed, it is a most lamentable thing,
+that there should be a dispute raised upon a man's saying another is,
+what he plainly takes pains to be thought. But this point cannot be so
+well adjusted, as by inquiring what are the sentiments of wise nations
+and communities of the use of the sword, and from thence conclude,
+whether it is honourable to draw it so frequently or not? An illustrious
+commonwealth of Italy[294] has preserved itself for many ages, without
+letting one of their subjects handle this destructive instrument, always
+leaving that work to such of mankind as understand the use of a whole
+skin so little, as to make a profession of exposing it to cuts and
+scars. But what need we run to such foreign instances: our own ancient
+and well-governed cities are conspicuous examples to all mankind in
+their regulation of military achievements. The chief citizens, like the
+noble Italians, hire mercenaries to carry arms in their stead; and you
+shall have a fellow of a desperate fortune, for the gain of one
+half-crown, go through all the dangers of Tothill Fields, or the
+Artillery Ground,[295] clap his right jaw within two inches of the
+touch-hole of a musket, fire it off, and huzza, with as little concern
+as he tears a pullet. Thus you see to what scorn of danger these
+mercenaries arrive, out of a mere love of sordid gain: but methinks it
+should take off the strong prepossession men have in favour of bold
+actions, when they see upon what low motives men aspire to them. Do but
+observe the common practice in the government of those heroic bodies,
+our militia and lieutenancies, the most ancient corps of soldiers,
+perhaps, in the universe. I question whether there is one instance of an
+animosity between any two of these illustrious sons of Mars since their
+institution, which was decided by combat? I remember indeed to have read
+the chronicle of an accident which had like to have occasioned bloodshed
+in the very field before all the general officers, though most of them
+were justices of the peace: Captain Crabtree of Birching Lane,
+haberdasher, had drawn a bill upon Major-General Maggot, cheesemonger in
+Thames Street. Crabtree draws this upon Mr. William Maggot and Company.
+A country lad received this bill, and not understanding the word
+"company," used in drawing bills on men in partnership, carried it to
+Mr. Jeffry Stick of Crooked Lane (lieutenant of the major-general's
+company) whom he had the day before seen march by the door in all the
+pomp of his commission. The lieutenant accepts it, for the honour of the
+company, since it had come to him. But repayment being asked from the
+major-general, he absolutely refuses. Upon this, the lieutenant thinks
+of nothing less than to bring this to a rupture, and takes for his
+second, Tobias Armstrong of the Counter,[296] and sends him with a
+challenge in a script of parchment, wherein was written, "Stitch contra
+Maggot," and all the fury vanished in a moment. The major-general gives
+satisfaction to the second, and all was well. Hence it is, that the bold
+spirits of our city are kept in such subjection to the civil power.
+Otherwise, where would our liberties soon be? If wealth and valour were
+suffered to exert themselves with their utmost force: if such officers
+as are employed in the terrible bands above-mentioned, were to draw
+bills as well as swords: these dangerous captains, who could victual an
+army as well as lead it, would be too powerful for the State. But the
+point of honour justly gives way to that of gain; and by long and wise
+regulation, the richest is the bravest man. I have known a captain rise
+to a colonel in two days by the fall of stocks; and a major, my good
+friend, near the Monument, ascended to that honour by the fall of the
+price of spirits, and the rising of right Nantz. By this true sense of
+honour, that body of warriors are ever in good order and discipline,
+with their colours and coats all whole: as in other battalions (where
+their principles of action are less solid) you see the men of service
+look like spectres, with long sides, and lank cheeks. In this army, you
+may measure a man's services by his waist, and the most prominent belly
+is certainly the man who has been most upon action. Besides all this,
+there is another excellent remark to be made in the discipline of these
+troops. It being of absolute necessity that the people of England should
+see what they have for their money, and be eye-witnesses of the
+advantages they gain by it, all battles which are fought abroad are
+represented here. But since one side must be beaten, and the other
+conquer, which might create disputes, the eldest company is always to
+make the other run, and the younger retreats, according to the last news
+and best intelligence. I have myself seen Prince Eugene make Catinat fly
+from the back-side of Gray's Inn Lane to Hockley-in-the-Hole,[297] and
+not give over the pursuit, till obliged to leave the Bear Garden on the
+right, to avoid being borne down by fencers, wild bulls and monsters,
+too terrible for the encounter of any heroes, but such whose lives are
+their livelihood.
+
+We have here seen, that wise nations do not admit of fighting, even in
+the defence of their country, as a laudable action; and they live
+within the walls of our own city in great honour and reputation without
+it. It would be very necessary to understand, by what force of the
+climate, food, education, or employment, one man's sense is brought to
+differ so essentially from that of another; that one is ridiculous and
+contemptible for forbearing a thing which makes for his safety; and
+another applauded for consulting his ruin and destruction.
+
+It will therefore be necessary for us (to show our travelling) to
+examine this subject fully, and tell you how it comes to pass, that a
+man of honour in Spain, though you offend him never so gallantly, stabs
+you basely; in England, though you offend never so basely, challenges
+fairly: the former kills you out of revenge; the latter out of good
+breeding. But to probe the heart of a man in this particular to its
+utmost thoughts and recesses, I must wait for the return of Pacolet, who
+is now attending a gentleman lately in a duel, and sometimes visits the
+person by whose hand he received his wounds.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 13.
+
+Letters from Vienna of the 8th instant say, there has been a journal of
+the marches and actions of the King of Sweden, from the beginning of
+January to the 11th of April, N.S., communicated by the Swedish
+Ministers to that Court. These advices inform, that his Swedish Majesty
+entered the territories of Muscovy in February last with the main body
+of his army, in order to oblige the enemy to a general engagement; but
+that the Muscovites declining a battle, and a universal thaw having
+rendered the rivers unpassable, the king returned into Ukrania. There
+are mentioned several rencounters between considerable detachments of
+the Swedish and Russian armies. Marshal Heister intended to take his
+leave of the Court on the day after the date of these letters, and put
+himself at the head of the army in Hungary. The malcontents had
+attempted to send in a supply of provisions into Neuheusel; but their
+design was disappointed by the Germans.
+
+Advices from Berlin of the 15th instant, N.S., say, that his Danish
+Majesty having received an invitation from the King of Prussia to an
+interview, designed to come to Potsdam within few days; and that King
+Augustus resolved to accompany him thither. To avoid all difficulties in
+ceremony, the three kings, and all the company who shall have the honour
+to sit with them at table, are to draw lots, and take precedence
+accordingly.
+
+They write from Hamburg of the 18th instant, N.S., that some particular
+letters from Dantzic speak of a late action between the Swedes and
+Muscovites near Jaroslaw; but that engagement being mentioned from no
+other place, there is not much credit given to this intelligence.
+
+We hear from Brussels, by letters, dated the 20th, that on the 14th in
+the evening the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene arrived at
+Courtray, with a design to proceed the day following to Lille, in the
+neighbourhood of which city the confederate army was to rendezvous the
+same day. Advices from Paris inform us, that the Marshal de Bezons is
+appointed to command in Dauphiné; and that the Duke of Berwick is set
+out for Spain, with a design to follow the fortunes of the Duke of
+Anjou, in case the French king should comply with the late demands of
+the Allies.
+
+The Court of France has sent a circular letter to all the governors of
+the provinces, to recommend to their consideration his Majesty's late
+conduct in the affair of peace. It is thought fit in that epistle, to
+condescend to a certain appeal to the people, whether it is consistent
+with the dignity of the crown, or the French name, to submit to the
+preliminaries demanded by the confederates? The letter dwells upon the
+unreasonableness of the Allies, in requiring, that his Majesty should
+assist in dethroning his grandson, and treats this particular in
+language more suitable to it, as it is a topic of oratory, than a real
+circumstance, on which the interests of nations, and reasons of State,
+which affect all Europe, are concerned.
+
+The close of this memorial seems to prepare the people to expect all
+events, attributing the confidence of the enemy to the goodness of their
+troops; but acknowledging, that his sole dependence is upon the
+intervention of Providence.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 293: See No. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 294: Venice, where mercenaries were employed for fighting
+purposes.]
+
+[Footnote 295: The City train-bands were often the subject of ridicule
+by the wits. See "Harleian Misc." i. 206, Cowper's "John Gilpin," and
+Nos. 38, 41. Tothill Fields, Westminster, and the Artillery Ground,
+Finsbury, were the usual exercising-grounds for the train-bands.]
+
+[Footnote 296: The Compter was a prison for the city of London, where
+debtors and others were confined.]
+
+[Footnote 297: Steele wrote at length in the _Spectator_ (No. 436) of a
+trial of skill in the noble art of self-defence at Hockley-in-the-Hole;
+and in No. 630 there is an allusion to the gladiators of
+Hockley-in-the-Hole. In the "Beggar's Opera," Mrs. Peachum says: "You
+should to Hockley-in-the-Hole and to Marybone, child, to learn valour;
+there are the schools that have bred so many brave men." As to the other
+sports at the Bear Garden, see No. 134, and Gay's "Trivia," ii. 407-12:
+
+    "When thro' the town, with slow and solemn air,
+    Led by the nostril, walks the muzzled bear;
+    Behind him moves, majestically dull,
+    The pride of Hockley-hole, the surly bull;
+    Learn hence the periods of the week to name:
+    Mondays and Thursdays are the days of game."
+
+There were seats, at half a crown and upwards, for the quality; the
+neighbourhood of the Bear Garden was infested by thieves. The following
+are specimens of the advertisements common about 1709: "At the
+Bear-garden, in Hockley in the Hole. A trial of skill, to be performed
+between two profound masters of the noble science of defence, on
+Wednesday next, the 13th of July, 1702, at two o'clock precisely. I
+George Gray, born in the city of Norwich, who has fought in most parts
+of the West Indies, viz., Jamaica, Barbadoes, and several other parts of
+the world, in all twenty-five times upon the stage, and was never yet
+worsted; and am now lately come to London, do invite James Harris to
+meet, and exercise at the following weapons, back-sword, sword and
+dagger, sword and buckler, single falchon, and case of falchons. I James
+Harris, master of the said noble science of defence, who formerly rid in
+the Horse-guards, and hath fought 110 prizes, and never left a stage to
+any man, will not fail (God willing) to meet this brave and bold
+inviter, at the time and place appointed, desiring sharp swords, and
+from him no favour. No person to be upon the stage, but the seconds.
+_Vivat Regina_."
+
+"At the Bear-garden in Hockley in the Hole, near Clerkenwell Green,
+1710. This is to give notice to all gentlemen, gamesters, and others,
+that on this present Monday is a match to be fought by two dogs, one
+from Newgate-market, against one from Honey-lane market, at a bull, for
+a guinea to be spent, five let-goes out of hand, which goes fairest and
+fastest in, wins all. Likewise, a green bull to be baited, which was
+never baited before; and a bull to be turned loose with fireworks all
+over him. Also a mad ass to be baited. With a variety of bull-baiting
+and bear-baiting, and a dog to be drawn up with fireworks. To begin
+exactly at three of the clock."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 29. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 14_, to _Thursday, June 16, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 14.
+
+Having a very solid respect for human nature, however it is distorted
+from its natural make, by affectation, humour, custom, misfortune, or
+vice, I do apply myself to my friends to help me in raising arguments
+for preserving it in all its individuals, as long as it is permitted. To
+one of my letters on this subject, I have received the following
+answer:[298]
+
+"SIR,
+
+"In answer to your question, why men of sense, virtue, and experience,
+are seen still to comply with that ridiculous custom of duelling, I must
+desire you to reflect, that custom has dished up in ruffs the wisest
+heads of our ancestors, and put the best of the present age into huge
+falbala periwigs.[299] Men of sense would not impose such encumbrances
+on themselves; but be glad they might show their faces decently in
+public upon easier terms. If then such men appear reasonably slaves to
+the fashion, in what regards the figure of their persons, we ought not
+to wonder, that they are at least so in what seems to touch their
+reputations. Besides, you can't be ignorant, that dress and chivalry
+have been always encouraged by the ladies, as the two principal branches
+of gallantry. It is to avoid being sneered at for his singularity, and
+from a desire to appear more agreeable to his mistress, that a wise,
+experienced, and polite man, complies with the dress commonly received,
+and is prevailed upon to violate his reason and principles, in hazarding
+his life and estate by a tilt, as well as suffering his pleasures to be
+constrained and soured by the constant apprehension of a quarrel. This
+is the more surprising, because men of the most delicate sense and
+principles have naturally in other cases a particular repugnance in
+accommodating themselves to the maxims of the world: but one may easily
+distinguish the man that is affected with beauty, and the reputation of
+a tilt, from him who complies with both, merely as they are imposed upon
+him by custom; for in the former you will remark an air of vanity and
+triumph; whereas when the latter appears in a long Duvillier full of
+powder, or has decided a quarrel by the sword, you may perceive in his
+face, that he appeals to custom for an excuse. I think it may not be
+improper to inquire into the genealogy of this chimerical monster,
+called a 'duel', which I take to be an illegitimate species of the
+ancient knight-errantry. By the laws of this whim, your heroic person,
+or man of gallantry, was indispensably obliged to starve in armour a
+certain number of years in the chase of monsters, encounter them at the
+peril of his life, and suffer great hardships, in order to gain the
+affection of the fair lady, and qualify himself for assuming the
+_belair_, that is, of a pretty fellow, or man of honour according to the
+fashion: but since the publishing of 'Don Quixote' and extinction of the
+race of dragons, which Suetonius says happened in that of Wantley,[300]
+the gallant and heroic spirits of these latter times have been under the
+necessity of creating new chimerical monsters to entertain themselves
+with, by way of single combats, as the only proofs they are able to give
+their own sex, and the ladies, that they are in all points men of nice
+honour. But to do justice to the ancient and real monsters, I must
+observe, that they never molested those who were not of a humour to hunt
+for them in the woods and deserts; whereas on the contrary, our modern
+monsters are so familiarly admitted and entertained in all the Courts
+and cities of Europe (except France) that one can scarce be in the most
+humanised society without risking one's life; the people of the best
+sort, and the fine gentlemen of the age, being so fond of them, that
+they seldom appear in any public place without one. I have some further
+considerations upon this subject, which, as you encourage me, shall be
+communicated to you, by, sir, a cousin but once removed from the best
+family of the Staffs, namely, "Sir,
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+"Kinsman and Friend,
+
+                                        "TIM SWITCH."
+
+It is certain, Mr. Switch has hit upon the true source of this evil; and
+that it proceeds only from the force of custom that we contradict
+ourselves in half the particulars and occurrences of life. But such a
+tyranny in love, which the fair impose upon us, is a little too severe,
+that we must demonstrate our affection for them by no certain proof but
+hatred to one another, or come at them (only as one does to an estate)
+by survivorship. This way of application to gain a lady's heart, is
+taking her as we do towns and castles, by distressing the place, and
+letting none come near them without our pass. Were such a lover once to
+write the truth of his heart, and let her know his whole thoughts, he
+would appear indeed to have a passion for her; but it would hardly be
+called love. The billet-doux would run to this purpose:
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I have so tender a regard for you and your interests, that I'll knock
+any man in the head whom I observe to be of my mind, and like you. Mr.
+Truman the other day looked at you in so languishing a manner, that I am
+resolved to run him through to-morrow morning: this, I think, he
+deserves for his guilt in admiring you; than which I cannot have a
+greater reason for murdering him, except it be that you also approve
+him. Whoever says he dies for you, I will make his words good, for I
+will kill him. I am,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"Most humble Servant."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 14.
+
+I am just come hither at ten at night, and have ever since six been in
+the most celebrated, though most nauseous, company in town: the two
+leaders of the society were a critic and a wit. These two gentlemen are
+great opponents upon all occasions, not discerning that they are the
+nearest each other in temper and talents of any two classes of men in
+the world; for to profess judgment, and to profess wit, both arise from
+the same failure, which is want of judgment. The poverty of the critic
+this way proceeds from the abuse of his faculty; that of the wit from
+the neglect of it. It is a particular observation I have always made,
+that of all mortals, a critic is the silliest; for by inuring himself
+to examine all things, whether they are of consequence or not, be never
+looks upon anything but with a design of passing sentence upon it; by
+which means, he is never a companion, but always a censor. This makes
+him earnest upon trifles; and dispute on the most indifferent occasions
+with vehemence. If he offers to speak or write, that talent which should
+approve the work of the other faculties, prevents their operation. He
+comes upon action in armour; but without weapons: he stands in safety;
+but can gain no glory. The wit on the other hand has been hurried so
+long away by imagination only, that judgment seems not to have ever been
+one of his natural faculties. This gentleman takes himself to be as much
+obliged to be merry, as the other to be grave. A thorough critic is a
+sort of Puritan in the polite world. As an enthusiast in religion
+stumbles at the ordinary occurrences of life, if he cannot quote
+scripture examples on the occasion; so the critic is never safe in his
+speech or writing, without he has among the celebrated writers an
+authority for the truth of his sentence. You will believe we had a very
+good time with these brethren, who were so far out of the dress of their
+native country, and so lost to its dialect, that they were as much
+strangers to themselves, as to their relation to each other. They took
+up the whole discourse; sometimes the critic grew passionate, and when
+reprimanded by the wit for any trip or hesitation in his voice, he would
+answer, Mr. Dryden makes such a character on such an occasion break off
+in the same manner; so that the stop was according to nature, and as a
+man in a passion should do. The wit, who is as far gone in letters as
+himself, seems to be at a loss to answer such an apology; and concludes
+only, that though his anger is justly vented, it wants fire in the
+utterance. If wit is to be measured by the circumstances of time and
+place, there is no man has generally so little of that talent, as he who
+is a wit by profession. What he says, instead of arising from the
+occasion, has an occasion invented to bring it in. Thus he is new for no
+other reason, but that he talks like nobody else; but has taken up a
+method of his own, without commerce of dialogue with other people. The
+lively Jasper Dactyle[301] is one of this character. He seems to have
+made a vow to be witty to his life's end. When you meet him, "What do
+you think," says he, "I have been entertaining myself with?" Then out
+comes a premeditated turn, to which it is to no purpose to answer; for
+he goes on in the same strain of thought he designed without your
+speaking. Therefore I have a general answer to all he can say; as, "Sure
+there never was any creature had so much fire!" Spondee, who is a
+critic, is seldom out of this fine man's company. They have no manner of
+affection for each other, but keep together, like Novel and Oldfox in
+"The Plain Dealer,"[302] because they show each other. I know several of
+sense who can be diverted with this couple; but I see no curiosity in
+the thing, except it be, that Spondee is dull, and seems dull; but
+Dactyle is heavy with a brisk face. It must be owned also, that Dactyle
+has almost vigour enough to be a coxcomb; but Spondee, by the lowness of
+his constitution, is only a blockhead.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 15.
+
+We have no particulars of moment since our last, except it be, that the
+copy of the following original letter came by the way of Ostend. It is
+said to have been found in the closet of Monsieur Chamillard, the late
+Secretary of State of France, since his disgrace. It was signed by two
+brothers of the famous Cavallier,[303] who led the Cevennois, and had a
+personal interview with the king, as well as a capitulation to lay down
+his arms, and leave the dominions of France. There are many other names
+to it; among whom, is the chief of the family of the Marquis
+Guiscard.[304] It is not yet known, whether Monsieur Chamillard had any
+real design to favour the Protestant interest, or only thought to place
+himself at the head of that people, to make himself considerable enough
+to oppose his enemies at Court, and reinstate himself in power there.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"We have read your Majesty's[305] letter to the governors of your
+provinces, with instructions what sentiments to insinuate into the minds
+of your people: but as you have always acted upon the maxim, that we
+were made for you, and not you for us, we must take leave to assure your
+Majesty, that we are exactly of the contrary opinion, and must desire
+you to send for your grandson home, and acquaint him, that you now know
+by experience, absolute power is only a vertigo in the brain of princes,
+which for a time may quicken their motion, and double in their diseased
+sight the instances of power above them; but must end in their fall and
+destruction. Your memorial speaks a good father of your family, but a
+very ill one of your people. Your Majesty is reduced to hear truth when
+you are obliged to speak it: there is no governing any but savages by
+any methods but their own consent, which you seem to acknowledge, in
+appealing to us for our opinion of your conduct in treating of peace.
+Had your people been always of your council, the King of France had
+never been reduced so low, as to acknowledge his arms were fallen into
+contempt. But since it is thus, we must ask, 'How is any man of France,
+but they of the House of Bourbon, the better that Philip is King of
+Spain?' We have outgrown that folly of placing our happiness in your
+Majesty's being called, The Great; therefore as you and we are all alike
+bankrupts,[306] and undone, let us not deceive ourselves, but compound
+with our adversaries, and not talk like their equals. Your Majesty must
+forgive us that we cannot wish you success, or lend you help; for if you
+lose one battle more, we may have a hand in the peace you make; and
+doubt not but your Majesty's faith in treaties will require the
+ratification of the states of your kingdoms. So we bid you heartily
+farewell, till we have the honour to meet you assembled in Parliament.
+This happy expectation makes us willing to wait the event of another
+campaign, from whence we hope to be raised from the misery of slaves, to
+the privileges of subjects. We are,
+
+"Your Majesty's
+
+"Truly faithful, and
+
+"Loyal Subjects, &c."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 298: See Nos. 25, 26, 28.]
+
+[Footnote 299: The full-bottomed dress wigs. Another name was
+"Duvillier," used below.]
+
+[Footnote 300: See Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," ed.
+Wheatley, iii. 279. "The Dragon of Wantley" is a satire on the old
+ballads of chivalry.]
+
+[Footnote 301: See Nos. 3, 63.]
+
+[Footnote 302: In the list of characters, Wycherley defines Novel as "a
+pert railing coxcomb, and an admirer of novelties," and Major Oldfox as
+"an old impertinent fop, given to scribbling."]
+
+[Footnote 303: James Cavallier was the celebrated leader of the French
+Protestants in the Cevennes, when these warlike but enthusiastic
+mountaineers opposed the tyranny of Lewis XIV. and made a vigorous stand
+against the whole power of France, which for a long time laboured in
+vain to subdue them. It was in the heat of this gallant struggle to
+preserve themselves from religious slavery, that the first seeds of that
+wild fanaticism were sown, which afterwards grew up to such an amazing
+extravagance, and distinguished them, by the name of French Prophets,
+among the most extraordinary enthusiasts that are to be found in the
+history of human folly. Cavallier, who found in his latter days an
+hospitable asylum in Ireland, published, in 1726, "Memoirs of the Wars
+of the Cevennes, under Col. Cavallier, in defence of the Protestants
+persecuted in that country, and of the peace concluded between him and
+the Mareschal Duke of Villars; of his conference with the King of
+France, after the conclusion of the peace; with letters relating
+thereto, from Mareschal Villars, and Chamillard, secretary of state."
+(Percy.)]
+
+[Footnote 304: It was a younger brother, an abbé, who used his pen and
+sword against Lewis XIV. He was employed in England, had preferment in
+the army, and a pension; but, being found a useless villain, he was soon
+discarded. He then endeavoured to make his peace with France, by acting
+here as a spy; but being detected, he was brought before the Cabinet
+Council, to be examined, March 8, 1711. In the course of his examination
+he took an opportunity to stab Mr. Harley. Of the wounds given to this
+assassin on that occasion, he died in Newgate soon after. See the
+"Narrative of Guiscard's Examination," by Mrs. Manley, from facts
+communicated to her by Dr. Swift. See also _Examiner_, No. 32.
+(Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 305: Soon after the conclusion of the late treaty of peace,
+the French king dispersed a letter through his dominions, wherein he
+shows the reasons why he could not ratify the preliminaries. _Vide_ the
+public newspapers of this date. (Steele.)]
+
+[Footnote 306: N.B.--Mons. Bernard and the chief bankers of France
+became bankrupts about this time (Steele).--See news paragraph in Nos.
+3, 5, 9.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 30. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, June 16_, to _Saturday, June 18, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 16.
+
+The vigilance, the anxiety, the tenderness, which I have for the good
+people of England, I am persuaded will in time be much commended; but I
+doubt whether they will ever be rewarded. However, I must go on
+cheerfully in my work of reformation: that being my great design, I am
+studious to prevent my labours increasing upon me; therefore am
+particularly observant of the temper and inclinations of childhood and
+youth, that we may not give vice and folly supplies from the growing
+generation. It is hardly to be imagined how useful this study is, and
+what great evils or benefits arise from putting us in our tender years
+to what we are fit, or unfit: therefore on Tuesday last (with a design
+to sound their inclinations) I took three lads who are under my
+guardianship a rambling, in a hackney-coach, to show them the town, as
+the lions,[307] the tombs,[308] Bedlam,[309] and the other places which
+are entertainments to raw minds, because they strike forcibly on the
+fancy. The boys are brothers, one of sixteen, the other of fourteen, the
+other of twelve. The first was his father's darling, the second his
+mother's, and the third is mine, who am their uncle. Mr. William is a
+lad of true genius; but being at the upper end of a great school, and
+having all the lads below him, his arrogance is insupportable. If I
+begin to show a little of my Latin, he immediately interrupts: "Uncle,
+under favour, that which you say is not understood in that manner."
+"Brother," says my boy Jack, "you do not show your manners much in
+contradicting my Uncle Isaac." "You queer cur," says Mr. William, "do
+you think my uncle takes any notice of such a dull rogue as you are?"
+Mr. William goes on; "He is the most stupid of all my mother's children:
+he knows nothing of his book: when he should mind that, he is hiding or
+hoarding his taws and marbles, or laying up farthings. His way of
+thinking is, four and twenty farthings make sixpence, and two sixpences
+a shilling, two shillings and sixpence half a crown, and two half-crowns
+five shillings. So within these two months, the close hunks has scraped
+up twenty shillings, and we'll make him spend it all before he comes
+home." Jack immediately claps his hands into both pockets, and turns as
+pale as ashes. There is nothing touches a parent (and such I am to Jack)
+so nearly, as a provident temper. This lad has in him the true temper
+for a good husband, a kind father, and an honest executor. All the great
+people you see make considerable figures on the 'Change, in Court, and
+sometimes in Senates, are such as in reality have no greater faculty
+than what may be called human instinct, which is a natural tendency to
+their own preservation, and that of their friends, without being capable
+of striking out of the road for adventures. There is Sir William Scrip
+was of this sort of capacity from his childhood: he has bought the
+country round him, and makes a bargain better than Sir Harry Wildfire
+with all his wit and humour. Sir Harry never wants money but he comes to
+Scrip, laughs at him half an hour, and then gives bond for the other
+thousand. The close men are incapable of placing merit anywhere but in
+their pence, and therefore gain it; while others, who have larger
+capacities, are diverted from the pursuit by enjoyments, which can be
+supported only by that cash which they despise; and therefore are in the
+end, slaves to their inferiors both in fortune and understanding. I once
+heard a man of excellent sense observe, that more affairs in the world
+failed by being in the hands of men of too large capacities for their
+business, than by being in the conduct of such as wanted abilities to
+execute them. Jack therefore being of a plodding make, shall be a
+citizen; and I design him to be the refuge of the family in their
+distress, as well as their jest in prosperity. His brother Will, shall
+go to Oxford with all speed, where, if he does not arrive at being a man
+of sense, he will soon be informed wherein he is a coxcomb. There is in
+that place such a true spirit of raillery and humour, that if they can't
+make you a wise man, they will certainly let you know you are a fool,
+which is all my cousin wants to cease to be so. Thus having taken these
+two out of the way, I have leisure to look at my third lad. I observe in
+the young rogue a natural subtilty of mind, which discovers itself
+rather in forbearing to declare his thoughts on any occasion, than in
+any visible way of exerting himself in discourse. For which reason I
+will place him where, if he commits no faults, he may go farther than
+those in other stations, though they excel in virtues. The boy is well
+fashioned, and will easily fall into a graceful manner; wherefore, I
+have a design to make him a page to a great lady of my acquaintance; by
+which means he will be well skilled in the common modes of life, and
+make a greater progress in the world by that knowledge, than with the
+greatest qualities without it. A good mien in a Court will carry a man
+greater lengths than a good understanding in any other place. We see a
+world of pains taken, and the best years of life spent, in collecting a
+set of thoughts in a college for the conduct of life; and after all, the
+man so qualified shall hesitate in his speech to a good suit of clothes,
+and want common sense before an agreeable woman. Hence it is, that
+wisdom, valour, justice, and learning, can't keep a man in countenance
+that is possessed with these excellences, if he wants that less art of
+life and behaviour, called "good breeding." A man endowed with great
+perfections without this, is like one who has his pockets full of gold,
+but always wants change for his ordinary occasions. Will. Courtly is a
+living instance of this truth, and has had the same education which I am
+giving my nephew. He never spoke a thing but what was said before; and
+yet can converse with the wittiest men without being ridiculous. Among
+the learned, he does not appear ignorant; nor with the wise, indiscreet.
+Living in conversation from his infancy, makes him nowhere at a loss;
+and a long familiarity with the persons of men, is in a manner of the
+same service to him, as if he knew their arts. As ceremony is the
+invention of wise men to keep fools at a distance, so good breeding is
+an expedient to make fools and wise men equals.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 17.
+
+The suspension of the playhouse[310] has made me have nothing to send
+you from hence; but calling here this evening, I found the party I
+usually sit with, upon the business of writing, and examining what was
+the handsomest style in which to address women, and write letters of
+gallantry. Many were the opinions which were immediately declared on
+this subject: some were for a certain softness; some for I know not what
+delicacy; others for something inexpressibly tender: when it came to me,
+I said there was no rule in the world to be made for writing letters,
+but that of being as near what you speak face to face as you can; which
+is so great a truth, that I am of opinion, writing has lost more
+mistresses than any one mistake in the whole legend of love. For when
+you write to a lady for whom you have a solid and honourable love, the
+great idea you have of her, joined to a quick sense of her absence,
+fills your mind with a sort of tenderness, that gives your language too
+much the air of complaint, which is seldom successful. For a man may
+flatter himself as he pleases, but he will find, that the women have
+more understanding in their own affairs than we have, and women of
+spirit are not to be won by mourners. Therefore he that can keep
+handsomely within rules, and support the carriage of a companion to his
+mistress, is much more likely to prevail, than he who lets her see, the
+whole relish of his life depends upon her. If possible therefore divert
+your mistress, rather than sigh to her. The pleasant man she will desire
+for her own sake; but the languishing lover has nothing to hope from but
+her pity. To show the difference I produced two letters a lady gave me,
+which had been writ to her by two gentlemen who pretended to her, but
+were both killed the next day after the date at the battle of Almanza.
+One of them was a mercurial gay-humoured man; the other a man of a
+serious, but a great and gallant spirit. Poor Jack Careless! This is his
+letter: you see how it is folded: the air of it is so negligent, one
+might have read half of it by peeping into it, without breaking it open.
+He had no exactness.
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"It is a very pleasant circumstance I am in, that while I should be
+thinking of the good company we are to meet within a day or two, where
+we shall go to loggerheads, my thoughts are running upon a fair enemy in
+England. I was in hopes I had left you there; but you follow the camp,
+though I have endeavoured to make some of our leaguer ladies drive you
+out of the field. All my comfort is, you are more troublesome to my
+colonel than myself: I permit you to visit me only now and then; but he
+downright keeps you. I laugh at his Honour as far as his gravity will
+allow me; but I know him to be a man of too much merit to succeed with a
+woman. Therefore defend your heart as well as you can, I shall come home
+this winter irresistibly dressed, and with quite a new foreign air. And
+so I had like to say, I rest, but alas! I remain,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"Most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "JOHN CARELESS."
+
+Now for Colonel Constant's epistle; you see it is folded and directed
+with the utmost care.
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I do myself the honour to write to you this evening, because I believe
+to-morrow will be a day of battle, and something forebodes in my breast
+that I shall fall in it. If it proves so, I hope you will hear, I have
+done nothing below a man who had a love of his country, quickened by a
+passion for a woman of honour. If there be anything noble in going to a
+certain death; if there be any merit, that I meet it with pleasure, by
+promising myself a place in your esteem; if your applause, when I am no
+more, is preferable to the most glorious life without you: I say, madam,
+if any of these considerations can have weight with you, you will give
+me a kind place in your memory, which I prefer to the glory of Cæsar. I
+hope, this will be read, as it is writ, with tears."
+
+The beloved lady is a woman of a sensible mind; but she has confessed
+to me, that after all her true and solid value for Constant, she had
+much more concern for the loss of Careless. Those great and serious
+spirits have something equal to the adversities they meet with, and
+consequently lessen the objects of pity. Great accidents seem not cut
+out so much for men of familiar characters, which makes them more easily
+pitied, and soon after beloved. Add to this, that the sort of love which
+generally succeeds, is a stranger to awe and distance. I asked Romana,
+whether of the two she should have chosen had they survived? She said,
+she knew she ought to have taken Constant; but believed she should have
+chosen Careless.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 17.
+
+Letters from Lisbon of the 9th instant, N.S., say, that the enemy's
+army, having blocked up Olivenza, was posted on the Guadiana. The
+Portuguese are very apprehensive that the garrison of that place, though
+it consists of five of the best regiments of their army, will be obliged
+to surrender, if not timely relieved, they not being supplied with
+provisions for more than six weeks. Hereupon their generals held a
+council of war on the 4th instant, wherein it was concluded to advance
+towards Badajos. With this design the army decamped on the 5th from
+Jerumena, and marched to Cancaon. It is hoped, that if the enemy follow
+their motions, they may have opportunity to put a sufficient quantity of
+provision and ammunition into Olivenza.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff gives notice to all persons that dress themselves as
+they please, without regard to decorum (as with blue and red stockings
+in mourning; tucked cravats, and nightcap wigs, before people of the
+first quality) that he has yet received no fine for indulging them in
+that liberty, and that he expects their compliance with this demand, or
+that they go home immediately and shift themselves. This is further to
+acquaint the town, that the report that the hosiers, toymen, and
+milliners, have compounded with Mr. Bickerstaff for tolerating such
+enormities, is utterly false and scandalous.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 307: At the Tower of London. The Tower menagerie was one of
+the sights of London until its removal in 1834. See Addison's
+_Freeholder_; No. 47.]
+
+[Footnote 308: In Westminster Abbey.]
+
+[Footnote 309: The Priory of Bethlem, in St. Botolph Without,
+Bishopsgate, was given by Henry VIII. to the Corporation of London, and
+was from thenceforth used as a hospital for lunatics. In 1675 a new
+hospital was built near London Wall, in Moorfields, at a cost of
+£17,000. See Hogarth's "Rake's Progress," Plate 8. In No. 127, Steele
+calls Bedlam "that magnificent palace."]
+
+[Footnote 310: Drury Lane Theatre was closed on June 6, 1709, by order
+of the Lord Chamberlain, in consequence of Rich's ill-treatment of the
+actors.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 31. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 18_, to _Tuesday, June 21, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, June 18.
+
+In my dissertation against the custom of single combat,[311] it has been
+objected, that there is not learning, or much reading, shown therein,
+which is the very life and soul of all treatises; for which reason,
+being always easy to receive admonitions, and reform my errors, I
+thought fit to consult this learned board on the subject. Upon proposing
+some doubts, and desiring their assistance, a very hopeful young
+gentleman, my relation, who is to be called to the bar within a year and
+a half at farthest, told me, that he had ever since I first mentioned
+duelling turned his head that way; and that he was principally moved
+thereto, by reason that he thought to follow the circuits in the North
+of England and South of Scotland, and to reside mostly at his own estate
+at Landbadernawz[312] in Cardiganshire. The northern Britons and
+southern Scots are a warm people, and the Welsh a nation of gentlemen;
+so that it behoved him to understand well the science of quarrelling.
+The young gentleman proceeded admirably well, and gave the board an
+account, that he had read Fitzherbert's "Grand Abridgment,"[313] and had
+found, that duelling is a very ancient part of the law: for when a man
+is sued, be it for his life or his land, the person that joins the
+issue, whether plaintiff or defendant, may put the trial upon the duel.
+Further he argued, under favour of the court, that when the issue is
+joined by the duel in treason or other capital crimes, the parties
+accused and accuser must fight in their own proper persons: but if the
+dispute be for lands, you may hire a champion at
+Hockley-in-the-Hole,[314] for anywhere else. This part of the law we had
+from the Saxons; and they had it, as also the trial by ordeal, from the
+Laplanders.[315] "It is indeed agreed," said he, "the Southern and
+Eastern nations never knew anything of it; for though the ancient Romans
+would scold, and call names filthily, yet there is not an example of a
+challenge that ever passed amongst them." His quoting the Eastern
+nations, put another gentleman in mind of an account he had from a
+boatswain of an East Indiaman; which was, that a Chinese had tricked and
+bubbled him, and that when he came to demand satisfaction the next
+morning, and like a true tar of honour called him "Son of a whore,"
+"Liar," "Dog," and other rough appellatives used by persons conversant
+with winds and waves; the Chinese, with great tranquillity, desired him
+not to come aboard fasting, nor put himself in a heat, for it would
+prejudice his health. Thus the East knows nothing of this gallantry.
+There sat at the left of the table a person of a venerable aspect, who
+asserted, that half the impositions which are put upon these ages, have
+been transmitted by writers who have given too great pomp and
+magnificence to the exploits of the ancient Bear Garden, and made their
+gladiators, by fabulous tradition, greater than Gorman[316] and others
+of Great Britain. He informed the company, that he had searched
+authorities for what he said, and that a learned antiquary, Humphrey
+Scarecrow, Esq., of Hockley-in-the-Hole, recorder to the Bear Garden,
+was then writing a discourse on the subject. It appears by the best
+accounts, says this gentleman, that the high names which are used among
+us with so great veneration, were no other than stage-fighters, and
+worthies of the ancient Bear Garden. The renowned Hercules always
+carried a quarterstaff, and was from thence called Claviger. A learned
+chronologist is about proving what wood this staff was made of, whether
+oak, ash, or crab-tree. The first trial of skill he ever performed, was
+with one Cacus, a deer-stealer; the next was with Typhonus, a giant of
+forty feet four inches. Indeed it was unhappily recorded, that meeting
+at last with a sailor's wife, she made his staff of prowess serve her
+own use, and dwindle away to a distaff: she clapped him on an old tar
+jacket of her husband's; so that this great hero drooped like a scabbed
+sheep. Him his contemporary Theseus succeeded in the Bear Garden, which
+honour he held for many years: this grand duellist went to hell, and was
+the only one of that sort that ever came back again. As for Achilles and
+Hector (as the ballads of those times mention), they were pretty smart
+fellows; they fought at sword and buckler; but the former had much the
+better of it; his mother, who was an oyster-woman, having got a
+blacksmith of Lemnos to make her son's weapons. There is a pair of
+trusty Trojans in a song of Virgil's, that were famous for handling
+their gauntlets, Dares, and Entellus;[317] and indeed it does appear,
+they fought [for] no sham prize. What arms the great Alexander used, is
+uncertain; however, the historian mentions, when he attacked Thalestris,
+it was only at single rapier; but the weapon soon failed; for it was
+always observed, that the Amazons had a sort of enchantment about them,
+which made the blade of the weapon, though of never so good metal, at
+every home push, lose its edge and grow feeble. The Roman Bear Garden
+was abundantly more magnificent than anything Greece could boast of; it
+flourished most under those delights of mankind, Nero and Domitian: at
+one time it is recorded, four hundred senators entered the list, and
+thought it an honour to be cudgelled and quarterstaffed.[318] I observe,
+the Lanistaé were the people chiefly employed, which makes me imagine
+our Bear Garden copied much after this, the butchers being the greatest
+men in it. Thus far the glory and honour of the Bear Garden stood
+secure, till fate, that irresistible ruler of sublunary things, in that
+universal ruin of arts and politer learning, by those savage people the
+Goths and Vandals, destroyed and levelled it to the ground. Thus fell
+the grandeur and bravery of the Roman state, till at last the warlike
+genius (but accompanied with more courtesy) revived in the Christian
+world under those puissant champions, St. George, St. Denis, and other
+dignified heroes: one killed his dragon, another his lion, and were all
+afterwards canonised for it, having red letters before them to
+illustrate their martial temper.[319] The Spanish nation, it must be
+owned, were devoted to gallantry and chivalry above the rest of the
+world. What a great figure does that great name, Don Quixote, make in
+history? How shines this glorious star in the Western world? O renowned
+hero! O mirror of knighthood!
+
+    _Thy brandished whinyard all the world defies,
+    And kills as sure as del Tobosa's eyes._
+
+I am forced to break off abruptly, being sent for in haste, with my
+rule, to measure the degree of an affront, before the two gentlemen (who
+are now in their breeches and pumps ready to engage behind Montague
+House[320]) have made a pass.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 18.
+
+It is an unreasonable objection I find against my labours, that my stock
+is not all my own, and therefore the kind reception I have met with is
+not so deserved as it ought to be. But I hope, though it be never so
+true that I am obliged to my friends for laying their cash in my hands,
+since I give it them again when they please, and leave them at their
+liberty to call it home, it will not hurt me with my gentle readers. Ask
+all the merchants who act upon consignments, where is the necessity (if
+they answer readily what their correspondents draw) of their being
+wealthy themselves? Ask the greatest bankers, if all the men they deal
+with were to draw at once, what would be the consequence? But indeed a
+country friend has writ me a letter which gives me great mortification;
+wherein I find I am so far from expecting a supply from thence, that
+some have not heard of me, and the rest do not understand me. His
+epistle is as follows:[321]
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"I thought when I left the town to have raised your fame here, and
+helped you to support it by intelligence from hence; but alas! they had
+never heard of the _Tatler_ until I brought down a set. I lent them from
+house to house; but they asked me what they meant. I began to enlighten
+them, by telling who and who were supposed to be intended by the
+characters drawn. I said for instance, Chloe[322] and Clarissa are two
+eminent toasts. A gentleman (who keeps his greyhound and gun, and one
+would think might know better) told me, he supposed they were papishes,
+for their names were not English: 'Then,' said he, 'why do you call live
+people "toasts"?' I answered, that was a new name found out by the wits,
+to make a lady have the same effect as burridge[323] in the glass when a
+man is drinking. 'But,' says I, 'sir, I perceive this is to you all
+bamboozling; why you look as if you were Don Diego'd[324] to the tune of
+a thousand pounds.' All this good language was lost upon him: he only
+stared, though he is as good a scholar as any layman in the town, except
+the barber. Thus, cousin, you must be content with London for the centre
+of your wealth and fame; we have no relish for you. Wit must describe
+its proper circumference, and not go beyond it, lest (like little boys,
+when they straggle out of their own parish), it may wander to places
+where it is not known, and be lost. Since it is so, you must excuse me
+that I am forced at a visit to sit silent, and only lay up what
+excellent things pass at such conversations.
+
+"This evening I was with a couple of young ladies; one of them has the
+character of the prettiest company, yet really I thought her but silly;
+the other, who talked a great deal less, I observed to have
+understanding. The lady who is reckoned such a companion among her
+acquaintance, has only, with a very brisk air, a knack of saying the
+commonest things: the other, with a sly serious one, says home things
+enough. The first (Mistress Giddy) is very quick; but the second (Mrs.
+Slim) fell into Giddy's own style, and was as good company as she. Giddy
+happens to drop her glove; Slim reaches it to her: 'Madam,' says Giddy,
+'I hope you'll have a better office.' Upon which Slim immediately
+repartees, and sits in her lap, and cries, 'Are you not sorry for my
+heaviness?' This sly wench pleased me to see how she hit her height of
+understanding so well. We sat down to supper. Says Giddy, mighty
+prettily, 'Two hands in a dish and one in a purse': says Slim, 'Ay,
+madam, the more the merrier; but the fewer the better cheer.' I quickly
+took the hint, and was as witty and talkative as they. Says I,
+
+    "_'He that will not when he may,
+    When he will he shall have nay;'_
+
+and so helped myself. Giddy turns about, 'What, have you found your
+tongue?' 'Yes,' says I, 'it is manners to speak when I am spoken to; but
+your greatest talkers are little doers, and the still sow eats up all
+the broth.' 'Ha! ha!' says Giddy, 'one would think he had nothing in
+him, and do you hear how he talks when he pleases.' I grew immediately
+roguish and pleasant to a degree in the same strain. Slim, who knew how
+good company we had been, cries, 'You'll certainly print this bright
+conversation.'"
+
+It is so; and hereby you may see how small an appearance the prettiest
+things said in company, make when in print.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 20.
+
+A mail from Lisbon has brought advices of June the 12th, from the King
+of Portugal's army encamped at Torre Allegada, which inform us, that the
+general of the army called a court-martial on the 4th at the camp of
+Gerumhena, where it was resolved to march with a design to attempt the
+succour of Olivenza. Accordingly the army moved on the 5th, and marched
+towards Badajos. Upon their approach, the Marquis de Bay detached so
+great a party from the blockade of Olivenza, that the Marquis des Minas,
+at the head of a large detachment, covered a great convoy of provisions
+towards Olivenza, which threw in their stores, and marched back to the
+main army, without molestation from the Spaniards. They add, that each
+army must necessarily march into quarters within twenty days.
+
+Whosoever can discover a surgeon's apprentice, who fell upon Mr.
+Bickerstaff's messenger, or (as the printers call him) devil, going to
+the press, and tore out of his hand part of his essay against duels, in
+the fragments of which were the words, "You lie," and "Man of honour,"
+taken up at the Temple Gate; and the words, "Perhaps,"--"May be
+not,"--"By your leave, sir,"--and other terms of provocation, taken up
+at the door of Young Man's Coffee-house,[325] shall receive satisfaction
+from Mr. Morphew, besides a set of arguments to be spoken to any man in
+a passion, which, if the said enraged man listens to, will prevent
+quarrelling.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff does hereby give notice, that he has taken the two
+famous universities of this land under his immediate care, and does
+hereby promise all tutors and pupils, that he will hear what can be said
+of each side between them, and to correct them impartially, by placing
+them in orders and classes in the learned world, according to their
+merit.[326]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 311: See Nos. 25, 26, 28, 29.]
+
+[Footnote 312: Probably meant for Llanbadern Vawr, if not a name coined
+for the occasion.]
+
+[Footnote 313: Sir Anthony Fitzherbert's book was published in 1514.]
+
+[Footnote 314: See Nos. 28, 134.]
+
+[Footnote 315: See Selden, "De Duello" (1610), p. 19.]
+
+[Footnote 316: A prize-fighter mentioned in Lansdowne's epilogue to "The
+Jew of Venice."]
+
+[Footnote 317: "Æneid," v. 437 _seq._]
+
+[Footnote 318: Suetonius, "Life of Nero," chap. 12.]
+
+[Footnote 319: An allusion to the rubrics in Roman missals.]
+
+[Footnote 320: The fields at the back of Montague House, Bloomsbury,
+were a favourite place for duels in the first half of the eighteenth
+century. Cf. _Spectator_, No. 91: "I shall be glad to meet you
+immediately in Hyde Park or behind Montague House, or attend you to Barn
+Elms, or any other fashionable place that's fit for a gentleman to die
+in."]
+
+[Footnote 321: It has been suggested, with some probability, that this
+letter is by Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 322: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 323: Borago was a plant formerly used as a cordial.]
+
+[Footnote 324: See No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 325: Young Man's Coffee-house at Charing Cross, had a back
+door into Spring Garden. It seems to have been specially frequented by
+officers.]
+
+[Footnote 326: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received the advices from Clay Hill,
+which, with all intelligence from honest Mr. Sturdy and others, shall
+have their place in our future story" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 32. [SWIFT AND STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 21_, to _Thursday, June 23, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 22.
+
+An answer to the following letter being absolutely necessary to be
+despatched with all expedition, I must trespass upon all that come with
+horary questions into my ante-chamber, to give the gentlemen my opinion.
+
+#"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._#
+
+"_June 18_, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I know not whether you ought to pity or laugh at me; for I am fallen
+desperately in love with a professed Platonne, the most unaccountable
+creature of her sex. To hear her talk seraphics, and run over
+Norris,[327] and More,[328] and Milton,[329] and the whole set of
+intellectual triflers, torments me heartily; for to a lover who
+understands metaphors, all this pretty prattle of ideas gives very fine
+views of pleasure, which only the dear declaimer prevents, by
+understanding them literally. Why should she wish to be a cherubim, when
+it is flesh and blood that makes her adorable? If I speak to her, that
+is a high breach of the idea of intuition: if I offer at her hand or
+lip, she shrinks from the touch like a sensitive plant, and would
+contract herself into mere spirit. She calls her chariot, 'vehicle'; her
+furbelowed scarf, 'pinions': her blue mant and petticoat is her 'azure
+dress'; and her footman goes by the name of Oberon. It is my misfortune
+to be six foot and a half high, two full spans between the shoulders,
+thirteen inches diameter in the calves; and before I was in love, I had
+a noble stomach, and usually went to bed sober with two bottles. I am
+not quite six and twenty, and my nose is marked truly aquiline. For
+these reasons, I am in a very particular manner her aversion. What shall
+I do? Impudence itself cannot reclaim her. If I write miserable, she
+reckons me among the children of perdition, and discards me her region:
+if I assume the gross and substantial, she plays the real ghost with me,
+and vanishes in a moment. I had hopes in the hypocrisy of her sex; but
+perseverance makes it as bad as fixed aversion. I desire your opinion,
+whether I may not lawfully play the Inquisition upon her, make use of a
+little force, and put her to the rack and the torture, only to convince
+her she has really fine limbs, without spoiling or distorting them. I
+expect your directions, ere I proceed to dwindle and fall away with
+despair; which at present I don't think advisable; because, if she
+should recant, she may then hate me perhaps in the other extreme for my
+tenuity. I am (with impatience) "Your most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "CHARLES STURDY."
+
+My patient has put his case with very much warmth, and represented it in
+so lively a manner, that I see both his torment and tormentor with great
+perspicuity. This order of platonic ladies are to be dealt with in a
+peculiar manner from all the rest of the sex. Flattery is the general
+way, and the way in this case; but it is not to be done grossly. Every
+man that has wit, and humour, and raillery, can make a good flatterer
+for woman in general; but a Platonne is not to be touched with
+panegyric: she will tell you, it is a sensuality in the soul to be
+delighted that way. You are not therefore to commend, but silently
+consent to all she does, and says. You are to consider in her the scorn
+of you is not humour, but opinion. There were some years since a set of
+these ladies who were of quality, and gave out, that virginity was to be
+their state of life during this mortal condition, and therefore resolved
+to join their fortunes, and erect a nunnery. The place of residence was
+pitched upon; and a pretty situation, full of natural falls and risings
+of waters, with shady coverts, and flowery arbours, was approved by
+seven of the founders. There were as many of our sex who took the
+liberty to visit those mansions of intended severity; among others, a
+famous rake of that time, who had the grave way to an excellence. He
+came in first; but upon seeing a servant coming towards him, with a
+design to tell him, this was no place for him or his companions, up goes
+my grave impudence to the maid: "Young woman," said he, "if any of the
+ladies are in the way on this side of the house, pray carry us on the
+other side towards the gardens: we are, you must know, gentlemen that
+are travelling England; after which we shall go into foreign parts,
+where some of us have already been." Here he bows in the most humble
+manner, and kissed the girl, who knew not how to behave to such a sort
+of carriage. He goes on: "Now you must know we have an ambition to have
+it to say, that we have a Protestant nunnery in England: but pray Mrs.
+Betty--" "Sir," she replied, "my name is Susan, at your service." "Then
+I heartily beg your pardon--" "No offence in the least," says she, "for
+I have a cousin-german whose name is Betty." "Indeed," said he, "I
+protest to you that was more than I knew, I spoke at random: but since
+it happens that I was near in the right, give me leave to present this
+gentleman to the favour of a civil salute." His friend advances, and so
+on, till that they had all saluted her. By this means, the poor girl was
+in the middle of the crowd of these fellows, at a loss what to do,
+without courage to pass through them; and the Platonics, at several
+peep-holes, pale, trembling, and fretting. Rake perceived they were
+observed, and therefore took care to keep Suky in chat with questions
+concerning their way of life; when appeared at last Madonella,[330] a
+lady who had writ a fine book concerning the recluse life, and was the
+projectrix of the foundation. She approaches into the hall; and Rake,
+knowing the dignity of his own mien and aspect, goes deputy from his
+company. She begins, "Sir, I am obliged to follow the servant, who was
+sent out to know, what affair could make strangers press upon a solitude
+which we, who are to inhabit this place, have devoted to Heaven and our
+own thoughts?" "Madam," replies Rake, with an air of great distance,
+mixed with a certain indifference, by which he could dissemble
+dissimulation, "your great intention has made more noise in the world
+than you design it should; and we travellers, who have seen many foreign
+institutions of this kind, have a curiosity to see, in its first
+rudiments, this seat of primitive piety; for such it must be called by
+future ages, to the eternal honour of the founders. I have read
+Madonella's excellent and seraphic discourse on this subject." The lady
+immediately answers, "If what I have said could have contributed to
+raise any thoughts in you that may make for the advancement of
+intellectual and divine conversation, I should think myself extremely
+happy." He immediately fell back with the profoundest veneration; then
+advancing, "Are you then that admired lady? If I may approach lips which
+have uttered things so sacred--" He salutes her. His friends follow his
+example. The devoted within stood in amazement where this would end, to
+see Madonella receive their address and their company. But Rake goes on,
+"We would not transgress rules; but if we may take the liberty to see
+the place you have thought fit to choose for ever, we would go into such
+parts of the gardens as is consistent with the severities you have
+imposed on yourselves." To be short, Madonella permitted Rake to lead
+her into the assembly of nuns, followed by his friends, and each took
+his fair one by the hand, after due explanation, to walk round the
+gardens. The conversation turned upon the lilies, the flowers, the
+arbors, and the growing vegetables; and Rake had the solemn impudence,
+when the whole company stood round him, to say, "That he sincerely
+wished that men might rise out of the earth like plants; and that our
+minds were not of necessity to be sullied with carnivorous appetites for
+the generation, as well as support of our species."[331] This was spoke
+with so easy and fixed an assurance, that Madonella answered, "Sir,
+under the notion of a pious thought, you deceive yourself in wishing an
+institution foreign to that of Providence: these desires were implanted
+in us for reverent purposes, in preserving the race of men, and giving
+opportunities for making our chastity more heroic." The conference was
+continued in this celestial strain, and carried on so well by the
+managers on both sides, that it created a second and a third[332]
+interview; and, without entering into further particulars, there was
+hardly one of them but was a mother or father that day twelve-month.
+
+Any unnatural part is long taking up, and as long laying aside;
+therefore Mr. Sturdy may assure himself, Platonica will fly for ever
+from a forward behaviour; but if he approaches her according to this
+model, she will fall in with the necessities of mortal life, and
+condescend to look with pity upon an unhappy man, imprisoned in so much
+body, and urged by such violent desires.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 22.
+
+The evils of this town increase upon me to so great a degree, that I am
+half afraid I shall not leave the world much better than I found it.
+Several worthy gentlemen and critics have applied to me, to give my
+censure of an enormity which has been revived (after being long
+oppressed) and is called Punning.[333] I have several arguments ready to
+prove, that he cannot be a man of honour who is guilty of this abuse of
+human society. But the way to expose it, is like the expedient of curing
+drunkenness, showing a man in that condition: therefore I must give my
+reader warning, to expect a collection of these offences; without which
+preparation, I thought it too adventurous to introduce the very mention
+of it in good company; and hope I shall be understood to do it, as a
+divine mentions oaths and curses, only for their condemnation. I shall
+dedicate this discourse to a gentleman my very good friend, who is the
+Janus[334] of our times, and whom by his years and wit, you would take
+to be of the last age; but by his dress and morals, of this.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 22.
+
+Last night arrived two mails from Holland, which brings letters from the
+Hague of the 28th instant, N.S., with advice, that the enemy lay
+encamped behind a strong retrenchment, with the marsh of Remières on
+their right and left, extending itself as far as Bethune: La Bassée is
+in their front, Lens in their rear, and their camp is strengthened by
+another line from Lens to Douay. The Duke of Marlborough caused an exact
+observation to be made of their ground, and the works by which they were
+covered, which appeared so strong, that it was not thought proper to
+attack them in their present posture. However, the Duke thought fit to
+make a feint as if he designed it; and accordingly marching from the
+abbey at Looze, as did Prince Eugene from Lampret, advanced with all
+possible diligence towards the enemy. To favour the appearance of an
+intended assault, the ways were made, and orders distributed in such a
+manner, that none in either camp could have thoughts of anything but
+charging the enemy by break of day the next morning: but soon after the
+fall of the night of the 26th, the whole army faced towards Tournay,
+which place they invested early in the morning of the 27th. The Marshal
+Villars was so confident that we designed to attack him, that he had
+drawn great part of the garrison of the place, which is now invested,
+into the field: for which reason, it is presumed it must submit within a
+small time; which the enemy cannot prevent, but by coming out of their
+present camp, and hazarding a general engagement. These advices add,
+that the garrison of Mons had marched out under the command of Marshal
+d'Arco; which, with the Bavarians, Walloons, and the troops of Cologne,
+have joined the grand army of the enemy.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 327: John Norris (1657-1711), the divine, published, in 1688,
+"The Theory and Regulation of Love, a Moral Essay; to which are added
+Letters Philosophical and Moral between the author and Doctor Henry
+More."]
+
+[Footnote 328: Henry More, the platonist (1614-87), published "Divine
+Dialogues," "Conjectura Cabalistica," and many other works.]
+
+[Footnote 329: It is not clear why Milton is bracketed with Norris and
+More; perhaps Swift had in mind such passages about heavenly love as
+that in "Paradise Lost," viii. 588-614.]
+
+[Footnote 330: Swift seems to have been the author of this first portion
+of No. 32, which contains a scandalous attack on Mary Astell. Nichols
+thought that Addison also had a share in it. See Nos. 59, 63. Mrs.
+Astell, a friend of Lady Elizabeth Hastings and John Norris, published,
+in 1694, her "Serious Proposal to the Ladies," advocating a Church of
+England monastery, without any irrevocable vows. Provision was made for
+mental as well as moral training; in fact, the institution was to have
+been "rather academical than monastic." But Bishop Burnet advised Lady
+Elizabeth Hastings not to subscribe to the proposed building, and the
+scheme fell through. In 1709, Miss Astell published a book called
+"Bart'lemy Fair; or, An Enquiry after Wit.... By Mr. Wotton, in answer
+to Lord Shaftesbury's Letter concerning Enthusiasm, and other profane
+writers." In the advertisement to the Second Edition ("An Enquiry after
+Wit," &c., 1722), Mary Astell says that, although her book was at first
+published under a borrowed name, it was ascribed to her, and drew upon
+her the resentment of that sort of men of wit who were exposed, and was
+the true cause of the fable published in the _Tatler_ a little after the
+"Enquiry" appeared. But she notes that, although the _Tatler_ showed its
+teeth against the "Proposal to the Ladies," the compilator made amends
+to the author (if not to the bookseller), by transcribing above a
+hundred pages into his _Ladies' Library_ verbatim, except in a few
+places, which would not be found to be improved. The "Enquiry after Wit"
+is dedicated "To the most Illustrious Society of the Kit-Cats," with
+many sarcastic allusions to their luxury, oaths, &c. True, their names
+had not been heard of from Hochsted or Ramillies, but then their heroism
+found in every place an ample theatre for their merits. "The Bath, the
+Wells, and every Fair, each Chocolate, Gaming House and Tavern resounds
+with your noble exploits."]
+
+[Footnote 331: This is borrowed from Sir Thomas Browne's "Religio
+Medici," part ii. sect. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 332: "Second," in original editions.]
+
+[Footnote 333: There is an apology for punning in No. 36 of the
+_Guardian_.]
+
+[Footnote 334: Swift.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 33. [STEELE.
+
+By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Thursday, June 23_, to _Saturday, June 25_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 23.
+
+My brother has made an excursion into the country, and the work against
+Saturday lies upon me. I am very glad I have got pen and ink in my hand;
+for I have for some time longed for his absence, to give a right idea of
+things, which I thought he put in a very odd light, and some of them to
+the disadvantage of my own sex. It is much to be lamented, that it is
+necessary to make discourses, and publish treatises, to keep the horrid
+creatures, the men, within the rules of common decency. Turning over the
+papers of memorials or hints for the ensuing discourses, I find a letter
+subscribed by Mr. Truman.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I am lately come to town, and have read your works with much pleasure.
+You make wit subservient to good principles and good manners. Yet,
+because I design to buy the _Tatlers_ for my daughters to read, I take
+the freedom to desire you, for the future, to say nothing about any
+combat between Alexander and Thalestris."[335]
+
+This offence gives me occasion to express myself with the resentment I
+ought, on people who take liberties of speech before that sex of whom
+the honoured names of mother, daughter, and sister, are a part: I had
+liked to have named wife in the number; but the senseless world are so
+mistaken in their sentiments of pleasure, that the most amiable term in
+human life is become the derision of fools and scorners. My brother and
+I have at least fifty times quarrelled upon this topic. I ever argue,
+that the frailties of women are to be imputed to the false ornaments
+which men of wit put upon our folly and coquetry. He lays all the vices
+of men upon women's secret approbation of libertine characters in them.
+I did not care to give up a point; but now he is out of the way, I
+cannot but own I believe there is very much in what he asserted: for if
+you will believe your eyes, and own, that the wickedest and the wittiest
+of them all marry one day or other, is it possible to believe, that if a
+man thought he should be for ever incapable of being received by a woman
+of merit and honour, he would persist in an abandoned way, and deny
+himself the possibility of enjoying the happiness of well-governed
+desires, orderly satisfactions, and honourable methods of life? If our
+sex were wise, a lover should have a certificate from the last woman he
+served, how he was turned away, before he was received into the service
+of another: but at present any vagabond is welcome, provided he promises
+to enter into our livery. It is wonderful, that we will not take a
+footman without credentials from his last master; and in the greatest
+concern of life, we make no scruple of falling into a treaty with the
+most notorious offender in his behaviour against others. But this breach
+of commerce between the sexes, proceeds from an unaccountable prevalence
+of custom, by which a woman is to the last degree reproachable for being
+deceived, and a man suffers no loss of credit for being a deceiver.
+Since this tyrant humour has gained place, why are we represented in the
+writings of men in ill figures for artifice in our carriage, when we
+have to do with a professed impostor? When oaths, imprecations, vows,
+and adorations, are made use of as words of course, what arts are not
+necessary to defend us from such as glory in the breach of them? As for
+my part, I am resolved to hear all, and believe none of them; and
+therefore solemnly declare, no vow shall deceive me, but that of
+marriage: for I am turned of twenty, and being of a small fortune, some
+wit, and (if I can believe my lovers and my glass) handsome, I have
+heard all that can be said towards my undoing, and shall therefore, for
+warning sake, give an account of the offers that have been made me, my
+manner of rejecting them, and my assistances to keep my resolution. In
+the sixteenth year of my life, I fell into the acquaintance of a lady,
+extremely well known in this town for the quick advancement of her
+husband, and the honours and distinctions which her industry has
+procured him, and all who belong to her. This excellent body sat next to
+me for some months at church, and took the liberty (which she said her
+years and the zeal she had for my welfare gave her claim to) to assure
+me, that she observed some parts of my behaviour which would lead me
+into errors, and give encouragement to some to entertain hopes I did not
+think of. "What made you," said she, "look through your fan at that
+lord, when your eyes should have been turned upward, or closed in
+attention upon better objects?" I blushed, and pretended fifty odd
+excuses;--but confounded myself the more. She wanted nothing but to see
+that confusion, and goes on: "Nay, child, do not be troubled that I take
+notice of it, my value for you made me speak it; for though he is my
+kinsman, I have a nearer regard to virtue than any other consideration."
+She had hardly done speaking, when this noble lord came up to us, and
+took her hand to lead her to her coach. My head ran all that day and
+night on the exemplary carriage of this woman who could be so virtuously
+impertinent, as to admonish one she was hardly acquainted with.
+However, it struck upon the vanity of a girl that it may possibly be,
+his thoughts might have been as favourable of me, as mine were amorous
+of him, and as unlikely things as that have happened, if he should make
+me his wife. She never mentioned this more to me; but I still in all
+public places stole looks at this man, who easily observed my passion
+for him. It is so hard a thing to check the return of agreeable
+thoughts, that he became my dream, my vision, my food, my wish, my
+torment. That minister of darkness, the Lady Sempronia,[336] perceived
+too well the temper I was in, and would one day after evening service
+needs take me to the Park. When we were there, my lord passes by; I
+flushed into a flame. "Mrs. Distaff," said she, "you may very well
+remember the concern I was in upon the first notice I took of your
+regard to that lord, and forgive me, who had a tender friendship for
+your mother (now in her grave) that I am vigilant of your conduct." She
+went on with much severity, and after great solicitation, prevailed on
+me to go with her into the country, and there spend the ensuing summer
+out of the way of a man she saw I loved, and one whom she perceived
+meditated my ruin, by frequently desiring her to introduce him to me;
+which she absolutely refused, except he would give his honour that he
+had no other design but to marry me. To her country house a week or two
+after we went: there was at the farther end of her garden a kind of
+wilderness, in the middle of which ran a soft rivulet by an arbour of
+jessamine. In this place I usually passed my retired hours, and read
+some romantic or poetical tale till the close of the evening. It was
+near that time in the heat of summer, when gentle winds, soft murmurs
+of water, and notes of nightingales had given my mind an indolence,
+which added to that repose of soul, which twilight and the end of a warm
+day naturally throws upon the spirits. It was at such an hour, and in
+such a state of tranquillity I sat, when, to my unexpressible amazement,
+I saw my lord walking towards me, whom I knew not till that moment to
+have been in the country. I could observe in his approach the perplexity
+which attends a man big with design; and I had, while he was coming
+forward, time to reflect that I was betrayed; the sense of which gave me
+a resentment suitable to such a baseness: but when he entered into the
+bower where I was, my heart flew towards him, and, I confess, a certain
+joy came into my mind, with a hope that he might then make a declaration
+of honour and passion. This threw my eye upon him with such tenderness,
+as gave him power, with a broken accent, to begin. "Madam,--You will
+wonder--For it is certain, you must have observed--though I fear you
+will misinterpret the motives--But by Heaven, and all that's sacred! If
+you could--" Here he made a full stand. And I recovered power to say,
+"The consternation I am in you will not, I hope, believe--A helpless
+innocent maid--Besides that, the place--" He saw me in as great
+confusion as himself; which attributing to the same causes, he had the
+audaciousness to throw himself at my feet, and talk of the stillness of
+the evening; then ran into deifications of my person, pure flames,
+constant love, eternal raptures, and a thousand other phrases drawn from
+the images we have of heaven, which ill men use for the service of hell,
+were run over with uncommon vehemence. After which, he seized me in his
+arms: his design was too evident. In my utmost distress, I fell upon my
+knees--"My lord, pity me, on my knees--On my knees in the cause of
+virtue, as you were lately in that of wickedness. Can you think of
+destroying the labour of a whole life, the purpose of a long education,
+for the base service of a sudden appetite, to throw one that loves you,
+that dotes on you, out of the company and road of all that is virtuous
+and praiseworthy? Have I taken in all the instructions of piety,
+religion, and reason, for no other end, but to be the sacrifice of lust,
+and abandoned to scorn? Assume yourself, my lord, and do not attempt to
+vitiate a temple sacred to innocence, honour, and religion. If I have
+injured you, stab this bosom, and let me die, but not be ruined by the
+hand I love." The ardency of my passion made me incapable of uttering
+more; and I saw my lover astonished and reformed by my behaviour: when
+rushed in Sempronia. "Ha! Faithless, base man, could you then steal out
+of town, and lurk like a robber about my house for such brutish
+purposes?" My lord was by this time recovered, and fell into a violent
+laughter at the turn which Sempronia designed to give her villany. He
+bowed to me with the utmost respect: "Mrs. Distaff," said he, "be
+careful hereafter of your company"; and so retired. The fiend Sempronia
+congratulated my deliverance with a flood of tears. This nobleman has
+since very frequently made his addresses to me with honour, but I have
+as often refused them; as well knowing, that familiarity and marriage
+will make him, on some ill-natured occasion, call all I said in the
+arbour a theatrical action. Besides that, I glory in contemning a man
+who had thoughts to my dishonour. And if this method were the imitation
+of the whole sex, innocence would be the only dress of beauty; and all
+affectation by any other arts to please the eyes of men, would be
+banished to the stews for ever. The conquest of passion gives ten times
+more happiness than we can reap from the gratification of it; and she
+that has got over such a one as mine, will stand among beaux and pretty
+fellows, with as much safety as in a summer's day among grasshoppers and
+butterflies.
+
+P.S.--I have ten millions of things more against men, if I ever get the
+pen again.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 24.
+
+Our last advices from the Hague, dated the 28th instant, say, that on
+the 25th a squadron of Dutch men-of-war sailed out of the Texel to join
+Admiral Baker at Spithead. The 26th was observed as a day of fasting and
+humiliation, to implore a blessing on the arms of the Allies this
+ensuing campaign. Letters from Dresden are very particular in the
+account of the gallantry and magnificence in which that Court has
+appeared since the arrival of the King of Denmark. No day has passed in
+which public shows have not been exhibited for his entertainment and
+diversion: the last of that kind which is mentioned is a carousal,
+wherein many of the youth of the first quality, dressed in the most
+splendid manner, ran for the prize. His Danish Majesty condescended to
+the same; but having observed that there was a design laid to throw it
+in his way, passed by without attempting to gain it. The Court of
+Dresden was preparing to accompany his Danish Majesty to Potsdam, where
+the expectation of an interview of three kings had drawn together such
+multitudes of people, that many persons of distinction will be obliged
+to lie in tents as long as those Courts continue in that place.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 335: See No. 31.]
+
+[Footnote 336: See Sallust, "Bell. Catal." chap. 21. The person here
+referred to as Sempronia is said to be the same as the Madam d'Epingle
+elsewhere alluded to.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 34. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Saturday, June 25_, to _Tuesday, June 28, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 25.
+
+Having taken upon me to cure all the distempers which proceed from
+affections of the mind, I have laboured since I first kept this public
+stage, to do all the good I could possibly, and have perfected many
+cures at my own lodging; carefully avoiding the common method of
+mountebanks, to do their most eminent operations in sight of the people;
+but must be so just to my patients as to declare, they have testified
+under their hands their sense of my poor abilities, and the good I have
+done them, which I publish for the benefit of the world, and not out of
+any thoughts of private advantage. I have cured fine Mrs. Spy of a great
+imperfection in her eyes, which made her eternally rolling them from one
+coxcomb to another in public places, in so languishing a manner, that it
+at once lessened her own power, and her beholder's vanity. Twenty drops
+of my ink, placed in certain letters on which she attentively looked for
+half an hour, have restored her to the true use of her sight; which is,
+to guide, and not mislead us. Ever since she took this liquor, which I
+call Bickerstaff's Circumspection Water, she looks right forward, and
+can bear being looked at for half a day without returning one glance.
+This water has a peculiar virtue in it, which makes it the only true
+cosmetic or beauty wash in the world: the nature of it is such, that if
+you go to a glass, with design to admire your face, it immediately
+changes it into downright deformity. If you consult it only to look
+with a better countenance upon your friends, it immediately gives an
+alacrity to the visage, and new grace to the whole person. There is
+indeed a great deal owing to the constitution of the person to whom it
+is applied: it is in vain to give it when the patient is in the rage of
+the distemper; a bride in her first month, a lady soon after her
+husband's being knighted, or any person of either sex who has lately
+obtained any new good fortune or preferment, must be prepared some time
+before they use it. It has an effect upon others, as well as the
+patient, when it is taken in due form. Lady Petulant has by the use of
+it cured her husband of jealousy, and Lady Gad her whole neighbourhood
+of detraction. The fame of these things, added to my being an old
+fellow, makes me extremely acceptable to the fair sex. You would hardly
+believe me, when I tell you there is not a man in town so much their
+delight as myself. They make no more of visiting me, than going to Madam
+d'Epingle's.[337] There were two of them, namely, Damia and Clidamira (I
+assure you women of distinction) who came to see me this morning in
+their way to prayers, and being in a very diverting humour as (innocence
+always makes people cheerful) they would needs have me, according to the
+distinction of "pretty" and "very pretty" fellows, inform them if I
+thought either of them had a title to the "very pretty" among those of
+their own sex; and if I did, which was the more deserving of the two. To
+put them to the trial, "Look ye," said I, "I must not rashly give my
+judgment in matters of this importance; pray let me see you dance: I
+play upon the kit."[338] They immediately fell back to the lower end of
+the room (you may be sure they curtsied low enough to me): and began.
+Never were two in the world so equally matched, and both scholars to my
+namesake Isaac.[339] Never was man in so dangerous a condition as
+myself, when they began to expand their charms. "O! ladies, ladies,"
+cried I, "not half that air, you'll fire the house." Both smiled; for
+by-the bye, there's no carrying a metaphor too far, when a lady's charms
+are spoken of. Somebody, I think, has called a fine woman dancing, a
+brandished torch of beauty.[340] These rivals moved with such an
+agreeable freedom, that you would believe their gesture was the
+necessary effect of the music, and not the product of skill and
+practice. Now Clidamira came on with a crowd of graces, and demanded my
+judgment with so sweet an air--and she had no sooner carried it, but
+Damia made her utterly forgot by a gentle sinking, and a rigadoon
+step.[341] The contest held a full half-hour; and I protest, I saw no
+manner of difference in their perfections, till they came up together,
+and expected my sentence. "Look ye, ladies," said I, "I see no
+difference in the least in your performance; but you Clidamira seem to
+be so well satisfied that I shall determine for you, that I must give it
+to Damia, who stands with so much diffidence and fear, after showing an
+equal merit to what she pretends to. Therefore, Clidamira, you are a
+'pretty'; but, Damia, you are a 'very pretty' lady. For," said I,
+"beauty loses its force, if not accompanied with modesty. She that has a
+humble opinion of herself, will have everybody's applause, because she
+does not expect it; while the vain creature loses approbation through
+too great a sense of deserving it."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 27.
+
+Being of a very spare and hective constitution, I am forced to make
+frequent journeys of a mile or two for fresh air; and indeed by this
+last, which was no further than the village of Chelsea, I am farther
+convinced of the necessity of travelling to know the world. For as it is
+usual with young voyagers, as soon as they land upon a shore, to begin
+their accounts of the nature of the people, their soil, their
+government, their inclinations, and their passions, so really I fancied
+I could give you an immediate description of this village, from the Five
+Fields,[342] where the robbers lie in wait, to the coffee-house where
+the _literati_ sit in council. A great ancestor of ours by the mother's
+side, Mr. Justice Overdo (whose history is written by Ben Jonson),[343]
+met with more enormities by walking _incog._ than he was capable of
+correcting; and found great mortifications in observing also persons of
+eminence, whom he before knew nothing of. Thus it fared with me, even in
+a place so near the town as this. When I came into the
+coffee-house,[344] I had not time to salute the company, before my eye
+was diverted by ten thousand gimcracks round the room and on the
+ceiling. When my first astonishment was over, comes to me a sage of a
+thin and meagre countenance; which aspect made me doubt, whether reading
+or fretting had made it so philosophic: but I very soon perceived him to
+be of that sect which the ancients call Gingivistæ,[345] in our
+language, tooth-drawers. I immediately had a respect for the man; for
+these practical philosophers go upon a very rational hypothesis, not to
+cure, but take away the part affected. My love of mankind made me very
+benevolent to Mr. Salter, for such is the name of this eminent barber
+and antiquary. Men are usually, but unjustly, distinguished rather by
+their fortunes, than their talents, otherwise this personage would make
+a great figure in that class of men which I distinguish under the title
+of Odd Fellows. But it is the misfortune of persons of great genius, to
+have their faculties dissipated by attention to too many things at once.
+Mr. Salter is an instance of this: if he would wholly give himself up to
+the string,[346] instead of playing twenty beginnings to tunes, he might
+before he dies play "Roger de Caubly"[347] quite out. I heard him go
+through his whole round, and indeed I think he does play the "Merry
+Christ-Church Bells"[348] pretty justly; but he confessed to me, he did
+that rather to show he was orthodox, than that he valued himself upon
+the music itself. Or if he did proceed in his anatomy, why might not he
+hope in time to cut off legs, as well as draw teeth? The particularity
+of this man put me into a deep thought, whence it should proceed, that
+of all the lower order barbers should go farther in hitting the
+ridiculous, than any other set of men. Watermen brawl, cobblers sing;
+but why must a barber be for ever a politician, a musician, an
+anatomist, a poet, and a physician? The learned Vossus says,[349] his
+barber used to comb his head in iambics. And indeed in all ages, one of
+this useful profession, this order of cosmetic philosophers, has been
+celebrated by the most eminent hands. You see the barber in "Don
+Quixote,"[350] is one of the principal characters in the history, which
+gave me satisfaction in the doubt, why Don Saltero writ his name with a
+Spanish termination: for he is descended in a right line, not from John
+Tradescant,[351] as he himself asserts, but from that memorable
+companion of the Knight of Mancha. And I hereby certify all the worthy
+citizens who travel to see his rarities, that his double-barrelled
+pistols, targets, coats of mail, his sclopeta,[352] and sword of
+Toledo,[353] were left to his ancestor by the said Don Quixote, and by
+the said ancestor to all his progeny down to Don Saltero. Though I go
+thus far in favour of Don Saltero's great merit, I cannot allow a
+liberty he takes of imposing several names (without my licence) on the
+collections he has made, to the abuse of the good people of England; one
+of which is particularly calculated to deceive religious persons, to the
+great scandal of the well disposed, and may introduce heterodox
+opinions. He shows you a straw hat, which I know to be made by Madge
+Peskad, within three miles of Bedford; and tells you, it is Pontius
+Pilate's wife's chamber-maid's sister's hat. To my knowledge of this
+very hat, it may be added, that the covering of straw was never used
+among the Jews, since it was demanded of them to make bricks without it.
+Therefore this is really nothing, but under the specious pretence of
+learning and antiquity, to impose upon the world. There are other things
+which I cannot tolerate among his rarities; as, the china figure of a
+lady in the glass case; the Italian engine for the imprisonment of those
+who go abroad with it: both which I hereby order to be taken down, or
+else he may expect to have his letters patents for making punch
+superseded, be debarred wearing his muff next winter, or ever coming to
+London without his wife.[354] It may perhaps be thought I have dwelt too
+long upon the affairs of this operator; but I desire the reader to
+remember, that it is my way to consider men as they stand in merit, and
+not according to their fortune or figure; and if he is in a coffee-house
+at the reading hereof, let him look round, and he will find there may be
+more characters drawn in this account than that of Don Saltero; for half
+the politicians about him, he may observe, are, by their place in
+nature, of the class of tooth-drawers.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 337: See p. 273, note.]
+
+[Footnote 338: A small violin or fiddle. See No. 160.]
+
+[Footnote 339: A dancing-master, who either was French, or pretended to
+be so. See No. 109.]
+
+[Footnote 340: A song of Waller's begins:
+
+    "Behold the brand of beauty tost!
+    See, how the motion doth dilate the flame!"
+                                            (Dobson).
+]
+
+[Footnote 341: The rigadoon was a dance for two persons. Cf. _Guardian_,
+No. 154: "We danced a rigadoon together."]
+
+[Footnote 342: On the site of Eaton and Belgrave Squares. See
+_Spectator_, No. 137: "The Five Fields towards Chelsea."]
+
+[Footnote 343: In "Bartholomew Fair," act ii. sc. i. Overdo went to the
+Fair in disguise, and being mistaken for a cutpurse, was well beaten.]
+
+[Footnote 344: Salter, a barber, opened a coffee-house in Cheyne Walk,
+Chelsea, in 1695. Sir Harry Sloane, whose servant he had been, gave him
+some curiosities to start a museum. Others, including Admiral Munden and
+his fellow-officers, added to the collection, and the first catalogue
+appeared in 1729. The more startling curiosities were, of course, not
+genuine. The remains of the collection were sold in 1799 for about £50.
+A view of Salter's house will be found in Timbs' "Clubs and Club Life in
+London." Verses of a more or less coarse nature by Don Saltero appeared
+not unfrequently in the "British Apollo," in 1709.]
+
+[Footnote 345: From "gingiva," the gum.]
+
+[Footnote 346: Salter played very badly on the fiddle.]
+
+[Footnote 347: "Sir Roger de Coverley," the famous country-dance tune.]
+
+[Footnote 348: By Dr. Henry Aldrich, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford,
+where Steele matriculated.]
+
+[Footnote 349: "De Poematum cantu, et viribus Rythmi," 1673.]
+
+[Footnote 350: Master Nicholas. See "Don Quixote," chap. v.]
+
+[Footnote 351: There were two John Tradescants (father and son) who
+collected objects of natural history. Their collection formed the
+foundation of the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford. The "Museum
+Tradescantianum: or, A Collection of Rarities preserved at South
+Lambeth, near London, by John Tradescant," contains interesting
+portraits of both John Tradescant, senior, and John Tradescant, junior,
+as well as a plate of the Tradescant arms.]
+
+[Footnote 352: A sclopeta or sclopetta was a hand-gun used by
+Spaniards.]
+
+[Footnote 353: Toledo was famous for its sword-blades.]
+
+[Footnote 354: Salter had an old grey muff, which he clapped constantly
+to his nose, and by which he was distinguishable at the distance of a
+quarter of a mile. His wife was none of the best, being much addicted to
+scolding.-(Nichols.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 35. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 28_, to _Thursday, June 30_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, June 28.
+
+There is a habit or custom which I have put my patience to the utmost
+stretch to have suffered so long, because several of my intimate friends
+are in the guilt; and that is, the humour of taking snuff, and looking
+dirty about the mouth by way of ornament. My method is to dive to the
+bottom of a sore before I pretend to apply a remedy. For this reason, I
+sat by an eminent story-teller and politician who takes half an ounce in
+five seconds, and has mortgaged a pretty tenement near the town, merely
+to improve and dung his brains with this prolific powder. I observed
+this gentleman the other day in the midst of a story diverted from it by
+looking at something at a distance, and I softly hid his box. But he
+returns to his tale, and looking for his box, he cries, "And so, sir--"
+Then when he should have taken a pinch, "As I was saying," says he--"Has
+nobody seen my box?" His friend beseeches him to finish his narration.
+Then he proceeds, "And so, sir--Where can my box be?" Then, turning to
+me, "Pray, sir, did you see my box?" "Yes, sir," said I, "I took it to
+see how long you could live without it." He resumes his tale; and I took
+notice, that his dulness was much more regular and fluent than before. A
+pinch supplied the place of, "As I was saying," "And so, sir"; and he
+went on currently enough in that style which the learned call the
+insipid. This observation easily led me into a philosophic reason for
+taking snuff, which is done only to supply with sensations the want of
+reflection. This I take to be an Ἕυρηκα [Heurêka], a nostrum; upon which
+I hope to receive the thanks of this board. For as it is natural to lift
+a man's hand to a sore, when you fear anything coming at you; so when a
+person feels his thoughts are run out, and has no more to say, it is as
+natural to supply his weak brain with powder at the nearest place of
+access, viz., the nostrils. This is so evident, that nature suggests the
+use according to the indigence of the persons who use this medicine,
+without being prepossessed with the force of fashion or custom. For
+example; the native Hibernians, who are reckoned not much unlike the
+ancient Bœotians, take this specific for emptiness in the head, in
+greater abundance than any other nation under the sun. The learned
+Sotus, as sparing as he is in his words, would be still more silent if
+it were not for this powder. But however low and poor the taking snuff
+argues a man to be in his own stock of thought, or means to employ his
+brains and his fingers, yet there is a poorer creature in the world than
+he, and this is a borrower of snuff; a fellow that keeps no box of his
+own, but is always asking others for a pinch. Such poor rogues put me
+always in mind of a common phrase among schoolboys when they are
+composing their exercise, who run to an upper scholar, and cry, "Pray
+give me a little sense." But of all things, commend me to the ladies who
+are got into this pretty help to discourse.[355] I have been this three
+years persuading Sagissa[356] to leave it off; but she talks so much,
+and is so learned, that she is above contradiction. However, an
+accident the other day brought that about, which my eloquence never
+could accomplish: she had a very pretty fellow in her closet, who ran
+thither to avoid some company that came to visit her. She made an excuse
+to go in to him for some implement they were talking of. Her eager
+gallant snatched a kiss; but being unused to snuff, some grains from off
+her upper lip made him sneeze aloud, which alarmed the visitants, and
+has made a discovery, that profound reading, very much intelligence, and
+a general knowledge of who and who's together, cannot fill up her vacant
+hours so much, but that she is sometimes obliged to descend to
+entertainments less intellectual.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 29.
+
+I know no manner of news for this place, but that Cynthio, having been
+long in despair for the inexorable Clarissa, lately resolved to fall in
+love the good old way of bargain and sale, and has pitched upon a very
+agreeable young woman.[357] He will undoubtedly succeed; for he accosts
+her in a strain of familiarity, without breaking through the deference
+that is due to woman whom a man would choose for his life. I have hardly
+ever heard rough truth spoken with a better grace than in this his
+letter.[358]
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I writ to you on Saturday by Mrs. Lucy, and give you this trouble to
+urge the same request I made then, which was, that I may be admitted to
+wait upon you. I should be very far from desiring this, if it were a
+transgression of the most severe rules to allow it: I know you are very
+much above the little arts which are frequent in your sex, of giving
+unnecessary torments to their admirers; therefore hope, you'll do so
+much justice to the generous passion I have for you, as to let me have
+an opportunity of acquainting you upon what motives I pretend to your
+good opinion. I shall not trouble you with my sentiments, till I know
+how they will be received; and as I know no reason why difference of sex
+should make our language to each other differ from the ordinary rules of
+right reason, I shall affect plainness and sincerity in my discourse to
+you, as much as other lovers do perplexity and rapture. Instead of
+saying, 'I shall die for you,' I profess I should be glad to lead my
+life with you: you are as beautiful, as witty, as prudent, and as
+good-humoured, as any woman breathing; but I must confess to you, I
+regard all these excellences as you will please to direct them, for my
+happiness or misery. With me, madam, the only lasting motive to love is
+the hope of its becoming mutual. I beg of you to let Mrs. Lucy send me
+word when I may attend you. I promise you, I'll talk of nothing but
+indifferent things; though at the same time I know not how I shall
+approach you in the tender moment of first seeing you, after this
+declaration, of,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"And most faithful
+
+"Humble Servant, &c."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 29.
+
+Having taken a resolution when plays are acted next winter by an entire
+good company, to publish observations from time to time on the
+performance of the actors, I think it but just to give an abstract of
+the law of action, for the help of the less learned part of the
+audience, that they may rationally enjoy so refined and instructive a
+pleasure as a just representation of human life. The great errors in
+playing are admirably well exposed in Hamlet's direction to the
+actors[359] who are to play in his supposed tragedy; by which we shall
+form our future judgments on their behaviour, and for that reason you
+have the discourse as follows:
+
+"Speak the speech as I pronounce it to you, trippingly on the tongue;
+but if you mouth it, as many of our players do, I had as lieve the
+town-crier had spoke my lines: nor do not saw the air too much with your
+hand thus; but use all gently: for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as
+I may say, the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a
+temperance that may give it smoothness. Oh! it offends me to the soul,
+to see a robustious periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to
+very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who (for the most part)
+are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and noise. I could
+have such a fellow whipped for overdoing termagant: it out-Herods Herod.
+Be not too tame neither; but let your own discretion be your tutor: suit
+the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special
+observance, that you overstep not the modesty of nature; for anything so
+overdone, is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first
+and now, was, and is, to hold as it were the mirror up to Nature; to
+show Virtue her own feature; scorn her own image; and the very age and
+body of the time its form and pressure. Now this overdone, or come tardy
+off, though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious
+grieve. The censures of which one, must, in your allowance, oversway a
+whole theatre of others. Oh! there be players, that I have seen play,
+and heard others praise, and that highly (not to speak it profanely),
+that neither having the accent of Christian, Pagan, or Norman, have so
+strutted and bellowed, that I have thought some of Nature's journeymen
+had made men, and not made them well, they imitated humanity so
+abominably. This should be reformed altogether; and let those that play
+your clowns, speak no more than is set down for them: for there be of
+them that will of themselves laugh, to set on some quantity of barren
+spectators to laugh too; though in the meantime, some necessary question
+of the play be then to be considered; that is villanous, and shows a
+most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 29.
+
+It would be a very great obligation, and an assistance to my treatise
+upon Punning,[360] if any one would please to inform in what class,
+among the learned who play with words, to place the author of the
+following letter.[361]
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Not long since you were pleased to give us a chimerical account of the
+famous family of Staffs,[362] from whence I suppose you would insinuate,
+that it is the most ancient and numerous house in all Europe. But I
+positively deny that it is either; and wonder much at your audacious
+proceedings in this matter, since it is well known, that our most
+illustrious, most renowned, and most celebrated Roman family of Ix, has
+enjoyed the precedency to all others from the reign of good old Saturn.
+I could say much to the defamation and disgrace of your family; as, that
+your relations Distaff and Broomstaff were both inconsiderate mean
+persons, one spinning, the other sweeping the streets, for their daily
+bread. But I forbear to vent my spleen on objects so much beneath my
+indignation. I shall only give the world a catalogue of my ancestors,
+and leave them to determine which hath hitherto had, and which for the
+future ought to have, the preference.
+
+"First then comes the most famous and popular Lady Meretrix, parent of
+the fertile family of Bellatrix, Lotrix, Netrix, Nutrix, Obstetrix,
+Famulatrix, Coctrix, Ornatrix, Sarcinatrix, Fextrix, Balneatrix,
+Portatrix, Saltatrix, Divinatrix, Conjectrix, Comtrix, Debitrix,
+Creditrix, Donatrix, Ambulatrix, Mercatrix, Adsectrix, Assectatrix,
+Palpatrix, Præceptrix, Pistrix.
+
+"I am yours,
+
+                                        "ELIZ. POTATRIX."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 29.
+
+Letters from Brussels of the 2nd of July, N.S., say, that the Duke of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene having received advice, that the Marshal
+Villars had drawn a considerable body out of the garrison of Tournay to
+reinforce his army, marched towards that place, and came before it early
+in the morning of the 27th. As soon as they came into that ground, the
+Prince of Nassau was sent with a strong detachment to take post at St.
+Amand; and at the same time my Lord Orkney received orders to possess
+himself of Mortagne; both which were successfully executed; whereby we
+are masters of the Scheldt and the Scarp. Eight men were drawn out of
+each troop of dragoons and company of foot in the garrison of Tournay,
+to make up the reinforcement which was ordered to join Marshal Villars;
+but upon advice that the Allies were marching towards Tournay, they
+endeavoured to return into the town; but were intercepted by the Earl of
+Orkney, by whom that whole body was killed or taken. These letters add,
+that 1200 dragoons (each horseman carrying a foot-soldier behind him)
+were detached from Mons to throw themselves into Tournay; but upon
+appearance of a great body of horse of the Allies, retired towards
+Condé. We hear, that the garrison does not consist of more than 3500
+men. Of the sixty battalions designed to be employed in this siege,
+seven [_sic_] are English, viz., two of Guards, and the regiments of
+Argyle, Temple, Evans and Meredith.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 355: See Nos. 79, 140; and Swift's "Journal to Stella," Nov.
+3, 1711. A correspondent begged the _Spectator_ (No. 344) to "take
+notice of an impertinent custom the women, the fine women, have lately
+fallen into, of taking snuff."]
+
+[Footnote 356: It has been suggested that Steele here alludes to Mrs. De
+la Rivière Manley.]
+
+[Footnote 357: Lord Hinchinbroke married Elizabeth, only daughter of
+Alexander Popham, Esq. See Nos. 1, 5, 22.]
+
+[Footnote 358: This was one of Steele's own letters to Miss Scurlock.
+(See "Correspondence," 1809, vol. i. p. 93.) "Mrs. Lucy" is "Mrs.
+Warren" in the original.]
+
+[Footnote 359: "Hamlet," act iii. sc. 2.]
+
+[Footnote 360: See No. 32.]
+
+[Footnote 361: This letter is printed in Scott's edition of Swift's
+works.]
+
+[Footnote 362: See No. II.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 36. [? STEELE.[363]
+
+By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Thursday, June 30_, to _Saturday, July 2_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From our own Apartment, June 30.
+
+Many affairs calling my brother into the country, the care of our
+intelligence with the town is left to me for some time; therefore you
+must expect the advices you meet with in this paper to be such as more
+immediately and naturally fall under the consideration of our sex:
+history therefore written by a woman, you will easily imagine to consist
+of love in all its forms, both in the abuse of, and obedience to that
+passion. As to the faculty of writing itself, it will not, it is hoped,
+be demanded, that style and ornament shall be so much consulted, as
+truth and simplicity; which latter qualities we may more justly pretend
+to beyond the other sex. While therefore the administration of our
+affairs is in my hands, you shall from time to time have an exact
+account of all false lovers, and their shallow pretences for breaking
+off; of all termagant wives who make wedlock a yoke; of men who affect
+the entertainments and manners suitable only to our sex, and women who
+pretend to the conduct of such affairs as are only within the province
+of men. It is necessary further to advertise the reader, that the usual
+places of resort being utterly out of my province or observation, I
+shall be obliged frequently to change the dates of places, as
+occurrences come into my way. The following letter I lately received
+from Epsom.[364]
+
+
+Epsom, June 28.
+
+"It is now almost three weeks since what you writ about happened in this
+place: the quarrel between my friends did not run so high as I find your
+accounts have made it. The truth of the fact you shall have very
+faithfully. You are to understand, that the persons concerned in this
+scene were, Lady Autumn, and Lady Springly:[365] Autumn is a person of
+good breeding, formality, and a singular way practised in the last age;
+and Lady Springly, a modern impertinent of our sex, who affects as
+improper familiarity, as the other does distance. Lady Autumn knows to a
+hair's-breadth where her place is in all assemblies and conversations;
+but Springly neither gives nor takes place of anybody, but understands
+the place to signify no more, than to have room enough to be at ease
+wherever she comes. Thus while Autumn takes the whole of this life to
+consist in understanding punctilio and decorum, Springly takes
+everything to be becoming which contributes to her ease and
+satisfaction. These heroines have married two brothers, both knights.
+Springly is the spouse of the elder, who is a baronet; and Autumn, being
+a rich widow, has taken the younger, and her purse endowed him with an
+equal fortune and knighthood of the same order. This jumble of titles,
+you need not doubt, has been an aching torment to Autumn, who took place
+of the other on no pretence, but her carelessness and disregard of
+distinction. This secret occasion of envy broiled long in the breast of
+Autumn; but no opportunity of contention on that subject happening, kept
+all things quiet till the accident, of which you demand an account.
+
+"It was given out among all the gay people of this place, that on the
+9th instant several damsels, swift of foot, were to run for a suit of
+head-clothes at the Old Wells. Lady Autumn on this occasion invited
+Springly to go with her in her coach to see the race. When they came to
+the place where the governor of Epsom and all his court of citizens were
+assembled, as well as a crowd of people of all orders, a brisk young
+fellow addresses himself to the younger of the ladies, viz., Springly,
+and offers her his service to conduct her into the music-room. Springly
+accepts the compliment, and is led triumphantly through the bowing
+crowd, while Autumn is left among the rabble, and has much ado to get
+back into her coach; but she did it at last: and as it is usual to see
+by the horses my lady's present disposition, she orders John to whip
+furiously home to her husband; where, when she enters, down she sits,
+began to unpin her hood, and lament her foolish fond heart to marry into
+a family where she was so little regarded, she that might--Here she
+stops; then rises up and stamps, and sits down again. Her gentle knight
+made his approaches with a supple beseeching gesture. 'My dear,' said
+he--'Tell me no dears,' replied Autumn; in the presence of the governor
+and all the merchants; 'What will the world say of a woman that has
+thrown herself away at this rate?' Sir Thomas withdrew, and knew it
+would not be long a secret to him; as well as that experience told him,
+he that marries a fortune, is of course guilty of all faults against his
+wife, let them be committed by whom they will. But Springly, an hour or
+two after, returns from the Wells, and finds the whole company together.
+Down she sat, and a profound silence ensued. You know a premeditated
+quarrel usually begins and works up with the words, 'Some people.' The
+silence was broken by Lady Autumn, who began to say, 'There are some
+people who fancy, that if some people--' Springly immediately takes her
+up; 'There are some people who fancy, if other people--' Autumn
+repartees, 'People may give themselves airs; but other people, perhaps,
+who make less ado, may be, perhaps, as agreeable as people who set
+themselves out more.' All the other people at the table sat mute, while
+these two people, who were quarrelling, went on with the use of the word
+'people,' instancing the very accidents between them, as if they kept
+only in distant hints. 'Therefore,' says Autumn, reddening, 'there are
+some people who will go abroad in other people's coaches, and leave
+those, with whom they went, to shift for themselves; and if, perhaps,
+those people have married the younger brother, yet, perhaps, he may be
+beholden to those people for what he is.' Springly smartly answers,
+'People may bring so much ill humour into a family, as people may repent
+their receiving their money'; and goes on--'Everybody is not
+considerable enough to give her uneasiness.' Upon this, Autumn comes up
+to her, and desired her to kiss her, and never to see her again; which
+her sister refusing, my lady gave her a box on the ear. Springly
+returns; 'Ay, ay,' said she, 'I knew well enough you meant me by your
+"some people,"' and gives her another on the other side. To it they went
+with most masculine fury: each husband ran in. The wives immediately
+fell upon their husbands, and tore periwigs and cravats. The company
+interposed; when (according to the slip-knot of matrimony, which makes
+them return to one another when any put in between) the ladies and their
+husbands fell upon all the rest of the company; and having beat all
+their friends and relations out of the house, came to themselves time
+enough to know, there was no bearing the jest of the place after these
+adventures, and therefore marched off the next day. It is said, the
+governor has sent several joints of mutton, and has proposed divers
+dishes very exquisitely dressed, to bring them down again. From his
+address and knowledge in roast and boiled, all our hopes of the return
+of this good company depend. I am,
+
+"Dear Jenny,
+
+"Your ready Friend
+
+"And Servant,
+
+                                        "MARTHA TATLER."
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 30.
+
+This day appeared here a figure of a person, whose services to the fair
+sex have reduced him to a kind of existence, for which there is no name.
+If there be a condition between life and death, without being absolutely
+dead or living, his state is that. His aspect and complexion in his
+robust days gave him the illustrious title of Africanus:[366] but it is
+not only from the warm climates in which he has served, nor from the
+disasters which he has suffered, that he deserves the same appellation
+with that renowned Roman; but the magnanimity with which he appears in
+his last moments, is what gives him the undoubted character of Hero.
+Cato stabbed himself, and Hannibal drank poison; but our Africanus lives
+in the continual puncture of aching bones and poisoned juices. The old
+heroes fled from torments by death, and this modern lives in death and
+torments, with a heart wholly bent upon a supply for remaining in them.
+An ordinary spirit would sink under his oppressions; but he makes an
+advantage of his very sorrow, and raises an income from his diseases.
+Long has this worthy been conversant in bartering, and knows, that when
+stocks are lowest, it is the time to buy. Therefore, with much prudence
+and tranquillity, he thinks, that now he has not a bone sound, but a
+thousand nodous parts for which the anatomists have not words, and more
+diseases than the College ever heard of, it is the only time to purchase
+an annuity for life. Sir Thomas[367] told me, it was an entertainment
+more surprising and pleasant than can be imagined, to see an inhabitant
+of neither world without hand to lift, or leg to move, scarce tongue to
+utter his meaning, so keen upon biting the whole world, and making
+bubbles at his exit. Sir Thomas added, that he would have bought twelve
+shillings a year of him, but that he feared there was some trick in it,
+and believed him already dead: "What!" says that knight, "is Mr.
+Partridge, whom I met just now going on both his legs firmer than I can,
+allowed to be quite dead; and shall Africanus, without one limb that can
+do its office, be pronounced alive?" What heightened the tragi-comedy of
+this market for annuities was, that the observation of it provoked
+Monoculus[368] (who is the most eloquent of all men) to many excellent
+reflections, which he spoke with the vehemence and language both of a
+gamester and an orator. "When I cast," said that delightful speaker, "my
+eye upon thee, thou unaccountable Africanus, I cannot but call myself as
+unaccountable as thou art; for certainly we were born to show what
+contradictions nature is pleased to form in the same species. Here am I,
+able to eat, to drink, to sleep, and do all acts of nature, except
+begetting my like; and yet by an unintelligible force of spleen and
+fancy, I every moment imagine I am dying. It is utter madness in thee to
+provide for supper; for I'll bet you ten to one, you don't live till
+half an hour after four; and yet I am so distracted as to be in fear
+every moment, though I'll lay ten to three, I drink three pints of burnt
+claret at your funeral three nights hence. After all, I envy thee; thou
+who dying hast no sense of death, art happier than one in health
+that[369] always fears it." The knight had gone on, but that a third man
+ended the scene by applauding the knight's eloquence and philosophy, in
+a laughter too violent for his own constitution, as much as he mocked
+that of Africanus and Monoculus.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 1.
+
+This day arrived three mails from Holland, with advices relating to the
+posture of affairs in the Low Countries, which say, that the Confederate
+army extends from Luchin, on the causeway between Tournay and Lisle, to
+Epain near Mortagne on the Scheldt. The Marshal Villars remains in his
+camp at Lens; but it is said, he detached ten thousand men under the
+command of the Chevalier de Luxembourg, with orders to form a camp at
+Crepin on the Haine, between Condé and St. Guillain, where he is to be
+joined by the Elector of Bavaria with a body of troops, and after their
+conjunction, to attempt to march into Brabant. But they write from
+Brussels, that the Duke of Marlborough having it equally in his power to
+make detachments to the same parts, they are under no apprehensions from
+these reports for the safety of their country. They further add from
+Brussels, that they have good authority for believing that the French
+troops under the conduct of Marshal de Bezons are retiring out of
+Spain.[370]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 363: Nichols argued that this and the two following numbers
+were by Addison. (1) At the end of No. 37 there is a list of errata for
+the preceding number. It was Addison's frequent practice to make verbal
+alterations in a preceding paper, and this Steele never did, except in
+rare cases, or where there was a positive mistake. (2) All the three
+papers are _superscribed_, as Addison's often were, and appear upon the
+face of them, to be of the nature, and in the number of those, for which
+Steele stood sponsor, and was very patiently traduced and calumniated,
+as he acknowledges to Congreve, in the Dedication prefixed to "The
+Drummer." There is nothing in the style or manner of any of the three
+that appears incongruous with such a supposition; and the nature of
+their principal contents seems to support it. They consist chiefly of
+pleasantries and oblique strokes, apparently on persons of fashion, in
+that age, of both sexes. It appears from the Dedication to "The
+Drummer," that Steele had Addison's direct injunctions to hide papers
+which he never did declare to be Addison's. The case, in short, seems to
+be, that as, as Steele says, there are communications in the course of
+this work, which Addison's modesty, so there are likewise others, which
+Addison's prudence, "would never have admitted to come into daylight,
+but under such a shelter." According to the usual rule where there is
+uncertainty, Steele's name is placed at the head of the papers in this
+edition. Probably he was responsible in any case for part of the
+contents of each of these numbers.]
+
+[Footnote 364: Epsom was frequented for its mineral waters, and was also
+a favourite holiday resort. "At the Crown Coffee-house, behind the Royal
+Exchange, fresh Epsom water, with the rest of the purging waters, at 2d.
+per quart, and sold both winter and summer, and Epsom salt." (See
+"British Apollo," vol. iii. No. 15, 1710, and "Post Man," June 11,
+1700.) "The New Wells at Epsom, with variety of raffling-shops, a
+billiard-table, and a bowling-green, and attended with a new set of
+music, are now open," &c. (_Flying Post_, Aug. 4-6, 1709.) The new Wells
+were opened on Easter Monday, 1709 (_Daily Courant_, April 23, 1709). We
+can form some idea of Epsom some years before, with its wells and
+bowling-green, from Shadwell's play, "Epsom Wells," 1673. See also No.
+7.]
+
+[Footnote 365: On July 8, 1709, Peter Wentworth wrote to Lord Raby: "I
+have not sent you the _Tatler_ of last Saturday, because I was told
+'twas dull, but that persons judgement I shall take no more; for having
+since read it I think it diverting enough, the news from Epsom is almost
+matter of fact, wch makes the jest the better; the Ladys are city ladys,
+named Turners" ("Wentworth Papers," p. 93). This is confirmed by the MS.
+annotator mentioned in No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 366: "I like the description of Africanus, wch is Sir Scipio
+Hill ... Sir Scipio Hill with his new project of getting money occasions
+some diversion and talk at White's. You may have heard for this long
+while he was dieing of the ----; he now come abroad and look a divel, or
+at least a sad _memento mori_. He gives forescore guineas to receive ten
+guineas a quarter for his life, Sir James of the Peak is his agent, and
+runs about offering it all that will take. Boscowen has took it, and two
+or three more, who are of opinion he will not live a month. Those he had
+made his heirs does not approve of this whim, for he's resolved to
+dispose of all his ready money this way if he can find substantial fools
+enough to take it; but the crack begins to run as if he may live a great
+while for all he looks so ill, for he has recovered his voice to a
+miracle" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, July 1 and 8, 1709; "Wentworth
+Papers," pp. 92-3).]
+
+[Footnote 367: The waiter. See No. 16.]
+
+[Footnote 368: Said to be Sir Humphrey Monoux, Bart., who was elected
+M.P. for Tavistock in 1728, and for Stockbridge in 1734. He succeeded to
+the baronetage in 1707, and died without issue in 1757.]
+
+[Footnote 369: "Thou that hast no sense of death, art happier than one
+that" (folio; altered in Errata in No. 37).]
+
+[Footnote 370: "This paper, with a blank leaf to write business on, may
+be had of J. Morphew, near Stationers'-hall" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 37. [?STEELE.[371]
+
+From _Saturday, July 2_, to _Tuesday, July 5_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 2.
+
+It may be thought very unaccountable, that I,[372] who can never be
+supposed to go to White's, should pretend to talk to you of matters
+proper for, or in the style of, that place. But though I do not go to
+these public haunts, I receive visits from those who do; and for all
+they pretend so much to the contrary, they are as talkative as our sex,
+and as much at a loss to entertain the present company, without
+sacrificing the last, as we ourselves. This reflection has led me into
+the consideration of the use of speech; and made me look over in my
+memory all my acquaintance of both sexes, to know to which I may more
+justly impute the sin of superfluous discourse, with regard to
+conversation, and not entering into it as it respects religion. I
+foresee my acquaintance will immediately, upon starting this subject,
+ask me, how I shall celebrate Mrs. Alse Copswood,[373] the Yorkshire
+huntress, who is come to town lately, and moves as if she were on her
+nag, and going to take a five-bar gate; and is as loud as if she were
+following her dogs. I can easily answer that; for she is as soft as
+Damon, in comparison of her brother-in-law Tom Bellfrey,[374] who is the
+most accomplished man in this kingdom for all gentlemanlike activities
+and accomplishments. It is allowed, that he is a professed enemy to the
+Italian performers in music. But then for our own native manner,
+according to the customs and known usages of our island, he is to be
+preferred, for the generality of the pleasure he bestows, much above
+those fellows,[375] though they sing to full theatres. For what is a
+theatrical voice to that of a fox-hunter? I have been at a musical
+entertainment in an open field, where it amazed me to hear to what
+pitches the chief masters would reach. There was a meeting near our seat
+in Staffordshire, and the most eminent of all the counties of England
+were at it. How wonderful was the harmony between men and dogs! Robin
+Cartail of Bucks was to answer to Jowler; Mr. Tinbreast of Cornwall was
+appointed to open with Sweetlips, and Beau Slimber, a Londoner,
+undertook to keep up with Trips, a whelp just set in: Tom Bellfrey and
+Ringwood were coupled together, to fill the cry on all occasions, and be
+in at the death of the fox, hare, or stag; for which both the dog and
+the man were excellently suited, and loved one another, and were as much
+together as Banister and King. When Jowler first alarmed the field,
+Cartail repeated every note; Sweetlips' treble succeeded, and shook the
+wood; Tinbreast echoed a quarter of a mile beyond it. We were soon after
+all at a loss, till we rid up, and found Trips and Slimber at a default
+in half-notes: but the day and the tune was recovered by Tom Bellfrey
+and Ringwood, to the great joy of us all, though they drowned every
+other voice: for Bellfrey carries a note four furlongs, three rood, and
+six paces, farther than any other in England. But I fear the mention of
+this will be thought a digression from my purpose about speech: but I
+answer, No. Since this is used where speech rather should be employed,
+it may come into consideration in the same chapter: for Mr. Bellfrey
+being at a visit where I was, viz., his cousin's (Lady Dainty's) in
+Soho, was asked, what entertainments they had in the country? Now
+Bellfrey is very ignorant, and much a clown; but confident withal. In a
+word, he struck up a fox-chase: Lady Dainty's dog, Mr. Sippet, as she
+calls him, started and jumped out of his lady's lap, and fell a barking.
+Bellfrey went on, and called all the neighbouring parishes into the
+square. Never was woman in such confusion as that delicate lady. But
+there was no stopping her kinsman. A room full of ladies fell into the
+most violent laughter: my lady looked as if she was shrieking; Mr.
+Sippet in the middle of the room, breaking his heart with barking, but
+all of us unheard. As soon as Bellfrey became silent, up gets my lady,
+and takes him by the arm to lead him off: Bellfrey was in his boots. As
+she was hurrying him away, his spurs takes hold of her petticoat; his
+whip throws down a cabinet of china: he cries, "What! are your crocks
+rotten? Are your petticoats ragged? A man can't walk in your house for
+trincums." Every county of Great Britain has one hundred or more of this
+sort of fellows, who roar instead of speaking. Therefore if it be true,
+that we women are also given to greater fluency of words than is
+necessary, sure one that disturbs but a room or a family is more to be
+tolerated, than one who draws together parishes and counties, and
+sometimes (with an estate that might make him the blessing and ornament
+of the world around him) has no other view and ambition, but to be an
+animal above dogs and horses, without the relish of any one enjoyment,
+which is peculiar to the faculties of human nature. But I know it will
+here be said, that talking of mere country squires at this rate, is, as
+it were, to write against Valentine or Orson. To prove anything against
+the race of men, you must take them as they are adorned with education,
+as they live in Courts, or have received instructions in colleges.
+
+But I was so full of my late entertainment by Mr. Bellfrey, that I must
+defer pursuing this subject to another day; and waive the proper
+observations upon the different offenders in this kind, some by profound
+eloquence, on small occasions, others by degrading speech upon great
+circumstances. Expect therefore to hear of the whisperer without
+business, the laugher without wit, the complainer without receiving
+injuries, and a very large crowd, which I shall not forestall, who are
+common (though not commonly observed) impertinents, whose tongues are
+too voluble for their brains, and are the general despisers of us women,
+though we have their superiors, the men of sense, for our servants.[376]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 4.
+
+There has arrived no mail since our last; so that we have no manner of
+foreign news, except we were to give you, for such, the many
+speculations which are on foot concerning what was imported by the last
+advices. There are, it seems, sixty battalions and seventeen squadrons
+appointed to serve in the siege of Tournay; the garrison of which place
+consists but of eleven battalions and four squadrons. Letters of the
+29th of the last month from Berlin have brought advice, that the Kings
+of Denmark, Prussia, and his Majesty Augustus, were within few days to
+come to an interview at Potsdam. These letters mention, that two Polish
+princes of the family of the Sapicha and Lubermirsky, lately arrived
+from Paris, confirm the reports of the misery in France for want of
+provisions, and give a particular instance of it, which is, that on the
+day Monsieur Rouillé returned to Court, the common people gathered in
+crowds about the Dauphin's coach, crying, "Peace and bread, bread and
+peace."
+
+Mrs. Distaff has taken upon her, while she writes this paper, to turn
+her thoughts wholly to the service of her own sex, and to propose
+remedies against the greatest vexations attending female life. She has
+for this end written a small treatise concerning the second word, with
+an appendix on the use of a reply, very useful to all such as are
+married to persons either ill-bred or ill-natured. There is in this
+tract a digression for the use of virgins concerning the words, "I
+will."
+
+A gentlewoman who has a very delicate ear, wants a maid who can whisper,
+and help her in the government of her family. If the said servant can
+clear-starch, lisp, and tread softly, she shall have suitable
+encouragement in her wages.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 371: See note to No. 36.]
+
+[Footnote 372: Jenny Distaff.]
+
+[Footnote 373: The Jacobite Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sharpe, who
+died in 1713. See _Examiner_, vol. iv. No. 22.]
+
+[Footnote 374: Dr. Blackall (1654-1716), who was made Bishop of Exeter
+in 1708.]
+
+[Footnote 375: The French Prophets, from the Cevennes. Dr. Blackall's
+sermon against them was printed by order of the Queen.]
+
+[Footnote 376: The following article appeared only in the folio issue:--
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 3.
+
+A very ingenious gentleman was complaining this evening, that the
+players are grown so severe critics, that they would not take in his
+play, though it has as many fine things in it as any play that has been
+writ since the days of Dryden. He began his discourse about his play
+with a preface.
+
+"There is," said he, "somewhat (however we palliate it) in the very
+frame and make of us, that subjects our minds to chagrin and
+irresolution on any emergency of time or place. The difficulty grows on
+our sickened imagination, under all the killing circumstances of danger
+and disappointment. This we see, not only in the men of retirement and
+fancy, but in the characters of the men of action; with this only
+difference, the coward sees the danger, and sickens under it; the hero,
+warmed by the difficulty, dilates, and rises in proportion to that, and
+in some sort makes use of his very fears to disarm it. A remarkable
+instance of this we have in the great Cæsar, when he came to the
+Rubicon, and was entering upon a part, perhaps, the most hazardous he
+ever bore (certainly the most ungrateful), a war with his countrymen.
+When his mind brooded over personal affronts, perhaps his anger burned
+with a desire of revenge. But when more serious reflections laid before
+him the hazard of the enterprise, with the dismal consequences which
+were likely to attend it, aggravated by a special circumstance, What
+figure it would bear in the world, or how be excused to posterity. What
+shall he do?--His honour, which was his religion, bids him arm; and he
+sounds the inclinations of his party, by this set speech:
+
+#_CÆSAR_ to his Party at the Rubicon.#
+
+    Great Jove, attend, and thou my native soil,
+    Safe in my triumphs, glutted in my spoil;
+    Witness with what reluctance I oppose
+    My arms to thine, secure of other foes.
+    What passive breast can bear disgrace like mine?
+    Traitor!--For this I conquered on the Rhine,
+    Endured their ten years' drudgery in Gaul,
+    Adjourned their fate, and saved the Capitol.
+    I grew by every guilty triumph less;
+    The crowd, when drunk with joy, their souls express,
+    Impatient of the war, yet fear success.
+    Brave actions dazzle with too bright a ray,
+    Like birds obscene they chatter at the day;
+    Giddy with rule, and valiant in debate,
+    They throw the die of war, to save the state;
+    And gods! to gild ingratitude with fame,
+    Assume the patriot's, we the rebel's name.
+    Farewell, my friends, your general forlorn,
+    To your bare pity, and the public scorn,
+    Must lay that honour and his laurel down,
+    To serve the vain caprices of the gown;
+    Exposed to all indignities, the brave
+    Deserve of those they gloried but to save,
+    To rods and axes!--No, the slaves can't dare
+    Play with my grief, and tempt my last despair.
+    This shall the honours which it won maintain,
+    Or do me justice, ere I hug my chain."
+
+The reason for cancelling this article when these papers were
+republished in octavo, is obvious; for, being printed by Steele, it
+would naturally be applied to the circumstances in which the Duke of
+Marlborough was at that time: "The Duke having his commission under the
+Great Seal, the order of the Queen was not sufficient to dissolve his
+power. His friends advised him to assemble, by his authority as general,
+all the troops in London, in the different squares, and to take
+possession of St. James's, and the person of the Queen. Oxford, apprised
+of this design, suddenly called together the Cabinet Council. Though he
+probably concealed his intelligence to prevent their fears, he told them
+of the necessity of superseding Marlborough under the Great Seal. This
+business was soon despatched. His dismission in form was sent to the
+Duke. The Earl of Oxford, no stranger to the character of Marlborough,
+knew that he would not act against law, by assembling the troops. The
+natural diffidence of his disposition had made him unfit for enterprises
+of danger, in a degree that furnished his enemies with insinuations
+against his personal courage."--(Macpherson's "State Papers," quoted by
+Nichols.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 38. [?STEELE.[377]
+
+From _Tuesday, July 5_, to _Thursday, July 7, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 6.
+
+I find among my brother's papers the following letter verbatim, which I
+wonder how he could suppress so long as he has, since it was sent him
+for no other end, but to show the good effect his writings have already
+had upon the ill customs of the age.
+
+                                        "London, _June 23_.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"The end of all public papers ought to be the benefit and instruction,
+as well as the diversion of the readers: to which I see none so truly
+conducive as your late performances; especially those tending to the
+rooting out from amongst us that unchristianlike and bloody custom of
+duelling; which, that you have already in some measure performed, will
+appear to the public in the following no less true than heroic story.
+
+"A noble gentleman of this city, who has the honour of serving his
+country as major in the train-bands, being at that general mart of
+stockjobbers called Jonathan's,[378] endeavouring to raise himself (as
+all men of honour ought) to the degree of colonel at least; it happened
+that he bought the 'bear'[379] of another officer, who, though not
+commissioned in the army, yet no less eminently serves the public than
+the other, in raising the credit of the kingdom, by raising that of the
+stocks. However, having sold the 'bear,' and words arising about the
+delivery, the most noble major, no less scorning to be outwitted in the
+coffee-house, than to run into the field, according to method, abused
+the other with the titles of, 'rogue,' 'villain,' 'bearskin-man,' and
+the like. Whereupon satisfaction was demanded, and accepted: so, forth
+the major marched, commanding his adversary to follow. To a most
+spacious room in the sheriff's house, near the place of quarrel, they
+come; where, having due regard to what you have lately published, they
+resolved not to shed one another's blood in that barbarous manner you
+prohibited; yet, not willing to put up affronts without satisfaction,
+they stripped, and in decent manner fought full fairly with their
+wrathful hands. The combat lasted a quarter of an hour; in which time
+victory was often doubtful, and many a dry blow was strenuously laid on
+by each side, till the major finding his adversary obstinate, unwilling
+to give him further chastisement, with most shrill voice cried out, 'I
+am satisfied, enough.' Whereupon the combat ceased, and both were
+friends immediately.
+
+"Thus the world may see, how necessary it is to encourage those men who
+make it their business to instruct the people in everything necessary
+for their preservation. I am informed, a body of worthy citizens have
+agreed on an address of thanks to you for what you have writ on the
+foregoing subject, whereby they acknowledge one of their highly esteemed
+officers preserved from death.
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "A. B."
+
+I fear the word "bear" is hardly to be understood among the polite
+people; but I take the meaning to be, that one who ensures a real value
+upon an imaginary thing, is said to sell a "bear," and is the same thing
+as a promise among courtiers, or a vow between lovers. I have writ to my
+brother to hasten to town; and hope, that printing the letters directed
+to him, which I knew not how to answer, will bring him speedily; and
+therefore I add also the following:
+
+                                        "_July 5_, 1709.
+
+"MR. BICKERSTAFF,
+
+You having hinted a generous intention of taking under your
+consideration the whisperers without business, and laughers without
+occasion; as you tender the welfare of your country, I entreat you not
+to forget or delay so public-spirited a work. Now or never is the time.
+Many other calamities may cease with the war; but I dismally dread the
+multiplication of these mortals under the ease and luxuriousness of a
+settled peace, half the blessing of which may be destroyed by them.
+Their mistake lies certainly here, in a wretched belief, that their
+mimicry passes for real business, or true wit. Dear sir, convince them,
+that it never was, is, or ever will be, either of them; nor ever did,
+does, or to all futurity ever can, look like either of them; but that it
+is the most cursed disturbance in nature, which is possible to be
+inflicted on mankind, under the noble definition of a sociable creature.
+In doing this, sir, you will oblige more humble servants than can find
+room to subscribe their names."
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 6.
+
+In pursuance of my last date from hence, I am to proceed on the accounts
+I promised of several personages among the men, whose conspicuous
+fortunes, or ambition in showing their follies, have exalted them above
+their fellows: the levity of their minds is visible in their every word
+and gesture, and there is not a day passes but puts me in mind of Mr.
+Wycherley's character of a coxcomb: "He is ugly all over with the
+affectation of the fine gentleman." Now though the women may put on
+softness in their looks, or affected severity, or impertinent gaiety, or
+pert smartness, their self-love and admiration cannot, under any of
+these disguises, appear so invincible as that of the men. You may easily
+take notice, that in all their actions there is a secret approbation,
+either in the tone of their voice, the turn of their body, or cast of
+their eye, which shows that they are extremely in their own favour. Take
+one of your men of business, he shall keep you half an hour with your
+hat off, entertaining you with his consideration of that affair you
+spoke of to him last, till he has drawn a crowd that observes you in
+this grimace. Then when he is public enough, he immediately runs into
+secrets, and falls a whispering. You and he make breaks with adverbs;
+as, "But however, thus far"; and then you whisper again, and so on, till
+they who are about you are dispersed, and your busy man's vanity is no
+longer gratified by the notice taken of what importance he is, and how
+inconsiderable you are; for your pretender to business is never in
+secret, but in public. There is my dear Lord Nowhere, of all men the
+most gracious and most obliging, the terror of all _valets-de-chambre_,
+whom he oppresses with good breeding, in inquiring for my good lord, and
+for my good lady's health. This inimitable courtier will whisper a privy
+councillor's lackey with the utmost goodness and condescension, to know
+when they next sit; and is thoroughly taken up, and thinks he has a part
+in a secret, if he knows that there is a secret. "What it is," he will
+whisper you, "that time will discover"; then he shrugs, and calls you
+back again--"Sir, I need not say to you, that these things are not to be
+spoken of--and hark you, no names, I would not be quoted." What adds to
+the jest is, that his emptiness has its moods and seasons, and he will
+not condescend to let you into these his discoveries, except he is in
+very good humour, or has seen somebody in fashion talk to you. He will
+keep his nothing to himself, and pass by and overlook as well as the
+best of them; not observing that he is insolent when he is gracious, and
+obliging when he is haughty. Show me a woman so inconsiderable as this
+frequent character. But my mind (now I am in) turns to many no less
+observable: thou dear Will Shoestring![380] I profess myself in love
+with thee: how shall I speak thee? How shall I address thee? How shall I
+draw thee? Thou dear outside! Will you be combing your wig,[381] playing
+with your box, or picking your teeth? Or choosest thou rather to be
+speaking; to be speaking for thy only purpose in speaking, to show your
+teeth? Rub them no longer, dear Shoestring: do not premeditate murder:
+do not for ever whiten: Oh! that for my quiet and his own they were
+rotten. But I will forget him, and give my hand to the courteous Umbra;
+he is a fine man indeed, but the soft creature bows below my
+apron-string before he takes it; but after the first ceremonies, he is
+as familiar as my physician, and his insignificancy makes me half ready
+to complain to him of all I would to my doctor. But he is so courteous,
+that he carries half the messages of ladies' ails in town to their
+midwives and nurses. He understands too the art of medicine as far as to
+the cure of a pimple or a rash. On occasions of the like importance, he
+is the most assiduous of all men living, in consulting and searching
+precedents from family to family; and then he speaks of his
+obsequiousness and diligence in the style of real services. If you sneer
+at him, and thank him for his great friendship, he bows, and says,
+"Madam, all the good offices in my power, while I have any knowledge or
+credit, shall be at your service." The consideration of so shallow a
+being, and the intent application with which he pursues trifles, has
+made me carefully reflect upon that sort of men we usually call an
+Impertinent: and I am, upon mature deliberation, so far from being
+offended with him, that I am really obliged to him; for though he will
+take you aside, and talk half an hour to you upon matters wholly
+insignificant with the most solemn air, yet I consider, that these
+things are of weight in his imagination, and he thinks he is
+communicating what is for my service. If therefore it be a just rule to
+judge of a man by his intention, according to the equity of good
+breeding, he that is impertinently kind or wise, to do you service,
+ought in return to have a proportionable place both in your affection
+and esteem; so that the courteous Umbra deserves the favour of all his
+acquaintance; for though he never served them, he is ever willing to do
+it, and believes he does it. But as impotent kindness is to be returned
+with all our abilities to oblige, so impotent malice is to be treated
+with all our force to depress it. For this reason Flyblow (who is
+received in all the families in town through the degeneracy and iniquity
+of their manners) is to be treated like a knave, though he is one of the
+weakest of fools: he has by rote, and at second-hand, all that can be
+said of any man of figure, wit, and virtue in town. Name a man of worth,
+and this creature tells you the worst passage of his life. Speak of a
+beautiful woman, and this puppy will whisper the next man to him, though
+he has nothing to say of her. He is a Fly that feeds on the sore part,
+and would have nothing to live on, if the whole body were in health. You
+may know him by the frequency of pronouncing the particle "but"; for
+which reason I never hear him spoke of with common charity, without
+using my "but" against him: for a friend of mine saying the other day,
+Mrs. Distaff has wit, good humour, virtue, and friendship, this oaf
+added, "'But' she is not handsome." Coxcomb! The gentleman was saying
+what I was, not what I was not.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 6.
+
+The approaches before Tournay have been carried on with great success;
+and our advices from the camp before that place of the 11th instant say,
+that they had already made a lodgment on the glacis. Two hundred boats
+were come up the Scheldt with a heavy artillery and ammunition, which
+would be employed in dismounting the enemy's defences, and raised on the
+batteries the 15th. A great body of miners are summoned to the camp to
+countermine the works of the enemy. We are convinced of the weakness of
+the garrison, by a certain account, that they called a council of war,
+to consult whether it was not advisable to march into the citadel, and
+leave the town defenceless. We are assured, that when the Confederate
+army was advancing towards the camp of Marshal Villars, that general
+despatched a courier to his master with a letter, giving an account of
+their approach, which concluded with the following words: "The day
+begins to break, and your Majesty's army is already in order of battle.
+Before noon, I hope to have the honour of congratulating your Majesty on
+the success of a great action; and you shall be very well satisfied with
+the Marshal Villars."
+
+It is to be noted, that when any part of this paper appears dull, there
+is a design in it.[382]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 377: See note to No. 36.]
+
+[Footnote 378: A coffee-house in Change Alley. See _Spectator_, No. 1,
+and Mrs. Centlivre's "Bold Stroke for a Wife."]
+
+[Footnote 379: See No. 7.]
+
+[Footnote 380: Sir William Whitlocke, Knt., Member for Oxon, Bencher of
+the Middle Temple. He is the learned knight mentioned in No. 43 (Percy).
+This is confirmed by the MS. annotator mentioned in a note to No. 4.
+Nichols explains that Whitlocke is called Will Shoestring, for his
+singularity in using shoe-strings, so long after the era of
+shoe-buckles, which commenced in the reign of Charles II., although
+ordinary people, and such as affected plainness in their garb, wore
+strings in their shoes after that time.]
+
+[Footnote 381: "Combing the peruke, at the time when men of fashion wore
+large wigs, was even at public places an act of gallantry. The combs,
+for this purpose, were of a very large size, of ivory or tortoise-shell,
+curiously chased and ornamented, and were carried in the pocket as
+constantly as the snuff-box. At Court, on the Mall, and in the boxes,
+gentlemen conversed and combed their perukes "(Sir John Hawkins' "Hist,
+of Music," vol. iv. p. 447, note). Cf. Dryden's prologue to "Almanzor
+and Almahide":--
+
+    "But as when vizard mask appears in pit,
+    Straight every man who thinks himself a wit,
+    Perks up; and managing his comb with grace,
+    With his white wig sets off his nut-brown face."
+
+And "The Fortune Hunters," act i. sc. 2 (1689): "He looked, indeed, and
+sighed, and set his cravat-string, and sighed again, and combed his
+periwig: sighed a third time, and then took snuff, I guess to show the
+whiteness of his hand." See, too, Wycherley's "Love in a Wood," act iii.
+sc. 1:--
+
+"DAPPERWIT. Let me prune and flounce my perruque a little for her;
+there's ne'er a young fellow in the town but will do as much for a mere
+stranger in the play-house.
+
+"RANGER. A wit's wig has the privilege of being uncombed in the very
+play-house, or in the presence--
+
+"DAPPERWIT. But not in the presence of his mistress; 'tis a greater
+neglect of her than himself; pray lend me your comb.... She comes, she
+comes; pray, your comb. (_Snatches_ RANGER'S _comb_.)"]
+
+[Footnote 382: "Mrs. Distaff hath received the Dialogue dated Monday
+evening, which she has sent forward to Mr. Bickerstaff at Maidenhead:
+and in the meantime gives her service to the parties" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 39. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Thursday, July 7_, to _Saturday, July 9_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 7.
+
+As I am called forth by the immense love I bear to my fellow creatures,
+and the warm inclination I feel within me, to stem, as far as I can, the
+prevailing torrent of vice and ignorance; so I cannot more properly
+pursue that noble impulse, than by setting forth the excellence of
+virtue and knowledge in their native and beautiful colours. For this
+reason I made my late excursion to Oxford, where those qualities appear
+in their highest lustre, and are the only pretences to honour and
+distinction: superiority is there given in proportion to men's
+advancement in wisdom and learning; and that just rule of life is so
+universally received among those happy people, that you shall see an
+earl walk bareheaded to the son of the meanest artificer, in respect to
+seven years more worth and knowledge than the nobleman is possessed of.
+In other places they bow to men's fortunes, but here to their
+understandings. It is not to be expressed, how pleasing the order, the
+discipline, the regularity of their lives, is to a philosopher, who has,
+by many years' experience in the world, learned to contemn everything
+but what is revered in this mansion of select and well-taught spirits.
+The magnificence of their palaces, the greatness of their revenues, the
+sweetness of their groves and retirements, seem equally adapted for the
+residence of princes and philosophers; and a familiarity with objects of
+splendour, as well as places of recess, prepares the inhabitants with an
+equanimity for their future fortunes, whether humble or illustrious. How
+was I pleased when I looked round at St. Mary's, and could, in the faces
+of the ingenious youth, see ministers of state, chancellors, bishops,
+and judges. Here only is human life! Here only the life of man is a
+rational being! Here men understand and are employed in works worthy
+their noble nature. This transitory being passes away in an employment
+not unworthy a future state, the contemplation of the great decrees of
+Providence. Each man lives as if he were to answer the questions made to
+Job, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?... Who
+shut up the sea with doors, ... and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, and
+no further?"[383] Such speculations make life agreeable, make death
+welcome, But alas! I was torn from this noble society by the business of
+this dirty mean world, and the cares of fortune: for I was obliged to be
+in town against the 7th day of the term, and accordingly governed myself
+by my Oxford Almanack, and came last night; but find, to my great
+astonishment, that this ignorant town began the term on the 24th of the
+last month, in opposition to all the learning and astronomy of the
+famous university of which I have been speaking; according to which, the
+term certainly was to commence on the 1st instant.[384] You may be sure,
+a man who has turned his studies as I have, could not be mistaken in
+point of time; for knowing I was to come to town in term, I examined the
+passing moments very narrowly, and called an eminent astronomer to my
+assistance. Upon very strict observation we found, that the cold has
+been so severe this last winter (which is allowed to have a benumbing
+quality), that it retarded the earth in moving round from Christmas to
+this season full seven days and two seconds. My learned friend assured
+me further, that the earth had lately received a shog from a comet that
+crossed its vortex, which, if it had come ten degrees nearer us, had
+made us lose this whole term. I was indeed once of opinion, that the
+Gregorian computation was the most regular, as being eleven days before
+the Julian; but am now fully convinced, that we ought to be seven days
+after the chancellor and judges, and eighteen before the Pope of Rome;
+and that the Oxonian computation is the best of the three. These are the
+reasons which I have gathered from philosophy and nature; to which I can
+add other circumstances in vindication of the account of this learned
+body who published this almanack. It is notorious to philosophers, that
+joy and grief can hasten and delay time. Mr. Locke is of opinion, that a
+man in great misery may so far lose his measure, as to think a minute an
+hour; or in joy, make an hour a minute. Let us examine the present case
+by this rule, and we shall find, that the cause of this general mistake
+in the British nation, has been the great success of the last campaign,
+and the following hopes of peace. Stocks ran so high at the 'Change,
+that the citizens had gained three days of the courtiers; and we have
+indeed been so happy this reign, that if the University did not rectify
+our mistakes, we should think ourselves but in the second year of her
+present Majesty. It would be endless to enumerate the many damages that
+have happened by this ignorance of the vulgar. All the recognisances
+within the Diocese of Oxford have been forfeited, for not appearing on
+the first day of this fictitious term. The University has been nonsuited
+in their action against the booksellers for printing Clarendon in
+quarto. But indeed what gives me the most quick concern, is the case of
+a poor gentleman my friend, who was the other day taken in execution by
+a set of ignorant bailiffs. He should, it seems, have pleaded in the
+first week of term; but being a Master of Arts of Oxford, he would not
+recede from the Oxonian computation. He showed Mr. Broad the almanack,
+and the very day when the term began; but the merciless ignorant fellow,
+against all sense and learning, would hurry him away. He went indeed
+quietly enough; but he has taken exact notes of the time of arrest, and
+sufficient witnesses of his being carried into gaol; and has, by advice
+of the Recorder of Oxford, brought his action; and we doubt not but we
+shall pay them off with damages, and blemish the reputation of Mr.
+Broad. We have one convincing proof, which all that frequent the Courts
+of Justice are witnesses of: the dog that comes constantly to
+Westminster on the first day of the term, did not appear till the first
+day according to the Oxford Almanack; whose instinct I take to be a
+better guide than men's erroneous opinions, which are usually biased by
+interest. I judge in this case, as King Charles II. victualled his navy,
+with the bread which one of his dogs chose of several pieces thrown
+before him, rather than trust to the asseverations of the victuallers.
+Mr. Cowper,[385] and other learned counsel, have already urged the
+authority of this almanack, in behalf of their clients. We shall
+therefore go on with all speed in our cause; and doubt not, but Chancery
+will give at the end what we lost in the beginning, by protracting the
+term for us till Wednesday come se'nnight: and the University orator
+shall for ever pray, &c.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 7.
+
+The subject of duels[386] has, I find, been started with so good
+success, that it has been the frequent subject of conversation among
+polite men; and a dialogue of that kind has been transmitted to me
+verbatim, as follows. The persons concerned in it are men of honour, and
+experience in the manners of men, and have fallen upon the truest
+foundation, as well as searched the bottom, of this evil.
+
+Mr. SAGE. If it were in my power, every man that drew his sword, unless
+in the Service, or purely to defend his life, person, or goods, from
+violence (I mean abstracted from all punctos or whims of honour) should
+ride the wooden horse in the Tilt Yard[387] for such first offence, for
+the second stand in the pillory, and for the third be prisoner in Bedlam
+for life.
+
+Col. PLUME. I remember, that a rencounter or duel was so far from being
+in fashion among the officers that served in the Parliament army, that
+on the contrary, it was as disreputable, and as great an impediment to
+advancement in the Service, as being bashful in time of action.
+
+Sir MARK. Yet I have been informed by some old Cavaliers, of famous
+reputation for brave and gallant men, that they were much more in mode
+among their party, than they have been during this last war.
+
+Col. PLUME. That is true too, sir. Mr. SAGE. By what you say,
+gentlemen, one should think that our present military officers are
+compounded of an equal proportion of both those tempers; since duels are
+neither quite discountenanced, nor much in vogue.
+
+Sir MARK. That difference of temper, in regard to duels, which appears
+to have been between the Court and Parliament-men of the sword, was not
+(I conceive) for want of courage in the latter, nor of a liberal
+education; because there were some of the best families in England
+engaged in that party; but gallantry and mode, which glitter agreeably
+to the imagination, were encouraged by the Court, as promoting its
+splendour; and it was as natural that the contrary party (who were to
+recommend themselves to the public for men of serious and solid parts)
+should deviate from everything chimerical.
+
+Mr. SAGE. I have never read of a duel among the Romans; and yet their
+nobility used more liberty with their tongues than one may do now
+without being challenged.
+
+Sir MARK. Perhaps the Romans were of opinion, that ill language, and
+brutal manners, reflected only on those who were guilty of them; and
+that a man's reputation was not at all cleared by cutting the person's
+throat who had reflected upon it: but the custom of those times had
+fixed the scandal in the action; whereas now it lies in the reproach.
+
+Mr. SAGE. And yet the only sort of duel that one can conceive to have
+been fought upon motives truly honourable and allowable, was that
+between the Horatii and Curiatii.
+
+Sir MARK. Colonel Plume, pray what was the method of single combat in
+your time among the Cavaliers? I suppose, that as the use of clothes
+continues, though the fashion of them has been mutable; so duels,
+though still in use, have had in all times their particular modes of
+performance.
+
+Col. PLUME. We had no constant rule, but generally conducted our dispute
+and tilt according to the last that had happened between persons of
+reputation among the very top fellows for bravery and gallantry.
+
+Sir MARK. If the fashion of quarrelling and tilting was so often changed
+in your time, Colonel Plume, a man might fight, yet lose his credit for
+want of understanding the fashion.
+
+Col. PLUME. Why, Sir Mark, in the beginning of July, a man would have
+been censured for want of courage, or been thought indigent of the true
+notions of honour, if he had put up [with] words, which in the end of
+September following, one could not resent without passing for a brutal
+and quarrelsome fellow.
+
+Sir MARK. But, Colonel, were duels or rencounters most in fashion in
+those days?
+
+Col. PLUME. Your men of nice honour, sir, were for avoiding all censure
+of advantage which they supposed might be taken in a rencounter;
+therefore they used seconds, who were to see that all was upon the
+square, and make a faithful report of the whole combat; but in a little
+time it became a fashion for the seconds to fight, and I'll tell you how
+it happened.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Pray do, Colonel Plume, and the method of a duel at that time,
+and give us some notion of the punctos upon which your nice men
+quarrelled in those days.
+
+Col. PLUME. I was going to tell you, Mr. Sage, that one Cornet Modish
+had desired his friend, Captain Smart's, opinion in some affair, but did
+not follow it; upon which Captain Smart sent Major Adroit (a very
+topping fellow of those times) to the person that had slighted his
+advice. The Major never inquired into the quarrel, because it was not
+the manner then among the very topping fellows; but got two swords of an
+equal length, and then waited upon Cornet Modish, desiring him to choose
+his sword, and meet his friend Captain Smart. Cornet Modish came with
+his friend to the place of combat; there the principals put on their
+pumps, and stripped to their shirts, to show they had nothing but what
+men of honour carry about them, and then engaged.
+
+Sir MARK. And did the seconds stand by, sir?
+
+Col. PLUME. It was a received custom till that time; but the swords of
+those days being pretty long, and the principals acting on both sides
+upon the defensive, and the morning being frosty, Major Adroit desired
+that the other second, who was also a very topping fellow, would try a
+thrust or two only to keep them warm, till the principals had decided
+the matter, which was agreed to by Modish's second, who presently
+whipped Adroit through the body, disarmed him, and then parted the
+principals, who had received no harm at all.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But was not Adroit laughed at?
+
+Col. PLUME. On the contrary, the very topping fellows were ever after of
+opinion, that no man who deserved that character, could serve as a
+second, without fighting; and the Smarts and Modishes finding their
+account in it, the humour took without opposition.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Pray, Colonel, how long did that fashion continue?
+
+Col. PLUME, Not long neither, Mr. Sage; for as soon as it became a
+fashion, the very topping fellows thought their honour reflected upon,
+if they did not proffer themselves as seconds when any of their friends
+had a quarrel; so that sometimes there were a dozen of a side.
+
+Sir MARK. Bless me! If that custom had continued, we should have been
+at a loss now for our very pretty fellows; for they seem to be the
+proper men to officer, animate, and keep up an army: but, pray, sir, how
+did that sociable manner of tilting grow out of mode?
+
+Col. PLUME. Why, sir, I'll tell you; it was a law among the combatants,
+that the party which happened to have the first man disarmed or killed,
+should yield as vanquished; which some people thought might encourage
+the Modishes and Smarts in quarrelling, to the destruction of only the
+very topping fellows; and as soon as this reflection was started, the
+very topping fellows thought it an incumbrance upon their honour to
+fight at all themselves. Since that time, the Modishes and the Smarts,
+throughout all Europe, have extolled the French king's edict.
+
+Sir MARK. Our very pretty fellows, whom I take to be the successors of
+the very topping fellows, think a quarrel so little fashionable, that
+they will not be exposed to it by another man's vanity, or want of
+sense.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But, Colonel, I have observed in your account of duels, that
+there was a great exactness in avoiding all advantage that might
+possibly be between the combatants.
+
+Col. PLUME. That's true, sir; for the weapons were always equal.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Yes, sir; but suppose an active, adroit, strong man, had
+insulted an awkward, or a feeble, or an unpractised swordsman.
+
+Col. PLUME. Then, sir, they fought with pistols.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But, sir, there might be a certain advantage that way; for a
+good marksman will be sure to hit his man at twenty yards distance; and
+a man whose hand shakes (which is common to men that debauch in
+pleasures, or have not used pistols out of their holsters) won't
+venture to fire, unless he touches the person he shoots at. Now, sir, I
+am of opinion, that one can get no honour in killing a man (if one has
+it all rug,[388] as the gamesters say), when they have a trick to make
+the game secure, though they seem to play upon the square.
+
+Sir MARK. In truth, Mr. Sage, I think such a fact must be murder in a
+man's own private conscience, whatever it may appear to the world.
+
+Col. PLUME. I have known some men so nice, that they would not fight but
+upon a cloak without pistols.
+
+Mr. SAGE. I believe a custom, well established, would outdo the Grand
+Monarch's edict.[389]
+
+Sir MARK. And bullies would then leave off their long swords; but I
+don't find that a very pretty fellow can stay to change his sword, when
+he is insulted by a bully with a long diego,[390] though his own at the
+same time be no longer than a penknife; which will certainly be the
+case, if such little swords are in mode. Pray, Colonel, how was it
+between the hectors of your time and the very topping fellows?
+
+Col. PLUME. Sir, long swords happened to be generally worn in those
+times.
+
+Mr. SAGE. In answer to what you were saying, Sir Mark, give me leave to
+inform you, that your knights-errant (who were the very pretty fellows
+of those ancient times) thought they could not honourably yield, though
+they had fought their own trusty weapons to the stumps; but would
+venture as boldly with the page's leaden sword, as if it had been of
+enchanted metal. Whence I conceive, there must be a spice of romantic
+gallantry in the composition of that very pretty fellow.
+
+Sir MARK. I am of opinion, Mr. Sage, that fashion governs a very pretty
+fellow; nature, or common sense, your ordinary persons, and sometimes
+men of fine parts.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But what is the reason, that men of the most excellent sense
+and morals (in other points) associate their understandings with the
+very pretty fellows in that chimæra of a duel?
+
+Sir MARK. There's no disputing against so great a majority.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But there is one scruple (Colonel Plume) and I have done:
+don't you believe there may be some advantage even upon a cloak with
+pistols, which a man of nice honour would scruple to take?
+
+Col. PLUME. Faith, I can't tell, sir; but since one may reasonably
+suppose, that (in such a case) there can be but one so far in the wrong
+as to occasion matters to come to that extremity, I think the chance of
+being killed should fall but on one; whereas by their close and
+desperate manner of fighting, it may very probably happen to both.
+
+Sir MARK. Why, gentlemen, if they are men of such nice honour (and must
+fight), there will be no fear of foul play, if they threw up cross or
+pile[391] who should be shot.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 383: Job xxxviii. 4, 8, 11.]
+
+[Footnote 384: There was a difference between the University terms and
+the Law terms.]
+
+[Footnote 385: Spencer Cowper (1669-1727), brother of Earl Cowper, and
+afterwards a judge of the Common Pleas. He was one of the managers of
+the impeachment of Sacheverell in 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 386: See Nos. 25, 26, 29, 31, 38, 205.]
+
+[Footnote 387: At Whitehall.]
+
+[Footnote 388: _Cf._ "Wentworth Papers," p. 394: "June 29, 1714. The
+changes at Court does not go so rug as some people expected and gave
+out, that 'twas to be all intire Tory with the least seeming mixture of
+Whigs."]
+
+[Footnote 389: See _Spectator_, No. 97.]
+
+[Footnote 390: A sword. Don Diego was a familiar name for a Spaniard
+with both English and French writers in the seventeenth century. San
+Diego is a corruption of Santiago (St. James), the patron saint of
+Spain.]
+
+[Footnote 391: A pillar, the design on one side of a coin, bearing on
+the other a cross. Swift says, "This I humbly conceive to be perfect
+boys' play; cross, I win, and pile, you lose."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 40. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 9_, to _Tuesday, July 12_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 11.
+
+Letters from the city of London give an account of a very great
+consternation that place is in at present, by reason of a late inquiry
+made at Guildhall, whether a noble person[392] has parts enough to
+deserve the enjoyment of the great estate of which he is possessed. The
+city is apprehensive that this precedent may go further than was at
+first imagined. The person against whom this inquisition is set up by
+his relations, is a peer of a neighbouring kingdom, and has in his youth
+made some few bulls, by which it is insinuated, that he has forfeited
+his goods and chattels. This is the more astonishing, in that there are
+many persons in the said city who are still more guilty than his
+lordship, and who, though they are idiots, do not only possess, but have
+also themselves acquired great estates, contrary to the known laws of
+this realm, which vests their possessions in the Crown. There is a
+gentleman of this coffee-house at this time exhibiting a bill in
+Chancery against his father's younger brother, who by some strange magic
+has arrived at the value of half a plum, as the citizens call a hundred
+thousand pounds; and in all the time of growing up to that wealth, was
+never known in any of his ordinary words or actions to discover any
+proof of reason. Upon this foundation my friend has set forth, that he
+is illegally master of his coffers, and has writ two epigrams to signify
+his own pretensions and sufficiency for spending that estate. He has
+inserted in his plea some things which I fear will give offence; for he
+pretends to argue, that though a man has a little of the knave mixed
+with the fool, he is nevertheless liable to the loss of goods; and makes
+the abuse of reason as just an avoidance of an estate as the total
+absence of it. This is what can never pass; but witty men are so full of
+themselves, that there is no persuading them; and my friend will not be
+convinced, but that upon quoting Solomon, who always used the word
+"fool" as a term of the same signification with "unjust," and makes all
+deviation from goodness and virtue to come under the notion of folly--I
+say, he doubts not, but by the force of this authority, let his idiot
+uncle appear never so great a knave, he shall prove him a fool at the
+same time. This affair led the company here into an examination of these
+points; and none coming here but wits, what was asserted by a young
+lawyer, that a lunatic is in the care of the Chancery, but a fool in
+that of the Crown, was received with general indignation. "Why that?"
+says old Renault. "Why that? Why must a fool be a courtier more than a
+madman? This is the iniquity of this dull age: I remember the time when
+it went on the mad side; all your top wits were scowrers,[393] rakes,
+roarers, and demolishers of windows. I remember a mad lord who was drunk
+five years together, and was the envy of that age, and is faintly
+imitated by the dull pretenders to vice and madness in this. Had he
+lived to this day, there had not been a fool in fashion in the whole
+kingdom." When Renault had done speaking, a very worthy man assumed the
+discourse: "This is," said he, "Mr. Bickerstaff, a proper argument for
+you to treat in your article from this place; and if you would send your
+Pacolet into all our brains, you would find, that a little fibre or
+valve, scarce discernible, makes the distinction between a politician
+and an idiot. We should therefore throw a veil upon those unhappy
+instances of human nature, who seem to breathe without the direction of
+reason and understanding, as we should avert our eyes with abhorrence
+from such as live in perpetual abuse and contradiction to these noble
+faculties. Shall this unfortunate man be divested of his estate, because
+he is tractable and indolent, runs in no man's debt, invades no man's
+bed, nor spends the estate he owes his children and his character; when
+one who shows no sense above him, but in such practices, shall be
+esteemed in his senses, and possibly may pretend to the guardianship of
+him who is no ways his inferior, but in being less wicked? We see old
+age brings us indifferently into the same impotence of soul, wherein
+nature has placed this lord. There is something very fantastical in the
+distribution of civil power and capacity among men. The law certainly
+gives these persons into the ward and care of the Crown, because that is
+best able to protect them from injuries, and the impositions of craft
+and knavery; that the life of an idiot may not ruin the entail of a
+noble house, and his weakness may not frustrate the industry or capacity
+of the founder of his family. But when one of bright parts, as we say,
+with his eyes open, and all men's eyes upon him, destroys those
+purposes, there is no remedy. Folly and ignorance are punished! Folly
+and guilt are tolerated! Mr. Locke has somewhere made a distinction
+between a madman and a fool:[394] a fool is he that from right
+principles makes a wrong conclusion; but a madman is one who draws a
+just inference from false principles. Thus the fool who cut off the
+fellow's head that lay asleep, and hid it, and then waited to see what
+he would say when he awakened and missed his headpiece, was in the right
+in the first thought, that a man would be surprised to find such an
+alteration in things since he fell asleep; but he was a little mistaken
+to imagine he could awake at all after his head was off. A madman
+fancies himself a prince; but upon his mistake, he acts suitably to that
+character; and though he is out in supposing he has principalities,
+while he drinks gruel, and lies in straw, yet you shall see him keep the
+port of a distressed monarch in all his words and actions. These two
+persons are equally taken into custody: but what must be done to half
+this good company, who every hour of their life are knowingly and
+wittingly both fools and madmen, and yet have capacities both of forming
+principles, and drawing conclusions, with the full use of reason?"
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 11.
+
+This evening some ladies came to visit my sister Jenny; and the
+discourse, after very many frivolous and public matters, turned upon the
+main point among the women, the passion of love.[395] Sappho, who always
+leads on this occasion, began to show her reading, and told us, that Sir
+John Suckling and Milton had, upon a parallel occasion, said the
+tenderest things she had ever read. "The circumstance," said she, "is
+such as gives us a notion of that protecting part which is the duty of
+men in their honourable designs upon, or possession of, women. In
+Suckling's tragedy of 'Brennoralt' he makes the lover steal into his
+mistress's bedchamber, and draw the curtains; then, when his heart is
+full of her charms, as she lies sleeping, instead of being carried away
+by the violence of his desires into thoughts of a warmer nature, sleep,
+which is the image of death, gives this generous lover reflections of a
+different kind, which regard rather her safety than his own passion.
+For, beholding her as she lies sleeping, he utters these words:
+
+    _"So misers look upon their gold,
+    Which, while they joy to see, they fear to lose:
+    The pleasure of the sight scarce equalling
+    The jealousy of being dispossessed by others.
+    Her face is like the Milky Way i' th' sky,
+    A meeting of gentle lights without name!
+
+    "Heavens I shall this fresh ornament of the world,
+    These precious love-lines, pass with other common things
+    Amongst the wastes of time? what pity 'twere!_[396]
+
+"When Milton makes Adam leaning on his arm, beholding Eve, and lying in
+the contemplation of her beauty, he describes the utmost tenderness and
+guardian affection in one word:
+
+    "_Adam with looks of cordial love
+    Hung over her enamoured._[397]
+
+"This is that sort of passion which truly deserves the name of 'love,'
+and has something more generous than friendship itself; for it has a
+constant care of the object beloved, abstracted from its own interests
+in the possession of it." Sappho was proceeding on the subject, when my
+sister produced a letter sent to her in the time of my absence, in
+celebration of the marriage state, which is the condition wherein only
+this sort of passion reigns in full authority. The epistle is as
+follows:
+
+"DEAR MADAM,
+
+"Your brother being absent, I dare take the liberty of writing to you my
+thoughts of that state, which our whole sex either is or desires to be
+in: you'll easily guess I mean matrimony, which I hear so much decried,
+that it was with no small labour I maintained my ground against two
+opponents; but, as your brother observed of Socrates, I drew them into
+my conclusion from their own concessions; thus:
+
+    _"In marriage are two happy things allowed,
+    A wife in wedding-sheets, and in a shroud.
+    How can a marriage state then be accursed,
+    Since the last day's as happy as the first?_
+
+"If you think they were too easily confuted, you may conclude them not
+of the first sense, by their talking against marriage.
+
+"Yours,
+
+                                        "MARIANA."
+
+I observed Sappho began to redden at this epistle; and turning to a
+lady, who was playing with a dog she was so fond of as to carry him
+abroad with her; "Nay," says she, "I cannot blame the men if they have
+mean ideas of our souls and affections, and wonder so many are brought
+to take us for companions for life, when they see our endearments so
+triflingly placed: for, to my knowledge, Mr. Truman would give half his
+estate for half the affection you have shown to that Shock: nor do I
+believe you would be ashamed to confess, that I saw you cry, when he had
+the colic last week with lapping sour milk. What more could you do for
+your lover himself?" "What more!" replied the lady, "there is not a man
+in England for whom I could lament half so much." Then she stifled the
+animal with kisses, and called him, Beau, Life, Dear, Monsieur, Pretty
+Fellow, and what not, in the hurry of her impertinence. Sappho rose up;
+as she always does at anything she observes done, which discovers in her
+own sex a levity of mind, which renders them inconsiderable in the
+opinion of others.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 11.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 16th instant, N.S., say, that the siege of
+Tournay went on with all imaginable success; and that there has been no
+manner of stop given to the attempts of the Confederates since they
+undertook it, except that by an accident of firing a piece of ordnance,
+it burst, and killed fifteen or sixteen men. The French army is still
+in the camp of Lens, and goes on in improving their entrenchments. When
+the last advices came away, it was believed the town of Tournay would be
+in the hands of the Confederates by the end of this month. Advices from
+Brussels inform us, that they have an account of a great action between
+the malcontents in the Vivarez, and the French king's forces under the
+command of the Duke of Roquelaure, in which engagement there were
+eighteen hundred men killed on the spot. They add, that all sorts of
+people who are under any oppression or discontent do daily join the
+Vivarois; and that their present body of men in arms consisted of six
+thousand. This sudden insurrection has put the Court of France under
+great difficulties; and the king has given orders, that the main body of
+his troops in Spain shall withdraw into his own dominions, where they
+are to be quartered in such countries as have of late discovered an
+inclination to take up arms: the calamities of that kingdom being such,
+that the people are not by any means to be kept in obedience, except by
+the terror of military execution. What makes the distresses still
+greater, is, that the Court begins to be doubtful of their troops, some
+regiments in the action in the Cevennes having faced about against their
+officers; and after the battle was over, joined the malcontents. Upon
+receiving advice of this battle, the Duke of Berwick detached twelve
+battalions into those parts, and began to add new works to his
+entrenchments near Briançon, in order to defend his camp, after being
+weakened by sending so great a reinforcement into the Cevennes. Letters
+from Spain say, that the Duchess of Anjou was lately delivered of a
+second son. They write from Madrid of the 25th of June, that the
+blockade of Olivenza was continued; but acknowledge, that the late
+provisions which were thrown into the place, make them doubt whether
+they shall be masters of it this campaign; though it is at present so
+closely blocked up, that it appears impracticable to send in any more
+stores or succours. They are preparing with all expedition to repair the
+fortifications of Alicante, for the security of the kingdom of Valencia.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 392: It appears from Luttrell's "Brief Relation," that in Feb.
+1707, Commissioners sat in the Exchequer Room at Westminster to try
+whether Viscount Wenman, "aged 19, of £5000 per annum estate in
+Oxfordshire," were an idiot or not. On the 14th February the Commission
+was superseded. In June 1709, a new Commission passed the Great Seal for
+inquiring into the Viscount's idiocy, and on July 29 they found that he
+was no idiot. On July 12, Peter Wentworth wrote thus to Lord Raby: "The
+prosecution of Lord Wainman is now order'd again, upon wch the _Tatler_
+is to day; the accation I am told is this, that last year when there was
+a stopt put to't 'twas upon the intercession lady Wainman the mother
+made to the Queen, and that she designed to marry her son, the fool, to
+Sir John Packington's daughter, 'twas then said that my Lady her self
+had married her Butler, wch the Queen desired her to tell the truth, and
+she did assure the Queen upon her word and honour,'twas false, and she
+never intended any such thing, but of late she has own her marriage to
+that same Butler, and put off the match with Sir John P----daughter, and
+married him to her husband's sister, wch they say the Queen is angry at
+and therefore this fresh prosecution is order'd" ("Wentworth Papers," p.
+93). Lord Wenman, the fifth Viscount, was born in 1687, married
+Susannah, daughter of Seymour Wroughton, Esq., in 1709, and died in
+1729. Lord Wenman's brother-in-law, Francis Wroughton, was also his
+father-in-law, for he had married, in 1699, as her third husband, the
+Viscount's mother, the Countess of Abingdon.]
+
+[Footnote 393: The Scowrers and Roarers were the forerunners of the
+Mohocks of 1712. Shadwell wrote a play called "The Scowrers," and often
+alludes to the window-breakers of his time. See Gay's "Trivia," iii.
+325:
+
+    "Who has not heard the Scowrer's midnight fame?
+    Who has not trembled at the Mohock's name?"
+]
+
+[Footnote 394: "Essay concerning Human Understanding," chap. xii. sect.
+14.]
+
+[Footnote 395: See Nos. 6, 35.]
+
+[Footnote 396: "Brennoralt," act iii.]
+
+[Footnote 397: "Paradise Lost," iv. 12, 13.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 41. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 12_, to _Thursday, July 14_, 1709.
+
+    Celebrare domestica facta.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 12.
+
+There is no one thing more to be lamented in our nation, than their
+general affectation of everything that is foreign; nay, we carry it so
+far, that we are more anxious for our own countrymen when they have
+crossed the seas, than when we see them in the same dangerous condition
+before our eyes at home: else how is it possible, that on the 29th of
+the last month, there should have been a battle fought in our very
+streets of London, and nobody at this end of the town have heard of it?
+I protest, I, who make it my business to inquire after adventures,
+should never have known this, had not the following account been sent me
+enclosed in a letter. This, it seems, is the way of giving out of orders
+in the Artillery Company;[398] and they prepare for a day of action with
+so little concern, as only to call it, "An Exercise of Arms."
+
+"An Exercise at Arms of the Artillery Company, to be performed on
+Wednesday, June 29, 1709, under the command of Sir Joseph Woolfe, Knight
+and Alderman, General; Charles Hopson, Esquire, present Sheriff,
+Lieutenant-General; Captain Richard Synge, Major; Major John Shorey,
+Captain of Grenadiers; Captain William Grayhurst, Captain John Buttler,
+Captain Robert Carellis, Captains.
+
+"The body march from the Artillery Ground through Moorgate, Coleman
+Street, Lothbury, Broad Street, Finch Lane, Cornhill, Cheapside, St.
+Martin's, St. Anne's Lane, halt the pikes under the wall in Noble
+Street, draw up the firelocks facing the Goldsmiths' Hall, make ready
+and face to the left, and fire, and so ditto three times. Beat to arms,
+and march round the hall, as up Lad Lane, Gutter Lane, Honey Lane, and
+so wheel to the right, and make your salute to my lord, and so down St.
+Anne's Lane, up Aldersgate Street, Barbican, and draw up in Red Cross
+Street, the right at St. Paul's Alley in the rear. March off
+Lieutenant-General with half the body up Beech Lane: he sends a
+subdivision up King's Head Court, and takes post in it, and marches two
+divisions round into Red Lion Market, to defend that pass, and succour
+the division in King's Head Court, but keeps in White Cross Street,
+facing Beech Lane, the rest of the body ready drawn up. Then the General
+marches up Beech Lane, is attacked, but forces the division in the court
+into the market, and enters with three divisions while he presses the
+Lieutenant-General's main body; and at the same time, the three
+divisions force those of the revolters out of the market, and so all the
+Lieutenant-General's body retreats into Chiswell Street, and lodges two
+divisions in Grub Street; and as the General marches on, they fall on
+his flank, but soon made to give way; but having a retreating place in
+Red Lion Court, but could not hold it, being put to flight through
+Paul's Alley, and pursued by the General's grenadiers, while he marches
+up and attacks their main body, but are opposed again by a party of men
+as lay in Black Raven Court; but they are forced also to retire soon in
+the utmost confusion; and at the same time those brave divisions in
+Paul's Alley ply their rear with grenadiers, that with precipitation
+they take to the rout along Bunhill Row: so the General marches into the
+Artillery Ground, and being drawn up, finds the revolting party to have
+found entrance, and makes a show as if for a battle, and both armies
+soon engage in form, and fire by platoons."
+
+Much might be said for the improvement of this system; which, for its
+style and invention, may instruct generals and their historians, both in
+fighting a battle, and describing it when it is over. These elegant
+expressions, "Ditto," "And so," "But soon," "But having," "But could
+not," "But are," "But they," "Finds the party to have found," &c., do
+certainly give great life and spirit to the relation. Indeed I am
+extremely concerned for the Lieutenant-General, who, by his overthrow
+and defeat, is made a deplorable instance of the fortune of war, and
+vicissitudes of human affairs. He, alas! has lost in Beech Lane and
+Chiswell Street, all the glory he lately gained in and about Holborn and
+St. Giles's. The art of subdividing first, and dividing afterwards, is
+new and surprising; and according to this method, the troops are
+disposed in King's Head Court and Red Lion Market: nor is the conduct of
+these leaders less conspicuous in their choice of the ground or field of
+battle. Happy was it, that the greatest part of the achievements of this
+day was to be performed near Grub Street,[399] that there might not be
+wanting a sufficient number of faithful historians, who being
+eye-witnesses of these wonders, should impartially transmit them to
+posterity: but then it can never be enough regretted, that we are left
+in the dark as to the name and title of that extraordinary hero who
+commanded the divisions in Paul's Alley; especially because those
+divisions are justly styled brave, and accordingly were to push the
+enemy along Bunhill Row, and thereby occasion a general battle. But
+Pallas appeared in the form of a shower of rain, and prevented the
+slaughter and desolation which were threatened by these extraordinary
+preparations.
+
+    _Hi motus animorum atque hæc certamina tanta
+    Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescunt._[400]
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 13.
+
+Some part of the company keep up the old way of conversation in this
+place, which usually turned upon the examination of nature, and an
+inquiry into the manners of men. There is one in the room so very
+judicious, that he manages impertinents with the utmost dexterity. It
+was diverting this evening to hear a discourse between him and one of
+these gentlemen. He told me before that person joined us, that he was a
+questioner, who, according to his description, is one who asks
+questions, not with a design to receive information, but an affectation
+to show his uneasiness for want of it. He went on in asserting, that
+there are crowds of that modest ambition, as to aim no farther than to
+demonstrate that they are in doubt. But by this time Will Why-not was
+sat down by us. "So, gentlemen," says he, "in how many days, think you,
+shall we be masters of Tournay? Is the account of the action of the
+Vivarois to be depended upon? Could you have imagined England had so
+much money in it, as you see it has produced? Pray, sirs, what do you
+think? Will the Duke of Savoy make an eruption into France? But," says
+he, "time will clear all these mysteries." His answer to himself gave me
+the altitude of his head, and to all his questions I thus answered very
+satisfactorily: "Sir, have you heard that this Slaughterford[401] never
+owned the fact for which he died? Have the newspapers mentioned that
+matter? But, pray, can you tell me what method will be taken to provide
+for these Palatines?[402] But this, as you say, time will clear." "Ay,
+ay," says he, and whispers me, "they will never let us into these things
+beforehand." I whispered him again, "We shall know it as soon as there
+is a proclamation." He tells me in the other ear, "You are in the right
+of it." Then he whispered my friend to know what my name was; then made
+an obliging bow, and went to examine another table. This led my friend
+and me to weigh this wandering manner in many other incidents, and he
+took out of his pockets several little notes or tickets to solicit for
+votes to employments: as, "Mr. John Taplash having served all offices,
+and being reduced to great poverty, desires your vote for singing clerk
+of this parish." Another "has had ten children, all whom his wife has
+suckled herself; therefore humbly desires to be a schoolmaster." There
+is nothing so frequent as this way of application for offices. It is not
+that you are fit for the place, but because the place would be
+convenient for you, that you claim a merit to it. But commend me to the
+great Kirleus,[403] who has lately set up for midwifery, and to help
+childbirth, for no other reason, but that he is himself the Unborn
+Doctor. The way is to hit upon something that puts the vulgar upon the
+stare, or that touches their compassion, which is often the weakest part
+about us. I know a good lady, who has taken her daughters from their old
+dancing-master, to place them with another, for no other reason, but
+because the new man has broke his leg, which is so ill set, that he can
+never dance more.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 13.
+
+As it is a frequent mortification to me to receive letters, wherein
+people tell me, without a name, they know I meant them in such and such
+a passage; so that very accusation is an argument, that there are such
+beings in human life, as fall under our description and our discourse,
+is not altogether fantastical and groundless. But in this case I am
+treated as I saw a boy was the other day, who gave out poxy bills: every
+plain fellow took it that passed by, and went on his way without further
+notice: at last came one with his nose a little abridged; who knocks the
+lad down, with a, "Why, you son of a w----e, do you think I am p----d?"
+But Shakespeare has made the best apology for this way of talking
+against the public errors: he makes Jaques, in the play called "As You
+Like It," express himself thus:
+
+    _Why, who cries out on pride,
+    That can therein tax any private party?
+    What woman in the city do I name,
+    When that I say the city woman bears
+    The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders?
+    Who can come in and say that I mean her,
+    When such a one as she, such is her neighbour?
+    Or, what is he of basest function,
+    That says his bravery is not on my cost?
+    Thinking that I mean him, but therein suits
+    His folly to the mettle of my speech.
+    There then! How then? Then let me see wherein
+    My tongue hath wronged him: if it do him right,
+    Then he hath wronged himself: if he be free,
+    Why then my taxing like a wild goose flies,
+    Unclaimed of any man._[404]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 13.
+
+We have received, by letters of the 18th instant from the camp before
+Tournay, an account, that we were in a fair prospect of being masters of
+the town within seven days after that date. Our batteries had utterly
+overthrown those of the enemy. On the 16th instant, N.S., General
+Schuylemburg had made a lodgment on the counterscarp of the Tenaille;
+which post was so weakly defended, that we lost but six men in gaining
+it. So that there seems reason to hope, that the citadel will also be in
+the hands of the Confederates about the 6th of August, O.S. These
+advices inform us further, that Marshal Villars had ordered large
+detachments to make motions towards Douay and Condé. The swift progress
+of this siege has so much alarmed the other frontier towns of France,
+that they were throwing down some houses in the suburbs of Valenciennes,
+which they think may stand commodiously for the enemy in case that place
+should be invested. The Elector of Cologne is making all imaginable
+haste to remove from thence to Rheims.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 398: See Nos. 28, 38.]
+
+[Footnote 399: Grub Street, Cripplegate (now Milton Street), became,
+towards the end of the seventeenth century, the abode of what Johnson
+calls "writers of small histories, dictionaries and temporary poems;
+whence any mean production is called Grub Street."]
+
+[Footnote 400: Virgil, "Georgics," iv. 86.]
+
+[Footnote 401: The _Flying Post_ records that one Slaughterford was
+sentenced to death on July 2, 1709, for murdering his sweetheart.]
+
+[Footnote 402: See Nos. 24, 51.]
+
+[Footnote 403: See No. 14.]
+
+[Footnote 404: "As You Like It," act ii. sc. 7.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 42. [STEELE AND ADDISON.
+
+From _Thursday, July 14, to Saturday, July 16_, 1709.
+
+    Celebrare domestica facta.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 15.
+
+Looking over some old papers, I found a little treatise, written by my
+great-grandfather, concerning bribery, and thought his manner of
+treating that subject not unworthy my remark. He there has a digression
+concerning a possibility, that in some circumstances a man may receive
+an injury, and yet be conscious to himself that he deserves it. There
+are abundance of fine things said on the subject; but the whole wrapped
+up in so much jingle and pun (which was the wit of those times) that it
+is scarce intelligible; but I thought the design was well enough in the
+following sketch of the old gentleman's poetry: for in this case, where
+two are rivals for the same thing, and propose to attain it by presents,
+he that attempts the judge's honesty, by making him offers of reward,
+ought not to complain when he loses his cause for a better bidder. But
+the good old doggerel runs thus:[405]
+
+    _A poor man once a judge besought,
+      To judge aright his cause,
+    And with a pot of oil salutes
+      This judger of the laws.
+
+    "My friend" quoth he, "thy cause is good":
+      He glad away did trudge;
+    Anon his wealthy foe did come
+      Before this partial judge.
+
+    An hog well fed this churl presents,
+      And craves a strain of law;
+    The hog received, the poor man's right
+      Was judged not worth a straw.
+
+    Therewith he cried, "O! partial judge,
+      Thy doom has me undone;
+    When oil I gave, my cause was good,
+      But now to ruin run."
+
+    "Poor man" quoth he, "I thee forgot,
+      And see thy cause of foil;
+    An hog came since into my house,
+      And broke thy pot of oil."_
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 15.
+
+The discourse happened this evening to fall upon characters drawn in
+plays, and a gentleman remarked, that there was no method in the world
+of knowing the taste of an age, or period of time so good, as by the
+observations of the persons represented in their comedies. There were
+several instances produced, as Ben Jonson's bringing in a fellow smoking
+as a piece of foppery;[406] "But," said the gentleman who entertained us
+on this subject, "this matter is nowhere so observable as in the
+difference of the characters of women on the stage in the last age, and
+in this. It is not to be supposed that it was a poverty of genius in
+Shakespeare, that his women made so small a figure in his dialogues; but
+it certainly is, that he drew women as they then were in life; for that
+sex had not in those days that freedom in conversation; and their
+characters were only, that they were mothers, sisters, daughters, and
+wives. There were not then among the ladies, shining wits, politicians,
+virtuosas, free-thinkers, and disputants; nay, there was then hardly
+such a creature even as a coquette: but vanity had quite another turn,
+and the most conspicuous woman at that time of day was only the best
+housewife. Were it possible to bring into life an assembly of matrons of
+that age, and introduce the learned Lady Woodby into their company, they
+would not believe the same nation could produce a creature so unlike
+anything they ever saw in it. But these ancients would be as much
+astonished to see in the same age so illustrious a pattern to all who
+love things praiseworthy, as the divine Aspasia.[407] Methinks, I now
+see her walking in her garden like our first parent, with unaffected
+charms, before beauty had spectators, and bearing celestial conscious
+virtue in her aspect. Her countenance is the lively picture of her mind,
+which is the seat of honour, truth, compassion, knowledge, and
+innocence.
+
+    _There dwells the scorn of vice and pity too._
+
+In the midst of the most ample fortune, and veneration of all that
+behold and know her, without the least affectation, she consults
+retirement, the contemplation of her own being, and that supreme power
+which bestowed it. Without the learning of schools, or knowledge of a
+long course of arguments, she goes on in a steady course of
+uninterrupted piety and virtue, and adds to the severity and privacy of
+the last age all the freedom and ease of this. The language and mien of
+a Court she is possessed of in the highest degree; but the simplicity
+and humble thoughts of a cottage, are her more welcome entertainments.
+Aspasia is a female philosopher, who does not only live up to the
+resignation of the most retired lives of the ancient sages, but also to
+the schemes and plans which they thought beautiful, though inimitable.
+This lady is the most exact economist, without appearing busy; the most
+strictly virtuous, without tasting the praise of it; and shuns applause
+with as much industry, as others do reproach. This character is so
+particular, that it will very easily be fixed on her only, by all that
+know her: but I daresay, she will be the last that finds it out. But,
+alas! if we have one or two such ladies, how many dozens are there like
+the restless Poluglossa, who is acquainted with all the world but
+herself; who has the appearance of all, and possession of no one virtue:
+she has indeed in her practice the absence of vice; but her discourse is
+the continual history of it; and it is apparent, when she speaks of the
+criminal gratifications of others, that her innocence is only a
+restraint, with a certain mixture of envy. She is so perfectly opposite
+to the character of Aspasia, that as vice is terrible to her only as it
+is the object of reproach, so virtue is agreeable only as it is attended
+with applause.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 15.
+
+It is now twelve o'clock at noon, and no mail come in; therefore I am
+not without hopes, that the town will allow me the liberty which my
+brother news-writers take, in giving them what may be for their
+information in another kind, and indulge me in doing an act of
+friendship, by publishing the following account of goods and
+movables.[408]
+
+This is to give notice, that a magnificent palace, with great variety of
+gardens, statues, and waterworks, may be bought cheap in Drury Lane;
+where there are likewise several castles to be disposed of, very
+delightfully situated; as also groves, woods, forests, fountains, and
+country seats, with very pleasant prospects on all sides of them; being
+the movables of Ch----r R----ch,[409] Esq.; who is breaking up
+housekeeping, and has many curious pieces of furniture to dispose of,
+which may be seen between the hours of six and ten in the evening.
+
+#The INVENTORY.#
+
+    Spirits of right Nantes brandy, for lambent flames and apparitions.
+
+    Three bottles and a half of lightning.
+
+    One shower of snow in the whitest French paper.
+
+    Two showers of a browner sort.
+
+    A sea, consisting of a dozen large waves; the tenth bigger than
+    ordinary, and a little damaged.
+
+    A dozen and a half of clouds, trimmed with black, and well
+    conditioned.
+
+    A rainbow a little faded.
+
+    A set of clouds after the French mode, streaked with lightning, and
+    furbelowed.
+
+    A new-moon, something decayed.
+
+    A pint of the finest Spanish wash, being all that is left of two
+    hogsheads sent over last winter.
+
+    A coach very finely gilt, and little used, with a pair of dragons,
+    to be sold cheap.
+
+    A setting sun, a pennyworth.[410]
+
+    An imperial mantle, made for Cyrus the Great, and worn by Julius
+    Cæsar, Bajazet, King Harry the Eighth, and Signior Valentin.[411]
+
+    A basket-hilt sword, very convenient to carry milk in.
+
+    Roxana's night-gown.
+
+    Othello's handkerchief.
+
+    The imperial robes of Xerxes, never worn but once.
+
+    A wild-boar, killed by Mrs. Tofts[412] and Dioclesian.
+
+    A serpent to sting Cleopatra.
+
+    A mustard-bowl to make thunder with.
+
+    Another of a bigger sort, by Mr. D----is's directions, little
+    used.[413]
+
+    Six elbow-chairs, very expert in country-dances, with six
+    flower-pots for their partners.
+
+    The whiskers of a Turkish bassa.
+
+    The complexion of a murderer in a band-box; consisting of a large
+    piece of burnt cork, and a coal-black peruke.
+
+    A suit of clothes for a ghost, viz., a bloody shirt, a doublet
+    curiously pinked, and a coat with three great eyelet-holes upon the
+    breast.
+
+    A bale of red Spanish wool.
+
+    Modern plots, commonly known by the name of trapdoors, ladders of
+    ropes, vizard-masks, and tables with broad carpets over them.
+
+    Three oak cudgels, with one of crab-tree; all bought for the use of
+    Mr. Pinkethman.
+
+    Materials for dancing; as masks, castanets, and a ladder of ten
+    rounds.
+
+    Aurengezebe's scimitar, made by Will Brown in Piccadilly.
+
+    A plume of feathers, never used but by Oedipus and the Earl of
+    Essex.
+
+There are also swords, halberts, sheep-hooks, cardinals' hats, turbans,
+drums, gallipots, a gibbet, a cradle, a rack, a cart-wheel, an altar, a
+helmet, a back-piece, a breast-plate, a bell, a tub, and a jointed
+baby.[414]
+
+These are the hard shifts we intelligencers are forced to; therefore our
+readers ought to excuse us, if a westerly wind blowing for a fortnight
+together, generally fills every paper with an order of battle; when we
+show our martial skill in each line, and, according to the space we have
+to fill, we range our men in squadrons and battalions, or draw out
+company by company, and troop by troop; ever observing, that no muster
+is to be made, but when the wind is in a cross point, which often
+happens at the end of a campaign, when half the men are deserted or
+killed. The _Courant_ is sometimes ten deep, his ranks close: the
+_Postboy_[415] is generally in files, for greater exactness; and the
+_Postman_ comes down upon you rather after the Turkish way, sword in
+hand, pell-mell, without form or discipline; but sure to bring men
+enough into the field; and wherever they are raised, never to lose a
+battle for want of numbers.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 405: From George Whetstone's "English Mirror," 1586.]
+
+[Footnote 406: See "Every Man out of his Humour," act ii. sc. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 407: Lady Elizabeth Hastings, unquestionably one of the most
+accomplished and virtuous characters of the age in which she lived, was
+the daughter of Theophilus Hastings, the 7th Earl of Huntingdon, and of
+Elizabeth, eldest daughter and co-heiress to John Lewes, of Ledstone, in
+Yorkshire, Knt. and Bart. Her father succeeded to the honours and estate
+of the family, Feb. 13, 1655, and was in 1687 Lord Chief Justice, and
+Justice in Eyre of all the King's forests, &c., beyond Trent; Lord
+Lieutenant of the counties of Leicester and Derby; Captain of the Band
+of Gentlemen Pensioners, and of the Privy Council to King James II. He
+died suddenly at his lodgings in Charles Street, St. James's, May 13,
+1701, and was succeeded in his honours and estate by his son, and her
+brother, Charles, who died unmarried, Feb. 22, 1704. Lady Elizabeth
+Hastings was born April 19, 1682, and died Dec. 22, 1739. It is said,
+with great probability, that since the commencement of the Christian
+era, scarce any age has produced a lady of such high birth and superior
+accomplishments, that was a greater blessing to many, or a brighter
+pattern to all. There is an admirable sketch of this illustrious lady's
+character, drawn soon after her death, in the tenth volume of the
+_Gentleman's Magazine_, p. 36, probably by Samuel Johnson. See also "An
+historical Character relating to the holy and exemplary Life of the
+Right Honourable the Lady Elisabeth Hastings, &c. By Thomas Barnard,
+A.M. Printed at Leeds, in 1742, 12mo" (Nichols).--Lady Elizabeth
+Hastings, who came into a fortune upon the death of her brother George,
+Earl of Huntingdon, settled at Ledstone House, where she was the Lady
+Bountiful of the neighbourhood. Her whole estate, however, is said to
+have been less than £3000 a year. The best of the clergy of the day were
+among her friends. She helped Berkeley in his Bermuda Mission scheme,
+and she befriended Miss Mary Astell. Ralph Thoresby, who visited her,
+was "extremely pleased with the most agreeable conversation of the pious
+and excellent Lady Elizabeth Hastings." ("Diary," ii. 82). She was one
+of the numerous eligible ladies that the friends of Lord Raby,
+afterwards Earl of Strafford, suggested to him as a suitable wife
+("Wentworth Papers," pp. 29, 56). The character of Aspasia in this paper
+has been attributed to Congreve, on the ground, apparently, that he knew
+Lady Elizabeth Hastings' half-brother, Theophilus, afterwards Earl of
+Huntingdon. See No. 49, note.]
+
+[Footnote 408: The remainder of this paper is by Addison; see Steele's
+Preface. Drury Lane Theatre was closed by an order of the Lord
+Chamberlain, as mentioned in No. 30.]
+
+[Footnote 409: Christopher Rich.]
+
+[Footnote 410: A bargain.]
+
+[Footnote 411: Valentini Urbani sang in Italian in the opera of
+"Camilla," in 1707. His acting seems to have been better than his voice
+(Burney's "History of Music," iv. 208).]
+
+[Footnote 412: See No. 20.]
+
+[Footnote 413: John Dennis's unsuccessful tragedy of "Appius and
+Virginia" was produced in 1709. On that occasion he introduced a new
+method of making thunder (see "Dunciad," ii. 226), which was found
+useful by managers. Afterwards, when Dennis found his invention being
+used in "Macbeth," he exclaimed, "'Sdeath! that's my thunder. See how
+the fellows use me, they have silenced my tragedy, and they roar out my
+thunder" (Oldys, MS. notes on Langbaine).]
+
+[Footnote 414: "Baby" was often used for "doll."]
+
+[Footnote 415: See No. 18.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 43. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 16_, to _Tuesday, July 19_, 1709.
+
+    Bene nummatum decorat suadela Venusque,
+                                            HOR. 1 Ep. vi. 38.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 18.
+
+I write from hence at present to complain, that wit and merit are so
+little encouraged by people of rank and quality, that the wits of the
+age are obliged to run within Temple Bar for patronage. There is a
+deplorable instance of this in the case of Mr. D----y,[416] who has
+dedicated his inimitable comedy, called, "The Modern Prophets," to a
+worthy knight,[417] to whom, it seems, he had before communicated his
+plan, which was, to ridicule the ridiculous of our established doctrine.
+I have elsewhere celebrated the contrivance of this excellent drama; but
+was not, till I read the dedication, wholly let into the religious
+design of it. I am afraid it has suffered discontinuance at this gay end
+of the town, for no other reason but the piety of the purpose. There is
+however in this epistle the true life of panegyrical performance; and I
+do not doubt but, if the patron would part with it, I can help him to
+others with good pretensions to it; viz., of uncommon understanding, who
+would give him as much as he gave for it. I know perfectly well a noble
+person to whom these words (which are the body of the panegyric) would
+fit to a hair.
+
+"Your easiness of humour, or rather your harmonious disposition, is so
+admirably mixed with your composure, that the rugged cares and
+disturbance that public affairs brings with it, which does so
+vexatiously affect the heads of other great men of business, &c. does
+scarce ever ruffle your unclouded brow so much as with a frown. And what
+above all is praiseworthy, you are so far from thinking yourself better
+than others, that a flourishing and opulent fortune, which by a certain
+natural corruption in its quality, seldom fails to infect other
+possessors with pride, seems in this case as if only providentially
+disposed to enlarge your humility.
+
+"But I find, sir, I am now got into a very large field, where though I
+could with great ease raise a number of plants in relation to your merit
+of this plauditory nature; yet for fear of an author's general vice, and
+that the plain justice I have done you should, by my proceeding and
+others' mistaken judgment, be imagined flattery, a thing the bluntness
+of my nature does not care to be concerned with, and which I also know
+you abominate."
+
+It is wonderful to see how many judges of these fine things spring up
+every day by the rise of stocks, and other elegant methods of abridging
+the way to learning and criticism. But I do hereby forbid all
+dedications to any persons within the city of London, except Sir
+Francis, Sir Stephen,[418] and the Bank, will take epigrams and epistles
+as value received for their notes; and the East India Companies accept
+of heroic poems for their sealed bonds. Upon which bottom, our
+publishers have full power to treat with the city in behalf of us
+authors, to enable traders to become patrons and Fellows of the Royal
+Society, as well as receive certain degrees of skill in the Latin and
+Greek tongues, according to the quantity of the commodities which they
+take off our hands.
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+The learned have so long laboured under the imputation of dryness and
+dulness in their accounts of their phenomena, that an ingenious
+gentleman of our society has resolved to write a system of philosophy in
+a more lively method, both as to the matter and language, than has been
+hitherto attempted. He read to us the plan upon which he intends to
+proceed. I thought his account, by way of fable of the worlds about us,
+had so much vivacity in it, that I could not forbear transcribing his
+hypothesis, to give the reader a taste of my friend's treatise, which is
+now in the press.[419]
+
+"The inferior deities having designed on a day to play a game at
+football, knead together a numberless collection of dancing atoms into
+the form of seven rolling globes: and that nature might be kept from a
+dull inactivity, each separate particle is endued with a principle of
+motion, or a power of attraction, whereby all the several parcels of
+matter draw each other proportionately to their magnitudes and
+distances, into such a remarkable variety of different forms, as to
+produce all the wonderful appearances we now observe in empire,
+philosophy, and religion. To proceed; at the beginning of the game, each
+of the globes being struck forward with a vast violence, ran out of
+sight, and wandered in a straight line through the infinite spaces. The
+nimble deities pursue, breathless almost, and spent in the eager chase;
+each of them caught hold of one, and stamped it with his name; as,
+Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and so of the rest. To prevent this inconvenience
+for the future, the seven are condemned to a precipitation, which in our
+inferior style we call 'gravity.' Thus the tangential and centripetal
+forces, by their counter-struggle, make the celestial bodies describe an
+exact ellipsis."
+
+There will be added to this an appendix, in defence of the first day of
+the term according to the Oxford Almanac,[420] by a learned knight of
+this realm, with an apology for the said knight's manner of dress;
+proving, that his habit, according to this hypothesis, is the true
+modern and fashionable; and that buckles are not to be worn, by this
+system, till the 10th of March, in the year 1714, which, according to
+the computation of some of our greatest divines, is to be the first year
+of the Millennium[421]; in which blessed age, all habits will be reduced
+to a primitive simplicity; and whoever shall be found to have persevered
+in a constancy of dress, in spite of all the allurements of profane and
+heathen habits, shall be rewarded with a never-fading doublet of a
+thousand years. All points in the system which are doubted, shall be
+attested by the knight's extemporary oath, for the satisfaction of his
+readers.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+We were upon the heroic strain this evening, and the question was, What
+is the True Sublime? Many very good discourses happened thereupon; after
+which a gentleman at the table, who is, it seems, writing on that
+subject, assumed the argument; and though he ran through many instances
+of sublimity from the ancient writers, said, he had hardly known an
+occasion wherein the true greatness of soul, which animates a general in
+action, is so well represented, with regard to the person of whom it was
+spoken, and the time in which it was writ, as in a few lines in a modern
+poem: "there is," continued he, "nothing so forced and constrained, as
+what we frequently meet with in tragedies; to make a man under the
+weight of a great sorrow, or full of meditation upon what he is soon to
+execute, cast about for a simile to what he himself is, or the thing
+which he is going to act: but there is nothing more proper and natural
+than for a poet, whose business is to describe, and who is spectator of
+one in that circumstance when his mind is working upon a great image,
+and that the ideas hurry upon his imagination--I say, there is nothing
+so natural, as for a poet to relieve and clear himself from the burthen
+of thought at that time, by uttering his conception in simile and
+metaphor. The highest act of the mind of man, is to possess itself with
+tranquillity in imminent danger, and to have its thoughts so free, as to
+act at that time without perplexity. The ancient poets have compared
+this sedate courage to a rock that remains immovable amidst the rage of
+winds and waves; but that is too stupid and inanimate a similitude, and
+could do no credit to the hero. At other times they are all of them
+wonderfully obliged to a Lybian lion, which may give indeed very
+agreeable terrors to a description; but is no compliment to the person
+to whom it is applied: eagles, tigers, and wolves, are made use of on
+the same occasion, and very often with much beauty; but this is still an
+honour done to the brute, rather than the hero. Mars, Pallas, Bacchus,
+and Hercules, have each of them furnished very good similes in their
+time, and made, doubtless, a greater impression on the mind of a
+heathen, than they have on that of a modern reader. But the sublime
+image that I am talking of, and which I really think as great as ever
+entered into the thought of man, is in the poem called, 'The
+Campaign';[422] where the simile of a ministering angel sets forth the
+most sedate and the most active courage, engaged in an uproar of nature,
+a confusion of elements, and a scene of divine vengeance. Add to all,
+that these lines compliment the General and his Queen at the same time,
+and have all the natural horrors, heightened by the image that was still
+fresh in the mind of every reader.[423]
+
+    "_'Twas then great Marlborough's mighty soul was proved,
+    That, in the shock of charging hosts unmoved,
+    Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,
+    Examined all the dreadful scenes of war;
+    In peaceful thought the field of death surveyed,
+    To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid,
+    Inspired repulsed battalions to engage,
+    And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
+    So when an angel by divine command,
+    With rising tempests shakes a guilty land,
+    Such as of late o'er pale Britannia past,
+    Calm and serene he drives the furious blast;
+    And, pleased the Almighty's orders to perform,
+    Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm._
+
+"The whole poem is so exquisitely noble and poetic, that I think it an
+honour to our nation and language." The gentleman concluded his critique
+on this work, by saying, that he esteemed it wholly new, and a wonderful
+attempt to keep up the ordinary ideas of a march of an army, just as
+they happened in so warm and great a style, and yet be at once familiar
+and heroic. Such a performance is a chronicle as well as a poem, and
+will preserve the memory of our hero, when all the edifices and statues
+erected to his honour are blended with common dust.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, that the Allies
+were so forward in the siege of Tournay, that they were preparing for a
+general assault, which, it was supposed, would be made within a few
+days. Deserters from the town gave an account, that the garrison was
+carrying their ammunition and provisions into the citadel, which
+occasioned a tumult among the inhabitants of the town. The French army
+had laid bridges over the Scarp, and made a motion as if they intended
+to pass that river; but though they are joined by the reinforcement
+expected from Germany, it was not believed they should make any attempt
+towards relieving Tournay. Letters from Brabant say, there has been a
+discovery made of a design to deliver up Antwerp to the enemy. The
+States of Holland have agreed to a general naturalisation of all
+Protestants who shall fly into their dominions; to which purpose, a
+proclamation was to be issued within few days.
+
+They write from France, that the great misery and want under which that
+nation has so long laboured, has ended in a pestilence, which began to
+appear in Burgundy and Dauphiné. They add, that in the town of Mazon,
+three hundred persons had died in the space of ten days. Letters from
+Lille of the 24th instant advise, that great numbers of deserters came
+daily into that city, the most part of whom are dragoons. We are advised
+from France, that the Loire having overflowed its banks, hath laid the
+country under water for three hundred miles together.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 416: See Nos. 1 and 11. In No. 29 of the _Guardian_ Steele
+accused the world of ingratitude in not properly "rewarding the jocose
+labours of my friend, Mr. Durfey"; and in No. 67 Addison urged the town
+to go to a performance at the theatre given for Durfey's benefit. "He
+has made the town merry, and I hope they will make him easy, so long as
+he stays among us."]
+
+[Footnote 417: Sir William Scawen, a merchant who was knighted in 1692.]
+
+[Footnote 418: Probably Sir Francis Child and Sir Stephen Evance, the
+bankers. The latter was ruined at the time of the South Sea mania. The
+following advertisement appeared in the _Postman_ for Jan. 1, 1709:
+"Lost or mislaid, some time the last summer, at Winchester House, in
+Chelsea, a gold snuff-box, a cypher graved on the cover, with trophies
+round it, and over the cypher these words, 'DD. Illust. Princ. Jac. Duci
+Ormond.' Whoever brings it to Sir Stephen Evance, at the Black Boy in
+Lombard Street, shall have ten guineas reward, and be asked no
+questions."]
+
+[Footnote 419: This seems to be a banter upon Mr. Whiston's book
+intituled, "Prælectiones Physicæ Mathematicæ; sive Philosophia
+clarissimi Newtoni Mathematica illustrata, 1710"; wherein he explained
+the Newtonian philosophy, which now began to grow into vogue. Both
+Addison and Steele, however, very much befriended Whiston; and after his
+banishment from Cambridge, promoted a subscription for his astronomical
+lectures at Button's Coffee-house (Nichols).--See No. 251.]
+
+[Footnote 420: See No. 39.]
+
+[Footnote 421: Whiston had fixed that day for the destruction of
+Anti-Christ and the beginning of the Millennium.]
+
+[Footnote 422: Written by Addison in 1705, in celebration of the victory
+at Blenheim.]
+
+[Footnote 423: The great storm of November 1703 formed the subject of a
+volume published by Defoe in 1704.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 44. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 19_, to _Thursday, July 21_, 1709.
+
+    --Nullis amor est medicabilis herbis.
+                                            OVID, Met. i. 523.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 19.
+
+This day, passing through Covent Garden, I was stopped in the Piazza by
+Pacolet, to observe what he called the "triumph of love and youth." I
+turned to the object he pointed at; and there I saw a gay gilt chariot
+drawn by fresh prancing horses; the coachman with a new cockade, and the
+lackeys with insolence and plenty in their countenances. I asked
+immediately, what young heir or lover owned that glittering equipage?
+But my companion interrupted: "Do not you see there the mourning
+Æsculapius?"[424] "The mourning!" said I. "Yes, Isaac," said Pacolet,
+"he is in deep mourning, and is the languishing hopeless lover of the
+divine Hebe, the emblem of youth and beauty. The excellent and learned
+sage you behold in that furniture, is the strongest instance imaginable,
+that love is the most powerful of all things. You are not so ignorant as
+to be a stranger to the character of Æsculapius, as the patron and most
+successful of all who profess the art of medicine. But as most of his
+operations are owing to a natural sagacity or impulse, he has very
+little troubled himself with the doctrine of drugs; but has always given
+Nature more room to help herself, than any of her learned assistants;
+and consequently has done greater wonders than is in the power of art to
+perform;[425] for which reason, he is half deified by the people; and
+has ever been justly courted by all the world, as if he were a seventh
+son. It happened, that the charming Hebe was reduced, by a long and
+violent fever, to the most extreme danger of death; and when all skill
+failed, they sent for Æsculapius. The renowned artist was touched with
+the deepest compassion to see the faded charms and faint bloom of Hebe;
+and had a generous concern in beholding a struggle, not between life,
+but rather between youth, and death. All his skill and his passion
+tended to the recovery of Hebe, beautiful even in sickness: but, alas!
+the unhappy physician knew not, that in all his care he was only
+sharpening darts for his own destruction. In a word, his fortune was the
+same with that of the statuary, who fell in love with the image of his
+own making; and the unfortunate Æsculapius is become the patient of her
+whom he lately recovered. Long before this disaster, Æsculapius was far
+gone in the unnecessary and superfluous amusements of old age, in
+increasing unwieldy stores, and providing, in the midst of an incapacity
+of enjoyment of what he had, for a supply of more wants than he had
+calls for in youth itself. But these low considerations are now no more,
+and love has taken place of avarice, or rather has become an avarice of
+another kind, which still urges him to pursue what he does not want. But
+behold the metamorphosis; the anxious mean cares of an usurer are turned
+into the languishments and complaints of a lover. 'Behold,' says the
+aged Æsculapius, 'I submit, I own, great Love, thy empire: pity, Hebe,
+the fop you have made: what have I to do with gilding but on pills? Yet,
+O fair! For thee I sit amidst a crowd of painted deities on my chariot,
+buttoned in gold, clasped in gold, without having any value for that
+beloved metal, but as it adorns the person, and laces the hat of thy
+dying lover. I ask not to live, O Hebe! Give me but gentle death:
+euthanasia, euthanasia, that is all I implore.'" When Æsculapius had
+finished his complaint, Pacolet went on in deep morals on the
+uncertainty of riches, with this remarkable exclamation; "O wealth! How
+impotent art thou! And how little dost thou supply us with real
+happiness, when the usurer himself can forget thee for the love of what
+is as foreign to his felicity as thou art?"
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 19.
+
+The company here, who have all a delicate taste of theatrical
+representations, had made a gathering to purchase the movables of the
+neighbouring playhouse,[426] for the encouragement of one which is
+setting up in the Haymarket. But the proceedings at the auction (by
+which method the goods have been sold this evening) have been so unfair,
+that this generous design has been frustrated; for the Imperial Mantle
+made for Cyrus was missing, as also the Chariot and Two Dragons: but
+upon examination it was found, that a gentleman of Hampshire[427] had
+clandestinely bought them both, and is gone down to his country seat;
+and that on Saturday last he passed through Staines attired in that
+robe, and drawn by the said Dragons, assisted by two only of his own
+horses. This theatrical traveller has also left orders with Mr.
+Hall[428] to send the faded rainbow to the scourers, and when it comes
+home, to despatch it after him. At the same time C---- R----[429] Esq.
+is invited to bring down himself his Setting Sun, and be box-keeper to a
+theatre erected by this gentleman near Southampton. Thus there has been
+nothing but artifice in the management of this affair; for which reason
+I beg pardon of the town, that I inserted the inventory in my paper and
+solemnly protest, I knew nothing of this artful design of vending these
+rarities: but I meant only the good of the world in that and all other
+things which I divulge. And now I am upon this subject, I must do myself
+justice in relation to an article in a former paper, wherein I made
+mention of a person who keeps a puppet-show in the town of Bath;[430] I
+was tender of naming names, and only just hinted, that he makes larger
+promises, when he invites people to his dramatic representations, than
+he is able to perform: but I am credibly informed, that he makes a
+profane lewd jester, which he calls Punch, speak to the dishonour of
+Isaac Bickerstaff with great familiarity; and before all my learned
+friends in that place, takes upon him to dispute my title to the
+appellation of Esquire. I think I need not say much to convince all the
+world, that this Mr. Powell (for that is his name) is a pragmatical and
+vain person to pretend to argue with me on any subject. _Mecum certasse
+feretur_[431]; that is to say, it will be an honour to him to have it
+said he contended with me; but I would have him to know, that I can look
+beyond his wires, and know very well the whole trick of his art, and
+that it is only by these wires that the eye of the spectator is cheated,
+and hindered from seeing that there is a thread on one of Punch's chops,
+which draws it up, and lets it fall at the discretion of the said
+Powell, who stands behind and plays him, and makes him speak saucily of
+his betters. He! to pretend to make prologues against me! But a man
+never behaves himself with decency in his own case; therefore I shall
+command myself, and never trouble me further with this little fellow,
+who is himself but a tall puppet, and has not brains enough to make even
+wood speak as it ought to do: and I, that have heard the groaning
+board,[432] can despise all that his puppets shall be able to speak as
+long as they live. But, _Ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius_[433]. He has
+pretended to write to me also from the Bath, and says, he thought to
+have deferred giving me an answer till he came to his books[434]; but
+that my writings might do well with the waters: which are pert
+expressions that become a schoolboy, better than one that is to teach
+others: and when I have said a civil thing to him, he cries, "Oh! I
+thank you for that--I am your humble servant for that."[435] Ah! Mr.
+Powell, these smart civilities will never run down men of learning: I
+know well enough your design is to have all men automata, like your
+puppets; but the world is grown too wise, and can look through these
+thin devices. I know you design to make a reply to this; but be sure you
+stick close to my words; for if you bring me into discourses concerning
+the government of your puppets, I must tell you, I neither am, nor have
+been, nor will be, at leisure to answer you. It is really a burning
+shame this man should be tolerated in abusing the world with such
+representations of things: but his parts decay, and he is not much more
+alive than Partridge.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 14.
+
+I must beg pardon of my readers that for this time I have, I fear,
+huddled up my discourse, having been very busy in helping an old friend
+of mine out of town. He has a very good estate, is a man of wit; but he
+had been three years absent from town, and cannot bear a jest; for
+which reason I have, with some pains, convinced him, that he can no
+more live here than if he were a downright bankrupt. He was so fond of
+dear London, that he began to fret only inwardly; but being unable to
+laugh and be laughed at, I took a place in the northern coach for him
+and his family; and hope he is got to-night safe from all sneerers in
+his own parlour.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 20.
+
+This morning we received by express, the agreeable news of the surrender
+of the town of Tournay on the 28th instant, N.S. The place was assaulted
+at the attacks of General Schuylemburg, and that of General Lottum, at
+the same time. The action at both those parts of the town was very
+obstinate, and the Allies lost a considerable number at the beginning of
+the dispute; but the fight was continued with so great bravery, that the
+enemy observing that we were masters of all the posts which were
+necessary for a general attack, beat the chamade,[436] and hostages were
+received from the town, and others sent from the besiegers, in order to
+come to a formal capitulation for the surrender of the place. We have
+also this day received advice, that Sir John Leake, who lies off of
+Dunkirk, had intercepted several ships laden with corn from the Baltic;
+and that the Dutch privateers had fallen in with others, and carried
+them into Holland. The French letters advise, that the young son to the
+Duke of Anjou lived but eight days.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 424: Dr. John Radcliffe, the physician (1650-1714), was
+disappointed in love when about sixty. The matter is referred to again
+in Nos. 46, 47, 50 and 67. Radcliffe became rich, but was considered to
+be a quack by many other doctors. "The last _Tatler_ is upon Dr. Ratclif
+who they say is desparately in love with Dutchess of Bolton, his passion
+runs so high as to declare he'll make her eldest son his heir, upon wch
+account they say the Duke of B---- is not at all alarm'd, but gives the
+Old amorist opportunity to make his Court, the Dr. lately gave the
+Dutchess and some other Ladys an entertainm' of musick upon the water,
+and a fine supper in the Barge" ("Wentworth Papers," p. 97). This
+identification of Hebe with the Duchess of Bolton is corroborated by the
+MS. annotator mentioned in a note to No. 4. According to another account
+she was a Miss Tempest, a maid of honour to the Queen. The writer of the
+article on Radcliffe in the "Biog. Britannica" says: "The lady, who made
+the doctor, at this advanced age, stand in need of a physician himself,
+was of great beauty, wealth, and quality; and too attractive not to
+inspire the coldest heart with the warmest sentiments. After he had made
+a cure of her, he could not but imagine, as naturally he might, that her
+ladyship would entertain a favourable opinion of him. But the lady,
+however grateful she might be for the care he had taken of her health,
+divulged the secret, and one of her confidants revealed it to Steele,
+who, on account of party, was so ill-natured as to write the ridicule of
+it in the _Tatler_" Radcliffe never married.]
+
+[Footnote 425: I have a pamphlet called "The _Tatler's_ Character (July
+21) of Æsculapius guessing diseases, without the knowledge of drugs;
+applied to the British Physicians and Surgeons: or, The difficult
+diseases of the Royal Family, Nobility and Gentry will never be
+understood and recover'd, when the populace are oppress'd and destroy'd
+by the Practising-Apothecaries and Empiricks confess'd by the College
+and Mr. Bernard the Surgeon. By a Consultation of Gentlemen of Quality."
+London, 8vo, 1709. The pamphlet contains some interesting remarks on the
+physicians, apothecaries and hospitals of the time. Mr. Bickerstaff is
+called "the most ingenious physician of our vices and follies."]
+
+[Footnote 426: See No. 42.]
+
+[Footnote 427: A friend of Nichols said, "I have seen somewhere, but
+cannot immediately refer to the book, an account of a theatre built at
+Southwick, in the county of Hants, by a Mr. Richard Norton, whose will
+is in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1733, p. 57. He is the person, I
+believe, who wrote a play called 'Pausanias' (1696). Cibber dedicated
+his first play to him." The MS. annotator mentioned in No. 4 also
+identifies the gentleman of Hampshire with "Mr. N----n."]
+
+[Footnote 428: An auctioneer.]
+
+[Footnote 429: Christopher Rich, the manager.]
+
+[Footnote 430: Under the name of Powell, the puppet-show man, Steele
+attacked Dr. Blackall, Bishop of Exeter (see No. 37), who was engaged in
+a controversy with Benjamin Hoadly. In March 1709, Blackall preached
+before the Queen a sermon laying down the doctrine of passive obedience
+in its most extreme form, but in 1704 he had preached obedience limited
+by the laws of the State. Hoadly wrote against the sermon of 1709, and
+brought against the Bishop the sermon of 1704. The Bishop, angry at this
+mode of refutation, answered haughtily, and dwelt on the superiority of
+his rank as compared with that of Hoadly, then simply rector of a London
+parish. Bickerstaff here reproaches Blackall for the pride and rudeness
+of his answer, and then, under the guise of Powell, proprietor of the
+puppet-show, satirises the extreme doctrine of divine right taught by
+the Bishop, a doctrine which would make the subjects mere automata, to
+be moved only at the will of the prince.]
+
+[Footnote 431: Ovid, "Met." xiii. 20.]
+
+[Footnote 432: The following printed advertisement appeared in 1682: "At
+the sign of the wool-sack, in Newgate-market, is to be seen, a strange
+and wonderful thing, which is an elm-board, being touched with a hot
+iron, doth express itself, as if it were a man dying with groans, and
+trembling, to the great admiration of all the hearers. It hath been
+presented before the King and his nobles, and hath given great
+satisfaction. _Vivat Rex_."--(MSS. Sloan. 958.)]
+
+[Footnote 433: "Ne e quovis ligno Mercurius fiat" is one of the proverbs
+in the "Adagia" of Erasmus. But its history, as originally from the
+Greek, is thus given in a note of Andr. Schottus, quoted by Gaisford in
+his "Parcemiographia Græci," p. 39, Ox. 1836:--"Illiud adagium ὀυκ ἐκ
+παντὸς ξύλου Ἕρμης ἂν γένοιτο [ouk ek pantòs zýlon Hermês àn génoito],
+quod a Pythagora primum profectum auctor est Apuleius 'Apol.'" [t. ii.
+p. 499] (Ed. Marshall, "Notes and Queries," March 26, 1887). See
+Apuleius, "Apologia," 476: "Non enim ex omni ligno, ut Pythagoras
+dicebat, debet Mercurius exsculpi."]
+
+[Footnote 434: In the Bishop's answer to Hoadly's letter, 1709, there is
+this passage: "I have no books here; and being under these
+circumstances, I hope I may be excused, if, in citing Scripture, I
+should not always name chapter and verse, nor hit exactly upon the very
+words of the translation" (Lord Bishop of Exeter's Answer, &c., pp. 2
+and 3).--"As to the _Tatlers_ relating to Powell's puppets, and the
+doctrines of passive obedience and absolute non-resistance, and to
+Bishop Blackall, I know it gave my father some uneasiness, that there is
+a reference to a fact, which, as he resolved himself never to take
+notice of, thinking it ungenerous, so he was sorry to see any friend of
+the cause had; which is, that the Bishop had said inadvertently, he was
+at Bath, and had not a Bible in his family. It is worth remarking, that
+all the arguments used by Powell about his power over Punch, 'lighting
+his pipe with one of his legs,' &c., are a good burlesque of those used
+by the advocates of non-resistance."--(Dr. John Hoadly.)]
+
+[Footnote 435: The Bishop, after quoting a respectful expression of
+Hoadly's, says, "Your servant, sir, for that."]
+
+[Footnote 436: A beat of the drum or sound of a trumpet, which summons
+the enemy to a parley. In _Spectator_, No. 165, Addison ridiculed the
+use of this and other French war terms by English writers.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 45. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, July 21, to Saturday, July 23_, 1709.
+
+    Credo pudicitiam Saturno rege moratam
+    In terris.
+                                            Juv., Sat. vi. I.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 22.
+
+The other day I took a walk a mile or two out of town and strolling
+wherever chance led me, I was insensibly carried into a by-road, along
+which was a very agreeable quickset, of an extraordinary height, which
+surrounded a very delicious seat and garden. From one angle of the
+hedge, I heard a voice cry, "Sir, sir--" This raised my curiosity, and I
+heard the same voice say, but in a gentle tone, "Come forward, come
+forward." I did so, and one through the hedge called me by my name, and
+bade me go on to the left, and I should be admitted to visit an old
+acquaintance in distress. The laws of knight-errantry made me obey the
+summons without hesitation; and I was let in at the back gate of a
+lovely house by a maid-servant, who carried me from room to room, until
+I came into a gallery; at the end of which, I saw a fine lady dressed in
+the most sumptuous habit, as if she were going to a ball, but with the
+most abject and disconsolate sorrow in her face that I ever beheld. As I
+came near, she burst into tears, and cried, "Sir, do not you know the
+unhappy Teraminta?" I soon recollected her whole person: "But," said I,
+"madam, the simplicity of dress, in which I have ever seen you at your
+good father's house, and the cheerfulness of countenance with which you
+always appeared, are so unlike the fashion and temper you are now in,
+that I did not easily recover the memory of you. Your habit was then
+decent and modest, your looks serene and beautiful: whence then this
+unaccountable change? Nothing can speak so deep a sorrow as your present
+aspect; yet your dress is made for jollity and revelling." "It is," said
+she, "an unspeakable pleasure to meet with one I know, and to bewail
+myself to any that is not an utter stranger to humanity. When your
+friend my father died, he left me to a wide world, with no defence
+against the insults of fortune, but rather, a thousand snares to entrap
+me in the dangers to which youth and innocence are exposed, in an age
+wherein honour and virtue are become mere words, and used only as they
+serve to betray those who understand them in their native sense, and
+obey them as the guides and motives of their being. The wickedest of all
+men living, the abandoned Decius, who has no knowledge of any good art
+or purpose of human life, but as it tends to the satisfaction of his
+appetites, had opportunities of frequently seeing and entertaining me at
+a house where mixed company boarded, and where he placed himself for the
+base intention which he has since brought to pass. Decius saw enough in
+me to raise his brutal desires, and my circumstances gave him hopes of
+accomplishing them. But all the glittering expectations he could lay
+before me, joined by my private terrors of poverty itself, could not for
+some months prevail upon me; yet, however I hated his intention, I still
+had a secret satisfaction in his courtship, and always exposed myself to
+his solicitations. See here the bane of our sex! Let the flattery be
+never so apparent, the flatterer never so ill thought of, his praises
+are still agreeable and we contribute to our own deceit. I was therefore
+ever fond of all opportunities and pretences of being in his company. In
+a word, I was at last ruined by him, and brought to this place, where I
+have been ever since immured; and from the fatal day after my fall from
+innocence, my worshipper became my master and my tyrant. Thus you see me
+habited in the most gorgeous manner, not in honour of me as a woman he
+loves, but as this attire charms his own eye, and urges him to repeat
+the gratification he takes in me, as the servant of his brutish lusts
+and appetites. I know not where to fly for redress; but am here pining
+away life in the solitude and severity of a nun, but the conscience and
+guilt of a harlot. I live in this lewd practice with a religious awe of
+my minister of darkness, upbraided with the support I receive from him,
+for the inestimable possession of youth, of innocence, of honour, and of
+conscience. I see, sir, my discourse grows painful to you; all I beg of
+you is, to paint in so strong colours, as to let Decius see I am
+discovered to be in his possession, that I may be turned out of this
+detestable scene of regular iniquity, and either think no more, or sin
+no more. If your writings have the good effect of gaining my
+enlargement, I promise you I will atone for this unhappy step, by
+preferring an innocent laborious poverty, to all the guilty affluence
+the world can offer me."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 21.
+
+To show that I do not bear an irreconcilable hatred to my mortal enemy,
+Mr. Powell at Bath, I do his function the honour to publish to the
+world, that plays represented by puppets are permitted in our
+universities,[437] and that sort of drama is not wholly thought unworthy
+the critic of learned heads: but as I have been conversant rather with
+the greater Ode, as I think the critics call it, I must be so humble as
+to make a request to Mr. Powell, and desire him to apply his thoughts
+to answering the difficulties with which my kinsman, the author of the
+following letter, seems to be embarrassed.
+
+#"_To my Honoured Kinsman, Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._#
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"Had the family of the Beadlestaffs,[438] whereof I, though unworthy, am
+one, known of your being lately at Oxon, we had in our own name, and in
+the Universities' (as it is our office), made you a compliment: but your
+short stay here robbed us of an opportunity of paying our due respects,
+and you of receiving an ingenious entertainment, with which we at
+present divert ourselves and strangers. A puppet-show at this time
+supplies the want of an Act.[439] And since the nymphs of this city are
+disappointed of a luscious music-speech, and the country ladies of
+hearing their sons or brothers speak verses; yet the vocal machines,
+like them, by the help of a prompter, say things as much to the benefit
+of the audience, and almost as properly their own. The licence of a
+Terræ-Filius[440] is refined to the well-bred satire of Punchinello.
+Now, Cousin Bickerstaff, though Punch has neither a French nightcap, nor
+long pockets, yet you must own him to be a pretty fellow, a 'very'
+pretty fellow: nay, since he seldom leaves the company, without
+calling, 'Son of a whore,' demanding satisfaction, and duelling, he must
+be owned a smart fellow too. Yet, by some indecencies towards the
+ladies, he seems to be of a third character, distinct from any you have
+yet touched upon. A young gentleman who sat next me (for I had the
+curiosity of seeing this entertainment), in a tufted gown, red
+stockings, and long wig (which I pronounce to be tantamount to red heels
+and a dangling cane[441]) was enraged when Punchinello disturbed a soft
+love-scene with his ribaldry. You would oblige us mightily by laying
+down some rules for adjusting the extravagant behaviour of this
+Almanzor[442] of the play, and by writing a treatise on this sort of
+dramatic poetry, so much favoured, and so little understood, by the
+learned world. From its being conveyed in a cart after the Thespian
+manner, all the parts being recited by one person, as the custom was
+before Æschylus, and the behaviour of Punch as if he had won the goal,
+you may possibly deduce its antiquity, and settle the chronology, as
+well as some of our modern critics. In its natural transitions, from
+mournful to merry; as, from the hanging of a lover, to dancing upon the
+rope; from the stalking of a ghost, to a lady's presenting you with a
+jig; you may discover such a decorum, as is not to be found elsewhere
+than in our tragi-comedies. But I forget myself; it is not for me to
+dictate: I thought fit, dear cousin, to give you these hints, to show
+you that the Beadlestaffs don't walk before men of letters to no
+purpose; and that though we do but hold up the train of arts and
+sciences, yet like other pages, we are now and then let into our
+ladies' secrets. I am,
+
+"Your most
+
+"Affectionate Kinsman,
+
+                                        "BENJAMIN BEADLESTAFF.
+
+"From Mother Gourdon's, at Hedington,[443] near Oxon, _June 18_."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 22.
+
+I am got hither safe, but never spent time with so little satisfaction
+as this evening; for you must know, I was five hours with three Merry,
+and two Honest Fellows. The former sang catches; and the latter even
+died with laughing at the noise they made. "Well," says Tom Belfrey,
+"you scholars, Mr. Bickerstaff, are the worst company in the world."
+"Ay," says his opposite, "you are dull to-night; prithee be merry." With
+that I huzzaed, and took a jump across the table, then came clever upon
+my legs, and fell a-laughing. "Let Mr. Bickerstaff alone," says one of
+the Honest Fellows, "when he's in a good humour, he's as good company as
+any man in England." He had no sooner spoke, but I snatched his hat off
+his head, and clapped his upon my own, and burst out a-laughing again;
+upon which we all fell a-laughing for half an hour. One of the Honest
+Fellows got behind me in the interim, and hit me a sound slap on the
+back; upon which he got the laugh out of my hands, and it was such a
+twang on my shoulders, that I confess he was much merrier than I. I was
+half angry; but resolved to keep up the good humour of the company; and
+after holloing as loud as I could possibly, I drank off a bumper of
+claret, that made me stare again. "Nay," says one of the Honest Fellows,
+"Mr. Isaac is in the right, there is no conversation in this; what
+signifies jumping, or hitting one another on the back? Let's drink
+about." We did so from seven o'clock till eleven; and now I am come
+hither, and, after the manner of the wise Pythagoras, begin to reflect
+upon the passages of the day. I remember nothing, but that I am bruised
+to death; and as it is my way to write down all the good things I have
+heard in the last conversation to furnish my paper, I can from this only
+tell you my sufferings and my bangs. I named Pythagoras just now, and I
+protest to you, as he believed men after death entered into other
+species, I am now and then tempted to think other animals enter into
+men, and could name several on two legs, that never discover any
+sentiment above what is common with the species of a lower kind; as we
+see in these bodily wits whom I was with to-night, whose parts consist
+in strength and activity; but their boisterous mirth gives me great
+impatience for the return of such happiness as I enjoyed in a
+conversation last week. Among others in that company, we had Florio, who
+never interrupted any man living when he was speaking, or ever ceased to
+speak, but others lamented that he had done. His discourse ever arises
+from a fulness of the matter before him, and not from ostentation or
+triumph of his understanding; for though he seldom delivers what he need
+fear being repeated, he speaks without having that end in view; and his
+forbearance of calumny or bitterness, is owing rather to his good nature
+than his discretion; for which reason, he is esteemed a gentleman
+perfectly qualified for conversation, in whom a general goodwill to
+mankind takes off the necessity of caution and circumspection. We had
+at the same time that evening the best sort of companion that can be, a
+good-natured old man. This person meets in the company of young men,
+veneration for his benevolence, and is not only valued for the good
+qualities of which he is master, but reaps an acceptance from the pardon
+he gives to other men's faults: and the ingenuous sort of men with whom
+he converses, have so just a regard for him, that he rather is an
+example, than a check to their behaviour. For this reason, as Senecio
+never pretends to be a man of pleasure before youth, so young men never
+set up for wisdom before Senecio; so that you never meet, where he is,
+those monsters of conversation, who are grave or gay above their years.
+He never converses but with followers of nature and good sense, where
+all that is uttered is only the effect of a communicable temper, and not
+of emulation to excel their companions; all desire of superiority being
+a contradiction to that spirit which makes a just conversation, the very
+essence of which is mutual goodwill. Hence it is, that I take it for a
+rule, that the natural, and not the acquired man, is the companion.
+Learning, wit, gallantry, and good breeding, are all but subordinate
+qualities in society, and are of no value, but as they are subservient
+to benevolence, and tend to a certain manner of being or appearing equal
+to the rest of the company; for conversation is composed of an assembly
+of men, as they are men, and not as they are distinguished by fortune:
+therefore he that brings his quality with him into conversation, should
+always pay the reckoning; for he came to receive homage, and not to meet
+his friends--But the din about my ears from the clamour of the people I
+was with this evening, has carried me beyond my intended purpose, which
+was to explain upon the Order of Merry Fellows; but I think I may
+pronounce of them, as I heard good Senecio, with a spice of wit of the
+last age, say, viz. that a Merry Fellow is the Saddest Fellow in the
+world.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 437: See No. 44. Blackall was a bishop; and the University of
+Oxford had declared publicly in his favour.]
+
+[Footnote 438: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 439: A meeting for conferring degrees, when speeches, &c., are
+delivered.]
+
+[Footnote 440: An undergraduate who made extempore speeches at the Act,
+often of a very satirical kind. Sometimes there were two _terræ filii_,
+who carried on a dialogue. In 1721, Amberst published a periodical with
+the title "Terræ-Filius: or, The Secret History of the University of
+Oxford," and these papers were reprinted in two volumes in 1726, with a
+curious engraving of the Theatre at Oxford, by Hogarth, as
+frontispiece.]
+
+[Footnote 441: See No. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 442: In an Essay "Of Heroic Plays," prefixed to his play,
+"Almanzor and Almahide; or, The Conquest of Granada," Dryden defended at
+length the character of Almanzor.]
+
+[Footnote 443: This village is the scene of Dr. William King's play,
+"Joan of Hedington" ("Works," 1776, vol. iii. p. 16).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 46. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 23_, to _Tuesday, July 26_, 1709.
+
+    Non bene conveniunt, nec in una sede morantur,
+    Majestas et amor.
+                                            OVID, Met. ii. 846.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 25.
+
+We see every day volumes written against that tyrant of human life
+called Love, and yet there is no help found against his cruelties, or
+barrier against the inroads he is pleased to make into the mind of man.
+After this preface, you will expect I am going to give particular
+instances of what I have asserted. That expectation cannot be raised too
+high for the novelty of the history, and manner of life, of the Emperor
+Aurengezebe,[444] who has resided for some years in the cities of London
+and Westminster, with the air and mien indeed of his imperial quality,
+but the equipage and appointment only of a private gentleman. This
+potentate, for a long series of time, appeared from the hour of twelve
+till that of two at a coffee-house near the 'Change, and had a seat
+(though without a canopy) sacred to himself, where he gave diurnal
+audiences concerning commerce, politics, tare and tret, usury and
+abatement, with all things necessary for helping the distressed, who
+were willing to give one limb for the better maintenance of the rest; or
+such joyous youths, whose philosophy is confined to the present hour,
+and were desirous to call in the revenue of next half-year to double the
+enjoyment of this. Long did this growing monarch employ himself after
+this manner: and as alliances are necessary to all great kingdoms, he
+took particularly the interests of Lewis XIV. into his care and
+protection. When all mankind were attacking that unhappy monarch, and
+those who had neither valour nor wit to oppose against him would be
+still showing their impotent malice by laying wagers in opposition to
+his interests, Aurengezebe ever took the part of his contemporary, and
+laid immense treasures on his side in defence of his important magazine
+of Toulon. Aurengezebe also had all this while a constant intelligence
+with India, and his letters were answered in jewels, which he soon made
+brilliant, and caused to be affixed to his imperial castor, which he
+always wears cocked in front, to show his defiance; with a heap of
+imperial snuff in the middle of his ample visage, to show his sagacity.
+The zealots for this little spot called Great Britain fell universally
+into this emperor's policies, and paid homage to his superior genius, in
+forfeiting their coffers to his treasury: but wealth and wisdom are
+possessions too solemn not to give weariness to active minds, without
+the relief (in vacant hours) of wit and love, which are the proper
+amusements of the powerful and the wise: this emperor therefore, with
+great regularity, every day at five in the afternoon, leaves his
+money-changers, his publicans, and little hoarders of wealth, to their
+low pursuits, and ascends his chariot to drive to Will's; where the
+taste is refined, and a relish given to men's possessions, by a polite
+skill in gratifying their passions and appetites. There it is that the
+emperor has learned to live and to love, and not, like a miser, to gaze
+only on his ingots or his treasures; but with a nobler satisfaction, to
+live the admiration of others, for his splendour and happiness in being
+master of them. But a prince is no more to be his own caterer in his
+love, than in his food; therefore Aurengezebe has ever in waiting two
+purveyors for his dishes, and his wenches for his retired hours, by whom
+the scene of his diversion is prepared in the following manner:
+
+There is near Covent Garden a street known by the name of Drury, which,
+before the days of Christianity, was purchased by the Queen of Paphos,
+and is the only part of Great Britain where the tenure of vassalage is
+still in being. All that long course of building is under particular
+districts or ladyships, after the manner of lordships in other parts,
+over which matrons of known abilities preside, and have, for the support
+of their age and infirmities, certain taxes paid out of the rewards for
+the amorous labours of the young. This seraglio of Great Britain is
+disposed into convenient alleys and apartments, and every house, from
+the cellar to the garret, inhabited by nymphs of different orders, that
+persons of every rank may be accommodated with an immediate consort, to
+allay their flames, and partake of their cares. Here it is, that when
+Aurengezebe thinks fit to give a loose to dalliance, the purveyors
+prepare the entertainments; and what makes it more august is, that every
+person concerned in the interlude has his set part, and the prince sends
+beforehand word what he designs to say, and directs also the very answer
+which shall be made to him.
+
+It has been before hinted, that this emperor has a continual commerce
+with India; and it is to be noted, that the largest stone that rich
+earth has produced, is in our Aurengezebe's possession.
+
+But all things are now disposed for his reception. At his entrance into
+the seraglio, a servant delivers him his bever of state and love, on
+which is fixed this inestimable jewel as his diadem. When he is seated,
+the purveyors, Pandarus and Nuncio, marching on each side of the matron
+of the house, introduce her into his presence. In the midst of the room,
+they bow altogether to the diadem.
+
+When the matron:
+
+"Whoever thou art (as thy awful aspect speaks thee a man of power), be
+propitious to this mansion of love, and let not the severity of thy
+wisdom disdain, that by the representation of naked innocence, or
+pastoral figures, we revive in thee the memory at least of that power of
+Venus, to which all the wise and the brave are some part of their lives
+devoted." Aurengezebe consents by a nod, and they go out backward.
+
+After this, an unhappy nymph, who is to be supposed just escaped from
+the hands of a ravisher, with her tresses dishevelled, runs into the
+room with a dagger in her hand, and falls before the emperor.
+
+"Pity, oh! pity! whoever thou art, an unhappy virgin, whom one of thy
+train has robbed of her innocence; her innocence, which was all her
+portion--Or rather, let me die like the memorable Lucretia--" Upon which
+she stabs herself. The body is immediately examined after the manner of
+our coroners. Lucretia recovers by a cup of right Nantes; and the
+matron, who is her next relation, stops all process at law.
+
+This unhappy affair is no sooner over, but a naked mad woman breaks into
+the room, calls for her duke, her lord, her emperor. As soon as she
+spies Aurengezebe, the object of all her fury and love, she calls for
+petticoats, is ready to sink with shame, and is dressed in all haste in
+new attire at his charge. This unexpected accident of the mad woman
+makes Aurengezebe curious to know, whether others who are in their
+senses can guess at his quality. For which reason the whole convent is
+examined one by one. The matron marches in with a tawdry country girl:
+"Pray, Winifred," says she, "who do you think that fine man with those
+jewels and pearls is?" "I believe," says Winifred, "it is our landlord.
+It must be the squire himself." The emperor laughs at her simplicity.
+"Go, fool," says the matron: then turning to the emperor, "Your
+greatness will pardon her ignorance!" After her, several others of
+different characters are instructed to mistake who he is in the same
+manner: then the whole sisterhood are called together, and the emperor
+rises, and cocking his hat, declares, he is the Great Mogul, and they
+his concubines. A general murmur goes through the assembly, and
+Aurengezebe certifying, that he keeps them for state rather than use,
+tells them, they are permitted to receive all men into their apartments;
+then proceeds through the crowd, among whom he throws medals shaped like
+half-crowns, and returns to his chariot.
+
+This being all that passed the last day in which Aurengezebe visited the
+women's apartments, I consulted Pacolet concerning the foundation of
+such strange amusements in old age: to which he answered; "You may
+remember, when I gave you an account of my good fortune in being drowned
+on the thirtieth day of my human life, I told you of the disasters I
+should otherwise have met with before I arrived at the end of my stamen,
+which was sixty years. I may now add an observation to you, that all who
+exceed that period, except the latter part of it is spent in the
+exercise of virtue and contemplation of futurity, must necessarily fall
+into an indecent old age, because, with regard to all the enjoyments of
+the years of vigour and manhood, childhood returns upon them: and as
+infants ride on sticks, build houses in dirt, and make ships in gutters,
+by a faint idea of things they are to act hereafter; so old men play the
+lovers, potentates, and emperors, from the decaying image of the more
+perfect performances of their stronger years: therefore be sure to
+insert Æsculapius and Aurengezebe in your next bill of mortality of the
+metaphorically defunct."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 24.
+
+As soon as I came hither this evening, no less than ten people produced
+the following poem, which they all reported was sent to each of them by
+the penny post from an unknown hand. All the battle-writers in the room
+were in debate, who could be the author of a piece so martially written;
+and everybody applauded the address and skill of the author, in calling
+it a Postscript: it being the nature of a postscript to contain
+something very material which was forgotten, or not clearly expressed in
+the letter itself. Thus, the verses being occasioned by a march without
+beat of drum, and that circumstance being no ways taken notice of in any
+of the stanzas, the author calls it a postscript; not that it is a
+postscript, but figuratively, because it wants a postscript. Common
+writers, when what they mean is not expressed in the book itself, supply
+it by a preface; but a postscript seems to me the more just way of
+apology; because otherwise a man makes an excuse before the offence is
+committed. All the heroic poets were guessed at for its author; but
+though we could not find out his name, yet one repeated a couplet in
+"Hudibras" which spoke his qualifications:
+
+    _"I' th' midst of all this warlike rabble,
+    Crowdero marched, expert and able"_[445]
+
+The poem is admirably suited to the occasion: for to write without
+discovering your meaning, bears a just resemblance to marching without
+beat of drum.
+
+#On the March to Tournay without Beat of Drum.#
+
+#The Brussels POSTSCRIPT.#[446]
+
+      Could I with plainest words express
+      That great man's wonderful address,
+    His penetration, and his towering thought;
+      It would the gazing world surprise,
+      To see one man at all times wise,
+    To view the wonders he with ease has wrought.
+
+      Refining schemes approach his mind,
+      Like breezes of a southern wind,
+    To temperate a sultry glorious day;
+      Whose fannings, with an useful pride,
+      Its mighty heat doth softly guide,
+    And having cleared the air, glide silently away.
+
+      Thus his immensity of thought
+      Is deeply formed, and gently wrought,
+    His temper always softening life's disease;
+      That Fortune, when she does intend
+      To rudely frown, she turns his friend,
+    Admires his judgment, and applauds his ease.
+
+    His great address in this design,
+      Does now, and will for ever shine,
+    And wants a Waller but to do him right:
+      The whole amusement was so strong,
+      Like fate he doomed them to be wrong,
+    And Tournay's took by a peculiar sleight.
+
+      Thus, madam, all mankind behold
+      Your vast ascendant, not by gold,
+    But by your wisdom, and your pious life;
+      Your aim no more than to destroy
+      That which does Europe's ease annoy,
+    And supersede a reign of shame and strife.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 24.
+
+My brethren of the quill, the ingenious society of news-writers, having
+with great spirit and elegance already informed the world, that the town
+of Tournay capitulated on the 28th instant, there is nothing left for me
+to say, but to congratulate the good company here, that we have reason
+to hope for an opportunity of thanking Mr. Withers[447] next winter in
+this place, for the service he has done his country. No man deserves
+better of his friends than that gentleman, whose distinguishing
+character it is, that he gives his orders with the familiarity, and
+enjoys his fortune with the generosity, of a fellow-soldier. His Grace
+the Duke of Argyle had also an eminent part in the reduction of this
+important place. That illustrious youth[448] discovers the peculiar
+turn of spirit and greatness of soul which only make men of high birth
+and quality useful to their country; and considers nobility as an
+imaginary distinction, unless accompanied with the practice of those
+generous virtues by which it ought to be obtained. But[449] that our
+military glory is arrived at its present height, and that men of all
+ranks so passionately affect their share in it, is certainly owing to
+the merit and conduct of our glorious general; for as the great secret
+in chemistry, though not in nature, has occasioned many useful
+discoveries; and the fantastic notion of being wholly disinterested in
+friendship, has made men do a thousand generous actions above
+themselves; so, though the present grandeur and fame of the Duke of
+Marlborough is a station of glory to which no one hopes to arrive, yet
+all carry their actions to a higher pitch, by having that great example
+laid before them.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 444: "Aurenzeb is Tom Colson, who never had any friendship
+with anybody but S'r Edward Seymour, who brought him into Parliament"
+(Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709; "Wentworth Papers," p. 97).
+Thomas Coulson was elected M.P. for Totnes, with Sir Edward Seymour,
+Bart., in 1698. He was re-elected in 1701, 1702, and in 1705. At the
+election of 1708, Sir Edward Seymour, previously member for Exeter, was
+elected for Totnes; but in 1710, Sir Edward having transferred himself
+to Great Bedwyn, Coulson again became member for Totnes. In 1715,
+Coulson's arrest was sought in the neighbourhood of Bristol for joining
+in the rising on behalf of the Pretender; see a letter of Addison's in
+Hist. MSS. Comm., Second Report, p. 250.]
+
+[Footnote 445: "Hudibras," part i. canto ii. 105-6. Butler wrote, "I'
+the head," &c.]
+
+[Footnote 446: "I should have given you a key to the two _Tatlers_ I
+sent you last, the Brussels Postscript are verses of Crowders. He show'd
+them me in manuscript" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709;
+"Wentworth Papers," p. 97). See No. 17 note on Brigadier Crowther.]
+
+[Footnote 447: General Henry Withers commanded at the capitulation of
+Tournay. On his death in 1729, he was buried in Westminster Abbey. Pope
+wrote an epitaph beginning:
+
+    "Here, Withers, rest! thou bravest, gentlest mind,
+    Thy country's friend, but more of human-kind."
+]
+
+[Footnote 448: John, second Duke of Argyle (1678-1743), took an active
+part in the battles of Ramilies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, and at the
+siege of Tournay.]
+
+[Footnote 449: There was a long-standing hostility between the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Duke of Argyle.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 47. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 26_, to _Thursday, July 28_, 1709.
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            Juv., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 27.
+
+My friend Sir Thomas[450] has communicated to me his letters from Epsom
+of the 25th instant, which give, in general, a very good account of the
+posture of affairs at present in that place; but that the tranquillity
+and correspondence[451] of the company begins to be interrupted by the
+arrival of Sir Taffety Trippet,[452] a fortune-hunter, whose follies
+are too gross to give diversion; and whose vanity is too stupid to let
+him be sensible that he is a public offence. But if people will indulge
+a splenetic humour, it is impossible to be at ease, when such creatures
+as are the scandal of our species, set up for gallantry and adventures.
+It will be much more easy therefore to laugh him into reason, than
+convert him from his foppery by any serious contempt. I knew a gentleman
+that made it a maxim to open his doors, and ever run into the way of
+bullies, to avoid their insolence. The rule will hold as well with
+coxcombs: they are never mortified, but when they see you receive, and
+despise them; otherwise they rest assured, that it is your ignorance
+makes them out of your good graces; or, that it is only want of
+admittance prevents their being amiable where they are shunned and
+avoided. But Sir Taffety is a fop of so sanguine complexion, that I fear
+it will be very hard for the fair one he at present pursues to get rid
+of the chase, without being so tired, as for her own ease to fall into
+the mouth of the mongrel she runs from. But the history of Sir Taffety
+is as pleasant as his character. It happened, that when he first set up
+for a fortune-hunter, he chose Tunbridge for the scene of action; where
+were at that time two sisters upon the same design. The knight believed
+of course the elder must be the better prize; and consequently makes all
+his sail that way. People that want sense, do always in an egregious
+manner want modesty, which made our hero triumph in making his amour as
+public as was possible. The adored lady was no less vain of his public
+addresses. An attorney with one cause is not half so restless as a woman
+with one lover. Wherever they met, they talked to each other aloud,
+chose each other partner at balls, saluted at the most conspicuous parts
+of the service at church, and practised in honour of each other all the
+remarkable particularities which are usual for persons who admire one
+another, and are contemptible to the rest of the world. These two lovers
+seemed as much made for each other as Adam and Eve, and all pronounced
+it a match of Nature's own making; but the night before the nuptials (so
+universally approved), the younger sister, envious of the good fortune
+even of her sister, who had been present at most of their interviews,
+and had an equal taste for the charms of a fop (as there are a set of
+women made for that order of men); the younger, I say, unable to see so
+rich a prize pass by her, discovered to Sir Taffety, that a coquette
+air, much tongue, and three suits, was all the portion of his mistress.
+His love vanished that moment, himself and equipage the next morning. It
+is uncertain where the lover has been ever since engaged; but certain it
+is, he has not appeared in his character as a follower of love and
+fortune till he arrived at Epsom, where there is at present a young lady
+of youth, beauty, and fortune, who has alarmed[453] all the vain and the
+impertinent to infest that quarter. At the head of this assembly, Sir
+Taffety shines in the brightest manner, with all the accomplishments
+which usually ensnare the heart of woman; with this particular merit
+(which often is of great service), that he is laughed at for her sake.
+The friends of the fair one are in much pain for the sufferings she goes
+through from the perseverance of this hero; but they may be much more so
+from the danger of his succeeding, toward which they give him a helping
+hand, if they dissuade her with bitterness; for there is a fantastical
+generosity in the sex, to approve creatures of the least merit
+imaginable, when they see the imperfections of their admirers are become
+the marks of derision for their sakes; and there is nothing so frequent,
+as that he who was contemptible to a woman in her own judgment, has won
+her by being too violently opposed by others.
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 27.
+
+In the several capacities I bear, of astrologer, civilian, and
+physician, I have with great application studied the public emolument:
+to this end serve all my lucubrations, speculations, and whatever other
+labours I undertake, whether nocturnal or diurnal. On this motive am I
+induced to publish a never-failing medicine for the spleen: my
+experience in this distemper came from a very remarkable cure on my ever
+worthy friend Tom Spindle,[454] who, through excessive gaiety, had
+exhausted that natural stock of wit and spirits he had long been blessed
+with: he was sunk and flattened to the lowest degree imaginable, sitting
+whole hours over the "Book of Martyrs," and "Pilgrim's Progress"; his
+other contemplations never rising higher than the colour of his urine,
+or regularity of his pulse. In this condition I found him, accompanied
+by the learned Dr. Drachm, and a good old nurse. Drachm had prescribed
+magazines of herbs, and mines of steel. I soon discovered the malady,
+and descanted on the nature of it, till I convinced both the patient and
+his nurse, that the spleen is not to be cured by medicine, but by
+poetry. Apollo, the author of physic, shone with diffusive rays the best
+of poets as well as of physicians; and it is in this double capacity
+that I have made my way, and have found, sweet, easy, flowering numbers,
+are oft superior to our noblest medicines. When the spirits are low, and
+nature sunk, the muse, with sprightly and harmonious notes, gives an
+unexpected turn with a grain of poetry, which I prepare without the use
+of mercury. I have done wonders in this kind; for the spleen is like the
+tarantula,[455] the effects of whose malignant poison are to be
+prevented by no other remedy but the charms of music: for you are to
+understand, that as some noxious animals carry antidotes for their own
+poisons; so there is something equally unaccountable in poetry: for
+though it is sometimes a disease, it is to be cured only by itself. Now
+I knowing Tom Spindle's constitution, and that he is not only a pretty
+gentleman, but also a pretty poet, found the true cause of his distemper
+was a violent grief that moved his affections too strongly: for during
+the late Treaty of Peace, he had written a most excellent poem on that
+subject; and when he wanted but two lines in the last stanza for
+finishing the whole piece, there comes news that the French tyrant would
+not sign. Spindle in few days took his bed, and had lain there still,
+had not I been sent for. I immediately told him, there was great
+probability the French would now sue to us for peace. I saw immediately
+a new life in his eyes; and knew, that nothing could help him forward
+so well, as hearing verses which he would believe worse than his own; I
+read him therefore the "Brussels Postscript";[456] after which I recited
+some heroic lines of my own, which operated so strongly on the tympanum
+of his ear, that I doubt not but I have kept out all other sounds for a
+fortnight; and have reason to hope, we shall see him abroad the day
+before his poem. This you see, is a particular secret I have found out,
+viz., that you are not to choose your physician for his knowledge in
+your distemper, but for having it himself. Therefore I am at hand for
+all maladies arising from poetical vapours, beyond which I never
+pretend. For being called the other day to one in love, I took indeed
+their three guineas, and gave them my advice; which was, to send for
+Æsculapius.[457] Æsculapius, as soon as he saw the patient, cries out,
+"'Tis love! 'tis love! Oh! the unequal pulse! these are the symptoms a
+lover feels; such sighs, such pangs, attend the uneasy mind; nor can our
+art, or all our boasted skill, avail--Yet O fair! for thee--" Thus the
+sage ran on, and owned the passion which he pitied, as well as that he
+felt a greater pain than ever he cured. After which he concluded, "All I
+can advise, is marriage: charms and beauty will give new life and
+vigour, and turn the course of nature to its better prospect." This is
+the new way; and thus Æsculapius has left his beloved powders, and
+writes a recipe for a wife at sixty. In short, my friend followed the
+prescription, and married youth and beauty in its perfect bloom.
+
+    _Supine in Silvia's snowy arms he lies,
+    And all the busy care of life defies:
+    Each happy hour is filled with fresh delight,
+    While peace the day, and pleasure crowns the night._
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 27.
+
+Tragical passion was the subject of the discourse where I last visited
+this evening; and a gentleman who knows that I am at present writing a
+very deep tragedy, directed his discourse in a particular manner to me.
+"It is the common fault," said he, "of you, gentlemen, who write in the
+buskin style, that you give us rather the sentiments of such who behold
+tragical events, than of such who bear a part in them themselves. I
+would advise all who pretend this way, to read Shakespeare with care,
+and they will soon be deterred from putting forth what is usually called
+'tragedy.' The way of common writers in this kind, is rather the
+description, than the expression of sorrow. There is no medium in these
+attempts; and you must go to the very bottom of the heart, or it is all
+mere language; and the writer of such lines is no more a poet, than a
+man is a physician for knowing the names of distempers, without the
+causes of them. Men of sense are professed enemies to all such empty
+labours: for he who pretends to be sorrowful, and is not, is a wretch
+yet more contemptible than he who pretends to be merry, and is not. Such
+a tragedian is only maudlin drunk." The gentleman went on with much
+warmth; but all he could say had little effect upon me: but when I came
+hither, I so far observed his counsel, that I looked into Shakespeare.
+The tragedy I dipped into was, "Harry the Fourth." In the scene where
+Morton is preparing to tell Northumberland of his son's death, the old
+man does not give him time to speak, but says,
+
+    "_The whiteness of thy cheeks
+    Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand;
+    Even such a man, so faint, so spiritless,
+    So dull, so dead in look, so woebegone,
+    Drew Priam's curtain at the dead of night,
+    And would have told him half his Troy was burnt:
+    But Priam found the fire, ere he his tongue,
+    And I my Percy's death ere thou reportest it_"[458]
+
+The image in this place is wonderfully noble and great; yet this man in
+all this is but rising towards his great affliction, and is still enough
+himself, as you see, to make a simile: but when he is certain of his
+son's death, he is lost to all patience, and gives up all the regards of
+this life; and since the last of evils is fallen upon him, he calls for
+it upon all the world.
+
+      "_Now let not Nature's hand
+    Keep the wild flood confined; let Order die,
+    And let the world no longer be a stage,
+    To feed contention in a lingering act;
+    But let one spirit of the firstborn Cain
+    Reign in all bosoms, that each heart being set
+    On bloody courses, the wide scene may end,
+    And darkness be the burier of the dead_."
+
+Reading but this one scene has convinced me, that he who describes the
+concern of great men, must have a soul as noble, and as susceptible of
+high thoughts, as they whom he represents: I shall therefore lay by my
+drama for some time, and turn my thoughts to cares and griefs, somewhat
+below that of heroes, but no less moving. A misfortune proper for me to
+take notice of, has too lately happened: the disconsolate Maria[459] has
+three days kept her chamber for the loss of the beauteous Fidelia, her
+lap-dog. Lesbia herself[460] did not shed more tears for her sparrow.
+What makes her the more concerned, is, that we know not whether Fidelia
+was killed or stolen; but she was seen in the parlour window when the
+train-bands went by, and never since. Whoever gives notice of her, dead
+or alive, shall be rewarded with a kiss of her lady.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 450: See No. 16.]
+
+[Footnote 451: Intercourse.]
+
+[Footnote 452: Henry Cromwell (died 1728) was a correspondent of Pope's,
+and a friend of Wycherley's. "I cannot choose," wrote Mrs. Elizabeth
+Thomas, "but be pleased with the conquest of a person whose fame our
+incomparable Tatler has rendered immortal, by the three distinguishing
+titles of 'Squire Easy the amorous bard'; 'Sir Timothy the critic'; and
+'Sir Taffety Trippet the fortune-hunter'" ("Pylades and Corinna," i. 96,
+194). See also Nos. 49, 165. Cromwell was a man about town, of private
+means, with property in Lincolnshire, who had contributed verses to
+Tonson's "Miscellany." Gay ("Mr. Pope's Welcome from Greece," st. xvii.)
+speaks of "Honest, hatless Cromwell, with red breeches."]
+
+[Footnote 453: Called forth, drawn as with an alarum.]
+
+[Footnote 454: Henry Cromwell; see note on p. 380. According to another
+suggestion, Spindle is intended for Thomas Tickell, who published a
+poem, "The Prospect of Peace," in 1713; but it is not probable that in
+1709 either Addison or Steele would have satirised him; and Cromwell may
+very likely have written verses on the same subject.]
+
+[Footnote 455: A spider named from Tarentum, in Apulia. Strange stories
+were told of the effects of its bite, and of their cure by music and
+dancing.]
+
+[Footnote 456: See No. 46.]
+
+[Footnote 457: Dr. Radcliffe. See No. 44.]
+
+[Footnote 458: 2 Henry IV., act i. sc. I.]
+
+[Footnote 459: "This _Tatler_ I know nothing of, only they say the
+Dutchess of Montague has lately lost a bitch she call'd fidel, and has
+had it cry'd."--(Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby; "Wentworth Papers," p.
+97.)]
+
+[Footnote 460: See Catullus, passim.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 48. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, July 28_, to _Saturday, July 30_, 1709.
+
+    --Virtutem verba putant, et
+    Lucum ligna.
+                                            HOR., 1 Ep. vi. 31.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 29.
+
+This day I obliged Pacolet to entertain me with matters which regarded
+persons of his own character and occupation. We chose to take our walk
+on Tower Hill; and as we were coming from thence in order to stroll as
+far as Garraway's,[461] I observed two men, who had but just landed,
+coming from the waterside. I thought there was something uncommon in
+their mien and aspect; but though they seemed by their visage to be
+related, yet was there a warmth in their manner, as if they differed
+very much in their sentiments of the subject on which they were talking.
+One of them seemed to have a natural confidence, mixed with an ingenious
+freedom in his gesture, his dress very plain, but very graceful and
+becoming: the other, in the midst of an overbearing carriage, betrayed
+(by frequently looking round him) a suspicion that he was not enough
+regarded by those he met, or that he feared they would make some attack
+upon him. This person was much taller than his companion, and added to
+that height the advantage of a feather in his hat, and heels to his
+shoes so monstrously high, that he had three or four times fallen down,
+had he not been supported by his friend. They made a full stop as they
+came within a few yards of the place where we stood. The plain gentleman
+bowed to Pacolet; the other looked on him with some displeasure: upon
+which I asked him, who they both were, when he thus informed me of their
+persons and circumstances.
+
+"You may remember, Mr. Isaac, that I have often told you, there are
+beings of a superior rank to mankind, who frequently visit the
+habitations of men, in order to call them from some wrong pursuits in
+which they are actually engaged, or divert them from methods which will
+lead them into errors for the future. He that will carefully reflect
+upon the occurrences of his life, will find he has been sometimes
+extricated out of difficulties, and received favours where he could
+never have expected such benefits; as well as met with cross events from
+some unseen hand, which have disappointed his best laid designs. Such
+accidents arrive from the interventions of aërial beings, as they are
+benevolent or hurtful to the nature of man, and attend his steps in the
+tracts of ambition, of business, and of pleasure. Before I ever appeared
+to you in the manner I do now, I have frequently followed you in your
+evening walks, and have often, by throwing some accident in your way, as
+the passing by of a funeral, or the appearance of some other solemn
+object, given your imagination a new turn, and changed a night you had
+destined to mirth and jollity, into an exercise of study and
+contemplation. I was the old soldier who met you last summer in Chelsea
+Fields, and pretended that I had broken my wooden leg, and could not get
+home; but I snapped it short off on purpose, that you might fall into
+the reflections you did on that subject, and take me into your hack. If
+you remember, you made yourself very merry on that fracture, and asked
+me, whether I thought I should next winter feel cold in the toes of that
+leg? As is usually observed, that those who lose limbs, are sensible of
+pains in the extreme parts, even after those limbs are cut off. However,
+my keeping you then in the story of the battle of the Boyne, prevented
+an assignation, which would have led you into more disasters than I then
+related.
+
+"To be short; those two persons you see yonder, are such as I am; they
+are not real men, but are mere shades and figures: one is named Alethes;
+the other, Verisimilis. Their office is to be the guardians and
+representatives of Conscience and Honour. They are now going to visit
+the several parts of the town, to see how their interests in the world
+decay or flourish, and to purge themselves from the many false
+imputations they daily meet with in the commerce and conversation of
+men. You observed Verisimilis frowned when he first saw me. What he is
+provoked at, is, that I told him one day, though he strutted and dressed
+with so much ostentation, if he kept himself within his own bounds, he
+was but a lackey, and wore only that gentleman's livery whom he is now
+with. This frets him to the heart; for you must know, he has pretended a
+long time to set up for himself, and gets among a crowd of the more
+unthinking part of mankind, who take him for a person of the first
+quality; though his introduction into the world was wholly owing to his
+present companion."
+
+This encounter was very agreeable to me, and I was resolved to dog
+them, and desired Pacolet to accompany me. I soon perceived what he told
+me in the gesture of the persons: for when they looked at each other in
+discourse, the well-dressed man suddenly cast down his eyes, and
+discovered that the other had a painful superiority over him. After some
+further discourse, they took leave. The plain gentleman went down
+towards Thames Street, in order to be present, at least, at the oaths
+taken at the Custom-house; and the other made directly for the heart of
+the city. It is incredible how great a change there immediately appeared
+in the man of honour when he got rid of his uneasy companion: he
+adjusted the cock of his hat anew, settled his sword-knot, and had an
+appearance that attracted a sudden inclination for him and his interests
+in all who beheld him. "For my part," said I to Pacolet, "I cannot but
+think you are mistaken in calling this person, of the lower quality; for
+he looks much more like a gentleman than the other. Don't you observe
+all eyes are upon him as he advances: how each sex gazes at his stature,
+aspect, address, and motion?" Pacolet only smiled, and shaked his head;
+as leaving me to be convinced by my own further observation. We kept on
+our way after him till we came to Exchange Alley, where the plain
+gentleman again came up to the other; and they stood together after the
+manner of eminent merchants, as if ready to receive application; but I
+could observe no man talk to either of them. The one was laughed at as a
+fop; and I heard many whispers against the other, as a whimsical sort of
+fellow, and a great enemy to trade. They crossed Cornhill together, and
+came into the full 'Change, where some bowed, and gave themselves airs
+in being known to so fine a man as Verisimilis, who, they said, had
+great interests in all princes' courts; and the other was taken notice
+of by several as one they had seen somewhere long before. One more
+particularly said, he had formerly been a man of consideration in the
+world; but was so unlucky, that they who dealt with him, by some strange
+infatuation or other, had a way of cutting off their own bills, and were
+prodigiously slow in improving their stock. But as much as I was curious
+to observe the reception these gentlemen met with upon 'Change, I could
+not help being interrupted by one that came up towards us, to whom
+everybody made their compliments. He was of the common height, and in
+his dress there seemed to be great care to appear no way particular,
+except in a certain exact and feat[462] manner of behaviour and
+circumspection. He was wonderfully careful that his shoes and clothes
+should be without the least speck upon them; and seemed to think, that
+on such an accident depended his very life and fortune. There was hardly
+a man on 'Change who had not a note upon him; and each seemed very well
+satisfied that their money lay in his hands, without demanding payment.
+I asked Pacolet, what great merchant that was, who was so universally
+addressed to, yet made too familiar an appearance to command that
+extraordinary deference? Pacolet answered, "This person is the demon or
+genius of credit: his name is Umbra. If you observe, he follows Alethes
+and Verisimilis at a distance; and indeed has no foundation for the
+figure he makes in the world, but that he is thought to keep their cash;
+though at the same time, none who trust him would trust the others for a
+groat." As the company rolled about, the three spectres were jumbled
+into one place: when they were so, and all thought there was an alliance
+between them, they immediately drew upon them the business of the whole
+'Change. But their affairs soon increased to such an unwieldy bulk, that
+Alethes took his leave, and said, he would not engage further than he
+had an immediate fund to answer. Verisimilis pretended that though he
+had revenues large enough to go on his own bottom, yet it was below one
+of his family to condescend to trade in his own name; therefore he also
+retired. I was extremely troubled to see the glorious mart of London
+left with no other guardian, but him of credit. But Pacolet told me,
+that traders had nothing to do with the honour or conscience of their
+correspondents, provided they supported a general behaviour in the
+world, which could not hurt their credit or their purses: "for," said
+he, "you may in this one tract of building of London and Westminster see
+the imaginary motives on which the greatest affairs move, as well as in
+rambling over the face of the earth. For though Alethes is the real
+governor, as well as legislator of mankind, he has very little business
+but to make up quarrels, and is only a general referee, to whom every
+man pretends to appeal; but is satisfied with his determinations no
+further than they promote his own interest. Hence it is, that the
+soldier and the courtier model their actions according to Verisimilis'
+manner, and the merchant according to that of Umbra. Among these men,
+honour and credit are not valuable possessions in themselves, or pursued
+out of a principle of justice; but merely as they are serviceable to
+ambition and to commerce. But the world will never be in any manner of
+order or tranquillity, till men are firmly convinced, that conscience,
+honour, and credit, are all in one interest; and that without the
+concurrence of the former, the latter are but impositions upon ourselves
+and others. The force these delusive words have, is not seen in the
+transactions of the busy world only, but also have their tyranny over
+the fair sex. Were you to ask the unhappy Lais, what pangs of
+reflection, preferring the consideration of her honour to her
+conscience, has given her? She could tell you, that it has forced her to
+drink up half a gallon this winter of Tom Dassapas' potions; that she
+still pines away for fear of being a mother; and knows not, but the
+moment she is such, she shall be a murderess: but if conscience had as
+strong a force upon the mind, as honour, the first step to her unhappy
+condition had never been made; she had still been innocent, as she's
+beautiful. Were men so enlightened and studious of their own good, as to
+act by the dictates of their reason and reflection, and not the opinion
+of others, Conscience would be the steady ruler of human life; and the
+words, Truth, Law, Reason, Equity, and Religion, would be but synonymous
+terms for that only guide which makes us pass our days in our own favour
+and approbation."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 461: A coffee-house in Exchange Alley, Cornhill, with an
+auction-room on the first floor, where wine and other things were sold
+(see No, 147). Thomas Garway was originally a tobacconist and
+coffee-man. Defoe ("Journey through England") says that this
+coffee-house was frequented by "the people of quality who have business
+in the City, and the most considerable and wealthy citizens."]
+
+[Footnote 462: Adroit.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 49. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 30_, to _Tuesday, August 2, 1709._
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            JUV., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, August 1.
+
+The imposition of honest names and words upon improper subjects, has
+made so regular a confusion amongst us, that we are apt to sit down with
+our errors, well enough satisfied with the methods we are fallen into,
+without attempting to deliver ourselves from the tyranny under which we
+are reduced by such innovations. Of all the laudable motives of human
+life, none has suffered so much in this kind as love; under which
+revered name, a brutal desire called lust is frequently concealed and
+admitted; though they differ as much as a matron from a prostitute, or a
+companion from a buffoon. Philander[463] the other day was bewailing
+this misfortune with much indignation, and upbraided me for having some
+time since quoted those excellent lines of the satirist:
+
+    _To an exact perfection they have brought
+    The action love, the passion is forgot._[464]
+
+"How could you," said he, "leave such a hint so coldly? How could
+Aspasia[465] and Sempronia[466] enter into your imagination at the same
+time, and you never declare to us the different reception you gave them?
+The figures which the ancient mythologists and poets put upon love and
+lust in their writings, are very instructive. Love is a beauteous blind
+child, adorned with a quiver and a bow, which he plays with, and shoots
+around him, without design or direction; to intimate to us, that the
+person beloved has no intention to give us the anxieties we meet with;
+but that the beauties of a worthy object are like the charms of a lovely
+infant: they cannot but attract your concern and fondness, though the
+child so regarded is as insensible of the value you put upon it, as it
+is that it deserves your benevolence. On the other side, the sages
+figured Lust in the form of a satyr; of shape, part human, part bestial;
+to signify, that the followers of it prostitute the reason of a man to
+pursue the appetites of a beast. This satyr is made to haunt the paths
+and coverts of the wood-nymphs and shepherdesses, to lurk on the banks
+of rivulets, and watch the purling streams (as the resorts of retired
+virgins), to show, that lawless desire tends chiefly to prey upon
+innocence, and has something so unnatural in it, that it hates its own
+make, and shuns the object it loved, as soon as it has made it like
+itself. Love therefore is a child that complains and bewails its
+inability to help itself, and weeps for assistance, without an immediate
+reflection of knowledge of the food it wants: Lust, a watchful thief
+which seizes its prey, and lays snares for its own relief; and its
+principal object being innocence, it never robs, but it murders at the
+same time. From this idea of a Cupid and a Satyr, we may settle our
+notion of these different desires, and accordingly rank their followers.
+Aspasia must therefore be allowed to be the first of the beauteous Order
+of Love, whose unaffected freedom, and conscious innocence, give her the
+attendance of the graces in all her actions. That awful distance which
+we bear towards her in all our thoughts of her, and that cheerful
+familiarity with which we approach her, are certain instances of her
+being the truest object of love of any of her sex. In this accomplished
+lady, love is the constant effect, because it is never the design. Yet,
+though her mien carries much more invitation than command, to behold her
+is an immediate check to loose behaviour; and to love her is a liberal
+education:[467] for, it being the nature of all love to create an
+imitation of the beloved person in the lover, a regard for Aspasia
+naturally produces decency of manners, and good conduct of life in her
+admirers. If therefore the giggling Lucippe could but see her train of
+fops assembled, and Aspasia move by them, she would be mortified at the
+veneration with which she is beheld, even by Lucippe's own unthinking
+equipage, whose passions have long taken leave of their understandings.
+But as charity is esteemed a conjunction of the good qualities necessary
+to a virtuous man, so love is the happy composition of all the
+accomplishments that make a fine gentleman. The motive of a man's life
+is seen in all his actions; and such as have the beauteous boy for their
+inspirer have a simplicity of behaviour, and a certain evenness of
+desire, which burns like the lamp of life in their bosoms; while they
+who are instigated by the satyr are ever tortured by jealousies of the
+object of their wishes; often desire what they scorn, and as often
+consciously and knowingly embrace where they are mutually indifferent.
+
+Florio, the generous husband, and Limberham, the "kind keeper,"[468] are
+noted examples of the different effects which these desires produce in
+the mind. Amanda, who is the wife of Florio, lives in the continual
+enjoyment of new instances of her husband's friendship, and sees it the
+end of all his ambition to make her life one series of pleasure and
+satisfaction; and Amanda's relish of the goods of life, is all that
+makes them pleasing to Florio: they behave themselves to each other when
+present with a certain apparent benevolence, which transports above
+rapture; and they think of each other in absence with a confidence
+unknown to the highest friendship: their satisfactions are doubled,
+their sorrows lessened by participation. On the other hand, Corinna, who
+is the mistress of Limberham,[469] lives in constant torment: her
+equipage is, an old woman, who was what Corinna is now; an antiquated
+footman, who was pimp to Limberham's father; and a chambermaid, who is
+Limberham's wench by fits, out of a principle of politics to make her
+jealous and watchful of Corinna. Under this guard, and in this
+conversation, Corinna lives in state: the furniture of her habitation,
+and her own gorgeous dress, make her the envy of all the strolling
+ladies in the town; but Corinna knows she herself is but part of
+Limberham's household stuff, and is as capable of being disposed of
+elsewhere, as any other movable. But while her keeper is persuaded by
+his spies, that no enemy has been within his doors since his last visit,
+no Persian prince was ever so magnificently bountiful: a kind look or
+falling tear is worth a piece of brocade, a sigh is a jewel, and a smile
+is a cupboard of plate. All this is shared between Corinna and her guard
+in his absence. With this great economy and industry does the unhappy
+Limberham purchase the constant tortures of jealousy, the favour of
+spending his estate, and the opportunity of enriching one by whom he
+knows he is hated and despised. These are the ordinary and common evils
+which attend keepers, and Corinna is a wench but of common size of
+wickedness. Were you to know what passes under the roof where the fair
+Messalina reigns with her humble adorer! Messalina is the professed
+mistress of mankind; she has left the bed of her husband and her
+beauteous offspring, to give a loose to want of shame and fulness of
+desire. Wretched Nocturnus, her feeble keeper! How the poor creature
+fribbles in his gait, and scuttles from place to place to despatch his
+necessary affairs in painful daylight, that he may return to the
+constant twilight preserved in that scene of wantonness, Messalina's
+bedchamber. How does he, while he is absent from thence, consider in his
+imagination the breadth of his porter's shoulders, the spruce nightcap
+of his valet, the ready attendance of his butler! Any of all whom he
+knows she admits, and professes to approve of. This, alas! is the
+gallantry; this the freedom of our fine gentlemen: for this they
+preserve their liberty, and keep clear of that bugbear, marriage. But he
+does not understand either vice or virtue, who will not allow, that life
+without the rules of morality is a wayward uneasy being, with snatches
+only of pleasure; but under the regulation of virtue, a reasonable and
+uniform habit of enjoyment. I have seen in a play of old Heywood's, a
+speech at the end of an act, which touched this point with much spirit.
+He makes a married man in the play, upon some endearing occasion, look
+at his spouse with an air of fondness, and fall into the following
+reflection on his condition:
+
+    "_O Marriage! happiest, easiest, safest state;
+    Let debauchees and drunkards scorn thy rights,
+    Who, in their nauseous draughts and lusts, profane
+    Both thee and Heaven by whom thou wert ordained.
+    How can the savage call it loss of freedom,
+    Thus to converse with, thus to gaze at
+    A faithful, beauteous friend?
+    Blush not, my fair one, that thy love applauds thee,
+    Nor be it painful to my wedded wife,
+    That my full heart overflows in praise of thee.
+    Thou art by law, by interest, passion, mine:
+    Passion and reason join in love of thee.
+    Thus, through a world of calumny and fraud,
+    We pass both unreproached, both undeceived;
+    While in each other's interest and happiness,
+    We without art all faculties employ,
+    And all our senses without guilt enjoy_."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house August 1.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 6th instant, N.S., say, that there daily
+arrive at our camp deserters in considerable numbers; and that several
+of the enemy concealed themselves in the town of Tournay when the
+garrison marched into the citadel; after which, they presented
+themselves to the Duke of Marlborough; some of whom were commissioned
+officers. The Earl of Albemarle is appointed governor of the town. Soon
+after the surrender, there arose a dispute about a considerable work,
+which was asserted by the Allies to be part of the town, and by the
+French to belong to the citadel. It is said, Monsieur de Surville was so
+ingenious as to declare, he thought it to be comprehended within the
+limits of the town; but Monsieur de Mesgrigny, governor of the citadel,
+was of a contrary opinion. It is reported, that this affair occasioned
+great difficulties, which ended in a capitulation for the citadel
+itself; the principal article of which is, that it shall be surrendered
+on the 5th of September next, in case they are not in the meantime
+relieved. This circumstance gives foundation to believe, that the enemy
+have acted in this manner, rather from some hopes they conceive of a
+treaty of peace before that time, than any expectation from their army,
+which has retired towards their former works between Lens and La Bassée.
+These advices add, that his Excellency the Czarish Ambassador has
+communicated to the States-General, and the foreign Ministers residing
+at the Hague, a copy of a letter from his master's camp, which gives an
+account of the entire defeat of the Swedish army. They further say, that
+Count Piper is taken prisoner, and that it is doubted whether the King
+of Sweden himself was not killed in the action. We hear from Savoy, that
+Count Thaun having amused the enemy by a march as far as the Tarantaise,
+had suddenly repassed Mount Cenis, and moved towards Briançon. This
+unexpected disposition is apprehended by the enemy as a piece of the
+Duke of Savoy's dexterity; and the French adding this circumstance to
+that of the Confederate squadron's lying before Toulon, convince
+themselves, that his royal highness has his thoughts upon the execution
+of some great design in those parts.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 463: See No. 13.]
+
+[Footnote 464: See No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 465: Lady Elizabeth Hastings (see No. 42).]
+
+[Footnote 466: See No. 33.]
+
+[Footnote 467: In the _Spectator_ for March 29, 1884, Mr. Swinburne
+published a letter saying that Steele was not the author of these famous
+words,--"the most exquisite tribute ever paid to the memory of a noble
+woman"; for the article in No. 42 was by Congreve. But Mr. Justin
+McCarthy afterwards pointed out that these words occur in No. 49, not
+No. 42; and whether or no Congreve wrote the paper in No. 42 which is at
+least doubtful--the article in No. 49 is certainly Steele's.]
+
+[Footnote 468: The title of one of Dryden's plays.]
+
+[Footnote 469: Henry Cromwell and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas. See No. 47.]
+
+
+
+
+END OF VOL. I.
+
+Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. London & Edinburgh.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899, by George A. Aitken
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+Project Gutenberg's The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899, by George A. Aitken
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  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: The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899
+
+Author: George A. Aitken
+
+Release Date: October 5, 2004 [EBook #13645]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TATLER, VOLUME 1, 1899 ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jon Ingram and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+#THE TATLER#
+
+Edited with Introduction & Notes by #George A. Aitken#
+
+_Author of_ "The Life of Richard Steele," Etc.
+
+Vol. I
+
+New York
+Hadley & Mathews
+156 Fifth Avenue
+London: Duckworth & Co.
+1899
+
+
+
+Preface
+
+_The original numbers of the _Tatler_ were reissued in two forms in
+1710-11; one edition, in octavo, being published by subscription, while
+the other, in duodecimo, was for the general public. The present edition
+has been printed from a copy of the latter issue, which, as recorded on
+the title-page, was "revised and corrected by the Author"; but I have
+had by my side, for constant reference, a complete set of the folio
+sheets, containing the "Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff" in the form
+in which they were first presented to the world. Scrupulous accuracy in
+the text has been aimed at, but the eccentricities of spelling--which
+were the printer's, not the author's--have not been preserved, and the
+punctuation has occasionally been corrected.
+
+The first and the most valuable of the annotated editions of the
+_Tatler_ was published by John Nichols and others in 1786, with notes by
+Dr. Percy, Bishop of Dromore, Dr. John Calder, and Dr. Pearce, Bishop
+of Rochester; and though these notes are often irrelevant and out of
+date, they contain an immense amount of information, and have been
+freely made use of by subsequent editors. I have endeavoured to preserve
+what is of value in the older editions, and to supplement it, as
+concisely as possible, by such further information as appeared
+desirable. The eighteenth-century diaries and letters published of late
+years have in many cases enabled me to throw light on passages which
+have hitherto been obscure, and sometimes useful illustrations have been
+found in the contemporary newspapers and periodicals.
+
+The portraits of Steele, Addison, and Swift, the writers most associated
+with the _Tatler_, have been taken from contemporary engravings in the
+British Museum; and the imaginary portrait of Isaac Bickerstaff in the
+last volume is from a rare picture drawn by Lens in 1710 as a
+frontispiece to collections of the original folio numbers._
+
+G. A. A.
+
+_August 1898._
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+When the first number of the _Tatler_ appeared in 1709, Steele and
+Addison were about thirty-seven years of age, while Swift, then still
+counted among the Whigs, was more than four years their senior. Addison
+and Steele had been friends at the Charterhouse School and at Oxford,
+and though they had during the following years had varying experiences,
+their friendship had in no way lessened. Addison had been a fellow of
+his college, had gained the patronage of Charles Montague and Lord
+Somers, had made the grand tour, and published an account of his
+travels; had gained popularity by his poem "The Campaign," written in
+celebration of the victory at Blenheim; had been made an Under-Secretary
+of State, and finally (in December 1708) had been appointed secretary to
+Lord Wharton, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Steele, on the other hand,
+had enlisted in the Guards, without taking any degree; had obtained an
+ensign's commission after dedicating to Lord Cutts a poem on Queen
+Mary's death; and had written a little book called "The Christian Hero,"
+designed "to fix upon his own mind a strong impression of virtue and
+religion, in opposition to a stronger propensity towards unwarrantable
+pleasures." At the close of the same year (1701) he brought out a
+successful comedy, "The Funeral," which was followed by "The Lying
+Lover" and "The Tender Husband," plays which gave strong evidence of the
+influence of Jeremy Collier's attack on the immorality of the stage.
+"The Tender Husband" owed "many applauded strokes" to Addison, to whom
+it was dedicated by Steele, who wished "to show 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." In 1705 Steele married a lady with
+property in Barbados, and on her death married, in 1707, Mary Scurlock,
+the "dear Prue" to whom he addressed his well-known letters. For the
+rest, he had been made gentleman-waiter to Prince George of Denmark, and
+appointed Gazetteer, with a salary of �300, less a tax of �45 a year. He
+was disappointed in his hopes of obtaining the Under-Secretaryship
+vacated by Addison.
+
+From 1705 onwards there is evidence of frequent and familiar intercourse
+between Swift and Addison and Steele. After Sir William Temple's death,
+Swift had become chaplain to the Earl of Berkeley, who gave him the
+living of Laracor; and during a visit to England in 1704 he had gained a
+position in the front rank of authors by the "Tale of a Tub" and the
+"Battle of the Books." At the close of 1707 he was again in England,
+charged with a mission to obtain for the Irish clergy the remission of
+First Fruits and Tenths already conceded to the English, and throughout
+1708 what he calls "the triumvirate of Addison, Steele and me" were in
+constant communication. In that year Swift published a pamphlet called
+"A Project for the Advancement of Religion and the Reformation of
+Manners," which anticipated many of the arguments used in the _Tatler_
+and _Spectator_; and he also commenced his attack on John Partridge,
+quack doctor and maker of astrological almanacs. On the appearance of
+Partridge's "Merlinus Liberatus" for 1708, Swift--borrowing a name from
+the signboard of a shoemaker--published "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." Isaac Bickerstaff professed to be a true astrologer,
+disgusted at the lies told by impostors, and he said that he was willing
+to be hooted at as a cheat if his prophecies were not exactly fulfilled.
+His first prediction was that Partridge would die on the 29th of March;
+and on the 30th a second pamphlet was published, "The accomplishment of
+the first of Mr. Bickerstaff's Predictions ... in a letter to a person
+of quality, in which a detailed account is given of Partridge's death,
+at five minutes after seven, by which it is clear that Mr. Bickerstaff
+was mistaken almost four hours in his calculation.... Whether he had
+been the cause of this poor man's death, as well as the predictor, may
+be very reasonably disputed." The joke was maintained by Swift and
+others in various pieces, and when Partridge, in his almanac for 1709,
+protested that he was still living, Swift replied, in "A Vindication of
+Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.," which was advertised in the fifth number of
+the _Tatler_, that he could prove that Partridge was not alive; for no
+one living could have written such rubbish as the new almanac. In
+starting his new paper Steele assumed the name of the astrologer Isaac
+Bickerstaff, rendered famous by Swift, and made frequent use of Swift's
+leading idea. He himself summed up the controversy in the words, "if a
+man's art is gone, the man is gone, though his body still appear."
+
+Much has been written on the interesting question of the early history
+of the periodical press; but with one exception none of its predecessors
+had much effect on the _Tatler_. John Dunton's _Athenian Mercury_ was
+the forerunner of our _Notes and Queries_; and it was followed by the
+_British Apollo_ (1708-11), the second title of which was "Curious
+Amusements for the Ingenious. To which are added the most Material
+Occurrences, Foreign and Domestic. Performed by a Society of Gentlemen."
+_The Gentleman's Journal_ of 1692-4, a monthly paper of poems and other
+miscellaneous matter, was succeeded, in 1707, by Oldmixon's _Muses'
+Mercury; or, The Monthly Miscellany_, a periodical which contained also
+notices of new plays and books, and numbered Steele among its
+contributors. Defoe's _Review_, begun in 1704, aimed at setting the
+affairs of Europe in a clearer light, regardless of party; but, added
+Defoe, "After our serious matters are over, we shall at the end of every
+paper present you with a little diversion, as anything occurs to make
+the world merry; and whether friend or foe, one party or another, if
+anything happens so scandalous as to require an open reproof, the world
+will meet with it there." Accordingly, of the eight pages in the first
+number, one and a half pages consist of "Mercure Scandale; or, Advice
+from the Scandalous Club, Translated out of French." The censure was to
+be of the actions of men, not of parties; and the design was to expose
+not persons but things. A monthly supplement, dealing with "the
+immediate subject then on the tongues of the town," was begun in
+September 1704; and pressure on the space before long pushed the Advices
+from the Scandal Club out of the ordinary issue of the _Review_.
+Subsequently Defoe wrote more than once in praise of the way in which
+his work had been taken up by Isaac Bickerstaff.
+
+Probably the _Tatler_ was started by Steele without any very definite
+designs for the future. According to the first number, published on
+April 12, 1709, the aim was to instruct the public what to think, after
+their reading, and there was to be something for the entertainment of
+the fair sex. The numbers were published three times a week, on the
+post-days, at the price of one penny. Each paper consisted of a single
+folio sheet, and the first four were distributed gratuitously. Steele
+probably thought that his position of Gazetteer would enable him to give
+the latest news, and he says that these paragraphs brought in a
+multitude of readers; but as the position of the _Tatler_ became
+established, the need for the support of these items of news grew less,
+and after the first eighty numbers they are of rare occurrence. Quite
+early in the career of the paper Addison, speaking of the distress which
+would be caused among the news-writers by the conclusion of a peace,
+said that Bickerstaff was not personally concerned in the matter; "for
+as my chief scenes of action are coffee-houses, playhouses, and my own
+apartment, I am in no need of camps, fortifications, and fields of
+battle to support me.... I shall still be safe as long as there are men
+or women, or politicians, or lovers, or poets, or nymphs, or swains, or
+cits, or courtiers in being."[1]
+
+The subject of each article was to be indicated by the name of the
+coffee-house or other place from which it was supposed to come: "All
+accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment shall be under the
+article of White's Chocolate-house; Poetry, under that of Will's
+Coffee-house; Learning, under the title of Grecian; Foreign and Domestic
+News you will have from Saint James's Coffee-house; and what else I have
+to offer on any other subject shall be dated from my own Apartment." For
+some time each number contained short papers from all or several of
+these places; but gradually it became usual to devote the whole number
+to one topic. The motto of the first forty numbers was "Quicquid agunt
+homines ... nostri farrago libelli"; but in the following numbers it was
+changed to "Celebrare domestica facta"; and afterwards each number
+generally had a quotation bearing upon the subject of the day. Writing
+some time after the commencement of the fatter, Steele said, in the
+Dedication prefixed to the first volume, "The general purpose of this
+paper is to expose the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of
+cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general simplicity
+in our dress, our discourse, and our behaviour." And elsewhere he says:
+"As for my labours, which he is pleased to inquire after, if they but
+wear one impertinence out of human life, destroy a single vice, or give
+a morning's cheerfulness to an honest mind; in short, if the world can
+be but one virtue the better, or in any degree less vicious, or receive
+from them the smallest addition to their innocent diversions; I shall
+not think my pains, or indeed my life, to have been spent in vain."[2]
+At the close, speaking in his own name, Steele wrote: "The general
+purpose of the whole has been to recommend truth, innocence, honour, and
+virtue, as the chief ornaments of life; but I considered, that severity
+of manners was absolutely necessary to him who would censure others, and
+for that reason, and that only, chose to talk in a mask. I shall not
+carry my humility so far as to call myself a vicious man, but at the
+same time must confess my life is at best but pardonable."[3]
+
+With his usual generosity, Steele more than once spoke in the warmest
+terms of the assistance rendered to him by Addison. In the preface to
+the collected edition he said: "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 to one with whom he had
+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
+called him in I could not subsist without dependence on him." And in
+1722, after Addison's death, in a preface to his friend's play, "The
+Drummer," Steele wrote of the _Tatler_, "That paper 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."
+
+It is only fair to Steele to point out that the original idea of the
+_Tatler_ was entirely his own, and that he alone was responsible for the
+regular supply of material. Addison was in Ireland when the paper was
+begun, and did not know who was the author until several numbers had
+appeared. His occasional contributions were of little importance until
+after eighty numbers had been published; and of the whole 271 numbers
+Steele wrote about 188 and Addison only 42, while they were jointly
+responsible for 36. Swift contributed only to about a dozen numbers; and
+the assistance received from other writers was so slight that it does
+not call for notice here. Steele, unlike Addison, was probably at his
+best in the _Tatler_, where he had a freer hand, and described, in a
+perfectly fresh and unaffected style, the impressions of the moment.
+Hastily composed in coffee-house or printing-office, as they often were,
+and at very short notice, his papers frequently appeal to the reader of
+the present day more than the carefully elaborated and highly finished
+work of his friend, who wrote only when he found a suitable topic. And
+if Addison's art is of a higher standard than Steele's, it is to Steele
+that we owe Addison. A minor poet and the author of a book of travels
+and of an unsuccessful opera, Addison found no opportunity for his
+peculiar genius until his friend provided the means in the _Tatler_. It
+is tolerably certain that he would himself never have taken the
+necessary step of founding a periodical appealing to the general public;
+and Steele himself said with perfect truth, "I claim to myself the merit
+of having extorted excellent productions from a person of the greatest
+abilities, who would not have let them appear by any other means."[4]
+
+If more is said here of Steele than of Addison, it is because it is
+Steele whose name is most intimately connected with the _Tatler_. The
+field in which Addison shone brightest was the _Spectator_, where the
+whole plan was arranged in the manner best suited to his genius. But his
+influence is, nevertheless, visible in the development of the earlier
+paper, and some of his individual articles are equal to anything he
+afterwards wrote. It is only necessary to mention his papers on the
+Distress of the News-Writers[5]; on the poetaster, Ned Softly[6]; on the
+pedant and "broker in learning," Tom Folio[7]; on the Political
+Upholsterer, who was more inquisitive to know what passed in Poland than
+in his own family[8]; and on the Adventures of a Shilling.[9] His, too,
+are the Vision of Justice[10]; the story of a dream;[11] and the amusing
+account of the visit to London of Sir Harry Quickset, who, with his
+old-world breeding, was the forerunner of Sir Roger de Coverley.[12]
+
+Unlike the members of the Spectator's Club, the _dramatis person�_
+introduced in the _Tatler_ do not occupy a very prominent place in
+the development of the work. Isaac Bickerstaff himself, an old man of
+sixty-four, "a philosopher, an humourist, an astrologer, and a censor,"
+is rather vaguely sketched, and his familiar, Pacolet, is made use of
+chiefly in the earlier numbers. The occasional references to Bickerstaff's
+half-sister, Jenny Distaff,[13] and her husband, Tanquillus, and to his
+three nephews and their conduct in the presence of a "beautiful woman of
+honour,"[14] gave Steele a framework for some charming sketches of
+domestic life. It is not until No. 132 that we have the amusing account
+of the members of Bickerstaff's Club, the Trumpet, in Shire Lane. There
+were Sir Geoffrey Notch, a gentleman of an ancient family, who had
+wasted his estate in his youth, and called every thriving man a pitiful
+upstart; Major Matchlock, with his reminiscences of the Civil War; Dick
+Reptile, and the Bencher who was always praising the wit of former days,
+and telling stories of Jack Ogle, with whom he pretended to have been
+intimate in his youth. Very little use was afterwards made of this
+promising material.
+
+The poet John Gay has given an excellent account of the work
+accomplished by Steele and Addison in a pamphlet called "The Present
+State of Wit" (1711). Speaking of the discontinuance of the _Tatler_, he
+says: "His disappearing 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 newspapers 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....
+There is this 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 vain
+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
+showing them it was their own fault if they were not so; and, lastly,
+how entirely they have convinced our 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 upon a
+new way of thinking, of which they had little or no notion before; and
+though we cannot yet 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."
+
+Gay's opinion has been confirmed by the best judges of nearly two
+centuries, and there is no need to labour the question of the wit and
+wisdom of the _Tatler_. But some examples may be cited in illustration
+of the topics on which Steele and his friends wrote, and the manner in
+which they dealt with them. The very first numbers contained
+illustrations of most of what were to be the characteristics of the
+paper. There is the account of the very pretty gentleman at White's
+Chocolate-house thrown into a sad condition by a passing vision of a
+young lady; the notice of Betterton's benefit performance; the comments
+on the war; the campaign against Partridge, with the declaration that
+all who were good for nothing would be included among the deceased; the
+discussion on the morality of the stage, with praise of Mrs. Bicknell
+and reproaches upon a young nobleman who came drunk to the play; the
+comparison of the rival beauties, Chloe and Clarissa; the satire on the
+Italian opera, and on Pinkethman's company of strollers; and the
+allegorical paper on F�licia, or Britain. All these and other matters
+are dealt with in the four numbers which were distributed gratuitously;
+as the work progressed the principal change, besides the disappearance
+of the paragraphs of news, was the development of the sustained essay on
+morals or manners, and the less frequent indulgence in satire upon
+individual offenders, and in personal allusions in general. This change
+seems to have been the result partly of design, and partly of
+circumstances, including Addison's influence on the work. Steele himself
+said, as we have seen, that the _Tatler_ was raised to a greater height
+than he had designed; but no doubt he realised that he must feel his
+way, and be at first a tatler rather than a preacher. After some grave
+remarks about duelling in an early paper (No. 26), he makes Pacolet,
+Bickerstaff's familiar, say, "It was too soon to give my discourse on
+this subject so serious a turn; you have chiefly to do with that part of
+mankind which must be led into reflection by degrees, and you must treat
+this custom with humour and raillery to get an audience, before you come
+to pronounce sentence upon it."
+
+Follies and weaknesses are ridiculed in the _Tatler_ in a genial
+spirit, by one who was fully alive to his own imperfections, and point
+is usually given to the papers by a sketch of some veiled or imaginary
+individual. In this way Bickerstaff treats of fops,[15] of wags,[16] of
+coquettes,[17] of the lady who condemned the vice of the age, meaning
+the only vice of which she was not guilty;[18] of impudence;[19] and of
+pride and vanity.[20] In a graver tone he attacks the practice of
+duelling;[21] gamesters and sharpers;[22] drunken "roarers" and
+"scowrers";[23] and brutal pastimes at the Bear Garden and
+elsewhere.[24] The campaign against swindlers exposed Steele to serious
+threats on more than one occasion.[25]
+
+Of what Coleridge called Steele's "pure humanity" there is nowhere
+better evidence than in the _Tatler_. It is enough to cite once more the
+well-known examples of the account of his father's death and his
+mother's grief;[26] the stories of Unnion and Valentine,[27] of the
+Cornish lovers,[28] of Clarinda and Chloe,[29] and of Mr. Eustace,[30]
+and the charming account of the married happiness of an old friend, with
+the pathetic picture of the death of the wife, and the grief of husband
+and children.[31] In the last number Steele said, "It has been a most
+exquisite pleasure to me to frame characters of domestic life"; and we
+know from his letters that when he wrote of children he was only
+expressing the deep affection which he felt for his own. Equally in
+advance of his time was his respect for women, one of whom--Lady
+Elizabeth Hastings--he has immortalised in the words, "To love her is a
+liberal education."[32] In the same number he wrote, "As charity is
+esteemed a conjunction of the good qualities necessary to a virtuous
+man, so love is the happy composition of all the accomplishments that
+make a fine gentleman." In a time of much laxity he constantly dwelt on
+the happiness of marriage; "wife is the most amiable term in human
+life."[33] But good nature must be cultivated if the married life is to
+be happy,[34] and all unnecessary provocations avoided. "Dear Jenny,"
+says Bickerstaff to his sister, "remember me, and avoid
+Snap-Dragon."[35] Women must be rightly educated before they can expect
+to be treated by, and to influence men as they should.[36] The make of
+the mind greatly contributes to the ornament of the body; "there is so
+immediate a relation between our thoughts and gestures that a woman must
+think well to look well."[37] The habit of scandal-mongering and other
+weaknesses are the result of an improper training of the mind.[38] "All
+women especially," says Thackeray, "are bound to be grateful to Steele,
+as he was the first of our writers who really seemed to admire and
+respect them." His pity extended to the hunted deer: "I have more than
+once rode off at the death," he says; "to be apt to shed tears is a sign
+of a great as well as a little spirit."[39]
+
+Steele's teaching on morals and right living enters intimately into his
+literary criticism. His love for Shakespeare was real and intelligent;
+there is no formal discussion of the rules of the drama, but throughout
+the _Tatler_ there are references which show the keenest appreciation
+of Shakespeare's powers as poet and philosopher. "The vitiated tastes of
+the audience at the theatre could only be amended," says Steele, "by
+encouraging the representation of the noble characters drawn by
+Shakespeare and others, from whence it is impossible to return without
+strong impressions of honour and humanity. On these occasions, distress
+is laid before us with all its causes and consequences, and our
+resentment placed according to the merit of the persons afflicted. Were
+dramas of this nature more acceptable to the taste of the town, men who
+have genius would bend their studies to excel in them."[40] Still more
+remarkable are the allusions to "Paradise Lost," for Milton was then even
+less appreciated than Shakespeare. As in so many other things, Addison's
+more elaborate criticism in the _Spectator_ was foreshadowed in the
+_Tatler_ by Steele; and the comparison of passages by Milton and
+Dryden[41] must have been very striking to the reader of that time, who
+usually knew Shakespeare or Chaucer only through the adaptations of Dryden
+or Tate.
+
+Though it is not true, as some have represented, that the _Tatler_ is
+for the most part a mere society journal, concerned chiefly with the
+gossip of the day, yet its contributors made use of the scenes and
+events familiar to their readers in order to bring home the kindly
+lessons they wished to teach; and in so doing they have given us a
+picture of the daily life of the town which would alone have given
+lasting interest to the paper. The distinctly "moral" papers have had
+countless imitators, and sometimes therefore they are apt to pall upon
+us, but the social articles are at least as interesting now as when they
+were written, and one of the reasons why some excellent judges have
+prefered the _Tatler_ to the _Spectator_, is that there is a greater
+proportion of these gossiping papers, combining wisdom with satire, and
+bringing before us as in a mirror the London of Queen Anne's day.
+Bickerstaff takes us from club to coffee-house, from St. James's to the
+Exchange; we see the poets and wits at Will's, the politicians at
+White's, the merchants at Garraway's, the Templars at the Smyrna; we see
+Betterton and the rest on the stage, and the ladies and gentlemen in the
+front or side boxes; we see Pinkethman's players at Greenwich, Powell's
+puppet-show, Don Saltero's Museum at Chelsea, and the bear-baiting and
+prize-fights at Hockley-in-the-Hole. We are taken to the Mall at St.
+James's, or the Ring in Hyde Park, and we study the fine ladies and the
+beaux, with their red heels and their amber-headed canes suspended from
+their waistcoats; or we follow them to Charles Lillie's, the perfumer,
+or to Mather's toy-shop, or to Motteux's china warehouse; or to the
+shops in the New Exchange, where the men bought trifles and ogled the
+attendants. Or yet again we watch the exposure of the sharpers and
+bullies, and the denunciation of others who brought even greater ruin on
+those who fell into their clutches. We see the worshipping and the
+flirtations in the church, with Smalridge and Atterbury, Hoadly and
+Blackall among the preachers, and hear something of the controversies
+between High and Low Church, Whig and Tory. We hear, too, of the war
+with France, and of the hopes of peace. Steele tells us not only of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene, but of privates and non-commissioned
+officers, of their lives and tragedies, of their comrades and friends.
+All Sergeant Hall knew of the battle was that he wished there had not
+been so many killed; he had himself a very bad shot in the head, but
+would recover, if it pleased God. "To me," says Steele, recalling his
+own service as a trooper, "I take the gallantry of private soldiers to
+proceed from the same, if not from a nobler impulse than that of
+gentlemen and officers.... Sergeant Hall would die ten thousand deaths
+rather than a word should be spoken at the Red Lattice, or any part of
+the Butcher Row, in prejudice to his courage or honesty." His letter to
+his friend was "the picture of the bravest sort of man, that is to say,
+a man of great courage and small hopes."[42]
+
+Something must be said of the events of 1710, which led to the
+discontinuance of the _Tatler_. The trial of Dr. Sacheverell in March
+was followed by the fall of the Whigs in the autumn; and in October
+Steele lost his post of Gazetteer. Swift says it was "for writing a
+_Tatler_ some months ago, against Mr. Harley, who gave him the post at
+first." There was a growing coldness between Swift and his old friends,
+and on the 3rd of November Swift wrote, "We have scurvy _Tatlers_ of
+late, so pray do not suspect me." On the preceding day Swift's first
+paper in the Tory _Examiner_ had been published. He still met Steele
+from time to time, and he says that he interceded for him with Harley,
+but was frustrated by Addison. However this may be, it is certain that
+Harley saw Steele, and that as the result of their interview Steele
+retained his post as Commissioner of the Stamp Office, and brought the
+_Tatler_ to a close on January 2, 1711, without consulting Addison. "To
+say the truth, it was time," says Swift; "for he grew cruel dull and
+dry." It is true that there is a falling off towards the close of the
+_Tatler_, but that it was not want of matter that brought about the
+abandonment of the paper is proved by the commencement only two months
+later of the _Spectator_. Steele himself said that on many accounts it
+had become an irksome task to personate Mr. Bickerstaff any longer; he
+had in some places touched upon matters concerning Church and State, and
+he could not be cold enough to conceal his opinions. Gay tells us, in
+"The Present State of Wit," that the town being generally of opinion
+that Steele was quite spent as regards matter, was the more surprised
+when the _Spectator_ appeared; people were therefore driven to accept
+the alternative view that the _Tatler_ was laid down "as a sort of
+submission to, or composition with, the Government for some past
+offences."
+
+Excellent testimony to the immediate popularity of the _Tatler_ is
+furnished by the fact that its successive numbers were reprinted in
+Dublin and in Edinburgh. At least sixty-nine numbers of the Dublin
+issue, in quarto, were printed. The Scottish re-issue was a folio sheet,
+commenced about February 1710, and continued until the close of the
+paper. The date of each number of the Edinburgh paper--"printed by
+James Watson, and sold at his shop next door to the Red Lion, opposite
+to the Lucken Booths"--is five or six days later than that of the
+original issue; it was evidently worked off as soon as the London post
+came in. Other evidence of the popularity of the _Tatler_ in the
+provinces is afforded by the foundation of the "Gentleman's Society" at
+Spalding. Maurice Johnson, a native of Spalding and a member of the
+Inner Temple, gives this account of the matter: "In April 1709, that
+great genius Captain Richard Steele ... published the _Tatlers_, which,
+as they came out in half-sheets, were taken in by a gentleman, who
+communicated them to his acquaintances at the coffee-house then in the
+Abbey Yard; and these papers being universally approved as both
+instructive and entertaining, they ordered them to be sent down thither,
+with the Gazettes and Votes, for which they paid out of charity to the
+person who kept the coffee-house, and they were accordingly had and read
+there every post-day, generally aloud to the company, who would sit and
+talk over the subject afterwards. This insensibly drew the men of sense
+and letters into a sociable way of conversing, and continued the next
+year, 1710, until the publication of these papers desisted, which was in
+December, to their great regret." Afterwards the _Spectator_ was taken
+in, and a regular society was started in 1712, by the encouragement of
+Addison, Steele, and other members of Button's Club.
+
+One indication of the popularity of the _Tatler_ in its own day is the
+long subscription list prefixed to the reprint in four octavo volumes.
+Some copies were printed on "royal," others on "medium" paper; and the
+price of the former was a guinea a volume, while that of the latter was
+half a guinea. There was also an authorised cheap edition, in duodecimo,
+at half a crown a volume, besides a pirated edition at the same price. A
+still more conclusive proof of the success of the _Tatler_ was the
+number of papers started in imitation of its methods. Addison mentioned
+some of those periodicals in No. 229, where details will be found of the
+"Female Tatler," "Tit for Tat," and the like. But besides these, several
+spurious continuations of the _Tatler_ appeared directly after the
+discontinuance of the genuine paper, including one by William Harrison,
+written with Swift's encouragement and assistance. But Harrison, as
+Swift said, had "not the true vein for it," and his paper reached only
+to fifty-two numbers, which were afterwards reprinted as a fifth volume
+to the collected edition of the original _Tatler_. Gay said that
+Steele's imitators seemed 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." The town,
+in the absence of anything better, welcomed their occasional and faint
+endeavours at humour; "but even those are at present become wholly
+invisible, and quite swallowed up in the blaze of the _Spectator_."
+Steele himself said that his imitators held the censorship in
+commission.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 1: No. 18.]
+
+[Footnote 2: No. 89.]
+
+[Footnote 3: No. 271.]
+
+[Footnote 4: _Spectator_, No. 532.]
+
+[Footnote 5: _Tatler_, No. 18.]
+
+[Footnote 6: No. 163.]
+
+[Footnote 7: No. 158.]
+
+[Footnote 8: Nos. 155, 160.]
+
+[Footnote 9: No. 249.]
+
+[Footnote 10: Nos. 100, 102.]
+
+[Footnote 11: No. 117.]
+
+[Footnote 12: No. 86.]
+
+[Footnote 13: No. 10.]
+
+[Footnote 14: No. 30.]
+
+[Footnote 15: No. 142.]
+
+[Footnote 16: No. 184.]
+
+[Footnote 17: No. 27.]
+
+[Footnote 18: No. 210.]
+
+[Footnote 19: No. 168.]
+
+[Footnote 20: Nos. 127, 186.]
+
+[Footnote 21: Nos. 25, 26, 29, 31, 38, 39.]
+
+[Footnote 22: Nos. 56, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 23: Nos. 40, 45.]
+
+[Footnote 24: No. 134.]
+
+[Footnote 25: See Nos. 115, 271.]
+
+[Footnote 26: No. 181.]
+
+[Footnote 27: No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 28: No. 82.]
+
+[Footnote 29: No. 94.]
+
+[Footnote 30: No. 172.]
+
+[Footnote 31: Nos. 95, 114.]
+
+[Footnote 32: No. 49.]
+
+[Footnote 33: No. 33.]
+
+[Footnote 34: No. 149.]
+
+[Footnote 35: No. 85. See, too, No. 104.]
+
+[Footnote 36: Nos. 141, 248.]
+
+[Footnote 37: No. 212.]
+
+[Footnote 38: Nos, 40, 42, 47.]
+
+[Footnote 39: No. 68.]
+
+[Footnote 40: No. 8.]
+
+[Footnote 41: No. 6.]
+
+[Footnote 42: No. 87.]
+
+
+
+
+THE TATLER
+
+
+
+
+THE PREFACE.[43]
+
+In the last _Tatler_ I promised some explanation of passages and persons
+mentioned in this work, as well as some account of the assistances I
+have had in the performance. I shall do this in very few words; for when
+a man has no design but to speak plain truth, he may say a great deal in
+a very narrow compass. I have in the dedication of the first volume made
+my acknowledgments to Dr. Swift, whose pleasant writings, in the name of
+Bickerstaff, created an inclination in the town towards anything that
+could appear in the same disguise. I must acknowledge also, that at my
+first entering upon this work, a certain uncommon way of thinking, and a
+turn in conversation peculiar to that agreeable gentleman, rendered his
+company very advantageous to one whose imagination was to be continually
+employed upon obvious and common subjects, though at the same time
+obliged to treat of them in a new and unbeaten method. His verses on the
+Shower in Town,[44] and the Description of the Morning,[45] are
+instances of the happiness of that genius, which could raise such
+pleasing ideas upon occasions so barren to an ordinary invention.
+
+When I am upon the house of Bickerstaff, I must not forget that
+genealogy of the family sent to me by the post, and written, as I since
+understand, by Mr. Twysden,[46] who died at the battle of Mons, and has
+a monument in Westminster Abbey, suitable to the respect which is due to
+his wit and his valour. There are through the course of the work very
+many incidents which were written by unknown correspondents. Of this
+kind is the tale in the second _Tatler_, and the epistle from Mr. Downes
+the prompter,[47] with others which were very well received by the
+public. But I have only one gentleman,[48] who will be nameless, to
+thank for any frequent assistance to me, which indeed it would have been
+barbarous in him to have denied to one with whom he has lived in an
+intimacy from childhood, considering the great ease with which he is
+able to dispatch 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 writ the distinguishing characters of men and women under
+the names of Musical Instruments, the Distress of the News-writers, the
+Inventory of the Playhouse, and the Description of the Thermometer,[49]
+which I cannot but look upon as the greatest embellishments of this
+work.
+
+Thus far I thought necessary to say relating to the great hands which
+have been concerned in these volumes, with relation to the spirit and
+genius of the work; and am far from pretending to modesty in making this
+acknowledgment. What a man obtains from the good opinion and friendship
+of worthy men, is a much greater honour than he can possibly reap from
+any accomplishments of his own. But all the credit of wit which was
+given me by the gentlemen above mentioned (with whom I have now
+accounted) has not been able to atone for the exceptions made against me
+for some raillery in behalf of that learned advocate for the episcopacy
+of the Church, and the liberty of the people, Mr. Hoadly. I mention this
+only to defend myself against the imputation of being moved rather by
+party than opinion;[50] and I think it is apparent, I have with the
+utmost frankness allowed merit wherever I found it, though joined in
+interests different from those for which I have declared myself. When my
+Favonius[51] is acknowledged to be Dr. Smalridge, and the amiable
+character of the dean in the sixty-sixth _Tatler_ drawn for Dr.
+Atterbury, I hope I need say no more as to my impartiality.
+
+I really have acted in these cases with honesty, and am concerned it
+should be thought otherwise: for wit, if a man had it, unless it be
+directed to some useful end, is but a wanton frivolous quality; all that
+one should value himself upon in this kind is, that he had some
+honourable intention in it.
+
+As for this point, never hero in romance was carried away with a more
+furious ambition to conquer giants and tyrants, than I have been in
+extirpating gamesters and duellists. And indeed, like one of those
+knights too, though I was calm before, I am apt to fly out again, when
+the thing that first disturbed me is presented to my imagination. I
+shall therefore leave off when I am well, and fight with windmills no
+more: only shall be so arrogant as to say of myself, that in spite of
+all the force of fashion and prejudice, in the face of all the world, I
+alone bewailed the condition of an English gentleman, whose fortune and
+life are at this day precarious; while his estate is liable to the
+demands of gamesters, through a false sense of justice; and to the
+demands of duellists, through a false sense of honour. As to the first
+of these orders of men, I have not one word more to say of them: as to
+the latter, I shall conclude all I have more to offer against them (with
+respect to their being prompted by the fear of shame) by applying to the
+duellist what I think Dr. South says somewhere of the liar, "He is a
+coward to man, and a brave to God."
+
+_To_ Mr. Maynwaring.[52]
+
+SIR,
+
+The state of conversation and business in this town having been long
+perplexed with pretenders in both kinds, in order to open men's eyes
+against such abuses, it appeared no unprofitable undertaking to publish
+a paper which should observe upon the manners of the pleasureable, as
+well as the busy part of mankind. To make this generally read, it seemed
+the most proper method to form it by way of a letter of intelligence,
+consisting of such parts as might gratify the curiosity of persons of
+all conditions, and of each sex. But a work of this nature requiring
+time to grow into the notice of the world, it happened very luckily,
+that a little before I had resolved upon this design, a gentleman[53]
+had written Predictions, and two or three other pieces in my name, which
+had rendered it famous through all parts of Europe; and by an inimitable
+spirit and humour, raised it to as high a pitch of reputation as it
+could possibly arrive at.
+
+By this good fortune, the name of Isaac Bickerstaff gained an audience
+of all who had any taste of wit, and the addition of the ordinary
+occurrences of common journals of news brought in a multitude of other
+readers. I could not, I confess, long keep up the opinion of the town,
+that these lucubrations were written by the same hand with the first
+works which were published under my name; but before I lost the
+participation of that author's fame, I had already found the advantage
+of his authority, to which I owe the sudden acceptance which my labours
+met with in the world.
+
+The general purpose of this paper, is to expose the false arts of life,
+to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and
+recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our discourse, and our
+behaviour. No man has a better judgment for the discovery, or a nobler
+spirit for the contempt of such impostures, than your self; which
+qualities render you the most proper patron for the author of these
+essays. In the general, the design, however executed, has met with so
+great success, that there is hardly a name now eminent among us for
+power, wit, beauty, valour, or wisdom, which is not subscribed, for the
+encouragement of the two volumes in octavo, on a royal or medium
+paper.[54] This is indeed an honour, for which it is impossible to
+express a suitable gratitude; and there is nothing could be an addition
+to the pleasure I take in it, but the reflection that it gives me the
+most conspicuous occasion I can ever have, of subscribing myself,
+
+Sir,
+
+Your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble Servant,
+
+ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 43: This Preface was originally prefixed to the fourth volume
+of the collected edition issued in 1710-11.]
+
+[Footnote 44: No. 238.]
+
+[Footnote 45: No. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 46: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 47: No. 193.]
+
+[Footnote 48: Addison.]
+
+[Footnote 49: Nos. 153, 18, 42, 220.]
+
+[Footnote 50: Benjamin Hoadly, afterwards Bishop of Bangor, Salisbury,
+and Winchester, successively, was in 1709 engaged in controversy with
+Dr. Francis Atterbury, who represented the high-church party. George
+Smalridge, afterwards Bishop of Bristol, was a Jacobite.]
+
+[Footnote 51: See Nos. 72, 114.]
+
+[Footnote 52: Arthur Maynwaring was descended from the ancient family of
+the Maynwarings of Over Peover, Cheshire. He was born in 1668, at
+Ightfield, Shropshire, and was educated at the Shrewsbury Grammar School
+and at Christ Church, Oxford, where Smalridge was his tutor. Filled with
+prejudices against the Revolution, he came to London to study law, but a
+political satire which he published brought him under Dryden's notice,
+and the kind reception given him by several Whig statesmen, to whom he
+was introduced, caused him to change his views on politics, and after
+his father's death in 1693 he gave up the law and determined to push his
+fortunes at the Court. He was made a Commissioner of Customs and
+afterwards Auditor of the Imprests. He was admitted to the Kit-Cat Club,
+and in 1706 the interest of Godolphin procured him a seat in the House
+of Commons. Upon the fall of the Whig ministry in 1710, Maynwaring set
+up the _Medley_, a weekly paper in which the attacks of the _Examiner_
+were answered, and wrote various political pamphlets. But his health
+soon broke down, and he died in November, 1712. Mrs. Oldfield, the
+actress, was the sole executrix of his will, by which he divided his
+small property of some �3000 between her, a son that he had by her, and
+his sister. There appear to have been many good points in his character.
+His "Life and Posthumous Works" were published by Oldmixon in 1715.
+"Maynwaring, whom we hear nothing of now, was the ruling man in all
+conversations, indeed what he wrote had very little merit in it" (Pope,
+in Spence's "Anecdotes," 1820, p. 338). Steele says that Harley told him
+that he had to thank Maynwaring for his post of Gazetteer.]
+
+[Footnote 53: Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 54: "Encouragement of these volumes," in the octavo edition.
+The list of subscribers to the original octavo edition comprised the
+names of some four hundred of the most prominent persons of the day.]
+
+
+
+
+THE TATLER
+
+BY ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, ESQ.
+
+
+
+
+No. 1. [STEELE.
+
+_Tuesday, April 12_, 1709.
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            Juv., Sat. I. 85, 86.[55]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Though the other papers which are published for the use of the good
+people of England have certainly very wholesome effects, and are
+laudable in their particular kinds, yet they do not seem to come up to
+the main design of such narrations, which, I humbly presume, should be
+principally intended for the use of politic persons, who are so public
+spirited as to neglect their own affairs to look into transactions of
+State. Now these gentlemen, for the most part, being men of strong zeal
+and weak intellects, it is both a charitable and necessary work to offer
+something, whereby such worthy and well-affected members of the
+commonwealth may be instructed, after their reading, what to think;
+which shall be the end and purpose of this my paper: wherein I shall
+from time to time report and consider all matters of what kind soever
+that shall occur to me, and publish such my advices and reflections
+every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in the week for the convenience
+of the post.[56] I have also resolved to have something which may be of
+entertainment to the fair sex, in honour of whom I have taken the title
+of this paper. I therefore earnestly desire all persons, without
+distinction, to take it in for the present gratis, and hereafter at the
+price of one penny, forbidding all hawkers to take more for it at their
+peril. And I desire my readers to consider, that I am at a very great
+charge for proper materials for this work, as well as that before I
+resolved upon it, I had settled a correspondence in all parts of the
+known and knowing world. And forasmuch as this globe is not trodden upon
+by mere drudges of business only, but that men of spirit and genius are
+justly to be esteemed as considerable agents in it, we shall not, upon a
+dearth of news, present you with musty foreign edicts, or dull
+proclamations, but shall divide our relation of the passages which occur
+in action or discourse throughout this town, as well as elsewhere, under
+such dates of places as may prepare you for the matter you are to
+expect, in the following manner:
+
+All accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment, shall be under
+the article of White's Chocolate-house;[57] poetry, under that of Will's
+Coffee-house;[58] learning, under the title of Grecian;[59] foreign and
+domestic news, you will have from St. James's Coffee-house;[60] and what
+else I shall on any other subject offer, shall be dated from my own
+apartment.
+
+I once more desire my readers to consider that as I cannot keep an
+ingenious man to go daily to Will's under twopence each day merely
+for his charges,[61] to White's under sixpence, nor to the Grecian
+without allowing him some plain Spanish,[62] to be as able as others at
+the learned table; and that a good observer cannot speak with even
+Kidney[63] at St. James's without clean linen; I say, these
+considerations will, I hope, make all persons willing to comply with my
+humble request (when my gratis stock is exhausted) of a penny a piece;
+especially since they are sure of some proper amusement, and that it is
+impossible for me to want means to entertain them, having, besides the
+helps of my own parts, the power of divination, and that I can, by
+casting a figure, tell you all that will happen before it comes to pass.
+
+But this last faculty I shall use very sparingly, and not speak of
+anything until it is passed, for fear of divulging matters which may
+offend our superiors.[64]
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 11.
+
+The deplorable condition of a very pretty gentleman, who walks here at
+the hours when men of quality first appear, is what is very much
+lamented. His history is, that on the 9th of September, 1705, being in
+his one and twentieth year, he was washing his teeth at a tavern window
+in Pall Mall, when a fine equipage passed by, and in it a young lady,
+who looked up at him; away goes the coach, and the young gentleman
+pulled off his nightcap, and instead of rubbing his gums, as he ought to
+do out of the window till about four o'clock, he sits him down, and
+spoke not a word till twelve at night; after which, he began to inquire,
+if anybody knew the lady. The company asked, "What lady?" But he said no
+more until they broke up at six in the morning. All the ensuing winter
+he went from church to church every Sunday, and from play-house to
+play-house all the week, but could never find the original of the
+picture which dwelt in his bosom. In a word, his attention to anything
+but his passion, was utterly gone. He has lost all the money he ever
+played for, and been confuted in every argument he has entered upon
+since the moment he first saw her. He is of a noble family, has
+naturally a very good air, and is of a frank, honest temper: but this
+passion has so extremely mauled him, that his features are set and
+uninformed, and his whole visage is deadened by a long absence of
+thought. He never appears in any alacrity, but when raised by wine; at
+which time he is sure to come hither, and throw away a great deal of wit
+on fellows, who have no sense further than just to observe, that our
+poor lover has most understanding when he is drunk, and is least in his
+senses when he is sober.[65]
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 8.
+
+On Thursday last[66] was presented, for the benefit of Mr.
+Betterton,[67] the celebrated comedy, called "Love for Love."[68] Those
+excellent players, Mrs. Barry,[69] Mrs. Bracegirdle,[70] and Mr.
+Doggett,[71] though not at present concerned in the house, acted on that
+occasion. There has not been known so great a concourse of persons of
+distinction as at that time; the stage itself was covered with gentlemen
+and ladies, and when the curtain was drawn, it discovered even there a
+very splendid audience. This unusual encouragement, which was given to a
+play for the advantage of so great an actor, gives an undeniable
+instance, that the true relish for manly entertainments and rational
+pleasures is not wholly lost. All the parts were acted to perfection;
+the actors were careful of their carriage, and no one was guilty of the
+affectation to insert witticisms of his own, but a due respect was had
+to the audience, for encouraging this accomplished player. It is not now
+doubted but plays will revive, and take their usual place in the opinion
+of persons of wit and merit, notwithstanding their late apostacy in
+favour of dress and sound. This place is very much altered since Mr.
+Dryden frequented it; where you used to see songs, epigrams, and satires
+in the hands of every man you met, you have now only a pack of cards;
+and instead of the cavils about the turn of the expression, the elegance
+of the style, and the like, the learned now dispute only about the truth
+of the game. But, however the company is altered, all have shown a great
+respect for Mr. Betterton: and the very gaming part of this house have
+been so much touched with a sense of the uncertainty of human affairs
+(which alter with themselves every moment) that in this gentleman, they
+pitied Mark Antony of Rome, Hamlet of Denmark, Mithridates of Pontus,
+Theodosius of Greece, and Henry the Eighth of England. It is well known
+he has been in the condition of each of those illustrious personages for
+several hours together, and behaved himself in those high stations, in
+all the changes of the scene, with suitable dignity. For these reasons,
+we intend to repeat this favour to him on a proper occasion, lest he who
+can instruct us so well in personating feigned sorrows, should be lost
+to us by suffering under real ones. The town is at present in very great
+expectation of seeing a comedy now in rehearsal, which is the
+twenty-fifth production of my honoured friend Mr. Thomas D'Urfey;[72]
+who, besides his great abilities in the dramatic, has a peculiar talent
+in the lyric way of writing, and that with a manner wholly new and
+unknown to the ancient Greeks and Romans, wherein he is but faintly
+imitated in the translations of the modern Italian operas.[73]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 11.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 16th say, that Major-General Cadogan[74]
+was gone to Brussels, with orders to disperse proper instructions for
+assembling the whole force of the allies in Flanders in the beginning of
+the next month.[75] The late offers concerning peace were made in the
+style of persons who think themselves upon equal terms. But the allies
+have so just a sense of their present advantages, that they will not
+admit of a treaty, except France offers what is more suitable to her
+present condition. At the same time we make preparations, as if we were
+alarmed by a greater force than that which we are carrying into the
+field. Thus this point seems now to be argued sword in hand. This was
+what a great general[76] alluded to, when being asked the names of those
+who were to be plenipotentiaries for the ensuing peace, answered, with a
+serious air, "There are about a hundred thousand of us." Mr. Kidney, who
+has the ear of the greatest politicians that come hither, tells me,
+there is a mail come in to-day with letters, dated Hague, April 19,
+N.S., which say, a design of bringing part of our troops into the field
+at the latter end of this month, is now altered to a resolution of
+marching towards the camp about the 20th of the next. There happened the
+other day, in the road of Scheveling, an engagement between a privateer
+of Zealand and one of Dunkirk. The Dunkirker, carrying 33 pieces of
+cannon, was taken and brought into the Texel. It is said, the courier of
+Monsieur Rouill�[77] is returned to him from the Court of France.
+Monsieur Vend�me being reinstated in the favour of the Duchess of
+Burgundy, is to command in Flanders.
+
+Mr. Kidney added, that there were letters of the 17th from Ghent, which
+give an account, that the enemy had formed a design to surprise two
+battalions of the allies which lay at Alost; but those battalions
+received advice of their march, and retired to Dendermond.
+Lieutenant-General Wood[78] appeared on this occasion at the head of
+5000 foot, and 1000 horse, upon which the enemy withdrew, without making
+any further attempt.
+
+
+From my own Apartment.
+
+I am sorry I am obliged to trouble the public with so much discourse
+upon a matter which I at the very first mentioned as a trifle--viz. the
+death of Mr. Partridge,[79] under whose name there is an almanack come
+out for the year 1709, in one page of which it is asserted by the said
+John Partridge, that he is still living, and that not only so, but that
+he was also living some time before, and even at the instant when I writ
+of his death. I have in another place, and in a paper by itself,
+sufficiently convinced this man that he is dead, and if he has any
+shame, I don't doubt but that by this time he owns it to all his
+acquaintance: for though the legs and arms, and whole body of that man
+may still appear and perform their animal functions; yet since, as I
+have elsewhere observed, his art is gone, the man is gone. I am, as I
+said, concerned, that this little matter should make so much noise; but
+since I am engaged, I take myself obliged in honour to go on in my
+lucubrations, and by the help of these arts of which I am master, as
+well as my skill in astrological speculations, I shall, as I see
+occasion, proceed to confute other dead men, who pretend to be in being,
+that they are actually deceased. I therefore give all men fair warning
+to mend their manners, for I shall from time to time print bills of
+mortality; and I beg the pardon of all such who shall be named therein,
+if they who are good for nothing shall find themselves in the number of
+the deceased.[80]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 55: This motto was repeated at the head of each of the first
+40 numbers in the folio issue.]
+
+[Footnote 56: These were the days on which the post left London for the
+different parts of the country.]
+
+[Footnote 57: White's Chocolate-house, five doors from the bottom of the
+west side of St. James's Street, was established in 1698. It was burnt
+on April 28, 1733, while kept by Mr. Arthur. Plate VI. of Hogarth's
+"Rake's Progress" depicts gamblers engrossed in play in a room in this
+house during the fire; see also Plate IV. Swift gives it a bad character
+in his "Essay on Modern Education;" it had a strong character for
+gambling (Timbs's "Clubs and Club Life in London," where, at p. 48,
+there is a sketch of White's from an old drawing). The house became a
+private club, as we now have it, about 1736.]
+
+[Footnote 58: Will's Coffee-house, named after Will Urwin, its
+proprietor, was the corner house on the north side of Russell Street,
+Covent Garden, at the end of Bow Street. The present house, 21 Russell
+Street, is probably part of the old building. Will's was ceasing to be
+the resort of the wits in 1709; it was in its glory at the close of the
+seventeenth century. The wits' room, where Dryden presided, was on the
+first floor.]
+
+[Footnote 59: The Grecian, in Devereux Court in the Strand, was probably
+the most ancient coffee-house in or about London. In 1652 an English
+Turkey merchant brought home with him a Greek servant, who first opened
+a house for making and selling coffee. This man's name was Constantine,
+and his house was much resorted to by lawyers, Greek scholars, and
+Members of the Royal Society. (See Thoresby's Diary, i. 111, 117.) Foote
+and Goldsmith afterwards frequented it. In Dr. King's "Anecdotes" there
+is a story of two gentlemen friends who disputed at the Grecian
+Coffee-house about the accent of a Greek word to such a length that they
+went out into Devereux Court and drew swords, when one of them was
+killed on the spot.]
+
+[Footnote 60: The St. James's Coffee-house was the last house but one on
+the S.W. corner of St. James's Street. It was frequented by Whig
+statesmen, and was closed about 1806. Swift and Steele were at a supper
+given by the keeper on the 19th November, 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 61: Cf. the _Spectator_, No. 31: "Laying down my penny upon
+the bar."]
+
+[Footnote 62: Wine.]
+
+[Footnote 63: A waiter. See Nos. 10, 26.]
+
+[Footnote 64: This introduction was repeated in Nos. 2 and 3 of the
+original issue.]
+
+[Footnote 65: "The reader is desired to take notice of the article from
+this place from time to time, for I design to be very exact in the
+progress this unhappy gentleman makes, which may be of great instruction
+to all who actually are, or who ever shall be, in love." (Original
+folio.) For Viscount Hinchinbroke ("Cynthio"), see No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 66: April 7, 1709. Cibber acknowledges that Steele did the
+stage very considerable service by the papers on the theatre in the
+_Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 67: For further particulars of Thomas Betterton (1635-1710),
+see Nos. 71 and 167. Cibber says: "I never heard a line in tragedy come
+from Betterton wherein my judgment, my ear and my imagination were not
+fully satisfied.... The person of this excellent actor was suitable to
+his voice, more manly than sweet, not exceeding the middle stature,
+inclining to be corpulent; of a serious and penetrating aspect; his
+limbs nearer the athletic than the delicate proportion; yet, however
+formed, there arose from the harmony of the whole a commanding mien of
+majesty."]
+
+[Footnote 68: By Congreve, 1695.]
+
+[Footnote 69: Mrs. Elizabeth Barry on this occasion spoke an epilogue,
+written by Rowe. She was the daughter of Edward Barry, barrister, whose
+fortunes were ruined by his attachment to Charles I. Tony Aston, in his
+"Supplement to Cibber's Apology," says she was woman to Lady Shelton, of
+Norfolk, his godmother; and Curll tells us that she was early taken
+under the protection of Lady Davenant. She was certainly on the stage in
+1673. At her first appearance there was so little hope of her success,
+that at the end of the season she was discharged [from] the theatre. It
+is probable that at this time she became acquainted with Lord Rochester,
+who took her under his protection, and gave her instructions in her
+theatrical performances. By his interest she seems to have been restored
+to the stage, and, improving daily in her profession, she soon eclipsed
+all her competitors, and in the part of Monimia in "The Orphan"
+established her reputation, which was enhanced by her performance as
+Belvidera in "Venice Preserved," and as Isabella in "The Fatal
+Marriage." "In characters of greatness," says Cibber, "Mrs. Barry had a
+presence of elevated dignity, her mien and motion superb, and gracefully
+majestic; her voice full, clear, and strong, so that no violence of
+passion could be too much for her, and when distress or tenderness
+possessed her she subsided into the most affecting melody and softness.
+In the art of exciting pity she had a power beyond all the actresses I
+have yet seen, or what your imagination can conceive. In scenes of
+anger, defiance, or resentment, while she was impetuous and terrible,
+she poured out the sentiment with an enchanting harmony.... In tragedy
+she was solemn and august, in comedy alert, easy, and genteel, pleasant
+in her face and action, filling the stage with a variety of gesture. She
+could neither sing nor dance, no not in a country dance. She adhered to
+Betterton in all the revolutions of the theatre, which she quitted about
+1707, on account of ill-health." She returned, however, for one night
+with Mrs. Bracegirdle, April 7, 1709, and performed Mrs. Frail in "Love
+for Love" for Betterton's benefit. She died at Acton in 1713. Mrs.
+Barry, Mrs. Bracegirdle, Mr. Betterton, and Mr. Varbriggen were sworn as
+Comedians in Ordinary to her Majesty, 30th Oct., 2 Anne (1703). On the
+3rd March, 1692, Mrs. Barry received �25 for acting in "The Orphan"
+before their Majesties, and on the 10th June, 1693, �25 for Caius
+Marius. (Lord Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Books, No. 20, p. 151; No.
+18, pp. 30, 242.)]
+
+[Footnote 70: Mrs. Anne Bracegirdle was the daughter of Justinian
+Bracegirdle, of Northamptonshire. By the imprudence of her father, who
+ruined himself by becoming surety for some friends, she was early left
+to the care of Betterton and his wife, whose attentions to her she
+always acknowledged to be truly paternal. By them she was first
+introduced to the stage, and, while very young, performed the page in
+"The Orphan." Increasing in years, and in ability, she became the
+favourite performer of the times. Cibber describes her in these terms:
+"Mrs. Bracegirdle was now but just blooming in her maturity; her
+reputation, as an actress, gradually rising with that of her person;
+never any woman was in such general favour of her spectators, which, to
+the last scene of her dramatic life, she maintained by not being
+unguarded in her private character. This discretion contributed not a
+little to make her the _Cara_, the darling of the theatre: for it will
+be no extravagant thing to say scarce an audience saw her that were less
+than half of them lovers, without a suspected favourite among them: and
+though she might be said to have been the universal passion and under
+the highest temptations, her constancy in resisting them served but to
+increase the number of her admirers. And this perhaps you will more
+easily believe, when I extend not my encomiums on her person beyond a
+sincerity that can be suspected; for she had no greater claim to beauty
+than what the most desirable brunette might pretend to. But her youth
+and lively aspect threw out such a glow of health and cheerfulness,
+that, on the stage, few spectators that were not past it, could behold
+her without desire. There were two very different characters in which
+she acquitted herself with uncommon applause: if anything could excuse
+that desperate extravagance of love, that almost frantic passion of
+Lee's Alexander the Great, it must have been when Mrs. Bracegirdle was
+his Statira: as when she acted Millamant, all the faults, follies, and
+affectation of that agreeable tyrant were venially melted down into so
+many charms and attractions of a conscious beauty." In the theatrical
+disputes of the times, she adhered to her benefactor Betterton, and
+continued to perform with applause until 1707, when, on the preference
+being given to Mrs. Oldfield in a contention between that actress and
+Mrs. Bracegirdle, she left the stage, except for one night, when she
+returned with Mrs. Barry to the theatre, and performed Angelica for
+Betterton's benefit (the performance described in this number). She died
+in 1748.]
+
+[Footnote 71: Thomas Doggett died in 1721. In 1695 he created the
+character of Ben in Congreve's "Love for Love." Afterwards he was
+associated with Steele in the management of Drury Lane Theatre.]
+
+[Footnote 72: D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets" was produced in 1709. Thomas
+D'Urfey died in 1723, aged 70, leaving Steele a watch and chain, which
+his friend wore at the funeral. He wrote many plays and songs. See also
+Nos. 11, 43.]
+
+[Footnote 73: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 74: William, First Earl Cadogan (1675-1726), was an able
+officer who took a very prominent part in Marlborough's campaigns. In
+January, 1709, he was made lieutenant-general, and he was dangerously
+wounded at the siege of Mons. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower
+of London in December.]
+
+[Footnote 75: The news-paragraphs in the earlier numbers of the _Tatler_
+are here preserved for the sake of completeness, but for the most part
+the details recorded are not of permanent interest, and do not call for
+comment. The reader may be reminded generally that in the spring of 1709
+the French, after the battle of Oudenarde and the fall of Lille,
+followed by a very severe winter, were driven to think of terms of
+peace. The negotiations, however, fell through for the time, and the
+campaign was begun in the Netherlands, where Marlborough and Prince
+Eugene had an army of 110,000 men. The French were entrenched under
+Villars between Douay and B�thune, and were strengthened by part of the
+garrison of Tournay. Marlborough seized the opportunity of attacking the
+half-defended town, which was obliged to surrender on July 29, after a
+siege of nineteen days. The French then made a great effort, and brought
+an army of 100,000 men into the field, with the result that the battle
+of Malplaquet (Sept. 11) was a very bloody and hard-earned victory for
+the allies. The subsequent fall of Mons brought the campaign to a
+close.]
+
+[Footnote 76: Marlborough.]
+
+[Footnote 77: A merchant entrusted by Lewis XIV. to negotiate terms of
+peace with the Dutch.]
+
+[Footnote 78: General Wood played a distinguished part in the battles of
+Donauwerth (1704) and Ramilies (1706).]
+
+[Footnote 79: See the Introduction.]
+
+[Footnote 80: "A Vindication of Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., against what is
+objected to him by Mr. Partridge in his Almanack for the present year
+1709. By the said Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., London, printed in the year
+1709." (Advertisement in folio issue.) In a pamphlet called "Predictions
+for the Year 1712. By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; in a Letter to the author
+of the Oxford Almanack. Printed in the year 1712," this "Vindication" is
+thus noticed: "I can't but express my resentment against a gentleman who
+personated me in a paper called 'Mr. Bickerstaff's Vindication.' I'm
+grieved to find the times should be so very wicked, that one impostor
+should set up to reform another, and that a false Bickerstaff should
+write against an imaginary Partridge. And I am heartily concerned that
+one who shows so much wit, such extreme civility, and writes such a
+gentlemanlike style, should prefix my name to writings in which there
+appears so little solidity and no knowledge of the Arabian philosophy.
+If this paper should be transmitted to posterity (as, perhaps, it might
+have been by the authority of the name it wears in the front) it might
+have been a lasting reflection upon me to the end of the world.... Till
+seeing four volumes of writings--the collected edition of the
+_Tatler_--pretended to be mine, and a serious philosopher's name
+prefixed to papers as free from my solidity as they are full of wit, I
+thought it high time to vindicate myself, and give the world a taste of
+my writings; for I am now persuaded 'twill be more for my reputation to
+convince than to despise mankind."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 2. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 12_, to _Thursday, April 14_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 13.
+
+There has lain all this evening, on the table, the following poem. The
+subject of it being matter very useful for families, I thought it
+deserved to be considered, and made more public. The turn the poet[81]
+gives it is very happy; but the foundation is from a real accident
+which happened among my acquaintance.[82] A young gentleman of a great
+estate fell desperately in love with a great beauty of very high
+quality, but as ill-natured as long flattery and an habitual self-will
+could make her. However, my young spark ventures upon her, like a man of
+quality, without being acquainted with her, or having ever saluted her,
+till it was a crime to kiss any woman else. Beauty is a thing which
+palls with possession; and the charms of this lady soon wanted the
+support of good humour and complaisancy of manners. Upon this my spark
+flies to the bottle for relief from his satiety. She disdains him for
+being tired with that for which all men envied him; and he never came
+home, but it was: "Was there no sot that would stay longer? Would any
+man living but you? Did I leave all the world for this usage?" To which
+he: "Madam, split me, you are very impertinent!" In a word, this match
+was wedlock in its most terrible appearances. She, at last weary of
+railing to no purpose, applies to a good uncle, who gives her a bottle
+of water. "The virtue of this powerful liquor," said he, "is such, that
+if the woman you marry proves a scold (which, it seems, my dear niece,
+is your misfortune, as it was your good mother's before you), let her
+hold six spoonfuls in her mouth, for a full half hour after you come
+home--" But I find I am not in humour for telling a tale, and nothing in
+nature is so ungrateful as story-telling against the grain, therefore
+take it as the author has given it you.
+
+
+The MEDECINE.
+
+#A Tale--for the Ladies.#
+
+    Miss Molly, a famed toast, was fair and young,
+    Had wealth and charms, but then she had a tongue
+    From morn to night, the eternal larum run,
+    Which often lost those hearts her eyes had won.
+
+    Sir John was smitten, and confessed his flame,
+    Sighed out the usual time, then wed the dame:
+    Possessed he thought of every joy of life,
+    But his dear Molly proved a very wife.
+    Excess of fondness did in time decline,
+    Madam loved money, and the knight loved wine.
+    From whence some petty discords would arise,
+    As, "You're a fool"; and, "You are mighty wise!"
+
+    Though he and all the world allowed her wit,
+    Her voice was shrill, and rather loud than sweet,
+    When she began,--for hat and sword he'd call.
+    Then, after a faint kiss, cry, "B'y, dear Moll:
+    Supper and friends expect me at the Rose."[83]
+    And, "What, Sir John, you'll get your usual dose!
+    Go, stink of smoke, and guzzle nasty wine,
+    Sure, never virtuous love was used like mine!"
+
+    Oft as the watchful bellman marched his round,
+    At a fresh bottle gay Sir John he found.
+    By four the knight would get his business done,
+    And only then reeled off, because alone;
+    Full well he knew the dreadful storm to come,
+    But armed with bordeaux, he durst venture home.
+
+    My lady with her tongue was still prepared,
+    She rattled loud, and he impatient heard:
+    "'Tis a fine hour? In a sweet pickle made!
+    And this, Sir John, is every day the trade.
+    Here I sit moping all the live-long night,
+    Devoured with spleen, and stranger to delight;
+    'Till morn sends staggering home a drunken beast,
+    Resolved to break my heart, as well as rest."
+
+    "Hey! Hoop! d'ye hear my damned obstreperous spouse!
+    What, can't you find one bed about the house!
+    Will that perpetual clack lie never still!
+    That rival to the softness of a mill!
+    Some couch and distant room must be my choice,
+    Where I may sleep uncursed with wife and noise."
+
+    Long this uncomfortable life they led,
+    With snarling meals, and each, a separate bed.
+    To an old uncle oft she would complain,
+    Beg his advice, and scarce from tears refrain.
+    Old Wisewood smoked the matter as it was,
+    "Cheer up!" cried he, "and I'll remove the cause.
+
+    "A wonderous spring within my garden flows,
+    Of sovereign virtue, chiefly to compose
+    Domestic jars, and matrimonial strife,
+    The best elixir t' appease man and wife;
+    Strange are th' effects, the qualities divine,
+    'Tis water called, but worth its weight in wine.
+    If in his sullen airs Sir John should come,
+    Three spoonfuls take, hold in your mouth--then mum:
+    Smile, and look pleased, when he shall rage and scold,
+    Still in your mouth the healing cordial hold;
+    One month this sympathetic medecine tried,
+    He'll grow a lover, you a happy bride.
+    But, dearest niece, keep this grand secret close,
+    Or every prattling hussy'll beg a dose."
+
+    A water-bottle's brought for her relief,
+    Not Nantz could sooner ease the lady's grief:
+    Her busy thoughts are on the trial bent,
+    And female-like, impatient for th' event:
+
+    The bonny knight reels home exceeding clear,
+    Prepared for clamour, and domestic war.
+    Entering, he cries, "Hey! where's our thunder fled?
+    No hurricane! Betty, 's your lady dead?"
+    Madam, aside, an ample mouthful takes,
+    Curtsies, looks kind, but not a word she speaks:
+    Wondering, he stared, scarcely his eyes believed,
+    But found his ears agreeably deceived.
+    "Why, how now, Molly, what's the crotchet now?"
+    She smiles, and answers only with a bow.
+    Then clasping her about,--"Why, let me die!
+    These nightclothes, Moll, become thee mightily!"
+    With that, he sighed, her hand began to press,
+    And Betty calls, her lady to undress;
+    "Nay, kiss me, Molly, for I'm much inclined."
+    Her lace she cuts, to take him in the mind.
+    Thus the fond pair to bed enamoured went,
+    The lady pleased, and the good knight content.
+
+    For many days these fond endearments passed,
+    The reconciling bottle fails at last;
+    'Twas used and gone: Then midnight storms arose,
+    And looks and words the union discompose.
+    Her coach is ordered, and post-haste she flies,
+    To beg her uncle for some fresh supplies;
+    Transported does the strange effects relate,
+    Her knight's conversion, and her happy state!
+
+    "Why, niece," says he, "I prithee apprehend
+    The water's water. Be thyself thy friend;
+    Such beauty would the coldest husband warm,
+    But your provoking tongue undoes the charm:
+    Be silent, and complying; you'll soon find,
+    Sir John, without a medecine, will be kind."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 13.
+
+Letters from Venice say, the disappointment of their expectation to see
+his Danish Majesty, has very much disquieted the Court of Rome. Our last
+advices from Germany inform us, that the minister of Hanover has urged
+the council at Ratisbon to exert themselves in behalf of the common
+cause, and taken the liberty to say, that the dignity, the virtue, the
+prudence of his electoral highness, his master, were called to the head
+of their affairs in vain, if they thought fit to leave him naked of the
+proper means to make those excellences useful for the honour and safety
+of the Empire. They write from Berlin of the 13th, O.S., that the true
+design of General Fleming's visit to that Court was, to insinuate, that
+it will be for the mutual interest of the King of Prussia and King
+Augustus to enter into a new alliance; but that the ministers of Prussia
+are not inclined to his sentiments. We hear from Vienna, that his
+Imperial Majesty has expressed great satisfaction in their high
+mightinesses having communicated to him the whole that has passed in the
+affair of a peace. Though there have been practices used by the agents
+of France, in all the Courts of Europe, to break the good understanding
+of the allies, they have had no other effect, but to make all the
+members concerned in the alliance, more doubtful of their safety from
+the great offers of the enemy. The Empire is roused by this alarm, and
+the frontiers of all the French dominions are in danger of being
+insulted the ensuing campaign: advices from all parts confirm, that it
+is impossible for France to find a way to obtain so much credit, as to
+gain any one potentate of the allies, or make any hope for safety from
+other prospects.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 13.
+
+I find it of very great use, now I am setting up for a writer of news,
+that I am an adept in astrological speculations; by which means, I avoid
+speaking of things which may offend great persons. But at the same time,
+I must not prostitute the liberal sciences so far, as not to utter the
+truth in cases which do not immediately concern the good of my native
+country. I must therefore boldly contradict what has been so assuredly
+reported by the news-writers of England, that France is in the most
+deplorable condition, and that their people die in great multitudes. I
+will therefore let the world know, that my correspondent, by the way of
+Brussels, informs me, upon his honour, that the gentleman who writes the
+Gazette of Paris, and ought to know as well as any man, has told him,
+that ever since the king has been past his 63rd year, or grand
+climacteric, there has not one man died of the French nation who was
+younger than his Majesty, except a very few, who were taken suddenly
+near the village of Hochsted[84] in Germany; and some more, who were
+straitened for lodging at a place called Ramilies, and died on the road
+to Ghent and Bruges. There are also other things given out by the
+allies, which are shifts below a conquering nation to make use of. Among
+others, 'tis said, there is a general murmuring among the people of
+France, though at the same time all my letters agree, that there is so
+good an understanding among them, that there is not one morsel carried
+out of any market in the kingdom, but what is delivered upon credit.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 81: William Harrison (1685-1713) was a favourite with Swift
+and Addison. He wrote verses, and a continuation of the _Tatler_, and
+afterwards obtained office in the diplomatic service; but his health
+soon broke down, and he died when 28.]
+
+[Footnote 82: There is a similar story in Burton's "Anatomy of
+Melancholy."]
+
+[Footnote 83: The Rose Tavern, in Russell Street, adjoined Drury Lane
+Theatre, and was a favourite resort during and after the play.]
+
+[Footnote 84: The Battle of Blenheim.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 3. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 14_, to _Saturday, April 16_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 14.
+
+This evening, the comedy called "The Country Wife"[85] was acted in
+Drury Lane, for the benefit of Mrs. Bignell.[86] The part which gives
+name to the play was performed by herself. Through the whole action, she
+made a very pretty figure, and exactly entered into the nature of the
+part. Her husband in the drama, is represented to be one of those
+debauchees who run through the vices of the town, and believe when they
+think fit they can marry, and settle at their ease. His own knowledge of
+the iniquity of the age, makes him choose a wife wholly ignorant of it,
+and place his security in her want of skill how to abuse him. The poet,
+on many occasions, where the propriety of the character will admit of
+it, insinuates, that there is no defence against vice, but the contempt
+of it: and has, in the natural ideas of an untainted innocent, shown the
+gradual steps to ruin and destruction, which persons of condition run
+into, without the help of a good education how to form their conduct.
+The torment of a jealous coxcomb, which arises from his own false
+maxims, and the aggravation of his pain, by the very words in which he
+sees her innocence, makes a very pleasant and instructive satire. The
+character of Horner, and the design of it, is a good representation of
+the age in which that comedy was written; at which time love and
+wenching were the business of life, and the gallant manner of pursuing
+women was the best recommendation at Court. To which only it is to be
+imputed, that a gentleman of Mr. Wycherley's character and sense,
+condescends to represent the insults done to the honour of the bed,
+without just reproof; but to have drawn a man of probity with regard to
+such considerations, had been a monster, and a poet had at that time
+discovered his want of knowing the manners of the Court he lived in, by
+a virtuous character in his fine gentleman, as he would show his
+ignorance, by drawing a vicious one to please the present audience. Mrs.
+Bignell did her part very happily, and had a certain grace in her
+rusticity, which gave us hopes of seeing her a very skilful player, and
+in some parts, supply our loss of Mrs. Verbruggen.[87] I cannot be of
+the same opinion with my friends and fellow-labourers, the Reformers of
+Manners,[88] in their severity towards plays, but must allow that a good
+play acted before a well-bred audience, must raise very proper
+incitements to good behaviour, and be the most quick and most prevailing
+method of giving young people a turn of sense and breeding. But as I
+have set up for a weekly historian, I resolve to be a faithful one; and
+therefore take this public occasion to admonish a young nobleman, who
+came flustered into the box last night, and let him know, how much all
+his friends were out of countenance for him. The women sat in terror of
+hearing something that should shock their modesty, and all the gentlemen
+in as much pain, out of compassion to the ladies, and perhaps resentment
+for the indignity which was offered in coming into their presence in so
+disrespectful a manner. Wine made him say nothing that was rude,
+therefore he is forgiven, upon condition he will never hazard his
+offending more in this kind. As I just now hinted, I own myself of the
+Society for Reformation of Manners. We have lower instruments than those
+of the family of Bickerstaff, for punishing great crimes, and exposing
+the abandoned. Therefore, as I design to have notices from all public
+assemblies, I shall take upon me only indecorums, improprieties, and
+negligences, in such as should give us better examples. After this
+declaration, if a fine lady thinks fit to giggle at church, or a great
+beau come in drunk to a play, either shall be sure to hear of it in my
+ensuing paper: for merely as a well-bred man, I cannot bear these
+enormities.
+
+After the play, we naturally stroll to this coffee-house, in hopes of
+meeting some new poem, or other entertainment, among the men of wit and
+pleasure, where there is a dearth at present. But it is wonderful there
+should be so few writers, when the art is become merely mechanic, and
+men may make themselves great that way, by as certain and infallible
+rules, as you may be a joiner or a mason. There happens a good instance
+of this, in what the hawker just now has offered to sale; to wit,
+"Instructions to Vanderbank; a Sequel to the Advice to the Poets: A
+Poem, occasioned by the Glorious Success of her Majesty's Arms, under
+the Command of the Duke of Marlborough, the last Year in Flanders."[89]
+Here you are to understand, that the author finding the poets would not
+take his advice, he troubles himself no more about them; but has met
+with one Vanderbank,[90] who works in arras, and makes very good
+tapestry hangings. Therefore, in order to celebrate the hero of the age,
+he claps me together all that can be said of a man that makes hangings, as:
+
+    _Then, artist, who dost Nature's face express
+    In silk and gold, and scenes of action dress;
+    Dost figured arras animated leave,
+    Spin a bright story, or a passion weave
+    By mingling threads; canst mingle shade and light,
+    Delineate triumphs, or describe a fight._
+
+Well, what shall this workman do? Why, to show how great an hero the
+poet intends, he provides him a very good horse:
+
+    _Champing his foam, and bounding on the plain,
+    Arch his high neck, and graceful spread his mane._
+
+Now as to the intrepidity, the calm courage, the constant application of
+the hero, it is not necessary to take that upon yourself; you may, in
+the lump, bid him you employ raise him as high as he can, and if he does
+it not, let him answer for disobeying orders:
+
+    _Let fame and victory in inferior sky,
+    Hover with ballanced wings, and smiling fly
+    Above his head, &c._
+
+A whole poem of this kind may be ready against an ensuing campaign, as
+well as a space left in the canvas of a piece of tapestry for the
+principal figure, while the underparts are working: so that in effect,
+the adviser copies after the man he pretends to direct. This method
+should, methinks, encourage young beginners: for the invention is so
+fitted to all capacities, that by the help of it a man may make a
+receipt for a poem. A young man may observe, that the jig[91] of the
+thing is, as I said, finding out all that can be said of his way [whom]
+you employ to set forth your worthy. Waller and Denham had worn out the
+expedient of "Advice to a Painter."[92] This author has transferred the
+work, and sent his advice to the Poets; that is to say, to the turners
+of verse, as he calls them. Well, that thought is worn out also,
+therefore he directs his genius to the loom, and will have a new set of
+hangings in honour of the last year in Flanders. I must own to you, I
+approve extremely this invention, and it might be improved for the
+benefit of manufactory: as, suppose an ingenious gentleman should write
+a poem of advice to a calico-printer: do you think there is a girl in
+England, that would wear anything but the taking of Lille, or the Battle
+of Oudenarde? They would certainly be all the fashion, till the heroes
+abroad had cut out some more patterns. I should fancy small skirmishes
+might do for under-petticoats, provided they had a siege for the upper.
+If our adviser were well imitated, many industrious people might be put
+to work. Little Mr. Dactile, now in the room, who formerly writ a song
+and a half, is a week gone in a very pretty work upon this hint: he is
+writing an epigram to a young virgin who knits very well ('tis a
+thousand pities he is a Jacobite); but his epigram is by way of advice
+to this damsel, to knit all the actions of the Pretender and the Duke of
+Burgundy last campaign in the clock of a stocking. It were endless to
+enumerate the many hands and trades that may be employed by poets, of so
+useful a turn as this adviser's. I shall think of it; and in this time
+of taxes, shall consult a great critic employed in the custom-house, in
+order to propose what tax may be proper to put upon knives, seals,
+rings, hangings, wrought-beds, gowns and petticoats, where any of those
+commodities bear mottoes, or are worked upon poetical grounds.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 15.
+
+Letters from Turin of the 3rd instant, N.S., inform us, that his Royal
+Highness employs all his address in alarming the enemy, and perplexing
+their speculations concerning his real designs the ensuing campaign.
+Contracts are entered into with the merchants of Milan, for a great
+number of mules to transport his provisions and ammunition. His Royal
+Highness has ordered the train of artillery to be conveyed to Susa
+before the 20th of the next month. In the meantime, all accounts agree,
+that the enemy are very backward in their preparations, and almost
+incapable of defending themselves against an invasion, by reason of the
+general murmurs of their own people; which, they find, are no way to be
+quieted, but by giving them hopes of a speedy peace. When these letters
+were dispatched, the Marshal de Thesse was arrived at Genoa, where he
+has taken much pains to keep the correspondents of the merchants of
+France in hopes, that measures will be found out to support the credit
+and commerce between that state and Lyons. But the late declaration of
+the agents of Monsieur Bernard, that they cannot discharge the demands
+made upon them, has quite dispirited all those who are engaged in the
+remittances of France.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 15.
+
+It is a very natural passion in all good members of the commonwealth, to
+take what care they can of their families. Therefore I hope the reader
+will forgive me, that I desire he would go to the play, called the
+"Stratagem,"[93] this evening, which is to be acted for the benefit of
+my near kinsman, Mr. John Bickerstaff.[94] I protest to you the
+gentleman has not spoken to me to desire this favour; but I have a
+respect for him, as well in regard to consanguinity, as that he is an
+intimate friend of that famous and heroic actor, Mr. George Powell, who
+formerly played Alexander the Great in all places, though he is lately
+grown so reserved as to act it only on the stage.[95]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 85: By Wycherley, first acted in 1683.]
+
+[Footnote 86: Mrs. Bicknell (or Bignell) was born about 1695. It is not
+clear whether she was married, or whether the name Bicknell was taken to
+distinguish her from her sister, Mrs. Young, who was also an actress. We
+first hear of her acting in 1706; she took parts in which sauciness and
+coquetry were the chief features. Her last recorded appearance was on
+the 2nd of April, 1723; and she died in May. She signed a petition "M.
+Bicknell"; probably her name was Margaret, her mother's name. Steele
+alludes to her as "pretty Mrs. Bignell" in No. 11, and as his friend in
+the _Guardian_, No. 50. She was Miss Prue in Congreve's "Love for Love,"
+and Miss Hoyden in Vanbrugh's "Relapse." In the _Spectator_ (No. 370)
+Steele praises her dancing.]
+
+[Footnote 87: Cibber writes thus of this actress: "Mrs. Mountford, whose
+second marriage gave her the name of Verbruggen, was mistress of more
+variety of humour than I ever knew in any one woman actress. This
+variety, too, was attended with an equal vivacity, which made her
+excellent in characters extremely different.... She was so fond of
+humour, in what low part soever to be found, that she would make no
+scruple of defacing her fair form to come heartily into it." She could
+act admirably as a Devonshire lass, a pretty fellow, or a fine lady.
+Mrs. Verbruggen's first husband, the actor Mountford, was killed by
+Captain Hill, with the assistance of Lord Mohun, in 1692, because Hill,
+who was making unsuccessful suit to Mrs. Bracegirdle was jealous of her
+fellow-actor. Mountford was then in his thirty-third year. Mrs.
+Mountford's second husband, John Verbruggen, is described by Tony Aston
+as "nature without extravagance." ... "That rough diamond shone more
+bright than all the artful polished brilliants that ever sparkled on our
+stage." The same writer says of Mrs. Verbruggen: "She was all art, but
+dressed so nice, it looked like nature. She was the most easy actress in
+the world. Her maiden name was Percival."]
+
+[Footnote 88: Various Societies for the Reformation of Manners were
+founded in the reign of William III. An "Account" of these societies was
+published in 1699, and Defoe often wrote on the subject. In 1708 the
+Society for London and Westminster secured the conviction of 3299 "lewd
+and scandalous" persons, guilty of Sunday trading swearing, drunkenness,
+&c.]
+
+[Footnote 89: See Steele's apology to Blackmore, author of this poem, in
+No. 14. Sir Richard Blackmore (died 1729) was a Whig physician who wrote
+epics on religious and other subjects, and was often at loggerheads with
+the actors and wits. Though he was not a poet, Addison and Steele
+praised him on account of the religious tone of his work (see
+_Spectator_, Nos. 6, 339).]
+
+[Footnote 90: Vanderbank, or as his father sometimes wrote his name,
+Vandrebanc, was a son of Peter Vanderbank, a Parisian, who came into
+England with Gascar the painter, about 1674, and died at Bradfield, in
+Hertfordshire, in 1697. His father was admired for the softness of his
+prints, and still more for the size of them, some of his heads being the
+largest that had then appeared in England; but the prices he received by
+no means compensated for the time employed on his works, and he was
+reduced to want, and died at the house of Mr. Forester, his
+brother-in-law. After his death, his widow sold his plates to one Brown,
+a print-seller, who made a great profit by them. His eldest son had some
+share in the theatre at Dublin; the youngest, William, was a poor
+labourer, who gave an account of his father and the family to Vertue.
+The person mentioned in this paper was probably his father's name-son,
+and might be, as Walpole conjectures, an engraver. Whatever concern the
+father might have had in any manufacture of tapestry, he could not be
+the person meant here, for at this time he had been dead above ten
+years. The suite of tapestry, in the Duke of Ancaster's sale, with
+Vanderbank's name to it, mentioned by Walpole, must therefore be
+supposed to belong to the son, who is said, upon the authority of the
+French translator of the _Tatler_, to have represented nature very
+happily in works of tapestry, and to have been a man inimitable in this
+way. (See Walpole's "Anecdotes of Painting," 1782, vol. v. p. 166.)]
+
+[Footnote 91: Trick (the early editions have "gigg").]
+
+[Footnote 92: Waller wrote "Instructions to a Painter" and "Advice to a
+Painter," and Denham "Directions to a Painter."]
+
+[Footnote 93: Farquhar's "Beaux' Stratagem," 1707.]
+
+[Footnote 94: Bickerstaff acted the part of the Captain in Mrs.
+Centlivre's farce, "A Bickerstaff's Burying; or, Work for the Upholders"
+(1713), which was dedicated to the "magnificent Company of Upholders,
+whom the judicious Censor of Great Britain has so often condescended to
+mention." In the "British Apollo," vol. ii. No. 107 (Feb. 27 to March 1,
+1710), is a "New Prologue to 'Don Quixote' for Mr. Bickerstaff's Benefit
+at the Theatre Royal, spoken by himself." The prologue ends:
+
+    "I need not from the ladies fear my doom,
+    When it shall thus be said, in my behalf,
+    He bears the awful name of BICKERSTAFF."
+
+In the _Daily Courant_ for Feb. 4, 1710, there was advertised a
+performance of the "Comical History of Don Quixote" at Drury Lane, "at
+the desire of Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., for the benefit of his cousin,
+John Bickerstaff."]
+
+[Footnote 95: George Powell, actor and dramatist, gave way often to
+drink. He died in 1714. Addison praised his acting of tragic parts in
+No. 40 of the _Spectator_. See also No. 31. An order to the comedians in
+Dorset Gardens forbade them acting till further order, because they had
+allowed Powell to play after he was committed for drawing his sword on
+Colonel Stanhope and Mr. Davenant. This is dated May 3, 10 Will. III.
+(1698); but on May 4 there was another order for the comedians to resume
+acting. (Lord Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Book No. 19, p. 80.)
+Cibber's remarks on this incident will be found in his "Apology," chap.
+x.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 4. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday April 16_, to _Tuesday, April 19, 1709_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is usual with persons who mount the stage for the cure or information
+of the crowd about them, to make solemn professions of their being
+wholly disinterested in the pains they take for the public good. At the
+same time, those very men, who make harangues in plush doublets, and
+extol their own abilities and generous inclinations, tear their lungs in
+vending a drug, and show no act of bounty, except it be, that they lower
+a demand of a crown, to six, nay, to one penny. We have a contempt for
+such paltry barterers, and have therefore all along informed the public
+that we intend to give them our advices for our own sakes, and are
+labouring to make our lucubrations come to some price in money, for our
+more convenient support in the service of the public. It is certain,
+that many other schemes have been proposed to me; as a friend offered to
+show me a treatise he had writ, which he called "The Whole Art of Life,
+or the Introduction to Great Men, illustrated in a Pack of Cards." But
+being a novice at all manner of play I declined the offer. Another
+advised me, for want of money, to set up my coach and practise physic,
+but having been bred a scholar, I feared I should not succeed that way
+neither; therefore resolved to go on in my present project. But you are
+to understand, that I shall not pretend to raise a credit to this work,
+upon the weight of my politic news only, but, as my Latin sentence in
+the title-page informs you, shall take anything that offers for the
+subject of my discourse. Thus, new persons, as well as new things, are
+to come under my consideration; as, when a toast, or a wit, is first
+pronounced such, you shall have the freshest advice of their preferment
+from me, with a description of the beauty's manner, and the wit's style;
+as also, in whose places they are advanced. For this town is never
+good-natured enough to raise one, without depressing another. But it is
+my design, to avoid saying anything, of any person, which ought justly
+to displease; but shall endeavour, by the variety of the matter and
+style, to give entertainment for men of pleasure, without offence to
+those of business.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 18.
+
+All hearts at present pant for two ladies only[96], who have for some
+time engrossed the dominion of the town. They are indeed both exceeding
+charming, but differ very much in their excellences. The beauty of
+Clarissa is soft, that of Chloe piercing. When you look at Clarissa,
+you see the most exact harmony of feature, complexion, and shape; you
+find in Chloe nothing extraordinary in any one of those particulars, but
+the whole woman irresistible. Clarissa looks languishing; Chloe,
+killing. Clarissa never fails of gaining admiration; Chloe, of moving
+desire. The gazers at Clarissa are at first unconcerned, as if they were
+observing a fine picture. They who behold Chloe, at the first glance,
+discover transport, as if they met their dearest friend. These different
+perfections are suitably represented by the last great painter Italy has
+sent us, Mr. Jervas.[97] Clarissa is, by that skilful hand, placed in a
+manner that looks artless, and innocent of the torments she gives; Chloe
+drawn with a liveliness that shows she is conscious, but not affected,
+of her perfections. Clarissa is a shepherdess; Chloe, a country girl. I
+must own, the design of Chloe's picture shows, to me, great mastery in
+the painter; for nothing could be better imagined than the dress he has
+given her, of a straw hat and riband, to represent that sort of beauty
+which enters the heart with a certain familiarity, and cheats it into a
+belief, that it has received a lover as well as an object of love. The
+force of their different beauties is seen also in the effects it makes
+on their lovers. The admirers of Chloe are eternally gay and
+well-pleased: those of Clarissa, melancholy and thoughtful. And as this
+passion always changes the natural man into a quite different creature
+from what he was before, the love of Chloe makes coxcombs; that of
+Clarissa, madmen. There were of each kind just now here. Here was one
+that whistles, laughs, sings, and cuts capers, for love of Chloe.
+Another has just now written three lines to Clarissa, then taken a turn
+in the garden, then came back again, then tore his fragment, then called
+for some chocolate, then went away without it.
+
+Chloe has so many admirers in the room at present, that there is too
+much noise to proceed in my narration, so that the progress of the loves
+of Clarissa and Chloe, together with the bottles that are drank each
+night for the one, and the many sighs which are uttered, and songs
+written, on the other, must be our subject on future occasions.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 18.
+
+Letters from the Haymarket inform us, that on Saturday night last the
+opera of "Pyrrhus and Demetrius"[98] was performed with great applause.
+This intelligence is not very acceptable to us friends of the theatre;
+for the stage being an entertainment of the reason and all our
+faculties, this way of being pleased with the suspense of them for three
+hours together, and being given up to the shallow satisfaction of the
+eyes and ears only, seems to arise rather from the degeneracy of our
+understanding, than an improvement of our diversions.[99] That the
+understanding has no part in the pleasure is evident, from what these
+letters very positively assert, to wit, that a great part of the
+performance was done in Italian: and a great critic fell into fits in
+the gallery, at feeling, not only time and place, but languages and
+nations confused in the most incorrigible manner. His spleen is so
+extremely moved on this occasion, that he is going to publish a treatise
+against operas, which, he thinks, have already inclined us to thoughts
+of peace, and if tolerated, must infallibly dispirit us from carrying on
+the war. He has communicated his scheme to the whole room, and declared
+in what manner things of this kind were first introduced. He has upon
+this occasion considered the nature of sounds in general, and made a
+very elaborate digression upon the London cries,[100] wherein he has
+shown from reason and philosophy why oysters are cried,
+card-matches[101] sung, and turnips and all other vegetables neither
+cried, sung, nor said, but sold, with an accent and tone neither natural
+to man or beast. This piece seems to be taken from the model of that
+excellent discourse of Mrs. Manly the schoolmistress, concerning
+samplers.[102] Advices from the upper end of Piccadilly say that Mayfair
+is utterly abolished;[103] and we hear Mr. Pinkethman[104] has removed
+his ingenious company of strollers to Greenwich: but other letters from
+Deptford say, the company is only making thither, and not yet settled;
+but that several heathen gods and goddesses, which are to descend in
+machines, landed at the King's Head Stairs last Saturday. Venus and
+Cupid went on foot from thence to Greenwich; Mars got drunk in the town,
+and broke his landlord's head; for which he sat in the stocks the whole
+evening; but Mr. Pinkethman giving security that he should do nothing
+this ensuing summer, he was set at liberty. The most melancholy part of
+all, was, that Diana was taken in the act of fornication with a boatman,
+and committed by Justice Wrathful, which has, it seems, put a stop to
+the diversions of the theatre of Blackheath. But there goes down another
+Diana and a patient Grissel next tide from Billingsgate.[105]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 18.
+
+They write from Saxony of the 13th instant, N.S., that the Grand General
+of the Crown of Poland was so far from entering into a treaty with King
+Stanislaus, that he had written circular letters, wherein he exhorted
+the Palatinates to join against him; declaring, that this was the most
+favourable conjuncture for asserting their liberty.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, they have advices
+from Vienna, which import, that his Electoral Highness of Hanover had
+signified to the Imperial Court, that he did not intend to put himself
+at the head of the troops of the Empire, except more effectual measures
+were taken for acting vigorously against the enemy the ensuing campaign.
+Upon this representation, the Emperor has given orders to several
+regiments to march towards the Rhine, and despatched expresses to the
+respective princes of the Empire to desire an augmentation of their
+forces.
+
+These letters add, that an express arrived at the Hague on the 20th
+instant, with advice, that the enemy having made a detachment from
+Tournay of 1500 horse, each trooper carrying a foot-soldier behind him,
+in order to surprise the garrison of Alost; the allies, upon notice of
+their march, sent out a strong body of troops from Ghent, which engaged
+the enemy at Asche, and took 200 of them prisoners, obliging the rest to
+retire without making any further attempt. On the 22nd in the morning a
+fleet of merchant ships coming from Scotland, were attacked by six
+French privateers at the entrance of the Meuse. We have yet no certain
+advice of the event: but letters from Rotterdam say, that a Dutch
+man-of-war of forty guns, which was convoy to the said fleet, was taken,
+as were also eighteen of the merchants. The Swiss troops, in the
+service of the States, have completed the augmentation of their
+respective companies. Those of Wirtemberg and Prussia are expected on
+the frontiers within few days; and the auxiliaries from Saxony, as also
+a battalion of Holstein, and another of Wolfembuttel, are advancing
+thither with all expedition. On the 21st instant, the deputies of the
+States had a conference near Woerden with the President Rouill�, but the
+matter which was therein debated is not made public. His Grace the Duke
+of Marlborough and Prince Eugene continue at the Hague.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 18.
+
+I have lately been very studious for intelligence, and have just now, by
+my astrological flying-post, received a packet from Felicia,[106] an
+island in America, with an account that gives me great satisfaction, and
+lets me understand that the island was never in greater prosperity, or
+the administration in so good hands, since the death of their late
+valiant king. These letters import, that the chief minister has entered
+into a firm league with the ablest and best men of the nation, to carry
+on the cause of liberty, to the encouragement of religion, virtue, and
+honour. Those persons at the helm are so useful, and in themselves of
+such weight, that their strict alliance must needs tend to the universal
+prosperity of the people. Camillo,[107] it seems, presides over the
+deliberations of state; and is so highly valued by all men, for his
+singular probity, courage, affability, and love of mankind, that his
+being placed in that station has dissipated the fears of that people,
+who of all the world are the most jealous of their liberty and
+happiness. The next member of their society is Horatio,[108] who makes
+all the public despatches. This minister is master of all the languages
+in use to great perfection: he is held in the highest veneration
+imaginable for a severe honesty, and love of his country: he lives in a
+court, unsullied with any of its artifices, the refuge of the oppressed,
+and terror of oppressors. Martio[109] has joined himself to this
+council; a man of most undaunted resolution and great knowledge in
+maritime affairs; famous for destroying the navy of the Franks,[110] and
+singularly happy in one particular, that he never preferred a man who
+has not proved remarkably serviceable to his country. Philander[111] is
+mentioned with particular distinction; a nobleman who has the most
+refined taste of the true pleasures and elegance of life, joined to an
+indefatigable industry in business; a man eloquent in assemblies,
+agreeable in conversation, and dextrous in all manner of public
+negotiations. These letters add, that Verono,[112] who is also of this
+council, has lately set sail to his government of Patricia, with design
+to confirm the affections of the people in the interests of his queen.
+This minister is master of great abilities, and is as industrious and
+restless for the preservation of the liberties of the people, as the
+greatest enemy can be to subvert them. The influence of these
+personages, who are men of such distinguished parts and virtues, makes
+the people enjoy the utmost tranquillity in the midst of a war, and
+gives them undoubted hopes of a secure peace from their vigilance and
+integrity.[113]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 96: In a copy of the original edition of the _Tatler_, with
+MS. notes written early in the last century, which was sold at Messrs.
+Sotheby's, in April, 1887, the ladies here described were said to be
+Mrs. Chetwine and Mrs. Hales respectively. Mrs. Hales was a maid of
+honour who married Mr. Coke, vice-chamberlain, in July, 1709 (Luttrell's
+"Brief Relation," vi. 462); "Mrs. Chetwine" was probably the wife of
+William Richard Chetwynd, afterwards third Viscount Chetwynd, who
+married Honora, daughter of John Baker, Consul at Algiers; or the wife
+of his brother Walter, M.P. for Stafford, and Master of the Buckhounds.
+In 1717, Lady M. W. Montagu, describing a week spent by a fashionable
+lady, said, 'Friday, Mrs. Chetwynd's, &c.; a perpetual round of hearing
+the same scandal' (Pope's Works, ix. 385).]
+
+[Footnote 97: Charles Jervas, portrait painter (died 1739), became
+principal painter to George I. and George II. He also made a translation
+of "Don Quixote," first published in 1742.]
+
+[Footnote 98: A translation of Owen McSwiney (1709) from the Italian of
+Scarlatti.]
+
+[Footnote 99: In the _Spectator_ (Nos. 1, 5, 13, &c.) Addison often
+wrote against the Italian opera. In 1706, Dennis published "An Essay on
+the Operas after the Italian Manner, which are about to be established
+on the English Stage: with some reflections on the damage which they may
+bring to the Public." He traces to the recent alterations in the
+entertainments of the stage, the fact that familiar conversation among
+all classes was confined to two points, news and toasting, neither of
+which required much intelligence.]
+
+[Footnote 100: The street cries of 1709 are described in Lauron's
+"Habits and Cries of the City of London." They included "Any
+card-matches or save-alls" and "Twelve-pence a peck, oysters."]
+
+[Footnote 101: Matches made by dipping pieces of card in melted sulphur.
+In the _Spectator_ (No. 251), Addison speaks of vendors of card-matches
+as examples of the fact that those made most noise who had least to
+sell.]
+
+[Footnote 102: In vol. ii. of Dr. W. King's Works (1776) is "An Essay on
+the Invention of Samplers, by Mrs. Arabella Manly, schoolmistress at
+Hackney."]
+
+[Footnote 103: May Fair was abolished in 1709, after it had on several
+occasions been presented as a nuisance by the Grand Jury at Westminster.
+This fair was granted by King James II. under the Great Seal, in the
+fourth year of his reign, to Sir John Coell and his heirs for ever, in
+trust for Henry Lord Dover and his heirs for ever, to be held in the
+field called Brookfield, in the parish of St. Martin's, Westminster, to
+commence on the first day of May, and to continue fifteen days yearly.
+It soon became the resort of the idle, the dissipated, and the
+profligate, insomuch that the peace-officers were frequently opposed in
+the performance of their duty; and, in the year 1702, John Cooper, one
+of the constables, was killed, for which a fencing-master, named Cook,
+was executed. (See also No. 20.) The fair was revived under George I.,
+but was finally abolished through the exertions of the sixth Earl of
+Coventry.]
+
+[Footnote 104: William Pinkethman, the popular actor and droll, was
+spoken of by Gildon as "the flower of Bartholomew Fair, and the idol of
+the rabble." In June, 1710, he opened a theatre at Greenwich, and in
+1711 his "wonderful invention called The Pantheon, or, The Temple of the
+Heathen Gods," with over 100 figures, was to be seen in the Little
+Piazza, Covent Garden (_Spectator_, No. 46, advertisement).]
+
+[Footnote 105: "It is credibly reported that Mr. D----y has agreed with
+Mr. Pinkethman to have his play acted before that audience as soon as it
+has had its first sixteen days' run in Drury Lane" (folio). The play was
+D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets."]
+
+[Footnote 106: Britain.]
+
+[Footnote 107: John, Lord Somers, President of the Council.]
+
+[Footnote 108: Sidney, Lord Godolphin, the Lord High Treasurer; or
+(according to the MS. notes in the copy mentioned above) Lord
+Sunderland.]
+
+[Footnote 109: Edward, Earl of Orford.]
+
+[Footnote 110: At La Hogue, 1692.]
+
+[Footnote 111: Probably Lord Halifax.]
+
+[Footnote 112: Thomas, Earl of Wharton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.]
+
+[Footnote 113: "Advertisement.--Upon the humble petition of Running
+Stationers, &c., this paper maybe had of them, for the future, at the
+price of one penny" (folio). The first four numbers were distributed
+gratuitously.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 5. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 19_, to _Thursday, April 21_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 20.
+
+    _Who names that lost thing, love, without a tear,
+    Since so debauched by ill-bred customs here,
+    To an exact perfection they have brought
+    The action, love, the passion is forgot._
+
+This was long ago a witty author's lamentation, but the evil still
+continues; and if a man of any delicacy were to attend the discourses of
+the young fellows of this age, they would believe there were none but
+prostitutes to make the objects of passion. So true it is what the
+author of the above verses said, a little before his death, of the
+modern pretenders to gallantry: "They set up for wits in this age, by
+saying when they are sober, what they of the last spoke only when they
+were drunk." But Cupid is not only blind at present, but dead-drunk, he
+has lost all his faculties: else how should Celia be so long a maid with
+that agreeable behaviour? Corinna, with that uprightly wit? Lesbia, with
+that heavenly voice? And Sacharissa, with all those excellences in one
+person, frequent the park, the play, and murder the poor tits that drag
+her to public places, and not a man turn pale at her appearance? But
+such is the fallen state of love, that if it were not for honest
+Cynthio,[114] who is true to the cause, we should hardly have a pattern
+left of the ancient worthies that way: and indeed he has but very little
+encouragement to persevere; but he has a devotion, rather than love, for
+his mistress; and says,
+
+    Only tell her that I love,
+      Leave the rest to her, and Fate;
+    Some kind planet from above,
+    May, perhaps, her passsion move:
+      Lovers on their stars must wait.[115]
+
+But the stars I am so intimately acquainted with, that I can assure him,
+he will never have her: for would you believe it, though Cynthio has
+wit, good sense, fortune, and his very being depends on her, the
+termagant for whom he sighs, is in love with a fellow, who stares in the
+glass all the time he is with her, and lets her plainly see, she may
+possibly be his rival, but never his mistress. Yet Cynthio, the same
+unhappy man whom I mentioned in my first narrative, pleases himself with
+a vain imagination, that with the language of his eyes, now he has found
+who she is, he shall conquer her, though her eyes are intent upon one
+who looks from her; which is ordinary with the sex. It is certainly a
+mistake in the ancients, to draw the little gentleman, Love, as a blind
+boy; for his real character is, a little thief that squints. For ask
+Mrs. Meddle, who is a confidante, or spy, upon all the passions in town,
+and she will tell you, that the whole is a game of cross purposes. The
+lover is generally pursuing one who is in pursuit of another, and
+running from one that desires to meet him. Nay, the figure of this
+passion is so justly represented in a squinting little thief (who is
+always in a double action) that do but observe Clarissa next time you
+see her, and you'll find, when her eyes have made their tour round the
+company, she makes no stay on him they say she is to marry, but rests
+two seconds of a minute on Wildair, who neither looks nor thinks on her,
+or any woman else. However, Cynthio had a bow from her the other day,
+upon which he is very much come to himself; and I heard him send his man
+of an errand yesterday without any manner of hesitation; a quarter of an
+hour after which he reckoned twenty, remembered he was to sup with a
+friend, and went exactly to his appointment. I sent to know how he did
+this morning, and I find he very perfectly remembers that he spoke to me
+yesterday.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 20.
+
+This week[116] being sacred to holy things, and no public diversions
+allowed, there has been taken notice of, even here, a little treatise,
+called, "A Project for the Advancement of Religion; dedicated to the
+Countess of Berkeley."[117] The title was so uncommon, and promised so
+peculiar a way of thinking, that every man here has read it, and as
+many as have done so, have approved it. It is written with the spirit of
+one, who has seen the world enough to undervalue it with good breeding.
+The author must certainly be a man of wisdom, as well as piety, and have
+spent much time in the exercise of both. The real causes of the decay of
+the interest of religion, are set forth in a clear and lively manner,
+without unseasonable passions; and the whole air of the book, as to the
+language, the sentiments, and the reasonings, show it was written by one
+whose virtue sits easy about him, and to whom vice is thoroughly
+contemptible. It was said by one of this company,[118] alluding to the
+knowledge the author seems to have of the world, "The man writes much
+like a gentleman, and goes to heaven with a very good mien."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 20.
+
+Letters from Italy say, that the Marquis de Prie, upon the receipt of an
+express from the Court of Vienna, went immediately to the palace of
+Cardinal Paulucci, minister of state to his Holiness, and demanded in
+the name of his Imperial Majesty, that King Charles should be forthwith
+acknowledged king of Spain, by a solemn act of the congregation of
+cardinals appointed for that purpose: he declared at the same time, that
+if the least hesitation were made in this most important article of the
+late treaty, he should not only be obliged to leave Rome himself, but
+also transmit his master's orders to the imperial troops to face about,
+and return into the ecclesiastical dominions. When the cardinal reported
+this message to the Pope, he was struck with so sensible an affliction,
+that he burst into tears. His sorrow was aggravated by letters which
+immediately after arrived from the Court of Madrid, wherein his Nuncio
+acquainted his Holiness, that upon the news of his accommodation with
+the Emperor, he had received a message to forbear coming to Court; and
+the people were so highly provoked, that they could hardly be restrained
+from insulting his palace. These letters add, that the King of Denmark
+was gone from Florence to Pisa, and from Pisa to Leghorn, where the
+governor paid his Majesty all imaginable honours. The king designed to
+go from thence to Lucca, where a magnificent tournament was prepared for
+his diversion. An English man-of-war, which came from Port Mahon to
+Leghorn in six days, brought advice, that the fleet commanded by Admiral
+Whitaker, was safely arrived at Barcelona, with the troops and
+ammunition which he had taken in at Naples.
+
+General Boneval, Governor of Commacchio, had summoned the magistrates of
+all the towns near that place to appear before him, and take an oath of
+fidelity to his Imperial Majesty, commanding also the gentry to pay him
+homage, on pain of death and confiscation of goods. Advices from
+Switzerland inform us, that the bankers of Geneva were utterly ruined by
+the failure of Mr. Bernard. They add, that the deputies of the Swiss
+Cantons were returned from Solleure, where they were assembled at the
+instance of the French Ambassador; but were very much dissatisfied with
+the reception they had from that minister. 'Tis true, he omitted no
+civilities, or expressions of friendship from his master, but he took no
+notice of their pensions and arrears; what further provoked their
+indignation, was, that instead of twenty-five pistoles formerly allowed
+to each member, for their charge in coming to the Diet, he had
+presented them with six only. They write from Dresden, that King
+Augustus was still busy in recruiting his cavalry, and that the Danish
+troops, which lately served in Hungary, had orders to be in Saxony in
+the middle of May, and that his Majesty of Denmark was expected at
+Dresden in the beginning of that month. King Augustus makes great
+preparations for his reception, and has appointed sixty coaches, each
+drawn by six horses for that purpose: the interview of these princes
+affords great matter for speculation. Letters from Paris of the 22nd of
+this month say, that Mareschal Harcourt and the Duke of Berwick were
+preparing to go into Alsace and Dauphine, but that their troops were in
+want of all manner of necessaries. The Court of France had received
+advices from Madrid, that on the 7th of this month, the States of Spain
+had with much magnificence acknowledged the Prince of Asturias
+presumptive heir of the crown. This was performed at Buen Retiro; the
+deputies took the oaths on that occasion by the hands of Cardinal
+Portocarrero. Those advices add, that it was signified to the Pope's
+Nuncio, by order of council, to depart from that Court in twenty-four
+hours, and that a guard was accordingly appointed to conduct him to
+Bayonne.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 26th instant inform us, that Prince Eugene
+was to set out the next day for Brussels, to put all things in a
+readiness for opening the campaign. They add, that the Grand Pensioner
+having reported to the Duke of Marlborough what passed in the last
+conference with Mr. Rouill�,[119] his Grace had taken a resolution
+immediately to return to Great Britain, to communicate to her Majesty
+all that has been transacted in that important affair.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 20.
+
+The nature of my miscellaneous work is such, that I shall always take
+the liberty to tell for news such things (let them have happened never
+so much before the time of writing) as have escaped public notice, or
+have been misrepresented to the world, provided that I am still within
+rules, and trespass not as a Tatler any further than in an incorrectness
+of style, and writing in an air of common speech. Thus if anything that
+is said, even of old Anchises or �neas, be set by me in a different
+light than has hitherto been hit upon, in order to inspire the love and
+admiration of worthy actions, you will, gentle reader, I hope, accept of
+it for intelligence you had not before. But I am going upon a narrative,
+the matter of which I know to be true: it is not only doing justice to
+the deceased merit[120] of such persons, as, had they lived, would not
+have had it in their power to thank me, but also an instance of the
+greatness of spirit in the lowest of her Majesty's subjects; take it as
+follows:
+
+At the siege of Namur by the Allies, there were in the ranks of the
+company commanded by Captain Pincent, in Colonel Frederick Hamilton's
+regiment, one Unnion a corporal, and one Valentine a private sentinel:
+there happened between these two men a dispute about a matter of love,
+which, upon some aggravations, grew to an irreconcilable hatred. Unnion
+being the officer of Valentine, took all opportunities even to strike
+his rival, and profess the spite and revenge which moved him to it. The
+sentinel bore it without resistance, but frequently said he would die to
+be revenged of that tyrant. They had spent whole months thus, one
+injuring, the other complaining; when in the midst of this rage towards
+each other, they were commanded upon the attack of the castle, where the
+corporal received a shot in the thigh, and fell; the French pressing on,
+and he expecting to be trampled to death, called out to his enemy, "Ah,
+Valentine! Can you leave me here?" Valentine immediately ran back, and
+in the midst of a thick fire of the French, took the corporal upon his
+back, and brought him through all that danger as far as the Abbey of
+Salsine, where a cannon-ball took off his head: his body fell under his
+enemy whom he was carrying off Unnion immediately forgot his wound, rose
+up, tearing his hair, and then threw himself upon the bleeding carcass,
+crying, "Ah, Valentine! Was it for me, who have so barbarously used
+thee, that thou hast died? I will not Jive after thee." He was not by
+any means to be forced from the body, but was removed with it bleeding
+in his arms, and attended with tears by all their comrades, who knew
+their enmity. When he was brought to a tent, his wounds were dressed by
+force; but the next day, still calling upon Valentine, and lamenting his
+cruelties to him, he died in the pangs of remorse and despair.
+
+It may be a question among men of noble sentiments, whether of these
+unfortunate persons had the greater soul; he that was so generous as to
+venture his life for his enemy, or he who could not survive the man that
+died, in laying upon him such an obligation?
+
+When we see spirits like these in a people, to what heights may we not
+suppose their glory may arise, but (as it is excellently observed by
+Sallust[121]) it is not only to the general bent of a nation that great
+revolutions are owing, but to the extraordinary genios[122] that lead
+them. On which occasion he proceeds to say that the Roman greatness was
+neither to be attributed to their superior policy, for in that the
+Carthaginians excelled; nor to their valour, for in that the French were
+preferable; but to particular men, who were born for the good of their
+country, and formed for great attempts. This he says, to introduce the
+characters of Cassar and Cato. It would be entering into too weighty a
+discourse for this place, if I attempted to show that our nation has
+produced as great and able men for public affairs, as any other. But I
+believe the reader outruns me, and fixes his imagination upon the Duke
+of Marlborough. It is, methinks, a pleasing reflection, to consider the
+dispensations of Providence in the fortune of this illustrious man, who,
+in the space of forty years, has passed through all the gradations of
+human life, till he has ascended to the character of a prince, and
+become the scourge of a tyrant, who sat in one of the greatest thrones
+of Europe, before the man who was to have the greatest part in his
+downfall had made one step in the world.[123] But such elevations are
+the natural consequences of an exact prudence, a calm courage, a
+well-governed temper, a patient ambition, and an affable behaviour.
+These arts, as they are the steps to his greatness, so they are the
+pillars of it now it is raised. To this her glorious son, Great Britain
+is indebted for the happy conduct of her arms, in whom she can boast,
+she has produced a man formed by nature to lead a nation of heroes.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 114: Edward Richard Montagu, styled Viscount Hinchinbroke, who
+died before his father, on October 3, 1722, was the only son of Edward,
+third Earl of Sandwich. He was born about 1690, and became colonel of
+the First Regiment of Foot Guards, and Lord Lieutenant of
+Huntingdonshire. In 1707, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander
+Popham, of Littlecot, Wilts, and of Anne, daughter of the first Duke of
+Montagu. (See Nos. 1, 22, 35, 85, and the _Lover_, No. 38.)]
+
+[Footnote 115: These lines are part of a song by Lord Cutts, under whom
+Steele had served as secretary when in the army. The verses will be
+found in Nichols' "Select Collection" (1780), ii. 327.]
+
+[Footnote 116: Passion Week.]
+
+[Footnote 117: First published as "By a Person of Quality." "The
+gentleman I here intended was Dr. Swift, this kind of man I thought him
+at that time. We have not met of late, but I hope he deserves this
+character still." (Steele's "Apology," 1714.) This pamphlet is closely
+in accord with the _Tatler_ in its condemnation of gaming, drunkenness,
+swearing, immorality on the stage, and other evils of the time. Swift
+suggests, too, a revival of censors.]
+
+[Footnote 118: Forster suggests that it was Addison.]
+
+[Footnote 119: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 120: This phrase, as well as Unnion's forgetting his wound, is
+criticised in a little book called, "Annotations on the _Tatler_, in two
+parts," 12mo, said to have been written originally in French by Monsieur
+Bournelle, and translated into English by Walter Wagstaff, Esq. London,
+Bernard Lintott, 1710. The annotator goes no farther with his
+annotations than to _Tatler_ No. 83. See Nos. 78, 191.]
+
+[Footnote 121: "Bell. Catal.," c. 53.]
+
+[Footnote 122: "A man of a particular turn of mind" (Johnson).]
+
+[Footnote 123: In 1705, after the battle of Blenheim, Marlborough was
+made Prince of Mildenheim by the Emperor. Lewis XIV. succeeded to the
+French throne in 1643; Marlborough was born in 1650.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 6. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 21_, to _Saturday, April 23_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+I am just come from visiting Sappho,[124] a fine lady, who writes
+verses, sings, dances and can say and do whatever she pleases, without
+the imputation of anything that can injure her character; for she is so
+well known to have no passion but self-love, or folly, but affectation;
+that now upon any occasion they only cry, "'Tis her way," and "That's so
+like her," without further reflection. As I came into the room, she
+cries, "O Mr. Bickerstaff, I am utterly undone! I have broke that pretty
+Italian fan I showed you when you were here last, wherein were so
+admirably drawn our first parents in Paradise asleep in each other's
+arms." But there is such an affinity between painting and poetry, that I
+have been improving the images which were raised by that picture, by
+reading the same representation in two of our greatest poets. Look you,
+here are the passages in Milton and in Dryden. All Milton's thoughts are
+wonderfully just and natural, in this inimitable description which Adam
+makes of himself in the eighth book of "Paradise Lost." But there is
+none of them finer than that contained in the following lines, where he
+tells us his thoughts when he was falling asleep a little after his
+creation.
+
+    _While thus I called, and strayed I know not whither,
+    From whence I first drew air, and first beheld
+    This happy light; when answer none returned,
+    On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers,
+    Pensive I sate me down, there gentle sleep
+    First found me, and with soft oppression seized
+    My drowned sense, untroubled, though I thought
+    I then was passing to my former state,
+    Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve._[125]
+
+But now I can't forgive this odious thing, this Dryden, who, in his
+"State of Innocence," has given my great-grand-mother Eve the same
+apprehension of annihilation, on a very different occasion, as Adam
+pronounces it of himself, when he was seized with a pleasing kind of
+stupor and deadness, Eve fancies herself falling away, and dissolving in
+the hurry of a rapture. However, the verses are very good, and I don't
+know but it may be natural what she says. I'll read them:
+
+    _When your kind eyes looked languishing on mine,
+    And wreathing arms did soft embraces join,
+    A doubtful trembling seized me first all o'er,
+    Then wishes, and a warmth unknown before;
+    What followed was all extasy and trance,
+    Immortal pleasures round my swimming eyes did dance,
+    And speechless joys, in whose sweet tumults tost,
+    I thought my breath and my new being lost._[126]
+
+She went on, and said a thousand good things at random, but so strangely
+mixed that you would be apt to say all her wit is mere good luck, and
+not the effect of reason and judgment. When I made my escape hither I
+found a gentleman playing the critic on two other great poets, even
+Virgil and Homer.[127] He was observing, that Virgil is more judicious
+than the other in the epithets he gives his hero. "Homer's usual
+epithet," said he, "is {~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER PI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH PSILI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH VARIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} [P�das �ch�s], or {~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER PI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} [Pod�rch�s],
+and his indiscretion has been often rallied by the critics, for
+mentioning the nimbleness of foot in Achilles, though he describes him
+standing, sitting, lying down, fighting, eating, drinking, or in any
+other circumstance, however foreign or repugnant to speed and activity.
+Virgil's common epithet to �neas, is 'Pius' or 'Pater.' I have therefore
+considered," said he, "what passage there is in any of his hero's actions,
+where either of these appellations would have been most improper, to see
+if I could catch him at the same fault with Homer: and this, I think, is
+his meeting with Dido in the cave, where Pius �neas would have been
+absurd, and Pater �neas a burlesque: the poet has therefore wisely
+dropped them both for Dux Trojanus,
+
+    "_Speluncam Dido dux et Trojanus eandem Devenient;_[128]
+
+which he has repeated twice in Juno's speech, and his own narration: for
+he very well knew a loose action might be consistent enough with the
+usual manners of a soldier, though it became neither the chastity of a
+pious man, nor the gravity of the father of a people."
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+While other parts of the town are amused with the present actions, we
+generally spend the evening at this table in inquiries into antiquity,
+and think anything news which gives us new knowledge. Thus we are making
+a very pleasant entertainment to ourselves, in putting the actions of
+Homer's "Iliad" into an exact journal.
+
+This poem is introduced by Chryses, King of Chryseis, and priest of
+Apollo, who comes to re-demand his daughter, who was carried off at the
+taking of that city, and given to Agamemnon for his part of the booty.
+The refusal he received enrages Apollo, who for nine days showered down
+darts upon them, which occasioned the pestilence.
+
+The tenth day Achilles assembles the council, and encourages Chalcas to
+speak for the surrender of Chryseis to appease Apollo. Agamemnon and
+Achilles storm at one another, notwithstanding which Agamemnon will not
+release his prisoner, unless he has Briseis in her stead. After long
+contestations, wherein Agamemnon gives a glorious character of Achilles'
+valour, he determines to restore Briseis to her father, and sends two
+heralds to fetch away Chryseis from Achilles, who abandons himself to
+sorrow and despair. His mother Thetis came to comfort him under his
+affliction, and promises to represent his sorrowful lamentations to
+Jupiter; but he could not attend it; for the evening before, he had
+appointed to divert himself for two days beyond the seas with the
+harmless �thiopians.
+
+It was the twenty-first day after Chryseis' arrival to the camp, that
+Thetis went very early to demand an audience of Jupiter. The means he
+uses to satisfy her were, to persuade the Greeks to attack the Trojans;
+that so they might perceive the consequence of condemning Achilles and
+the miseries they suffer if he does not head them. The next night he
+orders Agamemnon, in a dream, to attack them; who was deceived with the
+hopes of obtaining a victory, and also taking the city, without sharing
+the honour with Achilles.
+
+On the 22nd, in the morning, he assembles the council, and having made a
+feint of raising the siege and retiring, he declares to them his dream;
+and, together with Nestor and Ulysses, resolves on an engagement.
+
+This was the twenty-third day, which is full of incidents, and which
+continues from almost the beginning of the second canto to the eighth.
+The armies being then drawn up in view of one another, Hector brings it
+about that Menelaus and Paris, the two persons concerned in the quarrel,
+should decide it by a single combat; which tending to the advantage of
+Menelaus, was interrupted by a cowardice infused by Minerva: then both
+armies engage, where the Trojans have the disadvantage; but being
+afterwards animated by Apollo, they repulse the enemy, yet they are once
+again forced to give ground; but their affairs were retrieved by Hector,
+who has a single combat with Ajax. The gods threw themselves into the
+battle, Juno and Minerva took the Grecians' part, and Apollo and Mars
+the Trojans': but Mars and Venus are both wounded by Diomedes.
+
+The truce for burying the slain ended the twenty-third day; after which
+the Greeks threw up a great entrenchment to secure their navy from
+danger. Councils are held on both sides. On the morning of the
+twenty-fourth day the battle is renewed, but in a very disadvantageous
+manner to the Greeks, who were beaten back to their retrenchments.
+Agamemnon being in despair at this ill success, proposes to the council
+to quit the enterprise and retire from Troy. But by the advice of
+Nestor, he is persuaded to regain Achilles, by returning Chryseis, and
+sending him considerable presents. Hereupon, Ulysses and Ajax are sent
+to that hero, who continues inflexible in his anger. Ulysses, at his
+return, joins himself with Diomedes, and goes in the night to gain
+intelligence of the enemy: they enter into their very camp, where,
+finding the sentinels asleep, they made a great slaughter. Rhesus, who
+was just then arrived with recruits from Thrace for the Trojans, was
+killed in that action. Here ends the tenth canto. The sequel of this
+journal will be inserted in the next article from this place.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+We hear from Italy, that notwithstanding the Pope has received a letter
+from the Duke of Anjou, demanding of him to explain himself upon the
+affair of acknowledging King Charles: his Holiness has not yet thought
+fit to send any answer to that prince. The Court of Rome appears very
+much mortified, that they are not to see his Majesty of Denmark in that
+city, having perhaps given themselves vain hopes from a visit made by a
+Protestant priest to that see. The Pope has despatched a gentleman to
+compliment his Majesty, and sent the king a present of all the
+curiosities and antiquities of Rome, represented in seventeen volumes,
+very richly bound, which were taken out of the Vatican library. Letters
+from Genoa of the 14th instant say, a felucca was arrived there in five
+days from Marseilles, with an account, that the people of that city had
+made an insurrection, by reason of the scarcity of provisions, and that
+the Intendant had ordered some companies of marines, and the men
+belonging to the galleys, to stand to their arms to protect him from
+violence; but that he began to be in as much apprehension of his guards
+as those from whom they were to defend him. When that vessel came away,
+the soldiers murmured publicly for want of pay, and it was generally
+believed they would pillage the magazines, as the garrison of Grenoble,
+and other towns of France, had already done. A vessel which lately came
+into Leghorn, brought advice, that the British squadron was arrived at
+Port Mahon, where they were taking in more troops, in order to attempt
+the relief of Alicante, which still made a very vigorous defence. 'Tis
+said, Admiral Byng will be at the head of that expedition. The King of
+Denmark was gone from Leghorn towards Lucca.
+
+They write from Vienna, that in case the Allies should enter into a
+treaty of peace with France, Count Zinzendorf will be appointed first
+plenipotentiary, the Count de Goes the second, and Monsieur van
+Konsbruch a third. Major-General Palmes, Envoy Extraordinary from her
+Britannic Majesty, has been very urgent with that Court to make their
+utmost efforts against France the ensuing campaign, in order to oblige
+it to such a peace, as may establish the tranquillity of Europe for the
+future.
+
+We are also informed, that the Pope uses all imaginable shifts to elude
+the treaty concluded with the Emperor, and that he demanded the
+immediate restitution of Commacchio; insisting also, that his Imperial
+Majesty should ask pardon, and desire absolution for what has formerly
+passed, before he would solemnly acknowledge King Charles: but this was
+utterly refused.
+
+They hear at Vienna, by letters from Constantinople, dated the 22nd of
+February last, that on the 12th of that month the Grand Signior took
+occasion, at the celebration of the festivals of the Mussulmen, to set
+all the Christian slaves which were in the galleys at liberty.
+
+Advices from Switzerland import, that the preachers of the county of
+Tockenburg continue to create new jealousies of the Protestants, and
+some disturbances lately happened there on that account. The Protestants
+and Papists in the town of Hamman go to divine service one after another
+in the same church, as is usual in many other parts of Switzerland; but
+on Sunday, the 10th instant, the Popish curate, having ended his
+service, attempted to hinder the Protestants from entering into the
+church according to custom; but the Protestants briskly attacked him and
+his party, and broke into it by force.
+
+Last night between seven and eight, his Grace the Duke of Marlborough
+arrived at Court.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 22.
+
+The present great captains of the age, the Duke of Marlborough and
+Prince Eugene, having been the subject of the discourse of the last
+company I was in, it has naturally led me into a consideration of
+Alexander and C�sar, the two greatest names which ever appeared before
+this century. In order to enter into their characters, there needs no
+more but examining their behaviour in parallel circumstances. It must be
+allowed, that they had an equal greatness of soul; but C�sar's was more
+corrected and allayed by a mixture of prudence and circumspection. This
+is seen conspicuously in one particular in their histories, wherein they
+seem to have shown exactly the difference of their tempers. When
+Alexander, after a long course of victories, would still have led his
+soldiers farther from home, they unanimously refused to follow him. We
+meet with the like behaviour in C�sar's army in the midst of his march
+against Ariovistus. Let us therefore observe the conduct of our two
+generals in so nice an affair: and here we find Alexander at the head of
+his army, upbraiding them with their cowardice, and meanness of spirit;
+and in the end, telling them plainly, he would go forward himself,
+though not a man followed him. This showed indeed an excessive bravery;
+but how would the commander have come off, if the speech had not
+succeeded, and the soldiers had taken him at his word? The project seems
+of a piece with Mr. Bayes' in "The Rehearsal,"[129] who, to gain a clap
+in his prologue, comes out, with a terrible fellow in a fur cap
+following him, and tells his audience, if they would not like his play,
+he would lie down and have his head struck off. If this gained a clap,
+all was well; but if not, there was nothing left but for the executioner
+to do his office. But C�sar would not leave the success of his speech
+to such uncertain events: he shows his men the unreasonableness of their
+fears in an obliging manner, and concludes, that if none else would
+march along with them, he would go himself with the Tenth Legion, for he
+was assured of their fidelity and valour, though all the rest forsook
+him; not but that in all probability they were as much against the march
+as the rest. The result of all was very natural: the Tenth Legion, fired
+with the praises of their general, send thanks to him for the just
+opinion he entertains of them; and the rest, ashamed to be outdone,
+assure him, that they are as ready to follow where he pleases to lead
+them, as any other part of the army.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 124: It has been suggested, with little or no reason, that
+Sappho is meant for Mrs. Manley (Author of the "New Atalantis"), or Mrs.
+Elizabeth Thomas (known as "Corinna"), or Mrs. Elizabeth Heywood. See
+No. 40.]
+
+[Footnote 125: "Paradise Lost," viii. 283.]
+
+[Footnote 126: Dryden's "State of Innocence and Fall of Man: an Opera,"
+act iii. sc. i. In the _Spectator_ (No. 345), Addison illustrated
+Milton's chaste treatment of the subject of Eve's nuptials by
+contrasting what he says with the account in the opera in which Dryden,
+according to Lee's verses, refined "Milton's golden ore, and new-weaved
+his hard-spun thought."]
+
+[Footnote 127: Addison, on reading here this remark upon Virgil, which
+he himself had communicated to Steele, discovered that his friend was
+the author of the _Tatler_. He was at this time in Ireland, Secretary to
+Lord Wharton, and returned to England with the Lord Lieutenant on the
+8th of September following. (Tickell's Preface to Addison's Works.)]
+
+[Footnote 128: "�neid," iv. 124.]
+
+[Footnote 129: "The Rehearsal," act i. sc. 2. This play of the Duke of
+Buckingham's was produced in 1671, and the poet Bayes, as finally drawn
+after revision, was a satire on Dryden.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 7. [STEELE
+
+From _Saturday, April 23_, to _Tuesday, April 26_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is so just an observation, that mocking is catching, that I am become
+an unhappy instance of it, and am (in the same manner that I have
+represented Mr. Partridge) myself a dying man in comparison of the
+vigour with which I first set out in the world. Had it been otherwise,
+you may be sure I would not have pretended to have given for news, as I
+did last Saturday, a diary of the siege of Troy. But man is a creature
+very inconsistent with himself: the greatest heroes are sometimes
+fearful, the sprightliest wits at some hours dull; and the greatest
+politicians on some occasions whimsical. But I shall not pretend to
+palliate, or excuse the matter; for I find, by a calculation of my own
+nativity, that I cannot hold out with any tolerable wit longer than two
+minutes after twelve o'clock at night, between the 18th and 19th of the
+next month. For which space of time you may still expect to hear from
+me, but no longer, except you will transmit to me the occurrences you
+meet with relating to your amours, or any other subject within the rules
+by which I have proposed to walk. If any gentleman or lady sends to
+Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., at Mr. Morphew's,[130] near Stationers' Hall,
+by the Penny Post, the grief or joy of their soul, what they think fit
+of the matter shall be related in colours as much to their advantage, as
+those in which Jervas[131] has drawn the agreeable Chloe. But since,
+without such assistance, I frankly confess, and am sensible, that I
+have not a month's wit more, I think I ought, while I am in my sound
+health and senses, to make my will and testament; which I do in manner
+and form following:
+
+Imprimis, I give to the stockjobbers about the Exchange of London, as a
+security for the trusts daily reposed in them, all my real estate; which
+I do hereby vest in the said body of worthy citizens for ever.
+
+Item, Forasmuch as it is very hard to keep land in repair without ready
+cash, I do, out of my personal estate, bestow the bearskin,[132] which I
+have frequently lent to several societies about this town, to supply
+their necessities. I say, I give also the said bearskin, as an immediate
+fund to the said citizens for ever.
+
+Item, I do hereby appoint a certain number of the said citizens to take
+all the custom-house or customary oaths, concerning all goods imported
+to the whole city, strictly directing, that some select members, and not
+the whole number of a body corporate, should be perjured.
+
+Item, I forbid all n----s and persons of q----ty to watch bargains near
+and about the Exchange, to the diminution and wrong of the said
+stockjobbers.
+
+Thus far, in as brief and intelligible a manner as any will can appear,
+till it is explained by the learned, I have disposed of my real and
+personal estate: but, as I am an adept, I have by birth an equal right
+to give also an indefeasible title to my endowments and qualifications;
+which I do in the following manner:
+
+Item, I give my chastity to all virgins who have withstood their
+market.
+
+Item, I give my courage among all who are ashamed of their distressed
+friends, all sneakers in assemblies, and men who show valour in common
+conversation.
+
+Item, I give my wit (as rich men give to the rich) among such as think
+they have enough already. And in case they shall not accept of the
+legacy, I give it to Bentivolio,[133] to defend his works from time to
+time, as he shall think fit to publish them.
+
+Item, I bestow my learning upon the honorary members of the Royal
+Society.[134]
+
+Now for the disposal of this body.
+
+As these eyes must one day cease to gaze on Teraminta, and this heart
+shall one day pant no more for her indignation: that is to say, since
+this body must be earth, I shall commit it to the dust in a manner
+suitable to my character. Therefore, as there are those who dispute,
+whether there is any such real person as Isaac Bickerstaff or not, I
+shall excuse all persons who appear what they really are, from coming to
+my funeral. But all those who are, in their way of life, persons, as the
+Latins have it, persons assumed, and who appear what they really are
+not, are hereby invited to that solemnity.
+
+The body shall be carried by six watchmen, who are never seen in the
+day.
+
+Item, The pall shall be held up by the six most known pretenders to
+honesty, wealth and power, who are not possessed of any of them. The
+two first, an half-lawyer, a complete justice. The two next, a chemist,
+a projector. The third couple, a Treasury solicitor, and a small
+courtier.
+
+To make my funeral (what that solemnity, when done to common men, really
+is in itself) a very farce; and since all mourners are mere actors on
+these occasions, I shall desire those who are professedly such, to
+attend me. I humbly therefore beseech Mrs. Barry[135] to act once more,
+and be my widow. When she swoons away at the church-porch, I appoint the
+merry Sir John Falstaff, and the gay Sir Harry Wildair, to support her.
+I desire Mr. Pinkethman[136] to follow in the habit of a cardinal, and
+Mr. Bullock[137] in that of a privy councillor. To make up the rest of
+the appearance, I desire all the ladies from the balconies to weep with
+Mrs. Barry, as they hope to be wives and widows themselves. I invite
+all, who have nothing else to do, to accept of gloves and scarves.
+
+Thus, with the great Charles V. of Spain, I resign the glories of this
+transitory world: yet, at the same time, to show you my indifference,
+and that my desires are not too much fixed upon anything, I own to you,
+I am as willing to stay as go: therefore leave it in the choice of my
+gentle readers, whether I shall hear from them, or they hear no more
+from me.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 25.
+
+Easter Day being a time when you can't well meet with any but humble
+adventures; and there being such a thing as low gallantry, as well as a
+low comedy, Colonel Ramble[138] and myself went early this morning into
+the fields, which were strewed with shepherds and shepherdesses, but
+indeed of a different turn from the simplicity of those of Arcadia.
+Every hedge was conscious of more than what the representations of
+enamoured swains admit of. While we were surveying the crowd around us,
+we saw at a distance a company coming towards Pancras Church; but though
+there was not much disorder, we thought we saw the figure of a man stuck
+through with a sword, and at every step ready to fall, if a woman by his
+side had not supported him; the rest followed two and two. When we came
+nearer this appearance, who should it be but Monsieur Guardeloop, mine
+and Ramble's French tailor, attended by others, leading one of Madame
+Depingle's[139] maids to the church, in order to their espousals. It was
+his sword tucked so high above his waist, and the circumflex which
+persons of his profession take in their walking, that made him appear at
+a distance wounded and falling. But the morning being rainy, methought
+the march to this wedding was but too lively a picture of wedlock
+itself. They seemed both to have a month's mind to make the best of
+their way single; yet both tugged arm in arm; and when they were in a
+dirty way, he was but deeper in the mire, by endeavouring to pull out
+his companion, and yet without helping her. The bridegroom's feathers in
+his hat all drooped, one of his shoes had lost an heel. In short, he was
+in his whole person and dress so extremely soused, that there did not
+appear one inch or single thread about him unmarried.[140] Pardon me,
+that the melancholy object still dwells upon me so far, as to reduce me
+to punning. However, we attended to the chapel, where we stayed to hear
+the irrevocable words pronounced upon our old servant, and made the best
+of our way to town. I took a resolution to forbear all married persons,
+or any, in danger of being such, for four-and-twenty hours at least;
+therefore dressed, and went to visit Florimel, the vainest thing in
+town, where I knew would drop in Colonel Picket, just come from the
+camp, her professed admirer. He is of that order of men who has much
+honour and merit, but withal a coxcomb; the other of that set of
+females, who has innocence and wit, but the first of coquettes. It is
+easy to believe, these must be admirers of each other. She says, "The
+Colonel rides the best of any man in England": the Colonel says, "She
+talks the best of any woman." At the same time, he understands wit just
+as she does horsemanship. You are to know, these extraordinary persons
+see each other daily; and they themselves, as well as the town, think it
+will be a match: but it can never happen that they can come to the
+point; for instead of addressing to each other, they spend their whole
+time in reports of themselves. He is satisfied if he can convince her he
+is a fine gentleman, and a man of consequence; and she, in appearing to
+him an accomplished lady and a wit, without further design. Thus he
+tells her of his manner of posting his men at such a pass, with the
+numbers he commanded on that detachment: she tells him, how she was
+dressed on such a day at Court, and what offers were made her the week
+following. She seems to hear the repetition of his men's names with
+admiration; and waits only to answer him with as false a muster of
+lovers. They talk to each other not to be informed, but approved. Thus
+they are so like, that they are to be ever distant, and the parallel
+lines may run together for ever, but never meet.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 25.
+
+This evening, the comedy, called "Epsom Wells,"[141] was acted for the
+benefit of Mr. Bullock,[142] who, though he is a person of much wit and
+ingenuity, has a peculiar talent of looking like a fool, and therefore
+excellently well qualified for the part of Biskett in this play. I
+cannot indeed sufficiently admire his way of bearing a beating, as he
+does in this drama, and that with such a natural air and propriety of
+folly, that one cannot help wishing the whip in one's own hand; so
+richly does he seem to deserve his chastisement. Skilful actors think it
+a very peculiar happiness to play in a scene with such as top their
+parts. Therefore I cannot but say, when the judgment of any good author
+directs him to write a beating for Mr. Bullock from Mr. William
+Pinkethman, or for Mr. William Pinkethman from Mr. Bullock, those
+excellent players seem to be in their most shining circumstances, and
+please me more, but with a different sort of delight, than that which I
+receive from those grave scenes of Brutus and Cassius, or Antony and
+Ventidius. The whole comedy is very just, and the low part of human life
+represented with much humour and wit.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 25.
+
+We are advised from Vienna, by letters of the 20th instant, that the
+Emperor hath lately added twenty new members to his Council of State,
+but they have not yet taken their places at the board. General Thaun is
+returned from Baden, his health being so well re-established by the
+baths of that place, that he designs to set out next week for Turin, to
+his command of the Imperial troops in the service of the Duke of Savoy.
+His Imperial Majesty has advanced his brother Count Henry Thaun to be a
+brigadier, and a Councillor of the Aulic Council of War. These letters
+import, that King Stanislaus and the Swedish General Crassau are
+directing their march to the Nieper, to join the King of Sweden's army
+in Ukrania: that the States of Austria have furnished Marshal Heister
+with a considerable sum of money, to enable him to push on the war
+vigorously in Hungary, where all things as yet are in perfect
+tranquillity: and that General Thungen has been very importunate for a
+speedy reinforcement of the forces on the Upper Rhine, representing at
+the same time, what miseries the inhabitants must necessarily undergo,
+if the designs of France on those parts be not speedily and effectually
+prevented.
+
+Letters from Rome, dated the 13th instant, say, that on the preceding
+Sunday his Holiness was carried in an open chair from St. Peter's to St.
+Mary's, attended by the Sacred College, in cavalcade; and, after Mass,
+distributed several dowries for the marriage of poor and distressed
+virgins. The proceedings of that Court are very dilatory concerning the
+recognition of King Charles, notwithstanding the pressing instances of
+the Marquis de Prie, who has declared, that if this affair be not wholly
+concluded by the 15th instant, he will retire from that Court, and order
+the Imperial troops to return into the ecclesiastical state. On the
+other hand, the Duke of Anjou's minister has, in the name of his master,
+demanded of his Holiness to explain himself on that affair; which, it is
+said, will be finally determined in a consistory to be held on Monday
+next; the Duke d'Uzeda designing to delay his departure till he sees the
+issue. These letters also say, that the Court was mightily alarmed at
+the news which they received by an express from Ferrara, that General
+Boneval, who commands in Commachio, had sent circular letters to the
+inhabitants of St. Alberto, Longastrino, Fillo, and other adjacent
+parts, enjoining them to come and swear fealty to the Emperor, and
+receive new investitures of their fiefs from his hands. Letters from
+other parts of Italy say, that the King of Denmark continues at Lucca;
+that four English and Dutch men-of-war were seen off of Oneglia, bound
+for Final, in order to transport the troops designed for Barcelona; and
+that her Majesty's ship the _Colchester_ arrived at Leghorn the 4th
+instant from Port Mahon, with advice, that Major-General Stanhope
+designed to part from thence the 1st instant with 6000 or 7000 men to
+attempt the relief of the Castle of Alicant.
+
+Our last advices from Berlin, bearing date the 27th instant, import,
+that the King was gone to Linum, and the Queen to Mecklenburg; but that
+their Majesties designed to return the next week to Oranienburg, where a
+great chase of wild beasts was prepared for their diversion, and from
+thence they intend to proceed together to Potsdam; that the Prince Royal
+was set out for Brabant, but intended to make some short stay at
+Hanover. These letters also inform us, that they are advised from Obory,
+that the King of Sweden, being on his march towards Holki, met General
+Renne with a detachment of Muscovites, who placing some regiments in
+ambuscade, attacked the Swedes in their rear, and putting them to
+flight, killed 2000 men, the king himself having his horse shot under
+him.
+
+We hear from Copenhagen, that, the ice being broke, the Sound is again
+open for the ships; and that they hoped his Majesty would return sooner
+than they at first expected.
+
+Letters from the Hague, dated May the 4th, N.S., say that an express
+arrived there on the 1st from Prince Eugene to his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough. The States are advised, that the auxiliaries of Saxony
+were arrived on the frontiers of the United Provinces; as also, that the
+two regiments of Wolfembuttel, and 4000 troops from Wirtemberg, which
+are to serve in Flanders, are in full march thither. Letters from
+Flanders, say that the great convoy of ammunition and provisions which
+set out from Ghent for Lille, was safely arrived at Courtray. We hear
+from Paris, that the King has ordered the militia on the coasts of
+Normandy and Bretagne to be in a readiness to march; and that the Court
+was in apprehension of a descent, to animate the people to rise in the
+midst of their present hardships.
+
+They write from Spain, that the Pope's Nuncio left Madrid the 10th of
+April, in order to go to Bayonne; that the Marquis de Bay was at Badajos
+to observe the motions of the Portuguese; and that the Count d'Estain,
+with a body of 5000 men, was on his march to attack Gironne. The Duke
+of Anjou has deposed the Bishop of Lerida, as being a favourer of the
+interest of King Charles; and has summoned a convocation at Madrid,
+composed of the archbishops, bishops and states of that kingdom,
+wherein he hopes they will come to a resolution to send for no more
+bulls to Rome.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 130: John Morphew was the publisher of the _Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 131: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 132: Stockjobbers, who contract for a sale of stock which they
+do not possess, are called sellers of bearskins; and universally whoever
+sells what he does not possess was said to sell the bear's skin, while
+the bear runs in the woods. "You never heard such bellowing about the
+town of the state of the nation, especially among the sharpers, sellers
+of bearskins--_i.e._ stockjobbers, &c." (Swift). See No. 38.]
+
+[Footnote 133: Dr. Richard Bentley, Master of Trinity College,
+Cambridge, took a leading part in the controversy regarding the
+genuineness of the Epistles of Phalaris. In 1709 he published critical
+notes on the Tusculan Disputations.]
+
+[Footnote 134: There are several sneers at the members of the Royal
+Society in the _Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 135: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 136: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 137: William Bullock was a comic actor whose abilities are
+praised by Gildon and others. He was the original Sir Tunbelly Clumsy in
+Vanbrugh's "Relapse." Later on in this number (p. 70), Steele says that
+Bullock had a peculiar talent of looking like a fool, and in No. 188 he
+compares Bullock and Pinkethman in a satirical vein.]
+
+[Footnote 138: Perhaps Colonel Hunter, afterwards Governor of New York;
+or Colonel Brett, one of the managers of Drury Lane Theatre.]
+
+[Footnote 139: See No. 34.]
+
+[Footnote 140: The pun is, of course, on the word "unmarred."]
+
+[Footnote 141: By Thomas Shadwell, 1676.]
+
+[Footnote 142: See note on p. 67, above.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 8. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 26._ to _Thursday, April 28_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Wills Coffee-house, April 26.
+
+The play of "The London Cuckolds"[143] was acted this evening before a
+suitable audience, who were extremely well diverted with that heap of
+vice and absurdity. The indignation which Eugenio, who is a gentleman
+of a just taste, has, upon occasion of seeing human nature fall so low
+in their delights, made him, I thought, expatiate upon the mention of
+this play very agreeably. "Of all men living," said he, "I pity players
+(who must be men of good understanding to be capable of being such) that
+they are obliged to repeat and assume proper gestures for representing
+things, of which their reason must be ashamed, and which they must
+disdain their audience for approving. The amendment of these low
+gratifications is only to be made by people of condition, by encouraging
+the presentation of the noble characters drawn by Shakespeare and
+others, from whence it is impossible to return without strong
+impressions of honour and humanity. On these occasions, distress is laid
+before us with all its causes and consequences, and our resentment
+placed according to the merit of the persons afflicted. Were dramas of
+this nature more acceptable to the taste of the town, men who have
+genius would bend their studies to excel in them. How forcible an effect
+this would have on our minds, one needs no more than to observe how
+strongly we are touched by mere pictures. Who can see Le Brun's[144]
+picture of the Battle of Porus, without entering into the character of
+that fierce gallant man,[145] and being accordingly spurred to an
+emulation of his constancy and courage? When he is falling with his
+wound, the features are at the same time very terrible and languishing;
+and there is such a stern faintness diffused through his look, as is
+apt to move a kind of horror, as well as pity, in the beholder. This, I
+say, is an effect wrought by mere lights and shades; consider also a
+representation made by words only, as in an account given by a good
+writer: Catiline in Sallust makes just such a figure as Porus by Le
+Brun. It is said of him, 'Catilina vero longe a suis inter hostium
+cadavera repertus est; paululum etiam spirans, ferocitatemque animi quam
+vivus habuerat in vultu retinens.'[146] ('Catiline was found killed far
+from his own men among the dead bodies of the enemy: he seemed still to
+breathe, and still retained in his face the same fierceness he had when
+he was living.') You have in that one sentence, a lively impression of
+his whole life and actions. What I would insinuate from all this, is,
+that if the painter and the historian can do thus much in colours and
+language, what may not be performed by an excellent poet, when the
+character he draws is presented by the person, the manner, the look, and
+the motion, of an accomplished player? If a thing painted or related can
+irresistibly enter our hearts, what may not be brought to pass by seeing
+generous things performed before our eyes?" Eugenio ended his discourse,
+by recommending the apt use of a theatre, as the most agreeable and easy
+method of making a polite and moral gentry, which would end in rendering
+the rest of the people regular in their behaviour, and ambitious of
+laudable undertakings.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 27.
+
+Letters from Naples of the 9th instant, N.S., advise, that Cardinal
+Grimani had ordered the regiment commanded by General Pate to march
+towards Final, in order to embark for Catalonia, whither also a
+thousand horse are to be transported from Sardinia, besides the troops
+which come from the Milanese. An English man-of-war has taken two
+prizes, one a vessel of Malta, the other of Genoa, both laden with goods
+of the enemy. They write from Florence of the 13th, that his Majesty of
+Denmark had received a courier from the Hague, with an account of some
+matters relating to the treaty of a peace; upon which he declared, that
+he thought it necessary to hasten to his own dominions.
+
+Letters from Switzerland inform us, that the effects of the great
+scarcity of corn in France were felt at Geneva; the magistrates of which
+city had appointed deputies to treat with the cantons of Berne and
+Zurich, for leave to buy up such quantities of grain within their
+territories as should be thought necessary. The Protestants of
+Tockenburg are still in arms about the convent of St. John, and have
+declared, that they will not lay them down, till they shall have
+sufficient security from the Roman Catholics, of living unmolested in
+the exercise of their religion. In the meantime the deputies of Berne
+and Tockenburg have frequent conferences at Zurich, with the regency of
+that canton, to find out methods for the quieting these disorders.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 3rd of May advise, that the President
+Rouill�, after his last conference with the deputies of the States, had
+retired to Bodegrave, five miles distant from Worden, and expected the
+return of a courier from France on the 4th, with new instructions. It is
+said, if his answer from the French Court shall not prove satisfactory,
+he will be desired to withdraw out of these parts. In the meantime it is
+also reported, that his equipage, as an ambassador on this great
+occasion, is actually on the march towards him. They write from
+Flanders, that the great convoy of provisions, which set out from Ghent,
+is safely arrived at Lille. Those advices add, that the enemy had
+assembled near Tournay a considerable body of troops drawn out of the
+neighbouring garrisons. Their high mightinesses having sent orders to
+their Ministers at Hamburg and Dantzic, to engage the magistrates of
+those cities to forbid the sale of corn to the French, and to signify to
+them, that the Dutch merchants will buy up as much of that commodity as
+they can spare, the Hamburgers have accordingly contracted with the
+Dutch, and refused any commerce with the French on that occasion.
+
+
+From my own Apartment.
+
+After the lassitude of a day spent in the strolling manner, which is
+usual with men of pleasure in this town, and with a head full of a
+million of impertinences, which had danced round it for ten hours
+together, I came to my lodging, and hastened to bed. My
+_valet-de-chambre_[147] knows my University trick of reading there; and
+he being: a good scholar for a gentleman, ran over the names of Horace,
+Tibullus, Ovid, and others, to know which I would have. "Bring Virgil,"
+said I, "and if I fall asleep, take care of the candle." I read the
+sixth book over with the most exquisite delight, and had gone half
+through it a second time, when the pleasing ideas of Elysian Fields,
+deceased worthies walking in them, sincere lovers enjoying their
+languishment without pain, compassion for the unhappy spirits who had
+misspent their short daylight, and were exiled from the seats of bliss
+for ever; I say, I was deep again in my reading, when this mixture of
+images had taken place of all others in my imagination before, and
+lulled me into a dream, from which I am just awake, to my great
+disadvantage. The happy mansions of Elysium by degrees seemed to be
+wafted from me, and the very traces of my late waking thoughts began to
+fade away, when I was cast by a sudden whirlwind upon an island,
+encompassed with a roaring and troubled sea, which shaked its very
+centre, and rocked its inhabitants as in a cradle. The islanders lay on
+their faces, without offering to look up, or hope for preservation; all
+her harbours were crowded with mariners, and tall vessels of war lay in
+danger of being driven to pieces on her shores. "Bless me!" said I, "why
+have I lived in such a manner that the convulsion of nature should be so
+terrible to me, when I feel in myself, that the better part of me is to
+survive it? Oh! may that be in happiness." A sudden shriek, in which the
+whole people on their faces joined, interrupted my soliloquy, and turned
+my eyes and attention to the object which had given us that sudden
+start, in the midst of an inconsolable and speechless affliction.
+Immediately the winds grew calm, the waves subsided, and the people
+stood up, turning their faces upon a magnificent pile in the midst of
+the island. There we beheld an hero of a comely and erect aspect, but
+pale and languid, sitting under a canopy of state. By the faces and dumb
+sorrow of those who attended we thought him in the article of death. At
+a distance sat a lady, whose life seemed to hang upon the same thread
+with his: she kept her eyes fixed upon him, and seemed to smother ten
+thousand thousand nameless things, which urged her tenderness to clasp
+him in her arms: but her greatness of spirit overcame those sentiments,
+and gave her power to forbear disturbing his last moment; which
+immediately approached. The hero looked up with an air of negligence,
+and satiety of being, rather than of pain to leave it; and leaning back
+his head, expired.[148]
+
+When the heroine, who sat at a distance, saw his last instant come, she
+threw herself at his feet, and kneeling, pressed his hand to her lips;
+in which posture she continued under the agony of an unutterable sorrow,
+till conducted from our sight by her attendants. That commanding awe,
+which accompanies the grief of great minds, restrained the multitude
+while in her presence; but as soon as she retired, they gave way to
+their distraction, and all the islanders called upon their deceased
+hero. To him, methought, they cried out, as to a guardian being, and I
+gathered from their broken accents, that it was he who had the empire
+over the ocean and its powers, by which he had long protected the island
+from shipwreck and invasion. They now give a loose to their moan, and
+think themselves exposed without hopes of human or divine assistance.
+While the people ran wild, and expressed all the different forms of
+lamentation, methought a sable cloud overshadowed the whole land, and
+covered its inhabitants with darkness: no glimpse of light appeared,
+except one ray from heaven upon the place in which the heroine now
+secluded herself from the world, with her eyes fixed on those abodes to
+which her consort was ascended.[149] Methought, a long period of time
+had passed away in mourning and in darkness, when a twilight began by
+degrees to enlighten the hemisphere; and looking round me, I saw a boat
+rowed towards the shore, in which sat a personage adorned with warlike
+trophies, bearing on his left arm a shield, on which was engraven the
+image of Victory, and in his right hand a branch of olive. His visage
+was at once so winning and so awful, that the shield and the olive
+seemed equally suitable to his genius.
+
+When this illustrious person[150] touched on the shore, he was received
+by the acclamations of the people, and followed to the palace of the
+heroine. No pleasure in the glory of her arms, or the acclamations
+of her applauding subjects, were ever capable to suspend her sorrow for
+one moment, until she saw the olive branch in the hand of that
+auspicious messenger. At that sight, as Heaven bestows its blessings on
+the wants and importunities of mortals, out of its native bounty, and
+not to increase its own power, or honour, in compassion to the world,
+the celestial mourner was then first seen to turn her regard to things
+below; and taking the branch out of the warrior's hand, looked at it
+with much satisfaction, and spoke of the blessings of peace, with a
+voice and accent, such as that in which guardian spirits whisper to
+dying penitents assurances of happiness. The air was hushed, the
+multitude attentive, and all nature in a pause, while she was speaking.
+But as soon as the messenger of peace had made some low reply, in
+which, methought, I heard the word Iberia, the heroine assuming a more
+severe air, but such as spoke resolution, without rage, returned him
+the olive, and again veiled her face. Loud cries and clashing of arms
+immediately followed, which forced me from my charming vision, and
+drove me back to these mansions of care and sorrow.[151]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 143: A very coarse play by Edward Ravenscroft, produced in
+1682, and often acted on Lord Mayors' days and other holidays.]
+
+[Footnote 144: Charles Le Brun, who was born in 1619, and died in 1690,
+was the son of a sculptor, of Scotch extraction. Under Colbert's
+patronage he founded the Academy of Painting and Sculpture, at Paris,
+and he received many honours from Louis XIV. Le Brun's painting of the
+Defeat of Porus is 16 feet high and 39 feet 5 inches long.]
+
+[Footnote 145: Porus was an Indian king who was defeated and put to
+death by Alexander the Great. See Q. Curtius, viii. 12, 14.]
+
+[Footnote 146: "Bell. Catil." cap. 61.]
+
+[Footnote 147: Steele seems to have forgotten that he was Isaac
+Bickerstaff, Esq., and had only an old maid-servant. (Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 148: Prince George of Denmark, the consort of Queen Anne, died
+on October 21, 1708, after a few days' illness. This dream gives a
+picture of the state of England from his death until the conclusion of
+the negotiations at the Hague in 1709.]
+
+[Footnote 149: The mourning of Queen Anne was so long that the
+manufacturers remonstrated, and secured a limit to the duration of
+public mournings.]
+
+[Footnote 150: About this time the D[uke]. of M[arlborough]. returned
+from Holland with the preliminaries of a peace.--(Steele.)]
+
+[Footnote 151: "Mr. Bickerstaff thanks Mr. Quarterstaff for his kind and
+instructive letter dated the 26th instant" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 9. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 28_, to _Saturday, April 30_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 28.
+
+This evening we were entertained with "The Old Bachelor,"[152] a comedy
+of deserved reputation. In the character which gives name to the play,
+there is excellently represented the reluctance of a battered debauchee
+to come into the trammels of order and decency: he neither languishes
+nor burns, but frets for love. The gentlemen of more regular behaviour
+are drawn with much spirit and wit, and the drama introduced by the
+dialogue of the first scene with uncommon, yet natural conversation. The
+part of Fondlewife is a lively image of the unseasonable fondness of age
+and impotence. But instead of such agreeable works as these, the town
+has this half age been tormented with insects called "easy writers,"
+whose abilities Mr. Wycherley one day described excellently well in one
+word: "That," said he, "among these fellows is called easy writing,
+which any one may easily write." Such jaunty scribblers are so justly
+laughed at for their sonnets on Phillis and Chloris, and fantastical
+descriptions in them, that an ingenious kinsman of mine,[153] of the
+family of the Staffs, Mr. Humphrey Wagstaff by name, has, to avoid their
+strain, run into a way perfectly new, and described things exactly as
+they happen: he never forms fields, or nymphs, or groves, where they are
+not, but makes the incidents just as they really appear. For an example
+of it; I stole out of his manuscript the following lines: they are a
+Description of the Morning, but of the morning in town; nay, of the
+morning at this end of the town, where my kinsman at present lodges.
+
+    Now hardly here and there an hackney coach
+    Appearing, showed the ruddy morn's approach.
+    Now Betty from her master's bed had flown,
+    And softly stole to discompose her own.
+    The slipshod 'prentice from his master's door,
+    Had pared the street, and sprinkled round the floor.
+    Now Moll had whirled her mop with dext'rous airs,
+    Prepared to scrub the entry and the stairs.
+    The youth with broomy stumps began to trace
+    The kennel edge, where wheels had worn the place.
+    The smallcoal-man was heard with cadence deep,
+    Till drowned in shriller notes of chimney-sweep.
+    Duns at his lordship's gate began to meet;
+    And Brickdust Moll had screamed through half a street;
+    The turnkey now his flock returning sees,
+    Duly let out at nights to steal for fees.
+    The watchful bailiffs take their silent stands;
+    And schoolboys lag with satchels in their hands.
+
+All that I apprehend is, that dear Numps will be angry I have published
+these lines; not that he has any reason to be ashamed of them, but for
+fear of those rogues, the bane to all excellent performances, the
+imitators. Therefore, beforehand, I bar all descriptions of the
+evenings; as, a medley of verses signifying, grey-peas are now cried
+warm: that wenches now begin to amble round the passages of the
+playhouse: or of noon; as, that fine ladies and great beaux are just
+yawning out of their beds and windows in Pall Mall, and so forth. I
+forewarn also all persons from encouraging any draughts after my
+cousin; and foretell any man who shall go about to imitate him, that he
+will be very insipid. The family stock is embarked in this design, and
+we will not admit of counterfeits: Dr. Anderson[154] and his heirs enjoy
+his pills, Sir. William Read[155] has the cure of eyes, and Monsieur
+Rozelli[156] can only cure the gout. We pretend to none of these things;
+but to examine who and who are together, to tell any mistaken man he is
+not what he believes he is, to distinguish merit, and expose false
+pretences to it, is a liberty our family has by law in them, from an
+intermarriage with a daughter of Mr. Scoggan,[157] the famous droll of
+the last century. This right I design to make use of; but will not
+encroach upon the above-mentioned adepts, or any other. At the same
+time I shall take all the privileges I may, as an Englishman, and will
+lay hold of the late Act of Naturalisation[158] to introduce what I
+shall think fit from France. The use of that law may, I hope, be
+extended to people the polite world with new characters, as well as the
+kingdom itself with new subjects. Therefore an author of that nation,
+called La Bruy�re, I shall make bold with on such occasions. The last
+person I read of in that writer, was Lord Timon.[159] Timon, says my
+author, is the most generous of all men; but is so hurried away with
+that strong impulse of bestowing, that he confers benefits without
+distinction, and is munificent without laying obligations. For all the
+unworthy, who receive from him, have so little sense of this noble
+infirmity, that they look upon themselves rather as partners in a spoil,
+than partakers of a bounty. The other day, coming into Paris, I met
+Timon going out on horseback, attended only by one servant. It struck me
+with a sudden damp, to see a man of so excellent a disposition, and that
+understood making a figure so very well, so much shortened in his
+retinue. But passing by his house, I saw his great coach break to pieces
+before his door, and by a strange enchantment, immediately turned into
+many different vehicles. The first was a very pretty chariot, into which
+stepped his lordship's secretary. The second was hung a little heavier;
+into that strutted the fat steward. In an instant followed a chaise,
+which was entered by the butler. The rest of the body and wheels were
+forthwith changed into go-carts, and ran away with by the nurses and
+brats of the rest of the family. What makes these misfortunes in the
+affairs of Timon the more astonishing, is, that he has a better
+understanding than those who cheat him; so that a man knows not which
+more to wonder at, the indifference of the master, or the impudence of
+the servant.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 29.
+
+It is matter of much speculation among the beaux and oglers, what it is
+that can have made so sudden a change, as has been of late observed, in
+the whole behaviour of Pastorella, who never sat still a moment till she
+was eighteen, which she has now exceeded by two months. Her aunt, who
+has the care of her, has not been always so rigid as she is at this
+present date; but has so good a sense of the frailty of woman, and
+falsehood of man, that she resolved on all manner of methods to keep
+Pastorella, if possible, in safety, against herself, and all her
+admirers. At the same time the good lady knew by long experience, that
+a gay inclination, curbed too rashly, would but run to the greater
+excesses for that restraint: therefore intended to watch her, and take
+some opportunity of engaging her insensibly in her own interests,
+without the anguish of an admonition. You are to know then, that miss,
+with all her flirting and ogling, had also naturally a strong curiosity
+in her, and was the greatest eavesdropper breathing. Parisatis (for so
+her prudent aunt is called) observed this humour, and retires one day to
+her closet, into which she knew Pastorella would peep, and listen to
+know how she was employed. It happened accordingly, and the young lady
+saw her good governante on her knees, and after a mental behaviour,
+break into these words: "As for the dear child committed to my care, let
+her sobriety of carriage, and severity of behaviour, be such, as may
+make that noble lord, who is taken with her beauty, turn his designs to
+such as are honourable." Here Parisatis heard her niece nestle closer to
+the keyhole: she then goes on; "Make her the joyful mother of a numerous
+and wealthy offspring, and let her carriage be such, as may make this
+noble youth expect the blessings of an happy marriage, from the
+singularity of her life, in this loose and censorious age." Miss having
+heard enough, sneaks off for fear of discovery, and immediately at her
+glass, alters the sitting of her head; then pulls up her tucker,[160]
+and forms herself into the exact manner of Lindamira: in a word, becomes
+a sincere convert to everything that's commendable in a fine young lady;
+and two or three such matches as her aunt feigned in her devotions, are
+at this day in her choice. This is the history and original cause of
+Pastorella's conversion from coquetry. The prudence in the management
+of this young lady's temper, and good judgment of it, is hardly to be
+exceeded. I scarce remember a greater instance of forbearance of the
+usual peevish way with which the aged treat the young, than this, except
+that of our famous Noye,[161] whose good nature went so far, as to make
+him put off his admonitions to his son, even till after his death; and
+did not give him his thoughts of him, till he came to read that
+memorable passage in his will: "All the rest of my estate," says he, "I
+leave to my son Edward (who is executor to this my will) to be
+squandered as he shall think fit: I leave it him for that purpose, and
+hope no better from him." A generous disdain and reflection, upon how
+little he deserved from so excellent a father, reformed the young man,
+and made Edward, from an errant rake, become a fine gentleman.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 29.
+
+Letters from Portugal of the 18th instant, dated from Estremos, say,
+that on the 6th the Earl of Galway arrived at that place, and had the
+satisfaction to see the quarters well furnished with all manner of
+provisions, and a quantity of bread sufficient for subsisting the troops
+for sixty days, besides biscuits for twenty-five days. The enemy give
+out, that they shall bring into the field 14 regiments of horse, and 24
+battalions. The troops in the service of Portugal will make up 14,000
+foot, and 4000 horse. On the day these letters were despatched, the
+Earl of Galway received advice, that the Marquis de Bay was preparing
+for some enterprise, by gathering his troops together on the frontiers.
+Whereupon his Excellency resolved to go that same night to Villa-Vicosa,
+to assemble the troops in that neighbourhood, in order to disappoint his
+designs.
+
+Yesterday in the evening Captain Foxon, aide-de-camp to Major-General
+Cadogan, arrived here express from the Duke of Marlborough. And this day
+a mail is come in, with letters dated from Brussels of the 6th of May,
+N.S., which advise, that the enemy had drawn together a body, consisting
+of 20,000 men, with a design, as was supposed, to intercept the great
+convoy on the march towards Lille, which was safely arrived at Menin and
+Courtray, in its way to that place, the French having retired without
+making any attempt.
+
+We hear from the Hague, that a person of the first quality is arrived in
+the Low Countries from France, in order to be a plenipotentiary in an
+ensuing treaty of peace.
+
+Letters from France acknowledge, that Monsieur Bernard has made no
+higher offers of satisfaction to his creditors than of �35 per cent.
+
+These advices add, that the Marshal Boufflers, Monsieur Torcy (who
+distinguished himself formerly, by advising the Court of France to
+adhere to the treaty of partition), and Monsieur d'Harcourt (who
+negotiated with Cardinal Portocarrero for the succession of the crown of
+Spain in the House of Bourbon), are all three joined in a commission for
+a treaty of peace. The Marshal is come to Ghent: the other two are
+arrived at the Hague.
+
+It is confidently reported here that the Right Honourable the Lord
+Townshend is to go with his Grace the Duke of Marlborough into
+Holland.[162]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 152: Congreve's first play, produced in 1693. See also No.
+193. This piece is attacked in Jeremy Collier's "Short View of the
+Profaneness and Immorality of the English Stage," 1698.]
+
+[Footnote 153: Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 154: A Scotch physician in the reigns of Charles I. and
+Charles II. An advertisement of his "famous Scots Pills" requested the
+public to beware of counterfeits, especially an ignorant pretender, one
+Muffen, who kept a china-shop.]
+
+[Footnote 155: "Henley would fain have me to go with Steele and Rowe,
+&c., to an invitation at Sir William Read's. Surely you have heard of
+him. He has been a mountebank, and is the Queen's oculist; he makes
+admirable punch, and treats you in gold vessels. But I am engaged, and
+won't go; neither indeed am I fond of the jaunt" (Swift's "Journal,"
+April 11, 1711). Read was knighted in 1705, for services done in curing
+soldiers and sailors of blindness gratis. Beginning life as a tailor, he
+became Queen Anne's oculist in ordinary, and died in 1715. See
+_Spectator_, No. 547.]
+
+[Footnote 156: Rozelli, the inventor of a specific for the gout, died at
+the Hague. In No. 33 was an advertisement of the "Memoirs of the Life
+and Adventures of Signior Rozelli, at the Hague, giving a particular
+account of his birth, education, slavery, monastic state, imprisonment
+in the Inquisition at Rome, and the different figures he has since made,
+as well in Italy, as in France and Holland.... Done into English from
+the second edition of the French." This work, like the continuation of
+1724, has been wrongly attributed to Defoe. Rozelli advertised in the
+_London Gazette_, for July 19, 1709, that the book was entirely
+fictitious, and a libel upon his character.]
+
+[Footnote 157: We learn from Ben Jonson, that Scoggan, or Skogan, was
+M.A., and lived in the time of Henry IV. "He made disguises for the
+King's sons, writ in ballad-royal daintily well, and was regarded and
+rewarded." Jonson calls him the moral Skogan; and introduces him with
+Skelton, the poet laureate of Henry VIII., into his Masque, entitled
+"The Fortunate Isles," where he keeps them in character, and makes them
+rhyme in their own manner.]
+
+[Footnote 158: 7 Anne, cap. 5, was an "Act for naturalising Foreign
+Protestants." After the preamble, "Whereas many strangers of the
+Protestant or reformed religion would be induced to transport themselves
+and their estates into this kingdom, if they might be made partakers of
+the advantages and privileges which the natural-born subjects thereof do
+enjoy," it was enacted that all persons taking the oaths, and making and
+subscribing the declaration appointed by 6 Anne, cap. 23, should be
+deemed natural-born subjects; but no person was to have the benefit of
+this Act unless he received the sacrament. The Act was repealed by 10
+Anne, c. 5, because "divers mischiefs and inconveniences have been found
+by experience to follow from the same, to the discouragement of the
+natural-born subjects of this kingdom, and to the detriment of the trade
+and wealth thereof."]
+
+[Footnote 159: It has been alleged that there is here an allusion to the
+Duke of Ormond, whose servants enriched themselves at their master's
+expense (see _Examiner_, vol. iii. p. 48). But in the _Guardian_, No.
+53, Steele, writing in his own name, declared that the character of
+Timon was not disgraceful, and that when he drew it he thought it
+resembled himself more than any one else.]
+
+[Footnote 160: The tucker, an edging round the top of a low dress, began
+to be discontinued about 1713, as appears from complaints in the
+_Guardian_, _passim_.]
+
+[Footnote 161: "William Noye, of St. Burian in Cornwall, gentleman, was
+made Attorney-General in 1631; his will is dated June 3, 1634, about a
+month or six weeks before his death. The expedient did not operate an
+alteration in his son so altogether favourable; for within two years
+Edward was slain in a duel by one Captain Byron, who was pardoned for
+it" (Wood's "Athen. Oxon." 1691, i. 506). Noye's character is drawn in
+the first book of Clarendon's "History of the Civil War."]
+
+[Footnote 162: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received the epistles of Mrs.
+Rebecca Wagstaff, Timothy Pikestaff and Wagstaff, which he will
+acknowledge farther as occasion shall serve" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 10. [STEELE.
+
+By Mrs.[163] JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Saturday, April 30_, to _Tuesday, May 3_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 1.
+
+My brother Isaac having a sudden occasion to go out of town, ordered me
+to take upon me the despatch of the next advices from home, with liberty
+to speak it my own way; not doubting the allowances which would be given
+to a writer of my sex. You may be sure I undertook it with much
+satisfaction, and I confess, I am not a little pleased with the
+opportunity of running over all the papers in his closet, which he has
+left open for my use on this occasion. The first that I lay my hands on,
+is, a treatise concerning "The Empire of Beauty," and the effects it
+has had in all nations of the world, upon the public and private actions
+of men; with an appendix, which he calls, "The Bachelor's Scheme for
+Governing his Wife." The first thing he makes this gentleman propose,
+is, that she shall be no woman; for she is to have an aversion to balls,
+to operas, to visits: she is to think his company sufficient to fill up
+all the hours of life with great satisfaction: she is never to believe
+any other man wise, learned, or valiant; or at least but in a second
+degree. In the next place, he intends she shall be a cuckold; but
+expects, that he himself must live in perfect security from that terror.
+He dwells a great while on instructions for her discreet behaviour, in
+case of his falsehood. I have not patience with these unreasonable
+expectations, therefore turn back to the treatise itself. Here, indeed,
+my brother deduces all the revolutions among men from the passion of
+love; and in his preface, answers that usual observation against us,
+that there is no quarrel without a woman in it, with a gallant
+assertion, that there is nothing else worth quarrelling for. My brother
+is of a complexion truly amorous; all his thoughts and actions carry in
+them a tincture of that obliging inclination; and this turn has opened
+his eyes to see, we are not the inconsiderable creatures which unlucky
+pretenders to our favour would insinuate. He observes that no man begins
+to make any tolerable figure, till he sets out with the hopes of
+pleasing some one of us. No sooner he takes that in hand, but he pleases
+every one else by-the-bye. It has an immediate effect upon his
+behaviour. There is Colonel Ranter, who never spoke without an oath,
+till he saw the Lady Betty Modish;[164] now never gives his man an
+order, but it is, "Pray, Tom, do it." The drawers where he drinks live
+in perfect happiness. He asked Will at the "George" the other day how he
+did? Where he used to say, "Damn it, it is so," he now believes there is
+some mistake: he must confess, he is of another opinion; but however he
+won't insist.
+
+Every temper, except downright insipid, is to be animated and softened
+by the influence of beauty: but of this untractable sort is a lifeless
+handsome fellow that visits us, whom I have dressed at this twelvemonth;
+but he is as insensible of all the arts I use, as if he conversed all
+that time with his nurse. He outdoes our whole sex in all the faults our
+enemies impute to us; he has brought laziness into an opinion, and makes
+his indolence his philosophy: insomuch, that no longer ago than
+yesterday in the evening he gave me this account of himself: "I am,
+madam, perfectly unmoved at all that passes among men, and seldom give
+myself the fatigue of going among them; but when I do, I always appear
+the same thing to those whom I converse with. My hours of existence, or
+being awake, are from eleven in the morning to eleven at night; half of
+which I live to myself, in picking my teeth, washing my hands, paring my
+nails, and looking in the glass. The insignificancy of my manners to the
+rest of the world makes the laughers call me a _quidnunc_, a phrase I
+shall never inquire what they mean by it. The last of me each night is
+at St. James's Coffee-house, where I converse, yet never fall into a
+dispute on any occasion, but leave the understanding I have, passive of
+all that goes through it, without entering into the business of life.
+And thus, madam, have I arrived by laziness, to what others pretend to
+by devotion, a perfect neglect of the world." Sure, if our sex had the
+liberty of frequenting public-houses and conversations, we should put
+these rivals of our faults and follies out of countenance. However, we
+shall soon have the pleasure of being acquainted with them one way or
+other, for my brother Isaac designs, for the use of our sex, to give the
+exact characters of all the chief politicians who frequent any of the
+coffee-houses from St. James's to the Change; but designs to begin with
+that cluster of wise heads, as they are found sitting every evening,
+from the left side of the fire, at the Smyrna,[165] to the door. This
+will be of great service for us, and I have authority to promise an
+exact journal of their deliberations; the publication of which I am to
+be allowed for pin-money. In the meantime, I cast my eye upon a new
+book, which gave me a more pleasing entertainment, being a sixth part of
+"Miscellany Poems," published by Jacob Tonson,[166] which I find, by my
+brother's notes upon it, no way inferior to the other volumes. There
+are, it seems, in this, a collection of the best pastorals that have
+hitherto appeared in England; but among them, none superior to that
+dialogue between Sylvia and Dorinda, written by one of my own sex,[167]
+where all our little weaknesses are laid open in a manner more just,
+and with, truer raillery than ever man yet hit upon.
+
+    _Only this I now discern.
+    From the things thou'st have me learn;
+    That womankind's peculiar joys
+    From past or present beauties rise._
+
+But to reassume my first design, there cannot be a greater instance of
+the command of females, than in the prevailing charms of the heroine in
+the play which was acted this night, called "All for Love; or, The World
+Well Lost."[168] The enamoured Antony resigns glory and power to the
+force of the attractive Cleopatra, whose charms were the defence of her
+diadem, against a people otherwise invincible. It is so natural for
+women to talk of themselves, that it is to be hoped all my own sex, at
+least, will pardon me, that I could fall into no other discourse. If we
+have their favour, we give ourselves very little anxiety for the rest of
+our readers. I believe I see a sentence of Latin in my brother's
+day-book of wit, which seems applicable on this occasion, and in
+contempt of the critics.
+
+      --_Tristitiam et metus
+    Tradam protectis in mare Criticum
+    Portare ventis._[169]
+
+But I am interrupted by a packet from Mr. Kidney,[170] from the St.
+James's Coffee-house, which I am obliged to insert in the very style and
+words which Mr. Kidney uses in his letter.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 2.
+
+We are advised by letters from Berne, dated the 1st instant, N.S., that
+the Duke of Berwick arrived at Lyons the 25th of the last month, and
+continued his journey the next day to visit the passes of the mountains,
+and other posts in Dauphine and Provence. These letters also informed
+us, that the miseries of the people in France are heightened to that
+degree, that unless a peace be speedily concluded, half of that kingdom
+would perish for want of bread. On the 24th, the Marshal de Thesse
+passed through Lyons, in his way to Versailles; and two battalions,
+which were marching from Alsace to reinforce the army of the Duke of
+Berwick, passed also through that place. Those troops were to be
+followed by six Battalions more.
+
+Letters from Naples of the 16th of April say, that the Marquis de Prie's
+son was arrived there, with instructions from his father, to signify to
+the viceroy the necessity his Imperial Majesty was under, of desiring an
+aid from that kingdom, for carrying on the extraordinary expenses of the
+war. On the 14th of the same month, they made a review of the Spanish
+troops in that garrison, and afterwards of the marines; one part of whom
+will embark with those designed for Barcelona, and the rest are to be
+sent on board the galleys appointed to convoy provisions to that place.
+
+We hear from Rome, by letters dated the 20th of April, that the Count de
+Mellos, envoy from the King of Portugal, had made his public entry into
+that city with much state and magnificence. The Pope has lately held two
+other consistories, wherein he made a promotion of two cardinals; but
+the acknowledgment of King Charles is still deferred.
+
+Letters from other parts of Italy advise us, that the Doge of Venice
+continues dangerously ill: that the Prince de Carignan, having relapsed
+into a violent fever, died the 23rd of April, in his 80th year.
+
+Advices from Vienna of the 27th of April import, that the Archbishop of
+Saltzburg is dead, who is succeeded by Count Harrach, formerly Bishop of
+Vienna, and for these last three years coadjutor to the said Archbishop;
+and that Prince Maximilian of Lichtenstein has likewise departed this
+life, at his country seat called Cromaw in Moravia. These advices add,
+that the Emperor has named Count Zinzendorf, Count Goes, and Monsieur
+Consbruck, for his plenipotentiaries in an ensuing treaty of peace; and
+they hear from Hungary, that the Imperialists have had several
+successful skirmishes with the malcontents.
+
+Letters from Paris, dated May the 6th, say, that the Marshal de Thesse
+arrived there on the 29th of the last month; and that the Chevalier de
+Beuil was sent thither by Don Pedro Ronquillo with advice, that the
+confederate squadron appeared before Alicante the 17th, and having for
+some time cannonaded the city, endeavoured to land some troops for the
+relief of the castle; but General Stanhope finding the passes well
+guarded, and the enterprise dangerous, demanded to capitulate for the
+castle; which being granted him, the garrison, consisting of 600 regular
+troops, marched out with their arms and baggage the day following; and
+being received on board, they immediately set sail for Barcelona. These
+letters add, that the march of the French and Swiss regiments is further
+deferred for a few days; and that the Duke of Noailles was just ready to
+set out for Roussillon, as well as the Count de Bezons for Catalonia.
+
+The same advices say, bread was sold at Paris for 6d. per pound; and
+that there was not half enough, even at that rate, to supply the
+necessities of the people, which reduced them to the utmost despair;
+that 300 men had taken up arms, and having plundered the market of the
+suburb St. Germain, pressed down by their multitude the King's Guards
+who opposed them. Two of those mutineers were afterwards seized, and
+condemned to death; but four others went to the magistrate who
+pronounced that sentence, and told him, he must expect to answer with
+his own life for those of their comrades. All order and sense of
+government being thus lost among the enraged people, to keep up a show
+of authority, the captain of the Guards, who saw all their insolence,
+pretended, that he had represented to the King their deplorable
+condition, and had obtained their pardon. It is further reported, that
+the Dauphin and Duchess of Burgundy, as they went to the Opera, were
+surrounded by crowds of people, who upbraided them with their neglect of
+the general calamity, in going to diversions, when the whole people were
+ready to perish for want of bread. Edicts are daily published to
+suppress these riots, and papers, with menaces against the Government,
+are publicly thrown about. Among others, these words were dropped in a
+court of justice: "France wants a Ravilliac or a Jesuit to deliver her."
+Besides this universal distress, there is a contagious sickness, which,
+it is feared, will end in a pestilence. Letters from Bordeaux bring
+accounts no less lamentable: the peasants are driven by hunger from
+their abodes into that city, and make lamentations in the streets
+without redress.
+
+We are advised by letters from the Hague, dated the 10th instant, N.S.,
+that on the 6th, the Marquis de Torcy arrived there from Paris; but the
+passport, by which he came, having been sent blank by Monsieur Rouill�,
+he was there two days before his quality was known. That Minister
+offered to communicate to Monsieur Heinsius the proposals which he had
+to make; but the pensionary refused to see them, and said, he would
+signify it to the States, who deputed some of their own body to acquaint
+him, That they would enter into no negotiation till the arrival of his
+Grace the Duke of Marlborough, and the other Ministers of the Alliance.
+Prince Eugene was expected there the 12th instant from Brussels. It is
+said, that besides Monsieur de Torcy and Monsieur Pajot,
+Director-general of the Posts, there are two or three persons at the
+Hague whose names are not known; but it is supposed that the Duke
+d'Alba, ambassador from the Duke of Anjou, was one of them. The States
+have sent letters to all the cities of the Provinces, desiring them to
+send their deputies to receive the propositions of peace made by the
+Court of France.[171]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 163: The word "Miss" was still confined, in Steele's day, to
+very young girls or to young women of giddy or doubtful character. Thus
+Pastorella in No. 9 is called "Miss," and similarly we find "Miss Gruel"
+in No. 33. In the "Original Letters to the _Tatler_ and _Spectator_,"
+printed by Charles Lillie (i. 223) there is a "Table of the Titles and
+Distinctions of Women," from which what follows is extracted. "Let all
+country-gentlewomen, without regard to more or less fortune, content
+themselves with being addressed by the style of 'Mrs.' Let 'Madam'
+govern independently in the city, &c. Let no women after the known age
+of 21 presume to admit of her being called 'Miss,' unless she can fairly
+prove she is not out of her sampler. Let every common maid-servant be
+plain 'Jane,' 'Doll,' or 'Sue,' and let the better-born and
+higher-placed be distinguished by 'Mrs. Patience,' 'Mrs. Prue,' or 'Mrs.
+Abigail.'"]
+
+[Footnote 164: Perhaps there is here an illusion to Mrs. Anne Oldfield
+(died 1730), and Brigadier-General Charles Churchill, brother of the
+Duke of Marlborough. Mrs. Oldfield acted as Lady Betty Modish in
+Cibber's "Careless Husband," a part which was not only written for, but
+copied from her. Her son by Churchill married Lady Mary Walpole.]
+
+[Footnote 165: A coffee-house in Pall Mall. Swift and Prior frequented
+it: "Prior and I came away at nine, and sat at the Smyrna till eleven
+receiving acquaintance." "I walked a little in the Park till Prior made
+me go with him to the Smyrna Coffee-house."--("Journal to Stella," Oct.
+15, 1710; Feb. 19, 1711.)]
+
+[Footnote 166: The sixth and last volume of the "Dryden" Miscellany
+Poems was published by Tonson in 1709. The elder Tonson, who was founder
+and secretary of the Kit Cat Club, died in 1736.]
+
+[Footnote 167: By Elizabeth Singer, who became Mrs. Rowe in 1710, and
+died in 1737. Besides poems which gained for her the friendship of
+Prior, Dr. Watts, and Bishop Ken, she published "Friendship in Death, in
+twenty letters from the Dead to the Living," and "Letters Moral and
+Entertaining."]
+
+[Footnote 168: Dryden's version of "Antony and Cleopatra" was produced
+in 1673.]
+
+[Footnote 169: Horace, 1 Od. xxvi. 2. The joke consists in Mrs. Jenny
+Distaff mistaking Horace's "Creticum" for "Criticum," and so misapplying
+the passage.]
+
+[Footnote 170: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 171: "In the absence of Mr. Bickerstaff, Mrs. Distaff has
+received Mr. Nathaniel Broomstick's letter" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 11. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Tuesday May 3,_ to _Thursday, May 5_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 3.
+
+A kinsman[172] has sent me a letter, wherein he informs me, he had
+lately resolved to write an heroic poem, but by business had been
+interrupted, and has only made one similitude, which he should be
+afflicted to have wholly lost, and begs of me to apply it to something,
+being very desirous to see it well placed in the world. I am so willing
+to help the distressed, that I have taken it in; but though his greater
+genius might very well distinguish his verses from mine, I have marked
+where his begin. His lines are a description of the sun in eclipse,
+which I know nothing more like than a brave man in sorrow, who bears it
+as he should, without imploring the pity of his friends, or being
+dejected with the contempt of his enemies. As in the case of Cato:
+
+    When all the globe to C�sar's fortune bowed,
+    Cato alone his empire disallowed;
+    With inborn strength alone opposed mankind,
+    With heaven in view, to all below it blind:
+    Regardless of his friend's applause, or moan,
+    Alone triumphant, since he falls alone.
+
+    "Thus when the Ruler of the genial day,
+    Behind some darkening planet forms his way,
+    Desponding mortals, with officious care,
+    The concave drum, and magic brass prepare;
+    Implore him to sustain the important fight,
+    And save depending worlds from endless night.
+    Fondly they hope their labour may avail,
+    To ease his conflict, and assist his toil.
+    Whilst he in beams of native splendour bright, }
+    (Though dark his orb appear to human sight)    }
+    Shines to the gods with more diffusive light.  }
+    To distant stars with equal glory burns,
+    Inflames their lamps, and feeds their golden urns.
+    Sure to retain his known superior tract,
+    And proves the more illustrious by defect."
+
+This is a very lively image; but I must take the liberty to say, my
+kinsman drives the sun a little like Pha�ton: he has all the warmth of
+Phoebus, but won't stay for his direction of it. Avail and toil, defect
+and tract, will never do for rhymes. But, however, he has the true
+spirit in him; for which reason I was willing to entertain anything he
+pleased to send me. The subject which he writes upon, naturally raises
+great reflections in the soul, and puts us in mind of the mixed
+condition which we mortals are to support; which, as it varies to good
+or bad, adorns or defaces our actions to the beholders: All which glory
+and shame must end in what we so much repine at, death. But doctrines on
+this occasion, any other than that of living well, are the most
+insignificant and most empty of all the labours of men. None but a
+tragedian can die by rule, and wait till he discovers a plot, or says a
+fine thing upon his exit. In real life, this is a chimera; and by noble
+spirits, it will be done decently, without the ostentation of it. We see
+men of all conditions and characters go through it with equal
+resolution: and if we consider the speeches of the mighty philosophers,
+heroes, law-givers, and great captains, they can produce no more in a
+discerning spirit, than rules to make a man a fop on his death-bed.
+Commend me to that natural greatness of soul, expressed by an innocent,
+and consequently resolute, country fellow, who said in the pains of the
+colic, "If I once get this breath out of my body, you shall hang me
+before you put it in again." Honest Ned! and so he died.[173]
+
+But it is to be supposed, from this place you may expect an account of
+such a thing as a new play is not to be omitted. That acted this night
+is the newest that ever was writ. The author is my ingenious friend Mr.
+Thomas D----y. The drama is called, "The Modern Prophets,"[174] and is a
+most unanswerable satire against the late spirit of enthusiasm. The
+writer had by long experience observed, that in company, very grave
+discourses have been followed by bawdry; and therefore has turned the
+humour that way with great success, and taken from his audience all
+manner of superstition, by the agitations of pretty Mrs. Bignell,[175]
+whom he has, with great subtlety, made a lay-sister, as well as a
+prophetess; by which means, she carries on the affairs of both worlds
+with great success. My friend designs to go on with another work against
+winter, which he intends to call, "The Modern Poets"; a people no less
+mistaken in their opinions of being inspired than the other. In order to
+this, he has by him seven songs, besides many ambiguities, which cannot
+be mistaken for anything but what he means them. Mr. D----y generally
+writes state-plays, and is wonderfully useful to the world in such
+representations. This method is the same that was used by old Athenians,
+to laugh out of countenance, or promote opinions among the people. My
+friend has therefore, against this play is acted for his own benefit,
+made two dances, which may be also of an universal benefit. In the first
+he has represenced absolute power, in the person of a tall man with a
+hat and feather, who gives his first minister, that stands just before
+him, a huge kick: the minister gives the kick to the next before; and so
+to the end of the stage. In this moral and practical jest, you are made
+to understand, that there is, in an absolute government, no
+gratification, but giving the kick you receive from one above you to one
+below you. This is performed to a grave and melancholy air; but on a
+sudden the tune moves quicker, and the whole company fall into a circle
+and take hands; then, at a certain sharp note, they move round, and kick
+as kick can. This latter performance he makes to be the representation
+of a free state; where, if you all mind your steps, you may go round and
+round very jollily, with a motion pleasant to yourselves and those you
+dance with: nay, if you put yourselves out, at the worst you only kick,
+and are kicked, like friends and equals.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 4.
+
+Of all the vanities under the sun, I confess, that of being proud of
+one's birth is the greatest. At the same time, since in this
+unreasonable age, by the force of prevailing custom, things in which men
+have no hand are imputed to them; and that I am used by some people, as
+if Isaac Bickerstaff, though I write myself "Esquire," was nobody: to
+set the world right in that particular, I shall give you my genealogy,
+as a kinsman of ours has sent it me from the Heralds' Office. It is
+certain, and observed by the wisest writers, that there are women who
+are not nicely chaste, and men not severely honest in all families;
+therefore let those who may be apt to raise aspersions upon ours, please
+to give us as impartial an account of their own, and we shall be
+satisfied. The business of heralds is a matter of so great nicety, that
+to avoid mistakes, I shall give you my cousin's letter verbatim, without
+altering a syllable.[176]
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"Since you have been pleased to make yourself so famous of late, by your
+ingenious writings, and some time ago by your learned Predictions: since
+Partridge, of immortal memory, is dead and gone, who, poetical as he
+was, could not understand his own poetry; and philomathical as he was,
+could not read his own destiny: since the Pope, the King of France, and
+great part of his Court, are either literally or metaphorically defunct:
+since, I say, these things (not foretold by any one but yourself) have
+come to pass after so surprising a manner; it is with no small concern I
+see the original of the Staffian race so little known in the world as it
+is at this time; for which reason, as you have employed your studies in
+astronomy and the occult sciences, so I, my mother being a Welsh woman,
+dedicated mine to genealogy, particularly that of our own family, which,
+for its antiquity and number, may challenge any in Great Britain. The
+Staffs are originally of Staffordshire, which took its name from them:
+the first that I find of the Staffs was one Jacobstaff, a famous and
+renowned astronomer, who by Dorothy his wife, had issue seven sons;
+viz., Bickerstaff, Longstaff, Wagstaff, Quarterstaff, Whitestaff,
+Falstaff, and Tipstaff. He also had a younger brother who was twice
+married, and had five sons; viz., Distaff, Pikestaff, Mopstaff,
+Broomstaff, and Raggedstaff. As for the branch from whence you spring,
+I shall say very little of it, only that it is the chief of the Staffs,
+and called Bickerstaff, _quasi_ Biggerstaff; as much as to say, the
+great staff, or staff of staffs; and that it has applied itself to
+astronomy with great success, after the example of our aforesaid
+forefather. The descendants from Longstaff, the second son, were a
+rakish disorderly sort of people, and rambled from one place to another,
+till in Harry II.'s time they settled in Kent, and were called
+Long-tails, from the long tails which were sent them as a punishment for
+the murder of Thomas-�-Becket, as the legends say; they have been always
+sought after by the ladies; but whether it be to show their aversion to
+popery, or their love to miracles, I can't say. The Wagstaffs are a
+merry thoughtless sort of people, who have always been opinionated of
+their own wit; they have turned themselves mostly to poetry. This is the
+most numerous branch of our family, and the poorest. The Quarterstaffs
+are most of them prize-fighters or deer-stealers. There have been so
+many of them hanged lately, that there are very few of that branch of
+our family left. The Whitestaffs[177] are all courtiers, and have had
+very considerable places: there have been some of them of that strength
+and dexterity, that five hundred of the ablest men in the kingdom[178]
+have often tugged in vain to pull a staff out of their hands. The
+Falstaffs are strangely given to whoring and drinking: there are
+abundance of them in and about London. And one thing is very remarkable
+of this branch, and that is, there are just as many women as men in it.
+There was a wicked stick of wood of this name in Harry IV.'s time, one
+Sir John Falstaff. As for Tipstaff, the youngest son, he was an honest
+fellow; but his sons, and his sons' sons, have all of them been the
+veriest rogues living: it is this unlucky branch has stocked the nation
+with that swarm of lawyers, attorneys, serjeants, and bailiffs, with
+which the nation is overrun. Tipstaff, being a seventh son, used to cure
+the king's evil; but his rascally descendants are so far from having
+that healing quality, that by a touch upon the shoulder, they give a man
+such an ill habit of body, that he can never come abroad afterwards.
+This is all I know of the line of Jacobstaff: his younger brother
+Isaacstaff, as I told you before, had five sons, and was married twice;
+his first wife was a Staff (for they did not stand upon false heraldry
+in those days), by whom he had one son, who in process of time, being a
+schoolmaster, and well read in the Greek, called himself Distaff or
+Twicestaff: he was not very rich, so he put his children out to trades;
+and the Distaffs have ever since been employed in the woollen and linen
+manufactures, except myself, who am a genealogist. Pikestaff, the eldest
+son by the second venter, was a man of business, a downright plodding
+fellow, and withal so plain, that he became a proverb. Most of this
+family are at present in the army. Raggedstaff was an unlucky boy, and
+used to tear his clothes getting birds' nests, and was always playing
+with a tame bear his father kept. Mopstaff fell in love with one of his
+father's maids, and used to help her to clean the house. Broomstaff was
+a chimney-sweeper. The Mopstaffs and Broomstaffs are naturally as civil
+people as ever went out of doors; but alas! if they once get into ill
+hands, they knock down all before them. Pilgrimstaff run away from his
+friends, and went strolling about the country: and Pipestaff was a
+wine-cooper. These two were the unlawful issue of Longstaff.
+
+"N.B. The Canes, the Clubs, the Cudgels, the Wands, the Devil upon two
+Sticks, and one Bread, that goes by the name of Staff of Life, are none
+of our relations.
+
+"I am, dear Cousin,
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "D. DISTAFF.
+
+"From the Heralds' Office, _May 1_."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 4.
+
+As politic news is not the principal subject on which we treat, we are
+so happy as to have no occasion for that art of cookery, which our
+brother-newsmongers so much excel in; as appears by their excellent and
+inimitable manner of dressing up a second time for your taste the same
+dish which they gave you the day before, in case there come over no new
+pickles from Holland. Therefore, when we have nothing to say to you from
+courts and camps, we hope still to give you somewhat new and curious
+from ourselves: the women of our house, upon occasion, being capable of
+carrying on the business, according to the laudable custom of the wives
+in Holland; but, without further preface, take what we have not
+mentioned in our former relations.
+
+Letters from Hanover of the 30th of the last month say, that the Prince
+Royal of Prussia arrived there on the 15th, and left that Court on the
+2nd of this month, in pursuit of his journey to Flanders, where he makes
+the ensuing campaign. Those advices add, that the young Prince Nassau,
+hereditary governor of Friesland, consummated on the 26th of the last
+month his marriage with the beauteous princess of Hesse-Cassel, with a
+pomp and magnificence suitable to their age and quality.
+
+Letters from Paris say, his most Christian Majesty retired to Marli on
+the 1st instant, N.S., and our last advices from Spain inform us, that
+the Prince of Asturias had made his public entry into Madrid in great
+splendour. The Duke of Anjou has given Don Joseph Hartado de Amaraga the
+government of Terra-Firma de Veragua, and the presidency of Panama in
+America. They add, That the forces commanded by the Marquis de Bay had
+been reinforced by six battalions of Spanish and Walloon guards. Letters
+from Lisbon advise, That the army of the King of Portugal was at Elvas
+on the 22nd of the last month, and would decamp on the 24th, in order to
+march upon the enemy, who lay at Badajos.
+
+Yesterday, at four in the morning, his Grace the Duke of Marlborough set
+out for Margate, and embarked for Holland at eight this morning.
+
+Yesterday also, Sir George Thorold was declared Alderman of Cordwainers'
+Ward, in the room of his brother Sir Charles Thorold, deceased.[179]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 172: Jabez Hughes (died 1731), the author of these verses, was
+the younger brother of John Hughes. He published several translations,
+and his "Miscellanies in Verse and Prose" appeared in 1737.]
+
+[Footnote 173: "Honest Ned" was a farmer on the estate of Anthony
+Henley, who mentions this saying in a letter to Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 174: D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets" attacked the enthusiasts
+known as "French Prophets," who were in the habit of assembling in
+Moorfields to exert their alleged gifts. Lord Chesterfield says that the
+Government took no steps, except to direct Powell, the puppet-show man,
+to make Punch turn prophet, which he did so well, that it put an end to
+the fanatics.]
+
+[Footnote 175: See No. 3.]
+
+[Footnote 176: The letter is by Heneage Twysden. (See Steele's Preface.)
+Heneage Twysden was the seventh son of Sir William Twysden, Bart., of
+Roydon Hall, East Peckham, Kent. At the time of his death (1709, aged
+29) he was a captain of foot in Sir Richard Temple's Regiment, and
+aide-de-camp to John, Duke of Argyle. Near his monument in the north
+aisle of the Abbey are two other small ones to the memory of his
+brothers Josiah and John. Josiah, a captain of foot, was killed in
+Flanders in 1708, in his 23rd year; John was a lieutenant in the
+admiral's ship, under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, and perished with him in
+1707, in his 24th year. [Chalmers.]--Heneage Twysden was killed at the
+battle of Blarequies.]
+
+[Footnote 177: The allusion is to the staff carried by the First Lord of
+the Treasury.]
+
+[Footnote 178: The House of Commons.]
+
+[Footnote 179: "Any ladies who have any particular stories of their
+acquaintance, which they are willing privately to make public, may send
+them by the penny-post to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., enclosed to Mr. John
+Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 12. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 5_, to _Saturday, May 7_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+May 5.
+
+When a man has engaged to keep a stage-coach, he is obliged, whether he
+has passengers or not, to set out: thus it fares with us weekly
+historians; but indeed, for my particular, I hope I shall soon have
+little more to do in this work, than to publish what is sent me from
+such as have leisure and capacity for giving delight, and being pleased
+in an elegant manner. The present grandeur of the British nation might
+make us expect, that we should rise in our public diversions, and manner
+of enjoying life, in proportion to our advancement in glory and power.
+Instead of that, take and survey this town, and you'll find, rakes and
+debauchees are your men of pleasure; thoughtless atheists, and
+illiterate drunkards, call themselves free thinkers; and gamesters,
+banterers, biters,[180] swearers, and twenty new-born insects more, are,
+in their several species, the modern men of wit. Hence it is, that a man
+who has been out of town but one half-year, has lost the language, and
+must have some friend to stand by him, and keep him in countenance for
+talking common sense. To-day I saw a short interlude at White's of this
+nature, which I took notes of, and put together as well as I could in a
+public place. The persons of the drama are, Pip, the last gentleman that
+has been made so at cards; Trimmer, a person half undone at them, and is
+now between a cheat and a gentleman; Acorn, an honest Englishman, of
+good plain sense and meaning; and Mr. Friendly, a reasonable man of the
+town.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 5.
+
+[_Enter_ PIP, TRIM, _and_ ACORN.
+
+AC. What's the matter, gentlemen? What! Take no notice of an old friend?
+
+PIP. Pox on it! don't talk to me, I am voweled by the Count, and
+cursedly out of humour.
+
+AC. Voweled! Prithee, Trimmer, what does he mean by that?
+
+TRIM. Have a care, Harry, speak softly; don't show your ignorance:--If
+you do, they'll bite you where-e'er they meet you; they are such cursed
+curs,--the present wits.
+
+AC. Bite me! What do you mean?
+
+PIP. Why! Don't you know what biting is? Nay, you are in the right on
+it. However, one would learn it only to defend oneself against men of
+wit, as one would know the tricks of play, to be secure against the
+cheats. But don't you hear, Acorn, that report, that some potentates of
+the Alliance have taken care of themselves, exclusive of us?
+
+AC. How! Heaven forbid! After all our glorious victories; all this
+expense of blood and treasure!
+
+PIP. Bite--
+
+AC. Bite! How?
+
+TRIM. Nay, he has bit you fairly enough; that's certain.
+
+AC. Pox! I don't feel it--how? Where?
+
+[_Exit_ PIP _and_ TRIMMER, _laughing._
+
+AC. Ho! Mr. Friendly, your most humble servant; you heard what passed
+between those fine gentlemen and me. Pip complained to me, that he has
+been voweled; and they tell me, I am bit.
+
+FRIEND. You are to understand, sir, that simplicity of behaviour, which
+is the perfection of good breeding and good sense, is utterly lost in
+the world; and in the room of it, there are started a thousand little
+inventions, which men, barren of better things, take up in the place of
+it. Thus, for every character in conversation that used to please, there
+is an impostor put upon you. Him whom we allowed formerly for a certain
+pleasant subtilty, and natural way of giving you an unexpected hit,
+called a droll, is now mimicked by a biter, who is a dull fellow, that
+tells you a lie with a grave face, and laughs at you for knowing him no
+better than to believe him. Instead of that sort of companion, who could
+rally you, and keep his countenance, till he made you fall into some
+little inconsistency of behaviour, at which you yourself could laugh
+with him, you have the sneerer, who will keep you company from morning
+to night, to gather your follies of the day (which perhaps you commit
+out of confidence in him), and expose you in the evening to all the
+scorners in town. For your man of sense and free spirit, whose set of
+thoughts were built upon learning, reason, and experience, you have now
+an impudent creature made up of vice only, who supports his ignorance by
+his courage, and want of learning by contempt of it.
+
+AC. Dear sir, hold: what you have told me already of this change in
+conversation, is too miserable to be heard with any delight; but,
+methinks, as these new creatures appear in the world, it might give an
+excellent field to writers for the stage, to divert us with the
+representation of them there.
+
+FRIEND. No, no: as you say, there might be some hopes of redress of
+these grievances, if there were proper care taken of the theatre; but
+the history of that is yet more lamentable than that of the decay of
+conversation I gave you.
+
+AC. Pray, sir, a little: I haven't been in town these six years, till
+within this fortnight.
+
+FRIEND. It is now some years since several revolutions in the gay world
+had made the empire of the stage subject to very fatal convulsions,
+which were too dangerous to be cured by the skill of little King
+Oberon,[181] who then sat in the throne of it. The laziness of this
+prince threw him upon the choice of a person who was fit to spend his
+life in contentions, an able and profound attorney, to whom he mortgaged
+his whole empire. This Divito[182] is the most skilful of all
+politicians: he has a perfect art in being unintelligible in discourse,
+and uncomeatable in business. But he having no understanding in this
+polite way, brought in upon us, to get in his money,
+ladder-dancers,[183] rope-dancers, jugglers, and mountebanks, to strut
+in the place of Shakespeare's heroes, and Jonson's humorists. When the
+seat of wit was thus mortgaged, without equity of redemption, an
+architect[184] arose, who has built the muse a new palace, but secured
+her no retinue; so that instead of action there, we have been put off
+by song and dance. This latter help of sound has also begun to fail for
+want of voices; therefore the palace has since been put into the hands
+of a surgeon,[185] who cuts any foreign fellow into an eunuch, and
+passes him upon us for a singer of Italy.
+
+AC. I'll go out of town to-morrow.
+
+FRIEND.[186] Things are come to this pass; and yet the world will not
+understand, that the theatre has much the same effect on the manners of
+the age, as the bank on the credit of the nation. Wit and spirit, humour
+and good sense, can never be revived, but under the government of those
+who are judges of such talents, who know, that whatever is put up in
+their stead, is but a short and trifling expedient, to support the
+appearance of them for a season. It is possible, a peace will give
+leisure to put these matters under new regulations; but at present, all
+the assistance we can see towards our recovery, is as far from giving us
+help, as a poultice is from performing what can be done only by the
+Grand Elixir.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 6.
+
+According to our late design in the applauded verses on the
+Morning,[187] which you lately had from hence, we proceed to improve
+that just intention, and present you with other labours, made proper to
+the place in which they were written. The following poem comes from
+Copenhagen, and is as fine a winter-piece as we have ever had from any
+of the schools of the most learned painters. Such images as these give
+us a new pleasure in our sight, and fix upon our minds traces of
+reflection, which accompany us whenever the like objects occur. In
+short, excellent poetry and description dwell upon us so agreeably, that
+all the readers of them are made to think, if not write, like men of
+wit. But it would be injury to detain you longer from this excellent
+performance, which is addressed to the Earl of Dorset by Mr.
+Philips,[188] the author of several choice poems in Mr. Tonson's new
+Miscellany.[189]
+
+                                            _Copenhagen, March 9_, 1709.
+    From frozen climes, and endless tracks of snow,
+    From streams that northern winds forbid to flow;
+    What present shall the muse to Dorset bring;
+    Or how, so near the Pole, attempt to sing?
+    The hoary winter here conceals from sight
+    All pleasing objects that to verse invite.
+    The hills and dales, and the delightful woods,
+    The flowery plains, and silver streaming floods,
+    By snow disguised, in bright confusion lie,
+    And with one dazzling waste fatigue the eye.
+
+    No gentle breathing breeze prepares the spring,
+    No birds within the desert region sing.
+    The ships unmoved the boisterous winds defy,
+    While rattling chariots o'er the ocean fly.
+    The vast leviathan wants room to play,
+    And spout his waters in the face of day.
+    The starving wolves along the main sea prowl,
+    And to the moon in icy valleys howl.
+    For many a shining league the level main
+    Here spreads itself into a glassy plain:
+    There solid billows of enormous size,
+    Alps of green ice, in wild disorder rise.
+
+    And yet but lately have I seen e'en here,
+    The winter in a lovely dress appear;
+    Ere yet the clouds let fall the treasured snow,
+    Or winds begun through hazy skies to blow.
+    At evening a keen eastern breeze arose;
+    And the descending rain unsullied froze.
+    Soon as the silent shades of night withdrew,
+    The ruddy morn disclosed at once to view
+    The face of nature in a rich disguise,
+    And brightened every object to my eyes.
+    For every shrub, and every blade of grass,
+    And every pointed thorn, seemed wrought in glass,
+    In pearls and rubies rich the hawthorns show,
+    While through the ice the crimson berries glow.
+    The thick-sprung reeds the watery marshes yield,
+    Seem polished lances in a hostile field.
+    The stag in limpid currents with surprise,
+    Sees crystal branches on his forehead rise.
+    The spreading oak, the beech, and towering pine,
+    Glazed over, in the freezing ether shine.
+    The frighted birds the rattling branches shun,
+    That wave and glitter in the distant sun.
+
+    When if a sudden gust of wind arise,
+    The brittle forest into atoms flies:
+    The crackling wood beneath the tempest bends,
+    And in a spangled shower the prospect ends.
+    Or if a southern gale the region warm,
+    And by degrees unbind the wintry charm;
+    The traveller a miry country sees,
+    And journeys sad beneath the dropping trees.
+
+    Like some deluded peasant, Merlin leads
+    Through fragrant bowers, and through delicious meads;
+    While here enchanted gardens to him rise,
+    And airy fabrics there attract his eyes,
+    His wandering feet the magic paths pursue;
+    And while he thinks the fair illusion true,
+    The trackless scenes disperse in fluid air,
+    And woods and wilds, and thorny ways appear:
+    A tedious road the weary wretch returns,
+    And, as he goes, the transient vision mourns.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 6.
+
+There has a mail this day arrived from Holland; but the matter of the
+advices importing rather what gives us great expectations, than any
+positive assurances, I shall, for this time, decline giving you what I
+know, and apply the following verses of Mr. Dryden, in the second part
+of "Almanzor," to the present circumstances of things, without
+discovering what my knowledge in astronomy suggests to me.
+
+    _When empire in its childhood first appears,
+    A watchful fate o'er sees its tender years:
+    Till grown more strong, it thrusts and stretches out,
+    And elbows all the kingdoms round about.
+    The place thus made for its first breathing free,
+    It moves again for ease and luxury;
+    Till swelling by degrees it has possest
+    The greater space, and now crowds up the rest.
+    When from behind there starts some petty state,
+    And pushes on its now unwieldy fate.
+    Then down the precipice of time it goes,
+    And sinks in minutes, which in ages rose._[190]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 180: "I'll teach you a way to outwit Mrs. Johnson; it is a
+new-fashioned way of being witty, and they call it a _bite_. You must
+ask a bantering question, or tell some damned lie in a serious manner,
+then she will answer, or speak as if you were in earnest, and then cry
+you, 'Madam, there's a _bite_.' I would not have you undervalue this,
+for it is the constant amusement in Court, and everywhere else among the
+great people; and I let you know it, in order to have it obtain among
+you, and to teach you a new refinement" (Swift's "Journal"). See the
+_Spectator_, Nos. 47, 504: "_A Biter_ is one who tells you a thing you
+have no reason to disbelieve in itself; and perhaps has given you,
+before he bit you, no reason to disbelieve it for his saying it; and if
+you give him credit, laughs in your face, and triumphs that he has
+deceived you. In a word, a _Biter_ is one who thinks you a fool, because
+you do not think him a knave."]
+
+[Footnote 181: Owen McSwiney, a manager of Drury Lane Theatre, and
+afterwards of the Haymarket Theatre. After living in Italy for some
+years, he obtained a place in the Custom-house, and was keeper of the
+King's Mews. On his death in 1754 he left his fortune to Mrs.
+Woffington.]
+
+[Footnote 182: Christopher Rich, manager of Drury Lane Theatre, who died
+in 1714, was at this time involved in a quarrel with the principal
+actors about the profits of their benefits.]
+
+[Footnote 183: Cibber ("Apology," chap. x.) complains that Rich paid
+extraordinary prices to singers, dancers, and other exotic performers,
+which were as constantly deducted out of the sinking salaries of his
+actors. In December, 1709, the Lord Chamberlain ordered that no new
+representations were to be brought upon the stage which were not
+necessary to the better performance of comedy or opera, "such as
+ladder-dancing, antic postures," &c., without his leave.--(Lord
+Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Book, No. 22.)]
+
+[Footnote 184: Sir John Vanbrugh built the Haymarket Theatre in 1705.
+The new house was opened with a translation of an Italian opera, "The
+Triumph of Love", which met with little success. This was followed by
+Vanbrugh's "Confederacy."]
+
+[Footnote 185: John James Heidegger, who died in 1749, aged 90, was the
+son of a Swiss clergyman. When over 40 he came to England, and became
+the chief director of the opera-house and masquerades. His face was
+remarkably ugly.]
+
+[Footnote 186: "Trim", in original editions.]
+
+[Footnote 187: See No. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 188: "Philips writeth verses in a sledge upon the frozen sea,"
+wrote Swift, "and transmits them hither to thrive in our warm climate
+under the shelter of my Lord Dorset." Addison refers to this poem by
+Ambrose Philips in No. 223 of the _Spectator_, and Pope commends it.]
+
+[Footnote 189: The sixth and last volume of Tonson's "Miscellany" opens
+with Philips' Pastorals, and closes with those of Pope.]
+
+[Footnote 190: "Almanzor and Almahide; or, The Conquest of Granada. The
+Second Part," act i. sc. I.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 13. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 7_, to _Tuesday, May 10_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 8.
+
+Much hurry and business had to-day perplexed me into a mood too
+thoughtful for going into company; for which reason, instead of the
+tavern, I went into Lincoln's Inn Walks; and having taken a round or
+two, I sat down, according to the allowed familiarity of these places,
+on a bench; at the other end of which sat a venerable gentleman, who
+speaking with a very affable air, "Mr. Bickerstaff," said he, "I take it
+for a very great piece of good fortune, that you have found me out."
+"Sir," said I, "I had never, that I know of, the honour of seeing you
+before." "That," replied he, "is what I have often lamented; but I
+assure you, I have for many years done you good offices, without being
+observed by you; or else, when you had any little glimpse of my being
+concerned in an affair, you have fled from me, and shunned me like an
+enemy; but however, the part I am to act in the world is such, that I am
+to go on in doing good, though I meet with never so many repulses, even
+from those I oblige." This, thought I, shows a great good nature, but
+little judgment in the persons upon whom he confers his favours. He
+immediately took notice to me, that he observed by my countenance I
+thought him indiscreet in his beneficence, and proceeded to tell me his
+quality in the following manner: "I know thee, Isaac, to be so well
+versed in the occult sciences, that I need not much preface, or make
+long preparations to gain your faith that there are airy beings, who are
+employed in the care and attendance of men, as nurses are to infants,
+till they come to an age in which they can act of themselves. These
+beings are usually called amongst men, guardian angels; and, Mr.
+Bickerstaff, I am to acquaint you, that I am to be yours for some time
+to come; it being our orders to vary our stations, and sometimes to have
+one patient under our protection, and sometimes another, with a power of
+assuming what shape we please, to ensnare our wards into their own good.
+I have of late been upon such hard duty, and know you have so much work
+for me, that I think fit to appear to you face to face, to desire you
+would give me as little occasion for vigilance as you can." "Sir," said
+I, "it will be a great instruction to me in my behaviour, if you please
+to give me some account of your late employments, and what hardships or
+satisfactions you have had in them, that I may govern myself
+accordingly." He answered: "To give you an example of the drudgery we go
+through, I will entertain you only with my three last stations: I was on
+the 1st of April last, put to mortify a great beauty, with whom I was a
+week; from her I went to a common swearer, and have been last with a
+gamester. When I first came to my lady, I found my great work was to
+guard well her eyes and ears; but her flatterers were so numerous, and
+the house, after the modern way, so full of looking-glasses, that I
+seldom had her safe but in her sleep. Whenever we went abroad, we were
+surrounded by an army of enemies: when a well-made man appeared, he was
+sure to have a side-glance of observation: if a disagreeable fellow, he
+had a full face, out of mere inclination to conquests. But at the close
+of the evening, on the sixth of the last month, my ward was sitting on a
+couch, reading Ovid's 'Epistles'; and as she came to this line of Helen
+to Paris,
+
+    _She half consents who silently denies;_[191]
+
+entered Philander,[192] who is the most skilful of all men in an address
+to women. He is arrived at the perfection of that art which gains them,
+which is, to talk like a very miserable man, but look like a very happy
+one. I saw Dictinna blush at his entrance, which gave me the alarm; but
+he immediately said something so agreeable on her being at study, and
+the novelty of finding a lady employed in so grave a manner, that he on
+a sudden became very familiarly a man of no consequence; and in an
+instant laid all her suspicions of his skill asleep, as he almost had
+done mine, till I observed him very dangerously turn his discourse upon
+the elegance of her dress, and her judgment in the choice of that very
+pretty mourning. Having had women before under my care, I trembled at
+the apprehension of a man of sense, who could talk upon trifles, and
+resolved to stick to my post with all the circumspection imaginable. In
+short, I prepossessed her against all he could say to the advantage of
+her dress and person; but he turned again the discourse, where I found I
+had no power over her, on the abusing her friends and acquaintance. He
+allowed indeed, that Flora had a little beauty, and a great deal of wit;
+but then she was so ungainly in her behaviour, and such a laughing
+hoyden--Pastorella had with him the allowance of being blameless: but
+what was that towards being praiseworthy? To be only innocent, is not to
+be virtuous. He afterwards spoke so much against Mrs. Dipple's forehead,
+Mrs. Prim's mouth, Mrs. Dentifrice's teeth, and Mrs. Fidget's cheeks,
+that she grew downright in love with him: for it is always to be
+understood, that a lady takes all you detract from the rest of her sex
+to be a gift to her. In a word, things went so far, that I was
+dismissed, and she will remember that evening nine months, from the 6th
+of April, by a very remarkable token. The next, as I said, I went to was
+a common swearer: never was creature so puzzled as myself when I came
+first to view his brain; half of it was worn out, and filled up with
+mere expletives, that had nothing to do with any other parts of the
+texture; therefore, when he called for his clothes in a morning, he
+would cry, 'John--?' John does not answer. 'What a plague! Nobody there?
+What the devil, and rot me! John, for a lazy dog as you are.' I knew no
+way to cure him, but by writing down all he said one morning as he was
+dressing, and laying it before him on the toilet when he came to pick
+his teeth. The last recital I gave him of what he said for half an hour
+before, was, 'What, a pox rot me! Where is the washball? Call the
+chairmen: damn them, I warrant they are at the ale-house already!
+Zounds, and confound them.' When he came to the glass, he takes up my
+note--'Ha! this fellow is worse than me: what, does he swear with pen
+and ink?' But reading on, he found them to be his own words. The
+stratagem had so good an effect upon him, that he grew immediately a new
+man, and is learning to speak without an oath, which makes him extremely
+short in his phrases; for, as I observed before, a common swearer has a
+brain without any idea on the swearing side; therefore my ward has yet
+mighty little to say, and is forced to substitute some other vehicle of
+nonsense to supply the defect of his usual expletives. When I left him,
+he made use of, 'Oddsbodikins!' 'Oh me!' and, 'Never stir alive!' and so
+forth; which gave me hopes of his recovery. So I went to the next I told
+you of, the gamester. When we first take our place about a man, the
+receptacles of the pericranium are immediately searched. In his, I found
+no one ordinary trace of thinking; but strong passion, violent desires,
+and a continued series of different changes, had torn it to pieces.
+There appeared no middle condition; the triumph of a prince, or the
+misery of a beggar, were his alternate states. I was with him no longer
+than one day, which was yesterday. In the morning at twelve, we were
+worth four thousand pounds; at three, we were arrived at six thousand;
+half an hour after, we were reduced to one thousand; at four of the
+clock, we were down to two hundred; at five, to fifty; at six, to five;
+at seven, to one guinea; the next bet, to nothing: this morning, he
+borrowed half a crown of the maid who cleans his shoes; and is now
+gaming in Lincoln's Inn Fields among the boys for farthings and oranges,
+till he has made up three pieces, and then he returns to White's into
+the best company in town." This ended our first discourse; and it is
+hoped, you will forgive me, that I have picked so little out of my
+companion at our first interview. In the next, it is possible he may
+tell me more pleasing incidents; for though he is a familiar, he is not
+an evil spirit.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 9.
+
+We hear from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., that Monsieur de Torcy
+hath had frequent conferences with the Grand Pensioner, and the other
+Ministers who were heretofore commissioned to treat with Monsieur
+Rouill�. The preliminaries of a peace are almost settled, and the
+proceedings wait only for the arrival of the Duke of Marlborough; after
+whose approbation of the articles proposed, it is not doubted but the
+methods of the treaty will be publicly known. In the meantime, the
+States have declared an abhorrence of making any step in this great
+affair, but in concert with the Court of Great Britain, and other
+princes of the Alliance. The posture of affairs in France does
+necessarily oblige that nation to be very much in earnest in their
+offers; and Monsieur de Torcy hath professed to the Grand Pensioner,
+that he will avoid all occasions of giving him the least jealousy of his
+using any address in private conversations for accomplishing the ends of
+his embassy. It is said, that as soon as the preliminaries are adjusted,
+that Minister is to return to the French Court. The States of Holland
+have resolved to make it an instruction to all their men-of-war and
+privateers, to bring into their ports whatever neutral ships they shall
+meet with laden with corn, and bound for France; and to avoid all cause
+of complaint from the potentates to whom these ships shall belong, their
+full demand for their freight shall be paid them there. The French
+Protestants residing in that country have applied themselves to their
+respective magistrates, desiring that there may be an article in the
+treaty of peace, which may give liberty of conscience to the Protestants
+in France. Monsieur Bosnage, minister of the Walloon church at
+Rotterdam, has been at the Hague and hath had some conferences with the
+deputies of the States on that subject. It is reported there, that all
+the French refugees in those dominions are to be naturalised, that they
+may enjoy the same good effects of the treaty with the Hollanders
+themselves, in respect of France.
+
+Letters from Paris say, the people conceive great hopes of a sudden
+peace, from Monsieur Torcy's being employed in the negotiation, he being
+a Minister of too great weight in that Court, to be sent on any
+employment in which his master would not act in a manner wherein he
+might justly promise himself success. The French advices add, that there
+is an insurrection in Poictou; 3000 men having taken up arms, and beaten
+the troops which were appointed to disperse them: three of the mutineers
+being taken, were immediately executed; and as many of the king's party
+were used after the same manner.
+
+Our late Act of Naturalisation[193] hath had so great an effect in
+foreign parts, that some princes have prohibited the French refugees in
+their dominions to sell or transfer their estates to any other of their
+subjects; and at the same time have granted them greater immunities than
+they hitherto enjoyed. It has been also thought necessary to restrain
+their own subjects from leaving their native country, on pain of death.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 191: Ovid's "Epistles," 1709; translation of "Helen's Epistle
+to Paris," by the Earl of Mulgrave and Dryden.]
+
+[Footnote 192: An original for Philander has been found in Lord Halifax.
+See No. 49.]
+
+[Footnote 193: See No. 9. "If the Whigs were now restored to power, the
+bill [for a general naturalisation] now to be repealed, would then be
+re-enacted, and the birthright of an Englishman reduced again to the
+value of twelve pence."--(_Examiner_, vol. i. No. 26.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 14. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday May 10_, to _Thursday, May 12_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 10.
+
+Had it not been that my familiar had appeared to me, as I told you in my
+last, in person, I had certainly been unable to have found even words,
+without meaning, to keep up my intelligence with the town: but he has
+checked me severely for my despondence, and ordered me to go on in my
+design of observing upon things, and forbearing persons; "for," said he,
+"the age you live in is such, that a good picture of any vice or virtue
+will infallibly be misrepresented; and though none will take the kind
+descriptions you make so much to themselves, as to wish well to the
+author, yet all will resent the ill characters you produce, out of fear
+of their own turn in the licence you must be obliged to take, if you
+point at particular persons." I took his admonition kindly, and
+immediately promised him to beg pardon of the author of the "Advice to
+the Poets,"[194] for my raillery upon his work; though I aimed at no
+more in that examination, but to convince him, and all men of genius, of
+the folly of laying themselves out on such plans as are below their
+characters. I hope too it was done without ill-breeding, and nothing
+spoken below what a civilian (as it is allowed I am) may utter to a
+physician. After this preface, all the world may be safe from my
+writings; for if I can find nothing to commend, I am silent, and will
+forbear the subject: for, though I am a reformer, I scorn to be an
+inquisitor.
+
+It would become all men, as well as me, to lay before them the noble
+character of Verus the magistrate,[195] who always sat in triumph over,
+and contempt of, vice; he never searched after it, or spared it when it
+came before him: at the same time, he could see through the hypocrisy
+and disguise of those, who have no pretence to virtue themselves, but by
+their severity to the vicious. This same Verus was, in times long past,
+chief justice (as we call it amongst us) in F�licia.[196] He was a man
+of profound knowledge of the laws of his country, and as just an
+observer of them in his own person. He considered justice as a cardinal
+virtue, not as a trade for maintenance. Wherever he was judge, he never
+forgot that he was also counsel. The criminal before him was always sure
+he stood before his country, and, in a sort, a parent of it. The
+prisoner knew, that though his spirit was broken with guilt, and
+incapable of language to defend itself, all would be gathered from him
+which could conduce to his safety; and that his judge would wrest no law
+to destroy him, nor conceal any that could save him. In his time, there
+were a nest of pretenders to justice, who happened to be employed to put
+things in a method for being examined before him at his usual sessions:
+these animals were to Verus, as monkeys are to men, so like, that you
+can hardly disown them; but so base, that you are ashamed of their
+fraternity. It grew a phrase, "Who would do justice on the justices?"
+That certainly would Verus. I have seen an old trial where he sat judge
+on two of them; one was called Trick-Track, the other Tearshift;[197]
+one was a learned judge of sharpers, the other the quickest of all men
+at finding out a wench. Trick-Track never spared a pickpocket, but was a
+companion to cheats: Tearshift would make compliments to wenches of
+quality, but certainly commit poor ones. If a poor rogue wanted a
+lodging, Trick-Track sent him to gaol for a thief: if a poor whore went
+only with one thin petticoat, Tearshift would imprison her for being
+loose in her dress. These patriots infested the days of Verus, while
+they alternately committed and released each other's prisoners. But
+Verus regarded them as criminals, and always looked upon men as they
+stood in the eye of justice, without respecting whether they sat on the
+bench, or stood at the bar.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 11
+
+Yesterday we were entertained with the tragedy of "The Earl of
+Essex,"[198] in which there is not one good line, and yet a play which
+was never seen without drawing tears from some part of the audience: a
+remarkable instance, that the soul is not to be moved by words, but
+things; for the incidents in this drama are laid together so happily,
+that the spectator makes the play for himself, by the force which the
+circumstance has upon his imagination. Thus, in spite of the most dry
+discourses, and expressions almost ridiculous with respect to propriety,
+it is impossible for one unprejudiced to see it untouched with pity. I
+must confess, this effect is not wrought on such as examine why they are
+pleased; but it never fails to appear on those who are not too learned
+in nature, to be moved by her first suggestions. It is certain, the
+person and behaviour of Mr. Wilks[199] has no small share in conducing
+to the popularity of the play; and when a handsome fellow is going to a
+more coarse exit than beheading, his shape and countenance make every
+tender one reprieve him with all her heart, without waiting till she
+hears his dying words.
+
+This evening "The Alchemist"[200] was played. This comedy is an example
+of Ben's extensive genius and penetration into the passions and follies
+of mankind. The scene in the fourth act, where all the cheated people
+oppose the man that would open their eyes, has something in it so
+inimitably excellent, that it is certainly as great a masterpiece as has
+ever appeared by any hand. The author's great address in showing
+covetousness the motive of the actions of the Puritan, the epicure, the
+gamester, and the trader; and that all their endeavours, how differently
+soever they seem to tend, centre only in that one point of gain, shows
+he had to a great perfection, that discernment of spirit, which
+constitutes a genius for comedy.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 11.
+
+It is not to be imagined how far the violence of our desires will carry
+us towards our own deceit in the pursuit of what we wish for. A
+gentleman here this evening was giving me an account of a dumb
+fortune-teller,[201] who outdoes Mr. Partridge, myself, or the
+unborn-doctor,[202] for predictions. All his visitants come to him full
+of expectations, and pay his own rate for the interpretations they put
+upon his shrugs and nods. There is a fine rich City widow stole thither
+the other day (though it is not six weeks since her husband's departure
+from her company to rest), and, with her trusty maid, demanded of him,
+whether she should marry again, by holding up two fingers, like horns on
+her forehead. The wizard held up both his hands forked. The relict
+desired to know, whether he meant by his holding up both hands, to
+represent that she had one husband before, and that she should have
+another? Or that he intimated, she should have two more? The cunning-man
+looked a little sour; upon which Betty jogged her mistress, who gave the
+other guinea; and he made her understand, she should positively have two
+more; but shaked his head, and hinted, that they should not live long
+with her. The widow sighed, and gave him the other half-guinea. After
+this prepossession, all that she had next to do, was to make sallies to
+our end of the town, and find out who it is her fate to have. There are
+two who frequent this place, whom she takes for men of vogue, and of
+whom her imagination has given her the choice. They are both the
+appearances of fine gentlemen, to such as do not know when they see
+persons of that turn; and indeed, they are industrious enough to come at
+that character, to deserve the reputation of being such: but this town
+will not allow us to be the things we seem to aim at, and are too
+discerning to be fobbed off with pretences. One of these pretty fellows
+fails by his laborious exactness; the other, by his as much studied
+negligence. Frank Careless, as soon as his valet has helped on and
+adjusted his clothes, goes to his glass, sets his wig awry, tumbles his
+cravat; and in short, undresses himself to go into company. Will Nice is
+so little satisfied with his dress, that all the time he is at a visit,
+he is still mending it, and is for that reason the more insufferable;
+for he who studies carelessness, has, at least, his work the sooner done
+of the two. The widow is distracted whom to take for her first man; for
+Nice is every way so careful, that she fears his length of days; and
+Frank is so loose, that she has apprehensions for her own health with
+him. I am puzzled how to give a just idea of them; but in a word,
+Careless is a coxcomb, and Nice a fop: both, you'll say, very hopeful
+candidates for a gay woman just set at liberty. But there is a whisper,
+her maid will give her to Tom Terrour the gamester. This fellow has
+undone so many women, that he'll certainly succeed if he is introduced;
+for nothing so much prevails with the vain part of that sex, as the
+glory of deceiving them who have deceived others.
+
+    _Desunt multa_.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 11.
+
+Letters from Berlin, bearing date May 11, N.S., inform us, that the
+birthday of her Prussian Majesty has been celebrated there with all
+possible magnificence; and the king made her on that occasion a present
+of jewels to the value of thirty thousand crowns. The Marquis de Quesne,
+who has distinguished himself by his great zeal for the Protestant
+interest, was, at the time of the despatch of these letters, at that
+Court, soliciting the king to take care, that an article in behalf of
+the refugees, admitting their return to France, should be inserted in
+the treaty of peace. They write from Hanover of the 14th, that his
+electoral highness had received an express from Count Merci,
+representing how necessary it was to the common cause, that he would
+please to hasten to the Rhine; for that nothing but his presence could
+quicken the measures towards bringing the imperial army into the field.
+There are very many speculations upon the intended interview of the King
+of Denmark and King Augustus. The latter has made such preparations for
+the reception of the other, that it is said his Danish Majesty will be
+entertained in Saxony with much more elegance than he met with in Italy
+itself.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 18th instant, N.S., say, that his Grace
+the Duke of Marlborough landed the night before at the Brill, after
+having been kept out at sea by adverse winds two days longer than is
+usual in that passage. His Excellency the Lord Townshend, her Majesty's
+ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the States-General, was
+driven into the Veere in Zealand on Thursday last, from whence he came
+to the Hague within few hours after the arrival of his grace. The duke,
+soon after his coming to the Hague, had a visit from the Pensioner of
+Holland. All things relating to the peace were in suspense till this
+interview; nor is it yet known what resolutions will be taken on that
+subject; for the troops of the Allies have fresh orders despatched to
+them to move from their respective quarters, and march with all
+expedition to the frontiers, where the enemy are making their utmost
+efforts for the defence of their country. These advices further inform
+us, that the Marquis de Torcy had received an answer from the Court of
+France to his letters which he had sent thither by an express on the
+Friday before.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff has received letters from Mr. Coltstaff, Mr. Whipstaff,
+and Mrs. Rebecca Wagstaff; all which relate chiefly to their being left
+out in the genealogy of the family lately published;[203] but my cousin
+being a clerk in the Heralds' Office who writ that draught, and being at
+present under the displeasure of the chapter, it is feared, if that
+matter should be touched upon at this time, the young gentleman would
+lose his place for treason against the Kings at Arms.[204]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 194: Sir Richard Blackmore. See No. 3.]
+
+[Footnote 195: Sir John Holt (see _Examiner_, vol. iv. No. 14) was born
+in 1642, made Recorder of London and knighted in 1686, and appointed
+Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1689, a position which he filled
+very ably and impartially for twenty-one years. He died March 5, 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 196: Britain.]
+
+[Footnote 197: According to a MS. note in the copy of the Tatler
+referred to in a note to No. 4, these justices were "Sir H. C---- and
+Mr. C----r." Who the latter was I do not know; the former appears to be
+meant for Sir Henry Colt, of whom Luttrell gives some particulars. In
+April 1694, a Bill was found against Sir Henry Colt and Mr. Lake, son to
+the late Bishop of Chichester, for fighting a duel in St. James's Park;
+the trial was to be on May 31. Sir Henry Colt, a Justice of the Peace,
+had a duel with Beau Feilding on the 11th January, 1696, and Colt was
+run through the body. A reward of �200 was offered for Feilding's
+arrest, and he was captured in March; but in the following month he was
+set at liberty upon Colt promising not to prosecute. In July 1698, Colt
+unsuccessfully contested Westminster, and in December the Committee of
+Privileges decided that his petition against the return of Mr.
+Chancellor Montague and Mr. Secretary Vernon was vexatious, frivolous
+and scandalous; and Colt was put out of the commission of the peace for
+Westminster and Middlesex. In 1701, he became M.P. for Westminster, for
+one Parliament only. In August 1702, he was again displaced from being a
+Justice for Westminster. In July 1708, he was defeated at Westminster,
+and the petition which he lodged against Mr. Medlicot's election was
+dismissed, after Huggins, the head bailiff, had been examined.]
+
+[Footnote 198: By John Banks, 1685.]
+
+[Footnote 199: Robert Wilks died in 1732, age 62. See No. 182, and the
+_Spectator_, Nos. 268, 370: "When I am commending Wilks for representing
+the tenderness of a husband and a father in 'Macbeth', the contrition of
+a reformed prodigal in 'Harry the Fourth', the winning emptiness of a
+young man of good-nature and wealth in 'The Trip to the Jubilee', the
+officiousness of an artful servant in 'The Fox', when thus I celebrate
+Wilks, I talk to all the world who are engaged in any of those
+circumstances."]
+
+[Footnote 200: Ben Jonson's "Alchemist" was published in 1610.]
+
+[Footnote 201: Duncan Campbell, who is best known through Defoe's
+"History of the Life and Adventures of Mr. Duncan Campbell, a gentleman,
+who, though deaf and dumb, writes down any strange name at first sight,
+with their future contingencies of fortune," 1720. Several other books
+about Campbell appeared, and some said that he only pretended to be deaf
+and dumb. Campbell had a very large number of clients (_Spectator_, No.
+560). He died in 1730.]
+
+[Footnote 202: The name of this quack was Kirleus. He pretended to
+extraordinary endowments, on the score of his having been introduced
+into the world by means of the Cesarean operation. In the _Examiner_,
+vol. i. No. 49, original edition in folio, there is among the
+advertisements subjoined, July 5, 1711, notice given that some of his
+nostrums, which had been tested for fifty years, were to be had of "Mary
+Kirleus, widow of John Kirleus, son of Dr. Tho. Kirleus, a sworn
+physician in ordinary to K. Charles II." Nichols says that there were
+two male and two female quacks of the name of Kirleus; Thomas the
+father, and his son John, Susannah the widow of Thomas, and Mary the
+relict of John; but it does not appear that any of them all were rich.
+The women, after the decease of their husbands, engaged in a paper war,
+which was carried on about this time in polemical advertisements. Dr.
+Kirleus and Dr. Case (see No. 20) are said to have been sent for to
+prescribe to Partridge in his last illness. Garth ("Dispensary," canto
+iii.) wrote:
+
+    "Whole troops of quacks shall join us on the place,
+    From great Kirleus down to Doctor Case."
+
+"In Grays-Inn-lane in Plow-yard, the third door, lives Dr. Thomas
+Kirleus, a Collegiate Physician and sworn Physician in Ordinary to King
+Charles the Second until his death; who with a drink and pill (hindring
+no business) undertakes to cure any ulcers," &c. &c. "Take heed whom you
+trust in physick, for it's become a common cheat to profess it. He gives
+his opinion to all that writes or comes for nothing" (_Athenian
+Mercury_, February 13, 1694). See also _Tatler_, Nos. 41, 226, 240.]
+
+[Footnote 203: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 204: "Castabella's complaint is come to hand" (folio). See No.
+16.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 15. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 12_, to _Saturday, May 14_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 12.
+
+I have taken a resolution hereafter, on any want of intelligence, to
+carry my familiar abroad with me, who has promised to give me very
+proper and just notices of persons and things, to make up the history of
+the passing day. He is wonderfully skilful in the knowledge of men and
+manners, which has made me more than ordinary curious to know how he
+came to that perfection, and I communicated to him that doubt. "Mr.
+Pacolet," said I, "I am mightily surprised to see you so good a judge of
+our nature and circumstances, since you are a mere spirit, and have no
+knowledge of the bodily part of us." He answered, smiling, "You are
+mistaken, I have been one of you, and lived a month amongst you, which
+gives me an exact sense of your condition. You are to know, that all who
+enter into human life, have a certain date or stamen given to their
+being, which they only who die of age may be said to have arrived at;
+but it is ordered sometimes by fate, that such as die infants, are after
+death to attend mankind to the end of that stamen of being in
+themselves, which was broke off by sickness or any other disaster. These
+are proper guardians to men, as being sensible of the infirmity of their
+state. You are philosopher enough to know, that the difference of men's
+understanding proceeds only from the various dispositions of their
+organs; so that he who dies at a month old, is in the next life as
+knowing (though more innocent) as they who live to fifty; and after
+death, they have as perfect a memory and judgment of all that passed in
+their lifetime, as I have of all the revolutions in that uneasy,
+turbulent condition of yours; and, you'd say, I had enough of it in a
+month, were I to tell you all my misfortunes." "A life of a month, can't
+have, one would think, much variety; but pray," said I, "let us have
+your story."
+
+Then he proceeds in the following manner:
+
+"It was one of the most wealthy families in Great Britain into which I
+was born, and it was a very great happiness to me that it so happened,
+otherwise I had still, in all probability, been living: but I shall
+recount to you all the occurrences of my short and miserable existence,
+just as, by examining into the traces made in my brain, they appeared
+to me at that time. The first thing that ever struck my senses, was a
+noise over my head of one shrieking; after which, methought I took a
+full jump, and found myself in the hands of a sorceress, who seemed as
+if she had been long waking and employed in some incantation: I was
+thoroughly frightened, and cried out, but she immediately seemed to go
+on in some magical operation, and anointed me from head to foot. What
+they meant I could not imagine; for there gathered a great crowd about
+me, crying, 'An heir, an heir'; upon which I grew a little still, and
+believed this was a ceremony to be used only to great persons, and such
+as made them, what they called, Heirs. I lay very quiet; but the witch,
+for no manner of reason or provocation in the world, takes me and binds
+my head as hard as possibly she could, then ties up both my legs, and
+makes me swallow down a horrid mixture; I thought it a harsh entrance
+into life to begin with taking physic; but I was forced to it, or else
+must have taken down a great instrument in which she gave it me. When I
+was thus dressed, I was carried to a bedside, where a fine young lady
+(my mother I wot) had like to have hugged me to death. From her, they
+faced me about, and there was a thing with quite another look from the
+rest of the room, to whom they talked about my nose. He seemed
+wonderfully pleased to see me; but I knew since, my nose belonged to
+another family. That into which I was born, is one of the most numerous
+amongst you; therefore crowds of relations came every day to
+congratulate my arrival; among others, my cousin Betty, the greatest
+romp in nature; she whisks me such a height over her head, that I cried
+out for fear of falling. She pinched me, and called me squealing chit,
+and threw me into a girl's arms that was taken in to tend me. The girl
+was very proud of the womanly employment of a nurse, and took upon her
+to strip and dress me anew, because I made a noise, to see what ailed
+me: she did so, and stuck a pin in every joint about me. I still cried:
+upon which, she lays me on my face in her lap; and to quiet me, fell a
+nailing in all the pins, by clapping me on the back, and screaming a
+lullaby. But my pain made me exalt my voice above hers, which brought up
+the nurse, the witch I first saw, and my grandmother. The girl is turned
+down stairs, and I stripped again, as well to find out what ailed me, as
+to satisfy my granam's further curiosity. This good old woman's visit
+was the cause of all my troubles. You are to understand, that I was
+hitherto bred by hand, and anybody that stood next, gave me pap, if I
+did but open my lips; insomuch, that I was grown so cunning, as to
+pretend myself asleep when I was not, to prevent my being crammed. But
+my grandmother began a loud lecture upon the idleness of the wives of
+this age, who, for fear of their shape, forbear suckling their own
+offspring; and ten nurses were immediately sent for; one was whispered
+to have a wanton eye, and would soon spoil her milk; another was in a
+consumption; the third had an ill voice, and would frighten me, instead
+of lulling me to sleep. Such exceptions were made against all but one
+country milch-wench, to whom I was committed, and put to the breast.
+This careless jade was eternally romping with the footmen, and downright
+starved me; insomuch that I daily pined away, and should never have been
+relieved, had it not been, that on the thirtieth day of my life, a
+fellow of the Royal Society,[205] who had writ upon Cold Baths, came to
+visit me, and solemnly protested, I was utterly lost for want of that
+method: upon which he soused me head and ears into a pail of water,
+where I had the good fortune to be drowned, and so escaped being lashed
+into a linguist till sixteen, running after wenches till twenty-five,
+and being married to an ill-natured wife till sixty: which had certainly
+been my fate, had not the enchantment between body and soul been broke
+by this philosopher. Thus, till the age I should have otherwise lived, I
+am obliged to watch the steps of men; and if you please, shall accompany
+you in your present walks, and get you intelligence from the a�rial
+lackey, who is in waiting, what are the thoughts and purposes of any
+whom you inquire for." I accepted his kind offer, and immediately took
+him with me in a hack to White's.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 13.
+
+We got in hither, and my companion threw a powder round us, that made me
+as invisible as himself; so that we could see and hear all others;
+ourselves unseen and unheard.
+
+The first thing we took notice of, was a nobleman of a goodly and frank
+aspect, with his generous birth and temper visible in it, playing at
+cards with a creature of a black and horrid countenance, wherein were
+plainly delineated the arts of his mind, cozenage and falsehood. They
+were marking their game with counters, on which we could see
+inscriptions, imperceptible to any but us. My lord had scored with
+pieces of ivory, on which were writ, Good Fame, Glory, Riches, Honour,
+and Posterity. The spectre over against him had on his counters the
+inscriptions of, Dishonour, Impudence, Poverty, Ignorance, and Want of
+Shame. "Bless me!" said I, "sure my lord does not see what he plays
+for!" "As well as I do," says Pacolet. "He despises that fellow he
+plays with, and scorns himself for making him his companion." At the
+very instant he was speaking, I saw the fellow who played with my lord,
+hide two cards in the roll of his stocking: Pacolet immediately stole
+them from thence; upon which the nobleman soon after won the game. The
+little triumph he appeared in, when he got such a trifling stock of
+ready money, though he had ventured so great sums with indifference,
+increased my admiration. But Pacolet began to talk to me. "Mr. Isaac,
+this to you looks wonderful, but not at all to us higher beings: that
+noble has as many good qualities as any man of his order, and seems to
+have no faults but what, as I may say, are excrescences from virtues: he
+is generous to a prodigality, more affable than is consistent with his
+quality, and courageous to a rashness. Yet, after all this, the source
+of his whole conduct is (though he would hate himself if he knew it)
+mere avarice. The ready cash laid before the gamester's counters makes
+him venture, as you see, and lay distinction against infamy, abundance
+against want; in a word, all that's desirable against all that's to be
+avoided." "However," said I, "be sure you disappoint the sharpers
+to-night, and steal from them all the cards they hide." Pacolet obeyed
+me, and my lord went home with their whole bank in his pocket.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 13.
+
+To-night was acted a second time a comedy, called "The Busy Body:"[206]
+this play is written by a lady. In old times, we used to sit upon a play
+here after it was acted; but now the entertainment is turned another
+way; not but there are considerable men appear in all ages, who, for
+some eminent quality or invention, deserve the esteem and thanks of the
+public. Such a benefactor is a gentleman of this house, who is observed
+by the surgeons with much envy; for he has invented an engine for the
+prevention of harms by love adventures, and by great care and
+application, hath made it an immodesty to name his name. This act of
+self-denial has gained this worthy member of the commonwealth a great
+reputation. Some lawgivers have departed from their abodes for ever, and
+commanded the observation of their laws till their return; others have
+used other artifices to fly the applause of their merit; but this person
+shuns glory with greater address, and has, by giving his engine his own
+name, made it obscene to speak of him more. However, he is ranked among,
+and received by the modern wits, as a great promoter of gallantry and
+pleasure. But I fear, pleasure is less understood in this age, which so
+much pretends to it, than in any since the creation. It was admirably
+said of him who first took notice, that (_res est severa voluptas_)
+there is a certain severity in pleasure. Without that, all decency is
+banished; and if reason is not to be present at our greatest
+satisfactions, of all the races of creatures, the human is the most
+miserable. It was not so of old; when Virgil describes a wit, he always
+means a virtuous man; and all his sentiments of men of genius are such
+as show persons distinguished from the common level of mankind; such as
+placed happiness in the contempt of low fears, and mean gratifications:
+fears, which we are subject to with the vulgar; and pleasures, which we
+have in common with beasts. With these illustrious personages, the
+wisest man was the greatest wit; and none was thought worthy of that
+character, unless he answered this excellent description of the poet:
+
+    _Qui--metus omnes et inexorabile fatum
+    Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari._[207]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 13.
+
+We had this morning advice, that some English merchant-ships, convoyed
+by the _Bristol_ of fifty-four guns, were met with by a part of Mons. du
+Guy Trouin's squadron, who engaged the convoy. That ship defended itself
+till the English merchants got clear of the enemy, but being disabled
+was herself taken. Within few hours after, my Lord Dursley[208] came up
+with part of his squadron and engaging the French, retook the _Bristol_
+(which being very much shattered, sunk), and took the _Glorieux_, a ship
+of forty-four guns, as also a privateer of fourteen. Before this action,
+his lordship had taken two French merchant-men; and had, at the despatch
+of these advices, brought the whole safe into Plymouth.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 205: Probably William Oliver, M.D., F.R.S., who published a
+Dissertation on Bath waters, and cold baths, in 1709 (_Flying Post_,
+Feb. 10 to 12, 1709). Sir John Floyer's "Inquiry into the right Use and
+Abuses of the Hot, Cold, and Temperate Baths in England, &c.," appeared
+in 1697.]
+
+[Footnote 206: By Mrs. Susannah Centlivre, a lady of Whig views, who was
+possessed of considerable beauty. (See also No. 19.) Isaac Bickerstaff
+had promised a prologue to "The Busy Body" before it was to be first
+played, as appears from a poetical epistle of Mrs. Centlivre, claiming
+the performance of such a promise, printed by Charles Lillie ("Orig.
+Letters to _Tatler_ and _Spectator_" vol. ii. pp. 33, 34). Leigh Hunt
+("The Town") suggests that Pope put Mrs. Centlivre in the "Dunciad" (ii.
+410--"At last Centlivre felt her voice to fail") on account of her
+intimacy with Steele and other friends of Addison. Mrs. Centlivre
+(1667-1723) married, as her second husband, Mr. Carrol, a gentleman of
+the army, and afterwards Mr. Joseph Centlivre, principal cook to Queen
+Anne, 1706.]
+
+[Footnote 207: Virgil, "Georgics," ii. 492.]
+
+[Footnote 208: In November 1709, James Viscount Dursley was raised to
+the rank of Vice-Admiral of the Blue. Next year he succeeded his father
+in the title of Earl of Berkeley.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 16. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 14_, to _Tuesday, May 17_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 15.
+
+Sir Thomas,[209] of this house, has shown me some letters from the Bath,
+which give accounts of what passes among the good company of that place;
+and allowed me to transcribe one of them, that seems to be writ by some
+of Sir Thomas' particular acquaintances, and is as follows:
+
+"DEAR KNIGHT,
+
+"I desire you would give my humble service to all our friends, which I
+speak of to you (out of method) in the very beginning of my epistle,
+lest the present disorders, by which this seat of gallantry and pleasure
+is torn to pieces, should make me forget it. You keep so good company,
+that you know Bath is stocked with such as come hither to be relieved
+from luxuriant health, or imaginary sickness, and consequently is always
+as well stowed with gallants as invalids, who live together in a very
+good understanding. But the season is so early, that our fine company is
+not yet arrived: and the warm Bath, which in heathen times was dedicated
+to Venus, is now used only by such as really want it for health's sake.
+There are however a good many strangers, among whom are two ambitious
+ladies, who being both in the autumn of their life, take the opportunity
+of placing themselves at the head of such as we are, before the Chloes,
+Clarissas, and Pastorellas come down. One of these two is excessively
+in pain, that the ugly being called Time will make wrinkles in spite of
+the lead forehead-cloth; and therefore hides, with the gaiety of her
+air, the volubility of her tongue, and quickness of her motion, the
+injuries which it has done her. The other lady is but two years behind
+her in life, and dreads as much being laid aside as the former, and
+consequently has taken the necessary precautions to prevent her reign
+over us. But she is very discreet, and wonderfully turned for ambition,
+being never apparently transported either with affection or malice.
+Thus, while Florimel is talking in public, and spreading her graces in
+assemblies, to gain a popular dominion over our diversions, Prudentia
+visits very cunningly all the lame, the splenetic, and the
+superannuated, who have their distinct classes of followers and friends.
+Among these, she has found that some body has sent down printed
+certificates of Florimel's age, which she has read and distributed to
+this unjoyful set of people, who are always enemies to those in
+possession of the good opinion of the company. This unprovoked injury
+done by Prudentia, was the first occasion of our fatal divisions here,
+and a declaration of war between these rivals. Florimel has abundance of
+wit, which she has lavished in decrying Prudentia, and giving defiance
+to her little arts. For an instance of her superior power, she bespoke
+the play of 'Alexander the Great,'[210] to be acted by the company of
+strollers, and desired us all to be there on Thursday last. When she
+spoke to me to come, 'As you are,' said she, 'a lover, you will not fail
+the death of Alexander: the passion of love is wonderfully hit--Statira!
+Oh that happy woman--to have a conqueror at her feet--but you will be
+sure to be there.' I, and several others, resolved to be of her party.
+But see the irresistible strength of that unsuspected creature, a silent
+woman. Prudentia had counterplotted us, and had bespoke on the same
+evening the puppet-show of 'The Creation of the World.'[211] She had
+engaged everybody to be there, and, to turn our leader into ridicule,
+had secretly let them know, that the puppet Eve was made the most like
+Florimel that ever was seen. On Thursday morning the puppet-drummer,
+Adam and Eve, and several others who lived before the Flood, passed
+through the streets on horseback, to invite us all to the pastime, and
+the representation of such things as we all knew to be true; and Mr.
+Mayor was so wise as to prefer these innocent people the puppets, who,
+he said, were to represent Christians, before the wicked players, who
+were to show Alexander, a heathen philosopher. To be short, this
+Prudentia had so laid it, that at ten of the clock footmen were sent to
+take places at the puppet-show, and all we of Florimel's party were to
+be out of fashion, or desert her. We chose the latter. All the world
+crowded to Prudentia's house, because it was given out, nobody could get
+in. When we came to Noah's flood in the show, Punch and his wife were
+introduced dancing in the Ark. An honest plain friend of Florimel's, but
+a critic withal, rose up in the midst of the representation, and made
+many very good exceptions to the drama itself, and told us, that it was
+against all morality, as well as rules of the stage, that Punch should
+be in jest in the Deluge, or indeed that he should appear at all. This
+was certainly a just remark, and I thought to second him; but he was
+hissed by Prudentia's party; upon which, really, Sir Thomas, we who were
+his friends, hissed him too. Old Mrs. Petulant desired both her
+daughters to mind the moral; then whispered Mrs. Mayoress, 'This is very
+proper for young people to see.' Punch at the end of the play made Madam
+Prudentia a compliment, and was very civil to the whole company, making
+bows till his buttons touched the ground. All was carried triumphantly
+against our party. In the meantime Florimel went to the tragedy, dressed
+as fine as hands could make her, in hopes to see Prudentia pine away
+with envy. Instead of that, she sat a full hour alone, and at last was
+entertained with this whole relation from Statira, who wiped her eyes
+with her tragical-cut handkerchief, and lamented the ignorance of the
+quality. Florimel was stung with this affront, and the next day bespoke
+the puppet-show. Prudentia, insolent with power, bespoke 'Alexander.'
+The whole company came then to 'Alexander.' Madam Petulant desired her
+daughters to mind the moral, and believe no man's fair words; 'For
+you'll see, children,' said she, 'these soldiers are never to be
+depended upon; they are sometimes here, sometimes there--don't you see,
+daughter Betty, Colonel Clod, our next neighbour in the country, pulls
+off his hat to you? Courtesy, good child, his estate is just by us.'
+Florimel was now mortified down to Prudentia's humour; and Prudentia
+exalted into hers. This was observed: Florimel invites us to the play a
+second time, Prudentia to the show. See the uncertainty of human
+affairs! The beaux, the wits, the gamesters, the prues,[212] the
+coquettes, the valetudinarians, and gallants, all now wait upon
+Florimel. Such is the state of things at this present date; and if there
+happens any new commotions, you shall have immediate advice from,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your affectionate Friend
+
+"and Servant.
+
+"Bath, _May 11_, 1709."
+
+#"_To Castabella._#
+
+"MADAM,
+
+I have the honour of a letter from a friend of yours, relating to an
+incivility done to you at the opera, by one of your own sex; but I, who
+was an eye-witness of the accident, can testify to you, that though she
+pressed before you, she lost her ends in that design; for she was taken
+notice of for no other reason, but her endeavours to hide a finer woman
+than herself. But indeed, I dare not go farther in this matter, than
+just this bare mention; for though it was taking your place of right,
+rather than place of precedence, yet it is so tender a point, and on
+which the very life of female ambition depends, that it is of the last
+consequence to meddle in it: all my hopes are from your beautiful sex;
+and those bright eyes, which are the bane of others, are my only
+sunshine. My writings are sacred to you; and I hope I shall always have
+the good fortune to live under your protection; therefore take this
+public opportunity to signify to all the world, that I design to forbear
+anything that may in the least tend to the diminution of your interest,
+reputation, or power. You will therefore forgive me, that I strive to
+conceal every wrong step made by any who have the honour to wear
+petticoats; and shall at all times do what is in my power, to make all
+mankind as much their slaves as myself. If they would consider things as
+they ought, there needs not much argument to convince them, that it is
+their fate to be obedient to you, and that your greatest rebels do only
+serve with a worse grace.
+
+"I am, Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient, and
+
+"most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.
+
+"_May 16._"
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 16.
+
+Letters from the Hague, bearing date the 21st instant, N.S., advise,
+that his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, immediately after his arrival,
+sent his secretary to the President and the Pensionary, to acquaint them
+therewith. Soon after, these Ministers visited the duke, and made him
+compliments in the name of the States-General; after which they entered
+into a conference with him on the present posture of affairs, and gave
+his grace assurances of the firm adherence of the States to the
+alliance: at the same time acquainting him, that all overtures of peace
+were rejected, till they had an opportunity of acting in concert with
+their allies on that subject. After this interview, the Pensionary and
+the President returned to the assembly of the States. Monsieur Torcy has
+had a conference at the Pensioner's house with his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough, Prince Eugene, and his Excellency the Lord Townshend. The
+result of what was debated at that time is kept secret; but there
+appears an air of satisfaction and good understanding between these
+Ministers. We are apt also to give ourselves very hopeful prospects from
+Monsieur Torcy's being employed in this negotiation, who has been always
+remarkable for a particular way of thinking, in his sense of the
+greatness of France; which he has always said, was to be promoted rather
+by the arts of peace, than those of war. His delivering himself freely
+on this subject, has formerly appeared an unsuccessful way to power in
+that Court; but in its present circumstances, those maxims are better
+received; and it is thought a certain argument of the sincerity of the
+French king's intentions, that this Minister is at present made use of.
+The marquis is to return to Paris within few days, who has sent a
+courier thither to give notice of the reasons of his return, that the
+Court may be the sooner able to despatch commissions for a formal
+treaty.
+
+The expectations of peace are increased by advices from Paris of the
+17th instant, which say, the Dauphin hath altered his resolution of
+commanding in Flanders the ensuing campaign. The Saxon and Prussian
+reinforcements, together with Count Merci's regiment of Imperial horse,
+are encamped in the neighbourhood of Brussels; and sufficient stores of
+corn and forage are transported to that place and Ghent for the service
+of the confederate army.
+
+They write from Mons, that the Elector of Bavaria had advice, that an
+advanced party of the Portuguese army had been defeated by the
+Spaniards.
+
+We hear from Languedoc, that their corn, olives and figs, were wholly
+destroyed; but that they have a hopeful prospect of a plentiful vintage.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 209: The nickname of a waiter at White's (see No. 1).]
+
+[Footnote 210: "The Rival Queens; or, Alexander the Great," by Nathaniel
+Lee, 1677.]
+
+[Footnote 211: The following advertisement is among the Harleian MSS.
+(Bayford's Coll. 5931): "At Crawley's show at the Golden Lion, near St.
+George's Church, during the time of Southwark Fair, will be presented
+the whole story of the old 'Creation of the World, or Paradise Lost,'
+yet newly revived with the addition of 'Noah's Flood'; &c. The best
+known puppet-show man was Martin Powell. (See No. 236.)]
+
+[Footnote 212: So in the folio and original collected editions. "Prue"
+was Steele's favourite name for his wife; here it means "prude," and no
+doubt Steele sometimes thought "dear Prue" was unnecessarily and
+unreasonably particular.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 17. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 17_, to _Thursday, May 19_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 18.
+
+The discourse has happened to turn this evening upon the true nature of
+panegyric, the perfection of which was asserted to consist in a certain
+artful way of conveying the applause in an indirect manner. There was a
+gentleman gave us several instances of it: among others, he quoted, from
+Sir Francis Bacon, in his "Advancement of Learning," a very great
+compliment made to Tiberius, as follows: In a full debate upon public
+affairs in the Senate, one of the assembly rose up, and with a very
+grave air said, he thought it for the honour and dignity of the
+commonwealth, that Tiberius should be declared a god, and have divine
+worship paid him. The Emperor was surprised at the proposal, and
+demanded of him to declare whether he had made any application to
+incline him to that overture? The senator answered, with a bold and
+haughty tone, "Sir, in matters that concern the commonwealth, I will be
+governed by no man."[213] Another gentleman mentioned something of the
+same kind spoken by the late Duke of B----m,[214] to the late Earl of
+O----y:[215] "My lord," says the duke, after his libertine way, "you
+will certainly be damned." "How, my lord!" says the earl with some
+warmth. "Nay," said the duke, "there's no help for it, for it is
+positively said, 'Cursed is he of whom all men speak well.'"[216] This
+is taking a man by surprise, and being welcome when you have so
+surprised him. The person flattered receives you into his closet at
+once; and the sudden change in his heart, from the expectation of an
+ill-wisher, to find you his friend, makes you in his full favour in a
+moment. The spirits that were raised so suddenly against you, are as
+suddenly for you. There was another instance given of this kind at the
+table: a gentleman who had a very great favour done him, and an
+employment bestowed upon him, without so much as being known to his
+benefactor, waited upon the great man who was so generous, and was
+beginning to say, he was infinitely obliged. "Not at all," says the
+patron, turning from him to another, "had I known a more deserving man
+in England, he should not have had it."
+
+We should certainly have had more examples, had not a gentleman
+produced a book which he thought an instance of this kind: it was a
+pamphlet, called, "The Naked Truth."[217] The idea any one would have
+of that work from the title, was, that there would be much plain
+dealing with people in power, and that we should see things in their
+proper light, stripped of the ornaments which are usually given to the
+actions of the great: but the skill of this author is such, that he
+has, under that rugged appearance, approved himself the finest
+gentleman and courtier that ever writ. The language is extremely
+sublime, and not at all to be understood by the vulgar: the sentiments
+are such as would make no figure in ordinary words; but such is the
+art of the expression, and the thoughts are elevated to so high a
+degree, that I question whether the discourse will sell much. There
+was an ill-natured fellow present, who hates all panegyric mortally.
+"P---- take him!" said he, "what the devil means his 'Naked Truth,'
+in speaking nothing but to the advantage of all whom he mentions?
+This is just such a great action as that of the champion's on a
+coronation day, who challenges all mankind to dispute with him the
+right of the sovereign, surrounded with his guards." The gentleman
+who produced the treatise, desired him to be cautious, and said, it
+was writ by an excellent soldier, which made the company observe it
+more narrowly: and, as critics are the greatest conjurers at finding
+out a known truth, one said, he was sure it was writ by the hand of
+his sword-arm. I could not perceive much wit in that expression: but
+it raised a laugh, and I suppose, was meant as a sneer upon valiant men.
+The same man pretended to see in the style, that it was a horse officer;
+but sure that's being too nice: for though you may know officers of the
+cavalry by the turn of their feet, I can't imagine how you should
+discern their hands from those of other men. But it is always thus with
+pedants, they will ever be carping; if a gentleman or a man of honour
+puts pen to paper, I don't doubt, but this author will find this
+assertion too true, and that obloquy is not repulsed by the force of
+arms. I will therefore set this excellent piece in a light too glaring
+for weak eyes, and, in imitation of the critic Longinus, shall, as well
+as I can, make my observations in a style like the author's, of whom I
+treat; which perhaps I am as capable of as another, having an unbounded
+force of thinking, as well as a most exquisite address, extensively and
+wisely indulged to me by the supreme powers. My author, I will dare to
+assert, shows the most universal knowledge of any writer who has
+appeared this century. He is a poet, and merchant, which is seen in two
+master-words, Credit Blossoms. He is a grammarian, and a politician; for
+he says, the uniting the two kingdoms is the emphasis of the security to
+the Protestant Succession. Some would be apt to say he is a conjurer;
+for he has found that a republic is not made up of every body of
+animals, but is composed of men only, and not of horses. Liberty and
+property have chosen their retreat within the emulating circle of a
+human commonwealth. He is a physician; for he says, "I observe a
+constant equality in its pulse, and a just quickness of its vigorous
+circulation." And again: "I view the strength of our Constitution
+plainly appear in the sanguine and ruddy complexion of a well-contented
+city." He is a divine; for he says, "I cannot but bless myself." And
+indeed, this excellent treatise has had that good effect upon me, who am
+far from being superstitious, that I, also, can't but bless myself.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 18.
+
+This day arrived a mail from Lisbon, with letters of the 13th instant,
+N.S., containing a particular account of the late action in Portugal. On
+the 7th instant, the army of Portugal, under the command of the Marquis
+de Frontera, lay on the side of the Caya, and the army of the Duke of
+Anjou, commanded by the Marquis de Bay, on the other. The latter
+commander having an ambition to ravage the country, in a manner in sight
+of the Portuguese, made a motion with the whole body of his horse toward
+Fort St. Christopher, near the town of Badajos. The generals of the
+Portuguese, disdaining that such an insult should be offered to their
+arms, took a resolution to pass the river, and oppose the designs of the
+enemy. The Earl of Galway represented to them, that the present posture
+of affairs was such on the side of the Allies, that there needed no more
+to be done at present in that country, but to carry on a defensive part.
+But his arguments could not avail in the council of war. Upon which, a
+great detachment of foot, and the whole of the horse of the King of
+Portugal's army, passed the river, and with some pieces of cannon did
+good execution on the enemy. Upon observing this, the Marquis de Bay
+advanced with his horse, and attacked the right wing of the Portuguese
+cavalry, who faced about, and fled, without standing the first
+encounter. But their foot repulsed the same body of horse in three
+successive charges, with great order and resolution. While this was
+transacting, the British general commanded the brigade of Pearce to
+keep the enemy in diversion by a new attack. This was so well executed,
+that the Portuguese infantry had time to retire in good order, and
+repass the river. But that brigade, which rescued them, was itself
+surrounded by the enemy, and Major-General Sarkey, Brigadier Pearce,
+together with both their regiments, and that of the Lord Galway, lately
+raised, were taken prisoners.
+
+During the engagement, the Earl of Barrymore having advanced too far to
+give some necessary order, was hemmed in by a squadron of the enemy; but
+found means to gallop up to the brigade of Pearce, with which he remains
+also a prisoner. My Lord Galway had his horse shot under him in this
+action; and the Conde de St. Juan, a Portuguese general, was taken
+prisoner. The same night the army encamped at Aronches, and on the 9th
+moved to Elvas, where they lay when these despatches came away. Colonel
+Stanwix's regiment is also taken. The whole of this affair has given the
+Portuguese a great idea of the capacity and courage of my Lord Galway,
+against whose advice they entered upon this unfortunate affair, and by
+whose conduct they were rescued from it. The prodigious constancy and
+resolution of that great man is hardly to be paralleled, who, under the
+oppression of a maimed body, and the reflection of repeated ill fortune,
+goes on with an unspeakable alacrity in the service of the common cause.
+He has already put things in a very good posture after this ill
+accident, and made the necessary dispositions for covering the country
+from any further attempt of the enemy, who lie still in the camp they
+were in before the battle.
+
+Letters from Brussels, dated the 25th instant, advise, that
+notwithstanding the negotiations of a peace seem so far advanced, that
+some do confidently report the preliminaries of a treaty to be actually
+agreed on; yet the Allies hasten their preparations for opening the
+campaign; and the forces of the Empire, the Prussians, the Danes, the
+Wirtembergers, the Palatines, and Saxon auxiliaries, are in motion
+towards the general rendezvous, they being already arrived in the
+neighbourhood of Brussels. These advices add, that the deputies of the
+States of Holland having made a general review of the troops in
+Flanders, set out for Antwerp on the 21st instant from that place. On
+the same day the Prince Royal of Prussia came thither _incognito_, with
+a design to make the ensuing campaign under his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough.
+
+This day is published a treatise called, "The Difference between Scandal
+and Admonition." By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; and on the 1st of July
+next, you may expect, "A Prophecy of Things Past; wherein the Art of
+Fortune-telling is laid open to the meanest capacity." And on the Monday
+following, "Choice Sentences for the Company of Masons and Bricklayers,
+to be put upon new Houses, with a translation of all the Latin sentences
+that have been built of late years, together with a comment upon stone
+walls," by the same hand.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 213: See Tacitus, "Annals," i. 8.]
+
+[Footnote 214: George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.]
+
+[Footnote 215: Roger Boyle, Earl of Orrery.]
+
+[Footnote 216: Luke vi. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 217: Like Nichols, I have not been able to see a copy of this
+pamphlet, or the defence of it, mentioned in No. 21; but a letter from
+Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, dated 20 May, 1709, throws some light on
+the matter: "Dear Brother, ... Brigadeer Crowder of late has made some
+talk in the Coffee Houses upon a peice he has lately been pleased to
+print, he did me the favour to show it me some time agoe in manuscript,
+and I complymented him with desiring a coppy of it, that I might have
+the pleasure of reading it more than once, and that I might communicate
+the like sattisfaction to you by sending it to Berlin. He told me it had
+the approbation of very ingenious men and good scholars, and his very
+good friends who had persuaded him to print it, and then you, as he
+always esteem'd to be such, shou'd be sure to have one. The day before
+yesterday he perform'd his promise but desir'd I wou'd not tell you
+directly who was the author, but recommend it to you with his most
+humble service, as from a friend of his. Yesterday came out this
+_Tatler_, and tho' I reckon myself a little base after all the fine
+complyments he made me upon my great judgment, I can't forbear sending
+it you as a fine peice of rallery upon his elaborate work, which I can
+assure you he has not been a little proud of. I han't seen him since to
+know if this _Tatler_ has given him any mortification. I know before he
+was prepar'd for the censorious, for he said lett people say what they
+wou'd, he was sure the intention was good, and his meaning for the
+service of the public. I am sorry he has printed, for he's very civill
+to me, and always profess a great respect for you, and I wou'd have none
+that does so exposed" ("Wentworth Papers," pp. 86-7). See No. 46. A
+writer in "Notes and Queries" (7 S. iii. 526), in reply to a question of
+mine, stated that there is a copy of "Naked Truth," 4to, 1709, in the
+Bamburgh Castle Library. The pamphlet is anonymous, but is ascribed in
+the catalogue to Colonel Crowder. In May 1710, Thomas Crowther was made
+a Major-General (Pointer's "Chron. History," ii. 679).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 18. [STEELE AND ADDISON.[218]
+
+From _Thursday, May 19_, to _Saturday, May 21_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 20.
+
+It is observed too often, that men of wit do so much employ their
+thoughts upon fine speculations, that things useful to mankind are
+wholly neglected; and they are busy in making emendations upon some
+enclitics in a Greek author, while obvious things, that every man may
+have use for, are wholly overlooked. It would be a happy thing, if such
+as have real capacities for public service, were employed in works of
+general use; but because a thing is everybody's business, it is nobody's
+business: this is for want of public spirit. As for my part, who am only
+a student, and a man of no great interest, I can only remark things, and
+recommend the correction of them to higher powers. There is an offence I
+have a thousand times lamented, but fear I shall never see remedied;
+which is, that in a nation where learning is so frequent as in Great
+Britain, there should be so many gross errors as there are in the very
+directions of things, wherein accuracy is necessary for the conduct of
+life. This is notoriously observed by all men of letters when they first
+come to town (at which time they are usually curious that way) in the
+inscriptions on sign-posts. I have cause to know this matter as well as
+anybody; for I have (when I went to Merchant Taylors' School) suffered
+stripes for spelling after the signs I observed in my way; though at the
+same time, I must confess, staring at those inscriptions first gave me
+an idea and curiosity for medals; in which I have since arrived at some
+knowledge.[219] Many a man has lost his way and his dinner by this
+general want of skill in orthography: for, considering that the painters
+are usually so very bad, that you cannot know the animal under whose
+sign you are to live that day, how must the stranger be misled, if it be
+wrong spelled, as well as ill painted? I have a cousin now in town, who
+has answered under Bachelor at Queen's College, whose name is Humphrey
+Mopstaff (he is akin to us by his mother). This young man going to see a
+relation in Barbican, wandered a whole day by the mistake of one letter;
+for it was written, "This is the BEER," instead of "This is the BEAR."
+He was set right at last, by inquiring for the house, of a fellow who
+could not read, and knew the place mechanically, only by having been
+often drunk there. But, in the name of goodness, let us make our
+learning of use to us, or not. Was not this a shame, that a philosopher
+should be thus directed by a cobbler? I'll be sworn, if it were known
+how many have suffered in this kind by false spelling since the union,
+this matter would not long lie thus. What makes these evils the more
+insupportable, is, that they are so easily amended, and nothing done in
+it. But it is so far from that, that the evil goes on in other arts as
+well as orthography. Places are confounded, as well for want of proper
+distinctions, as things for want of true characters. Had I not come by
+the other day very early in the morning, there might have been mischief
+done; for a worthy North Briton was swearing at Stocks Market,[220] that
+they would not let him in at his lodgings; but I knowing the gentleman,
+and observing him look often at the King on horseback, and then double
+his oaths, that he was sure he was right, found he mistook that for
+Charing Cross, by the erection of the like statue in each place. I
+grant, private men may distinguish their abodes as they please; as one
+of my acquaintance who lives at Marylebone, has put a good sentence of
+his own invention upon his dwelling-place, to find out where he lives:
+he is so near London, that his conceit is this, "The country in town;
+or, the town in the country"; for you know, if they are both in one,
+they are all one. Besides that, the ambiguity is not of great
+consequence; if you are safe at the place, it is no matter if you do not
+distinctly know where to say the place is. But to return to the
+orthography of public places: I propose that every tradesman in the
+cities of London and Westminster shall give me sixpence a quarter for
+keeping their signs in repair, as to the grammatical part; and I will
+take into my house a Swiss Count[221] of my acquaintance, who can
+remember all their names without book, for despatch sake, setting up the
+head of the said foreigner for my sign; the features being strong, and
+fit for hanging high.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 20.
+
+This day a mail arrived from Holland, by which there are advices from
+Paris, that the kingdom of France is in the utmost misery and
+distraction. The merchants of Lyons have been at Court, to remonstrate
+their great sufferings by the failure of their public credit; but have
+received no other satisfaction, than promises of a sudden peace; and
+that their debts will be made good by funds out of the revenue, which
+will not answer, but in case of the peace which is promised. In the
+meantime, the cries of the common people are loud for want of bread, the
+gentry have lost all spirit and zeal for their country, and the king
+himself seems to languish under the anxiety of the pressing calamities
+of the nation, and retires from hearing those grievances which he hath
+not power to redress. Instead of preparations for war, and the defence
+of their country, there is nothing to be seen but evident marks of a
+general despair. Processions, fastings, public mournings, and
+humiliations, are become the sole employments of a people, who were
+lately the most vain and gay of any in the universe.
+
+The Pope has written to the French king on the subject of a peace, and
+his Majesty has answered in the lowliest terms, that he entirely submits
+his affairs to divine providence, and shall soon show the world, that he
+prefers the tranquillity of his people to the glory of his arms, and
+extent of his conquests.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 24th say, that his Excellency the Lord
+Townshend delivered his credentials on that day to the States-General,
+as plenipotentiary from the Queen of Great Britain; as did also Count
+Zinzendorf, who bears the same character from the Emperor.
+
+Prince Eugene intended to set out the next day for Brussels, and his
+Grace the Duke of Marlborough on the Tuesday following. The Marquis de
+Torcy talks daily of going, but still continues here. The army of the
+Allies is to assemble on the 7th of the next month at Helchin; though it
+is generally believed, that the preliminaries to a treaty are fully
+adjusted.
+
+The approach of a peace[222] strikes a panic through our armies, though
+that of a battle could never do it, and they almost repent of their
+bravery, that made such haste to humble themselves and the French king.
+The Duke of Marlborough, though otherwise the greatest general of the
+age, has plainly shown himself unacquainted with the arts of husbanding
+a war. He might have grown as old as the Duke of Alva, or Prince
+Waldeck, in the Low Countries, and yet have got reputation enough every
+year for any reasonable man: for the command of general in Flanders hath
+been ever looked upon as a provision for life. For my part, I can't see
+how his grace can answer it to the world, for the great eagerness he
+hath shown to send a hundred thousand of the bravest fellows in Europe a
+begging. But the private gentlemen of the infantry will be able to shift
+for themselves; a brave man can never starve in a country stocked with
+hen-roosts. "There is not a yard of linen," says my honoured progenitor,
+Sir John Falstaff, "in my whole company; but as for that," says this
+worthy knight, "I am in no great pain, we shall find shirts on every
+hedge."[223] There is another sort of gentlemen whom I am much more
+concerned for, and that is, the ingenious fraternity of which I have the
+honour to be an unworthy member; I mean the news-writers of Great
+Britain, whether Postmen or Postboys,[224] or by what other name or
+title soever dignified or distinguished. The case of these gentlemen is,
+I think, more hard than that of the soldiers, considering that they
+have taken more towns, and fought more battles. They have been upon
+parties and skirmishes, when our armies have lain still; and given the
+general assault to many a place, when the besiegers were quiet in their
+trenches. They have made us masters of several strong towns many weeks
+before our generals could do it; and completed victories, when our
+greatest captains have been glad to come off with a drawn battle. Where
+Prince Eugene has slain his thousands, Boyer[225] has slain his ten
+thousands. This, gentleman can indeed be never enough commended for his
+courage and intrepidity during this whole war: he has laid about him
+with an inexpressible fury, and like the offended Marius of ancient
+Rome, made such havoc among his countrymen, as must be the work of two
+or three ages to repair. It must be confessed, the redoubted Mr.
+Buckley[226] has shed as much blood as the former; but I cannot forbear
+saying (and I hope it will not look like envy) that we regard our
+brother Buckley as a Drawcansir,[227] who spares neither friend nor foe,
+but generally kills as many of his own side as the enemy's. It is
+impossible for this ingenious sort of men to subsist after a peace:
+every one remembers the shifts they were driven to in the reign of King
+Charles II., when they could not furnish out a single paper of news,
+without lighting up a comet in Germany, or a fire in Moscow. There
+scarce appeared a letter without a paragraph on an earthquake. Prodigies
+were grown so familiar, that they had lost their name, as a great poet
+of that age has it. I remember Mr. Dyer,[228] who is justly looked upon
+by all the fox-hunters in the nation as the greatest statesman our
+country has produced, was particularly famous for dealing in whales;
+insomuch that in five months' time (for I had the curiosity to examine
+his letters on that occasion) he brought three into the mouth of the
+river Thames, besides two porpoises and a sturgeon. The judicious and
+wary Mr. I. Dawks[229] hath all along been the rival of this great
+writer, and got himself a reputation from plagues and famines, by which,
+in those days, he destroyed as great multitudes as he has lately done by
+the sword. In every dearth of news, Grand Cairo was sure to be
+unpeopled.
+
+It being therefore visible, that our society will be greater sufferers
+by the peace than the soldiery itself; insomuch that the _Daily
+Courant_[230] is in danger of being broken, my friend Dyer of being
+reformed, and the very best of the whole band of being reduced to
+half-pay; might I presume to offer anything in the behalf of my
+distressed brethren, I would humbly move, that an appendix of proper
+apartments furnished with pen, ink, and paper, and other necessaries of
+life should be added to the Hospital of Chelsea,[231] for the relief of
+such decayed news-writers as have served their country in the wars; and
+that for their exercise, they should compile the annals of their
+brother-veterans, who have been engaged in the same service, and are
+still obliged to do duty after the same manner.
+
+I cannot be thought to speak this out of an eye to any private interest;
+for, as my chief scenes of action are coffee-houses, play-houses, and my
+own apartment, I am in no need of camps, fortifications, and fields of
+battle, to support me; I don't call out for heroes and generals to my
+assistance. Though the officers are broken, and the armies disbanded, I
+shall still be safe as long as there are men or women, or politicians,
+or lovers, or poets, or nymphs, or swains, or cits, or courtiers in
+being.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 218: It is very possible that the first article in this number
+(see the allusion to medals) is by Addison, as well as the account of
+the Distress of the News-writers.]
+
+[Footnote 219: There is much about medals in Addison's "Remarks on
+several Parts of Italy," 1705. His "Dialogues on Medals" was published
+posthumously by Tickell.]
+
+[Footnote 220: Stocks Market was so named from a pair of stocks which
+were erected there as early as the 13th century. The two statues
+referred to were really very unlike. The one was of white marble; the
+other, of brass, was originally intended for John Sobieski, King of
+Poland, but being bought by Sir Robert Viner in 1672, it was altered and
+erected in honour of King Charles II. The Turk underneath the horse was
+metamorphosed into Oliver Cromwell; but his turban escaped unnoticed or
+unaltered, to testify the truth. The statue in Stocks Market, with the
+conduit and all its ornaments, was removed to make way for the Mansion
+House in 1739. Marvell refers to these statues in his "Satires."]
+
+[Footnote 221: Heidegger. See No. 12.]
+
+[Footnote 222: The remainder of this paper is by Addison. See Steele's
+Preface, and his Dedication of "The Drummer" to Congreve.]
+
+[Footnote 223: "There's but a shirt and a half in all my company; and
+the half-shirt is two napkins, tacked together, and thrown over the
+shoulders like a herald's coat without sleeves; and the shirt, to say
+the truth, stolen from my host of St. Alban, or the red-nosed innkeeper
+of Daintry. But that's all one, they'll find linen enough on every
+hedge." (1 Henry IV., act iii. sc. 2).]
+
+[Footnote 224: The Tory _Postboy_ was published by Abel Roper; and the
+Whig _Flying Post_ by George Ridpath:
+
+    "There Ridpath, Roper, cudgelled might ye view,
+    The very worsted still looked black and blue."
+
+("Dunciad," ii. 149.) It is remarkable that both Roper and Ridpath died
+on the same day, Feb. 5, 1726. Swift and others sometimes contributed to
+Roper's paper for party purposes.]
+
+[Footnote 225: Abel Boyer (1667-1729), author of "The Political State of
+Great Britain," was a Whig journalist towards whom Swift felt bitterly.
+"The Secretary promises me to swinge him," he wrote in 1711; "I must
+make that rogue an example for a warning to others." Boyer compiled a
+valuable French and English dictionary.]
+
+[Footnote 226: Samuel Buckley was printer of the _London Gazette, Daily
+Courant_, and _Spectator_. He died in 1741.]
+
+[Footnote 227: Drawcansir, in "The Rehearsal," is described by another
+character as "a great hero, who frights his mistress, snubs up kings,
+baffles armies, and does what he will, without regard to number, good
+sense, or justice."]
+
+[Footnote 228: John Dyer was a Jacobite journalist who issued a
+news-letter to country subscribers, among whom was Sir Roger de Coverley
+(_Spectator_, No. 127), by whom he was held in high esteem. Defoe
+(_Review_, vi. 132) says that Dyer "did not so much write what his
+readers should believe, as what they would believe." Vellum, in
+Addison's "The Drummer" (act ii. sc. i), cannot but believe his master
+is living, "because the news of his death was first published in Dyer's
+Letter." See also _Spectator_, Nos. 43 and 457. At the trial of John
+Tutchin for seditious libel (Howell's "State Trials," xiv. 1150), on
+complaint being made by counsel that Dyer had charged him with broaching
+seditious principles, Lord Chief Justice Holt said, "Dyer is very
+familiar with me too sometimes; but you need not fear such a little
+scandalous paper of such a scandalous author."]
+
+[Footnote 229: Ichabod Dawks was another "epistolary historian" (see
+_Spectator_, No. 457, and _Tatler_, No. 178). Dawks and Dyer are both
+introduced by Edmund Smith, author of "Ph�dra and Hippolitus," in his
+poem, "Charlettus Percivallo suo":
+
+    "Scribe securus, quid agit Senatus,
+    Quid caput stertit grave Lambethanum,
+    Quid comes Guilford, quid habent novorum.
+                                            "Dawksque Dyerque."
+]
+
+[Footnote 230: The _Daily Courant_, our first daily newspaper, was begun
+in 1702.]
+
+[Footnote 231: Chelsea Hospital, for old soldiers, was founded in 1682.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 19. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 21_, to _Tuesday, May 24_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 23.
+
+There is nothing can give a man of any consideration greater pain, than
+to see order and distinction laid aside amongst men, especially when the
+rank (of which he himself is a member) is intruded upon by such as have
+no pretence to that honour. The appellation of Esquire is the most
+notoriously abused in this kind of any class amongst men, insomuch that
+it is become almost the subject of derision: but I will be bold to say,
+this behaviour towards it proceeds from the ignorance of the people in
+its true origin. I shall therefore, as briefly as possible, do myself
+and all true esquires the justice to look into antiquity upon this
+subject.
+
+In the first ages of the world, before the invention of jointures and
+settlements, when the noble passion of love had possession of the hearts
+of men, and the fair sex were not yet cultivated into the merciful
+disposition which they have showed in latter centuries, it was natural
+for great and heroic spirits to retire to rivulets, woods, and caves, to
+lament their destiny, and the cruelty of the fair persons who were deaf
+to their lamentations. The hero in this distress was generally in
+armour, and in a readiness to fight any man he met with, especially if
+distinguished by any extraordinary qualifications, it being the nature
+of heroic love to hate all merit, lest it should come within the
+observation of the cruel one, by whom its own perfections are neglected.
+A lover of this kind had always about him a person of a second value,
+and subordinate to him, who could hear his afflictions, carry an
+enchantment for his wounds, hold his helmet when he was eating (if ever
+he did eat); or in his absence, when he was retired to his apartment in
+any king's palace, tell the prince himself, or perhaps his daughter, the
+birth, parentage, and adventures, of his valiant master. This trusty
+companion was styled his esquire, and was always fit for any offices
+about him; was as gentle and chaste as a gentleman usher, quick and
+active as an equerry, smooth and eloquent as a master of the ceremonies.
+A man thus qualified was the first, as the ancients affirm, who was
+called an esquire; and none without these accomplishments ought to
+assume our order: but, to the utter disgrace and confusion of the
+heralds, every pretender is admitted into this fraternity, even persons
+the most foreign to this courteous institution. I have taken an
+inventory of all within this city, and looked over every letter in the
+post-office for my better information. There are of the Middle Temple,
+including all in the buttery books, and in the lists of the house, 5000.
+In the Inner, 4000. In the King's Bench Walks, the whole buildings are
+inhabited by esquires only. The adjacent street of Essex, from Morris'
+Coffee-house, and the turning towards the Grecian, you cannot meet one
+who is not an esquire, till you take water. Every house in Norfolk and
+Arundel Streets is governed also by a squire, or his lady. Soho Square,
+Bloomsbury Square, and all other places where the floors rise above nine
+feet, are so many universities, where you enter yourselves, and become
+of our order. However, if this were the worst of the evil, it were to be
+supported, because they are generally men of some figure and use; though
+I know no pretence they have to an honour which had its rise from
+chivalry. But if you travel into the counties of Great Britain, we are
+still more imposed upon by innovation. We are indeed derived from the
+field: but shall that give title to all that ride mad after foxes, that
+halloo when they see a hare, or venture their necks full speed after a
+hawk, immediately to commence esquires? No, our order is temperate,
+cleanly, sober, and chaste; but these rural esquires commit immodesties
+upon haycocks, wear shirts half a week, and are drunk twice a day. These
+men are also to the last degree excessive in their food: an esquire of
+Norfolk eats two pounds of dumpling every meal, as if obliged to it by
+our order: an esquire of Hampshire is as ravenous in devouring hogs'
+flesh: one of Essex has as little mercy on calves. But I must take the
+liberty to protest against them, and acquaint those persons, that it is
+not the quantity they eat, but the manner of eating, that shows a
+squire. But above all, I am most offended at small quillmen, and
+transcribing clerks, who are all come into our order, for no reason that
+I know of, but that they can easily flourish it at the end of their
+name. I'll undertake, that if you read the superscriptions to all the
+offices in the kingdom, you will not find three letters directed to any
+but esquires. I have myself a couple of clerks, and the rogues make
+nothing of leaving messages upon each other's desk: one directs, to
+"Degory Goosequill, Esq."; to which the other replies by a note, to
+"Nehemiah Dashwell, Esq.; with respect." In a word, it is now, _populus
+armigerorum_, a people of esquires. And I don't know, but, by the late
+Act of Naturalisation,[232] foreigners will assume that title, as part
+of the immunity of being Englishmen. All these improprieties flow from
+the negligence of the Heralds' Office. Those gentlemen in parti-coloured
+habits do not so rightly, as they ought, understand themselves; though
+they are dressed _cap-a-pi�_ in hieroglyphics, they are inwardly but
+ignorant men. I asked an acquaintance of mine, who is a man of wit, but
+of no fortune, and is forced to appear as Jack Pudding on the stage to a
+mountebank: "Prithee, Jack, why is your coat of so many colours?" He
+replied, "I act a fool, and this spotted dress is to signify, that every
+man living has a weak place about him; for I am knight of the shire, and
+represent you all." I wish the heralds would know as well as this man
+does, in his way, that they are to act for us in the case of our arms
+and appellations: we should not then be jumbled together in so
+promiscuous and absurd a manner. I design to take this matter into
+further consideration, and no man shall be received as an esquire, who
+cannot bring a certificate, that he has conquered some lady's obdurate
+heart; that he can lead up a country dance, or carry a message between
+her and her lover, with address, secrecy and diligence. A squire is
+properly born for the service of the sex, and his credentials shall be
+signed by three toasts, and one prude, before his title shall be
+received in my office.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 23.
+
+On Saturday last was presented, "The Busy Body," a comedy, written (as I
+have heretofore remarked) by a woman.[233] The plot and incidents of the
+play are laid with that subtlety of spirit which is peculiar to females
+of wit, and is very seldom well performed by those of the other sex, in
+whom craft in love is an act of invention, and not, as with women, the
+effect of nature and instinct.
+
+To-morrow will be acted a play, called, "The Trip to the Jubilee."[234]
+This performance is the greatest instance that we can have of the
+irresistible force of proper action. The dialogue in itself has
+something too low to bear a criticism upon it: but Mr. Wilks enters into
+the part with so much skill, that the gallantry, the youth, and gaiety
+of a young man of a plentiful fortune, is looked upon with as much
+indulgence on the stage, as in real life, without any of those
+intermixtures of wit and humour, which usually prepossess us in favour
+of such characters in other plays.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 23.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, Mr. Walpole[235]
+(who is since arrived) was going with all expedition to Great Britain,
+whither they doubted not but he carried with him the preliminaries to a
+treaty of peace. The French Minister, Monsieur Torcy, has been observed
+in this whole negotiation to turn his discourse upon the calamities sent
+down by Heaven upon France, and imputed the necessities they were under
+to the immediate hand of Providence, in inflicting a general scarcity of
+provision, rather than the superior genius of the generals, or the
+bravery of the armies against them. It would be impious not to
+acknowledge the indulgence of Heaven to us; but at the same time, as we
+are to love our enemies, we are glad to see them mortified enough to mix
+Christianity with their politics. An authentic letter from Madame
+Maintenon to Monsieur Torcy has been stolen by a person about him, who
+has communicated a copy of it to some of the dependants of a Minister of
+the Allies. That epistle is writ in the most pathetic manner imaginable,
+and in a style which shows her genius, that has so long engrossed the
+heart of this great monarch.[236]
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I received yours, and am sensible of the address and capacity with
+which you have hitherto transacted the great affair under your
+management. You well observe, that our wants here are not to be
+concealed; and that it is vanity to use artifices with the knowing men
+with whom you are to deal. Let me beg you therefore, in this
+representation of our circumstances, to lay aside art, which ceases to
+be such when it is seen, and make use of all your skill, to gain us what
+advantages you can from the enemy's jealousy of each other's greatness;
+which is the place where only you have room for any dexterity. If you
+have any passion for your unhappy country, or any affection for your
+distressed master, come home with peace. O Heaven! Do I live to talk of
+Lewis the Great as the object of pity? The king shows a great uneasiness
+to be informed of all that passes; but at the same time, is fearful of
+every one who appears in his presence, lest he should bring an account
+of some new calamity. I know not in what terms to represent my thoughts
+to you, when I speak of the king, with relation to his bodily health.
+Figure to yourself that immortal man, who stood in our public places,
+represented with trophies, armour, and terrors, on his pedestal:
+consider, the Invincible, the Great, the Good, the Pious, the Mighty,
+which were the usual epithets we gave him, both in our language and
+thoughts. I say, consider him whom you knew the most glorious and great
+of monarchs; and now think you see the same man an unhappy Lazar, in the
+lowest circumstances of human nature itself, without regard to the state
+from whence he is fallen. I write from his bedside: he is at present in
+a slumber. I have many, many things to add; but my tears flow too fast,
+and my sorrow is too big for utterance.
+
+"I am, etc."
+
+There is such a veneration due from all men to the persons of princes,
+that it were a sort of dishonesty to represent further the condition
+which the king is in; but it is certain, that soon after the receipt of
+these advices, Monsieur Torcy waited upon his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Lord Townshend, and in that conference gave up many
+points, which he had before said were such, as he must return to France
+before he could answer.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 232: See No. 13.]
+
+[Footnote 233: Mrs. Centlivre. See No. 15.]
+
+[Footnote 234: Wilks took the part of Sir Harry Wildair in Farquhar's
+"The Constant Couple; or, A Trip to the Jubilee," 1699.]
+
+[Footnote 235: Horatio Walpole, Secretary to the Embassy at the Hague,
+and brother of Sir Robert Walpole.]
+
+[Footnote 236: This letter is a pure invention.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 20. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 24_, to _Thursday, May 26_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 24.
+
+It is not to be imagined how far prepossession will run away with
+people's understandings, in cases wherein they are under present
+uneasiness. The following narration is a sufficient testimony of the
+truth of this observation.
+
+I had the honour the other day of a visit from a gentlewoman (a stranger
+to me) who seemed to be about thirty. Her complexion is brown; but the
+air of her face has an agreeableness, which surpasses the beauties of
+the fairest women. There appeared in her look and mien a sprightly
+health; and her eyes had too much vivacity to become the language of
+complaint, which she began to enter into. She seemed sensible of it; and
+therefore, with downcast looks, said she, "Mr. Bickerstaff, you see
+before you the unhappiest of women; and therefore, as you are esteemed
+by all the world both a great civilian, as well as an astrologer, I must
+desire your advice and assistance, in putting me in a method of
+obtaining a divorce from a marriage, which I know the law will pronounce
+void." "Madam," said I, "your grievance is of such a nature, that you
+must be very ingenuous in representing the causes of your complaint, or
+I cannot give you the satisfaction you desire." "Sir," she answers, "I
+believed there would be no need of half your skill in the art of
+divination, to guess why a woman would part from her husband." "It is
+true," said I; "but suspicions, or guesses at what you mean, nay
+certainty of it, except you plainly speak it, are no foundation for a
+formal suit." She clapped her fan before her face; "My husband," said
+she, "is no more a husband" (here she burst into tears) "than one of the
+Italian singers."
+
+"Madam," said I, "the affliction you complain of, is to be redressed by
+law; but at the same time, consider what mortifications you are to go
+through in bringing it into open court; how you will be able to bear the
+impertinent whispers of the people present at the trial, the licentious
+reflections of the pleaders, and the interpretations that will in
+general be put upon your conduct by all the world: 'How little,' will
+they say, 'could that lady command her passions.' Besides, consider,
+that curbing our desires is the greatest glory we can arrive at in this
+world, and will be most rewarded in the next." She answered, like a
+prudent matron, "Sir, if you please to remember the office of matrimony,
+the first cause of its institution is that of having posterity:
+therefore, as to the curbing desires, I am willing to undergo any
+abstinence from food as you please to enjoin me; but I cannot, with any
+quiet of mind, live in the neglect of a necessary duty, and an express
+commandment, Increase and multiply." Observing she was learned, and
+knew so well the duties of life, I turned my arguments rather to dehort
+her from this public procedure by examples, than precepts. "Do but
+consider, madam, what crowds of beauteous women live in nunneries,
+secluded for ever from the sight and conversation of men, with all the
+alacrity of spirit imaginable; they spend their time in heavenly
+raptures, in constant and frequent devotions, and at proper hours in
+agreeable conversations." "Sir," said she hastily, "tell not me of
+Papists, or any of their idolatries." "Well then, madam, consider how
+many fine ladies live innocently in the eye of the world, and this gay
+town, in the midst of temptation: there's the witty Mrs. W---- is a
+virgin of 44, Mrs. T----s is 39, Mrs. L----ce, 33; yet you see, they
+laugh and are gay, at the park, at the playhouse, at balls, and at
+visits; and so much at ease, that all this seems hardly a self-denial."
+"Mr. Bickerstaff," said she, with some emotion, "you are an excellent
+casuist; but the last word destroyed your whole argument; if it is not
+self-denial, it is no virtue. I presented you with a half-guinea, in
+hopes not only to have my conscience eased, but my fortune told. Yet--"
+"Well, madam," said I, "pray of what age is your husband?" "He is,"
+replied my injured client, "fifty, and I have been his wife fifteen
+years." "How happened it, you never communicated your distress in all
+this time to your friends and relations?" She answered, "He has been
+thus but a fortnight." I am the most serious man in the world to look
+at, and yet could not forbear laughing out. "Why, madam, in case of
+infirmity, which proceeds only from age, the law gives no remedy."
+"Sir," said she, "I find you have no more learning than Dr. Case;[237]
+and I am told of a young man, not five and twenty, just come from
+Oxford, to whom I will communicate this whole matter, and doubt not but
+he will appear to have seven times more useful and satisfactory
+knowledge than you and all your boasted family." Thus I have entirely
+lost my client: but if this tedious narrative preserves Pastorella from
+the intended marriage with one twenty years her senior--To save a fine
+lady, I am contented to have my learning decried, and my predictions
+bound up with Poor Robin's Almanacks.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 25.
+
+This evening was acted, "The Recruiting Officer,"[238] in which Mr.
+Estcourt's[239] proper sense and observation is what supports the play.
+There is not, in my humble opinion, the humour hit in Sergeant Kite; but
+it is admirably supplied by his action. If I have skill to judge, that
+man is an excellent actor; but the crowd of the audience are fitter for
+representations at Mayfair, than a theatre royal. Yet that fair is now
+broke,[240] as well as the theatre is breaking: but it is allowed still
+to sell animals there. Therefore, if any lady or gentleman have occasion
+for a tame elephant, let them inquire of Mr. Pinkethman, who has one to
+dispose of at a reasonable rate.[241] The downfall of Mayfair has quite
+sunk the price of this noble creature, as well as of many other
+curiosities of nature. A tiger will sell almost as cheap as an ox; and I
+am credibly informed, a man may purchase a cat with three legs, for very
+near the value of one with four. I hear likewise, that there is a great
+desolation among the gentlemen and ladies who were the ornaments of the
+town, and used to shine in plumes and diadems; the heroes being most of
+them pressed, and the queens beating hemp. Mrs. Sarabrand, so famous for
+her ingenious puppet-show, has set up a shop in the Exchange,[242] where
+she sells her little troop under the term of jointed babies.[243] I
+could not but be solicitous to know of her, how she had disposed of that
+rake-hell Punch, whose lewd life and conversation had given so much
+scandal, and did not a little contribute to the ruin of the fair. She
+told me, with a sigh, that despairing of ever reclaiming him, she would
+not offer to place him in a civil family, but got him in a post upon a
+stall in Wapping, where he may be seen from sun-rising to sun-setting,
+with a glass in one hand, and a pipe in the other, as sentry to a
+brandy-shop. The great revolutions of this nature bring to my mind the
+distresses of the unfortunate Camilla[244], who has had the ill-luck to
+break before her voice, and to disappear at a time when her beauty was
+in the height of its bloom. This lady entered so thoroughly into the
+great characters she acted, that when she had finished her part, she
+could not think of retrenching her equipage, but would appear in her own
+lodgings with the same magnificence that she did upon the stage. This
+greatness of soul has reduced that unhappy princess to an involuntary
+retirement, where she now passes her time among the woods and forests,
+thinking on the crowns and sceptres she has lost, and often humming over
+in her solitude,
+
+    _"I was born of royal race,
+    Yet must wander in disgrace," &c._
+
+But for fear of being overheard, and her quality known, she usually
+sings it in Italian:
+
+    _"Naqui al regno, naqui al trono
+    E pur sono
+    Inventurata Pastorella--"_
+
+Since I have touched upon this subject, I shall communicate to my reader
+part of a letter I have received from an ingenious friend at Amsterdam,
+where there is a very noble theatre; though the manner of furnishing it
+with actors is something peculiar to that place, and gives us occasion
+to admire both the politeness and frugality of the people.
+
+My friends have kept me here a week longer than ordinary to see one of
+their plays, which was performed last night with great applause. The
+actors are all of them tradesmen, who, after their day's work is over,
+earn about a guilder a night by personating kings and generals. The hero
+of the tragedy I saw, was a journeyman tailor, and his first minister of
+state a coffee-man. The empress made me think of Parthenope[245] in "The
+Rehearsal"; for her mother keeps an ale-house in the suburbs of
+Amsterdam. When the tragedy was over, they entertained us with a short
+farce, in which the cobbler did his part to a miracle; but upon inquiry,
+I found he had really been working at his own trade, and representing on
+the stage what he acted every day in his shop. The profits of the
+theatre maintain a hospital: for as here they do not think the
+profession of an actor the only trade that a man ought to exercise, so
+they will not allow anybody to grow rich on a profession that in their
+opinion so little conduces to the good of the commonwealth. If I am not
+mistaken, your playhouses in England have done the same thing; for,
+unless I am misinformed, the hospital at Dulwich was erected and endowed
+by Mr. Alleyn,[246] a player: and it is also said, a famous
+she-tragedian[247] has settled her estate, after her death, for the
+maintenance of decayed wits, who are to be taken in as soon as they grow
+dull, at whatever time of their life that shall happen.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 25.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 31st instant, N.S., say, that the articles
+preliminary to a general peace were settled, communicated to the
+States-General and all the foreign Ministers residing there, and
+transmitted to their respective masters on the 28th. Monsieur Torcy
+immediately returned to the Court of France, from whence he is expected
+again on the 4th of the next month, with those articles ratified by that
+Court. The Hague is agreed upon for the place of treaty, and the 15th of
+the next month the day on which it is to commence. The terms on which
+this negotiation is founded, are not yet declared by public authority;
+but what is most generally received, is as follows:
+
+Her Majesty's right and title, and the Protestant succession to those
+dominions, is forthwith to be acknowledged. King Charles is also to be
+owned the lawful sovereign of Spain; and the French king shall not only
+recall his troops out of that kingdom, and deliver up to the Allies the
+towns of Roses, Fontarabia, and Pampeluna; but in case the Duke of Anjou
+shall not retire out of the Spanish dominions, he shall be obliged to
+assist the Allies to force him from thence. A cessation of arms is
+agreed upon for two months from the first day of the treaty. The port
+and fortifications of Dunkirk are to be demolished within four months;
+but the town itself left in the hands of the French. The Pretender is to
+be obliged to leave France. All Newfoundland is to be restored to the
+English. As to the other parts of America, the French are to restore
+whatever they may have taken from the English, as the English in like
+manner to give up what they may have taken from the French before the
+commencement of the treaty. The trade between Great Britain and France
+shall be settled upon the same foundation as in the reign of King
+Charles II.
+
+The Dutch are to have for their barriers, Nieuport, Berg, St. Vinox,
+Furnes, Ipres, Lille, Tournay, Douay, Valenciennes, Cond�, Maubeuge,
+Mons, Charleroy, Namur, and Luxemburg; all which places shall be
+delivered up to the Allies before the end of June. The trade between
+Holland and France shall be on the same foot as in 1664. The cities of
+Strasburg, Brisac, and Alsatia, shall be restored to the Emperor and
+Empire; and the King of France, pursuant to the Treaty of Westphalia in
+1648, shall only retain the protection of ten imperial cities, viz.,
+Colmar, Schlestat, Haguenau, Munster, Turkeim, Keisemberg, Obrenheim,
+Rosheim, Weisemburg, and Landau. Huninguen, Fort Louis, Fort Kiel, and
+New Brisac shall be demolished, and all the fortifications from Basle to
+Philipsburg. The King of Prussia shall remain in the peaceable
+possession of Neufchatel. The affair of Orange, as also the pretensions
+of his Prussian Majesty in the French Comt�, shall be determined at this
+general negotiation of peace. The Duke of Savoy shall have a restitution
+made of all that has been taken from him by the French, and remain
+master of Exilles, Chamont, Fenestrelles, and the Valley of
+Pragelas.[248]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 237: John Case, astrologer and friend of John Partridge,
+succeeded to Saffold's habitation in Blackfriars gateway, opposite to
+Ludgate Church, whence he issued many advertisements. "Their old
+physician begged they would not forget him--he gives his advice for
+nothing--his cures are private. At Lilly's Head, &c., is the only place
+to obtain health, long life, and happiness, by your old friend Dr. Case,
+who extirpates the foundation of all diseases":
+
+    "At the Golden Ball and Lillie's Head
+    John Case lives though Saffold's dead."
+
+His handbills were commonly adorned with a variety of emblematic devices
+and poetry. See note on Kirleus, in No. 14; and Nos. 216, 240. Case's
+most important book was his "Compendium Anatomicum nova methodo
+institutum," 1695.]
+
+[Footnote 238: By Farquhar; first acted in 1706.]
+
+[Footnote 239: Richard Estcourt (1668-1712), whom Farquhar specially
+selected to act the part of Sergeant Kite, is celebrated by Steele in a
+well-known paper in the _Spectator_ (No. 468; see also No. 390).
+Estcourt was providore of the Beefsteak Club, and wrote two or three
+dramatic pieces. See No. 51.]
+
+[Footnote 240: See No. 4. This article was printed by Tickell among
+Addison's works.]
+
+[Footnote 241: In 1704, Pinkethman advertised that at his booth he would
+speak an epilogue upon an elephant between nine and ten feet high,
+arrived from Guinea, led upon the stage by six blacks.]
+
+[Footnote 242: This may be either the Royal Exchange or the New
+Exchange, in the Strand. There were shops for the sale of trinkets and
+toys at both places.]
+
+[Footnote 243: "Baby" was a term often applied to dolls.]
+
+[Footnote 244: Mrs. Katherine Tofts sang in English to Nicolini's
+Italian, in Buononcini's opera of "Camilla," but this absurdity was
+forgiven on account of the charm of their voices. In 1709, in the height
+of her beauty, Mrs. Tofts left the stage, owing to her intellect
+becoming disordered; but afterwards she married Mr. Joseph Smith, a
+gentleman who lived in great state; but his wife's mind again gave way,
+and she spent hours walking and singing in a garden attached to a remote
+part of the house. She died in 1760. See _Spectator,_ Nos. 18, 22 and
+443, where there is a letter purporting to be from Mrs. Tofts, at
+Venice.]
+
+[Footnote 245: In act iii. sc. 2 of "The Rehearsal," Prince Volscius
+falls in love at first sight with Parthenope, who says:
+
+    "My mother, sir, sells ale by the town-walls,
+    And me her dear Parthenope she calls;"
+
+whereupon Volscius (repeating words from Davenant's "Siege of Rhodes")
+replies:
+
+    "Can vulgar vestments high-born beauty shroud?
+    Thou bring'st the morning pictured in a cloud."
+]
+
+[Footnote 246: Edward Alleyn, the actor, who died in 1626, aged 61,
+founded Dulwich Hospital.]
+
+[Footnote 247: Mrs. Bracegirdle; see No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 248: "It is said that Monsieur Torcy, when he signed this
+instrument broke into this exclamation: 'Would Colbert have signed such
+a treaty for France?' On which a Minister present was pleased to say,
+'Colbert himself would have been proud to have saved France in these
+circumstances on such terms'" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 21. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 26_, to _Saturday, May 28_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 26.
+
+A gentleman has writ to me out of the country a very civil letter, and
+said things which I suppress with great violence to my vanity. There are
+many terms in my narratives which he complains want explaining, and has
+therefore desired, that, for the benefit of my country readers, I would
+let him know what I mean by a Gentleman, a Pretty Fellow, a Toast, a
+Coquette, a Critic, a Wit, and all other appellations in the gayer
+world, who are in present possession of these several characters;
+together with an account of those who unfortunately pretend to them. I
+shall begin with him we usually call a Gentleman, or man of
+conversation. It is generally thought, that warmth of imagination, quick
+relish of pleasure, and a manner of becoming it, are the most essential
+qualities for forming this sort of man. But any one that is much in
+company will observe, that the height of good breeding is shown rather
+in never giving offence, than in doing obliging things. Thus, he that
+never shocks you, though he is seldom entertaining, is more likely to
+keep your favour, than he who often entertains, and sometimes displeases
+you. The most necessary talent therefore in a man of conversation, which
+is what we ordinarily intend by a fine gentleman, is a good judgment. He
+that has this in perfection, is master of his companion, without letting
+him see it; and has the same advantage over men of any other
+qualifications whatsoever, as one that can see would have over a blind
+man of ten times his strength. This is what makes Sophronius the
+darling of all who converse with him, and the most powerful with his
+acquaintance of any man in town. By the light of this faculty, he acts
+with great ease and freedom among the men of pleasure, and acquits
+himself with skill and despatch among the men of business. This he
+performs with so much success, that, with as much discretion in life as
+any man ever had, he neither is, nor appears, cunning. But as he does a
+good office, if he ever does it, with readiness and alacrity; so he
+denies what he does not care to engage in, in a manner that convinces
+you, that you ought not to have asked it. His judgment is so good and
+unerring, and accompanied with so cheerful a spirit, that his
+conversation is a continual feast, at which he helps some, and is helped
+by others, in such a manner, that the equality of society is perfectly
+kept up, and every man obliges as much as he is obliged: for it is the
+greatest and justest skill in a man of superior understanding, to know
+how to be on a level with his companions. This sweet disposition runs
+through all the actions of Sophronius, and makes his company desired by
+women, without being envied by men. Sophronius would be as just as he
+is, if there were no law; and would be as discreet as he is, if there
+were no such thing as calumny.
+
+In imitation of this agreeable being, is made that animal we call a
+Pretty Fellow; who being just able to find out, that what makes
+Sophronius acceptable, is a natural behaviour; in order to the same
+reputation, makes his own an artificial one. Jack Dimple is his perfect
+mimic, whereby he is of course the most unlike him of all men living.
+Sophronius just now passed into the inner room directly forward: Jack
+comes as fast after as he can for the right and left looking-glass, in
+which he had but just approved himself by a nod at each, and marched on.
+He will meditate within for half an hour, till he thinks he is not
+careless enough in his air, and come back to the mirror to recollect his
+forgetfulness.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 27.
+
+This night was acted the comedy, called, "The Fox";[249] but I wonder
+the modern writers do not use their interest in the house to suppress
+such representations. A man that has been at this, will hardly like any
+other play during the season: therefore I humbly move, that the
+writings, as well as dresses, of the last age, should give way to the
+present fashion. We are come into a good method enough (if we were not
+interrupted in our mirth by such an apparition as a play of Jonson's) to
+be entertained at more ease, both to the spectator and the writer, than
+in the days of old. It is no difficulty to get hats, and swords, and
+wigs, and shoes, and everything else, from the shops in town, and make a
+man show himself by his habit, without more ado, to be a counsellor, a
+fop, a courtier, or a citizen, and not be obliged to make those
+characters talk in different dialects to be distinguished from each
+other. This is certainly the surest and best way of writing: but such a
+play as this makes a man for a month after overrun with criticism, and
+inquire, what every man on the stage said? What had such a one to do to
+meddle with such a thing? How came the other, who was bred after such a
+manner, to speak so like a man conversant among a different people?
+These questions rob us of all our pleasure; for at this rate, no one
+sentence in a play should be spoken by any one character, which could
+possibly enter into the head of any other man represented in it; but
+every sentiment should be peculiar to him only who utters it. Laborious
+Ben's works will bear this sort of inquisition; but if the present
+writers were thus examined, and the offences against this rule cut out,
+few plays would be long enough for the whole evening's entertainment.
+But I don't know how they did in those old times: this same Ben Jonson
+has made every one's passion in this play be towards money, and yet not
+one of them expresses that desire, or endeavours to obtain it any way
+but what is peculiar to him only: one sacrifices his wife, another his
+profession, another his posterity from the same motive; but their
+characters are kept so skilfully apart, that it seems prodigious their
+discourses should rise from the invention of the same author. But the
+poets are a nest of hornets, and I'll drive these thoughts no farther,
+but must mention some hard treatment I am like to meet with from my
+brother-writers. I am credibly informed, that the author of a play,
+called, "Love in a Hollow Tree,"[250] has made some remarks upon my late
+discourse on "The Naked Truth."[251] I cannot blame a gentleman for
+writing against any error; it is for the good of the learned world. But
+I would have the thing fairly left between us two, and not under the
+protection of patrons. But my intelligence is, that he has dedicated his
+treatise to the Honourable Mr. Ed----d H----rd.[252]
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 27.
+
+"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._
+
+"York, May 16, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Being convinced as the whole world is, how infallible your predictions
+are, and having the honour to be your near relation, of the Staffian
+family, I was under great concern at one of your predictions relating to
+yourself, wherein you foretold your own death would happen on the 17th
+instant, unless it were prevented by the assistance of well-disposed
+people:[253] I have therefore prevailed on my own modesty to send you a
+piece of news, which may serve instead of Goddard's Drops,[254] to keep
+you alive for two days, till nature be able to recover itself, or till
+you meet with some better help from other hands. Therefore, without
+further ceremony, I will go on to relate a singular adventure just
+happened in the place where I am writing, wherein it may be highly
+useful for the public to be informed.[255]
+
+"Three young ladies of our town were on Saturday last indicted for
+witchcraft. The witnesses against the first deposed upon oath before
+Justice Bindover, that she kept spirits locked up in velvets, which
+sometimes appeared in flames of blue fire; that she used magical herbs,
+with some of which she drew in hundreds of men daily to her, who went
+out from her presence all inflamed, their mouths parched, and a hot
+steam issuing from them, attended with a grievous stench; that many of
+the said men were by the force of that herb metamorphosed into swine,
+and lay wallowing in the kennels for twenty-four hours, before they
+could reassume their shapes or their senses.
+
+"It was proved against the second, that she cut off by night the limbs
+from dead bodies that were hanged, and was seen to dig holes in the
+ground, to mutter some conjuring words, and bury pieces of the flesh,
+after the usual manner of witches.
+
+"The third was accused for a notorious piece of sorcery, long practised
+by hags, of moulding up pieces of dough into the shapes of men, women,
+and children; then heating them at a gentle fire, which had a
+sympathetic power to torment the bowels of those in the neighbourhood.
+
+"This was the sum of what was objected against the three ladies, who
+indeed had nothing to say in their own defence, but downright denying
+the facts, which is like to avail very little when they come upon their
+trials.
+
+"But the parson of our parish, a strange refractory man, will believe
+nothing of all this; so that the whole town cries out, 'Shame! that one
+of his coat should be such an atheist;' and design to complain of him to
+the bishop. He goes about very oddly to solve the matter. He supposes,
+that the first of these ladies keeping a brandy and tobacco shop, the
+fellows went out smoking, and got drunk towards evening, and made
+themselves beasts. He says, the second is a butcher's daughter, and
+sometimes brings a quarter of mutton from the slaughter-house overnight
+against a market-day, and once buried a bit of beef in the ground, as a
+known receipt to cure warts on her hands. The parson affirms, that the
+third sells gingerbread, which, to please the children, she is forced to
+stamp with images before it is baked; and if it burns their guts, it is
+because they eat too much, or do not drink after it.
+
+"These are the answers he gives to solve this wonderful phenomenon; upon
+which I shall not animadvert, but leave it among the philosophers: and
+so wishing you all success in your undertakings for the amendment of the
+world, I remain,
+
+"Dear Cousin,
+
+"Your most affectionate Kinsman,
+
+"and humble Servant,
+
+                                        "EPHRAIM BEDSTAFF."
+
+"P.S.--Those who were condemned to death among the Athenians, were
+obliged to take a dose of poison, which made them die upwards, seizing
+first upon their feet, making them cold and insensible, and so ascending
+gradually, till it reached the vital parts. I believe your death, which
+you foretold would happen on the 17th instant, will fall out the same
+way, and that your distemper hath already seized on you, and makes
+progress daily. The lower part of you, that is, the advertisements,[256]
+is dead; and these have risen for these ten days last past, so that they
+now take up almost a whole paragraph. Pray, sir, do your endeavour to
+drive this distemper as much as possible to the extreme parts, and keep
+it there, as wise folks do the gout; for if it once gets into your
+stomach, it will soon fly up into your head, and you are a dead man."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 27.
+
+We hear from Leghorn, that Sir Edward Whitaker, with five men-of-war,
+four transports, and two fire-ships, was arrived at that port, and
+Admiral Byng was suddenly expected. Their squadrons being joined, they
+design to sail directly for Final, to transport the reinforcements,
+lodged in those parts, to Barcelona.
+
+They write from Milan, that Count Thaun arrived there on the 16th
+instant, N.S., and proceeded on his journey to Turin on the 21st, in
+order to concert such measures with his royal highness, as shall appear
+necessary for the operations of the ensuing campaign.
+
+Advices from Dauphiny say, that the troops of the Duke of Savoy began
+already to appear in those valleys, whereof he made himself master the
+last year; and that the Duke of Berwick applied himself with all
+imaginable diligence to secure the passes of the mountains by ordering
+entrenchments to be made towards Brian�on, Tourneau, and the Valley of
+Queiras. That general has also been at Marseilles and Toulon, to hasten
+the transportation of the corn and provisions designed for his army.
+
+Letters from Vienna, bearing date May 23, N.S., import, that the
+Cardinal of Saxe-Zeits and the Prince of Lichtenstein were preparing to
+set out for Presburg, to assist at the Diet of the States of Hungary,
+which is to be assembled at that place on the 25th of this month.
+General Heister would shortly appear at the head of his army at
+Trentschin, which place is appointed for the general rendezvous of the
+Imperial forces in Hungary; from whence he will advance to lay siege to
+Neuhausel: in the meantime, reinforcements, with a great train of
+artillery, are marching the same way. The King of Denmark arrived on the
+both instant at Innspruck, and on the 26th at Dresden, under a triple
+discharge of the artillery of that place; but his Majesty refused the
+ceremonies of a public entry.
+
+Our letters from the Upper Rhine say, that the Imperial army began to
+form itself at Etlingen; where the respective deputies of the Elector
+Palatine, the Prince of Baden Durlach, the Bishopric of Spires, &c. were
+assembled, and had taken the necessary measures for the provision of
+forage, the security of the country against the incursions of the enemy,
+and laying a bridge over the Rhine. Several vessels laden with corn are
+daily passing before Frankfort for the Lower Rhine.
+
+Letters from Poland inform us, that a detachment of Muscovite cavalry,
+under the command of General Infland, had joined the confederate army;
+and the infantry commanded by General Goltz, was expected to come up
+within few days. These succours will amount to 20,000 men.
+
+Our last advices from the Hague, dated June the 4th, N.S., say, that
+they expected a courier from the French Court with the ratification of
+the preliminaries that night or the day following. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough will set out for Brussels on Wednesday or Thursday next, if
+the despatches which are expected from Paris don't alter his
+resolutions. Letters from Majorca confirm the honourable capitulation of
+the castle of Alicante, and also the death of the governor,
+Major-General Richards, Colonel Sibourg, and Major Vignolles, who were
+all buried in the ruins of that place, by the springing of their great
+mine, which did, it seems, more execution than was reported. Monsieur
+Torcy passed through Mons in his return, and had there a long conference
+with the Elector of Bavaria; after which, that prince spoke publicly of
+the treatment he had from France with the utmost indignation.
+
+Any person that shall come publicly abroad in a fantastical habit,
+contrary to the present mode and fashion, except Don Diego
+Dismallo,[257] or any other out of poverty, shall have his name and
+dress inserted in our next.
+
+N.B.--Mr. How'd'call is desired to leave off those buttons.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 249: Ben Jonson's "Volpone; or, The Fox."]
+
+[Footnote 250: The comedy, "Love in a Hollow Tree; or, The Lawyer's
+Fortune," was published by William, Lord Viscount Grimston (1683-1756),
+when he was twenty-two years of age. On the occasion of a contested
+election for the borough of St. Albans (1736), it was reprinted--by the
+Duchess of Marlborough, it is said--with notes attacking the author, and
+adorned with the frontispiece of an elephant dancing on a rope. The
+viscount bought up as nearly as he could the whole edition. "This worthy
+notleman was a good husband to one of the best of wives, an indulgent
+father of a numerous offspring, a kind master to his servants, a
+generous friend, and an affable, hospitable neighbour." (Biog. Dram.)]
+
+[Footnote 251: See No. 17]
+
+[Footnote 252: Probably the Hon. Edward Howard, second son of Henry,
+fifth Earl of Suffolk. On the death of his nephew without issue in 1722,
+he became eighth Earl of Suffolk, but he died unmarried in 1731.]
+
+[Footnote 253: See No. 7.]
+
+[Footnote 254: Dr. Jonathan Goddard, the physician and confidant of
+Cromwell, a member of the Royal Society, and medical professor of
+Gresham College, discovered in the course of his chemical experiments,
+the famous elixir, called here his "drops." Dr. Goddard died of an
+apoplexy in 1675. "March 24, 1674-5. About 10 o'clock that night, my
+very good friend, Dr. Jonathan Goddard, reader of the physic lectures at
+Gresham College, suddenly fell down dead in the street, as he was
+entering into a coach. He was a pretty corpulent and tall man, a
+bachelor between 45 and 50 years of age; he was melancholy, inclined to
+be cynical, and used now and then to complain of giddiness in his head.
+He was an excellent mathematician, and some time physician to Oliver the
+Protector" (John Coniers, apothecary, in Shoe Lane. MSS. Sloan. 958).
+The "drops" were a preparation of spirit of hartshorn, with other
+things; they were used in fainting, apoplexies, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 255: With this satire on the vulgar prejudices concerning
+witches, may be compared what Addison says in the _Spectator_ (No. 117):
+"I believe in general that there is and has been such a thing as
+witchcraft; but at the same time can give no credit to any particular
+instance of it."]
+
+[Footnote 256: The number of advertisements in the Tatler gradually
+increased; but as a compensation the "news" paragraph was dropped.]
+
+[Footnote 257: This name was afterwards applied by the Tory writers to
+the Earl of Nottingham; and the author of the 'Examiner' (vol. iii. No
+48) says that it was Steele who first used the name for this nobleman,
+"and upon no less an important affair, than the oddness of his buttons."
+In the 'Guardian (No. 53), however, Steele disavowed any reference to
+Lord Nottingham: "I do not remember the mention of Don Diego; nor do I
+remember tht ever I thought of Lord Nottingham in any character drawn in
+any one paper of Bickerstaff." See also No. 31, below.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 22. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 28_, to _Tuesday, May 31_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 28.
+
+I came hither this evening to see fashions, and who should I first
+encounter but my old friend Cynthio[258] (encompassed by a crowd of
+young fellows) dictating on the passion of love with the gayest air
+imaginable. "Well," says he, "as to what I know of the matter, there is
+nothing but ogling with skill carries a woman; but indeed it is not
+every fool that is capable of this art: you will find twenty can speak
+eloquently, fifty can fight manfully, and a thousand that can dress
+genteelly at a mistress, where there is one that can gaze skilfully.
+This requires an exquisite judgment, to take the language of her eyes to
+yours exactly, and not let yours talk too fast for hers; as at a play
+between the acts, when Beau Frisk stands upon a bench full in
+Lindamira's face, and her dear eyes are searching round to avoid that
+flaring open fool; she meets the watchful glance of her true lover, and
+sees his heart attentive on her charms, and waiting for a second twinkle
+of her eye for its next motion." Here the good company sneered; but he
+goes on. "Nor is this attendance a slavery, when a man meets
+encouragement, and her eye comes often in his way: for, after an evening
+so spent, and the repetition of four or five significant looks at him,
+the happy man goes home to his lodging, full of ten thousand pleasing
+images: his brain is dilated, and gives him all the ideas and prospects
+which it ever lets in to its seat of pleasure. Thus a kind look from
+Lindamira revives in his imagination all the beauteous lawns, green
+fields, woods, forests, rivers and solitudes, which he had ever before
+seen in picture, description, or real life: and all with this addition,
+that he now sees them with the eyes of a happy lover, as before only
+with those of a common man. You laugh, gentlemen: but consider
+yourselves (you common people that were never in love) and compare
+yourselves in good humour with yourselves out of humour, and you will
+then acknowledge, that all external objects affect you according to the
+disposition you are in to receive their impressions, and not as those
+objects are in their own nature. How much more shall all that passes
+within his view and observation, touch with delight a man who is
+prepossessed with successful love, which is an assemblage of soft
+affections, gay desires, and hopeful resolutions?" Poor Cynthio went on
+at this rate to the crowd about him, without any purpose in his talk,
+but to vent a heart overflowing with sense of success. I wondered what
+could exalt him from the distress in which he had long appeared, to so
+much alacrity. But my familiar has given me the state of his affairs. It
+seems then, that lately coming out of the play-house, his mistress, who
+knows he is in her livery (as the manner of insolent beauties is),
+resolved to keep him still so, and gave him so much wages, as to
+complain to him of the crowd she was to pass through. He had his wits
+and resolution enough about him to take her hand, and say, he would
+attend her to her coach. All the way thither, my good young man
+stammered at every word, and stumbled at every step. His mistress,
+wonderfully pleased with her triumph, put him to a thousand questions,
+to make a man of his natural wit speak with hesitation, and let drop her
+fan, to see him recover it awkwardly. This is the whole foundation of
+Cynthio's recovery to the sprightly air he appears with at present. I
+grew mighty curious to know something more of that lady's affairs, as
+being amazed how she could dally with an offer of one of his merit and
+fortune. I sent Pacolet to her lodgings; he immediately brought me back
+the following letter to her friend and confidante Amanda in the country,
+wherein she has opened her heart and all its folds.
+
+"DEAR AMANDA,
+
+The town grows so empty, that you must expect my letter so too, except
+you will allow me to talk of myself instead of others: you cannot
+imagine what pain it is, after a whole day spent in public, to want
+your company, and the ease which friendship allows in being vain to each
+other, and speaking all our minds. An account of the slaughter which
+these unhappy eyes have made within ten days last past, would make me
+appear too great a tyrant to be allowed in a Christian country. I shall
+therefore confine myself to my principal conquests, which are the hearts
+of Beau Frisk, and Jack Freeland, besides Cynthio, who, you know, wore
+my fetters before you went out of town. Shall I tell you my weakness? I
+begin to love Frisk: it is the best-humoured impertinent thing in the
+world: he is always too in waiting, and will certainly carry me off one
+time or other. Freeland's father and mine have been upon treaty without
+consulting me; and Cynthio has been eternally watching my eyes, without
+approaching me, my friends, my maid, or any one about me: he hopes to
+get me, I believe, as they say the rattlesnake does the squirrel, by
+staring at me till I drop into his mouth. Freeland demands me for a
+jointure which he thinks deserves me; Cynthio thinks nothing high enough
+to be my value: Freeland therefore will take it for no obligation to
+have me; and Cynthio's idea of me, is what will vanish by knowing me
+better. Familiarity will equally turn the veneration of the one, and the
+indifference of the other, into contempt. I will stick therefore to my
+old maxim, to have that sort of man, who can have no greater views than
+what are in my power to give him possession of. The utmost of my dear
+Frisk's ambition is, to be thought a man of fashion; and therefore has
+been so much in mode, as to resolve upon me, because the whole town
+likes me. Thus I choose rather a man who loves me because others do,
+than one who approves me on his own judgment. He that judges for himself
+in love, will often change his opinion; but he that follows the sense of
+others, must be constant, as long as a woman can make advances. The
+visits I make, the entertainments I give, and the addresses I receive,
+will be all arguments for me with a man of Frisk's second-hand genius;
+but would be so many bars to my happiness with any other man. However,
+since Frisk can wait, I shall enjoy a summer or two longer, and remain a
+single woman, in the sublime pleasure of being followed and admired;
+which nothing can equal, except that of being beloved by you.
+
+"I am, &c."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 30.
+
+My chief business here this evening was to speak to my friends in behalf
+of honest Cave Underhill,[259] who has been a comic for three
+generations: my father[260] admired him extremely when he was a boy.
+There is certainly nature excellently represented in his manner of
+action; in which he ever avoided that general fault in players, of doing
+too much. It must be confessed, he has not the merit of some ingenious
+persons now on the stage, of adding to his authors; for the actors were
+so dull in the last age, that many of them have gone out of the world,
+without having ever spoke one word of their own in the theatre. Poor
+Cave is so mortified, that he quibbles, and tells you, he pretends only
+to act a part fit for a man who has one foot in the grave; viz., a
+gravedigger. All admirers of true comedy, it is hoped, will have the
+gratitude to be present on the last day of his acting, who, if he does
+not happen to please them, will have it even then to say, that it is his
+first offence.
+
+But there is a gentleman here, who says he has it from good hands, that
+there is actually a subscription made by many persons of wit and
+quality, for the encouragement of new comedies. This design will very
+much contribute to the improvement and diversion of the town: but as
+every man is most concerned for himself, I, who am of a saturnine and
+melancholy complexion, cannot but murmur, that there is not an equal
+invitation to write tragedies, having by me, in my book of commonplaces,
+enough to enable me to finish a very sad one by the 5th of next month. I
+have the farewell of a general, with a truncheon in his hand, dying for
+love, in six lines. I have the principles of a politician (who does all
+the mischief in the play) together with his declaration on the vanity of
+ambition in his last moments, expressed in a page and a half. I have all
+my oaths ready, and my similes want nothing but application. I won't
+pretend to give you an account of the plot, it being the same design
+upon which all tragedies have been writ for several years last past; and
+from the beginning of the first scene, the frequenters of the house may
+know, as well as the author, when the battle is to be fought, the lady
+to yield, and the hero to proceed to his wedding and coronation. Besides
+these advantages which I have in readiness, I have an eminent tragedian
+very much my friend, who shall come in, and go through the whole five
+acts, without troubling me for one sentence, whether he is to kill or be
+killed, love or be loved, win battles or lose them, or whatever other
+tragical performance I shall please to assign him.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 30.
+
+I have this day received a letter subscribed "Fidelia," that gives me an
+account of an enchantment under which a young lady suffers, and desires
+my help to exorcise her from the power of the sorcerer. Her lover is a
+rake of sixty; the lady a virtuous woman of twenty-five: her relations
+are to the last degree afflicted, and amazed at this irregular passion:
+their sorrow I know not how to remove, but can their astonishment; for
+there is no spirit in woman half so prevalent as that of contradiction,
+which is the sole cause of her perseverance. Let the whole family go
+dressed in a body, and call the bride to-morrow morning to her nuptials,
+and I'll undertake, the inconstant will forget her lover in the midst of
+all his aches. But if this expedient does not succeed, I must be so just
+to the young lady's distinguishing sense, as to applaud her choice. A
+fine young woman, at last, is but what is due from fate to an honest
+fellow, who has suffered so unmercifully by the sex; and I think we
+cannot enough celebrate her heroic virtue, who (like the patriot that
+ended a pestilence by plunging himself into a gulf) gives herself up to
+gorge that dragon which has devoured so many virgins before her.
+
+A letter directed to "Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; astrologer and physician
+in ordinary to her Majesty's subjects of Great Britain, with respect,"
+is come to hand.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 258: See Nos. 1, 5, 35, 85.]
+
+[Footnote 259: The following advertisement appeared in Nos. 20 and 22:
+"Mr. Cave Underhill, the famous comedian in the reigns of Charles II.,
+King James II., King William and Queen Mary, and her present Majesty
+Queen Anne; but now not able to perform so often as heretofore in the
+playhouse, and having had losses to the value of near �2500, is to have
+the tragedy of 'Hamlet' acted for his benefit, on Friday, the 3rd of
+June next, at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, in which he is to perform
+his original part, the Grave-maker. Tickets may be had at the Mitre
+Tavern in Fleet Street." Colley Cibber says that Underhill was
+particularly admired in the character of the Grave-digger; and he adds:
+"Underhill was a correct and natural comedian; his particular excellence
+was in characters that may be called still-life; I mean the stiff, the
+heavy, and the stupid; to these he gave the exactest and most expressive
+colours, and in some of them looked as if it were not in the power of
+human passions to alter a feature of him. A countenance of wood could
+not be more fixed than his, when the blockhead of a character required
+it; his face was full and long; from his crown to the end of his nose
+was the shorter half of it, so that the disproportion of his lower
+features, when soberly composed, threw him into the most lumpish, moping
+mortal, that ever made beholders merry; not but, at other times, he
+could be wakened into spirit equally ridiculous." Genest says that
+Underhill acted again as the Grave-digger on Feb. 23, 1710, at Drury
+Lane.]
+
+[Footnote 260: "Grandfather" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 23. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 31_, to _Thursday, June 2_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 31.
+
+The generality of mankind are so very fond of this world, and of staying
+in it, that a man cannot have eminent skill in any one art, but they
+will, in spite of his teeth, make him a physician also, that being the
+science the worldlings have most need of. I pretended, when I first set
+up, to astrology only; but I am told, I have deep skill also in
+medicine. I am applied to now by a gentleman for my advice in behalf of
+his wife, who, upon the least matrimonial difficulty, is excessively
+troubled with fits, and can bear no manner of passion without falling
+into immediate convulsions. I must confess, it is a case I have known
+before, and remember the party was recovered by certain words pronounced
+in the midst of the fit by the learned doctor who performed the cure.
+These ails have usually their beginning from the affections of the mind:
+therefore you must have patience to let me give you an instance, whereby
+you may discern the cause of the distemper, and then proceed in the cure
+as follows:
+
+A fine town lady was married to a gentleman of ancient descent in one of
+the counties of Great Britain, who had good humour to a weakness, and
+was that sort of person, of whom it is usually said, he is no man's
+enemy but his own: one who had too much tenderness of soul to have any
+authority with his wife; and she too little sense to give him authority
+for that reason. His kind wife observed this temper in him, and made
+proper use of it. But knowing it was below a gentlewoman to wrangle, she
+resolved upon an expedient to save decorum, and wear her dear to her
+point at the same time. She therefore took upon her to govern him, by
+falling into fits whenever she was repulsed in a request, or
+contradicted in a discourse. It was a fish-day, when in the midst of her
+husband's good humour at table, she bethought herself to try her
+project. She made signs that she had swallowed a bone. The man grew pale
+as ashes, and ran to her assistance, calling for drink. "No, my dear,"
+said she, recovering, "it is down; don't be frightened." This accident
+betrayed his softness enough. The next day she complained, a lady's
+chariot, whose husband had not half his estate, had a crane-neck, and
+hung with twice the air that hers did. He answered, "Madam, you know my
+income; you know I have lost two coach-horses this spring."--Down she
+fell.--"Hartshorn! Betty, Susan, Alice, throw water in her face." With
+much care and pains she was at last brought to herself, and the vehicle
+in which she visited was amended in the nicest manner, to prevent
+relapses; but they frequently happened during that husband's whole life,
+which he had the good fortune to end in few years after. The
+disconsolate soon pitched upon a very agreeable successor, whom she very
+prudently designed to govern by the same method. This man knew her
+little arts, and resolved to break through all tenderness, and be
+absolute master, as soon as occasion offered. One day it happened, that
+a discourse arose about furniture: he was very glad of the occasion, and
+fell into an invective against china,[261] protesting, he would never
+let five pounds more of his money be laid out that way as long as he
+breathed. She immediately fainted--he starts up as amazed, and calls for
+help--the maids ran to the closet--he chafes her face, bends her
+forwards, and beats the palms of her hands: her convulsions increase,
+and down she tumbles on the floor, where she lies quite dead, in spite
+of what the whole family, from the nursery to the kitchen, could do for
+her relief.
+
+While every servant was thus helping or lamenting their mistress, he,
+fixing his cheek to hers, seemed to be following her in a trance of
+sorrow; but secretly whispers her, "My dear, this will never do: what is
+within my power and fortune, you may always command, but none of your
+artifices: you are quite in other hands than those you passed these
+pretty passions upon." This made her almost in the condition she
+pretended; her convulsions now came thicker, nor was she to be held
+down. The kind man doubles his care, helps the servants to throw water
+in her face by full quarts; and when the sinking part of the fit came
+again, "Well, my dear," said he, "I applaud your action; but I must take
+my leave of you till you are more sincere with me. Farewell for ever:
+you shall always know where to hear of me, and want for nothing." With
+that, he ordered the maids to keep plying her with hartshorn, while he
+went for a physician: he was scarce at the stairhead when she followed;
+and pulling him into a closet, thanked him for her cure; which was so
+absolute, that she gave me this relation herself, to be communicated for
+the benefit of all the voluntary invalids of her sex.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 31.
+
+The public is not so little my concern, though I am but a student, as
+that I should not interest myself in the present great things in
+agitation. I am still of opinion, the French king will sign the
+preliminaries. With that view, I have sent him by my familiar the
+following epistle, and admonished him, on pain of what I shall say of
+him to future generations, to act with sincerity on this occasion.
+
+#"London, May 31.#
+
+#"Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., of Great Britain, to Lewis XIV. of France.#
+
+"The surprising news which arrived this day, of your Majesty's having
+refused to sign the treaty your Ministers have in a manner sued for, is
+what gives ground to this application to your Majesty, from one whose
+name, perhaps, is too obscure to have ever reached your territories; but
+one who, with all the European world, is affected with your
+determinations. Therefore, as it is mine and the common cause of
+mankind, I presume to expostulate with you on this occasion. It will, I
+doubt not, appear to the vulgar extravagant, that the actions of a
+mighty prince should be balanced by the censure of a private man, whose
+approbation or dislike are equally contemptible in their eyes, when they
+regard the thrones of sovereigns. But your Majesty has shown, through
+the whole course of your reign, too great a value for liberal arts to be
+insensible, that true fame lies only in the hands of learned men, by
+whom it is to be transmitted to futurity, with marks of honour or
+reproach to the end of time. The date of human life is too short to
+recompense the cares which attend the most private condition: therefore
+it is, that our souls are made as it were too big for it, and extend
+themselves in the prospect of a longer existence, in a good fame and
+memory of worthy actions after our decease. The whole race of men have
+this passion in some degree implanted in their bosoms, which is the
+strongest and noblest incitation to honest attempts: but the base use of
+the arts of peace, eloquence, poetry, and all the parts of learning,
+have been possessed by souls so unworthy those faculties, that the names
+and appellations of things have been confounded by the labours and
+writings of prostituted men, who have stamped a reputation upon such
+actions as are in themselves the objects of contempt and disgrace. This
+is that which has misled your Majesty in the conduct of your reign, and
+made that life, which might have been the most imitable, the most to be
+avoided. To this it is, that the great and excellent qualities of which
+your Majesty is master, are lost in their application; and your Majesty
+has been carrying on for many years the most cruel tyranny, with all the
+noble methods which are used to support a just reign. Thus it is, that
+it avails nothing that you are a bountiful master; that you are so
+generous as to reward even the unsuccessful with honour and riches; that
+no laudable action passes unrewarded in your kingdoms; that you have
+searched all nations for obscure merit; in a word, that you are in your
+private character endowed with every princely quality, when all this is
+subjected to unjust and ill-taught ambition, which to the injury of the
+world, is gilded by those endowments. However, if your Majesty will
+condescend to look into your own soul, and consider all its faculties
+and weaknesses with impartiality; if you will but be convinced, that
+life is supported in you by the ordinary methods of food, rest, and
+sleep; you would think it impossible that you could ever be so much
+imposed on, as to have been wrought into a belief, that so many
+thousands of the same make with yourself, were formed by Providence for
+no other end, but by the hazard of their very being to extend the
+conquests and glory of an individual of their own species. A very little
+reflection will convince your Majesty, that such cannot be the intent of
+the Creator; and if not, what horror must it give your Majesty to think
+of the vast devastations your ambition has made among your fellow
+creatures? While the warmth of youth, the flattery of crowds, and a
+continual series of success and triumph, indulged your Majesty in this
+allusion of mind, it was less to be wondered at, that you proceeded in
+this mistaken pursuit of grandeur; but when age, disappointments, public
+calamities, personal distempers, and the reverse of all that makes men
+forget their true being, are fallen upon you: heavens! is it possible
+you can live without remorse? Can the wretched man be a tyrant? Can
+grief study torments? Can sorrow be cruel?--
+
+"Your Majesty will observe, I do not bring against you a railing
+accusation; but as you are a strict professor of religion, I beseech
+your Majesty to stop the effusion of blood, by receiving the opportunity
+which presents itself, for the preservation of your distressed people.
+Be no longer so infatuated, as to hope for renown from murder and
+violence: but consider, that the great day will come, in which this
+world and all its glory shall change in a moment: when nature shall
+sicken, and the earth and sea give up the bodies committed to them, to
+appear before the last tribunal. Will it then, O king! be an answer for
+the lives of millions who have fallen by the sword, 'They perished for
+my glory'? That day will come on, and one like it is immediately
+approaching: injured nations advance towards thy habitation: vengeance
+has begun its march, which is to be diverted only by the penitence of
+the oppressor. Awake, O monarch, from thy lethargy! Disdain the abuses
+thou hast received: pull down the statue which calls thee immortal: be
+truly great: tear thy purple, and put on sackcloth.
+
+"I am,
+
+"Thy generous Enemy,
+
+                                        "ISAAC BICKERSTAFF."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 1.
+
+Advices from Brussels of the 6th instant, N.S., say, his Highness Prince
+Eugene had received a letter from Monsieur Torcy, wherein that Minister,
+after many expressions of great respect, acquaints him, that his master
+had absolutely refused to sign the preliminaries to the treaty which he
+had, in his Majesty's behalf, consented to at the Hague. Upon the
+receipt of this intelligence, the face of things at that place were
+immediately altered, and the necessary orders were transmitted to the
+troops (which lay most remote from thence) to move towards the place of
+rendezvous with all expedition. The enemy seem also to prepare for the
+field, and have at present drawn together twenty-five thousand men in
+the plains of Lenz. Marshal Villars is at the head of those troops; and
+has given the generals under his command all possible assurances, that
+he will turn the fate of the war to the advantage of his master.
+
+They write from the Hague of the 7th, that Monsieur Rouill� had received
+orders from the Court of France, to signify to the States-General and
+the Ministers of the High Allies, that the king could not consent to the
+preliminaries of a treaty of peace, as it was offered to him by Monsieur
+Torcy. The great difficulty is the business of Spain, on which
+particular his Ministers seemed only to say, during the treaty, that it
+was not so immediately under their master's direction, as that he could
+answer for its being relinquished by the Duke of Anjou: but now he
+positively answers, that he cannot comply with what his Minister has
+promised in his behalf, even in such points as are wholly in himself to
+act in or not. This has had no other effect, than to give the Alliance
+fresh arguments for being diffident of engagements entered into by
+France. The Pensioner made a report of all which this Minister had
+declared to the Deputies of the States-General, and all things turn
+towards a vigorous war. The Duke of Marlborough designed to leave the
+Hague within two days, in order to put himself at the head of the army,
+which is to assemble on the 17th instant between the Scheldt and the
+Lis. A fleet of eighty sail, laden with corn from the Baltic, is arrived
+in the Texel. The States have sent circular letters to all the
+provinces, to notify this change of affairs, and animate their subjects
+to new resolutions in defence of their country.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 261: Addison ridiculed the prevalent craze for collecting
+china in No. 10 of the _Lover_; and Swift wrote to Steele, "What do I
+know whether china is dear or not; I once took a fancy of resolving to
+go mad for it, but now it is off."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 24. [ADDISON.
+
+From _Thursday, June 2_, to _Saturday, June 4_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 2.
+
+In my paper of the 28th of the last month,[262] I mentioned several
+characters which want explanation to the generality of readers: among
+others, I spoke of a Pretty Fellow; but I have received a kind
+admonition in a letter, to take care that I do not omit to show also
+what is meant by a Very Pretty Fellow, which is to be allowed as a
+character by itself, and a person exalted above the other by a peculiar
+sprightliness, as one who, by a distinguishing vigour, outstrips his
+companions, and has thereby deserved and obtained a particular
+appellation, or nickname of familiarity. Some have this distinction from
+the fair sex, who are so generous as to take into their protection those
+who are laughed at by the men, and place them for that reason in degrees
+of favour. The chief of this sort is Colonel Brunett, who is a man of
+fashion, because he will be so; and practises a very jaunty way of
+behaviour, because he is too careless to know when he offends, and too
+sanguine to be mortified if he did know it. Thus the colonel has met
+with a town ready to receive him, and cannot possibly see why he should
+not make use of their favour, and set himself in the first degree of
+conversation. Therefore he is very successfully loud among the wits,
+familiar among the ladies, and dissolute among the rakes. Thus he is
+admitted in one place, because he is so in another; and every man treats
+Brunett well, not out of his particular esteem for him, but in respect
+to the opinion of others. It is to me a solid pleasure to see the world
+thus mistaken on the good-natured side; for it is ten to one but the
+colonel mounts into a general officer, marries a fine lady, and is
+master of a good estate, before they come to explain upon him. What
+gives most delight to me in this observation, is, that all this arises
+from pure nature, and the colonel can account for his success no more
+than those by whom he succeeds. For these causes and considerations, I
+pronounce him a true woman's man, and in the first degree, "a very
+pretty fellow." The next to a man of this universal genius, is one who
+is peculiarly formed for the service of the ladies, and his merit
+chiefly is to be of no consequence. I am indeed a little in doubt,
+whether he ought not rather to be called a "very happy," than a "very
+pretty" fellow? For he is admitted at all hours: all he says or does,
+which would offend in another, are passed over in him; and all actions
+and speeches which please, doubly please if they come from him: no one
+wonders or takes notice when he is wrong; but all admire him when he is
+in the right. By the way it is fit to remark, that there are people of
+better sense than these, who endeavour at this character; but they are
+out of nature; and though, with some industry, they get the characters
+of fools, they cannot arrive to be "very," seldom to be merely "pretty
+fellows." But where nature has formed a person for this station amongst
+men, he is gifted with a peculiar genius for success, and his very
+errors and absurdities contribute to it; this felicity attending him to
+his life's end. For it being in a manner necessary that he should be of
+no consequence, he is as well in old age as youth; and I know a man,
+whose son has been some years a pretty fellow, who is himself at this
+hour a "very" pretty fellow. One must move tenderly in this place, for
+we are now in the ladies' lodgings, and speaking of such as are
+supported by their influence and favour; against which there is not,
+neither ought there to be, any dispute or observation. But when we come
+into more free air, one may talk a little more at large. Give me leave
+then to mention three, whom I do not doubt but we shall see make
+considerable figures; and these are such as, for their Bacchanalian
+performances, must be admitted into this order. They are three brothers
+lately landed from Holland: as yet, indeed, they have not made their
+public entry, but lodge and converse at Wapping. They have merited
+already on the waterside particular titles: the first is called
+Hogshead; the second Culverin; and the third Musket. This fraternity is
+preparing for our end of the town by their ability in the exercises of
+Bacchus, and measure their time and merit by liquid weight, and power
+of drinking. Hogshead is a prettier fellow than Culverin by two quarts,
+and Culverin than Musket by a full pint. It is to be feared, Hogshead is
+so often too full, and Culverin overloaded, that Musket will be the only
+lasting "very" pretty fellow of the three.[263] A third sort of this
+denomination are such as, by very daring adventures in love, have
+purchased to themselves renown and new names; as, Joe Carry, for his
+excessive strength and vigour; Tom Drybones, for his generous loss of
+youth and health; and Cancrum, for his meritorious rottenness. These
+great and leading spirits are proposed to all such of our British youth
+as would arrive at perfection in these different kinds; and if their
+parts and accomplishments were well imitated, it is not doubted but that
+our nation would soon excel all others in wit and arts, as they already
+do in arms.
+
+N.B.--The gentleman who stole Betty Pepin,[264] may own it, for he is
+allowed to be a "very" pretty fellow.
+
+#But we must proceed to the explanation of other terms in our writings.#
+
+To know what a Toast is in the country, gives as much perplexity as she
+herself does in town: and, indeed, the learned differ very much upon the
+original of this word, and the acceptation of it among the moderns.
+However, it is by all agreed to have a joyous and cheerful import. A
+toast in a cold morning, heightened by nutmeg, and sweetened with sugar,
+has for many ages been given to our rural dissenters of justice, before
+they entered upon causes, and has been of great and politic use to take
+off the severity of their sentences; but has indeed been remarkable for
+one ill effect, that it inclines those who use it immoderately, to speak
+Latin, to the admiration, rather than information, of an audience. This
+application of "a toast" makes it very obvious, that the word may,
+without a metaphor, be understood as an apt name for a thing which
+raises us in the most sovereign degree. But many of the wits of the last
+age will assert, that the word, in its present sense, was known among
+them in their youth, and had its rise from an accident at the town of
+Bath, in the reign of King Charles II. It happened, that on a public day
+a celebrated beauty of those times was in the Cross Bath, and one of the
+crowd of her admirers took a glass of the water in which the fair one
+stood, and drank her health to the company. There was in the place a gay
+fellow, half fuddled, who offered to jump in, and swore, though he liked
+not the liquor, he would have the toast. He was opposed in his
+resolution; yet this whim gave foundation to the present honour which is
+done to the lady we mention in our liquors, who has ever since been
+called a "toast." Though this institution had so trivial a beginning, it
+is now elevated into a formal order; and that happy virgin who is
+received and drank to at their meetings, has no more to do in this life,
+but to judge and accept of the first good offer. The manner of her
+inauguration is much like that of the choice of a Doge in Venice: it is
+performed by balloting; and when she is so chosen, she reigns
+indisputably for that ensuing year; but must be elected anew to prolong
+her empire a moment beyond it. When she is regularly chosen, her name is
+written with a diamond on a drinking-glass.[265] The hieroglyphic of the
+diamond is to show her, that her value is imaginary; and that of the
+glass to acquaint her, that her condition is frail, and depends on the
+hand which holds her. This wise design admonishes her, neither to
+overrate nor depreciate her charms; as well considering and applying,
+that it is perfectly according to the humour and taste of the company,
+whether the toast is eaten, or left as an offal.
+
+The foremost of the whole rank of toasts, and the most undisputed in
+their present empire, are Mrs. Gatty and Mrs. Frontlet: the first, an
+agreeable; the second, an awful beauty. These ladies are perfect
+friends, out of a knowledge that their perfections are too different to
+stand in competition. He that likes Gatty can have no relish for so
+solemn a creature as Frontlet; and an admirer of Frontlet will call
+Gatty a maypole-girl. Gatty for ever smiles upon you; and Frontlet
+disdains to see you smile. Gatty's love is a shining quick flame;
+Frontlet's a slow wasting fire. Gatty likes the man that diverts her;
+Frontlet him who adores her. Gatty always improves the soil in which she
+travels; Frontlet lays waste the country. Gatty does not only smile, but
+laughs at her lover; Frontlet not only looks serious, but frowns at him.
+All the men of wit (and coxcombs their followers) are professed servants
+of Gatty: the politicians and pretenders give solemn worship to
+Frontlet. Their reign will be best judged of by its duration. Frontlet
+will never be chosen more; and Gatty is a toast for life.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 3.
+
+Letters from Hamburg of the 7th instant, N.S., inform us, that no art or
+cost is omitted to make the stay of his Danish Majesty at Dresden
+agreeable; but there are various speculations upon the interview between
+King Augustus and that prince, many putting politic constructions upon
+his Danish Majesty's arrival, at a time when his troops are marching out
+of Hungary, with orders to pass through Saxony, where it is given out,
+that they are to be recruited. It is said also, that several Polish
+senators have invited King Augustus to return into Poland. His Majesty
+of Sweden, according to the same advices, has passed the Dnieper without
+any opposition from the Muscovites, and advances with all possible
+expedition towards Voldinia, where he proposes to join King Stanislaus
+and General Cressau.
+
+We hear from Berne of the 1st instant, N.S., that there is not a
+province in France, from whence the Court is not apprehensive of
+receiving accounts of public emotions, occasioned by the want of corn.
+The General Diet of the thirteen cantons is assembled at Baden, but have
+not yet entered upon business, so that the affair of Tockenburg is yet
+at a stand.
+
+Letters from the Hague, dated the 11th instant, N.S., advise that
+Monsieur Rouill� having acquainted the Ministers of the Allies, that his
+master had refused to ratify the preliminaries of a treaty adjusted with
+Monsieur Torcy, set out for Paris on Sunday morning. The same day the
+foreign Ministers met a committee of the States-General, where Monsieur
+van Hessen opened the business upon which they were assembled, and in a
+very warm discourse laid before them the conduct of France in the late
+negotiations, representing the abject manner in which she had laid open
+her own distresses, which reduced her to a compliance with the demands
+of all the Allies, and the mean manner in receding from those points to
+which her Minister had consented. The respective Ministers of each
+potentate of the Alliance severally expressed their resentment of the
+faithless behaviour of the French, and gave each other mutual assurances
+of the constancy and resolution of their principles to proceed with the
+utmost vigour against the common enemy. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough set out from the Hague on the 9th, in the afternoon, and lay
+that night at Rotterdam, from whence at four the next morning he
+proceeded towards Antwerp, with design to reach Ghent as on this day.
+All the troops in the Low Countries are in motion towards the general
+rendezvous between the Scheldt and Lis, and the whole army will be
+formed on the 12th instant; and it is said that on the 14th they will
+advance towards the enemy's country. In the meantime the Marshal de
+Villars has assembled the French army between Lens, la Bass�e, and
+Douay.
+
+Yesterday morning Sir John Norris[266] with the squadron under his
+command, sailed from the Downs for Holland.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 3.
+
+I have the honour of the following letter from a gentleman whom I
+receive into my family, and order the heralds at arms to enroll him
+accordingly.
+
+"MR. BICKERSTAFF,
+
+"Though you have excluded me the honour of your family, yet I have
+ventured to correspond with the same great persons as yourself, and have
+wrote this post to the King of France; though I'm in a manner unknown
+in his country, and have not been seen there these many months.
+
+#"'To Lewis le Grand.#
+
+    "'Though in your country I'm unknown,
+      Yet, sir, I must advise you;
+    Of late so poor and mean you're grown,
+      That all the world despise you.
+
+    Here vermin eat your majesty,
+      There meagre subjects stand unfed;
+    What surer signs of poverty,
+      Than many lice, and little bread?
+
+    Then, sir, the present minute choose,
+      Our armies are advanced;
+    Those terms you at the Hague refuse,
+      At Paris won't be granted.
+
+    Consider this, and Dunkirk raze,
+      And Anna's title own;
+    Send one Pretender out to graze,
+      And call the other home.'
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "BREAD, THE STAFF OF LIFE."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 262: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 263: It would seem from the passage in the _Examiner_ (vol.
+iii. No. 48), that three men of distinction at that time, probably
+noblemen, were supposed to be denoted under the names of Hogshead,
+Culverin, and Musket, from Wapping; or, as they are named by the
+_Examiner_, "Tun, Gun, and Pistol, from Wapping." They are there
+mentioned among others, said to have been, "with at least fifty more,
+sufferers of figure under this author's satire, in the days of his
+mirth," &c. In the _Guardian_ (No. 53) Steele says, "Tun, Gun, and
+Pistol from Wapping, laughed at the representation which was made of
+them, and were observed to be more regular in their conduct
+afterwards."]
+
+[Footnote 264: The kept mistress of a knight of the shire near
+Brentford, who squandered his estate on women, and in contested
+elections. He has long since gone into the land of oblivion. See No.
+51.--(Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 265: Several such verses, inscribed on the glasses of the Kit
+Cat Club, are given in Nichols' "Select Collection of Poems," v.
+168-178.]
+
+[Footnote 266: Admiral Sir John Norris (died 1749) was sent in June
+1709, with a small squadron, to stop the French supply of corn from the
+Baltic.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 25. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 4_, to _Tuesday, June 7_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 6.
+
+A letter from a young lady, written in the most passionate terms
+(wherein she laments the misfortune of a gentleman, her lover, who was
+lately wounded in a duel), has turned my thoughts to that subject, and
+inclined me to examine into the causes which precipitate men into so
+fatal a folly.[267] And as it has been proposed to treat of subjects of
+gallantry in the article from hence, and no one point of nature is more
+proper to be considered by the company who frequent this place, than
+that of duels, it is worth our consideration to examine into this
+chimerical groundless humour, and to lay every other thought aside, till
+we have stripped it of all its false pretences to credit and reputation
+amongst men. But I must confess, when I consider what I am going about,
+and run over in my imagination all the endless crowd of men of honour
+who will be offended at such a discourse, I am undertaking, methinks, a
+work worthy an invulnerable hero in romance, rather than a private
+gentleman with a single rapier; but as I am pretty well acquainted by
+great opportunities with the nature of man, and know of a truth, that
+all men fight against their will, the danger vanishes, and resolution
+rises upon this subject. For this reason I shall talk very freely on a
+custom which all men wish exploded, though no man has courage enough to
+resist it. But there is one unintelligible word which I fear will
+extremely perplex my dissertation, and I confess to you I find very
+hard to explain, which is, the term "satisfaction." An honest country
+gentleman had the misfortune to fall into company with two or three
+modern men of honour, where he happened to be very ill-treated; and one
+of the company being conscious of his offence, sends a note to him in
+the morning, and tells him, he was ready to give him satisfaction. "This
+is fine doing," says the plain fellow: "last night he sent me away
+cursedly out of humour, and this morning he fancies it would be a
+satisfaction to be run through the body." As the matter at present
+stands, it is not to do handsome actions denominates a man of honour; it
+is enough if he dares to defend ill ones. Thus you often see a common
+sharper in competition with a gentleman of the first rank; though all
+mankind is convinced, that a fighting gamester is only a pickpocket with
+the courage of a highwayman. One cannot with any patience reflect on the
+unaccountable jumble of persons and things in this town and nation,
+which occasions very frequently, that a brave man falls by a hand below
+that of the common hangman, and yet his executioner escapes the clutches
+of the hangman for doing it. I shall therefore hereafter consider, how
+the bravest men in other ages and nations have behaved themselves upon
+such incidents as we decide by combat; and show, from their practice,
+that this resentment neither has its foundation from true reason, nor
+solid fame; but is an imposture,[268] made up of cowardice, falsehood,
+and want of understanding. For this work, a good history of quarrels
+would be very edifying to the public, and I apply myself to the town for
+particulars and circumstances within their knowledge, which may serve to
+embellish the dissertation with proper cuts. Most of the quarrels I have
+ever known, have proceeded from some valiant coxcomb's persisting in
+the wrong, to defend some prevailing folly, and preserve himself from
+the ingenuity of owning a mistake.[269]
+
+By this means it is called, "giving a man satisfaction," to urge your
+offence against him with your sword; which puts me in mind of Peter's
+order to the keeper, in the "Tale of a Tub": "If you neglect to do all
+this, damn you and your generation for ever; and so we bid you heartily
+farewell."[270] If the contradiction in the very terms of one of our
+challenges were as well explained, and turned into plain English, would
+it not run after this manner?
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Your extraordinary behaviour last night, and the liberty you were
+pleased to take with me, makes me this morning give you this, to tell
+you, because you are an ill-bred puppy, I will meet you in Hyde Park an
+hour hence; and because you want both breeding and humanity, I desire
+you would come with a pistol in your hand, on horseback, and endeavour
+to shoot me through the head; to teach you more manners. If you fail of
+doing me this pleasure, I shall say, you are a rascal on every post in
+town: and so, sir, if you will not injure me more, I shall never forgive
+what you have done already. Pray sir, do not fail of getting everything
+ready, and you will infinitely oblige,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"humble Servant, &c."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 6.
+
+Among the many employments I am necessarily put upon by my friends, that
+of giving advice is the most unwelcome to me; and indeed, I am forced to
+use a little art in the matter; for some people will ask counsel of you,
+when they have already acted what they tell you is still under
+deliberation. I had almost lost a very good friend the other day, who
+came to know how I liked his design to marry such a lady. I answered,
+"By no means; and I must be positive against it, for very solid reasons,
+which are not proper to communicate." "Not proper to communicate!" said
+he with a grave air, "I will know the bottom of this." I saw him moved,
+and knew from thence he was already determined; therefore evaded it by
+saying, "To tell you the truth, dear Frank, of all women living, I would
+have her myself." "Isaac," said he, "thou art too late, for we have been
+both one these two months." I learned this caution by a gentleman's
+consulting me formerly about his son. He railed at his damned
+extravagance, and told me, in a very little time, he would beggar him by
+the exorbitant bills which came from Oxford every quarter. "Make the
+rogue bite upon the bridle,"[271] said I, "pay none of his bills, it
+will but encourage him to further trespasses." He looked plaguy sour at
+me. His son soon after sent up a paper of verses, forsooth, in print, on
+the last public occasion; upon which, he is convinced the boy has parts,
+and a lad of spirit is not to be too much cramped in his maintenance,
+lest he take ill courses. Neither father nor son can ever since endure
+the sight of me. These sort of people ask opinions, only out of the
+fulness of their heart on the subject of their perplexity, and not from
+a desire of information. There is nothing so easy as to find out which
+opinion the person in doubt has a mind to; therefore the sure way is to
+tell him, that is certainly to be chosen. Then you are to be very clear
+and positive; leave no handle for scruple. "Bless me! sir, there is no
+room for a question." This rivets you into his heart; for you at once
+applaud his wisdom, and gratify his inclination. However, I had too much
+bowels to be insincere to a man who came yesterday to know of me, with
+which of two eminent men in the City he should place his son? Their
+names are Paulo and Avaro.[272] This gave me much debate with myself,
+because not only the fortune of the youth, but his virtue also depended
+upon this choice. The men are equally wealthy; but they differ in the
+use and application of their riches, which you immediately see upon
+entering their doors.
+
+The habitation of Paulo has at once the air of a nobleman and a
+merchant. You see the servants act with affection to their master, and
+satisfaction in themselves: the master meets you with an open
+countenance, full of benevolence and integrity: your business is
+despatched with that confidence and welcome which always accompanies
+honest minds: his table is the image of plenty and generosity, supported
+by justice and frugality. After we had dined here, our affair was to
+visit Avaro: out comes an awkward fellow with a careful countenance;
+"Sir, would you speak with my master? May I crave your name?" After the
+first preambles, he leads us into a noble solitude, a great house that
+seemed uninhabited; but from the end of the spacious hall moves towards
+us Avaro, with a suspicious aspect, as if he believed us thieves; and as
+for my part, I approached him as if I knew him a cut-purse. We fell
+into discourse of his noble dwelling, and the great estate all the world
+knew he had to enjoy in it: and I, to plague him, fell a commending
+Paulo's way of living. "Paulo," answered Avaro, "is a very good man; but
+we who have smaller estates, must cut our coat according to our cloth."
+"Nay," says I, "every man knows his own circumstance best; you are in
+the right, if you haven't wherewithal." He looked very sour (for it is,
+you must know, the utmost vanity of a mean-spirited rich man to be
+contradicted, when he calls himself poor). But I was resolved to vex
+him, by consenting to all he said; the main design of which was, that he
+would have us find out, he was one of the wealthiest men in London, and
+lived like a beggar. We left him, and took a turn on the 'Change. My
+friend was ravished with Avaro. "This," said he, "is certainly a sure
+man." I contradicted him with much warmth, and summed up their different
+characters as well as I could. "This Paulo," said I, "grows wealthy by
+being a common good; Avaro, by being a general evil: Paulo has the art,
+Avaro the craft of trade. When Paulo gains, all men he deals with are
+the better: whenever Avaro profits, another certainly loses. In a word,
+Paulo is a citizen, and Avaro a cit." I convinced my friend, and carried
+the young gentleman the next day to Paulo, where he will learn the way
+both to gain, and enjoy a good fortune. And though I cannot say, I have,
+by keeping him from Avaro, saved him from the gallows, I have prevented
+his deserving it every day he lives: for with Paulo he will be an honest
+man, without being so for fear of the law; as with Avaro, he would have
+been a villain within the protection of it.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 6.
+
+We hear from Vienna of the 1st instant, that Baron Imoff, who attended
+her Catholic Majesty with the character of Envoy from the Duke of
+Wolfembuttel, was returned thither. That Minister brought an account,
+that Major-general Stanhope, with the troops which embarked at Naples,
+was returned to Barcelona. We hear from Berlin, by advices of the 8th
+instant, that his Prussian Majesty had received intelligence from his
+Minister at Dresden, that the King of Denmark desired to meet his
+Majesty at Magdeburg. The King of Prussia has sent answer, that his
+present indisposition will not admit of so great a journey; but has sent
+the king a very pressing invitation to come to Berlin or Potsdam. These
+advices say, that the Minister of the King of Sweden has produced a
+letter from his master to the King of Poland, dated from Batitzau the
+30th of March, O.S., wherein he acquaints him, that he has been
+successful against the Muscovites in all the occasions which have
+happened since his march into their country. Great numbers have revolted
+to the Swedes since General Mazeppa went over to that side; and as many
+as have done so, have taken solemn oaths to adhere to the interests of
+his Swedish Majesty.
+
+Advices from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., say, that all things
+tended to a vigorous and active campaign; the Allies having strong
+resentments against the late behaviour of the Court of France; and the
+French using all possible endeavours to animate their men to defend
+their country against a victorious and exasperated enemy. Monsieur
+Rouill� had passed through Brussels without visiting either the Duke of
+Marlborough or Prince Eugene, who were both there at that time. The
+States have met, and publicly declared their satisfaction in the
+conduct of their deputies during the whole treaty. Letters from France
+say, that the Court is resolved to put all to the issue of the ensuing
+campaign. In the meantime, they have ordered the preliminary treaty to
+be published, with observation upon each article, in order to quiet the
+minds of the people, and persuade them, that it has not been in the
+power of the king to procure a peace, but to the diminution of his
+Majesty's glory, and the hazard of his dominions. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene arrived at Ghent on Wednesday last, where,
+at an assembly of all the general officers, it was thought proper, by
+reason of the great rains which have lately fallen, to defer forming a
+camp, or bringing the troops together; but as soon as the weather would
+permit, to march upon the enemy with all expedition.[273]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 267: For Steele's other papers on duelling, see Nos. 26, 28,
+29, 31, 38, 39.]
+
+[Footnote 268: Something imposed upon us.]
+
+[Footnote 269: "While this barbarous custom of duelling is tolerated, we
+shall never be rid of coxcombs, who will defend their understandings by
+the sword, and force us to bear nonsense on pain of death."--(Steele,
+_Theatre_, No. 26.)]
+
+[Footnote 270: Swift's "Tale of a Tub," sect. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 271: _I.e._, hold him in.]
+
+[Footnote 272: Said to be Bateman and Heathcote, both eminent
+citizens--(_Gentleman's Magazine_, lx. 679.)]
+
+[Footnote 273: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received a letter, dated June 6,
+with the just exceptions against the pretence of persons therein
+mentioned, to the name of Pretty Fellows, which shall be taken notice of
+accordingly: as likewise, the letter from Anthony Longtail of
+Canterbury, concerning the death of Thomas � Becket" (folio). See Nos.
+24, 26.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 26. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 7_, to _Thursday, June 9_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 8.
+
+I have read the following letter with delight and approbation, and I
+hereby order Mr. Kidney at St. James's, and Sir Thomas at White's[274]
+(who are my clerks for enrolling all men in their distant classes,
+before they presume to drink tea or chocolate in those places), to take
+care, that the persons within the descriptions in the letter be
+admitted, and excluded according to my friend's remonstrance.[275]
+
+"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; at Mr. Morphew's near Stationers' Hall._
+
+"_June 6_, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Your paper of Saturday[276] has raised up in me a noble emulation, to
+be recorded in the foremost rank of worthies therein mentioned; and if
+any regard be had to merit or industry, I may hope to succeed in the
+promotion, for I have omitted no toil or expense to be a proficient; and
+if my friends do not flatter, they assure me, I have not lost my time
+since I came to town. To enumerate but a few particulars; there's hardly
+a coachman I meet with, but desires to be excused taking me, because he
+has had me before. I have compounded two or three rapes; and let out to
+hire as many bastards to beggars. I never saw above the first act of a
+play: and as to my courage, it is well known, I have more than once had
+sufficient witnesses of my drawing my sword both in tavern and
+playhouse. Dr. Wall[277] is my particular friend; and if it were any
+service to the public to compose the difference between Marten and
+Sintilaer[278] the pearl-driller, I don't know a judge of more
+experience than myself: for in that I may say with the poet,
+
+    "'_Qu� regio in villa nostri non plena laboris?_'[279]
+
+"I omit other less particulars, the necessary consequences of greater
+actions. But my reason for troubling you at this present is, to put a
+stop, if it may be, to an insinuating, increasing set of people, who
+sticking to the letter of your treatise, and not to the spirit of it, do
+assume the name of 'pretty fellows'; nay, and even get new names, as you
+very well hint. Some of them I have heard calling to one another, as I
+have sat at White's and St. James's, by the names of Betty, Nelly, and
+so forth. You see them accost each other with effeminate airs: they have
+their signs and tokens like freemasons: they rail at women-kind; receive
+visits on their beds in gowns, and do a thousand other unintelligible
+prettinesses that I cannot tell what to make of. I therefore heartily
+desire you would exclude all this sort of animals.
+
+"There is another matter I am foreseeing an ill consequence from, but
+may be timely prevented by prudence; which is, that for the last
+fortnight, prodigious shoals of volunteers have gone over to bully the
+French, upon hearing the peace was just signing; and this is so true,
+that I can assure you, all engrossing work about the Temple is risen
+above 3_s_. in the pound for want of hands. Now as it is possible some
+little alteration of affairs may have broken their measures, and that
+they will post back again, I am under the last apprehension, that these
+will, at their return, all set up for 'pretty fellows,' and thereby
+confound all merit and service, and impose on us some new alteration in
+our nightcap-wigs[280] and pockets, unless you can provide a particular
+class for them. I cannot apply myself better than to you, and I am sure
+I speak the mind of a very great number as deserving as myself."
+
+The pretensions of this correspondent are worthy a particular
+distinction: he cannot indeed be admitted as a "pretty," but is, what we
+more justly call, a "smart fellow." Never to pay at the playhouse, is an
+act of frugality, that lets you into his character. And his expedient in
+sending his children a-begging before they can go, are characteristical
+instances that he belongs to this class. I never saw the gentleman; but
+I know by his letter, he hangs his cane on his button;[281] and by some
+lines of it, he should wear red-heeled shoes;[282] which are essential
+parts of the habit belonging to the order of "smart fellows."
+
+My familiar is returned with the following letter from the French king:
+
+"Versailles, _June 13_, 1709.
+
+#"_Louis XIV. to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._[283]#
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I have your epistle, and must take the liberty to say, that there has
+been a time, when there were generous spirits in Great Britain, who
+would not have suffered my name to be treated with the familiarity you
+think fit to use. I thought liberal men would not be such time-servers,
+as to fall upon a man because his friends are not in power. But having
+some concern for what you may transmit to posterity concerning me, I am
+willing to keep terms with you, and make a request to you, which is,
+that you would give my service to the nineteenth century (if ever you or
+yours reach to them), and tell them, that I have settled all matters
+between them and me by Monsieur Boileau. I should be glad to see you
+here."
+
+It is very odd this prince should offer to invite me into his dominions,
+or believe I should accept the invitation. No, no, I remember too well
+how he served an ingenious gentleman, a friend of mine,[284] whom he
+locked up in the Bastille for no reason in the world, but because he was
+a wit, and feared he might mention him with justice in some of his
+writings. His way is, that all men of sense are preferred, banished, or
+imprisoned. He has indeed a sort of justice in him, like that of the
+gamesters; if a stander-by sees one at play cheat, he has a right to
+come in for snares, for knowing the mysteries of the game. This is a
+very wise and just maxim; and if I have not left at Mr. Morphew's,
+directed to me, bank bills for �200 on or before this day sevennight, I
+shall tell how Tom Cash got his estate. I expect three hundred pounds of
+Mr. Soilett, for concealing all the money he has lent to himself, and
+his landed friend bound with him, at thirty per cent. at his
+scrivener's. Absolute princes make people pay what they please in
+deference to their power: I do not know why I should not do the same,
+out of fear or respect to my knowledge. I always preserve decorums and
+civilities to the fair sex: therefore if a certain lady, who left her
+coach at the New Exchange[285] door in the Strand, and whipped down
+Durham Yard into a boat with a young gentleman for Fox Hall;[286] I say,
+if she will send me word, that I may give the fan which she dropped, and
+I found, to my sister Jenny, there shall be no more said of it. I expect
+hush-money to be regularly sent for every folly or vice any one commits
+in this whole town; and hope I may pretend to deserve it better than a
+chamber-maid, or _valet-de-chambre_: they only whisper it to the little
+set of their companions; but I can tell it to all men living, or who are
+to live. Therefore I desire all my readers to pay their fines, or mend
+their lives.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 8.
+
+My familiar being come from France, with an answer to my letter to Lewis
+of that kingdom, instead of going on in a discourse of what he had seen
+in that Court, he put on the immediate concern of a guardian, and fell
+to inquiring into my thoughts and adventures since his journey. As short
+as his stay had been, I confessed I had had many occasions for his
+assistance in my conduct; but communicated to him my thoughts of putting
+all my force against the horrid and senseless custom of duels. "If it
+were possible," said he, "to laugh at things in themselves so deeply
+tragical as the impertinent profusion of human life, I think I could
+divert you with a figure I saw just after my death, when the philosopher
+threw me, as I told you some days ago, into the pail of water.[287] You
+are to know, that when men leave the body, there are receptacles for
+them as soon as they depart, according to the manner in which they lived
+and died. At the very instant that I was killed, there came away with me
+a spirit which had lost its body in a duel. We were both examined. Me,
+the whole assembly looked at with kindness and pity, but at the same
+time with an air of welcome, and consolation: they pronounced me very
+happy, who had died in innocence; and told me, a quite different place
+was allotted to me, than that which was appointed for my companion;
+there being a great distance from the mansions of fools and innocents:
+'though at the same time,' said one of the ghosts, there is a great
+affinity between an idiot who has been so for long life, and a child who
+departs before maturity. But this gentleman who has arrived with you is
+a fool of his own making, is ignorant out of choice, and will fare
+accordingly.' The assembly began to flock about him, and one said to
+him, 'Sir, I observed you came into the gate of persons murdered, and I
+desire to know what brought you to your untimely end?' He said, he had
+been a second. Socrates (who may be said to have been murdered by the
+commonwealth of Athens) stood by, and began to draw near him, in order,
+after his manner, to lead him into a sense of his error by concessions
+in his own discourse. 'Sir,' said that divine and amicable spirit, 'what
+was the quarrel?' He answered, 'We shall know very suddenly, when the
+principal in the business comes, for he was desperately wounded before I
+fell.' 'Sir,' said the sage, 'had you an estate?' 'Yes, sir,' the new
+guest answered, 'I have left it in a very good condition; I made my will
+the night before this occasion.' 'Did you read it before you signed it?'
+'Yes sure, sir,' said the newcomer. Socrates replies, could a man that
+would not give his estate without reading the instrument, dispose of his
+life without asking a question? That illustrious shade turned from him,
+and a crowd of impertinent goblins, who had been drolls and parasites in
+their lifetime, and were knocked on the head for their sauciness, came
+about my fellow-traveller, and made themselves very merry with questions
+about the words 'carte' and 'terce' and other terms of fencers. But his
+thoughts began to settle into reflection upon the adventure which had
+robbed him of his late being; and with a wretched sigh, said he, 'How
+terrible are conviction and guilt when they come too late for
+penitence!'" Pacolet was going on in this strain, but he recovered from
+it, and told me, it was too soon to give my discourse on this subject so
+serious a turn; you have chiefly to do with that part of mankind which
+must be led into reflection by degrees, and you must treat this custom
+with humour and raillery to get an audience, before you come to
+pronounce sentence upon it. There is foundation enough for raising such
+entertainments from the practice on this occasion. Don't you know, that
+often a man is called out of bed to follow implicitly a coxcomb (with
+whom he would not keep company on any other occasion) to ruin and death?
+Then a good list of such as are qualified by the laws of these
+uncourteous men of chivalry to enter into combat (who are often persons
+of honour without common honesty): these, I say, ranged and drawn up in
+their proper order, would give an aversion to doing anything in common
+with such as men laugh at and contemn. But to go through this work, you
+must not let your thoughts vary, or make excursions from your theme:
+consider at the same time, that the matter has been often treated by the
+ablest and greatest writers; yet that must not discourage you; for the
+properest person to handle it, is one who has roved into mixed
+conversations, and must have opportunities (which I shall give you) of
+seeing these sort of men in their pleasures and gratifications; among
+which, they pretend to reckon fighting. It was pleasantly enough said of
+a bully in France, when duels first began to be punished: "The king has
+taken away gaming, and stage-playing, and now fighting too; how does he
+expect gentlemen shall divert themselves?"[288]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 274: See Nos. 1, 10, 16.]
+
+[Footnote 275: This letter is probably by Anthony Henley; see
+advertisement at end of No. 25. At this time Henley was M.P. for
+Weymouth, and a friend of the wits belonging to the Whig party. He died
+in 1711. See Nos. 11, 193.]
+
+[Footnote 276: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 277: Wall and the others named were quack doctors.]
+
+[Footnote 278: Sintelaer, who lived in High Holborn, published in Feb.
+1709, "The Scourge of Venus and Mercury. With an appendix in answer to
+Mr. John Marten's reflections thereupon" (_Postman_, Feb. 24 to 26,
+1709).]
+
+[Footnote 279: "�neid," i. 460. Steele alters Virgil's "terriss" to
+"villa."]
+
+[Footnote 280: A sort of periwig, with a short tie and small round head.
+See No. 30, end. In the _Spectator_ (No. 319), Dorinda describes a
+humble servant of hers who "appeared to me in one of those wigs that I
+think you call a 'night-cap,' which had altered him more effectually
+than before. He afterwards played a couple of black riding wigs upon me,
+with the same success."]
+
+[Footnote 281: The elaborate canes used by the beaux commonly had a
+ribbon to enable them to be hung on the button of the waistcoat. Thus we
+find among the advertisements for lost canes, "A cane with a silver head
+and a black ribbon in it, the top of it amber, part of the head to turn
+round, and in it a perspective glass."]
+
+[Footnote 282: Men of fashion wore very high-heeled shoes, and their red
+heels are often satirised by Steele and Addison (cf. _Spectator_, No.
+311). In No. 16 of the _Spectator_ Addison said, "It is not my intention
+to sink the dignity of this my paper with reflections upon red-heels or
+topknots."]
+
+[Footnote 283: See Nos. 19, 23.]
+
+[Footnote 284: Probably Sir John Vanbrugh.]
+
+[Footnote 285: A bazaar on the south side of the Strand, between George
+Court and Durham Street, and opposite Bedford Street. There were two
+long and double galleries, one above the other, containing shops, with
+pretty attendants. The New Exchange was a favourite lounge, and is
+frequently mentioned in the Restoration literature; it was pulled down
+in 1737. See _Spectator_, Nos. 96, 155, and Steele's "Lying Lover," act
+ii. sc. 2, where Young Bookwit says, "My choice was so distracted among
+the pretty merchants and their dealers, that I knew not where to run
+first." On the other hand, we find complaints that young fops hindered
+business by lolling on the counter an hour longer than was necessary,
+and annoyed the young women who served them with ingenious ribaldry.]
+
+[Footnote 286: Vauxhall, or Fox-hall, Gardens were formed about 1661, on
+the Surrey side of the Thames, and were at first called the New Spring
+Gardens, to distinguish them from the Old Spring Gardens at Charing
+Cross. At the end of the seventeenth century Vauxhall was a favourite
+place for assignations, and Pepys was scandalised at scenes he there
+witnessed. The gardens were reopened in 1732, after being closed, it
+would seem, for some years, and they continued to be a place of
+fashionable resort until the end of the reign of George III.]
+
+[Footnote 287: See No. 15.]
+
+[Footnote 288: "Whereas several gentlemen have desired this paper with a
+blank leaf to write business on, and for the convenience of the post;
+this is to give notice, that this day, and for the future, it may be had
+of Mr. Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio, advertisement).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 27. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, June 9_, to _Saturday, June 11, 1709_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 9.
+
+Pacolet being gone a strolling among the men of the sword, in order to
+find out the secret causes of the frequent disputes we meet with, and
+furnish me with material for my treatise on duelling; I have room left
+to go on in my information to my country readers, whereby they may
+understand the bright people whose memoirs I have taken upon me to
+write. But in my discourse of the 28th of the last month,[289] I omitted
+to mention the most agreeable of all bad characters; and that is, a
+Rake.
+
+A Rake is a man always to be pitied; and if he lives, is one day
+certainly reclaimed; for his faults proceed not from choice or
+inclination, but from strong passions and appetites, which are in youth
+too violent for the curb of reason, good sense, good manners, and good
+nature: all which he must have by nature and education, before he can be
+allowed to be, or have been of this order. He is a poor unwieldy wretch,
+that commits faults out of the redundance of his good qualities. His
+pity and compassion make him sometimes a bubble to all his fellows, let
+them be never so much below him in understanding. His desires run away
+with him through the strength and force of a lively imagination, which
+hurries him on to unlawful pleasures, before reason has power to come in
+to his rescue. Thus, with all the good intentions in the world to
+amendment, this creature sins on against heaven, himself, his friends,
+and his country, who all call for a better use of his talents. There is
+not a being under the sun so miserable as this: he goes on in a pursuit
+he himself disapproves, and has no enjoyment but what is followed by
+remorse; no relief from remorse, but the repetition of his crime. It is
+possible I may talk of this person with too much indulgence; but I must
+repeat it, that I think this a character which is the most the object of
+pity of any in the world. The man in the pangs of the stone, gout, or
+any acute distempers, is not in so deplorable a condition in the eye of
+right sense, as he that errs and repents, and repents and errs on. The
+fellow with broken limbs justly deserves your alms for his impotent
+condition; but he that cannot use his own reason, is in a much worse
+state; for you see him in miserable circumstances, with his remedy at
+the same time in his own possession, if he would or could use it. This
+is the cause, that of all ill characters, the rake has the best quarter
+in the world; for when he is himself, and unruffled with intemperance,
+you see his natural faculties exert themselves, and attract an eye of
+favour towards his infirmities. But if we look round us here, how many
+dull rogues are there, that would fain be what this poor man hates
+himself for? All the noise towards six in the evening,[290] is caused by
+his mimics and imitators. How ought men of sense to be careful of their
+actions, if it were merely from the indignation of feeling themselves
+ill drawn by such little pretenders? not to say, he that leads, is
+guilty of all the actions of his followers: and a rake has imitators
+whom you would never expect should prove so. Second-hand vice sure of
+all is the most nauseous. There is hardly a folly more absurd, or which
+seems less to be accounted for (though it is what we see every day) than
+that grave and honest natures give into this way, and at the same time
+have good sense, if they thought fit to use it: but the fatality (under
+which most men labour) of desiring to be what they are not, makes them
+go out of a method, in which they might be received with applause, and
+would certainly excel, into one, wherein they will all their life have
+the air of strangers to what they aim at. For this reason, I have not
+lamented the metamorphosis of any one I know so much as of Nobilis, who
+was born with sweetness of temper, just apprehension, and everything
+else that might make him a man fit for his order. But instead of the
+pursuit of sober studies and applications, in which he would certainly
+be capable of making a considerable figure in the noblest assembly of
+men in the world; I say, in spite of that good nature, which is his
+proper bent, he will say ill-natured things aloud, put such as he was,
+and still should be, out of countenance, and drown all the natural good
+in him, to receive an artificial ill character, in which he will never
+succeed: for Nobilis is no rake. He may guzzle as much wine as he
+pleases, talk bawdy if he thinks fit; but he may as well drink
+water-gruel, and go twice a day to church, for it will never do. I
+pronounce it again, Nobilis is no rake. To be of that order, he must be
+vicious against his will, and not so by study or application. All Pretty
+Fellows are also excluded to a man, as well as all Inamaratos, or
+persons of the epicene gender, who gaze at one another in the presence
+of ladies. This class, of which I am giving you an account, is pretended
+to also by men of strong abilities in drinking; though they are such
+whom the liquor, not the conversation, keeps together. But blockheads
+may roar, fight, and stab, and be never the nearer; their labour is also
+lost; they want sense: they are no rakes.
+
+As a rake among men is the man who lives in the constant abuse of his
+reason, so a coquette among women is one who lives in continual
+misapplication of her beauty. The chief of all whom I have the honour to
+be acquainted with, is pretty Mrs. Toss: she is ever in practice of
+something which disfigures her, and takes from her charms; though all
+she does, tends to a contrary effect. She has naturally a very agreeable
+voice and utterance, which she has changed for the prettiest lisp
+imaginable. She sees what she has a mind to see, at half a mile distance;
+but poring with her eyes half shut at every one she passes by, she
+believes much more becoming. The Cupid on her fan and she have their eyes
+full on each other, all the time in which they are not both in motion.
+Whenever her eye is turned from that dear object, you may have a glance,
+and your bow, if she is in humour, returned as civilly as you make it;
+but that must not be in the presence of a man of greater quality: for
+Mrs. Toss is so thoroughly well bred, that the chief person present has
+all her regards. And she, who giggles at divine service, and laughs at
+her very mother, can compose herself at the approach of a man of a good
+estate.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 9.
+
+A fine lady showed a gentleman of this company, for an eternal answer to
+all his addresses, a paper of verses, with which she is so captivated,
+that she professed, the author should be the happy man in spite of all
+other pretenders. It is ordinary for love to make men poetical, and it
+had that effect on this enamoured man: but he was resolved to try his
+vein upon some of her confidantes or retinue, before he ventured upon so
+high a theme as herself. To do otherwise than so, would be like making
+an heroic poem a man's first attempt. Among the favourites to the fair
+one, he found her parrot not to be in the last degree: he saw Poll had
+her ear, when his sighs were neglected. To write against him, had been a
+fruitless labour; therefore he resolved to flatter him into his
+interests, in the following manner:
+
+#"To a Lady on her Parrot.#
+
+    _"When nymphs were coy, and love could not prevail,
+    The gods disguised were seldom known to fail,
+    Leda was chaste, but yet a feathered Jove
+    Surprised the fair, and taught her how to love.
+    There's no celestial but his heaven would quit,
+    For any form which might to thee admit.
+    See how the wanton bird, at every glance,
+    Swells his glad plumes, and feels an amorous trance.
+    The queen of beauty has forsook the dove,
+    Henceforth the parrot be the bird of love."_
+
+It is indeed a very just proposition, to give that honour rather to the
+parrot than the other volatile. The parrot represents us in the state of
+making love: the dove in the possession of the object beloved. But
+instead of turning the dove off, I fancy it would be better if the
+chaise of Venus had hereafter a parrot added (as we see sometimes a
+third horse to a coach) which might intimate, that to be a parrot, is
+the only way to succeed; and to be a dove, to preserve your conquests.
+If the swain would go on successfully, he must imitate the bird he
+writes upon. For he who would be loved by women, must never be silent
+before the favour, or open his lips after it.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 10.
+
+I have so many messages from young gentlemen who expect preferment and
+distinction, that I am wholly at a loss in what manner to acquit myself.
+The writer of the following letter tells me in a postscript, he cannot
+go out of town till I have taken some notice of him, and is very urgent
+to be somebody, in town before he leaves it, and returns to his commons
+at the university. But take it from himself.
+
+#"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., Monitor-General of Great Britain._#
+
+"Shire Lane, _June 8._
+
+I have been above six months from the university, of age these three
+months, and so long in town. I was recommended to one Charles
+Bubbleboy[291] near the Temple, who has supplied me with all the
+furniture he says a gentleman ought to have. I desired a certificate
+thereof from him, which he said would require some time to consider of;
+and when I went yesterday morning for it, he tells me, upon due
+consideration, I still want some few odd things more, to the value of
+threescore or fourscore pounds, to make me complete. I have bespoke
+them; and the favour I beg of you is, to know, when I am equipped, in
+what part or class of men in this town you will place me. Pray send me
+word what I am, and you shall find me,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "JEFFRY NICKNACK."
+
+I am very willing to encourage young beginners; but am extremely in the
+dark how to dispose of this gentleman. I cannot see either his person or
+habit in this letter; but I'll call at Charles', and know the shape of
+his snuff-box, by which I can settle his character. Though indeed, to
+know his full capacity, I ought to be informed, whether he takes Spanish
+or musty.[292]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 10.
+
+Letters from the Low Countries of the 17th instant say, that the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Prince of Savoy intended to leave Ghent on that day,
+and join the army, which lies between Pont d'Espiere and Courtray, their
+headquarters being at Helchin. The same day the Palatine foot was
+expected at Brussels. Lieutenant-General Dompre, with a body of eight
+thousand men, is posted at Alost, in order to cover Ghent and Brussels.
+The Marshal de Villars was still on the plains of Lens; and it is said,
+the Duke of Vend�me is appointed to command in conjunction with that
+general. Advices from Paris say, Monsieur Voisin is made Secretary of
+State, upon Monsieur Chamillard's resignation of that employment. The
+want of money in that kingdom is so great, that the Court has thought
+fit to command all the plate of private families to be brought into the
+Mint. They write from the Hague of the 18th, that the States of Holland
+continue their session; and that they have approved the resolution of
+the States-General, to publish a second edict to prohibit the sale of
+corn to the enemy. Many eminent persons in that assembly have declared,
+that they are of opinion, that all commerce whatsoever with France
+should be wholly forbidden: which point is under present deliberation;
+but it is feared it will meet with powerful opposition.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 289: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 290: People of fashion dined at about four o'clock in Queen
+Anne's time, and by six the men, who had often drunk a good deal of
+wine, would be finding their way to the clubs and coffee-houses.]
+
+[Footnote 291: Charles Mather, a toyman in Fleet Street, next door to
+Nandoe's Coffee-house, over against Chancery Lane. Swift wrote ("Sid
+Hamet's Rod," 1710):
+
+    "No hobby horse with gorgeous top,
+    The dearest in Charles Mather's shop;
+    Or glittering tinsel of Mayfair
+    Could with the rod of Sid compare."
+
+See Nos. 113, 142, and _Spectator_, Nos. 328, 503 ("One of Charles
+Mather's fine tablets"), and 570 ("The famous Charles Mather was bred up
+under him").]
+
+[Footnote 292: Charles Lillie, the perfumer, tells us how snuff came
+into use. A great quantity of musty snuff was captured in the Spanish
+fleet taken at Vigo in 1702, and snuff with this special musty flavour
+became the fashion. In No. 138 of the _Spectator_, Steele humorously
+announced that "the exercise of the snuff-box, according to the most
+fashionable airs and motions, in opposition to the exercise of the fair,
+will be taught with the best plain or perfumed snuff at Charles
+Lillie's, perfumer, at the corner of Beaufort Buildings in the Strand."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 28. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 11_, to _Tuesday, June 14, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 13.
+
+I had suspended the business of duelling to a distant time, but that I
+am called upon to declare myself on a point proposed in the following
+letter.
+
+                                        "_June 9, at night._
+
+"Sir,
+
+"I desire the favour of you to decide this question, whether calling a
+gentleman a 'smart fellow' is an affront or not? A youth entering a
+certain coffee-house, with his cane tied at his button, wearing
+red-heeled shoes, I thought of your description,[293] and could not
+forbear telling a friend of mine next to me, 'There enters a smart
+fellow.' The gentleman hearing it, had immediately a mind to pick a
+quarrel with me, and desired satisfaction: at which I was more puzzled
+than at the other, remembering what mention your familiar makes of those
+that had lost their lives on such occasions. The thing is referred to
+your judgment, and I expect you to be my second, since you have been the
+cause of our quarrel. I am,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your Friend and humble Servant."
+
+I absolutely pronounce, that there is no occasion of offence given in
+this expression; for a "smart fellow" is always an appellation of
+praise, and is a man of double capacity. The true cast or mould in which
+you may be sure to know him is, when his livelihood or education is in
+the Civil List, and you see him express a vivacity or mettle above the
+way he is in by a little jerk in his motion, short trip in his steps,
+well-fancied lining of his coat, or any other indications which may be
+given in a vigorous dress. Now, what possible insinuation can there be,
+that it is a cause of quarrel for a man to say, he allows a gentleman
+really to be, what he, his tailor, his hosier, and his milliner, have
+conspired to make him? I confess, if this person who appeals to me had
+said, he was _not_ a "smart fellow," there had been cause for
+resentment; but if he stands to it that he is one, he leaves no manner
+of ground for a misunderstanding. Indeed, it is a most lamentable thing,
+that there should be a dispute raised upon a man's saying another is,
+what he plainly takes pains to be thought. But this point cannot be so
+well adjusted, as by inquiring what are the sentiments of wise nations
+and communities of the use of the sword, and from thence conclude,
+whether it is honourable to draw it so frequently or not? An illustrious
+commonwealth of Italy[294] has preserved itself for many ages, without
+letting one of their subjects handle this destructive instrument, always
+leaving that work to such of mankind as understand the use of a whole
+skin so little, as to make a profession of exposing it to cuts and
+scars. But what need we run to such foreign instances: our own ancient
+and well-governed cities are conspicuous examples to all mankind in
+their regulation of military achievements. The chief citizens, like the
+noble Italians, hire mercenaries to carry arms in their stead; and you
+shall have a fellow of a desperate fortune, for the gain of one
+half-crown, go through all the dangers of Tothill Fields, or the
+Artillery Ground,[295] clap his right jaw within two inches of the
+touch-hole of a musket, fire it off, and huzza, with as little concern
+as he tears a pullet. Thus you see to what scorn of danger these
+mercenaries arrive, out of a mere love of sordid gain: but methinks it
+should take off the strong prepossession men have in favour of bold
+actions, when they see upon what low motives men aspire to them. Do but
+observe the common practice in the government of those heroic bodies,
+our militia and lieutenancies, the most ancient corps of soldiers,
+perhaps, in the universe. I question whether there is one instance of an
+animosity between any two of these illustrious sons of Mars since their
+institution, which was decided by combat? I remember indeed to have read
+the chronicle of an accident which had like to have occasioned bloodshed
+in the very field before all the general officers, though most of them
+were justices of the peace: Captain Crabtree of Birching Lane,
+haberdasher, had drawn a bill upon Major-General Maggot, cheesemonger in
+Thames Street. Crabtree draws this upon Mr. William Maggot and Company.
+A country lad received this bill, and not understanding the word
+"company," used in drawing bills on men in partnership, carried it to
+Mr. Jeffry Stick of Crooked Lane (lieutenant of the major-general's
+company) whom he had the day before seen march by the door in all the
+pomp of his commission. The lieutenant accepts it, for the honour of the
+company, since it had come to him. But repayment being asked from the
+major-general, he absolutely refuses. Upon this, the lieutenant thinks
+of nothing less than to bring this to a rupture, and takes for his
+second, Tobias Armstrong of the Counter,[296] and sends him with a
+challenge in a script of parchment, wherein was written, "Stitch contra
+Maggot," and all the fury vanished in a moment. The major-general gives
+satisfaction to the second, and all was well. Hence it is, that the bold
+spirits of our city are kept in such subjection to the civil power.
+Otherwise, where would our liberties soon be? If wealth and valour were
+suffered to exert themselves with their utmost force: if such officers
+as are employed in the terrible bands above-mentioned, were to draw
+bills as well as swords: these dangerous captains, who could victual an
+army as well as lead it, would be too powerful for the State. But the
+point of honour justly gives way to that of gain; and by long and wise
+regulation, the richest is the bravest man. I have known a captain rise
+to a colonel in two days by the fall of stocks; and a major, my good
+friend, near the Monument, ascended to that honour by the fall of the
+price of spirits, and the rising of right Nantz. By this true sense of
+honour, that body of warriors are ever in good order and discipline,
+with their colours and coats all whole: as in other battalions (where
+their principles of action are less solid) you see the men of service
+look like spectres, with long sides, and lank cheeks. In this army, you
+may measure a man's services by his waist, and the most prominent belly
+is certainly the man who has been most upon action. Besides all this,
+there is another excellent remark to be made in the discipline of these
+troops. It being of absolute necessity that the people of England should
+see what they have for their money, and be eye-witnesses of the
+advantages they gain by it, all battles which are fought abroad are
+represented here. But since one side must be beaten, and the other
+conquer, which might create disputes, the eldest company is always to
+make the other run, and the younger retreats, according to the last news
+and best intelligence. I have myself seen Prince Eugene make Catinat fly
+from the back-side of Gray's Inn Lane to Hockley-in-the-Hole,[297] and
+not give over the pursuit, till obliged to leave the Bear Garden on the
+right, to avoid being borne down by fencers, wild bulls and monsters,
+too terrible for the encounter of any heroes, but such whose lives are
+their livelihood.
+
+We have here seen, that wise nations do not admit of fighting, even in
+the defence of their country, as a laudable action; and they live
+within the walls of our own city in great honour and reputation without
+it. It would be very necessary to understand, by what force of the
+climate, food, education, or employment, one man's sense is brought to
+differ so essentially from that of another; that one is ridiculous and
+contemptible for forbearing a thing which makes for his safety; and
+another applauded for consulting his ruin and destruction.
+
+It will therefore be necessary for us (to show our travelling) to
+examine this subject fully, and tell you how it comes to pass, that a
+man of honour in Spain, though you offend him never so gallantly, stabs
+you basely; in England, though you offend never so basely, challenges
+fairly: the former kills you out of revenge; the latter out of good
+breeding. But to probe the heart of a man in this particular to its
+utmost thoughts and recesses, I must wait for the return of Pacolet, who
+is now attending a gentleman lately in a duel, and sometimes visits the
+person by whose hand he received his wounds.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 13.
+
+Letters from Vienna of the 8th instant say, there has been a journal of
+the marches and actions of the King of Sweden, from the beginning of
+January to the 11th of April, N.S., communicated by the Swedish
+Ministers to that Court. These advices inform, that his Swedish Majesty
+entered the territories of Muscovy in February last with the main body
+of his army, in order to oblige the enemy to a general engagement; but
+that the Muscovites declining a battle, and a universal thaw having
+rendered the rivers unpassable, the king returned into Ukrania. There
+are mentioned several rencounters between considerable detachments of
+the Swedish and Russian armies. Marshal Heister intended to take his
+leave of the Court on the day after the date of these letters, and put
+himself at the head of the army in Hungary. The malcontents had
+attempted to send in a supply of provisions into Neuheusel; but their
+design was disappointed by the Germans.
+
+Advices from Berlin of the 15th instant, N.S., say, that his Danish
+Majesty having received an invitation from the King of Prussia to an
+interview, designed to come to Potsdam within few days; and that King
+Augustus resolved to accompany him thither. To avoid all difficulties in
+ceremony, the three kings, and all the company who shall have the honour
+to sit with them at table, are to draw lots, and take precedence
+accordingly.
+
+They write from Hamburg of the 18th instant, N.S., that some particular
+letters from Dantzic speak of a late action between the Swedes and
+Muscovites near Jaroslaw; but that engagement being mentioned from no
+other place, there is not much credit given to this intelligence.
+
+We hear from Brussels, by letters, dated the 20th, that on the 14th in
+the evening the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene arrived at
+Courtray, with a design to proceed the day following to Lille, in the
+neighbourhood of which city the confederate army was to rendezvous the
+same day. Advices from Paris inform us, that the Marshal de Bezons is
+appointed to command in Dauphin�; and that the Duke of Berwick is set
+out for Spain, with a design to follow the fortunes of the Duke of
+Anjou, in case the French king should comply with the late demands of
+the Allies.
+
+The Court of France has sent a circular letter to all the governors of
+the provinces, to recommend to their consideration his Majesty's late
+conduct in the affair of peace. It is thought fit in that epistle, to
+condescend to a certain appeal to the people, whether it is consistent
+with the dignity of the crown, or the French name, to submit to the
+preliminaries demanded by the confederates? The letter dwells upon the
+unreasonableness of the Allies, in requiring, that his Majesty should
+assist in dethroning his grandson, and treats this particular in
+language more suitable to it, as it is a topic of oratory, than a real
+circumstance, on which the interests of nations, and reasons of State,
+which affect all Europe, are concerned.
+
+The close of this memorial seems to prepare the people to expect all
+events, attributing the confidence of the enemy to the goodness of their
+troops; but acknowledging, that his sole dependence is upon the
+intervention of Providence.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 293: See No. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 294: Venice, where mercenaries were employed for fighting
+purposes.]
+
+[Footnote 295: The City train-bands were often the subject of ridicule
+by the wits. See "Harleian Misc." i. 206, Cowper's "John Gilpin," and
+Nos. 38, 41. Tothill Fields, Westminster, and the Artillery Ground,
+Finsbury, were the usual exercising-grounds for the train-bands.]
+
+[Footnote 296: The Compter was a prison for the city of London, where
+debtors and others were confined.]
+
+[Footnote 297: Steele wrote at length in the _Spectator_ (No. 436) of a
+trial of skill in the noble art of self-defence at Hockley-in-the-Hole;
+and in No. 630 there is an allusion to the gladiators of
+Hockley-in-the-Hole. In the "Beggar's Opera," Mrs. Peachum says: "You
+should to Hockley-in-the-Hole and to Marybone, child, to learn valour;
+there are the schools that have bred so many brave men." As to the other
+sports at the Bear Garden, see No. 134, and Gay's "Trivia," ii. 407-12:
+
+    "When thro' the town, with slow and solemn air,
+    Led by the nostril, walks the muzzled bear;
+    Behind him moves, majestically dull,
+    The pride of Hockley-hole, the surly bull;
+    Learn hence the periods of the week to name:
+    Mondays and Thursdays are the days of game."
+
+There were seats, at half a crown and upwards, for the quality; the
+neighbourhood of the Bear Garden was infested by thieves. The following
+are specimens of the advertisements common about 1709: "At the
+Bear-garden, in Hockley in the Hole. A trial of skill, to be performed
+between two profound masters of the noble science of defence, on
+Wednesday next, the 13th of July, 1702, at two o'clock precisely. I
+George Gray, born in the city of Norwich, who has fought in most parts
+of the West Indies, viz., Jamaica, Barbadoes, and several other parts of
+the world, in all twenty-five times upon the stage, and was never yet
+worsted; and am now lately come to London, do invite James Harris to
+meet, and exercise at the following weapons, back-sword, sword and
+dagger, sword and buckler, single falchon, and case of falchons. I James
+Harris, master of the said noble science of defence, who formerly rid in
+the Horse-guards, and hath fought 110 prizes, and never left a stage to
+any man, will not fail (God willing) to meet this brave and bold
+inviter, at the time and place appointed, desiring sharp swords, and
+from him no favour. No person to be upon the stage, but the seconds.
+_Vivat Regina_."
+
+"At the Bear-garden in Hockley in the Hole, near Clerkenwell Green,
+1710. This is to give notice to all gentlemen, gamesters, and others,
+that on this present Monday is a match to be fought by two dogs, one
+from Newgate-market, against one from Honey-lane market, at a bull, for
+a guinea to be spent, five let-goes out of hand, which goes fairest and
+fastest in, wins all. Likewise, a green bull to be baited, which was
+never baited before; and a bull to be turned loose with fireworks all
+over him. Also a mad ass to be baited. With a variety of bull-baiting
+and bear-baiting, and a dog to be drawn up with fireworks. To begin
+exactly at three of the clock."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 29. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 14_, to _Thursday, June 16, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 14.
+
+Having a very solid respect for human nature, however it is distorted
+from its natural make, by affectation, humour, custom, misfortune, or
+vice, I do apply myself to my friends to help me in raising arguments
+for preserving it in all its individuals, as long as it is permitted. To
+one of my letters on this subject, I have received the following
+answer:[298]
+
+"SIR,
+
+"In answer to your question, why men of sense, virtue, and experience,
+are seen still to comply with that ridiculous custom of duelling, I must
+desire you to reflect, that custom has dished up in ruffs the wisest
+heads of our ancestors, and put the best of the present age into huge
+falbala periwigs.[299] Men of sense would not impose such encumbrances
+on themselves; but be glad they might show their faces decently in
+public upon easier terms. If then such men appear reasonably slaves to
+the fashion, in what regards the figure of their persons, we ought not
+to wonder, that they are at least so in what seems to touch their
+reputations. Besides, you can't be ignorant, that dress and chivalry
+have been always encouraged by the ladies, as the two principal branches
+of gallantry. It is to avoid being sneered at for his singularity, and
+from a desire to appear more agreeable to his mistress, that a wise,
+experienced, and polite man, complies with the dress commonly received,
+and is prevailed upon to violate his reason and principles, in hazarding
+his life and estate by a tilt, as well as suffering his pleasures to be
+constrained and soured by the constant apprehension of a quarrel. This
+is the more surprising, because men of the most delicate sense and
+principles have naturally in other cases a particular repugnance in
+accommodating themselves to the maxims of the world: but one may easily
+distinguish the man that is affected with beauty, and the reputation of
+a tilt, from him who complies with both, merely as they are imposed upon
+him by custom; for in the former you will remark an air of vanity and
+triumph; whereas when the latter appears in a long Duvillier full of
+powder, or has decided a quarrel by the sword, you may perceive in his
+face, that he appeals to custom for an excuse. I think it may not be
+improper to inquire into the genealogy of this chimerical monster,
+called a 'duel', which I take to be an illegitimate species of the
+ancient knight-errantry. By the laws of this whim, your heroic person,
+or man of gallantry, was indispensably obliged to starve in armour a
+certain number of years in the chase of monsters, encounter them at the
+peril of his life, and suffer great hardships, in order to gain the
+affection of the fair lady, and qualify himself for assuming the
+_belair_, that is, of a pretty fellow, or man of honour according to the
+fashion: but since the publishing of 'Don Quixote' and extinction of the
+race of dragons, which Suetonius says happened in that of Wantley,[300]
+the gallant and heroic spirits of these latter times have been under the
+necessity of creating new chimerical monsters to entertain themselves
+with, by way of single combats, as the only proofs they are able to give
+their own sex, and the ladies, that they are in all points men of nice
+honour. But to do justice to the ancient and real monsters, I must
+observe, that they never molested those who were not of a humour to hunt
+for them in the woods and deserts; whereas on the contrary, our modern
+monsters are so familiarly admitted and entertained in all the Courts
+and cities of Europe (except France) that one can scarce be in the most
+humanised society without risking one's life; the people of the best
+sort, and the fine gentlemen of the age, being so fond of them, that
+they seldom appear in any public place without one. I have some further
+considerations upon this subject, which, as you encourage me, shall be
+communicated to you, by, sir, a cousin but once removed from the best
+family of the Staffs, namely, "Sir,
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+"Kinsman and Friend,
+
+                                        "TIM SWITCH."
+
+It is certain, Mr. Switch has hit upon the true source of this evil; and
+that it proceeds only from the force of custom that we contradict
+ourselves in half the particulars and occurrences of life. But such a
+tyranny in love, which the fair impose upon us, is a little too severe,
+that we must demonstrate our affection for them by no certain proof but
+hatred to one another, or come at them (only as one does to an estate)
+by survivorship. This way of application to gain a lady's heart, is
+taking her as we do towns and castles, by distressing the place, and
+letting none come near them without our pass. Were such a lover once to
+write the truth of his heart, and let her know his whole thoughts, he
+would appear indeed to have a passion for her; but it would hardly be
+called love. The billet-doux would run to this purpose:
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I have so tender a regard for you and your interests, that I'll knock
+any man in the head whom I observe to be of my mind, and like you. Mr.
+Truman the other day looked at you in so languishing a manner, that I am
+resolved to run him through to-morrow morning: this, I think, he
+deserves for his guilt in admiring you; than which I cannot have a
+greater reason for murdering him, except it be that you also approve
+him. Whoever says he dies for you, I will make his words good, for I
+will kill him. I am,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"Most humble Servant."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 14.
+
+I am just come hither at ten at night, and have ever since six been in
+the most celebrated, though most nauseous, company in town: the two
+leaders of the society were a critic and a wit. These two gentlemen are
+great opponents upon all occasions, not discerning that they are the
+nearest each other in temper and talents of any two classes of men in
+the world; for to profess judgment, and to profess wit, both arise from
+the same failure, which is want of judgment. The poverty of the critic
+this way proceeds from the abuse of his faculty; that of the wit from
+the neglect of it. It is a particular observation I have always made,
+that of all mortals, a critic is the silliest; for by inuring himself
+to examine all things, whether they are of consequence or not, be never
+looks upon anything but with a design of passing sentence upon it; by
+which means, he is never a companion, but always a censor. This makes
+him earnest upon trifles; and dispute on the most indifferent occasions
+with vehemence. If he offers to speak or write, that talent which should
+approve the work of the other faculties, prevents their operation. He
+comes upon action in armour; but without weapons: he stands in safety;
+but can gain no glory. The wit on the other hand has been hurried so
+long away by imagination only, that judgment seems not to have ever been
+one of his natural faculties. This gentleman takes himself to be as much
+obliged to be merry, as the other to be grave. A thorough critic is a
+sort of Puritan in the polite world. As an enthusiast in religion
+stumbles at the ordinary occurrences of life, if he cannot quote
+scripture examples on the occasion; so the critic is never safe in his
+speech or writing, without he has among the celebrated writers an
+authority for the truth of his sentence. You will believe we had a very
+good time with these brethren, who were so far out of the dress of their
+native country, and so lost to its dialect, that they were as much
+strangers to themselves, as to their relation to each other. They took
+up the whole discourse; sometimes the critic grew passionate, and when
+reprimanded by the wit for any trip or hesitation in his voice, he would
+answer, Mr. Dryden makes such a character on such an occasion break off
+in the same manner; so that the stop was according to nature, and as a
+man in a passion should do. The wit, who is as far gone in letters as
+himself, seems to be at a loss to answer such an apology; and concludes
+only, that though his anger is justly vented, it wants fire in the
+utterance. If wit is to be measured by the circumstances of time and
+place, there is no man has generally so little of that talent, as he who
+is a wit by profession. What he says, instead of arising from the
+occasion, has an occasion invented to bring it in. Thus he is new for no
+other reason, but that he talks like nobody else; but has taken up a
+method of his own, without commerce of dialogue with other people. The
+lively Jasper Dactyle[301] is one of this character. He seems to have
+made a vow to be witty to his life's end. When you meet him, "What do
+you think," says he, "I have been entertaining myself with?" Then out
+comes a premeditated turn, to which it is to no purpose to answer; for
+he goes on in the same strain of thought he designed without your
+speaking. Therefore I have a general answer to all he can say; as, "Sure
+there never was any creature had so much fire!" Spondee, who is a
+critic, is seldom out of this fine man's company. They have no manner of
+affection for each other, but keep together, like Novel and Oldfox in
+"The Plain Dealer,"[302] because they show each other. I know several of
+sense who can be diverted with this couple; but I see no curiosity in
+the thing, except it be, that Spondee is dull, and seems dull; but
+Dactyle is heavy with a brisk face. It must be owned also, that Dactyle
+has almost vigour enough to be a coxcomb; but Spondee, by the lowness of
+his constitution, is only a blockhead.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 15.
+
+We have no particulars of moment since our last, except it be, that the
+copy of the following original letter came by the way of Ostend. It is
+said to have been found in the closet of Monsieur Chamillard, the late
+Secretary of State of France, since his disgrace. It was signed by two
+brothers of the famous Cavallier,[303] who led the Cevennois, and had a
+personal interview with the king, as well as a capitulation to lay down
+his arms, and leave the dominions of France. There are many other names
+to it; among whom, is the chief of the family of the Marquis
+Guiscard.[304] It is not yet known, whether Monsieur Chamillard had any
+real design to favour the Protestant interest, or only thought to place
+himself at the head of that people, to make himself considerable enough
+to oppose his enemies at Court, and reinstate himself in power there.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"We have read your Majesty's[305] letter to the governors of your
+provinces, with instructions what sentiments to insinuate into the minds
+of your people: but as you have always acted upon the maxim, that we
+were made for you, and not you for us, we must take leave to assure your
+Majesty, that we are exactly of the contrary opinion, and must desire
+you to send for your grandson home, and acquaint him, that you now know
+by experience, absolute power is only a vertigo in the brain of princes,
+which for a time may quicken their motion, and double in their diseased
+sight the instances of power above them; but must end in their fall and
+destruction. Your memorial speaks a good father of your family, but a
+very ill one of your people. Your Majesty is reduced to hear truth when
+you are obliged to speak it: there is no governing any but savages by
+any methods but their own consent, which you seem to acknowledge, in
+appealing to us for our opinion of your conduct in treating of peace.
+Had your people been always of your council, the King of France had
+never been reduced so low, as to acknowledge his arms were fallen into
+contempt. But since it is thus, we must ask, 'How is any man of France,
+but they of the House of Bourbon, the better that Philip is King of
+Spain?' We have outgrown that folly of placing our happiness in your
+Majesty's being called, The Great; therefore as you and we are all alike
+bankrupts,[306] and undone, let us not deceive ourselves, but compound
+with our adversaries, and not talk like their equals. Your Majesty must
+forgive us that we cannot wish you success, or lend you help; for if you
+lose one battle more, we may have a hand in the peace you make; and
+doubt not but your Majesty's faith in treaties will require the
+ratification of the states of your kingdoms. So we bid you heartily
+farewell, till we have the honour to meet you assembled in Parliament.
+This happy expectation makes us willing to wait the event of another
+campaign, from whence we hope to be raised from the misery of slaves, to
+the privileges of subjects. We are,
+
+"Your Majesty's
+
+"Truly faithful, and
+
+"Loyal Subjects, &c."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 298: See Nos. 25, 26, 28.]
+
+[Footnote 299: The full-bottomed dress wigs. Another name was
+"Duvillier," used below.]
+
+[Footnote 300: See Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," ed.
+Wheatley, iii. 279. "The Dragon of Wantley" is a satire on the old
+ballads of chivalry.]
+
+[Footnote 301: See Nos. 3, 63.]
+
+[Footnote 302: In the list of characters, Wycherley defines Novel as "a
+pert railing coxcomb, and an admirer of novelties," and Major Oldfox as
+"an old impertinent fop, given to scribbling."]
+
+[Footnote 303: James Cavallier was the celebrated leader of the French
+Protestants in the Cevennes, when these warlike but enthusiastic
+mountaineers opposed the tyranny of Lewis XIV. and made a vigorous stand
+against the whole power of France, which for a long time laboured in
+vain to subdue them. It was in the heat of this gallant struggle to
+preserve themselves from religious slavery, that the first seeds of that
+wild fanaticism were sown, which afterwards grew up to such an amazing
+extravagance, and distinguished them, by the name of French Prophets,
+among the most extraordinary enthusiasts that are to be found in the
+history of human folly. Cavallier, who found in his latter days an
+hospitable asylum in Ireland, published, in 1726, "Memoirs of the Wars
+of the Cevennes, under Col. Cavallier, in defence of the Protestants
+persecuted in that country, and of the peace concluded between him and
+the Mareschal Duke of Villars; of his conference with the King of
+France, after the conclusion of the peace; with letters relating
+thereto, from Mareschal Villars, and Chamillard, secretary of state."
+(Percy.)]
+
+[Footnote 304: It was a younger brother, an abb�, who used his pen and
+sword against Lewis XIV. He was employed in England, had preferment in
+the army, and a pension; but, being found a useless villain, he was soon
+discarded. He then endeavoured to make his peace with France, by acting
+here as a spy; but being detected, he was brought before the Cabinet
+Council, to be examined, March 8, 1711. In the course of his examination
+he took an opportunity to stab Mr. Harley. Of the wounds given to this
+assassin on that occasion, he died in Newgate soon after. See the
+"Narrative of Guiscard's Examination," by Mrs. Manley, from facts
+communicated to her by Dr. Swift. See also _Examiner_, No. 32.
+(Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 305: Soon after the conclusion of the late treaty of peace,
+the French king dispersed a letter through his dominions, wherein he
+shows the reasons why he could not ratify the preliminaries. _Vide_ the
+public newspapers of this date. (Steele.)]
+
+[Footnote 306: N.B.--Mons. Bernard and the chief bankers of France
+became bankrupts about this time (Steele).--See news paragraph in Nos.
+3, 5, 9.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 30. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, June 16_, to _Saturday, June 18, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 16.
+
+The vigilance, the anxiety, the tenderness, which I have for the good
+people of England, I am persuaded will in time be much commended; but I
+doubt whether they will ever be rewarded. However, I must go on
+cheerfully in my work of reformation: that being my great design, I am
+studious to prevent my labours increasing upon me; therefore am
+particularly observant of the temper and inclinations of childhood and
+youth, that we may not give vice and folly supplies from the growing
+generation. It is hardly to be imagined how useful this study is, and
+what great evils or benefits arise from putting us in our tender years
+to what we are fit, or unfit: therefore on Tuesday last (with a design
+to sound their inclinations) I took three lads who are under my
+guardianship a rambling, in a hackney-coach, to show them the town, as
+the lions,[307] the tombs,[308] Bedlam,[309] and the other places which
+are entertainments to raw minds, because they strike forcibly on the
+fancy. The boys are brothers, one of sixteen, the other of fourteen, the
+other of twelve. The first was his father's darling, the second his
+mother's, and the third is mine, who am their uncle. Mr. William is a
+lad of true genius; but being at the upper end of a great school, and
+having all the lads below him, his arrogance is insupportable. If I
+begin to show a little of my Latin, he immediately interrupts: "Uncle,
+under favour, that which you say is not understood in that manner."
+"Brother," says my boy Jack, "you do not show your manners much in
+contradicting my Uncle Isaac." "You queer cur," says Mr. William, "do
+you think my uncle takes any notice of such a dull rogue as you are?"
+Mr. William goes on; "He is the most stupid of all my mother's children:
+he knows nothing of his book: when he should mind that, he is hiding or
+hoarding his taws and marbles, or laying up farthings. His way of
+thinking is, four and twenty farthings make sixpence, and two sixpences
+a shilling, two shillings and sixpence half a crown, and two half-crowns
+five shillings. So within these two months, the close hunks has scraped
+up twenty shillings, and we'll make him spend it all before he comes
+home." Jack immediately claps his hands into both pockets, and turns as
+pale as ashes. There is nothing touches a parent (and such I am to Jack)
+so nearly, as a provident temper. This lad has in him the true temper
+for a good husband, a kind father, and an honest executor. All the great
+people you see make considerable figures on the 'Change, in Court, and
+sometimes in Senates, are such as in reality have no greater faculty
+than what may be called human instinct, which is a natural tendency to
+their own preservation, and that of their friends, without being capable
+of striking out of the road for adventures. There is Sir William Scrip
+was of this sort of capacity from his childhood: he has bought the
+country round him, and makes a bargain better than Sir Harry Wildfire
+with all his wit and humour. Sir Harry never wants money but he comes to
+Scrip, laughs at him half an hour, and then gives bond for the other
+thousand. The close men are incapable of placing merit anywhere but in
+their pence, and therefore gain it; while others, who have larger
+capacities, are diverted from the pursuit by enjoyments, which can be
+supported only by that cash which they despise; and therefore are in the
+end, slaves to their inferiors both in fortune and understanding. I once
+heard a man of excellent sense observe, that more affairs in the world
+failed by being in the hands of men of too large capacities for their
+business, than by being in the conduct of such as wanted abilities to
+execute them. Jack therefore being of a plodding make, shall be a
+citizen; and I design him to be the refuge of the family in their
+distress, as well as their jest in prosperity. His brother Will, shall
+go to Oxford with all speed, where, if he does not arrive at being a man
+of sense, he will soon be informed wherein he is a coxcomb. There is in
+that place such a true spirit of raillery and humour, that if they can't
+make you a wise man, they will certainly let you know you are a fool,
+which is all my cousin wants to cease to be so. Thus having taken these
+two out of the way, I have leisure to look at my third lad. I observe in
+the young rogue a natural subtilty of mind, which discovers itself
+rather in forbearing to declare his thoughts on any occasion, than in
+any visible way of exerting himself in discourse. For which reason I
+will place him where, if he commits no faults, he may go farther than
+those in other stations, though they excel in virtues. The boy is well
+fashioned, and will easily fall into a graceful manner; wherefore, I
+have a design to make him a page to a great lady of my acquaintance; by
+which means he will be well skilled in the common modes of life, and
+make a greater progress in the world by that knowledge, than with the
+greatest qualities without it. A good mien in a Court will carry a man
+greater lengths than a good understanding in any other place. We see a
+world of pains taken, and the best years of life spent, in collecting a
+set of thoughts in a college for the conduct of life; and after all, the
+man so qualified shall hesitate in his speech to a good suit of clothes,
+and want common sense before an agreeable woman. Hence it is, that
+wisdom, valour, justice, and learning, can't keep a man in countenance
+that is possessed with these excellences, if he wants that less art of
+life and behaviour, called "good breeding." A man endowed with great
+perfections without this, is like one who has his pockets full of gold,
+but always wants change for his ordinary occasions. Will. Courtly is a
+living instance of this truth, and has had the same education which I am
+giving my nephew. He never spoke a thing but what was said before; and
+yet can converse with the wittiest men without being ridiculous. Among
+the learned, he does not appear ignorant; nor with the wise, indiscreet.
+Living in conversation from his infancy, makes him nowhere at a loss;
+and a long familiarity with the persons of men, is in a manner of the
+same service to him, as if he knew their arts. As ceremony is the
+invention of wise men to keep fools at a distance, so good breeding is
+an expedient to make fools and wise men equals.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 17.
+
+The suspension of the playhouse[310] has made me have nothing to send
+you from hence; but calling here this evening, I found the party I
+usually sit with, upon the business of writing, and examining what was
+the handsomest style in which to address women, and write letters of
+gallantry. Many were the opinions which were immediately declared on
+this subject: some were for a certain softness; some for I know not what
+delicacy; others for something inexpressibly tender: when it came to me,
+I said there was no rule in the world to be made for writing letters,
+but that of being as near what you speak face to face as you can; which
+is so great a truth, that I am of opinion, writing has lost more
+mistresses than any one mistake in the whole legend of love. For when
+you write to a lady for whom you have a solid and honourable love, the
+great idea you have of her, joined to a quick sense of her absence,
+fills your mind with a sort of tenderness, that gives your language too
+much the air of complaint, which is seldom successful. For a man may
+flatter himself as he pleases, but he will find, that the women have
+more understanding in their own affairs than we have, and women of
+spirit are not to be won by mourners. Therefore he that can keep
+handsomely within rules, and support the carriage of a companion to his
+mistress, is much more likely to prevail, than he who lets her see, the
+whole relish of his life depends upon her. If possible therefore divert
+your mistress, rather than sigh to her. The pleasant man she will desire
+for her own sake; but the languishing lover has nothing to hope from but
+her pity. To show the difference I produced two letters a lady gave me,
+which had been writ to her by two gentlemen who pretended to her, but
+were both killed the next day after the date at the battle of Almanza.
+One of them was a mercurial gay-humoured man; the other a man of a
+serious, but a great and gallant spirit. Poor Jack Careless! This is his
+letter: you see how it is folded: the air of it is so negligent, one
+might have read half of it by peeping into it, without breaking it open.
+He had no exactness.
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"It is a very pleasant circumstance I am in, that while I should be
+thinking of the good company we are to meet within a day or two, where
+we shall go to loggerheads, my thoughts are running upon a fair enemy in
+England. I was in hopes I had left you there; but you follow the camp,
+though I have endeavoured to make some of our leaguer ladies drive you
+out of the field. All my comfort is, you are more troublesome to my
+colonel than myself: I permit you to visit me only now and then; but he
+downright keeps you. I laugh at his Honour as far as his gravity will
+allow me; but I know him to be a man of too much merit to succeed with a
+woman. Therefore defend your heart as well as you can, I shall come home
+this winter irresistibly dressed, and with quite a new foreign air. And
+so I had like to say, I rest, but alas! I remain,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"Most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "JOHN CARELESS."
+
+Now for Colonel Constant's epistle; you see it is folded and directed
+with the utmost care.
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I do myself the honour to write to you this evening, because I believe
+to-morrow will be a day of battle, and something forebodes in my breast
+that I shall fall in it. If it proves so, I hope you will hear, I have
+done nothing below a man who had a love of his country, quickened by a
+passion for a woman of honour. If there be anything noble in going to a
+certain death; if there be any merit, that I meet it with pleasure, by
+promising myself a place in your esteem; if your applause, when I am no
+more, is preferable to the most glorious life without you: I say, madam,
+if any of these considerations can have weight with you, you will give
+me a kind place in your memory, which I prefer to the glory of C�sar. I
+hope, this will be read, as it is writ, with tears."
+
+The beloved lady is a woman of a sensible mind; but she has confessed
+to me, that after all her true and solid value for Constant, she had
+much more concern for the loss of Careless. Those great and serious
+spirits have something equal to the adversities they meet with, and
+consequently lessen the objects of pity. Great accidents seem not cut
+out so much for men of familiar characters, which makes them more easily
+pitied, and soon after beloved. Add to this, that the sort of love which
+generally succeeds, is a stranger to awe and distance. I asked Romana,
+whether of the two she should have chosen had they survived? She said,
+she knew she ought to have taken Constant; but believed she should have
+chosen Careless.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 17.
+
+Letters from Lisbon of the 9th instant, N.S., say, that the enemy's
+army, having blocked up Olivenza, was posted on the Guadiana. The
+Portuguese are very apprehensive that the garrison of that place, though
+it consists of five of the best regiments of their army, will be obliged
+to surrender, if not timely relieved, they not being supplied with
+provisions for more than six weeks. Hereupon their generals held a
+council of war on the 4th instant, wherein it was concluded to advance
+towards Badajos. With this design the army decamped on the 5th from
+Jerumena, and marched to Cancaon. It is hoped, that if the enemy follow
+their motions, they may have opportunity to put a sufficient quantity of
+provision and ammunition into Olivenza.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff gives notice to all persons that dress themselves as
+they please, without regard to decorum (as with blue and red stockings
+in mourning; tucked cravats, and nightcap wigs, before people of the
+first quality) that he has yet received no fine for indulging them in
+that liberty, and that he expects their compliance with this demand, or
+that they go home immediately and shift themselves. This is further to
+acquaint the town, that the report that the hosiers, toymen, and
+milliners, have compounded with Mr. Bickerstaff for tolerating such
+enormities, is utterly false and scandalous.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 307: At the Tower of London. The Tower menagerie was one of
+the sights of London until its removal in 1834. See Addison's
+_Freeholder_; No. 47.]
+
+[Footnote 308: In Westminster Abbey.]
+
+[Footnote 309: The Priory of Bethlem, in St. Botolph Without,
+Bishopsgate, was given by Henry VIII. to the Corporation of London, and
+was from thenceforth used as a hospital for lunatics. In 1675 a new
+hospital was built near London Wall, in Moorfields, at a cost of
+�17,000. See Hogarth's "Rake's Progress," Plate 8. In No. 127, Steele
+calls Bedlam "that magnificent palace."]
+
+[Footnote 310: Drury Lane Theatre was closed on June 6, 1709, by order
+of the Lord Chamberlain, in consequence of Rich's ill-treatment of the
+actors.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 31. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 18_, to _Tuesday, June 21, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, June 18.
+
+In my dissertation against the custom of single combat,[311] it has been
+objected, that there is not learning, or much reading, shown therein,
+which is the very life and soul of all treatises; for which reason,
+being always easy to receive admonitions, and reform my errors, I
+thought fit to consult this learned board on the subject. Upon proposing
+some doubts, and desiring their assistance, a very hopeful young
+gentleman, my relation, who is to be called to the bar within a year and
+a half at farthest, told me, that he had ever since I first mentioned
+duelling turned his head that way; and that he was principally moved
+thereto, by reason that he thought to follow the circuits in the North
+of England and South of Scotland, and to reside mostly at his own estate
+at Landbadernawz[312] in Cardiganshire. The northern Britons and
+southern Scots are a warm people, and the Welsh a nation of gentlemen;
+so that it behoved him to understand well the science of quarrelling.
+The young gentleman proceeded admirably well, and gave the board an
+account, that he had read Fitzherbert's "Grand Abridgment,"[313] and had
+found, that duelling is a very ancient part of the law: for when a man
+is sued, be it for his life or his land, the person that joins the
+issue, whether plaintiff or defendant, may put the trial upon the duel.
+Further he argued, under favour of the court, that when the issue is
+joined by the duel in treason or other capital crimes, the parties
+accused and accuser must fight in their own proper persons: but if the
+dispute be for lands, you may hire a champion at
+Hockley-in-the-Hole,[314] for anywhere else. This part of the law we had
+from the Saxons; and they had it, as also the trial by ordeal, from the
+Laplanders.[315] "It is indeed agreed," said he, "the Southern and
+Eastern nations never knew anything of it; for though the ancient Romans
+would scold, and call names filthily, yet there is not an example of a
+challenge that ever passed amongst them." His quoting the Eastern
+nations, put another gentleman in mind of an account he had from a
+boatswain of an East Indiaman; which was, that a Chinese had tricked and
+bubbled him, and that when he came to demand satisfaction the next
+morning, and like a true tar of honour called him "Son of a whore,"
+"Liar," "Dog," and other rough appellatives used by persons conversant
+with winds and waves; the Chinese, with great tranquillity, desired him
+not to come aboard fasting, nor put himself in a heat, for it would
+prejudice his health. Thus the East knows nothing of this gallantry.
+There sat at the left of the table a person of a venerable aspect, who
+asserted, that half the impositions which are put upon these ages, have
+been transmitted by writers who have given too great pomp and
+magnificence to the exploits of the ancient Bear Garden, and made their
+gladiators, by fabulous tradition, greater than Gorman[316] and others
+of Great Britain. He informed the company, that he had searched
+authorities for what he said, and that a learned antiquary, Humphrey
+Scarecrow, Esq., of Hockley-in-the-Hole, recorder to the Bear Garden,
+was then writing a discourse on the subject. It appears by the best
+accounts, says this gentleman, that the high names which are used among
+us with so great veneration, were no other than stage-fighters, and
+worthies of the ancient Bear Garden. The renowned Hercules always
+carried a quarterstaff, and was from thence called Claviger. A learned
+chronologist is about proving what wood this staff was made of, whether
+oak, ash, or crab-tree. The first trial of skill he ever performed, was
+with one Cacus, a deer-stealer; the next was with Typhonus, a giant of
+forty feet four inches. Indeed it was unhappily recorded, that meeting
+at last with a sailor's wife, she made his staff of prowess serve her
+own use, and dwindle away to a distaff: she clapped him on an old tar
+jacket of her husband's; so that this great hero drooped like a scabbed
+sheep. Him his contemporary Theseus succeeded in the Bear Garden, which
+honour he held for many years: this grand duellist went to hell, and was
+the only one of that sort that ever came back again. As for Achilles and
+Hector (as the ballads of those times mention), they were pretty smart
+fellows; they fought at sword and buckler; but the former had much the
+better of it; his mother, who was an oyster-woman, having got a
+blacksmith of Lemnos to make her son's weapons. There is a pair of
+trusty Trojans in a song of Virgil's, that were famous for handling
+their gauntlets, Dares, and Entellus;[317] and indeed it does appear,
+they fought [for] no sham prize. What arms the great Alexander used, is
+uncertain; however, the historian mentions, when he attacked Thalestris,
+it was only at single rapier; but the weapon soon failed; for it was
+always observed, that the Amazons had a sort of enchantment about them,
+which made the blade of the weapon, though of never so good metal, at
+every home push, lose its edge and grow feeble. The Roman Bear Garden
+was abundantly more magnificent than anything Greece could boast of; it
+flourished most under those delights of mankind, Nero and Domitian: at
+one time it is recorded, four hundred senators entered the list, and
+thought it an honour to be cudgelled and quarterstaffed.[318] I observe,
+the Lanista� were the people chiefly employed, which makes me imagine
+our Bear Garden copied much after this, the butchers being the greatest
+men in it. Thus far the glory and honour of the Bear Garden stood
+secure, till fate, that irresistible ruler of sublunary things, in that
+universal ruin of arts and politer learning, by those savage people the
+Goths and Vandals, destroyed and levelled it to the ground. Thus fell
+the grandeur and bravery of the Roman state, till at last the warlike
+genius (but accompanied with more courtesy) revived in the Christian
+world under those puissant champions, St. George, St. Denis, and other
+dignified heroes: one killed his dragon, another his lion, and were all
+afterwards canonised for it, having red letters before them to
+illustrate their martial temper.[319] The Spanish nation, it must be
+owned, were devoted to gallantry and chivalry above the rest of the
+world. What a great figure does that great name, Don Quixote, make in
+history? How shines this glorious star in the Western world? O renowned
+hero! O mirror of knighthood!
+
+    _Thy brandished whinyard all the world defies,
+    And kills as sure as del Tobosa's eyes._
+
+I am forced to break off abruptly, being sent for in haste, with my
+rule, to measure the degree of an affront, before the two gentlemen (who
+are now in their breeches and pumps ready to engage behind Montague
+House[320]) have made a pass.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 18.
+
+It is an unreasonable objection I find against my labours, that my stock
+is not all my own, and therefore the kind reception I have met with is
+not so deserved as it ought to be. But I hope, though it be never so
+true that I am obliged to my friends for laying their cash in my hands,
+since I give it them again when they please, and leave them at their
+liberty to call it home, it will not hurt me with my gentle readers. Ask
+all the merchants who act upon consignments, where is the necessity (if
+they answer readily what their correspondents draw) of their being
+wealthy themselves? Ask the greatest bankers, if all the men they deal
+with were to draw at once, what would be the consequence? But indeed a
+country friend has writ me a letter which gives me great mortification;
+wherein I find I am so far from expecting a supply from thence, that
+some have not heard of me, and the rest do not understand me. His
+epistle is as follows:[321]
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"I thought when I left the town to have raised your fame here, and
+helped you to support it by intelligence from hence; but alas! they had
+never heard of the _Tatler_ until I brought down a set. I lent them from
+house to house; but they asked me what they meant. I began to enlighten
+them, by telling who and who were supposed to be intended by the
+characters drawn. I said for instance, Chloe[322] and Clarissa are two
+eminent toasts. A gentleman (who keeps his greyhound and gun, and one
+would think might know better) told me, he supposed they were papishes,
+for their names were not English: 'Then,' said he, 'why do you call live
+people "toasts"?' I answered, that was a new name found out by the wits,
+to make a lady have the same effect as burridge[323] in the glass when a
+man is drinking. 'But,' says I, 'sir, I perceive this is to you all
+bamboozling; why you look as if you were Don Diego'd[324] to the tune of
+a thousand pounds.' All this good language was lost upon him: he only
+stared, though he is as good a scholar as any layman in the town, except
+the barber. Thus, cousin, you must be content with London for the centre
+of your wealth and fame; we have no relish for you. Wit must describe
+its proper circumference, and not go beyond it, lest (like little boys,
+when they straggle out of their own parish), it may wander to places
+where it is not known, and be lost. Since it is so, you must excuse me
+that I am forced at a visit to sit silent, and only lay up what
+excellent things pass at such conversations.
+
+"This evening I was with a couple of young ladies; one of them has the
+character of the prettiest company, yet really I thought her but silly;
+the other, who talked a great deal less, I observed to have
+understanding. The lady who is reckoned such a companion among her
+acquaintance, has only, with a very brisk air, a knack of saying the
+commonest things: the other, with a sly serious one, says home things
+enough. The first (Mistress Giddy) is very quick; but the second (Mrs.
+Slim) fell into Giddy's own style, and was as good company as she. Giddy
+happens to drop her glove; Slim reaches it to her: 'Madam,' says Giddy,
+'I hope you'll have a better office.' Upon which Slim immediately
+repartees, and sits in her lap, and cries, 'Are you not sorry for my
+heaviness?' This sly wench pleased me to see how she hit her height of
+understanding so well. We sat down to supper. Says Giddy, mighty
+prettily, 'Two hands in a dish and one in a purse': says Slim, 'Ay,
+madam, the more the merrier; but the fewer the better cheer.' I quickly
+took the hint, and was as witty and talkative as they. Says I,
+
+    "_'He that will not when he may,
+    When he will he shall have nay;'_
+
+and so helped myself. Giddy turns about, 'What, have you found your
+tongue?' 'Yes,' says I, 'it is manners to speak when I am spoken to; but
+your greatest talkers are little doers, and the still sow eats up all
+the broth.' 'Ha! ha!' says Giddy, 'one would think he had nothing in
+him, and do you hear how he talks when he pleases.' I grew immediately
+roguish and pleasant to a degree in the same strain. Slim, who knew how
+good company we had been, cries, 'You'll certainly print this bright
+conversation.'"
+
+It is so; and hereby you may see how small an appearance the prettiest
+things said in company, make when in print.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 20.
+
+A mail from Lisbon has brought advices of June the 12th, from the King
+of Portugal's army encamped at Torre Allegada, which inform us, that the
+general of the army called a court-martial on the 4th at the camp of
+Gerumhena, where it was resolved to march with a design to attempt the
+succour of Olivenza. Accordingly the army moved on the 5th, and marched
+towards Badajos. Upon their approach, the Marquis de Bay detached so
+great a party from the blockade of Olivenza, that the Marquis des Minas,
+at the head of a large detachment, covered a great convoy of provisions
+towards Olivenza, which threw in their stores, and marched back to the
+main army, without molestation from the Spaniards. They add, that each
+army must necessarily march into quarters within twenty days.
+
+Whosoever can discover a surgeon's apprentice, who fell upon Mr.
+Bickerstaff's messenger, or (as the printers call him) devil, going to
+the press, and tore out of his hand part of his essay against duels, in
+the fragments of which were the words, "You lie," and "Man of honour,"
+taken up at the Temple Gate; and the words, "Perhaps,"--"May be
+not,"--"By your leave, sir,"--and other terms of provocation, taken up
+at the door of Young Man's Coffee-house,[325] shall receive satisfaction
+from Mr. Morphew, besides a set of arguments to be spoken to any man in
+a passion, which, if the said enraged man listens to, will prevent
+quarrelling.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff does hereby give notice, that he has taken the two
+famous universities of this land under his immediate care, and does
+hereby promise all tutors and pupils, that he will hear what can be said
+of each side between them, and to correct them impartially, by placing
+them in orders and classes in the learned world, according to their
+merit.[326]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 311: See Nos. 25, 26, 28, 29.]
+
+[Footnote 312: Probably meant for Llanbadern Vawr, if not a name coined
+for the occasion.]
+
+[Footnote 313: Sir Anthony Fitzherbert's book was published in 1514.]
+
+[Footnote 314: See Nos. 28, 134.]
+
+[Footnote 315: See Selden, "De Duello" (1610), p. 19.]
+
+[Footnote 316: A prize-fighter mentioned in Lansdowne's epilogue to "The
+Jew of Venice."]
+
+[Footnote 317: "�neid," v. 437 _seq._]
+
+[Footnote 318: Suetonius, "Life of Nero," chap. 12.]
+
+[Footnote 319: An allusion to the rubrics in Roman missals.]
+
+[Footnote 320: The fields at the back of Montague House, Bloomsbury,
+were a favourite place for duels in the first half of the eighteenth
+century. Cf. _Spectator_, No. 91: "I shall be glad to meet you
+immediately in Hyde Park or behind Montague House, or attend you to Barn
+Elms, or any other fashionable place that's fit for a gentleman to die
+in."]
+
+[Footnote 321: It has been suggested, with some probability, that this
+letter is by Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 322: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 323: Borago was a plant formerly used as a cordial.]
+
+[Footnote 324: See No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 325: Young Man's Coffee-house at Charing Cross, had a back
+door into Spring Garden. It seems to have been specially frequented by
+officers.]
+
+[Footnote 326: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received the advices from Clay Hill,
+which, with all intelligence from honest Mr. Sturdy and others, shall
+have their place in our future story" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 32. [SWIFT AND STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 21_, to _Thursday, June 23, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 22.
+
+An answer to the following letter being absolutely necessary to be
+despatched with all expedition, I must trespass upon all that come with
+horary questions into my ante-chamber, to give the gentlemen my opinion.
+
+#"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._#
+
+"_June 18_, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I know not whether you ought to pity or laugh at me; for I am fallen
+desperately in love with a professed Platonne, the most unaccountable
+creature of her sex. To hear her talk seraphics, and run over
+Norris,[327] and More,[328] and Milton,[329] and the whole set of
+intellectual triflers, torments me heartily; for to a lover who
+understands metaphors, all this pretty prattle of ideas gives very fine
+views of pleasure, which only the dear declaimer prevents, by
+understanding them literally. Why should she wish to be a cherubim, when
+it is flesh and blood that makes her adorable? If I speak to her, that
+is a high breach of the idea of intuition: if I offer at her hand or
+lip, she shrinks from the touch like a sensitive plant, and would
+contract herself into mere spirit. She calls her chariot, 'vehicle'; her
+furbelowed scarf, 'pinions': her blue mant and petticoat is her 'azure
+dress'; and her footman goes by the name of Oberon. It is my misfortune
+to be six foot and a half high, two full spans between the shoulders,
+thirteen inches diameter in the calves; and before I was in love, I had
+a noble stomach, and usually went to bed sober with two bottles. I am
+not quite six and twenty, and my nose is marked truly aquiline. For
+these reasons, I am in a very particular manner her aversion. What shall
+I do? Impudence itself cannot reclaim her. If I write miserable, she
+reckons me among the children of perdition, and discards me her region:
+if I assume the gross and substantial, she plays the real ghost with me,
+and vanishes in a moment. I had hopes in the hypocrisy of her sex; but
+perseverance makes it as bad as fixed aversion. I desire your opinion,
+whether I may not lawfully play the Inquisition upon her, make use of a
+little force, and put her to the rack and the torture, only to convince
+her she has really fine limbs, without spoiling or distorting them. I
+expect your directions, ere I proceed to dwindle and fall away with
+despair; which at present I don't think advisable; because, if she
+should recant, she may then hate me perhaps in the other extreme for my
+tenuity. I am (with impatience) "Your most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "CHARLES STURDY."
+
+My patient has put his case with very much warmth, and represented it in
+so lively a manner, that I see both his torment and tormentor with great
+perspicuity. This order of platonic ladies are to be dealt with in a
+peculiar manner from all the rest of the sex. Flattery is the general
+way, and the way in this case; but it is not to be done grossly. Every
+man that has wit, and humour, and raillery, can make a good flatterer
+for woman in general; but a Platonne is not to be touched with
+panegyric: she will tell you, it is a sensuality in the soul to be
+delighted that way. You are not therefore to commend, but silently
+consent to all she does, and says. You are to consider in her the scorn
+of you is not humour, but opinion. There were some years since a set of
+these ladies who were of quality, and gave out, that virginity was to be
+their state of life during this mortal condition, and therefore resolved
+to join their fortunes, and erect a nunnery. The place of residence was
+pitched upon; and a pretty situation, full of natural falls and risings
+of waters, with shady coverts, and flowery arbours, was approved by
+seven of the founders. There were as many of our sex who took the
+liberty to visit those mansions of intended severity; among others, a
+famous rake of that time, who had the grave way to an excellence. He
+came in first; but upon seeing a servant coming towards him, with a
+design to tell him, this was no place for him or his companions, up goes
+my grave impudence to the maid: "Young woman," said he, "if any of the
+ladies are in the way on this side of the house, pray carry us on the
+other side towards the gardens: we are, you must know, gentlemen that
+are travelling England; after which we shall go into foreign parts,
+where some of us have already been." Here he bows in the most humble
+manner, and kissed the girl, who knew not how to behave to such a sort
+of carriage. He goes on: "Now you must know we have an ambition to have
+it to say, that we have a Protestant nunnery in England: but pray Mrs.
+Betty--" "Sir," she replied, "my name is Susan, at your service." "Then
+I heartily beg your pardon--" "No offence in the least," says she, "for
+I have a cousin-german whose name is Betty." "Indeed," said he, "I
+protest to you that was more than I knew, I spoke at random: but since
+it happens that I was near in the right, give me leave to present this
+gentleman to the favour of a civil salute." His friend advances, and so
+on, till that they had all saluted her. By this means, the poor girl was
+in the middle of the crowd of these fellows, at a loss what to do,
+without courage to pass through them; and the Platonics, at several
+peep-holes, pale, trembling, and fretting. Rake perceived they were
+observed, and therefore took care to keep Suky in chat with questions
+concerning their way of life; when appeared at last Madonella,[330] a
+lady who had writ a fine book concerning the recluse life, and was the
+projectrix of the foundation. She approaches into the hall; and Rake,
+knowing the dignity of his own mien and aspect, goes deputy from his
+company. She begins, "Sir, I am obliged to follow the servant, who was
+sent out to know, what affair could make strangers press upon a solitude
+which we, who are to inhabit this place, have devoted to Heaven and our
+own thoughts?" "Madam," replies Rake, with an air of great distance,
+mixed with a certain indifference, by which he could dissemble
+dissimulation, "your great intention has made more noise in the world
+than you design it should; and we travellers, who have seen many foreign
+institutions of this kind, have a curiosity to see, in its first
+rudiments, this seat of primitive piety; for such it must be called by
+future ages, to the eternal honour of the founders. I have read
+Madonella's excellent and seraphic discourse on this subject." The lady
+immediately answers, "If what I have said could have contributed to
+raise any thoughts in you that may make for the advancement of
+intellectual and divine conversation, I should think myself extremely
+happy." He immediately fell back with the profoundest veneration; then
+advancing, "Are you then that admired lady? If I may approach lips which
+have uttered things so sacred--" He salutes her. His friends follow his
+example. The devoted within stood in amazement where this would end, to
+see Madonella receive their address and their company. But Rake goes on,
+"We would not transgress rules; but if we may take the liberty to see
+the place you have thought fit to choose for ever, we would go into such
+parts of the gardens as is consistent with the severities you have
+imposed on yourselves." To be short, Madonella permitted Rake to lead
+her into the assembly of nuns, followed by his friends, and each took
+his fair one by the hand, after due explanation, to walk round the
+gardens. The conversation turned upon the lilies, the flowers, the
+arbors, and the growing vegetables; and Rake had the solemn impudence,
+when the whole company stood round him, to say, "That he sincerely
+wished that men might rise out of the earth like plants; and that our
+minds were not of necessity to be sullied with carnivorous appetites for
+the generation, as well as support of our species."[331] This was spoke
+with so easy and fixed an assurance, that Madonella answered, "Sir,
+under the notion of a pious thought, you deceive yourself in wishing an
+institution foreign to that of Providence: these desires were implanted
+in us for reverent purposes, in preserving the race of men, and giving
+opportunities for making our chastity more heroic." The conference was
+continued in this celestial strain, and carried on so well by the
+managers on both sides, that it created a second and a third[332]
+interview; and, without entering into further particulars, there was
+hardly one of them but was a mother or father that day twelve-month.
+
+Any unnatural part is long taking up, and as long laying aside;
+therefore Mr. Sturdy may assure himself, Platonica will fly for ever
+from a forward behaviour; but if he approaches her according to this
+model, she will fall in with the necessities of mortal life, and
+condescend to look with pity upon an unhappy man, imprisoned in so much
+body, and urged by such violent desires.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 22.
+
+The evils of this town increase upon me to so great a degree, that I am
+half afraid I shall not leave the world much better than I found it.
+Several worthy gentlemen and critics have applied to me, to give my
+censure of an enormity which has been revived (after being long
+oppressed) and is called Punning.[333] I have several arguments ready to
+prove, that he cannot be a man of honour who is guilty of this abuse of
+human society. But the way to expose it, is like the expedient of curing
+drunkenness, showing a man in that condition: therefore I must give my
+reader warning, to expect a collection of these offences; without which
+preparation, I thought it too adventurous to introduce the very mention
+of it in good company; and hope I shall be understood to do it, as a
+divine mentions oaths and curses, only for their condemnation. I shall
+dedicate this discourse to a gentleman my very good friend, who is the
+Janus[334] of our times, and whom by his years and wit, you would take
+to be of the last age; but by his dress and morals, of this.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 22.
+
+Last night arrived two mails from Holland, which brings letters from the
+Hague of the 28th instant, N.S., with advice, that the enemy lay
+encamped behind a strong retrenchment, with the marsh of Remi�res on
+their right and left, extending itself as far as Bethune: La Bass�e is
+in their front, Lens in their rear, and their camp is strengthened by
+another line from Lens to Douay. The Duke of Marlborough caused an exact
+observation to be made of their ground, and the works by which they were
+covered, which appeared so strong, that it was not thought proper to
+attack them in their present posture. However, the Duke thought fit to
+make a feint as if he designed it; and accordingly marching from the
+abbey at Looze, as did Prince Eugene from Lampret, advanced with all
+possible diligence towards the enemy. To favour the appearance of an
+intended assault, the ways were made, and orders distributed in such a
+manner, that none in either camp could have thoughts of anything but
+charging the enemy by break of day the next morning: but soon after the
+fall of the night of the 26th, the whole army faced towards Tournay,
+which place they invested early in the morning of the 27th. The Marshal
+Villars was so confident that we designed to attack him, that he had
+drawn great part of the garrison of the place, which is now invested,
+into the field: for which reason, it is presumed it must submit within a
+small time; which the enemy cannot prevent, but by coming out of their
+present camp, and hazarding a general engagement. These advices add,
+that the garrison of Mons had marched out under the command of Marshal
+d'Arco; which, with the Bavarians, Walloons, and the troops of Cologne,
+have joined the grand army of the enemy.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 327: John Norris (1657-1711), the divine, published, in 1688,
+"The Theory and Regulation of Love, a Moral Essay; to which are added
+Letters Philosophical and Moral between the author and Doctor Henry
+More."]
+
+[Footnote 328: Henry More, the platonist (1614-87), published "Divine
+Dialogues," "Conjectura Cabalistica," and many other works.]
+
+[Footnote 329: It is not clear why Milton is bracketed with Norris and
+More; perhaps Swift had in mind such passages about heavenly love as
+that in "Paradise Lost," viii. 588-614.]
+
+[Footnote 330: Swift seems to have been the author of this first portion
+of No. 32, which contains a scandalous attack on Mary Astell. Nichols
+thought that Addison also had a share in it. See Nos. 59, 63. Mrs.
+Astell, a friend of Lady Elizabeth Hastings and John Norris, published,
+in 1694, her "Serious Proposal to the Ladies," advocating a Church of
+England monastery, without any irrevocable vows. Provision was made for
+mental as well as moral training; in fact, the institution was to have
+been "rather academical than monastic." But Bishop Burnet advised Lady
+Elizabeth Hastings not to subscribe to the proposed building, and the
+scheme fell through. In 1709, Miss Astell published a book called
+"Bart'lemy Fair; or, An Enquiry after Wit.... By Mr. Wotton, in answer
+to Lord Shaftesbury's Letter concerning Enthusiasm, and other profane
+writers." In the advertisement to the Second Edition ("An Enquiry after
+Wit," &c., 1722), Mary Astell says that, although her book was at first
+published under a borrowed name, it was ascribed to her, and drew upon
+her the resentment of that sort of men of wit who were exposed, and was
+the true cause of the fable published in the _Tatler_ a little after the
+"Enquiry" appeared. But she notes that, although the _Tatler_ showed its
+teeth against the "Proposal to the Ladies," the compilator made amends
+to the author (if not to the bookseller), by transcribing above a
+hundred pages into his _Ladies' Library_ verbatim, except in a few
+places, which would not be found to be improved. The "Enquiry after Wit"
+is dedicated "To the most Illustrious Society of the Kit-Cats," with
+many sarcastic allusions to their luxury, oaths, &c. True, their names
+had not been heard of from Hochsted or Ramillies, but then their heroism
+found in every place an ample theatre for their merits. "The Bath, the
+Wells, and every Fair, each Chocolate, Gaming House and Tavern resounds
+with your noble exploits."]
+
+[Footnote 331: This is borrowed from Sir Thomas Browne's "Religio
+Medici," part ii. sect. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 332: "Second," in original editions.]
+
+[Footnote 333: There is an apology for punning in No. 36 of the
+_Guardian_.]
+
+[Footnote 334: Swift.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 33. [STEELE.
+
+By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Thursday, June 23_, to _Saturday, June 25_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 23.
+
+My brother has made an excursion into the country, and the work against
+Saturday lies upon me. I am very glad I have got pen and ink in my hand;
+for I have for some time longed for his absence, to give a right idea of
+things, which I thought he put in a very odd light, and some of them to
+the disadvantage of my own sex. It is much to be lamented, that it is
+necessary to make discourses, and publish treatises, to keep the horrid
+creatures, the men, within the rules of common decency. Turning over the
+papers of memorials or hints for the ensuing discourses, I find a letter
+subscribed by Mr. Truman.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I am lately come to town, and have read your works with much pleasure.
+You make wit subservient to good principles and good manners. Yet,
+because I design to buy the _Tatlers_ for my daughters to read, I take
+the freedom to desire you, for the future, to say nothing about any
+combat between Alexander and Thalestris."[335]
+
+This offence gives me occasion to express myself with the resentment I
+ought, on people who take liberties of speech before that sex of whom
+the honoured names of mother, daughter, and sister, are a part: I had
+liked to have named wife in the number; but the senseless world are so
+mistaken in their sentiments of pleasure, that the most amiable term in
+human life is become the derision of fools and scorners. My brother and
+I have at least fifty times quarrelled upon this topic. I ever argue,
+that the frailties of women are to be imputed to the false ornaments
+which men of wit put upon our folly and coquetry. He lays all the vices
+of men upon women's secret approbation of libertine characters in them.
+I did not care to give up a point; but now he is out of the way, I
+cannot but own I believe there is very much in what he asserted: for if
+you will believe your eyes, and own, that the wickedest and the wittiest
+of them all marry one day or other, is it possible to believe, that if a
+man thought he should be for ever incapable of being received by a woman
+of merit and honour, he would persist in an abandoned way, and deny
+himself the possibility of enjoying the happiness of well-governed
+desires, orderly satisfactions, and honourable methods of life? If our
+sex were wise, a lover should have a certificate from the last woman he
+served, how he was turned away, before he was received into the service
+of another: but at present any vagabond is welcome, provided he promises
+to enter into our livery. It is wonderful, that we will not take a
+footman without credentials from his last master; and in the greatest
+concern of life, we make no scruple of falling into a treaty with the
+most notorious offender in his behaviour against others. But this breach
+of commerce between the sexes, proceeds from an unaccountable prevalence
+of custom, by which a woman is to the last degree reproachable for being
+deceived, and a man suffers no loss of credit for being a deceiver.
+Since this tyrant humour has gained place, why are we represented in the
+writings of men in ill figures for artifice in our carriage, when we
+have to do with a professed impostor? When oaths, imprecations, vows,
+and adorations, are made use of as words of course, what arts are not
+necessary to defend us from such as glory in the breach of them? As for
+my part, I am resolved to hear all, and believe none of them; and
+therefore solemnly declare, no vow shall deceive me, but that of
+marriage: for I am turned of twenty, and being of a small fortune, some
+wit, and (if I can believe my lovers and my glass) handsome, I have
+heard all that can be said towards my undoing, and shall therefore, for
+warning sake, give an account of the offers that have been made me, my
+manner of rejecting them, and my assistances to keep my resolution. In
+the sixteenth year of my life, I fell into the acquaintance of a lady,
+extremely well known in this town for the quick advancement of her
+husband, and the honours and distinctions which her industry has
+procured him, and all who belong to her. This excellent body sat next to
+me for some months at church, and took the liberty (which she said her
+years and the zeal she had for my welfare gave her claim to) to assure
+me, that she observed some parts of my behaviour which would lead me
+into errors, and give encouragement to some to entertain hopes I did not
+think of. "What made you," said she, "look through your fan at that
+lord, when your eyes should have been turned upward, or closed in
+attention upon better objects?" I blushed, and pretended fifty odd
+excuses;--but confounded myself the more. She wanted nothing but to see
+that confusion, and goes on: "Nay, child, do not be troubled that I take
+notice of it, my value for you made me speak it; for though he is my
+kinsman, I have a nearer regard to virtue than any other consideration."
+She had hardly done speaking, when this noble lord came up to us, and
+took her hand to lead her to her coach. My head ran all that day and
+night on the exemplary carriage of this woman who could be so virtuously
+impertinent, as to admonish one she was hardly acquainted with.
+However, it struck upon the vanity of a girl that it may possibly be,
+his thoughts might have been as favourable of me, as mine were amorous
+of him, and as unlikely things as that have happened, if he should make
+me his wife. She never mentioned this more to me; but I still in all
+public places stole looks at this man, who easily observed my passion
+for him. It is so hard a thing to check the return of agreeable
+thoughts, that he became my dream, my vision, my food, my wish, my
+torment. That minister of darkness, the Lady Sempronia,[336] perceived
+too well the temper I was in, and would one day after evening service
+needs take me to the Park. When we were there, my lord passes by; I
+flushed into a flame. "Mrs. Distaff," said she, "you may very well
+remember the concern I was in upon the first notice I took of your
+regard to that lord, and forgive me, who had a tender friendship for
+your mother (now in her grave) that I am vigilant of your conduct." She
+went on with much severity, and after great solicitation, prevailed on
+me to go with her into the country, and there spend the ensuing summer
+out of the way of a man she saw I loved, and one whom she perceived
+meditated my ruin, by frequently desiring her to introduce him to me;
+which she absolutely refused, except he would give his honour that he
+had no other design but to marry me. To her country house a week or two
+after we went: there was at the farther end of her garden a kind of
+wilderness, in the middle of which ran a soft rivulet by an arbour of
+jessamine. In this place I usually passed my retired hours, and read
+some romantic or poetical tale till the close of the evening. It was
+near that time in the heat of summer, when gentle winds, soft murmurs
+of water, and notes of nightingales had given my mind an indolence,
+which added to that repose of soul, which twilight and the end of a warm
+day naturally throws upon the spirits. It was at such an hour, and in
+such a state of tranquillity I sat, when, to my unexpressible amazement,
+I saw my lord walking towards me, whom I knew not till that moment to
+have been in the country. I could observe in his approach the perplexity
+which attends a man big with design; and I had, while he was coming
+forward, time to reflect that I was betrayed; the sense of which gave me
+a resentment suitable to such a baseness: but when he entered into the
+bower where I was, my heart flew towards him, and, I confess, a certain
+joy came into my mind, with a hope that he might then make a declaration
+of honour and passion. This threw my eye upon him with such tenderness,
+as gave him power, with a broken accent, to begin. "Madam,--You will
+wonder--For it is certain, you must have observed--though I fear you
+will misinterpret the motives--But by Heaven, and all that's sacred! If
+you could--" Here he made a full stand. And I recovered power to say,
+"The consternation I am in you will not, I hope, believe--A helpless
+innocent maid--Besides that, the place--" He saw me in as great
+confusion as himself; which attributing to the same causes, he had the
+audaciousness to throw himself at my feet, and talk of the stillness of
+the evening; then ran into deifications of my person, pure flames,
+constant love, eternal raptures, and a thousand other phrases drawn from
+the images we have of heaven, which ill men use for the service of hell,
+were run over with uncommon vehemence. After which, he seized me in his
+arms: his design was too evident. In my utmost distress, I fell upon my
+knees--"My lord, pity me, on my knees--On my knees in the cause of
+virtue, as you were lately in that of wickedness. Can you think of
+destroying the labour of a whole life, the purpose of a long education,
+for the base service of a sudden appetite, to throw one that loves you,
+that dotes on you, out of the company and road of all that is virtuous
+and praiseworthy? Have I taken in all the instructions of piety,
+religion, and reason, for no other end, but to be the sacrifice of lust,
+and abandoned to scorn? Assume yourself, my lord, and do not attempt to
+vitiate a temple sacred to innocence, honour, and religion. If I have
+injured you, stab this bosom, and let me die, but not be ruined by the
+hand I love." The ardency of my passion made me incapable of uttering
+more; and I saw my lover astonished and reformed by my behaviour: when
+rushed in Sempronia. "Ha! Faithless, base man, could you then steal out
+of town, and lurk like a robber about my house for such brutish
+purposes?" My lord was by this time recovered, and fell into a violent
+laughter at the turn which Sempronia designed to give her villany. He
+bowed to me with the utmost respect: "Mrs. Distaff," said he, "be
+careful hereafter of your company"; and so retired. The fiend Sempronia
+congratulated my deliverance with a flood of tears. This nobleman has
+since very frequently made his addresses to me with honour, but I have
+as often refused them; as well knowing, that familiarity and marriage
+will make him, on some ill-natured occasion, call all I said in the
+arbour a theatrical action. Besides that, I glory in contemning a man
+who had thoughts to my dishonour. And if this method were the imitation
+of the whole sex, innocence would be the only dress of beauty; and all
+affectation by any other arts to please the eyes of men, would be
+banished to the stews for ever. The conquest of passion gives ten times
+more happiness than we can reap from the gratification of it; and she
+that has got over such a one as mine, will stand among beaux and pretty
+fellows, with as much safety as in a summer's day among grasshoppers and
+butterflies.
+
+P.S.--I have ten millions of things more against men, if I ever get the
+pen again.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 24.
+
+Our last advices from the Hague, dated the 28th instant, say, that on
+the 25th a squadron of Dutch men-of-war sailed out of the Texel to join
+Admiral Baker at Spithead. The 26th was observed as a day of fasting and
+humiliation, to implore a blessing on the arms of the Allies this
+ensuing campaign. Letters from Dresden are very particular in the
+account of the gallantry and magnificence in which that Court has
+appeared since the arrival of the King of Denmark. No day has passed in
+which public shows have not been exhibited for his entertainment and
+diversion: the last of that kind which is mentioned is a carousal,
+wherein many of the youth of the first quality, dressed in the most
+splendid manner, ran for the prize. His Danish Majesty condescended to
+the same; but having observed that there was a design laid to throw it
+in his way, passed by without attempting to gain it. The Court of
+Dresden was preparing to accompany his Danish Majesty to Potsdam, where
+the expectation of an interview of three kings had drawn together such
+multitudes of people, that many persons of distinction will be obliged
+to lie in tents as long as those Courts continue in that place.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 335: See No. 31.]
+
+[Footnote 336: See Sallust, "Bell. Catal." chap. 21. The person here
+referred to as Sempronia is said to be the same as the Madam d'Epingle
+elsewhere alluded to.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 34. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Saturday, June 25_, to _Tuesday, June 28, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 25.
+
+Having taken upon me to cure all the distempers which proceed from
+affections of the mind, I have laboured since I first kept this public
+stage, to do all the good I could possibly, and have perfected many
+cures at my own lodging; carefully avoiding the common method of
+mountebanks, to do their most eminent operations in sight of the people;
+but must be so just to my patients as to declare, they have testified
+under their hands their sense of my poor abilities, and the good I have
+done them, which I publish for the benefit of the world, and not out of
+any thoughts of private advantage. I have cured fine Mrs. Spy of a great
+imperfection in her eyes, which made her eternally rolling them from one
+coxcomb to another in public places, in so languishing a manner, that it
+at once lessened her own power, and her beholder's vanity. Twenty drops
+of my ink, placed in certain letters on which she attentively looked for
+half an hour, have restored her to the true use of her sight; which is,
+to guide, and not mislead us. Ever since she took this liquor, which I
+call Bickerstaff's Circumspection Water, she looks right forward, and
+can bear being looked at for half a day without returning one glance.
+This water has a peculiar virtue in it, which makes it the only true
+cosmetic or beauty wash in the world: the nature of it is such, that if
+you go to a glass, with design to admire your face, it immediately
+changes it into downright deformity. If you consult it only to look
+with a better countenance upon your friends, it immediately gives an
+alacrity to the visage, and new grace to the whole person. There is
+indeed a great deal owing to the constitution of the person to whom it
+is applied: it is in vain to give it when the patient is in the rage of
+the distemper; a bride in her first month, a lady soon after her
+husband's being knighted, or any person of either sex who has lately
+obtained any new good fortune or preferment, must be prepared some time
+before they use it. It has an effect upon others, as well as the
+patient, when it is taken in due form. Lady Petulant has by the use of
+it cured her husband of jealousy, and Lady Gad her whole neighbourhood
+of detraction. The fame of these things, added to my being an old
+fellow, makes me extremely acceptable to the fair sex. You would hardly
+believe me, when I tell you there is not a man in town so much their
+delight as myself. They make no more of visiting me, than going to Madam
+d'Epingle's.[337] There were two of them, namely, Damia and Clidamira (I
+assure you women of distinction) who came to see me this morning in
+their way to prayers, and being in a very diverting humour as (innocence
+always makes people cheerful) they would needs have me, according to the
+distinction of "pretty" and "very pretty" fellows, inform them if I
+thought either of them had a title to the "very pretty" among those of
+their own sex; and if I did, which was the more deserving of the two. To
+put them to the trial, "Look ye," said I, "I must not rashly give my
+judgment in matters of this importance; pray let me see you dance: I
+play upon the kit."[338] They immediately fell back to the lower end of
+the room (you may be sure they curtsied low enough to me): and began.
+Never were two in the world so equally matched, and both scholars to my
+namesake Isaac.[339] Never was man in so dangerous a condition as
+myself, when they began to expand their charms. "O! ladies, ladies,"
+cried I, "not half that air, you'll fire the house." Both smiled; for
+by-the bye, there's no carrying a metaphor too far, when a lady's charms
+are spoken of. Somebody, I think, has called a fine woman dancing, a
+brandished torch of beauty.[340] These rivals moved with such an
+agreeable freedom, that you would believe their gesture was the
+necessary effect of the music, and not the product of skill and
+practice. Now Clidamira came on with a crowd of graces, and demanded my
+judgment with so sweet an air--and she had no sooner carried it, but
+Damia made her utterly forgot by a gentle sinking, and a rigadoon
+step.[341] The contest held a full half-hour; and I protest, I saw no
+manner of difference in their perfections, till they came up together,
+and expected my sentence. "Look ye, ladies," said I, "I see no
+difference in the least in your performance; but you Clidamira seem to
+be so well satisfied that I shall determine for you, that I must give it
+to Damia, who stands with so much diffidence and fear, after showing an
+equal merit to what she pretends to. Therefore, Clidamira, you are a
+'pretty'; but, Damia, you are a 'very pretty' lady. For," said I,
+"beauty loses its force, if not accompanied with modesty. She that has a
+humble opinion of herself, will have everybody's applause, because she
+does not expect it; while the vain creature loses approbation through
+too great a sense of deserving it."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 27.
+
+Being of a very spare and hective constitution, I am forced to make
+frequent journeys of a mile or two for fresh air; and indeed by this
+last, which was no further than the village of Chelsea, I am farther
+convinced of the necessity of travelling to know the world. For as it is
+usual with young voyagers, as soon as they land upon a shore, to begin
+their accounts of the nature of the people, their soil, their
+government, their inclinations, and their passions, so really I fancied
+I could give you an immediate description of this village, from the Five
+Fields,[342] where the robbers lie in wait, to the coffee-house where
+the _literati_ sit in council. A great ancestor of ours by the mother's
+side, Mr. Justice Overdo (whose history is written by Ben Jonson),[343]
+met with more enormities by walking _incog._ than he was capable of
+correcting; and found great mortifications in observing also persons of
+eminence, whom he before knew nothing of. Thus it fared with me, even in
+a place so near the town as this. When I came into the
+coffee-house,[344] I had not time to salute the company, before my eye
+was diverted by ten thousand gimcracks round the room and on the
+ceiling. When my first astonishment was over, comes to me a sage of a
+thin and meagre countenance; which aspect made me doubt, whether reading
+or fretting had made it so philosophic: but I very soon perceived him to
+be of that sect which the ancients call Gingivist�,[345] in our
+language, tooth-drawers. I immediately had a respect for the man; for
+these practical philosophers go upon a very rational hypothesis, not to
+cure, but take away the part affected. My love of mankind made me very
+benevolent to Mr. Salter, for such is the name of this eminent barber
+and antiquary. Men are usually, but unjustly, distinguished rather by
+their fortunes, than their talents, otherwise this personage would make
+a great figure in that class of men which I distinguish under the title
+of Odd Fellows. But it is the misfortune of persons of great genius, to
+have their faculties dissipated by attention to too many things at once.
+Mr. Salter is an instance of this: if he would wholly give himself up to
+the string,[346] instead of playing twenty beginnings to tunes, he might
+before he dies play "Roger de Caubly"[347] quite out. I heard him go
+through his whole round, and indeed I think he does play the "Merry
+Christ-Church Bells"[348] pretty justly; but he confessed to me, he did
+that rather to show he was orthodox, than that he valued himself upon
+the music itself. Or if he did proceed in his anatomy, why might not he
+hope in time to cut off legs, as well as draw teeth? The particularity
+of this man put me into a deep thought, whence it should proceed, that
+of all the lower order barbers should go farther in hitting the
+ridiculous, than any other set of men. Watermen brawl, cobblers sing;
+but why must a barber be for ever a politician, a musician, an
+anatomist, a poet, and a physician? The learned Vossus says,[349] his
+barber used to comb his head in iambics. And indeed in all ages, one of
+this useful profession, this order of cosmetic philosophers, has been
+celebrated by the most eminent hands. You see the barber in "Don
+Quixote,"[350] is one of the principal characters in the history, which
+gave me satisfaction in the doubt, why Don Saltero writ his name with a
+Spanish termination: for he is descended in a right line, not from John
+Tradescant,[351] as he himself asserts, but from that memorable
+companion of the Knight of Mancha. And I hereby certify all the worthy
+citizens who travel to see his rarities, that his double-barrelled
+pistols, targets, coats of mail, his sclopeta,[352] and sword of
+Toledo,[353] were left to his ancestor by the said Don Quixote, and by
+the said ancestor to all his progeny down to Don Saltero. Though I go
+thus far in favour of Don Saltero's great merit, I cannot allow a
+liberty he takes of imposing several names (without my licence) on the
+collections he has made, to the abuse of the good people of England; one
+of which is particularly calculated to deceive religious persons, to the
+great scandal of the well disposed, and may introduce heterodox
+opinions. He shows you a straw hat, which I know to be made by Madge
+Peskad, within three miles of Bedford; and tells you, it is Pontius
+Pilate's wife's chamber-maid's sister's hat. To my knowledge of this
+very hat, it may be added, that the covering of straw was never used
+among the Jews, since it was demanded of them to make bricks without it.
+Therefore this is really nothing, but under the specious pretence of
+learning and antiquity, to impose upon the world. There are other things
+which I cannot tolerate among his rarities; as, the china figure of a
+lady in the glass case; the Italian engine for the imprisonment of those
+who go abroad with it: both which I hereby order to be taken down, or
+else he may expect to have his letters patents for making punch
+superseded, be debarred wearing his muff next winter, or ever coming to
+London without his wife.[354] It may perhaps be thought I have dwelt too
+long upon the affairs of this operator; but I desire the reader to
+remember, that it is my way to consider men as they stand in merit, and
+not according to their fortune or figure; and if he is in a coffee-house
+at the reading hereof, let him look round, and he will find there may be
+more characters drawn in this account than that of Don Saltero; for half
+the politicians about him, he may observe, are, by their place in
+nature, of the class of tooth-drawers.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 337: See p. 273, note.]
+
+[Footnote 338: A small violin or fiddle. See No. 160.]
+
+[Footnote 339: A dancing-master, who either was French, or pretended to
+be so. See No. 109.]
+
+[Footnote 340: A song of Waller's begins:
+
+    "Behold the brand of beauty tost!
+    See, how the motion doth dilate the flame!"
+                                            (Dobson).
+]
+
+[Footnote 341: The rigadoon was a dance for two persons. Cf. _Guardian_,
+No. 154: "We danced a rigadoon together."]
+
+[Footnote 342: On the site of Eaton and Belgrave Squares. See
+_Spectator_, No. 137: "The Five Fields towards Chelsea."]
+
+[Footnote 343: In "Bartholomew Fair," act ii. sc. i. Overdo went to the
+Fair in disguise, and being mistaken for a cutpurse, was well beaten.]
+
+[Footnote 344: Salter, a barber, opened a coffee-house in Cheyne Walk,
+Chelsea, in 1695. Sir Harry Sloane, whose servant he had been, gave him
+some curiosities to start a museum. Others, including Admiral Munden and
+his fellow-officers, added to the collection, and the first catalogue
+appeared in 1729. The more startling curiosities were, of course, not
+genuine. The remains of the collection were sold in 1799 for about �50.
+A view of Salter's house will be found in Timbs' "Clubs and Club Life in
+London." Verses of a more or less coarse nature by Don Saltero appeared
+not unfrequently in the "British Apollo," in 1709.]
+
+[Footnote 345: From "gingiva," the gum.]
+
+[Footnote 346: Salter played very badly on the fiddle.]
+
+[Footnote 347: "Sir Roger de Coverley," the famous country-dance tune.]
+
+[Footnote 348: By Dr. Henry Aldrich, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford,
+where Steele matriculated.]
+
+[Footnote 349: "De Poematum cantu, et viribus Rythmi," 1673.]
+
+[Footnote 350: Master Nicholas. See "Don Quixote," chap. v.]
+
+[Footnote 351: There were two John Tradescants (father and son) who
+collected objects of natural history. Their collection formed the
+foundation of the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford. The "Museum
+Tradescantianum: or, A Collection of Rarities preserved at South
+Lambeth, near London, by John Tradescant," contains interesting
+portraits of both John Tradescant, senior, and John Tradescant, junior,
+as well as a plate of the Tradescant arms.]
+
+[Footnote 352: A sclopeta or sclopetta was a hand-gun used by
+Spaniards.]
+
+[Footnote 353: Toledo was famous for its sword-blades.]
+
+[Footnote 354: Salter had an old grey muff, which he clapped constantly
+to his nose, and by which he was distinguishable at the distance of a
+quarter of a mile. His wife was none of the best, being much addicted to
+scolding.-(Nichols.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 35. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 28_, to _Thursday, June 30_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, June 28.
+
+There is a habit or custom which I have put my patience to the utmost
+stretch to have suffered so long, because several of my intimate friends
+are in the guilt; and that is, the humour of taking snuff, and looking
+dirty about the mouth by way of ornament. My method is to dive to the
+bottom of a sore before I pretend to apply a remedy. For this reason, I
+sat by an eminent story-teller and politician who takes half an ounce in
+five seconds, and has mortgaged a pretty tenement near the town, merely
+to improve and dung his brains with this prolific powder. I observed
+this gentleman the other day in the midst of a story diverted from it by
+looking at something at a distance, and I softly hid his box. But he
+returns to his tale, and looking for his box, he cries, "And so, sir--"
+Then when he should have taken a pinch, "As I was saying," says he--"Has
+nobody seen my box?" His friend beseeches him to finish his narration.
+Then he proceeds, "And so, sir--Where can my box be?" Then, turning to
+me, "Pray, sir, did you see my box?" "Yes, sir," said I, "I took it to
+see how long you could live without it." He resumes his tale; and I took
+notice, that his dulness was much more regular and fluent than before. A
+pinch supplied the place of, "As I was saying," "And so, sir"; and he
+went on currently enough in that style which the learned call the
+insipid. This observation easily led me into a philosophic reason for
+taking snuff, which is done only to supply with sensations the want of
+reflection. This I take to be an {~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER EPSILON WITH DASIA AND OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA~} [Heur�ka], a nostrum; upon which
+I hope to receive the thanks of this board. For as it is natural to lift
+a man's hand to a sore, when you fear anything coming at you; so when a
+person feels his thoughts are run out, and has no more to say, it is as
+natural to supply his weak brain with powder at the nearest place of
+access, viz., the nostrils. This is so evident, that nature suggests the
+use according to the indigence of the persons who use this medicine,
+without being prepossessed with the force of fashion or custom. For
+example; the native Hibernians, who are reckoned not much unlike the
+ancient Boeotians, take this specific for emptiness in the head, in
+greater abundance than any other nation under the sun. The learned
+Sotus, as sparing as he is in his words, would be still more silent if
+it were not for this powder. But however low and poor the taking snuff
+argues a man to be in his own stock of thought, or means to employ his
+brains and his fingers, yet there is a poorer creature in the world than
+he, and this is a borrower of snuff; a fellow that keeps no box of his
+own, but is always asking others for a pinch. Such poor rogues put me
+always in mind of a common phrase among schoolboys when they are
+composing their exercise, who run to an upper scholar, and cry, "Pray
+give me a little sense." But of all things, commend me to the ladies who
+are got into this pretty help to discourse.[355] I have been this three
+years persuading Sagissa[356] to leave it off; but she talks so much,
+and is so learned, that she is above contradiction. However, an
+accident the other day brought that about, which my eloquence never
+could accomplish: she had a very pretty fellow in her closet, who ran
+thither to avoid some company that came to visit her. She made an excuse
+to go in to him for some implement they were talking of. Her eager
+gallant snatched a kiss; but being unused to snuff, some grains from off
+her upper lip made him sneeze aloud, which alarmed the visitants, and
+has made a discovery, that profound reading, very much intelligence, and
+a general knowledge of who and who's together, cannot fill up her vacant
+hours so much, but that she is sometimes obliged to descend to
+entertainments less intellectual.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 29.
+
+I know no manner of news for this place, but that Cynthio, having been
+long in despair for the inexorable Clarissa, lately resolved to fall in
+love the good old way of bargain and sale, and has pitched upon a very
+agreeable young woman.[357] He will undoubtedly succeed; for he accosts
+her in a strain of familiarity, without breaking through the deference
+that is due to woman whom a man would choose for his life. I have hardly
+ever heard rough truth spoken with a better grace than in this his
+letter.[358]
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I writ to you on Saturday by Mrs. Lucy, and give you this trouble to
+urge the same request I made then, which was, that I may be admitted to
+wait upon you. I should be very far from desiring this, if it were a
+transgression of the most severe rules to allow it: I know you are very
+much above the little arts which are frequent in your sex, of giving
+unnecessary torments to their admirers; therefore hope, you'll do so
+much justice to the generous passion I have for you, as to let me have
+an opportunity of acquainting you upon what motives I pretend to your
+good opinion. I shall not trouble you with my sentiments, till I know
+how they will be received; and as I know no reason why difference of sex
+should make our language to each other differ from the ordinary rules of
+right reason, I shall affect plainness and sincerity in my discourse to
+you, as much as other lovers do perplexity and rapture. Instead of
+saying, 'I shall die for you,' I profess I should be glad to lead my
+life with you: you are as beautiful, as witty, as prudent, and as
+good-humoured, as any woman breathing; but I must confess to you, I
+regard all these excellences as you will please to direct them, for my
+happiness or misery. With me, madam, the only lasting motive to love is
+the hope of its becoming mutual. I beg of you to let Mrs. Lucy send me
+word when I may attend you. I promise you, I'll talk of nothing but
+indifferent things; though at the same time I know not how I shall
+approach you in the tender moment of first seeing you, after this
+declaration, of,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"And most faithful
+
+"Humble Servant, &c."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 29.
+
+Having taken a resolution when plays are acted next winter by an entire
+good company, to publish observations from time to time on the
+performance of the actors, I think it but just to give an abstract of
+the law of action, for the help of the less learned part of the
+audience, that they may rationally enjoy so refined and instructive a
+pleasure as a just representation of human life. The great errors in
+playing are admirably well exposed in Hamlet's direction to the
+actors[359] who are to play in his supposed tragedy; by which we shall
+form our future judgments on their behaviour, and for that reason you
+have the discourse as follows:
+
+"Speak the speech as I pronounce it to you, trippingly on the tongue;
+but if you mouth it, as many of our players do, I had as lieve the
+town-crier had spoke my lines: nor do not saw the air too much with your
+hand thus; but use all gently: for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as
+I may say, the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a
+temperance that may give it smoothness. Oh! it offends me to the soul,
+to see a robustious periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to
+very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who (for the most part)
+are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and noise. I could
+have such a fellow whipped for overdoing termagant: it out-Herods Herod.
+Be not too tame neither; but let your own discretion be your tutor: suit
+the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special
+observance, that you overstep not the modesty of nature; for anything so
+overdone, is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first
+and now, was, and is, to hold as it were the mirror up to Nature; to
+show Virtue her own feature; scorn her own image; and the very age and
+body of the time its form and pressure. Now this overdone, or come tardy
+off, though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious
+grieve. The censures of which one, must, in your allowance, oversway a
+whole theatre of others. Oh! there be players, that I have seen play,
+and heard others praise, and that highly (not to speak it profanely),
+that neither having the accent of Christian, Pagan, or Norman, have so
+strutted and bellowed, that I have thought some of Nature's journeymen
+had made men, and not made them well, they imitated humanity so
+abominably. This should be reformed altogether; and let those that play
+your clowns, speak no more than is set down for them: for there be of
+them that will of themselves laugh, to set on some quantity of barren
+spectators to laugh too; though in the meantime, some necessary question
+of the play be then to be considered; that is villanous, and shows a
+most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 29.
+
+It would be a very great obligation, and an assistance to my treatise
+upon Punning,[360] if any one would please to inform in what class,
+among the learned who play with words, to place the author of the
+following letter.[361]
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Not long since you were pleased to give us a chimerical account of the
+famous family of Staffs,[362] from whence I suppose you would insinuate,
+that it is the most ancient and numerous house in all Europe. But I
+positively deny that it is either; and wonder much at your audacious
+proceedings in this matter, since it is well known, that our most
+illustrious, most renowned, and most celebrated Roman family of Ix, has
+enjoyed the precedency to all others from the reign of good old Saturn.
+I could say much to the defamation and disgrace of your family; as, that
+your relations Distaff and Broomstaff were both inconsiderate mean
+persons, one spinning, the other sweeping the streets, for their daily
+bread. But I forbear to vent my spleen on objects so much beneath my
+indignation. I shall only give the world a catalogue of my ancestors,
+and leave them to determine which hath hitherto had, and which for the
+future ought to have, the preference.
+
+"First then comes the most famous and popular Lady Meretrix, parent of
+the fertile family of Bellatrix, Lotrix, Netrix, Nutrix, Obstetrix,
+Famulatrix, Coctrix, Ornatrix, Sarcinatrix, Fextrix, Balneatrix,
+Portatrix, Saltatrix, Divinatrix, Conjectrix, Comtrix, Debitrix,
+Creditrix, Donatrix, Ambulatrix, Mercatrix, Adsectrix, Assectatrix,
+Palpatrix, Pr�ceptrix, Pistrix.
+
+"I am yours,
+
+                                        "ELIZ. POTATRIX."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 29.
+
+Letters from Brussels of the 2nd of July, N.S., say, that the Duke of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene having received advice, that the Marshal
+Villars had drawn a considerable body out of the garrison of Tournay to
+reinforce his army, marched towards that place, and came before it early
+in the morning of the 27th. As soon as they came into that ground, the
+Prince of Nassau was sent with a strong detachment to take post at St.
+Amand; and at the same time my Lord Orkney received orders to possess
+himself of Mortagne; both which were successfully executed; whereby we
+are masters of the Scheldt and the Scarp. Eight men were drawn out of
+each troop of dragoons and company of foot in the garrison of Tournay,
+to make up the reinforcement which was ordered to join Marshal Villars;
+but upon advice that the Allies were marching towards Tournay, they
+endeavoured to return into the town; but were intercepted by the Earl of
+Orkney, by whom that whole body was killed or taken. These letters add,
+that 1200 dragoons (each horseman carrying a foot-soldier behind him)
+were detached from Mons to throw themselves into Tournay; but upon
+appearance of a great body of horse of the Allies, retired towards
+Cond�. We hear, that the garrison does not consist of more than 3500
+men. Of the sixty battalions designed to be employed in this siege,
+seven [_sic_] are English, viz., two of Guards, and the regiments of
+Argyle, Temple, Evans and Meredith.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 355: See Nos. 79, 140; and Swift's "Journal to Stella," Nov.
+3, 1711. A correspondent begged the _Spectator_ (No. 344) to "take
+notice of an impertinent custom the women, the fine women, have lately
+fallen into, of taking snuff."]
+
+[Footnote 356: It has been suggested that Steele here alludes to Mrs. De
+la Rivi�re Manley.]
+
+[Footnote 357: Lord Hinchinbroke married Elizabeth, only daughter of
+Alexander Popham, Esq. See Nos. 1, 5, 22.]
+
+[Footnote 358: This was one of Steele's own letters to Miss Scurlock.
+(See "Correspondence," 1809, vol. i. p. 93.) "Mrs. Lucy" is "Mrs.
+Warren" in the original.]
+
+[Footnote 359: "Hamlet," act iii. sc. 2.]
+
+[Footnote 360: See No. 32.]
+
+[Footnote 361: This letter is printed in Scott's edition of Swift's
+works.]
+
+[Footnote 362: See No. II.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 36. [? STEELE.[363]
+
+By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Thursday, June 30_, to _Saturday, July 2_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From our own Apartment, June 30.
+
+Many affairs calling my brother into the country, the care of our
+intelligence with the town is left to me for some time; therefore you
+must expect the advices you meet with in this paper to be such as more
+immediately and naturally fall under the consideration of our sex:
+history therefore written by a woman, you will easily imagine to consist
+of love in all its forms, both in the abuse of, and obedience to that
+passion. As to the faculty of writing itself, it will not, it is hoped,
+be demanded, that style and ornament shall be so much consulted, as
+truth and simplicity; which latter qualities we may more justly pretend
+to beyond the other sex. While therefore the administration of our
+affairs is in my hands, you shall from time to time have an exact
+account of all false lovers, and their shallow pretences for breaking
+off; of all termagant wives who make wedlock a yoke; of men who affect
+the entertainments and manners suitable only to our sex, and women who
+pretend to the conduct of such affairs as are only within the province
+of men. It is necessary further to advertise the reader, that the usual
+places of resort being utterly out of my province or observation, I
+shall be obliged frequently to change the dates of places, as
+occurrences come into my way. The following letter I lately received
+from Epsom.[364]
+
+
+Epsom, June 28.
+
+"It is now almost three weeks since what you writ about happened in this
+place: the quarrel between my friends did not run so high as I find your
+accounts have made it. The truth of the fact you shall have very
+faithfully. You are to understand, that the persons concerned in this
+scene were, Lady Autumn, and Lady Springly:[365] Autumn is a person of
+good breeding, formality, and a singular way practised in the last age;
+and Lady Springly, a modern impertinent of our sex, who affects as
+improper familiarity, as the other does distance. Lady Autumn knows to a
+hair's-breadth where her place is in all assemblies and conversations;
+but Springly neither gives nor takes place of anybody, but understands
+the place to signify no more, than to have room enough to be at ease
+wherever she comes. Thus while Autumn takes the whole of this life to
+consist in understanding punctilio and decorum, Springly takes
+everything to be becoming which contributes to her ease and
+satisfaction. These heroines have married two brothers, both knights.
+Springly is the spouse of the elder, who is a baronet; and Autumn, being
+a rich widow, has taken the younger, and her purse endowed him with an
+equal fortune and knighthood of the same order. This jumble of titles,
+you need not doubt, has been an aching torment to Autumn, who took place
+of the other on no pretence, but her carelessness and disregard of
+distinction. This secret occasion of envy broiled long in the breast of
+Autumn; but no opportunity of contention on that subject happening, kept
+all things quiet till the accident, of which you demand an account.
+
+"It was given out among all the gay people of this place, that on the
+9th instant several damsels, swift of foot, were to run for a suit of
+head-clothes at the Old Wells. Lady Autumn on this occasion invited
+Springly to go with her in her coach to see the race. When they came to
+the place where the governor of Epsom and all his court of citizens were
+assembled, as well as a crowd of people of all orders, a brisk young
+fellow addresses himself to the younger of the ladies, viz., Springly,
+and offers her his service to conduct her into the music-room. Springly
+accepts the compliment, and is led triumphantly through the bowing
+crowd, while Autumn is left among the rabble, and has much ado to get
+back into her coach; but she did it at last: and as it is usual to see
+by the horses my lady's present disposition, she orders John to whip
+furiously home to her husband; where, when she enters, down she sits,
+began to unpin her hood, and lament her foolish fond heart to marry into
+a family where she was so little regarded, she that might--Here she
+stops; then rises up and stamps, and sits down again. Her gentle knight
+made his approaches with a supple beseeching gesture. 'My dear,' said
+he--'Tell me no dears,' replied Autumn; in the presence of the governor
+and all the merchants; 'What will the world say of a woman that has
+thrown herself away at this rate?' Sir Thomas withdrew, and knew it
+would not be long a secret to him; as well as that experience told him,
+he that marries a fortune, is of course guilty of all faults against his
+wife, let them be committed by whom they will. But Springly, an hour or
+two after, returns from the Wells, and finds the whole company together.
+Down she sat, and a profound silence ensued. You know a premeditated
+quarrel usually begins and works up with the words, 'Some people.' The
+silence was broken by Lady Autumn, who began to say, 'There are some
+people who fancy, that if some people--' Springly immediately takes her
+up; 'There are some people who fancy, if other people--' Autumn
+repartees, 'People may give themselves airs; but other people, perhaps,
+who make less ado, may be, perhaps, as agreeable as people who set
+themselves out more.' All the other people at the table sat mute, while
+these two people, who were quarrelling, went on with the use of the word
+'people,' instancing the very accidents between them, as if they kept
+only in distant hints. 'Therefore,' says Autumn, reddening, 'there are
+some people who will go abroad in other people's coaches, and leave
+those, with whom they went, to shift for themselves; and if, perhaps,
+those people have married the younger brother, yet, perhaps, he may be
+beholden to those people for what he is.' Springly smartly answers,
+'People may bring so much ill humour into a family, as people may repent
+their receiving their money'; and goes on--'Everybody is not
+considerable enough to give her uneasiness.' Upon this, Autumn comes up
+to her, and desired her to kiss her, and never to see her again; which
+her sister refusing, my lady gave her a box on the ear. Springly
+returns; 'Ay, ay,' said she, 'I knew well enough you meant me by your
+"some people,"' and gives her another on the other side. To it they went
+with most masculine fury: each husband ran in. The wives immediately
+fell upon their husbands, and tore periwigs and cravats. The company
+interposed; when (according to the slip-knot of matrimony, which makes
+them return to one another when any put in between) the ladies and their
+husbands fell upon all the rest of the company; and having beat all
+their friends and relations out of the house, came to themselves time
+enough to know, there was no bearing the jest of the place after these
+adventures, and therefore marched off the next day. It is said, the
+governor has sent several joints of mutton, and has proposed divers
+dishes very exquisitely dressed, to bring them down again. From his
+address and knowledge in roast and boiled, all our hopes of the return
+of this good company depend. I am,
+
+"Dear Jenny,
+
+"Your ready Friend
+
+"And Servant,
+
+                                        "MARTHA TATLER."
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 30.
+
+This day appeared here a figure of a person, whose services to the fair
+sex have reduced him to a kind of existence, for which there is no name.
+If there be a condition between life and death, without being absolutely
+dead or living, his state is that. His aspect and complexion in his
+robust days gave him the illustrious title of Africanus:[366] but it is
+not only from the warm climates in which he has served, nor from the
+disasters which he has suffered, that he deserves the same appellation
+with that renowned Roman; but the magnanimity with which he appears in
+his last moments, is what gives him the undoubted character of Hero.
+Cato stabbed himself, and Hannibal drank poison; but our Africanus lives
+in the continual puncture of aching bones and poisoned juices. The old
+heroes fled from torments by death, and this modern lives in death and
+torments, with a heart wholly bent upon a supply for remaining in them.
+An ordinary spirit would sink under his oppressions; but he makes an
+advantage of his very sorrow, and raises an income from his diseases.
+Long has this worthy been conversant in bartering, and knows, that when
+stocks are lowest, it is the time to buy. Therefore, with much prudence
+and tranquillity, he thinks, that now he has not a bone sound, but a
+thousand nodous parts for which the anatomists have not words, and more
+diseases than the College ever heard of, it is the only time to purchase
+an annuity for life. Sir Thomas[367] told me, it was an entertainment
+more surprising and pleasant than can be imagined, to see an inhabitant
+of neither world without hand to lift, or leg to move, scarce tongue to
+utter his meaning, so keen upon biting the whole world, and making
+bubbles at his exit. Sir Thomas added, that he would have bought twelve
+shillings a year of him, but that he feared there was some trick in it,
+and believed him already dead: "What!" says that knight, "is Mr.
+Partridge, whom I met just now going on both his legs firmer than I can,
+allowed to be quite dead; and shall Africanus, without one limb that can
+do its office, be pronounced alive?" What heightened the tragi-comedy of
+this market for annuities was, that the observation of it provoked
+Monoculus[368] (who is the most eloquent of all men) to many excellent
+reflections, which he spoke with the vehemence and language both of a
+gamester and an orator. "When I cast," said that delightful speaker, "my
+eye upon thee, thou unaccountable Africanus, I cannot but call myself as
+unaccountable as thou art; for certainly we were born to show what
+contradictions nature is pleased to form in the same species. Here am I,
+able to eat, to drink, to sleep, and do all acts of nature, except
+begetting my like; and yet by an unintelligible force of spleen and
+fancy, I every moment imagine I am dying. It is utter madness in thee to
+provide for supper; for I'll bet you ten to one, you don't live till
+half an hour after four; and yet I am so distracted as to be in fear
+every moment, though I'll lay ten to three, I drink three pints of burnt
+claret at your funeral three nights hence. After all, I envy thee; thou
+who dying hast no sense of death, art happier than one in health
+that[369] always fears it." The knight had gone on, but that a third man
+ended the scene by applauding the knight's eloquence and philosophy, in
+a laughter too violent for his own constitution, as much as he mocked
+that of Africanus and Monoculus.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 1.
+
+This day arrived three mails from Holland, with advices relating to the
+posture of affairs in the Low Countries, which say, that the Confederate
+army extends from Luchin, on the causeway between Tournay and Lisle, to
+Epain near Mortagne on the Scheldt. The Marshal Villars remains in his
+camp at Lens; but it is said, he detached ten thousand men under the
+command of the Chevalier de Luxembourg, with orders to form a camp at
+Crepin on the Haine, between Cond� and St. Guillain, where he is to be
+joined by the Elector of Bavaria with a body of troops, and after their
+conjunction, to attempt to march into Brabant. But they write from
+Brussels, that the Duke of Marlborough having it equally in his power to
+make detachments to the same parts, they are under no apprehensions from
+these reports for the safety of their country. They further add from
+Brussels, that they have good authority for believing that the French
+troops under the conduct of Marshal de Bezons are retiring out of
+Spain.[370]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 363: Nichols argued that this and the two following numbers
+were by Addison. (1) At the end of No. 37 there is a list of errata for
+the preceding number. It was Addison's frequent practice to make verbal
+alterations in a preceding paper, and this Steele never did, except in
+rare cases, or where there was a positive mistake. (2) All the three
+papers are _superscribed_, as Addison's often were, and appear upon the
+face of them, to be of the nature, and in the number of those, for which
+Steele stood sponsor, and was very patiently traduced and calumniated,
+as he acknowledges to Congreve, in the Dedication prefixed to "The
+Drummer." There is nothing in the style or manner of any of the three
+that appears incongruous with such a supposition; and the nature of
+their principal contents seems to support it. They consist chiefly of
+pleasantries and oblique strokes, apparently on persons of fashion, in
+that age, of both sexes. It appears from the Dedication to "The
+Drummer," that Steele had Addison's direct injunctions to hide papers
+which he never did declare to be Addison's. The case, in short, seems to
+be, that as, as Steele says, there are communications in the course of
+this work, which Addison's modesty, so there are likewise others, which
+Addison's prudence, "would never have admitted to come into daylight,
+but under such a shelter." According to the usual rule where there is
+uncertainty, Steele's name is placed at the head of the papers in this
+edition. Probably he was responsible in any case for part of the
+contents of each of these numbers.]
+
+[Footnote 364: Epsom was frequented for its mineral waters, and was also
+a favourite holiday resort. "At the Crown Coffee-house, behind the Royal
+Exchange, fresh Epsom water, with the rest of the purging waters, at 2d.
+per quart, and sold both winter and summer, and Epsom salt." (See
+"British Apollo," vol. iii. No. 15, 1710, and "Post Man," June 11,
+1700.) "The New Wells at Epsom, with variety of raffling-shops, a
+billiard-table, and a bowling-green, and attended with a new set of
+music, are now open," &c. (_Flying Post_, Aug. 4-6, 1709.) The new Wells
+were opened on Easter Monday, 1709 (_Daily Courant_, April 23, 1709). We
+can form some idea of Epsom some years before, with its wells and
+bowling-green, from Shadwell's play, "Epsom Wells," 1673. See also No.
+7.]
+
+[Footnote 365: On July 8, 1709, Peter Wentworth wrote to Lord Raby: "I
+have not sent you the _Tatler_ of last Saturday, because I was told
+'twas dull, but that persons judgement I shall take no more; for having
+since read it I think it diverting enough, the news from Epsom is almost
+matter of fact, wch makes the jest the better; the Ladys are city ladys,
+named Turners" ("Wentworth Papers," p. 93). This is confirmed by the MS.
+annotator mentioned in No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 366: "I like the description of Africanus, wch is Sir Scipio
+Hill ... Sir Scipio Hill with his new project of getting money occasions
+some diversion and talk at White's. You may have heard for this long
+while he was dieing of the ----; he now come abroad and look a divel, or
+at least a sad _memento mori_. He gives forescore guineas to receive ten
+guineas a quarter for his life, Sir James of the Peak is his agent, and
+runs about offering it all that will take. Boscowen has took it, and two
+or three more, who are of opinion he will not live a month. Those he had
+made his heirs does not approve of this whim, for he's resolved to
+dispose of all his ready money this way if he can find substantial fools
+enough to take it; but the crack begins to run as if he may live a great
+while for all he looks so ill, for he has recovered his voice to a
+miracle" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, July 1 and 8, 1709; "Wentworth
+Papers," pp. 92-3).]
+
+[Footnote 367: The waiter. See No. 16.]
+
+[Footnote 368: Said to be Sir Humphrey Monoux, Bart., who was elected
+M.P. for Tavistock in 1728, and for Stockbridge in 1734. He succeeded to
+the baronetage in 1707, and died without issue in 1757.]
+
+[Footnote 369: "Thou that hast no sense of death, art happier than one
+that" (folio; altered in Errata in No. 37).]
+
+[Footnote 370: "This paper, with a blank leaf to write business on, may
+be had of J. Morphew, near Stationers'-hall" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 37. [?STEELE.[371]
+
+From _Saturday, July 2_, to _Tuesday, July 5_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 2.
+
+It may be thought very unaccountable, that I,[372] who can never be
+supposed to go to White's, should pretend to talk to you of matters
+proper for, or in the style of, that place. But though I do not go to
+these public haunts, I receive visits from those who do; and for all
+they pretend so much to the contrary, they are as talkative as our sex,
+and as much at a loss to entertain the present company, without
+sacrificing the last, as we ourselves. This reflection has led me into
+the consideration of the use of speech; and made me look over in my
+memory all my acquaintance of both sexes, to know to which I may more
+justly impute the sin of superfluous discourse, with regard to
+conversation, and not entering into it as it respects religion. I
+foresee my acquaintance will immediately, upon starting this subject,
+ask me, how I shall celebrate Mrs. Alse Copswood,[373] the Yorkshire
+huntress, who is come to town lately, and moves as if she were on her
+nag, and going to take a five-bar gate; and is as loud as if she were
+following her dogs. I can easily answer that; for she is as soft as
+Damon, in comparison of her brother-in-law Tom Bellfrey,[374] who is the
+most accomplished man in this kingdom for all gentlemanlike activities
+and accomplishments. It is allowed, that he is a professed enemy to the
+Italian performers in music. But then for our own native manner,
+according to the customs and known usages of our island, he is to be
+preferred, for the generality of the pleasure he bestows, much above
+those fellows,[375] though they sing to full theatres. For what is a
+theatrical voice to that of a fox-hunter? I have been at a musical
+entertainment in an open field, where it amazed me to hear to what
+pitches the chief masters would reach. There was a meeting near our seat
+in Staffordshire, and the most eminent of all the counties of England
+were at it. How wonderful was the harmony between men and dogs! Robin
+Cartail of Bucks was to answer to Jowler; Mr. Tinbreast of Cornwall was
+appointed to open with Sweetlips, and Beau Slimber, a Londoner,
+undertook to keep up with Trips, a whelp just set in: Tom Bellfrey and
+Ringwood were coupled together, to fill the cry on all occasions, and be
+in at the death of the fox, hare, or stag; for which both the dog and
+the man were excellently suited, and loved one another, and were as much
+together as Banister and King. When Jowler first alarmed the field,
+Cartail repeated every note; Sweetlips' treble succeeded, and shook the
+wood; Tinbreast echoed a quarter of a mile beyond it. We were soon after
+all at a loss, till we rid up, and found Trips and Slimber at a default
+in half-notes: but the day and the tune was recovered by Tom Bellfrey
+and Ringwood, to the great joy of us all, though they drowned every
+other voice: for Bellfrey carries a note four furlongs, three rood, and
+six paces, farther than any other in England. But I fear the mention of
+this will be thought a digression from my purpose about speech: but I
+answer, No. Since this is used where speech rather should be employed,
+it may come into consideration in the same chapter: for Mr. Bellfrey
+being at a visit where I was, viz., his cousin's (Lady Dainty's) in
+Soho, was asked, what entertainments they had in the country? Now
+Bellfrey is very ignorant, and much a clown; but confident withal. In a
+word, he struck up a fox-chase: Lady Dainty's dog, Mr. Sippet, as she
+calls him, started and jumped out of his lady's lap, and fell a barking.
+Bellfrey went on, and called all the neighbouring parishes into the
+square. Never was woman in such confusion as that delicate lady. But
+there was no stopping her kinsman. A room full of ladies fell into the
+most violent laughter: my lady looked as if she was shrieking; Mr.
+Sippet in the middle of the room, breaking his heart with barking, but
+all of us unheard. As soon as Bellfrey became silent, up gets my lady,
+and takes him by the arm to lead him off: Bellfrey was in his boots. As
+she was hurrying him away, his spurs takes hold of her petticoat; his
+whip throws down a cabinet of china: he cries, "What! are your crocks
+rotten? Are your petticoats ragged? A man can't walk in your house for
+trincums." Every county of Great Britain has one hundred or more of this
+sort of fellows, who roar instead of speaking. Therefore if it be true,
+that we women are also given to greater fluency of words than is
+necessary, sure one that disturbs but a room or a family is more to be
+tolerated, than one who draws together parishes and counties, and
+sometimes (with an estate that might make him the blessing and ornament
+of the world around him) has no other view and ambition, but to be an
+animal above dogs and horses, without the relish of any one enjoyment,
+which is peculiar to the faculties of human nature. But I know it will
+here be said, that talking of mere country squires at this rate, is, as
+it were, to write against Valentine or Orson. To prove anything against
+the race of men, you must take them as they are adorned with education,
+as they live in Courts, or have received instructions in colleges.
+
+But I was so full of my late entertainment by Mr. Bellfrey, that I must
+defer pursuing this subject to another day; and waive the proper
+observations upon the different offenders in this kind, some by profound
+eloquence, on small occasions, others by degrading speech upon great
+circumstances. Expect therefore to hear of the whisperer without
+business, the laugher without wit, the complainer without receiving
+injuries, and a very large crowd, which I shall not forestall, who are
+common (though not commonly observed) impertinents, whose tongues are
+too voluble for their brains, and are the general despisers of us women,
+though we have their superiors, the men of sense, for our servants.[376]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 4.
+
+There has arrived no mail since our last; so that we have no manner of
+foreign news, except we were to give you, for such, the many
+speculations which are on foot concerning what was imported by the last
+advices. There are, it seems, sixty battalions and seventeen squadrons
+appointed to serve in the siege of Tournay; the garrison of which place
+consists but of eleven battalions and four squadrons. Letters of the
+29th of the last month from Berlin have brought advice, that the Kings
+of Denmark, Prussia, and his Majesty Augustus, were within few days to
+come to an interview at Potsdam. These letters mention, that two Polish
+princes of the family of the Sapicha and Lubermirsky, lately arrived
+from Paris, confirm the reports of the misery in France for want of
+provisions, and give a particular instance of it, which is, that on the
+day Monsieur Rouill� returned to Court, the common people gathered in
+crowds about the Dauphin's coach, crying, "Peace and bread, bread and
+peace."
+
+Mrs. Distaff has taken upon her, while she writes this paper, to turn
+her thoughts wholly to the service of her own sex, and to propose
+remedies against the greatest vexations attending female life. She has
+for this end written a small treatise concerning the second word, with
+an appendix on the use of a reply, very useful to all such as are
+married to persons either ill-bred or ill-natured. There is in this
+tract a digression for the use of virgins concerning the words, "I
+will."
+
+A gentlewoman who has a very delicate ear, wants a maid who can whisper,
+and help her in the government of her family. If the said servant can
+clear-starch, lisp, and tread softly, she shall have suitable
+encouragement in her wages.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 371: See note to No. 36.]
+
+[Footnote 372: Jenny Distaff.]
+
+[Footnote 373: The Jacobite Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sharpe, who
+died in 1713. See _Examiner_, vol. iv. No. 22.]
+
+[Footnote 374: Dr. Blackall (1654-1716), who was made Bishop of Exeter
+in 1708.]
+
+[Footnote 375: The French Prophets, from the Cevennes. Dr. Blackall's
+sermon against them was printed by order of the Queen.]
+
+[Footnote 376: The following article appeared only in the folio issue:--
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 3.
+
+A very ingenious gentleman was complaining this evening, that the
+players are grown so severe critics, that they would not take in his
+play, though it has as many fine things in it as any play that has been
+writ since the days of Dryden. He began his discourse about his play
+with a preface.
+
+"There is," said he, "somewhat (however we palliate it) in the very
+frame and make of us, that subjects our minds to chagrin and
+irresolution on any emergency of time or place. The difficulty grows on
+our sickened imagination, under all the killing circumstances of danger
+and disappointment. This we see, not only in the men of retirement and
+fancy, but in the characters of the men of action; with this only
+difference, the coward sees the danger, and sickens under it; the hero,
+warmed by the difficulty, dilates, and rises in proportion to that, and
+in some sort makes use of his very fears to disarm it. A remarkable
+instance of this we have in the great C�sar, when he came to the
+Rubicon, and was entering upon a part, perhaps, the most hazardous he
+ever bore (certainly the most ungrateful), a war with his countrymen.
+When his mind brooded over personal affronts, perhaps his anger burned
+with a desire of revenge. But when more serious reflections laid before
+him the hazard of the enterprise, with the dismal consequences which
+were likely to attend it, aggravated by a special circumstance, What
+figure it would bear in the world, or how be excused to posterity. What
+shall he do?--His honour, which was his religion, bids him arm; and he
+sounds the inclinations of his party, by this set speech:
+
+#_C�SAR_ to his Party at the Rubicon.#
+
+    Great Jove, attend, and thou my native soil,
+    Safe in my triumphs, glutted in my spoil;
+    Witness with what reluctance I oppose
+    My arms to thine, secure of other foes.
+    What passive breast can bear disgrace like mine?
+    Traitor!--For this I conquered on the Rhine,
+    Endured their ten years' drudgery in Gaul,
+    Adjourned their fate, and saved the Capitol.
+    I grew by every guilty triumph less;
+    The crowd, when drunk with joy, their souls express,
+    Impatient of the war, yet fear success.
+    Brave actions dazzle with too bright a ray,
+    Like birds obscene they chatter at the day;
+    Giddy with rule, and valiant in debate,
+    They throw the die of war, to save the state;
+    And gods! to gild ingratitude with fame,
+    Assume the patriot's, we the rebel's name.
+    Farewell, my friends, your general forlorn,
+    To your bare pity, and the public scorn,
+    Must lay that honour and his laurel down,
+    To serve the vain caprices of the gown;
+    Exposed to all indignities, the brave
+    Deserve of those they gloried but to save,
+    To rods and axes!--No, the slaves can't dare
+    Play with my grief, and tempt my last despair.
+    This shall the honours which it won maintain,
+    Or do me justice, ere I hug my chain."
+
+The reason for cancelling this article when these papers were
+republished in octavo, is obvious; for, being printed by Steele, it
+would naturally be applied to the circumstances in which the Duke of
+Marlborough was at that time: "The Duke having his commission under the
+Great Seal, the order of the Queen was not sufficient to dissolve his
+power. His friends advised him to assemble, by his authority as general,
+all the troops in London, in the different squares, and to take
+possession of St. James's, and the person of the Queen. Oxford, apprised
+of this design, suddenly called together the Cabinet Council. Though he
+probably concealed his intelligence to prevent their fears, he told them
+of the necessity of superseding Marlborough under the Great Seal. This
+business was soon despatched. His dismission in form was sent to the
+Duke. The Earl of Oxford, no stranger to the character of Marlborough,
+knew that he would not act against law, by assembling the troops. The
+natural diffidence of his disposition had made him unfit for enterprises
+of danger, in a degree that furnished his enemies with insinuations
+against his personal courage."--(Macpherson's "State Papers," quoted by
+Nichols.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 38. [?STEELE.[377]
+
+From _Tuesday, July 5_, to _Thursday, July 7, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 6.
+
+I find among my brother's papers the following letter verbatim, which I
+wonder how he could suppress so long as he has, since it was sent him
+for no other end, but to show the good effect his writings have already
+had upon the ill customs of the age.
+
+                                        "London, _June 23_.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"The end of all public papers ought to be the benefit and instruction,
+as well as the diversion of the readers: to which I see none so truly
+conducive as your late performances; especially those tending to the
+rooting out from amongst us that unchristianlike and bloody custom of
+duelling; which, that you have already in some measure performed, will
+appear to the public in the following no less true than heroic story.
+
+"A noble gentleman of this city, who has the honour of serving his
+country as major in the train-bands, being at that general mart of
+stockjobbers called Jonathan's,[378] endeavouring to raise himself (as
+all men of honour ought) to the degree of colonel at least; it happened
+that he bought the 'bear'[379] of another officer, who, though not
+commissioned in the army, yet no less eminently serves the public than
+the other, in raising the credit of the kingdom, by raising that of the
+stocks. However, having sold the 'bear,' and words arising about the
+delivery, the most noble major, no less scorning to be outwitted in the
+coffee-house, than to run into the field, according to method, abused
+the other with the titles of, 'rogue,' 'villain,' 'bearskin-man,' and
+the like. Whereupon satisfaction was demanded, and accepted: so, forth
+the major marched, commanding his adversary to follow. To a most
+spacious room in the sheriff's house, near the place of quarrel, they
+come; where, having due regard to what you have lately published, they
+resolved not to shed one another's blood in that barbarous manner you
+prohibited; yet, not willing to put up affronts without satisfaction,
+they stripped, and in decent manner fought full fairly with their
+wrathful hands. The combat lasted a quarter of an hour; in which time
+victory was often doubtful, and many a dry blow was strenuously laid on
+by each side, till the major finding his adversary obstinate, unwilling
+to give him further chastisement, with most shrill voice cried out, 'I
+am satisfied, enough.' Whereupon the combat ceased, and both were
+friends immediately.
+
+"Thus the world may see, how necessary it is to encourage those men who
+make it their business to instruct the people in everything necessary
+for their preservation. I am informed, a body of worthy citizens have
+agreed on an address of thanks to you for what you have writ on the
+foregoing subject, whereby they acknowledge one of their highly esteemed
+officers preserved from death.
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "A. B."
+
+I fear the word "bear" is hardly to be understood among the polite
+people; but I take the meaning to be, that one who ensures a real value
+upon an imaginary thing, is said to sell a "bear," and is the same thing
+as a promise among courtiers, or a vow between lovers. I have writ to my
+brother to hasten to town; and hope, that printing the letters directed
+to him, which I knew not how to answer, will bring him speedily; and
+therefore I add also the following:
+
+                                        "_July 5_, 1709.
+
+"MR. BICKERSTAFF,
+
+You having hinted a generous intention of taking under your
+consideration the whisperers without business, and laughers without
+occasion; as you tender the welfare of your country, I entreat you not
+to forget or delay so public-spirited a work. Now or never is the time.
+Many other calamities may cease with the war; but I dismally dread the
+multiplication of these mortals under the ease and luxuriousness of a
+settled peace, half the blessing of which may be destroyed by them.
+Their mistake lies certainly here, in a wretched belief, that their
+mimicry passes for real business, or true wit. Dear sir, convince them,
+that it never was, is, or ever will be, either of them; nor ever did,
+does, or to all futurity ever can, look like either of them; but that it
+is the most cursed disturbance in nature, which is possible to be
+inflicted on mankind, under the noble definition of a sociable creature.
+In doing this, sir, you will oblige more humble servants than can find
+room to subscribe their names."
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 6.
+
+In pursuance of my last date from hence, I am to proceed on the accounts
+I promised of several personages among the men, whose conspicuous
+fortunes, or ambition in showing their follies, have exalted them above
+their fellows: the levity of their minds is visible in their every word
+and gesture, and there is not a day passes but puts me in mind of Mr.
+Wycherley's character of a coxcomb: "He is ugly all over with the
+affectation of the fine gentleman." Now though the women may put on
+softness in their looks, or affected severity, or impertinent gaiety, or
+pert smartness, their self-love and admiration cannot, under any of
+these disguises, appear so invincible as that of the men. You may easily
+take notice, that in all their actions there is a secret approbation,
+either in the tone of their voice, the turn of their body, or cast of
+their eye, which shows that they are extremely in their own favour. Take
+one of your men of business, he shall keep you half an hour with your
+hat off, entertaining you with his consideration of that affair you
+spoke of to him last, till he has drawn a crowd that observes you in
+this grimace. Then when he is public enough, he immediately runs into
+secrets, and falls a whispering. You and he make breaks with adverbs;
+as, "But however, thus far"; and then you whisper again, and so on, till
+they who are about you are dispersed, and your busy man's vanity is no
+longer gratified by the notice taken of what importance he is, and how
+inconsiderable you are; for your pretender to business is never in
+secret, but in public. There is my dear Lord Nowhere, of all men the
+most gracious and most obliging, the terror of all _valets-de-chambre_,
+whom he oppresses with good breeding, in inquiring for my good lord, and
+for my good lady's health. This inimitable courtier will whisper a privy
+councillor's lackey with the utmost goodness and condescension, to know
+when they next sit; and is thoroughly taken up, and thinks he has a part
+in a secret, if he knows that there is a secret. "What it is," he will
+whisper you, "that time will discover"; then he shrugs, and calls you
+back again--"Sir, I need not say to you, that these things are not to be
+spoken of--and hark you, no names, I would not be quoted." What adds to
+the jest is, that his emptiness has its moods and seasons, and he will
+not condescend to let you into these his discoveries, except he is in
+very good humour, or has seen somebody in fashion talk to you. He will
+keep his nothing to himself, and pass by and overlook as well as the
+best of them; not observing that he is insolent when he is gracious, and
+obliging when he is haughty. Show me a woman so inconsiderable as this
+frequent character. But my mind (now I am in) turns to many no less
+observable: thou dear Will Shoestring![380] I profess myself in love
+with thee: how shall I speak thee? How shall I address thee? How shall I
+draw thee? Thou dear outside! Will you be combing your wig,[381] playing
+with your box, or picking your teeth? Or choosest thou rather to be
+speaking; to be speaking for thy only purpose in speaking, to show your
+teeth? Rub them no longer, dear Shoestring: do not premeditate murder:
+do not for ever whiten: Oh! that for my quiet and his own they were
+rotten. But I will forget him, and give my hand to the courteous Umbra;
+he is a fine man indeed, but the soft creature bows below my
+apron-string before he takes it; but after the first ceremonies, he is
+as familiar as my physician, and his insignificancy makes me half ready
+to complain to him of all I would to my doctor. But he is so courteous,
+that he carries half the messages of ladies' ails in town to their
+midwives and nurses. He understands too the art of medicine as far as to
+the cure of a pimple or a rash. On occasions of the like importance, he
+is the most assiduous of all men living, in consulting and searching
+precedents from family to family; and then he speaks of his
+obsequiousness and diligence in the style of real services. If you sneer
+at him, and thank him for his great friendship, he bows, and says,
+"Madam, all the good offices in my power, while I have any knowledge or
+credit, shall be at your service." The consideration of so shallow a
+being, and the intent application with which he pursues trifles, has
+made me carefully reflect upon that sort of men we usually call an
+Impertinent: and I am, upon mature deliberation, so far from being
+offended with him, that I am really obliged to him; for though he will
+take you aside, and talk half an hour to you upon matters wholly
+insignificant with the most solemn air, yet I consider, that these
+things are of weight in his imagination, and he thinks he is
+communicating what is for my service. If therefore it be a just rule to
+judge of a man by his intention, according to the equity of good
+breeding, he that is impertinently kind or wise, to do you service,
+ought in return to have a proportionable place both in your affection
+and esteem; so that the courteous Umbra deserves the favour of all his
+acquaintance; for though he never served them, he is ever willing to do
+it, and believes he does it. But as impotent kindness is to be returned
+with all our abilities to oblige, so impotent malice is to be treated
+with all our force to depress it. For this reason Flyblow (who is
+received in all the families in town through the degeneracy and iniquity
+of their manners) is to be treated like a knave, though he is one of the
+weakest of fools: he has by rote, and at second-hand, all that can be
+said of any man of figure, wit, and virtue in town. Name a man of worth,
+and this creature tells you the worst passage of his life. Speak of a
+beautiful woman, and this puppy will whisper the next man to him, though
+he has nothing to say of her. He is a Fly that feeds on the sore part,
+and would have nothing to live on, if the whole body were in health. You
+may know him by the frequency of pronouncing the particle "but"; for
+which reason I never hear him spoke of with common charity, without
+using my "but" against him: for a friend of mine saying the other day,
+Mrs. Distaff has wit, good humour, virtue, and friendship, this oaf
+added, "'But' she is not handsome." Coxcomb! The gentleman was saying
+what I was, not what I was not.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 6.
+
+The approaches before Tournay have been carried on with great success;
+and our advices from the camp before that place of the 11th instant say,
+that they had already made a lodgment on the glacis. Two hundred boats
+were come up the Scheldt with a heavy artillery and ammunition, which
+would be employed in dismounting the enemy's defences, and raised on the
+batteries the 15th. A great body of miners are summoned to the camp to
+countermine the works of the enemy. We are convinced of the weakness of
+the garrison, by a certain account, that they called a council of war,
+to consult whether it was not advisable to march into the citadel, and
+leave the town defenceless. We are assured, that when the Confederate
+army was advancing towards the camp of Marshal Villars, that general
+despatched a courier to his master with a letter, giving an account of
+their approach, which concluded with the following words: "The day
+begins to break, and your Majesty's army is already in order of battle.
+Before noon, I hope to have the honour of congratulating your Majesty on
+the success of a great action; and you shall be very well satisfied with
+the Marshal Villars."
+
+It is to be noted, that when any part of this paper appears dull, there
+is a design in it.[382]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 377: See note to No. 36.]
+
+[Footnote 378: A coffee-house in Change Alley. See _Spectator_, No. 1,
+and Mrs. Centlivre's "Bold Stroke for a Wife."]
+
+[Footnote 379: See No. 7.]
+
+[Footnote 380: Sir William Whitlocke, Knt., Member for Oxon, Bencher of
+the Middle Temple. He is the learned knight mentioned in No. 43 (Percy).
+This is confirmed by the MS. annotator mentioned in a note to No. 4.
+Nichols explains that Whitlocke is called Will Shoestring, for his
+singularity in using shoe-strings, so long after the era of
+shoe-buckles, which commenced in the reign of Charles II., although
+ordinary people, and such as affected plainness in their garb, wore
+strings in their shoes after that time.]
+
+[Footnote 381: "Combing the peruke, at the time when men of fashion wore
+large wigs, was even at public places an act of gallantry. The combs,
+for this purpose, were of a very large size, of ivory or tortoise-shell,
+curiously chased and ornamented, and were carried in the pocket as
+constantly as the snuff-box. At Court, on the Mall, and in the boxes,
+gentlemen conversed and combed their perukes "(Sir John Hawkins' "Hist,
+of Music," vol. iv. p. 447, note). Cf. Dryden's prologue to "Almanzor
+and Almahide":--
+
+    "But as when vizard mask appears in pit,
+    Straight every man who thinks himself a wit,
+    Perks up; and managing his comb with grace,
+    With his white wig sets off his nut-brown face."
+
+And "The Fortune Hunters," act i. sc. 2 (1689): "He looked, indeed, and
+sighed, and set his cravat-string, and sighed again, and combed his
+periwig: sighed a third time, and then took snuff, I guess to show the
+whiteness of his hand." See, too, Wycherley's "Love in a Wood," act iii.
+sc. 1:--
+
+"DAPPERWIT. Let me prune and flounce my perruque a little for her;
+there's ne'er a young fellow in the town but will do as much for a mere
+stranger in the play-house.
+
+"RANGER. A wit's wig has the privilege of being uncombed in the very
+play-house, or in the presence--
+
+"DAPPERWIT. But not in the presence of his mistress; 'tis a greater
+neglect of her than himself; pray lend me your comb.... She comes, she
+comes; pray, your comb. (_Snatches_ RANGER'S _comb_.)"]
+
+[Footnote 382: "Mrs. Distaff hath received the Dialogue dated Monday
+evening, which she has sent forward to Mr. Bickerstaff at Maidenhead:
+and in the meantime gives her service to the parties" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 39. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Thursday, July 7_, to _Saturday, July 9_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 7.
+
+As I am called forth by the immense love I bear to my fellow creatures,
+and the warm inclination I feel within me, to stem, as far as I can, the
+prevailing torrent of vice and ignorance; so I cannot more properly
+pursue that noble impulse, than by setting forth the excellence of
+virtue and knowledge in their native and beautiful colours. For this
+reason I made my late excursion to Oxford, where those qualities appear
+in their highest lustre, and are the only pretences to honour and
+distinction: superiority is there given in proportion to men's
+advancement in wisdom and learning; and that just rule of life is so
+universally received among those happy people, that you shall see an
+earl walk bareheaded to the son of the meanest artificer, in respect to
+seven years more worth and knowledge than the nobleman is possessed of.
+In other places they bow to men's fortunes, but here to their
+understandings. It is not to be expressed, how pleasing the order, the
+discipline, the regularity of their lives, is to a philosopher, who has,
+by many years' experience in the world, learned to contemn everything
+but what is revered in this mansion of select and well-taught spirits.
+The magnificence of their palaces, the greatness of their revenues, the
+sweetness of their groves and retirements, seem equally adapted for the
+residence of princes and philosophers; and a familiarity with objects of
+splendour, as well as places of recess, prepares the inhabitants with an
+equanimity for their future fortunes, whether humble or illustrious. How
+was I pleased when I looked round at St. Mary's, and could, in the faces
+of the ingenious youth, see ministers of state, chancellors, bishops,
+and judges. Here only is human life! Here only the life of man is a
+rational being! Here men understand and are employed in works worthy
+their noble nature. This transitory being passes away in an employment
+not unworthy a future state, the contemplation of the great decrees of
+Providence. Each man lives as if he were to answer the questions made to
+Job, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?... Who
+shut up the sea with doors, ... and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, and
+no further?"[383] Such speculations make life agreeable, make death
+welcome, But alas! I was torn from this noble society by the business of
+this dirty mean world, and the cares of fortune: for I was obliged to be
+in town against the 7th day of the term, and accordingly governed myself
+by my Oxford Almanack, and came last night; but find, to my great
+astonishment, that this ignorant town began the term on the 24th of the
+last month, in opposition to all the learning and astronomy of the
+famous university of which I have been speaking; according to which, the
+term certainly was to commence on the 1st instant.[384] You may be sure,
+a man who has turned his studies as I have, could not be mistaken in
+point of time; for knowing I was to come to town in term, I examined the
+passing moments very narrowly, and called an eminent astronomer to my
+assistance. Upon very strict observation we found, that the cold has
+been so severe this last winter (which is allowed to have a benumbing
+quality), that it retarded the earth in moving round from Christmas to
+this season full seven days and two seconds. My learned friend assured
+me further, that the earth had lately received a shog from a comet that
+crossed its vortex, which, if it had come ten degrees nearer us, had
+made us lose this whole term. I was indeed once of opinion, that the
+Gregorian computation was the most regular, as being eleven days before
+the Julian; but am now fully convinced, that we ought to be seven days
+after the chancellor and judges, and eighteen before the Pope of Rome;
+and that the Oxonian computation is the best of the three. These are the
+reasons which I have gathered from philosophy and nature; to which I can
+add other circumstances in vindication of the account of this learned
+body who published this almanack. It is notorious to philosophers, that
+joy and grief can hasten and delay time. Mr. Locke is of opinion, that a
+man in great misery may so far lose his measure, as to think a minute an
+hour; or in joy, make an hour a minute. Let us examine the present case
+by this rule, and we shall find, that the cause of this general mistake
+in the British nation, has been the great success of the last campaign,
+and the following hopes of peace. Stocks ran so high at the 'Change,
+that the citizens had gained three days of the courtiers; and we have
+indeed been so happy this reign, that if the University did not rectify
+our mistakes, we should think ourselves but in the second year of her
+present Majesty. It would be endless to enumerate the many damages that
+have happened by this ignorance of the vulgar. All the recognisances
+within the Diocese of Oxford have been forfeited, for not appearing on
+the first day of this fictitious term. The University has been nonsuited
+in their action against the booksellers for printing Clarendon in
+quarto. But indeed what gives me the most quick concern, is the case of
+a poor gentleman my friend, who was the other day taken in execution by
+a set of ignorant bailiffs. He should, it seems, have pleaded in the
+first week of term; but being a Master of Arts of Oxford, he would not
+recede from the Oxonian computation. He showed Mr. Broad the almanack,
+and the very day when the term began; but the merciless ignorant fellow,
+against all sense and learning, would hurry him away. He went indeed
+quietly enough; but he has taken exact notes of the time of arrest, and
+sufficient witnesses of his being carried into gaol; and has, by advice
+of the Recorder of Oxford, brought his action; and we doubt not but we
+shall pay them off with damages, and blemish the reputation of Mr.
+Broad. We have one convincing proof, which all that frequent the Courts
+of Justice are witnesses of: the dog that comes constantly to
+Westminster on the first day of the term, did not appear till the first
+day according to the Oxford Almanack; whose instinct I take to be a
+better guide than men's erroneous opinions, which are usually biased by
+interest. I judge in this case, as King Charles II. victualled his navy,
+with the bread which one of his dogs chose of several pieces thrown
+before him, rather than trust to the asseverations of the victuallers.
+Mr. Cowper,[385] and other learned counsel, have already urged the
+authority of this almanack, in behalf of their clients. We shall
+therefore go on with all speed in our cause; and doubt not, but Chancery
+will give at the end what we lost in the beginning, by protracting the
+term for us till Wednesday come se'nnight: and the University orator
+shall for ever pray, &c.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 7.
+
+The subject of duels[386] has, I find, been started with so good
+success, that it has been the frequent subject of conversation among
+polite men; and a dialogue of that kind has been transmitted to me
+verbatim, as follows. The persons concerned in it are men of honour, and
+experience in the manners of men, and have fallen upon the truest
+foundation, as well as searched the bottom, of this evil.
+
+Mr. SAGE. If it were in my power, every man that drew his sword, unless
+in the Service, or purely to defend his life, person, or goods, from
+violence (I mean abstracted from all punctos or whims of honour) should
+ride the wooden horse in the Tilt Yard[387] for such first offence, for
+the second stand in the pillory, and for the third be prisoner in Bedlam
+for life.
+
+Col. PLUME. I remember, that a rencounter or duel was so far from being
+in fashion among the officers that served in the Parliament army, that
+on the contrary, it was as disreputable, and as great an impediment to
+advancement in the Service, as being bashful in time of action.
+
+Sir MARK. Yet I have been informed by some old Cavaliers, of famous
+reputation for brave and gallant men, that they were much more in mode
+among their party, than they have been during this last war.
+
+Col. PLUME. That is true too, sir. Mr. SAGE. By what you say,
+gentlemen, one should think that our present military officers are
+compounded of an equal proportion of both those tempers; since duels are
+neither quite discountenanced, nor much in vogue.
+
+Sir MARK. That difference of temper, in regard to duels, which appears
+to have been between the Court and Parliament-men of the sword, was not
+(I conceive) for want of courage in the latter, nor of a liberal
+education; because there were some of the best families in England
+engaged in that party; but gallantry and mode, which glitter agreeably
+to the imagination, were encouraged by the Court, as promoting its
+splendour; and it was as natural that the contrary party (who were to
+recommend themselves to the public for men of serious and solid parts)
+should deviate from everything chimerical.
+
+Mr. SAGE. I have never read of a duel among the Romans; and yet their
+nobility used more liberty with their tongues than one may do now
+without being challenged.
+
+Sir MARK. Perhaps the Romans were of opinion, that ill language, and
+brutal manners, reflected only on those who were guilty of them; and
+that a man's reputation was not at all cleared by cutting the person's
+throat who had reflected upon it: but the custom of those times had
+fixed the scandal in the action; whereas now it lies in the reproach.
+
+Mr. SAGE. And yet the only sort of duel that one can conceive to have
+been fought upon motives truly honourable and allowable, was that
+between the Horatii and Curiatii.
+
+Sir MARK. Colonel Plume, pray what was the method of single combat in
+your time among the Cavaliers? I suppose, that as the use of clothes
+continues, though the fashion of them has been mutable; so duels,
+though still in use, have had in all times their particular modes of
+performance.
+
+Col. PLUME. We had no constant rule, but generally conducted our dispute
+and tilt according to the last that had happened between persons of
+reputation among the very top fellows for bravery and gallantry.
+
+Sir MARK. If the fashion of quarrelling and tilting was so often changed
+in your time, Colonel Plume, a man might fight, yet lose his credit for
+want of understanding the fashion.
+
+Col. PLUME. Why, Sir Mark, in the beginning of July, a man would have
+been censured for want of courage, or been thought indigent of the true
+notions of honour, if he had put up [with] words, which in the end of
+September following, one could not resent without passing for a brutal
+and quarrelsome fellow.
+
+Sir MARK. But, Colonel, were duels or rencounters most in fashion in
+those days?
+
+Col. PLUME. Your men of nice honour, sir, were for avoiding all censure
+of advantage which they supposed might be taken in a rencounter;
+therefore they used seconds, who were to see that all was upon the
+square, and make a faithful report of the whole combat; but in a little
+time it became a fashion for the seconds to fight, and I'll tell you how
+it happened.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Pray do, Colonel Plume, and the method of a duel at that time,
+and give us some notion of the punctos upon which your nice men
+quarrelled in those days.
+
+Col. PLUME. I was going to tell you, Mr. Sage, that one Cornet Modish
+had desired his friend, Captain Smart's, opinion in some affair, but did
+not follow it; upon which Captain Smart sent Major Adroit (a very
+topping fellow of those times) to the person that had slighted his
+advice. The Major never inquired into the quarrel, because it was not
+the manner then among the very topping fellows; but got two swords of an
+equal length, and then waited upon Cornet Modish, desiring him to choose
+his sword, and meet his friend Captain Smart. Cornet Modish came with
+his friend to the place of combat; there the principals put on their
+pumps, and stripped to their shirts, to show they had nothing but what
+men of honour carry about them, and then engaged.
+
+Sir MARK. And did the seconds stand by, sir?
+
+Col. PLUME. It was a received custom till that time; but the swords of
+those days being pretty long, and the principals acting on both sides
+upon the defensive, and the morning being frosty, Major Adroit desired
+that the other second, who was also a very topping fellow, would try a
+thrust or two only to keep them warm, till the principals had decided
+the matter, which was agreed to by Modish's second, who presently
+whipped Adroit through the body, disarmed him, and then parted the
+principals, who had received no harm at all.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But was not Adroit laughed at?
+
+Col. PLUME. On the contrary, the very topping fellows were ever after of
+opinion, that no man who deserved that character, could serve as a
+second, without fighting; and the Smarts and Modishes finding their
+account in it, the humour took without opposition.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Pray, Colonel, how long did that fashion continue?
+
+Col. PLUME, Not long neither, Mr. Sage; for as soon as it became a
+fashion, the very topping fellows thought their honour reflected upon,
+if they did not proffer themselves as seconds when any of their friends
+had a quarrel; so that sometimes there were a dozen of a side.
+
+Sir MARK. Bless me! If that custom had continued, we should have been
+at a loss now for our very pretty fellows; for they seem to be the
+proper men to officer, animate, and keep up an army: but, pray, sir, how
+did that sociable manner of tilting grow out of mode?
+
+Col. PLUME. Why, sir, I'll tell you; it was a law among the combatants,
+that the party which happened to have the first man disarmed or killed,
+should yield as vanquished; which some people thought might encourage
+the Modishes and Smarts in quarrelling, to the destruction of only the
+very topping fellows; and as soon as this reflection was started, the
+very topping fellows thought it an incumbrance upon their honour to
+fight at all themselves. Since that time, the Modishes and the Smarts,
+throughout all Europe, have extolled the French king's edict.
+
+Sir MARK. Our very pretty fellows, whom I take to be the successors of
+the very topping fellows, think a quarrel so little fashionable, that
+they will not be exposed to it by another man's vanity, or want of
+sense.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But, Colonel, I have observed in your account of duels, that
+there was a great exactness in avoiding all advantage that might
+possibly be between the combatants.
+
+Col. PLUME. That's true, sir; for the weapons were always equal.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Yes, sir; but suppose an active, adroit, strong man, had
+insulted an awkward, or a feeble, or an unpractised swordsman.
+
+Col. PLUME. Then, sir, they fought with pistols.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But, sir, there might be a certain advantage that way; for a
+good marksman will be sure to hit his man at twenty yards distance; and
+a man whose hand shakes (which is common to men that debauch in
+pleasures, or have not used pistols out of their holsters) won't
+venture to fire, unless he touches the person he shoots at. Now, sir, I
+am of opinion, that one can get no honour in killing a man (if one has
+it all rug,[388] as the gamesters say), when they have a trick to make
+the game secure, though they seem to play upon the square.
+
+Sir MARK. In truth, Mr. Sage, I think such a fact must be murder in a
+man's own private conscience, whatever it may appear to the world.
+
+Col. PLUME. I have known some men so nice, that they would not fight but
+upon a cloak without pistols.
+
+Mr. SAGE. I believe a custom, well established, would outdo the Grand
+Monarch's edict.[389]
+
+Sir MARK. And bullies would then leave off their long swords; but I
+don't find that a very pretty fellow can stay to change his sword, when
+he is insulted by a bully with a long diego,[390] though his own at the
+same time be no longer than a penknife; which will certainly be the
+case, if such little swords are in mode. Pray, Colonel, how was it
+between the hectors of your time and the very topping fellows?
+
+Col. PLUME. Sir, long swords happened to be generally worn in those
+times.
+
+Mr. SAGE. In answer to what you were saying, Sir Mark, give me leave to
+inform you, that your knights-errant (who were the very pretty fellows
+of those ancient times) thought they could not honourably yield, though
+they had fought their own trusty weapons to the stumps; but would
+venture as boldly with the page's leaden sword, as if it had been of
+enchanted metal. Whence I conceive, there must be a spice of romantic
+gallantry in the composition of that very pretty fellow.
+
+Sir MARK. I am of opinion, Mr. Sage, that fashion governs a very pretty
+fellow; nature, or common sense, your ordinary persons, and sometimes
+men of fine parts.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But what is the reason, that men of the most excellent sense
+and morals (in other points) associate their understandings with the
+very pretty fellows in that chim�ra of a duel?
+
+Sir MARK. There's no disputing against so great a majority.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But there is one scruple (Colonel Plume) and I have done:
+don't you believe there may be some advantage even upon a cloak with
+pistols, which a man of nice honour would scruple to take?
+
+Col. PLUME. Faith, I can't tell, sir; but since one may reasonably
+suppose, that (in such a case) there can be but one so far in the wrong
+as to occasion matters to come to that extremity, I think the chance of
+being killed should fall but on one; whereas by their close and
+desperate manner of fighting, it may very probably happen to both.
+
+Sir MARK. Why, gentlemen, if they are men of such nice honour (and must
+fight), there will be no fear of foul play, if they threw up cross or
+pile[391] who should be shot.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 383: Job xxxviii. 4, 8, 11.]
+
+[Footnote 384: There was a difference between the University terms and
+the Law terms.]
+
+[Footnote 385: Spencer Cowper (1669-1727), brother of Earl Cowper, and
+afterwards a judge of the Common Pleas. He was one of the managers of
+the impeachment of Sacheverell in 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 386: See Nos. 25, 26, 29, 31, 38, 205.]
+
+[Footnote 387: At Whitehall.]
+
+[Footnote 388: _Cf._ "Wentworth Papers," p. 394: "June 29, 1714. The
+changes at Court does not go so rug as some people expected and gave
+out, that 'twas to be all intire Tory with the least seeming mixture of
+Whigs."]
+
+[Footnote 389: See _Spectator_, No. 97.]
+
+[Footnote 390: A sword. Don Diego was a familiar name for a Spaniard
+with both English and French writers in the seventeenth century. San
+Diego is a corruption of Santiago (St. James), the patron saint of
+Spain.]
+
+[Footnote 391: A pillar, the design on one side of a coin, bearing on
+the other a cross. Swift says, "This I humbly conceive to be perfect
+boys' play; cross, I win, and pile, you lose."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 40. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 9_, to _Tuesday, July 12_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 11.
+
+Letters from the city of London give an account of a very great
+consternation that place is in at present, by reason of a late inquiry
+made at Guildhall, whether a noble person[392] has parts enough to
+deserve the enjoyment of the great estate of which he is possessed. The
+city is apprehensive that this precedent may go further than was at
+first imagined. The person against whom this inquisition is set up by
+his relations, is a peer of a neighbouring kingdom, and has in his youth
+made some few bulls, by which it is insinuated, that he has forfeited
+his goods and chattels. This is the more astonishing, in that there are
+many persons in the said city who are still more guilty than his
+lordship, and who, though they are idiots, do not only possess, but have
+also themselves acquired great estates, contrary to the known laws of
+this realm, which vests their possessions in the Crown. There is a
+gentleman of this coffee-house at this time exhibiting a bill in
+Chancery against his father's younger brother, who by some strange magic
+has arrived at the value of half a plum, as the citizens call a hundred
+thousand pounds; and in all the time of growing up to that wealth, was
+never known in any of his ordinary words or actions to discover any
+proof of reason. Upon this foundation my friend has set forth, that he
+is illegally master of his coffers, and has writ two epigrams to signify
+his own pretensions and sufficiency for spending that estate. He has
+inserted in his plea some things which I fear will give offence; for he
+pretends to argue, that though a man has a little of the knave mixed
+with the fool, he is nevertheless liable to the loss of goods; and makes
+the abuse of reason as just an avoidance of an estate as the total
+absence of it. This is what can never pass; but witty men are so full of
+themselves, that there is no persuading them; and my friend will not be
+convinced, but that upon quoting Solomon, who always used the word
+"fool" as a term of the same signification with "unjust," and makes all
+deviation from goodness and virtue to come under the notion of folly--I
+say, he doubts not, but by the force of this authority, let his idiot
+uncle appear never so great a knave, he shall prove him a fool at the
+same time. This affair led the company here into an examination of these
+points; and none coming here but wits, what was asserted by a young
+lawyer, that a lunatic is in the care of the Chancery, but a fool in
+that of the Crown, was received with general indignation. "Why that?"
+says old Renault. "Why that? Why must a fool be a courtier more than a
+madman? This is the iniquity of this dull age: I remember the time when
+it went on the mad side; all your top wits were scowrers,[393] rakes,
+roarers, and demolishers of windows. I remember a mad lord who was drunk
+five years together, and was the envy of that age, and is faintly
+imitated by the dull pretenders to vice and madness in this. Had he
+lived to this day, there had not been a fool in fashion in the whole
+kingdom." When Renault had done speaking, a very worthy man assumed the
+discourse: "This is," said he, "Mr. Bickerstaff, a proper argument for
+you to treat in your article from this place; and if you would send your
+Pacolet into all our brains, you would find, that a little fibre or
+valve, scarce discernible, makes the distinction between a politician
+and an idiot. We should therefore throw a veil upon those unhappy
+instances of human nature, who seem to breathe without the direction of
+reason and understanding, as we should avert our eyes with abhorrence
+from such as live in perpetual abuse and contradiction to these noble
+faculties. Shall this unfortunate man be divested of his estate, because
+he is tractable and indolent, runs in no man's debt, invades no man's
+bed, nor spends the estate he owes his children and his character; when
+one who shows no sense above him, but in such practices, shall be
+esteemed in his senses, and possibly may pretend to the guardianship of
+him who is no ways his inferior, but in being less wicked? We see old
+age brings us indifferently into the same impotence of soul, wherein
+nature has placed this lord. There is something very fantastical in the
+distribution of civil power and capacity among men. The law certainly
+gives these persons into the ward and care of the Crown, because that is
+best able to protect them from injuries, and the impositions of craft
+and knavery; that the life of an idiot may not ruin the entail of a
+noble house, and his weakness may not frustrate the industry or capacity
+of the founder of his family. But when one of bright parts, as we say,
+with his eyes open, and all men's eyes upon him, destroys those
+purposes, there is no remedy. Folly and ignorance are punished! Folly
+and guilt are tolerated! Mr. Locke has somewhere made a distinction
+between a madman and a fool:[394] a fool is he that from right
+principles makes a wrong conclusion; but a madman is one who draws a
+just inference from false principles. Thus the fool who cut off the
+fellow's head that lay asleep, and hid it, and then waited to see what
+he would say when he awakened and missed his headpiece, was in the right
+in the first thought, that a man would be surprised to find such an
+alteration in things since he fell asleep; but he was a little mistaken
+to imagine he could awake at all after his head was off. A madman
+fancies himself a prince; but upon his mistake, he acts suitably to that
+character; and though he is out in supposing he has principalities,
+while he drinks gruel, and lies in straw, yet you shall see him keep the
+port of a distressed monarch in all his words and actions. These two
+persons are equally taken into custody: but what must be done to half
+this good company, who every hour of their life are knowingly and
+wittingly both fools and madmen, and yet have capacities both of forming
+principles, and drawing conclusions, with the full use of reason?"
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 11.
+
+This evening some ladies came to visit my sister Jenny; and the
+discourse, after very many frivolous and public matters, turned upon the
+main point among the women, the passion of love.[395] Sappho, who always
+leads on this occasion, began to show her reading, and told us, that Sir
+John Suckling and Milton had, upon a parallel occasion, said the
+tenderest things she had ever read. "The circumstance," said she, "is
+such as gives us a notion of that protecting part which is the duty of
+men in their honourable designs upon, or possession of, women. In
+Suckling's tragedy of 'Brennoralt' he makes the lover steal into his
+mistress's bedchamber, and draw the curtains; then, when his heart is
+full of her charms, as she lies sleeping, instead of being carried away
+by the violence of his desires into thoughts of a warmer nature, sleep,
+which is the image of death, gives this generous lover reflections of a
+different kind, which regard rather her safety than his own passion.
+For, beholding her as she lies sleeping, he utters these words:
+
+    _"So misers look upon their gold,
+    Which, while they joy to see, they fear to lose:
+    The pleasure of the sight scarce equalling
+    The jealousy of being dispossessed by others.
+    Her face is like the Milky Way i' th' sky,
+    A meeting of gentle lights without name!
+
+    "Heavens I shall this fresh ornament of the world,
+    These precious love-lines, pass with other common things
+    Amongst the wastes of time? what pity 'twere!_[396]
+
+"When Milton makes Adam leaning on his arm, beholding Eve, and lying in
+the contemplation of her beauty, he describes the utmost tenderness and
+guardian affection in one word:
+
+    "_Adam with looks of cordial love
+    Hung over her enamoured._[397]
+
+"This is that sort of passion which truly deserves the name of 'love,'
+and has something more generous than friendship itself; for it has a
+constant care of the object beloved, abstracted from its own interests
+in the possession of it." Sappho was proceeding on the subject, when my
+sister produced a letter sent to her in the time of my absence, in
+celebration of the marriage state, which is the condition wherein only
+this sort of passion reigns in full authority. The epistle is as
+follows:
+
+"DEAR MADAM,
+
+"Your brother being absent, I dare take the liberty of writing to you my
+thoughts of that state, which our whole sex either is or desires to be
+in: you'll easily guess I mean matrimony, which I hear so much decried,
+that it was with no small labour I maintained my ground against two
+opponents; but, as your brother observed of Socrates, I drew them into
+my conclusion from their own concessions; thus:
+
+    _"In marriage are two happy things allowed,
+    A wife in wedding-sheets, and in a shroud.
+    How can a marriage state then be accursed,
+    Since the last day's as happy as the first?_
+
+"If you think they were too easily confuted, you may conclude them not
+of the first sense, by their talking against marriage.
+
+"Yours,
+
+                                        "MARIANA."
+
+I observed Sappho began to redden at this epistle; and turning to a
+lady, who was playing with a dog she was so fond of as to carry him
+abroad with her; "Nay," says she, "I cannot blame the men if they have
+mean ideas of our souls and affections, and wonder so many are brought
+to take us for companions for life, when they see our endearments so
+triflingly placed: for, to my knowledge, Mr. Truman would give half his
+estate for half the affection you have shown to that Shock: nor do I
+believe you would be ashamed to confess, that I saw you cry, when he had
+the colic last week with lapping sour milk. What more could you do for
+your lover himself?" "What more!" replied the lady, "there is not a man
+in England for whom I could lament half so much." Then she stifled the
+animal with kisses, and called him, Beau, Life, Dear, Monsieur, Pretty
+Fellow, and what not, in the hurry of her impertinence. Sappho rose up;
+as she always does at anything she observes done, which discovers in her
+own sex a levity of mind, which renders them inconsiderable in the
+opinion of others.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 11.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 16th instant, N.S., say, that the siege of
+Tournay went on with all imaginable success; and that there has been no
+manner of stop given to the attempts of the Confederates since they
+undertook it, except that by an accident of firing a piece of ordnance,
+it burst, and killed fifteen or sixteen men. The French army is still
+in the camp of Lens, and goes on in improving their entrenchments. When
+the last advices came away, it was believed the town of Tournay would be
+in the hands of the Confederates by the end of this month. Advices from
+Brussels inform us, that they have an account of a great action between
+the malcontents in the Vivarez, and the French king's forces under the
+command of the Duke of Roquelaure, in which engagement there were
+eighteen hundred men killed on the spot. They add, that all sorts of
+people who are under any oppression or discontent do daily join the
+Vivarois; and that their present body of men in arms consisted of six
+thousand. This sudden insurrection has put the Court of France under
+great difficulties; and the king has given orders, that the main body of
+his troops in Spain shall withdraw into his own dominions, where they
+are to be quartered in such countries as have of late discovered an
+inclination to take up arms: the calamities of that kingdom being such,
+that the people are not by any means to be kept in obedience, except by
+the terror of military execution. What makes the distresses still
+greater, is, that the Court begins to be doubtful of their troops, some
+regiments in the action in the Cevennes having faced about against their
+officers; and after the battle was over, joined the malcontents. Upon
+receiving advice of this battle, the Duke of Berwick detached twelve
+battalions into those parts, and began to add new works to his
+entrenchments near Brian�on, in order to defend his camp, after being
+weakened by sending so great a reinforcement into the Cevennes. Letters
+from Spain say, that the Duchess of Anjou was lately delivered of a
+second son. They write from Madrid of the 25th of June, that the
+blockade of Olivenza was continued; but acknowledge, that the late
+provisions which were thrown into the place, make them doubt whether
+they shall be masters of it this campaign; though it is at present so
+closely blocked up, that it appears impracticable to send in any more
+stores or succours. They are preparing with all expedition to repair the
+fortifications of Alicante, for the security of the kingdom of Valencia.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 392: It appears from Luttrell's "Brief Relation," that in Feb.
+1707, Commissioners sat in the Exchequer Room at Westminster to try
+whether Viscount Wenman, "aged 19, of �5000 per annum estate in
+Oxfordshire," were an idiot or not. On the 14th February the Commission
+was superseded. In June 1709, a new Commission passed the Great Seal for
+inquiring into the Viscount's idiocy, and on July 29 they found that he
+was no idiot. On July 12, Peter Wentworth wrote thus to Lord Raby: "The
+prosecution of Lord Wainman is now order'd again, upon wch the _Tatler_
+is to day; the accation I am told is this, that last year when there was
+a stopt put to't 'twas upon the intercession lady Wainman the mother
+made to the Queen, and that she designed to marry her son, the fool, to
+Sir John Packington's daughter, 'twas then said that my Lady her self
+had married her Butler, wch the Queen desired her to tell the truth, and
+she did assure the Queen upon her word and honour,'twas false, and she
+never intended any such thing, but of late she has own her marriage to
+that same Butler, and put off the match with Sir John P----daughter, and
+married him to her husband's sister, wch they say the Queen is angry at
+and therefore this fresh prosecution is order'd" ("Wentworth Papers," p.
+93). Lord Wenman, the fifth Viscount, was born in 1687, married
+Susannah, daughter of Seymour Wroughton, Esq., in 1709, and died in
+1729. Lord Wenman's brother-in-law, Francis Wroughton, was also his
+father-in-law, for he had married, in 1699, as her third husband, the
+Viscount's mother, the Countess of Abingdon.]
+
+[Footnote 393: The Scowrers and Roarers were the forerunners of the
+Mohocks of 1712. Shadwell wrote a play called "The Scowrers," and often
+alludes to the window-breakers of his time. See Gay's "Trivia," iii.
+325:
+
+    "Who has not heard the Scowrer's midnight fame?
+    Who has not trembled at the Mohock's name?"
+]
+
+[Footnote 394: "Essay concerning Human Understanding," chap. xii. sect.
+14.]
+
+[Footnote 395: See Nos. 6, 35.]
+
+[Footnote 396: "Brennoralt," act iii.]
+
+[Footnote 397: "Paradise Lost," iv. 12, 13.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 41. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 12_, to _Thursday, July 14_, 1709.
+
+    Celebrare domestica facta.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 12.
+
+There is no one thing more to be lamented in our nation, than their
+general affectation of everything that is foreign; nay, we carry it so
+far, that we are more anxious for our own countrymen when they have
+crossed the seas, than when we see them in the same dangerous condition
+before our eyes at home: else how is it possible, that on the 29th of
+the last month, there should have been a battle fought in our very
+streets of London, and nobody at this end of the town have heard of it?
+I protest, I, who make it my business to inquire after adventures,
+should never have known this, had not the following account been sent me
+enclosed in a letter. This, it seems, is the way of giving out of orders
+in the Artillery Company;[398] and they prepare for a day of action with
+so little concern, as only to call it, "An Exercise of Arms."
+
+"An Exercise at Arms of the Artillery Company, to be performed on
+Wednesday, June 29, 1709, under the command of Sir Joseph Woolfe, Knight
+and Alderman, General; Charles Hopson, Esquire, present Sheriff,
+Lieutenant-General; Captain Richard Synge, Major; Major John Shorey,
+Captain of Grenadiers; Captain William Grayhurst, Captain John Buttler,
+Captain Robert Carellis, Captains.
+
+"The body march from the Artillery Ground through Moorgate, Coleman
+Street, Lothbury, Broad Street, Finch Lane, Cornhill, Cheapside, St.
+Martin's, St. Anne's Lane, halt the pikes under the wall in Noble
+Street, draw up the firelocks facing the Goldsmiths' Hall, make ready
+and face to the left, and fire, and so ditto three times. Beat to arms,
+and march round the hall, as up Lad Lane, Gutter Lane, Honey Lane, and
+so wheel to the right, and make your salute to my lord, and so down St.
+Anne's Lane, up Aldersgate Street, Barbican, and draw up in Red Cross
+Street, the right at St. Paul's Alley in the rear. March off
+Lieutenant-General with half the body up Beech Lane: he sends a
+subdivision up King's Head Court, and takes post in it, and marches two
+divisions round into Red Lion Market, to defend that pass, and succour
+the division in King's Head Court, but keeps in White Cross Street,
+facing Beech Lane, the rest of the body ready drawn up. Then the General
+marches up Beech Lane, is attacked, but forces the division in the court
+into the market, and enters with three divisions while he presses the
+Lieutenant-General's main body; and at the same time, the three
+divisions force those of the revolters out of the market, and so all the
+Lieutenant-General's body retreats into Chiswell Street, and lodges two
+divisions in Grub Street; and as the General marches on, they fall on
+his flank, but soon made to give way; but having a retreating place in
+Red Lion Court, but could not hold it, being put to flight through
+Paul's Alley, and pursued by the General's grenadiers, while he marches
+up and attacks their main body, but are opposed again by a party of men
+as lay in Black Raven Court; but they are forced also to retire soon in
+the utmost confusion; and at the same time those brave divisions in
+Paul's Alley ply their rear with grenadiers, that with precipitation
+they take to the rout along Bunhill Row: so the General marches into the
+Artillery Ground, and being drawn up, finds the revolting party to have
+found entrance, and makes a show as if for a battle, and both armies
+soon engage in form, and fire by platoons."
+
+Much might be said for the improvement of this system; which, for its
+style and invention, may instruct generals and their historians, both in
+fighting a battle, and describing it when it is over. These elegant
+expressions, "Ditto," "And so," "But soon," "But having," "But could
+not," "But are," "But they," "Finds the party to have found," &c., do
+certainly give great life and spirit to the relation. Indeed I am
+extremely concerned for the Lieutenant-General, who, by his overthrow
+and defeat, is made a deplorable instance of the fortune of war, and
+vicissitudes of human affairs. He, alas! has lost in Beech Lane and
+Chiswell Street, all the glory he lately gained in and about Holborn and
+St. Giles's. The art of subdividing first, and dividing afterwards, is
+new and surprising; and according to this method, the troops are
+disposed in King's Head Court and Red Lion Market: nor is the conduct of
+these leaders less conspicuous in their choice of the ground or field of
+battle. Happy was it, that the greatest part of the achievements of this
+day was to be performed near Grub Street,[399] that there might not be
+wanting a sufficient number of faithful historians, who being
+eye-witnesses of these wonders, should impartially transmit them to
+posterity: but then it can never be enough regretted, that we are left
+in the dark as to the name and title of that extraordinary hero who
+commanded the divisions in Paul's Alley; especially because those
+divisions are justly styled brave, and accordingly were to push the
+enemy along Bunhill Row, and thereby occasion a general battle. But
+Pallas appeared in the form of a shower of rain, and prevented the
+slaughter and desolation which were threatened by these extraordinary
+preparations.
+
+    _Hi motus animorum atque h�c certamina tanta
+    Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescunt._[400]
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 13.
+
+Some part of the company keep up the old way of conversation in this
+place, which usually turned upon the examination of nature, and an
+inquiry into the manners of men. There is one in the room so very
+judicious, that he manages impertinents with the utmost dexterity. It
+was diverting this evening to hear a discourse between him and one of
+these gentlemen. He told me before that person joined us, that he was a
+questioner, who, according to his description, is one who asks
+questions, not with a design to receive information, but an affectation
+to show his uneasiness for want of it. He went on in asserting, that
+there are crowds of that modest ambition, as to aim no farther than to
+demonstrate that they are in doubt. But by this time Will Why-not was
+sat down by us. "So, gentlemen," says he, "in how many days, think you,
+shall we be masters of Tournay? Is the account of the action of the
+Vivarois to be depended upon? Could you have imagined England had so
+much money in it, as you see it has produced? Pray, sirs, what do you
+think? Will the Duke of Savoy make an eruption into France? But," says
+he, "time will clear all these mysteries." His answer to himself gave me
+the altitude of his head, and to all his questions I thus answered very
+satisfactorily: "Sir, have you heard that this Slaughterford[401] never
+owned the fact for which he died? Have the newspapers mentioned that
+matter? But, pray, can you tell me what method will be taken to provide
+for these Palatines?[402] But this, as you say, time will clear." "Ay,
+ay," says he, and whispers me, "they will never let us into these things
+beforehand." I whispered him again, "We shall know it as soon as there
+is a proclamation." He tells me in the other ear, "You are in the right
+of it." Then he whispered my friend to know what my name was; then made
+an obliging bow, and went to examine another table. This led my friend
+and me to weigh this wandering manner in many other incidents, and he
+took out of his pockets several little notes or tickets to solicit for
+votes to employments: as, "Mr. John Taplash having served all offices,
+and being reduced to great poverty, desires your vote for singing clerk
+of this parish." Another "has had ten children, all whom his wife has
+suckled herself; therefore humbly desires to be a schoolmaster." There
+is nothing so frequent as this way of application for offices. It is not
+that you are fit for the place, but because the place would be
+convenient for you, that you claim a merit to it. But commend me to the
+great Kirleus,[403] who has lately set up for midwifery, and to help
+childbirth, for no other reason, but that he is himself the Unborn
+Doctor. The way is to hit upon something that puts the vulgar upon the
+stare, or that touches their compassion, which is often the weakest part
+about us. I know a good lady, who has taken her daughters from their old
+dancing-master, to place them with another, for no other reason, but
+because the new man has broke his leg, which is so ill set, that he can
+never dance more.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 13.
+
+As it is a frequent mortification to me to receive letters, wherein
+people tell me, without a name, they know I meant them in such and such
+a passage; so that very accusation is an argument, that there are such
+beings in human life, as fall under our description and our discourse,
+is not altogether fantastical and groundless. But in this case I am
+treated as I saw a boy was the other day, who gave out poxy bills: every
+plain fellow took it that passed by, and went on his way without further
+notice: at last came one with his nose a little abridged; who knocks the
+lad down, with a, "Why, you son of a w----e, do you think I am p----d?"
+But Shakespeare has made the best apology for this way of talking
+against the public errors: he makes Jaques, in the play called "As You
+Like It," express himself thus:
+
+    _Why, who cries out on pride,
+    That can therein tax any private party?
+    What woman in the city do I name,
+    When that I say the city woman bears
+    The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders?
+    Who can come in and say that I mean her,
+    When such a one as she, such is her neighbour?
+    Or, what is he of basest function,
+    That says his bravery is not on my cost?
+    Thinking that I mean him, but therein suits
+    His folly to the mettle of my speech.
+    There then! How then? Then let me see wherein
+    My tongue hath wronged him: if it do him right,
+    Then he hath wronged himself: if he be free,
+    Why then my taxing like a wild goose flies,
+    Unclaimed of any man._[404]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 13.
+
+We have received, by letters of the 18th instant from the camp before
+Tournay, an account, that we were in a fair prospect of being masters of
+the town within seven days after that date. Our batteries had utterly
+overthrown those of the enemy. On the 16th instant, N.S., General
+Schuylemburg had made a lodgment on the counterscarp of the Tenaille;
+which post was so weakly defended, that we lost but six men in gaining
+it. So that there seems reason to hope, that the citadel will also be in
+the hands of the Confederates about the 6th of August, O.S. These
+advices inform us further, that Marshal Villars had ordered large
+detachments to make motions towards Douay and Cond�. The swift progress
+of this siege has so much alarmed the other frontier towns of France,
+that they were throwing down some houses in the suburbs of Valenciennes,
+which they think may stand commodiously for the enemy in case that place
+should be invested. The Elector of Cologne is making all imaginable
+haste to remove from thence to Rheims.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 398: See Nos. 28, 38.]
+
+[Footnote 399: Grub Street, Cripplegate (now Milton Street), became,
+towards the end of the seventeenth century, the abode of what Johnson
+calls "writers of small histories, dictionaries and temporary poems;
+whence any mean production is called Grub Street."]
+
+[Footnote 400: Virgil, "Georgics," iv. 86.]
+
+[Footnote 401: The _Flying Post_ records that one Slaughterford was
+sentenced to death on July 2, 1709, for murdering his sweetheart.]
+
+[Footnote 402: See Nos. 24, 51.]
+
+[Footnote 403: See No. 14.]
+
+[Footnote 404: "As You Like It," act ii. sc. 7.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 42. [STEELE AND ADDISON.
+
+From _Thursday, July 14, to Saturday, July 16_, 1709.
+
+    Celebrare domestica facta.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 15.
+
+Looking over some old papers, I found a little treatise, written by my
+great-grandfather, concerning bribery, and thought his manner of
+treating that subject not unworthy my remark. He there has a digression
+concerning a possibility, that in some circumstances a man may receive
+an injury, and yet be conscious to himself that he deserves it. There
+are abundance of fine things said on the subject; but the whole wrapped
+up in so much jingle and pun (which was the wit of those times) that it
+is scarce intelligible; but I thought the design was well enough in the
+following sketch of the old gentleman's poetry: for in this case, where
+two are rivals for the same thing, and propose to attain it by presents,
+he that attempts the judge's honesty, by making him offers of reward,
+ought not to complain when he loses his cause for a better bidder. But
+the good old doggerel runs thus:[405]
+
+    _A poor man once a judge besought,
+      To judge aright his cause,
+    And with a pot of oil salutes
+      This judger of the laws.
+
+    "My friend" quoth he, "thy cause is good":
+      He glad away did trudge;
+    Anon his wealthy foe did come
+      Before this partial judge.
+
+    An hog well fed this churl presents,
+      And craves a strain of law;
+    The hog received, the poor man's right
+      Was judged not worth a straw.
+
+    Therewith he cried, "O! partial judge,
+      Thy doom has me undone;
+    When oil I gave, my cause was good,
+      But now to ruin run."
+
+    "Poor man" quoth he, "I thee forgot,
+      And see thy cause of foil;
+    An hog came since into my house,
+      And broke thy pot of oil."_
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 15.
+
+The discourse happened this evening to fall upon characters drawn in
+plays, and a gentleman remarked, that there was no method in the world
+of knowing the taste of an age, or period of time so good, as by the
+observations of the persons represented in their comedies. There were
+several instances produced, as Ben Jonson's bringing in a fellow smoking
+as a piece of foppery;[406] "But," said the gentleman who entertained us
+on this subject, "this matter is nowhere so observable as in the
+difference of the characters of women on the stage in the last age, and
+in this. It is not to be supposed that it was a poverty of genius in
+Shakespeare, that his women made so small a figure in his dialogues; but
+it certainly is, that he drew women as they then were in life; for that
+sex had not in those days that freedom in conversation; and their
+characters were only, that they were mothers, sisters, daughters, and
+wives. There were not then among the ladies, shining wits, politicians,
+virtuosas, free-thinkers, and disputants; nay, there was then hardly
+such a creature even as a coquette: but vanity had quite another turn,
+and the most conspicuous woman at that time of day was only the best
+housewife. Were it possible to bring into life an assembly of matrons of
+that age, and introduce the learned Lady Woodby into their company, they
+would not believe the same nation could produce a creature so unlike
+anything they ever saw in it. But these ancients would be as much
+astonished to see in the same age so illustrious a pattern to all who
+love things praiseworthy, as the divine Aspasia.[407] Methinks, I now
+see her walking in her garden like our first parent, with unaffected
+charms, before beauty had spectators, and bearing celestial conscious
+virtue in her aspect. Her countenance is the lively picture of her mind,
+which is the seat of honour, truth, compassion, knowledge, and
+innocence.
+
+    _There dwells the scorn of vice and pity too._
+
+In the midst of the most ample fortune, and veneration of all that
+behold and know her, without the least affectation, she consults
+retirement, the contemplation of her own being, and that supreme power
+which bestowed it. Without the learning of schools, or knowledge of a
+long course of arguments, she goes on in a steady course of
+uninterrupted piety and virtue, and adds to the severity and privacy of
+the last age all the freedom and ease of this. The language and mien of
+a Court she is possessed of in the highest degree; but the simplicity
+and humble thoughts of a cottage, are her more welcome entertainments.
+Aspasia is a female philosopher, who does not only live up to the
+resignation of the most retired lives of the ancient sages, but also to
+the schemes and plans which they thought beautiful, though inimitable.
+This lady is the most exact economist, without appearing busy; the most
+strictly virtuous, without tasting the praise of it; and shuns applause
+with as much industry, as others do reproach. This character is so
+particular, that it will very easily be fixed on her only, by all that
+know her: but I daresay, she will be the last that finds it out. But,
+alas! if we have one or two such ladies, how many dozens are there like
+the restless Poluglossa, who is acquainted with all the world but
+herself; who has the appearance of all, and possession of no one virtue:
+she has indeed in her practice the absence of vice; but her discourse is
+the continual history of it; and it is apparent, when she speaks of the
+criminal gratifications of others, that her innocence is only a
+restraint, with a certain mixture of envy. She is so perfectly opposite
+to the character of Aspasia, that as vice is terrible to her only as it
+is the object of reproach, so virtue is agreeable only as it is attended
+with applause.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 15.
+
+It is now twelve o'clock at noon, and no mail come in; therefore I am
+not without hopes, that the town will allow me the liberty which my
+brother news-writers take, in giving them what may be for their
+information in another kind, and indulge me in doing an act of
+friendship, by publishing the following account of goods and
+movables.[408]
+
+This is to give notice, that a magnificent palace, with great variety of
+gardens, statues, and waterworks, may be bought cheap in Drury Lane;
+where there are likewise several castles to be disposed of, very
+delightfully situated; as also groves, woods, forests, fountains, and
+country seats, with very pleasant prospects on all sides of them; being
+the movables of Ch----r R----ch,[409] Esq.; who is breaking up
+housekeeping, and has many curious pieces of furniture to dispose of,
+which may be seen between the hours of six and ten in the evening.
+
+#The INVENTORY.#
+
+    Spirits of right Nantes brandy, for lambent flames and apparitions.
+
+    Three bottles and a half of lightning.
+
+    One shower of snow in the whitest French paper.
+
+    Two showers of a browner sort.
+
+    A sea, consisting of a dozen large waves; the tenth bigger than
+    ordinary, and a little damaged.
+
+    A dozen and a half of clouds, trimmed with black, and well
+    conditioned.
+
+    A rainbow a little faded.
+
+    A set of clouds after the French mode, streaked with lightning, and
+    furbelowed.
+
+    A new-moon, something decayed.
+
+    A pint of the finest Spanish wash, being all that is left of two
+    hogsheads sent over last winter.
+
+    A coach very finely gilt, and little used, with a pair of dragons,
+    to be sold cheap.
+
+    A setting sun, a pennyworth.[410]
+
+    An imperial mantle, made for Cyrus the Great, and worn by Julius
+    C�sar, Bajazet, King Harry the Eighth, and Signior Valentin.[411]
+
+    A basket-hilt sword, very convenient to carry milk in.
+
+    Roxana's night-gown.
+
+    Othello's handkerchief.
+
+    The imperial robes of Xerxes, never worn but once.
+
+    A wild-boar, killed by Mrs. Tofts[412] and Dioclesian.
+
+    A serpent to sting Cleopatra.
+
+    A mustard-bowl to make thunder with.
+
+    Another of a bigger sort, by Mr. D----is's directions, little
+    used.[413]
+
+    Six elbow-chairs, very expert in country-dances, with six
+    flower-pots for their partners.
+
+    The whiskers of a Turkish bassa.
+
+    The complexion of a murderer in a band-box; consisting of a large
+    piece of burnt cork, and a coal-black peruke.
+
+    A suit of clothes for a ghost, viz., a bloody shirt, a doublet
+    curiously pinked, and a coat with three great eyelet-holes upon the
+    breast.
+
+    A bale of red Spanish wool.
+
+    Modern plots, commonly known by the name of trapdoors, ladders of
+    ropes, vizard-masks, and tables with broad carpets over them.
+
+    Three oak cudgels, with one of crab-tree; all bought for the use of
+    Mr. Pinkethman.
+
+    Materials for dancing; as masks, castanets, and a ladder of ten
+    rounds.
+
+    Aurengezebe's scimitar, made by Will Brown in Piccadilly.
+
+    A plume of feathers, never used but by Oedipus and the Earl of
+    Essex.
+
+There are also swords, halberts, sheep-hooks, cardinals' hats, turbans,
+drums, gallipots, a gibbet, a cradle, a rack, a cart-wheel, an altar, a
+helmet, a back-piece, a breast-plate, a bell, a tub, and a jointed
+baby.[414]
+
+These are the hard shifts we intelligencers are forced to; therefore our
+readers ought to excuse us, if a westerly wind blowing for a fortnight
+together, generally fills every paper with an order of battle; when we
+show our martial skill in each line, and, according to the space we have
+to fill, we range our men in squadrons and battalions, or draw out
+company by company, and troop by troop; ever observing, that no muster
+is to be made, but when the wind is in a cross point, which often
+happens at the end of a campaign, when half the men are deserted or
+killed. The _Courant_ is sometimes ten deep, his ranks close: the
+_Postboy_[415] is generally in files, for greater exactness; and the
+_Postman_ comes down upon you rather after the Turkish way, sword in
+hand, pell-mell, without form or discipline; but sure to bring men
+enough into the field; and wherever they are raised, never to lose a
+battle for want of numbers.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 405: From George Whetstone's "English Mirror," 1586.]
+
+[Footnote 406: See "Every Man out of his Humour," act ii. sc. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 407: Lady Elizabeth Hastings, unquestionably one of the most
+accomplished and virtuous characters of the age in which she lived, was
+the daughter of Theophilus Hastings, the 7th Earl of Huntingdon, and of
+Elizabeth, eldest daughter and co-heiress to John Lewes, of Ledstone, in
+Yorkshire, Knt. and Bart. Her father succeeded to the honours and estate
+of the family, Feb. 13, 1655, and was in 1687 Lord Chief Justice, and
+Justice in Eyre of all the King's forests, &c., beyond Trent; Lord
+Lieutenant of the counties of Leicester and Derby; Captain of the Band
+of Gentlemen Pensioners, and of the Privy Council to King James II. He
+died suddenly at his lodgings in Charles Street, St. James's, May 13,
+1701, and was succeeded in his honours and estate by his son, and her
+brother, Charles, who died unmarried, Feb. 22, 1704. Lady Elizabeth
+Hastings was born April 19, 1682, and died Dec. 22, 1739. It is said,
+with great probability, that since the commencement of the Christian
+era, scarce any age has produced a lady of such high birth and superior
+accomplishments, that was a greater blessing to many, or a brighter
+pattern to all. There is an admirable sketch of this illustrious lady's
+character, drawn soon after her death, in the tenth volume of the
+_Gentleman's Magazine_, p. 36, probably by Samuel Johnson. See also "An
+historical Character relating to the holy and exemplary Life of the
+Right Honourable the Lady Elisabeth Hastings, &c. By Thomas Barnard,
+A.M. Printed at Leeds, in 1742, 12mo" (Nichols).--Lady Elizabeth
+Hastings, who came into a fortune upon the death of her brother George,
+Earl of Huntingdon, settled at Ledstone House, where she was the Lady
+Bountiful of the neighbourhood. Her whole estate, however, is said to
+have been less than �3000 a year. The best of the clergy of the day were
+among her friends. She helped Berkeley in his Bermuda Mission scheme,
+and she befriended Miss Mary Astell. Ralph Thoresby, who visited her,
+was "extremely pleased with the most agreeable conversation of the pious
+and excellent Lady Elizabeth Hastings." ("Diary," ii. 82). She was one
+of the numerous eligible ladies that the friends of Lord Raby,
+afterwards Earl of Strafford, suggested to him as a suitable wife
+("Wentworth Papers," pp. 29, 56). The character of Aspasia in this paper
+has been attributed to Congreve, on the ground, apparently, that he knew
+Lady Elizabeth Hastings' half-brother, Theophilus, afterwards Earl of
+Huntingdon. See No. 49, note.]
+
+[Footnote 408: The remainder of this paper is by Addison; see Steele's
+Preface. Drury Lane Theatre was closed by an order of the Lord
+Chamberlain, as mentioned in No. 30.]
+
+[Footnote 409: Christopher Rich.]
+
+[Footnote 410: A bargain.]
+
+[Footnote 411: Valentini Urbani sang in Italian in the opera of
+"Camilla," in 1707. His acting seems to have been better than his voice
+(Burney's "History of Music," iv. 208).]
+
+[Footnote 412: See No. 20.]
+
+[Footnote 413: John Dennis's unsuccessful tragedy of "Appius and
+Virginia" was produced in 1709. On that occasion he introduced a new
+method of making thunder (see "Dunciad," ii. 226), which was found
+useful by managers. Afterwards, when Dennis found his invention being
+used in "Macbeth," he exclaimed, "'Sdeath! that's my thunder. See how
+the fellows use me, they have silenced my tragedy, and they roar out my
+thunder" (Oldys, MS. notes on Langbaine).]
+
+[Footnote 414: "Baby" was often used for "doll."]
+
+[Footnote 415: See No. 18.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 43. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 16_, to _Tuesday, July 19_, 1709.
+
+    Bene nummatum decorat suadela Venusque,
+                                            HOR. 1 Ep. vi. 38.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 18.
+
+I write from hence at present to complain, that wit and merit are so
+little encouraged by people of rank and quality, that the wits of the
+age are obliged to run within Temple Bar for patronage. There is a
+deplorable instance of this in the case of Mr. D----y,[416] who has
+dedicated his inimitable comedy, called, "The Modern Prophets," to a
+worthy knight,[417] to whom, it seems, he had before communicated his
+plan, which was, to ridicule the ridiculous of our established doctrine.
+I have elsewhere celebrated the contrivance of this excellent drama; but
+was not, till I read the dedication, wholly let into the religious
+design of it. I am afraid it has suffered discontinuance at this gay end
+of the town, for no other reason but the piety of the purpose. There is
+however in this epistle the true life of panegyrical performance; and I
+do not doubt but, if the patron would part with it, I can help him to
+others with good pretensions to it; viz., of uncommon understanding, who
+would give him as much as he gave for it. I know perfectly well a noble
+person to whom these words (which are the body of the panegyric) would
+fit to a hair.
+
+"Your easiness of humour, or rather your harmonious disposition, is so
+admirably mixed with your composure, that the rugged cares and
+disturbance that public affairs brings with it, which does so
+vexatiously affect the heads of other great men of business, &c. does
+scarce ever ruffle your unclouded brow so much as with a frown. And what
+above all is praiseworthy, you are so far from thinking yourself better
+than others, that a flourishing and opulent fortune, which by a certain
+natural corruption in its quality, seldom fails to infect other
+possessors with pride, seems in this case as if only providentially
+disposed to enlarge your humility.
+
+"But I find, sir, I am now got into a very large field, where though I
+could with great ease raise a number of plants in relation to your merit
+of this plauditory nature; yet for fear of an author's general vice, and
+that the plain justice I have done you should, by my proceeding and
+others' mistaken judgment, be imagined flattery, a thing the bluntness
+of my nature does not care to be concerned with, and which I also know
+you abominate."
+
+It is wonderful to see how many judges of these fine things spring up
+every day by the rise of stocks, and other elegant methods of abridging
+the way to learning and criticism. But I do hereby forbid all
+dedications to any persons within the city of London, except Sir
+Francis, Sir Stephen,[418] and the Bank, will take epigrams and epistles
+as value received for their notes; and the East India Companies accept
+of heroic poems for their sealed bonds. Upon which bottom, our
+publishers have full power to treat with the city in behalf of us
+authors, to enable traders to become patrons and Fellows of the Royal
+Society, as well as receive certain degrees of skill in the Latin and
+Greek tongues, according to the quantity of the commodities which they
+take off our hands.
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+The learned have so long laboured under the imputation of dryness and
+dulness in their accounts of their phenomena, that an ingenious
+gentleman of our society has resolved to write a system of philosophy in
+a more lively method, both as to the matter and language, than has been
+hitherto attempted. He read to us the plan upon which he intends to
+proceed. I thought his account, by way of fable of the worlds about us,
+had so much vivacity in it, that I could not forbear transcribing his
+hypothesis, to give the reader a taste of my friend's treatise, which is
+now in the press.[419]
+
+"The inferior deities having designed on a day to play a game at
+football, knead together a numberless collection of dancing atoms into
+the form of seven rolling globes: and that nature might be kept from a
+dull inactivity, each separate particle is endued with a principle of
+motion, or a power of attraction, whereby all the several parcels of
+matter draw each other proportionately to their magnitudes and
+distances, into such a remarkable variety of different forms, as to
+produce all the wonderful appearances we now observe in empire,
+philosophy, and religion. To proceed; at the beginning of the game, each
+of the globes being struck forward with a vast violence, ran out of
+sight, and wandered in a straight line through the infinite spaces. The
+nimble deities pursue, breathless almost, and spent in the eager chase;
+each of them caught hold of one, and stamped it with his name; as,
+Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and so of the rest. To prevent this inconvenience
+for the future, the seven are condemned to a precipitation, which in our
+inferior style we call 'gravity.' Thus the tangential and centripetal
+forces, by their counter-struggle, make the celestial bodies describe an
+exact ellipsis."
+
+There will be added to this an appendix, in defence of the first day of
+the term according to the Oxford Almanac,[420] by a learned knight of
+this realm, with an apology for the said knight's manner of dress;
+proving, that his habit, according to this hypothesis, is the true
+modern and fashionable; and that buckles are not to be worn, by this
+system, till the 10th of March, in the year 1714, which, according to
+the computation of some of our greatest divines, is to be the first year
+of the Millennium[421]; in which blessed age, all habits will be reduced
+to a primitive simplicity; and whoever shall be found to have persevered
+in a constancy of dress, in spite of all the allurements of profane and
+heathen habits, shall be rewarded with a never-fading doublet of a
+thousand years. All points in the system which are doubted, shall be
+attested by the knight's extemporary oath, for the satisfaction of his
+readers.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+We were upon the heroic strain this evening, and the question was, What
+is the True Sublime? Many very good discourses happened thereupon; after
+which a gentleman at the table, who is, it seems, writing on that
+subject, assumed the argument; and though he ran through many instances
+of sublimity from the ancient writers, said, he had hardly known an
+occasion wherein the true greatness of soul, which animates a general in
+action, is so well represented, with regard to the person of whom it was
+spoken, and the time in which it was writ, as in a few lines in a modern
+poem: "there is," continued he, "nothing so forced and constrained, as
+what we frequently meet with in tragedies; to make a man under the
+weight of a great sorrow, or full of meditation upon what he is soon to
+execute, cast about for a simile to what he himself is, or the thing
+which he is going to act: but there is nothing more proper and natural
+than for a poet, whose business is to describe, and who is spectator of
+one in that circumstance when his mind is working upon a great image,
+and that the ideas hurry upon his imagination--I say, there is nothing
+so natural, as for a poet to relieve and clear himself from the burthen
+of thought at that time, by uttering his conception in simile and
+metaphor. The highest act of the mind of man, is to possess itself with
+tranquillity in imminent danger, and to have its thoughts so free, as to
+act at that time without perplexity. The ancient poets have compared
+this sedate courage to a rock that remains immovable amidst the rage of
+winds and waves; but that is too stupid and inanimate a similitude, and
+could do no credit to the hero. At other times they are all of them
+wonderfully obliged to a Lybian lion, which may give indeed very
+agreeable terrors to a description; but is no compliment to the person
+to whom it is applied: eagles, tigers, and wolves, are made use of on
+the same occasion, and very often with much beauty; but this is still an
+honour done to the brute, rather than the hero. Mars, Pallas, Bacchus,
+and Hercules, have each of them furnished very good similes in their
+time, and made, doubtless, a greater impression on the mind of a
+heathen, than they have on that of a modern reader. But the sublime
+image that I am talking of, and which I really think as great as ever
+entered into the thought of man, is in the poem called, 'The
+Campaign';[422] where the simile of a ministering angel sets forth the
+most sedate and the most active courage, engaged in an uproar of nature,
+a confusion of elements, and a scene of divine vengeance. Add to all,
+that these lines compliment the General and his Queen at the same time,
+and have all the natural horrors, heightened by the image that was still
+fresh in the mind of every reader.[423]
+
+    "_'Twas then great Marlborough's mighty soul was proved,
+    That, in the shock of charging hosts unmoved,
+    Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,
+    Examined all the dreadful scenes of war;
+    In peaceful thought the field of death surveyed,
+    To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid,
+    Inspired repulsed battalions to engage,
+    And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
+    So when an angel by divine command,
+    With rising tempests shakes a guilty land,
+    Such as of late o'er pale Britannia past,
+    Calm and serene he drives the furious blast;
+    And, pleased the Almighty's orders to perform,
+    Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm._
+
+"The whole poem is so exquisitely noble and poetic, that I think it an
+honour to our nation and language." The gentleman concluded his critique
+on this work, by saying, that he esteemed it wholly new, and a wonderful
+attempt to keep up the ordinary ideas of a march of an army, just as
+they happened in so warm and great a style, and yet be at once familiar
+and heroic. Such a performance is a chronicle as well as a poem, and
+will preserve the memory of our hero, when all the edifices and statues
+erected to his honour are blended with common dust.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, that the Allies
+were so forward in the siege of Tournay, that they were preparing for a
+general assault, which, it was supposed, would be made within a few
+days. Deserters from the town gave an account, that the garrison was
+carrying their ammunition and provisions into the citadel, which
+occasioned a tumult among the inhabitants of the town. The French army
+had laid bridges over the Scarp, and made a motion as if they intended
+to pass that river; but though they are joined by the reinforcement
+expected from Germany, it was not believed they should make any attempt
+towards relieving Tournay. Letters from Brabant say, there has been a
+discovery made of a design to deliver up Antwerp to the enemy. The
+States of Holland have agreed to a general naturalisation of all
+Protestants who shall fly into their dominions; to which purpose, a
+proclamation was to be issued within few days.
+
+They write from France, that the great misery and want under which that
+nation has so long laboured, has ended in a pestilence, which began to
+appear in Burgundy and Dauphin�. They add, that in the town of Mazon,
+three hundred persons had died in the space of ten days. Letters from
+Lille of the 24th instant advise, that great numbers of deserters came
+daily into that city, the most part of whom are dragoons. We are advised
+from France, that the Loire having overflowed its banks, hath laid the
+country under water for three hundred miles together.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 416: See Nos. 1 and 11. In No. 29 of the _Guardian_ Steele
+accused the world of ingratitude in not properly "rewarding the jocose
+labours of my friend, Mr. Durfey"; and in No. 67 Addison urged the town
+to go to a performance at the theatre given for Durfey's benefit. "He
+has made the town merry, and I hope they will make him easy, so long as
+he stays among us."]
+
+[Footnote 417: Sir William Scawen, a merchant who was knighted in 1692.]
+
+[Footnote 418: Probably Sir Francis Child and Sir Stephen Evance, the
+bankers. The latter was ruined at the time of the South Sea mania. The
+following advertisement appeared in the _Postman_ for Jan. 1, 1709:
+"Lost or mislaid, some time the last summer, at Winchester House, in
+Chelsea, a gold snuff-box, a cypher graved on the cover, with trophies
+round it, and over the cypher these words, 'DD. Illust. Princ. Jac. Duci
+Ormond.' Whoever brings it to Sir Stephen Evance, at the Black Boy in
+Lombard Street, shall have ten guineas reward, and be asked no
+questions."]
+
+[Footnote 419: This seems to be a banter upon Mr. Whiston's book
+intituled, "Pr�lectiones Physic� Mathematic�; sive Philosophia
+clarissimi Newtoni Mathematica illustrata, 1710"; wherein he explained
+the Newtonian philosophy, which now began to grow into vogue. Both
+Addison and Steele, however, very much befriended Whiston; and after his
+banishment from Cambridge, promoted a subscription for his astronomical
+lectures at Button's Coffee-house (Nichols).--See No. 251.]
+
+[Footnote 420: See No. 39.]
+
+[Footnote 421: Whiston had fixed that day for the destruction of
+Anti-Christ and the beginning of the Millennium.]
+
+[Footnote 422: Written by Addison in 1705, in celebration of the victory
+at Blenheim.]
+
+[Footnote 423: The great storm of November 1703 formed the subject of a
+volume published by Defoe in 1704.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 44. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 19_, to _Thursday, July 21_, 1709.
+
+    --Nullis amor est medicabilis herbis.
+                                            OVID, Met. i. 523.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 19.
+
+This day, passing through Covent Garden, I was stopped in the Piazza by
+Pacolet, to observe what he called the "triumph of love and youth." I
+turned to the object he pointed at; and there I saw a gay gilt chariot
+drawn by fresh prancing horses; the coachman with a new cockade, and the
+lackeys with insolence and plenty in their countenances. I asked
+immediately, what young heir or lover owned that glittering equipage?
+But my companion interrupted: "Do not you see there the mourning
+�sculapius?"[424] "The mourning!" said I. "Yes, Isaac," said Pacolet,
+"he is in deep mourning, and is the languishing hopeless lover of the
+divine Hebe, the emblem of youth and beauty. The excellent and learned
+sage you behold in that furniture, is the strongest instance imaginable,
+that love is the most powerful of all things. You are not so ignorant as
+to be a stranger to the character of �sculapius, as the patron and most
+successful of all who profess the art of medicine. But as most of his
+operations are owing to a natural sagacity or impulse, he has very
+little troubled himself with the doctrine of drugs; but has always given
+Nature more room to help herself, than any of her learned assistants;
+and consequently has done greater wonders than is in the power of art to
+perform;[425] for which reason, he is half deified by the people; and
+has ever been justly courted by all the world, as if he were a seventh
+son. It happened, that the charming Hebe was reduced, by a long and
+violent fever, to the most extreme danger of death; and when all skill
+failed, they sent for �sculapius. The renowned artist was touched with
+the deepest compassion to see the faded charms and faint bloom of Hebe;
+and had a generous concern in beholding a struggle, not between life,
+but rather between youth, and death. All his skill and his passion
+tended to the recovery of Hebe, beautiful even in sickness: but, alas!
+the unhappy physician knew not, that in all his care he was only
+sharpening darts for his own destruction. In a word, his fortune was the
+same with that of the statuary, who fell in love with the image of his
+own making; and the unfortunate �sculapius is become the patient of her
+whom he lately recovered. Long before this disaster, �sculapius was far
+gone in the unnecessary and superfluous amusements of old age, in
+increasing unwieldy stores, and providing, in the midst of an incapacity
+of enjoyment of what he had, for a supply of more wants than he had
+calls for in youth itself. But these low considerations are now no more,
+and love has taken place of avarice, or rather has become an avarice of
+another kind, which still urges him to pursue what he does not want. But
+behold the metamorphosis; the anxious mean cares of an usurer are turned
+into the languishments and complaints of a lover. 'Behold,' says the
+aged �sculapius, 'I submit, I own, great Love, thy empire: pity, Hebe,
+the fop you have made: what have I to do with gilding but on pills? Yet,
+O fair! For thee I sit amidst a crowd of painted deities on my chariot,
+buttoned in gold, clasped in gold, without having any value for that
+beloved metal, but as it adorns the person, and laces the hat of thy
+dying lover. I ask not to live, O Hebe! Give me but gentle death:
+euthanasia, euthanasia, that is all I implore.'" When �sculapius had
+finished his complaint, Pacolet went on in deep morals on the
+uncertainty of riches, with this remarkable exclamation; "O wealth! How
+impotent art thou! And how little dost thou supply us with real
+happiness, when the usurer himself can forget thee for the love of what
+is as foreign to his felicity as thou art?"
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 19.
+
+The company here, who have all a delicate taste of theatrical
+representations, had made a gathering to purchase the movables of the
+neighbouring playhouse,[426] for the encouragement of one which is
+setting up in the Haymarket. But the proceedings at the auction (by
+which method the goods have been sold this evening) have been so unfair,
+that this generous design has been frustrated; for the Imperial Mantle
+made for Cyrus was missing, as also the Chariot and Two Dragons: but
+upon examination it was found, that a gentleman of Hampshire[427] had
+clandestinely bought them both, and is gone down to his country seat;
+and that on Saturday last he passed through Staines attired in that
+robe, and drawn by the said Dragons, assisted by two only of his own
+horses. This theatrical traveller has also left orders with Mr.
+Hall[428] to send the faded rainbow to the scourers, and when it comes
+home, to despatch it after him. At the same time C---- R----[429] Esq.
+is invited to bring down himself his Setting Sun, and be box-keeper to a
+theatre erected by this gentleman near Southampton. Thus there has been
+nothing but artifice in the management of this affair; for which reason
+I beg pardon of the town, that I inserted the inventory in my paper and
+solemnly protest, I knew nothing of this artful design of vending these
+rarities: but I meant only the good of the world in that and all other
+things which I divulge. And now I am upon this subject, I must do myself
+justice in relation to an article in a former paper, wherein I made
+mention of a person who keeps a puppet-show in the town of Bath;[430] I
+was tender of naming names, and only just hinted, that he makes larger
+promises, when he invites people to his dramatic representations, than
+he is able to perform: but I am credibly informed, that he makes a
+profane lewd jester, which he calls Punch, speak to the dishonour of
+Isaac Bickerstaff with great familiarity; and before all my learned
+friends in that place, takes upon him to dispute my title to the
+appellation of Esquire. I think I need not say much to convince all the
+world, that this Mr. Powell (for that is his name) is a pragmatical and
+vain person to pretend to argue with me on any subject. _Mecum certasse
+feretur_[431]; that is to say, it will be an honour to him to have it
+said he contended with me; but I would have him to know, that I can look
+beyond his wires, and know very well the whole trick of his art, and
+that it is only by these wires that the eye of the spectator is cheated,
+and hindered from seeing that there is a thread on one of Punch's chops,
+which draws it up, and lets it fall at the discretion of the said
+Powell, who stands behind and plays him, and makes him speak saucily of
+his betters. He! to pretend to make prologues against me! But a man
+never behaves himself with decency in his own case; therefore I shall
+command myself, and never trouble me further with this little fellow,
+who is himself but a tall puppet, and has not brains enough to make even
+wood speak as it ought to do: and I, that have heard the groaning
+board,[432] can despise all that his puppets shall be able to speak as
+long as they live. But, _Ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius_[433]. He has
+pretended to write to me also from the Bath, and says, he thought to
+have deferred giving me an answer till he came to his books[434]; but
+that my writings might do well with the waters: which are pert
+expressions that become a schoolboy, better than one that is to teach
+others: and when I have said a civil thing to him, he cries, "Oh! I
+thank you for that--I am your humble servant for that."[435] Ah! Mr.
+Powell, these smart civilities will never run down men of learning: I
+know well enough your design is to have all men automata, like your
+puppets; but the world is grown too wise, and can look through these
+thin devices. I know you design to make a reply to this; but be sure you
+stick close to my words; for if you bring me into discourses concerning
+the government of your puppets, I must tell you, I neither am, nor have
+been, nor will be, at leisure to answer you. It is really a burning
+shame this man should be tolerated in abusing the world with such
+representations of things: but his parts decay, and he is not much more
+alive than Partridge.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 14.
+
+I must beg pardon of my readers that for this time I have, I fear,
+huddled up my discourse, having been very busy in helping an old friend
+of mine out of town. He has a very good estate, is a man of wit; but he
+had been three years absent from town, and cannot bear a jest; for
+which reason I have, with some pains, convinced him, that he can no
+more live here than if he were a downright bankrupt. He was so fond of
+dear London, that he began to fret only inwardly; but being unable to
+laugh and be laughed at, I took a place in the northern coach for him
+and his family; and hope he is got to-night safe from all sneerers in
+his own parlour.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 20.
+
+This morning we received by express, the agreeable news of the surrender
+of the town of Tournay on the 28th instant, N.S. The place was assaulted
+at the attacks of General Schuylemburg, and that of General Lottum, at
+the same time. The action at both those parts of the town was very
+obstinate, and the Allies lost a considerable number at the beginning of
+the dispute; but the fight was continued with so great bravery, that the
+enemy observing that we were masters of all the posts which were
+necessary for a general attack, beat the chamade,[436] and hostages were
+received from the town, and others sent from the besiegers, in order to
+come to a formal capitulation for the surrender of the place. We have
+also this day received advice, that Sir John Leake, who lies off of
+Dunkirk, had intercepted several ships laden with corn from the Baltic;
+and that the Dutch privateers had fallen in with others, and carried
+them into Holland. The French letters advise, that the young son to the
+Duke of Anjou lived but eight days.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 424: Dr. John Radcliffe, the physician (1650-1714), was
+disappointed in love when about sixty. The matter is referred to again
+in Nos. 46, 47, 50 and 67. Radcliffe became rich, but was considered to
+be a quack by many other doctors. "The last _Tatler_ is upon Dr. Ratclif
+who they say is desparately in love with Dutchess of Bolton, his passion
+runs so high as to declare he'll make her eldest son his heir, upon wch
+account they say the Duke of B---- is not at all alarm'd, but gives the
+Old amorist opportunity to make his Court, the Dr. lately gave the
+Dutchess and some other Ladys an entertainm' of musick upon the water,
+and a fine supper in the Barge" ("Wentworth Papers," p. 97). This
+identification of Hebe with the Duchess of Bolton is corroborated by the
+MS. annotator mentioned in a note to No. 4. According to another account
+she was a Miss Tempest, a maid of honour to the Queen. The writer of the
+article on Radcliffe in the "Biog. Britannica" says: "The lady, who made
+the doctor, at this advanced age, stand in need of a physician himself,
+was of great beauty, wealth, and quality; and too attractive not to
+inspire the coldest heart with the warmest sentiments. After he had made
+a cure of her, he could not but imagine, as naturally he might, that her
+ladyship would entertain a favourable opinion of him. But the lady,
+however grateful she might be for the care he had taken of her health,
+divulged the secret, and one of her confidants revealed it to Steele,
+who, on account of party, was so ill-natured as to write the ridicule of
+it in the _Tatler_" Radcliffe never married.]
+
+[Footnote 425: I have a pamphlet called "The _Tatler's_ Character (July
+21) of �sculapius guessing diseases, without the knowledge of drugs;
+applied to the British Physicians and Surgeons: or, The difficult
+diseases of the Royal Family, Nobility and Gentry will never be
+understood and recover'd, when the populace are oppress'd and destroy'd
+by the Practising-Apothecaries and Empiricks confess'd by the College
+and Mr. Bernard the Surgeon. By a Consultation of Gentlemen of Quality."
+London, 8vo, 1709. The pamphlet contains some interesting remarks on the
+physicians, apothecaries and hospitals of the time. Mr. Bickerstaff is
+called "the most ingenious physician of our vices and follies."]
+
+[Footnote 426: See No. 42.]
+
+[Footnote 427: A friend of Nichols said, "I have seen somewhere, but
+cannot immediately refer to the book, an account of a theatre built at
+Southwick, in the county of Hants, by a Mr. Richard Norton, whose will
+is in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1733, p. 57. He is the person, I
+believe, who wrote a play called 'Pausanias' (1696). Cibber dedicated
+his first play to him." The MS. annotator mentioned in No. 4 also
+identifies the gentleman of Hampshire with "Mr. N----n."]
+
+[Footnote 428: An auctioneer.]
+
+[Footnote 429: Christopher Rich, the manager.]
+
+[Footnote 430: Under the name of Powell, the puppet-show man, Steele
+attacked Dr. Blackall, Bishop of Exeter (see No. 37), who was engaged in
+a controversy with Benjamin Hoadly. In March 1709, Blackall preached
+before the Queen a sermon laying down the doctrine of passive obedience
+in its most extreme form, but in 1704 he had preached obedience limited
+by the laws of the State. Hoadly wrote against the sermon of 1709, and
+brought against the Bishop the sermon of 1704. The Bishop, angry at this
+mode of refutation, answered haughtily, and dwelt on the superiority of
+his rank as compared with that of Hoadly, then simply rector of a London
+parish. Bickerstaff here reproaches Blackall for the pride and rudeness
+of his answer, and then, under the guise of Powell, proprietor of the
+puppet-show, satirises the extreme doctrine of divine right taught by
+the Bishop, a doctrine which would make the subjects mere automata, to
+be moved only at the will of the prince.]
+
+[Footnote 431: Ovid, "Met." xiii. 20.]
+
+[Footnote 432: The following printed advertisement appeared in 1682: "At
+the sign of the wool-sack, in Newgate-market, is to be seen, a strange
+and wonderful thing, which is an elm-board, being touched with a hot
+iron, doth express itself, as if it were a man dying with groans, and
+trembling, to the great admiration of all the hearers. It hath been
+presented before the King and his nobles, and hath given great
+satisfaction. _Vivat Rex_."--(MSS. Sloan. 958.)]
+
+[Footnote 433: "Ne e quovis ligno Mercurius fiat" is one of the proverbs
+in the "Adagia" of Erasmus. But its history, as originally from the
+Greek, is thus given in a note of Andr. Schottus, quoted by Gaisford in
+his "Parcemiographia Gr�ci," p. 39, Ox. 1836:--"Illiud adagium {~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH PSILI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA~}
+{~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH VARIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER XI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON~} {~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER EPSILON WITH DASIA AND OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER MU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI AND VARIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~} [ouk ek pant�s z�lon Herm�s �n g�noito],
+quod a Pythagora primum profectum auctor est Apuleius 'Apol.'" [t. ii.
+p. 499] (Ed. Marshall, "Notes and Queries," March 26, 1887). See
+Apuleius, "Apologia," 476: "Non enim ex omni ligno, ut Pythagoras
+dicebat, debet Mercurius exsculpi."]
+
+[Footnote 434: In the Bishop's answer to Hoadly's letter, 1709, there is
+this passage: "I have no books here; and being under these
+circumstances, I hope I may be excused, if, in citing Scripture, I
+should not always name chapter and verse, nor hit exactly upon the very
+words of the translation" (Lord Bishop of Exeter's Answer, &c., pp. 2
+and 3).--"As to the _Tatlers_ relating to Powell's puppets, and the
+doctrines of passive obedience and absolute non-resistance, and to
+Bishop Blackall, I know it gave my father some uneasiness, that there is
+a reference to a fact, which, as he resolved himself never to take
+notice of, thinking it ungenerous, so he was sorry to see any friend of
+the cause had; which is, that the Bishop had said inadvertently, he was
+at Bath, and had not a Bible in his family. It is worth remarking, that
+all the arguments used by Powell about his power over Punch, 'lighting
+his pipe with one of his legs,' &c., are a good burlesque of those used
+by the advocates of non-resistance."--(Dr. John Hoadly.)]
+
+[Footnote 435: The Bishop, after quoting a respectful expression of
+Hoadly's, says, "Your servant, sir, for that."]
+
+[Footnote 436: A beat of the drum or sound of a trumpet, which summons
+the enemy to a parley. In _Spectator_, No. 165, Addison ridiculed the
+use of this and other French war terms by English writers.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 45. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, July 21, to Saturday, July 23_, 1709.
+
+    Credo pudicitiam Saturno rege moratam
+    In terris.
+                                            Juv., Sat. vi. I.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 22.
+
+The other day I took a walk a mile or two out of town and strolling
+wherever chance led me, I was insensibly carried into a by-road, along
+which was a very agreeable quickset, of an extraordinary height, which
+surrounded a very delicious seat and garden. From one angle of the
+hedge, I heard a voice cry, "Sir, sir--" This raised my curiosity, and I
+heard the same voice say, but in a gentle tone, "Come forward, come
+forward." I did so, and one through the hedge called me by my name, and
+bade me go on to the left, and I should be admitted to visit an old
+acquaintance in distress. The laws of knight-errantry made me obey the
+summons without hesitation; and I was let in at the back gate of a
+lovely house by a maid-servant, who carried me from room to room, until
+I came into a gallery; at the end of which, I saw a fine lady dressed in
+the most sumptuous habit, as if she were going to a ball, but with the
+most abject and disconsolate sorrow in her face that I ever beheld. As I
+came near, she burst into tears, and cried, "Sir, do not you know the
+unhappy Teraminta?" I soon recollected her whole person: "But," said I,
+"madam, the simplicity of dress, in which I have ever seen you at your
+good father's house, and the cheerfulness of countenance with which you
+always appeared, are so unlike the fashion and temper you are now in,
+that I did not easily recover the memory of you. Your habit was then
+decent and modest, your looks serene and beautiful: whence then this
+unaccountable change? Nothing can speak so deep a sorrow as your present
+aspect; yet your dress is made for jollity and revelling." "It is," said
+she, "an unspeakable pleasure to meet with one I know, and to bewail
+myself to any that is not an utter stranger to humanity. When your
+friend my father died, he left me to a wide world, with no defence
+against the insults of fortune, but rather, a thousand snares to entrap
+me in the dangers to which youth and innocence are exposed, in an age
+wherein honour and virtue are become mere words, and used only as they
+serve to betray those who understand them in their native sense, and
+obey them as the guides and motives of their being. The wickedest of all
+men living, the abandoned Decius, who has no knowledge of any good art
+or purpose of human life, but as it tends to the satisfaction of his
+appetites, had opportunities of frequently seeing and entertaining me at
+a house where mixed company boarded, and where he placed himself for the
+base intention which he has since brought to pass. Decius saw enough in
+me to raise his brutal desires, and my circumstances gave him hopes of
+accomplishing them. But all the glittering expectations he could lay
+before me, joined by my private terrors of poverty itself, could not for
+some months prevail upon me; yet, however I hated his intention, I still
+had a secret satisfaction in his courtship, and always exposed myself to
+his solicitations. See here the bane of our sex! Let the flattery be
+never so apparent, the flatterer never so ill thought of, his praises
+are still agreeable and we contribute to our own deceit. I was therefore
+ever fond of all opportunities and pretences of being in his company. In
+a word, I was at last ruined by him, and brought to this place, where I
+have been ever since immured; and from the fatal day after my fall from
+innocence, my worshipper became my master and my tyrant. Thus you see me
+habited in the most gorgeous manner, not in honour of me as a woman he
+loves, but as this attire charms his own eye, and urges him to repeat
+the gratification he takes in me, as the servant of his brutish lusts
+and appetites. I know not where to fly for redress; but am here pining
+away life in the solitude and severity of a nun, but the conscience and
+guilt of a harlot. I live in this lewd practice with a religious awe of
+my minister of darkness, upbraided with the support I receive from him,
+for the inestimable possession of youth, of innocence, of honour, and of
+conscience. I see, sir, my discourse grows painful to you; all I beg of
+you is, to paint in so strong colours, as to let Decius see I am
+discovered to be in his possession, that I may be turned out of this
+detestable scene of regular iniquity, and either think no more, or sin
+no more. If your writings have the good effect of gaining my
+enlargement, I promise you I will atone for this unhappy step, by
+preferring an innocent laborious poverty, to all the guilty affluence
+the world can offer me."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 21.
+
+To show that I do not bear an irreconcilable hatred to my mortal enemy,
+Mr. Powell at Bath, I do his function the honour to publish to the
+world, that plays represented by puppets are permitted in our
+universities,[437] and that sort of drama is not wholly thought unworthy
+the critic of learned heads: but as I have been conversant rather with
+the greater Ode, as I think the critics call it, I must be so humble as
+to make a request to Mr. Powell, and desire him to apply his thoughts
+to answering the difficulties with which my kinsman, the author of the
+following letter, seems to be embarrassed.
+
+#"_To my Honoured Kinsman, Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._#
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"Had the family of the Beadlestaffs,[438] whereof I, though unworthy, am
+one, known of your being lately at Oxon, we had in our own name, and in
+the Universities' (as it is our office), made you a compliment: but your
+short stay here robbed us of an opportunity of paying our due respects,
+and you of receiving an ingenious entertainment, with which we at
+present divert ourselves and strangers. A puppet-show at this time
+supplies the want of an Act.[439] And since the nymphs of this city are
+disappointed of a luscious music-speech, and the country ladies of
+hearing their sons or brothers speak verses; yet the vocal machines,
+like them, by the help of a prompter, say things as much to the benefit
+of the audience, and almost as properly their own. The licence of a
+Terr�-Filius[440] is refined to the well-bred satire of Punchinello.
+Now, Cousin Bickerstaff, though Punch has neither a French nightcap, nor
+long pockets, yet you must own him to be a pretty fellow, a 'very'
+pretty fellow: nay, since he seldom leaves the company, without
+calling, 'Son of a whore,' demanding satisfaction, and duelling, he must
+be owned a smart fellow too. Yet, by some indecencies towards the
+ladies, he seems to be of a third character, distinct from any you have
+yet touched upon. A young gentleman who sat next me (for I had the
+curiosity of seeing this entertainment), in a tufted gown, red
+stockings, and long wig (which I pronounce to be tantamount to red heels
+and a dangling cane[441]) was enraged when Punchinello disturbed a soft
+love-scene with his ribaldry. You would oblige us mightily by laying
+down some rules for adjusting the extravagant behaviour of this
+Almanzor[442] of the play, and by writing a treatise on this sort of
+dramatic poetry, so much favoured, and so little understood, by the
+learned world. From its being conveyed in a cart after the Thespian
+manner, all the parts being recited by one person, as the custom was
+before �schylus, and the behaviour of Punch as if he had won the goal,
+you may possibly deduce its antiquity, and settle the chronology, as
+well as some of our modern critics. In its natural transitions, from
+mournful to merry; as, from the hanging of a lover, to dancing upon the
+rope; from the stalking of a ghost, to a lady's presenting you with a
+jig; you may discover such a decorum, as is not to be found elsewhere
+than in our tragi-comedies. But I forget myself; it is not for me to
+dictate: I thought fit, dear cousin, to give you these hints, to show
+you that the Beadlestaffs don't walk before men of letters to no
+purpose; and that though we do but hold up the train of arts and
+sciences, yet like other pages, we are now and then let into our
+ladies' secrets. I am,
+
+"Your most
+
+"Affectionate Kinsman,
+
+                                        "BENJAMIN BEADLESTAFF.
+
+"From Mother Gourdon's, at Hedington,[443] near Oxon, _June 18_."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 22.
+
+I am got hither safe, but never spent time with so little satisfaction
+as this evening; for you must know, I was five hours with three Merry,
+and two Honest Fellows. The former sang catches; and the latter even
+died with laughing at the noise they made. "Well," says Tom Belfrey,
+"you scholars, Mr. Bickerstaff, are the worst company in the world."
+"Ay," says his opposite, "you are dull to-night; prithee be merry." With
+that I huzzaed, and took a jump across the table, then came clever upon
+my legs, and fell a-laughing. "Let Mr. Bickerstaff alone," says one of
+the Honest Fellows, "when he's in a good humour, he's as good company as
+any man in England." He had no sooner spoke, but I snatched his hat off
+his head, and clapped his upon my own, and burst out a-laughing again;
+upon which we all fell a-laughing for half an hour. One of the Honest
+Fellows got behind me in the interim, and hit me a sound slap on the
+back; upon which he got the laugh out of my hands, and it was such a
+twang on my shoulders, that I confess he was much merrier than I. I was
+half angry; but resolved to keep up the good humour of the company; and
+after holloing as loud as I could possibly, I drank off a bumper of
+claret, that made me stare again. "Nay," says one of the Honest Fellows,
+"Mr. Isaac is in the right, there is no conversation in this; what
+signifies jumping, or hitting one another on the back? Let's drink
+about." We did so from seven o'clock till eleven; and now I am come
+hither, and, after the manner of the wise Pythagoras, begin to reflect
+upon the passages of the day. I remember nothing, but that I am bruised
+to death; and as it is my way to write down all the good things I have
+heard in the last conversation to furnish my paper, I can from this only
+tell you my sufferings and my bangs. I named Pythagoras just now, and I
+protest to you, as he believed men after death entered into other
+species, I am now and then tempted to think other animals enter into
+men, and could name several on two legs, that never discover any
+sentiment above what is common with the species of a lower kind; as we
+see in these bodily wits whom I was with to-night, whose parts consist
+in strength and activity; but their boisterous mirth gives me great
+impatience for the return of such happiness as I enjoyed in a
+conversation last week. Among others in that company, we had Florio, who
+never interrupted any man living when he was speaking, or ever ceased to
+speak, but others lamented that he had done. His discourse ever arises
+from a fulness of the matter before him, and not from ostentation or
+triumph of his understanding; for though he seldom delivers what he need
+fear being repeated, he speaks without having that end in view; and his
+forbearance of calumny or bitterness, is owing rather to his good nature
+than his discretion; for which reason, he is esteemed a gentleman
+perfectly qualified for conversation, in whom a general goodwill to
+mankind takes off the necessity of caution and circumspection. We had
+at the same time that evening the best sort of companion that can be, a
+good-natured old man. This person meets in the company of young men,
+veneration for his benevolence, and is not only valued for the good
+qualities of which he is master, but reaps an acceptance from the pardon
+he gives to other men's faults: and the ingenuous sort of men with whom
+he converses, have so just a regard for him, that he rather is an
+example, than a check to their behaviour. For this reason, as Senecio
+never pretends to be a man of pleasure before youth, so young men never
+set up for wisdom before Senecio; so that you never meet, where he is,
+those monsters of conversation, who are grave or gay above their years.
+He never converses but with followers of nature and good sense, where
+all that is uttered is only the effect of a communicable temper, and not
+of emulation to excel their companions; all desire of superiority being
+a contradiction to that spirit which makes a just conversation, the very
+essence of which is mutual goodwill. Hence it is, that I take it for a
+rule, that the natural, and not the acquired man, is the companion.
+Learning, wit, gallantry, and good breeding, are all but subordinate
+qualities in society, and are of no value, but as they are subservient
+to benevolence, and tend to a certain manner of being or appearing equal
+to the rest of the company; for conversation is composed of an assembly
+of men, as they are men, and not as they are distinguished by fortune:
+therefore he that brings his quality with him into conversation, should
+always pay the reckoning; for he came to receive homage, and not to meet
+his friends--But the din about my ears from the clamour of the people I
+was with this evening, has carried me beyond my intended purpose, which
+was to explain upon the Order of Merry Fellows; but I think I may
+pronounce of them, as I heard good Senecio, with a spice of wit of the
+last age, say, viz. that a Merry Fellow is the Saddest Fellow in the
+world.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 437: See No. 44. Blackall was a bishop; and the University of
+Oxford had declared publicly in his favour.]
+
+[Footnote 438: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 439: A meeting for conferring degrees, when speeches, &c., are
+delivered.]
+
+[Footnote 440: An undergraduate who made extempore speeches at the Act,
+often of a very satirical kind. Sometimes there were two _terr� filii_,
+who carried on a dialogue. In 1721, Amberst published a periodical with
+the title "Terr�-Filius: or, The Secret History of the University of
+Oxford," and these papers were reprinted in two volumes in 1726, with a
+curious engraving of the Theatre at Oxford, by Hogarth, as
+frontispiece.]
+
+[Footnote 441: See No. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 442: In an Essay "Of Heroic Plays," prefixed to his play,
+"Almanzor and Almahide; or, The Conquest of Granada," Dryden defended at
+length the character of Almanzor.]
+
+[Footnote 443: This village is the scene of Dr. William King's play,
+"Joan of Hedington" ("Works," 1776, vol. iii. p. 16).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 46. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 23_, to _Tuesday, July 26_, 1709.
+
+    Non bene conveniunt, nec in una sede morantur,
+    Majestas et amor.
+                                            OVID, Met. ii. 846.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 25.
+
+We see every day volumes written against that tyrant of human life
+called Love, and yet there is no help found against his cruelties, or
+barrier against the inroads he is pleased to make into the mind of man.
+After this preface, you will expect I am going to give particular
+instances of what I have asserted. That expectation cannot be raised too
+high for the novelty of the history, and manner of life, of the Emperor
+Aurengezebe,[444] who has resided for some years in the cities of London
+and Westminster, with the air and mien indeed of his imperial quality,
+but the equipage and appointment only of a private gentleman. This
+potentate, for a long series of time, appeared from the hour of twelve
+till that of two at a coffee-house near the 'Change, and had a seat
+(though without a canopy) sacred to himself, where he gave diurnal
+audiences concerning commerce, politics, tare and tret, usury and
+abatement, with all things necessary for helping the distressed, who
+were willing to give one limb for the better maintenance of the rest; or
+such joyous youths, whose philosophy is confined to the present hour,
+and were desirous to call in the revenue of next half-year to double the
+enjoyment of this. Long did this growing monarch employ himself after
+this manner: and as alliances are necessary to all great kingdoms, he
+took particularly the interests of Lewis XIV. into his care and
+protection. When all mankind were attacking that unhappy monarch, and
+those who had neither valour nor wit to oppose against him would be
+still showing their impotent malice by laying wagers in opposition to
+his interests, Aurengezebe ever took the part of his contemporary, and
+laid immense treasures on his side in defence of his important magazine
+of Toulon. Aurengezebe also had all this while a constant intelligence
+with India, and his letters were answered in jewels, which he soon made
+brilliant, and caused to be affixed to his imperial castor, which he
+always wears cocked in front, to show his defiance; with a heap of
+imperial snuff in the middle of his ample visage, to show his sagacity.
+The zealots for this little spot called Great Britain fell universally
+into this emperor's policies, and paid homage to his superior genius, in
+forfeiting their coffers to his treasury: but wealth and wisdom are
+possessions too solemn not to give weariness to active minds, without
+the relief (in vacant hours) of wit and love, which are the proper
+amusements of the powerful and the wise: this emperor therefore, with
+great regularity, every day at five in the afternoon, leaves his
+money-changers, his publicans, and little hoarders of wealth, to their
+low pursuits, and ascends his chariot to drive to Will's; where the
+taste is refined, and a relish given to men's possessions, by a polite
+skill in gratifying their passions and appetites. There it is that the
+emperor has learned to live and to love, and not, like a miser, to gaze
+only on his ingots or his treasures; but with a nobler satisfaction, to
+live the admiration of others, for his splendour and happiness in being
+master of them. But a prince is no more to be his own caterer in his
+love, than in his food; therefore Aurengezebe has ever in waiting two
+purveyors for his dishes, and his wenches for his retired hours, by whom
+the scene of his diversion is prepared in the following manner:
+
+There is near Covent Garden a street known by the name of Drury, which,
+before the days of Christianity, was purchased by the Queen of Paphos,
+and is the only part of Great Britain where the tenure of vassalage is
+still in being. All that long course of building is under particular
+districts or ladyships, after the manner of lordships in other parts,
+over which matrons of known abilities preside, and have, for the support
+of their age and infirmities, certain taxes paid out of the rewards for
+the amorous labours of the young. This seraglio of Great Britain is
+disposed into convenient alleys and apartments, and every house, from
+the cellar to the garret, inhabited by nymphs of different orders, that
+persons of every rank may be accommodated with an immediate consort, to
+allay their flames, and partake of their cares. Here it is, that when
+Aurengezebe thinks fit to give a loose to dalliance, the purveyors
+prepare the entertainments; and what makes it more august is, that every
+person concerned in the interlude has his set part, and the prince sends
+beforehand word what he designs to say, and directs also the very answer
+which shall be made to him.
+
+It has been before hinted, that this emperor has a continual commerce
+with India; and it is to be noted, that the largest stone that rich
+earth has produced, is in our Aurengezebe's possession.
+
+But all things are now disposed for his reception. At his entrance into
+the seraglio, a servant delivers him his bever of state and love, on
+which is fixed this inestimable jewel as his diadem. When he is seated,
+the purveyors, Pandarus and Nuncio, marching on each side of the matron
+of the house, introduce her into his presence. In the midst of the room,
+they bow altogether to the diadem.
+
+When the matron:
+
+"Whoever thou art (as thy awful aspect speaks thee a man of power), be
+propitious to this mansion of love, and let not the severity of thy
+wisdom disdain, that by the representation of naked innocence, or
+pastoral figures, we revive in thee the memory at least of that power of
+Venus, to which all the wise and the brave are some part of their lives
+devoted." Aurengezebe consents by a nod, and they go out backward.
+
+After this, an unhappy nymph, who is to be supposed just escaped from
+the hands of a ravisher, with her tresses dishevelled, runs into the
+room with a dagger in her hand, and falls before the emperor.
+
+"Pity, oh! pity! whoever thou art, an unhappy virgin, whom one of thy
+train has robbed of her innocence; her innocence, which was all her
+portion--Or rather, let me die like the memorable Lucretia--" Upon which
+she stabs herself. The body is immediately examined after the manner of
+our coroners. Lucretia recovers by a cup of right Nantes; and the
+matron, who is her next relation, stops all process at law.
+
+This unhappy affair is no sooner over, but a naked mad woman breaks into
+the room, calls for her duke, her lord, her emperor. As soon as she
+spies Aurengezebe, the object of all her fury and love, she calls for
+petticoats, is ready to sink with shame, and is dressed in all haste in
+new attire at his charge. This unexpected accident of the mad woman
+makes Aurengezebe curious to know, whether others who are in their
+senses can guess at his quality. For which reason the whole convent is
+examined one by one. The matron marches in with a tawdry country girl:
+"Pray, Winifred," says she, "who do you think that fine man with those
+jewels and pearls is?" "I believe," says Winifred, "it is our landlord.
+It must be the squire himself." The emperor laughs at her simplicity.
+"Go, fool," says the matron: then turning to the emperor, "Your
+greatness will pardon her ignorance!" After her, several others of
+different characters are instructed to mistake who he is in the same
+manner: then the whole sisterhood are called together, and the emperor
+rises, and cocking his hat, declares, he is the Great Mogul, and they
+his concubines. A general murmur goes through the assembly, and
+Aurengezebe certifying, that he keeps them for state rather than use,
+tells them, they are permitted to receive all men into their apartments;
+then proceeds through the crowd, among whom he throws medals shaped like
+half-crowns, and returns to his chariot.
+
+This being all that passed the last day in which Aurengezebe visited the
+women's apartments, I consulted Pacolet concerning the foundation of
+such strange amusements in old age: to which he answered; "You may
+remember, when I gave you an account of my good fortune in being drowned
+on the thirtieth day of my human life, I told you of the disasters I
+should otherwise have met with before I arrived at the end of my stamen,
+which was sixty years. I may now add an observation to you, that all who
+exceed that period, except the latter part of it is spent in the
+exercise of virtue and contemplation of futurity, must necessarily fall
+into an indecent old age, because, with regard to all the enjoyments of
+the years of vigour and manhood, childhood returns upon them: and as
+infants ride on sticks, build houses in dirt, and make ships in gutters,
+by a faint idea of things they are to act hereafter; so old men play the
+lovers, potentates, and emperors, from the decaying image of the more
+perfect performances of their stronger years: therefore be sure to
+insert �sculapius and Aurengezebe in your next bill of mortality of the
+metaphorically defunct."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 24.
+
+As soon as I came hither this evening, no less than ten people produced
+the following poem, which they all reported was sent to each of them by
+the penny post from an unknown hand. All the battle-writers in the room
+were in debate, who could be the author of a piece so martially written;
+and everybody applauded the address and skill of the author, in calling
+it a Postscript: it being the nature of a postscript to contain
+something very material which was forgotten, or not clearly expressed in
+the letter itself. Thus, the verses being occasioned by a march without
+beat of drum, and that circumstance being no ways taken notice of in any
+of the stanzas, the author calls it a postscript; not that it is a
+postscript, but figuratively, because it wants a postscript. Common
+writers, when what they mean is not expressed in the book itself, supply
+it by a preface; but a postscript seems to me the more just way of
+apology; because otherwise a man makes an excuse before the offence is
+committed. All the heroic poets were guessed at for its author; but
+though we could not find out his name, yet one repeated a couplet in
+"Hudibras" which spoke his qualifications:
+
+    _"I' th' midst of all this warlike rabble,
+    Crowdero marched, expert and able"_[445]
+
+The poem is admirably suited to the occasion: for to write without
+discovering your meaning, bears a just resemblance to marching without
+beat of drum.
+
+#On the March to Tournay without Beat of Drum.#
+
+#The Brussels POSTSCRIPT.#[446]
+
+      Could I with plainest words express
+      That great man's wonderful address,
+    His penetration, and his towering thought;
+      It would the gazing world surprise,
+      To see one man at all times wise,
+    To view the wonders he with ease has wrought.
+
+      Refining schemes approach his mind,
+      Like breezes of a southern wind,
+    To temperate a sultry glorious day;
+      Whose fannings, with an useful pride,
+      Its mighty heat doth softly guide,
+    And having cleared the air, glide silently away.
+
+      Thus his immensity of thought
+      Is deeply formed, and gently wrought,
+    His temper always softening life's disease;
+      That Fortune, when she does intend
+      To rudely frown, she turns his friend,
+    Admires his judgment, and applauds his ease.
+
+    His great address in this design,
+      Does now, and will for ever shine,
+    And wants a Waller but to do him right:
+      The whole amusement was so strong,
+      Like fate he doomed them to be wrong,
+    And Tournay's took by a peculiar sleight.
+
+      Thus, madam, all mankind behold
+      Your vast ascendant, not by gold,
+    But by your wisdom, and your pious life;
+      Your aim no more than to destroy
+      That which does Europe's ease annoy,
+    And supersede a reign of shame and strife.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 24.
+
+My brethren of the quill, the ingenious society of news-writers, having
+with great spirit and elegance already informed the world, that the town
+of Tournay capitulated on the 28th instant, there is nothing left for me
+to say, but to congratulate the good company here, that we have reason
+to hope for an opportunity of thanking Mr. Withers[447] next winter in
+this place, for the service he has done his country. No man deserves
+better of his friends than that gentleman, whose distinguishing
+character it is, that he gives his orders with the familiarity, and
+enjoys his fortune with the generosity, of a fellow-soldier. His Grace
+the Duke of Argyle had also an eminent part in the reduction of this
+important place. That illustrious youth[448] discovers the peculiar
+turn of spirit and greatness of soul which only make men of high birth
+and quality useful to their country; and considers nobility as an
+imaginary distinction, unless accompanied with the practice of those
+generous virtues by which it ought to be obtained. But[449] that our
+military glory is arrived at its present height, and that men of all
+ranks so passionately affect their share in it, is certainly owing to
+the merit and conduct of our glorious general; for as the great secret
+in chemistry, though not in nature, has occasioned many useful
+discoveries; and the fantastic notion of being wholly disinterested in
+friendship, has made men do a thousand generous actions above
+themselves; so, though the present grandeur and fame of the Duke of
+Marlborough is a station of glory to which no one hopes to arrive, yet
+all carry their actions to a higher pitch, by having that great example
+laid before them.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 444: "Aurenzeb is Tom Colson, who never had any friendship
+with anybody but S'r Edward Seymour, who brought him into Parliament"
+(Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709; "Wentworth Papers," p. 97).
+Thomas Coulson was elected M.P. for Totnes, with Sir Edward Seymour,
+Bart., in 1698. He was re-elected in 1701, 1702, and in 1705. At the
+election of 1708, Sir Edward Seymour, previously member for Exeter, was
+elected for Totnes; but in 1710, Sir Edward having transferred himself
+to Great Bedwyn, Coulson again became member for Totnes. In 1715,
+Coulson's arrest was sought in the neighbourhood of Bristol for joining
+in the rising on behalf of the Pretender; see a letter of Addison's in
+Hist. MSS. Comm., Second Report, p. 250.]
+
+[Footnote 445: "Hudibras," part i. canto ii. 105-6. Butler wrote, "I'
+the head," &c.]
+
+[Footnote 446: "I should have given you a key to the two _Tatlers_ I
+sent you last, the Brussels Postscript are verses of Crowders. He show'd
+them me in manuscript" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709;
+"Wentworth Papers," p. 97). See No. 17 note on Brigadier Crowther.]
+
+[Footnote 447: General Henry Withers commanded at the capitulation of
+Tournay. On his death in 1729, he was buried in Westminster Abbey. Pope
+wrote an epitaph beginning:
+
+    "Here, Withers, rest! thou bravest, gentlest mind,
+    Thy country's friend, but more of human-kind."
+]
+
+[Footnote 448: John, second Duke of Argyle (1678-1743), took an active
+part in the battles of Ramilies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, and at the
+siege of Tournay.]
+
+[Footnote 449: There was a long-standing hostility between the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Duke of Argyle.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 47. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 26_, to _Thursday, July 28_, 1709.
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            Juv., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 27.
+
+My friend Sir Thomas[450] has communicated to me his letters from Epsom
+of the 25th instant, which give, in general, a very good account of the
+posture of affairs at present in that place; but that the tranquillity
+and correspondence[451] of the company begins to be interrupted by the
+arrival of Sir Taffety Trippet,[452] a fortune-hunter, whose follies
+are too gross to give diversion; and whose vanity is too stupid to let
+him be sensible that he is a public offence. But if people will indulge
+a splenetic humour, it is impossible to be at ease, when such creatures
+as are the scandal of our species, set up for gallantry and adventures.
+It will be much more easy therefore to laugh him into reason, than
+convert him from his foppery by any serious contempt. I knew a gentleman
+that made it a maxim to open his doors, and ever run into the way of
+bullies, to avoid their insolence. The rule will hold as well with
+coxcombs: they are never mortified, but when they see you receive, and
+despise them; otherwise they rest assured, that it is your ignorance
+makes them out of your good graces; or, that it is only want of
+admittance prevents their being amiable where they are shunned and
+avoided. But Sir Taffety is a fop of so sanguine complexion, that I fear
+it will be very hard for the fair one he at present pursues to get rid
+of the chase, without being so tired, as for her own ease to fall into
+the mouth of the mongrel she runs from. But the history of Sir Taffety
+is as pleasant as his character. It happened, that when he first set up
+for a fortune-hunter, he chose Tunbridge for the scene of action; where
+were at that time two sisters upon the same design. The knight believed
+of course the elder must be the better prize; and consequently makes all
+his sail that way. People that want sense, do always in an egregious
+manner want modesty, which made our hero triumph in making his amour as
+public as was possible. The adored lady was no less vain of his public
+addresses. An attorney with one cause is not half so restless as a woman
+with one lover. Wherever they met, they talked to each other aloud,
+chose each other partner at balls, saluted at the most conspicuous parts
+of the service at church, and practised in honour of each other all the
+remarkable particularities which are usual for persons who admire one
+another, and are contemptible to the rest of the world. These two lovers
+seemed as much made for each other as Adam and Eve, and all pronounced
+it a match of Nature's own making; but the night before the nuptials (so
+universally approved), the younger sister, envious of the good fortune
+even of her sister, who had been present at most of their interviews,
+and had an equal taste for the charms of a fop (as there are a set of
+women made for that order of men); the younger, I say, unable to see so
+rich a prize pass by her, discovered to Sir Taffety, that a coquette
+air, much tongue, and three suits, was all the portion of his mistress.
+His love vanished that moment, himself and equipage the next morning. It
+is uncertain where the lover has been ever since engaged; but certain it
+is, he has not appeared in his character as a follower of love and
+fortune till he arrived at Epsom, where there is at present a young lady
+of youth, beauty, and fortune, who has alarmed[453] all the vain and the
+impertinent to infest that quarter. At the head of this assembly, Sir
+Taffety shines in the brightest manner, with all the accomplishments
+which usually ensnare the heart of woman; with this particular merit
+(which often is of great service), that he is laughed at for her sake.
+The friends of the fair one are in much pain for the sufferings she goes
+through from the perseverance of this hero; but they may be much more so
+from the danger of his succeeding, toward which they give him a helping
+hand, if they dissuade her with bitterness; for there is a fantastical
+generosity in the sex, to approve creatures of the least merit
+imaginable, when they see the imperfections of their admirers are become
+the marks of derision for their sakes; and there is nothing so frequent,
+as that he who was contemptible to a woman in her own judgment, has won
+her by being too violently opposed by others.
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 27.
+
+In the several capacities I bear, of astrologer, civilian, and
+physician, I have with great application studied the public emolument:
+to this end serve all my lucubrations, speculations, and whatever other
+labours I undertake, whether nocturnal or diurnal. On this motive am I
+induced to publish a never-failing medicine for the spleen: my
+experience in this distemper came from a very remarkable cure on my ever
+worthy friend Tom Spindle,[454] who, through excessive gaiety, had
+exhausted that natural stock of wit and spirits he had long been blessed
+with: he was sunk and flattened to the lowest degree imaginable, sitting
+whole hours over the "Book of Martyrs," and "Pilgrim's Progress"; his
+other contemplations never rising higher than the colour of his urine,
+or regularity of his pulse. In this condition I found him, accompanied
+by the learned Dr. Drachm, and a good old nurse. Drachm had prescribed
+magazines of herbs, and mines of steel. I soon discovered the malady,
+and descanted on the nature of it, till I convinced both the patient and
+his nurse, that the spleen is not to be cured by medicine, but by
+poetry. Apollo, the author of physic, shone with diffusive rays the best
+of poets as well as of physicians; and it is in this double capacity
+that I have made my way, and have found, sweet, easy, flowering numbers,
+are oft superior to our noblest medicines. When the spirits are low, and
+nature sunk, the muse, with sprightly and harmonious notes, gives an
+unexpected turn with a grain of poetry, which I prepare without the use
+of mercury. I have done wonders in this kind; for the spleen is like the
+tarantula,[455] the effects of whose malignant poison are to be
+prevented by no other remedy but the charms of music: for you are to
+understand, that as some noxious animals carry antidotes for their own
+poisons; so there is something equally unaccountable in poetry: for
+though it is sometimes a disease, it is to be cured only by itself. Now
+I knowing Tom Spindle's constitution, and that he is not only a pretty
+gentleman, but also a pretty poet, found the true cause of his distemper
+was a violent grief that moved his affections too strongly: for during
+the late Treaty of Peace, he had written a most excellent poem on that
+subject; and when he wanted but two lines in the last stanza for
+finishing the whole piece, there comes news that the French tyrant would
+not sign. Spindle in few days took his bed, and had lain there still,
+had not I been sent for. I immediately told him, there was great
+probability the French would now sue to us for peace. I saw immediately
+a new life in his eyes; and knew, that nothing could help him forward
+so well, as hearing verses which he would believe worse than his own; I
+read him therefore the "Brussels Postscript";[456] after which I recited
+some heroic lines of my own, which operated so strongly on the tympanum
+of his ear, that I doubt not but I have kept out all other sounds for a
+fortnight; and have reason to hope, we shall see him abroad the day
+before his poem. This you see, is a particular secret I have found out,
+viz., that you are not to choose your physician for his knowledge in
+your distemper, but for having it himself. Therefore I am at hand for
+all maladies arising from poetical vapours, beyond which I never
+pretend. For being called the other day to one in love, I took indeed
+their three guineas, and gave them my advice; which was, to send for
+�sculapius.[457] �sculapius, as soon as he saw the patient, cries out,
+"'Tis love! 'tis love! Oh! the unequal pulse! these are the symptoms a
+lover feels; such sighs, such pangs, attend the uneasy mind; nor can our
+art, or all our boasted skill, avail--Yet O fair! for thee--" Thus the
+sage ran on, and owned the passion which he pitied, as well as that he
+felt a greater pain than ever he cured. After which he concluded, "All I
+can advise, is marriage: charms and beauty will give new life and
+vigour, and turn the course of nature to its better prospect." This is
+the new way; and thus �sculapius has left his beloved powders, and
+writes a recipe for a wife at sixty. In short, my friend followed the
+prescription, and married youth and beauty in its perfect bloom.
+
+    _Supine in Silvia's snowy arms he lies,
+    And all the busy care of life defies:
+    Each happy hour is filled with fresh delight,
+    While peace the day, and pleasure crowns the night._
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 27.
+
+Tragical passion was the subject of the discourse where I last visited
+this evening; and a gentleman who knows that I am at present writing a
+very deep tragedy, directed his discourse in a particular manner to me.
+"It is the common fault," said he, "of you, gentlemen, who write in the
+buskin style, that you give us rather the sentiments of such who behold
+tragical events, than of such who bear a part in them themselves. I
+would advise all who pretend this way, to read Shakespeare with care,
+and they will soon be deterred from putting forth what is usually called
+'tragedy.' The way of common writers in this kind, is rather the
+description, than the expression of sorrow. There is no medium in these
+attempts; and you must go to the very bottom of the heart, or it is all
+mere language; and the writer of such lines is no more a poet, than a
+man is a physician for knowing the names of distempers, without the
+causes of them. Men of sense are professed enemies to all such empty
+labours: for he who pretends to be sorrowful, and is not, is a wretch
+yet more contemptible than he who pretends to be merry, and is not. Such
+a tragedian is only maudlin drunk." The gentleman went on with much
+warmth; but all he could say had little effect upon me: but when I came
+hither, I so far observed his counsel, that I looked into Shakespeare.
+The tragedy I dipped into was, "Harry the Fourth." In the scene where
+Morton is preparing to tell Northumberland of his son's death, the old
+man does not give him time to speak, but says,
+
+    "_The whiteness of thy cheeks
+    Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand;
+    Even such a man, so faint, so spiritless,
+    So dull, so dead in look, so woebegone,
+    Drew Priam's curtain at the dead of night,
+    And would have told him half his Troy was burnt:
+    But Priam found the fire, ere he his tongue,
+    And I my Percy's death ere thou reportest it_"[458]
+
+The image in this place is wonderfully noble and great; yet this man in
+all this is but rising towards his great affliction, and is still enough
+himself, as you see, to make a simile: but when he is certain of his
+son's death, he is lost to all patience, and gives up all the regards of
+this life; and since the last of evils is fallen upon him, he calls for
+it upon all the world.
+
+      "_Now let not Nature's hand
+    Keep the wild flood confined; let Order die,
+    And let the world no longer be a stage,
+    To feed contention in a lingering act;
+    But let one spirit of the firstborn Cain
+    Reign in all bosoms, that each heart being set
+    On bloody courses, the wide scene may end,
+    And darkness be the burier of the dead_."
+
+Reading but this one scene has convinced me, that he who describes the
+concern of great men, must have a soul as noble, and as susceptible of
+high thoughts, as they whom he represents: I shall therefore lay by my
+drama for some time, and turn my thoughts to cares and griefs, somewhat
+below that of heroes, but no less moving. A misfortune proper for me to
+take notice of, has too lately happened: the disconsolate Maria[459] has
+three days kept her chamber for the loss of the beauteous Fidelia, her
+lap-dog. Lesbia herself[460] did not shed more tears for her sparrow.
+What makes her the more concerned, is, that we know not whether Fidelia
+was killed or stolen; but she was seen in the parlour window when the
+train-bands went by, and never since. Whoever gives notice of her, dead
+or alive, shall be rewarded with a kiss of her lady.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 450: See No. 16.]
+
+[Footnote 451: Intercourse.]
+
+[Footnote 452: Henry Cromwell (died 1728) was a correspondent of Pope's,
+and a friend of Wycherley's. "I cannot choose," wrote Mrs. Elizabeth
+Thomas, "but be pleased with the conquest of a person whose fame our
+incomparable Tatler has rendered immortal, by the three distinguishing
+titles of 'Squire Easy the amorous bard'; 'Sir Timothy the critic'; and
+'Sir Taffety Trippet the fortune-hunter'" ("Pylades and Corinna," i. 96,
+194). See also Nos. 49, 165. Cromwell was a man about town, of private
+means, with property in Lincolnshire, who had contributed verses to
+Tonson's "Miscellany." Gay ("Mr. Pope's Welcome from Greece," st. xvii.)
+speaks of "Honest, hatless Cromwell, with red breeches."]
+
+[Footnote 453: Called forth, drawn as with an alarum.]
+
+[Footnote 454: Henry Cromwell; see note on p. 380. According to another
+suggestion, Spindle is intended for Thomas Tickell, who published a
+poem, "The Prospect of Peace," in 1713; but it is not probable that in
+1709 either Addison or Steele would have satirised him; and Cromwell may
+very likely have written verses on the same subject.]
+
+[Footnote 455: A spider named from Tarentum, in Apulia. Strange stories
+were told of the effects of its bite, and of their cure by music and
+dancing.]
+
+[Footnote 456: See No. 46.]
+
+[Footnote 457: Dr. Radcliffe. See No. 44.]
+
+[Footnote 458: 2 Henry IV., act i. sc. I.]
+
+[Footnote 459: "This _Tatler_ I know nothing of, only they say the
+Dutchess of Montague has lately lost a bitch she call'd fidel, and has
+had it cry'd."--(Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby; "Wentworth Papers," p.
+97.)]
+
+[Footnote 460: See Catullus, passim.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 48. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, July 28_, to _Saturday, July 30_, 1709.
+
+    --Virtutem verba putant, et
+    Lucum ligna.
+                                            HOR., 1 Ep. vi. 31.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 29.
+
+This day I obliged Pacolet to entertain me with matters which regarded
+persons of his own character and occupation. We chose to take our walk
+on Tower Hill; and as we were coming from thence in order to stroll as
+far as Garraway's,[461] I observed two men, who had but just landed,
+coming from the waterside. I thought there was something uncommon in
+their mien and aspect; but though they seemed by their visage to be
+related, yet was there a warmth in their manner, as if they differed
+very much in their sentiments of the subject on which they were talking.
+One of them seemed to have a natural confidence, mixed with an ingenious
+freedom in his gesture, his dress very plain, but very graceful and
+becoming: the other, in the midst of an overbearing carriage, betrayed
+(by frequently looking round him) a suspicion that he was not enough
+regarded by those he met, or that he feared they would make some attack
+upon him. This person was much taller than his companion, and added to
+that height the advantage of a feather in his hat, and heels to his
+shoes so monstrously high, that he had three or four times fallen down,
+had he not been supported by his friend. They made a full stop as they
+came within a few yards of the place where we stood. The plain gentleman
+bowed to Pacolet; the other looked on him with some displeasure: upon
+which I asked him, who they both were, when he thus informed me of their
+persons and circumstances.
+
+"You may remember, Mr. Isaac, that I have often told you, there are
+beings of a superior rank to mankind, who frequently visit the
+habitations of men, in order to call them from some wrong pursuits in
+which they are actually engaged, or divert them from methods which will
+lead them into errors for the future. He that will carefully reflect
+upon the occurrences of his life, will find he has been sometimes
+extricated out of difficulties, and received favours where he could
+never have expected such benefits; as well as met with cross events from
+some unseen hand, which have disappointed his best laid designs. Such
+accidents arrive from the interventions of a�rial beings, as they are
+benevolent or hurtful to the nature of man, and attend his steps in the
+tracts of ambition, of business, and of pleasure. Before I ever appeared
+to you in the manner I do now, I have frequently followed you in your
+evening walks, and have often, by throwing some accident in your way, as
+the passing by of a funeral, or the appearance of some other solemn
+object, given your imagination a new turn, and changed a night you had
+destined to mirth and jollity, into an exercise of study and
+contemplation. I was the old soldier who met you last summer in Chelsea
+Fields, and pretended that I had broken my wooden leg, and could not get
+home; but I snapped it short off on purpose, that you might fall into
+the reflections you did on that subject, and take me into your hack. If
+you remember, you made yourself very merry on that fracture, and asked
+me, whether I thought I should next winter feel cold in the toes of that
+leg? As is usually observed, that those who lose limbs, are sensible of
+pains in the extreme parts, even after those limbs are cut off. However,
+my keeping you then in the story of the battle of the Boyne, prevented
+an assignation, which would have led you into more disasters than I then
+related.
+
+"To be short; those two persons you see yonder, are such as I am; they
+are not real men, but are mere shades and figures: one is named Alethes;
+the other, Verisimilis. Their office is to be the guardians and
+representatives of Conscience and Honour. They are now going to visit
+the several parts of the town, to see how their interests in the world
+decay or flourish, and to purge themselves from the many false
+imputations they daily meet with in the commerce and conversation of
+men. You observed Verisimilis frowned when he first saw me. What he is
+provoked at, is, that I told him one day, though he strutted and dressed
+with so much ostentation, if he kept himself within his own bounds, he
+was but a lackey, and wore only that gentleman's livery whom he is now
+with. This frets him to the heart; for you must know, he has pretended a
+long time to set up for himself, and gets among a crowd of the more
+unthinking part of mankind, who take him for a person of the first
+quality; though his introduction into the world was wholly owing to his
+present companion."
+
+This encounter was very agreeable to me, and I was resolved to dog
+them, and desired Pacolet to accompany me. I soon perceived what he told
+me in the gesture of the persons: for when they looked at each other in
+discourse, the well-dressed man suddenly cast down his eyes, and
+discovered that the other had a painful superiority over him. After some
+further discourse, they took leave. The plain gentleman went down
+towards Thames Street, in order to be present, at least, at the oaths
+taken at the Custom-house; and the other made directly for the heart of
+the city. It is incredible how great a change there immediately appeared
+in the man of honour when he got rid of his uneasy companion: he
+adjusted the cock of his hat anew, settled his sword-knot, and had an
+appearance that attracted a sudden inclination for him and his interests
+in all who beheld him. "For my part," said I to Pacolet, "I cannot but
+think you are mistaken in calling this person, of the lower quality; for
+he looks much more like a gentleman than the other. Don't you observe
+all eyes are upon him as he advances: how each sex gazes at his stature,
+aspect, address, and motion?" Pacolet only smiled, and shaked his head;
+as leaving me to be convinced by my own further observation. We kept on
+our way after him till we came to Exchange Alley, where the plain
+gentleman again came up to the other; and they stood together after the
+manner of eminent merchants, as if ready to receive application; but I
+could observe no man talk to either of them. The one was laughed at as a
+fop; and I heard many whispers against the other, as a whimsical sort of
+fellow, and a great enemy to trade. They crossed Cornhill together, and
+came into the full 'Change, where some bowed, and gave themselves airs
+in being known to so fine a man as Verisimilis, who, they said, had
+great interests in all princes' courts; and the other was taken notice
+of by several as one they had seen somewhere long before. One more
+particularly said, he had formerly been a man of consideration in the
+world; but was so unlucky, that they who dealt with him, by some strange
+infatuation or other, had a way of cutting off their own bills, and were
+prodigiously slow in improving their stock. But as much as I was curious
+to observe the reception these gentlemen met with upon 'Change, I could
+not help being interrupted by one that came up towards us, to whom
+everybody made their compliments. He was of the common height, and in
+his dress there seemed to be great care to appear no way particular,
+except in a certain exact and feat[462] manner of behaviour and
+circumspection. He was wonderfully careful that his shoes and clothes
+should be without the least speck upon them; and seemed to think, that
+on such an accident depended his very life and fortune. There was hardly
+a man on 'Change who had not a note upon him; and each seemed very well
+satisfied that their money lay in his hands, without demanding payment.
+I asked Pacolet, what great merchant that was, who was so universally
+addressed to, yet made too familiar an appearance to command that
+extraordinary deference? Pacolet answered, "This person is the demon or
+genius of credit: his name is Umbra. If you observe, he follows Alethes
+and Verisimilis at a distance; and indeed has no foundation for the
+figure he makes in the world, but that he is thought to keep their cash;
+though at the same time, none who trust him would trust the others for a
+groat." As the company rolled about, the three spectres were jumbled
+into one place: when they were so, and all thought there was an alliance
+between them, they immediately drew upon them the business of the whole
+'Change. But their affairs soon increased to such an unwieldy bulk, that
+Alethes took his leave, and said, he would not engage further than he
+had an immediate fund to answer. Verisimilis pretended that though he
+had revenues large enough to go on his own bottom, yet it was below one
+of his family to condescend to trade in his own name; therefore he also
+retired. I was extremely troubled to see the glorious mart of London
+left with no other guardian, but him of credit. But Pacolet told me,
+that traders had nothing to do with the honour or conscience of their
+correspondents, provided they supported a general behaviour in the
+world, which could not hurt their credit or their purses: "for," said
+he, "you may in this one tract of building of London and Westminster see
+the imaginary motives on which the greatest affairs move, as well as in
+rambling over the face of the earth. For though Alethes is the real
+governor, as well as legislator of mankind, he has very little business
+but to make up quarrels, and is only a general referee, to whom every
+man pretends to appeal; but is satisfied with his determinations no
+further than they promote his own interest. Hence it is, that the
+soldier and the courtier model their actions according to Verisimilis'
+manner, and the merchant according to that of Umbra. Among these men,
+honour and credit are not valuable possessions in themselves, or pursued
+out of a principle of justice; but merely as they are serviceable to
+ambition and to commerce. But the world will never be in any manner of
+order or tranquillity, till men are firmly convinced, that conscience,
+honour, and credit, are all in one interest; and that without the
+concurrence of the former, the latter are but impositions upon ourselves
+and others. The force these delusive words have, is not seen in the
+transactions of the busy world only, but also have their tyranny over
+the fair sex. Were you to ask the unhappy Lais, what pangs of
+reflection, preferring the consideration of her honour to her
+conscience, has given her? She could tell you, that it has forced her to
+drink up half a gallon this winter of Tom Dassapas' potions; that she
+still pines away for fear of being a mother; and knows not, but the
+moment she is such, she shall be a murderess: but if conscience had as
+strong a force upon the mind, as honour, the first step to her unhappy
+condition had never been made; she had still been innocent, as she's
+beautiful. Were men so enlightened and studious of their own good, as to
+act by the dictates of their reason and reflection, and not the opinion
+of others, Conscience would be the steady ruler of human life; and the
+words, Truth, Law, Reason, Equity, and Religion, would be but synonymous
+terms for that only guide which makes us pass our days in our own favour
+and approbation."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 461: A coffee-house in Exchange Alley, Cornhill, with an
+auction-room on the first floor, where wine and other things were sold
+(see No, 147). Thomas Garway was originally a tobacconist and
+coffee-man. Defoe ("Journey through England") says that this
+coffee-house was frequented by "the people of quality who have business
+in the City, and the most considerable and wealthy citizens."]
+
+[Footnote 462: Adroit.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 49. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 30_, to _Tuesday, August 2, 1709._
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            JUV., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, August 1.
+
+The imposition of honest names and words upon improper subjects, has
+made so regular a confusion amongst us, that we are apt to sit down with
+our errors, well enough satisfied with the methods we are fallen into,
+without attempting to deliver ourselves from the tyranny under which we
+are reduced by such innovations. Of all the laudable motives of human
+life, none has suffered so much in this kind as love; under which
+revered name, a brutal desire called lust is frequently concealed and
+admitted; though they differ as much as a matron from a prostitute, or a
+companion from a buffoon. Philander[463] the other day was bewailing
+this misfortune with much indignation, and upbraided me for having some
+time since quoted those excellent lines of the satirist:
+
+    _To an exact perfection they have brought
+    The action love, the passion is forgot._[464]
+
+"How could you," said he, "leave such a hint so coldly? How could
+Aspasia[465] and Sempronia[466] enter into your imagination at the same
+time, and you never declare to us the different reception you gave them?
+The figures which the ancient mythologists and poets put upon love and
+lust in their writings, are very instructive. Love is a beauteous blind
+child, adorned with a quiver and a bow, which he plays with, and shoots
+around him, without design or direction; to intimate to us, that the
+person beloved has no intention to give us the anxieties we meet with;
+but that the beauties of a worthy object are like the charms of a lovely
+infant: they cannot but attract your concern and fondness, though the
+child so regarded is as insensible of the value you put upon it, as it
+is that it deserves your benevolence. On the other side, the sages
+figured Lust in the form of a satyr; of shape, part human, part bestial;
+to signify, that the followers of it prostitute the reason of a man to
+pursue the appetites of a beast. This satyr is made to haunt the paths
+and coverts of the wood-nymphs and shepherdesses, to lurk on the banks
+of rivulets, and watch the purling streams (as the resorts of retired
+virgins), to show, that lawless desire tends chiefly to prey upon
+innocence, and has something so unnatural in it, that it hates its own
+make, and shuns the object it loved, as soon as it has made it like
+itself. Love therefore is a child that complains and bewails its
+inability to help itself, and weeps for assistance, without an immediate
+reflection of knowledge of the food it wants: Lust, a watchful thief
+which seizes its prey, and lays snares for its own relief; and its
+principal object being innocence, it never robs, but it murders at the
+same time. From this idea of a Cupid and a Satyr, we may settle our
+notion of these different desires, and accordingly rank their followers.
+Aspasia must therefore be allowed to be the first of the beauteous Order
+of Love, whose unaffected freedom, and conscious innocence, give her the
+attendance of the graces in all her actions. That awful distance which
+we bear towards her in all our thoughts of her, and that cheerful
+familiarity with which we approach her, are certain instances of her
+being the truest object of love of any of her sex. In this accomplished
+lady, love is the constant effect, because it is never the design. Yet,
+though her mien carries much more invitation than command, to behold her
+is an immediate check to loose behaviour; and to love her is a liberal
+education:[467] for, it being the nature of all love to create an
+imitation of the beloved person in the lover, a regard for Aspasia
+naturally produces decency of manners, and good conduct of life in her
+admirers. If therefore the giggling Lucippe could but see her train of
+fops assembled, and Aspasia move by them, she would be mortified at the
+veneration with which she is beheld, even by Lucippe's own unthinking
+equipage, whose passions have long taken leave of their understandings.
+But as charity is esteemed a conjunction of the good qualities necessary
+to a virtuous man, so love is the happy composition of all the
+accomplishments that make a fine gentleman. The motive of a man's life
+is seen in all his actions; and such as have the beauteous boy for their
+inspirer have a simplicity of behaviour, and a certain evenness of
+desire, which burns like the lamp of life in their bosoms; while they
+who are instigated by the satyr are ever tortured by jealousies of the
+object of their wishes; often desire what they scorn, and as often
+consciously and knowingly embrace where they are mutually indifferent.
+
+Florio, the generous husband, and Limberham, the "kind keeper,"[468] are
+noted examples of the different effects which these desires produce in
+the mind. Amanda, who is the wife of Florio, lives in the continual
+enjoyment of new instances of her husband's friendship, and sees it the
+end of all his ambition to make her life one series of pleasure and
+satisfaction; and Amanda's relish of the goods of life, is all that
+makes them pleasing to Florio: they behave themselves to each other when
+present with a certain apparent benevolence, which transports above
+rapture; and they think of each other in absence with a confidence
+unknown to the highest friendship: their satisfactions are doubled,
+their sorrows lessened by participation. On the other hand, Corinna, who
+is the mistress of Limberham,[469] lives in constant torment: her
+equipage is, an old woman, who was what Corinna is now; an antiquated
+footman, who was pimp to Limberham's father; and a chambermaid, who is
+Limberham's wench by fits, out of a principle of politics to make her
+jealous and watchful of Corinna. Under this guard, and in this
+conversation, Corinna lives in state: the furniture of her habitation,
+and her own gorgeous dress, make her the envy of all the strolling
+ladies in the town; but Corinna knows she herself is but part of
+Limberham's household stuff, and is as capable of being disposed of
+elsewhere, as any other movable. But while her keeper is persuaded by
+his spies, that no enemy has been within his doors since his last visit,
+no Persian prince was ever so magnificently bountiful: a kind look or
+falling tear is worth a piece of brocade, a sigh is a jewel, and a smile
+is a cupboard of plate. All this is shared between Corinna and her guard
+in his absence. With this great economy and industry does the unhappy
+Limberham purchase the constant tortures of jealousy, the favour of
+spending his estate, and the opportunity of enriching one by whom he
+knows he is hated and despised. These are the ordinary and common evils
+which attend keepers, and Corinna is a wench but of common size of
+wickedness. Were you to know what passes under the roof where the fair
+Messalina reigns with her humble adorer! Messalina is the professed
+mistress of mankind; she has left the bed of her husband and her
+beauteous offspring, to give a loose to want of shame and fulness of
+desire. Wretched Nocturnus, her feeble keeper! How the poor creature
+fribbles in his gait, and scuttles from place to place to despatch his
+necessary affairs in painful daylight, that he may return to the
+constant twilight preserved in that scene of wantonness, Messalina's
+bedchamber. How does he, while he is absent from thence, consider in his
+imagination the breadth of his porter's shoulders, the spruce nightcap
+of his valet, the ready attendance of his butler! Any of all whom he
+knows she admits, and professes to approve of. This, alas! is the
+gallantry; this the freedom of our fine gentlemen: for this they
+preserve their liberty, and keep clear of that bugbear, marriage. But he
+does not understand either vice or virtue, who will not allow, that life
+without the rules of morality is a wayward uneasy being, with snatches
+only of pleasure; but under the regulation of virtue, a reasonable and
+uniform habit of enjoyment. I have seen in a play of old Heywood's, a
+speech at the end of an act, which touched this point with much spirit.
+He makes a married man in the play, upon some endearing occasion, look
+at his spouse with an air of fondness, and fall into the following
+reflection on his condition:
+
+    "_O Marriage! happiest, easiest, safest state;
+    Let debauchees and drunkards scorn thy rights,
+    Who, in their nauseous draughts and lusts, profane
+    Both thee and Heaven by whom thou wert ordained.
+    How can the savage call it loss of freedom,
+    Thus to converse with, thus to gaze at
+    A faithful, beauteous friend?
+    Blush not, my fair one, that thy love applauds thee,
+    Nor be it painful to my wedded wife,
+    That my full heart overflows in praise of thee.
+    Thou art by law, by interest, passion, mine:
+    Passion and reason join in love of thee.
+    Thus, through a world of calumny and fraud,
+    We pass both unreproached, both undeceived;
+    While in each other's interest and happiness,
+    We without art all faculties employ,
+    And all our senses without guilt enjoy_."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house August 1.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 6th instant, N.S., say, that there daily
+arrive at our camp deserters in considerable numbers; and that several
+of the enemy concealed themselves in the town of Tournay when the
+garrison marched into the citadel; after which, they presented
+themselves to the Duke of Marlborough; some of whom were commissioned
+officers. The Earl of Albemarle is appointed governor of the town. Soon
+after the surrender, there arose a dispute about a considerable work,
+which was asserted by the Allies to be part of the town, and by the
+French to belong to the citadel. It is said, Monsieur de Surville was so
+ingenious as to declare, he thought it to be comprehended within the
+limits of the town; but Monsieur de Mesgrigny, governor of the citadel,
+was of a contrary opinion. It is reported, that this affair occasioned
+great difficulties, which ended in a capitulation for the citadel
+itself; the principal article of which is, that it shall be surrendered
+on the 5th of September next, in case they are not in the meantime
+relieved. This circumstance gives foundation to believe, that the enemy
+have acted in this manner, rather from some hopes they conceive of a
+treaty of peace before that time, than any expectation from their army,
+which has retired towards their former works between Lens and La Bass�e.
+These advices add, that his Excellency the Czarish Ambassador has
+communicated to the States-General, and the foreign Ministers residing
+at the Hague, a copy of a letter from his master's camp, which gives an
+account of the entire defeat of the Swedish army. They further say, that
+Count Piper is taken prisoner, and that it is doubted whether the King
+of Sweden himself was not killed in the action. We hear from Savoy, that
+Count Thaun having amused the enemy by a march as far as the Tarantaise,
+had suddenly repassed Mount Cenis, and moved towards Brian�on. This
+unexpected disposition is apprehended by the enemy as a piece of the
+Duke of Savoy's dexterity; and the French adding this circumstance to
+that of the Confederate squadron's lying before Toulon, convince
+themselves, that his royal highness has his thoughts upon the execution
+of some great design in those parts.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 463: See No. 13.]
+
+[Footnote 464: See No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 465: Lady Elizabeth Hastings (see No. 42).]
+
+[Footnote 466: See No. 33.]
+
+[Footnote 467: In the _Spectator_ for March 29, 1884, Mr. Swinburne
+published a letter saying that Steele was not the author of these famous
+words,--"the most exquisite tribute ever paid to the memory of a noble
+woman"; for the article in No. 42 was by Congreve. But Mr. Justin
+McCarthy afterwards pointed out that these words occur in No. 49, not
+No. 42; and whether or no Congreve wrote the paper in No. 42 which is at
+least doubtful--the article in No. 49 is certainly Steele's.]
+
+[Footnote 468: The title of one of Dryden's plays.]
+
+[Footnote 469: Henry Cromwell and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas. See No. 47.]
+
+
+
+
+END OF VOL. I.
+
+Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. London & Edinburgh.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899, by George A. Aitken
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+<head>
+  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content=
+  "text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
+
+  <title>The Tatler, Volume 1 of 4.</title>
+  <style type="text/css">
+  /*<![CDATA[*/
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+  /* Border around all text. Justify text. Centre headers */
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+
+  /* Definitions for the footnote area */
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+  .footnote                  {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;}
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+
+  /* --Uncomment to get page numbers displayed with text--
+  a.pagenum:after            {display: inline; background-color: yellow; content: "{" attr(title) "}";}
+  */
+
+  /* Definitions for correct display of poetry */
+  .poem                      {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;}
+  .poem .stanza              {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;}
+  .poem .line                {height: auto; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+  .poem .i2                  {margin-left: 1em;}
+
+  /* Italic and right-justified */
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+
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+  .numberheader .leftheader  {position: absolute; left: 10%; text-align: left;}
+  .numberheader .rightheader {position: absolute; right: 10%; text-align: right;}
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+
+
+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899, by George A. Aitken
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  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: The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899
+
+Author: George A. Aitken
+
+Release Date: October 5, 2004 [EBook #13645]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TATLER, VOLUME 1, 1899 ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jon Ingram and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+  <h1><a class="pagenum" name='pageI' title='I' id=
+  "pageI"></a><a class="pagenum" name='pageII' title='II' id=
+  "pageII"></a><a class="pagenum" name='pageIII' title='III' id=
+  "pageIII"></a>THE TATLER</h1>
+
+  <h2>Edited with Introduction &amp; Notes by <b>George A.
+  Aitken</b></h2>
+
+  <h3><i>Author of</i> "The Life of Richard Steele," Etc.</h3>
+
+  <h2>Vol. I</h2>
+  <hr />
+
+  <h3>New York<br />
+  Hadley &amp; Mathews<br />
+  156 Fifth Avenue<br />
+  London: Duckworth &amp; Co.<br />
+  1899</h3>
+  <hr class="full" />
+
+  <h2>Contents</h2>
+
+  <ul>
+    <li><a href='#preface'>Editor's Preface</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#introduction'>Editor's Introduction</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#thepreface'>The Preface.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#dedication'>Dedication to Mr.
+    Maynwaring.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number1'>No. 1. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number2'>No. 2. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number3'>No. 3. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number4'>No. 4. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number5'>No. 5. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number6'>No. 6. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number7'>No. 7. [Steele</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number8'>No. 8. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number9'>No. 9. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number10'>No. 10. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number11'>No. 11. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number12'>No. 12. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number13'>No. 13. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number14'>No. 14. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number15'>No. 15. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number16'>No. 16. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number17'>No. 17. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number18'>No. 18. [Steele and Addison.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number19'>No. 19. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number20'>No. 20. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number21'>No. 21. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number22'>No. 22. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number23'>No. 23. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number24'>No. 24. [Addison.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number25'>No. 25. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number26'>No. 26. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number27'>No. 27. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number28'>No. 28. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number29'>No. 29. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number30'>No. 30. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number31'>No. 31. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number32'>No. 32. [Swift and Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number33'>No. 33. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number34'>No. 34. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number35'>No. 35. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number36'>No. 36. [?Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number37'>No. 37. [?Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number38'>No. 38. [?Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number39'>No. 39. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number40'>No. 40. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number41'>No. 41. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number42'>No. 42. [Steele and Addison.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number43'>No. 43. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number44'>No. 44. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number45'>No. 45. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number46'>No. 46. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number47'>No. 47. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number48'>No. 48. [Steele.</a></li>
+
+    <li><a href='#number49'>No. 49. [Steele.</a></li>
+  </ul>
+  <hr class='full' />
+
+  <p><a name='preface' id="preface"></a></p>
+
+  <h2>Preface</h2>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='pageIV' title='IV' id=
+  "pageIV"></a><a class="pagenum" name='pageV' title='V' id=
+  "pageV"></a></p>
+
+  <div class="italic">
+    <p>The original numbers of the <i>Tatler</i> were reissued in
+    two forms in 1710-11; one edition, in octavo, being published
+    by subscription, while the other, in duodecimo, was for the
+    general public. The present edition has been printed from a
+    copy of the latter issue, which, as recorded on the title-page,
+    was "revised and corrected by the Author"; but I have had by my
+    side, for constant reference, a complete set of the folio
+    sheets, containing the "Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff" in
+    the form in which they were first presented to the world.
+    Scrupulous accuracy in the text has been aimed at, but the
+    eccentricities of spelling&#8212;which were the printer's, not
+    the author's&#8212;have not been preserved, and the punctuation
+    has occasionally been corrected.</p>
+
+    <p>The first and the most valuable of the annotated editions of
+    the <i>Tatler</i> was published by John Nichols and others in
+    1786, with notes by Dr. Percy, Bishop of Dromore, Dr. John
+    Calder, and Dr. Pearce, Bishop of Rochester; and though these
+    notes are often irrelevant and out of<a class="pagenum" name=
+    'pageVI' title='VI' id="pageVI"></a> date, they contain an
+    immense amount of information, and have been freely made use of
+    by subsequent editors. I have endeavoured to preserve what is
+    of value in the older editions, and to supplement it, as
+    concisely as possible, by such further information as appeared
+    desirable. The eighteenth-century diaries and letters published
+    of late years have in many cases enabled me to throw light on
+    passages which have hitherto been obscure, and sometimes useful
+    illustrations have been found in the contemporary newspapers
+    and periodicals.</p>
+
+    <p>The portraits of Steele, Addison, and Swift, the writers
+    most associated with the <i>Tatler</i>, have been taken from
+    contemporary engravings in the British Museum; and the
+    imaginary portrait of Isaac Bickerstaff in the last volume is
+    from a rare picture drawn by Lens in 1710 as a frontispiece to
+    collections of the original folio numbers.</p>
+
+    <p class="right"><i>G. A. A.</i></p>
+
+    <p>August 1898.</p>
+  </div>
+  <hr class='full' />
+
+  <p><a name='introduction' id="introduction"></a></p>
+
+  <h2>Introduction</h2>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='pageVII' title='VII' id=
+  "pageVII"></a></p>
+
+  <p>When the first number of the <i>Tatler</i> appeared in 1709,
+  Steele and Addison were about thirty-seven years of age, while
+  Swift, then still counted among the Whigs, was more than four
+  years their senior. Addison and Steele had been friends at the
+  Charterhouse School and at Oxford, and though they had during the
+  following years had varying experiences, their friendship had in
+  no way lessened. Addison had been a fellow of his college, had
+  gained the patronage of Charles Montague and Lord Somers, had
+  made the grand tour, and published an account of his travels; had
+  gained popularity by his poem "The Campaign," written in
+  celebration of the victory at Blenheim; had been made an
+  Under-Secretary of State, and finally (in December 1708) had been
+  appointed secretary to Lord Wharton, the Lord Lieutenant of
+  Ireland. Steele, on the other hand, had enlisted in the Guards,
+  without taking any degree; had obtained an ensign's commission
+  after dedicating to Lord Cutts a poem on Queen Mary's death; and
+  had written a little book called "The Christian Hero," designed
+  "to fix upon his own mind a strong impression of virtue
+  and<a class="pagenum" name='pageVIII' title='VIII' id=
+  "pageVIII"></a> religion, in opposition to a stronger propensity
+  towards unwarrantable pleasures." At the close of the same year
+  (1701) he brought out a successful comedy, "The Funeral," which
+  was followed by "The Lying Lover" and "The Tender Husband," plays
+  which gave strong evidence of the influence of Jeremy Collier's
+  attack on the immorality of the stage. "The Tender Husband" owed
+  "many applauded strokes" to Addison, to whom it was dedicated by
+  Steele, who wished "to show 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." In 1705 Steele married a lady with
+  property in Barbados, and on her death married, in 1707, Mary
+  Scurlock, the "dear Prue" to whom he addressed his well-known
+  letters. For the rest, he had been made gentleman-waiter to
+  Prince George of Denmark, and appointed Gazetteer, with a salary
+  of �300, less a tax of �45 a year. He was disappointed in his
+  hopes of obtaining the Under-Secretaryship vacated by
+  Addison.</p>
+
+  <p>From 1705 onwards there is evidence of frequent and familiar
+  intercourse between Swift and Addison and Steele. After Sir
+  William Temple's death, Swift had become chaplain to the Earl of
+  Berkeley, who gave him the living of Laracor; and during a visit
+  to England in 1704 he had gained a position in the front rank of
+  authors by the "Tale of a Tub" and the "Battle of the Books." At
+  the close of 1707 he was again in England, charged with a mission
+  to obtain for the Irish clergy the remission of First Fruits and
+  Tenths already conceded to the English, and throughout 1708 what
+  he calls "the triumvirate of <a name="pageIX" id=
+  "pageIX"></a>Addison, Steele and me" were in constant
+  communication. In that year Swift published a pamphlet called "A
+  Project for the Advancement of Religion and the Reformation of
+  Manners," which anticipated many of the arguments used in the
+  <i>Tatler</i> and <i>Spectator</i>; and he also commenced his
+  attack on John Partridge, quack doctor and maker of astrological
+  almanacs. On the appearance of Partridge's "Merlinus Liberatus"
+  for 1708, Swift&#8212;borrowing a name from the signboard of a
+  shoemaker&#8212;published "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." Isaac Bickerstaff
+  professed to be a true astrologer, disgusted at the lies told by
+  impostors, and he said that he was willing to be hooted at as a
+  cheat if his prophecies were not exactly fulfilled. His first
+  prediction was that Partridge would die on the 29th of March; and
+  on the 30th a second pamphlet was published, "The accomplishment
+  of the first of Mr. Bickerstaff's Predictions ... in a letter to
+  a person of quality, in which a detailed account is given of
+  Partridge's death, at five minutes after seven, by which it is
+  clear that Mr. Bickerstaff was mistaken almost four hours in his
+  calculation.... Whether he had been the cause of this poor man's
+  death, as well as the predictor, may be very reasonably
+  disputed." The joke was maintained by Swift and others in various
+  pieces, and when Partridge, in his almanac for 1709, protested
+  that he was still living, Swift <a class="pagenum" name='pageX'
+  title='X' id="pageX"></a>replied, in "A Vindication of Isaac
+  Bickerstaff, Esq.," which was advertised in the fifth number of
+  the <i>Tatler</i>, that he could prove that Partridge was not
+  alive; for no one living could have written such rubbish as the
+  new almanac. In starting his new paper Steele assumed the name of
+  the astrologer Isaac Bickerstaff, rendered famous by Swift, and
+  made frequent use of Swift's leading idea. He himself summed up
+  the controversy in the words, "if a man's art is gone, the man is
+  gone, though his body still appear."</p>
+
+  <p>Much has been written on the interesting question of the early
+  history of the periodical press; but with one exception none of
+  its predecessors had much effect on the <i>Tatler</i>. John
+  Dunton's <i>Athenian Mercury</i> was the forerunner of our
+  <i>Notes and Queries</i>; and it was followed by the <i>British
+  Apollo</i> (1708-11), the second title of which was "Curious
+  Amusements for the Ingenious. To which are added the most
+  Material Occurrences, Foreign and Domestic. Performed by a
+  Society of Gentlemen." <i>The Gentleman's Journal</i> of 1692-4,
+  a monthly paper of poems and other miscellaneous matter, was
+  succeeded, in 1707, by Oldmixon's <i>Muses' Mercury; or, The
+  Monthly Miscellany</i>, a periodical which contained also notices
+  of new plays and books, and numbered Steele among its
+  contributors. Defoe's <i>Review</i>, begun in 1704, aimed at
+  setting the affairs of Europe in a clearer light, regardless of
+  party; but, added Defoe, "After our serious matters are over, we
+  shall at the end of every paper present you with a little
+  diversion, as anything occurs to make the world merry; and
+  whether friend or foe, one party or another, <a class="pagenum"
+  name='pageXI' title='XI' id="pageXI"></a>if anything happens so
+  scandalous as to require an open reproof, the world will meet
+  with it there." Accordingly, of the eight pages in the first
+  number, one and a half pages consist of "Mercure Scandale; or,
+  Advice from the Scandalous Club, Translated out of French." The
+  censure was to be of the actions of men, not of parties; and the
+  design was to expose not persons but things. A monthly
+  supplement, dealing with "the immediate subject then on the
+  tongues of the town," was begun in September 1704; and pressure
+  on the space before long pushed the Advices from the Scandal Club
+  out of the ordinary issue of the <i>Review</i>. Subsequently
+  Defoe wrote more than once in praise of the way in which his work
+  had been taken up by Isaac Bickerstaff.</p>
+
+  <p>Probably the <i>Tatler</i> was started by Steele without any
+  very definite designs for the future. According to the first
+  number, published on April 12, 1709, the aim was to instruct the
+  public what to think, after their reading, and there was to be
+  something for the entertainment of the fair sex. The numbers were
+  published three times a week, on the post-days, at the price of
+  one penny. Each paper consisted of a single folio sheet, and the
+  first four were distributed gratuitously. Steele probably thought
+  that his position of Gazetteer would enable him to give the
+  latest news, and he says that these paragraphs brought in a
+  multitude of readers; but as the position of the <i>Tatler</i>
+  became established, the need for the support of these items of
+  news grew less, and after the first eighty numbers they are of
+  rare occurrence. Quite early in the career of the paper Addison,
+  speaking of the distress which would be <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'pageXII' title='XII' id="pageXII"></a>caused among the
+  news-writers by the conclusion of a peace, said that Bickerstaff
+  was not personally concerned in the matter; "for as my chief
+  scenes of action are coffee-houses, playhouses, and my own
+  apartment, I am in no need of camps, fortifications, and fields
+  of battle to support me.... I shall still be safe as long as
+  there are men or women, or politicians, or lovers, or poets, or
+  nymphs, or swains, or cits, or courtiers in being."<a name=
+  'fntag1' id="fntag1"></a><a class="fn" href=
+  '#footnote1'><sup>1</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>The subject of each article was to be indicated by the name of
+  the coffee-house or other place from which it was supposed to
+  come: "All accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment
+  shall be under the article of White's Chocolate-house; Poetry,
+  under that of Will's Coffee-house; Learning, under the title of
+  Grecian; Foreign and Domestic News you will have from Saint
+  James's Coffee-house; and what else I have to offer on any other
+  subject shall be dated from my own Apartment." For some time each
+  number contained short papers from all or several of these
+  places; but gradually it became usual to devote the whole number
+  to one topic. The motto of the first forty numbers was "Quicquid
+  agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli"; but in the following
+  numbers it was changed to "Celebrare domestica facta"; and
+  afterwards each number generally had a quotation bearing upon the
+  subject of the day. Writing some time after the commencement of
+  the latter, Steele said, in the Dedication prefixed to the first
+  volume, "The general purpose of this paper is to expose the false
+  arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and
+  affectation, and to recommend a general sim<a class="pagenum"
+  name='pageXIII' title='XIII' id="pageXIII"></a>plicity in our
+  dress, our discourse, and our behaviour." And elsewhere he says:
+  "As for my labours, which he is pleased to inquire after, if they
+  but wear one impertinence out of human life, destroy a single
+  vice, or give a morning's cheerfulness to an honest mind; in
+  short, if the world can be but one virtue the better, or in any
+  degree less vicious, or receive from them the smallest addition
+  to their innocent diversions; I shall not think my pains, or
+  indeed my life, to have been spent in vain."<a name='fntag2' id=
+  "fntag2"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote2'><sup>2</sup></a> At
+  the close, speaking in his own name, Steele wrote: "The general
+  purpose of the whole has been to recommend truth, innocence,
+  honour, and virtue, as the chief ornaments of life; but I
+  considered, that severity of manners was absolutely necessary to
+  him who would censure others, and for that reason, and that only,
+  chose to talk in a mask. I shall not carry my humility so far as
+  to call myself a vicious man, but at the same time must confess
+  my life is at best but pardonable."<a name='fntag3' id=
+  "fntag3"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote3'><sup>3</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>With his usual generosity, Steele more than once spoke in the
+  warmest terms of the assistance rendered to him by Addison. In
+  the preface to the collected edition he said: "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 to one with whom he had 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 <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='pageXIV' title='XIV' id="pageXIV"></a>my
+  auxiliary; when I had called him in I could not subsist without
+  dependence on him." And in 1722, after Addison's death, in a
+  preface to his friend's play, "The Drummer," Steele wrote of the
+  <i>Tatler</i>, "That paper 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."</p>
+
+  <p>It is only fair to Steele to point out that the original idea
+  of the <i>Tatler</i> was entirely his own, and that he alone was
+  responsible for the regular supply of material. Addison was in
+  Ireland when the paper was begun, and did not know who was the
+  author until several numbers had appeared. His occasional
+  contributions were of little importance until after eighty
+  numbers had been published; and of the whole 271 numbers Steele
+  wrote about 188 and Addison only 42, while they were jointly
+  responsible for 36. Swift contributed only to about a dozen
+  numbers; and the assistance received from other writers was so
+  slight that it does not call for notice here. Steele, unlike
+  Addison, was probably at his best in the <i>Tatler</i>, where he
+  had a freer hand, and described, in a perfectly fresh and
+  unaffected style, the impressions of the moment. Hastily composed
+  in coffee-house or printing-office, as they often were, and at
+  very short notice, his papers frequently appeal to the reader of
+  the present day more than the carefully elaborated and highly
+  finished work of his friend, who <a class="pagenum" name='pageXV'
+  title='XV' id="pageXV"></a>wrote only when he found a suitable
+  topic. And if Addison's art is of a higher standard than
+  Steele's, it is to Steele that we owe Addison. A minor poet and
+  the author of a book of travels and of an unsuccessful opera,
+  Addison found no opportunity for his peculiar genius until his
+  friend provided the means in the <i>Tatler</i>. It is tolerably
+  certain that he would himself never have taken the necessary step
+  of founding a periodical appealing to the general public; and
+  Steele himself said with perfect truth, "I claim to myself the
+  merit of having extorted excellent productions from a person of
+  the greatest abilities, who would not have let them appear by any
+  other means."<a name='fntag4' id="fntag4"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote4'><sup>4</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>If more is said here of Steele than of Addison, it is because
+  it is Steele whose name is most intimately connected with the
+  <i>Tatler</i>. The field in which Addison shone brightest was the
+  <i>Spectator</i>, where the whole plan was arranged in the manner
+  best suited to his genius. But his influence is, nevertheless,
+  visible in the development of the earlier paper, and some of his
+  individual articles are equal to anything he afterwards wrote. It
+  is only necessary to mention his papers on the Distress of the
+  News-Writers<a name='fntag5' id="fntag5"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote5'><sup>5</sup></a>; on the poetaster, Ned
+  Softly<a name='fntag6' id="fntag6"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote6'><sup>6</sup></a>; on the pedant and "broker in
+  learning," Tom Folio<a name='fntag7' id="fntag7"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote7'><sup>7</sup></a>; on the Political
+  Upholsterer, who was more inquisitive to know what passed in
+  Poland than in his own family<a name='fntag8' id=
+  "fntag8"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote8'><sup>8</sup></a>;
+  and on the Adventures of a Shilling.<a name='fntag9' id=
+  "fntag9"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote9'><sup>9</sup></a>
+  His, too, are the Vision of Justice<a name='fntag10' id=
+  "fntag10"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote10'><sup>10</sup></a>;
+  the story of a dream;<a name='fntag11' id="fntag11"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote11'><sup>11</sup></a> and the amusing account
+  of the visit to <a class="pagenum" name='pageXVI' title='XVI' id=
+  "pageXVI"></a>London of Sir Harry Quickset, who, with his
+  old-world breeding, was the forerunner of Sir Roger de
+  Coverley.<a name='fntag12' id="fntag12"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote12'><sup>12</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>Unlike the members of the Spectator's Club, the <i>dramatis
+  person�</i> introduced in the <i>Tatler</i> do not occupy a very
+  prominent place in the development of the work. Isaac Bickerstaff
+  himself, an old man of sixty-four, "a philosopher, an humourist,
+  an astrologer, and a censor," is rather vaguely sketched, and his
+  familiar, Pacolet, is made use of chiefly in the earlier numbers.
+  The occasional references to Bickerstaff's half-sister, Jenny
+  Distaff,<a name='fntag13' id="fntag13"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote13'><sup>13</sup></a> and her husband, Tanquillus, and
+  to his three nephews and their conduct in the presence of a
+  "beautiful woman of honour,"<a name='fntag14' id=
+  "fntag14"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote14'><sup>14</sup></a>
+  gave Steele a framework for some charming sketches of domestic
+  life. It is not until No. 132 that we
+  have the amusing account of the members of Bickerstaff's Club,
+  the Trumpet, in Shire Lane. There were Sir Geoffrey Notch, a
+  gentleman of an ancient family, who had wasted his estate in his
+  youth, and called every thriving man a pitiful upstart; Major
+  Matchlock, with his reminiscences of the Civil War; Dick Reptile,
+  and the Bencher who was always praising the wit of former days,
+  and telling stories of Jack Ogle, with whom he pretended to have
+  been intimate in his youth. Very little use was afterwards made
+  of this promising material.</p>
+
+  <p>The poet John Gay has given an excellent account of the work
+  accomplished by Steele and Addison in a pamphlet called "The
+  Present State of Wit" (1711). Speaking of the discontinuance of
+  the <i>Tatler</i>, he says: "His disappearing seemed to be
+  bewailed as some general <a class="pagenum" name='pageXVII'
+  title='XVII' id="pageXVII"></a>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 newspapers 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.... There is this 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 vain
+  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.</p>
+
+  <p>"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; <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'pageXVIII' title='XVIII' id="pageXVIII"></a>how many people they
+  have rendered happy, by showing them it was their own fault if
+  they were not so; and, lastly, how entirely they have convinced
+  our 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.</p>
+
+  <p>"Lastly, his writings have set all our wits and men of letters
+  upon a new way of thinking, of which they had little or no notion
+  before; and though we cannot yet 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."</p>
+
+  <p>Gay's opinion has been confirmed by the best judges of nearly
+  two centuries, and there is no need to labour the question of the
+  wit and wisdom of the <i>Tatler</i>. But some examples may be
+  cited in illustration of the topics on which Steele and his
+  friends wrote, and the manner in which they dealt with them. The
+  very first numbers contained illustrations of most of what were
+  to be the characteristics of the paper. There is the account of
+  the very pretty gentleman at White's Chocolate-house thrown into
+  a sad condition by a passing vision of a young lady; <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='pageXIX' title='XIX' id="pageXIX"></a>the notice
+  of Betterton's benefit performance; the comments on the war; the
+  campaign against Partridge, with the declaration that all who
+  were good for nothing would be included among the deceased; the
+  discussion on the morality of the stage, with praise of Mrs.
+  Bicknell and reproaches upon a young nobleman who came drunk to
+  the play; the comparison of the rival beauties, Chloe and
+  Clarissa; the satire on the Italian opera, and on Pinkethman's
+  company of strollers; and the allegorical paper on F�licia, or
+  Britain. All these and other matters are dealt with in the four
+  numbers which were distributed gratuitously; as the work
+  progressed the principal change, besides the disappearance of the
+  paragraphs of news, was the development of the sustained essay on
+  morals or manners, and the less frequent indulgence in satire
+  upon individual offenders, and in personal allusions in general.
+  This change seems to have been the result partly of design, and
+  partly of circumstances, including Addison's influence on the
+  work. Steele himself said, as we have seen, that the
+  <i>Tatler</i> was raised to a greater height than he had
+  designed; but no doubt he realised that he must feel his way, and
+  be at first a tatler rather than a preacher. After some grave
+  remarks about duelling in an early paper (<a href='#number26'>No.
+  26</a>), he makes Pacolet, Bickerstaff's familiar, say, "It was
+  too soon to give my discourse on this subject so serious a turn;
+  you have chiefly to do with that part of mankind which must be
+  led into reflection by degrees, and you must treat this custom
+  with humour and raillery to get an audience, before you come to
+  pronounce sentence upon it."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='pageXX' title='XX' id=
+  "pageXX"></a>Follies and weaknesses are ridiculed in the
+  <i>Tatler</i> in a genial spirit, by one who was fully alive to
+  his own imperfections, and point is usually given to the papers
+  by a sketch of some veiled or imaginary individual. In this way
+  Bickerstaff treats of fops,<a name='fntag15' id=
+  "fntag15"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote15'><sup>15</sup></a>
+  of wags,<a name='fntag16' id="fntag16"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote16'><sup>16</sup></a> of coquettes,<a name='fntag17'
+  id="fntag17"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote17'><sup>17</sup></a> of the lady who condemned the
+  vice of the age, meaning the only vice of which she was not
+  guilty;<a name='fntag18' id="fntag18"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote18'><sup>18</sup></a> of impudence;<a name='fntag19'
+  id="fntag19"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote19'><sup>19</sup></a> and of pride and vanity.<a name=
+  'fntag20' id="fntag20"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote20'><sup>20</sup></a> In a graver tone he attacks the
+  practice of duelling;<a name='fntag21' id="fntag21"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote21'><sup>21</sup></a> gamesters and
+  sharpers;<a name='fntag22' id="fntag22"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote22'><sup>22</sup></a> drunken "roarers" and
+  "scowrers";<a name='fntag23' id="fntag23"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote23'><sup>23</sup></a> and brutal pastimes at the Bear
+  Garden and elsewhere.<a name='fntag24' id="fntag24"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote24'><sup>24</sup></a> The campaign against
+  swindlers exposed Steele to serious threats on more than one
+  occasion.<a name='fntag25' id="fntag25"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote25'><sup>25</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>Of what Coleridge called Steele's "pure humanity" there is
+  nowhere better evidence than in the <i>Tatler</i>. It is enough
+  to cite once more the well-known examples of the account of his
+  father's death and his mother's grief;<a name='fntag26' id=
+  "fntag26"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote26'><sup>26</sup></a>
+  the stories of Unnion and Valentine,<a name='fntag27' id=
+  "fntag27"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote27'><sup>27</sup></a>
+  of the Cornish lovers,<a name='fntag28' id=
+  "fntag28"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote28'><sup>28</sup></a>
+  of Clarinda and Chloe,<a name='fntag29' id=
+  "fntag29"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote29'><sup>29</sup></a>
+  and of Mr. Eustace,<a name='fntag30' id="fntag30"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote30'><sup>30</sup></a> and the charming
+  account of the married happiness of an old friend, with the
+  pathetic picture of the death of the wife, and the grief of
+  husband and children.<a name='fntag31' id="fntag31"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote31'><sup>31</sup></a> In the last number
+  Steele said, "It has been a most exquisite pleasure to me to
+  frame characters of domestic life"; and we know from his letters
+  that when he wrote of children he <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'pageXXI' title='XXI' id="pageXXI"></a>was only expressing the
+  deep affection which he felt for his own. Equally in advance of
+  his time was his respect for women, one of whom&#8212;Lady
+  Elizabeth Hastings&#8212;he has immortalised in the words, "To
+  love her is a liberal education."<a name='fntag32' id=
+  "fntag32"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote32'><sup>32</sup></a>
+  In the same number he wrote, "As charity is esteemed a
+  conjunction of the good qualities necessary to a virtuous man, so
+  love is the happy composition of all the accomplishments that
+  make a fine gentleman." In a time of much laxity he constantly
+  dwelt on the happiness of marriage; "wife is the most amiable
+  term in human life."<a name='fntag33' id="fntag33"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote33'><sup>33</sup></a> But good nature must be
+  cultivated if the married life is to be happy,<a name='fntag34'
+  id="fntag34"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote34'><sup>34</sup></a> and all unnecessary provocations
+  avoided. "Dear Jenny," says Bickerstaff to his sister, "remember
+  me, and avoid Snap-Dragon."<a name='fntag35' id=
+  "fntag35"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote35'><sup>35</sup></a>
+  Women must be rightly educated before they can expect to be
+  treated by, and to influence men as they should.<a name='fntag36'
+  id="fntag36"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote36'><sup>36</sup></a> The make of the mind greatly
+  contributes to the ornament of the body; "there is so immediate a
+  relation between our thoughts and gestures that a woman must
+  think well to look well."<a name='fntag37' id=
+  "fntag37"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote37'><sup>37</sup></a>
+  The habit of scandal-mongering and other weaknesses are the
+  result of an improper training of the mind.<a name='fntag38' id=
+  "fntag38"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote38'><sup>38</sup></a>
+  "All women especially," says Thackeray, "are bound to be grateful
+  to Steele, as he was the first of our writers who really seemed
+  to admire and respect them." His pity extended to the hunted
+  deer: "I have more than once rode off at the death," he says; "to
+  be apt to shed tears is a sign of a great as well as a little
+  spirit."<a name='fntag39' id="fntag39"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote39'><sup>39</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='pageXXII' title='XXII' id=
+  "pageXXII"></a>Steele's teaching on morals and right living
+  enters intimately into his literary criticism. His love for
+  Shakespeare was real and intelligent; there is no formal
+  discussion of the rules of the drama, but throughout the
+  <i>Tatler</i> there are references which show the keenest
+  appreciation of Shakespeare's powers as poet and philosopher.
+  "The vitiated tastes of the audience at the theatre could only be
+  amended," says Steele, "by encouraging the representation of the
+  noble characters drawn by Shakespeare and others, from whence it
+  is impossible to return without strong impressions of honour and
+  humanity. On these occasions, distress is laid before us with all
+  its causes and consequences, and our resentment placed according
+  to the merit of the persons afflicted. Were dramas of this nature
+  more acceptable to the taste of the town, men who have genius
+  would bend their studies to excel in them."<a name='fntag40' id=
+  "fntag40"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote40'><sup>40</sup></a>
+  Still more remarkable are the allusions to "Paradise Lost," for
+  Milton was then even less appreciated than Shakespeare. As in so
+  many other things, Addison's more elaborate criticism in the
+  <i>Spectator</i> was foreshadowed in the <i>Tatler</i> by Steele;
+  and the comparison of passages by Milton and Dryden<a name=
+  'fntag41' id="fntag41"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote41'><sup>41</sup></a> must have been very striking to
+  the reader of that time, who usually knew Shakespeare or Chaucer
+  only through the adaptations of Dryden or Tate.</p>
+
+  <p>Though it is not true, as some have represented, that the
+  <i>Tatler</i> is for the most part a mere society journal,
+  concerned chiefly with the gossip of the day, yet its
+  contributors made use of the scenes and events familiar to their
+  readers in order to bring home the kindly lessons <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='pageXXIII' title='XXIII' id="pageXXIII"></a>they
+  wished to teach; and in so doing they have given us a picture of
+  the daily life of the town which would alone have given lasting
+  interest to the paper. The distinctly "moral" papers have had
+  countless imitators, and sometimes therefore they are apt to pall
+  upon us, but the social articles are at least as interesting now
+  as when they were written, and one of the reasons why some
+  excellent judges have prefered the <i>Tatler</i> to the
+  <i>Spectator</i>, is that there is a greater proportion of these
+  gossiping papers, combining wisdom with satire, and bringing
+  before us as in a mirror the London of Queen Anne's day.
+  Bickerstaff takes us from club to coffee-house, from St. James's
+  to the Exchange; we see the poets and wits at Will's, the
+  politicians at White's, the merchants at Garraway's, the Templars
+  at the Smyrna; we see Betterton and the rest on the stage, and
+  the ladies and gentlemen in the front or side boxes; we see
+  Pinkethman's players at Greenwich, Powell's puppet-show, Don
+  Saltero's Museum at Chelsea, and the bear-baiting and
+  prize-fights at Hockley-in-the-Hole. We are taken to the Mall at
+  St. James's, or the Ring in Hyde Park, and we study the fine
+  ladies and the beaux, with their red heels and their amber-headed
+  canes suspended from their waistcoats; or we follow them to
+  Charles Lillie's, the perfumer, or to Mather's toy-shop, or to
+  Motteux's china warehouse; or to the shops in the New Exchange,
+  where the men bought trifles and ogled the attendants. Or yet
+  again we watch the exposure of the sharpers and bullies, and the
+  denunciation of others who brought even greater ruin on those who
+  fell into their clutches. We see the worshipping and the
+  flirtations in the church, with Smal<a class="pagenum" name=
+  'pageXXIV' title='XXIV' id="pageXXIV"></a>ridge and Atterbury,
+  Hoadly and Blackall among the preachers, and hear something of
+  the controversies between High and Low Church, Whig and Tory. We
+  hear, too, of the war with France, and of the hopes of peace.
+  Steele tells us not only of Marlborough and Prince Eugene, but of
+  privates and non-commissioned officers, of their lives and
+  tragedies, of their comrades and friends. All Sergeant Hall knew
+  of the battle was that he wished there had not been so many
+  killed; he had himself a very bad shot in the head, but would
+  recover, if it pleased God. "To me," says Steele, recalling his
+  own service as a trooper, "I take the gallantry of private
+  soldiers to proceed from the same, if not from a nobler impulse
+  than that of gentlemen and officers.... Sergeant Hall would die
+  ten thousand deaths rather than a word should be spoken at the
+  Red Lattice, or any part of the Butcher Row, in prejudice to his
+  courage or honesty." His letter to his friend was "the picture of
+  the bravest sort of man, that is to say, a man of great courage
+  and small hopes."<a name='fntag42' id="fntag42"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote42'><sup>42</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>Something must be said of the events of 1710, which led to the
+  discontinuance of the <i>Tatler</i>. The trial of Dr. Sacheverell
+  in March was followed by the fall of the Whigs in the autumn; and
+  in October Steele lost his post of Gazetteer. Swift says it was
+  "for writing a <i>Tatler</i> some months ago, against Mr. Harley,
+  who gave him the post at first." There was a growing coldness
+  between Swift and his old friends, and on the 3rd of November
+  Swift wrote, "We have scurvy <i>Tatlers</i> of late, so pray do
+  not suspect me." On the preceding day Swift's first paper
+  <a class="pagenum" name='pageXXV' title='XXV' id="pageXXV"></a>in
+  the Tory <i>Examiner</i> had been published. He still met Steele
+  from time to time, and he says that he interceded for him with
+  Harley, but was frustrated by Addison. However this may be, it is
+  certain that Harley saw Steele, and that as the result of their
+  interview Steele retained his post as Commissioner of the Stamp
+  Office, and brought the <i>Tatler</i> to a close on January 2,
+  1711, without consulting Addison. "To say the truth, it was
+  time," says Swift; "for he grew cruel dull and dry." It is true
+  that there is a falling off towards the close of the
+  <i>Tatler</i>, but that it was not want of matter that brought
+  about the abandonment of the paper is proved by the commencement
+  only two months later of the <i>Spectator</i>. Steele himself
+  said that on many accounts it had become an irksome task to
+  personate Mr. Bickerstaff any longer; he had in some places
+  touched upon matters concerning Church and State, and he could
+  not be cold enough to conceal his opinions. Gay tells us, in "The
+  Present State of Wit," that the town being generally of opinion
+  that Steele was quite spent as regards matter, was the more
+  surprised when the <i>Spectator</i> appeared; people were
+  therefore driven to accept the alternative view that the
+  <i>Tatler</i> was laid down "as a sort of submission to, or
+  composition with, the Government for some past offences."</p>
+
+  <p>Excellent testimony to the immediate popularity of the
+  <i>Tatler</i> is furnished by the fact that its successive
+  numbers were reprinted in Dublin and in Edinburgh. At least
+  sixty-nine numbers of the Dublin issue, in quarto, were printed.
+  The Scottish re-issue was a folio sheet, commenced about February
+  1710, and continued until the close of the <a class="pagenum"
+  name='pageXXVI' title='XXVI' id="pageXXVI"></a>paper. The date of
+  each number of the Edinburgh paper&#8212;"printed by James
+  Watson, and sold at his shop next door to the Red Lion, opposite
+  to the Lucken Booths"&#8212;is five or six days later than that
+  of the original issue; it was evidently worked off as soon as the
+  London post came in. Other evidence of the popularity of the
+  <i>Tatler</i> in the provinces is afforded by the foundation of
+  the "Gentleman's Society" at Spalding. Maurice Johnson, a native
+  of Spalding and a member of the Inner Temple, gives this account
+  of the matter: "In April 1709, that great genius Captain Richard
+  Steele ... published the <i>Tatlers</i>, which, as they came out
+  in half-sheets, were taken in by a gentleman, who communicated
+  them to his acquaintances at the coffee-house then in the Abbey
+  Yard; and these papers being universally approved as both
+  instructive and entertaining, they ordered them to be sent down
+  thither, with the Gazettes and Votes, for which they paid out of
+  charity to the person who kept the coffee-house, and they were
+  accordingly had and read there every post-day, generally aloud to
+  the company, who would sit and talk over the subject afterwards.
+  This insensibly drew the men of sense and letters into a sociable
+  way of conversing, and continued the next year, 1710, until the
+  publication of these papers desisted, which was in December, to
+  their great regret." Afterwards the <i>Spectator</i> was taken
+  in, and a regular society was started in 1712, by the
+  encouragement of Addison, Steele, and other members of Button's
+  Club.</p>
+
+  <p>One indication of the popularity of the <i>Tatler</i> in its
+  own day is the long subscription list prefixed to the reprint in
+  four octavo volumes. Some copies were printed on <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='pageXXVII' title='XXVII' id=
+  "pageXXVII"></a>"royal," others on "medium" paper; and the price
+  of the former was a guinea a volume, while that of the latter was
+  half a guinea. There was also an authorised cheap edition, in
+  duodecimo, at half a crown a volume, besides a pirated edition at
+  the same price. A still more conclusive proof of the success of
+  the <i>Tatler</i> was the number of papers started in imitation
+  of its methods. Addison mentioned some of those periodicals in
+  No. 229, where details will be found of
+  the "Female Tatler," "Tit for Tat," and the like. But besides
+  these, several spurious continuations of the <i>Tatler</i>
+  appeared directly after the discontinuance of the genuine paper,
+  including one by William Harrison, written with Swift's
+  encouragement and assistance. But Harrison, as Swift said, had
+  "not the true vein for it," and his paper reached only to
+  fifty-two numbers, which were afterwards reprinted as a fifth
+  volume to the collected edition of the original <i>Tatler</i>.
+  Gay said that Steele's imitators seemed to think "that what was
+  only the garnish of the former <i>Tatlers</i> was that which
+  recommended them, and not those substantial entertainments which
+  they everywhere abound in." The town, in the absence of anything
+  better, welcomed their occasional and faint endeavours at humour;
+  "but even those are at present become wholly invisible, and quite
+  swallowed up in the blaze of the <i>Spectator</i>." Steele
+  himself said that his imitators held the censorship in
+  commission.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class="label">
+        <a href="#fntag1">[1]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote1' id="footnote1"></a><a href=
+      '#number18'>No. 18.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag2'>[2]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote2' id="footnote2"></a>No. 89.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag3'>[3]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote3' id="footnote3"></a>No. 271.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag4'>[4]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote4' id="footnote4"></a><i>Spectator</i>,
+      No. 532.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag5'>[5]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote5' id="footnote5"></a><i>Tatler</i>,
+      <a href='#number18'>No. 18.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag6'>[6]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote6' id="footnote6"></a>No. 163.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag7'>[7]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote7' id="footnote7"></a>No. 158.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag8'>[8]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote8' id="footnote8"></a>Nos. 155, 160.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag9'>[9]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote9' id="footnote9"></a>No. 249.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag10'>[10]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote10' id="footnote10"></a>Nos. 100, 102.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag11'>[11]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote11' id="footnote11"></a>No. 117.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag12'>[12]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote12' id="footnote12"></a>No. 86.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag13'>[13]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote13' id="footnote13"></a><a href=
+      '#number10'>No. 10.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag14'>[14]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote14' id="footnote14"></a><a href=
+      '#number30'>No. 30.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag15'>[15]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote15' id="footnote15"></a>No. 142.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag16'>[16]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote16' id="footnote16"></a>No. 184.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag17'>[17]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote17' id="footnote17"></a><a href=
+      '#number27'>No. 27.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag18'>[18]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote18' id="footnote18"></a>No. 210.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag19'>[19]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote19' id="footnote19"></a>No. 168.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag20'>[20]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote20' id="footnote20"></a>Nos. 127, 186.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag21'>[21]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote21' id="footnote21"></a>Nos. <a href=
+      "#number25">25</a>, <a href="#number26">26</a>, <a href=
+      "#number29">29</a>, <a href="#number31">31</a>, <a href=
+      "#number38">38</a>, <a href="#number39">39</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag22'>[22]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote22' id="footnote22"></a>Nos. 56, &amp;c.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag23'>[23]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote23' id="footnote23"></a>Nos. <a href=
+      "#number40">40</a>, <a href="#number45">45</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag24'>[24]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote24' id="footnote24"></a>No. 134.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag25'>[25]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote25' id="footnote25"></a>See Nos. 115, 271.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag26'>[26]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote26' id="footnote26"></a>No. 181.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag27'>[27]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote27' id="footnote27"></a><a href=
+      '#number5'>No. 5.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag28'>[28]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote28' id="footnote28"></a>No. 82.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag29'>[29]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote29' id="footnote29"></a>No. 94.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag30'>[30]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote30' id="footnote30"></a>No. 172.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag31'>[31]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote31' id="footnote31"></a>Nos. 95, 114.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag32'>[32]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote32' id="footnote32"></a><a href=
+      '#number49'>No. 49.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag33'>[33]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote33' id="footnote33"></a><a href=
+      '#number33'>No. 33.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag34'>[34]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote34' id="footnote34"></a>No. 149.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag35'>[35]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote35' id="footnote35"></a>No. 85. See, too, No.
+      104.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag36'>[36]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote36' id="footnote36"></a>Nos. 141, 248.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag37'>[37]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote37' id="footnote37"></a>No. 212.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag38'>[38]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote38' id="footnote38"></a>Nos. 40, 42, 47.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag39'>[39]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote39' id="footnote39"></a>No. 68.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag40'>[40]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote40' id="footnote40"></a><a href=
+      '#number8'>No. 8.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag41'>[41]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote41' id="footnote41"></a><a href=
+      '#number6'>No. 6.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag42'>[42]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote42' id="footnote42"></a>No. 87.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+  <hr class="full" />
+
+  <p><a name='thepreface' id="thepreface"></a></p>
+
+  <h2><a class="pagenum" name='page1' title='1' id=
+  "page1"></a><a class="pagenum" name='page2' title='2' id=
+  "page2"></a> <a class="pagenum" name='page3' title='3' id=
+  "page3"></a>The <i>Preface</i>.<a name='fntag43' id=
+  "fntag43"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote43'><sup>43</sup></a></h2>
+
+  <p>In the last <i>Tatler</i> I promised some explanation of
+  passages and persons mentioned in this work, as well as some
+  account of the assistances I have had in the performance. I shall
+  do this in very few words; for when a man has no design but to
+  speak plain truth, he may say a great deal in a very narrow
+  compass. I have in the dedication of the first volume made my
+  acknowledgments to Dr. Swift, whose pleasant writings, in the
+  name of Bickerstaff, created an inclination in the town towards
+  anything that could appear in the same disguise. I must
+  acknowledge also, that at my first entering upon this work, a
+  certain uncommon way of thinking, and a turn in conversation
+  peculiar to that agreeable gentleman, rendered his company very
+  advantageous to one whose imagination was to be continually
+  employed upon obvious and common subjects, though at the same
+  time obliged to treat of them in a new and unbeaten method. His
+  verses on the Shower in Town,<a name='fntag44' id=
+  "fntag44"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote44'><sup>44</sup></a>
+  and the Description of the Morning,<a name='fntag45' id=
+  "fntag45"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote45'><sup>45</sup></a>
+  are instances of the happiness of that genius, which could raise
+  such pleasing ideas upon occasions so barren to an ordinary
+  invention.</p>
+
+  <p>When I am upon the house of Bickerstaff, I must not forget
+  that genealogy of the family sent to me by the post, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page5' title='5' id="page5"></a>and written, as I
+  since understand, by Mr. Twysden,<a name='fntag46' id=
+  "fntag46"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote46'><sup>46</sup></a>
+  who died at the battle of Mons, and has a monument in Westminster
+  Abbey, suitable to the respect which is due to his wit and his
+  valour. There are through the course of the work very many
+  incidents which were written by unknown correspondents. Of this
+  kind is the tale in the second <i>Tatler</i>, and the epistle
+  from Mr. Downes the prompter,<a name='fntag47' id=
+  "fntag47"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote47'><sup>47</sup></a>
+  with others which were very well received by the public. But I
+  have only one gentleman,<a name='fntag48' id=
+  "fntag48"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote48'><sup>48</sup></a>
+  who will be nameless, to thank for any frequent assistance to me,
+  which indeed it would have been barbarous in him to have denied
+  to one with whom he has lived in an intimacy from childhood,
+  considering the great ease with which he is able to dispatch 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.</p>
+
+  <p>The same hand writ the distinguishing characters of men and
+  women under the names of Musical Instruments, the Distress of the
+  News-writers, the Inventory of the Playhouse, and the Description
+  of the Thermometer,<a name='fntag49' id="fntag49"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote49'><sup>49</sup></a> which I cannot but look
+  upon as the greatest embellishments of this work.</p>
+
+  <p>Thus far I thought necessary to say relating to the great
+  hands which have been concerned in these volumes, with relation
+  to the spirit and genius of the work; and am far from pretending
+  to modesty in making this acknowledgment. What a man obtains from
+  the good opinion and friendship of worthy men, is a much greater
+  honour than he can possibly reap from any accomplishments
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page6' title='6' id="page6"></a>of his
+  own. But all the credit of wit which was given me by the
+  gentlemen above mentioned (with whom I have now accounted) has
+  not been able to atone for the exceptions made against me for
+  some raillery in behalf of that learned advocate for the
+  episcopacy of the Church, and the liberty of the people, Mr.
+  Hoadly. I mention this only to defend myself against the
+  imputation of being moved rather by party than opinion;<a name=
+  'fntag50' id="fntag50"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote50'><sup>50</sup></a> and I think it is apparent, I
+  have with the utmost frankness allowed merit wherever I found it,
+  though joined in interests different from those for which I have
+  declared myself. When my Favonius<a name='fntag51' id=
+  "fntag51"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote51'><sup>51</sup></a>
+  is acknowledged to be Dr. Smalridge, and the amiable character of
+  the dean in the sixty-sixth <i>Tatler</i> drawn for Dr.
+  Atterbury, I hope I need say no more as to my impartiality.</p>
+
+  <p>I really have acted in these cases with honesty, and am
+  concerned it should be thought otherwise: for wit, if a man had
+  it, unless it be directed to some useful end, is but a wanton
+  frivolous quality; all that one should value himself upon in this
+  kind is, that he had some honourable intention in it.</p>
+
+  <p>As for this point, never hero in romance was carried away with
+  a more furious ambition to conquer giants and tyrants, than I
+  have been in extirpating gamesters and duellists. And indeed,
+  like one of those knights too, though I was calm before, I am apt
+  to fly out again, when the thing that first disturbed me is
+  presented to my imagination. I shall therefore leave off when I
+  am well, and fight with windmills no more: only shall be so
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page7' title='7' id="page7"></a>arrogant
+  as to say of myself, that in spite of all the force of fashion
+  and prejudice, in the face of all the world, I alone bewailed the
+  condition of an English gentleman, whose fortune and life are at
+  this day precarious; while his estate is liable to the demands of
+  gamesters, through a false sense of justice; and to the demands
+  of duellists, through a false sense of honour. As to the first of
+  these orders of men, I have not one word more to say of them: as
+  to the latter, I shall conclude all I have more to offer against
+  them (with respect to their being prompted by the fear of shame)
+  by applying to the duellist what I think Dr. South says somewhere
+  of the liar, "He is a coward to man, and a brave to God."</p>
+
+  <div class="footnotes">
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag43'>[43]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote43' id="footnote43"></a>This Preface was
+      originally prefixed to the fourth volume of the collected
+      edition issued in 1710-11.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag44'>[44]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote44' id="footnote44"></a>No. 238.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag45'>[45]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote45' id="footnote45"></a><a href=
+      '#number9'>No. 9.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag46'>[46]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote46' id="footnote46"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number11'>No. 11.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag47'>[47]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote47' id="footnote47"></a>No. 193.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag48'>[48]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote48' id="footnote48"></a>Addison.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag49'>[49]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote49' id="footnote49"></a>Nos. 153, <a href="#number18">18</a>, <a href=
+      "#number42">42</a>, 220.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag50'>[50]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote50' id="footnote50"></a>Benjamin Hoadly,
+      afterwards Bishop of Bangor, Salisbury, and Winchester,
+      successively, was in 1709 engaged in controversy with Dr.
+      Francis Atterbury, who represented the high-church party.
+      George Smalridge, afterwards Bishop of Bristol, was a
+      Jacobite.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag51'>[51]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote51' id="footnote51"></a>See Nos. 72, 114.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+  <hr class="full" />
+
+  <h2><a name="dedication" id="dedication"></a> <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page8' title='8' id="page8"></a><i>To</i> Mr.
+  Maynwaring.<a name='fntag52' id="fntag52"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote52'><sup>52</sup></a></h2>
+
+  <p>SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>The state of conversation and business in this town having
+  been long perplexed with pretenders in both kinds, in order to
+  open men's eyes against such abuses, it appeared no unprofitable
+  undertaking to publish a paper which should observe upon the
+  manners of the pleasureable, as well as the busy part of mankind.
+  To make this generally read, it seemed the most proper method to
+  form it by way of a letter of intelligence, consisting of such
+  parts as might gratify the curiosity of persons of all
+  conditions, and of each sex. But a work of this nature <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page9' title='9' id="page9"></a>requiring time to
+  grow into the notice of the world, it happened very luckily, that
+  a little before I had resolved upon this design, a
+  gentleman<a name='fntag53' id="fntag53"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote53'><sup>53</sup></a> had written Predictions, and two
+  or three other pieces in my name, which had rendered it famous
+  through all parts of Europe; and by an inimitable spirit and
+  humour, raised it to as high a pitch of reputation as it could
+  possibly arrive at.</p>
+
+  <p>By this good fortune, the name of Isaac Bickerstaff gained an
+  audience of all who had any taste of wit, and the addition of the
+  ordinary occurrences of common journals of news brought in a
+  multitude of other readers. I could not, I confess, long keep up
+  the opinion of the town, that these lucubrations were written by
+  the same hand with the first works which were published under my
+  name; but before I lost the participation of that author's fame,
+  I had already found the advantage of his authority, to which I
+  owe the sudden acceptance which my labours met with in the
+  world.</p>
+
+  <p>The general purpose of this paper, is to expose the false arts
+  of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and
+  affectation, and recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our
+  discourse, and our behaviour. No man has a better judgment for
+  the discovery, or a nobler spirit for the contempt of such
+  impostures, than your self; which qualities render you the most
+  proper patron for the author of these essays. In the general, the
+  design, however <a class="pagenum" name='page10' title='10' id=
+  "page10"></a>executed, has met with so great success, that there
+  is hardly a name now eminent among us for power, wit, beauty,
+  valour, or wisdom, which is not subscribed, for the encouragement
+  of the two volumes in octavo, on a royal or medium paper.<a name=
+  'fntag54' id="fntag54"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote54'><sup>54</sup></a> This is indeed an honour, for
+  which it is impossible to express a suitable gratitude; and there
+  is nothing could be an addition to the pleasure I take in it, but
+  the reflection that it gives me the most conspicuous occasion I
+  can ever have, of subscribing myself,</p>
+
+  <p>Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>Your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.</p>
+
+  <div class="footnotes">
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag52'>[52]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote52' id="footnote52"></a>Arthur Maynwaring
+      was descended from the ancient family of the Maynwarings of
+      Over Peover, Cheshire. He was born in 1668, at Ightfield,
+      Shropshire, and was educated at the Shrewsbury Grammar School
+      and at Christ Church, Oxford, where Smalridge was his tutor.
+      Filled with prejudices against the Revolution, he came to
+      London to study law, but a political satire which he
+      published brought him under Dryden's notice, and the kind
+      reception given him by several Whig statesmen, to whom he was
+      introduced, caused him to change his views on politics, and
+      after his father's death in 1693 he gave up the law and
+      determined to push his fortunes at the Court. He was made a
+      Commissioner of Customs and afterwards Auditor of the
+      Imprests. He was admitted to the Kit-Cat Club, and in 1706
+      the interest of Godolphin procured him a seat in the House of
+      Commons. Upon the fall of the Whig ministry in 1710,
+      Maynwaring set up the <i>Medley</i>, a weekly paper in which
+      the attacks of the <i>Examiner</i> were answered, and wrote
+      various political pamphlets. But his health soon broke down,
+      and he died in November, 1712. Mrs. Oldfield, the actress,
+      was the sole executrix of his will, by which he divided his
+      small property of some �3000 between her, a son that he had
+      by her, and his sister. There appear to have been many good
+      points in his character. His "Life and Posthumous Works" were
+      published by Oldmixon in 1715. "Maynwaring, whom we hear
+      nothing of now, was the ruling man in all conversations,
+      indeed what he wrote had very little merit in it" (Pope, in
+      Spence's "Anecdotes," 1820, p. 338). Steele says that Harley
+      told him that he had to thank Maynwaring for his post of
+      Gazetteer.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag53'>[53]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote53' id="footnote53"></a>Swift.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag54'>[54]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote54' id="footnote54"></a>"Encouragement of
+      these volumes," in the octavo edition. The list of
+      subscribers to the original octavo edition comprised the
+      names of some four hundred of the most prominent persons of
+      the day.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+  <hr class="full" />
+
+  <h1><a class="pagenum" name='page11' title='11' id=
+  "page11"></a>THE TATLER</h1>
+
+  <h3>BY ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, ESQ.</h3>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number1' id="number1"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 1.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3><i>Tuesday, April 12</i>, 1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line right">
+        Juv., Sat. I. 85, 86.<a name='fntag55' id=
+        "fntag55"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote55'><sup>55</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>Though the other papers which are published for the use of the
+  good people of England have certainly very wholesome effects, and
+  are laudable in their particular kinds, yet they do not seem to
+  come up to the main design of such narrations, which, I humbly
+  presume, should be principally intended for the use of politic
+  persons, who are so public spirited as to neglect their own
+  affairs to look into transactions of State. Now these gentlemen,
+  for the most part, being men of strong zeal and weak intellects,
+  it is both a charitable and necessary work to offer something,
+  whereby such worthy and well-affected members of the commonwealth
+  may be instructed, after their reading, what to think; which
+  shall be the end and purpose of this my paper: wherein I shall
+  from time to time report and consider all matters of what kind
+  soever that shall occur to me, and publish such my advices and
+  reflections every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page12' title='12' id="page12"></a>the week for
+  the convenience of the post.<a name='fntag56' id=
+  "fntag56"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote56'><sup>56</sup></a>
+  I have also resolved to have something which may be of
+  entertainment to the fair sex, in honour of whom I have taken the
+  title of this paper. I therefore earnestly desire all persons,
+  without distinction, to take it in for the present gratis, and
+  hereafter at the price of one penny, forbidding all hawkers to
+  take more for it at their peril. And I desire my readers to
+  consider, that I am at a very great charge for proper materials
+  for this work, as well as that before I resolved upon it, I had
+  settled a correspondence in all parts of the known and knowing
+  world. And forasmuch as this globe is not trodden upon by mere
+  drudges of business only, but that men of spirit and genius are
+  justly to be esteemed as considerable agents in it, we shall not,
+  upon a dearth of news, present you with musty foreign edicts, or
+  dull proclamations, but shall divide our relation of the passages
+  which occur in action or discourse throughout this town, as well
+  as elsewhere, under such dates of places as may prepare you for
+  the matter you are to expect, in the following manner:</p>
+
+  <p>All accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment, shall
+  be under the article of White's Chocolate-house;<a name='fntag57'
+  id="fntag57"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote57'><sup>57</sup></a> poetry, under that of Will's
+  Coffee-house;<a name='fntag58' id="fntag58"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote58'><sup>58</sup></a> learning, <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page13' title='13' id="page13"></a>under the title of
+  Grecian;<a name='fntag59' id="fntag59"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote59'><sup>59</sup></a> foreign and domestic news, you
+  will have from St. James's Coffee-house;<a name='fntag60' id=
+  "fntag60"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote60'><sup>60</sup></a>
+  and what else I shall on any other subject offer, shall be dated
+  from my own apartment.</p>
+
+  <p>I once more desire my readers to consider that as I cannot
+  keep an ingenious man to go daily to Will's under twopence each
+  day merely for his charges,<a name='fntag61' id=
+  "fntag61"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote61'><sup>61</sup></a>
+  to White's under sixpence, nor to the Grecian without allowing
+  him some plain Spanish,<a name='fntag62' id=
+  "fntag62"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote62'><sup>62</sup></a>
+  to be as able as others at the learned table; and that a good
+  observer cannot speak with even Kidney<a name='fntag63' id=
+  "fntag63"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote63'><sup>63</sup></a>
+  at St. James's without clean linen; I say, these considerations
+  will, I hope, make all persons willing to comply with my humble
+  request (when my gratis stock is exhausted) of a penny a piece;
+  especially since they are sure of some proper amusement, and that
+  it is impossible <a class="pagenum" name='page14' title='14' id=
+  "page14"></a>for me to want means to entertain them, having,
+  besides the helps of my own parts, the power of divination, and
+  that I can, by casting a figure, tell you all that will happen
+  before it comes to pass.</p>
+
+  <p>But this last faculty I shall use very sparingly, and not
+  speak of anything until it is passed, for fear of divulging
+  matters which may offend our superiors.<a name='fntag64' id=
+  "fntag64"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote64'><sup>64</sup></a></p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, April 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>The deplorable condition of a very pretty gentleman, who walks
+  here at the hours when men of quality first appear, is what is
+  very much lamented. His history is, that on the 9th of September,
+  1705, being in his one and twentieth year, he was washing his
+  teeth at a tavern window in Pall Mall, when a fine equipage
+  passed by, and in it a young lady, who looked up at him; away
+  goes the coach, and the young gentleman pulled off his nightcap,
+  and instead of rubbing his gums, as he ought to do out of the
+  window till about four o'clock, he sits him down, and spoke not a
+  word till twelve at night; after which, he began to inquire, if
+  anybody knew the lady. The company asked, "What lady?" But he
+  said no more until they broke up at six in the morning. All the
+  ensuing winter he went from church to church every Sunday, and
+  from play-house to play-house all the week, but could never find
+  the original of the picture which dwelt in his bosom. In a word,
+  his attention to anything but his passion, was utterly gone. He
+  has lost all the money he ever played for, and been confuted in
+  every argument he has entered upon since the moment he first saw
+  her. He is of a noble family, has naturally a very good air, and
+  is of a frank, honest temper: but this <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page15' title='15' id="page15"></a>passion has so extremely
+  mauled him, that his features are set and uninformed, and his
+  whole visage is deadened by a long absence of thought. He never
+  appears in any alacrity, but when raised by wine; at which time
+  he is sure to come hither, and throw away a great deal of wit on
+  fellows, who have no sense further than just to observe, that our
+  poor lover has most understanding when he is drunk, and is least
+  in his senses when he is sober.<a name='fntag65' id=
+  "fntag65"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote65'><sup>65</sup></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 8.</h3>
+
+  <p>On Thursday last<a name='fntag66' id="fntag66"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote66'><sup>66</sup></a> was presented, for the
+  benefit of Mr. Betterton,<a name='fntag67' id=
+  "fntag67"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote67'><sup>67</sup></a>
+  the celebrated comedy, called "Love for Love."<a name='fntag68'
+  id="fntag68"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote68'><sup>68</sup></a> Those excellent players, Mrs.
+  Barry,<a name='fntag69' id="fntag69"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote69'><sup>69</sup></a> Mrs. <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page16' title='16' id="page16"></a>Bracegirdle,<a name='fntag70'
+  id="fntag70"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote70'><sup>70</sup></a> and Mr. Doggett,<a name='fntag71'
+  id="fntag71"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote71'><sup>71</sup></a> though not at present concerned
+  in the house, acted on that occasion. There has not been known so
+  great a concourse of persons of distinction as at that time; the
+  stage itself was covered with gentlemen and ladies, and when the
+  curtain was <a class="pagenum" name='page17' title='17' id=
+  "page17"></a>drawn, it discovered even there a very splendid
+  audience. This unusual encouragement, which was given to a play
+  for the advantage of so great an actor, gives an undeniable
+  instance, that the true relish for manly entertainments and
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page18' title='18' id=
+  "page18"></a>rational pleasures is not wholly lost. All the parts
+  were acted to perfection; the actors were careful of their
+  carriage, and no one was guilty of the affectation to insert
+  witticisms of his own, but a due respect was had to the audience,
+  for encouraging this accomplished player. It is not now doubted
+  but plays will revive, and take their usual place in the opinion
+  of persons of wit and merit, notwithstanding their late apostacy
+  in favour of dress and sound. This place is very much altered
+  since Mr. Dryden frequented it; where you used to see songs,
+  epigrams, and satires in the hands of every man you met, you have
+  now only a pack of cards; and instead of the cavils about the
+  turn of the expression, the elegance of the style, and the like,
+  the learned now dispute only about the truth of the game. But,
+  however the company is altered, all have shown a great respect
+  for Mr. Betterton: and the very gaming part of this house have
+  been so much touched with a sense of the uncertainty of human
+  affairs (which alter with themselves every moment) that in this
+  gentleman, they pitied Mark Antony of Rome, Hamlet of Denmark,
+  Mithridates of Pontus, Theodosius of Greece, and Henry the Eighth
+  of England. It is well known he has been in the condition of each
+  of those illustrious personages for several hours together, and
+  behaved himself in those high stations, in all the changes of the
+  scene, with suitable dignity. For these reasons, we intend to
+  repeat this favour to him on a proper occasion, lest he who can
+  instruct us so well in personating feigned sorrows, should be
+  lost to us by suffering under real ones. The town is at present
+  in very great expectation of seeing a comedy now in rehearsal,
+  which is the twenty-fifth production of my honoured friend Mr.
+  Thomas D'Urfey;<a name='fntag72' id="fntag72"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote72'><sup>72</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page19' title='19' id="page19"></a>who, besides his great
+  abilities in the dramatic, has a peculiar talent in the lyric way
+  of writing, and that with a manner wholly new and unknown to the
+  ancient Greeks and Romans, wherein he is but faintly imitated in
+  the translations of the modern Italian operas.<a name='fntag73'
+  id="fntag73"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote73'><sup>73</sup></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 16th say, that Major-General
+  Cadogan<a name='fntag74' id="fntag74"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote74'><sup>74</sup></a> was gone to Brussels, with orders
+  to disperse proper instructions for assembling the whole force of
+  the allies in Flanders in the beginning of the next
+  month.<a name='fntag75' id="fntag75"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote75'><sup>75</sup></a> The late offers concerning peace
+  were made in the style of persons who think themselves upon equal
+  terms. But the allies have so just a sense of their present
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page20' title='20' id=
+  "page20"></a>advantages, that they will not admit of a treaty,
+  except France offers what is more suitable to her present
+  condition. At the same time we make preparations, as if we were
+  alarmed by a greater force than that which we are carrying into
+  the field. Thus this point seems now to be argued sword in hand.
+  This was what a great general<a name='fntag76' id=
+  "fntag76"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote76'><sup>76</sup></a>
+  alluded to, when being asked the names of those who were to be
+  plenipotentiaries for the ensuing peace, answered, with a serious
+  air, "There are about a hundred thousand of us." Mr. Kidney, who
+  has the ear of the greatest politicians that come hither, tells
+  me, there is a mail come in to-day with letters, dated Hague,
+  April 19, N.S., which say, a design of bringing part of our
+  troops into the field at the latter end of this month, is now
+  altered to a resolution of marching towards the camp about the
+  20th of the next. There happened the other day, in the road of
+  Scheveling, an engagement between a privateer of Zealand and one
+  of Dunkirk. The Dunkirker, carrying 33 pieces of cannon, was
+  taken and brought into the Texel. It is said, the courier of
+  Monsieur Rouill�<a name='fntag77' id="fntag77"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote77'><sup>77</sup></a> is returned to him from the
+  Court of France. Monsieur Vend�me being reinstated in the favour
+  of the Duchess of Burgundy, is to command in Flanders.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Kidney added, that there were letters of the 17th from
+  Ghent, which give an account, that the enemy had formed a design
+  to surprise two battalions of the allies which lay at Alost; but
+  those battalions received advice of their march, and retired to
+  Dendermond. Lieutenant-General Wood<a name='fntag78' id=
+  "fntag78"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote78'><sup>78</sup></a>
+  appeared on this occasion at the head of <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page21' title='21' id="page21"></a>5000 foot, and 1000 horse,
+  upon which the enemy withdrew, without making any further
+  attempt.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment.</h3>
+
+  <p>I am sorry I am obliged to trouble the public with so much
+  discourse upon a matter which I at the very first mentioned as a
+  trifle&#8212;viz. the death of Mr. Partridge,<a name='fntag79'
+  id="fntag79"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote79'><sup>79</sup></a> under whose name there is an
+  almanack come out for the year 1709, in one page of which it is
+  asserted by the said John Partridge, that he is still living, and
+  that not only so, but that he was also living some time before,
+  and even at the instant when I writ of his death. I have in
+  another place, and in a paper by itself, sufficiently convinced
+  this man that he is dead, and if he has any shame, I don't doubt
+  but that by this time he owns it to all his acquaintance: for
+  though the legs and arms, and whole body of that man may still
+  appear and perform their animal functions; yet since, as I have
+  elsewhere observed, his art is gone, the man is gone. I am, as I
+  said, concerned, that this little matter should make so much
+  noise; but since I am engaged, I take myself obliged in honour to
+  go on in my lucubrations, and by the help of these arts of which
+  I am master, as well as my skill in astrological speculations, I
+  shall, as I see occasion, proceed to confute other dead men, who
+  pretend to be in being, that they are actually deceased. I
+  therefore give all men fair warning to mend their manners, for I
+  shall from time to time print bills of mortality; and I beg the
+  pardon of all such who shall be named therein, if they who are
+  good for nothing shall find themselves in the number of the
+  deceased.<a name='fntag80' id="fntag80"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote80'><sup>80</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag55'>[55]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote55' id="footnote55"></a>This motto was
+      repeated at the head of each of the first 40 numbers in the
+      folio issue.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag56'>[56]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote56' id="footnote56"></a>These were the
+      days on which the post left London for the different parts of
+      the country.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag57'>[57]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote57' id="footnote57"></a>White's
+      Chocolate-house, five doors from the bottom of the west side
+      of St. James's Street, was established in 1698. It was burnt
+      on April 28, 1733, while kept by Mr. Arthur. Plate VI. of
+      Hogarth's "Rake's Progress" depicts gamblers engrossed in
+      play in a room in this house during the fire; see also Plate
+      IV. Swift gives it a bad character in his "Essay on Modern
+      Education;" it had a strong character for gambling (Timbs's
+      "Clubs and Club Life in London," where, at p. 48, there is a
+      sketch of White's from an old drawing). The house became a
+      private club, as we now have it, about 1736.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag58'>[58]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote58' id="footnote58"></a>Will's
+      Coffee-house, named after Will Urwin, its proprietor, was the
+      corner house on the north side of Russell Street, Covent
+      Garden, at the end of Bow Street. The present house, 21
+      Russell Street, is probably part of the old building. Will's
+      was ceasing to be the resort of the wits in 1709; it was in
+      its glory at the close of the seventeenth century. The wits'
+      room, where Dryden presided, was on the first floor.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag59'>[59]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote59' id="footnote59"></a>The Grecian, in
+      Devereux Court in the Strand, was probably the most ancient
+      coffee-house in or about London. In 1652 an English Turkey
+      merchant brought home with him a Greek servant, who first
+      opened a house for making and selling coffee. This man's name
+      was Constantine, and his house was much resorted to by
+      lawyers, Greek scholars, and Members of the Royal Society.
+      (See Thoresby's Diary, i. 111, 117.) Foote and Goldsmith
+      afterwards frequented it. In Dr. King's "Anecdotes" there is
+      a story of two gentlemen friends who disputed at the Grecian
+      Coffee-house about the accent of a Greek word to such a
+      length that they went out into Devereux Court and drew
+      swords, when one of them was killed on the spot.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag60'>[60]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote60' id="footnote60"></a>The St. James's
+      Coffee-house was the last house but one on the S.W. corner of
+      St. James's Street. It was frequented by Whig statesmen, and
+      was closed about 1806. Swift and Steele were at a supper
+      given by the keeper on the 19th November, 1710.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag61'>[61]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote61' id="footnote61"></a>Cf. the
+      <i>Spectator</i>, No. 31: "Laying down my penny upon the
+      bar."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag62'>[62]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote62' id="footnote62"></a>Wine.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag63'>[63]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote63' id="footnote63"></a>A waiter. See
+      Nos. <a href="#number10">10</a>, <a href=
+      "#number26">26</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag64'>[64]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote64' id="footnote64"></a>This introduction
+      was repeated in Nos. <a href="#number2">2</a> and <a href=
+      "#number3">3</a> of the original issue.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag65'>[65]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote65' id="footnote65"></a>"The reader is
+      desired to take notice of the article from this place from
+      time to time, for I design to be very exact in the progress
+      this unhappy gentleman makes, which may be of great
+      instruction to all who actually are, or who ever shall be, in
+      love." (Original folio.) For Viscount Hinchinbroke
+      ("Cynthio"), see <a href='#number5'>No. 5.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag66'>[66]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote66' id="footnote66"></a>April 7, 1709.
+      Cibber acknowledges that Steele did the stage very
+      considerable service by the papers on the theatre in the
+      <i>Tatler</i>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag67'>[67]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote67' id="footnote67"></a>For further
+      particulars of Thomas Betterton (1635-1710), see Nos.
+      71 and 167.
+      Cibber says: "I never heard a line in tragedy come from
+      Betterton wherein my judgment, my ear and my imagination were
+      not fully satisfied.... The person of this excellent actor
+      was suitable to his voice, more manly than sweet, not
+      exceeding the middle stature, inclining to be corpulent; of a
+      serious and penetrating aspect; his limbs nearer the athletic
+      than the delicate proportion; yet, however formed, there
+      arose from the harmony of the whole a commanding mien of
+      majesty."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag68'>[68]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote68' id="footnote68"></a>By Congreve,
+      1695.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag69'>[69]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote69' id="footnote69"></a>Mrs. Elizabeth
+      Barry on this occasion spoke an epilogue, written by Rowe.
+      She was the daughter of Edward Barry, barrister, whose
+      fortunes were ruined by his attachment to Charles I. Tony
+      Aston, in his "Supplement to Cibber's Apology," says she was
+      woman to Lady Shelton, of Norfolk, his godmother; and Curll
+      tells us that she was early taken under the protection of
+      Lady Davenant. She was certainly on the stage in 1673. At her
+      first appearance there was so little hope of her success,
+      that at the end of the season she was discharged [from] the
+      theatre. It is probable that at this time she became
+      acquainted with Lord Rochester, who took her under his
+      protection, and gave her instructions in her theatrical
+      performances. By his interest she seems to have been restored
+      to the stage, and, improving daily in her profession, she
+      soon eclipsed all her competitors, and in the part of Monimia
+      in "The Orphan" established her reputation, which was
+      enhanced by her performance as Belvidera in "Venice
+      Preserved," and as Isabella in "The Fatal Marriage." "In
+      characters of greatness," says Cibber, "Mrs. Barry had a
+      presence of elevated dignity, her mien and motion superb, and
+      gracefully majestic; her voice full, clear, and strong, so
+      that no violence of passion could be too much for her, and
+      when distress or tenderness possessed her she subsided into
+      the most affecting melody and softness. In the art of
+      exciting pity she had a power beyond all the actresses I have
+      yet seen, or what your imagination can conceive. In scenes of
+      anger, defiance, or resentment, while she was impetuous and
+      terrible, she poured out the sentiment with an enchanting
+      harmony.... In tragedy she was solemn and august, in comedy
+      alert, easy, and genteel, pleasant in her face and action,
+      filling the stage with a variety of gesture. She could
+      neither sing nor dance, no not in a country dance. She
+      adhered to Betterton in all the revolutions of the theatre,
+      which she quitted about 1707, on account of ill-health." She
+      returned, however, for one night with Mrs. Bracegirdle, April
+      7, 1709, and performed Mrs. Frail in "Love for Love" for
+      Betterton's benefit. She died at Acton in 1713. Mrs. Barry,
+      Mrs. Bracegirdle, Mr. Betterton, and Mr. Varbriggen were
+      sworn as Comedians in Ordinary to her Majesty, 30th Oct., 2
+      Anne (1703). On the 3rd March, 1692, Mrs. Barry received �25
+      for acting in "The Orphan" before their Majesties, and on the
+      10th June, 1693, �25 for Caius Marius. (Lord Chamberlain's
+      Records, Warrant Books, No. 20, p. 151; No. 18, pp. 30,
+      242.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag70'>[70]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote70' id="footnote70"></a>Mrs. Anne
+      Bracegirdle was the daughter of Justinian Bracegirdle, of
+      Northamptonshire. By the imprudence of her father, who ruined
+      himself by becoming surety for some friends, she was early
+      left to the care of Betterton and his wife, whose attentions
+      to her she always acknowledged to be truly paternal. By them
+      she was first introduced to the stage, and, while very young,
+      performed the page in "The Orphan." Increasing in years, and
+      in ability, she became the favourite performer of the times.
+      Cibber describes her in these terms: "Mrs. Bracegirdle was
+      now but just blooming in her maturity; her reputation, as an
+      actress, gradually rising with that of her person; never any
+      woman was in such general favour of her spectators, which, to
+      the last scene of her dramatic life, she maintained by not
+      being unguarded in her private character. This discretion
+      contributed not a little to make her the <i>Cara</i>, the
+      darling of the theatre: for it will be no extravagant thing
+      to say scarce an audience saw her that were less than half of
+      them lovers, without a suspected favourite among them: and
+      though she might be said to have been the universal passion
+      and under the highest temptations, her constancy in resisting
+      them served but to increase the number of her admirers. And
+      this perhaps you will more easily believe, when I extend not
+      my encomiums on her person beyond a sincerity that can be
+      suspected; for she had no greater claim to beauty than what
+      the most desirable brunette might pretend to. But her youth
+      and lively aspect threw out such a glow of health and
+      cheerfulness, that, on the stage, few spectators that were
+      not past it, could behold her without desire. There were two
+      very different characters in which she acquitted herself with
+      uncommon applause: if anything could excuse that desperate
+      extravagance of love, that almost frantic passion of Lee's
+      Alexander the Great, it must have been when Mrs. Bracegirdle
+      was his Statira: as when she acted Millamant, all the faults,
+      follies, and affectation of that agreeable tyrant were
+      venially melted down into so many charms and attractions of a
+      conscious beauty." In the theatrical disputes of the times,
+      she adhered to her benefactor Betterton, and continued to
+      perform with applause until 1707, when, on the preference
+      being given to Mrs. Oldfield in a contention between that
+      actress and Mrs. Bracegirdle, she left the stage, except for
+      one night, when she returned with Mrs. Barry to the theatre,
+      and performed Angelica for Betterton's benefit (the
+      performance described in this number). She died in 1748.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag71'>[71]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote71' id="footnote71"></a>Thomas Doggett
+      died in 1721. In 1695 he created the character of Ben in
+      Congreve's "Love for Love." Afterwards he was associated with
+      Steele in the management of Drury Lane Theatre.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag72'>[72]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote72' id="footnote72"></a>D'Urfey's "Modern
+      Prophets" was produced in 1709. Thomas D'Urfey died in 1723,
+      aged 70, leaving Steele a watch and chain, which his friend
+      wore at the funeral. He wrote many plays and songs. See also
+      Nos. <a href="#number11">11</a>, <a href=
+      "#number43">43</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag73'>[73]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote73' id="footnote73"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number4'>No. 4.</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag74'>[74]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote74' id="footnote74"></a>William, First
+      Earl Cadogan (1675-1726), was an able officer who took a very
+      prominent part in Marlborough's campaigns. In January, 1709,
+      he was made lieutenant-general, and he was dangerously
+      wounded at the siege of Mons. He was appointed Lieutenant of
+      the Tower of London in December.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag75'>[75]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote75' id="footnote75"></a>The
+      news-paragraphs in the earlier numbers of the <i>Tatler</i>
+      are here preserved for the sake of completeness, but for the
+      most part the details recorded are not of permanent interest,
+      and do not call for comment. The reader may be reminded
+      generally that in the spring of 1709 the French, after the
+      battle of Oudenarde and the fall of Lille, followed by a very
+      severe winter, were driven to think of terms of peace. The
+      negotiations, however, fell through for the time, and the
+      campaign was begun in the Netherlands, where Marlborough and
+      Prince Eugene had an army of 110,000 men. The French were
+      entrenched under Villars between Douay and B�thune, and were
+      strengthened by part of the garrison of Tournay. Marlborough
+      seized the opportunity of attacking the half-defended town,
+      which was obliged to surrender on July 29, after a siege of
+      nineteen days. The French then made a great effort, and
+      brought an army of 100,000 men into the field, with the
+      result that the battle of Malplaquet (Sept. 11) was a very
+      bloody and hard-earned victory for the allies. The subsequent
+      fall of Mons brought the campaign to a close.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag76'>[76]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote76' id="footnote76"></a>Marlborough.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag77'>[77]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote77' id="footnote77"></a>A merchant
+      entrusted by Lewis XIV. to negotiate terms of peace with the
+      Dutch.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag78'>[78]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote78' id="footnote78"></a>General Wood
+      played a distinguished part in the battles of Donauwerth
+      (1704) and Ramilies (1706).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag79'>[79]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote79' id="footnote79"></a>See the
+      Introduction.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag80'>[80]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote80' id="footnote80"></a>"A Vindication of
+      Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., against what is objected to him by
+      Mr. Partridge in his Almanack for the present year 1709. By
+      the said Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., London, printed in the year
+      1709." (Advertisement in folio issue.) In a pamphlet called
+      "Predictions for the Year 1712. By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.;
+      in a Letter to the author of the Oxford Almanack. Printed in
+      the year 1712," this "Vindication" is thus noticed: "I can't
+      but express my resentment against a gentleman who personated
+      me in a paper called 'Mr. Bickerstaff's Vindication.' I'm
+      grieved to find the times should be so very wicked, that one
+      impostor should set up to reform another, and that a false
+      Bickerstaff should write against an imaginary Partridge. And
+      I am heartily concerned that one who shows so much wit, such
+      extreme civility, and writes such a gentlemanlike style,
+      should prefix my name to writings in which there appears so
+      little solidity and no knowledge of the Arabian philosophy.
+      If this paper should be transmitted to posterity (as,
+      perhaps, it might have been by the authority of the name it
+      wears in the front) it might have been a lasting reflection
+      upon me to the end of the world.... Till seeing four volumes
+      of writings&#8212;the collected edition of the
+      <i>Tatler</i>&#8212;pretended to be mine, and a serious
+      philosopher's name prefixed to papers as free from my
+      solidity as they are full of wit, I thought it high time to
+      vindicate myself, and give the world a taste of my writings;
+      for I am now persuaded 'twill be more for my reputation to
+      convince than to despise mankind."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number2' id="number2"></a><a class="pagenum" name=
+    'page22' title='22' id="page22"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 2.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, April 12</i>, to <i>Thursday, April
+    14</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>There has lain all this evening, on the table, the following
+  poem. The subject of it being matter very useful for families, I
+  thought it deserved to be considered, and made more public. The
+  turn the poet<a name='fntag81' id="fntag81"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote81'><sup>81</sup></a> gives it is very happy; but
+  the foundation is from a real accident <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page23' title='23' id="page23"></a>which happened among my
+  acquaintance.<a name='fntag82' id="fntag82"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote82'><sup>82</sup></a> A young gentleman of a great
+  estate fell desperately in love with a great beauty of very high
+  quality, but as ill-natured as long flattery and an habitual
+  self-will could make her. However, my young spark ventures upon
+  her, like a man of quality, without being acquainted with her, or
+  having ever saluted her, till it was a crime to kiss any woman
+  else. Beauty is a thing which palls with possession; and the
+  charms of this lady soon wanted the support of good humour and
+  complaisancy of manners. Upon this my spark flies to the bottle
+  for relief from his satiety. She disdains him for being tired
+  with that for which all men envied him; and he never came home,
+  but it was: "Was there no sot that would stay longer? Would any
+  man living but you? Did I leave all the world for this usage?" To
+  which he: "Madam, split me, you are very impertinent!" In a word,
+  this match was wedlock in its most terrible appearances. She, at
+  last weary of railing to no purpose, applies to a good uncle, who
+  gives her a bottle of water. "The virtue of this powerful
+  liquor," said he, "is such, that if the woman you marry proves a
+  scold (which, it seems, my dear niece, is your misfortune, as it
+  was your good mother's before you), let her hold six spoonfuls in
+  her mouth, for a full half hour after you come home&#8212;" But I
+  find I am not in humour for telling a tale, and nothing in nature
+  is so ungrateful as story-telling against the grain, therefore
+  take it as the author has given it you.</p>
+
+  <h3>The MEDECINE.</h3>
+
+  <h4>A Tale&#8212;for the Ladies.</h4>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Miss Molly, a famed toast, was fair and young,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Had wealth and charms, but then she had a tongue
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page24' title='24' id=
+        "page24"></a>From morn to night, the eternal larum run,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Which often lost those hearts her eyes had won.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Sir John was smitten, and confessed his flame,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Sighed out the usual time, then wed the dame:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Possessed he thought of every joy of life,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But his dear Molly proved a very wife.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Excess of fondness did in time decline,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Madam loved money, and the knight loved wine.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From whence some petty discords would arise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        As, "You're a fool"; and, "You are mighty wise!"
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Though he and all the world allowed her wit,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Her voice was shrill, and rather loud than sweet,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        When she began,&#8212;for hat and sword he'd call.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Then, after a faint kiss, cry, "B'y, dear Moll:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Supper and friends expect me at the Rose."<a name='fntag83'
+        id="fntag83"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote83'><sup>83</sup></a>
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And, "What, Sir John, you'll get your usual dose!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Go, stink of smoke, and guzzle nasty wine,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Sure, never virtuous love was used like mine!"
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Oft as the watchful bellman marched his round,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        At a fresh bottle gay Sir John he found.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        By four the knight would get his business done,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And only then reeled off, because alone;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Full well he knew the dreadful storm to come,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But armed with bordeaux, he durst venture home.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        My lady with her tongue was still prepared,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        She rattled loud, and he impatient heard:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        "'Tis a fine hour? In a sweet pickle made!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And this, Sir John, is every day the trade.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Here I sit moping all the live-long night,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Devoured with spleen, and stranger to delight;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page25' title='25' id=
+        "page25"></a>'Till morn sends staggering home a drunken
+        beast,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Resolved to break my heart, as well as rest."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Hey! Hoop! d'ye hear my damned obstreperous spouse!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        What, can't you find one bed about the house!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Will that perpetual clack lie never still!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That rival to the softness of a mill!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Some couch and distant room must be my choice,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Where I may sleep uncursed with wife and noise."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Long this uncomfortable life they led,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        With snarling meals, and each, a separate bed.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To an old uncle oft she would complain,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Beg his advice, and scarce from tears refrain.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Old Wisewood smoked the matter as it was,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        "Cheer up!" cried he, "and I'll remove the cause.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "A wonderous spring within my garden flows,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Of sovereign virtue, chiefly to compose
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Domestic jars, and matrimonial strife,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The best elixir t' appease man and wife;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Strange are th' effects, the qualities divine,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        'Tis water called, but worth its weight in wine.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        If in his sullen airs Sir John should come,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Three spoonfuls take, hold in your mouth&#8212;then mum:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Smile, and look pleased, when he shall rage and scold,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Still in your mouth the healing cordial hold;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        One month this sympathetic medecine tried,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        He'll grow a lover, you a happy bride.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But, dearest niece, keep this grand secret close,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Or every prattling hussy'll beg a dose."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        A water-bottle's brought for her relief,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Not Nantz could sooner ease the lady's grief:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page26' title='26' id=
+        "page26"></a>Her busy thoughts are on the trial bent,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And female-like, impatient for th' event:
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        The bonny knight reels home exceeding clear,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Prepared for clamour, and domestic war.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Entering, he cries, "Hey! where's our thunder fled?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        No hurricane! Betty, 's your lady dead?"
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Madam, aside, an ample mouthful takes,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Curtsies, looks kind, but not a word she speaks:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Wondering, he stared, scarcely his eyes believed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But found his ears agreeably deceived.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        "Why, how now, Molly, what's the crotchet now?"
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        She smiles, and answers only with a bow.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Then clasping her about,&#8212;"Why, let me die!
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        These nightclothes, Moll, become thee mightily!"
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        With that, he sighed, her hand began to press,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And Betty calls, her lady to undress;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        "Nay, kiss me, Molly, for I'm much inclined."
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Her lace she cuts, to take him in the mind.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Thus the fond pair to bed enamoured went,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The lady pleased, and the good knight content.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        For many days these fond endearments passed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The reconciling bottle fails at last;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        'Twas used and gone: Then midnight storms arose,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And looks and words the union discompose.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Her coach is ordered, and post-haste she flies,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To beg her uncle for some fresh supplies;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Transported does the strange effects relate,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Her knight's conversion, and her happy state!
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Why, niece," says he, "I prithee apprehend
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The water's water. Be thyself thy friend;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Such beauty would the coldest husband warm,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But your provoking tongue undoes the charm:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page27' title='27' id=
+        "page27"></a>Be silent, and complying; you'll soon find,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Sir John, without a medecine, will be kind."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Venice say, the disappointment of their
+  expectation to see his Danish Majesty, has very much disquieted
+  the Court of Rome. Our last advices from Germany inform us, that
+  the minister of Hanover has urged the council at Ratisbon to
+  exert themselves in behalf of the common cause, and taken the
+  liberty to say, that the dignity, the virtue, the prudence of his
+  electoral highness, his master, were called to the head of their
+  affairs in vain, if they thought fit to leave him naked of the
+  proper means to make those excellences useful for the honour and
+  safety of the Empire. They write from Berlin of the 13th, O.S.,
+  that the true design of General Fleming's visit to that Court
+  was, to insinuate, that it will be for the mutual interest of the
+  King of Prussia and King Augustus to enter into a new alliance;
+  but that the ministers of Prussia are not inclined to his
+  sentiments. We hear from Vienna, that his Imperial Majesty has
+  expressed great satisfaction in their high mightinesses having
+  communicated to him the whole that has passed in the affair of a
+  peace. Though there have been practices used by the agents of
+  France, in all the Courts of Europe, to break the good
+  understanding of the allies, they have had no other effect, but
+  to make all the members concerned in the alliance, more doubtful
+  of their safety from the great offers of the enemy. The Empire is
+  roused by this alarm, and the frontiers of all the French
+  dominions are in danger of being insulted the ensuing campaign:
+  advices from all parts confirm, that it is impossible for France
+  to find a way to obtain so much credit, as to gain any one
+  potentate <a class="pagenum" name='page28' title='28' id=
+  "page28"></a>of the allies, or make any hope for safety from
+  other prospects.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, April 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>I find it of very great use, now I am setting up for a writer
+  of news, that I am an adept in astrological speculations; by
+  which means, I avoid speaking of things which may offend great
+  persons. But at the same time, I must not prostitute the liberal
+  sciences so far, as not to utter the truth in cases which do not
+  immediately concern the good of my native country. I must
+  therefore boldly contradict what has been so assuredly reported
+  by the news-writers of England, that France is in the most
+  deplorable condition, and that their people die in great
+  multitudes. I will therefore let the world know, that my
+  correspondent, by the way of Brussels, informs me, upon his
+  honour, that the gentleman who writes the Gazette of Paris, and
+  ought to know as well as any man, has told him, that ever since
+  the king has been past his 63rd year, or grand climacteric, there
+  has not one man died of the French nation who was younger than
+  his Majesty, except a very few, who were taken suddenly near the
+  village of Hochsted<a name='fntag84' id="fntag84"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote84'><sup>84</sup></a> in Germany; and some
+  more, who were straitened for lodging at a place called Ramilies,
+  and died on the road to Ghent and Bruges. There are also other
+  things given out by the allies, which are shifts below a
+  conquering nation to make use of. Among others, 'tis said, there
+  is a general murmuring among the people of France, though at the
+  same time all my letters agree, that there is so good an
+  understanding among them, that there is not one morsel carried
+  out of any market in the kingdom, but what is delivered upon
+  credit.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag81'>[81]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote81' id="footnote81"></a>William Harrison
+      (1685-1713) was a favourite with Swift and Addison. He wrote
+      verses, and a continuation of the <i>Tatler</i>, and
+      afterwards obtained office in the diplomatic service; but his
+      health soon broke down, and he died when 28.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag82'>[82]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote82' id="footnote82"></a>There is a
+      similar story in Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag83'>[83]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote83' id="footnote83"></a>The Rose Tavern,
+      in Russell Street, adjoined Drury Lane Theatre, and was a
+      favourite resort during and after the play.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag84'>[84]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote84' id="footnote84"></a>The Battle of
+      Blenheim.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page29' title='29' id=
+    "page29"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number3' id="number3"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 3.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, April 14</i>, to <i>Saturday, April
+    16</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 14.</h3>
+
+  <p>This evening, the comedy called "The Country Wife"<a name=
+  'fntag85' id="fntag85"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote85'><sup>85</sup></a> was acted in Drury Lane, for the
+  benefit of Mrs. Bignell.<a name='fntag86' id=
+  "fntag86"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote86'><sup>86</sup></a>
+  The part which gives name to the play was performed by herself.
+  Through the whole action, she made a very pretty figure, and
+  exactly entered into the nature of the part. Her husband in the
+  drama, is represented to be one of those debauchees who run
+  through the vices of the town, and believe when they think fit
+  they can marry, and settle at their ease. His own knowledge of
+  the iniquity of the age, makes him choose a wife wholly ignorant
+  of it, and place his security in her want of skill how to abuse
+  him. The poet, on many occasions, where the propriety of the
+  character will admit of it, insinuates, that there is no defence
+  against vice, but the contempt of it: and has, in the natural
+  ideas of an untainted innocent, shown the gradual steps to ruin
+  and destruction, which <a class="pagenum" name='page30' title=
+  '30' id="page30"></a>persons of condition run into, without the
+  help of a good education how to form their conduct. The torment
+  of a jealous coxcomb, which arises from his own false maxims, and
+  the aggravation of his pain, by the very words in which he sees
+  her innocence, makes a very pleasant and instructive satire. The
+  character of Horner, and the design of it, is a good
+  representation of the age in which that comedy was written; at
+  which time love and wenching were the business of life, and the
+  gallant manner of pursuing women was the best recommendation at
+  Court. To which only it is to be imputed, that a gentleman of Mr.
+  Wycherley's character and sense, condescends to represent the
+  insults done to the honour of the bed, without just reproof; but
+  to have drawn a man of probity with regard to such
+  considerations, had been a monster, and a poet had at that time
+  discovered his want of knowing the manners of the Court he lived
+  in, by a virtuous character in his fine gentleman, as he would
+  show his ignorance, by drawing a vicious one to please the
+  present audience. Mrs. Bignell did her part very happily, and had
+  a certain grace in her rusticity, which gave us hopes of seeing
+  her a very skilful player, and in some parts, supply our loss of
+  Mrs. Verbruggen.<a name='fntag87' id="fntag87"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote87'><sup>87</sup></a> I cannot be <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page31' title='31' id="page31"></a>of the same
+  opinion with my friends and fellow-labourers, the Reformers of
+  Manners,<a name='fntag88' id="fntag88"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote88'><sup>88</sup></a> in their severity towards plays,
+  but must allow that a good play acted before a well-bred
+  audience, must raise very proper incitements to good behaviour,
+  and be the most quick and most prevailing method of giving young
+  people a turn of sense and breeding. But as I have set up for a
+  weekly historian, I resolve to be a faithful one; and therefore
+  take this public occasion to admonish a young nobleman, who came
+  flustered into the box last night, and let him know, how much all
+  his friends were out of countenance for him. The women sat in
+  terror of hearing something that should shock their modesty, and
+  all the gentlemen in as much pain, out of compassion to the
+  ladies, and perhaps resentment for the indignity which was
+  offered in coming into their presence in so disrespectful a
+  manner. Wine made him say nothing that was rude, therefore he is
+  forgiven, upon condition he will never hazard his offending more
+  in this kind. As I just now hinted, I own myself of the Society
+  for Reformation of Manners. We have lower instruments than those
+  of the family of Bickerstaff, for punishing great crimes, and
+  exposing the abandoned. Therefore, as I design to have notices
+  from all public assemblies, I shall take upon me only indecorums,
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page32' title='32' id=
+  "page32"></a>improprieties, and negligences, in such as should
+  give us better examples. After this declaration, if a fine lady
+  thinks fit to giggle at church, or a great beau come in drunk to
+  a play, either shall be sure to hear of it in my ensuing paper:
+  for merely as a well-bred man, I cannot bear these
+  enormities.</p>
+
+  <p>After the play, we naturally stroll to this coffee-house, in
+  hopes of meeting some new poem, or other entertainment, among the
+  men of wit and pleasure, where there is a dearth at present. But
+  it is wonderful there should be so few writers, when the art is
+  become merely mechanic, and men may make themselves great that
+  way, by as certain and infallible rules, as you may be a joiner
+  or a mason. There happens a good instance of this, in what the
+  hawker just now has offered to sale; to wit, "Instructions to
+  Vanderbank; a Sequel to the Advice to the Poets: A Poem,
+  occasioned by the Glorious Success of her Majesty's Arms, under
+  the Command of the Duke of Marlborough, the last Year in
+  Flanders."<a name='fntag89' id="fntag89"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote89'><sup>89</sup></a> Here you are to understand, that
+  the author finding the poets would not take his advice, he
+  troubles himself no more about them; but has met with one
+  Vanderbank,<a name='fntag90' id="fntag90"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote90'><sup>90</sup></a> who works in arras, and makes
+  very <a class="pagenum" name='page33' title='33' id=
+  "page33"></a>good tapestry hangings. Therefore, in order to
+  celebrate the hero of the age, he claps me together all that can
+  be said of a man that makes hangings, as:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Then, artist, who dost Nature's face express
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        In silk and gold, and scenes of action dress;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Dost figured arras animated leave,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Spin a bright story, or a passion weave
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        By mingling threads; canst mingle shade and light,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Delineate triumphs, or describe a fight.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>Well, what shall this workman do? Why, to show how great an
+  hero the poet intends, he provides him a very good horse:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Champing his foam, and bounding on the plain,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Arch his high neck, and graceful spread his mane.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>Now as to the intrepidity, the calm courage, the constant
+  application of the hero, it is not necessary to take that upon
+  yourself; you may, in the lump, bid him you employ raise him as
+  high as he can, and if he does it not, let him answer for
+  disobeying orders:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Let fame and victory in inferior sky,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Hover with ballanced wings, and smiling fly
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Above his head, &amp;c.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>A whole poem of this kind may be ready against an ensuing
+  campaign, as well as a space left in the canvas of a piece of
+  tapestry for the principal figure, while the under<a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page34' title='34' id="page34"></a>parts are
+  working: so that in effect, the adviser copies after the man he
+  pretends to direct. This method should, methinks, encourage young
+  beginners: for the invention is so fitted to all capacities, that
+  by the help of it a man may make a receipt for a poem. A young
+  man may observe, that the jig<a name='fntag91' id=
+  "fntag91"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote91'><sup>91</sup></a>
+  of the thing is, as I said, finding out all that can be said of
+  his way [whom] you employ to set forth your worthy. Waller and
+  Denham had worn out the expedient of "Advice to a
+  Painter."<a name='fntag92' id="fntag92"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote92'><sup>92</sup></a> This author has transferred the
+  work, and sent his advice to the Poets; that is to say, to the
+  turners of verse, as he calls them. Well, that thought is worn
+  out also, therefore he directs his genius to the loom, and will
+  have a new set of hangings in honour of the last year in
+  Flanders. I must own to you, I approve extremely this invention,
+  and it might be improved for the benefit of manufactory: as,
+  suppose an ingenious gentleman should write a poem of advice to a
+  calico-printer: do you think there is a girl in England, that
+  would wear anything but the taking of Lille, or the Battle of
+  Oudenarde? They would certainly be all the fashion, till the
+  heroes abroad had cut out some more patterns. I should fancy
+  small skirmishes might do for under-petticoats, provided they had
+  a siege for the upper. If our adviser were well imitated, many
+  industrious people might be put to work. Little Mr. Dactile, now
+  in the room, who formerly writ a song and a half, is a week
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page35' title='35' id="page35"></a>gone
+  in a very pretty work upon this hint: he is writing an epigram to
+  a young virgin who knits very well ('tis a thousand pities he is
+  a Jacobite); but his epigram is by way of advice to this damsel,
+  to knit all the actions of the Pretender and the Duke of Burgundy
+  last campaign in the clock of a stocking. It were endless to
+  enumerate the many hands and trades that may be employed by
+  poets, of so useful a turn as this adviser's. I shall think of
+  it; and in this time of taxes, shall consult a great critic
+  employed in the custom-house, in order to propose what tax may be
+  proper to put upon knives, seals, rings, hangings, wrought-beds,
+  gowns and petticoats, where any of those commodities bear
+  mottoes, or are worked upon poetical grounds.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Turin of the 3rd instant, N.S., inform us, that
+  his Royal Highness employs all his address in alarming the enemy,
+  and perplexing their speculations concerning his real designs the
+  ensuing campaign. Contracts are entered into with the merchants
+  of Milan, for a great number of mules to transport his provisions
+  and ammunition. His Royal Highness has ordered the train of
+  artillery to be conveyed to Susa before the 20th of the next
+  month. In the meantime, all accounts agree, that the enemy are
+  very backward in their preparations, and almost incapable of
+  defending themselves against an invasion, by reason of the
+  general murmurs of their own people; which, they find, are no way
+  to be quieted, but by giving them hopes of a speedy peace. When
+  these letters were dispatched, the Marshal de Thesse was arrived
+  at Genoa, where he has taken much pains to keep the
+  correspondents of the merchants of France in hopes, that measures
+  will be found out to support the credit and commerce between that
+  state and Lyons. But the late <a class="pagenum" name='page36'
+  title='36' id="page36"></a>declaration of the agents of Monsieur
+  Bernard, that they cannot discharge the demands made upon them,
+  has quite dispirited all those who are engaged in the remittances
+  of France.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, April 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is a very natural passion in all good members of the
+  commonwealth, to take what care they can of their families.
+  Therefore I hope the reader will forgive me, that I desire he
+  would go to the play, called the "Stratagem,"<a name='fntag93'
+  id="fntag93"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote93'><sup>93</sup></a> this evening, which is to be
+  acted for the benefit of my near kinsman, Mr. John
+  Bickerstaff.<a name='fntag94' id="fntag94"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote94'><sup>94</sup></a> I protest to you the
+  gentleman has not spoken to me to desire this favour; but I have
+  a respect for him, as well in regard to consanguinity, as that he
+  is an intimate friend of that famous and heroic actor, Mr. George
+  Powell, who formerly played Alexander the Great in all places,
+  though he is lately grown so reserved as to act it only on the
+  stage.<a name='fntag95' id="fntag95"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote95'><sup>95</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag85'>[85]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote85' id="footnote85"></a>By Wycherley,
+      first acted in 1683.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag86'>[86]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote86' id="footnote86"></a>Mrs. Bicknell (or
+      Bignell) was born about 1695. It is not clear whether she was
+      married, or whether the name Bicknell was taken to
+      distinguish her from her sister, Mrs. Young, who was also an
+      actress. We first hear of her acting in 1706; she took parts
+      in which sauciness and coquetry were the chief features. Her
+      last recorded appearance was on the 2nd of April, 1723; and
+      she died in May. She signed a petition "M. Bicknell";
+      probably her name was Margaret, her mother's name. Steele
+      alludes to her as "pretty Mrs. Bignell" in <a href=
+      '#number11'>No. 11</a>, and as his friend in the
+      <i>Guardian</i>, No. 50. She was Miss
+      Prue in Congreve's "Love for Love," and Miss Hoyden in
+      Vanbrugh's "Relapse." In the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 370)
+      Steele praises her dancing.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag87'>[87]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote87' id="footnote87"></a>Cibber writes
+      thus of this actress: "Mrs. Mountford, whose second marriage
+      gave her the name of Verbruggen, was mistress of more variety
+      of humour than I ever knew in any one woman actress. This
+      variety, too, was attended with an equal vivacity, which made
+      her excellent in characters extremely different.... She was
+      so fond of humour, in what low part soever to be found, that
+      she would make no scruple of defacing her fair form to come
+      heartily into it." She could act admirably as a Devonshire
+      lass, a pretty fellow, or a fine lady. Mrs. Verbruggen's
+      first husband, the actor Mountford, was killed by Captain
+      Hill, with the assistance of Lord Mohun, in 1692, because
+      Hill, who was making unsuccessful suit to Mrs. Bracegirdle
+      was jealous of her fellow-actor. Mountford was then in his
+      thirty-third year. Mrs. Mountford's second husband, John
+      Verbruggen, is described by Tony Aston as "nature without
+      extravagance." ... "That rough diamond shone more bright than
+      all the artful polished brilliants that ever sparkled on our
+      stage." The same writer says of Mrs. Verbruggen: "She was all
+      art, but dressed so nice, it looked like nature. She was the
+      most easy actress in the world. Her maiden name was
+      Percival."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag88'>[88]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote88' id="footnote88"></a>Various Societies
+      for the Reformation of Manners were founded in the reign of
+      William III. An "Account" of these societies was published in
+      1699, and Defoe often wrote on the subject. In 1708 the
+      Society for London and Westminster secured the conviction of
+      3299 "lewd and scandalous" persons, guilty of Sunday trading
+      swearing, drunkenness, &amp;c.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag89'>[89]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote89' id="footnote89"></a>See Steele's
+      apology to Blackmore, author of this poem, in No. 14. Sir
+      Richard Blackmore (died 1729) was a Whig physician who wrote
+      epics on religious and other subjects, and was often at
+      loggerheads with the actors and wits. Though he was not a
+      poet, Addison and Steele praised him on account of the
+      religious tone of his work (see <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 6,
+      339).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag90'>[90]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote90' id="footnote90"></a>Vanderbank, or as
+      his father sometimes wrote his name, Vandrebanc, was a son of
+      Peter Vanderbank, a Parisian, who came into England with
+      Gascar the painter, about 1674, and died at Bradfield, in
+      Hertfordshire, in 1697. His father was admired for the
+      softness of his prints, and still more for the size of them,
+      some of his heads being the largest that had then appeared in
+      England; but the prices he received by no means compensated
+      for the time employed on his works, and he was reduced to
+      want, and died at the house of Mr. Forester, his
+      brother-in-law. After his death, his widow sold his plates to
+      one Brown, a print-seller, who made a great profit by them.
+      His eldest son had some share in the theatre at Dublin; the
+      youngest, William, was a poor labourer, who gave an account
+      of his father and the family to Vertue. The person mentioned
+      in this paper was probably his father's name-son, and might
+      be, as Walpole conjectures, an engraver. Whatever concern the
+      father might have had in any manufacture of tapestry, he
+      could not be the person meant here, for at this time he had
+      been dead above ten years. The suite of tapestry, in the Duke
+      of Ancaster's sale, with Vanderbank's name to it, mentioned
+      by Walpole, must therefore be supposed to belong to the son,
+      who is said, upon the authority of the French translator of
+      the <i>Tatler</i>, to have represented nature very happily in
+      works of tapestry, and to have been a man inimitable in this
+      way. (See Walpole's "Anecdotes of Painting," 1782, vol. v. p.
+      166.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag91'>[91]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote91' id="footnote91"></a>Trick (the early
+      editions have "gigg").</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag92'>[92]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote92' id="footnote92"></a>Waller wrote
+      "Instructions to a Painter" and "Advice to a Painter," and
+      Denham "Directions to a Painter."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag93'>[93]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote93' id="footnote93"></a>Farquhar's
+      "Beaux' Stratagem," 1707.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag94'>[94]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote94' id="footnote94"></a>Bickerstaff acted
+      the part of the Captain in Mrs. Centlivre's farce, "A
+      Bickerstaff's Burying; or, Work for the Upholders" (1713),
+      which was dedicated to the "magnificent Company of Upholders,
+      whom the judicious Censor of Great Britain has so often
+      condescended to mention." In the "British Apollo," vol. ii.
+      No. 107 (Feb. 27 to March 1, 1710),
+      is a "New Prologue to 'Don Quixote' for Mr. Bickerstaff's
+      Benefit at the Theatre Royal, spoken by himself." The
+      prologue ends:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "I need not from the ladies fear my doom,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            When it shall thus be said, in my behalf,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            He bears the awful name of BICKERSTAFF."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>In the <i>Daily Courant</i> for Feb. 4, 1710, there was
+      advertised a performance of the "Comical History of Don
+      Quixote" at Drury Lane, "at the desire of Isaac Bickerstaff,
+      Esq., for the benefit of his cousin, John Bickerstaff."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag95'>[95]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote95' id="footnote95"></a>George Powell,
+      actor and dramatist, gave way often to drink. He died in
+      1714. Addison praised his acting of tragic parts in No. 40 of
+      the <i>Spectator</i>. See also <a href='#number31'>No.
+      31</a>. An order to the comedians in Dorset Gardens forbade
+      them acting till further order, because they had allowed
+      Powell to play after he was committed for drawing his sword
+      on Colonel Stanhope and Mr. Davenant. This is dated May 3, 10
+      Will. III. (1698); but on May 4 there was another order for
+      the comedians to resume acting. (Lord Chamberlain's Records,
+      Warrant Book No. 19, p. 80.) Cibber's remarks on this
+      incident will be found in his "Apology," chap. x.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page37' title='37' id=
+    "page37"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number4' id="number4"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 4.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday April 16</i>, to <i>Tuesday, April 19,
+    1709</i>.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>It is usual with persons who mount the stage for the cure or
+  information of the crowd about them, to make solemn professions
+  of their being wholly disinterested in the pains they take for
+  the public good. At the same time, those very men, who make
+  harangues in plush doublets, and extol their own abilities and
+  generous inclinations, tear their lungs in vending a drug, and
+  show no act of bounty, except it be, that they lower a demand of
+  a crown, to six, nay, to one penny. We have a contempt for such
+  paltry barterers, and have therefore all along informed the
+  public that we intend to give them our advices for our own sakes,
+  and are labouring to make our lucubrations come to some price in
+  money, for our more convenient support in the service of the
+  public. It is certain, that many other schemes have been proposed
+  to me; as a friend offered to show me a treatise he had writ,
+  which he called "The Whole Art of Life, or the Introduction to
+  Great Men, illustrated in a Pack of Cards." But being a novice at
+  all manner of play I declined the offer. Another advised me, for
+  want of money, to set up my coach and practise physic, but having
+  been bred a scholar, I feared I should not succeed <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page38' title='38' id="page38"></a>that way
+  neither; therefore resolved to go on in my present project. But
+  you are to understand, that I shall not pretend to raise a credit
+  to this work, upon the weight of my politic news only, but, as my
+  Latin sentence in the title-page informs you, shall take anything
+  that offers for the subject of my discourse. Thus, new persons,
+  as well as new things, are to come under my consideration; as,
+  when a toast, or a wit, is first pronounced such, you shall have
+  the freshest advice of their preferment from me, with a
+  description of the beauty's manner, and the wit's style; as also,
+  in whose places they are advanced. For this town is never
+  good-natured enough to raise one, without depressing another. But
+  it is my design, to avoid saying anything, of any person, which
+  ought justly to displease; but shall endeavour, by the variety of
+  the matter and style, to give entertainment for men of pleasure,
+  without offence to those of business.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, April 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>All hearts at present pant for two ladies only<a name=
+  'fntag96' id="fntag96"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote96'><sup>96</sup></a>, who have for some time engrossed
+  the dominion of the town. They are indeed both exceeding
+  charming, but differ very much in their excellences. The beauty
+  of <a class="pagenum" name='page39' title='39' id=
+  "page39"></a>Clarissa is soft, that of Chloe piercing. When you
+  look at Clarissa, you see the most exact harmony of feature,
+  complexion, and shape; you find in Chloe nothing extraordinary in
+  any one of those particulars, but the whole woman irresistible.
+  Clarissa looks languishing; Chloe, killing. Clarissa never fails
+  of gaining admiration; Chloe, of moving desire. The gazers at
+  Clarissa are at first unconcerned, as if they were observing a
+  fine picture. They who behold Chloe, at the first glance,
+  discover transport, as if they met their dearest friend. These
+  different perfections are suitably represented by the last great
+  painter Italy has sent us, Mr. Jervas.<a name='fntag97' id=
+  "fntag97"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote97'><sup>97</sup></a>
+  Clarissa is, by that skilful hand, placed in a manner that looks
+  artless, and innocent of the torments she gives; Chloe drawn with
+  a liveliness that shows she is conscious, but not affected, of
+  her perfections. Clarissa is a shepherdess; Chloe, a country
+  girl. I must own, the design of Chloe's picture shows, to me,
+  great mastery in the painter; for nothing could be better
+  imagined than the dress he has given her, of a straw hat and
+  riband, to represent that sort of beauty which enters the heart
+  with a certain familiarity, and cheats it into a belief, that it
+  has received a lover as well as an object of love. The force of
+  their different beauties is seen also in the effects it makes on
+  their lovers. The admirers of Chloe are eternally gay and
+  well-pleased: those of Clarissa, melancholy and thoughtful. And
+  as this passion always changes the natural man into a quite
+  different creature from what he was before, the love of Chloe
+  makes coxcombs; that of Clarissa, madmen. There were of each kind
+  just now here. Here was one that whistles, laughs, sings, and
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page40' title='40' id="page40"></a>cuts
+  capers, for love of Chloe. Another has just now written three
+  lines to Clarissa, then taken a turn in the garden, then came
+  back again, then tore his fragment, then called for some
+  chocolate, then went away without it.</p>
+
+  <p>Chloe has so many admirers in the room at present, that there
+  is too much noise to proceed in my narration, so that the
+  progress of the loves of Clarissa and Chloe, together with the
+  bottles that are drank each night for the one, and the many sighs
+  which are uttered, and songs written, on the other, must be our
+  subject on future occasions.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Haymarket inform us, that on Saturday night
+  last the opera of "Pyrrhus and Demetrius"<a name='fntag98' id=
+  "fntag98"></a><a class='fn' href='#footnote98'><sup>98</sup></a>
+  was performed with great applause. This intelligence is not very
+  acceptable to us friends of the theatre; for the stage being an
+  entertainment of the reason and all our faculties, this way of
+  being pleased with the suspense of them for three hours together,
+  and being given up to the shallow satisfaction of the eyes and
+  ears only, seems to arise rather from the degeneracy of our
+  understanding, than an improvement of our diversions.<a name=
+  'fntag99' id="fntag99"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote99'><sup>99</sup></a> That the understanding has no
+  part in the pleasure is evident, from <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page41' title='41' id="page41"></a>what these letters very
+  positively assert, to wit, that a great part of the performance
+  was done in Italian: and a great critic fell into fits in the
+  gallery, at feeling, not only time and place, but languages and
+  nations confused in the most incorrigible manner. His spleen is
+  so extremely moved on this occasion, that he is going to publish
+  a treatise against operas, which, he thinks, have already
+  inclined us to thoughts of peace, and if tolerated, must
+  infallibly dispirit us from carrying on the war. He has
+  communicated his scheme to the whole room, and declared in what
+  manner things of this kind were first introduced. He has upon
+  this occasion considered the nature of sounds in general, and
+  made a very elaborate digression upon the London cries,<a name=
+  'fntag100' id="fntag100"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote100'><sup>100</sup></a> wherein he has shown from
+  reason and philosophy why oysters are cried, card-matches<a name=
+  'fntag101' id="fntag101"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote101'><sup>101</sup></a> sung, and turnips and all other
+  vegetables neither cried, sung, nor said, but sold, with an
+  accent and tone neither natural to man or beast. This piece seems
+  to be taken from the model of that excellent discourse of Mrs.
+  Manly the schoolmistress, concerning samplers.<a name='fntag102'
+  id="fntag102"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote102'><sup>102</sup></a> Advices from the upper end of
+  Piccadilly say that Mayfair is utterly abolished;<a name=
+  'fntag103' id="fntag103"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote103'><sup>103</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page42' title='42' id="page42"></a>and we hear Mr.
+  Pinkethman<a name='fntag104' id="fntag104"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote104'><sup>104</sup></a> has removed his ingenious
+  company of strollers to Greenwich: but other letters from
+  Deptford say, the company is only making thither, and not yet
+  settled; but that several heathen gods and goddesses, which are
+  to descend in machines, landed at the King's Head Stairs last
+  Saturday. Venus and Cupid went on foot from thence to Greenwich;
+  Mars got drunk in the town, and broke his landlord's head; for
+  which he sat in the stocks the whole evening; but Mr. Pinkethman
+  giving security that he should do nothing this ensuing summer, he
+  was set at liberty. The most melancholy part of all, was, that
+  Diana was taken in the act of fornication with a boatman, and
+  committed by Justice Wrathful, which has, it seems, put a stop to
+  the diversions of the theatre of Blackheath. But there goes down
+  another Diana and a patient Grissel next tide from
+  Billingsgate.<a name='fntag105' id="fntag105"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote105'><sup>105</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page43' title='43' id="page43"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>They write from Saxony of the 13th instant, N.S., that the
+  Grand General of the Crown of Poland was so far from entering
+  into a treaty with King Stanislaus, that he had written circular
+  letters, wherein he exhorted the Palatinates to join against him;
+  declaring, that this was the most favourable conjuncture for
+  asserting their liberty.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, they
+  have advices from Vienna, which import, that his Electoral
+  Highness of Hanover had signified to the Imperial Court, that he
+  did not intend to put himself at the head of the troops of the
+  Empire, except more effectual measures were taken for acting
+  vigorously against the enemy the ensuing campaign. Upon this
+  representation, the Emperor has given orders to several regiments
+  to march towards the Rhine, and despatched expresses to the
+  respective princes of the Empire to desire an augmentation of
+  their forces.</p>
+
+  <p>These letters add, that an express arrived at the Hague on the
+  20th instant, with advice, that the enemy having made a
+  detachment from Tournay of 1500 horse, each trooper carrying a
+  foot-soldier behind him, in order to surprise the garrison of
+  Alost; the allies, upon notice of their march, sent out a strong
+  body of troops from Ghent, which engaged the enemy at Asche, and
+  took 200 of them prisoners, obliging the rest to retire without
+  making any further attempt. On the 22nd in the morning a fleet of
+  merchant ships coming from Scotland, were attacked by six French
+  privateers at the entrance of the Meuse. We have yet no certain
+  advice of the event: but letters from Rotterdam say, that a Dutch
+  man-of-war of forty guns, which was convoy to the said fleet, was
+  taken, as <a class="pagenum" name='page44' title='44' id=
+  "page44"></a>were also eighteen of the merchants. The Swiss
+  troops, in the service of the States, have completed the
+  augmentation of their respective companies. Those of Wirtemberg
+  and Prussia are expected on the frontiers within few days; and
+  the auxiliaries from Saxony, as also a battalion of Holstein, and
+  another of Wolfembuttel, are advancing thither with all
+  expedition. On the 21st instant, the deputies of the States had a
+  conference near Woerden with the President Rouill�, but the
+  matter which was therein debated is not made public. His Grace
+  the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene continue at the
+  Hague.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, April 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have lately been very studious for intelligence, and have
+  just now, by my astrological flying-post, received a packet from
+  Felicia,<a name='fntag106' id="fntag106"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote106'><sup>106</sup></a> an island in America, with an
+  account that gives me great satisfaction, and lets me understand
+  that the island was never in greater prosperity, or the
+  administration in so good hands, since the death of their late
+  valiant king. These letters import, that the chief minister has
+  entered into a firm league with the ablest and best men of the
+  nation, to carry on the cause of liberty, to the encouragement of
+  religion, virtue, and honour. Those persons at the helm are so
+  useful, and in themselves of such weight, that their strict
+  alliance must needs tend to the universal prosperity of the
+  people. Camillo,<a name='fntag107' id="fntag107"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote107'><sup>107</sup></a> it seems, presides
+  over the deliberations of state; and is so highly valued by all
+  men, for his singular probity, courage, affability, and love of
+  mankind, that his being placed in that station has dissipated the
+  fears of that people, who of all the world are the most jealous
+  of their <a class="pagenum" name='page45' title='45' id=
+  "page45"></a>liberty and happiness. The next member of their
+  society is Horatio,<a name='fntag108' id="fntag108"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote108'><sup>108</sup></a> who makes all the
+  public despatches. This minister is master of all the languages
+  in use to great perfection: he is held in the highest veneration
+  imaginable for a severe honesty, and love of his country: he
+  lives in a court, unsullied with any of its artifices, the refuge
+  of the oppressed, and terror of oppressors. Martio<a name=
+  'fntag109' id="fntag109"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote109'><sup>109</sup></a> has joined himself to this
+  council; a man of most undaunted resolution and great knowledge
+  in maritime affairs; famous for destroying the navy of the
+  Franks,<a name='fntag110' id="fntag110"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote110'><sup>110</sup></a> and singularly happy in one
+  particular, that he never preferred a man who has not proved
+  remarkably serviceable to his country. Philander<a name=
+  'fntag111' id="fntag111"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote111'><sup>111</sup></a> is mentioned with particular
+  distinction; a nobleman who has the most refined taste of the
+  true pleasures and elegance of life, joined to an indefatigable
+  industry in business; a man eloquent in assemblies, agreeable in
+  conversation, and dextrous in all manner of public negotiations.
+  These letters add, that Verono,<a name='fntag112' id=
+  "fntag112"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote112'><sup>112</sup></a> who is also of this council,
+  has lately set sail to his government of Patricia, with design to
+  confirm the affections of the people in the interests of his
+  queen. This minister is master of great abilities, and is as
+  industrious and restless for the preservation of the liberties of
+  the people, as the greatest enemy can be to subvert them. The
+  influence of these personages, who are men of such distinguished
+  parts and virtues, makes the people enjoy the utmost tranquillity
+  in the midst of a war, and <a class="pagenum" name='page46'
+  title='46' id="page46"></a>gives them undoubted hopes of a secure
+  peace from their vigilance and integrity.<a name='fntag113' id=
+  "fntag113"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote113'><sup>113</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag96'>[96]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote96' id="footnote96"></a>In a copy of the
+      original edition of the <i>Tatler</i>, with MS. notes written
+      early in the last century, which was sold at Messrs.
+      Sotheby's, in April, 1887, the ladies here described were
+      said to be Mrs. Chetwine and Mrs. Hales respectively. Mrs.
+      Hales was a maid of honour who married Mr. Coke,
+      vice-chamberlain, in July, 1709 (Luttrell's "Brief Relation,"
+      vi. 462); "Mrs. Chetwine" was probably the wife of William
+      Richard Chetwynd, afterwards third Viscount Chetwynd, who
+      married Honora, daughter of John Baker, Consul at Algiers; or
+      the wife of his brother Walter, M.P. for Stafford, and Master
+      of the Buckhounds. In 1717, Lady M. W. Montagu, describing a
+      week spent by a fashionable lady, said, 'Friday, Mrs.
+      Chetwynd's, &amp;c.; a perpetual round of hearing the same
+      scandal' (Pope's Works, ix. 385).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag97'>[97]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote97' id="footnote97"></a>Charles Jervas,
+      portrait painter (died 1739), became principal painter to
+      George I. and George II. He also made a translation of "Don
+      Quixote," first published in 1742.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag98'>[98]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote98' id="footnote98"></a>A translation of
+      Owen McSwiney (1709) from the Italian of Scarlatti.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag99'>[99]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote99' id="footnote99"></a>In the
+      <i>Spectator</i> (Nos. 1, 5, 13, &amp;c.) Addison often wrote
+      against the Italian opera. In 1706, Dennis published "An
+      Essay on the Operas after the Italian Manner, which are about
+      to be established on the English Stage: with some reflections
+      on the damage which they may bring to the Public." He traces
+      to the recent alterations in the entertainments of the stage,
+      the fact that familiar conversation among all classes was
+      confined to two points, news and toasting, neither of which
+      required much intelligence.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag100'>[100]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote100' id="footnote100"></a>The street
+      cries of 1709 are described in Lauron's "Habits and Cries of
+      the City of London." They included "Any card-matches or
+      save-alls" and "Twelve-pence a peck, oysters."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag101'>[101]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote101' id="footnote101"></a>Matches made by
+      dipping pieces of card in melted sulphur. In the
+      <i>Spectator</i> (No. 251), Addison speaks of vendors of
+      card-matches as examples of the fact that those made most
+      noise who had least to sell.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag102'>[102]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote102' id="footnote102"></a>In vol. ii. of
+      Dr. W. King's Works (1776) is "An Essay on the Invention of
+      Samplers, by Mrs. Arabella Manly, schoolmistress at
+      Hackney."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag103'>[103]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote103' id="footnote103"></a>May Fair was
+      abolished in 1709, after it had on several occasions been
+      presented as a nuisance by the Grand Jury at Westminster.
+      This fair was granted by King James II. under the Great Seal,
+      in the fourth year of his reign, to Sir John Coell and his
+      heirs for ever, in trust for Henry Lord Dover and his heirs
+      for ever, to be held in the field called Brookfield, in the
+      parish of St. Martin's, Westminster, to commence on the first
+      day of May, and to continue fifteen days yearly. It soon
+      became the resort of the idle, the dissipated, and the
+      profligate, insomuch that the peace-officers were frequently
+      opposed in the performance of their duty; and, in the year
+      1702, John Cooper, one of the constables, was killed, for
+      which a fencing-master, named Cook, was executed. (See also
+      <a href='#number20'>No. 20</a>.) The fair was revived under
+      George I., but was finally abolished through the exertions of
+      the sixth Earl of Coventry.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag104'>[104]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote104' id="footnote104"></a>William
+      Pinkethman, the popular actor and droll, was spoken of by
+      Gildon as "the flower of Bartholomew Fair, and the idol of
+      the rabble." In June, 1710, he opened a theatre at Greenwich,
+      and in 1711 his "wonderful invention called The Pantheon, or,
+      The Temple of the Heathen Gods," with over 100 figures, was
+      to be seen in the Little Piazza, Covent Garden
+      (<i>Spectator</i>, No. 46, advertisement).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag105'>[105]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote105' id="footnote105"></a>"It is credibly
+      reported that Mr. D&#8212;&#8212;y has agreed with Mr.
+      Pinkethman to have his play acted before that audience as
+      soon as it has had its first sixteen days' run in Drury Lane"
+      (folio). The play was D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag106'>[106]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote106' id="footnote106"></a>Britain.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag107'>[107]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote107' id="footnote107"></a>John, Lord
+      Somers, President of the Council.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag108'>[108]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote108' id="footnote108"></a>Sidney, Lord
+      Godolphin, the Lord High Treasurer; or (according to the MS.
+      notes in the copy mentioned above) Lord Sunderland.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag109'>[109]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote109' id="footnote109"></a>Edward, Earl of
+      Orford.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag110'>[110]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote110' id="footnote110"></a>At La Hogue,
+      1692.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag111'>[111]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote111' id="footnote111"></a>Probably Lord
+      Halifax.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag112'>[112]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote112' id="footnote112"></a>Thomas, Earl of
+      Wharton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag113'>[113]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote113' id=
+      "footnote113"></a>"Advertisement.&#8212;Upon the humble
+      petition of Running Stationers, &amp;c., this paper maybe had
+      of them, for the future, at the price of one penny" (folio).
+      The first four numbers were distributed gratuitously.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number5' id="number5"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 5.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, April 19</i>, to <i>Thursday, April
+    21</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, April 20.</h3>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Who names that lost thing, love, without a tear,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Since so debauched by ill-bred customs here,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To an exact perfection they have brought
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The action, love, the passion is forgot.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>This was long ago a witty author's lamentation, but the evil
+  still continues; and if a man of any delicacy were to attend the
+  discourses of the young fellows of this age, they would believe
+  there were none but prostitutes to make the objects of passion.
+  So true it is what the author of the above verses said, a little
+  before his death, of the modern pretenders to gallantry: "They
+  set up for wits in this age, by saying when they are sober, what
+  they of the last spoke only when they were drunk." But Cupid is
+  not only blind at present, but dead-drunk, he has lost all his
+  faculties: else how should Celia be so long a maid with that
+  agreeable behaviour? Corinna, with that uprightly wit? Lesbia,
+  with that heavenly voice? And Sacharissa, with all those
+  excellences in one person, frequent the park, the play, and
+  murder the poor tits that drag her to public places, and not a
+  man turn pale at her appearance? But such is the fallen state of
+  love, that <a class="pagenum" name='page47' title='47' id=
+  "page47"></a>if it were not for honest Cynthio,<a name='fntag114'
+  id="fntag114"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote114'><sup>114</sup></a> who is true to the cause, we
+  should hardly have a pattern left of the ancient worthies that
+  way: and indeed he has but very little encouragement to
+  persevere; but he has a devotion, rather than love, for his
+  mistress; and says,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem italic'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Only tell her that I love,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Leave the rest to her, and Fate;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Some kind planet from above,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        May, perhaps, her passsion move:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Lovers on their stars must wait.<a name='fntag115' id=
+        "fntag115"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote115'><sup>115</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>But the stars I am so intimately acquainted with, that I can
+  assure him, he will never have her: for would you believe it,
+  though Cynthio has wit, good sense, fortune, and his very being
+  depends on her, the termagant for whom he sighs, is in love with
+  a fellow, who stares in the glass all the time he is with her,
+  and lets her plainly see, she may possibly be his rival, but
+  never his mistress. Yet Cynthio, the same unhappy man whom I
+  mentioned in my first narrative, pleases himself with a vain
+  imagination, that with the language of his eyes, now he has found
+  who she is, he shall conquer her, though her eyes are intent upon
+  one who looks from her; which is ordinary with the sex. It is
+  certainly a mistake in the ancients, to draw the little
+  gentleman, Love, as a blind boy; for his real <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page48' title='48' id="page48"></a>character is, a little
+  thief that squints. For ask Mrs. Meddle, who is a confidante, or
+  spy, upon all the passions in town, and she will tell you, that
+  the whole is a game of cross purposes. The lover is generally
+  pursuing one who is in pursuit of another, and running from one
+  that desires to meet him. Nay, the figure of this passion is so
+  justly represented in a squinting little thief (who is always in
+  a double action) that do but observe Clarissa next time you see
+  her, and you'll find, when her eyes have made their tour round
+  the company, she makes no stay on him they say she is to marry,
+  but rests two seconds of a minute on Wildair, who neither looks
+  nor thinks on her, or any woman else. However, Cynthio had a bow
+  from her the other day, upon which he is very much come to
+  himself; and I heard him send his man of an errand yesterday
+  without any manner of hesitation; a quarter of an hour after
+  which he reckoned twenty, remembered he was to sup with a friend,
+  and went exactly to his appointment. I sent to know how he did
+  this morning, and I find he very perfectly remembers that he
+  spoke to me yesterday.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>This week<a name='fntag116' id="fntag116"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote116'><sup>116</sup></a> being sacred to holy
+  things, and no public diversions allowed, there has been taken
+  notice of, even here, a little treatise, called, "A Project for
+  the Advancement of Religion; dedicated to the Countess of
+  Berkeley."<a name='fntag117' id="fntag117"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote117'><sup>117</sup></a> The title was so uncommon,
+  and promised so <a class="pagenum" name='page49' title='49' id=
+  "page49"></a>peculiar a way of thinking, that every man here has
+  read it, and as many as have done so, have approved it. It is
+  written with the spirit of one, who has seen the world enough to
+  undervalue it with good breeding. The author must certainly be a
+  man of wisdom, as well as piety, and have spent much time in the
+  exercise of both. The real causes of the decay of the interest of
+  religion, are set forth in a clear and lively manner, without
+  unseasonable passions; and the whole air of the book, as to the
+  language, the sentiments, and the reasonings, show it was written
+  by one whose virtue sits easy about him, and to whom vice is
+  thoroughly contemptible. It was said by one of this
+  company,<a name='fntag118' id="fntag118"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote118'><sup>118</sup></a> alluding to the knowledge the
+  author seems to have of the world, "The man writes much like a
+  gentleman, and goes to heaven with a very good mien."</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Italy say, that the Marquis de Prie, upon the
+  receipt of an express from the Court of Vienna, went immediately
+  to the palace of Cardinal Paulucci, minister of state to his
+  Holiness, and demanded in the name of his Imperial Majesty, that
+  King Charles should be forthwith acknowledged king of Spain, by a
+  solemn act of the congregation of cardinals appointed for that
+  purpose: he declared at the same time, that if the least
+  hesitation were made in this most important article of the late
+  treaty, he should not only be obliged to leave Rome himself, but
+  also transmit his master's orders to the imperial troops to face
+  about, and return into the ecclesiastical dominions. When the
+  cardinal reported this <a class="pagenum" name='page50' title=
+  '50' id="page50"></a>message to the Pope, he was struck with so
+  sensible an affliction, that he burst into tears. His sorrow was
+  aggravated by letters which immediately after arrived from the
+  Court of Madrid, wherein his Nuncio acquainted his Holiness, that
+  upon the news of his accommodation with the Emperor, he had
+  received a message to forbear coming to Court; and the people
+  were so highly provoked, that they could hardly be restrained
+  from insulting his palace. These letters add, that the King of
+  Denmark was gone from Florence to Pisa, and from Pisa to Leghorn,
+  where the governor paid his Majesty all imaginable honours. The
+  king designed to go from thence to Lucca, where a magnificent
+  tournament was prepared for his diversion. An English man-of-war,
+  which came from Port Mahon to Leghorn in six days, brought
+  advice, that the fleet commanded by Admiral Whitaker, was safely
+  arrived at Barcelona, with the troops and ammunition which he had
+  taken in at Naples.</p>
+
+  <p>General Boneval, Governor of Commacchio, had summoned the
+  magistrates of all the towns near that place to appear before
+  him, and take an oath of fidelity to his Imperial Majesty,
+  commanding also the gentry to pay him homage, on pain of death
+  and confiscation of goods. Advices from Switzerland inform us,
+  that the bankers of Geneva were utterly ruined by the failure of
+  Mr. Bernard. They add, that the deputies of the Swiss Cantons
+  were returned from Solleure, where they were assembled at the
+  instance of the French Ambassador; but were very much
+  dissatisfied with the reception they had from that minister. 'Tis
+  true, he omitted no civilities, or expressions of friendship from
+  his master, but he took no notice of their pensions and arrears;
+  what further provoked their indignation, was, that instead of
+  twenty-five pistoles formerly allowed to each member, for their
+  charge in <a class="pagenum" name='page51' title='51' id=
+  "page51"></a>coming to the Diet, he had presented them with six
+  only. They write from Dresden, that King Augustus was still busy
+  in recruiting his cavalry, and that the Danish troops, which
+  lately served in Hungary, had orders to be in Saxony in the
+  middle of May, and that his Majesty of Denmark was expected at
+  Dresden in the beginning of that month. King Augustus makes great
+  preparations for his reception, and has appointed sixty coaches,
+  each drawn by six horses for that purpose: the interview of these
+  princes affords great matter for speculation. Letters from Paris
+  of the 22nd of this month say, that Mareschal Harcourt and the
+  Duke of Berwick were preparing to go into Alsace and Dauphine,
+  but that their troops were in want of all manner of necessaries.
+  The Court of France had received advices from Madrid, that on the
+  7th of this month, the States of Spain had with much magnificence
+  acknowledged the Prince of Asturias presumptive heir of the
+  crown. This was performed at Buen Retiro; the deputies took the
+  oaths on that occasion by the hands of Cardinal Portocarrero.
+  Those advices add, that it was signified to the Pope's Nuncio, by
+  order of council, to depart from that Court in twenty-four hours,
+  and that a guard was accordingly appointed to conduct him to
+  Bayonne.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 26th instant inform us, that
+  Prince Eugene was to set out the next day for Brussels, to put
+  all things in a readiness for opening the campaign. They add,
+  that the Grand Pensioner having reported to the Duke of
+  Marlborough what passed in the last conference with Mr.
+  Rouill�,<a name='fntag119' id="fntag119"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote119'><sup>119</sup></a> his Grace had taken a
+  resolution immediately to return to Great Britain, to communicate
+  to her Majesty all that has been transacted in that important
+  affair.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page52' title='52' id=
+  "page52"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, April 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>The nature of my miscellaneous work is such, that I shall
+  always take the liberty to tell for news such things (let them
+  have happened never so much before the time of writing) as have
+  escaped public notice, or have been misrepresented to the world,
+  provided that I am still within rules, and trespass not as a
+  Tatler any further than in an incorrectness of style, and writing
+  in an air of common speech. Thus if anything that is said, even
+  of old Anchises or �neas, be set by me in a different light than
+  has hitherto been hit upon, in order to inspire the love and
+  admiration of worthy actions, you will, gentle reader, I hope,
+  accept of it for intelligence you had not before. But I am going
+  upon a narrative, the matter of which I know to be true: it is
+  not only doing justice to the deceased merit<a name='fntag120'
+  id="fntag120"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote120'><sup>120</sup></a> of such persons, as, had they
+  lived, would not have had it in their power to thank me, but also
+  an instance of the greatness of spirit in the lowest of her
+  Majesty's subjects; take it as follows:</p>
+
+  <p>At the siege of Namur by the Allies, there were in the ranks
+  of the company commanded by Captain Pincent, in Colonel Frederick
+  Hamilton's regiment, one Unnion a corporal, and one Valentine a
+  private sentinel: there happened between these two men a dispute
+  about a matter of love, which, upon some aggravations, grew to an
+  irreconcilable hatred. Unnion being the officer of Valentine,
+  took all opportunities even to strike his rival, and profess
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page53' title='53' id="page53"></a>the
+  spite and revenge which moved him to it. The sentinel bore it
+  without resistance, but frequently said he would die to be
+  revenged of that tyrant. They had spent whole months thus, one
+  injuring, the other complaining; when in the midst of this rage
+  towards each other, they were commanded upon the attack of the
+  castle, where the corporal received a shot in the thigh, and
+  fell; the French pressing on, and he expecting to be trampled to
+  death, called out to his enemy, "Ah, Valentine! Can you leave me
+  here?" Valentine immediately ran back, and in the midst of a
+  thick fire of the French, took the corporal upon his back, and
+  brought him through all that danger as far as the Abbey of
+  Salsine, where a cannon-ball took off his head: his body fell
+  under his enemy whom he was carrying off Unnion immediately
+  forgot his wound, rose up, tearing his hair, and then threw
+  himself upon the bleeding carcass, crying, "Ah, Valentine! Was it
+  for me, who have so barbarously used thee, that thou hast died? I
+  will not Jive after thee." He was not by any means to be forced
+  from the body, but was removed with it bleeding in his arms, and
+  attended with tears by all their comrades, who knew their enmity.
+  When he was brought to a tent, his wounds were dressed by force;
+  but the next day, still calling upon Valentine, and lamenting his
+  cruelties to him, he died in the pangs of remorse and
+  despair.</p>
+
+  <p>It may be a question among men of noble sentiments, whether of
+  these unfortunate persons had the greater soul; he that was so
+  generous as to venture his life for his enemy, or he who could
+  not survive the man that died, in laying upon him such an
+  obligation?</p>
+
+  <p>When we see spirits like these in a people, to what heights
+  may we not suppose their glory may arise, but (as it is
+  excellently observed by Sallust<a name='fntag121' id=
+  "fntag121"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote121'><sup>121</sup></a>) it is not only to the
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page54' title='54' id=
+  "page54"></a>general bent of a nation that great revolutions are
+  owing, but to the extraordinary genios<a name='fntag122' id=
+  "fntag122"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote122'><sup>122</sup></a> that lead them. On which
+  occasion he proceeds to say that the Roman greatness was neither
+  to be attributed to their superior policy, for in that the
+  Carthaginians excelled; nor to their valour, for in that the
+  French were preferable; but to particular men, who were born for
+  the good of their country, and formed for great attempts. This he
+  says, to introduce the characters of Cassar and Cato. It would be
+  entering into too weighty a discourse for this place, if I
+  attempted to show that our nation has produced as great and able
+  men for public affairs, as any other. But I believe the reader
+  outruns me, and fixes his imagination upon the Duke of
+  Marlborough. It is, methinks, a pleasing reflection, to consider
+  the dispensations of Providence in the fortune of this
+  illustrious man, who, in the space of forty years, has passed
+  through all the gradations of human life, till he has ascended to
+  the character of a prince, and become the scourge of a tyrant,
+  who sat in one of the greatest thrones of Europe, before the man
+  who was to have the greatest part in his downfall had made one
+  step in the world.<a name='fntag123' id="fntag123"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote123'><sup>123</sup></a> But such elevations
+  are the natural consequences of an exact prudence, a calm
+  courage, a well-governed temper, a patient ambition, and an
+  affable behaviour. These arts, as they are the steps to his
+  greatness, so they are the pillars of it now it is raised. To
+  this her glorious son, Great Britain is indebted for the happy
+  conduct of her arms, in whom she can boast, she has produced a
+  man formed by nature to lead a nation of heroes.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag114'>[114]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote114' id="footnote114"></a>Edward Richard
+      Montagu, styled Viscount Hinchinbroke, who died before his
+      father, on October 3, 1722, was the only son of Edward, third
+      Earl of Sandwich. He was born about 1690, and became colonel
+      of the First Regiment of Foot Guards, and Lord Lieutenant of
+      Huntingdonshire. In 1707, he married Elizabeth, daughter of
+      Alexander Popham, of Littlecot, Wilts, and of Anne, daughter
+      of the first Duke of Montagu. (See Nos. <a href=
+      "#number1">1</a>, <a href="#number22">22</a>, <a href=
+      "#number35">35</a>, 85, and the
+      <i>Lover</i>, No. 38.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag115'>[115]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote115' id="footnote115"></a>These lines are
+      part of a song by Lord Cutts, under whom Steele had served as
+      secretary when in the army. The verses will be found in
+      Nichols' "Select Collection" (1780), ii. 327.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag116'>[116]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote116' id="footnote116"></a>Passion
+      Week.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag117'>[117]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote117' id="footnote117"></a>First published
+      as "By a Person of Quality." "The gentleman I here intended
+      was Dr. Swift, this kind of man I thought him at that time.
+      We have not met of late, but I hope he deserves this
+      character still." (Steele's "Apology," 1714.) This pamphlet
+      is closely in accord with the <i>Tatler</i> in its
+      condemnation of gaming, drunkenness, swearing, immorality on
+      the stage, and other evils of the time. Swift suggests, too,
+      a revival of censors.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag118'>[118]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote118' id="footnote118"></a>Forster
+      suggests that it was Addison.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag119'>[119]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote119' id="footnote119"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number1'>No. 1</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag120'>[120]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote120' id="footnote120"></a>This phrase, as
+      well as Unnion's forgetting his wound, is criticised in a
+      little book called, "Annotations on the <i>Tatler</i>, in two
+      parts," 12mo, said to have been written originally in French
+      by Monsieur Bournelle, and translated into English by Walter
+      Wagstaff, Esq. London, Bernard Lintott, 1710. The annotator
+      goes no farther with his annotations than to <i>Tatler</i>
+      No. 83. See Nos. 78, 191.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag121'>[121]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote121' id="footnote121"></a>"Bell. Catal.,"
+      c. 53.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag122'>[122]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote122' id="footnote122"></a>"A man of a
+      particular turn of mind" (Johnson).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag123'>[123]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote123' id="footnote123"></a>In 1705, after
+      the battle of Blenheim, Marlborough was made Prince of
+      Mildenheim by the Emperor. Lewis XIV. succeeded to the French
+      throne in 1643; Marlborough was born in 1650.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page55' title='55' id=
+    "page55"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number6' id="number6"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 6.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, April 21</i>, to <i>Saturday, April
+    23</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>I am just come from visiting Sappho,<a name='fntag124' id=
+  "fntag124"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote124'><sup>124</sup></a> a fine lady, who writes verses,
+  sings, dances and can say and do whatever she pleases, without
+  the imputation of anything that can injure her character; for she
+  is so well known to have no passion but self-love, or folly, but
+  affectation; that now upon any occasion they only cry, "'Tis her
+  way," and "That's so like her," without further reflection. As I
+  came into the room, she cries, "O Mr. Bickerstaff, I am utterly
+  undone! I have broke that pretty Italian fan I showed you when
+  you were here last, wherein were so admirably drawn our first
+  parents in Paradise asleep in each other's arms." But there is
+  such an affinity between painting and poetry, that I have been
+  improving the images which were raised by that picture, by
+  reading the same representation in two of our greatest poets.
+  Look you, here are the passages in Milton and in Dryden. All
+  Milton's thoughts are wonderfully just and natural, in this
+  inimitable description which Adam makes of himself in the eighth
+  book of "Paradise Lost." But there is none of them finer than
+  that contained in the following lines, where he tells us his
+  thoughts when he was falling asleep a little after his
+  creation.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <a class="pagenum" name='page56' title='56' id="page56"></a>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While thus I called, and strayed I know not whither,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From whence I first drew air, and first beheld
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        This happy light; when answer none returned,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Pensive I sate me down, there gentle sleep
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        First found me, and with soft oppression seized
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        My drowned sense, untroubled, though I thought
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        I then was passing to my former state,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve.<a name='fntag125'
+        id="fntag125"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote125'><sup>125</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>But now I can't forgive this odious thing, this Dryden, who,
+  in his "State of Innocence," has given my great-grand-mother Eve
+  the same apprehension of annihilation, on a very different
+  occasion, as Adam pronounces it of himself, when he was seized
+  with a pleasing kind of stupor and deadness, Eve fancies herself
+  falling away, and dissolving in the hurry of a rapture. However,
+  the verses are very good, and I don't know but it may be natural
+  what she says. I'll read them:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        When your kind eyes looked languishing on mine,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And wreathing arms did soft embraces join,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A doubtful trembling seized me first all o'er,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Then wishes, and a warmth unknown before;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        What followed was all extasy and trance,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Immortal pleasures round my swimming eyes did dance,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And speechless joys, in whose sweet tumults tost,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        I thought my breath and my new being lost.<a name=
+        'fntag126' id="fntag126"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote126'><sup>126</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>She went on, and said a thousand good things at random, but so
+  strangely mixed that you would be apt to say all her wit is mere
+  good luck, and not the effect of <a class="pagenum" name='page57'
+  title='57' id="page57"></a>reason and judgment. When I made my
+  escape hither I found a gentleman playing the critic on two other
+  great poets, even Virgil and Homer.<a name='fntag127' id=
+  "fntag127"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote127'><sup>127</sup></a> He was observing, that Virgil
+  is more judicious than the other in the epithets he gives his
+  hero. "Homer's usual epithet," said he, "is <span lang="el"
+  title="P�das �ch�s" xml:lang=
+  "el">&#928;&#8057;&#948;&#945;&#962; &#8032;&#967;&#8058;&#962;</span>,
+  or <span lang="el" title="Pod�rch�s" xml:lang=
+  "el">&#928;&#959;&#948;&#8049;&#961;&#967;&#951;&#962;</span>,
+  and his indiscretion has been often rallied by the critics, for
+  mentioning the nimbleness of foot in Achilles, though he
+  describes him standing, sitting, lying down, fighting, eating,
+  drinking, or in any other circumstance, however foreign or
+  repugnant to speed and activity. Virgil's common epithet to
+  �neas, is 'Pius' or 'Pater.' I have therefore considered," said
+  he, "what passage there is in any of his hero's actions, where
+  either of these appellations would have been most improper, to
+  see if I could catch him at the same fault with Homer: and this,
+  I think, is his meeting with Dido in the cave, where Pius �neas
+  would have been absurd, and Pater �neas a burlesque: the poet has
+  therefore wisely dropped them both for Dux Trojanus,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Speluncam Dido dux et Trojanus eandem Devenient;<a name=
+        'fntag128' id="fntag128"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote128'><sup>128</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>which he has repeated twice in Juno's speech, and his own
+  narration: for he very well knew a loose action might be
+  consistent enough with the usual manners of a soldier, though it
+  became neither the chastity of a pious man, nor the gravity of
+  the father of a people."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page58' title='58' id=
+  "page58"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, April 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>While other parts of the town are amused with the present
+  actions, we generally spend the evening at this table in
+  inquiries into antiquity, and think anything news which gives us
+  new knowledge. Thus we are making a very pleasant entertainment
+  to ourselves, in putting the actions of Homer's "Iliad" into an
+  exact journal.</p>
+
+  <p>This poem is introduced by Chryses, King of Chryseis, and
+  priest of Apollo, who comes to re-demand his daughter, who was
+  carried off at the taking of that city, and given to Agamemnon
+  for his part of the booty. The refusal he received enrages
+  Apollo, who for nine days showered down darts upon them, which
+  occasioned the pestilence.</p>
+
+  <p>The tenth day Achilles assembles the council, and encourages
+  Chalcas to speak for the surrender of Chryseis to appease Apollo.
+  Agamemnon and Achilles storm at one another, notwithstanding
+  which Agamemnon will not release his prisoner, unless he has
+  Briseis in her stead. After long contestations, wherein Agamemnon
+  gives a glorious character of Achilles' valour, he determines to
+  restore Briseis to her father, and sends two heralds to fetch
+  away Chryseis from Achilles, who abandons himself to sorrow and
+  despair. His mother Thetis came to comfort him under his
+  affliction, and promises to represent his sorrowful lamentations
+  to Jupiter; but he could not attend it; for the evening before,
+  he had appointed to divert himself for two days beyond the seas
+  with the harmless �thiopians.</p>
+
+  <p>It was the twenty-first day after Chryseis' arrival to the
+  camp, that Thetis went very early to demand an audience of
+  Jupiter. The means he uses to satisfy her were, to persuade the
+  Greeks to attack the Trojans; that so they <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page59' title='59' id="page59"></a>might perceive the
+  consequence of condemning Achilles and the miseries they suffer
+  if he does not head them. The next night he orders Agamemnon, in
+  a dream, to attack them; who was deceived with the hopes of
+  obtaining a victory, and also taking the city, without sharing
+  the honour with Achilles.</p>
+
+  <p>On the 22nd, in the morning, he assembles the council, and
+  having made a feint of raising the siege and retiring, he
+  declares to them his dream; and, together with Nestor and
+  Ulysses, resolves on an engagement.</p>
+
+  <p>This was the twenty-third day, which is full of incidents, and
+  which continues from almost the beginning of the second canto to
+  the eighth. The armies being then drawn up in view of one
+  another, Hector brings it about that Menelaus and Paris, the two
+  persons concerned in the quarrel, should decide it by a single
+  combat; which tending to the advantage of Menelaus, was
+  interrupted by a cowardice infused by Minerva: then both armies
+  engage, where the Trojans have the disadvantage; but being
+  afterwards animated by Apollo, they repulse the enemy, yet they
+  are once again forced to give ground; but their affairs were
+  retrieved by Hector, who has a single combat with Ajax. The gods
+  threw themselves into the battle, Juno and Minerva took the
+  Grecians' part, and Apollo and Mars the Trojans': but Mars and
+  Venus are both wounded by Diomedes.</p>
+
+  <p>The truce for burying the slain ended the twenty-third day;
+  after which the Greeks threw up a great entrenchment to secure
+  their navy from danger. Councils are held on both sides. On the
+  morning of the twenty-fourth day the battle is renewed, but in a
+  very disadvantageous manner to the Greeks, who were beaten back
+  to their retrenchments. Agamemnon being in despair at this ill
+  success, proposes to the council to quit the enterprise and
+  retire from Troy. <a class="pagenum" name='page60' title='60' id=
+  "page60"></a>But by the advice of Nestor, he is persuaded to
+  regain Achilles, by returning Chryseis, and sending him
+  considerable presents. Hereupon, Ulysses and Ajax are sent to
+  that hero, who continues inflexible in his anger. Ulysses, at his
+  return, joins himself with Diomedes, and goes in the night to
+  gain intelligence of the enemy: they enter into their very camp,
+  where, finding the sentinels asleep, they made a great slaughter.
+  Rhesus, who was just then arrived with recruits from Thrace for
+  the Trojans, was killed in that action. Here ends the tenth
+  canto. The sequel of this journal will be inserted in the next
+  article from this place.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>We hear from Italy, that notwithstanding the Pope has received
+  a letter from the Duke of Anjou, demanding of him to explain
+  himself upon the affair of acknowledging King Charles: his
+  Holiness has not yet thought fit to send any answer to that
+  prince. The Court of Rome appears very much mortified, that they
+  are not to see his Majesty of Denmark in that city, having
+  perhaps given themselves vain hopes from a visit made by a
+  Protestant priest to that see. The Pope has despatched a
+  gentleman to compliment his Majesty, and sent the king a present
+  of all the curiosities and antiquities of Rome, represented in
+  seventeen volumes, very richly bound, which were taken out of the
+  Vatican library. Letters from Genoa of the 14th instant say, a
+  felucca was arrived there in five days from Marseilles, with an
+  account, that the people of that city had made an insurrection,
+  by reason of the scarcity of provisions, and that the Intendant
+  had ordered some companies of marines, and the men belonging to
+  the galleys, to stand to their arms to protect him from violence;
+  but that he began to be in as much <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page61' title='61' id="page61"></a>apprehension of his guards as
+  those from whom they were to defend him. When that vessel came
+  away, the soldiers murmured publicly for want of pay, and it was
+  generally believed they would pillage the magazines, as the
+  garrison of Grenoble, and other towns of France, had already
+  done. A vessel which lately came into Leghorn, brought advice,
+  that the British squadron was arrived at Port Mahon, where they
+  were taking in more troops, in order to attempt the relief of
+  Alicante, which still made a very vigorous defence. 'Tis said,
+  Admiral Byng will be at the head of that expedition. The King of
+  Denmark was gone from Leghorn towards Lucca.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from Vienna, that in case the Allies should enter
+  into a treaty of peace with France, Count Zinzendorf will be
+  appointed first plenipotentiary, the Count de Goes the second,
+  and Monsieur van Konsbruch a third. Major-General Palmes, Envoy
+  Extraordinary from her Britannic Majesty, has been very urgent
+  with that Court to make their utmost efforts against France the
+  ensuing campaign, in order to oblige it to such a peace, as may
+  establish the tranquillity of Europe for the future.</p>
+
+  <p>We are also informed, that the Pope uses all imaginable shifts
+  to elude the treaty concluded with the Emperor, and that he
+  demanded the immediate restitution of Commacchio; insisting also,
+  that his Imperial Majesty should ask pardon, and desire
+  absolution for what has formerly passed, before he would solemnly
+  acknowledge King Charles: but this was utterly refused.</p>
+
+  <p>They hear at Vienna, by letters from Constantinople, dated the
+  22nd of February last, that on the 12th of that month the Grand
+  Signior took occasion, at the celebration of the festivals of the
+  Mussulmen, to set all the Christian slaves which were in the
+  galleys at liberty.</p>
+
+  <p>Advices from Switzerland import, that the preachers of
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page62' title='62' id="page62"></a>the
+  county of Tockenburg continue to create new jealousies of the
+  Protestants, and some disturbances lately happened there on that
+  account. The Protestants and Papists in the town of Hamman go to
+  divine service one after another in the same church, as is usual
+  in many other parts of Switzerland; but on Sunday, the 10th
+  instant, the Popish curate, having ended his service, attempted
+  to hinder the Protestants from entering into the church according
+  to custom; but the Protestants briskly attacked him and his
+  party, and broke into it by force.</p>
+
+  <p>Last night between seven and eight, his Grace the Duke of
+  Marlborough arrived at Court.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, April 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>The present great captains of the age, the Duke of Marlborough
+  and Prince Eugene, having been the subject of the discourse of
+  the last company I was in, it has naturally led me into a
+  consideration of Alexander and C�sar, the two greatest names
+  which ever appeared before this century. In order to enter into
+  their characters, there needs no more but examining their
+  behaviour in parallel circumstances. It must be allowed, that
+  they had an equal greatness of soul; but C�sar's was more
+  corrected and allayed by a mixture of prudence and
+  circumspection. This is seen conspicuously in one particular in
+  their histories, wherein they seem to have shown exactly the
+  difference of their tempers. When Alexander, after a long course
+  of victories, would still have led his soldiers farther from
+  home, they unanimously refused to follow him. We meet with the
+  like behaviour in C�sar's army in the midst of his march against
+  Ariovistus. Let us therefore observe the conduct of our two
+  generals in so nice an affair: and here we find Alexander at the
+  head of his army, upbraiding them with <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page63' title='63' id="page63"></a>their cowardice, and meanness
+  of spirit; and in the end, telling them plainly, he would go
+  forward himself, though not a man followed him. This showed
+  indeed an excessive bravery; but how would the commander have
+  come off, if the speech had not succeeded, and the soldiers had
+  taken him at his word? The project seems of a piece with Mr.
+  Bayes' in "The Rehearsal,"<a name='fntag129' id=
+  "fntag129"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote129'><sup>129</sup></a> who, to gain a clap in his
+  prologue, comes out, with a terrible fellow in a fur cap
+  following him, and tells his audience, if they would not like his
+  play, he would lie down and have his head struck off. If this
+  gained a clap, all was well; but if not, there was nothing left
+  but for the executioner to do his office. But C�sar would not
+  leave the success of his speech to such uncertain events: he
+  shows his men the unreasonableness of their fears in an obliging
+  manner, and concludes, that if none else would march along with
+  them, he would go himself with the Tenth Legion, for he was
+  assured of their fidelity and valour, though all the rest forsook
+  him; not but that in all probability they were as much against
+  the march as the rest. The result of all was very natural: the
+  Tenth Legion, fired with the praises of their general, send
+  thanks to him for the just opinion he entertains of them; and the
+  rest, ashamed to be outdone, assure him, that they are as ready
+  to follow where he pleases to lead them, as any other part of the
+  army.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag124'>[124]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote124' id="footnote124"></a>It has been
+      suggested, with little or no reason, that Sappho is meant for
+      Mrs. Manley (Author of the "New Atalantis"), or Mrs.
+      Elizabeth Thomas (known as "Corinna"), or Mrs. Elizabeth
+      Heywood. See <a href='#number40'>No. 40</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag125'>[125]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote125' id="footnote125"></a>"Paradise
+      Lost," viii. 283.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag126'>[126]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote126' id="footnote126"></a>Dryden's "State
+      of Innocence and Fall of Man: an Opera," act iii. sc. i. In
+      the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 345), Addison illustrated Milton's
+      chaste treatment of the subject of Eve's nuptials by
+      contrasting what he says with the account in the opera in
+      which Dryden, according to Lee's verses, refined "Milton's
+      golden ore, and new-weaved his hard-spun thought."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag127'>[127]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote127' id="footnote127"></a>Addison, on
+      reading here this remark upon Virgil, which he himself had
+      communicated to Steele, discovered that his friend was the
+      author of the <i>Tatler</i>. He was at this time in Ireland,
+      Secretary to Lord Wharton, and returned to England with the
+      Lord Lieutenant on the 8th of September following. (Tickell's
+      Preface to Addison's Works.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag128'>[128]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote128' id="footnote128"></a>"�neid," iv.
+      124.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag129'>[129]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote129' id="footnote129"></a>"The
+      Rehearsal," act i. sc. 2. This play of the Duke of
+      Buckingham's was produced in 1671, and the poet Bayes, as
+      finally drawn after revision, was a satire on Dryden.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number7' id="number7"></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+    'page64' title='64' id="page64"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 7.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, April 23</i>, to <i>Tuesday, April
+    26</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>It is so just an observation, that mocking is catching, that I
+  am become an unhappy instance of it, and am (in the same manner
+  that I have represented Mr. Partridge) myself a dying man in
+  comparison of the vigour with which I first set out in the world.
+  Had it been otherwise, you may be sure I would not have pretended
+  to have given for news, as I did last Saturday, a diary of the
+  siege of Troy. But man is a creature very inconsistent with
+  himself: the greatest heroes are sometimes fearful, the
+  sprightliest wits at some hours dull; and the greatest
+  politicians on some occasions whimsical. But I shall not pretend
+  to palliate, or excuse the matter; for I find, by a calculation
+  of my own nativity, that I cannot hold out with any tolerable wit
+  longer than two minutes after twelve o'clock at night, between
+  the 18th and 19th of the next month. For which space of time you
+  may still expect to hear from me, but no longer, except you will
+  transmit to me the occurrences you meet with relating to your
+  amours, or any other subject within the rules by which I have
+  proposed to walk. If any gentleman or lady sends to Isaac
+  Bickerstaff, Esq., at Mr. Morphew's,<a name='fntag130' id=
+  "fntag130"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote130'><sup>130</sup></a> near Stationers' Hall, by the
+  Penny Post, the grief or joy of their soul, what they think fit
+  of the matter shall be related in colours as much to their
+  advantage, as those in which Jervas<a name='fntag131' id=
+  "fntag131"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote131'><sup>131</sup></a> has drawn the agreeable Chloe.
+  But since, without such assistance, I frankly confess, and am
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page65' title='65' id=
+  "page65"></a>sensible, that I have not a month's wit more, I
+  think I ought, while I am in my sound health and senses, to make
+  my will and testament; which I do in manner and form
+  following:</p>
+
+  <p>Imprimis, I give to the stockjobbers about the Exchange of
+  London, as a security for the trusts daily reposed in them, all
+  my real estate; which I do hereby vest in the said body of worthy
+  citizens for ever.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, Forasmuch as it is very hard to keep land in repair
+  without ready cash, I do, out of my personal estate, bestow the
+  bearskin,<a name='fntag132' id="fntag132"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote132'><sup>132</sup></a> which I have frequently lent to
+  several societies about this town, to supply their necessities. I
+  say, I give also the said bearskin, as an immediate fund to the
+  said citizens for ever.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, I do hereby appoint a certain number of the said
+  citizens to take all the custom-house or customary oaths,
+  concerning all goods imported to the whole city, strictly
+  directing, that some select members, and not the whole number of
+  a body corporate, should be perjured.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, I forbid all n&#8212;&#8212;s and persons of
+  q&#8212;&#8212;ty to watch bargains near and about the Exchange,
+  to the diminution and wrong of the said stockjobbers.</p>
+
+  <p>Thus far, in as brief and intelligible a manner as any will
+  can appear, till it is explained by the learned, I have disposed
+  of my real and personal estate: but, as I am an adept, I have by
+  birth an equal right to give also an indefeasible title to my
+  endowments and qualifications; which I do in the following
+  manner:</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page66' title='66' id=
+  "page66"></a>Item, I give my chastity to all virgins who have
+  withstood their market.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, I give my courage among all who are ashamed of their
+  distressed friends, all sneakers in assemblies, and men who show
+  valour in common conversation.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, I give my wit (as rich men give to the rich) among such
+  as think they have enough already. And in case they shall not
+  accept of the legacy, I give it to Bentivolio,<a name='fntag133'
+  id="fntag133"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote133'><sup>133</sup></a> to defend his works from time
+  to time, as he shall think fit to publish them.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, I bestow my learning upon the honorary members of the
+  Royal Society.<a name='fntag134' id="fntag134"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote134'><sup>134</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>Now for the disposal of this body.</p>
+
+  <p>As these eyes must one day cease to gaze on Teraminta, and
+  this heart shall one day pant no more for her indignation: that
+  is to say, since this body must be earth, I shall commit it to
+  the dust in a manner suitable to my character. Therefore, as
+  there are those who dispute, whether there is any such real
+  person as Isaac Bickerstaff or not, I shall excuse all persons
+  who appear what they really are, from coming to my funeral. But
+  all those who are, in their way of life, persons, as the Latins
+  have it, persons assumed, and who appear what they really are
+  not, are hereby invited to that solemnity.</p>
+
+  <p>The body shall be carried by six watchmen, who are never seen
+  in the day.</p>
+
+  <p>Item, The pall shall be held up by the six most known
+  pretenders to honesty, wealth and power, who are not <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page67' title='67' id="page67"></a>possessed of
+  any of them. The two first, an half-lawyer, a complete justice.
+  The two next, a chemist, a projector. The third couple, a
+  Treasury solicitor, and a small courtier.</p>
+
+  <p>To make my funeral (what that solemnity, when done to common
+  men, really is in itself) a very farce; and since all mourners
+  are mere actors on these occasions, I shall desire those who are
+  professedly such, to attend me. I humbly therefore beseech Mrs.
+  Barry<a name='fntag135' id="fntag135"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote135'><sup>135</sup></a> to act once more, and be my
+  widow. When she swoons away at the church-porch, I appoint the
+  merry Sir John Falstaff, and the gay Sir Harry Wildair, to
+  support her. I desire Mr. Pinkethman<a name='fntag136' id=
+  "fntag136"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote136'><sup>136</sup></a> to follow in the habit of a
+  cardinal, and Mr. Bullock<a name='fntag137' id=
+  "fntag137"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote137'><sup>137</sup></a> in that of a privy councillor.
+  To make up the rest of the appearance, I desire all the ladies
+  from the balconies to weep with Mrs. Barry, as they hope to be
+  wives and widows themselves. I invite all, who have nothing else
+  to do, to accept of gloves and scarves.</p>
+
+  <p>Thus, with the great Charles V. of Spain, I resign the glories
+  of this transitory world: yet, at the same time, to show you my
+  indifference, and that my desires are not too much fixed upon
+  anything, I own to you, I am as willing to stay as go: therefore
+  leave it in the choice of my gentle readers, whether I shall hear
+  from them, or they hear no more from me.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, April 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>Easter Day being a time when you can't well meet with any but
+  humble adventures; and there being such a thing as low gallantry,
+  as well as a low comedy, Colonel <a class="pagenum" name='page68'
+  title='68' id="page68"></a>Ramble<a name='fntag138' id=
+  "fntag138"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote138'><sup>138</sup></a> and myself went early this
+  morning into the fields, which were strewed with shepherds and
+  shepherdesses, but indeed of a different turn from the simplicity
+  of those of Arcadia. Every hedge was conscious of more than what
+  the representations of enamoured swains admit of. While we were
+  surveying the crowd around us, we saw at a distance a company
+  coming towards Pancras Church; but though there was not much
+  disorder, we thought we saw the figure of a man stuck through
+  with a sword, and at every step ready to fall, if a woman by his
+  side had not supported him; the rest followed two and two. When
+  we came nearer this appearance, who should it be but Monsieur
+  Guardeloop, mine and Ramble's French tailor, attended by others,
+  leading one of Madame Depingle's<a name='fntag139' id=
+  "fntag139"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote139'><sup>139</sup></a> maids to the church, in order
+  to their espousals. It was his sword tucked so high above his
+  waist, and the circumflex which persons of his profession take in
+  their walking, that made him appear at a distance wounded and
+  falling. But the morning being rainy, methought the march to this
+  wedding was but too lively a picture of wedlock itself. They
+  seemed both to have a month's mind to make the best of their way
+  single; yet both tugged arm in arm; and when they were in a dirty
+  way, he was but deeper in the mire, by endeavouring to pull out
+  his companion, and yet without helping her. The bridegroom's
+  feathers in his hat all drooped, one of his shoes had lost an
+  heel. In short, he was in his whole person and dress so extremely
+  soused, that there did not appear one inch or single thread about
+  him unmarried.<a name='fntag140' id="fntag140"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote140'><sup>140</sup></a> Pardon me, that the
+  melancholy <a class="pagenum" name='page69' title='69' id=
+  "page69"></a>object still dwells upon me so far, as to reduce me
+  to punning. However, we attended to the chapel, where we stayed
+  to hear the irrevocable words pronounced upon our old servant,
+  and made the best of our way to town. I took a resolution to
+  forbear all married persons, or any, in danger of being such, for
+  four-and-twenty hours at least; therefore dressed, and went to
+  visit Florimel, the vainest thing in town, where I knew would
+  drop in Colonel Picket, just come from the camp, her professed
+  admirer. He is of that order of men who has much honour and
+  merit, but withal a coxcomb; the other of that set of females,
+  who has innocence and wit, but the first of coquettes. It is easy
+  to believe, these must be admirers of each other. She says, "The
+  Colonel rides the best of any man in England": the Colonel says,
+  "She talks the best of any woman." At the same time, he
+  understands wit just as she does horsemanship. You are to know,
+  these extraordinary persons see each other daily; and they
+  themselves, as well as the town, think it will be a match: but it
+  can never happen that they can come to the point; for instead of
+  addressing to each other, they spend their whole time in reports
+  of themselves. He is satisfied if he can convince her he is a
+  fine gentleman, and a man of consequence; and she, in appearing
+  to him an accomplished lady and a wit, without further design.
+  Thus he tells her of his manner of posting his men at such a
+  pass, with the numbers he commanded on that detachment: she tells
+  him, how she was dressed on such a day at Court, and what offers
+  were made her the week following. She seems to hear the
+  repetition of his men's names with admiration; and waits only to
+  answer him with as false a muster of lovers. They talk to each
+  other not to be informed, but approved. Thus they are so like,
+  that they are to be ever distant, and the parallel lines may run
+  together for ever, but never meet.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page70' title='70' id=
+  "page70"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>This evening, the comedy, called "Epsom Wells,"<a name=
+  'fntag141' id="fntag141"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote141'><sup>141</sup></a> was acted for the benefit of
+  Mr. Bullock,<a name='fntag142' id="fntag142"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote142'><sup>142</sup></a> who, though he is a person
+  of much wit and ingenuity, has a peculiar talent of looking like
+  a fool, and therefore excellently well qualified for the part of
+  Biskett in this play. I cannot indeed sufficiently admire his way
+  of bearing a beating, as he does in this drama, and that with
+  such a natural air and propriety of folly, that one cannot help
+  wishing the whip in one's own hand; so richly does he seem to
+  deserve his chastisement. Skilful actors think it a very peculiar
+  happiness to play in a scene with such as top their parts.
+  Therefore I cannot but say, when the judgment of any good author
+  directs him to write a beating for Mr. Bullock from Mr. William
+  Pinkethman, or for Mr. William Pinkethman from Mr. Bullock, those
+  excellent players seem to be in their most shining circumstances,
+  and please me more, but with a different sort of delight, than
+  that which I receive from those grave scenes of Brutus and
+  Cassius, or Antony and Ventidius. The whole comedy is very just,
+  and the low part of human life represented with much humour and
+  wit.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>We are advised from Vienna, by letters of the 20th instant,
+  that the Emperor hath lately added twenty new members to his
+  Council of State, but they have not yet taken their places at the
+  board. General Thaun is returned from Baden, his health being so
+  well re-established by the baths of that place, that he designs
+  to set out next week for Turin, to his command of the Imperial
+  troops in <a class="pagenum" name='page71' title='71' id=
+  "page71"></a>the service of the Duke of Savoy. His Imperial
+  Majesty has advanced his brother Count Henry Thaun to be a
+  brigadier, and a Councillor of the Aulic Council of War. These
+  letters import, that King Stanislaus and the Swedish General
+  Crassau are directing their march to the Nieper, to join the King
+  of Sweden's army in Ukrania: that the States of Austria have
+  furnished Marshal Heister with a considerable sum of money, to
+  enable him to push on the war vigorously in Hungary, where all
+  things as yet are in perfect tranquillity: and that General
+  Thungen has been very importunate for a speedy reinforcement of
+  the forces on the Upper Rhine, representing at the same time,
+  what miseries the inhabitants must necessarily undergo, if the
+  designs of France on those parts be not speedily and effectually
+  prevented.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Rome, dated the 13th instant, say, that on the
+  preceding Sunday his Holiness was carried in an open chair from
+  St. Peter's to St. Mary's, attended by the Sacred College, in
+  cavalcade; and, after Mass, distributed several dowries for the
+  marriage of poor and distressed virgins. The proceedings of that
+  Court are very dilatory concerning the recognition of King
+  Charles, notwithstanding the pressing instances of the Marquis de
+  Prie, who has declared, that if this affair be not wholly
+  concluded by the 15th instant, he will retire from that Court,
+  and order the Imperial troops to return into the ecclesiastical
+  state. On the other hand, the Duke of Anjou's minister has, in
+  the name of his master, demanded of his Holiness to explain
+  himself on that affair; which, it is said, will be finally
+  determined in a consistory to be held on Monday next; the Duke
+  d'Uzeda designing to delay his departure till he sees the issue.
+  These letters also say, that the Court was mightily alarmed at
+  the news which they received by an express from Ferrara, that
+  General Boneval, who commands <a class="pagenum" name='page72'
+  title='72' id="page72"></a>in Commachio, had sent circular
+  letters to the inhabitants of St. Alberto, Longastrino, Fillo,
+  and other adjacent parts, enjoining them to come and swear fealty
+  to the Emperor, and receive new investitures of their fiefs from
+  his hands. Letters from other parts of Italy say, that the King
+  of Denmark continues at Lucca; that four English and Dutch
+  men-of-war were seen off of Oneglia, bound for Final, in order to
+  transport the troops designed for Barcelona; and that her
+  Majesty's ship the <i>Colchester</i> arrived at Leghorn the 4th
+  instant from Port Mahon, with advice, that Major-General Stanhope
+  designed to part from thence the 1st instant with 6000 or 7000
+  men to attempt the relief of the Castle of Alicant.</p>
+
+  <p>Our last advices from Berlin, bearing date the 27th instant,
+  import, that the King was gone to Linum, and the Queen to
+  Mecklenburg; but that their Majesties designed to return the next
+  week to Oranienburg, where a great chase of wild beasts was
+  prepared for their diversion, and from thence they intend to
+  proceed together to Potsdam; that the Prince Royal was set out
+  for Brabant, but intended to make some short stay at Hanover.
+  These letters also inform us, that they are advised from Obory,
+  that the King of Sweden, being on his march towards Holki, met
+  General Renne with a detachment of Muscovites, who placing some
+  regiments in ambuscade, attacked the Swedes in their rear, and
+  putting them to flight, killed 2000 men, the king himself having
+  his horse shot under him.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from Copenhagen, that, the ice being broke, the Sound
+  is again open for the ships; and that they hoped his Majesty
+  would return sooner than they at first expected.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague, dated May the 4th, N.S., say that an
+  express arrived there on the 1st from Prince Eugene to his Grace
+  the Duke of Marlborough. The States are <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page73' title='73' id="page73"></a>advised, that the auxiliaries
+  of Saxony were arrived on the frontiers of the United Provinces;
+  as also, that the two regiments of Wolfembuttel, and 4000 troops
+  from Wirtemberg, which are to serve in Flanders, are in full
+  march thither. Letters from Flanders, say that the great convoy
+  of ammunition and provisions which set out from Ghent for Lille,
+  was safely arrived at Courtray. We hear from Paris, that the King
+  has ordered the militia on the coasts of Normandy and Bretagne to
+  be in a readiness to march; and that the Court was in
+  apprehension of a descent, to animate the people to rise in the
+  midst of their present hardships.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from Spain, that the Pope's Nuncio left Madrid the
+  10th of April, in order to go to Bayonne; that the Marquis de Bay
+  was at Badajos to observe the motions of the Portuguese; and that
+  the Count d'Estain, with a body of 5000 men, was on his march to
+  attack Gironne. The Duke of Anjou has deposed the Bishop of
+  Lerida, as being a favourer of the interest of King Charles; and
+  has summoned a convocation at Madrid, composed of the
+  archbishops, bishops and states of that kingdom, wherein he hopes
+  they will come to a resolution to send for no more bulls to
+  Rome.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag130'>[130]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote130' id="footnote130"></a>John Morphew
+      was the publisher of the <i>Tatler</i>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag131'>[131]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote131' id="footnote131"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number4'>No. 4</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag132'>[132]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote132' id="footnote132"></a>Stockjobbers,
+      who contract for a sale of stock which they do not possess,
+      are called sellers of bearskins; and universally whoever
+      sells what he does not possess was said to sell the bear's
+      skin, while the bear runs in the woods. "You never heard such
+      bellowing about the town of the state of the nation,
+      especially among the sharpers, sellers of
+      bearskins&#8212;<i>i.e.</i> stockjobbers, &amp;c." (Swift).
+      See <a href='#number38'>No. 38</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag133'>[133]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote133' id="footnote133"></a>Dr. Richard
+      Bentley, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, took a leading
+      part in the controversy regarding the genuineness of the
+      Epistles of Phalaris. In 1709 he published critical notes on
+      the Tusculan Disputations.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag134'>[134]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote134' id="footnote134"></a>There are
+      several sneers at the members of the Royal Society in the
+      <i>Tatler</i>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag135'>[135]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote135' id="footnote135"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number1'>No. 1</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag136'>[136]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote136' id="footnote136"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number4'>No. 4</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag137'>[137]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote137' id="footnote137"></a>William Bullock
+      was a comic actor whose abilities are praised by Gildon and
+      others. He was the original Sir Tunbelly Clumsy in Vanbrugh's
+      "Relapse." Later on in this number (p. 70), Steele says that
+      Bullock had a peculiar talent of looking like a fool, and in
+      No. 188 he compares Bullock and
+      Pinkethman in a satirical vein.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag138'>[138]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote138' id="footnote138"></a>Perhaps Colonel
+      Hunter, afterwards Governor of New York; or Colonel Brett,
+      one of the managers of Drury Lane Theatre.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag139'>[139]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote139' id="footnote139"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number34'>No. 34</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag140'>[140]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote140' id="footnote140"></a>The pun is, of
+      course, on the word "unmarred."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag141'>[141]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote141' id="footnote141"></a>By Thomas
+      Shadwell, 1676.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag142'>[142]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote142' id="footnote142"></a>See note on p.
+      67, above.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number8' id="number8"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 8.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, April 26.</i> to <i>Thursday, April
+    28</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Wills Coffee-house, April 26.</h3>
+
+  <p>The play of "The London Cuckolds"<a name='fntag143' id=
+  "fntag143"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote143'><sup>143</sup></a> was acted this evening before a
+  suitable audience, who were extremely well diverted with that
+  heap of vice and <a class="pagenum" name='page74' title='74' id=
+  "page74"></a>absurdity. The indignation which Eugenio, who is a
+  gentleman of a just taste, has, upon occasion of seeing human
+  nature fall so low in their delights, made him, I thought,
+  expatiate upon the mention of this play very agreeably. "Of all
+  men living," said he, "I pity players (who must be men of good
+  understanding to be capable of being such) that they are obliged
+  to repeat and assume proper gestures for representing things, of
+  which their reason must be ashamed, and which they must disdain
+  their audience for approving. The amendment of these low
+  gratifications is only to be made by people of condition, by
+  encouraging the presentation of the noble characters drawn by
+  Shakespeare and others, from whence it is impossible to return
+  without strong impressions of honour and humanity. On these
+  occasions, distress is laid before us with all its causes and
+  consequences, and our resentment placed according to the merit of
+  the persons afflicted. Were dramas of this nature more acceptable
+  to the taste of the town, men who have genius would bend their
+  studies to excel in them. How forcible an effect this would have
+  on our minds, one needs no more than to observe how strongly we
+  are touched by mere pictures. Who can see Le Brun's<a name=
+  'fntag144' id="fntag144"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote144'><sup>144</sup></a> picture of the Battle of Porus,
+  without entering into the character of that fierce gallant
+  man,<a name='fntag145' id="fntag145"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote145'><sup>145</sup></a> and being accordingly spurred
+  to an emulation of his constancy and courage? When he is falling
+  with his wound, the features are at the same time very terrible
+  and languishing; and there is such a stern faintness <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page75' title='75' id="page75"></a>diffused
+  through his look, as is apt to move a kind of horror, as well as
+  pity, in the beholder. This, I say, is an effect wrought by mere
+  lights and shades; consider also a representation made by words
+  only, as in an account given by a good writer: Catiline in
+  Sallust makes just such a figure as Porus by Le Brun. It is said
+  of him, 'Catilina vero longe a suis inter hostium cadavera
+  repertus est; paululum etiam spirans, ferocitatemque animi quam
+  vivus habuerat in vultu retinens.'<a name='fntag146' id=
+  "fntag146"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote146'><sup>146</sup></a> ('Catiline was found killed far
+  from his own men among the dead bodies of the enemy: he seemed
+  still to breathe, and still retained in his face the same
+  fierceness he had when he was living.') You have in that one
+  sentence, a lively impression of his whole life and actions. What
+  I would insinuate from all this, is, that if the painter and the
+  historian can do thus much in colours and language, what may not
+  be performed by an excellent poet, when the character he draws is
+  presented by the person, the manner, the look, and the motion, of
+  an accomplished player? If a thing painted or related can
+  irresistibly enter our hearts, what may not be brought to pass by
+  seeing generous things performed before our eyes?" Eugenio ended
+  his discourse, by recommending the apt use of a theatre, as the
+  most agreeable and easy method of making a polite and moral
+  gentry, which would end in rendering the rest of the people
+  regular in their behaviour, and ambitious of laudable
+  undertakings.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Naples of the 9th instant, N.S., advise, that
+  Cardinal Grimani had ordered the regiment commanded by General
+  Pate to march towards Final, in <a class="pagenum" name='page76'
+  title='76' id="page76"></a>order to embark for Catalonia, whither
+  also a thousand horse are to be transported from Sardinia,
+  besides the troops which come from the Milanese. An English
+  man-of-war has taken two prizes, one a vessel of Malta, the other
+  of Genoa, both laden with goods of the enemy. They write from
+  Florence of the 13th, that his Majesty of Denmark had received a
+  courier from the Hague, with an account of some matters relating
+  to the treaty of a peace; upon which he declared, that he thought
+  it necessary to hasten to his own dominions.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Switzerland inform us, that the effects of the
+  great scarcity of corn in France were felt at Geneva; the
+  magistrates of which city had appointed deputies to treat with
+  the cantons of Berne and Zurich, for leave to buy up such
+  quantities of grain within their territories as should be thought
+  necessary. The Protestants of Tockenburg are still in arms about
+  the convent of St. John, and have declared, that they will not
+  lay them down, till they shall have sufficient security from the
+  Roman Catholics, of living unmolested in the exercise of their
+  religion. In the meantime the deputies of Berne and Tockenburg
+  have frequent conferences at Zurich, with the regency of that
+  canton, to find out methods for the quieting these disorders.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 3rd of May advise, that the
+  President Rouill�, after his last conference with the deputies of
+  the States, had retired to Bodegrave, five miles distant from
+  Worden, and expected the return of a courier from France on the
+  4th, with new instructions. It is said, if his answer from the
+  French Court shall not prove satisfactory, he will be desired to
+  withdraw out of these parts. In the meantime it is also reported,
+  that his equipage, as an ambassador on this great occasion, is
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page77' title='77' id=
+  "page77"></a>actually on the march towards him. They write from
+  Flanders, that the great convoy of provisions, which set out from
+  Ghent, is safely arrived at Lille. Those advices add, that the
+  enemy had assembled near Tournay a considerable body of troops
+  drawn out of the neighbouring garrisons. Their high mightinesses
+  having sent orders to their Ministers at Hamburg and Dantzic, to
+  engage the magistrates of those cities to forbid the sale of corn
+  to the French, and to signify to them, that the Dutch merchants
+  will buy up as much of that commodity as they can spare, the
+  Hamburgers have accordingly contracted with the Dutch, and
+  refused any commerce with the French on that occasion.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment.</h3>
+
+  <p>After the lassitude of a day spent in the strolling manner,
+  which is usual with men of pleasure in this town, and with a head
+  full of a million of impertinences, which had danced round it for
+  ten hours together, I came to my lodging, and hastened to bed. My
+  <i>valet-de-chambre</i><a name='fntag147' id=
+  "fntag147"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote147'><sup>147</sup></a> knows my University trick of
+  reading there; and he being: a good scholar for a gentleman, ran
+  over the names of Horace, Tibullus, Ovid, and others, to know
+  which I would have. "Bring Virgil," said I, "and if I fall
+  asleep, take care of the candle." I read the sixth book over with
+  the most exquisite delight, and had gone half through it a second
+  time, when the pleasing ideas of Elysian Fields, deceased
+  worthies walking in them, sincere lovers enjoying their
+  languishment without pain, compassion for the unhappy spirits who
+  had misspent their short daylight, and were exiled from the seats
+  of bliss for ever; I say, I was deep again in my reading, when
+  this mixture of <a class="pagenum" name='page78' title='78' id=
+  "page78"></a>images had taken place of all others in my
+  imagination before, and lulled me into a dream, from which I am
+  just awake, to my great disadvantage. The happy mansions of
+  Elysium by degrees seemed to be wafted from me, and the very
+  traces of my late waking thoughts began to fade away, when I was
+  cast by a sudden whirlwind upon an island, encompassed with a
+  roaring and troubled sea, which shaked its very centre, and
+  rocked its inhabitants as in a cradle. The islanders lay on their
+  faces, without offering to look up, or hope for preservation; all
+  her harbours were crowded with mariners, and tall vessels of war
+  lay in danger of being driven to pieces on her shores. "Bless
+  me!" said I, "why have I lived in such a manner that the
+  convulsion of nature should be so terrible to me, when I feel in
+  myself, that the better part of me is to survive it? Oh! may that
+  be in happiness." A sudden shriek, in which the whole people on
+  their faces joined, interrupted my soliloquy, and turned my eyes
+  and attention to the object which had given us that sudden start,
+  in the midst of an inconsolable and speechless affliction.
+  Immediately the winds grew calm, the waves subsided, and the
+  people stood up, turning their faces upon a magnificent pile in
+  the midst of the island. There we beheld an hero of a comely and
+  erect aspect, but pale and languid, sitting under a canopy of
+  state. By the faces and dumb sorrow of those who attended we
+  thought him in the article of death. At a distance sat a lady,
+  whose life seemed to hang upon the same thread with his: she kept
+  her eyes fixed upon him, and seemed to smother ten thousand
+  thousand nameless things, which urged her tenderness to clasp him
+  in her arms: but her greatness of spirit overcame those
+  sentiments, and gave her power to forbear disturbing his last
+  moment; which immediately approached. The hero looked up with an
+  air of negligence, and satiety <a class="pagenum" name='page79'
+  title='79' id="page79"></a>of being, rather than of pain to leave
+  it; and leaning back his head, expired.<a name='fntag148' id=
+  "fntag148"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote148'><sup>148</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>When the heroine, who sat at a distance, saw his last instant
+  come, she threw herself at his feet, and kneeling, pressed his
+  hand to her lips; in which posture she continued under the agony
+  of an unutterable sorrow, till conducted from our sight by her
+  attendants. That commanding awe, which accompanies the grief of
+  great minds, restrained the multitude while in her presence; but
+  as soon as she retired, they gave way to their distraction, and
+  all the islanders called upon their deceased hero. To him,
+  methought, they cried out, as to a guardian being, and I gathered
+  from their broken accents, that it was he who had the empire over
+  the ocean and its powers, by which he had long protected the
+  island from shipwreck and invasion. They now give a loose to
+  their moan, and think themselves exposed without hopes of human
+  or divine assistance. While the people ran wild, and expressed
+  all the different forms of lamentation, methought a sable cloud
+  overshadowed the whole land, and covered its inhabitants with
+  darkness: no glimpse of light appeared, except one ray from
+  heaven upon the place in which the heroine now secluded herself
+  from the world, with her eyes fixed on those abodes to which her
+  consort was ascended.<a name='fntag149' id=
+  "fntag149"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote149'><sup>149</sup></a> Methought, a long period of
+  time had passed away in mourning and in darkness, when a twilight
+  began by degrees to enlighten the hemisphere; and looking round
+  me, I saw a boat rowed towards the shore, in which <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page80' title='80' id="page80"></a>sat a
+  personage adorned with warlike trophies, bearing on his left arm
+  a shield, on which was engraven the image of Victory, and in his
+  right hand a branch of olive. His visage was at once so winning
+  and so awful, that the shield and the olive seemed equally
+  suitable to his genius.</p>
+
+  <p>When this illustrious person<a name='fntag150' id=
+  "fntag150"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote150'><sup>150</sup></a> touched on the shore, he was
+  received by the acclamations of the people, and followed to the
+  palace of the heroine. No pleasure in the glory of her arms, or
+  the acclamations of her applauding subjects, were ever capable to
+  suspend her sorrow for one moment, until she saw the olive branch
+  in the hand of that auspicious messenger. At that sight, as
+  Heaven bestows its blessings on the wants and importunities of
+  mortals, out of its native bounty, and not to increase its own
+  power, or honour, in compassion to the world, the celestial
+  mourner was then first seen to turn her regard to things below;
+  and taking the branch out of the warrior's hand, looked at it
+  with much satisfaction, and spoke of the blessings of peace, with
+  a voice and accent, such as that in which guardian spirits
+  whisper to dying penitents assurances of happiness. The air was
+  hushed, the multitude attentive, and all nature in a pause, while
+  she was speaking. But as soon as the messenger of peace had made
+  some low reply, in which, methought, I heard the word Iberia, the
+  heroine assuming a more severe air, but such as spoke resolution,
+  without rage, returned him the olive, and again veiled her face.
+  Loud cries and clashing of arms immediately followed, which
+  forced me from my charming vision, and drove me back to these
+  mansions of care and sorrow.<a name='fntag151' id=
+  "fntag151"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote151'><sup>151</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag143'>[143]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote143' id="footnote143"></a>A very coarse
+      play by Edward Ravenscroft, produced in 1682, and often acted
+      on Lord Mayors' days and other holidays.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag144'>[144]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote144' id="footnote144"></a>Charles Le
+      Brun, who was born in 1619, and died in 1690, was the son of
+      a sculptor, of Scotch extraction. Under Colbert's patronage
+      he founded the Academy of Painting and Sculpture, at Paris,
+      and he received many honours from Louis XIV. Le Brun's
+      painting of the Defeat of Porus is 16 feet high and 39 feet 5
+      inches long.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag145'>[145]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote145' id="footnote145"></a>Porus was an
+      Indian king who was defeated and put to death by Alexander
+      the Great. See Q. Curtius, viii. 12, 14.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag146'>[146]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote146' id="footnote146"></a>"Bell. Catil."
+      cap. 61.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag147'>[147]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote147' id="footnote147"></a>Steele seems to
+      have forgotten that he was Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., and had
+      only an old maid-servant. (Nichols.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag148'>[148]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote148' id="footnote148"></a>Prince George
+      of Denmark, the consort of Queen Anne, died on October 21,
+      1708, after a few days' illness. This dream gives a picture
+      of the state of England from his death until the conclusion
+      of the negotiations at the Hague in 1709.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag149'>[149]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote149' id="footnote149"></a>The mourning of
+      Queen Anne was so long that the manufacturers remonstrated,
+      and secured a limit to the duration of public mournings.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag150'>[150]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote150' id="footnote150"></a>About this time
+      the D[uke]. of M[arlborough]. returned from Holland with the
+      preliminaries of a peace.&#8212;(Steele.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag151'>[151]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote151' id="footnote151"></a>"Mr.
+      Bickerstaff thanks Mr. Quarterstaff for his kind and
+      instructive letter dated the 26th instant" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number9' id="number9"></a><a class="pagenum" name=
+    'page81' title='81' id="page81"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 9.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, April 28</i>, to <i>Saturday, April
+    30</i>, 1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, April 28.</h3>
+
+  <p>This evening we were entertained with "The Old
+  Bachelor,"<a name='fntag152' id="fntag152"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote152'><sup>152</sup></a> a comedy of deserved
+  reputation. In the character which gives name to the play, there
+  is excellently represented the reluctance of a battered debauchee
+  to come into the trammels of order and decency: he neither
+  languishes nor burns, but frets for love. The gentlemen of more
+  regular behaviour are drawn with much spirit and wit, and the
+  drama introduced by the dialogue of the first scene with
+  uncommon, yet natural conversation. The part of Fondlewife is a
+  lively image of the unseasonable fondness of age and impotence.
+  But instead of such agreeable works as these, the town has this
+  half age been tormented with insects called "easy writers," whose
+  abilities Mr. Wycherley one day described excellently well in one
+  word: "That," said he, "among these fellows is called easy
+  writing, which any one may easily write." Such jaunty scribblers
+  are so justly laughed at for their sonnets on Phillis and
+  Chloris, and fantastical descriptions in them, that an ingenious
+  kinsman of mine,<a name='fntag153' id="fntag153"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote153'><sup>153</sup></a> of the family of the
+  Staffs, Mr. Humphrey Wagstaff by name, has, to avoid their
+  strain, run into a way perfectly new, and described things
+  exactly as they happen: he never forms fields, or nymphs, or
+  groves, where they are not, but makes the incidents just as they
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page82' title='82' id=
+  "page82"></a>really appear. For an example of it; I stole out of
+  his manuscript the following lines: they are a Description of the
+  Morning, but of the morning in town; nay, of the morning at this
+  end of the town, where my kinsman at present lodges.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Now hardly here and there an hackney coach
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Appearing, showed the ruddy morn's approach.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Now Betty from her master's bed had flown,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And softly stole to discompose her own.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The slipshod 'prentice from his master's door,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Had pared the street, and sprinkled round the floor.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Now Moll had whirled her mop with dext'rous airs,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Prepared to scrub the entry and the stairs.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The youth with broomy stumps began to trace
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The kennel edge, where wheels had worn the place.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The smallcoal-man was heard with cadence deep,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Till drowned in shriller notes of chimney-sweep.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Duns at his lordship's gate began to meet;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And Brickdust Moll had screamed through half a street;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The turnkey now his flock returning sees,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Duly let out at nights to steal for fees.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The watchful bailiffs take their silent stands;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And schoolboys lag with satchels in their hands.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>All that I apprehend is, that dear Numps will be angry I have
+  published these lines; not that he has any reason to be ashamed
+  of them, but for fear of those rogues, the bane to all excellent
+  performances, the imitators. Therefore, beforehand, I bar all
+  descriptions of the evenings; as, a medley of verses signifying,
+  grey-peas are now cried warm: that wenches now begin to amble
+  round the passages of the playhouse: or of noon; as, that fine
+  ladies and great beaux are just yawning out of their beds and
+  windows in Pall Mall, and so forth. I forewarn also all <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page83' title='83' id="page83"></a>persons from
+  encouraging any draughts after my cousin; and foretell any man
+  who shall go about to imitate him, that he will be very insipid.
+  The family stock is embarked in this design, and we will not
+  admit of counterfeits: Dr. Anderson<a name='fntag154' id=
+  "fntag154"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote154'><sup>154</sup></a> and his heirs enjoy his pills,
+  Sir. William Read<a name='fntag155' id="fntag155"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote155'><sup>155</sup></a> has the cure of eyes,
+  and Monsieur Rozelli<a name='fntag156' id=
+  "fntag156"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote156'><sup>156</sup></a> can only cure the gout. We
+  pretend to none of these things; but to examine who and who are
+  together, to tell any mistaken man he is not what he believes he
+  is, to distinguish merit, and expose false pretences to it, is a
+  liberty our family has by law in them, from an intermarriage with
+  a daughter of Mr. Scoggan,<a name='fntag157' id=
+  "fntag157"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote157'><sup>157</sup></a> the famous droll of the last
+  century. This right I design to make use of; but will not
+  encroach upon <a class="pagenum" name='page84' title='84' id=
+  "page84"></a>the above-mentioned adepts, or any other. At the
+  same time I shall take all the privileges I may, as an
+  Englishman, and will lay hold of the late Act of
+  Naturalisation<a name='fntag158' id="fntag158"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote158'><sup>158</sup></a> to introduce what I shall
+  think fit from France. The use of that law may, I hope, be
+  extended to people the polite world with new characters, as well
+  as the kingdom itself with new subjects. Therefore an author of
+  that nation, called La Bruy�re, I shall make bold with on such
+  occasions. The last person I read of in that writer, was Lord
+  Timon.<a name='fntag159' id="fntag159"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote159'><sup>159</sup></a> Timon, says my author, is the
+  most generous of all men; but is so hurried away with that strong
+  impulse of bestowing, that he confers benefits without
+  distinction, and is munificent without laying obligations. For
+  all the unworthy, who receive from him, <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page85' title='85' id="page85"></a>have so little sense of this
+  noble infirmity, that they look upon themselves rather as
+  partners in a spoil, than partakers of a bounty. The other day,
+  coming into Paris, I met Timon going out on horseback, attended
+  only by one servant. It struck me with a sudden damp, to see a
+  man of so excellent a disposition, and that understood making a
+  figure so very well, so much shortened in his retinue. But
+  passing by his house, I saw his great coach break to pieces
+  before his door, and by a strange enchantment, immediately turned
+  into many different vehicles. The first was a very pretty
+  chariot, into which stepped his lordship's secretary. The second
+  was hung a little heavier; into that strutted the fat steward. In
+  an instant followed a chaise, which was entered by the butler.
+  The rest of the body and wheels were forthwith changed into
+  go-carts, and ran away with by the nurses and brats of the rest
+  of the family. What makes these misfortunes in the affairs of
+  Timon the more astonishing, is, that he has a better
+  understanding than those who cheat him; so that a man knows not
+  which more to wonder at, the indifference of the master, or the
+  impudence of the servant.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, April 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is matter of much speculation among the beaux and oglers,
+  what it is that can have made so sudden a change, as has been of
+  late observed, in the whole behaviour of Pastorella, who never
+  sat still a moment till she was eighteen, which she has now
+  exceeded by two months. Her aunt, who has the care of her, has
+  not been always so rigid as she is at this present date; but has
+  so good a sense of the frailty of woman, and falsehood of man,
+  that she resolved on all manner of methods to keep Pastorella, if
+  possible, in safety, against herself, and all her admirers. At
+  the same time the good lady knew by long <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page86' title='86' id="page86"></a>experience, that a gay
+  inclination, curbed too rashly, would but run to the greater
+  excesses for that restraint: therefore intended to watch her, and
+  take some opportunity of engaging her insensibly in her own
+  interests, without the anguish of an admonition. You are to know
+  then, that miss, with all her flirting and ogling, had also
+  naturally a strong curiosity in her, and was the greatest
+  eavesdropper breathing. Parisatis (for so her prudent aunt is
+  called) observed this humour, and retires one day to her closet,
+  into which she knew Pastorella would peep, and listen to know how
+  she was employed. It happened accordingly, and the young lady saw
+  her good governante on her knees, and after a mental behaviour,
+  break into these words: "As for the dear child committed to my
+  care, let her sobriety of carriage, and severity of behaviour, be
+  such, as may make that noble lord, who is taken with her beauty,
+  turn his designs to such as are honourable." Here Parisatis heard
+  her niece nestle closer to the keyhole: she then goes on; "Make
+  her the joyful mother of a numerous and wealthy offspring, and
+  let her carriage be such, as may make this noble youth expect the
+  blessings of an happy marriage, from the singularity of her life,
+  in this loose and censorious age." Miss having heard enough,
+  sneaks off for fear of discovery, and immediately at her glass,
+  alters the sitting of her head; then pulls up her tucker,<a name=
+  'fntag160' id="fntag160"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote160'><sup>160</sup></a> and forms herself into the
+  exact manner of Lindamira: in a word, becomes a sincere convert
+  to everything that's commendable in a fine young lady; and two or
+  three such matches as her aunt feigned in her devotions, are at
+  this day in her choice. This is the history and original cause of
+  Pastorella's conversion from coquetry. The prudence <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page87' title='87' id="page87"></a>in the
+  management of this young lady's temper, and good judgment of it,
+  is hardly to be exceeded. I scarce remember a greater instance of
+  forbearance of the usual peevish way with which the aged treat
+  the young, than this, except that of our famous Noye,<a name=
+  'fntag161' id="fntag161"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote161'><sup>161</sup></a> whose good nature went so far,
+  as to make him put off his admonitions to his son, even till
+  after his death; and did not give him his thoughts of him, till
+  he came to read that memorable passage in his will: "All the rest
+  of my estate," says he, "I leave to my son Edward (who is
+  executor to this my will) to be squandered as he shall think fit:
+  I leave it him for that purpose, and hope no better from him." A
+  generous disdain and reflection, upon how little he deserved from
+  so excellent a father, reformed the young man, and made Edward,
+  from an errant rake, become a fine gentleman.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, April 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Portugal of the 18th instant, dated from
+  Estremos, say, that on the 6th the Earl of Galway arrived at that
+  place, and had the satisfaction to see the quarters well
+  furnished with all manner of provisions, and a quantity of bread
+  sufficient for subsisting the troops for sixty days, besides
+  biscuits for twenty-five days. The enemy give out, that they
+  shall bring into the field 14 regiments of horse, and 24
+  battalions. The troops in the service of Portugal will make up
+  14,000 foot, and 4000 <a class="pagenum" name='page88' title='88'
+  id="page88"></a>horse. On the day these letters were despatched,
+  the Earl of Galway received advice, that the Marquis de Bay was
+  preparing for some enterprise, by gathering his troops together
+  on the frontiers. Whereupon his Excellency resolved to go that
+  same night to Villa-Vicosa, to assemble the troops in that
+  neighbourhood, in order to disappoint his designs.</p>
+
+  <p>Yesterday in the evening Captain Foxon, aide-de-camp to
+  Major-General Cadogan, arrived here express from the Duke of
+  Marlborough. And this day a mail is come in, with letters dated
+  from Brussels of the 6th of May, N.S., which advise, that the
+  enemy had drawn together a body, consisting of 20,000 men, with a
+  design, as was supposed, to intercept the great convoy on the
+  march towards Lille, which was safely arrived at Menin and
+  Courtray, in its way to that place, the French having retired
+  without making any attempt.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from the Hague, that a person of the first quality is
+  arrived in the Low Countries from France, in order to be a
+  plenipotentiary in an ensuing treaty of peace.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from France acknowledge, that Monsieur Bernard has
+  made no higher offers of satisfaction to his creditors than of
+  �35 per cent.</p>
+
+  <p>These advices add, that the Marshal Boufflers, Monsieur Torcy
+  (who distinguished himself formerly, by advising the Court of
+  France to adhere to the treaty of partition), and Monsieur
+  d'Harcourt (who negotiated with Cardinal Portocarrero for the
+  succession of the crown of Spain in the House of Bourbon), are
+  all three joined in a commission for a treaty of peace. The
+  Marshal is come to Ghent: the other two are arrived at the
+  Hague.</p>
+
+  <p>It is confidently reported here that the Right Honour<a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page89' title='89' id="page89"></a>able the Lord
+  Townshend is to go with his Grace the Duke of Marlborough into
+  Holland.<a name='fntag162' id="fntag162"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote162'><sup>162</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag152'>[152]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote152' id="footnote152"></a>Congreve's
+      first play, produced in 1693. See also No. 193. This piece is attacked in Jeremy
+      Collier's "Short View of the Profaneness and Immorality of
+      the English Stage," 1698.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag153'>[153]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote153' id="footnote153"></a>Swift.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag154'>[154]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote154' id="footnote154"></a>A Scotch
+      physician in the reigns of Charles I. and Charles II. An
+      advertisement of his "famous Scots Pills" requested the
+      public to beware of counterfeits, especially an ignorant
+      pretender, one Muffen, who kept a china-shop.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag155'>[155]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote155' id="footnote155"></a>"Henley would
+      fain have me to go with Steele and Rowe, &amp;c., to an
+      invitation at Sir William Read's. Surely you have heard of
+      him. He has been a mountebank, and is the Queen's oculist; he
+      makes admirable punch, and treats you in gold vessels. But I
+      am engaged, and won't go; neither indeed am I fond of the
+      jaunt" (Swift's "Journal," April 11, 1711). Read was knighted
+      in 1705, for services done in curing soldiers and sailors of
+      blindness gratis. Beginning life as a tailor, he became Queen
+      Anne's oculist in ordinary, and died in 1715. See
+      <i>Spectator</i>, No. 547.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag156'>[156]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote156' id="footnote156"></a>Rozelli, the
+      inventor of a specific for the gout, died at the Hague. In
+      <a href='#number33'>No. 33</a> was an advertisement of the
+      "Memoirs of the Life and Adventures of Signior Rozelli, at
+      the Hague, giving a particular account of his birth,
+      education, slavery, monastic state, imprisonment in the
+      Inquisition at Rome, and the different figures he has since
+      made, as well in Italy, as in France and Holland.... Done
+      into English from the second edition of the French." This
+      work, like the continuation of 1724, has been wrongly
+      attributed to Defoe. Rozelli advertised in the <i>London
+      Gazette</i>, for July 19, 1709, that the book was entirely
+      fictitious, and a libel upon his character.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag157'>[157]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote157' id="footnote157"></a>We learn from
+      Ben Jonson, that Scoggan, or Skogan, was M.A., and lived in
+      the time of Henry IV. "He made disguises for the King's sons,
+      writ in ballad-royal daintily well, and was regarded and
+      rewarded." Jonson calls him the moral Skogan; and introduces
+      him with Skelton, the poet laureate of Henry VIII., into his
+      Masque, entitled "The Fortunate Isles," where he keeps them
+      in character, and makes them rhyme in their own manner.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag158'>[158]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote158' id="footnote158"></a>7 Anne, cap. 5,
+      was an "Act for naturalising Foreign Protestants." After the
+      preamble, "Whereas many strangers of the Protestant or
+      reformed religion would be induced to transport themselves
+      and their estates into this kingdom, if they might be made
+      partakers of the advantages and privileges which the
+      natural-born subjects thereof do enjoy," it was enacted that
+      all persons taking the oaths, and making and subscribing the
+      declaration appointed by 6 Anne, cap. 23, should be deemed
+      natural-born subjects; but no person was to have the benefit
+      of this Act unless he received the sacrament. The Act was
+      repealed by 10 Anne, c. 5, because "divers mischiefs and
+      inconveniences have been found by experience to follow from
+      the same, to the discouragement of the natural-born subjects
+      of this kingdom, and to the detriment of the trade and wealth
+      thereof."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag159'>[159]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote159' id="footnote159"></a>It has been
+      alleged that there is here an allusion to the Duke of Ormond,
+      whose servants enriched themselves at their master's expense
+      (see <i>Examiner</i>, vol. iii. p. 48). But in the
+      <i>Guardian</i>, No. 53, Steele, writing in his own name,
+      declared that the character of Timon was not disgraceful, and
+      that when he drew it he thought it resembled himself more
+      than any one else.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag160'>[160]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote160' id="footnote160"></a>The tucker, an
+      edging round the top of a low dress, began to be discontinued
+      about 1713, as appears from complaints in the
+      <i>Guardian</i>, <i>passim</i>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag161'>[161]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote161' id="footnote161"></a>"William Noye,
+      of St. Burian in Cornwall, gentleman, was made
+      Attorney-General in 1631; his will is dated June 3, 1634,
+      about a month or six weeks before his death. The expedient
+      did not operate an alteration in his son so altogether
+      favourable; for within two years Edward was slain in a duel
+      by one Captain Byron, who was pardoned for it" (Wood's
+      "Athen. Oxon." 1691, i. 506). Noye's character is drawn in
+      the first book of Clarendon's "History of the Civil War."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag162'>[162]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote162' id="footnote162"></a>"Mr.
+      Bickerstaff has received the epistles of Mrs. Rebecca
+      Wagstaff, Timothy Pikestaff and Wagstaff, which he will
+      acknowledge farther as occasion shall serve" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number10' id="number10"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 10.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>By Mrs.<a name='fntag163' id="fntag163"></a><a class='fn'
+    href='#footnote163'><sup>163</sup></a> JENNY DISTAFF,
+    half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, April 30</i>, to <i>Tuesday, May 3</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 1.</h3>
+
+  <p>My brother Isaac having a sudden occasion to go out of town,
+  ordered me to take upon me the despatch of the next advices from
+  home, with liberty to speak it my own way; not doubting the
+  allowances which would be given to a writer of my sex. You may be
+  sure I undertook it with much satisfaction, and I confess, I am
+  not a little pleased with the opportunity of running over all the
+  papers in his closet, which he has left open for my use on this
+  occasion. The first that I lay my hands on, is, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page90' title='90' id="page90"></a>a treatise
+  concerning "The Empire of Beauty," and the effects it has had in
+  all nations of the world, upon the public and private actions of
+  men; with an appendix, which he calls, "The Bachelor's Scheme for
+  Governing his Wife." The first thing he makes this gentleman
+  propose, is, that she shall be no woman; for she is to have an
+  aversion to balls, to operas, to visits: she is to think his
+  company sufficient to fill up all the hours of life with great
+  satisfaction: she is never to believe any other man wise,
+  learned, or valiant; or at least but in a second degree. In the
+  next place, he intends she shall be a cuckold; but expects, that
+  he himself must live in perfect security from that terror. He
+  dwells a great while on instructions for her discreet behaviour,
+  in case of his falsehood. I have not patience with these
+  unreasonable expectations, therefore turn back to the treatise
+  itself. Here, indeed, my brother deduces all the revolutions
+  among men from the passion of love; and in his preface, answers
+  that usual observation against us, that there is no quarrel
+  without a woman in it, with a gallant assertion, that there is
+  nothing else worth quarrelling for. My brother is of a complexion
+  truly amorous; all his thoughts and actions carry in them a
+  tincture of that obliging inclination; and this turn has opened
+  his eyes to see, we are not the inconsiderable creatures which
+  unlucky pretenders to our favour would insinuate. He observes
+  that no man begins to make any tolerable figure, till he sets out
+  with the hopes of pleasing some one of us. No sooner he takes
+  that in hand, but he pleases every one else by-the-bye. It has an
+  immediate effect upon his behaviour. There is Colonel Ranter, who
+  never spoke without an oath, till he saw the Lady Betty
+  Modish;<a name='fntag164' id="fntag164"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote164'><sup>164</sup></a> now never gives his man an
+  order, <a class="pagenum" name='page91' title='91' id=
+  "page91"></a>but it is, "Pray, Tom, do it." The drawers where he
+  drinks live in perfect happiness. He asked Will at the "George"
+  the other day how he did? Where he used to say, "Damn it, it is
+  so," he now believes there is some mistake: he must confess, he
+  is of another opinion; but however he won't insist.</p>
+
+  <p>Every temper, except downright insipid, is to be animated and
+  softened by the influence of beauty: but of this untractable sort
+  is a lifeless handsome fellow that visits us, whom I have dressed
+  at this twelvemonth; but he is as insensible of all the arts I
+  use, as if he conversed all that time with his nurse. He outdoes
+  our whole sex in all the faults our enemies impute to us; he has
+  brought laziness into an opinion, and makes his indolence his
+  philosophy: insomuch, that no longer ago than yesterday in the
+  evening he gave me this account of himself: "I am, madam,
+  perfectly unmoved at all that passes among men, and seldom give
+  myself the fatigue of going among them; but when I do, I always
+  appear the same thing to those whom I converse with. My hours of
+  existence, or being awake, are from eleven in the morning to
+  eleven at night; half of which I live to myself, in picking my
+  teeth, washing my hands, paring my nails, and looking in the
+  glass. The insignificancy of my manners to the rest of the world
+  makes the laughers call me a <i>quidnunc</i>, a phrase I shall
+  never inquire what they mean by it. The last of me each night is
+  at St. James's Coffee-house, where I converse, yet never fall
+  into a dispute on any occasion, but leave the understanding I
+  have, passive of all that goes through it, without entering into
+  the business of life. <a class="pagenum" name='page92' title='92'
+  id="page92"></a>And thus, madam, have I arrived by laziness, to
+  what others pretend to by devotion, a perfect neglect of the
+  world." Sure, if our sex had the liberty of frequenting
+  public-houses and conversations, we should put these rivals of
+  our faults and follies out of countenance. However, we shall soon
+  have the pleasure of being acquainted with them one way or other,
+  for my brother Isaac designs, for the use of our sex, to give the
+  exact characters of all the chief politicians who frequent any of
+  the coffee-houses from St. James's to the Change; but designs to
+  begin with that cluster of wise heads, as they are found sitting
+  every evening, from the left side of the fire, at the
+  Smyrna,<a name='fntag165' id="fntag165"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote165'><sup>165</sup></a> to the door. This will be of
+  great service for us, and I have authority to promise an exact
+  journal of their deliberations; the publication of which I am to
+  be allowed for pin-money. In the meantime, I cast my eye upon a
+  new book, which gave me a more pleasing entertainment, being a
+  sixth part of "Miscellany Poems," published by Jacob
+  Tonson,<a name='fntag166' id="fntag166"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote166'><sup>166</sup></a> which I find, by my brother's
+  notes upon it, no way inferior to the other volumes. There are,
+  it seems, in this, a collection of the best pastorals that have
+  hitherto appeared in England; but among them, none superior to
+  that dialogue between Sylvia and Dorinda, written by one of my
+  own sex,<a name='fntag167' id="fntag167"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote167'><sup>167</sup></a> where all our little
+  weak<a class="pagenum" name='page93' title='93' id=
+  "page93"></a>nesses are laid open in a manner more just, and
+  with, truer raillery than ever man yet hit upon.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Only this I now discern.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From the things thou'st have me learn;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That womankind's peculiar joys
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From past or present beauties rise.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>But to reassume my first design, there cannot be a greater
+  instance of the command of females, than in the prevailing charms
+  of the heroine in the play which was acted this night, called
+  "All for Love; or, The World Well Lost."<a name='fntag168' id=
+  "fntag168"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote168'><sup>168</sup></a> The enamoured Antony resigns
+  glory and power to the force of the attractive Cleopatra, whose
+  charms were the defence of her diadem, against a people otherwise
+  invincible. It is so natural for women to talk of themselves,
+  that it is to be hoped all my own sex, at least, will pardon me,
+  that I could fall into no other discourse. If we have their
+  favour, we give ourselves very little anxiety for the rest of our
+  readers. I believe I see a sentence of Latin in my brother's
+  day-book of wit, which seems applicable on this occasion, and in
+  contempt of the critics.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        &#8212;Tristitiam et metus
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Tradam protectis in mare Criticum
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Portare ventis.<a name='fntag169' id=
+        "fntag169"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote169'><sup>169</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>But I am interrupted by a packet from Mr. Kidney,<a name=
+  'fntag170' id="fntag170"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote170'><sup>170</sup></a> from the St. James's
+  Coffee-house, which I am obliged to insert in the very style and
+  words which Mr. Kidney uses in his letter.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page94' title='94' id=
+  "page94"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 2.</h3>
+
+  <p>We are advised by letters from Berne, dated the 1st instant,
+  N.S., that the Duke of Berwick arrived at Lyons the 25th of the
+  last month, and continued his journey the next day to visit the
+  passes of the mountains, and other posts in Dauphine and
+  Provence. These letters also informed us, that the miseries of
+  the people in France are heightened to that degree, that unless a
+  peace be speedily concluded, half of that kingdom would perish
+  for want of bread. On the 24th, the Marshal de Thesse passed
+  through Lyons, in his way to Versailles; and two battalions,
+  which were marching from Alsace to reinforce the army of the Duke
+  of Berwick, passed also through that place. Those troops were to
+  be followed by six Battalions more.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Naples of the 16th of April say, that the Marquis
+  de Prie's son was arrived there, with instructions from his
+  father, to signify to the viceroy the necessity his Imperial
+  Majesty was under, of desiring an aid from that kingdom, for
+  carrying on the extraordinary expenses of the war. On the 14th of
+  the same month, they made a review of the Spanish troops in that
+  garrison, and afterwards of the marines; one part of whom will
+  embark with those designed for Barcelona, and the rest are to be
+  sent on board the galleys appointed to convoy provisions to that
+  place.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from Rome, by letters dated the 20th of April, that
+  the Count de Mellos, envoy from the King of Portugal, had made
+  his public entry into that city with much state and magnificence.
+  The Pope has lately held two other consistories, wherein he made
+  a promotion of two cardinals; but the acknowledgment of King
+  Charles is still deferred.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page95' title='95' id=
+  "page95"></a>Letters from other parts of Italy advise us, that
+  the Doge of Venice continues dangerously ill: that the Prince de
+  Carignan, having relapsed into a violent fever, died the 23rd of
+  April, in his 80th year.</p>
+
+  <p>Advices from Vienna of the 27th of April import, that the
+  Archbishop of Saltzburg is dead, who is succeeded by Count
+  Harrach, formerly Bishop of Vienna, and for these last three
+  years coadjutor to the said Archbishop; and that Prince
+  Maximilian of Lichtenstein has likewise departed this life, at
+  his country seat called Cromaw in Moravia. These advices add,
+  that the Emperor has named Count Zinzendorf, Count Goes, and
+  Monsieur Consbruck, for his plenipotentiaries in an ensuing
+  treaty of peace; and they hear from Hungary, that the
+  Imperialists have had several successful skirmishes with the
+  malcontents.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Paris, dated May the 6th, say, that the Marshal
+  de Thesse arrived there on the 29th of the last month; and that
+  the Chevalier de Beuil was sent thither by Don Pedro Ronquillo
+  with advice, that the confederate squadron appeared before
+  Alicante the 17th, and having for some time cannonaded the city,
+  endeavoured to land some troops for the relief of the castle; but
+  General Stanhope finding the passes well guarded, and the
+  enterprise dangerous, demanded to capitulate for the castle;
+  which being granted him, the garrison, consisting of 600 regular
+  troops, marched out with their arms and baggage the day
+  following; and being received on board, they immediately set sail
+  for Barcelona. These letters add, that the march of the French
+  and Swiss regiments is further deferred for a few days; and that
+  the Duke of Noailles was just ready to set out for Roussillon, as
+  well as the Count de Bezons for Catalonia.</p>
+
+  <p>The same advices say, bread was sold at Paris for 6d.
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page96' title='96' id="page96"></a>per
+  pound; and that there was not half enough, even at that rate, to
+  supply the necessities of the people, which reduced them to the
+  utmost despair; that 300 men had taken up arms, and having
+  plundered the market of the suburb St. Germain, pressed down by
+  their multitude the King's Guards who opposed them. Two of those
+  mutineers were afterwards seized, and condemned to death; but
+  four others went to the magistrate who pronounced that sentence,
+  and told him, he must expect to answer with his own life for
+  those of their comrades. All order and sense of government being
+  thus lost among the enraged people, to keep up a show of
+  authority, the captain of the Guards, who saw all their
+  insolence, pretended, that he had represented to the King their
+  deplorable condition, and had obtained their pardon. It is
+  further reported, that the Dauphin and Duchess of Burgundy, as
+  they went to the Opera, were surrounded by crowds of people, who
+  upbraided them with their neglect of the general calamity, in
+  going to diversions, when the whole people were ready to perish
+  for want of bread. Edicts are daily published to suppress these
+  riots, and papers, with menaces against the Government, are
+  publicly thrown about. Among others, these words were dropped in
+  a court of justice: "France wants a Ravilliac or a Jesuit to
+  deliver her." Besides this universal distress, there is a
+  contagious sickness, which, it is feared, will end in a
+  pestilence. Letters from Bordeaux bring accounts no less
+  lamentable: the peasants are driven by hunger from their abodes
+  into that city, and make lamentations in the streets without
+  redress.</p>
+
+  <p>We are advised by letters from the Hague, dated the 10th
+  instant, N.S., that on the 6th, the Marquis de Torcy arrived
+  there from Paris; but the passport, by which he came, having been
+  sent blank by Monsieur Rouill�, he <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page97' title='97' id="page97"></a>was there two days before his
+  quality was known. That Minister offered to communicate to
+  Monsieur Heinsius the proposals which he had to make; but the
+  pensionary refused to see them, and said, he would signify it to
+  the States, who deputed some of their own body to acquaint him,
+  That they would enter into no negotiation till the arrival of his
+  Grace the Duke of Marlborough, and the other Ministers of the
+  Alliance. Prince Eugene was expected there the 12th instant from
+  Brussels. It is said, that besides Monsieur de Torcy and Monsieur
+  Pajot, Director-general of the Posts, there are two or three
+  persons at the Hague whose names are not known; but it is
+  supposed that the Duke d'Alba, ambassador from the Duke of Anjou,
+  was one of them. The States have sent letters to all the cities
+  of the Provinces, desiring them to send their deputies to receive
+  the propositions of peace made by the Court of France.<a name=
+  'fntag171' id="fntag171"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote171'><sup>171</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag163'>[163]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote163' id="footnote163"></a>The word "Miss"
+      was still confined, in Steele's day, to very young girls or
+      to young women of giddy or doubtful character. Thus
+      Pastorella in <a href='#number9'>No. 9</a> is called "Miss,"
+      and similarly we find "Miss Gruel" in <a href='#number33'>No.
+      33</a>. In the "Original Letters to the <i>Tatler</i> and
+      <i>Spectator</i>," printed by Charles Lillie (i. 223) there
+      is a "Table of the Titles and Distinctions of Women," from
+      which what follows is extracted. "Let all
+      country-gentlewomen, without regard to more or less fortune,
+      content themselves with being addressed by the style of
+      'Mrs.' Let 'Madam' govern independently in the city, &amp;c.
+      Let no women after the known age of 21 presume to admit of
+      her being called 'Miss,' unless she can fairly prove she is
+      not out of her sampler. Let every common maid-servant be
+      plain 'Jane,' 'Doll,' or 'Sue,' and let the better-born and
+      higher-placed be distinguished by 'Mrs. Patience,' 'Mrs.
+      Prue,' or 'Mrs. Abigail.'"</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag164'>[164]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote164' id="footnote164"></a>Perhaps there
+      is here an illusion to Mrs. Anne Oldfield (died 1730), and
+      Brigadier-General Charles Churchill, brother of the Duke of
+      Marlborough. Mrs. Oldfield acted as Lady Betty Modish in
+      Cibber's "Careless Husband," a part which was not only
+      written for, but copied from her. Her son by Churchill
+      married Lady Mary Walpole.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag165'>[165]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote165' id="footnote165"></a>A coffee-house
+      in Pall Mall. Swift and Prior frequented it: "Prior and I
+      came away at nine, and sat at the Smyrna till eleven
+      receiving acquaintance." "I walked a little in the Park till
+      Prior made me go with him to the Smyrna
+      Coffee-house."&#8212;("Journal to Stella," Oct. 15, 1710;
+      Feb. 19, 1711.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag166'>[166]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote166' id="footnote166"></a>The sixth and
+      last volume of the "Dryden" Miscellany Poems was published by
+      Tonson in 1709. The elder Tonson, who was founder and
+      secretary of the Kit Cat Club, died in 1736.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag167'>[167]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote167' id="footnote167"></a>By Elizabeth
+      Singer, who became Mrs. Rowe in 1710, and died in 1737.
+      Besides poems which gained for her the friendship of Prior,
+      Dr. Watts, and Bishop Ken, she published "Friendship in
+      Death, in twenty letters from the Dead to the Living," and
+      "Letters Moral and Entertaining."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag168'>[168]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote168' id="footnote168"></a>Dryden's
+      version of "Antony and Cleopatra" was produced in 1673.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag169'>[169]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote169' id="footnote169"></a>Horace, 1 Od.
+      xxvi. 2. The joke consists in Mrs. Jenny Distaff mistaking
+      Horace's "Creticum" for "Criticum," and so misapplying the
+      passage.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag170'>[170]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote170' id="footnote170"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number1'>No. 1</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag171'>[171]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote171' id="footnote171"></a>"In the absence
+      of Mr. Bickerstaff, Mrs. Distaff has received Mr. Nathaniel
+      Broomstick's letter" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number11' id="number11"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 11.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday May 3,</i> to <i>Thursday, May 5</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 3.</h3>
+
+  <p>A kinsman<a name='fntag172' id="fntag172"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote172'><sup>172</sup></a> has sent me a letter,
+  wherein he informs me, he had lately resolved to write an heroic
+  poem, but by business had been interrupted, and has only made one
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page98' title='98' id=
+  "page98"></a>similitude, which he should be afflicted to have
+  wholly lost, and begs of me to apply it to something, being very
+  desirous to see it well placed in the world. I am so willing to
+  help the distressed, that I have taken it in; but though his
+  greater genius might very well distinguish his verses from mine,
+  I have marked where his begin. His lines are a description of the
+  sun in eclipse, which I know nothing more like than a brave man
+  in sorrow, who bears it as he should, without imploring the pity
+  of his friends, or being dejected with the contempt of his
+  enemies. As in the case of Cato:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        When all the globe to C�sar's fortune bowed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Cato alone his empire disallowed;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        With inborn strength alone opposed mankind,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        With heaven in view, to all below it blind:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Regardless of his friend's applause, or moan,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Alone triumphant, since he falls alone.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Thus when the Ruler of the genial day,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Behind some darkening planet forms his way,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Desponding mortals, with officious care,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The concave drum, and magic brass prepare;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Implore him to sustain the important fight,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And save depending worlds from endless night.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Fondly they hope their labour may avail,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To ease his conflict, and assist his toil.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Whilst he in beams of native splendour bright, }
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        (Though dark his orb appear to human sight) }
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Shines to the gods with more diffusive light. }
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To distant stars with equal glory burns,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Inflames their lamps, and feeds their golden urns.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Sure to retain his known superior tract,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And proves the more illustrious by defect."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page99' title='99' id=
+  "page99"></a>This is a very lively image; but I must take the
+  liberty to say, my kinsman drives the sun a little like Pha�ton:
+  he has all the warmth of Ph&#339;bus, but won't stay for his
+  direction of it. Avail and toil, defect and tract, will never do
+  for rhymes. But, however, he has the true spirit in him; for
+  which reason I was willing to entertain anything he pleased to
+  send me. The subject which he writes upon, naturally raises great
+  reflections in the soul, and puts us in mind of the mixed
+  condition which we mortals are to support; which, as it varies to
+  good or bad, adorns or defaces our actions to the beholders: All
+  which glory and shame must end in what we so much repine at,
+  death. But doctrines on this occasion, any other than that of
+  living well, are the most insignificant and most empty of all the
+  labours of men. None but a tragedian can die by rule, and wait
+  till he discovers a plot, or says a fine thing upon his exit. In
+  real life, this is a chimera; and by noble spirits, it will be
+  done decently, without the ostentation of it. We see men of all
+  conditions and characters go through it with equal resolution:
+  and if we consider the speeches of the mighty philosophers,
+  heroes, law-givers, and great captains, they can produce no more
+  in a discerning spirit, than rules to make a man a fop on his
+  death-bed. Commend me to that natural greatness of soul,
+  expressed by an innocent, and consequently resolute, country
+  fellow, who said in the pains of the colic, "If I once get this
+  breath out of my body, you shall hang me before you put it in
+  again." Honest Ned! and so he died.<a name='fntag173' id=
+  "fntag173"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote173'><sup>173</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>But it is to be supposed, from this place you may expect an
+  account of such a thing as a new play is not to be omitted. That
+  acted this night is the newest that ever <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page100' title='100' id="page100"></a>was writ. The author is my
+  ingenious friend Mr. Thomas D&#8212;&#8212;y. The drama is
+  called, "The Modern Prophets,"<a name='fntag174' id=
+  "fntag174"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote174'><sup>174</sup></a> and is a most unanswerable
+  satire against the late spirit of enthusiasm. The writer had by
+  long experience observed, that in company, very grave discourses
+  have been followed by bawdry; and therefore has turned the humour
+  that way with great success, and taken from his audience all
+  manner of superstition, by the agitations of pretty Mrs.
+  Bignell,<a name='fntag175' id="fntag175"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote175'><sup>175</sup></a> whom he has, with great
+  subtlety, made a lay-sister, as well as a prophetess; by which
+  means, she carries on the affairs of both worlds with great
+  success. My friend designs to go on with another work against
+  winter, which he intends to call, "The Modern Poets"; a people no
+  less mistaken in their opinions of being inspired than the other.
+  In order to this, he has by him seven songs, besides many
+  ambiguities, which cannot be mistaken for anything but what he
+  means them. Mr. D&#8212;&#8212;y generally writes state-plays,
+  and is wonderfully useful to the world in such representations.
+  This method is the same that was used by old Athenians, to laugh
+  out of countenance, or promote opinions among the people. My
+  friend has therefore, against this play is acted for his own
+  benefit, made two dances, which may be also of an universal
+  benefit. In the first he has represenced absolute power, in the
+  person of a tall man with a hat and feather, who gives his first
+  minister, that stands just before him, a huge kick: the minister
+  gives the kick to the next before; and so to the end of the
+  stage. In this moral and practical jest, you <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page101' title='101' id="page101"></a>are made to
+  understand, that there is, in an absolute government, no
+  gratification, but giving the kick you receive from one above you
+  to one below you. This is performed to a grave and melancholy
+  air; but on a sudden the tune moves quicker, and the whole
+  company fall into a circle and take hands; then, at a certain
+  sharp note, they move round, and kick as kick can. This latter
+  performance he makes to be the representation of a free state;
+  where, if you all mind your steps, you may go round and round
+  very jollily, with a motion pleasant to yourselves and those you
+  dance with: nay, if you put yourselves out, at the worst you only
+  kick, and are kicked, like friends and equals.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 4.</h3>
+
+  <p>Of all the vanities under the sun, I confess, that of being
+  proud of one's birth is the greatest. At the same time, since in
+  this unreasonable age, by the force of prevailing custom, things
+  in which men have no hand are imputed to them; and that I am used
+  by some people, as if Isaac Bickerstaff, though I write myself
+  "Esquire," was nobody: to set the world right in that particular,
+  I shall give you my genealogy, as a kinsman of ours has sent it
+  me from the Heralds' Office. It is certain, and observed by the
+  wisest writers, that there are women who are not nicely chaste,
+  and men not severely honest in all families; therefore let those
+  who may be apt to raise aspersions upon ours, please to give us
+  as impartial an account of their own, and we shall be satisfied.
+  The business of heralds is a matter of so great nicety, that to
+  avoid mistakes, I shall give you my cousin's letter verbatim,
+  without altering a syllable.<a name='fntag176' id=
+  "fntag176"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote176'><sup>176</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page102' title='102' id=
+  "page102"></a>DEAR COUSIN,</p>
+
+  <p>"Since you have been pleased to make yourself so famous of
+  late, by your ingenious writings, and some time ago by your
+  learned Predictions: since Partridge, of immortal memory, is dead
+  and gone, who, poetical as he was, could not understand his own
+  poetry; and philomathical as he was, could not read his own
+  destiny: since the Pope, the King of France, and great part of
+  his Court, are either literally or metaphorically defunct: since,
+  I say, these things (not foretold by any one but yourself) have
+  come to pass after so surprising a manner; it is with no small
+  concern I see the original of the Staffian race so little known
+  in the world as it is at this time; for which reason, as you have
+  employed your studies in astronomy and the occult sciences, so I,
+  my mother being a Welsh woman, dedicated mine to genealogy,
+  particularly that of our own family, which, for its antiquity and
+  number, may challenge any in Great Britain. The Staffs are
+  originally of Staffordshire, which took its name from them: the
+  first that I find of the Staffs was one Jacobstaff, a famous and
+  renowned astronomer, who by Dorothy his wife, had issue seven
+  sons; viz., Bickerstaff, Longstaff, Wagstaff, Quarterstaff,
+  Whitestaff, Falstaff, and Tipstaff. He also had a younger brother
+  who was twice married, and had five sons; viz., Distaff,
+  Pikestaff, Mopstaff, Broomstaff, and Raggedstaff. As for the
+  branch from whence you <a class="pagenum" name='page103' title=
+  '103' id="page103"></a>spring, I shall say very little of it,
+  only that it is the chief of the Staffs, and called Bickerstaff,
+  <i>quasi</i> Biggerstaff; as much as to say, the great staff, or
+  staff of staffs; and that it has applied itself to astronomy with
+  great success, after the example of our aforesaid forefather. The
+  descendants from Longstaff, the second son, were a rakish
+  disorderly sort of people, and rambled from one place to another,
+  till in Harry II.'s time they settled in Kent, and were called
+  Long-tails, from the long tails which were sent them as a
+  punishment for the murder of Thomas-�-Becket, as the legends say;
+  they have been always sought after by the ladies; but whether it
+  be to show their aversion to popery, or their love to miracles, I
+  can't say. The Wagstaffs are a merry thoughtless sort of people,
+  who have always been opinionated of their own wit; they have
+  turned themselves mostly to poetry. This is the most numerous
+  branch of our family, and the poorest. The Quarterstaffs are most
+  of them prize-fighters or deer-stealers. There have been so many
+  of them hanged lately, that there are very few of that branch of
+  our family left. The Whitestaffs<a name='fntag177' id=
+  "fntag177"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote177'><sup>177</sup></a> are all courtiers, and have had
+  very considerable places: there have been some of them of that
+  strength and dexterity, that five hundred of the ablest men in
+  the kingdom<a name='fntag178' id="fntag178"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote178'><sup>178</sup></a> have often tugged in vain
+  to pull a staff out of their hands. The Falstaffs are strangely
+  given to whoring and drinking: there are abundance of them in and
+  about London. And one thing is very remarkable of this branch,
+  and that is, there are just as many women as men in it. There was
+  a wicked stick of wood of this name in Harry IV.'s time, one Sir
+  John Falstaff. As for Tipstaff, the youngest son, he was
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page104' title='104' id="page104"></a>an
+  honest fellow; but his sons, and his sons' sons, have all of them
+  been the veriest rogues living: it is this unlucky branch has
+  stocked the nation with that swarm of lawyers, attorneys,
+  serjeants, and bailiffs, with which the nation is overrun.
+  Tipstaff, being a seventh son, used to cure the king's evil; but
+  his rascally descendants are so far from having that healing
+  quality, that by a touch upon the shoulder, they give a man such
+  an ill habit of body, that he can never come abroad afterwards.
+  This is all I know of the line of Jacobstaff: his younger brother
+  Isaacstaff, as I told you before, had five sons, and was married
+  twice; his first wife was a Staff (for they did not stand upon
+  false heraldry in those days), by whom he had one son, who in
+  process of time, being a schoolmaster, and well read in the
+  Greek, called himself Distaff or Twicestaff: he was not very
+  rich, so he put his children out to trades; and the Distaffs have
+  ever since been employed in the woollen and linen manufactures,
+  except myself, who am a genealogist. Pikestaff, the eldest son by
+  the second venter, was a man of business, a downright plodding
+  fellow, and withal so plain, that he became a proverb. Most of
+  this family are at present in the army. Raggedstaff was an
+  unlucky boy, and used to tear his clothes getting birds' nests,
+  and was always playing with a tame bear his father kept. Mopstaff
+  fell in love with one of his father's maids, and used to help her
+  to clean the house. Broomstaff was a chimney-sweeper. The
+  Mopstaffs and Broomstaffs are naturally as civil people as ever
+  went out of doors; but alas! if they once get into ill hands,
+  they knock down all before them. Pilgrimstaff run away from his
+  friends, and went strolling about the country: and Pipestaff was
+  a wine-cooper. These two were the unlawful issue of
+  Longstaff.</p>
+
+  <p>"N.B. The Canes, the Clubs, the Cudgels, the Wands, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page105' title='105' id="page105"></a>the Devil
+  upon two Sticks, and one Bread, that goes by the name of Staff of
+  Life, are none of our relations.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am, dear Cousin,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"D. DISTAFF.</p>
+
+  <p>"From the Heralds' Office, <i>May 1</i>."</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 4.</h3>
+
+  <p>As politic news is not the principal subject on which we
+  treat, we are so happy as to have no occasion for that art of
+  cookery, which our brother-newsmongers so much excel in; as
+  appears by their excellent and inimitable manner of dressing up a
+  second time for your taste the same dish which they gave you the
+  day before, in case there come over no new pickles from Holland.
+  Therefore, when we have nothing to say to you from courts and
+  camps, we hope still to give you somewhat new and curious from
+  ourselves: the women of our house, upon occasion, being capable
+  of carrying on the business, according to the laudable custom of
+  the wives in Holland; but, without further preface, take what we
+  have not mentioned in our former relations.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Hanover of the 30th of the last month say, that
+  the Prince Royal of Prussia arrived there on the 15th, and left
+  that Court on the 2nd of this month, in pursuit of his journey to
+  Flanders, where he makes the ensuing campaign. Those advices add,
+  that the young Prince Nassau, hereditary governor of Friesland,
+  consummated on the 26th of the last month his marriage with the
+  beauteous princess of Hesse-Cassel, with a pomp and magnificence
+  suitable to their age and quality.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Paris say, his most Christian Majesty retired to
+  Marli on the 1st instant, N.S., and our last advices from Spain
+  inform us, that the Prince of Asturias had made his public entry
+  into Madrid in great splendour. The Duke of Anjou has given Don
+  Joseph Hartado de Amaraga the government of Terra-Firma de
+  Veragua, and the presidency of Panama in America. They add, That
+  the forces commanded by the Marquis de Bay had been reinforced by
+  six battalions of Spanish and Walloon guards. Letters from Lisbon
+  advise, That the army of the King of Portugal was at Elvas on the
+  22nd of the last month, and would decamp on the 24th, in order to
+  march upon the enemy, who lay at Badajos.</p>
+
+  <p>Yesterday, at four in the morning, his Grace the Duke of
+  Marlborough set out for Margate, and embarked for Holland at
+  eight this morning.</p>
+
+  <p>Yesterday also, Sir George Thorold was declared Alderman of
+  Cordwainers' Ward, in the room of his brother Sir Charles
+  Thorold, deceased.<a name='fntag179' id="fntag179"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote179'><sup>179</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag172'>[172]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote172' id="footnote172"></a>Jabez Hughes
+      (died 1731), the author of these verses, was the younger
+      brother of John Hughes. He published several translations,
+      and his "Miscellanies in Verse and Prose" appeared in
+      1737.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag173'>[173]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote173' id="footnote173"></a>"Honest Ned"
+      was a farmer on the estate of Anthony Henley, who mentions
+      this saying in a letter to Swift.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag174'>[174]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote174' id="footnote174"></a>D'Urfey's
+      "Modern Prophets" attacked the enthusiasts known as "French
+      Prophets," who were in the habit of assembling in Moorfields
+      to exert their alleged gifts. Lord Chesterfield says that the
+      Government took no steps, except to direct Powell, the
+      puppet-show man, to make Punch turn prophet, which he did so
+      well, that it put an end to the fanatics.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag175'>[175]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote175' id="footnote175"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number3'>No. 3</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag176'>[176]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote176' id="footnote176"></a>The letter is
+      by Heneage Twysden. (See Steele's Preface.) Heneage Twysden
+      was the seventh son of Sir William Twysden, Bart., of Roydon
+      Hall, East Peckham, Kent. At the time of his death (1709,
+      aged 29) he was a captain of foot in Sir Richard Temple's
+      Regiment, and aide-de-camp to John, Duke of Argyle. Near his
+      monument in the north aisle of the Abbey are two other small
+      ones to the memory of his brothers Josiah and John. Josiah, a
+      captain of foot, was killed in Flanders in 1708, in his 23rd
+      year; John was a lieutenant in the admiral's ship, under Sir
+      Cloudesley Shovel, and perished with him in 1707, in his 24th
+      year. [Chalmers.]&#8212;Heneage Twysden was killed at the
+      battle of Blarequies.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag177'>[177]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote177' id="footnote177"></a>The allusion is
+      to the staff carried by the First Lord of the Treasury.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag178'>[178]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote178' id="footnote178"></a>The House of
+      Commons.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag179'>[179]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote179' id="footnote179"></a>"Any ladies who
+      have any particular stories of their acquaintance, which they
+      are willing privately to make public, may send them by the
+      penny-post to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., enclosed to Mr. John
+      Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page106' title='106' id=
+    "page106"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number12' id="number12"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 12.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, May 5</i>, to <i>Saturday, May 7</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>May 5.</h3>
+
+  <p>When a man has engaged to keep a stage-coach, he is obliged,
+  whether he has passengers or not, to set out: thus it fares with
+  us weekly historians; but indeed, for my particular, I hope I
+  shall soon have little more to do in this work, than to publish
+  what is sent me from such as have leisure and capacity for giving
+  delight, and <a class="pagenum" name='page107' title='107' id=
+  "page107"></a>being pleased in an elegant manner. The present
+  grandeur of the British nation might make us expect, that we
+  should rise in our public diversions, and manner of enjoying
+  life, in proportion to our advancement in glory and power.
+  Instead of that, take and survey this town, and you'll find,
+  rakes and debauchees are your men of pleasure; thoughtless
+  atheists, and illiterate drunkards, call themselves free
+  thinkers; and gamesters, banterers, biters,<a name='fntag180' id=
+  "fntag180"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote180'><sup>180</sup></a> swearers, and twenty new-born
+  insects more, are, in their several species, the modern men of
+  wit. Hence it is, that a man who has been out of town but one
+  half-year, has lost the language, and must have some friend to
+  stand by him, and keep him in countenance for talking common
+  sense. To-day I saw a short interlude at White's of this nature,
+  which I took notes of, and put together as well as I could in a
+  public place. The persons of the drama are, Pip, the last
+  gentleman that has been made so at cards; Trimmer, a person half
+  undone at them, and is now between a cheat and a gentleman;
+  Acorn, an honest Englishman, of good plain sense and meaning; and
+  Mr. Friendly, a reasonable man of the town.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page108' title='108' id=
+  "page108"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 5.</h3>
+
+  <p class="right">[<i>Enter</i> PIP, TRIM, <i>and</i> ACORN.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. What's the matter, gentlemen? What! Take no notice of an
+  old friend?</p>
+
+  <p>PIP. Pox on it! don't talk to me, I am voweled by the Count,
+  and cursedly out of humour.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. Voweled! Prithee, Trimmer, what does he mean by that?</p>
+
+  <p>TRIM. Have a care, Harry, speak softly; don't show your
+  ignorance:&#8212;If you do, they'll bite you where-e'er they meet
+  you; they are such cursed curs,&#8212;the present wits.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. Bite me! What do you mean?</p>
+
+  <p>PIP. Why! Don't you know what biting is? Nay, you are in the
+  right on it. However, one would learn it only to defend oneself
+  against men of wit, as one would know the tricks of play, to be
+  secure against the cheats. But don't you hear, Acorn, that
+  report, that some potentates of the Alliance have taken care of
+  themselves, exclusive of us?</p>
+
+  <p>AC. How! Heaven forbid! After all our glorious victories; all
+  this expense of blood and treasure!</p>
+
+  <p>PIP. Bite&#8212;</p>
+
+  <p>AC. Bite! How?</p>
+
+  <p>TRIM. Nay, he has bit you fairly enough; that's certain.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. Pox! I don't feel it&#8212;how? Where?</p>
+
+  <p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> PIP <i>and</i> TRIMMER,
+  <i>laughing.</i></p>
+
+  <p>AC. Ho! Mr. Friendly, your most humble servant; you heard what
+  passed between those fine gentlemen and me. Pip complained to me,
+  that he has been voweled; and they tell me, I am bit.</p>
+
+  <p>FRIEND. You are to understand, sir, that simplicity of
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page109' title='109' id=
+  "page109"></a>behaviour, which is the perfection of good breeding
+  and good sense, is utterly lost in the world; and in the room of
+  it, there are started a thousand little inventions, which men,
+  barren of better things, take up in the place of it. Thus, for
+  every character in conversation that used to please, there is an
+  impostor put upon you. Him whom we allowed formerly for a certain
+  pleasant subtilty, and natural way of giving you an unexpected
+  hit, called a droll, is now mimicked by a biter, who is a dull
+  fellow, that tells you a lie with a grave face, and laughs at you
+  for knowing him no better than to believe him. Instead of that
+  sort of companion, who could rally you, and keep his countenance,
+  till he made you fall into some little inconsistency of
+  behaviour, at which you yourself could laugh with him, you have
+  the sneerer, who will keep you company from morning to night, to
+  gather your follies of the day (which perhaps you commit out of
+  confidence in him), and expose you in the evening to all the
+  scorners in town. For your man of sense and free spirit, whose
+  set of thoughts were built upon learning, reason, and experience,
+  you have now an impudent creature made up of vice only, who
+  supports his ignorance by his courage, and want of learning by
+  contempt of it.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. Dear sir, hold: what you have told me already of this
+  change in conversation, is too miserable to be heard with any
+  delight; but, methinks, as these new creatures appear in the
+  world, it might give an excellent field to writers for the stage,
+  to divert us with the representation of them there.</p>
+
+  <p>FRIEND. No, no: as you say, there might be some hopes of
+  redress of these grievances, if there were proper care taken of
+  the theatre; but the history of that is yet more lamentable than
+  that of the decay of conversation I gave you.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page110' title='110' id=
+  "page110"></a>AC. Pray, sir, a little: I haven't been in town
+  these six years, till within this fortnight.</p>
+
+  <p>FRIEND. It is now some years since several revolutions in the
+  gay world had made the empire of the stage subject to very fatal
+  convulsions, which were too dangerous to be cured by the skill of
+  little King Oberon,<a name='fntag181' id="fntag181"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote181'><sup>181</sup></a> who then sat in the
+  throne of it. The laziness of this prince threw him upon the
+  choice of a person who was fit to spend his life in contentions,
+  an able and profound attorney, to whom he mortgaged his whole
+  empire. This Divito<a name='fntag182' id="fntag182"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote182'><sup>182</sup></a> is the most skilful
+  of all politicians: he has a perfect art in being unintelligible
+  in discourse, and uncomeatable in business. But he having no
+  understanding in this polite way, brought in upon us, to get in
+  his money, ladder-dancers,<a name='fntag183' id=
+  "fntag183"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote183'><sup>183</sup></a> rope-dancers, jugglers, and
+  mountebanks, to strut in the place of Shakespeare's heroes, and
+  Jonson's humorists. When the seat of wit was thus mortgaged,
+  without equity of redemption, an architect<a name='fntag184' id=
+  "fntag184"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote184'><sup>184</sup></a> arose, who has built the muse a
+  new palace, but secured her no <a class="pagenum" name='page111'
+  title='111' id="page111"></a>retinue; so that instead of action
+  there, we have been put off by song and dance. This latter help
+  of sound has also begun to fail for want of voices; therefore the
+  palace has since been put into the hands of a surgeon,<a name=
+  'fntag185' id="fntag185"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote185'><sup>185</sup></a> who cuts any foreign fellow
+  into an eunuch, and passes him upon us for a singer of Italy.</p>
+
+  <p>AC. I'll go out of town to-morrow.</p>
+
+  <p>FRIEND.<a name='fntag186' id="fntag186"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote186'><sup>186</sup></a> Things are come to this
+  pass; and yet the world will not understand, that the theatre has
+  much the same effect on the manners of the age, as the bank on
+  the credit of the nation. Wit and spirit, humour and good sense,
+  can never be revived, but under the government of those who are
+  judges of such talents, who know, that whatever is put up in
+  their stead, is but a short and trifling expedient, to support
+  the appearance of them for a season. It is possible, a peace will
+  give leisure to put these matters under new regulations; but at
+  present, all the assistance we can see towards our recovery, is
+  as far from giving us help, as a poultice is from performing what
+  can be done only by the Grand Elixir.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>According to our late design in the applauded verses on the
+  Morning,<a name='fntag187' id="fntag187"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote187'><sup>187</sup></a> which you lately had from
+  hence, we proceed to improve that just intention, and present you
+  with other labours, made proper to the place in which they were
+  written. The following poem comes from <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page112' title='112' id="page112"></a>Copenhagen, and is as fine
+  a winter-piece as we have ever had from any of the schools of the
+  most learned painters. Such images as these give us a new
+  pleasure in our sight, and fix upon our minds traces of
+  reflection, which accompany us whenever the like objects occur.
+  In short, excellent poetry and description dwell upon us so
+  agreeably, that all the readers of them are made to think, if not
+  write, like men of wit. But it would be injury to detain you
+  longer from this excellent performance, which is addressed to the
+  Earl of Dorset by Mr. Philips,<a name='fntag188' id=
+  "fntag188"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote188'><sup>188</sup></a> the author of several choice
+  poems in Mr. Tonson's new Miscellany.<a name='fntag189' id=
+  "fntag189"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote189'><sup>189</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line right">
+        <i>Copenhagen, March 9</i>, 1709.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From frozen climes, and endless tracks of snow,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        From streams that northern winds forbid to flow;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        What present shall the muse to Dorset bring;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Or how, so near the Pole, attempt to sing?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The hoary winter here conceals from sight
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        All pleasing objects that to verse invite.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The hills and dales, and the delightful woods,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The flowery plains, and silver streaming floods,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        By snow disguised, in bright confusion lie,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And with one dazzling waste fatigue the eye.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        No gentle breathing breeze prepares the spring,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        No birds within the desert region sing.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The ships unmoved the boisterous winds defy,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While rattling chariots o'er the ocean fly.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The vast leviathan wants room to play,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And spout his waters in the face of day.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The starving wolves along the main sea prowl,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And to the moon in icy valleys howl.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        For many a shining league the level main
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Here spreads itself into a glassy plain:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        There solid billows of enormous size,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page113' title='113' id=
+        "page113"></a>Alps of green ice, in wild disorder rise.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        And yet but lately have I seen e'en here,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The winter in a lovely dress appear;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Ere yet the clouds let fall the treasured snow,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Or winds begun through hazy skies to blow.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        At evening a keen eastern breeze arose;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And the descending rain unsullied froze.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Soon as the silent shades of night withdrew,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The ruddy morn disclosed at once to view
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The face of nature in a rich disguise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And brightened every object to my eyes.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        For every shrub, and every blade of grass,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And every pointed thorn, seemed wrought in glass,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        In pearls and rubies rich the hawthorns show,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While through the ice the crimson berries glow.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The thick-sprung reeds the watery marshes yield,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Seem polished lances in a hostile field.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The stag in limpid currents with surprise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Sees crystal branches on his forehead rise.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The spreading oak, the beech, and towering pine,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Glazed over, in the freezing ether shine.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The frighted birds the rattling branches shun,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That wave and glitter in the distant sun.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        When if a sudden gust of wind arise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The brittle forest into atoms flies:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The crackling wood beneath the tempest bends,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And in a spangled shower the prospect ends.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Or if a southern gale the region warm,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And by degrees unbind the wintry charm;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The traveller a miry country sees,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page114' title='114' id=
+        "page114"></a>And journeys sad beneath the dropping trees.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Like some deluded peasant, Merlin leads
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Through fragrant bowers, and through delicious meads;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While here enchanted gardens to him rise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And airy fabrics there attract his eyes,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        His wandering feet the magic paths pursue;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And while he thinks the fair illusion true,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The trackless scenes disperse in fluid air,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And woods and wilds, and thorny ways appear:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A tedious road the weary wretch returns,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And, as he goes, the transient vision mourns.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>There has a mail this day arrived from Holland; but the matter
+  of the advices importing rather what gives us great expectations,
+  than any positive assurances, I shall, for this time, decline
+  giving you what I know, and apply the following verses of Mr.
+  Dryden, in the second part of "Almanzor," to the present
+  circumstances of things, without discovering what my knowledge in
+  astronomy suggests to me.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        When empire in its childhood first appears,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A watchful fate o'er sees its tender years:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Till grown more strong, it thrusts and stretches out,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And elbows all the kingdoms round about.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The place thus made for its first breathing free,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        It moves again for ease and luxury;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Till swelling by degrees it has possest
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The greater space, and now crowds up the rest.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page115' title='115' id=
+        "page115"></a>When from behind there starts some petty
+        state,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And pushes on its now unwieldy fate.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Then down the precipice of time it goes,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And sinks in minutes, which in ages rose.<a name='fntag190'
+        id="fntag190"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote190'><sup>190</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag180'>[180]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote180' id="footnote180"></a>"I'll teach you
+      a way to outwit Mrs. Johnson; it is a new-fashioned way of
+      being witty, and they call it a <i>bite</i>. You must ask a
+      bantering question, or tell some damned lie in a serious
+      manner, then she will answer, or speak as if you were in
+      earnest, and then cry you, 'Madam, there's a <i>bite</i>.' I
+      would not have you undervalue this, for it is the constant
+      amusement in Court, and everywhere else among the great
+      people; and I let you know it, in order to have it obtain
+      among you, and to teach you a new refinement" (Swift's
+      "Journal"). See the <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 47, 504: "<i>A
+      Biter</i> is one who tells you a thing you have no reason to
+      disbelieve in itself; and perhaps has given you, before he
+      bit you, no reason to disbelieve it for his saying it; and if
+      you give him credit, laughs in your face, and triumphs that
+      he has deceived you. In a word, a <i>Biter</i> is one who
+      thinks you a fool, because you do not think him a knave."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag181'>[181]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote181' id="footnote181"></a>Owen McSwiney,
+      a manager of Drury Lane Theatre, and afterwards of the
+      Haymarket Theatre. After living in Italy for some years, he
+      obtained a place in the Custom-house, and was keeper of the
+      King's Mews. On his death in 1754 he left his fortune to Mrs.
+      Woffington.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag182'>[182]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote182' id="footnote182"></a>Christopher
+      Rich, manager of Drury Lane Theatre, who died in 1714, was at
+      this time involved in a quarrel with the principal actors
+      about the profits of their benefits.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag183'>[183]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote183' id="footnote183"></a>Cibber
+      ("Apology," chap. x.) complains that Rich paid extraordinary
+      prices to singers, dancers, and other exotic performers,
+      which were as constantly deducted out of the sinking salaries
+      of his actors. In December, 1709, the Lord Chamberlain
+      ordered that no new representations were to be brought upon
+      the stage which were not necessary to the better performance
+      of comedy or opera, "such as ladder-dancing, antic postures,"
+      &amp;c., without his leave.&#8212;(Lord Chamberlain's
+      Records, Warrant Book, No. 22.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag184'>[184]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote184' id="footnote184"></a>Sir John
+      Vanbrugh built the Haymarket Theatre in 1705. The new house
+      was opened with a translation of an Italian opera, "The
+      Triumph of Love", which met with little success. This was
+      followed by Vanbrugh's "Confederacy."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag185'>[185]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote185' id="footnote185"></a>John James
+      Heidegger, who died in 1749, aged 90, was the son of a Swiss
+      clergyman. When over 40 he came to England, and became the
+      chief director of the opera-house and masquerades. His face
+      was remarkably ugly.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag186'>[186]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote186' id="footnote186"></a>"Trim", in
+      original editions.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag187'>[187]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote187' id="footnote187"></a>See No. 9.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag188'>[188]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote188' id="footnote188"></a>"Philips
+      writeth verses in a sledge upon the frozen sea," wrote Swift,
+      "and transmits them hither to thrive in our warm climate
+      under the shelter of my Lord Dorset." Addison refers to this
+      poem by Ambrose Philips in No. 223 of the <i>Spectator</i>,
+      and Pope commends it.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag189'>[189]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote189' id="footnote189"></a>The sixth and
+      last volume of Tonson's "Miscellany" opens with Philips'
+      Pastorals, and closes with those of Pope.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag190'>[190]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote190' id="footnote190"></a>"Almanzor and
+      Almahide; or, The Conquest of Granada. The Second Part," act
+      i. sc. I.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number13' id="number13"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 13.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, May 7</i>, to <i>Tuesday, May 10</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 8.</h3>
+
+  <p>Much hurry and business had to-day perplexed me into a mood
+  too thoughtful for going into company; for which reason, instead
+  of the tavern, I went into Lincoln's Inn Walks; and having taken
+  a round or two, I sat down, according to the allowed familiarity
+  of these places, on a bench; at the other end of which sat a
+  venerable gentleman, who speaking with a very affable air, "Mr.
+  Bickerstaff," said he, "I take it for a very great piece of good
+  fortune, that you have found me out." "Sir," said I, "I had
+  never, that I know of, the honour of seeing you before." "That,"
+  replied he, "is what I have often lamented; but I assure you, I
+  have for many years done you good offices, without being observed
+  by you; or else, when you had any little glimpse of my being
+  concerned in an affair, you have fled from me, and shunned me
+  like an enemy; but however, the part I am to act in the world is
+  such, that I am to go on in doing good, though I meet with never
+  so many repulses, even from those I oblige." This, thought I,
+  shows a great good nature, but little judgment in the persons
+  upon whom he confers his favours. He immediately took notice to
+  me, that he observed by my countenance I <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page116' title='116' id="page116"></a>thought him indiscreet in
+  his beneficence, and proceeded to tell me his quality in the
+  following manner: "I know thee, Isaac, to be so well versed in
+  the occult sciences, that I need not much preface, or make long
+  preparations to gain your faith that there are airy beings, who
+  are employed in the care and attendance of men, as nurses are to
+  infants, till they come to an age in which they can act of
+  themselves. These beings are usually called amongst men, guardian
+  angels; and, Mr. Bickerstaff, I am to acquaint you, that I am to
+  be yours for some time to come; it being our orders to vary our
+  stations, and sometimes to have one patient under our protection,
+  and sometimes another, with a power of assuming what shape we
+  please, to ensnare our wards into their own good. I have of late
+  been upon such hard duty, and know you have so much work for me,
+  that I think fit to appear to you face to face, to desire you
+  would give me as little occasion for vigilance as you can."
+  "Sir," said I, "it will be a great instruction to me in my
+  behaviour, if you please to give me some account of your late
+  employments, and what hardships or satisfactions you have had in
+  them, that I may govern myself accordingly." He answered: "To
+  give you an example of the drudgery we go through, I will
+  entertain you only with my three last stations: I was on the 1st
+  of April last, put to mortify a great beauty, with whom I was a
+  week; from her I went to a common swearer, and have been last
+  with a gamester. When I first came to my lady, I found my great
+  work was to guard well her eyes and ears; but her flatterers were
+  so numerous, and the house, after the modern way, so full of
+  looking-glasses, that I seldom had her safe but in her sleep.
+  Whenever we went abroad, we were surrounded by an army of
+  enemies: when a well-made man appeared, he was sure to have a
+  side-glance of <a class="pagenum" name='page117' title='117' id=
+  "page117"></a>observation: if a disagreeable fellow, he had a
+  full face, out of mere inclination to conquests. But at the close
+  of the evening, on the sixth of the last month, my ward was
+  sitting on a couch, reading Ovid's 'Epistles'; and as she came to
+  this line of Helen to Paris,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        She half consents who silently denies;<a name='fntag191'
+        id="fntag191"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote191'><sup>191</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>entered Philander,<a name='fntag192' id=
+  "fntag192"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote192'><sup>192</sup></a> who is the most skilful of all
+  men in an address to women. He is arrived at the perfection of
+  that art which gains them, which is, to talk like a very
+  miserable man, but look like a very happy one. I saw Dictinna
+  blush at his entrance, which gave me the alarm; but he
+  immediately said something so agreeable on her being at study,
+  and the novelty of finding a lady employed in so grave a manner,
+  that he on a sudden became very familiarly a man of no
+  consequence; and in an instant laid all her suspicions of his
+  skill asleep, as he almost had done mine, till I observed him
+  very dangerously turn his discourse upon the elegance of her
+  dress, and her judgment in the choice of that very pretty
+  mourning. Having had women before under my care, I trembled at
+  the apprehension of a man of sense, who could talk upon trifles,
+  and resolved to stick to my post with all the circumspection
+  imaginable. In short, I prepossessed her against all he could say
+  to the advantage of her dress and person; but he turned again the
+  discourse, where I found I had no power over her, on the abusing
+  her friends and acquaintance. He allowed indeed, that Flora had a
+  little beauty, and a great deal of wit; but then she was so
+  ungainly in her behaviour, and such a laughing
+  hoyden&#8212;Pastorella <a class="pagenum" name='page118' title=
+  '118' id="page118"></a>had with him the allowance of being
+  blameless: but what was that towards being praiseworthy? To be
+  only innocent, is not to be virtuous. He afterwards spoke so much
+  against Mrs. Dipple's forehead, Mrs. Prim's mouth, Mrs.
+  Dentifrice's teeth, and Mrs. Fidget's cheeks, that she grew
+  downright in love with him: for it is always to be understood,
+  that a lady takes all you detract from the rest of her sex to be
+  a gift to her. In a word, things went so far, that I was
+  dismissed, and she will remember that evening nine months, from
+  the 6th of April, by a very remarkable token. The next, as I
+  said, I went to was a common swearer: never was creature so
+  puzzled as myself when I came first to view his brain; half of it
+  was worn out, and filled up with mere expletives, that had
+  nothing to do with any other parts of the texture; therefore,
+  when he called for his clothes in a morning, he would cry,
+  'John&#8212;?' John does not answer. 'What a plague! Nobody
+  there? What the devil, and rot me! John, for a lazy dog as you
+  are.' I knew no way to cure him, but by writing down all he said
+  one morning as he was dressing, and laying it before him on the
+  toilet when he came to pick his teeth. The last recital I gave
+  him of what he said for half an hour before, was, 'What, a pox
+  rot me! Where is the washball? Call the chairmen: damn them, I
+  warrant they are at the ale-house already! Zounds, and confound
+  them.' When he came to the glass, he takes up my note&#8212;'Ha!
+  this fellow is worse than me: what, does he swear with pen and
+  ink?' But reading on, he found them to be his own words. The
+  stratagem had so good an effect upon him, that he grew
+  immediately a new man, and is learning to speak without an oath,
+  which makes him extremely short in his phrases; for, as I
+  observed before, a common swearer has a brain without any idea on
+  the swearing <a class="pagenum" name='page119' title='119' id=
+  "page119"></a>side; therefore my ward has yet mighty little to
+  say, and is forced to substitute some other vehicle of nonsense
+  to supply the defect of his usual expletives. When I left him, he
+  made use of, 'Oddsbodikins!' 'Oh me!' and, 'Never stir alive!'
+  and so forth; which gave me hopes of his recovery. So I went to
+  the next I told you of, the gamester. When we first take our
+  place about a man, the receptacles of the pericranium are
+  immediately searched. In his, I found no one ordinary trace of
+  thinking; but strong passion, violent desires, and a continued
+  series of different changes, had torn it to pieces. There
+  appeared no middle condition; the triumph of a prince, or the
+  misery of a beggar, were his alternate states. I was with him no
+  longer than one day, which was yesterday. In the morning at
+  twelve, we were worth four thousand pounds; at three, we were
+  arrived at six thousand; half an hour after, we were reduced to
+  one thousand; at four of the clock, we were down to two hundred;
+  at five, to fifty; at six, to five; at seven, to one guinea; the
+  next bet, to nothing: this morning, he borrowed half a crown of
+  the maid who cleans his shoes; and is now gaming in Lincoln's Inn
+  Fields among the boys for farthings and oranges, till he has made
+  up three pieces, and then he returns to White's into the best
+  company in town." This ended our first discourse; and it is
+  hoped, you will forgive me, that I have picked so little out of
+  my companion at our first interview. In the next, it is possible
+  he may tell me more pleasing incidents; for though he is a
+  familiar, he is not an evil spirit.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page120' title='120' id=
+  "page120"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 9.</h3>
+
+  <p>We hear from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., that
+  Monsieur de Torcy hath had frequent conferences with the Grand
+  Pensioner, and the other Ministers who were heretofore
+  commissioned to treat with Monsieur Rouill�. The preliminaries of
+  a peace are almost settled, and the proceedings wait only for the
+  arrival of the Duke of Marlborough; after whose approbation of
+  the articles proposed, it is not doubted but the methods of the
+  treaty will be publicly known. In the meantime, the States have
+  declared an abhorrence of making any step in this great affair,
+  but in concert with the Court of Great Britain, and other princes
+  of the Alliance. The posture of affairs in France does
+  necessarily oblige that nation to be very much in earnest in
+  their offers; and Monsieur de Torcy hath professed to the Grand
+  Pensioner, that he will avoid all occasions of giving him the
+  least jealousy of his using any address in private conversations
+  for accomplishing the ends of his embassy. It is said, that as
+  soon as the preliminaries are adjusted, that Minister is to
+  return to the French Court. The States of Holland have resolved
+  to make it an instruction to all their men-of-war and privateers,
+  to bring into their ports whatever neutral ships they shall meet
+  with laden with corn, and bound for France; and to avoid all
+  cause of complaint from the potentates to whom these ships shall
+  belong, their full demand for their freight shall be paid them
+  there. The French Protestants residing in that country have
+  applied themselves to their respective magistrates, desiring that
+  there may be an article in the treaty of peace, which may give
+  liberty of conscience to the Protestants in France. Monsieur
+  Bosnage, minister of the Walloon church at Rotterdam, has been at
+  the Hague and hath had some <a class="pagenum" name='page121'
+  title='121' id="page121"></a>conferences with the deputies of the
+  States on that subject. It is reported there, that all the French
+  refugees in those dominions are to be naturalised, that they may
+  enjoy the same good effects of the treaty with the Hollanders
+  themselves, in respect of France.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Paris say, the people conceive great hopes of a
+  sudden peace, from Monsieur Torcy's being employed in the
+  negotiation, he being a Minister of too great weight in that
+  Court, to be sent on any employment in which his master would not
+  act in a manner wherein he might justly promise himself success.
+  The French advices add, that there is an insurrection in Poictou;
+  3000 men having taken up arms, and beaten the troops which were
+  appointed to disperse them: three of the mutineers being taken,
+  were immediately executed; and as many of the king's party were
+  used after the same manner.</p>
+
+  <p>Our late Act of Naturalisation<a name='fntag193' id=
+  "fntag193"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote193'><sup>193</sup></a> hath had so great an effect in
+  foreign parts, that some princes have prohibited the French
+  refugees in their dominions to sell or transfer their estates to
+  any other of their subjects; and at the same time have granted
+  them greater immunities than they hitherto enjoyed. It has been
+  also thought necessary to restrain their own subjects from
+  leaving their native country, on pain of death.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag191'>[191]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote191' id="footnote191"></a>Ovid's
+      "Epistles," 1709; translation of "Helen's Epistle to Paris,"
+      by the Earl of Mulgrave and Dryden.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag192'>[192]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote192' id="footnote192"></a>An original for
+      Philander has been found in Lord Halifax. See <a href=
+      '#number49'>No. 49</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag193'>[193]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote193' id="footnote193"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number9'>No. 9</a>. "If the Whigs were now restored to
+      power, the bill [for a general naturalisation] now to be
+      repealed, would then be re-enacted, and the birthright of an
+      Englishman reduced again to the value of twelve
+      pence."&#8212;(<i>Examiner</i>, vol. i. No. 26.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number14' id="number14"></a><a class="pagenum" name=
+    'page122' title='122' id="page122"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 14.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday May 10</i>, to <i>Thursday, May 12</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 10.</h3>
+
+  <p>Had it not been that my familiar had appeared to me, as I told
+  you in my last, in person, I had certainly been unable to have
+  found even words, without meaning, to keep up my intelligence
+  with the town: but he has checked me severely for my despondence,
+  and ordered me to go on in my design of observing upon things,
+  and forbearing persons; "for," said he, "the age you live in is
+  such, that a good picture of any vice or virtue will infallibly
+  be misrepresented; and though none will take the kind
+  descriptions you make so much to themselves, as to wish well to
+  the author, yet all will resent the ill characters you produce,
+  out of fear of their own turn in the licence you must be obliged
+  to take, if you point at particular persons." I took his
+  admonition kindly, and immediately promised him to beg pardon of
+  the author of the "Advice to the Poets,"<a name='fntag194' id=
+  "fntag194"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote194'><sup>194</sup></a> for my raillery upon his work;
+  though I aimed at no more in that examination, but to convince
+  him, and all men of genius, of the folly of laying themselves out
+  on such plans as are below their characters. I hope too it was
+  done without ill-breeding, and nothing spoken below what a
+  civilian (as it is allowed I am) may utter to a physician. After
+  this preface, all the world may be safe from my writings; for if
+  I can find nothing to commend, I am silent, and will forbear the
+  subject: for, though I am a reformer, I scorn to be an
+  inquisitor.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page123' title='123' id=
+  "page123"></a>It would become all men, as well as me, to lay
+  before them the noble character of Verus the magistrate,<a name=
+  'fntag195' id="fntag195"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote195'><sup>195</sup></a> who always sat in triumph over,
+  and contempt of, vice; he never searched after it, or spared it
+  when it came before him: at the same time, he could see through
+  the hypocrisy and disguise of those, who have no pretence to
+  virtue themselves, but by their severity to the vicious. This
+  same Verus was, in times long past, chief justice (as we call it
+  amongst us) in F�licia.<a name='fntag196' id=
+  "fntag196"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote196'><sup>196</sup></a> He was a man of profound
+  knowledge of the laws of his country, and as just an observer of
+  them in his own person. He considered justice as a cardinal
+  virtue, not as a trade for maintenance. Wherever he was judge, he
+  never forgot that he was also counsel. The criminal before him
+  was always sure he stood before his country, and, in a sort, a
+  parent of it. The prisoner knew, that though his spirit was
+  broken with guilt, and incapable of language to defend itself,
+  all would be gathered from him which could conduce to his safety;
+  and that his judge would wrest no law to destroy him, nor conceal
+  any that could save him. In his time, there were a nest of
+  pretenders to justice, who happened to be employed to put things
+  in a method for being examined before him at his usual sessions:
+  these animals were to Verus, as monkeys are to men, so like, that
+  you can hardly disown them; but so base, that you are ashamed of
+  their fraternity. It grew a phrase, "Who would do justice on the
+  justices?" That certainly would Verus. I have seen an old trial
+  where he sat judge on two of them; one was called Trick-Track,
+  the other <a class="pagenum" name='page124' title='124' id=
+  "page124"></a>Tearshift;<a name='fntag197' id=
+  "fntag197"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote197'><sup>197</sup></a> one was a learned judge of
+  sharpers, the other the quickest of all men at finding out a
+  wench. Trick-Track never spared a pickpocket, but was a companion
+  to cheats: Tearshift would make compliments to wenches of
+  quality, but certainly commit poor ones. If a poor rogue wanted a
+  lodging, Trick-Track sent him to gaol for a thief: if a poor
+  whore went only with one thin petticoat, Tearshift would imprison
+  her for being loose in her dress. These patriots infested the
+  days of Verus, while they alternately committed and released each
+  other's prisoners. But Verus regarded them as criminals, and
+  always looked upon men as they stood in the eye of justice,
+  without respecting whether they sat on the bench, or stood at the
+  bar.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page125' title='125' id=
+  "page125"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 11</h3>
+
+  <p>Yesterday we were entertained with the tragedy of "The Earl of
+  Essex,"<a name='fntag198' id="fntag198"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote198'><sup>198</sup></a> in which there is not one good
+  line, and yet a play which was never seen without drawing tears
+  from some part of the audience: a remarkable instance, that the
+  soul is not to be moved by words, but things; for the incidents
+  in this drama are laid together so happily, that the spectator
+  makes the play for himself, by the force which the circumstance
+  has upon his imagination. Thus, in spite of the most dry
+  discourses, and expressions almost ridiculous with respect to
+  propriety, it is impossible for one unprejudiced to see it
+  untouched with pity. I must confess, this effect is not wrought
+  on such as examine why they are pleased; but it never fails to
+  appear on those who are not too learned in nature, to be moved by
+  her first suggestions. It is certain, the person and behaviour of
+  Mr. Wilks<a name='fntag199' id="fntag199"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote199'><sup>199</sup></a> has no small share in conducing
+  to the popularity of the play; and when a handsome fellow is
+  going to a more coarse exit than beheading, his shape and
+  countenance make every tender one reprieve him with all her
+  heart, without waiting till she hears his dying words.</p>
+
+  <p>This evening "The Alchemist"<a name='fntag200' id=
+  "fntag200"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote200'><sup>200</sup></a> was played. This comedy is an
+  example of Ben's extensive genius and <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page126' title='126' id="page126"></a>penetration into the
+  passions and follies of mankind. The scene in the fourth act,
+  where all the cheated people oppose the man that would open their
+  eyes, has something in it so inimitably excellent, that it is
+  certainly as great a masterpiece as has ever appeared by any
+  hand. The author's great address in showing covetousness the
+  motive of the actions of the Puritan, the epicure, the gamester,
+  and the trader; and that all their endeavours, how differently
+  soever they seem to tend, centre only in that one point of gain,
+  shows he had to a great perfection, that discernment of spirit,
+  which constitutes a genius for comedy.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is not to be imagined how far the violence of our desires
+  will carry us towards our own deceit in the pursuit of what we
+  wish for. A gentleman here this evening was giving me an account
+  of a dumb fortune-teller,<a name='fntag201' id=
+  "fntag201"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote201'><sup>201</sup></a> who outdoes Mr. Partridge,
+  myself, or the unborn-doctor,<a name='fntag202' id=
+  "fntag202"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote202'><sup>202</sup></a> for predictions. All his
+  visitants come to him <a class="pagenum" name='page127' title=
+  '127' id="page127"></a>full of expectations, and pay his own rate
+  for the interpretations they put upon his shrugs and nods. There
+  is a fine rich City widow stole thither the other day (though it
+  is not six weeks since her husband's departure from her company
+  to rest), and, with her trusty maid, demanded of him, whether she
+  should marry again, by holding up two fingers, like horns on her
+  forehead. The wizard held up both his hands forked. The relict
+  desired to know, whether he meant by his holding up both hands,
+  to represent that she had one husband before, and that she should
+  have another? Or that he intimated, she should have two more? The
+  cunning-man looked a little sour; upon which Betty jogged her
+  mistress, who gave the other guinea; and he made her understand,
+  she should positively have two more; but shaked his head, and
+  hinted, that they should not live long with her. The widow
+  sighed, and gave him the other half-guinea. After this
+  prepossession, all that she had next to do, was to make sallies
+  to our end of the town, and find out who it is her fate to have.
+  There are two who frequent this place, whom she <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page128' title='128' id="page128"></a>takes for
+  men of vogue, and of whom her imagination has given her the
+  choice. They are both the appearances of fine gentlemen, to such
+  as do not know when they see persons of that turn; and indeed,
+  they are industrious enough to come at that character, to deserve
+  the reputation of being such: but this town will not allow us to
+  be the things we seem to aim at, and are too discerning to be
+  fobbed off with pretences. One of these pretty fellows fails by
+  his laborious exactness; the other, by his as much studied
+  negligence. Frank Careless, as soon as his valet has helped on
+  and adjusted his clothes, goes to his glass, sets his wig awry,
+  tumbles his cravat; and in short, undresses himself to go into
+  company. Will Nice is so little satisfied with his dress, that
+  all the time he is at a visit, he is still mending it, and is for
+  that reason the more insufferable; for he who studies
+  carelessness, has, at least, his work the sooner done of the two.
+  The widow is distracted whom to take for her first man; for Nice
+  is every way so careful, that she fears his length of days; and
+  Frank is so loose, that she has apprehensions for her own health
+  with him. I am puzzled how to give a just idea of them; but in a
+  word, Careless is a coxcomb, and Nice a fop: both, you'll say,
+  very hopeful candidates for a gay woman just set at liberty. But
+  there is a whisper, her maid will give her to Tom Terrour the
+  gamester. This fellow has undone so many women, that he'll
+  certainly succeed if he is introduced; for nothing so much
+  prevails with the vain part of that sex, as the glory of
+  deceiving them who have deceived others.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Desunt multa.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page129' title='129' id=
+  "page129"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Berlin, bearing date May 11, N.S., inform us,
+  that the birthday of her Prussian Majesty has been celebrated
+  there with all possible magnificence; and the king made her on
+  that occasion a present of jewels to the value of thirty thousand
+  crowns. The Marquis de Quesne, who has distinguished himself by
+  his great zeal for the Protestant interest, was, at the time of
+  the despatch of these letters, at that Court, soliciting the king
+  to take care, that an article in behalf of the refugees,
+  admitting their return to France, should be inserted in the
+  treaty of peace. They write from Hanover of the 14th, that his
+  electoral highness had received an express from Count Merci,
+  representing how necessary it was to the common cause, that he
+  would please to hasten to the Rhine; for that nothing but his
+  presence could quicken the measures towards bringing the imperial
+  army into the field. There are very many speculations upon the
+  intended interview of the King of Denmark and King Augustus. The
+  latter has made such preparations for the reception of the other,
+  that it is said his Danish Majesty will be entertained in Saxony
+  with much more elegance than he met with in Italy itself.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 18th instant, N.S., say, that
+  his Grace the Duke of Marlborough landed the night before at the
+  Brill, after having been kept out at sea by adverse winds two
+  days longer than is usual in that passage. His Excellency the
+  Lord Townshend, her Majesty's ambassador extraordinary and
+  plenipotentiary to the States-General, was driven into the Veere
+  in Zealand on Thursday last, from whence he came to the Hague
+  within few hours after the arrival of his grace. The duke, soon
+  after his coming to the Hague, had a visit from the Pensioner of
+  Holland. All things relating to the peace <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page130' title='130' id="page130"></a>were in suspense till
+  this interview; nor is it yet known what resolutions will be
+  taken on that subject; for the troops of the Allies have fresh
+  orders despatched to them to move from their respective quarters,
+  and march with all expedition to the frontiers, where the enemy
+  are making their utmost efforts for the defence of their country.
+  These advices further inform us, that the Marquis de Torcy had
+  received an answer from the Court of France to his letters which
+  he had sent thither by an express on the Friday before.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Bickerstaff has received letters from Mr. Coltstaff, Mr.
+  Whipstaff, and Mrs. Rebecca Wagstaff; all which relate chiefly to
+  their being left out in the genealogy of the family lately
+  published;<a name='fntag203' id="fntag203"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote203'><sup>203</sup></a> but my cousin being a
+  clerk in the Heralds' Office who writ that draught, and being at
+  present under the displeasure of the chapter, it is feared, if
+  that matter should be touched upon at this time, the young
+  gentleman would lose his place for treason against the Kings at
+  Arms.<a name='fntag204' id="fntag204"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote204'><sup>204</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag194'>[194]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote194' id="footnote194"></a>Sir Richard
+      Blackmore. See <a href='#number3'>No. 3</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag195'>[195]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote195' id="footnote195"></a>Sir John Holt
+      (see <i>Examiner</i>, vol. iv. No. 14) was born in 1642, made
+      Recorder of London and knighted in 1686, and appointed Chief
+      Justice of the King's Bench in 1689, a position which he
+      filled very ably and impartially for twenty-one years. He
+      died March 5, 1710.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag196'>[196]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote196' id="footnote196"></a>Britain.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag197'>[197]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote197' id="footnote197"></a>According to a
+      MS. note in the copy of the Tatler referred to in a note to
+      <a href='#number4'>No. 4</a>, these justices were "Sir H.
+      C&#8212;&#8212; and Mr. C&#8212;&#8212;r." Who the latter was
+      I do not know; the former appears to be meant for Sir Henry
+      Colt, of whom Luttrell gives some particulars. In April 1694,
+      a Bill was found against Sir Henry Colt and Mr. Lake, son to
+      the late Bishop of Chichester, for fighting a duel in St.
+      James's Park; the trial was to be on May 31. Sir Henry Colt,
+      a Justice of the Peace, had a duel with Beau Feilding on the
+      11th January, 1696, and Colt was run through the body. A
+      reward of �200 was offered for Feilding's arrest, and he was
+      captured in March; but in the following month he was set at
+      liberty upon Colt promising not to prosecute. In July 1698,
+      Colt unsuccessfully contested Westminster, and in December
+      the Committee of Privileges decided that his petition against
+      the return of Mr. Chancellor Montague and Mr. Secretary
+      Vernon was vexatious, frivolous and scandalous; and Colt was
+      put out of the commission of the peace for Westminster and
+      Middlesex. In 1701, he became M.P. for Westminster, for one
+      Parliament only. In August 1702, he was again displaced from
+      being a Justice for Westminster. In July 1708, he was
+      defeated at Westminster, and the petition which he lodged
+      against Mr. Medlicot's election was dismissed, after Huggins,
+      the head bailiff, had been examined.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag198'>[198]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote198' id="footnote198"></a>By John Banks,
+      1685.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag199'>[199]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote199' id="footnote199"></a>Robert Wilks
+      died in 1732, age 62. See No. 182,
+      and the <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 268, 370: "When I am
+      commending Wilks for representing the tenderness of a husband
+      and a father in 'Macbeth', the contrition of a reformed
+      prodigal in 'Harry the Fourth', the winning emptiness of a
+      young man of good-nature and wealth in 'The Trip to the
+      Jubilee', the officiousness of an artful servant in 'The
+      Fox', when thus I celebrate Wilks, I talk to all the world
+      who are engaged in any of those circumstances."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag200'>[200]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote200' id="footnote200"></a>Ben Jonson's
+      "Alchemist" was published in 1610.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag201'>[201]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote201' id="footnote201"></a>Duncan
+      Campbell, who is best known through Defoe's "History of the
+      Life and Adventures of Mr. Duncan Campbell, a gentleman, who,
+      though deaf and dumb, writes down any strange name at first
+      sight, with their future contingencies of fortune," 1720.
+      Several other books about Campbell appeared, and some said
+      that he only pretended to be deaf and dumb. Campbell had a
+      very large number of clients (<i>Spectator</i>, No. 560). He
+      died in 1730.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag202'>[202]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote202' id="footnote202"></a>The name of
+      this quack was Kirleus. He pretended to extraordinary
+      endowments, on the score of his having been introduced into
+      the world by means of the Cesarean operation. In the
+      <i>Examiner</i>, vol. i. No. 49, original edition in folio,
+      there is among the advertisements subjoined, July 5, 1711,
+      notice given that some of his nostrums, which had been tested
+      for fifty years, were to be had of "Mary Kirleus, widow of
+      John Kirleus, son of Dr. Tho. Kirleus, a sworn physician in
+      ordinary to K. Charles II." Nichols says that there were two
+      male and two female quacks of the name of Kirleus; Thomas the
+      father, and his son John, Susannah the widow of Thomas, and
+      Mary the relict of John; but it does not appear that any of
+      them all were rich. The women, after the decease of their
+      husbands, engaged in a paper war, which was carried on about
+      this time in polemical advertisements. Dr. Kirleus and Dr.
+      Case (see <a href='#number20'>No. 20</a>) are said to have
+      been sent for to prescribe to Partridge in his last illness.
+      Garth ("Dispensary," canto iii.) wrote:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Whole troops of quacks shall join us on the place,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            From great Kirleus down to Doctor Case."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>"In Grays-Inn-lane in Plow-yard, the third door, lives Dr.
+      Thomas Kirleus, a Collegiate Physician and sworn Physician in
+      Ordinary to King Charles the Second until his death; who with
+      a drink and pill (hindring no business) undertakes to cure
+      any ulcers," &amp;c. &amp;c. "Take heed whom you trust in
+      physick, for it's become a common cheat to profess it. He
+      gives his opinion to all that writes or comes for nothing"
+      (<i>Athenian Mercury</i>, February 13, 1694). See also
+      <i>Tatler</i>, Nos. <a href="#number41">41</a>, 226, 240.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag203'>[203]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote203' id="footnote203"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number11'>No. 11</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag204'>[204]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote204' id="footnote204"></a>"Castabella's
+      complaint is come to hand" (folio). See No. 16.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number15' id="number15"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 15.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, May 12</i>, to <i>Saturday, May 14</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 12.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have taken a resolution hereafter, on any want of
+  intelligence, to carry my familiar abroad with me, who has
+  promised to give me very proper and just notices of persons and
+  things, to make up the history of the passing day. He is
+  wonderfully skilful in the knowledge of men and manners, which
+  has made me more than ordinary <a class="pagenum" name='page131'
+  title='131' id="page131"></a>curious to know how he came to that
+  perfection, and I communicated to him that doubt. "Mr. Pacolet,"
+  said I, "I am mightily surprised to see you so good a judge of
+  our nature and circumstances, since you are a mere spirit, and
+  have no knowledge of the bodily part of us." He answered,
+  smiling, "You are mistaken, I have been one of you, and lived a
+  month amongst you, which gives me an exact sense of your
+  condition. You are to know, that all who enter into human life,
+  have a certain date or stamen given to their being, which they
+  only who die of age may be said to have arrived at; but it is
+  ordered sometimes by fate, that such as die infants, are after
+  death to attend mankind to the end of that stamen of being in
+  themselves, which was broke off by sickness or any other
+  disaster. These are proper guardians to men, as being sensible of
+  the infirmity of their state. You are philosopher enough to know,
+  that the difference of men's understanding proceeds only from the
+  various dispositions of their organs; so that he who dies at a
+  month old, is in the next life as knowing (though more innocent)
+  as they who live to fifty; and after death, they have as perfect
+  a memory and judgment of all that passed in their lifetime, as I
+  have of all the revolutions in that uneasy, turbulent condition
+  of yours; and, you'd say, I had enough of it in a month, were I
+  to tell you all my misfortunes." "A life of a month, can't have,
+  one would think, much variety; but pray," said I, "let us have
+  your story."</p>
+
+  <p>Then he proceeds in the following manner:</p>
+
+  <p>"It was one of the most wealthy families in Great Britain into
+  which I was born, and it was a very great happiness to me that it
+  so happened, otherwise I had still, in all probability, been
+  living: but I shall recount to you all the occurrences of my
+  short and miserable existence, just as, by examining into the
+  traces made in my brain, <a class="pagenum" name='page132' title=
+  '132' id="page132"></a>they appeared to me at that time. The
+  first thing that ever struck my senses, was a noise over my head
+  of one shrieking; after which, methought I took a full jump, and
+  found myself in the hands of a sorceress, who seemed as if she
+  had been long waking and employed in some incantation: I was
+  thoroughly frightened, and cried out, but she immediately seemed
+  to go on in some magical operation, and anointed me from head to
+  foot. What they meant I could not imagine; for there gathered a
+  great crowd about me, crying, 'An heir, an heir'; upon which I
+  grew a little still, and believed this was a ceremony to be used
+  only to great persons, and such as made them, what they called,
+  Heirs. I lay very quiet; but the witch, for no manner of reason
+  or provocation in the world, takes me and binds my head as hard
+  as possibly she could, then ties up both my legs, and makes me
+  swallow down a horrid mixture; I thought it a harsh entrance into
+  life to begin with taking physic; but I was forced to it, or else
+  must have taken down a great instrument in which she gave it me.
+  When I was thus dressed, I was carried to a bedside, where a fine
+  young lady (my mother I wot) had like to have hugged me to death.
+  From her, they faced me about, and there was a thing with quite
+  another look from the rest of the room, to whom they talked about
+  my nose. He seemed wonderfully pleased to see me; but I knew
+  since, my nose belonged to another family. That into which I was
+  born, is one of the most numerous amongst you; therefore crowds
+  of relations came every day to congratulate my arrival; among
+  others, my cousin Betty, the greatest romp in nature; she whisks
+  me such a height over her head, that I cried out for fear of
+  falling. She pinched me, and called me squealing chit, and threw
+  me into a girl's arms that was taken in to tend me. The girl was
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page133' title='133' id=
+  "page133"></a>very proud of the womanly employment of a nurse,
+  and took upon her to strip and dress me anew, because I made a
+  noise, to see what ailed me: she did so, and stuck a pin in every
+  joint about me. I still cried: upon which, she lays me on my face
+  in her lap; and to quiet me, fell a nailing in all the pins, by
+  clapping me on the back, and screaming a lullaby. But my pain
+  made me exalt my voice above hers, which brought up the nurse,
+  the witch I first saw, and my grandmother. The girl is turned
+  down stairs, and I stripped again, as well to find out what ailed
+  me, as to satisfy my granam's further curiosity. This good old
+  woman's visit was the cause of all my troubles. You are to
+  understand, that I was hitherto bred by hand, and anybody that
+  stood next, gave me pap, if I did but open my lips; insomuch,
+  that I was grown so cunning, as to pretend myself asleep when I
+  was not, to prevent my being crammed. But my grandmother began a
+  loud lecture upon the idleness of the wives of this age, who, for
+  fear of their shape, forbear suckling their own offspring; and
+  ten nurses were immediately sent for; one was whispered to have a
+  wanton eye, and would soon spoil her milk; another was in a
+  consumption; the third had an ill voice, and would frighten me,
+  instead of lulling me to sleep. Such exceptions were made against
+  all but one country milch-wench, to whom I was committed, and put
+  to the breast. This careless jade was eternally romping with the
+  footmen, and downright starved me; insomuch that I daily pined
+  away, and should never have been relieved, had it not been, that
+  on the thirtieth day of my life, a fellow of the Royal
+  Society,<a name='fntag205' id="fntag205"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote205'><sup>205</sup></a> who had writ upon <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page134' title='134' id="page134"></a>Cold Baths,
+  came to visit me, and solemnly protested, I was utterly lost for
+  want of that method: upon which he soused me head and ears into a
+  pail of water, where I had the good fortune to be drowned, and so
+  escaped being lashed into a linguist till sixteen, running after
+  wenches till twenty-five, and being married to an ill-natured
+  wife till sixty: which had certainly been my fate, had not the
+  enchantment between body and soul been broke by this philosopher.
+  Thus, till the age I should have otherwise lived, I am obliged to
+  watch the steps of men; and if you please, shall accompany you in
+  your present walks, and get you intelligence from the a�rial
+  lackey, who is in waiting, what are the thoughts and purposes of
+  any whom you inquire for." I accepted his kind offer, and
+  immediately took him with me in a hack to White's.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>We got in hither, and my companion threw a powder round us,
+  that made me as invisible as himself; so that we could see and
+  hear all others; ourselves unseen and unheard.</p>
+
+  <p>The first thing we took notice of, was a nobleman of a goodly
+  and frank aspect, with his generous birth and temper visible in
+  it, playing at cards with a creature of a black and horrid
+  countenance, wherein were plainly delineated the arts of his
+  mind, cozenage and falsehood. They were marking their game with
+  counters, on which we could see inscriptions, imperceptible to
+  any but us. My lord had scored with pieces of ivory, on which
+  were writ, Good Fame, Glory, Riches, Honour, and Posterity. The
+  spectre over against him had on his counters the inscriptions of,
+  Dishonour, Impudence, Poverty, Ignorance, and Want of Shame.
+  "Bless me!" said I, "sure my lord does not see what he plays
+  for!" "As well as I <a class="pagenum" name='page135' title='135'
+  id="page135"></a>do," says Pacolet. "He despises that fellow he
+  plays with, and scorns himself for making him his companion." At
+  the very instant he was speaking, I saw the fellow who played
+  with my lord, hide two cards in the roll of his stocking: Pacolet
+  immediately stole them from thence; upon which the nobleman soon
+  after won the game. The little triumph he appeared in, when he
+  got such a trifling stock of ready money, though he had ventured
+  so great sums with indifference, increased my admiration. But
+  Pacolet began to talk to me. "Mr. Isaac, this to you looks
+  wonderful, but not at all to us higher beings: that noble has as
+  many good qualities as any man of his order, and seems to have no
+  faults but what, as I may say, are excrescences from virtues: he
+  is generous to a prodigality, more affable than is consistent
+  with his quality, and courageous to a rashness. Yet, after all
+  this, the source of his whole conduct is (though he would hate
+  himself if he knew it) mere avarice. The ready cash laid before
+  the gamester's counters makes him venture, as you see, and lay
+  distinction against infamy, abundance against want; in a word,
+  all that's desirable against all that's to be avoided."
+  "However," said I, "be sure you disappoint the sharpers to-night,
+  and steal from them all the cards they hide." Pacolet obeyed me,
+  and my lord went home with their whole bank in his pocket.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>To-night was acted a second time a comedy, called "The Busy
+  Body:"<a name='fntag206' id="fntag206"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote206'><sup>206</sup></a> this play is written by a lady.
+  In old times, we used to sit upon a play here after it was acted;
+  but now the entertainment is turned another way; <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page136' title='136' id="page136"></a>not but
+  there are considerable men appear in all ages, who, for some
+  eminent quality or invention, deserve the esteem and thanks of
+  the public. Such a benefactor is a gentleman of this house, who
+  is observed by the surgeons with much envy; for he has invented
+  an engine for the prevention of harms by love adventures, and by
+  great care and application, hath made it an immodesty to name his
+  name. This act of self-denial has gained this worthy member of
+  the commonwealth a great reputation. Some lawgivers have departed
+  from their abodes for ever, and commanded the observation of
+  their laws till their return; others have used other artifices to
+  fly the applause of their merit; but this person shuns glory with
+  greater address, and has, by giving his engine his own name, made
+  it obscene to speak of him more. However, he is ranked among, and
+  received by the modern wits, as a great promoter of gallantry and
+  pleasure. But I fear, pleasure is less understood in this age,
+  which so much pretends to it, than in any since the creation. It
+  was admirably said of him who first took notice, that (<i>res est
+  severa voluptas</i>) there is a certain severity in pleasure.
+  Without that, all decency is banished; and if reason is not to be
+  present at our greatest satisfactions, of all the races of
+  creatures, the human is the most miserable. It was not so of old;
+  when Virgil describes a wit, he always means a virtuous man; and
+  all his sentiments of men of genius are such as show persons
+  distin<a class="pagenum" name='page137' title='137' id=
+  "page137"></a>guished from the common level of mankind; such as
+  placed happiness in the contempt of low fears, and mean
+  gratifications: fears, which we are subject to with the vulgar;
+  and pleasures, which we have in common with beasts. With these
+  illustrious personages, the wisest man was the greatest wit; and
+  none was thought worthy of that character, unless he answered
+  this excellent description of the poet:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Qui&#8212;metus omnes et inexorabile fatum
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari.<a name=
+        'fntag207' id="fntag207"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote207'><sup>207</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>We had this morning advice, that some English merchant-ships,
+  convoyed by the <i>Bristol</i> of fifty-four guns, were met with
+  by a part of Mons. du Guy Trouin's squadron, who engaged the
+  convoy. That ship defended itself till the English merchants got
+  clear of the enemy, but being disabled was herself taken. Within
+  few hours after, my Lord Dursley<a name='fntag208' id=
+  "fntag208"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote208'><sup>208</sup></a> came up with part of his
+  squadron and engaging the French, retook the <i>Bristol</i>
+  (which being very much shattered, sunk), and took the
+  <i>Glorieux</i>, a ship of forty-four guns, as also a privateer
+  of fourteen. Before this action, his lordship had taken two
+  French merchant-men; and had, at the despatch of these advices,
+  brought the whole safe into Plymouth.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag205'>[205]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote205' id="footnote205"></a>Probably
+      William Oliver, M.D., F.R.S., who published a Dissertation on
+      Bath waters, and cold baths, in 1709 (<i>Flying Post</i>,
+      Feb. 10 to 12, 1709). Sir John Floyer's "Inquiry into the
+      right Use and Abuses of the Hot, Cold, and Temperate Baths in
+      England, &amp;c.," appeared in 1697.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag206'>[206]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote206' id="footnote206"></a>By Mrs.
+      Susannah Centlivre, a lady of Whig views, who was possessed
+      of considerable beauty. (See also <a href='#number19'>No.
+      19</a>.) Isaac Bickerstaff had promised a prologue to "The
+      Busy Body" before it was to be first played, as appears from
+      a poetical epistle of Mrs. Centlivre, claiming the
+      performance of such a promise, printed by Charles Lillie
+      ("Orig. Letters to <i>Tatler</i> and <i>Spectator</i>" vol.
+      ii. pp. 33, 34). Leigh Hunt ("The Town") suggests that Pope
+      put Mrs. Centlivre in the "Dunciad" (ii. 410&#8212;"At last
+      Centlivre felt her voice to fail") on account of her intimacy
+      with Steele and other friends of Addison. Mrs. Centlivre
+      (1667-1723) married, as her second husband, Mr. Carrol, a
+      gentleman of the army, and afterwards Mr. Joseph Centlivre,
+      principal cook to Queen Anne, 1706.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag207'>[207]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote207' id="footnote207"></a>Virgil,
+      "Georgics," ii. 492.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag208'>[208]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote208' id="footnote208"></a>In November
+      1709, James Viscount Dursley was raised to the rank of
+      Vice-Admiral of the Blue. Next year he succeeded his father
+      in the title of Earl of Berkeley.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page138' title='138' id=
+    "page138"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number16' id="number16"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 16.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, May 14</i>, to <i>Tuesday, May 17</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>Sir Thomas,<a name='fntag209' id="fntag209"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote209'><sup>209</sup></a> of this house, has shown
+  me some letters from the Bath, which give accounts of what passes
+  among the good company of that place; and allowed me to
+  transcribe one of them, that seems to be writ by some of Sir
+  Thomas' particular acquaintances, and is as follows:</p>
+
+  <p>"DEAR KNIGHT,</p>
+
+  <p>"I desire you would give my humble service to all our friends,
+  which I speak of to you (out of method) in the very beginning of
+  my epistle, lest the present disorders, by which this seat of
+  gallantry and pleasure is torn to pieces, should make me forget
+  it. You keep so good company, that you know Bath is stocked with
+  such as come hither to be relieved from luxuriant health, or
+  imaginary sickness, and consequently is always as well stowed
+  with gallants as invalids, who live together in a very good
+  understanding. But the season is so early, that our fine company
+  is not yet arrived: and the warm Bath, which in heathen times was
+  dedicated to Venus, is now used only by such as really want it
+  for health's sake. There are however a good many strangers, among
+  whom are two ambitious ladies, who being both in the autumn of
+  their life, take the opportunity of placing themselves at the
+  head of such as we are, before the Chloes, Clarissas, and
+  Pastorellas come down. One of <a class="pagenum" name='page139'
+  title='139' id="page139"></a>these two is excessively in pain,
+  that the ugly being called Time will make wrinkles in spite of
+  the lead forehead-cloth; and therefore hides, with the gaiety of
+  her air, the volubility of her tongue, and quickness of her
+  motion, the injuries which it has done her. The other lady is but
+  two years behind her in life, and dreads as much being laid aside
+  as the former, and consequently has taken the necessary
+  precautions to prevent her reign over us. But she is very
+  discreet, and wonderfully turned for ambition, being never
+  apparently transported either with affection or malice. Thus,
+  while Florimel is talking in public, and spreading her graces in
+  assemblies, to gain a popular dominion over our diversions,
+  Prudentia visits very cunningly all the lame, the splenetic, and
+  the superannuated, who have their distinct classes of followers
+  and friends. Among these, she has found that some body has sent
+  down printed certificates of Florimel's age, which she has read
+  and distributed to this unjoyful set of people, who are always
+  enemies to those in possession of the good opinion of the
+  company. This unprovoked injury done by Prudentia, was the first
+  occasion of our fatal divisions here, and a declaration of war
+  between these rivals. Florimel has abundance of wit, which she
+  has lavished in decrying Prudentia, and giving defiance to her
+  little arts. For an instance of her superior power, she bespoke
+  the play of 'Alexander the Great,'<a name='fntag210' id=
+  "fntag210"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote210'><sup>210</sup></a> to be acted by the company of
+  strollers, and desired us all to be there on Thursday last. When
+  she spoke to me to come, 'As you are,' said she, 'a lover, you
+  will not fail the death of Alexander: the passion of love is
+  wonderfully hit&#8212;Statira! Oh that happy woman&#8212;to have
+  a conqueror at her feet&#8212;but you will be sure to be there.'
+  I, and several others, <a class="pagenum" name='page140' title=
+  '140' id="page140"></a>resolved to be of her party. But see the
+  irresistible strength of that unsuspected creature, a silent
+  woman. Prudentia had counterplotted us, and had bespoke on the
+  same evening the puppet-show of 'The Creation of the
+  World.'<a name='fntag211' id="fntag211"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote211'><sup>211</sup></a> She had engaged everybody to be
+  there, and, to turn our leader into ridicule, had secretly let
+  them know, that the puppet Eve was made the most like Florimel
+  that ever was seen. On Thursday morning the puppet-drummer, Adam
+  and Eve, and several others who lived before the Flood, passed
+  through the streets on horseback, to invite us all to the
+  pastime, and the representation of such things as we all knew to
+  be true; and Mr. Mayor was so wise as to prefer these innocent
+  people the puppets, who, he said, were to represent Christians,
+  before the wicked players, who were to show Alexander, a heathen
+  philosopher. To be short, this Prudentia had so laid it, that at
+  ten of the clock footmen were sent to take places at the
+  puppet-show, and all we of Florimel's party were to be out of
+  fashion, or desert her. We chose the latter. All the world
+  crowded to Prudentia's house, because it was given out, nobody
+  could get in. When we came to Noah's flood in the show, Punch and
+  his wife were introduced dancing in the Ark. An honest plain
+  friend of Florimel's, but a critic withal, rose up in the midst
+  of the representation, and made many very good exceptions to the
+  drama itself, and told us, that it was against all morality, as
+  well as rules of the stage, that Punch should be in jest in the
+  Deluge, or indeed that he should <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page141' title='141' id="page141"></a>appear at all. This was
+  certainly a just remark, and I thought to second him; but he was
+  hissed by Prudentia's party; upon which, really, Sir Thomas, we
+  who were his friends, hissed him too. Old Mrs. Petulant desired
+  both her daughters to mind the moral; then whispered Mrs.
+  Mayoress, 'This is very proper for young people to see.' Punch at
+  the end of the play made Madam Prudentia a compliment, and was
+  very civil to the whole company, making bows till his buttons
+  touched the ground. All was carried triumphantly against our
+  party. In the meantime Florimel went to the tragedy, dressed as
+  fine as hands could make her, in hopes to see Prudentia pine away
+  with envy. Instead of that, she sat a full hour alone, and at
+  last was entertained with this whole relation from Statira, who
+  wiped her eyes with her tragical-cut handkerchief, and lamented
+  the ignorance of the quality. Florimel was stung with this
+  affront, and the next day bespoke the puppet-show. Prudentia,
+  insolent with power, bespoke 'Alexander.' The whole company came
+  then to 'Alexander.' Madam Petulant desired her daughters to mind
+  the moral, and believe no man's fair words; 'For you'll see,
+  children,' said she, 'these soldiers are never to be depended
+  upon; they are sometimes here, sometimes there&#8212;don't you
+  see, daughter Betty, Colonel Clod, our next neighbour in the
+  country, pulls off his hat to you? Courtesy, good child, his
+  estate is just by us.' Florimel was now mortified down to
+  Prudentia's humour; and Prudentia exalted into hers. This was
+  observed: Florimel invites us to the play a second time,
+  Prudentia to the show. See the uncertainty of human affairs! The
+  beaux, the wits, the gamesters, the prues,<a name='fntag212' id=
+  "fntag212"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote212'><sup>212</sup></a> the coquettes, the
+  valetudinarians, and gallants, all now <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page142' title='142' id="page142"></a>wait upon Florimel. Such
+  is the state of things at this present date; and if there happens
+  any new commotions, you shall have immediate advice from,</p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your affectionate Friend</p>
+
+  <p>"and Servant.</p>
+
+  <p>"Bath, <i>May 11</i>, 1709."</p>
+
+  <h4>"<i>To Castabella.</i></h4>
+
+  <p>"MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>I have the honour of a letter from a friend of yours, relating
+  to an incivility done to you at the opera, by one of your own
+  sex; but I, who was an eye-witness of the accident, can testify
+  to you, that though she pressed before you, she lost her ends in
+  that design; for she was taken notice of for no other reason, but
+  her endeavours to hide a finer woman than herself. But indeed, I
+  dare not go farther in this matter, than just this bare mention;
+  for though it was taking your place of right, rather than place
+  of precedence, yet it is so tender a point, and on which the very
+  life of female ambition depends, that it is of the last
+  consequence to meddle in it: all my hopes are from your beautiful
+  sex; and those bright eyes, which are the bane of others, are my
+  only sunshine. My writings are sacred to you; and I hope I shall
+  always have the good fortune to live under your protection;
+  therefore take this public opportunity to signify to all the
+  world, that I design to forbear anything that may in the least
+  tend to the diminution of your interest, reputation, or power.
+  You will therefore <a class="pagenum" name='page143' title='143'
+  id="page143"></a>forgive me, that I strive to conceal every wrong
+  step made by any who have the honour to wear petticoats; and
+  shall at all times do what is in my power, to make all mankind as
+  much their slaves as myself. If they would consider things as
+  they ought, there needs not much argument to convince them, that
+  it is their fate to be obedient to you, and that your greatest
+  rebels do only serve with a worse grace.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am, Madam,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most obedient, and</p>
+
+  <p>"most humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.</p>
+
+  <p>"<i>May 16.</i>"</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 16.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague, bearing date the 21st instant, N.S.,
+  advise, that his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, immediately after
+  his arrival, sent his secretary to the President and the
+  Pensionary, to acquaint them therewith. Soon after, these
+  Ministers visited the duke, and made him compliments in the name
+  of the States-General; after which they entered into a conference
+  with him on the present posture of affairs, and gave his grace
+  assurances of the firm adherence of the States to the alliance:
+  at the same time acquainting him, that all overtures of peace
+  were rejected, till they had an opportunity of acting in concert
+  with their allies on that subject. After this interview, the
+  Pensionary and the President returned to the assembly of the
+  States. Monsieur Torcy has had a conference at the Pensioner's
+  house with his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, Prince Eugene, and
+  his Excellency the Lord Townshend. The result of what <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page144' title='144' id="page144"></a>was debated
+  at that time is kept secret; but there appears an air of
+  satisfaction and good understanding between these Ministers. We
+  are apt also to give ourselves very hopeful prospects from
+  Monsieur Torcy's being employed in this negotiation, who has been
+  always remarkable for a particular way of thinking, in his sense
+  of the greatness of France; which he has always said, was to be
+  promoted rather by the arts of peace, than those of war. His
+  delivering himself freely on this subject, has formerly appeared
+  an unsuccessful way to power in that Court; but in its present
+  circumstances, those maxims are better received; and it is
+  thought a certain argument of the sincerity of the French king's
+  intentions, that this Minister is at present made use of. The
+  marquis is to return to Paris within few days, who has sent a
+  courier thither to give notice of the reasons of his return, that
+  the Court may be the sooner able to despatch commissions for a
+  formal treaty.</p>
+
+  <p>The expectations of peace are increased by advices from Paris
+  of the 17th instant, which say, the Dauphin hath altered his
+  resolution of commanding in Flanders the ensuing campaign. The
+  Saxon and Prussian reinforcements, together with Count Merci's
+  regiment of Imperial horse, are encamped in the neighbourhood of
+  Brussels; and sufficient stores of corn and forage are
+  transported to that place and Ghent for the service of the
+  confederate army.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from Mons, that the Elector of Bavaria had advice,
+  that an advanced party of the Portuguese army had been defeated
+  by the Spaniards.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from Languedoc, that their corn, olives and figs, were
+  wholly destroyed; but that they have a hopeful prospect of a
+  plentiful vintage.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag209'>[209]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote209' id="footnote209"></a>The nickname of
+      a waiter at White's (see <a href='#number1'>No. 1</a>).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag210'>[210]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote210' id="footnote210"></a>"The Rival
+      Queens; or, Alexander the Great," by Nathaniel Lee, 1677.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag211'>[211]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote211' id="footnote211"></a>The following
+      advertisement is among the Harleian MSS. (Bayford's Coll.
+      5931): "At Crawley's show at the Golden Lion, near St.
+      George's Church, during the time of Southwark Fair, will be
+      presented the whole story of the old 'Creation of the World,
+      or Paradise Lost,' yet newly revived with the addition of
+      'Noah's Flood'; &amp;c. The best known puppet-show man was
+      Martin Powell. (See No. 236.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag212'>[212]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote212' id="footnote212"></a>So in the folio
+      and original collected editions. "Prue" was Steele's
+      favourite name for his wife; here it means "prude," and no
+      doubt Steele sometimes thought "dear Prue" was unnecessarily
+      and unreasonably particular.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page145' title='145' id=
+    "page145"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number17' id="number17"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 17.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, May 17</i>, to <i>Thursday, May 19</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>The discourse has happened to turn this evening upon the true
+  nature of panegyric, the perfection of which was asserted to
+  consist in a certain artful way of conveying the applause in an
+  indirect manner. There was a gentleman gave us several instances
+  of it: among others, he quoted, from Sir Francis Bacon, in his
+  "Advancement of Learning," a very great compliment made to
+  Tiberius, as follows: In a full debate upon public affairs in the
+  Senate, one of the assembly rose up, and with a very grave air
+  said, he thought it for the honour and dignity of the
+  commonwealth, that Tiberius should be declared a god, and have
+  divine worship paid him. The Emperor was surprised at the
+  proposal, and demanded of him to declare whether he had made any
+  application to incline him to that overture? The senator
+  answered, with a bold and haughty tone, "Sir, in matters that
+  concern the commonwealth, I will be governed by no man."<a name=
+  'fntag213' id="fntag213"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote213'><sup>213</sup></a> Another gentleman mentioned
+  something of the same kind spoken by the late Duke of
+  B&#8212;&#8212;m,<a name='fntag214' id="fntag214"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote214'><sup>214</sup></a> to the late Earl of
+  O&#8212;&#8212;y:<a name='fntag215' id="fntag215"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote215'><sup>215</sup></a> "My lord," says the
+  duke, after his libertine way, "you will certainly be damned."
+  "How, my lord!" says the earl with some warmth. "Nay," said the
+  duke, "there's no help for it, for it is positively said, 'Cursed
+  is he of whom all men speak well.'"<a name='fntag216' id=
+  "fntag216"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote216'><sup>216</sup></a> This is taking a man by
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page146' title='146' id=
+  "page146"></a>surprise, and being welcome when you have so
+  surprised him. The person flattered receives you into his closet
+  at once; and the sudden change in his heart, from the expectation
+  of an ill-wisher, to find you his friend, makes you in his full
+  favour in a moment. The spirits that were raised so suddenly
+  against you, are as suddenly for you. There was another instance
+  given of this kind at the table: a gentleman who had a very great
+  favour done him, and an employment bestowed upon him, without so
+  much as being known to his benefactor, waited upon the great man
+  who was so generous, and was beginning to say, he was infinitely
+  obliged. "Not at all," says the patron, turning from him to
+  another, "had I known a more deserving man in England, he should
+  not have had it."</p>
+
+  <p>We should certainly have had more examples, had not a
+  gentleman produced a book which he thought an instance of this
+  kind: it was a pamphlet, called, "The Naked Truth."<a name=
+  'fntag217' id="fntag217"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote217'><sup>217</sup></a> The idea any one would have of
+  that work from the title, was, that there would be much plain
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page147' title='147' id=
+  "page147"></a>dealing with people in power, and that we should
+  see things in their proper light, stripped of the ornaments which
+  are usually given to the actions of the great: but the skill of
+  this author is such, that he has, under that rugged appearance,
+  approved himself the finest gentleman and courtier that ever
+  writ. The language is extremely sublime, and not at all to be
+  understood by the vulgar: the sentiments are such as would make
+  no figure in ordinary words; but such is the art of the
+  expression, and the thoughts are elevated to so high a degree,
+  that I question whether the discourse will sell much. There was
+  an ill-natured fellow present, who hates all panegyric mortally.
+  "P&#8212;&#8212; take him!" said he, "what the devil means his
+  'Naked Truth,' in speaking nothing but to the advantage of all
+  whom he mentions? This is just such a great action as that of the
+  champion's on a coronation day, who challenges all mankind to
+  dispute with him the right of the sovereign, surrounded with his
+  guards." The gentleman who produced the treatise, desired him to
+  be cautious, and said, it was writ by an excellent soldier, which
+  made the company observe it more narrowly: and, as critics are
+  the greatest conjurers at finding out a known <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page148' title='148' id="page148"></a>truth, one said, he
+  was sure it was writ by the hand of his sword-arm. I could not
+  perceive much wit in that expression: but it raised a laugh, and
+  I suppose, was meant as a sneer upon valiant men. The same man
+  pretended to see in the style, that it was a horse officer; but
+  sure that's being too nice: for though you may know officers of
+  the cavalry by the turn of their feet, I can't imagine how you
+  should discern their hands from those of other men. But it is
+  always thus with pedants, they will ever be carping; if a
+  gentleman or a man of honour puts pen to paper, I don't doubt,
+  but this author will find this assertion too true, and that
+  obloquy is not repulsed by the force of arms. I will therefore
+  set this excellent piece in a light too glaring for weak eyes,
+  and, in imitation of the critic Longinus, shall, as well as I
+  can, make my observations in a style like the author's, of whom I
+  treat; which perhaps I am as capable of as another, having an
+  unbounded force of thinking, as well as a most exquisite address,
+  extensively and wisely indulged to me by the supreme powers. My
+  author, I will dare to assert, shows the most universal knowledge
+  of any writer who has appeared this century. He is a poet, and
+  merchant, which is seen in two master-words, Credit Blossoms. He
+  is a grammarian, and a politician; for he says, the uniting the
+  two kingdoms is the emphasis of the security to the Protestant
+  Succession. Some would be apt to say he is a conjurer; for he has
+  found that a republic is not made up of every body of animals,
+  but is composed of men only, and not of horses. Liberty and
+  property have chosen their retreat within the emulating circle of
+  a human commonwealth. He is a physician; for he says, "I observe
+  a constant equality in its pulse, and a just quickness of its
+  vigorous circulation." And again: "I view the strength of our
+  Constitution plainly appear in the sanguine <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page149' title='149' id="page149"></a>and ruddy complexion
+  of a well-contented city." He is a divine; for he says, "I cannot
+  but bless myself." And indeed, this excellent treatise has had
+  that good effect upon me, who am far from being superstitious,
+  that I, also, can't but bless myself.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day arrived a mail from Lisbon, with letters of the 13th
+  instant, N.S., containing a particular account of the late action
+  in Portugal. On the 7th instant, the army of Portugal, under the
+  command of the Marquis de Frontera, lay on the side of the Caya,
+  and the army of the Duke of Anjou, commanded by the Marquis de
+  Bay, on the other. The latter commander having an ambition to
+  ravage the country, in a manner in sight of the Portuguese, made
+  a motion with the whole body of his horse toward Fort St.
+  Christopher, near the town of Badajos. The generals of the
+  Portuguese, disdaining that such an insult should be offered to
+  their arms, took a resolution to pass the river, and oppose the
+  designs of the enemy. The Earl of Galway represented to them,
+  that the present posture of affairs was such on the side of the
+  Allies, that there needed no more to be done at present in that
+  country, but to carry on a defensive part. But his arguments
+  could not avail in the council of war. Upon which, a great
+  detachment of foot, and the whole of the horse of the King of
+  Portugal's army, passed the river, and with some pieces of cannon
+  did good execution on the enemy. Upon observing this, the Marquis
+  de Bay advanced with his horse, and attacked the right wing of
+  the Portuguese cavalry, who faced about, and fled, without
+  standing the first encounter. But their foot repulsed the same
+  body of horse in three successive charges, with great order and
+  resolution. While this was transacting, the <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page150' title='150' id="page150"></a>British general
+  commanded the brigade of Pearce to keep the enemy in diversion by
+  a new attack. This was so well executed, that the Portuguese
+  infantry had time to retire in good order, and repass the river.
+  But that brigade, which rescued them, was itself surrounded by
+  the enemy, and Major-General Sarkey, Brigadier Pearce, together
+  with both their regiments, and that of the Lord Galway, lately
+  raised, were taken prisoners.</p>
+
+  <p>During the engagement, the Earl of Barrymore having advanced
+  too far to give some necessary order, was hemmed in by a squadron
+  of the enemy; but found means to gallop up to the brigade of
+  Pearce, with which he remains also a prisoner. My Lord Galway had
+  his horse shot under him in this action; and the Conde de St.
+  Juan, a Portuguese general, was taken prisoner. The same night
+  the army encamped at Aronches, and on the 9th moved to Elvas,
+  where they lay when these despatches came away. Colonel Stanwix's
+  regiment is also taken. The whole of this affair has given the
+  Portuguese a great idea of the capacity and courage of my Lord
+  Galway, against whose advice they entered upon this unfortunate
+  affair, and by whose conduct they were rescued from it. The
+  prodigious constancy and resolution of that great man is hardly
+  to be paralleled, who, under the oppression of a maimed body, and
+  the reflection of repeated ill fortune, goes on with an
+  unspeakable alacrity in the service of the common cause. He has
+  already put things in a very good posture after this ill
+  accident, and made the necessary dispositions for covering the
+  country from any further attempt of the enemy, who lie still in
+  the camp they were in before the battle.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Brussels, dated the 25th instant, advise, that
+  notwithstanding the negotiations of a peace seem so far advanced,
+  that some do confidently report the pre<a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page151' title='151' id="page151"></a>liminaries of a treaty to
+  be actually agreed on; yet the Allies hasten their preparations
+  for opening the campaign; and the forces of the Empire, the
+  Prussians, the Danes, the Wirtembergers, the Palatines, and Saxon
+  auxiliaries, are in motion towards the general rendezvous, they
+  being already arrived in the neighbourhood of Brussels. These
+  advices add, that the deputies of the States of Holland having
+  made a general review of the troops in Flanders, set out for
+  Antwerp on the 21st instant from that place. On the same day the
+  Prince Royal of Prussia came thither <i>incognito</i>, with a
+  design to make the ensuing campaign under his Grace the Duke of
+  Marlborough.</p>
+
+  <p>This day is published a treatise called, "The Difference
+  between Scandal and Admonition." By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; and
+  on the 1st of July next, you may expect, "A Prophecy of Things
+  Past; wherein the Art of Fortune-telling is laid open to the
+  meanest capacity." And on the Monday following, "Choice Sentences
+  for the Company of Masons and Bricklayers, to be put upon new
+  Houses, with a translation of all the Latin sentences that have
+  been built of late years, together with a comment upon stone
+  walls," by the same hand.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag213'>[213]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote213' id="footnote213"></a>See Tacitus,
+      "Annals," i. 8.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag214'>[214]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote214' id="footnote214"></a>George
+      Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag215'>[215]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote215' id="footnote215"></a>Roger Boyle,
+      Earl of Orrery.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag216'>[216]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote216' id="footnote216"></a>Luke vi.
+      26.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag217'>[217]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote217' id="footnote217"></a>Like Nichols, I
+      have not been able to see a copy of this pamphlet, or the
+      defence of it, mentioned in <a href='#number21'>No. 21</a>;
+      but a letter from Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, dated 20 May,
+      1709, throws some light on the matter: "Dear Brother, ...
+      Brigadeer Crowder of late has made some talk in the Coffee
+      Houses upon a peice he has lately been pleased to print, he
+      did me the favour to show it me some time agoe in manuscript,
+      and I complymented him with desiring a coppy of it, that I
+      might have the pleasure of reading it more than once, and
+      that I might communicate the like sattisfaction to you by
+      sending it to Berlin. He told me it had the approbation of
+      very ingenious men and good scholars, and his very good
+      friends who had persuaded him to print it, and then you, as
+      he always esteem'd to be such, shou'd be sure to have one.
+      The day before yesterday he perform'd his promise but desir'd
+      I wou'd not tell you directly who was the author, but
+      recommend it to you with his most humble service, as from a
+      friend of his. Yesterday came out this <i>Tatler</i>, and
+      tho' I reckon myself a little base after all the fine
+      complyments he made me upon my great judgment, I can't
+      forbear sending it you as a fine peice of rallery upon his
+      elaborate work, which I can assure you he has not been a
+      little proud of. I han't seen him since to know if this
+      <i>Tatler</i> has given him any mortification. I know before
+      he was prepar'd for the censorious, for he said lett people
+      say what they wou'd, he was sure the intention was good, and
+      his meaning for the service of the public. I am sorry he has
+      printed, for he's very civill to me, and always profess a
+      great respect for you, and I wou'd have none that does so
+      exposed" ("Wentworth Papers," pp. 86-7). See <a href=
+      '#number46'>No. 46</a>. A writer in "Notes and Queries" (7 S.
+      iii. 526), in reply to a question of mine, stated that there
+      is a copy of "Naked Truth," 4to, 1709, in the Bamburgh Castle
+      Library. The pamphlet is anonymous, but is ascribed in the
+      catalogue to Colonel Crowder. In May 1710, Thomas Crowther
+      was made a Major-General (Pointer's "Chron. History," ii.
+      679).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number18' id="number18"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 18.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE AND ADDISON.<a name='fntag218'
+    id="fntag218"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote218'><sup>218</sup></a></h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, May 19</i>, to <i>Saturday, May 21</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is observed too often, that men of wit do so much employ
+  their thoughts upon fine speculations, that things useful to
+  mankind are wholly neglected; and they <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page152' title='152' id="page152"></a>are busy in making
+  emendations upon some enclitics in a Greek author, while obvious
+  things, that every man may have use for, are wholly overlooked.
+  It would be a happy thing, if such as have real capacities for
+  public service, were employed in works of general use; but
+  because a thing is everybody's business, it is nobody's business:
+  this is for want of public spirit. As for my part, who am only a
+  student, and a man of no great interest, I can only remark
+  things, and recommend the correction of them to higher powers.
+  There is an offence I have a thousand times lamented, but fear I
+  shall never see remedied; which is, that in a nation where
+  learning is so frequent as in Great Britain, there should be so
+  many gross errors as there are in the very directions of things,
+  wherein accuracy is necessary for the conduct of life. This is
+  notoriously observed by all men of letters when they first come
+  to town (at which time they are usually curious that way) in the
+  inscriptions on sign-posts. I have cause to know this matter as
+  well as anybody; for I have (when I went to Merchant Taylors'
+  School) suffered stripes for spelling after the signs I observed
+  in my way; though at the same time, I must confess, staring at
+  those inscriptions first gave me an idea and curiosity for
+  medals; in which I have since arrived at some knowledge.<a name=
+  'fntag219' id="fntag219"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote219'><sup>219</sup></a> Many a man has lost his way and
+  his dinner by this general want of skill in orthography: for,
+  considering that the painters are usually so very bad, that you
+  cannot know the animal under whose sign you are to live that day,
+  how must the stranger be misled, if it be wrong spelled, as well
+  as ill painted? I have a cousin now in town, who has answered
+  under Bachelor at Queen's College, whose name is <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page153' title='153' id="page153"></a>Humphrey
+  Mopstaff (he is akin to us by his mother). This young man going
+  to see a relation in Barbican, wandered a whole day by the
+  mistake of one letter; for it was written, "This is the BEER,"
+  instead of "This is the BEAR." He was set right at last, by
+  inquiring for the house, of a fellow who could not read, and knew
+  the place mechanically, only by having been often drunk there.
+  But, in the name of goodness, let us make our learning of use to
+  us, or not. Was not this a shame, that a philosopher should be
+  thus directed by a cobbler? I'll be sworn, if it were known how
+  many have suffered in this kind by false spelling since the
+  union, this matter would not long lie thus. What makes these
+  evils the more insupportable, is, that they are so easily
+  amended, and nothing done in it. But it is so far from that, that
+  the evil goes on in other arts as well as orthography. Places are
+  confounded, as well for want of proper distinctions, as things
+  for want of true characters. Had I not come by the other day very
+  early in the morning, there might have been mischief done; for a
+  worthy North Briton was swearing at Stocks Market,<a name=
+  'fntag220' id="fntag220"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote220'><sup>220</sup></a> that they would not let him in
+  at his lodgings; but I knowing the gentleman, and observing him
+  look often at the King on horseback, and then double his oaths,
+  that he was sure he was right, found he mistook that for
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page154' title='154' id=
+  "page154"></a>Charing Cross, by the erection of the like statue
+  in each place. I grant, private men may distinguish their abodes
+  as they please; as one of my acquaintance who lives at
+  Marylebone, has put a good sentence of his own invention upon his
+  dwelling-place, to find out where he lives: he is so near London,
+  that his conceit is this, "The country in town; or, the town in
+  the country"; for you know, if they are both in one, they are all
+  one. Besides that, the ambiguity is not of great consequence; if
+  you are safe at the place, it is no matter if you do not
+  distinctly know where to say the place is. But to return to the
+  orthography of public places: I propose that every tradesman in
+  the cities of London and Westminster shall give me sixpence a
+  quarter for keeping their signs in repair, as to the grammatical
+  part; and I will take into my house a Swiss Count<a name=
+  'fntag221' id="fntag221"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote221'><sup>221</sup></a> of my acquaintance, who can
+  remember all their names without book, for despatch sake, setting
+  up the head of the said foreigner for my sign; the features being
+  strong, and fit for hanging high.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day a mail arrived from Holland, by which there are
+  advices from Paris, that the kingdom of France is in the utmost
+  misery and distraction. The merchants of Lyons have been at
+  Court, to remonstrate their great sufferings by the failure of
+  their public credit; but have received no other satisfaction,
+  than promises of a sudden peace; and that their debts will be
+  made good by funds out of the revenue, which will not answer, but
+  in case of the peace which is promised. In the meantime, the
+  cries of the common people are loud for want of bread, the gentry
+  have lost all spirit and zeal for their country, and the king
+  himself seems to languish under the anxiety of <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page155' title='155' id="page155"></a>the pressing
+  calamities of the nation, and retires from hearing those
+  grievances which he hath not power to redress. Instead of
+  preparations for war, and the defence of their country, there is
+  nothing to be seen but evident marks of a general despair.
+  Processions, fastings, public mournings, and humiliations, are
+  become the sole employments of a people, who were lately the most
+  vain and gay of any in the universe.</p>
+
+  <p>The Pope has written to the French king on the subject of a
+  peace, and his Majesty has answered in the lowliest terms, that
+  he entirely submits his affairs to divine providence, and shall
+  soon show the world, that he prefers the tranquillity of his
+  people to the glory of his arms, and extent of his conquests.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 24th say, that his Excellency
+  the Lord Townshend delivered his credentials on that day to the
+  States-General, as plenipotentiary from the Queen of Great
+  Britain; as did also Count Zinzendorf, who bears the same
+  character from the Emperor.</p>
+
+  <p>Prince Eugene intended to set out the next day for Brussels,
+  and his Grace the Duke of Marlborough on the Tuesday following.
+  The Marquis de Torcy talks daily of going, but still continues
+  here. The army of the Allies is to assemble on the 7th of the
+  next month at Helchin; though it is generally believed, that the
+  preliminaries to a treaty are fully adjusted.</p>
+
+  <p>The approach of a peace<a name='fntag222' id=
+  "fntag222"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote222'><sup>222</sup></a> strikes a panic through our
+  armies, though that of a battle could never do it, and they
+  almost repent of their bravery, that made such haste to humble
+  themselves and the French king. The Duke of Marlborough, though
+  otherwise the greatest general of the age, has plainly shown
+  himself unacquainted with the arts <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page156' title='156' id="page156"></a>of husbanding a war. He
+  might have grown as old as the Duke of Alva, or Prince Waldeck,
+  in the Low Countries, and yet have got reputation enough every
+  year for any reasonable man: for the command of general in
+  Flanders hath been ever looked upon as a provision for life. For
+  my part, I can't see how his grace can answer it to the world,
+  for the great eagerness he hath shown to send a hundred thousand
+  of the bravest fellows in Europe a begging. But the private
+  gentlemen of the infantry will be able to shift for themselves; a
+  brave man can never starve in a country stocked with hen-roosts.
+  "There is not a yard of linen," says my honoured progenitor, Sir
+  John Falstaff, "in my whole company; but as for that," says this
+  worthy knight, "I am in no great pain, we shall find shirts on
+  every hedge."<a name='fntag223' id="fntag223"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote223'><sup>223</sup></a> There is another sort of
+  gentlemen whom I am much more concerned for, and that is, the
+  ingenious fraternity of which I have the honour to be an unworthy
+  member; I mean the news-writers of Great Britain, whether Postmen
+  or Postboys,<a name='fntag224' id="fntag224"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote224'><sup>224</sup></a> or by what other name or
+  title soever dignified or distinguished. The case of these
+  gentlemen is, I think, more hard than that of <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page157' title='157' id="page157"></a>the soldiers,
+  considering that they have taken more towns, and fought more
+  battles. They have been upon parties and skirmishes, when our
+  armies have lain still; and given the general assault to many a
+  place, when the besiegers were quiet in their trenches. They have
+  made us masters of several strong towns many weeks before our
+  generals could do it; and completed victories, when our greatest
+  captains have been glad to come off with a drawn battle. Where
+  Prince Eugene has slain his thousands, Boyer<a name='fntag225'
+  id="fntag225"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote225'><sup>225</sup></a> has slain his ten thousands.
+  This, gentleman can indeed be never enough commended for his
+  courage and intrepidity during this whole war: he has laid about
+  him with an inexpressible fury, and like the offended Marius of
+  ancient Rome, made such havoc among his countrymen, as must be
+  the work of two or three ages to repair. It must be confessed,
+  the redoubted Mr. Buckley<a name='fntag226' id=
+  "fntag226"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote226'><sup>226</sup></a> has shed as much blood as the
+  former; but I cannot forbear saying (and I hope it will not look
+  like envy) that we regard our brother Buckley as a
+  Drawcansir,<a name='fntag227' id="fntag227"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote227'><sup>227</sup></a> who spares neither friend
+  nor foe, but generally kills as many of his own side as the
+  enemy's. It is impossible for this ingenious sort of men to
+  subsist after a peace: every one remembers the shifts they were
+  driven to in the reign of King Charles II., when they could not
+  furnish out <a class="pagenum" name='page158' title='158' id=
+  "page158"></a>a single paper of news, without lighting up a comet
+  in Germany, or a fire in Moscow. There scarce appeared a letter
+  without a paragraph on an earthquake. Prodigies were grown so
+  familiar, that they had lost their name, as a great poet of that
+  age has it. I remember Mr. Dyer,<a name='fntag228' id=
+  "fntag228"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote228'><sup>228</sup></a> who is justly looked upon by
+  all the fox-hunters in the nation as the greatest statesman our
+  country has produced, was particularly famous for dealing in
+  whales; insomuch that in five months' time (for I had the
+  curiosity to examine his letters on that occasion) he brought
+  three into the mouth of the river Thames, besides two porpoises
+  and a sturgeon. The judicious and wary Mr. I. Dawks<a name=
+  'fntag229' id="fntag229"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote229'><sup>229</sup></a> hath all along been the rival
+  of this great writer, and got himself a reputation from plagues
+  and famines, by which, in those days, he destroyed as great
+  multitudes as he has lately done by the sword. In every dearth of
+  news, Grand Cairo was sure to be unpeopled.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page159' title='159' id=
+  "page159"></a>It being therefore visible, that our society will
+  be greater sufferers by the peace than the soldiery itself;
+  insomuch that the <i>Daily Courant</i><a name='fntag230' id=
+  "fntag230"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote230'><sup>230</sup></a> is in danger of being broken,
+  my friend Dyer of being reformed, and the very best of the whole
+  band of being reduced to half-pay; might I presume to offer
+  anything in the behalf of my distressed brethren, I would humbly
+  move, that an appendix of proper apartments furnished with pen,
+  ink, and paper, and other necessaries of life should be added to
+  the Hospital of Chelsea,<a name='fntag231' id=
+  "fntag231"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote231'><sup>231</sup></a> for the relief of such decayed
+  news-writers as have served their country in the wars; and that
+  for their exercise, they should compile the annals of their
+  brother-veterans, who have been engaged in the same service, and
+  are still obliged to do duty after the same manner.</p>
+
+  <p>I cannot be thought to speak this out of an eye to any private
+  interest; for, as my chief scenes of action are coffee-houses,
+  play-houses, and my own apartment, I am in no need of camps,
+  fortifications, and fields of battle, to support me; I don't call
+  out for heroes and generals to my assistance. Though the officers
+  are broken, and the armies disbanded, I shall still be safe as
+  long as there are men or women, or politicians, or lovers, or
+  poets, or nymphs, or swains, or cits, or courtiers in being.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag218'>[218]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote218' id="footnote218"></a>It is very
+      possible that the first article in this number (see the
+      allusion to medals) is by Addison, as well as the account of
+      the Distress of the News-writers.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag219'>[219]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote219' id="footnote219"></a>There is much
+      about medals in Addison's "Remarks on several Parts of
+      Italy," 1705. His "Dialogues on Medals" was published
+      posthumously by Tickell.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag220'>[220]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote220' id="footnote220"></a>Stocks Market
+      was so named from a pair of stocks which were erected there
+      as early as the 13th century. The two statues referred to
+      were really very unlike. The one was of white marble; the
+      other, of brass, was originally intended for John Sobieski,
+      King of Poland, but being bought by Sir Robert Viner in 1672,
+      it was altered and erected in honour of King Charles II. The
+      Turk underneath the horse was metamorphosed into Oliver
+      Cromwell; but his turban escaped unnoticed or unaltered, to
+      testify the truth. The statue in Stocks Market, with the
+      conduit and all its ornaments, was removed to make way for
+      the Mansion House in 1739. Marvell refers to these statues in
+      his "Satires."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag221'>[221]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote221' id="footnote221"></a>Heidegger. See
+      <a href='#number12'>No. 12</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag222'>[222]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote222' id="footnote222"></a>The remainder
+      of this paper is by Addison. See Steele's Preface, and his
+      Dedication of "The Drummer" to Congreve.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag223'>[223]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote223' id="footnote223"></a>"There's but a
+      shirt and a half in all my company; and the half-shirt is two
+      napkins, tacked together, and thrown over the shoulders like
+      a herald's coat without sleeves; and the shirt, to say the
+      truth, stolen from my host of St. Alban, or the red-nosed
+      innkeeper of Daintry. But that's all one, they'll find linen
+      enough on every hedge." (1 Henry IV., act iii. sc. 2).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag224'>[224]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote224' id="footnote224"></a>The Tory
+      <i>Postboy</i> was published by Abel Roper; and the Whig
+      <i>Flying Post</i> by George Ridpath:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "There Ridpath, Roper, cudgelled might ye view,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            The very worsted still looked black and blue."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>("Dunciad," ii. 149.) It is remarkable that both Roper and
+      Ridpath died on the same day, Feb. 5, 1726. Swift and others
+      sometimes contributed to Roper's paper for party
+      purposes.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag225'>[225]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote225' id="footnote225"></a>Abel Boyer
+      (1667-1729), author of "The Political State of Great
+      Britain," was a Whig journalist towards whom Swift felt
+      bitterly. "The Secretary promises me to swinge him," he wrote
+      in 1711; "I must make that rogue an example for a warning to
+      others." Boyer compiled a valuable French and English
+      dictionary.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag226'>[226]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote226' id="footnote226"></a>Samuel Buckley
+      was printer of the <i>London Gazette, Daily Courant</i>, and
+      <i>Spectator</i>. He died in 1741.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag227'>[227]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote227' id="footnote227"></a>Drawcansir, in
+      "The Rehearsal," is described by another character as "a
+      great hero, who frights his mistress, snubs up kings, baffles
+      armies, and does what he will, without regard to number, good
+      sense, or justice."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag228'>[228]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote228' id="footnote228"></a>John Dyer was a
+      Jacobite journalist who issued a news-letter to country
+      subscribers, among whom was Sir Roger de Coverley
+      (<i>Spectator</i>, No. 127), by whom he was held in high
+      esteem. Defoe (<i>Review</i>, vi. 132) says that Dyer "did
+      not so much write what his readers should believe, as what
+      they would believe." Vellum, in Addison's "The Drummer" (act
+      ii. sc. i), cannot but believe his master is living, "because
+      the news of his death was first published in Dyer's Letter."
+      See also <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 43 and 457. At the trial of
+      John Tutchin for seditious libel (Howell's "State Trials,"
+      xiv. 1150), on complaint being made by counsel that Dyer had
+      charged him with broaching seditious principles, Lord Chief
+      Justice Holt said, "Dyer is very familiar with me too
+      sometimes; but you need not fear such a little scandalous
+      paper of such a scandalous author."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag229'>[229]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote229' id="footnote229"></a>Ichabod Dawks
+      was another "epistolary historian" (see <i>Spectator</i>, No.
+      457, and <i>Tatler</i>, No. 178).
+      Dawks and Dyer are both introduced by Edmund Smith, author of
+      "Ph�dra and Hippolitus," in his poem, "Charlettus Percivallo
+      suo":</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Scribe securus, quid agit Senatus,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Quid caput stertit grave Lambethanum,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Quid comes Guilford, quid habent novorum.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line right">
+            "Dawksque Dyerque."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag230'>[230]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote230' id="footnote230"></a>The <i>Daily
+      Courant</i>, our first daily newspaper, was begun in
+      1702.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag231'>[231]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote231' id="footnote231"></a>Chelsea
+      Hospital, for old soldiers, was founded in 1682.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page160' title='160' id=
+    "page160"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number19' id="number19"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 19.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, May 21</i>, to <i>Tuesday, May 24</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 23.</h3>
+
+  <p>There is nothing can give a man of any consideration greater
+  pain, than to see order and distinction laid aside amongst men,
+  especially when the rank (of which he himself is a member) is
+  intruded upon by such as have no pretence to that honour. The
+  appellation of Esquire is the most notoriously abused in this
+  kind of any class amongst men, insomuch that it is become almost
+  the subject of derision: but I will be bold to say, this
+  behaviour towards it proceeds from the ignorance of the people in
+  its true origin. I shall therefore, as briefly as possible, do
+  myself and all true esquires the justice to look into antiquity
+  upon this subject.</p>
+
+  <p>In the first ages of the world, before the invention of
+  jointures and settlements, when the noble passion of love had
+  possession of the hearts of men, and the fair sex were not yet
+  cultivated into the merciful disposition which they have showed
+  in latter centuries, it was natural for great and heroic spirits
+  to retire to rivulets, woods, and caves, to lament their destiny,
+  and the cruelty of the fair persons who were deaf to their
+  lamentations. The hero in this distress was generally in armour,
+  and in a readiness to fight any man he met with, especially if
+  distinguished by any extraordinary qualifications, it being the
+  nature of heroic love to hate all merit, lest it should come
+  within the observation of the cruel one, by whom its own
+  perfections are neglected. A lover of this kind had always about
+  him a person of a second value, and subordinate to <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page161' title='161' id="page161"></a>him, who
+  could hear his afflictions, carry an enchantment for his wounds,
+  hold his helmet when he was eating (if ever he did eat); or in
+  his absence, when he was retired to his apartment in any king's
+  palace, tell the prince himself, or perhaps his daughter, the
+  birth, parentage, and adventures, of his valiant master. This
+  trusty companion was styled his esquire, and was always fit for
+  any offices about him; was as gentle and chaste as a gentleman
+  usher, quick and active as an equerry, smooth and eloquent as a
+  master of the ceremonies. A man thus qualified was the first, as
+  the ancients affirm, who was called an esquire; and none without
+  these accomplishments ought to assume our order: but, to the
+  utter disgrace and confusion of the heralds, every pretender is
+  admitted into this fraternity, even persons the most foreign to
+  this courteous institution. I have taken an inventory of all
+  within this city, and looked over every letter in the post-office
+  for my better information. There are of the Middle Temple,
+  including all in the buttery books, and in the lists of the
+  house, 5000. In the Inner, 4000. In the King's Bench Walks, the
+  whole buildings are inhabited by esquires only. The adjacent
+  street of Essex, from Morris' Coffee-house, and the turning
+  towards the Grecian, you cannot meet one who is not an esquire,
+  till you take water. Every house in Norfolk and Arundel Streets
+  is governed also by a squire, or his lady. Soho Square,
+  Bloomsbury Square, and all other places where the floors rise
+  above nine feet, are so many universities, where you enter
+  yourselves, and become of our order. However, if this were the
+  worst of the evil, it were to be supported, because they are
+  generally men of some figure and use; though I know no pretence
+  they have to an honour which had its rise from chivalry. But if
+  you travel into the counties of Great Britain, we are still more
+  imposed upon by innovation. <a class="pagenum" name='page162'
+  title='162' id="page162"></a>We are indeed derived from the
+  field: but shall that give title to all that ride mad after
+  foxes, that halloo when they see a hare, or venture their necks
+  full speed after a hawk, immediately to commence esquires? No,
+  our order is temperate, cleanly, sober, and chaste; but these
+  rural esquires commit immodesties upon haycocks, wear shirts half
+  a week, and are drunk twice a day. These men are also to the last
+  degree excessive in their food: an esquire of Norfolk eats two
+  pounds of dumpling every meal, as if obliged to it by our order:
+  an esquire of Hampshire is as ravenous in devouring hogs' flesh:
+  one of Essex has as little mercy on calves. But I must take the
+  liberty to protest against them, and acquaint those persons, that
+  it is not the quantity they eat, but the manner of eating, that
+  shows a squire. But above all, I am most offended at small
+  quillmen, and transcribing clerks, who are all come into our
+  order, for no reason that I know of, but that they can easily
+  flourish it at the end of their name. I'll undertake, that if you
+  read the superscriptions to all the offices in the kingdom, you
+  will not find three letters directed to any but esquires. I have
+  myself a couple of clerks, and the rogues make nothing of leaving
+  messages upon each other's desk: one directs, to "Degory
+  Goosequill, Esq."; to which the other replies by a note, to
+  "Nehemiah Dashwell, Esq.; with respect." In a word, it is now,
+  <i>populus armigerorum</i>, a people of esquires. And I don't
+  know, but, by the late Act of Naturalisation,<a name='fntag232'
+  id="fntag232"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote232'><sup>232</sup></a> foreigners will assume that
+  title, as part of the immunity of being Englishmen. All these
+  improprieties flow from the negligence of the Heralds' Office.
+  Those gentlemen in parti-coloured habits do not so rightly, as
+  they ought, understand themselves; though they are dressed
+  <i>cap-a-pi�</i> in hieroglyphics, they are inwardly but ignorant
+  men. I <a class="pagenum" name='page163' title='163' id=
+  "page163"></a>asked an acquaintance of mine, who is a man of wit,
+  but of no fortune, and is forced to appear as Jack Pudding on the
+  stage to a mountebank: "Prithee, Jack, why is your coat of so
+  many colours?" He replied, "I act a fool, and this spotted dress
+  is to signify, that every man living has a weak place about him;
+  for I am knight of the shire, and represent you all." I wish the
+  heralds would know as well as this man does, in his way, that
+  they are to act for us in the case of our arms and appellations:
+  we should not then be jumbled together in so promiscuous and
+  absurd a manner. I design to take this matter into further
+  consideration, and no man shall be received as an esquire, who
+  cannot bring a certificate, that he has conquered some lady's
+  obdurate heart; that he can lead up a country dance, or carry a
+  message between her and her lover, with address, secrecy and
+  diligence. A squire is properly born for the service of the sex,
+  and his credentials shall be signed by three toasts, and one
+  prude, before his title shall be received in my office.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 23.</h3>
+
+  <p>On Saturday last was presented, "The Busy Body," a comedy,
+  written (as I have heretofore remarked) by a woman.<a name=
+  'fntag233' id="fntag233"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote233'><sup>233</sup></a> The plot and incidents of the
+  play are laid with that subtlety of spirit which is peculiar to
+  females of wit, and is very seldom well performed by those of the
+  other sex, in whom craft in love is an act of invention, and not,
+  as with women, the effect of nature and instinct.</p>
+
+  <p>To-morrow will be acted a play, called, "The Trip to the
+  Jubilee."<a name='fntag234' id="fntag234"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote234'><sup>234</sup></a> This performance is the
+  greatest instance that we can have of the irresistible force of
+  proper action. <a class="pagenum" name='page164' title='164' id=
+  "page164"></a>The dialogue in itself has something too low to
+  bear a criticism upon it: but Mr. Wilks enters into the part with
+  so much skill, that the gallantry, the youth, and gaiety of a
+  young man of a plentiful fortune, is looked upon with as much
+  indulgence on the stage, as in real life, without any of those
+  intermixtures of wit and humour, which usually prepossess us in
+  favour of such characters in other plays.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 23.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, Mr.
+  Walpole<a name='fntag235' id="fntag235"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote235'><sup>235</sup></a> (who is since arrived) was
+  going with all expedition to Great Britain, whither they doubted
+  not but he carried with him the preliminaries to a treaty of
+  peace. The French Minister, Monsieur Torcy, has been observed in
+  this whole negotiation to turn his discourse upon the calamities
+  sent down by Heaven upon France, and imputed the necessities they
+  were under to the immediate hand of Providence, in inflicting a
+  general scarcity of provision, rather than the superior genius of
+  the generals, or the bravery of the armies against them. It would
+  be impious not to acknowledge the indulgence of Heaven to us; but
+  at the same time, as we are to love our enemies, we are glad to
+  see them mortified enough to mix Christianity with their
+  politics. An authentic letter from Madame Maintenon to Monsieur
+  Torcy has been stolen by a person about him, who has communicated
+  a copy of it to some of the dependants of a Minister of the
+  Allies. That epistle is writ in the most pathetic manner
+  imaginable, and in a style which shows her genius, that has so
+  long engrossed the heart of this great monarch.<a name='fntag236'
+  id="fntag236"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote236'><sup>236</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page165' title='165' id=
+  "page165"></a>SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"I received yours, and am sensible of the address and capacity
+  with which you have hitherto transacted the great affair under
+  your management. You well observe, that our wants here are not to
+  be concealed; and that it is vanity to use artifices with the
+  knowing men with whom you are to deal. Let me beg you therefore,
+  in this representation of our circumstances, to lay aside art,
+  which ceases to be such when it is seen, and make use of all your
+  skill, to gain us what advantages you can from the enemy's
+  jealousy of each other's greatness; which is the place where only
+  you have room for any dexterity. If you have any passion for your
+  unhappy country, or any affection for your distressed master,
+  come home with peace. O Heaven! Do I live to talk of Lewis the
+  Great as the object of pity? The king shows a great uneasiness to
+  be informed of all that passes; but at the same time, is fearful
+  of every one who appears in his presence, lest he should bring an
+  account of some new calamity. I know not in what terms to
+  represent my thoughts to you, when I speak of the king, with
+  relation to his bodily health. Figure to yourself that immortal
+  man, who stood in our public places, represented with trophies,
+  armour, and terrors, on his pedestal: consider, the Invincible,
+  the Great, the Good, the Pious, the Mighty, which were the usual
+  epithets we gave him, both in our language and thoughts. I say,
+  consider him whom you knew the most glorious and great of
+  monarchs; and now think you see the same man an unhappy Lazar, in
+  the lowest circumstances of human nature itself, without regard
+  to the state from whence he is fallen. I write from his bedside:
+  he is at present in a slumber. I have many, many things to add;
+  but my <a class="pagenum" name='page166' title='166' id=
+  "page166"></a>tears flow too fast, and my sorrow is too big for
+  utterance.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am, etc."</p>
+
+  <p>There is such a veneration due from all men to the persons of
+  princes, that it were a sort of dishonesty to represent further
+  the condition which the king is in; but it is certain, that soon
+  after the receipt of these advices, Monsieur Torcy waited upon
+  his Grace the Duke of Marlborough and the Lord Townshend, and in
+  that conference gave up many points, which he had before said
+  were such, as he must return to France before he could
+  answer.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag232'>[232]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote232' id="footnote232"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number13'>No. 13</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag233'>[233]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote233' id="footnote233"></a>Mrs. Centlivre.
+      See <a href='#number15'>No. 15</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag234'>[234]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote234' id="footnote234"></a>Wilks took the
+      part of Sir Harry Wildair in Farquhar's "The Constant Couple;
+      or, A Trip to the Jubilee," 1699.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag235'>[235]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote235' id="footnote235"></a>Horatio
+      Walpole, Secretary to the Embassy at the Hague, and brother
+      of Sir Robert Walpole.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag236'>[236]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote236' id="footnote236"></a>This letter is
+      a pure invention.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number20' id="number20"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 20.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, May 24</i>, to <i>Thursday, May 26</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 24.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is not to be imagined how far prepossession will run away
+  with people's understandings, in cases wherein they are under
+  present uneasiness. The following narration is a sufficient
+  testimony of the truth of this observation.</p>
+
+  <p>I had the honour the other day of a visit from a gentlewoman
+  (a stranger to me) who seemed to be about thirty. Her complexion
+  is brown; but the air of her face has an agreeableness, which
+  surpasses the beauties of the fairest women. There appeared in
+  her look and mien a sprightly health; and her eyes had too much
+  vivacity to become the language of complaint, which she began to
+  enter into. She seemed sensible of it; and therefore, with
+  downcast looks, said she, "Mr. Bickerstaff, you see before you
+  the <a class="pagenum" name='page167' title='167' id=
+  "page167"></a>unhappiest of women; and therefore, as you are
+  esteemed by all the world both a great civilian, as well as an
+  astrologer, I must desire your advice and assistance, in putting
+  me in a method of obtaining a divorce from a marriage, which I
+  know the law will pronounce void." "Madam," said I, "your
+  grievance is of such a nature, that you must be very ingenuous in
+  representing the causes of your complaint, or I cannot give you
+  the satisfaction you desire." "Sir," she answers, "I believed
+  there would be no need of half your skill in the art of
+  divination, to guess why a woman would part from her husband."
+  "It is true," said I; "but suspicions, or guesses at what you
+  mean, nay certainty of it, except you plainly speak it, are no
+  foundation for a formal suit." She clapped her fan before her
+  face; "My husband," said she, "is no more a husband" (here she
+  burst into tears) "than one of the Italian singers."</p>
+
+  <p>"Madam," said I, "the affliction you complain of, is to be
+  redressed by law; but at the same time, consider what
+  mortifications you are to go through in bringing it into open
+  court; how you will be able to bear the impertinent whispers of
+  the people present at the trial, the licentious reflections of
+  the pleaders, and the interpretations that will in general be put
+  upon your conduct by all the world: 'How little,' will they say,
+  'could that lady command her passions.' Besides, consider, that
+  curbing our desires is the greatest glory we can arrive at in
+  this world, and will be most rewarded in the next." She answered,
+  like a prudent matron, "Sir, if you please to remember the office
+  of matrimony, the first cause of its institution is that of
+  having posterity: therefore, as to the curbing desires, I am
+  willing to undergo any abstinence from food as you please to
+  enjoin me; but I cannot, with any quiet of mind, live in the
+  neglect of a necessary duty, and an express <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page168' title='168' id="page168"></a>commandment, Increase
+  and multiply." Observing she was learned, and knew so well the
+  duties of life, I turned my arguments rather to dehort her from
+  this public procedure by examples, than precepts. "Do but
+  consider, madam, what crowds of beauteous women live in
+  nunneries, secluded for ever from the sight and conversation of
+  men, with all the alacrity of spirit imaginable; they spend their
+  time in heavenly raptures, in constant and frequent devotions,
+  and at proper hours in agreeable conversations." "Sir," said she
+  hastily, "tell not me of Papists, or any of their idolatries."
+  "Well then, madam, consider how many fine ladies live innocently
+  in the eye of the world, and this gay town, in the midst of
+  temptation: there's the witty Mrs. W&#8212;&#8212; is a virgin of
+  44, Mrs. T&#8212;&#8212;s is 39, Mrs. L&#8212;&#8212;ce, 33; yet
+  you see, they laugh and are gay, at the park, at the playhouse,
+  at balls, and at visits; and so much at ease, that all this seems
+  hardly a self-denial." "Mr. Bickerstaff," said she, with some
+  emotion, "you are an excellent casuist; but the last word
+  destroyed your whole argument; if it is not self-denial, it is no
+  virtue. I presented you with a half-guinea, in hopes not only to
+  have my conscience eased, but my fortune told. Yet&#8212;" "Well,
+  madam," said I, "pray of what age is your husband?" "He is,"
+  replied my injured client, "fifty, and I have been his wife
+  fifteen years." "How happened it, you never communicated your
+  distress in all this time to your friends and relations?" She
+  answered, "He has been thus but a fortnight." I am the most
+  serious man in the world to look at, and yet could not forbear
+  laughing out. "Why, madam, in case of infirmity, which proceeds
+  only from age, the law gives no remedy." "Sir," said she, "I find
+  you have no more learning than Dr. Case;<a name='fntag237' id=
+  "fntag237"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote237'><sup>237</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page169' title='169' id="page169"></a>and I am told of a young
+  man, not five and twenty, just come from Oxford, to whom I will
+  communicate this whole matter, and doubt not but he will appear
+  to have seven times more useful and satisfactory knowledge than
+  you and all your boasted family." Thus I have entirely lost my
+  client: but if this tedious narrative preserves Pastorella from
+  the intended marriage with one twenty years her senior&#8212;To
+  save a fine lady, I am contented to have my learning decried, and
+  my predictions bound up with Poor Robin's Almanacks.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>This evening was acted, "The Recruiting Officer,"<a name=
+  'fntag238' id="fntag238"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote238'><sup>238</sup></a> in which Mr. Estcourt's<a name=
+  'fntag239' id="fntag239"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote239'><sup>239</sup></a> proper sense and observation is
+  what supports the play. There is not, in my humble opinion, the
+  humour hit in Sergeant Kite; but it is admirably supplied by his
+  action. If I have skill to judge, that man is an excellent actor;
+  but the crowd of the audience are fitter for representations at
+  Mayfair, than a <a class="pagenum" name='page170' title='170' id=
+  "page170"></a>theatre royal. Yet that fair is now broke,<a name=
+  'fntag240' id="fntag240"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote240'><sup>240</sup></a> as well as the theatre is
+  breaking: but it is allowed still to sell animals there.
+  Therefore, if any lady or gentleman have occasion for a tame
+  elephant, let them inquire of Mr. Pinkethman, who has one to
+  dispose of at a reasonable rate.<a name='fntag241' id=
+  "fntag241"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote241'><sup>241</sup></a> The downfall of Mayfair has
+  quite sunk the price of this noble creature, as well as of many
+  other curiosities of nature. A tiger will sell almost as cheap as
+  an ox; and I am credibly informed, a man may purchase a cat with
+  three legs, for very near the value of one with four. I hear
+  likewise, that there is a great desolation among the gentlemen
+  and ladies who were the ornaments of the town, and used to shine
+  in plumes and diadems; the heroes being most of them pressed, and
+  the queens beating hemp. Mrs. Sarabrand, so famous for her
+  ingenious puppet-show, has set up a shop in the Exchange,<a name=
+  'fntag242' id="fntag242"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote242'><sup>242</sup></a> where she sells her little
+  troop under the term of jointed babies.<a name='fntag243' id=
+  "fntag243"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote243'><sup>243</sup></a> I could not but be solicitous
+  to know of her, how she had disposed of that rake-hell Punch,
+  whose lewd life and conversation had given so much scandal, and
+  did not a little contribute to the ruin of the fair. She told me,
+  with a sigh, that despairing of ever reclaiming him, she would
+  not offer to place him in a civil family, but got him in a post
+  upon a stall in Wapping, where he may be seen from sun-rising to
+  sun-setting, with a glass in one hand, and a pipe in the other,
+  as sentry to a brandy-shop. <a class="pagenum" name='page171'
+  title='171' id="page171"></a>The great revolutions of this nature
+  bring to my mind the distresses of the unfortunate
+  Camilla<a name='fntag244' id="fntag244"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote244'><sup>244</sup></a>, who has had the ill-luck to
+  break before her voice, and to disappear at a time when her
+  beauty was in the height of its bloom. This lady entered so
+  thoroughly into the great characters she acted, that when she had
+  finished her part, she could not think of retrenching her
+  equipage, but would appear in her own lodgings with the same
+  magnificence that she did upon the stage. This greatness of soul
+  has reduced that unhappy princess to an involuntary retirement,
+  where she now passes her time among the woods and forests,
+  thinking on the crowns and sceptres she has lost, and often
+  humming over in her solitude,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "I was born of royal race,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Yet must wander in disgrace," &amp;c.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>But for fear of being overheard, and her quality known, she
+  usually sings it in Italian:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Naqui al regno, naqui al trono
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        E pur sono
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Inventurata Pastorella&#8212;"
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>Since I have touched upon this subject, I shall communicate to
+  my reader part of a letter I have received from an ingenious
+  friend at Amsterdam, where there is a very noble theatre; though
+  the manner of furnishing it <a class="pagenum" name='page172'
+  title='172' id="page172"></a>with actors is something peculiar to
+  that place, and gives us occasion to admire both the politeness
+  and frugality of the people.</p>
+
+  <p>My friends have kept me here a week longer than ordinary to
+  see one of their plays, which was performed last night with great
+  applause. The actors are all of them tradesmen, who, after their
+  day's work is over, earn about a guilder a night by personating
+  kings and generals. The hero of the tragedy I saw, was a
+  journeyman tailor, and his first minister of state a coffee-man.
+  The empress made me think of Parthenope<a name='fntag245' id=
+  "fntag245"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote245'><sup>245</sup></a> in "The Rehearsal"; for her
+  mother keeps an ale-house in the suburbs of Amsterdam. When the
+  tragedy was over, they entertained us with a short farce, in
+  which the cobbler did his part to a miracle; but upon inquiry, I
+  found he had really been working at his own trade, and
+  representing on the stage what he acted every day in his shop.
+  The profits of the theatre maintain a hospital: for as here they
+  do not think the profession of an actor the only trade that a man
+  ought to exercise, so they will not allow anybody to grow rich on
+  a profession that in their opinion so little conduces to the good
+  of the commonwealth. If I am not mistaken, your playhouses in
+  England have done the same thing; for, unless I am misinformed,
+  the hospital at Dulwich was erected and endowed by Mr.
+  Alleyn,<a name='fntag246' id="fntag246"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote246'><sup>246</sup></a> a player: and it is <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page173' title='173' id="page173"></a>also said,
+  a famous she-tragedian<a name='fntag247' id=
+  "fntag247"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote247'><sup>247</sup></a> has settled her estate, after
+  her death, for the maintenance of decayed wits, who are to be
+  taken in as soon as they grow dull, at whatever time of their
+  life that shall happen.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 31st instant, N.S., say, that
+  the articles preliminary to a general peace were settled,
+  communicated to the States-General and all the foreign Ministers
+  residing there, and transmitted to their respective masters on
+  the 28th. Monsieur Torcy immediately returned to the Court of
+  France, from whence he is expected again on the 4th of the next
+  month, with those articles ratified by that Court. The Hague is
+  agreed upon for the place of treaty, and the 15th of the next
+  month the day on which it is to commence. The terms on which this
+  negotiation is founded, are not yet declared by public authority;
+  but what is most generally received, is as follows:</p>
+
+  <p>Her Majesty's right and title, and the Protestant succession
+  to those dominions, is forthwith to be acknowledged. King Charles
+  is also to be owned the lawful sovereign of Spain; and the French
+  king shall not only recall his troops out of that kingdom, and
+  deliver up to the Allies the towns of Roses, Fontarabia, and
+  Pampeluna; but in case the Duke of Anjou shall not retire out of
+  the Spanish dominions, he shall be obliged to assist the Allies
+  to force him from thence. A cessation of arms is agreed upon for
+  two months from the first day of the treaty. The port and
+  fortifications of Dunkirk are to be demolished within four
+  months; but the town itself left in the hands of the French. The
+  Pretender is to be obliged to leave France. All Newfoundland is
+  to be restored to the <a class="pagenum" name='page174' title=
+  '174' id="page174"></a>English. As to the other parts of America,
+  the French are to restore whatever they may have taken from the
+  English, as the English in like manner to give up what they may
+  have taken from the French before the commencement of the treaty.
+  The trade between Great Britain and France shall be settled upon
+  the same foundation as in the reign of King Charles II.</p>
+
+  <p>The Dutch are to have for their barriers, Nieuport, Berg, St.
+  Vinox, Furnes, Ipres, Lille, Tournay, Douay, Valenciennes, Cond�,
+  Maubeuge, Mons, Charleroy, Namur, and Luxemburg; all which places
+  shall be delivered up to the Allies before the end of June. The
+  trade between Holland and France shall be on the same foot as in
+  1664. The cities of Strasburg, Brisac, and Alsatia, shall be
+  restored to the Emperor and Empire; and the King of France,
+  pursuant to the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, shall only retain
+  the protection of ten imperial cities, viz., Colmar, Schlestat,
+  Haguenau, Munster, Turkeim, Keisemberg, Obrenheim, Rosheim,
+  Weisemburg, and Landau. Huninguen, Fort Louis, Fort Kiel, and New
+  Brisac shall be demolished, and all the fortifications from Basle
+  to Philipsburg. The King of Prussia shall remain in the peaceable
+  possession of Neufchatel. The affair of Orange, as also the
+  pretensions of his Prussian Majesty in the French Comt�, shall be
+  determined at this general negotiation of peace. The Duke of
+  Savoy shall have a restitution made of all that has been taken
+  from him by the French, and remain master of Exilles, Chamont,
+  Fenestrelles, and the Valley of Pragelas.<a name='fntag248' id=
+  "fntag248"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote248'><sup>248</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag237'>[237]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote237' id="footnote237"></a>John Case,
+      astrologer and friend of John Partridge, succeeded to
+      Saffold's habitation in Blackfriars gateway, opposite to
+      Ludgate Church, whence he issued many advertisements. "Their
+      old physician begged they would not forget him&#8212;he gives
+      his advice for nothing&#8212;his cures are private. At
+      Lilly's Head, &amp;c., is the only place to obtain health,
+      long life, and happiness, by your old friend Dr. Case, who
+      extirpates the foundation of all diseases":</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "At the Golden Ball and Lillie's Head
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            John Case lives though Saffold's dead."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>His handbills were commonly adorned with a variety of
+      emblematic devices and poetry. See note on Kirleus, in
+      <a href='#number14'>No. 14</a>; and Nos. 216, 240. Case's
+      most important book was his "Compendium Anatomicum nova
+      methodo institutum," 1695.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag238'>[238]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote238' id="footnote238"></a>By Farquhar;
+      first acted in 1706.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag239'>[239]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote239' id="footnote239"></a>Richard
+      Estcourt (1668-1712), whom Farquhar specially selected to act
+      the part of Sergeant Kite, is celebrated by Steele in a
+      well-known paper in the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 468; see also
+      No. 390). Estcourt was providore of the Beefsteak Club, and
+      wrote two or three dramatic pieces. See No. 51.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag240'>[240]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote240' id="footnote240"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number4'>No. 4</a>. This article was printed by Tickell
+      among Addison's works.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag241'>[241]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote241' id="footnote241"></a>In 1704,
+      Pinkethman advertised that at his booth he would speak an
+      epilogue upon an elephant between nine and ten feet high,
+      arrived from Guinea, led upon the stage by six blacks.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag242'>[242]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote242' id="footnote242"></a>This may be
+      either the Royal Exchange or the New Exchange, in the Strand.
+      There were shops for the sale of trinkets and toys at both
+      places.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag243'>[243]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote243' id="footnote243"></a>"Baby" was a
+      term often applied to dolls.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag244'>[244]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote244' id="footnote244"></a>Mrs. Katherine
+      Tofts sang in English to Nicolini's Italian, in Buononcini's
+      opera of "Camilla," but this absurdity was forgiven on
+      account of the charm of their voices. In 1709, in the height
+      of her beauty, Mrs. Tofts left the stage, owing to her
+      intellect becoming disordered; but afterwards she married Mr.
+      Joseph Smith, a gentleman who lived in great state; but his
+      wife's mind again gave way, and she spent hours walking and
+      singing in a garden attached to a remote part of the house.
+      She died in 1760. See <i>Spectator,</i> Nos. 18, 22 and 443,
+      where there is a letter purporting to be from Mrs. Tofts, at
+      Venice.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag245'>[245]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote245' id="footnote245"></a>In act iii. sc.
+      2 of "The Rehearsal," Prince Volscius falls in love at first
+      sight with Parthenope, who says:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "My mother, sir, sells ale by the town-walls,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            And me her dear Parthenope she calls;"
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>whereupon Volscius (repeating words from Davenant's "Siege
+      of Rhodes") replies:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Can vulgar vestments high-born beauty shroud?
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Thou bring'st the morning pictured in a cloud."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag246'>[246]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote246' id="footnote246"></a>Edward Alleyn,
+      the actor, who died in 1626, aged 61, founded Dulwich
+      Hospital.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag247'>[247]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote247' id="footnote247"></a>Mrs.
+      Bracegirdle; see <a href='#number1'>No. 1</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag248'>[248]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote248' id="footnote248"></a>"It is said
+      that Monsieur Torcy, when he signed this instrument broke
+      into this exclamation: 'Would Colbert have signed such a
+      treaty for France?' On which a Minister present was pleased
+      to say, 'Colbert himself would have been proud to have saved
+      France in these circumstances on such terms'" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page175' title='175' id=
+    "page175"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number21' id="number21"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 21.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, May 26</i>, to <i>Saturday, May 28</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 26.</h3>
+
+  <p>A gentleman has writ to me out of the country a very civil
+  letter, and said things which I suppress with great violence to
+  my vanity. There are many terms in my narratives which he
+  complains want explaining, and has therefore desired, that, for
+  the benefit of my country readers, I would let him know what I
+  mean by a Gentleman, a Pretty Fellow, a Toast, a Coquette, a
+  Critic, a Wit, and all other appellations in the gayer world, who
+  are in present possession of these several characters; together
+  with an account of those who unfortunately pretend to them. I
+  shall begin with him we usually call a Gentleman, or man of
+  conversation. It is generally thought, that warmth of
+  imagination, quick relish of pleasure, and a manner of becoming
+  it, are the most essential qualities for forming this sort of
+  man. But any one that is much in company will observe, that the
+  height of good breeding is shown rather in never giving offence,
+  than in doing obliging things. Thus, he that never shocks you,
+  though he is seldom entertaining, is more likely to keep your
+  favour, than he who often entertains, and sometimes displeases
+  you. The most necessary talent therefore in a man of
+  conversation, which is what we ordinarily intend by a fine
+  gentleman, is a good judgment. He that has this in perfection, is
+  master of his companion, without letting him see it; and has the
+  same advantage over men of any other qualifications whatsoever,
+  as one that can see would have over a blind man of ten times his
+  strength. <a class="pagenum" name='page176' title='176' id=
+  "page176"></a>This is what makes Sophronius the darling of all
+  who converse with him, and the most powerful with his
+  acquaintance of any man in town. By the light of this faculty, he
+  acts with great ease and freedom among the men of pleasure, and
+  acquits himself with skill and despatch among the men of
+  business. This he performs with so much success, that, with as
+  much discretion in life as any man ever had, he neither is, nor
+  appears, cunning. But as he does a good office, if he ever does
+  it, with readiness and alacrity; so he denies what he does not
+  care to engage in, in a manner that convinces you, that you ought
+  not to have asked it. His judgment is so good and unerring, and
+  accompanied with so cheerful a spirit, that his conversation is a
+  continual feast, at which he helps some, and is helped by others,
+  in such a manner, that the equality of society is perfectly kept
+  up, and every man obliges as much as he is obliged: for it is the
+  greatest and justest skill in a man of superior understanding, to
+  know how to be on a level with his companions. This sweet
+  disposition runs through all the actions of Sophronius, and makes
+  his company desired by women, without being envied by men.
+  Sophronius would be as just as he is, if there were no law; and
+  would be as discreet as he is, if there were no such thing as
+  calumny.</p>
+
+  <p>In imitation of this agreeable being, is made that animal we
+  call a Pretty Fellow; who being just able to find out, that what
+  makes Sophronius acceptable, is a natural behaviour; in order to
+  the same reputation, makes his own an artificial one. Jack Dimple
+  is his perfect mimic, whereby he is of course the most unlike him
+  of all men living. Sophronius just now passed into the inner room
+  directly forward: Jack comes as fast after as he can for the
+  right and left looking-glass, in which he had but just approved
+  himself by a nod at each, and marched on. He <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page177' title='177' id="page177"></a>will meditate within
+  for half an hour, till he thinks he is not careless enough in his
+  air, and come back to the mirror to recollect his
+  forgetfulness.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>This night was acted the comedy, called, "The Fox";<a name=
+  'fntag249' id="fntag249"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote249'><sup>249</sup></a> but I wonder the modern writers
+  do not use their interest in the house to suppress such
+  representations. A man that has been at this, will hardly like
+  any other play during the season: therefore I humbly move, that
+  the writings, as well as dresses, of the last age, should give
+  way to the present fashion. We are come into a good method enough
+  (if we were not interrupted in our mirth by such an apparition as
+  a play of Jonson's) to be entertained at more ease, both to the
+  spectator and the writer, than in the days of old. It is no
+  difficulty to get hats, and swords, and wigs, and shoes, and
+  everything else, from the shops in town, and make a man show
+  himself by his habit, without more ado, to be a counsellor, a
+  fop, a courtier, or a citizen, and not be obliged to make those
+  characters talk in different dialects to be distinguished from
+  each other. This is certainly the surest and best way of writing:
+  but such a play as this makes a man for a month after overrun
+  with criticism, and inquire, what every man on the stage said?
+  What had such a one to do to meddle with such a thing? How came
+  the other, who was bred after such a manner, to speak so like a
+  man conversant among a different people? These questions rob us
+  of all our pleasure; for at this rate, no one sentence in a play
+  should be spoken by any one character, which could possibly enter
+  into the head of any other man represented in it; but every
+  sentiment should be peculiar to him only who utters it. Laborious
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page178' title='178' id=
+  "page178"></a>Ben's works will bear this sort of inquisition; but
+  if the present writers were thus examined, and the offences
+  against this rule cut out, few plays would be long enough for the
+  whole evening's entertainment. But I don't know how they did in
+  those old times: this same Ben Jonson has made every one's
+  passion in this play be towards money, and yet not one of them
+  expresses that desire, or endeavours to obtain it any way but
+  what is peculiar to him only: one sacrifices his wife, another
+  his profession, another his posterity from the same motive; but
+  their characters are kept so skilfully apart, that it seems
+  prodigious their discourses should rise from the invention of the
+  same author. But the poets are a nest of hornets, and I'll drive
+  these thoughts no farther, but must mention some hard treatment I
+  am like to meet with from my brother-writers. I am credibly
+  informed, that the author of a play, called, "Love in a Hollow
+  Tree,"<a name='fntag250' id="fntag250"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote250'><sup>250</sup></a> has made some remarks upon my
+  late discourse on "The Naked Truth."<a name='fntag251' id=
+  "fntag251"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote251'><sup>251</sup></a> I cannot blame a gentleman for
+  writing against any error; it is for the good of the learned
+  world. But I would have the thing fairly left between us two, and
+  not under the protection of patrons. But my intelligence is, that
+  he has dedicated his treatise to the Honourable Mr.
+  Ed&#8212;&#8212;d H&#8212;&#8212;rd.<a name='fntag252' id=
+  "fntag252"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote252'><sup>252</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page179' title='179' id="page179"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 27.</h3>
+
+  <p><i>"To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.</i></p>
+
+  <p>"York, May 16, 1709.</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"Being convinced as the whole world is, how infallible your
+  predictions are, and having the honour to be your near relation,
+  of the Staffian family, I was under great concern at one of your
+  predictions relating to yourself, wherein you foretold your own
+  death would happen on the 17th instant, unless it were prevented
+  by the assistance of well-disposed people:<a name='fntag253' id=
+  "fntag253"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote253'><sup>253</sup></a> I have therefore prevailed on
+  my own modesty to send you a piece of news, which may serve
+  instead of Goddard's Drops,<a name='fntag254' id=
+  "fntag254"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote254'><sup>254</sup></a> to keep you alive for two days,
+  till nature be able to recover itself, or till you meet with some
+  better help from other hands. Therefore, without further
+  ceremony, I will go on to relate a singular adventure just
+  happened in the place where I am <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page180' title='180' id="page180"></a>writing, wherein it may be
+  highly useful for the public to be informed.<a name='fntag255'
+  id="fntag255"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote255'><sup>255</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"Three young ladies of our town were on Saturday last indicted
+  for witchcraft. The witnesses against the first deposed upon oath
+  before Justice Bindover, that she kept spirits locked up in
+  velvets, which sometimes appeared in flames of blue fire; that
+  she used magical herbs, with some of which she drew in hundreds
+  of men daily to her, who went out from her presence all inflamed,
+  their mouths parched, and a hot steam issuing from them, attended
+  with a grievous stench; that many of the said men were by the
+  force of that herb metamorphosed into swine, and lay wallowing in
+  the kennels for twenty-four hours, before they could reassume
+  their shapes or their senses.</p>
+
+  <p>"It was proved against the second, that she cut off by night
+  the limbs from dead bodies that were hanged, and was seen to dig
+  holes in the ground, to mutter some conjuring words, and bury
+  pieces of the flesh, after the usual manner of witches.</p>
+
+  <p>"The third was accused for a notorious piece of sorcery, long
+  practised by hags, of moulding up pieces of dough into the shapes
+  of men, women, and children; then heating them at a gentle fire,
+  which had a sympathetic power to torment the bowels of those in
+  the neighbourhood.</p>
+
+  <p>"This was the sum of what was objected against the three
+  ladies, who indeed had nothing to say in their own defence, but
+  downright denying the facts, which is like to avail very little
+  when they come upon their trials.</p>
+
+  <p>"But the parson of our parish, a strange refractory <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page181' title='181' id="page181"></a>man, will
+  believe nothing of all this; so that the whole town cries out,
+  'Shame! that one of his coat should be such an atheist;' and
+  design to complain of him to the bishop. He goes about very oddly
+  to solve the matter. He supposes, that the first of these ladies
+  keeping a brandy and tobacco shop, the fellows went out smoking,
+  and got drunk towards evening, and made themselves beasts. He
+  says, the second is a butcher's daughter, and sometimes brings a
+  quarter of mutton from the slaughter-house overnight against a
+  market-day, and once buried a bit of beef in the ground, as a
+  known receipt to cure warts on her hands. The parson affirms,
+  that the third sells gingerbread, which, to please the children,
+  she is forced to stamp with images before it is baked; and if it
+  burns their guts, it is because they eat too much, or do not
+  drink after it.</p>
+
+  <p>"These are the answers he gives to solve this wonderful
+  phenomenon; upon which I shall not animadvert, but leave it among
+  the philosophers: and so wishing you all success in your
+  undertakings for the amendment of the world, I remain,</p>
+
+  <p>"Dear Cousin,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most affectionate Kinsman,</p>
+
+  <p>"and humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"EPHRAIM BEDSTAFF."</p>
+
+  <p>"P.S.&#8212;Those who were condemned to death among the
+  Athenians, were obliged to take a dose of poison, which made them
+  die upwards, seizing first upon their feet, making them cold and
+  insensible, and so ascending gradually, till it reached the vital
+  parts. I believe your death, which you foretold would happen on
+  the 17th instant, will fall <a class="pagenum" name='page182'
+  title='182' id="page182"></a>out the same way, and that your
+  distemper hath already seized on you, and makes progress daily.
+  The lower part of you, that is, the advertisements,<a name=
+  'fntag256' id="fntag256"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote256'><sup>256</sup></a> is dead; and these have risen
+  for these ten days last past, so that they now take up almost a
+  whole paragraph. Pray, sir, do your endeavour to drive this
+  distemper as much as possible to the extreme parts, and keep it
+  there, as wise folks do the gout; for if it once gets into your
+  stomach, it will soon fly up into your head, and you are a dead
+  man."</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, May 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>We hear from Leghorn, that Sir Edward Whitaker, with five
+  men-of-war, four transports, and two fire-ships, was arrived at
+  that port, and Admiral Byng was suddenly expected. Their
+  squadrons being joined, they design to sail directly for Final,
+  to transport the reinforcements, lodged in those parts, to
+  Barcelona.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from Milan, that Count Thaun arrived there on the
+  16th instant, N.S., and proceeded on his journey to Turin on the
+  21st, in order to concert such measures with his royal highness,
+  as shall appear necessary for the operations of the ensuing
+  campaign.</p>
+
+  <p>Advices from Dauphiny say, that the troops of the Duke of
+  Savoy began already to appear in those valleys, whereof he made
+  himself master the last year; and that the Duke of Berwick
+  applied himself with all imaginable diligence to secure the
+  passes of the mountains by ordering entrenchments to be made
+  towards Brian�on, Tourneau, and the Valley of Queiras. That
+  general has also been at Marseilles and Toulon, to hasten the
+  transportation of the corn and provisions designed for his
+  army.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Vienna, bearing date May 23, N.S., <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page183' title='183' id="page183"></a>import,
+  that the Cardinal of Saxe-Zeits and the Prince of Lichtenstein
+  were preparing to set out for Presburg, to assist at the Diet of
+  the States of Hungary, which is to be assembled at that place on
+  the 25th of this month. General Heister would shortly appear at
+  the head of his army at Trentschin, which place is appointed for
+  the general rendezvous of the Imperial forces in Hungary; from
+  whence he will advance to lay siege to Neuhausel: in the
+  meantime, reinforcements, with a great train of artillery, are
+  marching the same way. The King of Denmark arrived on the both
+  instant at Innspruck, and on the 26th at Dresden, under a triple
+  discharge of the artillery of that place; but his Majesty refused
+  the ceremonies of a public entry.</p>
+
+  <p>Our letters from the Upper Rhine say, that the Imperial army
+  began to form itself at Etlingen; where the respective deputies
+  of the Elector Palatine, the Prince of Baden Durlach, the
+  Bishopric of Spires, &amp;c. were assembled, and had taken the
+  necessary measures for the provision of forage, the security of
+  the country against the incursions of the enemy, and laying a
+  bridge over the Rhine. Several vessels laden with corn are daily
+  passing before Frankfort for the Lower Rhine.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from Poland inform us, that a detachment of Muscovite
+  cavalry, under the command of General Infland, had joined the
+  confederate army; and the infantry commanded by General Goltz,
+  was expected to come up within few days. These succours will
+  amount to 20,000 men.</p>
+
+  <p>Our last advices from the Hague, dated June the 4th, N.S.,
+  say, that they expected a courier from the French Court with the
+  ratification of the preliminaries that night or the day
+  following. His Grace the Duke of Marlborough will set out for
+  Brussels on Wednesday or Thursday next, if the despatches which
+  are expected from Paris don't alter <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page184' title='184' id="page184"></a>his resolutions. Letters
+  from Majorca confirm the honourable capitulation of the castle of
+  Alicante, and also the death of the governor, Major-General
+  Richards, Colonel Sibourg, and Major Vignolles, who were all
+  buried in the ruins of that place, by the springing of their
+  great mine, which did, it seems, more execution than was
+  reported. Monsieur Torcy passed through Mons in his return, and
+  had there a long conference with the Elector of Bavaria; after
+  which, that prince spoke publicly of the treatment he had from
+  France with the utmost indignation.</p>
+
+  <p>Any person that shall come publicly abroad in a fantastical
+  habit, contrary to the present mode and fashion, except Don Diego
+  Dismallo,<a name='fntag257' id="fntag257"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote257'><sup>257</sup></a> or any other out of poverty,
+  shall have his name and dress inserted in our next.</p>
+
+  <p>N.B.&#8212;Mr. How'd'call is desired to leave off those
+  buttons.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag249'>[249]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote249' id="footnote249"></a>Ben Jonson's
+      "Volpone; or, The Fox."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag250'>[250]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote250' id="footnote250"></a>The comedy,
+      "Love in a Hollow Tree; or, The Lawyer's Fortune," was
+      published by William, Lord Viscount Grimston (1683-1756),
+      when he was twenty-two years of age. On the occasion of a
+      contested election for the borough of St. Albans (1736), it
+      was reprinted&#8212;by the Duchess of Marlborough, it is
+      said&#8212;with notes attacking the author, and adorned with
+      the frontispiece of an elephant dancing on a rope. The
+      viscount bought up as nearly as he could the whole edition.
+      "This worthy notleman was a good husband to one of the best
+      of wives, an indulgent father of a numerous offspring, a kind
+      master to his servants, a generous friend, and an affable,
+      hospitable neighbour." (Biog. Dram.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag251'>[251]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote251' id="footnote251"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number17'>No. 17</a></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag252'>[252]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote252' id="footnote252"></a>Probably the
+      Hon. Edward Howard, second son of Henry, fifth Earl of
+      Suffolk. On the death of his nephew without issue in 1722, he
+      became eighth Earl of Suffolk, but he died unmarried in
+      1731.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag253'>[253]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote253' id="footnote253"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number7'>No. 7</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag254'>[254]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote254' id="footnote254"></a>Dr. Jonathan
+      Goddard, the physician and confidant of Cromwell, a member of
+      the Royal Society, and medical professor of Gresham College,
+      discovered in the course of his chemical experiments, the
+      famous elixir, called here his "drops." Dr. Goddard died of
+      an apoplexy in 1675. "March 24, 1674-5. About 10 o'clock that
+      night, my very good friend, Dr. Jonathan Goddard, reader of
+      the physic lectures at Gresham College, suddenly fell down
+      dead in the street, as he was entering into a coach. He was a
+      pretty corpulent and tall man, a bachelor between 45 and 50
+      years of age; he was melancholy, inclined to be cynical, and
+      used now and then to complain of giddiness in his head. He
+      was an excellent mathematician, and some time physician to
+      Oliver the Protector" (John Coniers, apothecary, in Shoe
+      Lane. MSS. Sloan. 958). The "drops" were a preparation of
+      spirit of hartshorn, with other things; they were used in
+      fainting, apoplexies, &amp;c.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag255'>[255]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote255' id="footnote255"></a>With this
+      satire on the vulgar prejudices concerning witches, may be
+      compared what Addison says in the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 117):
+      "I believe in general that there is and has been such a thing
+      as witchcraft; but at the same time can give no credit to any
+      particular instance of it."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag256'>[256]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote256' id="footnote256"></a>The number of
+      advertisements in the Tatler gradually increased; but as a
+      compensation the "news" paragraph was dropped.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag257'>[257]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote257' id="footnote257"></a>This name was
+      afterwards applied by the Tory writers to the Earl of
+      Nottingham; and the author of the 'Examiner' (vol. iii. No
+      48) says that it was Steele who first used the name for this
+      nobleman, "and upon no less an important affair, than the
+      oddness of his buttons." In the 'Guardian (No. 53), however,
+      Steele disavowed any reference to Lord Nottingham: "I do not
+      remember the mention of Don Diego; nor do I remember tht ever
+      I thought of Lord Nottingham in any character drawn in any
+      one paper of Bickerstaff." See also <a href='#number31'>No.
+      31</a>, below.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number22' id="number22"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 22.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, May 28</i>, to <i>Tuesday, May 31</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 28.</h3>
+
+  <p>I came hither this evening to see fashions, and who should I
+  first encounter but my old friend Cynthio<a name='fntag258' id=
+  "fntag258"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote258'><sup>258</sup></a> (encompassed by a crowd of
+  young fellows) dictating on the <a class="pagenum" name='page185'
+  title='185' id="page185"></a>passion of love with the gayest air
+  imaginable. "Well," says he, "as to what I know of the matter,
+  there is nothing but ogling with skill carries a woman; but
+  indeed it is not every fool that is capable of this art: you will
+  find twenty can speak eloquently, fifty can fight manfully, and a
+  thousand that can dress genteelly at a mistress, where there is
+  one that can gaze skilfully. This requires an exquisite judgment,
+  to take the language of her eyes to yours exactly, and not let
+  yours talk too fast for hers; as at a play between the acts, when
+  Beau Frisk stands upon a bench full in Lindamira's face, and her
+  dear eyes are searching round to avoid that flaring open fool;
+  she meets the watchful glance of her true lover, and sees his
+  heart attentive on her charms, and waiting for a second twinkle
+  of her eye for its next motion." Here the good company sneered;
+  but he goes on. "Nor is this attendance a slavery, when a man
+  meets encouragement, and her eye comes often in his way: for,
+  after an evening so spent, and the repetition of four or five
+  significant looks at him, the happy man goes home to his lodging,
+  full of ten thousand pleasing images: his brain is dilated, and
+  gives him all the ideas and prospects which it ever lets in to
+  its seat of pleasure. Thus a kind look from Lindamira revives in
+  his imagination all the beauteous lawns, green fields, woods,
+  forests, rivers and solitudes, which he had ever before seen in
+  picture, description, or real life: and all with this addition,
+  that he now sees them with the eyes of a happy lover, as before
+  only with those of a common man. You laugh, gentlemen: but
+  consider yourselves (you common people that were never in love)
+  and compare yourselves in good humour with yourselves out of
+  humour, and you will then acknowledge, that all external objects
+  affect you according to the disposition you are in to receive
+  their impressions, and not as those objects are in their own
+  nature. How <a class="pagenum" name='page186' title='186' id=
+  "page186"></a>much more shall all that passes within his view and
+  observation, touch with delight a man who is prepossessed with
+  successful love, which is an assemblage of soft affections, gay
+  desires, and hopeful resolutions?" Poor Cynthio went on at this
+  rate to the crowd about him, without any purpose in his talk, but
+  to vent a heart overflowing with sense of success. I wondered
+  what could exalt him from the distress in which he had long
+  appeared, to so much alacrity. But my familiar has given me the
+  state of his affairs. It seems then, that lately coming out of
+  the play-house, his mistress, who knows he is in her livery (as
+  the manner of insolent beauties is), resolved to keep him still
+  so, and gave him so much wages, as to complain to him of the
+  crowd she was to pass through. He had his wits and resolution
+  enough about him to take her hand, and say, he would attend her
+  to her coach. All the way thither, my good young man stammered at
+  every word, and stumbled at every step. His mistress, wonderfully
+  pleased with her triumph, put him to a thousand questions, to
+  make a man of his natural wit speak with hesitation, and let drop
+  her fan, to see him recover it awkwardly. This is the whole
+  foundation of Cynthio's recovery to the sprightly air he appears
+  with at present. I grew mighty curious to know something more of
+  that lady's affairs, as being amazed how she could dally with an
+  offer of one of his merit and fortune. I sent Pacolet to her
+  lodgings; he immediately brought me back the following letter to
+  her friend and confidante Amanda in the country, wherein she has
+  opened her heart and all its folds.</p>
+
+  <p>"DEAR AMANDA,</p>
+
+  <p>The town grows so empty, that you must expect my letter so
+  too, except you will allow me to talk of myself instead of
+  others: you cannot imagine what pain it <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page187' title='187' id="page187"></a>is, after a whole day
+  spent in public, to want your company, and the ease which
+  friendship allows in being vain to each other, and speaking all
+  our minds. An account of the slaughter which these unhappy eyes
+  have made within ten days last past, would make me appear too
+  great a tyrant to be allowed in a Christian country. I shall
+  therefore confine myself to my principal conquests, which are the
+  hearts of Beau Frisk, and Jack Freeland, besides Cynthio, who,
+  you know, wore my fetters before you went out of town. Shall I
+  tell you my weakness? I begin to love Frisk: it is the
+  best-humoured impertinent thing in the world: he is always too in
+  waiting, and will certainly carry me off one time or other.
+  Freeland's father and mine have been upon treaty without
+  consulting me; and Cynthio has been eternally watching my eyes,
+  without approaching me, my friends, my maid, or any one about me:
+  he hopes to get me, I believe, as they say the rattlesnake does
+  the squirrel, by staring at me till I drop into his mouth.
+  Freeland demands me for a jointure which he thinks deserves me;
+  Cynthio thinks nothing high enough to be my value: Freeland
+  therefore will take it for no obligation to have me; and
+  Cynthio's idea of me, is what will vanish by knowing me better.
+  Familiarity will equally turn the veneration of the one, and the
+  indifference of the other, into contempt. I will stick therefore
+  to my old maxim, to have that sort of man, who can have no
+  greater views than what are in my power to give him possession
+  of. The utmost of my dear Frisk's ambition is, to be thought a
+  man of fashion; and therefore has been so much in mode, as to
+  resolve upon me, because the whole town likes me. Thus I choose
+  rather a man who loves me because others do, than one who
+  approves me on his own judgment. He that judges for himself in
+  love, will often change his opinion; but he that follows the
+  sense of others, must be <a class="pagenum" name='page188' title=
+  '188' id="page188"></a>constant, as long as a woman can make
+  advances. The visits I make, the entertainments I give, and the
+  addresses I receive, will be all arguments for me with a man of
+  Frisk's second-hand genius; but would be so many bars to my
+  happiness with any other man. However, since Frisk can wait, I
+  shall enjoy a summer or two longer, and remain a single woman, in
+  the sublime pleasure of being followed and admired; which nothing
+  can equal, except that of being beloved by you.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am, &amp;c."</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, May 30.</h3>
+
+  <p>My chief business here this evening was to speak to my friends
+  in behalf of honest Cave Underhill,<a name='fntag259' id=
+  "fntag259"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote259'><sup>259</sup></a> who has been a comic for three
+  generations: my father<a name='fntag260' id=
+  "fntag260"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote260'><sup>260</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page189' title='189' id="page189"></a>admired him extremely when
+  he was a boy. There is certainly nature excellently represented
+  in his manner of action; in which he ever avoided that general
+  fault in players, of doing too much. It must be confessed, he has
+  not the merit of some ingenious persons now on the stage, of
+  adding to his authors; for the actors were so dull in the last
+  age, that many of them have gone out of the world, without having
+  ever spoke one word of their own in the theatre. Poor Cave is so
+  mortified, that he quibbles, and tells you, he pretends only to
+  act a part fit for a man who has one foot in the grave; viz., a
+  gravedigger. All admirers of true comedy, it is hoped, will have
+  the gratitude to be present on the last day of his acting, who,
+  if he does not happen to please them, will have it even then to
+  say, that it is his first offence.</p>
+
+  <p>But there is a gentleman here, who says he has it from good
+  hands, that there is actually a subscription made by many persons
+  of wit and quality, for the encouragement of new comedies. This
+  design will very much contribute to the improvement and diversion
+  of the town: but as every man is most concerned for himself, I,
+  who am of a saturnine and melancholy complexion, cannot but
+  murmur, that there is not an equal invitation to write tragedies,
+  having by me, in my book of commonplaces, enough to enable me to
+  finish a very sad one by the 5th of next month. I have the
+  farewell of a general, with a truncheon in his hand, dying for
+  love, in six lines. I have the principles of a politician (who
+  does all the mischief in the play) together with his declaration
+  on the vanity of ambition in his last moments, expressed in a
+  page and a half. I have all my oaths ready, and my similes want
+  nothing but application. I won't pretend to give you an account
+  of the plot, it being the same design upon which all tragedies
+  have been writ for several years last past; and <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page190' title='190' id="page190"></a>from the
+  beginning of the first scene, the frequenters of the house may
+  know, as well as the author, when the battle is to be fought, the
+  lady to yield, and the hero to proceed to his wedding and
+  coronation. Besides these advantages which I have in readiness, I
+  have an eminent tragedian very much my friend, who shall come in,
+  and go through the whole five acts, without troubling me for one
+  sentence, whether he is to kill or be killed, love or be loved,
+  win battles or lose them, or whatever other tragical performance
+  I shall please to assign him.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 30.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have this day received a letter subscribed "Fidelia," that
+  gives me an account of an enchantment under which a young lady
+  suffers, and desires my help to exorcise her from the power of
+  the sorcerer. Her lover is a rake of sixty; the lady a virtuous
+  woman of twenty-five: her relations are to the last degree
+  afflicted, and amazed at this irregular passion: their sorrow I
+  know not how to remove, but can their astonishment; for there is
+  no spirit in woman half so prevalent as that of contradiction,
+  which is the sole cause of her perseverance. Let the whole family
+  go dressed in a body, and call the bride to-morrow morning to her
+  nuptials, and I'll undertake, the inconstant will forget her
+  lover in the midst of all his aches. But if this expedient does
+  not succeed, I must be so just to the young lady's distinguishing
+  sense, as to applaud her choice. A fine young woman, at last, is
+  but what is due from fate to an honest fellow, who has suffered
+  so unmercifully by the sex; and I think we cannot enough
+  celebrate her heroic virtue, who (like the patriot that ended a
+  pestilence by plunging himself into a gulf) gives herself up to
+  gorge that dragon which has devoured so many virgins before
+  her.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page191' title='191' id=
+  "page191"></a>A letter directed to "Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.;
+  astrologer and physician in ordinary to her Majesty's subjects of
+  Great Britain, with respect," is come to hand.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag258'>[258]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote258' id="footnote258"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number1">1</a>, <a href="#number5">5</a>, <a href=
+      "#number35">35</a>, 85.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag259'>[259]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote259' id="footnote259"></a>The following
+      advertisement appeared in Nos. <a href="#number20">20</a> and
+      <a href="#number22">22</a>: "Mr. Cave Underhill, the famous
+      comedian in the reigns of Charles II., King James II., King
+      William and Queen Mary, and her present Majesty Queen Anne;
+      but now not able to perform so often as heretofore in the
+      playhouse, and having had losses to the value of near �2500,
+      is to have the tragedy of 'Hamlet' acted for his benefit, on
+      Friday, the 3rd of June next, at the Theatre Royal in Drury
+      Lane, in which he is to perform his original part, the
+      Grave-maker. Tickets may be had at the Mitre Tavern in Fleet
+      Street." Colley Cibber says that Underhill was particularly
+      admired in the character of the Grave-digger; and he adds:
+      "Underhill was a correct and natural comedian; his particular
+      excellence was in characters that may be called still-life; I
+      mean the stiff, the heavy, and the stupid; to these he gave
+      the exactest and most expressive colours, and in some of them
+      looked as if it were not in the power of human passions to
+      alter a feature of him. A countenance of wood could not be
+      more fixed than his, when the blockhead of a character
+      required it; his face was full and long; from his crown to
+      the end of his nose was the shorter half of it, so that the
+      disproportion of his lower features, when soberly composed,
+      threw him into the most lumpish, moping mortal, that ever
+      made beholders merry; not but, at other times, he could be
+      wakened into spirit equally ridiculous." Genest says that
+      Underhill acted again as the Grave-digger on Feb. 23, 1710,
+      at Drury Lane.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag260'>[260]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote260' id="footnote260"></a>"Grandfather"
+      (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number23' id="number23"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 23.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, May 31</i>, to <i>Thursday, June 2</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, May 31.</h3>
+
+  <p>The generality of mankind are so very fond of this world, and
+  of staying in it, that a man cannot have eminent skill in any one
+  art, but they will, in spite of his teeth, make him a physician
+  also, that being the science the worldlings have most need of. I
+  pretended, when I first set up, to astrology only; but I am told,
+  I have deep skill also in medicine. I am applied to now by a
+  gentleman for my advice in behalf of his wife, who, upon the
+  least matrimonial difficulty, is excessively troubled with fits,
+  and can bear no manner of passion without falling into immediate
+  convulsions. I must confess, it is a case I have known before,
+  and remember the party was recovered by certain words pronounced
+  in the midst of the fit by the learned doctor who performed the
+  cure. These ails have usually their beginning from the affections
+  of the mind: therefore you must have patience to let me give you
+  an instance, whereby you may discern the cause of the distemper,
+  and then proceed in the cure as follows:</p>
+
+  <p>A fine town lady was married to a gentleman of ancient descent
+  in one of the counties of Great Britain, who had good humour to a
+  weakness, and was that sort of person, of whom it is usually
+  said, he is no man's enemy but his own: one who had too much
+  tenderness of soul to have any authority with his wife; and she
+  too little sense to <a class="pagenum" name='page192' title='192'
+  id="page192"></a>give him authority for that reason. His kind
+  wife observed this temper in him, and made proper use of it. But
+  knowing it was below a gentlewoman to wrangle, she resolved upon
+  an expedient to save decorum, and wear her dear to her point at
+  the same time. She therefore took upon her to govern him, by
+  falling into fits whenever she was repulsed in a request, or
+  contradicted in a discourse. It was a fish-day, when in the midst
+  of her husband's good humour at table, she bethought herself to
+  try her project. She made signs that she had swallowed a bone.
+  The man grew pale as ashes, and ran to her assistance, calling
+  for drink. "No, my dear," said she, recovering, "it is down;
+  don't be frightened." This accident betrayed his softness enough.
+  The next day she complained, a lady's chariot, whose husband had
+  not half his estate, had a crane-neck, and hung with twice the
+  air that hers did. He answered, "Madam, you know my income; you
+  know I have lost two coach-horses this spring."&#8212;Down she
+  fell.&#8212;"Hartshorn! Betty, Susan, Alice, throw water in her
+  face." With much care and pains she was at last brought to
+  herself, and the vehicle in which she visited was amended in the
+  nicest manner, to prevent relapses; but they frequently happened
+  during that husband's whole life, which he had the good fortune
+  to end in few years after. The disconsolate soon pitched upon a
+  very agreeable successor, whom she very prudently designed to
+  govern by the same method. This man knew her little arts, and
+  resolved to break through all tenderness, and be absolute master,
+  as soon as occasion offered. One day it happened, that a
+  discourse arose about furniture: he was very glad of the
+  occasion, and fell into an invective against china,<a name=
+  'fntag261' id="fntag261"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote261'><sup>261</sup></a> protesting, he would never let
+  five pounds more of his <a class="pagenum" name='page193' title=
+  '193' id="page193"></a>money be laid out that way as long as he
+  breathed. She immediately fainted&#8212;he starts up as amazed,
+  and calls for help&#8212;the maids ran to the closet&#8212;he
+  chafes her face, bends her forwards, and beats the palms of her
+  hands: her convulsions increase, and down she tumbles on the
+  floor, where she lies quite dead, in spite of what the whole
+  family, from the nursery to the kitchen, could do for her
+  relief.</p>
+
+  <p>While every servant was thus helping or lamenting their
+  mistress, he, fixing his cheek to hers, seemed to be following
+  her in a trance of sorrow; but secretly whispers her, "My dear,
+  this will never do: what is within my power and fortune, you may
+  always command, but none of your artifices: you are quite in
+  other hands than those you passed these pretty passions upon."
+  This made her almost in the condition she pretended; her
+  convulsions now came thicker, nor was she to be held down. The
+  kind man doubles his care, helps the servants to throw water in
+  her face by full quarts; and when the sinking part of the fit
+  came again, "Well, my dear," said he, "I applaud your action; but
+  I must take my leave of you till you are more sincere with me.
+  Farewell for ever: you shall always know where to hear of me, and
+  want for nothing." With that, he ordered the maids to keep plying
+  her with hartshorn, while he went for a physician: he was scarce
+  at the stairhead when she followed; and pulling him into a
+  closet, thanked him for her cure; which was so absolute, that she
+  gave me this relation herself, to be communicated for the benefit
+  of all the voluntary invalids of her sex.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page194' title='194' id=
+  "page194"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, May 31.</h3>
+
+  <p>The public is not so little my concern, though I am but a
+  student, as that I should not interest myself in the present
+  great things in agitation. I am still of opinion, the French king
+  will sign the preliminaries. With that view, I have sent him by
+  my familiar the following epistle, and admonished him, on pain of
+  what I shall say of him to future generations, to act with
+  sincerity on this occasion.</p>
+
+  <h3>"London, May 31.</h3>
+
+  <h4>"Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., of Great Britain, to Lewis XIV. of
+  France.</h4>
+
+  <p>"The surprising news which arrived this day, of your Majesty's
+  having refused to sign the treaty your Ministers have in a manner
+  sued for, is what gives ground to this application to your
+  Majesty, from one whose name, perhaps, is too obscure to have
+  ever reached your territories; but one who, with all the European
+  world, is affected with your determinations. Therefore, as it is
+  mine and the common cause of mankind, I presume to expostulate
+  with you on this occasion. It will, I doubt not, appear to the
+  vulgar extravagant, that the actions of a mighty prince should be
+  balanced by the censure of a private man, whose approbation or
+  dislike are equally contemptible in their eyes, when they regard
+  the thrones of sovereigns. But your Majesty has shown, through
+  the whole course of your reign, too great a value for liberal
+  arts to be insensible, that true fame lies only in the hands of
+  learned men, by whom it is to be transmitted to futurity, with
+  marks of honour or reproach to the end of time. The date of human
+  life is too short to recompense the cares which attend the most
+  private condition: <a class="pagenum" name='page195' title='195'
+  id="page195"></a>therefore it is, that our souls are made as it
+  were too big for it, and extend themselves in the prospect of a
+  longer existence, in a good fame and memory of worthy actions
+  after our decease. The whole race of men have this passion in
+  some degree implanted in their bosoms, which is the strongest and
+  noblest incitation to honest attempts: but the base use of the
+  arts of peace, eloquence, poetry, and all the parts of learning,
+  have been possessed by souls so unworthy those faculties, that
+  the names and appellations of things have been confounded by the
+  labours and writings of prostituted men, who have stamped a
+  reputation upon such actions as are in themselves the objects of
+  contempt and disgrace. This is that which has misled your Majesty
+  in the conduct of your reign, and made that life, which might
+  have been the most imitable, the most to be avoided. To this it
+  is, that the great and excellent qualities of which your Majesty
+  is master, are lost in their application; and your Majesty has
+  been carrying on for many years the most cruel tyranny, with all
+  the noble methods which are used to support a just reign. Thus it
+  is, that it avails nothing that you are a bountiful master; that
+  you are so generous as to reward even the unsuccessful with
+  honour and riches; that no laudable action passes unrewarded in
+  your kingdoms; that you have searched all nations for obscure
+  merit; in a word, that you are in your private character endowed
+  with every princely quality, when all this is subjected to unjust
+  and ill-taught ambition, which to the injury of the world, is
+  gilded by those endowments. However, if your Majesty will
+  condescend to look into your own soul, and consider all its
+  faculties and weaknesses with impartiality; if you will but be
+  convinced, that life is supported in you by the ordinary methods
+  of food, rest, and sleep; you would think it impossible that you
+  could ever be so much <a class="pagenum" name='page196' title=
+  '196' id="page196"></a>imposed on, as to have been wrought into a
+  belief, that so many thousands of the same make with yourself,
+  were formed by Providence for no other end, but by the hazard of
+  their very being to extend the conquests and glory of an
+  individual of their own species. A very little reflection will
+  convince your Majesty, that such cannot be the intent of the
+  Creator; and if not, what horror must it give your Majesty to
+  think of the vast devastations your ambition has made among your
+  fellow creatures? While the warmth of youth, the flattery of
+  crowds, and a continual series of success and triumph, indulged
+  your Majesty in this allusion of mind, it was less to be wondered
+  at, that you proceeded in this mistaken pursuit of grandeur; but
+  when age, disappointments, public calamities, personal
+  distempers, and the reverse of all that makes men forget their
+  true being, are fallen upon you: heavens! is it possible you can
+  live without remorse? Can the wretched man be a tyrant? Can grief
+  study torments? Can sorrow be cruel?&#8212;</p>
+
+  <p>"Your Majesty will observe, I do not bring against you a
+  railing accusation; but as you are a strict professor of
+  religion, I beseech your Majesty to stop the effusion of blood,
+  by receiving the opportunity which presents itself, for the
+  preservation of your distressed people. Be no longer so
+  infatuated, as to hope for renown from murder and violence: but
+  consider, that the great day will come, in which this world and
+  all its glory shall change in a moment: when nature shall sicken,
+  and the earth and sea give up the bodies committed to them, to
+  appear before the last tribunal. Will it then, O king! be an
+  answer for the lives of millions who have fallen by the sword,
+  'They perished for my glory'? That day will come on, and one like
+  it is immediately approaching: injured nations advance towards
+  thy habitation: vengeance has begun its <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page197' title='197' id="page197"></a>march, which is to be
+  diverted only by the penitence of the oppressor. Awake, O
+  monarch, from thy lethargy! Disdain the abuses thou hast
+  received: pull down the statue which calls thee immortal: be
+  truly great: tear thy purple, and put on sackcloth.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am,</p>
+
+  <p>"Thy generous Enemy,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"ISAAC BICKERSTAFF."</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 1.</h3>
+
+  <p>Advices from Brussels of the 6th instant, N.S., say, his
+  Highness Prince Eugene had received a letter from Monsieur Torcy,
+  wherein that Minister, after many expressions of great respect,
+  acquaints him, that his master had absolutely refused to sign the
+  preliminaries to the treaty which he had, in his Majesty's
+  behalf, consented to at the Hague. Upon the receipt of this
+  intelligence, the face of things at that place were immediately
+  altered, and the necessary orders were transmitted to the troops
+  (which lay most remote from thence) to move towards the place of
+  rendezvous with all expedition. The enemy seem also to prepare
+  for the field, and have at present drawn together twenty-five
+  thousand men in the plains of Lenz. Marshal Villars is at the
+  head of those troops; and has given the generals under his
+  command all possible assurances, that he will turn the fate of
+  the war to the advantage of his master.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from the Hague of the 7th, that Monsieur Rouill�
+  had received orders from the Court of France, to signify to the
+  States-General and the Ministers of the High Allies, that the
+  king could not consent to the preliminaries of a treaty of peace,
+  as it was offered to him by Monsieur Torcy. The great difficulty
+  is the business of Spain, on <a class="pagenum" name='page198'
+  title='198' id="page198"></a>which particular his Ministers
+  seemed only to say, during the treaty, that it was not so
+  immediately under their master's direction, as that he could
+  answer for its being relinquished by the Duke of Anjou: but now
+  he positively answers, that he cannot comply with what his
+  Minister has promised in his behalf, even in such points as are
+  wholly in himself to act in or not. This has had no other effect,
+  than to give the Alliance fresh arguments for being diffident of
+  engagements entered into by France. The Pensioner made a report
+  of all which this Minister had declared to the Deputies of the
+  States-General, and all things turn towards a vigorous war. The
+  Duke of Marlborough designed to leave the Hague within two days,
+  in order to put himself at the head of the army, which is to
+  assemble on the 17th instant between the Scheldt and the Lis. A
+  fleet of eighty sail, laden with corn from the Baltic, is arrived
+  in the Texel. The States have sent circular letters to all the
+  provinces, to notify this change of affairs, and animate their
+  subjects to new resolutions in defence of their country.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag261'>[261]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote261' id="footnote261"></a>Addison
+      ridiculed the prevalent craze for collecting china in No. 10
+      of the <i>Lover</i>; and Swift wrote to Steele, "What do I
+      know whether china is dear or not; I once took a fancy of
+      resolving to go mad for it, but now it is off."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number24' id="number24"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 24.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[ADDISON.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, June 2</i>, to <i>Saturday, June 4</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 2.</h3>
+
+  <p>In my paper of the 28th of the last month,<a name='fntag262'
+  id="fntag262"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote262'><sup>262</sup></a> I mentioned several characters
+  which want explanation to the generality of readers: among
+  others, I spoke of a Pretty Fellow; but I have received a kind
+  admonition in a letter, to take care that I do not omit to show
+  also what is meant by a Very Pretty Fellow, which is to be
+  allowed as a <a class="pagenum" name='page199' title='199' id=
+  "page199"></a>character by itself, and a person exalted above the
+  other by a peculiar sprightliness, as one who, by a
+  distinguishing vigour, outstrips his companions, and has thereby
+  deserved and obtained a particular appellation, or nickname of
+  familiarity. Some have this distinction from the fair sex, who
+  are so generous as to take into their protection those who are
+  laughed at by the men, and place them for that reason in degrees
+  of favour. The chief of this sort is Colonel Brunett, who is a
+  man of fashion, because he will be so; and practises a very
+  jaunty way of behaviour, because he is too careless to know when
+  he offends, and too sanguine to be mortified if he did know it.
+  Thus the colonel has met with a town ready to receive him, and
+  cannot possibly see why he should not make use of their favour,
+  and set himself in the first degree of conversation. Therefore he
+  is very successfully loud among the wits, familiar among the
+  ladies, and dissolute among the rakes. Thus he is admitted in one
+  place, because he is so in another; and every man treats Brunett
+  well, not out of his particular esteem for him, but in respect to
+  the opinion of others. It is to me a solid pleasure to see the
+  world thus mistaken on the good-natured side; for it is ten to
+  one but the colonel mounts into a general officer, marries a fine
+  lady, and is master of a good estate, before they come to explain
+  upon him. What gives most delight to me in this observation, is,
+  that all this arises from pure nature, and the colonel can
+  account for his success no more than those by whom he succeeds.
+  For these causes and considerations, I pronounce him a true
+  woman's man, and in the first degree, "a very pretty fellow." The
+  next to a man of this universal genius, is one who is peculiarly
+  formed for the service of the ladies, and his merit chiefly is to
+  be of no consequence. I am indeed a little in doubt, whether he
+  ought not rather to be called a "very happy," <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page200' title='200' id="page200"></a>than a "very pretty"
+  fellow? For he is admitted at all hours: all he says or does,
+  which would offend in another, are passed over in him; and all
+  actions and speeches which please, doubly please if they come
+  from him: no one wonders or takes notice when he is wrong; but
+  all admire him when he is in the right. By the way it is fit to
+  remark, that there are people of better sense than these, who
+  endeavour at this character; but they are out of nature; and
+  though, with some industry, they get the characters of fools,
+  they cannot arrive to be "very," seldom to be merely "pretty
+  fellows." But where nature has formed a person for this station
+  amongst men, he is gifted with a peculiar genius for success, and
+  his very errors and absurdities contribute to it; this felicity
+  attending him to his life's end. For it being in a manner
+  necessary that he should be of no consequence, he is as well in
+  old age as youth; and I know a man, whose son has been some years
+  a pretty fellow, who is himself at this hour a "very" pretty
+  fellow. One must move tenderly in this place, for we are now in
+  the ladies' lodgings, and speaking of such as are supported by
+  their influence and favour; against which there is not, neither
+  ought there to be, any dispute or observation. But when we come
+  into more free air, one may talk a little more at large. Give me
+  leave then to mention three, whom I do not doubt but we shall see
+  make considerable figures; and these are such as, for their
+  Bacchanalian performances, must be admitted into this order. They
+  are three brothers lately landed from Holland: as yet, indeed,
+  they have not made their public entry, but lodge and converse at
+  Wapping. They have merited already on the waterside particular
+  titles: the first is called Hogshead; the second Culverin; and
+  the third Musket. This fraternity is preparing for our end of the
+  town by their ability in the exercises of Bacchus, and measure
+  their time <a class="pagenum" name='page201' title='201' id=
+  "page201"></a>and merit by liquid weight, and power of drinking.
+  Hogshead is a prettier fellow than Culverin by two quarts, and
+  Culverin than Musket by a full pint. It is to be feared, Hogshead
+  is so often too full, and Culverin overloaded, that Musket will
+  be the only lasting "very" pretty fellow of the three.<a name=
+  'fntag263' id="fntag263"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote263'><sup>263</sup></a> A third sort of this
+  denomination are such as, by very daring adventures in love, have
+  purchased to themselves renown and new names; as, Joe Carry, for
+  his excessive strength and vigour; Tom Drybones, for his generous
+  loss of youth and health; and Cancrum, for his meritorious
+  rottenness. These great and leading spirits are proposed to all
+  such of our British youth as would arrive at perfection in these
+  different kinds; and if their parts and accomplishments were well
+  imitated, it is not doubted but that our nation would soon excel
+  all others in wit and arts, as they already do in arms.</p>
+
+  <p>N.B.&#8212;The gentleman who stole Betty Pepin,<a name=
+  'fntag264' id="fntag264"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote264'><sup>264</sup></a> may own it, for he is allowed
+  to be a "very" pretty fellow.</p>
+
+  <h4>But we must proceed to the explanation of other terms in our
+  writings.</h4>
+
+  <p>To know what a Toast is in the country, gives as much
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page202' title='202' id=
+  "page202"></a>perplexity as she herself does in town: and,
+  indeed, the learned differ very much upon the original of this
+  word, and the acceptation of it among the moderns. However, it is
+  by all agreed to have a joyous and cheerful import. A toast in a
+  cold morning, heightened by nutmeg, and sweetened with sugar, has
+  for many ages been given to our rural dissenters of justice,
+  before they entered upon causes, and has been of great and
+  politic use to take off the severity of their sentences; but has
+  indeed been remarkable for one ill effect, that it inclines those
+  who use it immoderately, to speak Latin, to the admiration,
+  rather than information, of an audience. This application of "a
+  toast" makes it very obvious, that the word may, without a
+  metaphor, be understood as an apt name for a thing which raises
+  us in the most sovereign degree. But many of the wits of the last
+  age will assert, that the word, in its present sense, was known
+  among them in their youth, and had its rise from an accident at
+  the town of Bath, in the reign of King Charles II. It happened,
+  that on a public day a celebrated beauty of those times was in
+  the Cross Bath, and one of the crowd of her admirers took a glass
+  of the water in which the fair one stood, and drank her health to
+  the company. There was in the place a gay fellow, half fuddled,
+  who offered to jump in, and swore, though he liked not the
+  liquor, he would have the toast. He was opposed in his
+  resolution; yet this whim gave foundation to the present honour
+  which is done to the lady we mention in our liquors, who has ever
+  since been called a "toast." Though this institution had so
+  trivial a beginning, it is now elevated into a formal order; and
+  that happy virgin who is received and drank to at their meetings,
+  has no more to do in this life, but to judge and accept of the
+  first good offer. The manner of her inauguration is much like
+  that of the choice of a Doge in <a class="pagenum" name='page203'
+  title='203' id="page203"></a>Venice: it is performed by
+  balloting; and when she is so chosen, she reigns indisputably for
+  that ensuing year; but must be elected anew to prolong her empire
+  a moment beyond it. When she is regularly chosen, her name is
+  written with a diamond on a drinking-glass.<a name='fntag265' id=
+  "fntag265"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote265'><sup>265</sup></a> The hieroglyphic of the diamond
+  is to show her, that her value is imaginary; and that of the
+  glass to acquaint her, that her condition is frail, and depends
+  on the hand which holds her. This wise design admonishes her,
+  neither to overrate nor depreciate her charms; as well
+  considering and applying, that it is perfectly according to the
+  humour and taste of the company, whether the toast is eaten, or
+  left as an offal.</p>
+
+  <p>The foremost of the whole rank of toasts, and the most
+  undisputed in their present empire, are Mrs. Gatty and Mrs.
+  Frontlet: the first, an agreeable; the second, an awful beauty.
+  These ladies are perfect friends, out of a knowledge that their
+  perfections are too different to stand in competition. He that
+  likes Gatty can have no relish for so solemn a creature as
+  Frontlet; and an admirer of Frontlet will call Gatty a
+  maypole-girl. Gatty for ever smiles upon you; and Frontlet
+  disdains to see you smile. Gatty's love is a shining quick flame;
+  Frontlet's a slow wasting fire. Gatty likes the man that diverts
+  her; Frontlet him who adores her. Gatty always improves the soil
+  in which she travels; Frontlet lays waste the country. Gatty does
+  not only smile, but laughs at her lover; Frontlet not only looks
+  serious, but frowns at him. All the men of wit (and coxcombs
+  their followers) are professed servants of Gatty: the politicians
+  and pretenders give solemn worship to Frontlet. Their reign will
+  be best judged of by its duration. Frontlet will never be chosen
+  more; and Gatty is a toast for life.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page204' title='204' id=
+  "page204"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 3.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Hamburg of the 7th instant, N.S., inform us, that
+  no art or cost is omitted to make the stay of his Danish Majesty
+  at Dresden agreeable; but there are various speculations upon the
+  interview between King Augustus and that prince, many putting
+  politic constructions upon his Danish Majesty's arrival, at a
+  time when his troops are marching out of Hungary, with orders to
+  pass through Saxony, where it is given out, that they are to be
+  recruited. It is said also, that several Polish senators have
+  invited King Augustus to return into Poland. His Majesty of
+  Sweden, according to the same advices, has passed the Dnieper
+  without any opposition from the Muscovites, and advances with all
+  possible expedition towards Voldinia, where he proposes to join
+  King Stanislaus and General Cressau.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from Berne of the 1st instant, N.S., that there is not
+  a province in France, from whence the Court is not apprehensive
+  of receiving accounts of public emotions, occasioned by the want
+  of corn. The General Diet of the thirteen cantons is assembled at
+  Baden, but have not yet entered upon business, so that the affair
+  of Tockenburg is yet at a stand.</p>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague, dated the 11th instant, N.S., advise
+  that Monsieur Rouill� having acquainted the Ministers of the
+  Allies, that his master had refused to ratify the preliminaries
+  of a treaty adjusted with Monsieur Torcy, set out for Paris on
+  Sunday morning. The same day the foreign Ministers met a
+  committee of the States-General, where Monsieur van Hessen opened
+  the business upon which they were assembled, and in a very warm
+  discourse laid before them the conduct of France in the late
+  negotiations, representing the abject manner in which she had
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page205' title='205' id=
+  "page205"></a>laid open her own distresses, which reduced her to
+  a compliance with the demands of all the Allies, and the mean
+  manner in receding from those points to which her Minister had
+  consented. The respective Ministers of each potentate of the
+  Alliance severally expressed their resentment of the faithless
+  behaviour of the French, and gave each other mutual assurances of
+  the constancy and resolution of their principles to proceed with
+  the utmost vigour against the common enemy. His Grace the Duke of
+  Marlborough set out from the Hague on the 9th, in the afternoon,
+  and lay that night at Rotterdam, from whence at four the next
+  morning he proceeded towards Antwerp, with design to reach Ghent
+  as on this day. All the troops in the Low Countries are in motion
+  towards the general rendezvous between the Scheldt and Lis, and
+  the whole army will be formed on the 12th instant; and it is said
+  that on the 14th they will advance towards the enemy's country.
+  In the meantime the Marshal de Villars has assembled the French
+  army between Lens, la Bass�e, and Douay.</p>
+
+  <p>Yesterday morning Sir John Norris<a name='fntag266' id=
+  "fntag266"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote266'><sup>266</sup></a> with the squadron under his
+  command, sailed from the Downs for Holland.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 3.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have the honour of the following letter from a gentleman
+  whom I receive into my family, and order the heralds at arms to
+  enroll him accordingly.</p>
+
+  <p>"MR. BICKERSTAFF,</p>
+
+  <p>"Though you have excluded me the honour of your family, yet I
+  have ventured to correspond with the same great persons as
+  yourself, and have wrote this post <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page206' title='206' id="page206"></a>to the King of France;
+  though I'm in a manner unknown in his country, and have not been
+  seen there these many months.</p>
+
+  <h4>"'To Lewis le Grand.</h4>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "'Though in your country I'm unknown,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Yet, sir, I must advise you;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Of late so poor and mean you're grown,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        That all the world despise you.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Here vermin eat your majesty,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        There meagre subjects stand unfed;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        What surer signs of poverty,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Than many lice, and little bread?
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Then, sir, the present minute choose,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Our armies are advanced;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Those terms you at the Hague refuse,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        At Paris won't be granted.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Consider this, and Dunkirk raze,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        And Anna's title own;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Send one Pretender out to graze,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        And call the other home.'
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"Your humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"BREAD, THE STAFF OF LIFE."</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag262'>[262]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote262' id="footnote262"></a>No. 21.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag263'>[263]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote263' id="footnote263"></a>It would seem
+      from the passage in the <i>Examiner</i> (vol. iii. No. 48),
+      that three men of distinction at that time, probably
+      noblemen, were supposed to be denoted under the names of
+      Hogshead, Culverin, and Musket, from Wapping; or, as they are
+      named by the <i>Examiner</i>, "Tun, Gun, and Pistol, from
+      Wapping." They are there mentioned among others, said to have
+      been, "with at least fifty more, sufferers of figure under
+      this author's satire, in the days of his mirth," &amp;c. In
+      the <i>Guardian</i> (No. 53) Steele says, "Tun, Gun, and
+      Pistol from Wapping, laughed at the representation which was
+      made of them, and were observed to be more regular in their
+      conduct afterwards."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag264'>[264]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote264' id="footnote264"></a>The kept
+      mistress of a knight of the shire near Brentford, who
+      squandered his estate on women, and in contested elections.
+      He has long since gone into the land of oblivion. See No.
+      51.&#8212;(Nichols.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag265'>[265]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote265' id="footnote265"></a>Several such
+      verses, inscribed on the glasses of the Kit Cat Club, are
+      given in Nichols' "Select Collection of Poems," v.
+      168-178.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag266'>[266]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote266' id="footnote266"></a>Admiral Sir
+      John Norris (died 1749) was sent in June 1709, with a small
+      squadron, to stop the French supply of corn from the
+      Baltic.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page207' title='207' id=
+    "page207"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number25' id="number25"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 25.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, June 4</i>, to <i>Tuesday, June 7</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>A letter from a young lady, written in the most passionate
+  terms (wherein she laments the misfortune of a gentleman, her
+  lover, who was lately wounded in a duel), has turned my thoughts
+  to that subject, and inclined me to examine into the causes which
+  precipitate men into so fatal a folly.<a name='fntag267' id=
+  "fntag267"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote267'><sup>267</sup></a> And as it has been proposed to
+  treat of subjects of gallantry in the article from hence, and no
+  one point of nature is more proper to be considered by the
+  company who frequent this place, than that of duels, it is worth
+  our consideration to examine into this chimerical groundless
+  humour, and to lay every other thought aside, till we have
+  stripped it of all its false pretences to credit and reputation
+  amongst men. But I must confess, when I consider what I am going
+  about, and run over in my imagination all the endless crowd of
+  men of honour who will be offended at such a discourse, I am
+  undertaking, methinks, a work worthy an invulnerable hero in
+  romance, rather than a private gentleman with a single rapier;
+  but as I am pretty well acquainted by great opportunities with
+  the nature of man, and know of a truth, that all men fight
+  against their will, the danger vanishes, and resolution rises
+  upon this subject. For this reason I shall talk very freely on a
+  custom which all men wish exploded, though no man has courage
+  enough to resist it. But there is one unintelligible word which I
+  fear will extremely perplex my <a class="pagenum" name='page208'
+  title='208' id="page208"></a>dissertation, and I confess to you I
+  find very hard to explain, which is, the term "satisfaction." An
+  honest country gentleman had the misfortune to fall into company
+  with two or three modern men of honour, where he happened to be
+  very ill-treated; and one of the company being conscious of his
+  offence, sends a note to him in the morning, and tells him, he
+  was ready to give him satisfaction. "This is fine doing," says
+  the plain fellow: "last night he sent me away cursedly out of
+  humour, and this morning he fancies it would be a satisfaction to
+  be run through the body." As the matter at present stands, it is
+  not to do handsome actions denominates a man of honour; it is
+  enough if he dares to defend ill ones. Thus you often see a
+  common sharper in competition with a gentleman of the first rank;
+  though all mankind is convinced, that a fighting gamester is only
+  a pickpocket with the courage of a highwayman. One cannot with
+  any patience reflect on the unaccountable jumble of persons and
+  things in this town and nation, which occasions very frequently,
+  that a brave man falls by a hand below that of the common
+  hangman, and yet his executioner escapes the clutches of the
+  hangman for doing it. I shall therefore hereafter consider, how
+  the bravest men in other ages and nations have behaved themselves
+  upon such incidents as we decide by combat; and show, from their
+  practice, that this resentment neither has its foundation from
+  true reason, nor solid fame; but is an imposture,<a name=
+  'fntag268' id="fntag268"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote268'><sup>268</sup></a> made up of cowardice,
+  falsehood, and want of understanding. For this work, a good
+  history of quarrels would be very edifying to the public, and I
+  apply myself to the town for particulars and circumstances within
+  their knowledge, which may serve to embellish the dissertation
+  with proper cuts. Most of the quarrels I have ever known, have
+  proceeded from some <a class="pagenum" name='page209' title='209'
+  id="page209"></a>valiant coxcomb's persisting in the wrong, to
+  defend some prevailing folly, and preserve himself from the
+  ingenuity of owning a mistake.<a name='fntag269' id=
+  "fntag269"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote269'><sup>269</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>By this means it is called, "giving a man satisfaction," to
+  urge your offence against him with your sword; which puts me in
+  mind of Peter's order to the keeper, in the "Tale of a Tub": "If
+  you neglect to do all this, damn you and your generation for
+  ever; and so we bid you heartily farewell."<a name='fntag270' id=
+  "fntag270"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote270'><sup>270</sup></a> If the contradiction in the
+  very terms of one of our challenges were as well explained, and
+  turned into plain English, would it not run after this
+  manner?</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your extraordinary behaviour last night, and the liberty you
+  were pleased to take with me, makes me this morning give you
+  this, to tell you, because you are an ill-bred puppy, I will meet
+  you in Hyde Park an hour hence; and because you want both
+  breeding and humanity, I desire you would come with a pistol in
+  your hand, on horseback, and endeavour to shoot me through the
+  head; to teach you more manners. If you fail of doing me this
+  pleasure, I shall say, you are a rascal on every post in town:
+  and so, sir, if you will not injure me more, I shall never
+  forgive what you have done already. Pray sir, do not fail of
+  getting everything ready, and you will infinitely oblige,</p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most obedient,</p>
+
+  <p>"humble Servant, &amp;c."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page210' title='210' id=
+  "page210"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>Among the many employments I am necessarily put upon by my
+  friends, that of giving advice is the most unwelcome to me; and
+  indeed, I am forced to use a little art in the matter; for some
+  people will ask counsel of you, when they have already acted what
+  they tell you is still under deliberation. I had almost lost a
+  very good friend the other day, who came to know how I liked his
+  design to marry such a lady. I answered, "By no means; and I must
+  be positive against it, for very solid reasons, which are not
+  proper to communicate." "Not proper to communicate!" said he with
+  a grave air, "I will know the bottom of this." I saw him moved,
+  and knew from thence he was already determined; therefore evaded
+  it by saying, "To tell you the truth, dear Frank, of all women
+  living, I would have her myself." "Isaac," said he, "thou art too
+  late, for we have been both one these two months." I learned this
+  caution by a gentleman's consulting me formerly about his son. He
+  railed at his damned extravagance, and told me, in a very little
+  time, he would beggar him by the exorbitant bills which came from
+  Oxford every quarter. "Make the rogue bite upon the
+  bridle,"<a name='fntag271' id="fntag271"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote271'><sup>271</sup></a> said I, "pay none of his bills,
+  it will but encourage him to further trespasses." He looked
+  plaguy sour at me. His son soon after sent up a paper of verses,
+  forsooth, in print, on the last public occasion; upon which, he
+  is convinced the boy has parts, and a lad of spirit is not to be
+  too much cramped in his maintenance, lest he take ill courses.
+  Neither father nor son can ever since endure the sight of me.
+  These sort of people ask opinions, only out of the fulness of
+  their heart on the subject of their perplexity, and not from a
+  desire of infor<a class="pagenum" name='page211' title='211' id=
+  "page211"></a>mation. There is nothing so easy as to find out
+  which opinion the person in doubt has a mind to; therefore the
+  sure way is to tell him, that is certainly to be chosen. Then you
+  are to be very clear and positive; leave no handle for scruple.
+  "Bless me! sir, there is no room for a question." This rivets you
+  into his heart; for you at once applaud his wisdom, and gratify
+  his inclination. However, I had too much bowels to be insincere
+  to a man who came yesterday to know of me, with which of two
+  eminent men in the City he should place his son? Their names are
+  Paulo and Avaro.<a name='fntag272' id="fntag272"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote272'><sup>272</sup></a> This gave me much
+  debate with myself, because not only the fortune of the youth,
+  but his virtue also depended upon this choice. The men are
+  equally wealthy; but they differ in the use and application of
+  their riches, which you immediately see upon entering their
+  doors.</p>
+
+  <p>The habitation of Paulo has at once the air of a nobleman and
+  a merchant. You see the servants act with affection to their
+  master, and satisfaction in themselves: the master meets you with
+  an open countenance, full of benevolence and integrity: your
+  business is despatched with that confidence and welcome which
+  always accompanies honest minds: his table is the image of plenty
+  and generosity, supported by justice and frugality. After we had
+  dined here, our affair was to visit Avaro: out comes an awkward
+  fellow with a careful countenance; "Sir, would you speak with my
+  master? May I crave your name?" After the first preambles, he
+  leads us into a noble solitude, a great house that seemed
+  uninhabited; but from the end of the spacious hall moves towards
+  us Avaro, with a suspicious aspect, as if he believed us thieves;
+  and as for my part, I approached him as if I knew him a
+  cut-purse. <a class="pagenum" name='page212' title='212' id=
+  "page212"></a>We fell into discourse of his noble dwelling, and
+  the great estate all the world knew he had to enjoy in it: and I,
+  to plague him, fell a commending Paulo's way of living. "Paulo,"
+  answered Avaro, "is a very good man; but we who have smaller
+  estates, must cut our coat according to our cloth." "Nay," says
+  I, "every man knows his own circumstance best; you are in the
+  right, if you haven't wherewithal." He looked very sour (for it
+  is, you must know, the utmost vanity of a mean-spirited rich man
+  to be contradicted, when he calls himself poor). But I was
+  resolved to vex him, by consenting to all he said; the main
+  design of which was, that he would have us find out, he was one
+  of the wealthiest men in London, and lived like a beggar. We left
+  him, and took a turn on the 'Change. My friend was ravished with
+  Avaro. "This," said he, "is certainly a sure man." I contradicted
+  him with much warmth, and summed up their different characters as
+  well as I could. "This Paulo," said I, "grows wealthy by being a
+  common good; Avaro, by being a general evil: Paulo has the art,
+  Avaro the craft of trade. When Paulo gains, all men he deals with
+  are the better: whenever Avaro profits, another certainly loses.
+  In a word, Paulo is a citizen, and Avaro a cit." I convinced my
+  friend, and carried the young gentleman the next day to Paulo,
+  where he will learn the way both to gain, and enjoy a good
+  fortune. And though I cannot say, I have, by keeping him from
+  Avaro, saved him from the gallows, I have prevented his deserving
+  it every day he lives: for with Paulo he will be an honest man,
+  without being so for fear of the law; as with Avaro, he would
+  have been a villain within the protection of it.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page213' title='213' id=
+  "page213"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>We hear from Vienna of the 1st instant, that Baron Imoff, who
+  attended her Catholic Majesty with the character of Envoy from
+  the Duke of Wolfembuttel, was returned thither. That Minister
+  brought an account, that Major-general Stanhope, with the troops
+  which embarked at Naples, was returned to Barcelona. We hear from
+  Berlin, by advices of the 8th instant, that his Prussian Majesty
+  had received intelligence from his Minister at Dresden, that the
+  King of Denmark desired to meet his Majesty at Magdeburg. The
+  King of Prussia has sent answer, that his present indisposition
+  will not admit of so great a journey; but has sent the king a
+  very pressing invitation to come to Berlin or Potsdam. These
+  advices say, that the Minister of the King of Sweden has produced
+  a letter from his master to the King of Poland, dated from
+  Batitzau the 30th of March, O.S., wherein he acquaints him, that
+  he has been successful against the Muscovites in all the
+  occasions which have happened since his march into their country.
+  Great numbers have revolted to the Swedes since General Mazeppa
+  went over to that side; and as many as have done so, have taken
+  solemn oaths to adhere to the interests of his Swedish
+  Majesty.</p>
+
+  <p>Advices from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., say, that
+  all things tended to a vigorous and active campaign; the Allies
+  having strong resentments against the late behaviour of the Court
+  of France; and the French using all possible endeavours to
+  animate their men to defend their country against a victorious
+  and exasperated enemy. Monsieur Rouill� had passed through
+  Brussels without visiting either the Duke of Marlborough or
+  Prince Eugene, who were both there at that time. The States
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page214' title='214' id=
+  "page214"></a>have met, and publicly declared their satisfaction
+  in the conduct of their deputies during the whole treaty. Letters
+  from France say, that the Court is resolved to put all to the
+  issue of the ensuing campaign. In the meantime, they have ordered
+  the preliminary treaty to be published, with observation upon
+  each article, in order to quiet the minds of the people, and
+  persuade them, that it has not been in the power of the king to
+  procure a peace, but to the diminution of his Majesty's glory,
+  and the hazard of his dominions. His Grace the Duke of
+  Marlborough and Prince Eugene arrived at Ghent on Wednesday last,
+  where, at an assembly of all the general officers, it was thought
+  proper, by reason of the great rains which have lately fallen, to
+  defer forming a camp, or bringing the troops together; but as
+  soon as the weather would permit, to march upon the enemy with
+  all expedition.<a name='fntag273' id="fntag273"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote273'><sup>273</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag267'>[267]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote267' id="footnote267"></a>For Steele's
+      other papers on duelling, see Nos. <a href=
+      "#number26">26</a>, <a href="#number28">28</a>, <a href=
+      "#number29">29</a>, <a href="#number31">31</a>, <a href=
+      "#number38">38</a>, <a href="#number39">39</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag268'>[268]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote268' id="footnote268"></a>Something
+      imposed upon us.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag269'>[269]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote269' id="footnote269"></a>"While this
+      barbarous custom of duelling is tolerated, we shall never be
+      rid of coxcombs, who will defend their understandings by the
+      sword, and force us to bear nonsense on pain of
+      death."&#8212;(Steele, <i>Theatre</i>, No. 26.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag270'>[270]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote270' id="footnote270"></a>Swift's "Tale
+      of a Tub," sect. 4.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag271'>[271]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote271' id="footnote271"></a><i>I.e.</i>,
+      hold him in.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag272'>[272]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote272' id="footnote272"></a>Said to be
+      Bateman and Heathcote, both eminent
+      citizens&#8212;(<i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, lx. 679.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag273'>[273]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote273' id="footnote273"></a>"Mr.
+      Bickerstaff has received a letter, dated June 6, with the
+      just exceptions against the pretence of persons therein
+      mentioned, to the name of Pretty Fellows, which shall be
+      taken notice of accordingly: as likewise, the letter from
+      Anthony Longtail of Canterbury, concerning the death of
+      Thomas � Becket" (folio). See Nos. <a href=
+      "#number24">24</a>, <a href="#number26">26</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number26' id="number26"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 26.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, June 7</i>, to <i>Thursday, June 9</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 8.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have read the following letter with delight and approbation,
+  and I hereby order Mr. Kidney at St. James's, and Sir Thomas at
+  White's<a name='fntag274' id="fntag274"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote274'><sup>274</sup></a> (who are my clerks for
+  enrolling all men in their distant classes, before they presume
+  to drink tea or chocolate in those places), to take care, that
+  the persons within the descriptions in the letter <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page215' title='215' id="page215"></a>be
+  admitted, and excluded according to my friend's
+  remonstrance.<a name='fntag275' id="fntag275"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote275'><sup>275</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"<i>To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; at Mr. Morphew's near
+  Stationers' Hall.</i></p>
+
+  <p>"<i>June 6</i>, 1709.</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your paper of Saturday<a name='fntag276' id=
+  "fntag276"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote276'><sup>276</sup></a> has raised up in me a noble
+  emulation, to be recorded in the foremost rank of worthies
+  therein mentioned; and if any regard be had to merit or industry,
+  I may hope to succeed in the promotion, for I have omitted no
+  toil or expense to be a proficient; and if my friends do not
+  flatter, they assure me, I have not lost my time since I came to
+  town. To enumerate but a few particulars; there's hardly a
+  coachman I meet with, but desires to be excused taking me,
+  because he has had me before. I have compounded two or three
+  rapes; and let out to hire as many bastards to beggars. I never
+  saw above the first act of a play: and as to my courage, it is
+  well known, I have more than once had sufficient witnesses of my
+  drawing my sword both in tavern and playhouse. Dr. Wall<a name=
+  'fntag277' id="fntag277"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote277'><sup>277</sup></a> is my particular friend; and if
+  it were any service to the public to compose the difference
+  between Marten and Sintilaer<a name='fntag278' id=
+  "fntag278"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote278'><sup>278</sup></a> the pearl-driller, I don't know
+  a judge of more experience than myself: for in that I may say
+  with the poet,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "'Qu� regio in villa nostri non plena laboris?'<a name=
+        'fntag279' id="fntag279"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote279'><sup>279</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page216' title='216' id=
+  "page216"></a>I omit other less particulars, the necessary
+  consequences of greater actions. But my reason for troubling you
+  at this present is, to put a stop, if it may be, to an
+  insinuating, increasing set of people, who sticking to the letter
+  of your treatise, and not to the spirit of it, do assume the name
+  of 'pretty fellows'; nay, and even get new names, as you very
+  well hint. Some of them I have heard calling to one another, as I
+  have sat at White's and St. James's, by the names of Betty,
+  Nelly, and so forth. You see them accost each other with
+  effeminate airs: they have their signs and tokens like
+  freemasons: they rail at women-kind; receive visits on their beds
+  in gowns, and do a thousand other unintelligible prettinesses
+  that I cannot tell what to make of. I therefore heartily desire
+  you would exclude all this sort of animals.</p>
+
+  <p>"There is another matter I am foreseeing an ill consequence
+  from, but may be timely prevented by prudence; which is, that for
+  the last fortnight, prodigious shoals of volunteers have gone
+  over to bully the French, upon hearing the peace was just
+  signing; and this is so true, that I can assure you, all
+  engrossing work about the Temple is risen above 3<i>s</i>. in the
+  pound for want of hands. Now as it is possible some little
+  alteration of affairs may have broken their measures, and that
+  they will post back again, I am under the last apprehension, that
+  these will, at their return, all set up for 'pretty fellows,' and
+  thereby confound all merit and service, and impose on us some new
+  alteration in our nightcap-wigs<a name='fntag280' id=
+  "fntag280"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote280'><sup>280</sup></a> and pockets, unless you can
+  provide <a class="pagenum" name='page217' title='217' id=
+  "page217"></a>a particular class for them. I cannot apply myself
+  better than to you, and I am sure I speak the mind of a very
+  great number as deserving as myself."</p>
+
+  <p>The pretensions of this correspondent are worthy a particular
+  distinction: he cannot indeed be admitted as a "pretty," but is,
+  what we more justly call, a "smart fellow." Never to pay at the
+  playhouse, is an act of frugality, that lets you into his
+  character. And his expedient in sending his children a-begging
+  before they can go, are characteristical instances that he
+  belongs to this class. I never saw the gentleman; but I know by
+  his letter, he hangs his cane on his button;<a name='fntag281'
+  id="fntag281"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote281'><sup>281</sup></a> and by some lines of it, he
+  should wear red-heeled shoes;<a name='fntag282' id=
+  "fntag282"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote282'><sup>282</sup></a> which are essential parts of
+  the habit belonging to the order of "smart fellows."</p>
+
+  <p>My familiar is returned with the following letter from the
+  French king:</p>
+
+  <p>"Versailles, <i>June 13</i>, 1709.</p>
+
+  <h4>"<i>Louis XIV. to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.</i><a name=
+  'fntag283' id="fntag283"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote283'><sup>283</sup></a></h4>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"I have your epistle, and must take the liberty to say, that
+  there has been a time, when there were generous spirits in Great
+  Britain, who would not have suffered my <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page218' title='218' id="page218"></a>name to be treated with
+  the familiarity you think fit to use. I thought liberal men would
+  not be such time-servers, as to fall upon a man because his
+  friends are not in power. But having some concern for what you
+  may transmit to posterity concerning me, I am willing to keep
+  terms with you, and make a request to you, which is, that you
+  would give my service to the nineteenth century (if ever you or
+  yours reach to them), and tell them, that I have settled all
+  matters between them and me by Monsieur Boileau. I should be glad
+  to see you here."</p>
+
+  <p>It is very odd this prince should offer to invite me into his
+  dominions, or believe I should accept the invitation. No, no, I
+  remember too well how he served an ingenious gentleman, a friend
+  of mine,<a name='fntag284' id="fntag284"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote284'><sup>284</sup></a> whom he locked up in the
+  Bastille for no reason in the world, but because he was a wit,
+  and feared he might mention him with justice in some of his
+  writings. His way is, that all men of sense are preferred,
+  banished, or imprisoned. He has indeed a sort of justice in him,
+  like that of the gamesters; if a stander-by sees one at play
+  cheat, he has a right to come in for snares, for knowing the
+  mysteries of the game. This is a very wise and just maxim; and if
+  I have not left at Mr. Morphew's, directed to me, bank bills for
+  �200 on or before this day sevennight, I shall tell how Tom Cash
+  got his estate. I expect three hundred pounds of Mr. Soilett, for
+  concealing all the money he has lent to himself, and his landed
+  friend bound with him, at thirty per cent. at his scrivener's.
+  Absolute princes make people pay what they please in deference to
+  their power: I do not know why I should not do the same, out of
+  fear or respect to my knowledge. I always preserve decorums and
+  civilities to the fair sex: therefore if a certain lady,
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page219' title='219' id=
+  "page219"></a>who left her coach at the New Exchange<a name=
+  'fntag285' id="fntag285"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote285'><sup>285</sup></a> door in the Strand, and whipped
+  down Durham Yard into a boat with a young gentleman for Fox
+  Hall;<a name='fntag286' id="fntag286"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote286'><sup>286</sup></a> I say, if she will send me
+  word, that I may give the fan which she dropped, and I found, to
+  my sister Jenny, there shall be no more said of it. I expect
+  hush-money to be regularly sent for every folly or vice any one
+  commits in this whole town; and hope I may pretend to deserve it
+  better than a chamber-maid, or <i>valet-de-chambre</i>: they only
+  whisper it to the little set of their companions; but I can tell
+  it to all men living, or who are to live. Therefore I desire all
+  my readers to pay their fines, or mend their lives.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 8.</h3>
+
+  <p>My familiar being come from France, with an answer to my
+  letter to Lewis of that kingdom, instead of going on in a
+  discourse of what he had seen in that Court, <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page220' title='220' id="page220"></a>he put on the
+  immediate concern of a guardian, and fell to inquiring into my
+  thoughts and adventures since his journey. As short as his stay
+  had been, I confessed I had had many occasions for his assistance
+  in my conduct; but communicated to him my thoughts of putting all
+  my force against the horrid and senseless custom of duels. "If it
+  were possible," said he, "to laugh at things in themselves so
+  deeply tragical as the impertinent profusion of human life, I
+  think I could divert you with a figure I saw just after my death,
+  when the philosopher threw me, as I told you some days ago, into
+  the pail of water.<a name='fntag287' id="fntag287"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote287'><sup>287</sup></a> You are to know, that
+  when men leave the body, there are receptacles for them as soon
+  as they depart, according to the manner in which they lived and
+  died. At the very instant that I was killed, there came away with
+  me a spirit which had lost its body in a duel. We were both
+  examined. Me, the whole assembly looked at with kindness and
+  pity, but at the same time with an air of welcome, and
+  consolation: they pronounced me very happy, who had died in
+  innocence; and told me, a quite different place was allotted to
+  me, than that which was appointed for my companion; there being a
+  great distance from the mansions of fools and innocents: 'though
+  at the same time,' said one of the ghosts, there is a great
+  affinity between an idiot who has been so for long life, and a
+  child who departs before maturity. But this gentleman who has
+  arrived with you is a fool of his own making, is ignorant out of
+  choice, and will fare accordingly.' The assembly began to flock
+  about him, and one said to him, 'Sir, I observed you came into
+  the gate of persons murdered, and I desire to know what brought
+  you to your untimely end?' He said, he had been a second.
+  Socrates (who may be said to have been murdered by the
+  commonwealth of Athens) stood by, and <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page221' title='221' id="page221"></a>began to draw near him, in
+  order, after his manner, to lead him into a sense of his error by
+  concessions in his own discourse. 'Sir,' said that divine and
+  amicable spirit, 'what was the quarrel?' He answered, 'We shall
+  know very suddenly, when the principal in the business comes, for
+  he was desperately wounded before I fell.' 'Sir,' said the sage,
+  'had you an estate?' 'Yes, sir,' the new guest answered, 'I have
+  left it in a very good condition; I made my will the night before
+  this occasion.' 'Did you read it before you signed it?' 'Yes
+  sure, sir,' said the newcomer. Socrates replies, could a man that
+  would not give his estate without reading the instrument, dispose
+  of his life without asking a question? That illustrious shade
+  turned from him, and a crowd of impertinent goblins, who had been
+  drolls and parasites in their lifetime, and were knocked on the
+  head for their sauciness, came about my fellow-traveller, and
+  made themselves very merry with questions about the words 'carte'
+  and 'terce' and other terms of fencers. But his thoughts began to
+  settle into reflection upon the adventure which had robbed him of
+  his late being; and with a wretched sigh, said he, 'How terrible
+  are conviction and guilt when they come too late for penitence!'"
+  Pacolet was going on in this strain, but he recovered from it,
+  and told me, it was too soon to give my discourse on this subject
+  so serious a turn; you have chiefly to do with that part of
+  mankind which must be led into reflection by degrees, and you
+  must treat this custom with humour and raillery to get an
+  audience, before you come to pronounce sentence upon it. There is
+  foundation enough for raising such entertainments from the
+  practice on this occasion. Don't you know, that often a man is
+  called out of bed to follow implicitly a coxcomb (with whom he
+  would not keep company on any other occasion) to ruin and death?
+  Then a good list of such as are qualified by the laws of
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page222' title='222' id=
+  "page222"></a>these uncourteous men of chivalry to enter into
+  combat (who are often persons of honour without common honesty):
+  these, I say, ranged and drawn up in their proper order, would
+  give an aversion to doing anything in common with such as men
+  laugh at and contemn. But to go through this work, you must not
+  let your thoughts vary, or make excursions from your theme:
+  consider at the same time, that the matter has been often treated
+  by the ablest and greatest writers; yet that must not discourage
+  you; for the properest person to handle it, is one who has roved
+  into mixed conversations, and must have opportunities (which I
+  shall give you) of seeing these sort of men in their pleasures
+  and gratifications; among which, they pretend to reckon fighting.
+  It was pleasantly enough said of a bully in France, when duels
+  first began to be punished: "The king has taken away gaming, and
+  stage-playing, and now fighting too; how does he expect gentlemen
+  shall divert themselves?"<a name='fntag288' id=
+  "fntag288"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote288'><sup>288</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag274'>[274]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote274' id="footnote274"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number1">1</a>, <a href="#number10">10</a>,
+      <a href="#number16">16</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag275'>[275]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote275' id="footnote275"></a>This letter is
+      probably by Anthony Henley; see advertisement at end of
+      <a href='#number25'>No. 25</a>. At this time Henley was M.P.
+      for Weymouth, and a friend of the wits belonging to the Whig
+      party. He died in 1711. See Nos. <a href="#number11">11</a>,
+      193.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag276'>[276]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote276' id="footnote276"></a>No. 21.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag277'>[277]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote277' id="footnote277"></a>Wall and the
+      others named were quack doctors.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag278'>[278]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote278' id="footnote278"></a>Sintelaer, who
+      lived in High Holborn, published in Feb. 1709, "The Scourge
+      of Venus and Mercury. With an appendix in answer to Mr. John
+      Marten's reflections thereupon" (<i>Postman</i>, Feb. 24 to
+      26, 1709).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag279'>[279]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote279' id="footnote279"></a>"�neid," i.
+      460. Steele alters Virgil's "terriss" to "villa."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag280'>[280]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote280' id="footnote280"></a>A sort of
+      periwig, with a short tie and small round head. See No. 30,
+      end. In the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 319), Dorinda describes a
+      humble servant of hers who "appeared to me in one of those
+      wigs that I think you call a 'night-cap,' which had altered
+      him more effectually than before. He afterwards played a
+      couple of black riding wigs upon me, with the same
+      success."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag281'>[281]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote281' id="footnote281"></a>The elaborate
+      canes used by the beaux commonly had a ribbon to enable them
+      to be hung on the button of the waistcoat. Thus we find among
+      the advertisements for lost canes, "A cane with a silver head
+      and a black ribbon in it, the top of it amber, part of the
+      head to turn round, and in it a perspective glass."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag282'>[282]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote282' id="footnote282"></a>Men of fashion
+      wore very high-heeled shoes, and their red heels are often
+      satirised by Steele and Addison (cf. <i>Spectator</i>, No.
+      311). In No. 16 of the <i>Spectator</i> Addison said, "It is
+      not my intention to sink the dignity of this my paper with
+      reflections upon red-heels or topknots."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag283'>[283]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote283' id="footnote283"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number19">19</a>, <a href="#number23">23</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag284'>[284]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote284' id="footnote284"></a>Probably Sir
+      John Vanbrugh.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag285'>[285]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote285' id="footnote285"></a>A bazaar on the
+      south side of the Strand, between George Court and Durham
+      Street, and opposite Bedford Street. There were two long and
+      double galleries, one above the other, containing shops, with
+      pretty attendants. The New Exchange was a favourite lounge,
+      and is frequently mentioned in the Restoration literature; it
+      was pulled down in 1737. See <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 96, 155,
+      and Steele's "Lying Lover," act ii. sc. 2, where Young
+      Bookwit says, "My choice was so distracted among the pretty
+      merchants and their dealers, that I knew not where to run
+      first." On the other hand, we find complaints that young fops
+      hindered business by lolling on the counter an hour longer
+      than was necessary, and annoyed the young women who served
+      them with ingenious ribaldry.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag286'>[286]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote286' id="footnote286"></a>Vauxhall, or
+      Fox-hall, Gardens were formed about 1661, on the Surrey side
+      of the Thames, and were at first called the New Spring
+      Gardens, to distinguish them from the Old Spring Gardens at
+      Charing Cross. At the end of the seventeenth century Vauxhall
+      was a favourite place for assignations, and Pepys was
+      scandalised at scenes he there witnessed. The gardens were
+      reopened in 1732, after being closed, it would seem, for some
+      years, and they continued to be a place of fashionable resort
+      until the end of the reign of George III.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag287'>[287]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote287' id="footnote287"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number15'>No. 15</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag288'>[288]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote288' id="footnote288"></a>"Whereas
+      several gentlemen have desired this paper with a blank leaf
+      to write business on, and for the convenience of the post;
+      this is to give notice, that this day, and for the future, it
+      may be had of Mr. Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio,
+      advertisement).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number27' id="number27"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 27.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, June 9</i>, to <i>Saturday, June 11,
+    1709</i>.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 9.</h3>
+
+  <p>Pacolet being gone a strolling among the men of the sword, in
+  order to find out the secret causes of the frequent disputes we
+  meet with, and furnish me with material for my treatise on
+  duelling; I have room left to go on in my information to my
+  country readers, whereby <a class="pagenum" name='page223' title=
+  '223' id="page223"></a>they may understand the bright people
+  whose memoirs I have taken upon me to write. But in my discourse
+  of the 28th of the last month,<a name='fntag289' id=
+  "fntag289"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote289'><sup>289</sup></a> I omitted to mention the most
+  agreeable of all bad characters; and that is, a Rake.</p>
+
+  <p>A Rake is a man always to be pitied; and if he lives, is one
+  day certainly reclaimed; for his faults proceed not from choice
+  or inclination, but from strong passions and appetites, which are
+  in youth too violent for the curb of reason, good sense, good
+  manners, and good nature: all which he must have by nature and
+  education, before he can be allowed to be, or have been of this
+  order. He is a poor unwieldy wretch, that commits faults out of
+  the redundance of his good qualities. His pity and compassion
+  make him sometimes a bubble to all his fellows, let them be never
+  so much below him in understanding. His desires run away with him
+  through the strength and force of a lively imagination, which
+  hurries him on to unlawful pleasures, before reason has power to
+  come in to his rescue. Thus, with all the good intentions in the
+  world to amendment, this creature sins on against heaven,
+  himself, his friends, and his country, who all call for a better
+  use of his talents. There is not a being under the sun so
+  miserable as this: he goes on in a pursuit he himself
+  disapproves, and has no enjoyment but what is followed by
+  remorse; no relief from remorse, but the repetition of his crime.
+  It is possible I may talk of this person with too much
+  indulgence; but I must repeat it, that I think this a character
+  which is the most the object of pity of any in the world. The man
+  in the pangs of the stone, gout, or any acute distempers, is not
+  in so deplorable a condition in the eye of right sense, as he
+  that errs and repents, and repents and errs on. The fellow with
+  broken limbs justly deserves your alms for his impotent
+  condition; but he that cannot use his own reason, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page224' title='224' id="page224"></a>is in a
+  much worse state; for you see him in miserable circumstances,
+  with his remedy at the same time in his own possession, if he
+  would or could use it. This is the cause, that of all ill
+  characters, the rake has the best quarter in the world; for when
+  he is himself, and unruffled with intemperance, you see his
+  natural faculties exert themselves, and attract an eye of favour
+  towards his infirmities. But if we look round us here, how many
+  dull rogues are there, that would fain be what this poor man
+  hates himself for? All the noise towards six in the
+  evening,<a name='fntag290' id="fntag290"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote290'><sup>290</sup></a> is caused by his mimics and
+  imitators. How ought men of sense to be careful of their actions,
+  if it were merely from the indignation of feeling themselves ill
+  drawn by such little pretenders? not to say, he that leads, is
+  guilty of all the actions of his followers: and a rake has
+  imitators whom you would never expect should prove so.
+  Second-hand vice sure of all is the most nauseous. There is
+  hardly a folly more absurd, or which seems less to be accounted
+  for (though it is what we see every day) than that grave and
+  honest natures give into this way, and at the same time have good
+  sense, if they thought fit to use it: but the fatality (under
+  which most men labour) of desiring to be what they are not, makes
+  them go out of a method, in which they might be received with
+  applause, and would certainly excel, into one, wherein they will
+  all their life have the air of strangers to what they aim at. For
+  this reason, I have not lamented the metamorphosis of any one I
+  know so much as of Nobilis, who was born with sweetness of
+  temper, just apprehension, and everything else that might make
+  him a man fit for his order. But instead of the pursuit of sober
+  studies and applications, in which he <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page225' title='225' id="page225"></a>would certainly be capable
+  of making a considerable figure in the noblest assembly of men in
+  the world; I say, in spite of that good nature, which is his
+  proper bent, he will say ill-natured things aloud, put such as he
+  was, and still should be, out of countenance, and drown all the
+  natural good in him, to receive an artificial ill character, in
+  which he will never succeed: for Nobilis is no rake. He may
+  guzzle as much wine as he pleases, talk bawdy if he thinks fit;
+  but he may as well drink water-gruel, and go twice a day to
+  church, for it will never do. I pronounce it again, Nobilis is no
+  rake. To be of that order, he must be vicious against his will,
+  and not so by study or application. All Pretty Fellows are also
+  excluded to a man, as well as all Inamaratos, or persons of the
+  epicene gender, who gaze at one another in the presence of
+  ladies. This class, of which I am giving you an account, is
+  pretended to also by men of strong abilities in drinking; though
+  they are such whom the liquor, not the conversation, keeps
+  together. But blockheads may roar, fight, and stab, and be never
+  the nearer; their labour is also lost; they want sense: they are
+  no rakes.</p>
+
+  <p>As a rake among men is the man who lives in the constant abuse
+  of his reason, so a coquette among women is one who lives in
+  continual misapplication of her beauty. The chief of all whom I
+  have the honour to be acquainted with, is pretty Mrs. Toss: she
+  is ever in practice of something which disfigures her, and takes
+  from her charms; though all she does, tends to a contrary effect.
+  She has naturally a very agreeable voice and utterance, which she
+  has changed for the prettiest lisp imaginable. She sees what she
+  has a mind to see, at half a mile distance; but poring with her
+  eyes half shut at every one she passes by, she believes much more
+  becoming. The Cupid on her fan and she have their eyes full on
+  each other, all the time <a class="pagenum" name='page226' title=
+  '226' id="page226"></a>in which they are not both in motion.
+  Whenever her eye is turned from that dear object, you may have a
+  glance, and your bow, if she is in humour, returned as civilly as
+  you make it; but that must not be in the presence of a man of
+  greater quality: for Mrs. Toss is so thoroughly well bred, that
+  the chief person present has all her regards. And she, who
+  giggles at divine service, and laughs at her very mother, can
+  compose herself at the approach of a man of a good estate.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, June 9.</h3>
+
+  <p>A fine lady showed a gentleman of this company, for an eternal
+  answer to all his addresses, a paper of verses, with which she is
+  so captivated, that she professed, the author should be the happy
+  man in spite of all other pretenders. It is ordinary for love to
+  make men poetical, and it had that effect on this enamoured man:
+  but he was resolved to try his vein upon some of her confidantes
+  or retinue, before he ventured upon so high a theme as herself.
+  To do otherwise than so, would be like making an heroic poem a
+  man's first attempt. Among the favourites to the fair one, he
+  found her parrot not to be in the last degree: he saw Poll had
+  her ear, when his sighs were neglected. To write against him, had
+  been a fruitless labour; therefore he resolved to flatter him
+  into his interests, in the following manner:</p>
+
+  <h4>"To a Lady on her Parrot.</h4>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "When nymphs were coy, and love could not prevail,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The gods disguised were seldom known to fail,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Leda was chaste, but yet a feathered Jove
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Surprised the fair, and taught her how to love.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        There's no celestial but his heaven would quit,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        For any form which might to thee admit.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page227' title='227' id=
+        "page227"></a>See how the wanton bird, at every glance,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Swells his glad plumes, and feels an amorous trance.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The queen of beauty has forsook the dove,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Henceforth the parrot be the bird of love."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>It is indeed a very just proposition, to give that honour
+  rather to the parrot than the other volatile. The parrot
+  represents us in the state of making love: the dove in the
+  possession of the object beloved. But instead of turning the dove
+  off, I fancy it would be better if the chaise of Venus had
+  hereafter a parrot added (as we see sometimes a third horse to a
+  coach) which might intimate, that to be a parrot, is the only way
+  to succeed; and to be a dove, to preserve your conquests. If the
+  swain would go on successfully, he must imitate the bird he
+  writes upon. For he who would be loved by women, must never be
+  silent before the favour, or open his lips after it.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 10.</h3>
+
+  <p>I have so many messages from young gentlemen who expect
+  preferment and distinction, that I am wholly at a loss in what
+  manner to acquit myself. The writer of the following letter tells
+  me in a postscript, he cannot go out of town till I have taken
+  some notice of him, and is very urgent to be somebody, in town
+  before he leaves it, and returns to his commons at the
+  university. But take it from himself.<a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page228' title='228' id="page228"></a></p>
+
+  <h4>"<i>To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., Monitor-General of Great
+  Britain.</i></h4>
+
+  <p>"Shire Lane, <i>June 8.</i></p>
+
+  <p>I have been above six months from the university, of age these
+  three months, and so long in town. I was recommended to one
+  Charles Bubbleboy<a name='fntag291' id="fntag291"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote291'><sup>291</sup></a> near the Temple, who
+  has supplied me with all the furniture he says a gentleman ought
+  to have. I desired a certificate thereof from him, which he said
+  would require some time to consider of; and when I went yesterday
+  morning for it, he tells me, upon due consideration, I still want
+  some few odd things more, to the value of threescore or fourscore
+  pounds, to make me complete. I have bespoke them; and the favour
+  I beg of you is, to know, when I am equipped, in what part or
+  class of men in this town you will place me. Pray send me word
+  what I am, and you shall find me,</p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"JEFFRY NICKNACK."</p>
+
+  <p>I am very willing to encourage young beginners; but <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page229' title='229' id="page229"></a>am
+  extremely in the dark how to dispose of this gentleman. I cannot
+  see either his person or habit in this letter; but I'll call at
+  Charles', and know the shape of his snuff-box, by which I can
+  settle his character. Though indeed, to know his full capacity, I
+  ought to be informed, whether he takes Spanish or musty.<a name=
+  'fntag292' id="fntag292"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote292'><sup>292</sup></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 10.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Low Countries of the 17th instant say, that
+  the Duke of Marlborough and the Prince of Savoy intended to leave
+  Ghent on that day, and join the army, which lies between Pont
+  d'Espiere and Courtray, their headquarters being at Helchin. The
+  same day the Palatine foot was expected at Brussels.
+  Lieutenant-General Dompre, with a body of eight thousand men, is
+  posted at Alost, in order to cover Ghent and Brussels. The
+  Marshal de Villars was still on the plains of Lens; and it is
+  said, the Duke of Vend�me is appointed to command in conjunction
+  with that general. Advices from Paris say, Monsieur Voisin is
+  made Secretary of State, upon Monsieur Chamillard's resignation
+  of that employment. The want of money in that kingdom is so
+  great, that the Court has thought fit to command all the plate of
+  private families to be brought into the Mint. They write from the
+  Hague of the 18th, that the States of Holland continue their
+  session; and that they have approved the resolution of the
+  States-General, to publish a second <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page230' title='230' id="page230"></a>edict to prohibit the sale
+  of corn to the enemy. Many eminent persons in that assembly have
+  declared, that they are of opinion, that all commerce whatsoever
+  with France should be wholly forbidden: which point is under
+  present deliberation; but it is feared it will meet with powerful
+  opposition.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag289'>[289]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote289' id="footnote289"></a><a href=
+      '#number21'>No. 21</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag290'>[290]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote290' id="footnote290"></a>People of
+      fashion dined at about four o'clock in Queen Anne's time, and
+      by six the men, who had often drunk a good deal of wine,
+      would be finding their way to the clubs and
+      coffee-houses.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag291'>[291]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote291' id="footnote291"></a>Charles Mather,
+      a toyman in Fleet Street, next door to Nandoe's Coffee-house,
+      over against Chancery Lane. Swift wrote ("Sid Hamet's Rod,"
+      1710):</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "No hobby horse with gorgeous top,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            The dearest in Charles Mather's shop;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Or glittering tinsel of Mayfair
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Could with the rod of Sid compare."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>See Nos. 113, 142, and <i>Spectator</i>, Nos. 328, 503
+      ("One of Charles Mather's fine tablets"), and 570 ("The
+      famous Charles Mather was bred up under him").</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag292'>[292]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote292' id="footnote292"></a>Charles Lillie,
+      the perfumer, tells us how snuff came into use. A great
+      quantity of musty snuff was captured in the Spanish fleet
+      taken at Vigo in 1702, and snuff with this special musty
+      flavour became the fashion. In No. 138 of the
+      <i>Spectator</i>, Steele humorously announced that "the
+      exercise of the snuff-box, according to the most fashionable
+      airs and motions, in opposition to the exercise of the fair,
+      will be taught with the best plain or perfumed snuff at
+      Charles Lillie's, perfumer, at the corner of Beaufort
+      Buildings in the Strand."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number28' id="number28"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 28.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, June 11</i>, to <i>Tuesday, June 14,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>I had suspended the business of duelling to a distant time,
+  but that I am called upon to declare myself on a point proposed
+  in the following letter.</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"<i>June 9, at night.</i></p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"I desire the favour of you to decide this question, whether
+  calling a gentleman a 'smart fellow' is an affront or not? A
+  youth entering a certain coffee-house, with his cane tied at his
+  button, wearing red-heeled shoes, I thought of your
+  description,<a name='fntag293' id="fntag293"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote293'><sup>293</sup></a> and could not forbear
+  telling a friend of mine next to me, 'There enters a smart
+  fellow.' The gentleman hearing it, had immediately a mind to pick
+  a quarrel with me, and desired satisfaction: at which I was more
+  puzzled than at the other, remembering what mention your familiar
+  makes of those that had lost their lives on such occasions. The
+  thing is referred to your judgment, and I expect you to be my
+  second, since you have been the cause of our quarrel. I am,</p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your Friend and humble Servant."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page231' title='231' id=
+  "page231"></a>I absolutely pronounce, that there is no occasion
+  of offence given in this expression; for a "smart fellow" is
+  always an appellation of praise, and is a man of double capacity.
+  The true cast or mould in which you may be sure to know him is,
+  when his livelihood or education is in the Civil List, and you
+  see him express a vivacity or mettle above the way he is in by a
+  little jerk in his motion, short trip in his steps, well-fancied
+  lining of his coat, or any other indications which may be given
+  in a vigorous dress. Now, what possible insinuation can there be,
+  that it is a cause of quarrel for a man to say, he allows a
+  gentleman really to be, what he, his tailor, his hosier, and his
+  milliner, have conspired to make him? I confess, if this person
+  who appeals to me had said, he was <i>not</i> a "smart fellow,"
+  there had been cause for resentment; but if he stands to it that
+  he is one, he leaves no manner of ground for a misunderstanding.
+  Indeed, it is a most lamentable thing, that there should be a
+  dispute raised upon a man's saying another is, what he plainly
+  takes pains to be thought. But this point cannot be so well
+  adjusted, as by inquiring what are the sentiments of wise nations
+  and communities of the use of the sword, and from thence
+  conclude, whether it is honourable to draw it so frequently or
+  not? An illustrious commonwealth of Italy<a name='fntag294' id=
+  "fntag294"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote294'><sup>294</sup></a> has preserved itself for many
+  ages, without letting one of their subjects handle this
+  destructive instrument, always leaving that work to such of
+  mankind as understand the use of a whole skin so little, as to
+  make a profession of exposing it to cuts and scars. But what need
+  we run to such foreign instances: our own ancient and
+  well-governed cities are conspicuous examples to all mankind in
+  their regulation of military achievements. The chief citizens,
+  like the noble Italians, hire mercenaries to carry <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page232' title='232' id="page232"></a>arms in
+  their stead; and you shall have a fellow of a desperate fortune,
+  for the gain of one half-crown, go through all the dangers of
+  Tothill Fields, or the Artillery Ground,<a name='fntag295' id=
+  "fntag295"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote295'><sup>295</sup></a> clap his right jaw within two
+  inches of the touch-hole of a musket, fire it off, and huzza,
+  with as little concern as he tears a pullet. Thus you see to what
+  scorn of danger these mercenaries arrive, out of a mere love of
+  sordid gain: but methinks it should take off the strong
+  prepossession men have in favour of bold actions, when they see
+  upon what low motives men aspire to them. Do but observe the
+  common practice in the government of those heroic bodies, our
+  militia and lieutenancies, the most ancient corps of soldiers,
+  perhaps, in the universe. I question whether there is one
+  instance of an animosity between any two of these illustrious
+  sons of Mars since their institution, which was decided by
+  combat? I remember indeed to have read the chronicle of an
+  accident which had like to have occasioned bloodshed in the very
+  field before all the general officers, though most of them were
+  justices of the peace: Captain Crabtree of Birching Lane,
+  haberdasher, had drawn a bill upon Major-General Maggot,
+  cheesemonger in Thames Street. Crabtree draws this upon Mr.
+  William Maggot and Company. A country lad received this bill, and
+  not understanding the word "company," used in drawing bills on
+  men in partnership, carried it to Mr. Jeffry Stick of Crooked
+  Lane (lieutenant of the major-general's company) whom he had the
+  day before seen march by the door in all the pomp of his
+  commission. The lieutenant accepts it, for the honour of the
+  company, since it had come to him. But repayment <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page233' title='233' id="page233"></a>being asked
+  from the major-general, he absolutely refuses. Upon this, the
+  lieutenant thinks of nothing less than to bring this to a
+  rupture, and takes for his second, Tobias Armstrong of the
+  Counter,<a name='fntag296' id="fntag296"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote296'><sup>296</sup></a> and sends him with a challenge
+  in a script of parchment, wherein was written, "Stitch contra
+  Maggot," and all the fury vanished in a moment. The major-general
+  gives satisfaction to the second, and all was well. Hence it is,
+  that the bold spirits of our city are kept in such subjection to
+  the civil power. Otherwise, where would our liberties soon be? If
+  wealth and valour were suffered to exert themselves with their
+  utmost force: if such officers as are employed in the terrible
+  bands above-mentioned, were to draw bills as well as swords:
+  these dangerous captains, who could victual an army as well as
+  lead it, would be too powerful for the State. But the point of
+  honour justly gives way to that of gain; and by long and wise
+  regulation, the richest is the bravest man. I have known a
+  captain rise to a colonel in two days by the fall of stocks; and
+  a major, my good friend, near the Monument, ascended to that
+  honour by the fall of the price of spirits, and the rising of
+  right Nantz. By this true sense of honour, that body of warriors
+  are ever in good order and discipline, with their colours and
+  coats all whole: as in other battalions (where their principles
+  of action are less solid) you see the men of service look like
+  spectres, with long sides, and lank cheeks. In this army, you may
+  measure a man's services by his waist, and the most prominent
+  belly is certainly the man who has been most upon action. Besides
+  all this, there is another excellent remark to be made in the
+  discipline of these troops. It being of absolute necessity that
+  the people of England should see what they have for their money,
+  and <a class="pagenum" name='page234' title='234' id=
+  "page234"></a>be eye-witnesses of the advantages they gain by it,
+  all battles which are fought abroad are represented here. But
+  since one side must be beaten, and the other conquer, which might
+  create disputes, the eldest company is always to make the other
+  run, and the younger retreats, according to the last news and
+  best intelligence. I have myself seen Prince Eugene make Catinat
+  fly from the back-side of Gray's Inn Lane to
+  Hockley-in-the-Hole,<a name='fntag297' id=
+  "fntag297"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote297'><sup>297</sup></a> and not give over the pursuit,
+  till obliged to leave the Bear Garden on the right, to avoid
+  being borne down by fencers, wild bulls and monsters, too
+  terrible for the encounter of any heroes, but such whose lives
+  are their livelihood.</p>
+
+  <p>We have here seen, that wise nations do not admit of fighting,
+  even in the defence of their country, as a laudable action; and
+  they live within the walls of our own city in great honour and
+  reputation without it. It would be very <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page235' title='235' id="page235"></a>necessary to understand,
+  by what force of the climate, food, education, or employment, one
+  man's sense is brought to differ so essentially from that of
+  another; that one is ridiculous and contemptible for forbearing a
+  thing which makes for his safety; and another applauded for
+  consulting his ruin and destruction.</p>
+
+  <p>It will therefore be necessary for us (to show our travelling)
+  to examine this subject fully, and tell you how it comes to pass,
+  that a man of honour in Spain, though you offend him never so
+  gallantly, stabs you basely; in England, though you offend never
+  so basely, challenges fairly: the former kills you out of
+  revenge; the latter out of good breeding. But to probe the heart
+  of a man in this particular to its utmost thoughts and recesses,
+  I must wait for the return of Pacolet, who is now attending a
+  gentleman lately in a duel, and sometimes visits the person by
+  whose hand he received his wounds.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page236' title='236' id=
+  "page236"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Vienna of the 8th instant say, there has been a
+  journal of the marches and actions of the King of Sweden, from
+  the beginning of January to the 11th of April, N.S., communicated
+  by the Swedish Ministers to that Court. These advices inform,
+  that his Swedish Majesty entered the territories of Muscovy in
+  February last with the main body of his army, in order to oblige
+  the enemy to a general engagement; but that the Muscovites
+  declining a battle, and a universal thaw having rendered the
+  rivers unpassable, the king returned into Ukrania. There are
+  mentioned several rencounters between considerable detachments of
+  the Swedish and Russian armies. Marshal Heister intended to take
+  his leave of the Court on the day after the date of these
+  letters, and put himself at the head of the army in Hungary. The
+  malcontents had attempted to send in a supply of provisions into
+  Neuheusel; but their design was disappointed by the Germans.</p>
+
+  <p>Advices from Berlin of the 15th instant, N.S., say, that his
+  Danish Majesty having received an invitation from the King of
+  Prussia to an interview, designed to come to Potsdam within few
+  days; and that King Augustus resolved to accompany him thither.
+  To avoid all difficulties in ceremony, the three kings, and all
+  the company who shall have the honour to sit with them at table,
+  are to draw lots, and take precedence accordingly.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from Hamburg of the 18th instant, N.S., that some
+  particular letters from Dantzic speak of a late action between
+  the Swedes and Muscovites near Jaroslaw; but that engagement
+  being mentioned from no other place, there is not much credit
+  given to this intelligence.</p>
+
+  <p>We hear from Brussels, by letters, dated the 20th, that on the
+  14th in the evening the Duke of Marlborough and <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page237' title='237' id="page237"></a>Prince
+  Eugene arrived at Courtray, with a design to proceed the day
+  following to Lille, in the neighbourhood of which city the
+  confederate army was to rendezvous the same day. Advices from
+  Paris inform us, that the Marshal de Bezons is appointed to
+  command in Dauphin�; and that the Duke of Berwick is set out for
+  Spain, with a design to follow the fortunes of the Duke of Anjou,
+  in case the French king should comply with the late demands of
+  the Allies.</p>
+
+  <p>The Court of France has sent a circular letter to all the
+  governors of the provinces, to recommend to their consideration
+  his Majesty's late conduct in the affair of peace. It is thought
+  fit in that epistle, to condescend to a certain appeal to the
+  people, whether it is consistent with the dignity of the crown,
+  or the French name, to submit to the preliminaries demanded by
+  the confederates? The letter dwells upon the unreasonableness of
+  the Allies, in requiring, that his Majesty should assist in
+  dethroning his grandson, and treats this particular in language
+  more suitable to it, as it is a topic of oratory, than a real
+  circumstance, on which the interests of nations, and reasons of
+  State, which affect all Europe, are concerned.</p>
+
+  <p>The close of this memorial seems to prepare the people to
+  expect all events, attributing the confidence of the enemy to the
+  goodness of their troops; but acknowledging, that his sole
+  dependence is upon the intervention of Providence.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag293'>[293]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote293' id="footnote293"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number26'>No. 26</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag294'>[294]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote294' id="footnote294"></a>Venice, where
+      mercenaries were employed for fighting purposes.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag295'>[295]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote295' id="footnote295"></a>The City
+      train-bands were often the subject of ridicule by the wits.
+      See "Harleian Misc." i. 206, Cowper's "John Gilpin," and Nos.
+      <a href="#number38">38</a>, <a href="#number41">41</a>.
+      Tothill Fields, Westminster, and the Artillery Ground,
+      Finsbury, were the usual exercising-grounds for the
+      train-bands.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag296'>[296]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote296' id="footnote296"></a>The Compter was
+      a prison for the city of London, where debtors and others
+      were confined.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag297'>[297]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote297' id="footnote297"></a>Steele wrote at
+      length in the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 436) of a trial of skill
+      in the noble art of self-defence at Hockley-in-the-Hole; and
+      in No. 630 there is an allusion to the gladiators of
+      Hockley-in-the-Hole. In the "Beggar's Opera," Mrs. Peachum
+      says: "You should to Hockley-in-the-Hole and to Marybone,
+      child, to learn valour; there are the schools that have bred
+      so many brave men." As to the other sports at the Bear
+      Garden, see No. 134, and Gay's
+      "Trivia," ii. 407-12:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "When thro' the town, with slow and solemn air,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Led by the nostril, walks the muzzled bear;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Behind him moves, majestically dull,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            The pride of Hockley-hole, the surly bull;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Learn hence the periods of the week to name:
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Mondays and Thursdays are the days of game."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>There were seats, at half a crown and upwards, for the
+      quality; the neighbourhood of the Bear Garden was infested by
+      thieves. The following are specimens of the advertisements
+      common about 1709: "At the Bear-garden, in Hockley in the
+      Hole. A trial of skill, to be performed between two profound
+      masters of the noble science of defence, on Wednesday next,
+      the 13th of July, 1702, at two o'clock precisely. I George
+      Gray, born in the city of Norwich, who has fought in most
+      parts of the West Indies, viz., Jamaica, Barbadoes, and
+      several other parts of the world, in all twenty-five times
+      upon the stage, and was never yet worsted; and am now lately
+      come to London, do invite James Harris to meet, and exercise
+      at the following weapons, back-sword, sword and dagger, sword
+      and buckler, single falchon, and case of falchons. I James
+      Harris, master of the said noble science of defence, who
+      formerly rid in the Horse-guards, and hath fought 110 prizes,
+      and never left a stage to any man, will not fail (God
+      willing) to meet this brave and bold inviter, at the time and
+      place appointed, desiring sharp swords, and from him no
+      favour. No person to be upon the stage, but the seconds.
+      <i>Vivat Regina</i>."</p>
+
+      <p>"At the Bear-garden in Hockley in the Hole, near
+      Clerkenwell Green, 1710. This is to give notice to all
+      gentlemen, gamesters, and others, that on this present Monday
+      is a match to be fought by two dogs, one from Newgate-market,
+      against one from Honey-lane market, at a bull, for a guinea
+      to be spent, five let-goes out of hand, which goes fairest
+      and fastest in, wins all. Likewise, a green bull to be
+      baited, which was never baited before; and a bull to be
+      turned loose with fireworks all over him. Also a mad ass to
+      be baited. With a variety of bull-baiting and bear-baiting,
+      and a dog to be drawn up with fireworks. To begin exactly at
+      three of the clock."</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page238' title='238' id=
+    "page238"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number29' id="number29"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 29.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, June 14</i>, to <i>Thursday, June 16,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 14.</h3>
+
+  <p>Having a very solid respect for human nature, however it is
+  distorted from its natural make, by affectation, humour, custom,
+  misfortune, or vice, I do apply myself to my friends to help me
+  in raising arguments for preserving it in all its individuals, as
+  long as it is permitted. To one of my letters on this subject, I
+  have received the following answer:<a name='fntag298' id=
+  "fntag298"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote298'><sup>298</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"In answer to your question, why men of sense, virtue, and
+  experience, are seen still to comply with that ridiculous custom
+  of duelling, I must desire you to reflect, that custom has dished
+  up in ruffs the wisest heads of our ancestors, and put the best
+  of the present age into huge falbala periwigs.<a name='fntag299'
+  id="fntag299"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote299'><sup>299</sup></a> Men of sense would not impose
+  such encumbrances on themselves; but be glad they might show
+  their faces decently in public upon easier terms. If then such
+  men appear reasonably slaves to the fashion, in what regards the
+  figure of their persons, we ought not to wonder, that they are at
+  least so in what seems to touch their reputations. Besides, you
+  can't be ignorant, that dress and chivalry have been always
+  encouraged by the ladies, as the two principal branches of
+  gallantry. It is to avoid being sneered at for his singularity,
+  and from a <a class="pagenum" name='page239' title='239' id=
+  "page239"></a>desire to appear more agreeable to his mistress,
+  that a wise, experienced, and polite man, complies with the dress
+  commonly received, and is prevailed upon to violate his reason
+  and principles, in hazarding his life and estate by a tilt, as
+  well as suffering his pleasures to be constrained and soured by
+  the constant apprehension of a quarrel. This is the more
+  surprising, because men of the most delicate sense and principles
+  have naturally in other cases a particular repugnance in
+  accommodating themselves to the maxims of the world: but one may
+  easily distinguish the man that is affected with beauty, and the
+  reputation of a tilt, from him who complies with both, merely as
+  they are imposed upon him by custom; for in the former you will
+  remark an air of vanity and triumph; whereas when the latter
+  appears in a long Duvillier full of powder, or has decided a
+  quarrel by the sword, you may perceive in his face, that he
+  appeals to custom for an excuse. I think it may not be improper
+  to inquire into the genealogy of this chimerical monster, called
+  a 'duel', which I take to be an illegitimate species of the
+  ancient knight-errantry. By the laws of this whim, your heroic
+  person, or man of gallantry, was indispensably obliged to starve
+  in armour a certain number of years in the chase of monsters,
+  encounter them at the peril of his life, and suffer great
+  hardships, in order to gain the affection of the fair lady, and
+  qualify himself for assuming the <i>belair</i>, that is, of a
+  pretty fellow, or man of honour according to the fashion: but
+  since the publishing of 'Don Quixote' and extinction of the race
+  of dragons, which Suetonius says happened in that of
+  Wantley,<a name='fntag300' id="fntag300"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote300'><sup>300</sup></a> the gallant and heroic spirits
+  of these latter times have been under the necessity of creating
+  new chimerical monsters to entertain <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page240' title='240' id="page240"></a>themselves with, by way of
+  single combats, as the only proofs they are able to give their
+  own sex, and the ladies, that they are in all points men of nice
+  honour. But to do justice to the ancient and real monsters, I
+  must observe, that they never molested those who were not of a
+  humour to hunt for them in the woods and deserts; whereas on the
+  contrary, our modern monsters are so familiarly admitted and
+  entertained in all the Courts and cities of Europe (except
+  France) that one can scarce be in the most humanised society
+  without risking one's life; the people of the best sort, and the
+  fine gentlemen of the age, being so fond of them, that they
+  seldom appear in any public place without one. I have some
+  further considerations upon this subject, which, as you encourage
+  me, shall be communicated to you, by, sir, a cousin but once
+  removed from the best family of the Staffs, namely, "Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p>"Kinsman and Friend,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"TIM SWITCH."</p>
+
+  <p>It is certain, Mr. Switch has hit upon the true source of this
+  evil; and that it proceeds only from the force of custom that we
+  contradict ourselves in half the particulars and occurrences of
+  life. But such a tyranny in love, which the fair impose upon us,
+  is a little too severe, that we must demonstrate our affection
+  for them by no certain proof but hatred to one another, or come
+  at them (only as one does to an estate) by survivorship. This way
+  of application to gain a lady's heart, is taking her as we do
+  towns and castles, by distressing the place, and letting none
+  come near them without our pass. Were such a lover once to
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page241' title='241' id=
+  "page241"></a>write the truth of his heart, and let her know his
+  whole thoughts, he would appear indeed to have a passion for her;
+  but it would hardly be called love. The billet-doux would run to
+  this purpose:</p>
+
+  <p>"MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>"I have so tender a regard for you and your interests, that
+  I'll knock any man in the head whom I observe to be of my mind,
+  and like you. Mr. Truman the other day looked at you in so
+  languishing a manner, that I am resolved to run him through
+  to-morrow morning: this, I think, he deserves for his guilt in
+  admiring you; than which I cannot have a greater reason for
+  murdering him, except it be that you also approve him. Whoever
+  says he dies for you, I will make his words good, for I will kill
+  him. I am,</p>
+
+  <p>"Madam,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most obedient,</p>
+
+  <p>"Most humble Servant."</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 14.</h3>
+
+  <p>I am just come hither at ten at night, and have ever since six
+  been in the most celebrated, though most nauseous, company in
+  town: the two leaders of the society were a critic and a wit.
+  These two gentlemen are great opponents upon all occasions, not
+  discerning that they are the nearest each other in temper and
+  talents of any two classes of men in the world; for to profess
+  judgment, and to profess wit, both arise from the same failure,
+  which is want of judgment. The poverty of the critic this way
+  proceeds from the abuse of his faculty; that of the wit from the
+  neglect of it. It is a particular observation I have always made,
+  that of all mortals, a critic is the <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page242' title='242' id="page242"></a>silliest; for by inuring
+  himself to examine all things, whether they are of consequence or
+  not, be never looks upon anything but with a design of passing
+  sentence upon it; by which means, he is never a companion, but
+  always a censor. This makes him earnest upon trifles; and dispute
+  on the most indifferent occasions with vehemence. If he offers to
+  speak or write, that talent which should approve the work of the
+  other faculties, prevents their operation. He comes upon action
+  in armour; but without weapons: he stands in safety; but can gain
+  no glory. The wit on the other hand has been hurried so long away
+  by imagination only, that judgment seems not to have ever been
+  one of his natural faculties. This gentleman takes himself to be
+  as much obliged to be merry, as the other to be grave. A thorough
+  critic is a sort of Puritan in the polite world. As an enthusiast
+  in religion stumbles at the ordinary occurrences of life, if he
+  cannot quote scripture examples on the occasion; so the critic is
+  never safe in his speech or writing, without he has among the
+  celebrated writers an authority for the truth of his sentence.
+  You will believe we had a very good time with these brethren, who
+  were so far out of the dress of their native country, and so lost
+  to its dialect, that they were as much strangers to themselves,
+  as to their relation to each other. They took up the whole
+  discourse; sometimes the critic grew passionate, and when
+  reprimanded by the wit for any trip or hesitation in his voice,
+  he would answer, Mr. Dryden makes such a character on such an
+  occasion break off in the same manner; so that the stop was
+  according to nature, and as a man in a passion should do. The
+  wit, who is as far gone in letters as himself, seems to be at a
+  loss to answer such an apology; and concludes only, that though
+  his anger is justly vented, it wants fire in the utterance. If
+  wit is to be measured by the circum<a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page243' title='243' id="page243"></a>stances of time and place,
+  there is no man has generally so little of that talent, as he who
+  is a wit by profession. What he says, instead of arising from the
+  occasion, has an occasion invented to bring it in. Thus he is new
+  for no other reason, but that he talks like nobody else; but has
+  taken up a method of his own, without commerce of dialogue with
+  other people. The lively Jasper Dactyle<a name='fntag301' id=
+  "fntag301"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote301'><sup>301</sup></a> is one of this character. He
+  seems to have made a vow to be witty to his life's end. When you
+  meet him, "What do you think," says he, "I have been entertaining
+  myself with?" Then out comes a premeditated turn, to which it is
+  to no purpose to answer; for he goes on in the same strain of
+  thought he designed without your speaking. Therefore I have a
+  general answer to all he can say; as, "Sure there never was any
+  creature had so much fire!" Spondee, who is a critic, is seldom
+  out of this fine man's company. They have no manner of affection
+  for each other, but keep together, like Novel and Oldfox in "The
+  Plain Dealer,"<a name='fntag302' id="fntag302"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote302'><sup>302</sup></a> because they show each
+  other. I know several of sense who can be diverted with this
+  couple; but I see no curiosity in the thing, except it be, that
+  Spondee is dull, and seems dull; but Dactyle is heavy with a
+  brisk face. It must be owned also, that Dactyle has almost vigour
+  enough to be a coxcomb; but Spondee, by the lowness of his
+  constitution, is only a blockhead.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page244' title='244' id=
+  "page244"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>We have no particulars of moment since our last, except it be,
+  that the copy of the following original letter came by the way of
+  Ostend. It is said to have been found in the closet of Monsieur
+  Chamillard, the late Secretary of State of France, since his
+  disgrace. It was signed by two brothers of the famous
+  Cavallier,<a name='fntag303' id="fntag303"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote303'><sup>303</sup></a> who led the Cevennois, and
+  had a personal interview with the king, as well as a capitulation
+  to lay down his arms, and leave the dominions of France. There
+  are many other names to it; among whom, is the chief of the
+  family of the Marquis Guiscard.<a name='fntag304' id=
+  "fntag304"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote304'><sup>304</sup></a> It is not yet known, whether
+  Monsieur Chamillard had any real design to favour the Protestant
+  interest, or only thought to place himself at the head of that
+  people, to make himself considerable enough to oppose his enemies
+  at Court, and reinstate himself in power there.</p>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page245' title='245' id=
+  "page245"></a>SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"We have read your Majesty's<a name='fntag305' id=
+  "fntag305"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote305'><sup>305</sup></a> letter to the governors of your
+  provinces, with instructions what sentiments to insinuate into
+  the minds of your people: but as you have always acted upon the
+  maxim, that we were made for you, and not you for us, we must
+  take leave to assure your Majesty, that we are exactly of the
+  contrary opinion, and must desire you to send for your grandson
+  home, and acquaint him, that you now know by experience, absolute
+  power is only a vertigo in the brain of princes, which for a time
+  may quicken their motion, and double in their diseased sight the
+  instances of power above them; but must end in their fall and
+  destruction. Your memorial speaks a good father of your family,
+  but a very ill one of your people. Your Majesty is reduced to
+  hear truth when you are obliged to speak it: there is no
+  governing any but savages by any methods but their own consent,
+  which you seem to acknowledge, in appealing to us for our opinion
+  of your conduct in treating of peace. Had your people been always
+  of your council, the King of France had never been reduced so
+  low, as to acknowledge his arms were fallen into contempt. But
+  since it is thus, we must ask, 'How is any man of France, but
+  they of the <a class="pagenum" name='page246' title='246' id=
+  "page246"></a>House of Bourbon, the better that Philip is King of
+  Spain?' We have outgrown that folly of placing our happiness in
+  your Majesty's being called, The Great; therefore as you and we
+  are all alike bankrupts,<a name='fntag306' id=
+  "fntag306"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote306'><sup>306</sup></a> and undone, let us not deceive
+  ourselves, but compound with our adversaries, and not talk like
+  their equals. Your Majesty must forgive us that we cannot wish
+  you success, or lend you help; for if you lose one battle more,
+  we may have a hand in the peace you make; and doubt not but your
+  Majesty's faith in treaties will require the ratification of the
+  states of your kingdoms. So we bid you heartily farewell, till we
+  have the honour to meet you assembled in Parliament. This happy
+  expectation makes us willing to wait the event of another
+  campaign, from whence we hope to be raised from the misery of
+  slaves, to the privileges of subjects. We are,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your Majesty's</p>
+
+  <p>"Truly faithful, and</p>
+
+  <p>"Loyal Subjects, &amp;c."</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag298'>[298]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote298' id="footnote298"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number25">25</a>, <a href="#number26">26</a>,
+      <a href="#number28">28</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag299'>[299]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote299' id="footnote299"></a>The
+      full-bottomed dress wigs. Another name was "Duvillier," used
+      below.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag300'>[300]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote300' id="footnote300"></a>See Percy's
+      "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," ed. Wheatley, iii. 279.
+      "The Dragon of Wantley" is a satire on the old ballads of
+      chivalry.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag301'>[301]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote301' id="footnote301"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number3">3</a>, 63.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag302'>[302]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote302' id="footnote302"></a>In the list of
+      characters, Wycherley defines Novel as "a pert railing
+      coxcomb, and an admirer of novelties," and Major Oldfox as
+      "an old impertinent fop, given to scribbling."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag303'>[303]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote303' id="footnote303"></a>James Cavallier
+      was the celebrated leader of the French Protestants in the
+      Cevennes, when these warlike but enthusiastic mountaineers
+      opposed the tyranny of Lewis XIV. and made a vigorous stand
+      against the whole power of France, which for a long time
+      laboured in vain to subdue them. It was in the heat of this
+      gallant struggle to preserve themselves from religious
+      slavery, that the first seeds of that wild fanaticism were
+      sown, which afterwards grew up to such an amazing
+      extravagance, and distinguished them, by the name of French
+      Prophets, among the most extraordinary enthusiasts that are
+      to be found in the history of human folly. Cavallier, who
+      found in his latter days an hospitable asylum in Ireland,
+      published, in 1726, "Memoirs of the Wars of the Cevennes,
+      under Col. Cavallier, in defence of the Protestants
+      persecuted in that country, and of the peace concluded
+      between him and the Mareschal Duke of Villars; of his
+      conference with the King of France, after the conclusion of
+      the peace; with letters relating thereto, from Mareschal
+      Villars, and Chamillard, secretary of state." (Percy.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag304'>[304]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote304' id="footnote304"></a>It was a
+      younger brother, an abb�, who used his pen and sword against
+      Lewis XIV. He was employed in England, had preferment in the
+      army, and a pension; but, being found a useless villain, he
+      was soon discarded. He then endeavoured to make his peace
+      with France, by acting here as a spy; but being detected, he
+      was brought before the Cabinet Council, to be examined, March
+      8, 1711. In the course of his examination he took an
+      opportunity to stab Mr. Harley. Of the wounds given to this
+      assassin on that occasion, he died in Newgate soon after. See
+      the "Narrative of Guiscard's Examination," by Mrs. Manley,
+      from facts communicated to her by Dr. Swift. See also
+      <i>Examiner</i>, No. 32. (Nichols.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag305'>[305]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote305' id="footnote305"></a>Soon after the
+      conclusion of the late treaty of peace, the French king
+      dispersed a letter through his dominions, wherein he shows
+      the reasons why he could not ratify the preliminaries.
+      <i>Vide</i> the public newspapers of this date. (Steele.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag306'>[306]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote306' id=
+      "footnote306"></a>N.B.&#8212;Mons. Bernard and the chief
+      bankers of France became bankrupts about this time
+      (Steele).&#8212;See news paragraph in Nos. <a href=
+      "#number3">3</a>, <a href="#number5">5</a>, <a href=
+      "#number9">9</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number30' id="number30"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 30.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, June 16</i>, to <i>Saturday, June 18,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 16.</h3>
+
+  <p>The vigilance, the anxiety, the tenderness, which I have for
+  the good people of England, I am persuaded will in time be much
+  commended; but I doubt whether they will ever be rewarded.
+  However, I must go on <a class="pagenum" name='page247' title=
+  '247' id="page247"></a>cheerfully in my work of reformation: that
+  being my great design, I am studious to prevent my labours
+  increasing upon me; therefore am particularly observant of the
+  temper and inclinations of childhood and youth, that we may not
+  give vice and folly supplies from the growing generation. It is
+  hardly to be imagined how useful this study is, and what great
+  evils or benefits arise from putting us in our tender years to
+  what we are fit, or unfit: therefore on Tuesday last (with a
+  design to sound their inclinations) I took three lads who are
+  under my guardianship a rambling, in a hackney-coach, to show
+  them the town, as the lions,<a name='fntag307' id=
+  "fntag307"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote307'><sup>307</sup></a> the tombs,<a name='fntag308'
+  id="fntag308"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote308'><sup>308</sup></a> Bedlam,<a name='fntag309' id=
+  "fntag309"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote309'><sup>309</sup></a> and the other places which are
+  entertainments to raw minds, because they strike forcibly on the
+  fancy. The boys are brothers, one of sixteen, the other of
+  fourteen, the other of twelve. The first was his father's
+  darling, the second his mother's, and the third is mine, who am
+  their uncle. Mr. William is a lad of true genius; but being at
+  the upper end of a great school, and having all the lads below
+  him, his arrogance is insupportable. If I begin to show a little
+  of my Latin, he immediately interrupts: "Uncle, under favour,
+  that which you say is not understood in that manner." "Brother,"
+  says my boy Jack, "you do not show your manners much in
+  contradicting my Uncle Isaac." "You queer cur," says Mr. William,
+  "do you <a class="pagenum" name='page248' title='248' id=
+  "page248"></a>think my uncle takes any notice of such a dull
+  rogue as you are?" Mr. William goes on; "He is the most stupid of
+  all my mother's children: he knows nothing of his book: when he
+  should mind that, he is hiding or hoarding his taws and marbles,
+  or laying up farthings. His way of thinking is, four and twenty
+  farthings make sixpence, and two sixpences a shilling, two
+  shillings and sixpence half a crown, and two half-crowns five
+  shillings. So within these two months, the close hunks has
+  scraped up twenty shillings, and we'll make him spend it all
+  before he comes home." Jack immediately claps his hands into both
+  pockets, and turns as pale as ashes. There is nothing touches a
+  parent (and such I am to Jack) so nearly, as a provident temper.
+  This lad has in him the true temper for a good husband, a kind
+  father, and an honest executor. All the great people you see make
+  considerable figures on the 'Change, in Court, and sometimes in
+  Senates, are such as in reality have no greater faculty than what
+  may be called human instinct, which is a natural tendency to
+  their own preservation, and that of their friends, without being
+  capable of striking out of the road for adventures. There is Sir
+  William Scrip was of this sort of capacity from his childhood: he
+  has bought the country round him, and makes a bargain better than
+  Sir Harry Wildfire with all his wit and humour. Sir Harry never
+  wants money but he comes to Scrip, laughs at him half an hour,
+  and then gives bond for the other thousand. The close men are
+  incapable of placing merit anywhere but in their pence, and
+  therefore gain it; while others, who have larger capacities, are
+  diverted from the pursuit by enjoyments, which can be supported
+  only by that cash which they despise; and therefore are in the
+  end, slaves to their inferiors both in fortune and understanding.
+  I once heard a man of excellent sense observe, <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page249' title='249' id="page249"></a>that more affairs in
+  the world failed by being in the hands of men of too large
+  capacities for their business, than by being in the conduct of
+  such as wanted abilities to execute them. Jack therefore being of
+  a plodding make, shall be a citizen; and I design him to be the
+  refuge of the family in their distress, as well as their jest in
+  prosperity. His brother Will, shall go to Oxford with all speed,
+  where, if he does not arrive at being a man of sense, he will
+  soon be informed wherein he is a coxcomb. There is in that place
+  such a true spirit of raillery and humour, that if they can't
+  make you a wise man, they will certainly let you know you are a
+  fool, which is all my cousin wants to cease to be so. Thus having
+  taken these two out of the way, I have leisure to look at my
+  third lad. I observe in the young rogue a natural subtilty of
+  mind, which discovers itself rather in forbearing to declare his
+  thoughts on any occasion, than in any visible way of exerting
+  himself in discourse. For which reason I will place him where, if
+  he commits no faults, he may go farther than those in other
+  stations, though they excel in virtues. The boy is well
+  fashioned, and will easily fall into a graceful manner;
+  wherefore, I have a design to make him a page to a great lady of
+  my acquaintance; by which means he will be well skilled in the
+  common modes of life, and make a greater progress in the world by
+  that knowledge, than with the greatest qualities without it. A
+  good mien in a Court will carry a man greater lengths than a good
+  understanding in any other place. We see a world of pains taken,
+  and the best years of life spent, in collecting a set of thoughts
+  in a college for the conduct of life; and after all, the man so
+  qualified shall hesitate in his speech to a good suit of clothes,
+  and want common sense before an agreeable woman. Hence it is,
+  that wisdom, valour, justice, and learning, can't keep a man in
+  countenance that is possessed <a class="pagenum" name='page250'
+  title='250' id="page250"></a>with these excellences, if he wants
+  that less art of life and behaviour, called "good breeding." A
+  man endowed with great perfections without this, is like one who
+  has his pockets full of gold, but always wants change for his
+  ordinary occasions. Will. Courtly is a living instance of this
+  truth, and has had the same education which I am giving my
+  nephew. He never spoke a thing but what was said before; and yet
+  can converse with the wittiest men without being ridiculous.
+  Among the learned, he does not appear ignorant; nor with the
+  wise, indiscreet. Living in conversation from his infancy, makes
+  him nowhere at a loss; and a long familiarity with the persons of
+  men, is in a manner of the same service to him, as if he knew
+  their arts. As ceremony is the invention of wise men to keep
+  fools at a distance, so good breeding is an expedient to make
+  fools and wise men equals.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, June 17.</h3>
+
+  <p>The suspension of the playhouse<a name='fntag310' id=
+  "fntag310"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote310'><sup>310</sup></a> has made me have nothing to
+  send you from hence; but calling here this evening, I found the
+  party I usually sit with, upon the business of writing, and
+  examining what was the handsomest style in which to address
+  women, and write letters of gallantry. Many were the opinions
+  which were immediately declared on this subject: some were for a
+  certain softness; some for I know not what delicacy; others for
+  something inexpressibly tender: when it came to me, I said there
+  was no rule in the world to be made for writing letters, but that
+  of being as near what you speak face to face as you can; which is
+  so great a truth, that I am of opinion, writing has lost more
+  mistresses than any <a class="pagenum" name='page251' title='251'
+  id="page251"></a>one mistake in the whole legend of love. For
+  when you write to a lady for whom you have a solid and honourable
+  love, the great idea you have of her, joined to a quick sense of
+  her absence, fills your mind with a sort of tenderness, that
+  gives your language too much the air of complaint, which is
+  seldom successful. For a man may flatter himself as he pleases,
+  but he will find, that the women have more understanding in their
+  own affairs than we have, and women of spirit are not to be won
+  by mourners. Therefore he that can keep handsomely within rules,
+  and support the carriage of a companion to his mistress, is much
+  more likely to prevail, than he who lets her see, the whole
+  relish of his life depends upon her. If possible therefore divert
+  your mistress, rather than sigh to her. The pleasant man she will
+  desire for her own sake; but the languishing lover has nothing to
+  hope from but her pity. To show the difference I produced two
+  letters a lady gave me, which had been writ to her by two
+  gentlemen who pretended to her, but were both killed the next day
+  after the date at the battle of Almanza. One of them was a
+  mercurial gay-humoured man; the other a man of a serious, but a
+  great and gallant spirit. Poor Jack Careless! This is his letter:
+  you see how it is folded: the air of it is so negligent, one
+  might have read half of it by peeping into it, without breaking
+  it open. He had no exactness.</p>
+
+  <p>"MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>"It is a very pleasant circumstance I am in, that while I
+  should be thinking of the good company we are to meet within a
+  day or two, where we shall go to loggerheads, my thoughts are
+  running upon a fair enemy in England. I was in hopes I had left
+  you there; but you follow the camp, though I have endeavoured to
+  make <a class="pagenum" name='page252' title='252' id=
+  "page252"></a>some of our leaguer ladies drive you out of the
+  field. All my comfort is, you are more troublesome to my colonel
+  than myself: I permit you to visit me only now and then; but he
+  downright keeps you. I laugh at his Honour as far as his gravity
+  will allow me; but I know him to be a man of too much merit to
+  succeed with a woman. Therefore defend your heart as well as you
+  can, I shall come home this winter irresistibly dressed, and with
+  quite a new foreign air. And so I had like to say, I rest, but
+  alas! I remain,</p>
+
+  <p>"Madam,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most obedient,</p>
+
+  <p>"Most humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"JOHN CARELESS."</p>
+
+  <p>Now for Colonel Constant's epistle; you see it is folded and
+  directed with the utmost care.</p>
+
+  <p>"MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>"I do myself the honour to write to you this evening, because
+  I believe to-morrow will be a day of battle, and something
+  forebodes in my breast that I shall fall in it. If it proves so,
+  I hope you will hear, I have done nothing below a man who had a
+  love of his country, quickened by a passion for a woman of
+  honour. If there be anything noble in going to a certain death;
+  if there be any merit, that I meet it with pleasure, by promising
+  myself a place in your esteem; if your applause, when I am no
+  more, is preferable to the most glorious life without you: I say,
+  madam, if any of these considerations can have weight with you,
+  you will give me a kind place in your memory, which I prefer to
+  the glory of C�sar. I hope, this will be read, as it is writ,
+  with tears."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page253' title='253' id=
+  "page253"></a>The beloved lady is a woman of a sensible mind; but
+  she has confessed to me, that after all her true and solid value
+  for Constant, she had much more concern for the loss of Careless.
+  Those great and serious spirits have something equal to the
+  adversities they meet with, and consequently lessen the objects
+  of pity. Great accidents seem not cut out so much for men of
+  familiar characters, which makes them more easily pitied, and
+  soon after beloved. Add to this, that the sort of love which
+  generally succeeds, is a stranger to awe and distance. I asked
+  Romana, whether of the two she should have chosen had they
+  survived? She said, she knew she ought to have taken Constant;
+  but believed she should have chosen Careless.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 17.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Lisbon of the 9th instant, N.S., say, that the
+  enemy's army, having blocked up Olivenza, was posted on the
+  Guadiana. The Portuguese are very apprehensive that the garrison
+  of that place, though it consists of five of the best regiments
+  of their army, will be obliged to surrender, if not timely
+  relieved, they not being supplied with provisions for more than
+  six weeks. Hereupon their generals held a council of war on the
+  4th instant, wherein it was concluded to advance towards Badajos.
+  With this design the army decamped on the 5th from Jerumena, and
+  marched to Cancaon. It is hoped, that if the enemy follow their
+  motions, they may have opportunity to put a sufficient quantity
+  of provision and ammunition into Olivenza.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Bickerstaff gives notice to all persons that dress
+  themselves as they please, without regard to decorum (as with
+  blue and red stockings in mourning; tucked cravats, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page254' title='254' id="page254"></a>and
+  nightcap wigs, before people of the first quality) that he has
+  yet received no fine for indulging them in that liberty, and that
+  he expects their compliance with this demand, or that they go
+  home immediately and shift themselves. This is further to
+  acquaint the town, that the report that the hosiers, toymen, and
+  milliners, have compounded with Mr. Bickerstaff for tolerating
+  such enormities, is utterly false and scandalous.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag307'>[307]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote307' id="footnote307"></a>At the Tower of
+      London. The Tower menagerie was one of the sights of London
+      until its removal in 1834. See Addison's <i>Freeholder</i>;
+      No. 47.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag308'>[308]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote308' id="footnote308"></a>In Westminster
+      Abbey.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag309'>[309]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote309' id="footnote309"></a>The Priory of
+      Bethlem, in St. Botolph Without, Bishopsgate, was given by
+      Henry VIII. to the Corporation of London, and was from
+      thenceforth used as a hospital for lunatics. In 1675 a new
+      hospital was built near London Wall, in Moorfields, at a cost
+      of �17,000. See Hogarth's "Rake's Progress," Plate 8. In
+      No. 127, Steele calls Bedlam "that
+      magnificent palace."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag310'>[310]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote310' id="footnote310"></a>Drury Lane
+      Theatre was closed on June 6, 1709, by order of the Lord
+      Chamberlain, in consequence of Rich's ill-treatment of the
+      actors.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number31' id="number31"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 31.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, June 18</i>, to <i>Tuesday, June 21,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, June 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>In my dissertation against the custom of single
+  combat,<a name='fntag311' id="fntag311"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote311'><sup>311</sup></a> it has been objected, that
+  there is not learning, or much reading, shown therein, which is
+  the very life and soul of all treatises; for which reason, being
+  always easy to receive admonitions, and reform my errors, I
+  thought fit to consult this learned board on the subject. Upon
+  proposing some doubts, and desiring their assistance, a very
+  hopeful young gentleman, my relation, who is to be called to the
+  bar within a year and a half at farthest, told me, that he had
+  ever since I first mentioned duelling turned his head that way;
+  and that he was principally moved thereto, by reason that he
+  thought to follow the circuits in the North of England and South
+  of Scotland, and to reside mostly at his own estate at
+  Landbadernawz<a name='fntag312' id="fntag312"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote312'><sup>312</sup></a> in Cardiganshire. The
+  northern Britons and southern Scots are a warm people, and the
+  Welsh a nation of gentlemen; <a class="pagenum" name='page255'
+  title='255' id="page255"></a>so that it behoved him to understand
+  well the science of quarrelling. The young gentleman proceeded
+  admirably well, and gave the board an account, that he had read
+  Fitzherbert's "Grand Abridgment,"<a name='fntag313' id=
+  "fntag313"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote313'><sup>313</sup></a> and had found, that duelling is
+  a very ancient part of the law: for when a man is sued, be it for
+  his life or his land, the person that joins the issue, whether
+  plaintiff or defendant, may put the trial upon the duel. Further
+  he argued, under favour of the court, that when the issue is
+  joined by the duel in treason or other capital crimes, the
+  parties accused and accuser must fight in their own proper
+  persons: but if the dispute be for lands, you may hire a champion
+  at Hockley-in-the-Hole,<a name='fntag314' id=
+  "fntag314"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote314'><sup>314</sup></a> for anywhere else. This part of
+  the law we had from the Saxons; and they had it, as also the
+  trial by ordeal, from the Laplanders.<a name='fntag315' id=
+  "fntag315"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote315'><sup>315</sup></a> "It is indeed agreed," said he,
+  "the Southern and Eastern nations never knew anything of it; for
+  though the ancient Romans would scold, and call names filthily,
+  yet there is not an example of a challenge that ever passed
+  amongst them." His quoting the Eastern nations, put another
+  gentleman in mind of an account he had from a boatswain of an
+  East Indiaman; which was, that a Chinese had tricked and bubbled
+  him, and that when he came to demand satisfaction the next
+  morning, and like a true tar of honour called him "Son of a
+  whore," "Liar," "Dog," and other rough appellatives used by
+  persons conversant with winds and waves; the Chinese, with great
+  tranquillity, desired him not to come aboard fasting, nor put
+  himself in a heat, for it would prejudice his health. Thus the
+  East knows nothing of this gallantry. There sat at the left of
+  the table a person of a venerable aspect, who asserted, that half
+  the impositions which <a class="pagenum" name='page256' title=
+  '256' id="page256"></a>are put upon these ages, have been
+  transmitted by writers who have given too great pomp and
+  magnificence to the exploits of the ancient Bear Garden, and made
+  their gladiators, by fabulous tradition, greater than
+  Gorman<a name='fntag316' id="fntag316"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote316'><sup>316</sup></a> and others of Great Britain. He
+  informed the company, that he had searched authorities for what
+  he said, and that a learned antiquary, Humphrey Scarecrow, Esq.,
+  of Hockley-in-the-Hole, recorder to the Bear Garden, was then
+  writing a discourse on the subject. It appears by the best
+  accounts, says this gentleman, that the high names which are used
+  among us with so great veneration, were no other than
+  stage-fighters, and worthies of the ancient Bear Garden. The
+  renowned Hercules always carried a quarterstaff, and was from
+  thence called Claviger. A learned chronologist is about proving
+  what wood this staff was made of, whether oak, ash, or crab-tree.
+  The first trial of skill he ever performed, was with one Cacus, a
+  deer-stealer; the next was with Typhonus, a giant of forty feet
+  four inches. Indeed it was unhappily recorded, that meeting at
+  last with a sailor's wife, she made his staff of prowess serve
+  her own use, and dwindle away to a distaff: she clapped him on an
+  old tar jacket of her husband's; so that this great hero drooped
+  like a scabbed sheep. Him his contemporary Theseus succeeded in
+  the Bear Garden, which honour he held for many years: this grand
+  duellist went to hell, and was the only one of that sort that
+  ever came back again. As for Achilles and Hector (as the ballads
+  of those times mention), they were pretty smart fellows; they
+  fought at sword and buckler; but the former had much the better
+  of it; his mother, who was an oyster-woman, having got a
+  blacksmith of Lemnos to make her son's weapons. There is a pair
+  of trusty Trojans <a class="pagenum" name='page257' title='257'
+  id="page257"></a>in a song of Virgil's, that were famous for
+  handling their gauntlets, Dares, and Entellus;<a name='fntag317'
+  id="fntag317"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote317'><sup>317</sup></a> and indeed it does appear, they
+  fought [for] no sham prize. What arms the great Alexander used,
+  is uncertain; however, the historian mentions, when he attacked
+  Thalestris, it was only at single rapier; but the weapon soon
+  failed; for it was always observed, that the Amazons had a sort
+  of enchantment about them, which made the blade of the weapon,
+  though of never so good metal, at every home push, lose its edge
+  and grow feeble. The Roman Bear Garden was abundantly more
+  magnificent than anything Greece could boast of; it flourished
+  most under those delights of mankind, Nero and Domitian: at one
+  time it is recorded, four hundred senators entered the list, and
+  thought it an honour to be cudgelled and quarterstaffed.<a name=
+  'fntag318' id="fntag318"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote318'><sup>318</sup></a> I observe, the Lanista� were
+  the people chiefly employed, which makes me imagine our Bear
+  Garden copied much after this, the butchers being the greatest
+  men in it. Thus far the glory and honour of the Bear Garden stood
+  secure, till fate, that irresistible ruler of sublunary things,
+  in that universal ruin of arts and politer learning, by those
+  savage people the Goths and Vandals, destroyed and levelled it to
+  the ground. Thus fell the grandeur and bravery of the Roman
+  state, till at last the warlike genius (but accompanied with more
+  courtesy) revived in the Christian world under those puissant
+  champions, St. George, St. Denis, and other dignified heroes: one
+  killed his dragon, another his lion, and were all afterwards
+  canonised for it, having red letters before them to illustrate
+  their martial temper.<a name='fntag319' id=
+  "fntag319"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote319'><sup>319</sup></a> The Spanish nation, it must be
+  owned, were devoted to gallantry and chivalry above the rest of
+  the world. What <a class="pagenum" name='page258' title='258' id=
+  "page258"></a>a great figure does that great name, Don Quixote,
+  make in history? How shines this glorious star in the Western
+  world? O renowned hero! O mirror of knighthood!</p>
+
+  <div class="poem italic">
+    <div class="line">
+      Thy brandished whinyard all the world defies,
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="line">
+      And kills as sure as del Tobosa's eyes.
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>I am forced to break off abruptly, being sent for in haste,
+  with my rule, to measure the degree of an affront, before the two
+  gentlemen (who are now in their breeches and pumps ready to
+  engage behind Montague House<a name='fntag320' id=
+  "fntag320"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote320'><sup>320</sup></a>) have made a pass.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is an unreasonable objection I find against my labours,
+  that my stock is not all my own, and therefore the kind reception
+  I have met with is not so deserved as it ought to be. But I hope,
+  though it be never so true that I am obliged to my friends for
+  laying their cash in my hands, since I give it them again when
+  they please, and leave them at their liberty to call it home, it
+  will not hurt me with my gentle readers. Ask all the merchants
+  who act upon consignments, where is the necessity (if they answer
+  readily what their correspondents draw) of their being wealthy
+  themselves? Ask the greatest bankers, if all the men they deal
+  with were to draw at once, what would be the consequence? But
+  indeed a country friend has writ me a letter which gives me great
+  mortification; wherein I find I am so far from expecting a supply
+  from <a class="pagenum" name='page259' title='259' id=
+  "page259"></a>thence, that some have not heard of me, and the
+  rest do not understand me. His epistle is as follows:<a name=
+  'fntag321' id="fntag321"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote321'><sup>321</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"DEAR COUSIN,</p>
+
+  <p>"I thought when I left the town to have raised your fame here,
+  and helped you to support it by intelligence from hence; but
+  alas! they had never heard of the <i>Tatler</i> until I brought
+  down a set. I lent them from house to house; but they asked me
+  what they meant. I began to enlighten them, by telling who and
+  who were supposed to be intended by the characters drawn. I said
+  for instance, Chloe<a name='fntag322' id="fntag322"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote322'><sup>322</sup></a> and Clarissa are two
+  eminent toasts. A gentleman (who keeps his greyhound and gun, and
+  one would think might know better) told me, he supposed they were
+  papishes, for their names were not English: 'Then,' said he, 'why
+  do you call live people "toasts"?' I answered, that was a new
+  name found out by the wits, to make a lady have the same effect
+  as burridge<a name='fntag323' id="fntag323"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote323'><sup>323</sup></a> in the glass when a man is
+  drinking. 'But,' says I, 'sir, I perceive this is to you all
+  bamboozling; why you look as if you were Don Diego'd<a name=
+  'fntag324' id="fntag324"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote324'><sup>324</sup></a> to the tune of a thousand
+  pounds.' All this good language was lost upon him: he only
+  stared, though he is as good a scholar as any layman in the town,
+  except the barber. Thus, cousin, you must be content with London
+  for the centre of your wealth and fame; we have no relish for
+  you. Wit must describe its proper circumference, and not go
+  beyond it, lest (like little boys, when they straggle out of
+  their own parish), it may wander to places where it is not known,
+  and be lost. Since it is so, you must excuse me that I am forced
+  at a visit to sit <a class="pagenum" name='page260' title='260'
+  id="page260"></a>silent, and only lay up what excellent things
+  pass at such conversations.</p>
+
+  <p>"This evening I was with a couple of young ladies; one of them
+  has the character of the prettiest company, yet really I thought
+  her but silly; the other, who talked a great deal less, I
+  observed to have understanding. The lady who is reckoned such a
+  companion among her acquaintance, has only, with a very brisk
+  air, a knack of saying the commonest things: the other, with a
+  sly serious one, says home things enough. The first (Mistress
+  Giddy) is very quick; but the second (Mrs. Slim) fell into
+  Giddy's own style, and was as good company as she. Giddy happens
+  to drop her glove; Slim reaches it to her: 'Madam,' says Giddy,
+  'I hope you'll have a better office.' Upon which Slim immediately
+  repartees, and sits in her lap, and cries, 'Are you not sorry for
+  my heaviness?' This sly wench pleased me to see how she hit her
+  height of understanding so well. We sat down to supper. Says
+  Giddy, mighty prettily, 'Two hands in a dish and one in a purse':
+  says Slim, 'Ay, madam, the more the merrier; but the fewer the
+  better cheer.' I quickly took the hint, and was as witty and
+  talkative as they. Says I,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "'He that will not when he may,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        When he will he shall have nay;'
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>and so helped myself. Giddy turns about, 'What, have you found
+  your tongue?' 'Yes,' says I, 'it is manners to speak when I am
+  spoken to; but your greatest talkers are little doers, and the
+  still sow eats up all the broth.' 'Ha! ha!' says Giddy, 'one
+  would think he had nothing in him, and do you hear how he talks
+  when he pleases.' I grew immediately roguish and pleasant to a
+  degree in the same strain. Slim, who knew how good company we had
+  been, cries, 'You'll certainly print this bright
+  conversation.'"</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page261' title='261' id=
+  "page261"></a>It is so; and hereby you may see how small an
+  appearance the prettiest things said in company, make when in
+  print.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>A mail from Lisbon has brought advices of June the 12th, from
+  the King of Portugal's army encamped at Torre Allegada, which
+  inform us, that the general of the army called a court-martial on
+  the 4th at the camp of Gerumhena, where it was resolved to march
+  with a design to attempt the succour of Olivenza. Accordingly the
+  army moved on the 5th, and marched towards Badajos. Upon their
+  approach, the Marquis de Bay detached so great a party from the
+  blockade of Olivenza, that the Marquis des Minas, at the head of
+  a large detachment, covered a great convoy of provisions towards
+  Olivenza, which threw in their stores, and marched back to the
+  main army, without molestation from the Spaniards. They add, that
+  each army must necessarily march into quarters within twenty
+  days.</p>
+
+  <p>Whosoever can discover a surgeon's apprentice, who fell upon
+  Mr. Bickerstaff's messenger, or (as the printers call him) devil,
+  going to the press, and tore out of his hand part of his essay
+  against duels, in the fragments of which were the words, "You
+  lie," and "Man of honour," taken up at the Temple Gate; and the
+  words, "Perhaps,"&#8212;"May be not,"&#8212;"By your leave,
+  sir,"&#8212;and other terms of provocation, taken up at the door
+  of Young Man's Coffee-house,<a name='fntag325' id=
+  "fntag325"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote325'><sup>325</sup></a> shall receive satisfaction from
+  Mr. Morphew, besides a set of arguments to be spoken to any man
+  in a passion, which, if the said enraged man listens to, will
+  prevent quarrelling.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page262' title='262' id=
+  "page262"></a>Mr. Bickerstaff does hereby give notice, that he
+  has taken the two famous universities of this land under his
+  immediate care, and does hereby promise all tutors and pupils,
+  that he will hear what can be said of each side between them, and
+  to correct them impartially, by placing them in orders and
+  classes in the learned world, according to their merit.<a name=
+  'fntag326' id="fntag326"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote326'><sup>326</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag311'>[311]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote311' id="footnote311"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number25">25</a>, <a href="#number26">26</a>,
+      <a href="#number28">28</a>, <a href="#number29">29</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag312'>[312]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote312' id="footnote312"></a>Probably meant
+      for Llanbadern Vawr, if not a name coined for the
+      occasion.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag313'>[313]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote313' id="footnote313"></a>Sir Anthony
+      Fitzherbert's book was published in 1514.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag314'>[314]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote314' id="footnote314"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number28">28</a>, 134.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag315'>[315]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote315' id="footnote315"></a>See Selden, "De
+      Duello" (1610), p. 19.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag316'>[316]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote316' id="footnote316"></a>A prize-fighter
+      mentioned in Lansdowne's epilogue to "The Jew of Venice."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag317'>[317]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote317' id="footnote317"></a>"�neid," v. 437
+      <i>seq.</i></p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag318'>[318]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote318' id="footnote318"></a>Suetonius,
+      "Life of Nero," chap. 12.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag319'>[319]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote319' id="footnote319"></a>An allusion to
+      the rubrics in Roman missals.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag320'>[320]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote320' id="footnote320"></a>The fields at
+      the back of Montague House, Bloomsbury, were a favourite
+      place for duels in the first half of the eighteenth century.
+      Cf. <i>Spectator</i>, No. 91: "I shall be glad to meet you
+      immediately in Hyde Park or behind Montague House, or attend
+      you to Barn Elms, or any other fashionable place that's fit
+      for a gentleman to die in."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag321'>[321]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote321' id="footnote321"></a>It has been
+      suggested, with some probability, that this letter is by
+      Swift.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag322'>[322]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote322' id="footnote322"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number4'>No. 4</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag323'>[323]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote323' id="footnote323"></a>Borago was a
+      plant formerly used as a cordial.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag324'>[324]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote324' id="footnote324"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number21'>No. 21</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag325'>[325]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote325' id="footnote325"></a>Young Man's
+      Coffee-house at Charing Cross, had a back door into Spring
+      Garden. It seems to have been specially frequented by
+      officers.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag326'>[326]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote326' id="footnote326"></a>"Mr.
+      Bickerstaff has received the advices from Clay Hill, which,
+      with all intelligence from honest Mr. Sturdy and others,
+      shall have their place in our future story" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number32' id="number32"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 32.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[SWIFT AND STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, June 21</i>, to <i>Thursday, June 23,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>An answer to the following letter being absolutely necessary
+  to be despatched with all expedition, I must trespass upon all
+  that come with horary questions into my ante-chamber, to give the
+  gentlemen my opinion.</p>
+
+  <h4>"<i>To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.</i></h4>
+
+  <p>"<i>June 18</i>, 1709.</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"I know not whether you ought to pity or laugh at me; for I am
+  fallen desperately in love with a professed Platonne, the most
+  unaccountable creature of her sex. To hear her talk seraphics,
+  and run over Norris,<a name='fntag327' id=
+  "fntag327"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote327'><sup>327</sup></a> and More,<a name='fntag328' id=
+  "fntag328"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote328'><sup>328</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page263' title='263' id="page263"></a>and Milton,<a name=
+  'fntag329' id="fntag329"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote329'><sup>329</sup></a> and the whole set of
+  intellectual triflers, torments me heartily; for to a lover who
+  understands metaphors, all this pretty prattle of ideas gives
+  very fine views of pleasure, which only the dear declaimer
+  prevents, by understanding them literally. Why should she wish to
+  be a cherubim, when it is flesh and blood that makes her
+  adorable? If I speak to her, that is a high breach of the idea of
+  intuition: if I offer at her hand or lip, she shrinks from the
+  touch like a sensitive plant, and would contract herself into
+  mere spirit. She calls her chariot, 'vehicle'; her furbelowed
+  scarf, 'pinions': her blue mant and petticoat is her 'azure
+  dress'; and her footman goes by the name of Oberon. It is my
+  misfortune to be six foot and a half high, two full spans between
+  the shoulders, thirteen inches diameter in the calves; and before
+  I was in love, I had a noble stomach, and usually went to bed
+  sober with two bottles. I am not quite six and twenty, and my
+  nose is marked truly aquiline. For these reasons, I am in a very
+  particular manner her aversion. What shall I do? Impudence itself
+  cannot reclaim her. If I write miserable, she reckons me among
+  the children of perdition, and discards me her region: if I
+  assume the gross and substantial, she plays the real ghost with
+  me, and vanishes in a moment. I had hopes in the hypocrisy of her
+  sex; but perseverance makes it as bad as fixed aversion. I desire
+  your opinion, whether I may not lawfully play the Inquisition
+  upon her, make use of a little force, and put her to the rack and
+  the torture, only to convince her she has really fine limbs,
+  without spoiling or distorting them. I expect your directions,
+  ere I proceed to dwindle and fall away with despair; which at
+  present I don't think advisable; because, if she <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page264' title='264' id="page264"></a>should
+  recant, she may then hate me perhaps in the other extreme for my
+  tenuity. I am (with impatience) "Your most humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"CHARLES STURDY."</p>
+
+  <p>My patient has put his case with very much warmth, and
+  represented it in so lively a manner, that I see both his torment
+  and tormentor with great perspicuity. This order of platonic
+  ladies are to be dealt with in a peculiar manner from all the
+  rest of the sex. Flattery is the general way, and the way in this
+  case; but it is not to be done grossly. Every man that has wit,
+  and humour, and raillery, can make a good flatterer for woman in
+  general; but a Platonne is not to be touched with panegyric: she
+  will tell you, it is a sensuality in the soul to be delighted
+  that way. You are not therefore to commend, but silently consent
+  to all she does, and says. You are to consider in her the scorn
+  of you is not humour, but opinion. There were some years since a
+  set of these ladies who were of quality, and gave out, that
+  virginity was to be their state of life during this mortal
+  condition, and therefore resolved to join their fortunes, and
+  erect a nunnery. The place of residence was pitched upon; and a
+  pretty situation, full of natural falls and risings of waters,
+  with shady coverts, and flowery arbours, was approved by seven of
+  the founders. There were as many of our sex who took the liberty
+  to visit those mansions of intended severity; among others, a
+  famous rake of that time, who had the grave way to an excellence.
+  He came in first; but upon seeing a servant coming towards him,
+  with a design to tell him, this was no place for him or his
+  companions, up goes my grave impudence to the maid: "Young
+  woman," said he, "if any of the ladies are in the way on this
+  side of the <a class="pagenum" name='page265' title='265' id=
+  "page265"></a>house, pray carry us on the other side towards the
+  gardens: we are, you must know, gentlemen that are travelling
+  England; after which we shall go into foreign parts, where some
+  of us have already been." Here he bows in the most humble manner,
+  and kissed the girl, who knew not how to behave to such a sort of
+  carriage. He goes on: "Now you must know we have an ambition to
+  have it to say, that we have a Protestant nunnery in England: but
+  pray Mrs. Betty&#8212;" "Sir," she replied, "my name is Susan, at
+  your service." "Then I heartily beg your pardon&#8212;" "No
+  offence in the least," says she, "for I have a cousin-german
+  whose name is Betty." "Indeed," said he, "I protest to you that
+  was more than I knew, I spoke at random: but since it happens
+  that I was near in the right, give me leave to present this
+  gentleman to the favour of a civil salute." His friend advances,
+  and so on, till that they had all saluted her. By this means, the
+  poor girl was in the middle of the crowd of these fellows, at a
+  loss what to do, without courage to pass through them; and the
+  Platonics, at several peep-holes, pale, trembling, and fretting.
+  Rake perceived they were observed, and therefore took care to
+  keep Suky in chat with questions concerning their way of life;
+  when appeared at last Madonella,<a name='fntag330' id=
+  "fntag330"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote330'><sup>330</sup></a> a lady who had writ a fine book
+  concerning <a class="pagenum" name='page266' title='266' id=
+  "page266"></a>the recluse life, and was the projectrix of the
+  foundation. She approaches into the hall; and Rake, knowing the
+  dignity of his own mien and aspect, goes deputy from his company.
+  She begins, "Sir, I am obliged to follow the servant, who was
+  sent out to know, what affair could make strangers press upon a
+  solitude which we, who are to inhabit this place, have devoted to
+  Heaven and our own thoughts?" "Madam," replies Rake, with an air
+  of great distance, mixed with a certain indifference, by which he
+  could dissemble dissimulation, "your great intention has made
+  more noise in the world than you design it should; and we
+  travellers, who have seen many foreign institutions of this kind,
+  have a curiosity to see, in its first rudiments, this seat of
+  primitive piety; for such it must be called by future ages, to
+  the eternal honour of the founders. I have read Madonella's
+  excellent and seraphic discourse on this subject." The lady
+  immediately answers, "If what I have said could have contributed
+  to raise any thoughts in you that may make for the
+  advance<a class="pagenum" name='page267' title='267' id=
+  "page267"></a>ment of intellectual and divine conversation, I
+  should think myself extremely happy." He immediately fell back
+  with the profoundest veneration; then advancing, "Are you then
+  that admired lady? If I may approach lips which have uttered
+  things so sacred&#8212;" He salutes her. His friends follow his
+  example. The devoted within stood in amazement where this would
+  end, to see Madonella receive their address and their company.
+  But Rake goes on, "We would not transgress rules; but if we may
+  take the liberty to see the place you have thought fit to choose
+  for ever, we would go into such parts of the gardens as is
+  consistent with the severities you have imposed on yourselves."
+  To be short, Madonella permitted Rake to lead her into the
+  assembly of nuns, followed by his friends, and each took his fair
+  one by the hand, after due explanation, to walk round the
+  gardens. The conversation turned upon the lilies, the flowers,
+  the arbors, and the growing vegetables; and Rake had the solemn
+  impudence, when the whole company stood round him, to say, "That
+  he sincerely wished that men might rise out of the earth like
+  plants; and that our minds were not of necessity to be sullied
+  with carnivorous appetites for the generation, as well as support
+  of our species."<a name='fntag331' id="fntag331"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote331'><sup>331</sup></a> This was spoke with
+  so easy and fixed an assurance, that Madonella answered, "Sir,
+  under the notion of a pious thought, you deceive yourself in
+  wishing an institution foreign to that of Providence: these
+  desires were implanted in us for reverent purposes, in preserving
+  the race of men, and giving opportunities for making our chastity
+  more heroic." The conference was continued in this celestial
+  strain, and carried on so well by the managers on both sides,
+  that it created a second and a third<a name='fntag332' id=
+  "fntag332"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote332'><sup>332</sup></a> interview; and, without
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page268' title='268' id=
+  "page268"></a>entering into further particulars, there was hardly
+  one of them but was a mother or father that day twelve-month.</p>
+
+  <p>Any unnatural part is long taking up, and as long laying
+  aside; therefore Mr. Sturdy may assure himself, Platonica will
+  fly for ever from a forward behaviour; but if he approaches her
+  according to this model, she will fall in with the necessities of
+  mortal life, and condescend to look with pity upon an unhappy
+  man, imprisoned in so much body, and urged by such violent
+  desires.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>The evils of this town increase upon me to so great a degree,
+  that I am half afraid I shall not leave the world much better
+  than I found it. Several worthy gentlemen and critics have
+  applied to me, to give my censure of an enormity which has been
+  revived (after being long oppressed) and is called
+  Punning.<a name='fntag333' id="fntag333"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote333'><sup>333</sup></a> I have several arguments ready
+  to prove, that he cannot be a man of honour who is guilty of this
+  abuse of human society. But the way to expose it, is like the
+  expedient of curing drunkenness, showing a man in that condition:
+  therefore I must give my reader warning, to expect a collection
+  of these offences; without which preparation, I thought it too
+  adventurous to introduce the very mention of it in good company;
+  and hope I shall be understood to do it, as a divine mentions
+  oaths and curses, only for their condemnation. I shall dedicate
+  this discourse to a gentleman my very good friend, who is the
+  Janus<a name='fntag334' id="fntag334"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote334'><sup>334</sup></a> of our times, and whom by his
+  years and wit, you would take to be of the last age; but by his
+  dress and morals, of this.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page269' title='269' id=
+  "page269"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>Last night arrived two mails from Holland, which brings
+  letters from the Hague of the 28th instant, N.S., with advice,
+  that the enemy lay encamped behind a strong retrenchment, with
+  the marsh of Remi�res on their right and left, extending itself
+  as far as Bethune: La Bass�e is in their front, Lens in their
+  rear, and their camp is strengthened by another line from Lens to
+  Douay. The Duke of Marlborough caused an exact observation to be
+  made of their ground, and the works by which they were covered,
+  which appeared so strong, that it was not thought proper to
+  attack them in their present posture. However, the Duke thought
+  fit to make a feint as if he designed it; and accordingly
+  marching from the abbey at Looze, as did Prince Eugene from
+  Lampret, advanced with all possible diligence towards the enemy.
+  To favour the appearance of an intended assault, the ways were
+  made, and orders distributed in such a manner, that none in
+  either camp could have thoughts of anything but charging the
+  enemy by break of day the next morning: but soon after the fall
+  of the night of the 26th, the whole army faced towards Tournay,
+  which place they invested early in the morning of the 27th. The
+  Marshal Villars was so confident that we designed to attack him,
+  that he had drawn great part of the garrison of the place, which
+  is now invested, into the field: for which reason, it is presumed
+  it must submit within a small time; which the enemy cannot
+  prevent, but by coming out of their present camp, and hazarding a
+  general engagement. These advices add, that the garrison of Mons
+  had marched out under the command of Marshal d'Arco; which, with
+  the Bavarians, Walloons, and the troops of Cologne, have joined
+  the grand army of the enemy.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag327'>[327]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote327' id="footnote327"></a>John Norris
+      (1657-1711), the divine, published, in 1688, "The Theory and
+      Regulation of Love, a Moral Essay; to which are added Letters
+      Philosophical and Moral between the author and Doctor Henry
+      More."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag328'>[328]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote328' id="footnote328"></a>Henry More, the
+      platonist (1614-87), published "Divine Dialogues,"
+      "Conjectura Cabalistica," and many other works.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag329'>[329]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote329' id="footnote329"></a>It is not clear
+      why Milton is bracketed with Norris and More; perhaps Swift
+      had in mind such passages about heavenly love as that in
+      "Paradise Lost," viii. 588-614.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag330'>[330]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote330' id="footnote330"></a>Swift seems to
+      have been the author of this first portion of <a href=
+      '#number32'>No. 32</a>, which contains a scandalous attack on
+      Mary Astell. Nichols thought that Addison also had a share in
+      it. See Nos. 59, 63. Mrs. Astell, a friend of Lady Elizabeth
+      Hastings and John Norris, published, in 1694, her "Serious
+      Proposal to the Ladies," advocating a Church of England
+      monastery, without any irrevocable vows. Provision was made
+      for mental as well as moral training; in fact, the
+      institution was to have been "rather academical than
+      monastic." But Bishop Burnet advised Lady Elizabeth Hastings
+      not to subscribe to the proposed building, and the scheme
+      fell through. In 1709, Miss Astell published a book called
+      "Bart'lemy Fair; or, An Enquiry after Wit.... By Mr. Wotton,
+      in answer to Lord Shaftesbury's Letter concerning Enthusiasm,
+      and other profane writers." In the advertisement to the
+      Second Edition ("An Enquiry after Wit," &amp;c., 1722), Mary
+      Astell says that, although her book was at first published
+      under a borrowed name, it was ascribed to her, and drew upon
+      her the resentment of that sort of men of wit who were
+      exposed, and was the true cause of the fable published in the
+      <i>Tatler</i> a little after the "Enquiry" appeared. But she
+      notes that, although the <i>Tatler</i> showed its teeth
+      against the "Proposal to the Ladies," the compilator made
+      amends to the author (if not to the bookseller), by
+      transcribing above a hundred pages into his <i>Ladies'
+      Library</i> verbatim, except in a few places, which would not
+      be found to be improved. The "Enquiry after Wit" is dedicated
+      "To the most Illustrious Society of the Kit-Cats," with many
+      sarcastic allusions to their luxury, oaths, &amp;c. True,
+      their names had not been heard of from Hochsted or Ramillies,
+      but then their heroism found in every place an ample theatre
+      for their merits. "The Bath, the Wells, and every Fair, each
+      Chocolate, Gaming House and Tavern resounds with your noble
+      exploits."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag331'>[331]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote331' id="footnote331"></a>This is
+      borrowed from Sir Thomas Browne's "Religio Medici," part ii.
+      sect. 9.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag332'>[332]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote332' id="footnote332"></a>"Second," in
+      original editions.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag333'>[333]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote333' id="footnote333"></a>There is an
+      apology for punning in No. 36 of the <i>Guardian</i>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag334'>[334]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote334' id="footnote334"></a>Swift.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number33' id="number33"></a><a class="pagenum" name=
+    'page270' title='270' id="page270"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 33.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, June 23</i>, to <i>Saturday, June 25</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 23.</h3>
+
+  <p>My brother has made an excursion into the country, and the
+  work against Saturday lies upon me. I am very glad I have got pen
+  and ink in my hand; for I have for some time longed for his
+  absence, to give a right idea of things, which I thought he put
+  in a very odd light, and some of them to the disadvantage of my
+  own sex. It is much to be lamented, that it is necessary to make
+  discourses, and publish treatises, to keep the horrid creatures,
+  the men, within the rules of common decency. Turning over the
+  papers of memorials or hints for the ensuing discourses, I find a
+  letter subscribed by Mr. Truman.</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"I am lately come to town, and have read your works with much
+  pleasure. You make wit subservient to good principles and good
+  manners. Yet, because I design to buy the <i>Tatlers</i> for my
+  daughters to read, I take the freedom to desire you, for the
+  future, to say nothing about any combat between Alexander and
+  Thalestris."<a name='fntag335' id="fntag335"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote335'><sup>335</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>This offence gives me occasion to express myself with the
+  resentment I ought, on people who take liberties of speech before
+  that sex of whom the honoured names of mother, daughter, and
+  sister, are a part: I had liked to have named wife in the number;
+  but the senseless world <a class="pagenum" name='page271' title=
+  '271' id="page271"></a>are so mistaken in their sentiments of
+  pleasure, that the most amiable term in human life is become the
+  derision of fools and scorners. My brother and I have at least
+  fifty times quarrelled upon this topic. I ever argue, that the
+  frailties of women are to be imputed to the false ornaments which
+  men of wit put upon our folly and coquetry. He lays all the vices
+  of men upon women's secret approbation of libertine characters in
+  them. I did not care to give up a point; but now he is out of the
+  way, I cannot but own I believe there is very much in what he
+  asserted: for if you will believe your eyes, and own, that the
+  wickedest and the wittiest of them all marry one day or other, is
+  it possible to believe, that if a man thought he should be for
+  ever incapable of being received by a woman of merit and honour,
+  he would persist in an abandoned way, and deny himself the
+  possibility of enjoying the happiness of well-governed desires,
+  orderly satisfactions, and honourable methods of life? If our sex
+  were wise, a lover should have a certificate from the last woman
+  he served, how he was turned away, before he was received into
+  the service of another: but at present any vagabond is welcome,
+  provided he promises to enter into our livery. It is wonderful,
+  that we will not take a footman without credentials from his last
+  master; and in the greatest concern of life, we make no scruple
+  of falling into a treaty with the most notorious offender in his
+  behaviour against others. But this breach of commerce between the
+  sexes, proceeds from an unaccountable prevalence of custom, by
+  which a woman is to the last degree reproachable for being
+  deceived, and a man suffers no loss of credit for being a
+  deceiver. Since this tyrant humour has gained place, why are we
+  represented in the writings of men in ill figures for artifice in
+  our carriage, when we have to do with a professed impostor? When
+  oaths, imprecations, vows, and adorations, <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page272' title='272' id="page272"></a>are made use of as
+  words of course, what arts are not necessary to defend us from
+  such as glory in the breach of them? As for my part, I am
+  resolved to hear all, and believe none of them; and therefore
+  solemnly declare, no vow shall deceive me, but that of marriage:
+  for I am turned of twenty, and being of a small fortune, some
+  wit, and (if I can believe my lovers and my glass) handsome, I
+  have heard all that can be said towards my undoing, and shall
+  therefore, for warning sake, give an account of the offers that
+  have been made me, my manner of rejecting them, and my
+  assistances to keep my resolution. In the sixteenth year of my
+  life, I fell into the acquaintance of a lady, extremely well
+  known in this town for the quick advancement of her husband, and
+  the honours and distinctions which her industry has procured him,
+  and all who belong to her. This excellent body sat next to me for
+  some months at church, and took the liberty (which she said her
+  years and the zeal she had for my welfare gave her claim to) to
+  assure me, that she observed some parts of my behaviour which
+  would lead me into errors, and give encouragement to some to
+  entertain hopes I did not think of. "What made you," said she,
+  "look through your fan at that lord, when your eyes should have
+  been turned upward, or closed in attention upon better objects?"
+  I blushed, and pretended fifty odd excuses;&#8212;but confounded
+  myself the more. She wanted nothing but to see that confusion,
+  and goes on: "Nay, child, do not be troubled that I take notice
+  of it, my value for you made me speak it; for though he is my
+  kinsman, I have a nearer regard to virtue than any other
+  consideration." She had hardly done speaking, when this noble
+  lord came up to us, and took her hand to lead her to her coach.
+  My head ran all that day and night on the exemplary carriage of
+  this woman who could be so virtuously impertinent, as to admonish
+  one she <a class="pagenum" name='page273' title='273' id=
+  "page273"></a>was hardly acquainted with. However, it struck upon
+  the vanity of a girl that it may possibly be, his thoughts might
+  have been as favourable of me, as mine were amorous of him, and
+  as unlikely things as that have happened, if he should make me
+  his wife. She never mentioned this more to me; but I still in all
+  public places stole looks at this man, who easily observed my
+  passion for him. It is so hard a thing to check the return of
+  agreeable thoughts, that he became my dream, my vision, my food,
+  my wish, my torment. That minister of darkness, the Lady
+  Sempronia,<a name='fntag336' id="fntag336"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote336'><sup>336</sup></a> perceived too well the
+  temper I was in, and would one day after evening service needs
+  take me to the Park. When we were there, my lord passes by; I
+  flushed into a flame. "Mrs. Distaff," said she, "you may very
+  well remember the concern I was in upon the first notice I took
+  of your regard to that lord, and forgive me, who had a tender
+  friendship for your mother (now in her grave) that I am vigilant
+  of your conduct." She went on with much severity, and after great
+  solicitation, prevailed on me to go with her into the country,
+  and there spend the ensuing summer out of the way of a man she
+  saw I loved, and one whom she perceived meditated my ruin, by
+  frequently desiring her to introduce him to me; which she
+  absolutely refused, except he would give his honour that he had
+  no other design but to marry me. To her country house a week or
+  two after we went: there was at the farther end of her garden a
+  kind of wilderness, in the middle of which ran a soft rivulet by
+  an arbour of jessamine. In this place I usually passed my retired
+  hours, and read some romantic or poetical tale till the close of
+  the evening. It was near that time in the heat of summer, when
+  gentle winds, soft <a class="pagenum" name='page274' title='274'
+  id="page274"></a>murmurs of water, and notes of nightingales had
+  given my mind an indolence, which added to that repose of soul,
+  which twilight and the end of a warm day naturally throws upon
+  the spirits. It was at such an hour, and in such a state of
+  tranquillity I sat, when, to my unexpressible amazement, I saw my
+  lord walking towards me, whom I knew not till that moment to have
+  been in the country. I could observe in his approach the
+  perplexity which attends a man big with design; and I had, while
+  he was coming forward, time to reflect that I was betrayed; the
+  sense of which gave me a resentment suitable to such a baseness:
+  but when he entered into the bower where I was, my heart flew
+  towards him, and, I confess, a certain joy came into my mind,
+  with a hope that he might then make a declaration of honour and
+  passion. This threw my eye upon him with such tenderness, as gave
+  him power, with a broken accent, to begin. "Madam,&#8212;You will
+  wonder&#8212;For it is certain, you must have
+  observed&#8212;though I fear you will misinterpret the
+  motives&#8212;But by Heaven, and all that's sacred! If you
+  could&#8212;" Here he made a full stand. And I recovered power to
+  say, "The consternation I am in you will not, I hope,
+  believe&#8212;A helpless innocent maid&#8212;Besides that, the
+  place&#8212;" He saw me in as great confusion as himself; which
+  attributing to the same causes, he had the audaciousness to throw
+  himself at my feet, and talk of the stillness of the evening;
+  then ran into deifications of my person, pure flames, constant
+  love, eternal raptures, and a thousand other phrases drawn from
+  the images we have of heaven, which ill men use for the service
+  of hell, were run over with uncommon vehemence. After which, he
+  seized me in his arms: his design was too evident. In my utmost
+  distress, I fell upon my knees&#8212;"My lord, pity me, on my
+  knees&#8212;On my knees in the cause of virtue, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page275' title='275' id="page275"></a>as you were
+  lately in that of wickedness. Can you think of destroying the
+  labour of a whole life, the purpose of a long education, for the
+  base service of a sudden appetite, to throw one that loves you,
+  that dotes on you, out of the company and road of all that is
+  virtuous and praiseworthy? Have I taken in all the instructions
+  of piety, religion, and reason, for no other end, but to be the
+  sacrifice of lust, and abandoned to scorn? Assume yourself, my
+  lord, and do not attempt to vitiate a temple sacred to innocence,
+  honour, and religion. If I have injured you, stab this bosom, and
+  let me die, but not be ruined by the hand I love." The ardency of
+  my passion made me incapable of uttering more; and I saw my lover
+  astonished and reformed by my behaviour: when rushed in
+  Sempronia. "Ha! Faithless, base man, could you then steal out of
+  town, and lurk like a robber about my house for such brutish
+  purposes?" My lord was by this time recovered, and fell into a
+  violent laughter at the turn which Sempronia designed to give her
+  villany. He bowed to me with the utmost respect: "Mrs. Distaff,"
+  said he, "be careful hereafter of your company"; and so retired.
+  The fiend Sempronia congratulated my deliverance with a flood of
+  tears. This nobleman has since very frequently made his addresses
+  to me with honour, but I have as often refused them; as well
+  knowing, that familiarity and marriage will make him, on some
+  ill-natured occasion, call all I said in the arbour a theatrical
+  action. Besides that, I glory in contemning a man who had
+  thoughts to my dishonour. And if this method were the imitation
+  of the whole sex, innocence would be the only dress of beauty;
+  and all affectation by any other arts to please the eyes of men,
+  would be banished to the stews for ever. The conquest of passion
+  gives ten times more happiness than we can reap from the
+  gratification of it; and she that has got over <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page276' title='276' id="page276"></a>such a one as mine,
+  will stand among beaux and pretty fellows, with as much safety as
+  in a summer's day among grasshoppers and butterflies.</p>
+
+  <p>P.S.&#8212;I have ten millions of things more against men, if
+  I ever get the pen again.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 24.</h3>
+
+  <p>Our last advices from the Hague, dated the 28th instant, say,
+  that on the 25th a squadron of Dutch men-of-war sailed out of the
+  Texel to join Admiral Baker at Spithead. The 26th was observed as
+  a day of fasting and humiliation, to implore a blessing on the
+  arms of the Allies this ensuing campaign. Letters from Dresden
+  are very particular in the account of the gallantry and
+  magnificence in which that Court has appeared since the arrival
+  of the King of Denmark. No day has passed in which public shows
+  have not been exhibited for his entertainment and diversion: the
+  last of that kind which is mentioned is a carousal, wherein many
+  of the youth of the first quality, dressed in the most splendid
+  manner, ran for the prize. His Danish Majesty condescended to the
+  same; but having observed that there was a design laid to throw
+  it in his way, passed by without attempting to gain it. The Court
+  of Dresden was preparing to accompany his Danish Majesty to
+  Potsdam, where the expectation of an interview of three kings had
+  drawn together such multitudes of people, that many persons of
+  distinction will be obliged to lie in tents as long as those
+  Courts continue in that place.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag335'>[335]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote335' id="footnote335"></a>See No. 31.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag336'>[336]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote336' id="footnote336"></a>See Sallust,
+      "Bell. Catal." chap. 21. The person here referred to as
+      Sempronia is said to be the same as the Madam d'Epingle
+      elsewhere alluded to.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page277' title='277' id=
+    "page277"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number34' id="number34"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 34.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, June 25</i>, to <i>Tuesday, June 28,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>Having taken upon me to cure all the distempers which proceed
+  from affections of the mind, I have laboured since I first kept
+  this public stage, to do all the good I could possibly, and have
+  perfected many cures at my own lodging; carefully avoiding the
+  common method of mountebanks, to do their most eminent operations
+  in sight of the people; but must be so just to my patients as to
+  declare, they have testified under their hands their sense of my
+  poor abilities, and the good I have done them, which I publish
+  for the benefit of the world, and not out of any thoughts of
+  private advantage. I have cured fine Mrs. Spy of a great
+  imperfection in her eyes, which made her eternally rolling them
+  from one coxcomb to another in public places, in so languishing a
+  manner, that it at once lessened her own power, and her
+  beholder's vanity. Twenty drops of my ink, placed in certain
+  letters on which she attentively looked for half an hour, have
+  restored her to the true use of her sight; which is, to guide,
+  and not mislead us. Ever since she took this liquor, which I call
+  Bickerstaff's Circumspection Water, she looks right forward, and
+  can bear being looked at for half a day without returning one
+  glance. This water has a peculiar virtue in it, which makes it
+  the only true cosmetic or beauty wash in the world: the nature of
+  it is such, that if you go to a glass, with design to admire your
+  face, it immediately changes it into downright deformity. If you
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page278' title='278' id=
+  "page278"></a>consult it only to look with a better countenance
+  upon your friends, it immediately gives an alacrity to the
+  visage, and new grace to the whole person. There is indeed a
+  great deal owing to the constitution of the person to whom it is
+  applied: it is in vain to give it when the patient is in the rage
+  of the distemper; a bride in her first month, a lady soon after
+  her husband's being knighted, or any person of either sex who has
+  lately obtained any new good fortune or preferment, must be
+  prepared some time before they use it. It has an effect upon
+  others, as well as the patient, when it is taken in due form.
+  Lady Petulant has by the use of it cured her husband of jealousy,
+  and Lady Gad her whole neighbourhood of detraction. The fame of
+  these things, added to my being an old fellow, makes me extremely
+  acceptable to the fair sex. You would hardly believe me, when I
+  tell you there is not a man in town so much their delight as
+  myself. They make no more of visiting me, than going to Madam
+  d'Epingle's.<a name='fntag337' id="fntag337"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote337'><sup>337</sup></a> There were two of them,
+  namely, Damia and Clidamira (I assure you women of distinction)
+  who came to see me this morning in their way to prayers, and
+  being in a very diverting humour as (innocence always makes
+  people cheerful) they would needs have me, according to the
+  distinction of "pretty" and "very pretty" fellows, inform them if
+  I thought either of them had a title to the "very pretty" among
+  those of their own sex; and if I did, which was the more
+  deserving of the two. To put them to the trial, "Look ye," said
+  I, "I must not rashly give my judgment in matters of this
+  importance; pray let me see you dance: I play upon the
+  kit."<a name='fntag338' id="fntag338"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote338'><sup>338</sup></a> They immediately fell back to
+  the lower end of the room (you may be sure they curtsied low
+  enough to me): and began. Never <a class="pagenum" name='page279'
+  title='279' id="page279"></a>were two in the world so equally
+  matched, and both scholars to my namesake Isaac.<a name=
+  'fntag339' id="fntag339"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote339'><sup>339</sup></a> Never was man in so dangerous a
+  condition as myself, when they began to expand their charms. "O!
+  ladies, ladies," cried I, "not half that air, you'll fire the
+  house." Both smiled; for by-the bye, there's no carrying a
+  metaphor too far, when a lady's charms are spoken of. Somebody, I
+  think, has called a fine woman dancing, a brandished torch of
+  beauty.<a name='fntag340' id="fntag340"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote340'><sup>340</sup></a> These rivals moved with such an
+  agreeable freedom, that you would believe their gesture was the
+  necessary effect of the music, and not the product of skill and
+  practice. Now Clidamira came on with a crowd of graces, and
+  demanded my judgment with so sweet an air&#8212;and she had no
+  sooner carried it, but Damia made her utterly forgot by a gentle
+  sinking, and a rigadoon step.<a name='fntag341' id=
+  "fntag341"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote341'><sup>341</sup></a> The contest held a full
+  half-hour; and I protest, I saw no manner of difference in their
+  perfections, till they came up together, and expected my
+  sentence. "Look ye, ladies," said I, "I see no difference in the
+  least in your performance; but you Clidamira seem to be so well
+  satisfied that I shall determine for you, that I must give it to
+  Damia, who stands with so much diffidence and fear, after showing
+  an equal merit to what she pretends to. Therefore, Clidamira, you
+  are a 'pretty'; but, Damia, you are a 'very pretty' lady. For,"
+  said I, "beauty loses its force, if not accompanied with modesty.
+  She that has a humble opinion of herself, will have everybody's
+  applause, because she does not expect it; while the vain creature
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page280' title='280' id=
+  "page280"></a>loses approbation through too great a sense of
+  deserving it."</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>Being of a very spare and hective constitution, I am forced to
+  make frequent journeys of a mile or two for fresh air; and indeed
+  by this last, which was no further than the village of Chelsea, I
+  am farther convinced of the necessity of travelling to know the
+  world. For as it is usual with young voyagers, as soon as they
+  land upon a shore, to begin their accounts of the nature of the
+  people, their soil, their government, their inclinations, and
+  their passions, so really I fancied I could give you an immediate
+  description of this village, from the Five Fields,<a name=
+  'fntag342' id="fntag342"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote342'><sup>342</sup></a> where the robbers lie in wait,
+  to the coffee-house where the <i>literati</i> sit in council. A
+  great ancestor of ours by the mother's side, Mr. Justice Overdo
+  (whose history is written by Ben Jonson),<a name='fntag343' id=
+  "fntag343"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote343'><sup>343</sup></a> met with more enormities by
+  walking <i>incog.</i> than he was capable of correcting; and
+  found great mortifications in observing also persons of eminence,
+  whom he before knew nothing of. Thus it fared with me, even in a
+  place so near the town as this. When I came into the
+  coffee-house,<a name='fntag344' id="fntag344"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote344'><sup>344</sup></a> I had not time to salute
+  the company, before <a class="pagenum" name='page281' title='281'
+  id="page281"></a>my eye was diverted by ten thousand gimcracks
+  round the room and on the ceiling. When my first astonishment was
+  over, comes to me a sage of a thin and meagre countenance; which
+  aspect made me doubt, whether reading or fretting had made it so
+  philosophic: but I very soon perceived him to be of that sect
+  which the ancients call Gingivist�,<a name='fntag345' id=
+  "fntag345"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote345'><sup>345</sup></a> in our language, tooth-drawers.
+  I immediately had a respect for the man; for these practical
+  philosophers go upon a very rational hypothesis, not to cure, but
+  take away the part affected. My love of mankind made me very
+  benevolent to Mr. Salter, for such is the name of this eminent
+  barber and antiquary. Men are usually, but unjustly,
+  distinguished rather by their fortunes, than their talents,
+  otherwise this personage would make a great figure in that class
+  of men which I distinguish under the title of Odd Fellows. But it
+  is the misfortune of persons of great genius, to have their
+  faculties dissipated by attention to too many things at once. Mr.
+  Salter is an instance of this: if he would wholly give himself up
+  to the string,<a name='fntag346' id="fntag346"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote346'><sup>346</sup></a> instead of playing twenty
+  beginnings to tunes, he might before he dies play "Roger de
+  Caubly"<a name='fntag347' id="fntag347"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote347'><sup>347</sup></a> quite out. I heard him go
+  through his whole round, and indeed I think he does play the
+  "Merry Christ-Church Bells"<a name='fntag348' id=
+  "fntag348"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote348'><sup>348</sup></a> pretty justly; but he confessed
+  to me, he did that rather to show he was orthodox, than that he
+  valued himself upon the music itself. Or if he did proceed in his
+  anatomy, why might not he hope in time to cut off legs, as well
+  as draw teeth? The particularity of this man put me into a deep
+  thought, whence it should proceed, that of all the lower order
+  barbers should <a class="pagenum" name='page282' title='282' id=
+  "page282"></a>go farther in hitting the ridiculous, than any
+  other set of men. Watermen brawl, cobblers sing; but why must a
+  barber be for ever a politician, a musician, an anatomist, a
+  poet, and a physician? The learned Vossus says,<a name='fntag349'
+  id="fntag349"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote349'><sup>349</sup></a> his barber used to comb his
+  head in iambics. And indeed in all ages, one of this useful
+  profession, this order of cosmetic philosophers, has been
+  celebrated by the most eminent hands. You see the barber in "Don
+  Quixote,"<a name='fntag350' id="fntag350"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote350'><sup>350</sup></a> is one of the principal
+  characters in the history, which gave me satisfaction in the
+  doubt, why Don Saltero writ his name with a Spanish termination:
+  for he is descended in a right line, not from John
+  Tradescant,<a name='fntag351' id="fntag351"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote351'><sup>351</sup></a> as he himself asserts, but
+  from that memorable companion of the Knight of Mancha. And I
+  hereby certify all the worthy citizens who travel to see his
+  rarities, that his double-barrelled pistols, targets, coats of
+  mail, his sclopeta,<a name='fntag352' id="fntag352"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote352'><sup>352</sup></a> and sword of
+  Toledo,<a name='fntag353' id="fntag353"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote353'><sup>353</sup></a> were left to his ancestor by
+  the said Don Quixote, and by the said ancestor to all his progeny
+  down to Don Saltero. Though I go thus far in favour of Don
+  Saltero's great merit, I cannot allow a liberty he takes of
+  imposing several names (without my licence) on the collections he
+  has made, to the abuse of the good people of England; one of
+  which is particularly calculated to deceive religious persons, to
+  the great scandal of the well disposed, and may introduce
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page283' title='283' id=
+  "page283"></a>heterodox opinions. He shows you a straw hat, which
+  I know to be made by Madge Peskad, within three miles of Bedford;
+  and tells you, it is Pontius Pilate's wife's chamber-maid's
+  sister's hat. To my knowledge of this very hat, it may be added,
+  that the covering of straw was never used among the Jews, since
+  it was demanded of them to make bricks without it. Therefore this
+  is really nothing, but under the specious pretence of learning
+  and antiquity, to impose upon the world. There are other things
+  which I cannot tolerate among his rarities; as, the china figure
+  of a lady in the glass case; the Italian engine for the
+  imprisonment of those who go abroad with it: both which I hereby
+  order to be taken down, or else he may expect to have his letters
+  patents for making punch superseded, be debarred wearing his muff
+  next winter, or ever coming to London without his wife.<a name=
+  'fntag354' id="fntag354"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote354'><sup>354</sup></a> It may perhaps be thought I
+  have dwelt too long upon the affairs of this operator; but I
+  desire the reader to remember, that it is my way to consider men
+  as they stand in merit, and not according to their fortune or
+  figure; and if he is in a coffee-house at the reading hereof, let
+  him look round, and he will find there may be more characters
+  drawn in this account than that of Don Saltero; for half the
+  politicians about him, he may observe, are, by their place in
+  nature, of the class of tooth-drawers.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag337'>[337]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote337' id="footnote337"></a>See p. 273,
+      note.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag338'>[338]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote338' id="footnote338"></a>A small violin
+      or fiddle. See No. 160.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag339'>[339]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote339' id="footnote339"></a>A
+      dancing-master, who either was French, or pretended to be so.
+      See No. 109.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag340'>[340]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote340' id="footnote340"></a>A song of
+      Waller's begins:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Behold the brand of beauty tost!
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            See, how the motion doth dilate the flame!"
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line right">
+            (Dobson).
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag341'>[341]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote341' id="footnote341"></a>The rigadoon
+      was a dance for two persons. Cf. <i>Guardian</i>, No. 154: "We danced a rigadoon
+      together."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag342'>[342]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote342' id="footnote342"></a>On the site of
+      Eaton and Belgrave Squares. See <i>Spectator</i>, No. 137:
+      "The Five Fields towards Chelsea."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag343'>[343]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote343' id="footnote343"></a>In "Bartholomew
+      Fair," act ii. sc. i. Overdo went to the Fair in disguise,
+      and being mistaken for a cutpurse, was well beaten.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag344'>[344]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote344' id="footnote344"></a>Salter, a
+      barber, opened a coffee-house in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, in
+      1695. Sir Harry Sloane, whose servant he had been, gave him
+      some curiosities to start a museum. Others, including Admiral
+      Munden and his fellow-officers, added to the collection, and
+      the first catalogue appeared in 1729. The more startling
+      curiosities were, of course, not genuine. The remains of the
+      collection were sold in 1799 for about �50. A view of
+      Salter's house will be found in Timbs' "Clubs and Club Life
+      in London." Verses of a more or less coarse nature by Don
+      Saltero appeared not unfrequently in the "British Apollo," in
+      1709.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag345'>[345]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote345' id="footnote345"></a>From "gingiva,"
+      the gum.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag346'>[346]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote346' id="footnote346"></a>Salter played
+      very badly on the fiddle.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag347'>[347]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote347' id="footnote347"></a>"Sir Roger de
+      Coverley," the famous country-dance tune.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag348'>[348]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote348' id="footnote348"></a>By Dr. Henry
+      Aldrich, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, where Steele
+      matriculated.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag349'>[349]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote349' id="footnote349"></a>"De Poematum
+      cantu, et viribus Rythmi," 1673.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag350'>[350]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote350' id="footnote350"></a>Master
+      Nicholas. See "Don Quixote," chap. v.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag351'>[351]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote351' id="footnote351"></a>There were two
+      John Tradescants (father and son) who collected objects of
+      natural history. Their collection formed the foundation of
+      the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford. The "Museum Tradescantianum:
+      or, A Collection of Rarities preserved at South Lambeth, near
+      London, by John Tradescant," contains interesting portraits
+      of both John Tradescant, senior, and John Tradescant, junior,
+      as well as a plate of the Tradescant arms.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag352'>[352]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote352' id="footnote352"></a>A sclopeta or
+      sclopetta was a hand-gun used by Spaniards.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag353'>[353]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote353' id="footnote353"></a>Toledo was
+      famous for its sword-blades.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag354'>[354]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote354' id="footnote354"></a>Salter had an
+      old grey muff, which he clapped constantly to his nose, and
+      by which he was distinguishable at the distance of a quarter
+      of a mile. His wife was none of the best, being much addicted
+      to scolding.-(Nichols.)</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page284' title='284' id=
+    "page284"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number35' id="number35"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 35.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, June 28</i>, to <i>Thursday, June 30</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, June 28.</h3>
+
+  <p>There is a habit or custom which I have put my patience to the
+  utmost stretch to have suffered so long, because several of my
+  intimate friends are in the guilt; and that is, the humour of
+  taking snuff, and looking dirty about the mouth by way of
+  ornament. My method is to dive to the bottom of a sore before I
+  pretend to apply a remedy. For this reason, I sat by an eminent
+  story-teller and politician who takes half an ounce in five
+  seconds, and has mortgaged a pretty tenement near the town,
+  merely to improve and dung his brains with this prolific powder.
+  I observed this gentleman the other day in the midst of a story
+  diverted from it by looking at something at a distance, and I
+  softly hid his box. But he returns to his tale, and looking for
+  his box, he cries, "And so, sir&#8212;" Then when he should have
+  taken a pinch, "As I was saying," says he&#8212;"Has nobody seen
+  my box?" His friend beseeches him to finish his narration. Then
+  he proceeds, "And so, sir&#8212;Where can my box be?" Then,
+  turning to me, "Pray, sir, did you see my box?" "Yes, sir," said
+  I, "I took it to see how long you could live without it." He
+  resumes his tale; and I took notice, that his dulness was much
+  more regular and fluent than before. A pinch supplied the place
+  of, "As I was saying," "And so, sir"; and he went on currently
+  enough in that style which the learned call the insipid. This
+  observation easily led me into a philosophic reason for taking
+  snuff, which is done only to supply with sensations the want of
+  reflection. This I take <a class="pagenum" name='page285' title=
+  '285' id="page285"></a>to be an <span lang="el" title="Heur�ka"
+  xml:lang=
+  "el">&#7965;&#965;&#961;&#951;&#954;&#945;</span>,
+  a nostrum; upon which I hope to receive the thanks of this board.
+  For as it is natural to lift a man's hand to a sore, when you
+  fear anything coming at you; so when a person feels his thoughts
+  are run out, and has no more to say, it is as natural to supply
+  his weak brain with powder at the nearest place of access, viz.,
+  the nostrils. This is so evident, that nature suggests the use
+  according to the indigence of the persons who use this medicine,
+  without being prepossessed with the force of fashion or custom.
+  For example; the native Hibernians, who are reckoned not much
+  unlike the ancient B&#339;otians, take this specific for
+  emptiness in the head, in greater abundance than any other nation
+  under the sun. The learned Sotus, as sparing as he is in his
+  words, would be still more silent if it were not for this powder.
+  But however low and poor the taking snuff argues a man to be in
+  his own stock of thought, or means to employ his brains and his
+  fingers, yet there is a poorer creature in the world than he, and
+  this is a borrower of snuff; a fellow that keeps no box of his
+  own, but is always asking others for a pinch. Such poor rogues
+  put me always in mind of a common phrase among schoolboys when
+  they are composing their exercise, who run to an upper scholar,
+  and cry, "Pray give me a little sense." But of all things,
+  commend me to the ladies who are got into this pretty help to
+  discourse.<a name='fntag355' id="fntag355"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote355'><sup>355</sup></a> I have been this three
+  years persuading Sagissa<a name='fntag356' id=
+  "fntag356"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote356'><sup>356</sup></a> to leave it off; but she talks
+  so much, and is so learned, that she is above contradiction.
+  However, an <a class="pagenum" name='page286' title='286' id=
+  "page286"></a>accident the other day brought that about, which my
+  eloquence never could accomplish: she had a very pretty fellow in
+  her closet, who ran thither to avoid some company that came to
+  visit her. She made an excuse to go in to him for some implement
+  they were talking of. Her eager gallant snatched a kiss; but
+  being unused to snuff, some grains from off her upper lip made
+  him sneeze aloud, which alarmed the visitants, and has made a
+  discovery, that profound reading, very much intelligence, and a
+  general knowledge of who and who's together, cannot fill up her
+  vacant hours so much, but that she is sometimes obliged to
+  descend to entertainments less intellectual.</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>I know no manner of news for this place, but that Cynthio,
+  having been long in despair for the inexorable Clarissa, lately
+  resolved to fall in love the good old way of bargain and sale,
+  and has pitched upon a very agreeable young woman.<a name=
+  'fntag357' id="fntag357"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote357'><sup>357</sup></a> He will undoubtedly succeed;
+  for he accosts her in a strain of familiarity, without breaking
+  through the deference that is due to woman whom a man would
+  choose for his life. I have hardly ever heard rough truth spoken
+  with a better grace than in this his letter.<a name='fntag358'
+  id="fntag358"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote358'><sup>358</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>"I writ to you on Saturday by Mrs. Lucy, and give you this
+  trouble to urge the same request I made then, which was, that I
+  may be admitted to wait upon you. I <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page287' title='287' id="page287"></a>should be very far from
+  desiring this, if it were a transgression of the most severe
+  rules to allow it: I know you are very much above the little arts
+  which are frequent in your sex, of giving unnecessary torments to
+  their admirers; therefore hope, you'll do so much justice to the
+  generous passion I have for you, as to let me have an opportunity
+  of acquainting you upon what motives I pretend to your good
+  opinion. I shall not trouble you with my sentiments, till I know
+  how they will be received; and as I know no reason why difference
+  of sex should make our language to each other differ from the
+  ordinary rules of right reason, I shall affect plainness and
+  sincerity in my discourse to you, as much as other lovers do
+  perplexity and rapture. Instead of saying, 'I shall die for you,'
+  I profess I should be glad to lead my life with you: you are as
+  beautiful, as witty, as prudent, and as good-humoured, as any
+  woman breathing; but I must confess to you, I regard all these
+  excellences as you will please to direct them, for my happiness
+  or misery. With me, madam, the only lasting motive to love is the
+  hope of its becoming mutual. I beg of you to let Mrs. Lucy send
+  me word when I may attend you. I promise you, I'll talk of
+  nothing but indifferent things; though at the same time I know
+  not how I shall approach you in the tender moment of first seeing
+  you, after this declaration, of,</p>
+
+  <p>"Madam,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most obedient,</p>
+
+  <p>"And most faithful</p>
+
+  <p>"Humble Servant, &amp;c."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page288' title='288' id=
+  "page288"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, June 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>Having taken a resolution when plays are acted next winter by
+  an entire good company, to publish observations from time to time
+  on the performance of the actors, I think it but just to give an
+  abstract of the law of action, for the help of the less learned
+  part of the audience, that they may rationally enjoy so refined
+  and instructive a pleasure as a just representation of human
+  life. The great errors in playing are admirably well exposed in
+  Hamlet's direction to the actors<a name='fntag359' id=
+  "fntag359"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote359'><sup>359</sup></a> who are to play in his supposed
+  tragedy; by which we shall form our future judgments on their
+  behaviour, and for that reason you have the discourse as
+  follows:</p>
+
+  <p>"Speak the speech as I pronounce it to you, trippingly on the
+  tongue; but if you mouth it, as many of our players do, I had as
+  lieve the town-crier had spoke my lines: nor do not saw the air
+  too much with your hand thus; but use all gently: for in the very
+  torrent, tempest, and, as I may say, the whirlwind of passion,
+  you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it
+  smoothness. Oh! it offends me to the soul, to see a robustious
+  periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to
+  split the ears of the groundlings, who (for the most part) are
+  capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and noise. I could
+  have such a fellow whipped for overdoing termagant: it out-Herods
+  Herod. Be not too tame neither; but let your own discretion be
+  your tutor: suit the action to the word, the word to the action;
+  with this special observance, that you overstep not the modesty
+  of nature; for anything so overdone, is from the purpose of
+  playing, whose end, both at the first and now, was, and is, to
+  hold as it were the mirror up to Nature; to show Virtue her own
+  feature; <a class="pagenum" name='page289' title='289' id=
+  "page289"></a>scorn her own image; and the very age and body of
+  the time its form and pressure. Now this overdone, or come tardy
+  off, though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the
+  judicious grieve. The censures of which one, must, in your
+  allowance, oversway a whole theatre of others. Oh! there be
+  players, that I have seen play, and heard others praise, and that
+  highly (not to speak it profanely), that neither having the
+  accent of Christian, Pagan, or Norman, have so strutted and
+  bellowed, that I have thought some of Nature's journeymen had
+  made men, and not made them well, they imitated humanity so
+  abominably. This should be reformed altogether; and let those
+  that play your clowns, speak no more than is set down for them:
+  for there be of them that will of themselves laugh, to set on
+  some quantity of barren spectators to laugh too; though in the
+  meantime, some necessary question of the play be then to be
+  considered; that is villanous, and shows a most pitiful ambition
+  in the fool that uses it."</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, June 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>It would be a very great obligation, and an assistance to my
+  treatise upon Punning,<a name='fntag360' id=
+  "fntag360"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote360'><sup>360</sup></a> if any one would please to
+  inform in what class, among the learned who play with words, to
+  place the author of the following letter.<a name='fntag361' id=
+  "fntag361"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote361'><sup>361</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"Sir,</p>
+
+  <p>"Not long since you were pleased to give us a chimerical
+  account of the famous family of Staffs,<a name='fntag362' id=
+  "fntag362"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote362'><sup>362</sup></a> from whence I suppose you would
+  insinuate, that it is the most ancient and numerous house in all
+  Europe. But I positively deny that it is either; and wonder much
+  at your audacious pro<a class="pagenum" name='page290' title=
+  '290' id="page290"></a>ceedings in this matter, since it is well
+  known, that our most illustrious, most renowned, and most
+  celebrated Roman family of Ix, has enjoyed the precedency to all
+  others from the reign of good old Saturn. I could say much to the
+  defamation and disgrace of your family; as, that your relations
+  Distaff and Broomstaff were both inconsiderate mean persons, one
+  spinning, the other sweeping the streets, for their daily bread.
+  But I forbear to vent my spleen on objects so much beneath my
+  indignation. I shall only give the world a catalogue of my
+  ancestors, and leave them to determine which hath hitherto had,
+  and which for the future ought to have, the preference.</p>
+
+  <p>"First then comes the most famous and popular Lady Meretrix,
+  parent of the fertile family of Bellatrix, Lotrix, Netrix,
+  Nutrix, Obstetrix, Famulatrix, Coctrix, Ornatrix, Sarcinatrix,
+  Fextrix, Balneatrix, Portatrix, Saltatrix, Divinatrix,
+  Conjectrix, Comtrix, Debitrix, Creditrix, Donatrix, Ambulatrix,
+  Mercatrix, Adsectrix, Assectatrix, Palpatrix, Pr�ceptrix,
+  Pistrix.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am yours,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"ELIZ. POTATRIX."</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, June 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from Brussels of the 2nd of July, N.S., say, that the
+  Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene having received advice,
+  that the Marshal Villars had drawn a considerable body out of the
+  garrison of Tournay to reinforce his army, marched towards that
+  place, and came before it early in the morning of the 27th. As
+  soon as they came into that ground, the Prince of Nassau was sent
+  with a strong detachment to take post at St. Amand; and at the
+  same time my Lord Orkney received orders to possess himself of
+  Mortagne; both which were successfully exe<a class="pagenum"
+  name='page291' title='291' id="page291"></a>cuted; whereby we are
+  masters of the Scheldt and the Scarp. Eight men were drawn out of
+  each troop of dragoons and company of foot in the garrison of
+  Tournay, to make up the reinforcement which was ordered to join
+  Marshal Villars; but upon advice that the Allies were marching
+  towards Tournay, they endeavoured to return into the town; but
+  were intercepted by the Earl of Orkney, by whom that whole body
+  was killed or taken. These letters add, that 1200 dragoons (each
+  horseman carrying a foot-soldier behind him) were detached from
+  Mons to throw themselves into Tournay; but upon appearance of a
+  great body of horse of the Allies, retired towards Cond�. We
+  hear, that the garrison does not consist of more than 3500 men.
+  Of the sixty battalions designed to be employed in this siege,
+  seven [<i>sic</i>] are English, viz., two of Guards, and the
+  regiments of Argyle, Temple, Evans and Meredith.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag355'>[355]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote355' id="footnote355"></a>See Nos.
+      79, 140; and
+      Swift's "Journal to Stella," Nov. 3, 1711. A correspondent
+      begged the <i>Spectator</i> (No. 344) to "take notice of an
+      impertinent custom the women, the fine women, have lately
+      fallen into, of taking snuff."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag356'>[356]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote356' id="footnote356"></a>It has been
+      suggested that Steele here alludes to Mrs. De la Rivi�re
+      Manley.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag357'>[357]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote357' id="footnote357"></a>Lord
+      Hinchinbroke married Elizabeth, only daughter of Alexander
+      Popham, Esq. See Nos. <a href="#number1">1</a>, <a href=
+      "#number5">5</a>, <a href="#number22">22</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag358'>[358]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote358' id="footnote358"></a>This was one of
+      Steele's own letters to Miss Scurlock. (See "Correspondence,"
+      1809, vol. i. p. 93.) "Mrs. Lucy" is "Mrs. Warren" in the
+      original.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag359'>[359]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote359' id="footnote359"></a>"Hamlet," act
+      iii. sc. 2.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag360'>[360]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote360' id="footnote360"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number32'>No. 32</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag361'>[361]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote361' id="footnote361"></a>This letter is
+      printed in Scott's edition of Swift's works.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag362'>[362]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote362' id="footnote362"></a>See No. II.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number36' id="number36"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 36.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[?STEELE.<a name='fntag363' id=
+    "fntag363"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote363'><sup>363</sup></a></h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, June 30</i>, to <i>Saturday, July 2</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From our own Apartment, June 30.</h3>
+
+  <p>Many affairs calling my brother into the country, the care of
+  our intelligence with the town is left to me for some time;
+  therefore you must expect the advices you <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page292' title='292' id="page292"></a>meet with in this
+  paper to be such as more immediately and naturally fall under the
+  consideration of our sex: history therefore written by a woman,
+  you will easily imagine to consist of love in all its forms, both
+  in the abuse of, and obedience to that passion. As to the faculty
+  of writing itself, it will not, it is hoped, be demanded, that
+  style and ornament shall be so much consulted, as truth and
+  simplicity; which latter qualities we may more justly pretend to
+  beyond the other sex. While therefore the administration of our
+  affairs is in my hands, you shall from time to time have an exact
+  account of all false lovers, and their shallow pretences for
+  breaking off; of all termagant wives who make wedlock a yoke; of
+  men who affect the entertainments and manners suitable only to
+  our sex, and women who pretend to the conduct of such affairs as
+  are only within the province of men. It is necessary further to
+  advertise the reader, that the usual places of resort being
+  utterly out of my province or observation, I shall be obliged
+  frequently to change the dates of places, as occurrences
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page293' title='293' id=
+  "page293"></a>come into my way. The following letter I lately
+  received from Epsom.<a name='fntag364' id=
+  "fntag364"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote364'><sup>364</sup></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Epsom, June 28.</h3>
+
+  <p>"It is now almost three weeks since what you writ about
+  happened in this place: the quarrel between my friends did not
+  run so high as I find your accounts have made it. The truth of
+  the fact you shall have very faithfully. You are to understand,
+  that the persons concerned in this scene were, Lady Autumn, and
+  Lady Springly:<a name='fntag365' id="fntag365"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote365'><sup>365</sup></a> Autumn is a person of good
+  breeding, formality, and a singular way practised in the last
+  age; and Lady Springly, a modern impertinent of our sex, who
+  affects as improper familiarity, as the other does distance. Lady
+  Autumn knows to a hair's-breadth where her place is in all
+  assemblies and conversations; but Springly neither gives nor
+  takes place of anybody, but understands the place to signify no
+  more, than to have room enough to be at ease wherever <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page294' title='294' id="page294"></a>she comes.
+  Thus while Autumn takes the whole of this life to consist in
+  understanding punctilio and decorum, Springly takes everything to
+  be becoming which contributes to her ease and satisfaction. These
+  heroines have married two brothers, both knights. Springly is the
+  spouse of the elder, who is a baronet; and Autumn, being a rich
+  widow, has taken the younger, and her purse endowed him with an
+  equal fortune and knighthood of the same order. This jumble of
+  titles, you need not doubt, has been an aching torment to Autumn,
+  who took place of the other on no pretence, but her carelessness
+  and disregard of distinction. This secret occasion of envy
+  broiled long in the breast of Autumn; but no opportunity of
+  contention on that subject happening, kept all things quiet till
+  the accident, of which you demand an account.</p>
+
+  <p>"It was given out among all the gay people of this place, that
+  on the 9th instant several damsels, swift of foot, were to run
+  for a suit of head-clothes at the Old Wells. Lady Autumn on this
+  occasion invited Springly to go with her in her coach to see the
+  race. When they came to the place where the governor of Epsom and
+  all his court of citizens were assembled, as well as a crowd of
+  people of all orders, a brisk young fellow addresses himself to
+  the younger of the ladies, viz., Springly, and offers her his
+  service to conduct her into the music-room. Springly accepts the
+  compliment, and is led triumphantly through the bowing crowd,
+  while Autumn is left among the rabble, and has much ado to get
+  back into her coach; but she did it at last: and as it is usual
+  to see by the horses my lady's present disposition, she orders
+  John to whip furiously home to her husband; where, when she
+  enters, down she sits, began to unpin her hood, and lament her
+  foolish fond heart to marry into a family where she was so
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page295' title='295' id=
+  "page295"></a>little regarded, she that might&#8212;Here she
+  stops; then rises up and stamps, and sits down again. Her gentle
+  knight made his approaches with a supple beseeching gesture. 'My
+  dear,' said he&#8212;'Tell me no dears,' replied Autumn; in the
+  presence of the governor and all the merchants; 'What will the
+  world say of a woman that has thrown herself away at this rate?'
+  Sir Thomas withdrew, and knew it would not be long a secret to
+  him; as well as that experience told him, he that marries a
+  fortune, is of course guilty of all faults against his wife, let
+  them be committed by whom they will. But Springly, an hour or two
+  after, returns from the Wells, and finds the whole company
+  together. Down she sat, and a profound silence ensued. You know a
+  premeditated quarrel usually begins and works up with the words,
+  'Some people.' The silence was broken by Lady Autumn, who began
+  to say, 'There are some people who fancy, that if some
+  people&#8212;' Springly immediately takes her up; 'There are some
+  people who fancy, if other people&#8212;' Autumn repartees,
+  'People may give themselves airs; but other people, perhaps, who
+  make less ado, may be, perhaps, as agreeable as people who set
+  themselves out more.' All the other people at the table sat mute,
+  while these two people, who were quarrelling, went on with the
+  use of the word 'people,' instancing the very accidents between
+  them, as if they kept only in distant hints. 'Therefore,' says
+  Autumn, reddening, 'there are some people who will go abroad in
+  other people's coaches, and leave those, with whom they went, to
+  shift for themselves; and if, perhaps, those people have married
+  the younger brother, yet, perhaps, he may be beholden to those
+  people for what he is.' Springly smartly answers, 'People may
+  bring so much ill humour into a family, as people may repent
+  their receiving their money'; and goes <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page296' title='296' id="page296"></a>on&#8212;'Everybody is not
+  considerable enough to give her uneasiness.' Upon this, Autumn
+  comes up to her, and desired her to kiss her, and never to see
+  her again; which her sister refusing, my lady gave her a box on
+  the ear. Springly returns; 'Ay, ay,' said she, 'I knew well
+  enough you meant me by your "some people,"' and gives her another
+  on the other side. To it they went with most masculine fury: each
+  husband ran in. The wives immediately fell upon their husbands,
+  and tore periwigs and cravats. The company interposed; when
+  (according to the slip-knot of matrimony, which makes them return
+  to one another when any put in between) the ladies and their
+  husbands fell upon all the rest of the company; and having beat
+  all their friends and relations out of the house, came to
+  themselves time enough to know, there was no bearing the jest of
+  the place after these adventures, and therefore marched off the
+  next day. It is said, the governor has sent several joints of
+  mutton, and has proposed divers dishes very exquisitely dressed,
+  to bring them down again. From his address and knowledge in roast
+  and boiled, all our hopes of the return of this good company
+  depend. I am,</p>
+
+  <p>"Dear Jenny,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your ready Friend</p>
+
+  <p>"And Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"MARTHA TATLER."</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, June 30.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day appeared here a figure of a person, whose services to
+  the fair sex have reduced him to a kind of existence, for which
+  there is no name. If there be a condition between life and death,
+  without being absolutely <a class="pagenum" name='page297' title=
+  '297' id="page297"></a>dead or living, his state is that. His
+  aspect and complexion in his robust days gave him the illustrious
+  title of Africanus:<a name='fntag366' id="fntag366"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote366'><sup>366</sup></a> but it is not only
+  from the warm climates in which he has served, nor from the
+  disasters which he has suffered, that he deserves the same
+  appellation with that renowned Roman; but the magnanimity with
+  which he appears in his last moments, is what gives him the
+  undoubted character of Hero. Cato stabbed himself, and Hannibal
+  drank poison; but our Africanus lives in the continual puncture
+  of aching bones and poisoned juices. The old heroes fled from
+  torments by death, and this modern lives in death and torments,
+  with a heart wholly bent upon a supply for remaining in them. An
+  ordinary spirit would sink under his oppressions; but he makes an
+  advantage of his very sorrow, and raises an income from his
+  diseases. Long has this worthy been conversant in bartering, and
+  knows, that when stocks are lowest, it is the time to buy.
+  Therefore, with much prudence and tranquillity, he thinks, that
+  now he has not a bone sound, but a thousand nodous parts for
+  which the anatomists have not words, and more diseases than the
+  College ever heard of, it is the only time to purchase an annuity
+  for life. Sir <a class="pagenum" name='page298' title='298' id=
+  "page298"></a>Thomas<a name='fntag367' id=
+  "fntag367"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote367'><sup>367</sup></a> told me, it was an
+  entertainment more surprising and pleasant than can be imagined,
+  to see an inhabitant of neither world without hand to lift, or
+  leg to move, scarce tongue to utter his meaning, so keen upon
+  biting the whole world, and making bubbles at his exit. Sir
+  Thomas added, that he would have bought twelve shillings a year
+  of him, but that he feared there was some trick in it, and
+  believed him already dead: "What!" says that knight, "is Mr.
+  Partridge, whom I met just now going on both his legs firmer than
+  I can, allowed to be quite dead; and shall Africanus, without one
+  limb that can do its office, be pronounced alive?" What
+  heightened the tragi-comedy of this market for annuities was,
+  that the observation of it provoked Monoculus<a name='fntag368'
+  id="fntag368"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote368'><sup>368</sup></a> (who is the most eloquent of
+  all men) to many excellent reflections, which he spoke with the
+  vehemence and language both of a gamester and an orator. "When I
+  cast," said that delightful speaker, "my eye upon thee, thou
+  unaccountable Africanus, I cannot but call myself as
+  unaccountable as thou art; for certainly we were born to show
+  what contradictions nature is pleased to form in the same
+  species. Here am I, able to eat, to drink, to sleep, and do all
+  acts of nature, except begetting my like; and yet by an
+  unintelligible force of spleen and fancy, I every moment imagine
+  I am dying. It is utter madness in thee to provide for supper;
+  for I'll bet you ten to one, you don't live till half an hour
+  after four; and yet I am so distracted as to be in fear every
+  moment, though I'll lay ten to three, I drink three pints of
+  burnt claret at your funeral three nights hence. After all, I
+  envy thee; thou who dying hast no sense of death, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page299' title='299' id="page299"></a>art happier
+  than one in health that<a name='fntag369' id=
+  "fntag369"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote369'><sup>369</sup></a> always fears it." The knight
+  had gone on, but that a third man ended the scene by applauding
+  the knight's eloquence and philosophy, in a laughter too violent
+  for his own constitution, as much as he mocked that of Africanus
+  and Monoculus.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 1.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day arrived three mails from Holland, with advices
+  relating to the posture of affairs in the Low Countries, which
+  say, that the Confederate army extends from Luchin, on the
+  causeway between Tournay and Lisle, to Epain near Mortagne on the
+  Scheldt. The Marshal Villars remains in his camp at Lens; but it
+  is said, he detached ten thousand men under the command of the
+  Chevalier de Luxembourg, with orders to form a camp at Crepin on
+  the Haine, between Cond� and St. Guillain, where he is to be
+  joined by the Elector of Bavaria with a body of troops, and after
+  their conjunction, to attempt to march into Brabant. But they
+  write from Brussels, that the Duke of Marlborough having it
+  equally in his power to make detachments to the same parts, they
+  are under no apprehensions from these reports for the safety of
+  their country. They further add from Brussels, that they have
+  good authority for believing that the French troops under the
+  conduct of Marshal de Bezons are retiring out of Spain.<a name=
+  'fntag370' id="fntag370"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote370'><sup>370</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag363'>[363]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote363' id="footnote363"></a>Nichols argued
+      that this and the two following numbers were by Addison. (1)
+      At the end of <a href='#number37'>No. 37</a> there is a list
+      of errata for the preceding number. It was Addison's frequent
+      practice to make verbal alterations in a preceding paper, and
+      this Steele never did, except in rare cases, or where there
+      was a positive mistake. (2) All the three papers are
+      <i>superscribed</i>, as Addison's often were, and appear upon
+      the face of them, to be of the nature, and in the number of
+      those, for which Steele stood sponsor, and was very patiently
+      traduced and calumniated, as he acknowledges to Congreve, in
+      the Dedication prefixed to "The Drummer." There is nothing in
+      the style or manner of any of the three that appears
+      incongruous with such a supposition; and the nature of their
+      principal contents seems to support it. They consist chiefly
+      of pleasantries and oblique strokes, apparently on persons of
+      fashion, in that age, of both sexes. It appears from the
+      Dedication to "The Drummer," that Steele had Addison's direct
+      injunctions to hide papers which he never did declare to be
+      Addison's. The case, in short, seems to be, that as, as
+      Steele says, there are communications in the course of this
+      work, which Addison's modesty, so there are likewise others,
+      which Addison's prudence, "would never have admitted to come
+      into daylight, but under such a shelter." According to the
+      usual rule where there is uncertainty, Steele's name is
+      placed at the head of the papers in this edition. Probably he
+      was responsible in any case for part of the contents of each
+      of these numbers.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag364'>[364]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote364' id="footnote364"></a>Epsom was
+      frequented for its mineral waters, and was also a favourite
+      holiday resort. "At the Crown Coffee-house, behind the Royal
+      Exchange, fresh Epsom water, with the rest of the purging
+      waters, at 2d. per quart, and sold both winter and summer,
+      and Epsom salt." (See "British Apollo," vol. iii. <a href=
+      '#number15'>No. 15</a>, 1710, and "Post Man," June 11, 1700.)
+      "The New Wells at Epsom, with variety of raffling-shops, a
+      billiard-table, and a bowling-green, and attended with a new
+      set of music, are now open," &amp;c. (<i>Flying Post</i>,
+      Aug. 4-6, 1709.) The new Wells were opened on Easter Monday,
+      1709 (<i>Daily Courant</i>, April 23, 1709). We can form some
+      idea of Epsom some years before, with its wells and
+      bowling-green, from Shadwell's play, "Epsom Wells," 1673. See
+      also <a href='#number7'>No. 7</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag365'>[365]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote365' id="footnote365"></a>On July 8,
+      1709, Peter Wentworth wrote to Lord Raby: "I have not sent
+      you the <i>Tatler</i> of last Saturday, because I was told
+      'twas dull, but that persons judgement I shall take no more;
+      for having since read it I think it diverting enough, the
+      news from Epsom is almost matter of fact, wch makes the jest
+      the better; the Ladys are city ladys, named Turners"
+      ("Wentworth Papers," p. 93). This is confirmed by the MS.
+      annotator mentioned in <a href='#number4'>No. 4</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag366'>[366]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote366' id="footnote366"></a>"I like the
+      description of Africanus, wch is Sir Scipio Hill ... Sir
+      Scipio Hill with his new project of getting money occasions
+      some diversion and talk at White's. You may have heard for
+      this long while he was dieing of the &#8212;&#8212;; he now
+      come abroad and look a divel, or at least a sad <i>memento
+      mori</i>. He gives forescore guineas to receive ten guineas a
+      quarter for his life, Sir James of the Peak is his agent, and
+      runs about offering it all that will take. Boscowen has took
+      it, and two or three more, who are of opinion he will not
+      live a month. Those he had made his heirs does not approve of
+      this whim, for he's resolved to dispose of all his ready
+      money this way if he can find substantial fools enough to
+      take it; but the crack begins to run as if he may live a
+      great while for all he looks so ill, for he has recovered his
+      voice to a miracle" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, July 1 and
+      8, 1709; "Wentworth Papers," pp. 92-3).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag367'>[367]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote367' id="footnote367"></a>The waiter. See
+      <a href='#number16'>No. 16</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag368'>[368]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote368' id="footnote368"></a>Said to be Sir
+      Humphrey Monoux, Bart., who was elected M.P. for Tavistock in
+      1728, and for Stockbridge in 1734. He succeeded to the
+      baronetage in 1707, and died without issue in 1757.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag369'>[369]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote369' id="footnote369"></a>"Thou that hast
+      no sense of death, art happier than one that" (folio; altered
+      in Errata in <a href='#number37'>No. 37</a>).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag370'>[370]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote370' id="footnote370"></a>"This paper,
+      with a blank leaf to write business on, may be had of J.
+      Morphew, near Stationers'-hall" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page300' title='300' id=
+    "page300"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number37' id="number37"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 37.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[?STEELE.<a name='fntag371' id=
+    "fntag371"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote371'><sup>371</sup></a></h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, July 2</i>, to <i>Tuesday, July 5</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 2.</h3>
+
+  <p>It may be thought very unaccountable, that I,<a name=
+  'fntag372' id="fntag372"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote372'><sup>372</sup></a> who can never be supposed to go
+  to White's, should pretend to talk to you of matters proper for,
+  or in the style of, that place. But though I do not go to these
+  public haunts, I receive visits from those who do; and for all
+  they pretend so much to the contrary, they are as talkative as
+  our sex, and as much at a loss to entertain the present company,
+  without sacrificing the last, as we ourselves. This reflection
+  has led me into the consideration of the use of speech; and made
+  me look over in my memory all my acquaintance of both sexes, to
+  know to which I may more justly impute the sin of superfluous
+  discourse, with regard to conversation, and not entering into it
+  as it respects religion. I foresee my acquaintance will
+  immediately, upon starting this subject, ask me, how I shall
+  celebrate Mrs. Alse Copswood,<a name='fntag373' id=
+  "fntag373"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote373'><sup>373</sup></a> the Yorkshire huntress, who is
+  come to town lately, and moves as if she were on her nag, and
+  going to take a five-bar gate; and is as loud as if she were
+  following her dogs. I can easily answer that; for she is as soft
+  as Damon, in comparison of her brother-in-law Tom
+  Bellfrey,<a name='fntag374' id="fntag374"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote374'><sup>374</sup></a> who is the most accomplished
+  man in this kingdom for all gentlemanlike activities and
+  accomplishments. It <a class="pagenum" name='page301' title='301'
+  id="page301"></a>is allowed, that he is a professed enemy to the
+  Italian performers in music. But then for our own native manner,
+  according to the customs and known usages of our island, he is to
+  be preferred, for the generality of the pleasure he bestows, much
+  above those fellows,<a name='fntag375' id=
+  "fntag375"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote375'><sup>375</sup></a> though they sing to full
+  theatres. For what is a theatrical voice to that of a fox-hunter?
+  I have been at a musical entertainment in an open field, where it
+  amazed me to hear to what pitches the chief masters would reach.
+  There was a meeting near our seat in Staffordshire, and the most
+  eminent of all the counties of England were at it. How wonderful
+  was the harmony between men and dogs! Robin Cartail of Bucks was
+  to answer to Jowler; Mr. Tinbreast of Cornwall was appointed to
+  open with Sweetlips, and Beau Slimber, a Londoner, undertook to
+  keep up with Trips, a whelp just set in: Tom Bellfrey and
+  Ringwood were coupled together, to fill the cry on all occasions,
+  and be in at the death of the fox, hare, or stag; for which both
+  the dog and the man were excellently suited, and loved one
+  another, and were as much together as Banister and King. When
+  Jowler first alarmed the field, Cartail repeated every note;
+  Sweetlips' treble succeeded, and shook the wood; Tinbreast echoed
+  a quarter of a mile beyond it. We were soon after all at a loss,
+  till we rid up, and found Trips and Slimber at a default in
+  half-notes: but the day and the tune was recovered by Tom
+  Bellfrey and Ringwood, to the great joy of us all, though they
+  drowned every other voice: for Bellfrey carries a note four
+  furlongs, three rood, and six paces, farther than any other in
+  England. But I fear the mention of this will be thought a
+  digression from my purpose about speech: but I answer, No. Since
+  this is used where speech rather should be employed, it may come
+  into con<a class="pagenum" name='page302' title='302' id=
+  "page302"></a>sideration in the same chapter: for Mr. Bellfrey
+  being at a visit where I was, viz., his cousin's (Lady Dainty's)
+  in Soho, was asked, what entertainments they had in the country?
+  Now Bellfrey is very ignorant, and much a clown; but confident
+  withal. In a word, he struck up a fox-chase: Lady Dainty's dog,
+  Mr. Sippet, as she calls him, started and jumped out of his
+  lady's lap, and fell a barking. Bellfrey went on, and called all
+  the neighbouring parishes into the square. Never was woman in
+  such confusion as that delicate lady. But there was no stopping
+  her kinsman. A room full of ladies fell into the most violent
+  laughter: my lady looked as if she was shrieking; Mr. Sippet in
+  the middle of the room, breaking his heart with barking, but all
+  of us unheard. As soon as Bellfrey became silent, up gets my
+  lady, and takes him by the arm to lead him off: Bellfrey was in
+  his boots. As she was hurrying him away, his spurs takes hold of
+  her petticoat; his whip throws down a cabinet of china: he cries,
+  "What! are your crocks rotten? Are your petticoats ragged? A man
+  can't walk in your house for trincums." Every county of Great
+  Britain has one hundred or more of this sort of fellows, who roar
+  instead of speaking. Therefore if it be true, that we women are
+  also given to greater fluency of words than is necessary, sure
+  one that disturbs but a room or a family is more to be tolerated,
+  than one who draws together parishes and counties, and sometimes
+  (with an estate that might make him the blessing and ornament of
+  the world around him) has no other view and ambition, but to be
+  an animal above dogs and horses, without the relish of any one
+  enjoyment, which is peculiar to the faculties of human nature.
+  But I know it will here be said, that talking of mere country
+  squires at this rate, is, as it were, to write against Valentine
+  or Orson. To prove anything against the race of men, you must
+  take them as <a class="pagenum" name='page303' title='303' id=
+  "page303"></a>they are adorned with education, as they live in
+  Courts, or have received instructions in colleges.</p>
+
+  <p>But I was so full of my late entertainment by Mr. Bellfrey,
+  that I must defer pursuing this subject to another day; and waive
+  the proper observations upon the different offenders in this
+  kind, some by profound eloquence, on small occasions, others by
+  degrading speech upon great circumstances. Expect therefore to
+  hear of the whisperer without business, the laugher without wit,
+  the complainer without receiving injuries, and a very large
+  crowd, which I shall not forestall, who are common (though not
+  commonly observed) impertinents, whose tongues are too voluble
+  for their brains, and are the general despisers of us women,
+  though we have their superiors, the men of sense, for our
+  servants.<a name='fntag376' id="fntag376"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote376'><sup>376</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page304' title='304' id=
+  "page304"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 4.</h3>
+
+  <p>There has arrived no mail since our last; so that we have no
+  manner of foreign news, except we were to give you, for such, the
+  many speculations which are on foot concerning what was imported
+  by the last advices. There are, it seems, sixty battalions and
+  seventeen squadrons appointed to serve in the siege of Tournay;
+  the garrison of which place consists but of eleven battalions and
+  four squadrons. Letters of the 29th of the last month from Berlin
+  have brought advice, that the Kings of Denmark, Prussia, and his
+  Majesty Augustus, were within few days <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page305' title='305' id="page305"></a>to come to an interview at
+  Potsdam. These letters mention, that two Polish princes of the
+  family of the Sapicha and Lubermirsky, lately arrived from Paris,
+  confirm the reports of the misery in France for want of
+  provisions, and give a particular instance of it, which is, that
+  on the day Monsieur Rouill� returned to Court, the common people
+  gathered in crowds about the Dauphin's coach, crying, "Peace and
+  bread, bread and peace."</p>
+
+  <p>Mrs. Distaff has taken upon her, while she writes this paper,
+  to turn her thoughts wholly to the service of her own sex, and to
+  propose remedies against the greatest vexations <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page306' title='306' id="page306"></a>attending
+  female life. She has for this end written a small treatise
+  concerning the second word, with an appendix on the use of a
+  reply, very useful to all such as are married to persons either
+  ill-bred or ill-natured. There is in this tract a digression for
+  the use of virgins concerning the words, "I will."</p>
+
+  <p>A gentlewoman who has a very delicate ear, wants a maid who
+  can whisper, and help her in the government of her family. If the
+  said servant can clear-starch, lisp, and tread softly, she shall
+  have suitable encouragement in her wages.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag371'>[371]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote371' id="footnote371"></a>See note to
+      <a href='#number36'>No. 36</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag372'>[372]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote372' id="footnote372"></a>Jenny
+      Distaff.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag373'>[373]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote373' id="footnote373"></a>The Jacobite
+      Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sharpe, who died in 1713. See
+      <i>Examiner</i>, vol. iv. No. 22.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag374'>[374]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote374' id="footnote374"></a>Dr. Blackall
+      (1654-1716), who was made Bishop of Exeter in 1708.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag375'>[375]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote375' id="footnote375"></a>The French
+      Prophets, from the Cevennes. Dr. Blackall's sermon against
+      them was printed by order of the Queen.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag376'>[376]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote376' id="footnote376"></a>The following
+      article appeared only in the folio issue:&#8212;</p>
+
+      <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 3.</h3>
+
+      <p>A very ingenious gentleman was complaining this evening,
+      that the players are grown so severe critics, that they would
+      not take in his play, though it has as many fine things in it
+      as any play that has been writ since the days of Dryden. He
+      began his discourse about his play with a preface.</p>
+
+      <p>"There is," said he, "somewhat (however we palliate it) in
+      the very frame and make of us, that subjects our minds to
+      chagrin and irresolution on any emergency of time or place.
+      The difficulty grows on our sickened imagination, under all
+      the killing circumstances of danger and disappointment. This
+      we see, not only in the men of retirement and fancy, but in
+      the characters of the men of action; with this only
+      difference, the coward sees the danger, and sickens under it;
+      the hero, warmed by the difficulty, dilates, and rises in
+      proportion to that, and in some sort makes use of his very
+      fears to disarm it. A remarkable instance of this we have in
+      the great C�sar, when he came to the Rubicon, and was
+      entering upon a part, perhaps, the most hazardous he ever
+      bore (certainly the most ungrateful), a war with his
+      countrymen. When his mind brooded over personal affronts,
+      perhaps his anger burned with a desire of revenge. But when
+      more serious reflections laid before him the hazard of the
+      enterprise, with the dismal consequences which were likely to
+      attend it, aggravated by a special circumstance, What figure
+      it would bear in the world, or how be excused to posterity.
+      What shall he do?&#8212;His honour, which was his religion,
+      bids him arm; and he sounds the inclinations of his party, by
+      this set speech:</p>
+
+      <h4><i>C�SAR</i> to his Party at the Rubicon.</h4>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            Great Jove, attend, and thou my native soil,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Safe in my triumphs, glutted in my spoil;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Witness with what reluctance I oppose
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            My arms to thine, secure of other foes.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            What passive breast can bear disgrace like mine?
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Traitor!&#8212;For this I conquered on the Rhine,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Endured their ten years' drudgery in Gaul,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Adjourned their fate, and saved the Capitol.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            I grew by every guilty triumph less;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            The crowd, when drunk with joy, their souls express,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Impatient of the war, yet fear success.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Brave actions dazzle with too bright a ray,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Like birds obscene they chatter at the day;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Giddy with rule, and valiant in debate,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            They throw the die of war, to save the state;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            And gods! to gild ingratitude with fame,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Assume the patriot's, we the rebel's name.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Farewell, my friends, your general forlorn,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            To your bare pity, and the public scorn,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Must lay that honour and his laurel down,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            To serve the vain caprices of the gown;
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Exposed to all indignities, the brave
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Deserve of those they gloried but to save,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            To rods and axes!&#8212;No, the slaves can't dare
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Play with my grief, and tempt my last despair.
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            This shall the honours which it won maintain,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Or do me justice, ere I hug my chain."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>The reason for cancelling this article when these papers
+      were republished in octavo, is obvious; for, being printed by
+      Steele, it would naturally be applied to the circumstances in
+      which the Duke of Marlborough was at that time: "The Duke
+      having his commission under the Great Seal, the order of the
+      Queen was not sufficient to dissolve his power. His friends
+      advised him to assemble, by his authority as general, all the
+      troops in London, in the different squares, and to take
+      possession of St. James's, and the person of the Queen.
+      Oxford, apprised of this design, suddenly called together the
+      Cabinet Council. Though he probably concealed his
+      intelligence to prevent their fears, he told them of the
+      necessity of superseding Marlborough under the Great Seal.
+      This business was soon despatched. His dismission in form was
+      sent to the Duke. The Earl of Oxford, no stranger to the
+      character of Marlborough, knew that he would not act against
+      law, by assembling the troops. The natural diffidence of his
+      disposition had made him unfit for enterprises of danger, in
+      a degree that furnished his enemies with insinuations against
+      his personal courage."&#8212;(Macpherson's "State Papers,"
+      quoted by Nichols.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number38' id="number38"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 38.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[?STEELE.<a name='fntag377' id=
+    "fntag377"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote377'><sup>377</sup></a></h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, July 5</i>, to <i>Thursday, July 7,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>I find among my brother's papers the following letter
+  verbatim, which I wonder how he could suppress so long as he has,
+  since it was sent him for no other end, but to show the good
+  effect his writings have already had upon the ill customs of the
+  age.</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"London, <i>June 23</i>.</p>
+
+  <p>"SIR,</p>
+
+  <p>"The end of all public papers ought to be the benefit and
+  instruction, as well as the diversion of the readers: to which I
+  see none so truly conducive as your late performances; especially
+  those tending to the rooting out from amongst us that
+  unchristianlike and bloody custom of duelling; which, that you
+  have already in some measure performed, will appear to the public
+  in the following no less true than heroic story.</p>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page307' title='307' id=
+  "page307"></a>A noble gentleman of this city, who has the honour
+  of serving his country as major in the train-bands, being at that
+  general mart of stockjobbers called Jonathan's,<a name='fntag378'
+  id="fntag378"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote378'><sup>378</sup></a> endeavouring to raise himself
+  (as all men of honour ought) to the degree of colonel at least;
+  it happened that he bought the 'bear'<a name='fntag379' id=
+  "fntag379"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote379'><sup>379</sup></a> of another officer, who, though
+  not commissioned in the army, yet no less eminently serves the
+  public than the other, in raising the credit of the kingdom, by
+  raising that of the stocks. However, having sold the 'bear,' and
+  words arising about the delivery, the most noble major, no less
+  scorning to be outwitted in the coffee-house, than to run into
+  the field, according to method, abused the other with the titles
+  of, 'rogue,' 'villain,' 'bearskin-man,' and the like. Whereupon
+  satisfaction was demanded, and accepted: so, forth the major
+  marched, commanding his adversary to follow. To a most spacious
+  room in the sheriff's house, near the place of quarrel, they
+  come; where, having due regard to what you have lately published,
+  they resolved not to shed one another's blood in that barbarous
+  manner you prohibited; yet, not willing to put up affronts
+  without satisfaction, they stripped, and in decent manner fought
+  full fairly with their wrathful hands. The combat lasted a
+  quarter of an hour; in which time victory was often doubtful, and
+  many a dry blow was strenuously laid on by each side, till the
+  major finding his adversary obstinate, unwilling to give him
+  further chastisement, with most shrill voice cried out, 'I am
+  satisfied, enough.' Whereupon the combat ceased, and both were
+  friends immediately.</p>
+
+  <p>"Thus the world may see, how necessary it is to encourage
+  those men who make it their business to instruct <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page308' title='308' id="page308"></a>the people
+  in everything necessary for their preservation. I am informed, a
+  body of worthy citizens have agreed on an address of thanks to
+  you for what you have writ on the foregoing subject, whereby they
+  acknowledge one of their highly esteemed officers preserved from
+  death.</p>
+
+  <p>"Your humble Servant,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"A. B."</p>
+
+  <p>I fear the word "bear" is hardly to be understood among the
+  polite people; but I take the meaning to be, that one who ensures
+  a real value upon an imaginary thing, is said to sell a "bear,"
+  and is the same thing as a promise among courtiers, or a vow
+  between lovers. I have writ to my brother to hasten to town; and
+  hope, that printing the letters directed to him, which I knew not
+  how to answer, will bring him speedily; and therefore I add also
+  the following:</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"<i>July 5</i>, 1709.</p>
+
+  <p>"MR. BICKERSTAFF,</p>
+
+  <p>You having hinted a generous intention of taking under your
+  consideration the whisperers without business, and laughers
+  without occasion; as you tender the welfare of your country, I
+  entreat you not to forget or delay so public-spirited a work. Now
+  or never is the time. Many other calamities may cease with the
+  war; but I dismally dread the multiplication of these mortals
+  under the ease and luxuriousness of a settled peace, half the
+  blessing of which may be destroyed by them. Their mistake lies
+  certainly here, in a wretched belief, that their mimicry passes
+  for real business, or true wit. Dear sir, convince them, that it
+  never was, is, or ever will be, either of them; nor ever did,
+  does, or to all futurity ever can, look like either of them; but
+  that it is the most cursed <a class="pagenum" name='page309'
+  title='309' id="page309"></a>disturbance in nature, which is
+  possible to be inflicted on mankind, under the noble definition
+  of a sociable creature. In doing this, sir, you will oblige more
+  humble servants than can find room to subscribe their names."</p>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>In pursuance of my last date from hence, I am to proceed on
+  the accounts I promised of several personages among the men,
+  whose conspicuous fortunes, or ambition in showing their follies,
+  have exalted them above their fellows: the levity of their minds
+  is visible in their every word and gesture, and there is not a
+  day passes but puts me in mind of Mr. Wycherley's character of a
+  coxcomb: "He is ugly all over with the affectation of the fine
+  gentleman." Now though the women may put on softness in their
+  looks, or affected severity, or impertinent gaiety, or pert
+  smartness, their self-love and admiration cannot, under any of
+  these disguises, appear so invincible as that of the men. You may
+  easily take notice, that in all their actions there is a secret
+  approbation, either in the tone of their voice, the turn of their
+  body, or cast of their eye, which shows that they are extremely
+  in their own favour. Take one of your men of business, he shall
+  keep you half an hour with your hat off, entertaining you with
+  his consideration of that affair you spoke of to him last, till
+  he has drawn a crowd that observes you in this grimace. Then when
+  he is public enough, he immediately runs into secrets, and falls
+  a whispering. You and he make breaks with adverbs; as, "But
+  however, thus far"; and then you whisper again, and so on, till
+  they who are about you are dispersed, and your busy man's vanity
+  is no longer gratified by the notice taken of what importance he
+  is, and how inconsiderable you are; for your pretender to
+  business is never in secret, but in public. There is my dear Lord
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page310' title='310' id=
+  "page310"></a>Nowhere, of all men the most gracious and most
+  obliging, the terror of all <i>valets-de-chambre</i>, whom he
+  oppresses with good breeding, in inquiring for my good lord, and
+  for my good lady's health. This inimitable courtier will whisper
+  a privy councillor's lackey with the utmost goodness and
+  condescension, to know when they next sit; and is thoroughly
+  taken up, and thinks he has a part in a secret, if he knows that
+  there is a secret. "What it is," he will whisper you, "that time
+  will discover"; then he shrugs, and calls you back
+  again&#8212;"Sir, I need not say to you, that these things are
+  not to be spoken of&#8212;and hark you, no names, I would not be
+  quoted." What adds to the jest is, that his emptiness has its
+  moods and seasons, and he will not condescend to let you into
+  these his discoveries, except he is in very good humour, or has
+  seen somebody in fashion talk to you. He will keep his nothing to
+  himself, and pass by and overlook as well as the best of them;
+  not observing that he is insolent when he is gracious, and
+  obliging when he is haughty. Show me a woman so inconsiderable as
+  this frequent character. But my mind (now I am in) turns to many
+  no less observable: thou dear Will Shoestring!<a name='fntag380'
+  id="fntag380"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote380'><sup>380</sup></a> I profess myself in love with
+  thee: how shall I speak thee? How shall I address thee? How shall
+  I draw thee? Thou dear outside! Will you be combing your
+  wig,<a name='fntag381' id="fntag381"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote381'><sup>381</sup></a> playing with your <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page311' title='311' id="page311"></a>box, or
+  picking your teeth? Or choosest thou rather to be speaking; to be
+  speaking for thy only purpose in speaking, to show your teeth?
+  Rub them no longer, dear Shoestring: do not premeditate murder:
+  do not for ever whiten: Oh! that for my quiet and his own they
+  were rotten. But I will forget him, and give my hand to the
+  courteous Umbra; he is a fine man indeed, but the soft creature
+  bows below my apron-string before he takes it; but after the
+  first ceremonies, he is as familiar as my physician, and his
+  insignificancy makes me half ready to complain to him of all I
+  would to my doctor. But he is so courteous, that he carries half
+  the messages of ladies' ails in town to their midwives and
+  nurses. He understands too the art of medicine as far as to the
+  cure of a pimple or a rash. On occasions of the like
+  import<a class="pagenum" name='page312' title='312' id=
+  "page312"></a>ance, he is the most assiduous of all men living,
+  in consulting and searching precedents from family to family; and
+  then he speaks of his obsequiousness and diligence in the style
+  of real services. If you sneer at him, and thank him for his
+  great friendship, he bows, and says, "Madam, all the good offices
+  in my power, while I have any knowledge or credit, shall be at
+  your service." The consideration of so shallow a being, and the
+  intent application with which he pursues trifles, has made me
+  carefully reflect upon that sort of men we usually call an
+  Impertinent: and I am, upon mature deliberation, so far from
+  being offended with him, that I am really obliged to him; for
+  though he will take you aside, and talk half an hour to you upon
+  matters wholly insignificant with the most solemn air, yet I
+  consider, that these things are of weight in his imagination, and
+  he thinks he is communicating what is for my service. If
+  therefore it be a just rule to judge of a man by his intention,
+  according to the equity of good breeding, he that is
+  impertinently kind or wise, to do you service, ought in return to
+  have a proportionable place both in your affection and esteem; so
+  that the courteous Umbra deserves the favour of all his
+  acquaintance; for though he never served them, he is ever willing
+  to do it, and believes he does it. But as impotent kindness is to
+  be returned with all our abilities to oblige, so impotent malice
+  is to be treated with all our force to depress it. For this
+  reason Flyblow (who is received in all the families in town
+  through the degeneracy and iniquity of their manners) is to be
+  treated like a knave, though he is one of the weakest of fools:
+  he has by rote, and at second-hand, all that can be said of any
+  man of figure, wit, and virtue in town. Name a man of worth, and
+  this creature tells you the worst passage of his life. Speak of a
+  beautiful woman, and this puppy will whisper the next man to him,
+  though <a class="pagenum" name='page313' title='313' id=
+  "page313"></a>he has nothing to say of her. He is a Fly that
+  feeds on the sore part, and would have nothing to live on, if the
+  whole body were in health. You may know him by the frequency of
+  pronouncing the particle "but"; for which reason I never hear him
+  spoke of with common charity, without using my "but" against him:
+  for a friend of mine saying the other day, Mrs. Distaff has wit,
+  good humour, virtue, and friendship, this oaf added, "'But' she
+  is not handsome." Coxcomb! The gentleman was saying what I was,
+  not what I was not.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 6.</h3>
+
+  <p>The approaches before Tournay have been carried on with great
+  success; and our advices from the camp before that place of the
+  11th instant say, that they had already made a lodgment on the
+  glacis. Two hundred boats were come up the Scheldt with a heavy
+  artillery and ammunition, which would be employed in dismounting
+  the enemy's defences, and raised on the batteries the 15th. A
+  great body of miners are summoned to the camp to countermine the
+  works of the enemy. We are convinced of the weakness of the
+  garrison, by a certain account, that they called a council of
+  war, to consult whether it was not advisable to march into the
+  citadel, and leave the town defenceless. We are assured, that
+  when the Confederate army was advancing towards the camp of
+  Marshal Villars, that general despatched a courier to his master
+  with a letter, giving an account of their approach, which
+  concluded with the following words: "The day begins to break, and
+  your Majesty's army is already in order of battle. Before noon, I
+  hope to have the honour of congratulating your Majesty on the
+  success of a great action; and you shall be very well satisfied
+  with the Marshal Villars."</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page314' title='314' id=
+  "page314"></a>It is to be noted, that when any part of this paper
+  appears dull, there is a design in it.<a name='fntag382' id=
+  "fntag382"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote382'><sup>382</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag377'>[377]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote377' id="footnote377"></a>See note to
+      <a href='#number36'>No. 36</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag378'>[378]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote378' id="footnote378"></a>A coffee-house
+      in Change Alley. See <i>Spectator</i>, No. 1, and Mrs.
+      Centlivre's "Bold Stroke for a Wife."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag379'>[379]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote379' id="footnote379"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number7'>No. 7</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag380'>[380]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote380' id="footnote380"></a>Sir William
+      Whitlocke, Knt., Member for Oxon, Bencher of the Middle
+      Temple. He is the learned knight mentioned in <a href=
+      '#number43'>No. 43</a> (Percy). This is confirmed by the MS.
+      annotator mentioned in a note to <a href='#number4'>No.
+      4</a>. Nichols explains that Whitlocke is called Will
+      Shoestring, for his singularity in using shoe-strings, so
+      long after the era of shoe-buckles, which commenced in the
+      reign of Charles II., although ordinary people, and such as
+      affected plainness in their garb, wore strings in their shoes
+      after that time.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag381'>[381]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote381' id="footnote381"></a>"Combing the
+      peruke, at the time when men of fashion wore large wigs, was
+      even at public places an act of gallantry. The combs, for
+      this purpose, were of a very large size, of ivory or
+      tortoise-shell, curiously chased and ornamented, and were
+      carried in the pocket as constantly as the snuff-box. At
+      Court, on the Mall, and in the boxes, gentlemen conversed and
+      combed their perukes "(Sir John Hawkins' "Hist, of Music,"
+      vol. iv. p. 447, note). Cf. Dryden's prologue to "Almanzor
+      and Almahide":&#8212;</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "But as when vizard mask appears in pit,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Straight every man who thinks himself a wit,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Perks up; and managing his comb with grace,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            With his white wig sets off his nut-brown face."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <p>And "The Fortune Hunters," act i. sc. 2 (1689): "He
+      looked, indeed, and sighed, and set his cravat-string, and
+      sighed again, and combed his periwig: sighed a third time,
+      and then took snuff, I guess to show the whiteness of his
+      hand." See, too, Wycherley's "Love in a Wood," act iii. sc.
+      1:&#8212;</p>
+
+      <p>"DAPPERWIT. Let me prune and flounce my perruque a little
+      for her; there's ne'er a young fellow in the town but will do
+      as much for a mere stranger in the play-house.</p>
+
+      <p>"RANGER. A wit's wig has the privilege of being uncombed
+      in the very play-house, or in the presence&#8212;</p>
+
+      <p>"DAPPERWIT. But not in the presence of his mistress; 'tis
+      a greater neglect of her than himself; pray lend me your
+      comb.... She comes, she comes; pray, your comb.
+      (<i>Snatches</i> RANGER'S <i>comb</i>.)"</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag382'>[382]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote382' id="footnote382"></a>"Mrs. Distaff
+      hath received the Dialogue dated Monday evening, which she
+      has sent forward to Mr. Bickerstaff at Maidenhead: and in the
+      meantime gives her service to the parties" (folio).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number39' id="number39"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 39.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.</h3>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, July 7</i>, to <i>Saturday, July 9</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, July 7.</h3>
+
+  <p>As I am called forth by the immense love I bear to my fellow
+  creatures, and the warm inclination I feel within me, to stem, as
+  far as I can, the prevailing torrent of vice and ignorance; so I
+  cannot more properly pursue that noble impulse, than by setting
+  forth the excellence of virtue and knowledge in their native and
+  beautiful colours. For this reason I made my late excursion to
+  Oxford, where those qualities appear in their highest lustre, and
+  are the only pretences to honour and distinction: superiority is
+  there given in proportion to men's advancement in wisdom and
+  learning; and that just rule of life is so universally received
+  among those happy people, that you shall see an earl walk
+  bareheaded to the son of the meanest artificer, in respect to
+  seven years more worth and knowledge than the nobleman is
+  possessed of. In other places they bow to men's fortunes, but
+  here to their understandings. It is not to be expressed, how
+  pleasing the order, the discipline, the regularity of their
+  lives, is to a philosopher, who has, by many years' experience in
+  the world, learned to contemn everything but what is revered
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page315' title='315' id="page315"></a>in
+  this mansion of select and well-taught spirits. The magnificence
+  of their palaces, the greatness of their revenues, the sweetness
+  of their groves and retirements, seem equally adapted for the
+  residence of princes and philosophers; and a familiarity with
+  objects of splendour, as well as places of recess, prepares the
+  inhabitants with an equanimity for their future fortunes, whether
+  humble or illustrious. How was I pleased when I looked round at
+  St. Mary's, and could, in the faces of the ingenious youth, see
+  ministers of state, chancellors, bishops, and judges. Here only
+  is human life! Here only the life of man is a rational being!
+  Here men understand and are employed in works worthy their noble
+  nature. This transitory being passes away in an employment not
+  unworthy a future state, the contemplation of the great decrees
+  of Providence. Each man lives as if he were to answer the
+  questions made to Job, "Where wast thou when I laid the
+  foundations of the earth?... Who shut up the sea with doors, ...
+  and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further?"<a name=
+  'fntag383' id="fntag383"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote383'><sup>383</sup></a> Such speculations make life
+  agreeable, make death welcome, But alas! I was torn from this
+  noble society by the business of this dirty mean world, and the
+  cares of fortune: for I was obliged to be in town against the 7th
+  day of the term, and accordingly governed myself by my Oxford
+  Almanack, and came last night; but find, to my great
+  astonishment, that this ignorant town began the term on the 24th
+  of the last month, in opposition to all the learning and
+  astronomy of the famous university of which I have been speaking;
+  according to which, the term certainly was to commence on the 1st
+  instant.<a name='fntag384' id="fntag384"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote384'><sup>384</sup></a> You may be sure, a man who has
+  turned his studies as I have, could not be <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page316' title='316' id="page316"></a>mistaken in point of
+  time; for knowing I was to come to town in term, I examined the
+  passing moments very narrowly, and called an eminent astronomer
+  to my assistance. Upon very strict observation we found, that the
+  cold has been so severe this last winter (which is allowed to
+  have a benumbing quality), that it retarded the earth in moving
+  round from Christmas to this season full seven days and two
+  seconds. My learned friend assured me further, that the earth had
+  lately received a shog from a comet that crossed its vortex,
+  which, if it had come ten degrees nearer us, had made us lose
+  this whole term. I was indeed once of opinion, that the Gregorian
+  computation was the most regular, as being eleven days before the
+  Julian; but am now fully convinced, that we ought to be seven
+  days after the chancellor and judges, and eighteen before the
+  Pope of Rome; and that the Oxonian computation is the best of the
+  three. These are the reasons which I have gathered from
+  philosophy and nature; to which I can add other circumstances in
+  vindication of the account of this learned body who published
+  this almanack. It is notorious to philosophers, that joy and
+  grief can hasten and delay time. Mr. Locke is of opinion, that a
+  man in great misery may so far lose his measure, as to think a
+  minute an hour; or in joy, make an hour a minute. Let us examine
+  the present case by this rule, and we shall find, that the cause
+  of this general mistake in the British nation, has been the great
+  success of the last campaign, and the following hopes of peace.
+  Stocks ran so high at the 'Change, that the citizens had gained
+  three days of the courtiers; and we have indeed been so happy
+  this reign, that if the University did not rectify our mistakes,
+  we should think ourselves but in the second year of her present
+  Majesty. It would be endless to enumerate the many damages that
+  have happened by this <a class="pagenum" name='page317' title=
+  '317' id="page317"></a>ignorance of the vulgar. All the
+  recognisances within the Diocese of Oxford have been forfeited,
+  for not appearing on the first day of this fictitious term. The
+  University has been nonsuited in their action against the
+  booksellers for printing Clarendon in quarto. But indeed what
+  gives me the most quick concern, is the case of a poor gentleman
+  my friend, who was the other day taken in execution by a set of
+  ignorant bailiffs. He should, it seems, have pleaded in the first
+  week of term; but being a Master of Arts of Oxford, he would not
+  recede from the Oxonian computation. He showed Mr. Broad the
+  almanack, and the very day when the term began; but the merciless
+  ignorant fellow, against all sense and learning, would hurry him
+  away. He went indeed quietly enough; but he has taken exact notes
+  of the time of arrest, and sufficient witnesses of his being
+  carried into gaol; and has, by advice of the Recorder of Oxford,
+  brought his action; and we doubt not but we shall pay them off
+  with damages, and blemish the reputation of Mr. Broad. We have
+  one convincing proof, which all that frequent the Courts of
+  Justice are witnesses of: the dog that comes constantly to
+  Westminster on the first day of the term, did not appear till the
+  first day according to the Oxford Almanack; whose instinct I take
+  to be a better guide than men's erroneous opinions, which are
+  usually biased by interest. I judge in this case, as King Charles
+  II. victualled his navy, with the bread which one of his dogs
+  chose of several pieces thrown before him, rather than trust to
+  the asseverations of the victuallers. Mr. Cowper,<a name=
+  'fntag385' id="fntag385"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote385'><sup>385</sup></a> and other learned counsel, have
+  already urged the authority of this almanack, in behalf of their
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page318' title='318' id=
+  "page318"></a>clients. We shall therefore go on with all speed in
+  our cause; and doubt not, but Chancery will give at the end what
+  we lost in the beginning, by protracting the term for us till
+  Wednesday come se'nnight: and the University orator shall for
+  ever pray, &amp;c.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 7.</h3>
+
+  <p>The subject of duels<a name='fntag386' id=
+  "fntag386"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote386'><sup>386</sup></a> has, I find, been started with
+  so good success, that it has been the frequent subject of
+  conversation among polite men; and a dialogue of that kind has
+  been transmitted to me verbatim, as follows. The persons
+  concerned in it are men of honour, and experience in the manners
+  of men, and have fallen upon the truest foundation, as well as
+  searched the bottom, of this evil.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. If it were in my power, every man that drew his
+  sword, unless in the Service, or purely to defend his life,
+  person, or goods, from violence (I mean abstracted from all
+  punctos or whims of honour) should ride the wooden horse in the
+  Tilt Yard<a name='fntag387' id="fntag387"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote387'><sup>387</sup></a> for such first offence, for the
+  second stand in the pillory, and for the third be prisoner in
+  Bedlam for life.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. I remember, that a rencounter or duel was so far
+  from being in fashion among the officers that served in the
+  Parliament army, that on the contrary, it was as disreputable,
+  and as great an impediment to advancement in the Service, as
+  being bashful in time of action.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. Yet I have been informed by some old Cavaliers, of
+  famous reputation for brave and gallant men, that they were much
+  more in mode among their party, than they have been during this
+  last war.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. That is true too, sir. <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page319' title='319' id="page319"></a>Mr. SAGE. By what you say,
+  gentlemen, one should think that our present military officers
+  are compounded of an equal proportion of both those tempers;
+  since duels are neither quite discountenanced, nor much in
+  vogue.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. That difference of temper, in regard to duels, which
+  appears to have been between the Court and Parliament-men of the
+  sword, was not (I conceive) for want of courage in the latter,
+  nor of a liberal education; because there were some of the best
+  families in England engaged in that party; but gallantry and
+  mode, which glitter agreeably to the imagination, were encouraged
+  by the Court, as promoting its splendour; and it was as natural
+  that the contrary party (who were to recommend themselves to the
+  public for men of serious and solid parts) should deviate from
+  everything chimerical.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. I have never read of a duel among the Romans; and
+  yet their nobility used more liberty with their tongues than one
+  may do now without being challenged.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. Perhaps the Romans were of opinion, that ill
+  language, and brutal manners, reflected only on those who were
+  guilty of them; and that a man's reputation was not at all
+  cleared by cutting the person's throat who had reflected upon it:
+  but the custom of those times had fixed the scandal in the
+  action; whereas now it lies in the reproach.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. And yet the only sort of duel that one can conceive
+  to have been fought upon motives truly honourable and allowable,
+  was that between the Horatii and Curiatii.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. Colonel Plume, pray what was the method of single
+  combat in your time among the Cavaliers? I suppose, that as the
+  use of clothes continues, though the <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page320' title='320' id="page320"></a>fashion of them has been
+  mutable; so duels, though still in use, have had in all times
+  their particular modes of performance.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. We had no constant rule, but generally conducted
+  our dispute and tilt according to the last that had happened
+  between persons of reputation among the very top fellows for
+  bravery and gallantry.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. If the fashion of quarrelling and tilting was so
+  often changed in your time, Colonel Plume, a man might fight, yet
+  lose his credit for want of understanding the fashion.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Why, Sir Mark, in the beginning of July, a man
+  would have been censured for want of courage, or been thought
+  indigent of the true notions of honour, if he had put up [with]
+  words, which in the end of September following, one could not
+  resent without passing for a brutal and quarrelsome fellow.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. But, Colonel, were duels or rencounters most in
+  fashion in those days?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Your men of nice honour, sir, were for avoiding
+  all censure of advantage which they supposed might be taken in a
+  rencounter; therefore they used seconds, who were to see that all
+  was upon the square, and make a faithful report of the whole
+  combat; but in a little time it became a fashion for the seconds
+  to fight, and I'll tell you how it happened.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. Pray do, Colonel Plume, and the method of a duel at
+  that time, and give us some notion of the punctos upon which your
+  nice men quarrelled in those days.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. I was going to tell you, Mr. Sage, that one Cornet
+  Modish had desired his friend, Captain Smart's, opinion in some
+  affair, but did not follow it; upon which Captain Smart sent
+  Major Adroit (a very <a class="pagenum" name='page321' title=
+  '321' id="page321"></a>topping fellow of those times) to the
+  person that had slighted his advice. The Major never inquired
+  into the quarrel, because it was not the manner then among the
+  very topping fellows; but got two swords of an equal length, and
+  then waited upon Cornet Modish, desiring him to choose his sword,
+  and meet his friend Captain Smart. Cornet Modish came with his
+  friend to the place of combat; there the principals put on their
+  pumps, and stripped to their shirts, to show they had nothing but
+  what men of honour carry about them, and then engaged.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. And did the seconds stand by, sir?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. It was a received custom till that time; but the
+  swords of those days being pretty long, and the principals acting
+  on both sides upon the defensive, and the morning being frosty,
+  Major Adroit desired that the other second, who was also a very
+  topping fellow, would try a thrust or two only to keep them warm,
+  till the principals had decided the matter, which was agreed to
+  by Modish's second, who presently whipped Adroit through the
+  body, disarmed him, and then parted the principals, who had
+  received no harm at all.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. But was not Adroit laughed at?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. On the contrary, the very topping fellows were
+  ever after of opinion, that no man who deserved that character,
+  could serve as a second, without fighting; and the Smarts and
+  Modishes finding their account in it, the humour took without
+  opposition.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. Pray, Colonel, how long did that fashion
+  continue?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME, Not long neither, Mr. Sage; for as soon as it
+  became a fashion, the very topping fellows thought their honour
+  reflected upon, if they did not proffer themselves as seconds
+  when any of their friends had a quarrel; so that sometimes there
+  were a dozen of a side.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page322' title='322' id=
+  "page322"></a>Sir MARK. Bless me! If that custom had continued,
+  we should have been at a loss now for our very pretty fellows;
+  for they seem to be the proper men to officer, animate, and keep
+  up an army: but, pray, sir, how did that sociable manner of
+  tilting grow out of mode?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Why, sir, I'll tell you; it was a law among the
+  combatants, that the party which happened to have the first man
+  disarmed or killed, should yield as vanquished; which some people
+  thought might encourage the Modishes and Smarts in quarrelling,
+  to the destruction of only the very topping fellows; and as soon
+  as this reflection was started, the very topping fellows thought
+  it an incumbrance upon their honour to fight at all themselves.
+  Since that time, the Modishes and the Smarts, throughout all
+  Europe, have extolled the French king's edict.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. Our very pretty fellows, whom I take to be the
+  successors of the very topping fellows, think a quarrel so little
+  fashionable, that they will not be exposed to it by another man's
+  vanity, or want of sense.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. But, Colonel, I have observed in your account of
+  duels, that there was a great exactness in avoiding all advantage
+  that might possibly be between the combatants.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. That's true, sir; for the weapons were always
+  equal.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. Yes, sir; but suppose an active, adroit, strong man,
+  had insulted an awkward, or a feeble, or an unpractised
+  swordsman.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Then, sir, they fought with pistols.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. But, sir, there might be a certain advantage that
+  way; for a good marksman will be sure to hit his man at twenty
+  yards distance; and a man whose hand shakes (which is common to
+  men that debauch in pleasures, <a class="pagenum" name='page323'
+  title='323' id="page323"></a>or have not used pistols out of
+  their holsters) won't venture to fire, unless he touches the
+  person he shoots at. Now, sir, I am of opinion, that one can get
+  no honour in killing a man (if one has it all rug,<a name=
+  'fntag388' id="fntag388"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote388'><sup>388</sup></a> as the gamesters say), when
+  they have a trick to make the game secure, though they seem to
+  play upon the square.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. In truth, Mr. Sage, I think such a fact must be
+  murder in a man's own private conscience, whatever it may appear
+  to the world.</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. I have known some men so nice, that they would not
+  fight but upon a cloak without pistols.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. I believe a custom, well established, would outdo
+  the Grand Monarch's edict.<a name='fntag389' id=
+  "fntag389"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote389'><sup>389</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. And bullies would then leave off their long swords;
+  but I don't find that a very pretty fellow can stay to change his
+  sword, when he is insulted by a bully with a long diego,<a name=
+  'fntag390' id="fntag390"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote390'><sup>390</sup></a> though his own at the same time
+  be no longer than a penknife; which will certainly be the case,
+  if such little swords are in mode. Pray, Colonel, how was it
+  between the hectors of your time and the very topping
+  fellows?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Sir, long swords happened to be generally worn in
+  those times.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. In answer to what you were saying, Sir Mark, give me
+  leave to inform you, that your knights-errant (who were the very
+  pretty fellows of those ancient times) thought they could not
+  honourably yield, though they <a class="pagenum" name='page324'
+  title='324' id="page324"></a>had fought their own trusty weapons
+  to the stumps; but would venture as boldly with the page's leaden
+  sword, as if it had been of enchanted metal. Whence I conceive,
+  there must be a spice of romantic gallantry in the composition of
+  that very pretty fellow.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. I am of opinion, Mr. Sage, that fashion governs a
+  very pretty fellow; nature, or common sense, your ordinary
+  persons, and sometimes men of fine parts.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. But what is the reason, that men of the most
+  excellent sense and morals (in other points) associate their
+  understandings with the very pretty fellows in that chim�ra of a
+  duel?</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. There's no disputing against so great a
+  majority.</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. SAGE. But there is one scruple (Colonel Plume) and I have
+  done: don't you believe there may be some advantage even upon a
+  cloak with pistols, which a man of nice honour would scruple to
+  take?</p>
+
+  <p>Col. PLUME. Faith, I can't tell, sir; but since one may
+  reasonably suppose, that (in such a case) there can be but one so
+  far in the wrong as to occasion matters to come to that
+  extremity, I think the chance of being killed should fall but on
+  one; whereas by their close and desperate manner of fighting, it
+  may very probably happen to both.</p>
+
+  <p>Sir MARK. Why, gentlemen, if they are men of such nice honour
+  (and must fight), there will be no fear of foul play, if they
+  threw up cross or pile<a name='fntag391' id=
+  "fntag391"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote391'><sup>391</sup></a> who should be shot.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag383'>[383]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote383' id="footnote383"></a>Job xxxviii. 4,
+      8, 11.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag384'>[384]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote384' id="footnote384"></a>There was a
+      difference between the University terms and the Law
+      terms.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag385'>[385]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote385' id="footnote385"></a>Spencer Cowper
+      (1669-1727), brother of Earl Cowper, and afterwards a judge
+      of the Common Pleas. He was one of the managers of the
+      impeachment of Sacheverell in 1710.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag386'>[386]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote386' id="footnote386"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number25">25</a>, <a href="#number26">26</a>,
+      <a href="#number29">29</a>, <a href="#number31">31</a>,
+      <a href="#number38">38</a>, 205.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag387'>[387]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote387' id="footnote387"></a>At
+      Whitehall.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag388'>[388]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote388' id="footnote388"></a><i>Cf.</i>
+      "Wentworth Papers," p. 394: "June 29, 1714. The changes at
+      Court does not go so rug as some people expected and gave
+      out, that 'twas to be all intire Tory with the least seeming
+      mixture of Whigs."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag389'>[389]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote389' id="footnote389"></a>See
+      <i>Spectator</i>, No. 97.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag390'>[390]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote390' id="footnote390"></a>A sword. Don
+      Diego was a familiar name for a Spaniard with both English
+      and French writers in the seventeenth century. San Diego is a
+      corruption of Santiago (St. James), the patron saint of
+      Spain.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag391'>[391]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote391' id="footnote391"></a>A pillar, the
+      design on one side of a coin, bearing on the other a cross.
+      Swift says, "This I humbly conceive to be perfect boys' play;
+      cross, I win, and pile, you lose."</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page325' title='325' id=
+    "page325"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number40' id="number40"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 40.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, July 9</i>, to <i>Tuesday, July 12</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the city of London give an account of a very
+  great consternation that place is in at present, by reason of a
+  late inquiry made at Guildhall, whether a noble person<a name=
+  'fntag392' id="fntag392"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote392'><sup>392</sup></a> has parts enough to deserve the
+  enjoyment of the great estate of which he is possessed. The city
+  is apprehensive that this precedent may go further than was at
+  first imagined. The person against whom this inquisi<a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page326' title='326' id="page326"></a>tion is set
+  up by his relations, is a peer of a neighbouring kingdom, and has
+  in his youth made some few bulls, by which it is insinuated, that
+  he has forfeited his goods and chattels. This is the more
+  astonishing, in that there are many persons in the said city who
+  are still more guilty than his lordship, and who, though they are
+  idiots, do not only possess, but have also themselves acquired
+  great estates, contrary to the known laws of this realm, which
+  vests their possessions in the Crown. There is a gentleman of
+  this coffee-house at this time exhibiting a bill in Chancery
+  against his father's younger brother, who by some strange magic
+  has arrived at the value of half a plum, as the citizens call a
+  hundred thousand pounds; and in all the time of growing up to
+  that wealth, was never known in any of his ordinary words or
+  actions to discover any proof of reason. Upon this foundation my
+  friend has set forth, that he is illegally master of his coffers,
+  and has writ two epigrams to signify his own pretensions and
+  sufficiency for spending that estate. He has inserted in his plea
+  some things which I fear will give offence; for he pretends to
+  argue, that though a man has a little of the knave mixed with the
+  fool, he is nevertheless liable to the loss of goods; and makes
+  the abuse of reason as just an avoidance of an estate as the
+  total absence of it. This is what can never pass; but witty men
+  are so full of themselves, that there is no persuading them; and
+  my friend will not be convinced, but that upon quoting Solomon,
+  who always used the word "fool" as a term of the same
+  signification with "unjust," and makes all deviation from
+  goodness and virtue to come under the notion of folly&#8212;I
+  say, he doubts not, but by the force of this authority, let his
+  idiot uncle appear never so great a knave, he shall prove him a
+  fool at the same time. This affair led the company here into an
+  examination of these points; and none coming here <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page327' title='327' id="page327"></a>but wits,
+  what was asserted by a young lawyer, that a lunatic is in the
+  care of the Chancery, but a fool in that of the Crown, was
+  received with general indignation. "Why that?" says old Renault.
+  "Why that? Why must a fool be a courtier more than a madman? This
+  is the iniquity of this dull age: I remember the time when it
+  went on the mad side; all your top wits were scowrers,<a name=
+  'fntag393' id="fntag393"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote393'><sup>393</sup></a> rakes, roarers, and demolishers
+  of windows. I remember a mad lord who was drunk five years
+  together, and was the envy of that age, and is faintly imitated
+  by the dull pretenders to vice and madness in this. Had he lived
+  to this day, there had not been a fool in fashion in the whole
+  kingdom." When Renault had done speaking, a very worthy man
+  assumed the discourse: "This is," said he, "Mr. Bickerstaff, a
+  proper argument for you to treat in your article from this place;
+  and if you would send your Pacolet into all our brains, you would
+  find, that a little fibre or valve, scarce discernible, makes the
+  distinction between a politician and an idiot. We should
+  therefore throw a veil upon those unhappy instances of human
+  nature, who seem to breathe without the direction of reason and
+  understanding, as we should avert our eyes with abhorrence from
+  such as live in perpetual abuse and contradiction to these noble
+  faculties. Shall this unfortunate man be divested of his estate,
+  because he is tractable and indolent, runs in no man's debt,
+  invades no man's bed, nor spends the estate he owes his children
+  and his character; when one who shows no sense above him, but
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page328' title='328' id="page328"></a>in
+  such practices, shall be esteemed in his senses, and possibly may
+  pretend to the guardianship of him who is no ways his inferior,
+  but in being less wicked? We see old age brings us indifferently
+  into the same impotence of soul, wherein nature has placed this
+  lord. There is something very fantastical in the distribution of
+  civil power and capacity among men. The law certainly gives these
+  persons into the ward and care of the Crown, because that is best
+  able to protect them from injuries, and the impositions of craft
+  and knavery; that the life of an idiot may not ruin the entail of
+  a noble house, and his weakness may not frustrate the industry or
+  capacity of the founder of his family. But when one of bright
+  parts, as we say, with his eyes open, and all men's eyes upon
+  him, destroys those purposes, there is no remedy. Folly and
+  ignorance are punished! Folly and guilt are tolerated! Mr. Locke
+  has somewhere made a distinction between a madman and a
+  fool:<a name='fntag394' id="fntag394"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote394'><sup>394</sup></a> a fool is he that from right
+  principles makes a wrong conclusion; but a madman is one who
+  draws a just inference from false principles. Thus the fool who
+  cut off the fellow's head that lay asleep, and hid it, and then
+  waited to see what he would say when he awakened and missed his
+  headpiece, was in the right in the first thought, that a man
+  would be surprised to find such an alteration in things since he
+  fell asleep; but he was a little mistaken to imagine he could
+  awake at all after his head was off. A madman fancies himself a
+  prince; but upon his mistake, he acts suitably to that character;
+  and though he is out in supposing he has principalities, while he
+  drinks gruel, and lies in straw, yet you shall see him keep the
+  port of a distressed monarch in all his words and actions. These
+  two persons are equally taken into custody: but what must be done
+  to half this good com<a class="pagenum" name='page329' title=
+  '329' id="page329"></a>pany, who every hour of their life are
+  knowingly and wittingly both fools and madmen, and yet have
+  capacities both of forming principles, and drawing conclusions,
+  with the full use of reason?"</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>This evening some ladies came to visit my sister Jenny; and
+  the discourse, after very many frivolous and public matters,
+  turned upon the main point among the women, the passion of
+  love.<a name='fntag395' id="fntag395"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote395'><sup>395</sup></a> Sappho, who always leads on
+  this occasion, began to show her reading, and told us, that Sir
+  John Suckling and Milton had, upon a parallel occasion, said the
+  tenderest things she had ever read. "The circumstance," said she,
+  "is such as gives us a notion of that protecting part which is
+  the duty of men in their honourable designs upon, or possession
+  of, women. In Suckling's tragedy of 'Brennoralt' he makes the
+  lover steal into his mistress's bedchamber, and draw the
+  curtains; then, when his heart is full of her charms, as she lies
+  sleeping, instead of being carried away by the violence of his
+  desires into thoughts of a warmer nature, sleep, which is the
+  image of death, gives this generous lover reflections of a
+  different kind, which regard rather her safety than his own
+  passion. For, beholding her as she lies sleeping, he utters these
+  words:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "So misers look upon their gold,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Which, while they joy to see, they fear to lose:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The pleasure of the sight scarce equalling
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The jealousy of being dispossessed by others.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Her face is like the Milky Way i' th' sky,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A meeting of gentle lights without name!
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "<a class="pagenum" name='page330' title='330' id=
+        "page330"></a>Heavens I shall this fresh ornament of the
+        world,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        These precious love-lines, pass with other common things
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Amongst the wastes of time? what pity 'twere!<a name=
+        'fntag396' id="fntag396"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote396'><sup>396</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"When Milton makes Adam leaning on his arm, beholding Eve, and
+  lying in the contemplation of her beauty, he describes the utmost
+  tenderness and guardian affection in one word:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Adam with looks of cordial love
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Hung over her enamoured.<a name='fntag397' id=
+        "fntag397"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote397'><sup>397</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"This is that sort of passion which truly deserves the name of
+  'love,' and has something more generous than friendship itself;
+  for it has a constant care of the object beloved, abstracted from
+  its own interests in the possession of it." Sappho was proceeding
+  on the subject, when my sister produced a letter sent to her in
+  the time of my absence, in celebration of the marriage state,
+  which is the condition wherein only this sort of passion reigns
+  in full authority. The epistle is as follows:</p>
+
+  <p>"DEAR MADAM,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your brother being absent, I dare take the liberty of writing
+  to you my thoughts of that state, which our whole sex either is
+  or desires to be in: you'll easily guess I mean matrimony, which
+  I hear so much decried, that it was with no small labour I
+  maintained my ground against two opponents; but, as your brother
+  observed of Socrates, I drew them into my conclusion from their
+  own concessions; thus:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "In marriage are two happy things allowed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A wife in wedding-sheets, and in a shroud.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        How can a marriage state then be accursed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Since the last day's as happy as the first?
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"<a class="pagenum" name='page331' title='331' id=
+  "page331"></a>If you think they were too easily confuted, you may
+  conclude them not of the first sense, by their talking against
+  marriage.</p>
+
+  <p>"Yours,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"MARIANA."</p>
+
+  <p>I observed Sappho began to redden at this epistle; and turning
+  to a lady, who was playing with a dog she was so fond of as to
+  carry him abroad with her; "Nay," says she, "I cannot blame the
+  men if they have mean ideas of our souls and affections, and
+  wonder so many are brought to take us for companions for life,
+  when they see our endearments so triflingly placed: for, to my
+  knowledge, Mr. Truman would give half his estate for half the
+  affection you have shown to that Shock: nor do I believe you
+  would be ashamed to confess, that I saw you cry, when he had the
+  colic last week with lapping sour milk. What more could you do
+  for your lover himself?" "What more!" replied the lady, "there is
+  not a man in England for whom I could lament half so much." Then
+  she stifled the animal with kisses, and called him, Beau, Life,
+  Dear, Monsieur, Pretty Fellow, and what not, in the hurry of her
+  impertinence. Sappho rose up; as she always does at anything she
+  observes done, which discovers in her own sex a levity of mind,
+  which renders them inconsiderable in the opinion of others.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 11.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 16th instant, N.S., say, that
+  the siege of Tournay went on with all imaginable success; and
+  that there has been no manner of stop given to the attempts of
+  the Confederates since they undertook it, except that by an
+  accident of firing a piece of ordnance, it burst, and killed
+  fifteen or sixteen men. The French army <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page332' title='332' id="page332"></a>is still in the camp of
+  Lens, and goes on in improving their entrenchments. When the last
+  advices came away, it was believed the town of Tournay would be
+  in the hands of the Confederates by the end of this month.
+  Advices from Brussels inform us, that they have an account of a
+  great action between the malcontents in the Vivarez, and the
+  French king's forces under the command of the Duke of Roquelaure,
+  in which engagement there were eighteen hundred men killed on the
+  spot. They add, that all sorts of people who are under any
+  oppression or discontent do daily join the Vivarois; and that
+  their present body of men in arms consisted of six thousand. This
+  sudden insurrection has put the Court of France under great
+  difficulties; and the king has given orders, that the main body
+  of his troops in Spain shall withdraw into his own dominions,
+  where they are to be quartered in such countries as have of late
+  discovered an inclination to take up arms: the calamities of that
+  kingdom being such, that the people are not by any means to be
+  kept in obedience, except by the terror of military execution.
+  What makes the distresses still greater, is, that the Court
+  begins to be doubtful of their troops, some regiments in the
+  action in the Cevennes having faced about against their officers;
+  and after the battle was over, joined the malcontents. Upon
+  receiving advice of this battle, the Duke of Berwick detached
+  twelve battalions into those parts, and began to add new works to
+  his entrenchments near Brian�on, in order to defend his camp,
+  after being weakened by sending so great a reinforcement into the
+  Cevennes. Letters from Spain say, that the Duchess of Anjou was
+  lately delivered of a second son. They write from Madrid of the
+  25th of June, that the blockade of Olivenza was continued; but
+  acknowledge, that the late provisions which were thrown into the
+  place, make them <a class="pagenum" name='page333' title='333'
+  id="page333"></a>doubt whether they shall be masters of it this
+  campaign; though it is at present so closely blocked up, that it
+  appears impracticable to send in any more stores or succours.
+  They are preparing with all expedition to repair the
+  fortifications of Alicante, for the security of the kingdom of
+  Valencia.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag392'>[392]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote392' id="footnote392"></a>It appears from
+      Luttrell's "Brief Relation," that in Feb. 1707, Commissioners
+      sat in the Exchequer Room at Westminster to try whether
+      Viscount Wenman, "aged 19, of �5000 per annum estate in
+      Oxfordshire," were an idiot or not. On the 14th February the
+      Commission was superseded. In June 1709, a new Commission
+      passed the Great Seal for inquiring into the Viscount's
+      idiocy, and on July 29 they found that he was no idiot. On
+      July 12, Peter Wentworth wrote thus to Lord Raby: "The
+      prosecution of Lord Wainman is now order'd again, upon wch
+      the <i>Tatler</i> is to day; the accation I am told is this,
+      that last year when there was a stopt put to't 'twas upon the
+      intercession lady Wainman the mother made to the Queen, and
+      that she designed to marry her son, the fool, to Sir John
+      Packington's daughter, 'twas then said that my Lady her self
+      had married her Butler, wch the Queen desired her to tell the
+      truth, and she did assure the Queen upon her word and
+      honour,'twas false, and she never intended any such thing,
+      but of late she has own her marriage to that same Butler, and
+      put off the match with Sir John P&#8212;&#8212;daughter, and
+      married him to her husband's sister, wch they say the Queen
+      is angry at and therefore this fresh prosecution is order'd"
+      ("Wentworth Papers," p. 93). Lord Wenman, the fifth Viscount,
+      was born in 1687, married Susannah, daughter of Seymour
+      Wroughton, Esq., in 1709, and died in 1729. Lord Wenman's
+      brother-in-law, Francis Wroughton, was also his
+      father-in-law, for he had married, in 1699, as her third
+      husband, the Viscount's mother, the Countess of Abingdon.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag393'>[393]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote393' id="footnote393"></a>The Scowrers
+      and Roarers were the forerunners of the Mohocks of 1712.
+      Shadwell wrote a play called "The Scowrers," and often
+      alludes to the window-breakers of his time. See Gay's
+      "Trivia," iii. 325:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Who has not heard the Scowrer's midnight fame?
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Who has not trembled at the Mohock's name?"
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag394'>[394]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote394' id="footnote394"></a>"Essay
+      concerning Human Understanding," chap. xii. sect. 14.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag395'>[395]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote395' id="footnote395"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number6">6</a>, <a href="#number35">35</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag396'>[396]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote396' id="footnote396"></a>"Brennoralt,"
+      act iii.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag397'>[397]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote397' id="footnote397"></a>"Paradise
+      Lost," iv. 12, 13.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number41' id="number41"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 41.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, July 12</i>, to <i>Thursday, July 14</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Celebrare domestica facta.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 12.</h3>
+
+  <p>There is no one thing more to be lamented in our nation, than
+  their general affectation of everything that is foreign; nay, we
+  carry it so far, that we are more anxious for our own countrymen
+  when they have crossed the seas, than when we see them in the
+  same dangerous condition before our eyes at home: else how is it
+  possible, that on the 29th of the last month, there should have
+  been a battle fought in our very streets of London, and nobody at
+  this end of the town have heard of it? I protest, I, who make it
+  my business to inquire after adventures, should never have known
+  this, had not the following account been sent me enclosed in a
+  letter. This, it seems, is the way of giving out of orders in the
+  Artillery Company;<a name='fntag398' id="fntag398"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote398'><sup>398</sup></a> and they prepare for
+  a day of action with so little concern, as only to call it, "An
+  Exercise of Arms."</p>
+
+  <p>"An Exercise at Arms of the Artillery Company, to be performed
+  on Wednesday, June 29, 1709, under the command of Sir Joseph
+  Woolfe, Knight and Alderman, General; <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page334' title='334' id="page334"></a>Charles Hopson, Esquire,
+  present Sheriff, Lieutenant-General; Captain Richard Synge,
+  Major; Major John Shorey, Captain of Grenadiers; Captain William
+  Grayhurst, Captain John Buttler, Captain Robert Carellis,
+  Captains.</p>
+
+  <p>"The body march from the Artillery Ground through Moorgate,
+  Coleman Street, Lothbury, Broad Street, Finch Lane, Cornhill,
+  Cheapside, St. Martin's, St. Anne's Lane, halt the pikes under
+  the wall in Noble Street, draw up the firelocks facing the
+  Goldsmiths' Hall, make ready and face to the left, and fire, and
+  so ditto three times. Beat to arms, and march round the hall, as
+  up Lad Lane, Gutter Lane, Honey Lane, and so wheel to the right,
+  and make your salute to my lord, and so down St. Anne's Lane, up
+  Aldersgate Street, Barbican, and draw up in Red Cross Street, the
+  right at St. Paul's Alley in the rear. March off
+  Lieutenant-General with half the body up Beech Lane: he sends a
+  subdivision up King's Head Court, and takes post in it, and
+  marches two divisions round into Red Lion Market, to defend that
+  pass, and succour the division in King's Head Court, but keeps in
+  White Cross Street, facing Beech Lane, the rest of the body ready
+  drawn up. Then the General marches up Beech Lane, is attacked,
+  but forces the division in the court into the market, and enters
+  with three divisions while he presses the Lieutenant-General's
+  main body; and at the same time, the three divisions force those
+  of the revolters out of the market, and so all the
+  Lieutenant-General's body retreats into Chiswell Street, and
+  lodges two divisions in Grub Street; and as the General marches
+  on, they fall on his flank, but soon made to give way; but having
+  a retreating place in Red Lion Court, but could not hold it,
+  being put to flight through Paul's Alley, and pursued by the
+  General's grenadiers, while he marches up and <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page335' title='335' id="page335"></a>attacks their main
+  body, but are opposed again by a party of men as lay in Black
+  Raven Court; but they are forced also to retire soon in the
+  utmost confusion; and at the same time those brave divisions in
+  Paul's Alley ply their rear with grenadiers, that with
+  precipitation they take to the rout along Bunhill Row: so the
+  General marches into the Artillery Ground, and being drawn up,
+  finds the revolting party to have found entrance, and makes a
+  show as if for a battle, and both armies soon engage in form, and
+  fire by platoons."</p>
+
+  <p>Much might be said for the improvement of this system; which,
+  for its style and invention, may instruct generals and their
+  historians, both in fighting a battle, and describing it when it
+  is over. These elegant expressions, "Ditto," "And so," "But
+  soon," "But having," "But could not," "But are," "But they,"
+  "Finds the party to have found," &amp;c., do certainly give great
+  life and spirit to the relation. Indeed I am extremely concerned
+  for the Lieutenant-General, who, by his overthrow and defeat, is
+  made a deplorable instance of the fortune of war, and
+  vicissitudes of human affairs. He, alas! has lost in Beech Lane
+  and Chiswell Street, all the glory he lately gained in and about
+  Holborn and St. Giles's. The art of subdividing first, and
+  dividing afterwards, is new and surprising; and according to this
+  method, the troops are disposed in King's Head Court and Red Lion
+  Market: nor is the conduct of these leaders less conspicuous in
+  their choice of the ground or field of battle. Happy was it, that
+  the greatest part of the achievements of this day was to be
+  performed near Grub Street,<a name='fntag399' id=
+  "fntag399"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote399'><sup>399</sup></a> that there might not be
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page336' title='336' id=
+  "page336"></a>wanting a sufficient number of faithful historians,
+  who being eye-witnesses of these wonders, should impartially
+  transmit them to posterity: but then it can never be enough
+  regretted, that we are left in the dark as to the name and title
+  of that extraordinary hero who commanded the divisions in Paul's
+  Alley; especially because those divisions are justly styled
+  brave, and accordingly were to push the enemy along Bunhill Row,
+  and thereby occasion a general battle. But Pallas appeared in the
+  form of a shower of rain, and prevented the slaughter and
+  desolation which were threatened by these extraordinary
+  preparations.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Hi motus animorum atque h�c certamina tanta
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescunt.<a name=
+        'fntag400' id="fntag400"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote400'><sup>400</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>Some part of the company keep up the old way of conversation
+  in this place, which usually turned upon the examination of
+  nature, and an inquiry into the manners of men. There is one in
+  the room so very judicious, that he manages impertinents with the
+  utmost dexterity. It was diverting this evening to hear a
+  discourse between him and one of these gentlemen. He told me
+  before that person joined us, that he was a questioner, who,
+  according to his description, is one who asks questions, not with
+  a design to receive information, but an affectation to show his
+  uneasiness for want of it. He went on in asserting, that there
+  are crowds of that modest ambition, as to aim no farther than to
+  demonstrate that they are in doubt. But by this time Will Why-not
+  was sat down by <a class="pagenum" name='page337' title='337' id=
+  "page337"></a>us. "So, gentlemen," says he, "in how many days,
+  think you, shall we be masters of Tournay? Is the account of the
+  action of the Vivarois to be depended upon? Could you have
+  imagined England had so much money in it, as you see it has
+  produced? Pray, sirs, what do you think? Will the Duke of Savoy
+  make an eruption into France? But," says he, "time will clear all
+  these mysteries." His answer to himself gave me the altitude of
+  his head, and to all his questions I thus answered very
+  satisfactorily: "Sir, have you heard that this
+  Slaughterford<a name='fntag401' id="fntag401"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote401'><sup>401</sup></a> never owned the fact for
+  which he died? Have the newspapers mentioned that matter? But,
+  pray, can you tell me what method will be taken to provide for
+  these Palatines?<a name='fntag402' id="fntag402"></a><a class=
+  'fn' href='#footnote402'><sup>402</sup></a> But this, as you say,
+  time will clear." "Ay, ay," says he, and whispers me, "they will
+  never let us into these things beforehand." I whispered him
+  again, "We shall know it as soon as there is a proclamation." He
+  tells me in the other ear, "You are in the right of it." Then he
+  whispered my friend to know what my name was; then made an
+  obliging bow, and went to examine another table. This led my
+  friend and me to weigh this wandering manner in many other
+  incidents, and he took out of his pockets several little notes or
+  tickets to solicit for votes to employments: as, "Mr. John
+  Taplash having served all offices, and being reduced to great
+  poverty, desires your vote for singing clerk of this parish."
+  Another "has had ten children, all whom his wife has suckled
+  herself; therefore humbly desires to be a schoolmaster." There is
+  nothing so frequent as this way of application for offices. It is
+  not that you are fit for the place, but because the place would
+  be convenient for you, that you claim a merit to it. But commend
+  me to the great Kirleus,<a name='fntag403' id=
+  "fntag403"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote403'><sup>403</sup></a> who has <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page338' title='338' id="page338"></a>lately set up for
+  midwifery, and to help childbirth, for no other reason, but that
+  he is himself the Unborn Doctor. The way is to hit upon something
+  that puts the vulgar upon the stare, or that touches their
+  compassion, which is often the weakest part about us. I know a
+  good lady, who has taken her daughters from their old
+  dancing-master, to place them with another, for no other reason,
+  but because the new man has broke his leg, which is so ill set,
+  that he can never dance more.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>As it is a frequent mortification to me to receive letters,
+  wherein people tell me, without a name, they know I meant them in
+  such and such a passage; so that very accusation is an argument,
+  that there are such beings in human life, as fall under our
+  description and our discourse, is not altogether fantastical and
+  groundless. But in this case I am treated as I saw a boy was the
+  other day, who gave out poxy bills: every plain fellow took it
+  that passed by, and went on his way without further notice: at
+  last came one with his nose a little abridged; who knocks the lad
+  down, with a, "Why, you son of a w&#8212;&#8212;e, do you think I
+  am p&#8212;&#8212;d?" But Shakespeare has made the best apology
+  for this way of talking against the public errors: he makes
+  Jaques, in the play called "As You Like It," express himself
+  thus:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Why, who cries out on pride,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That can therein tax any private party?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        What woman in the city do I name,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        When that I say the city woman bears
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Who can come in and say that I mean her,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        When such a one as she, such is her neighbour?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Or, what is he of basest function,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That says his bravery is not on my cost?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page339' title='339' id=
+        "page339"></a>Thinking that I mean him, but therein suits
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        His folly to the mettle of my speech.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        There then! How then? Then let me see wherein
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        My tongue hath wronged him: if it do him right,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Then he hath wronged himself: if he be free,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Why then my taxing like a wild goose flies,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Unclaimed of any man.<a name='fntag404' id=
+        "fntag404"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote404'><sup>404</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 13.</h3>
+
+  <p>We have received, by letters of the 18th instant from the camp
+  before Tournay, an account, that we were in a fair prospect of
+  being masters of the town within seven days after that date. Our
+  batteries had utterly overthrown those of the enemy. On the 16th
+  instant, N.S., General Schuylemburg had made a lodgment on the
+  counterscarp of the Tenaille; which post was so weakly defended,
+  that we lost but six men in gaining it. So that there seems
+  reason to hope, that the citadel will also be in the hands of the
+  Confederates about the 6th of August, O.S. These advices inform
+  us further, that Marshal Villars had ordered large detachments to
+  make motions towards Douay and Cond�. The swift progress of this
+  siege has so much alarmed the other frontier towns of France,
+  that they were throwing down some houses in the suburbs of
+  Valenciennes, which they think may stand commodiously for the
+  enemy in case that place should be invested. The Elector of
+  Cologne is making all imaginable haste to remove from thence to
+  Rheims.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag398'>[398]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote398' id="footnote398"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number28">28</a>, <a href="#number38">38</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag399'>[399]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote399' id="footnote399"></a>Grub Street,
+      Cripplegate (now Milton Street), became, towards the end of
+      the seventeenth century, the abode of what Johnson calls
+      "writers of small histories, dictionaries and temporary
+      poems; whence any mean production is called Grub Street."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag400'>[400]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote400' id="footnote400"></a>Virgil,
+      "Georgics," iv. 86.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag401'>[401]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote401' id="footnote401"></a>The <i>Flying
+      Post</i> records that one Slaughterford was sentenced to
+      death on July 2, 1709, for murdering his sweetheart.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag402'>[402]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote402' id="footnote402"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number24">24</a>, 51.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag403'>[403]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote403' id="footnote403"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number14'>No. 14</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag404'>[404]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote404' id="footnote404"></a>"As You Like
+      It," act ii. sc. 7.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page340' title='340' id=
+    "page340"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number42' id="number42"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 42.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE AND ADDISON.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, July 14, to Saturday, July 16</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Celebrare domestica facta.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>Looking over some old papers, I found a little treatise,
+  written by my great-grandfather, concerning bribery, and thought
+  his manner of treating that subject not unworthy my remark. He
+  there has a digression concerning a possibility, that in some
+  circumstances a man may receive an injury, and yet be conscious
+  to himself that he deserves it. There are abundance of fine
+  things said on the subject; but the whole wrapped up in so much
+  jingle and pun (which was the wit of those times) that it is
+  scarce intelligible; but I thought the design was well enough in
+  the following sketch of the old gentleman's poetry: for in this
+  case, where two are rivals for the same thing, and propose to
+  attain it by presents, he that attempts the judge's honesty, by
+  making him offers of reward, ought not to complain when he loses
+  his cause for a better bidder. But the good old doggerel runs
+  thus:<a name='fntag405' id="fntag405"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote405'><sup>405</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        A poor man once a judge besought,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        To judge aright his cause,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And with a pot of oil salutes
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        This judger of the laws.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "My friend" quoth he, "thy cause is good":
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        He glad away did trudge;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Anon his wealthy foe did come
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Before this partial judge.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page341' title='341' id=
+        "page341"></a>An hog well fed this churl presents,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        And craves a strain of law;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The hog received, the poor man's right
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Was judged not worth a straw.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Therewith he cried, "O! partial judge,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Thy doom has me undone;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        When oil I gave, my cause was good,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        But now to ruin run."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "Poor man" quoth he, "I thee forgot,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        And see thy cause of foil;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        An hog came since into my house,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        And broke thy pot of oil."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>The discourse happened this evening to fall upon characters
+  drawn in plays, and a gentleman remarked, that there was no
+  method in the world of knowing the taste of an age, or period of
+  time so good, as by the observations of the persons represented
+  in their comedies. There were several instances produced, as Ben
+  Jonson's bringing in a fellow smoking as a piece of
+  foppery;<a name='fntag406' id="fntag406"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote406'><sup>406</sup></a> "But," said the gentleman who
+  entertained us on this subject, "this matter is nowhere so
+  observable as in the difference of the characters of women on the
+  stage in the last age, and in this. It is not to be supposed that
+  it was a poverty of genius in Shakespeare, that his women made so
+  small a figure in his dialogues; but it certainly is, that he
+  drew women as they then were in life; for that sex had not in
+  those days that freedom in conversation; and their characters
+  were only, that they were mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives.
+  There were not then among the ladies, shining wits, politicians,
+  virtuosas, free-thinkers, and disputants; nay, there was then
+  hardly such <a class="pagenum" name='page342' title='342' id=
+  "page342"></a>a creature even as a coquette: but vanity had quite
+  another turn, and the most conspicuous woman at that time of day
+  was only the best housewife. Were it possible to bring into life
+  an assembly of matrons of that age, and introduce the learned
+  Lady Woodby into their company, they would not believe the same
+  nation could produce a creature so unlike anything they ever saw
+  in it. But these ancients would be as much astonished to see in
+  the same age so illustrious a pattern to all who love things
+  praiseworthy, as the divine Aspasia.<a name='fntag407' id=
+  "fntag407"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote407'><sup>407</sup></a> Methinks, I now see her walking
+  in her garden like our first parent, with unaffected charms,
+  before beauty had spectators, and bearing celestial conscious
+  virtue in her aspect. Her countenance is the lively picture of
+  her mind, which is the seat of honour, truth, compassion,
+  knowledge, and innocence.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        There dwells the scorn of vice and pity too.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>In the midst of the most ample fortune, and veneration of all
+  that behold and know her, without the least affectation,
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page343' title='343' id=
+  "page343"></a>she consults retirement, the contemplation of her
+  own being, and that supreme power which bestowed it. Without the
+  learning of schools, or knowledge of a long course of arguments,
+  she goes on in a steady course of uninterrupted piety and virtue,
+  and adds to the severity and privacy of the last age all the
+  freedom and ease of this. The language and mien of a Court she is
+  possessed of in the highest degree; but the simplicity and humble
+  thoughts of a cottage, are her more welcome entertainments.
+  Aspasia is a female philosopher, who does not only live up to the
+  resignation of the most retired lives of the ancient sages, but
+  also to the schemes and plans which they thought beautiful,
+  though inimitable. This lady is the most exact economist, without
+  appearing busy; the most strictly virtuous, without tasting the
+  praise of it; and shuns applause with as much industry, as others
+  do <a class="pagenum" name='page344' title='344' id=
+  "page344"></a>reproach. This character is so particular, that it
+  will very easily be fixed on her only, by all that know her: but
+  I daresay, she will be the last that finds it out. But, alas! if
+  we have one or two such ladies, how many dozens are there like
+  the restless Poluglossa, who is acquainted with all the world but
+  herself; who has the appearance of all, and possession of no one
+  virtue: she has indeed in her practice the absence of vice; but
+  her discourse is the continual history of it; and it is apparent,
+  when she speaks of the criminal gratifications of others, that
+  her innocence is only a restraint, with a certain mixture of
+  envy. She is so perfectly opposite to the character of Aspasia,
+  that as vice is terrible to her only as it is the object of
+  reproach, so virtue is agreeable only as it is attended with
+  applause.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 15.</h3>
+
+  <p>It is now twelve o'clock at noon, and no mail come in;
+  therefore I am not without hopes, that the town will allow me the
+  liberty which my brother news-writers take, in giving them what
+  may be for their information in another kind, and indulge me in
+  doing an act of friendship, by publishing the following account
+  of goods and movables.<a name='fntag408' id=
+  "fntag408"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote408'><sup>408</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>This is to give notice, that a magnificent palace, with great
+  variety of gardens, statues, and waterworks, may be bought cheap
+  in Drury Lane; where there are likewise several castles to be
+  disposed of, very delightfully situated; as also groves, woods,
+  forests, fountains, and country seats, with very pleasant
+  prospects on all sides of <a class="pagenum" name='page345'
+  title='345' id="page345"></a>them; being the movables of
+  Ch&#8212;&#8212;r R&#8212;&#8212;ch,<a name='fntag409' id=
+  "fntag409"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote409'><sup>409</sup></a> Esq.; who is breaking up
+  housekeeping, and has many curious pieces of furniture to dispose
+  of, which may be seen between the hours of six and ten in the
+  evening.</p>
+
+  <h4>The INVENTORY.</h4>
+
+  <ul>
+    <li>Spirits of right Nantes brandy, for lambent flames and
+    apparitions.</li>
+
+    <li>Three bottles and a half of lightning.</li>
+
+    <li>One shower of snow in the whitest French paper.</li>
+
+    <li>Two showers of a browner sort.</li>
+
+    <li>A sea, consisting of a dozen large waves; the tenth bigger
+    than ordinary, and a little damaged.</li>
+
+    <li>A dozen and a half of clouds, trimmed with black, and well
+    conditioned.</li>
+
+    <li>A rainbow a little faded.</li>
+
+    <li>A set of clouds after the French mode, streaked with
+    lightning, and furbelowed.</li>
+
+    <li>A new-moon, something decayed.</li>
+
+    <li>A pint of the finest Spanish wash, being all that is left
+    of two hogsheads sent over last winter.</li>
+
+    <li>A coach very finely gilt, and little used, with a pair of
+    dragons, to be sold cheap.</li>
+
+    <li>A setting sun, a pennyworth.<a name='fntag410' id=
+    "fntag410"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote410'><sup>410</sup></a></li>
+
+    <li>An imperial mantle, made for Cyrus the Great, and worn by
+    Julius C�sar, Bajazet, King Harry the Eighth, and Signior
+    Valentin.<a name='fntag411' id="fntag411"></a><a class='fn'
+    href='#footnote411'><sup>411</sup></a></li>
+
+    <li>A basket-hilt sword, very convenient to carry milk in.</li>
+
+    <li>Roxana's night-gown.</li>
+
+    <li>Othello's handkerchief.</li>
+
+    <li><a class="pagenum" name='page346' title='346' id=
+    "page346"></a>The imperial robes of Xerxes, never worn but
+    once.</li>
+
+    <li>A wild-boar, killed by Mrs. Tofts<a name='fntag412' id=
+    "fntag412"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote412'><sup>412</sup></a> and Dioclesian.</li>
+
+    <li>A serpent to sting Cleopatra.</li>
+
+    <li>A mustard-bowl to make thunder with.</li>
+
+    <li>Another of a bigger sort, by Mr. D&#8212;&#8212;is's
+    directions, little used.<a name='fntag413' id=
+    "fntag413"></a><a class='fn' href=
+    '#footnote413'><sup>413</sup></a></li>
+
+    <li>Six elbow-chairs, very expert in country-dances, with six
+    flower-pots for their partners.</li>
+
+    <li>The whiskers of a Turkish bassa.</li>
+
+    <li>The complexion of a murderer in a band-box; consisting of a
+    large piece of burnt cork, and a coal-black peruke.</li>
+
+    <li>A suit of clothes for a ghost, viz., a bloody shirt, a
+    doublet curiously pinked, and a coat with three great
+    eyelet-holes upon the breast.</li>
+
+    <li>A bale of red Spanish wool.</li>
+
+    <li>Modern plots, commonly known by the name of trapdoors,
+    ladders of ropes, vizard-masks, and tables with broad carpets
+    over them.</li>
+
+    <li>Three oak cudgels, with one of crab-tree; all bought for
+    the use of Mr. Pinkethman.</li>
+
+    <li>Materials for dancing; as masks, castanets, and a ladder of
+    ten rounds.</li>
+
+    <li>Aurengezebe's scimitar, made by Will Brown in
+    Piccadilly.</li>
+
+    <li>A plume of feathers, never used but by Oedipus and the Earl
+    of Essex.</li>
+  </ul>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page347' title='347' id=
+  "page347"></a>There are also swords, halberts, sheep-hooks,
+  cardinals' hats, turbans, drums, gallipots, a gibbet, a cradle, a
+  rack, a cart-wheel, an altar, a helmet, a back-piece, a
+  breast-plate, a bell, a tub, and a jointed baby.<a name=
+  'fntag414' id="fntag414"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote414'><sup>414</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>These are the hard shifts we intelligencers are forced to;
+  therefore our readers ought to excuse us, if a westerly wind
+  blowing for a fortnight together, generally fills every paper
+  with an order of battle; when we show our martial skill in each
+  line, and, according to the space we have to fill, we range our
+  men in squadrons and battalions, or draw out company by company,
+  and troop by troop; ever observing, that no muster is to be made,
+  but when the wind is in a cross point, which often happens at the
+  end of a campaign, when half the men are deserted or killed. The
+  <i>Courant</i> is sometimes ten deep, his ranks close: the
+  <i>Postboy</i><a name='fntag415' id="fntag415"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote415'><sup>415</sup></a> is generally in files, for
+  greater exactness; and the <i>Postman</i> comes down upon you
+  rather after the Turkish way, sword in hand, pell-mell, without
+  form or discipline; but sure to bring men enough into the field;
+  and wherever they are raised, never to lose a battle for want of
+  numbers.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag405'>[405]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote405' id="footnote405"></a>From George
+      Whetstone's "English Mirror," 1586.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag406'>[406]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote406' id="footnote406"></a>See "Every Man
+      out of his Humour," act ii. sc. 1.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag407'>[407]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote407' id="footnote407"></a>Lady Elizabeth
+      Hastings, unquestionably one of the most accomplished and
+      virtuous characters of the age in which she lived, was the
+      daughter of Theophilus Hastings, the 7th Earl of Huntingdon,
+      and of Elizabeth, eldest daughter and co-heiress to John
+      Lewes, of Ledstone, in Yorkshire, Knt. and Bart. Her father
+      succeeded to the honours and estate of the family, Feb. 13,
+      1655, and was in 1687 Lord Chief Justice, and Justice in Eyre
+      of all the King's forests, &amp;c., beyond Trent; Lord
+      Lieutenant of the counties of Leicester and Derby; Captain of
+      the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners, and of the Privy Council to
+      King James II. He died suddenly at his lodgings in Charles
+      Street, St. James's, May 13, 1701, and was succeeded in his
+      honours and estate by his son, and her brother, Charles, who
+      died unmarried, Feb. 22, 1704. Lady Elizabeth Hastings was
+      born April 19, 1682, and died Dec. 22, 1739. It is said, with
+      great probability, that since the commencement of the
+      Christian era, scarce any age has produced a lady of such
+      high birth and superior accomplishments, that was a greater
+      blessing to many, or a brighter pattern to all. There is an
+      admirable sketch of this illustrious lady's character, drawn
+      soon after her death, in the tenth volume of the
+      <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, p. 36, probably by Samuel
+      Johnson. See also "An historical Character relating to the
+      holy and exemplary Life of the Right Honourable the Lady
+      Elisabeth Hastings, &amp;c. By Thomas Barnard, A.M. Printed
+      at Leeds, in 1742, 12mo" (Nichols).&#8212;Lady Elizabeth
+      Hastings, who came into a fortune upon the death of her
+      brother George, Earl of Huntingdon, settled at Ledstone
+      House, where she was the Lady Bountiful of the neighbourhood.
+      Her whole estate, however, is said to have been less than
+      �3000 a year. The best of the clergy of the day were among
+      her friends. She helped Berkeley in his Bermuda Mission
+      scheme, and she befriended Miss Mary Astell. Ralph Thoresby,
+      who visited her, was "extremely pleased with the most
+      agreeable conversation of the pious and excellent Lady
+      Elizabeth Hastings." ("Diary," ii. 82). She was one of the
+      numerous eligible ladies that the friends of Lord Raby,
+      afterwards Earl of Strafford, suggested to him as a suitable
+      wife ("Wentworth Papers," pp. 29, 56). The character of
+      Aspasia in this paper has been attributed to Congreve, on the
+      ground, apparently, that he knew Lady Elizabeth Hastings'
+      half-brother, Theophilus, afterwards Earl of Huntingdon. See
+      <a href='#number49'>No. 49</a>, note.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag408'>[408]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote408' id="footnote408"></a>The remainder
+      of this paper is by Addison; see Steele's Preface. Drury Lane
+      Theatre was closed by an order of the Lord Chamberlain, as
+      mentioned in <a href='#number30'>No. 30</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag409'>[409]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote409' id="footnote409"></a>Christopher
+      Rich.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag410'>[410]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote410' id="footnote410"></a>A bargain.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag411'>[411]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote411' id="footnote411"></a>Valentini
+      Urbani sang in Italian in the opera of "Camilla," in 1707.
+      His acting seems to have been better than his voice (Burney's
+      "History of Music," iv. 208).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag412'>[412]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote412' id="footnote412"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number20'>No. 20</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag413'>[413]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote413' id="footnote413"></a>John Dennis's
+      unsuccessful tragedy of "Appius and Virginia" was produced in
+      1709. On that occasion he introduced a new method of making
+      thunder (see "Dunciad," ii. 226), which was found useful by
+      managers. Afterwards, when Dennis found his invention being
+      used in "Macbeth," he exclaimed, "'Sdeath! that's my thunder.
+      See how the fellows use me, they have silenced my tragedy,
+      and they roar out my thunder" (Oldys, MS. notes on
+      Langbaine).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag414'>[414]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote414' id="footnote414"></a>"Baby" was
+      often used for "doll."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag415'>[415]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote415' id="footnote415"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number18'>No. 18</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number43' id="number43"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 43.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, July 16</i>, to <i>Tuesday, July 19</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Bene nummatum decorat suadela Venusque,
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Hor. 1 Ep. vi. 38.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>I write from hence at present to complain, that wit and merit
+  are so little encouraged by people of rank and quality, that the
+  wits of the age are obliged to run within <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page348' title='348' id="page348"></a>Temple Bar for
+  patronage. There is a deplorable instance of this in the case of
+  Mr. D&#8212;&#8212;y,<a name='fntag416' id=
+  "fntag416"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote416'><sup>416</sup></a> who has dedicated his
+  inimitable comedy, called, "The Modern Prophets," to a worthy
+  knight,<a name='fntag417' id="fntag417"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote417'><sup>417</sup></a> to whom, it seems, he had
+  before communicated his plan, which was, to ridicule the
+  ridiculous of our established doctrine. I have elsewhere
+  celebrated the contrivance of this excellent drama; but was not,
+  till I read the dedication, wholly let into the religious design
+  of it. I am afraid it has suffered discontinuance at this gay end
+  of the town, for no other reason but the piety of the purpose.
+  There is however in this epistle the true life of panegyrical
+  performance; and I do not doubt but, if the patron would part
+  with it, I can help him to others with good pretensions to it;
+  viz., of uncommon understanding, who would give him as much as he
+  gave for it. I know perfectly well a noble person to whom these
+  words (which are the body of the panegyric) would fit to a
+  hair.</p>
+
+  <p>"Your easiness of humour, or rather your harmonious
+  disposition, is so admirably mixed with your composure, that the
+  rugged cares and disturbance that public affairs brings with it,
+  which does so vexatiously affect the heads of other great men of
+  business, &amp;c. does scarce ever ruffle your unclouded brow so
+  much as with a frown. And what above all is praiseworthy, you are
+  so far from thinking yourself better than others, that a
+  flourishing and opulent fortune, which by a certain natural
+  corruption in its <a class="pagenum" name='page349' title='349'
+  id="page349"></a>quality, seldom fails to infect other possessors
+  with pride, seems in this case as if only providentially disposed
+  to enlarge your humility.</p>
+
+  <p>"But I find, sir, I am now got into a very large field, where
+  though I could with great ease raise a number of plants in
+  relation to your merit of this plauditory nature; yet for fear of
+  an author's general vice, and that the plain justice I have done
+  you should, by my proceeding and others' mistaken judgment, be
+  imagined flattery, a thing the bluntness of my nature does not
+  care to be concerned with, and which I also know you
+  abominate."</p>
+
+  <p>It is wonderful to see how many judges of these fine things
+  spring up every day by the rise of stocks, and other elegant
+  methods of abridging the way to learning and criticism. But I do
+  hereby forbid all dedications to any persons within the city of
+  London, except Sir Francis, Sir Stephen,<a name='fntag418' id=
+  "fntag418"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote418'><sup>418</sup></a> and the Bank, will take
+  epigrams and epistles as value received for their notes; and the
+  East India Companies accept of heroic poems for their sealed
+  bonds. Upon which bottom, our publishers have full power to treat
+  with the city in behalf of us authors, to enable traders to
+  become patrons and Fellows of the Royal Society, as well as
+  receive certain degrees of skill in the Latin and Greek tongues,
+  according to the quantity of the commodities which they take off
+  our hands.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page350' title='350' id=
+  "page350"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, July 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>The learned have so long laboured under the imputation of
+  dryness and dulness in their accounts of their phenomena, that an
+  ingenious gentleman of our society has resolved to write a system
+  of philosophy in a more lively method, both as to the matter and
+  language, than has been hitherto attempted. He read to us the
+  plan upon which he intends to proceed. I thought his account, by
+  way of fable of the worlds about us, had so much vivacity in it,
+  that I could not forbear transcribing his hypothesis, to give the
+  reader a taste of my friend's treatise, which is now in the
+  press.<a name='fntag419' id="fntag419"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote419'><sup>419</sup></a></p>
+
+  <p>"The inferior deities having designed on a day to play a game
+  at football, knead together a numberless collection of dancing
+  atoms into the form of seven rolling globes: and that nature
+  might be kept from a dull inactivity, each separate particle is
+  endued with a principle of motion, or a power of attraction,
+  whereby all the several parcels of matter draw each other
+  proportionately to their magnitudes and distances, into such a
+  remarkable variety of different forms, as to produce all the
+  wonderful appearances we now observe in empire, philosophy, and
+  religion. To proceed; at the beginning of the game, each of the
+  globes being struck forward with a vast violence, ran out of
+  sight, and wandered in a straight line through the infinite
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page351' title='351' id=
+  "page351"></a>spaces. The nimble deities pursue, breathless
+  almost, and spent in the eager chase; each of them caught hold of
+  one, and stamped it with his name; as, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and
+  so of the rest. To prevent this inconvenience for the future, the
+  seven are condemned to a precipitation, which in our inferior
+  style we call 'gravity.' Thus the tangential and centripetal
+  forces, by their counter-struggle, make the celestial bodies
+  describe an exact ellipsis."</p>
+
+  <p>There will be added to this an appendix, in defence of the
+  first day of the term according to the Oxford Almanac,<a name=
+  'fntag420' id="fntag420"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote420'><sup>420</sup></a> by a learned knight of this
+  realm, with an apology for the said knight's manner of dress;
+  proving, that his habit, according to this hypothesis, is the
+  true modern and fashionable; and that buckles are not to be worn,
+  by this system, till the 10th of March, in the year 1714, which,
+  according to the computation of some of our greatest divines, is
+  to be the first year of the Millennium<a name='fntag421' id=
+  "fntag421"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote421'><sup>421</sup></a>; in which blessed age, all
+  habits will be reduced to a primitive simplicity; and whoever
+  shall be found to have persevered in a constancy of dress, in
+  spite of all the allurements of profane and heathen habits, shall
+  be rewarded with a never-fading doublet of a thousand years. All
+  points in the system which are doubted, shall be attested by the
+  knight's extemporary oath, for the satisfaction of his
+  readers.</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>We were upon the heroic strain this evening, and the question
+  was, What is the True Sublime? Many very good discourses happened
+  thereupon; after which a gentleman at the table, who is, it
+  seems, writing on that <a class="pagenum" name='page352' title=
+  '352' id="page352"></a>subject, assumed the argument; and though
+  he ran through many instances of sublimity from the ancient
+  writers, said, he had hardly known an occasion wherein the true
+  greatness of soul, which animates a general in action, is so well
+  represented, with regard to the person of whom it was spoken, and
+  the time in which it was writ, as in a few lines in a modern
+  poem: "there is," continued he, "nothing so forced and
+  constrained, as what we frequently meet with in tragedies; to
+  make a man under the weight of a great sorrow, or full of
+  meditation upon what he is soon to execute, cast about for a
+  simile to what he himself is, or the thing which he is going to
+  act: but there is nothing more proper and natural than for a
+  poet, whose business is to describe, and who is spectator of one
+  in that circumstance when his mind is working upon a great image,
+  and that the ideas hurry upon his imagination&#8212;I say, there
+  is nothing so natural, as for a poet to relieve and clear himself
+  from the burthen of thought at that time, by uttering his
+  conception in simile and metaphor. The highest act of the mind of
+  man, is to possess itself with tranquillity in imminent danger,
+  and to have its thoughts so free, as to act at that time without
+  perplexity. The ancient poets have compared this sedate courage
+  to a rock that remains immovable amidst the rage of winds and
+  waves; but that is too stupid and inanimate a similitude, and
+  could do no credit to the hero. At other times they are all of
+  them wonderfully obliged to a Lybian lion, which may give indeed
+  very agreeable terrors to a description; but is no compliment to
+  the person to whom it is applied: eagles, tigers, and wolves, are
+  made use of on the same occasion, and very often with much
+  beauty; but this is still an honour done to the brute, rather
+  than the hero. Mars, Pallas, Bacchus, and Hercules, have each of
+  them furnished very good similes in their time, and made,
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page353' title='353' id=
+  "page353"></a>doubtless, a greater impression on the mind of a
+  heathen, than they have on that of a modern reader. But the
+  sublime image that I am talking of, and which I really think as
+  great as ever entered into the thought of man, is in the poem
+  called, 'The Campaign';<a name='fntag422' id=
+  "fntag422"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote422'><sup>422</sup></a> where the simile of a
+  ministering angel sets forth the most sedate and the most active
+  courage, engaged in an uproar of nature, a confusion of elements,
+  and a scene of divine vengeance. Add to all, that these lines
+  compliment the General and his Queen at the same time, and have
+  all the natural horrors, heightened by the image that was still
+  fresh in the mind of every reader.<a name='fntag423' id=
+  "fntag423"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote423'><sup>423</sup></a></p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "'Twas then great Marlborough's mighty soul was proved,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That, in the shock of charging hosts unmoved,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Examined all the dreadful scenes of war;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        In peaceful thought the field of death surveyed,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Inspired repulsed battalions to engage,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        So when an angel by divine command,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        With rising tempests shakes a guilty land,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Such as of late o'er pale Britannia past,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Calm and serene he drives the furious blast;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And, pleased the Almighty's orders to perform,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"The whole poem is so exquisitely noble and poetic, that I
+  think it an honour to our nation and language." The gentleman
+  concluded his critique on this work, by saying, that he esteemed
+  it wholly new, and a wonderful attempt to keep up the ordinary
+  ideas of a march of an army, just <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page354' title='354' id="page354"></a>as they happened in so
+  warm and great a style, and yet be at once familiar and heroic.
+  Such a performance is a chronicle as well as a poem, and will
+  preserve the memory of our hero, when all the edifices and
+  statues erected to his honour are blended with common dust.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 18.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, that
+  the Allies were so forward in the siege of Tournay, that they
+  were preparing for a general assault, which, it was supposed,
+  would be made within a few days. Deserters from the town gave an
+  account, that the garrison was carrying their ammunition and
+  provisions into the citadel, which occasioned a tumult among the
+  inhabitants of the town. The French army had laid bridges over
+  the Scarp, and made a motion as if they intended to pass that
+  river; but though they are joined by the reinforcement expected
+  from Germany, it was not believed they should make any attempt
+  towards relieving Tournay. Letters from Brabant say, there has
+  been a discovery made of a design to deliver up Antwerp to the
+  enemy. The States of Holland have agreed to a general
+  naturalisation of all Protestants who shall fly into their
+  dominions; to which purpose, a proclamation was to be issued
+  within few days.</p>
+
+  <p>They write from France, that the great misery and want under
+  which that nation has so long laboured, has ended in a
+  pestilence, which began to appear in Burgundy and Dauphin�. They
+  add, that in the town of Mazon, three hundred persons had died in
+  the space of ten days. Letters from Lille of the 24th instant
+  advise, that great numbers of deserters came daily into that
+  city, the most part of whom are dragoons. We are advised from
+  France, that the Loire having overflowed its banks, hath laid the
+  country under water for three hundred miles together.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag416'>[416]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote416' id="footnote416"></a>See Nos.
+      <a href="#number1">1</a> and <a href="#number11">11</a>. In
+      No. 29 of the <i>Guardian</i> Steele accused the world of
+      ingratitude in not properly "rewarding the jocose labours of
+      my friend, Mr. Durfey"; and in No. 67
+      Addison urged the town to go to a performance at the theatre
+      given for Durfey's benefit. "He has made the town merry, and
+      I hope they will make him easy, so long as he stays among
+      us."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag417'>[417]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote417' id="footnote417"></a>Sir William
+      Scawen, a merchant who was knighted in 1692.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag418'>[418]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote418' id="footnote418"></a>Probably Sir
+      Francis Child and Sir Stephen Evance, the bankers. The latter
+      was ruined at the time of the South Sea mania. The following
+      advertisement appeared in the <i>Postman</i> for Jan. 1,
+      1709: "Lost or mislaid, some time the last summer, at
+      Winchester House, in Chelsea, a gold snuff-box, a cypher
+      graved on the cover, with trophies round it, and over the
+      cypher these words, 'DD. Illust. Princ. Jac. Duci Ormond.'
+      Whoever brings it to Sir Stephen Evance, at the Black Boy in
+      Lombard Street, shall have ten guineas reward, and be asked
+      no questions."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag419'>[419]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote419' id="footnote419"></a>This seems to
+      be a banter upon Mr. Whiston's book intituled, "Pr�lectiones
+      Physic� Mathematic�; sive Philosophia clarissimi Newtoni
+      Mathematica illustrata, 1710"; wherein he explained the
+      Newtonian philosophy, which now began to grow into vogue.
+      Both Addison and Steele, however, very much befriended
+      Whiston; and after his banishment from Cambridge, promoted a
+      subscription for his astronomical lectures at Button's
+      Coffee-house (Nichols).&#8212;See No.
+      251.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag420'>[420]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote420' id="footnote420"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number39'>No. 39</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag421'>[421]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote421' id="footnote421"></a>Whiston had
+      fixed that day for the destruction of Anti-Christ and the
+      beginning of the Millennium.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag422'>[422]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote422' id="footnote422"></a>Written by
+      Addison in 1705, in celebration of the victory at
+      Blenheim.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag423'>[423]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote423' id="footnote423"></a>The great storm
+      of November 1703 formed the subject of a volume published by
+      Defoe in 1704.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page355' title='355' id=
+    "page355"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number44' id="number44"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 44.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, July 19</i>, to <i>Thursday, July 21</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          &#8212;Nullis amor est medicabilis herbis.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Ovid, Met. i. 523.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 19.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day, passing through Covent Garden, I was stopped in the
+  Piazza by Pacolet, to observe what he called the "triumph of love
+  and youth." I turned to the object he pointed at; and there I saw
+  a gay gilt chariot drawn by fresh prancing horses; the coachman
+  with a new cockade, and the lackeys with insolence and plenty in
+  their countenances. I asked immediately, what young heir or lover
+  owned that glittering equipage? But my companion interrupted: "Do
+  not you see there the mourning �sculapius?"<a name='fntag424' id=
+  "fntag424"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote424'><sup>424</sup></a> "The mourning!" said I.
+  "<a class="pagenum" name='page356' title='356' id=
+  "page356"></a>Yes, Isaac," said Pacolet, "he is in deep mourning,
+  and is the languishing hopeless lover of the divine Hebe, the
+  emblem of youth and beauty. The excellent and learned sage you
+  behold in that furniture, is the strongest instance imaginable,
+  that love is the most powerful of all things. You are not so
+  ignorant as to be a stranger to the character of �sculapius, as
+  the patron and most successful of all who profess the art of
+  medicine. But as most of his operations are owing to a natural
+  sagacity or impulse, he has very little troubled himself with the
+  doctrine of drugs; but has always given Nature more room to help
+  herself, than any of her learned assistants; and consequently has
+  done greater wonders than is in the power of art to
+  perform;<a name='fntag425' id="fntag425"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote425'><sup>425</sup></a> for which reason, he is half
+  deified by the people; and has ever been justly courted by all
+  the world, as if he were a seventh son. It happened, that the
+  charming Hebe was reduced, by a long and violent fever, to the
+  most extreme danger of death; and when all skill failed, they
+  sent for �sculapius. The renowned artist was touched <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page357' title='357' id="page357"></a>with the
+  deepest compassion to see the faded charms and faint bloom of
+  Hebe; and had a generous concern in beholding a struggle, not
+  between life, but rather between youth, and death. All his skill
+  and his passion tended to the recovery of Hebe, beautiful even in
+  sickness: but, alas! the unhappy physician knew not, that in all
+  his care he was only sharpening darts for his own destruction. In
+  a word, his fortune was the same with that of the statuary, who
+  fell in love with the image of his own making; and the
+  unfortunate �sculapius is become the patient of her whom he
+  lately recovered. Long before this disaster, �sculapius was far
+  gone in the unnecessary and superfluous amusements of old age, in
+  increasing unwieldy stores, and providing, in the midst of an
+  incapacity of enjoyment of what he had, for a supply of more
+  wants than he had calls for in youth itself. But these low
+  considerations are now no more, and love has taken place of
+  avarice, or rather has become an avarice of another kind, which
+  still urges him to pursue what he does not want. But behold the
+  metamorphosis; the anxious mean cares of an usurer are turned
+  into the languishments and complaints of a lover. 'Behold,' says
+  the aged �sculapius, 'I submit, I own, great Love, thy empire:
+  pity, Hebe, the fop you have made: what have I to do with gilding
+  but on pills? Yet, O fair! For thee I sit amidst a crowd of
+  painted deities on my chariot, buttoned in gold, clasped in gold,
+  without having any value for that beloved metal, but as it adorns
+  the person, and laces the hat of thy dying lover. I ask not to
+  live, O Hebe! Give me but gentle death: euthanasia, euthanasia,
+  that is all I implore.'" When �sculapius had finished his
+  complaint, Pacolet went on in deep morals on the uncertainty of
+  riches, with this remarkable exclamation; "O wealth! How impotent
+  art thou! And how little dost thou supply us with real happiness,
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page358' title='358' id=
+  "page358"></a>when the usurer himself can forget thee for the
+  love of what is as foreign to his felicity as thou art?"</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 19.</h3>
+
+  <p>The company here, who have all a delicate taste of theatrical
+  representations, had made a gathering to purchase the movables of
+  the neighbouring playhouse,<a name='fntag426' id=
+  "fntag426"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote426'><sup>426</sup></a> for the encouragement of one
+  which is setting up in the Haymarket. But the proceedings at the
+  auction (by which method the goods have been sold this evening)
+  have been so unfair, that this generous design has been
+  frustrated; for the Imperial Mantle made for Cyrus was missing,
+  as also the Chariot and Two Dragons: but upon examination it was
+  found, that a gentleman of Hampshire<a name='fntag427' id=
+  "fntag427"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote427'><sup>427</sup></a> had clandestinely bought them
+  both, and is gone down to his country seat; and that on Saturday
+  last he passed through Staines attired in that robe, and drawn by
+  the said Dragons, assisted by two only of his own horses. This
+  theatrical traveller has also left orders with Mr. Hall<a name=
+  'fntag428' id="fntag428"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote428'><sup>428</sup></a> to send the faded rainbow to
+  the scourers, and when it comes home, to despatch it after him.
+  At the same time C&#8212;&#8212; R&#8212;&#8212;<a name=
+  'fntag429' id="fntag429"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote429'><sup>429</sup></a> Esq. is invited to bring down
+  himself his Setting Sun, and be box-keeper to a theatre erected
+  by this gentleman near Southampton. Thus there has been nothing
+  but artifice in the management of this affair; for which reason I
+  beg <a class="pagenum" name='page359' title='359' id=
+  "page359"></a>pardon of the town, that I inserted the inventory
+  in my paper and solemnly protest, I knew nothing of this artful
+  design of vending these rarities: but I meant only the good of
+  the world in that and all other things which I divulge. And now I
+  am upon this subject, I must do myself justice in relation to an
+  article in a former paper, wherein I made mention of a person who
+  keeps a puppet-show in the town of Bath;<a name='fntag430' id=
+  "fntag430"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote430'><sup>430</sup></a> I was tender of naming names,
+  and only just hinted, that he makes larger promises, when he
+  invites people to his dramatic representations, than he is able
+  to perform: but I am credibly informed, that he makes a profane
+  lewd jester, which he calls Punch, speak to the dishonour of
+  Isaac Bickerstaff with great familiarity; and before all my
+  learned friends in that place, takes upon him to dispute my title
+  to the appellation of Esquire. I think I need not say much to
+  convince all the world, that this Mr. Powell (for that is his
+  name) is a pragmatical and vain person to pretend to argue with
+  me on any subject. <i>Mecum certasse feretur</i><a name=
+  'fntag431' id="fntag431"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote431'><sup>431</sup></a>; that is to say, it will be an
+  honour to him to have it said he contended with me; but I would
+  have him to know, that I can look beyond his wires, and <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page360' title='360' id="page360"></a>know very
+  well the whole trick of his art, and that it is only by these
+  wires that the eye of the spectator is cheated, and hindered from
+  seeing that there is a thread on one of Punch's chops, which
+  draws it up, and lets it fall at the discretion of the said
+  Powell, who stands behind and plays him, and makes him speak
+  saucily of his betters. He! to pretend to make prologues against
+  me! But a man never behaves himself with decency in his own case;
+  therefore I shall command myself, and never trouble me further
+  with this little fellow, who is himself but a tall puppet, and
+  has not brains enough to make even wood speak as it ought to do:
+  and I, that have heard the groaning board,<a name='fntag432' id=
+  "fntag432"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote432'><sup>432</sup></a> can despise all that his
+  puppets shall be able to speak as long as they live. But, <i>Ex
+  quovis ligno non fit Mercurius</i><a name='fntag433' id=
+  "fntag433"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote433'><sup>433</sup></a>. He has pretended to write to
+  me also from the Bath, and says, he thought to have deferred
+  giving me an answer till he came to his books<a name='fntag434'
+  id="fntag434"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote434'><sup>434</sup></a>; but that my writings might do
+  well with the <a class="pagenum" name='page361' title='361' id=
+  "page361"></a>waters: which are pert expressions that become a
+  schoolboy, better than one that is to teach others: and when I
+  have said a civil thing to him, he cries, "Oh! I thank you for
+  that&#8212;I am your humble servant for that."<a name='fntag435'
+  id="fntag435"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote435'><sup>435</sup></a> Ah! Mr. Powell, these smart
+  civilities will never run down men of learning: I know well
+  enough your design is to have all men automata, like your
+  puppets; but the world is grown too wise, and can look through
+  these thin devices. I know you design to make a reply to this;
+  but be sure you stick close to my words; for if you bring me into
+  discourses concerning the government of your puppets, I must tell
+  you, I neither am, nor have been, nor will be, at leisure to
+  answer you. It is really a burning shame this man should be
+  tolerated in abusing the world with such representations of
+  things: but his parts decay, and he is not much more alive than
+  Partridge.</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 14.</h3>
+
+  <p>I must beg pardon of my readers that for this time I have, I
+  fear, huddled up my discourse, having been very busy in helping
+  an old friend of mine out of town. He has a very good estate, is
+  a man of wit; but he had been three years absent from town, and
+  cannot bear a jest; for <a class="pagenum" name='page362' title=
+  '362' id="page362"></a>which reason I have, with some pains,
+  convinced him, that he can no more live here than if he were a
+  downright bankrupt. He was so fond of dear London, that he began
+  to fret only inwardly; but being unable to laugh and be laughed
+  at, I took a place in the northern coach for him and his family;
+  and hope he is got to-night safe from all sneerers in his own
+  parlour.</p>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 20.</h3>
+
+  <p>This morning we received by express, the agreeable news of the
+  surrender of the town of Tournay on the 28th instant, N.S. The
+  place was assaulted at the attacks of General Schuylemburg, and
+  that of General Lottum, at the same time. The action at both
+  those parts of the town was very obstinate, and the Allies lost a
+  considerable number at the beginning of the dispute; but the
+  fight was continued with so great bravery, that the enemy
+  observing that we were masters of all the posts which were
+  necessary for a general attack, beat the chamade,<a name=
+  'fntag436' id="fntag436"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote436'><sup>436</sup></a> and hostages were received from
+  the town, and others sent from the besiegers, in order to come to
+  a formal capitulation for the surrender of the place. We have
+  also this day received advice, that Sir John Leake, who lies off
+  of Dunkirk, had intercepted several ships laden with corn from
+  the Baltic; and that the Dutch privateers had fallen in with
+  others, and carried them into Holland. The French letters advise,
+  that the young son to the Duke of Anjou lived but eight days.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag424'>[424]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote424' id="footnote424"></a>Dr. John
+      Radcliffe, the physician (1650-1714), was disappointed in
+      love when about sixty. The matter is referred to again in
+      Nos. <a href="#number46">46</a>, <a href="#number47">47</a>,
+      50 and 67.
+      Radcliffe became rich, but was considered to be a quack by
+      many other doctors. "The last <i>Tatler</i> is upon Dr.
+      Ratclif who they say is desparately in love with Dutchess of
+      Bolton, his passion runs so high as to declare he'll make her
+      eldest son his heir, upon wch account they say the Duke of
+      B&#8212;&#8212; is not at all alarm'd, but gives the Old
+      amorist opportunity to make his Court, the Dr. lately gave
+      the Dutchess and some other Ladys an entertainm' of musick
+      upon the water, and a fine supper in the Barge" ("Wentworth
+      Papers," p. 97). This identification of Hebe with the Duchess
+      of Bolton is corroborated by the MS. annotator mentioned in a
+      note to <a href='#number4'>No. 4</a>. According to another
+      account she was a Miss Tempest, a maid of honour to the
+      Queen. The writer of the article on Radcliffe in the "Biog.
+      Britannica" says: "The lady, who made the doctor, at this
+      advanced age, stand in need of a physician himself, was of
+      great beauty, wealth, and quality; and too attractive not to
+      inspire the coldest heart with the warmest sentiments. After
+      he had made a cure of her, he could not but imagine, as
+      naturally he might, that her ladyship would entertain a
+      favourable opinion of him. But the lady, however grateful she
+      might be for the care he had taken of her health, divulged
+      the secret, and one of her confidants revealed it to Steele,
+      who, on account of party, was so ill-natured as to write the
+      ridicule of it in the <i>Tatler</i>" Radcliffe never
+      married.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag425'>[425]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote425' id="footnote425"></a>I have a
+      pamphlet called "The <i>Tatler's</i> Character (July 21) of
+      �sculapius guessing diseases, without the knowledge of drugs;
+      applied to the British Physicians and Surgeons: or, The
+      difficult diseases of the Royal Family, Nobility and Gentry
+      will never be understood and recover'd, when the populace are
+      oppress'd and destroy'd by the Practising-Apothecaries and
+      Empiricks confess'd by the College and Mr. Bernard the
+      Surgeon. By a Consultation of Gentlemen of Quality." London,
+      8vo, 1709. The pamphlet contains some interesting remarks on
+      the physicians, apothecaries and hospitals of the time. Mr.
+      Bickerstaff is called "the most ingenious physician of our
+      vices and follies."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag426'>[426]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote426' id="footnote426"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number42'>No. 42</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag427'>[427]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote427' id="footnote427"></a>A friend of
+      Nichols said, "I have seen somewhere, but cannot immediately
+      refer to the book, an account of a theatre built at
+      Southwick, in the county of Hants, by a Mr. Richard Norton,
+      whose will is in the <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, 1733, p.
+      57. He is the person, I believe, who wrote a play called
+      'Pausanias' (1696). Cibber dedicated his first play to him."
+      The MS. annotator mentioned in <a href='#number4'>No. 4</a>
+      also identifies the gentleman of Hampshire with "Mr.
+      N&#8212;&#8212;n."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag428'>[428]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote428' id="footnote428"></a>An
+      auctioneer.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag429'>[429]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote429' id="footnote429"></a>Christopher
+      Rich, the manager.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag430'>[430]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote430' id="footnote430"></a>Under the name
+      of Powell, the puppet-show man, Steele attacked Dr. Blackall,
+      Bishop of Exeter (see <a href='#number37'>No. 37</a>), who
+      was engaged in a controversy with Benjamin Hoadly. In March
+      1709, Blackall preached before the Queen a sermon laying down
+      the doctrine of passive obedience in its most extreme form,
+      but in 1704 he had preached obedience limited by the laws of
+      the State. Hoadly wrote against the sermon of 1709, and
+      brought against the Bishop the sermon of 1704. The Bishop,
+      angry at this mode of refutation, answered haughtily, and
+      dwelt on the superiority of his rank as compared with that of
+      Hoadly, then simply rector of a London parish. Bickerstaff
+      here reproaches Blackall for the pride and rudeness of his
+      answer, and then, under the guise of Powell, proprietor of
+      the puppet-show, satirises the extreme doctrine of divine
+      right taught by the Bishop, a doctrine which would make the
+      subjects mere automata, to be moved only at the will of the
+      prince.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag431'>[431]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote431' id="footnote431"></a>Ovid, "Met."
+      xiii. 20.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag432'>[432]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote432' id="footnote432"></a>The following
+      printed advertisement appeared in 1682: "At the sign of the
+      wool-sack, in Newgate-market, is to be seen, a strange and
+      wonderful thing, which is an elm-board, being touched with a
+      hot iron, doth express itself, as if it were a man dying with
+      groans, and trembling, to the great admiration of all the
+      hearers. It hath been presented before the King and his
+      nobles, and hath given great satisfaction. <i>Vivat
+      Rex</i>."&#8212;(MSS. Sloan. 958.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag433'>[433]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote433' id="footnote433"></a>"Ne e quovis
+      ligno Mercurius fiat" is one of the proverbs in the "Adagia"
+      of Erasmus. But its history, as originally from the Greek, is
+      thus given in a note of Andr. Schottus, quoted by Gaisford in
+      his "Parcemiographia Gr�ci," p. 39, Ox. 1836:&#8212;"Illiud
+      adagium <span lang="el" title=
+      "ouk ek pant�s z�lon Herm�s �n g�noito" xml:lang=
+      "el">&#8000;&#965;&#954; &#7952;&#954;
+      &#960;&#945;&#957;&#964;&#8056;&#962;
+      &#958;&#8059;&#955;&#959;&#965;
+      &#7965;&#961;&#956;&#951;&#962;
+      &#7938;&#957;
+      &#947;&#8051;&#957;&#959;&#953;&#964;&#959;</span>,
+      quod a Pythagora primum profectum auctor est Apuleius
+      'Apol.'" [t. ii. p. 499] (Ed. Marshall, "Notes and Queries,"
+      March 26, 1887). See Apuleius, "Apologia," 476: "Non enim ex
+      omni ligno, ut Pythagoras dicebat, debet Mercurius
+      exsculpi."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag434'>[434]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote434' id="footnote434"></a>In the Bishop's
+      answer to Hoadly's letter, 1709, there is this passage: "I
+      have no books here; and being under these circumstances, I
+      hope I may be excused, if, in citing Scripture, I should not
+      always name chapter and verse, nor hit exactly upon the very
+      words of the translation" (Lord Bishop of Exeter's Answer,
+      &amp;c., pp. 2 and 3).&#8212;"As to the <i>Tatlers</i>
+      relating to Powell's puppets, and the doctrines of passive
+      obedience and absolute non-resistance, and to Bishop
+      Blackall, I know it gave my father some uneasiness, that
+      there is a reference to a fact, which, as he resolved himself
+      never to take notice of, thinking it ungenerous, so he was
+      sorry to see any friend of the cause had; which is, that the
+      Bishop had said inadvertently, he was at Bath, and had not a
+      Bible in his family. It is worth remarking, that all the
+      arguments used by Powell about his power over Punch,
+      'lighting his pipe with one of his legs,' &amp;c., are a good
+      burlesque of those used by the advocates of
+      non-resistance."&#8212;(Dr. John Hoadly.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag435'>[435]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote435' id="footnote435"></a>The Bishop,
+      after quoting a respectful expression of Hoadly's, says,
+      "Your servant, sir, for that."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag436'>[436]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote436' id="footnote436"></a>A beat of the
+      drum or sound of a trumpet, which summons the enemy to a
+      parley. In <i>Spectator</i>, No. 165, Addison ridiculed the
+      use of this and other French war terms by English
+      writers.</p>
+    </blockquote><a class="pagenum" name='page363' title='363' id=
+    "page363"></a>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number45' id="number45"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 45.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, July 21, to Saturday, July 23</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Credo pudicitiam Saturno rege moratam
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line">
+          In terris.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Juv., Sat. vi. I.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>The other day I took a walk a mile or two out of town and
+  strolling wherever chance led me, I was insensibly carried into a
+  by-road, along which was a very agreeable quickset, of an
+  extraordinary height, which surrounded a very delicious seat and
+  garden. From one angle of the hedge, I heard a voice cry, "Sir,
+  sir&#8212;" This raised my curiosity, and I heard the same voice
+  say, but in a gentle tone, "Come forward, come forward." I did
+  so, and one through the hedge called me by my name, and bade me
+  go on to the left, and I should be admitted to visit an old
+  acquaintance in distress. The laws of knight-errantry made me
+  obey the summons without hesitation; and I was let in at the back
+  gate of a lovely house by a maid-servant, who carried me from
+  room to room, until I came into a gallery; at the end of which, I
+  saw a fine lady dressed in the most sumptuous habit, as if she
+  were going to a ball, but with the most abject and disconsolate
+  sorrow in her face that I ever beheld. As I came near, she burst
+  into tears, and cried, "Sir, do not you know the unhappy
+  Teraminta?" I soon recollected her whole person: "But," said I,
+  "madam, the simplicity of dress, in which I have ever seen you at
+  your good father's house, and the cheerfulness of countenance
+  with which you always appeared, are so unlike the fashion and
+  temper you are now in, that I did not easily recover the
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page364' title='364' id=
+  "page364"></a>memory of you. Your habit was then decent and
+  modest, your looks serene and beautiful: whence then this
+  unaccountable change? Nothing can speak so deep a sorrow as your
+  present aspect; yet your dress is made for jollity and
+  revelling." "It is," said she, "an unspeakable pleasure to meet
+  with one I know, and to bewail myself to any that is not an utter
+  stranger to humanity. When your friend my father died, he left me
+  to a wide world, with no defence against the insults of fortune,
+  but rather, a thousand snares to entrap me in the dangers to
+  which youth and innocence are exposed, in an age wherein honour
+  and virtue are become mere words, and used only as they serve to
+  betray those who understand them in their native sense, and obey
+  them as the guides and motives of their being. The wickedest of
+  all men living, the abandoned Decius, who has no knowledge of any
+  good art or purpose of human life, but as it tends to the
+  satisfaction of his appetites, had opportunities of frequently
+  seeing and entertaining me at a house where mixed company
+  boarded, and where he placed himself for the base intention which
+  he has since brought to pass. Decius saw enough in me to raise
+  his brutal desires, and my circumstances gave him hopes of
+  accomplishing them. But all the glittering expectations he could
+  lay before me, joined by my private terrors of poverty itself,
+  could not for some months prevail upon me; yet, however I hated
+  his intention, I still had a secret satisfaction in his
+  courtship, and always exposed myself to his solicitations. See
+  here the bane of our sex! Let the flattery be never so apparent,
+  the flatterer never so ill thought of, his praises are still
+  agreeable and we contribute to our own deceit. I was therefore
+  ever fond of all opportunities and pretences of being in his
+  company. In a word, I was at last ruined by him, and brought to
+  this place, where I have been ever since <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page365' title='365' id="page365"></a>immured; and from the
+  fatal day after my fall from innocence, my worshipper became my
+  master and my tyrant. Thus you see me habited in the most
+  gorgeous manner, not in honour of me as a woman he loves, but as
+  this attire charms his own eye, and urges him to repeat the
+  gratification he takes in me, as the servant of his brutish lusts
+  and appetites. I know not where to fly for redress; but am here
+  pining away life in the solitude and severity of a nun, but the
+  conscience and guilt of a harlot. I live in this lewd practice
+  with a religious awe of my minister of darkness, upbraided with
+  the support I receive from him, for the inestimable possession of
+  youth, of innocence, of honour, and of conscience. I see, sir, my
+  discourse grows painful to you; all I beg of you is, to paint in
+  so strong colours, as to let Decius see I am discovered to be in
+  his possession, that I may be turned out of this detestable scene
+  of regular iniquity, and either think no more, or sin no more. If
+  your writings have the good effect of gaining my enlargement, I
+  promise you I will atone for this unhappy step, by preferring an
+  innocent laborious poverty, to all the guilty affluence the world
+  can offer me."</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 21.</h3>
+
+  <p>To show that I do not bear an irreconcilable hatred to my
+  mortal enemy, Mr. Powell at Bath, I do his function the honour to
+  publish to the world, that plays represented by puppets are
+  permitted in our universities,<a name='fntag437' id=
+  "fntag437"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote437'><sup>437</sup></a> and that sort of drama is not
+  wholly thought unworthy the critic of learned heads: but as I
+  have been conversant rather with the greater Ode, as I think the
+  critics call it, I must be so humble as to make a request to Mr.
+  Powell, <a class="pagenum" name='page366' title='366' id=
+  "page366"></a>and desire him to apply his thoughts to answering
+  the difficulties with which my kinsman, the author of the
+  following letter, seems to be embarrassed.</p>
+
+  <h4>"<i>To my Honoured Kinsman, Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.</i></h4>
+
+  <p>"DEAR COUSIN,</p>
+
+  <p>"Had the family of the Beadlestaffs,<a name='fntag438' id=
+  "fntag438"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote438'><sup>438</sup></a> whereof I, though unworthy, am
+  one, known of your being lately at Oxon, we had in our own name,
+  and in the Universities' (as it is our office), made you a
+  compliment: but your short stay here robbed us of an opportunity
+  of paying our due respects, and you of receiving an ingenious
+  entertainment, with which we at present divert ourselves and
+  strangers. A puppet-show at this time supplies the want of an
+  Act.<a name='fntag439' id="fntag439"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote439'><sup>439</sup></a> And since the nymphs of this
+  city are disappointed of a luscious music-speech, and the country
+  ladies of hearing their sons or brothers speak verses; yet the
+  vocal machines, like them, by the help of a prompter, say things
+  as much to the benefit of the audience, and almost as properly
+  their own. The licence of a Terr�-Filius<a name='fntag440' id=
+  "fntag440"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote440'><sup>440</sup></a> is refined to the well-bred
+  satire of Punchinello. Now, Cousin Bickerstaff, though Punch has
+  neither a French nightcap, nor long pockets, yet you must own him
+  to be a pretty fellow, a 'very' pretty fellow: nay, since he
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page367' title='367' id=
+  "page367"></a>seldom leaves the company, without calling, 'Son of
+  a whore,' demanding satisfaction, and duelling, he must be owned
+  a smart fellow too. Yet, by some indecencies towards the ladies,
+  he seems to be of a third character, distinct from any you have
+  yet touched upon. A young gentleman who sat next me (for I had
+  the curiosity of seeing this entertainment), in a tufted gown,
+  red stockings, and long wig (which I pronounce to be tantamount
+  to red heels and a dangling cane<a name='fntag441' id=
+  "fntag441"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote441'><sup>441</sup></a>) was enraged when Punchinello
+  disturbed a soft love-scene with his ribaldry. You would oblige
+  us mightily by laying down some rules for adjusting the
+  extravagant behaviour of this Almanzor<a name='fntag442' id=
+  "fntag442"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote442'><sup>442</sup></a> of the play, and by writing a
+  treatise on this sort of dramatic poetry, so much favoured, and
+  so little understood, by the learned world. From its being
+  conveyed in a cart after the Thespian manner, all the parts being
+  recited by one person, as the custom was before �schylus, and the
+  behaviour of Punch as if he had won the goal, you may possibly
+  deduce its antiquity, and settle the chronology, as well as some
+  of our modern critics. In its natural transitions, from mournful
+  to merry; as, from the hanging of a lover, to dancing upon the
+  rope; from the stalking of a ghost, to a lady's presenting you
+  with a jig; you may discover such a decorum, as is not to be
+  found elsewhere than in our tragi-comedies. But I forget myself;
+  it is not for me to dictate: I thought fit, dear cousin, to give
+  you these hints, to show you that the Beadlestaffs don't walk
+  before men of letters to no purpose; and that though we do but
+  hold up the train of arts and sciences, yet like other <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page368' title='368' id="page368"></a>pages, we
+  are now and then let into our ladies' secrets. I am,</p>
+
+  <p>"Your most</p>
+
+  <p>"Affectionate Kinsman,</p>
+
+  <p class="right">"BENJAMIN BEADLESTAFF.</p>
+
+  <p>"From Mother Gourdon's, at Hedington,<a name='fntag443' id=
+  "fntag443"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote443'><sup>443</sup></a> near Oxon, <i>June 18</i>."</p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 22.</h3>
+
+  <p>I am got hither safe, but never spent time with so little
+  satisfaction as this evening; for you must know, I was five hours
+  with three Merry, and two Honest Fellows. The former sang
+  catches; and the latter even died with laughing at the noise they
+  made. "Well," says Tom Belfrey, "you scholars, Mr. Bickerstaff,
+  are the worst company in the world." "Ay," says his opposite,
+  "you are dull to-night; prithee be merry." With that I huzzaed,
+  and took a jump across the table, then came clever upon my legs,
+  and fell a-laughing. "Let Mr. Bickerstaff alone," says one of the
+  Honest Fellows, "when he's in a good humour, he's as good company
+  as any man in England." He had no sooner spoke, but I snatched
+  his hat off his head, and clapped his upon my own, and burst out
+  a-laughing again; upon which we all fell a-laughing for half an
+  hour. One of the Honest Fellows got behind me in the interim, and
+  hit me a sound slap on the back; upon which he got the laugh out
+  of my hands, and it was such a twang on my shoulders, that I
+  confess he was much merrier than I. I was half angry; but
+  resolved <a class="pagenum" name='page369' title='369' id=
+  "page369"></a>to keep up the good humour of the company; and
+  after holloing as loud as I could possibly, I drank off a bumper
+  of claret, that made me stare again. "Nay," says one of the
+  Honest Fellows, "Mr. Isaac is in the right, there is no
+  conversation in this; what signifies jumping, or hitting one
+  another on the back? Let's drink about." We did so from seven
+  o'clock till eleven; and now I am come hither, and, after the
+  manner of the wise Pythagoras, begin to reflect upon the passages
+  of the day. I remember nothing, but that I am bruised to death;
+  and as it is my way to write down all the good things I have
+  heard in the last conversation to furnish my paper, I can from
+  this only tell you my sufferings and my bangs. I named Pythagoras
+  just now, and I protest to you, as he believed men after death
+  entered into other species, I am now and then tempted to think
+  other animals enter into men, and could name several on two legs,
+  that never discover any sentiment above what is common with the
+  species of a lower kind; as we see in these bodily wits whom I
+  was with to-night, whose parts consist in strength and activity;
+  but their boisterous mirth gives me great impatience for the
+  return of such happiness as I enjoyed in a conversation last
+  week. Among others in that company, we had Florio, who never
+  interrupted any man living when he was speaking, or ever ceased
+  to speak, but others lamented that he had done. His discourse
+  ever arises from a fulness of the matter before him, and not from
+  ostentation or triumph of his understanding; for though he seldom
+  delivers what he need fear being repeated, he speaks without
+  having that end in view; and his forbearance of calumny or
+  bitterness, is owing rather to his good nature than his
+  discretion; for which reason, he is esteemed a gentleman
+  perfectly qualified for conversation, in whom a general goodwill
+  to mankind takes off the necessity of caution and circum<a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page370' title='370' id="page370"></a>spection.
+  We had at the same time that evening the best sort of companion
+  that can be, a good-natured old man. This person meets in the
+  company of young men, veneration for his benevolence, and is not
+  only valued for the good qualities of which he is master, but
+  reaps an acceptance from the pardon he gives to other men's
+  faults: and the ingenuous sort of men with whom he converses,
+  have so just a regard for him, that he rather is an example, than
+  a check to their behaviour. For this reason, as Senecio never
+  pretends to be a man of pleasure before youth, so young men never
+  set up for wisdom before Senecio; so that you never meet, where
+  he is, those monsters of conversation, who are grave or gay above
+  their years. He never converses but with followers of nature and
+  good sense, where all that is uttered is only the effect of a
+  communicable temper, and not of emulation to excel their
+  companions; all desire of superiority being a contradiction to
+  that spirit which makes a just conversation, the very essence of
+  which is mutual goodwill. Hence it is, that I take it for a rule,
+  that the natural, and not the acquired man, is the companion.
+  Learning, wit, gallantry, and good breeding, are all but
+  subordinate qualities in society, and are of no value, but as
+  they are subservient to benevolence, and tend to a certain manner
+  of being or appearing equal to the rest of the company; for
+  conversation is composed of an assembly of men, as they are men,
+  and not as they are distinguished by fortune: therefore he that
+  brings his quality with him into conversation, should always pay
+  the reckoning; for he came to receive homage, and not to meet his
+  friends&#8212;But the din about my ears from the clamour of the
+  people I was with this evening, has carried me beyond my intended
+  purpose, which was to explain upon the Order of Merry Fellows;
+  but I think I may pronounce of them, as I heard good Senecio,
+  with a <a class="pagenum" name='page371' title='371' id=
+  "page371"></a>spice of wit of the last age, say, viz. that a
+  Merry Fellow is the Saddest Fellow in the world.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag437'>[437]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote437' id="footnote437"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number44'>No. 44</a>. Blackall was a bishop; and the
+      University of Oxford had declared publicly in his favour.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag438'>[438]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote438' id="footnote438"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number11'>No. 11</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag439'>[439]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote439' id="footnote439"></a>A meeting for
+      conferring degrees, when speeches, &amp;c., are
+      delivered.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag440'>[440]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote440' id="footnote440"></a>An
+      undergraduate who made extempore speeches at the Act, often
+      of a very satirical kind. Sometimes there were two <i>terr�
+      filii</i>, who carried on a dialogue. In 1721, Amberst
+      published a periodical with the title "Terr�-Filius: or, The
+      Secret History of the University of Oxford," and these papers
+      were reprinted in two volumes in 1726, with a curious
+      engraving of the Theatre at Oxford, by Hogarth, as
+      frontispiece.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag441'>[441]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote441' id="footnote441"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number26'>No. 26</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag442'>[442]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote442' id="footnote442"></a>In an Essay "Of
+      Heroic Plays," prefixed to his play, "Almanzor and Almahide;
+      or, The Conquest of Granada," Dryden defended at length the
+      character of Almanzor.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag443'>[443]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote443' id="footnote443"></a>This village is
+      the scene of Dr. William King's play, "Joan of Hedington"
+      ("Works," 1776, vol. iii. p. 16).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number46' id="number46"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 46.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, July 23</i>, to <i>Tuesday, July 26</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Non bene conveniunt, nec in una sede morantur,
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line">
+          Majestas et amor.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Ovid, Met. ii. 846.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 25.</h3>
+
+  <p>We see every day volumes written against that tyrant of human
+  life called Love, and yet there is no help found against his
+  cruelties, or barrier against the inroads he is pleased to make
+  into the mind of man. After this preface, you will expect I am
+  going to give particular instances of what I have asserted. That
+  expectation cannot be raised too high for the novelty of the
+  history, and manner of life, of the Emperor Aurengezebe,<a name=
+  'fntag444' id="fntag444"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote444'><sup>444</sup></a> who has resided for some years
+  in the cities of London and Westminster, with the air and mien
+  indeed of his imperial quality, but the equipage and appointment
+  only of a private gentleman. This potentate, for a long series of
+  time, appeared from the hour of twelve till that of two at
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page372' title='372' id="page372"></a>a
+  coffee-house near the 'Change, and had a seat (though without a
+  canopy) sacred to himself, where he gave diurnal audiences
+  concerning commerce, politics, tare and tret, usury and
+  abatement, with all things necessary for helping the distressed,
+  who were willing to give one limb for the better maintenance of
+  the rest; or such joyous youths, whose philosophy is confined to
+  the present hour, and were desirous to call in the revenue of
+  next half-year to double the enjoyment of this. Long did this
+  growing monarch employ himself after this manner: and as
+  alliances are necessary to all great kingdoms, he took
+  particularly the interests of Lewis XIV. into his care and
+  protection. When all mankind were attacking that unhappy monarch,
+  and those who had neither valour nor wit to oppose against him
+  would be still showing their impotent malice by laying wagers in
+  opposition to his interests, Aurengezebe ever took the part of
+  his contemporary, and laid immense treasures on his side in
+  defence of his important magazine of Toulon. Aurengezebe also had
+  all this while a constant intelligence with India, and his
+  letters were answered in jewels, which he soon made brilliant,
+  and caused to be affixed to his imperial castor, which he always
+  wears cocked in front, to show his defiance; with a heap of
+  imperial snuff in the middle of his ample visage, to show his
+  sagacity. The zealots for this little spot called Great Britain
+  fell universally into this emperor's policies, and paid homage to
+  his superior genius, in forfeiting their coffers to his treasury:
+  but wealth and wisdom are possessions too solemn not to give
+  weariness to active minds, without the relief (in vacant hours)
+  of wit and love, which are the proper amusements of the powerful
+  and the wise: this emperor therefore, with great regularity,
+  every day at five in the afternoon, leaves his money-changers,
+  his publicans, and little hoarders of <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page373' title='373' id="page373"></a>wealth, to their low
+  pursuits, and ascends his chariot to drive to Will's; where the
+  taste is refined, and a relish given to men's possessions, by a
+  polite skill in gratifying their passions and appetites. There it
+  is that the emperor has learned to live and to love, and not,
+  like a miser, to gaze only on his ingots or his treasures; but
+  with a nobler satisfaction, to live the admiration of others, for
+  his splendour and happiness in being master of them. But a prince
+  is no more to be his own caterer in his love, than in his food;
+  therefore Aurengezebe has ever in waiting two purveyors for his
+  dishes, and his wenches for his retired hours, by whom the scene
+  of his diversion is prepared in the following manner:</p>
+
+  <p>There is near Covent Garden a street known by the name of
+  Drury, which, before the days of Christianity, was purchased by
+  the Queen of Paphos, and is the only part of Great Britain where
+  the tenure of vassalage is still in being. All that long course
+  of building is under particular districts or ladyships, after the
+  manner of lordships in other parts, over which matrons of known
+  abilities preside, and have, for the support of their age and
+  infirmities, certain taxes paid out of the rewards for the
+  amorous labours of the young. This seraglio of Great Britain is
+  disposed into convenient alleys and apartments, and every house,
+  from the cellar to the garret, inhabited by nymphs of different
+  orders, that persons of every rank may be accommodated with an
+  immediate consort, to allay their flames, and partake of their
+  cares. Here it is, that when Aurengezebe thinks fit to give a
+  loose to dalliance, the purveyors prepare the entertainments; and
+  what makes it more august is, that every person concerned in the
+  interlude has his set part, and the prince sends beforehand word
+  what he designs to say, and directs also the very answer which
+  shall be made to him.</p>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page374' title='374' id=
+  "page374"></a>It has been before hinted, that this emperor has a
+  continual commerce with India; and it is to be noted, that the
+  largest stone that rich earth has produced, is in our
+  Aurengezebe's possession.</p>
+
+  <p>But all things are now disposed for his reception. At his
+  entrance into the seraglio, a servant delivers him his bever of
+  state and love, on which is fixed this inestimable jewel as his
+  diadem. When he is seated, the purveyors, Pandarus and Nuncio,
+  marching on each side of the matron of the house, introduce her
+  into his presence. In the midst of the room, they bow altogether
+  to the diadem.</p>
+
+  <p>When the matron:</p>
+
+  <p>"Whoever thou art (as thy awful aspect speaks thee a man of
+  power), be propitious to this mansion of love, and let not the
+  severity of thy wisdom disdain, that by the representation of
+  naked innocence, or pastoral figures, we revive in thee the
+  memory at least of that power of Venus, to which all the wise and
+  the brave are some part of their lives devoted." Aurengezebe
+  consents by a nod, and they go out backward.</p>
+
+  <p>After this, an unhappy nymph, who is to be supposed just
+  escaped from the hands of a ravisher, with her tresses
+  dishevelled, runs into the room with a dagger in her hand, and
+  falls before the emperor.</p>
+
+  <p>"Pity, oh! pity! whoever thou art, an unhappy virgin, whom one
+  of thy train has robbed of her innocence; her innocence, which
+  was all her portion&#8212;Or rather, let me die like the
+  memorable Lucretia&#8212;" Upon which she stabs herself. The body
+  is immediately examined after the manner of our coroners.
+  Lucretia recovers by a cup of right Nantes; and the matron, who
+  is her next relation, stops all process at law.</p>
+
+  <p>This unhappy affair is no sooner over, but a naked mad woman
+  breaks into the room, calls for her duke, her lord, <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page375' title='375' id="page375"></a>her
+  emperor. As soon as she spies Aurengezebe, the object of all her
+  fury and love, she calls for petticoats, is ready to sink with
+  shame, and is dressed in all haste in new attire at his charge.
+  This unexpected accident of the mad woman makes Aurengezebe
+  curious to know, whether others who are in their senses can guess
+  at his quality. For which reason the whole convent is examined
+  one by one. The matron marches in with a tawdry country girl:
+  "Pray, Winifred," says she, "who do you think that fine man with
+  those jewels and pearls is?" "I believe," says Winifred, "it is
+  our landlord. It must be the squire himself." The emperor laughs
+  at her simplicity. "Go, fool," says the matron: then turning to
+  the emperor, "Your greatness will pardon her ignorance!" After
+  her, several others of different characters are instructed to
+  mistake who he is in the same manner: then the whole sisterhood
+  are called together, and the emperor rises, and cocking his hat,
+  declares, he is the Great Mogul, and they his concubines. A
+  general murmur goes through the assembly, and Aurengezebe
+  certifying, that he keeps them for state rather than use, tells
+  them, they are permitted to receive all men into their
+  apartments; then proceeds through the crowd, among whom he throws
+  medals shaped like half-crowns, and returns to his chariot.</p>
+
+  <p>This being all that passed the last day in which Aurengezebe
+  visited the women's apartments, I consulted Pacolet concerning
+  the foundation of such strange amusements in old age: to which he
+  answered; "You may remember, when I gave you an account of my
+  good fortune in being drowned on the thirtieth day of my human
+  life, I told you of the disasters I should otherwise have met
+  with before I arrived at the end of my stamen, which was sixty
+  years. I may now add an observation to you, that all who exceed
+  that period, except the latter part of it is spent in the
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page376' title='376' id=
+  "page376"></a>exercise of virtue and contemplation of futurity,
+  must necessarily fall into an indecent old age, because, with
+  regard to all the enjoyments of the years of vigour and manhood,
+  childhood returns upon them: and as infants ride on sticks, build
+  houses in dirt, and make ships in gutters, by a faint idea of
+  things they are to act hereafter; so old men play the lovers,
+  potentates, and emperors, from the decaying image of the more
+  perfect performances of their stronger years: therefore be sure
+  to insert �sculapius and Aurengezebe in your next bill of
+  mortality of the metaphorically defunct."</p>
+
+  <h3>Will's Coffee-house, July 24.</h3>
+
+  <p>As soon as I came hither this evening, no less than ten people
+  produced the following poem, which they all reported was sent to
+  each of them by the penny post from an unknown hand. All the
+  battle-writers in the room were in debate, who could be the
+  author of a piece so martially written; and everybody applauded
+  the address and skill of the author, in calling it a Postscript:
+  it being the nature of a postscript to contain something very
+  material which was forgotten, or not clearly expressed in the
+  letter itself. Thus, the verses being occasioned by a march
+  without beat of drum, and that circumstance being no ways taken
+  notice of in any of the stanzas, the author calls it a
+  postscript; not that it is a postscript, but figuratively,
+  because it wants a postscript. Common writers, when what they
+  mean is not expressed in the book itself, supply it by a preface;
+  but a postscript seems to me the more just way of apology;
+  because otherwise a man makes an excuse before the offence is
+  committed. All the heroic poets were guessed at for its author;
+  but though we could not find out his name, yet one repeated a
+  couplet in "Hudibras" which spoke his qualifications:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <a class="pagenum" name='page377' title='377' id=
+      "page377"></a>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        "I' th' midst of all this warlike rabble,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Crowdero marched, expert and able"<a name='fntag445' id=
+        "fntag445"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote445'><sup>445</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>The poem is admirably suited to the occasion: for to write
+  without discovering your meaning, bears a just resemblance to
+  marching without beat of drum.</p>
+
+  <h4>On the March to Tournay without Beat of Drum.</h4>
+
+  <h4>The Brussels POSTSCRIPT.<a name='fntag446' id=
+  "fntag446"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote446'><sup>446</sup></a></h4>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Could I with plainest words express
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        That great man's wonderful address,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        His penetration, and his towering thought;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        It would the gazing world surprise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        To see one man at all times wise,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To view the wonders he with ease has wrought.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Refining schemes approach his mind,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Like breezes of a southern wind,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To temperate a sultry glorious day;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Whose fannings, with an useful pride,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Its mighty heat doth softly guide,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And having cleared the air, glide silently away.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Thus his immensity of thought
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Is deeply formed, and gently wrought,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        His temper always softening life's disease;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        That Fortune, when she does intend
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        To rudely frown, she turns his friend,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Admires his judgment, and applauds his ease.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page378' title='378' id=
+        "page378"></a>His great address in this design,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Does now, and will for ever shine,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And wants a Waller but to do him right:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        The whole amusement was so strong,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Like fate he doomed them to be wrong,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And Tournay's took by a peculiar sleight.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Thus, madam, all mankind behold
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Your vast ascendant, not by gold,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But by your wisdom, and your pious life;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        Your aim no more than to destroy
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line i2">
+        That which does Europe's ease annoy,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And supersede a reign of shame and strife.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house, July 24.</h3>
+
+  <p>My brethren of the quill, the ingenious society of
+  news-writers, having with great spirit and elegance already
+  informed the world, that the town of Tournay capitulated on the
+  28th instant, there is nothing left for me to say, but to
+  congratulate the good company here, that we have reason to hope
+  for an opportunity of thanking Mr. Withers<a name='fntag447' id=
+  "fntag447"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote447'><sup>447</sup></a> next winter in this place, for
+  the service he has done his country. No man deserves better of
+  his friends than that gentleman, whose distinguishing character
+  it is, that he gives his orders with the familiarity, and enjoys
+  his fortune with the generosity, of a fellow-soldier. His Grace
+  the Duke of Argyle had also an eminent part in the reduction of
+  this important place. That illustrious youth<a name='fntag448'
+  id="fntag448"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote448'><sup>448</sup></a> <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page379' title='379' id="page379"></a>discovers the peculiar
+  turn of spirit and greatness of soul which only make men of high
+  birth and quality useful to their country; and considers nobility
+  as an imaginary distinction, unless accompanied with the practice
+  of those generous virtues by which it ought to be obtained.
+  But<a name='fntag449' id="fntag449"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote449'><sup>449</sup></a> that our military glory is
+  arrived at its present height, and that men of all ranks so
+  passionately affect their share in it, is certainly owing to the
+  merit and conduct of our glorious general; for as the great
+  secret in chemistry, though not in nature, has occasioned many
+  useful discoveries; and the fantastic notion of being wholly
+  disinterested in friendship, has made men do a thousand generous
+  actions above themselves; so, though the present grandeur and
+  fame of the Duke of Marlborough is a station of glory to which no
+  one hopes to arrive, yet all carry their actions to a higher
+  pitch, by having that great example laid before them.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag444'>[444]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote444' id="footnote444"></a>"Aurenzeb is
+      Tom Colson, who never had any friendship with anybody but S'r
+      Edward Seymour, who brought him into Parliament" (Peter
+      Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709; "Wentworth Papers," p.
+      97). Thomas Coulson was elected M.P. for Totnes, with Sir
+      Edward Seymour, Bart., in 1698. He was re-elected in 1701,
+      1702, and in 1705. At the election of 1708, Sir Edward
+      Seymour, previously member for Exeter, was elected for
+      Totnes; but in 1710, Sir Edward having transferred himself to
+      Great Bedwyn, Coulson again became member for Totnes. In
+      1715, Coulson's arrest was sought in the neighbourhood of
+      Bristol for joining in the rising on behalf of the Pretender;
+      see a letter of Addison's in Hist. MSS. Comm., Second Report,
+      p. 250.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag445'>[445]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote445' id="footnote445"></a>"Hudibras,"
+      part i. canto ii. 105-6. Butler wrote, "I' the head,"
+      &amp;c.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag446'>[446]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote446' id="footnote446"></a>"I should have
+      given you a key to the two <i>Tatlers</i> I sent you last,
+      the Brussels Postscript are verses of Crowders. He show'd
+      them me in manuscript" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July
+      1709; "Wentworth Papers," p. 97). See <a href='#number17'>No.
+      17</a> note on Brigadier Crowther.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag447'>[447]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote447' id="footnote447"></a>General Henry
+      Withers commanded at the capitulation of Tournay. On his
+      death in 1729, he was buried in Westminster Abbey. Pope wrote
+      an epitaph beginning:</p>
+
+      <div class='poem'>
+        <div class='stanza'>
+          <div class="line">
+            "Here, Withers, rest! thou bravest, gentlest mind,
+          </div>
+
+          <div class="line">
+            Thy country's friend, but more of human-kind."
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag448'>[448]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote448' id="footnote448"></a>John, second
+      Duke of Argyle (1678-1743), took an active part in the
+      battles of Ramilies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, and at the
+      siege of Tournay.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag449'>[449]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote449' id="footnote449"></a>There was a
+      long-standing hostility between the Duke of Marlborough and
+      the Duke of Argyle.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number47' id="number47"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 47.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Tuesday, July 26</i>, to <i>Thursday, July 28</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Juv., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, July 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>My friend Sir Thomas<a name='fntag450' id=
+  "fntag450"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote450'><sup>450</sup></a> has communicated to me his
+  letters from Epsom of the 25th instant, which give, in general, a
+  very good account of the posture of affairs at present in that
+  place; but that the tranquillity and correspondence<a name=
+  'fntag451' id="fntag451"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote451'><sup>451</sup></a> of the company begins to be
+  interrupted by the <a class="pagenum" name='page380' title='380'
+  id="page380"></a>arrival of Sir Taffety Trippet,<a name=
+  'fntag452' id="fntag452"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote452'><sup>452</sup></a> a fortune-hunter, whose follies
+  are too gross to give diversion; and whose vanity is too stupid
+  to let him be sensible that he is a public offence. But if people
+  will indulge a splenetic humour, it is impossible to be at ease,
+  when such creatures as are the scandal of our species, set up for
+  gallantry and adventures. It will be much more easy therefore to
+  laugh him into reason, than convert him from his foppery by any
+  serious contempt. I knew a gentleman that made it a maxim to open
+  his doors, and ever run into the way of bullies, to avoid their
+  insolence. The rule will hold as well with coxcombs: they are
+  never mortified, but when they see you receive, and despise them;
+  otherwise they rest assured, that it is your ignorance makes them
+  out of your good graces; or, that it is only want of admittance
+  prevents their being amiable where they are shunned and avoided.
+  But Sir Taffety is a fop of so sanguine complexion, that I fear
+  it will be very hard for the fair one he at present pursues to
+  get rid of the chase, without being so tired, as for her own ease
+  to fall into the mouth of the mongrel she runs from. But the
+  history of Sir Taffety is as pleasant as his character. It
+  happened, that when he first set up for a fortune-hunter, he
+  chose Tunbridge for the scene of action; where were at that time
+  two sisters upon the same design. <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page381' title='381' id="page381"></a>The knight believed of
+  course the elder must be the better prize; and consequently makes
+  all his sail that way. People that want sense, do always in an
+  egregious manner want modesty, which made our hero triumph in
+  making his amour as public as was possible. The adored lady was
+  no less vain of his public addresses. An attorney with one cause
+  is not half so restless as a woman with one lover. Wherever they
+  met, they talked to each other aloud, chose each other partner at
+  balls, saluted at the most conspicuous parts of the service at
+  church, and practised in honour of each other all the remarkable
+  particularities which are usual for persons who admire one
+  another, and are contemptible to the rest of the world. These two
+  lovers seemed as much made for each other as Adam and Eve, and
+  all pronounced it a match of Nature's own making; but the night
+  before the nuptials (so universally approved), the younger
+  sister, envious of the good fortune even of her sister, who had
+  been present at most of their interviews, and had an equal taste
+  for the charms of a fop (as there are a set of women made for
+  that order of men); the younger, I say, unable to see so rich a
+  prize pass by her, discovered to Sir Taffety, that a coquette
+  air, much tongue, and three suits, was all the portion of his
+  mistress. His love vanished that moment, himself and equipage the
+  next morning. It is uncertain where the lover has been ever since
+  engaged; but certain it is, he has not appeared in his character
+  as a follower of love and fortune till he arrived at Epsom, where
+  there is at present a young lady of youth, beauty, and fortune,
+  who has alarmed<a name='fntag453' id="fntag453"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote453'><sup>453</sup></a> all the vain and the
+  impertinent to infest that quarter. At the head of this assembly,
+  Sir Taffety shines in the brightest manner, with all the
+  accomplishments which usually ensnare the heart of woman; with
+  this particular merit (which often is of <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page382' title='382' id="page382"></a>great service), that he is
+  laughed at for her sake. The friends of the fair one are in much
+  pain for the sufferings she goes through from the perseverance of
+  this hero; but they may be much more so from the danger of his
+  succeeding, toward which they give him a helping hand, if they
+  dissuade her with bitterness; for there is a fantastical
+  generosity in the sex, to approve creatures of the least merit
+  imaginable, when they see the imperfections of their admirers are
+  become the marks of derision for their sakes; and there is
+  nothing so frequent, as that he who was contemptible to a woman
+  in her own judgment, has won her by being too violently opposed
+  by others.</p>
+
+  <h3>Grecian Coffee-house, July 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>In the several capacities I bear, of astrologer, civilian, and
+  physician, I have with great application studied the public
+  emolument: to this end serve all my lucubrations, speculations,
+  and whatever other labours I undertake, whether nocturnal or
+  diurnal. On this motive am I induced to publish a never-failing
+  medicine for the spleen: my experience in this distemper came
+  from a very remarkable cure on my ever worthy friend Tom
+  Spindle,<a name='fntag454' id="fntag454"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote454'><sup>454</sup></a> who, through excessive gaiety,
+  had exhausted that natural stock of wit and spirits he had long
+  been blessed with: he was sunk and flattened to the lowest degree
+  imaginable, sitting whole hours over the "Book of Martyrs," and
+  "Pilgrim's Progress"; his other contemplations never rising
+  higher than the colour of his urine, or regularity of his pulse.
+  In this condition I found him, accompanied by the learned
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page383' title='383' id=
+  "page383"></a>Dr. Drachm, and a good old nurse. Drachm had
+  prescribed magazines of herbs, and mines of steel. I soon
+  discovered the malady, and descanted on the nature of it, till I
+  convinced both the patient and his nurse, that the spleen is not
+  to be cured by medicine, but by poetry. Apollo, the author of
+  physic, shone with diffusive rays the best of poets as well as of
+  physicians; and it is in this double capacity that I have made my
+  way, and have found, sweet, easy, flowering numbers, are oft
+  superior to our noblest medicines. When the spirits are low, and
+  nature sunk, the muse, with sprightly and harmonious notes, gives
+  an unexpected turn with a grain of poetry, which I prepare
+  without the use of mercury. I have done wonders in this kind; for
+  the spleen is like the tarantula,<a name='fntag455' id=
+  "fntag455"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote455'><sup>455</sup></a> the effects of whose malignant
+  poison are to be prevented by no other remedy but the charms of
+  music: for you are to understand, that as some noxious animals
+  carry antidotes for their own poisons; so there is something
+  equally unaccountable in poetry: for though it is sometimes a
+  disease, it is to be cured only by itself. Now I knowing Tom
+  Spindle's constitution, and that he is not only a pretty
+  gentleman, but also a pretty poet, found the true cause of his
+  distemper was a violent grief that moved his affections too
+  strongly: for during the late Treaty of Peace, he had written a
+  most excellent poem on that subject; and when he wanted but two
+  lines in the last stanza for finishing the whole piece, there
+  comes news that the French tyrant would not sign. Spindle in few
+  days took his bed, and had lain there still, had not I been sent
+  for. I immediately told him, there was great probability the
+  French would now sue to us for peace. I saw immediately a new
+  life in his eyes; and knew, that nothing could help him forward
+  <a class="pagenum" name='page384' title='384' id="page384"></a>so
+  well, as hearing verses which he would believe worse than his
+  own; I read him therefore the "Brussels Postscript";<a name=
+  'fntag456' id="fntag456"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote456'><sup>456</sup></a> after which I recited some
+  heroic lines of my own, which operated so strongly on the
+  tympanum of his ear, that I doubt not but I have kept out all
+  other sounds for a fortnight; and have reason to hope, we shall
+  see him abroad the day before his poem. This you see, is a
+  particular secret I have found out, viz., that you are not to
+  choose your physician for his knowledge in your distemper, but
+  for having it himself. Therefore I am at hand for all maladies
+  arising from poetical vapours, beyond which I never pretend. For
+  being called the other day to one in love, I took indeed their
+  three guineas, and gave them my advice; which was, to send for
+  �sculapius.<a name='fntag457' id="fntag457"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote457'><sup>457</sup></a> �sculapius, as soon as he
+  saw the patient, cries out, "'Tis love! 'tis love! Oh! the
+  unequal pulse! these are the symptoms a lover feels; such sighs,
+  such pangs, attend the uneasy mind; nor can our art, or all our
+  boasted skill, avail&#8212;Yet O fair! for thee&#8212;" Thus the
+  sage ran on, and owned the passion which he pitied, as well as
+  that he felt a greater pain than ever he cured. After which he
+  concluded, "All I can advise, is marriage: charms and beauty will
+  give new life and vigour, and turn the course of nature to its
+  better prospect." This is the new way; and thus �sculapius has
+  left his beloved powders, and writes a recipe for a wife at
+  sixty. In short, my friend followed the prescription, and married
+  youth and beauty in its perfect bloom.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        Supine in Silvia's snowy arms he lies,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And all the busy care of life defies:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Each happy hour is filled with fresh delight,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While peace the day, and pleasure crowns the night.
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p><a class="pagenum" name='page385' title='385' id=
+  "page385"></a></p>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 27.</h3>
+
+  <p>Tragical passion was the subject of the discourse where I last
+  visited this evening; and a gentleman who knows that I am at
+  present writing a very deep tragedy, directed his discourse in a
+  particular manner to me. "It is the common fault," said he, "of
+  you, gentlemen, who write in the buskin style, that you give us
+  rather the sentiments of such who behold tragical events, than of
+  such who bear a part in them themselves. I would advise all who
+  pretend this way, to read Shakespeare with care, and they will
+  soon be deterred from putting forth what is usually called
+  'tragedy.' The way of common writers in this kind, is rather the
+  description, than the expression of sorrow. There is no medium in
+  these attempts; and you must go to the very bottom of the heart,
+  or it is all mere language; and the writer of such lines is no
+  more a poet, than a man is a physician for knowing the names of
+  distempers, without the causes of them. Men of sense are
+  professed enemies to all such empty labours: for he who pretends
+  to be sorrowful, and is not, is a wretch yet more contemptible
+  than he who pretends to be merry, and is not. Such a tragedian is
+  only maudlin drunk." The gentleman went on with much warmth; but
+  all he could say had little effect upon me: but when I came
+  hither, I so far observed his counsel, that I looked into
+  Shakespeare. The tragedy I dipped into was, "Harry the Fourth."
+  In the scene where Morton is preparing to tell Northumberland of
+  his son's death, the old man does not give him time to speak, but
+  says,</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "The whiteness of thy cheeks
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Even such a man, so faint, so spiritless,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        So dull, so dead in look, so woebegone,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        <a class="pagenum" name='page386' title='386' id=
+        "page386"></a>Drew Priam's curtain at the dead of night,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And would have told him half his Troy was burnt:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But Priam found the fire, ere he his tongue,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And I my Percy's death ere thou reportest it"<a name=
+        'fntag458' id="fntag458"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote458'><sup>458</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>The image in this place is wonderfully noble and great; yet
+  this man in all this is but rising towards his great affliction,
+  and is still enough himself, as you see, to make a simile: but
+  when he is certain of his son's death, he is lost to all
+  patience, and gives up all the regards of this life; and since
+  the last of evils is fallen upon him, he calls for it upon all
+  the world.</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line i2">
+        "Now let not Nature's hand
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Keep the wild flood confined; let Order die,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And let the world no longer be a stage,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        To feed contention in a lingering act;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        But let one spirit of the firstborn Cain
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Reign in all bosoms, that each heart being set
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        On bloody courses, the wide scene may end,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And darkness be the burier of the dead."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>Reading but this one scene has convinced me, that he who
+  describes the concern of great men, must have a soul as noble,
+  and as susceptible of high thoughts, as they whom he represents:
+  I shall therefore lay by my drama for some time, and turn my
+  thoughts to cares and griefs, somewhat below that of heroes, but
+  no less moving. A misfortune proper for me to take notice of, has
+  too lately happened: the disconsolate Maria<a name='fntag459' id=
+  "fntag459"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote459'><sup>459</sup></a> has three days kept her chamber
+  for the loss of the beauteous Fidelia, her <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page387' title='387' id="page387"></a>lap-dog. Lesbia
+  herself<a name='fntag460' id="fntag460"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote460'><sup>460</sup></a> did not shed more tears for her
+  sparrow. What makes her the more concerned, is, that we know not
+  whether Fidelia was killed or stolen; but she was seen in the
+  parlour window when the train-bands went by, and never since.
+  Whoever gives notice of her, dead or alive, shall be rewarded
+  with a kiss of her lady.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag450'>[450]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote450' id="footnote450"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number16'>No. 16</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag451'>[451]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote451' id=
+      "footnote451"></a>Intercourse.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag452'>[452]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote452' id="footnote452"></a>Henry Cromwell
+      (died 1728) was a correspondent of Pope's, and a friend of
+      Wycherley's. "I cannot choose," wrote Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas,
+      "but be pleased with the conquest of a person whose fame our
+      incomparable Tatler has rendered immortal, by the three
+      distinguishing titles of 'Squire Easy the amorous bard'; 'Sir
+      Timothy the critic'; and 'Sir Taffety Trippet the
+      fortune-hunter'" ("Pylades and Corinna," i. 96, 194). See
+      also Nos. <a href="#number49">49</a>, 165. Cromwell was a man about town, of
+      private means, with property in Lincolnshire, who had
+      contributed verses to Tonson's "Miscellany." Gay ("Mr. Pope's
+      Welcome from Greece," st. xvii.) speaks of "Honest, hatless
+      Cromwell, with red breeches."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag453'>[453]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote453' id="footnote453"></a>Called forth,
+      drawn as with an alarum.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag454'>[454]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote454' id="footnote454"></a>Henry Cromwell;
+      see note on p. 380. According to another suggestion, Spindle
+      is intended for Thomas Tickell, who published a poem, "The
+      Prospect of Peace," in 1713; but it is not probable that in
+      1709 either Addison or Steele would have satirised him; and
+      Cromwell may very likely have written verses on the same
+      subject.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag455'>[455]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote455' id="footnote455"></a>A spider named
+      from Tarentum, in Apulia. Strange stories were told of the
+      effects of its bite, and of their cure by music and
+      dancing.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag456'>[456]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote456' id="footnote456"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number46'>No. 46</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag457'>[457]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote457' id="footnote457"></a>Dr. Radcliffe.
+      See <a href='#number44'>No. 44</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag458'>[458]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote458' id="footnote458"></a>2 Henry IV.,
+      act i. sc. I.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag459'>[459]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote459' id="footnote459"></a>"This
+      <i>Tatler</i> I know nothing of, only they say the Dutchess
+      of Montague has lately lost a bitch she call'd fidel, and has
+      had it cry'd."&#8212;(Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby;
+      "Wentworth Papers," p. 97.)</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag460'>[460]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote460' id="footnote460"></a>See Catullus,
+      passim.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number48' id="number48"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 48.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Thursday, July 28</i>, to <i>Saturday, July 30</i>,
+    1709.</h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          &#8212;Virtutem verba putant, et
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line">
+          Lucum ligna.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Hor., 1 Ep. vi. 31.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>From my own Apartment, July 29.</h3>
+
+  <p>This day I obliged Pacolet to entertain me with matters which
+  regarded persons of his own character and occupation. We chose to
+  take our walk on Tower Hill; and as we were coming from thence in
+  order to stroll as far as Garraway's,<a name='fntag461' id=
+  "fntag461"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote461'><sup>461</sup></a> I observed two men, who had but
+  just landed, coming from the waterside. I thought there was
+  something uncommon in their mien and aspect; but though they
+  seemed by their visage to be related, yet was there a warmth in
+  their manner, as if they differed very much in their sentiments
+  of the subject on which they were talking. One of them seemed to
+  have a natural confidence, mixed with an ingenious freedom in his
+  gesture, his dress very plain, but very graceful and
+  becom<a class="pagenum" name='page388' title='388' id=
+  "page388"></a>ing: the other, in the midst of an overbearing
+  carriage, betrayed (by frequently looking round him) a suspicion
+  that he was not enough regarded by those he met, or that he
+  feared they would make some attack upon him. This person was much
+  taller than his companion, and added to that height the advantage
+  of a feather in his hat, and heels to his shoes so monstrously
+  high, that he had three or four times fallen down, had he not
+  been supported by his friend. They made a full stop as they came
+  within a few yards of the place where we stood. The plain
+  gentleman bowed to Pacolet; the other looked on him with some
+  displeasure: upon which I asked him, who they both were, when he
+  thus informed me of their persons and circumstances.</p>
+
+  <p>"You may remember, Mr. Isaac, that I have often told you,
+  there are beings of a superior rank to mankind, who frequently
+  visit the habitations of men, in order to call them from some
+  wrong pursuits in which they are actually engaged, or divert them
+  from methods which will lead them into errors for the future. He
+  that will carefully reflect upon the occurrences of his life,
+  will find he has been sometimes extricated out of difficulties,
+  and received favours where he could never have expected such
+  benefits; as well as met with cross events from some unseen hand,
+  which have disappointed his best laid designs. Such accidents
+  arrive from the interventions of a�rial beings, as they are
+  benevolent or hurtful to the nature of man, and attend his steps
+  in the tracts of ambition, of business, and of pleasure. Before I
+  ever appeared to you in the manner I do now, I have frequently
+  followed you in your evening walks, and have often, by throwing
+  some accident in your way, as the passing by of a funeral, or the
+  appearance of some other solemn object, given your imagination a
+  new turn, and changed a night you had destined to mirth and
+  jollity, into an exercise of study and contemplation. I <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page389' title='389' id="page389"></a>was the old
+  soldier who met you last summer in Chelsea Fields, and pretended
+  that I had broken my wooden leg, and could not get home; but I
+  snapped it short off on purpose, that you might fall into the
+  reflections you did on that subject, and take me into your hack.
+  If you remember, you made yourself very merry on that fracture,
+  and asked me, whether I thought I should next winter feel cold in
+  the toes of that leg? As is usually observed, that those who lose
+  limbs, are sensible of pains in the extreme parts, even after
+  those limbs are cut off. However, my keeping you then in the
+  story of the battle of the Boyne, prevented an assignation, which
+  would have led you into more disasters than I then related.</p>
+
+  <p>"To be short; those two persons you see yonder, are such as I
+  am; they are not real men, but are mere shades and figures: one
+  is named Alethes; the other, Verisimilis. Their office is to be
+  the guardians and representatives of Conscience and Honour. They
+  are now going to visit the several parts of the town, to see how
+  their interests in the world decay or flourish, and to purge
+  themselves from the many false imputations they daily meet with
+  in the commerce and conversation of men. You observed Verisimilis
+  frowned when he first saw me. What he is provoked at, is, that I
+  told him one day, though he strutted and dressed with so much
+  ostentation, if he kept himself within his own bounds, he was but
+  a lackey, and wore only that gentleman's livery whom he is now
+  with. This frets him to the heart; for you must know, he has
+  pretended a long time to set up for himself, and gets among a
+  crowd of the more unthinking part of mankind, who take him for a
+  person of the first quality; though his introduction into the
+  world was wholly owing to his present companion."</p>
+
+  <p>This encounter was very agreeable to me, and I was <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page390' title='390' id="page390"></a>resolved to
+  dog them, and desired Pacolet to accompany me. I soon perceived
+  what he told me in the gesture of the persons: for when they
+  looked at each other in discourse, the well-dressed man suddenly
+  cast down his eyes, and discovered that the other had a painful
+  superiority over him. After some further discourse, they took
+  leave. The plain gentleman went down towards Thames Street, in
+  order to be present, at least, at the oaths taken at the
+  Custom-house; and the other made directly for the heart of the
+  city. It is incredible how great a change there immediately
+  appeared in the man of honour when he got rid of his uneasy
+  companion: he adjusted the cock of his hat anew, settled his
+  sword-knot, and had an appearance that attracted a sudden
+  inclination for him and his interests in all who beheld him. "For
+  my part," said I to Pacolet, "I cannot but think you are mistaken
+  in calling this person, of the lower quality; for he looks much
+  more like a gentleman than the other. Don't you observe all eyes
+  are upon him as he advances: how each sex gazes at his stature,
+  aspect, address, and motion?" Pacolet only smiled, and shaked his
+  head; as leaving me to be convinced by my own further
+  observation. We kept on our way after him till we came to
+  Exchange Alley, where the plain gentleman again came up to the
+  other; and they stood together after the manner of eminent
+  merchants, as if ready to receive application; but I could
+  observe no man talk to either of them. The one was laughed at as
+  a fop; and I heard many whispers against the other, as a
+  whimsical sort of fellow, and a great enemy to trade. They
+  crossed Cornhill together, and came into the full 'Change, where
+  some bowed, and gave themselves airs in being known to so fine a
+  man as Verisimilis, who, they said, had great interests in all
+  princes' courts; and the other was taken notice of by several as
+  one they had seen <a class="pagenum" name='page391' title='391'
+  id="page391"></a>somewhere long before. One more particularly
+  said, he had formerly been a man of consideration in the world;
+  but was so unlucky, that they who dealt with him, by some strange
+  infatuation or other, had a way of cutting off their own bills,
+  and were prodigiously slow in improving their stock. But as much
+  as I was curious to observe the reception these gentlemen met
+  with upon 'Change, I could not help being interrupted by one that
+  came up towards us, to whom everybody made their compliments. He
+  was of the common height, and in his dress there seemed to be
+  great care to appear no way particular, except in a certain exact
+  and feat<a name='fntag462' id="fntag462"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote462'><sup>462</sup></a> manner of behaviour and
+  circumspection. He was wonderfully careful that his shoes and
+  clothes should be without the least speck upon them; and seemed
+  to think, that on such an accident depended his very life and
+  fortune. There was hardly a man on 'Change who had not a note
+  upon him; and each seemed very well satisfied that their money
+  lay in his hands, without demanding payment. I asked Pacolet,
+  what great merchant that was, who was so universally addressed
+  to, yet made too familiar an appearance to command that
+  extraordinary deference? Pacolet answered, "This person is the
+  demon or genius of credit: his name is Umbra. If you observe, he
+  follows Alethes and Verisimilis at a distance; and indeed has no
+  foundation for the figure he makes in the world, but that he is
+  thought to keep their cash; though at the same time, none who
+  trust him would trust the others for a groat." As the company
+  rolled about, the three spectres were jumbled into one place:
+  when they were so, and all thought there was an alliance between
+  them, they immediately drew upon them the business of the whole
+  'Change. But their affairs soon increased to such an unwieldy
+  bulk, that Alethes took his <a class="pagenum" name='page392'
+  title='392' id="page392"></a>leave, and said, he would not engage
+  further than he had an immediate fund to answer. Verisimilis
+  pretended that though he had revenues large enough to go on his
+  own bottom, yet it was below one of his family to condescend to
+  trade in his own name; therefore he also retired. I was extremely
+  troubled to see the glorious mart of London left with no other
+  guardian, but him of credit. But Pacolet told me, that traders
+  had nothing to do with the honour or conscience of their
+  correspondents, provided they supported a general behaviour in
+  the world, which could not hurt their credit or their purses:
+  "for," said he, "you may in this one tract of building of London
+  and Westminster see the imaginary motives on which the greatest
+  affairs move, as well as in rambling over the face of the earth.
+  For though Alethes is the real governor, as well as legislator of
+  mankind, he has very little business but to make up quarrels, and
+  is only a general referee, to whom every man pretends to appeal;
+  but is satisfied with his determinations no further than they
+  promote his own interest. Hence it is, that the soldier and the
+  courtier model their actions according to Verisimilis' manner,
+  and the merchant according to that of Umbra. Among these men,
+  honour and credit are not valuable possessions in themselves, or
+  pursued out of a principle of justice; but merely as they are
+  serviceable to ambition and to commerce. But the world will never
+  be in any manner of order or tranquillity, till men are firmly
+  convinced, that conscience, honour, and credit, are all in one
+  interest; and that without the concurrence of the former, the
+  latter are but impositions upon ourselves and others. The force
+  these delusive words have, is not seen in the transactions of the
+  busy world only, but also have their tyranny over the fair sex.
+  Were you to ask the unhappy Lais, what pangs of reflection,
+  preferring the consideration of her honour to <a class="pagenum"
+  name='page393' title='393' id="page393"></a>her conscience, has
+  given her? She could tell you, that it has forced her to drink up
+  half a gallon this winter of Tom Dassapas' potions; that she
+  still pines away for fear of being a mother; and knows not, but
+  the moment she is such, she shall be a murderess: but if
+  conscience had as strong a force upon the mind, as honour, the
+  first step to her unhappy condition had never been made; she had
+  still been innocent, as she's beautiful. Were men so enlightened
+  and studious of their own good, as to act by the dictates of
+  their reason and reflection, and not the opinion of others,
+  Conscience would be the steady ruler of human life; and the
+  words, Truth, Law, Reason, Equity, and Religion, would be but
+  synonymous terms for that only guide which makes us pass our days
+  in our own favour and approbation."</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag461'>[461]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote461' id="footnote461"></a>A coffee-house
+      in Exchange Alley, Cornhill, with an auction-room on the
+      first floor, where wine and other things were sold (see No,
+      147). Thomas Garway was originally a tobacconist and
+      coffee-man. Defoe ("Journey through England") says that this
+      coffee-house was frequented by "the people of quality who
+      have business in the City, and the most considerable and
+      wealthy citizens."</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag462'>[462]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote462' id="footnote462"></a>Adroit.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="numberheader">
+    <a name='number49' id="number49"></a>
+
+    <h2 class="leftheader">No. 49.</h2>
+
+    <h2 class="rightheader">[STEELE.</h2>
+
+    <h2>�</h2>
+
+    <h3>From <i>Saturday, July 30</i>, to <i>Tuesday, August 2,
+    1709.</i></h3>
+
+    <div class='poem'>
+      <div class='stanza'>
+        <div class="line">
+          Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="line right">
+          Juv., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>White's Chocolate-house, August 1.</h3>
+
+  <p>The imposition of honest names and words upon improper
+  subjects, has made so regular a confusion amongst us, that we are
+  apt to sit down with our errors, well enough satisfied with the
+  methods we are fallen into, without attempting to deliver
+  ourselves from the tyranny under which we are reduced by such
+  innovations. Of all the laudable motives of human life, none has
+  suffered so much in this kind as love; under which revered name,
+  a <a class="pagenum" name='page394' title='394' id=
+  "page394"></a>brutal desire called lust is frequently concealed
+  and admitted; though they differ as much as a matron from a
+  prostitute, or a companion from a buffoon. Philander<a name=
+  'fntag463' id="fntag463"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote463'><sup>463</sup></a> the other day was bewailing
+  this misfortune with much indignation, and upbraided me for
+  having some time since quoted those excellent lines of the
+  satirist:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        To an exact perfection they have brought
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        The action love, the passion is forgot.<a name='fntag464'
+        id="fntag464"></a><a class='fn' href=
+        '#footnote464'><sup>464</sup></a>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <p>"How could you," said he, "leave such a hint so coldly? How
+  could Aspasia<a name='fntag465' id="fntag465"></a><a class='fn'
+  href='#footnote465'><sup>465</sup></a> and Sempronia<a name=
+  'fntag466' id="fntag466"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote466'><sup>466</sup></a> enter into your imagination at
+  the same time, and you never declare to us the different
+  reception you gave them? The figures which the ancient
+  mythologists and poets put upon love and lust in their writings,
+  are very instructive. Love is a beauteous blind child, adorned
+  with a quiver and a bow, which he plays with, and shoots around
+  him, without design or direction; to intimate to us, that the
+  person beloved has no intention to give us the anxieties we meet
+  with; but that the beauties of a worthy object are like the
+  charms of a lovely infant: they cannot but attract your concern
+  and fondness, though the child so regarded is as insensible of
+  the value you put upon it, as it is that it deserves your
+  benevolence. On the other side, the sages figured Lust in the
+  form of a satyr; of shape, part human, part bestial; to signify,
+  that the followers of it prostitute the reason of a man to pursue
+  the appetites of a beast. This satyr is made to haunt the paths
+  and coverts of the wood-nymphs and shepherdesses, to lurk on the
+  banks of rivulets, and watch the purling streams (as the resorts
+  of retired virgins), to show, that lawless desire tends chiefly
+  to <a class="pagenum" name='page395' title='395' id=
+  "page395"></a>prey upon innocence, and has something so unnatural
+  in it, that it hates its own make, and shuns the object it loved,
+  as soon as it has made it like itself. Love therefore is a child
+  that complains and bewails its inability to help itself, and
+  weeps for assistance, without an immediate reflection of
+  knowledge of the food it wants: Lust, a watchful thief which
+  seizes its prey, and lays snares for its own relief; and its
+  principal object being innocence, it never robs, but it murders
+  at the same time. From this idea of a Cupid and a Satyr, we may
+  settle our notion of these different desires, and accordingly
+  rank their followers. Aspasia must therefore be allowed to be the
+  first of the beauteous Order of Love, whose unaffected freedom,
+  and conscious innocence, give her the attendance of the graces in
+  all her actions. That awful distance which we bear towards her in
+  all our thoughts of her, and that cheerful familiarity with which
+  we approach her, are certain instances of her being the truest
+  object of love of any of her sex. In this accomplished lady, love
+  is the constant effect, because it is never the design. Yet,
+  though her mien carries much more invitation than command, to
+  behold her is an immediate check to loose behaviour; and to love
+  her is a liberal education:<a name='fntag467' id=
+  "fntag467"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote467'><sup>467</sup></a> for, it being the nature of all
+  love to create an imitation of the beloved person in the lover, a
+  regard for Aspasia naturally produces decency of manners, and
+  good conduct of life in her admirers. If therefore the giggling
+  Lucippe could but see her train of fops <a class="pagenum" name=
+  'page396' title='396' id="page396"></a>assembled, and Aspasia
+  move by them, she would be mortified at the veneration with which
+  she is beheld, even by Lucippe's own unthinking equipage, whose
+  passions have long taken leave of their understandings. But as
+  charity is esteemed a conjunction of the good qualities necessary
+  to a virtuous man, so love is the happy composition of all the
+  accomplishments that make a fine gentleman. The motive of a man's
+  life is seen in all his actions; and such as have the beauteous
+  boy for their inspirer have a simplicity of behaviour, and a
+  certain evenness of desire, which burns like the lamp of life in
+  their bosoms; while they who are instigated by the satyr are ever
+  tortured by jealousies of the object of their wishes; often
+  desire what they scorn, and as often consciously and knowingly
+  embrace where they are mutually indifferent.</p>
+
+  <p>Florio, the generous husband, and Limberham, the "kind
+  keeper,"<a name='fntag468' id="fntag468"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote468'><sup>468</sup></a> are noted examples of the
+  different effects which these desires produce in the mind.
+  Amanda, who is the wife of Florio, lives in the continual
+  enjoyment of new instances of her husband's friendship, and sees
+  it the end of all his ambition to make her life one series of
+  pleasure and satisfaction; and Amanda's relish of the goods of
+  life, is all that makes them pleasing to Florio: they behave
+  themselves to each other when present with a certain apparent
+  benevolence, which transports above rapture; and they think of
+  each other in absence with a confidence unknown to the highest
+  friendship: their satisfactions are doubled, their sorrows
+  lessened by participation. On the other hand, Corinna, who is the
+  mistress of Limberham,<a name='fntag469' id=
+  "fntag469"></a><a class='fn' href=
+  '#footnote469'><sup>469</sup></a> lives in constant torment: her
+  equipage is, an old woman, who was what Corinna is now; <a class=
+  "pagenum" name='page397' title='397' id="page397"></a>an
+  antiquated footman, who was pimp to Limberham's father; and a
+  chambermaid, who is Limberham's wench by fits, out of a principle
+  of politics to make her jealous and watchful of Corinna. Under
+  this guard, and in this conversation, Corinna lives in state: the
+  furniture of her habitation, and her own gorgeous dress, make her
+  the envy of all the strolling ladies in the town; but Corinna
+  knows she herself is but part of Limberham's household stuff, and
+  is as capable of being disposed of elsewhere, as any other
+  movable. But while her keeper is persuaded by his spies, that no
+  enemy has been within his doors since his last visit, no Persian
+  prince was ever so magnificently bountiful: a kind look or
+  falling tear is worth a piece of brocade, a sigh is a jewel, and
+  a smile is a cupboard of plate. All this is shared between
+  Corinna and her guard in his absence. With this great economy and
+  industry does the unhappy Limberham purchase the constant
+  tortures of jealousy, the favour of spending his estate, and the
+  opportunity of enriching one by whom he knows he is hated and
+  despised. These are the ordinary and common evils which attend
+  keepers, and Corinna is a wench but of common size of wickedness.
+  Were you to know what passes under the roof where the fair
+  Messalina reigns with her humble adorer! Messalina is the
+  professed mistress of mankind; she has left the bed of her
+  husband and her beauteous offspring, to give a loose to want of
+  shame and fulness of desire. Wretched Nocturnus, her feeble
+  keeper! How the poor creature fribbles in his gait, and scuttles
+  from place to place to despatch his necessary affairs in painful
+  daylight, that he may return to the constant twilight preserved
+  in that scene of wantonness, Messalina's bedchamber. How does he,
+  while he is absent from thence, consider in his imagination the
+  breadth of his porter's shoulders, the spruce nightcap of his
+  valet, <a class="pagenum" name='page398' title='398' id=
+  "page398"></a>the ready attendance of his butler! Any of all whom
+  he knows she admits, and professes to approve of. This, alas! is
+  the gallantry; this the freedom of our fine gentlemen: for this
+  they preserve their liberty, and keep clear of that bugbear,
+  marriage. But he does not understand either vice or virtue, who
+  will not allow, that life without the rules of morality is a
+  wayward uneasy being, with snatches only of pleasure; but under
+  the regulation of virtue, a reasonable and uniform habit of
+  enjoyment. I have seen in a play of old Heywood's, a speech at
+  the end of an act, which touched this point with much spirit. He
+  makes a married man in the play, upon some endearing occasion,
+  look at his spouse with an air of fondness, and fall into the
+  following reflection on his condition:</p>
+
+  <div class='poem'>
+    <div class='stanza'>
+      <div class="line">
+        "O Marriage! happiest, easiest, safest state;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Let debauchees and drunkards scorn thy rights,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Who, in their nauseous draughts and lusts, profane
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Both thee and Heaven by whom thou wert ordained.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        How can the savage call it loss of freedom,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Thus to converse with, thus to gaze at
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        A faithful, beauteous friend?
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Blush not, my fair one, that thy love applauds thee,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Nor be it painful to my wedded wife,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        That my full heart overflows in praise of thee.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Thou art by law, by interest, passion, mine:
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Passion and reason join in love of thee.
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        Thus, through a world of calumny and fraud,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        We pass both unreproached, both undeceived;
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        While in each other's interest and happiness,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        We without art all faculties employ,
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="line">
+        And all our senses without guilt enjoy."
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <h3>St. James's Coffee-house August 1.</h3>
+
+  <p>Letters from the Hague of the 6th instant, N.S., say, that
+  there daily arrive at our camp deserters in con<a class="pagenum"
+  name='page399' title='399' id="page399"></a>siderable numbers;
+  and that several of the enemy concealed themselves in the town of
+  Tournay when the garrison marched into the citadel; after which,
+  they presented themselves to the Duke of Marlborough; some of
+  whom were commissioned officers. The Earl of Albemarle is
+  appointed governor of the town. Soon after the surrender, there
+  arose a dispute about a considerable work, which was asserted by
+  the Allies to be part of the town, and by the French to belong to
+  the citadel. It is said, Monsieur de Surville was so ingenious as
+  to declare, he thought it to be comprehended within the limits of
+  the town; but Monsieur de Mesgrigny, governor of the citadel, was
+  of a contrary opinion. It is reported, that this affair
+  occasioned great difficulties, which ended in a capitulation for
+  the citadel itself; the principal article of which is, that it
+  shall be surrendered on the 5th of September next, in case they
+  are not in the meantime relieved. This circumstance gives
+  foundation to believe, that the enemy have acted in this manner,
+  rather from some hopes they conceive of a treaty of peace before
+  that time, than any expectation from their army, which has
+  retired towards their former works between Lens and La Bass�e.
+  These advices add, that his Excellency the Czarish Ambassador has
+  communicated to the States-General, and the foreign Ministers
+  residing at the Hague, a copy of a letter from his master's camp,
+  which gives an account of the entire defeat of the Swedish army.
+  They further say, that Count Piper is taken prisoner, and that it
+  is doubted whether the King of Sweden himself was not killed in
+  the action. We hear from Savoy, that Count Thaun having amused
+  the enemy by a march as far as the Tarantaise, had suddenly
+  repassed Mount Cenis, and moved towards Brian�on. This unexpected
+  disposition <a class="pagenum" name='page400' title='400' id=
+  "page400"></a>is apprehended by the enemy as a piece of the Duke
+  of Savoy's dexterity; and the French adding this circumstance to
+  that of the Confederate squadron's lying before Toulon, convince
+  themselves, that his royal highness has his thoughts upon the
+  execution of some great design in those parts.</p>
+
+  <div class='footnotes'>
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag463'>[463]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote463' id="footnote463"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number13'>No. 13</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag464'>[464]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote464' id="footnote464"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number5'>No. 5</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag465'>[465]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote465' id="footnote465"></a>Lady Elizabeth
+      Hastings (see <a href='#number42'>No. 42</a>).</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag466'>[466]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote466' id="footnote466"></a>See <a href=
+      '#number33'>No. 33</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag467'>[467]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote467' id="footnote467"></a>In the
+      <i>Spectator</i> for March 29, 1884, Mr. Swinburne published
+      a letter saying that Steele was not the author of these
+      famous words,&#8212;"the most exquisite tribute ever paid to
+      the memory of a noble woman"; for the article in <a href=
+      '#number42'>No. 42</a> was by Congreve. But Mr. Justin
+      McCarthy afterwards pointed out that these words occur in
+      <a href='#number49'>No. 49</a>, not <a href='#number42'>No.
+      42</a>; and whether or no Congreve wrote the paper in
+      <a href='#number42'>No. 42</a> which is at least
+      doubtful&#8212;the article in <a href='#number49'>No. 49</a>
+      is certainly Steele's.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag468'>[468]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote468' id="footnote468"></a>The title of
+      one of Dryden's plays.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <blockquote class='footnote'>
+      <div class='label'>
+        <a href='#fntag469'>[469]</a>
+      </div>
+
+      <p><a name='footnote469' id="footnote469"></a>Henry Cromwell
+      and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas. See <a href='#number47'>No.
+      47</a>.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+  </div>
+
+  <h2>END OF VOL. I.</h2>
+
+  <h3>Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON &amp; Co. London &amp;
+  Edinburgh.</h3>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899, by George A. Aitken
+
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+Project Gutenberg's The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899, by George A. Aitken
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  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: The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899
+
+Author: George A. Aitken
+
+Release Date: October 5, 2004 [EBook #13645]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TATLER, VOLUME 1, 1899 ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Jon Ingram and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+#THE TATLER#
+
+Edited with Introduction & Notes by #George A. Aitken#
+
+_Author of_ "The Life of Richard Steele," Etc.
+
+Vol. I
+
+New York
+Hadley & Mathews
+156 Fifth Avenue
+London: Duckworth & Co.
+1899
+
+
+
+Preface
+
+_The original numbers of the _Tatler_ were reissued in two forms in
+1710-11; one edition, in octavo, being published by subscription, while
+the other, in duodecimo, was for the general public. The present edition
+has been printed from a copy of the latter issue, which, as recorded on
+the title-page, was "revised and corrected by the Author"; but I have
+had by my side, for constant reference, a complete set of the folio
+sheets, containing the "Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff" in the form
+in which they were first presented to the world. Scrupulous accuracy in
+the text has been aimed at, but the eccentricities of spelling--which
+were the printer's, not the author's--have not been preserved, and the
+punctuation has occasionally been corrected.
+
+The first and the most valuable of the annotated editions of the
+_Tatler_ was published by John Nichols and others in 1786, with notes by
+Dr. Percy, Bishop of Dromore, Dr. John Calder, and Dr. Pearce, Bishop
+of Rochester; and though these notes are often irrelevant and out of
+date, they contain an immense amount of information, and have been
+freely made use of by subsequent editors. I have endeavoured to preserve
+what is of value in the older editions, and to supplement it, as
+concisely as possible, by such further information as appeared
+desirable. The eighteenth-century diaries and letters published of late
+years have in many cases enabled me to throw light on passages which
+have hitherto been obscure, and sometimes useful illustrations have been
+found in the contemporary newspapers and periodicals.
+
+The portraits of Steele, Addison, and Swift, the writers most associated
+with the _Tatler_, have been taken from contemporary engravings in the
+British Museum; and the imaginary portrait of Isaac Bickerstaff in the
+last volume is from a rare picture drawn by Lens in 1710 as a
+frontispiece to collections of the original folio numbers._
+
+G. A. A.
+
+_August 1898._
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+When the first number of the _Tatler_ appeared in 1709, Steele and
+Addison were about thirty-seven years of age, while Swift, then still
+counted among the Whigs, was more than four years their senior. Addison
+and Steele had been friends at the Charterhouse School and at Oxford,
+and though they had during the following years had varying experiences,
+their friendship had in no way lessened. Addison had been a fellow of
+his college, had gained the patronage of Charles Montague and Lord
+Somers, had made the grand tour, and published an account of his
+travels; had gained popularity by his poem "The Campaign," written in
+celebration of the victory at Blenheim; had been made an Under-Secretary
+of State, and finally (in December 1708) had been appointed secretary to
+Lord Wharton, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Steele, on the other hand,
+had enlisted in the Guards, without taking any degree; had obtained an
+ensign's commission after dedicating to Lord Cutts a poem on Queen
+Mary's death; and had written a little book called "The Christian Hero,"
+designed "to fix upon his own mind a strong impression of virtue and
+religion, in opposition to a stronger propensity towards unwarrantable
+pleasures." At the close of the same year (1701) he brought out a
+successful comedy, "The Funeral," which was followed by "The Lying
+Lover" and "The Tender Husband," plays which gave strong evidence of the
+influence of Jeremy Collier's attack on the immorality of the stage.
+"The Tender Husband" owed "many applauded strokes" to Addison, to whom
+it was dedicated by Steele, who wished "to show 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." In 1705 Steele married a lady with
+property in Barbados, and on her death married, in 1707, Mary Scurlock,
+the "dear Prue" to whom he addressed his well-known letters. For the
+rest, he had been made gentleman-waiter to Prince George of Denmark, and
+appointed Gazetteer, with a salary of L300, less a tax of L45 a year. He
+was disappointed in his hopes of obtaining the Under-Secretaryship
+vacated by Addison.
+
+From 1705 onwards there is evidence of frequent and familiar intercourse
+between Swift and Addison and Steele. After Sir William Temple's death,
+Swift had become chaplain to the Earl of Berkeley, who gave him the
+living of Laracor; and during a visit to England in 1704 he had gained a
+position in the front rank of authors by the "Tale of a Tub" and the
+"Battle of the Books." At the close of 1707 he was again in England,
+charged with a mission to obtain for the Irish clergy the remission of
+First Fruits and Tenths already conceded to the English, and throughout
+1708 what he calls "the triumvirate of Addison, Steele and me" were in
+constant communication. In that year Swift published a pamphlet called
+"A Project for the Advancement of Religion and the Reformation of
+Manners," which anticipated many of the arguments used in the _Tatler_
+and _Spectator_; and he also commenced his attack on John Partridge,
+quack doctor and maker of astrological almanacs. On the appearance of
+Partridge's "Merlinus Liberatus" for 1708, Swift--borrowing a name from
+the signboard of a shoemaker--published "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." Isaac Bickerstaff professed to be a true astrologer,
+disgusted at the lies told by impostors, and he said that he was willing
+to be hooted at as a cheat if his prophecies were not exactly fulfilled.
+His first prediction was that Partridge would die on the 29th of March;
+and on the 30th a second pamphlet was published, "The accomplishment of
+the first of Mr. Bickerstaff's Predictions ... in a letter to a person
+of quality, in which a detailed account is given of Partridge's death,
+at five minutes after seven, by which it is clear that Mr. Bickerstaff
+was mistaken almost four hours in his calculation.... Whether he had
+been the cause of this poor man's death, as well as the predictor, may
+be very reasonably disputed." The joke was maintained by Swift and
+others in various pieces, and when Partridge, in his almanac for 1709,
+protested that he was still living, Swift replied, in "A Vindication of
+Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.," which was advertised in the fifth number of
+the _Tatler_, that he could prove that Partridge was not alive; for no
+one living could have written such rubbish as the new almanac. In
+starting his new paper Steele assumed the name of the astrologer Isaac
+Bickerstaff, rendered famous by Swift, and made frequent use of Swift's
+leading idea. He himself summed up the controversy in the words, "if a
+man's art is gone, the man is gone, though his body still appear."
+
+Much has been written on the interesting question of the early history
+of the periodical press; but with one exception none of its predecessors
+had much effect on the _Tatler_. John Dunton's _Athenian Mercury_ was
+the forerunner of our _Notes and Queries_; and it was followed by the
+_British Apollo_ (1708-11), the second title of which was "Curious
+Amusements for the Ingenious. To which are added the most Material
+Occurrences, Foreign and Domestic. Performed by a Society of Gentlemen."
+_The Gentleman's Journal_ of 1692-4, a monthly paper of poems and other
+miscellaneous matter, was succeeded, in 1707, by Oldmixon's _Muses'
+Mercury; or, The Monthly Miscellany_, a periodical which contained also
+notices of new plays and books, and numbered Steele among its
+contributors. Defoe's _Review_, begun in 1704, aimed at setting the
+affairs of Europe in a clearer light, regardless of party; but, added
+Defoe, "After our serious matters are over, we shall at the end of every
+paper present you with a little diversion, as anything occurs to make
+the world merry; and whether friend or foe, one party or another, if
+anything happens so scandalous as to require an open reproof, the world
+will meet with it there." Accordingly, of the eight pages in the first
+number, one and a half pages consist of "Mercure Scandale; or, Advice
+from the Scandalous Club, Translated out of French." The censure was to
+be of the actions of men, not of parties; and the design was to expose
+not persons but things. A monthly supplement, dealing with "the
+immediate subject then on the tongues of the town," was begun in
+September 1704; and pressure on the space before long pushed the Advices
+from the Scandal Club out of the ordinary issue of the _Review_.
+Subsequently Defoe wrote more than once in praise of the way in which
+his work had been taken up by Isaac Bickerstaff.
+
+Probably the _Tatler_ was started by Steele without any very definite
+designs for the future. According to the first number, published on
+April 12, 1709, the aim was to instruct the public what to think, after
+their reading, and there was to be something for the entertainment of
+the fair sex. The numbers were published three times a week, on the
+post-days, at the price of one penny. Each paper consisted of a single
+folio sheet, and the first four were distributed gratuitously. Steele
+probably thought that his position of Gazetteer would enable him to give
+the latest news, and he says that these paragraphs brought in a
+multitude of readers; but as the position of the _Tatler_ became
+established, the need for the support of these items of news grew less,
+and after the first eighty numbers they are of rare occurrence. Quite
+early in the career of the paper Addison, speaking of the distress which
+would be caused among the news-writers by the conclusion of a peace,
+said that Bickerstaff was not personally concerned in the matter; "for
+as my chief scenes of action are coffee-houses, playhouses, and my own
+apartment, I am in no need of camps, fortifications, and fields of
+battle to support me.... I shall still be safe as long as there are men
+or women, or politicians, or lovers, or poets, or nymphs, or swains, or
+cits, or courtiers in being."[1]
+
+The subject of each article was to be indicated by the name of the
+coffee-house or other place from which it was supposed to come: "All
+accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment shall be under the
+article of White's Chocolate-house; Poetry, under that of Will's
+Coffee-house; Learning, under the title of Grecian; Foreign and Domestic
+News you will have from Saint James's Coffee-house; and what else I have
+to offer on any other subject shall be dated from my own Apartment." For
+some time each number contained short papers from all or several of
+these places; but gradually it became usual to devote the whole number
+to one topic. The motto of the first forty numbers was "Quicquid agunt
+homines ... nostri farrago libelli"; but in the following numbers it was
+changed to "Celebrare domestica facta"; and afterwards each number
+generally had a quotation bearing upon the subject of the day. Writing
+some time after the commencement of the fatter, Steele said, in the
+Dedication prefixed to the first volume, "The general purpose of this
+paper is to expose the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of
+cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general simplicity
+in our dress, our discourse, and our behaviour." And elsewhere he says:
+"As for my labours, which he is pleased to inquire after, if they but
+wear one impertinence out of human life, destroy a single vice, or give
+a morning's cheerfulness to an honest mind; in short, if the world can
+be but one virtue the better, or in any degree less vicious, or receive
+from them the smallest addition to their innocent diversions; I shall
+not think my pains, or indeed my life, to have been spent in vain."[2]
+At the close, speaking in his own name, Steele wrote: "The general
+purpose of the whole has been to recommend truth, innocence, honour, and
+virtue, as the chief ornaments of life; but I considered, that severity
+of manners was absolutely necessary to him who would censure others, and
+for that reason, and that only, chose to talk in a mask. I shall not
+carry my humility so far as to call myself a vicious man, but at the
+same time must confess my life is at best but pardonable."[3]
+
+With his usual generosity, Steele more than once spoke in the warmest
+terms of the assistance rendered to him by Addison. In the preface to
+the collected edition he said: "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 to one with whom he had
+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
+called him in I could not subsist without dependence on him." And in
+1722, after Addison's death, in a preface to his friend's play, "The
+Drummer," Steele wrote of the _Tatler_, "That paper 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."
+
+It is only fair to Steele to point out that the original idea of the
+_Tatler_ was entirely his own, and that he alone was responsible for the
+regular supply of material. Addison was in Ireland when the paper was
+begun, and did not know who was the author until several numbers had
+appeared. His occasional contributions were of little importance until
+after eighty numbers had been published; and of the whole 271 numbers
+Steele wrote about 188 and Addison only 42, while they were jointly
+responsible for 36. Swift contributed only to about a dozen numbers; and
+the assistance received from other writers was so slight that it does
+not call for notice here. Steele, unlike Addison, was probably at his
+best in the _Tatler_, where he had a freer hand, and described, in a
+perfectly fresh and unaffected style, the impressions of the moment.
+Hastily composed in coffee-house or printing-office, as they often were,
+and at very short notice, his papers frequently appeal to the reader of
+the present day more than the carefully elaborated and highly finished
+work of his friend, who wrote only when he found a suitable topic. And
+if Addison's art is of a higher standard than Steele's, it is to Steele
+that we owe Addison. A minor poet and the author of a book of travels
+and of an unsuccessful opera, Addison found no opportunity for his
+peculiar genius until his friend provided the means in the _Tatler_. It
+is tolerably certain that he would himself never have taken the
+necessary step of founding a periodical appealing to the general public;
+and Steele himself said with perfect truth, "I claim to myself the merit
+of having extorted excellent productions from a person of the greatest
+abilities, who would not have let them appear by any other means."[4]
+
+If more is said here of Steele than of Addison, it is because it is
+Steele whose name is most intimately connected with the _Tatler_. The
+field in which Addison shone brightest was the _Spectator_, where the
+whole plan was arranged in the manner best suited to his genius. But his
+influence is, nevertheless, visible in the development of the earlier
+paper, and some of his individual articles are equal to anything he
+afterwards wrote. It is only necessary to mention his papers on the
+Distress of the News-Writers[5]; on the poetaster, Ned Softly[6]; on the
+pedant and "broker in learning," Tom Folio[7]; on the Political
+Upholsterer, who was more inquisitive to know what passed in Poland than
+in his own family[8]; and on the Adventures of a Shilling.[9] His, too,
+are the Vision of Justice[10]; the story of a dream;[11] and the amusing
+account of the visit to London of Sir Harry Quickset, who, with his
+old-world breeding, was the forerunner of Sir Roger de Coverley.[12]
+
+Unlike the members of the Spectator's Club, the _dramatis personae_
+introduced in the _Tatler_ do not occupy a very prominent place in
+the development of the work. Isaac Bickerstaff himself, an old man of
+sixty-four, "a philosopher, an humourist, an astrologer, and a censor,"
+is rather vaguely sketched, and his familiar, Pacolet, is made use of
+chiefly in the earlier numbers. The occasional references to Bickerstaff's
+half-sister, Jenny Distaff,[13] and her husband, Tanquillus, and to his
+three nephews and their conduct in the presence of a "beautiful woman of
+honour,"[14] gave Steele a framework for some charming sketches of
+domestic life. It is not until No. 132 that we have the amusing account
+of the members of Bickerstaff's Club, the Trumpet, in Shire Lane. There
+were Sir Geoffrey Notch, a gentleman of an ancient family, who had
+wasted his estate in his youth, and called every thriving man a pitiful
+upstart; Major Matchlock, with his reminiscences of the Civil War; Dick
+Reptile, and the Bencher who was always praising the wit of former days,
+and telling stories of Jack Ogle, with whom he pretended to have been
+intimate in his youth. Very little use was afterwards made of this
+promising material.
+
+The poet John Gay has given an excellent account of the work
+accomplished by Steele and Addison in a pamphlet called "The Present
+State of Wit" (1711). Speaking of the discontinuance of the _Tatler_, he
+says: "His disappearing 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 newspapers 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....
+There is this 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 vain
+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
+showing them it was their own fault if they were not so; and, lastly,
+how entirely they have convinced our 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 upon a
+new way of thinking, of which they had little or no notion before; and
+though we cannot yet 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."
+
+Gay's opinion has been confirmed by the best judges of nearly two
+centuries, and there is no need to labour the question of the wit and
+wisdom of the _Tatler_. But some examples may be cited in illustration
+of the topics on which Steele and his friends wrote, and the manner in
+which they dealt with them. The very first numbers contained
+illustrations of most of what were to be the characteristics of the
+paper. There is the account of the very pretty gentleman at White's
+Chocolate-house thrown into a sad condition by a passing vision of a
+young lady; the notice of Betterton's benefit performance; the comments
+on the war; the campaign against Partridge, with the declaration that
+all who were good for nothing would be included among the deceased; the
+discussion on the morality of the stage, with praise of Mrs. Bicknell
+and reproaches upon a young nobleman who came drunk to the play; the
+comparison of the rival beauties, Chloe and Clarissa; the satire on the
+Italian opera, and on Pinkethman's company of strollers; and the
+allegorical paper on Faelicia, or Britain. All these and other matters
+are dealt with in the four numbers which were distributed gratuitously;
+as the work progressed the principal change, besides the disappearance
+of the paragraphs of news, was the development of the sustained essay on
+morals or manners, and the less frequent indulgence in satire upon
+individual offenders, and in personal allusions in general. This change
+seems to have been the result partly of design, and partly of
+circumstances, including Addison's influence on the work. Steele himself
+said, as we have seen, that the _Tatler_ was raised to a greater height
+than he had designed; but no doubt he realised that he must feel his
+way, and be at first a tatler rather than a preacher. After some grave
+remarks about duelling in an early paper (No. 26), he makes Pacolet,
+Bickerstaff's familiar, say, "It was too soon to give my discourse on
+this subject so serious a turn; you have chiefly to do with that part of
+mankind which must be led into reflection by degrees, and you must treat
+this custom with humour and raillery to get an audience, before you come
+to pronounce sentence upon it."
+
+Follies and weaknesses are ridiculed in the _Tatler_ in a genial
+spirit, by one who was fully alive to his own imperfections, and point
+is usually given to the papers by a sketch of some veiled or imaginary
+individual. In this way Bickerstaff treats of fops,[15] of wags,[16] of
+coquettes,[17] of the lady who condemned the vice of the age, meaning
+the only vice of which she was not guilty;[18] of impudence;[19] and of
+pride and vanity.[20] In a graver tone he attacks the practice of
+duelling;[21] gamesters and sharpers;[22] drunken "roarers" and
+"scowrers";[23] and brutal pastimes at the Bear Garden and
+elsewhere.[24] The campaign against swindlers exposed Steele to serious
+threats on more than one occasion.[25]
+
+Of what Coleridge called Steele's "pure humanity" there is nowhere
+better evidence than in the _Tatler_. It is enough to cite once more the
+well-known examples of the account of his father's death and his
+mother's grief;[26] the stories of Unnion and Valentine,[27] of the
+Cornish lovers,[28] of Clarinda and Chloe,[29] and of Mr. Eustace,[30]
+and the charming account of the married happiness of an old friend, with
+the pathetic picture of the death of the wife, and the grief of husband
+and children.[31] In the last number Steele said, "It has been a most
+exquisite pleasure to me to frame characters of domestic life"; and we
+know from his letters that when he wrote of children he was only
+expressing the deep affection which he felt for his own. Equally in
+advance of his time was his respect for women, one of whom--Lady
+Elizabeth Hastings--he has immortalised in the words, "To love her is a
+liberal education."[32] In the same number he wrote, "As charity is
+esteemed a conjunction of the good qualities necessary to a virtuous
+man, so love is the happy composition of all the accomplishments that
+make a fine gentleman." In a time of much laxity he constantly dwelt on
+the happiness of marriage; "wife is the most amiable term in human
+life."[33] But good nature must be cultivated if the married life is to
+be happy,[34] and all unnecessary provocations avoided. "Dear Jenny,"
+says Bickerstaff to his sister, "remember me, and avoid
+Snap-Dragon."[35] Women must be rightly educated before they can expect
+to be treated by, and to influence men as they should.[36] The make of
+the mind greatly contributes to the ornament of the body; "there is so
+immediate a relation between our thoughts and gestures that a woman must
+think well to look well."[37] The habit of scandal-mongering and other
+weaknesses are the result of an improper training of the mind.[38] "All
+women especially," says Thackeray, "are bound to be grateful to Steele,
+as he was the first of our writers who really seemed to admire and
+respect them." His pity extended to the hunted deer: "I have more than
+once rode off at the death," he says; "to be apt to shed tears is a sign
+of a great as well as a little spirit."[39]
+
+Steele's teaching on morals and right living enters intimately into his
+literary criticism. His love for Shakespeare was real and intelligent;
+there is no formal discussion of the rules of the drama, but throughout
+the _Tatler_ there are references which show the keenest appreciation
+of Shakespeare's powers as poet and philosopher. "The vitiated tastes of
+the audience at the theatre could only be amended," says Steele, "by
+encouraging the representation of the noble characters drawn by
+Shakespeare and others, from whence it is impossible to return without
+strong impressions of honour and humanity. On these occasions, distress
+is laid before us with all its causes and consequences, and our
+resentment placed according to the merit of the persons afflicted. Were
+dramas of this nature more acceptable to the taste of the town, men who
+have genius would bend their studies to excel in them."[40] Still more
+remarkable are the allusions to "Paradise Lost," for Milton was then even
+less appreciated than Shakespeare. As in so many other things, Addison's
+more elaborate criticism in the _Spectator_ was foreshadowed in the
+_Tatler_ by Steele; and the comparison of passages by Milton and
+Dryden[41] must have been very striking to the reader of that time, who
+usually knew Shakespeare or Chaucer only through the adaptations of Dryden
+or Tate.
+
+Though it is not true, as some have represented, that the _Tatler_ is
+for the most part a mere society journal, concerned chiefly with the
+gossip of the day, yet its contributors made use of the scenes and
+events familiar to their readers in order to bring home the kindly
+lessons they wished to teach; and in so doing they have given us a
+picture of the daily life of the town which would alone have given
+lasting interest to the paper. The distinctly "moral" papers have had
+countless imitators, and sometimes therefore they are apt to pall upon
+us, but the social articles are at least as interesting now as when they
+were written, and one of the reasons why some excellent judges have
+prefered the _Tatler_ to the _Spectator_, is that there is a greater
+proportion of these gossiping papers, combining wisdom with satire, and
+bringing before us as in a mirror the London of Queen Anne's day.
+Bickerstaff takes us from club to coffee-house, from St. James's to the
+Exchange; we see the poets and wits at Will's, the politicians at
+White's, the merchants at Garraway's, the Templars at the Smyrna; we see
+Betterton and the rest on the stage, and the ladies and gentlemen in the
+front or side boxes; we see Pinkethman's players at Greenwich, Powell's
+puppet-show, Don Saltero's Museum at Chelsea, and the bear-baiting and
+prize-fights at Hockley-in-the-Hole. We are taken to the Mall at St.
+James's, or the Ring in Hyde Park, and we study the fine ladies and the
+beaux, with their red heels and their amber-headed canes suspended from
+their waistcoats; or we follow them to Charles Lillie's, the perfumer,
+or to Mather's toy-shop, or to Motteux's china warehouse; or to the
+shops in the New Exchange, where the men bought trifles and ogled the
+attendants. Or yet again we watch the exposure of the sharpers and
+bullies, and the denunciation of others who brought even greater ruin on
+those who fell into their clutches. We see the worshipping and the
+flirtations in the church, with Smalridge and Atterbury, Hoadly and
+Blackall among the preachers, and hear something of the controversies
+between High and Low Church, Whig and Tory. We hear, too, of the war
+with France, and of the hopes of peace. Steele tells us not only of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene, but of privates and non-commissioned
+officers, of their lives and tragedies, of their comrades and friends.
+All Sergeant Hall knew of the battle was that he wished there had not
+been so many killed; he had himself a very bad shot in the head, but
+would recover, if it pleased God. "To me," says Steele, recalling his
+own service as a trooper, "I take the gallantry of private soldiers to
+proceed from the same, if not from a nobler impulse than that of
+gentlemen and officers.... Sergeant Hall would die ten thousand deaths
+rather than a word should be spoken at the Red Lattice, or any part of
+the Butcher Row, in prejudice to his courage or honesty." His letter to
+his friend was "the picture of the bravest sort of man, that is to say,
+a man of great courage and small hopes."[42]
+
+Something must be said of the events of 1710, which led to the
+discontinuance of the _Tatler_. The trial of Dr. Sacheverell in March
+was followed by the fall of the Whigs in the autumn; and in October
+Steele lost his post of Gazetteer. Swift says it was "for writing a
+_Tatler_ some months ago, against Mr. Harley, who gave him the post at
+first." There was a growing coldness between Swift and his old friends,
+and on the 3rd of November Swift wrote, "We have scurvy _Tatlers_ of
+late, so pray do not suspect me." On the preceding day Swift's first
+paper in the Tory _Examiner_ had been published. He still met Steele
+from time to time, and he says that he interceded for him with Harley,
+but was frustrated by Addison. However this may be, it is certain that
+Harley saw Steele, and that as the result of their interview Steele
+retained his post as Commissioner of the Stamp Office, and brought the
+_Tatler_ to a close on January 2, 1711, without consulting Addison. "To
+say the truth, it was time," says Swift; "for he grew cruel dull and
+dry." It is true that there is a falling off towards the close of the
+_Tatler_, but that it was not want of matter that brought about the
+abandonment of the paper is proved by the commencement only two months
+later of the _Spectator_. Steele himself said that on many accounts it
+had become an irksome task to personate Mr. Bickerstaff any longer; he
+had in some places touched upon matters concerning Church and State, and
+he could not be cold enough to conceal his opinions. Gay tells us, in
+"The Present State of Wit," that the town being generally of opinion
+that Steele was quite spent as regards matter, was the more surprised
+when the _Spectator_ appeared; people were therefore driven to accept
+the alternative view that the _Tatler_ was laid down "as a sort of
+submission to, or composition with, the Government for some past
+offences."
+
+Excellent testimony to the immediate popularity of the _Tatler_ is
+furnished by the fact that its successive numbers were reprinted in
+Dublin and in Edinburgh. At least sixty-nine numbers of the Dublin
+issue, in quarto, were printed. The Scottish re-issue was a folio sheet,
+commenced about February 1710, and continued until the close of the
+paper. The date of each number of the Edinburgh paper--"printed by
+James Watson, and sold at his shop next door to the Red Lion, opposite
+to the Lucken Booths"--is five or six days later than that of the
+original issue; it was evidently worked off as soon as the London post
+came in. Other evidence of the popularity of the _Tatler_ in the
+provinces is afforded by the foundation of the "Gentleman's Society" at
+Spalding. Maurice Johnson, a native of Spalding and a member of the
+Inner Temple, gives this account of the matter: "In April 1709, that
+great genius Captain Richard Steele ... published the _Tatlers_, which,
+as they came out in half-sheets, were taken in by a gentleman, who
+communicated them to his acquaintances at the coffee-house then in the
+Abbey Yard; and these papers being universally approved as both
+instructive and entertaining, they ordered them to be sent down thither,
+with the Gazettes and Votes, for which they paid out of charity to the
+person who kept the coffee-house, and they were accordingly had and read
+there every post-day, generally aloud to the company, who would sit and
+talk over the subject afterwards. This insensibly drew the men of sense
+and letters into a sociable way of conversing, and continued the next
+year, 1710, until the publication of these papers desisted, which was in
+December, to their great regret." Afterwards the _Spectator_ was taken
+in, and a regular society was started in 1712, by the encouragement of
+Addison, Steele, and other members of Button's Club.
+
+One indication of the popularity of the _Tatler_ in its own day is the
+long subscription list prefixed to the reprint in four octavo volumes.
+Some copies were printed on "royal," others on "medium" paper; and the
+price of the former was a guinea a volume, while that of the latter was
+half a guinea. There was also an authorised cheap edition, in duodecimo,
+at half a crown a volume, besides a pirated edition at the same price. A
+still more conclusive proof of the success of the _Tatler_ was the
+number of papers started in imitation of its methods. Addison mentioned
+some of those periodicals in No. 229, where details will be found of the
+"Female Tatler," "Tit for Tat," and the like. But besides these, several
+spurious continuations of the _Tatler_ appeared directly after the
+discontinuance of the genuine paper, including one by William Harrison,
+written with Swift's encouragement and assistance. But Harrison, as
+Swift said, had "not the true vein for it," and his paper reached only
+to fifty-two numbers, which were afterwards reprinted as a fifth volume
+to the collected edition of the original _Tatler_. Gay said that
+Steele's imitators seemed 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." The town,
+in the absence of anything better, welcomed their occasional and faint
+endeavours at humour; "but even those are at present become wholly
+invisible, and quite swallowed up in the blaze of the _Spectator_."
+Steele himself said that his imitators held the censorship in
+commission.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 1: No. 18.]
+
+[Footnote 2: No. 89.]
+
+[Footnote 3: No. 271.]
+
+[Footnote 4: _Spectator_, No. 532.]
+
+[Footnote 5: _Tatler_, No. 18.]
+
+[Footnote 6: No. 163.]
+
+[Footnote 7: No. 158.]
+
+[Footnote 8: Nos. 155, 160.]
+
+[Footnote 9: No. 249.]
+
+[Footnote 10: Nos. 100, 102.]
+
+[Footnote 11: No. 117.]
+
+[Footnote 12: No. 86.]
+
+[Footnote 13: No. 10.]
+
+[Footnote 14: No. 30.]
+
+[Footnote 15: No. 142.]
+
+[Footnote 16: No. 184.]
+
+[Footnote 17: No. 27.]
+
+[Footnote 18: No. 210.]
+
+[Footnote 19: No. 168.]
+
+[Footnote 20: Nos. 127, 186.]
+
+[Footnote 21: Nos. 25, 26, 29, 31, 38, 39.]
+
+[Footnote 22: Nos. 56, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 23: Nos. 40, 45.]
+
+[Footnote 24: No. 134.]
+
+[Footnote 25: See Nos. 115, 271.]
+
+[Footnote 26: No. 181.]
+
+[Footnote 27: No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 28: No. 82.]
+
+[Footnote 29: No. 94.]
+
+[Footnote 30: No. 172.]
+
+[Footnote 31: Nos. 95, 114.]
+
+[Footnote 32: No. 49.]
+
+[Footnote 33: No. 33.]
+
+[Footnote 34: No. 149.]
+
+[Footnote 35: No. 85. See, too, No. 104.]
+
+[Footnote 36: Nos. 141, 248.]
+
+[Footnote 37: No. 212.]
+
+[Footnote 38: Nos, 40, 42, 47.]
+
+[Footnote 39: No. 68.]
+
+[Footnote 40: No. 8.]
+
+[Footnote 41: No. 6.]
+
+[Footnote 42: No. 87.]
+
+
+
+
+THE TATLER
+
+
+
+
+THE PREFACE.[43]
+
+In the last _Tatler_ I promised some explanation of passages and persons
+mentioned in this work, as well as some account of the assistances I
+have had in the performance. I shall do this in very few words; for when
+a man has no design but to speak plain truth, he may say a great deal in
+a very narrow compass. I have in the dedication of the first volume made
+my acknowledgments to Dr. Swift, whose pleasant writings, in the name of
+Bickerstaff, created an inclination in the town towards anything that
+could appear in the same disguise. I must acknowledge also, that at my
+first entering upon this work, a certain uncommon way of thinking, and a
+turn in conversation peculiar to that agreeable gentleman, rendered his
+company very advantageous to one whose imagination was to be continually
+employed upon obvious and common subjects, though at the same time
+obliged to treat of them in a new and unbeaten method. His verses on the
+Shower in Town,[44] and the Description of the Morning,[45] are
+instances of the happiness of that genius, which could raise such
+pleasing ideas upon occasions so barren to an ordinary invention.
+
+When I am upon the house of Bickerstaff, I must not forget that
+genealogy of the family sent to me by the post, and written, as I since
+understand, by Mr. Twysden,[46] who died at the battle of Mons, and has
+a monument in Westminster Abbey, suitable to the respect which is due to
+his wit and his valour. There are through the course of the work very
+many incidents which were written by unknown correspondents. Of this
+kind is the tale in the second _Tatler_, and the epistle from Mr. Downes
+the prompter,[47] with others which were very well received by the
+public. But I have only one gentleman,[48] who will be nameless, to
+thank for any frequent assistance to me, which indeed it would have been
+barbarous in him to have denied to one with whom he has lived in an
+intimacy from childhood, considering the great ease with which he is
+able to dispatch 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 writ the distinguishing characters of men and women under
+the names of Musical Instruments, the Distress of the News-writers, the
+Inventory of the Playhouse, and the Description of the Thermometer,[49]
+which I cannot but look upon as the greatest embellishments of this
+work.
+
+Thus far I thought necessary to say relating to the great hands which
+have been concerned in these volumes, with relation to the spirit and
+genius of the work; and am far from pretending to modesty in making this
+acknowledgment. What a man obtains from the good opinion and friendship
+of worthy men, is a much greater honour than he can possibly reap from
+any accomplishments of his own. But all the credit of wit which was
+given me by the gentlemen above mentioned (with whom I have now
+accounted) has not been able to atone for the exceptions made against me
+for some raillery in behalf of that learned advocate for the episcopacy
+of the Church, and the liberty of the people, Mr. Hoadly. I mention this
+only to defend myself against the imputation of being moved rather by
+party than opinion;[50] and I think it is apparent, I have with the
+utmost frankness allowed merit wherever I found it, though joined in
+interests different from those for which I have declared myself. When my
+Favonius[51] is acknowledged to be Dr. Smalridge, and the amiable
+character of the dean in the sixty-sixth _Tatler_ drawn for Dr.
+Atterbury, I hope I need say no more as to my impartiality.
+
+I really have acted in these cases with honesty, and am concerned it
+should be thought otherwise: for wit, if a man had it, unless it be
+directed to some useful end, is but a wanton frivolous quality; all that
+one should value himself upon in this kind is, that he had some
+honourable intention in it.
+
+As for this point, never hero in romance was carried away with a more
+furious ambition to conquer giants and tyrants, than I have been in
+extirpating gamesters and duellists. And indeed, like one of those
+knights too, though I was calm before, I am apt to fly out again, when
+the thing that first disturbed me is presented to my imagination. I
+shall therefore leave off when I am well, and fight with windmills no
+more: only shall be so arrogant as to say of myself, that in spite of
+all the force of fashion and prejudice, in the face of all the world, I
+alone bewailed the condition of an English gentleman, whose fortune and
+life are at this day precarious; while his estate is liable to the
+demands of gamesters, through a false sense of justice; and to the
+demands of duellists, through a false sense of honour. As to the first
+of these orders of men, I have not one word more to say of them: as to
+the latter, I shall conclude all I have more to offer against them (with
+respect to their being prompted by the fear of shame) by applying to the
+duellist what I think Dr. South says somewhere of the liar, "He is a
+coward to man, and a brave to God."
+
+_To_ Mr. Maynwaring.[52]
+
+SIR,
+
+The state of conversation and business in this town having been long
+perplexed with pretenders in both kinds, in order to open men's eyes
+against such abuses, it appeared no unprofitable undertaking to publish
+a paper which should observe upon the manners of the pleasureable, as
+well as the busy part of mankind. To make this generally read, it seemed
+the most proper method to form it by way of a letter of intelligence,
+consisting of such parts as might gratify the curiosity of persons of
+all conditions, and of each sex. But a work of this nature requiring
+time to grow into the notice of the world, it happened very luckily,
+that a little before I had resolved upon this design, a gentleman[53]
+had written Predictions, and two or three other pieces in my name, which
+had rendered it famous through all parts of Europe; and by an inimitable
+spirit and humour, raised it to as high a pitch of reputation as it
+could possibly arrive at.
+
+By this good fortune, the name of Isaac Bickerstaff gained an audience
+of all who had any taste of wit, and the addition of the ordinary
+occurrences of common journals of news brought in a multitude of other
+readers. I could not, I confess, long keep up the opinion of the town,
+that these lucubrations were written by the same hand with the first
+works which were published under my name; but before I lost the
+participation of that author's fame, I had already found the advantage
+of his authority, to which I owe the sudden acceptance which my labours
+met with in the world.
+
+The general purpose of this paper, is to expose the false arts of life,
+to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and
+recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our discourse, and our
+behaviour. No man has a better judgment for the discovery, or a nobler
+spirit for the contempt of such impostures, than your self; which
+qualities render you the most proper patron for the author of these
+essays. In the general, the design, however executed, has met with so
+great success, that there is hardly a name now eminent among us for
+power, wit, beauty, valour, or wisdom, which is not subscribed, for the
+encouragement of the two volumes in octavo, on a royal or medium
+paper.[54] This is indeed an honour, for which it is impossible to
+express a suitable gratitude; and there is nothing could be an addition
+to the pleasure I take in it, but the reflection that it gives me the
+most conspicuous occasion I can ever have, of subscribing myself,
+
+Sir,
+
+Your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble Servant,
+
+ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 43: This Preface was originally prefixed to the fourth volume
+of the collected edition issued in 1710-11.]
+
+[Footnote 44: No. 238.]
+
+[Footnote 45: No. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 46: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 47: No. 193.]
+
+[Footnote 48: Addison.]
+
+[Footnote 49: Nos. 153, 18, 42, 220.]
+
+[Footnote 50: Benjamin Hoadly, afterwards Bishop of Bangor, Salisbury,
+and Winchester, successively, was in 1709 engaged in controversy with
+Dr. Francis Atterbury, who represented the high-church party. George
+Smalridge, afterwards Bishop of Bristol, was a Jacobite.]
+
+[Footnote 51: See Nos. 72, 114.]
+
+[Footnote 52: Arthur Maynwaring was descended from the ancient family of
+the Maynwarings of Over Peover, Cheshire. He was born in 1668, at
+Ightfield, Shropshire, and was educated at the Shrewsbury Grammar School
+and at Christ Church, Oxford, where Smalridge was his tutor. Filled with
+prejudices against the Revolution, he came to London to study law, but a
+political satire which he published brought him under Dryden's notice,
+and the kind reception given him by several Whig statesmen, to whom he
+was introduced, caused him to change his views on politics, and after
+his father's death in 1693 he gave up the law and determined to push his
+fortunes at the Court. He was made a Commissioner of Customs and
+afterwards Auditor of the Imprests. He was admitted to the Kit-Cat Club,
+and in 1706 the interest of Godolphin procured him a seat in the House
+of Commons. Upon the fall of the Whig ministry in 1710, Maynwaring set
+up the _Medley_, a weekly paper in which the attacks of the _Examiner_
+were answered, and wrote various political pamphlets. But his health
+soon broke down, and he died in November, 1712. Mrs. Oldfield, the
+actress, was the sole executrix of his will, by which he divided his
+small property of some L3000 between her, a son that he had by her, and
+his sister. There appear to have been many good points in his character.
+His "Life and Posthumous Works" were published by Oldmixon in 1715.
+"Maynwaring, whom we hear nothing of now, was the ruling man in all
+conversations, indeed what he wrote had very little merit in it" (Pope,
+in Spence's "Anecdotes," 1820, p. 338). Steele says that Harley told him
+that he had to thank Maynwaring for his post of Gazetteer.]
+
+[Footnote 53: Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 54: "Encouragement of these volumes," in the octavo edition.
+The list of subscribers to the original octavo edition comprised the
+names of some four hundred of the most prominent persons of the day.]
+
+
+
+
+THE TATLER
+
+BY ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, ESQ.
+
+
+
+
+No. 1. [STEELE.
+
+_Tuesday, April 12_, 1709.
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            Juv., Sat. I. 85, 86.[55]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Though the other papers which are published for the use of the good
+people of England have certainly very wholesome effects, and are
+laudable in their particular kinds, yet they do not seem to come up to
+the main design of such narrations, which, I humbly presume, should be
+principally intended for the use of politic persons, who are so public
+spirited as to neglect their own affairs to look into transactions of
+State. Now these gentlemen, for the most part, being men of strong zeal
+and weak intellects, it is both a charitable and necessary work to offer
+something, whereby such worthy and well-affected members of the
+commonwealth may be instructed, after their reading, what to think;
+which shall be the end and purpose of this my paper: wherein I shall
+from time to time report and consider all matters of what kind soever
+that shall occur to me, and publish such my advices and reflections
+every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in the week for the convenience
+of the post.[56] I have also resolved to have something which may be of
+entertainment to the fair sex, in honour of whom I have taken the title
+of this paper. I therefore earnestly desire all persons, without
+distinction, to take it in for the present gratis, and hereafter at the
+price of one penny, forbidding all hawkers to take more for it at their
+peril. And I desire my readers to consider, that I am at a very great
+charge for proper materials for this work, as well as that before I
+resolved upon it, I had settled a correspondence in all parts of the
+known and knowing world. And forasmuch as this globe is not trodden upon
+by mere drudges of business only, but that men of spirit and genius are
+justly to be esteemed as considerable agents in it, we shall not, upon a
+dearth of news, present you with musty foreign edicts, or dull
+proclamations, but shall divide our relation of the passages which occur
+in action or discourse throughout this town, as well as elsewhere, under
+such dates of places as may prepare you for the matter you are to
+expect, in the following manner:
+
+All accounts of gallantry, pleasure, and entertainment, shall be under
+the article of White's Chocolate-house;[57] poetry, under that of Will's
+Coffee-house;[58] learning, under the title of Grecian;[59] foreign and
+domestic news, you will have from St. James's Coffee-house;[60] and what
+else I shall on any other subject offer, shall be dated from my own
+apartment.
+
+I once more desire my readers to consider that as I cannot keep an
+ingenious man to go daily to Will's under twopence each day merely
+for his charges,[61] to White's under sixpence, nor to the Grecian
+without allowing him some plain Spanish,[62] to be as able as others at
+the learned table; and that a good observer cannot speak with even
+Kidney[63] at St. James's without clean linen; I say, these
+considerations will, I hope, make all persons willing to comply with my
+humble request (when my gratis stock is exhausted) of a penny a piece;
+especially since they are sure of some proper amusement, and that it is
+impossible for me to want means to entertain them, having, besides the
+helps of my own parts, the power of divination, and that I can, by
+casting a figure, tell you all that will happen before it comes to pass.
+
+But this last faculty I shall use very sparingly, and not speak of
+anything until it is passed, for fear of divulging matters which may
+offend our superiors.[64]
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 11.
+
+The deplorable condition of a very pretty gentleman, who walks here at
+the hours when men of quality first appear, is what is very much
+lamented. His history is, that on the 9th of September, 1705, being in
+his one and twentieth year, he was washing his teeth at a tavern window
+in Pall Mall, when a fine equipage passed by, and in it a young lady,
+who looked up at him; away goes the coach, and the young gentleman
+pulled off his nightcap, and instead of rubbing his gums, as he ought to
+do out of the window till about four o'clock, he sits him down, and
+spoke not a word till twelve at night; after which, he began to inquire,
+if anybody knew the lady. The company asked, "What lady?" But he said no
+more until they broke up at six in the morning. All the ensuing winter
+he went from church to church every Sunday, and from play-house to
+play-house all the week, but could never find the original of the
+picture which dwelt in his bosom. In a word, his attention to anything
+but his passion, was utterly gone. He has lost all the money he ever
+played for, and been confuted in every argument he has entered upon
+since the moment he first saw her. He is of a noble family, has
+naturally a very good air, and is of a frank, honest temper: but this
+passion has so extremely mauled him, that his features are set and
+uninformed, and his whole visage is deadened by a long absence of
+thought. He never appears in any alacrity, but when raised by wine; at
+which time he is sure to come hither, and throw away a great deal of wit
+on fellows, who have no sense further than just to observe, that our
+poor lover has most understanding when he is drunk, and is least in his
+senses when he is sober.[65]
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 8.
+
+On Thursday last[66] was presented, for the benefit of Mr.
+Betterton,[67] the celebrated comedy, called "Love for Love."[68] Those
+excellent players, Mrs. Barry,[69] Mrs. Bracegirdle,[70] and Mr.
+Doggett,[71] though not at present concerned in the house, acted on that
+occasion. There has not been known so great a concourse of persons of
+distinction as at that time; the stage itself was covered with gentlemen
+and ladies, and when the curtain was drawn, it discovered even there a
+very splendid audience. This unusual encouragement, which was given to a
+play for the advantage of so great an actor, gives an undeniable
+instance, that the true relish for manly entertainments and rational
+pleasures is not wholly lost. All the parts were acted to perfection;
+the actors were careful of their carriage, and no one was guilty of the
+affectation to insert witticisms of his own, but a due respect was had
+to the audience, for encouraging this accomplished player. It is not now
+doubted but plays will revive, and take their usual place in the opinion
+of persons of wit and merit, notwithstanding their late apostacy in
+favour of dress and sound. This place is very much altered since Mr.
+Dryden frequented it; where you used to see songs, epigrams, and satires
+in the hands of every man you met, you have now only a pack of cards;
+and instead of the cavils about the turn of the expression, the elegance
+of the style, and the like, the learned now dispute only about the truth
+of the game. But, however the company is altered, all have shown a great
+respect for Mr. Betterton: and the very gaming part of this house have
+been so much touched with a sense of the uncertainty of human affairs
+(which alter with themselves every moment) that in this gentleman, they
+pitied Mark Antony of Rome, Hamlet of Denmark, Mithridates of Pontus,
+Theodosius of Greece, and Henry the Eighth of England. It is well known
+he has been in the condition of each of those illustrious personages for
+several hours together, and behaved himself in those high stations, in
+all the changes of the scene, with suitable dignity. For these reasons,
+we intend to repeat this favour to him on a proper occasion, lest he who
+can instruct us so well in personating feigned sorrows, should be lost
+to us by suffering under real ones. The town is at present in very great
+expectation of seeing a comedy now in rehearsal, which is the
+twenty-fifth production of my honoured friend Mr. Thomas D'Urfey;[72]
+who, besides his great abilities in the dramatic, has a peculiar talent
+in the lyric way of writing, and that with a manner wholly new and
+unknown to the ancient Greeks and Romans, wherein he is but faintly
+imitated in the translations of the modern Italian operas.[73]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 11.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 16th say, that Major-General Cadogan[74]
+was gone to Brussels, with orders to disperse proper instructions for
+assembling the whole force of the allies in Flanders in the beginning of
+the next month.[75] The late offers concerning peace were made in the
+style of persons who think themselves upon equal terms. But the allies
+have so just a sense of their present advantages, that they will not
+admit of a treaty, except France offers what is more suitable to her
+present condition. At the same time we make preparations, as if we were
+alarmed by a greater force than that which we are carrying into the
+field. Thus this point seems now to be argued sword in hand. This was
+what a great general[76] alluded to, when being asked the names of those
+who were to be plenipotentiaries for the ensuing peace, answered, with a
+serious air, "There are about a hundred thousand of us." Mr. Kidney, who
+has the ear of the greatest politicians that come hither, tells me,
+there is a mail come in to-day with letters, dated Hague, April 19,
+N.S., which say, a design of bringing part of our troops into the field
+at the latter end of this month, is now altered to a resolution of
+marching towards the camp about the 20th of the next. There happened the
+other day, in the road of Scheveling, an engagement between a privateer
+of Zealand and one of Dunkirk. The Dunkirker, carrying 33 pieces of
+cannon, was taken and brought into the Texel. It is said, the courier of
+Monsieur Rouille[77] is returned to him from the Court of France.
+Monsieur Vendome being reinstated in the favour of the Duchess of
+Burgundy, is to command in Flanders.
+
+Mr. Kidney added, that there were letters of the 17th from Ghent, which
+give an account, that the enemy had formed a design to surprise two
+battalions of the allies which lay at Alost; but those battalions
+received advice of their march, and retired to Dendermond.
+Lieutenant-General Wood[78] appeared on this occasion at the head of
+5000 foot, and 1000 horse, upon which the enemy withdrew, without making
+any further attempt.
+
+
+From my own Apartment.
+
+I am sorry I am obliged to trouble the public with so much discourse
+upon a matter which I at the very first mentioned as a trifle--viz. the
+death of Mr. Partridge,[79] under whose name there is an almanack come
+out for the year 1709, in one page of which it is asserted by the said
+John Partridge, that he is still living, and that not only so, but that
+he was also living some time before, and even at the instant when I writ
+of his death. I have in another place, and in a paper by itself,
+sufficiently convinced this man that he is dead, and if he has any
+shame, I don't doubt but that by this time he owns it to all his
+acquaintance: for though the legs and arms, and whole body of that man
+may still appear and perform their animal functions; yet since, as I
+have elsewhere observed, his art is gone, the man is gone. I am, as I
+said, concerned, that this little matter should make so much noise; but
+since I am engaged, I take myself obliged in honour to go on in my
+lucubrations, and by the help of these arts of which I am master, as
+well as my skill in astrological speculations, I shall, as I see
+occasion, proceed to confute other dead men, who pretend to be in being,
+that they are actually deceased. I therefore give all men fair warning
+to mend their manners, for I shall from time to time print bills of
+mortality; and I beg the pardon of all such who shall be named therein,
+if they who are good for nothing shall find themselves in the number of
+the deceased.[80]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 55: This motto was repeated at the head of each of the first
+40 numbers in the folio issue.]
+
+[Footnote 56: These were the days on which the post left London for the
+different parts of the country.]
+
+[Footnote 57: White's Chocolate-house, five doors from the bottom of the
+west side of St. James's Street, was established in 1698. It was burnt
+on April 28, 1733, while kept by Mr. Arthur. Plate VI. of Hogarth's
+"Rake's Progress" depicts gamblers engrossed in play in a room in this
+house during the fire; see also Plate IV. Swift gives it a bad character
+in his "Essay on Modern Education;" it had a strong character for
+gambling (Timbs's "Clubs and Club Life in London," where, at p. 48,
+there is a sketch of White's from an old drawing). The house became a
+private club, as we now have it, about 1736.]
+
+[Footnote 58: Will's Coffee-house, named after Will Urwin, its
+proprietor, was the corner house on the north side of Russell Street,
+Covent Garden, at the end of Bow Street. The present house, 21 Russell
+Street, is probably part of the old building. Will's was ceasing to be
+the resort of the wits in 1709; it was in its glory at the close of the
+seventeenth century. The wits' room, where Dryden presided, was on the
+first floor.]
+
+[Footnote 59: The Grecian, in Devereux Court in the Strand, was probably
+the most ancient coffee-house in or about London. In 1652 an English
+Turkey merchant brought home with him a Greek servant, who first opened
+a house for making and selling coffee. This man's name was Constantine,
+and his house was much resorted to by lawyers, Greek scholars, and
+Members of the Royal Society. (See Thoresby's Diary, i. 111, 117.) Foote
+and Goldsmith afterwards frequented it. In Dr. King's "Anecdotes" there
+is a story of two gentlemen friends who disputed at the Grecian
+Coffee-house about the accent of a Greek word to such a length that they
+went out into Devereux Court and drew swords, when one of them was
+killed on the spot.]
+
+[Footnote 60: The St. James's Coffee-house was the last house but one on
+the S.W. corner of St. James's Street. It was frequented by Whig
+statesmen, and was closed about 1806. Swift and Steele were at a supper
+given by the keeper on the 19th November, 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 61: Cf. the _Spectator_, No. 31: "Laying down my penny upon
+the bar."]
+
+[Footnote 62: Wine.]
+
+[Footnote 63: A waiter. See Nos. 10, 26.]
+
+[Footnote 64: This introduction was repeated in Nos. 2 and 3 of the
+original issue.]
+
+[Footnote 65: "The reader is desired to take notice of the article from
+this place from time to time, for I design to be very exact in the
+progress this unhappy gentleman makes, which may be of great instruction
+to all who actually are, or who ever shall be, in love." (Original
+folio.) For Viscount Hinchinbroke ("Cynthio"), see No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 66: April 7, 1709. Cibber acknowledges that Steele did the
+stage very considerable service by the papers on the theatre in the
+_Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 67: For further particulars of Thomas Betterton (1635-1710),
+see Nos. 71 and 167. Cibber says: "I never heard a line in tragedy come
+from Betterton wherein my judgment, my ear and my imagination were not
+fully satisfied.... The person of this excellent actor was suitable to
+his voice, more manly than sweet, not exceeding the middle stature,
+inclining to be corpulent; of a serious and penetrating aspect; his
+limbs nearer the athletic than the delicate proportion; yet, however
+formed, there arose from the harmony of the whole a commanding mien of
+majesty."]
+
+[Footnote 68: By Congreve, 1695.]
+
+[Footnote 69: Mrs. Elizabeth Barry on this occasion spoke an epilogue,
+written by Rowe. She was the daughter of Edward Barry, barrister, whose
+fortunes were ruined by his attachment to Charles I. Tony Aston, in his
+"Supplement to Cibber's Apology," says she was woman to Lady Shelton, of
+Norfolk, his godmother; and Curll tells us that she was early taken
+under the protection of Lady Davenant. She was certainly on the stage in
+1673. At her first appearance there was so little hope of her success,
+that at the end of the season she was discharged [from] the theatre. It
+is probable that at this time she became acquainted with Lord Rochester,
+who took her under his protection, and gave her instructions in her
+theatrical performances. By his interest she seems to have been restored
+to the stage, and, improving daily in her profession, she soon eclipsed
+all her competitors, and in the part of Monimia in "The Orphan"
+established her reputation, which was enhanced by her performance as
+Belvidera in "Venice Preserved," and as Isabella in "The Fatal
+Marriage." "In characters of greatness," says Cibber, "Mrs. Barry had a
+presence of elevated dignity, her mien and motion superb, and gracefully
+majestic; her voice full, clear, and strong, so that no violence of
+passion could be too much for her, and when distress or tenderness
+possessed her she subsided into the most affecting melody and softness.
+In the art of exciting pity she had a power beyond all the actresses I
+have yet seen, or what your imagination can conceive. In scenes of
+anger, defiance, or resentment, while she was impetuous and terrible,
+she poured out the sentiment with an enchanting harmony.... In tragedy
+she was solemn and august, in comedy alert, easy, and genteel, pleasant
+in her face and action, filling the stage with a variety of gesture. She
+could neither sing nor dance, no not in a country dance. She adhered to
+Betterton in all the revolutions of the theatre, which she quitted about
+1707, on account of ill-health." She returned, however, for one night
+with Mrs. Bracegirdle, April 7, 1709, and performed Mrs. Frail in "Love
+for Love" for Betterton's benefit. She died at Acton in 1713. Mrs.
+Barry, Mrs. Bracegirdle, Mr. Betterton, and Mr. Varbriggen were sworn as
+Comedians in Ordinary to her Majesty, 30th Oct., 2 Anne (1703). On the
+3rd March, 1692, Mrs. Barry received L25 for acting in "The Orphan"
+before their Majesties, and on the 10th June, 1693, L25 for Caius
+Marius. (Lord Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Books, No. 20, p. 151; No.
+18, pp. 30, 242.)]
+
+[Footnote 70: Mrs. Anne Bracegirdle was the daughter of Justinian
+Bracegirdle, of Northamptonshire. By the imprudence of her father, who
+ruined himself by becoming surety for some friends, she was early left
+to the care of Betterton and his wife, whose attentions to her she
+always acknowledged to be truly paternal. By them she was first
+introduced to the stage, and, while very young, performed the page in
+"The Orphan." Increasing in years, and in ability, she became the
+favourite performer of the times. Cibber describes her in these terms:
+"Mrs. Bracegirdle was now but just blooming in her maturity; her
+reputation, as an actress, gradually rising with that of her person;
+never any woman was in such general favour of her spectators, which, to
+the last scene of her dramatic life, she maintained by not being
+unguarded in her private character. This discretion contributed not a
+little to make her the _Cara_, the darling of the theatre: for it will
+be no extravagant thing to say scarce an audience saw her that were less
+than half of them lovers, without a suspected favourite among them: and
+though she might be said to have been the universal passion and under
+the highest temptations, her constancy in resisting them served but to
+increase the number of her admirers. And this perhaps you will more
+easily believe, when I extend not my encomiums on her person beyond a
+sincerity that can be suspected; for she had no greater claim to beauty
+than what the most desirable brunette might pretend to. But her youth
+and lively aspect threw out such a glow of health and cheerfulness,
+that, on the stage, few spectators that were not past it, could behold
+her without desire. There were two very different characters in which
+she acquitted herself with uncommon applause: if anything could excuse
+that desperate extravagance of love, that almost frantic passion of
+Lee's Alexander the Great, it must have been when Mrs. Bracegirdle was
+his Statira: as when she acted Millamant, all the faults, follies, and
+affectation of that agreeable tyrant were venially melted down into so
+many charms and attractions of a conscious beauty." In the theatrical
+disputes of the times, she adhered to her benefactor Betterton, and
+continued to perform with applause until 1707, when, on the preference
+being given to Mrs. Oldfield in a contention between that actress and
+Mrs. Bracegirdle, she left the stage, except for one night, when she
+returned with Mrs. Barry to the theatre, and performed Angelica for
+Betterton's benefit (the performance described in this number). She died
+in 1748.]
+
+[Footnote 71: Thomas Doggett died in 1721. In 1695 he created the
+character of Ben in Congreve's "Love for Love." Afterwards he was
+associated with Steele in the management of Drury Lane Theatre.]
+
+[Footnote 72: D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets" was produced in 1709. Thomas
+D'Urfey died in 1723, aged 70, leaving Steele a watch and chain, which
+his friend wore at the funeral. He wrote many plays and songs. See also
+Nos. 11, 43.]
+
+[Footnote 73: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 74: William, First Earl Cadogan (1675-1726), was an able
+officer who took a very prominent part in Marlborough's campaigns. In
+January, 1709, he was made lieutenant-general, and he was dangerously
+wounded at the siege of Mons. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower
+of London in December.]
+
+[Footnote 75: The news-paragraphs in the earlier numbers of the _Tatler_
+are here preserved for the sake of completeness, but for the most part
+the details recorded are not of permanent interest, and do not call for
+comment. The reader may be reminded generally that in the spring of 1709
+the French, after the battle of Oudenarde and the fall of Lille,
+followed by a very severe winter, were driven to think of terms of
+peace. The negotiations, however, fell through for the time, and the
+campaign was begun in the Netherlands, where Marlborough and Prince
+Eugene had an army of 110,000 men. The French were entrenched under
+Villars between Douay and Bethune, and were strengthened by part of the
+garrison of Tournay. Marlborough seized the opportunity of attacking the
+half-defended town, which was obliged to surrender on July 29, after a
+siege of nineteen days. The French then made a great effort, and brought
+an army of 100,000 men into the field, with the result that the battle
+of Malplaquet (Sept. 11) was a very bloody and hard-earned victory for
+the allies. The subsequent fall of Mons brought the campaign to a
+close.]
+
+[Footnote 76: Marlborough.]
+
+[Footnote 77: A merchant entrusted by Lewis XIV. to negotiate terms of
+peace with the Dutch.]
+
+[Footnote 78: General Wood played a distinguished part in the battles of
+Donauwerth (1704) and Ramilies (1706).]
+
+[Footnote 79: See the Introduction.]
+
+[Footnote 80: "A Vindication of Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., against what is
+objected to him by Mr. Partridge in his Almanack for the present year
+1709. By the said Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., London, printed in the year
+1709." (Advertisement in folio issue.) In a pamphlet called "Predictions
+for the Year 1712. By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; in a Letter to the author
+of the Oxford Almanack. Printed in the year 1712," this "Vindication" is
+thus noticed: "I can't but express my resentment against a gentleman who
+personated me in a paper called 'Mr. Bickerstaff's Vindication.' I'm
+grieved to find the times should be so very wicked, that one impostor
+should set up to reform another, and that a false Bickerstaff should
+write against an imaginary Partridge. And I am heartily concerned that
+one who shows so much wit, such extreme civility, and writes such a
+gentlemanlike style, should prefix my name to writings in which there
+appears so little solidity and no knowledge of the Arabian philosophy.
+If this paper should be transmitted to posterity (as, perhaps, it might
+have been by the authority of the name it wears in the front) it might
+have been a lasting reflection upon me to the end of the world.... Till
+seeing four volumes of writings--the collected edition of the
+_Tatler_--pretended to be mine, and a serious philosopher's name
+prefixed to papers as free from my solidity as they are full of wit, I
+thought it high time to vindicate myself, and give the world a taste of
+my writings; for I am now persuaded 'twill be more for my reputation to
+convince than to despise mankind."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 2. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 12_, to _Thursday, April 14_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 13.
+
+There has lain all this evening, on the table, the following poem. The
+subject of it being matter very useful for families, I thought it
+deserved to be considered, and made more public. The turn the poet[81]
+gives it is very happy; but the foundation is from a real accident
+which happened among my acquaintance.[82] A young gentleman of a great
+estate fell desperately in love with a great beauty of very high
+quality, but as ill-natured as long flattery and an habitual self-will
+could make her. However, my young spark ventures upon her, like a man of
+quality, without being acquainted with her, or having ever saluted her,
+till it was a crime to kiss any woman else. Beauty is a thing which
+palls with possession; and the charms of this lady soon wanted the
+support of good humour and complaisancy of manners. Upon this my spark
+flies to the bottle for relief from his satiety. She disdains him for
+being tired with that for which all men envied him; and he never came
+home, but it was: "Was there no sot that would stay longer? Would any
+man living but you? Did I leave all the world for this usage?" To which
+he: "Madam, split me, you are very impertinent!" In a word, this match
+was wedlock in its most terrible appearances. She, at last weary of
+railing to no purpose, applies to a good uncle, who gives her a bottle
+of water. "The virtue of this powerful liquor," said he, "is such, that
+if the woman you marry proves a scold (which, it seems, my dear niece,
+is your misfortune, as it was your good mother's before you), let her
+hold six spoonfuls in her mouth, for a full half hour after you come
+home--" But I find I am not in humour for telling a tale, and nothing in
+nature is so ungrateful as story-telling against the grain, therefore
+take it as the author has given it you.
+
+
+The MEDECINE.
+
+#A Tale--for the Ladies.#
+
+    Miss Molly, a famed toast, was fair and young,
+    Had wealth and charms, but then she had a tongue
+    From morn to night, the eternal larum run,
+    Which often lost those hearts her eyes had won.
+
+    Sir John was smitten, and confessed his flame,
+    Sighed out the usual time, then wed the dame:
+    Possessed he thought of every joy of life,
+    But his dear Molly proved a very wife.
+    Excess of fondness did in time decline,
+    Madam loved money, and the knight loved wine.
+    From whence some petty discords would arise,
+    As, "You're a fool"; and, "You are mighty wise!"
+
+    Though he and all the world allowed her wit,
+    Her voice was shrill, and rather loud than sweet,
+    When she began,--for hat and sword he'd call.
+    Then, after a faint kiss, cry, "B'y, dear Moll:
+    Supper and friends expect me at the Rose."[83]
+    And, "What, Sir John, you'll get your usual dose!
+    Go, stink of smoke, and guzzle nasty wine,
+    Sure, never virtuous love was used like mine!"
+
+    Oft as the watchful bellman marched his round,
+    At a fresh bottle gay Sir John he found.
+    By four the knight would get his business done,
+    And only then reeled off, because alone;
+    Full well he knew the dreadful storm to come,
+    But armed with bordeaux, he durst venture home.
+
+    My lady with her tongue was still prepared,
+    She rattled loud, and he impatient heard:
+    "'Tis a fine hour? In a sweet pickle made!
+    And this, Sir John, is every day the trade.
+    Here I sit moping all the live-long night,
+    Devoured with spleen, and stranger to delight;
+    'Till morn sends staggering home a drunken beast,
+    Resolved to break my heart, as well as rest."
+
+    "Hey! Hoop! d'ye hear my damned obstreperous spouse!
+    What, can't you find one bed about the house!
+    Will that perpetual clack lie never still!
+    That rival to the softness of a mill!
+    Some couch and distant room must be my choice,
+    Where I may sleep uncursed with wife and noise."
+
+    Long this uncomfortable life they led,
+    With snarling meals, and each, a separate bed.
+    To an old uncle oft she would complain,
+    Beg his advice, and scarce from tears refrain.
+    Old Wisewood smoked the matter as it was,
+    "Cheer up!" cried he, "and I'll remove the cause.
+
+    "A wonderous spring within my garden flows,
+    Of sovereign virtue, chiefly to compose
+    Domestic jars, and matrimonial strife,
+    The best elixir t' appease man and wife;
+    Strange are th' effects, the qualities divine,
+    'Tis water called, but worth its weight in wine.
+    If in his sullen airs Sir John should come,
+    Three spoonfuls take, hold in your mouth--then mum:
+    Smile, and look pleased, when he shall rage and scold,
+    Still in your mouth the healing cordial hold;
+    One month this sympathetic medecine tried,
+    He'll grow a lover, you a happy bride.
+    But, dearest niece, keep this grand secret close,
+    Or every prattling hussy'll beg a dose."
+
+    A water-bottle's brought for her relief,
+    Not Nantz could sooner ease the lady's grief:
+    Her busy thoughts are on the trial bent,
+    And female-like, impatient for th' event:
+
+    The bonny knight reels home exceeding clear,
+    Prepared for clamour, and domestic war.
+    Entering, he cries, "Hey! where's our thunder fled?
+    No hurricane! Betty, 's your lady dead?"
+    Madam, aside, an ample mouthful takes,
+    Curtsies, looks kind, but not a word she speaks:
+    Wondering, he stared, scarcely his eyes believed,
+    But found his ears agreeably deceived.
+    "Why, how now, Molly, what's the crotchet now?"
+    She smiles, and answers only with a bow.
+    Then clasping her about,--"Why, let me die!
+    These nightclothes, Moll, become thee mightily!"
+    With that, he sighed, her hand began to press,
+    And Betty calls, her lady to undress;
+    "Nay, kiss me, Molly, for I'm much inclined."
+    Her lace she cuts, to take him in the mind.
+    Thus the fond pair to bed enamoured went,
+    The lady pleased, and the good knight content.
+
+    For many days these fond endearments passed,
+    The reconciling bottle fails at last;
+    'Twas used and gone: Then midnight storms arose,
+    And looks and words the union discompose.
+    Her coach is ordered, and post-haste she flies,
+    To beg her uncle for some fresh supplies;
+    Transported does the strange effects relate,
+    Her knight's conversion, and her happy state!
+
+    "Why, niece," says he, "I prithee apprehend
+    The water's water. Be thyself thy friend;
+    Such beauty would the coldest husband warm,
+    But your provoking tongue undoes the charm:
+    Be silent, and complying; you'll soon find,
+    Sir John, without a medecine, will be kind."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 13.
+
+Letters from Venice say, the disappointment of their expectation to see
+his Danish Majesty, has very much disquieted the Court of Rome. Our last
+advices from Germany inform us, that the minister of Hanover has urged
+the council at Ratisbon to exert themselves in behalf of the common
+cause, and taken the liberty to say, that the dignity, the virtue, the
+prudence of his electoral highness, his master, were called to the head
+of their affairs in vain, if they thought fit to leave him naked of the
+proper means to make those excellences useful for the honour and safety
+of the Empire. They write from Berlin of the 13th, O.S., that the true
+design of General Fleming's visit to that Court was, to insinuate, that
+it will be for the mutual interest of the King of Prussia and King
+Augustus to enter into a new alliance; but that the ministers of Prussia
+are not inclined to his sentiments. We hear from Vienna, that his
+Imperial Majesty has expressed great satisfaction in their high
+mightinesses having communicated to him the whole that has passed in the
+affair of a peace. Though there have been practices used by the agents
+of France, in all the Courts of Europe, to break the good understanding
+of the allies, they have had no other effect, but to make all the
+members concerned in the alliance, more doubtful of their safety from
+the great offers of the enemy. The Empire is roused by this alarm, and
+the frontiers of all the French dominions are in danger of being
+insulted the ensuing campaign: advices from all parts confirm, that it
+is impossible for France to find a way to obtain so much credit, as to
+gain any one potentate of the allies, or make any hope for safety from
+other prospects.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 13.
+
+I find it of very great use, now I am setting up for a writer of news,
+that I am an adept in astrological speculations; by which means, I avoid
+speaking of things which may offend great persons. But at the same time,
+I must not prostitute the liberal sciences so far, as not to utter the
+truth in cases which do not immediately concern the good of my native
+country. I must therefore boldly contradict what has been so assuredly
+reported by the news-writers of England, that France is in the most
+deplorable condition, and that their people die in great multitudes. I
+will therefore let the world know, that my correspondent, by the way of
+Brussels, informs me, upon his honour, that the gentleman who writes the
+Gazette of Paris, and ought to know as well as any man, has told him,
+that ever since the king has been past his 63rd year, or grand
+climacteric, there has not one man died of the French nation who was
+younger than his Majesty, except a very few, who were taken suddenly
+near the village of Hochsted[84] in Germany; and some more, who were
+straitened for lodging at a place called Ramilies, and died on the road
+to Ghent and Bruges. There are also other things given out by the
+allies, which are shifts below a conquering nation to make use of. Among
+others, 'tis said, there is a general murmuring among the people of
+France, though at the same time all my letters agree, that there is so
+good an understanding among them, that there is not one morsel carried
+out of any market in the kingdom, but what is delivered upon credit.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 81: William Harrison (1685-1713) was a favourite with Swift
+and Addison. He wrote verses, and a continuation of the _Tatler_, and
+afterwards obtained office in the diplomatic service; but his health
+soon broke down, and he died when 28.]
+
+[Footnote 82: There is a similar story in Burton's "Anatomy of
+Melancholy."]
+
+[Footnote 83: The Rose Tavern, in Russell Street, adjoined Drury Lane
+Theatre, and was a favourite resort during and after the play.]
+
+[Footnote 84: The Battle of Blenheim.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 3. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 14_, to _Saturday, April 16_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 14.
+
+This evening, the comedy called "The Country Wife"[85] was acted in
+Drury Lane, for the benefit of Mrs. Bignell.[86] The part which gives
+name to the play was performed by herself. Through the whole action, she
+made a very pretty figure, and exactly entered into the nature of the
+part. Her husband in the drama, is represented to be one of those
+debauchees who run through the vices of the town, and believe when they
+think fit they can marry, and settle at their ease. His own knowledge of
+the iniquity of the age, makes him choose a wife wholly ignorant of it,
+and place his security in her want of skill how to abuse him. The poet,
+on many occasions, where the propriety of the character will admit of
+it, insinuates, that there is no defence against vice, but the contempt
+of it: and has, in the natural ideas of an untainted innocent, shown the
+gradual steps to ruin and destruction, which persons of condition run
+into, without the help of a good education how to form their conduct.
+The torment of a jealous coxcomb, which arises from his own false
+maxims, and the aggravation of his pain, by the very words in which he
+sees her innocence, makes a very pleasant and instructive satire. The
+character of Horner, and the design of it, is a good representation of
+the age in which that comedy was written; at which time love and
+wenching were the business of life, and the gallant manner of pursuing
+women was the best recommendation at Court. To which only it is to be
+imputed, that a gentleman of Mr. Wycherley's character and sense,
+condescends to represent the insults done to the honour of the bed,
+without just reproof; but to have drawn a man of probity with regard to
+such considerations, had been a monster, and a poet had at that time
+discovered his want of knowing the manners of the Court he lived in, by
+a virtuous character in his fine gentleman, as he would show his
+ignorance, by drawing a vicious one to please the present audience. Mrs.
+Bignell did her part very happily, and had a certain grace in her
+rusticity, which gave us hopes of seeing her a very skilful player, and
+in some parts, supply our loss of Mrs. Verbruggen.[87] I cannot be of
+the same opinion with my friends and fellow-labourers, the Reformers of
+Manners,[88] in their severity towards plays, but must allow that a good
+play acted before a well-bred audience, must raise very proper
+incitements to good behaviour, and be the most quick and most prevailing
+method of giving young people a turn of sense and breeding. But as I
+have set up for a weekly historian, I resolve to be a faithful one; and
+therefore take this public occasion to admonish a young nobleman, who
+came flustered into the box last night, and let him know, how much all
+his friends were out of countenance for him. The women sat in terror of
+hearing something that should shock their modesty, and all the gentlemen
+in as much pain, out of compassion to the ladies, and perhaps resentment
+for the indignity which was offered in coming into their presence in so
+disrespectful a manner. Wine made him say nothing that was rude,
+therefore he is forgiven, upon condition he will never hazard his
+offending more in this kind. As I just now hinted, I own myself of the
+Society for Reformation of Manners. We have lower instruments than those
+of the family of Bickerstaff, for punishing great crimes, and exposing
+the abandoned. Therefore, as I design to have notices from all public
+assemblies, I shall take upon me only indecorums, improprieties, and
+negligences, in such as should give us better examples. After this
+declaration, if a fine lady thinks fit to giggle at church, or a great
+beau come in drunk to a play, either shall be sure to hear of it in my
+ensuing paper: for merely as a well-bred man, I cannot bear these
+enormities.
+
+After the play, we naturally stroll to this coffee-house, in hopes of
+meeting some new poem, or other entertainment, among the men of wit and
+pleasure, where there is a dearth at present. But it is wonderful there
+should be so few writers, when the art is become merely mechanic, and
+men may make themselves great that way, by as certain and infallible
+rules, as you may be a joiner or a mason. There happens a good instance
+of this, in what the hawker just now has offered to sale; to wit,
+"Instructions to Vanderbank; a Sequel to the Advice to the Poets: A
+Poem, occasioned by the Glorious Success of her Majesty's Arms, under
+the Command of the Duke of Marlborough, the last Year in Flanders."[89]
+Here you are to understand, that the author finding the poets would not
+take his advice, he troubles himself no more about them; but has met
+with one Vanderbank,[90] who works in arras, and makes very good
+tapestry hangings. Therefore, in order to celebrate the hero of the age,
+he claps me together all that can be said of a man that makes hangings, as:
+
+    _Then, artist, who dost Nature's face express
+    In silk and gold, and scenes of action dress;
+    Dost figured arras animated leave,
+    Spin a bright story, or a passion weave
+    By mingling threads; canst mingle shade and light,
+    Delineate triumphs, or describe a fight._
+
+Well, what shall this workman do? Why, to show how great an hero the
+poet intends, he provides him a very good horse:
+
+    _Champing his foam, and bounding on the plain,
+    Arch his high neck, and graceful spread his mane._
+
+Now as to the intrepidity, the calm courage, the constant application of
+the hero, it is not necessary to take that upon yourself; you may, in
+the lump, bid him you employ raise him as high as he can, and if he does
+it not, let him answer for disobeying orders:
+
+    _Let fame and victory in inferior sky,
+    Hover with ballanced wings, and smiling fly
+    Above his head, &c._
+
+A whole poem of this kind may be ready against an ensuing campaign, as
+well as a space left in the canvas of a piece of tapestry for the
+principal figure, while the underparts are working: so that in effect,
+the adviser copies after the man he pretends to direct. This method
+should, methinks, encourage young beginners: for the invention is so
+fitted to all capacities, that by the help of it a man may make a
+receipt for a poem. A young man may observe, that the jig[91] of the
+thing is, as I said, finding out all that can be said of his way [whom]
+you employ to set forth your worthy. Waller and Denham had worn out the
+expedient of "Advice to a Painter."[92] This author has transferred the
+work, and sent his advice to the Poets; that is to say, to the turners
+of verse, as he calls them. Well, that thought is worn out also,
+therefore he directs his genius to the loom, and will have a new set of
+hangings in honour of the last year in Flanders. I must own to you, I
+approve extremely this invention, and it might be improved for the
+benefit of manufactory: as, suppose an ingenious gentleman should write
+a poem of advice to a calico-printer: do you think there is a girl in
+England, that would wear anything but the taking of Lille, or the Battle
+of Oudenarde? They would certainly be all the fashion, till the heroes
+abroad had cut out some more patterns. I should fancy small skirmishes
+might do for under-petticoats, provided they had a siege for the upper.
+If our adviser were well imitated, many industrious people might be put
+to work. Little Mr. Dactile, now in the room, who formerly writ a song
+and a half, is a week gone in a very pretty work upon this hint: he is
+writing an epigram to a young virgin who knits very well ('tis a
+thousand pities he is a Jacobite); but his epigram is by way of advice
+to this damsel, to knit all the actions of the Pretender and the Duke of
+Burgundy last campaign in the clock of a stocking. It were endless to
+enumerate the many hands and trades that may be employed by poets, of so
+useful a turn as this adviser's. I shall think of it; and in this time
+of taxes, shall consult a great critic employed in the custom-house, in
+order to propose what tax may be proper to put upon knives, seals,
+rings, hangings, wrought-beds, gowns and petticoats, where any of those
+commodities bear mottoes, or are worked upon poetical grounds.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 15.
+
+Letters from Turin of the 3rd instant, N.S., inform us, that his Royal
+Highness employs all his address in alarming the enemy, and perplexing
+their speculations concerning his real designs the ensuing campaign.
+Contracts are entered into with the merchants of Milan, for a great
+number of mules to transport his provisions and ammunition. His Royal
+Highness has ordered the train of artillery to be conveyed to Susa
+before the 20th of the next month. In the meantime, all accounts agree,
+that the enemy are very backward in their preparations, and almost
+incapable of defending themselves against an invasion, by reason of the
+general murmurs of their own people; which, they find, are no way to be
+quieted, but by giving them hopes of a speedy peace. When these letters
+were dispatched, the Marshal de Thesse was arrived at Genoa, where he
+has taken much pains to keep the correspondents of the merchants of
+France in hopes, that measures will be found out to support the credit
+and commerce between that state and Lyons. But the late declaration of
+the agents of Monsieur Bernard, that they cannot discharge the demands
+made upon them, has quite dispirited all those who are engaged in the
+remittances of France.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 15.
+
+It is a very natural passion in all good members of the commonwealth, to
+take what care they can of their families. Therefore I hope the reader
+will forgive me, that I desire he would go to the play, called the
+"Stratagem,"[93] this evening, which is to be acted for the benefit of
+my near kinsman, Mr. John Bickerstaff.[94] I protest to you the
+gentleman has not spoken to me to desire this favour; but I have a
+respect for him, as well in regard to consanguinity, as that he is an
+intimate friend of that famous and heroic actor, Mr. George Powell, who
+formerly played Alexander the Great in all places, though he is lately
+grown so reserved as to act it only on the stage.[95]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 85: By Wycherley, first acted in 1683.]
+
+[Footnote 86: Mrs. Bicknell (or Bignell) was born about 1695. It is not
+clear whether she was married, or whether the name Bicknell was taken to
+distinguish her from her sister, Mrs. Young, who was also an actress. We
+first hear of her acting in 1706; she took parts in which sauciness and
+coquetry were the chief features. Her last recorded appearance was on
+the 2nd of April, 1723; and she died in May. She signed a petition "M.
+Bicknell"; probably her name was Margaret, her mother's name. Steele
+alludes to her as "pretty Mrs. Bignell" in No. 11, and as his friend in
+the _Guardian_, No. 50. She was Miss Prue in Congreve's "Love for Love,"
+and Miss Hoyden in Vanbrugh's "Relapse." In the _Spectator_ (No. 370)
+Steele praises her dancing.]
+
+[Footnote 87: Cibber writes thus of this actress: "Mrs. Mountford, whose
+second marriage gave her the name of Verbruggen, was mistress of more
+variety of humour than I ever knew in any one woman actress. This
+variety, too, was attended with an equal vivacity, which made her
+excellent in characters extremely different.... She was so fond of
+humour, in what low part soever to be found, that she would make no
+scruple of defacing her fair form to come heartily into it." She could
+act admirably as a Devonshire lass, a pretty fellow, or a fine lady.
+Mrs. Verbruggen's first husband, the actor Mountford, was killed by
+Captain Hill, with the assistance of Lord Mohun, in 1692, because Hill,
+who was making unsuccessful suit to Mrs. Bracegirdle was jealous of her
+fellow-actor. Mountford was then in his thirty-third year. Mrs.
+Mountford's second husband, John Verbruggen, is described by Tony Aston
+as "nature without extravagance." ... "That rough diamond shone more
+bright than all the artful polished brilliants that ever sparkled on our
+stage." The same writer says of Mrs. Verbruggen: "She was all art, but
+dressed so nice, it looked like nature. She was the most easy actress in
+the world. Her maiden name was Percival."]
+
+[Footnote 88: Various Societies for the Reformation of Manners were
+founded in the reign of William III. An "Account" of these societies was
+published in 1699, and Defoe often wrote on the subject. In 1708 the
+Society for London and Westminster secured the conviction of 3299 "lewd
+and scandalous" persons, guilty of Sunday trading swearing, drunkenness,
+&c.]
+
+[Footnote 89: See Steele's apology to Blackmore, author of this poem, in
+No. 14. Sir Richard Blackmore (died 1729) was a Whig physician who wrote
+epics on religious and other subjects, and was often at loggerheads with
+the actors and wits. Though he was not a poet, Addison and Steele
+praised him on account of the religious tone of his work (see
+_Spectator_, Nos. 6, 339).]
+
+[Footnote 90: Vanderbank, or as his father sometimes wrote his name,
+Vandrebanc, was a son of Peter Vanderbank, a Parisian, who came into
+England with Gascar the painter, about 1674, and died at Bradfield, in
+Hertfordshire, in 1697. His father was admired for the softness of his
+prints, and still more for the size of them, some of his heads being the
+largest that had then appeared in England; but the prices he received by
+no means compensated for the time employed on his works, and he was
+reduced to want, and died at the house of Mr. Forester, his
+brother-in-law. After his death, his widow sold his plates to one Brown,
+a print-seller, who made a great profit by them. His eldest son had some
+share in the theatre at Dublin; the youngest, William, was a poor
+labourer, who gave an account of his father and the family to Vertue.
+The person mentioned in this paper was probably his father's name-son,
+and might be, as Walpole conjectures, an engraver. Whatever concern the
+father might have had in any manufacture of tapestry, he could not be
+the person meant here, for at this time he had been dead above ten
+years. The suite of tapestry, in the Duke of Ancaster's sale, with
+Vanderbank's name to it, mentioned by Walpole, must therefore be
+supposed to belong to the son, who is said, upon the authority of the
+French translator of the _Tatler_, to have represented nature very
+happily in works of tapestry, and to have been a man inimitable in this
+way. (See Walpole's "Anecdotes of Painting," 1782, vol. v. p. 166.)]
+
+[Footnote 91: Trick (the early editions have "gigg").]
+
+[Footnote 92: Waller wrote "Instructions to a Painter" and "Advice to a
+Painter," and Denham "Directions to a Painter."]
+
+[Footnote 93: Farquhar's "Beaux' Stratagem," 1707.]
+
+[Footnote 94: Bickerstaff acted the part of the Captain in Mrs.
+Centlivre's farce, "A Bickerstaff's Burying; or, Work for the Upholders"
+(1713), which was dedicated to the "magnificent Company of Upholders,
+whom the judicious Censor of Great Britain has so often condescended to
+mention." In the "British Apollo," vol. ii. No. 107 (Feb. 27 to March 1,
+1710), is a "New Prologue to 'Don Quixote' for Mr. Bickerstaff's Benefit
+at the Theatre Royal, spoken by himself." The prologue ends:
+
+    "I need not from the ladies fear my doom,
+    When it shall thus be said, in my behalf,
+    He bears the awful name of BICKERSTAFF."
+
+In the _Daily Courant_ for Feb. 4, 1710, there was advertised a
+performance of the "Comical History of Don Quixote" at Drury Lane, "at
+the desire of Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., for the benefit of his cousin,
+John Bickerstaff."]
+
+[Footnote 95: George Powell, actor and dramatist, gave way often to
+drink. He died in 1714. Addison praised his acting of tragic parts in
+No. 40 of the _Spectator_. See also No. 31. An order to the comedians in
+Dorset Gardens forbade them acting till further order, because they had
+allowed Powell to play after he was committed for drawing his sword on
+Colonel Stanhope and Mr. Davenant. This is dated May 3, 10 Will. III.
+(1698); but on May 4 there was another order for the comedians to resume
+acting. (Lord Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Book No. 19, p. 80.)
+Cibber's remarks on this incident will be found in his "Apology," chap.
+x.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 4. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday April 16_, to _Tuesday, April 19, 1709_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is usual with persons who mount the stage for the cure or information
+of the crowd about them, to make solemn professions of their being
+wholly disinterested in the pains they take for the public good. At the
+same time, those very men, who make harangues in plush doublets, and
+extol their own abilities and generous inclinations, tear their lungs in
+vending a drug, and show no act of bounty, except it be, that they lower
+a demand of a crown, to six, nay, to one penny. We have a contempt for
+such paltry barterers, and have therefore all along informed the public
+that we intend to give them our advices for our own sakes, and are
+labouring to make our lucubrations come to some price in money, for our
+more convenient support in the service of the public. It is certain,
+that many other schemes have been proposed to me; as a friend offered to
+show me a treatise he had writ, which he called "The Whole Art of Life,
+or the Introduction to Great Men, illustrated in a Pack of Cards." But
+being a novice at all manner of play I declined the offer. Another
+advised me, for want of money, to set up my coach and practise physic,
+but having been bred a scholar, I feared I should not succeed that way
+neither; therefore resolved to go on in my present project. But you are
+to understand, that I shall not pretend to raise a credit to this work,
+upon the weight of my politic news only, but, as my Latin sentence in
+the title-page informs you, shall take anything that offers for the
+subject of my discourse. Thus, new persons, as well as new things, are
+to come under my consideration; as, when a toast, or a wit, is first
+pronounced such, you shall have the freshest advice of their preferment
+from me, with a description of the beauty's manner, and the wit's style;
+as also, in whose places they are advanced. For this town is never
+good-natured enough to raise one, without depressing another. But it is
+my design, to avoid saying anything, of any person, which ought justly
+to displease; but shall endeavour, by the variety of the matter and
+style, to give entertainment for men of pleasure, without offence to
+those of business.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 18.
+
+All hearts at present pant for two ladies only[96], who have for some
+time engrossed the dominion of the town. They are indeed both exceeding
+charming, but differ very much in their excellences. The beauty of
+Clarissa is soft, that of Chloe piercing. When you look at Clarissa,
+you see the most exact harmony of feature, complexion, and shape; you
+find in Chloe nothing extraordinary in any one of those particulars, but
+the whole woman irresistible. Clarissa looks languishing; Chloe,
+killing. Clarissa never fails of gaining admiration; Chloe, of moving
+desire. The gazers at Clarissa are at first unconcerned, as if they were
+observing a fine picture. They who behold Chloe, at the first glance,
+discover transport, as if they met their dearest friend. These different
+perfections are suitably represented by the last great painter Italy has
+sent us, Mr. Jervas.[97] Clarissa is, by that skilful hand, placed in a
+manner that looks artless, and innocent of the torments she gives; Chloe
+drawn with a liveliness that shows she is conscious, but not affected,
+of her perfections. Clarissa is a shepherdess; Chloe, a country girl. I
+must own, the design of Chloe's picture shows, to me, great mastery in
+the painter; for nothing could be better imagined than the dress he has
+given her, of a straw hat and riband, to represent that sort of beauty
+which enters the heart with a certain familiarity, and cheats it into a
+belief, that it has received a lover as well as an object of love. The
+force of their different beauties is seen also in the effects it makes
+on their lovers. The admirers of Chloe are eternally gay and
+well-pleased: those of Clarissa, melancholy and thoughtful. And as this
+passion always changes the natural man into a quite different creature
+from what he was before, the love of Chloe makes coxcombs; that of
+Clarissa, madmen. There were of each kind just now here. Here was one
+that whistles, laughs, sings, and cuts capers, for love of Chloe.
+Another has just now written three lines to Clarissa, then taken a turn
+in the garden, then came back again, then tore his fragment, then called
+for some chocolate, then went away without it.
+
+Chloe has so many admirers in the room at present, that there is too
+much noise to proceed in my narration, so that the progress of the loves
+of Clarissa and Chloe, together with the bottles that are drank each
+night for the one, and the many sighs which are uttered, and songs
+written, on the other, must be our subject on future occasions.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 18.
+
+Letters from the Haymarket inform us, that on Saturday night last the
+opera of "Pyrrhus and Demetrius"[98] was performed with great applause.
+This intelligence is not very acceptable to us friends of the theatre;
+for the stage being an entertainment of the reason and all our
+faculties, this way of being pleased with the suspense of them for three
+hours together, and being given up to the shallow satisfaction of the
+eyes and ears only, seems to arise rather from the degeneracy of our
+understanding, than an improvement of our diversions.[99] That the
+understanding has no part in the pleasure is evident, from what these
+letters very positively assert, to wit, that a great part of the
+performance was done in Italian: and a great critic fell into fits in
+the gallery, at feeling, not only time and place, but languages and
+nations confused in the most incorrigible manner. His spleen is so
+extremely moved on this occasion, that he is going to publish a treatise
+against operas, which, he thinks, have already inclined us to thoughts
+of peace, and if tolerated, must infallibly dispirit us from carrying on
+the war. He has communicated his scheme to the whole room, and declared
+in what manner things of this kind were first introduced. He has upon
+this occasion considered the nature of sounds in general, and made a
+very elaborate digression upon the London cries,[100] wherein he has
+shown from reason and philosophy why oysters are cried,
+card-matches[101] sung, and turnips and all other vegetables neither
+cried, sung, nor said, but sold, with an accent and tone neither natural
+to man or beast. This piece seems to be taken from the model of that
+excellent discourse of Mrs. Manly the schoolmistress, concerning
+samplers.[102] Advices from the upper end of Piccadilly say that Mayfair
+is utterly abolished;[103] and we hear Mr. Pinkethman[104] has removed
+his ingenious company of strollers to Greenwich: but other letters from
+Deptford say, the company is only making thither, and not yet settled;
+but that several heathen gods and goddesses, which are to descend in
+machines, landed at the King's Head Stairs last Saturday. Venus and
+Cupid went on foot from thence to Greenwich; Mars got drunk in the town,
+and broke his landlord's head; for which he sat in the stocks the whole
+evening; but Mr. Pinkethman giving security that he should do nothing
+this ensuing summer, he was set at liberty. The most melancholy part of
+all, was, that Diana was taken in the act of fornication with a boatman,
+and committed by Justice Wrathful, which has, it seems, put a stop to
+the diversions of the theatre of Blackheath. But there goes down another
+Diana and a patient Grissel next tide from Billingsgate.[105]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 18.
+
+They write from Saxony of the 13th instant, N.S., that the Grand General
+of the Crown of Poland was so far from entering into a treaty with King
+Stanislaus, that he had written circular letters, wherein he exhorted
+the Palatinates to join against him; declaring, that this was the most
+favourable conjuncture for asserting their liberty.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, they have advices
+from Vienna, which import, that his Electoral Highness of Hanover had
+signified to the Imperial Court, that he did not intend to put himself
+at the head of the troops of the Empire, except more effectual measures
+were taken for acting vigorously against the enemy the ensuing campaign.
+Upon this representation, the Emperor has given orders to several
+regiments to march towards the Rhine, and despatched expresses to the
+respective princes of the Empire to desire an augmentation of their
+forces.
+
+These letters add, that an express arrived at the Hague on the 20th
+instant, with advice, that the enemy having made a detachment from
+Tournay of 1500 horse, each trooper carrying a foot-soldier behind him,
+in order to surprise the garrison of Alost; the allies, upon notice of
+their march, sent out a strong body of troops from Ghent, which engaged
+the enemy at Asche, and took 200 of them prisoners, obliging the rest to
+retire without making any further attempt. On the 22nd in the morning a
+fleet of merchant ships coming from Scotland, were attacked by six
+French privateers at the entrance of the Meuse. We have yet no certain
+advice of the event: but letters from Rotterdam say, that a Dutch
+man-of-war of forty guns, which was convoy to the said fleet, was taken,
+as were also eighteen of the merchants. The Swiss troops, in the
+service of the States, have completed the augmentation of their
+respective companies. Those of Wirtemberg and Prussia are expected on
+the frontiers within few days; and the auxiliaries from Saxony, as also
+a battalion of Holstein, and another of Wolfembuttel, are advancing
+thither with all expedition. On the 21st instant, the deputies of the
+States had a conference near Woerden with the President Rouille, but the
+matter which was therein debated is not made public. His Grace the Duke
+of Marlborough and Prince Eugene continue at the Hague.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 18.
+
+I have lately been very studious for intelligence, and have just now, by
+my astrological flying-post, received a packet from Felicia,[106] an
+island in America, with an account that gives me great satisfaction, and
+lets me understand that the island was never in greater prosperity, or
+the administration in so good hands, since the death of their late
+valiant king. These letters import, that the chief minister has entered
+into a firm league with the ablest and best men of the nation, to carry
+on the cause of liberty, to the encouragement of religion, virtue, and
+honour. Those persons at the helm are so useful, and in themselves of
+such weight, that their strict alliance must needs tend to the universal
+prosperity of the people. Camillo,[107] it seems, presides over the
+deliberations of state; and is so highly valued by all men, for his
+singular probity, courage, affability, and love of mankind, that his
+being placed in that station has dissipated the fears of that people,
+who of all the world are the most jealous of their liberty and
+happiness. The next member of their society is Horatio,[108] who makes
+all the public despatches. This minister is master of all the languages
+in use to great perfection: he is held in the highest veneration
+imaginable for a severe honesty, and love of his country: he lives in a
+court, unsullied with any of its artifices, the refuge of the oppressed,
+and terror of oppressors. Martio[109] has joined himself to this
+council; a man of most undaunted resolution and great knowledge in
+maritime affairs; famous for destroying the navy of the Franks,[110] and
+singularly happy in one particular, that he never preferred a man who
+has not proved remarkably serviceable to his country. Philander[111] is
+mentioned with particular distinction; a nobleman who has the most
+refined taste of the true pleasures and elegance of life, joined to an
+indefatigable industry in business; a man eloquent in assemblies,
+agreeable in conversation, and dextrous in all manner of public
+negotiations. These letters add, that Verono,[112] who is also of this
+council, has lately set sail to his government of Patricia, with design
+to confirm the affections of the people in the interests of his queen.
+This minister is master of great abilities, and is as industrious and
+restless for the preservation of the liberties of the people, as the
+greatest enemy can be to subvert them. The influence of these
+personages, who are men of such distinguished parts and virtues, makes
+the people enjoy the utmost tranquillity in the midst of a war, and
+gives them undoubted hopes of a secure peace from their vigilance and
+integrity.[113]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 96: In a copy of the original edition of the _Tatler_, with
+MS. notes written early in the last century, which was sold at Messrs.
+Sotheby's, in April, 1887, the ladies here described were said to be
+Mrs. Chetwine and Mrs. Hales respectively. Mrs. Hales was a maid of
+honour who married Mr. Coke, vice-chamberlain, in July, 1709 (Luttrell's
+"Brief Relation," vi. 462); "Mrs. Chetwine" was probably the wife of
+William Richard Chetwynd, afterwards third Viscount Chetwynd, who
+married Honora, daughter of John Baker, Consul at Algiers; or the wife
+of his brother Walter, M.P. for Stafford, and Master of the Buckhounds.
+In 1717, Lady M. W. Montagu, describing a week spent by a fashionable
+lady, said, 'Friday, Mrs. Chetwynd's, &c.; a perpetual round of hearing
+the same scandal' (Pope's Works, ix. 385).]
+
+[Footnote 97: Charles Jervas, portrait painter (died 1739), became
+principal painter to George I. and George II. He also made a translation
+of "Don Quixote," first published in 1742.]
+
+[Footnote 98: A translation of Owen McSwiney (1709) from the Italian of
+Scarlatti.]
+
+[Footnote 99: In the _Spectator_ (Nos. 1, 5, 13, &c.) Addison often
+wrote against the Italian opera. In 1706, Dennis published "An Essay on
+the Operas after the Italian Manner, which are about to be established
+on the English Stage: with some reflections on the damage which they may
+bring to the Public." He traces to the recent alterations in the
+entertainments of the stage, the fact that familiar conversation among
+all classes was confined to two points, news and toasting, neither of
+which required much intelligence.]
+
+[Footnote 100: The street cries of 1709 are described in Lauron's
+"Habits and Cries of the City of London." They included "Any
+card-matches or save-alls" and "Twelve-pence a peck, oysters."]
+
+[Footnote 101: Matches made by dipping pieces of card in melted sulphur.
+In the _Spectator_ (No. 251), Addison speaks of vendors of card-matches
+as examples of the fact that those made most noise who had least to
+sell.]
+
+[Footnote 102: In vol. ii. of Dr. W. King's Works (1776) is "An Essay on
+the Invention of Samplers, by Mrs. Arabella Manly, schoolmistress at
+Hackney."]
+
+[Footnote 103: May Fair was abolished in 1709, after it had on several
+occasions been presented as a nuisance by the Grand Jury at Westminster.
+This fair was granted by King James II. under the Great Seal, in the
+fourth year of his reign, to Sir John Coell and his heirs for ever, in
+trust for Henry Lord Dover and his heirs for ever, to be held in the
+field called Brookfield, in the parish of St. Martin's, Westminster, to
+commence on the first day of May, and to continue fifteen days yearly.
+It soon became the resort of the idle, the dissipated, and the
+profligate, insomuch that the peace-officers were frequently opposed in
+the performance of their duty; and, in the year 1702, John Cooper, one
+of the constables, was killed, for which a fencing-master, named Cook,
+was executed. (See also No. 20.) The fair was revived under George I.,
+but was finally abolished through the exertions of the sixth Earl of
+Coventry.]
+
+[Footnote 104: William Pinkethman, the popular actor and droll, was
+spoken of by Gildon as "the flower of Bartholomew Fair, and the idol of
+the rabble." In June, 1710, he opened a theatre at Greenwich, and in
+1711 his "wonderful invention called The Pantheon, or, The Temple of the
+Heathen Gods," with over 100 figures, was to be seen in the Little
+Piazza, Covent Garden (_Spectator_, No. 46, advertisement).]
+
+[Footnote 105: "It is credibly reported that Mr. D----y has agreed with
+Mr. Pinkethman to have his play acted before that audience as soon as it
+has had its first sixteen days' run in Drury Lane" (folio). The play was
+D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets."]
+
+[Footnote 106: Britain.]
+
+[Footnote 107: John, Lord Somers, President of the Council.]
+
+[Footnote 108: Sidney, Lord Godolphin, the Lord High Treasurer; or
+(according to the MS. notes in the copy mentioned above) Lord
+Sunderland.]
+
+[Footnote 109: Edward, Earl of Orford.]
+
+[Footnote 110: At La Hogue, 1692.]
+
+[Footnote 111: Probably Lord Halifax.]
+
+[Footnote 112: Thomas, Earl of Wharton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.]
+
+[Footnote 113: "Advertisement.--Upon the humble petition of Running
+Stationers, &c., this paper maybe had of them, for the future, at the
+price of one penny" (folio). The first four numbers were distributed
+gratuitously.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 5. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 19_, to _Thursday, April 21_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 20.
+
+    _Who names that lost thing, love, without a tear,
+    Since so debauched by ill-bred customs here,
+    To an exact perfection they have brought
+    The action, love, the passion is forgot._
+
+This was long ago a witty author's lamentation, but the evil still
+continues; and if a man of any delicacy were to attend the discourses of
+the young fellows of this age, they would believe there were none but
+prostitutes to make the objects of passion. So true it is what the
+author of the above verses said, a little before his death, of the
+modern pretenders to gallantry: "They set up for wits in this age, by
+saying when they are sober, what they of the last spoke only when they
+were drunk." But Cupid is not only blind at present, but dead-drunk, he
+has lost all his faculties: else how should Celia be so long a maid with
+that agreeable behaviour? Corinna, with that uprightly wit? Lesbia, with
+that heavenly voice? And Sacharissa, with all those excellences in one
+person, frequent the park, the play, and murder the poor tits that drag
+her to public places, and not a man turn pale at her appearance? But
+such is the fallen state of love, that if it were not for honest
+Cynthio,[114] who is true to the cause, we should hardly have a pattern
+left of the ancient worthies that way: and indeed he has but very little
+encouragement to persevere; but he has a devotion, rather than love, for
+his mistress; and says,
+
+    Only tell her that I love,
+      Leave the rest to her, and Fate;
+    Some kind planet from above,
+    May, perhaps, her passsion move:
+      Lovers on their stars must wait.[115]
+
+But the stars I am so intimately acquainted with, that I can assure him,
+he will never have her: for would you believe it, though Cynthio has
+wit, good sense, fortune, and his very being depends on her, the
+termagant for whom he sighs, is in love with a fellow, who stares in the
+glass all the time he is with her, and lets her plainly see, she may
+possibly be his rival, but never his mistress. Yet Cynthio, the same
+unhappy man whom I mentioned in my first narrative, pleases himself with
+a vain imagination, that with the language of his eyes, now he has found
+who she is, he shall conquer her, though her eyes are intent upon one
+who looks from her; which is ordinary with the sex. It is certainly a
+mistake in the ancients, to draw the little gentleman, Love, as a blind
+boy; for his real character is, a little thief that squints. For ask
+Mrs. Meddle, who is a confidante, or spy, upon all the passions in town,
+and she will tell you, that the whole is a game of cross purposes. The
+lover is generally pursuing one who is in pursuit of another, and
+running from one that desires to meet him. Nay, the figure of this
+passion is so justly represented in a squinting little thief (who is
+always in a double action) that do but observe Clarissa next time you
+see her, and you'll find, when her eyes have made their tour round the
+company, she makes no stay on him they say she is to marry, but rests
+two seconds of a minute on Wildair, who neither looks nor thinks on her,
+or any woman else. However, Cynthio had a bow from her the other day,
+upon which he is very much come to himself; and I heard him send his man
+of an errand yesterday without any manner of hesitation; a quarter of an
+hour after which he reckoned twenty, remembered he was to sup with a
+friend, and went exactly to his appointment. I sent to know how he did
+this morning, and I find he very perfectly remembers that he spoke to me
+yesterday.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 20.
+
+This week[116] being sacred to holy things, and no public diversions
+allowed, there has been taken notice of, even here, a little treatise,
+called, "A Project for the Advancement of Religion; dedicated to the
+Countess of Berkeley."[117] The title was so uncommon, and promised so
+peculiar a way of thinking, that every man here has read it, and as
+many as have done so, have approved it. It is written with the spirit of
+one, who has seen the world enough to undervalue it with good breeding.
+The author must certainly be a man of wisdom, as well as piety, and have
+spent much time in the exercise of both. The real causes of the decay of
+the interest of religion, are set forth in a clear and lively manner,
+without unseasonable passions; and the whole air of the book, as to the
+language, the sentiments, and the reasonings, show it was written by one
+whose virtue sits easy about him, and to whom vice is thoroughly
+contemptible. It was said by one of this company,[118] alluding to the
+knowledge the author seems to have of the world, "The man writes much
+like a gentleman, and goes to heaven with a very good mien."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 20.
+
+Letters from Italy say, that the Marquis de Prie, upon the receipt of an
+express from the Court of Vienna, went immediately to the palace of
+Cardinal Paulucci, minister of state to his Holiness, and demanded in
+the name of his Imperial Majesty, that King Charles should be forthwith
+acknowledged king of Spain, by a solemn act of the congregation of
+cardinals appointed for that purpose: he declared at the same time, that
+if the least hesitation were made in this most important article of the
+late treaty, he should not only be obliged to leave Rome himself, but
+also transmit his master's orders to the imperial troops to face about,
+and return into the ecclesiastical dominions. When the cardinal reported
+this message to the Pope, he was struck with so sensible an affliction,
+that he burst into tears. His sorrow was aggravated by letters which
+immediately after arrived from the Court of Madrid, wherein his Nuncio
+acquainted his Holiness, that upon the news of his accommodation with
+the Emperor, he had received a message to forbear coming to Court; and
+the people were so highly provoked, that they could hardly be restrained
+from insulting his palace. These letters add, that the King of Denmark
+was gone from Florence to Pisa, and from Pisa to Leghorn, where the
+governor paid his Majesty all imaginable honours. The king designed to
+go from thence to Lucca, where a magnificent tournament was prepared for
+his diversion. An English man-of-war, which came from Port Mahon to
+Leghorn in six days, brought advice, that the fleet commanded by Admiral
+Whitaker, was safely arrived at Barcelona, with the troops and
+ammunition which he had taken in at Naples.
+
+General Boneval, Governor of Commacchio, had summoned the magistrates of
+all the towns near that place to appear before him, and take an oath of
+fidelity to his Imperial Majesty, commanding also the gentry to pay him
+homage, on pain of death and confiscation of goods. Advices from
+Switzerland inform us, that the bankers of Geneva were utterly ruined by
+the failure of Mr. Bernard. They add, that the deputies of the Swiss
+Cantons were returned from Solleure, where they were assembled at the
+instance of the French Ambassador; but were very much dissatisfied with
+the reception they had from that minister. 'Tis true, he omitted no
+civilities, or expressions of friendship from his master, but he took no
+notice of their pensions and arrears; what further provoked their
+indignation, was, that instead of twenty-five pistoles formerly allowed
+to each member, for their charge in coming to the Diet, he had
+presented them with six only. They write from Dresden, that King
+Augustus was still busy in recruiting his cavalry, and that the Danish
+troops, which lately served in Hungary, had orders to be in Saxony in
+the middle of May, and that his Majesty of Denmark was expected at
+Dresden in the beginning of that month. King Augustus makes great
+preparations for his reception, and has appointed sixty coaches, each
+drawn by six horses for that purpose: the interview of these princes
+affords great matter for speculation. Letters from Paris of the 22nd of
+this month say, that Mareschal Harcourt and the Duke of Berwick were
+preparing to go into Alsace and Dauphine, but that their troops were in
+want of all manner of necessaries. The Court of France had received
+advices from Madrid, that on the 7th of this month, the States of Spain
+had with much magnificence acknowledged the Prince of Asturias
+presumptive heir of the crown. This was performed at Buen Retiro; the
+deputies took the oaths on that occasion by the hands of Cardinal
+Portocarrero. Those advices add, that it was signified to the Pope's
+Nuncio, by order of council, to depart from that Court in twenty-four
+hours, and that a guard was accordingly appointed to conduct him to
+Bayonne.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 26th instant inform us, that Prince Eugene
+was to set out the next day for Brussels, to put all things in a
+readiness for opening the campaign. They add, that the Grand Pensioner
+having reported to the Duke of Marlborough what passed in the last
+conference with Mr. Rouille,[119] his Grace had taken a resolution
+immediately to return to Great Britain, to communicate to her Majesty
+all that has been transacted in that important affair.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 20.
+
+The nature of my miscellaneous work is such, that I shall always take
+the liberty to tell for news such things (let them have happened never
+so much before the time of writing) as have escaped public notice, or
+have been misrepresented to the world, provided that I am still within
+rules, and trespass not as a Tatler any further than in an incorrectness
+of style, and writing in an air of common speech. Thus if anything that
+is said, even of old Anchises or AEneas, be set by me in a different
+light than has hitherto been hit upon, in order to inspire the love and
+admiration of worthy actions, you will, gentle reader, I hope, accept of
+it for intelligence you had not before. But I am going upon a narrative,
+the matter of which I know to be true: it is not only doing justice to
+the deceased merit[120] of such persons, as, had they lived, would not
+have had it in their power to thank me, but also an instance of the
+greatness of spirit in the lowest of her Majesty's subjects; take it as
+follows:
+
+At the siege of Namur by the Allies, there were in the ranks of the
+company commanded by Captain Pincent, in Colonel Frederick Hamilton's
+regiment, one Unnion a corporal, and one Valentine a private sentinel:
+there happened between these two men a dispute about a matter of love,
+which, upon some aggravations, grew to an irreconcilable hatred. Unnion
+being the officer of Valentine, took all opportunities even to strike
+his rival, and profess the spite and revenge which moved him to it. The
+sentinel bore it without resistance, but frequently said he would die to
+be revenged of that tyrant. They had spent whole months thus, one
+injuring, the other complaining; when in the midst of this rage towards
+each other, they were commanded upon the attack of the castle, where the
+corporal received a shot in the thigh, and fell; the French pressing on,
+and he expecting to be trampled to death, called out to his enemy, "Ah,
+Valentine! Can you leave me here?" Valentine immediately ran back, and
+in the midst of a thick fire of the French, took the corporal upon his
+back, and brought him through all that danger as far as the Abbey of
+Salsine, where a cannon-ball took off his head: his body fell under his
+enemy whom he was carrying off Unnion immediately forgot his wound, rose
+up, tearing his hair, and then threw himself upon the bleeding carcass,
+crying, "Ah, Valentine! Was it for me, who have so barbarously used
+thee, that thou hast died? I will not Jive after thee." He was not by
+any means to be forced from the body, but was removed with it bleeding
+in his arms, and attended with tears by all their comrades, who knew
+their enmity. When he was brought to a tent, his wounds were dressed by
+force; but the next day, still calling upon Valentine, and lamenting his
+cruelties to him, he died in the pangs of remorse and despair.
+
+It may be a question among men of noble sentiments, whether of these
+unfortunate persons had the greater soul; he that was so generous as to
+venture his life for his enemy, or he who could not survive the man that
+died, in laying upon him such an obligation?
+
+When we see spirits like these in a people, to what heights may we not
+suppose their glory may arise, but (as it is excellently observed by
+Sallust[121]) it is not only to the general bent of a nation that great
+revolutions are owing, but to the extraordinary genios[122] that lead
+them. On which occasion he proceeds to say that the Roman greatness was
+neither to be attributed to their superior policy, for in that the
+Carthaginians excelled; nor to their valour, for in that the French were
+preferable; but to particular men, who were born for the good of their
+country, and formed for great attempts. This he says, to introduce the
+characters of Cassar and Cato. It would be entering into too weighty a
+discourse for this place, if I attempted to show that our nation has
+produced as great and able men for public affairs, as any other. But I
+believe the reader outruns me, and fixes his imagination upon the Duke
+of Marlborough. It is, methinks, a pleasing reflection, to consider the
+dispensations of Providence in the fortune of this illustrious man, who,
+in the space of forty years, has passed through all the gradations of
+human life, till he has ascended to the character of a prince, and
+become the scourge of a tyrant, who sat in one of the greatest thrones
+of Europe, before the man who was to have the greatest part in his
+downfall had made one step in the world.[123] But such elevations are
+the natural consequences of an exact prudence, a calm courage, a
+well-governed temper, a patient ambition, and an affable behaviour.
+These arts, as they are the steps to his greatness, so they are the
+pillars of it now it is raised. To this her glorious son, Great Britain
+is indebted for the happy conduct of her arms, in whom she can boast,
+she has produced a man formed by nature to lead a nation of heroes.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 114: Edward Richard Montagu, styled Viscount Hinchinbroke, who
+died before his father, on October 3, 1722, was the only son of Edward,
+third Earl of Sandwich. He was born about 1690, and became colonel of
+the First Regiment of Foot Guards, and Lord Lieutenant of
+Huntingdonshire. In 1707, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander
+Popham, of Littlecot, Wilts, and of Anne, daughter of the first Duke of
+Montagu. (See Nos. 1, 22, 35, 85, and the _Lover_, No. 38.)]
+
+[Footnote 115: These lines are part of a song by Lord Cutts, under whom
+Steele had served as secretary when in the army. The verses will be
+found in Nichols' "Select Collection" (1780), ii. 327.]
+
+[Footnote 116: Passion Week.]
+
+[Footnote 117: First published as "By a Person of Quality." "The
+gentleman I here intended was Dr. Swift, this kind of man I thought him
+at that time. We have not met of late, but I hope he deserves this
+character still." (Steele's "Apology," 1714.) This pamphlet is closely
+in accord with the _Tatler_ in its condemnation of gaming, drunkenness,
+swearing, immorality on the stage, and other evils of the time. Swift
+suggests, too, a revival of censors.]
+
+[Footnote 118: Forster suggests that it was Addison.]
+
+[Footnote 119: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 120: This phrase, as well as Unnion's forgetting his wound, is
+criticised in a little book called, "Annotations on the _Tatler_, in two
+parts," 12mo, said to have been written originally in French by Monsieur
+Bournelle, and translated into English by Walter Wagstaff, Esq. London,
+Bernard Lintott, 1710. The annotator goes no farther with his
+annotations than to _Tatler_ No. 83. See Nos. 78, 191.]
+
+[Footnote 121: "Bell. Catal.," c. 53.]
+
+[Footnote 122: "A man of a particular turn of mind" (Johnson).]
+
+[Footnote 123: In 1705, after the battle of Blenheim, Marlborough was
+made Prince of Mildenheim by the Emperor. Lewis XIV. succeeded to the
+French throne in 1643; Marlborough was born in 1650.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 6. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 21_, to _Saturday, April 23_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+I am just come from visiting Sappho,[124] a fine lady, who writes
+verses, sings, dances and can say and do whatever she pleases, without
+the imputation of anything that can injure her character; for she is so
+well known to have no passion but self-love, or folly, but affectation;
+that now upon any occasion they only cry, "'Tis her way," and "That's so
+like her," without further reflection. As I came into the room, she
+cries, "O Mr. Bickerstaff, I am utterly undone! I have broke that pretty
+Italian fan I showed you when you were here last, wherein were so
+admirably drawn our first parents in Paradise asleep in each other's
+arms." But there is such an affinity between painting and poetry, that I
+have been improving the images which were raised by that picture, by
+reading the same representation in two of our greatest poets. Look you,
+here are the passages in Milton and in Dryden. All Milton's thoughts are
+wonderfully just and natural, in this inimitable description which Adam
+makes of himself in the eighth book of "Paradise Lost." But there is
+none of them finer than that contained in the following lines, where he
+tells us his thoughts when he was falling asleep a little after his
+creation.
+
+    _While thus I called, and strayed I know not whither,
+    From whence I first drew air, and first beheld
+    This happy light; when answer none returned,
+    On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers,
+    Pensive I sate me down, there gentle sleep
+    First found me, and with soft oppression seized
+    My drowned sense, untroubled, though I thought
+    I then was passing to my former state,
+    Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve._[125]
+
+But now I can't forgive this odious thing, this Dryden, who, in his
+"State of Innocence," has given my great-grand-mother Eve the same
+apprehension of annihilation, on a very different occasion, as Adam
+pronounces it of himself, when he was seized with a pleasing kind of
+stupor and deadness, Eve fancies herself falling away, and dissolving in
+the hurry of a rapture. However, the verses are very good, and I don't
+know but it may be natural what she says. I'll read them:
+
+    _When your kind eyes looked languishing on mine,
+    And wreathing arms did soft embraces join,
+    A doubtful trembling seized me first all o'er,
+    Then wishes, and a warmth unknown before;
+    What followed was all extasy and trance,
+    Immortal pleasures round my swimming eyes did dance,
+    And speechless joys, in whose sweet tumults tost,
+    I thought my breath and my new being lost._[126]
+
+She went on, and said a thousand good things at random, but so strangely
+mixed that you would be apt to say all her wit is mere good luck, and
+not the effect of reason and judgment. When I made my escape hither I
+found a gentleman playing the critic on two other great poets, even
+Virgil and Homer.[127] He was observing, that Virgil is more judicious
+than the other in the epithets he gives his hero. "Homer's usual
+epithet," said he, "is {~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER PI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH PSILI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH VARIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} [Podas ochus], or {~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER PI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} [Podarches],
+and his indiscretion has been often rallied by the critics, for
+mentioning the nimbleness of foot in Achilles, though he describes him
+standing, sitting, lying down, fighting, eating, drinking, or in any
+other circumstance, however foreign or repugnant to speed and activity.
+Virgil's common epithet to AEneas, is 'Pius' or 'Pater.' I have therefore
+considered," said he, "what passage there is in any of his hero's actions,
+where either of these appellations would have been most improper, to see
+if I could catch him at the same fault with Homer: and this, I think, is
+his meeting with Dido in the cave, where Pius AEneas would have been
+absurd, and Pater AEneas a burlesque: the poet has therefore wisely
+dropped them both for Dux Trojanus,
+
+    "_Speluncam Dido dux et Trojanus eandem Devenient;_[128]
+
+which he has repeated twice in Juno's speech, and his own narration: for
+he very well knew a loose action might be consistent enough with the
+usual manners of a soldier, though it became neither the chastity of a
+pious man, nor the gravity of the father of a people."
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+While other parts of the town are amused with the present actions, we
+generally spend the evening at this table in inquiries into antiquity,
+and think anything news which gives us new knowledge. Thus we are making
+a very pleasant entertainment to ourselves, in putting the actions of
+Homer's "Iliad" into an exact journal.
+
+This poem is introduced by Chryses, King of Chryseis, and priest of
+Apollo, who comes to re-demand his daughter, who was carried off at the
+taking of that city, and given to Agamemnon for his part of the booty.
+The refusal he received enrages Apollo, who for nine days showered down
+darts upon them, which occasioned the pestilence.
+
+The tenth day Achilles assembles the council, and encourages Chalcas to
+speak for the surrender of Chryseis to appease Apollo. Agamemnon and
+Achilles storm at one another, notwithstanding which Agamemnon will not
+release his prisoner, unless he has Briseis in her stead. After long
+contestations, wherein Agamemnon gives a glorious character of Achilles'
+valour, he determines to restore Briseis to her father, and sends two
+heralds to fetch away Chryseis from Achilles, who abandons himself to
+sorrow and despair. His mother Thetis came to comfort him under his
+affliction, and promises to represent his sorrowful lamentations to
+Jupiter; but he could not attend it; for the evening before, he had
+appointed to divert himself for two days beyond the seas with the
+harmless AEthiopians.
+
+It was the twenty-first day after Chryseis' arrival to the camp, that
+Thetis went very early to demand an audience of Jupiter. The means he
+uses to satisfy her were, to persuade the Greeks to attack the Trojans;
+that so they might perceive the consequence of condemning Achilles and
+the miseries they suffer if he does not head them. The next night he
+orders Agamemnon, in a dream, to attack them; who was deceived with the
+hopes of obtaining a victory, and also taking the city, without sharing
+the honour with Achilles.
+
+On the 22nd, in the morning, he assembles the council, and having made a
+feint of raising the siege and retiring, he declares to them his dream;
+and, together with Nestor and Ulysses, resolves on an engagement.
+
+This was the twenty-third day, which is full of incidents, and which
+continues from almost the beginning of the second canto to the eighth.
+The armies being then drawn up in view of one another, Hector brings it
+about that Menelaus and Paris, the two persons concerned in the quarrel,
+should decide it by a single combat; which tending to the advantage of
+Menelaus, was interrupted by a cowardice infused by Minerva: then both
+armies engage, where the Trojans have the disadvantage; but being
+afterwards animated by Apollo, they repulse the enemy, yet they are once
+again forced to give ground; but their affairs were retrieved by Hector,
+who has a single combat with Ajax. The gods threw themselves into the
+battle, Juno and Minerva took the Grecians' part, and Apollo and Mars
+the Trojans': but Mars and Venus are both wounded by Diomedes.
+
+The truce for burying the slain ended the twenty-third day; after which
+the Greeks threw up a great entrenchment to secure their navy from
+danger. Councils are held on both sides. On the morning of the
+twenty-fourth day the battle is renewed, but in a very disadvantageous
+manner to the Greeks, who were beaten back to their retrenchments.
+Agamemnon being in despair at this ill success, proposes to the council
+to quit the enterprise and retire from Troy. But by the advice of
+Nestor, he is persuaded to regain Achilles, by returning Chryseis, and
+sending him considerable presents. Hereupon, Ulysses and Ajax are sent
+to that hero, who continues inflexible in his anger. Ulysses, at his
+return, joins himself with Diomedes, and goes in the night to gain
+intelligence of the enemy: they enter into their very camp, where,
+finding the sentinels asleep, they made a great slaughter. Rhesus, who
+was just then arrived with recruits from Thrace for the Trojans, was
+killed in that action. Here ends the tenth canto. The sequel of this
+journal will be inserted in the next article from this place.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 22.
+
+We hear from Italy, that notwithstanding the Pope has received a letter
+from the Duke of Anjou, demanding of him to explain himself upon the
+affair of acknowledging King Charles: his Holiness has not yet thought
+fit to send any answer to that prince. The Court of Rome appears very
+much mortified, that they are not to see his Majesty of Denmark in that
+city, having perhaps given themselves vain hopes from a visit made by a
+Protestant priest to that see. The Pope has despatched a gentleman to
+compliment his Majesty, and sent the king a present of all the
+curiosities and antiquities of Rome, represented in seventeen volumes,
+very richly bound, which were taken out of the Vatican library. Letters
+from Genoa of the 14th instant say, a felucca was arrived there in five
+days from Marseilles, with an account, that the people of that city had
+made an insurrection, by reason of the scarcity of provisions, and that
+the Intendant had ordered some companies of marines, and the men
+belonging to the galleys, to stand to their arms to protect him from
+violence; but that he began to be in as much apprehension of his guards
+as those from whom they were to defend him. When that vessel came away,
+the soldiers murmured publicly for want of pay, and it was generally
+believed they would pillage the magazines, as the garrison of Grenoble,
+and other towns of France, had already done. A vessel which lately came
+into Leghorn, brought advice, that the British squadron was arrived at
+Port Mahon, where they were taking in more troops, in order to attempt
+the relief of Alicante, which still made a very vigorous defence. 'Tis
+said, Admiral Byng will be at the head of that expedition. The King of
+Denmark was gone from Leghorn towards Lucca.
+
+They write from Vienna, that in case the Allies should enter into a
+treaty of peace with France, Count Zinzendorf will be appointed first
+plenipotentiary, the Count de Goes the second, and Monsieur van
+Konsbruch a third. Major-General Palmes, Envoy Extraordinary from her
+Britannic Majesty, has been very urgent with that Court to make their
+utmost efforts against France the ensuing campaign, in order to oblige
+it to such a peace, as may establish the tranquillity of Europe for the
+future.
+
+We are also informed, that the Pope uses all imaginable shifts to elude
+the treaty concluded with the Emperor, and that he demanded the
+immediate restitution of Commacchio; insisting also, that his Imperial
+Majesty should ask pardon, and desire absolution for what has formerly
+passed, before he would solemnly acknowledge King Charles: but this was
+utterly refused.
+
+They hear at Vienna, by letters from Constantinople, dated the 22nd of
+February last, that on the 12th of that month the Grand Signior took
+occasion, at the celebration of the festivals of the Mussulmen, to set
+all the Christian slaves which were in the galleys at liberty.
+
+Advices from Switzerland import, that the preachers of the county of
+Tockenburg continue to create new jealousies of the Protestants, and
+some disturbances lately happened there on that account. The Protestants
+and Papists in the town of Hamman go to divine service one after another
+in the same church, as is usual in many other parts of Switzerland; but
+on Sunday, the 10th instant, the Popish curate, having ended his
+service, attempted to hinder the Protestants from entering into the
+church according to custom; but the Protestants briskly attacked him and
+his party, and broke into it by force.
+
+Last night between seven and eight, his Grace the Duke of Marlborough
+arrived at Court.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, April 22.
+
+The present great captains of the age, the Duke of Marlborough and
+Prince Eugene, having been the subject of the discourse of the last
+company I was in, it has naturally led me into a consideration of
+Alexander and Caesar, the two greatest names which ever appeared before
+this century. In order to enter into their characters, there needs no
+more but examining their behaviour in parallel circumstances. It must be
+allowed, that they had an equal greatness of soul; but Caesar's was more
+corrected and allayed by a mixture of prudence and circumspection. This
+is seen conspicuously in one particular in their histories, wherein they
+seem to have shown exactly the difference of their tempers. When
+Alexander, after a long course of victories, would still have led his
+soldiers farther from home, they unanimously refused to follow him. We
+meet with the like behaviour in Caesar's army in the midst of his march
+against Ariovistus. Let us therefore observe the conduct of our two
+generals in so nice an affair: and here we find Alexander at the head of
+his army, upbraiding them with their cowardice, and meanness of spirit;
+and in the end, telling them plainly, he would go forward himself,
+though not a man followed him. This showed indeed an excessive bravery;
+but how would the commander have come off, if the speech had not
+succeeded, and the soldiers had taken him at his word? The project seems
+of a piece with Mr. Bayes' in "The Rehearsal,"[129] who, to gain a clap
+in his prologue, comes out, with a terrible fellow in a fur cap
+following him, and tells his audience, if they would not like his play,
+he would lie down and have his head struck off. If this gained a clap,
+all was well; but if not, there was nothing left but for the executioner
+to do his office. But Caesar would not leave the success of his speech
+to such uncertain events: he shows his men the unreasonableness of their
+fears in an obliging manner, and concludes, that if none else would
+march along with them, he would go himself with the Tenth Legion, for he
+was assured of their fidelity and valour, though all the rest forsook
+him; not but that in all probability they were as much against the march
+as the rest. The result of all was very natural: the Tenth Legion, fired
+with the praises of their general, send thanks to him for the just
+opinion he entertains of them; and the rest, ashamed to be outdone,
+assure him, that they are as ready to follow where he pleases to lead
+them, as any other part of the army.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 124: It has been suggested, with little or no reason, that
+Sappho is meant for Mrs. Manley (Author of the "New Atalantis"), or Mrs.
+Elizabeth Thomas (known as "Corinna"), or Mrs. Elizabeth Heywood. See
+No. 40.]
+
+[Footnote 125: "Paradise Lost," viii. 283.]
+
+[Footnote 126: Dryden's "State of Innocence and Fall of Man: an Opera,"
+act iii. sc. i. In the _Spectator_ (No. 345), Addison illustrated
+Milton's chaste treatment of the subject of Eve's nuptials by
+contrasting what he says with the account in the opera in which Dryden,
+according to Lee's verses, refined "Milton's golden ore, and new-weaved
+his hard-spun thought."]
+
+[Footnote 127: Addison, on reading here this remark upon Virgil, which
+he himself had communicated to Steele, discovered that his friend was
+the author of the _Tatler_. He was at this time in Ireland, Secretary to
+Lord Wharton, and returned to England with the Lord Lieutenant on the
+8th of September following. (Tickell's Preface to Addison's Works.)]
+
+[Footnote 128: "AEneid," iv. 124.]
+
+[Footnote 129: "The Rehearsal," act i. sc. 2. This play of the Duke of
+Buckingham's was produced in 1671, and the poet Bayes, as finally drawn
+after revision, was a satire on Dryden.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 7. [STEELE
+
+From _Saturday, April 23_, to _Tuesday, April 26_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is so just an observation, that mocking is catching, that I am become
+an unhappy instance of it, and am (in the same manner that I have
+represented Mr. Partridge) myself a dying man in comparison of the
+vigour with which I first set out in the world. Had it been otherwise,
+you may be sure I would not have pretended to have given for news, as I
+did last Saturday, a diary of the siege of Troy. But man is a creature
+very inconsistent with himself: the greatest heroes are sometimes
+fearful, the sprightliest wits at some hours dull; and the greatest
+politicians on some occasions whimsical. But I shall not pretend to
+palliate, or excuse the matter; for I find, by a calculation of my own
+nativity, that I cannot hold out with any tolerable wit longer than two
+minutes after twelve o'clock at night, between the 18th and 19th of the
+next month. For which space of time you may still expect to hear from
+me, but no longer, except you will transmit to me the occurrences you
+meet with relating to your amours, or any other subject within the rules
+by which I have proposed to walk. If any gentleman or lady sends to
+Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., at Mr. Morphew's,[130] near Stationers' Hall,
+by the Penny Post, the grief or joy of their soul, what they think fit
+of the matter shall be related in colours as much to their advantage, as
+those in which Jervas[131] has drawn the agreeable Chloe. But since,
+without such assistance, I frankly confess, and am sensible, that I
+have not a month's wit more, I think I ought, while I am in my sound
+health and senses, to make my will and testament; which I do in manner
+and form following:
+
+Imprimis, I give to the stockjobbers about the Exchange of London, as a
+security for the trusts daily reposed in them, all my real estate; which
+I do hereby vest in the said body of worthy citizens for ever.
+
+Item, Forasmuch as it is very hard to keep land in repair without ready
+cash, I do, out of my personal estate, bestow the bearskin,[132] which I
+have frequently lent to several societies about this town, to supply
+their necessities. I say, I give also the said bearskin, as an immediate
+fund to the said citizens for ever.
+
+Item, I do hereby appoint a certain number of the said citizens to take
+all the custom-house or customary oaths, concerning all goods imported
+to the whole city, strictly directing, that some select members, and not
+the whole number of a body corporate, should be perjured.
+
+Item, I forbid all n----s and persons of q----ty to watch bargains near
+and about the Exchange, to the diminution and wrong of the said
+stockjobbers.
+
+Thus far, in as brief and intelligible a manner as any will can appear,
+till it is explained by the learned, I have disposed of my real and
+personal estate: but, as I am an adept, I have by birth an equal right
+to give also an indefeasible title to my endowments and qualifications;
+which I do in the following manner:
+
+Item, I give my chastity to all virgins who have withstood their
+market.
+
+Item, I give my courage among all who are ashamed of their distressed
+friends, all sneakers in assemblies, and men who show valour in common
+conversation.
+
+Item, I give my wit (as rich men give to the rich) among such as think
+they have enough already. And in case they shall not accept of the
+legacy, I give it to Bentivolio,[133] to defend his works from time to
+time, as he shall think fit to publish them.
+
+Item, I bestow my learning upon the honorary members of the Royal
+Society.[134]
+
+Now for the disposal of this body.
+
+As these eyes must one day cease to gaze on Teraminta, and this heart
+shall one day pant no more for her indignation: that is to say, since
+this body must be earth, I shall commit it to the dust in a manner
+suitable to my character. Therefore, as there are those who dispute,
+whether there is any such real person as Isaac Bickerstaff or not, I
+shall excuse all persons who appear what they really are, from coming to
+my funeral. But all those who are, in their way of life, persons, as the
+Latins have it, persons assumed, and who appear what they really are
+not, are hereby invited to that solemnity.
+
+The body shall be carried by six watchmen, who are never seen in the
+day.
+
+Item, The pall shall be held up by the six most known pretenders to
+honesty, wealth and power, who are not possessed of any of them. The
+two first, an half-lawyer, a complete justice. The two next, a chemist,
+a projector. The third couple, a Treasury solicitor, and a small
+courtier.
+
+To make my funeral (what that solemnity, when done to common men, really
+is in itself) a very farce; and since all mourners are mere actors on
+these occasions, I shall desire those who are professedly such, to
+attend me. I humbly therefore beseech Mrs. Barry[135] to act once more,
+and be my widow. When she swoons away at the church-porch, I appoint the
+merry Sir John Falstaff, and the gay Sir Harry Wildair, to support her.
+I desire Mr. Pinkethman[136] to follow in the habit of a cardinal, and
+Mr. Bullock[137] in that of a privy councillor. To make up the rest of
+the appearance, I desire all the ladies from the balconies to weep with
+Mrs. Barry, as they hope to be wives and widows themselves. I invite
+all, who have nothing else to do, to accept of gloves and scarves.
+
+Thus, with the great Charles V. of Spain, I resign the glories of this
+transitory world: yet, at the same time, to show you my indifference,
+and that my desires are not too much fixed upon anything, I own to you,
+I am as willing to stay as go: therefore leave it in the choice of my
+gentle readers, whether I shall hear from them, or they hear no more
+from me.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 25.
+
+Easter Day being a time when you can't well meet with any but humble
+adventures; and there being such a thing as low gallantry, as well as a
+low comedy, Colonel Ramble[138] and myself went early this morning into
+the fields, which were strewed with shepherds and shepherdesses, but
+indeed of a different turn from the simplicity of those of Arcadia.
+Every hedge was conscious of more than what the representations of
+enamoured swains admit of. While we were surveying the crowd around us,
+we saw at a distance a company coming towards Pancras Church; but though
+there was not much disorder, we thought we saw the figure of a man stuck
+through with a sword, and at every step ready to fall, if a woman by his
+side had not supported him; the rest followed two and two. When we came
+nearer this appearance, who should it be but Monsieur Guardeloop, mine
+and Ramble's French tailor, attended by others, leading one of Madame
+Depingle's[139] maids to the church, in order to their espousals. It was
+his sword tucked so high above his waist, and the circumflex which
+persons of his profession take in their walking, that made him appear at
+a distance wounded and falling. But the morning being rainy, methought
+the march to this wedding was but too lively a picture of wedlock
+itself. They seemed both to have a month's mind to make the best of
+their way single; yet both tugged arm in arm; and when they were in a
+dirty way, he was but deeper in the mire, by endeavouring to pull out
+his companion, and yet without helping her. The bridegroom's feathers in
+his hat all drooped, one of his shoes had lost an heel. In short, he was
+in his whole person and dress so extremely soused, that there did not
+appear one inch or single thread about him unmarried.[140] Pardon me,
+that the melancholy object still dwells upon me so far, as to reduce me
+to punning. However, we attended to the chapel, where we stayed to hear
+the irrevocable words pronounced upon our old servant, and made the best
+of our way to town. I took a resolution to forbear all married persons,
+or any, in danger of being such, for four-and-twenty hours at least;
+therefore dressed, and went to visit Florimel, the vainest thing in
+town, where I knew would drop in Colonel Picket, just come from the
+camp, her professed admirer. He is of that order of men who has much
+honour and merit, but withal a coxcomb; the other of that set of
+females, who has innocence and wit, but the first of coquettes. It is
+easy to believe, these must be admirers of each other. She says, "The
+Colonel rides the best of any man in England": the Colonel says, "She
+talks the best of any woman." At the same time, he understands wit just
+as she does horsemanship. You are to know, these extraordinary persons
+see each other daily; and they themselves, as well as the town, think it
+will be a match: but it can never happen that they can come to the
+point; for instead of addressing to each other, they spend their whole
+time in reports of themselves. He is satisfied if he can convince her he
+is a fine gentleman, and a man of consequence; and she, in appearing to
+him an accomplished lady and a wit, without further design. Thus he
+tells her of his manner of posting his men at such a pass, with the
+numbers he commanded on that detachment: she tells him, how she was
+dressed on such a day at Court, and what offers were made her the week
+following. She seems to hear the repetition of his men's names with
+admiration; and waits only to answer him with as false a muster of
+lovers. They talk to each other not to be informed, but approved. Thus
+they are so like, that they are to be ever distant, and the parallel
+lines may run together for ever, but never meet.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 25.
+
+This evening, the comedy, called "Epsom Wells,"[141] was acted for the
+benefit of Mr. Bullock,[142] who, though he is a person of much wit and
+ingenuity, has a peculiar talent of looking like a fool, and therefore
+excellently well qualified for the part of Biskett in this play. I
+cannot indeed sufficiently admire his way of bearing a beating, as he
+does in this drama, and that with such a natural air and propriety of
+folly, that one cannot help wishing the whip in one's own hand; so
+richly does he seem to deserve his chastisement. Skilful actors think it
+a very peculiar happiness to play in a scene with such as top their
+parts. Therefore I cannot but say, when the judgment of any good author
+directs him to write a beating for Mr. Bullock from Mr. William
+Pinkethman, or for Mr. William Pinkethman from Mr. Bullock, those
+excellent players seem to be in their most shining circumstances, and
+please me more, but with a different sort of delight, than that which I
+receive from those grave scenes of Brutus and Cassius, or Antony and
+Ventidius. The whole comedy is very just, and the low part of human life
+represented with much humour and wit.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 25.
+
+We are advised from Vienna, by letters of the 20th instant, that the
+Emperor hath lately added twenty new members to his Council of State,
+but they have not yet taken their places at the board. General Thaun is
+returned from Baden, his health being so well re-established by the
+baths of that place, that he designs to set out next week for Turin, to
+his command of the Imperial troops in the service of the Duke of Savoy.
+His Imperial Majesty has advanced his brother Count Henry Thaun to be a
+brigadier, and a Councillor of the Aulic Council of War. These letters
+import, that King Stanislaus and the Swedish General Crassau are
+directing their march to the Nieper, to join the King of Sweden's army
+in Ukrania: that the States of Austria have furnished Marshal Heister
+with a considerable sum of money, to enable him to push on the war
+vigorously in Hungary, where all things as yet are in perfect
+tranquillity: and that General Thungen has been very importunate for a
+speedy reinforcement of the forces on the Upper Rhine, representing at
+the same time, what miseries the inhabitants must necessarily undergo,
+if the designs of France on those parts be not speedily and effectually
+prevented.
+
+Letters from Rome, dated the 13th instant, say, that on the preceding
+Sunday his Holiness was carried in an open chair from St. Peter's to St.
+Mary's, attended by the Sacred College, in cavalcade; and, after Mass,
+distributed several dowries for the marriage of poor and distressed
+virgins. The proceedings of that Court are very dilatory concerning the
+recognition of King Charles, notwithstanding the pressing instances of
+the Marquis de Prie, who has declared, that if this affair be not wholly
+concluded by the 15th instant, he will retire from that Court, and order
+the Imperial troops to return into the ecclesiastical state. On the
+other hand, the Duke of Anjou's minister has, in the name of his master,
+demanded of his Holiness to explain himself on that affair; which, it is
+said, will be finally determined in a consistory to be held on Monday
+next; the Duke d'Uzeda designing to delay his departure till he sees the
+issue. These letters also say, that the Court was mightily alarmed at
+the news which they received by an express from Ferrara, that General
+Boneval, who commands in Commachio, had sent circular letters to the
+inhabitants of St. Alberto, Longastrino, Fillo, and other adjacent
+parts, enjoining them to come and swear fealty to the Emperor, and
+receive new investitures of their fiefs from his hands. Letters from
+other parts of Italy say, that the King of Denmark continues at Lucca;
+that four English and Dutch men-of-war were seen off of Oneglia, bound
+for Final, in order to transport the troops designed for Barcelona; and
+that her Majesty's ship the _Colchester_ arrived at Leghorn the 4th
+instant from Port Mahon, with advice, that Major-General Stanhope
+designed to part from thence the 1st instant with 6000 or 7000 men to
+attempt the relief of the Castle of Alicant.
+
+Our last advices from Berlin, bearing date the 27th instant, import,
+that the King was gone to Linum, and the Queen to Mecklenburg; but that
+their Majesties designed to return the next week to Oranienburg, where a
+great chase of wild beasts was prepared for their diversion, and from
+thence they intend to proceed together to Potsdam; that the Prince Royal
+was set out for Brabant, but intended to make some short stay at
+Hanover. These letters also inform us, that they are advised from Obory,
+that the King of Sweden, being on his march towards Holki, met General
+Renne with a detachment of Muscovites, who placing some regiments in
+ambuscade, attacked the Swedes in their rear, and putting them to
+flight, killed 2000 men, the king himself having his horse shot under
+him.
+
+We hear from Copenhagen, that, the ice being broke, the Sound is again
+open for the ships; and that they hoped his Majesty would return sooner
+than they at first expected.
+
+Letters from the Hague, dated May the 4th, N.S., say that an express
+arrived there on the 1st from Prince Eugene to his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough. The States are advised, that the auxiliaries of Saxony
+were arrived on the frontiers of the United Provinces; as also, that the
+two regiments of Wolfembuttel, and 4000 troops from Wirtemberg, which
+are to serve in Flanders, are in full march thither. Letters from
+Flanders, say that the great convoy of ammunition and provisions which
+set out from Ghent for Lille, was safely arrived at Courtray. We hear
+from Paris, that the King has ordered the militia on the coasts of
+Normandy and Bretagne to be in a readiness to march; and that the Court
+was in apprehension of a descent, to animate the people to rise in the
+midst of their present hardships.
+
+They write from Spain, that the Pope's Nuncio left Madrid the 10th of
+April, in order to go to Bayonne; that the Marquis de Bay was at Badajos
+to observe the motions of the Portuguese; and that the Count d'Estain,
+with a body of 5000 men, was on his march to attack Gironne. The Duke
+of Anjou has deposed the Bishop of Lerida, as being a favourer of the
+interest of King Charles; and has summoned a convocation at Madrid,
+composed of the archbishops, bishops and states of that kingdom,
+wherein he hopes they will come to a resolution to send for no more
+bulls to Rome.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 130: John Morphew was the publisher of the _Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 131: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 132: Stockjobbers, who contract for a sale of stock which they
+do not possess, are called sellers of bearskins; and universally whoever
+sells what he does not possess was said to sell the bear's skin, while
+the bear runs in the woods. "You never heard such bellowing about the
+town of the state of the nation, especially among the sharpers, sellers
+of bearskins--_i.e._ stockjobbers, &c." (Swift). See No. 38.]
+
+[Footnote 133: Dr. Richard Bentley, Master of Trinity College,
+Cambridge, took a leading part in the controversy regarding the
+genuineness of the Epistles of Phalaris. In 1709 he published critical
+notes on the Tusculan Disputations.]
+
+[Footnote 134: There are several sneers at the members of the Royal
+Society in the _Tatler_.]
+
+[Footnote 135: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 136: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 137: William Bullock was a comic actor whose abilities are
+praised by Gildon and others. He was the original Sir Tunbelly Clumsy in
+Vanbrugh's "Relapse." Later on in this number (p. 70), Steele says that
+Bullock had a peculiar talent of looking like a fool, and in No. 188 he
+compares Bullock and Pinkethman in a satirical vein.]
+
+[Footnote 138: Perhaps Colonel Hunter, afterwards Governor of New York;
+or Colonel Brett, one of the managers of Drury Lane Theatre.]
+
+[Footnote 139: See No. 34.]
+
+[Footnote 140: The pun is, of course, on the word "unmarred."]
+
+[Footnote 141: By Thomas Shadwell, 1676.]
+
+[Footnote 142: See note on p. 67, above.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 8. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, April 26._ to _Thursday, April 28_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Wills Coffee-house, April 26.
+
+The play of "The London Cuckolds"[143] was acted this evening before a
+suitable audience, who were extremely well diverted with that heap of
+vice and absurdity. The indignation which Eugenio, who is a gentleman
+of a just taste, has, upon occasion of seeing human nature fall so low
+in their delights, made him, I thought, expatiate upon the mention of
+this play very agreeably. "Of all men living," said he, "I pity players
+(who must be men of good understanding to be capable of being such) that
+they are obliged to repeat and assume proper gestures for representing
+things, of which their reason must be ashamed, and which they must
+disdain their audience for approving. The amendment of these low
+gratifications is only to be made by people of condition, by encouraging
+the presentation of the noble characters drawn by Shakespeare and
+others, from whence it is impossible to return without strong
+impressions of honour and humanity. On these occasions, distress is laid
+before us with all its causes and consequences, and our resentment
+placed according to the merit of the persons afflicted. Were dramas of
+this nature more acceptable to the taste of the town, men who have
+genius would bend their studies to excel in them. How forcible an effect
+this would have on our minds, one needs no more than to observe how
+strongly we are touched by mere pictures. Who can see Le Brun's[144]
+picture of the Battle of Porus, without entering into the character of
+that fierce gallant man,[145] and being accordingly spurred to an
+emulation of his constancy and courage? When he is falling with his
+wound, the features are at the same time very terrible and languishing;
+and there is such a stern faintness diffused through his look, as is
+apt to move a kind of horror, as well as pity, in the beholder. This, I
+say, is an effect wrought by mere lights and shades; consider also a
+representation made by words only, as in an account given by a good
+writer: Catiline in Sallust makes just such a figure as Porus by Le
+Brun. It is said of him, 'Catilina vero longe a suis inter hostium
+cadavera repertus est; paululum etiam spirans, ferocitatemque animi quam
+vivus habuerat in vultu retinens.'[146] ('Catiline was found killed far
+from his own men among the dead bodies of the enemy: he seemed still to
+breathe, and still retained in his face the same fierceness he had when
+he was living.') You have in that one sentence, a lively impression of
+his whole life and actions. What I would insinuate from all this, is,
+that if the painter and the historian can do thus much in colours and
+language, what may not be performed by an excellent poet, when the
+character he draws is presented by the person, the manner, the look, and
+the motion, of an accomplished player? If a thing painted or related can
+irresistibly enter our hearts, what may not be brought to pass by seeing
+generous things performed before our eyes?" Eugenio ended his discourse,
+by recommending the apt use of a theatre, as the most agreeable and easy
+method of making a polite and moral gentry, which would end in rendering
+the rest of the people regular in their behaviour, and ambitious of
+laudable undertakings.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 27.
+
+Letters from Naples of the 9th instant, N.S., advise, that Cardinal
+Grimani had ordered the regiment commanded by General Pate to march
+towards Final, in order to embark for Catalonia, whither also a
+thousand horse are to be transported from Sardinia, besides the troops
+which come from the Milanese. An English man-of-war has taken two
+prizes, one a vessel of Malta, the other of Genoa, both laden with goods
+of the enemy. They write from Florence of the 13th, that his Majesty of
+Denmark had received a courier from the Hague, with an account of some
+matters relating to the treaty of a peace; upon which he declared, that
+he thought it necessary to hasten to his own dominions.
+
+Letters from Switzerland inform us, that the effects of the great
+scarcity of corn in France were felt at Geneva; the magistrates of which
+city had appointed deputies to treat with the cantons of Berne and
+Zurich, for leave to buy up such quantities of grain within their
+territories as should be thought necessary. The Protestants of
+Tockenburg are still in arms about the convent of St. John, and have
+declared, that they will not lay them down, till they shall have
+sufficient security from the Roman Catholics, of living unmolested in
+the exercise of their religion. In the meantime the deputies of Berne
+and Tockenburg have frequent conferences at Zurich, with the regency of
+that canton, to find out methods for the quieting these disorders.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 3rd of May advise, that the President
+Rouille, after his last conference with the deputies of the States, had
+retired to Bodegrave, five miles distant from Worden, and expected the
+return of a courier from France on the 4th, with new instructions. It is
+said, if his answer from the French Court shall not prove satisfactory,
+he will be desired to withdraw out of these parts. In the meantime it is
+also reported, that his equipage, as an ambassador on this great
+occasion, is actually on the march towards him. They write from
+Flanders, that the great convoy of provisions, which set out from Ghent,
+is safely arrived at Lille. Those advices add, that the enemy had
+assembled near Tournay a considerable body of troops drawn out of the
+neighbouring garrisons. Their high mightinesses having sent orders to
+their Ministers at Hamburg and Dantzic, to engage the magistrates of
+those cities to forbid the sale of corn to the French, and to signify to
+them, that the Dutch merchants will buy up as much of that commodity as
+they can spare, the Hamburgers have accordingly contracted with the
+Dutch, and refused any commerce with the French on that occasion.
+
+
+From my own Apartment.
+
+After the lassitude of a day spent in the strolling manner, which is
+usual with men of pleasure in this town, and with a head full of a
+million of impertinences, which had danced round it for ten hours
+together, I came to my lodging, and hastened to bed. My
+_valet-de-chambre_[147] knows my University trick of reading there; and
+he being: a good scholar for a gentleman, ran over the names of Horace,
+Tibullus, Ovid, and others, to know which I would have. "Bring Virgil,"
+said I, "and if I fall asleep, take care of the candle." I read the
+sixth book over with the most exquisite delight, and had gone half
+through it a second time, when the pleasing ideas of Elysian Fields,
+deceased worthies walking in them, sincere lovers enjoying their
+languishment without pain, compassion for the unhappy spirits who had
+misspent their short daylight, and were exiled from the seats of bliss
+for ever; I say, I was deep again in my reading, when this mixture of
+images had taken place of all others in my imagination before, and
+lulled me into a dream, from which I am just awake, to my great
+disadvantage. The happy mansions of Elysium by degrees seemed to be
+wafted from me, and the very traces of my late waking thoughts began to
+fade away, when I was cast by a sudden whirlwind upon an island,
+encompassed with a roaring and troubled sea, which shaked its very
+centre, and rocked its inhabitants as in a cradle. The islanders lay on
+their faces, without offering to look up, or hope for preservation; all
+her harbours were crowded with mariners, and tall vessels of war lay in
+danger of being driven to pieces on her shores. "Bless me!" said I, "why
+have I lived in such a manner that the convulsion of nature should be so
+terrible to me, when I feel in myself, that the better part of me is to
+survive it? Oh! may that be in happiness." A sudden shriek, in which the
+whole people on their faces joined, interrupted my soliloquy, and turned
+my eyes and attention to the object which had given us that sudden
+start, in the midst of an inconsolable and speechless affliction.
+Immediately the winds grew calm, the waves subsided, and the people
+stood up, turning their faces upon a magnificent pile in the midst of
+the island. There we beheld an hero of a comely and erect aspect, but
+pale and languid, sitting under a canopy of state. By the faces and dumb
+sorrow of those who attended we thought him in the article of death. At
+a distance sat a lady, whose life seemed to hang upon the same thread
+with his: she kept her eyes fixed upon him, and seemed to smother ten
+thousand thousand nameless things, which urged her tenderness to clasp
+him in her arms: but her greatness of spirit overcame those sentiments,
+and gave her power to forbear disturbing his last moment; which
+immediately approached. The hero looked up with an air of negligence,
+and satiety of being, rather than of pain to leave it; and leaning back
+his head, expired.[148]
+
+When the heroine, who sat at a distance, saw his last instant come, she
+threw herself at his feet, and kneeling, pressed his hand to her lips;
+in which posture she continued under the agony of an unutterable sorrow,
+till conducted from our sight by her attendants. That commanding awe,
+which accompanies the grief of great minds, restrained the multitude
+while in her presence; but as soon as she retired, they gave way to
+their distraction, and all the islanders called upon their deceased
+hero. To him, methought, they cried out, as to a guardian being, and I
+gathered from their broken accents, that it was he who had the empire
+over the ocean and its powers, by which he had long protected the island
+from shipwreck and invasion. They now give a loose to their moan, and
+think themselves exposed without hopes of human or divine assistance.
+While the people ran wild, and expressed all the different forms of
+lamentation, methought a sable cloud overshadowed the whole land, and
+covered its inhabitants with darkness: no glimpse of light appeared,
+except one ray from heaven upon the place in which the heroine now
+secluded herself from the world, with her eyes fixed on those abodes to
+which her consort was ascended.[149] Methought, a long period of time
+had passed away in mourning and in darkness, when a twilight began by
+degrees to enlighten the hemisphere; and looking round me, I saw a boat
+rowed towards the shore, in which sat a personage adorned with warlike
+trophies, bearing on his left arm a shield, on which was engraven the
+image of Victory, and in his right hand a branch of olive. His visage
+was at once so winning and so awful, that the shield and the olive
+seemed equally suitable to his genius.
+
+When this illustrious person[150] touched on the shore, he was received
+by the acclamations of the people, and followed to the palace of the
+heroine. No pleasure in the glory of her arms, or the acclamations
+of her applauding subjects, were ever capable to suspend her sorrow for
+one moment, until she saw the olive branch in the hand of that
+auspicious messenger. At that sight, as Heaven bestows its blessings on
+the wants and importunities of mortals, out of its native bounty, and
+not to increase its own power, or honour, in compassion to the world,
+the celestial mourner was then first seen to turn her regard to things
+below; and taking the branch out of the warrior's hand, looked at it
+with much satisfaction, and spoke of the blessings of peace, with a
+voice and accent, such as that in which guardian spirits whisper to
+dying penitents assurances of happiness. The air was hushed, the
+multitude attentive, and all nature in a pause, while she was speaking.
+But as soon as the messenger of peace had made some low reply, in
+which, methought, I heard the word Iberia, the heroine assuming a more
+severe air, but such as spoke resolution, without rage, returned him
+the olive, and again veiled her face. Loud cries and clashing of arms
+immediately followed, which forced me from my charming vision, and
+drove me back to these mansions of care and sorrow.[151]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 143: A very coarse play by Edward Ravenscroft, produced in
+1682, and often acted on Lord Mayors' days and other holidays.]
+
+[Footnote 144: Charles Le Brun, who was born in 1619, and died in 1690,
+was the son of a sculptor, of Scotch extraction. Under Colbert's
+patronage he founded the Academy of Painting and Sculpture, at Paris,
+and he received many honours from Louis XIV. Le Brun's painting of the
+Defeat of Porus is 16 feet high and 39 feet 5 inches long.]
+
+[Footnote 145: Porus was an Indian king who was defeated and put to
+death by Alexander the Great. See Q. Curtius, viii. 12, 14.]
+
+[Footnote 146: "Bell. Catil." cap. 61.]
+
+[Footnote 147: Steele seems to have forgotten that he was Isaac
+Bickerstaff, Esq., and had only an old maid-servant. (Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 148: Prince George of Denmark, the consort of Queen Anne, died
+on October 21, 1708, after a few days' illness. This dream gives a
+picture of the state of England from his death until the conclusion of
+the negotiations at the Hague in 1709.]
+
+[Footnote 149: The mourning of Queen Anne was so long that the
+manufacturers remonstrated, and secured a limit to the duration of
+public mournings.]
+
+[Footnote 150: About this time the D[uke]. of M[arlborough]. returned
+from Holland with the preliminaries of a peace.--(Steele.)]
+
+[Footnote 151: "Mr. Bickerstaff thanks Mr. Quarterstaff for his kind and
+instructive letter dated the 26th instant" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 9. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, April 28_, to _Saturday, April 30_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, April 28.
+
+This evening we were entertained with "The Old Bachelor,"[152] a comedy
+of deserved reputation. In the character which gives name to the play,
+there is excellently represented the reluctance of a battered debauchee
+to come into the trammels of order and decency: he neither languishes
+nor burns, but frets for love. The gentlemen of more regular behaviour
+are drawn with much spirit and wit, and the drama introduced by the
+dialogue of the first scene with uncommon, yet natural conversation. The
+part of Fondlewife is a lively image of the unseasonable fondness of age
+and impotence. But instead of such agreeable works as these, the town
+has this half age been tormented with insects called "easy writers,"
+whose abilities Mr. Wycherley one day described excellently well in one
+word: "That," said he, "among these fellows is called easy writing,
+which any one may easily write." Such jaunty scribblers are so justly
+laughed at for their sonnets on Phillis and Chloris, and fantastical
+descriptions in them, that an ingenious kinsman of mine,[153] of the
+family of the Staffs, Mr. Humphrey Wagstaff by name, has, to avoid their
+strain, run into a way perfectly new, and described things exactly as
+they happen: he never forms fields, or nymphs, or groves, where they are
+not, but makes the incidents just as they really appear. For an example
+of it; I stole out of his manuscript the following lines: they are a
+Description of the Morning, but of the morning in town; nay, of the
+morning at this end of the town, where my kinsman at present lodges.
+
+    Now hardly here and there an hackney coach
+    Appearing, showed the ruddy morn's approach.
+    Now Betty from her master's bed had flown,
+    And softly stole to discompose her own.
+    The slipshod 'prentice from his master's door,
+    Had pared the street, and sprinkled round the floor.
+    Now Moll had whirled her mop with dext'rous airs,
+    Prepared to scrub the entry and the stairs.
+    The youth with broomy stumps began to trace
+    The kennel edge, where wheels had worn the place.
+    The smallcoal-man was heard with cadence deep,
+    Till drowned in shriller notes of chimney-sweep.
+    Duns at his lordship's gate began to meet;
+    And Brickdust Moll had screamed through half a street;
+    The turnkey now his flock returning sees,
+    Duly let out at nights to steal for fees.
+    The watchful bailiffs take their silent stands;
+    And schoolboys lag with satchels in their hands.
+
+All that I apprehend is, that dear Numps will be angry I have published
+these lines; not that he has any reason to be ashamed of them, but for
+fear of those rogues, the bane to all excellent performances, the
+imitators. Therefore, beforehand, I bar all descriptions of the
+evenings; as, a medley of verses signifying, grey-peas are now cried
+warm: that wenches now begin to amble round the passages of the
+playhouse: or of noon; as, that fine ladies and great beaux are just
+yawning out of their beds and windows in Pall Mall, and so forth. I
+forewarn also all persons from encouraging any draughts after my
+cousin; and foretell any man who shall go about to imitate him, that he
+will be very insipid. The family stock is embarked in this design, and
+we will not admit of counterfeits: Dr. Anderson[154] and his heirs enjoy
+his pills, Sir. William Read[155] has the cure of eyes, and Monsieur
+Rozelli[156] can only cure the gout. We pretend to none of these things;
+but to examine who and who are together, to tell any mistaken man he is
+not what he believes he is, to distinguish merit, and expose false
+pretences to it, is a liberty our family has by law in them, from an
+intermarriage with a daughter of Mr. Scoggan,[157] the famous droll of
+the last century. This right I design to make use of; but will not
+encroach upon the above-mentioned adepts, or any other. At the same
+time I shall take all the privileges I may, as an Englishman, and will
+lay hold of the late Act of Naturalisation[158] to introduce what I
+shall think fit from France. The use of that law may, I hope, be
+extended to people the polite world with new characters, as well as the
+kingdom itself with new subjects. Therefore an author of that nation,
+called La Bruyere, I shall make bold with on such occasions. The last
+person I read of in that writer, was Lord Timon.[159] Timon, says my
+author, is the most generous of all men; but is so hurried away with
+that strong impulse of bestowing, that he confers benefits without
+distinction, and is munificent without laying obligations. For all the
+unworthy, who receive from him, have so little sense of this noble
+infirmity, that they look upon themselves rather as partners in a spoil,
+than partakers of a bounty. The other day, coming into Paris, I met
+Timon going out on horseback, attended only by one servant. It struck me
+with a sudden damp, to see a man of so excellent a disposition, and that
+understood making a figure so very well, so much shortened in his
+retinue. But passing by his house, I saw his great coach break to pieces
+before his door, and by a strange enchantment, immediately turned into
+many different vehicles. The first was a very pretty chariot, into which
+stepped his lordship's secretary. The second was hung a little heavier;
+into that strutted the fat steward. In an instant followed a chaise,
+which was entered by the butler. The rest of the body and wheels were
+forthwith changed into go-carts, and ran away with by the nurses and
+brats of the rest of the family. What makes these misfortunes in the
+affairs of Timon the more astonishing, is, that he has a better
+understanding than those who cheat him; so that a man knows not which
+more to wonder at, the indifference of the master, or the impudence of
+the servant.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, April 29.
+
+It is matter of much speculation among the beaux and oglers, what it is
+that can have made so sudden a change, as has been of late observed, in
+the whole behaviour of Pastorella, who never sat still a moment till she
+was eighteen, which she has now exceeded by two months. Her aunt, who
+has the care of her, has not been always so rigid as she is at this
+present date; but has so good a sense of the frailty of woman, and
+falsehood of man, that she resolved on all manner of methods to keep
+Pastorella, if possible, in safety, against herself, and all her
+admirers. At the same time the good lady knew by long experience, that
+a gay inclination, curbed too rashly, would but run to the greater
+excesses for that restraint: therefore intended to watch her, and take
+some opportunity of engaging her insensibly in her own interests,
+without the anguish of an admonition. You are to know then, that miss,
+with all her flirting and ogling, had also naturally a strong curiosity
+in her, and was the greatest eavesdropper breathing. Parisatis (for so
+her prudent aunt is called) observed this humour, and retires one day to
+her closet, into which she knew Pastorella would peep, and listen to
+know how she was employed. It happened accordingly, and the young lady
+saw her good governante on her knees, and after a mental behaviour,
+break into these words: "As for the dear child committed to my care, let
+her sobriety of carriage, and severity of behaviour, be such, as may
+make that noble lord, who is taken with her beauty, turn his designs to
+such as are honourable." Here Parisatis heard her niece nestle closer to
+the keyhole: she then goes on; "Make her the joyful mother of a numerous
+and wealthy offspring, and let her carriage be such, as may make this
+noble youth expect the blessings of an happy marriage, from the
+singularity of her life, in this loose and censorious age." Miss having
+heard enough, sneaks off for fear of discovery, and immediately at her
+glass, alters the sitting of her head; then pulls up her tucker,[160]
+and forms herself into the exact manner of Lindamira: in a word, becomes
+a sincere convert to everything that's commendable in a fine young lady;
+and two or three such matches as her aunt feigned in her devotions, are
+at this day in her choice. This is the history and original cause of
+Pastorella's conversion from coquetry. The prudence in the management
+of this young lady's temper, and good judgment of it, is hardly to be
+exceeded. I scarce remember a greater instance of forbearance of the
+usual peevish way with which the aged treat the young, than this, except
+that of our famous Noye,[161] whose good nature went so far, as to make
+him put off his admonitions to his son, even till after his death; and
+did not give him his thoughts of him, till he came to read that
+memorable passage in his will: "All the rest of my estate," says he, "I
+leave to my son Edward (who is executor to this my will) to be
+squandered as he shall think fit: I leave it him for that purpose, and
+hope no better from him." A generous disdain and reflection, upon how
+little he deserved from so excellent a father, reformed the young man,
+and made Edward, from an errant rake, become a fine gentleman.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, April 29.
+
+Letters from Portugal of the 18th instant, dated from Estremos, say,
+that on the 6th the Earl of Galway arrived at that place, and had the
+satisfaction to see the quarters well furnished with all manner of
+provisions, and a quantity of bread sufficient for subsisting the troops
+for sixty days, besides biscuits for twenty-five days. The enemy give
+out, that they shall bring into the field 14 regiments of horse, and 24
+battalions. The troops in the service of Portugal will make up 14,000
+foot, and 4000 horse. On the day these letters were despatched, the
+Earl of Galway received advice, that the Marquis de Bay was preparing
+for some enterprise, by gathering his troops together on the frontiers.
+Whereupon his Excellency resolved to go that same night to Villa-Vicosa,
+to assemble the troops in that neighbourhood, in order to disappoint his
+designs.
+
+Yesterday in the evening Captain Foxon, aide-de-camp to Major-General
+Cadogan, arrived here express from the Duke of Marlborough. And this day
+a mail is come in, with letters dated from Brussels of the 6th of May,
+N.S., which advise, that the enemy had drawn together a body, consisting
+of 20,000 men, with a design, as was supposed, to intercept the great
+convoy on the march towards Lille, which was safely arrived at Menin and
+Courtray, in its way to that place, the French having retired without
+making any attempt.
+
+We hear from the Hague, that a person of the first quality is arrived in
+the Low Countries from France, in order to be a plenipotentiary in an
+ensuing treaty of peace.
+
+Letters from France acknowledge, that Monsieur Bernard has made no
+higher offers of satisfaction to his creditors than of L35 per cent.
+
+These advices add, that the Marshal Boufflers, Monsieur Torcy (who
+distinguished himself formerly, by advising the Court of France to
+adhere to the treaty of partition), and Monsieur d'Harcourt (who
+negotiated with Cardinal Portocarrero for the succession of the crown of
+Spain in the House of Bourbon), are all three joined in a commission for
+a treaty of peace. The Marshal is come to Ghent: the other two are
+arrived at the Hague.
+
+It is confidently reported here that the Right Honourable the Lord
+Townshend is to go with his Grace the Duke of Marlborough into
+Holland.[162]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 152: Congreve's first play, produced in 1693. See also No.
+193. This piece is attacked in Jeremy Collier's "Short View of the
+Profaneness and Immorality of the English Stage," 1698.]
+
+[Footnote 153: Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 154: A Scotch physician in the reigns of Charles I. and
+Charles II. An advertisement of his "famous Scots Pills" requested the
+public to beware of counterfeits, especially an ignorant pretender, one
+Muffen, who kept a china-shop.]
+
+[Footnote 155: "Henley would fain have me to go with Steele and Rowe,
+&c., to an invitation at Sir William Read's. Surely you have heard of
+him. He has been a mountebank, and is the Queen's oculist; he makes
+admirable punch, and treats you in gold vessels. But I am engaged, and
+won't go; neither indeed am I fond of the jaunt" (Swift's "Journal,"
+April 11, 1711). Read was knighted in 1705, for services done in curing
+soldiers and sailors of blindness gratis. Beginning life as a tailor, he
+became Queen Anne's oculist in ordinary, and died in 1715. See
+_Spectator_, No. 547.]
+
+[Footnote 156: Rozelli, the inventor of a specific for the gout, died at
+the Hague. In No. 33 was an advertisement of the "Memoirs of the Life
+and Adventures of Signior Rozelli, at the Hague, giving a particular
+account of his birth, education, slavery, monastic state, imprisonment
+in the Inquisition at Rome, and the different figures he has since made,
+as well in Italy, as in France and Holland.... Done into English from
+the second edition of the French." This work, like the continuation of
+1724, has been wrongly attributed to Defoe. Rozelli advertised in the
+_London Gazette_, for July 19, 1709, that the book was entirely
+fictitious, and a libel upon his character.]
+
+[Footnote 157: We learn from Ben Jonson, that Scoggan, or Skogan, was
+M.A., and lived in the time of Henry IV. "He made disguises for the
+King's sons, writ in ballad-royal daintily well, and was regarded and
+rewarded." Jonson calls him the moral Skogan; and introduces him with
+Skelton, the poet laureate of Henry VIII., into his Masque, entitled
+"The Fortunate Isles," where he keeps them in character, and makes them
+rhyme in their own manner.]
+
+[Footnote 158: 7 Anne, cap. 5, was an "Act for naturalising Foreign
+Protestants." After the preamble, "Whereas many strangers of the
+Protestant or reformed religion would be induced to transport themselves
+and their estates into this kingdom, if they might be made partakers of
+the advantages and privileges which the natural-born subjects thereof do
+enjoy," it was enacted that all persons taking the oaths, and making and
+subscribing the declaration appointed by 6 Anne, cap. 23, should be
+deemed natural-born subjects; but no person was to have the benefit of
+this Act unless he received the sacrament. The Act was repealed by 10
+Anne, c. 5, because "divers mischiefs and inconveniences have been found
+by experience to follow from the same, to the discouragement of the
+natural-born subjects of this kingdom, and to the detriment of the trade
+and wealth thereof."]
+
+[Footnote 159: It has been alleged that there is here an allusion to the
+Duke of Ormond, whose servants enriched themselves at their master's
+expense (see _Examiner_, vol. iii. p. 48). But in the _Guardian_, No.
+53, Steele, writing in his own name, declared that the character of
+Timon was not disgraceful, and that when he drew it he thought it
+resembled himself more than any one else.]
+
+[Footnote 160: The tucker, an edging round the top of a low dress, began
+to be discontinued about 1713, as appears from complaints in the
+_Guardian_, _passim_.]
+
+[Footnote 161: "William Noye, of St. Burian in Cornwall, gentleman, was
+made Attorney-General in 1631; his will is dated June 3, 1634, about a
+month or six weeks before his death. The expedient did not operate an
+alteration in his son so altogether favourable; for within two years
+Edward was slain in a duel by one Captain Byron, who was pardoned for
+it" (Wood's "Athen. Oxon." 1691, i. 506). Noye's character is drawn in
+the first book of Clarendon's "History of the Civil War."]
+
+[Footnote 162: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received the epistles of Mrs.
+Rebecca Wagstaff, Timothy Pikestaff and Wagstaff, which he will
+acknowledge farther as occasion shall serve" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 10. [STEELE.
+
+By Mrs.[163] JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Saturday, April 30_, to _Tuesday, May 3_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 1.
+
+My brother Isaac having a sudden occasion to go out of town, ordered me
+to take upon me the despatch of the next advices from home, with liberty
+to speak it my own way; not doubting the allowances which would be given
+to a writer of my sex. You may be sure I undertook it with much
+satisfaction, and I confess, I am not a little pleased with the
+opportunity of running over all the papers in his closet, which he has
+left open for my use on this occasion. The first that I lay my hands on,
+is, a treatise concerning "The Empire of Beauty," and the effects it
+has had in all nations of the world, upon the public and private actions
+of men; with an appendix, which he calls, "The Bachelor's Scheme for
+Governing his Wife." The first thing he makes this gentleman propose,
+is, that she shall be no woman; for she is to have an aversion to balls,
+to operas, to visits: she is to think his company sufficient to fill up
+all the hours of life with great satisfaction: she is never to believe
+any other man wise, learned, or valiant; or at least but in a second
+degree. In the next place, he intends she shall be a cuckold; but
+expects, that he himself must live in perfect security from that terror.
+He dwells a great while on instructions for her discreet behaviour, in
+case of his falsehood. I have not patience with these unreasonable
+expectations, therefore turn back to the treatise itself. Here, indeed,
+my brother deduces all the revolutions among men from the passion of
+love; and in his preface, answers that usual observation against us,
+that there is no quarrel without a woman in it, with a gallant
+assertion, that there is nothing else worth quarrelling for. My brother
+is of a complexion truly amorous; all his thoughts and actions carry in
+them a tincture of that obliging inclination; and this turn has opened
+his eyes to see, we are not the inconsiderable creatures which unlucky
+pretenders to our favour would insinuate. He observes that no man begins
+to make any tolerable figure, till he sets out with the hopes of
+pleasing some one of us. No sooner he takes that in hand, but he pleases
+every one else by-the-bye. It has an immediate effect upon his
+behaviour. There is Colonel Ranter, who never spoke without an oath,
+till he saw the Lady Betty Modish;[164] now never gives his man an
+order, but it is, "Pray, Tom, do it." The drawers where he drinks live
+in perfect happiness. He asked Will at the "George" the other day how he
+did? Where he used to say, "Damn it, it is so," he now believes there is
+some mistake: he must confess, he is of another opinion; but however he
+won't insist.
+
+Every temper, except downright insipid, is to be animated and softened
+by the influence of beauty: but of this untractable sort is a lifeless
+handsome fellow that visits us, whom I have dressed at this twelvemonth;
+but he is as insensible of all the arts I use, as if he conversed all
+that time with his nurse. He outdoes our whole sex in all the faults our
+enemies impute to us; he has brought laziness into an opinion, and makes
+his indolence his philosophy: insomuch, that no longer ago than
+yesterday in the evening he gave me this account of himself: "I am,
+madam, perfectly unmoved at all that passes among men, and seldom give
+myself the fatigue of going among them; but when I do, I always appear
+the same thing to those whom I converse with. My hours of existence, or
+being awake, are from eleven in the morning to eleven at night; half of
+which I live to myself, in picking my teeth, washing my hands, paring my
+nails, and looking in the glass. The insignificancy of my manners to the
+rest of the world makes the laughers call me a _quidnunc_, a phrase I
+shall never inquire what they mean by it. The last of me each night is
+at St. James's Coffee-house, where I converse, yet never fall into a
+dispute on any occasion, but leave the understanding I have, passive of
+all that goes through it, without entering into the business of life.
+And thus, madam, have I arrived by laziness, to what others pretend to
+by devotion, a perfect neglect of the world." Sure, if our sex had the
+liberty of frequenting public-houses and conversations, we should put
+these rivals of our faults and follies out of countenance. However, we
+shall soon have the pleasure of being acquainted with them one way or
+other, for my brother Isaac designs, for the use of our sex, to give the
+exact characters of all the chief politicians who frequent any of the
+coffee-houses from St. James's to the Change; but designs to begin with
+that cluster of wise heads, as they are found sitting every evening,
+from the left side of the fire, at the Smyrna,[165] to the door. This
+will be of great service for us, and I have authority to promise an
+exact journal of their deliberations; the publication of which I am to
+be allowed for pin-money. In the meantime, I cast my eye upon a new
+book, which gave me a more pleasing entertainment, being a sixth part of
+"Miscellany Poems," published by Jacob Tonson,[166] which I find, by my
+brother's notes upon it, no way inferior to the other volumes. There
+are, it seems, in this, a collection of the best pastorals that have
+hitherto appeared in England; but among them, none superior to that
+dialogue between Sylvia and Dorinda, written by one of my own sex,[167]
+where all our little weaknesses are laid open in a manner more just,
+and with, truer raillery than ever man yet hit upon.
+
+    _Only this I now discern.
+    From the things thou'st have me learn;
+    That womankind's peculiar joys
+    From past or present beauties rise._
+
+But to reassume my first design, there cannot be a greater instance of
+the command of females, than in the prevailing charms of the heroine in
+the play which was acted this night, called "All for Love; or, The World
+Well Lost."[168] The enamoured Antony resigns glory and power to the
+force of the attractive Cleopatra, whose charms were the defence of her
+diadem, against a people otherwise invincible. It is so natural for
+women to talk of themselves, that it is to be hoped all my own sex, at
+least, will pardon me, that I could fall into no other discourse. If we
+have their favour, we give ourselves very little anxiety for the rest of
+our readers. I believe I see a sentence of Latin in my brother's
+day-book of wit, which seems applicable on this occasion, and in
+contempt of the critics.
+
+      --_Tristitiam et metus
+    Tradam protectis in mare Criticum
+    Portare ventis._[169]
+
+But I am interrupted by a packet from Mr. Kidney,[170] from the St.
+James's Coffee-house, which I am obliged to insert in the very style and
+words which Mr. Kidney uses in his letter.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 2.
+
+We are advised by letters from Berne, dated the 1st instant, N.S., that
+the Duke of Berwick arrived at Lyons the 25th of the last month, and
+continued his journey the next day to visit the passes of the mountains,
+and other posts in Dauphine and Provence. These letters also informed
+us, that the miseries of the people in France are heightened to that
+degree, that unless a peace be speedily concluded, half of that kingdom
+would perish for want of bread. On the 24th, the Marshal de Thesse
+passed through Lyons, in his way to Versailles; and two battalions,
+which were marching from Alsace to reinforce the army of the Duke of
+Berwick, passed also through that place. Those troops were to be
+followed by six Battalions more.
+
+Letters from Naples of the 16th of April say, that the Marquis de Prie's
+son was arrived there, with instructions from his father, to signify to
+the viceroy the necessity his Imperial Majesty was under, of desiring an
+aid from that kingdom, for carrying on the extraordinary expenses of the
+war. On the 14th of the same month, they made a review of the Spanish
+troops in that garrison, and afterwards of the marines; one part of whom
+will embark with those designed for Barcelona, and the rest are to be
+sent on board the galleys appointed to convoy provisions to that place.
+
+We hear from Rome, by letters dated the 20th of April, that the Count de
+Mellos, envoy from the King of Portugal, had made his public entry into
+that city with much state and magnificence. The Pope has lately held two
+other consistories, wherein he made a promotion of two cardinals; but
+the acknowledgment of King Charles is still deferred.
+
+Letters from other parts of Italy advise us, that the Doge of Venice
+continues dangerously ill: that the Prince de Carignan, having relapsed
+into a violent fever, died the 23rd of April, in his 80th year.
+
+Advices from Vienna of the 27th of April import, that the Archbishop of
+Saltzburg is dead, who is succeeded by Count Harrach, formerly Bishop of
+Vienna, and for these last three years coadjutor to the said Archbishop;
+and that Prince Maximilian of Lichtenstein has likewise departed this
+life, at his country seat called Cromaw in Moravia. These advices add,
+that the Emperor has named Count Zinzendorf, Count Goes, and Monsieur
+Consbruck, for his plenipotentiaries in an ensuing treaty of peace; and
+they hear from Hungary, that the Imperialists have had several
+successful skirmishes with the malcontents.
+
+Letters from Paris, dated May the 6th, say, that the Marshal de Thesse
+arrived there on the 29th of the last month; and that the Chevalier de
+Beuil was sent thither by Don Pedro Ronquillo with advice, that the
+confederate squadron appeared before Alicante the 17th, and having for
+some time cannonaded the city, endeavoured to land some troops for the
+relief of the castle; but General Stanhope finding the passes well
+guarded, and the enterprise dangerous, demanded to capitulate for the
+castle; which being granted him, the garrison, consisting of 600 regular
+troops, marched out with their arms and baggage the day following; and
+being received on board, they immediately set sail for Barcelona. These
+letters add, that the march of the French and Swiss regiments is further
+deferred for a few days; and that the Duke of Noailles was just ready to
+set out for Roussillon, as well as the Count de Bezons for Catalonia.
+
+The same advices say, bread was sold at Paris for 6d. per pound; and
+that there was not half enough, even at that rate, to supply the
+necessities of the people, which reduced them to the utmost despair;
+that 300 men had taken up arms, and having plundered the market of the
+suburb St. Germain, pressed down by their multitude the King's Guards
+who opposed them. Two of those mutineers were afterwards seized, and
+condemned to death; but four others went to the magistrate who
+pronounced that sentence, and told him, he must expect to answer with
+his own life for those of their comrades. All order and sense of
+government being thus lost among the enraged people, to keep up a show
+of authority, the captain of the Guards, who saw all their insolence,
+pretended, that he had represented to the King their deplorable
+condition, and had obtained their pardon. It is further reported, that
+the Dauphin and Duchess of Burgundy, as they went to the Opera, were
+surrounded by crowds of people, who upbraided them with their neglect of
+the general calamity, in going to diversions, when the whole people were
+ready to perish for want of bread. Edicts are daily published to
+suppress these riots, and papers, with menaces against the Government,
+are publicly thrown about. Among others, these words were dropped in a
+court of justice: "France wants a Ravilliac or a Jesuit to deliver her."
+Besides this universal distress, there is a contagious sickness, which,
+it is feared, will end in a pestilence. Letters from Bordeaux bring
+accounts no less lamentable: the peasants are driven by hunger from
+their abodes into that city, and make lamentations in the streets
+without redress.
+
+We are advised by letters from the Hague, dated the 10th instant, N.S.,
+that on the 6th, the Marquis de Torcy arrived there from Paris; but the
+passport, by which he came, having been sent blank by Monsieur Rouille,
+he was there two days before his quality was known. That Minister
+offered to communicate to Monsieur Heinsius the proposals which he had
+to make; but the pensionary refused to see them, and said, he would
+signify it to the States, who deputed some of their own body to acquaint
+him, That they would enter into no negotiation till the arrival of his
+Grace the Duke of Marlborough, and the other Ministers of the Alliance.
+Prince Eugene was expected there the 12th instant from Brussels. It is
+said, that besides Monsieur de Torcy and Monsieur Pajot,
+Director-general of the Posts, there are two or three persons at the
+Hague whose names are not known; but it is supposed that the Duke
+d'Alba, ambassador from the Duke of Anjou, was one of them. The States
+have sent letters to all the cities of the Provinces, desiring them to
+send their deputies to receive the propositions of peace made by the
+Court of France.[171]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 163: The word "Miss" was still confined, in Steele's day, to
+very young girls or to young women of giddy or doubtful character. Thus
+Pastorella in No. 9 is called "Miss," and similarly we find "Miss Gruel"
+in No. 33. In the "Original Letters to the _Tatler_ and _Spectator_,"
+printed by Charles Lillie (i. 223) there is a "Table of the Titles and
+Distinctions of Women," from which what follows is extracted. "Let all
+country-gentlewomen, without regard to more or less fortune, content
+themselves with being addressed by the style of 'Mrs.' Let 'Madam'
+govern independently in the city, &c. Let no women after the known age
+of 21 presume to admit of her being called 'Miss,' unless she can fairly
+prove she is not out of her sampler. Let every common maid-servant be
+plain 'Jane,' 'Doll,' or 'Sue,' and let the better-born and
+higher-placed be distinguished by 'Mrs. Patience,' 'Mrs. Prue,' or 'Mrs.
+Abigail.'"]
+
+[Footnote 164: Perhaps there is here an illusion to Mrs. Anne Oldfield
+(died 1730), and Brigadier-General Charles Churchill, brother of the
+Duke of Marlborough. Mrs. Oldfield acted as Lady Betty Modish in
+Cibber's "Careless Husband," a part which was not only written for, but
+copied from her. Her son by Churchill married Lady Mary Walpole.]
+
+[Footnote 165: A coffee-house in Pall Mall. Swift and Prior frequented
+it: "Prior and I came away at nine, and sat at the Smyrna till eleven
+receiving acquaintance." "I walked a little in the Park till Prior made
+me go with him to the Smyrna Coffee-house."--("Journal to Stella," Oct.
+15, 1710; Feb. 19, 1711.)]
+
+[Footnote 166: The sixth and last volume of the "Dryden" Miscellany
+Poems was published by Tonson in 1709. The elder Tonson, who was founder
+and secretary of the Kit Cat Club, died in 1736.]
+
+[Footnote 167: By Elizabeth Singer, who became Mrs. Rowe in 1710, and
+died in 1737. Besides poems which gained for her the friendship of
+Prior, Dr. Watts, and Bishop Ken, she published "Friendship in Death, in
+twenty letters from the Dead to the Living," and "Letters Moral and
+Entertaining."]
+
+[Footnote 168: Dryden's version of "Antony and Cleopatra" was produced
+in 1673.]
+
+[Footnote 169: Horace, 1 Od. xxvi. 2. The joke consists in Mrs. Jenny
+Distaff mistaking Horace's "Creticum" for "Criticum," and so misapplying
+the passage.]
+
+[Footnote 170: See No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 171: "In the absence of Mr. Bickerstaff, Mrs. Distaff has
+received Mr. Nathaniel Broomstick's letter" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 11. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Tuesday May 3,_ to _Thursday, May 5_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 3.
+
+A kinsman[172] has sent me a letter, wherein he informs me, he had
+lately resolved to write an heroic poem, but by business had been
+interrupted, and has only made one similitude, which he should be
+afflicted to have wholly lost, and begs of me to apply it to something,
+being very desirous to see it well placed in the world. I am so willing
+to help the distressed, that I have taken it in; but though his greater
+genius might very well distinguish his verses from mine, I have marked
+where his begin. His lines are a description of the sun in eclipse,
+which I know nothing more like than a brave man in sorrow, who bears it
+as he should, without imploring the pity of his friends, or being
+dejected with the contempt of his enemies. As in the case of Cato:
+
+    When all the globe to Caesar's fortune bowed,
+    Cato alone his empire disallowed;
+    With inborn strength alone opposed mankind,
+    With heaven in view, to all below it blind:
+    Regardless of his friend's applause, or moan,
+    Alone triumphant, since he falls alone.
+
+    "Thus when the Ruler of the genial day,
+    Behind some darkening planet forms his way,
+    Desponding mortals, with officious care,
+    The concave drum, and magic brass prepare;
+    Implore him to sustain the important fight,
+    And save depending worlds from endless night.
+    Fondly they hope their labour may avail,
+    To ease his conflict, and assist his toil.
+    Whilst he in beams of native splendour bright, }
+    (Though dark his orb appear to human sight)    }
+    Shines to the gods with more diffusive light.  }
+    To distant stars with equal glory burns,
+    Inflames their lamps, and feeds their golden urns.
+    Sure to retain his known superior tract,
+    And proves the more illustrious by defect."
+
+This is a very lively image; but I must take the liberty to say, my
+kinsman drives the sun a little like Phaeton: he has all the warmth of
+Phoebus, but won't stay for his direction of it. Avail and toil, defect
+and tract, will never do for rhymes. But, however, he has the true
+spirit in him; for which reason I was willing to entertain anything he
+pleased to send me. The subject which he writes upon, naturally raises
+great reflections in the soul, and puts us in mind of the mixed
+condition which we mortals are to support; which, as it varies to good
+or bad, adorns or defaces our actions to the beholders: All which glory
+and shame must end in what we so much repine at, death. But doctrines on
+this occasion, any other than that of living well, are the most
+insignificant and most empty of all the labours of men. None but a
+tragedian can die by rule, and wait till he discovers a plot, or says a
+fine thing upon his exit. In real life, this is a chimera; and by noble
+spirits, it will be done decently, without the ostentation of it. We see
+men of all conditions and characters go through it with equal
+resolution: and if we consider the speeches of the mighty philosophers,
+heroes, law-givers, and great captains, they can produce no more in a
+discerning spirit, than rules to make a man a fop on his death-bed.
+Commend me to that natural greatness of soul, expressed by an innocent,
+and consequently resolute, country fellow, who said in the pains of the
+colic, "If I once get this breath out of my body, you shall hang me
+before you put it in again." Honest Ned! and so he died.[173]
+
+But it is to be supposed, from this place you may expect an account of
+such a thing as a new play is not to be omitted. That acted this night
+is the newest that ever was writ. The author is my ingenious friend Mr.
+Thomas D----y. The drama is called, "The Modern Prophets,"[174] and is a
+most unanswerable satire against the late spirit of enthusiasm. The
+writer had by long experience observed, that in company, very grave
+discourses have been followed by bawdry; and therefore has turned the
+humour that way with great success, and taken from his audience all
+manner of superstition, by the agitations of pretty Mrs. Bignell,[175]
+whom he has, with great subtlety, made a lay-sister, as well as a
+prophetess; by which means, she carries on the affairs of both worlds
+with great success. My friend designs to go on with another work against
+winter, which he intends to call, "The Modern Poets"; a people no less
+mistaken in their opinions of being inspired than the other. In order to
+this, he has by him seven songs, besides many ambiguities, which cannot
+be mistaken for anything but what he means them. Mr. D----y generally
+writes state-plays, and is wonderfully useful to the world in such
+representations. This method is the same that was used by old Athenians,
+to laugh out of countenance, or promote opinions among the people. My
+friend has therefore, against this play is acted for his own benefit,
+made two dances, which may be also of an universal benefit. In the first
+he has represenced absolute power, in the person of a tall man with a
+hat and feather, who gives his first minister, that stands just before
+him, a huge kick: the minister gives the kick to the next before; and so
+to the end of the stage. In this moral and practical jest, you are made
+to understand, that there is, in an absolute government, no
+gratification, but giving the kick you receive from one above you to one
+below you. This is performed to a grave and melancholy air; but on a
+sudden the tune moves quicker, and the whole company fall into a circle
+and take hands; then, at a certain sharp note, they move round, and kick
+as kick can. This latter performance he makes to be the representation
+of a free state; where, if you all mind your steps, you may go round and
+round very jollily, with a motion pleasant to yourselves and those you
+dance with: nay, if you put yourselves out, at the worst you only kick,
+and are kicked, like friends and equals.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 4.
+
+Of all the vanities under the sun, I confess, that of being proud of
+one's birth is the greatest. At the same time, since in this
+unreasonable age, by the force of prevailing custom, things in which men
+have no hand are imputed to them; and that I am used by some people, as
+if Isaac Bickerstaff, though I write myself "Esquire," was nobody: to
+set the world right in that particular, I shall give you my genealogy,
+as a kinsman of ours has sent it me from the Heralds' Office. It is
+certain, and observed by the wisest writers, that there are women who
+are not nicely chaste, and men not severely honest in all families;
+therefore let those who may be apt to raise aspersions upon ours, please
+to give us as impartial an account of their own, and we shall be
+satisfied. The business of heralds is a matter of so great nicety, that
+to avoid mistakes, I shall give you my cousin's letter verbatim, without
+altering a syllable.[176]
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"Since you have been pleased to make yourself so famous of late, by your
+ingenious writings, and some time ago by your learned Predictions: since
+Partridge, of immortal memory, is dead and gone, who, poetical as he
+was, could not understand his own poetry; and philomathical as he was,
+could not read his own destiny: since the Pope, the King of France, and
+great part of his Court, are either literally or metaphorically defunct:
+since, I say, these things (not foretold by any one but yourself) have
+come to pass after so surprising a manner; it is with no small concern I
+see the original of the Staffian race so little known in the world as it
+is at this time; for which reason, as you have employed your studies in
+astronomy and the occult sciences, so I, my mother being a Welsh woman,
+dedicated mine to genealogy, particularly that of our own family, which,
+for its antiquity and number, may challenge any in Great Britain. The
+Staffs are originally of Staffordshire, which took its name from them:
+the first that I find of the Staffs was one Jacobstaff, a famous and
+renowned astronomer, who by Dorothy his wife, had issue seven sons;
+viz., Bickerstaff, Longstaff, Wagstaff, Quarterstaff, Whitestaff,
+Falstaff, and Tipstaff. He also had a younger brother who was twice
+married, and had five sons; viz., Distaff, Pikestaff, Mopstaff,
+Broomstaff, and Raggedstaff. As for the branch from whence you spring,
+I shall say very little of it, only that it is the chief of the Staffs,
+and called Bickerstaff, _quasi_ Biggerstaff; as much as to say, the
+great staff, or staff of staffs; and that it has applied itself to
+astronomy with great success, after the example of our aforesaid
+forefather. The descendants from Longstaff, the second son, were a
+rakish disorderly sort of people, and rambled from one place to another,
+till in Harry II.'s time they settled in Kent, and were called
+Long-tails, from the long tails which were sent them as a punishment for
+the murder of Thomas-a-Becket, as the legends say; they have been always
+sought after by the ladies; but whether it be to show their aversion to
+popery, or their love to miracles, I can't say. The Wagstaffs are a
+merry thoughtless sort of people, who have always been opinionated of
+their own wit; they have turned themselves mostly to poetry. This is the
+most numerous branch of our family, and the poorest. The Quarterstaffs
+are most of them prize-fighters or deer-stealers. There have been so
+many of them hanged lately, that there are very few of that branch of
+our family left. The Whitestaffs[177] are all courtiers, and have had
+very considerable places: there have been some of them of that strength
+and dexterity, that five hundred of the ablest men in the kingdom[178]
+have often tugged in vain to pull a staff out of their hands. The
+Falstaffs are strangely given to whoring and drinking: there are
+abundance of them in and about London. And one thing is very remarkable
+of this branch, and that is, there are just as many women as men in it.
+There was a wicked stick of wood of this name in Harry IV.'s time, one
+Sir John Falstaff. As for Tipstaff, the youngest son, he was an honest
+fellow; but his sons, and his sons' sons, have all of them been the
+veriest rogues living: it is this unlucky branch has stocked the nation
+with that swarm of lawyers, attorneys, serjeants, and bailiffs, with
+which the nation is overrun. Tipstaff, being a seventh son, used to cure
+the king's evil; but his rascally descendants are so far from having
+that healing quality, that by a touch upon the shoulder, they give a man
+such an ill habit of body, that he can never come abroad afterwards.
+This is all I know of the line of Jacobstaff: his younger brother
+Isaacstaff, as I told you before, had five sons, and was married twice;
+his first wife was a Staff (for they did not stand upon false heraldry
+in those days), by whom he had one son, who in process of time, being a
+schoolmaster, and well read in the Greek, called himself Distaff or
+Twicestaff: he was not very rich, so he put his children out to trades;
+and the Distaffs have ever since been employed in the woollen and linen
+manufactures, except myself, who am a genealogist. Pikestaff, the eldest
+son by the second venter, was a man of business, a downright plodding
+fellow, and withal so plain, that he became a proverb. Most of this
+family are at present in the army. Raggedstaff was an unlucky boy, and
+used to tear his clothes getting birds' nests, and was always playing
+with a tame bear his father kept. Mopstaff fell in love with one of his
+father's maids, and used to help her to clean the house. Broomstaff was
+a chimney-sweeper. The Mopstaffs and Broomstaffs are naturally as civil
+people as ever went out of doors; but alas! if they once get into ill
+hands, they knock down all before them. Pilgrimstaff run away from his
+friends, and went strolling about the country: and Pipestaff was a
+wine-cooper. These two were the unlawful issue of Longstaff.
+
+"N.B. The Canes, the Clubs, the Cudgels, the Wands, the Devil upon two
+Sticks, and one Bread, that goes by the name of Staff of Life, are none
+of our relations.
+
+"I am, dear Cousin,
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "D. DISTAFF.
+
+"From the Heralds' Office, _May 1_."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 4.
+
+As politic news is not the principal subject on which we treat, we are
+so happy as to have no occasion for that art of cookery, which our
+brother-newsmongers so much excel in; as appears by their excellent and
+inimitable manner of dressing up a second time for your taste the same
+dish which they gave you the day before, in case there come over no new
+pickles from Holland. Therefore, when we have nothing to say to you from
+courts and camps, we hope still to give you somewhat new and curious
+from ourselves: the women of our house, upon occasion, being capable of
+carrying on the business, according to the laudable custom of the wives
+in Holland; but, without further preface, take what we have not
+mentioned in our former relations.
+
+Letters from Hanover of the 30th of the last month say, that the Prince
+Royal of Prussia arrived there on the 15th, and left that Court on the
+2nd of this month, in pursuit of his journey to Flanders, where he makes
+the ensuing campaign. Those advices add, that the young Prince Nassau,
+hereditary governor of Friesland, consummated on the 26th of the last
+month his marriage with the beauteous princess of Hesse-Cassel, with a
+pomp and magnificence suitable to their age and quality.
+
+Letters from Paris say, his most Christian Majesty retired to Marli on
+the 1st instant, N.S., and our last advices from Spain inform us, that
+the Prince of Asturias had made his public entry into Madrid in great
+splendour. The Duke of Anjou has given Don Joseph Hartado de Amaraga the
+government of Terra-Firma de Veragua, and the presidency of Panama in
+America. They add, That the forces commanded by the Marquis de Bay had
+been reinforced by six battalions of Spanish and Walloon guards. Letters
+from Lisbon advise, That the army of the King of Portugal was at Elvas
+on the 22nd of the last month, and would decamp on the 24th, in order to
+march upon the enemy, who lay at Badajos.
+
+Yesterday, at four in the morning, his Grace the Duke of Marlborough set
+out for Margate, and embarked for Holland at eight this morning.
+
+Yesterday also, Sir George Thorold was declared Alderman of Cordwainers'
+Ward, in the room of his brother Sir Charles Thorold, deceased.[179]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 172: Jabez Hughes (died 1731), the author of these verses, was
+the younger brother of John Hughes. He published several translations,
+and his "Miscellanies in Verse and Prose" appeared in 1737.]
+
+[Footnote 173: "Honest Ned" was a farmer on the estate of Anthony
+Henley, who mentions this saying in a letter to Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 174: D'Urfey's "Modern Prophets" attacked the enthusiasts
+known as "French Prophets," who were in the habit of assembling in
+Moorfields to exert their alleged gifts. Lord Chesterfield says that the
+Government took no steps, except to direct Powell, the puppet-show man,
+to make Punch turn prophet, which he did so well, that it put an end to
+the fanatics.]
+
+[Footnote 175: See No. 3.]
+
+[Footnote 176: The letter is by Heneage Twysden. (See Steele's Preface.)
+Heneage Twysden was the seventh son of Sir William Twysden, Bart., of
+Roydon Hall, East Peckham, Kent. At the time of his death (1709, aged
+29) he was a captain of foot in Sir Richard Temple's Regiment, and
+aide-de-camp to John, Duke of Argyle. Near his monument in the north
+aisle of the Abbey are two other small ones to the memory of his
+brothers Josiah and John. Josiah, a captain of foot, was killed in
+Flanders in 1708, in his 23rd year; John was a lieutenant in the
+admiral's ship, under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, and perished with him in
+1707, in his 24th year. [Chalmers.]--Heneage Twysden was killed at the
+battle of Blarequies.]
+
+[Footnote 177: The allusion is to the staff carried by the First Lord of
+the Treasury.]
+
+[Footnote 178: The House of Commons.]
+
+[Footnote 179: "Any ladies who have any particular stories of their
+acquaintance, which they are willing privately to make public, may send
+them by the penny-post to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., enclosed to Mr. John
+Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 12. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 5_, to _Saturday, May 7_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+May 5.
+
+When a man has engaged to keep a stage-coach, he is obliged, whether he
+has passengers or not, to set out: thus it fares with us weekly
+historians; but indeed, for my particular, I hope I shall soon have
+little more to do in this work, than to publish what is sent me from
+such as have leisure and capacity for giving delight, and being pleased
+in an elegant manner. The present grandeur of the British nation might
+make us expect, that we should rise in our public diversions, and manner
+of enjoying life, in proportion to our advancement in glory and power.
+Instead of that, take and survey this town, and you'll find, rakes and
+debauchees are your men of pleasure; thoughtless atheists, and
+illiterate drunkards, call themselves free thinkers; and gamesters,
+banterers, biters,[180] swearers, and twenty new-born insects more, are,
+in their several species, the modern men of wit. Hence it is, that a man
+who has been out of town but one half-year, has lost the language, and
+must have some friend to stand by him, and keep him in countenance for
+talking common sense. To-day I saw a short interlude at White's of this
+nature, which I took notes of, and put together as well as I could in a
+public place. The persons of the drama are, Pip, the last gentleman that
+has been made so at cards; Trimmer, a person half undone at them, and is
+now between a cheat and a gentleman; Acorn, an honest Englishman, of
+good plain sense and meaning; and Mr. Friendly, a reasonable man of the
+town.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 5.
+
+[_Enter_ PIP, TRIM, _and_ ACORN.
+
+AC. What's the matter, gentlemen? What! Take no notice of an old friend?
+
+PIP. Pox on it! don't talk to me, I am voweled by the Count, and
+cursedly out of humour.
+
+AC. Voweled! Prithee, Trimmer, what does he mean by that?
+
+TRIM. Have a care, Harry, speak softly; don't show your ignorance:--If
+you do, they'll bite you where-e'er they meet you; they are such cursed
+curs,--the present wits.
+
+AC. Bite me! What do you mean?
+
+PIP. Why! Don't you know what biting is? Nay, you are in the right on
+it. However, one would learn it only to defend oneself against men of
+wit, as one would know the tricks of play, to be secure against the
+cheats. But don't you hear, Acorn, that report, that some potentates of
+the Alliance have taken care of themselves, exclusive of us?
+
+AC. How! Heaven forbid! After all our glorious victories; all this
+expense of blood and treasure!
+
+PIP. Bite--
+
+AC. Bite! How?
+
+TRIM. Nay, he has bit you fairly enough; that's certain.
+
+AC. Pox! I don't feel it--how? Where?
+
+[_Exit_ PIP _and_ TRIMMER, _laughing._
+
+AC. Ho! Mr. Friendly, your most humble servant; you heard what passed
+between those fine gentlemen and me. Pip complained to me, that he has
+been voweled; and they tell me, I am bit.
+
+FRIEND. You are to understand, sir, that simplicity of behaviour, which
+is the perfection of good breeding and good sense, is utterly lost in
+the world; and in the room of it, there are started a thousand little
+inventions, which men, barren of better things, take up in the place of
+it. Thus, for every character in conversation that used to please, there
+is an impostor put upon you. Him whom we allowed formerly for a certain
+pleasant subtilty, and natural way of giving you an unexpected hit,
+called a droll, is now mimicked by a biter, who is a dull fellow, that
+tells you a lie with a grave face, and laughs at you for knowing him no
+better than to believe him. Instead of that sort of companion, who could
+rally you, and keep his countenance, till he made you fall into some
+little inconsistency of behaviour, at which you yourself could laugh
+with him, you have the sneerer, who will keep you company from morning
+to night, to gather your follies of the day (which perhaps you commit
+out of confidence in him), and expose you in the evening to all the
+scorners in town. For your man of sense and free spirit, whose set of
+thoughts were built upon learning, reason, and experience, you have now
+an impudent creature made up of vice only, who supports his ignorance by
+his courage, and want of learning by contempt of it.
+
+AC. Dear sir, hold: what you have told me already of this change in
+conversation, is too miserable to be heard with any delight; but,
+methinks, as these new creatures appear in the world, it might give an
+excellent field to writers for the stage, to divert us with the
+representation of them there.
+
+FRIEND. No, no: as you say, there might be some hopes of redress of
+these grievances, if there were proper care taken of the theatre; but
+the history of that is yet more lamentable than that of the decay of
+conversation I gave you.
+
+AC. Pray, sir, a little: I haven't been in town these six years, till
+within this fortnight.
+
+FRIEND. It is now some years since several revolutions in the gay world
+had made the empire of the stage subject to very fatal convulsions,
+which were too dangerous to be cured by the skill of little King
+Oberon,[181] who then sat in the throne of it. The laziness of this
+prince threw him upon the choice of a person who was fit to spend his
+life in contentions, an able and profound attorney, to whom he mortgaged
+his whole empire. This Divito[182] is the most skilful of all
+politicians: he has a perfect art in being unintelligible in discourse,
+and uncomeatable in business. But he having no understanding in this
+polite way, brought in upon us, to get in his money,
+ladder-dancers,[183] rope-dancers, jugglers, and mountebanks, to strut
+in the place of Shakespeare's heroes, and Jonson's humorists. When the
+seat of wit was thus mortgaged, without equity of redemption, an
+architect[184] arose, who has built the muse a new palace, but secured
+her no retinue; so that instead of action there, we have been put off
+by song and dance. This latter help of sound has also begun to fail for
+want of voices; therefore the palace has since been put into the hands
+of a surgeon,[185] who cuts any foreign fellow into an eunuch, and
+passes him upon us for a singer of Italy.
+
+AC. I'll go out of town to-morrow.
+
+FRIEND.[186] Things are come to this pass; and yet the world will not
+understand, that the theatre has much the same effect on the manners of
+the age, as the bank on the credit of the nation. Wit and spirit, humour
+and good sense, can never be revived, but under the government of those
+who are judges of such talents, who know, that whatever is put up in
+their stead, is but a short and trifling expedient, to support the
+appearance of them for a season. It is possible, a peace will give
+leisure to put these matters under new regulations; but at present, all
+the assistance we can see towards our recovery, is as far from giving us
+help, as a poultice is from performing what can be done only by the
+Grand Elixir.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 6.
+
+According to our late design in the applauded verses on the
+Morning,[187] which you lately had from hence, we proceed to improve
+that just intention, and present you with other labours, made proper to
+the place in which they were written. The following poem comes from
+Copenhagen, and is as fine a winter-piece as we have ever had from any
+of the schools of the most learned painters. Such images as these give
+us a new pleasure in our sight, and fix upon our minds traces of
+reflection, which accompany us whenever the like objects occur. In
+short, excellent poetry and description dwell upon us so agreeably, that
+all the readers of them are made to think, if not write, like men of
+wit. But it would be injury to detain you longer from this excellent
+performance, which is addressed to the Earl of Dorset by Mr.
+Philips,[188] the author of several choice poems in Mr. Tonson's new
+Miscellany.[189]
+
+                                            _Copenhagen, March 9_, 1709.
+    From frozen climes, and endless tracks of snow,
+    From streams that northern winds forbid to flow;
+    What present shall the muse to Dorset bring;
+    Or how, so near the Pole, attempt to sing?
+    The hoary winter here conceals from sight
+    All pleasing objects that to verse invite.
+    The hills and dales, and the delightful woods,
+    The flowery plains, and silver streaming floods,
+    By snow disguised, in bright confusion lie,
+    And with one dazzling waste fatigue the eye.
+
+    No gentle breathing breeze prepares the spring,
+    No birds within the desert region sing.
+    The ships unmoved the boisterous winds defy,
+    While rattling chariots o'er the ocean fly.
+    The vast leviathan wants room to play,
+    And spout his waters in the face of day.
+    The starving wolves along the main sea prowl,
+    And to the moon in icy valleys howl.
+    For many a shining league the level main
+    Here spreads itself into a glassy plain:
+    There solid billows of enormous size,
+    Alps of green ice, in wild disorder rise.
+
+    And yet but lately have I seen e'en here,
+    The winter in a lovely dress appear;
+    Ere yet the clouds let fall the treasured snow,
+    Or winds begun through hazy skies to blow.
+    At evening a keen eastern breeze arose;
+    And the descending rain unsullied froze.
+    Soon as the silent shades of night withdrew,
+    The ruddy morn disclosed at once to view
+    The face of nature in a rich disguise,
+    And brightened every object to my eyes.
+    For every shrub, and every blade of grass,
+    And every pointed thorn, seemed wrought in glass,
+    In pearls and rubies rich the hawthorns show,
+    While through the ice the crimson berries glow.
+    The thick-sprung reeds the watery marshes yield,
+    Seem polished lances in a hostile field.
+    The stag in limpid currents with surprise,
+    Sees crystal branches on his forehead rise.
+    The spreading oak, the beech, and towering pine,
+    Glazed over, in the freezing ether shine.
+    The frighted birds the rattling branches shun,
+    That wave and glitter in the distant sun.
+
+    When if a sudden gust of wind arise,
+    The brittle forest into atoms flies:
+    The crackling wood beneath the tempest bends,
+    And in a spangled shower the prospect ends.
+    Or if a southern gale the region warm,
+    And by degrees unbind the wintry charm;
+    The traveller a miry country sees,
+    And journeys sad beneath the dropping trees.
+
+    Like some deluded peasant, Merlin leads
+    Through fragrant bowers, and through delicious meads;
+    While here enchanted gardens to him rise,
+    And airy fabrics there attract his eyes,
+    His wandering feet the magic paths pursue;
+    And while he thinks the fair illusion true,
+    The trackless scenes disperse in fluid air,
+    And woods and wilds, and thorny ways appear:
+    A tedious road the weary wretch returns,
+    And, as he goes, the transient vision mourns.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 6.
+
+There has a mail this day arrived from Holland; but the matter of the
+advices importing rather what gives us great expectations, than any
+positive assurances, I shall, for this time, decline giving you what I
+know, and apply the following verses of Mr. Dryden, in the second part
+of "Almanzor," to the present circumstances of things, without
+discovering what my knowledge in astronomy suggests to me.
+
+    _When empire in its childhood first appears,
+    A watchful fate o'er sees its tender years:
+    Till grown more strong, it thrusts and stretches out,
+    And elbows all the kingdoms round about.
+    The place thus made for its first breathing free,
+    It moves again for ease and luxury;
+    Till swelling by degrees it has possest
+    The greater space, and now crowds up the rest.
+    When from behind there starts some petty state,
+    And pushes on its now unwieldy fate.
+    Then down the precipice of time it goes,
+    And sinks in minutes, which in ages rose._[190]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 180: "I'll teach you a way to outwit Mrs. Johnson; it is a
+new-fashioned way of being witty, and they call it a _bite_. You must
+ask a bantering question, or tell some damned lie in a serious manner,
+then she will answer, or speak as if you were in earnest, and then cry
+you, 'Madam, there's a _bite_.' I would not have you undervalue this,
+for it is the constant amusement in Court, and everywhere else among the
+great people; and I let you know it, in order to have it obtain among
+you, and to teach you a new refinement" (Swift's "Journal"). See the
+_Spectator_, Nos. 47, 504: "_A Biter_ is one who tells you a thing you
+have no reason to disbelieve in itself; and perhaps has given you,
+before he bit you, no reason to disbelieve it for his saying it; and if
+you give him credit, laughs in your face, and triumphs that he has
+deceived you. In a word, a _Biter_ is one who thinks you a fool, because
+you do not think him a knave."]
+
+[Footnote 181: Owen McSwiney, a manager of Drury Lane Theatre, and
+afterwards of the Haymarket Theatre. After living in Italy for some
+years, he obtained a place in the Custom-house, and was keeper of the
+King's Mews. On his death in 1754 he left his fortune to Mrs.
+Woffington.]
+
+[Footnote 182: Christopher Rich, manager of Drury Lane Theatre, who died
+in 1714, was at this time involved in a quarrel with the principal
+actors about the profits of their benefits.]
+
+[Footnote 183: Cibber ("Apology," chap. x.) complains that Rich paid
+extraordinary prices to singers, dancers, and other exotic performers,
+which were as constantly deducted out of the sinking salaries of his
+actors. In December, 1709, the Lord Chamberlain ordered that no new
+representations were to be brought upon the stage which were not
+necessary to the better performance of comedy or opera, "such as
+ladder-dancing, antic postures," &c., without his leave.--(Lord
+Chamberlain's Records, Warrant Book, No. 22.)]
+
+[Footnote 184: Sir John Vanbrugh built the Haymarket Theatre in 1705.
+The new house was opened with a translation of an Italian opera, "The
+Triumph of Love", which met with little success. This was followed by
+Vanbrugh's "Confederacy."]
+
+[Footnote 185: John James Heidegger, who died in 1749, aged 90, was the
+son of a Swiss clergyman. When over 40 he came to England, and became
+the chief director of the opera-house and masquerades. His face was
+remarkably ugly.]
+
+[Footnote 186: "Trim", in original editions.]
+
+[Footnote 187: See No. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 188: "Philips writeth verses in a sledge upon the frozen sea,"
+wrote Swift, "and transmits them hither to thrive in our warm climate
+under the shelter of my Lord Dorset." Addison refers to this poem by
+Ambrose Philips in No. 223 of the _Spectator_, and Pope commends it.]
+
+[Footnote 189: The sixth and last volume of Tonson's "Miscellany" opens
+with Philips' Pastorals, and closes with those of Pope.]
+
+[Footnote 190: "Almanzor and Almahide; or, The Conquest of Granada. The
+Second Part," act i. sc. I.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 13. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 7_, to _Tuesday, May 10_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 8.
+
+Much hurry and business had to-day perplexed me into a mood too
+thoughtful for going into company; for which reason, instead of the
+tavern, I went into Lincoln's Inn Walks; and having taken a round or
+two, I sat down, according to the allowed familiarity of these places,
+on a bench; at the other end of which sat a venerable gentleman, who
+speaking with a very affable air, "Mr. Bickerstaff," said he, "I take it
+for a very great piece of good fortune, that you have found me out."
+"Sir," said I, "I had never, that I know of, the honour of seeing you
+before." "That," replied he, "is what I have often lamented; but I
+assure you, I have for many years done you good offices, without being
+observed by you; or else, when you had any little glimpse of my being
+concerned in an affair, you have fled from me, and shunned me like an
+enemy; but however, the part I am to act in the world is such, that I am
+to go on in doing good, though I meet with never so many repulses, even
+from those I oblige." This, thought I, shows a great good nature, but
+little judgment in the persons upon whom he confers his favours. He
+immediately took notice to me, that he observed by my countenance I
+thought him indiscreet in his beneficence, and proceeded to tell me his
+quality in the following manner: "I know thee, Isaac, to be so well
+versed in the occult sciences, that I need not much preface, or make
+long preparations to gain your faith that there are airy beings, who are
+employed in the care and attendance of men, as nurses are to infants,
+till they come to an age in which they can act of themselves. These
+beings are usually called amongst men, guardian angels; and, Mr.
+Bickerstaff, I am to acquaint you, that I am to be yours for some time
+to come; it being our orders to vary our stations, and sometimes to have
+one patient under our protection, and sometimes another, with a power of
+assuming what shape we please, to ensnare our wards into their own good.
+I have of late been upon such hard duty, and know you have so much work
+for me, that I think fit to appear to you face to face, to desire you
+would give me as little occasion for vigilance as you can." "Sir," said
+I, "it will be a great instruction to me in my behaviour, if you please
+to give me some account of your late employments, and what hardships or
+satisfactions you have had in them, that I may govern myself
+accordingly." He answered: "To give you an example of the drudgery we go
+through, I will entertain you only with my three last stations: I was on
+the 1st of April last, put to mortify a great beauty, with whom I was a
+week; from her I went to a common swearer, and have been last with a
+gamester. When I first came to my lady, I found my great work was to
+guard well her eyes and ears; but her flatterers were so numerous, and
+the house, after the modern way, so full of looking-glasses, that I
+seldom had her safe but in her sleep. Whenever we went abroad, we were
+surrounded by an army of enemies: when a well-made man appeared, he was
+sure to have a side-glance of observation: if a disagreeable fellow, he
+had a full face, out of mere inclination to conquests. But at the close
+of the evening, on the sixth of the last month, my ward was sitting on a
+couch, reading Ovid's 'Epistles'; and as she came to this line of Helen
+to Paris,
+
+    _She half consents who silently denies;_[191]
+
+entered Philander,[192] who is the most skilful of all men in an address
+to women. He is arrived at the perfection of that art which gains them,
+which is, to talk like a very miserable man, but look like a very happy
+one. I saw Dictinna blush at his entrance, which gave me the alarm; but
+he immediately said something so agreeable on her being at study, and
+the novelty of finding a lady employed in so grave a manner, that he on
+a sudden became very familiarly a man of no consequence; and in an
+instant laid all her suspicions of his skill asleep, as he almost had
+done mine, till I observed him very dangerously turn his discourse upon
+the elegance of her dress, and her judgment in the choice of that very
+pretty mourning. Having had women before under my care, I trembled at
+the apprehension of a man of sense, who could talk upon trifles, and
+resolved to stick to my post with all the circumspection imaginable. In
+short, I prepossessed her against all he could say to the advantage of
+her dress and person; but he turned again the discourse, where I found I
+had no power over her, on the abusing her friends and acquaintance. He
+allowed indeed, that Flora had a little beauty, and a great deal of wit;
+but then she was so ungainly in her behaviour, and such a laughing
+hoyden--Pastorella had with him the allowance of being blameless: but
+what was that towards being praiseworthy? To be only innocent, is not to
+be virtuous. He afterwards spoke so much against Mrs. Dipple's forehead,
+Mrs. Prim's mouth, Mrs. Dentifrice's teeth, and Mrs. Fidget's cheeks,
+that she grew downright in love with him: for it is always to be
+understood, that a lady takes all you detract from the rest of her sex
+to be a gift to her. In a word, things went so far, that I was
+dismissed, and she will remember that evening nine months, from the 6th
+of April, by a very remarkable token. The next, as I said, I went to was
+a common swearer: never was creature so puzzled as myself when I came
+first to view his brain; half of it was worn out, and filled up with
+mere expletives, that had nothing to do with any other parts of the
+texture; therefore, when he called for his clothes in a morning, he
+would cry, 'John--?' John does not answer. 'What a plague! Nobody there?
+What the devil, and rot me! John, for a lazy dog as you are.' I knew no
+way to cure him, but by writing down all he said one morning as he was
+dressing, and laying it before him on the toilet when he came to pick
+his teeth. The last recital I gave him of what he said for half an hour
+before, was, 'What, a pox rot me! Where is the washball? Call the
+chairmen: damn them, I warrant they are at the ale-house already!
+Zounds, and confound them.' When he came to the glass, he takes up my
+note--'Ha! this fellow is worse than me: what, does he swear with pen
+and ink?' But reading on, he found them to be his own words. The
+stratagem had so good an effect upon him, that he grew immediately a new
+man, and is learning to speak without an oath, which makes him extremely
+short in his phrases; for, as I observed before, a common swearer has a
+brain without any idea on the swearing side; therefore my ward has yet
+mighty little to say, and is forced to substitute some other vehicle of
+nonsense to supply the defect of his usual expletives. When I left him,
+he made use of, 'Oddsbodikins!' 'Oh me!' and, 'Never stir alive!' and so
+forth; which gave me hopes of his recovery. So I went to the next I told
+you of, the gamester. When we first take our place about a man, the
+receptacles of the pericranium are immediately searched. In his, I found
+no one ordinary trace of thinking; but strong passion, violent desires,
+and a continued series of different changes, had torn it to pieces.
+There appeared no middle condition; the triumph of a prince, or the
+misery of a beggar, were his alternate states. I was with him no longer
+than one day, which was yesterday. In the morning at twelve, we were
+worth four thousand pounds; at three, we were arrived at six thousand;
+half an hour after, we were reduced to one thousand; at four of the
+clock, we were down to two hundred; at five, to fifty; at six, to five;
+at seven, to one guinea; the next bet, to nothing: this morning, he
+borrowed half a crown of the maid who cleans his shoes; and is now
+gaming in Lincoln's Inn Fields among the boys for farthings and oranges,
+till he has made up three pieces, and then he returns to White's into
+the best company in town." This ended our first discourse; and it is
+hoped, you will forgive me, that I have picked so little out of my
+companion at our first interview. In the next, it is possible he may
+tell me more pleasing incidents; for though he is a familiar, he is not
+an evil spirit.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 9.
+
+We hear from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., that Monsieur de Torcy
+hath had frequent conferences with the Grand Pensioner, and the other
+Ministers who were heretofore commissioned to treat with Monsieur
+Rouille. The preliminaries of a peace are almost settled, and the
+proceedings wait only for the arrival of the Duke of Marlborough; after
+whose approbation of the articles proposed, it is not doubted but the
+methods of the treaty will be publicly known. In the meantime, the
+States have declared an abhorrence of making any step in this great
+affair, but in concert with the Court of Great Britain, and other
+princes of the Alliance. The posture of affairs in France does
+necessarily oblige that nation to be very much in earnest in their
+offers; and Monsieur de Torcy hath professed to the Grand Pensioner,
+that he will avoid all occasions of giving him the least jealousy of his
+using any address in private conversations for accomplishing the ends of
+his embassy. It is said, that as soon as the preliminaries are adjusted,
+that Minister is to return to the French Court. The States of Holland
+have resolved to make it an instruction to all their men-of-war and
+privateers, to bring into their ports whatever neutral ships they shall
+meet with laden with corn, and bound for France; and to avoid all cause
+of complaint from the potentates to whom these ships shall belong, their
+full demand for their freight shall be paid them there. The French
+Protestants residing in that country have applied themselves to their
+respective magistrates, desiring that there may be an article in the
+treaty of peace, which may give liberty of conscience to the Protestants
+in France. Monsieur Bosnage, minister of the Walloon church at
+Rotterdam, has been at the Hague and hath had some conferences with the
+deputies of the States on that subject. It is reported there, that all
+the French refugees in those dominions are to be naturalised, that they
+may enjoy the same good effects of the treaty with the Hollanders
+themselves, in respect of France.
+
+Letters from Paris say, the people conceive great hopes of a sudden
+peace, from Monsieur Torcy's being employed in the negotiation, he being
+a Minister of too great weight in that Court, to be sent on any
+employment in which his master would not act in a manner wherein he
+might justly promise himself success. The French advices add, that there
+is an insurrection in Poictou; 3000 men having taken up arms, and beaten
+the troops which were appointed to disperse them: three of the mutineers
+being taken, were immediately executed; and as many of the king's party
+were used after the same manner.
+
+Our late Act of Naturalisation[193] hath had so great an effect in
+foreign parts, that some princes have prohibited the French refugees in
+their dominions to sell or transfer their estates to any other of their
+subjects; and at the same time have granted them greater immunities than
+they hitherto enjoyed. It has been also thought necessary to restrain
+their own subjects from leaving their native country, on pain of death.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 191: Ovid's "Epistles," 1709; translation of "Helen's Epistle
+to Paris," by the Earl of Mulgrave and Dryden.]
+
+[Footnote 192: An original for Philander has been found in Lord Halifax.
+See No. 49.]
+
+[Footnote 193: See No. 9. "If the Whigs were now restored to power, the
+bill [for a general naturalisation] now to be repealed, would then be
+re-enacted, and the birthright of an Englishman reduced again to the
+value of twelve pence."--(_Examiner_, vol. i. No. 26.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 14. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday May 10_, to _Thursday, May 12_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 10.
+
+Had it not been that my familiar had appeared to me, as I told you in my
+last, in person, I had certainly been unable to have found even words,
+without meaning, to keep up my intelligence with the town: but he has
+checked me severely for my despondence, and ordered me to go on in my
+design of observing upon things, and forbearing persons; "for," said he,
+"the age you live in is such, that a good picture of any vice or virtue
+will infallibly be misrepresented; and though none will take the kind
+descriptions you make so much to themselves, as to wish well to the
+author, yet all will resent the ill characters you produce, out of fear
+of their own turn in the licence you must be obliged to take, if you
+point at particular persons." I took his admonition kindly, and
+immediately promised him to beg pardon of the author of the "Advice to
+the Poets,"[194] for my raillery upon his work; though I aimed at no
+more in that examination, but to convince him, and all men of genius, of
+the folly of laying themselves out on such plans as are below their
+characters. I hope too it was done without ill-breeding, and nothing
+spoken below what a civilian (as it is allowed I am) may utter to a
+physician. After this preface, all the world may be safe from my
+writings; for if I can find nothing to commend, I am silent, and will
+forbear the subject: for, though I am a reformer, I scorn to be an
+inquisitor.
+
+It would become all men, as well as me, to lay before them the noble
+character of Verus the magistrate,[195] who always sat in triumph over,
+and contempt of, vice; he never searched after it, or spared it when it
+came before him: at the same time, he could see through the hypocrisy
+and disguise of those, who have no pretence to virtue themselves, but by
+their severity to the vicious. This same Verus was, in times long past,
+chief justice (as we call it amongst us) in Faelicia.[196] He was a man
+of profound knowledge of the laws of his country, and as just an
+observer of them in his own person. He considered justice as a cardinal
+virtue, not as a trade for maintenance. Wherever he was judge, he never
+forgot that he was also counsel. The criminal before him was always sure
+he stood before his country, and, in a sort, a parent of it. The
+prisoner knew, that though his spirit was broken with guilt, and
+incapable of language to defend itself, all would be gathered from him
+which could conduce to his safety; and that his judge would wrest no law
+to destroy him, nor conceal any that could save him. In his time, there
+were a nest of pretenders to justice, who happened to be employed to put
+things in a method for being examined before him at his usual sessions:
+these animals were to Verus, as monkeys are to men, so like, that you
+can hardly disown them; but so base, that you are ashamed of their
+fraternity. It grew a phrase, "Who would do justice on the justices?"
+That certainly would Verus. I have seen an old trial where he sat judge
+on two of them; one was called Trick-Track, the other Tearshift;[197]
+one was a learned judge of sharpers, the other the quickest of all men
+at finding out a wench. Trick-Track never spared a pickpocket, but was a
+companion to cheats: Tearshift would make compliments to wenches of
+quality, but certainly commit poor ones. If a poor rogue wanted a
+lodging, Trick-Track sent him to gaol for a thief: if a poor whore went
+only with one thin petticoat, Tearshift would imprison her for being
+loose in her dress. These patriots infested the days of Verus, while
+they alternately committed and released each other's prisoners. But
+Verus regarded them as criminals, and always looked upon men as they
+stood in the eye of justice, without respecting whether they sat on the
+bench, or stood at the bar.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 11
+
+Yesterday we were entertained with the tragedy of "The Earl of
+Essex,"[198] in which there is not one good line, and yet a play which
+was never seen without drawing tears from some part of the audience: a
+remarkable instance, that the soul is not to be moved by words, but
+things; for the incidents in this drama are laid together so happily,
+that the spectator makes the play for himself, by the force which the
+circumstance has upon his imagination. Thus, in spite of the most dry
+discourses, and expressions almost ridiculous with respect to propriety,
+it is impossible for one unprejudiced to see it untouched with pity. I
+must confess, this effect is not wrought on such as examine why they are
+pleased; but it never fails to appear on those who are not too learned
+in nature, to be moved by her first suggestions. It is certain, the
+person and behaviour of Mr. Wilks[199] has no small share in conducing
+to the popularity of the play; and when a handsome fellow is going to a
+more coarse exit than beheading, his shape and countenance make every
+tender one reprieve him with all her heart, without waiting till she
+hears his dying words.
+
+This evening "The Alchemist"[200] was played. This comedy is an example
+of Ben's extensive genius and penetration into the passions and follies
+of mankind. The scene in the fourth act, where all the cheated people
+oppose the man that would open their eyes, has something in it so
+inimitably excellent, that it is certainly as great a masterpiece as has
+ever appeared by any hand. The author's great address in showing
+covetousness the motive of the actions of the Puritan, the epicure, the
+gamester, and the trader; and that all their endeavours, how differently
+soever they seem to tend, centre only in that one point of gain, shows
+he had to a great perfection, that discernment of spirit, which
+constitutes a genius for comedy.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 11.
+
+It is not to be imagined how far the violence of our desires will carry
+us towards our own deceit in the pursuit of what we wish for. A
+gentleman here this evening was giving me an account of a dumb
+fortune-teller,[201] who outdoes Mr. Partridge, myself, or the
+unborn-doctor,[202] for predictions. All his visitants come to him full
+of expectations, and pay his own rate for the interpretations they put
+upon his shrugs and nods. There is a fine rich City widow stole thither
+the other day (though it is not six weeks since her husband's departure
+from her company to rest), and, with her trusty maid, demanded of him,
+whether she should marry again, by holding up two fingers, like horns on
+her forehead. The wizard held up both his hands forked. The relict
+desired to know, whether he meant by his holding up both hands, to
+represent that she had one husband before, and that she should have
+another? Or that he intimated, she should have two more? The cunning-man
+looked a little sour; upon which Betty jogged her mistress, who gave the
+other guinea; and he made her understand, she should positively have two
+more; but shaked his head, and hinted, that they should not live long
+with her. The widow sighed, and gave him the other half-guinea. After
+this prepossession, all that she had next to do, was to make sallies to
+our end of the town, and find out who it is her fate to have. There are
+two who frequent this place, whom she takes for men of vogue, and of
+whom her imagination has given her the choice. They are both the
+appearances of fine gentlemen, to such as do not know when they see
+persons of that turn; and indeed, they are industrious enough to come at
+that character, to deserve the reputation of being such: but this town
+will not allow us to be the things we seem to aim at, and are too
+discerning to be fobbed off with pretences. One of these pretty fellows
+fails by his laborious exactness; the other, by his as much studied
+negligence. Frank Careless, as soon as his valet has helped on and
+adjusted his clothes, goes to his glass, sets his wig awry, tumbles his
+cravat; and in short, undresses himself to go into company. Will Nice is
+so little satisfied with his dress, that all the time he is at a visit,
+he is still mending it, and is for that reason the more insufferable;
+for he who studies carelessness, has, at least, his work the sooner done
+of the two. The widow is distracted whom to take for her first man; for
+Nice is every way so careful, that she fears his length of days; and
+Frank is so loose, that she has apprehensions for her own health with
+him. I am puzzled how to give a just idea of them; but in a word,
+Careless is a coxcomb, and Nice a fop: both, you'll say, very hopeful
+candidates for a gay woman just set at liberty. But there is a whisper,
+her maid will give her to Tom Terrour the gamester. This fellow has
+undone so many women, that he'll certainly succeed if he is introduced;
+for nothing so much prevails with the vain part of that sex, as the
+glory of deceiving them who have deceived others.
+
+    _Desunt multa_.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 11.
+
+Letters from Berlin, bearing date May 11, N.S., inform us, that the
+birthday of her Prussian Majesty has been celebrated there with all
+possible magnificence; and the king made her on that occasion a present
+of jewels to the value of thirty thousand crowns. The Marquis de Quesne,
+who has distinguished himself by his great zeal for the Protestant
+interest, was, at the time of the despatch of these letters, at that
+Court, soliciting the king to take care, that an article in behalf of
+the refugees, admitting their return to France, should be inserted in
+the treaty of peace. They write from Hanover of the 14th, that his
+electoral highness had received an express from Count Merci,
+representing how necessary it was to the common cause, that he would
+please to hasten to the Rhine; for that nothing but his presence could
+quicken the measures towards bringing the imperial army into the field.
+There are very many speculations upon the intended interview of the King
+of Denmark and King Augustus. The latter has made such preparations for
+the reception of the other, that it is said his Danish Majesty will be
+entertained in Saxony with much more elegance than he met with in Italy
+itself.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 18th instant, N.S., say, that his Grace
+the Duke of Marlborough landed the night before at the Brill, after
+having been kept out at sea by adverse winds two days longer than is
+usual in that passage. His Excellency the Lord Townshend, her Majesty's
+ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the States-General, was
+driven into the Veere in Zealand on Thursday last, from whence he came
+to the Hague within few hours after the arrival of his grace. The duke,
+soon after his coming to the Hague, had a visit from the Pensioner of
+Holland. All things relating to the peace were in suspense till this
+interview; nor is it yet known what resolutions will be taken on that
+subject; for the troops of the Allies have fresh orders despatched to
+them to move from their respective quarters, and march with all
+expedition to the frontiers, where the enemy are making their utmost
+efforts for the defence of their country. These advices further inform
+us, that the Marquis de Torcy had received an answer from the Court of
+France to his letters which he had sent thither by an express on the
+Friday before.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff has received letters from Mr. Coltstaff, Mr. Whipstaff,
+and Mrs. Rebecca Wagstaff; all which relate chiefly to their being left
+out in the genealogy of the family lately published;[203] but my cousin
+being a clerk in the Heralds' Office who writ that draught, and being at
+present under the displeasure of the chapter, it is feared, if that
+matter should be touched upon at this time, the young gentleman would
+lose his place for treason against the Kings at Arms.[204]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 194: Sir Richard Blackmore. See No. 3.]
+
+[Footnote 195: Sir John Holt (see _Examiner_, vol. iv. No. 14) was born
+in 1642, made Recorder of London and knighted in 1686, and appointed
+Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1689, a position which he filled
+very ably and impartially for twenty-one years. He died March 5, 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 196: Britain.]
+
+[Footnote 197: According to a MS. note in the copy of the Tatler
+referred to in a note to No. 4, these justices were "Sir H. C---- and
+Mr. C----r." Who the latter was I do not know; the former appears to be
+meant for Sir Henry Colt, of whom Luttrell gives some particulars. In
+April 1694, a Bill was found against Sir Henry Colt and Mr. Lake, son to
+the late Bishop of Chichester, for fighting a duel in St. James's Park;
+the trial was to be on May 31. Sir Henry Colt, a Justice of the Peace,
+had a duel with Beau Feilding on the 11th January, 1696, and Colt was
+run through the body. A reward of L200 was offered for Feilding's
+arrest, and he was captured in March; but in the following month he was
+set at liberty upon Colt promising not to prosecute. In July 1698, Colt
+unsuccessfully contested Westminster, and in December the Committee of
+Privileges decided that his petition against the return of Mr.
+Chancellor Montague and Mr. Secretary Vernon was vexatious, frivolous
+and scandalous; and Colt was put out of the commission of the peace for
+Westminster and Middlesex. In 1701, he became M.P. for Westminster, for
+one Parliament only. In August 1702, he was again displaced from being a
+Justice for Westminster. In July 1708, he was defeated at Westminster,
+and the petition which he lodged against Mr. Medlicot's election was
+dismissed, after Huggins, the head bailiff, had been examined.]
+
+[Footnote 198: By John Banks, 1685.]
+
+[Footnote 199: Robert Wilks died in 1732, age 62. See No. 182, and the
+_Spectator_, Nos. 268, 370: "When I am commending Wilks for representing
+the tenderness of a husband and a father in 'Macbeth', the contrition of
+a reformed prodigal in 'Harry the Fourth', the winning emptiness of a
+young man of good-nature and wealth in 'The Trip to the Jubilee', the
+officiousness of an artful servant in 'The Fox', when thus I celebrate
+Wilks, I talk to all the world who are engaged in any of those
+circumstances."]
+
+[Footnote 200: Ben Jonson's "Alchemist" was published in 1610.]
+
+[Footnote 201: Duncan Campbell, who is best known through Defoe's
+"History of the Life and Adventures of Mr. Duncan Campbell, a gentleman,
+who, though deaf and dumb, writes down any strange name at first sight,
+with their future contingencies of fortune," 1720. Several other books
+about Campbell appeared, and some said that he only pretended to be deaf
+and dumb. Campbell had a very large number of clients (_Spectator_, No.
+560). He died in 1730.]
+
+[Footnote 202: The name of this quack was Kirleus. He pretended to
+extraordinary endowments, on the score of his having been introduced
+into the world by means of the Cesarean operation. In the _Examiner_,
+vol. i. No. 49, original edition in folio, there is among the
+advertisements subjoined, July 5, 1711, notice given that some of his
+nostrums, which had been tested for fifty years, were to be had of "Mary
+Kirleus, widow of John Kirleus, son of Dr. Tho. Kirleus, a sworn
+physician in ordinary to K. Charles II." Nichols says that there were
+two male and two female quacks of the name of Kirleus; Thomas the
+father, and his son John, Susannah the widow of Thomas, and Mary the
+relict of John; but it does not appear that any of them all were rich.
+The women, after the decease of their husbands, engaged in a paper war,
+which was carried on about this time in polemical advertisements. Dr.
+Kirleus and Dr. Case (see No. 20) are said to have been sent for to
+prescribe to Partridge in his last illness. Garth ("Dispensary," canto
+iii.) wrote:
+
+    "Whole troops of quacks shall join us on the place,
+    From great Kirleus down to Doctor Case."
+
+"In Grays-Inn-lane in Plow-yard, the third door, lives Dr. Thomas
+Kirleus, a Collegiate Physician and sworn Physician in Ordinary to King
+Charles the Second until his death; who with a drink and pill (hindring
+no business) undertakes to cure any ulcers," &c. &c. "Take heed whom you
+trust in physick, for it's become a common cheat to profess it. He gives
+his opinion to all that writes or comes for nothing" (_Athenian
+Mercury_, February 13, 1694). See also _Tatler_, Nos. 41, 226, 240.]
+
+[Footnote 203: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 204: "Castabella's complaint is come to hand" (folio). See No.
+16.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 15. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 12_, to _Saturday, May 14_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 12.
+
+I have taken a resolution hereafter, on any want of intelligence, to
+carry my familiar abroad with me, who has promised to give me very
+proper and just notices of persons and things, to make up the history of
+the passing day. He is wonderfully skilful in the knowledge of men and
+manners, which has made me more than ordinary curious to know how he
+came to that perfection, and I communicated to him that doubt. "Mr.
+Pacolet," said I, "I am mightily surprised to see you so good a judge of
+our nature and circumstances, since you are a mere spirit, and have no
+knowledge of the bodily part of us." He answered, smiling, "You are
+mistaken, I have been one of you, and lived a month amongst you, which
+gives me an exact sense of your condition. You are to know, that all who
+enter into human life, have a certain date or stamen given to their
+being, which they only who die of age may be said to have arrived at;
+but it is ordered sometimes by fate, that such as die infants, are after
+death to attend mankind to the end of that stamen of being in
+themselves, which was broke off by sickness or any other disaster. These
+are proper guardians to men, as being sensible of the infirmity of their
+state. You are philosopher enough to know, that the difference of men's
+understanding proceeds only from the various dispositions of their
+organs; so that he who dies at a month old, is in the next life as
+knowing (though more innocent) as they who live to fifty; and after
+death, they have as perfect a memory and judgment of all that passed in
+their lifetime, as I have of all the revolutions in that uneasy,
+turbulent condition of yours; and, you'd say, I had enough of it in a
+month, were I to tell you all my misfortunes." "A life of a month, can't
+have, one would think, much variety; but pray," said I, "let us have
+your story."
+
+Then he proceeds in the following manner:
+
+"It was one of the most wealthy families in Great Britain into which I
+was born, and it was a very great happiness to me that it so happened,
+otherwise I had still, in all probability, been living: but I shall
+recount to you all the occurrences of my short and miserable existence,
+just as, by examining into the traces made in my brain, they appeared
+to me at that time. The first thing that ever struck my senses, was a
+noise over my head of one shrieking; after which, methought I took a
+full jump, and found myself in the hands of a sorceress, who seemed as
+if she had been long waking and employed in some incantation: I was
+thoroughly frightened, and cried out, but she immediately seemed to go
+on in some magical operation, and anointed me from head to foot. What
+they meant I could not imagine; for there gathered a great crowd about
+me, crying, 'An heir, an heir'; upon which I grew a little still, and
+believed this was a ceremony to be used only to great persons, and such
+as made them, what they called, Heirs. I lay very quiet; but the witch,
+for no manner of reason or provocation in the world, takes me and binds
+my head as hard as possibly she could, then ties up both my legs, and
+makes me swallow down a horrid mixture; I thought it a harsh entrance
+into life to begin with taking physic; but I was forced to it, or else
+must have taken down a great instrument in which she gave it me. When I
+was thus dressed, I was carried to a bedside, where a fine young lady
+(my mother I wot) had like to have hugged me to death. From her, they
+faced me about, and there was a thing with quite another look from the
+rest of the room, to whom they talked about my nose. He seemed
+wonderfully pleased to see me; but I knew since, my nose belonged to
+another family. That into which I was born, is one of the most numerous
+amongst you; therefore crowds of relations came every day to
+congratulate my arrival; among others, my cousin Betty, the greatest
+romp in nature; she whisks me such a height over her head, that I cried
+out for fear of falling. She pinched me, and called me squealing chit,
+and threw me into a girl's arms that was taken in to tend me. The girl
+was very proud of the womanly employment of a nurse, and took upon her
+to strip and dress me anew, because I made a noise, to see what ailed
+me: she did so, and stuck a pin in every joint about me. I still cried:
+upon which, she lays me on my face in her lap; and to quiet me, fell a
+nailing in all the pins, by clapping me on the back, and screaming a
+lullaby. But my pain made me exalt my voice above hers, which brought up
+the nurse, the witch I first saw, and my grandmother. The girl is turned
+down stairs, and I stripped again, as well to find out what ailed me, as
+to satisfy my granam's further curiosity. This good old woman's visit
+was the cause of all my troubles. You are to understand, that I was
+hitherto bred by hand, and anybody that stood next, gave me pap, if I
+did but open my lips; insomuch, that I was grown so cunning, as to
+pretend myself asleep when I was not, to prevent my being crammed. But
+my grandmother began a loud lecture upon the idleness of the wives of
+this age, who, for fear of their shape, forbear suckling their own
+offspring; and ten nurses were immediately sent for; one was whispered
+to have a wanton eye, and would soon spoil her milk; another was in a
+consumption; the third had an ill voice, and would frighten me, instead
+of lulling me to sleep. Such exceptions were made against all but one
+country milch-wench, to whom I was committed, and put to the breast.
+This careless jade was eternally romping with the footmen, and downright
+starved me; insomuch that I daily pined away, and should never have been
+relieved, had it not been, that on the thirtieth day of my life, a
+fellow of the Royal Society,[205] who had writ upon Cold Baths, came to
+visit me, and solemnly protested, I was utterly lost for want of that
+method: upon which he soused me head and ears into a pail of water,
+where I had the good fortune to be drowned, and so escaped being lashed
+into a linguist till sixteen, running after wenches till twenty-five,
+and being married to an ill-natured wife till sixty: which had certainly
+been my fate, had not the enchantment between body and soul been broke
+by this philosopher. Thus, till the age I should have otherwise lived, I
+am obliged to watch the steps of men; and if you please, shall accompany
+you in your present walks, and get you intelligence from the aerial
+lackey, who is in waiting, what are the thoughts and purposes of any
+whom you inquire for." I accepted his kind offer, and immediately took
+him with me in a hack to White's.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 13.
+
+We got in hither, and my companion threw a powder round us, that made me
+as invisible as himself; so that we could see and hear all others;
+ourselves unseen and unheard.
+
+The first thing we took notice of, was a nobleman of a goodly and frank
+aspect, with his generous birth and temper visible in it, playing at
+cards with a creature of a black and horrid countenance, wherein were
+plainly delineated the arts of his mind, cozenage and falsehood. They
+were marking their game with counters, on which we could see
+inscriptions, imperceptible to any but us. My lord had scored with
+pieces of ivory, on which were writ, Good Fame, Glory, Riches, Honour,
+and Posterity. The spectre over against him had on his counters the
+inscriptions of, Dishonour, Impudence, Poverty, Ignorance, and Want of
+Shame. "Bless me!" said I, "sure my lord does not see what he plays
+for!" "As well as I do," says Pacolet. "He despises that fellow he
+plays with, and scorns himself for making him his companion." At the
+very instant he was speaking, I saw the fellow who played with my lord,
+hide two cards in the roll of his stocking: Pacolet immediately stole
+them from thence; upon which the nobleman soon after won the game. The
+little triumph he appeared in, when he got such a trifling stock of
+ready money, though he had ventured so great sums with indifference,
+increased my admiration. But Pacolet began to talk to me. "Mr. Isaac,
+this to you looks wonderful, but not at all to us higher beings: that
+noble has as many good qualities as any man of his order, and seems to
+have no faults but what, as I may say, are excrescences from virtues: he
+is generous to a prodigality, more affable than is consistent with his
+quality, and courageous to a rashness. Yet, after all this, the source
+of his whole conduct is (though he would hate himself if he knew it)
+mere avarice. The ready cash laid before the gamester's counters makes
+him venture, as you see, and lay distinction against infamy, abundance
+against want; in a word, all that's desirable against all that's to be
+avoided." "However," said I, "be sure you disappoint the sharpers
+to-night, and steal from them all the cards they hide." Pacolet obeyed
+me, and my lord went home with their whole bank in his pocket.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 13.
+
+To-night was acted a second time a comedy, called "The Busy Body:"[206]
+this play is written by a lady. In old times, we used to sit upon a play
+here after it was acted; but now the entertainment is turned another
+way; not but there are considerable men appear in all ages, who, for
+some eminent quality or invention, deserve the esteem and thanks of the
+public. Such a benefactor is a gentleman of this house, who is observed
+by the surgeons with much envy; for he has invented an engine for the
+prevention of harms by love adventures, and by great care and
+application, hath made it an immodesty to name his name. This act of
+self-denial has gained this worthy member of the commonwealth a great
+reputation. Some lawgivers have departed from their abodes for ever, and
+commanded the observation of their laws till their return; others have
+used other artifices to fly the applause of their merit; but this person
+shuns glory with greater address, and has, by giving his engine his own
+name, made it obscene to speak of him more. However, he is ranked among,
+and received by the modern wits, as a great promoter of gallantry and
+pleasure. But I fear, pleasure is less understood in this age, which so
+much pretends to it, than in any since the creation. It was admirably
+said of him who first took notice, that (_res est severa voluptas_)
+there is a certain severity in pleasure. Without that, all decency is
+banished; and if reason is not to be present at our greatest
+satisfactions, of all the races of creatures, the human is the most
+miserable. It was not so of old; when Virgil describes a wit, he always
+means a virtuous man; and all his sentiments of men of genius are such
+as show persons distinguished from the common level of mankind; such as
+placed happiness in the contempt of low fears, and mean gratifications:
+fears, which we are subject to with the vulgar; and pleasures, which we
+have in common with beasts. With these illustrious personages, the
+wisest man was the greatest wit; and none was thought worthy of that
+character, unless he answered this excellent description of the poet:
+
+    _Qui--metus omnes et inexorabile fatum
+    Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari._[207]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 13.
+
+We had this morning advice, that some English merchant-ships, convoyed
+by the _Bristol_ of fifty-four guns, were met with by a part of Mons. du
+Guy Trouin's squadron, who engaged the convoy. That ship defended itself
+till the English merchants got clear of the enemy, but being disabled
+was herself taken. Within few hours after, my Lord Dursley[208] came up
+with part of his squadron and engaging the French, retook the _Bristol_
+(which being very much shattered, sunk), and took the _Glorieux_, a ship
+of forty-four guns, as also a privateer of fourteen. Before this action,
+his lordship had taken two French merchant-men; and had, at the despatch
+of these advices, brought the whole safe into Plymouth.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 205: Probably William Oliver, M.D., F.R.S., who published a
+Dissertation on Bath waters, and cold baths, in 1709 (_Flying Post_,
+Feb. 10 to 12, 1709). Sir John Floyer's "Inquiry into the right Use and
+Abuses of the Hot, Cold, and Temperate Baths in England, &c.," appeared
+in 1697.]
+
+[Footnote 206: By Mrs. Susannah Centlivre, a lady of Whig views, who was
+possessed of considerable beauty. (See also No. 19.) Isaac Bickerstaff
+had promised a prologue to "The Busy Body" before it was to be first
+played, as appears from a poetical epistle of Mrs. Centlivre, claiming
+the performance of such a promise, printed by Charles Lillie ("Orig.
+Letters to _Tatler_ and _Spectator_" vol. ii. pp. 33, 34). Leigh Hunt
+("The Town") suggests that Pope put Mrs. Centlivre in the "Dunciad" (ii.
+410--"At last Centlivre felt her voice to fail") on account of her
+intimacy with Steele and other friends of Addison. Mrs. Centlivre
+(1667-1723) married, as her second husband, Mr. Carrol, a gentleman of
+the army, and afterwards Mr. Joseph Centlivre, principal cook to Queen
+Anne, 1706.]
+
+[Footnote 207: Virgil, "Georgics," ii. 492.]
+
+[Footnote 208: In November 1709, James Viscount Dursley was raised to
+the rank of Vice-Admiral of the Blue. Next year he succeeded his father
+in the title of Earl of Berkeley.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 16. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 14_, to _Tuesday, May 17_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 15.
+
+Sir Thomas,[209] of this house, has shown me some letters from the Bath,
+which give accounts of what passes among the good company of that place;
+and allowed me to transcribe one of them, that seems to be writ by some
+of Sir Thomas' particular acquaintances, and is as follows:
+
+"DEAR KNIGHT,
+
+"I desire you would give my humble service to all our friends, which I
+speak of to you (out of method) in the very beginning of my epistle,
+lest the present disorders, by which this seat of gallantry and pleasure
+is torn to pieces, should make me forget it. You keep so good company,
+that you know Bath is stocked with such as come hither to be relieved
+from luxuriant health, or imaginary sickness, and consequently is always
+as well stowed with gallants as invalids, who live together in a very
+good understanding. But the season is so early, that our fine company is
+not yet arrived: and the warm Bath, which in heathen times was dedicated
+to Venus, is now used only by such as really want it for health's sake.
+There are however a good many strangers, among whom are two ambitious
+ladies, who being both in the autumn of their life, take the opportunity
+of placing themselves at the head of such as we are, before the Chloes,
+Clarissas, and Pastorellas come down. One of these two is excessively
+in pain, that the ugly being called Time will make wrinkles in spite of
+the lead forehead-cloth; and therefore hides, with the gaiety of her
+air, the volubility of her tongue, and quickness of her motion, the
+injuries which it has done her. The other lady is but two years behind
+her in life, and dreads as much being laid aside as the former, and
+consequently has taken the necessary precautions to prevent her reign
+over us. But she is very discreet, and wonderfully turned for ambition,
+being never apparently transported either with affection or malice.
+Thus, while Florimel is talking in public, and spreading her graces in
+assemblies, to gain a popular dominion over our diversions, Prudentia
+visits very cunningly all the lame, the splenetic, and the
+superannuated, who have their distinct classes of followers and friends.
+Among these, she has found that some body has sent down printed
+certificates of Florimel's age, which she has read and distributed to
+this unjoyful set of people, who are always enemies to those in
+possession of the good opinion of the company. This unprovoked injury
+done by Prudentia, was the first occasion of our fatal divisions here,
+and a declaration of war between these rivals. Florimel has abundance of
+wit, which she has lavished in decrying Prudentia, and giving defiance
+to her little arts. For an instance of her superior power, she bespoke
+the play of 'Alexander the Great,'[210] to be acted by the company of
+strollers, and desired us all to be there on Thursday last. When she
+spoke to me to come, 'As you are,' said she, 'a lover, you will not fail
+the death of Alexander: the passion of love is wonderfully hit--Statira!
+Oh that happy woman--to have a conqueror at her feet--but you will be
+sure to be there.' I, and several others, resolved to be of her party.
+But see the irresistible strength of that unsuspected creature, a silent
+woman. Prudentia had counterplotted us, and had bespoke on the same
+evening the puppet-show of 'The Creation of the World.'[211] She had
+engaged everybody to be there, and, to turn our leader into ridicule,
+had secretly let them know, that the puppet Eve was made the most like
+Florimel that ever was seen. On Thursday morning the puppet-drummer,
+Adam and Eve, and several others who lived before the Flood, passed
+through the streets on horseback, to invite us all to the pastime, and
+the representation of such things as we all knew to be true; and Mr.
+Mayor was so wise as to prefer these innocent people the puppets, who,
+he said, were to represent Christians, before the wicked players, who
+were to show Alexander, a heathen philosopher. To be short, this
+Prudentia had so laid it, that at ten of the clock footmen were sent to
+take places at the puppet-show, and all we of Florimel's party were to
+be out of fashion, or desert her. We chose the latter. All the world
+crowded to Prudentia's house, because it was given out, nobody could get
+in. When we came to Noah's flood in the show, Punch and his wife were
+introduced dancing in the Ark. An honest plain friend of Florimel's, but
+a critic withal, rose up in the midst of the representation, and made
+many very good exceptions to the drama itself, and told us, that it was
+against all morality, as well as rules of the stage, that Punch should
+be in jest in the Deluge, or indeed that he should appear at all. This
+was certainly a just remark, and I thought to second him; but he was
+hissed by Prudentia's party; upon which, really, Sir Thomas, we who were
+his friends, hissed him too. Old Mrs. Petulant desired both her
+daughters to mind the moral; then whispered Mrs. Mayoress, 'This is very
+proper for young people to see.' Punch at the end of the play made Madam
+Prudentia a compliment, and was very civil to the whole company, making
+bows till his buttons touched the ground. All was carried triumphantly
+against our party. In the meantime Florimel went to the tragedy, dressed
+as fine as hands could make her, in hopes to see Prudentia pine away
+with envy. Instead of that, she sat a full hour alone, and at last was
+entertained with this whole relation from Statira, who wiped her eyes
+with her tragical-cut handkerchief, and lamented the ignorance of the
+quality. Florimel was stung with this affront, and the next day bespoke
+the puppet-show. Prudentia, insolent with power, bespoke 'Alexander.'
+The whole company came then to 'Alexander.' Madam Petulant desired her
+daughters to mind the moral, and believe no man's fair words; 'For
+you'll see, children,' said she, 'these soldiers are never to be
+depended upon; they are sometimes here, sometimes there--don't you see,
+daughter Betty, Colonel Clod, our next neighbour in the country, pulls
+off his hat to you? Courtesy, good child, his estate is just by us.'
+Florimel was now mortified down to Prudentia's humour; and Prudentia
+exalted into hers. This was observed: Florimel invites us to the play a
+second time, Prudentia to the show. See the uncertainty of human
+affairs! The beaux, the wits, the gamesters, the prues,[212] the
+coquettes, the valetudinarians, and gallants, all now wait upon
+Florimel. Such is the state of things at this present date; and if there
+happens any new commotions, you shall have immediate advice from,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your affectionate Friend
+
+"and Servant.
+
+"Bath, _May 11_, 1709."
+
+#"_To Castabella._#
+
+"MADAM,
+
+I have the honour of a letter from a friend of yours, relating to an
+incivility done to you at the opera, by one of your own sex; but I, who
+was an eye-witness of the accident, can testify to you, that though she
+pressed before you, she lost her ends in that design; for she was taken
+notice of for no other reason, but her endeavours to hide a finer woman
+than herself. But indeed, I dare not go farther in this matter, than
+just this bare mention; for though it was taking your place of right,
+rather than place of precedence, yet it is so tender a point, and on
+which the very life of female ambition depends, that it is of the last
+consequence to meddle in it: all my hopes are from your beautiful sex;
+and those bright eyes, which are the bane of others, are my only
+sunshine. My writings are sacred to you; and I hope I shall always have
+the good fortune to live under your protection; therefore take this
+public opportunity to signify to all the world, that I design to forbear
+anything that may in the least tend to the diminution of your interest,
+reputation, or power. You will therefore forgive me, that I strive to
+conceal every wrong step made by any who have the honour to wear
+petticoats; and shall at all times do what is in my power, to make all
+mankind as much their slaves as myself. If they would consider things as
+they ought, there needs not much argument to convince them, that it is
+their fate to be obedient to you, and that your greatest rebels do only
+serve with a worse grace.
+
+"I am, Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient, and
+
+"most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.
+
+"_May 16._"
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 16.
+
+Letters from the Hague, bearing date the 21st instant, N.S., advise,
+that his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, immediately after his arrival,
+sent his secretary to the President and the Pensionary, to acquaint them
+therewith. Soon after, these Ministers visited the duke, and made him
+compliments in the name of the States-General; after which they entered
+into a conference with him on the present posture of affairs, and gave
+his grace assurances of the firm adherence of the States to the
+alliance: at the same time acquainting him, that all overtures of peace
+were rejected, till they had an opportunity of acting in concert with
+their allies on that subject. After this interview, the Pensionary and
+the President returned to the assembly of the States. Monsieur Torcy has
+had a conference at the Pensioner's house with his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough, Prince Eugene, and his Excellency the Lord Townshend. The
+result of what was debated at that time is kept secret; but there
+appears an air of satisfaction and good understanding between these
+Ministers. We are apt also to give ourselves very hopeful prospects from
+Monsieur Torcy's being employed in this negotiation, who has been always
+remarkable for a particular way of thinking, in his sense of the
+greatness of France; which he has always said, was to be promoted rather
+by the arts of peace, than those of war. His delivering himself freely
+on this subject, has formerly appeared an unsuccessful way to power in
+that Court; but in its present circumstances, those maxims are better
+received; and it is thought a certain argument of the sincerity of the
+French king's intentions, that this Minister is at present made use of.
+The marquis is to return to Paris within few days, who has sent a
+courier thither to give notice of the reasons of his return, that the
+Court may be the sooner able to despatch commissions for a formal
+treaty.
+
+The expectations of peace are increased by advices from Paris of the
+17th instant, which say, the Dauphin hath altered his resolution of
+commanding in Flanders the ensuing campaign. The Saxon and Prussian
+reinforcements, together with Count Merci's regiment of Imperial horse,
+are encamped in the neighbourhood of Brussels; and sufficient stores of
+corn and forage are transported to that place and Ghent for the service
+of the confederate army.
+
+They write from Mons, that the Elector of Bavaria had advice, that an
+advanced party of the Portuguese army had been defeated by the
+Spaniards.
+
+We hear from Languedoc, that their corn, olives and figs, were wholly
+destroyed; but that they have a hopeful prospect of a plentiful vintage.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 209: The nickname of a waiter at White's (see No. 1).]
+
+[Footnote 210: "The Rival Queens; or, Alexander the Great," by Nathaniel
+Lee, 1677.]
+
+[Footnote 211: The following advertisement is among the Harleian MSS.
+(Bayford's Coll. 5931): "At Crawley's show at the Golden Lion, near St.
+George's Church, during the time of Southwark Fair, will be presented
+the whole story of the old 'Creation of the World, or Paradise Lost,'
+yet newly revived with the addition of 'Noah's Flood'; &c. The best
+known puppet-show man was Martin Powell. (See No. 236.)]
+
+[Footnote 212: So in the folio and original collected editions. "Prue"
+was Steele's favourite name for his wife; here it means "prude," and no
+doubt Steele sometimes thought "dear Prue" was unnecessarily and
+unreasonably particular.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 17. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 17_, to _Thursday, May 19_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 18.
+
+The discourse has happened to turn this evening upon the true nature of
+panegyric, the perfection of which was asserted to consist in a certain
+artful way of conveying the applause in an indirect manner. There was a
+gentleman gave us several instances of it: among others, he quoted, from
+Sir Francis Bacon, in his "Advancement of Learning," a very great
+compliment made to Tiberius, as follows: In a full debate upon public
+affairs in the Senate, one of the assembly rose up, and with a very
+grave air said, he thought it for the honour and dignity of the
+commonwealth, that Tiberius should be declared a god, and have divine
+worship paid him. The Emperor was surprised at the proposal, and
+demanded of him to declare whether he had made any application to
+incline him to that overture? The senator answered, with a bold and
+haughty tone, "Sir, in matters that concern the commonwealth, I will be
+governed by no man."[213] Another gentleman mentioned something of the
+same kind spoken by the late Duke of B----m,[214] to the late Earl of
+O----y:[215] "My lord," says the duke, after his libertine way, "you
+will certainly be damned." "How, my lord!" says the earl with some
+warmth. "Nay," said the duke, "there's no help for it, for it is
+positively said, 'Cursed is he of whom all men speak well.'"[216] This
+is taking a man by surprise, and being welcome when you have so
+surprised him. The person flattered receives you into his closet at
+once; and the sudden change in his heart, from the expectation of an
+ill-wisher, to find you his friend, makes you in his full favour in a
+moment. The spirits that were raised so suddenly against you, are as
+suddenly for you. There was another instance given of this kind at the
+table: a gentleman who had a very great favour done him, and an
+employment bestowed upon him, without so much as being known to his
+benefactor, waited upon the great man who was so generous, and was
+beginning to say, he was infinitely obliged. "Not at all," says the
+patron, turning from him to another, "had I known a more deserving man
+in England, he should not have had it."
+
+We should certainly have had more examples, had not a gentleman
+produced a book which he thought an instance of this kind: it was a
+pamphlet, called, "The Naked Truth."[217] The idea any one would have
+of that work from the title, was, that there would be much plain
+dealing with people in power, and that we should see things in their
+proper light, stripped of the ornaments which are usually given to the
+actions of the great: but the skill of this author is such, that he
+has, under that rugged appearance, approved himself the finest
+gentleman and courtier that ever writ. The language is extremely
+sublime, and not at all to be understood by the vulgar: the sentiments
+are such as would make no figure in ordinary words; but such is the
+art of the expression, and the thoughts are elevated to so high a
+degree, that I question whether the discourse will sell much. There
+was an ill-natured fellow present, who hates all panegyric mortally.
+"P---- take him!" said he, "what the devil means his 'Naked Truth,'
+in speaking nothing but to the advantage of all whom he mentions?
+This is just such a great action as that of the champion's on a
+coronation day, who challenges all mankind to dispute with him the
+right of the sovereign, surrounded with his guards." The gentleman
+who produced the treatise, desired him to be cautious, and said, it
+was writ by an excellent soldier, which made the company observe it
+more narrowly: and, as critics are the greatest conjurers at finding
+out a known truth, one said, he was sure it was writ by the hand of
+his sword-arm. I could not perceive much wit in that expression: but
+it raised a laugh, and I suppose, was meant as a sneer upon valiant men.
+The same man pretended to see in the style, that it was a horse officer;
+but sure that's being too nice: for though you may know officers of the
+cavalry by the turn of their feet, I can't imagine how you should
+discern their hands from those of other men. But it is always thus with
+pedants, they will ever be carping; if a gentleman or a man of honour
+puts pen to paper, I don't doubt, but this author will find this
+assertion too true, and that obloquy is not repulsed by the force of
+arms. I will therefore set this excellent piece in a light too glaring
+for weak eyes, and, in imitation of the critic Longinus, shall, as well
+as I can, make my observations in a style like the author's, of whom I
+treat; which perhaps I am as capable of as another, having an unbounded
+force of thinking, as well as a most exquisite address, extensively and
+wisely indulged to me by the supreme powers. My author, I will dare to
+assert, shows the most universal knowledge of any writer who has
+appeared this century. He is a poet, and merchant, which is seen in two
+master-words, Credit Blossoms. He is a grammarian, and a politician; for
+he says, the uniting the two kingdoms is the emphasis of the security to
+the Protestant Succession. Some would be apt to say he is a conjurer;
+for he has found that a republic is not made up of every body of
+animals, but is composed of men only, and not of horses. Liberty and
+property have chosen their retreat within the emulating circle of a
+human commonwealth. He is a physician; for he says, "I observe a
+constant equality in its pulse, and a just quickness of its vigorous
+circulation." And again: "I view the strength of our Constitution
+plainly appear in the sanguine and ruddy complexion of a well-contented
+city." He is a divine; for he says, "I cannot but bless myself." And
+indeed, this excellent treatise has had that good effect upon me, who am
+far from being superstitious, that I, also, can't but bless myself.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 18.
+
+This day arrived a mail from Lisbon, with letters of the 13th instant,
+N.S., containing a particular account of the late action in Portugal. On
+the 7th instant, the army of Portugal, under the command of the Marquis
+de Frontera, lay on the side of the Caya, and the army of the Duke of
+Anjou, commanded by the Marquis de Bay, on the other. The latter
+commander having an ambition to ravage the country, in a manner in sight
+of the Portuguese, made a motion with the whole body of his horse toward
+Fort St. Christopher, near the town of Badajos. The generals of the
+Portuguese, disdaining that such an insult should be offered to their
+arms, took a resolution to pass the river, and oppose the designs of the
+enemy. The Earl of Galway represented to them, that the present posture
+of affairs was such on the side of the Allies, that there needed no more
+to be done at present in that country, but to carry on a defensive part.
+But his arguments could not avail in the council of war. Upon which, a
+great detachment of foot, and the whole of the horse of the King of
+Portugal's army, passed the river, and with some pieces of cannon did
+good execution on the enemy. Upon observing this, the Marquis de Bay
+advanced with his horse, and attacked the right wing of the Portuguese
+cavalry, who faced about, and fled, without standing the first
+encounter. But their foot repulsed the same body of horse in three
+successive charges, with great order and resolution. While this was
+transacting, the British general commanded the brigade of Pearce to
+keep the enemy in diversion by a new attack. This was so well executed,
+that the Portuguese infantry had time to retire in good order, and
+repass the river. But that brigade, which rescued them, was itself
+surrounded by the enemy, and Major-General Sarkey, Brigadier Pearce,
+together with both their regiments, and that of the Lord Galway, lately
+raised, were taken prisoners.
+
+During the engagement, the Earl of Barrymore having advanced too far to
+give some necessary order, was hemmed in by a squadron of the enemy; but
+found means to gallop up to the brigade of Pearce, with which he remains
+also a prisoner. My Lord Galway had his horse shot under him in this
+action; and the Conde de St. Juan, a Portuguese general, was taken
+prisoner. The same night the army encamped at Aronches, and on the 9th
+moved to Elvas, where they lay when these despatches came away. Colonel
+Stanwix's regiment is also taken. The whole of this affair has given the
+Portuguese a great idea of the capacity and courage of my Lord Galway,
+against whose advice they entered upon this unfortunate affair, and by
+whose conduct they were rescued from it. The prodigious constancy and
+resolution of that great man is hardly to be paralleled, who, under the
+oppression of a maimed body, and the reflection of repeated ill fortune,
+goes on with an unspeakable alacrity in the service of the common cause.
+He has already put things in a very good posture after this ill
+accident, and made the necessary dispositions for covering the country
+from any further attempt of the enemy, who lie still in the camp they
+were in before the battle.
+
+Letters from Brussels, dated the 25th instant, advise, that
+notwithstanding the negotiations of a peace seem so far advanced, that
+some do confidently report the preliminaries of a treaty to be actually
+agreed on; yet the Allies hasten their preparations for opening the
+campaign; and the forces of the Empire, the Prussians, the Danes, the
+Wirtembergers, the Palatines, and Saxon auxiliaries, are in motion
+towards the general rendezvous, they being already arrived in the
+neighbourhood of Brussels. These advices add, that the deputies of the
+States of Holland having made a general review of the troops in
+Flanders, set out for Antwerp on the 21st instant from that place. On
+the same day the Prince Royal of Prussia came thither _incognito_, with
+a design to make the ensuing campaign under his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough.
+
+This day is published a treatise called, "The Difference between Scandal
+and Admonition." By Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; and on the 1st of July
+next, you may expect, "A Prophecy of Things Past; wherein the Art of
+Fortune-telling is laid open to the meanest capacity." And on the Monday
+following, "Choice Sentences for the Company of Masons and Bricklayers,
+to be put upon new Houses, with a translation of all the Latin sentences
+that have been built of late years, together with a comment upon stone
+walls," by the same hand.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 213: See Tacitus, "Annals," i. 8.]
+
+[Footnote 214: George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.]
+
+[Footnote 215: Roger Boyle, Earl of Orrery.]
+
+[Footnote 216: Luke vi. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 217: Like Nichols, I have not been able to see a copy of this
+pamphlet, or the defence of it, mentioned in No. 21; but a letter from
+Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, dated 20 May, 1709, throws some light on
+the matter: "Dear Brother, ... Brigadeer Crowder of late has made some
+talk in the Coffee Houses upon a peice he has lately been pleased to
+print, he did me the favour to show it me some time agoe in manuscript,
+and I complymented him with desiring a coppy of it, that I might have
+the pleasure of reading it more than once, and that I might communicate
+the like sattisfaction to you by sending it to Berlin. He told me it had
+the approbation of very ingenious men and good scholars, and his very
+good friends who had persuaded him to print it, and then you, as he
+always esteem'd to be such, shou'd be sure to have one. The day before
+yesterday he perform'd his promise but desir'd I wou'd not tell you
+directly who was the author, but recommend it to you with his most
+humble service, as from a friend of his. Yesterday came out this
+_Tatler_, and tho' I reckon myself a little base after all the fine
+complyments he made me upon my great judgment, I can't forbear sending
+it you as a fine peice of rallery upon his elaborate work, which I can
+assure you he has not been a little proud of. I han't seen him since to
+know if this _Tatler_ has given him any mortification. I know before he
+was prepar'd for the censorious, for he said lett people say what they
+wou'd, he was sure the intention was good, and his meaning for the
+service of the public. I am sorry he has printed, for he's very civill
+to me, and always profess a great respect for you, and I wou'd have none
+that does so exposed" ("Wentworth Papers," pp. 86-7). See No. 46. A
+writer in "Notes and Queries" (7 S. iii. 526), in reply to a question of
+mine, stated that there is a copy of "Naked Truth," 4to, 1709, in the
+Bamburgh Castle Library. The pamphlet is anonymous, but is ascribed in
+the catalogue to Colonel Crowder. In May 1710, Thomas Crowther was made
+a Major-General (Pointer's "Chron. History," ii. 679).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 18. [STEELE AND ADDISON.[218]
+
+From _Thursday, May 19_, to _Saturday, May 21_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 20.
+
+It is observed too often, that men of wit do so much employ their
+thoughts upon fine speculations, that things useful to mankind are
+wholly neglected; and they are busy in making emendations upon some
+enclitics in a Greek author, while obvious things, that every man may
+have use for, are wholly overlooked. It would be a happy thing, if such
+as have real capacities for public service, were employed in works of
+general use; but because a thing is everybody's business, it is nobody's
+business: this is for want of public spirit. As for my part, who am only
+a student, and a man of no great interest, I can only remark things, and
+recommend the correction of them to higher powers. There is an offence I
+have a thousand times lamented, but fear I shall never see remedied;
+which is, that in a nation where learning is so frequent as in Great
+Britain, there should be so many gross errors as there are in the very
+directions of things, wherein accuracy is necessary for the conduct of
+life. This is notoriously observed by all men of letters when they first
+come to town (at which time they are usually curious that way) in the
+inscriptions on sign-posts. I have cause to know this matter as well as
+anybody; for I have (when I went to Merchant Taylors' School) suffered
+stripes for spelling after the signs I observed in my way; though at the
+same time, I must confess, staring at those inscriptions first gave me
+an idea and curiosity for medals; in which I have since arrived at some
+knowledge.[219] Many a man has lost his way and his dinner by this
+general want of skill in orthography: for, considering that the painters
+are usually so very bad, that you cannot know the animal under whose
+sign you are to live that day, how must the stranger be misled, if it be
+wrong spelled, as well as ill painted? I have a cousin now in town, who
+has answered under Bachelor at Queen's College, whose name is Humphrey
+Mopstaff (he is akin to us by his mother). This young man going to see a
+relation in Barbican, wandered a whole day by the mistake of one letter;
+for it was written, "This is the BEER," instead of "This is the BEAR."
+He was set right at last, by inquiring for the house, of a fellow who
+could not read, and knew the place mechanically, only by having been
+often drunk there. But, in the name of goodness, let us make our
+learning of use to us, or not. Was not this a shame, that a philosopher
+should be thus directed by a cobbler? I'll be sworn, if it were known
+how many have suffered in this kind by false spelling since the union,
+this matter would not long lie thus. What makes these evils the more
+insupportable, is, that they are so easily amended, and nothing done in
+it. But it is so far from that, that the evil goes on in other arts as
+well as orthography. Places are confounded, as well for want of proper
+distinctions, as things for want of true characters. Had I not come by
+the other day very early in the morning, there might have been mischief
+done; for a worthy North Briton was swearing at Stocks Market,[220] that
+they would not let him in at his lodgings; but I knowing the gentleman,
+and observing him look often at the King on horseback, and then double
+his oaths, that he was sure he was right, found he mistook that for
+Charing Cross, by the erection of the like statue in each place. I
+grant, private men may distinguish their abodes as they please; as one
+of my acquaintance who lives at Marylebone, has put a good sentence of
+his own invention upon his dwelling-place, to find out where he lives:
+he is so near London, that his conceit is this, "The country in town;
+or, the town in the country"; for you know, if they are both in one,
+they are all one. Besides that, the ambiguity is not of great
+consequence; if you are safe at the place, it is no matter if you do not
+distinctly know where to say the place is. But to return to the
+orthography of public places: I propose that every tradesman in the
+cities of London and Westminster shall give me sixpence a quarter for
+keeping their signs in repair, as to the grammatical part; and I will
+take into my house a Swiss Count[221] of my acquaintance, who can
+remember all their names without book, for despatch sake, setting up the
+head of the said foreigner for my sign; the features being strong, and
+fit for hanging high.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 20.
+
+This day a mail arrived from Holland, by which there are advices from
+Paris, that the kingdom of France is in the utmost misery and
+distraction. The merchants of Lyons have been at Court, to remonstrate
+their great sufferings by the failure of their public credit; but have
+received no other satisfaction, than promises of a sudden peace; and
+that their debts will be made good by funds out of the revenue, which
+will not answer, but in case of the peace which is promised. In the
+meantime, the cries of the common people are loud for want of bread, the
+gentry have lost all spirit and zeal for their country, and the king
+himself seems to languish under the anxiety of the pressing calamities
+of the nation, and retires from hearing those grievances which he hath
+not power to redress. Instead of preparations for war, and the defence
+of their country, there is nothing to be seen but evident marks of a
+general despair. Processions, fastings, public mournings, and
+humiliations, are become the sole employments of a people, who were
+lately the most vain and gay of any in the universe.
+
+The Pope has written to the French king on the subject of a peace, and
+his Majesty has answered in the lowliest terms, that he entirely submits
+his affairs to divine providence, and shall soon show the world, that he
+prefers the tranquillity of his people to the glory of his arms, and
+extent of his conquests.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 24th say, that his Excellency the Lord
+Townshend delivered his credentials on that day to the States-General,
+as plenipotentiary from the Queen of Great Britain; as did also Count
+Zinzendorf, who bears the same character from the Emperor.
+
+Prince Eugene intended to set out the next day for Brussels, and his
+Grace the Duke of Marlborough on the Tuesday following. The Marquis de
+Torcy talks daily of going, but still continues here. The army of the
+Allies is to assemble on the 7th of the next month at Helchin; though it
+is generally believed, that the preliminaries to a treaty are fully
+adjusted.
+
+The approach of a peace[222] strikes a panic through our armies, though
+that of a battle could never do it, and they almost repent of their
+bravery, that made such haste to humble themselves and the French king.
+The Duke of Marlborough, though otherwise the greatest general of the
+age, has plainly shown himself unacquainted with the arts of husbanding
+a war. He might have grown as old as the Duke of Alva, or Prince
+Waldeck, in the Low Countries, and yet have got reputation enough every
+year for any reasonable man: for the command of general in Flanders hath
+been ever looked upon as a provision for life. For my part, I can't see
+how his grace can answer it to the world, for the great eagerness he
+hath shown to send a hundred thousand of the bravest fellows in Europe a
+begging. But the private gentlemen of the infantry will be able to shift
+for themselves; a brave man can never starve in a country stocked with
+hen-roosts. "There is not a yard of linen," says my honoured progenitor,
+Sir John Falstaff, "in my whole company; but as for that," says this
+worthy knight, "I am in no great pain, we shall find shirts on every
+hedge."[223] There is another sort of gentlemen whom I am much more
+concerned for, and that is, the ingenious fraternity of which I have the
+honour to be an unworthy member; I mean the news-writers of Great
+Britain, whether Postmen or Postboys,[224] or by what other name or
+title soever dignified or distinguished. The case of these gentlemen is,
+I think, more hard than that of the soldiers, considering that they
+have taken more towns, and fought more battles. They have been upon
+parties and skirmishes, when our armies have lain still; and given the
+general assault to many a place, when the besiegers were quiet in their
+trenches. They have made us masters of several strong towns many weeks
+before our generals could do it; and completed victories, when our
+greatest captains have been glad to come off with a drawn battle. Where
+Prince Eugene has slain his thousands, Boyer[225] has slain his ten
+thousands. This, gentleman can indeed be never enough commended for his
+courage and intrepidity during this whole war: he has laid about him
+with an inexpressible fury, and like the offended Marius of ancient
+Rome, made such havoc among his countrymen, as must be the work of two
+or three ages to repair. It must be confessed, the redoubted Mr.
+Buckley[226] has shed as much blood as the former; but I cannot forbear
+saying (and I hope it will not look like envy) that we regard our
+brother Buckley as a Drawcansir,[227] who spares neither friend nor foe,
+but generally kills as many of his own side as the enemy's. It is
+impossible for this ingenious sort of men to subsist after a peace:
+every one remembers the shifts they were driven to in the reign of King
+Charles II., when they could not furnish out a single paper of news,
+without lighting up a comet in Germany, or a fire in Moscow. There
+scarce appeared a letter without a paragraph on an earthquake. Prodigies
+were grown so familiar, that they had lost their name, as a great poet
+of that age has it. I remember Mr. Dyer,[228] who is justly looked upon
+by all the fox-hunters in the nation as the greatest statesman our
+country has produced, was particularly famous for dealing in whales;
+insomuch that in five months' time (for I had the curiosity to examine
+his letters on that occasion) he brought three into the mouth of the
+river Thames, besides two porpoises and a sturgeon. The judicious and
+wary Mr. I. Dawks[229] hath all along been the rival of this great
+writer, and got himself a reputation from plagues and famines, by which,
+in those days, he destroyed as great multitudes as he has lately done by
+the sword. In every dearth of news, Grand Cairo was sure to be
+unpeopled.
+
+It being therefore visible, that our society will be greater sufferers
+by the peace than the soldiery itself; insomuch that the _Daily
+Courant_[230] is in danger of being broken, my friend Dyer of being
+reformed, and the very best of the whole band of being reduced to
+half-pay; might I presume to offer anything in the behalf of my
+distressed brethren, I would humbly move, that an appendix of proper
+apartments furnished with pen, ink, and paper, and other necessaries of
+life should be added to the Hospital of Chelsea,[231] for the relief of
+such decayed news-writers as have served their country in the wars; and
+that for their exercise, they should compile the annals of their
+brother-veterans, who have been engaged in the same service, and are
+still obliged to do duty after the same manner.
+
+I cannot be thought to speak this out of an eye to any private interest;
+for, as my chief scenes of action are coffee-houses, play-houses, and my
+own apartment, I am in no need of camps, fortifications, and fields of
+battle, to support me; I don't call out for heroes and generals to my
+assistance. Though the officers are broken, and the armies disbanded, I
+shall still be safe as long as there are men or women, or politicians,
+or lovers, or poets, or nymphs, or swains, or cits, or courtiers in
+being.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 218: It is very possible that the first article in this number
+(see the allusion to medals) is by Addison, as well as the account of
+the Distress of the News-writers.]
+
+[Footnote 219: There is much about medals in Addison's "Remarks on
+several Parts of Italy," 1705. His "Dialogues on Medals" was published
+posthumously by Tickell.]
+
+[Footnote 220: Stocks Market was so named from a pair of stocks which
+were erected there as early as the 13th century. The two statues
+referred to were really very unlike. The one was of white marble; the
+other, of brass, was originally intended for John Sobieski, King of
+Poland, but being bought by Sir Robert Viner in 1672, it was altered and
+erected in honour of King Charles II. The Turk underneath the horse was
+metamorphosed into Oliver Cromwell; but his turban escaped unnoticed or
+unaltered, to testify the truth. The statue in Stocks Market, with the
+conduit and all its ornaments, was removed to make way for the Mansion
+House in 1739. Marvell refers to these statues in his "Satires."]
+
+[Footnote 221: Heidegger. See No. 12.]
+
+[Footnote 222: The remainder of this paper is by Addison. See Steele's
+Preface, and his Dedication of "The Drummer" to Congreve.]
+
+[Footnote 223: "There's but a shirt and a half in all my company; and
+the half-shirt is two napkins, tacked together, and thrown over the
+shoulders like a herald's coat without sleeves; and the shirt, to say
+the truth, stolen from my host of St. Alban, or the red-nosed innkeeper
+of Daintry. But that's all one, they'll find linen enough on every
+hedge." (1 Henry IV., act iii. sc. 2).]
+
+[Footnote 224: The Tory _Postboy_ was published by Abel Roper; and the
+Whig _Flying Post_ by George Ridpath:
+
+    "There Ridpath, Roper, cudgelled might ye view,
+    The very worsted still looked black and blue."
+
+("Dunciad," ii. 149.) It is remarkable that both Roper and Ridpath died
+on the same day, Feb. 5, 1726. Swift and others sometimes contributed to
+Roper's paper for party purposes.]
+
+[Footnote 225: Abel Boyer (1667-1729), author of "The Political State of
+Great Britain," was a Whig journalist towards whom Swift felt bitterly.
+"The Secretary promises me to swinge him," he wrote in 1711; "I must
+make that rogue an example for a warning to others." Boyer compiled a
+valuable French and English dictionary.]
+
+[Footnote 226: Samuel Buckley was printer of the _London Gazette, Daily
+Courant_, and _Spectator_. He died in 1741.]
+
+[Footnote 227: Drawcansir, in "The Rehearsal," is described by another
+character as "a great hero, who frights his mistress, snubs up kings,
+baffles armies, and does what he will, without regard to number, good
+sense, or justice."]
+
+[Footnote 228: John Dyer was a Jacobite journalist who issued a
+news-letter to country subscribers, among whom was Sir Roger de Coverley
+(_Spectator_, No. 127), by whom he was held in high esteem. Defoe
+(_Review_, vi. 132) says that Dyer "did not so much write what his
+readers should believe, as what they would believe." Vellum, in
+Addison's "The Drummer" (act ii. sc. i), cannot but believe his master
+is living, "because the news of his death was first published in Dyer's
+Letter." See also _Spectator_, Nos. 43 and 457. At the trial of John
+Tutchin for seditious libel (Howell's "State Trials," xiv. 1150), on
+complaint being made by counsel that Dyer had charged him with broaching
+seditious principles, Lord Chief Justice Holt said, "Dyer is very
+familiar with me too sometimes; but you need not fear such a little
+scandalous paper of such a scandalous author."]
+
+[Footnote 229: Ichabod Dawks was another "epistolary historian" (see
+_Spectator_, No. 457, and _Tatler_, No. 178). Dawks and Dyer are both
+introduced by Edmund Smith, author of "Phaedra and Hippolitus," in his
+poem, "Charlettus Percivallo suo":
+
+    "Scribe securus, quid agit Senatus,
+    Quid caput stertit grave Lambethanum,
+    Quid comes Guilford, quid habent novorum.
+                                            "Dawksque Dyerque."
+]
+
+[Footnote 230: The _Daily Courant_, our first daily newspaper, was begun
+in 1702.]
+
+[Footnote 231: Chelsea Hospital, for old soldiers, was founded in 1682.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 19. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 21_, to _Tuesday, May 24_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 23.
+
+There is nothing can give a man of any consideration greater pain, than
+to see order and distinction laid aside amongst men, especially when the
+rank (of which he himself is a member) is intruded upon by such as have
+no pretence to that honour. The appellation of Esquire is the most
+notoriously abused in this kind of any class amongst men, insomuch that
+it is become almost the subject of derision: but I will be bold to say,
+this behaviour towards it proceeds from the ignorance of the people in
+its true origin. I shall therefore, as briefly as possible, do myself
+and all true esquires the justice to look into antiquity upon this
+subject.
+
+In the first ages of the world, before the invention of jointures and
+settlements, when the noble passion of love had possession of the hearts
+of men, and the fair sex were not yet cultivated into the merciful
+disposition which they have showed in latter centuries, it was natural
+for great and heroic spirits to retire to rivulets, woods, and caves, to
+lament their destiny, and the cruelty of the fair persons who were deaf
+to their lamentations. The hero in this distress was generally in
+armour, and in a readiness to fight any man he met with, especially if
+distinguished by any extraordinary qualifications, it being the nature
+of heroic love to hate all merit, lest it should come within the
+observation of the cruel one, by whom its own perfections are neglected.
+A lover of this kind had always about him a person of a second value,
+and subordinate to him, who could hear his afflictions, carry an
+enchantment for his wounds, hold his helmet when he was eating (if ever
+he did eat); or in his absence, when he was retired to his apartment in
+any king's palace, tell the prince himself, or perhaps his daughter, the
+birth, parentage, and adventures, of his valiant master. This trusty
+companion was styled his esquire, and was always fit for any offices
+about him; was as gentle and chaste as a gentleman usher, quick and
+active as an equerry, smooth and eloquent as a master of the ceremonies.
+A man thus qualified was the first, as the ancients affirm, who was
+called an esquire; and none without these accomplishments ought to
+assume our order: but, to the utter disgrace and confusion of the
+heralds, every pretender is admitted into this fraternity, even persons
+the most foreign to this courteous institution. I have taken an
+inventory of all within this city, and looked over every letter in the
+post-office for my better information. There are of the Middle Temple,
+including all in the buttery books, and in the lists of the house, 5000.
+In the Inner, 4000. In the King's Bench Walks, the whole buildings are
+inhabited by esquires only. The adjacent street of Essex, from Morris'
+Coffee-house, and the turning towards the Grecian, you cannot meet one
+who is not an esquire, till you take water. Every house in Norfolk and
+Arundel Streets is governed also by a squire, or his lady. Soho Square,
+Bloomsbury Square, and all other places where the floors rise above nine
+feet, are so many universities, where you enter yourselves, and become
+of our order. However, if this were the worst of the evil, it were to be
+supported, because they are generally men of some figure and use; though
+I know no pretence they have to an honour which had its rise from
+chivalry. But if you travel into the counties of Great Britain, we are
+still more imposed upon by innovation. We are indeed derived from the
+field: but shall that give title to all that ride mad after foxes, that
+halloo when they see a hare, or venture their necks full speed after a
+hawk, immediately to commence esquires? No, our order is temperate,
+cleanly, sober, and chaste; but these rural esquires commit immodesties
+upon haycocks, wear shirts half a week, and are drunk twice a day. These
+men are also to the last degree excessive in their food: an esquire of
+Norfolk eats two pounds of dumpling every meal, as if obliged to it by
+our order: an esquire of Hampshire is as ravenous in devouring hogs'
+flesh: one of Essex has as little mercy on calves. But I must take the
+liberty to protest against them, and acquaint those persons, that it is
+not the quantity they eat, but the manner of eating, that shows a
+squire. But above all, I am most offended at small quillmen, and
+transcribing clerks, who are all come into our order, for no reason that
+I know of, but that they can easily flourish it at the end of their
+name. I'll undertake, that if you read the superscriptions to all the
+offices in the kingdom, you will not find three letters directed to any
+but esquires. I have myself a couple of clerks, and the rogues make
+nothing of leaving messages upon each other's desk: one directs, to
+"Degory Goosequill, Esq."; to which the other replies by a note, to
+"Nehemiah Dashwell, Esq.; with respect." In a word, it is now, _populus
+armigerorum_, a people of esquires. And I don't know, but, by the late
+Act of Naturalisation,[232] foreigners will assume that title, as part
+of the immunity of being Englishmen. All these improprieties flow from
+the negligence of the Heralds' Office. Those gentlemen in parti-coloured
+habits do not so rightly, as they ought, understand themselves; though
+they are dressed _cap-a-pie_ in hieroglyphics, they are inwardly but
+ignorant men. I asked an acquaintance of mine, who is a man of wit, but
+of no fortune, and is forced to appear as Jack Pudding on the stage to a
+mountebank: "Prithee, Jack, why is your coat of so many colours?" He
+replied, "I act a fool, and this spotted dress is to signify, that every
+man living has a weak place about him; for I am knight of the shire, and
+represent you all." I wish the heralds would know as well as this man
+does, in his way, that they are to act for us in the case of our arms
+and appellations: we should not then be jumbled together in so
+promiscuous and absurd a manner. I design to take this matter into
+further consideration, and no man shall be received as an esquire, who
+cannot bring a certificate, that he has conquered some lady's obdurate
+heart; that he can lead up a country dance, or carry a message between
+her and her lover, with address, secrecy and diligence. A squire is
+properly born for the service of the sex, and his credentials shall be
+signed by three toasts, and one prude, before his title shall be
+received in my office.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 23.
+
+On Saturday last was presented, "The Busy Body," a comedy, written (as I
+have heretofore remarked) by a woman.[233] The plot and incidents of the
+play are laid with that subtlety of spirit which is peculiar to females
+of wit, and is very seldom well performed by those of the other sex, in
+whom craft in love is an act of invention, and not, as with women, the
+effect of nature and instinct.
+
+To-morrow will be acted a play, called, "The Trip to the Jubilee."[234]
+This performance is the greatest instance that we can have of the
+irresistible force of proper action. The dialogue in itself has
+something too low to bear a criticism upon it: but Mr. Wilks enters into
+the part with so much skill, that the gallantry, the youth, and gaiety
+of a young man of a plentiful fortune, is looked upon with as much
+indulgence on the stage, as in real life, without any of those
+intermixtures of wit and humour, which usually prepossess us in favour
+of such characters in other plays.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 23.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, Mr. Walpole[235]
+(who is since arrived) was going with all expedition to Great Britain,
+whither they doubted not but he carried with him the preliminaries to a
+treaty of peace. The French Minister, Monsieur Torcy, has been observed
+in this whole negotiation to turn his discourse upon the calamities sent
+down by Heaven upon France, and imputed the necessities they were under
+to the immediate hand of Providence, in inflicting a general scarcity of
+provision, rather than the superior genius of the generals, or the
+bravery of the armies against them. It would be impious not to
+acknowledge the indulgence of Heaven to us; but at the same time, as we
+are to love our enemies, we are glad to see them mortified enough to mix
+Christianity with their politics. An authentic letter from Madame
+Maintenon to Monsieur Torcy has been stolen by a person about him, who
+has communicated a copy of it to some of the dependants of a Minister of
+the Allies. That epistle is writ in the most pathetic manner imaginable,
+and in a style which shows her genius, that has so long engrossed the
+heart of this great monarch.[236]
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I received yours, and am sensible of the address and capacity with
+which you have hitherto transacted the great affair under your
+management. You well observe, that our wants here are not to be
+concealed; and that it is vanity to use artifices with the knowing men
+with whom you are to deal. Let me beg you therefore, in this
+representation of our circumstances, to lay aside art, which ceases to
+be such when it is seen, and make use of all your skill, to gain us what
+advantages you can from the enemy's jealousy of each other's greatness;
+which is the place where only you have room for any dexterity. If you
+have any passion for your unhappy country, or any affection for your
+distressed master, come home with peace. O Heaven! Do I live to talk of
+Lewis the Great as the object of pity? The king shows a great uneasiness
+to be informed of all that passes; but at the same time, is fearful of
+every one who appears in his presence, lest he should bring an account
+of some new calamity. I know not in what terms to represent my thoughts
+to you, when I speak of the king, with relation to his bodily health.
+Figure to yourself that immortal man, who stood in our public places,
+represented with trophies, armour, and terrors, on his pedestal:
+consider, the Invincible, the Great, the Good, the Pious, the Mighty,
+which were the usual epithets we gave him, both in our language and
+thoughts. I say, consider him whom you knew the most glorious and great
+of monarchs; and now think you see the same man an unhappy Lazar, in the
+lowest circumstances of human nature itself, without regard to the state
+from whence he is fallen. I write from his bedside: he is at present in
+a slumber. I have many, many things to add; but my tears flow too fast,
+and my sorrow is too big for utterance.
+
+"I am, etc."
+
+There is such a veneration due from all men to the persons of princes,
+that it were a sort of dishonesty to represent further the condition
+which the king is in; but it is certain, that soon after the receipt of
+these advices, Monsieur Torcy waited upon his Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Lord Townshend, and in that conference gave up many
+points, which he had before said were such, as he must return to France
+before he could answer.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 232: See No. 13.]
+
+[Footnote 233: Mrs. Centlivre. See No. 15.]
+
+[Footnote 234: Wilks took the part of Sir Harry Wildair in Farquhar's
+"The Constant Couple; or, A Trip to the Jubilee," 1699.]
+
+[Footnote 235: Horatio Walpole, Secretary to the Embassy at the Hague,
+and brother of Sir Robert Walpole.]
+
+[Footnote 236: This letter is a pure invention.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 20. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 24_, to _Thursday, May 26_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 24.
+
+It is not to be imagined how far prepossession will run away with
+people's understandings, in cases wherein they are under present
+uneasiness. The following narration is a sufficient testimony of the
+truth of this observation.
+
+I had the honour the other day of a visit from a gentlewoman (a stranger
+to me) who seemed to be about thirty. Her complexion is brown; but the
+air of her face has an agreeableness, which surpasses the beauties of
+the fairest women. There appeared in her look and mien a sprightly
+health; and her eyes had too much vivacity to become the language of
+complaint, which she began to enter into. She seemed sensible of it; and
+therefore, with downcast looks, said she, "Mr. Bickerstaff, you see
+before you the unhappiest of women; and therefore, as you are esteemed
+by all the world both a great civilian, as well as an astrologer, I must
+desire your advice and assistance, in putting me in a method of
+obtaining a divorce from a marriage, which I know the law will pronounce
+void." "Madam," said I, "your grievance is of such a nature, that you
+must be very ingenuous in representing the causes of your complaint, or
+I cannot give you the satisfaction you desire." "Sir," she answers, "I
+believed there would be no need of half your skill in the art of
+divination, to guess why a woman would part from her husband." "It is
+true," said I; "but suspicions, or guesses at what you mean, nay
+certainty of it, except you plainly speak it, are no foundation for a
+formal suit." She clapped her fan before her face; "My husband," said
+she, "is no more a husband" (here she burst into tears) "than one of the
+Italian singers."
+
+"Madam," said I, "the affliction you complain of, is to be redressed by
+law; but at the same time, consider what mortifications you are to go
+through in bringing it into open court; how you will be able to bear the
+impertinent whispers of the people present at the trial, the licentious
+reflections of the pleaders, and the interpretations that will in
+general be put upon your conduct by all the world: 'How little,' will
+they say, 'could that lady command her passions.' Besides, consider,
+that curbing our desires is the greatest glory we can arrive at in this
+world, and will be most rewarded in the next." She answered, like a
+prudent matron, "Sir, if you please to remember the office of matrimony,
+the first cause of its institution is that of having posterity:
+therefore, as to the curbing desires, I am willing to undergo any
+abstinence from food as you please to enjoin me; but I cannot, with any
+quiet of mind, live in the neglect of a necessary duty, and an express
+commandment, Increase and multiply." Observing she was learned, and
+knew so well the duties of life, I turned my arguments rather to dehort
+her from this public procedure by examples, than precepts. "Do but
+consider, madam, what crowds of beauteous women live in nunneries,
+secluded for ever from the sight and conversation of men, with all the
+alacrity of spirit imaginable; they spend their time in heavenly
+raptures, in constant and frequent devotions, and at proper hours in
+agreeable conversations." "Sir," said she hastily, "tell not me of
+Papists, or any of their idolatries." "Well then, madam, consider how
+many fine ladies live innocently in the eye of the world, and this gay
+town, in the midst of temptation: there's the witty Mrs. W---- is a
+virgin of 44, Mrs. T----s is 39, Mrs. L----ce, 33; yet you see, they
+laugh and are gay, at the park, at the playhouse, at balls, and at
+visits; and so much at ease, that all this seems hardly a self-denial."
+"Mr. Bickerstaff," said she, with some emotion, "you are an excellent
+casuist; but the last word destroyed your whole argument; if it is not
+self-denial, it is no virtue. I presented you with a half-guinea, in
+hopes not only to have my conscience eased, but my fortune told. Yet--"
+"Well, madam," said I, "pray of what age is your husband?" "He is,"
+replied my injured client, "fifty, and I have been his wife fifteen
+years." "How happened it, you never communicated your distress in all
+this time to your friends and relations?" She answered, "He has been
+thus but a fortnight." I am the most serious man in the world to look
+at, and yet could not forbear laughing out. "Why, madam, in case of
+infirmity, which proceeds only from age, the law gives no remedy."
+"Sir," said she, "I find you have no more learning than Dr. Case;[237]
+and I am told of a young man, not five and twenty, just come from
+Oxford, to whom I will communicate this whole matter, and doubt not but
+he will appear to have seven times more useful and satisfactory
+knowledge than you and all your boasted family." Thus I have entirely
+lost my client: but if this tedious narrative preserves Pastorella from
+the intended marriage with one twenty years her senior--To save a fine
+lady, I am contented to have my learning decried, and my predictions
+bound up with Poor Robin's Almanacks.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 25.
+
+This evening was acted, "The Recruiting Officer,"[238] in which Mr.
+Estcourt's[239] proper sense and observation is what supports the play.
+There is not, in my humble opinion, the humour hit in Sergeant Kite; but
+it is admirably supplied by his action. If I have skill to judge, that
+man is an excellent actor; but the crowd of the audience are fitter for
+representations at Mayfair, than a theatre royal. Yet that fair is now
+broke,[240] as well as the theatre is breaking: but it is allowed still
+to sell animals there. Therefore, if any lady or gentleman have occasion
+for a tame elephant, let them inquire of Mr. Pinkethman, who has one to
+dispose of at a reasonable rate.[241] The downfall of Mayfair has quite
+sunk the price of this noble creature, as well as of many other
+curiosities of nature. A tiger will sell almost as cheap as an ox; and I
+am credibly informed, a man may purchase a cat with three legs, for very
+near the value of one with four. I hear likewise, that there is a great
+desolation among the gentlemen and ladies who were the ornaments of the
+town, and used to shine in plumes and diadems; the heroes being most of
+them pressed, and the queens beating hemp. Mrs. Sarabrand, so famous for
+her ingenious puppet-show, has set up a shop in the Exchange,[242] where
+she sells her little troop under the term of jointed babies.[243] I
+could not but be solicitous to know of her, how she had disposed of that
+rake-hell Punch, whose lewd life and conversation had given so much
+scandal, and did not a little contribute to the ruin of the fair. She
+told me, with a sigh, that despairing of ever reclaiming him, she would
+not offer to place him in a civil family, but got him in a post upon a
+stall in Wapping, where he may be seen from sun-rising to sun-setting,
+with a glass in one hand, and a pipe in the other, as sentry to a
+brandy-shop. The great revolutions of this nature bring to my mind the
+distresses of the unfortunate Camilla[244], who has had the ill-luck to
+break before her voice, and to disappear at a time when her beauty was
+in the height of its bloom. This lady entered so thoroughly into the
+great characters she acted, that when she had finished her part, she
+could not think of retrenching her equipage, but would appear in her own
+lodgings with the same magnificence that she did upon the stage. This
+greatness of soul has reduced that unhappy princess to an involuntary
+retirement, where she now passes her time among the woods and forests,
+thinking on the crowns and sceptres she has lost, and often humming over
+in her solitude,
+
+    _"I was born of royal race,
+    Yet must wander in disgrace," &c._
+
+But for fear of being overheard, and her quality known, she usually
+sings it in Italian:
+
+    _"Naqui al regno, naqui al trono
+    E pur sono
+    Inventurata Pastorella--"_
+
+Since I have touched upon this subject, I shall communicate to my reader
+part of a letter I have received from an ingenious friend at Amsterdam,
+where there is a very noble theatre; though the manner of furnishing it
+with actors is something peculiar to that place, and gives us occasion
+to admire both the politeness and frugality of the people.
+
+My friends have kept me here a week longer than ordinary to see one of
+their plays, which was performed last night with great applause. The
+actors are all of them tradesmen, who, after their day's work is over,
+earn about a guilder a night by personating kings and generals. The hero
+of the tragedy I saw, was a journeyman tailor, and his first minister of
+state a coffee-man. The empress made me think of Parthenope[245] in "The
+Rehearsal"; for her mother keeps an ale-house in the suburbs of
+Amsterdam. When the tragedy was over, they entertained us with a short
+farce, in which the cobbler did his part to a miracle; but upon inquiry,
+I found he had really been working at his own trade, and representing on
+the stage what he acted every day in his shop. The profits of the
+theatre maintain a hospital: for as here they do not think the
+profession of an actor the only trade that a man ought to exercise, so
+they will not allow anybody to grow rich on a profession that in their
+opinion so little conduces to the good of the commonwealth. If I am not
+mistaken, your playhouses in England have done the same thing; for,
+unless I am misinformed, the hospital at Dulwich was erected and endowed
+by Mr. Alleyn,[246] a player: and it is also said, a famous
+she-tragedian[247] has settled her estate, after her death, for the
+maintenance of decayed wits, who are to be taken in as soon as they grow
+dull, at whatever time of their life that shall happen.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 25.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 31st instant, N.S., say, that the articles
+preliminary to a general peace were settled, communicated to the
+States-General and all the foreign Ministers residing there, and
+transmitted to their respective masters on the 28th. Monsieur Torcy
+immediately returned to the Court of France, from whence he is expected
+again on the 4th of the next month, with those articles ratified by that
+Court. The Hague is agreed upon for the place of treaty, and the 15th of
+the next month the day on which it is to commence. The terms on which
+this negotiation is founded, are not yet declared by public authority;
+but what is most generally received, is as follows:
+
+Her Majesty's right and title, and the Protestant succession to those
+dominions, is forthwith to be acknowledged. King Charles is also to be
+owned the lawful sovereign of Spain; and the French king shall not only
+recall his troops out of that kingdom, and deliver up to the Allies the
+towns of Roses, Fontarabia, and Pampeluna; but in case the Duke of Anjou
+shall not retire out of the Spanish dominions, he shall be obliged to
+assist the Allies to force him from thence. A cessation of arms is
+agreed upon for two months from the first day of the treaty. The port
+and fortifications of Dunkirk are to be demolished within four months;
+but the town itself left in the hands of the French. The Pretender is to
+be obliged to leave France. All Newfoundland is to be restored to the
+English. As to the other parts of America, the French are to restore
+whatever they may have taken from the English, as the English in like
+manner to give up what they may have taken from the French before the
+commencement of the treaty. The trade between Great Britain and France
+shall be settled upon the same foundation as in the reign of King
+Charles II.
+
+The Dutch are to have for their barriers, Nieuport, Berg, St. Vinox,
+Furnes, Ipres, Lille, Tournay, Douay, Valenciennes, Conde, Maubeuge,
+Mons, Charleroy, Namur, and Luxemburg; all which places shall be
+delivered up to the Allies before the end of June. The trade between
+Holland and France shall be on the same foot as in 1664. The cities of
+Strasburg, Brisac, and Alsatia, shall be restored to the Emperor and
+Empire; and the King of France, pursuant to the Treaty of Westphalia in
+1648, shall only retain the protection of ten imperial cities, viz.,
+Colmar, Schlestat, Haguenau, Munster, Turkeim, Keisemberg, Obrenheim,
+Rosheim, Weisemburg, and Landau. Huninguen, Fort Louis, Fort Kiel, and
+New Brisac shall be demolished, and all the fortifications from Basle to
+Philipsburg. The King of Prussia shall remain in the peaceable
+possession of Neufchatel. The affair of Orange, as also the pretensions
+of his Prussian Majesty in the French Comte, shall be determined at this
+general negotiation of peace. The Duke of Savoy shall have a restitution
+made of all that has been taken from him by the French, and remain
+master of Exilles, Chamont, Fenestrelles, and the Valley of
+Pragelas.[248]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 237: John Case, astrologer and friend of John Partridge,
+succeeded to Saffold's habitation in Blackfriars gateway, opposite to
+Ludgate Church, whence he issued many advertisements. "Their old
+physician begged they would not forget him--he gives his advice for
+nothing--his cures are private. At Lilly's Head, &c., is the only place
+to obtain health, long life, and happiness, by your old friend Dr. Case,
+who extirpates the foundation of all diseases":
+
+    "At the Golden Ball and Lillie's Head
+    John Case lives though Saffold's dead."
+
+His handbills were commonly adorned with a variety of emblematic devices
+and poetry. See note on Kirleus, in No. 14; and Nos. 216, 240. Case's
+most important book was his "Compendium Anatomicum nova methodo
+institutum," 1695.]
+
+[Footnote 238: By Farquhar; first acted in 1706.]
+
+[Footnote 239: Richard Estcourt (1668-1712), whom Farquhar specially
+selected to act the part of Sergeant Kite, is celebrated by Steele in a
+well-known paper in the _Spectator_ (No. 468; see also No. 390).
+Estcourt was providore of the Beefsteak Club, and wrote two or three
+dramatic pieces. See No. 51.]
+
+[Footnote 240: See No. 4. This article was printed by Tickell among
+Addison's works.]
+
+[Footnote 241: In 1704, Pinkethman advertised that at his booth he would
+speak an epilogue upon an elephant between nine and ten feet high,
+arrived from Guinea, led upon the stage by six blacks.]
+
+[Footnote 242: This may be either the Royal Exchange or the New
+Exchange, in the Strand. There were shops for the sale of trinkets and
+toys at both places.]
+
+[Footnote 243: "Baby" was a term often applied to dolls.]
+
+[Footnote 244: Mrs. Katherine Tofts sang in English to Nicolini's
+Italian, in Buononcini's opera of "Camilla," but this absurdity was
+forgiven on account of the charm of their voices. In 1709, in the height
+of her beauty, Mrs. Tofts left the stage, owing to her intellect
+becoming disordered; but afterwards she married Mr. Joseph Smith, a
+gentleman who lived in great state; but his wife's mind again gave way,
+and she spent hours walking and singing in a garden attached to a remote
+part of the house. She died in 1760. See _Spectator,_ Nos. 18, 22 and
+443, where there is a letter purporting to be from Mrs. Tofts, at
+Venice.]
+
+[Footnote 245: In act iii. sc. 2 of "The Rehearsal," Prince Volscius
+falls in love at first sight with Parthenope, who says:
+
+    "My mother, sir, sells ale by the town-walls,
+    And me her dear Parthenope she calls;"
+
+whereupon Volscius (repeating words from Davenant's "Siege of Rhodes")
+replies:
+
+    "Can vulgar vestments high-born beauty shroud?
+    Thou bring'st the morning pictured in a cloud."
+]
+
+[Footnote 246: Edward Alleyn, the actor, who died in 1626, aged 61,
+founded Dulwich Hospital.]
+
+[Footnote 247: Mrs. Bracegirdle; see No. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 248: "It is said that Monsieur Torcy, when he signed this
+instrument broke into this exclamation: 'Would Colbert have signed such
+a treaty for France?' On which a Minister present was pleased to say,
+'Colbert himself would have been proud to have saved France in these
+circumstances on such terms'" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 21. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, May 26_, to _Saturday, May 28_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 26.
+
+A gentleman has writ to me out of the country a very civil letter, and
+said things which I suppress with great violence to my vanity. There are
+many terms in my narratives which he complains want explaining, and has
+therefore desired, that, for the benefit of my country readers, I would
+let him know what I mean by a Gentleman, a Pretty Fellow, a Toast, a
+Coquette, a Critic, a Wit, and all other appellations in the gayer
+world, who are in present possession of these several characters;
+together with an account of those who unfortunately pretend to them. I
+shall begin with him we usually call a Gentleman, or man of
+conversation. It is generally thought, that warmth of imagination, quick
+relish of pleasure, and a manner of becoming it, are the most essential
+qualities for forming this sort of man. But any one that is much in
+company will observe, that the height of good breeding is shown rather
+in never giving offence, than in doing obliging things. Thus, he that
+never shocks you, though he is seldom entertaining, is more likely to
+keep your favour, than he who often entertains, and sometimes displeases
+you. The most necessary talent therefore in a man of conversation, which
+is what we ordinarily intend by a fine gentleman, is a good judgment. He
+that has this in perfection, is master of his companion, without letting
+him see it; and has the same advantage over men of any other
+qualifications whatsoever, as one that can see would have over a blind
+man of ten times his strength. This is what makes Sophronius the
+darling of all who converse with him, and the most powerful with his
+acquaintance of any man in town. By the light of this faculty, he acts
+with great ease and freedom among the men of pleasure, and acquits
+himself with skill and despatch among the men of business. This he
+performs with so much success, that, with as much discretion in life as
+any man ever had, he neither is, nor appears, cunning. But as he does a
+good office, if he ever does it, with readiness and alacrity; so he
+denies what he does not care to engage in, in a manner that convinces
+you, that you ought not to have asked it. His judgment is so good and
+unerring, and accompanied with so cheerful a spirit, that his
+conversation is a continual feast, at which he helps some, and is helped
+by others, in such a manner, that the equality of society is perfectly
+kept up, and every man obliges as much as he is obliged: for it is the
+greatest and justest skill in a man of superior understanding, to know
+how to be on a level with his companions. This sweet disposition runs
+through all the actions of Sophronius, and makes his company desired by
+women, without being envied by men. Sophronius would be as just as he
+is, if there were no law; and would be as discreet as he is, if there
+were no such thing as calumny.
+
+In imitation of this agreeable being, is made that animal we call a
+Pretty Fellow; who being just able to find out, that what makes
+Sophronius acceptable, is a natural behaviour; in order to the same
+reputation, makes his own an artificial one. Jack Dimple is his perfect
+mimic, whereby he is of course the most unlike him of all men living.
+Sophronius just now passed into the inner room directly forward: Jack
+comes as fast after as he can for the right and left looking-glass, in
+which he had but just approved himself by a nod at each, and marched on.
+He will meditate within for half an hour, till he thinks he is not
+careless enough in his air, and come back to the mirror to recollect his
+forgetfulness.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 27.
+
+This night was acted the comedy, called, "The Fox";[249] but I wonder
+the modern writers do not use their interest in the house to suppress
+such representations. A man that has been at this, will hardly like any
+other play during the season: therefore I humbly move, that the
+writings, as well as dresses, of the last age, should give way to the
+present fashion. We are come into a good method enough (if we were not
+interrupted in our mirth by such an apparition as a play of Jonson's) to
+be entertained at more ease, both to the spectator and the writer, than
+in the days of old. It is no difficulty to get hats, and swords, and
+wigs, and shoes, and everything else, from the shops in town, and make a
+man show himself by his habit, without more ado, to be a counsellor, a
+fop, a courtier, or a citizen, and not be obliged to make those
+characters talk in different dialects to be distinguished from each
+other. This is certainly the surest and best way of writing: but such a
+play as this makes a man for a month after overrun with criticism, and
+inquire, what every man on the stage said? What had such a one to do to
+meddle with such a thing? How came the other, who was bred after such a
+manner, to speak so like a man conversant among a different people?
+These questions rob us of all our pleasure; for at this rate, no one
+sentence in a play should be spoken by any one character, which could
+possibly enter into the head of any other man represented in it; but
+every sentiment should be peculiar to him only who utters it. Laborious
+Ben's works will bear this sort of inquisition; but if the present
+writers were thus examined, and the offences against this rule cut out,
+few plays would be long enough for the whole evening's entertainment.
+But I don't know how they did in those old times: this same Ben Jonson
+has made every one's passion in this play be towards money, and yet not
+one of them expresses that desire, or endeavours to obtain it any way
+but what is peculiar to him only: one sacrifices his wife, another his
+profession, another his posterity from the same motive; but their
+characters are kept so skilfully apart, that it seems prodigious their
+discourses should rise from the invention of the same author. But the
+poets are a nest of hornets, and I'll drive these thoughts no farther,
+but must mention some hard treatment I am like to meet with from my
+brother-writers. I am credibly informed, that the author of a play,
+called, "Love in a Hollow Tree,"[250] has made some remarks upon my late
+discourse on "The Naked Truth."[251] I cannot blame a gentleman for
+writing against any error; it is for the good of the learned world. But
+I would have the thing fairly left between us two, and not under the
+protection of patrons. But my intelligence is, that he has dedicated his
+treatise to the Honourable Mr. Ed----d H----rd.[252]
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 27.
+
+"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._
+
+"York, May 16, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Being convinced as the whole world is, how infallible your predictions
+are, and having the honour to be your near relation, of the Staffian
+family, I was under great concern at one of your predictions relating to
+yourself, wherein you foretold your own death would happen on the 17th
+instant, unless it were prevented by the assistance of well-disposed
+people:[253] I have therefore prevailed on my own modesty to send you a
+piece of news, which may serve instead of Goddard's Drops,[254] to keep
+you alive for two days, till nature be able to recover itself, or till
+you meet with some better help from other hands. Therefore, without
+further ceremony, I will go on to relate a singular adventure just
+happened in the place where I am writing, wherein it may be highly
+useful for the public to be informed.[255]
+
+"Three young ladies of our town were on Saturday last indicted for
+witchcraft. The witnesses against the first deposed upon oath before
+Justice Bindover, that she kept spirits locked up in velvets, which
+sometimes appeared in flames of blue fire; that she used magical herbs,
+with some of which she drew in hundreds of men daily to her, who went
+out from her presence all inflamed, their mouths parched, and a hot
+steam issuing from them, attended with a grievous stench; that many of
+the said men were by the force of that herb metamorphosed into swine,
+and lay wallowing in the kennels for twenty-four hours, before they
+could reassume their shapes or their senses.
+
+"It was proved against the second, that she cut off by night the limbs
+from dead bodies that were hanged, and was seen to dig holes in the
+ground, to mutter some conjuring words, and bury pieces of the flesh,
+after the usual manner of witches.
+
+"The third was accused for a notorious piece of sorcery, long practised
+by hags, of moulding up pieces of dough into the shapes of men, women,
+and children; then heating them at a gentle fire, which had a
+sympathetic power to torment the bowels of those in the neighbourhood.
+
+"This was the sum of what was objected against the three ladies, who
+indeed had nothing to say in their own defence, but downright denying
+the facts, which is like to avail very little when they come upon their
+trials.
+
+"But the parson of our parish, a strange refractory man, will believe
+nothing of all this; so that the whole town cries out, 'Shame! that one
+of his coat should be such an atheist;' and design to complain of him to
+the bishop. He goes about very oddly to solve the matter. He supposes,
+that the first of these ladies keeping a brandy and tobacco shop, the
+fellows went out smoking, and got drunk towards evening, and made
+themselves beasts. He says, the second is a butcher's daughter, and
+sometimes brings a quarter of mutton from the slaughter-house overnight
+against a market-day, and once buried a bit of beef in the ground, as a
+known receipt to cure warts on her hands. The parson affirms, that the
+third sells gingerbread, which, to please the children, she is forced to
+stamp with images before it is baked; and if it burns their guts, it is
+because they eat too much, or do not drink after it.
+
+"These are the answers he gives to solve this wonderful phenomenon; upon
+which I shall not animadvert, but leave it among the philosophers: and
+so wishing you all success in your undertakings for the amendment of the
+world, I remain,
+
+"Dear Cousin,
+
+"Your most affectionate Kinsman,
+
+"and humble Servant,
+
+                                        "EPHRAIM BEDSTAFF."
+
+"P.S.--Those who were condemned to death among the Athenians, were
+obliged to take a dose of poison, which made them die upwards, seizing
+first upon their feet, making them cold and insensible, and so ascending
+gradually, till it reached the vital parts. I believe your death, which
+you foretold would happen on the 17th instant, will fall out the same
+way, and that your distemper hath already seized on you, and makes
+progress daily. The lower part of you, that is, the advertisements,[256]
+is dead; and these have risen for these ten days last past, so that they
+now take up almost a whole paragraph. Pray, sir, do your endeavour to
+drive this distemper as much as possible to the extreme parts, and keep
+it there, as wise folks do the gout; for if it once gets into your
+stomach, it will soon fly up into your head, and you are a dead man."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, May 27.
+
+We hear from Leghorn, that Sir Edward Whitaker, with five men-of-war,
+four transports, and two fire-ships, was arrived at that port, and
+Admiral Byng was suddenly expected. Their squadrons being joined, they
+design to sail directly for Final, to transport the reinforcements,
+lodged in those parts, to Barcelona.
+
+They write from Milan, that Count Thaun arrived there on the 16th
+instant, N.S., and proceeded on his journey to Turin on the 21st, in
+order to concert such measures with his royal highness, as shall appear
+necessary for the operations of the ensuing campaign.
+
+Advices from Dauphiny say, that the troops of the Duke of Savoy began
+already to appear in those valleys, whereof he made himself master the
+last year; and that the Duke of Berwick applied himself with all
+imaginable diligence to secure the passes of the mountains by ordering
+entrenchments to be made towards Briancon, Tourneau, and the Valley of
+Queiras. That general has also been at Marseilles and Toulon, to hasten
+the transportation of the corn and provisions designed for his army.
+
+Letters from Vienna, bearing date May 23, N.S., import, that the
+Cardinal of Saxe-Zeits and the Prince of Lichtenstein were preparing to
+set out for Presburg, to assist at the Diet of the States of Hungary,
+which is to be assembled at that place on the 25th of this month.
+General Heister would shortly appear at the head of his army at
+Trentschin, which place is appointed for the general rendezvous of the
+Imperial forces in Hungary; from whence he will advance to lay siege to
+Neuhausel: in the meantime, reinforcements, with a great train of
+artillery, are marching the same way. The King of Denmark arrived on the
+both instant at Innspruck, and on the 26th at Dresden, under a triple
+discharge of the artillery of that place; but his Majesty refused the
+ceremonies of a public entry.
+
+Our letters from the Upper Rhine say, that the Imperial army began to
+form itself at Etlingen; where the respective deputies of the Elector
+Palatine, the Prince of Baden Durlach, the Bishopric of Spires, &c. were
+assembled, and had taken the necessary measures for the provision of
+forage, the security of the country against the incursions of the enemy,
+and laying a bridge over the Rhine. Several vessels laden with corn are
+daily passing before Frankfort for the Lower Rhine.
+
+Letters from Poland inform us, that a detachment of Muscovite cavalry,
+under the command of General Infland, had joined the confederate army;
+and the infantry commanded by General Goltz, was expected to come up
+within few days. These succours will amount to 20,000 men.
+
+Our last advices from the Hague, dated June the 4th, N.S., say, that
+they expected a courier from the French Court with the ratification of
+the preliminaries that night or the day following. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough will set out for Brussels on Wednesday or Thursday next, if
+the despatches which are expected from Paris don't alter his
+resolutions. Letters from Majorca confirm the honourable capitulation of
+the castle of Alicante, and also the death of the governor,
+Major-General Richards, Colonel Sibourg, and Major Vignolles, who were
+all buried in the ruins of that place, by the springing of their great
+mine, which did, it seems, more execution than was reported. Monsieur
+Torcy passed through Mons in his return, and had there a long conference
+with the Elector of Bavaria; after which, that prince spoke publicly of
+the treatment he had from France with the utmost indignation.
+
+Any person that shall come publicly abroad in a fantastical habit,
+contrary to the present mode and fashion, except Don Diego
+Dismallo,[257] or any other out of poverty, shall have his name and
+dress inserted in our next.
+
+N.B.--Mr. How'd'call is desired to leave off those buttons.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 249: Ben Jonson's "Volpone; or, The Fox."]
+
+[Footnote 250: The comedy, "Love in a Hollow Tree; or, The Lawyer's
+Fortune," was published by William, Lord Viscount Grimston (1683-1756),
+when he was twenty-two years of age. On the occasion of a contested
+election for the borough of St. Albans (1736), it was reprinted--by the
+Duchess of Marlborough, it is said--with notes attacking the author, and
+adorned with the frontispiece of an elephant dancing on a rope. The
+viscount bought up as nearly as he could the whole edition. "This worthy
+notleman was a good husband to one of the best of wives, an indulgent
+father of a numerous offspring, a kind master to his servants, a
+generous friend, and an affable, hospitable neighbour." (Biog. Dram.)]
+
+[Footnote 251: See No. 17]
+
+[Footnote 252: Probably the Hon. Edward Howard, second son of Henry,
+fifth Earl of Suffolk. On the death of his nephew without issue in 1722,
+he became eighth Earl of Suffolk, but he died unmarried in 1731.]
+
+[Footnote 253: See No. 7.]
+
+[Footnote 254: Dr. Jonathan Goddard, the physician and confidant of
+Cromwell, a member of the Royal Society, and medical professor of
+Gresham College, discovered in the course of his chemical experiments,
+the famous elixir, called here his "drops." Dr. Goddard died of an
+apoplexy in 1675. "March 24, 1674-5. About 10 o'clock that night, my
+very good friend, Dr. Jonathan Goddard, reader of the physic lectures at
+Gresham College, suddenly fell down dead in the street, as he was
+entering into a coach. He was a pretty corpulent and tall man, a
+bachelor between 45 and 50 years of age; he was melancholy, inclined to
+be cynical, and used now and then to complain of giddiness in his head.
+He was an excellent mathematician, and some time physician to Oliver the
+Protector" (John Coniers, apothecary, in Shoe Lane. MSS. Sloan. 958).
+The "drops" were a preparation of spirit of hartshorn, with other
+things; they were used in fainting, apoplexies, &c.]
+
+[Footnote 255: With this satire on the vulgar prejudices concerning
+witches, may be compared what Addison says in the _Spectator_ (No. 117):
+"I believe in general that there is and has been such a thing as
+witchcraft; but at the same time can give no credit to any particular
+instance of it."]
+
+[Footnote 256: The number of advertisements in the Tatler gradually
+increased; but as a compensation the "news" paragraph was dropped.]
+
+[Footnote 257: This name was afterwards applied by the Tory writers to
+the Earl of Nottingham; and the author of the 'Examiner' (vol. iii. No
+48) says that it was Steele who first used the name for this nobleman,
+"and upon no less an important affair, than the oddness of his buttons."
+In the 'Guardian (No. 53), however, Steele disavowed any reference to
+Lord Nottingham: "I do not remember the mention of Don Diego; nor do I
+remember tht ever I thought of Lord Nottingham in any character drawn in
+any one paper of Bickerstaff." See also No. 31, below.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 22. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, May 28_, to _Tuesday, May 31_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 28.
+
+I came hither this evening to see fashions, and who should I first
+encounter but my old friend Cynthio[258] (encompassed by a crowd of
+young fellows) dictating on the passion of love with the gayest air
+imaginable. "Well," says he, "as to what I know of the matter, there is
+nothing but ogling with skill carries a woman; but indeed it is not
+every fool that is capable of this art: you will find twenty can speak
+eloquently, fifty can fight manfully, and a thousand that can dress
+genteelly at a mistress, where there is one that can gaze skilfully.
+This requires an exquisite judgment, to take the language of her eyes to
+yours exactly, and not let yours talk too fast for hers; as at a play
+between the acts, when Beau Frisk stands upon a bench full in
+Lindamira's face, and her dear eyes are searching round to avoid that
+flaring open fool; she meets the watchful glance of her true lover, and
+sees his heart attentive on her charms, and waiting for a second twinkle
+of her eye for its next motion." Here the good company sneered; but he
+goes on. "Nor is this attendance a slavery, when a man meets
+encouragement, and her eye comes often in his way: for, after an evening
+so spent, and the repetition of four or five significant looks at him,
+the happy man goes home to his lodging, full of ten thousand pleasing
+images: his brain is dilated, and gives him all the ideas and prospects
+which it ever lets in to its seat of pleasure. Thus a kind look from
+Lindamira revives in his imagination all the beauteous lawns, green
+fields, woods, forests, rivers and solitudes, which he had ever before
+seen in picture, description, or real life: and all with this addition,
+that he now sees them with the eyes of a happy lover, as before only
+with those of a common man. You laugh, gentlemen: but consider
+yourselves (you common people that were never in love) and compare
+yourselves in good humour with yourselves out of humour, and you will
+then acknowledge, that all external objects affect you according to the
+disposition you are in to receive their impressions, and not as those
+objects are in their own nature. How much more shall all that passes
+within his view and observation, touch with delight a man who is
+prepossessed with successful love, which is an assemblage of soft
+affections, gay desires, and hopeful resolutions?" Poor Cynthio went on
+at this rate to the crowd about him, without any purpose in his talk,
+but to vent a heart overflowing with sense of success. I wondered what
+could exalt him from the distress in which he had long appeared, to so
+much alacrity. But my familiar has given me the state of his affairs. It
+seems then, that lately coming out of the play-house, his mistress, who
+knows he is in her livery (as the manner of insolent beauties is),
+resolved to keep him still so, and gave him so much wages, as to
+complain to him of the crowd she was to pass through. He had his wits
+and resolution enough about him to take her hand, and say, he would
+attend her to her coach. All the way thither, my good young man
+stammered at every word, and stumbled at every step. His mistress,
+wonderfully pleased with her triumph, put him to a thousand questions,
+to make a man of his natural wit speak with hesitation, and let drop her
+fan, to see him recover it awkwardly. This is the whole foundation of
+Cynthio's recovery to the sprightly air he appears with at present. I
+grew mighty curious to know something more of that lady's affairs, as
+being amazed how she could dally with an offer of one of his merit and
+fortune. I sent Pacolet to her lodgings; he immediately brought me back
+the following letter to her friend and confidante Amanda in the country,
+wherein she has opened her heart and all its folds.
+
+"DEAR AMANDA,
+
+The town grows so empty, that you must expect my letter so too, except
+you will allow me to talk of myself instead of others: you cannot
+imagine what pain it is, after a whole day spent in public, to want
+your company, and the ease which friendship allows in being vain to each
+other, and speaking all our minds. An account of the slaughter which
+these unhappy eyes have made within ten days last past, would make me
+appear too great a tyrant to be allowed in a Christian country. I shall
+therefore confine myself to my principal conquests, which are the hearts
+of Beau Frisk, and Jack Freeland, besides Cynthio, who, you know, wore
+my fetters before you went out of town. Shall I tell you my weakness? I
+begin to love Frisk: it is the best-humoured impertinent thing in the
+world: he is always too in waiting, and will certainly carry me off one
+time or other. Freeland's father and mine have been upon treaty without
+consulting me; and Cynthio has been eternally watching my eyes, without
+approaching me, my friends, my maid, or any one about me: he hopes to
+get me, I believe, as they say the rattlesnake does the squirrel, by
+staring at me till I drop into his mouth. Freeland demands me for a
+jointure which he thinks deserves me; Cynthio thinks nothing high enough
+to be my value: Freeland therefore will take it for no obligation to
+have me; and Cynthio's idea of me, is what will vanish by knowing me
+better. Familiarity will equally turn the veneration of the one, and the
+indifference of the other, into contempt. I will stick therefore to my
+old maxim, to have that sort of man, who can have no greater views than
+what are in my power to give him possession of. The utmost of my dear
+Frisk's ambition is, to be thought a man of fashion; and therefore has
+been so much in mode, as to resolve upon me, because the whole town
+likes me. Thus I choose rather a man who loves me because others do,
+than one who approves me on his own judgment. He that judges for himself
+in love, will often change his opinion; but he that follows the sense of
+others, must be constant, as long as a woman can make advances. The
+visits I make, the entertainments I give, and the addresses I receive,
+will be all arguments for me with a man of Frisk's second-hand genius;
+but would be so many bars to my happiness with any other man. However,
+since Frisk can wait, I shall enjoy a summer or two longer, and remain a
+single woman, in the sublime pleasure of being followed and admired;
+which nothing can equal, except that of being beloved by you.
+
+"I am, &c."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, May 30.
+
+My chief business here this evening was to speak to my friends in behalf
+of honest Cave Underhill,[259] who has been a comic for three
+generations: my father[260] admired him extremely when he was a boy.
+There is certainly nature excellently represented in his manner of
+action; in which he ever avoided that general fault in players, of doing
+too much. It must be confessed, he has not the merit of some ingenious
+persons now on the stage, of adding to his authors; for the actors were
+so dull in the last age, that many of them have gone out of the world,
+without having ever spoke one word of their own in the theatre. Poor
+Cave is so mortified, that he quibbles, and tells you, he pretends only
+to act a part fit for a man who has one foot in the grave; viz., a
+gravedigger. All admirers of true comedy, it is hoped, will have the
+gratitude to be present on the last day of his acting, who, if he does
+not happen to please them, will have it even then to say, that it is his
+first offence.
+
+But there is a gentleman here, who says he has it from good hands, that
+there is actually a subscription made by many persons of wit and
+quality, for the encouragement of new comedies. This design will very
+much contribute to the improvement and diversion of the town: but as
+every man is most concerned for himself, I, who am of a saturnine and
+melancholy complexion, cannot but murmur, that there is not an equal
+invitation to write tragedies, having by me, in my book of commonplaces,
+enough to enable me to finish a very sad one by the 5th of next month. I
+have the farewell of a general, with a truncheon in his hand, dying for
+love, in six lines. I have the principles of a politician (who does all
+the mischief in the play) together with his declaration on the vanity of
+ambition in his last moments, expressed in a page and a half. I have all
+my oaths ready, and my similes want nothing but application. I won't
+pretend to give you an account of the plot, it being the same design
+upon which all tragedies have been writ for several years last past; and
+from the beginning of the first scene, the frequenters of the house may
+know, as well as the author, when the battle is to be fought, the lady
+to yield, and the hero to proceed to his wedding and coronation. Besides
+these advantages which I have in readiness, I have an eminent tragedian
+very much my friend, who shall come in, and go through the whole five
+acts, without troubling me for one sentence, whether he is to kill or be
+killed, love or be loved, win battles or lose them, or whatever other
+tragical performance I shall please to assign him.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 30.
+
+I have this day received a letter subscribed "Fidelia," that gives me an
+account of an enchantment under which a young lady suffers, and desires
+my help to exorcise her from the power of the sorcerer. Her lover is a
+rake of sixty; the lady a virtuous woman of twenty-five: her relations
+are to the last degree afflicted, and amazed at this irregular passion:
+their sorrow I know not how to remove, but can their astonishment; for
+there is no spirit in woman half so prevalent as that of contradiction,
+which is the sole cause of her perseverance. Let the whole family go
+dressed in a body, and call the bride to-morrow morning to her nuptials,
+and I'll undertake, the inconstant will forget her lover in the midst of
+all his aches. But if this expedient does not succeed, I must be so just
+to the young lady's distinguishing sense, as to applaud her choice. A
+fine young woman, at last, is but what is due from fate to an honest
+fellow, who has suffered so unmercifully by the sex; and I think we
+cannot enough celebrate her heroic virtue, who (like the patriot that
+ended a pestilence by plunging himself into a gulf) gives herself up to
+gorge that dragon which has devoured so many virgins before her.
+
+A letter directed to "Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; astrologer and physician
+in ordinary to her Majesty's subjects of Great Britain, with respect,"
+is come to hand.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 258: See Nos. 1, 5, 35, 85.]
+
+[Footnote 259: The following advertisement appeared in Nos. 20 and 22:
+"Mr. Cave Underhill, the famous comedian in the reigns of Charles II.,
+King James II., King William and Queen Mary, and her present Majesty
+Queen Anne; but now not able to perform so often as heretofore in the
+playhouse, and having had losses to the value of near L2500, is to have
+the tragedy of 'Hamlet' acted for his benefit, on Friday, the 3rd of
+June next, at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, in which he is to perform
+his original part, the Grave-maker. Tickets may be had at the Mitre
+Tavern in Fleet Street." Colley Cibber says that Underhill was
+particularly admired in the character of the Grave-digger; and he adds:
+"Underhill was a correct and natural comedian; his particular excellence
+was in characters that may be called still-life; I mean the stiff, the
+heavy, and the stupid; to these he gave the exactest and most expressive
+colours, and in some of them looked as if it were not in the power of
+human passions to alter a feature of him. A countenance of wood could
+not be more fixed than his, when the blockhead of a character required
+it; his face was full and long; from his crown to the end of his nose
+was the shorter half of it, so that the disproportion of his lower
+features, when soberly composed, threw him into the most lumpish, moping
+mortal, that ever made beholders merry; not but, at other times, he
+could be wakened into spirit equally ridiculous." Genest says that
+Underhill acted again as the Grave-digger on Feb. 23, 1710, at Drury
+Lane.]
+
+[Footnote 260: "Grandfather" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 23. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, May 31_, to _Thursday, June 2_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, May 31.
+
+The generality of mankind are so very fond of this world, and of staying
+in it, that a man cannot have eminent skill in any one art, but they
+will, in spite of his teeth, make him a physician also, that being the
+science the worldlings have most need of. I pretended, when I first set
+up, to astrology only; but I am told, I have deep skill also in
+medicine. I am applied to now by a gentleman for my advice in behalf of
+his wife, who, upon the least matrimonial difficulty, is excessively
+troubled with fits, and can bear no manner of passion without falling
+into immediate convulsions. I must confess, it is a case I have known
+before, and remember the party was recovered by certain words pronounced
+in the midst of the fit by the learned doctor who performed the cure.
+These ails have usually their beginning from the affections of the mind:
+therefore you must have patience to let me give you an instance, whereby
+you may discern the cause of the distemper, and then proceed in the cure
+as follows:
+
+A fine town lady was married to a gentleman of ancient descent in one of
+the counties of Great Britain, who had good humour to a weakness, and
+was that sort of person, of whom it is usually said, he is no man's
+enemy but his own: one who had too much tenderness of soul to have any
+authority with his wife; and she too little sense to give him authority
+for that reason. His kind wife observed this temper in him, and made
+proper use of it. But knowing it was below a gentlewoman to wrangle, she
+resolved upon an expedient to save decorum, and wear her dear to her
+point at the same time. She therefore took upon her to govern him, by
+falling into fits whenever she was repulsed in a request, or
+contradicted in a discourse. It was a fish-day, when in the midst of her
+husband's good humour at table, she bethought herself to try her
+project. She made signs that she had swallowed a bone. The man grew pale
+as ashes, and ran to her assistance, calling for drink. "No, my dear,"
+said she, recovering, "it is down; don't be frightened." This accident
+betrayed his softness enough. The next day she complained, a lady's
+chariot, whose husband had not half his estate, had a crane-neck, and
+hung with twice the air that hers did. He answered, "Madam, you know my
+income; you know I have lost two coach-horses this spring."--Down she
+fell.--"Hartshorn! Betty, Susan, Alice, throw water in her face." With
+much care and pains she was at last brought to herself, and the vehicle
+in which she visited was amended in the nicest manner, to prevent
+relapses; but they frequently happened during that husband's whole life,
+which he had the good fortune to end in few years after. The
+disconsolate soon pitched upon a very agreeable successor, whom she very
+prudently designed to govern by the same method. This man knew her
+little arts, and resolved to break through all tenderness, and be
+absolute master, as soon as occasion offered. One day it happened, that
+a discourse arose about furniture: he was very glad of the occasion, and
+fell into an invective against china,[261] protesting, he would never
+let five pounds more of his money be laid out that way as long as he
+breathed. She immediately fainted--he starts up as amazed, and calls for
+help--the maids ran to the closet--he chafes her face, bends her
+forwards, and beats the palms of her hands: her convulsions increase,
+and down she tumbles on the floor, where she lies quite dead, in spite
+of what the whole family, from the nursery to the kitchen, could do for
+her relief.
+
+While every servant was thus helping or lamenting their mistress, he,
+fixing his cheek to hers, seemed to be following her in a trance of
+sorrow; but secretly whispers her, "My dear, this will never do: what is
+within my power and fortune, you may always command, but none of your
+artifices: you are quite in other hands than those you passed these
+pretty passions upon." This made her almost in the condition she
+pretended; her convulsions now came thicker, nor was she to be held
+down. The kind man doubles his care, helps the servants to throw water
+in her face by full quarts; and when the sinking part of the fit came
+again, "Well, my dear," said he, "I applaud your action; but I must take
+my leave of you till you are more sincere with me. Farewell for ever:
+you shall always know where to hear of me, and want for nothing." With
+that, he ordered the maids to keep plying her with hartshorn, while he
+went for a physician: he was scarce at the stairhead when she followed;
+and pulling him into a closet, thanked him for her cure; which was so
+absolute, that she gave me this relation herself, to be communicated for
+the benefit of all the voluntary invalids of her sex.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, May 31.
+
+The public is not so little my concern, though I am but a student, as
+that I should not interest myself in the present great things in
+agitation. I am still of opinion, the French king will sign the
+preliminaries. With that view, I have sent him by my familiar the
+following epistle, and admonished him, on pain of what I shall say of
+him to future generations, to act with sincerity on this occasion.
+
+#"London, May 31.#
+
+#"Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., of Great Britain, to Lewis XIV. of France.#
+
+"The surprising news which arrived this day, of your Majesty's having
+refused to sign the treaty your Ministers have in a manner sued for, is
+what gives ground to this application to your Majesty, from one whose
+name, perhaps, is too obscure to have ever reached your territories; but
+one who, with all the European world, is affected with your
+determinations. Therefore, as it is mine and the common cause of
+mankind, I presume to expostulate with you on this occasion. It will, I
+doubt not, appear to the vulgar extravagant, that the actions of a
+mighty prince should be balanced by the censure of a private man, whose
+approbation or dislike are equally contemptible in their eyes, when they
+regard the thrones of sovereigns. But your Majesty has shown, through
+the whole course of your reign, too great a value for liberal arts to be
+insensible, that true fame lies only in the hands of learned men, by
+whom it is to be transmitted to futurity, with marks of honour or
+reproach to the end of time. The date of human life is too short to
+recompense the cares which attend the most private condition: therefore
+it is, that our souls are made as it were too big for it, and extend
+themselves in the prospect of a longer existence, in a good fame and
+memory of worthy actions after our decease. The whole race of men have
+this passion in some degree implanted in their bosoms, which is the
+strongest and noblest incitation to honest attempts: but the base use of
+the arts of peace, eloquence, poetry, and all the parts of learning,
+have been possessed by souls so unworthy those faculties, that the names
+and appellations of things have been confounded by the labours and
+writings of prostituted men, who have stamped a reputation upon such
+actions as are in themselves the objects of contempt and disgrace. This
+is that which has misled your Majesty in the conduct of your reign, and
+made that life, which might have been the most imitable, the most to be
+avoided. To this it is, that the great and excellent qualities of which
+your Majesty is master, are lost in their application; and your Majesty
+has been carrying on for many years the most cruel tyranny, with all the
+noble methods which are used to support a just reign. Thus it is, that
+it avails nothing that you are a bountiful master; that you are so
+generous as to reward even the unsuccessful with honour and riches; that
+no laudable action passes unrewarded in your kingdoms; that you have
+searched all nations for obscure merit; in a word, that you are in your
+private character endowed with every princely quality, when all this is
+subjected to unjust and ill-taught ambition, which to the injury of the
+world, is gilded by those endowments. However, if your Majesty will
+condescend to look into your own soul, and consider all its faculties
+and weaknesses with impartiality; if you will but be convinced, that
+life is supported in you by the ordinary methods of food, rest, and
+sleep; you would think it impossible that you could ever be so much
+imposed on, as to have been wrought into a belief, that so many
+thousands of the same make with yourself, were formed by Providence for
+no other end, but by the hazard of their very being to extend the
+conquests and glory of an individual of their own species. A very little
+reflection will convince your Majesty, that such cannot be the intent of
+the Creator; and if not, what horror must it give your Majesty to think
+of the vast devastations your ambition has made among your fellow
+creatures? While the warmth of youth, the flattery of crowds, and a
+continual series of success and triumph, indulged your Majesty in this
+allusion of mind, it was less to be wondered at, that you proceeded in
+this mistaken pursuit of grandeur; but when age, disappointments, public
+calamities, personal distempers, and the reverse of all that makes men
+forget their true being, are fallen upon you: heavens! is it possible
+you can live without remorse? Can the wretched man be a tyrant? Can
+grief study torments? Can sorrow be cruel?--
+
+"Your Majesty will observe, I do not bring against you a railing
+accusation; but as you are a strict professor of religion, I beseech
+your Majesty to stop the effusion of blood, by receiving the opportunity
+which presents itself, for the preservation of your distressed people.
+Be no longer so infatuated, as to hope for renown from murder and
+violence: but consider, that the great day will come, in which this
+world and all its glory shall change in a moment: when nature shall
+sicken, and the earth and sea give up the bodies committed to them, to
+appear before the last tribunal. Will it then, O king! be an answer for
+the lives of millions who have fallen by the sword, 'They perished for
+my glory'? That day will come on, and one like it is immediately
+approaching: injured nations advance towards thy habitation: vengeance
+has begun its march, which is to be diverted only by the penitence of
+the oppressor. Awake, O monarch, from thy lethargy! Disdain the abuses
+thou hast received: pull down the statue which calls thee immortal: be
+truly great: tear thy purple, and put on sackcloth.
+
+"I am,
+
+"Thy generous Enemy,
+
+                                        "ISAAC BICKERSTAFF."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 1.
+
+Advices from Brussels of the 6th instant, N.S., say, his Highness Prince
+Eugene had received a letter from Monsieur Torcy, wherein that Minister,
+after many expressions of great respect, acquaints him, that his master
+had absolutely refused to sign the preliminaries to the treaty which he
+had, in his Majesty's behalf, consented to at the Hague. Upon the
+receipt of this intelligence, the face of things at that place were
+immediately altered, and the necessary orders were transmitted to the
+troops (which lay most remote from thence) to move towards the place of
+rendezvous with all expedition. The enemy seem also to prepare for the
+field, and have at present drawn together twenty-five thousand men in
+the plains of Lenz. Marshal Villars is at the head of those troops; and
+has given the generals under his command all possible assurances, that
+he will turn the fate of the war to the advantage of his master.
+
+They write from the Hague of the 7th, that Monsieur Rouille had received
+orders from the Court of France, to signify to the States-General and
+the Ministers of the High Allies, that the king could not consent to the
+preliminaries of a treaty of peace, as it was offered to him by Monsieur
+Torcy. The great difficulty is the business of Spain, on which
+particular his Ministers seemed only to say, during the treaty, that it
+was not so immediately under their master's direction, as that he could
+answer for its being relinquished by the Duke of Anjou: but now he
+positively answers, that he cannot comply with what his Minister has
+promised in his behalf, even in such points as are wholly in himself to
+act in or not. This has had no other effect, than to give the Alliance
+fresh arguments for being diffident of engagements entered into by
+France. The Pensioner made a report of all which this Minister had
+declared to the Deputies of the States-General, and all things turn
+towards a vigorous war. The Duke of Marlborough designed to leave the
+Hague within two days, in order to put himself at the head of the army,
+which is to assemble on the 17th instant between the Scheldt and the
+Lis. A fleet of eighty sail, laden with corn from the Baltic, is arrived
+in the Texel. The States have sent circular letters to all the
+provinces, to notify this change of affairs, and animate their subjects
+to new resolutions in defence of their country.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 261: Addison ridiculed the prevalent craze for collecting
+china in No. 10 of the _Lover_; and Swift wrote to Steele, "What do I
+know whether china is dear or not; I once took a fancy of resolving to
+go mad for it, but now it is off."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 24. [ADDISON.
+
+From _Thursday, June 2_, to _Saturday, June 4_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 2.
+
+In my paper of the 28th of the last month,[262] I mentioned several
+characters which want explanation to the generality of readers: among
+others, I spoke of a Pretty Fellow; but I have received a kind
+admonition in a letter, to take care that I do not omit to show also
+what is meant by a Very Pretty Fellow, which is to be allowed as a
+character by itself, and a person exalted above the other by a peculiar
+sprightliness, as one who, by a distinguishing vigour, outstrips his
+companions, and has thereby deserved and obtained a particular
+appellation, or nickname of familiarity. Some have this distinction from
+the fair sex, who are so generous as to take into their protection those
+who are laughed at by the men, and place them for that reason in degrees
+of favour. The chief of this sort is Colonel Brunett, who is a man of
+fashion, because he will be so; and practises a very jaunty way of
+behaviour, because he is too careless to know when he offends, and too
+sanguine to be mortified if he did know it. Thus the colonel has met
+with a town ready to receive him, and cannot possibly see why he should
+not make use of their favour, and set himself in the first degree of
+conversation. Therefore he is very successfully loud among the wits,
+familiar among the ladies, and dissolute among the rakes. Thus he is
+admitted in one place, because he is so in another; and every man treats
+Brunett well, not out of his particular esteem for him, but in respect
+to the opinion of others. It is to me a solid pleasure to see the world
+thus mistaken on the good-natured side; for it is ten to one but the
+colonel mounts into a general officer, marries a fine lady, and is
+master of a good estate, before they come to explain upon him. What
+gives most delight to me in this observation, is, that all this arises
+from pure nature, and the colonel can account for his success no more
+than those by whom he succeeds. For these causes and considerations, I
+pronounce him a true woman's man, and in the first degree, "a very
+pretty fellow." The next to a man of this universal genius, is one who
+is peculiarly formed for the service of the ladies, and his merit
+chiefly is to be of no consequence. I am indeed a little in doubt,
+whether he ought not rather to be called a "very happy," than a "very
+pretty" fellow? For he is admitted at all hours: all he says or does,
+which would offend in another, are passed over in him; and all actions
+and speeches which please, doubly please if they come from him: no one
+wonders or takes notice when he is wrong; but all admire him when he is
+in the right. By the way it is fit to remark, that there are people of
+better sense than these, who endeavour at this character; but they are
+out of nature; and though, with some industry, they get the characters
+of fools, they cannot arrive to be "very," seldom to be merely "pretty
+fellows." But where nature has formed a person for this station amongst
+men, he is gifted with a peculiar genius for success, and his very
+errors and absurdities contribute to it; this felicity attending him to
+his life's end. For it being in a manner necessary that he should be of
+no consequence, he is as well in old age as youth; and I know a man,
+whose son has been some years a pretty fellow, who is himself at this
+hour a "very" pretty fellow. One must move tenderly in this place, for
+we are now in the ladies' lodgings, and speaking of such as are
+supported by their influence and favour; against which there is not,
+neither ought there to be, any dispute or observation. But when we come
+into more free air, one may talk a little more at large. Give me leave
+then to mention three, whom I do not doubt but we shall see make
+considerable figures; and these are such as, for their Bacchanalian
+performances, must be admitted into this order. They are three brothers
+lately landed from Holland: as yet, indeed, they have not made their
+public entry, but lodge and converse at Wapping. They have merited
+already on the waterside particular titles: the first is called
+Hogshead; the second Culverin; and the third Musket. This fraternity is
+preparing for our end of the town by their ability in the exercises of
+Bacchus, and measure their time and merit by liquid weight, and power
+of drinking. Hogshead is a prettier fellow than Culverin by two quarts,
+and Culverin than Musket by a full pint. It is to be feared, Hogshead is
+so often too full, and Culverin overloaded, that Musket will be the only
+lasting "very" pretty fellow of the three.[263] A third sort of this
+denomination are such as, by very daring adventures in love, have
+purchased to themselves renown and new names; as, Joe Carry, for his
+excessive strength and vigour; Tom Drybones, for his generous loss of
+youth and health; and Cancrum, for his meritorious rottenness. These
+great and leading spirits are proposed to all such of our British youth
+as would arrive at perfection in these different kinds; and if their
+parts and accomplishments were well imitated, it is not doubted but that
+our nation would soon excel all others in wit and arts, as they already
+do in arms.
+
+N.B.--The gentleman who stole Betty Pepin,[264] may own it, for he is
+allowed to be a "very" pretty fellow.
+
+#But we must proceed to the explanation of other terms in our writings.#
+
+To know what a Toast is in the country, gives as much perplexity as she
+herself does in town: and, indeed, the learned differ very much upon the
+original of this word, and the acceptation of it among the moderns.
+However, it is by all agreed to have a joyous and cheerful import. A
+toast in a cold morning, heightened by nutmeg, and sweetened with sugar,
+has for many ages been given to our rural dissenters of justice, before
+they entered upon causes, and has been of great and politic use to take
+off the severity of their sentences; but has indeed been remarkable for
+one ill effect, that it inclines those who use it immoderately, to speak
+Latin, to the admiration, rather than information, of an audience. This
+application of "a toast" makes it very obvious, that the word may,
+without a metaphor, be understood as an apt name for a thing which
+raises us in the most sovereign degree. But many of the wits of the last
+age will assert, that the word, in its present sense, was known among
+them in their youth, and had its rise from an accident at the town of
+Bath, in the reign of King Charles II. It happened, that on a public day
+a celebrated beauty of those times was in the Cross Bath, and one of the
+crowd of her admirers took a glass of the water in which the fair one
+stood, and drank her health to the company. There was in the place a gay
+fellow, half fuddled, who offered to jump in, and swore, though he liked
+not the liquor, he would have the toast. He was opposed in his
+resolution; yet this whim gave foundation to the present honour which is
+done to the lady we mention in our liquors, who has ever since been
+called a "toast." Though this institution had so trivial a beginning, it
+is now elevated into a formal order; and that happy virgin who is
+received and drank to at their meetings, has no more to do in this life,
+but to judge and accept of the first good offer. The manner of her
+inauguration is much like that of the choice of a Doge in Venice: it is
+performed by balloting; and when she is so chosen, she reigns
+indisputably for that ensuing year; but must be elected anew to prolong
+her empire a moment beyond it. When she is regularly chosen, her name is
+written with a diamond on a drinking-glass.[265] The hieroglyphic of the
+diamond is to show her, that her value is imaginary; and that of the
+glass to acquaint her, that her condition is frail, and depends on the
+hand which holds her. This wise design admonishes her, neither to
+overrate nor depreciate her charms; as well considering and applying,
+that it is perfectly according to the humour and taste of the company,
+whether the toast is eaten, or left as an offal.
+
+The foremost of the whole rank of toasts, and the most undisputed in
+their present empire, are Mrs. Gatty and Mrs. Frontlet: the first, an
+agreeable; the second, an awful beauty. These ladies are perfect
+friends, out of a knowledge that their perfections are too different to
+stand in competition. He that likes Gatty can have no relish for so
+solemn a creature as Frontlet; and an admirer of Frontlet will call
+Gatty a maypole-girl. Gatty for ever smiles upon you; and Frontlet
+disdains to see you smile. Gatty's love is a shining quick flame;
+Frontlet's a slow wasting fire. Gatty likes the man that diverts her;
+Frontlet him who adores her. Gatty always improves the soil in which she
+travels; Frontlet lays waste the country. Gatty does not only smile, but
+laughs at her lover; Frontlet not only looks serious, but frowns at him.
+All the men of wit (and coxcombs their followers) are professed servants
+of Gatty: the politicians and pretenders give solemn worship to
+Frontlet. Their reign will be best judged of by its duration. Frontlet
+will never be chosen more; and Gatty is a toast for life.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 3.
+
+Letters from Hamburg of the 7th instant, N.S., inform us, that no art or
+cost is omitted to make the stay of his Danish Majesty at Dresden
+agreeable; but there are various speculations upon the interview between
+King Augustus and that prince, many putting politic constructions upon
+his Danish Majesty's arrival, at a time when his troops are marching out
+of Hungary, with orders to pass through Saxony, where it is given out,
+that they are to be recruited. It is said also, that several Polish
+senators have invited King Augustus to return into Poland. His Majesty
+of Sweden, according to the same advices, has passed the Dnieper without
+any opposition from the Muscovites, and advances with all possible
+expedition towards Voldinia, where he proposes to join King Stanislaus
+and General Cressau.
+
+We hear from Berne of the 1st instant, N.S., that there is not a
+province in France, from whence the Court is not apprehensive of
+receiving accounts of public emotions, occasioned by the want of corn.
+The General Diet of the thirteen cantons is assembled at Baden, but have
+not yet entered upon business, so that the affair of Tockenburg is yet
+at a stand.
+
+Letters from the Hague, dated the 11th instant, N.S., advise that
+Monsieur Rouille having acquainted the Ministers of the Allies, that his
+master had refused to ratify the preliminaries of a treaty adjusted with
+Monsieur Torcy, set out for Paris on Sunday morning. The same day the
+foreign Ministers met a committee of the States-General, where Monsieur
+van Hessen opened the business upon which they were assembled, and in a
+very warm discourse laid before them the conduct of France in the late
+negotiations, representing the abject manner in which she had laid open
+her own distresses, which reduced her to a compliance with the demands
+of all the Allies, and the mean manner in receding from those points to
+which her Minister had consented. The respective Ministers of each
+potentate of the Alliance severally expressed their resentment of the
+faithless behaviour of the French, and gave each other mutual assurances
+of the constancy and resolution of their principles to proceed with the
+utmost vigour against the common enemy. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough set out from the Hague on the 9th, in the afternoon, and lay
+that night at Rotterdam, from whence at four the next morning he
+proceeded towards Antwerp, with design to reach Ghent as on this day.
+All the troops in the Low Countries are in motion towards the general
+rendezvous between the Scheldt and Lis, and the whole army will be
+formed on the 12th instant; and it is said that on the 14th they will
+advance towards the enemy's country. In the meantime the Marshal de
+Villars has assembled the French army between Lens, la Bassee, and
+Douay.
+
+Yesterday morning Sir John Norris[266] with the squadron under his
+command, sailed from the Downs for Holland.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 3.
+
+I have the honour of the following letter from a gentleman whom I
+receive into my family, and order the heralds at arms to enroll him
+accordingly.
+
+"MR. BICKERSTAFF,
+
+"Though you have excluded me the honour of your family, yet I have
+ventured to correspond with the same great persons as yourself, and have
+wrote this post to the King of France; though I'm in a manner unknown
+in his country, and have not been seen there these many months.
+
+#"'To Lewis le Grand.#
+
+    "'Though in your country I'm unknown,
+      Yet, sir, I must advise you;
+    Of late so poor and mean you're grown,
+      That all the world despise you.
+
+    Here vermin eat your majesty,
+      There meagre subjects stand unfed;
+    What surer signs of poverty,
+      Than many lice, and little bread?
+
+    Then, sir, the present minute choose,
+      Our armies are advanced;
+    Those terms you at the Hague refuse,
+      At Paris won't be granted.
+
+    Consider this, and Dunkirk raze,
+      And Anna's title own;
+    Send one Pretender out to graze,
+      And call the other home.'
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "BREAD, THE STAFF OF LIFE."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 262: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 263: It would seem from the passage in the _Examiner_ (vol.
+iii. No. 48), that three men of distinction at that time, probably
+noblemen, were supposed to be denoted under the names of Hogshead,
+Culverin, and Musket, from Wapping; or, as they are named by the
+_Examiner_, "Tun, Gun, and Pistol, from Wapping." They are there
+mentioned among others, said to have been, "with at least fifty more,
+sufferers of figure under this author's satire, in the days of his
+mirth," &c. In the _Guardian_ (No. 53) Steele says, "Tun, Gun, and
+Pistol from Wapping, laughed at the representation which was made of
+them, and were observed to be more regular in their conduct
+afterwards."]
+
+[Footnote 264: The kept mistress of a knight of the shire near
+Brentford, who squandered his estate on women, and in contested
+elections. He has long since gone into the land of oblivion. See No.
+51.--(Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 265: Several such verses, inscribed on the glasses of the Kit
+Cat Club, are given in Nichols' "Select Collection of Poems," v.
+168-178.]
+
+[Footnote 266: Admiral Sir John Norris (died 1749) was sent in June
+1709, with a small squadron, to stop the French supply of corn from the
+Baltic.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 25. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 4_, to _Tuesday, June 7_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 6.
+
+A letter from a young lady, written in the most passionate terms
+(wherein she laments the misfortune of a gentleman, her lover, who was
+lately wounded in a duel), has turned my thoughts to that subject, and
+inclined me to examine into the causes which precipitate men into so
+fatal a folly.[267] And as it has been proposed to treat of subjects of
+gallantry in the article from hence, and no one point of nature is more
+proper to be considered by the company who frequent this place, than
+that of duels, it is worth our consideration to examine into this
+chimerical groundless humour, and to lay every other thought aside, till
+we have stripped it of all its false pretences to credit and reputation
+amongst men. But I must confess, when I consider what I am going about,
+and run over in my imagination all the endless crowd of men of honour
+who will be offended at such a discourse, I am undertaking, methinks, a
+work worthy an invulnerable hero in romance, rather than a private
+gentleman with a single rapier; but as I am pretty well acquainted by
+great opportunities with the nature of man, and know of a truth, that
+all men fight against their will, the danger vanishes, and resolution
+rises upon this subject. For this reason I shall talk very freely on a
+custom which all men wish exploded, though no man has courage enough to
+resist it. But there is one unintelligible word which I fear will
+extremely perplex my dissertation, and I confess to you I find very
+hard to explain, which is, the term "satisfaction." An honest country
+gentleman had the misfortune to fall into company with two or three
+modern men of honour, where he happened to be very ill-treated; and one
+of the company being conscious of his offence, sends a note to him in
+the morning, and tells him, he was ready to give him satisfaction. "This
+is fine doing," says the plain fellow: "last night he sent me away
+cursedly out of humour, and this morning he fancies it would be a
+satisfaction to be run through the body." As the matter at present
+stands, it is not to do handsome actions denominates a man of honour; it
+is enough if he dares to defend ill ones. Thus you often see a common
+sharper in competition with a gentleman of the first rank; though all
+mankind is convinced, that a fighting gamester is only a pickpocket with
+the courage of a highwayman. One cannot with any patience reflect on the
+unaccountable jumble of persons and things in this town and nation,
+which occasions very frequently, that a brave man falls by a hand below
+that of the common hangman, and yet his executioner escapes the clutches
+of the hangman for doing it. I shall therefore hereafter consider, how
+the bravest men in other ages and nations have behaved themselves upon
+such incidents as we decide by combat; and show, from their practice,
+that this resentment neither has its foundation from true reason, nor
+solid fame; but is an imposture,[268] made up of cowardice, falsehood,
+and want of understanding. For this work, a good history of quarrels
+would be very edifying to the public, and I apply myself to the town for
+particulars and circumstances within their knowledge, which may serve to
+embellish the dissertation with proper cuts. Most of the quarrels I have
+ever known, have proceeded from some valiant coxcomb's persisting in
+the wrong, to defend some prevailing folly, and preserve himself from
+the ingenuity of owning a mistake.[269]
+
+By this means it is called, "giving a man satisfaction," to urge your
+offence against him with your sword; which puts me in mind of Peter's
+order to the keeper, in the "Tale of a Tub": "If you neglect to do all
+this, damn you and your generation for ever; and so we bid you heartily
+farewell."[270] If the contradiction in the very terms of one of our
+challenges were as well explained, and turned into plain English, would
+it not run after this manner?
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Your extraordinary behaviour last night, and the liberty you were
+pleased to take with me, makes me this morning give you this, to tell
+you, because you are an ill-bred puppy, I will meet you in Hyde Park an
+hour hence; and because you want both breeding and humanity, I desire
+you would come with a pistol in your hand, on horseback, and endeavour
+to shoot me through the head; to teach you more manners. If you fail of
+doing me this pleasure, I shall say, you are a rascal on every post in
+town: and so, sir, if you will not injure me more, I shall never forgive
+what you have done already. Pray sir, do not fail of getting everything
+ready, and you will infinitely oblige,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"humble Servant, &c."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 6.
+
+Among the many employments I am necessarily put upon by my friends, that
+of giving advice is the most unwelcome to me; and indeed, I am forced to
+use a little art in the matter; for some people will ask counsel of you,
+when they have already acted what they tell you is still under
+deliberation. I had almost lost a very good friend the other day, who
+came to know how I liked his design to marry such a lady. I answered,
+"By no means; and I must be positive against it, for very solid reasons,
+which are not proper to communicate." "Not proper to communicate!" said
+he with a grave air, "I will know the bottom of this." I saw him moved,
+and knew from thence he was already determined; therefore evaded it by
+saying, "To tell you the truth, dear Frank, of all women living, I would
+have her myself." "Isaac," said he, "thou art too late, for we have been
+both one these two months." I learned this caution by a gentleman's
+consulting me formerly about his son. He railed at his damned
+extravagance, and told me, in a very little time, he would beggar him by
+the exorbitant bills which came from Oxford every quarter. "Make the
+rogue bite upon the bridle,"[271] said I, "pay none of his bills, it
+will but encourage him to further trespasses." He looked plaguy sour at
+me. His son soon after sent up a paper of verses, forsooth, in print, on
+the last public occasion; upon which, he is convinced the boy has parts,
+and a lad of spirit is not to be too much cramped in his maintenance,
+lest he take ill courses. Neither father nor son can ever since endure
+the sight of me. These sort of people ask opinions, only out of the
+fulness of their heart on the subject of their perplexity, and not from
+a desire of information. There is nothing so easy as to find out which
+opinion the person in doubt has a mind to; therefore the sure way is to
+tell him, that is certainly to be chosen. Then you are to be very clear
+and positive; leave no handle for scruple. "Bless me! sir, there is no
+room for a question." This rivets you into his heart; for you at once
+applaud his wisdom, and gratify his inclination. However, I had too much
+bowels to be insincere to a man who came yesterday to know of me, with
+which of two eminent men in the City he should place his son? Their
+names are Paulo and Avaro.[272] This gave me much debate with myself,
+because not only the fortune of the youth, but his virtue also depended
+upon this choice. The men are equally wealthy; but they differ in the
+use and application of their riches, which you immediately see upon
+entering their doors.
+
+The habitation of Paulo has at once the air of a nobleman and a
+merchant. You see the servants act with affection to their master, and
+satisfaction in themselves: the master meets you with an open
+countenance, full of benevolence and integrity: your business is
+despatched with that confidence and welcome which always accompanies
+honest minds: his table is the image of plenty and generosity, supported
+by justice and frugality. After we had dined here, our affair was to
+visit Avaro: out comes an awkward fellow with a careful countenance;
+"Sir, would you speak with my master? May I crave your name?" After the
+first preambles, he leads us into a noble solitude, a great house that
+seemed uninhabited; but from the end of the spacious hall moves towards
+us Avaro, with a suspicious aspect, as if he believed us thieves; and as
+for my part, I approached him as if I knew him a cut-purse. We fell
+into discourse of his noble dwelling, and the great estate all the world
+knew he had to enjoy in it: and I, to plague him, fell a commending
+Paulo's way of living. "Paulo," answered Avaro, "is a very good man; but
+we who have smaller estates, must cut our coat according to our cloth."
+"Nay," says I, "every man knows his own circumstance best; you are in
+the right, if you haven't wherewithal." He looked very sour (for it is,
+you must know, the utmost vanity of a mean-spirited rich man to be
+contradicted, when he calls himself poor). But I was resolved to vex
+him, by consenting to all he said; the main design of which was, that he
+would have us find out, he was one of the wealthiest men in London, and
+lived like a beggar. We left him, and took a turn on the 'Change. My
+friend was ravished with Avaro. "This," said he, "is certainly a sure
+man." I contradicted him with much warmth, and summed up their different
+characters as well as I could. "This Paulo," said I, "grows wealthy by
+being a common good; Avaro, by being a general evil: Paulo has the art,
+Avaro the craft of trade. When Paulo gains, all men he deals with are
+the better: whenever Avaro profits, another certainly loses. In a word,
+Paulo is a citizen, and Avaro a cit." I convinced my friend, and carried
+the young gentleman the next day to Paulo, where he will learn the way
+both to gain, and enjoy a good fortune. And though I cannot say, I have,
+by keeping him from Avaro, saved him from the gallows, I have prevented
+his deserving it every day he lives: for with Paulo he will be an honest
+man, without being so for fear of the law; as with Avaro, he would have
+been a villain within the protection of it.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 6.
+
+We hear from Vienna of the 1st instant, that Baron Imoff, who attended
+her Catholic Majesty with the character of Envoy from the Duke of
+Wolfembuttel, was returned thither. That Minister brought an account,
+that Major-general Stanhope, with the troops which embarked at Naples,
+was returned to Barcelona. We hear from Berlin, by advices of the 8th
+instant, that his Prussian Majesty had received intelligence from his
+Minister at Dresden, that the King of Denmark desired to meet his
+Majesty at Magdeburg. The King of Prussia has sent answer, that his
+present indisposition will not admit of so great a journey; but has sent
+the king a very pressing invitation to come to Berlin or Potsdam. These
+advices say, that the Minister of the King of Sweden has produced a
+letter from his master to the King of Poland, dated from Batitzau the
+30th of March, O.S., wherein he acquaints him, that he has been
+successful against the Muscovites in all the occasions which have
+happened since his march into their country. Great numbers have revolted
+to the Swedes since General Mazeppa went over to that side; and as many
+as have done so, have taken solemn oaths to adhere to the interests of
+his Swedish Majesty.
+
+Advices from the Hague of the 14th instant, N.S., say, that all things
+tended to a vigorous and active campaign; the Allies having strong
+resentments against the late behaviour of the Court of France; and the
+French using all possible endeavours to animate their men to defend
+their country against a victorious and exasperated enemy. Monsieur
+Rouille had passed through Brussels without visiting either the Duke of
+Marlborough or Prince Eugene, who were both there at that time. The
+States have met, and publicly declared their satisfaction in the
+conduct of their deputies during the whole treaty. Letters from France
+say, that the Court is resolved to put all to the issue of the ensuing
+campaign. In the meantime, they have ordered the preliminary treaty to
+be published, with observation upon each article, in order to quiet the
+minds of the people, and persuade them, that it has not been in the
+power of the king to procure a peace, but to the diminution of his
+Majesty's glory, and the hazard of his dominions. His Grace the Duke of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene arrived at Ghent on Wednesday last, where,
+at an assembly of all the general officers, it was thought proper, by
+reason of the great rains which have lately fallen, to defer forming a
+camp, or bringing the troops together; but as soon as the weather would
+permit, to march upon the enemy with all expedition.[273]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 267: For Steele's other papers on duelling, see Nos. 26, 28,
+29, 31, 38, 39.]
+
+[Footnote 268: Something imposed upon us.]
+
+[Footnote 269: "While this barbarous custom of duelling is tolerated, we
+shall never be rid of coxcombs, who will defend their understandings by
+the sword, and force us to bear nonsense on pain of death."--(Steele,
+_Theatre_, No. 26.)]
+
+[Footnote 270: Swift's "Tale of a Tub," sect. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 271: _I.e._, hold him in.]
+
+[Footnote 272: Said to be Bateman and Heathcote, both eminent
+citizens--(_Gentleman's Magazine_, lx. 679.)]
+
+[Footnote 273: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received a letter, dated June 6,
+with the just exceptions against the pretence of persons therein
+mentioned, to the name of Pretty Fellows, which shall be taken notice of
+accordingly: as likewise, the letter from Anthony Longtail of
+Canterbury, concerning the death of Thomas a Becket" (folio). See Nos.
+24, 26.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 26. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 7_, to _Thursday, June 9_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 8.
+
+I have read the following letter with delight and approbation, and I
+hereby order Mr. Kidney at St. James's, and Sir Thomas at White's[274]
+(who are my clerks for enrolling all men in their distant classes,
+before they presume to drink tea or chocolate in those places), to take
+care, that the persons within the descriptions in the letter be
+admitted, and excluded according to my friend's remonstrance.[275]
+
+"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.; at Mr. Morphew's near Stationers' Hall._
+
+"_June 6_, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"Your paper of Saturday[276] has raised up in me a noble emulation, to
+be recorded in the foremost rank of worthies therein mentioned; and if
+any regard be had to merit or industry, I may hope to succeed in the
+promotion, for I have omitted no toil or expense to be a proficient; and
+if my friends do not flatter, they assure me, I have not lost my time
+since I came to town. To enumerate but a few particulars; there's hardly
+a coachman I meet with, but desires to be excused taking me, because he
+has had me before. I have compounded two or three rapes; and let out to
+hire as many bastards to beggars. I never saw above the first act of a
+play: and as to my courage, it is well known, I have more than once had
+sufficient witnesses of my drawing my sword both in tavern and
+playhouse. Dr. Wall[277] is my particular friend; and if it were any
+service to the public to compose the difference between Marten and
+Sintilaer[278] the pearl-driller, I don't know a judge of more
+experience than myself: for in that I may say with the poet,
+
+    "'_Quae regio in villa nostri non plena laboris?_'[279]
+
+"I omit other less particulars, the necessary consequences of greater
+actions. But my reason for troubling you at this present is, to put a
+stop, if it may be, to an insinuating, increasing set of people, who
+sticking to the letter of your treatise, and not to the spirit of it, do
+assume the name of 'pretty fellows'; nay, and even get new names, as you
+very well hint. Some of them I have heard calling to one another, as I
+have sat at White's and St. James's, by the names of Betty, Nelly, and
+so forth. You see them accost each other with effeminate airs: they have
+their signs and tokens like freemasons: they rail at women-kind; receive
+visits on their beds in gowns, and do a thousand other unintelligible
+prettinesses that I cannot tell what to make of. I therefore heartily
+desire you would exclude all this sort of animals.
+
+"There is another matter I am foreseeing an ill consequence from, but
+may be timely prevented by prudence; which is, that for the last
+fortnight, prodigious shoals of volunteers have gone over to bully the
+French, upon hearing the peace was just signing; and this is so true,
+that I can assure you, all engrossing work about the Temple is risen
+above 3_s_. in the pound for want of hands. Now as it is possible some
+little alteration of affairs may have broken their measures, and that
+they will post back again, I am under the last apprehension, that these
+will, at their return, all set up for 'pretty fellows,' and thereby
+confound all merit and service, and impose on us some new alteration in
+our nightcap-wigs[280] and pockets, unless you can provide a particular
+class for them. I cannot apply myself better than to you, and I am sure
+I speak the mind of a very great number as deserving as myself."
+
+The pretensions of this correspondent are worthy a particular
+distinction: he cannot indeed be admitted as a "pretty," but is, what we
+more justly call, a "smart fellow." Never to pay at the playhouse, is an
+act of frugality, that lets you into his character. And his expedient in
+sending his children a-begging before they can go, are characteristical
+instances that he belongs to this class. I never saw the gentleman; but
+I know by his letter, he hangs his cane on his button;[281] and by some
+lines of it, he should wear red-heeled shoes;[282] which are essential
+parts of the habit belonging to the order of "smart fellows."
+
+My familiar is returned with the following letter from the French king:
+
+"Versailles, _June 13_, 1709.
+
+#"_Louis XIV. to Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._[283]#
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I have your epistle, and must take the liberty to say, that there has
+been a time, when there were generous spirits in Great Britain, who
+would not have suffered my name to be treated with the familiarity you
+think fit to use. I thought liberal men would not be such time-servers,
+as to fall upon a man because his friends are not in power. But having
+some concern for what you may transmit to posterity concerning me, I am
+willing to keep terms with you, and make a request to you, which is,
+that you would give my service to the nineteenth century (if ever you or
+yours reach to them), and tell them, that I have settled all matters
+between them and me by Monsieur Boileau. I should be glad to see you
+here."
+
+It is very odd this prince should offer to invite me into his dominions,
+or believe I should accept the invitation. No, no, I remember too well
+how he served an ingenious gentleman, a friend of mine,[284] whom he
+locked up in the Bastille for no reason in the world, but because he was
+a wit, and feared he might mention him with justice in some of his
+writings. His way is, that all men of sense are preferred, banished, or
+imprisoned. He has indeed a sort of justice in him, like that of the
+gamesters; if a stander-by sees one at play cheat, he has a right to
+come in for snares, for knowing the mysteries of the game. This is a
+very wise and just maxim; and if I have not left at Mr. Morphew's,
+directed to me, bank bills for L200 on or before this day sevennight, I
+shall tell how Tom Cash got his estate. I expect three hundred pounds of
+Mr. Soilett, for concealing all the money he has lent to himself, and
+his landed friend bound with him, at thirty per cent. at his
+scrivener's. Absolute princes make people pay what they please in
+deference to their power: I do not know why I should not do the same,
+out of fear or respect to my knowledge. I always preserve decorums and
+civilities to the fair sex: therefore if a certain lady, who left her
+coach at the New Exchange[285] door in the Strand, and whipped down
+Durham Yard into a boat with a young gentleman for Fox Hall;[286] I say,
+if she will send me word, that I may give the fan which she dropped, and
+I found, to my sister Jenny, there shall be no more said of it. I expect
+hush-money to be regularly sent for every folly or vice any one commits
+in this whole town; and hope I may pretend to deserve it better than a
+chamber-maid, or _valet-de-chambre_: they only whisper it to the little
+set of their companions; but I can tell it to all men living, or who are
+to live. Therefore I desire all my readers to pay their fines, or mend
+their lives.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 8.
+
+My familiar being come from France, with an answer to my letter to Lewis
+of that kingdom, instead of going on in a discourse of what he had seen
+in that Court, he put on the immediate concern of a guardian, and fell
+to inquiring into my thoughts and adventures since his journey. As short
+as his stay had been, I confessed I had had many occasions for his
+assistance in my conduct; but communicated to him my thoughts of putting
+all my force against the horrid and senseless custom of duels. "If it
+were possible," said he, "to laugh at things in themselves so deeply
+tragical as the impertinent profusion of human life, I think I could
+divert you with a figure I saw just after my death, when the philosopher
+threw me, as I told you some days ago, into the pail of water.[287] You
+are to know, that when men leave the body, there are receptacles for
+them as soon as they depart, according to the manner in which they lived
+and died. At the very instant that I was killed, there came away with me
+a spirit which had lost its body in a duel. We were both examined. Me,
+the whole assembly looked at with kindness and pity, but at the same
+time with an air of welcome, and consolation: they pronounced me very
+happy, who had died in innocence; and told me, a quite different place
+was allotted to me, than that which was appointed for my companion;
+there being a great distance from the mansions of fools and innocents:
+'though at the same time,' said one of the ghosts, there is a great
+affinity between an idiot who has been so for long life, and a child who
+departs before maturity. But this gentleman who has arrived with you is
+a fool of his own making, is ignorant out of choice, and will fare
+accordingly.' The assembly began to flock about him, and one said to
+him, 'Sir, I observed you came into the gate of persons murdered, and I
+desire to know what brought you to your untimely end?' He said, he had
+been a second. Socrates (who may be said to have been murdered by the
+commonwealth of Athens) stood by, and began to draw near him, in order,
+after his manner, to lead him into a sense of his error by concessions
+in his own discourse. 'Sir,' said that divine and amicable spirit, 'what
+was the quarrel?' He answered, 'We shall know very suddenly, when the
+principal in the business comes, for he was desperately wounded before I
+fell.' 'Sir,' said the sage, 'had you an estate?' 'Yes, sir,' the new
+guest answered, 'I have left it in a very good condition; I made my will
+the night before this occasion.' 'Did you read it before you signed it?'
+'Yes sure, sir,' said the newcomer. Socrates replies, could a man that
+would not give his estate without reading the instrument, dispose of his
+life without asking a question? That illustrious shade turned from him,
+and a crowd of impertinent goblins, who had been drolls and parasites in
+their lifetime, and were knocked on the head for their sauciness, came
+about my fellow-traveller, and made themselves very merry with questions
+about the words 'carte' and 'terce' and other terms of fencers. But his
+thoughts began to settle into reflection upon the adventure which had
+robbed him of his late being; and with a wretched sigh, said he, 'How
+terrible are conviction and guilt when they come too late for
+penitence!'" Pacolet was going on in this strain, but he recovered from
+it, and told me, it was too soon to give my discourse on this subject so
+serious a turn; you have chiefly to do with that part of mankind which
+must be led into reflection by degrees, and you must treat this custom
+with humour and raillery to get an audience, before you come to
+pronounce sentence upon it. There is foundation enough for raising such
+entertainments from the practice on this occasion. Don't you know, that
+often a man is called out of bed to follow implicitly a coxcomb (with
+whom he would not keep company on any other occasion) to ruin and death?
+Then a good list of such as are qualified by the laws of these
+uncourteous men of chivalry to enter into combat (who are often persons
+of honour without common honesty): these, I say, ranged and drawn up in
+their proper order, would give an aversion to doing anything in common
+with such as men laugh at and contemn. But to go through this work, you
+must not let your thoughts vary, or make excursions from your theme:
+consider at the same time, that the matter has been often treated by the
+ablest and greatest writers; yet that must not discourage you; for the
+properest person to handle it, is one who has roved into mixed
+conversations, and must have opportunities (which I shall give you) of
+seeing these sort of men in their pleasures and gratifications; among
+which, they pretend to reckon fighting. It was pleasantly enough said of
+a bully in France, when duels first began to be punished: "The king has
+taken away gaming, and stage-playing, and now fighting too; how does he
+expect gentlemen shall divert themselves?"[288]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 274: See Nos. 1, 10, 16.]
+
+[Footnote 275: This letter is probably by Anthony Henley; see
+advertisement at end of No. 25. At this time Henley was M.P. for
+Weymouth, and a friend of the wits belonging to the Whig party. He died
+in 1711. See Nos. 11, 193.]
+
+[Footnote 276: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 277: Wall and the others named were quack doctors.]
+
+[Footnote 278: Sintelaer, who lived in High Holborn, published in Feb.
+1709, "The Scourge of Venus and Mercury. With an appendix in answer to
+Mr. John Marten's reflections thereupon" (_Postman_, Feb. 24 to 26,
+1709).]
+
+[Footnote 279: "AEneid," i. 460. Steele alters Virgil's "terriss" to
+"villa."]
+
+[Footnote 280: A sort of periwig, with a short tie and small round head.
+See No. 30, end. In the _Spectator_ (No. 319), Dorinda describes a
+humble servant of hers who "appeared to me in one of those wigs that I
+think you call a 'night-cap,' which had altered him more effectually
+than before. He afterwards played a couple of black riding wigs upon me,
+with the same success."]
+
+[Footnote 281: The elaborate canes used by the beaux commonly had a
+ribbon to enable them to be hung on the button of the waistcoat. Thus we
+find among the advertisements for lost canes, "A cane with a silver head
+and a black ribbon in it, the top of it amber, part of the head to turn
+round, and in it a perspective glass."]
+
+[Footnote 282: Men of fashion wore very high-heeled shoes, and their red
+heels are often satirised by Steele and Addison (cf. _Spectator_, No.
+311). In No. 16 of the _Spectator_ Addison said, "It is not my intention
+to sink the dignity of this my paper with reflections upon red-heels or
+topknots."]
+
+[Footnote 283: See Nos. 19, 23.]
+
+[Footnote 284: Probably Sir John Vanbrugh.]
+
+[Footnote 285: A bazaar on the south side of the Strand, between George
+Court and Durham Street, and opposite Bedford Street. There were two
+long and double galleries, one above the other, containing shops, with
+pretty attendants. The New Exchange was a favourite lounge, and is
+frequently mentioned in the Restoration literature; it was pulled down
+in 1737. See _Spectator_, Nos. 96, 155, and Steele's "Lying Lover," act
+ii. sc. 2, where Young Bookwit says, "My choice was so distracted among
+the pretty merchants and their dealers, that I knew not where to run
+first." On the other hand, we find complaints that young fops hindered
+business by lolling on the counter an hour longer than was necessary,
+and annoyed the young women who served them with ingenious ribaldry.]
+
+[Footnote 286: Vauxhall, or Fox-hall, Gardens were formed about 1661, on
+the Surrey side of the Thames, and were at first called the New Spring
+Gardens, to distinguish them from the Old Spring Gardens at Charing
+Cross. At the end of the seventeenth century Vauxhall was a favourite
+place for assignations, and Pepys was scandalised at scenes he there
+witnessed. The gardens were reopened in 1732, after being closed, it
+would seem, for some years, and they continued to be a place of
+fashionable resort until the end of the reign of George III.]
+
+[Footnote 287: See No. 15.]
+
+[Footnote 288: "Whereas several gentlemen have desired this paper with a
+blank leaf to write business on, and for the convenience of the post;
+this is to give notice, that this day, and for the future, it may be had
+of Mr. Morphew, near Stationers' Hall" (folio, advertisement).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 27. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, June 9_, to _Saturday, June 11, 1709_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 9.
+
+Pacolet being gone a strolling among the men of the sword, in order to
+find out the secret causes of the frequent disputes we meet with, and
+furnish me with material for my treatise on duelling; I have room left
+to go on in my information to my country readers, whereby they may
+understand the bright people whose memoirs I have taken upon me to
+write. But in my discourse of the 28th of the last month,[289] I omitted
+to mention the most agreeable of all bad characters; and that is, a
+Rake.
+
+A Rake is a man always to be pitied; and if he lives, is one day
+certainly reclaimed; for his faults proceed not from choice or
+inclination, but from strong passions and appetites, which are in youth
+too violent for the curb of reason, good sense, good manners, and good
+nature: all which he must have by nature and education, before he can be
+allowed to be, or have been of this order. He is a poor unwieldy wretch,
+that commits faults out of the redundance of his good qualities. His
+pity and compassion make him sometimes a bubble to all his fellows, let
+them be never so much below him in understanding. His desires run away
+with him through the strength and force of a lively imagination, which
+hurries him on to unlawful pleasures, before reason has power to come in
+to his rescue. Thus, with all the good intentions in the world to
+amendment, this creature sins on against heaven, himself, his friends,
+and his country, who all call for a better use of his talents. There is
+not a being under the sun so miserable as this: he goes on in a pursuit
+he himself disapproves, and has no enjoyment but what is followed by
+remorse; no relief from remorse, but the repetition of his crime. It is
+possible I may talk of this person with too much indulgence; but I must
+repeat it, that I think this a character which is the most the object of
+pity of any in the world. The man in the pangs of the stone, gout, or
+any acute distempers, is not in so deplorable a condition in the eye of
+right sense, as he that errs and repents, and repents and errs on. The
+fellow with broken limbs justly deserves your alms for his impotent
+condition; but he that cannot use his own reason, is in a much worse
+state; for you see him in miserable circumstances, with his remedy at
+the same time in his own possession, if he would or could use it. This
+is the cause, that of all ill characters, the rake has the best quarter
+in the world; for when he is himself, and unruffled with intemperance,
+you see his natural faculties exert themselves, and attract an eye of
+favour towards his infirmities. But if we look round us here, how many
+dull rogues are there, that would fain be what this poor man hates
+himself for? All the noise towards six in the evening,[290] is caused by
+his mimics and imitators. How ought men of sense to be careful of their
+actions, if it were merely from the indignation of feeling themselves
+ill drawn by such little pretenders? not to say, he that leads, is
+guilty of all the actions of his followers: and a rake has imitators
+whom you would never expect should prove so. Second-hand vice sure of
+all is the most nauseous. There is hardly a folly more absurd, or which
+seems less to be accounted for (though it is what we see every day) than
+that grave and honest natures give into this way, and at the same time
+have good sense, if they thought fit to use it: but the fatality (under
+which most men labour) of desiring to be what they are not, makes them
+go out of a method, in which they might be received with applause, and
+would certainly excel, into one, wherein they will all their life have
+the air of strangers to what they aim at. For this reason, I have not
+lamented the metamorphosis of any one I know so much as of Nobilis, who
+was born with sweetness of temper, just apprehension, and everything
+else that might make him a man fit for his order. But instead of the
+pursuit of sober studies and applications, in which he would certainly
+be capable of making a considerable figure in the noblest assembly of
+men in the world; I say, in spite of that good nature, which is his
+proper bent, he will say ill-natured things aloud, put such as he was,
+and still should be, out of countenance, and drown all the natural good
+in him, to receive an artificial ill character, in which he will never
+succeed: for Nobilis is no rake. He may guzzle as much wine as he
+pleases, talk bawdy if he thinks fit; but he may as well drink
+water-gruel, and go twice a day to church, for it will never do. I
+pronounce it again, Nobilis is no rake. To be of that order, he must be
+vicious against his will, and not so by study or application. All Pretty
+Fellows are also excluded to a man, as well as all Inamaratos, or
+persons of the epicene gender, who gaze at one another in the presence
+of ladies. This class, of which I am giving you an account, is pretended
+to also by men of strong abilities in drinking; though they are such
+whom the liquor, not the conversation, keeps together. But blockheads
+may roar, fight, and stab, and be never the nearer; their labour is also
+lost; they want sense: they are no rakes.
+
+As a rake among men is the man who lives in the constant abuse of his
+reason, so a coquette among women is one who lives in continual
+misapplication of her beauty. The chief of all whom I have the honour to
+be acquainted with, is pretty Mrs. Toss: she is ever in practice of
+something which disfigures her, and takes from her charms; though all
+she does, tends to a contrary effect. She has naturally a very agreeable
+voice and utterance, which she has changed for the prettiest lisp
+imaginable. She sees what she has a mind to see, at half a mile distance;
+but poring with her eyes half shut at every one she passes by, she
+believes much more becoming. The Cupid on her fan and she have their eyes
+full on each other, all the time in which they are not both in motion.
+Whenever her eye is turned from that dear object, you may have a glance,
+and your bow, if she is in humour, returned as civilly as you make it;
+but that must not be in the presence of a man of greater quality: for
+Mrs. Toss is so thoroughly well bred, that the chief person present has
+all her regards. And she, who giggles at divine service, and laughs at
+her very mother, can compose herself at the approach of a man of a good
+estate.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 9.
+
+A fine lady showed a gentleman of this company, for an eternal answer to
+all his addresses, a paper of verses, with which she is so captivated,
+that she professed, the author should be the happy man in spite of all
+other pretenders. It is ordinary for love to make men poetical, and it
+had that effect on this enamoured man: but he was resolved to try his
+vein upon some of her confidantes or retinue, before he ventured upon so
+high a theme as herself. To do otherwise than so, would be like making
+an heroic poem a man's first attempt. Among the favourites to the fair
+one, he found her parrot not to be in the last degree: he saw Poll had
+her ear, when his sighs were neglected. To write against him, had been a
+fruitless labour; therefore he resolved to flatter him into his
+interests, in the following manner:
+
+#"To a Lady on her Parrot.#
+
+    _"When nymphs were coy, and love could not prevail,
+    The gods disguised were seldom known to fail,
+    Leda was chaste, but yet a feathered Jove
+    Surprised the fair, and taught her how to love.
+    There's no celestial but his heaven would quit,
+    For any form which might to thee admit.
+    See how the wanton bird, at every glance,
+    Swells his glad plumes, and feels an amorous trance.
+    The queen of beauty has forsook the dove,
+    Henceforth the parrot be the bird of love."_
+
+It is indeed a very just proposition, to give that honour rather to the
+parrot than the other volatile. The parrot represents us in the state of
+making love: the dove in the possession of the object beloved. But
+instead of turning the dove off, I fancy it would be better if the
+chaise of Venus had hereafter a parrot added (as we see sometimes a
+third horse to a coach) which might intimate, that to be a parrot, is
+the only way to succeed; and to be a dove, to preserve your conquests.
+If the swain would go on successfully, he must imitate the bird he
+writes upon. For he who would be loved by women, must never be silent
+before the favour, or open his lips after it.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 10.
+
+I have so many messages from young gentlemen who expect preferment and
+distinction, that I am wholly at a loss in what manner to acquit myself.
+The writer of the following letter tells me in a postscript, he cannot
+go out of town till I have taken some notice of him, and is very urgent
+to be somebody, in town before he leaves it, and returns to his commons
+at the university. But take it from himself.
+
+#"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., Monitor-General of Great Britain._#
+
+"Shire Lane, _June 8._
+
+I have been above six months from the university, of age these three
+months, and so long in town. I was recommended to one Charles
+Bubbleboy[291] near the Temple, who has supplied me with all the
+furniture he says a gentleman ought to have. I desired a certificate
+thereof from him, which he said would require some time to consider of;
+and when I went yesterday morning for it, he tells me, upon due
+consideration, I still want some few odd things more, to the value of
+threescore or fourscore pounds, to make me complete. I have bespoke
+them; and the favour I beg of you is, to know, when I am equipped, in
+what part or class of men in this town you will place me. Pray send me
+word what I am, and you shall find me,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "JEFFRY NICKNACK."
+
+I am very willing to encourage young beginners; but am extremely in the
+dark how to dispose of this gentleman. I cannot see either his person or
+habit in this letter; but I'll call at Charles', and know the shape of
+his snuff-box, by which I can settle his character. Though indeed, to
+know his full capacity, I ought to be informed, whether he takes Spanish
+or musty.[292]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 10.
+
+Letters from the Low Countries of the 17th instant say, that the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Prince of Savoy intended to leave Ghent on that day,
+and join the army, which lies between Pont d'Espiere and Courtray, their
+headquarters being at Helchin. The same day the Palatine foot was
+expected at Brussels. Lieutenant-General Dompre, with a body of eight
+thousand men, is posted at Alost, in order to cover Ghent and Brussels.
+The Marshal de Villars was still on the plains of Lens; and it is said,
+the Duke of Vendome is appointed to command in conjunction with that
+general. Advices from Paris say, Monsieur Voisin is made Secretary of
+State, upon Monsieur Chamillard's resignation of that employment. The
+want of money in that kingdom is so great, that the Court has thought
+fit to command all the plate of private families to be brought into the
+Mint. They write from the Hague of the 18th, that the States of Holland
+continue their session; and that they have approved the resolution of
+the States-General, to publish a second edict to prohibit the sale of
+corn to the enemy. Many eminent persons in that assembly have declared,
+that they are of opinion, that all commerce whatsoever with France
+should be wholly forbidden: which point is under present deliberation;
+but it is feared it will meet with powerful opposition.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 289: No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 290: People of fashion dined at about four o'clock in Queen
+Anne's time, and by six the men, who had often drunk a good deal of
+wine, would be finding their way to the clubs and coffee-houses.]
+
+[Footnote 291: Charles Mather, a toyman in Fleet Street, next door to
+Nandoe's Coffee-house, over against Chancery Lane. Swift wrote ("Sid
+Hamet's Rod," 1710):
+
+    "No hobby horse with gorgeous top,
+    The dearest in Charles Mather's shop;
+    Or glittering tinsel of Mayfair
+    Could with the rod of Sid compare."
+
+See Nos. 113, 142, and _Spectator_, Nos. 328, 503 ("One of Charles
+Mather's fine tablets"), and 570 ("The famous Charles Mather was bred up
+under him").]
+
+[Footnote 292: Charles Lillie, the perfumer, tells us how snuff came
+into use. A great quantity of musty snuff was captured in the Spanish
+fleet taken at Vigo in 1702, and snuff with this special musty flavour
+became the fashion. In No. 138 of the _Spectator_, Steele humorously
+announced that "the exercise of the snuff-box, according to the most
+fashionable airs and motions, in opposition to the exercise of the fair,
+will be taught with the best plain or perfumed snuff at Charles
+Lillie's, perfumer, at the corner of Beaufort Buildings in the Strand."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 28. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 11_, to _Tuesday, June 14, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 13.
+
+I had suspended the business of duelling to a distant time, but that I
+am called upon to declare myself on a point proposed in the following
+letter.
+
+                                        "_June 9, at night._
+
+"Sir,
+
+"I desire the favour of you to decide this question, whether calling a
+gentleman a 'smart fellow' is an affront or not? A youth entering a
+certain coffee-house, with his cane tied at his button, wearing
+red-heeled shoes, I thought of your description,[293] and could not
+forbear telling a friend of mine next to me, 'There enters a smart
+fellow.' The gentleman hearing it, had immediately a mind to pick a
+quarrel with me, and desired satisfaction: at which I was more puzzled
+than at the other, remembering what mention your familiar makes of those
+that had lost their lives on such occasions. The thing is referred to
+your judgment, and I expect you to be my second, since you have been the
+cause of our quarrel. I am,
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Your Friend and humble Servant."
+
+I absolutely pronounce, that there is no occasion of offence given in
+this expression; for a "smart fellow" is always an appellation of
+praise, and is a man of double capacity. The true cast or mould in which
+you may be sure to know him is, when his livelihood or education is in
+the Civil List, and you see him express a vivacity or mettle above the
+way he is in by a little jerk in his motion, short trip in his steps,
+well-fancied lining of his coat, or any other indications which may be
+given in a vigorous dress. Now, what possible insinuation can there be,
+that it is a cause of quarrel for a man to say, he allows a gentleman
+really to be, what he, his tailor, his hosier, and his milliner, have
+conspired to make him? I confess, if this person who appeals to me had
+said, he was _not_ a "smart fellow," there had been cause for
+resentment; but if he stands to it that he is one, he leaves no manner
+of ground for a misunderstanding. Indeed, it is a most lamentable thing,
+that there should be a dispute raised upon a man's saying another is,
+what he plainly takes pains to be thought. But this point cannot be so
+well adjusted, as by inquiring what are the sentiments of wise nations
+and communities of the use of the sword, and from thence conclude,
+whether it is honourable to draw it so frequently or not? An illustrious
+commonwealth of Italy[294] has preserved itself for many ages, without
+letting one of their subjects handle this destructive instrument, always
+leaving that work to such of mankind as understand the use of a whole
+skin so little, as to make a profession of exposing it to cuts and
+scars. But what need we run to such foreign instances: our own ancient
+and well-governed cities are conspicuous examples to all mankind in
+their regulation of military achievements. The chief citizens, like the
+noble Italians, hire mercenaries to carry arms in their stead; and you
+shall have a fellow of a desperate fortune, for the gain of one
+half-crown, go through all the dangers of Tothill Fields, or the
+Artillery Ground,[295] clap his right jaw within two inches of the
+touch-hole of a musket, fire it off, and huzza, with as little concern
+as he tears a pullet. Thus you see to what scorn of danger these
+mercenaries arrive, out of a mere love of sordid gain: but methinks it
+should take off the strong prepossession men have in favour of bold
+actions, when they see upon what low motives men aspire to them. Do but
+observe the common practice in the government of those heroic bodies,
+our militia and lieutenancies, the most ancient corps of soldiers,
+perhaps, in the universe. I question whether there is one instance of an
+animosity between any two of these illustrious sons of Mars since their
+institution, which was decided by combat? I remember indeed to have read
+the chronicle of an accident which had like to have occasioned bloodshed
+in the very field before all the general officers, though most of them
+were justices of the peace: Captain Crabtree of Birching Lane,
+haberdasher, had drawn a bill upon Major-General Maggot, cheesemonger in
+Thames Street. Crabtree draws this upon Mr. William Maggot and Company.
+A country lad received this bill, and not understanding the word
+"company," used in drawing bills on men in partnership, carried it to
+Mr. Jeffry Stick of Crooked Lane (lieutenant of the major-general's
+company) whom he had the day before seen march by the door in all the
+pomp of his commission. The lieutenant accepts it, for the honour of the
+company, since it had come to him. But repayment being asked from the
+major-general, he absolutely refuses. Upon this, the lieutenant thinks
+of nothing less than to bring this to a rupture, and takes for his
+second, Tobias Armstrong of the Counter,[296] and sends him with a
+challenge in a script of parchment, wherein was written, "Stitch contra
+Maggot," and all the fury vanished in a moment. The major-general gives
+satisfaction to the second, and all was well. Hence it is, that the bold
+spirits of our city are kept in such subjection to the civil power.
+Otherwise, where would our liberties soon be? If wealth and valour were
+suffered to exert themselves with their utmost force: if such officers
+as are employed in the terrible bands above-mentioned, were to draw
+bills as well as swords: these dangerous captains, who could victual an
+army as well as lead it, would be too powerful for the State. But the
+point of honour justly gives way to that of gain; and by long and wise
+regulation, the richest is the bravest man. I have known a captain rise
+to a colonel in two days by the fall of stocks; and a major, my good
+friend, near the Monument, ascended to that honour by the fall of the
+price of spirits, and the rising of right Nantz. By this true sense of
+honour, that body of warriors are ever in good order and discipline,
+with their colours and coats all whole: as in other battalions (where
+their principles of action are less solid) you see the men of service
+look like spectres, with long sides, and lank cheeks. In this army, you
+may measure a man's services by his waist, and the most prominent belly
+is certainly the man who has been most upon action. Besides all this,
+there is another excellent remark to be made in the discipline of these
+troops. It being of absolute necessity that the people of England should
+see what they have for their money, and be eye-witnesses of the
+advantages they gain by it, all battles which are fought abroad are
+represented here. But since one side must be beaten, and the other
+conquer, which might create disputes, the eldest company is always to
+make the other run, and the younger retreats, according to the last news
+and best intelligence. I have myself seen Prince Eugene make Catinat fly
+from the back-side of Gray's Inn Lane to Hockley-in-the-Hole,[297] and
+not give over the pursuit, till obliged to leave the Bear Garden on the
+right, to avoid being borne down by fencers, wild bulls and monsters,
+too terrible for the encounter of any heroes, but such whose lives are
+their livelihood.
+
+We have here seen, that wise nations do not admit of fighting, even in
+the defence of their country, as a laudable action; and they live
+within the walls of our own city in great honour and reputation without
+it. It would be very necessary to understand, by what force of the
+climate, food, education, or employment, one man's sense is brought to
+differ so essentially from that of another; that one is ridiculous and
+contemptible for forbearing a thing which makes for his safety; and
+another applauded for consulting his ruin and destruction.
+
+It will therefore be necessary for us (to show our travelling) to
+examine this subject fully, and tell you how it comes to pass, that a
+man of honour in Spain, though you offend him never so gallantly, stabs
+you basely; in England, though you offend never so basely, challenges
+fairly: the former kills you out of revenge; the latter out of good
+breeding. But to probe the heart of a man in this particular to its
+utmost thoughts and recesses, I must wait for the return of Pacolet, who
+is now attending a gentleman lately in a duel, and sometimes visits the
+person by whose hand he received his wounds.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 13.
+
+Letters from Vienna of the 8th instant say, there has been a journal of
+the marches and actions of the King of Sweden, from the beginning of
+January to the 11th of April, N.S., communicated by the Swedish
+Ministers to that Court. These advices inform, that his Swedish Majesty
+entered the territories of Muscovy in February last with the main body
+of his army, in order to oblige the enemy to a general engagement; but
+that the Muscovites declining a battle, and a universal thaw having
+rendered the rivers unpassable, the king returned into Ukrania. There
+are mentioned several rencounters between considerable detachments of
+the Swedish and Russian armies. Marshal Heister intended to take his
+leave of the Court on the day after the date of these letters, and put
+himself at the head of the army in Hungary. The malcontents had
+attempted to send in a supply of provisions into Neuheusel; but their
+design was disappointed by the Germans.
+
+Advices from Berlin of the 15th instant, N.S., say, that his Danish
+Majesty having received an invitation from the King of Prussia to an
+interview, designed to come to Potsdam within few days; and that King
+Augustus resolved to accompany him thither. To avoid all difficulties in
+ceremony, the three kings, and all the company who shall have the honour
+to sit with them at table, are to draw lots, and take precedence
+accordingly.
+
+They write from Hamburg of the 18th instant, N.S., that some particular
+letters from Dantzic speak of a late action between the Swedes and
+Muscovites near Jaroslaw; but that engagement being mentioned from no
+other place, there is not much credit given to this intelligence.
+
+We hear from Brussels, by letters, dated the 20th, that on the 14th in
+the evening the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene arrived at
+Courtray, with a design to proceed the day following to Lille, in the
+neighbourhood of which city the confederate army was to rendezvous the
+same day. Advices from Paris inform us, that the Marshal de Bezons is
+appointed to command in Dauphine; and that the Duke of Berwick is set
+out for Spain, with a design to follow the fortunes of the Duke of
+Anjou, in case the French king should comply with the late demands of
+the Allies.
+
+The Court of France has sent a circular letter to all the governors of
+the provinces, to recommend to their consideration his Majesty's late
+conduct in the affair of peace. It is thought fit in that epistle, to
+condescend to a certain appeal to the people, whether it is consistent
+with the dignity of the crown, or the French name, to submit to the
+preliminaries demanded by the confederates? The letter dwells upon the
+unreasonableness of the Allies, in requiring, that his Majesty should
+assist in dethroning his grandson, and treats this particular in
+language more suitable to it, as it is a topic of oratory, than a real
+circumstance, on which the interests of nations, and reasons of State,
+which affect all Europe, are concerned.
+
+The close of this memorial seems to prepare the people to expect all
+events, attributing the confidence of the enemy to the goodness of their
+troops; but acknowledging, that his sole dependence is upon the
+intervention of Providence.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 293: See No. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 294: Venice, where mercenaries were employed for fighting
+purposes.]
+
+[Footnote 295: The City train-bands were often the subject of ridicule
+by the wits. See "Harleian Misc." i. 206, Cowper's "John Gilpin," and
+Nos. 38, 41. Tothill Fields, Westminster, and the Artillery Ground,
+Finsbury, were the usual exercising-grounds for the train-bands.]
+
+[Footnote 296: The Compter was a prison for the city of London, where
+debtors and others were confined.]
+
+[Footnote 297: Steele wrote at length in the _Spectator_ (No. 436) of a
+trial of skill in the noble art of self-defence at Hockley-in-the-Hole;
+and in No. 630 there is an allusion to the gladiators of
+Hockley-in-the-Hole. In the "Beggar's Opera," Mrs. Peachum says: "You
+should to Hockley-in-the-Hole and to Marybone, child, to learn valour;
+there are the schools that have bred so many brave men." As to the other
+sports at the Bear Garden, see No. 134, and Gay's "Trivia," ii. 407-12:
+
+    "When thro' the town, with slow and solemn air,
+    Led by the nostril, walks the muzzled bear;
+    Behind him moves, majestically dull,
+    The pride of Hockley-hole, the surly bull;
+    Learn hence the periods of the week to name:
+    Mondays and Thursdays are the days of game."
+
+There were seats, at half a crown and upwards, for the quality; the
+neighbourhood of the Bear Garden was infested by thieves. The following
+are specimens of the advertisements common about 1709: "At the
+Bear-garden, in Hockley in the Hole. A trial of skill, to be performed
+between two profound masters of the noble science of defence, on
+Wednesday next, the 13th of July, 1702, at two o'clock precisely. I
+George Gray, born in the city of Norwich, who has fought in most parts
+of the West Indies, viz., Jamaica, Barbadoes, and several other parts of
+the world, in all twenty-five times upon the stage, and was never yet
+worsted; and am now lately come to London, do invite James Harris to
+meet, and exercise at the following weapons, back-sword, sword and
+dagger, sword and buckler, single falchon, and case of falchons. I James
+Harris, master of the said noble science of defence, who formerly rid in
+the Horse-guards, and hath fought 110 prizes, and never left a stage to
+any man, will not fail (God willing) to meet this brave and bold
+inviter, at the time and place appointed, desiring sharp swords, and
+from him no favour. No person to be upon the stage, but the seconds.
+_Vivat Regina_."
+
+"At the Bear-garden in Hockley in the Hole, near Clerkenwell Green,
+1710. This is to give notice to all gentlemen, gamesters, and others,
+that on this present Monday is a match to be fought by two dogs, one
+from Newgate-market, against one from Honey-lane market, at a bull, for
+a guinea to be spent, five let-goes out of hand, which goes fairest and
+fastest in, wins all. Likewise, a green bull to be baited, which was
+never baited before; and a bull to be turned loose with fireworks all
+over him. Also a mad ass to be baited. With a variety of bull-baiting
+and bear-baiting, and a dog to be drawn up with fireworks. To begin
+exactly at three of the clock."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 29. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 14_, to _Thursday, June 16, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 14.
+
+Having a very solid respect for human nature, however it is distorted
+from its natural make, by affectation, humour, custom, misfortune, or
+vice, I do apply myself to my friends to help me in raising arguments
+for preserving it in all its individuals, as long as it is permitted. To
+one of my letters on this subject, I have received the following
+answer:[298]
+
+"SIR,
+
+"In answer to your question, why men of sense, virtue, and experience,
+are seen still to comply with that ridiculous custom of duelling, I must
+desire you to reflect, that custom has dished up in ruffs the wisest
+heads of our ancestors, and put the best of the present age into huge
+falbala periwigs.[299] Men of sense would not impose such encumbrances
+on themselves; but be glad they might show their faces decently in
+public upon easier terms. If then such men appear reasonably slaves to
+the fashion, in what regards the figure of their persons, we ought not
+to wonder, that they are at least so in what seems to touch their
+reputations. Besides, you can't be ignorant, that dress and chivalry
+have been always encouraged by the ladies, as the two principal branches
+of gallantry. It is to avoid being sneered at for his singularity, and
+from a desire to appear more agreeable to his mistress, that a wise,
+experienced, and polite man, complies with the dress commonly received,
+and is prevailed upon to violate his reason and principles, in hazarding
+his life and estate by a tilt, as well as suffering his pleasures to be
+constrained and soured by the constant apprehension of a quarrel. This
+is the more surprising, because men of the most delicate sense and
+principles have naturally in other cases a particular repugnance in
+accommodating themselves to the maxims of the world: but one may easily
+distinguish the man that is affected with beauty, and the reputation of
+a tilt, from him who complies with both, merely as they are imposed upon
+him by custom; for in the former you will remark an air of vanity and
+triumph; whereas when the latter appears in a long Duvillier full of
+powder, or has decided a quarrel by the sword, you may perceive in his
+face, that he appeals to custom for an excuse. I think it may not be
+improper to inquire into the genealogy of this chimerical monster,
+called a 'duel', which I take to be an illegitimate species of the
+ancient knight-errantry. By the laws of this whim, your heroic person,
+or man of gallantry, was indispensably obliged to starve in armour a
+certain number of years in the chase of monsters, encounter them at the
+peril of his life, and suffer great hardships, in order to gain the
+affection of the fair lady, and qualify himself for assuming the
+_belair_, that is, of a pretty fellow, or man of honour according to the
+fashion: but since the publishing of 'Don Quixote' and extinction of the
+race of dragons, which Suetonius says happened in that of Wantley,[300]
+the gallant and heroic spirits of these latter times have been under the
+necessity of creating new chimerical monsters to entertain themselves
+with, by way of single combats, as the only proofs they are able to give
+their own sex, and the ladies, that they are in all points men of nice
+honour. But to do justice to the ancient and real monsters, I must
+observe, that they never molested those who were not of a humour to hunt
+for them in the woods and deserts; whereas on the contrary, our modern
+monsters are so familiarly admitted and entertained in all the Courts
+and cities of Europe (except France) that one can scarce be in the most
+humanised society without risking one's life; the people of the best
+sort, and the fine gentlemen of the age, being so fond of them, that
+they seldom appear in any public place without one. I have some further
+considerations upon this subject, which, as you encourage me, shall be
+communicated to you, by, sir, a cousin but once removed from the best
+family of the Staffs, namely, "Sir,
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+"Kinsman and Friend,
+
+                                        "TIM SWITCH."
+
+It is certain, Mr. Switch has hit upon the true source of this evil; and
+that it proceeds only from the force of custom that we contradict
+ourselves in half the particulars and occurrences of life. But such a
+tyranny in love, which the fair impose upon us, is a little too severe,
+that we must demonstrate our affection for them by no certain proof but
+hatred to one another, or come at them (only as one does to an estate)
+by survivorship. This way of application to gain a lady's heart, is
+taking her as we do towns and castles, by distressing the place, and
+letting none come near them without our pass. Were such a lover once to
+write the truth of his heart, and let her know his whole thoughts, he
+would appear indeed to have a passion for her; but it would hardly be
+called love. The billet-doux would run to this purpose:
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I have so tender a regard for you and your interests, that I'll knock
+any man in the head whom I observe to be of my mind, and like you. Mr.
+Truman the other day looked at you in so languishing a manner, that I am
+resolved to run him through to-morrow morning: this, I think, he
+deserves for his guilt in admiring you; than which I cannot have a
+greater reason for murdering him, except it be that you also approve
+him. Whoever says he dies for you, I will make his words good, for I
+will kill him. I am,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"Most humble Servant."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 14.
+
+I am just come hither at ten at night, and have ever since six been in
+the most celebrated, though most nauseous, company in town: the two
+leaders of the society were a critic and a wit. These two gentlemen are
+great opponents upon all occasions, not discerning that they are the
+nearest each other in temper and talents of any two classes of men in
+the world; for to profess judgment, and to profess wit, both arise from
+the same failure, which is want of judgment. The poverty of the critic
+this way proceeds from the abuse of his faculty; that of the wit from
+the neglect of it. It is a particular observation I have always made,
+that of all mortals, a critic is the silliest; for by inuring himself
+to examine all things, whether they are of consequence or not, be never
+looks upon anything but with a design of passing sentence upon it; by
+which means, he is never a companion, but always a censor. This makes
+him earnest upon trifles; and dispute on the most indifferent occasions
+with vehemence. If he offers to speak or write, that talent which should
+approve the work of the other faculties, prevents their operation. He
+comes upon action in armour; but without weapons: he stands in safety;
+but can gain no glory. The wit on the other hand has been hurried so
+long away by imagination only, that judgment seems not to have ever been
+one of his natural faculties. This gentleman takes himself to be as much
+obliged to be merry, as the other to be grave. A thorough critic is a
+sort of Puritan in the polite world. As an enthusiast in religion
+stumbles at the ordinary occurrences of life, if he cannot quote
+scripture examples on the occasion; so the critic is never safe in his
+speech or writing, without he has among the celebrated writers an
+authority for the truth of his sentence. You will believe we had a very
+good time with these brethren, who were so far out of the dress of their
+native country, and so lost to its dialect, that they were as much
+strangers to themselves, as to their relation to each other. They took
+up the whole discourse; sometimes the critic grew passionate, and when
+reprimanded by the wit for any trip or hesitation in his voice, he would
+answer, Mr. Dryden makes such a character on such an occasion break off
+in the same manner; so that the stop was according to nature, and as a
+man in a passion should do. The wit, who is as far gone in letters as
+himself, seems to be at a loss to answer such an apology; and concludes
+only, that though his anger is justly vented, it wants fire in the
+utterance. If wit is to be measured by the circumstances of time and
+place, there is no man has generally so little of that talent, as he who
+is a wit by profession. What he says, instead of arising from the
+occasion, has an occasion invented to bring it in. Thus he is new for no
+other reason, but that he talks like nobody else; but has taken up a
+method of his own, without commerce of dialogue with other people. The
+lively Jasper Dactyle[301] is one of this character. He seems to have
+made a vow to be witty to his life's end. When you meet him, "What do
+you think," says he, "I have been entertaining myself with?" Then out
+comes a premeditated turn, to which it is to no purpose to answer; for
+he goes on in the same strain of thought he designed without your
+speaking. Therefore I have a general answer to all he can say; as, "Sure
+there never was any creature had so much fire!" Spondee, who is a
+critic, is seldom out of this fine man's company. They have no manner of
+affection for each other, but keep together, like Novel and Oldfox in
+"The Plain Dealer,"[302] because they show each other. I know several of
+sense who can be diverted with this couple; but I see no curiosity in
+the thing, except it be, that Spondee is dull, and seems dull; but
+Dactyle is heavy with a brisk face. It must be owned also, that Dactyle
+has almost vigour enough to be a coxcomb; but Spondee, by the lowness of
+his constitution, is only a blockhead.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 15.
+
+We have no particulars of moment since our last, except it be, that the
+copy of the following original letter came by the way of Ostend. It is
+said to have been found in the closet of Monsieur Chamillard, the late
+Secretary of State of France, since his disgrace. It was signed by two
+brothers of the famous Cavallier,[303] who led the Cevennois, and had a
+personal interview with the king, as well as a capitulation to lay down
+his arms, and leave the dominions of France. There are many other names
+to it; among whom, is the chief of the family of the Marquis
+Guiscard.[304] It is not yet known, whether Monsieur Chamillard had any
+real design to favour the Protestant interest, or only thought to place
+himself at the head of that people, to make himself considerable enough
+to oppose his enemies at Court, and reinstate himself in power there.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"We have read your Majesty's[305] letter to the governors of your
+provinces, with instructions what sentiments to insinuate into the minds
+of your people: but as you have always acted upon the maxim, that we
+were made for you, and not you for us, we must take leave to assure your
+Majesty, that we are exactly of the contrary opinion, and must desire
+you to send for your grandson home, and acquaint him, that you now know
+by experience, absolute power is only a vertigo in the brain of princes,
+which for a time may quicken their motion, and double in their diseased
+sight the instances of power above them; but must end in their fall and
+destruction. Your memorial speaks a good father of your family, but a
+very ill one of your people. Your Majesty is reduced to hear truth when
+you are obliged to speak it: there is no governing any but savages by
+any methods but their own consent, which you seem to acknowledge, in
+appealing to us for our opinion of your conduct in treating of peace.
+Had your people been always of your council, the King of France had
+never been reduced so low, as to acknowledge his arms were fallen into
+contempt. But since it is thus, we must ask, 'How is any man of France,
+but they of the House of Bourbon, the better that Philip is King of
+Spain?' We have outgrown that folly of placing our happiness in your
+Majesty's being called, The Great; therefore as you and we are all alike
+bankrupts,[306] and undone, let us not deceive ourselves, but compound
+with our adversaries, and not talk like their equals. Your Majesty must
+forgive us that we cannot wish you success, or lend you help; for if you
+lose one battle more, we may have a hand in the peace you make; and
+doubt not but your Majesty's faith in treaties will require the
+ratification of the states of your kingdoms. So we bid you heartily
+farewell, till we have the honour to meet you assembled in Parliament.
+This happy expectation makes us willing to wait the event of another
+campaign, from whence we hope to be raised from the misery of slaves, to
+the privileges of subjects. We are,
+
+"Your Majesty's
+
+"Truly faithful, and
+
+"Loyal Subjects, &c."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 298: See Nos. 25, 26, 28.]
+
+[Footnote 299: The full-bottomed dress wigs. Another name was
+"Duvillier," used below.]
+
+[Footnote 300: See Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," ed.
+Wheatley, iii. 279. "The Dragon of Wantley" is a satire on the old
+ballads of chivalry.]
+
+[Footnote 301: See Nos. 3, 63.]
+
+[Footnote 302: In the list of characters, Wycherley defines Novel as "a
+pert railing coxcomb, and an admirer of novelties," and Major Oldfox as
+"an old impertinent fop, given to scribbling."]
+
+[Footnote 303: James Cavallier was the celebrated leader of the French
+Protestants in the Cevennes, when these warlike but enthusiastic
+mountaineers opposed the tyranny of Lewis XIV. and made a vigorous stand
+against the whole power of France, which for a long time laboured in
+vain to subdue them. It was in the heat of this gallant struggle to
+preserve themselves from religious slavery, that the first seeds of that
+wild fanaticism were sown, which afterwards grew up to such an amazing
+extravagance, and distinguished them, by the name of French Prophets,
+among the most extraordinary enthusiasts that are to be found in the
+history of human folly. Cavallier, who found in his latter days an
+hospitable asylum in Ireland, published, in 1726, "Memoirs of the Wars
+of the Cevennes, under Col. Cavallier, in defence of the Protestants
+persecuted in that country, and of the peace concluded between him and
+the Mareschal Duke of Villars; of his conference with the King of
+France, after the conclusion of the peace; with letters relating
+thereto, from Mareschal Villars, and Chamillard, secretary of state."
+(Percy.)]
+
+[Footnote 304: It was a younger brother, an abbe, who used his pen and
+sword against Lewis XIV. He was employed in England, had preferment in
+the army, and a pension; but, being found a useless villain, he was soon
+discarded. He then endeavoured to make his peace with France, by acting
+here as a spy; but being detected, he was brought before the Cabinet
+Council, to be examined, March 8, 1711. In the course of his examination
+he took an opportunity to stab Mr. Harley. Of the wounds given to this
+assassin on that occasion, he died in Newgate soon after. See the
+"Narrative of Guiscard's Examination," by Mrs. Manley, from facts
+communicated to her by Dr. Swift. See also _Examiner_, No. 32.
+(Nichols.)]
+
+[Footnote 305: Soon after the conclusion of the late treaty of peace,
+the French king dispersed a letter through his dominions, wherein he
+shows the reasons why he could not ratify the preliminaries. _Vide_ the
+public newspapers of this date. (Steele.)]
+
+[Footnote 306: N.B.--Mons. Bernard and the chief bankers of France
+became bankrupts about this time (Steele).--See news paragraph in Nos.
+3, 5, 9.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 30. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, June 16_, to _Saturday, June 18, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 16.
+
+The vigilance, the anxiety, the tenderness, which I have for the good
+people of England, I am persuaded will in time be much commended; but I
+doubt whether they will ever be rewarded. However, I must go on
+cheerfully in my work of reformation: that being my great design, I am
+studious to prevent my labours increasing upon me; therefore am
+particularly observant of the temper and inclinations of childhood and
+youth, that we may not give vice and folly supplies from the growing
+generation. It is hardly to be imagined how useful this study is, and
+what great evils or benefits arise from putting us in our tender years
+to what we are fit, or unfit: therefore on Tuesday last (with a design
+to sound their inclinations) I took three lads who are under my
+guardianship a rambling, in a hackney-coach, to show them the town, as
+the lions,[307] the tombs,[308] Bedlam,[309] and the other places which
+are entertainments to raw minds, because they strike forcibly on the
+fancy. The boys are brothers, one of sixteen, the other of fourteen, the
+other of twelve. The first was his father's darling, the second his
+mother's, and the third is mine, who am their uncle. Mr. William is a
+lad of true genius; but being at the upper end of a great school, and
+having all the lads below him, his arrogance is insupportable. If I
+begin to show a little of my Latin, he immediately interrupts: "Uncle,
+under favour, that which you say is not understood in that manner."
+"Brother," says my boy Jack, "you do not show your manners much in
+contradicting my Uncle Isaac." "You queer cur," says Mr. William, "do
+you think my uncle takes any notice of such a dull rogue as you are?"
+Mr. William goes on; "He is the most stupid of all my mother's children:
+he knows nothing of his book: when he should mind that, he is hiding or
+hoarding his taws and marbles, or laying up farthings. His way of
+thinking is, four and twenty farthings make sixpence, and two sixpences
+a shilling, two shillings and sixpence half a crown, and two half-crowns
+five shillings. So within these two months, the close hunks has scraped
+up twenty shillings, and we'll make him spend it all before he comes
+home." Jack immediately claps his hands into both pockets, and turns as
+pale as ashes. There is nothing touches a parent (and such I am to Jack)
+so nearly, as a provident temper. This lad has in him the true temper
+for a good husband, a kind father, and an honest executor. All the great
+people you see make considerable figures on the 'Change, in Court, and
+sometimes in Senates, are such as in reality have no greater faculty
+than what may be called human instinct, which is a natural tendency to
+their own preservation, and that of their friends, without being capable
+of striking out of the road for adventures. There is Sir William Scrip
+was of this sort of capacity from his childhood: he has bought the
+country round him, and makes a bargain better than Sir Harry Wildfire
+with all his wit and humour. Sir Harry never wants money but he comes to
+Scrip, laughs at him half an hour, and then gives bond for the other
+thousand. The close men are incapable of placing merit anywhere but in
+their pence, and therefore gain it; while others, who have larger
+capacities, are diverted from the pursuit by enjoyments, which can be
+supported only by that cash which they despise; and therefore are in the
+end, slaves to their inferiors both in fortune and understanding. I once
+heard a man of excellent sense observe, that more affairs in the world
+failed by being in the hands of men of too large capacities for their
+business, than by being in the conduct of such as wanted abilities to
+execute them. Jack therefore being of a plodding make, shall be a
+citizen; and I design him to be the refuge of the family in their
+distress, as well as their jest in prosperity. His brother Will, shall
+go to Oxford with all speed, where, if he does not arrive at being a man
+of sense, he will soon be informed wherein he is a coxcomb. There is in
+that place such a true spirit of raillery and humour, that if they can't
+make you a wise man, they will certainly let you know you are a fool,
+which is all my cousin wants to cease to be so. Thus having taken these
+two out of the way, I have leisure to look at my third lad. I observe in
+the young rogue a natural subtilty of mind, which discovers itself
+rather in forbearing to declare his thoughts on any occasion, than in
+any visible way of exerting himself in discourse. For which reason I
+will place him where, if he commits no faults, he may go farther than
+those in other stations, though they excel in virtues. The boy is well
+fashioned, and will easily fall into a graceful manner; wherefore, I
+have a design to make him a page to a great lady of my acquaintance; by
+which means he will be well skilled in the common modes of life, and
+make a greater progress in the world by that knowledge, than with the
+greatest qualities without it. A good mien in a Court will carry a man
+greater lengths than a good understanding in any other place. We see a
+world of pains taken, and the best years of life spent, in collecting a
+set of thoughts in a college for the conduct of life; and after all, the
+man so qualified shall hesitate in his speech to a good suit of clothes,
+and want common sense before an agreeable woman. Hence it is, that
+wisdom, valour, justice, and learning, can't keep a man in countenance
+that is possessed with these excellences, if he wants that less art of
+life and behaviour, called "good breeding." A man endowed with great
+perfections without this, is like one who has his pockets full of gold,
+but always wants change for his ordinary occasions. Will. Courtly is a
+living instance of this truth, and has had the same education which I am
+giving my nephew. He never spoke a thing but what was said before; and
+yet can converse with the wittiest men without being ridiculous. Among
+the learned, he does not appear ignorant; nor with the wise, indiscreet.
+Living in conversation from his infancy, makes him nowhere at a loss;
+and a long familiarity with the persons of men, is in a manner of the
+same service to him, as if he knew their arts. As ceremony is the
+invention of wise men to keep fools at a distance, so good breeding is
+an expedient to make fools and wise men equals.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 17.
+
+The suspension of the playhouse[310] has made me have nothing to send
+you from hence; but calling here this evening, I found the party I
+usually sit with, upon the business of writing, and examining what was
+the handsomest style in which to address women, and write letters of
+gallantry. Many were the opinions which were immediately declared on
+this subject: some were for a certain softness; some for I know not what
+delicacy; others for something inexpressibly tender: when it came to me,
+I said there was no rule in the world to be made for writing letters,
+but that of being as near what you speak face to face as you can; which
+is so great a truth, that I am of opinion, writing has lost more
+mistresses than any one mistake in the whole legend of love. For when
+you write to a lady for whom you have a solid and honourable love, the
+great idea you have of her, joined to a quick sense of her absence,
+fills your mind with a sort of tenderness, that gives your language too
+much the air of complaint, which is seldom successful. For a man may
+flatter himself as he pleases, but he will find, that the women have
+more understanding in their own affairs than we have, and women of
+spirit are not to be won by mourners. Therefore he that can keep
+handsomely within rules, and support the carriage of a companion to his
+mistress, is much more likely to prevail, than he who lets her see, the
+whole relish of his life depends upon her. If possible therefore divert
+your mistress, rather than sigh to her. The pleasant man she will desire
+for her own sake; but the languishing lover has nothing to hope from but
+her pity. To show the difference I produced two letters a lady gave me,
+which had been writ to her by two gentlemen who pretended to her, but
+were both killed the next day after the date at the battle of Almanza.
+One of them was a mercurial gay-humoured man; the other a man of a
+serious, but a great and gallant spirit. Poor Jack Careless! This is his
+letter: you see how it is folded: the air of it is so negligent, one
+might have read half of it by peeping into it, without breaking it open.
+He had no exactness.
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"It is a very pleasant circumstance I am in, that while I should be
+thinking of the good company we are to meet within a day or two, where
+we shall go to loggerheads, my thoughts are running upon a fair enemy in
+England. I was in hopes I had left you there; but you follow the camp,
+though I have endeavoured to make some of our leaguer ladies drive you
+out of the field. All my comfort is, you are more troublesome to my
+colonel than myself: I permit you to visit me only now and then; but he
+downright keeps you. I laugh at his Honour as far as his gravity will
+allow me; but I know him to be a man of too much merit to succeed with a
+woman. Therefore defend your heart as well as you can, I shall come home
+this winter irresistibly dressed, and with quite a new foreign air. And
+so I had like to say, I rest, but alas! I remain,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"Most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "JOHN CARELESS."
+
+Now for Colonel Constant's epistle; you see it is folded and directed
+with the utmost care.
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I do myself the honour to write to you this evening, because I believe
+to-morrow will be a day of battle, and something forebodes in my breast
+that I shall fall in it. If it proves so, I hope you will hear, I have
+done nothing below a man who had a love of his country, quickened by a
+passion for a woman of honour. If there be anything noble in going to a
+certain death; if there be any merit, that I meet it with pleasure, by
+promising myself a place in your esteem; if your applause, when I am no
+more, is preferable to the most glorious life without you: I say, madam,
+if any of these considerations can have weight with you, you will give
+me a kind place in your memory, which I prefer to the glory of Caesar. I
+hope, this will be read, as it is writ, with tears."
+
+The beloved lady is a woman of a sensible mind; but she has confessed
+to me, that after all her true and solid value for Constant, she had
+much more concern for the loss of Careless. Those great and serious
+spirits have something equal to the adversities they meet with, and
+consequently lessen the objects of pity. Great accidents seem not cut
+out so much for men of familiar characters, which makes them more easily
+pitied, and soon after beloved. Add to this, that the sort of love which
+generally succeeds, is a stranger to awe and distance. I asked Romana,
+whether of the two she should have chosen had they survived? She said,
+she knew she ought to have taken Constant; but believed she should have
+chosen Careless.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 17.
+
+Letters from Lisbon of the 9th instant, N.S., say, that the enemy's
+army, having blocked up Olivenza, was posted on the Guadiana. The
+Portuguese are very apprehensive that the garrison of that place, though
+it consists of five of the best regiments of their army, will be obliged
+to surrender, if not timely relieved, they not being supplied with
+provisions for more than six weeks. Hereupon their generals held a
+council of war on the 4th instant, wherein it was concluded to advance
+towards Badajos. With this design the army decamped on the 5th from
+Jerumena, and marched to Cancaon. It is hoped, that if the enemy follow
+their motions, they may have opportunity to put a sufficient quantity of
+provision and ammunition into Olivenza.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff gives notice to all persons that dress themselves as
+they please, without regard to decorum (as with blue and red stockings
+in mourning; tucked cravats, and nightcap wigs, before people of the
+first quality) that he has yet received no fine for indulging them in
+that liberty, and that he expects their compliance with this demand, or
+that they go home immediately and shift themselves. This is further to
+acquaint the town, that the report that the hosiers, toymen, and
+milliners, have compounded with Mr. Bickerstaff for tolerating such
+enormities, is utterly false and scandalous.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 307: At the Tower of London. The Tower menagerie was one of
+the sights of London until its removal in 1834. See Addison's
+_Freeholder_; No. 47.]
+
+[Footnote 308: In Westminster Abbey.]
+
+[Footnote 309: The Priory of Bethlem, in St. Botolph Without,
+Bishopsgate, was given by Henry VIII. to the Corporation of London, and
+was from thenceforth used as a hospital for lunatics. In 1675 a new
+hospital was built near London Wall, in Moorfields, at a cost of
+L17,000. See Hogarth's "Rake's Progress," Plate 8. In No. 127, Steele
+calls Bedlam "that magnificent palace."]
+
+[Footnote 310: Drury Lane Theatre was closed on June 6, 1709, by order
+of the Lord Chamberlain, in consequence of Rich's ill-treatment of the
+actors.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 31. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, June 18_, to _Tuesday, June 21, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, June 18.
+
+In my dissertation against the custom of single combat,[311] it has been
+objected, that there is not learning, or much reading, shown therein,
+which is the very life and soul of all treatises; for which reason,
+being always easy to receive admonitions, and reform my errors, I
+thought fit to consult this learned board on the subject. Upon proposing
+some doubts, and desiring their assistance, a very hopeful young
+gentleman, my relation, who is to be called to the bar within a year and
+a half at farthest, told me, that he had ever since I first mentioned
+duelling turned his head that way; and that he was principally moved
+thereto, by reason that he thought to follow the circuits in the North
+of England and South of Scotland, and to reside mostly at his own estate
+at Landbadernawz[312] in Cardiganshire. The northern Britons and
+southern Scots are a warm people, and the Welsh a nation of gentlemen;
+so that it behoved him to understand well the science of quarrelling.
+The young gentleman proceeded admirably well, and gave the board an
+account, that he had read Fitzherbert's "Grand Abridgment,"[313] and had
+found, that duelling is a very ancient part of the law: for when a man
+is sued, be it for his life or his land, the person that joins the
+issue, whether plaintiff or defendant, may put the trial upon the duel.
+Further he argued, under favour of the court, that when the issue is
+joined by the duel in treason or other capital crimes, the parties
+accused and accuser must fight in their own proper persons: but if the
+dispute be for lands, you may hire a champion at
+Hockley-in-the-Hole,[314] for anywhere else. This part of the law we had
+from the Saxons; and they had it, as also the trial by ordeal, from the
+Laplanders.[315] "It is indeed agreed," said he, "the Southern and
+Eastern nations never knew anything of it; for though the ancient Romans
+would scold, and call names filthily, yet there is not an example of a
+challenge that ever passed amongst them." His quoting the Eastern
+nations, put another gentleman in mind of an account he had from a
+boatswain of an East Indiaman; which was, that a Chinese had tricked and
+bubbled him, and that when he came to demand satisfaction the next
+morning, and like a true tar of honour called him "Son of a whore,"
+"Liar," "Dog," and other rough appellatives used by persons conversant
+with winds and waves; the Chinese, with great tranquillity, desired him
+not to come aboard fasting, nor put himself in a heat, for it would
+prejudice his health. Thus the East knows nothing of this gallantry.
+There sat at the left of the table a person of a venerable aspect, who
+asserted, that half the impositions which are put upon these ages, have
+been transmitted by writers who have given too great pomp and
+magnificence to the exploits of the ancient Bear Garden, and made their
+gladiators, by fabulous tradition, greater than Gorman[316] and others
+of Great Britain. He informed the company, that he had searched
+authorities for what he said, and that a learned antiquary, Humphrey
+Scarecrow, Esq., of Hockley-in-the-Hole, recorder to the Bear Garden,
+was then writing a discourse on the subject. It appears by the best
+accounts, says this gentleman, that the high names which are used among
+us with so great veneration, were no other than stage-fighters, and
+worthies of the ancient Bear Garden. The renowned Hercules always
+carried a quarterstaff, and was from thence called Claviger. A learned
+chronologist is about proving what wood this staff was made of, whether
+oak, ash, or crab-tree. The first trial of skill he ever performed, was
+with one Cacus, a deer-stealer; the next was with Typhonus, a giant of
+forty feet four inches. Indeed it was unhappily recorded, that meeting
+at last with a sailor's wife, she made his staff of prowess serve her
+own use, and dwindle away to a distaff: she clapped him on an old tar
+jacket of her husband's; so that this great hero drooped like a scabbed
+sheep. Him his contemporary Theseus succeeded in the Bear Garden, which
+honour he held for many years: this grand duellist went to hell, and was
+the only one of that sort that ever came back again. As for Achilles and
+Hector (as the ballads of those times mention), they were pretty smart
+fellows; they fought at sword and buckler; but the former had much the
+better of it; his mother, who was an oyster-woman, having got a
+blacksmith of Lemnos to make her son's weapons. There is a pair of
+trusty Trojans in a song of Virgil's, that were famous for handling
+their gauntlets, Dares, and Entellus;[317] and indeed it does appear,
+they fought [for] no sham prize. What arms the great Alexander used, is
+uncertain; however, the historian mentions, when he attacked Thalestris,
+it was only at single rapier; but the weapon soon failed; for it was
+always observed, that the Amazons had a sort of enchantment about them,
+which made the blade of the weapon, though of never so good metal, at
+every home push, lose its edge and grow feeble. The Roman Bear Garden
+was abundantly more magnificent than anything Greece could boast of; it
+flourished most under those delights of mankind, Nero and Domitian: at
+one time it is recorded, four hundred senators entered the list, and
+thought it an honour to be cudgelled and quarterstaffed.[318] I observe,
+the Lanistae were the people chiefly employed, which makes me imagine
+our Bear Garden copied much after this, the butchers being the greatest
+men in it. Thus far the glory and honour of the Bear Garden stood
+secure, till fate, that irresistible ruler of sublunary things, in that
+universal ruin of arts and politer learning, by those savage people the
+Goths and Vandals, destroyed and levelled it to the ground. Thus fell
+the grandeur and bravery of the Roman state, till at last the warlike
+genius (but accompanied with more courtesy) revived in the Christian
+world under those puissant champions, St. George, St. Denis, and other
+dignified heroes: one killed his dragon, another his lion, and were all
+afterwards canonised for it, having red letters before them to
+illustrate their martial temper.[319] The Spanish nation, it must be
+owned, were devoted to gallantry and chivalry above the rest of the
+world. What a great figure does that great name, Don Quixote, make in
+history? How shines this glorious star in the Western world? O renowned
+hero! O mirror of knighthood!
+
+    _Thy brandished whinyard all the world defies,
+    And kills as sure as del Tobosa's eyes._
+
+I am forced to break off abruptly, being sent for in haste, with my
+rule, to measure the degree of an affront, before the two gentlemen (who
+are now in their breeches and pumps ready to engage behind Montague
+House[320]) have made a pass.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 18.
+
+It is an unreasonable objection I find against my labours, that my stock
+is not all my own, and therefore the kind reception I have met with is
+not so deserved as it ought to be. But I hope, though it be never so
+true that I am obliged to my friends for laying their cash in my hands,
+since I give it them again when they please, and leave them at their
+liberty to call it home, it will not hurt me with my gentle readers. Ask
+all the merchants who act upon consignments, where is the necessity (if
+they answer readily what their correspondents draw) of their being
+wealthy themselves? Ask the greatest bankers, if all the men they deal
+with were to draw at once, what would be the consequence? But indeed a
+country friend has writ me a letter which gives me great mortification;
+wherein I find I am so far from expecting a supply from thence, that
+some have not heard of me, and the rest do not understand me. His
+epistle is as follows:[321]
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"I thought when I left the town to have raised your fame here, and
+helped you to support it by intelligence from hence; but alas! they had
+never heard of the _Tatler_ until I brought down a set. I lent them from
+house to house; but they asked me what they meant. I began to enlighten
+them, by telling who and who were supposed to be intended by the
+characters drawn. I said for instance, Chloe[322] and Clarissa are two
+eminent toasts. A gentleman (who keeps his greyhound and gun, and one
+would think might know better) told me, he supposed they were papishes,
+for their names were not English: 'Then,' said he, 'why do you call live
+people "toasts"?' I answered, that was a new name found out by the wits,
+to make a lady have the same effect as burridge[323] in the glass when a
+man is drinking. 'But,' says I, 'sir, I perceive this is to you all
+bamboozling; why you look as if you were Don Diego'd[324] to the tune of
+a thousand pounds.' All this good language was lost upon him: he only
+stared, though he is as good a scholar as any layman in the town, except
+the barber. Thus, cousin, you must be content with London for the centre
+of your wealth and fame; we have no relish for you. Wit must describe
+its proper circumference, and not go beyond it, lest (like little boys,
+when they straggle out of their own parish), it may wander to places
+where it is not known, and be lost. Since it is so, you must excuse me
+that I am forced at a visit to sit silent, and only lay up what
+excellent things pass at such conversations.
+
+"This evening I was with a couple of young ladies; one of them has the
+character of the prettiest company, yet really I thought her but silly;
+the other, who talked a great deal less, I observed to have
+understanding. The lady who is reckoned such a companion among her
+acquaintance, has only, with a very brisk air, a knack of saying the
+commonest things: the other, with a sly serious one, says home things
+enough. The first (Mistress Giddy) is very quick; but the second (Mrs.
+Slim) fell into Giddy's own style, and was as good company as she. Giddy
+happens to drop her glove; Slim reaches it to her: 'Madam,' says Giddy,
+'I hope you'll have a better office.' Upon which Slim immediately
+repartees, and sits in her lap, and cries, 'Are you not sorry for my
+heaviness?' This sly wench pleased me to see how she hit her height of
+understanding so well. We sat down to supper. Says Giddy, mighty
+prettily, 'Two hands in a dish and one in a purse': says Slim, 'Ay,
+madam, the more the merrier; but the fewer the better cheer.' I quickly
+took the hint, and was as witty and talkative as they. Says I,
+
+    "_'He that will not when he may,
+    When he will he shall have nay;'_
+
+and so helped myself. Giddy turns about, 'What, have you found your
+tongue?' 'Yes,' says I, 'it is manners to speak when I am spoken to; but
+your greatest talkers are little doers, and the still sow eats up all
+the broth.' 'Ha! ha!' says Giddy, 'one would think he had nothing in
+him, and do you hear how he talks when he pleases.' I grew immediately
+roguish and pleasant to a degree in the same strain. Slim, who knew how
+good company we had been, cries, 'You'll certainly print this bright
+conversation.'"
+
+It is so; and hereby you may see how small an appearance the prettiest
+things said in company, make when in print.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 20.
+
+A mail from Lisbon has brought advices of June the 12th, from the King
+of Portugal's army encamped at Torre Allegada, which inform us, that the
+general of the army called a court-martial on the 4th at the camp of
+Gerumhena, where it was resolved to march with a design to attempt the
+succour of Olivenza. Accordingly the army moved on the 5th, and marched
+towards Badajos. Upon their approach, the Marquis de Bay detached so
+great a party from the blockade of Olivenza, that the Marquis des Minas,
+at the head of a large detachment, covered a great convoy of provisions
+towards Olivenza, which threw in their stores, and marched back to the
+main army, without molestation from the Spaniards. They add, that each
+army must necessarily march into quarters within twenty days.
+
+Whosoever can discover a surgeon's apprentice, who fell upon Mr.
+Bickerstaff's messenger, or (as the printers call him) devil, going to
+the press, and tore out of his hand part of his essay against duels, in
+the fragments of which were the words, "You lie," and "Man of honour,"
+taken up at the Temple Gate; and the words, "Perhaps,"--"May be
+not,"--"By your leave, sir,"--and other terms of provocation, taken up
+at the door of Young Man's Coffee-house,[325] shall receive satisfaction
+from Mr. Morphew, besides a set of arguments to be spoken to any man in
+a passion, which, if the said enraged man listens to, will prevent
+quarrelling.
+
+Mr. Bickerstaff does hereby give notice, that he has taken the two
+famous universities of this land under his immediate care, and does
+hereby promise all tutors and pupils, that he will hear what can be said
+of each side between them, and to correct them impartially, by placing
+them in orders and classes in the learned world, according to their
+merit.[326]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 311: See Nos. 25, 26, 28, 29.]
+
+[Footnote 312: Probably meant for Llanbadern Vawr, if not a name coined
+for the occasion.]
+
+[Footnote 313: Sir Anthony Fitzherbert's book was published in 1514.]
+
+[Footnote 314: See Nos. 28, 134.]
+
+[Footnote 315: See Selden, "De Duello" (1610), p. 19.]
+
+[Footnote 316: A prize-fighter mentioned in Lansdowne's epilogue to "The
+Jew of Venice."]
+
+[Footnote 317: "AEneid," v. 437 _seq._]
+
+[Footnote 318: Suetonius, "Life of Nero," chap. 12.]
+
+[Footnote 319: An allusion to the rubrics in Roman missals.]
+
+[Footnote 320: The fields at the back of Montague House, Bloomsbury,
+were a favourite place for duels in the first half of the eighteenth
+century. Cf. _Spectator_, No. 91: "I shall be glad to meet you
+immediately in Hyde Park or behind Montague House, or attend you to Barn
+Elms, or any other fashionable place that's fit for a gentleman to die
+in."]
+
+[Footnote 321: It has been suggested, with some probability, that this
+letter is by Swift.]
+
+[Footnote 322: See No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 323: Borago was a plant formerly used as a cordial.]
+
+[Footnote 324: See No. 21.]
+
+[Footnote 325: Young Man's Coffee-house at Charing Cross, had a back
+door into Spring Garden. It seems to have been specially frequented by
+officers.]
+
+[Footnote 326: "Mr. Bickerstaff has received the advices from Clay Hill,
+which, with all intelligence from honest Mr. Sturdy and others, shall
+have their place in our future story" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 32. [SWIFT AND STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 21_, to _Thursday, June 23, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 22.
+
+An answer to the following letter being absolutely necessary to be
+despatched with all expedition, I must trespass upon all that come with
+horary questions into my ante-chamber, to give the gentlemen my opinion.
+
+#"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._#
+
+"_June 18_, 1709.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I know not whether you ought to pity or laugh at me; for I am fallen
+desperately in love with a professed Platonne, the most unaccountable
+creature of her sex. To hear her talk seraphics, and run over
+Norris,[327] and More,[328] and Milton,[329] and the whole set of
+intellectual triflers, torments me heartily; for to a lover who
+understands metaphors, all this pretty prattle of ideas gives very fine
+views of pleasure, which only the dear declaimer prevents, by
+understanding them literally. Why should she wish to be a cherubim, when
+it is flesh and blood that makes her adorable? If I speak to her, that
+is a high breach of the idea of intuition: if I offer at her hand or
+lip, she shrinks from the touch like a sensitive plant, and would
+contract herself into mere spirit. She calls her chariot, 'vehicle'; her
+furbelowed scarf, 'pinions': her blue mant and petticoat is her 'azure
+dress'; and her footman goes by the name of Oberon. It is my misfortune
+to be six foot and a half high, two full spans between the shoulders,
+thirteen inches diameter in the calves; and before I was in love, I had
+a noble stomach, and usually went to bed sober with two bottles. I am
+not quite six and twenty, and my nose is marked truly aquiline. For
+these reasons, I am in a very particular manner her aversion. What shall
+I do? Impudence itself cannot reclaim her. If I write miserable, she
+reckons me among the children of perdition, and discards me her region:
+if I assume the gross and substantial, she plays the real ghost with me,
+and vanishes in a moment. I had hopes in the hypocrisy of her sex; but
+perseverance makes it as bad as fixed aversion. I desire your opinion,
+whether I may not lawfully play the Inquisition upon her, make use of a
+little force, and put her to the rack and the torture, only to convince
+her she has really fine limbs, without spoiling or distorting them. I
+expect your directions, ere I proceed to dwindle and fall away with
+despair; which at present I don't think advisable; because, if she
+should recant, she may then hate me perhaps in the other extreme for my
+tenuity. I am (with impatience) "Your most humble Servant,
+
+                                        "CHARLES STURDY."
+
+My patient has put his case with very much warmth, and represented it in
+so lively a manner, that I see both his torment and tormentor with great
+perspicuity. This order of platonic ladies are to be dealt with in a
+peculiar manner from all the rest of the sex. Flattery is the general
+way, and the way in this case; but it is not to be done grossly. Every
+man that has wit, and humour, and raillery, can make a good flatterer
+for woman in general; but a Platonne is not to be touched with
+panegyric: she will tell you, it is a sensuality in the soul to be
+delighted that way. You are not therefore to commend, but silently
+consent to all she does, and says. You are to consider in her the scorn
+of you is not humour, but opinion. There were some years since a set of
+these ladies who were of quality, and gave out, that virginity was to be
+their state of life during this mortal condition, and therefore resolved
+to join their fortunes, and erect a nunnery. The place of residence was
+pitched upon; and a pretty situation, full of natural falls and risings
+of waters, with shady coverts, and flowery arbours, was approved by
+seven of the founders. There were as many of our sex who took the
+liberty to visit those mansions of intended severity; among others, a
+famous rake of that time, who had the grave way to an excellence. He
+came in first; but upon seeing a servant coming towards him, with a
+design to tell him, this was no place for him or his companions, up goes
+my grave impudence to the maid: "Young woman," said he, "if any of the
+ladies are in the way on this side of the house, pray carry us on the
+other side towards the gardens: we are, you must know, gentlemen that
+are travelling England; after which we shall go into foreign parts,
+where some of us have already been." Here he bows in the most humble
+manner, and kissed the girl, who knew not how to behave to such a sort
+of carriage. He goes on: "Now you must know we have an ambition to have
+it to say, that we have a Protestant nunnery in England: but pray Mrs.
+Betty--" "Sir," she replied, "my name is Susan, at your service." "Then
+I heartily beg your pardon--" "No offence in the least," says she, "for
+I have a cousin-german whose name is Betty." "Indeed," said he, "I
+protest to you that was more than I knew, I spoke at random: but since
+it happens that I was near in the right, give me leave to present this
+gentleman to the favour of a civil salute." His friend advances, and so
+on, till that they had all saluted her. By this means, the poor girl was
+in the middle of the crowd of these fellows, at a loss what to do,
+without courage to pass through them; and the Platonics, at several
+peep-holes, pale, trembling, and fretting. Rake perceived they were
+observed, and therefore took care to keep Suky in chat with questions
+concerning their way of life; when appeared at last Madonella,[330] a
+lady who had writ a fine book concerning the recluse life, and was the
+projectrix of the foundation. She approaches into the hall; and Rake,
+knowing the dignity of his own mien and aspect, goes deputy from his
+company. She begins, "Sir, I am obliged to follow the servant, who was
+sent out to know, what affair could make strangers press upon a solitude
+which we, who are to inhabit this place, have devoted to Heaven and our
+own thoughts?" "Madam," replies Rake, with an air of great distance,
+mixed with a certain indifference, by which he could dissemble
+dissimulation, "your great intention has made more noise in the world
+than you design it should; and we travellers, who have seen many foreign
+institutions of this kind, have a curiosity to see, in its first
+rudiments, this seat of primitive piety; for such it must be called by
+future ages, to the eternal honour of the founders. I have read
+Madonella's excellent and seraphic discourse on this subject." The lady
+immediately answers, "If what I have said could have contributed to
+raise any thoughts in you that may make for the advancement of
+intellectual and divine conversation, I should think myself extremely
+happy." He immediately fell back with the profoundest veneration; then
+advancing, "Are you then that admired lady? If I may approach lips which
+have uttered things so sacred--" He salutes her. His friends follow his
+example. The devoted within stood in amazement where this would end, to
+see Madonella receive their address and their company. But Rake goes on,
+"We would not transgress rules; but if we may take the liberty to see
+the place you have thought fit to choose for ever, we would go into such
+parts of the gardens as is consistent with the severities you have
+imposed on yourselves." To be short, Madonella permitted Rake to lead
+her into the assembly of nuns, followed by his friends, and each took
+his fair one by the hand, after due explanation, to walk round the
+gardens. The conversation turned upon the lilies, the flowers, the
+arbors, and the growing vegetables; and Rake had the solemn impudence,
+when the whole company stood round him, to say, "That he sincerely
+wished that men might rise out of the earth like plants; and that our
+minds were not of necessity to be sullied with carnivorous appetites for
+the generation, as well as support of our species."[331] This was spoke
+with so easy and fixed an assurance, that Madonella answered, "Sir,
+under the notion of a pious thought, you deceive yourself in wishing an
+institution foreign to that of Providence: these desires were implanted
+in us for reverent purposes, in preserving the race of men, and giving
+opportunities for making our chastity more heroic." The conference was
+continued in this celestial strain, and carried on so well by the
+managers on both sides, that it created a second and a third[332]
+interview; and, without entering into further particulars, there was
+hardly one of them but was a mother or father that day twelve-month.
+
+Any unnatural part is long taking up, and as long laying aside;
+therefore Mr. Sturdy may assure himself, Platonica will fly for ever
+from a forward behaviour; but if he approaches her according to this
+model, she will fall in with the necessities of mortal life, and
+condescend to look with pity upon an unhappy man, imprisoned in so much
+body, and urged by such violent desires.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 22.
+
+The evils of this town increase upon me to so great a degree, that I am
+half afraid I shall not leave the world much better than I found it.
+Several worthy gentlemen and critics have applied to me, to give my
+censure of an enormity which has been revived (after being long
+oppressed) and is called Punning.[333] I have several arguments ready to
+prove, that he cannot be a man of honour who is guilty of this abuse of
+human society. But the way to expose it, is like the expedient of curing
+drunkenness, showing a man in that condition: therefore I must give my
+reader warning, to expect a collection of these offences; without which
+preparation, I thought it too adventurous to introduce the very mention
+of it in good company; and hope I shall be understood to do it, as a
+divine mentions oaths and curses, only for their condemnation. I shall
+dedicate this discourse to a gentleman my very good friend, who is the
+Janus[334] of our times, and whom by his years and wit, you would take
+to be of the last age; but by his dress and morals, of this.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 22.
+
+Last night arrived two mails from Holland, which brings letters from the
+Hague of the 28th instant, N.S., with advice, that the enemy lay
+encamped behind a strong retrenchment, with the marsh of Remieres on
+their right and left, extending itself as far as Bethune: La Bassee is
+in their front, Lens in their rear, and their camp is strengthened by
+another line from Lens to Douay. The Duke of Marlborough caused an exact
+observation to be made of their ground, and the works by which they were
+covered, which appeared so strong, that it was not thought proper to
+attack them in their present posture. However, the Duke thought fit to
+make a feint as if he designed it; and accordingly marching from the
+abbey at Looze, as did Prince Eugene from Lampret, advanced with all
+possible diligence towards the enemy. To favour the appearance of an
+intended assault, the ways were made, and orders distributed in such a
+manner, that none in either camp could have thoughts of anything but
+charging the enemy by break of day the next morning: but soon after the
+fall of the night of the 26th, the whole army faced towards Tournay,
+which place they invested early in the morning of the 27th. The Marshal
+Villars was so confident that we designed to attack him, that he had
+drawn great part of the garrison of the place, which is now invested,
+into the field: for which reason, it is presumed it must submit within a
+small time; which the enemy cannot prevent, but by coming out of their
+present camp, and hazarding a general engagement. These advices add,
+that the garrison of Mons had marched out under the command of Marshal
+d'Arco; which, with the Bavarians, Walloons, and the troops of Cologne,
+have joined the grand army of the enemy.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 327: John Norris (1657-1711), the divine, published, in 1688,
+"The Theory and Regulation of Love, a Moral Essay; to which are added
+Letters Philosophical and Moral between the author and Doctor Henry
+More."]
+
+[Footnote 328: Henry More, the platonist (1614-87), published "Divine
+Dialogues," "Conjectura Cabalistica," and many other works.]
+
+[Footnote 329: It is not clear why Milton is bracketed with Norris and
+More; perhaps Swift had in mind such passages about heavenly love as
+that in "Paradise Lost," viii. 588-614.]
+
+[Footnote 330: Swift seems to have been the author of this first portion
+of No. 32, which contains a scandalous attack on Mary Astell. Nichols
+thought that Addison also had a share in it. See Nos. 59, 63. Mrs.
+Astell, a friend of Lady Elizabeth Hastings and John Norris, published,
+in 1694, her "Serious Proposal to the Ladies," advocating a Church of
+England monastery, without any irrevocable vows. Provision was made for
+mental as well as moral training; in fact, the institution was to have
+been "rather academical than monastic." But Bishop Burnet advised Lady
+Elizabeth Hastings not to subscribe to the proposed building, and the
+scheme fell through. In 1709, Miss Astell published a book called
+"Bart'lemy Fair; or, An Enquiry after Wit.... By Mr. Wotton, in answer
+to Lord Shaftesbury's Letter concerning Enthusiasm, and other profane
+writers." In the advertisement to the Second Edition ("An Enquiry after
+Wit," &c., 1722), Mary Astell says that, although her book was at first
+published under a borrowed name, it was ascribed to her, and drew upon
+her the resentment of that sort of men of wit who were exposed, and was
+the true cause of the fable published in the _Tatler_ a little after the
+"Enquiry" appeared. But she notes that, although the _Tatler_ showed its
+teeth against the "Proposal to the Ladies," the compilator made amends
+to the author (if not to the bookseller), by transcribing above a
+hundred pages into his _Ladies' Library_ verbatim, except in a few
+places, which would not be found to be improved. The "Enquiry after Wit"
+is dedicated "To the most Illustrious Society of the Kit-Cats," with
+many sarcastic allusions to their luxury, oaths, &c. True, their names
+had not been heard of from Hochsted or Ramillies, but then their heroism
+found in every place an ample theatre for their merits. "The Bath, the
+Wells, and every Fair, each Chocolate, Gaming House and Tavern resounds
+with your noble exploits."]
+
+[Footnote 331: This is borrowed from Sir Thomas Browne's "Religio
+Medici," part ii. sect. 9.]
+
+[Footnote 332: "Second," in original editions.]
+
+[Footnote 333: There is an apology for punning in No. 36 of the
+_Guardian_.]
+
+[Footnote 334: Swift.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 33. [STEELE.
+
+By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Thursday, June 23_, to _Saturday, June 25_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 23.
+
+My brother has made an excursion into the country, and the work against
+Saturday lies upon me. I am very glad I have got pen and ink in my hand;
+for I have for some time longed for his absence, to give a right idea of
+things, which I thought he put in a very odd light, and some of them to
+the disadvantage of my own sex. It is much to be lamented, that it is
+necessary to make discourses, and publish treatises, to keep the horrid
+creatures, the men, within the rules of common decency. Turning over the
+papers of memorials or hints for the ensuing discourses, I find a letter
+subscribed by Mr. Truman.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"I am lately come to town, and have read your works with much pleasure.
+You make wit subservient to good principles and good manners. Yet,
+because I design to buy the _Tatlers_ for my daughters to read, I take
+the freedom to desire you, for the future, to say nothing about any
+combat between Alexander and Thalestris."[335]
+
+This offence gives me occasion to express myself with the resentment I
+ought, on people who take liberties of speech before that sex of whom
+the honoured names of mother, daughter, and sister, are a part: I had
+liked to have named wife in the number; but the senseless world are so
+mistaken in their sentiments of pleasure, that the most amiable term in
+human life is become the derision of fools and scorners. My brother and
+I have at least fifty times quarrelled upon this topic. I ever argue,
+that the frailties of women are to be imputed to the false ornaments
+which men of wit put upon our folly and coquetry. He lays all the vices
+of men upon women's secret approbation of libertine characters in them.
+I did not care to give up a point; but now he is out of the way, I
+cannot but own I believe there is very much in what he asserted: for if
+you will believe your eyes, and own, that the wickedest and the wittiest
+of them all marry one day or other, is it possible to believe, that if a
+man thought he should be for ever incapable of being received by a woman
+of merit and honour, he would persist in an abandoned way, and deny
+himself the possibility of enjoying the happiness of well-governed
+desires, orderly satisfactions, and honourable methods of life? If our
+sex were wise, a lover should have a certificate from the last woman he
+served, how he was turned away, before he was received into the service
+of another: but at present any vagabond is welcome, provided he promises
+to enter into our livery. It is wonderful, that we will not take a
+footman without credentials from his last master; and in the greatest
+concern of life, we make no scruple of falling into a treaty with the
+most notorious offender in his behaviour against others. But this breach
+of commerce between the sexes, proceeds from an unaccountable prevalence
+of custom, by which a woman is to the last degree reproachable for being
+deceived, and a man suffers no loss of credit for being a deceiver.
+Since this tyrant humour has gained place, why are we represented in the
+writings of men in ill figures for artifice in our carriage, when we
+have to do with a professed impostor? When oaths, imprecations, vows,
+and adorations, are made use of as words of course, what arts are not
+necessary to defend us from such as glory in the breach of them? As for
+my part, I am resolved to hear all, and believe none of them; and
+therefore solemnly declare, no vow shall deceive me, but that of
+marriage: for I am turned of twenty, and being of a small fortune, some
+wit, and (if I can believe my lovers and my glass) handsome, I have
+heard all that can be said towards my undoing, and shall therefore, for
+warning sake, give an account of the offers that have been made me, my
+manner of rejecting them, and my assistances to keep my resolution. In
+the sixteenth year of my life, I fell into the acquaintance of a lady,
+extremely well known in this town for the quick advancement of her
+husband, and the honours and distinctions which her industry has
+procured him, and all who belong to her. This excellent body sat next to
+me for some months at church, and took the liberty (which she said her
+years and the zeal she had for my welfare gave her claim to) to assure
+me, that she observed some parts of my behaviour which would lead me
+into errors, and give encouragement to some to entertain hopes I did not
+think of. "What made you," said she, "look through your fan at that
+lord, when your eyes should have been turned upward, or closed in
+attention upon better objects?" I blushed, and pretended fifty odd
+excuses;--but confounded myself the more. She wanted nothing but to see
+that confusion, and goes on: "Nay, child, do not be troubled that I take
+notice of it, my value for you made me speak it; for though he is my
+kinsman, I have a nearer regard to virtue than any other consideration."
+She had hardly done speaking, when this noble lord came up to us, and
+took her hand to lead her to her coach. My head ran all that day and
+night on the exemplary carriage of this woman who could be so virtuously
+impertinent, as to admonish one she was hardly acquainted with.
+However, it struck upon the vanity of a girl that it may possibly be,
+his thoughts might have been as favourable of me, as mine were amorous
+of him, and as unlikely things as that have happened, if he should make
+me his wife. She never mentioned this more to me; but I still in all
+public places stole looks at this man, who easily observed my passion
+for him. It is so hard a thing to check the return of agreeable
+thoughts, that he became my dream, my vision, my food, my wish, my
+torment. That minister of darkness, the Lady Sempronia,[336] perceived
+too well the temper I was in, and would one day after evening service
+needs take me to the Park. When we were there, my lord passes by; I
+flushed into a flame. "Mrs. Distaff," said she, "you may very well
+remember the concern I was in upon the first notice I took of your
+regard to that lord, and forgive me, who had a tender friendship for
+your mother (now in her grave) that I am vigilant of your conduct." She
+went on with much severity, and after great solicitation, prevailed on
+me to go with her into the country, and there spend the ensuing summer
+out of the way of a man she saw I loved, and one whom she perceived
+meditated my ruin, by frequently desiring her to introduce him to me;
+which she absolutely refused, except he would give his honour that he
+had no other design but to marry me. To her country house a week or two
+after we went: there was at the farther end of her garden a kind of
+wilderness, in the middle of which ran a soft rivulet by an arbour of
+jessamine. In this place I usually passed my retired hours, and read
+some romantic or poetical tale till the close of the evening. It was
+near that time in the heat of summer, when gentle winds, soft murmurs
+of water, and notes of nightingales had given my mind an indolence,
+which added to that repose of soul, which twilight and the end of a warm
+day naturally throws upon the spirits. It was at such an hour, and in
+such a state of tranquillity I sat, when, to my unexpressible amazement,
+I saw my lord walking towards me, whom I knew not till that moment to
+have been in the country. I could observe in his approach the perplexity
+which attends a man big with design; and I had, while he was coming
+forward, time to reflect that I was betrayed; the sense of which gave me
+a resentment suitable to such a baseness: but when he entered into the
+bower where I was, my heart flew towards him, and, I confess, a certain
+joy came into my mind, with a hope that he might then make a declaration
+of honour and passion. This threw my eye upon him with such tenderness,
+as gave him power, with a broken accent, to begin. "Madam,--You will
+wonder--For it is certain, you must have observed--though I fear you
+will misinterpret the motives--But by Heaven, and all that's sacred! If
+you could--" Here he made a full stand. And I recovered power to say,
+"The consternation I am in you will not, I hope, believe--A helpless
+innocent maid--Besides that, the place--" He saw me in as great
+confusion as himself; which attributing to the same causes, he had the
+audaciousness to throw himself at my feet, and talk of the stillness of
+the evening; then ran into deifications of my person, pure flames,
+constant love, eternal raptures, and a thousand other phrases drawn from
+the images we have of heaven, which ill men use for the service of hell,
+were run over with uncommon vehemence. After which, he seized me in his
+arms: his design was too evident. In my utmost distress, I fell upon my
+knees--"My lord, pity me, on my knees--On my knees in the cause of
+virtue, as you were lately in that of wickedness. Can you think of
+destroying the labour of a whole life, the purpose of a long education,
+for the base service of a sudden appetite, to throw one that loves you,
+that dotes on you, out of the company and road of all that is virtuous
+and praiseworthy? Have I taken in all the instructions of piety,
+religion, and reason, for no other end, but to be the sacrifice of lust,
+and abandoned to scorn? Assume yourself, my lord, and do not attempt to
+vitiate a temple sacred to innocence, honour, and religion. If I have
+injured you, stab this bosom, and let me die, but not be ruined by the
+hand I love." The ardency of my passion made me incapable of uttering
+more; and I saw my lover astonished and reformed by my behaviour: when
+rushed in Sempronia. "Ha! Faithless, base man, could you then steal out
+of town, and lurk like a robber about my house for such brutish
+purposes?" My lord was by this time recovered, and fell into a violent
+laughter at the turn which Sempronia designed to give her villany. He
+bowed to me with the utmost respect: "Mrs. Distaff," said he, "be
+careful hereafter of your company"; and so retired. The fiend Sempronia
+congratulated my deliverance with a flood of tears. This nobleman has
+since very frequently made his addresses to me with honour, but I have
+as often refused them; as well knowing, that familiarity and marriage
+will make him, on some ill-natured occasion, call all I said in the
+arbour a theatrical action. Besides that, I glory in contemning a man
+who had thoughts to my dishonour. And if this method were the imitation
+of the whole sex, innocence would be the only dress of beauty; and all
+affectation by any other arts to please the eyes of men, would be
+banished to the stews for ever. The conquest of passion gives ten times
+more happiness than we can reap from the gratification of it; and she
+that has got over such a one as mine, will stand among beaux and pretty
+fellows, with as much safety as in a summer's day among grasshoppers and
+butterflies.
+
+P.S.--I have ten millions of things more against men, if I ever get the
+pen again.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 24.
+
+Our last advices from the Hague, dated the 28th instant, say, that on
+the 25th a squadron of Dutch men-of-war sailed out of the Texel to join
+Admiral Baker at Spithead. The 26th was observed as a day of fasting and
+humiliation, to implore a blessing on the arms of the Allies this
+ensuing campaign. Letters from Dresden are very particular in the
+account of the gallantry and magnificence in which that Court has
+appeared since the arrival of the King of Denmark. No day has passed in
+which public shows have not been exhibited for his entertainment and
+diversion: the last of that kind which is mentioned is a carousal,
+wherein many of the youth of the first quality, dressed in the most
+splendid manner, ran for the prize. His Danish Majesty condescended to
+the same; but having observed that there was a design laid to throw it
+in his way, passed by without attempting to gain it. The Court of
+Dresden was preparing to accompany his Danish Majesty to Potsdam, where
+the expectation of an interview of three kings had drawn together such
+multitudes of people, that many persons of distinction will be obliged
+to lie in tents as long as those Courts continue in that place.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 335: See No. 31.]
+
+[Footnote 336: See Sallust, "Bell. Catal." chap. 21. The person here
+referred to as Sempronia is said to be the same as the Madam d'Epingle
+elsewhere alluded to.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 34. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Saturday, June 25_, to _Tuesday, June 28, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 25.
+
+Having taken upon me to cure all the distempers which proceed from
+affections of the mind, I have laboured since I first kept this public
+stage, to do all the good I could possibly, and have perfected many
+cures at my own lodging; carefully avoiding the common method of
+mountebanks, to do their most eminent operations in sight of the people;
+but must be so just to my patients as to declare, they have testified
+under their hands their sense of my poor abilities, and the good I have
+done them, which I publish for the benefit of the world, and not out of
+any thoughts of private advantage. I have cured fine Mrs. Spy of a great
+imperfection in her eyes, which made her eternally rolling them from one
+coxcomb to another in public places, in so languishing a manner, that it
+at once lessened her own power, and her beholder's vanity. Twenty drops
+of my ink, placed in certain letters on which she attentively looked for
+half an hour, have restored her to the true use of her sight; which is,
+to guide, and not mislead us. Ever since she took this liquor, which I
+call Bickerstaff's Circumspection Water, she looks right forward, and
+can bear being looked at for half a day without returning one glance.
+This water has a peculiar virtue in it, which makes it the only true
+cosmetic or beauty wash in the world: the nature of it is such, that if
+you go to a glass, with design to admire your face, it immediately
+changes it into downright deformity. If you consult it only to look
+with a better countenance upon your friends, it immediately gives an
+alacrity to the visage, and new grace to the whole person. There is
+indeed a great deal owing to the constitution of the person to whom it
+is applied: it is in vain to give it when the patient is in the rage of
+the distemper; a bride in her first month, a lady soon after her
+husband's being knighted, or any person of either sex who has lately
+obtained any new good fortune or preferment, must be prepared some time
+before they use it. It has an effect upon others, as well as the
+patient, when it is taken in due form. Lady Petulant has by the use of
+it cured her husband of jealousy, and Lady Gad her whole neighbourhood
+of detraction. The fame of these things, added to my being an old
+fellow, makes me extremely acceptable to the fair sex. You would hardly
+believe me, when I tell you there is not a man in town so much their
+delight as myself. They make no more of visiting me, than going to Madam
+d'Epingle's.[337] There were two of them, namely, Damia and Clidamira (I
+assure you women of distinction) who came to see me this morning in
+their way to prayers, and being in a very diverting humour as (innocence
+always makes people cheerful) they would needs have me, according to the
+distinction of "pretty" and "very pretty" fellows, inform them if I
+thought either of them had a title to the "very pretty" among those of
+their own sex; and if I did, which was the more deserving of the two. To
+put them to the trial, "Look ye," said I, "I must not rashly give my
+judgment in matters of this importance; pray let me see you dance: I
+play upon the kit."[338] They immediately fell back to the lower end of
+the room (you may be sure they curtsied low enough to me): and began.
+Never were two in the world so equally matched, and both scholars to my
+namesake Isaac.[339] Never was man in so dangerous a condition as
+myself, when they began to expand their charms. "O! ladies, ladies,"
+cried I, "not half that air, you'll fire the house." Both smiled; for
+by-the bye, there's no carrying a metaphor too far, when a lady's charms
+are spoken of. Somebody, I think, has called a fine woman dancing, a
+brandished torch of beauty.[340] These rivals moved with such an
+agreeable freedom, that you would believe their gesture was the
+necessary effect of the music, and not the product of skill and
+practice. Now Clidamira came on with a crowd of graces, and demanded my
+judgment with so sweet an air--and she had no sooner carried it, but
+Damia made her utterly forgot by a gentle sinking, and a rigadoon
+step.[341] The contest held a full half-hour; and I protest, I saw no
+manner of difference in their perfections, till they came up together,
+and expected my sentence. "Look ye, ladies," said I, "I see no
+difference in the least in your performance; but you Clidamira seem to
+be so well satisfied that I shall determine for you, that I must give it
+to Damia, who stands with so much diffidence and fear, after showing an
+equal merit to what she pretends to. Therefore, Clidamira, you are a
+'pretty'; but, Damia, you are a 'very pretty' lady. For," said I,
+"beauty loses its force, if not accompanied with modesty. She that has a
+humble opinion of herself, will have everybody's applause, because she
+does not expect it; while the vain creature loses approbation through
+too great a sense of deserving it."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 27.
+
+Being of a very spare and hective constitution, I am forced to make
+frequent journeys of a mile or two for fresh air; and indeed by this
+last, which was no further than the village of Chelsea, I am farther
+convinced of the necessity of travelling to know the world. For as it is
+usual with young voyagers, as soon as they land upon a shore, to begin
+their accounts of the nature of the people, their soil, their
+government, their inclinations, and their passions, so really I fancied
+I could give you an immediate description of this village, from the Five
+Fields,[342] where the robbers lie in wait, to the coffee-house where
+the _literati_ sit in council. A great ancestor of ours by the mother's
+side, Mr. Justice Overdo (whose history is written by Ben Jonson),[343]
+met with more enormities by walking _incog._ than he was capable of
+correcting; and found great mortifications in observing also persons of
+eminence, whom he before knew nothing of. Thus it fared with me, even in
+a place so near the town as this. When I came into the
+coffee-house,[344] I had not time to salute the company, before my eye
+was diverted by ten thousand gimcracks round the room and on the
+ceiling. When my first astonishment was over, comes to me a sage of a
+thin and meagre countenance; which aspect made me doubt, whether reading
+or fretting had made it so philosophic: but I very soon perceived him to
+be of that sect which the ancients call Gingivistae,[345] in our
+language, tooth-drawers. I immediately had a respect for the man; for
+these practical philosophers go upon a very rational hypothesis, not to
+cure, but take away the part affected. My love of mankind made me very
+benevolent to Mr. Salter, for such is the name of this eminent barber
+and antiquary. Men are usually, but unjustly, distinguished rather by
+their fortunes, than their talents, otherwise this personage would make
+a great figure in that class of men which I distinguish under the title
+of Odd Fellows. But it is the misfortune of persons of great genius, to
+have their faculties dissipated by attention to too many things at once.
+Mr. Salter is an instance of this: if he would wholly give himself up to
+the string,[346] instead of playing twenty beginnings to tunes, he might
+before he dies play "Roger de Caubly"[347] quite out. I heard him go
+through his whole round, and indeed I think he does play the "Merry
+Christ-Church Bells"[348] pretty justly; but he confessed to me, he did
+that rather to show he was orthodox, than that he valued himself upon
+the music itself. Or if he did proceed in his anatomy, why might not he
+hope in time to cut off legs, as well as draw teeth? The particularity
+of this man put me into a deep thought, whence it should proceed, that
+of all the lower order barbers should go farther in hitting the
+ridiculous, than any other set of men. Watermen brawl, cobblers sing;
+but why must a barber be for ever a politician, a musician, an
+anatomist, a poet, and a physician? The learned Vossus says,[349] his
+barber used to comb his head in iambics. And indeed in all ages, one of
+this useful profession, this order of cosmetic philosophers, has been
+celebrated by the most eminent hands. You see the barber in "Don
+Quixote,"[350] is one of the principal characters in the history, which
+gave me satisfaction in the doubt, why Don Saltero writ his name with a
+Spanish termination: for he is descended in a right line, not from John
+Tradescant,[351] as he himself asserts, but from that memorable
+companion of the Knight of Mancha. And I hereby certify all the worthy
+citizens who travel to see his rarities, that his double-barrelled
+pistols, targets, coats of mail, his sclopeta,[352] and sword of
+Toledo,[353] were left to his ancestor by the said Don Quixote, and by
+the said ancestor to all his progeny down to Don Saltero. Though I go
+thus far in favour of Don Saltero's great merit, I cannot allow a
+liberty he takes of imposing several names (without my licence) on the
+collections he has made, to the abuse of the good people of England; one
+of which is particularly calculated to deceive religious persons, to the
+great scandal of the well disposed, and may introduce heterodox
+opinions. He shows you a straw hat, which I know to be made by Madge
+Peskad, within three miles of Bedford; and tells you, it is Pontius
+Pilate's wife's chamber-maid's sister's hat. To my knowledge of this
+very hat, it may be added, that the covering of straw was never used
+among the Jews, since it was demanded of them to make bricks without it.
+Therefore this is really nothing, but under the specious pretence of
+learning and antiquity, to impose upon the world. There are other things
+which I cannot tolerate among his rarities; as, the china figure of a
+lady in the glass case; the Italian engine for the imprisonment of those
+who go abroad with it: both which I hereby order to be taken down, or
+else he may expect to have his letters patents for making punch
+superseded, be debarred wearing his muff next winter, or ever coming to
+London without his wife.[354] It may perhaps be thought I have dwelt too
+long upon the affairs of this operator; but I desire the reader to
+remember, that it is my way to consider men as they stand in merit, and
+not according to their fortune or figure; and if he is in a coffee-house
+at the reading hereof, let him look round, and he will find there may be
+more characters drawn in this account than that of Don Saltero; for half
+the politicians about him, he may observe, are, by their place in
+nature, of the class of tooth-drawers.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 337: See p. 273, note.]
+
+[Footnote 338: A small violin or fiddle. See No. 160.]
+
+[Footnote 339: A dancing-master, who either was French, or pretended to
+be so. See No. 109.]
+
+[Footnote 340: A song of Waller's begins:
+
+    "Behold the brand of beauty tost!
+    See, how the motion doth dilate the flame!"
+                                            (Dobson).
+]
+
+[Footnote 341: The rigadoon was a dance for two persons. Cf. _Guardian_,
+No. 154: "We danced a rigadoon together."]
+
+[Footnote 342: On the site of Eaton and Belgrave Squares. See
+_Spectator_, No. 137: "The Five Fields towards Chelsea."]
+
+[Footnote 343: In "Bartholomew Fair," act ii. sc. i. Overdo went to the
+Fair in disguise, and being mistaken for a cutpurse, was well beaten.]
+
+[Footnote 344: Salter, a barber, opened a coffee-house in Cheyne Walk,
+Chelsea, in 1695. Sir Harry Sloane, whose servant he had been, gave him
+some curiosities to start a museum. Others, including Admiral Munden and
+his fellow-officers, added to the collection, and the first catalogue
+appeared in 1729. The more startling curiosities were, of course, not
+genuine. The remains of the collection were sold in 1799 for about L50.
+A view of Salter's house will be found in Timbs' "Clubs and Club Life in
+London." Verses of a more or less coarse nature by Don Saltero appeared
+not unfrequently in the "British Apollo," in 1709.]
+
+[Footnote 345: From "gingiva," the gum.]
+
+[Footnote 346: Salter played very badly on the fiddle.]
+
+[Footnote 347: "Sir Roger de Coverley," the famous country-dance tune.]
+
+[Footnote 348: By Dr. Henry Aldrich, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford,
+where Steele matriculated.]
+
+[Footnote 349: "De Poematum cantu, et viribus Rythmi," 1673.]
+
+[Footnote 350: Master Nicholas. See "Don Quixote," chap. v.]
+
+[Footnote 351: There were two John Tradescants (father and son) who
+collected objects of natural history. Their collection formed the
+foundation of the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford. The "Museum
+Tradescantianum: or, A Collection of Rarities preserved at South
+Lambeth, near London, by John Tradescant," contains interesting
+portraits of both John Tradescant, senior, and John Tradescant, junior,
+as well as a plate of the Tradescant arms.]
+
+[Footnote 352: A sclopeta or sclopetta was a hand-gun used by
+Spaniards.]
+
+[Footnote 353: Toledo was famous for its sword-blades.]
+
+[Footnote 354: Salter had an old grey muff, which he clapped constantly
+to his nose, and by which he was distinguishable at the distance of a
+quarter of a mile. His wife was none of the best, being much addicted to
+scolding.-(Nichols.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 35. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, June 28_, to _Thursday, June 30_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, June 28.
+
+There is a habit or custom which I have put my patience to the utmost
+stretch to have suffered so long, because several of my intimate friends
+are in the guilt; and that is, the humour of taking snuff, and looking
+dirty about the mouth by way of ornament. My method is to dive to the
+bottom of a sore before I pretend to apply a remedy. For this reason, I
+sat by an eminent story-teller and politician who takes half an ounce in
+five seconds, and has mortgaged a pretty tenement near the town, merely
+to improve and dung his brains with this prolific powder. I observed
+this gentleman the other day in the midst of a story diverted from it by
+looking at something at a distance, and I softly hid his box. But he
+returns to his tale, and looking for his box, he cries, "And so, sir--"
+Then when he should have taken a pinch, "As I was saying," says he--"Has
+nobody seen my box?" His friend beseeches him to finish his narration.
+Then he proceeds, "And so, sir--Where can my box be?" Then, turning to
+me, "Pray, sir, did you see my box?" "Yes, sir," said I, "I took it to
+see how long you could live without it." He resumes his tale; and I took
+notice, that his dulness was much more regular and fluent than before. A
+pinch supplied the place of, "As I was saying," "And so, sir"; and he
+went on currently enough in that style which the learned call the
+insipid. This observation easily led me into a philosophic reason for
+taking snuff, which is done only to supply with sensations the want of
+reflection. This I take to be an {~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER EPSILON WITH DASIA AND OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA~} [Heureka], a nostrum; upon which
+I hope to receive the thanks of this board. For as it is natural to lift
+a man's hand to a sore, when you fear anything coming at you; so when a
+person feels his thoughts are run out, and has no more to say, it is as
+natural to supply his weak brain with powder at the nearest place of
+access, viz., the nostrils. This is so evident, that nature suggests the
+use according to the indigence of the persons who use this medicine,
+without being prepossessed with the force of fashion or custom. For
+example; the native Hibernians, who are reckoned not much unlike the
+ancient Boeotians, take this specific for emptiness in the head, in
+greater abundance than any other nation under the sun. The learned
+Sotus, as sparing as he is in his words, would be still more silent if
+it were not for this powder. But however low and poor the taking snuff
+argues a man to be in his own stock of thought, or means to employ his
+brains and his fingers, yet there is a poorer creature in the world than
+he, and this is a borrower of snuff; a fellow that keeps no box of his
+own, but is always asking others for a pinch. Such poor rogues put me
+always in mind of a common phrase among schoolboys when they are
+composing their exercise, who run to an upper scholar, and cry, "Pray
+give me a little sense." But of all things, commend me to the ladies who
+are got into this pretty help to discourse.[355] I have been this three
+years persuading Sagissa[356] to leave it off; but she talks so much,
+and is so learned, that she is above contradiction. However, an
+accident the other day brought that about, which my eloquence never
+could accomplish: she had a very pretty fellow in her closet, who ran
+thither to avoid some company that came to visit her. She made an excuse
+to go in to him for some implement they were talking of. Her eager
+gallant snatched a kiss; but being unused to snuff, some grains from off
+her upper lip made him sneeze aloud, which alarmed the visitants, and
+has made a discovery, that profound reading, very much intelligence, and
+a general knowledge of who and who's together, cannot fill up her vacant
+hours so much, but that she is sometimes obliged to descend to
+entertainments less intellectual.
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 29.
+
+I know no manner of news for this place, but that Cynthio, having been
+long in despair for the inexorable Clarissa, lately resolved to fall in
+love the good old way of bargain and sale, and has pitched upon a very
+agreeable young woman.[357] He will undoubtedly succeed; for he accosts
+her in a strain of familiarity, without breaking through the deference
+that is due to woman whom a man would choose for his life. I have hardly
+ever heard rough truth spoken with a better grace than in this his
+letter.[358]
+
+"MADAM,
+
+"I writ to you on Saturday by Mrs. Lucy, and give you this trouble to
+urge the same request I made then, which was, that I may be admitted to
+wait upon you. I should be very far from desiring this, if it were a
+transgression of the most severe rules to allow it: I know you are very
+much above the little arts which are frequent in your sex, of giving
+unnecessary torments to their admirers; therefore hope, you'll do so
+much justice to the generous passion I have for you, as to let me have
+an opportunity of acquainting you upon what motives I pretend to your
+good opinion. I shall not trouble you with my sentiments, till I know
+how they will be received; and as I know no reason why difference of sex
+should make our language to each other differ from the ordinary rules of
+right reason, I shall affect plainness and sincerity in my discourse to
+you, as much as other lovers do perplexity and rapture. Instead of
+saying, 'I shall die for you,' I profess I should be glad to lead my
+life with you: you are as beautiful, as witty, as prudent, and as
+good-humoured, as any woman breathing; but I must confess to you, I
+regard all these excellences as you will please to direct them, for my
+happiness or misery. With me, madam, the only lasting motive to love is
+the hope of its becoming mutual. I beg of you to let Mrs. Lucy send me
+word when I may attend you. I promise you, I'll talk of nothing but
+indifferent things; though at the same time I know not how I shall
+approach you in the tender moment of first seeing you, after this
+declaration, of,
+
+"Madam,
+
+"Your most obedient,
+
+"And most faithful
+
+"Humble Servant, &c."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, June 29.
+
+Having taken a resolution when plays are acted next winter by an entire
+good company, to publish observations from time to time on the
+performance of the actors, I think it but just to give an abstract of
+the law of action, for the help of the less learned part of the
+audience, that they may rationally enjoy so refined and instructive a
+pleasure as a just representation of human life. The great errors in
+playing are admirably well exposed in Hamlet's direction to the
+actors[359] who are to play in his supposed tragedy; by which we shall
+form our future judgments on their behaviour, and for that reason you
+have the discourse as follows:
+
+"Speak the speech as I pronounce it to you, trippingly on the tongue;
+but if you mouth it, as many of our players do, I had as lieve the
+town-crier had spoke my lines: nor do not saw the air too much with your
+hand thus; but use all gently: for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as
+I may say, the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a
+temperance that may give it smoothness. Oh! it offends me to the soul,
+to see a robustious periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to
+very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who (for the most part)
+are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and noise. I could
+have such a fellow whipped for overdoing termagant: it out-Herods Herod.
+Be not too tame neither; but let your own discretion be your tutor: suit
+the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special
+observance, that you overstep not the modesty of nature; for anything so
+overdone, is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first
+and now, was, and is, to hold as it were the mirror up to Nature; to
+show Virtue her own feature; scorn her own image; and the very age and
+body of the time its form and pressure. Now this overdone, or come tardy
+off, though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious
+grieve. The censures of which one, must, in your allowance, oversway a
+whole theatre of others. Oh! there be players, that I have seen play,
+and heard others praise, and that highly (not to speak it profanely),
+that neither having the accent of Christian, Pagan, or Norman, have so
+strutted and bellowed, that I have thought some of Nature's journeymen
+had made men, and not made them well, they imitated humanity so
+abominably. This should be reformed altogether; and let those that play
+your clowns, speak no more than is set down for them: for there be of
+them that will of themselves laugh, to set on some quantity of barren
+spectators to laugh too; though in the meantime, some necessary question
+of the play be then to be considered; that is villanous, and shows a
+most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, June 29.
+
+It would be a very great obligation, and an assistance to my treatise
+upon Punning,[360] if any one would please to inform in what class,
+among the learned who play with words, to place the author of the
+following letter.[361]
+
+"Sir,
+
+"Not long since you were pleased to give us a chimerical account of the
+famous family of Staffs,[362] from whence I suppose you would insinuate,
+that it is the most ancient and numerous house in all Europe. But I
+positively deny that it is either; and wonder much at your audacious
+proceedings in this matter, since it is well known, that our most
+illustrious, most renowned, and most celebrated Roman family of Ix, has
+enjoyed the precedency to all others from the reign of good old Saturn.
+I could say much to the defamation and disgrace of your family; as, that
+your relations Distaff and Broomstaff were both inconsiderate mean
+persons, one spinning, the other sweeping the streets, for their daily
+bread. But I forbear to vent my spleen on objects so much beneath my
+indignation. I shall only give the world a catalogue of my ancestors,
+and leave them to determine which hath hitherto had, and which for the
+future ought to have, the preference.
+
+"First then comes the most famous and popular Lady Meretrix, parent of
+the fertile family of Bellatrix, Lotrix, Netrix, Nutrix, Obstetrix,
+Famulatrix, Coctrix, Ornatrix, Sarcinatrix, Fextrix, Balneatrix,
+Portatrix, Saltatrix, Divinatrix, Conjectrix, Comtrix, Debitrix,
+Creditrix, Donatrix, Ambulatrix, Mercatrix, Adsectrix, Assectatrix,
+Palpatrix, Praeceptrix, Pistrix.
+
+"I am yours,
+
+                                        "ELIZ. POTATRIX."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, June 29.
+
+Letters from Brussels of the 2nd of July, N.S., say, that the Duke of
+Marlborough and Prince Eugene having received advice, that the Marshal
+Villars had drawn a considerable body out of the garrison of Tournay to
+reinforce his army, marched towards that place, and came before it early
+in the morning of the 27th. As soon as they came into that ground, the
+Prince of Nassau was sent with a strong detachment to take post at St.
+Amand; and at the same time my Lord Orkney received orders to possess
+himself of Mortagne; both which were successfully executed; whereby we
+are masters of the Scheldt and the Scarp. Eight men were drawn out of
+each troop of dragoons and company of foot in the garrison of Tournay,
+to make up the reinforcement which was ordered to join Marshal Villars;
+but upon advice that the Allies were marching towards Tournay, they
+endeavoured to return into the town; but were intercepted by the Earl of
+Orkney, by whom that whole body was killed or taken. These letters add,
+that 1200 dragoons (each horseman carrying a foot-soldier behind him)
+were detached from Mons to throw themselves into Tournay; but upon
+appearance of a great body of horse of the Allies, retired towards
+Conde. We hear, that the garrison does not consist of more than 3500
+men. Of the sixty battalions designed to be employed in this siege,
+seven [_sic_] are English, viz., two of Guards, and the regiments of
+Argyle, Temple, Evans and Meredith.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 355: See Nos. 79, 140; and Swift's "Journal to Stella," Nov.
+3, 1711. A correspondent begged the _Spectator_ (No. 344) to "take
+notice of an impertinent custom the women, the fine women, have lately
+fallen into, of taking snuff."]
+
+[Footnote 356: It has been suggested that Steele here alludes to Mrs. De
+la Riviere Manley.]
+
+[Footnote 357: Lord Hinchinbroke married Elizabeth, only daughter of
+Alexander Popham, Esq. See Nos. 1, 5, 22.]
+
+[Footnote 358: This was one of Steele's own letters to Miss Scurlock.
+(See "Correspondence," 1809, vol. i. p. 93.) "Mrs. Lucy" is "Mrs.
+Warren" in the original.]
+
+[Footnote 359: "Hamlet," act iii. sc. 2.]
+
+[Footnote 360: See No. 32.]
+
+[Footnote 361: This letter is printed in Scott's edition of Swift's
+works.]
+
+[Footnote 362: See No. II.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 36. [? STEELE.[363]
+
+By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.
+
+From _Thursday, June 30_, to _Saturday, July 2_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From our own Apartment, June 30.
+
+Many affairs calling my brother into the country, the care of our
+intelligence with the town is left to me for some time; therefore you
+must expect the advices you meet with in this paper to be such as more
+immediately and naturally fall under the consideration of our sex:
+history therefore written by a woman, you will easily imagine to consist
+of love in all its forms, both in the abuse of, and obedience to that
+passion. As to the faculty of writing itself, it will not, it is hoped,
+be demanded, that style and ornament shall be so much consulted, as
+truth and simplicity; which latter qualities we may more justly pretend
+to beyond the other sex. While therefore the administration of our
+affairs is in my hands, you shall from time to time have an exact
+account of all false lovers, and their shallow pretences for breaking
+off; of all termagant wives who make wedlock a yoke; of men who affect
+the entertainments and manners suitable only to our sex, and women who
+pretend to the conduct of such affairs as are only within the province
+of men. It is necessary further to advertise the reader, that the usual
+places of resort being utterly out of my province or observation, I
+shall be obliged frequently to change the dates of places, as
+occurrences come into my way. The following letter I lately received
+from Epsom.[364]
+
+
+Epsom, June 28.
+
+"It is now almost three weeks since what you writ about happened in this
+place: the quarrel between my friends did not run so high as I find your
+accounts have made it. The truth of the fact you shall have very
+faithfully. You are to understand, that the persons concerned in this
+scene were, Lady Autumn, and Lady Springly:[365] Autumn is a person of
+good breeding, formality, and a singular way practised in the last age;
+and Lady Springly, a modern impertinent of our sex, who affects as
+improper familiarity, as the other does distance. Lady Autumn knows to a
+hair's-breadth where her place is in all assemblies and conversations;
+but Springly neither gives nor takes place of anybody, but understands
+the place to signify no more, than to have room enough to be at ease
+wherever she comes. Thus while Autumn takes the whole of this life to
+consist in understanding punctilio and decorum, Springly takes
+everything to be becoming which contributes to her ease and
+satisfaction. These heroines have married two brothers, both knights.
+Springly is the spouse of the elder, who is a baronet; and Autumn, being
+a rich widow, has taken the younger, and her purse endowed him with an
+equal fortune and knighthood of the same order. This jumble of titles,
+you need not doubt, has been an aching torment to Autumn, who took place
+of the other on no pretence, but her carelessness and disregard of
+distinction. This secret occasion of envy broiled long in the breast of
+Autumn; but no opportunity of contention on that subject happening, kept
+all things quiet till the accident, of which you demand an account.
+
+"It was given out among all the gay people of this place, that on the
+9th instant several damsels, swift of foot, were to run for a suit of
+head-clothes at the Old Wells. Lady Autumn on this occasion invited
+Springly to go with her in her coach to see the race. When they came to
+the place where the governor of Epsom and all his court of citizens were
+assembled, as well as a crowd of people of all orders, a brisk young
+fellow addresses himself to the younger of the ladies, viz., Springly,
+and offers her his service to conduct her into the music-room. Springly
+accepts the compliment, and is led triumphantly through the bowing
+crowd, while Autumn is left among the rabble, and has much ado to get
+back into her coach; but she did it at last: and as it is usual to see
+by the horses my lady's present disposition, she orders John to whip
+furiously home to her husband; where, when she enters, down she sits,
+began to unpin her hood, and lament her foolish fond heart to marry into
+a family where she was so little regarded, she that might--Here she
+stops; then rises up and stamps, and sits down again. Her gentle knight
+made his approaches with a supple beseeching gesture. 'My dear,' said
+he--'Tell me no dears,' replied Autumn; in the presence of the governor
+and all the merchants; 'What will the world say of a woman that has
+thrown herself away at this rate?' Sir Thomas withdrew, and knew it
+would not be long a secret to him; as well as that experience told him,
+he that marries a fortune, is of course guilty of all faults against his
+wife, let them be committed by whom they will. But Springly, an hour or
+two after, returns from the Wells, and finds the whole company together.
+Down she sat, and a profound silence ensued. You know a premeditated
+quarrel usually begins and works up with the words, 'Some people.' The
+silence was broken by Lady Autumn, who began to say, 'There are some
+people who fancy, that if some people--' Springly immediately takes her
+up; 'There are some people who fancy, if other people--' Autumn
+repartees, 'People may give themselves airs; but other people, perhaps,
+who make less ado, may be, perhaps, as agreeable as people who set
+themselves out more.' All the other people at the table sat mute, while
+these two people, who were quarrelling, went on with the use of the word
+'people,' instancing the very accidents between them, as if they kept
+only in distant hints. 'Therefore,' says Autumn, reddening, 'there are
+some people who will go abroad in other people's coaches, and leave
+those, with whom they went, to shift for themselves; and if, perhaps,
+those people have married the younger brother, yet, perhaps, he may be
+beholden to those people for what he is.' Springly smartly answers,
+'People may bring so much ill humour into a family, as people may repent
+their receiving their money'; and goes on--'Everybody is not
+considerable enough to give her uneasiness.' Upon this, Autumn comes up
+to her, and desired her to kiss her, and never to see her again; which
+her sister refusing, my lady gave her a box on the ear. Springly
+returns; 'Ay, ay,' said she, 'I knew well enough you meant me by your
+"some people,"' and gives her another on the other side. To it they went
+with most masculine fury: each husband ran in. The wives immediately
+fell upon their husbands, and tore periwigs and cravats. The company
+interposed; when (according to the slip-knot of matrimony, which makes
+them return to one another when any put in between) the ladies and their
+husbands fell upon all the rest of the company; and having beat all
+their friends and relations out of the house, came to themselves time
+enough to know, there was no bearing the jest of the place after these
+adventures, and therefore marched off the next day. It is said, the
+governor has sent several joints of mutton, and has proposed divers
+dishes very exquisitely dressed, to bring them down again. From his
+address and knowledge in roast and boiled, all our hopes of the return
+of this good company depend. I am,
+
+"Dear Jenny,
+
+"Your ready Friend
+
+"And Servant,
+
+                                        "MARTHA TATLER."
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, June 30.
+
+This day appeared here a figure of a person, whose services to the fair
+sex have reduced him to a kind of existence, for which there is no name.
+If there be a condition between life and death, without being absolutely
+dead or living, his state is that. His aspect and complexion in his
+robust days gave him the illustrious title of Africanus:[366] but it is
+not only from the warm climates in which he has served, nor from the
+disasters which he has suffered, that he deserves the same appellation
+with that renowned Roman; but the magnanimity with which he appears in
+his last moments, is what gives him the undoubted character of Hero.
+Cato stabbed himself, and Hannibal drank poison; but our Africanus lives
+in the continual puncture of aching bones and poisoned juices. The old
+heroes fled from torments by death, and this modern lives in death and
+torments, with a heart wholly bent upon a supply for remaining in them.
+An ordinary spirit would sink under his oppressions; but he makes an
+advantage of his very sorrow, and raises an income from his diseases.
+Long has this worthy been conversant in bartering, and knows, that when
+stocks are lowest, it is the time to buy. Therefore, with much prudence
+and tranquillity, he thinks, that now he has not a bone sound, but a
+thousand nodous parts for which the anatomists have not words, and more
+diseases than the College ever heard of, it is the only time to purchase
+an annuity for life. Sir Thomas[367] told me, it was an entertainment
+more surprising and pleasant than can be imagined, to see an inhabitant
+of neither world without hand to lift, or leg to move, scarce tongue to
+utter his meaning, so keen upon biting the whole world, and making
+bubbles at his exit. Sir Thomas added, that he would have bought twelve
+shillings a year of him, but that he feared there was some trick in it,
+and believed him already dead: "What!" says that knight, "is Mr.
+Partridge, whom I met just now going on both his legs firmer than I can,
+allowed to be quite dead; and shall Africanus, without one limb that can
+do its office, be pronounced alive?" What heightened the tragi-comedy of
+this market for annuities was, that the observation of it provoked
+Monoculus[368] (who is the most eloquent of all men) to many excellent
+reflections, which he spoke with the vehemence and language both of a
+gamester and an orator. "When I cast," said that delightful speaker, "my
+eye upon thee, thou unaccountable Africanus, I cannot but call myself as
+unaccountable as thou art; for certainly we were born to show what
+contradictions nature is pleased to form in the same species. Here am I,
+able to eat, to drink, to sleep, and do all acts of nature, except
+begetting my like; and yet by an unintelligible force of spleen and
+fancy, I every moment imagine I am dying. It is utter madness in thee to
+provide for supper; for I'll bet you ten to one, you don't live till
+half an hour after four; and yet I am so distracted as to be in fear
+every moment, though I'll lay ten to three, I drink three pints of burnt
+claret at your funeral three nights hence. After all, I envy thee; thou
+who dying hast no sense of death, art happier than one in health
+that[369] always fears it." The knight had gone on, but that a third man
+ended the scene by applauding the knight's eloquence and philosophy, in
+a laughter too violent for his own constitution, as much as he mocked
+that of Africanus and Monoculus.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 1.
+
+This day arrived three mails from Holland, with advices relating to the
+posture of affairs in the Low Countries, which say, that the Confederate
+army extends from Luchin, on the causeway between Tournay and Lisle, to
+Epain near Mortagne on the Scheldt. The Marshal Villars remains in his
+camp at Lens; but it is said, he detached ten thousand men under the
+command of the Chevalier de Luxembourg, with orders to form a camp at
+Crepin on the Haine, between Conde and St. Guillain, where he is to be
+joined by the Elector of Bavaria with a body of troops, and after their
+conjunction, to attempt to march into Brabant. But they write from
+Brussels, that the Duke of Marlborough having it equally in his power to
+make detachments to the same parts, they are under no apprehensions from
+these reports for the safety of their country. They further add from
+Brussels, that they have good authority for believing that the French
+troops under the conduct of Marshal de Bezons are retiring out of
+Spain.[370]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 363: Nichols argued that this and the two following numbers
+were by Addison. (1) At the end of No. 37 there is a list of errata for
+the preceding number. It was Addison's frequent practice to make verbal
+alterations in a preceding paper, and this Steele never did, except in
+rare cases, or where there was a positive mistake. (2) All the three
+papers are _superscribed_, as Addison's often were, and appear upon the
+face of them, to be of the nature, and in the number of those, for which
+Steele stood sponsor, and was very patiently traduced and calumniated,
+as he acknowledges to Congreve, in the Dedication prefixed to "The
+Drummer." There is nothing in the style or manner of any of the three
+that appears incongruous with such a supposition; and the nature of
+their principal contents seems to support it. They consist chiefly of
+pleasantries and oblique strokes, apparently on persons of fashion, in
+that age, of both sexes. It appears from the Dedication to "The
+Drummer," that Steele had Addison's direct injunctions to hide papers
+which he never did declare to be Addison's. The case, in short, seems to
+be, that as, as Steele says, there are communications in the course of
+this work, which Addison's modesty, so there are likewise others, which
+Addison's prudence, "would never have admitted to come into daylight,
+but under such a shelter." According to the usual rule where there is
+uncertainty, Steele's name is placed at the head of the papers in this
+edition. Probably he was responsible in any case for part of the
+contents of each of these numbers.]
+
+[Footnote 364: Epsom was frequented for its mineral waters, and was also
+a favourite holiday resort. "At the Crown Coffee-house, behind the Royal
+Exchange, fresh Epsom water, with the rest of the purging waters, at 2d.
+per quart, and sold both winter and summer, and Epsom salt." (See
+"British Apollo," vol. iii. No. 15, 1710, and "Post Man," June 11,
+1700.) "The New Wells at Epsom, with variety of raffling-shops, a
+billiard-table, and a bowling-green, and attended with a new set of
+music, are now open," &c. (_Flying Post_, Aug. 4-6, 1709.) The new Wells
+were opened on Easter Monday, 1709 (_Daily Courant_, April 23, 1709). We
+can form some idea of Epsom some years before, with its wells and
+bowling-green, from Shadwell's play, "Epsom Wells," 1673. See also No.
+7.]
+
+[Footnote 365: On July 8, 1709, Peter Wentworth wrote to Lord Raby: "I
+have not sent you the _Tatler_ of last Saturday, because I was told
+'twas dull, but that persons judgement I shall take no more; for having
+since read it I think it diverting enough, the news from Epsom is almost
+matter of fact, wch makes the jest the better; the Ladys are city ladys,
+named Turners" ("Wentworth Papers," p. 93). This is confirmed by the MS.
+annotator mentioned in No. 4.]
+
+[Footnote 366: "I like the description of Africanus, wch is Sir Scipio
+Hill ... Sir Scipio Hill with his new project of getting money occasions
+some diversion and talk at White's. You may have heard for this long
+while he was dieing of the ----; he now come abroad and look a divel, or
+at least a sad _memento mori_. He gives forescore guineas to receive ten
+guineas a quarter for his life, Sir James of the Peak is his agent, and
+runs about offering it all that will take. Boscowen has took it, and two
+or three more, who are of opinion he will not live a month. Those he had
+made his heirs does not approve of this whim, for he's resolved to
+dispose of all his ready money this way if he can find substantial fools
+enough to take it; but the crack begins to run as if he may live a great
+while for all he looks so ill, for he has recovered his voice to a
+miracle" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, July 1 and 8, 1709; "Wentworth
+Papers," pp. 92-3).]
+
+[Footnote 367: The waiter. See No. 16.]
+
+[Footnote 368: Said to be Sir Humphrey Monoux, Bart., who was elected
+M.P. for Tavistock in 1728, and for Stockbridge in 1734. He succeeded to
+the baronetage in 1707, and died without issue in 1757.]
+
+[Footnote 369: "Thou that hast no sense of death, art happier than one
+that" (folio; altered in Errata in No. 37).]
+
+[Footnote 370: "This paper, with a blank leaf to write business on, may
+be had of J. Morphew, near Stationers'-hall" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 37. [?STEELE.[371]
+
+From _Saturday, July 2_, to _Tuesday, July 5_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 2.
+
+It may be thought very unaccountable, that I,[372] who can never be
+supposed to go to White's, should pretend to talk to you of matters
+proper for, or in the style of, that place. But though I do not go to
+these public haunts, I receive visits from those who do; and for all
+they pretend so much to the contrary, they are as talkative as our sex,
+and as much at a loss to entertain the present company, without
+sacrificing the last, as we ourselves. This reflection has led me into
+the consideration of the use of speech; and made me look over in my
+memory all my acquaintance of both sexes, to know to which I may more
+justly impute the sin of superfluous discourse, with regard to
+conversation, and not entering into it as it respects religion. I
+foresee my acquaintance will immediately, upon starting this subject,
+ask me, how I shall celebrate Mrs. Alse Copswood,[373] the Yorkshire
+huntress, who is come to town lately, and moves as if she were on her
+nag, and going to take a five-bar gate; and is as loud as if she were
+following her dogs. I can easily answer that; for she is as soft as
+Damon, in comparison of her brother-in-law Tom Bellfrey,[374] who is the
+most accomplished man in this kingdom for all gentlemanlike activities
+and accomplishments. It is allowed, that he is a professed enemy to the
+Italian performers in music. But then for our own native manner,
+according to the customs and known usages of our island, he is to be
+preferred, for the generality of the pleasure he bestows, much above
+those fellows,[375] though they sing to full theatres. For what is a
+theatrical voice to that of a fox-hunter? I have been at a musical
+entertainment in an open field, where it amazed me to hear to what
+pitches the chief masters would reach. There was a meeting near our seat
+in Staffordshire, and the most eminent of all the counties of England
+were at it. How wonderful was the harmony between men and dogs! Robin
+Cartail of Bucks was to answer to Jowler; Mr. Tinbreast of Cornwall was
+appointed to open with Sweetlips, and Beau Slimber, a Londoner,
+undertook to keep up with Trips, a whelp just set in: Tom Bellfrey and
+Ringwood were coupled together, to fill the cry on all occasions, and be
+in at the death of the fox, hare, or stag; for which both the dog and
+the man were excellently suited, and loved one another, and were as much
+together as Banister and King. When Jowler first alarmed the field,
+Cartail repeated every note; Sweetlips' treble succeeded, and shook the
+wood; Tinbreast echoed a quarter of a mile beyond it. We were soon after
+all at a loss, till we rid up, and found Trips and Slimber at a default
+in half-notes: but the day and the tune was recovered by Tom Bellfrey
+and Ringwood, to the great joy of us all, though they drowned every
+other voice: for Bellfrey carries a note four furlongs, three rood, and
+six paces, farther than any other in England. But I fear the mention of
+this will be thought a digression from my purpose about speech: but I
+answer, No. Since this is used where speech rather should be employed,
+it may come into consideration in the same chapter: for Mr. Bellfrey
+being at a visit where I was, viz., his cousin's (Lady Dainty's) in
+Soho, was asked, what entertainments they had in the country? Now
+Bellfrey is very ignorant, and much a clown; but confident withal. In a
+word, he struck up a fox-chase: Lady Dainty's dog, Mr. Sippet, as she
+calls him, started and jumped out of his lady's lap, and fell a barking.
+Bellfrey went on, and called all the neighbouring parishes into the
+square. Never was woman in such confusion as that delicate lady. But
+there was no stopping her kinsman. A room full of ladies fell into the
+most violent laughter: my lady looked as if she was shrieking; Mr.
+Sippet in the middle of the room, breaking his heart with barking, but
+all of us unheard. As soon as Bellfrey became silent, up gets my lady,
+and takes him by the arm to lead him off: Bellfrey was in his boots. As
+she was hurrying him away, his spurs takes hold of her petticoat; his
+whip throws down a cabinet of china: he cries, "What! are your crocks
+rotten? Are your petticoats ragged? A man can't walk in your house for
+trincums." Every county of Great Britain has one hundred or more of this
+sort of fellows, who roar instead of speaking. Therefore if it be true,
+that we women are also given to greater fluency of words than is
+necessary, sure one that disturbs but a room or a family is more to be
+tolerated, than one who draws together parishes and counties, and
+sometimes (with an estate that might make him the blessing and ornament
+of the world around him) has no other view and ambition, but to be an
+animal above dogs and horses, without the relish of any one enjoyment,
+which is peculiar to the faculties of human nature. But I know it will
+here be said, that talking of mere country squires at this rate, is, as
+it were, to write against Valentine or Orson. To prove anything against
+the race of men, you must take them as they are adorned with education,
+as they live in Courts, or have received instructions in colleges.
+
+But I was so full of my late entertainment by Mr. Bellfrey, that I must
+defer pursuing this subject to another day; and waive the proper
+observations upon the different offenders in this kind, some by profound
+eloquence, on small occasions, others by degrading speech upon great
+circumstances. Expect therefore to hear of the whisperer without
+business, the laugher without wit, the complainer without receiving
+injuries, and a very large crowd, which I shall not forestall, who are
+common (though not commonly observed) impertinents, whose tongues are
+too voluble for their brains, and are the general despisers of us women,
+though we have their superiors, the men of sense, for our servants.[376]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 4.
+
+There has arrived no mail since our last; so that we have no manner of
+foreign news, except we were to give you, for such, the many
+speculations which are on foot concerning what was imported by the last
+advices. There are, it seems, sixty battalions and seventeen squadrons
+appointed to serve in the siege of Tournay; the garrison of which place
+consists but of eleven battalions and four squadrons. Letters of the
+29th of the last month from Berlin have brought advice, that the Kings
+of Denmark, Prussia, and his Majesty Augustus, were within few days to
+come to an interview at Potsdam. These letters mention, that two Polish
+princes of the family of the Sapicha and Lubermirsky, lately arrived
+from Paris, confirm the reports of the misery in France for want of
+provisions, and give a particular instance of it, which is, that on the
+day Monsieur Rouille returned to Court, the common people gathered in
+crowds about the Dauphin's coach, crying, "Peace and bread, bread and
+peace."
+
+Mrs. Distaff has taken upon her, while she writes this paper, to turn
+her thoughts wholly to the service of her own sex, and to propose
+remedies against the greatest vexations attending female life. She has
+for this end written a small treatise concerning the second word, with
+an appendix on the use of a reply, very useful to all such as are
+married to persons either ill-bred or ill-natured. There is in this
+tract a digression for the use of virgins concerning the words, "I
+will."
+
+A gentlewoman who has a very delicate ear, wants a maid who can whisper,
+and help her in the government of her family. If the said servant can
+clear-starch, lisp, and tread softly, she shall have suitable
+encouragement in her wages.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 371: See note to No. 36.]
+
+[Footnote 372: Jenny Distaff.]
+
+[Footnote 373: The Jacobite Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sharpe, who
+died in 1713. See _Examiner_, vol. iv. No. 22.]
+
+[Footnote 374: Dr. Blackall (1654-1716), who was made Bishop of Exeter
+in 1708.]
+
+[Footnote 375: The French Prophets, from the Cevennes. Dr. Blackall's
+sermon against them was printed by order of the Queen.]
+
+[Footnote 376: The following article appeared only in the folio issue:--
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 3.
+
+A very ingenious gentleman was complaining this evening, that the
+players are grown so severe critics, that they would not take in his
+play, though it has as many fine things in it as any play that has been
+writ since the days of Dryden. He began his discourse about his play
+with a preface.
+
+"There is," said he, "somewhat (however we palliate it) in the very
+frame and make of us, that subjects our minds to chagrin and
+irresolution on any emergency of time or place. The difficulty grows on
+our sickened imagination, under all the killing circumstances of danger
+and disappointment. This we see, not only in the men of retirement and
+fancy, but in the characters of the men of action; with this only
+difference, the coward sees the danger, and sickens under it; the hero,
+warmed by the difficulty, dilates, and rises in proportion to that, and
+in some sort makes use of his very fears to disarm it. A remarkable
+instance of this we have in the great Caesar, when he came to the
+Rubicon, and was entering upon a part, perhaps, the most hazardous he
+ever bore (certainly the most ungrateful), a war with his countrymen.
+When his mind brooded over personal affronts, perhaps his anger burned
+with a desire of revenge. But when more serious reflections laid before
+him the hazard of the enterprise, with the dismal consequences which
+were likely to attend it, aggravated by a special circumstance, What
+figure it would bear in the world, or how be excused to posterity. What
+shall he do?--His honour, which was his religion, bids him arm; and he
+sounds the inclinations of his party, by this set speech:
+
+#_CAESAR_ to his Party at the Rubicon.#
+
+    Great Jove, attend, and thou my native soil,
+    Safe in my triumphs, glutted in my spoil;
+    Witness with what reluctance I oppose
+    My arms to thine, secure of other foes.
+    What passive breast can bear disgrace like mine?
+    Traitor!--For this I conquered on the Rhine,
+    Endured their ten years' drudgery in Gaul,
+    Adjourned their fate, and saved the Capitol.
+    I grew by every guilty triumph less;
+    The crowd, when drunk with joy, their souls express,
+    Impatient of the war, yet fear success.
+    Brave actions dazzle with too bright a ray,
+    Like birds obscene they chatter at the day;
+    Giddy with rule, and valiant in debate,
+    They throw the die of war, to save the state;
+    And gods! to gild ingratitude with fame,
+    Assume the patriot's, we the rebel's name.
+    Farewell, my friends, your general forlorn,
+    To your bare pity, and the public scorn,
+    Must lay that honour and his laurel down,
+    To serve the vain caprices of the gown;
+    Exposed to all indignities, the brave
+    Deserve of those they gloried but to save,
+    To rods and axes!--No, the slaves can't dare
+    Play with my grief, and tempt my last despair.
+    This shall the honours which it won maintain,
+    Or do me justice, ere I hug my chain."
+
+The reason for cancelling this article when these papers were
+republished in octavo, is obvious; for, being printed by Steele, it
+would naturally be applied to the circumstances in which the Duke of
+Marlborough was at that time: "The Duke having his commission under the
+Great Seal, the order of the Queen was not sufficient to dissolve his
+power. His friends advised him to assemble, by his authority as general,
+all the troops in London, in the different squares, and to take
+possession of St. James's, and the person of the Queen. Oxford, apprised
+of this design, suddenly called together the Cabinet Council. Though he
+probably concealed his intelligence to prevent their fears, he told them
+of the necessity of superseding Marlborough under the Great Seal. This
+business was soon despatched. His dismission in form was sent to the
+Duke. The Earl of Oxford, no stranger to the character of Marlborough,
+knew that he would not act against law, by assembling the troops. The
+natural diffidence of his disposition had made him unfit for enterprises
+of danger, in a degree that furnished his enemies with insinuations
+against his personal courage."--(Macpherson's "State Papers," quoted by
+Nichols.)]
+
+
+
+
+No. 38. [?STEELE.[377]
+
+From _Tuesday, July 5_, to _Thursday, July 7, 1709._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 6.
+
+I find among my brother's papers the following letter verbatim, which I
+wonder how he could suppress so long as he has, since it was sent him
+for no other end, but to show the good effect his writings have already
+had upon the ill customs of the age.
+
+                                        "London, _June 23_.
+
+"SIR,
+
+"The end of all public papers ought to be the benefit and instruction,
+as well as the diversion of the readers: to which I see none so truly
+conducive as your late performances; especially those tending to the
+rooting out from amongst us that unchristianlike and bloody custom of
+duelling; which, that you have already in some measure performed, will
+appear to the public in the following no less true than heroic story.
+
+"A noble gentleman of this city, who has the honour of serving his
+country as major in the train-bands, being at that general mart of
+stockjobbers called Jonathan's,[378] endeavouring to raise himself (as
+all men of honour ought) to the degree of colonel at least; it happened
+that he bought the 'bear'[379] of another officer, who, though not
+commissioned in the army, yet no less eminently serves the public than
+the other, in raising the credit of the kingdom, by raising that of the
+stocks. However, having sold the 'bear,' and words arising about the
+delivery, the most noble major, no less scorning to be outwitted in the
+coffee-house, than to run into the field, according to method, abused
+the other with the titles of, 'rogue,' 'villain,' 'bearskin-man,' and
+the like. Whereupon satisfaction was demanded, and accepted: so, forth
+the major marched, commanding his adversary to follow. To a most
+spacious room in the sheriff's house, near the place of quarrel, they
+come; where, having due regard to what you have lately published, they
+resolved not to shed one another's blood in that barbarous manner you
+prohibited; yet, not willing to put up affronts without satisfaction,
+they stripped, and in decent manner fought full fairly with their
+wrathful hands. The combat lasted a quarter of an hour; in which time
+victory was often doubtful, and many a dry blow was strenuously laid on
+by each side, till the major finding his adversary obstinate, unwilling
+to give him further chastisement, with most shrill voice cried out, 'I
+am satisfied, enough.' Whereupon the combat ceased, and both were
+friends immediately.
+
+"Thus the world may see, how necessary it is to encourage those men who
+make it their business to instruct the people in everything necessary
+for their preservation. I am informed, a body of worthy citizens have
+agreed on an address of thanks to you for what you have writ on the
+foregoing subject, whereby they acknowledge one of their highly esteemed
+officers preserved from death.
+
+"Your humble Servant,
+
+                                        "A. B."
+
+I fear the word "bear" is hardly to be understood among the polite
+people; but I take the meaning to be, that one who ensures a real value
+upon an imaginary thing, is said to sell a "bear," and is the same thing
+as a promise among courtiers, or a vow between lovers. I have writ to my
+brother to hasten to town; and hope, that printing the letters directed
+to him, which I knew not how to answer, will bring him speedily; and
+therefore I add also the following:
+
+                                        "_July 5_, 1709.
+
+"MR. BICKERSTAFF,
+
+You having hinted a generous intention of taking under your
+consideration the whisperers without business, and laughers without
+occasion; as you tender the welfare of your country, I entreat you not
+to forget or delay so public-spirited a work. Now or never is the time.
+Many other calamities may cease with the war; but I dismally dread the
+multiplication of these mortals under the ease and luxuriousness of a
+settled peace, half the blessing of which may be destroyed by them.
+Their mistake lies certainly here, in a wretched belief, that their
+mimicry passes for real business, or true wit. Dear sir, convince them,
+that it never was, is, or ever will be, either of them; nor ever did,
+does, or to all futurity ever can, look like either of them; but that it
+is the most cursed disturbance in nature, which is possible to be
+inflicted on mankind, under the noble definition of a sociable creature.
+In doing this, sir, you will oblige more humble servants than can find
+room to subscribe their names."
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 6.
+
+In pursuance of my last date from hence, I am to proceed on the accounts
+I promised of several personages among the men, whose conspicuous
+fortunes, or ambition in showing their follies, have exalted them above
+their fellows: the levity of their minds is visible in their every word
+and gesture, and there is not a day passes but puts me in mind of Mr.
+Wycherley's character of a coxcomb: "He is ugly all over with the
+affectation of the fine gentleman." Now though the women may put on
+softness in their looks, or affected severity, or impertinent gaiety, or
+pert smartness, their self-love and admiration cannot, under any of
+these disguises, appear so invincible as that of the men. You may easily
+take notice, that in all their actions there is a secret approbation,
+either in the tone of their voice, the turn of their body, or cast of
+their eye, which shows that they are extremely in their own favour. Take
+one of your men of business, he shall keep you half an hour with your
+hat off, entertaining you with his consideration of that affair you
+spoke of to him last, till he has drawn a crowd that observes you in
+this grimace. Then when he is public enough, he immediately runs into
+secrets, and falls a whispering. You and he make breaks with adverbs;
+as, "But however, thus far"; and then you whisper again, and so on, till
+they who are about you are dispersed, and your busy man's vanity is no
+longer gratified by the notice taken of what importance he is, and how
+inconsiderable you are; for your pretender to business is never in
+secret, but in public. There is my dear Lord Nowhere, of all men the
+most gracious and most obliging, the terror of all _valets-de-chambre_,
+whom he oppresses with good breeding, in inquiring for my good lord, and
+for my good lady's health. This inimitable courtier will whisper a privy
+councillor's lackey with the utmost goodness and condescension, to know
+when they next sit; and is thoroughly taken up, and thinks he has a part
+in a secret, if he knows that there is a secret. "What it is," he will
+whisper you, "that time will discover"; then he shrugs, and calls you
+back again--"Sir, I need not say to you, that these things are not to be
+spoken of--and hark you, no names, I would not be quoted." What adds to
+the jest is, that his emptiness has its moods and seasons, and he will
+not condescend to let you into these his discoveries, except he is in
+very good humour, or has seen somebody in fashion talk to you. He will
+keep his nothing to himself, and pass by and overlook as well as the
+best of them; not observing that he is insolent when he is gracious, and
+obliging when he is haughty. Show me a woman so inconsiderable as this
+frequent character. But my mind (now I am in) turns to many no less
+observable: thou dear Will Shoestring![380] I profess myself in love
+with thee: how shall I speak thee? How shall I address thee? How shall I
+draw thee? Thou dear outside! Will you be combing your wig,[381] playing
+with your box, or picking your teeth? Or choosest thou rather to be
+speaking; to be speaking for thy only purpose in speaking, to show your
+teeth? Rub them no longer, dear Shoestring: do not premeditate murder:
+do not for ever whiten: Oh! that for my quiet and his own they were
+rotten. But I will forget him, and give my hand to the courteous Umbra;
+he is a fine man indeed, but the soft creature bows below my
+apron-string before he takes it; but after the first ceremonies, he is
+as familiar as my physician, and his insignificancy makes me half ready
+to complain to him of all I would to my doctor. But he is so courteous,
+that he carries half the messages of ladies' ails in town to their
+midwives and nurses. He understands too the art of medicine as far as to
+the cure of a pimple or a rash. On occasions of the like importance, he
+is the most assiduous of all men living, in consulting and searching
+precedents from family to family; and then he speaks of his
+obsequiousness and diligence in the style of real services. If you sneer
+at him, and thank him for his great friendship, he bows, and says,
+"Madam, all the good offices in my power, while I have any knowledge or
+credit, shall be at your service." The consideration of so shallow a
+being, and the intent application with which he pursues trifles, has
+made me carefully reflect upon that sort of men we usually call an
+Impertinent: and I am, upon mature deliberation, so far from being
+offended with him, that I am really obliged to him; for though he will
+take you aside, and talk half an hour to you upon matters wholly
+insignificant with the most solemn air, yet I consider, that these
+things are of weight in his imagination, and he thinks he is
+communicating what is for my service. If therefore it be a just rule to
+judge of a man by his intention, according to the equity of good
+breeding, he that is impertinently kind or wise, to do you service,
+ought in return to have a proportionable place both in your affection
+and esteem; so that the courteous Umbra deserves the favour of all his
+acquaintance; for though he never served them, he is ever willing to do
+it, and believes he does it. But as impotent kindness is to be returned
+with all our abilities to oblige, so impotent malice is to be treated
+with all our force to depress it. For this reason Flyblow (who is
+received in all the families in town through the degeneracy and iniquity
+of their manners) is to be treated like a knave, though he is one of the
+weakest of fools: he has by rote, and at second-hand, all that can be
+said of any man of figure, wit, and virtue in town. Name a man of worth,
+and this creature tells you the worst passage of his life. Speak of a
+beautiful woman, and this puppy will whisper the next man to him, though
+he has nothing to say of her. He is a Fly that feeds on the sore part,
+and would have nothing to live on, if the whole body were in health. You
+may know him by the frequency of pronouncing the particle "but"; for
+which reason I never hear him spoke of with common charity, without
+using my "but" against him: for a friend of mine saying the other day,
+Mrs. Distaff has wit, good humour, virtue, and friendship, this oaf
+added, "'But' she is not handsome." Coxcomb! The gentleman was saying
+what I was, not what I was not.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 6.
+
+The approaches before Tournay have been carried on with great success;
+and our advices from the camp before that place of the 11th instant say,
+that they had already made a lodgment on the glacis. Two hundred boats
+were come up the Scheldt with a heavy artillery and ammunition, which
+would be employed in dismounting the enemy's defences, and raised on the
+batteries the 15th. A great body of miners are summoned to the camp to
+countermine the works of the enemy. We are convinced of the weakness of
+the garrison, by a certain account, that they called a council of war,
+to consult whether it was not advisable to march into the citadel, and
+leave the town defenceless. We are assured, that when the Confederate
+army was advancing towards the camp of Marshal Villars, that general
+despatched a courier to his master with a letter, giving an account of
+their approach, which concluded with the following words: "The day
+begins to break, and your Majesty's army is already in order of battle.
+Before noon, I hope to have the honour of congratulating your Majesty on
+the success of a great action; and you shall be very well satisfied with
+the Marshal Villars."
+
+It is to be noted, that when any part of this paper appears dull, there
+is a design in it.[382]
+
+
+
+[Footnote 377: See note to No. 36.]
+
+[Footnote 378: A coffee-house in Change Alley. See _Spectator_, No. 1,
+and Mrs. Centlivre's "Bold Stroke for a Wife."]
+
+[Footnote 379: See No. 7.]
+
+[Footnote 380: Sir William Whitlocke, Knt., Member for Oxon, Bencher of
+the Middle Temple. He is the learned knight mentioned in No. 43 (Percy).
+This is confirmed by the MS. annotator mentioned in a note to No. 4.
+Nichols explains that Whitlocke is called Will Shoestring, for his
+singularity in using shoe-strings, so long after the era of
+shoe-buckles, which commenced in the reign of Charles II., although
+ordinary people, and such as affected plainness in their garb, wore
+strings in their shoes after that time.]
+
+[Footnote 381: "Combing the peruke, at the time when men of fashion wore
+large wigs, was even at public places an act of gallantry. The combs,
+for this purpose, were of a very large size, of ivory or tortoise-shell,
+curiously chased and ornamented, and were carried in the pocket as
+constantly as the snuff-box. At Court, on the Mall, and in the boxes,
+gentlemen conversed and combed their perukes "(Sir John Hawkins' "Hist,
+of Music," vol. iv. p. 447, note). Cf. Dryden's prologue to "Almanzor
+and Almahide":--
+
+    "But as when vizard mask appears in pit,
+    Straight every man who thinks himself a wit,
+    Perks up; and managing his comb with grace,
+    With his white wig sets off his nut-brown face."
+
+And "The Fortune Hunters," act i. sc. 2 (1689): "He looked, indeed, and
+sighed, and set his cravat-string, and sighed again, and combed his
+periwig: sighed a third time, and then took snuff, I guess to show the
+whiteness of his hand." See, too, Wycherley's "Love in a Wood," act iii.
+sc. 1:--
+
+"DAPPERWIT. Let me prune and flounce my perruque a little for her;
+there's ne'er a young fellow in the town but will do as much for a mere
+stranger in the play-house.
+
+"RANGER. A wit's wig has the privilege of being uncombed in the very
+play-house, or in the presence--
+
+"DAPPERWIT. But not in the presence of his mistress; 'tis a greater
+neglect of her than himself; pray lend me your comb.... She comes, she
+comes; pray, your comb. (_Snatches_ RANGER'S _comb_.)"]
+
+[Footnote 382: "Mrs. Distaff hath received the Dialogue dated Monday
+evening, which she has sent forward to Mr. Bickerstaff at Maidenhead:
+and in the meantime gives her service to the parties" (folio).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 39. [STEELE.
+
+By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.
+
+From _Thursday, July 7_, to _Saturday, July 9_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 7.
+
+As I am called forth by the immense love I bear to my fellow creatures,
+and the warm inclination I feel within me, to stem, as far as I can, the
+prevailing torrent of vice and ignorance; so I cannot more properly
+pursue that noble impulse, than by setting forth the excellence of
+virtue and knowledge in their native and beautiful colours. For this
+reason I made my late excursion to Oxford, where those qualities appear
+in their highest lustre, and are the only pretences to honour and
+distinction: superiority is there given in proportion to men's
+advancement in wisdom and learning; and that just rule of life is so
+universally received among those happy people, that you shall see an
+earl walk bareheaded to the son of the meanest artificer, in respect to
+seven years more worth and knowledge than the nobleman is possessed of.
+In other places they bow to men's fortunes, but here to their
+understandings. It is not to be expressed, how pleasing the order, the
+discipline, the regularity of their lives, is to a philosopher, who has,
+by many years' experience in the world, learned to contemn everything
+but what is revered in this mansion of select and well-taught spirits.
+The magnificence of their palaces, the greatness of their revenues, the
+sweetness of their groves and retirements, seem equally adapted for the
+residence of princes and philosophers; and a familiarity with objects of
+splendour, as well as places of recess, prepares the inhabitants with an
+equanimity for their future fortunes, whether humble or illustrious. How
+was I pleased when I looked round at St. Mary's, and could, in the faces
+of the ingenious youth, see ministers of state, chancellors, bishops,
+and judges. Here only is human life! Here only the life of man is a
+rational being! Here men understand and are employed in works worthy
+their noble nature. This transitory being passes away in an employment
+not unworthy a future state, the contemplation of the great decrees of
+Providence. Each man lives as if he were to answer the questions made to
+Job, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?... Who
+shut up the sea with doors, ... and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, and
+no further?"[383] Such speculations make life agreeable, make death
+welcome, But alas! I was torn from this noble society by the business of
+this dirty mean world, and the cares of fortune: for I was obliged to be
+in town against the 7th day of the term, and accordingly governed myself
+by my Oxford Almanack, and came last night; but find, to my great
+astonishment, that this ignorant town began the term on the 24th of the
+last month, in opposition to all the learning and astronomy of the
+famous university of which I have been speaking; according to which, the
+term certainly was to commence on the 1st instant.[384] You may be sure,
+a man who has turned his studies as I have, could not be mistaken in
+point of time; for knowing I was to come to town in term, I examined the
+passing moments very narrowly, and called an eminent astronomer to my
+assistance. Upon very strict observation we found, that the cold has
+been so severe this last winter (which is allowed to have a benumbing
+quality), that it retarded the earth in moving round from Christmas to
+this season full seven days and two seconds. My learned friend assured
+me further, that the earth had lately received a shog from a comet that
+crossed its vortex, which, if it had come ten degrees nearer us, had
+made us lose this whole term. I was indeed once of opinion, that the
+Gregorian computation was the most regular, as being eleven days before
+the Julian; but am now fully convinced, that we ought to be seven days
+after the chancellor and judges, and eighteen before the Pope of Rome;
+and that the Oxonian computation is the best of the three. These are the
+reasons which I have gathered from philosophy and nature; to which I can
+add other circumstances in vindication of the account of this learned
+body who published this almanack. It is notorious to philosophers, that
+joy and grief can hasten and delay time. Mr. Locke is of opinion, that a
+man in great misery may so far lose his measure, as to think a minute an
+hour; or in joy, make an hour a minute. Let us examine the present case
+by this rule, and we shall find, that the cause of this general mistake
+in the British nation, has been the great success of the last campaign,
+and the following hopes of peace. Stocks ran so high at the 'Change,
+that the citizens had gained three days of the courtiers; and we have
+indeed been so happy this reign, that if the University did not rectify
+our mistakes, we should think ourselves but in the second year of her
+present Majesty. It would be endless to enumerate the many damages that
+have happened by this ignorance of the vulgar. All the recognisances
+within the Diocese of Oxford have been forfeited, for not appearing on
+the first day of this fictitious term. The University has been nonsuited
+in their action against the booksellers for printing Clarendon in
+quarto. But indeed what gives me the most quick concern, is the case of
+a poor gentleman my friend, who was the other day taken in execution by
+a set of ignorant bailiffs. He should, it seems, have pleaded in the
+first week of term; but being a Master of Arts of Oxford, he would not
+recede from the Oxonian computation. He showed Mr. Broad the almanack,
+and the very day when the term began; but the merciless ignorant fellow,
+against all sense and learning, would hurry him away. He went indeed
+quietly enough; but he has taken exact notes of the time of arrest, and
+sufficient witnesses of his being carried into gaol; and has, by advice
+of the Recorder of Oxford, brought his action; and we doubt not but we
+shall pay them off with damages, and blemish the reputation of Mr.
+Broad. We have one convincing proof, which all that frequent the Courts
+of Justice are witnesses of: the dog that comes constantly to
+Westminster on the first day of the term, did not appear till the first
+day according to the Oxford Almanack; whose instinct I take to be a
+better guide than men's erroneous opinions, which are usually biased by
+interest. I judge in this case, as King Charles II. victualled his navy,
+with the bread which one of his dogs chose of several pieces thrown
+before him, rather than trust to the asseverations of the victuallers.
+Mr. Cowper,[385] and other learned counsel, have already urged the
+authority of this almanack, in behalf of their clients. We shall
+therefore go on with all speed in our cause; and doubt not, but Chancery
+will give at the end what we lost in the beginning, by protracting the
+term for us till Wednesday come se'nnight: and the University orator
+shall for ever pray, &c.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 7.
+
+The subject of duels[386] has, I find, been started with so good
+success, that it has been the frequent subject of conversation among
+polite men; and a dialogue of that kind has been transmitted to me
+verbatim, as follows. The persons concerned in it are men of honour, and
+experience in the manners of men, and have fallen upon the truest
+foundation, as well as searched the bottom, of this evil.
+
+Mr. SAGE. If it were in my power, every man that drew his sword, unless
+in the Service, or purely to defend his life, person, or goods, from
+violence (I mean abstracted from all punctos or whims of honour) should
+ride the wooden horse in the Tilt Yard[387] for such first offence, for
+the second stand in the pillory, and for the third be prisoner in Bedlam
+for life.
+
+Col. PLUME. I remember, that a rencounter or duel was so far from being
+in fashion among the officers that served in the Parliament army, that
+on the contrary, it was as disreputable, and as great an impediment to
+advancement in the Service, as being bashful in time of action.
+
+Sir MARK. Yet I have been informed by some old Cavaliers, of famous
+reputation for brave and gallant men, that they were much more in mode
+among their party, than they have been during this last war.
+
+Col. PLUME. That is true too, sir. Mr. SAGE. By what you say,
+gentlemen, one should think that our present military officers are
+compounded of an equal proportion of both those tempers; since duels are
+neither quite discountenanced, nor much in vogue.
+
+Sir MARK. That difference of temper, in regard to duels, which appears
+to have been between the Court and Parliament-men of the sword, was not
+(I conceive) for want of courage in the latter, nor of a liberal
+education; because there were some of the best families in England
+engaged in that party; but gallantry and mode, which glitter agreeably
+to the imagination, were encouraged by the Court, as promoting its
+splendour; and it was as natural that the contrary party (who were to
+recommend themselves to the public for men of serious and solid parts)
+should deviate from everything chimerical.
+
+Mr. SAGE. I have never read of a duel among the Romans; and yet their
+nobility used more liberty with their tongues than one may do now
+without being challenged.
+
+Sir MARK. Perhaps the Romans were of opinion, that ill language, and
+brutal manners, reflected only on those who were guilty of them; and
+that a man's reputation was not at all cleared by cutting the person's
+throat who had reflected upon it: but the custom of those times had
+fixed the scandal in the action; whereas now it lies in the reproach.
+
+Mr. SAGE. And yet the only sort of duel that one can conceive to have
+been fought upon motives truly honourable and allowable, was that
+between the Horatii and Curiatii.
+
+Sir MARK. Colonel Plume, pray what was the method of single combat in
+your time among the Cavaliers? I suppose, that as the use of clothes
+continues, though the fashion of them has been mutable; so duels,
+though still in use, have had in all times their particular modes of
+performance.
+
+Col. PLUME. We had no constant rule, but generally conducted our dispute
+and tilt according to the last that had happened between persons of
+reputation among the very top fellows for bravery and gallantry.
+
+Sir MARK. If the fashion of quarrelling and tilting was so often changed
+in your time, Colonel Plume, a man might fight, yet lose his credit for
+want of understanding the fashion.
+
+Col. PLUME. Why, Sir Mark, in the beginning of July, a man would have
+been censured for want of courage, or been thought indigent of the true
+notions of honour, if he had put up [with] words, which in the end of
+September following, one could not resent without passing for a brutal
+and quarrelsome fellow.
+
+Sir MARK. But, Colonel, were duels or rencounters most in fashion in
+those days?
+
+Col. PLUME. Your men of nice honour, sir, were for avoiding all censure
+of advantage which they supposed might be taken in a rencounter;
+therefore they used seconds, who were to see that all was upon the
+square, and make a faithful report of the whole combat; but in a little
+time it became a fashion for the seconds to fight, and I'll tell you how
+it happened.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Pray do, Colonel Plume, and the method of a duel at that time,
+and give us some notion of the punctos upon which your nice men
+quarrelled in those days.
+
+Col. PLUME. I was going to tell you, Mr. Sage, that one Cornet Modish
+had desired his friend, Captain Smart's, opinion in some affair, but did
+not follow it; upon which Captain Smart sent Major Adroit (a very
+topping fellow of those times) to the person that had slighted his
+advice. The Major never inquired into the quarrel, because it was not
+the manner then among the very topping fellows; but got two swords of an
+equal length, and then waited upon Cornet Modish, desiring him to choose
+his sword, and meet his friend Captain Smart. Cornet Modish came with
+his friend to the place of combat; there the principals put on their
+pumps, and stripped to their shirts, to show they had nothing but what
+men of honour carry about them, and then engaged.
+
+Sir MARK. And did the seconds stand by, sir?
+
+Col. PLUME. It was a received custom till that time; but the swords of
+those days being pretty long, and the principals acting on both sides
+upon the defensive, and the morning being frosty, Major Adroit desired
+that the other second, who was also a very topping fellow, would try a
+thrust or two only to keep them warm, till the principals had decided
+the matter, which was agreed to by Modish's second, who presently
+whipped Adroit through the body, disarmed him, and then parted the
+principals, who had received no harm at all.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But was not Adroit laughed at?
+
+Col. PLUME. On the contrary, the very topping fellows were ever after of
+opinion, that no man who deserved that character, could serve as a
+second, without fighting; and the Smarts and Modishes finding their
+account in it, the humour took without opposition.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Pray, Colonel, how long did that fashion continue?
+
+Col. PLUME, Not long neither, Mr. Sage; for as soon as it became a
+fashion, the very topping fellows thought their honour reflected upon,
+if they did not proffer themselves as seconds when any of their friends
+had a quarrel; so that sometimes there were a dozen of a side.
+
+Sir MARK. Bless me! If that custom had continued, we should have been
+at a loss now for our very pretty fellows; for they seem to be the
+proper men to officer, animate, and keep up an army: but, pray, sir, how
+did that sociable manner of tilting grow out of mode?
+
+Col. PLUME. Why, sir, I'll tell you; it was a law among the combatants,
+that the party which happened to have the first man disarmed or killed,
+should yield as vanquished; which some people thought might encourage
+the Modishes and Smarts in quarrelling, to the destruction of only the
+very topping fellows; and as soon as this reflection was started, the
+very topping fellows thought it an incumbrance upon their honour to
+fight at all themselves. Since that time, the Modishes and the Smarts,
+throughout all Europe, have extolled the French king's edict.
+
+Sir MARK. Our very pretty fellows, whom I take to be the successors of
+the very topping fellows, think a quarrel so little fashionable, that
+they will not be exposed to it by another man's vanity, or want of
+sense.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But, Colonel, I have observed in your account of duels, that
+there was a great exactness in avoiding all advantage that might
+possibly be between the combatants.
+
+Col. PLUME. That's true, sir; for the weapons were always equal.
+
+Mr. SAGE. Yes, sir; but suppose an active, adroit, strong man, had
+insulted an awkward, or a feeble, or an unpractised swordsman.
+
+Col. PLUME. Then, sir, they fought with pistols.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But, sir, there might be a certain advantage that way; for a
+good marksman will be sure to hit his man at twenty yards distance; and
+a man whose hand shakes (which is common to men that debauch in
+pleasures, or have not used pistols out of their holsters) won't
+venture to fire, unless he touches the person he shoots at. Now, sir, I
+am of opinion, that one can get no honour in killing a man (if one has
+it all rug,[388] as the gamesters say), when they have a trick to make
+the game secure, though they seem to play upon the square.
+
+Sir MARK. In truth, Mr. Sage, I think such a fact must be murder in a
+man's own private conscience, whatever it may appear to the world.
+
+Col. PLUME. I have known some men so nice, that they would not fight but
+upon a cloak without pistols.
+
+Mr. SAGE. I believe a custom, well established, would outdo the Grand
+Monarch's edict.[389]
+
+Sir MARK. And bullies would then leave off their long swords; but I
+don't find that a very pretty fellow can stay to change his sword, when
+he is insulted by a bully with a long diego,[390] though his own at the
+same time be no longer than a penknife; which will certainly be the
+case, if such little swords are in mode. Pray, Colonel, how was it
+between the hectors of your time and the very topping fellows?
+
+Col. PLUME. Sir, long swords happened to be generally worn in those
+times.
+
+Mr. SAGE. In answer to what you were saying, Sir Mark, give me leave to
+inform you, that your knights-errant (who were the very pretty fellows
+of those ancient times) thought they could not honourably yield, though
+they had fought their own trusty weapons to the stumps; but would
+venture as boldly with the page's leaden sword, as if it had been of
+enchanted metal. Whence I conceive, there must be a spice of romantic
+gallantry in the composition of that very pretty fellow.
+
+Sir MARK. I am of opinion, Mr. Sage, that fashion governs a very pretty
+fellow; nature, or common sense, your ordinary persons, and sometimes
+men of fine parts.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But what is the reason, that men of the most excellent sense
+and morals (in other points) associate their understandings with the
+very pretty fellows in that chimaera of a duel?
+
+Sir MARK. There's no disputing against so great a majority.
+
+Mr. SAGE. But there is one scruple (Colonel Plume) and I have done:
+don't you believe there may be some advantage even upon a cloak with
+pistols, which a man of nice honour would scruple to take?
+
+Col. PLUME. Faith, I can't tell, sir; but since one may reasonably
+suppose, that (in such a case) there can be but one so far in the wrong
+as to occasion matters to come to that extremity, I think the chance of
+being killed should fall but on one; whereas by their close and
+desperate manner of fighting, it may very probably happen to both.
+
+Sir MARK. Why, gentlemen, if they are men of such nice honour (and must
+fight), there will be no fear of foul play, if they threw up cross or
+pile[391] who should be shot.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 383: Job xxxviii. 4, 8, 11.]
+
+[Footnote 384: There was a difference between the University terms and
+the Law terms.]
+
+[Footnote 385: Spencer Cowper (1669-1727), brother of Earl Cowper, and
+afterwards a judge of the Common Pleas. He was one of the managers of
+the impeachment of Sacheverell in 1710.]
+
+[Footnote 386: See Nos. 25, 26, 29, 31, 38, 205.]
+
+[Footnote 387: At Whitehall.]
+
+[Footnote 388: _Cf._ "Wentworth Papers," p. 394: "June 29, 1714. The
+changes at Court does not go so rug as some people expected and gave
+out, that 'twas to be all intire Tory with the least seeming mixture of
+Whigs."]
+
+[Footnote 389: See _Spectator_, No. 97.]
+
+[Footnote 390: A sword. Don Diego was a familiar name for a Spaniard
+with both English and French writers in the seventeenth century. San
+Diego is a corruption of Santiago (St. James), the patron saint of
+Spain.]
+
+[Footnote 391: A pillar, the design on one side of a coin, bearing on
+the other a cross. Swift says, "This I humbly conceive to be perfect
+boys' play; cross, I win, and pile, you lose."]
+
+
+
+
+No. 40. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 9_, to _Tuesday, July 12_, 1709.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 11.
+
+Letters from the city of London give an account of a very great
+consternation that place is in at present, by reason of a late inquiry
+made at Guildhall, whether a noble person[392] has parts enough to
+deserve the enjoyment of the great estate of which he is possessed. The
+city is apprehensive that this precedent may go further than was at
+first imagined. The person against whom this inquisition is set up by
+his relations, is a peer of a neighbouring kingdom, and has in his youth
+made some few bulls, by which it is insinuated, that he has forfeited
+his goods and chattels. This is the more astonishing, in that there are
+many persons in the said city who are still more guilty than his
+lordship, and who, though they are idiots, do not only possess, but have
+also themselves acquired great estates, contrary to the known laws of
+this realm, which vests their possessions in the Crown. There is a
+gentleman of this coffee-house at this time exhibiting a bill in
+Chancery against his father's younger brother, who by some strange magic
+has arrived at the value of half a plum, as the citizens call a hundred
+thousand pounds; and in all the time of growing up to that wealth, was
+never known in any of his ordinary words or actions to discover any
+proof of reason. Upon this foundation my friend has set forth, that he
+is illegally master of his coffers, and has writ two epigrams to signify
+his own pretensions and sufficiency for spending that estate. He has
+inserted in his plea some things which I fear will give offence; for he
+pretends to argue, that though a man has a little of the knave mixed
+with the fool, he is nevertheless liable to the loss of goods; and makes
+the abuse of reason as just an avoidance of an estate as the total
+absence of it. This is what can never pass; but witty men are so full of
+themselves, that there is no persuading them; and my friend will not be
+convinced, but that upon quoting Solomon, who always used the word
+"fool" as a term of the same signification with "unjust," and makes all
+deviation from goodness and virtue to come under the notion of folly--I
+say, he doubts not, but by the force of this authority, let his idiot
+uncle appear never so great a knave, he shall prove him a fool at the
+same time. This affair led the company here into an examination of these
+points; and none coming here but wits, what was asserted by a young
+lawyer, that a lunatic is in the care of the Chancery, but a fool in
+that of the Crown, was received with general indignation. "Why that?"
+says old Renault. "Why that? Why must a fool be a courtier more than a
+madman? This is the iniquity of this dull age: I remember the time when
+it went on the mad side; all your top wits were scowrers,[393] rakes,
+roarers, and demolishers of windows. I remember a mad lord who was drunk
+five years together, and was the envy of that age, and is faintly
+imitated by the dull pretenders to vice and madness in this. Had he
+lived to this day, there had not been a fool in fashion in the whole
+kingdom." When Renault had done speaking, a very worthy man assumed the
+discourse: "This is," said he, "Mr. Bickerstaff, a proper argument for
+you to treat in your article from this place; and if you would send your
+Pacolet into all our brains, you would find, that a little fibre or
+valve, scarce discernible, makes the distinction between a politician
+and an idiot. We should therefore throw a veil upon those unhappy
+instances of human nature, who seem to breathe without the direction of
+reason and understanding, as we should avert our eyes with abhorrence
+from such as live in perpetual abuse and contradiction to these noble
+faculties. Shall this unfortunate man be divested of his estate, because
+he is tractable and indolent, runs in no man's debt, invades no man's
+bed, nor spends the estate he owes his children and his character; when
+one who shows no sense above him, but in such practices, shall be
+esteemed in his senses, and possibly may pretend to the guardianship of
+him who is no ways his inferior, but in being less wicked? We see old
+age brings us indifferently into the same impotence of soul, wherein
+nature has placed this lord. There is something very fantastical in the
+distribution of civil power and capacity among men. The law certainly
+gives these persons into the ward and care of the Crown, because that is
+best able to protect them from injuries, and the impositions of craft
+and knavery; that the life of an idiot may not ruin the entail of a
+noble house, and his weakness may not frustrate the industry or capacity
+of the founder of his family. But when one of bright parts, as we say,
+with his eyes open, and all men's eyes upon him, destroys those
+purposes, there is no remedy. Folly and ignorance are punished! Folly
+and guilt are tolerated! Mr. Locke has somewhere made a distinction
+between a madman and a fool:[394] a fool is he that from right
+principles makes a wrong conclusion; but a madman is one who draws a
+just inference from false principles. Thus the fool who cut off the
+fellow's head that lay asleep, and hid it, and then waited to see what
+he would say when he awakened and missed his headpiece, was in the right
+in the first thought, that a man would be surprised to find such an
+alteration in things since he fell asleep; but he was a little mistaken
+to imagine he could awake at all after his head was off. A madman
+fancies himself a prince; but upon his mistake, he acts suitably to that
+character; and though he is out in supposing he has principalities,
+while he drinks gruel, and lies in straw, yet you shall see him keep the
+port of a distressed monarch in all his words and actions. These two
+persons are equally taken into custody: but what must be done to half
+this good company, who every hour of their life are knowingly and
+wittingly both fools and madmen, and yet have capacities both of forming
+principles, and drawing conclusions, with the full use of reason?"
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 11.
+
+This evening some ladies came to visit my sister Jenny; and the
+discourse, after very many frivolous and public matters, turned upon the
+main point among the women, the passion of love.[395] Sappho, who always
+leads on this occasion, began to show her reading, and told us, that Sir
+John Suckling and Milton had, upon a parallel occasion, said the
+tenderest things she had ever read. "The circumstance," said she, "is
+such as gives us a notion of that protecting part which is the duty of
+men in their honourable designs upon, or possession of, women. In
+Suckling's tragedy of 'Brennoralt' he makes the lover steal into his
+mistress's bedchamber, and draw the curtains; then, when his heart is
+full of her charms, as she lies sleeping, instead of being carried away
+by the violence of his desires into thoughts of a warmer nature, sleep,
+which is the image of death, gives this generous lover reflections of a
+different kind, which regard rather her safety than his own passion.
+For, beholding her as she lies sleeping, he utters these words:
+
+    _"So misers look upon their gold,
+    Which, while they joy to see, they fear to lose:
+    The pleasure of the sight scarce equalling
+    The jealousy of being dispossessed by others.
+    Her face is like the Milky Way i' th' sky,
+    A meeting of gentle lights without name!
+
+    "Heavens I shall this fresh ornament of the world,
+    These precious love-lines, pass with other common things
+    Amongst the wastes of time? what pity 'twere!_[396]
+
+"When Milton makes Adam leaning on his arm, beholding Eve, and lying in
+the contemplation of her beauty, he describes the utmost tenderness and
+guardian affection in one word:
+
+    "_Adam with looks of cordial love
+    Hung over her enamoured._[397]
+
+"This is that sort of passion which truly deserves the name of 'love,'
+and has something more generous than friendship itself; for it has a
+constant care of the object beloved, abstracted from its own interests
+in the possession of it." Sappho was proceeding on the subject, when my
+sister produced a letter sent to her in the time of my absence, in
+celebration of the marriage state, which is the condition wherein only
+this sort of passion reigns in full authority. The epistle is as
+follows:
+
+"DEAR MADAM,
+
+"Your brother being absent, I dare take the liberty of writing to you my
+thoughts of that state, which our whole sex either is or desires to be
+in: you'll easily guess I mean matrimony, which I hear so much decried,
+that it was with no small labour I maintained my ground against two
+opponents; but, as your brother observed of Socrates, I drew them into
+my conclusion from their own concessions; thus:
+
+    _"In marriage are two happy things allowed,
+    A wife in wedding-sheets, and in a shroud.
+    How can a marriage state then be accursed,
+    Since the last day's as happy as the first?_
+
+"If you think they were too easily confuted, you may conclude them not
+of the first sense, by their talking against marriage.
+
+"Yours,
+
+                                        "MARIANA."
+
+I observed Sappho began to redden at this epistle; and turning to a
+lady, who was playing with a dog she was so fond of as to carry him
+abroad with her; "Nay," says she, "I cannot blame the men if they have
+mean ideas of our souls and affections, and wonder so many are brought
+to take us for companions for life, when they see our endearments so
+triflingly placed: for, to my knowledge, Mr. Truman would give half his
+estate for half the affection you have shown to that Shock: nor do I
+believe you would be ashamed to confess, that I saw you cry, when he had
+the colic last week with lapping sour milk. What more could you do for
+your lover himself?" "What more!" replied the lady, "there is not a man
+in England for whom I could lament half so much." Then she stifled the
+animal with kisses, and called him, Beau, Life, Dear, Monsieur, Pretty
+Fellow, and what not, in the hurry of her impertinence. Sappho rose up;
+as she always does at anything she observes done, which discovers in her
+own sex a levity of mind, which renders them inconsiderable in the
+opinion of others.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 11.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 16th instant, N.S., say, that the siege of
+Tournay went on with all imaginable success; and that there has been no
+manner of stop given to the attempts of the Confederates since they
+undertook it, except that by an accident of firing a piece of ordnance,
+it burst, and killed fifteen or sixteen men. The French army is still
+in the camp of Lens, and goes on in improving their entrenchments. When
+the last advices came away, it was believed the town of Tournay would be
+in the hands of the Confederates by the end of this month. Advices from
+Brussels inform us, that they have an account of a great action between
+the malcontents in the Vivarez, and the French king's forces under the
+command of the Duke of Roquelaure, in which engagement there were
+eighteen hundred men killed on the spot. They add, that all sorts of
+people who are under any oppression or discontent do daily join the
+Vivarois; and that their present body of men in arms consisted of six
+thousand. This sudden insurrection has put the Court of France under
+great difficulties; and the king has given orders, that the main body of
+his troops in Spain shall withdraw into his own dominions, where they
+are to be quartered in such countries as have of late discovered an
+inclination to take up arms: the calamities of that kingdom being such,
+that the people are not by any means to be kept in obedience, except by
+the terror of military execution. What makes the distresses still
+greater, is, that the Court begins to be doubtful of their troops, some
+regiments in the action in the Cevennes having faced about against their
+officers; and after the battle was over, joined the malcontents. Upon
+receiving advice of this battle, the Duke of Berwick detached twelve
+battalions into those parts, and began to add new works to his
+entrenchments near Briancon, in order to defend his camp, after being
+weakened by sending so great a reinforcement into the Cevennes. Letters
+from Spain say, that the Duchess of Anjou was lately delivered of a
+second son. They write from Madrid of the 25th of June, that the
+blockade of Olivenza was continued; but acknowledge, that the late
+provisions which were thrown into the place, make them doubt whether
+they shall be masters of it this campaign; though it is at present so
+closely blocked up, that it appears impracticable to send in any more
+stores or succours. They are preparing with all expedition to repair the
+fortifications of Alicante, for the security of the kingdom of Valencia.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 392: It appears from Luttrell's "Brief Relation," that in Feb.
+1707, Commissioners sat in the Exchequer Room at Westminster to try
+whether Viscount Wenman, "aged 19, of L5000 per annum estate in
+Oxfordshire," were an idiot or not. On the 14th February the Commission
+was superseded. In June 1709, a new Commission passed the Great Seal for
+inquiring into the Viscount's idiocy, and on July 29 they found that he
+was no idiot. On July 12, Peter Wentworth wrote thus to Lord Raby: "The
+prosecution of Lord Wainman is now order'd again, upon wch the _Tatler_
+is to day; the accation I am told is this, that last year when there was
+a stopt put to't 'twas upon the intercession lady Wainman the mother
+made to the Queen, and that she designed to marry her son, the fool, to
+Sir John Packington's daughter, 'twas then said that my Lady her self
+had married her Butler, wch the Queen desired her to tell the truth, and
+she did assure the Queen upon her word and honour,'twas false, and she
+never intended any such thing, but of late she has own her marriage to
+that same Butler, and put off the match with Sir John P----daughter, and
+married him to her husband's sister, wch they say the Queen is angry at
+and therefore this fresh prosecution is order'd" ("Wentworth Papers," p.
+93). Lord Wenman, the fifth Viscount, was born in 1687, married
+Susannah, daughter of Seymour Wroughton, Esq., in 1709, and died in
+1729. Lord Wenman's brother-in-law, Francis Wroughton, was also his
+father-in-law, for he had married, in 1699, as her third husband, the
+Viscount's mother, the Countess of Abingdon.]
+
+[Footnote 393: The Scowrers and Roarers were the forerunners of the
+Mohocks of 1712. Shadwell wrote a play called "The Scowrers," and often
+alludes to the window-breakers of his time. See Gay's "Trivia," iii.
+325:
+
+    "Who has not heard the Scowrer's midnight fame?
+    Who has not trembled at the Mohock's name?"
+]
+
+[Footnote 394: "Essay concerning Human Understanding," chap. xii. sect.
+14.]
+
+[Footnote 395: See Nos. 6, 35.]
+
+[Footnote 396: "Brennoralt," act iii.]
+
+[Footnote 397: "Paradise Lost," iv. 12, 13.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 41. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 12_, to _Thursday, July 14_, 1709.
+
+    Celebrare domestica facta.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 12.
+
+There is no one thing more to be lamented in our nation, than their
+general affectation of everything that is foreign; nay, we carry it so
+far, that we are more anxious for our own countrymen when they have
+crossed the seas, than when we see them in the same dangerous condition
+before our eyes at home: else how is it possible, that on the 29th of
+the last month, there should have been a battle fought in our very
+streets of London, and nobody at this end of the town have heard of it?
+I protest, I, who make it my business to inquire after adventures,
+should never have known this, had not the following account been sent me
+enclosed in a letter. This, it seems, is the way of giving out of orders
+in the Artillery Company;[398] and they prepare for a day of action with
+so little concern, as only to call it, "An Exercise of Arms."
+
+"An Exercise at Arms of the Artillery Company, to be performed on
+Wednesday, June 29, 1709, under the command of Sir Joseph Woolfe, Knight
+and Alderman, General; Charles Hopson, Esquire, present Sheriff,
+Lieutenant-General; Captain Richard Synge, Major; Major John Shorey,
+Captain of Grenadiers; Captain William Grayhurst, Captain John Buttler,
+Captain Robert Carellis, Captains.
+
+"The body march from the Artillery Ground through Moorgate, Coleman
+Street, Lothbury, Broad Street, Finch Lane, Cornhill, Cheapside, St.
+Martin's, St. Anne's Lane, halt the pikes under the wall in Noble
+Street, draw up the firelocks facing the Goldsmiths' Hall, make ready
+and face to the left, and fire, and so ditto three times. Beat to arms,
+and march round the hall, as up Lad Lane, Gutter Lane, Honey Lane, and
+so wheel to the right, and make your salute to my lord, and so down St.
+Anne's Lane, up Aldersgate Street, Barbican, and draw up in Red Cross
+Street, the right at St. Paul's Alley in the rear. March off
+Lieutenant-General with half the body up Beech Lane: he sends a
+subdivision up King's Head Court, and takes post in it, and marches two
+divisions round into Red Lion Market, to defend that pass, and succour
+the division in King's Head Court, but keeps in White Cross Street,
+facing Beech Lane, the rest of the body ready drawn up. Then the General
+marches up Beech Lane, is attacked, but forces the division in the court
+into the market, and enters with three divisions while he presses the
+Lieutenant-General's main body; and at the same time, the three
+divisions force those of the revolters out of the market, and so all the
+Lieutenant-General's body retreats into Chiswell Street, and lodges two
+divisions in Grub Street; and as the General marches on, they fall on
+his flank, but soon made to give way; but having a retreating place in
+Red Lion Court, but could not hold it, being put to flight through
+Paul's Alley, and pursued by the General's grenadiers, while he marches
+up and attacks their main body, but are opposed again by a party of men
+as lay in Black Raven Court; but they are forced also to retire soon in
+the utmost confusion; and at the same time those brave divisions in
+Paul's Alley ply their rear with grenadiers, that with precipitation
+they take to the rout along Bunhill Row: so the General marches into the
+Artillery Ground, and being drawn up, finds the revolting party to have
+found entrance, and makes a show as if for a battle, and both armies
+soon engage in form, and fire by platoons."
+
+Much might be said for the improvement of this system; which, for its
+style and invention, may instruct generals and their historians, both in
+fighting a battle, and describing it when it is over. These elegant
+expressions, "Ditto," "And so," "But soon," "But having," "But could
+not," "But are," "But they," "Finds the party to have found," &c., do
+certainly give great life and spirit to the relation. Indeed I am
+extremely concerned for the Lieutenant-General, who, by his overthrow
+and defeat, is made a deplorable instance of the fortune of war, and
+vicissitudes of human affairs. He, alas! has lost in Beech Lane and
+Chiswell Street, all the glory he lately gained in and about Holborn and
+St. Giles's. The art of subdividing first, and dividing afterwards, is
+new and surprising; and according to this method, the troops are
+disposed in King's Head Court and Red Lion Market: nor is the conduct of
+these leaders less conspicuous in their choice of the ground or field of
+battle. Happy was it, that the greatest part of the achievements of this
+day was to be performed near Grub Street,[399] that there might not be
+wanting a sufficient number of faithful historians, who being
+eye-witnesses of these wonders, should impartially transmit them to
+posterity: but then it can never be enough regretted, that we are left
+in the dark as to the name and title of that extraordinary hero who
+commanded the divisions in Paul's Alley; especially because those
+divisions are justly styled brave, and accordingly were to push the
+enemy along Bunhill Row, and thereby occasion a general battle. But
+Pallas appeared in the form of a shower of rain, and prevented the
+slaughter and desolation which were threatened by these extraordinary
+preparations.
+
+    _Hi motus animorum atque haec certamina tanta
+    Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescunt._[400]
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 13.
+
+Some part of the company keep up the old way of conversation in this
+place, which usually turned upon the examination of nature, and an
+inquiry into the manners of men. There is one in the room so very
+judicious, that he manages impertinents with the utmost dexterity. It
+was diverting this evening to hear a discourse between him and one of
+these gentlemen. He told me before that person joined us, that he was a
+questioner, who, according to his description, is one who asks
+questions, not with a design to receive information, but an affectation
+to show his uneasiness for want of it. He went on in asserting, that
+there are crowds of that modest ambition, as to aim no farther than to
+demonstrate that they are in doubt. But by this time Will Why-not was
+sat down by us. "So, gentlemen," says he, "in how many days, think you,
+shall we be masters of Tournay? Is the account of the action of the
+Vivarois to be depended upon? Could you have imagined England had so
+much money in it, as you see it has produced? Pray, sirs, what do you
+think? Will the Duke of Savoy make an eruption into France? But," says
+he, "time will clear all these mysteries." His answer to himself gave me
+the altitude of his head, and to all his questions I thus answered very
+satisfactorily: "Sir, have you heard that this Slaughterford[401] never
+owned the fact for which he died? Have the newspapers mentioned that
+matter? But, pray, can you tell me what method will be taken to provide
+for these Palatines?[402] But this, as you say, time will clear." "Ay,
+ay," says he, and whispers me, "they will never let us into these things
+beforehand." I whispered him again, "We shall know it as soon as there
+is a proclamation." He tells me in the other ear, "You are in the right
+of it." Then he whispered my friend to know what my name was; then made
+an obliging bow, and went to examine another table. This led my friend
+and me to weigh this wandering manner in many other incidents, and he
+took out of his pockets several little notes or tickets to solicit for
+votes to employments: as, "Mr. John Taplash having served all offices,
+and being reduced to great poverty, desires your vote for singing clerk
+of this parish." Another "has had ten children, all whom his wife has
+suckled herself; therefore humbly desires to be a schoolmaster." There
+is nothing so frequent as this way of application for offices. It is not
+that you are fit for the place, but because the place would be
+convenient for you, that you claim a merit to it. But commend me to the
+great Kirleus,[403] who has lately set up for midwifery, and to help
+childbirth, for no other reason, but that he is himself the Unborn
+Doctor. The way is to hit upon something that puts the vulgar upon the
+stare, or that touches their compassion, which is often the weakest part
+about us. I know a good lady, who has taken her daughters from their old
+dancing-master, to place them with another, for no other reason, but
+because the new man has broke his leg, which is so ill set, that he can
+never dance more.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 13.
+
+As it is a frequent mortification to me to receive letters, wherein
+people tell me, without a name, they know I meant them in such and such
+a passage; so that very accusation is an argument, that there are such
+beings in human life, as fall under our description and our discourse,
+is not altogether fantastical and groundless. But in this case I am
+treated as I saw a boy was the other day, who gave out poxy bills: every
+plain fellow took it that passed by, and went on his way without further
+notice: at last came one with his nose a little abridged; who knocks the
+lad down, with a, "Why, you son of a w----e, do you think I am p----d?"
+But Shakespeare has made the best apology for this way of talking
+against the public errors: he makes Jaques, in the play called "As You
+Like It," express himself thus:
+
+    _Why, who cries out on pride,
+    That can therein tax any private party?
+    What woman in the city do I name,
+    When that I say the city woman bears
+    The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders?
+    Who can come in and say that I mean her,
+    When such a one as she, such is her neighbour?
+    Or, what is he of basest function,
+    That says his bravery is not on my cost?
+    Thinking that I mean him, but therein suits
+    His folly to the mettle of my speech.
+    There then! How then? Then let me see wherein
+    My tongue hath wronged him: if it do him right,
+    Then he hath wronged himself: if he be free,
+    Why then my taxing like a wild goose flies,
+    Unclaimed of any man._[404]
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 13.
+
+We have received, by letters of the 18th instant from the camp before
+Tournay, an account, that we were in a fair prospect of being masters of
+the town within seven days after that date. Our batteries had utterly
+overthrown those of the enemy. On the 16th instant, N.S., General
+Schuylemburg had made a lodgment on the counterscarp of the Tenaille;
+which post was so weakly defended, that we lost but six men in gaining
+it. So that there seems reason to hope, that the citadel will also be in
+the hands of the Confederates about the 6th of August, O.S. These
+advices inform us further, that Marshal Villars had ordered large
+detachments to make motions towards Douay and Conde. The swift progress
+of this siege has so much alarmed the other frontier towns of France,
+that they were throwing down some houses in the suburbs of Valenciennes,
+which they think may stand commodiously for the enemy in case that place
+should be invested. The Elector of Cologne is making all imaginable
+haste to remove from thence to Rheims.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 398: See Nos. 28, 38.]
+
+[Footnote 399: Grub Street, Cripplegate (now Milton Street), became,
+towards the end of the seventeenth century, the abode of what Johnson
+calls "writers of small histories, dictionaries and temporary poems;
+whence any mean production is called Grub Street."]
+
+[Footnote 400: Virgil, "Georgics," iv. 86.]
+
+[Footnote 401: The _Flying Post_ records that one Slaughterford was
+sentenced to death on July 2, 1709, for murdering his sweetheart.]
+
+[Footnote 402: See Nos. 24, 51.]
+
+[Footnote 403: See No. 14.]
+
+[Footnote 404: "As You Like It," act ii. sc. 7.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 42. [STEELE AND ADDISON.
+
+From _Thursday, July 14, to Saturday, July 16_, 1709.
+
+    Celebrare domestica facta.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 15.
+
+Looking over some old papers, I found a little treatise, written by my
+great-grandfather, concerning bribery, and thought his manner of
+treating that subject not unworthy my remark. He there has a digression
+concerning a possibility, that in some circumstances a man may receive
+an injury, and yet be conscious to himself that he deserves it. There
+are abundance of fine things said on the subject; but the whole wrapped
+up in so much jingle and pun (which was the wit of those times) that it
+is scarce intelligible; but I thought the design was well enough in the
+following sketch of the old gentleman's poetry: for in this case, where
+two are rivals for the same thing, and propose to attain it by presents,
+he that attempts the judge's honesty, by making him offers of reward,
+ought not to complain when he loses his cause for a better bidder. But
+the good old doggerel runs thus:[405]
+
+    _A poor man once a judge besought,
+      To judge aright his cause,
+    And with a pot of oil salutes
+      This judger of the laws.
+
+    "My friend" quoth he, "thy cause is good":
+      He glad away did trudge;
+    Anon his wealthy foe did come
+      Before this partial judge.
+
+    An hog well fed this churl presents,
+      And craves a strain of law;
+    The hog received, the poor man's right
+      Was judged not worth a straw.
+
+    Therewith he cried, "O! partial judge,
+      Thy doom has me undone;
+    When oil I gave, my cause was good,
+      But now to ruin run."
+
+    "Poor man" quoth he, "I thee forgot,
+      And see thy cause of foil;
+    An hog came since into my house,
+      And broke thy pot of oil."_
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 15.
+
+The discourse happened this evening to fall upon characters drawn in
+plays, and a gentleman remarked, that there was no method in the world
+of knowing the taste of an age, or period of time so good, as by the
+observations of the persons represented in their comedies. There were
+several instances produced, as Ben Jonson's bringing in a fellow smoking
+as a piece of foppery;[406] "But," said the gentleman who entertained us
+on this subject, "this matter is nowhere so observable as in the
+difference of the characters of women on the stage in the last age, and
+in this. It is not to be supposed that it was a poverty of genius in
+Shakespeare, that his women made so small a figure in his dialogues; but
+it certainly is, that he drew women as they then were in life; for that
+sex had not in those days that freedom in conversation; and their
+characters were only, that they were mothers, sisters, daughters, and
+wives. There were not then among the ladies, shining wits, politicians,
+virtuosas, free-thinkers, and disputants; nay, there was then hardly
+such a creature even as a coquette: but vanity had quite another turn,
+and the most conspicuous woman at that time of day was only the best
+housewife. Were it possible to bring into life an assembly of matrons of
+that age, and introduce the learned Lady Woodby into their company, they
+would not believe the same nation could produce a creature so unlike
+anything they ever saw in it. But these ancients would be as much
+astonished to see in the same age so illustrious a pattern to all who
+love things praiseworthy, as the divine Aspasia.[407] Methinks, I now
+see her walking in her garden like our first parent, with unaffected
+charms, before beauty had spectators, and bearing celestial conscious
+virtue in her aspect. Her countenance is the lively picture of her mind,
+which is the seat of honour, truth, compassion, knowledge, and
+innocence.
+
+    _There dwells the scorn of vice and pity too._
+
+In the midst of the most ample fortune, and veneration of all that
+behold and know her, without the least affectation, she consults
+retirement, the contemplation of her own being, and that supreme power
+which bestowed it. Without the learning of schools, or knowledge of a
+long course of arguments, she goes on in a steady course of
+uninterrupted piety and virtue, and adds to the severity and privacy of
+the last age all the freedom and ease of this. The language and mien of
+a Court she is possessed of in the highest degree; but the simplicity
+and humble thoughts of a cottage, are her more welcome entertainments.
+Aspasia is a female philosopher, who does not only live up to the
+resignation of the most retired lives of the ancient sages, but also to
+the schemes and plans which they thought beautiful, though inimitable.
+This lady is the most exact economist, without appearing busy; the most
+strictly virtuous, without tasting the praise of it; and shuns applause
+with as much industry, as others do reproach. This character is so
+particular, that it will very easily be fixed on her only, by all that
+know her: but I daresay, she will be the last that finds it out. But,
+alas! if we have one or two such ladies, how many dozens are there like
+the restless Poluglossa, who is acquainted with all the world but
+herself; who has the appearance of all, and possession of no one virtue:
+she has indeed in her practice the absence of vice; but her discourse is
+the continual history of it; and it is apparent, when she speaks of the
+criminal gratifications of others, that her innocence is only a
+restraint, with a certain mixture of envy. She is so perfectly opposite
+to the character of Aspasia, that as vice is terrible to her only as it
+is the object of reproach, so virtue is agreeable only as it is attended
+with applause.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 15.
+
+It is now twelve o'clock at noon, and no mail come in; therefore I am
+not without hopes, that the town will allow me the liberty which my
+brother news-writers take, in giving them what may be for their
+information in another kind, and indulge me in doing an act of
+friendship, by publishing the following account of goods and
+movables.[408]
+
+This is to give notice, that a magnificent palace, with great variety of
+gardens, statues, and waterworks, may be bought cheap in Drury Lane;
+where there are likewise several castles to be disposed of, very
+delightfully situated; as also groves, woods, forests, fountains, and
+country seats, with very pleasant prospects on all sides of them; being
+the movables of Ch----r R----ch,[409] Esq.; who is breaking up
+housekeeping, and has many curious pieces of furniture to dispose of,
+which may be seen between the hours of six and ten in the evening.
+
+#The INVENTORY.#
+
+    Spirits of right Nantes brandy, for lambent flames and apparitions.
+
+    Three bottles and a half of lightning.
+
+    One shower of snow in the whitest French paper.
+
+    Two showers of a browner sort.
+
+    A sea, consisting of a dozen large waves; the tenth bigger than
+    ordinary, and a little damaged.
+
+    A dozen and a half of clouds, trimmed with black, and well
+    conditioned.
+
+    A rainbow a little faded.
+
+    A set of clouds after the French mode, streaked with lightning, and
+    furbelowed.
+
+    A new-moon, something decayed.
+
+    A pint of the finest Spanish wash, being all that is left of two
+    hogsheads sent over last winter.
+
+    A coach very finely gilt, and little used, with a pair of dragons,
+    to be sold cheap.
+
+    A setting sun, a pennyworth.[410]
+
+    An imperial mantle, made for Cyrus the Great, and worn by Julius
+    Caesar, Bajazet, King Harry the Eighth, and Signior Valentin.[411]
+
+    A basket-hilt sword, very convenient to carry milk in.
+
+    Roxana's night-gown.
+
+    Othello's handkerchief.
+
+    The imperial robes of Xerxes, never worn but once.
+
+    A wild-boar, killed by Mrs. Tofts[412] and Dioclesian.
+
+    A serpent to sting Cleopatra.
+
+    A mustard-bowl to make thunder with.
+
+    Another of a bigger sort, by Mr. D----is's directions, little
+    used.[413]
+
+    Six elbow-chairs, very expert in country-dances, with six
+    flower-pots for their partners.
+
+    The whiskers of a Turkish bassa.
+
+    The complexion of a murderer in a band-box; consisting of a large
+    piece of burnt cork, and a coal-black peruke.
+
+    A suit of clothes for a ghost, viz., a bloody shirt, a doublet
+    curiously pinked, and a coat with three great eyelet-holes upon the
+    breast.
+
+    A bale of red Spanish wool.
+
+    Modern plots, commonly known by the name of trapdoors, ladders of
+    ropes, vizard-masks, and tables with broad carpets over them.
+
+    Three oak cudgels, with one of crab-tree; all bought for the use of
+    Mr. Pinkethman.
+
+    Materials for dancing; as masks, castanets, and a ladder of ten
+    rounds.
+
+    Aurengezebe's scimitar, made by Will Brown in Piccadilly.
+
+    A plume of feathers, never used but by Oedipus and the Earl of
+    Essex.
+
+There are also swords, halberts, sheep-hooks, cardinals' hats, turbans,
+drums, gallipots, a gibbet, a cradle, a rack, a cart-wheel, an altar, a
+helmet, a back-piece, a breast-plate, a bell, a tub, and a jointed
+baby.[414]
+
+These are the hard shifts we intelligencers are forced to; therefore our
+readers ought to excuse us, if a westerly wind blowing for a fortnight
+together, generally fills every paper with an order of battle; when we
+show our martial skill in each line, and, according to the space we have
+to fill, we range our men in squadrons and battalions, or draw out
+company by company, and troop by troop; ever observing, that no muster
+is to be made, but when the wind is in a cross point, which often
+happens at the end of a campaign, when half the men are deserted or
+killed. The _Courant_ is sometimes ten deep, his ranks close: the
+_Postboy_[415] is generally in files, for greater exactness; and the
+_Postman_ comes down upon you rather after the Turkish way, sword in
+hand, pell-mell, without form or discipline; but sure to bring men
+enough into the field; and wherever they are raised, never to lose a
+battle for want of numbers.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 405: From George Whetstone's "English Mirror," 1586.]
+
+[Footnote 406: See "Every Man out of his Humour," act ii. sc. 1.]
+
+[Footnote 407: Lady Elizabeth Hastings, unquestionably one of the most
+accomplished and virtuous characters of the age in which she lived, was
+the daughter of Theophilus Hastings, the 7th Earl of Huntingdon, and of
+Elizabeth, eldest daughter and co-heiress to John Lewes, of Ledstone, in
+Yorkshire, Knt. and Bart. Her father succeeded to the honours and estate
+of the family, Feb. 13, 1655, and was in 1687 Lord Chief Justice, and
+Justice in Eyre of all the King's forests, &c., beyond Trent; Lord
+Lieutenant of the counties of Leicester and Derby; Captain of the Band
+of Gentlemen Pensioners, and of the Privy Council to King James II. He
+died suddenly at his lodgings in Charles Street, St. James's, May 13,
+1701, and was succeeded in his honours and estate by his son, and her
+brother, Charles, who died unmarried, Feb. 22, 1704. Lady Elizabeth
+Hastings was born April 19, 1682, and died Dec. 22, 1739. It is said,
+with great probability, that since the commencement of the Christian
+era, scarce any age has produced a lady of such high birth and superior
+accomplishments, that was a greater blessing to many, or a brighter
+pattern to all. There is an admirable sketch of this illustrious lady's
+character, drawn soon after her death, in the tenth volume of the
+_Gentleman's Magazine_, p. 36, probably by Samuel Johnson. See also "An
+historical Character relating to the holy and exemplary Life of the
+Right Honourable the Lady Elisabeth Hastings, &c. By Thomas Barnard,
+A.M. Printed at Leeds, in 1742, 12mo" (Nichols).--Lady Elizabeth
+Hastings, who came into a fortune upon the death of her brother George,
+Earl of Huntingdon, settled at Ledstone House, where she was the Lady
+Bountiful of the neighbourhood. Her whole estate, however, is said to
+have been less than L3000 a year. The best of the clergy of the day were
+among her friends. She helped Berkeley in his Bermuda Mission scheme,
+and she befriended Miss Mary Astell. Ralph Thoresby, who visited her,
+was "extremely pleased with the most agreeable conversation of the pious
+and excellent Lady Elizabeth Hastings." ("Diary," ii. 82). She was one
+of the numerous eligible ladies that the friends of Lord Raby,
+afterwards Earl of Strafford, suggested to him as a suitable wife
+("Wentworth Papers," pp. 29, 56). The character of Aspasia in this paper
+has been attributed to Congreve, on the ground, apparently, that he knew
+Lady Elizabeth Hastings' half-brother, Theophilus, afterwards Earl of
+Huntingdon. See No. 49, note.]
+
+[Footnote 408: The remainder of this paper is by Addison; see Steele's
+Preface. Drury Lane Theatre was closed by an order of the Lord
+Chamberlain, as mentioned in No. 30.]
+
+[Footnote 409: Christopher Rich.]
+
+[Footnote 410: A bargain.]
+
+[Footnote 411: Valentini Urbani sang in Italian in the opera of
+"Camilla," in 1707. His acting seems to have been better than his voice
+(Burney's "History of Music," iv. 208).]
+
+[Footnote 412: See No. 20.]
+
+[Footnote 413: John Dennis's unsuccessful tragedy of "Appius and
+Virginia" was produced in 1709. On that occasion he introduced a new
+method of making thunder (see "Dunciad," ii. 226), which was found
+useful by managers. Afterwards, when Dennis found his invention being
+used in "Macbeth," he exclaimed, "'Sdeath! that's my thunder. See how
+the fellows use me, they have silenced my tragedy, and they roar out my
+thunder" (Oldys, MS. notes on Langbaine).]
+
+[Footnote 414: "Baby" was often used for "doll."]
+
+[Footnote 415: See No. 18.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 43. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 16_, to _Tuesday, July 19_, 1709.
+
+    Bene nummatum decorat suadela Venusque,
+                                            HOR. 1 Ep. vi. 38.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 18.
+
+I write from hence at present to complain, that wit and merit are so
+little encouraged by people of rank and quality, that the wits of the
+age are obliged to run within Temple Bar for patronage. There is a
+deplorable instance of this in the case of Mr. D----y,[416] who has
+dedicated his inimitable comedy, called, "The Modern Prophets," to a
+worthy knight,[417] to whom, it seems, he had before communicated his
+plan, which was, to ridicule the ridiculous of our established doctrine.
+I have elsewhere celebrated the contrivance of this excellent drama; but
+was not, till I read the dedication, wholly let into the religious
+design of it. I am afraid it has suffered discontinuance at this gay end
+of the town, for no other reason but the piety of the purpose. There is
+however in this epistle the true life of panegyrical performance; and I
+do not doubt but, if the patron would part with it, I can help him to
+others with good pretensions to it; viz., of uncommon understanding, who
+would give him as much as he gave for it. I know perfectly well a noble
+person to whom these words (which are the body of the panegyric) would
+fit to a hair.
+
+"Your easiness of humour, or rather your harmonious disposition, is so
+admirably mixed with your composure, that the rugged cares and
+disturbance that public affairs brings with it, which does so
+vexatiously affect the heads of other great men of business, &c. does
+scarce ever ruffle your unclouded brow so much as with a frown. And what
+above all is praiseworthy, you are so far from thinking yourself better
+than others, that a flourishing and opulent fortune, which by a certain
+natural corruption in its quality, seldom fails to infect other
+possessors with pride, seems in this case as if only providentially
+disposed to enlarge your humility.
+
+"But I find, sir, I am now got into a very large field, where though I
+could with great ease raise a number of plants in relation to your merit
+of this plauditory nature; yet for fear of an author's general vice, and
+that the plain justice I have done you should, by my proceeding and
+others' mistaken judgment, be imagined flattery, a thing the bluntness
+of my nature does not care to be concerned with, and which I also know
+you abominate."
+
+It is wonderful to see how many judges of these fine things spring up
+every day by the rise of stocks, and other elegant methods of abridging
+the way to learning and criticism. But I do hereby forbid all
+dedications to any persons within the city of London, except Sir
+Francis, Sir Stephen,[418] and the Bank, will take epigrams and epistles
+as value received for their notes; and the East India Companies accept
+of heroic poems for their sealed bonds. Upon which bottom, our
+publishers have full power to treat with the city in behalf of us
+authors, to enable traders to become patrons and Fellows of the Royal
+Society, as well as receive certain degrees of skill in the Latin and
+Greek tongues, according to the quantity of the commodities which they
+take off our hands.
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+The learned have so long laboured under the imputation of dryness and
+dulness in their accounts of their phenomena, that an ingenious
+gentleman of our society has resolved to write a system of philosophy in
+a more lively method, both as to the matter and language, than has been
+hitherto attempted. He read to us the plan upon which he intends to
+proceed. I thought his account, by way of fable of the worlds about us,
+had so much vivacity in it, that I could not forbear transcribing his
+hypothesis, to give the reader a taste of my friend's treatise, which is
+now in the press.[419]
+
+"The inferior deities having designed on a day to play a game at
+football, knead together a numberless collection of dancing atoms into
+the form of seven rolling globes: and that nature might be kept from a
+dull inactivity, each separate particle is endued with a principle of
+motion, or a power of attraction, whereby all the several parcels of
+matter draw each other proportionately to their magnitudes and
+distances, into such a remarkable variety of different forms, as to
+produce all the wonderful appearances we now observe in empire,
+philosophy, and religion. To proceed; at the beginning of the game, each
+of the globes being struck forward with a vast violence, ran out of
+sight, and wandered in a straight line through the infinite spaces. The
+nimble deities pursue, breathless almost, and spent in the eager chase;
+each of them caught hold of one, and stamped it with his name; as,
+Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and so of the rest. To prevent this inconvenience
+for the future, the seven are condemned to a precipitation, which in our
+inferior style we call 'gravity.' Thus the tangential and centripetal
+forces, by their counter-struggle, make the celestial bodies describe an
+exact ellipsis."
+
+There will be added to this an appendix, in defence of the first day of
+the term according to the Oxford Almanac,[420] by a learned knight of
+this realm, with an apology for the said knight's manner of dress;
+proving, that his habit, according to this hypothesis, is the true
+modern and fashionable; and that buckles are not to be worn, by this
+system, till the 10th of March, in the year 1714, which, according to
+the computation of some of our greatest divines, is to be the first year
+of the Millennium[421]; in which blessed age, all habits will be reduced
+to a primitive simplicity; and whoever shall be found to have persevered
+in a constancy of dress, in spite of all the allurements of profane and
+heathen habits, shall be rewarded with a never-fading doublet of a
+thousand years. All points in the system which are doubted, shall be
+attested by the knight's extemporary oath, for the satisfaction of his
+readers.
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+We were upon the heroic strain this evening, and the question was, What
+is the True Sublime? Many very good discourses happened thereupon; after
+which a gentleman at the table, who is, it seems, writing on that
+subject, assumed the argument; and though he ran through many instances
+of sublimity from the ancient writers, said, he had hardly known an
+occasion wherein the true greatness of soul, which animates a general in
+action, is so well represented, with regard to the person of whom it was
+spoken, and the time in which it was writ, as in a few lines in a modern
+poem: "there is," continued he, "nothing so forced and constrained, as
+what we frequently meet with in tragedies; to make a man under the
+weight of a great sorrow, or full of meditation upon what he is soon to
+execute, cast about for a simile to what he himself is, or the thing
+which he is going to act: but there is nothing more proper and natural
+than for a poet, whose business is to describe, and who is spectator of
+one in that circumstance when his mind is working upon a great image,
+and that the ideas hurry upon his imagination--I say, there is nothing
+so natural, as for a poet to relieve and clear himself from the burthen
+of thought at that time, by uttering his conception in simile and
+metaphor. The highest act of the mind of man, is to possess itself with
+tranquillity in imminent danger, and to have its thoughts so free, as to
+act at that time without perplexity. The ancient poets have compared
+this sedate courage to a rock that remains immovable amidst the rage of
+winds and waves; but that is too stupid and inanimate a similitude, and
+could do no credit to the hero. At other times they are all of them
+wonderfully obliged to a Lybian lion, which may give indeed very
+agreeable terrors to a description; but is no compliment to the person
+to whom it is applied: eagles, tigers, and wolves, are made use of on
+the same occasion, and very often with much beauty; but this is still an
+honour done to the brute, rather than the hero. Mars, Pallas, Bacchus,
+and Hercules, have each of them furnished very good similes in their
+time, and made, doubtless, a greater impression on the mind of a
+heathen, than they have on that of a modern reader. But the sublime
+image that I am talking of, and which I really think as great as ever
+entered into the thought of man, is in the poem called, 'The
+Campaign';[422] where the simile of a ministering angel sets forth the
+most sedate and the most active courage, engaged in an uproar of nature,
+a confusion of elements, and a scene of divine vengeance. Add to all,
+that these lines compliment the General and his Queen at the same time,
+and have all the natural horrors, heightened by the image that was still
+fresh in the mind of every reader.[423]
+
+    "_'Twas then great Marlborough's mighty soul was proved,
+    That, in the shock of charging hosts unmoved,
+    Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,
+    Examined all the dreadful scenes of war;
+    In peaceful thought the field of death surveyed,
+    To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid,
+    Inspired repulsed battalions to engage,
+    And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.
+    So when an angel by divine command,
+    With rising tempests shakes a guilty land,
+    Such as of late o'er pale Britannia past,
+    Calm and serene he drives the furious blast;
+    And, pleased the Almighty's orders to perform,
+    Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm._
+
+"The whole poem is so exquisitely noble and poetic, that I think it an
+honour to our nation and language." The gentleman concluded his critique
+on this work, by saying, that he esteemed it wholly new, and a wonderful
+attempt to keep up the ordinary ideas of a march of an army, just as
+they happened in so warm and great a style, and yet be at once familiar
+and heroic. Such a performance is a chronicle as well as a poem, and
+will preserve the memory of our hero, when all the edifices and statues
+erected to his honour are blended with common dust.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 18.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 23rd instant, N.S., say, that the Allies
+were so forward in the siege of Tournay, that they were preparing for a
+general assault, which, it was supposed, would be made within a few
+days. Deserters from the town gave an account, that the garrison was
+carrying their ammunition and provisions into the citadel, which
+occasioned a tumult among the inhabitants of the town. The French army
+had laid bridges over the Scarp, and made a motion as if they intended
+to pass that river; but though they are joined by the reinforcement
+expected from Germany, it was not believed they should make any attempt
+towards relieving Tournay. Letters from Brabant say, there has been a
+discovery made of a design to deliver up Antwerp to the enemy. The
+States of Holland have agreed to a general naturalisation of all
+Protestants who shall fly into their dominions; to which purpose, a
+proclamation was to be issued within few days.
+
+They write from France, that the great misery and want under which that
+nation has so long laboured, has ended in a pestilence, which began to
+appear in Burgundy and Dauphine. They add, that in the town of Mazon,
+three hundred persons had died in the space of ten days. Letters from
+Lille of the 24th instant advise, that great numbers of deserters came
+daily into that city, the most part of whom are dragoons. We are advised
+from France, that the Loire having overflowed its banks, hath laid the
+country under water for three hundred miles together.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 416: See Nos. 1 and 11. In No. 29 of the _Guardian_ Steele
+accused the world of ingratitude in not properly "rewarding the jocose
+labours of my friend, Mr. Durfey"; and in No. 67 Addison urged the town
+to go to a performance at the theatre given for Durfey's benefit. "He
+has made the town merry, and I hope they will make him easy, so long as
+he stays among us."]
+
+[Footnote 417: Sir William Scawen, a merchant who was knighted in 1692.]
+
+[Footnote 418: Probably Sir Francis Child and Sir Stephen Evance, the
+bankers. The latter was ruined at the time of the South Sea mania. The
+following advertisement appeared in the _Postman_ for Jan. 1, 1709:
+"Lost or mislaid, some time the last summer, at Winchester House, in
+Chelsea, a gold snuff-box, a cypher graved on the cover, with trophies
+round it, and over the cypher these words, 'DD. Illust. Princ. Jac. Duci
+Ormond.' Whoever brings it to Sir Stephen Evance, at the Black Boy in
+Lombard Street, shall have ten guineas reward, and be asked no
+questions."]
+
+[Footnote 419: This seems to be a banter upon Mr. Whiston's book
+intituled, "Praelectiones Physicae Mathematicae; sive Philosophia
+clarissimi Newtoni Mathematica illustrata, 1710"; wherein he explained
+the Newtonian philosophy, which now began to grow into vogue. Both
+Addison and Steele, however, very much befriended Whiston; and after his
+banishment from Cambridge, promoted a subscription for his astronomical
+lectures at Button's Coffee-house (Nichols).--See No. 251.]
+
+[Footnote 420: See No. 39.]
+
+[Footnote 421: Whiston had fixed that day for the destruction of
+Anti-Christ and the beginning of the Millennium.]
+
+[Footnote 422: Written by Addison in 1705, in celebration of the victory
+at Blenheim.]
+
+[Footnote 423: The great storm of November 1703 formed the subject of a
+volume published by Defoe in 1704.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 44. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 19_, to _Thursday, July 21_, 1709.
+
+    --Nullis amor est medicabilis herbis.
+                                            OVID, Met. i. 523.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 19.
+
+This day, passing through Covent Garden, I was stopped in the Piazza by
+Pacolet, to observe what he called the "triumph of love and youth." I
+turned to the object he pointed at; and there I saw a gay gilt chariot
+drawn by fresh prancing horses; the coachman with a new cockade, and the
+lackeys with insolence and plenty in their countenances. I asked
+immediately, what young heir or lover owned that glittering equipage?
+But my companion interrupted: "Do not you see there the mourning
+AEsculapius?"[424] "The mourning!" said I. "Yes, Isaac," said Pacolet,
+"he is in deep mourning, and is the languishing hopeless lover of the
+divine Hebe, the emblem of youth and beauty. The excellent and learned
+sage you behold in that furniture, is the strongest instance imaginable,
+that love is the most powerful of all things. You are not so ignorant as
+to be a stranger to the character of AEsculapius, as the patron and most
+successful of all who profess the art of medicine. But as most of his
+operations are owing to a natural sagacity or impulse, he has very
+little troubled himself with the doctrine of drugs; but has always given
+Nature more room to help herself, than any of her learned assistants;
+and consequently has done greater wonders than is in the power of art to
+perform;[425] for which reason, he is half deified by the people; and
+has ever been justly courted by all the world, as if he were a seventh
+son. It happened, that the charming Hebe was reduced, by a long and
+violent fever, to the most extreme danger of death; and when all skill
+failed, they sent for AEsculapius. The renowned artist was touched with
+the deepest compassion to see the faded charms and faint bloom of Hebe;
+and had a generous concern in beholding a struggle, not between life,
+but rather between youth, and death. All his skill and his passion
+tended to the recovery of Hebe, beautiful even in sickness: but, alas!
+the unhappy physician knew not, that in all his care he was only
+sharpening darts for his own destruction. In a word, his fortune was the
+same with that of the statuary, who fell in love with the image of his
+own making; and the unfortunate AEsculapius is become the patient of her
+whom he lately recovered. Long before this disaster, AEsculapius was far
+gone in the unnecessary and superfluous amusements of old age, in
+increasing unwieldy stores, and providing, in the midst of an incapacity
+of enjoyment of what he had, for a supply of more wants than he had
+calls for in youth itself. But these low considerations are now no more,
+and love has taken place of avarice, or rather has become an avarice of
+another kind, which still urges him to pursue what he does not want. But
+behold the metamorphosis; the anxious mean cares of an usurer are turned
+into the languishments and complaints of a lover. 'Behold,' says the
+aged AEsculapius, 'I submit, I own, great Love, thy empire: pity, Hebe,
+the fop you have made: what have I to do with gilding but on pills? Yet,
+O fair! For thee I sit amidst a crowd of painted deities on my chariot,
+buttoned in gold, clasped in gold, without having any value for that
+beloved metal, but as it adorns the person, and laces the hat of thy
+dying lover. I ask not to live, O Hebe! Give me but gentle death:
+euthanasia, euthanasia, that is all I implore.'" When AEsculapius had
+finished his complaint, Pacolet went on in deep morals on the
+uncertainty of riches, with this remarkable exclamation; "O wealth! How
+impotent art thou! And how little dost thou supply us with real
+happiness, when the usurer himself can forget thee for the love of what
+is as foreign to his felicity as thou art?"
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 19.
+
+The company here, who have all a delicate taste of theatrical
+representations, had made a gathering to purchase the movables of the
+neighbouring playhouse,[426] for the encouragement of one which is
+setting up in the Haymarket. But the proceedings at the auction (by
+which method the goods have been sold this evening) have been so unfair,
+that this generous design has been frustrated; for the Imperial Mantle
+made for Cyrus was missing, as also the Chariot and Two Dragons: but
+upon examination it was found, that a gentleman of Hampshire[427] had
+clandestinely bought them both, and is gone down to his country seat;
+and that on Saturday last he passed through Staines attired in that
+robe, and drawn by the said Dragons, assisted by two only of his own
+horses. This theatrical traveller has also left orders with Mr.
+Hall[428] to send the faded rainbow to the scourers, and when it comes
+home, to despatch it after him. At the same time C---- R----[429] Esq.
+is invited to bring down himself his Setting Sun, and be box-keeper to a
+theatre erected by this gentleman near Southampton. Thus there has been
+nothing but artifice in the management of this affair; for which reason
+I beg pardon of the town, that I inserted the inventory in my paper and
+solemnly protest, I knew nothing of this artful design of vending these
+rarities: but I meant only the good of the world in that and all other
+things which I divulge. And now I am upon this subject, I must do myself
+justice in relation to an article in a former paper, wherein I made
+mention of a person who keeps a puppet-show in the town of Bath;[430] I
+was tender of naming names, and only just hinted, that he makes larger
+promises, when he invites people to his dramatic representations, than
+he is able to perform: but I am credibly informed, that he makes a
+profane lewd jester, which he calls Punch, speak to the dishonour of
+Isaac Bickerstaff with great familiarity; and before all my learned
+friends in that place, takes upon him to dispute my title to the
+appellation of Esquire. I think I need not say much to convince all the
+world, that this Mr. Powell (for that is his name) is a pragmatical and
+vain person to pretend to argue with me on any subject. _Mecum certasse
+feretur_[431]; that is to say, it will be an honour to him to have it
+said he contended with me; but I would have him to know, that I can look
+beyond his wires, and know very well the whole trick of his art, and
+that it is only by these wires that the eye of the spectator is cheated,
+and hindered from seeing that there is a thread on one of Punch's chops,
+which draws it up, and lets it fall at the discretion of the said
+Powell, who stands behind and plays him, and makes him speak saucily of
+his betters. He! to pretend to make prologues against me! But a man
+never behaves himself with decency in his own case; therefore I shall
+command myself, and never trouble me further with this little fellow,
+who is himself but a tall puppet, and has not brains enough to make even
+wood speak as it ought to do: and I, that have heard the groaning
+board,[432] can despise all that his puppets shall be able to speak as
+long as they live. But, _Ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius_[433]. He has
+pretended to write to me also from the Bath, and says, he thought to
+have deferred giving me an answer till he came to his books[434]; but
+that my writings might do well with the waters: which are pert
+expressions that become a schoolboy, better than one that is to teach
+others: and when I have said a civil thing to him, he cries, "Oh! I
+thank you for that--I am your humble servant for that."[435] Ah! Mr.
+Powell, these smart civilities will never run down men of learning: I
+know well enough your design is to have all men automata, like your
+puppets; but the world is grown too wise, and can look through these
+thin devices. I know you design to make a reply to this; but be sure you
+stick close to my words; for if you bring me into discourses concerning
+the government of your puppets, I must tell you, I neither am, nor have
+been, nor will be, at leisure to answer you. It is really a burning
+shame this man should be tolerated in abusing the world with such
+representations of things: but his parts decay, and he is not much more
+alive than Partridge.
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 14.
+
+I must beg pardon of my readers that for this time I have, I fear,
+huddled up my discourse, having been very busy in helping an old friend
+of mine out of town. He has a very good estate, is a man of wit; but he
+had been three years absent from town, and cannot bear a jest; for
+which reason I have, with some pains, convinced him, that he can no
+more live here than if he were a downright bankrupt. He was so fond of
+dear London, that he began to fret only inwardly; but being unable to
+laugh and be laughed at, I took a place in the northern coach for him
+and his family; and hope he is got to-night safe from all sneerers in
+his own parlour.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 20.
+
+This morning we received by express, the agreeable news of the surrender
+of the town of Tournay on the 28th instant, N.S. The place was assaulted
+at the attacks of General Schuylemburg, and that of General Lottum, at
+the same time. The action at both those parts of the town was very
+obstinate, and the Allies lost a considerable number at the beginning of
+the dispute; but the fight was continued with so great bravery, that the
+enemy observing that we were masters of all the posts which were
+necessary for a general attack, beat the chamade,[436] and hostages were
+received from the town, and others sent from the besiegers, in order to
+come to a formal capitulation for the surrender of the place. We have
+also this day received advice, that Sir John Leake, who lies off of
+Dunkirk, had intercepted several ships laden with corn from the Baltic;
+and that the Dutch privateers had fallen in with others, and carried
+them into Holland. The French letters advise, that the young son to the
+Duke of Anjou lived but eight days.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 424: Dr. John Radcliffe, the physician (1650-1714), was
+disappointed in love when about sixty. The matter is referred to again
+in Nos. 46, 47, 50 and 67. Radcliffe became rich, but was considered to
+be a quack by many other doctors. "The last _Tatler_ is upon Dr. Ratclif
+who they say is desparately in love with Dutchess of Bolton, his passion
+runs so high as to declare he'll make her eldest son his heir, upon wch
+account they say the Duke of B---- is not at all alarm'd, but gives the
+Old amorist opportunity to make his Court, the Dr. lately gave the
+Dutchess and some other Ladys an entertainm' of musick upon the water,
+and a fine supper in the Barge" ("Wentworth Papers," p. 97). This
+identification of Hebe with the Duchess of Bolton is corroborated by the
+MS. annotator mentioned in a note to No. 4. According to another account
+she was a Miss Tempest, a maid of honour to the Queen. The writer of the
+article on Radcliffe in the "Biog. Britannica" says: "The lady, who made
+the doctor, at this advanced age, stand in need of a physician himself,
+was of great beauty, wealth, and quality; and too attractive not to
+inspire the coldest heart with the warmest sentiments. After he had made
+a cure of her, he could not but imagine, as naturally he might, that her
+ladyship would entertain a favourable opinion of him. But the lady,
+however grateful she might be for the care he had taken of her health,
+divulged the secret, and one of her confidants revealed it to Steele,
+who, on account of party, was so ill-natured as to write the ridicule of
+it in the _Tatler_" Radcliffe never married.]
+
+[Footnote 425: I have a pamphlet called "The _Tatler's_ Character (July
+21) of AEsculapius guessing diseases, without the knowledge of drugs;
+applied to the British Physicians and Surgeons: or, The difficult
+diseases of the Royal Family, Nobility and Gentry will never be
+understood and recover'd, when the populace are oppress'd and destroy'd
+by the Practising-Apothecaries and Empiricks confess'd by the College
+and Mr. Bernard the Surgeon. By a Consultation of Gentlemen of Quality."
+London, 8vo, 1709. The pamphlet contains some interesting remarks on the
+physicians, apothecaries and hospitals of the time. Mr. Bickerstaff is
+called "the most ingenious physician of our vices and follies."]
+
+[Footnote 426: See No. 42.]
+
+[Footnote 427: A friend of Nichols said, "I have seen somewhere, but
+cannot immediately refer to the book, an account of a theatre built at
+Southwick, in the county of Hants, by a Mr. Richard Norton, whose will
+is in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1733, p. 57. He is the person, I
+believe, who wrote a play called 'Pausanias' (1696). Cibber dedicated
+his first play to him." The MS. annotator mentioned in No. 4 also
+identifies the gentleman of Hampshire with "Mr. N----n."]
+
+[Footnote 428: An auctioneer.]
+
+[Footnote 429: Christopher Rich, the manager.]
+
+[Footnote 430: Under the name of Powell, the puppet-show man, Steele
+attacked Dr. Blackall, Bishop of Exeter (see No. 37), who was engaged in
+a controversy with Benjamin Hoadly. In March 1709, Blackall preached
+before the Queen a sermon laying down the doctrine of passive obedience
+in its most extreme form, but in 1704 he had preached obedience limited
+by the laws of the State. Hoadly wrote against the sermon of 1709, and
+brought against the Bishop the sermon of 1704. The Bishop, angry at this
+mode of refutation, answered haughtily, and dwelt on the superiority of
+his rank as compared with that of Hoadly, then simply rector of a London
+parish. Bickerstaff here reproaches Blackall for the pride and rudeness
+of his answer, and then, under the guise of Powell, proprietor of the
+puppet-show, satirises the extreme doctrine of divine right taught by
+the Bishop, a doctrine which would make the subjects mere automata, to
+be moved only at the will of the prince.]
+
+[Footnote 431: Ovid, "Met." xiii. 20.]
+
+[Footnote 432: The following printed advertisement appeared in 1682: "At
+the sign of the wool-sack, in Newgate-market, is to be seen, a strange
+and wonderful thing, which is an elm-board, being touched with a hot
+iron, doth express itself, as if it were a man dying with groans, and
+trembling, to the great admiration of all the hearers. It hath been
+presented before the King and his nobles, and hath given great
+satisfaction. _Vivat Rex_."--(MSS. Sloan. 958.)]
+
+[Footnote 433: "Ne e quovis ligno Mercurius fiat" is one of the proverbs
+in the "Adagia" of Erasmus. But its history, as originally from the
+Greek, is thus given in a note of Andr. Schottus, quoted by Gaisford in
+his "Parcemiographia Graeci," p. 39, Ox. 1836:--"Illiud adagium {~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH PSILI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA~}
+{~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH VARIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER XI~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON~} {~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER EPSILON WITH DASIA AND OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER MU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI AND VARIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~} [ouk ek pantos zylon Hermes an genoito],
+quod a Pythagora primum profectum auctor est Apuleius 'Apol.'" [t. ii.
+p. 499] (Ed. Marshall, "Notes and Queries," March 26, 1887). See
+Apuleius, "Apologia," 476: "Non enim ex omni ligno, ut Pythagoras
+dicebat, debet Mercurius exsculpi."]
+
+[Footnote 434: In the Bishop's answer to Hoadly's letter, 1709, there is
+this passage: "I have no books here; and being under these
+circumstances, I hope I may be excused, if, in citing Scripture, I
+should not always name chapter and verse, nor hit exactly upon the very
+words of the translation" (Lord Bishop of Exeter's Answer, &c., pp. 2
+and 3).--"As to the _Tatlers_ relating to Powell's puppets, and the
+doctrines of passive obedience and absolute non-resistance, and to
+Bishop Blackall, I know it gave my father some uneasiness, that there is
+a reference to a fact, which, as he resolved himself never to take
+notice of, thinking it ungenerous, so he was sorry to see any friend of
+the cause had; which is, that the Bishop had said inadvertently, he was
+at Bath, and had not a Bible in his family. It is worth remarking, that
+all the arguments used by Powell about his power over Punch, 'lighting
+his pipe with one of his legs,' &c., are a good burlesque of those used
+by the advocates of non-resistance."--(Dr. John Hoadly.)]
+
+[Footnote 435: The Bishop, after quoting a respectful expression of
+Hoadly's, says, "Your servant, sir, for that."]
+
+[Footnote 436: A beat of the drum or sound of a trumpet, which summons
+the enemy to a parley. In _Spectator_, No. 165, Addison ridiculed the
+use of this and other French war terms by English writers.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 45. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, July 21, to Saturday, July 23_, 1709.
+
+    Credo pudicitiam Saturno rege moratam
+    In terris.
+                                            Juv., Sat. vi. I.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 22.
+
+The other day I took a walk a mile or two out of town and strolling
+wherever chance led me, I was insensibly carried into a by-road, along
+which was a very agreeable quickset, of an extraordinary height, which
+surrounded a very delicious seat and garden. From one angle of the
+hedge, I heard a voice cry, "Sir, sir--" This raised my curiosity, and I
+heard the same voice say, but in a gentle tone, "Come forward, come
+forward." I did so, and one through the hedge called me by my name, and
+bade me go on to the left, and I should be admitted to visit an old
+acquaintance in distress. The laws of knight-errantry made me obey the
+summons without hesitation; and I was let in at the back gate of a
+lovely house by a maid-servant, who carried me from room to room, until
+I came into a gallery; at the end of which, I saw a fine lady dressed in
+the most sumptuous habit, as if she were going to a ball, but with the
+most abject and disconsolate sorrow in her face that I ever beheld. As I
+came near, she burst into tears, and cried, "Sir, do not you know the
+unhappy Teraminta?" I soon recollected her whole person: "But," said I,
+"madam, the simplicity of dress, in which I have ever seen you at your
+good father's house, and the cheerfulness of countenance with which you
+always appeared, are so unlike the fashion and temper you are now in,
+that I did not easily recover the memory of you. Your habit was then
+decent and modest, your looks serene and beautiful: whence then this
+unaccountable change? Nothing can speak so deep a sorrow as your present
+aspect; yet your dress is made for jollity and revelling." "It is," said
+she, "an unspeakable pleasure to meet with one I know, and to bewail
+myself to any that is not an utter stranger to humanity. When your
+friend my father died, he left me to a wide world, with no defence
+against the insults of fortune, but rather, a thousand snares to entrap
+me in the dangers to which youth and innocence are exposed, in an age
+wherein honour and virtue are become mere words, and used only as they
+serve to betray those who understand them in their native sense, and
+obey them as the guides and motives of their being. The wickedest of all
+men living, the abandoned Decius, who has no knowledge of any good art
+or purpose of human life, but as it tends to the satisfaction of his
+appetites, had opportunities of frequently seeing and entertaining me at
+a house where mixed company boarded, and where he placed himself for the
+base intention which he has since brought to pass. Decius saw enough in
+me to raise his brutal desires, and my circumstances gave him hopes of
+accomplishing them. But all the glittering expectations he could lay
+before me, joined by my private terrors of poverty itself, could not for
+some months prevail upon me; yet, however I hated his intention, I still
+had a secret satisfaction in his courtship, and always exposed myself to
+his solicitations. See here the bane of our sex! Let the flattery be
+never so apparent, the flatterer never so ill thought of, his praises
+are still agreeable and we contribute to our own deceit. I was therefore
+ever fond of all opportunities and pretences of being in his company. In
+a word, I was at last ruined by him, and brought to this place, where I
+have been ever since immured; and from the fatal day after my fall from
+innocence, my worshipper became my master and my tyrant. Thus you see me
+habited in the most gorgeous manner, not in honour of me as a woman he
+loves, but as this attire charms his own eye, and urges him to repeat
+the gratification he takes in me, as the servant of his brutish lusts
+and appetites. I know not where to fly for redress; but am here pining
+away life in the solitude and severity of a nun, but the conscience and
+guilt of a harlot. I live in this lewd practice with a religious awe of
+my minister of darkness, upbraided with the support I receive from him,
+for the inestimable possession of youth, of innocence, of honour, and of
+conscience. I see, sir, my discourse grows painful to you; all I beg of
+you is, to paint in so strong colours, as to let Decius see I am
+discovered to be in his possession, that I may be turned out of this
+detestable scene of regular iniquity, and either think no more, or sin
+no more. If your writings have the good effect of gaining my
+enlargement, I promise you I will atone for this unhappy step, by
+preferring an innocent laborious poverty, to all the guilty affluence
+the world can offer me."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 21.
+
+To show that I do not bear an irreconcilable hatred to my mortal enemy,
+Mr. Powell at Bath, I do his function the honour to publish to the
+world, that plays represented by puppets are permitted in our
+universities,[437] and that sort of drama is not wholly thought unworthy
+the critic of learned heads: but as I have been conversant rather with
+the greater Ode, as I think the critics call it, I must be so humble as
+to make a request to Mr. Powell, and desire him to apply his thoughts
+to answering the difficulties with which my kinsman, the author of the
+following letter, seems to be embarrassed.
+
+#"_To my Honoured Kinsman, Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq._#
+
+"DEAR COUSIN,
+
+"Had the family of the Beadlestaffs,[438] whereof I, though unworthy, am
+one, known of your being lately at Oxon, we had in our own name, and in
+the Universities' (as it is our office), made you a compliment: but your
+short stay here robbed us of an opportunity of paying our due respects,
+and you of receiving an ingenious entertainment, with which we at
+present divert ourselves and strangers. A puppet-show at this time
+supplies the want of an Act.[439] And since the nymphs of this city are
+disappointed of a luscious music-speech, and the country ladies of
+hearing their sons or brothers speak verses; yet the vocal machines,
+like them, by the help of a prompter, say things as much to the benefit
+of the audience, and almost as properly their own. The licence of a
+Terrae-Filius[440] is refined to the well-bred satire of Punchinello.
+Now, Cousin Bickerstaff, though Punch has neither a French nightcap, nor
+long pockets, yet you must own him to be a pretty fellow, a 'very'
+pretty fellow: nay, since he seldom leaves the company, without
+calling, 'Son of a whore,' demanding satisfaction, and duelling, he must
+be owned a smart fellow too. Yet, by some indecencies towards the
+ladies, he seems to be of a third character, distinct from any you have
+yet touched upon. A young gentleman who sat next me (for I had the
+curiosity of seeing this entertainment), in a tufted gown, red
+stockings, and long wig (which I pronounce to be tantamount to red heels
+and a dangling cane[441]) was enraged when Punchinello disturbed a soft
+love-scene with his ribaldry. You would oblige us mightily by laying
+down some rules for adjusting the extravagant behaviour of this
+Almanzor[442] of the play, and by writing a treatise on this sort of
+dramatic poetry, so much favoured, and so little understood, by the
+learned world. From its being conveyed in a cart after the Thespian
+manner, all the parts being recited by one person, as the custom was
+before AEschylus, and the behaviour of Punch as if he had won the goal,
+you may possibly deduce its antiquity, and settle the chronology, as
+well as some of our modern critics. In its natural transitions, from
+mournful to merry; as, from the hanging of a lover, to dancing upon the
+rope; from the stalking of a ghost, to a lady's presenting you with a
+jig; you may discover such a decorum, as is not to be found elsewhere
+than in our tragi-comedies. But I forget myself; it is not for me to
+dictate: I thought fit, dear cousin, to give you these hints, to show
+you that the Beadlestaffs don't walk before men of letters to no
+purpose; and that though we do but hold up the train of arts and
+sciences, yet like other pages, we are now and then let into our
+ladies' secrets. I am,
+
+"Your most
+
+"Affectionate Kinsman,
+
+                                        "BENJAMIN BEADLESTAFF.
+
+"From Mother Gourdon's, at Hedington,[443] near Oxon, _June 18_."
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 22.
+
+I am got hither safe, but never spent time with so little satisfaction
+as this evening; for you must know, I was five hours with three Merry,
+and two Honest Fellows. The former sang catches; and the latter even
+died with laughing at the noise they made. "Well," says Tom Belfrey,
+"you scholars, Mr. Bickerstaff, are the worst company in the world."
+"Ay," says his opposite, "you are dull to-night; prithee be merry." With
+that I huzzaed, and took a jump across the table, then came clever upon
+my legs, and fell a-laughing. "Let Mr. Bickerstaff alone," says one of
+the Honest Fellows, "when he's in a good humour, he's as good company as
+any man in England." He had no sooner spoke, but I snatched his hat off
+his head, and clapped his upon my own, and burst out a-laughing again;
+upon which we all fell a-laughing for half an hour. One of the Honest
+Fellows got behind me in the interim, and hit me a sound slap on the
+back; upon which he got the laugh out of my hands, and it was such a
+twang on my shoulders, that I confess he was much merrier than I. I was
+half angry; but resolved to keep up the good humour of the company; and
+after holloing as loud as I could possibly, I drank off a bumper of
+claret, that made me stare again. "Nay," says one of the Honest Fellows,
+"Mr. Isaac is in the right, there is no conversation in this; what
+signifies jumping, or hitting one another on the back? Let's drink
+about." We did so from seven o'clock till eleven; and now I am come
+hither, and, after the manner of the wise Pythagoras, begin to reflect
+upon the passages of the day. I remember nothing, but that I am bruised
+to death; and as it is my way to write down all the good things I have
+heard in the last conversation to furnish my paper, I can from this only
+tell you my sufferings and my bangs. I named Pythagoras just now, and I
+protest to you, as he believed men after death entered into other
+species, I am now and then tempted to think other animals enter into
+men, and could name several on two legs, that never discover any
+sentiment above what is common with the species of a lower kind; as we
+see in these bodily wits whom I was with to-night, whose parts consist
+in strength and activity; but their boisterous mirth gives me great
+impatience for the return of such happiness as I enjoyed in a
+conversation last week. Among others in that company, we had Florio, who
+never interrupted any man living when he was speaking, or ever ceased to
+speak, but others lamented that he had done. His discourse ever arises
+from a fulness of the matter before him, and not from ostentation or
+triumph of his understanding; for though he seldom delivers what he need
+fear being repeated, he speaks without having that end in view; and his
+forbearance of calumny or bitterness, is owing rather to his good nature
+than his discretion; for which reason, he is esteemed a gentleman
+perfectly qualified for conversation, in whom a general goodwill to
+mankind takes off the necessity of caution and circumspection. We had
+at the same time that evening the best sort of companion that can be, a
+good-natured old man. This person meets in the company of young men,
+veneration for his benevolence, and is not only valued for the good
+qualities of which he is master, but reaps an acceptance from the pardon
+he gives to other men's faults: and the ingenuous sort of men with whom
+he converses, have so just a regard for him, that he rather is an
+example, than a check to their behaviour. For this reason, as Senecio
+never pretends to be a man of pleasure before youth, so young men never
+set up for wisdom before Senecio; so that you never meet, where he is,
+those monsters of conversation, who are grave or gay above their years.
+He never converses but with followers of nature and good sense, where
+all that is uttered is only the effect of a communicable temper, and not
+of emulation to excel their companions; all desire of superiority being
+a contradiction to that spirit which makes a just conversation, the very
+essence of which is mutual goodwill. Hence it is, that I take it for a
+rule, that the natural, and not the acquired man, is the companion.
+Learning, wit, gallantry, and good breeding, are all but subordinate
+qualities in society, and are of no value, but as they are subservient
+to benevolence, and tend to a certain manner of being or appearing equal
+to the rest of the company; for conversation is composed of an assembly
+of men, as they are men, and not as they are distinguished by fortune:
+therefore he that brings his quality with him into conversation, should
+always pay the reckoning; for he came to receive homage, and not to meet
+his friends--But the din about my ears from the clamour of the people I
+was with this evening, has carried me beyond my intended purpose, which
+was to explain upon the Order of Merry Fellows; but I think I may
+pronounce of them, as I heard good Senecio, with a spice of wit of the
+last age, say, viz. that a Merry Fellow is the Saddest Fellow in the
+world.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 437: See No. 44. Blackall was a bishop; and the University of
+Oxford had declared publicly in his favour.]
+
+[Footnote 438: See No. 11.]
+
+[Footnote 439: A meeting for conferring degrees, when speeches, &c., are
+delivered.]
+
+[Footnote 440: An undergraduate who made extempore speeches at the Act,
+often of a very satirical kind. Sometimes there were two _terrae filii_,
+who carried on a dialogue. In 1721, Amberst published a periodical with
+the title "Terrae-Filius: or, The Secret History of the University of
+Oxford," and these papers were reprinted in two volumes in 1726, with a
+curious engraving of the Theatre at Oxford, by Hogarth, as
+frontispiece.]
+
+[Footnote 441: See No. 26.]
+
+[Footnote 442: In an Essay "Of Heroic Plays," prefixed to his play,
+"Almanzor and Almahide; or, The Conquest of Granada," Dryden defended at
+length the character of Almanzor.]
+
+[Footnote 443: This village is the scene of Dr. William King's play,
+"Joan of Hedington" ("Works," 1776, vol. iii. p. 16).]
+
+
+
+
+No. 46. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 23_, to _Tuesday, July 26_, 1709.
+
+    Non bene conveniunt, nec in una sede morantur,
+    Majestas et amor.
+                                            OVID, Met. ii. 846.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 25.
+
+We see every day volumes written against that tyrant of human life
+called Love, and yet there is no help found against his cruelties, or
+barrier against the inroads he is pleased to make into the mind of man.
+After this preface, you will expect I am going to give particular
+instances of what I have asserted. That expectation cannot be raised too
+high for the novelty of the history, and manner of life, of the Emperor
+Aurengezebe,[444] who has resided for some years in the cities of London
+and Westminster, with the air and mien indeed of his imperial quality,
+but the equipage and appointment only of a private gentleman. This
+potentate, for a long series of time, appeared from the hour of twelve
+till that of two at a coffee-house near the 'Change, and had a seat
+(though without a canopy) sacred to himself, where he gave diurnal
+audiences concerning commerce, politics, tare and tret, usury and
+abatement, with all things necessary for helping the distressed, who
+were willing to give one limb for the better maintenance of the rest; or
+such joyous youths, whose philosophy is confined to the present hour,
+and were desirous to call in the revenue of next half-year to double the
+enjoyment of this. Long did this growing monarch employ himself after
+this manner: and as alliances are necessary to all great kingdoms, he
+took particularly the interests of Lewis XIV. into his care and
+protection. When all mankind were attacking that unhappy monarch, and
+those who had neither valour nor wit to oppose against him would be
+still showing their impotent malice by laying wagers in opposition to
+his interests, Aurengezebe ever took the part of his contemporary, and
+laid immense treasures on his side in defence of his important magazine
+of Toulon. Aurengezebe also had all this while a constant intelligence
+with India, and his letters were answered in jewels, which he soon made
+brilliant, and caused to be affixed to his imperial castor, which he
+always wears cocked in front, to show his defiance; with a heap of
+imperial snuff in the middle of his ample visage, to show his sagacity.
+The zealots for this little spot called Great Britain fell universally
+into this emperor's policies, and paid homage to his superior genius, in
+forfeiting their coffers to his treasury: but wealth and wisdom are
+possessions too solemn not to give weariness to active minds, without
+the relief (in vacant hours) of wit and love, which are the proper
+amusements of the powerful and the wise: this emperor therefore, with
+great regularity, every day at five in the afternoon, leaves his
+money-changers, his publicans, and little hoarders of wealth, to their
+low pursuits, and ascends his chariot to drive to Will's; where the
+taste is refined, and a relish given to men's possessions, by a polite
+skill in gratifying their passions and appetites. There it is that the
+emperor has learned to live and to love, and not, like a miser, to gaze
+only on his ingots or his treasures; but with a nobler satisfaction, to
+live the admiration of others, for his splendour and happiness in being
+master of them. But a prince is no more to be his own caterer in his
+love, than in his food; therefore Aurengezebe has ever in waiting two
+purveyors for his dishes, and his wenches for his retired hours, by whom
+the scene of his diversion is prepared in the following manner:
+
+There is near Covent Garden a street known by the name of Drury, which,
+before the days of Christianity, was purchased by the Queen of Paphos,
+and is the only part of Great Britain where the tenure of vassalage is
+still in being. All that long course of building is under particular
+districts or ladyships, after the manner of lordships in other parts,
+over which matrons of known abilities preside, and have, for the support
+of their age and infirmities, certain taxes paid out of the rewards for
+the amorous labours of the young. This seraglio of Great Britain is
+disposed into convenient alleys and apartments, and every house, from
+the cellar to the garret, inhabited by nymphs of different orders, that
+persons of every rank may be accommodated with an immediate consort, to
+allay their flames, and partake of their cares. Here it is, that when
+Aurengezebe thinks fit to give a loose to dalliance, the purveyors
+prepare the entertainments; and what makes it more august is, that every
+person concerned in the interlude has his set part, and the prince sends
+beforehand word what he designs to say, and directs also the very answer
+which shall be made to him.
+
+It has been before hinted, that this emperor has a continual commerce
+with India; and it is to be noted, that the largest stone that rich
+earth has produced, is in our Aurengezebe's possession.
+
+But all things are now disposed for his reception. At his entrance into
+the seraglio, a servant delivers him his bever of state and love, on
+which is fixed this inestimable jewel as his diadem. When he is seated,
+the purveyors, Pandarus and Nuncio, marching on each side of the matron
+of the house, introduce her into his presence. In the midst of the room,
+they bow altogether to the diadem.
+
+When the matron:
+
+"Whoever thou art (as thy awful aspect speaks thee a man of power), be
+propitious to this mansion of love, and let not the severity of thy
+wisdom disdain, that by the representation of naked innocence, or
+pastoral figures, we revive in thee the memory at least of that power of
+Venus, to which all the wise and the brave are some part of their lives
+devoted." Aurengezebe consents by a nod, and they go out backward.
+
+After this, an unhappy nymph, who is to be supposed just escaped from
+the hands of a ravisher, with her tresses dishevelled, runs into the
+room with a dagger in her hand, and falls before the emperor.
+
+"Pity, oh! pity! whoever thou art, an unhappy virgin, whom one of thy
+train has robbed of her innocence; her innocence, which was all her
+portion--Or rather, let me die like the memorable Lucretia--" Upon which
+she stabs herself. The body is immediately examined after the manner of
+our coroners. Lucretia recovers by a cup of right Nantes; and the
+matron, who is her next relation, stops all process at law.
+
+This unhappy affair is no sooner over, but a naked mad woman breaks into
+the room, calls for her duke, her lord, her emperor. As soon as she
+spies Aurengezebe, the object of all her fury and love, she calls for
+petticoats, is ready to sink with shame, and is dressed in all haste in
+new attire at his charge. This unexpected accident of the mad woman
+makes Aurengezebe curious to know, whether others who are in their
+senses can guess at his quality. For which reason the whole convent is
+examined one by one. The matron marches in with a tawdry country girl:
+"Pray, Winifred," says she, "who do you think that fine man with those
+jewels and pearls is?" "I believe," says Winifred, "it is our landlord.
+It must be the squire himself." The emperor laughs at her simplicity.
+"Go, fool," says the matron: then turning to the emperor, "Your
+greatness will pardon her ignorance!" After her, several others of
+different characters are instructed to mistake who he is in the same
+manner: then the whole sisterhood are called together, and the emperor
+rises, and cocking his hat, declares, he is the Great Mogul, and they
+his concubines. A general murmur goes through the assembly, and
+Aurengezebe certifying, that he keeps them for state rather than use,
+tells them, they are permitted to receive all men into their apartments;
+then proceeds through the crowd, among whom he throws medals shaped like
+half-crowns, and returns to his chariot.
+
+This being all that passed the last day in which Aurengezebe visited the
+women's apartments, I consulted Pacolet concerning the foundation of
+such strange amusements in old age: to which he answered; "You may
+remember, when I gave you an account of my good fortune in being drowned
+on the thirtieth day of my human life, I told you of the disasters I
+should otherwise have met with before I arrived at the end of my stamen,
+which was sixty years. I may now add an observation to you, that all who
+exceed that period, except the latter part of it is spent in the
+exercise of virtue and contemplation of futurity, must necessarily fall
+into an indecent old age, because, with regard to all the enjoyments of
+the years of vigour and manhood, childhood returns upon them: and as
+infants ride on sticks, build houses in dirt, and make ships in gutters,
+by a faint idea of things they are to act hereafter; so old men play the
+lovers, potentates, and emperors, from the decaying image of the more
+perfect performances of their stronger years: therefore be sure to
+insert AEsculapius and Aurengezebe in your next bill of mortality of the
+metaphorically defunct."
+
+
+Will's Coffee-house, July 24.
+
+As soon as I came hither this evening, no less than ten people produced
+the following poem, which they all reported was sent to each of them by
+the penny post from an unknown hand. All the battle-writers in the room
+were in debate, who could be the author of a piece so martially written;
+and everybody applauded the address and skill of the author, in calling
+it a Postscript: it being the nature of a postscript to contain
+something very material which was forgotten, or not clearly expressed in
+the letter itself. Thus, the verses being occasioned by a march without
+beat of drum, and that circumstance being no ways taken notice of in any
+of the stanzas, the author calls it a postscript; not that it is a
+postscript, but figuratively, because it wants a postscript. Common
+writers, when what they mean is not expressed in the book itself, supply
+it by a preface; but a postscript seems to me the more just way of
+apology; because otherwise a man makes an excuse before the offence is
+committed. All the heroic poets were guessed at for its author; but
+though we could not find out his name, yet one repeated a couplet in
+"Hudibras" which spoke his qualifications:
+
+    _"I' th' midst of all this warlike rabble,
+    Crowdero marched, expert and able"_[445]
+
+The poem is admirably suited to the occasion: for to write without
+discovering your meaning, bears a just resemblance to marching without
+beat of drum.
+
+#On the March to Tournay without Beat of Drum.#
+
+#The Brussels POSTSCRIPT.#[446]
+
+      Could I with plainest words express
+      That great man's wonderful address,
+    His penetration, and his towering thought;
+      It would the gazing world surprise,
+      To see one man at all times wise,
+    To view the wonders he with ease has wrought.
+
+      Refining schemes approach his mind,
+      Like breezes of a southern wind,
+    To temperate a sultry glorious day;
+      Whose fannings, with an useful pride,
+      Its mighty heat doth softly guide,
+    And having cleared the air, glide silently away.
+
+      Thus his immensity of thought
+      Is deeply formed, and gently wrought,
+    His temper always softening life's disease;
+      That Fortune, when she does intend
+      To rudely frown, she turns his friend,
+    Admires his judgment, and applauds his ease.
+
+    His great address in this design,
+      Does now, and will for ever shine,
+    And wants a Waller but to do him right:
+      The whole amusement was so strong,
+      Like fate he doomed them to be wrong,
+    And Tournay's took by a peculiar sleight.
+
+      Thus, madam, all mankind behold
+      Your vast ascendant, not by gold,
+    But by your wisdom, and your pious life;
+      Your aim no more than to destroy
+      That which does Europe's ease annoy,
+    And supersede a reign of shame and strife.
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house, July 24.
+
+My brethren of the quill, the ingenious society of news-writers, having
+with great spirit and elegance already informed the world, that the town
+of Tournay capitulated on the 28th instant, there is nothing left for me
+to say, but to congratulate the good company here, that we have reason
+to hope for an opportunity of thanking Mr. Withers[447] next winter in
+this place, for the service he has done his country. No man deserves
+better of his friends than that gentleman, whose distinguishing
+character it is, that he gives his orders with the familiarity, and
+enjoys his fortune with the generosity, of a fellow-soldier. His Grace
+the Duke of Argyle had also an eminent part in the reduction of this
+important place. That illustrious youth[448] discovers the peculiar
+turn of spirit and greatness of soul which only make men of high birth
+and quality useful to their country; and considers nobility as an
+imaginary distinction, unless accompanied with the practice of those
+generous virtues by which it ought to be obtained. But[449] that our
+military glory is arrived at its present height, and that men of all
+ranks so passionately affect their share in it, is certainly owing to
+the merit and conduct of our glorious general; for as the great secret
+in chemistry, though not in nature, has occasioned many useful
+discoveries; and the fantastic notion of being wholly disinterested in
+friendship, has made men do a thousand generous actions above
+themselves; so, though the present grandeur and fame of the Duke of
+Marlborough is a station of glory to which no one hopes to arrive, yet
+all carry their actions to a higher pitch, by having that great example
+laid before them.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 444: "Aurenzeb is Tom Colson, who never had any friendship
+with anybody but S'r Edward Seymour, who brought him into Parliament"
+(Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709; "Wentworth Papers," p. 97).
+Thomas Coulson was elected M.P. for Totnes, with Sir Edward Seymour,
+Bart., in 1698. He was re-elected in 1701, 1702, and in 1705. At the
+election of 1708, Sir Edward Seymour, previously member for Exeter, was
+elected for Totnes; but in 1710, Sir Edward having transferred himself
+to Great Bedwyn, Coulson again became member for Totnes. In 1715,
+Coulson's arrest was sought in the neighbourhood of Bristol for joining
+in the rising on behalf of the Pretender; see a letter of Addison's in
+Hist. MSS. Comm., Second Report, p. 250.]
+
+[Footnote 445: "Hudibras," part i. canto ii. 105-6. Butler wrote, "I'
+the head," &c.]
+
+[Footnote 446: "I should have given you a key to the two _Tatlers_ I
+sent you last, the Brussels Postscript are verses of Crowders. He show'd
+them me in manuscript" (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709;
+"Wentworth Papers," p. 97). See No. 17 note on Brigadier Crowther.]
+
+[Footnote 447: General Henry Withers commanded at the capitulation of
+Tournay. On his death in 1729, he was buried in Westminster Abbey. Pope
+wrote an epitaph beginning:
+
+    "Here, Withers, rest! thou bravest, gentlest mind,
+    Thy country's friend, but more of human-kind."
+]
+
+[Footnote 448: John, second Duke of Argyle (1678-1743), took an active
+part in the battles of Ramilies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, and at the
+siege of Tournay.]
+
+[Footnote 449: There was a long-standing hostility between the Duke of
+Marlborough and the Duke of Argyle.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 47. [STEELE.
+
+From _Tuesday, July 26_, to _Thursday, July 28_, 1709.
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            Juv., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, July 27.
+
+My friend Sir Thomas[450] has communicated to me his letters from Epsom
+of the 25th instant, which give, in general, a very good account of the
+posture of affairs at present in that place; but that the tranquillity
+and correspondence[451] of the company begins to be interrupted by the
+arrival of Sir Taffety Trippet,[452] a fortune-hunter, whose follies
+are too gross to give diversion; and whose vanity is too stupid to let
+him be sensible that he is a public offence. But if people will indulge
+a splenetic humour, it is impossible to be at ease, when such creatures
+as are the scandal of our species, set up for gallantry and adventures.
+It will be much more easy therefore to laugh him into reason, than
+convert him from his foppery by any serious contempt. I knew a gentleman
+that made it a maxim to open his doors, and ever run into the way of
+bullies, to avoid their insolence. The rule will hold as well with
+coxcombs: they are never mortified, but when they see you receive, and
+despise them; otherwise they rest assured, that it is your ignorance
+makes them out of your good graces; or, that it is only want of
+admittance prevents their being amiable where they are shunned and
+avoided. But Sir Taffety is a fop of so sanguine complexion, that I fear
+it will be very hard for the fair one he at present pursues to get rid
+of the chase, without being so tired, as for her own ease to fall into
+the mouth of the mongrel she runs from. But the history of Sir Taffety
+is as pleasant as his character. It happened, that when he first set up
+for a fortune-hunter, he chose Tunbridge for the scene of action; where
+were at that time two sisters upon the same design. The knight believed
+of course the elder must be the better prize; and consequently makes all
+his sail that way. People that want sense, do always in an egregious
+manner want modesty, which made our hero triumph in making his amour as
+public as was possible. The adored lady was no less vain of his public
+addresses. An attorney with one cause is not half so restless as a woman
+with one lover. Wherever they met, they talked to each other aloud,
+chose each other partner at balls, saluted at the most conspicuous parts
+of the service at church, and practised in honour of each other all the
+remarkable particularities which are usual for persons who admire one
+another, and are contemptible to the rest of the world. These two lovers
+seemed as much made for each other as Adam and Eve, and all pronounced
+it a match of Nature's own making; but the night before the nuptials (so
+universally approved), the younger sister, envious of the good fortune
+even of her sister, who had been present at most of their interviews,
+and had an equal taste for the charms of a fop (as there are a set of
+women made for that order of men); the younger, I say, unable to see so
+rich a prize pass by her, discovered to Sir Taffety, that a coquette
+air, much tongue, and three suits, was all the portion of his mistress.
+His love vanished that moment, himself and equipage the next morning. It
+is uncertain where the lover has been ever since engaged; but certain it
+is, he has not appeared in his character as a follower of love and
+fortune till he arrived at Epsom, where there is at present a young lady
+of youth, beauty, and fortune, who has alarmed[453] all the vain and the
+impertinent to infest that quarter. At the head of this assembly, Sir
+Taffety shines in the brightest manner, with all the accomplishments
+which usually ensnare the heart of woman; with this particular merit
+(which often is of great service), that he is laughed at for her sake.
+The friends of the fair one are in much pain for the sufferings she goes
+through from the perseverance of this hero; but they may be much more so
+from the danger of his succeeding, toward which they give him a helping
+hand, if they dissuade her with bitterness; for there is a fantastical
+generosity in the sex, to approve creatures of the least merit
+imaginable, when they see the imperfections of their admirers are become
+the marks of derision for their sakes; and there is nothing so frequent,
+as that he who was contemptible to a woman in her own judgment, has won
+her by being too violently opposed by others.
+
+
+Grecian Coffee-house, July 27.
+
+In the several capacities I bear, of astrologer, civilian, and
+physician, I have with great application studied the public emolument:
+to this end serve all my lucubrations, speculations, and whatever other
+labours I undertake, whether nocturnal or diurnal. On this motive am I
+induced to publish a never-failing medicine for the spleen: my
+experience in this distemper came from a very remarkable cure on my ever
+worthy friend Tom Spindle,[454] who, through excessive gaiety, had
+exhausted that natural stock of wit and spirits he had long been blessed
+with: he was sunk and flattened to the lowest degree imaginable, sitting
+whole hours over the "Book of Martyrs," and "Pilgrim's Progress"; his
+other contemplations never rising higher than the colour of his urine,
+or regularity of his pulse. In this condition I found him, accompanied
+by the learned Dr. Drachm, and a good old nurse. Drachm had prescribed
+magazines of herbs, and mines of steel. I soon discovered the malady,
+and descanted on the nature of it, till I convinced both the patient and
+his nurse, that the spleen is not to be cured by medicine, but by
+poetry. Apollo, the author of physic, shone with diffusive rays the best
+of poets as well as of physicians; and it is in this double capacity
+that I have made my way, and have found, sweet, easy, flowering numbers,
+are oft superior to our noblest medicines. When the spirits are low, and
+nature sunk, the muse, with sprightly and harmonious notes, gives an
+unexpected turn with a grain of poetry, which I prepare without the use
+of mercury. I have done wonders in this kind; for the spleen is like the
+tarantula,[455] the effects of whose malignant poison are to be
+prevented by no other remedy but the charms of music: for you are to
+understand, that as some noxious animals carry antidotes for their own
+poisons; so there is something equally unaccountable in poetry: for
+though it is sometimes a disease, it is to be cured only by itself. Now
+I knowing Tom Spindle's constitution, and that he is not only a pretty
+gentleman, but also a pretty poet, found the true cause of his distemper
+was a violent grief that moved his affections too strongly: for during
+the late Treaty of Peace, he had written a most excellent poem on that
+subject; and when he wanted but two lines in the last stanza for
+finishing the whole piece, there comes news that the French tyrant would
+not sign. Spindle in few days took his bed, and had lain there still,
+had not I been sent for. I immediately told him, there was great
+probability the French would now sue to us for peace. I saw immediately
+a new life in his eyes; and knew, that nothing could help him forward
+so well, as hearing verses which he would believe worse than his own; I
+read him therefore the "Brussels Postscript";[456] after which I recited
+some heroic lines of my own, which operated so strongly on the tympanum
+of his ear, that I doubt not but I have kept out all other sounds for a
+fortnight; and have reason to hope, we shall see him abroad the day
+before his poem. This you see, is a particular secret I have found out,
+viz., that you are not to choose your physician for his knowledge in
+your distemper, but for having it himself. Therefore I am at hand for
+all maladies arising from poetical vapours, beyond which I never
+pretend. For being called the other day to one in love, I took indeed
+their three guineas, and gave them my advice; which was, to send for
+AEsculapius.[457] AEsculapius, as soon as he saw the patient, cries out,
+"'Tis love! 'tis love! Oh! the unequal pulse! these are the symptoms a
+lover feels; such sighs, such pangs, attend the uneasy mind; nor can our
+art, or all our boasted skill, avail--Yet O fair! for thee--" Thus the
+sage ran on, and owned the passion which he pitied, as well as that he
+felt a greater pain than ever he cured. After which he concluded, "All I
+can advise, is marriage: charms and beauty will give new life and
+vigour, and turn the course of nature to its better prospect." This is
+the new way; and thus AEsculapius has left his beloved powders, and
+writes a recipe for a wife at sixty. In short, my friend followed the
+prescription, and married youth and beauty in its perfect bloom.
+
+    _Supine in Silvia's snowy arms he lies,
+    And all the busy care of life defies:
+    Each happy hour is filled with fresh delight,
+    While peace the day, and pleasure crowns the night._
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 27.
+
+Tragical passion was the subject of the discourse where I last visited
+this evening; and a gentleman who knows that I am at present writing a
+very deep tragedy, directed his discourse in a particular manner to me.
+"It is the common fault," said he, "of you, gentlemen, who write in the
+buskin style, that you give us rather the sentiments of such who behold
+tragical events, than of such who bear a part in them themselves. I
+would advise all who pretend this way, to read Shakespeare with care,
+and they will soon be deterred from putting forth what is usually called
+'tragedy.' The way of common writers in this kind, is rather the
+description, than the expression of sorrow. There is no medium in these
+attempts; and you must go to the very bottom of the heart, or it is all
+mere language; and the writer of such lines is no more a poet, than a
+man is a physician for knowing the names of distempers, without the
+causes of them. Men of sense are professed enemies to all such empty
+labours: for he who pretends to be sorrowful, and is not, is a wretch
+yet more contemptible than he who pretends to be merry, and is not. Such
+a tragedian is only maudlin drunk." The gentleman went on with much
+warmth; but all he could say had little effect upon me: but when I came
+hither, I so far observed his counsel, that I looked into Shakespeare.
+The tragedy I dipped into was, "Harry the Fourth." In the scene where
+Morton is preparing to tell Northumberland of his son's death, the old
+man does not give him time to speak, but says,
+
+    "_The whiteness of thy cheeks
+    Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand;
+    Even such a man, so faint, so spiritless,
+    So dull, so dead in look, so woebegone,
+    Drew Priam's curtain at the dead of night,
+    And would have told him half his Troy was burnt:
+    But Priam found the fire, ere he his tongue,
+    And I my Percy's death ere thou reportest it_"[458]
+
+The image in this place is wonderfully noble and great; yet this man in
+all this is but rising towards his great affliction, and is still enough
+himself, as you see, to make a simile: but when he is certain of his
+son's death, he is lost to all patience, and gives up all the regards of
+this life; and since the last of evils is fallen upon him, he calls for
+it upon all the world.
+
+      "_Now let not Nature's hand
+    Keep the wild flood confined; let Order die,
+    And let the world no longer be a stage,
+    To feed contention in a lingering act;
+    But let one spirit of the firstborn Cain
+    Reign in all bosoms, that each heart being set
+    On bloody courses, the wide scene may end,
+    And darkness be the burier of the dead_."
+
+Reading but this one scene has convinced me, that he who describes the
+concern of great men, must have a soul as noble, and as susceptible of
+high thoughts, as they whom he represents: I shall therefore lay by my
+drama for some time, and turn my thoughts to cares and griefs, somewhat
+below that of heroes, but no less moving. A misfortune proper for me to
+take notice of, has too lately happened: the disconsolate Maria[459] has
+three days kept her chamber for the loss of the beauteous Fidelia, her
+lap-dog. Lesbia herself[460] did not shed more tears for her sparrow.
+What makes her the more concerned, is, that we know not whether Fidelia
+was killed or stolen; but she was seen in the parlour window when the
+train-bands went by, and never since. Whoever gives notice of her, dead
+or alive, shall be rewarded with a kiss of her lady.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 450: See No. 16.]
+
+[Footnote 451: Intercourse.]
+
+[Footnote 452: Henry Cromwell (died 1728) was a correspondent of Pope's,
+and a friend of Wycherley's. "I cannot choose," wrote Mrs. Elizabeth
+Thomas, "but be pleased with the conquest of a person whose fame our
+incomparable Tatler has rendered immortal, by the three distinguishing
+titles of 'Squire Easy the amorous bard'; 'Sir Timothy the critic'; and
+'Sir Taffety Trippet the fortune-hunter'" ("Pylades and Corinna," i. 96,
+194). See also Nos. 49, 165. Cromwell was a man about town, of private
+means, with property in Lincolnshire, who had contributed verses to
+Tonson's "Miscellany." Gay ("Mr. Pope's Welcome from Greece," st. xvii.)
+speaks of "Honest, hatless Cromwell, with red breeches."]
+
+[Footnote 453: Called forth, drawn as with an alarum.]
+
+[Footnote 454: Henry Cromwell; see note on p. 380. According to another
+suggestion, Spindle is intended for Thomas Tickell, who published a
+poem, "The Prospect of Peace," in 1713; but it is not probable that in
+1709 either Addison or Steele would have satirised him; and Cromwell may
+very likely have written verses on the same subject.]
+
+[Footnote 455: A spider named from Tarentum, in Apulia. Strange stories
+were told of the effects of its bite, and of their cure by music and
+dancing.]
+
+[Footnote 456: See No. 46.]
+
+[Footnote 457: Dr. Radcliffe. See No. 44.]
+
+[Footnote 458: 2 Henry IV., act i. sc. I.]
+
+[Footnote 459: "This _Tatler_ I know nothing of, only they say the
+Dutchess of Montague has lately lost a bitch she call'd fidel, and has
+had it cry'd."--(Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby; "Wentworth Papers," p.
+97.)]
+
+[Footnote 460: See Catullus, passim.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 48. [STEELE.
+
+From _Thursday, July 28_, to _Saturday, July 30_, 1709.
+
+    --Virtutem verba putant, et
+    Lucum ligna.
+                                            HOR., 1 Ep. vi. 31.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+From my own Apartment, July 29.
+
+This day I obliged Pacolet to entertain me with matters which regarded
+persons of his own character and occupation. We chose to take our walk
+on Tower Hill; and as we were coming from thence in order to stroll as
+far as Garraway's,[461] I observed two men, who had but just landed,
+coming from the waterside. I thought there was something uncommon in
+their mien and aspect; but though they seemed by their visage to be
+related, yet was there a warmth in their manner, as if they differed
+very much in their sentiments of the subject on which they were talking.
+One of them seemed to have a natural confidence, mixed with an ingenious
+freedom in his gesture, his dress very plain, but very graceful and
+becoming: the other, in the midst of an overbearing carriage, betrayed
+(by frequently looking round him) a suspicion that he was not enough
+regarded by those he met, or that he feared they would make some attack
+upon him. This person was much taller than his companion, and added to
+that height the advantage of a feather in his hat, and heels to his
+shoes so monstrously high, that he had three or four times fallen down,
+had he not been supported by his friend. They made a full stop as they
+came within a few yards of the place where we stood. The plain gentleman
+bowed to Pacolet; the other looked on him with some displeasure: upon
+which I asked him, who they both were, when he thus informed me of their
+persons and circumstances.
+
+"You may remember, Mr. Isaac, that I have often told you, there are
+beings of a superior rank to mankind, who frequently visit the
+habitations of men, in order to call them from some wrong pursuits in
+which they are actually engaged, or divert them from methods which will
+lead them into errors for the future. He that will carefully reflect
+upon the occurrences of his life, will find he has been sometimes
+extricated out of difficulties, and received favours where he could
+never have expected such benefits; as well as met with cross events from
+some unseen hand, which have disappointed his best laid designs. Such
+accidents arrive from the interventions of aerial beings, as they are
+benevolent or hurtful to the nature of man, and attend his steps in the
+tracts of ambition, of business, and of pleasure. Before I ever appeared
+to you in the manner I do now, I have frequently followed you in your
+evening walks, and have often, by throwing some accident in your way, as
+the passing by of a funeral, or the appearance of some other solemn
+object, given your imagination a new turn, and changed a night you had
+destined to mirth and jollity, into an exercise of study and
+contemplation. I was the old soldier who met you last summer in Chelsea
+Fields, and pretended that I had broken my wooden leg, and could not get
+home; but I snapped it short off on purpose, that you might fall into
+the reflections you did on that subject, and take me into your hack. If
+you remember, you made yourself very merry on that fracture, and asked
+me, whether I thought I should next winter feel cold in the toes of that
+leg? As is usually observed, that those who lose limbs, are sensible of
+pains in the extreme parts, even after those limbs are cut off. However,
+my keeping you then in the story of the battle of the Boyne, prevented
+an assignation, which would have led you into more disasters than I then
+related.
+
+"To be short; those two persons you see yonder, are such as I am; they
+are not real men, but are mere shades and figures: one is named Alethes;
+the other, Verisimilis. Their office is to be the guardians and
+representatives of Conscience and Honour. They are now going to visit
+the several parts of the town, to see how their interests in the world
+decay or flourish, and to purge themselves from the many false
+imputations they daily meet with in the commerce and conversation of
+men. You observed Verisimilis frowned when he first saw me. What he is
+provoked at, is, that I told him one day, though he strutted and dressed
+with so much ostentation, if he kept himself within his own bounds, he
+was but a lackey, and wore only that gentleman's livery whom he is now
+with. This frets him to the heart; for you must know, he has pretended a
+long time to set up for himself, and gets among a crowd of the more
+unthinking part of mankind, who take him for a person of the first
+quality; though his introduction into the world was wholly owing to his
+present companion."
+
+This encounter was very agreeable to me, and I was resolved to dog
+them, and desired Pacolet to accompany me. I soon perceived what he told
+me in the gesture of the persons: for when they looked at each other in
+discourse, the well-dressed man suddenly cast down his eyes, and
+discovered that the other had a painful superiority over him. After some
+further discourse, they took leave. The plain gentleman went down
+towards Thames Street, in order to be present, at least, at the oaths
+taken at the Custom-house; and the other made directly for the heart of
+the city. It is incredible how great a change there immediately appeared
+in the man of honour when he got rid of his uneasy companion: he
+adjusted the cock of his hat anew, settled his sword-knot, and had an
+appearance that attracted a sudden inclination for him and his interests
+in all who beheld him. "For my part," said I to Pacolet, "I cannot but
+think you are mistaken in calling this person, of the lower quality; for
+he looks much more like a gentleman than the other. Don't you observe
+all eyes are upon him as he advances: how each sex gazes at his stature,
+aspect, address, and motion?" Pacolet only smiled, and shaked his head;
+as leaving me to be convinced by my own further observation. We kept on
+our way after him till we came to Exchange Alley, where the plain
+gentleman again came up to the other; and they stood together after the
+manner of eminent merchants, as if ready to receive application; but I
+could observe no man talk to either of them. The one was laughed at as a
+fop; and I heard many whispers against the other, as a whimsical sort of
+fellow, and a great enemy to trade. They crossed Cornhill together, and
+came into the full 'Change, where some bowed, and gave themselves airs
+in being known to so fine a man as Verisimilis, who, they said, had
+great interests in all princes' courts; and the other was taken notice
+of by several as one they had seen somewhere long before. One more
+particularly said, he had formerly been a man of consideration in the
+world; but was so unlucky, that they who dealt with him, by some strange
+infatuation or other, had a way of cutting off their own bills, and were
+prodigiously slow in improving their stock. But as much as I was curious
+to observe the reception these gentlemen met with upon 'Change, I could
+not help being interrupted by one that came up towards us, to whom
+everybody made their compliments. He was of the common height, and in
+his dress there seemed to be great care to appear no way particular,
+except in a certain exact and feat[462] manner of behaviour and
+circumspection. He was wonderfully careful that his shoes and clothes
+should be without the least speck upon them; and seemed to think, that
+on such an accident depended his very life and fortune. There was hardly
+a man on 'Change who had not a note upon him; and each seemed very well
+satisfied that their money lay in his hands, without demanding payment.
+I asked Pacolet, what great merchant that was, who was so universally
+addressed to, yet made too familiar an appearance to command that
+extraordinary deference? Pacolet answered, "This person is the demon or
+genius of credit: his name is Umbra. If you observe, he follows Alethes
+and Verisimilis at a distance; and indeed has no foundation for the
+figure he makes in the world, but that he is thought to keep their cash;
+though at the same time, none who trust him would trust the others for a
+groat." As the company rolled about, the three spectres were jumbled
+into one place: when they were so, and all thought there was an alliance
+between them, they immediately drew upon them the business of the whole
+'Change. But their affairs soon increased to such an unwieldy bulk, that
+Alethes took his leave, and said, he would not engage further than he
+had an immediate fund to answer. Verisimilis pretended that though he
+had revenues large enough to go on his own bottom, yet it was below one
+of his family to condescend to trade in his own name; therefore he also
+retired. I was extremely troubled to see the glorious mart of London
+left with no other guardian, but him of credit. But Pacolet told me,
+that traders had nothing to do with the honour or conscience of their
+correspondents, provided they supported a general behaviour in the
+world, which could not hurt their credit or their purses: "for," said
+he, "you may in this one tract of building of London and Westminster see
+the imaginary motives on which the greatest affairs move, as well as in
+rambling over the face of the earth. For though Alethes is the real
+governor, as well as legislator of mankind, he has very little business
+but to make up quarrels, and is only a general referee, to whom every
+man pretends to appeal; but is satisfied with his determinations no
+further than they promote his own interest. Hence it is, that the
+soldier and the courtier model their actions according to Verisimilis'
+manner, and the merchant according to that of Umbra. Among these men,
+honour and credit are not valuable possessions in themselves, or pursued
+out of a principle of justice; but merely as they are serviceable to
+ambition and to commerce. But the world will never be in any manner of
+order or tranquillity, till men are firmly convinced, that conscience,
+honour, and credit, are all in one interest; and that without the
+concurrence of the former, the latter are but impositions upon ourselves
+and others. The force these delusive words have, is not seen in the
+transactions of the busy world only, but also have their tyranny over
+the fair sex. Were you to ask the unhappy Lais, what pangs of
+reflection, preferring the consideration of her honour to her
+conscience, has given her? She could tell you, that it has forced her to
+drink up half a gallon this winter of Tom Dassapas' potions; that she
+still pines away for fear of being a mother; and knows not, but the
+moment she is such, she shall be a murderess: but if conscience had as
+strong a force upon the mind, as honour, the first step to her unhappy
+condition had never been made; she had still been innocent, as she's
+beautiful. Were men so enlightened and studious of their own good, as to
+act by the dictates of their reason and reflection, and not the opinion
+of others, Conscience would be the steady ruler of human life; and the
+words, Truth, Law, Reason, Equity, and Religion, would be but synonymous
+terms for that only guide which makes us pass our days in our own favour
+and approbation."
+
+
+
+[Footnote 461: A coffee-house in Exchange Alley, Cornhill, with an
+auction-room on the first floor, where wine and other things were sold
+(see No, 147). Thomas Garway was originally a tobacconist and
+coffee-man. Defoe ("Journey through England") says that this
+coffee-house was frequented by "the people of quality who have business
+in the City, and the most considerable and wealthy citizens."]
+
+[Footnote 462: Adroit.]
+
+
+
+
+No. 49. [STEELE.
+
+From _Saturday, July 30_, to _Tuesday, August 2, 1709._
+
+    Quicquid agunt homines ... nostri farrago libelli.
+                                            JUV., Sat. i. 85, 86.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+White's Chocolate-house, August 1.
+
+The imposition of honest names and words upon improper subjects, has
+made so regular a confusion amongst us, that we are apt to sit down with
+our errors, well enough satisfied with the methods we are fallen into,
+without attempting to deliver ourselves from the tyranny under which we
+are reduced by such innovations. Of all the laudable motives of human
+life, none has suffered so much in this kind as love; under which
+revered name, a brutal desire called lust is frequently concealed and
+admitted; though they differ as much as a matron from a prostitute, or a
+companion from a buffoon. Philander[463] the other day was bewailing
+this misfortune with much indignation, and upbraided me for having some
+time since quoted those excellent lines of the satirist:
+
+    _To an exact perfection they have brought
+    The action love, the passion is forgot._[464]
+
+"How could you," said he, "leave such a hint so coldly? How could
+Aspasia[465] and Sempronia[466] enter into your imagination at the same
+time, and you never declare to us the different reception you gave them?
+The figures which the ancient mythologists and poets put upon love and
+lust in their writings, are very instructive. Love is a beauteous blind
+child, adorned with a quiver and a bow, which he plays with, and shoots
+around him, without design or direction; to intimate to us, that the
+person beloved has no intention to give us the anxieties we meet with;
+but that the beauties of a worthy object are like the charms of a lovely
+infant: they cannot but attract your concern and fondness, though the
+child so regarded is as insensible of the value you put upon it, as it
+is that it deserves your benevolence. On the other side, the sages
+figured Lust in the form of a satyr; of shape, part human, part bestial;
+to signify, that the followers of it prostitute the reason of a man to
+pursue the appetites of a beast. This satyr is made to haunt the paths
+and coverts of the wood-nymphs and shepherdesses, to lurk on the banks
+of rivulets, and watch the purling streams (as the resorts of retired
+virgins), to show, that lawless desire tends chiefly to prey upon
+innocence, and has something so unnatural in it, that it hates its own
+make, and shuns the object it loved, as soon as it has made it like
+itself. Love therefore is a child that complains and bewails its
+inability to help itself, and weeps for assistance, without an immediate
+reflection of knowledge of the food it wants: Lust, a watchful thief
+which seizes its prey, and lays snares for its own relief; and its
+principal object being innocence, it never robs, but it murders at the
+same time. From this idea of a Cupid and a Satyr, we may settle our
+notion of these different desires, and accordingly rank their followers.
+Aspasia must therefore be allowed to be the first of the beauteous Order
+of Love, whose unaffected freedom, and conscious innocence, give her the
+attendance of the graces in all her actions. That awful distance which
+we bear towards her in all our thoughts of her, and that cheerful
+familiarity with which we approach her, are certain instances of her
+being the truest object of love of any of her sex. In this accomplished
+lady, love is the constant effect, because it is never the design. Yet,
+though her mien carries much more invitation than command, to behold her
+is an immediate check to loose behaviour; and to love her is a liberal
+education:[467] for, it being the nature of all love to create an
+imitation of the beloved person in the lover, a regard for Aspasia
+naturally produces decency of manners, and good conduct of life in her
+admirers. If therefore the giggling Lucippe could but see her train of
+fops assembled, and Aspasia move by them, she would be mortified at the
+veneration with which she is beheld, even by Lucippe's own unthinking
+equipage, whose passions have long taken leave of their understandings.
+But as charity is esteemed a conjunction of the good qualities necessary
+to a virtuous man, so love is the happy composition of all the
+accomplishments that make a fine gentleman. The motive of a man's life
+is seen in all his actions; and such as have the beauteous boy for their
+inspirer have a simplicity of behaviour, and a certain evenness of
+desire, which burns like the lamp of life in their bosoms; while they
+who are instigated by the satyr are ever tortured by jealousies of the
+object of their wishes; often desire what they scorn, and as often
+consciously and knowingly embrace where they are mutually indifferent.
+
+Florio, the generous husband, and Limberham, the "kind keeper,"[468] are
+noted examples of the different effects which these desires produce in
+the mind. Amanda, who is the wife of Florio, lives in the continual
+enjoyment of new instances of her husband's friendship, and sees it the
+end of all his ambition to make her life one series of pleasure and
+satisfaction; and Amanda's relish of the goods of life, is all that
+makes them pleasing to Florio: they behave themselves to each other when
+present with a certain apparent benevolence, which transports above
+rapture; and they think of each other in absence with a confidence
+unknown to the highest friendship: their satisfactions are doubled,
+their sorrows lessened by participation. On the other hand, Corinna, who
+is the mistress of Limberham,[469] lives in constant torment: her
+equipage is, an old woman, who was what Corinna is now; an antiquated
+footman, who was pimp to Limberham's father; and a chambermaid, who is
+Limberham's wench by fits, out of a principle of politics to make her
+jealous and watchful of Corinna. Under this guard, and in this
+conversation, Corinna lives in state: the furniture of her habitation,
+and her own gorgeous dress, make her the envy of all the strolling
+ladies in the town; but Corinna knows she herself is but part of
+Limberham's household stuff, and is as capable of being disposed of
+elsewhere, as any other movable. But while her keeper is persuaded by
+his spies, that no enemy has been within his doors since his last visit,
+no Persian prince was ever so magnificently bountiful: a kind look or
+falling tear is worth a piece of brocade, a sigh is a jewel, and a smile
+is a cupboard of plate. All this is shared between Corinna and her guard
+in his absence. With this great economy and industry does the unhappy
+Limberham purchase the constant tortures of jealousy, the favour of
+spending his estate, and the opportunity of enriching one by whom he
+knows he is hated and despised. These are the ordinary and common evils
+which attend keepers, and Corinna is a wench but of common size of
+wickedness. Were you to know what passes under the roof where the fair
+Messalina reigns with her humble adorer! Messalina is the professed
+mistress of mankind; she has left the bed of her husband and her
+beauteous offspring, to give a loose to want of shame and fulness of
+desire. Wretched Nocturnus, her feeble keeper! How the poor creature
+fribbles in his gait, and scuttles from place to place to despatch his
+necessary affairs in painful daylight, that he may return to the
+constant twilight preserved in that scene of wantonness, Messalina's
+bedchamber. How does he, while he is absent from thence, consider in his
+imagination the breadth of his porter's shoulders, the spruce nightcap
+of his valet, the ready attendance of his butler! Any of all whom he
+knows she admits, and professes to approve of. This, alas! is the
+gallantry; this the freedom of our fine gentlemen: for this they
+preserve their liberty, and keep clear of that bugbear, marriage. But he
+does not understand either vice or virtue, who will not allow, that life
+without the rules of morality is a wayward uneasy being, with snatches
+only of pleasure; but under the regulation of virtue, a reasonable and
+uniform habit of enjoyment. I have seen in a play of old Heywood's, a
+speech at the end of an act, which touched this point with much spirit.
+He makes a married man in the play, upon some endearing occasion, look
+at his spouse with an air of fondness, and fall into the following
+reflection on his condition:
+
+    "_O Marriage! happiest, easiest, safest state;
+    Let debauchees and drunkards scorn thy rights,
+    Who, in their nauseous draughts and lusts, profane
+    Both thee and Heaven by whom thou wert ordained.
+    How can the savage call it loss of freedom,
+    Thus to converse with, thus to gaze at
+    A faithful, beauteous friend?
+    Blush not, my fair one, that thy love applauds thee,
+    Nor be it painful to my wedded wife,
+    That my full heart overflows in praise of thee.
+    Thou art by law, by interest, passion, mine:
+    Passion and reason join in love of thee.
+    Thus, through a world of calumny and fraud,
+    We pass both unreproached, both undeceived;
+    While in each other's interest and happiness,
+    We without art all faculties employ,
+    And all our senses without guilt enjoy_."
+
+
+St. James's Coffee-house August 1.
+
+Letters from the Hague of the 6th instant, N.S., say, that there daily
+arrive at our camp deserters in considerable numbers; and that several
+of the enemy concealed themselves in the town of Tournay when the
+garrison marched into the citadel; after which, they presented
+themselves to the Duke of Marlborough; some of whom were commissioned
+officers. The Earl of Albemarle is appointed governor of the town. Soon
+after the surrender, there arose a dispute about a considerable work,
+which was asserted by the Allies to be part of the town, and by the
+French to belong to the citadel. It is said, Monsieur de Surville was so
+ingenious as to declare, he thought it to be comprehended within the
+limits of the town; but Monsieur de Mesgrigny, governor of the citadel,
+was of a contrary opinion. It is reported, that this affair occasioned
+great difficulties, which ended in a capitulation for the citadel
+itself; the principal article of which is, that it shall be surrendered
+on the 5th of September next, in case they are not in the meantime
+relieved. This circumstance gives foundation to believe, that the enemy
+have acted in this manner, rather from some hopes they conceive of a
+treaty of peace before that time, than any expectation from their army,
+which has retired towards their former works between Lens and La Bassee.
+These advices add, that his Excellency the Czarish Ambassador has
+communicated to the States-General, and the foreign Ministers residing
+at the Hague, a copy of a letter from his master's camp, which gives an
+account of the entire defeat of the Swedish army. They further say, that
+Count Piper is taken prisoner, and that it is doubted whether the King
+of Sweden himself was not killed in the action. We hear from Savoy, that
+Count Thaun having amused the enemy by a march as far as the Tarantaise,
+had suddenly repassed Mount Cenis, and moved towards Briancon. This
+unexpected disposition is apprehended by the enemy as a piece of the
+Duke of Savoy's dexterity; and the French adding this circumstance to
+that of the Confederate squadron's lying before Toulon, convince
+themselves, that his royal highness has his thoughts upon the execution
+of some great design in those parts.
+
+
+
+[Footnote 463: See No. 13.]
+
+[Footnote 464: See No. 5.]
+
+[Footnote 465: Lady Elizabeth Hastings (see No. 42).]
+
+[Footnote 466: See No. 33.]
+
+[Footnote 467: In the _Spectator_ for March 29, 1884, Mr. Swinburne
+published a letter saying that Steele was not the author of these famous
+words,--"the most exquisite tribute ever paid to the memory of a noble
+woman"; for the article in No. 42 was by Congreve. But Mr. Justin
+McCarthy afterwards pointed out that these words occur in No. 49, not
+No. 42; and whether or no Congreve wrote the paper in No. 42 which is at
+least doubtful--the article in No. 49 is certainly Steele's.]
+
+[Footnote 468: The title of one of Dryden's plays.]
+
+[Footnote 469: Henry Cromwell and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas. See No. 47.]
+
+
+
+
+END OF VOL. I.
+
+Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. London & Edinburgh.
+
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+End of Project Gutenberg's The Tatler, Volume 1, 1899, by George A. Aitken
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