nently as the old woman I have before men- fleet. We are all involved in the same calationed, though their manner of relating them mities, and subject to the same accidents: and, makes the folly itself appear venerable. In- when we see any one of the species under deed most historians, as well Christian as any particular oppression, we should look uppagan, have fallen into this idle supersti- on it as arising from the common lot of human tion, and spoken of ill success, unforeseen nature, rather than from the guilt of the perdisasters, and terrible events, as if they had son who suffers. been let into the secrets of Providence, and Another consideration, that may check our made acquainted with that private conduct presumption in putting such a construction by which the world is governed. One would upon a misfortune, is this, that it is impossible think several of our own historians in par- for us to know what are calamities and what ticular had many revelations of this kind are blessings. How many accidents have pasmade to them. Our old English monks sel-sed for misfortunes, which have turned to the dom let any of their kings depart in peace, welfare and prosperity of the persons to whose who had endeavoured to diminish the power lot they have fallen! How many disappointor wealth of which the ecclesiastics were in ments have, in their consequences, saved a those times possessed. William the Conque- man from ruin! If we could look into the ef ror's race generally found their judgments fects of every thing, we might be allowed to in the New Forest, where their father had pronounce boldly upon blessings and judg pulled down churches and monasteries. In ments; but for a man to give his opinion of short, read one of the chronicles written by what he sees but in part, and in its beginnings, an author of this frame of mind, and you is an unjustifiable piece of rashness and folly. would think you were reading an history of the The story of Biton and Clitobus, which was in kings of Israel and Judah, where the historians great reputation among the heathens, (for we were actually inspired, and where, by a par- see it quoted by all the ancient authors, both ticular scheme of Providence, the kings were Greek and Latin, who have written upon the distinguished by judgments, or blessings, ac-immortality of the soul) may teach us a caucording as they promoted idolatry or the wor-tion in this matter. These two brothers, beship of the true God. ing the sons of a lady who was priestess I cannot but look upon this manner of judg-to Juno, drew their mother's chariot to the ing upon misfortunes, not only to be very un- temple at the time of a great solemnity, the charitable in regard to the person on whom persons being absent who, by their office, they fall, but very presumptuous in regard to were to have drawn her chariot on that occahim who is supposed to inflict them. It is a sion. The mother was so transported with strong argument for a state of retribution here- this instance of filial duty, that she petitioned after. that in this world virtuous persons are her goddess to bestow upon them the greatest very often unfortunate, and vicious persons gift that could be given to men; upon which prosperous; which is wholly repugnant to the they were both cast into a deep sleep, and the nature of a Being who appears infinitely wise next morning found dead in the temple. This and good in all his works, unless we may sup- was such an event, as would have been conpose that such a promiscuous and undistin- strued into a judgment, had it happened to the guished distribuiion of good and evil, which two brothers after an act of disobedience, and was necessary for carrying on the designs of would doubtless have been represented as such Providence in this life, will be rectified, and by any ancient historian who had given us an made amends for, in another. We are not account of it. therefore to expect that fire should fall from heaven in the ordinary course of Providence ; nor, when we see triumphant guilt or depres- No. 484.] Monday, September 15, 1712. sed virtue in particular persons, that Omnipotence will make bare his holy arm in the defence of one, or punishment of the other. It is sufficient that there is a day set apart for the hearing and requiting of both, according to their respective merits. Neque cuiquam tam statim clarum ingenium est, uf possit emergere; nisi illi materia, occasio, fautor etiam, Plin. Epist. commendatorque contingat. trious instantaneously, unless it fortunately meets with Nor has any one so bright a genius as to become illusoccasion and employment, with patronage too, and com mendation. 'MR. SPECTATOR, The folly of ascribing temporal judgments to any particular crimes, may appear from several considerations. I shall only mention two: First, that, generally speaking, there is Of all the young fellows who are in their no calamity or affliction, which is supposed to progress through any profession, none seem have happened as a judgment to a vicious man, to have so good a title to the protection of the which does not sometimes happen to men of men of eminence in it as the modest man; not approved religion and virtue. When Diagoras so much because his modesty is a certain indithe atheist was on board one of the Athenian cation of his merit, as because it is a certain ships, there arose a very violent tempest: upon obstacle to the producing of it. Now, as of all which the mariners told him, that it was a just professions this virtue is thought to be more judgment upon them for having taken so im- particularly unnecessary in that of the law pious a man on board. Diagoras begged them to look upon the rest of the ships that were in the same distress, and asked them whether or no Diagoras was on board every vessel in the than in any other, I shall only apply myself to the relief of such who follow this profession with this disadvantage. What aggravates the matter is, that those persons who, the better to -In the modesty of fearful duty I read as much as from the rattling tongue prepare themselves for this study, have made desty otherwise would have suppressed it. It some progress in others, have, by addicting may seem very marvellous to a saucy modern, themselves to letters, increased their natural that multum sanguinis, multum verecundia, modesty, and consequently heightened the ob- mutum sollicitudinis in ore," to have the face struction to this sort of preferment; so that first full of blood, then the countenance every one of these may emphatically be said dashed with modesty, and then the whole asto be such a one as "laboureth and taketh pect as of one dying with fear, when a man pains, and is still the more behind." It may begins to speak," should be esteemed by Pliny be a matter worth discussing, then, why that the necessary qualifications of a fine speaker. which made a youth so amiable to the ancients, Shakespeare also has expressed himself in the should make him appear so ridiculous to the same favourable strain of modesty, when he moderns? and why, in our days, there should says, be neglect, and even oppression of young beginners instead of that protection which was the pride of theirs? In the profession spoken of, it is obvious to every one whose attendance is required at Westminster-hall, with what diffi- 'Now, since these authors have professed culty a youth of any modesty has been per- themselves for the modest man, even in the utmitted to make an observation, that could in most confusions of speech and countenance, no wise detract from the merit of his elders, why should an intrepid utterance and a reseand is absolutely necessary for the advancing lute vociferation thunder so successfully in I have often seen one of these not our courts of justice? And why should that only molested in his utterance of something confidence of speech and behaviour, which very pertinent, but even plundered of his ques- seems to acknowledge no superior, and to defy tion, and by a strong sergeant shouldered out all contradiction, prevail over that deference of his rank, which he has recovered with much and resignation with which the modest man difficulty and confusion. Now, as great part implores that favourable opinion which the of the business of this profession might be de- other seems to command? spatched by one that perhaps his own. -Abest virtute diserti, wants Messala's powerful eloquence, And is less read than deep Causelius: Roscommon. 'As the case at present stands, the best consolation that I can administer to those who cannot get into that stroke of business (as the phrase is) which they deserve, is to reckon every particular acquisition of knowledge in this study as a real increase of their fortune; and fully to believe, that one day this imaginary gain will certainly be made out by one more substantial. I wish you would talk to us a lit tle on this head; you would oblige, Sir, Your humble servant,' so I cannot conceive the injustice done to the public, if the men of reputation in this calling would introduce such of the young ones into business, whose application in this study will let them into the secrets of it, as much as their The author of this letter is certainly a man modesty will hinder them from the practice: of good sense; but I am perhaps particular in I say, it would be laying an everlasting obliga- my opinion on this occasion: for I have obtion upon a young man, to be introduced at served that, under the notion of modesty, men first only as a mute, till by this countenance, have indulged themselves in spiritless sheepand a resolution to support the good opinion ishness, and been for ever lost to themselves, conceived of him in his betters, his complex-their families, their friends, and their country. ion shall be so well settled, that the litigious of When a man has taken care to pretend to nothis island may be secure of this obstreperous thing but what he may justly aim at, and can aid. If I might be indulged to speak in the execute as well as any other, without injustice. style of a lawyer, I would say, that any one to any other, it is ever want of breeding or about thirty years of age might make a common motion to the court with as much elegance and propriety as the most aged advocates in the hall. courage to be brow-beaten or elbowed oat of his honest ambition. I have said often, modesty must be an act of the will, and yet it always implies self-denial; for, if a man has an ar'I cannot advance the merit of modesty by dent desire to do what is laudable for him to any argument of my own so powerfully as by perform, and, from an unmannerly bashfulinquiring into the sentiments the greatest ness, shrinks away, and lets his merit languish among the ancients of different ages entertain-in silence, he ought not to be angry a the ed upon this virtue. If we go back to the days world that a more unskilful actor succeeds in of Solomon, we shall find favour a necessary his part, because he has not confidence to consequence to a shame-faced man. Pliny the come upon the stage himself. The generosity greatest lawyer and most elegant writer of my correspondent mentions of Pliny cannot the age, he lived in, in several of his epistles is be enough applauded. To cherish the cawn very solicitous in recommending to the pub-of merit, and hasten its maturity, was a vork lic some young men, of his own profession, worthy a noble Roman and a liberal scholar. and very often undertakes to become an advo- That concern which is described in the letcate, upon condition that some one of these ter, is to all the world the greatest charm imahis favourites might be joined with him, in or-ginable; but then the modest man must proder to produce the merit of such, whose mo- ceed, and show a latent resolution in himself; for the admiration of modesty arises from the that as the man of sagacity bestirs himself to manifestation of his merit. I must confess distress his enemy by methods probable and we live in an age wherein a few empty blus-reducible to reason, so the same reason will terers carry away the praise of speaking, fortify his enemy to elude these his regular while a crowd of fellows over-stocked with efforts; but your fool projects, acts, and conknowledge are run down by them: I say, cludes, with such notable inconsistency, that over-stocked, because they certainly are so, no regular course of thought can evade or as to their service of mankind. if from their counterplot his prodigious machinations. My very store they raise to themselves ideas of frontispiece, I believe, may be extended to respect, and greatness of the occasion, and imply, that several of our misfortunes arise I know not what, to disable themselves from from things, as well as persons, that seem of explaining their thoughts. I must confess, very little consequence. Into what tragical when I have seen Charles Frankair rise up extravagancies does Shakspeare hurry Othelwith a commanding mein, and torrent of lo, upon the loss of a handkerchief only! handsome words, talk a mile off the purpose, And what barbarities does Desdemona suffer, and drive down twenty bashful boobies of ten from a slight inadvertency in regard to this times his sense, who at the same time were fatal trifle! If the schemes of all enterprising envying his impudence, and despising his un-spirits were to be carefully examined, some derstanding, it has been matter of great mirth intervening accident, not considerable enough to me; but it soon ended in a secret lamenta- to occasion any debate upon, or give them any tion, that the fountains of every thing praise- apprehension of ill consequence from it, will worthy in these realms, the universities, should be found to be the occasion of their ill success, be so muddled with a false sense of this vir- rather than any error in points of moment tue as to produce men capable of being so and difficulty, which naturally engaged their abused. I will be bold to say, that it is a ri- maturest daliberations. If you go to the levee diculous education which does not qualify a of any great man, you will observe him exman to make his best appearance before the ceeding gracious to several very insignificant greatest man, and the finest woman, to fellows; and upon this maxim, that the negwhom he can address himself. Were this lect of any person must arise from the mean judiciously corrected in the nurseries of opinion you have of his capacity to do you learning, pert coxcombs would know their dis- any service or prejudice; and that this calling tance but we must bear with this false mo-his sufficiency in question must give him indesty in our young nobility and gentry, till they cease at Oxford and Cambridge to grow dumb in the study of eloquence. T. 'MR. SPECTATOR, clination, and where this is there never wants strength, or opportunity, to annoy you. There is nobody so weak of invention that cannot aggravate, or make some little stories to vilify his enemy; there are very few but have good inclinations to hear them; and it is infinite pleasure to the majority of mankind to level a person superior to his neighbours. Besides, in all matter of controversy, that party which has the greatest abilities labours under this prejudice, that he will certainly be supposed, upon account of his abilities, to have done an injury, when perhaps he has received one. It would be tedious to enumerate the strokes that nations and particular friends have suffered from persons very contemptible. My Lord Clarendon has observed, that few men have done more harm than those who have been thought to be able to do least; and there cannot be a greater error, than to believe a man, whom we see qualified with too mean parts to do good, to be therefore inca- 'I think Henry IV. of France, so formidapable of doing hurt. There is a supply of ble to his neighbours, could no more be semalice, of pride, of industry, and even of cured against the resolute villainy of Ravillac, folly, in the weakest, when he sets his heart than Villiers duke of Buckingham could be upo it, that makes a strange progress in against that of Felton. And there is no inmischief. What may seem to the reader the censed person so destitute, but can provide grea est paradox in the reflection of the his-himself with a knife or a pistol, if he finds toria is, I suppose, that folly, which is ge-stomach to apply them. That things and perneraly thought incapable of contriving or sons of no moment should give such powerful executing any design, should be so formidable revolutions to the progress of those of the to those whom it exerts itself to molest. But greatest, seems a providential disposition to this will appear very plain, if we remember baffle and abate the pride of human sufficithat Solomon says. "It is a sport to a fool to ency; as also to engage the humanity and do mischief;" and that he might the more benevolence of superiors to all below them, empratically express the calamitous circum-by letting them into this secret, that the stronstances of him who falls under the displeasure ger depends upon the weaker. of this wanton person, the same author adds further, that "A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty, but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both." It is impossible to suppress my own illustration upon this matter, which is, 'I am, Sir, "Your very humble servant.' " DEAR SIR, Temple, Paper-buildings. I received a letter from you some time ago, L No. 486.] C. I am, Sir, 'Your most humble servant.' N. B. He who writ this is a black man, two pair of stairs; the gentleman of whom he writes is fair and one pair of stairs. which I should have answered sooner, had favour of the handsome black man against you informed me in yours to what part of this the handsome fair one. island I might have directed my impertinence; but, having been let into the knowledge of that matter, this handsome excuse is no lonMy neighbour Pretty man ger serviceable. shall be the subject of this letter; who, falling in with the Spectator's doctrine concerning the month of May, began from that season to dedicate himself to the service of the fair, in I observed at the bethe following manner. ginning of the month he bought him a new night-gown, either side to be worn outwards, both equally gorgeous and attractive; but till the end of the month I did not enter so to me. amour. say " MR. SPECTATOR, 'I only say, that it is impossible for me to how much I am Yours, 'ROBIN SHORTER.' ADVERTISEMENT. London, September 15. Whereas a young woman on horseback, ín an equestrian habit, on the 13th instant in the 'P. S. I shall think it is a little hard, if you fully into the knowledge of his contrivance as do not take as much notice of this epistle as the use of that garment has since suggested you have of the ingenious Mr. Short's. I am Now you must know, that all new not of letting the world see which is the deepclothes raise and warm the wearer's imagina- er man of the two.' tion into a conceit of his being a much finer gentleman than he was before, banishing all sobriety and reflection, and giving him up to Inflamed therefore gallantry and with this way of thinking, and full of the spi- evening, met the Spectator within a mile and rit of the month of May, did this merciless a half of this town, and, flying in the face youth resolve upon the business of captivat- of justice, pulled off her hat, in which there ing. At first he confined himself to his room, only now and then appearing at his was a feather, with the mein and air of a young officer, saying at the same time, 'Your window, in his night-gown, and practising servant, Mr. Spec,' or words to that purpose: that easy posture which expresses the very this is to give notice, thai if any person can top and dignity of languishment. It was plea-discover the name and place of abode of the sant to see him diversify his loveliness, some- said offender, so as she can be brought to justimes obliging the passengers only with a side-tice, the informer shall have all fitting_enface, with a book in his hand; sometimes being so generous as to expose the whole in the fulness of its beauty; at other times, by a judicious throwing back his periwig, he would No You know he is that sort throw in his ears. of person which the mob call a handsome jolly man; which appearance cannot miss of Being emcaptives in this part of the town. boldened by daily success, he leaves his room with a resolution to extend his conquests; and I have apprehended him in his nightgown smiting in all parts of this neighbourhood. couragement. T. 486.] Wednesday, September 17, 1712. IMITATED. All you who think the city ne'er can thrive MR. SPECTATOR, 'THERE are very many of my acquaintance This I, being of an amorous complexion, followers of Socrates, with more particular saw with indignation, and had thoughts of regard to that part of his philosophy which purchasing a wig in these parts; into which, we among ourselves call his domestics; under being at a greater distance from the earth, which denomination, or title, we include all might have thrown a very liberal mixture of the conjugal joys and sufferings. We have white horse-hair, which would make a fairer, indeed, with very great pleasure, observed the and consequently a handsomer, appearance, honour you do the whole fraternity of the henwhile my situation would secure me against pecked in placing that illustrious man at our any discoveries. But the passion of the hand- head, and it does in a very great measure bafsome gentleman seems to be so fixed to that fle the railery of pert rogues, who have no adpart of the building, that it must be extreme-vantage above us, but in that they are single. ly difficult to divert it to mine; so that I am But, when you look about into the crowd of resolved to stand boldly to the complexion of mankind, you will find the fair-sex reigns with my own eyebrow, and prepare me an im- greater tyranny over lovers than husbands. mense black wig of the same sort of structure You shall hardly meet one in a thousand who with that of my rival. Now, though by this is wholly exempt from their dominion, and I shall not, perhaps, lessen the number of those that are so are capable of no taste of life, the admirers of his complexion, I shall have and breathe and walk about the earth as inBut I am going to desire your a fair chance to divide the passengers by the significants. further favour of our harmless brotherhood, irresistible force of mine, 'I expect sudden despatches from you, with and hope you will show in a true light the unadvice of the family you are in now, how to married hen-pecked, as well as you have done deport myself upon this so delicate a conjunc-justice to us, who submit to the conduct of our ture; with some comfortable resolutions in wives. I am very particularly acquainted with VOL. II. 29 one who is under entire submission to a kind nution of the wealth and happiness of their girl, as he calls her; and though he knows 1 families, in bar of those honourably near to have been witness both to the ill usage he has them, have left immense wealth to their parareceived from her, and his inability to resist mours. What is this but being a cully in the her tyranny, he still pretends to make a jest grave! Sure this is being hen-pecked with a of me for a little more than ordinary obsequi- vengeance! But, without dwelling upon these ousness to my spouse. No longer than Tues-less frequent instances of eminent cullyism, day last he took me with him to visit his mis- what is there so common as to hear a fellow tress; and having, it seems, been a little in curse his fate that he cannot get rid of a pasdisgrace before, thought by bringing me with sion to a jilt, and quote a half line out of a mishim she would constrain herself, and insensi-cellany poem to prove his weakness is natural? bly fall into general discourse with him; and If they will go on thus, I have nothing to say so he might break the ice, and save himself to it; but then let them not pretend to be free all the ordinary compunctions and mortifica-all this while, and laugh at us poor married pations she used to make him suffer before she tients. would be reconciled, after any act of rebellion 'I have known one wench in this town carry on his part. When we came into the room, a haughty dominion over her lovers so well, we were received with the utmost coldness; that she has at the same time been kept by a and when he presented me as Mr. Such-a-one, sea-captain in the Straits, a merchant in the his very good friend, she just had patience city, a country gentleman in Hampshire, and to suffer my salutation; but when he himself, had all her correspondences managed by one with a very gay air, offered to follow me, she whom she kept for her own uses. This happy gave him a thundering box on the ear, called man (as the phrase is) used to write very punchim a pitiful poor spirited wretch-how durst tually, every post letters for the mistress to he see her face? His wig and hat fell on dif- transcribe. He would sit in his night-gown and ferent parts of the floor. She seized the wig slippers, and be as grave giving an account, too soon for him to recover it, and, kicking it only changing names, that there was nothing down stairs, threw herself into an opposite in those idle reports they had heard of such a room, pulling the door after her by force, that scoundrel as one of the other lovers was; and you would have thought the hinges would have how could he think she could condescend so given way. We went down you must think, with low, after such a fine gentleman as each of no very good countenances; and, as we were them? For the same epistle said the same driving home together, he confessed to me, thing to, and of, every one of them. And so that her anger was thus highly raised, because Mr. Secretary and his lady went to bed with he did not think fit to fight a gentleman who great order. had said she was what she was: "but," says he, 'To be short, Mr. Spectator, we husbands "a kind letter or two, or fifty pieces, will put shall never make the figure we ought in the her in humour again." I asked him why he imaginations of young men growing up in the did not part with her: he answered, he loved world, except you can bring it about that a her with all the tenderness imaginable, and man of the town shall be as infamous a chashe had too many charms to be abandoned for racter as a woman of the town. But, of all a little quickness of spirit. Thus does this il- that I have met with in my time, commend me legitimate hen-pecked overlook the hussy's to Betty Duall: she is the wife of a sailor, and having no regard to his very life and fame, the kept mistress of a man of quality; she in putting him upon an infamous dispute about dwells with the latter during the seafaring of her reputation: yet has he the confidence to the former. The husband asks no questions, laugh at me, because I obey my poor dear in sees his apartments furnished with riches not keeping out of harm's way, and not staying his, when he comes into port, and the lover is too late from my own family, to pass through as joyful as a man arrived at his haven, when the hazards of a town full of ranters and de- the other puts to sea. Betty is the most emibauchees. You that are a philosopher, should nently victorious of any of her sex, and ought urge in our behalf, that, when we bear with a to stand recorded the only woman of the age froward woman, our patience is preserved, in in which she lives, who has possessed at the consideration that a breach with her might be same time two abused, and two contented-' a dishonour to children who are descended T. from us, and whose concern makes us tolerate a thousand frailties, for fear they should redound dishonour upon the innocent. This and No 487.] Thursday, September 18, 1712. the like circumstances, which carry with them the most valuable regards of human life, may be mentioned for our long suffering; but in the case of gallants, they swallow ill usage from one to whom they have no obligation, but from a base passion, which it is mean to indulge, and which it would be glorious to Cúm prostrata sopore While sleep oppresses the tir'd limbs, the mind Plays without weight, and wantons unconfin'd. THOUGH there are many authors who have written on dreams, they have generally considered them only as revelations of what has These sort of fellows are very numerous, already happened in distant parts of the world, and some have been conspicuously such, with- or as presages of what is to happen in future out shame; nay, they have carried on the jest periods of time. overcome. in the very article of death, and, to the dimi- I shall consider this subject in another light, |