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Among other omissions of which I have been | other winds periodically shifting between the also guilty, with relation to men of industry tropics, be visibly expressed.

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nation, and that the charge of carrying it on is very expensive, it is desired that all gentlemen who are willing to promote so great a work will be pleased to subscribe on the following conditions.

of a superior order, I must acknowledge my Now, in regard that this undertaking is silence towards a proposal frequently enclosed of so universal use, as the advancement of the to me by Mr. Renatus Harris, organ-builder. most necessary parts of the mathematics, as The ambition of this artificer is to erect an well as tending to the honour of the British organ in St. Paul's cathedral, over the west door, at the entrance into the body of the church, which in art and magnificence shall transcend any work of that kind ever before invented. The proposal in perspicuous language sets forth the honour and advantage '1. The undertakers engage to furnish each such a performance would be to the British subscriber with a celestial and terrestrial globe, name, as well as that it would apply the each of thirty inches diameter, in all respects power of sounds in a manner more amazingly curiously adorned, the stars gilded, the capital forcible than, perhaps, has yet been known, cities plainly distinguished, the frames, meriand I am sure to an end much more worthy. dians, horizons, hour circles, and indexes, so Had the vast sums which have been laid exactly finished up, and accurately divided, out upon operas, without skill or conduct, that a pair of these globes will appear, in and to no other purpose but to suspend or the judgment of any disinterested and invitiate our understandings, been disposed this telligent person, worth fifteen pounds more way, we should now perhaps have an en- than will be demanded for them by the ungine so formed as to strike the minds of half dertakers. the people at once in a place of worship, with a forgetfulness of present care and calamity, and a hope of endless rapture, joy, and hallelujah hereafter.

2. Whosoever will be pleased to subscribe, and pay twenty-five pounds in the manner following for a pair of these globes, either for their own use, or to present them to When I am doing this justice, I am not to any college in the universities, or any pubforget the best mechanic of my acquaintance, lic library or schools, shall have his coat that useful servant to science and knowledge, of arms, name, title, seat, or place of resiMr. John Rowley; but I think I lay a great dence, &c. inserted in some convenient place obligation on the public, by acquainting them of the globe. with his proposals for a pair of new globes. After his preamble he promises in the said proposals that,

IN THE CELESTIAL GLOBE,

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3. That every subscriber do at first pay down the sum of ten pounds, and fifteen pounds more upon the delivery of each pair of globes perfectly fitted up. And that the said globes be delivered within twelve months after the number of thirty subscribers be completed; and that the subscribers be served with globes in the order in which they subscribed.

Care shall be taken that the fixed stars be placed according to their true longitude and latitude, from the many and correct observations of Hevelius, Cassini, Mr. Flamstead, reg. astronomer; Dr. Halley, Savilina professor of 3. That a pair of these globes shall not geometry in Oxon; and from whatever else hereafter be sold to any person but the subcan be procured to render the globe more ex-scribers under thirty pounds. act, instructive and useful. '5. That, if there be not thirty subscribers 'That all the constellations be drawn in a within four months after the first of Decemcurious, new, and particular manner; each ber, 1712, the money paid shall be returned star in so just, distinct, and conspicuous a pro- on demand, by Mr. John Warner, goldsmith, portion, that its magnitude may be readily near Temple-bar, who shall receive and pay known by bare inspection, according to the the same according to the above-mentioned different light and sizes of the stars. That the articles.'

track or way of such comets as have been well

observed, but not hitherto expressed in a globe, No. 553.] Thursday, December 4, 1712. be carefully delineated in this.

IN THE TERRESTRIAL GLOBE,

Nec lusisse pudet, sed non incidere ludum.
Hor. Ep. xiv. Lib. 1. 36.
Once to be wild is no such foul disgrace,
But 'tis so still to run the frantic race. Creech.

THE

"That by reason the descriptions formerly made, both in the English and Dutch great globe, are erroneous, Asia, Africa, and Ame- project which I published on Monday rica, be drawn in a manner wholly new; by last has brought me in several packets of which means it is to be noted that the un-letters. Among the rest, I have received one dertakers will be obliged to alter the latitude from a certain projector, wherein, after havof some places in ten degress, the longi-ing represented, that in all probability the tude of others in twenty degrees; besides solemnity of opening my mouth will draw which great and necessary alterations, there together a great confluence of beholders, he be many remarkable countries, cities, towns, proposes to me the hiring of Stationer's-ball rivers, and lakes, omitted in other globes, for the more convenient exhibiting of that inserted here according to the best discoveries public ceremony. He undertakes to be at made by our late navigators. Lastly, that the the charge of it himself provided he may course of the trade-winds, the monsoons, and have the erecting of galleries on every side,

and the letting of them out upon that occa-gy for the publication of the ensuing letter, sion. I have a letter also from a bookseller, in which I have suppressed no part of those petitioning me in a very humble manner, praises that are given my speculations with too that he may have the printing of the speech lavish and good-natured a hand; though my which I shall make to the assembly upon correspondents can witness for me, that at the first opening of my mouth. I am in- other times I have generally blotted out those formed from all parts that there are great parts in the letters which I have received from canvassings in the several clubs about town, them. 0. upon the choosing of a proper person to sit with me on those arduous affairs to which

MR. SPECTATOR, Oxford, Nov. 25. I have summoned them. Three clubs have In spite of your invincible silence you already proceeded to election, whereof one have found out the method of being the most has made a double retura. If I find that agreeable companion in the world: that kind my enemies shall take advantage of my si-of conversation which you hold with the lence to begin hostilities upon me, or if any town, has the good fortune of being always other exigency of affairs may so require, pleasing to the men of taste and leisure, since I see elections in so great forwardness, and never offensive to those of hurry and we may possibly meet before the day ap- business. You are never heard but at what pointed; or, if matters go on to my satisfac- Horace calls dextro tempore, and have the tion, I may perhaps put off the meeting to a further day; but of this public notice shall be given.

happiness to observe the politic rule, which the same discerning author gave his friend when he enjoined him to deliver his book to Augustus:

"Si viladus si lotus erit, si denique poscet."
Ep. xiii, Lib. 1. 3.
When vexing cares are fled,
When well, when merry, when he asks to read."
Creech.

44

In the mean time, I must confess that I am not a little gratified and obliged by that concern which appears in this great city upon my present design of laying down this paper. It is likewise with much satisfaction, that I find some of the most outlying parts of the kingdom alarmed upon this occasion, having received letters to expostulate with me about it from several of my readers of You never begin to talk but when people are the remotest boroughs of Great Britain.-desirous to hear you; and I defy any one to be Among these I am very well pleased with a out of humour until you leave off. But I am letter dated from Berwick-upon-Tweed, where-led unawares into reflections foreign to the in my correspondent compares the office. original design of this epistle; which was to which I have for some time executed in these let you know, that some unfeigned admirers of realms, to the weeding of a great garden; your inimitable papers, who could without any 'which,' says he, it is not sufficient to weed flattery, greet you with the salutation used to once for all, and afterwards to give over, the eastern monarchs, vis. “ O Spec, live for but that the work must be continued daily, ever," have lately been under the same appreor the same spots of ground which are cleared hersions with Mr. Philo-Spec; that the haste for a while will in a little time be overrun you have made to despatch your best friends, as much as ever. Another gentleman lays portends no long duration to your own short before me several enormities that are alrea- visage. We could not, indeed, find any just dy sprouting, and which he believes will dis-grounds for complaint in the method you took cover themselves in their growth, immediately to dissolve that venerable body: no, the world after my disappearance. There is no doubt,' was not worthy of your Divine. Will Honeysays he, but the ladies' heads will shoot comb could not, with any reputation, live sinup as soon as they know they are no longer gle any longer. It was high time for the under the Spectator's eye; and I have al- Templar to turn himself to Coke; and Sir ready seen such monstrous broad-brimmed Roger's dying was the wisest thing he ever did hats under the arms of foreigners, that I in his life. It was, however, matter of great question not but they will overshadow the grief to us, to think that we were in danger of the island within a month or two after the losing so elegant and valuable an entertainment. dropping of your paper.' But, among all And we could not, without sorrow, reflect that the letters which are come to my hands, we were likely to have nothing to interrupt our there is none so handsomely written as the sips in the morning, and to suspend our coffee following one, which I am the more pleased in mid air, between our lips and right ear, but with as it is sent me from gentlemen who the ordinary trash of newspapers. We resolved, belong to a body which I shall always ho- therefore, not to part with you so. But since, nour, and where (I cannot speak it without to make use of your own allusion, the chera secret pride) my speculations have met ries began now to crowd the market, and with a very kind reception. It is usual for their season was almost over, we consulted poets, upon the publishing of their works, to our future enjoyments, and endeavoured to print before them such copies of verses as make the exquisite pleasure that delicious have been made in their praise. Not that fruit gave our taste as lasting as we could, you must imagine they are pleased with and by drying them protract their stay betheir own commendation, but because the yond its natural date. We own that thus elegant compositions of their friends should they have not a flavour equal to that of their not be lost. I must make the same apolo-juicy bloom; but yet, under this disadvantage, VOL. II.

40

they pique the palate, and become a salverman, by an extraordinary force of nature, better than any other fruit at its first appear-compass of thought, and indefatigable study, ance. To speak plain, there are a number of had amassed to himself such stores of knowus who have begun your works afresh, and ledge as we cannot look upon without amaze. meet two nights in the week in order to give ment. His capacity seemed to have grasped you a re-hearing. We never come together all that was revealed in books before his time; without drinking your health, and as seldom and, not satisfied with that, he began to strike part without general expressions of thanks to out new tracks of science, too many to be trayou for our night's improvement. This we velled over by any one man in the compass conceive to be a more useful institution than of the longest life. These therefore he could any other club whatever, not excepting even only mark down, like imperfect coastings on that of Ugly Faces. We have one manifest maps, or supposed points of land to be further advantage over that renowned society, with discovered and ascertained by the industry of respect to Mr. Spectator's company. For after ages, who should proceed upon his nothough they may brag that you sometimes tices or conjectures.

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make your personal appearance amongst The excellent Mr. Boyle was the person them, it is impossible they should ever get a who seems to have been designed by nature word from you, whereas you are with us the to succeed to the labours and inquiries of reverse of what Phædria would have his mis- that extraordinary genius I have just mentress be in his rival's company, present in tioned. By innumerable experiments, he in your absence." We make you talk as much a great measure filled up those plans and and as long as we please; and, let me tell you, outlines of science which his predecessor had you seldom hold your tongue for the whole sketched out. His life was spent in the evening. I promise myself you will look with pursuit of nature through a great variety of an eye of favour upon a meeting which owes forms and changes, and in the most rational it original to a mutual emulation among its as well as devout adoration of its divine Aumembers, who shall show the most profound thor. respect for your paper; not but we have a It would be impossible to name many pervery great value for your person: and I dare sons who have extended their capacities as far say you can no where find four more sincere as these two, in the studies they pursued ; but admirers, and humble servants, than my learned readers on this occasion will naturally turn their thoughts to a third,* who is yet living, and is likewise the glory of our own nation. The improvements which others had made in natural and mathematical knowledge have so vastly increased in his hands, as to afford at once a wonderful instance how great the capacity is of a human soul, and inexhaustible the subject of its inquiries; so true is that remark in holy writ, that "though a wise man seek to find out the works of God from the beginning to the end, yet shall he not be able to do it."

No. 554.]

'T. F. G. S. J. T. E. T.

Friday, December 5, 1712.
-Tentanda via est, quâ me quoque possim
Tollere humo, victorque virum volitare per ora.
Virg. Georg. iii. 9.

New ways I must attempt, my grovelling name
To raise aloft, and wing my flight to fame.-Dryden.

I AM obliged for the following essay, as well as for that which lays down rules out of Tully for pronunciation and action, to the ingenious author of a poem just published, entitled, An Ode to the Creator of the World, occasioned by the Fragments of Orpheus.

I cannot help mentioning here one character more of a different kind indeed from these, yet such an one as may serve to show the wonderful force of nature and of applicaIt is a remark, made, as I remember, by a tion, and is the most singular instance of an celebrated French author, that no man ever universal genius I have ever met with. The pushed his capacity as far as it was able to ex-person I mean is Leonardo da Vinci, an Itatend. I shall not inquire whether this asser-lian painter, descended from a noble family in tion be strictly true. It may suffice to say, Tuscany, about the beginning of the sixteentht that men of the greatest application and ac- century. In his profession of history-painting quirements can look back'upon many vacant he was so great a master, that some have afspaces, and neglected parts of time, which firmed he excelled all who went before him. have slipped away from them unemployed; It is certain that he raised the envy of Michael and there is hardly any one considering per- Angelo, who was his contemporary, and that son in the world but is apt to fancy with him- from the study of his works Raphael himself self, at some time or other, that if his life learned his best manner of designing. He were to begin again he could fill it up better. was a master too in sculpture and architecThe mind is most provoked to cast on it-ture, and skilful in anatomy, mathematics, self this ingenuous reproach, when the ex-and mechanics. The aqueduct from the river amples of such men are presented to it as Adda to Milan is mentioned as a work of his have far outshot the generality of their spe- contrivance. He had learned several lancies in learning, arts, or any valuable im-guages, and was acquuinted with the studies provements. of history, philosophy, poetry, and music. 'One of the most extensive and improved Though it is not necessary to my present geniuses we have had any instance of in our own nation, or in any other, was that of Sir Francis Bacon, lord Verulam This great

Sir Isaac Newton.

He was born in 1445, and died in 1520.

purpose, I cannot but take notice, that all passion which the mind of man has for glory; who have writ of him mention likewise his which, though it may be faulty in the excess perfection of body. The instances of his of it, ought by no means to be discouraged. strength are almost incredible. He is des- Perhaps some moralists are too severe in beatcribed to have been of a well-formed person, ing down this principle, which seems to be a and a master of all genteel exercises. And spring implanted by nature to give motion to lastly, we are told that his moral qualities all the latent powers of the soul, and is always were agreeable to his natural and intellectual observed to exert itself with the greatest force endowments, and that he was of an honest in the most generous dispositions. The men and generous mind adorned with great sweet-whose characters have shown the brightest ness of manners. I might break off the ac-among the ancient Romans, appear to have count of him here, but I imagine it will be been strongly animated by this passion. Cicero, an entertainment to the curiosity of my rea-whose learning and services to his country are ders, to find so remarkable a character dis-so well known, was inflamed by it to an extratinguished by as remarkable a circumstance vagant degree, and warmly presses Lucceius, at his death. The fame of his works having who was composing a history of those times, to gained him an universal esteem, he was in- be very particular and zealous in relating the vited to the court of France, where, after story of his consulship; and to execute it speesome time, he fell sick; and Francis the First dily, that he might have the pleasure of enjoy. coming to see him, he raised himself in his ing in his life-time some part of the honour bed to acknowledge the honour which was which he foresaw would be paid to his memory. done him by that visit. The king embraced This was the ambition of a great mind; but he him, and Leonardo, fainting in the same mo- is faulty in the degree of it, and cannot refrain ment, expired in the arms of that great mo- from soliciting the historian upon this occasion narch. to neglect the strict laws of history, and, in

'It is impossible to attend to such instances praising him, even to exceed the bounds of as these without being raised into a contem-truth. The younger Pliny appears to have had plation on the wonderful nature of an human the same passion for fame, but accompanied mind, which is capable of such progressions with greater chastness and modesty. His inin knowledge, and can contain such a variety genious manner of owning it to a friend, who of ideas without perplexity or confusion. How had prompted him to undertake some great reasonable is it from hence to infer its divine work, is exquisitely beautiful, and raises him original! And whilst we find unthinking mat-to a certain grandeur above the imputation of ter endued with a natural power to last for vanity. "I must confess," says he, "that noever, unless annihilated by Omnipotence, thing employs my thoughts more than the how absurd would it be to imagine that a desire I have of perpetuating my name; which being so much superior to it should not have in my opinion is a design worthy of a man, at the same privilege! least of such an one, who, being conscious of At the same time it is very surprising, no guilt, is not afraid to be remembered by when we remove our thoughts from such in-posterity." stances as I have mentioned, to consider 'I think I ought not to conclude without those we so frequently meet with in the ac-interesting all my readers in the subject of this counts of barbarous nations among the Indi-discourse: I shall therefore lay it down as a ans; where we find numbers of people who maxim, that though all are not capable of scarce show the first glimmerings of reason, shining in learning or the politer arts, yet eveand seem to have few ideas above those of ry one is capable of excelling in something. sense and appetite. These, methinks, ap- The soul has in this respect a certain vegetapear like large wilds, or vast uncultivated tive power which cannot lie wholly idle. If it tracts of human nature; and, when we com- is not laid out and cultivated into a regular pare them with men of the most exalted cha- and beautiful garden, it will of itself shoot up in racters in arts and learning, we find it dif-weeds or flowers of a wilder growth.' ficult to believe that they are creatures of

the same species

Respue quod non es

Pers. Sat. iv. 51.

'Some are of opinion that the souls of No. 555.] Saturday, December 6, 1712. men are all naturally equal, and that the great disparity, we so often observe, arises from the different organization or structure Lay the fictitious character aside. of the bodies to which they are united. But, ALL the members of the imaginary society, whatever constitutes this first disparity, the next great difference which we find between which were described in my first pepers, hamen in their several acquirements is owing to ving disappeared one after another, it is high accidental differences in their education, for-time for the Spectator himself to go off the tunes, or course of life. The soul is a kind stage. But now I am to take my leave, I am of rough diamond, which requires art, labour, under much greater anxiety than I have and time to polish it. For want of which known for the work of any day since I undermany a good-natural genius is lost, or lies took this province. It is much more difficult unfashioned, like a jewel in the mine. to converse with the world in a real than a per

'One of the strongest incitements to excel sonated character. That might pass for huin such arts and accomplishments as are in mour in the Spectator, which would look like the highest esteem among men, is the natural arrogance in a writer who sets his name to his

He

my right.

work. The fictitious person might condemn ness of having acquired a praise which is not those who disapproved him, and extol his own performances without giving offence. The other assistances which I have had, might assume a mock authority, without be- have been conveyed by letter, sometimes by ing looked upon as vain and conceited The whole papers, and other times by short hints praises or censures of himself fall only upon from unknown hands. I have not been able the creature of his imagination; and, if any to trace favours of this kind with any certainty, one finds fault with him, the author may re-but to the following names, which I place in ply with the philosopher of old, 'Thou dost the order wherein I received the obligation, but beat the case of Anaxarchus.' When I though the first I am going to name can hardspeak in my own private sentiments, I can-ly be mentioned in a list wherein he would not not but address myself to my readers in a deserve the precedence. The persons to whom more submissive manner, and with a just I am to make these acknowledgments are, gratitude for the kind reception which they Mr. Henry Martyn, Mr. Pope, Mr Hughes, have given to these daily papers, which have Mr. Carey of New-college in Oxford, Mr. been published for almost the space of two Tickell of Queen's in the same university, Mr. years last past. Parnelle, and Mr. Eusden, of Trinity in CamI hope the apology I have made, as to the bridge. Thus, to speak in the language of my license allowable to a feigned character, may late friend, Sir Andrew Freeport, I have ba excuse any thing which has been said in these lanced my accounts with all my creditors for discourses of the Spectator and his works; wit and learning. But as these excellent perbut the imputation of the grossest vanity would formances would not have seen the light withstill dwell upon me, if I did not give some out the means of this paper, I may still aroaccount by what means I was enabled to keep gate to myself the merit of their being comup the spirit of so long and approved a per- municated to the public.

formance. All the papers marked with a C,| I have nothing more to add, but, having an L, an I, or an O, that is to say, all the swelled this work to five hundred and fiftypapers which I have distinguished by any let-five papers. they will be disposed into seven ter in the name of the muse Clio, were given volumes, four of which are already published, me by the gentleman of whose assistance and the three others in the press. It will not formerly boasted in the preface and conclud- be demanded of me why I now leave off, ing leaf of my Tatlers. I am indeed much though I must own myself obliged to give an more proud of his long continued friendship, account to the town of my time hereafter; than I should be of the fame of being thought since I retire when their partiality to me is so the author of any writings which he himself great, that an edition of the former volumes of is capable of producing. I remember, when I Spectators, of above nine thousand each book, finished The Tender Husband, I told him is already sold off, and the tax on each half there was nothing I so ardently wished, as sheet has brought into the stamp-office, one that we might some time or other publish a week with another, above 201. a week, arising work, written by us both, which should bear from the single paper, notwithstanding it at the name of The Monument, in memory of first reduced it to less than half the number our friendship. I heartily wish what I have that was usually printed before the tax was done here was as honorary to that sacred laid.

name, as learning, wit, and humanity, render I humbly beseech the continuance of this nose pieces which I have taught the reader inclination to favour what I may hereafter how to distinguish for his. When the play produce, and hope I have in my occurences above mentioned was last acted, there were of life tasted so deeply of pain and sorrow, so many applauded strokes in it which I had that I am proof against much more prosfrom the same hand, that I thought very mean- percus circumstances than any advantages ly of myself that I have never publicly ac- to which my own industry can possibly exknowledged them. After I have put other alt me. friends upon importuning him to publish dramatic as well as other writings he has by him, I shall end what I think I am obliged to say on this head, by giving my reader this hint for the better judging of my productions-that the best comment upon them would be an account when the patron to The Fender Husband was in England or abroad.

I am,

My good-natured reader,

Your most obedient, most obliged humble servant, RICHARD STEELE.

Vos valete el plaudite. Ter.

The following letter regards an ingenious

The reader will also find some papers which are marked with the letter X, for which he is set of gentlemen, who have done me the boobliged to the ingenious gentleman who di-nour to make me one of their society.

'MR. SPECTATOR,

Dec. 4, 1712.

verted the town with the epilogue to The Distressed Mother. I might have owned these several papers with the free consent of these 'The academy of painting, lately established gentlemen, who did not write them with a de- in London, having done you and themselves sign of being known for the authors. But, as the honour to choose you one of their direca candid and sincere behaviour ought to be tors; that noble and lively art, which before preferred to all other considerations, I would was entitled to your regard as a Spectator, has not let my heart reproach me with a conscious-an additional claim to you, and you seem to be

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