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man's sufferings put me in mind of Harlequin's great deal of reflection. I cannot say but this case, who was tickled to death. He tells us arose very much from the circumstances of soon after, through a small mistake of sorrow my own life, who am a soldier, and expect for rage, that during the whole action he was every day to receive orders, which will oblige so very sorry, that he thinks he could have at- me to leave behind a wife that is very dear to tacked half a score of the fiercest Mohocks in me, and that very deservedly. She is at prethe excess of his grief. I cannot but look up sent, i am sure, no way below your Asteria on it as an unhappy accident, that a man who for conjugal affection: but I see the behaviour is so bloody-minded in his affliction was di- of some women so little suited to the circumverted from this fit of outrageous melancholy. stances wherein my wife and I shall soon be, The valour of this gentleman in his distress that it is with a reluctance, I never knew before, brings to one's memory the Knight of the I am going to my duty. What puts me to presorrowful Countenance, who lays about him sent pain is, the example of a young lady, at such an unmerciful rate in an old romance. whose story you shall have as well as I can I shall readily grant him that his soul, as he give it you. 'Hortensius, an officer of good himself says, would have made a very ridi- rank in his majesty's service, happened, in a culous figure, had it quitted the body, and certain part of England, to be brought to a descended to the poetical shades, in such an country gentleman's house, where he was reencounter. ceived with that more than ordinary welcome with which men of domestic lives entertain such few soldiers whom a military life, from the varitey of adventures, has not rendered over-bearing, but humane, easy, and agreeaThe elegant writer makes a very sudden ble. Hortentius staid here some time, and had transition from the playhouse to the church, easy access at all hours, as well as unavoidaand from thence to the gallows. ble conversation, at some parts of the day,

'As to his conceit of tacking a tragic head with a comic tail, in order to refresh the audience, it is such a piece of jargon, that I do not know what to make of it.

As for what relates to the church, he is of with the beautiful Sylvana, the gentleman's opinion that these epilogues have given occa- daughter. People who live in cities are wonsion to those merry jigs from the organ-loft, derfully struck with every little country abode which have dissipated those good thoughts they see when they take the air; and it is naand dispositions he has found in himself, and tural to fancy they could live in every neat the rest of the pew, upon the singing of two cottage (by which they pass) much happier staves culled out by the judicious and diligent than in their present circumstances. The turclerk. bulent way of life which Hortensius was used

He fetches his next thought from Tyburn; to, made him reflect with much satisfaction and seems very apprehensive lest there should on all the advantages of a sweet retreat one happen any innovations in the tragedies of day; and, among the rest, you will think it his friend Paul Lorrain. not improbable it might enter into his thought,

In the mean time, sir, this gloomy writer. that such a woman as Sylvana would consumwho is so mightily scandalized at a gay epi-mate the happiness. The world is so debauchlogue after a serious play, speaking of the fate ed with mean considerations, that Hortensius of those unhappy wretches who are condemn- knew it would be received as an act of generoed to suffer an ignominious death by the jus-sity, if he asked for a woman of the highest tice of our laws, endeavours to make the reader merit, without further questions, of a parent merry on so improper an occasion, by who had nothing to add to her persona! qualithose poor burlesque expressions of tragical fications. The wedding was celebrated at her dramas and monthly performances.

• I am, Sir, with great respect, 'Your most obedient, most humble servant, PHILOMEDES.' X.

No. 342.] Wednesday, April 2, 1712.
Justitiæ partes sunt non violare homines: verecundiæ

non offendere.

Tull.

father's house. When that was over, the generous husband did not proportion his provision for her to the circumstances of her fortune, but considered his wife as his darling, his pride, and his vanity; or, rather, that it was in the woman he had chosen that a man of sense could show pride or vanity with an excuse, and therefore adorned her with rich habits and valuable jewels. He did not, bowever, omit to admonish her, that he did his

Justice consists in doing no injury to men: decency, in very utmost in this; that it was an ostentation giving them no offence.

As regard to decency is a great rule of life in general, but more especially to be consulted by the female world, I cannot overlook the following letter, which describes an egregious offender.

MR. SPECTATOR,

'I was this day looking over your papers, and reading, in that of December the 6th, with great delight, the amiable grief of Asteria for the absence of her husband, it threw me into a

he could not be guilty of but to a woman he had so much pleasure in, desiring her to consider it as such; and begged of her also to take these matters rightly, and believe the gems, the gowns, the laces, would still become her better, if her air and behaviour was such, that it might appear she dressed thus rather in compliance to his humour that way, than out of any value she herself had for the trifles. To this lesson, too hard for a woman, Hortensius added, that she must be sure to stay with her friends in the country till his return. As soon as Hortensius departed, Sylvana saw in her

No. 343.]

47

looking-glass, that the love he conceived for her lish of life, and falling into contempt of their was wholly owing to the accident of seeing own persons, or being the derision of others. her; and she was convinced it was only her But when they consider themselves as they misfortune the rest of mankind had not be- ought, no other than an additional part of the held her, or men of much greater quality and species, (for their own happiuess and comfort, merit had contended for one so genteel, though as well as that of those for whom they were bred in obscurity; so very witty, though never born), their ambition to excel will be directed She therefore accordingly; and they will in no part of their acquainted with court or town. resolved not to hide so much excellence from lives want opportunities of being shining orthe world; but, without any regard to the ab-naments to their fathers, husbands, brothers, sence of the most generous man alive, she is or children. now the gayest lady about this town, and has shut out the thoughts of her husband, by a constant retinue of the vainest young fellows No. 343.] Thursday, April 3, 1712. this age has produced; to entertain whom, she squanders away all Hortensius is able to supply her with, though that supply is purchased with no less difficulty than the hazard of his life."

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Now, Mr. Spectator, would it not be a work becoming your office, to treat this criminal as she deserves? You should give it the You should tell severest reflections you can. women, that they are more accountable for behaviour in absence, than after death. The dead are not dishonoured by their levities; the living may return, and be laughed at by empty fops, who will not fail to turn into ridicule the good man, who is so unseasonable as to be still alive, and come and spoil good company.

T.

Errat, et illine
Huc venit, hinc illae, et quoslibet occupat artus
Spiritus; éque feris humaus in corpora transit,
Inque foras noster-
Ovid, Met. Lib. xv. 165.

All things are but alter'd; nothing dies;
And here and there th' unbody'd spirit ties,
By time, or force, or sickness dispossess'd,
And lodges, where it lights, in man or beast.-Dryden.

WILL HONEYCOME, who loves to show upon occasion all the little learning he has picked up, told us yesterday at the club, that he thought there might be a great deal said for the transmigration of souls; and that the eastern parts of the world believed in that doctrine to this day. Sir Paul Rycaut,' says he, gives us an account of several well-disposed Your most obedient humble servant.' Mahometans that purchase the freedom of

I am, Sir,

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any little bird they see confined to a cage, All strictness of behaviour is so unmercifully and think they merit as much by it as we laughed at in our age, that the other much should do here by ransoming any of our counworse extreme is the more common folly. trymen from their captivity at Algiers. You But let any woman consider, which of the must know,' says Will, the reason is, betwo offences an husband would the more easi-cause they consider every animal as a brother ly forgive, that of being less entertaining than or sister in disguise; and therefore think themshe could to please company, or raising the selves obliged to extend their charity to them, desires of the whole room to bis disadvantage; though under such mean circumstances. They'll and she will easily be able to form her con- tell you,' says Will, that the soul of a man, duct. We have indeed carried women's cha- when he dies, immediately passes into the boracters too much into public life, and you dy of another man, or of some brute, which shall see them now-a-days affect a sort of he resembled in his humour, or his fortune, fame: but I cannot help venturing to disoblige when he was one of us.' As I was wondering what this profusion of them for their service, by telling them, that the utmost of a woman's character is contained in learning would end in, Will told us, that 'Jack domestic life; she is blameable or praisewor-Freelove, who was a fellow of whim, made thy according as her carriage affects the house love to one of those ladies who throw away all All she has to their fondness on parrots, monkeys, and lapof her father or her husband. do in this world, is contained within the duties dogs. Upon going to pay her a visit one ⚫ was conducted inof a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother. morning, he writ a very pretty epistle upon All these may be well performed, though a la- this hint. Jack,' says he,

dy should not be found the very finest woman to the parlour, where he diverted himself for at an opera or an assembly. They are like some time with her favourite monkey, which wise consistent with a modest share of wit, a was chained in one of the windows; till at But when the length observing a pen and ink lie by him, plain dress, and a modest air. very brains of the sex are turned, and they he writ the following letter to his mistress place their ambition on circumstances, where- in the person of the monkey; and, upon her in to excel is no addition to what is truly com- not coming down so soon as he expected, mendable, where can this end, but as it fre- left it in the window, and went about his bu quently does, in their placing all their indus-siness. try, pleasure, and ambition, on things which

The lady soon after coming into the parup, and will naturally make the gratifications of life last, lour, and seeing her monkey look upon a paat best, no longer than youth and good for-per with great earnestness, took it tune? When we consider the least ill conse- to this day is in some doubt,' says Will, quence, it can be no less than looking on their whether it was written by Jack or the mon own condition, as years advance, with a disre-key.'

'DADAM,

As

'My soul then entered into a flying-fish, and in that state led a most melancholy life for the Not having the gift of speech, I have a space of six years. Several fishes of prey purlong time waited in vain for an opportunity of sued me when I was in the water; and if I making myself known to you; and having at betook myself to my wings, it was ten to one present the conveniencies of pen, ink, and but I had a flock of birds aiming at me. paper, by me, I gladly take the occasion of I was one day flying amidst a fleet of English giving you my history in writing, which ships, I observed a huge sea-gull whetting his could not do by word of mouth. You must bill, and hovering just over my head: upon know, madam, that about a thousand years my dipping into the water to avoid him, I fell ago I was an Indian brachman, and versed in into the mouth of a monstrous shark, that swalall those mysterious secrets which your Euro-lowed me down in an instant. pean philosopher, called Pythagoras, is said to 'I was some years afterwards, to my great have learned from our fraternity. I had so surprise, an eminent banker in Lombard-street; ingratiated myself, by my great skill in the and, remembering how I had formerly suffered Occult sciences, with a dæmon whom I used for want of money, became so very sordid and to converse with, that he promised to grant avaricious, that the whole town cried shame me whatever I should ask of him. I desired of me. I was a miserable little old fellow to that my soul might never pass into the body look upon; for I had in a manner starved myof a brute creature; but this, he told me, was self, and was nothing but skin and bone when not in his power to grant me. I then begged I died.

that, into whatever creature I should chance 'I was afterwards very much troubled and to transmigrate, I should still retain my me- amazed to find myself dwindled into an emmet. mory, and be conscious that I was the same I was heartily concerned to make so insigniperson who lived in different animals. This, ficant a figure, and did not know but some He told me, was within his power, and accord-time or other I might be reduced to a mite, if ingly promised, on the word of a dæmon, that I did not mend my manners. I therefore aphe would grant me what I desired. From that plied myself with great diligence to the offices time forth I lived so very unblameably, that I that were allotted to me, and was generally was made president of a college of brachmans, looked upon as the notablest ant in the whole an office which I discharged with great inte- mole-hill. I was at last picked up, as I was grity until the day of my death.

I was then shuffled into another human groaning under a burden, by an unlucky cocksparrow, that lived in the neighbourhood, and body, and acted my part so well in it, that I had before made great depredations upon our became first minister to a prince who reigned commonwealth. upon the banks of the Ganges. I here lived 'I then bettered my condition a little, and in great honour for several years, but by de-lived a whole summer in the shape of a bee; grees lost all the innocence of the brach- but being tired with the painful and penurious mau, being obliged to rifle and oppress the life I had undergone in my two last transmipeople to enrich my sovereign; till at length grations, I fell into the other extreme, and I became so odious, that my master, to re-turned drone. As I one day headed a parcover his credit with his subjects, shot me ty to plunder an hive, we were received through the heart with an arrow, as I was one so warmly by the swarm which defended day addressing myself to him at the head of his it, that we were most of us left dead upon the spot.

army.

Upon my next remove, I found myself in 'I might tell you of many other transmigra the woods under the shape of a jackal, and tions which I went through: how I was a townsoon listed myself in the service of a lion. Irake, and afterwards did penance in a bay used to yelp near his den about midnight, gelding for ten years; as also how I was a which was his time of rousing and seeking af- tailor, a shrimp, and a tom-tit, In the last of ter prey. He always followed me in the rear, these my shapes, I was shot in the Christmas and when I had run down a fat buck, a wild holidays by a young jackanapes, who would goat, or an hare, after he had feasted very needs try his gun upon me. plentifully upon it himself, would now and then throw me a bone that was but half-picked, for my encouragement; but, upon my being unsuccessful in two or three chases, he gave me such a confounded gripe in his anger that I died of it.

'But I shall pass over these and several other stages of life, to remind you of the young beau who made love to you about six years since. You may remember, madam, how he masked, and danced, and sung, and played a thousand tricks to gain you; and how he was In my next transmigration, I was again set at last carried off by a cold that he got under apon two legs, and became an Indian tax-ga- your window one night in a serenade. I was therer; but having been guilty of great extra- that unfortunate young fellow to whom you vagancies, and being married to an expensive were then so cruel. Not long after my shiftjade of a wife, I ran so cursedly in debt, that ing that unlucky body, I found myself upon a 1 durst not show my head. I could no sooner hill in Æthiopia, where I lived in my present step out of my house but I was arrested by grotesque shape, till I was caught by a servant somebody or other that lay in wait for me. of the English factory, and sent over into As I ventured abroad one night in the dusk Great Britain. I need not inform you how I of the evening, I was taken up and hurried into came into your hands. You see, madam, this a dungeon, where I died a few months after. is not the first time that you have had me in a

chain: I am, however, very happy in this my plause of the whole board, when I had almost captivity, as you often bestow on me those kiss- eat my antagonist into convulsions. It was es and caresses which I would have given the then that I returned his mirth upon him with world for when I was a man. I hope this dis- such success, as he was hardly able to swallow, covery of my person will not tend to my disad-though prompted by a desire of fame, and a vantage, but that you will still continue your passionate tondness for distinction. I had not accustomed favours to endeavoured to excel so far, had not the company been so loud in their approbation of my victory. I don't question but the same thirst after glory has often caused a man to drink

'Your most devoted humble servant,

'PUGG.

P. S. I would advise your little shock-quarts without taking breath, and prompted dog to keep out of my way; for, as I look men to many other as difficult enterprises; upon him to be the most formidable of my which, if otherwise pursued, might turn verivals, I may chance one time or other to ry much to a man's advantage. give him such a snap as he won't like.'

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This ambition of mine was indeed extravagantly pursued; however, I cannot help observing, that you hardly ever see a man commended for a good stomach, but he immediately falls to eating more (though he had before dined), as well to confirm the person that commended him in his good opinion of him, as to convince any other at the table who may have been unattentive enough not to have done justice to his character.

'I am, Sir,

Your humble servant,
'EPICURE MAMMON.

MR. SPECTATOR,

I THINK it has not yet fallen into your way to discourse on little ambition, or the many whimsical ways men fall into, to distinguish themselves among their acquaintance. Such observations, well pursued, would make a 'I have wrote to you three or four times, to pretty history of low life. I myself am got desire you would take notice of an impertinent into a great reputation, which arose (as most custom the women, the fine women, have lateextraordinary occurrences in a man's life seem ly fallen into, of taking snuff. This silly trick to do) from a mere accident. I was some days is attended with such a coquette air in some ago unfortunately engaged among a set of ladies, and such a sedate masculine one in gentlemen, who esteem a man according to the others, that I cannot tell which most to comquantity of food he throws down at a meal. plain of; but they are to me equally disagreeNow I, who am ever for distinguishing myself able. Mrs. Santer is so impatient of being according to the notions of superiority which without it, that she takes it as often as she the rest of the company entertain, ate so im- does salt at meals and as she affects a wonmoderately for their applause, as had like to derful ease and negligence in all her manner, have cost me my life. What added to my an upper lip mixed with snuff and the sauce is misfortune was, that having naturally a good what is presented to the observation of all who stomach, and having lived soberly for some have the honour to eat with her. The pretty time, my body was as well prepared for this creature her niece does all she can to be as discontention as if it had been by appointment. agreeable as her aunt; and if she is not as ofI had quickly vanquished every glutton in com- fensive to the eye, she is quite as much to the pany but one, who was such a prodigy in his ear, and makes up all she wants in a confident way, and withal so very merry during the whole air, by a nauseous rattle of the nose, when the entertainment, that he insensibly betrayed me snuff is delivered, and the fingers make the to continue his competitor, which in a little stops and closes on the nostrils. This, pertime concluded in a complete victory over my haps, is not a very courtly image in speaking rival; after which, by way of insult, I ate a of ladies; that is very true: but where arises considerable proportion beyond what the spec- the offence? Is it in those who commit, or those tators thought me obliged in honour to do. who observe it? As for my part, I have been The effect, however, of this engagement, has so extremely disgusted with this filthy physic made me resolve never to eat more for renown; hanging on the lip, that the most agreeable and I have, pursuant to this resolution, com- conversation, or person, has not been able to pounded three wagers I had depending on the make up for it. As to those who take it for no strength of my stomach, which happened very other end but to give themselves occasion for luckily, because it had been stipulated in our pretty action, or to fill up little intervals of disarticles either to play or pay. How a man of course, I can bear with them; but then they common sense could be thus engaged is hard must not use it when another is speaking, who to determine; but the occasion of this is, to de- ought to be heard with too much respect, to adsire you to inform several gluttons of my ac-mit of offering at that time from hand to hand quaintance, who look on me with envy, that the snuff-box. But Flavilla is so far taken with they had best moderate their ambition in time, her behaviour in this kind, that she pulls out lest infamy or death attend their success. I her box (which is indeed full of good Brazil) in forgot to tell you, Sir, with what unspeakable the middle of the sermon; and, to show she has pleasure I received the acclamations and ap- the audacity of a well-bred woman, she offers

it to the men as well as the women who sit Adam, to detain the angel, enters afterwards near her but since by this time all the world upon his own history and relates to him the knows she has a fine hand, I am in hopes she circumstances in which he found himself upon may give herself no further trouble in this his creation; as also his conversation with his matter. On Sunday was sevennight, when Maker, and his first meeting with Eve. they came about for the offering, she gave her is no part of the poem more apt to raise the at charity with a very good air, but at the same time asked the church-warden if he would take a pinch. Pray, sir, think of these things in time, and you will oblige, T.

"Your humble servant.'

No. 345.] Saturday, April 5, 1712.

Sanctius his animal, mentisque capacius altæ
Decrat adhuc, et quod dominari in cætera posset,
Natus homo est.-
Ovid, Met. Lib. i. 76.

Dryden.

There

tention of the reader, than this discourse of our great ancestor; as nothing can be more surprising and delightful to us, than to hear the sentiments that arose in the first man, while he was yet new and fresh from the hands of his Creator. The poet has interwoven every thing which is delivered upon this subject in holy writ with so many beautiful imaginations of his own, that nothing can be conceived more just and natural than this whole episode. As our author knew this subject could not be agreeable to his reader, he would not throw it into the relation of the six days' work, but reserved it for a distinct episode, that he might have an opportunity of expatiating upon it more at large.

A creature of a more exalted kind Was wanting yet, and then was man design'd; Conscious of thought, of more capacious breast, For empire form'd, and fit to rule the rest. THE accounts which Raphael gives of the Before I enter on this part of the poem, I canbattle of angels, and the creation of the world not but take notice of two shining passages in have in them those qualifications which the the dialogue between Adam and the Angel. critics judge requisite to an episode. They are The first is that wherein our ancestor gives an nearly related to the principal action, and have account of the pleasure he took in conversing a just connexion with the fable. with him, which contains a very noble moral.

'For while I sit with thee, I seem in heaven,
And sweeter thy discourse is to my ear
Than fruits of palm-trees (pleasantest to thirst
And hunger both, from labour) at the honr
Of sweet repast; they satiate and soon fill,
Though pleasant; but thy words, with grace divine
Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety.'

The eighth book opens with a beautiful description of the impression which this discourse of the archangel made on our first parents. Adam afterwards, by a very natural curiosity, inquires concerning the motions of those celestial bodies which make the most glorious appearance among the six days' work. poet here, with a great deal of art, represents. Eve as withdrawing from this part of their con- the angel gives a reason why he should be glad versation. to amusements more suitable to her to bear the story Adam was about to relate.

The

sex. He well knew that the episode in this
book, which is filled with Adam's account of
his passion and esteem for Eve, would have
been improper for her hearing, and has there-
fore devised very just and beautiful reasons
for her retiring:

So spake our sire, and by his countenance seem'd
Ent'ring on studious thoughts abstruse, which Eve
Perceiving, where she sat retir'd in sight,
With lowliness majestic from her seat,
And grace that won who saw to wish her stay,
Rose; and went forth among her fruits and flowers,
To visit how they prosper'd, bud and bloom,
Her nursery: they at her coming sprung,
And, touch'd by her fair tendance, gladlier grew.
Yet went she not, as not with such discourse.
Delighted, or not capable her car

Of what was high: such pleasure she reserv'd,

Adam relating, she sole auditress;

Her husband the relater she prefer'd

Before the augel, and of him to ask

Chose rather: he, she knew, would intermix

Grateful digressions, and solve high dispute
With conjugal caressos; from his lip
Not words alone pleas'd her. O when meet now
Such pairs, in love and mutual honour join'd!

The angel's returning a doubtful answer to Adam's inquiries, was not only proper for the moral reason which the poet assigns, but be cause it would have been highly absurd to have given the sanction of an archangel to any particular system of philosophy The chief points in the Ptolemaic and Copernican hypotheses are described with great conciseness and perspicuity, and at the same time dressed in very pleasing and poetical images.

The other I shall mention, is that in which

For I that day was absent as befel,
Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure,
Far on excursion towards the gates of hell,
Squar'd in full legion (such command we had)
To see that none thence issued forth a spy,
Or enemy, while God was in his work.
Lest he, incens'd at such eruption bold,
Destruction with creation might have mix'd.'

There is no question but our poet drew the image in what follows from that in Virgil's sixth book, where Eneas and the Sybil stand before the adamantine gates, which are there described as shut upon the place of torment, and listen to the groans, the clank of chains, and the noise of iron whips, that were heard in those regions of pain and sorrow.

Fast we found, fast shut

The dismal gates, and barricado'd strong;
But long ere our approaching heard within
Noise, other than the sound of dance or song,
Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage.'

Adam then proceeds to give an account of his condition and sentiments immediately after his creation. How agreeably does he represent the posture in which he found himself, the delightful landscape that surrounded him, and the gladness of heart which grew up in him on that occasion!

-As new wak'd from soundest sleep,
Soft on the flow'ry herb I found me laid
In balmy sweat, which with his beams the sun
Soon dry'd, and on the reeking moisture fed.
Straight toward heaven my wond'ring eyes I turn'd

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