And gaz'd awhile the ample sky; till rais'd Creatures that liv'd and mov'd, snd walk'd, or flew, Adam is afterwards described as surprised at "Thou Sun,' said I, 'Fair light, And thou enlighten'd earth, so fresh and gay, His ment, is as fine a part as any in the whole poem. Thus I presumptuous; and the vision bright, Adam then proceeds to give an account of his second sleep, and of the dream in which he beheld the formation of Eve. The new pas sion that was awakened in him at the sight of Under his forming hands a creature grew, That what seem'd fair in all the world, seem'd now His next sentiment, when, upon his first going to sleep, he fancies himself losing his existence, and falling away into nothing, can never be sufficiently admired. His dream, in! Adam's distress upon losing sight of this which he still preserves the consciousness of beautiful phantom, with his exclamations of his existence, together with his removal into joy and gratitude at the discovery of a real the garden which was prepared for his recep- creature who resembled the apparition which tion, are also circumstances finely imagined, had been presented to him in his dream; the and grounded upon what is delivered in sacred story. These and the like wonderful incidents in this part of the work, have in them all the beauties of novelty, at the same time that they have all the graces of nature. approaches he makes to her, and his manner of conrtship, are all laid together in a most exquisite propriety of sentiments. Though this part of the poem is worked up with great warmth and spirit, the love which is described in it is every way suitable to a state They are such as none but a great genius of innocence. If the reader compares the decould have thought of; though, upon the pe- scription which Adam here gives of his leading rusal of them, they seem to rise of themselves Eve to the nuptial bower, with that which from the subject of which he treats. In a word, Mr. Dryden has made on the same occasion in though they are natural, they are not obvious; a scene of his Fall of Man, he will be sensible which is the true character of all fine writing. of the great care which Milton took to avoid all The impression which the interdiction of the thoughts on so delicate a subject that might be tree of life left in the mind of our first parent offensive to religion or good manners. The senis described with great strength and judgment; timents are chaste, but not cold; and convey as the image of the several beasts and birds pas- to the mind ideas of the most transporting passing in review before him is very beautiful and sion, and of the greatest purity. What a noble lively: mixture of rapture and innocence has the author joined together, in the reflection which Adam makes on the pleasures of love, compared to those of sense! Each bird and beast behold Adam in the next place, describes a conference which he held with his Maker upon the subject of solitude. The poet here represents the Supreme Being as making an essay of his own work, and putting to the trial that reasoning faculty with which he had endued his creature. Adam urges, in this divine colloquy, the impossibility of his being happy, though he was the inhabitant of Paradise, and lord of the whole creation, without the conversation and society of some rational creature who should partake those blessings with him. This dialogue, which is supported chiefly by the beauty of the thoughts, without other poetical orna Thus have I told thee all my state, and brought I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers, -When I approach] Her loveliness, so absolute she seems, fording any future assistance where it ought to be. Let him therefore reflect, that if to bestow be in itself laudable, should not a man take care to secure an ability to do things praiseworthy as long as he lives? Or could there be a more cruel piece of raillery upon a man who should have reduced his fortune below the capacity of acting according to his natural temper, than to say of him, That gentleman was generous?' My beloved author therefore has, in the sentence on the top of my paper, turned his eye with a certain satiety from beholding the These sentiments of love in our first parent, addresses to the people by largesses and public gave the angel such an insight into human na-entertainments, which he asserts to be in geture, that he seems apprehensive of the evils neral vicious, and are always to be regulated which might befall the species in general, as according to the circumstances of time and a A constant benignity in well as Adam in particular, from the excess of man's own fortune. his passion. He therefore fortifies him against commerce with the rest of the world, which it by timely admonitions; which very artfully ought to run through all a man's actions, has prepare the mind of the reader for the occur- effects more useful to those whom you oblige rences of the next book, where the weakness, and is less ostentatious in yourself. He turns of which Adam here gives such distant dis-his recommendation of this virtue on commercoveries, brings about that fatal event which is cial life: and, according to him, a citizen who the subject of the poem. His discourse, which is frank in his kindness, and abhors severity follows the gentle rebuke he received from the in his demands: he who, in buying, selling angel, shows that his love, however violent it lending, doing acts of good neighbourhood, is might appear, was still founded in reason, and consequently not improper for Paradise: "Neither her outside form'd so fair, nor aught Adam's speech, at parting with the angel, has in it a deference and gratitude agreeable to an inferior nature, and at the same time a certain dignity and greatness suitable to the father of mankind in his state of innocence. No. 346.] Monday, April 7, 1712. L. Conseutudinem benignitatis largitioni munerum longè antepono. Hæc est gravium hominum atque magnorum; luptate quasi titillantium. just and easy; he who appears naturally averse The unhappy distinctions among us in England are so great, that to celebrate the intercourse of commercial friendship (with which I am daily made acquainted) would be to raise the virtuous man so many enemies of the contrary party. I am obliged to conceal all I know of Tom the Bounteous,' who lends at the ordinary interest, to give men of less fortune opportunities of making greater advanHe conceals, under a rough air and distant behaviour, a bleeding compassion and womanish tenderness. This is governed by the most exact circumspection, that there is no industry wanting in the person whom he is to serve, and that he is guilty of no improper exThis I know of Tom; but who dare penses. illa quasi assentatorum populi, multitudinis levitatem vo- tages. Tull. I esteem a habit of benignity grestly preferable to munificence. The former is peculiar to great and distinguished persons; the latter belongs to flatterers of the people, who tickle the levity of the multitude with a kind of pleasure. WHEN We consider the offices of human life, say it of so known a tory? The same care I was there is, methinks, something in what we ordi- forced to use some time ago, in the report of narily call generosity, which, when carefully another's virtue, and said fifty instead of an examined, seems to flow rather from a loose and hundred, because the man I pointed at was a unguarded temper than an honest and liberal whig. Actions of this kind are popular, withmind. For this reason it is absolutely necessary out being invidious: for every man of ordinary that all liberality should have for its basis and circumstances looks upon a man who has this support frugality. By this means the benefi-known benignity in his nature as a person ready cent spirit works in a man from convictions of to be his friend upon such terms as he ought to reason, not from the impulse of passion. The expect it; and the wealthy who may envy such generous man in the ordinary acceptation, with a character, can do no injury to its interests, out respect of the demands of his family, will but by the imitation of it, in which the good soon find upon the foot of his account, that he citizen will rejoice to be rivalled. I know not has sacrificed to fools, knaves, flatterers, or the how to form to myself a greater idea of human deservedly unhappy, all the opportunities of af-life, than in what is the practice of some wealthy men whom I could name, that make no step to is to tell the town, that on Friday the 11th of the improvement or their own fortunes, wherein this instant, April, there will be performed, in they do not also advance those of other men York-Buildings, a concert of vocal and instruwho would languish in poverty without that mental music, for the benefit of Mr. Edward nunificence. In a nation where there are so Keen, the father of twenty children; and that many public funds to be supported, I know not this day the haughty George Powell hopes all whether he can be called a good subject, who the good-natured part of the town will favour does not embark some part of his fortune with him, whom they applauded in Alexander, Tithe state, to whose vigilance he owes the securi-mon, Lear, and Orestes, with their company ty of the whole. This certainly is an immediate this night, when he hazards all his heroic glory way of laying an obligation upon many, and for their approbation in the humble condition extending your benignity the farthest a man of honest Jack Falstaffe. can possibly, who is not engaged in commerce. Quis furor, ô cives: quæ tanta licentia ferri! T. Lucan, Lib. i. 8. What blind, detested fury, could afford 1 find the The ter But he who trades, besides giving the state some No. 347.] Tuesday, April 8, 1712. part of this sort of credit he gives his banker, may, in all the occurrences of his life, have his eye upon removing want from the door of the industrious, and defeuding the unhappy upright man from bankruptcy. Without this benignity, pride or vengeance will precipitate a man to choose the receipt of half his demands from I Do not question but my county readers one whom he has undone, rather than the whole have been very much surprised at the several from one to whom he has shown mercy. This accounts they have met with in our public benignity is essential to the character of a fair papers, of that species of men among us, lately trader, and any man who designs to enjoy his known by the name of Mohocks. wealth with honour and self-satisfaction; nay, opinions of the learned, as to their origin and it would not be hard to maintain, that the prac-designs are altogether various, insomuch that tice of supporting good and industrious men very many begin to doubt whether indeed there would carry a man farther even to his profit, were ever any such society of men. than indulging the propensity of serving and ror which spread itself over the whole nation obliging the fortunate. My author argues on some years since on account of the Irish, is this subject, in order to incline men's minds to still fresh in most people's memories, though those who want them most, after this manner. it afterwards appeared there was not the 'We must always consider the nature of things, least ground for that general consternation. and govern ourselves accordingly. The wealthy The late panic fear was, in the opinion of man, when he has repaid you, is upon a balance many deep and penetrating persons, of the with you; but the person whom you favoured same nature. These will have it, that the with a loan, if he be a good man, will think Mohocks are like those spectres and apparihimself in your debt after he has paid you. tions which frighten several towns and villages The wealthy and the conspicuous are not ob- in her majesty's dominions, though they were liged by the benefits you do them; they think never seen by any of the inhabitants. Others they conferred a benefit when they received are apt to think that these Mohocks are a kind Your good offices are always suspected, of bull-beggars, first invented by prudent marand it is with them the same thing to expect ried men, and masters of families, in order to their favour as to receive it. But the man deter their wives and daughters from taking below you, who knows, in the good you have the air at unseasonable hours; and that done him, you respected himself more than when they tell them the Mohocks will catch his circumstances, does not act like an obliged them,' it is a caution of the same nature with man only to him from whom he has received that of our forefathers, when they bid their a benefit, but also to all who are capable of children have a care of Raw-head and Bloodydoing him one. And whatever little offices he bones. can do for you, he is so far from magnifying | For my own part, I am afraid there was it, that he will labour to extenuate it in all his too much reason for the great alarm the whole actions and expressions. Moreover, the regard city has been in upon this occasion; though to what you do to a great man at best is taken at the same time I must own, that I am in notice of no further than by himself or his some doubt whether the following pieces are family; but what you do to a man of an hum-genuine and authentic; the more so, because ble fortune (provided always that he is a good I am not fully satisfied that the name, by and a modest man) raises the affections to- which the emperor subscribes himself, is alwards you of all men of that character (of together conformable to the Indian orthogwhich there are many) in the whole city. raphy. one. There is nothing gains a reputation to a I shall only farther inform my readers, that preacher so much as his own practice; I am it was some time since I received the following therefore casting about what act of benignity letter and manifesto, though, for particular is in the power of a Spectator. Alas! that reasons, I did not think fit to publish them lies but in a very narrow compass; and Itill now. think the most immediately under my patronage are either players, or such whose circumstances bear an affinity with theirs. All, there SIR, To the Spectator. 'Finding that our earnest endeavours for fore, I am able to do at this time of this kind, the good of mankind have been basely and VOL. II. 7 maliciously represented to the world, we send ces, alleys, nooks, and corners, that the pa. you enclosed our imperial manifesto, which it tient or patients may not be in danger of catch is our will and pleasure that you forthwith ing cold. communicate to the public, by inserting it in That the tumblers, to whose care we chiefyour next daily paper. We do not doubt of ly commit the female sex, confine themselves your ready compliance in this particular, and to Drury-lane, and the purlieus of the Temtherefore bid you heartily farewell. ple; and that every other party and division of our subjects do each of them keep within the respective quarters we have allotted to them. Provided nevertheless, that nothing herein contained shall in any wise be con (Signed) TAW WAW EBEN ZAN KALADAR, The Manifesto of Taw Waw Eben Zan Kala-strued to extend to the hunters, who have our dar, Emperor of the Mohocks. full license and permission to enter into any 'Whereas we have received information, part of the town wherever their game shall from sundry quarters of this great and popu-lead them. 'And whereas we have nothing more at our lous city, of several outrages committed on the legs, arms, noses, and other parts of the good imperial heart than the reformation of the cipeople of England, by such as have styled them-ties of London and Westminster, which to our selves our subjects; in order to vindicate our unspeakable satisfaction we have in some meaimperial dignity from those false aspersions sure already effected, we do hereby earnestly which have been cast on it, as if we ourselves pray and exhort all husbands, fathers, housemight have encouraged or abetted any such keepers and masters of families, in either of practices, we have, by these presents, thought the aforesaid cities, not only to repair themfit to signify our utmost abhorrence and detes-selves to their respective habitations at early tation of all such tumultuous and irregular and seasonable hours, but also to keep their proceedings; and do hereby farther give no-wives and daughters, sons, servants, and aptice, that if any person or persons has or have prentices, from appearing in the streets at suffered any wound, hurt, damage, or detri- those times and seasons which may expose ment, in his or their limb or limbs otherwise them to a military discipline, as it is practised than shall be hereafter specified, the said per-by our good subjects the Mohocks; and we do son or persons, upon applying themselves further promise on our imperial word, that as to such as we shall appoint for the inspec-soon as the reformation aforesaid shall be tion and redress of the grievances aforesaid, brought about, we will forthwith cause all hosshall be forthwith committed to the care of tilities to cease. our principal surgeon, and be cured at our own expense, in some one or other of those hospitals which we are now erecting for that purpose. And to the end that no one may, either through ignorance or inadvertency, incur those penalties which we have thought fit to inflict on persons of loose and dissolute lives, we do hereby notify to the public, that if any man be knocked down or assaulted while he is employed in his lawful business, at proper hours, that it is not done by our order; and we do hereby permit and allow any such person, so knocked down or assaulted, to rise again, and defend himself in the best manner that he is able. 'We do also command all and every our good subjects, that they do not presume, upon any pretext whatsoever, to issue and sally forth from their respective quarters till between the hours of eleven and twelve. That they never tip the lion upon man, woman, or child, till the clock at St. Dunstan's shall have struck one. Given from our court, at the Devil-tavern, 'March 15, 1712.' No. 348.] Wednesday, April 9, 1712. Hor. Sat. iii. Lib. 2. 13. To shun detraction, would'st thou virtue fly? " MR. SPECTATOR, X. 'I HAVE not seen you lately at any of the places where I visit, so that I am afraid you are wholly unacquainted with what passes among my part of the world, who are, though I say it, without controversy, the most accomplished and best bred of the town. Give me leave to tell you, that I am extremely discomposed when I hear scandal, and am an utter enemy to all manner of detraction, and think it the greatest meanness that people of distinction can be guilty of. However, it is hardly possible to come into company, where you do not find them pulling one another to pieces, and that from no other provocation but that of hearing any one commended. Merit, both as to wit 'That the sweat be never given but between and beauty, is become no other than the posthe hours of one and two; always provided, session of a few trifling people's favour, which that our hunters may begin to hunt a little af-you cannot possibly arrive at, if you have realter the close of the evening, any thing to the ly any thing in you that is deserving. What contrary herein notwithstanding. Provided they would bring to pass is, to make all good also, that if ever they are reduced to the necessity of pinking, it shall always be in the most fleshy parts, and such as are least exposed to view. and evil consist in report, and with whispers, calumnies, and impertinencies, to have the conduct of those reports. By this means, innocents are blasted upon their first appearance in town, 'It is also our imperial will and plea- and there is nothing more required to make a sure, that our good subjects the sweaters do young woman the object of envy and hatred, establish their hummums in such close pla-than to deserve love and admiration. This abominable endeavour to suppress or lessen ter all, he could see nothing but a comevery thing that is praiseworthy, is as frequent mon man in his person, his breeding, or unamong the men as the women. If I can re-derstanding. member what passed at a visit last night, it Thus, Mr. Spectator, this impertinent huwill serve as an instance that the sexes are mour of diminishing every one who is produced equally inclined to defamation, with equal ma- in conversation to their advantage, runs through lice and impotence. Jack Triplett came into the world; and I am, I confess, so fearful of my lady Airy's about eight of the clock. You the force of ill tongues, that I have begged of know the manner we sit at a visit, and I need all those who are my well-wishers never to not describe the circle; but Mr. Triplett came commend me, for it will but bring my frailties in, introduced by two tapers supported by a into examination; and I had rather be unobspruce servant, whose hair is under a cap till served, than conspicuous for disputed perfecmy lady's candles are all lighted up, and the tions. I am confident a thousand young peohour of ceremony begins: I say Jack Triplett ple, who would have been ornaments to sociecame in, and singing (for he is really good ty, have, from fear of scandal, never dared to company) Every feature, charming crea- exert themselves in the polite arts of life. ture" -he went on, "It is a most unreason- Their lives have passed away in an odious rusable thing, that people cannot go peaceably ticity in spite of great advantages of person, to see their friends, but these murderers are genius, and fortune. There is a vicious terror let loose. Such a shape! such an air! what of being blamed in some well-inclined people, a glance was that as her chariot passed by and a wicked pleasure in suppressing them in mine!"-My lady herself interrupted him; others; both which I recommend to your spec"Pray, who is this fine thing!"-" I warrant," tatorial wisdom to animadvert upon; and if says another, "'tis the creature I was telling you can be successful in it, I need not say how your ladyship of just now."-"You were telling much you will deserve of the town; but new. of?" says Jack; “I wish I had been so happy toasts will owe to you their beauty, and new as to have come in and heard you; for I have wits their fame. not words to say what she is: but if an agreeable height, a modest air, a virgin shame, and impatience of being beheld amidst a blaze of ten thousand charms" The whole room T. I am, Sir, 'Your most obedient humble servant, 'MARY.' flew out- —“Oh Mr. Triplett!"- -When Quos ille timorum Maximus haud urget lethi metus: inde ruendi she knew whom the gentleman meant; but she was indeed, as he civilly represented her, impatient of being beheld- -Then turning to the lady next to her- "The most unbred: creature you ever saw!" Another pursued the Thrice happy they beneath their nothern skies, discourse; "As unbred, madam, as you may Who that worst fear, the fear of death, despise! think her, she is extremely belied if she is the Hence they no cares for this frail being feel, novice she appears; she was last week at a ball But rush undaunted on the pointed steel, Provoke approaching fate, and bravely scorn till two in the morning; Mr. Triplett knows To spare that life which must so soon return.-Rowe. whether he was the happy man that took care of her home; but"--This was followed by I AM very much pleased with a consolatory some particular exception that each woman letter of Phalaris, to one who had lost a son that in the room made to some peculiar grace or was a young man of great merit. The thought advantage; so that Mr. Triplett was beaten with which he comforts the afflicted father is. from one limb and feature to another, till he to the best of my memory, as follows:-That was forced to resign the whole woman. In the he should consider death had set a kind of end, I took notice Triplett recorded all this seal upon his son's character, and placed him malice in his heart; and saw in his counte- out of the reach of vice and infamy: that, nance, and a certain waggish shrug, that he while he lived, he was still within the possidesigned to repeat the conversation: I there-bility of falling away from virute, and losing fore let the discourse die, and soon after took the fame of which he was possessed. Death an occasion to recommend a certain gentleman only closes a man's reputation, and determines of my acquaintance for a person of singular it as good or bad. modesty, courage, integrity, and withal as a This, among other motives, may be one reaman of an entertaining conversation, to which son why we are naturally averse to the launchadvantages he had a shape and manner pecu-ing out into a man's praise till his head is laid liarly graceful. Mr. Triplett, who is a wo- in the dust. Whilst he is capable of changing, man's man, seemed to hear me with patience we may be forced to retract our opinions. He enough commend the qualities of his mind.- may forfeit the esteem we have conceived of He never heard indeed but that he was a very him, and some time or other appear to us unhonest man, and no fool; but for a fine gen-der a different light from what he does at pretleman, he must ask pardon. Upon no other sent. In short, as the life of any man cannot foundation than this, Mr. Triplett took occa- be called happy or unhappy, so neither can it sion to give the gentleman's pedigree, by be pronounced vicious or virtuous before the what methods some part of the estate was eonclusion of it. acquired, how much it was beholden to a mar- It was upon this consideration that Epamiriage for the present circumstances of it: af- nondas, being asked whether Chabrias Iphicra |