Will ye not now the pair of sages praise, Dryden. into this cave. It was usual in those times. when any one carried a more than ordinary gloominess in his features, to tell him that he looked like one just come out of Trophonius's cave. MANKIND may be divided into the merry and On the other hand, writers of a more merry the serious, who both of them make a very good complexion have been no less severe on the figure in the species so long as they keep their opposite party; and have had one advantage respective humours from degenerating into the above them, that they have attacked them neighbouring extreme; there being a natural with more turns of wit and humour. tendency in the one to a melancholy moroseness, and in the other to a fantastic levity. After all, if a man's temper were at his own disposal, I think he would not choose to be of The merry part of the world are very amiable, either of these parties; since the most perfect while they diffuse a cheerfulness through con- character is that which is formed out of both versation at proper seasons and on proper occa- of them. A man would neither choose to be sions; but, on the contrary, a great grievance a hermit nor a buffoon; human nature is not to society when they infect every discourse with so miserable, as that we should be always insipid mirth, and turn into ridicule such sub-melancholy; nor so happy, as that we should jects as are not suited to it. For though laugh- he always merry. In a word, a man should ter is looked upon by the philosophers as the not live as if there was no God in the world, property of reason, the excess of it has been nor, at the same time, as if there were no always considered as the mark of folly. men in it. On the other side, seriousness has its beauty whilst it is attended with cheerfulness and humanity, and does not come in unseasonably to No. 599.] Monday, September 27, 1714. pall the good humour of those with whom we converse. These two sets of men, notwithstanding they each of them shine in their respective characters, are apt to bear a natural aversion and antipathy to one another. - Ubique Luctus, ubique pavor. Virg. Æn. ii. 369. All parts resound with tumults, plaints, and fears What is more usual than to hear men of se- Ir has been my custom, as I grow old, to rious tempers. and austere morals, enlarging allow myself some little indulgencies, which upon the vanities and follies of the young and I never took in my youth. Among others is gay part of the species, while they look with a that of an afternoon's nap, which I fell into kind of horror upon such pomps and diversions in the fifty-fifth year of my age, and have conas are innocent in themselves, and only culpable tinued for the three last years past. By this when they draw the mind too much? means I enjoy a double morning, and rise I could not but smile upon reading a passage twice a day fresh to my speculations. It hapin the account which Mr. Baxter gives of his pens very luckily for me, that some of my own life, wherein he represents it as a great dreams have proved instructive to my counblessing that in his youth he very narrowly es-trymen, so that I may be said to sleep, as well caped getting a place at court. as to wake, for the good of the public. I was It must indeed be confessed that levity of yesterday meditating on the account with temper takes a man off his guard, and opens a which I have already entertained my readers pass to his soul for any temptation that assaults concerning the cave of Trophonius. I was no it. It favours all the approaches of vice, and sooner fallen into my usual slumber, but I weakens all the resistance of virtue : for which dreamed that this cave was put into my posreason a renowned statesman in queen Eliza-session, and that I gave public notice of its abeth's days, after having retired from court virtue, inviting every one to it who had a mind and public business, in order to give himself up to be a serious man for the remaining part of to the duties of religion, when any of his old his life. Great multitudes immediately resortfriends used to visit him, had still this word of ed to me. The first who made the experiment advice in his mouth, 'Be serious.' was a Merry-andrew, who was put into my hand An eminent Italian author of this cast of by a neighbouring justice of peace, in order to mind, speaking of the great advantage of a reclaim him from that profligate kind of life. serious and composed temper, wishes very Poor Pickle-herring had not taken above one gravely, that for the benefit of mankind he had turn in it, when he came out of the cave, like Trophonius's cave in his possession; which, a hermit from his cell, with a penitential look says he, would contribute more to the reform-and a most rueful countenance. I then put ation of manners than all the workhouses and in a young laughing fop, and, watching for bridewells in Europe. his return, asked him, with a smile, how he We have a very particular description of this liked the place? He replied, 'Pr'ythee, friend. cave in Pausanias, who tells us that it was be not impertinent;' and stalked by me as made in the form of a huge oven, and had grave as a judge. A citizen then desired me many particular circumstances, which dis- to give free ingress and egress to his wife who posed the person who was in it to be more was dressed in the gayest coloured ribands I pensive and thoughtful than ordinary; inso- had ever seen. She went in with a flirt of much, that no man was ever observed to laugh her fan and a smirking countenance, but came all his life after, who had once made his entry out with the severity of a vestal; and throw ing from her several female gewgaws, told terrupted the old lady, and taking her daughter ine, with a sigh, that she resolved to go into by the hand, Madam,' said I, be pleased to deep mourning, and to wear black all the retire into my closet while your mother tells rest of her life. As I had many coquettes re- me your case.' I then put her into the mouth commended to me by their parents, their hus-of the cave; when the mother, after having bands, and their lovers, I let them in all at begged pardon for the girl's rudeness, told me once, desiring them to divert themselves toge-that she had often treated her father and the ther, as well as they could. Upon their emerg- gravest of her relations in the same manner; ing again into day-light, you would have fan- that she would sit giggling and laughing with cied my cave to have been a nunnery, and her companions from one end of a tragedy to that you had seen a solemn procession of re- the other; nay, that she would sometimes ligious marching out, one behind another, in burst out in the middle of a sermon, and the most profound silence and the most ex-set the whole congregation a staring at her. emplary decency. As I was very much de- The mother was going on, when the young lighted with so edifying a sight, there came lady came out of the cave to us with a comtowards me a great company of males and fe- posed countenance and a low courtesy. She males, laughing, singing, and dancing, in such was a girl of such exuberant mirth that her a manner, that I could hear them a great while visit to Trophonius only reduced her to a more before I saw thein. Upon my asking their lea- than ordinary decency of behaviour, and made der what brought them thither? they told me a very pretty prude of her. After having perall at once that they were French protestants formed innumerable cures, I looked about me lately arrived in Great Britain, and that find- with great satisfaction, and saw all my paing themselves of too gay a humour for my tients walking by themselves in a very pensive country, they applied themselves to me in or- and musing posture, so that the whole space der to compose them for British conversation. seemed covered with philosophers. I was at I told them that, to oblige them, I would soon length resolved to go into the cave myself, spoil their mirth; upon which I admitted a and see what it was that had produced such whole shoal of them, who after having taken wonderful effects upon the company; but as a survey of the place, came out in very good I was stooping at the entrance, the door being order, and with looks entirely English. I af- somewhat low, I gave such a nod in my chair terwards put in a Dutchman, who had a great that I awaked. After having recovered myself fancy to see the kelder, as he called it; but I from my first startle, I was very well pleased could not observe that I had made any alter- at the accident which had befallen me, as not ation in him. knowing but a little stay in the place might A comedian, who had gained great reputa- have spoiled my Spectators. tion in parts of humour, told me that he had a mighty mind to act Alexander the Great, and fancied that he should succeed very well No. 600.] Wednesday, September 29, 1714. in it if he could strike two or three laughing features out of his face. He tried the experiment, but contracted so very solid a look by it, that I am afraid he will be fit for no part hereafter but a Timon of Athens, or a Mute in The Funeral. Solemque suum, sua sidera norunt. Virg. En. vi. 611. Stars of their own, and their own suns they know. Dryden. I HAVE always taken a particular pleasure I then clapped up an empty fantastic citizen, in examining the opinions which men of difin order to qualify him for an alderman. He ferent religions, different ages, and different was succeeded by a young rake of the Middle countries, have entertained concerning the Temple, who was brought to me by his grand- immortality of the soul, and the state of hap mother; but, to her great sorrow and surprise, piness which they promise themselves in anohe came out a quaker. Seeing myself sur-ther world For, whatever prejudices and rounded with a body of freethinkers and scoffers errors human nature lies under, we find at religion, who were making themselves merry that either reason, or tradition from our at the sober looks and thoughtful brows of first parents, has discovered to all people those who had been in the cave. I thrust something in these great points which bears them all in, one after another, and locked the analogy to truth, and to the doctrines opened door upon them. Upon my opening it, they to us by divine revelation. I was lately disall looked as if they had been frightened out of their wits, and were marching away with coursing on this subject with a learned person who has been very much conversant ropes in their hands to a wood that was within among the inhabitants of the more western sight of the place. I found they were not parts of Africa. Upon his conversing with able to bear themselves in their first serious several in that country, he tells me that thoughts; but, knowing these would quickly their notion of heaven or of a future state bring them to a better frame of mind, I gave of happiness is this, that every thing we them into the custody of their friends until that there wish for will immediately present itself happy change was wrought in them. We find, say they, our souls are of such a nature that they require variety, and to us. The last that was brought to me was a young woman, who at the first sight of my short face fell into an immoderate fit of laughter, and * Addison's father, dean Lancelot Addison, who pubwas forced to hold her sides all the while her lished an account of West Barbary, &c. he died in 1793, mother was speaking to me. Upon this I in- aged 71. are not capable of being always delighted impossible, according to the opinions of many with the same objects. The Supreme Being, eminent divines, but there may be new faculties therefore, in compliance with this taste of in the souls of good men made perfect, as well happiness which he has planted in the soul as new senses, in their glorified bodies. This of man, will raise up from time to time, say we are sure of, that there will be new objects they, every gratification which it is in the offered to all those faculties which are essenhumour to be pleased with. If we wish to tial to us. be in groves or bowers, among running We are likewise to take notice that every streams, or falls of water, we shall imme- particular faculty is capable of being employdiately find ourselves in the midst of such ed on a very great variety of objects. The a scene as we desire. If we would be en understanding, for example, may be happy tertained with music and the melody of in the contemplation of moral, natural, mathesounds, the concert arises upon our wish,matical, and other kinds of truth. The me. and the whole region about us is filled with mory likewise may turn itself to an infinite harmony. In short, every desire will be fol-multitude of objects, especially when the soul lowed by fruition; and whatever a man's incli-shall have passed through the space of many nation directs him to will be present with him. millions of years, and shall reflect with pleaNor is it material whether the Supreme Power sure on the days of eternity. Every other creates in conformity to our wishes, or whether faculty may be considered in the same extent. he only produces such a change in our imagi- We cannot question but that the happiness nation as makes us believe ourselves conver- of a soul will be adequate to its nature; and sant among those scenes which delight us. that it is not endowed with any faculties which Our happiness will be the same, whether it are to lie useless and unemployed. The happroceed from external objects, or from the im- piness is to be the happiness of the whole pressions of the Deity upon our own private man; and we may easily conceive to ourfancies. This is the account which I have re-selves the happiness of the soul, while any ceived from my learned friend. Notwithstand-one of its faculties is in the fruition of its chief ing this system of belief be in general very good. The happiness may be of a more exchimerical and visionary, there is something alted nature in proportion as the faculty emsublime in its manner of considering the influ- ployed is so: but, as the whole soul acts in ence of a Divine Being on a human soul. It the exertion of any of its particular powers, has also, like most other opinions of the hea- the whole soul is happy in the pleasure which then world upon these important points; it arises from any of its particular acts. For, has, I say, its foundation in truth, as it sup-notwithstanding, as has been before hinted, poses the souls of good men after this life to and as it has been taken notice of by one of be in a state of perfect happiness; that in this the greatest modern philosophers," we divide state there will be no barren hopes, nor fruitless the soul into several powers and faculties, wishes, and that we shall enjoy every thing there is no such division in the soul itself, we can desire. But the particular circum- since it is the whole soul that remembers, unstance which I am most pleased with if this derstands, wills, or imagines. Our manner scheme, and which arises from a just reflection of considering the memory, understanding, upon human nature, is that variety of plea-will, imagination, and the like faculties, is for sures which it supposes the souls of good men the better enabling us to express ourselves will be possessed of in another world. This I in such abstracted subjects of speculation, not think highly probable, from the dictates both that there is any such division in the soul itself. of reason and revelation. The soul consists Seeing then that the soul has many different of many faculties, as the understanding, and faculties; or, in other words, many different the will, with all the senses, both outward and ways of acting; that it can be intensely pleased inward; or, to speak more philosophically, the or made happy by all these different faculties, or soul can exert herself in many different ways ways of acting; that it may be endowed with of action. She can understand, will, imagine, several latent faculties, which it is not at presee, and hear; love, and discourse, and ap-sent in a condition to exert; that we cannot ply herself to many other the like exercises believe the soul is endowed with any faculty of different kinds and natures; but, what is which is of no use to it; that, whenever any more to be considered, the soul is capable of one of these faculties is transcendently pleasreceiving a most exquisite pleasure and satis-ed, the soul is in a state of happiness: and, faction from the exercise of any of these its in the last place, considering that the happiness powers, when they are gratified with their of another world is to be the happiness of proper objects; she can be entirely happy by the whole man, who can question but that the satisfaction of the memory, the sight, the there is an infinite variety in those pleasures hearing, or any other mode of perception. we are still speaking of? and that this fulness Every faculty is a distinct tase in the mind. of joy will be made up of all those pleasures and hath objects accommodated to its proper which the nature of the soul is capable of rerelish. Doctor Tillotson somewhere says, ceiving? that he will not presume to determine in what We shall be the more confirmed in this docconsists the happiness of the blessed, because trine, if we observe the nature of variety God Almighty is capable of making the soul with regard to the mind of man. The soul happy by ten thousand different ways. Be- does not care to be always in the same bent. sides those several avenues to pleasure, which The faculties relieve one another by turns, the soul is endowed with in this life, it is not * Locke. 47 Conversant. and receive an additional pleasure from the God has designed us for a state of future hapnovelty of those objects about which they are piness, and for that heaven which he has revealed to us, than that he has thus naturally Revelation likewise very much confirms this qualified the soul for it, and made it a being notion, under the different views which it capable of receiving so much bliss. He would gives us of our future happiness. In the de-never have made such faculties in vain, and scription of the throne of God, it represents have endowed us with powers that were not to us all those objects which are able to gra- to be exerted on such objects as are suited to tify the senses and imagination: in very many them. It is very manifest, by the inward places it intimates to us all the happiness frame and coustitution of our minds, that he which the understanding can possibly receive has adapted them to an infinite variety of in that state, where all things shall be revealed pleasures and gratifications which are not to to us, and we shall know even as we are known; be met with in this life. We should therefore the raptures of devotion, of divine love, the at all times take care that we do not disappoint pleasure of conversing with our blessed Sav- this his gracious purpose and intention towards iour, with an innumerable host of angels, and us, and make those faculties, which he formed with the spirits of just men made perfect, are as so many qualifications for happiness and likewise revealed to us in several parts of the rewards, to be the instruments of pain and holy writings. There are also mentioned punishment. those hierarchies or governments in which the blessed shall be ranged one above another, No. 601.] Friday, October 1, 1714. Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκελετός αερικώς. and in which we may be sure a great part of our happiness will likewise consist; for it will not be there as in this world, where every one Antonin. Lib. ix. is aiming at power and superiority; but, on Man is naturally a beneficient creature. the contrary, every one will find that station the most proper for him in which he is placed, THE following essay comes from an hand and will probably think that he could not which has entertained my readers once behave been so happy in any other station. fore. These, and many other particulars, are marked in divine revelation, as the several ingredients of 'Notwithstanding a narrow contracted tenour happiness in heaven, which all imply such per be that which obtains most in the world, a variety of joys, and such a gratification of we must not therefore conclude this to be the the soul in all its different faculties, as I have genuine characteristic ef mankind; because been bere mentioning. there are some who delight in nothing so Some of the rabbins tell us, that the cheru- much as in doing good, and receive more of their bims are a set of angels who know most, and happiness at second-hand, or by rebound from the seraphims a set of angels who love most. others, than by direct and immediate sensaWhether this distinction be not altogether im- tion. Now, though these heroic souls are but aginary, I shall not here examine; but it is few, and to appearance so far advanced above highly probable that, among the spirits of the grovelling multitude as if they were of angood men, there may be some who will be other order of beings, yet in reality their namore pleased with the employment of one fa-ture is the same; moved by the same springs, culty than of another; and this perhaps ac- and endowed with all the same essential quacording to those innocent and virtuous habits lities, only cleared, refined, and cultivated. or inclinations which have here taken the deep-Water is the same fluid body in winter and in summer; when it stands stiffened in ice as est root. I might here apply this consideration to the when it flows along in gentle streams, gladspirits of wicked men, with relation to the dening a thousand fields in its progress. It is pain which they shall suffer in every one of a property of the heart of man to be diffusive: their faculties, and the respective miseries its kind wishes spread abroad over the face which shall be appropriated to each faculty in of the creation; and if there be those, as we particular. But, leaving this to the reflection may observe too many of them, who are all of my readers, I shall conclude with observing wrapped up in their own dear selves, without how we ought to be thankful to our great Cre- any visible concern for their species, let us ator, and rejoice in the being which he has suppose that their good-nature is frozen, and bestowed upon us, for having made the soul by the prevailing force of some contrary quasusceptible of pleasure by so many different lity, restrained in its operation. I shall thereways. We see by what a variety of passages fore endeavour to assign some of the principal joy and gladness may enter into the thoughts checks upon this generous propension of the of man; how wonderfully a human spirit is human soul, which will enable us to judge whe framed, to imbibe its proper satisfactions, and ther, and by what method, this most useful taste the goodness of its Creator. We may principle may be unfettered, and restored to therefore look into ourselves with rapture and its native freedom of exercise. amazement, and cannot sufficiently express The first and leading cause is an unhappy our gratitude to Him who has encompassed complexion of body. The heathens, ignorant us with such a profusion of blessings, and of the true source of moral evil, generally charg opened in us so many capacities of enjoying them. There cannot be a stronger argument that ed it on the obliquity of matter, which, beiug eternal and independent, was incapable of change in any of its properties, even by the 1 "Homo qui erranti comiter monstrat viam, Quassi lumen de suo lumine accendat, facit, "To direct a wanderer in the right way, is to light another man's candle by ones own, which loses none of its light by what the other gains.” Almighty Mind, who, when he came to fashion proceeding from a false notion men have taken it into a world of beings, must take it as he up, that an abundance of the world is an esfound it. This notion, as most others of theirs, sential ingredient in the happiness of life. is a composition of truth and error. That Worldly things are of such a quality as to lesmatter is eternal, that, from the first union of sen upon dividing, so that the more partners a soul to it, it preverted its inclinations, and there are the less must fall to every man's pri that the ill influence it hath upon the mind is vate share. The consequence of this is, that not to be corrected by God himself, are all they look upon one another with an evil eye, very great errors, occasioned by a truth as evi- each imagining all the rest to be embarked in dent, that the capacities and dispositions of the an interest that cannot take place but to his soul depend, to a great degree, on the bodily tem- prejudice. Hence are those eager competitions per. As there are some fools, others are knaves by for wealth or power; hence one man's success constitution; and particularly it may be said becomes another's disappointment; and, like of many, that they are born with an illiberal pretenders to the same mistress, they can selcast of mind; the matter that composes them dom have common charity for their rivals. Not is tenacious as birdlime; and a kind of cramp that they are naturally disposed to quarrel and draws their hands and their hearts together, fall out; but it is natural for a man to prefer that they never care to open them, unless to himself to all others, and to secure his own inIt is a melancholy lot this; terest first. If that which men esteem their grasp at more. but attended with one advantage above theirs, happiness were, like the light, the same suffito whom it would be as painful to forbear good cient and unconfined good, whether ten thonoffices as it is to these men to perform them; sand enjoy the benefit of it or but one, we that whereas persons naturally beneficient of-should see men's good-will and kind endeaten mistake instinct for virtue, by reason of the vours would be as universal. difficulty of distinguishing when one rules them and when the other, men of the opposite character may be more certain of the motive that predominates in every action. If they cannot confer a benefit with that ease and frankness which are necessary to give it a grace in the eye of the world, in requital, the real merit of what they do is enhanced by the opposition 'But, unluckily, mankind agree in making they surmount in doing it. The strength of choice of objects which inevitably engage them their virtue is seen in rising against the weight in perpetual differences. Learn, therefore,like of nature; and every time they have the reso-a wise man, the true estimate of things. Delution to discharge their duty, they make a sa- sire not more of the world than is necessary to crifice of inclination to conscience, which is al- accommodate you in passing through it; look ways too grateful to let its followers go with upon every thing beyond, not as useless only, out suitable marks of its approbation. Perhaps but burdensome. Place not your quiet in things the entire cure of this ill quality is no more which you cannot have without putting others possible than of some distempers that descend beside them, and thereby making them your by inheritance. However, a great deal may enemies; and which, when attained, will give be done by a course of beneficence obstinately you more trouble to keep than satisfaction in persisted in; this, if any thing, being a likely the enjoyment. Virtue is a good of a nobler way of establishing a moral habit, which shall kind; it grows by communication; and so be somewhat of a counterpoise to the force of little resembles earthly riches, that the more mechanism. Only it must be remembered that hands it is lodged in, the greater is every man's we do not intermit, upon any pretence what-particular stock. So, by propagating and mingsoever, the custom of doing good, in regard, if ling their fires, not only all the lights of a branch there be the least cessation, nature will watch together cast a more extensive brightness, but the opportunity to return, and in a short time each single light burns with a stronger flame. to recover the ground it was so long in quit- And lastly, take this along with you, that if ting: for there is this difference between men wealth be an instrument of pleasure, the greattal habits and such as have their foundation in est pleasure it can put into your power is that the body; that these last are in their nature of doing good. It is worth considering, that more forcible and violent; and, to gain upon the organs of sense act within a narrow comus, need only not to be opposed; whereas the pass, and the appetites will soon say they have former must be continually reinforced with enough. Which of the two therefore is the fresh supplies, or they will languish and die happier man-he who, confining all his regard And this suggests the reason why good to the gratification of his appetites, is capable away. habits in general require longer time for their but of short fits of pleasure-or the man who, settlement than bad, and yet are sooner dis-reckoning himself a sharer in the satisfactions placed; the reason is, that vicious habits, as of others, especially those which come to them drunkenness for instance, produce a change in by his means, enlarges the sphere of his happithe body, which the others not doing, must be ness? 'The last enemy to benevolence I shall menmaintained the same way they are acquired, by the mere dint of industry, resolution, and tion is uneasiness of any kind. A guilty or a discontented mind, a mind ruffled by ill-fortune, vigilance. Another thing which suspends the opera-disconcerted by its own passions, soured by tions of benevolence, is the love of the world; neglect, or fretting at disappointments, hath not |