fore I knew what interpretation the world
generally put upon them.

"Animula vagula, blandula,
Hospes comesque corporis,
Quæ nunc abibis in loca?
Pallidula, rigida, nudula,

Nec (ut soles) dabis jocos!"

"Alas, my soul! thou pleasing compa-nion of this body, thou fleeting thing that art now deserting it, whither art thou flying? to what unknown region? Thou art all trembling, fearful, and pensive. Now what is become of thy former wit and humour? Thou shalt jest and be gay no

more.

• Such readers scorn'd, thou wing'st thy daring flight
Above the stars, and tread'st the fields of light;
Fame, heaven, and hell, are thy exalted theme,
And visions such as Jove himself might dream;
Man sunk to slav'ry, though to glory born,
Heaven's pride when upright, and deprav'd his scorn.
'Such hints alone could British Virgil lend,‡
And thou alone deserve from such a friend;
A debt so borrow'd is illustrious fame,

And fame when shar'd with him is double fame.
So flush'd with sweets, by beauty's queen bestow'd,
With more than mortal charms Æneas glow'd:
Such gen'rous strifes Eugene and Marlbro' try,
And as in glory so in friendship vie.

'Permit these lines by thee to live-nor blame
A muse that pants and languishes for fame;
That fears to sink when humbled themes she sings,
Lost in the mass of mean forgotten things.
Receiv'd by thee, I prophesy my rhymes
The praise of virgins in succeeding times;
Mix'd with thy works, their life no bounds shall see,
But stand protected as inspir'd by thee.

So some weak shoot, which else would poorly rise,
Jove's tree adopts and lifts him to the skies;
Through the new pupil fost'ring juices flow,
Thrust forth the gems, and give the flowers to blow;
Aloft, immortal reigns the plant unknown,
With borrow'd life, and vigour not his own.'

To the Spectator General.

'I confess I cannot apprehend where lies the trifling in all this; it is the most natural and obvious reflection imaginable to a dying man: and, if we consider the emperor was a heathen, that doubt concerning the future state of his soul will seem so far from being the effect of want of thought, that it was scarce reasonable he should think otherwise: not to mention that there is a plain confession included of his belief in its immortality. The diminu- 'Mr. John Sly humbly showeth :-tive epithets of vagula, blandula, and the 'That upon reading the deputation given rest, appear not to me as expressions of to the said Mr. John Sly, all persons passlevity, but rather of endearment and con-ing by his observatory behaved themselves cern; such as we find in Catullus, and the with the same decorum as if your honour authors of Hendecasyllabi after him, where yourself had been present. they are used to express the utmost love and tenderness for their mistresses. If you think me right in my notion of the last words of Adrian, be pleased to insert this in the Spectator; if not, suppress it.

'I am, &c.'

• To the supposed Author of the Spectator.

'In courts licentious, and a shameless stage,
How long the war shall wit with virtue wage?
Enchanted by this prostituted fair,
Our youth run headlong in the fatal snare;
In height of rapture clasp unheeded pains,

And suck pollution through their tingling veins.

Thy spotless thoughts unshock'd the priest may hear,
And the pure vestal in her bosom wear.
To conscious blushes and diminish'd pride,
Thy glass betrays what treach'rous love would hide:
Nor harsh thy precepts, but infus'd by stealth,
Please while they cure, and cheat us into health.

"Thy works in Chloe's toilet gain a part,
And with his tailor share the fopling's heart:
Lash'd in thy satire, the penurious cit
Laughs at himself, and finds no harm in wit:
From felon gamesters the raw 'squire is free,
And Britain owes her rescu'd oaks to thee.*
His miss the frolic viscountt dreads to toast,
Or his third cure the shallow templar boast;
And the rash fool, who scorn'd the beaten road,
Dares quake at thunder, and confess his God.

The brainless stripling, who, expell'd to town,
Damn'd the stiff college and pedantic clown,
Aw'd by thy name is dumb, and thrice a week
Spells uncouth Latin, and pretends to Greek.
A saunt'ring tribe! such, born to wide estates,
With "yea" and "no" in senates hold debates;
At length despis'd, each to his field retires,
First with the dogs, and king amidst the 'squires;
From pert to stupid sinks supinely down,
In youth a coxcomb, and in age a clown.

* Mr. Tickell here alludes to Steel's papers against the sharpers, &c. in the Tatler, and particularly to a letter in Tat. No. 73, signed Will Trusty, and written by Mr. John Hughes.

Viscount Bolingbroke.

"That your said officer is preparing, according to your honour's secret instructions, hats for the several kinds of heads that make figures in the realms of Great Britain, with cocks significant of their powers and faculties.

"That your said officer has taken due notice of your instructions and admonitions concerning the internals of the head from the outward form of the same. His hats for men of the faculties of law and physic do but just turn up, to give a little life to their sagacity; his military hats glare full in the face; and he has prepared a familiar easy cock for all good companions between the above-mentioned extremes. For this end he has consulted the most learned of his acquaintance for the true form and dimensions of the lepidum caput, and made a hat fit for it.

"Your said officer does farther represent, that the young divines about town are many of them got into the cock military, and desires your instructions therein.

That the town has been for several days very well behaved, and farther your said officer saith not.'

T.

various characters of fine women preferable to Miranda. In a word, she is never guilty of doing any thing but one amiss, (if she can be thought to do amiss by me) in being as blind to my faults, as she is to her own perfections. I am, sir, your very humble, obedient servant, DUSTERERASTUS.'

custom of parents in forcing their children | beauty, yet there is none among all your to marry contrary to their inclinations. My own case, without farther preface, I will lay before you, and leave you to judge of it. My father and mother, both being in declining years, would fain see me, their eldest son, as they call it, settled. I am as mych for that as they can be; but I must be settled, it seems, not according to my own, but their liking. Upon this account I am teased every day, because I have not MR. SPECTATOR,-When you spent so yet fallen into love, in spite of nature, with much time as you did lately in censuring one of a neighbouring gentleman's daugh- the ambitious young gentlemen who ride ters; for out of their abundant generosity, in triumph through town and country on they give me the choice of four.” “Jack,' coach-boxes, I wish you had employed begins my father. "Mrs. Catharine is a those moments in consideration of what fine woman."—"Yes, sir, but she is rather passes sometimes within-side of those vehitoo old."-"She will make the more dis- cles. I am sure I suffered sufficiently by creet manager, boy." Then my mother the insolence and ill-breeding of some perplays her part. "Is not Mrs. Betty exceed-sons who travelled lately with me in the ing fair?""Yes, madam, but she is of no stage-coach out of Essex to London. I am conversation; she has no fire, no agreeable sure, when you have heard what I have to vivacity; she neither speaks nor looks with say, you will think there are persons under spirit.""True, son, but for those very the character of gentlemen, that are fit to reasons she will be an easy, soft, obliging, be no where else but on the coach-box. tractable creature."-" After all," cries an Sir, I am a young woman of a sober and old aunt, (who belongs to the class of those religious education, and have preserved who read plays with spectacles on,)" what that character; but on Monday was fortthink you, nephew, of proper Mrs. Doro- night, it was my misfortune to come to thy?""What do I think? why, I think London. I was no sooner clapped into the she cannot be above six foot two inches coach, but, to my great surprise, two perhigh.”—“ Well, well, you may banter as sons in the habit of gentlemen attacked me long as you please, but height of stature with such indecent discourse as I cannot is commanding and majestic."-"Come, repeat to you, so you may conclude not fit come," says a cousin of mine in the family, for me to hear. I had no relief but the "I will fit him; Fidelia is yet behind hopes of a speedy end of my short journey. pretty Miss Fiddy must please you."- Sir, form to yourself what a persecution "Oh! your very humble servant, dear coz, this must needs be to a virtuous and chaste she is as much too young as her eldest sis- mind; and, in order to your proper handter is too old."-"Is it so, indeed," quoth ling such a subject, fancy your wife or she, "good Mr. Pert? You that are but daughter, if you had any, in such circumturned of twenty-two, and Miss Fiddy in stances, and what treatment you would half a year's time will be in her teens, then think due to such dragoons. One of and she is capable of learning any thing them was called a captain, and entertained Then she will be so observant; she will us with nothing but filthy stupid questions, cry perhaps now and then, but never be or lewd songs, all the way. Ready to burst angry." Thus they will think for me in with shame and indignation, I repined that this matter, wherein I am more particu- nature had not allowed us as easily to shut larly concerned than any body else. If I our ears as our eves. But was not this a name any woman in the world, one of these kind of rape? Why should there be acdaughters has certainly the same qualities. cessaries in ravishment any more than You see by these few hints, Mr. Spectator, murder? Why should not every contriwhat a comfortable life I lead. To be still butor to the abuse of chastity suffer death? more open and free with you, I have been I am sure these shameless hell-hounds depassionately fond of a young lady (whom served it highly. Can you exert yourself give me leave to call Miranda) now for better than on such an occasion? If you do these three years. I have often urged the not do it effectually, I will read no more of matter home to my parents with all the your papers. Has every impertinent felsubmission of a son, but the impatience of low a privilege to torment me, who pay a lover. Pray, sir, think of three years: my coach-hire as well as he? Sir, pray what inexpressible scenes of inquietude, consider us in this respect as the weakest what variety of misery must I have gone sex, who have nothing to defend ourselves; through in three whole years! Miranda's and I think it is as gentleman-like to chalfortune is equal to those I have mentioned; lenge a woman to fight as to talk obscenely but her relations are not intimates with in her company, especially when she has mine! Ah! there's the rub! Miranda's not power to stir. Pray let me tell you a person, wit, and humour, are what the story which you can make fit for public nicest fancy could imagine; and, though view. I knew a gentleman who, having a we know you to be so elegant a judge of very good opinion of the gentlemen of the VOL. II.

39

-We seldom find

E

army, invited ten or twelve of them to supo with him; and at the same time invited two or three friends who were very severe MR. SPECTATOR,-I am a young woman against the manners and morals of gentlemen of that profession. It happened one of nineteen, the only daughter of very of them brought two captains of his regi- wealthy parents, and have my whole life ment newly come into the army, who at been used with a tenderness which did me the first onset engaged the company with no great service in my education. I have very lewd healths and suitable discourse. perhaps an uncommon desire for knowledge You may easily imagine the confusion of of what is suitable to my sex and quality; the entertainer, who finding some of his but, as far as I can remember, the whole friends very uneasy, desired to tell them dispute about me has been, whether such i the story of a great man, one Mr. Locke, a thing was proper for the child to do, or (whom I find you frequently mention) that not? or whether such or such a food was being invited to dine with the then lords the more wholesome for the young lady to Halifax, Anglesey, and Shaftesbury, im- eat? This was ill for my shape, that for my mediately after dinner, instead of conver- complexion, and the other for my eyes. I sation, the cards were called for, where am not extravagant when I tell you, I do E the bad or good success produced the usual not know that I have trod upon the very passions of gaming. Mr. Locke, retiring earth ever since I was ten years old. A to a window, and writing, my lord Angle- coach or chair I am obliged to for all my sey desired to know what he was writing: motions from one place to another ever "Why, my lords," answered he, "I could since I can remember. All who had to do not sleep last night for the pleasure and to instruct me, have ever been bringing! improvement I expected from the conver- stories of the notable things I have said, sation of the greatest men of the age." and the womanly manner of my behaving a This so sensibly stung them, that they myself upon such and such an occasion. gladly compounded to throw their cards in This has been my state until I came tothe fire, if he would his paper, and so a con- wards years of womanhood: and ever since versation ensued fit for such persons. This grew towards the age of fifteen I have story pressed so hard upon the young cap-been abused after another manner. Now, tains, together with the concurrence of their forsooth, I am so killing, no one can safely Our house is frequented by superior officers, that the young fellows left speak to me. the company in confusion. Sir, I know you men of sense, and I love to ask questions hate long things; but if you like it you may when I fall into such conversation; but I contract it, or how you will; but I think it am cut short with something or other about has a moral in it. my bright eyes. There is, sir, a language But, sir, I am told you are a famous particular for talking to women in; and mechanic as well as a looker-on, and there- none but those of the very first good-breedfore humbly propose you would inventing (who are very few, and who seldom some padlock, with full power under your hand and seal, for all modest persons, either men or women, to clap upon the mouths of all such impertinent impudent fellows: and I wish you would publish a proclamation, that no modest person who has value for her countenance, and consequently would not be put out of it, presume to travel after such a day without one of them in their pockets. I fancy a smart Spectator upon this subject would serve for such a padlock; and that public notice may be given in your paper where they may be had, with directions, price two pence; and that part of the directions may be, when any person presumes to be guilty of the above-mentioned crime, the party aggrieved may produce it to his face, with a request to read it to the company. He must be very much hardened that could outface that rebuke; and his farther punishment I leave you to prescribe. Your humble servant,

come into my way) can speak to us without
regard to our sex. Among the generality
of those they call gentlemen, it is impossi-
ble for me to speak upon any subject what-
soever, without provoking somebody to say,
"Oh! to be sure, fine Mrs. Such-a-one
must be very particularly acquainted with
all that; all the world would contribute to
her entertainment and information." Thus,
sir, I am so handsome, that I murder all
who approach me; so wise, that I want no
new notices; and so well-bred, that I am
treated by all that know me like a fool, for
no one will answer as if I were their friend
or companion. Pray, sir, be pleased to
take the part of us beauties and fortunes
into your consideration, and do not let us
be thus flattered out of our senses.
got a huzzy of a maid who is most craftily
given to this ill quality. I was at first di-
verted with a certain absurdity the crea-
ture was guilty of in every thing she said.
She is a country girl; and in the dialect of
the shire she was born in, would tell me
that every body reckoned her lady had the
purest red and white in the world: then

I have

No. 534.] Wednesday, November 12, 1712. she would tell me I was the most like one

Sisly Dobson in their town, who made the miller make away with himself, and walk

afterwards in the corn-field where they used to meet. With all this, this cunning huzzy can lay letters in my way, and put a billet in my gloves, and then stand in it she knows nothing of it. I do not know, from my birth to this day, that I have been ever treated by any one as I ought; and if it were not for a few books, which I delight in, I should be at this hour a novice to all common sense. Would it not be worth your while to lay down rules for behaviour in this case, and tell people, that we fair ones expect honest plain answers as well as other people? Why must I, good sir, because I have a good air, a fine complexion, and am in the bloom of my years, be misled in all my actions; and have the notions of good and ill confounded in my mind, for no other offence, but because I have the advantages of beauty and fortune? Indeed, sir, what with the silly homage which is paid to us by the sort of people I have above spoken of, and the utter negligence which others have for us, the conversation of us young women of condition is no other than what must expose us to ignorance and vanity, if not vice. All this is humbly submitted to your spectatorial wisdom, by sir, your humble servant,

SHARLOT WEALTHY.'

'Will's Coffee-house. 'MR. SPECTATOR,-Pray, sir, it will serve to fill up a paper if you put in this; which is only to ask, whether that copy of verses which is a paraphrase of Isaiah, in one of your speculations, is not written by Mr. Pope? Then you get on another line, by putting in, with proper distances, as at the end of a letter, I am, sir, your humble

'MR. SPECTATOR,-I am in the condition of the idol you was once pleased to mention, and bar-keeper of a coffee-house. I believe it is needless to tell you the opportunities I must give, and the importunities I suffer. But there is one gentleman who besieges me as close as the French did Bouchain. His gravity makes him work cautious, and his regular approaches denote a good engineer. You need not doubt of his oratory, as he is a lawyer; and especially since he has had so little use of it at Westminster, he may spare the more for me.

"What then can weak women do? I am willing to surrender, but he would have it at discretion, and I with discretion. In the mean time, whilst we parley, our several interests are neglected. As his siege grows stronger, my tea grows weaker; and while he pleads at my bar, none come to him for counsel but in forma pauperis. Dear Mr. Spectator, advise him not to insist upon hard articles, nor by his irregular desires contradict the well meaning lines of his countenance. If we were agreed, we might settle to something, as soon as we could determine where we should get most by the law-at the coffee-house, or at Westminster. Your humble servant,

'LUCINDA PARLEY.'

A Minute from Mr. John Sly.

The world is pretty regular for about forty rod east and ten west of the observatory of the said Mr. Sly; but he is credibly informed, that when they are got beyond the pass into the Strand, or those who move city-ward are got within Temple-bar, they are just as they were before. It is therefore humbly proposed, that moving centries may be appointed all the busy hours of the day between the Exchange and Westmin'MR. DAPPERWIT,-I am glad to get ster, and report what passes to your hoanother line forward, by saying that excel-nour, or your subordinate officers, from lent piece is Mr. Pope's; and so, with time to time.' proper distances, I am, your humble servant, THE SPECTATOR.'

servant,

" ABRAHAM DAPPERWIT.'

Ordered,

That Mr. Sly name the said officers, provided he will answer for their principles and morals. 1.

No. 535.] Thursday, November 13, 1712.

Spem longam reseces.

Cut short vain hope.

Hor. Od. xi. Lib. 1. 7.

'MR. SPECTATOR,-I was a wealthy grocer in the city, and as fortunate as dili5gent; but I was a single man, and you know there are women. One in particular came to my shop, who I wished might, but was afraid never would, make a grocer's wife. I thought, however, to take an effectual way of courting, and sold her at less price than I bought, that I might buy at less price than I sold. She, you may be sure, often My four hundred and seventy-first specame and helped me to many customers at culation turned upon the subject of hope in the same rate, fancying I was obliged to general. I design this paper as a speculaher. You must needs think this was a good tion upon that vain and foolish hope which living trade, and my riches must be vastly is misemployed on temporal objects, and improved. In fine, I was nigh being de-produces many sorrows and calamities in clared bankrupt, when I declared myself human life. her lover, and she, herself married. I was just in a condition to support myself, and am now in hopes of growing rich by losing | my customers. Yours,

" JEREMY COMFIT.'

It is a precept several times inculcated by Horace, that we should not entertain a hope of any thing in life, which lies at a great distance from us. The shortness and uncertainty of our time here makes such a