the other day, and, believe me, sir, she very much resembled an overturned bell without a clapper. Many other disasters I could tell you of that befal themselves, as well as others, by means of this unwieldy garment. I wish, Mr. Guardian, you would join with me in showing your dislike of such a monstrous fashion, and I hope when the ladies see it is the opinion of two of the wisest men in England, they will be convinced of their folly "I am, sir, "Your daily reader and admirer, No. 115.] Thursday, July 23. Ingenium par materia. Juv. WHEN I read rules of criticism, I immediately inquire after the works of the author who has written them, and by that means discover what it is he likes in a composition; for there is no question but every man aims at least at what he thinks beautiful in others. If I find by his own manner of writing that he is heavy and tasteless, I throw aside his criticisms with a secret indignation, to see a man without genius or politeness dictating to the world on subjects which I find are above his reach. If the critic has published nothing but rules and observations in criticism, I then consider whether there be a propriety and elegance in his thoughts and words, clearness and delicacy in his remarks, wit and good-breeding in his raillery; but if, in the place of all these, I find nothing but dogmatical stupidity, I must beg such a writer's pardon if I have no manner of deference for his judgment, and refuse to conform myself to his taste. So Macer and Mundungus school the times, Mr. Congreve to Sir R. Temple. It is commonly known, that Pope Leo the Tenth was a great patron, of learning, and used to be present at the performances, conversations, and disputes of all the most polite writers of his time. Upon this bottom Strada founds the following narrative. When this pope was at his villa, that stood on an eminence on the banks of the Tiber, the poets contrived the following pageant or machine for his entertainment. They made a huge floating mountain, that was split at the top, in imitation of Parnassus. There were several marks on it that distinguished it for the habitation of heroic poets. Of all the Muses Calliope only made her appearance. It was covered up and down with groves of laurel. Pegasus appeared hanging off the side of a rock, with a fountain running from his heel. This floating Parnassus fell down the river to the sound of trumpets, and in a kind of epic measure, for it was rowed forward by six huge wheels, three on each side, that by their constant motion carried on the machine until it arrived before the pope's villa. were disposed in stations suitable to their reThe representatives of the ancient poets spective characters. Statius was posted on the highest of the two summits, which was fashioned in the form of a precipice, and hung over the rest of the mountain in a him with the same terror and curiosity as dreadful manner, so that people regarded they look upon a daring rope-dancer whom they expect to fall every moment. Claudian was seated on the other summit, which was lower, and at the same time more smooth and even than the former. It was observed likewise to be more barren, and to produce, on some spots of it, plants that are unknown to Italy, and such as the gardeners call exotics. Lucretius was very busy about the roots of the mountain, being wholly intent upon the motion and management of the machine; which was under his conduct, and was, indeed, of his invention. He was sometimes so engaged among the wheels, and covered with machinery, that not above half the po et appeared to the spectators, though, at other times, by the working of the engines, he was raised up, and became as conspicu The greatest critics among the ancients are those who have the most excelled in all other kinds of composition, and have shown the height of good writing even in the pre-ous as any of the brotherhood. cepts which they have given for it. Among the moderns likewise, no critic has ever pleased, or been looked upon as authentic, who did not show, by his practice, that he was a master of the theory. I have now one before me, who, after having given many proofs of his performances both in poetry and prose, obliged the world with several critical works. The author I mean is Strada. His Prolusion on the style of the most famous among the ancient Latin poets who are extant, and have written in epic verse, is one of the most entertaining, as well as the most just pieces of criticism that I have ever read. I shall make the plan of it the subject of this day's paper. Ovid did not settle in any particular place, but ranged over all Parnassus with great nimbleness and activity. But as he did not much care for the toil and pains that were requisite to climb the upper part of the hill, he was generally roving about the bottom of it. But there was none who was placed in a more eminent station, and had a greater prospect under him than Lucan. He vaulted upon Pegasus with all the heat and intrepidity of youth, and seemed desirous of mounting into the clouds upon the back of him. But as the hinder feet of the horse stuck to the mountain, while the body reared up in the air, the poet, with great diffi culty, kept himself from sliding off his back, I insomuch that the people often gave him for gone, and cried out, every now and then, that he was tumbling. Virgil, with great modesty in his looks, was seated by Calliope, in the midst of a plantation of laurels which grew thick about him, and almost covered him, with their shade. He would not, perhaps, have been seen in this retirement, but that it was impossible to look upon Calliope without seeing Virgil at the same time. The poetical masquerade was no sooner arrived before the pope's villa, but they received an invitation to land, which they did accordingly. The hall prepared for their reception was filled with an audience of the greatest eminence for quality and politeness, The poets took their places, and repeated each of them a poem written in the style and spirit of those immortal authors whom they represented. The subjects of these several poems, with the judgment passed upon each of them, may be an agreeable entertainment for another day's paper. No. 116.] Friday, July 24. -Ridiculum acri have the appearance of danger or death in them, the Merry-Andrew has his separate packet for the meagrims and the tooth-ache. Thus much I thought fit to premise before I resume the subject which I have already handled, I mean the naked bosoms of our British ladies. I hope they will not take it ill of me, if I still beg that they will be covered. I shall here present them with a letter on that particular, as it was yesterday conveyed to me through the lion's mouth. It comes from a Quaker, and is as follows: "NESTOR IRONSIDE,-Our friends like thee. We rejoice to find thou beginnest to have a glimmering of the light in thee: we shall pray for thee, that thou mayest be more and more enlightened. Thou givest good advice to the women of this world to clothe themselves like unto our friends, and not to expose their fleshy temptations, for it is against the record. Thy lion is a good lion: he roareth loud, and is heard a great way, even unto the sink of Babylon; for the scarlet whore is governed by the voice of thy lion. Look on his order. "Rome, July 8, 1713. 'A placard is published here, forbidding women of whatsoever quality to go with naked breasts; and the priests are ordered not to admit the transgressors of this law to confession, nor to communion; neither are they to enter the cathedrals under these severe penalties.' “These lines are faithfully copied from the nightly paper, with this title written over it, The Evening Post, from Saturday, July the 18th, to Tuesday, July the 21st. "Seeing thy lion is obeyed at this distance, we hope the foolish women in thine own country will listen to thy admonitions. Otherwise thou art desired to make him still roar till all the beasts of the forest shall tremble. I must again repeat unto thee, friend Nestor, the whole brotherhood have great hopes of thee, and expect to see thee so inspired with the light, as thou mayest speedily become a great preacher of the word. I wish it heartily. Thine, THERE are many little enormities in the world, which our preachers would be very glad to see removed; but at the same time dare not meddle with them, for fear of betraying the dignity of the pulpit. Should they recommend the Tucker in a pathetic discourse, their audiences would be apt to laugh out. I knew a parish, where the top woman of it used always to appear with à patch upon some part of the forehead: the good man of the place preached at it with great zeal for almost a twelvemonth; but instead of fetching out the spot which he perpetually aimed at, he only got the name of Parson Patch for his pains. Another is to this day called by the name of Dr. Topknot, for reasons of the same nature. I remember the clergy, during the time of Cromwell's usurpation, were very much taken up in reforming the female world, and showing the vanity of those outward ornaments in which the sex so much delights. I have heard a whole sermon against a It happens very oddly that the pope and white-wash, and have known a coloured I should have the same thought much about riband made the mark of the unconverted. the same time. My enemies will be apt to The clergy of the present age are not trans- say that we hold a correspondence together, ported with these indiscreet favours, as and act by concert in this matter. Let that knowing that it is hard for a reformer to be as it will, I shall not be ashamed to join avoid ridicule, when he is severe upon sub- with his holiness in those particulars which jects which are rather apt to produce mirth are indifferent between us, especially when than seriousness. For this reason I look it is for the reformation of the finer half of upon myself to be of great use to these good mankind. We are both of us about the men; while they are employed in ex-same age, and consider the fashion in the tirpating mortal sins, and crimes of a higher nature, I should be glad to rally the world out of indecencies and venial transgressions. While the doctor is curing distempers that "In every thing that is praise-worthy, "TOM TREMBLE." Tom's coffee-house in Birchin-lane, the 23d day of the month called July. same view. I hope that it will not be able to resist his bull and my lion. I am only afraid that our ladies will take occasion from hence to show their zeal for the Protestant religion, and pretend to expose their naked | under the shape of pains, losses, and disapbosoms only in opposition to popery. pointments, but let him have patience, and he will see them in their proper figures. Dangers may threaten him, but he may rest satisfied that they will either not reach him, or that if they do, they will be instruments of good to him. In short, he may look upon all crosses and incidents, sufferings and afflictions, as means which are made use of to bring him to happiness. This is even the worst of that man's condition whose mind is possessed with the habitual fear of which I am now speaking. But it very often happens, that those which appear evils in our own LOOKING Over the late edition of Monsieur Boileau's works, I was very much pleased with the article which he has added to his notes on the translation of Longinus. He there tells us, that the sublime in writing rises either from the nobleness of the thought, the magnificence of the words, or the har-eyes, appear also as such to him who has monious and lively turn of the phrase, and that the perfect sublime arises from all these three in conjunction together. He produces an instance of this perfect sublime in four verses from the Athaliah of Monsieur Racine. When Abner, one of the chief officers of the court, represents to Joad the high-priest, that the queen was incensed against him, the high-priest, not in the least terrified at the news, returns this answer. Celui qui met un frein à la fureur des flots, Scait aussi des mechans arrêter les complots. Soumis avec respect à sa volonte sainte. human nature under his care, in which case they are certainly averted from the person who has made himself, by his virtue, an object of divine favour. Histories are full of instances of this nature, where men of virtue have had extraordinary escapes out of such dangers as have enclosed them, and which have seemed inevitable. represented Providence among the heathens. I think no man was ever more distinguished by the deity whom he blindly worshipped, than the great person I am speaking of, in several occurrences of his life, but particu larly in the following one, which I shall relate out of Plutarch. There is no example of this kind in Pagan history, which more pleases me than that which is recorded in the life of Timoleon. This extraordinary man was famous for referring all his successes to Providence Je crains Dieu, cher Abner, et n'ai point d'autre crainte. Cornelius Nepos acquaints us, that he had 'He who ruleth the raging of the sea, knows in his house a private chapel, in which he also how to check the designs of the ungod-used to pay his devotions to the goddess who ly. I submit myself with reverence to his holy will. O Abner, I fear my God, and I fear none but him.' Such a thought gives no less a sublimity to human nature, than it does to good writing. This religious fear, when it is produced by just apprehensions of the Divine Power, naturally overlooks all human greatness that stands in competition Three persons had entered into a conspiwith it, and extinguishes every other terror racy to assassinate Timoleon as he was ofthat can settle itself in the heart of man; it fering up his devotions in a certain temple. lessens and contracts the figure of the most In order to it, they took their several stands exalted person; it disarms the tyrant and in the most convenient places for their purexecutioner, and represents to our minds the pose. As they were waiting for an opportumost enraged and the most powerful as al-nity to put their design in execution, a strantogether harmless and impotent. ger having observed one of the conspirators, There is no true fortitude which is not fell, upon him and slew him. Upon which founded upon this fear, as there is no other the other two, thinking their plot had been principle of so settled and fixed a nature. discovered, threw themselves at Timoleon's Courage that grows from constitution very feet, and confessed the whole matter. This often forsakes a man when he has occasion stranger, upon examination, was found to for it; and when it is only a kind of instinct have understood nothing of the intended asin the soul, breaks out on all occasions with-sassination, but having several years before out judgment or discretion. That courage which proceeds from the sense of our duty, and from the fear of offending him that made us, acts always in a uniform manner, and according to the dictates of right rea had a brother killed by the conspirator, whom he here put to death, and having till now sought in vain for an opportunity of revenge, he chanced to meet the murderer in the temple, who had planted himself there for the above mentioned purpose. Plutarch cannot forbear, on this occasion, speaking with a kind of rapture on the schemes of Providence, which, in this particular, had so contrived it, that the stranger should, for so great a space of time, be debarred the means of doing justice to his brother, until, by the same blow that revenged the death of one innocent man, he preserved the life of another. For my own part, I cannot wonder that a man of Timoleon's religion should have his the same time to lower the stays consideraintrepidity and firmness of mind, or that he bly before, and nothing but the unsettled should be distinguished by such a delive-weather has hindered this design from berance as I have here related. I AM very well pleased to find that my lion has given such universal content to all that have seen him. He has had a greater number of visitants than any of his brotherhood in the tower. I this morning examined his maw, where, among much other food, I found the following delicious morsels. To Nestor Ironside, Esq. "MR. GUARDIAN,-I am a daily peruser of your papers. I have read over and over your discourse concerning the Tucker, as likewise your paper of Thursday, the 16th instant, in which you say it is you intention to keep a watchful eye over every part of the female sex, and to regulate them from head to foot. Now, sir, being by profession a mantua-maker, who am employed by the most fashionable ladies about town, I am admitted to them freely at all hours, and seeing them both dressed and undressed, I think there is no person better qualified than myself to serve you (if your honour pleases) in the nature of a Lioness. I am in the whole secret of their fashion, and if you think fit to entertain me in this character, I will have a constant watch over them, and doubt not I shall send you from time to time such private intelligence, as you will find of use to you in your future papers. "Sir, this being a new proposal, I hope you will not let me lose the benefit of it: but that you will first hear me roar before you treat with anybody else. As a sample of my intended services, I give you this timely notice of an improvement you will shortly see in the exposing of the female chest, which, in defiance of your gravity, is going to be uncovered yet more and more; so that, to tell you truly, Mr. Ironside, I am in some fear lest my profession should in a little time become wholly unnecessary. I must here explain to you a small covering, if I may call it so, or rather an ornament for the neck, which you have not yet taken notice of. This consists of a narrow lace, or a small skirt of fine ruffled linen, which runs along the upper part of the stays before, and crosses the breasts, without rising to the shoulders; and being as it were a part of the tucker, yet kept in use, is therefore by a particular name called the Modestypiece. Now, sir, what I have to communicate to you at present is, that at a late meeting of the stripping ladies, in which were present several eminent toasts and beauties, it was resolved for the future to lay the modesty-piece wholly aside. It is intended at | ing already put in execution. Some few in deed objected to this last improvement, but were overruled by the rest, who alleged it was their intention, as they ingenuously expressed it, to level their breast-works entirely, and to trust to no defence but their own virtue. "I am sir, "(if you please,) your secret servant, "DEAR SIR,-As by name, and duty bound, I yesterday brought in a prey of paper for my patron's dinner, but by the forwardness of his paws, he seemed ready to put it into his own mouth, which does not enough resemble its prototypes, whose throats are open sepulchers. I assure you, sir, unless he gapes wider, he will sooner be felt than heard. Witness my hand, “JÁCKALL.” To Nestor Ironside, Esq. "SAGE NESTOR,-Lions being esteemed by naturalists the most generous of beasts, the noble and majestic appearance they make in poetry, wherein they so often represent the hero himself, made me always think that name very ill applied to a proffigate set of men, at present going about seeking whom to devour; and though I cannot but acquiesce in your account of the derivation of that_title to them, it is with great satisfaction I hear you are about to restore them to their former dignity, by producing one of that species so public-spirited, as to roar for reformation of manners. I will roar (says the clown in Shakspeare) that it will do any man's heart good to hear me; 1 will roar, that I will make the duke say, let him roar again, let him roar again. Such success and such applause I do not question but your lion will meet with, whilst, like that of Sampson, his strength shall bring forth sweetness, and his entrails abound with honey. "At the same time that I congratulate with the republic of beasts upon this honour done to their king, I must condole with us poor mortals, who, by distance of place, are rendered incapable of paying our respects to him, with the same assiduity as those who are ushered into his presence by the discreet Mr. Button. Upon this account, Mr. Ironside, I am become a suitor to you, to constitute an out-riding lion; or, if you please, a jackall or two, to receive and remit our homage in a more particular manner than is hitherto provided. As it is, our tenders of duty every now and then miscarry by the way, at least the natural self-love that makes us unwilling to think any thing that comes from us worthy of contempt, inclines us to believe so. Methinks it were likewise necessary to specify, by what means a present from a fair hand may reach his brindled majesty, the, place of his resi- | pack of cards, and no ideas to be discovered dence being very unfit for a lady's personal "SIR,-As soon as you have set up your unicorn, there is no question but the ladies will make him push very furiously at the men; for which reason I think it is good to be beforehand with them, and make the lion roar aloud at female irregularities. Among these, I wonder how their gaming has so long escaped your notice. You who converse with the sober family of the Lizards, are perhaps a stranger to these viragos; but what would you say, should you see a sparkler shaking her elbow for a whole night together, and thumping the table with a dicebox? or how would you like to hear the good widow lady herself returning to her house at midnight, and alarming the whole street with a most enormous rap, after having sat up until that time at crimp or ombre? Sir, I am the husband of one of these female gamesters, and a great loser by it both in my rest and my pocket. As my wife reads your papers, one upon this subject might be of use both to her, and "Your humble servant." I should ill deserve the name of Guardian, did I not caution all my fair wards against a practice, which, when it runs to excess, is the most shameful, but one, that the female world can fall into. The ill consequences of it are more than can be contained in this paper. However, that I may proceed in method, I shall consider them, First, as they relate to the mind; Secondly, as they relate to the body. in a soul which calls itself rational, excepting little square figures of painted and spotted paper. Was the understanding, that divine part in our composition, given for such a use ? Is it thus that we improve the greatest talent human nature is endowed with? What would a superior Being think, were he shown this intellectual faculty in a female gamester, and at the same time told that it was by this she was distinguished from brutes, and allied to angels ? When our women thus fill their imaginations with pips and counters, I cannot wonder at the story I have lately heard of a new-born child, that was marked with a five of clubs. Their passions suffer no less by this practice than their understandings and imaginations. What hope and fear, joy and anger, sorrow and discontent, break out all at once in a fair assembly, upon so noble an occasion as that of turning up a card? who can consider, without a secret indignation, that all those affections of the mind, which should be consecrated to their children, husbands, and parents, are thus vilely prostituted and thrown away upon a hand at loo? For my own part, I cannot but be grieved when I see a fine woman fretting and bleeding inwardly from such trivial motives; when I behold the face of an angel agitated and discomposed by the heart of a fury. Our minds are of such a make, that they naturally give themselves up to every diversion which they are much accustomed to, and we always find that play, when followed with assiduity, engrosses the whole woman. She quickly grows uneasy in her own family takes but little pleasure in all the domestic, innocent endearments of life, and grows more fond of Pam than of her husband. My friend Theophrastus, the best of husbands and of fathers, has often complained to me, with tears in his eyes, of the late hours he is forced to keep, if he would enjoy his wife's conversation. When she returns to me with joy in her face, it does not arise, says he, from the sight of her husband, but from the good luck she has had at cards. On the contrary, says he, if she has been a loser, I am doubly a sufferer by it. She comes home out of humour, is angry with every body, displeased with all I can do or say, and in reality for no other reason but because she has been throwing away my estate. What charming bedfellows and companions for life are men likely to meet with, to choose their wives out of such women of vogue and fashion? what a race of worthies, what patriots, what heroes must we expect from mothers of this make? Could we look into the mind of a female gamester, we should see it full of nothing but I come in the next place to consider the trumps and mattadores. Her slumbers are ill consequences which gaming has on the naunted with kings, queens, and knaves. bodi's of our female adventurers. It is so The day lies heavy upon her until the play-ordered, that almost every thing which corseason returns, when, for half a dozen hours together, all her faculties are employed in shuffling, cutting, dealing, and sorting ou a rupts the soul, decays the body. The beauties of the face and mind are generally destroyed by the same means. This consider |