«Зритель (The Spectator)»

The Sermon that was preached upon the Duke of Gloucester's Death was printed quickly after, and is now, because the Subject was so suitable, join'd to the others. The Loss of that most promising and hopeful Prince was, at that time, I saw, unspeakably great; and many Accidents since have convinced us, that it could not have been over-valued. That precious Life, had it pleased God to have prolonged it the usual Space, had saved us many Fears and Jealousies, and dark Distrusts, and prevented many Alarms, that have long kept us, and will keep us still, waking and uneasy. Nothing remained to comfort and support us under this heavy Stroke, but the Necessity it brought the King and Nation under, of settling the Succession in the House of Hannover, and giving it an Hereditary Right, by Act of Parliament, as long as it continues Protestant. So much good did God, in his merciful Providence, produce from a Misfortune, which we could never otherwise have sufficiently deplored.

The fourth Sermon was preached upon the Queen's Accession to the Throne, and the first Year in which that Day was solemnly observed, (for, by some Accident or other, it had been overlook'd the Year before;) and every one will see, without the date of it, that it was preached very early in this Reign, since I was able only to promise and presage its future Glories and Successes, from the good Appearances of things, and the happy Turn our Affairs began to take; and could not then count up the Victories and Triumphs that, for seven Years after, made it, in the Prophet's Language, a Name and a Praise among all the People of the Earth. Never did seven such Years together pass over the head of any English Monarch, nor cover it with so much Honour: The Crown and Sceptre seemed to be the Queen's least Ornaments; those, other Princes wore in common with her, and her great personal Virtues were the same before and since; but such was the Fame of her Administration of Affairs at home, such was the Reputation of her Wisdom and Felicity in chusing Ministers, and such was then esteemed their Faithfulness and Zeal, their Diligence and great Abilities in executing her Commands; to such a height of military Glory did her great General and her Armies carry the British Name abroad; such was the Harmony and Concord betwixt her and her Allies, and such was the Blessing of God upon all her Counsels and Undertakings, that I am as sure as History can make me, no Prince of ours was ever yet so prosperous and successful, so beloved, esteemed, and honoured by their Subjects and their Friends, nor near so formidable to their Enemies. We were, as all the World imagined then, just ent'ring on the ways that promised to lead to such a Peace, as would have answered all the Prayers of our religious Queen, the Care and Vigilance of a most able Ministry, the Payments of a willing and obedient People, as well as all the glorious Toils and Hazards of the Soldiery; when God, for our Sins, permitted the Spirit of Discord to go forth, and, by troubling sore the Camp, the City, and the Country, (and oh that it had altogether spared the Places sacred to his Worship!) to spoil, for a time, this beautiful and pleasing Prospect, and give us, in its stead, I know not what — Our Enemies will tell the rest with Pleasure. It will become me better to pray to God to restore us to the Power of obtaining such a Peace, as will be to his Glory, the Safety, Honour, and the Welfare of the Queen and her Dominions, and the general Satisfaction of all her High and Mighty Allies.

May 2, 1712.

Footnote 1:

На смерть королевы Марии, 1694 г.

На смерть герцога Глостерского, 1700 г.

На смерть короля Вильгельма, 1701 г.

На восшествие королевы на престол в 1702 г.

Spectator

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 385

Thursday, May 22, 1712

Юстас Баджелл

Theseâ pectora juncta fide.

Ovid.

Friendship is a strong and habitual Inclination in two Persons to promote the Good and Happiness of one another.

Love Esteem

Envy

Achilles Patroclus Æneas Achates Greece

Achates Achates Æneid

Atticus Rome Marius Sylla's

Cæsar Pompey Cæsar Brutus Antony's Antony Augustus Atticus Cornelius Nepos Rome

Contents

№ 386

Friday, May 23, 1712

Стил

Cum Tristibus severe, cum Remissis jucunde, cum Senibus graviter, cum Juventute comiter vivere.

Tull.

Latin Cicero Catiline lived with the Sad severely, with the Chearful agreeably, with the Old gravely, with the Young pleasantly; he added, with the Wicked boldly, with the Wanton lasciviously. all a 1

Acasto Acasto Acasto Acasto

Tully Anthony in eo facetiæ erant, quæ nulla arte tradi possunt: He had a witty Mirth, which could be acquired by no Art.

Footnote 1: an

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 387

Saturday, May 24, 1712

Аддисон

Quid purè tranquillet—

Hor.

Saturday's Chearfulness a Moral Habit of the Mind

English

famous 2 All Colours that are more luminous, overpower and dissipate the animal Spirits which are employd in Sight; on the contrary, those that are more obscure do not give the animal Spirits a sufficient Exercise; whereas the Rays that produce in us the Idea of Green, fall upon the Eye in such a due proportion, that they give the animal Spirits their proper Play, and by keeping up the struggle in a just Ballance, excite a very pleasing and agreeable Sensation

French In the gloomy Month of November, when the People of England hang and drown themselves, a disconsolate Lover walked out into the Fields, &c.

Locke Essay on Human Understanding Beyond all this, we may find another Reason why God hath scattered up and down several Degrees of Pleasure and Pain, in all the things that environ and affect us, and blended them together, in almost all that our Thoughts and Senses have to do with; that we finding Imperfection, Dissatisfaction, and Want of compleat Happiness in all the Enjoyments which the Creatures can afford us, might be led to seek it in the Enjoyment of him, with whom there is Fulness of Joy, and at whose Right Hand are Pleasures for evermore.

Footnote 1:

return to footnote mark

Footnote 2:

return

Contents

№ 388

Monday, May 26, 1712

Барр

—Tibi res antiquæ Laudis et Artis

Ingredior; sanctos ausus recludere Fontes.

Virg.

Mr. Spectator,

It is my Custom, when I read your Papers, to read over the Quotations in the Authors from whence you take them: As you mentiond a Passage lately out of the second Chapter of Solomon's Song, it occasion'd my looking into it; and upon reading it I thought the Ideas so exquisitely soft and tender, that I could not help making this Paraphrase of it; which, now it is done, I can as little forbear sending to you. Some Marks of your Approbation, which I have already receiv'd, have given me so sensible a Taste of them, that I cannot forbear endeavouring after them as often as I can with any Appearance of Success.

I am, Sir,

Your most obedient2 humble Servant.

I As when in Sharon's Field the blushing Rose

Does its chaste Bosom to the Morn disclose,

Whilst all around the Zephyrs bear

The fragrant Odours thro' the Air:

Or as the Lilly in the shady Vale,

Does o'er each Flower with beauteous Pride prevail,

And stands with Dews and kindest Sun-shine blest,

In fair Pre-eminence, superior to the rest:

So if my Love, with happy Influence, shed

His Eyes bright Sun-shine on his Lover's Head,

Then shall the Rose of Sharon's Field,

And whitest Lillies to my Beauties yield.

Then fairest Flowers with studious Art combine,

The Roses with the Lillies join,

And their united Charms are3 less than mine.

II As much as fairest Lillies can surpass

A Thorn in Beauty, or in Height the Grass;

So does my Love among the Virgins shine,

Adorn'd with Graces more than half Divine;

Or as a Tree, that, glorious to behold,

Is hung with Apples all of ruddy Gold,

Hesperian Fruit! and beautifully high,

Extends its Branches to the Sky;

So does my Love the Virgin's Eyes invite:

'Tis he alone can fix their wand'ring Sight,

Among4 ten thousand eminently bright.

III Beneath this pleasing Shade

My weaned Limbs at Ease I laid,

And on his fragrant Boughs reclined my Head.

I pull'd the Golden Fruit with eager haste;

Sweet was the Fruit, and pleasing to the Taste:

With sparkling Wine he crown'd the Bowl,

With gentle Ecstacies he fill'd my Soul;

Joyous we sate beneath the shady Grove,

And o'er my Head he hung the Banners of his Love.

IV I faint; I die! my labouring Breast

Is with the mighty Weight of Love opprest:

I feel the Fire possess my Heart,

And pain conveyed to every Part.

Thro' all my Veins the Passion flies,

My feeble Soul forsakes its Place,

A trembling Faintness seals my Eyes,

And Paleness dwells upon my Face;

Oh! let my Love with pow'rful Odours stay

My fainting lovesick Soul that dies away;

One Hand beneath me let him place,

With t'other press me in a chaste Embrace.

V I charge you, Nymphs of Sion, as you go

Arm'd with the sounding Quiver and the Bow,

Whilst thro' the lonesome Woods you rove,

You ne'er disturb my sleeping Love,

Be only gentle Zephyrs there,

With downy Wings to fan the Air;

Let sacred Silence dwell around,

To keep off each intruding Sound:

And when the balmy Slumber leaves his Eyes,

May he to Joys, unknown till then, arise.

VI But see! he comes! with what majestick Gate

He onward bears his lovely State!

Now thro' the Lattice he appears,

With softest Words dispels my Fears,

Arise, my Fair-One, and receive

All the Pleasures Love can give.

For now the sullen Winters past,

No more we fear the Northern Blast:

No Storms nor threatning Clouds appear,

No falling Rains deform the Year.

My Love admits of no delay,

Arise, my Fair, and come away.

VII Already, see! the teeming Earth

Brings forth the Flow'rs, her beauteous Birth.

The Dews, and soft-descending Showers,

Nurse the new-born tender Flow'rs.

Hark! the Birds melodious sing,

And sweetly usher in the Spring.

Close by his Fellow sits the Dove,

And billing whispers her his Love.

The spreading Vines with Blossoms swell,

Diffusing round a grateful Smell,

Arise, my Fair-One, and receive

All the Blessings Love can give:

For Love admits of no delay,

Arise, my Fair, and come away.

VIII As to its Mate the constant Dove

Flies thro' the Covert of the spicy Grove,

So let us hasten to some lonely Shade,

There let me safe in thy lov'd Arms be laid,

Where no intruding hateful Noise

Shall damp the Sound of thy melodious Voice;

Where I may gaze, and mark each beauteous Grace;

For sweet thy Voice, and lovely is thy Face.

IX As all of me, my Love, is thine,

Let all of thee be ever mine.

Among the Lillies we will play,

Fairer, my Love, thou art than they,

Till the purple Morn arise,

And balmy Sleep forsake thine Eyes;

Till the gladsome Beams of Day

Remove the Shades of Night away;

Then when soft Sleep shall from thy Eyes depart,

Rise like the bounding Roe, or lusty Hart,

Glad to behold the Light again

From Bether's Mountains darting o'er the Plain.

Footnote 1:

return to footnote mark

Footnote 2: obliged

return

Footnote 3: Beauties shall be

return

Footnote 4: And stands among

return

Contents

№ 389

Tuesday, May 27, 1712

Юстас Баджелл

Meliora pii docuere parentes.

Hor.

Nothing England Spaccio della Bestia triom fante 1 This thirty 2 Jordanus Brunus

Jupiter Momus Jupiter

Platos Ciceros Bacons Boyles Lockes

Hottentots

having Gabble 3

Socrates Seneca Hottentots

The 4

was Casimir Liszynski Poland 5 Tartary

England British Poland

Tartary Cape of Good Hope Hottentots

enough

Demi-culverin

Footnote 1:

return to footnote mark

Footnote 2: Fifty

return

Footnote 3: Gabling

return

Footnote 4:

return

Footnote 5:

return

Contents

№ 390

Wednesday, May 28, 1712

Стил

Non pudendo sed non faciendo id quod non decet impudentiæ nomen effugere debemus.

Tull.

Orbicilla Spencer his Fairy Queen 'The best, said he, that I can you advise,

Is to avoid th' Occasion of the Ill;

For when the Cause, whence Evil doth arise,

Removed is, th' Effect surceaseth still.

Abstain from Pleasure, and restrain your Will,

Subdue Desire, and bridle loose Delight:

Use scanted Diet, and forbear your Fill;

Shun Secrecy, and talk in open sight:

So shall you soon repair your present evil Plight1.'

Queen Bess's

Spectator

She is the laziest Creature in the World, but I must confess strictly Virtuous: The peevishest Hussy breathing, but as to her Virtue she is without Blemish: She has not the least Charity for any of her Acquaintance, but I must allow rigidly Virtuous. Virtuous

Footnote 1: F. Q.

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 391

Thursday, May 29, 1712

Аддисон

—Non tu prece poscis emaci,

Qua nisi seductis nequeas committere Divis:

At bona pars procerum tacitâ libabit acerrâ.

Haud cuivis promptum est, murmurque humilesque susurros

Tollere de Templis; et aperto vivere voto.

Mens bona, fama, fides, hæc clarè, et ut audiat hospes.

Illa sibi introrsum, et sub lingua immurmurat: O si

Ebullit patrui præclarum funus! Et O si

Sub rastro crepet argenti mihi seria dextro

Hercule! pupillumve utinam, quem proximus hæres

Impello, expungam!—

Pers.

Where Homer 1 Phœnix Achilles The Gods suffer themselves to be prevailed upon by Entreaties. When Mortals have offended them by their Transgressions, they appease them by Vows and Sacrifices. You must know, Achilles, that

Prayers are the Daughters of They are crippled by frequent Kneeling, have their Faces full of Cares and Wrinkles, and their Eyes always cast towards Heaven. They are constant Attendants on the Goddess

Ate and march behind her. This Goddess walks forward with a bold and haughty Air, and being very light of foot, runs thro' the whole Earth, grieving and afflicting the Sons of Men. She gets the start of Prayers who always follow her, in, order to heal those Persons whom she wounds. He who honours these Daughters of when they draw near to him, receives great Benefit from them; but as for him who rejects them, they intreat their Father to give his Orders to the Goddess Ate to punish him for his Hardness of Heart. Ate Injury Guilt divine Justice,

Lucian

Menippus 2 Jupiter Jupiter Menippus Jove Athens Jupiter Menippus Licander Jupiter Jupiter Ephesian Jupiter then Menippus Jove Jupiter Jupiter Jupiter Jupiter Ionian Jupiter Zephirs Menippus Jupiter Paphos Western Jupiter

Socrates Plato Juvenal Persius

Footnote 1: Iliad

return to footnote mark

Footnote 2: Satiræ Menippeæ.

return

Contents

№ 392

Friday, May 30, 1712

Стил

Per Ambages et Ministeria Deorum

Præcipitandus est liber Spiritus.

Pet.

To the Spectator.

The Transformation of Fidelio into a Looking-Glass.

I was lately at a Tea-Table, where some young Ladies entertained the Company with a Relation of a Coquet in the Neighbourhood, who had been discovered practising before her Glass. To turn the Discourse, which from being witty grew to be malicious, the Matron of the Family took occasion, from the Subject, to wish that there were to be found amongst Men such faithful Monitors to dress the Mind by, as we consult to adorn the Body. She added, that if a sincere Friend were miraculously changed into a Looking-Glass, she should not be ashamed to ask its Advice very often. This whimsical Thought worked so much upon my Fancy the whole Evening, that it produced a very odd Dream1.

Methought, that as I stood before my Glass, the Image of a Youth, of an open ingenuous Aspect, appeared in it; who with a small shrill Voice spoke in the following manner.

The Looking-Glass, you see, was heretofore a Man, even I, the unfortunate Fidelio. I had two Brothers, whose Deformity in Shape was made out by the Clearness of their Understanding: It must be owned however, that (as it generally happens) they had each a Perverseness of Humour suitable to their Distortion of Body. The eldest, whose Belly sunk in monstrously, was a great Coward; and tho' his splenetick contracted Temper made him take fire immediately, he made Objects that beset him appear greater than they were. The second, whose Breast swelled into a bold Relievo, on the contrary, took great pleasure in lessening every thing, and was perfectly the Reverse of his Brother. These Oddnesses pleased Company once or twice, but disgusted when often seen; for which reason the young Gentlemen were sent from Court to study Mathematicks at the University.

I need not acquaint you, that I was very well made, and reckoned a bright polite Gentleman. I was the Confident and Darling of all the Fair; and if the Old and Ugly spoke ill of me, all the World knew it was because I scorned to flatter them. No Ball, no Assembly was attended till I had been consulted. Flavia colour'd her Hair before me, Celia shew'd me her Teeth, Panthea heaved her Bosom, Cleora brandished her Diamonds; I have seen Cloe's Foot, and tied artificially the Garters of Rhodope.

'Tis a general Maxim, that those who doat upon themselves, can have no violent Affection for another: But on the contrary, I found that the Women's Passion for me rose in proportion to the Love they bare to themselves. This was verify'd in my Amour with Narcissa, who was so constant to me, that it was pleasantly said, had I been little enough, she would have hung me at her Girdle. The most dangerous Rival I had, was a gay empty Fellow, who by the Strength of a long Intercourse with Narcissa, joined to his natural Endowments, had formed himself into a perfect Resemblance with her. I had been discarded, had she not observed that he frequently asked my Opinion about Matters of the last Consequence: This made me still more considerable in her Eye.

Tho' I was eternally caressed by the Ladies, such was their Opinion of my Honour, that I was never envy'd by the Men. A jealous Lover of Narcissa one day thought he had caught her in an Amorous Conversation; for tho' he was at such a Distance that he could hear nothing, he imagined strange things from her Airs and Gestures. Sometimes with a serene Look she stepped back in a listning Posture, and brightened into an innocent Smile. Quickly after she swelled into an Air of Majesty and Disdain, then kept her Eyes half shut after a languishing Manner, then covered her Blushes with her Hand, breathed a Sigh, and seemd ready to sink down. In rushed the furious Lover; but how great was his Surprize to see no one there but the innocent Fidelio, with his Back against the Wall betwixt two Windows?

It were endless to recount all my Adventures. Let me hasten to that which cost me my Life, and Narcissa her Happiness.

She had the misfortune to have the Small-Pox, upon which I was expressly forbid her Sight, it being apprehended that it would increase her Distemper, and that I should infallibly catch it at the first Look. As soon as she was suffered to leave her Bed, she stole out of her Chamber, and found me all alone in an adjoining Apartment. She ran with Transport to her Darling, and without Mixture of Fear, lest I should dislike her. But, oh me! what was her Fury when she heard me say, I was afraid and shock'd at so loathsome a Spectacle. She stepped back, swollen with Rage, to see if I had the Insolence to repeat it. I did, with this Addition, that her ill-timed Passion had increased her Ugliness. Enraged, inflamed, distracted, she snatched a Bodkin, and with all her Force stabbed me to the Heart. Dying, I preserv'd my Sincerity, and expressed the Truth, tho' in broken Words; and by reproachful Grimaces to the last I mimick'd the Deformity of my Murderess.

Cupid, who always attends the Fair, and pity'd the Fate of so useful a Servant as I was, obtained of the Destinies, that my Body should be made incorruptible, and retain the Qualities my Mind had possessed. I immediately lost the Figure of a Man, and became smooth, polished, and bright, and to this day am the first Favourite of the Ladies.

Footnote 1: so odd a Dream, that no one but the Spectator could believe that the Brain, clogged in Sleep, could furnish out such a regular Wildness of Imagination.

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 393

Saturday, May 31, 1712

Аддисон

Nescio quâ præter solitum dulcedine læti.

Virg.

Denmark

Copenhagen, May 1, 1710.

Dear Sir,

The Spring with you has already taken Possession of the Fields and Woods: Now is the Season of Solitude, and of moving Complaints upon trivial Sufferings: Now the Griefs of Lovers begin to flow, and their Wounds to bleed afresh. I too, at this Distance from the softer Climates, am not without my Discontents at present. You perhaps may laugh at me for a most Romantick Wretch, when I have disclosed to you the Occasion of my Uneasiness; and yet I cannot help thinking my Unhappiness real, in being confined to a Region, which is the very Reverse of Paradise. The Seasons here are all of them unpleasant, and the Country quite Destitute of Rural Charms. I have not heard a Bird sing, nor a Brook murmur, nor a Breeze whisper, neither have I been blest with the Sight of a flow'ry Meadow these two years. Every Wind here is a Tempest, and every Water a turbulent Ocean. I hope, when you reflect a little, you will not think the Grounds of my Complaint in the least frivolous and unbecoming a Man of serious Thought; since the Love of Woods, of Fields and Flowers, of Rivers and Fountains, seems to be a Passion implanted in our Natures the most early of any, even before the Fair Sex had a Being.

I am, Sir, &c.

Spain Italy England France English Europe

Milton surveying Paradise Lost, Blossoms and Fruits at once of golden hue

Appear'd, with gay enamel'd Colours mixt:

On which the Sun more glad impress'd his Beams

Than in fair evening Cloud, or humid Bow,

When God hath shower'd the Earth; so lovely seem'd

That Landskip: And of pure now purer Air

Meets his approach, and to the Heart inspires

Vernal Delight, and Joy able to drive

All Sadness but Despair, &c.1

Saturday's Psalmist

Milton Christian Apostle those who are sad to pray, and those who are merry to sing Psalms

Footnote 1: Paradise Lost,

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 394

Monday, June 2, 1712

Стил

Bene colligitur hæc Pueris et Mulierculis et Servis et Servorum simillimis Liberis esse grata. Gravi vero homini et ea quæ fiunt Judicio certo ponderanti probari posse nullo modo.

Tull.

Spain Latin Spain the King knows I understand Latin better than he does.

Trick-track Baggammon making one's Court Present Bribe Billet-doux that one part of Matter asks one thing, and another another, to make it fluent; but there is nothing but may be dissolved by a proper Mean Barbadoes Great-Britain

Contents

Посвящение шестому тому «Зрителя»

To The Right Honorable Charles, Earl of Sunderland1.

My Lord

Spectator Europe Great-Britain

The Spectator

Footnote 1:

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 395

Tuesday, June 3, 1712

Юстас Баджелл

Quod nunc ratio est, Impetus ante fuit.

Ovid.

Beware of the Ides of March Roman Julius Cæsar Beware of the Month of May British Spectator Cæsar's

Roger

Forewarned forearm'd

May June

Thyrsis Sylvia Spectator

Mat Meager, May

Caveat Congratulation

Ordeal Tryal. Milton

Trojans Grecians Will. Honeycomb

Chamont Sister —Long she flourish'd,

Grew sweet to Sense, and lovely to the Eye;

Till at the last a cruel Spoiler came,

Cropt this fair Rose, and rifled all its Sweetness;

Then cast it like a loathsome Weed away.1

June May

Virtue Modesty

London Westminster

Footnote 1: Orphan

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 396

Wednesday, June 4, 1712

Хенли

Barbara, Celarent, Darii, Ferio, Baralipton.

Cambridge Peter de Quir

To Mr. Spectator1.

From St. John's College Cambridge, Feb. 3, 1712.

Sir,

The Monopoly of Punns in this University has been an immemorial Privilege of the Johnians; and we can't help resenting the late Invasion of our ancient Right as to that Particular, by a little Pretender to Clenching in a neighbouring College, who in an Application to you by way of Letter, a while ago, styled himself Philobrune. Dear Sir, as you are by Character a profest Well-wisher to Speculation, you will excuse a Remark which this Gentleman's Passion for the Brunette has suggested to a Brother Theorist; 'tis an Offer towards a mechanical Account of his Lapse to Punning, for he belongs to a Set of Mortals who value themselves upon an uncommon Mastery in the more humane and polite Part of Letters. A Conquest by one of this Species of Females gives a very odd Turn to the Intellectuals of the captivated Person, and very different from that way of thinking which a Triumph from the Eyes of another more emphatically of the fair Sex, does generally occasion. It fills the Imagination with an Assemblage of such Ideas and Pictures as are hardly any thing but Shade, such as Night, the Devil, &c. These Portraitures very near over-power the Light of the Understanding, almost benight the Faculties, and give that melancholy Tincture to the most sanguine Complexion, which this Gentleman calls an Inclination to be in a Brown-study, and is usually attended with worse Consequences in case of a Repulse. During this Twilight of Intellects, the Patient is extremely apt, as Love is the most witty Passion in Nature, to offer at some pert Sallies now and then, by way of Flourish, upon the amiable Enchantress, and unfortunately stumbles upon that Mongrel miscreated (to speak in Miltonic) kind of Wit, vulgarly termed, the Punn. It would not be much amiss to consult Dr. T—W—2 (who is certainly a very able Projector, and whose system of Divinity and spiritual Mechanicks obtains very much among the better Part of our Under-Graduates) whether a general Intermarriage, enjoyned by Parliament, between this Sisterhood of the Olive Beauties, and the Fraternity of the People call'd Quakers, would not be a very serviceable Expedient, and abate that Overflow of Light which shines within them so powerfully, that it dazzles their Eyes, and dances them into a thousand Vagaries of Error and Enthusiasm. These Reflections may impart some Light towards a Discovery of the Origin of Punning among us, and the Foundation of its prevailing so long in this famous Body. Tis notorious from the Instance under Consideration, that it must be owing chiefly to the use of brown Juggs, muddy Belch, and the Fumes of a certain memorable Place of Rendezvous with us at Meals, known by the Name of Staincoat Hole: For the Atmosphere of the Kitchen, like the Tail of a Comet, predominates least about the Fire, but resides behind and fills the fragrant Receptacle above-mentioned. Besides, 'tis farther observable that the delicate Spirits among us, who declare against these nauseous proceedings, sip Tea, and put up for Critic and Amour, profess likewise an equal Abhorrency for Punning, the ancient innocent Diversion of this Society. After all, Sir, tho' it may appear something absurd, that I seem to approach you with the Air of an Advocate for Punning, (you who have justified your Censures of the Practice in a set Dissertation upon that Subject;) yet, I'm confident, you'll think it abundantly atoned for by observing, that this humbler Exercise may be as instrumental in diverting us from any innovating Schemes and Hypothesis in Wit. as dwelling upon honest Orthodox Logic would be in securing us from Heresie in Religion. Had Mr. W—n's3 Researches been confined within the Bounds of Ramus or Crackanthorp, that learned News-monger might have acquiesced in what the holy Oracles pronounce upon the Deluge, like other Christians; and had the surprising Mr. L—y4 been content with the Employment of refining upon Shakespear's Points and Quibbles, (for which he must be allowed to have a superlative Genius) and now and then penning a Catch or a Ditty, instead of inditing Odes, and Sonnets, the Gentlemen of the Bon Goust in the Pit would never have been put to all that Grimace in damning the Frippery of State, the Poverty and Languor of Thought, the unnatural Wit, and inartificial Structure of his Dramas.

I am, Sir,

Your very humble Servant,

Peter de Quir.

Footnote 1: Esther Dunciad Hip Doctor,

return to footnote mark

Footnote 2: The Old Apology for the Truth against the Jews and Gentiles Revived

return

Footnote 3: New Theory of the Earth, Sacred Theory of the Earth

return

Footnote 4: Taming of the Shrew Then will I say, swelled with poetic rage,

That I, John Lacy, have reformed the age.

return

Contents

№ 397

Thursday, June 5, 1712

Аддисон

—Dolor ipse disertum

Fecerat—

Ovid.

As If thou seest thy Friend in Trouble Epictetus thou mayst put on a Look of Sorrow, and condole with him, but take care that thy Sorrow be not real 1 What is that to me? All this may be true, but what is it to me?

Ann of Bologne King Henry the Eighth Queen Elizabeth Cotton Library,

Shakespear Jane Seymour Ann of Bologne.

Queen Ann Boleyn's last Letter to King Henry.

[Cotton Libr. Otho C. 10.]

Sir,

Your Grace's Displeasure, and my Imprisonment, are Things so strange unto me, as what to write, or what to excuse, I am altogether ignorant. Whereas you send unto me (willing me to confess a Truth, and so obtain your Favour) by such an one, whom you know to be mine ancient professed Enemy, I no sooner received this Message by him, than I rightly conceived your Meaning; and if, as you say, confessing a Truth indeed may procure my Safety, I shall with all Willingness and Duty perform your Command.

But let not your Grace ever imagine, that your poor Wife will ever be brought to acknowledge a Fault, where not so much as a Thought thereof preceded. And to speak a Truth, never Prince had Wife more Loyal in all Duty, and in all true Affection, than you have ever found in Ann Boleyn: with which Name and Place I could willingly have contented my self, if God and your Grace's Pleasure had been so pleased. Neither did I at any time so far forget my self in my Exaltation, or received Queenship, but that I always looked for such an Alteration as now I find; for the Ground of my Preferment being on no surer Foundation than your Grace's Fancy, the least Alteration I knew was fit and sufficient to draw that Fancy to some other Object2. You have chosen me, from a low Estate, to be your Queen and Companion, far beyond my Desert or Desire. If then you found me worthy of such Honour, good your Grace let not any light Fancy, or bad Counsel of mine Enemies, withdraw your Princely Favour from me; neither let that Stain, that unworthy Stain, of a Disloyal Heart towards your good Grace, ever cast so foul a Blot on your most Dutiful Wife, and the Infant-Princess your Daughter. Try me, good King, but let me have a lawful Tryal, and let not my sworn Enemies sit as my Accusers and Judges; Yea let me receive an open Tryal, for my Truth shall fear no open Shame; then shall you see either mine Innocence cleared, your Suspicion and Conscience satisfied, the Ignominy and Slander of the World stopped, or my Guilt openly declared. So that whatsoever God or you may determine of me, your Grace may be freed from an open Censure, and mine Offence being so lawfully proved, your Grace is at liberty, both before God and Man, not only to Execute worthy Punishment on me as an unlawful Wife, but to follow your Affection, already settled on that Party, for whose sake I am now as I am, whose Name I could some good while since have pointed unto, your Grace being not ignorant of my Suspicion therein.

But if you have already determined of me, and that not only my Death, but an Infamous Slander must bring you the enjoying of your desired Happiness; then I desire of God, that he will pardon your great Sin therein, and likewise mine Enemies, the Instruments thereof; and that he will not call you to a strict Account for your unprincely and cruel Usage of me, at his general Judgment Seat, where both you and my self must shortly appear, and in whose Judgment I doubt not (whatsoever the World may think of me) mine Innocence shall be openly known, and sufficiently cleared.

My last and only Request shall be, that my self may only bear the Burthen of your Grace's Displeasure, and that it may not touch the innocent Souls of those poor Gentlemen, who (as I understand) are likewise in strait Imprisonment for my sake. If ever I have found Favour in your Sight, if ever the Name of Ann Boleyn hath been pleasing in your Ears, then let me obtain this Request, and I will so leave to trouble your Grace any further, with mine earnest Prayers to the Trinity to have your Grace in his good Keeping, and to direct you in all your Actions. From my doleful Prison in the Tower, this sixth of May;

Your most Loyal,

And ever Faithful Wife,

Ann Boleyn.

Footnote 1: When you see a Neighbour in Tears, and hear him lament the Absence of his Son, the Hazards of his Voyage into some remote Part of the World, or the Loss of his Estate; keep upon your Guard, for fear lest some false Ideas that may rise upon these Occasions, surprise you into a Mistake, as if this Man were really miserable, upon the Account of these outward Accidents. But be sure to distinguish wisely, and tell your self immediately, that the Thing which really afflicts this Person is not really the Accident it self, (for other People, under his Circumstances, are not equally afflicted with it) but merely the Opinion which he hath formed to himself concerning this Accident. Notwithstanding all which, you may be allowed, as far as Expressions and outward Behaviour go, to comply with him; and if Occasion require, to bear a part in his Sighs, and Tears too; but then you must be sure to take care, that this Compliance does not infect your Mind, nor betray you to an inward and real Sorrow, upon any such Account.

Epictetus his Morals, with Simplicius his Comment.

return to footnote mark

Footnote 2: Subject

return

Contents

№ 398

Friday, June 6, 1712

Стил

Insanire pares certa ratione modoque.

Hor.

Cynthio Flavia Cecilia Cynthio Lætitia Cynthio Flavia Flavia Cynthio Piazza Covent-Garden Flavia It is an Infirmity that I am not constant to but it would be still a greater Crime, since I cannot continue to love her, to profess that I do. To marry a Woman with the Coldness that usually indeed comes on after Marriage, is ruining one's self with one's Eyes open; besides it is really doing her an Injury. Robin the Porter Will's Coffee-House Robin Cynthio's Flavia Flavia Robin Cynthio Flavia's Cynthio Cynthio Robin Flavia's Robin Flavia's Cynthio Robin Flavia Robin Wills'

June 4, 1712.

Sir,

It is in vain to deny it, basest, falsest of Mankind; my Maid, as well as the Bearer, saw you.

The injur'd Flavia.

Cynthio Robin Robin

Cynthio June 4, Three Afternoon, 1712.

Madam,

That your Maid and the Bearer has seen me very often is very certain; but I desire to know, being engaged at Picket, what your Letter means by 'tis in vain to deny it. I shall stay here all the Evening.

Your amazed Cynthio.

Robin Flavia Dear Cynthio,

I have walked a Turn or two in my Anti-Chamber since I writ to you, and have recovered my self from an impertinent Fit which you ought to forgive me, and desire you would come to me immediately to laugh off a Jealousy that you and a Creature of the Town went by in an Hackney-Coach an Hour ago. I am Your most humble Servant,

Flavia

I will not open the Letter which my Cynthio writ, upon the Misapprehension you must have been under when you writ, for want of hearing the whole Circumstance.

Robin Cynthio Half Hour, six Minutes after Three,

June 4. Will's Coffee-house.

Madam, It is certain I went by your Lodgings with a Gentlewoman to whom I have the Honour to be known, she is indeed my Relation, and a pretty sort of Woman. But your starting Manner of Writing, and owning you have not done me the Honour so much as to open my Letter, has in it something very unaccountable, and alarms one that has had Thoughts of passing his Days with you. But I am born to admire you with all your little Imperfections.

Cynthio.

Robin Exact Sir, that are at Will's Coffee-house six Minutes after Three, June 4; one that has had Thoughts and all my little Imperfections. Sir, come to me immediately, or I shall determine what may perhaps not be very pleasing to you.

Flavia

Robin Cynthio

Cynthio Madam,

I have that Prejudice in Favour of all you do, that it is not possible for you to determine upon what will not be very pleasing to Your Obedient Servant,

Cynthio.

Sir,

Is it come to this? You never loved me; and the Creature you were with is the properest Person for your Associate. I despise you, and hope I shall soon hate you as a Villain to

The Credulous Flavia.

Madam,

Your Credulity when you are to gain your Point, and Suspicion when you fear to lose it make it a very hard Part to behave as becomes Your humble Slave,

Cynthio.

Mr. Wellford,

Flavia and Cynthio are no more. I relieve you from the hard Part of which you complain, and banish you from my Sight for ever.

Ann Heart.

Robin Cecilia Flavia

Contents

№ 399

Saturday, June 7, 1712

Аддисон

Ut nemo in sese tentat descendere!

Pers.

Hypocrisie

is Who can understand his Errors? cleanse thou me from secret Faults 1

Plutarch 2

without besides 3

the hundred and thirty ninth Psalm Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart; prove me, and examine my Thoughts. Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Footnote 1: Psalm

return to footnote mark

Footnote 2: Footnote 1 No. 125

return

Footnote 3: more than

return

Contents

№ 400

Monday, June 9, 1712

Стил

—Latet Anguis in Herba.

Virg.

of {Sedley has that prevailing gentle Art,

{Which, can with a resistless Charm impart

{The loosest Wishes to the chastest Heart;

Raise such a Conflict, kindle such a Fire,

Between declining Virtue and Desire,

That the poor vanquished Maid dissolves away

In Dreams all Night, in Sighs and Tears all Day1.

this Antony Dolabella Cleopatra Her Galley down the Silver Cydnos row'd;

The Tackling Silk, the Streamers wav'd with Gold;

The gentle Winds were lodg'd in purple Sails:

Her Nymphs, like Nereids, round her Couch were placed,

Where she, another Sea-born Venus, lay;

She lay, and lean'd her Cheek upon her Hand,

And cast a Look so languishingly sweet,

As if, secure of all Beholders Hearts,

Neglecting she could take 'em. Boys like Cupids

Stood fanning with their painted Wings the Winds

That play'd about her Face; but if she smil'd,

A darting Glory seemed to blaze abroad,

That Men's desiring Eyes were never weary'd,

But hung upon the Object. To soft Flutes

The Silver Oars kept Time; and while they play'd,

The Hearing gave new Pleasure to the Sight,

And both to Thought2—

like Philip's Pastorals 3 Breathe soft ye Winds, ye Waters gently flow,

Shield her ye Trees, ye Flowers around her grow,

Ye Swains, I beg you, pass in Silence by,

My Love in yonder Vale asleep does lie.

you Pylades Orestes When Lucy decks with Flowers her swelling Breast,

And on her Elbow leans, dissembling Rest,

Unable to refrain my madding Mind,

Nor Sleep nor Pasture worth my Care I find.

Once Delia slept, on easie Moss reclin'd,

Her lovely Limbs half bare, and rude the Wind;

I smoothed her Coats, and stole a silent Kiss:

Condemn me Shepherds if I did amiss4.

Welford Hardy But very often 5

Platonick Platonist

Footnote 1: Allusion to the 10th Satire of the 1st Book of Horace.

return to footnote mark

Footnote 2: All for Love

return

Footnote 3:

return

Footnote 4: Pastoral

return

Footnote 5: (, for want of other Amusement, often study Anatomy together; and what is worse than happens in any other Friendship, they)

return

Contents

№ 401

Tuesday, June 10, 1712

Юстас Баджелл

In amore hæc omnia insunt vitia: Injuriæ,

Suspiciones, Inimicitiæ, Induciæ,

Bellum, pax rursum:

Ter..

Mr. Spectator,

Since you have often confess'd that you are not displeased your Paper should sometimes convey the Complaints of distressed Lovers to each other, I am in Hopes you will favour one who gives you an undoubted Instance of her Reformation, and at the same time a convincing Proof of the happy Influence your Labours have had over the most Incorrigible Part of the most Incorrigible Sex. You must know, Sir, I am one of that Species of Women, whom you have often Characteriz'd under the Name of Jilts, and that I send you these Lines, as well to do Publick Penance for having so long continued in a known Error, as to beg Pardon of the Party offended. I the rather chuse this way, because it in some measure answers the Terms on which he intimated the Breach between us might possibly be made up, as you will see by the Letter he sent me the next Day after I had discarded him; which I thought fit to send you a Copy of, that you might the better know the whole Case.

I must further acquaint you, that before I Jilted him, there had been the greatest Intimacy between us for an Year and half together, during all which time I cherished his Hopes, and indulged his Flame. I leave you to guess after this what must be his Surprize, when upon his pressing for my full Consent one Day, I told him I wondered what could make him fancy he had ever any Place in my Affections. His own Sex allow him Sense, and all ours Good-Breeding. His Person is such as might, without Vanity, make him believe himself not incapable to be beloved. Our Fortunes indeed, weighed in the nice Scale of Interest, are not exactly equal, which by the way was the true Case of my Jilting him, and I had the Assurance to acquaint him with the following Maxim, That I should always believe that Man's Passion to be the most Violent, who could offer me the largest Settlement. I have since changed my Opinion, and have endeavoured to let him know so much by several Letters, but the barbarous Man has refused them all; so that I have no way left of writing to him, but by your Assistance. If we can bring him about once more, I promise to send you all Gloves and Favours, and shall desire the Favour of Sir Roger and your self to stand as God-Fathers to my first Boy.

I am, Sir,

Your most Obedient

most Humble Servant,

Amoret.

Philander to Amoret.

Madam,

I am so surprised at the Question you were pleased to ask me Yesterday, that I am still at a loss what to say to it. At least my Answer would be too long to trouble you with, as it would come from a Person, who, it seems, is so very indifferent to you. Instead of it, I shall only recommend to your Consideration the Opinion of one whose Sentiments on these matters I have often heard you say are extremely just. A generous and Constant Passion, says your favourite Author, in an agreeable Lover, where there is not too great a Disparity in their Circumstances, is the greatest Blessing that can befal a Person beloved; and if overlook'd in one, may perhaps never be found in another.

I do not, however, at all despair of being very shortly much better beloved by you than Antenor is at present; since whenever my Fortune shall exceed his, you were pleased to intimate your Passion would encrease accordingly.

The World has seen me shamefully lose that Time to please a fickle Woman, which might have been employed much more to my Credit and Advantage in other Pursuits. I shall therefore take the Liberty to acquaint you, however harsh it may sound in a Lady's Ears, that tho your Love-Fit should happen to return, unless you could contrive a way to make your Recantation as well known to the Publick, as they are already apprised of the manner with which you have treated me, you shall never more see Philander.

Amoret to Philander.

Sir,

Upon Reflection, I find the Injury I have done both to you and my self to be so great, that though the Part I now act may appear contrary to that Decorum usually observed by our Sex, yet I purposely break through all Rules, that my Repentance may in some measure equal my Crime. I assure you that in my present Hopes of recovering you, I look upon Antenor's Estate with Contempt. The Fop was here Yesterday in a gilt Chariot and new Liveries, but I refused to see him. Tho' I dread to meet your Eyes after what has pass'd, I flatter my self, that amidst all their Confusion you will discover such a Tenderness in mine, as none can imitate but those who Love. I shall be all this Month at Lady D—'s in the Country; but the Woods, the Fields and Gardens, without Philander, afford no Pleasures to the unhappy Amoret.

I must desire you, dear Mr. Spectator, to publish this my Letter to Philander as soon as possible, and to assure him that I know nothing at all of the Death of his rich Uncle in Gloucestershire.

Contents

№ 402

Wednesday, June 11, 1712

Стил

—quæ

Spectator tradit sibi—

Hor.1.

s

Mr. Spectator,

I am a young Woman of Beauty and Quality, and suitably married to a Gentleman who doats on me. But this Person of mine is the Object of an unjust Passion in a Nobleman who is very intimate with my Husband. This Friendship gives him very easie Access, and frequent Opportunities of entertaining me apart. My Heart is in the utmost Anguish, and my Face is covered over with Confusion, when I impart to you another Circumstance, which is, that my Mother, the most mercenary of all Women, is gained by this false Friend of my Husband to sollicit me for him. I am frequently chid by the poor believing Man my Husband, for shewing an Impatience of his Friend's Company; and I am never alone with my Mother, but she tells me Stories of the discretionary Part of the World, and such a one, and such a one who are guilty of as much as she advises me to. She laughs at my Astonishment; and seems to hint to me, that as virtuous as she has always appeared, I am not the Daughter of her Husband. It is possible that printing this Letter may relieve me from the unnatural Importunity of my Mother, and the perfidious Courtship of my Husband's Friend. I have an unfeigned Love of Virtue, and am resolved to preserve my Innocence. The only Way I can think of to avoid the fatal Consequences of the Discovery of this Matter, is to fly away for ever; which I must do to avoid my Husband's fatal Resentment against the Man who attempts to abuse him, and the Shame of exposing the Parent to Infamy. The Persons concerned will know these Circumstances relate to 'em; and though the Regard to Virtue is dead in them, I have some Hopes from their Fear of Shame upon reading this in your Paper; which I conjure you to do, if you have any Compassion for Injured Virtue.

Sylvia.

Mr. Spectator,

I am the Husband of a Woman of Merit, but am fallen in Love, as they call it, with a Lady of her Acquaintance, who is going to be married to a Gentleman who deserves her. I am in a Trust relating to this Lady's Fortune, which makes my Concurrence in this Matter necessary; but I have so irresistible a Rage and Envy rise in me when I consider his future Happiness, that against all Reason, Equity, and common Justice, I am ever playing mean Tricks to suspend the Nuptials. I have no manner of Hopes for my self; Emilia, for so I'll call her, is a Woman of the most strict Virtue; her Lover is a Gentleman who of all others I could wish my Friend; but Envy and Jealousie, though placed so unjustly, waste my very Being, and with the Torment and Sense of a Daemon, I am ever cursing what I cannot but approve. I wish it were the Beginning of Repentance, that I sit down and describe my present Disposition with so hellish an Aspect; but at present the Destruction of these two excellent Persons would be more welcome to me than their Happiness. Mr. Spectator, pray let me have a Paper on these terrible groundless Sufferings, and do all you can to exorcise Crowds who are in some Degree possessed as I am.

Canniball.

Mr. Spectator,

I have no other Means but this to express my Thanks to one Man, and my Resentment against another. My Circumstances are as follows. I have been for five Years last past courted by a Gentleman of greater Fortune than I ought to expect, as the Market for Women goes. You must to be sure have observed People who live in that sort of Way, as all their Friends reckon it will be a Match, and are marked out by all the World for each other. In this View we have been regarded for some Time, and I have above these three Years loved him tenderly. As he is very careful of his Fortune, I always thought he lived in a near Manner to lay up what he thought was wanting in my Fortune to make up what he might expect in another. Within few Months I have observed his Carriage very much altered, and he has affected a certain Air of getting me alone, and talking with a mighty Profusion of passionate Words, How I am not to be resisted longer, how irresistible his Wishes are, and the like. As long as I have been acquainted with him, I could not on such Occasions say down-right to him, You know you may make me yours when you please. But the other Night he with great Frankness and Impudence explained to me, that he thought of me only as a Mistress. I answered this Declaration as it deserv'd; upon which he only doubled the Terms on which he proposed my yielding. When my Anger heightned upon him, he told me he was sorry he had made so little Use of the unguarded Hours we had been together so remote from Company, as indeed, continued he, so we are at present. I flew from him to a neighbouring Gentlewoman's House, and tho' her Husband was in the Room, threw my self on a Couch, and burst into a Passion of Tears. My Friend desired her Husband to leave the Room. But, said he, there is something so extraordinary in this, that I will partake in the Affliction; and be it what it will, she is so much your Friend, that she knows she may command what Services I can do her. The Man sate down by me, and spoke so like a Brother, that I told him my whole Affliction. He spoke of the Injury done me with so much Indignation, and animated me against the Love he said he saw I had for the Wretch who would have betrayed me, with so much Reason and Humanity to my Weakness, that I doubt not of my Perseverance. His Wife and he are my Comforters, and I am under no more Restraint in their Company than if I were alone; and I doubt not but in a small time Contempt and Hatred will take Place of the Remains of Affection to a Rascal.

I am

Sir,

Your affectionate Reader,

Dorinda.

Mr. Spectator,

I had the Misfortune to be an Uncle before I knew my Nephews from my Nieces, and now we are grown up to better Acquaintance they deny me the Respect they owe. One upbraids me with being their Familiar, another will hardly be perswaded that I am an Uncle, a third calls me Little Uncle, and a fourth tells me there is no Duty at all due to an Uncle. I have a Brother-in-law whose Son will win all my Affection, unless you shall think this worthy of your Cognizance, and will be pleased to prescribe some Rules for our future reciprocal Behaviour. It will be worthy the Particularity of your Genius to lay down Rules for his Conduct who was as it were born an old Man, in which you will much oblige,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

Cornelius Nepos.

Footnote 1:

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 403

Thursday, June 12, 1712

Аддисон

Qui mores hominun multorum vidit?

Hor..

St. James's Cheapside Temple Smithfield

London Westminster France's Europe British

St James's, Spanish Bourbon

Giles's French Grand Monarque Whig Gallies

Jenny Man's Well, Jack, the old Prig is dead at last. Sharp's the Word. Now or never, Boy. Up to the Walls of Paris directly.

Charing-Cross Covent-Garden Wills Monsieur Boileau, Racine, Corneile,

Temple Spanish Duke of Anjou Imperial Majesty Paul's Church-Yard, France Fish-street France

French Augustus Cæsar, Nero Cheapside

French French Garraway's France This much 1

Footnote 1: great

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 404

Friday, June 13, 1712

Юстас Баджелл

—Non omnia possumus omnes.

Virg.1.

the Creator of the Universe

Cleanthes Cleanthes Cleanthes Cleanthes

Valerio Valerio Valerio Valerio Valerio

Tully Virgil Cæsar Cicero's Virgil's Virgil Tully's

Cælia Iras Cælia Iras Cælia Iras Cælia's Iras Cælia Iras Iras Cælia Cælia Iras

Semanthe the Olive Beauty Semanthe the Lady that paints so well. Follow Nature Tully a direct Opposition to the Disposition of Providence Tully an actual Rebellion against Heaven.

Footnote 1: Continuo has leges æternaque fœdera certis

Imposuit natura locis.

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 405

Saturday, June 14, 1712

Аддисон

.

need Signior Nicolini. 1 Italian

European Oriental Hebrew English Hebraisms Holy Writ Plato's Holy Scriptures.

Hebrew English Book of Psalms, Horace Pindar

Songs of Sion Eastern Psalms Poetry Grecian Tabernacle

Homer Hesiod Jupiter

Footnote 1: Footnote 1 No. 13 Antiochus

return to footnote mark

Contents

№ 406

Monday, June 16, 1712

Стил

Hæc studia Adolescentiam alunt, Senectutem oblectant, secundas res ornant, adversis solatium et perfugium præbet delectant domi, non impediunt foris; Pernoctant nobiscum, peregrinantur, rusticantur.

Tull..

the Lapland Scheffer's 1

Dear Sir,

You have obliged me with a very kind Letter; by which I find you shift the Scene of your Life from the Town to the Country, and enjoy that mixt State which wise Men both delight in, and are qualified for. Methinks most of the Philosophers and Moralists have run too much into Extreams, in praising entirely either Solitude or publick Life; in the former Men generally grow useless by too much Rest, and in the latter are destroyed by too much Precipitation: As Waters lying still, putrifie and are good for nothing; and running violently on, do but the more Mischief in their Passage to others, and are swallowed up and lost the sooner themselves. Those who, like you, can make themselves useful to all States, should be like gentle Streams, that not only glide through lonely Vales and Forests amidst the Flocks and Shepherds, but visit populous Towns in their Course, and are at once of Ornament and Service to them. But there is another sort of People who seem designed for Solitude, those I mean who have more to hide than to shew: As for my own Part, I am one of those of whom Seneca says, Tum Umbratiles sunt, ut putent in turbido esse quicquid in luce est. Some Men, like Pictures, are fitter for a Corner than a full Light; and I believe such as have a natural Bent to Solitude, are like Waters which may be forced into Fountains, and exalted to a great Height, may make a much nobler Figure, and a much louder Noise, but after all run more smoothly, equally and plentifully, in their own natural Course upon the Ground. The Consideration of this would make me very well contented with the Possession only of that Quiet which Cowley calls the Companion of Obscurity; but whoever has the Muses too for his Companions, can never be idle enough to be uneasie. Thus, Sir, you see I would flatter my self into a good Opinion of my own Way of Living; Plutarch just now told me, that 'tis in human Life as in a Game at Tables, one may wish he had the highest Cast, but if his Chance be otherwise, he is even to play it as well as he can, and make the best of it.

I am, Sir,

Your most obliged,

and most humble Servant.

Mr. Spectator,

The Town being so well pleased with the fine Picture of artless Love, which Nature inspired the Laplander to paint in the Ode you lately printed; we were in Hopes that the ingenious Translator would have obliged it with the other also which Scheffer has given us; but since he has not, a much inferior Hand has ventured to send you this.

It is a Custom with the Northern Lovers to divert themselves with a Song, whilst they Journey through the fenny Moors to pay a visit to their Mistresses. This is addressed by the Lover to his Rain-Deer, which is the Creature that in that Country supplies the Want of Horses. The Circumstances which successively present themselves to him in his Way, are, I believe you will think, naturally interwoven. The Anxiety of Absence, the Gloominess of the Roads, and his Resolution of frequenting only those, since those only can carry him to the Object of his Desires; the Dissatisfaction he expresses even at the greatest Swiftness with which he is carried, and his joyful Surprize at an unexpected Sight of his Mistress as she is bathing, seems beautifully described in the Original.

If all those pretty Images of Rural Nature are lost in the Imitation, yet possibly you may think fit to let this supply the Place of a long Letter, when Want of Leisure or Indisposition for Writing will not permit our being entertained by your own Hand. I propose such a Time, because tho' it is natural to have a Fondness for what one does ones self, yet I assure you I would not have any thing of mine displace a single Line of yours.