Джозеф Аддисон

«Зритель, Том 2»

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I am, Sir,

Your most humble Servant,

Epicure Mammon.

Mr. Spectator,

I have writ to you three or four times, to desire you would take notice of an impertinent Custom the Women, the fine Women, have lately fallen into, of taking Snuff1. This silly Trick is attended with such a Coquet Air in some Ladies, and such a sedate masculine one in others, that I cannot tell which most to complain of; but they are to me equally disagreeable. Mrs. Saunter is so impatient of being without it, that she takes it as often as she does Salt at Meals; and as she affects a wonderful Ease and Negligence in all her manner, an upper Lip mixed with Snuff and the Sauce, is what is presented to the Observation of all who have the honour to eat with her. The pretty Creature her Neice does all she can to be as disagreeable as her Aunt; and if she is not as offensive to the Eye, she is quite as much to the Ear, and makes up all she wants in a confident Air, by a nauseous Rattle of the Nose, when the Snuff is delivered, and the Fingers make the Stops and Closes on the Nostrils. This, perhaps, is not a very courtly Image in speaking of Ladies; that is very true: but where arises the Offence? Is it in those who commit, or those who observe it? As for my part, I have been so extremely disgusted with this filthy Physick hanging on the Lip, that the most agreeable Conversation, or Person, has not been able to make up for it. As to those who take it for no other end but to give themselves Occasion for pretty Action, or to fill up little Intervals of Discourse, I can bear with them; but then they must not use it when another is speaking, who ought to be heard with too much respect, to admit of offering at that time from Hand to Hand the Snuff-Box. But Flavilla is so far taken with her Behaviour in this kind, that she pulls out her Box (which is indeed full of good Brazile) in the middle of the Sermon; and to shew she has the Audacity of a well-bred Woman, she offers it the Men as well as the Women who sit near her: But since by this Time all the World knows she has a fine Hand, I am in hopes she may give her self no further Trouble in this matter. On Sunday was sennight, when they came about for the Offering, she gave her Charity with a very good Air, but at the same Time asked the Churchwarden if he would take a Pinch. Pray, Sir, think of these things in time, and you will oblige,

Sir,

Your most humble servant.

Footnote 1: The British Perfumer, Snuff Manufacturer, and Colourman's Guide Snuffs

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№ 345

Saturday, April 5, 1712

Аддисон

Sanctius his animal, mentisque capacius altæ

Deerat adhuc, et quod dominari in cœtera posset,

Natus homo est.

Ov. Met.

Raphael

s Adam Eve Adam's Eve So spake our Sire, and by his Countenance seem'd

Entring on studious Thoughts abstruse: which Eve

Perceiving, where she sat retired in sight,

With lowliness majestick, from her Seat,

And Grace, that won who saw to wish her Stay,

Rose; and went forth among her Fruits and Flowers

To visit how they prosper'd, Bud and Bloom,

Her Nursery: they at her coming sprung,

And touch'd by her fair Tendance gladlier grew.

Yet went she not, as not with such Discourse

Delighted, or not capable her Ear

Of what was high: Such Pleasure she reserved,

Adam relating, she sole Auditress;

Her Husband the Relater she preferr'd

Before the Angel, and of him to ask

Chose rather: he, she knew, would intermix

Grateful Digressions, and solve high Dispute

With conjugal Caresses; from his Lip

Not Words alone pleas'd her. O when meet now

Such Pairs, in Love and mutual Honour join'd!

Adam's Ptolemaick Copernican

Adam Eve Adam For while I sit with thee, I seem in Heav'n,

And sweeter thy Discourse is to my Ear

Than Fruits of Palm-tree (pleasantest to Thirst

And Hunger both from Labour) at the hour

Of sweet Repast: they satiate, and soon fill,

Tho' pleasant; but thy Words with Grace divine

Imbu'd, bring to their Sweetness no Satiety.

Adam For I that day was absent, as befel,

Bound on a Voyage uncouth and obscure;

Far on Excursion towards the Gates of Hell,

Squar'd in full Legion such Command we had

To see that none thence issued forth a Spy,

Or Enemy; while God was in his Work,

Lest he, incens'd at such Eruption bold,

Destruction with Creation might have mix'd.

Virgil's Æneas Sibyl —Fast we found, fast shut

The dismal Gates, and barricado'd strong;

But long ere our Approaching heard within

Noise, other than the Sound of Dance or Song,

Torment, and loud Lament, and furious Rage.

Adam —As new waked from soundest Sleep,

Soft on the flow'ry Herb I found me laid

In balmy Sweat, which with his Beams the Sun

Soon dried, and on the reaking Moisture fed.

Streight towards Heav'n my wond'ring Eyes I turn'd,

And gazed awhile the ample Sky, till rais'd

By quick instinctive Motion, up I sprung,

As thitherward endeavouring, and upright

Stood on my Feet: About me round I saw

Hill, Dale, and shady Woods, and sunny Plains,

And liquid lapse of murmuring Streams; by these

Creatures that liv'd, and mov'd, and walked, or flew,

Birds on the Branches warbling; all things smil'd:

With Fragrance, and with Joy my Heart o'erflow'd.

Adam —Thou Sun, said I, fair Light,

And thou enlighten'd Earth, so fresh and gay,

Ye Hills and Dales, ye Rivers, Woods and Plains,

And ye that live and move, fair Creatures tell,

Tell if you saw, how came I thus, how here?

—Each Bird and Beast behold

Approaching two and two, these cowring low

With Blandishment; each Bird stoop'd on his Wing:

I nam'd them as they pass'd—

Adam Adam Thus I presumptuous; and the Vision bright,

As with a Smile more bright-tied, thus reply'd, &c.

—I, with leave of Speech implor'd

And humble Deprecation, thus reply d:

Let not my Words offend thee, Heav'nly Power,

My Maker, be propitious while I speak, &c.

Adam Eve Under his forming Hands a Creature grew,

Manlike, but different Sex: so lovely fair,

That what seem'd fair in all the World, seemed now

Mean, or in her summ'd up, in her contained,

And in her Looks; which from that time infused

Sweetness info my Heart, unfelt before:

And into all things from her Air inspired

The Spirit of Love and amorous Delight.

Adam's

Adam Eve Dryden Milton Adam Thus have I told thee all my State, and brought

My Story to the sum of earthly Bliss,

Which I enjoy; and must confess to find

In all things else Delight indeed, but such

As us'd or not, works in the Mind no Change

Nor vehement Desire; these Delicacies

I mean of Taste, Sight, Smell, Herbs, Fruits, and Flowers,

Walks, and the Melody of Birds: but here

Far otherwise, transported I behold,

Transported touch; here Passion first I felt,

Commotion strange! in all Enjoyments else

Superiour and unmov'd, here only weak

Against the Charms of Beauty's powerful Glance.

Or Nature fail'd in me, and left some Part

Not Proof enough such Object to sustain;

Or from my Side subducting, took perhaps

More than enough; at least on her bestowed

Too much of Ornament in outward shew

Elaborate, of inward less exact.

—When I approach

Her Loveliness, so absolute she seems

And in herself compleat, so well to know

Her own, that what she wills to do or say

Seems wisest, vertuousest, discreetest, best:

All higher Knowledge in her Presence falls

Degraded: Wisdom in discourse with her

Loses discountenanced, and like Folly shews;

Authority and Reason on her wait,

As one intended first, not after made

Occasionally: and to consummate all,

Greatness of Mind, and Nobleness their Seat

Build in her loveliest, and create an Awe

About her, as a Guard angelick plac'd.

Adam Adam Neither her outside Form so fair, nor aught

In Procreation common to all kinds,

(Tho' higher of the genial Bed by far,

And with mysterious Reverence I deem)

So much delights me, as those graceful Acts,

Those thousand Decencies that daily flow

From all her Words and Actions, mixt with Love

And sweet Compliance, which declare unfeign'd

Union of Mind, or in us both one Soul;

Harmony to behold in—wedded Pair!

Adam's

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№ 346

Monday, April 7, 1712

Стил

Consuetudinem benignitatis largitioni Munerum longe antepono. Hæc est Gravium hominum atque Magnorum; Illa quasi assentatorum populi, multitudinis levitatem voluptate quasi titillantium.

Tull.

Tom Tom Tory Whig

Spectator Edward Keen George Powell Alexander, Timon, Lear Orestes Jack Falstaffe.

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№ 347

Tuesday, April 8, 1712

Баджелл

Quis furor ô Cives! quæ tanta licentia ferri!

Lucan.

To the Spectator.

Sir,

"Finding that our earnest Endeavours for the Good of Mankind have been basely and maliciously represented to the World, we send you enclosed our Imperial Manifesto, which it is our Will and Pleasure that you forthwith communicate to the Publick, by inserting it in your next daily Paper. We do not doubt of your ready Compliance in this Particular, and therefore bid you heartily Farewell."

Sign'd,

Taw Waw Eben Zan Kaladar,

Emperor of the Mohocks.

The Manifesto of Taw Waw Eben Zan Kaladar, Emperor of the Mohocks.

"Whereas we have received Information from sundry Quarters of this great and populous City, of several Outrages committed on the Legs, Arms, Noses, and other Parts of the good People of England, by such as have styled themselves our Subjects; in order to vindicate our Imperial Dignity from those false Aspersions which have been cast on it, as if we our selves might have encouraged or abetted any such Practices; we have, by these Presents, thought fit to signify our utmost Abhorrence and Detestation of all such tumultuous and irregular Proceedings: and do hereby further give notice, that if any Person or Persons has or have suffered any Wound, Hurt, Damage or Detriment in his or their Limb or Limbs, otherwise than shall be hereafter specified, the said Person or Persons, upon applying themselves to such as we shall appoint for the Inspection and Redress of the Grievances aforesaid, shall be forthwith committed to the Care of our principal Surgeon, and be cured at our own Expence, in some one or other of those Hospitals which we are now erecting for that purpose.

"And to the end that no one may, either through Ignorance or Inadvertency, incur those Penalties which we have thought fit to inflict on Persons of loose and dissolute Lives, we do hereby notifie to the Publick, that if any Man be knocked down or assaulted while he is employed in his lawful Business, at proper Hours, that it is not done by our Order; and we do hereby permit and allow any such person so knocked down or assaulted, to rise again, and defend himself in the best manner that he is able.

"We do also command all and every our good Subjects, that they do not presume, upon any Pretext whatsoever, to issue and sally forth from their respective Quarters till between the Hours of Eleven and Twelve. That they never Tip the Lion upon Man, Woman or Child, till the Clock at St. Dunstan's shall have struck One.

"That the Sweat be never given but between the Hours of One and Two; always provided, that our Hunters may begin to Hunt a little after the Close of the Evening, any thing to the contrary herein notwithstanding. Provided also, that if ever they are reduced to the Necessity of Pinking, it shall always be in the most fleshy Parts, and such as are least exposed to view.

"It is also our Imperial Will and Pleasure, that our good Subjects the Sweaters do establish their Hummums1 in such close Places, Alleys, Nooks, and Corners, that the Patient or Patients may not be in danger of catching Cold.

"That the Tumblers, to whose Care we chiefly commit the Female Sex, confine themselves to Drury-Lane and the Purlieus of the Temple; and that every other Party and Division of our Subjects do each of them keep within the respective Quarters we have allotted to them. Provided nevertheless, that nothing herein contained shall in any wise be construed to extend to the Hunters, who have our full Licence and Permission to enter into any Part of the Town where-ever their Game shall lead them.

"And whereas we have nothing more at our Imperial Heart than the Reformation of the Cities of London and Westminster, which to our unspeakable Satisfaction we have in some measure already effected, we do hereby earnestly pray and exhort all Husbands, Fathers, Housekeepers and Masters of Families, in either of the aforesaid Cities, not only to repair themselves to their respective Habitations at early and seasonable Hours; but also to keep their Wives and Daughters, Sons, Servants, and Apprentices, from appearing in the Streets at those Times and Seasons which may expose them to a military Discipline, as it is practised by our good Subjects the Mohocks: and we do further promise, on our Imperial Word, that as soon as the Reformation aforesaid shall be brought about, we will forthwith cause all Hostilities to cease.

"Given from our Court at the Devil-Tavern,

March 15, 1712."

Footnote 1: Hummums bagnios

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№ 348

Wednesday, April 9, 1712

Стил

Invidiam placare paras virtute relicta?

Hor.

Mr. Spectator,

'I have not seen you lately at any of the Places where I visit, so that I am afraid you are wholly unacquainted with what passes among my part of the World, who are, tho' I say it, without Controversy, the most accomplished and best bred of the Town. Give me leave to tell you, that I am extremely discomposed when I hear Scandal, and am an utter Enemy to all manner of Detraction, and think it the greatest Meanness that People of Distinction can be guilty of: However, it is hardly possible to come into Company, where you do not find them pulling one another to pieces, and that from no other Provocation but that of hearing any one commended. Merit, both as to Wit and Beauty, is become no other than the Possession of a few trifling People's Favour, which you cannot possibly arrive at, if you have really any thing in you that is deserving. What they would bring to pass, is, to make all Good and Evil consist in Report, and with Whispers, Calumnies and Impertinencies, to have the Conduct of those Reports. By this means Innocents are blasted upon their first Appearance in Town; and there is nothing more required to make a young Woman the object of Envy and Hatred, than to deserve Love and Admiration. This abominable Endeavour to suppress or lessen every thing that is praise-worthy, is as frequent among the Men as the Women. If I can remember what passed at a Visit last Night, it will serve as an Instance that the Sexes are equally inclined to Defamation, with equal Malice, with equal Impotence. Jack Triplett came into my Lady Airy's about Eight of the Clock. You know the manner we sit at a Visit, and I need not describe the Circle; but Mr. Triplett came in, introduced by two Tapers supported by a spruce Servant, whose Hair is under a Cap till my Lady's Candles are all lighted up, and the Hour of Ceremony begins: I say, Jack Triplett came in, and singing (for he is really good Company) 'Every Feature, Charming Creature,—he went on, It is a most unreasonable thing that People cannot go peaceably to see their Friends, but these Murderers are let loose. Such a Shape! such an Air! what a Glance was that as her Chariot pass'd by mine—My Lady herself interrupted him; Pray who is this fine Thing—I warrant, says another, 'tis the Creature I was telling your Ladyship of just now. You were telling of? says Jack; I wish I had been so happy as to have come in and heard you, for I have not Words to say what she is: But if an agreeable Height, a modest Air, a Virgin Shame, and Impatience of being beheld, amidst a Blaze of ten thousand Charms—The whole Room flew out—Oh Mr. Triplett!—When Mrs. Lofty, a known Prude, said she believed she knew whom the Gentleman meant; but she was indeed, as he civilly represented her, impatient of being beheld —- Then turning to the Lady next to her—The most unbred Creature you ever saw. Another pursued the Discourse: As unbred, Madam, as you may think her, she is extremely bely'd if she is the Novice she appears; she was last Week at a Ball till two in the Morning; Mr. Triplett knows whether he was the happy Man that took Care of her home; but—This was followed by some particular Exception that each Woman in the Room made to some peculiar Grace or Advantage so that Mr. Triplett was beaten from one Limb and Feature to another, till he was forced to resign the whole Woman. In the end I took notice Triplett recorded all this Malice in his Heart; and saw in his Countenance, and a certain waggish Shrug, that he design'd to repeat the Conversation: I therefore let the Discourse die, and soon after took an Occasion to commend a certain Gentleman of my Acquaintance for a Person of singular Modesty, Courage, Integrity, and withal as a Man of an entertaining Conversation, to which Advantages he had a Shape and Manner peculiarly graceful. Mr. Triplett, who is a Woman's Man, seem'd to hear me with Patience enough commend the Qualities of his Mind: He never heard indeed but that he was a very honest Man, and no Fool; but for a fine Gentleman, he must ask Pardon. Upon no other Foundation than this, Mr. Triplett took occasion to give the Gentleman's Pedigree, by what Methods some part of the Estate was acquired, how much it was beholden to a Marriage for the present Circumstances of it: After all, he could see nothing but a common Man in his Person, his Breeding or Understanding.

Thus, Mr. Spectator, this impertinent Humour of diminishing every one who is produced in Conversation to their Advantage, runs thro the World; and I am, I confess, so fearful of the Force of ill Tongues, that I have begged of all those who are my Well-wishers never to commend me, for it will but bring my Frailties into Examination, and I had rather be unobserved, than conspicuous for disputed Perfections. I am confident a thousand young People, who would have been Ornaments to Society, have, from Fear of Scandal, never dared to exert themselves in the polite Arts of Life. Their Lives have passed away in an odious Rusticity, in spite of great Advantages of Person, Genius and Fortune. There is a vicious Terror of being blamed in some well-inclin'd People, and a wicked Pleasure in suppressing them in others; both which I recommend to your Spectatorial Wisdom to animadvert upon; and if you can be successful in it, I need not say how much you will deserve of the Town; but new Toasts will owe to you their Beauty, and new Wits their Fame. I am,

Sir,

Your most Obedient

Humble Servant,

Mary."

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№ 349

Thursday, April 10, 1712

Аддисон

Quos ille timorum

Maximus haud urget lethi metus: inde ruendi

In ferrum mens prona viris, animæque capaces

Mortis.

Lucan.

Phalaris

upon Epaminondas Chabrias Iphicrates 1

Grecian Roman Monsieur de St. Evremont Petronius Arbiter Seneca, Cato Socrates Petronius's Socrates Sir Thomas More.

Erasmus Epistle Dedicatory Democritus

Greeks Romans met History of the Revolutions in Portugal Abbot de Vertot 2

Don Sebastian Muly Moluc Moluc

Footnote 1: Life of Epaminondas.

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Footnote 2: Spectator's History of the Revolutions of Portugal,

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№ 350

Friday, April 11, 1712

Стил

Ea animi elatio quæ cernitur in periculis, si Justitia vacat pugnatque pro suis commodis, in vitio est.

Tull.

Captain Sentrey Ipswich Spectator Dominick Pottiere Goodwin Englishman French Englishman Ipswich Englishman Pottiere Goodwin Calais Pottiere Goodwin

Sentrey

Turnus Æneas Æneas Turnus Æneas Æneas Æneas Turnus

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№ 351

Saturday, April 12, 1712

Аддисон

In te omnis domus inclinata recumbit.

Virg.

Homer Trojan Greeks Achilles Ulysses

Æneas Virgil Romans Æneas Italy The Dionysius Halicarnasseus 1

Virgil's Æneas Æneas Virgil Æneas Harpyes Trojans Romans Æneas Æneas Westward Italy We are eating our Tables Virgil Æneas Prophetess Harpy Ascanius 2 Heus etiam mensas consumimus, inquit Inlus!

Trojan Æneid Virgil Æneas Ovid

Æneid

Milton's Iliad Æneid Adam Milton Satan's examined issued 3 Homer So saying, through each Thicket Dank or Dry,

Like a black Mist, low creeping, he held on

His Midnight Search, where soonest he might find

The Serpent: him fast sleeping soon he found

In Labyrinth of many a Round self-roll'd,

His Head the midst, well stor'd with subtle Wiles.

Adam Eve Now when as sacred Light began to dawn

In Eden on the humid Flowers, that breathed

Their Morning Incense, when all things that breathe

From th' Earth's great Altar send up silent Praise

To the Creator, and his Nostrils fill

With grateful Smell; forth came the human Pair,

And join'd their vocal Worship to the Choir

Of Creatures wanting Voice—

Dispute proceeds 4 Adam's Eve Her long with ardent Look his Eye pursued

Delighted, but desiring more her stay:

Oft he to her his Charge of quick return

Repeated; she to him as oft engaged

To be return'd by noon amid the Bower.

—Adam the while,

Waiting desirous her return, had wove

Of choicest Flowers a Garland, to adorn

Her Tresses, and her rural Labours crown:

As Reapers oft are wont their Harvest Queen.

Great Joy he promised to his thoughts, and new

Solace in her return, so long delay'd.

—Some cursed Fraud

Or Enemy hath beguil'd thee, yet unknown,

And me with thee hath ruin'd; for with thee

Certain my Resolution is to die!

How can I live without thee; how forego

Thy sweet Converse and Love so dearly join'd,

To live again in these wild Woods forlorn?

Should God create another Eve, and I

Another Rib afford, yet loss of thee

Would never from my Heart! no, no! I feel

The Link of Nature draw me: Flesh of Flesh,

Bone of my Bone thou art, and from thy State

Mine never shall be parted, Bliss or Woe!

Eve

Eve Adam —Hope elevates, and Joy

Brightens his Crest; as when a wandering Fire,

Compact of unctuous Vapour, which the Night

Condenses, and the Cold invirons round,

Kindled through Agitation to a Flame,

(Which oft, they say, some evil Spirit attends)

Hovering and blazing with delusive Light,

Misleads th' amaz'd Night-wanderer from his Way

To Bogs and Mires, and oft through Pond or Pool,

There swallowed up and lost, from succour far.

secret those 5

Dido Æneid Virgil Milton Eve's So saying, her rash Hand in evil hour

Forth reaching to the Fruit, she pluckt, she eat:

Earth felt the wound, and Nature from her Seat

Sighing, through all her Works gave signs of Woe

That all was lost—

—He scrupled not to eat

Against his better knowledge; not deceiv'd,

But fondly overcome with female Charm.

Earth trembled from her Entrails, as again

In Pangs, and Nature gave a second Groan,

Sky lowred, and muttering Thunder, some sad Drops

Wept at compleating of the mortal Sin—

Adam's Eve Jupiter Juno Iliad Juno there Jupiter Venus

6 Ida

Milton Adam's Eve For never did thy Beauty, since the Day

I saw thee first and wedded thee, adorn'd

With all Perfections, so enflame my Sense

With ardor to enjoy thee, fairer now

Than ever, Bounty of this virtuous Tree.

So said he, and forbore not Glance or Toy

Of amorous Intent, well understood

Of Eve, whose Eye darted contagious Fire.

Her hand he seiz'd, and to a shady Bank

Thick over-head with verdant Roof embower'd,

He led her nothing loth: Flow'rs were the Couch,

Pansies, and Violets, and Asphodel,

And Hyacinth, Earth's freshest softest Lap.

There they their fill of Love, and Love's disport,

Took largely, of their mutual Guilt the Seal,

The Solace of their Sin, till dewy Sleep

Oppress'd them—

Homer Milton Greek Homer

Footnote 1:

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Footnote 2:

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Footnote 3: run

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Footnote 4: arises

return

Footnote 5: that

return

Footnote 6: ever had

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№ 352

Monday, April 14, 1712

Стил

Si ad honestatem nati sumus, ea aut sola expetenda est, aut certe omni pondere gravior est habenda quam reliqua omnia.

Tull.

Will. Honeycomb Will Will Charles's shall 1

Footnote 1: Sermons

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№ 353

Tuesday, April 15, 1712

Баджелл

—In tenui labor—

Virg.

Sir,

I take the Liberty to send you a fourth Letter upon the Education of Youth: In my last I gave you my Thoughts about some particular Tasks which I conceivd it might not be amiss to use with their usual Exercises, in order to give them an early Seasoning of Virtue; I shall in this propose some others, which I fancy might contribute to give them a right turn for the World, and enable them to make their way in it.

The Design of Learning is, as I take it, either to render a Man an agreeable Companion to himself, and teach him to support Solitude with Pleasure, or if he is not born to an Estate, to supply that Defect, and furnish him with the means of acquiring one. A Person who applies himself to Learning with the first of these Views may be said to study for Ornament, as he who proposes to himself the second, properly studies for Use. The one does it to raise himself a Fortune, the other to set off that which he is already possessed of. But as far the greater part of Mankind are included in the latter Class, I shall only propose some Methods at present for the Service of such who expect to advance themselves in the World by their Learning: In order to which, I shall premise, that many more Estates have been acquird by little Accomplishments than by extraordinary ones; those Qualities which make the greatest Figure in the Eye of the World, not being always the most useful in themselves, or the most advantageous to their Owners.

The Posts which require Men of shining and uncommon Parts to discharge them, are so very few, that many a great Genius goes out of the World without ever having had an opportunity to exert it self; whereas Persons of ordinary Endowments meet with Occasions fitted to their Parts and Capacities every day in the common Occurrences of Life.'

'I am acquainted with two Persons who were formerly School-fellows1, and have been good Friends ever since. One of them was not only thought an impenetrable Block-head at School, but still maintain'd his Reputation at the University; the other was the Pride of his Master, and the most celebrated Person in the College of which he was a Member. The Man of Genius is at present buried in a Country Parsonage of eightscore Pounds a year; while the other, with the bare Abilities of a common Scrivener, has got an Estate of above an hundred thousand Pounds.'

'I fancy from what I have said it will almost appear a doubtful Case to many a wealthy Citizen, whether or no he ought to wish his Son should be a great Genius; but this I am sure of, that nothing is more absurd than to give a Lad the Education of one, whom Nature has not favour'd with any particular Marks of Distinction.'

'The fault therefore of our Grammar-Schools is, that every Boy is pushed on to Works of Genius; whereas it would be far more advantageous for the greatest part of them to be taught such little practical Arts and Sciences as do not require any great share of Parts to be Master of them, and yet may come often into play during the course of a Man's Life.'

'Such are all the Parts of Practical Geometry. I have known a Man contract a Friendship with a Minister of State, upon cutting a Dial in his Window; and remember a Clergyman who got one of the best Benefices in the West of England, by setting a Country Gentleman's Affairs in some Method, and giving him an exact Survey of his Estate.'

'While I am upon this Subject, I cannot forbear mentioning a Particular which is of use in every Station of Life, and which methinks every Master should teach his Scholars. I mean the writing of English Letters. To this End, instead of perplexing them with Latin Epistles, Themes and Verses, there might be a punctual Correspondence established between two Boys, who might act in any imaginary Parts of Business, or be allowd sometimes to give a range to their own Fancies, and communicate to each other whatever Trifles they thought fit, provided neither of them ever fail'd at the appointed time to answer his Correspondent's Letter.

I believe I may venture to affirm, that the generality of Boys would find themselves more advantaged by this Custom, when they come to be Men, than by all the Greek and Latin their Masters can teach them in seven or eight Years.

The want of it is very visible in many learned Persons, who, while they are admiring the Styles of Demosthenes or Cicero, want Phrases to express themselves on the most common Occasions. I have seen a Letter from one of these Latin Orators, which would have been deservedly laughd at by a common Attorney.

Under this Head of Writing I cannot omit Accounts and Short-hand, which are learned with little pains, and very properly come into the number of such Arts as I have been here recommending.

You must doubtless, Sir, observe that I have hitherto chiefly insisted upon these things for such Boys as do not appear to have any thing extraordinary in their natural Talents, and consequently are not qualified for the finer Parts of Learning; yet I believe I might carry this Matter still further, and venture to assert that a Lad of Genius has sometimes occasion for these little Acquirements, to be as it were the forerunners of his Parts, and to introduce him2 into the World.

History is full of Examples of Persons, who tho they have had the largest Abilities, have been obliged to insinuate themselves into the Favour of great Men by these trivial Accomplishments; as the compleat Gentleman, in some of our modern Comedies, makes his first Advances to his Mistress under the disguise of a Painter or a Dancing-Master.

The Difference is, that in a Lad of Genius these are only so many Accomplishments, which in another are Essentials; the one diverts himself with them, the other works at them. In short, I look upon a great Genius, with these little Additions, in the same Light as I regard the Grand Signior, who is obliged, by an express Command in the Alcoran, to learn and practise some Handycraft Trade. Tho' I need not have gone for my Instance farther than Germany, where several Emperors have voluntarily done the same thing. Leopold the last3, worked in Wood; and I have heard there are several handycraft Works of his making to be seen at Vienna so neatly turned, that the best Joiner in Europe might safely own them, without any disgrace to his Profession.

I would not be thought, by any thing I have said, to be against improving a Boy's Genius to the utmost pitch it can be carried. What I would endeavour to shew in this Essay is, that there may be Methods taken, to make Learning advantageous even to the meanest Capacities.

I am, Sir,

Yours, &c.

Footnote 1: 'Stratford is worth a plumb, and is now lending the Government £40,000; yet we were educated together at the same school and university.'

Journal

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Footnote 2: them

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Footnote 3: Spectator

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Содержание Содержание, стр. 6

№ 354

Wednesday, April 16, 1712

Стил

—Cum magnis virtutibus affers

Grande supercilium—

Juv.

Mr. Spectator,

You have in some of your Discourses describ'd most sorts of Women in their distinct and proper Classes, as the Ape, the Coquet, and many others; but I think you have never yet said anything of a Devotée. A Devotée is one of those who disparage Religion by their indiscreet and unseasonable introduction of the Mention of Virtue on all Occasions: She professes she is what nobody ought to doubt she is; and betrays the Labour she is put to, to be what she ought to be with Chearfulness and Alacrity. She lives in the World, and denies her self none of the Diversions of it, with a constant Declaration how insipid all things in it are to her. She is never her self but at Church; there she displays her Virtue, and is so fervent in her Devotions, that I have frequently seen her Pray her self out of Breath. While other young Ladies in the House are dancing, or playing at Questions and Commands, she reads aloud in her Closet. She says all Love is ridiculous, except it be Celestial; but she speaks of the Passion of one Mortal to another with too much Bitterness, for one that had no Jealousy mixed with her Contempt of it. If at any time she sees a Man warm in his Addresses to his Mistress, she will lift up her Eyes to Heaven, and cry, What Nonsense is that Fool talking? Will the Bell never ring for Prayers? We have an eminent Lady of this Stamp in our Country, who pretends to Amusements very much above the rest of her Sex. She never carries a white Shock-dog with Bells under her Arm, nor a Squirrel or Dormouse in her Pocket, but always an abridg'd Piece of Morality to steal out when she is sure of being observ'd. When she went to the famous Ass-Race (which I must confess was but an odd Diversion to be encouraged by People of Rank and Figure) it was not, like other Ladies, to hear those poor Animals bray, nor to see Fellows run naked, or to hear Country Squires in bob Wigs and white Girdles make love at the side of a Coach, and cry, Madam, this is dainty Weather. Thus she described the Diversion; for she went only to pray heartily that no body might be hurt in the Crowd, and to see if the poor Fellow's Face, which was distorted with grinning, might any way be brought to it self again. She never chats over her Tea, but covers her Face, and is supposed in an Ejaculation before she tastes a Sup. This ostentatious Behaviour is such an Offence to true Sanctity, that it disparages it, and makes Virtue not only unamiable, but also ridiculous. The Sacred Writings are full of Reflections which abhor this kind of Conduct; and a Devotée is so far from promoting Goodness, that she deters others by her Example. Folly and Vanity in one of these Ladies, is like Vice in a Clergyman; it does not only debase him, but makes the inconsiderate Part of the World think the worse of Religion.

I am, Sir,

Your Humble Servant,

Hotspur.

Mr. Spectator,

'Xenophon, in his short Account of the Spartan Commonwealth1, speaking of the Behavior of their young Men in the Streets, says, There was so much Modesty in their Looks, that you might as soon have turned the eyes of a Marble Statue upon you as theirs; and that in all their Behaviour they were more modest than a Bride when put to bed upon her Wedding-Night: This Virtue, which is always join'd to Magnanimity, had such an influence upon their Courage, that in Battel an Enemy could not look them in the Face, and they durst not but Die for their Country.

'Whenever I walk into the Streets of London and Westminster, the Countenances of all the young Fellows that pass by me, make me wish my self in Sparta; I meet with such blustering Airs, big Looks, and bold Fronts, that to a superficial Observer would bespeak a Courage above those Grecians. I am arrived to that Perfection in Speculation, that I understand the Language of the Eyes, which would be a great misfortune to me, had I not corrected the Testiness of old Age by Philosophy. There is scarce a Man in a red Coat who does not tell me, with a full Stare, he's a bold Man: I see several swear inwardly at me, without any Offence of mine, but the Oddness of my Person: I meet Contempt in every Street, express'd in different Manners, by the scornful Look, the elevated Eye-brow, and the swelling Nostrils of the Proud and Prosperous. The Prentice speaks his Disrespect by an extended Finger, and the Porter by stealing out his Tongue. If a Country Gentleman appears a little curious in observing the Edifices, Signs, Clocks, Coaches, and Dials, it is not to be imagined how the Polite Rabble of this Town, who are acquainted with these Objects, ridicule his Rusticity. I have known a Fellow with a Burden on his Head steal a Hand down from his Load, and slily twirle the Cock of a Squire's Hat behind him; while the Offended Person is swearing, or out of Countenance, all the Wagg-Wits in the High-way are grinning in applause of the ingenious Rogue that gave him the Tip, and the Folly of him who had not Eyes all round his Head to prevent receiving it. These things arise from a general Affectation of Smartness, Wit, and Courage. Wycherly somewhere2 rallies the Pretensions this Way, by making a Fellow say, Red Breeches are a certain Sign of Valour; and Otway makes a Man, to boast his Agility, trip up a Beggar on Crutches3. From such Hints I beg a Speculation on this Subject; in the mean time I shall do all in the Power of a weak old Fellow in my own Defence: for as Diogenes, being in quest of an honest Man, sought for him when it was broad Day-light with a Lanthorn and Candle, so I intend for the future to walk the Streets with a dark Lanthorn, which has a convex Chrystal in it; and if any Man stares at me, I give fair Warning that I'll direct the Light full into his Eyes. Thus despairing to find Men Modest, I hope by this Means to evade their Impudence,

I am, Sir,

Your most humble Servant,

Sophrosunius.

Footnote 1: The Polity of Lacedæmon the Polity of Athens the Polity of Lacedæmon Critical History of the Language and Literature of Ancient Greece 'indiscriminately held up to admiration as superior in all respects to all others. Some of its more offensive features, such as the Cryptia, child murder, and more glaring atrocities of the Helot system, are suppressed; while the legalized thieving, adultery, and other unnatural practices, are placed in the most favourable or least odious light.'

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Footnote 2: Plain Dealer

Novel

(a pert railing coxcomb) These sea captains make nothing of dressing. But let me tell you, sir, a man by his dress, as much as by anything, shows his wit and judgment; nay, and his courage too.

Freeman How, his courage, Mr. Novel?

Novel Why, for example, by red breeches, tucked-up hair, or peruke, a greasy broad belt, and now-a-days a short sword.

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Footnote 3: Friendship in Fashion

Malagene I tell you what I did t'other Day: Faith't is as good a Jest as ever you heard.

Valentine Pray, sir, do.

Malagene Why, walking alone, a lame Fellow follow'd me and ask'd my Charity (which by the way was a pretty Proposition to me). Being in one of my witty, merry Fits, I ask'd him how long he had been in that Condition? The poor Fellow shook his Head, and told me he was born so. But how d'ye think I served him?

Valentine Nay, the Devil knows.

Malagene I show'd my Parts, I think; for I tripp'd up both his Wooden Legs, and walk'd off gravely about my Business.

Valentine And this you say is your way of Wit?

Malagene Ay, altogether, this and Mimickry. I'm a very good Mimick; I can act Punchinello, Scaramoucho, Harlequin, Prince Prettyman, or anything. I can act the rumbling of a Wheel-barrow.

Valentine The rumbling of a Wheelbarrow!

Malagene Ay, the rumbling of a Wheelbarrow, so I say. Nay, more than that, I can act a Sow and Pigs, Sausages a broiling, a Shoulder of Mutton a roasting: I can act a Fly in a Honey-pot.

Valentine That indeed must be the effect of very curious Observation.

Malagene No, hang it, I never make it my Business to observe anything, that is Mechanick.

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Содержание Содержание, стр. 6

№ 355

Thursday, April 17, 1712

Аддисон

Non ego mordaci distrinxi carmine quenquam.

Ovid.1

met Epictetus 2

The Balzac France 3

Eastern

Boccalini's

Footnote 1: quenquam, Nulla venenata littera mista joco est.

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Footnote 2: Enchiridion

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Footnote 3: Letters and Remains

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Содержание Содержание, стр. 6

№ 356

Friday1, April 18, 1712

Стил

Aptissima quæque dabunt Dii,

Charior est illis homo quam sibi.

Juv.

took 2 they 3 He 4

But God 5

for 6

Jerusalem Hosannah David Hosannah Shall Nazarene Israel David 7 Their 8 Peter Peter

Footnote 1:

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Footnote 2: Christian Hero C. H.

Tatler

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Footnote 3: '—wiser than they: Is not this the Carpenter's Son, is not his Mother called Mary, his Brethren, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? They could not—'

Christian Hero.

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Footnote 4: 'He had compassion on 'em, commanded 'em to be seated, and with Seven Loaves, and a few little Fishes, Fed four thousand Men, besides Women and Children: Oh, the Ecstatic—'

Christian Hero.

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Footnote 5: Good God Christian Hero

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Footnote 6: Christian Hero 'become a Secular Prince, or in a Forcible or Miraculous Manner to cast off the Roman Yoke they were under, and restore again those Disgraced Favourites of Heav'n, to its former Indulgence, yet had not hitherto the Apostles themselves (so deep set is our Natural Pride) any other than hopes of worldly Power, Preferment, Riches and Pomp: For Peter, who it seems ever since he left his Net and his Skiff, Dreamt of nothing but being a great Man, was utterly undone to hear our Saviour explain to 'em that his Kingdom was not of this World; and was so scandalized—'

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Footnote 7: 'Throne of David? Such were the unpleasant Forms that ran in the Thoughts of the then Powerful in Jerusalem, upon the most Truly Glorious Entry that ever Prince made; for there was not one that followed him who was not in his Interest; their Proud—'

Christian Hero

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Footnote 8: 'Putrified with the—'

Christian Hero.

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Содержание Содержание, стр. 6

№ 357

Saturday, April 19, 1712

Аддисон

Quis talia fando

Temperet à lachrymis?

Virg.1

Paradise Lost

Up into Heaven from Paradise in haste

Th' Angelick Guards ascended, mute and sad

For Man; for of his State by this they knew:

Much wondering how the subtle Fiend had stol'n

Entrance unseen. Soon as th' unwelcome News

From Earth arriv'd at Heaven-Gate, displeased

All were who heard: dim Sadness did not spare

That time Celestial Visages; yet mixt

With Pity, violated not their Bliss.

About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes

Th' Ethereal People ran, to hear and know

How all befel: They tow'rds the Throne supreme

Accountable made haste to make appear

With righteous Plea, their utmost vigilance,

And easily approved; when the Most High

Eternal Father, from his secret cloud,

Amidst in thunder utter'd thus his voice.

Adam Eve Sin Death See! with what heat these Dogs of Hell advance,

To waste and havock yonder World, which I

So fair and good created; &c.

Hallelujahs He ended, and the Heavenly Audience loud

Sung Hallelujah, as the sound of Seas,

Through Multitude that sung: Just are thy Ways,

Righteous are thy Decrees in all thy Works,

Who can extenuate thee?—

Sin Death —Behind her Death

Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet

On his pale Horse—

And I look'd, and behold a pale Horse, and his Name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him: and Power was given unto them over the fourth Part of the Earth, to kill with Sword, and with Hunger, and with Sickness, and with the Beasts of the Earth. 2 Some say he bid his Angels turn ascanse

The Poles of Earth twice ten Degrees and more

From the Sun's Axle; they with Labour push'd

Oblique the Centrick Globe—

Milton Virgil's Asia, Africk Europe Milton's Satan

Satan Ovid's Milton Satan

Adam Eve Milton's Adam Eve Adam Milton

Adam Eve Adam Did I request thee, Maker, from my Clay

To mould me Man? did I sollicite thee

From Darkness to promote me? or here place

In this delicious Garden? As my Will

Concurr'd not to my Being, 'twere but right

And equal to reduce me to my Dust,

Desirous to resign, and render back

All I received—

—Why delays

His Hand to execute, what his Decree

Fix'd on this day? Why do I overlive?

Why am I mock'd with Death, and lengthened out

To deathless Pain? how gladly would I meet

Mortality my Sentence, and be Earth

Insensible! how glad would lay me down,

As in my Mother's Lap? there should I rest

And sleep secure; his dreadful Voice no more

Would thunder in my Ears: no fear of worse

To me and to my Offspring, would torment me

With cruel Expectation—

—Hide me from the Face

Of God, whom to behold was then my heighth

Of Happiness! yet well, if here would end

The Misery, I deserved it, and would bear

My own Deservings: but this will not serve;

All that I eat, or drink, or shall beget

Is propagated Curse. O Voice once heard

Delightfully, Increase and Multiply;

Now Death to hear!—

—In me all

Posterity stands curst! Fair Patrimony,

That I must leave ye, Sons! O were I able

To waste it all my self, and leave you none!

So disinherited, how would you bless

Me, now your Curse! Ah, why should all Mankind,

For one Man's Fault, thus guiltless be condemn'd,

If guiltless? But from me what can proceed

But all corrupt—

Thus Adam to himself lamented loud,

Thro' the still Night; not now, (as ere Man fell)

Wholesome, and cool, and mild, but with black Air

Accompanied, with Damps and dreadful Gloom;

Which to his evil Conscience represented

All things with double Terror. On the Ground

Outstretched he lay; on the cold Ground! and oft

Curs'd his Creation; Death as oft accus'd

Of tardy Execution—

Eve Adam He added not, and from her turned: But Eve

Not so repulst, with Tears that ceas'd not flowing,

And Tresses all disorder'd, at his feet

Fell humble; and embracing them, besought

His Peace, and thus proceeding in her Plaint.

Forsake me not thus, Adam! Witness Heav'n

What Love sincere, and Reverence in my Heart

I bear thee, and unweeting have offended,

Unhappily deceived! Thy Suppliant

I beg, and clasp thy Knees; bereave me not

(Whereon I live!) thy gentle Looks, thy Aid,

Thy Counsel, in this uttermost Distress,

My only Strength, and Stay! Forlorn of thee,

Whither shall I betake me, where subsist?

While yet we live, (scarce one short Hour perhaps)

Between us two let there be Peace, &c.

Adam's Eve Eve Adam

in Death and Sin 3 Sin Death English s Death Milton

Homer Virgil Homer indeed Sleep Iliad 4 Homer Flight Fear Apollo Hours Minerva's Terror, Rout, Discord, Fury, Pursuit, Massacre Death Victory Diomedes; Discord Funerals Mourning Venus Graces Bellona Terror Consternation Homer Virgil Milton Victory Messiah Hours Discord Sin Silence Messiah's Peace Confusion Sin Death Strength Necessity one Æschylus Prometheus 5 describing Pestilence 6 Fever Pain Phrenzy Death Infection

Footnote 1: 'Reddere personæ scit convenientia cuique.'

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Footnote 2: Revelation

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Footnote 3: Sin and Death

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Footnote 4:

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Footnote 5: Prometheus Bound Now let the shrivelling flame at me be driven,

Let him, with flaky snowstorms and the crash

Of subterraneous thunders, into ruins

And wild confusion hurl and mingle all:

For nought of these will bend me that I speak

Who is foredoomed to cast him from his throne.

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Footnote 6: Habakkuk

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Содержание Содержание, стр. 6

№ 358

Monday, April 21, 1712

Стил

Desipere in loco.

Charles Lillie attended Stunsfield Woodstock 1 Lillie The 2 Covent-Garden

best Estcourt 3 Estcourt Love for Love

Footnote 1: No. 353 Spectator 'Whereas about nine weeks since there was accidentally discovered by an Husbandman, at Stunsfield, near Woodstock, in Oxfordshire, (a large Pavement of rich Mosaick Work of the Ancient Romans, which is adorn'd with several Figures alluding to Mirth and Concord, in particular that of Bacchus seated on a Panther.) This is to give Notice the Exact Delineation of the same is Engraven and Imprinted on a large Elephant sheet of Paper, which are to be sold at Mr. Charles Lillie's, Perfumer, at the corner of Beauford Buildings, in the Strand, at 1s. N. B. There are to be had, at the same Place, at one Guinea each, on superfine Atlas Paper, some painted with the same variety of Colours that the said Pavement is beautified with; this piece of Antiquity is esteemed by the Learned to be the most considerable ever found in Britain.'

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Footnote 2:

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Footnote 3: Footnote 1 No. 264 Love for Love

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Содержание Содержание, стр. 6

№ 359

Tuesday, April 22, 1712

Баджелл

Torva leæna lupum sequitur, lupus ipse capellam;

Florentem cytisum sequitur lusciva capella.

Virg.

Roger Andrew Freeport Andrew Andrew Roger Roger

Will. Honeycomb Will Will

Honeycomb

Will's Roger and Pocket-Milton Adam's Eve —O! why did our

Creator wise! that peopled highest Heav'n

With Spirits masculine, create at last

This Novelty on Earth, this fair Defect

Of Nature? and not fill the World at once

With Men, as Angels, without Feminine?

Or find some other way to generate

Mankind? This Mischief had not then befall'n,

And more that shall befall; innumerable

Disturbances on Earth through Female Snares,

And strait Conjunction with this Sex: for either

He never shall find out fit Mate, but such

As some misfortune brings him, or mistake;

Or, whom he wishes most, shall seldom gain

Through her perverseness; but shall see her gain'd

By a far worse; or if she love, with-held

By Parents; or his happiest Choice too late

Shall meet already link'd, and Wedlock bound

To a fell Adversary, his Hate or Shame;

Which infinite Calamity shall cause

To human Life, and Household Peace confound1.

Roger Honeycomb

Footnote 1: Paradise Lost,

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Содержание Содержание, стр. 6

№ 360

Wednesday, April 23, 1712

Стил

—De paupertate tacentes

Plus poscente ferent.

Hor.

Latin

Mr. Spectator,

'There is an Evil under the Sun which has not yet come within your Speculation; and is, the Censure, Disesteem, and Contempt which some young Fellows meet with from particular Persons, for the reasonable Methods they take to avoid them in general. This is by appearing in a better Dress, than may seem to a Relation regularly consistent with a small Fortune; and therefore may occasion a Judgment of a suitable Extravagance in other Particulars: But the Disadvantage with which the Man of narrow Circumstances acts and speaks, is so feelingly set forth in a little Book called the Christian Hero1, that the appearing to be otherwise is not only pardonable but necessary. Every one knows the hurry of Conclusions that are made in contempt of a Person that appears to be calamitous, which makes it very excusable to prepare one's self for the Company of those that are of a superior Quality and Fortune, by appearing to be in a better Condition than one is, so far as such Appearance shall not make us really of worse.

It is a Justice due to the Character of one who suffers hard Reflections from any particular Person upon this Account, that such Persons would enquire into his manner of spending his Time; of which, tho' no further Information can be had than that he remains so many Hours in his Chamber, yet if this is cleared, to imagine that a reasonable Creature wrung with a narrow Fortune does not make the best use of this Retirement, would be a Conclusion extremely uncharitable. From what has, or will be said, I hope no Consequence can be extorted, implying, that I would have any young Fellow spend more Time than the common Leisure which his Studies require, or more Money than his Fortune or Allowance may admit of, in the pursuit of an Acquaintance with his Betters: For as to his Time, the gross of that ought to be sacred to more substantial Acquisitions; for each irrevocable Moment of which he ought to believe he stands religiously Accountable. And as to his Dress, I shall engage myself no further than in the modest Defence of two plain Suits a Year: For being perfectly satisfied in Eutrapelus's Contrivance of making a Mohock of a Man, by presenting him with lac'd and embroider'd Suits, I would by no means be thought to controvert that Conceit, by insinuating the Advantages of Foppery. It is an Assertion which admits of much Proof, that a Stranger of tolerable Sense dress'd like a Gentleman, will be better received by those of Quality above him, than one of much better Parts, whose Dress is regulated by the rigid Notions of Frugality. A Man's Appearance falls within the Censure of every one that sees him; his Parts and Learning very few are Judges of; and even upon these few, they can't at first be well intruded; for Policy and good Breeding will counsel him to be reserv'd among Strangers, and to support himself only by the common Spirit of Conversation. Indeed among the Injudicious, the Words Delicacy, Idiom, fine Images, Structure of Periods, Genius, Fire, and the rest, made use of with a frugal and comely Gravity, will maintain the Figure of immense Reading, and Depth of Criticism.

'All Gentlemen of Fortune, at least the young and middle-aged, are apt to pride themselves a little too much upon their Dress, and consequently to value others in some measure upon the same Consideration. With what Confusion is a Man of Figure obliged to return the Civilities of the Hat to a Person whose Air and Attire hardly entitle him to it? For whom nevertheless the other has a particular Esteem, tho' he is ashamed to have it challenged in so publick a Manner. It must be allowed, that any young Fellow that affects to dress and appear genteelly, might with artificial Management save ten Pound a Year; as instead of fine Holland he might mourn in Sackcloth, and in other Particulars be proportionably shabby: But of what great Service would this Sum be to avert any Misfortune, whilst it would leave him deserted by the little good Acquaintance he has, and prevent his gaining any other? As the Appearance of an easy Fortune is necessary towards making one, I don't know but it might be of advantage sometimes to throw into ones Discourse certain Exclamations about Bank-Stock, and to shew a marvellous Surprize upon its Fall, as well as the most affected Triumph upon its Rise. The Veneration and Respect which the Practice of all Ages has preserved to Appearances, without doubt suggested to our Tradesmen that wise and Politick Custom, to apply and recommend themselves to the publick by all those Decorations upon their Sign-posts and Houses, which the most eminent Hands in the Neighbourhood can furnish them with. What can be more attractive to a Man of Letters, than that immense Erudition of all Ages and Languages which a skilful Bookseller, in conjunction with a Painter, shall image upon his Column and the Extremities of his Shop? The same Spirit of maintaining a handsome Appearance reigns among the grave and solid Apprentices of the Law (here I could be particularly dull in proving2 the Word Apprentice to be significant of a Barrister) and you may easily distinguish who has most lately made his Pretensions to Business, by the whitest and most ornamental Frame of his Window: If indeed the Chamber is a Ground-Room, and has Rails before it, the Finery is of Necessity more extended, and the Pomp of Business better maintain'd. And what can be a greater Indication of the Dignity of Dress, than that burdensome Finery which is the regular Habit of our Judges, Nobles, and Bishops, with which upon certain Days we see them incumbered? And though it may be said this is awful, and necessary for the Dignity of the State, yet the wisest of them have been remarkable, before they arrived at their present Stations, for being very well dressed Persons. As to my own Part, I am near Thirty; and since I left School have not been idle, which is a modern Phrase for having studied hard. I brought off a clean System of Moral Philosophy, and a tolerable Jargon of Metaphysicks from the University; since that, I have been engaged in the clearing Part of the perplex'd Style and Matter of the Law, which so hereditarily descends to all its Professors: To all which severe Studies I have thrown in, at proper Interims, the pretty Learning of the Classicks. Notwithstanding which, I am what Shakespear calls A Fellow of no Mark or Likelihood3; which makes me understand the more fully, that since the regular Methods of making Friends and a Fortune by the mere Force of a Profession is so very slow and uncertain, a Man should take all reasonable Opportunities, by enlarging a good Acquaintance, to court that Time and Chance which is said to happen to every Man.

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