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not according to his behaviour, his thoughts, and sentiments, in that condition. For if a man be loaded with riches and honours, and in that state of life has thoughts and inclinations below the meanest artificer; is not such an artificer, who, within his power, is good to his friends, moderate in his demands for his labour, and cheerful in his occupation, very much superior to him who lives for no other end but to serve himself, and assumes a preference in all his words and actions to those who act their part with much more grace than himself? Epictetus has made use of the similitude of a stage-play to human life with much spirit. 'It is not,' says he, 'to be considered among the actors, who is prince, or who is beggar, but who acts prince or beggar best.' The circumstance of life should not be that which gives us place, but our behaviour in that circumstance is what should be our solid distinction. Thus a wise man should think no man above him or below him, any further than it regards the outward order or discipline of the world: for, if we conceive too great an idea of the eminence of our superiors, or subordination of our inferiors, it will have an ill effect upon our behaviour to both. He who thinks no man above him but for his virtue, none below him but for his vice, can never be obsequious or assuming in a wrong place; but will frequently emulate men in rauk below him, and pity those above him.

men and slaves, that they who command have a just sense of human nature itself, by which they can temper the haughtiness of the master, and soften the servitude of the slave Hæ tibi erunt artes.' This is the notion with which those of the plantation receive Eboracensis . and as I have cast his nativity, I find there will be a record made of this person's administration; and on that part of the shore from whence he embarks to return from his government, there will be a monument, with these words: Here the people wept, and took leave of Eboracensis, the first governor our mother Felicia sent, who, during his command here, believed himself her subject.'

White's Chocolate-house, September 16. The following letter wants such sudden despatch, that all things else must wait for this time:

'SIR,

Sept. 13, Equal day and night. 'There are two ladies, who, having a good opinion of your taste and judgment, desire you to make use of them in the following particular, which perhaps you may allow very extraordinary. The two ladies before-mentioned have, a considerable time since, contracted a more sincere and constant friendship than their adversaries, the men, will allow consistent with the frailty of female nature; and being, from a long acquaintance, convinced of the perfect This sense of mankind is so far from a le- agreement of their tempers, have thought upon veiling principle, that it only sets us upon a an expedient to prevent their separation, and true basis of distinction, and doubles the merit cannot think any so effectual (since it is comof such as become their condition. A man in mon for love to destroy friendship) as to give power, who can, without the ordinary prepos-up both their liberties to the same person in sessions which stop the way to the true knowledge and service of mankind, 'overlook the little distinctions of fortune, raise obscure merit, and discountenance successful indesert, has, in the minds of knowing men, the figure of an angel rather than a man; and is above the rest of men in the highest character he can be, even that of their benefactor.

marriage. The gentleman they have pitched
upon is neither well bred nor agreeable, his
understanding moderate, and his person never
designed to charm women; but having so
much self-interest in his nature, as to be satis-
fied with making double contracts, upon con
dition of receiving double fortunes; and most
men being so far sensible of the uneasiness that
one woman occasions; they think him, for
these reasons, the most likely person of their
acquaintance to receive these proposals. Upon
all other accounts, he is the last man either
of them would choose, yet for this, preferable to
all the rest. They desire to know your opinion
the next post, resolving to defer farther pro-
ceeding, until they have received it.
I am, Sir,

Turning my thoughts, as I was taking my pipe this evening, after this manner, it was no small delight to me to receive advice from Felicia, that Eboracensis* was appointed a governor of one of their plantations. As I am a great lover of mankind, I took part in the happiness of that people who were to be governed by one of so great humanity, justice, and honour. Eboracensis has read all the schemes which writers have formed of government and order, and has been long conversant with men who have the reins in their hands; so that he can very well distinguish between chimerical and practical politics. It is a great blessing, This is very extraordinary; and much might when men have to deal with such different be objected by me, who am something of a haracters in the same species as those of free-civilian, to the case of two marrying the same

* Dr. Sharp, archbishop of York.

Your unknown, unthought of,
'humble servant,
BRIDGET EITHERSIDE."

man: but these ladies are, I perceive, free thinkers; and therefore I shall speak only to the prudential part of this design, merely as

and desired me, on that occasion, to write a whole paper on the subject of valour, and ex plain bow that quality, which must be pos

a philosopher, without entering into the merit of it in the ecclesiastical or civil law. These constant friends, Piladea and Orestea, are at a loss to preserve their friendship from the en-sessed by whole armies, is so highly preferable croachments of love: for which end they have resolved upon a fellow who cannot be the object of affection or esteem to either, and consequently cannot rob one of the place each has in her friend's heart. But in all my reading (and I have read all that the sages of love have writ) I have found the greatest danger in jealousy. The ladies, indeed, to avoid this passion, choose a sad fellow; but if they would be advised by me, they had better have each her worthless man; otherwise, he that was despicable, while he was indifferent to them, will become valuable when he seems to prefer one to the other.

in one man rather than another; and how the same actions are but mere acts of duty in some, and instances of the most heroic virtue in others. He advises me not to fail, in this discourse, to mention the gallantry of the prince of Nassau in this last engagement; who, when a battalion made a halt in the face of the enemy, snatched the colours out of the hands of the ensign, and planted them just be fore the line of the enemy, calling to that bat talion to take care of their colours if they had no regard to him. Mr. Kidney has my promise to obey him in this particular, on the first occasion that offers.

Mr. Bickerstaff is now compiling exact accounts of the pay of the militia, and the commission-officers under the respective lieutenancies of Great Britain; in the first place, of those of London and Westminster; and in regard that there are no common soldiers, bu. all house-keepers, or representatives of housekeepers, in these bodies, the sums raised by th officers shall be looked into; and their fellow soldiers, or rather fellow-travellers from on part of the town to the other, not defrauded of the ten pounds allowed for the subsistence of the troops.

I remember in the history of Don Quixote of la Mancha, there is a memorable passage, which opens to us the weakness of our nature in such particulars. The Don falls into discourse with - a gentleman, whom he calls the Knight of the Green Cassock,' and is invited to his house. When he comes there, he runs into discourse and panegyric upon the economy, the government, and order of his family, the education of his children, and, lastly, on the singular wisdom of him who disposed things with that exactness. The gentleman makes a soliloquy to himself: O irresistible power of flattery Though I know this is a madman, I cannot help being taken with his applause.' The Whereas, not very long since, at a tavern ladies will find this much more true in the between Fleet-bridge and Charing-cross, some case of their lover; and the woman he most certain polite gentlemen thought fit to perform likes will certainly be more pleased, she whom the bacchanalian exercises of devotion, by he slights more offended, than she can imagine dancing without clothes on, after the manner before she has tried. Now, I humbly propose, of the Pre-Adamites: this is to certify those that they both marry coxcombs whom they are persons, that there is no manner of wit or sure they cannot like, and then they may be humour in the said practice; and that the pretty secure against the change of affection, beadles of the parish are to be at their next which they fear; and, by that means, preserv-meeting, where it is to be examined, whether ing the temperature under which they now they are arrived at want of feeling, as well as write, enjoy, during life, Equal day and night.' want of shame ?

Whereas a chapel clerk was lately taken St. James's Coffee-house, September 16. in a garret on a flock-bed, with two of the fair There is no manner of news; but people sex, who are usually employed in sifting cinnow spend their time in coffee-houses in re- ders: this is to let him know, that if he perflections upon the particulars of the late glo- sists in being a scandal both to laity and clergy, rious day, and collecting the several parts of as being, as it were, both and neither, the names the action, as they are produced in letters from of the nymphs who were with him shall be private hands, or notices given to us by ac-printed; therefore, he is desired, as he tenders counts in public papers. A pleasant gentleman, the reputation of his ladies, to repent. alluding to the great fences through which we pierced, said this evening, the French thought themselves on the right side of the hedge, but it proved otherwise. Mr. Kidney, who has long conversed with, and filled tea for, the most consummate politicians, was pleased to give me an account of this piece of ribaldry;

*

A waiter at the St. James's Coffee-honse.

Mr. Bickerstaff has received information,

that an eminent and noble preacher in the chief congregation of Great Britain, for fear of being thought guilty of presbyterian fervency and extemporary prayer, lately read his, before that he made the congregation large amends sermon; but the same advices acknowledging by the shortness of his discourse, it is thought fit to make no further observation upon it.

No. 70.] Tuesday, September 20, 1709.

Quicquid agunt homines

nostri est farrago libelli. Juv. Sat. i. 85, 86. Whatever good is done, whatever ill-▬▬▬▬ By human kiud, shall this collection fil. From my own Apartment, September 19. THE following letter, in prosecution of what I have lately asserted, has urged that matter so much better than I had, that I insert it as I received it. These testimonials are customary with us learned men, and sometimes are suspected to be written by the author; but I fear no one will suspect me of this.

SIR,

London, Sept. 15, 1709. Having read your lucubrations of the tenth instant, I cannot but entirely agree with you in your notion of the scarcity of men who can either read or speak. For my part, I have lived these thirty years in the world, and yet have observed but very few who could do either in any tolerable manner; among which few, you must understand that I reckon myself. How far eloquence, set off with the proper ornaments of voice and gesture, will prevail over the passions, and how cold and unaffecting the best oration in the world would be without them, there are two remarkable instances in the case of Ligarius, and that of Milo. Cæsar bad condemned Ligarius. He

cach of these parts by the outward organs of
the eye and ear; that, therefore, which is con-
veyed to the understanding and passions by
only one of these organs, will not affect us so
much as that which is transmitted through
both. I cannot but think your charge is just
against a great part of the learned clergy of
Great Britain, who deliver the most excellent
discourses with such coldness and indifference,
that it is no great wonder the unintelligent
many of their congregations fall asleep. Thus
it happens that their orations meet with a quite
contrary fate to that of Demosthenes you men-
tioned; for as that lost much of its beauty and
force by being repeated to the magistrates of
Rhodes without the winuing action of that
gentlemen never appear with so little grace,
great orator; so the performances of these
and to so much disadvantage, as when delivered
by themselves from the pulpit. Hippocrates,
being sent for to a patient in this city, and,
having felt his pulse, enquired into the symptoms
of his distemper; and finding that it proceeded
in great measure from want of sleep, advises
his patient with an air of gravity, to be carried
to church to hear a sermon, not doubting but
that it would dispose him for the rest he
wanted. If some of the rules Horace gives for
the theatre were (not improperly) applied to
scribed as a good opiate.
our pulpits, we should not hear a sermon pre-

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Si vis me flere, dolendum est
Priman ipse tibi

Hor. Ars Poet, v. 102.
If you would have me weep, begin the strain.

Francis.

A man must himself express some concern and affection in delivering his discourse, if be expects his auditory should interest themselves in what he proposes. For, otherwise, notwithstanding the dignity and importance of the

weight and argument of the discourse itself;
yet too many will say,

Male si mandata loquê is,
Aut dormitabo, ant ridebo --

came indeed to hear what might be said; but, thinking himself his own master, resolved not to be biassed by any thing Cicero could say in bis behalf: but in this he was mistaken; for when the orator began to speak, the hero is moved, he is vanquished, and at length the criminal absolved. It must be observed, that this famous orator was less renowned for his courage than his eloquence; for though he came, at another time, prepared to defend Milo with one of the best orations that anti-subject he treats of; notwithstanding the quity has produced; yet, being seized with a sudden fear, by seeing some armed men surrounding the Forum, he faltered in his speech, and became unable to exert that irresistible Hor. Ars Puct, ver. 114. force and beauty of action which would have But if, namov'd, yon act not what yon say, saved his client, and for want of which he was Vil sleep, or Iugh the lifeless theme away,' condemned to banishment. As the success the former of these orations met with appears If there be a deficicney in the speaker, there chiefly owing to the life and graceful manner will not be a sufficient attention and regard with which it was recited (for some there are paid to the thing spoken: but, Mr. Bickerwho think it may be read without transport) staff, you know, that as too little action is so the latter scems to have failed of success cold, so too much is fulsome. Some, indeed, for no other reason, but because the orator was may think themselves accomplished speakers not in a condition to set it off with those or- for no other reason than because they can be naments. It must be confessed, that artful loud and noisy; for surely Stentor must have sound will, with the crowd, prevail even more some design in his vociferations. But, dear than sense; but those who are masters of both, Mr. Bickerstaff, convince them, that as harsh will ever gain the admiration of all their and irregular sound is not harmony; so neither hearers; and there is, I think, a very naturalis banging a cushion, oratory; and, therefore, account to be given of this matter; for the in my humble opinion, a certain divine of the sensation of the head and heart are caused in first order, whom I allow otherwise to be a

great man, would do well to leave this off; for
I think his sermons would be more persuasive,
if he gave his auditory less disturbance. Though
I cannot say that this action would be wholly
improper to profane oration; yet, I think, in
a religious assembly, it gives a man too warlike,
or perhaps too theatrical a figure, to be suitable
to a christian congregation.
am, Sir,

'Your humble servant, &c.'

ful pathos in its pronunciation: not that he designs to expatiate in this practice; because he cannot, as he says, apprehend what use it may be of to mankind, whose benefit he aims at in a more particular manner: and, for the same reason, he will never more instruct the feathered kind, the parrot having been his last scholar in that way. He has a wonderful faculty in making and mending echoes: and this he will perform at any time for the use of the solitary in the country; being a man born for

The most learned and ingenious Mr. Rosehat is also pleased to write to me on this sub-universal good, and for that reason recoriject. mended to your patronage by, Sir,

'SIR,

'I read with great pleasure in the Tatler of Saturday last the conversation upon eloquence: permit me to hint to you one thing the great Roman orator observes upon this subject; Caput enim arbitrabatur oratoris, (he quotes Menedemus, an Athenian,) ut ipsis apud quos ageret talis qualem ipse optaret videretur; id fieri vitæ dignitate. (Tull. de Orat.) It is the first rule in oratory, that a man must appear such as he would persuade others to be; and that can be accomplished only by the force of his life. I believe it might be of great service to let our public orators know, that an unnatural gravity or an unbecoming levity in their behaviour out of the pulpit, will take very much from the force of their eloquence in it. Excuse another scrap of Latin; it is from one of the fathers: I think it will appear a just observation to all, and it may have authority with some: Qui autem docent tantùm, nec facient ipsi præceptis suis detrahunt pondus: quis enim obtemperet, cum ipsi præceptores doceam non obtemperare? Those who teach, but do not act agreeably to the instructions they give to others, take away all weight from their doctrine: for who will obey the precepts they inculeate, if they themselves teach us by their practice to disobey them? I am, Sir,

'Your most humble servant,

'JONATHAN ROSEHAT.

Yours, &c.'

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'You are now got into a useful and noble subject; take care to handle it with judgment and delicacy. I wish every young divine would give yours of Saturday last a serious perusal ; and now you are entered upon the action of an orator, if you would proceed to favour the world with some remarks on the mystical enchantments of pronunciation, what a secret force there is in the accents of a tunable voice, and wherefore the works of two very great men of the profession could never please so well when read as heard, I shall trouble you with no more scribble. You are now in the method of being truly profitable and delightful. If you can keep up to such great and sublime subjects, and pursue them with a suitable genius, go on and prosper. Farewell.'

White's Chocolate-house, September 19. This was left for me here, for the use of the company of the house:

'To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esquire.

'SIR,

September, 15. 'The account you gave lately of a certain dog-kennel in or near Suffolk-street, was not so punctual, as to the list of the dogs, as might have been expected from a person of Mr. Bickerstaff's intelligence; for, if you will despatch Pacolet thither some evening, it is ten to one but he finds, besides those you mentioned,

Towzer, a large French mongrel, that was not long ago in a tattered condition, but has now got new hair; is not fleet, but, when he grapples, bites even to the marrow.

'P. S. You were complaining in that paper,
that the clergy of Great Britain had not yet
learned to speak; a very great defect indeed:
and, therefore, I shall think myself a well-de-
server of the church, in recommending all the
dumb clergy to the famous speaking doctor at
Kensington. This ingenious gentleman, out
of compassion to those of a bad utterance, has
placed his whole study in the new-modelling
the organs of voice; which art he has so far
advanced, as to be able even to make a good
orator of a pair of bellows. He lately exhibited
a specimen of his skill in this way, of which
I was informed by the worthy gentlemen then
present; who were at once delighted and
amazed to hear an instrument of so simple an
organization use an exact articulation of words,
a just cadency in its sentences, and a wonder-worth notice.

Spring a little French greyhound, that lately made a false trip to Tunbridge. 'Sly, an old battered fox-hound, that began the game in France.

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Lightfoot, a fine skinned Flanders dog, that belonged to a pack at Ghent; but, having lest flesh, is gone to Paris, for the benefit of the air 'With several others, that in time may be

'Your familiar will see also, how anxious the keepers are about the prey, and, indeed, not without very good reason, for they have their share of every thing; nay, not so much as a poor rabbit can be run down, but these carnivorous curs swallow a quarter of it. Some mechanics in the neighbourhood, that have entered into this civil society, and who furnish part of the carrion and oatmeal for the dogs, have the skin; and the bones are picked clean by a little French shoek that belongs to the family, &c. I am, Sir,

'Your humble servant, &c.

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'I had almost forgot to tell you, that Ring-leave to trifle. If so, what caution is necessary wood bites at Hampstead with false teeth.''

No. 71,] Thursday, September 22, 1709.

in handling the reputation of a man, whose well-being in this life perhaps entirely depends on preserving it from any wound, which, once there received, too often becomes fatal and incurable? Suppose some villanous hand through personal prejudice, transmits materials for this purpose, which you publish to the world, and afterwards become fully convinced you were imposed on; as by this time you may be of a character you have sent into the world; I say, supposing this, I would be glad to know, what reparation you think ought to be made the person so injured, admitting you stood in his place. It has always been held, that a gener

Quicquid agunt homines―nostri est farrago libelli. Juv. Sat. i, 85, 86. Whatever good is done, whatever illBy human kind, shall this collection fill, From my own Apartment, September 21. I HAVE long been, against my inclination, mployed in satire, and that in prosecution of such persons, who are below the dignity of the true spirit of it; such who, I fear, are not to be reclaimed by making them only ridiculous.ous education is the surest mark of a generous The sharpers shall, therefore, have a month's time to themselves, free from the observation of this paper; but I must not make a truce without letting them know, that, at the same time, I am preparing for a more vigorous war for a friend of mine has promised me he will employ his time in compiling such a tract, before the session of the ensuing parliament, as shall lay gaming home to the bosoms of all who love their country or their families; and he doubts not but it will create an act, that shall make these rogues as scandalous as those less mischievous ones on the high road.

I have received private intimations to take care of my walks, and remember there are such things as stabs and blows: but as there never was any thing in this design which ought to displease a man of honour, or which was not designed to offend the rascals, I shall give myself very little concern for finding what I expected, that they would be highly provoked at these lucubrations. But, though I utterly despise the pack, I must confess I am at a stand at the receipt of the following letter, which seems to be written by a man of sense and worth, who has mistaken some passage that I am sure was not levelled at him. This gentleman's complaints give me compunction, when I neglect the threats of the rascals. I cannot be in jest with the rogues any longer, since they pretend to threaten. I do not know

Fa'se dice.

mind. The former is, indeed, perspicuous in all
your papers; and, I am persuaded, though you
affect often to show the latter, yet you would
not keep any measures, even of christianity,
with those who should handle you in the man-
ner you do others. The application of all this
is from your having very lately glanced at a
man under a character, which, were he con-
scious to deserve, he would be the first to rid
the world of himself; and would be more justi-
fiable in it to all sorts of men,
than you in your
committing such a violence on his reputation,
which perhaps you may be convinced of in an-
other manner than you deserve from him.

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The proverb of the pitcher I have no regard to; but it would be an insensibility not to be pardoned, if a man could be untouched at so warm an accusation, and that laid with so much seeming temper. All I can say to it is, that if the writer, by the same method whereby he conveyed this letter, shall give me an instance wherein I have injured any good man, or pointed at any thing which is not the true object of raillery, I shall acknowledge the offence in as open a manner as the press can do it, and lay down this paper for ever.

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