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Three. Overslept myself.

Six. Went to the club. Like to have fallen into a gutter. Grand vizier certainly dead,

&c.

in an illustrious course of action. On the con

that he thought it would be an endless reproach to him to make no use of a familiarity he was allowed at a gentleman's house, whose good humour and confidence exposed his wife to the I question not but the reader will be sur- addresses of any who should take it in their prised to find the above-mentioned journalist head to do him the good office. It is not imtaking so much care of a life that was filled possible that Escalus might also resent that with such inconsiderable actions, and receiv- the husband was particularly negligent of him; ed so very small improvements; and yet, if we and though he gave many intimations of a look into the behaviour of many whom we passion towards the wife, the husband either daily converse with, we shall find that most did not see them, or put him to the contempt of their hours are taken up in those three im-of overlooking them. In the mean time Isabelportant articles of eating, drinking, and sleep-la, for so we shall call our heroine, saw his ing. I do not suppose that a man loses his passion, and rejoiced it, as a foundation for in time, who is not engaged in public affairs, or much diversion, and an opportunity of indulging herself in the dear delight of being admirtrary, I believe our hours may very often be ed, addressed to, and flattered, with no ill more profitably laid out in such transactions consequence to her reputation. This lady is as make no figure in the world, than in such of a free and disengaged behaviour, ever in as are apt to draw upon them the attention of good-humour, such as is the image of innomankind. One may become wiser and better cence with those who are innocent, and an enby several methods of employing one's self couragement to vice with those who are abanin secrecy and silence, and do what is lauda-doned. From this kind of carriage, and an ble without noise or ostentation. I would, apparent approbation of his gallantry, Escalus however, recommend to every one of my reahad frequent opportunities of laying amorous ders, the keeping a journal of their lives for pistles in her way, of fixing his eyes attenone week, and setting down punctually their tively upon her actions, of performing a thouwhole series of employments during that space sand little offices which are neglected by the of time. This kind of self-examination would unconcerned, but are so many approaches. give them a true taste of themselves, and in-towards happiness with the enamoured. It cline them to consider seriously what they are was now, as is above hinted, almost the end of about. One day would rectify the omissions the seventh year of his passion, when Escalus, of another, and make a man weigh all those from general terms, and the ambiguous reindifferent actions, which, though they are easily forgotten, must certainly be accounted

for.

No. 318.] Wednesday, March 5, 1711-12.

-non omnia possumus omnes.

L.

Virg. Ecl. viii. 63. With different talents form'd, we variously excel.*

• MR. SPECTATOR,

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spect which criminal lovers retain in their addresses, began to bewail that his passion grew too violent for him to answer any longer for his behaviour towards her, and that he hoped she would have consideration for his long and patient respect, to excuse the emotions of a heart now no longer under the direction of the unhappy owner of it. Such, for some months, had been the language of Escalus, both in his talk and his letters to Isabella, who returned all the profusion of kind things which A CERTAIN vice, which you have lately at- had been the collection of fifty years, with tacked, has not been considered by you as I must not hear you; you will make me forgrowing so deep in the heart of man, that the get that you are a gentleman; I would not affectation outlives the practice of it. You willingly lose you as a friend;" and the like must have observed, that men who have been expressions, which the skilful interpret to bred in arms preserve to the most extreme and their own advantage, as well knowing that a feeble old age, a certain daring in their as-feeble denial is a modest assent. I should pect. In like manner, they who have passed have told you, that isabella, during the whole their time in gallantry, and adventure, keep progress of this amour, communicated it to up, as well as they can, the appearance of it, her husband; and that an account of Escalus's and carry a petulant inclination to their last love was their usual entertainment after half moments. Let this serve for a preface to a re-a day's absence. Isabella therefore, upon her lation I am going to give you of an old beau in lover's late more open assaults, with a smile town, that has not only been amorous, and a told her husband she could hold out no lonfollower of women in general, but also, in spite ger, but that his fate was now come to a crisis. of the admonition of gray hairs, been from After she had explained herself a little farther, his sixty-third year to his present seventieth in with her husband's approbation, she proceedan actual pursuit of a young lady, the wife of ed in the following manner. The next time his friend, and a man of merit. The gay old that Escalus was alone with her, and repeatEscalus has wit, good health, and is perfectly ed his importunity, the crafty Isabella looked well-bred; but, from the fashion and manners on her fan with an air of great attention, as of the court when he was in his bloom, has considering of what importance such a secret such a natural tendency to amorous adventure,

The motto to this paper in folio was, 'Rideat, et pulset lasciva decentius ætas.'-Hor.

was to her; and upon the repetition of a
warm expression, she looked at him with an
eye of fondness, and told him he was past
that time of life which could make her fear

he would boast of a lady's favour; then turn-care, as much as possible, to keep myself a ed away her head, with a very well acted neuter between both sexes. I have neither confusion, which favoured the escape of the spared the ladies out of complaisance, nor the aged Escalus. This adventure was matter of men out of partiality; but notwithstanding great pleasantry to Isabella and her spouse; the great integrity with which I have acted in and they had enjoyed it two days before this particular, I find myself taxed with an Escalus could recollect himself enough to inclination to favour my own half of the speform the following letter:

"MADAM,

cies. Whether it be that the women afford a more fruitful field for speculation, or whether they run more in my head than the men, I cannot tell; but I shall set down the charge it is laid against me in the following letter.

as

'MR. SPECTATOR,

"What happened the other day gives me a lively image of the inconsistency of human passions and inclinations. We pursue what we are denied, and place our affections on what is absent, though we neglected it when. 'I always make one among a company of present. As long as you refused my love your refusal did so strongly excite my passion, young females, who peruse your speculations that I had not once the leisure to think of re-every morning. I am at present commissioned calling my reason to aid me against the de- by our whole assembly to let you know, that sign upon your virtue. But when that virtue we fear you are a little inclined to be partial towards your own sex. We must however began to comply in my favour, my reason acknowledge, with all due gratitude, that in made an effort over my love, and let me see the baseness of my behaviour in attempting a some cases you have given us our revenge on the men, and done us justice. We could not woman of honour. I own to you, it was not without the most violent struggle that I gained dissection of the coquette's heart, if you had easily have forgiven you several strokes in the this victory over myself; nay, I will confess my shame, and acknowledge, I could not have not, much about the same time, made a sacriprevailed but by flight. However, madam, I fice to us of a beau's skull. beg that you will believe a moment's weakness has not destroyed the esteem I had for you, which was confirmed by so many years of obstinate virtue. You have reason to rejoice that this did not happen within the observation of one of the young fellows, who would have exposed your weakness, and glo

ried in his own brutish inclinations.

"I am, Madam, "Your most devoted humble servant." 'Isabella, with the help of her husband, returned the following answer:

"SIR,

'You may further, sir, please to remember, that not long since you attacked our hoods and commodes in such a manner, as, to use your own expression, made very many of us ashamed to show our heads. We must therefore beg leave to represent to you, that we are in hopes, if you will please to make a due

inquiry, the men in all ages would be found to have been little less whimsical in adorning that part than ourselves. The different forms of their wigs, together with the various cocks of their hats, all flatter us in this opinion.

'I had an humble servant last summer, who the first time he declared himself, was in a full-bottomed wig; but the day after, to my "I cannot but account myself a very happy no small surprise, he accosted me in a thin nawoman, in having a man for a lover that can tural one. I received him, at this our second write so well, and give so good a turn to a interview as a perfect stranger, but was exdisappointment. Another excellence you have tremely confounded when his speech discoverabove all other pretenders I ever heard of; oned who he was. I resolved, therefore, to fix hig occasions where the most reasonable men lose all their reason, you have yours most powerful. We have each of us to thank our genius that the passion of one abated in proportion as that of the other grew violent. Does it not yet come into your head to imagine, that knew my compliance was the greatest cruelty I could be guilty of towards you? In return for your long and faithful passion, I must let you know that you are old enough to become a little more gravity; but if you will leave me, and coquet it any where else, may your mistress yield.

T.

"ISABELLA."

No. 319.] Thursday, March 6, 1711-12.
Quo teneam vultus mutantem Protea nodo?
Hor. Ep. i. Lib. 1. 90.
Say while they change on thus, what chains can bind
These varying forms, this Proteus of the mind?

Francis.

I HAVE endeavoured in the course of my pa pers to do justice to the age, and have taken

face in my memory for the future; but as I was walking in the Park the same evening, he appeared to me in one of those wigs that I think you call a night-cap, which had altered him more effectually than before. He afterwards played a couple of black riding wigs upon me with the same success, and, in short, assumed a new face almost every day in the first month of his courtship.

'I observed afterwards, that the variety of cocks into which he moulded his hat had not a little contributed to his impositions upon me.

'Yet, as if all these ways were not sufficient to distinguish their heads, you must doubtless, sir, have observed, that great numbers of young fellows have, for several months last past, taken upon them to wear feathers.

'We hope, therefore, that these may, with as much justice, be called Indian princes, as you have styled a woman in a coloured hood an Indian queen; and that you will in due time take these airy gentlemen into consideration.

'We the more carnestly beg that you would

of its nature to every action of one's life. It since the good will not be confined to me alone, were as little hazard to be lost in a storm, as but will be of universal use. For there is no to lie thus perpetually becalmed and it is to hope of amendment where men are pleased no purpose to have within one the seeds of a with their ruin, and whilst they think laziness thousand good qualities, if we want the vigour is a desirable character; whether it be that and resolution necessary for the exerting them. they like the state itself, or that they think it Death brings all persons back to an equality gives them a new lustre when they do exert and this image of it, this slumber of the mind, themselves, seemingly to be able to do that leaves no difference between the greatest ge-without labour and application, which others nius and the meanest understanding. A faculty attain to but with the greatest diligence.

of doing things remarkably praise-worthy, thus concealed, is of no more use to the owner, than a heap of gold to the man who dares not use it. To-morrow is still the fatal time when all is to be rectified. To-morrow comes, it goes, and still I please myself with the shadow, whilst I lose the reality: unmindful that the present time alone is ours, the future is yet unborn, and the past is dead, and can only live (as parents in their children) in the actions it has produced.

I am, Sir,

Your most obliged humble servant,
'SAMUEL SLACK."
Clytander to Cleone.

'MADAM,

'Permission to love you is all that I desire, to conquer all the difficulties those about you place in my way, to surmount and acquire all those qualifications you expect in him whe pretends to the honour of being, Madam,

Z.

Your most devoted humble servant,
'CLYTANDER.'

No. 317.]

Tuesday, March 4, 1711-12.
-Fruges consumere nati. Hor. Ep. ii. Lib. 1. 27-
-Born to drink and eat. Creech.

'The time we live ought not to be computed by the number of years, but by the use that. has been made of it; thus, it is not the extent of ground, but the yearly rent, which gives the value to the estate. Wretched and thoughtless creatures, in the only place where covetousness were a virtue, we turn prodigals! Nothing lies upon our hands with such uneasiness, nor have there been so many devices for any one thing, as to make it slide away impercep-| AUGUSTUS, a few minutes before his death, tibly and to no purpose. A shilling shall be asked his friends who stood about him, if they hoarded up with care, whilst that which is thought he had acted his part well; and upon above the price of an estate is flung away with receiving such an answer as was due to his disregard and contempt. There is nothing extraordinary merit, Let me then,' says he now-a-days, so much avoided, as a solicitous go off the stage with your applause;' using improvement of every part of time; it is a re- the expression with which the Roman actors port must be shunned as one tenders the name made their exit at the conclusion of a draof a wit and a fine genius, and as one fears the matic piece. I could wish that men, while dreadful character of a laborious plodder: but they are in health, would consider well the notwithstanding this, the greatest wits any nature of the part they are engaged in, and age has produced thought far otherwise; for what figure it will make in the minds of those who can think either Socrates or Demosthenes they leave behind them, whether it was worth Jost any reputation, by their continual pains coming into the world for; whether it be suitboth in overcoming the defects and improving able to a reasonable being; in short, whether the gifts of nature? All are acquainted with it apears graceful in this life, or will turn to the labour and assiduity with which Tully ac- an advantage in the next. Let the sycophant, quired his eloquence. Seneca in his letters to or the buffoon, the satirist or the good comLucilius assures him, there was not a day in panion consider with himself, when his body which he did not either write something, or shall be laid in the grave, and his soul pass read and epitomize some good author; and I into another state of existence, how much it remember Pliny in one of his letters, where he will redound to his praise to have it said of gives an account of the various methods he him, that no man in England ate better, that used to fill up every vacancy of time, after he had an admirable talent at turning his several employments which he enumerates; friends into ridicule, that nobody out-did him "Sometimes," says he, "I hunt: but even at an ill-natured jest, or that he never went then I carry with me a pocket-book, that to bed before he had despatched his third whilst my servants are busied in disposing of bottle. These are, however, very common futhe nets and other matters, I may be employed neral orations, and eulogiums on deceased perin something that may be useful to me in my sons who have acted among mankind with studies; and that if I miss of my game, I may some figure and reputation. at the least bring home some of my own But if we look into the bulk of our species, thoughts with me, and not have the mortification of having caught nothing all day."

Thus, sir, you see, how many examples I recall to mind, and what arguments I use with myself, to regain my liberty: but as I am afraid it is no ordinary persuasion that will be of service, I shall expect your thoughts on this subject with the greatest impatience, especially

they are such as are not likely to be remembered a moment after their disappearance. They leave behind them no traces of their existence, but are forgotten as though they had never been. They are neither wanted by the poor, regretted by the rich, nor celebrated

* Ves valete et plaudite.

by the learned.

They are neither missed in news. A dish of twist. Grand vizier stran

the common-wealth, nor lamented by private gled.

Ten. Dream of the grand vizier. Broken sleep.

WEDNESDAY, eight o'clock. Tongue of my shoe-buckle broke. Hands but not face.

persons. Their actions are of no significancy From six to ten. At the club. Mr. Nisby's to mankind, and might have been performed account of the great Turk. by creatures of much less dignity than those who are distinguised by the faculty of reason. An eminent French author speaks somewhere to the following purpose: I have often seen from my chamber window two noble creatures, both of them of an erect countenance and endowed with reason. These two intellectual beings are employed from morning to night in rubbing two smooth stones one upon another; that is, as the vulgar phrase is, in polishing marble.

Nine. Paid off the butcher's bill. Mem. to be allowed for the last leg of mutton. Ten, eleven. At the Coffee-house. More work in the north. Stranger in a black wig asked me how stocks went.

From twelve to one. Walked in the fields. Wind to the south.

From one to two. Smoked a pipe and half.

Two. Dined as usual. Stomach good. Three. Nap broke by the falling of a pewter dish. Mem. cook-maid in love, and grown careless.

My friend, Sir Andrew Freeport, as we were sitting in the club last night, gave us an account of a sober citizen, who died a few days since. This honest man being of greater consequence in his own thoughts than in the eye of the world, had for some years past kept a journal of his life.. Sir Andrew showed us one From four to six. At the coffee-house. week of it. Since the occurrences set down in it mark out such a road of action as that Advice from Smyrna that the grand vizier I have been speaking of, I shall present my was first of all strangled, and afterwards bereader with a faithful copy of it; after having first informed him, that the deceased persons had in his youth been bred to trade, but finding himself not so well turned for business, he had for several years last past lived altogether upon a moderate annuity."

MONDAY, eight o'clock. I put on my clothes, and walked into the parlour. Nine o'clock ditto. Tied my knee-strings, and washed my hands. Hours ten, eleven, and twelve. Smoked three pipes of Virginia. Read the Supplement and Daily Courant. Things go ill in the north. Mr. Nisby's opinion thereupon.

One o'clock in the afternoon. Chid Ralph for mislaying my tobacco-box.

Two o'clock. Sat down to dinner. Mem. Too many plumbs, and no suet.

From three to four. Took my afternoon's nap.

From four to six. Walked into the fields. Wind S. S. E.

headed.

Six o'clock in the evening. Was half an hour in the club before any body else came. Mr. Nisby of opinion that the grand vizier was not strangled the sixth instant.

Ten at night. Went to bed. Slept without waking until nine the next morning.

THURSDAY, nine o'clock. Staid within until two o'clock for Sir Timothy; who did not bring me my annuity according to his pro

mise.

Two in the afternoon. Sat down to din-
Loss of appetite.
Small-beer sour.
Beef over-corned.

ner.

Three. Could not take my nap.

Four and five. Gave Ralph a box on the ear. Turned off my cook-maid. Sent a messenger to Sir Timothy. Mem. I did not go to the club to night. Went to bed at nine o'clock.

FRIDAY. Passed the morning in meditation upon Sir Timothy, who was with me a quarter

From six to ten. At the Club. Mr. Nisby's before twelve. opinion about the peace.

Ten o'clock. Went to bed, slept sound.

TUESDAY, being holiday, eight fo'clock, rose as usual.

Nine o'clock. Washed hands and face,
shaved, put on my double-soled shoes.
Ten, eleven, twelve. Took a walk
Islington.

to

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One. Took a pot of Mother Cob's mild. Between two and three. Returned, dined on a knuckle of veal and bacon. Mem. sprouts wanting.

Three. Nap as usual.

From four to six. Coffee-house

Twelve o'clock. Bought a new head to my cane, and a tongue to my buckle. Drank a glass of purl to recover appetite.

Two and three. Dined and slept well.
From four to six. Went to the coffee-house.

Met Mr. Nisby there. Smoked several pipes.
Mr. Nisby of opinion that laced coffee is bad

for the head.

f

Six o'clock. At the club as steward. Sat late.

Twelve o'clock. Went to bed, dreamt that I drank small beer with the grand vizier. SATURDAY. Waked at eleven, walked in the

Read the fields, wird N. E.

Twelve. Caught in a shower.

One in the afternoon. Returned home and

*It has been conjectured that this journal was intended to ridicule a gentleman who was a member of the con-dried myself. gregation named Independents, where a Mr. Nesbit officiated as minister. See John Dunton's account of his Life, Errors, and Opinions.

Two. Mr. Nisby dined with me. First course, marrow-bones; second, ox-cheek, with a bottle of Brooks and Hellier.

1

Three. Overslept myself.

Six. Went to the club. Like to have fallen into a gutter. Grand vizier certainly dead, &c.

that he thought it would be an endless reproach to him to make no use of a familiarity he was allowed at a gentleman's house, whose good humour and confidence exposed bis wife to the I question not but the reader will be sur- addresses of any who should take it in their prised to find the above-mentioned journalist head to do him the good office. It is not imtaking so much care of a life that was filled possible that Escalus might also resent that with such inconsiderable actions, and receiv-the husband was particularly negligent of him ; ed so very small improvements; and yet, if we and though he gave many intimations of a look into the behaviour of many whom we passion towards the wife, the husband either daily converse with, we shall find that most did not see them, or put him to the contempt of their hours are taken up in those three im- of overlooking them. In the mean time Isabelportant articles of eating, drinking, and sleep-la, for so we shall call our heroine, saw his ing. I do not suppose that a man loses his passion, and rejoiced it, as a foundation for in time, who is not engaged in public affairs, or much diversion, and an opportunity of indulg in an illustrious course of action. On the con- ing herself in the dear delight of being admirtrary, I believe our hours may very often be ed, addressed to, and flattered, with no ill more profitably laid out in such transactions consequence to her reputation. This lady is as make no figure in the world, than in such of a free and disengaged behaviour, ever in as are apt to draw upon them the attention of good-humour, such as is the image of innomankind. One may become wiser and better cence with those who are innocent, and an enby several methods of employing one's self couragement to vice with those who are abanin secrecy and silence, and do what is lauda-doned. From this kind of carriage, and an ble without noise or ostentation. I would, apparent approbation of his gallantry, Escalus however, recommend to every one of my reahad frequent opportunities of laying amorous ders, the keeping a journal of their lives for epistles in her way, of fixing his eyes attenone week, and setting down punctually their tively upon her actions, of performing a thouwhole series of employments during that space sand little offices which are neglected by the of time. This kind of self-examination would unconcerned, but are so many approaches give them a true taste of themselves, and in-towards happiness with the enamoured. It cline them to consider seriously what they are was now, as is above hinted, almost the end of about. One day would rectify the omissions the seventh year of his passion, when Escalus, of another, and make a man weigh all those indifferent actions, which, though they are easily forgotten, must certainly be accounted

for.

No. 318.] Wednesday, March 5, 1711-12.

-non omnia possumus omnes.

L.

Virg. Ecl. viii. 63. With different talents form'd, we variously excel.*

'MR. SPECTATOR,

from general terms, and the ambiguous respect which criminal lovers retain in their addresses, began to bewail that his passion grew too violent for him to answer any longer for his behaviour towards her, and that he hoped she would have consideration for his long and patient respect, to excuse the emotions of a heart now no longer under the direction of the unhappy owner of it. Such, for some months, had been the language of Escalus, both in his talk and his letters to Isabella, who returned all the profusion of kind things which 'A CERTAIN vice, which you have lately at-had been the collection of fifty years, with tacked, has not been considered by you as I must not hear you; you will make me forgrowing so deep in the heart of man, that the get that you are a gentleman; I would not affectation outlives the practice of it. You willingly lose you as a friend;" and the like must have observed, that men who have been expressions, which the skilful interpret to bred in arms preserve to the most extreme and their own advantage, as well knowing that a feeble old age, a certain daring in their as-feeble denial is a modest assent. I should pect. In like manner, they who have passed have told you, that isabella, during the whole their time in gallantry, and adventure, keep progress of this amour, communicated it to up, as well as they can, the appearance of it, her husband; and that an account of Escalus's and carry a petulant inclination to their last love was their usual entertainment after half moments. Let this serve for a preface to a re- a day's absence. Isabella therefore, upon her lation I am going to give you of an old beau in lover's late more open assaults, with a smile town, that has not only been amorous, and a told her husband she could hold out no lonfollower of women in general, but also, in spite ger, but that his fate was now come to a crisis. of the admonition of gray hairs, been from After she had explained herself a little farther, his sixty-third year to his present seventieth in with her husband's approbation, she proceedan actual pursuit of a young lady, the wife of ed in the following manner. The next time his friend, and a man of merit. The gay old that Escalus was alone with her, and repeatEscalus has wit, good health, and is perfectly ed his importunity, the crafty Isabella looked well bred; but, from the fashion and manners on her fan with an air of great attention, as of the court when he was in his bloom, has considering of what importance such a secret such a natural tendency to amorous adventure, was to her; and upon the repetition of a

The motto to this paper in folio was, 'Rideat, et pulset lasciva decentius setas.'-Hor.

warm expression, she looked at him with an eye of fondness, and told him he was past that time of life which could make her fear

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