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screaming a lullaby. But my pain 'made me at cards with a creature of a black and horrid exalt my voice above hers, which brought up countenance, wherein were plainly delineated the nurse, the witch I first saw, and my grand- the arts of his mind, cozenage, and falsehood. mother. The girl is turned down stairs, and They were marking their game with counters. I stripped again, as well to find what ailed me, on which we could see inscriptions, imprecepas to satisfy my granam's further curiosity. This tible to any but us. My lord had scored with good old woman's visit was the cause of all my pieces of ivory, on which were writ Good troubles. You are to understand, that I was Fame, Glory, Riches, Honour, and Posterity. hitherto bred by hand, and any body that The spectre over-against him had on his coun stood next gave me pap, if I did but open my ters the inscriptions of Dishonour, Impulips; insomuch, that I was growing so cunning, dence, Poverty, Ignorance, and want of Shame. as to pretend myself asleep when I was not, to Bless me!' said I; sure my Lord does not prevent my being crammed. But my grand-see what he plays for ?' As well as I do,' mother began a loud lecture upon the idleness says Pacolet. He despises that fellow he of the wives of this age, who, for fear of their plays with, and scorns himself for making him shapes, forbear suckling their own offspring: his companion.' At the very instant he was and ten nurses were immediately sent for; one speaking, I saw the fellow who played with my was whispered to have a wanton eye, and lord, hide two cards in the roll of his stocking: would soon spoil her milk; another was in a Pacolet immediately stole them from thence; consumption; the third had an ill voice, and upon which the nobleman soon after won the would frighten me instead of lulling me to game. The little triumph he appeared in, sleep. Such exceptions were made against all when he got such a trifling stock of ready but one country milch-wench, to whom I was money, though he had ventured so great sums committed, and put to the breast. This care- with indifference, increased my admiration. ess jade was eternally romping with the foot-But Pacolet began to talk to me. Mr. Isaac, man, and downright starved me; insomuch that I daily pined away, and should never have been relieved had it not been that, on the thirtieth day of my life, a Fellow of the Royal Society, who had writ upon Cold Baths, came to visit me, and solemnly protested, I was utterly lost for want of that method: upon which he soused me head and ears into a pail of water, where I had the good fortune to be drowned; and so escaped being lashed into a linguist until sixteen, running after wenches until twenty-five, and being married to an ill-ture, as you see, and lay distinction against natured wife until sixty: which had certainly infamy, abundance against want; in a word, been my fate, had not the enchantment be- all that is desirable against all that is to be tween body and soul been broke by this philo- avoided. However, said I, be sure you disapsopher. Thus, until the age I should have point the sharpers to night, and steal from otherwise lived, I am obliged to watch the them all the cards they hide. Pacolet obeyed steps of men; and, if you please, shall accom. me, and my lord went home with their whole pany you in your present walk, and get you bank in his pocket.' intelligence from the aërial lacquey, who is in waiting, what are the thoughts and purposes of any whom you enquire for.'

I accepted his kind offer, and immediately took him with me in a back to White's.

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this to you looks wonderful, but not at all to us higher beings: that nobleman has as many good qualities as any man of his order, and seems to have no faults but what, as I may say, are excrescences from virtues. He is generous to a prodigality, more affable than is consistent with his quality, and courageous to a rashness. Yet, after all this, the source of his whole conduct is (though he would hate himself if he knew it) mere avarice. The ready cash laid before the gamester's counters makes him ven

Will's Coffee-house, May 13.

To-night was acted a second time a comedy called The Busy Body: this play is written by a lady. In old times, we used to sit upon a play here after it was acted; but now the entertainment is turned another way; not but there are considerable men in all ages, who, for some eminent quality or invention, deserve the esteem and thanks of the public. Such benefactor is a gentleman of this house; wh is observed by the surgeons with much envy dern wits, as a great promoter of gallantry and and is ranked among, and received by the mopleasure. But, I fear, pleasure is less understood in this age, which so much pretends to it, than in any since the creation. It was ad

By Mrs. Susannah Centlivre, 1709, 4to.

mirably said of him who first took notice, that (res est severa voluptas) there is a certain severity in pleasure.' Without that, all decency is banished; and if reason is not to be present at our greatest satisfactions, of all the race of creatures, the human is the most miserable. It was not so of old; when Virgil describes a wit, he always means a virtuous man; and all his sentiments of men of genius, are such as show persons distinguished from the common level of mankind; such as placed happiness in the contempt of low fears and mean gratifications: fears which we are subject to with the vulgar; and pleasures which we have in common with beasts. With these illustrious personages, the wisest man was the greatest wit; and none was thought worthy of that character, unless he answered this excellent description of the poet :

Qui metus omnes et inexorabile fatum.
Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acherontis avari.
Virg. Georg. ii. 492.

Happy the man,-
His mind possessing in a quiet state,
Fearless of fortune, and resign'd to fate. Dryden.

St. James's Coffee-house, May 13. We had this morning advice, that some English merchant-ships, convoyed by the Bristol of fifty-four guns, were met with by a part of Monsieur du Gui Trouin's squadron, who engaged the convoy. That ship defended itself until the English merchants got clear of the enemy; but, being disabled, was herself taken. Within few hours after, my lord Dursley + came up with part of his squadron, and, engaging the French, retook the Bristol (which, being very much shattered, sunk ;) and took the Glorieux, a ship of forty-four guns, as also a privateer of fourteen. Before this action, his lordship had taken two French merchant-men, and had, at the despatch of these advices, brought the whole safe into Plymouth.

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Virgil seems to speak here as an Epicurean, and might probably allude to some lines in Lucretius, lib. iii. 37 and 995. It is only by Christianity that men can be trained to that elevation of soul, which the doctrine of Epicurus, &c. aimed at in vain. French Tatler.

↑ James viscount Dursley, who was in consequence raised to the rank of vice admiral of the blue in November 1709; and, in the beginning of October 1710, succeeded his father in the title of earl of Berkeley.

The nick-name of a weiter at White's.

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'I desire you would give my humble service to all our friends, which I speak of to you (out of method) in the very beginning of my epistle, lest the present disorders, by which this seat of gallantry and pleasure is torn to pieces, should make me forget it. You keep so good com. pany, that you know Bath is stocked with such as come hither to be relieved from luxuriant health, or imaginary sickness; and consequently is always as well stowed with gallants, as invalids, who live together in a very good understanding. But the season is so early, that our fine company is not yet arrived; and the warm bath, which in heathen times was dedicated to Venus, is now used only by such as really want it for health's sake. There are, however, a good many strangers, among whom are two ambitious ladies, who being both in the autumn of their life, take the opportunity of placing themselves at the head of such as we are, before the Chloe's, Clarisso's, and Pastorella's come down. One of these two is excessively in pain, that the ugly being called Time, will make wrinkles in spite of the lead forehead cloth; and therefore hides with the gaiety of her air, the volubility of her tongue, and quickness of her motion, the injuries which it has done her. The other lady is but two years behind her in life, and dreads as much being laid aside as the former; and consequently has taken the necessary precautions to prevent her reign over us. But she is very discreet, and wonderfully turned for ambition, being never apparently transported either with

affection or malice. Thus while Florimel is talking in public, and spreading her graces in assemblies, to gain a popular dominion over our diversions, Prudentia visits very cunningly all the lame, the splenetic, and the superannuated, who have their distinct classes of followers and friends. Among these she has found, that somebody has sent down printed certificates of Florimel's age, which she has read and distributed to this unjoyful set of people, who are always enemies to those in possession or the good opinion of the company. This un provoked injury done by Prudentia, was the first occasion of our fatal divisions here, and a declaration of war between these rivals. Florimel has abundance of wit, which she has lavished in decrying Prudentia, and giving defiance to her little arts. For an instance o her superior power, she bespoke the play o

To which the black-lead comb and powder of every co lour in the rainbow have since been the succedunca.

come,

she sat a full hour alone, and at last was entertained with this whole relation from Statira, who wiped her eyes with her tragical cut hand. kerchief, and lamented the ignorance of the quality. Florimel was stung with this affront, and the next day bespoke the puppet-show. Prudentia, insolent with power, bespoke Alexander. The whole company came then to Alexander. Madam Petulant desired her daughters to mind the moral, and believe no man's fair words: 'For you will see children,' said she, these soldiers are never to be depended upon; they are sometimes here, sometimes there.-Do not you see, daughter Betty, Colonel Clod, our next neighbour in the country, pull off his hat to you? court'sy, good child, his estate is just by us.' Florimel was now mortified down to Prudentia's humour; and Prudentia exalted into hers. This was observed; Florimel invites us to the play a second time, Prudentia to the show. See the uncertainty of human affairs! the beaux, the wits, the gamesters, the prudes, the coquettes, the valetudinarians and

the state of things at this present date; and i. there happens any new commotions, you shall have immediate advice from,

'Sir,

'Your affectionate friend and servant.'

Alexander the Great, to be acted by the company of strollers, and desired us all to be there on Thursday last. When she spoke to me to as you are,' said she, 'a lover, you will not fail the death of Alexander: the passion of love is wonderfully hit-Statira! O that happy woman-to have a conqueror at her feet!-But you will be sure to be there.' I, and several others, resolved to be of her party. But see the irresistible strength of that unsuspected creature, a 'silent woman.' Prudentia had counterplotted us, and had bespoke on the same evening the puppet-show of The Creation of the World.' She had engaged every body to be there; and, to turn our leader into ridicule, had secretly let them know, that the puppet Eve was made the most like Florimel that ever was seen. On Thursday morning the puppet-drummer, Adam and Eve, and several others who lived before the flood, passed throught the streets on horseback, to invite us all to the pastime, and the representation of such things as we all knew to be true: and Mr. Mayor was so wise, as to prefer these inno-gallants, all now wait upon Florimel. Such is cent people the puppets, who, he said, were to represent Christians, before the wicked players who were to show Alexander, an heathen philosopher. To be short, this Prudentia had so laid it, that, at ten of the clock, footmen were sent to take places at the puppet-show, and all we of Florimel's party were to be out of fashion, or desert her. We chose the latter. All the world crowded to Prudentia's house, because it was given out nobody could get in. When we came to Noah's flood in the show, Punch and his wife were introduced dancing in the ark. An honest plain friend of Florimel's, but a critic withal, rose up in the midst of the representation, and made many very good exceptions to the drama itself, and told us, that it was against all morality, as well as rules of the stage, that punch should be in jest in the deluge, or indeed that he should appear at all. This was certainly a just remark, and I thought to second him; but he was hissed by Pruden-point, and on which the very life of female amtia's party upon which, really, sir Thomas, we, who were his friends, hissed him too. Old Mrs. Petulant desired both her daughters to mind the moral; then whispered Mrs. Mayoress, "This is very proper for young people to see!' Punch, at the end of the play, made Prudentia a compliment, and was very civil to the whole company, making bows until his buttons touched the ground. All was carried trium-to forbear any thing that may in the least tend phantly against our party. In the mean time Florimel went to the tragedy, dressed as fine as hands could make her, in hopes to see Prudentia pine away with envy. Instead of that,

To Castabella.

May 16, 1709.

'MADAM, 'I have the honour of a letter from a friend of yours, relating to an incivility done to you at the opera, by one of your own sex ; but I, who was an eye-witness of the accident, can testify to you, that though she pressed before you, she lost her ends in that design; for she was taken notice of for no other reason, but her endeavours to hide a finer woman than herself. But, indeed, I dare not go farther in this matter, than just this bare mention; for though it was taking your place of right, rather than place of precedence, yet it is so tender a

bition depends, that it is of the last consequence to meddle in it: all my hopes are from your beautiful sex ; and those bright eyes, which are the bane of others, are my only sun-shine. My writings are sacred to you; and I hope I shall always have the good fortune to live under your protection; therefore take this public opportunity to signify to all the world, that I design

to the diminution of your interest, reputation, or power. You will therefore forgive me, that I strive to conceal every wrong step made by any who have the honour to wear petticoats, and shall at all times do what is in my power to make all mankind as much their slaves as

A deformed cripple of the name of Powel was the mas-myself. If they would consider things as they ter of a popular puppet-show at this time, and made Punch

utter many things that would not have been endured in any other way of communication.

ought, there needs not much argument to convince them, that it is their fate to be obedient

to you, and that your greatest rebels do only | the Portugueze army had been defeated by the serve with a worse grace." I am, Madam, Spaniards.

6 Your most obedient and

most humble servant,

ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.'

St. James's Coffee-house, May 16. Lettres from the Hague, bearing date the

We hear from Languedoc, that their corn, olives, and figs, were wholly destroyed; but that they have a hopeful prospect of a plentiful vintage.

twenty-first instant, N. S. advise, that his No. 17.] Tuesday, May 19, 1709.

grace the duke of Marlborough, immediately after his arrival, sent his secretary to the president and the pensionary, to acquaint them therewith. Soon after, these ministers, visited the duke, and made him compliments in the name of the States-General; after which they entered into a conference with him on the present posture of affairs, and gave his grace assurances of the firm adherence of the States to

the alliance: at the same time acquainting him, that all overtures of peace were rejected, until they had an opportunity of acting in concert with their allies on that subject. After this interview, the pensionary and the president returned to the assembly of the States. Monsieur Torcy has had a conference at the pensioner's house with his grace the duke of Marlborough, Prince Eugene, and his excel lency the lord Townshend. The result of what was debated at that time is kept secret ; but there appears an air of satisfaction and good understanding between these ministers. We are apt also to give ourselves very hopeful prospects from monsieur Torcy's being employed in this negotiation, who had been

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Quicquid agunt homines

-nostri est farrago libelli.

Juv. Sat. i. 85, 6.

Whate'er men do, or say, or think, or dream,
Our motley paper seizes for its theme,

Will's Coffee-house, May 18.

P.

THE discourse has happened to turn this e 'ening upon the true panegyric, the perfection of which was asserted to consist in a certain indirect manner. There was a gentleman gave artful way of conveying the applause in an us several instances of it. Among others, he quoted from Sir Francis Bacon, in his 'Advancement of Learning.' a very great compliment made to Tiberius, as follows: In a full debate upon publie affairs in the senate, one of the assembly rose up, and with a very grave air said, he thought it for the honour and dignity of the commonwealth, that Tiberius should be declared a god, and have divine worship paid him. The emperor was surprised at the proposal, and demanded of him to declare, whether he had made any application to incliue him to that overture? The senator answered, with a

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always remarkable for a particular way of bold and haughty tone, Sir, in matters that thinking in his sense of the greatness of concern the commonwealth, I will be governed France; which he has always said, by no mau.' Another gentleman mentioned be promoted rather by the arts of peace, than something of the same kind, spoken by the late those of war.' His delivering himself freely duke of Buckingham to the late earl of Orrery; on this subject has formerly appeared an unMy lord,' (says the duke, after his libertine successful way to power in that court; way) but you will certainly be damned. 'How in its present circumstances, those maxims are my lord! says the earl with some warmth. better received; and it is thought a certain Nay, said the duke) there is no help for argument of the sincerity of the French king's it, for it is positively said, Cursed is he of intentions, that this minister is at present whom all men speak well.'+ This is taking a made use of. The marquis is to return to man by surprise, and being welcome when Paris within few days, who has sent a courier you have so surprised him. The person flatthither to give notice of the reasons of his retered receives you into his closet at once; turn, that the court may be the sooner able to and the sudden change of his heart, from despatch commissions for a formal treaty. the expectation of an ili-wisher, to find you his friend, makes you in his full favour in a moment. The spirits that were raised so suddenly against you, are as suddenly for you. There was another instance given of this kind at the table: a gentleman, who had a very great favour done him, and an employment bestowed

The expectations of peace are increased by advices from Paris of the twelfth instant, which say, the Dauphin has altered his resolution of commanding in Flanders the ensuing campaign. The Saxon and Prussian reinforcements, together with count Mercy's regiment of imperial horse, are encamped in the neigh-upon him, without so much as being personally bourhood of Brussels; and the sufficient stores known to his benefactor, waited upon the of corn and forage are transported to that place and Ghent, for the service of the confederate army.

They write from Mons, that the elector of Bavaria had advice, that an advanced party of

* An allusion to an instance of artful flattery practised by Mes la Valerins,

fairly, the passage of scripture, to which he thought it so waty, thus impiously to allude.

+ Luke vi. 26. His grace did not understand, nor quote

it.

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great man who was so generous, and was be- | Longinus, shail, as well as I can, make my ginning to say, he was infinitely obliged.- observations in a style like the author's of Not at all,' says the patron, turning from whom I treat, which perhaps I am as capable him to another, had I known a more deserv. of as another, having an unbounded force o ing man in England, he should not have had thinking, as well as a most exquisite address, extensively and wisely indulged to me by the We should certainly have had more exam- supreme powers.' My author, I will dare to ples had not a gentleman produced a book assert, shows the most universal knowledge of which he thought an instance of this kind any writer who has appeared this century: he it was a phamphlet, called 'The Naked Truth.' is a poet and merchant, which is seen in two The idea any one would have of that work from master-words, credit blossoms,' he is a gramthe title was, that there would be much plain marian and a politician; for he says, 'The dealing with people in power, and that we uniting of the two kingdoms is the emphasis should see things in their proper light, stripped of the security of the Protestant succession.' of the ornaments which are usually given to Some would be apt to say, he is a conjuror; the actions of the great but the skill of this for he has found, that a republic is not made author is such, that he has, under that rugged up of every body of animals, but is composed appearance approved himself the finest gentle of men only, and not of horses. Liberty and man and courtier that ever writ. The lan- property have chosen their retreat within the guage is extremely sublime, and not at all to emulating circle of an human commonwealth.' be understood by the vulgar: the sentiments He is a physician; for he says, 'I observe a are such as would make no figure in ordinary constant equality in its pulse, and a just quickwords; but such is the art of the expression, ness of its vigorous circulation.' And again, and the thoughts are elevated to so high a de- I view the strength of our constitution plainly gree, that I question whether the discourse appear in the sanguine and ruddy complexion will sell much. There was an ill-natured fellow of a well-contented city.' He is a divine: for he present, who hates all panegyric mortally; says, 'I cannot but bless myself.' And indeed P― take him,' said he, 'what the devil this excellent treatise has had that good effect means his Naked Truth, in speaking nothing upon me, who am far from being superstitious, but to the advantage of all whom he mentions? that I also cannot but bless myself.' This is just such a great action as that of the champion's on a coronation-day, who challenges all mankind to dispute with him the right of the sovereign, surrounded with his guards.' The gentleman who produced the treatise desired him to be cautious, and said, it was writ by an excellent soldier, which made the company observe it more narrowly; and (as critics are the greatest conjurers at finding out a known truth) one said, he was sure it was writ by the hand of his sword-arm. I could not perceive much wit in that expression; but it raised a laugh, and, I suppose, was meant as a sneer upon valiant men. The same man pretended to see in the style, that it was an horse-officer; but sure that is being too nice; for though you may know officers of the cavalry by the turn of their feet, I cannot imagine how you should discern their hands from those of other men. But it is always thus with pedants; they will ever be carping; if a gentleman or a man of honour puts pen to paper. I do not doubt but this author will find this assertion too true, and that obloquy is not repulsed by the force of arms. I will therefore set this excellent piece in a light too glaring for weak eyes, and, in imitation of the critic

• It has been said that the phamphlet called The Naked Truth' was written by a lawyer of the name of Neliny; but if William viscount Grimston was not the author of it, ne wrote remarks upon this critique on it, in a treatise which he dedicated to the Hon. Edward Howard, as we are informed in Tatler, No 21.

St. James's Coffee-house, May 18. This day arrived a mail from Lisbon, with letters of the thirteenth instant, N. S. containing a particular account of the late action in Portugal. On the seventeenth instant, the army of Portugal, under the command of the marquis de Frontera, lay on the side of the Caya, and the army of the duke of Anjou, commanded by the marquis de Bay, on the other. The latter commander having an ambition to ravage the country, in a manner in sight of the Portugueze, made a motion with the whole body of his horse toward fort Saint Christopher, near the town of Badajos. The generals of the Portugueze, disdaining that such an insult should be offered to their arms, took a resolution to pass the river, and oppose the designs of the enemy. The earl of Galway represented to them, that the present posture of affairs was such on the side of the allies, that there needed no more to be done at present in that country, but to carry on a defensive part But his argument could not avail in the coun cil of war. Upon which a great detachment of foot and the whole of the horse of the king of Portugal's army passed the river, and with some pieces of cannon did good execution on the enemy. Upon observing this, the marquis de Bay advanced with his horse, and attacked the right wing of the Portugueze cavalry, who faced about, and fled, without standing the first encounter. But their foot repulsed the

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