custom, have been allowed the privilege of Courtship, which year has been termed Leap year, or the year in which the sex are permitted to leap the usual bounds of delicacy. But although I do not deny that I first took my hint from that year, it is notorious that the custom has long become obsolete, so long, indeed, that I am doubtful whether it can be revived even by the strongest possible sanction, that of an act of parliament. However, if my plan be successful, I shall not be sorry to be deprived of the merit of originality, since I must inevitably have the higher honour of bringing to perfection what alone seems wanting to aid the benevolent views of the lady celebrated in your last paper; I shall, therefore, leave the whole matter, Mr. PROJECTOR, to your consideration; and subscribe myself, with all respect and humility,

“A BROTHER OF THE TRADE.'

I have given my BROTHER'S letter all the consideration he can wish, and have besides submitted it to my readers. At the same time I am nothing loth to confess, that with due submission to him and to those writers from whom he seems to have borrowed his first thoughts, I am inclined to wish that matters, as to Court

ship, may remain for a few years longer in their present state. He allows that his plan would not prevent any of the existing inconveniences of Courtship; and I see, or think I see, many evils that would arise from such a reverse in the affairs of love, and would be counterbalanced only by the advantage, if it may be so termed, of knowing who began first?

As to those ladies who have made experiments of his plan upon a small scale, I have no desire to interfere with their courage. We live in an age of innovations; and they who seek fame, or as it is sometimes called notoriety, find new paths in which their pride and security is, and I hope ever will be, that they have few followers. And others, who are disposed to choose for themselves against established practice, and have not yet been quite emancipated from "the delicate and restrained condition which custom imposes on females," may at any time consult the Bow window, and produce as surprising effects in the newspapers and the courts of law, as if they had acted without any advice at all, which is the more common practice.

Doubtless, however, were my correspondent's plan established by law, the publick

would be amused by many singular events. Many families would at first be thrown into confusion by the double portion of care imposed on parents, who must be perplexed to know whether to look most sharply after their sons or their daughters. Yet I am not sure that much mischief would arise merely from this effect of the plan, as some young gentlemen might then be courted into marriage, instead of, according to the present custom, being seduced into ruin. Upon the new plan too, I am of opinion, that if the ladies were permitted, or could be persuaded to pay their addresses, they would execute this task with a greater degree of sincerity, and with fewer sinister motives. But still I would not have my readers suppose that I am friendly to such an innovation and I am not quite sure that it would be approved by my own sex. For myself, I have my personal reasons, and, like the rest of my sex, would be afraid of numberless and perplexing addresses, from those who may not know the PROJECTOR'S situation. I have, therefore, enjoined Mr. URBAN to preserve his usual secresy on that subject, and to hint no particulars of face, person, or fortune, until he receives

farther orders.

(36)

THE PROJECTOR. N°o 71.

June 1807.

THERE

HERE is a species of men who are said to be so very precise that there is no living with them; so straight and tight-laced, and so obstinate in preserving all the minutiae of virtue, honour, and honesty, as to be quite unfit to carry on business in the present world. They are said to be dangerous connections, because they throw impediments in the way of those who wish to follow the example of their neigh bours, and do not happen to think it necessary to be so very particular in matters where interest is concerned. Whether this sect, for such we shall call them, be numerous, and likely to put a stop to the common business of life by their obstinate adherence to the strict laws of virtue, honour, and honesty; and whether, if such a consequence be probable, they ought not to be suppressed as dangerous impediments in the way of ambitious men, are questions so easily resolved, that I shall leave them to the consideration of my readers.

It is some comfort, however, to those who are apt to complain of precise and Puritanical conduct, that there are others, and, I should suppose, a much more numerous body, who are clearly of opinion, that the laws of virtue, honour, and honesty, are not so strict in the letter, as that they may not be accommodated to immediate wants and necessities. They think that these laws are not only capable of being relaxed upon particular occasions, but that such relaxation is become so common as to be attended with no impeachment of character, or loss of reputation. In short, the rule seems to be that, if these laws should appear to be contrary to the attainment of a favourite object, although they cannot be actually and totally repealed, without giving offence to the universal opinion of mankind, yet on great oc casions they may be suspended in their operation, and the parties relieved from their obligations during a certain period to be agreed upon. It be thought, at first sight, a little singular, that any men who have once admitted the obligations of virtue, honour, and honesty, as perpetually, and in all possible cases, of full force, insomuch that no objects, even life itself, are considered as of too great importance to be sacrificed rather than to admit a violation.

may