tender nature, to affairs of courtship, I am afraid we shall find that the Dictionary of Love consists, in a great measure, of WORDS OF COURSE. For this, perhaps, we may find a reason not so applicable in the other cases of which we have been speaking. The vast multitude of books in which the various arts of courtship are taught, has reduced the whole to an easy system, so soon learned, that the young reader is often master of his lesson before he has ever thought to whom he shall repeat it. I am not, however, so averse to WORDS OF COURSE in affairs of gallantry, as in other cases. One who respects the amiable character of his fair countrywomen, can scarcely wish that the words employed to gain their affection should have any meaning. If this, indeed, were the case, what would a beauty be but a murderer, carrying about with her deadly weapons wherever she goes; now breaking a heart into a thousand pieces, then piercing it through with darts till it resembles the man in the Almanack, and those darts shot from her eyes? At other times she is represented as scorching her lovers in flames, driving them to the blackness of despair, or plunging them in a species of infernal regions; all which, for the honour of the sex, we must hope are only

WORDS OF COURSE. It would, perhaps, be much for the interest of our beauties, if they were to understand such words in this way, and be under no apprehension lest the lovers who declare they cannot live but in their presence, should depart this life in their absence. They should recollect that it is peculiar to those who employ WORDS OF COURSE to mean something the very opposite to what they express; and it is certain that many of them, amidst the agonies of despair, and with no other prospect before them than hanging, poisoning, starving, or drowning, have been known to dance merrily at a ball, and enjoy a very comfortable night's rest after eating a hearty supper.

WORDS OF COURSE are used for so many various purposes, and those purposés so artfully concealed, that it is not easy to reduce them into classes, assigning to each rank of persons the class which belongs to them. In general, if we examine them attentively, and endeavour to trace them, we shall find that they consist, either of words that have changed their meaning by a long course of time, or have no meaning at all. Perhaps the greater part are words which had once a meaning, although they are now merely WORDS OF COURSE,

and, in order to be certain whether they have undergone this change, it is only necessary we should have some knowledge of the person who uses them.

Of words which are now WORDS OF COURSE, although they once had, and may still now and then have a meaning, our catalogue is rather larger than those who profess a regard for sincerity and plain - dealing could wish. In this list may be comprized many of the Oaths which are administered in certain public offices; a great many of the harangues which are uttered in the ears of the populace on election occasions, and in which the meaning, as was already hinted, is studiously obscured by a multitude of WORDS OF COURSE. In this list also may be comprized a considerable part of the marriage service in the Book of Common Prayer, together with no small share of the Litany, &c. in the same. And that this may

not be a matter disguised from the hearers, they are often read in publick with a tone and accent which would be thought very disrespectful if used in the case of a newspaper. I may add one other class, that of words which are sincere when first uttered; but become WORDS OF COURSE after a short period. Of this kind are many of the promises made in

cases of embarrassment, and of the resolutions formed during a fit of sickness.

These are a few of the instances in which WORDS OF COURSE are generally employed; and it only remains to be inquired, whether they are not used more frequently than is proper; and whether, upon the whole, any very great benefit results from stripping words of their accustomed meaning; and such questions, I trust, I may very safely leave to the determination of my readers. But although I take for granted that they will object to the extension and continuance of WORDS OF COURSE, I cannot flatter them that such an opinion, however strongly expressed, will produce the change wanted. In the mean time, therefore, and while certain persons of all ranks think it proper to make use of WORDS OF COURSE, it is my business, as a PROJECTOR for the general good, to suggest an expedient by which great trouble and many disappointments may be avoided. This is nothing more than that some ingenious person, particularly learned in WORDS OF COURSE, will compile a Dictionary of them; not with the original meanings, but with the latest meanings affixed; and specifying also all those words and phrases which have no meaning at all. The latter part of

this Lexicon would certainly save a great deal of trouble; as I have known a person exceedingly puzzled to find out the meaning of a speech addressed to him, who would have avoided all his pains, anxiety, and even expence, if he had been candidly told it had no meaning at all.

THE PROJECTOR. N° 74.

"Vitanda est improba Siren

DESIDIA; aut, quidquid vita meliore parâsti

Ponendum æquo animo."

"Learn the siren IDLENESS to shun,

Or poorly be content to lose the fame

HOR.

Which your past hours of better life might claim."

FRANCIS.

September 1807.

MUCH has been said against Idleness by my ingenious predecessors. They have represented it as not only an evil, but the cause of many other evils, as more destructive than the plague, and as degrading to the nature of man.

But