of the character; as pages are chastized for
the admonition of princes.*
When it is per-
formed otherwise, the vicious are kept in
credit, by placing men of merit in the same
accusation. But all the pasquils, lampoons,
and libels we meet with now-a-days are a sort
of playing with the four-and-twenty letters,
and throwing them into names and characters,
without sense, truth, or wit. In this case, I
am in great perplexity to know whom they
mean, and should be in distress for those they
abuse, if I did not see their judgment and in
genuity in those they commend. This is the
true way of examining a libel; and when men
consider, that no one man living thinks the
better of their heroes and patrons for the pa-
negyric given them, none can think themselves
lessened by their invective. The hero or pa-
tron in a libel is but a scavenger to carry off
the dirt, and by that very employment is the
filthiest creature in the street. Dedications
and panegyrics are frequently ridiculous, let
them be addressed where they will; but at the
front, or in the body of a libel, to commend a
man, is saying to the persons applauded, 'My
Lord, or Sir, I have pulled down all men that
the rest of the world think great and honour-
able, and here is a clear stage; you may, as
you please, be valiant or wise; you may choose
to be on the military or civil list; for there is
no one brave who commands, or just who has

sidering man as a perfect creature. But, if we rightly examine things, we shall find that there is a sort of economy in providence, that one shall excel where another is defective, in order to make men more useful to each other, and mix them in society. This man having this talent, and that man another, is as necessary in conversation, as one professing one trade, and another another, is beneficial in commerce. The happiest climate does not produce all things; and it was so ordered, that one part of the earth should want the product of another, for uniting mankind in a general correspondence and good understanding. It is, therefore, want of good sense as well as good nature, to say Simplicius has a better judgment, but not so much wit as Latius; for that these have not each other's capacities is no more a diminution to either than if you should say, Simplicius is not Latius, or Latius not Simplicius. The heathen world had so little notion that perfection was to be expected amongst men, that among them any one quality or endowment in an heroic degree made a god. Hercules bad strength; but it was never objected to him that he wanted wit. Apollo presided over wit, and it was never asked whether he had strength. We hear no exceptions against the beauty of Minerva, or the wisdom of Venus. These wise heathens were glad to immortalize any one serviceable gift, and overlook all imperfections in the per-power. son who had it. But with us it is far otherwise, for we reject many eminent virtues, if they are accompanied with one apparent weakness. The reflecting after this manner made me account for the strange delight men take in reading lampoons and scandal, with which the age abounds, and of which I receive frequent complaints. Upon mature consideration, I Had I the honour to be in a libel, and had find it is principally for this reason, that the escaped the approbation of the author, I should worst of mankind, the libellers, receive so much look upon it exactly in this manner. encouragement in the world. The low race though it is a thing thus perfectly indifferent of men take a secret pleasure in finding an who is exalted or debased in such performances, eminent character levelled to their condition yet it is not so with relation to the authors of by a report of its defects; and keep themselves them; therefore, I shall, for the good of my in countenance, though they are excelled in a country, hereafter take upon me to punish thousand virtues, if they believe they have in these wretches. What is already passed may common with a great person any one fault. die away according to its nature, and continue The libeller falls in with this humour, and in its present oblivion; but, for the future, I gratifies this baseness of temper, which is na- shall take notice of such enemies to honour turally an enemy to extraordinary merit. It and virtue, and preserve them to immortal inis from this, that libel and satire are promis-famy. Their names shall give fresh offence cuously joined together in the notions of the vulgar, though the satirist and libeller differ as much as the magistrate and the murderer. In the consideration of human life, the satirist never falls upon persons who are not glaringly faulty, and the libeller on none but who are conspicuously commendable. Were I to expose any vice in a good or great man, it should certainly be by correcting it in some one where that crime was the most distinguishing part

You may rule the world now it is empty, which exploded you when it was full: I have knocked out the brains of all whom mankind thought good for any thing; and I doubt not but you will regard that invention, which found out the only expedient to make your lordship, or your worship, of any consideration.'

But

many ages hence, and be detested a thousand years after the commission of their crime. It shall not avail, that these children of infamy publish their works under feigned names, or under none at all; for I am so perfectly well

This alludes to a practice, long prevalent in England,

of whipping the royal children by proxy. The curious may find an acconut of this custom, in sir John Hawkins Hist. of Music.

Derce.

Te desire to know how Damon goes | opinion upon our ordinary method of sending on with his courtship to Sylvia, or how the young gentlemen to travel for their education. wine tastes at the Old Devil, are thread-bareIt is certain,' said he, "if gentlemen travel at subjects, and cold treats, which our absent an age proper for them, during the course of friends might have given us without going out their voyages, their accounts to their friends of town for them. A friend of mine, who went and, after their return, their discourse and con to travel, used me far otherwise; for he gave versations will have in them something above me a prospect of the place, or an account of what we can meet with, from those who have the people, from every country through which not had those advantages.' At the same time, it he passed. Among others which I was looking is to be observed, that every temper and genius over this evening, I am not a little delighted is not qualified for this way of improvement. with this which follows: Men may change their climate, but they cannot their nature. A man that goes out a fool cannot ride or sail himself into common sense. Therefore, let me but walk over Londonbridge with a young man, and I will tell you infallibly whether going over the Rialto at Venice will make him wiser.

'DEAR SIR,

I believe this is the first letter that was ever sent you from the middle region, where I am at this present writing. Not to keep you in suspense, it comes to you from the top of the highest mountain in Switzerland, where It is not to be imagined how many I have I am now shivering among the eternal frosts saved in my time from banishment, by letting and snows. I can scarce forbear dating it in their parents know they were good for nothing. December, though they call it the first of But this is to be done with much tenderness. August at the bottom of the mountain. I as- There is my cousin Harry has a son, who is the sure you I can hardly keep my ink from freez- dullest mortal that ever was born into our ing in the middle of the dog-days. I am here house; he had got his trunk and his books all entertained with the prettiest variety of snow- packed up to be transported into foreign parts, prospects that you can imagine; and have for no reason but because the boy never talked; several pits of it before me, that are very near and his father said, he wanted to know the as old as the mountain itself; for in this coun- world. I could not say to a fond parent that try, it is as lasting as marble. I am now upon the boy was dull; but looked grave, and told a spot of it, which they tell me fell about the him, the youth was very thoughtful, and I reign of Charlemagne, or king Pepin. The in-feared he might have some doubts about rehabitants of the country are as great curiosities ligion, with which it was not proper to go into as the country itself. They generally hire Roman catholic countries.' He is accordingly themselves out in their youth, and if they are kept here until he declares himself upon some musket-proof until about fifty, they bring points, which I am sure he will never think of. home the money they have got, and the limbs By this means, I have prevented the dishonour they have left, to pass the rest of their time of having a fool of our house laughed at in all among their native mountains. One of the parts of Europe. He is now with his father gentlemen of the place, who is come off with upon his own estate, and he has sent to me to the loss of an eye only, told me, by way of boast, get him a wife, which I shall do with all conthat there were now seven wooden legs in his venient speed; but it shall be such a one, family; and that, for these four generations, whose good-nature shall hide his faults, and there had not been one in his line that carried good sense supply them. The truth of it is, a whole body with him to the grave. I believe that race is of the true British kind. They are you will think the style of this letter a little of our country only; it hurts them to transextraordinary: but the Rehearsal will tell you, plant them, and they are destroyed if you prethat people in clouds must not be confined to tend to improve them. Men of this solid make speak sense; and I hope we that are above are not to be hurried up and down the world, them may claim the same privilege. Where- for, if I may so speak, they are naturally at ever I am, I shall always be, Sir, their wit's end; and it is an impertinent part to disturb their repose, that they may give you only a history of their bodily occurrences, which is all they are capable of observing Harry had an elder brother, who was tried ir this way; I remember all he could talk of at his return was, 'That he had like to have been drowned at such a place; he fell out of chaise at another; he had a better stomack when he moved northward than when he turned his course to the parts in the south, and so forth. It is, therefore, very much to be considered, what sense a person has of things

6

Your most obedient, most humble servant.'

I think they ought, in those parts where the materials are so easy to work, and at the same time so durable, when any of their heroes comes home from the wars, to erect his statue in snow upon the mountains, there to remain from generation to generation.

A gentleman who is apt to expatiate upon any hint, took this occasion to deliver his

*A comedy written by the duke of Buckinghamn.

when he is setting out; and, if he then knows none of his friends and acquaintance but by their cloaths and faces, it is my humble opinion, that he stay at home. His parents should take care to marry him, and see what they can get out of him that way; for there is a certain sort of men, who are no otherwise to be regarded but as they descend from men of consequence, and may beget valuable successors; and, if we consider that men are to be esteemed only as they are useful, while a stupid wretch is at the head of a great family, we may say, the race is suspended, as properly as when it is all gone, we say it is extinct.

every figure round the room in a mortal part, without receiving the least hurt, except a little scratch by falling on my face, in pushing at one at the lower end of my chamber; but I recovered so quick, and jumped so nimbly into my guard, that if he had been alive, he could not have hurt me. It is confessed I have written against duels with some warmth; but in all my discourses I have not ever said that I knew how a gentleman could avoid a duel if he were provoked to it; and, since that custom is now become a law, I know nothing but the legislative power, with new animadversions upon it, can put us in a capacity of denying challenges, though we were afterwards hanged for it. But no more of this at present. As things stand, I shall put up no more affronts; and I shall be so far from taking ill words, that I will not take ill looks. I, therefore, warn all hot young fellows not to look hereafter more terrible than their neighbours; for, if they stare at me with their hats cocked higher than other people, I will not bear it. Nay, I give warning to all people in general to look kindly at me, for I will bear no frowns, even from ladies; and if any woman pretends to look scornfully at me, I shall demand satisfaction of the next of kin of the masculine gender.

From my own Apartment, November 11. I had several hints and advertisements from unknown bands, that some, who are enemies to my labours, design to demand the fashionable way of satisfaction for the disturbance my lucubrations have given them. I confess, as things now stand, I do not know how to deny such inviters, and am preparing myself accordingly. I have bought pumps and files, and am every morning practising in my chamber. My neighbour the dancing-master, has demanded of me, 'why I take this liberty, since I would not allow it him?' but I answered, 'his was an act of an indifferent nature, and mine of necessity. My late treatises against duels have so far disobliged the fraternity of the noble No. 94.] Tuesday, November 15, 1709.

science of defence, that I can get none of them to show me so much as one pass. I am, therefore, obliged to learn by book; and have, accordingly, several volumes, wherein all the postures are exactly delineated. I must confess, I am shy of letting people see me at this exercise, because of my flannel waistcoat, and my spectacles, which I am forced to fix on, the better to observe the posture of the enemy.

I have upon my chamber walls drawn at full length the figures of all sorts of men, from eight feet to three feet two inches. Within this height, I take it, that all the fighting men of Great Britain are comprehended. But, as I push, I make allowances for my being of a lank and spare body, and have chalked out in every figure my own dimensions; for I scorn to rob any man of his life by taking advantage of his breadth: therefore, I press purely in a line down from his nose, and take no more of him to assault than he has of me: for, to speak impartially, if a lean fellow wounds a fat one in any part to the right or left, whether it be in carte or in tierce, beyond the dimensions of the said lean fellow's own breadth, I take it to be murder, and such a murder as is below a gentleman to commit. As I am spare, I am also very tall, and behave myself with relation to that advantage with the same punctilio; and I am ready to stoop or stand, according to the stature of my adversary. I must confess, I have nad great success this morning, and have hit

Si non errâsset, fecerrat ille minus.
Had he not err'd, his glory had been less.

Mart. i. 22.

Will's Coffee-house, November 14. THAT which we call gallantry to women seems to be the heroic virtue of private persons; and there never breathed one man, who did not, in that part of his days wherein he was recommending himself to his mistress, do something beyond his ordinary course of life. As this has a very great effect even upon the most slow and common men; so, upon such as it finds qualified with virtue and merit, it shines out in proportionable degrees of excellence. It gives new grace to the most eminent accomplishments; and he, who of himself has either wit, wisdom, or valour, exerts each of these noble endowments, when he becomes a lover, with a certain beauty of action above what was ever observed in him before; and all who are without any one of these qualities are to be looked upon as the rabble of mankind.

I was talking after this manner in a corner of this place with an old acquaintance, who, taking me by the hand, said, 'Mr. Bickerstaff your discourse recalls to my mind a story, which I have longed to tell you ever since read that article wherein you desire your friends to give you accounts of obscure merit.' The story I had of him is literally true, and well known to be so in the country wherein the

circumstances were transacted. He acquainted | now pressing against a whole tide of people at me with the names of the persons concerned, which I shall change into feigned ones; there being a respect due to their families that are still in being, as well as that the names themselves would not be so familiar to an English ear. The adventure really happened in Denmark; and if I can remember all the passages, I doubt not but it will be as moving to my readers as it was to me.

the doors of the theatre, and striving to enter with more earnestness than any there endeavoured to get out. He did it at last, and with much difficulty forced his way to the box where his beloved Chloe stood, expecting her fate amidst this scene of terror and distraction. She revived at the sight of Philander, who fell about her neck with a tenderness not to be expressed; and, amidst a thousand sobs and sighs, told her his love, and his dreadful mistake. The stage was now in flames, and the whole house full of smoke: the entrance was quite barred up with heaps of people, who had fallen upon one another as they endeavoured to get out. Swords were drawn, shrieks heard on all sides; and, in short, no possibility of an escape for Philander himself, had he been capable of making it without his Chloe. But his mind was above such a thought, and wholly employed in weeping, condoling, and comforting. He catches her in his arms. The fire surrounds them, while I cannot go on

Were I an infidel, misfortunes like this would convince me that there must be a hereafter: for who can believe that so much virtue could meet with so great distress without a following reward? As for my part, I am so old-fashioned, as firmly to believe, that all who perish in such generous enterprises are relieved from the further exercise of life; and Providence, which sees their virtue consummate and manifest, takes them to an immediate reward, in a being more suitable to the grandeur of their spirits. What else can wipe away our tears, when we contemplate such undeserved, such irreparable distresses? It was a sublime thought in some of the heathens of old;

Clarinda and Chloe, two very fine women, were bred up as sisters in the family of Romeo, who was the father of Chloe, and the guardian of Clarinda. Philander, a young gentleman of a good person, and charming conversation, being a friend of old Romeo, frequented his house, and by that means was much in conversation with the young ladies, though still in the presence of the father and the guardian. The ladies both entertained a secret passion for him, and could see well enough, notwithstanding the delight which he really took in Romeo's conversation, that there was something more in his heart, which made him so assiduous a visitant. Each of them thought herself the happy woman; but the person beloved was Chloe. It happened that both of them were at a play in a carnival evening, when it is the fashion there, as well as in most countries of Europe, both for men and women to appear in masks and disguises. It was on that memorable night, in the year 1679, when the play-house by some unhappy accident was set on fire. Philander, in the first hurry of the disaster, immediately ran where his treasure was; burst open the door of the box, snatched the lady up in his arms; and, with unspeakable resolution and good fortune, carried her off safe. He was No sooner out of the crowd, but he set her down; and, grasping her in his arms, with all the raptures of a deserving lover, How happy am I,' says he, in an opportunity to tell you I love you more than all things, and of showing you the sincerity of my passion at the very first declaration of it!' My dear, dear Philander,' says the lady, pulling off her mask, this is not a time for art; you are much dearer to me than the life you have preserved; and the joy of my present deliverance does not transport me so much as the passion which occasioned it.' Who can tell the grief, the astonishment, the terror, that appeared in the face of Philander, when he saw the person he spoke to was Clarinda! After a short pause, Madam,' says he, with the looks of a dead man, we are both mistaken; and immediately flew away, without hearing the distressed Clarinda, who had just strength enough to cry out, Cruel Philander! why did you not leave me in the theatre Crowds of people immediately ga-informed, he extracts it according to the man thered about her, and, after having brought her to herself, conveyed her to the house of the good old unhappy Romeo. Philander was

Quæ gratia currâm

Armorumque fait vivis, quæ cura nitentes

Pascere equos, eadem sequitur tellure repostos. Virg. That is, in other words, 'The same employments and inclinations which were the entertainment of virtuous men upon earth make up their happiness in Elysium.'

From my own Apartment, November 14.

When I came home this evening, I found a present from Mr. Charles Lillie, the perfumer, at the corner of Beaufort-buildings, with a letter of thanks for the mention I made of him. He tells me, several of my gentle readers have obliged me in buying at his shop upon my recommendation.' I have enquired into the man's capacity, and find him an adept in his way. He has several helps to discourse besides snuff, which is the best Barcelona, and sells an orange-flower water, which seems to me to have in it the right spirit of brains; and I am

ner used in Gresham-College. I recommend

The Royal Society then met at Gresham-College.