a

of men; in the country with those of God. One'is (goddess of beauty till she moved. All the charuis of the province of art, the other of nature. Faith and an agreeable person are then in their highest exepdevotion naturally grow in the mind of every rea- tion, every limb and feature appears with its respec: sonable man, who sees the impressions of divine tive grace. It is from this observation that I eat. power and wisdom in every object on which he casts not help being so passionate an admirer as I am of his eye. The Supreme Being has made the best ar. good dancing. As all art is an imitation of nature, guments for his own existeuce, in the formation of this is an imitation of nature in its bigbest excellentes, the heavens and the earth; and these are argu- and at a time when she is most agreeable. The ments which a man of sense cannot forbear attend. business of dancing is to display beauty; and in ing to, who is out of the noise and burry of human that reason all distortions and mimicries, as such, affairs. Aristotle says, that should a man live under are what raise aversion instead of pleasure ; bat ground, and there converse with works of art and things that are in themselves excellent, are ever atmechanism, and should afterward be brought up tended with imposture and false imitation. Thus, into the open day, and see the several glories of the as in poetry there are labouring fools who write andheaven and earth, he would immediately pronounce grams and acrostics, there are pretenders in dancing, them the works of such a Being as we define God who think merely to do what others cannot, is to to be. The psalmist bas very beautiful strokes of excel. Such creatures should be rewarded like him poetry to this purpose, in that exalted strain : “ The who had acquired a knack of throwing a grais of heavens declare the glory of God; and the firma- corn through the eye of a needle, with a busbel 10 ment sheweth his handy-work. One day telleth keep his hands in use. The dancers on our stage another; and one night certifieth another. There is are very faulty in this kind; and what they mean neither speech nor language ; but their voices are by writhing themselves into sueb postures, as it heard among them. Their sound is gone out into all would be a pain for any of the spectators to stand in, lands; and their words into the ends of the world." and yet hope to please those spectators, is uninted As such a bold and sublime manner of thinking fur-ligible. Mr. Prince has a genius, if he were eo 'nishes very noble matter for an ode, the reader may couraged, would prompt him to better things la tee it wrought into the following one :

all the dances he invents, you see he keeps close to I.

the characters he represents. He does not hope to The spacious firmament on high,

please by making his performers move in a manger With all the blue ethereal sky,

in which no one else ever did, but by motions proper And spangled heavens, a shining frame,

to the characters he représents. He giớes to cloros Their great Original proclaim: Th’unwearied sun, from day to day,

and lubbards clumsy graces; that is, he makes them Does his Creator's power display,

practise what they would think graces; and I have And publishes to every land

seen dances of his, which might give hints that would The work of an Almighty hand.

be useful to a comic writer. These performance

have pleased the taste of such as bave not reflectwa Soon as the evening shades prevail,

enough to know their excellence, because they are

in nature; and the distorted motions of others have And nightly to the listining earth Repeats the story of her birth :

offended those who could not form reasons to thens. Whilst all the stars that round her burn,

selves for their displeasure, from their being a conAnd all the planets in their turn,

tradiction to nature.
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.

When one considers the inexpressible advantage

there is in arriving at some excellence in this art, III.

is monstrous to behold it so much neglected. The What though, in solemn silence all

following letter has in it something very natural 01 What though no real voice nor sound

this subject :-
In reason's ear they all rejoice,

“ MR. SPECTATOR,
And utter forth a glorious voice;
For ever singing as they shine,

"I am a widower with but one daughter : she was ** The Hand that made us is divine."

by nature much inclined to be a romp; and I had C.

no way of educating her, but commanding a young

woman, whom I entertained, to take care of her, 19 No. 466.] MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1712.

be very watchful in her care and attendance about

her. I am a man of business, and obliged to be Vera incessu patuit dea.-VIRG. Æn. í. 409. much abroad. The neighbours have told me, that And by lier graceful walk the queen of love is known. in my absence our maid has let in the spruce ser

vants in the neighbourhood to junketings, while wy When Æneas, the hero of Virgil, is lost in the girl played and romped even in the street. To tell wood, and a perfect stranger in the place on which you the plain truth, I catched her once, at eleven he is landed, he is accosted by a lady in a habit for years old, at chuck-farthing among the boys. This the chase. She inquires of him, whether he has seen put me upon new thoughts about my child

, and pass by that way any young woman dressed as she determined to place her at a boarding schoel; and was? whether she were following the sport in the at the same time gave a very discreet young gentle wood, or any other way employed, according to the woman her maintenance at the same place and rate, custom of huntresses ?' The hero answers with the to be her companion. I took little notice of my girl respect due to the beautiful appearance she made ; from time to time, but saw her now and then in good tells her he saw po such person as she inquired for; health, out of harm's way, and was satisfied. But, but intimates that he knows her to be of the deities, by much importunity, I was lately prevailed with and desires she would conduct a stranger. Her form, to go to one of their balls. I cannot express to you from her first appearance, manifested she was more the anxiety my silly heart was in, when I set my han mortal, but, though she was certainly a god. romp, now tifteen, taken out: I never felt the panga dess. the poet does not make her known to be the of a father upon me so strongly in my whole life,

II.

The moon takes up the wondrous tale,

Move round the dark terrestrial ball ?

Amid their radiant orbs be found?

DRYDEN.

before, and I could not have suffered more had my so silliiy, that while she dances you see the simplelon whole fortune been at stake. My girl came og with the from head to foot. For you must know (as trivial most becoming modesty I had ever seen, and casting as this art is thought to be), no one ever was a good respectful eye, as if she feared me more tban ali dancer ibat bad not a good uuderstanding. It this the audience, I gave a nod, which I think gave her be a truth, I shall leave the reader to judge, from all the spirit she assumed upon it: but she rose pro- that maxim, what esteem they ought to have for such perly to that dignity of aspect. My romp, now the impertinents as tly, hop, caper, tamble, twirl, iura neost graceful person of her sex, assumed a majesty, round, and jump over their heads; and, in a word, Which commanded the highest respect; and when play a thousand pranks which many animals, cau do she turned to me, and saw my face in rapture, she better than a man, instead of performing to perfecfell into the prettiest smile, and I saw in all her mo- tion what the human figure only, is capable of per(ions that she exulted in her father's satisfaction. forming.

You, Mr. Spectator, will, better than I can tell you, It may perhaps appear odd, that I, who set up for se imagine to yourself all the different beauties and a mighty lover, at least, of virtue, should take so

changes of aspect in an accomplished young woman, much pains to recommend what the soberer part of on setting forth all her beauties with a design to please mankind look upon to be a trifle; but, under favour

no one so much as her father. My girl's lover can of the soberer part of mankind, I think they have Bever know half the satisfaction that I did in her not enough cousidered this matter, and for that reathat day. I could not possibly have imagined that son only disesteem it. I must also, in my own jusso great improvement could have been wrought by tification, say, that I attempt to bring into the seran art Ibat I always held in itself ridiculous and vice of honour and virtue every thing in nature that contemptible. There is, I am convinced, no method can pretend to give elegant deligbt. It may poslike this

, to vive young women a sense of their sibly be proved, that vice is in itself destructive of Orn value and dignity; and I am sure there can be pleasure, and virtue in itself conducive to it. If the none so expeditious to communicate that value to delights of a free fortune were under proper regulaubers. As for the flippant, insipidly gay, and wan. tions, this truth would not want much argument to wouly forward, whom you behold among dancers, support it; but it would be obvious to every man, that carriage is more to be attributed to the perverse that there is a strict affinity between all things that gebius of the performers, than imputed to the art it. are truly laudable and beautiful, from the highest r. Por my part, my child has danced herself into sentiment of the soul to the most indifferent gesture or esteem; and I have as great an honour for her of the body.-T, Is ever I had for her mother, from whom she derived those latent good qualities which appeared in her countenance when she was dancing; for my girl,

No. 467.) TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1712. though I say it myself, showed one quarter of an

Quodcunque meæ poterunt audere Camænr. huer the innate principles of a modest virgin, a ten

Seu tibi par poterunt; seu, quod spes abnuit, ultra;

Sive minus; certequre canent mmus; omne vovemus der wile, a generous friend, a kind mother, and an Hoc tubí: ne tanto careal mibi nomine charta. todulyedt mistress. Pil strain hard but I will pur

TIBULL. ad Messalam, I Eleg. iv. 24. base for ber a husband suitable to her meril. I am Whate'er my Muse adventurous dares indite, your convert in the admiration of what I thought

Whether the mceness of thy piercing sight

Applaud my lays, or censure what I write Tou jested when you recommended; and if you please To thee 1 sing, and hope to borrow fame, to be at my house on Thursday next, I make a ball By adding to my page Messala's name. for my daughter, and you shall see her dance, or, if The love of praise is a passion deeply fixed in the you will do ber that bönour, dance with her. mind of every extraordinary person ; and those who I am, Sir, your humble Servant, are most affected with it seem most to partake of - PhiloPATER.”

that particle of the divinity which distinguishes nianI have some time ago spoken of a treatise written kind from the inferior creation. The Supreme Beby Mr. Weaver on this subject, which is now,

ing himself is most pleased with praise and thanksderstand, ready to be published. This work sets this giving: the other part of our duty is but an acknow

after in a very plain and advantageous light; and ledgment of our faults, whilst this is the immediate I am convinced from it, that if the art was under adoration of his perfections. Twas an excellent proper regulations, it would be a mechanic way of observation, that we then only despise commendaraplanung insensibly, in minds not capable of re- tion when we cease to deserve it; and we have still teising it a well by any other rules, a sense of good- extant two orations of Tully and Pliny, spoken to breeding and virtue.

the greatest and best princes of all the Roman emWere any one to see Mariamne* dance, let him perors, who, no doubt, beard with the greatest satiste neser so sensual a brute, I defy him to entertain faction, what even the most disinterested

persons, any thoughts but of the highest respect and esteem and at so large a distance of time, cannot read with towards her. I was showed last week a picture in out admiration. Cæsar thought his life consisted in a lady's closet, for which she had a hundred diffe- the breath of praise, when he professed he had lived rent dresses, that she could clap on round the face long enough for himself

, when he had for his glory. u perpose to demonstrate the force of habits in the Others have sacrificed themselves for a name which diversity of the same countenance. Motion, and was not to begin till they were dead, giving away change of posture and aspect, has an effect no less themselves to purchase a sound which

was not to surprising on the person of Mariamne when she commence till they were out of hearing. But by dances.

merit and superior excellences, not only to gain, Chloe is extremely pretty, and as silly as she is but, whilst living, to enjoy a great and universal petty. This idiot has a very good ear, and a most reputation, is the last degree of happiness which we agreeable shape; but the folly of the thing is such, can hope for here. Bal characters are dispersed that it suiles so impertinently, and affects to please abroad with confusion, I hope for example sake, ani

(as punishments are designed by the civil power) Probably Mrs. Backnell.

more for the deterring the innocent than the chas

a

a

I un

tising the guilty. The good are less frequent, when ing parties. Vis his peculiar happiness that, #hule ther it be that there are indeed fewer originals of he espouses neither will an intemperate zeat, he is this kind to copy after, or that, through the malig- not only adniired, but, what is a more rare and upnity of our nature, we rather delight in the ridicule usual felicity, he is beloved and caressed by both; than the virtues we find in others. However, it is and I never yet saw any person, of whatever age or but just, as well as pleasing, even for variety, some-sex, but was immediately struck with the merit of times to give the world a representation of the Manilius. There are many who are acceptable to bright side of human nature, as well as the dark and some particular persons, whilst the rest of mankind gloomy. The desire of imitation may, perhaps, be look upon them with coldness and indifference; but a greater incentive to the practice of what is good, be is the first whose entire good fortune it is ever to than the aversion we may conceive at what is blame- please and to be pleased, wberever he comes to be able: the one immediately directs you what you admired, and wherever he is absent to be lamented. should do, whilst the other only shows what you His merit fares like the pictures of Raphael, which should avoid; and I cannot at present do this with are either seen with admiration by all, or at least by more satisfaction, than by endeavouring to do some one dare own that he has no taste for a composition justice to the character of Manilius.

which has received so universal an applause. Eory It would far exceed my present design, to give a and malice find it against their interest to indulge particular description of Nanilius through all the slander and obloquy. "Tis as hard for an enemy in parts of his excellent life. I shall now only draw detract from, as for a friend to add to, his praise him in his retirement, and pass over in silence the An attempt upon his reputation is a sure lessenang various arts, the courtly manners, and the undesign- of one's own; and there is but one way to injure ing honcsty by which he attained the honours he him, which is to refuse him bis just comtuendauons, has enjoyed, and which now give a dignity and ve- and be obstinately silent. neration to the ease he does enjoy. "Tis here that It is below him to catch the sight with any care of

a he looks back with pleasure on the waves and billows dress; his outward garb is but the emblem of bis through which he has steered to so fair a haven : he mind. It is genteel, plain, and unaffected; he is now intent upon the practice of every virtue, knows that gold and embroidery can add nothing which a great knowledge and use of mankind has to the opinion which all have ot his merit

, and that discovered to be the most useful to them. Thus in he gives a lustre to the plainest dress, whilst 'tişimhis private domestic employments he is no less glo- possible the richest should communicate any to bim, rious than in his public; for it is in reality a more He is still the principal figure in the room. He first difficult task to be conspicuous in a sedentary inac- engages your eye, as if there were some point of tive life, than in one that is spent in hurry and light which shone stronger upon him than 90 any business: persons engaged in the latter, like bodies other person. vivlently agitated, from the swiftness of their motion He puts me in mind of a story of the famous Bussy have a brightness added to them, which often va- d'Amboise, who, at an assembly at court, where nishes when they are at rest; but if it then still re-every one appeared with the utmost magnificence, main, it must be the seeds of intrinsic worth that relying on his own superior behaviour, instead of thus shine out without any foreign aid or assistance. adorning himself like the rest, put on that day

His liberality in another might almost bear the plain suit of clothes, and dressed all his servants in name of profusion; he seems to think it laudable the most costly gay habits he could procure. The even in the excess, like that river which most en event was, that the eyes of the whole court were riches when it overflows.* But Manilius has too fixed upon him; all the rest looked like his attendperfect a taste of the pleasure of doing good ever to ants, while he alone had the air of a person of quality let it be out of his power; and for that reason he and distinction. will have a just economy and a splendid frugality at Like Aristippus, whatever shape or conditiou be home, the fountain from whence those streams should appears in, it still sits free and easy upon himn; but How which he disperses abroad. He looks with dis- in some part of his character, 'tis true, he diden dain on those who propose their death as the time from him; for as he is altogether equal to the large when they are to begin their munificence; he will dess of his present circumstances, the rectitude of both see and enjoy (which he then does in the high-his judgment has so far corrected the inclinations of est degree) what he bestows himself; he will be the his ambition, that he will not trouble himself with living executor of his own bounty, whilst they who either the desires or pursuits of any thing beyond his have the happiness to be within his care and patron- present enjoyments. age at once pray for the continuation of his life and A thousand obliging things Aow from him upon their own good fortune. No one is out of the reach every occasion; and they were always so just and of his obligations; he knows how, by proper and be- natural, that it is impossible to think he was at the coming methods, to raise himself to a level with least pains to look for thein. One would think it those of the highest rank; and his good-nature is a was the demon of good thoughts that discovered to sufficient warrant against the want of those who are him those treasures, which he must have blinded so unhappy as to be in the very lowest. One may others from seeing, they lay so directly in their way, say of him, as Pindar bids his Muse say of Theron,' Nothing can equal the pleasure that is taken in Swear that Theron sure has sworn

bearing him speak, but the satisfaction one receiver No ope near him should be poor.

in the civility and attention he pays to the discusse Swear that none ever had such graceful art,

of others. His looks are a silent cominendation of Fortune's free gifts of freely to iinpart,

what is good and praise worthy, and a secret reproof With an unensious hand, and au unbounded heart.

to what is licentious and extravagant. lle knows Never did Atticus succeed better in gaining the how to appear free and open without danger of inuniversal love and esteen of all men; nor steer

with trusion, and to be cautious without seeming reserved. more success between the extremes of two contend- The gravity of bis conversation is always enliveued

with his wit and humour, and the gaiety of it is tempered with something that is instructive, as well as

The Nile.

a

berely agreeable. Thus, with him you are sure not not how oft. Where be your gibes now ? your gamto be merry at the expense of your reason, nor se- bols? your songs ? your Aashes of merriment, that rious with the loss of your good-humour; but, by a were wont to set the table on a roar? not one now bappy mixtare of his temper, they either go together, to mock your own grinning ? quite chap-fallen ? Now ur perpetually succeed each other. la fine, his get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her wbole behaviour is equally distant from constraint paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come. and negligence, and he commands your respect Make her laugh at that.” wbilst he gains your heart.

It is an insolence natural to the wealthy, to affix, There is in his whole carriage such an engaging as much as in them lies, the character of a man lo softness, that one cannot persuade one's self he is his circumstances. Thus it is ordinary with them to ever actuated by those rougher passions, which, praise faintly the good qualities of those below them, wherever they find place, seldom fail of showing and say, It is very extraordinary in such a man as themselves in the outward demeanour of the person he is, or the like, when they are forced to acknowthey belong to; but his constitution is a just tem- ledge the value of him whose lowness upbraids their perature between indolence on one hand, and vio- exaltation. It is to this humour only, that it is to lence on the other. He is mild and gentle, where be ascribed, that a quick wit in conversation, a nice ever his affairs will give him leave to follow his own judgment upon any emergency that could arise, aud inclinations; but yet never failing to exert himself a most blameless inoffensive behaviour, could not with vigour and resolution in the service of his raise this man above being received only upon the prince, his country, or his friend.-2.

foot of contributing to mirth and diversion. But he was as easy under that condition, as a man of so ex

cellent talents was capable; and since they would N0,468.) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1712. all the seeming alacrity imaginable, though it stung,

have it, that to divert was his business, he did it with Erdi homo ingeriosus, aeutis, acer, et qui plurimum et salis him to the heart that it was his business. Meu of haberet et fellis, nec funduris minusc-Puis Epist.

sense, who could taste his excellences, were well saHe was aa ingenious, pleasant rellow, and one who had a great tisfied to let him lead the way in conversation, and

deal of wit and satire, with an equal share of good-humour. play after his own manner; but fools, who provoked My papier is, in a kind, a letter of news, but it re-himn to mimicry, found he had the indignation to let gards Father what passes in the world of conversa- it be at their expense who called for it, and he would tion than that of business. I am very sorry that I show the form of conceited heavy fellows as jests to have at present a circumstance before me, which is the company at their own request, in revenge for inof very great importance to all who have a relish for terrupting him from being a companion to put on gaiety, wit, mirth, or humour; I mean the death of the character of a jester. poor Dick Esteourt. I have been obliged to him for What was peculiarly excellent in this memorable * many hours of jollity, that it is but a small re- companion was, that in the accounts he gave of perempense, though all I can give him, to pass a mo- sons and sentiments, he did not only hit the figure of ment or two in sadness for the loss of so agreeable a their faces, and inanner of their gestures, but he would man. Poor Estcourt! the last time I saw him, we in his narrations fall into their very way of thinkwere plotting to show the town his great capacity ing, and this when he recounted passages wherein for acting in its full light, by introducing him as dic.. men of the best wit were concerned, as well as such tating to a set of young players, in what manner to wherein were represented men of the lowest rank of speak this sentence, and utter the other passion. He understanding. It is certainly as great an instance bad so exquisite a discerning of what was defective of self-love to a weakness, to be impatient of being in any object before him, that in an instant he could mimicked, as any can be imagined. There were show you the ridiculous side of what would pass for none but the vain, the formal, the proud, or those beautiful and just, even to men of no ill judgment, who were incapable of amending their faults, that before he had pointed at the failure. He was no dreaded him; to others he was in the highest degree less skilful in the knowledge of beauty; and I dare pleasing ; and I do not know any satisfactiou of say, there is no one who knew him well, but can re- any indifferent kind I ever tasted so much, as have peat more well-turned compliments, as well as smart ing got over an impatience of my seeing myself in Tepartees of Mr. Estcourt's, than of any other man the air he could put me when I have displeased him. in England. This was easily to be observed in his It is indeed to his exquisite talent this way, more inimitable faculty of telling a story, in which he than any philosophy I could read on the subject, would throw in natural and unexpected incidents to that my person is very little of my care, and it is intake his court to one part, and rally the other part different to me what is said of my shape, my air

, my of the company. Then he would vary the usage he manner, my speech, or my address. It is to poor gave them, according as he saw them bear kind or Estcourt I chiefly owe that I am arrived at the hapsharp language. He had the knack to raise up a piness of thinking nothing a diminution to me, but pensive temper, and mortify an impertinently gay what argues a depravity of my will. Che, with the most agreeable skill imaginable. There It has as much surprised me as any thing in naare a thousand things which crowd into my memory, cure, to have it frequently said, that he was not a which make me too much concerned to tell on about good player : but that must be owing to a partiality bine. Hamlet holding up the skull which the grave- for former actors in the parts in which he succeeded digger threw to him, with an account that it was the them, and judging by comparison of what was liked brad of the king's jester, falls into very pleasing before, rather than by the nature of the thing. When reflections, and cries out to his companion, “ Alas, a man of his wit and smartness could put on an utter

or Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of in-absence of common sense in his face, as he did in knite jest, of most exquisite fancy; he hath borne the character of Bulltinch in the Northern Luss

, and ne 13 kes back a thousand times: and now how ab- an air of insipid cunning and vivacity in the chaborteil in my imagination it is! my gorge rises atracter of Pounce in the Tender Husbarid, it is folly * Here bang those lips that I have kissed I kuow to dispute his capacity and success, as he was an actor.

us.

a

Poor Estcourt ! let the vain and proud be at rest, passion and benevolence, than their superiors thersthou wilt no more disturb their admiration of their selves. These men know every little case that is to dear selves; and thou art no longer to drudge in come before the great man, and, if they are posraising the mirth of stupids, who know nothing of sessed with honest minds, will consider poverty as thy merit, for thy maintenance.

a recommendation in the person who applies him'It is natural for the generality of mankind to run self to them, and make the justice of his cause the into reflections upon our mortality, when disturbers most powerful solicitor in his behall. A man of this of the world are laid at rest, but to take no notice temper, when he is in a post of business, becomes a when they who can please and divert are pulled from blessing to the public. He "patronizes the orphan

But for my part, I cannot but think the loss of and the widow, assists the friendless, and guides the such talents, as the man of whom I am speaking ignorant. He does not reject the person's preten. was master of, a more melancholy instance of morsions, who does not know how to explain them, or tality than the dissolution of persons of never so high refuse doing a good office for a man because he cancharacters in the world, whose pretensions were that not pay the fee of it. In short, though be regulates they were noisy and mischievous.

himself in all his proceedings by justice and equity

, But I must grow more succinct, and, as a Spec- he finds a thousand occasions for ali the good.na. tator, give an account of this extraordinary man, lured offices of generosity and compassion. who, in his way, never had an equal in any age be- A man is unfit for such a place of trust, who is of fore him, or in that wherein he lived. I speak of a sour untractable nature, or has any other passiou him as a companion, and a man qualified for con- that makes him uneasy to those who approach bin. versation. His fortune exposed him to an obsequi- Roughness of temper is apt to discountenaúce the ousness towards the worst sort of company, but his timorous or modest. The proud man disocurages excellent qualities rendered him capable of making those from approaching him, who are of a meas the best figure in the most refined. I have been condition, and who inost want his assistance. The present with bim among men of the most delicate impatient man will not give himself time to be in. taste a whole night, and have known him (for he formed of the matter that lies before him. An offisaw it was desired) keep the discourse to himself the cer, with one or more of these unbecoming qualities

, most part of it, and maintain his good-humour with is sometimes looked upon as a proper person to keep à countenance, in a language so delightful, without off impertinence and solicitation from his superior; offence to any person or thing upon earth, still pre- but this is a kind of merit that can never atone for serving the distance his circumstances obliged him injustice which may very often arise from it. to; I say, I have seen him do all this in such a There are two other vicious qualities which rescharming manner, that I am sure none of those Ider a man very unfit for such a place of trust. The hint at will read this without giving him some sor- first of these is a dilatory temper, which commits row for their abundant mirth, and one gush of tears innumerable cruelties without design. The maxim for so many bursts of laughter. I wish it were any which several have laid down for a man's conduct honour to the pleasant creature's memory, that my in ordinary life, should be inviolable with a man in eyes are too much suffused to let me go on-.T. office, never to think of doing that to-morrow which The following severe passage in this number of the ought to be done, is guilty of injustice so-long as

may be done to-day. A man who defers doing what Spectator in folio, apparently levelled at_Dr. Radcliffe, was he defers it. The dispatch of a good office is very sáppressed in all the subsequent editions :

Ii is a felicity his friends may rejoice in, that he had his often as beneficial to the solicitor as the good ofice senses, and used them as he ought to do, in his last moments

. itself. In short, if a man compared the inconre. It is remarkable that his judgment was in its calm perfection niences which another suffers by his delays, with to the utmost article : for when his wise, out of her fondness, desired she might send for a certain illiterate humorist (whom the trifling motives and advantages which he himhe had accompanied in a thousand mirthful moments, and self may reap by such a delay, he would never be merit), he answered, “ Do what you please, but he will not be prejudice to the person who depends upon him, whose insolence makes fools think he assumes from conscious guilty of a fault which very often does an irreparacome near me." Let poor Estcourt's negligence about this - mersage convince the unwary of a triumphant empiric's igno- and which might be remedied with little trouble to rance and inhumanity.

himself.

But in the last place there is no man so improper No. 469.] THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 1712.

to be employed in business, as be who is in any de

gree capable of corruption; and such a one is the Detrahere aliquid alteri, et hominem hominis incommodo man who, upon any pretence whatsoever, receives suum augere commodum, magis est contra naturam quam more than what

is the stated and unquestioned fee mors, quam paupertas, quam dolor, quam cætera quæ pos- of his office. Gratifications, tokens of thankfulness,

sunt aut corpori accidere, aut rebus externis.--Tull. To detract any thing from another, and for one man to muli.

dispatch-money, and the like spacions terms, are ply his own conveniences by the inconveniences of another, the pretences under which corruption very frequently is more against nature than death, than poverty, than pain: shelters itself. An honest mar: will, howerer, look and the other things which can befal the body, or external on all these methods as unjustifiable, and will enjoy

himself better in a moderate fortune that is gainel I am persuaded there are few men, of generous with honour and reputation, than in an overgtun principles, who would seek after great places, were state that is cankered with the acquisitious* it not rather to have an opportunity in their hands rapine and exaction. Were all our offices dis of obliging their particular friends, or those whom charged with such an inflexible integrity, we should they look upon as men of worth, than to procure not see men in all ages, who grow up to espre wealth and honour for themselves. To an honest bitant wealth, with the abilities which are to be mind, the best perquisites of a place are the ad- met with in an ordinary mechanic. I cannot but vantages it gives a man of doing good.

think that such a corruption proceeds chiefly from Those who are under the great officers of state, men's employing the first that offer theinselves, or and are the instruments by which they act, have those who have the character of shrewd worldly mure frequent opportunities for the exercise of com- men, instead of searching out such as have bad a

circumstances,