be accounted for from the influence of the planet so little esteem, that they call her in their base style Mercury on this island; the ascendency of which a Tongue-Pad. Old True Penny bid me advise her Sharper over Sol, who is a patron of the muses and to keep her wit until she comes to town again, and all honest professions, has been noted by the learned admonish her, that both wit and breeding are local ; Job Gadbury, to be the cause, that cunning and for a fine court-lady is as awkward among country trick are more esteemed than art and science.' It house-wives, as one of them would appear in a drawmust be allowed also, to the memory of Mr. Partridge, ing-room. It is therefore the most useful knowledge late of Cecil-street in the Strand, that in his answer one can attain at, to understand among what sort of to an horary question, At what hour of the night to men we make the best figure; for there be a place set a fox-trap in June 1705 ? he has largely dis- where the beauteous and accomplished Emilia is unaccussed, under the character of Reynard, the manner ceptable, it is certainly a vain endeavour to attempt of surprising all Sharpers as well as him. But of pleasing in all conversations. Here is Will Ubi, who these great points, after more mature deliberation. is so thirsty after the reputation of a companion, that St. James's Coffee-house, August 17.

his company is for any body that will accept of it;

and for want of knowing whom to choose for himself, TO ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, ESQ.

is never chosen by others. There is a certain chas. Sir-We hare nothing at present new, but that tity of behaviour which makes a man desirable; and we understand by some Owlers, old people die in which if he transgresses, his wit will have the same France. Letters from Paris of the 10th instant, N. S. fate with Delia's beauty, which no one regards, say, that Monsieur d’Andre, Marquis d'Oraison, died because all know it is within their power. The best at eighty-five : Monsieur Brumars, at one hundred course Emilia can take is, to have less humility; for and two years, died for love of his wife, who was if she could have as good an opinion of herself for ninety-two at her death, after seventy years cohabi- having every quality, as some of her neighbours have tation. Nicholas de Boutheiller, parish-preacher at of themselves with one, she would inspire even them Sasseville, being a bachelor, held out to one hundred with a sense of her merit, and make that carriage, and sixteen. Dame Claude de Massy, relict of which is now the subject of their derision, the sole Monsieur Peter de Monceaux, grand audiencer of object of their imitation. Until she has arrived at this France, died on the serenteenth, aged one hundred value of herself, she must be contented with the fate and seven.

Letters of the seventeenth say, Monsieur of that uncommon creature, a woman too humble. Chrestien de Lamoignon died on the seventh instant,

White's Chocolate-house, August 19. a person of great piety and virtue ; but having died yonng, his age is concealed for reasons of state. On Since my last, I have received a letter from Tom the fifteenth, his most Christian Majesty, attended Trump, to desire that I would do the fraternity of by the Dauphin, the Duke of Burgundy, the Duke gamesters the justice to own, that there are notorious and Duchess of Berry, assisted at the procession Sharpers, who are not of their class. Among others, which he yearly performs in memory of a vow made he presented me with the picture of Harry Copperby Lewis the Thirteenth, in 1638. For which act of smith, in little, who, he says, is at this day worth piety, his Majesty received absolution of his confessor half a plumb, by means much more indirect than by for the breach of all inconrenient vows made by him- false dice. I must confess there appeared some self. I am, sir, your most humble servant,

reason in what he asserted ; and he met me since, • HUMPHREY KIDNEY.' and accosted me in the following manner : •It is

wonderful to me, Mr. Bickerstaff, that you can From my own Apartment, August 17.

pretend to be a man of penetration, and fall upon us I am to acknowledge several letters which I have Knights of the Industry as the wickedest of mortals, lately received; among others, one subscribed Philan- when there are so many who live in the constant thropos, another Emilia, both which shall be honoured. practice of baser methods, unobserved. You cannot, I have a third from an oflicer in the army, wherein though you know the story of myself and the North he desires I would do justice to the many gallant Briton, but allow I am an honester man than Will actions which have been done by men of private Coppersmith, for all his great credit among the characters, or officers of lower stations, during this Lombards. I get my money by men's follies, and he kong war; that their families may have the pleasure gets his by their distresses. The declining merchant of seeing we lived in an age, wherein men of all communicates his griefs to him, and he augments orders had their proper share in fame and glory. I them by extortion. "If, therefore, regard is to be had There is nothing I should undertake with greater to the merit of the persons we injure, who is the pleasure than matters of this kind ; if, therefore, they more blameable, he that oppresses an unhappy man, who are acquainted with such facts would please to

or he that cheats a foolish one ? All mankind are communicate them by letters, directed to me at indifferently liable to adverse strokes of fortune; and Mr. Morphew's, no pains should be spared to put he who adds to them, when he might relieve them, is them in a proper and distinguishing light.

certainly a worse subject, than he who unburdens a This is to admonish Stentor, that it was not admi- man whose prosperity is unwieldy to him. Besides Tation of his voice, but my publication of it, which all which, he that borrows of Coppersmith does it tas lately increased the number of his hearers. out of necessity; he that plays with me does it out

of choice.'

I allowed Trump there are men as bad as himself, No. 57.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1709.

which is the height of his pretensions; and must Will's Coffee-house, August 19.

confess, that Coppersmith is the most wicked and

impudent of all Sharpers; a creature that cheats with I was this evening representing a complaint sent credit, and is a robber in the habit of a friend. The me out of the country from Emilia. She says, her contemplation of this worthy person made me reflect neighbours there have so little sense of what a refined on the wonderful successes I have observed men of lady of the town is, that she, who was a celebrated the meanest capacities meet with in the world, and wit in London, is, in that dull part of the world, in recollect an observation I once heard a sage man make;

a

women.

which was, That he had observed, that in some before their natural: with this they weate something professions, the lower the understanding, the greater to cover their heads, which descends down half way the capacity. I remember, he instanced that of a their bodies, hides their features, and hinders you banker, and said, that the fewer appetites, passions, from knowing men by their faces. This nation has, and ideas a man had, he was the better for his besides this, their God and their king. The grandees business.'

go every day at a certain hour, to a temple they call a There is little Sir Tristram, without connection in church: at the upper end of that temple there stands his speech, or so much as common sense, has arrived an altar consecrated to their God, where the priest by his own natural parts at one of the greatest estates celebrates some mysteries which they call holy, sacred, amongst us. But honest Sir Tristram knows himself and tremendous. The great men make a vast circle to be but a repository for cash : he is just such a at the foot of the altar, standing with their backs to utensil as his iron chest, and may rather be said to the priest and the holy mysteries, and their faces hold money, than possess it. There is nothing so erected towards their king, who is seen on his knees pleasant as to be in the conversation of these wealthy upon a throne, and to whom they seem to direct the proficients. I had lately the honour to drink half-a- desires of their hearts, and all their devotion. Hor. pint with Sir Tristram, Harry Coppersmith, and ever, in this custom, there is to be remarked a sort Giles Twoshoes. These wags gave one another credit of subordination ; for the people appear adoring their in discourse, according to their purses; they jest by prince, and their prince adoring God. The inhabithe pound, and make answers as they honour bills. tants of this region call it It is from fortyWithout vanity, I thonght myself the prettiest fellow eight degrees of latitude, and more than elesen of the company; but I had no manner of power over hundred leagues by sea, from the Iroquois and one muscle in their faces, though they smirked at Hurons. every word spoken by each other. Sir Tristram called Letters from Hampstead say, there is a colcomb for a pipe of tobacco; and telling us tobacco was arrived there, of a kind which is utterly ner. The a pot-herb,' bid the drawer bring him the other half- fellow has courage, which he takes himself to be pint. Twoshoes laughed at the knight's wit without obliged to gire proofs of every hour he lives. He is moderation ; I took the liberty to say, it was but a ever fighting with the men, and contradicting the pun.' 'A pun!' said Coppersmith; you would be

A lady, who sent to me, superscribed him a better man by ten thousand pounds if you could with this description out of Suckling: pun like Sir Tristram.' With that they all burst out together. The queer curs maintained this style of

• I am a man of war and might, dialogue until we had drunk our quart a-piece, by

And know thus much, that I can fight

Whether I am i'th' wrong or right, half-pints. All I could bring away with me is, that Twoshoes is not worth twenty thousand pounds : for

Deroutly. his mirth, though he was as insipid as either of the

No woman under heaven I fear, others, had no more effect upon the company than

New oaths I can exactly swear: if he had been a bankrupt.

And sorty healths my brain will bear, From my own Apartment, August 19.

Most stoutly.' I have heard it has been advised by a diocesan to his inferior clergy, that instead of broaching opinions No. 58.] TUESDAY, ACGUST 23, 1709. of their own, and uttering doctrines which may lead themselves and hearers into error, they would read

White's Chocolate-house, August 22. some of the most celebrated sermons, printed by Poor Cynthio, who does me the honour to talk to others for the instruction of their congregations. In me now and then very freely of his most secret imitation of such preachers at second-hand, I shall thoughts, and tells me his most private frailties, transcribe from Bruyere one of the most elegant pieces owned to me, that though he is in his very prime er of raillery and satire which I have ever read. He life, love had killed all his desires, and he was not describes the French as if speaking of a people not as much to be trusted with a fine lady as if he were yet discovered, in the air and style of a traveller. eighty. * That one passion for Clarissa has takea

· I have heard talk of a country, where the old men up,' said he, my whole soul; and all my idle dames are gallant, polite, and civil: the young men, on the are extinguished, as you may observe ordinary fires contrary, stubborn, wild, without either manners or are often put out by the sunshine.' civility. They are free from passion for women, at This was a declaration not to be made but upes the age when in other countries they begin to the highest opinion of man's sincerity; yet as much feel it; and prefer beasts, victuals, and ridiculous a subject of raillery as such a speech would be, it is amours before them. Amongst these people, he is certain, that chastity is a nobler quality, and as much sober who is nerer drunk with any thing but wine; to be valued in men as in women. The mighty Scipio, the too frequent use of it having rendered it fiat who,' as Bluffe says in the comedy, ' was a pretty and insipid to them: they endeavour hy brandy, fellow in his time,' was of this mind, and is celebrated and other strong liquors to quicken their taste, for it by an author of good sense. When he livedl, already extinguished, and want nothing to complete wit, and humour, and raillery, and public success, their debauches, but to drink aqua-fortis. The were at as high a pitch at Rome, as at present in women of that country hasten the decay of their England; yet, I believe, there was no man in those beauty, by their artifices to preserve it: they paint days thought that General at all ridiculous in his their cheeks, eye-brows, and shoulders, which they behaviour in the following account of him. lay open, together with their breasts, arms, and ears, Scipio, at four-and-twenty years of age, lad obas if they were afraid to hide thote places which they tained a great victory; and a multitude of prisoners, think will please, and never think they show enough of each sex and all conditions, fell into his possession : of them. The physiognomies of the people of that among others, an agreeable virgin in her early bloom country are not at all neat, but confused and embar- and beauty. He had too sensible a spirit to see the rassed with a bundle of strange hair, which they prefer most lovely of all objects without being mored with

6

passion : besides which, there was no obligation of lantry, and rise the higher in our esteen, the farther honour or virtue to restrain his desires towards one they are removed from our imitation.' who was his by the fortune of war. But a noble indignation, and a sudden sorrow which appeared in

Will's Coffee-house, August 22. her countenance, when the conqueror cast his eyes A man would be apt to think, in this laughing upon her, raised his curiosity to know her story. He town, that it were impossible a thing so exploded as was informed, that she was a lady of the highest speaking hard words should be practised by any one condition in that country, and contracted to Indibilis, that had ever seen good company; but, as if there a man of merit and quality. The generous Roman were a standard in our minds as well as bodies, you soon placed himself in the condition of that unhappy see very many just where they were twenty years ago, man, who was to lose so charming a bride; and, and more they cannot, will not arrive at. Were it though a youth, a bachelor, a lover, and a conqueror, not thus, the noble Martius would not be the only immediately resolved to resign all the invitations of man in England whom nobody can understand, though his passion, and the rights of his power, to restore he talks more than any man else. her to her destined husband. With this purpose he Will Dactyle the epigrammatist, Jack Comma the eommanded her parents and relations, as well as her grammarian, Nick Gross-gain, who writes anagrams, husband, to attend hini at an appointed time. When and myself, made a pretty company at a correr of the they met, and were waiting for the general, my room ; and entered very peaceably upon a subject fit anthor frames to himself the different concern of an enough for us, which was, the examination of the unhappy father, å despairing lover, and a tender particle For, when Martius joined us. He, being mother, in the several persons who were so related well known to us all, asked what we were upon ? to the captive. But, for fear of injuring the delicate for he had a mind to consummate the happiness of circumstances with an old translation, I shall proceed the day, which had been spent amongst the stars of to tell you, that Scipio appears to them, and leads in the first magnitude among the men of letters; and, his prisoner into their presence. The Romans, as therefore, to put a period to it as he had commenced noble as they were, seemed to allow themselves a it, he should be glad to be allowed to participate of little too much triumph over the conquered; there- the pleasure of our society. I told him the subject. fore, as Scipio approached, they all threw themselves Faith, gentlemen,' said Martius, 'your subject is on their knees, except the lover of the lady: but humble; and if you will give me leave to elevate the Scipio observing in him a manly sullenness, was the conversation, I should humbly offer, that you would more inclined to favour him, and spoke to him in enlarge your enquiries to the word Por-as-much; for these words:

though I take it,' said he, 'to be but one word, yet • It is not the manner of the Romans to use all the participle Much implying quantity, the particle the power they justly may: we fight not to ravage As similitude, it will be greater, and more like ourcountries, or break through the ties of humanity. elves, to treat of For-as-much.' Jack Comma is am acquainted with your worth, and your interest in always serions, and answered, “Martius, I must take this lady: fortune has made me your master; but I the liberty to say, that you have fallen into all this desire to be your friend. This is your wife; take error and profuse manner of speech by a certain hurry her, and may the gods bless you with her! But far in your imagination, for want of being more esact in be it from Scipio to purchase a loose and momen- the knowledge of the parts of speech; and it is so tary pleasure at the rate of making an honest man with all men who have not well studied the particle unhappy.'

For. You have spoken For without making inIndibilis's heart was too full to make him any ference, which is the great use of that particle. answer ; but he threw himself at the feet of the There is no manner of force in your observation general, and wept aloud. The captive lady fell into of quantity and similitude in the syllables As and the same posture, and they both remained so, until | Much. But it is ever the fault of men of great wit the father burst into the following words : O divine to be incorrect; which evil they run into by an indisScipio! the gods have given you more than human creet use of the word For. Consider all the books of virtue, O glorious leader! O wondrous youth! does controversy which have been written, and I will ennot that obliged virgin give you, while she prays to gage you will observe, that all the debate lies in that the gods for your prosperity, and thinks you sent point, Whether they brought in For in a just manner ; down from them, raptures, above all the transports or forced it in for their own use, rather than as underwhich you could have reaped from the possession of standing the use of the word itself? There is nothing her injured person ?' The temperate Scipio answered like familiar instances : you have heard the story of him without much emotion, and saying, Father, be the Irishman who reading, Money for live hair, took a friend to Rome,' retired. An immense sum was a lodging, and expected to be paid for living at that offered as her ransom; but he sent it to her hus- house. If this man had known, For was in that place band, and smiling, said, “This is a trifle after what of a quite different signification to the particle To, he I have given bim already ; but let Indibilis know, could not have fallen into the mistake of taking Lire that chastity at my age is a much more difficult for what the Latins call Vivere, or rather Habitare.' virtue to practise than generosity.'

Martius seemed at a loss; and, admiring his proI observed Cynthio was very much taken with my found learning, wished he had been bred a scholar, narrative; but told me,' this was a virtue that would for he did not take the scope of his discourse. This bear but a very inconsiderable figure in our days.' wise debate, of which we had much more, made me However, I took the liberty to say, that we ought reflect upon the difference of their capacities, and not to lose our idea of things, though we had de- wonder there could be, as it were, a diversity in men's bauched our true relish in our practice ; for, after we genius for nonsense; that one should bluster, while have done laughing, solid virtue will keep its place another crept, in absurdities. Martius moves like a in men's opinions; and though custom made it not blind man, lifting his legs higher than the ordinary so scandalous as it ought to be, to ensnare innocent way of stepping; and Comma, like one who is only women, and triumph in the falsehood; such actions, short-sighted, picking his way when he should be as we have here related, must be accounted true gal- , marching on. Want of learning makes Martius a brisk entertaining fool, and gives him a full scope ; has kept the pack for many successions of hunting but that which Comma has, and calls learning, makes seasons. Actæon has long tracts of rich soil; but him diffident, and curbs his natural misunderstanding had the misfortune in his youth to fall under the to the great loss of the men of raillery. This conver- power of sorcery, and has been ever since, some parts sation confirmed me in the opinion, that learning of the year, a deer, and in some parts a man. While usually does but improve in us what nature endowed he is a man, such is the force of magic, he no sooner us with. He that wants good sense is unhappy in grows to such a bulk and fatness, but he is again having learning, for he has thereby only more ways of turne:l into a deer, and hunted until he is lean; upea exposing himself: and he that has sense knows that which he returns to his human shape. Many arts learuing is not knowledge, but rather the art of using it. have been tried, and many resolutions taken bę St. James's Coffee-house, August 22.

Actæon himself, to follow such methods as Fouli We hare undoubted intelligence of the defeat of break the enchantment ; but all have hitherto prored

ineffectual. I have therefore, by midnight watchings, the king of Sweden ; and that prince, who for some

and much care found out, that there is no way to years hall hovered like an approaching tempest, and

save him from the jaws of his hounds, but to destroy was looked up at by all the nations of Europe, which seemed to expect their site according to the course he the pack, which, by astrological prescience, I find i should take, is now, in all probability, an unhappy out my familiar, to bring me a list of all the places

am destined to perform. For which end, I hare sent exile, without the common necessaries of life. His where they are harboured, that I may know where to czarish majesty treats his prisoners with great gallantry and distinction. Count Rhensfeildt has had sound my horn, and bring them together, and take

an account of their haunts and their marks, against particular marks of his majesty's esteem, for his merit and services to his master; but Count Piper,

another opportunity. whom his majesty believes author of the most violent counsels into which his prince entered, is disarmed,

Will's Coffee-house, August 24. and entertained accordingly. That decisive battle was ended at nine in the morning; and all the Swedish the quotations he makes from the ancients, seems :

The author of the ensuing letter, ty his name, and generals dined with the czar that very day, and received assurances, that they should find Muscovy sort of spy from the old world, whom we moderns was not unacquainted with the laws of honour and ought to be careful of offending; therefore, I must be

free, and own it a fair hit where he takes me, rather umanity.

than disoblige him. No. 59.] THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1709.

“SIR, White's Chocolate-house, August 24.

• Having a peculiar humour of desiring to be someÆsop has gained to himself an immortal renown what the better or wiser for what I read, I am always for figuring the manners, desires, passions, and uneasy when, in any profound writer, for I read do interests of men, by fables of beasts and birds. I others, I happen to ineet with what I cannot undershall in my future accounts of our modern heroes and stand. When this falls out it is a great grievance wits, vulgarly called Sharpers, imitate the method of to me that I am not able to consult the author himthat delightfnl moralist; and think I cannot represent self about his meaning, for commentators are a sect those worthies more naturally than under the shadow that has little share in my esteem : your elaborate of a pack of dogs; for this set of men are, like them writings have, among many others, this advantage; made up of Finders, Lurchers, and Setters. Some that their author is still alive, and ready, as his search for the prey, others pursue, others take it; and extensive charity makes us expect, to explain whatif it be worth it, they all come in at the death, and ever may be found in them too sublime for vulgar worry the carcass. It would require a most exact understandings. This, sir, makes me presume to knowledge of the field and the harbours where the ask you, how the Hampstead hero's character could deer lie, lo recount all the revolutions in the chace. be perfectly new when the last letters came away,

But I am diverted from the train of my discourse and yet Sir John Suckling so well acquainted with it of the fraternity about this town, by letters from sixty years ago ? I hope, sir, you will not take this Hampstead, which give me an account, there is a late amiss : I can assure you, I have a profound respect institution there, under the name of a Raffling-shop; for you, which makes me write this with the same which is, it seems, secretly supported by a person who disposition with which Longinus bids us read Homer is a deep practitioner in the law, and out of tender- and Plato. When in reading, says he, any of those ness of conscience has, under the name of his maid celebrated authors, we meet with a passage to which Sisly, set up this easier way of conveyancing and we cannot well reconcile our reasons, we ought alienating estates from one family to another. He is firmly to believe, that were those great wits present 80 far from having an intelligence with the rest of the

to answer for themselves, we should, to our fonder, fraternity, that all the humbler cheats, who appear be convinced, that we only are guilty of the mistakes there, are outfaced by the partners in the bank, and that we before attributed to them. If you think fit driven off by the reflection of superior brass. This to remove the scruple that now torments me, it will notice is given to all the silly faces that pass that

be an encouragement to me to settle a frequent way, that they may not be decoyed in by the soft correspondence with you ; several things falling in allurement of a fine lady, who is the sign to the my way, which would not, perhaps, te altogether pageantry. At the same time, signior Hawksly, who foreign to your purpose, and whereon your thoughts is the patron of the household, is desired to leave off would be very acceptable to your most humble this interloping trade, or admit, as he ought to do, servant. the Knights of the Industry to their share in the

OBADIAN GREENRAT.' spoil. But this little matter is only by way of digression. Therefore, to return to our worthies.

I own this is clean, and Mr. Greenhat has conThe present race of terriers and hounds would vinced me that I have writ nonsonse, yet I am not at starve, were it not for the enchanted Actzon, who all offended at him.

his way.

event.

Scimus, et hanc veniam petimusque damnusque the earth which was taken out of them. The next vicissim, Hor, Ars. Poet. ver. xi. day at eight in the morning, when the French observed

we were relieving our trenches, they sprung a larger I own th' indulgence-Such I give and take. Francis, mine than any they had fired during the siege, which

This is the true art of raillery, when a man turns killed only four private centinels. The ensuing another into ridicule, and shows, at the same time, night, we had three men and two officers killed, as he is in good humour, and not urged on by malice also, seven men wounded. Between the twenty-fourth against the person he rallies. Obadiah Greenhat has and twenty-fifth, we repaired some works which the hit this very well : for, to make an apology to Isaac enemy had ruined. On the next day, some of the Bickerstaff, an unknown student and horary historian, enemy's magazines blew up; and it is thought they as well as astrologer, and with a grave face to say, were destroyer on purpose by some of their men, he speaks of him by the same rules with which he who are impatient of the hardships of the present would treat Homer or Plato, is to place him in com- service. There happened nothing remarkable for two pany where he cannot expect to make a figure; and or three days following. A deserter who came out make him flatter himself, that it is only being named of the citadel on the twenty-seventh, says the garriwith them which renders him most ridiculous. son is brought to the utmost necessity ; that their

I have not known, and I am now past my grand bread and water are both very bad : and they were climacteric, being sixty-four years of age, according reduced to eat horse-flesh. The manner of fighting in to my way of life; or, rather, if you will allow this siege has discovered a gallantry in our men punning in an old gentleman, according to my way unknown to former ages; their meeting with adverse of pastime; I say, as old as I am, I have not been parties under ground, where every step is taken with acquainted with many of the Green hats. There is apprehensions of being blown up with mines below indeed one Zedekiah Greenhat, who is lucky a.so in them, or crushed by the fall of the earth above then,

He has a very agreeable manner; for and all this acted in darkness, has something in it when he has a mind thoroughly to correct a man, he more terrible than ever is met with in any other part never takes from him any thing, but he allows him of a soldier's duty. However, this is performed with something for it; or else he blames him for things great cheerfulness. In other parts of the war we wherein he is not defective, as well as for matters have also good prospects; Count Thaun has taken wherein he is. This makes a weak man believe he Annecy, and the Count de Merci marched into is in jest in the whole. The other day he told Beau Franche Compte, while his electoral highness is Prim, who is thought impotent,' that his mistress much superior in number to Monsieur d'Harcourt; so had declared she would not have him, because he was that both on the side of Savoy and Germany, we a sloven, and had committed a rape.' The beau bit have reason to expect, very suddenly, some great at the banter, and said very gravely, he thought to be clean was as much as was necessary; and that as to the rape, he wondered by what witchcraft that should come to her ears ; bui it had indeed cost him No. 60.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1709. a hundred pounds to hush the affair.'

White's Chocolate-house, August 26. The Greenhats are a family with small voices and short arms, therefore they have power with none but To proceed regularly in the history of my worthies, their friends : they never call after those who run I ought to give an account of what has passed from away from them, or pretend to take hold of you if you day to day in this place; but a young fellow of my resist. But it has been remarkable, that all who acquaintance has so lately been rescued out of the have shunned their company, or not listened to them, hands of the Knights of the Industry, that I choose have fallen into the hands of such as have knocked to relate the manner of his escape from them, and out their brains, or broken their bones. I have the unconimon way which was used to reclaim him, looked over our pedigree upon the receipt of this then to go on with my intended diary. epistle, and find the Greenhats are a-kin to the Staff's. You are to know then, that Tom Wildair is a They descend from Maudlin, the left-handed wife of student of the Inner Temple, and has spent his time, Nehemiah Bickerstaff, in the reign of Harry the since he left the university for that place, in the Second. And it is remarkable, that they are all left- common diversions of men of fashion; that is to say, handed, and have always been very expert at single in whoring, drinking, and gaming. The two former rapier. A man must be very much used to their vices he had from his father; but was led into the play to know how to defend himself; for their posture last by the conversation of a partizan of the Myrmiis so different from that of the right-handed, that dons who had chambers near him. His allowance from you run upon their swords if you push forward : and his father was a very plentiful one for a man of sense, they are in with you, if you offer to fall back with but as scanty for a modern fine gentleman. His out keeping your guard.

frequent losses had reduced him to so necessitous a There have been, also, letters lately sent to me, condition, that his lodgings were always haunted by which relate to other people : among the rest, some impatient creditors; and all his thoughts employed whom I have heretofore declared to be so, are in contriving low methods to support himself in & deceased. I must not, therefore, break through way of life from which he knew not how to retreat, rules so far as to speak ill of the dead. This maxim and in which he wanted means to proceed. There extends to all but the late Partridge, who still denies is never wanting some good natured person to send his death. I am informed, indeed, by several, that a man an account of what he has no mind to hear; he walks ; but I shall with all convenient speed lay therefore many epistles were conveyed to the father him.

of this extravagant, to inform him of the company, St. James's Coffee-house, August 24.

the pleasures, the distresses, and entertainments, in

which his son passed his time. The old fellow We hear from Tournay, that on the night between received these advices with all the pain of a parent, the twenty-second and twenty-third, they went on but frequently consulted his pillow, to know how to with their works in the enemy's mines, and levelled ! behave himself on such important occasions, as the