The Spectator [by J. Addison and others]; with notes, and a general index

me more like a dog than any woman I ever made advances to.' This way of talking of his very much enlivens the conversation among us of a more sedate turn; and I find there is not one of the company, but myself, who rarely speak at all, but speaks of him as of that sort of man, who is usually called a well-bred fine gentleman. To conclude his character, where women are not concerned, he is an honest worthy man.

I cannot tell whether I am to account him, whom I am next to speak of, as one of our company; for he visits us but seldom, but when he does, it adds to every man else a new enjoyment of himself. He is a clergyman, a very philosophic man, of general learning, great sanctity of life, and the most exact good breeding. He has the misfortune to be of a very weak constitution, and consequently cannot accept of such cares and business as preferments in his function would oblige him to; he is therefore among divines, what a chamber-counsellor is among lawyers, The probity of his mind, and the integrity of his life, create him followers, as being eloquent or loud advances others. He seldom introduces the subject he speaks upon; but we are so far gone in years, that he observes when he is among us, an earnestness to have him fall on some divine topic, which he always treats with much authority, as one who has no interests in this world, as one who is hastening to the object of all his wishes, and conceives hope from his decays and infirmities. These are my ordinary companions.

STEELE *.

What studies please, what most delight, And fill men's thoughts, they dream them o'er at night. CREECH.

IN one of my late rambles, or rather speculations, I looked into the great hall where the Bank is kept, and was not a little pleased to see the directors, secretaries, and clerks, with all the other members of that wealthy corporation, ranged in their several stations, according to the parts they act in that just and regular economy. This revived in my memory the many discourses which I had both read and heard, concerning the decay of public credit, with the methods of restoring it, and which, in my opinion, have always been defective, because they have always been made with an eye to separate interests, and party principles.

were hung with many acts of parliament written in golden letters. At the upper end of the ball was the magna charta, with the act of uniformity on the right hand, and the act of toleration on the left. At the lower end of the hall was the act of settlement, which was placed full in the eye of the virgin that sat upon the throne. Both the sides of the hall were covered with such acts of parliament as had been made for the establishment of public funds. The lady seemed to set an unspeakable value upon these several pieces of furniture, insomuch that she often refreshed her eye with them, and often smiled with a secret pleasure, as she looked upon them; but, at the same time, showed a very particular uneasiness, if she saw any thing approaching that might hurt them. She appeared, indeed, infinitely timorous in all her behaviour: and whether it was from the delicacy of her constitution, or that she was troubled with the vapours, as I was afterwards told by one, who I found was none of her well-wishers, she changed colour, and startled at every thing she heard. She was likewise (as I afterwards found) a greater valetudinarian than any I had ever met with, even in her own sex, and subject to such momentary consumptions, that, in the twinkling of an eye, she would fall away from the most florid complexion, and most healthful state of body, and wither into a skeleton. Her recoveries were often as sudden as her decays, insomuch that she would revive in a moment out of a wasting distemper, into a habit of the highest health and vigour.

I had very soon an opportunity of observing these quick turns and changes in her constitution. There sat at her feet a couple of secretaries, who received every hour letters from all parts of the world, which the one or the other of them was perpetually reading to her; and according to the news she heard, to which she was exceedingly attentive, she changed colour, and discovered many symptoms of health or sickness,

Behind the throne was a prodigious heap of bags of money, which were piled upon one another so high that they touched the ceiling. The floor on her right hand, and on her left, was covered with vast sums of gold that rose up in pyramids on either side of her. But this I did not so much wonder at, when I heard, upon inquiry, that she had the same virtue in her touch, which the poets tell us a Lydian king was formerly possessed of; and that she could convert whatever she pleased into that precious metal.

After a little dizziness, and confused hurry of thought, which a man often meets with in a dream, methought the hall was alarmed, the doors flew open, and there entered half a dozen of the most

The thoughts of the day gave my mind employ-hideous phantoms that I had ever seen (even in a ment for the whole night, so that I fell insensibly into a kind of methodical dream, which disposed all my contemplations into a vision or allegory, or what else the reader shall please to call it.

Methought I returned to the great hall, where I had been the morning before, but to my surprise, instead of the company that I left there, I saw, towards the upper end of the hall, a beautiful virgin, seated on a throne of gold. Her name (as they told me) was Public Credit. The walls, instead of being adorned with pictures and maps, * His papers in the Spectator are signed either with an R, an L, or a T; which distinctions have been thus inter. preted: R (the initial of his christian name) is thought to mark the paper as of his own writing; L, perhaps, composed from hints dropped into the Letter-box; and T, his editorial mark, signifying Transcribed from anonymous communicelions.

dream) before that time. They came in two by two, though matched in the most dissociable manner, and mingled together in a kind of dance. It would be tedious to describe their habits and persons; for which reason I shall only inform my reader, that the first couple were Tyranny and Anarchy, the second were Bigotry and Atheism, the third the Genius of a commonwealth, and a young man of about twenty-two years of age *, whose name I could not learn. He had a sword in his right hand, which in the dance he often brandished at the act of settlement; and a citizen, who stood by me, whispered in my ear, that he saw a spunge in his left hand. The dance of so many jarring natures put me in mind of the sun, moon,

James Stuart, the pretended Prince of Wales.

selves way of life in which no man can rise suitably to bates his merit, who is not something of a courtier, as nows well as a soldier. I have heard him often lament, emos- that in a profession where merit is placed in so -ports conspicuous a view, impudence should get the for a better of modesty. When he has talked to this know purpose, I never heard him make a sour expression, s him but frankly confess that he left the world, because s few he was not fit for it. A strict honesty and an even y are regular behaviour, are in themselves obstacles to ste of him that must press through crowds, who endeavour n; he at the same end with himself, the favour of a comfami- mander. He will however, in his way of talk, , and excuse generals, for not disposing according to licate men's desert, or inquiring into it; for, says he, world. that great man who has a mind to help me, has as play many to break through to come at me, as I have passes to come at him; therefore he will conclude, that t, and the man who would make a figure, especially in a e has military way, must get over all false modesty, and at the assist his patron against the importunity of other For the pretenders, by a proper assurance in his own vinfor the dication. He says it is a civil cowardice to be backward in asserting what you ought to expect, ndrew as it is a military fear to be slow in attacking in the when it is your duty. With this candour does the ustry, gentleman speak of himself and others., The same otions frankness runs through all his conversation. The every military part of his life has furnished him with which many adventures, in the relation of which he is a rich very agreeable to the company; for he is never He is overbearing, though accustomed to command men and will in the utmost degree below him; nor ever ton obway to sequious, from an habit of obeying men bighly s to be above him.

argue,

But that our society may not appear a set of vated, humorists, unacquainted with the gallantries and nother, pleasures of the age, we have among us the gallant at dili- Will Honeycomb *, a gentleman who, according valour, to his years, should be in the decline of his life; an the but having ever been very careful of his person, axims, and always had a very easy fortune, time has made penny but very little impression, either by wrinkles on f good his forehead, or traces in his brain. His person is 1 scho- well turned, and of a good height. He is very fected ready at that sort of discourse with which men ves the usually entertain women. He has all his life dressed D. He very well, and remembers habits as others do men, t Eng- He can smile when one speaks to him, and laughs by as easily. He knows the history of every mode, and other can inform you from which of the French king's this of wenches our wives and daughters had this manner ss, but of curling their hair, that way of placing their hoods; whose frailty was covered by such a sort 's Cap- of petticoat, and whose vanity to show her foot

is one

e, good made that part of the dress so short in such a year. In a word, all his conversation and knowledge has y awk been in the female world. As other men of his rvation age will take notice to you what such a minister He was said upon such and such an occasion, he will tell If with you, when the Duke of Monmouth danced at court, d seve- such a woman was then smitten, another was taken is own, with him at the head of his troops in the Park, itted a In all these important relations, he has ever about the same time received a kind glance, or a blow of a fan, from some celebrated beauty, mother of pearance the present Lord Such-a-one. If you speak of a Mr. H. young commoner that said a lively thing in the 555) house, he starts up, He has good blood in his veins, Tom Mirabel begot him, the rogue cheated me in that affair, that young fellow's mother used

ave been

3 vols.

native of me, who

I sunk at

A Colonel Cleland is thought to have been alluded to under this character.

me more like a dog than any woman I ever made advances to. This way of talking of his very much enlivens the conversation among us of a more sedate turn; and I find there is not one of the company, but myself, who rarely speak at all, but speaks of him as of that sort of nian, who is usually called a well-bred fine gentleman. To conclude his character, where women are not concerned, he is an honest worthy man.

STEELE *.

What studies please, what most delight, And fill men's thoughts, they dream them o'er at night. CREECH.

were hung with many acts of parliament written in golden letters. At the upper end of the hall was the magna charta, with the act of uniformity on the right hand, and the act of toleration on the left. At the lower end of the hall was the act of settlement, which was placed full in the eye of the virgin that sat upon the throne. Both the sides of the hall were covered with such acts of parliament as had been made for the establishment of public funds. The lady seemed to set an unspeakable value upon these several pieces of furniture, insomuch that she often refreshed her eye with them, and often smiled with a secret pleasure, as she looked upon them; but, at the same time, showed a very particular uneasiness, if she saw any thing approaching that might hurt them. She appeared, indeed, infinitely timorous in all her behaviour: and whether it was from the delicacy of her constitution, or that she was troubled with the vapours, as I was afterwards told by one, who I found was none of her well-wishers, she changed colour, and startled at every thing she heard. She was likewise (as I afterwards found) a greater valetudinarian than any I had ever met with, even in her own sex, and subject to such momentary consumptions, that, in the twinkling of an eye, she would fall away from the most florid complexion, and most healthful state of body, and wither into a skeleton. Her recoveries were often as sudden as her decays, insomuch that she would revive in a moment out of a wasting distemper, into a babit of the highest health and vigour.

After a little dizziness, and confused hurry of thought, which a man often meets with in a dream, methought the hall was alarmed, the doors flew open, and there entered half a dozen of the most The thoughts of the day gave my mind employ-hideous phantoms that I had ever seen (even in a ment for the whole night, so that I fell insensibly into a kind of methodical dream, which disposed all my contemplations into a vision or allegory, or what else the reader shall please to call it.

dream) before that time. They came in two by two, though matched in the most dissociable manner, and mingled together in a kind of dance. It would be tedions to describe their habits and persons; for which reason I shall only inform my reader, that the first couple were Tyranny and Anarchy, the second were Bigotry and Atheism, the third the Genius of a commonwealth, and a young man of about twenty-two years of age *, whose name I could not learn. He had a sword in his right hand, which in the dance he often brandished at the act of settlement; and a citizen, who stood by me, whispered in my ear, that he saw a spunge in his left hand. The dance of so many jarring natures put me in mind of the sun, moon,

James Stuart, the pretended Prince of Wales.

nust

ther incapacity of others. These are mortals who have a certain curiosity without power of reflection, Deen and perused my papers like spectators rather than ave readers. But there is so little pleasure in inquiseen ries that so nearly concern ourselves (it being the worst way in the world to fame, to be too anxious Il in about it), that upon the whole I resolved for the future, to go on in my ordinary way; and without too much fear or hope about the business of reputation, to be very careful of the design of my actions, but very negligent of the consequences of. them.

ht.

91.

been

It is an endless and frivolous pursuit to act by any other rule, than the care of satisfying our own minds in what we do. One would think a silent ney- man, who concerned himself with no one breathking ing, should be very little liable to misinterpretanow tions; and yet I remember I was once taken up for a jesuit, for no other reason but my profound taciturnity. It is from this misfortune that, to be nade out of harm's way, I have ever since affected illed crowd. He who comes into assemblies only to and gratify his curiosity, and not to make a figure, enhich joys the pleasures of retirement in a more exquisite rom degree, than he possibly could in his closet; the the lover, the ambitious, and the miser, are followed , or thither by a worse crowd than any they can wither-in draw from. To be exempt from the passions with which others are tormented, is the only pleasing tion solitude. I can very justly say with the ancient Cene sage, I am never less alone than when alone.' tres, As I am insignificant to the company in public tions places, and as it is visible I do not come thither, as p of most do, to show myself, I gratify the vanity of all Li- who pretend to make an appearance, and have ese- often as kind looks from well-dressed gentlemen the and ladies, as a poet would bestow upon one of his the audience. There are so many gratifications attend ance this public sort of obscurity, that some little dismer tastes I daily receive have lost their anguish; and aper I did the other day, without the least displeasure,

my overhear one say of me, that strange fellow; and at I another answer, I have known the fellow's face these have twelve years, and so must you; but I believe you are if I the first ever asked who he was. There are, I must confess, many to whom my person is as well known as that of their nearest relations, who give themselves no further trouble about calling me by my name or quality, but speak of me very currently by the appellation of Mr. What d'ye call him.

To make up for these trivial disadvantages, I have the high satisfaction of beholding all nature with an unprejudiced eye; and having nothing to do with men's passions or interests, I can, with the greater sagacity, consider their talents, manners, orld, failings, and merits.

E but

ved

It is remarkable, that those who want any one =va-sense, possess the others with greater force and hree vivacity. Thus my want of, or rather resignation have of speech, gives me all the advantages of a dumb not man. I have, methinks, a more than ordinary pecers, netration in seeing; and flatter myself that I have lible looked into the highest and lowest of mankind; and make shrewd guesses, without being admitted anks to their conversation, at the inmost thoughts and reflections of all whom I behold. It is from hence that good or ill fortune has no manner of force towards affecting my judgment. I see men flourishing in courts, and languishing in jails, without but being prejudiced, from their circumstances, to their sola- favour or disadvantage; but, from their inward the manner of bearing their condition, often pity the prosperous, and admire the unhappy.

orn

I are

7. Jung

Those who converse with the dumb, know from

58.

the turn of their eyes, and the changes of their treat on matters which relate to females, as they countenance, their sentiments of the objects before are concerned to approach or fly from the other them. I have indulged my silence to such an ex-sex, or as they are tied to them by blood, interest, travagance, that the few who are intimate with me, or affection. Upon this occasion I think it but answer my smiles with concurrent sentences, and reasonable to declare, that whatever skill I may argue to the very point I shaked my head at, with-have in speculation, I shall never betray what the out my speaking. Will Honeycomb was very en- eyes of lovers say to each other in my presence. tertaining the other night at a play, to a gentleman At the same time I shall not think myself obliged who sat on his right hand, while I was at his left. by this promise to conceal any false protestations The gentleman believing Will was talking to him- which I observe made by glances in public assemself, when upon my looking with great approba- blies; but endeavour to make both sexes appear tion at a young thing in a box before us, he said, in their conduct what they are in their hearts. By I am quite of another opinion. She has, I will this means, love, during the time of my speculaallow, a very pleasing aspect, but, methinks, that tions, shall be carried on with the same sincerity simplicity in her countenance is rather childish as any other affair of less consideration. As this is than innocent.' When I observed her a second the greatest concern, men shall be from henceforth time, he said, 'I grant her dress is very becoming, liable to the greatest reproach for misbehaviour in but perhaps the merit of that choice is owing to it. Falsehood in love shall hereafter bear a blacker her mother; for though,' continued he, I allow a aspect than infidelity in friendship, or villany in beauty to be as much to be commended for the business. For this great and good end, all breaches elegance of her dress, as a wit for that of his lan- against that noble passion, the cement of society, guage; yet if she has stolen the colour of her ri- shall be severely examined. But this, and all other bands from another, or had advice about her trim- matters loosely hinted at now, and in my former mings, I shall not allow her the praise of dress, papers, shall have their proper place in my followany more than I would call a plagiary an author.'ing discourses. The present writing is only to adWhen I threw my eye towards the next woman monish the world, that they shall not find me an to her, Will spoke what I looked, according to his idle, but a busy Spectator. romantic imagination, in the following manner :

Behold, you who dare, that charming virgin; behold the beauty of her person chastised by the innocence of her thoughts. Chastity, good-nature, and affability, are the graces that play in her countenance; she knows she is handsome, but she knows she is good. Conscious beauty adorned with conscious virtue! What a spirit is there in those eyes! What a bloom in that person! How is the whole woman expressed in her appearance! Her air has the beauty of motion, and her look the force of language.'

It was prudence to turn away my eyes from this object, and therefore I turned them to the thoughtless creatures who make up the lump of that sex, and move a knowing eye no more than the portraiture of insignificant people by ordinary painters, which are but pictures of pictures.

Thus the working of my own mind is the general entertainment of my life; I never enter into the commerce of discourse with any but my particular friends, and not in public even with them. Such an habit has perhaps raised in me uncommon reflections; but this effect I cannot communicate but by my writings. As my pleasures are almost wholly confined to those of the sight, I take it for a peculiar happiness, that I have always had an easy and familiar admittance to the fair sex. If I never praised or flattered, I never belied or contradicted them. As these compose half the world, and are, by the just complaisance and gallantry of our nation, the more powerful part of our people, I shall dedicate a considerable share of these my speculations to their service, and shall lead the young through all the becoming duties of virginity, marriage, and widowhood. When it is a woman's day, in my works, I shall endeavour at a style and air suitable to their understanding. When I say this, I must be understood to mean, that I shall not lower but exalt the subjects I treat upon. Discourse for their entertainment, is not to be debased, but refined. A man may appear learned without talking sentences, as in his ordinary gesture he discovers he can dance, though he does not cut capers. In a word, I shall take it for the greatest glory of my work, if among reasonable women this paper may furnish tea-table talk. In order to it, I shall

STEELE.

N° 5. TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1710-11.

Spectatum admissi risum teneatis?

HOR. Ars Poet. ver. 5.

Admitted to the sight, would you not laugh?

AN opera may be allowed to be extravagantly lavish in its decorations, as its only design is to gratify the senses, and keep up an indolent attention in the audience. Common sense however requires, that there should be nothing in the scenes and machines which may appear childish and absurd. How would the wits of King Charles's time have laughed, to have seen Nicolini exposed to a tempest in robes of ermine, and sailing in an open boat upon a sea of pasteboard? What a field of raillery would they have been led into, had they been entertained with painted dragons spitting wild-fire, enchanted chariots drawn by Flanders mares, and real cascades in artificial landscapes ? A little skill in criticism would inform us, that shadows and realities ought not to be mixed together in the same piece; and that the scenes which are designed as the representations of nature should be filled with resemblances, and not with the things themselves. If one would represent a wide champaign country filled with herds and flocks, it would be ridiculous to draw the country only upon the scenes, and to crowd several parts of the stage with sheep and oxen. This is joining together inconsistencies, and making the decoration partly real, and partly imaginary. I would recommend what I have here said to the directors, as well as to the admirers, of our modern opera.

As I was walking in the streets about a fortnight ago, I saw an ordinary fellow carrying a cage full of little birds upon his shoulder; and, as I was wondering with myself what use he would put them to, he was met very luckily by an acquaintance, who had the same curiosity. Upon his asking him what he had upon his shoulder, he told him that he had been buying sparrows for the opera. Sparrows for the opera, says his friend, licking his lips,

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