forming the world by my speculations, when I find also were cleared of all encombrances and excres there always arise, from one generation to another, cences, he looked at the fish, then at the fiddle, still successive cheats and bubbles, as naturally as beasts grubbing in bis pockets, and casting his eye again of prey, and those which are to be their food. There at the twine, and the words writ on each side; then is hardly a man in the world, one would think, so altered his mind as to farthings, and gave my friend igoorant, as not to know that the ordinary, quack- a silver sixpence. The business, as I said, is lo doctors. who publish their great abilities in little keep up the amazement; and if my friend had had brown billets, distributed to all who pass by, are to only the skeleton and kit, he must have been con- . a man impostors and murderers; yet such is the tented with a less payment. But the doctor we credulity of the vulgar, and the impudence of those were talking of adds to his long voyages the testiprofessors, that the affair still goes on, and new pro- mony of some people " that has been thirty years mises, of what was never done before, are made lame.” When I received my paper, a sagacious every day. What aggravates the jest is

, that even fellow took one at the same time, and read till he this promise has been made as long as the memory came to the thirty years' confinement of his friends, of man can trace it, yet nothing performed, and yet and went off very well convinced of the doctor's still prevails. As I was passing along to-day, a sufficiency. You have many of those prodigious paper given into my hand, by a fellow without a persons, who have had some extraordinary accident Dose, tells us as follows what good news is come to at their birth, or a great disaster in some part of town, to wit, that there is now a certain cure for the their lives. Any thing, however foreign from the French disease, by a gentleman just come from his business the people want of you, will convince them travels.

of your ability in that you profess. There is a doc“ In Russel-court, over-against the Cannon-ball

, curing cataracts, upon the credit of having, as his

tor in Mouse-alley, near Wapping, who sets up for at the Surgeons'-arms in Drury-lane, is lately come bill sets forth, lost an eye in the emperor's service. from his travels, a surgeon'who hath practised His patients come in upon this, and he shows the surgery aod physic both by sea and land, these twenty-four years. He (by the blessing) cures the muster-roll, which confirms that he was in his im

perial majesty's troops ; and he puts out their eyes yellow-jaundice, green-sickness, scurvy, dropsy, surfeits, long sea-voyages, campaigns, and women's should be a doctor for the cure of bursten children,

with great success. Who would believe that a man miscarriages, lying-in, &c. as some people that has been lame these thirty years can testify; in short, both bursten ? But Charles Ingolston, next door to

by declaring that his father and grandfather were he cureth all diseases incident to men, women, or the Harp, in Barbican, has made a pretty penny by children."

that asseveration. The generality go upon their If a man could be so indolent as to look upon this first conception, and think no further; all the rest havoc of the human species, which is made by vice is granted. They take it, that there is something and ignorance, it would be a good ridiculous work uncommon in you, and give you credit for the rest. to comment upon the declaration of this accom. You may be sure it is upon that I go, when someplished traveller. There is sonsething unaccounta- times, let it be to the purpose or not, I keep a Latin bly taking among the vulgar in those who come sentence in my front; and I was not a little pleased, from a great way off. Ignorant people of quality, when I observed one of my readers say, casting his us many there are of such, dote excessively this eye upon my twentieth paper, “ More Latin still ? way; many instances of which every man will sug- What a prodigious scholar' is this man!" But as I gest to himself, without any enumeration of them. have here taken much liberty with this learned doc. The ignorants of lower order, who cannot, like the tor, I must make up all I have said by repeating upper ones, be profuse of their money to those re- what he seems to be in earnest in, and honestly to commended by coming from a distance, are no less promise to those who will not receive him as a great complaisant than the others, for they venture their man--to wit, “that from eight to twelve, and from lives from the same admiration.

two till six, he attends, for the good of the public, " The doctor is lately come from his travels,” | to bleed for threepence."-T. and has“ practised both by sea and land," and therefore cures “the green-sickness, long sea-voyages, campaigns, and lying-in.” Both by sea and land! No. 445.] THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1712. I will not answer for the distempers called sea-voyages and campaigas; but I dare say those of green

Tanti non es, ais. Sapis, Luperce.-MART. Epig. i. 118. sickness and lying-in might be as well taken care You say. Lupercus, wbat I write

l'n't worth so much : you're in the right of if the doctor stayed ashore. But the art of managing mankind is only to make them stare a This is the day on which many eminent authors litte, to keep up their astonishment, to let nothing will probably publish their last words. I am afraid be familiar to them, but ever to have something in that few of our weekly historians, wbo are men that their sleeve, in which they must think you are deeper above all others delight in war, will be able to subthan they are. There is an ingenious fellow, a sist under the weight of a amp, barber of my acquaintance, who, besides his broken proaching peace. A sheet of blank paper that must fiddle and a dried sea-monster, has a twine-cord, have this new imprimatur clapped upon it, before strained with two Dails at each end, over his window, it is qualified to communicate any thing to the puband the words “rainy, dry, wet,” and so forth, lic, will make its way in the world but very heavily, written to denote the weather, according to the rising or falling of the cord. We very great scho

• Aug. 1, 1712, the stamp-duty here alluded to took place, lars are not ape to wonder at this : but I observed a and every single half sheet paid a halfpemy to the queen. very honest fellow, a chance customer, who sat in " Have you

seen the red stamp ? Methinks the stanıping is the chair before me to be shaved, fix his eye upon worth a halfpennyThe Observator is fallen; the Medleys this miraculous performance during the operation deadly sick. The Spectator keeps up, and doubles its price."

are jumbled together with the Flying-Post; the Examiner is apon his chiu and face. When those and his head |--Swift's Works, cr. 8vo. vol. xix. p. 173.

I. 2.

and an ap

In short, the necessity of carrying a stamp, and the sides ; men of such poor narrow souls, that they are improbability of notifying a bloody battle, will, I not capable of thioking on any thing but with an am afraid, both concur to the sinking of those thin eye to whig or tory. During the course of this folios, which have every other day retailed to us the paper i bave been accused by these despicable history of Europe for several years last past. A face. wretches of trimming, time-serving, personal reflectious friend of mine, who loves a pun, calls this tion, secret satire, and the like. Now, though, present mortality among authors, “The fall of the in these my compositions, it is visible to any reader leaf.”

of common sense that I consider nothing but my I remember, upon Mr. Baxter's death, there was subject, which is always of an indifferent nature, published a sheet of very good sayings, inscribed, how is it possible for me to write so clear of party, * The last words of Mr. Baxter." The title sold as not to lie open to the censures of those who will be so great a number of these papers, that about a applying every sentence, and finding out persons week after there came out a second sheet, inscribed, and things in it, which it has no regard to ? “ More last words of Mr. Baxter.” In the same Several paltry scribblers and declaimers hare manner, I have reason to think that several inge- done me the honoar to be dull upon me in refletnious writers, who have taken their leave of the tions of this nature; but, notwithstanding my name public in farewell papers, will not give over so, has been sometimes traduced by this contemptible but intend to appear again, though perhaps under tribe of men, I have hitherto avoided all animadanother form, and with a different title. "Be that versions upon them. The truth of it is, I am afraid as it will, it is my business, in this place, to give an of making them appear considerable by taking noaccount of my own intentions, and to acquaint my tice of them; for they are like those imperceptible reader with the motives by which I act, in this insects which are discovered by the microscope, and great crisis of the republic of letters.

cannot be made the subject of observation without I have been long debating in my own heart, being magnified. whether I should throw up my pen, as an author Having mentioned those few who have shown that is cashiered by the act of parliament which is themselves the enemies of this paper, I should be to operate within this four-and-twenty hours, or very ungrateful to the public did I not at the same whether I shouid still persist in laying my specula- time testify my gratitude to those who are its friends, tions, from day to day, before the public. The ar- in which number I may reckon many of the most gument which prevails with me most on the first distinguished persons, of all conditions, parties, and side of the question is, that I am informed by my professions, in the isle of Great Britain. I am not bookseller he must raise the price of every single so vain as to think this approbation is so much due paper to two-pence, or that he shall not be able to to the performance as to the design. There is, pay the duty of it. Now as I am very desirous my and ever will be, justice enough in the world to readers should have their learning as cheap as pos- afford patronage and protection for those who ensible, it is with great difficulty that I comply with deavour to advance truth and virtue, without re. him in this particular.

gard to the passions and prejudices of any particu. However, upon laying my reasons together in lar cause or faction. If I have any other merit in the balance, I find that those who plead for the me, it is that I have new pointed all the batteries continuance of this work have much the greater of ridicule. They have been generally planted weight. Por, in the first place, in recompense for against persons who have appeared serious rather the expense to which this will put my readers, it is than absurd; or at best, have aimed rather at what to be hoped they may receive from every paper so is unfashionable than wbat is vicious. For my much instruction as will be a very good equivalent. own part, I have endeavoured to make nothing ridi

And, in order to this, I would not advise any one culous that is not in some measure criminal. i bave to take it in, who, after the perusal of it, does not set up the immoral man as the object of derision. In find himself two-pence the wiser, or the better man short, if I have not formed a new weapon against rice for it, or who, upon examination, does not believe and irreligion, I have at least shown how that weapon that he has had two-pennyworth of mirth or in- may be put to a right use, which has so often struction for his money.

fought the battles of impiety and profaneness.-C. But I must confess there is another motive which prevails with me more than the former. I consider that the tax on paper was given for the support of No. 446.] FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 1712. the government; and as I have enemies who are

Quid deceat, quid non; quo virtus, quo ferat error, apt to pervert every thing I do or say, I fear they would ascribe the laying down my paper, on such

Hor. Ars. Poet ver. 308. an occasion, to a spirit of malcontentedness, which

What fit, what not; what excellent, or ill-RoscowNOS. I am resolved none shall ever justly upbraid me SINCE two or three writers of comedy, who are with. No, I shall glory in contributing my utmost now living, have taken their farewell of the stage, to the public weal; and, if my country receives those who succeed them, finding themselves incapafive or six pounds a day by my labours, I shall be ble of rising up to their wit, humour, and good sense, very well pleased to find myself so useful a member. have only imitated them in some of those loose un

It is a received maxim, that no honest man should guarded strokes, in which they complied with the enrich himself by methods that are prejudicial to corrupt taste of the more vicious part of their audience. the community in which he lives; and by the same When persons of a low genius attempt this kind of rule I think we may pronounce the person to de- writing, they know no difference between being serve very well of his countrymen, whose labours merry and being lewd. It is with an eye to some bring more into the public coffers than into his own of these degenerate compositions that I have writpocket.

ten the following discourse. Since I have mentioned the word enemies, I must Were our English stage but half so virtuous as explain myself so far as to acquaint my reader, that that of the Greeks or Romans, we should quickly I mean only the insignificant party-zealots on both see the influence of it in the behaviour of all the politer part of mankind. It would not be fashion the wife or husband has given occasion to noble traable to riduule religion, or its professors: the man gedies; but a Scipio or a Lælius would not have of pleasure would not be the complete gentleman; looked upon incest or murder to bave been as proper vanity would be out of countenance ; and every subjects for comedy. On the contrary, cuckoldoın is quality which is ornamental to human nature would the basis of most of our modera plays. If an aldermeet with that esteem which is due to it.

man appears upon the stage, you may be sure it is If the English staye were under the same regu- in order to be cuckoldea. A busband that is a little lations the Athenian was formerly, it would have grave, or elderly, generally meets with the same the same effect that had, in recommending the re- fate. Knights and baronets, country squires, and ligiou, the government, and public worship, of its justices of the quorum, come up to town for no other country. Were our plays subject to proper in- purpose. I have seen poor Dogget cuckolded in all spections and limitations, we might not only pass ihese capacities. In short, our English writers are away several of our vacant hours in the highest en- as frequently severe upon this innocent unhappy tertainments, but should always rise from them creature, commonly known by the name of a cuckold, Wiser and better than we sat down to them. as the ancient comic writers were upon an eating

It is one of the most unaccountable things in our parasite, or a vain-glorious soldier. age, that the lewdness of our theatre should be so At the same time the poet so contrives matters much complained of, so well exposed, and so little that the two criminals are the favourites of the auredressed. It is to be hoped, that some time ordience. We sit still, and wish well to them through other we may be at leisure to restrain the licentious. the whole play, are pleased when they meet with ness of the theatre, and make it contribute its as- proper opportunities, and out of humour when they sistance to the advancement of morality, and to the are disappointed. The truth of it is, the accomreformation of the age. As matters stand at pre- plished gentleman upon the English stage is the sent, multitudes are shut out from this noble diversion, person that is familiar with other men's wives, and by reason of those abuses and corruptions that ac. indifferent to his own; as the fine woman is genecompany it. A father is often afraid that his daugh- rally a composition of sprightliness and falsehood. I ter should be ruined by those entertainments which do not know whether it proceeds from barrepness of were invented for the accomplishineut and reining invention, depravation of manners, or ignorance of of human nature. The Athenian and Roman plays mankind, but I have often wondered that our ordiwere written with such a regard to morality, that nary poets cannot frame to themselves the idea of a Socrates used to frequent the one, and Cicero the fine man who is not a whoremaster,or of a fine womau other.

that is not a jilt. It happened once indeed, that Cato dropped into I have sometimes thought of compiling a system the Roisan theatre when the Floralia were to be re- of ethics out of the writings of those corrupt poets, presented; and as, in that performance, which was under the title of Stage Morality. But I have been a kind of religious ceremony, there were several in diverted from this thought by a project which has decent parts to be acted, the people refused to see been executed by an ingenious gentleman of my them whilst Cato was present. Martial, on this hint, acquaintance. He has composed, it seems, the marle lhe following epigram, which we must suppose history of a young fellow who has takeu all his nowas applied to some grave friend of his, that had been tions of the world from the stage, and who has diacciueutally present at some such entertainment:

rected himself in every circumstance of his life and Nosses jocosa dulce cum sacrum Floræ,

conversation by the maxims and exar ples of the Festosque lusus, et licentiam vulgi,

fine gentleman in English comedies. 1 I can proCur in theatrum, Cato severe, venisti?

vail upon him to give me a copy of this ne v-fashioned An ideo tantum veneras, ut exires ?-1 Epig. 3. Why dost thou come, great censor of thy age.

novel, I will bestow on it a place in my works, and To see the loose diversions of the stage?

question not but it may have as good an effect upon With awful countenance, and brow severe.

the drama, as Don Quixote had upon romance.-C. What in the name of goodness dost thou here? See the mixt crowd! how giddy, lewd, and vain! Didst thou come in but to go out again.

No. 447.) SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1712. An accident of this nature might happen once in an age among the Greeks or Romans, but they were Long exercise, my friend, inures the mind;

And what we once dislik d we pleasing find. too wise and good to let the constant nightly entertainment be of such a nature, that people of the THERE is not a cominon saying which has a most sense and virtue could not be at it. Whatever better turn of sense in it, than what we often hear pces are represented upon the stage, they ought to in the mouths of the vulgar, that “eustom is a se. be so marked and branded by the poet, as not to ap- cond nature.” It is indeed able to form the man pear either laudable or amiable in the person who anew, and to give him inclinations and capacities is tainted with them. But if we look into the En- altogether different from those he was born with, glish comedies above mentioned, we would think Dr. Plot, in his History of Staffordshire, tells us of they rere formed upon a quite contrary maxim, an idiot, that chancing to live within the sound of a and that this rule, ihough it held good upon the clock, and always amusing himself with counting beathen stage, was not to be regarded in Christian the bour of the day whenever the clock struck, the theatres. There is another rule likewise, which clock being spoiled by some accident, the idiot con. was observed by authors of antiquity, and which tinued to strike and count the hour without the help these modern geniuses bave no regaid to, and that of it, in the same manner as he had done when it was, Dever to choose an improper subject for ridicule. was entire. Though I dare not vouch for the truth Now a subject is improper for ridicule, if it is apt to of this story, it is very certain that custoin has a stir up horror and cominiseration rather than laugh- mechanical effect upon the body, at the same time ter. For this reason, we do not find any comedy, that it has a very extraordinary influence upon the in so polite an author as Terence, raised upon the mind. nolations of the marriage-bed. The falsehood of I shall in this paper consider, ope very remarkable effect which custom has upon human nature, and way of life, are inexcusable if they do not pursue which, if rightly observed, may lead us into very that which their judgment tells them is the most Useful rules of life. What I shall here take notice laudable. The voice of reason is more to be reof in custom, is its wonderful efficacy in making garded than the bent of any present inclination, every thing pleasant to us. A person who is ad- since, by the rule above mentioned, inclination will dicted to play or gaming, though he took but little at length come over to reason, though we can never delight in it at first, by degrees contracts so strong force reason to comply with inclination. an inclination towards it, and gives himself up so In the third place, this observatiou may teach the entirely to it, that it seems the only end of his being most sensual and irreligious man to overlook those The love of a retired or a busy life will grow upon a hardships and difficulties which are apt to discourage man insensibly, as he is conversant in the one or him from the prosecution of a virtuous life. “The the other, till be is utterly vnqualified for relisbing gods,” said Hesiod,“ have placed labour before that to which he has been for some time disused. virtue ; the way to her is at first rough and difficult, Nay, a man may smoke, or drink, or take snuff, but grows more smooth and easy the further you till he is unable to pass away his time without it; advance in it." The man who proceeds in it with not to mention how our delight in any particular steadiness and resolution, will in a little time find study, art, or science, rises and improves, in pro- that “her ways are ways of pleasantness, and that portion to the application which we bestow upon it. all her paths are peace." Thus, what was at first an exercise, becomes at To enforce this consideration, we may further oblength an entertainment. Our employments are serve, that the practice of religion will not only be changed into our diversions. The mind grows fond attended with that pleasure which naturally accomof those actions she is accustomed to, and is drawn panies those actions to which we are habituated, but with reluctancy from those paths in which she has with those supernumerary joys of heart that rise been used to walk.

from the consciousness of such a pleasure, from the Not only such actions as were at first indifferent satisfaction of acting up to the dictates of reason, to us, but even such as were painful, will by custom and from the prospect of a happy immortality, and practice become pleasant. Sir Francis Bacon In the fourth place, we may learn from this ob observes in his Natural Philosophy, that our taste servation which we have made on the mind of man, is nerer pleased better than with those things which to take particular care, when we are once settled in at first created a disgust in it. He gives particular a regular course of life, how we too frequently ininstances, of claret, coffee, and other liquors, which I dulge ourselves in any of the most innocent diverthe palate seldom approves upou the first taste, but, sions and entertainments ; since the mind may in when it has once got a relish of them, generally re- sensibly fall off from the relish of virtuous actions tains it for life. The mind is constituted after the and, by degrees, exchange that pleasure which it same manner, and after having habituated herself | takes in the performance of its duty, for delights to any particular exercise or employment, not only of a much more inferior and unprofitable nature. loses her first aversion towards it, but conceives å The last use which I shall make of this remarkcertain fondness and affection for it. I have heard able property in human nature, of being delighted one of the greatest geniuses this age has produced, * with those actions to which it is accustomed, is to who had been trained up in all the polite studies of show how absolutely necessary it is for us to gain antiquity, assure me, upon his being obliged to search habits of virtue in this life, if we would enjoy the into several rolls and records, thai notwithstanding pleasures of the next. The state of bliss we cal} such an employment was at first very dry and irko heaven will not be capable of affecting those minds some to him, he at last took an incredible pleasure which are not thus qualified for it; we must, in this in it, and preferred it even to the reading of Virgil world, gain a relish of truth and virtue, if we would or Cicero. The reader will observe, that I have not be able to taste that knowledge and perfection, which here considered custom as it makes things easy, but are to make us happy in the next. The seeds or as it renders them delightful; and though others those spiritual joys and raptures, which are to rise have often made the same reflections, it is possible up and flourish in the soul to all eternity, must be they may not have drawn those uses from it, with planted in her during this her present state of prowhich I intend to fill the remaining part of this bation. In short, heaven is not to be looked upon paper.

only as the reward, but as the natural effect of a re If we consider attentively this property of human ligious lite. nature, it may instruct us in very fine moralities. In On the other hand, those evil spirits, who, by long the first place, I would have no man discouraged custom, have contracted in the body habits of lust with that kind of life, or series of action, in which and sensuality, malice and revenge, and aversion to the choice of others, or his own necessities, may every thing that is good, just, or laudable, are natuhave engaged him. It may perhaps be very dis- rally seasoned and prepared for pain and miserye agreeable to him at first; but use and application Their torments have already taken root in them; will certainly render it not only less painful, but they cannot be happy when divested of the body, pleasing and satisfactory.

unless we may suppose that Providence will in 4 In the second place, I would recommend to every manner create them anew, and work a miracle in one that adınirable precept which Pythagoras is said the rectification of their faculties. They may, into have given to his disciples, and which that philo-deed, taste a kind of malignant pleasure in those sopher must have drawn fron the observation I have actions to which they are accustomed, whilst in this enlarged upon, Optimum vitæ genus eligilo, nam con- life; but when they are removed from all those obsuetudo faciet jucundissimum ; “ Pitch upon that Ijects which are here apt to gratify them, they will course of life which is the most excellent, and cus- naturally become their own tormentors, and cherish tom will render it the most delightful.” Men whose in themselves tbose painful habits of mind which circumstances will permit them to choose their own are called, in Scripture phrase, “the worm which

never dies.” This notion of heaven and hell is so • Dr. Atterbury.

very conformable to the light of nature, that it was

discovered by several of the most exalted heathens.gether, and waiting a little before dinner, is the It has been finely improved by many eminent di- most awkwardly passed away of any part in the vines of the last age, as in particular by Archbishop four-and-twenty hours. If they did think at all, Tillotson and Dr. Sherlock: but there is none who they would reflect upon their guilt, in lengthening has raised such noble speculations upon it as Dr. such a suspension of agreeable life. The constant Seoit, in the first book of his Christian Life, which offending this way has in a degree an effect upon is one of the finest and most rational schenues of the honesty of his mind who is guilty of it, as comdivinity that is written in our tongue, or in any mon swearing is a kind of habitual perjiry. It other. That excellent author has shown how every makes the soul unattentive to what an oath is, even particular custom and habit of virtue will, in its while it utters it at the lips. Phocion beholding a own nature, produce the heaven, or a state of hap- wordy orator, while he was making a magnificent piness, in hin who shall hereafter practise it; as, speech to the people, full of vain promises; " Men on the contrary, how every custom or habit of vice thinks,” said he, “ I am now fixing my eyes upon a will be the natural hell of him in whom it subsists.-C. cypress tree; it has all the pomp and beauty ima

ginable in its branches, leaves, and height: but,

alas! it bears no fruit." No. 418.1 MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1712. Though the expectation which is raised by imper

tinent promisers is thus barren, their confidence; Fudius hoc aliquid quandoque audebis. Juv. Sat. ii. 82.

even after failures, is so great, that they subsist by In time to greater baseness you proceed.

still promising on. I have heretofore discoursed of The first steps towards ill are very carefully to the insignificant liar, the boaster, and the castlebe avoided, for men insensibly go on when they are builder, and treated them as no ill-desiguing men once entered, and do not keep up a lively abhorrence (though they are to be placed among the frivolously of the least unworthiness. There is a certain fri- false ones), but persons who fall into that way volous falsehood that people indulge themselves in, purely to recommend themselves by their vivacities; which ought to be bad in greater detestation than but indeed I caunot let heedless promisers, though it commonly meets with. What I mean is a neglect in the most minute circumstances, pass with so slight of promises madle on small and indifferent occasions, a censure. If a man should take a resolution to such as parties of pleasure, entertainments, and pay only sums above a hundred pounds, and yet simetimes meetings out of curiosity, in men of like contract with different people debts of five and ten, faculties, to br in each other's company. There are how long can we suppose he will keep his credit ? many causes to which one may assign this lişht in. This man will as long support his good name in fidetty. Jack Sippet never keeps the hour he has business, as he will in conversation, who without appoioted to come to a friend's to dinner; but he is difficulty makes assignations which he is indifferent an insignificant fellow, who does it out of vauity. whether he keeps or not. He could nerer, he knows, make any figure id com- I am the more severe upon this vice, because I pans, but by giving a little disturbance at his entry, have been so unfortunate as to be a very great criaod therefore takes care to drop in when he thinks minal myself. Sir Andrew Freeport, and all other you are just seated. He takes his place after having my friends who are scrupulous to promises of the discomposed crery body, and desires there may be meanest consideration imaginable, from a habit of no ceremony; then does he begin to call himself virtue that way, have often upbraided me with it. I the saddlest fellow, in disappointing so many places take shame upon myself for this crime, and more as he was invited to elsewhere. It is the fop's particularly for the greatest I ever commitied of the vanity to name houses of better cheer, and to ac- sort, that when as agreeable a company of gentlequaint you that he chose yours out of ten dinners men and ladies as ever were got together, and I for. which he was obliged to be at that day. The last sooth, Mr. Spectator, to be of the party with women time I had the foriune to cat with him, he was ima- of merit, like a booby as I was, mistook the time of gining he very fat he should have been, had he meeting, and came the night following. I wish eaten all he had ever been invited to. But it is im- every fool who is negligent in this kind may have pertinent to dwell upon the manners of such a wretch as great a loss as I had in this; for the same comas obliges all whom he disappoints, though his cir- pany will never mcet more, but are dispersed into cumstances constrain them to be civil to him. But various parts of the world, and I am left under the there are those that every one would be glad to see, compunition that I deserve, in so many different who fall into the same detestable habit. It is a places to be called a tritler. merciless thing that any one can be at ease, and This fault is sometimes to be accounted for, when suppose a set of people, who have a kindness for desirable people are fearful of appearing precise and him, at that moment waiting out of respect to him, reserved by denials; but they will find tbe appreand refusing to taste their food or conversation with hension of that imputation will betray them into a the utmost impatience. One of these promisers childish impotence of mind, and make them promise sometimes shall make his excuses for not coming at all who are so kind to ask it of them. This leads all, go late that half the company have only to la. such soft creatures into the misfortune of seeming to Inent that they have neglected matters of moment return overtures of good-will with ingratitude. The to meet him whom they find a trifler. They imme. first steps in the breach of a man's integrity are diately reperit of the value they had for him; and much more important than men are aware of. The sueh treatment repeated, makes company never de- man who scruples not breaking his word in little pead upon his promise any more ; so that be often things, would not suffer in his own conscience so evines at the middle of a meal, where he is secretly great pain for failures of conséquence, as he who slighted by the persons with whom he eats, and cursed thinks every little offence against truth and justice, by the vervants

, whose dinner is delayed by bis pro- a disparagement. We should not make any thing Jogging their master's entertainment. Ii is won. we ourselves disapprove habitual to us, if we would derlul that men guilty this way could never have be sure of our integrity. observed, that the wiling time, the gathering to. I remember a falsehood of the trivial sort, though SPECTATOR-Nos. 65 & 66.

2 L