L'JfefiililjlikltJ.litJliLiU. .— ^1 
 
DUKE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 Treasure %oom 
 
Addifonian Mifcellany 
 
 BEING 
 
 A Selcdion of Valuable Pieces, from thofc juftiy 
 
 Celebrated and Claffic Works, the 
 
 SpeSiator^ Tatlery and Guardian, 
 
 TO WIITCH IS PP.EFIXED, 
 
 THE LIFE OF ^ 
 
 JOSEPH ADDISON, Eso, 
 
 Defigned for the School and the Librajy. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR JOSEFH BUMSTEAD, 
 
 Sold ey him at No. 20, Union-Street : 
 
 BT 
 Thomas and Andrews, Neweury -Street 5 by E.and 
 
 S. LaRKIN, Wm. p. and L. liLAKE, W. PfiLHAM, 
 AND C. BiNGHAM, CoRNHILI,. 
 
 I 801 
 

 THE 
 
 LIFE 
 
 ©F 
 
 JOSEPH ADDISON, Esq,. 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 HE juHiIy admired Addifon, was born Ma^r illr, 
 
 1672, at Milton in Wiltfliire, England, where hisfa- 
 
 , ther Dr. Lancelot Addifon was re6tor. Addifon is 
 
 f fuppoled by fome writers, to have produced upwards 
 
 of a fourth part of the S^eSIator and Guardiany befides 
 
 - feveral other works of merit. 
 
 He was appointed fecretary to the regency on the 
 death of queen Anne j being required to fend notice to 
 \ .Hanover, of that circumRance, and that the throne 
 was vacant. To do this would not have been diffi- 
 cult to any man but Addifon, who was fo diftradted 
 /by a choice of exprefiion, on this cccafion, tliat the 
 • iords, who could viot v/ait for the niceties of criticifm, 
 called Mr. Soutliwell, a clerk In the houfc, and or- 
 dered him to difpatch the mefiage. Southwell rearii- 
 . ly told what was neceflary, in the common fliie of bu- 
 l finefs, and 1-oafted his having done v/hat appeared too 
 hard for Addifon. 
 
 In 1 7 1 6, he married the countcfs dowager of War- 
 wick. He is faid to have firfl become acquainted 
 with this lady, when he was tutor to her fon. It Is 
 reported, that his marrkge did not add much to his 
 
 ^.418 
 
iv LIFE OF ADDISON. 
 
 happinefs ; the countefs always remembered her rank, 
 rnd treated the former tutor of her (on with but lit- 
 tle ceremony. It is well known,, that Mr. Addifon 
 hath left behind him no inducement to ambitious 
 matches. 
 
 He was made fecretary of ftate, in 1717 ; but it i* 
 generally allowed that he was not well calculated for 
 that (lation ; being no orator, he could not harangue 
 in the houfe of commons in defence of the govern- 
 ment. He foon relinquiflied this office, and obtained 
 a penfion of 15C0I per annum. 
 
 Dr. Samuel Johnlon's admirable delineation of the* 
 cliaracler of Addifon, toncludes thus, *' He employ- 
 ed wit on the fide of virtue and rclii^ion ; he not on- 
 ly made the proper ufe of wit hlmfclf, but taught it to 
 others j and from his time it has been generally fub- 
 fervient to the caufe of reafon and truth. He has dif- 
 flpated the prejudices that had long connc<fled gaiety 
 with vice, and eafinefs of manners with laxity of prin- 
 ciples.' He has reltored virtue to its dignity, and 
 taught Innocence not to be afiiamed. 1 his is an el- 
 evation of literary charadler, above all " Gretk, above 
 all Roman name." No greater felicity can genius at- 
 tain than that of having purified intellectual pleafure, 
 feparated mirth from indecency, and wit from licen- 
 tioufnefs ; of having taught a fuccefiion of writers to 
 bring elegance and grdety to the aid of goodnefs; and 
 if I may ufe exprelTicns yet more awful, of having 
 •' turned many to righteoufnefs." 
 
 ** As a teacher of wifdom he may be confidently 
 followed : his religion has nothing in it enthufiaftic 
 or fuperflitious ; he appears neither lueakly credulous, 
 nor 'wanionh fceptical •, his morality is neither danger- 
 oufly lax, not im^praClically rigid." 
 
 Addifon, has given abundant proof of his firm be- 
 fief of i.hrijlianiiy^ and his zeal againlt unbelievers, in 
 h^is evidences of the Chriilian religion. 11 
 
 *« Let it be fuppofed, fays he, that a heathen philo- f| 
 fopher, who flouriihed within fixty years of our Sa 
 viour's crucifixion, after having fliewn that falfe mir- 
 acles were generally wrought in obfcurityj and before 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
LIFE OP ADDISON. v 
 
 fev^ or no witncfFes, treating on the miracles of dirift, 
 ftiould have thus exprefftd himfel^:'* 
 
 '" But the works of Clirift were always /efn true \ 
 they were fee n by thofe whc were healed, and thofe 
 who were railed fiom the dead. Many of 'the per- 
 fens who were thus hei^.led and raifed, were feen, not 
 oily at the time the miracles w^re wrought on them, 
 but many years aft wards. They were i^ttn while 
 Chriil was upon earth, and of.er his afcenfion j nay, 
 fome of them were livirg in our da^s /'* 
 
 <* I am confident you would regard fuch a tefti- 
 mony as highly favourable to Chriftianity. But this 
 evidence, in fadl, wc have in behalf of our religion ; 
 for thefe were the words of ^a^rafui^ an Athenian 
 philcfopher, who lived at the period above mention- 
 ed. But a convert, you f.:y, to Chriftianity ! Reflect 
 a* moment. Does not this ^very circum/iance give e^ca^ 
 €y to his attpftation ? Had he continued a Pagan phi- 
 lofo| htr, the world wculd have doubted the fincerity 
 of his relatK^n. But he had^o thoroughly examined our 
 Saviour's hiltory, and the excellence of the religion he 
 taught ; and was fo perfedly convinced of the truth 
 of /c//;, that he became a prolelyte to the ChriiUaa 
 faith, and to it died a martyr*.** 
 
 Addifon s writings on religious fubjects certainly 
 difcover a folid and pious frame of mind 5 and Iiis 
 general condu£t through life gives us a convincing 
 proof, that what he wrote were the genuine feelings 
 of his heart. But his virtue fhone out brighteit 
 at his death j for, after a long and manly, but 
 watn firuggJe with his diilempeis, (the ailhma and 
 dropfy) he difmifled his phyficians, and with them all 
 hopts of life ; but did not difmifs his concern for the 
 living ; having fent for the young Earl of Warwick 
 who was nearly related to him ; upon this nobleman's 
 arrival he was almoll gone ; young Warwick, thus 
 addrefTed him : ''Dear Sir, you fent for me; I be- 
 lieve, and hope, you have Ibme commands ; I {hall 
 hold them mod dear.'* May diflant ages not only 
 
 ■ • Evidences, p. zi, 
 
 A 2 
 
vi LIFE o¥ ADD260N. 
 
 hear, but feel the reply ! Forcibly grafping the youth's 
 hand, he foftly faid, " See in what peace a Chriftian 
 can die." Shortly after he died, on the 19th of June 
 1719.* 
 
 This great character derived much comfort from 
 his firm hope of another and better ftate. 
 
 The following were his fentiments on that head. 
 *' The profpeO: of a future ftate, fays he, is the fecrct 
 comfort and refredirnent of my foul. It is that which 
 makes nature look cheerful about me ; it doubles all 
 my plcafures, and fupports me under all my atilic- 
 tions. I can look at difappointments and misfor' 
 tunes, pain, and ficknefs, death itfelf, with indiffer- 
 ence, fo long as I keep in view the pleafures of eter- 
 nity, and the ftate of being in which there will be no 
 fears nor apprchenfions, pains nor forrows." 
 
 " All forts of men, fays Addifon, who have gone be- 
 fore us into an eternal ftate, have left this great ob- 
 fervation behind them, that upon experience thty have 
 found, that, v/hat vain thoughts foever men may, in 
 the heat of their youth entertain of religion, they will, 
 fooncr or later, feel the teftimony God hath given it 
 in every man's breaft'; which will make them feriocs, 
 cither by the inexpreffible fears, terrors, and agonies 
 of a troubled mind ; or the inconceivable comfort^ 
 and joy of a good confcience. 
 
 " It is to be obferved, that Chriftianity not only 
 profelyted men to the belief and outward profeihon 
 of Chriftianityj but had a vifible and moral efFe£l: up- 
 on their lives and conducS^. Never was any other 
 caufe fupported with fuch irreiiilible evidence. 
 Wherever it came it was received by multitudes, at 
 the expence of their property, characters and lives: 
 many of thefe who had hitherto lived debauched, im- 
 pious and idolatrous lives, became now fober, tempe- 
 rate, hon'^ft and religious. This was not indeed uni- 
 verfally the cafe, becaufe all were not fmcere in their 
 ^ profeihon •, but it was fo, to ^n extent that no other 
 religion could bpaft. Nay the Pagan religion general- 
 
 » See Brkilh Plutaicb^ Scu 
 
LIFE OF ADDISON. vli 
 
 ly mzdc men morally worfe, in proportion to the 
 zeal with which they profelTed it. 
 
 The remaining effect of the Spirit's effufion was the 
 conftimcy and readinefs with which men fuffered the 
 [lofs of all things, and even martyrdom itfelf in its 
 moll terrible forms." 
 
 — " I cannot omit (fays Mr. Adr^-fon*) that -which 
 appears to me a ftandmg miracle in the three firft 
 centuries, I mean that amazing and fupcrnatural 
 courage or patience which was ihewn by mnumera- 
 ble multitudes of martyrs in thofe flow and painful 
 torments which were inflicted on them. I cannot 
 conceive a man placed in the burning iron chair at 
 Lyons, and the infults and mockeries of a crouded 
 amphitheatre, and flill keeping his feat : or (Irctched 
 upon a grate of iron, over coals of fire, and breathing 
 out his foul among the exquifite fufftrings of fuch a 
 tedious execution, rather than renounce his religion 
 or blafpheme his Saviour. Such trials feem to me 
 above the (Irength of human nature, and able to over- 
 bear dvity, reaion, faith, convi6iion, nay, and the 
 moft abfolute certainty of a future ftate. Humanity, 
 unbiafled in zn extraordinary manner, muft have flia- 
 ken off the prcfcnt preflure, and have delivered itfelf 
 out of fuch dreadful diflrefs by any means that could 
 have been fuggefted to it. We can eafily imagine 
 that many perfons in -fo good a caufe might have laid 
 dawn their lives at the gibbet, the flake, or the block ; 
 but to expire leifurely among the mcft exquifite tor- 
 tures, when they might come out of them, even by a 
 mental nfjrvation, or an hypocrify which v/as not 
 without a poffibility of being followed by repentane 
 and forgivenefs, has fomc thing in it fo far beyond the 
 • force and natural ffrcngth of mortals, that one cannot 
 but think there was fome miraculous power to fupport 
 the fufferer. 
 
 " It is certain that the deaths and fufferings of the' 
 primitive Chriftians had a great (have in the conver- 
 lion of thofe learned Pagans, who lived in. the ages 
 
 * Evivicaccs of the Chriftian Religion, Seft. vii. 
 
xnii LIFE OTT ADDISON. 
 
 of periecutlon, v/hich with fome intervals and abate- 
 ments, laded near 300 years after our S.iviour. Juf- 
 tin Martyr, Tertullian, LaQantius, Arnobius, and 
 others, teli us. that thislirft of all alarmed their cuii* 
 ofity, roufed their attention and made them ferioufly 
 inquifitive into the nature of that religion, whica 
 eould endue the .*lnd with fo much ftrength, and 
 overcome the fear of death, nay, raife an earneil de- 
 Ere of it, though it appeared in all its terrors. Thi^ 
 they found had not been eiTe^led by alt the do£^rines 
 of thofe philofophers, whom they had thoroughly Itu- 
 died, and who had been labouriiig at this great point. 
 The fight of thefe dying and tormented martyrs en- 
 gaged them to fearcn into the hiftory and do(2:rine$ 
 of ^ him for whom they i uttered. The more they , 
 fearched, the more they were convinced ; till their 
 conviction grew foftrong, that they themlelves embra- 
 ced the fame truths, and either a£lualiy laid down 
 their lives, or were always in readinefs to doit rath^ 
 thaRjdepart from them." 
 
^jj^^ 9^:^^^^ ^^j^^ 
 
 THE 
 
 Addifonian Mifcellany, 
 
 ABSENCE IN CONVERSATION. 
 
 Y friend IP'ill Honefccmhe is one of thofe fort of 
 
 i men who are oltcn abfent in converfation,:ind what the 
 
 [French call a Reveur and a Dijlrait. A lutlebefore our 
 
 club-time lafl night, v/e were walking t igether in Som-^ 
 
 j erjet Garden^ where IFi/I hnd picked up a Imall pebble of 
 
 \ fo odd a make, that he faid he would prefent it to a 
 
 friend of his, an eminent Firtusjo, After we had 
 
 walked feme time, 1 made a full ilcp, with my face 
 
 . towards the wcfl:, which f^^tH know ing to be my ufu- 
 
 ', al method of alking what's o'clock in an aftcrnoorr, 
 
 immediately pulled out his watch, md told me we had 
 
 feven minutes good. We took a turn or two more, 
 
 when, to my great furprife, I faw him fquirt away 
 
 his watch a confiderable way into the Thames* and 
 
 with great fedatenefs in his looks, put up the pebble, 
 
 he had before found, in his fob. Ac I have naturally an 
 
 averfion to much fpeaking, and do not love to be the 
 
 mefleneer of ill new^s, eipecially when it comes too 
 
 late to be ufeful, I left him to be convinced of his mif- 
 
 takc in due time, and continued my walk, refle61:ing 
 
 on thoie little abfences and diflradions in mankind. 
 
ro ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 Monfieur Bruyere has given us the character of afr 
 abfeiit man. Menalcas comes down in a morning^, 
 opens his door to go out, but fhuts it again, becaufe 
 he perceives he has his night-cap on ; and examining 
 himlelf farther, finds that he is but half {iiaved, that 
 he has (luck his fword on his right fide, that his Hock- 
 ings are about his heels, and that his (liirt is over his- 
 breeches. When he is drefled, he goes to court,- 
 comes into the drawing-room, and walking upright, 
 under a branch of candlefticks, his wig is caught up by 
 one 'of theni, and hangs dangling in the air : all the 
 courtiers fall a laughing •, but Menalcas laughs lauder 
 than any of them, and looks about for the perfon that 
 is the jeft of the company,. Coming down to the 
 court-gate he finds a coach, v/hich taking for his own, 
 he whips into it ; and the coachman drives ofF, not 
 doubting but he carries his mafker. As foon as he . 
 ftops, Menalcas throws himfelf out of the coach, crof- 
 fes the court afcends the ftair-cafe, and runs through 
 all the chambers with the greateft familiarity, repo- 
 fes himfelf on a couch, and fancies himfelf at home. 
 The mailer of the houfe at laft comes in ; Menalcas 
 rifes to receive him, and defires him to fit down ; he 
 talks, mufes, and then talks again. The gentleman 
 of the houfe is tired and amazed j n'enalcas is no 
 lefs fo, but is every moment in hopes that his imper- 
 tinent gueft v/iil at iatl ("nd his tedions vifit. Night 
 comes on, when Menalc^n is hardly undeceived. 
 
 Vv^hen he is playing at backgammon, he calls for a 
 full giafs of wine and v/ater •, 'tis his turn to throw ; 
 he has the box in one hand, and his giafs i»i the oth- 
 er •, and being extremely dry, and urAvilling to lofe 
 time, he fwallcws down both the dice, and at the 
 fame time throws his wine into the tables. He writes 
 a letter, and flings the i^md into the ink-bottle ; he 
 writes a ftcond, and midakes the fuperfcription : A 
 nobleman receives one of them, and upon opening it, 
 leads as follows : / ixoud have yon ^ boneji Jack, immedi^ 
 etel\ upcn ihi reisipi of this * tcke in hay enough to fewe me 
 the Wintti : His Farmer receives the other, and is 
 amazed to fee in it, My L$rd, I receii/ed your Gratis c^m" 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ir 
 
 nands , with an entire fuhir.tffion te ' If he is at an en- 
 tertainment, you may fee the piv^(fes of bread contin- 
 ualjy multiplying round his plate. 'Tis true, the reft 
 of the company want it, as well as their knives and 
 forks, which Manalcas does not let them keep long. 
 
 (I^liometimes in a morning, he puts his whole family in. 
 E hurry, and at lafl goes out without being able to Tlay 
 ^or his coach or dinner ; and for that day you may 
 fee him in every part of the town, except the very 
 place where he had appointed to be on a bufinefs of 
 importance. You would often take him for every 
 thing that he is not *, for a fellow quite ftupid, for he 
 hears nothing •, for a fool, for he talks to himf^rlf, and 
 has a hundred grimaces and motions with his head, 
 which are altogether involuntary ; for a proud man, 
 for he lo^ks full upon you, ana takes no notice of 
 your iaiuting him. Tl>e truth of it is, his eyes are 
 open but he makes no ufe of them, and neither fees 
 you, nor any man, nor any thing elfe. He came once 
 from his own houfe, and nis own footmen undertook 
 to rob him, and fucceeded : They held a flambeau to 
 his throat, and bid him deliver his purfe •, he did fo, 
 and coming home told his friends he had been rob- 
 bed ; they dtfire to know the particulars : ^Jk my Jer^ 
 tvants, fays ./>enalcas,yor f/iey ivere ^ik me, 
 
 Thefe blemiihes proceed from a certain vivacity 
 and ficklenefs in a man's temper, which, while it 
 raifes up infinite numbers of ideas in the mind, is con- 
 tinually pufliing it on, without allowing it to rell on 
 any particular image, and helps to keep up the repu- 
 tation of that Latin Proverb which Mr. Drjden has 
 tranflated in the following lines : 
 
 Great wit to madrefi fure is near aUiei{\ 
 And thin partitiQm ^0 the'r bounds divide. 
 
 Spectator, Vol I. No. 77. X, 
 
12 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 ABSENCE OF LOVERS. 
 Mr. Spe^atory 
 
 T. 
 
 HOUGH you have confidered virtuous love In 
 n^ofl of its diftrefies, 1 do not remember that you have 
 given us any differtation upon the abfence of lovers,.^ 
 or laid dovi'n any method how they (hould fuppo 
 thcmfelves under thofe long reparations which they 
 are forced fometimesto undergo. I am at prefent un- 
 der this unhappy circumftance, having parted with 
 the bed of hulhands, who is abroad in the fervice of 
 his country; and may not polCbly return for fome 
 years. His warm and generous afre6i:ion v/hile wc 
 were together, with the tendernefs which he expref- 
 fed to me at parting, makes his abfence almoit in- 
 fuppor table : I think of him every moment in the 
 clay, and meet him every night in my dreams. Every 
 thing I fee puts me in mind of Iiim : I apply myfelf 
 with more than ordinary diligence to the care of his 
 family and his eftate j but this, inftead of relieving 
 me, gives me but fo m.any occafions of wifliing for 
 his reiurm I frequent the room where I ufed to 
 converfe with him, and not meeting him there^ fit 
 down in his chair, and fall a weeping. I love to 
 read the books he delighted in, and to converfe with 
 the perfons whom he efteemed. I vifit his pi6lure a 
 hundred times a day, and place myfelf over-againll 
 it whole hours together. I pafs a great part of my 
 time in the walks where I ufed to lean upon his arm, 
 and recolledt in my mind the difcourfes which have 
 paffed there between us. I look over the feveral prof- 
 pe6ls and points of view which we ufed to fuivey to- 
 gether, fix my eyes upon the obje(Sls which he has 
 made me take noticeof, and call to mind a thoufand 
 agreeable remarks which he has made on thofe 
 occafions : I write to him by every conveyance, 
 a'^.d, contrary to other people, am always in good- 
 humour when an eaftwind blows, becaufe it feldom 
 fails of bringing me a letter from him. Let meintreat 
 you, Sir, to give n*e your adviceu pon this occafion, and 
 to let me knov^' how I may relieve myfelf in this my 
 widowhood. / amyoun^ &c, ASTERIA. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. rj 
 
 Abfence is what the poets call death in love, and 
 his given occafion to abundance of beautihil com- 
 plaints in thofe authors who have treated of tliie. paf- 
 fion in vcrfe : Ovid's Epifties are foil of them ; Ot- 
 v; ay's Mouimia talks very tenderly upon this lubject : 
 
 -// 'Unas vet kind 
 
 To lea^-je vif. like a turtle here alcn?y 
 
 To droop arJ ncurn the abfence cfmj mate, i 
 
 IVhn then art Jrom me, every plate is dijart •; 
 
 J.nd I, metbinksy am fwvage and forlorn. 
 
 Thy prejence ^nly 'tis can make me blejVd^ 
 
 Ileal my untjuiet mindj and tune my joul. 
 
 The confolations of lovers on thefe occafions nvc 
 rry extraordinary ; befides thofe mentioned by Afte- 
 ria, there are many otlier motives of comfort : I fliall 
 take notice of on? which I have knov^-n two perfons 
 praO;ife, who joined religion to that elegance of fenti- 
 ment with which the paihon of love generally in- 
 fpires its votaries. This was, at the return ot fuch 
 1 an hour, to offer up a certain prayer for each otlier, 
 jf which they had agreed upon before their parting. 
 •f The huiband, who makes a fij^ure in the polite world, 
 as well as in his own family, has often told me, that 
 he could not have fupported an abfence of three 3"ears 
 without this expedient. 
 
 Spectator., Vol. III. No. 141. C. 
 
 ABSTINENCE. 
 
 V Ji^ HE prefervation of health is temperance, which,^ 
 has thofe particular advantages above all otli(|f means 
 to attain it, that it may be pradtifed by all r^jki-and 
 conditions, at any feafon or in any place. It is a 
 kind of regimen, mto which every man may put him- 
 felf without interruption to bufinefs, expence of m.on- 
 ey, or lofs of time. If exercife throws off all 
 the fuperfluities, temperance pi events them : If ex* 
 ercifc clc:ir3 the veflels, temperance neither ii.zi^ 
 
 B 
 
14 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 ates nor oyerftralns them : If excrcife raiTes proper 
 ferments in the liumours, and promotes the circula- 
 tion of the blood, temperance gives nature her full 
 play, and. enables her to exert herielf in all her for.- 
 and vigour : if exercife diffipates a growing diftem- 
 per, temperance itarves it. 
 
 Nature delights in the moft plain and fimple diet 
 every animal but man keeps to one diih. Herbs ai .. 
 the food of this fpecics, f.ih of that, and ilefh of the 
 third : Man falls upon every tiling that comes in his 
 way ; not the fmalleft fruic or excrefcence of the 
 earth, fcarce a berry or a mufln-oom, can efcape him. 
 I would copy the following rules of a very eminent 
 Fhyfician : Make your ivhole~repaJl cut of cm dijh ; if you 
 i?iiiulge in a ferond, a^v aid drinking any thing frcng till yeu 
 haije finijJied your meal .: at the fame time ahjiain from all 
 fauces^ at leajl Juch as are not the mof plain and fm-ple. 
 And in the article of drinking, obferve Sir V/rliiam 
 "Temple's method, ^i^. Ihe firji glafs for n-.yfclf the fecond 
 for my friendy the third for good-hu?ncur, and the fourth for 
 mine enemies. 
 
 It is obferved by two or three ancient authors, that 
 -SccrateSi notv>^ithftanding he lived in Athens during the 
 great Plague, which lias made fo much noife through- \ 
 out all agts, has been celebrated at different times 
 by luch eminent hands, notwithftandinghe lived in the 
 ■time of this devouring peililence, never caught the 
 lead infe<9;ion \ which thefe writers unanimoufly af- 
 cribe to that uninterrupted temperance which he al- 
 ways obferved. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. IIL No. 195. 
 
 ACCOUNTS. 
 
 HEN a man happens to break in Holland, they 
 £ay of him, that he has not ke^t true accounts. This phraie 
 perhaps, among us, would appear a foft or humour- 
 ous way of fpeaking ; but with that exa<£t nation, it 
 bears the higheft reproach ; for a man to be miftaken 
 m, the calculation oi his ex^ence, ia his^ ubiiiij to an-« 
 
ADDIoONIAN MISCELLANY. x^ 
 
 fwer future demands, or to be impertinently fanguine 
 in putting his credit to too great adventure, are all in- 
 ftances of as much infamy, as with gayer nations to 
 be faili.Tg in courage or common honeily 
 
 Numbers are fo mucli the meafure cf every thing thaf: 
 13 valuable, that it is not polTible to demcnflrate the 
 Aiccefs of any adlion, or the prudence cf any underta« 
 iHg without them. When a merchant receives hl^ 
 returns from abroad, he can tell to a fhilling, by the 
 help of numbers, the profit or lofs of his adventure : 
 he ought alfo to ihew that he had reaibn to make it, 
 eitherYrom his own experience or that of other peo- 
 ple, or from a reafonable prefumption that hib return-; 
 will be fuihcient to anfwcr his expence andihazard ; aiid 
 this is never to be done without the ikill of numbers. 
 For inftance, if he trades to Turkey, he ought before- 
 hand to know the demand of our man u fa cfures there, 
 as v/ell as of their filks in England, and the cuRomar 
 ry prices that are given for both in each country. He 
 ought to have a clear knowledge of thcfe matters be- 
 forehand, that he may prefumc upon fullicient returns 
 to anfwer the charge of the cargo he Iiad fitted out, 
 the freight and allurance out and iiome, the cuiloms 
 to the King, and thi intereft of his own money ; and 
 befides all thefe expences, a reafonable profit to him- 
 felf. Now where is the fcandal of tins Ikill ^ The 
 merchant throws down no man's incJofures, and 
 tramples upon no man's corn y he takes nothing from 
 the induilrious labourer, he pays the poor man "for Ids 
 work, he communicates his profit with mankind \ by[ 
 the preparation of his cargo, and the manufadlvre o£ 
 his returns, he furniihes employment and fubliilence 
 to greater numbers than the richelt nobleman ; and 
 eve^n the nobleman is obliged to him for finding out 
 foreign markets for the protluce of his eltate, and for 
 making a great addition to his rents i and yet it is 
 certain that none of all thefe things could be done by 
 him without the exercife of his ficill in numbers. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. m* No. 174. T. 
 
•e(i ADOISONIA^r MISCELLANY. 
 
 ACTIONS. 
 
 T. 
 
 HOSE who have fearched into human nature ob^ 
 
 itrve, that nothing more iliews the nobleneL of the 
 foiil, than that its felicity corififls i-n adlion. Every- 
 man has fuch an aclive principle in him, that he wiii 
 find out fomething to employ himfelf upon, in what- 
 e-^er (late of life he is pcftcd. I have heard of a gen- 
 tleman who was under clofe confinement in the Baf- 
 fjlh {tv^n years j during which time he amufed him- 
 felf in fcattcring pins about his chamber, gathering 
 tliem up. again^ and placing them in different figures 
 in the arm of a great chair. lie often told his friends 
 afterwards, that unkfs he had found, out this piece 
 ofexercife, he verily believed that he ihould have 
 icfi his fenfes. Spectator, Vol. II. No. ii6. T. 
 
 Vsc fhoukl Gaft all our a£lions under the divifion 
 ©f fuch as are in themfelves good, bad, or indifferent ; 
 and to dired: them in fuch a m.anner, that every 
 thing v/e do, may turn to account at that great day 
 ^vhen every thing we have done will be fet before us. 
 
 A good intention joined to a good a6lion, gives it 
 its proper force and efficacy ; joined to an evil aciion, 
 extenutes its malignity, and in fome cafes may take 
 it wholly away, and joined to an indifferent action, 
 turns it to a virtwe, and makes it meritorious, as far 
 czs human actions can be fo. 
 
 In the next place, to confider in the fame manner 
 the influence of an evil intention upon our actions. 
 An evil intention perverts the bell of a<ftions, and 
 make- them in reality what the fathers have termed 
 the virtues of the heathen world, fo many pining fins. 
 It deitroys the innocence of an indifferent atiionj and 
 gives an evil action all poffible blacknefs and horror ; 
 or, in the emphatical language of Holy Writ, makes 
 fin exceeding finfuL 
 
 It is then of unfpeakable advantage to pofiefs our 
 minds with an habitual good intention, and to aim 
 ?.ll our thoughts, words, and actions at fome lauda- 
 ble end, whether it be the plory of cur Maker, the 
 good of mankind, or the bentut of our own fouls. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 17 
 
 This is a fort of thrift or good hufbandry in moral 
 life, which does not throw away any fingle a<Slion, 
 but makes every one go as far as it can ; it multi- 
 plies the means of falvation, increafes the numb&r of 
 our virtues, and diminidies that of our vices. 
 
 It is this excellent frame of mind, this holy officiouf- 
 nefs, which is recommended to us by the -Apoille in 
 that uncommon precept, wherein he direfts us to pro- 
 pofe to ourfelves the glory of our Cr^^ator in all oar 
 molt indifferent acSlions, n^heiler njue eat^ or drink, cr 
 <wJiatfoeucr ive do. 
 
 A perfon therefore v/ho is poflefied with luch ?,n ha- 
 bitual good intention, as that which I have been here 
 fpeaking of, enters upon no fingle circumflance of 
 life without confidering it as well pleafing to the great 
 Author of his Being, conformable to the di£lates of 
 reafon, fuitable to human nature in general, or to that 
 particular ftation in which Providence has placed 
 him. He lives in a perpetual fenfe of the divide 
 prefence, regards himfelf as ailing in the whole 
 courfe of his exiftence under the obllrvation and in- 
 fpecSlion of that Being who is privy to all his motions 
 and all his thoughts, who knows his donx:n-fitting and 
 his uprifingy nuho is about his parky and about his bed, and 
 /pieth out all his ixjays. In a word, he remembereth that 
 the eye of his Judge is always upon him ; and in 
 every adion he rcfleds, that he is doing what is com- 
 manded or allowed by him who will hereafter le- 
 ward or punifii it : this Avas the character of thole 
 holy men of old, who in that beautiful phrafe in fcrip- 
 ture are faid to have ^c'jalked ri>jith Gcd 
 
 There is an excellent fpeech oi Socrates-, This great 
 philofopher, on the day of his execution, a little bc-< 
 fore the draught of poifon was brought to him, en- 
 tertaining his friends with a difcourfe on the imm.or- 
 tality of the foul, has theie v/ords : — Whether or not 
 God Will appro've of my actions, I hto-iv not', hut this 1 am 
 Jure ojy that I have at all times nuide it my endeavour to 
 pleafe him, and I haise a good Jiope that this tn;i endeai^our - 
 ixill he accepted by him. We find in thefe words of that 
 great man, the habitual good intenicn whigh I v/ould 
 A 2 
 
i8 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 here inculcate, and with which that divine philc^- 
 pher always adcd. I (hall only add, that Erofmus^ 
 who was an unbigoted Roman- Catholic, was fo 
 much tranfported with this palTiige of Socrates, that he 
 could fcarce forbear looking upon him as a Saint, and 
 defiring him to pray for him, or as that learned and 
 ingenious writer has exprelTed himfelf in a much 
 more lively manrer : When I reflect: on fuch a fpeech 
 pronounced by fuch a perfon, I can hardly forbear 
 crying out, San^e Socrates, ora pro nobis : O holy So- 
 crates^ P^^y ^or US. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. III. No. 213.. L. 
 
 ADVICE. 
 
 HERE is nothing which we receive with fo much 
 yeiu6lance as advice. We look upon the man who 
 gives it us, as cffc;ring an affront to our underftanding, 
 and treating us like children or idiots. There is noth- 
 ing fo difficult as the art of making advice agreeable : 
 the pens of the ancients and moderns have been ex- 
 crcifed upon this occafion. How many devices have 
 been made ufe of to render this bitter potion palata- 
 ble I Some convey their inflrucSlion to us in the bed 
 chofen words, others in the moil harmonious num- 
 bers ; fome in points of wit, and others in fliort pro- 
 verbs. 
 
 But among all the different ways of giving counfel, 
 that which pleafes the mod univerfally, is Fable -, it 
 excels all others, bccaufe it is the le^aft (hocking, and 
 therefore the mod delicate. This will appear, if we 
 refle6l;, that upon the reading of a Fable, we are made 
 to believe we advife ourfelves : We perufe the au- 
 thor for the fake of the ftory, and ccnfider the pre- 
 cepts rather as our own conclufions than his inflr ac- 
 tions. This is confirmed by the examples of the 
 wife men of old, who chofe to give counfel to their 
 |?tinces in this method ; an inftance of which we havQ 
 jpL a Turkiih Tale, which iiifprms us^ that the Sultaa 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 19 
 
 Mahamoud, by his perpetual wars abroad, and his ty- 
 ranny at home, had iillt'd his dominions with ruin 
 and defolation, and half unpeopled the Perfian Em- 
 pire. The Vifier to this great Sultan pretended to 
 have learned of a certain Dervife, to underftand the 
 language of birds, fo that there was not a bird that 
 could open liis mouth, but the Vifier knew what it 
 faid. As he was one evening with the Empe- 
 fror, in their return from hunting, they faw a couple 
 ' of owls upon a tree that grew near an old wall out of 
 a heap of rubbifh. I would fain know, fays the Sul- 
 tan, what thefe two owls are faying to one another ; 
 liften to their difcourfe, and give me an account of it. 
 i'lie Vifier approached the tree, pretending to be very 
 attentive to tl:ie two owls. Upon his return to the 
 Sultan — Sir, fays he, I.h^ve heard part of their con- 
 verfation, but dare not tell you what it is. The Sul- 
 tan would not be fatisfied with fuch an anfwer, but.' 
 ' forced him to repeat, word, for word, every thing the 
 owls had fiiid. You mufl know then, faid the Vifier, 
 that one of thefe owls has a Son, and the other a 
 Daughter, between whom they are now upon a trea-. 
 ty ot marriage. The father of the fon faid to the fa- 
 ther of the daughter, in my hearing, brother I con- 
 fent to this marriage, provided you will fettle upon 
 your daughter fifty ruined Villages for her portion. 
 To which the father of the daughter replied, inftead 
 , of fifty, r will give her live hundred, if ''a^'u pleafe. , 
 ' God grant a long life to Sultan Mahamoud\ whiHl he 
 reigns over us, we fliall never want ruined Villages. 
 
 The flory fays, the Sultan was {o touched with the 
 Fable, that he rebuilt the towns and villages which 
 had been deflroyed, and from that time forward coii- 
 fulted the good of his people. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VII. No. 512, O^, 
 
p. 
 
 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 ADVERSITY. 
 
 LATO exprefles his abhorrence of fbme Fables of 
 the Poets, which feem to reflect on the gods as the 
 authors of Injultice ; and lays it down as a principle, 
 that whatever is permitted to befall a juft man, 
 whether poverty, llcknefs qr any of thofe things 
 which feem to be evils, {hall either in life or death 
 conduce to his good, My reader will obferve how 
 agreeable this maxim is to what we (ind delivered by 
 a greater authority. Seneca has written a difcourfe 
 purpofeiy on this fubjecl, in which he takes pains, af- 
 ter the doctrine of the Stoicks, to fhew that adverfi- 
 ty is not in itfelf an Evil; and mentions a noble fay- '■] 
 ing of Demetrius, that nothing would be more un- 
 happy than a man who had never known afili£lion : 
 He compares Profperity to the indulgence of a fond - 
 mother to a child, v/hich often proves its ruin j but 
 the affecSrion- of the divine Being, to that of a wife/ 
 father, who would have, his fons exercifed with hard- 
 labour, difappointm.ent, and pain, that they may gath- 
 er ftrength and improve their fortitude. On this oc- 
 cafion tne Philofopher rifes into that celebrated fen- 
 timent, that there is not on earth a fpedlacle more : 
 worthy the regard of a Creator intent on his works,- 
 than a brave man fuperior to his fufferings ; to which . 
 he adds5"^iat it muft be a pleafure to Jupiter himfelf, , 
 to look down from Heaven, and fee Cato amid the 
 ruins of his country preferving his integrity. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. III. No. 237. .. 
 
 When the mind has been perplexed with anxious ; 
 cares and pafiions, the bed method of bringing it to . 
 its ufual ftate of tranquility, is, as much as we poffibly 
 can, to turn our thoughts to the adverfities of per-* 
 fons of higher confideration in virtue and merit than 
 ourfelves. By this means, all the little incidents of 
 our own lives, if they are unfortunate, feem to be the 
 effect of Juftice upon our faults and indifcretions.,. 
 Wheii thofe whom we know to be escellcnj: andde-^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 21 
 
 fervlng of a better fate, are wretched, we cannot but re- 
 Cgn ourfelves, when mod of us know that we merit a 
 much worfe fate than that we arc placed in. For fuch, 
 and many other occafions, there ii one admirable re- 
 lation wliich one might recommend for certain peri- 
 ods of one's life, to touch, comfort, and improve the 
 heart of man. Tully fays fomewhere, the plcafures of 
 a liufbandman are next to thofe of a philofopher. In 
 like manner, one may fay, the pleafures of humanity 
 arc next to thofe of devotion. In both thefe latter 
 fatisfa6lions, there is a certain humiliation which ex- 
 aits the foul above its ordinary ftate ; at the fame 
 time that it lefTens the value of ourfelves, it enlarges 
 cur cfliniation of others. 
 
 Tatllr, Vol. IV. No. 233. 
 
 ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 For the Good of the Public. 
 
 \VlTHINtwo doors of the Mafquerade Houfe 
 'lives an eminent Jtjlian Chirurgeon, arrived from the 
 Carnival of Venice, of great experience in private 
 cures. Accommodations are provided, and perfons 
 admitted in their Malking habits. 
 
 He has cured iincc his coming hither, in lefs than a 
 fortnight, four Scaramouches, a Mountebank Doctor, 
 .two Turkijh BafTas, three Nuns, and a Morris dan- 
 cer. 
 
 Fenienti occurrile Morlo. 
 N. B. Any pi;;fon may agree by the great, and be 
 kept in repair by the year, ihe Doctor draws teeth 
 without pulling off your mafK:. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. I. No. 22. T. 
 
 J. O prevent all mifcakes that may happen among 
 gentlemen of the other end of the town, who come 
 but once a week to St. James's Coffec-Houfe, either 
 
22 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. | 
 
 by mifcalling the feivants, or requiring fuch things of 
 them as are not properly within their refpeclive pro- 
 vinces, this is to give notice, that Kidney^ keeper of 
 the book-debts of the out-lying cuilomers, and ob- 
 fervcr of thofe who go oif without p^^yirrg, having re- 
 figned that employment, is fucceeded bv ^okyi Bonxi- 
 don ; to whofe place of enterer of meiTages, and hrft.* 
 cotiee-grinder, William Bird is promoted ; and Samuel 
 Burdock comes as Ihoe-cieaner in the room of the faid 
 Bird, 
 
 Spectat'or, Vol. I. No. 24, R. 
 
 A 
 
 Widow gentlewoman, well born both by father «' 
 
 and mother's fide, bein^^ the daughter of 'Xhomas \ 
 Prater, once an eminent Practitioner in the Law, and | 
 of Letitia Tattle, a family well known in all parts of | 
 this kingdom^ having been reduced by misfoitunes o ? 
 wait on fevera. great peribns, and for fome time to be j 
 teacher at a boarding-fchool of young ladies, giveth ' 
 notice to the public, that ine hath lately taken a hoafe : 
 near Bloomfbary-fqunre, ccriimodioufiy fituated next j 
 the Fields, in a good air, where ihe teaches all forts of i 
 birds of tlie loquacious kinds, as parrots, ftarlings, \ 
 magpies, and others, to imitate human voices in^ 1 
 greater perfection than ever yet was pra6tifed. They,, j 
 are not only inftrucled to pronounce words diftin£tly, \ 
 and iu a proper tone and accent, but to fpeak the Ian- : 
 guage with great purity and volubility of tongue ; to- ■ 
 gether with all the fa-Tnionabie phrafes and compli- \ 
 nients now in ufe eicher at tea-tables or viiiting-days. 
 Thofe that have good voices, may bi taught to fipg the 
 neweil Opera airs, and, if required, to fpeak eiiher 
 Italian or French, paying fomething above the com- 
 mon rates: They whole friends are not able to pay the 
 full prices, maybe taken as half-boarders. She teacli- 
 es fuch as are defigjned for the diverfion of the public, 
 and to acl in enchanted woods on the theatres, by 
 the great. As Ihe has often obferved with much 
 concern how indecent an education is ufuaily given; 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 23 
 
 iht(c innocent creatures, which, in fome mearure, is 
 owing to their being placed in open rooms next the 
 flreet, where, to the gredt offence of chafie and ten- 
 der ears, they Jcarn nl)rhiry, obfcene fongs, and im- 
 •modeft expreflions, from paficngers and idle people ; 
 •as alfo to cry (iih and cardm-citches, with other ufe- 
 lefs parts of learning, to birds who have rich 
 friends ; (he has lilted up proper and neat apartments 
 for them in the back part of her faid houfe, wh.ere fhe 
 fuffers none to approach them but iierfelf, and a fer- 
 vant maid, vvho is deaf and dumb, and whom (}?e pro- 
 vided on purpofe to prepare their food and cieanfe 
 
 ' their cages ; having fcuiid, by long experience, liow 
 hard a thing it is for thofe to keep filence who have 
 the ufe of {peech, and the dangers her feholars are 
 expofed to by the ftrong impreliions that are made by 
 harih founds and vulgar di'rik£ls. In Ihort, if they 
 are birds of any parts or capacity, flie will undertake 
 to render them fo accompliihed in the compafs of a 
 twelvemonih, that they (hail be fit converfation for 
 
 ' fuch ladies as love to choofe their friends and com- 
 
 f anions out c>f this fpecies. 
 Spectator, VoL I. No. 36. R. 
 
 '"A 
 
 Young gentlewoman, about nineteen years of 
 
 ^age (bred in rlic family of a perfon of quality lately 
 
 '^eceafed) who paints the finell J^'i/^ colour, wants a 
 
 'place, and is to be heard of at the houfe of Mjnkeer 
 
 ^rotefqiicy a Dutch painter in Barbican. 
 
 N. B. She is alfo well flcilled in the drapery part, 
 and puts on hoods, and mix?s ribbons fo as to fuit 
 the colours of the face, with great art and fuccefs. 
 
 JSpectator, VoL 1. No. 41. R* 
 
24 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 V\y HEREAS Mr. Bkkerfiof, by a letter, has re- \ 
 
 ceived information, that there are aDout the Royal Ex- "'\ 
 
 change, 2i fort of people commonly known by the name j 
 
 of /F;6/?^/irrx, who drink themfelves into an intermedi- j 
 
 ate ftate of being neither <irunk nor fober, before the •: 
 
 hours of exchange or biifinefs ; and in that condition ! 
 
 buy and fell ilocks, difcount notes, and do many oth- ■ 
 
 er acls of well-difpofed citizens :' This is to give no- j 
 
 tice, that iVoni this day forward, no Whetter f]\all be j 
 
 .able to give or endorfe any note, or execute any other : 
 
 point of commerce, after the third half pint i 
 
 before the hour of one; and whoever fliall tranfa£t ! 
 
 any matter or matters with a Whetter (not being him- i 
 
 felf of that order) (hall be conducted to McorfieUs^ \ 
 upon the hril application of his next akin, 
 
 N. B. No Tavern near the Exchange flial! deiire-r I 
 
 v/ine to fuch as drink at the bar flanding, except the ' 
 
 fame (hall be three parts of the beft cyder j and the | 
 
 mailer of the houfe wall produce a certificate of the ! 
 fame from I^Ir. Tintoret, or fome other credible wine 
 painter. 
 
 w. 
 
 HEREAS the model of the intended Bedlam h 
 now finilhed, and the edifice ittelf \viil be very fud^ 
 denly begun, and it is defired that all fuch as have re- 
 lations whom they would re<:ommend to our care, 
 would bring in their proofs with all fpeed ; none 
 to be admitted of courfe but lovers, who are put 
 into- an immediate Regimer. Young politicians are 
 alfo received without fees or examination. 
 
 Tatler, Vol. III. No. 13&. 
 
 JL KE Cenfor having obferved, that there are fine 
 wrought Laches fhoes and flippers put out to view at 
 a great Shoemaker's ihop towards St. James's, whlck 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ^^. 
 
 create irregular thoughts and defircs in the yoiuh o£ 
 this town ; the faid ihop-keeper is required to take ift« 
 thofe eye-fores, or ihew caufc, the next court-day, 
 whv he contiinies to expofe the fame ; and he is re- 
 quired to be prepared particularly to anfwcr to the 
 Hippeis with gvecn lace and blue heels. 
 
 1'atllk, Vol. III. No. 143. 
 
 W) 
 
 HEREAS th.e fevcral church-warden?; of mod: 
 of the parilhes witliin the bill of mortality ha\e,iR 
 an earnetl manner, applied themfelves by way of pe- 
 tition, and have alfo made a prefentment of the vain 
 and loofe deportment, during divine fervicc, of perfons 
 of too great figure in all their faid pariflies for their 
 reproof : and wlicreas it is therein fet forth that by 
 falutation given eacli other, hints fhrugs, ogles, 
 playing of fans, fooling with canes at their mouth, 
 and other wanton gefticulations, their whole congre- 
 gation appears rather a theatrical audience than a 
 place of devotion : It is hereby ordered, th.at all canes, 
 cravats, bofom laces, mufTs, fans, fnufT-boxes, and all 
 other inftruments made ufe of to give perfons unbe- 
 coming airs, fi^all be immediately forfeited and fold; 
 and of the fum arifing from the fale thereof, a ninth 
 part fliali be paid to the poor, and the reft to the over- 
 leers. 
 
 Tatlek, Vol. III. No. 166. 
 
 For the Benefit cf ?ny Female Readers, 
 
 Jl HIS ferves to inform them, that the gilt chariot, 
 the diamond ring, the ^old fnuiT-box, and brocade 
 fword-knot, are no efiential part of a fine gentleman ; 
 but may be ufed by him, provided he calls his eyes 
 upon them but once a day. 
 
 GUATIDIAN, Vol. L No. 54. 
 
5^ ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 ADULTERERS. 
 
 jr\ DULTERERS in the firft ages of the church 
 vere excommunicated forever, and unqualified all 
 .their lives from bearing a part in Chriftian aflemblies j 
 notwithftanding they might feek it with, tears, and 
 .all appearance of the moft unfeigned repentance. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. Vlll. No. 579. 
 
 A 
 
 AFFECTATION. 
 
 Late converfation which I l^ell into, gave me an 
 opportunity of obferving a great deal of beauty in a 
 X'ery handfome women, and as much wit in an ingen- 
 ious man, turned into deformitv in the one and ab- 
 furdity in the other, by the mere force of affectation. 
 The fair one had fom.ething in her perfon, upon which . 
 her thoughts were fixed, that fhe attempted to fnew 
 to advantage in every look, word, and gefture. The 
 gentleman was as diligent to do juftice to his fine 
 parts, as the lady to her beauteous form. You m.ight 
 fee his imagination on the ftrength to find out fome- 
 thing uncommon, and what they call bright, to en- 
 tertain her, while fhe v/rithed nerfelf into as many 
 different poflures to engage him. When flie laugh- 
 ed, her lips were to fever at a greater diftance than 
 ordinary, to (hew her teeth ; her fan was to point 
 at fomev/hat at a diftance, that in the reach fhe may 
 difcoyer the roundnefs of her arm ; then fhe is utter- 
 ly miflakcn in what flie faw, falls back, fmiles at her 
 own foliy, and is fo wholly difcompofed, that her 
 tucker is to be adjufled, her bofom expofed, and the 
 whole woman put' into new airs and graces. While 
 ftie was doing all this, the gallant had time to think of 
 fomething very pleafant to fay next to her, or make 
 feme unkind observation on fome other lady, to feed 
 her vanity. Thefe unhappy effects of affedlation na- 
 tiwraily lead to that ftrange ilate of mind, which fo 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 27 
 
 generally difcolours the behaviour of moft people we 
 meet with. 
 
 But this apparent aiFeclation, rrifing from ill- 
 governed confcioufnefs, is not fo much to be wonder- 
 ed at in fuch loofe and trivial minds as tliele •, but 
 when you fee it in charaders of worth and diilinc- 
 tion, it is what you cannot but lament ; it creeps in- 
 to the heart of the wife man as well as that of the 
 coxcomb. The bed way to get clear of fuch a light 
 fondnefs for applaufe, is to take all poihble care to 
 throw off the love of it upon occafions that are not in 
 themfelves laudable \ of this nature are all graces in 
 men's perfons, drefs and bodily deportment, which 
 will be naturally winning and attractive, if we think 
 not of them, but lofe their force in proportion to our 
 endeavour to make them fuch. 
 
 It is only from a thorough difregard to himfelf in 
 fuch particulars, that a m.an can a6t with a laudable 
 fuiiiciency ; his heart is fixed upon one point in view, 
 and he commits no errors, becaufe he thinks nothing 
 an error but what deviates from that intention. 
 
 The wild havcck affectation makes in that part of ^ 
 the world which fhould be moil polite, is vifible : It * 
 pu{hes men not only into impertinences in converfa- 
 tion, but aUb in their premeditated fpeeches^ at the 
 bar it torments the bench, and often afcends the pul- 
 pit itfelf ; and the declaimev is frequently fo im.per- 
 tine*tly witty, fpeaks of the lad day with fo many 
 quaint phrafes, that there is no man who underltands 
 raillery, but muii^efolve to fm no more-, nay, you 
 'Kiay behold him fometimes in prayer, for a proper 
 delivery of the great truths he his to utter, humble 
 himfelf witii fo well-turned a phrafe, and mention his 
 own unworthinefs in a way fo very becoming, that 
 the air of the pretty gentleman is preferved under the 
 lowlinefs of the preacher. I fliall end this with a 
 (hort letter I wrr^te the other day to a very v. lUy man^ 
 0,ver-run v/itn the fault I am fpeaking of. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 I 
 
 Dear Sir^ 
 
 fpent fome time wrth you the other day, and rmift 
 take the liberty of a fiiend to tell yen of tnc unfulfer- 
 abls aftc£l:ation you are guilty of in all you fay and 
 Ao. When i gave you a hint of it, you afked me 
 whether a man is to be cold to what his friends think 
 ef him ? No ; but praife is not to be the entertain- 
 ment of every moment : he that hopes for it muft be 
 abl(i' to fufpcnd the poflelTion of it, till proper peri- 
 ods of life, or death itftlf; if you fhould not rather 
 be commended than be praife-worthy, contemn little 
 iTierits, and allow no man to be fo free with you as 
 to praife you to your face. Your Vanity by this 
 means will want its food. At the fame time your 
 paflion for efteem will be more fully gratified, men 
 will praife you in their a6tions •, where you now re- 
 ceive one compliment, you will then receive twenty ci- 
 vilities y till then you will never have of either farther 
 than^ Sir, your humble Servant. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. I. No. 38. R. 
 
 The great misfortune of afFe£lation is, that men 
 sot only lofs a good quality, but alfo contrail a bad 
 one. They not only are unfit for what they were 
 dtfigned, but they aitign themfelvis to what they are 
 unfit for •, and, inftcalof making a very good figure 
 one way? make a very ridiculous one another, if 
 Seu.antle would have been fatisfied with her natural 
 complexion, fhe might {till have been celebrated by 
 the name of the olive-beauty \ but Semantha has ta- 
 ken up an afre6tation to white and red, and is now 
 (ii{ti?i:iuiihed by the character of the lady that paints S 
 well. ^ In a word, could the world be reformed to the J; 
 i^iViVzCi.(S\0::itc, folloiv nature, which the oracle of Del- fi 
 thos pronounced to Cicero, when he confulted what 
 CGurfe of ftudies he fhould purfue, wp flrould fee 
 almoft every man as enainent in his proper 
 inhere, as Tully was in his ; and fhould in a very 
 jjhort time find impertinence and affectation banifhecl 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 29 
 
 from among the women, and coxcombs and falfe 
 
 characters from among the men. . For my part I 
 
 could never confider this prepofterous repugnancy to 
 
 nature aiiy otherwiie, than liot only as the greated 
 
 folly, but alfo one of the moif henious crimes, fincc it 
 
 a dire6l oppodtion to the difpofition of Providence, 
 
 id (as 7W/>'.exprjsfles it) like the fm cf the giants, an 
 
 tuai rebellion againft Heaven. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VI. No. 404. . 
 
 AFFECTIONS. 
 
 '^V HEN labour v^^a? pronounced to be the portion 
 of men, that docwn reached the affeclion of his mind 
 a>. well as his perfon ; the matter on which he was to 
 -cd, and all the animal and vegetable world about 
 rAi. There is therefore an aiPuiuous care and culti- 
 :tion to be beflowed upon our pafiions and affec- 
 .iLi.ns 5 for they arc the excrefcences of our fouls, like 
 •urhair and beards, look horrid or becoming, as we 
 . iv.i or let them grow. This may be accounted for. 
 ' in the behaviour of Duum^vir, the hufband and keep- 
 , Ten thoufand follies had this unhappy, man ef- 
 .-ned, had he made a compa£l with himfelf to be up- 
 j^ on his guard, and net permitted his vagrant eye to 
 Irt in fo many different inclinations upon him, as alJ 
 :. days he has been perplexed with *, but indeed, at 
 .|.iCfent, he has brought himfelf to be confined only to 
 • rone prevailing miftrefs, between whom and his wife, , 
 •^Duutn^ir paiTes his hours in all the vicifhtudcs which 
 ,, attend pafh^n and afFe6i:ion, without the intervention 
 •, of reafon, — i,^ttr« his wife and Phiilis his miflrefs, are 
 r., all with whom he has had, for fome months, the leaft. 
 amorous commerce. Duum^virhviS pafied the noon of 
 .Jife. but cannot withdraw from thofe entertainments ■ 
 which are pardonable only before the ffcage-of our be- 
 ing, and which after that feafon are rather punifh- 
 ments th-.m fatisfadions ; for a palled appetite is hu- 
 mourous, and muft be gratified with fauces rather 
 •than food. For which end Duumvir j§ prgyidevl with ' 
 C 2 . 
 
30 ADDISONIAN M!SGELLANY. 
 
 ^ haughty, imperious, ex-pen five, and fantaftic mif- 
 trefs ; to wliom he retires from the converfation of 
 ^n affable, hunible, difcreet and airectionate wife. 
 Laura receives him, after abfence, with an eafy and 
 iinaffecled complacency ; but that he calls inilpid ; 
 Phillis rates him for his abfence, and bids him re- 
 turn from whence he came : ^this he calls fpirit and 
 iire. Laura's gentlcnefs is thought mean, Fheiliss in- 
 folence fprightly. Were you to fee him ac his own 
 home, and his miftrefs's lodgings j to Phiilis he ap- 
 pears an obfequious lover, to Laura an imperious maf« 
 ter. ^ • 
 
 Nay, fo unjuft is the t a fie of Duu7n^jh\ tha" he owns 
 ILaura has no ill qualiiy, but that Ihe is his wife ; 
 Plillis r\o good one, but that (lie is his miftrefs; and 
 he himfelf has often faijj, were he marrieil to any one 
 (Ziic^ he would rather kc^^aura than any woman liv- 
 ing 5 yet allow at the fam(?^me,"that PhiUis^ v/ere (he 
 -a woman of honour, woalcl,.^||^e been the moft, infip- 
 jd animisl breathing. In a word the affetSfionate part 
 of. his heart being corrupted,. i^id his true tafte that 
 way wholly lollj he has contracted a prejudice to all 
 the behaviour of Luura.^ and a general partiality in fa- 
 vour of Philiis. There is fomething too melancholy 
 in this circumflance to be the fubjed of raillery. 
 
 Tatler, Vol. II. No. 54, 
 
 AFFLICTION. 
 
 \ RUE afSic^ion labours to be invllible 5 k is a 
 ftranger to ceremony, and bears in its own nature a 
 dignity much above the little civcumftances which, are 
 affcded. under the noiion of decency. 
 
 Steciatorj Vol. II. No. 95. L. 
 
 It would be eiidlefs to enumerate th^ fantaftlcal 
 afni£l ions that dilturb mankind ; but as a mifery is. 
 wot to be meafured from the nature of an evil, feut 
 6-om the temper of the fufFerer, I (hall prefent my 
 X^adersj v/hc aie unhappy either in reality or ini?,£ia?.. 
 
ADDISONrAN ISIISCELLANY. 3Jt 
 
 ation, with an Allegory which Homer has fuggefted to 
 me. 
 
 When Jupiter took into his hands the government 
 of the world, the fcverfd parts of nature, with the pre* 
 iiding Deities, did.honrage to him ; one pvciented him 
 witn a mountain of winds, another with a magazine 
 of hail, and a third witi? a pile of thunderholts. The 
 ihn's cllered up their mfiuences, tlie accan gave in his 
 vrident, the earth her fruits, and the fun his feafons. 
 Among the fevcral Deities v/ho came to make their 
 couit on this occalion, the Dejhmes advanced with 
 two great tuns carried before them, one of which they 
 fixed on the riglit hand of Jupiter, as he fat upoji his 
 throne, and the other on his left ; the flrft was filled 
 wiih ail tJie bicilings, and the other with ail the ca- 
 lamities of human life. Jupiicry in the beginning of 
 his reign, (i:iding the world much more innocent tlian^ 
 it is in this iron age. poured very plentifully out of 
 the tun that Hood at his- right hand ; but, as man- 
 kind degenerated, and became unwortliy of his bkf-n 
 fnigs, he fet abroach the otlier veflel, that filled tiie 
 world with pain and poverty, battles and diftemptrs, 
 jeaioufy and falfehood, intoxicatmg pleafur.es and un- 
 timely deaths. 
 
 He v/as at length fo very much Incenfed at the great 
 depravations of human rtJture, and the repeated prov- 
 ocations which he received from all.parts of.the earth, 
 that leaving refolved to dcftroy the whole fpecies ex- 
 cept Deiiculio}} and Pyrrha^ he commanded the Dejlinies 
 to gather up the bielhngs which he had thrown away- 
 upon the fons of , mej!, and lay them upuntil the world 
 £iouid be inhabitul by. a more virtuous and defervin^ 
 j^ce of mortals. . 
 
 The three fillers immediately repaired to the earth,:, 
 in fearch of the feveral blellings that had been featter- 
 ed on it but found the tafic which was enjoined thcnv 
 to be n. xch more diiT»eult than they imagined. The 
 fjrfl: places which they reiorted toj as the moft Hkely- 
 to fucceed in, v/ere cities, palaces, 2nd courts j but; 
 inftead of meeting wkh what they looked for here> 
 ih-ey found nothing but env-y, repining, raid the Xi%.^ 
 
3'2 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 bitter ingredients of the left-hand vefTel : WliereaSr 
 to their great furprife, they difcovered content, chear- 
 fidnefs, health, innocence and other the mod fub- 
 ilantial bleiluigs of life, in cottages, fliades, and fol- 
 itudes. 
 
 There was another circ.umftance no lefs unexpect- 
 ed than the former, and whic4i gave them very great 
 perplexity in the difchaige of the truft which Jupiter 
 had committed to them. They obferved that feveral 
 bleiTings had degenerated into calamities, and that fev- 
 eral calamities had improved into bleffings, according 
 as they fell into the pofieirion of wife and foolifli men.. 
 They often found power, with fo much iniolence and 
 impatience cleaving to it, that it became a miisfortune 
 to the perfon on whom it was conferred : Youtli had 
 often difLcmpers growing, about it, worfe than the 
 ir.^rraites of old age; wealth was often united to fuch 
 a lOidid avarice, as m.ade it the moft uncomfortable 
 •^ivA painful kind of poverty. KJn the contrary, they 
 often found pain made glorious by fortitude, poverty 
 "loft in content, deformity beautified by virtue. In a 
 v/crd, the bleffings were often like good fruits planted 
 in a bat! foil, that by degrees fall oiF from their nat- 
 ural reiifiri, into tafles altogether infipid or unwhole-. 
 fome \ and the calamities, like harfh fruits, cultivated 
 in a good foil, and enriched, by proper grafts and in- 
 oculations, till they fwell with generous and delightful 
 juicec. 
 
 There v/as (1111 a third circum (lance, which occa- 
 {ioned as great a furprife to the three filters as either: 
 of the foregoing, when they difcovered feveral calami-^ 
 ties which had never been in either of the tuns that- 
 flood by the throne of Jupiter^^nA were neverthelefs as- 
 great occafions of bappinefs or mifery as any there* 
 Thefe were that fpurious crop of bleffings and calami- 
 ties which vv^ere never fown by the hand of the Deity, 
 but grew of themfelves out of the fancies andtiifpofi- 
 tions of human creatures j fuch are drefs, titles, place, , 
 eciuipage, falfe fhame, and groundlefs fear, with the 
 like vain imaginations that flioot up in trifling, v/eakj 
 and irrefolute minds..- The Deftjnmy finding theni* 
 
I 
 
 ADDISO NIAN MISCELLANY. 33 
 
 ■felves in fo great a perplexity, concluded that it would 
 be impoirible for them to execute the commands that 
 had been given them, according to their firit intention; 
 for which reafon they agreed to throw all the bleffings 
 ai;d calamities together into one large veilel,and in that 
 niianner off::r them up at the feet of Jupner, This 
 was performed accordingly, the eldefi: lifter prefented 
 
 'herfelf before the veflel, and introsiuced it with an 
 apology for what they had done. 
 
 O Jupiter, (fays fhc) nj^e have gathered together all the 
 good and ci);l, the comforts and difrej/is^ of htman life, ^ojhicb 
 tvf ihvs prcjent befin thee in o :e pror/ufcuous heap. Wi be- 
 
 feech thce^ that thou thfelf --^illfort them out for the future, as 
 in thy <v^-ifdo!-n thou fait think ft ; for i< e ackno-jctedge that 
 there is none befdes thte that can judge nvhat ^^xill occafion grkf 
 or joy in the heart of a human creature, and ixhat luill prove a 
 blelfing or a calamity to it.eperfon on njuhoni it is hejlo-we.i. 
 
 Tatler, Vol. in. No. 146. 
 
 AGE. 
 
 'F all X:i\(t impertinent wiilies which we liear ex- 
 prelfed in convtrlation, there is not one more unwor- 
 thy a gentleman, or a man of liberal education, than 
 that of wiihi ng one's felf younger. It is a certain 
 fign of a foolilli or" a dilTolute mmd, if we want our 
 youth again only for the Itrength of bones and Gnews 
 which we once were mafters of ; it is as abfurd in an 
 old man to willi for the ftrength of a youth, as it 
 would be in a young man to wiih for the ftrength 
 of a bull or a horfe. Thefe wiflies are both equal- 
 ly out of nature, which fnould dire6l in all things 
 that are not contradictory to juitice, lav/, and rea- 
 fon. 
 
 Age in a virtuous perfjn of either fex carries in It 
 an authority, which makes it preferable to all the 
 pleafures of youth *, if to be fal||t^"d, attended, or 
 confulted, with deference, are inlbanccs of plea- 
 fure, they are fuch as never fail a virtuous old age- 
 In the enunieracioii of the im perfections and advaii.- 
 
64 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 tages of the younger and later years of man, they are 
 fo near in their condition, that methinks it fhould be 
 incredible we fee fo little commerce of kmdnefs be- 
 tween them. If we confider youth and age with TuU 
 Ij, rega^rding the affinity to death, youth has manv^' 
 more chances to be nearer it than age *, what youth« 
 can fay more than an old man, * He fhail live til!-! 
 night ?' youth catches difi:empeis more eafily, its fick- 
 neis is more violent, and its recovery more doubtful- 
 The youth, indeed, hopes for many more days 5 fo^j 
 cannot the old nian. The youth's hopes are ill 
 grounded ; for what is more foolifh than to place any 
 confidence upon an uncertainty ? But the old man 
 has not room fo much as for hope j he is ftill hap- 
 pier than the youth •, he has already enjoyed what 
 the other does but hope for ; one wifnes to livelong^, 
 the other has lived long. But, alas, is there any thing 
 in human life, the duration of which can be called 
 long ? There is nothing, which muft end, to be valu- 
 ed for its continuance. If hours, days, months, and 
 yearsj pafs away, it is no matter what hour, what davj 
 what month, or what year we die. The applaufe of 
 a good a£lor is due to him at whatever fcene of the 
 play he makes his e>cit. It is thus in the life of a man 
 of fenfe j a fhort life is fufficient to n:ianiieft himfelf a 
 man of honour and virtue j when he ceafes to be 
 fuch he has lived too long ; and, while he is fuch, it 
 is of no confequence to him how long he fhall be fo,^ 
 provided he is fo to his life's end. 
 
 Spectator, Vol II. No. 153. Ta. 
 
 Ti 
 
 AGREEABLE MAN. 
 
 HE deiire of pleafing makes a man agreeable or 1 
 
 unwelcome to thofe v/ith whom he converfes, accord- I 
 
 ing to the motive from which that inclination appears i 
 
 to flow. If you^ concern for pleafing others arifes J 
 
 from innate benevolence; it never fails of fuccefs ; if 1 
 
 from a vanity to excel, its difappointment is no lefa I 
 ijertaia. What we call an agreeable man, is he 
 
 WW' 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 3^ 
 
 IS endowed with the natural bent to ,do acceptable 
 tilings, from the dcjight he takes in them merely as 
 fuch ; and the alTecl:ation of thnt charader is what 
 conditutes a fop. Under thefe leaders one may draw 
 up all thofe who make any manner of figure, except 
 in dumb fhow. A rational and felecSl: converlation 
 is compofed of perfons who have the talent of pleaf- 
 ing with delicacy of lentiments, flowing from habitual 
 chaitity of thought. Now and then you meet with a 
 man fo exadly formed for piealing, that will make 
 him gain upon every body who hears or beholds him. 
 This felicity is not the gift of nature only, but muil 
 be attended with happy circumftances, which add a 
 dignity to the familiar behaviour which diftinguilhes 
 him whom we call the agreeable man. It is from this 
 that every body loves and cUeems Polycarpm. He is 
 in the vigour of his ago, and >!.e gaiety of his life ; 
 but has palled through very confpicuous fcenes in it : 
 Though no foldier, he has fliared the danger, and act- 
 ed wuh great gallantry and generofity, in a decifive 
 day <jf battle. To have thofe qualities which only 
 «iake other men confpicuous in the world, as it were 
 Supernumerary to hini, is a circumftance which gives 
 weight to his mod i:i(UfFe^:ent actions ; for as a known 
 (jredit is ready cafli to a trader, fo is acknowledged 
 merit immediate dillhittion, and fervcs in the place of 
 equipage to a gentleman. This renders Poiycarpus 
 graceful in mirth, important in bufmefs and regarded 
 with love in every ordinary occurrence. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. IV. No. 280. T. 
 
 AGREEABLE in COMPANY. 
 
 JL KE true art of being agreeable in company (but 
 there can be no fuch thing as art in it) is to appear 
 well pleafcd with thofe you are engaged with, and 
 rather to feem well entertained, than to bring enter- 
 tain m.ent to others. A man thus difpofed, is not in- 
 deed what we ordinarily call a good companion, but 
 ^catially is fuch, and in all parts of his converfatioa 
 
-iS ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 has fomething friendly in his belravionr, which con-' 
 ciliates men's minds more than the higheft Tallies of 
 wit or fharts of humour can poiTibly do. The feeble- 
 nefs of age in a man of this turn, has fomething which 
 fljould be treated with rtfpecl even in a man no oth- 
 erwife venerable. The forwardnefs of yciuh, when ] 
 it proceeds from alacrity, and not infolence, has alfo 
 its ; Lowances. The companion who is formed for 
 fuch by nature, gives x.o every character in life its 
 due regard, and is ready to account for their imper- k 
 feciions, and receive their accomplilhments, as if they 
 were his o\^ n. It mull appear that you receive law 
 from, and not give it to, your company, to make you 
 a^iceabie. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. V. No. 386. T. 
 
 V / ALLEGORIES, 
 EGO 
 
 ^\lLEGORTES, when well chofenare like fo ma- 
 ny tracks of Hght in a difcourfe, that makes every 
 thing about them fecm clear and beautiful. A noble 
 metaphor, when it is placed to advantage, cafls a kind 
 of glory round it, and darts a luftre through a whole" 
 fcntence. Thefe diiTerent kinds of allufion are but lo 
 many different manners of fimilitude \ and that they 
 may'pleafe the imagination, the likeriefs ought to be 
 very exa<£l, or very agreeable : as wc love to fee a pic- : 
 turc where the refemblance is juft, or the pofiure aiid 
 air graceful : But we find eminent wTiters very faulty 
 in this refpeft. Great fcholars are apt to fetch com- 
 parifons and allufions from .the fcience in which they 
 are mod converfant ; fo that a m.an may fee the com- 
 pafs of their learning in a treatife on the moft indif- 
 ferent fubjeft. I nave rend a difcourfe upon love, 
 which none but a profound chimift could underftand. 
 On the contrary, your men of bufmefs ulually hare 
 recourfe to fuch inilances, as are too mean and famil- 
 iar ; they are for drawing tlie reader into a game of 
 chefs or tennis, or for leading him from fliop to (hop 
 in the cant of particular trades and employments. It 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. -i 
 
 U certain there may be found an infinite variety of 
 very agreeable alliifions in both thefe kinds ; but, for 
 the generality, tlie moO; entertaining ones He in tha 
 works of nature, which aie obvious to all capacities, 
 and more deliglitful than what is to be found in arts 
 and fci'^ncics. 
 
 They fet off all writings in general, and are the ve- 
 lif^ and highcft perfeftion of poetry, where it 
 rnnes in an eininent degree. It has pref^rved feveral 
 poems, for many ages, thar have nothing elfe to re- 
 comm;!nd them ; and where all the other beauties arc 
 prefent, the work appears dry and infipid if this fmgla 
 Oiie be wanting. It has fomething in it like creation ; 
 ii: bellows a kind of exigence, and draws up to the 
 reader's view feveral cbjecSls which are not to be found 
 in being. It makes additions to nature, and gives a 
 greater variety to God's works. In a word, it is able 
 to beautify and adorn the moft illullrious fcenes ia 
 the univerfe, or to fill the mind with more glorious 
 
 i' liiows and apparitions than can be found in any part 
 
 - of it. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VI. No. 421. O. 
 
 An allegory is like the health we get by hunting ; 
 as we are engaged in an agreeable purfuit that draws 
 r.s on with pltalure and makes us mfenfible of the fa- 
 t.'gues that accompany it. 
 
 Tatler, Vol. III. No. 147. 
 
 As foma of tlie fined compofitions among the an- 
 cients are in allegory, 1 have endeavoured in feveral of 
 .my papers to revive that way of writing, and hope I 
 have not been unfuccelsful in it ; for I find there is al- 
 ways a great demand for thofe particular papers, ^nd 
 .cannot but obft^rve that feveral authors have endeavour- 
 ed of late to excel in works of tliis nature. Among 
 :fe I do not know any one who has fucceeded better 
 m a very Ingenious gentleman, to whom I am in- 
 ■Sted for the following piece. 
 
 How are we tortured with the abfence of what w> 
 
 c-t to pofiefs, when it apoears to be loft to us I 
 
 D ' 
 
3S ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 What excurfions does the foul make in imagination 
 after it ! And how does it turn into itfulf again more 
 foolilhly fond, and deje6lcd at the difappointment ? 
 Our grief, inftead of having recourfe to rtafon, wh.ich 
 might reilrain it, fearches to find a further nourifh- 
 ment ; it calls upon memory to relate the feveral paf« 
 fages and circumftances of fatisfa6tion which we for- 
 merly enjoyed ; the pleafures we purchafed by 
 'thofc riches that are taken from us or the power and 
 fplendor of our departed honours ; or the voice, the 
 words, the looks, the temper, and affections, of our 
 friends that are deceafed. It needs mud happen from 
 hence, that the pafTion fhould often fwcU to fuch a fize 
 23 fliould burft the heart which contains it, if time did 
 not make thefe circumftances Icfs flrong and lively ; 
 fo that reafon fliouid become a more equalmatch for 
 the paflions ; or if another defire, which becomes 
 more prefent, did not overpower them with a livelier 
 -re.rrefentation. Thefe are thoughts v/hich I had, 
 when I fell into a kind of vifion upon this fubjeft, and 
 may therefore ftand for a proper introduction to a re- 
 lation of it. 
 
 I found myfelf upon a naked fhore, with company,' 
 v/hofe alTlided countenances witneffed their condi- 
 tions. Before us flowed a water, deep, filent, and 
 called the river of Tears, which, iiluing from two 
 fountains on an upper ground, encompaffed an ifland 
 that lay before us. The boat which plied in it was 
 old and fliattered, having been fometimes overfet by 
 the impatience and hafte of fmgle paffengcrs to arrive 
 at the other fide. This was immediately brought too 
 by Misfortune, who (leers it •, and we were all prepar- 
 ing to take our places, when there appeared a woman 
 of a mild and compofed behaviour, who began to de- 
 ter us from it, by reprefenting the danger that would 
 attend our voyage. Hereupon fome, who knew her 
 for Patience, and fome of thofe too who till then cried 
 tl*e Icudeit, were perfuaded by her, and returned back. 
 The reft of us went in, and llie (whofe good nature 
 ivould not fuffer her to forfake perfons in trouble) de- 
 fired leave to accompany us, that fne might at Icrid 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 39 
 
 admlniiler fome fmall comfort or ncivice while we 
 failed. We were no fooner embarked, but the boat 
 was puflied otT, the flieet was fpread, and, being fill- 
 ed with figh^^ which were the winds of that country, 
 we made a paffage to the farther bank through feveral 
 diilicukies, of which moft of us feemed utterly re- 
 girdlefs. 
 
 When we landed, we perceived the Jfland to be 
 flran.Ejely ovcrcaft with fogs, which no brightnefs 
 couki pierce ; fo that a khid of gloomy horror fat al- 
 • ways brooding over it.. This had fomething in it ve- 
 ry lliocking to eafy tempers *, infomuch that fome oth~ 
 ers, v/hom Patience had by this time gained over, left 
 us here, and privily conveyed themlclves round the 
 verge of the illand, to find a ford, by which flic tokf 
 them they might efcape. 
 
 For my part,! ftill v/ent along with thcfe who were 
 for piercing into the centre of the place ; and, joining 
 ourfclves to others whom we found upon the flimc 
 journey, wc marched folemnly, as at a funeral, through 
 bordering hedges of rofemary, and through a grove 
 
 I of yew-trees, which love to overfhadow tombs, and 
 flourirfi in church-yards. Here we heard on every 
 fivle the wailingsand . complaints of the inhabitants, 
 who had call themfeives difconfolately at the feet of 
 
 ^ trees ; and, as we chanced to approach any of thefe, 
 we might perceive them wringing their hands, beating 
 their breads, tearing their liair, or after fome other 
 manner vifibly agitated with vexation. Cur fcrrows 
 were heightened by the influence of what v/e faw and 
 heard •, and one 01 our number was vv^rought up to 
 fuch a pitcli of wildnefs, as to talk of hanging himfelf 
 upon a bough which fliot temptingly acrofs the path 
 we travelled in ; but he was reitrained from it by 
 
 ; the kind endeavours of our above-mentioned com- 
 panion. 
 
 We had now gotten into the moft duHcv, filent 
 part of tlie ifland ; and, by the redoubled founds pf 
 lighs v/hich mi?de a dolei'ul whiftling in the branches, 
 the thicknefs of the air which occafioned faintifli re- 
 fpiration, and the violent thrpbbings of heart v/hich 
 
I 
 
 40 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 more and more afFc'fted us, we found that we ap 
 preached the grotto of Grief. It was a wide, hollow, I 
 and melancholy cave, funk deep into a dale, and wa--: 
 tered by rivulets that had a colour between red and < 
 black. Thele crept flow and half congealed amongll,i| 
 its windings, and mixed their heavy murmurs withv 
 the echo of groans, that rolled through all their paf- 
 fa-res. lathe moft retired part fat the doleful Being 
 Jierfelf *, the path to her was ftrewed v.ith goads, J 
 itings, and thorns ; and her throne on which iiie fat I 
 -was broken into a rcrck, with ragged pieces pointing f 
 upwards for her to lean upon. A heavy miii hung 
 above her •, her head opprelTed with it, reclined upon : 
 her arm : Thus did fhe reign over her difccnfQlatc 
 fubjeclsj full of herfelf to ilupidity, in eternal- pen- 
 fivenefs, and the profoundeft fiience. On one Hqe of 
 her Rood Dejeaioa^ jufi: dropping into a fwoon-j and 
 Falenefs^ waiting to a ikeleton : On the othet fide 
 •were Carey inwardly tormented with imaginations *, 
 and Anouijh^ fnfFering outward troubles io fuck the 
 blood from her heart, in the iliape of cultures. The 
 whole vault had a genuine difmalnefs in it : vvhicli a 
 few fcattered lamps, whofe bluifh flames arofe aiul 
 funk in their urns, difcovered to our eyes with in-' 
 creafe. Some of us fell down, overcome and fpent . 
 \vith what they fuiTered in the way, and were giv- 
 en over to thcfe tormentors that flood on either hand 
 of the prefcnce ; others galled and mortified with 
 pain, recovered the entrance where Patience, v^honi we 
 had left behind, was ftill waiting to receive us. 
 
 With her (whofe company was now become more 
 grateful to us, by the want we had found of her) we 
 winded round the grotto, and afcended at the back of 
 it out of the mournful dale in whofe bottom it lay. 
 On this eminence we hailed, by her advice, to psnt 
 for breath ; and, lifting our eyes, which till then were 
 fixed downwards, felt a fulkn fort of fatisfacclon, in 
 obfsrving through the fliades what numbers had en- 
 tered the iuand. This fatisfadlion, which appears to 
 have ill nature in it, was excufable, becaufe it hap- 
 pened at a time when ws were too much taken up 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 41 
 
 'w-ith our Gwn concerns, to have refpeft to that of 
 others ; and therefore we did not confider them as 
 fullering, but ourfelves as fuflering in the mod for- 
 lorn eftate. It had alfo the ground-work cf humanity 
 and compafhon in it, though the mind Vvas the;i too 
 daik and too deeply engaged to perceive it : But, as 
 we proceeded onwards, it began to difcover itfelf ; and, 
 from obferving that others were unhappy, we came to 
 quedion one another when it was that we met, and 
 what were the fad occafions that brought us togeth- 
 er ? Then M'e heard our ftories, we compared tnem, 
 we mutually gave and received pity, and fo by degrees 
 became tolerable company. 
 
 A confiderable part of the troublefcme road was 
 thus deceived : At length, the openings of the 
 trees grew larger, the air feemed thinneV, it lay 
 with lefs oppreiTion upon us, and we could now- 
 arid then dilcern tracts in it of a lighter greyncf.^, like 
 the breakings of day, fliort in duration, much enliven- 
 ing, and called in that country gleams of cmujement,. 
 Within a fhort time thefe gleams began to appear 
 more frequent, and then brighter, and of a longer 
 continuance. The fighs, that hitherto filled the ^air • 
 vvith fo much dolefulnefs, altered to the found of com- 
 mon breezes, and in general the horrors of tlie ifland . 
 were abated. 
 
 When we had arrived at Iaft,at the ford by which ■ 
 we were to pafs out, we met with thefe fafnionable 
 mourners, who had been ferried over along with us, 
 an,d who, being unwilling to go a3 far as we, had 
 coafted by the ftiorc to find the place were they wait- 
 ed our coming ; that, by fhewing themfeives to th.i 
 world only at the time we did, they might feem alfo to ^ 
 have been among the troubles of the grotto. Here 
 the waters that roiled on the other fide fo deep and 
 filent, were much dried up 5 and it was an eafy mat- 
 ter for us to wade over. 
 
 The river being crofied, we were received upon the 
 further bank oy our friends and acquaintance, whom 
 Comfort had brought out to congratulate our appear- 
 ance in the world again- Some of thefe blaiKed us. 
 D ^ 
 
42 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 for {laying fo loi^g awny frcm them ; ethers advifed 
 us againit all temptations cf going back again ; every 
 one was cautious not to renew our trouble, by afking 
 sny particulars oi the journey, and ail ccnqluded, in a 
 cafe of io much melancholy and aniicliion, we could 
 not have made choice of a better companion tharn Pa- 
 lience. Here Patience, appearing ferene at her praifes, 
 delivered us over to Ccmfort. Co-.Kfort fmnied at his re- 
 ceiving the charge ; immediately the fls.y purpled on 
 that fide to which he turned, and double day at once 
 broke in upon nie. 
 
 Sfectatoe., Vol. VIL No. 501. O. 
 
 When Hercules -was in that part of his youth, in 
 ■which it was natural for him to conGder what courfe 
 of life he ought to purfue, he one day retired into a 
 defart, v/here the fdence and folitude of the p>ace>e-. 
 ry much contributed to his meditations. As he was 
 niufing QA\ his prefent condition, and very much per- 
 plexed in himfelf on the (late of life he fhould choofe, 
 he fav/ two women cf a larger ftature than ordinary, 
 approaching towards him. One of them had a very 
 ricble air, and graceful deportment : Her beauty was 
 natural and eafy, her pcrfon clean arfd unfpotted, her 
 eyes cafl towards the ground with an agreeable re^ 
 ierve, her motion and behaviour full of modtdy, and 
 her raiment as v^^hite as iwQ^^r. The other had a great 
 deal cf health and noridnefs in her countenance, which 
 flie had helped with an artincial white and red ; and 
 endeavoured to appear more graceful than ordinary in 
 htr mein, by a mixture of affecSlation in all h.er gef^ 
 tures. She had a wonderful confidence and alTurance 
 in her looks, and all the variety-of colours in her drefs 
 that fhe thought were the moil proper to fhew her 
 complexion to an advantage. She cail hcT eyes up- 
 9n herfelf, then turned them on thofe that were pref^ 
 ent to fee how they liked her, and often looked on the 
 figure ihe m.ade in her own fiiadow. L^pon her near- 
 er approach to Hercules^ flie ftepped before the other 
 iady (wiiO came forward with a regular compofed cat- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 43 
 
 riage) and, running up to him, accoiled him after tl\c 
 foIiovvincT manner : 
 
 My dear Hercules (fays fiie) I find you are very 
 mucii divided in your own thoughts upon the way of 
 hfe you oui^^ht to choofc : Be my frierd, and foilow 
 me ; Vi\ lead you into the poflellion of plrafure, an<i 
 out of the reaih of pain, and remove you frcm all the 
 iioife and difquit?ti!d.e of bulinefe. The affairs of war 
 and peace liiall have no power to didurb you •, your 
 v/hol^ employment fliall be to make your life *t3i(ij^ 
 and to entercain every ienfe with its proper grati^ca- 
 tions. Sumptuous tablesjbcds of rofes, clouds of per- 
 fumes, concerts of mufic. Crov/ds of beauties, are 
 all in readinefs to receive you. Come alon^r with 
 me into this region of delights, this world of plea- 
 fure, and bid farcv/ell for cVcr to care, to pain, to bu- 
 ll nefs. 
 
 tiercules, hearing the lady talk after this manner, 
 denred to know her name *, to which ihs anfwcre'l, 
 my friends, and thofe that are well acquainted with 
 me, call me Happir.efi \ but my enemies, ar.d thof^ wLo 
 would injure my reputation, call me Fleafzire, 
 
 By this time the other lady was come up, xA\o a;!- 
 drefled herfclf to the young hero, in a very difierent 
 manner. 
 
 Hercules (fays (lie) I offer myiclf to you, becaufe I 
 knov/ you are defcended from the Gods, and give 
 proofs of that defcent by your love to virtue, and ap- 
 plication to the iVudies prv">pcr for your age. This 
 makes me hope you will gain both for yourfelf and 
 me an 'm mortal reputation. But, before I invite you 
 into my fociety and friendlhip, I will be open and fm- 
 cere with you, and m.uft lay down this as an eftablifli.- 
 ed truth : That there is nothing truly valuable vv'hich 
 can be purehafed without pains and labour. The 
 Gods liave fet a price upon every real and noble plea- 
 fure. If you would gain. the favour of the Deity, you 
 mud be at the pains of worfhipping him ; if the friend- 
 fliip of good men, ycu muft Itudy to oblige them : If 
 vou Would be honoured by your country, you mufl 
 take care to fervc it ; if you would be eminent in war 
 
44 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. . 
 
 or peace, you mud become mafter of all the qualliic?.- 
 tions that can make you fo. Thefe are the only terms 
 and conditions upon which I can propofc happinefs. 
 The Goddefs of PUafure her€ broke in upon her dif-- 
 courfe : You fee (fuys Ihe) Hercules^ by her Ov\ n confef- 
 fion, the way to her pleafure is long and difficult;.; 
 whereas that which I propofe is (liovt and eafy. Alas ! 
 faid the other lady, whofe vifage glowed with a paflion 
 made up of fcorn and pity, what are the pleafures you 
 propofe ? To eat before you are hungry, drink before 
 you are athirfb, Deep before you are tired ; to gratify 
 appetites before they arc raifed, and raife fuch ap- 
 petites as nature never planted. You never heard 
 the mofl delicious mufic, which is the praife of one's 
 felf ; nor fav/ the moft beautiful object, which is the 
 v/ork of one's own hands : Your votaries pafs away 
 their youth in a dream of miilaken pkafures, while 
 they are hoarding up anguiOi, torment, and remorfe, 
 for old age. 
 
 As for me, I am the friend of Gods and of good 
 men, an agreeable companion to the artlzan, and 
 houfehcld guardian to the father of families j a pat- 
 ron and protestor of fervants, an aiTociate in all true 
 and generous friendfliips. The banquets of my vo- . 
 taries are never coftly, but always delicious ; for none 
 eat or dvink at them, who are not invited by hunger ■ 
 and thirit. Their (lumbers are found, and tiieir wak- 
 ings are chferful: My young^^men have the pleafure 
 of hearing themfelves pr;iii"ed by tliofe who are in . 
 years ; and thofe in years, of being honoured by thofc 
 v/ho are young. In a v/ord, my followers are iavour- 
 ed by the God^,beloved by their acquaintance, efteem-- 
 ed by their country, and (after the clofe of their la- 
 bours) honoured by pofterity. 
 
 We know by the life of this memorable hero, that 
 he gave up his heart to the Goddeis of Vitue ; and I 
 believe every one who reads this, will do him the juf- 
 ticc to approve his choic 
 
 TATLER,Vol.n.No. 97,. 
 
I 
 
 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 4; 
 
 ALEXANDER. 
 
 T is rec(^rded of Alxander the Great, that in his 
 Indian expedition he buried fevcrai fuits of armour, 
 vvliich by his direclions were made much too big for 
 hisfoldiers, in order to give pollerity an extraordinary 
 idea of him, and make them believe that he command- 
 ed an army of Giants. 
 
 Spectator, Voh II. No. 127. C. 
 
 There is ftill extant, an epiftle cf Alexander the 
 Great to his tutor Arijioth^ upon that philofopcr's pub- 
 lirning'fome part of his writings, in which the prince 
 complains of his having made.known to all the world, 
 thofe fecrets in learning whicli he had before commu- 
 nicated to him in private led:ures •, concluding that he 
 had rather excel ike rejl of mankind in knonxdedge than in 
 f Giver. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. V. No. 379. 
 
 The character of this prince indeed was, that he 
 was unequal and given to intemperance ; but in his 
 fober momentSj when he had the precepts of his great 
 inftruclor warm in his irnarip^ition, he was a pattern 
 of g<-nerous thoughts and difp: Htlcns, in oppofuion to 
 the ftronoeil deiires, which are incident to a youth and 
 concueror. 
 
 Tatler, Vol. IV. No. 191. 
 
 A nobl ? punter, who has the ambition to draw an 
 liiftory-piece, has defired me to give him a fubject on 
 whicli lie may fliow^ the utmoil force of his. art and 
 genius. For this purpofe I have pitched upon that 
 vcmarkable incident between Alexander and Ids phyfi- 
 cian. This prince, in the midd of his conqueils in 
 PerjU^ was feizcd with a violent fever 5 and, accord- 
 ing to the account we have of his ^ajr mind, his 
 thoughts were more employed about his recovery, as 
 it regarded the war, than as i^ concerned his own life. 
 He profcITed a How method was worfe than death to 
 
46 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 him, becaufe it was what he more dreaded, an inter-'.' 
 ruption to his glory ; he delired a dangerous, fo it 
 might be a fpeedy remedy. During this impatience 
 of the king, it is well known that i3^?;w had ofrered- 
 an immenie fum to any one who (liould take away his 
 life. But Philippuij the moft efteemed and m.oft know- 
 ing of his phyficians, promiftd, that within three days 
 time he would prepare a medicive for him, which 
 fhould reftore him more cxpeditiouHy than could be 
 imagined. Immediately after this engagement^, Jlex- 
 under receivesia letter irom the moit confiderable of 
 his captains, with intelligence that Darius Iiad bribed ■ 
 jP>6/A//;/j to poifon iiim. Every circumftance imagin- 
 able favoured this fufpicion •, but this monarch, who 
 did nothi]ig but in an extraordinary manner, conceal- 
 ed the letter; and while the medicine was preparing, 
 fpent all his thoughts upon his behaviour in this im- 
 portant incident. From this long foliloquy, he came 
 to this refoluticn; Alexander muji not lie here ch've to 
 he opprejfed by his enemy : I nvill not lelie'-ve my phyjician 
 guilty : or I luill rather perijh by guilt j than 7)iy o^wn dif- 
 Jidence. 
 
 At the appointed hour Philippus enters with the po- 
 tion. One cannot but form to one's feif, on this oc^ 
 cafion, the encounter of their eyes ; the refolution in 
 thofe of the patient, and the benevolence in the coun- 
 tenance of the phyfician. The hero raifed himfelf in 
 his bed, and holding the letter in one hand, and the 
 potion in the other, drank the micdicine. It V'ill ex- 
 ercife my friend's pencil and brain, to place this adlion 
 in its proper beauty. A prince obferving the features 
 of a fufpecl:cd traitor, after having drank the poifcn 
 he offered him, is a circumftance- fo full of paffion, 
 that it will require the higheft ftrength of his imagin- 
 ai^ion to conceive it, much more to exprefs it : But, 
 as painting is eloquence and poetry in raeclianifm, I 
 fliall raife his ideas, by reading with him the fnieft 
 draughts of the pafhons concerned in this circum- 
 ftance, from the moft excellent poets and orators. 
 Thecnnfidence -which Alexander aiTumes, from the air 
 of tliilippus' face, as he is reading his accufation, and-, 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 47 
 
 the generous difdnin which is to rile in the features of 
 a fahely accufed man, are principally to be regarded. 
 in this particular^ he muft heighten his thoughts by 
 reiie(Qing, that he is not drawing only an innocent 
 man traduced, but a man zealoufly affecled to his per- 
 Tjn and f ifcty, full of refentment for being thought 
 
 l^faife. Mow fliall we contrive to exprefs tlie higheft 
 admiration mingled witli difdain ? How Ihall we, in 
 ftrokes ot a pencil, fay, what Philippus did to his prince 
 on this occafion ? Sir, my life never depended on yoursy 
 more than it does no^u : Without knoi.m»g the fecrety I pre- 
 pnrfd the potion^ ivhich ynn hwve taken, as 'what ccncerned 
 Philippus no /e/s than Alexander ; and there is nothing fiew 
 in this adventure, hut that it makes me Jlill more admire the 
 gcnercfity and confidence cf mv mafier, Alexander took him 
 by the hand, and iaid, Philippus, I cm confident you had 
 rather 1 had any other ivay to have manifiefied the fiaith I have 
 in you, than in a cafe lohich fo nearly concerns me : Andy in. 
 gratitude, I nonv djfure you, I am anxious for the effefi^f your 
 
 ■ medicine, more for your fake than for my oavn. 
 
 Tatler, Vol. IV. No. 209. 
 
 ALLUSIONS. 
 
 lY allufcns^ a truth in the underftanding is, as it 
 were, reflfi^ccd by the imagination. We are able to 
 fee fomething like colour and fliape in a notion, and to 
 'idifcovcr a fcheme of thoughts traced out upon matter. 
 And here the m^md receives a great deal of fatisfaclion, 
 xind has two of its faculties gratified at the fame time, 
 while the fancy is bufy in copying after the under- 
 ilanding, and tranfcribing ideas out of the intelledlual 
 world into the material. 
 
 The great art cf a writer fliows itfelf in the choice 
 cf pleafing allufions, which ate generally to be taken 
 from the g^e&t or beautiful works of art or nature : For 
 •though whatever is new or unco^^monis apt to de- 
 light the imr-ginatior. the chief deGgu of an alluGon 
 being to explain or iikiflrate the pailages of an author. 
 
4S ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 h fliould be always borrowed from what Is more known 
 ;^iid common, than the paffagcs which are to be ex- 
 plained. 
 
 Spectatop., VoL VI. No. 421. 
 
 A 
 
 ALCIBIADES. 
 
 i^LCIBIADES was a man of great fpirit, extreme- 
 ly addicted to pleafure, but at the fame tim*e very ca- 
 pable, and,- upon occafion, very attentive to bufmefs. 
 He was by nature endued with all the acccmplifh- 
 meats ilie could befbow : He had beauty, wit, cour- 
 age, and a great underfianding ; but, in the firft 
 bloom of his life, was arrogandy afPecled with the 
 advantages he had over others. That temper is pret- 
 ty viHble m an expreflion of his, when it was propofed 
 t> him to Icnrn to play upon a mufical inftrument"; 
 he aiifwered, It is not for me to gi've^ but to receive delight. 
 However^ the converfation of Socrates tempered aflirong 
 inclination to licenr'.oufnefs, into reflections of philof- 
 ophy ; and, if it had not the force to make a man of 
 his genius and fortune wholly regular, it gave him 
 fome cool moments, and this follov.'i;ig foliloquy is 
 fuppofed by the learned to have been thrown together 
 before fbme cxpedfed engagement, and feems to be 
 v^ry much the pidure of the man. 
 
 " I am now wholly alone ; my ears are not enter- 
 tained with mufic, my eyes with beauty, nor any of 
 my fences fo forcibly aflecled, as to divert tlie courfe 
 of my inward thoughts : Methinks there is fomething 
 facred in m.yfelf, now I am alone. What is this being ; 
 of mine f 1 came into it without my choice ; and yet 
 Sccrates fays it is to be imputed to me. In this repofe. " 
 of m.y fenfes, wherein they communicate nothing 
 ftrongly to myfelf, I tafie methinks a b^jing diftlnd 
 from tlieir operation. Why may not then my foul ex- 
 id, when (he has wholly ^^one out of thefe organs ? I 
 can perceive my faculties grow flrcnger, the lefs I ad- 
 mit the pleafures of fenfe j and the nearer I place 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 4f> 
 
 myfelf to a bare exiflence, the more worthy, the 
 more noble, the more celeftial does that exiitence ap- 
 pear to mc. if my foul is weakened rather than im- 
 proved by all tliat the body adminifters to her, ftii 
 may leafonably be fupppfed to be dcfigned for a mau- 
 fion more fuitable than this, wherein what delights 
 her, diminifhes her excellence, and tliat which afl'edit 
 her, adds to her perfe<ftion. There is an hercarter ; 
 and I will not fear to be immortal, for the fake of 
 
 'iliis Soliloquy is bat the firfl dawnings of thought 
 die mind of a mere man given up to fenfuulity. 
 
 Guardian, Vol. 1. No. 81. 
 
 A]Mi3rnoN. 
 
 JJ^ HE ambition of princes is many times as iiurtful 
 to-themfelves as to their people : This cannot be doubt- 
 ed of fuch as prove unfortunate in their wars, but is 
 often too true of thofe who are celebrated for their fuc- 
 ceffes. If a fevere view were to be taken of their con- 
 'duft, if the profit and lofs b}' theii wars could be jufl- 
 ly balanced, it would be rarely found that the conquefb 
 ^is fufficient to repay the coft. 
 
 SpECrATOR, Vol. III. No. 200. 
 
 There are but few men who are not ambitious of 
 diftinguifhing themfelres in the nation or country 
 where they live, and of growing confiderable among 
 thofe with whom they converfe. There is a kind of 
 grandeur and rcrpe<^ which the meaneft and moft in- 
 •iignificant part of mankind endeavour to procure in 
 tiie little circle of their friends and acquaintance. 
 The pooreft mxecharic, the man who lives upcn com- 
 mon alms, gets him his fet of adirirers, and dcliglits 
 -in that fuperiority which he enjoys over thofe who 
 are in fome refpeft benetith him. Tins ambition, 
 which is natural to the foul of mai;, might, me- 
 thinks, receive a very happy tiirn ; and, if it were 
 
50 ABDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 rightly dire^led, contribute as much to a per Ton's 
 advantage, as it generally does to his uneafmefs and 
 difquiet. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. IIL No. 219. 
 
 If we look abroad upon the great multitude of 
 mankind, and endeavour to trace out the principles of 
 adicn in every individual, it will, I think, feeui iiigh- 
 -]y probable, that ambition runs through the whole 
 fpccies, and that every man, in proportion to the vig- 
 our of his complexion, \s more or lefs actuated by it. 
 It is indeed no uncommon thing to meet with men, 
 who by the n<.t'aral bent of their inclinations, and 
 without the difcipiine of philofophy, afpire not to the 
 heiglits of power and grandeur^ who never fet their 
 hearts upon a numerous train of clients and depend- 
 encies, nor ether gay appendages of greatnefs ; who 
 are contented with a competency, and will not moleft 
 their tranquility to gain an abundance : But it is not 
 therefore to be concluded, that f4fch a man is not am- 
 bitious : His defires may cut out another channel, and 
 determine him to other purfuits ; the motive may be, 
 however, flill the fame ; and in thofe cafes, likewife, 
 tbe man may be equally pufhed on with the dtfire of 
 diflinflion. 
 
 Though the pure concioufnefs of worthy a61 ions, 
 abftracled from the views of popular applaufe, be to a 
 generous mind an ample reward, yet the defire of dif- 
 tinifion was doubtlefs implanted in our natures as an 
 additional incentive to exert ourfelves in virtuous ex- 
 -ctllcnce. 
 
 This paffion, like all others, is frequently perverted 
 t:o evil and ignoble purpofes •, fo that we may account 
 for many of the excellencies and foUies of life upon 
 the fame innate principles ; to wit, tlie defire of be- 
 ing remarkable : For this, as it ha$ been diiterently 
 cultivated by education, ftudy, and converfe, will brmg 
 forth fuitable efFefts, as it I'alls in with an ingenious 
 companion, or a corrupt mind : It does alfo exprefs 
 itfelf in a6ls of magnanimity or felirfli cunning, as it 
 meets with a good or a weak un4crilanding. As it 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 51: 
 
 has been employed in embelliflnng the mind, or adorn- 
 ing the outfide, it renders the man eminently praife- 
 worthy or ridiculous. Ambition therefore is not to 
 be conhned only to one paihon or puriuit ; for as the 
 fame humours m conliitutions otherwife different, af- 
 fe£l the body after different manners, fo the fame af- 
 piri ng principle within us fometnnes breaks forth up- 
 on one ohje6t, fometimes upon anotlier. 
 
 It cannot be doubted, but that there is ns great a' 
 defire of glory in a ring of wreiliers or cudgv:;l-play- 
 ers, as in any other more refined competition for fupe- 
 riority. No man, that could avoid it, would ever fuf- 
 fer his head to be broken, but out of a principle of 
 honour. 
 
 This is the f^cret fpring that puflies them forward ;■ 
 und the fup^iiority which they gain above the undif- 
 tingulfiiid many, docs more than repair thofe wounds ■ 
 they have received in the combat. Tis Mr. irJUr's 
 opinion, that Julius C^r, had he not been mafter of 
 tlie Ronun Emoire, would in all probability have made 
 lai excellent wrcftler. 
 
 Great Julius on the mountains bred, 
 ji Jlock perhaps, or herd had led ; 
 lie that tie ^jo(..ld fuldued^ had been ' 
 Bui the bcji -ixrefiler en ihe green. 
 
 That he fub/iued the world, was owing to the acci- 
 dents of art and knowledge ; had he not met witJi 
 thofe advantages, the fame fparks of emulation would 
 have kindled within him, and prompted him to diflin- 
 guilh himfelf in fome enterprize of a Icv/er naturCu 
 Since therefore no man's lot is fo unalterably fixed in 
 this life, but that a thcufand accidents may either for- 
 ward or difappoint his advancement, it is, methinks^ a 
 pleafant and inoff^nfive fpeculation, to coniider a great 
 man as diveiled of all the adventitious circumitances 
 of fortune, and to bring him down in one*s imagina- 
 tion to that low ftation of life the nature of v Ijich 
 bears fome diltant refemblance to that high one he is 
 at prefent pofleffed of. Thus one may view him ex~ 
 ^tcliiugin miniature thcfc talerUs. of nature, M-hichj 
 
52 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 being drawn out by education to their full length, en- 
 able him for the difcharge of fome important em- 
 ployment. On the other hand, one may raife unedu- 
 cated m.erit to fuch a pitch of greatnefs, as may feem 
 equal to the poffibie extent of his improved capacity. 
 
 Thus nature furniihesa man with a general appe- 
 tite for glory ; education determines it to this or that 
 particular object. The de fire of diitin^lion is net, I 
 think, in any inllancc more oblervable than in the va- 
 riety cf outfides and new appearances which the mod- 
 ifh part of the world are obliged to provide, in order 
 to make themfelves remarkable ; for any thing glaring 
 andpr.rticula-r, either in behaviour or apparel, is known 
 to have this good efre£l, that it catches the eye, and 
 will not fufFer you to pafs over the pcrfcn fo adorned, 
 ■without due notice and obfervation. It has likewife, 
 upon this account, been, frequently refented as a very 
 rreat flight, to leave any gentleman out of a lam.poon 
 or a fatire, who has as much right to be there as his 
 neighbour, becaufe it fuppcfes a perfon not eminent 
 enougii to be taken notice of. To tliis paffionate fond- 
 nefc» for difl:Ln6Lion, are owing various frolic feme and 
 irregular .practices ; as {allying out into noflurnal ex- 
 ploits, breaking of Vv'indov.'s, frnging of catches, beat- 
 ing the watch, getting drunk twice a day, killing a 
 great number of horles, with many other enterprizes 
 cf the like fiery nature ; for certainly many a man is 
 more rakilh ana extravagant than he would willing- 
 ly be, were there not others to look on and give their 
 iipprobation. 
 
 One very common, and at the fame time the m.ofl 
 abfurd ambition that ever fhowed itfilf in hum.an na- 
 ture, is that which comes upon a man with experience 
 and old age, the feafon when it mJght be expecfed he 
 Ihould be wifeft, and therefore it cannot receive any of 
 rhofe leiTening circumftances which do in fome rnea- 
 iurc excufe the diforderly ferments of youthful blood : 
 I mean the pafnon for getting money, exclufiveof the 
 character of the provident father, the afFedionate huf- 
 band, or the generous friend. It may be remarked, 
 for the comrort of honed poverty, tliat this deilre 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 53. 
 
 reigns moft in thofe "viho have but few gocd qualities 
 to recommend them. This is a weed that will grow 
 in a barren foil. Humanity, good nature, and iKc ad- 
 vantages of a liberal education, are incompatible witli 
 avarice. 'Lis (Irange to fee how fuddenly this abject 
 pafllon kills all the noble fcntiments and generous am- 
 bitions that adorn human nature ; it renders the man 
 who is over-run v/ith it, a peevidi and cruel mafter, a 
 fjvcre parent, an unfociable liufband, a diiiant and 
 miftruftful friend. But it is more to the preient pur- 
 pofc, to confidcr it as an abfurd pafTion of the hearfj 
 rather than as a vicious affection of the mind. As 
 there are frequent in (lances to be met wiihof a proud 
 humility, fo this paiTion, contrary to all ethers, affedts 
 appliiufe, by avoiding ail fhow and appearance. • For 
 this reafcn it will not fomctimes endure even the com- 
 mon decencies of apparel. A covetous man i<::ll call 
 himfelf focr^ that you may footh his 'vanity by coniradi^ing 
 hitn. Love, and the defire of glory, as they are the 
 mod natural, fo they are capable of being refined into 
 ^the moft delicate and rational pallionc. 'Tis true, t]i« 
 Vifc man who (Irikes out o-f the fecret paths of a pri- 
 vate life for honour and dignity, allured by tiie fplen- 
 dor of a court, and the unfclt weight of public em- 
 ployment, whether he fuccceds in his attempts or not, 
 ufually comes near enough to this painted srcatncfs tci 
 difccrn the daubing : He is then deGrous cf- -extrica- 
 ting himfelf out of the hurry of life, tl.at he may pab 
 away the remainder of his days in tranquility and re- 
 tirement. It may be thouglit tlicn but common pru- 
 dence in a man not to change a better ftate for a worf^, 
 nor ever to cjuit that which he knows he Hiall take 
 up again with pleafure : And yet if human life be not 
 a little moved with the gentle gales of hopes and fears, 
 there may be fome danger of its Ilagnating in an un- 
 manly indolence and fecurity. 
 
 It is a known ftory of Dcmitian^ that after he Iiad 
 Jjoffeffed himfelf of the Roman Empire, his def.res turn- 
 ed upon catching flies. Active and mafcuiine fpirits, 
 in the vigour of youth, neither can nor cught to re- 
 main at relt : If they debar themfelvcs from aiming ?,t * 
 E 2 
 
54 ADDISONIAN 
 
 a noble object, their defires will move downwards, and 
 they will feel themfelves actuate •! by fome low and 
 abject pafRon. Thus if you cut oiT the top branches 
 of a tree, and will not fuffer it to grow higher, it will 
 not therefore ceafe to grow, but will quickly fnoot 
 out at the bottom. The man indeed who goes into 
 the world only with the narrow views of fclf-intereft, 
 who catches at the applaufe of an idle multitude, as he 
 ><:an find no folid contentment at the end of his jour- 
 ney, fo he dtferves to meet with difappointments in 
 his way : But he who is actuated by a noble princi- 
 ple, whofe mind is fo far enlarged as to take in the 
 profpecl of his country's good, who is enamoured with 
 that praife which is one of the fair attendants of vir- 
 tue, and values not thofe acclamations which are not- i 
 ieconded by the impartial teftimony of his ov^/n mind ; ; 
 ^vho repines not at the low ilation which Providence \ 
 has at prefent allotted liim, but yet would willingly" j 
 advance himfelf by juilihable means to a more rifmg | 
 and advantageous ground ; fuch a man is warmed; 1 
 with a generous emulation : it is a virtuous mov^c- 
 inent inliim. to wiHi, and to endeavour, that h"s pow-~ \ 
 trof doing good m^ay be equid to his will. The man 
 v/ho is fitted out by nature, and fent into the world 
 ^v:th great abilities, is capable of doing great good or 
 mifchief in it. It ought therefore to be the care of ed-, ;i 
 ncation, tp in/ufe into the untainted youth early no- : j 
 tions of juftice and honour, that fo the poffible ad- | 
 ^vantages of good parts may not take a bad turn, nor ] 
 be perverted to bafe and unworthy purpofes. It is 'I 
 the bufinefs of religion and philcfophy not fo much < 
 to extinguifli cur palnons, as to regulate and direct | 
 them to valuable, well chofen objeCrs. "When thefe J 
 have pointed out to us which courfe we may lawful- /•' 
 ly lleer, it is no harm to fet out all cur fail : If the .a 
 itorms and tempefts of advevnty fiiould rife upon us, |^ 
 and not lUiY^r us to make the hiven where we woukt ^j 
 be, it v.'ill however prove no fmall confolation to us. '^ 
 in thefe circumRances, thatwe have neither miftakeii 'i 
 our courfe, nor fallen into calamities of our own pro- 
 curing. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 55. 
 
 Religion, therefore, were v/e to confider it no far- 
 ther than 3.3 it interpofes in the affairs of this Hfe, is 
 highly valuable and worthy of great veneration y as it 
 fettles the various prcten'fions, and otherwif^^ inter- 
 fering interclls of mortal men, and thereby confults the 
 harnlony and order o.'" tlie great commanity -, as it 
 gives a man room to play his part and exert his abili- 
 ties : as it animates to attions truly laudable in them- 
 felves, in their eifeds beneficial to foeiety ; as it in- 
 fpires rational ambition, correct love, and elegant 
 defire. 
 
 Sfectator, Vol. m. No. 224.. 
 
 Ambition raifes a fecret tumult in the foul ; it in- 
 flames the mind, and puts it into a violent hurry c£ 
 thought. It is ft ill reaching after an empty imaginary; 
 good, that has not in it the power to abate or fatisfy- 
 it. Moil other things we long for can allay the crav- 
 ings of their proper fenfe, and for a while fet the ap-^ 
 petite at reil : But fame is a good fo wholly foreiga 
 to our nature, that we have no faculty in the foul 
 adapted to it,- nor any. organ in the body to rejiili it ; 
 an object of . defire placed out of the poffibiiity of 
 fiuition. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. IV. No. 256. C. 
 
 There is fcarce a man living who is not aduated 
 by ambition. When this principle meets with an hon- 
 »clt mind and great abilities, it does inhnite fervice to 
 the world ; on the contrary, when s man only thinks 
 of diftinguifhing himfelf, without being thus qualifi- 
 ed for it, he becomes a very pernicious or a very ridic-. 
 ulcus creature. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VIII. No. 570. 
 
 AINilTY Between the t-xvc Se^es, danger cus, 
 
 j|[T fnould, methinks, preferve modefty, and its inter- 
 efts in the world, that the tranfgreffion of it always 
 creates oftence j and ;he very purpofcs of wantounefs- 
 
50 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 are defeated by a carriage wliich has in it fo much 
 bohhieis, as to indmate that le;rr aiid^ rtfluciance are 
 quire extinguUhed in an object wliich would be other- - 
 wife dif firable. . it w^ as laid of a wit in the lail age, 
 Sidney kas fhat pre-vailing^ gentle art<, ~i 
 
 Which can 'wiih a rejtjtie/s (harm impart C 
 
 The loijeft ^ixnjhes to the cfmjiejl heart ; J 
 
 Rnife juch a conjiidty kindle Juch iz/ire, 
 J^et^een declining njtrtue and dejircy 
 That the poor 'x.'anqiiifh'' d maid dijld-ves a^'O^ . 
 In dreams all nighty in (ighs and tears all day. 
 
 This prevailing, gentle r.rt was irsadeup of complai-. 
 fance, courtfliip, and artful conformity to the modefty 
 of a woman's manners... Rufiicity, broad exprefiion, 
 and forward obtrufton offend thofe of education, and 
 make the tranfgrefibrs odious to all who have merit 
 enouo-h to attract regard. It is in this tr.fte that the 
 fcenery isfo beautifully ordered in the defcription which 
 J/!fhony makes, in the dialogue between him and Dola-^ 
 bellay of Chcp-Jtra in her barge. 
 
 /7<?r ffatlty donvn the ^fef?* Clclnos roi.J'd, 
 
 7 he tackUng Jilk^ the ffr-sainers <tvi-iv'd <with geld : 
 
 Ihe gentle ii.inds iverolodgd in purple Jails ; 
 
 Her nymphs , like Nereids, rQit>fd her couch 'were plac^d^^ 
 
 Where fie^ cnciher fea-horn Venus, lay ; 
 
 ^he lay, and ken'' d her check iifbn her handy 
 
 And cnji a loo\ ft I an pv: if/singly f'lx.eety 
 
 As if fecure of all Ire holders heart Sy 
 
 Nf^^leciing pe cculd tcke thefn Boys, hke Cupids, . 
 
 Stood farming with their pcinlir.g n/jiAvs, the winds 
 
 That flpyd about her face : hut if pe jmil^dy 
 
 A-dartirg glory fee.nd to bLi%e abroad^ 
 
 That mens deptving e}-es 'mere fttver njjeary^d'y 
 
 But hu7}^ upon the chjsa. To Joft fiutes 
 
 ^he Jil-jer oars k'2pt time : c-ndnxhili; they flayd^ 
 
 The hearing ganje neiv pleafure to title fight ^ 
 
 And both to though 
 
 Here the irhrginatlon is warmed with all the obje6t^ 
 ■prefented, and vet there is nothing that is lufcious, or 
 what raifes any 'idea ir.ere loofe tiian that of a beauti- 
 
ADDisONTAN MISCELLANY. 57 
 
 ful woman fet ofF to advantage. The like, or a more 
 delicate and ciireful ifpmi of modeily, appears in the 
 following pallag't in one of Mr. Philipi's pailorals. 
 
 Breathe foftyye 'uiinJ; ; ye 'waters y gently fo-xv ; 
 Shieli^ lur^ye trees ; ye Jlo^ju^rs, around her grc-w j 
 l^e /n-vciJis, I beg , oily pufi in Ji.ence by ; 
 My loue in yonder iiale ujleep dees lie. 
 
 Dcfire is corrected when there is a tendernefs or ad- 
 mir;ition exprefPed which partakes *:he pafilon : Licen- 
 tious laiiguajje has fomething brutal in it, \ ch dif- 
 graces humanity, and leaves us in the condition of the 
 lavages in the lield. But it may be alked, To what 
 good \xi^^ can tend a diicourfe or this kind at all ? It is 
 to alarm chafle ears againfl fuch as have what is above 
 called the prevailing, gentle art. Mailers of that tal- 
 ent are capably of clothing their thoughts in fo foft a 
 drefs, and fomething lo diitant irom the fecret purpofe 
 cf their heart, that the imagination of the unguarded 
 is touched with a fondnefs which grows too inlenfibly 
 to be refiiled. Much care and concern for the lady's 
 welfare, to feem afraid left Ihe fhould be annoyed by 
 the very air which furrounds her, and this uttered 
 rather with kind looks, and expreffcd by an interjec- 
 tion, an Oh, or an Ah, at fome iiitle hazard in moving 
 or making a fb.^p, thaii in any dire<^?L profcihcn of love, 
 arc the methods of (Icilful admirers : They are honed 
 arts when their purpofe is fuch, but infamous v.hen 
 mifiipplied. It is certain that many a young v/oman 
 in this town has had, her heart irrecoverably won, by 
 men who have not made one advance which ^ies their 
 admirers, though the females languifn with the utmoll: 
 anxiety. I have often by way of admonition to my 
 female readers, given them warning again [f agreeable 
 company of the other lex, except they are well ac- 
 quainted with their characters : Women may difguife 
 it if they think fit \ and, the more to do it, they may 
 be angry at me for faying it \ but I fay it is natural to 
 to them that they have no manner of approbation of 
 men without fome degree of love. For this reafon, 
 he is danjrerous to be entertained as a friend or vifi« 
 
5$ ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 tant, v/ho is capable of gaining any en:iinent efleem or 
 obfervaiion, though it be ever To remote, from preten- 
 lions as a lover. ^If a man's heart has not the abhor- 
 rence of any treaclHTous defig-;, he may ea^ly improve 
 approbation into kindneis, and kindnels into paihonv I 
 Tiiere pofiibly n^ay- be no manner of love bcfv/een \ 
 them in the eyes of all their rxquaintance ; no, it is I 
 iiU fri(t;ndfhip ; and yet they may be as fond as ibep.. 
 h.erd and ihepherdcfs in a paftcrnl ; but Hill the 
 nymph ».nd the fwain maybe to ench other, no cth-»l 
 er, 1 wai rant you, than Pjla^es and Orejles. 
 
 17 hen Lncv decks nxiith fto^ers her fvjeliir'ig hreafi^ | 
 
 And en her cllo^v leans ^ cijjcnihiitig rejt \ 
 
 Vnaile to refrain ?::y maadihihg mind^ \ 
 
 Nor Jhcep mr jafiun 'ixorth tny cci/e I find. 
 
 Once Delia /V/.', on eafy rnojs reillnd^ J 
 
 Her lovely lintbs lialf lure, and rude the ^'ind ; 
 / fmootKd her coatSy and Jlole a Jiient kij) j 
 Condemn mc^ Jhep-yerds^ if I did ur/iif. 
 
 Such good offices as thefe, and fuch friendly 
 thoughts and concerns for one another, are what i 
 makes up the amity, as they call it. between man and'ii 
 vom^n. 
 
 It is the permiiTion of fuch intercourfe, that m.akes 
 a young woman come to the arms of litr hufband, af- ] 
 tcr the difappointment of four or iive pafTions, which 
 ilie has fucceiFively had for diff-rent men, before flie 
 is prudeiuially given to him, for whom ihz has nei- 
 ther love nor irlendiliip. For what fhould a poor 
 creature do thr.t has lofl all her friende ? There's 
 Murinet the agreeable, has, to my knowltdge, had a 
 friendihip for Lord Welford^ which had like to break 
 her hear: : Then Ihe had ^{^ great a friendfiiip for j 
 Colonel Hardyy tiiat ibe could not endure any woman \ 
 elfe inould do any thing but rail at him. Many and . 
 fatal have been difalters between friendsWho have \ 
 fallen out \ and thefe refentments are more keen than \ 
 ever thofe of other men can pofnbly be : But in this '\ 
 it happens unfortunately, that as I'lere ought to be no- 
 thing concealed from one friend to ^AOther, the frienJi, \ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 59 
 
 of different texes very often find fatal effects from 
 their unanimity. 
 
 For my part, wlio (ludy to pafs life in as much in- 
 nocence and tranquility as I can, I fiiun the company 
 of agreeable women as much as poflible ; and mult 
 confefy that I have, though a tolerable good philofo- 
 pher, but a low opinion of Platonic love 5 for which 
 realon I thouirht it neceflriry to give my fair readers a 
 caution againil it, having, to my great concern, ob- 
 ferved the waift cii a Platonilt lately fvvell to a round- 
 nefs which is inconliilent with tJiat phiicfopiiy. 
 
 Spectator, Volv VI. No. 40c. T. 
 
 •ANACREON's Inftm^ion to a Painter to paint his 
 Mijirejs. 
 
 ,. -^ ES r and happiejt artizan, 
 Befi of pai-itersy if you can 
 With vour mnny colcur'^d t:rt 
 P,,int the ?iiij}refi of my heart ; 
 Df'fcnhe the chunns you hear fmm me, 
 (Her charms you c uld not paint and fee) 
 And make the ahfent nymph appear ^ 
 As if her lovely flfnvas here. 
 Tirfl^ dra-M her eaf flo~uci>g hair 
 As eft a>d black as jhe is far ; 
 And if your' art can rife Jo ht^h,' 
 Let breathi g odours round her fly, 
 Benrath the jhaae oj foix ing jety 
 TJie i'v'r forehead fmoothlvftt \ 
 With ca*e the fihle brs-ivs extend^ 
 And in tivo arc/;ej fricely bend : 
 That the /uir fpa^e ivhich lies hetivren 
 ^ he miiting [Jiade, may fdrce he feen. 
 7 he eye jmfl he uncommon fire \ 
 Spurkley hin^iiijlyy and defire ; 
 '7/'-6 flames unfecn muji yet be felt^ 
 Line i^ailas kill, like Venus melt, 
 I he rnfy cheeks mufi fcem to glonvy 
 Amidji the ivhile of ne^w faVCn fno^n* 
 Let her lips pJrfarfJo^i ivear, 
 
6v ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 In Jihnce elegantly fair ; 
 j^s if the blujhing rinjals Jtroviy 
 Breathing and inviting love : 
 Belon-u tie chin be Jure to deck 
 With ev^T), grace her polijh^d neck ; 
 lllyiie all that^s pretty y Joft and J\veefy 
 In the five Hi Kg hofom meet : 
 The rej} in purple gurmenis njeil. 
 Her bodxy not tier Jhats^ conceal ; 
 Enowrh — the lo'^oely ivor< is done ; 
 ''I he Oteathing paint njoill fpeak anon. 
 
 Guardian, Vol. XL No. i(58. 
 
 ANATOMY. 
 
 j[^ HOSE who >'VCi^ fkillecl in anatomy among the an- 
 tic! it;5, concluded from the outward and inward make 
 of a humc.n bo* 'ly, that it was the work of a being 
 tranfcL-ndently w^fe and powerful. As the world 
 grew more enlightened in this art, their difcoveries 
 gave them frcfli opportunities of admiring tlie conduct 
 of Providence in the formation of a human body. 
 Galen was converted by his dilie<£l;ions, and could not 
 but own a fuprevne being, upon a furvey of this his 
 handy work, fhere were indeed many parts, of which 
 the old anatomills did not know the certain ufe ; but 
 as thev faw that moft of thofe which thev examined, 
 were adapted with admirable art to their leveral func- 
 tions,they did not qneftion but thofe wlipfe ufes they 
 could not determine, v/ere contrived with the fame 
 Avifdom for their refpe6rive ends and purpofes. Since 
 tke circulation of tlie blood has been found out, and 
 many other j;reat difcoveries have been made by our 
 modern anatomifts, we fee new wonders in the hu- 
 man frame, and difcern feveral important ufes for 
 thofe parts which the antients kne^ nothing of. In 
 ihort, the body of man is fuch a fubjecb, as (lands the 
 utmofl tell of examination. Though it appears form- 
 ed with the niceft wifdom, upon x^ViS, moft fuperficial 
 .furvey of it, it Iliil meads upon the fcarcl^ and pro- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. «i 
 
 «^-aces our furprife and amnzement in proportion as 
 we pry into it. What 1 have here f.iid of a Immaa 
 body, may be applied to the body of every animal, 
 which has been the fubjecl of anatomical obfcrva- 
 tions. 
 
 The body c{ an animal is an object adequate to 
 our fenfes ; it is a particular fyftem-of Providence that 
 lies in a narrow compafs : the eye is abl-e to command 
 "it, and, by (ucceiTive inquiries, -can fearch into all its 
 parts. Could the body of the whole eailh., or indeed 
 the whole univerfe, be thus fubmitted to the examin- 
 ation of our fenfes, were it not too big and difprcpor- 
 tioncd to our incjuirieSj-too unwieldly ior the mani-gc- 
 ment of the eye and hand, there is no qucRion but it 
 would appear to us as curious arkl well contrived a 
 frame, as that of a human body. We (hould f.^e the 
 fame concatenation and fubfervi<-:ncy, the flnne beaut-y 
 and harmony in all and every one of its parts, as we 
 difcover in the body of every Tingle animal. 
 
 The more extended our realon is, and the more abl& 
 to grapple with immenfe objects, the greater dill arc 
 >thofe difcovcries which it makes of wifdom and prov- 
 ■jdence in the works of the creation. A Sir f/iac -AVti^ 
 -y^w, who ibmds up as the miracle of the prefent age, 
 can look through a whol-e planetary fyflem ; cenfider 
 lit in its weight, number, and mealure •, and draw 
 from it as many demonftrations of infinite power and 
 vifdom, as a more confinenl underftanding -is able to 
 <leduce from the fyflem of a human body. 
 
 But to return to our fpeculations en anatomy, I 
 ^lall hereconfider the fabric and texture af the bo- 
 -dies of animak in one particular view ; which, in my 
 opinion, fliows ths hand of a thinking and all-wife 
 .Being, m their formation, with the evidence of a 
 thouland demondrations. I think we may lay thi§ 
 ■down as an inconteited principle, that chance never 
 -adts in a perpetual uniformity and confidence with 
 -itfelf. If one fhould aKvays fling the fame number 
 with ten thoufand dice, or fee every throw juit five 
 -times lefs, -or five times more in number than the 
 tlirow which immcdiatelv preceded it; who would not 
 ' I' 
 
ez ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 imr.^lne there was feme invifible power which dire£^- 
 ed t^e call ? This is the proceedings which we find m 
 the operations of nature : every kind of animal is di- 
 verfiiied by different magnitudes, each of which gives 
 rife to a difrerent fpecies. Let a man trace the dog 
 or lion kind, and he will obferve hovv-- many of the 
 M'ovks of nature are publifhcd, if I may ufe the cx- 
 prefTicn, in a variety of editions. If we look into the ♦ 
 reptile world, or into thofe different kinds of animals 
 that fill the element of water, we meet with the fame 
 repetitions among fcverrd fpecies that differ very little 
 from one aiicther but in fize and bulk. You fnid the 
 fame creature that is drawn at large, copied Qut in 
 :fever2l proportions, and ending in miniature. It would 
 •be tedious to produce inftances cf this regular con- 
 •dud: of Providence, as it would be fuperfluous to thofe 
 ^'ho are verfed in tiie natural hiftcry of animals. 1 he 
 magniiicent harmony is fuch, that we may obftrve 
 innumerable 4t%'ifiohs running upon the fame grciind. 
 I might alfo extend this fpeculation to the dead parts 
 of nature, in which v/e (intl matter difpofed into ma- 
 ny fimilar fyfbems, as well in our furvey of (lars and 
 -planets, as of floncs, vegetables, and other fublunary 
 parts of the creation. In a word, providence has 
 fhowFi the richnefs of its gcodnefs and wifdom, not 
 only in the p^odu^ion of many original fpecies, but 
 in the multiplicity of defcants which it has made on 
 every orignai fpecies in particular. 
 
 But to p.urfue this thought dill farther : every liv- 
 ing creature, ccnridercd in itfelf, has many very com- 
 plicated parts, that, are exaft copies of fome other 
 parts which it poileffe% and which are complicated in 
 the fame manner. One eje would have been fuffi- 
 cient for the fubri(l:ence and prefervation of an ani- 
 mal ; but in order to better his condition, we fee an- 
 other placed v/ith a mathematical exa6tnefs in the fame 
 mofl: advantageous fituation^ and in every particular 
 of the fame hz-2 and texture. Is it pofiible for chance 
 to be thus ileiicate and uniform in her operations? 
 Should a million of dice turn up twice together the 
 fame number, the wonder would fee nothing, compa*^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 6j 
 
 e<l to this ; but when we fee this fimilitude and re- 
 fembiance in the arm, the hand, the fingers ; when 
 we lee one half of tlKi body entirely correfpond with 
 the other in all thole minute ilrok^s, without which a 
 m^n might have very well rubfifted ; nay, when we 
 often fee a fmgle part repeated a hundred times in the 
 fame body, notwithdanding it confifts of the moft in- 
 tricate weaving of numberl.'fs fibres, and ihefe |"arts 
 differing flill in magnitude, as the convenience of their 
 particular fituation requires ; fure a man muft liave 
 a flrange caR of undtrflanding, who does not difcov- 
 er the finger of God in fo wonderful a work. Thefe 
 duplicates in thofe parts of the body, without which 
 a man might have very well fubhfted, though not fo. 
 well as v/ith tliem, are a plain d.:moni'tr.3tion cf au 
 All-wifr Contriver •, as thofe more numerous copyin^^s, 
 which are found among the vcll-ils of the iwAz bodv, 
 are evident demonftrations that tliey could not be tn&' 
 work of chance. This argument receives addition.il 
 ilrength, if we apply it to every animal and infeft 
 within our knowledge, as well as to thofe numberlefs 
 iiving creatures that are obje£ls too minute for a hu- 
 iTian eve : and if wc confider how the feveral fpecies 
 in this whole world of life refemble one another in Ve- 
 ry many particulars, fo far as it is convenient for their 
 refpeclive flales cf exiflence ; it is much mere proba- 
 ble that an hundred millions of dice fhould be cafual- 
 ly thrown a hundred millioi^s of times in the fame 
 number, than that the body of any fngie ;.ninrai 
 fhould be produced by the fortuitous cojicourfe cf 
 matter. And that the like chance f!)culd aiife in in- 
 Bumerable initances, requires a degree of credulity that 
 is not under the direction of common fenfe. "SVii 
 may carry tliis confideration yet farther, if we reflect 
 en tlie two faxes in every living fpecies, with their re- 
 fembjances to each other, and thofe particul^.r diitinc- 
 tions that were necefiary. for keeping up this great 
 world of life. 
 
 .; There are many more demonflrations of a fuprcme . 
 3png, and of his tranfcendent vifdom, power, and 
 goodnefs, ii the formatioa of the body of a. living 
 
it4 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 creature, for which I refer my reader to other urittngSJ, 
 particularly to the fixth book of i]:^,' poem entitled 
 Creation^ where the snatomy of the human body is de- 
 fcribed wish great perfpicuity and elegance. 1 have 
 beea particular on the thought which runs thrcugh 
 ihis (peculation, beeaufe 1 have not feen it enlarged 
 wpcn by others. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VII. No. 543. O. 
 
 ANCESTRY. 
 
 __£j[uRACE, jwveual, Boileauy and indeed the grent- 
 «ll writers in almoft every age, have cxpcfed, with 
 wit and gccd fenie, the vanity of a man's valuing him- 
 iiiiif upon his anceitovs, t-ind endeavoured to fhow that 
 true nobility confiits ia virtue, not in birth. With 
 fubmiirion however to fuch very great authorities, I 
 think they have puihed this matter a little too far. 
 V/e ought, in gratitude, to honour the poileriiy of 
 thofe v/ho have raifed cither tlie intereil or reputation 
 cf their country, and by whofe labours we curfelvcs 
 are more happy, wife, or virtuous, than we fliould have 
 been without tliem. Befidcs, naturrdly fpeaking, u 
 man bids fairer for greatnefs of foul, who is the de- 
 fcendant of worthy anceilavs, and has good blood ia 
 his veins, than one who is come of ignoble and ob- 
 fcurc parentage. For thtfe reafons, 1 think a man. of 
 merit, who is derived from an illuftrious line, is very 
 jiiUly to be regarded more than a man of equal merit 
 xvho has no claim to hereditary honours : nay, I think 
 thofe who are indifferent in themfeives, and have no- 
 thirt elfe to diilinguidi them but the virtues of tlieir 
 ioretathers, are to be looLed upon with a degree of 
 veneration even upon that account, and to be more 
 refpeded than the common run of men who are of 
 Icvv and vulgar extra£lion. 
 
 After havhig thus afcribed due honours to birth 
 and parentage, I muft however take notice of thofe 
 who arrogate to themfeives more honours than are 
 due to them on this account. The fnlt are fuch wht 
 
' 
 
 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. <Jj: 
 
 are not enough fennble that vice and ignorance tiints 
 tiie blood, and that an unworthy behaviour degrades 
 and difcnnobles a- man in the eye of the \rorld, as 
 much as birth and family aggrandize and exalt him. 
 
 The fecond are thofe who believe a reiv man of an 
 elevated merit, is not more to be honoured than an in- 
 fignificant and wortlilefs man, who is defcended from 
 a long line of patriots and heroes ; or, in other words, 
 behold with contempt a perfon 'a ho is fuch a man as 
 the flrft founder of their family was, upon whcfe re- 
 putation they value themfelves. 
 
 But I Ihall chieiiy apply myfelf to thofe whofe 
 quality fits uppermoit in all their difeourfes and be- 
 haviour. An empty man of a great family, is a crea- 
 ture that is fcarce converfable. You read his anrcf- 
 try in his fmile, in his air, in his eye-brow. He has 
 indeed nothing but his nobility to give employment 
 to his thoughts. Rank and precedency are the impor- 
 tant points which he is always difcufling within Jiim- 
 felf. A gentleman of this turn began a fpeech in one 
 of king Charles* s parliaments^ 5;V, I had the bcrcur to he 
 
 horn at a time upon which a rough honcfl gentleman 
 
 took him up,{hort : I ^u-ouLi faJn k»o<w nvhat that ^eKfic- 
 nan means : Is i/^rc any one in this houfe iv/io has not had the 
 honour to be born as ivellas himfilf ? The good fenfe which 
 feigns in our nation, has pretty well deftroyed this ftar- 
 clied behaviour among men who have fecn the world, 
 and know that every gentleman will be treated upon n 
 footing of equality. But tliere are many who have 
 had their education among women, dependants or 
 flatterers, that lofe all the refpec\ which would oth- 
 er wile be paid them, by being too afliduous in procur- 
 ing it. 
 
 My lord Froth has been fo educated in every pun£lll- 
 io, that he governs himfelf by a ceremonial in all the 
 ordinary occurrences of life. He meafurcs out his bow 
 to the degree of the perfon he converfes with. I, 
 have feen him in every inclination of the body, from 
 the familiar nod, to the low (loop in the falutation. ■ 
 I remember five of usj who were acquainted with one 
 another, met one morning at his lodgings, when a wag 
 
6d ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ''; 
 
 of tlie company was faying, it would b« worth wlill^<' 
 to obfcrve now he would didinguiili us at his fnll en--^; 
 trance. Accordingly, he no fooner came into the , 
 xooni, but cafting his eye about, My lord Juch-a-om^[. 
 iAys\\t, your moft humble fet-vunt \ 5;> R.ichard, your hu7n^\, 
 lie fer'van: ; ycur fervant Mr. Ironfide, Mr. Ducker,. : 
 ho'M do you do ? hah ! Frank, are you there ? 
 
 rhcie is nothing more eafy than to difcover a man 
 whofe heart is full of his family. Weak minds that : 
 have imbibed a flrong tincture of the nurfcry ; youn- 
 ger brothers who have been brought up to nothings 
 lupcrannuatcd retainers to a great houfe, have gene*;: 
 rally their thoughts taken up with little elfe. \ 
 
 1 had fome years r.go an aunt of my own, by narnCr. 
 Mrs. Martha Ircrjide^ who would never m.arry be- 
 neath herfeif, and was fuppofed to have died a maid 
 in the eightieth year of her iige. She was the chron- 
 icle of our taniily, and pail away the greatell part of 
 the laft forty years of her life, in recounting the an- 
 tiquity, marriages, exploits and alliances of the hor." 
 fides, ' Mrs. Martha converfed generally with a knot 
 of old virgins, who were llkewife from good families,, 
 and had been very cruel all the beginning of the lait 
 century. They v*^ere every one of them as proud as 
 Z,;/f/y^r, but fiid thtir pniyers twice a day, and in all 
 other refpc-cls v, ere the bed women in the world. If 
 they faw a finc^petticcat at church, they imm.ediately 
 took to pieces the pedigree of her that wore it, ana 
 would lift up their eyes to Heaven at the confidence 
 of the fancy minx, when thev found flie was a tradef- 
 «iar/s daughter. It is impoi^ible to defcribe the pi- 
 cus indig.nation that would arife in them at the fight 
 of a man who lived plentifully on an eftate of his own 
 getting. They were tranfported witli zeal beyond c 
 meafure, if they heard of a young woman*s matching 
 herft:lf into a great family upun account only of het ■ 
 beauty, her merit, or her money. In ftiort^ there 
 was not a. female within ten miles of them, that . was 
 x.i pofleihon of a gold watch, a pearl necklace, or a 
 yiece of meeklin lace, but they examined her title to 
 it* My auat Marthsk wfed to ctide me very frecjuent- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 67 
 
 ly for not fufliciently valuing myfelf. Sh<5 would not 
 eat a bit all dinnertime, if at an invitation (lie found 
 fhe had been feated below hcrftflf j and would frown 
 unon me for an hour togetht-r, if (lie faw me give 
 place to any one under a baronet. As Fwas once talking 
 to her of a wealthy cicfzen whom flie had refufcd in 
 her youth, fhe declared to me with gre.it warmth, 
 that ilie preferred a man of quality in his Ihirt to the 
 richeft man upon the change in a coach and fix. She 
 pretended that our family was nearly related by the 
 mother's fide to half a dozen peers -, . but as none of , 
 them knew any thing of the matter, we always kept it ; 
 a fecret among ourfelves. A little before her death, 
 flie was reciting to me the hiilory of my forefathers : 
 but dwellijig a little longer than ordinary upon tlie ac- 
 tions of Sir Gilbsrt honfide^ who had a horfe fliot under : 
 him at Edgehill fight, i gave an unfortunate pifli, and 
 alked, ivhat iyall this io me ? L^pon whicli ^^tt retired 
 to her clof<;t and fell a fcribbling for three hours to- 
 gether; in which time, as I afterwards found, ihe 
 ilruck me out of her will, ^ and left all Ihe had to my 
 filler Margaret y a wheedling baggage, that ufed to be 
 aJiving about her great grandfather from morning to 
 night. Slic now lies buried among the family of the 
 Ironjidesy with a (lone over her, acquainting tlie reader, 
 that flie died at the age of eighty years, a fpinder,. and 
 that (he was defcended of the ancient family of the 
 honfides ; after which follows the genealogy drawn up 
 by her own hand, . 
 
 Guardian, Vol. XL No. 147. 
 
 ANCIENT •WRITERS^ V 
 
 X IS not only very common in the mouths of pe- 
 dants, and perhaps in their iiearts too, to declare, that 
 all that is govdii bot-n^wed frtmtht ancients j but is often 
 urged by men of no great learning, for reafons very- 
 obvious. Now, natur* being Itill the fame, it 
 is imponibk for any modern: writer to pahit her oth» 
 erwiie than the aagi^nts have doae. . Ifi.for.exaiuple* 
 
C$ ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 I w?.5 to dcfcribe the General's horfe at the battle of 
 i?//';7/:^/;w as my fancy repre tented fuch a noble bead,, 
 r.nd that clefcription fnoiild refemble wliat /7ro-z7 hath\ 
 tirawn for the horfe of his hero, it would be almoll as^. 
 ill-natured to urge that I had (lolen my defcription 
 from AVr^//, as to r<iproach the duke cf Marlborough ior 
 fighting like jEneas, All that the rncit exquiiite 
 judgment can perform, is, out cf that variety of cir- 
 cumltances wherein natural objecls may be confider- 
 ed, to felcc^ the molt bcautifi "i and to place images 
 in fuch a view as will alfe6l the fancy after tl;e moil 
 delightful manner. But over and abovs a juft paint- 
 ing of nature, a learned reader will find a new beauty, 
 fuperadded in a happy imitation cf fome famous an- 
 cient, as it revives in his mind the pleafure he took in 
 the firfh reading of fuch an author. Such copyings 
 as thefe, give that kind of double delight which we 
 perceive when, we look upon the children of a beauti- 
 ful couple ; where the eye is not iTiOre charmed v/ith 
 the fymmetry of the parts, than the mind by obferv- 
 ing the rcfemblance tranfmitted from parents to their 
 offspring, and the mingled features of the father and: 
 mother. The phrafes in holy writ, and allufions to 
 feveral palTagcs in the infpired writings, (though not; 
 produced as proofs of dodrine) add majefty.and au- 
 thority to the nobleil difcourfes of the pulpit : In like 
 manner, an imitation of the air oi Homer and Virgil^ rai — 
 fcs the dignity of modern poetry, and ratak^s it appear- 
 ftatcly and venerable. 
 
 GUARDIAN, Vol. I. No. .12=, 
 
 ANIMALS, 
 
 X friend Sir Roger is very often merry witli me. 
 upt n my palFmg fo much of my time amonghis poul- 
 try ; he lias caught m€ twice or thrice at a bird's neft, 
 and feveral .times fitting an hour or two together near 
 a hen and. chickens. He tells me he befieves I am 
 perfonally acquainted with every fowl about his houfe, 
 calls fuch a 'Jjarticular cock my • favourite, and fre- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 6^ 
 
 quently complains that his ducks and geefe have more 
 of my company than himfelf. 
 
 I nmit confcfs i am infiiiitely delighted with thofe 
 fpcculations of nature wliich arc to be made in a 
 country life : and as my reading has lain pretty much 
 among books of natural hiftory, I cannot forbear rc- 
 colleciing upon this occafion, the feveral remarks 
 which I have met with in authors, and comparing' 
 them with what falls under my own obfervation ; the 
 arguments for Providence drawn from the natural hif- 
 tory of animals, being in my opinion demonilrative. 
 
 The make of every kind of animal, is diffvjrent from 
 that of every other kind ; and yet there is not the leail 
 turn in the nuifeles, or twill: in the fibres of any one, 
 wdiich does not render them more proper for that 
 particular animal's way of life, than any other calt 
 or tf-jxtuve could have been. 
 
 Tlie moll violent appetites in all creatures are, 
 luft and hunger ; the firll is a perpetual call upon 
 them to propagate their kind, the latter to preferve 
 themfelves. 
 
 It is alloni Piling to confider the different degrees of 
 care that defcend froai the parent to the young, fo far 
 as is iibfolutely necefiary for the leaving a pofterity. 
 Some creatures call their eggs as chance directs them, 
 and think of them no farther, as infe<fis and feveral 
 kinds of fifli ; others, of a nicer frame, find out pro- 
 per beds to dcpofit them in, and there leave them, as 
 the ferpent, the crocodile, and oflrich. Otlier:3 hatch 
 theli- e^gs, and tend the birth till it is able to Ihift for 
 itfelf. " 
 
 What can we call the principle which direcls every 
 kind of bird to obferve a particular plan in the ftruc- 
 ture of its ne(t, and diretls all of the fame fpecies to 
 work after the fame model ? It cannot be bnitation ; 
 for though you hatch a crow under a hen, and never 
 let it fee any of the works of its own kind, tlie nefl: 
 it makes fliall be the fame to the laying of a Itick, with 
 all other netls of the fiune fpecies. It cannot be rea- 
 fon \ for were animals endued with it to as great a de- 
 gree as man, their buildings would be as dllfereut ai- 
 
70 ADDISONIAN MI SCELL ANY. 
 
 ours, according to the diflerent conveniences that they 
 "would propol'e to thcmfeives. 
 
 Is it not remarkable, that the fame temper of weath-. 
 er wliich railes this general warmth in animals, (liould 
 cover the trees v>'ith leaves, and the fields with grais, 
 for tkeir fecurity and concealment, and produce fucii 
 infinite fwaims of inftdts, for the fuitenance of their 
 refpe61ive broods r 
 
 Is it not wonderful that the love of the parent fliould , 
 be fo violent while it lafts, and thajt it fiiould iaft no 
 longer than is neceflary for the prefervation oi the 
 young ? 
 
 Tlie violence of this natural love is ejcempliried by a 
 very barbarous experiment, which I iliall quote at 
 length, as I lind it in an excellent author ; and hope 
 mv readers will pardon the mentioning luch an in- 
 Ibnce of cruelty, becaufe there i> nothing can fo cf- 
 fedtually fhow the ftrengtli of that principle in ani- 
 mals of which I am now fpeaking. ^' A perfon who 
 was well Ikilled in difieiSlions, opened a bitch, and as 
 fhe lay in the moft exquilite tortures, offered her one 
 of her young puppies which ftis immediately fell a. 
 licking ; and for the time f^emed infenfible of her 
 own pain. On the removal, ihe kept her eye fixed 
 en it, and began a wailing fort of cry, which feemed 
 rather to proceed from the lofs cf her young one, than 
 from the fenfe of lier own torments." . 
 
 But notwithftanding this natural lov€ in brutes is, 
 much mcie vioic:5"!t and intenfe than in rational crea- 
 tures, Providence has taken care that it fnould be no 
 longer troublefome to the parent, th^n it is ufeful to 
 the young ; foi fo foon as the wa^ts of the latter 
 ceafe, the mother withdraws her fondnefs, and leaves 
 them to provide for themfelves: and what is a very 
 particular circumftance in this part of inilincl:', we 
 iind that the love of the parent may be lengthened out 
 beyond its ufual time, if the prefervation of the fpe- 
 cies requires it ; as we fee in birds that drive away 
 their young as foon as they are able to get their liveli- 
 h.ood, but continue to feed them if they are tied to the 
 neft, or confined within a cage, or by any other meai^.^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 71 
 
 appear to be out of a condition of lupplying their own 
 njcelfities. 
 
 This niitiiral love is not obferved in animals to af- 
 cend from the young to the parent, which is not at 
 all neceflavy for the continuance of the fpecies : nor 
 indeed in reafonable creatures does it rile in any pro- 
 portion, asitfprcads itfclf downwards ', for in all family^ 
 
 , ?.{yei!:lion we iind protedlion granted, and favours be- 
 llowed, are greater motives to love and tenderncfs 
 than fafety, benefits, or life received. 
 
 One would wonder to hear fceptical men difputing 
 
 . for the r^/7^'o« of animals, and telling us it is only our 
 piide and prejudices that will not allow them the ufc 
 of that faculty. R?nfon Piiows itfelf in all the occur- 
 rences of life j whereas the brute makes no difcovery 
 of fueh a talent, but in what immediately regards his 
 own prefervation, or the continuunce of his fpecies. 
 Animals in their generation are wifer than the fons of 
 men \ but their wifdom is confined to a few particu- 
 lars, and lies in a very narrovv' compafs. Take a 
 
 .•brute out of his inRincl:, and you nnd him wholly de- 
 
 liprived of underllanding. To ufe an infbance that 
 
 '-comes often under obfervation. 
 
 With what caution does the hen provide hcrfelf a 
 r.cd in places unfrequented, and free from noife and 
 ^iifturbance ! When (lie has laid her eggs in fuch a 
 manner that flie can cover them, what care does fhe 
 take in turning them frequently, tlvat all p^rts may- 
 partake of the vital warmth I When (lie leaves them 
 to provide for her necefi^iry fullenance, how pun61:u- 
 ally does ilie return b^^fore they have time to cool, and 
 become incapable of ..producing an animal I In fum- 
 mer you lecher giving herfelf greater freedoms, and 
 quitting her car: for above two hours together ; but 
 in winter, whcTi t!ie rigour of the feafon would chill 
 the principles of life^ and deftroy the young one, {he 
 grows more alFiduous in her atccndance^ and itays a- 
 v/ay but half the time When the birth approaches, 
 with how niucli nicety and attention does flie help the 
 <:hick to break its pr-ifon ! Not to tske notice of her 
 covering it from the injuries of the weather, providing 
 
71 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 it proper nouiinmient, and teaching it to help itfelf ; 
 iior to mention her foifaking the ncfl, if, ai'ter the* 
 iifua\ lime of reckoning, the young one does not make.; 
 its appearance. A chyniical operation could not be 
 followed with greater art or diligence than is feen in 
 the hatcliing oi a chick, though there are many other 
 birds whicli lliow an^ infinitely greater fsgacity in all 
 the ibre-mentioned p.irticulars. 
 
 J3ut at the fame time, the hen, that has all tliis 
 feemingingcnviity, (which is indeed abfoiutcly necefla- 
 ry for the propagation of the fpecies) coufidered in- 
 other rcfpects, is M'ithout the lead glimmering of 
 thought or common fenfc. She miftakes a piece of 
 chalk for an egg, and fits upon it in the fam.e m.anner : 
 She is infenhbie of any increafe or diminution in the 
 number nf thofe fhe lays : She does not diftinguifh 
 betM'cen her own and thofe of another fpecies", and 
 ■vvhcn the biith appears of ever fo different a bird, 
 will cherifli it for her own. In all thefe circumftan^ 
 ces, wj;ich do net carry an immediate regard to the 
 fubiifbncc of herfelf or her fpecies, fhe is a very 
 tdeot. 
 
 There is not, in my opinion, any thing more myde- 
 riouii in nature than this inftiiitl. in animals, which 
 thus rifes above reafon, and falls infinitely fliort of it. 
 It cannot be accounted for by any properties in mat- 
 ter, and at the fame time works after fo odd a manner, 
 that (»ne cannot but think it the faculty of an intel- 
 )eclual Beirig. For my ov/n part, I look upon it as 
 upon tlie principle of gravitation in bodies, which is 
 not to be explained by any known qualities inherent 
 in ih;i bodies themfelvcs, nor from any laws of 
 mech;:nifm ; but, aceoiding to the bcil notions of the 
 gr^ar'^ft philofophers, is an immediate impreffion from 
 me I irll Mover, and tlie the divine energy acting in 
 the creatures. 
 
 -Spectator, Vol. II. No, i2o. L. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 73 
 
 AMUSEMENT of LIFE. 
 
 ^ y E all of us complain of the fhortncfs of time, faith 
 Seneca^ and yet have much more than wc know what 
 to do with. Our lives, fays he, are fpent either in do- 
 ing nothing at all, or in doing nothing to the purpofe, 
 or in doing nothing that we ought to do. We are al- 
 ways complaining that our days are few, and acling as 
 ii there could be no end of them. 
 
 I'hat noble philofopher has defcribed our inconfif- 
 {cncy with ourfclves in this particular, by al! thofe va- 
 rious turns of expveflion and thought vliich are pe- 
 culiar to his \yitings. I often confidcr mankind as 
 wholly incoiuiilent with itfelf, in a point that bears 
 fonie affmity to the former : '-i'liough we feem grieved 
 at the fhortnefs of hfe in general, we are wifliing eve- 
 ry period of it at an end. I'lie minor longs to beat age, 
 then to be a man of bufinefs, then to make up an ef- 
 t it^, then to arrive at honours, then to retire. Thus, 
 though ourwhole life is allowed by every one to be 
 fiiort, the feveral divifions of it appear to be long and 
 tedious. We are for lengthening our fpan in general, 
 but would contra6l the parts of which it is compofed. 
 Tiie ufurer would be very well fatisfied to have all the 
 time annihilated that lies between the prefent mo- 
 ment and next quarter-day. The politician would be 
 contented to lofe three years in his life, could he 
 place things in the poilure which he fancies they will 
 (land in attcr fuch a revolution of time. The lover 
 would be glad to llrike out of his exiftcnce all the mo- 
 ments that are to pafs away before the happy meet- 
 ing. Thus as fait as our time runs, we ihould be 
 very glad, in mod parts of our lives, that it ran much 
 fafler than it does. Several hours of the day hang 
 upon our hands ; nay, we wifh away whole years, and 
 travel through time as through a country filled with 
 many wild and empty walles, which we would fain 
 ' hurry over, that we may arrive at thofe feveral little 
 fe-ttlements or imaginary points of reft v/hich ar« dif*;- 
 perfcd up and down in it. 
 
 G 
 
74 ADDISONIAN MSCELLANY, 
 
 If we divide the life of moft men into twenty parts, 
 we ihall find that at lead r.ineteen of them are niere 
 gaps and chafms, which are neither filled with plea- 
 lure or buduefs. I do not however include in this 
 calculation, the life of thofe men who are in a perpet- 
 ual hurry of affairs, but of thofe only who are not al- 
 ways engaged in fcenes of a<5tion : And I hope I ihall 
 rot do an unaccepta'ble piece of fervice to rhofe per- 
 ■fons, if I point out to them certain methods for fiUinaj 
 up their empty fpacesofhfe. The methods I fhaii 
 propofe to them are aG follow: 
 
 The firft is the exercife of virtue, in the moft gene- 
 ral acceptation of the word. That particular fcbeme 
 which comprehends the focial virtues, may give em- 
 ^loym.ent to the moil induftrious temper, and find a 
 man more bu-finefs than the mcll; a^live ftation of life. 
 To advife the igncrant, relieve the needy, comfort tljc 
 .s^uii^led. -iirc duties that fall in our v/ay almoll every 
 day of our fives. A man has frequent opportunities of 
 mitigating the fiercenefs cf a patty, of doing ju (lice 
 to the character of a deferving man, of foftening the 
 envious, quieting the angry, and rectifying the pre- 
 judiced ; Vhich are all of them employments fuited 
 to a reafonablc nature, and bring great fatisfa6licn to 
 the perfon v.'ho can bufy-himfelf in them with difcre- 
 tion. 
 
 There is another kind of virtue that may find em- 
 ployment .for thofe retired hours in which we are al- 
 together lei t to ciirfelves, and deditute of company 
 and converfation ; I mean that intercourfe and com- 
 munion which every leafonable creature ought to 
 tain with the Supreme Being. The man who liv^es 
 under an habitual fenfe of the divine prefence, keeps 
 up a perpetual cheerfulnefs of temper, and enjoys ev- 
 ery moment the fatisfadion of thinking himfelf in 
 company with his deareft and his beft ef friends. The 
 time never lies heavy upon him : It is impoflible for • 
 him to be alone. His thoughts and pafiions are the - 
 mpfl bufied at luch hours, when thofe of other men 
 are the moft unadive. He no focner fteps out of tl^c 
 
ADDISON AN MISCELLANY. j^ 
 
 ' world'but his heart burns with devotion, fvvells with 
 hope, and triumphs in the confclcufnefs of that Pre- 
 fence which- every where furr;iunds him -, or, on tlie 
 contrary, pours out its fears, its forrows, Irs appre- 
 hcnfions, to the great Supporter of its exiflence. 
 
 1 have here only confidered the neceflity or'a mar/s 
 being virtuous, that lie may have fomething to do ; 
 but if we confider farther that the exercife of virtue is 
 not only an amufement for the time it lafls, but that 
 its influence extends to thofe parts of our exiller.ce 
 which he beyond the grave, and that our whole eter- 
 nity is to take its colour from thofe hours which we 
 here employ in virtue or in vice, the argument redou- 
 bles upon us for putting in practice this method of 
 pa fli n g a w ri y^ tim e . 
 
 When a man has but a little flock to Improve, an 1 
 hiis opportunities of turjiing it all to good accouiit, 
 v/hat Oiall v/e think of him. If he fullers nineteen 
 parts of it to lie dead, and perhaps employs even tlie 
 twentieth to his ruin or difadvantage ? i3ut becaufe 
 the mind cannot be always in its fervour, nor flralned 
 up to a pitch of virtue, it is neceffary to find out pro- 
 per employments for it in its reiaxations. 
 
 The next method that 1 would propofe to nil up 
 our time, Ihould be uftful and iniiocent diveiiions. 
 I mud conftfs I think it. is below reafonable creatures,. 
 to be altogether converfant in fuch diverfions as arc: 
 merely Innocent, and have nothing elfe to recommend 
 tlicm, but that there is no hurt in tliem. Whether 
 any kind of gaming has even thus much to fay for rt- 
 fclf, I Ihail not determine ; but I think it is very won- 
 derful to fee perfons^of the befl lenfe pafhng away a 
 dozen hours together in fliufKing and dividing a p:;wk 
 of cards, with no other conveif\uion but what is made 
 up of a few g-ime phrafes, and no other ideas but 
 thofe of red or black fpots ranged together in different 
 figures. Would not a man of fenft laugh to hear any 
 one of this fpecics complain that life is fhort ? 
 
 The /fage might be made a perpetual fource of the 
 mod noble and ufeful entertainment, were it rnder 
 proper regukticns- Bat the miad never unbends it- 
 
lS ADDISONIAN MiSCELLANY. 
 
 felf fo agreeably, as in the converfaticn of a well cho- 
 fen friend. There is indeed no bleffingof life that is 
 any way comparable to the eiijoyment of a cifcreet 
 and virtuous friend. It eafes and unloads the mind, 
 clears and improves the underftanding, engenders 
 thoujjjhis and knowledge, and animates virtue and 
 good refolutions, fooths and allays the palhons, and 
 finds employment for mod of tne vacant hours of 
 life. 
 
 Next to fuch an Intimacy with a particular perfon, 
 cue would endeavour after a in ore general converfa- 
 lion with fuch as are able to entertain and improve 
 thoie with whom they converfe, which a,re qualifica- 
 tions which feldom go afunder. 
 
 There are many other ufeful amufements of lif^ 
 which one would endeavour to multiply, that one 
 mip;ht on all occanons have recourfe to lomethinafi 
 rather than, fuiler the mind to lie idle, or run adrift 
 with i.ny palTion that chances to rife in it. 
 
 A man who has a tails for mufic, priming, or ar- 
 chiteclure, is like one who has another fenfe, when 
 compared with fuch as have no relilh for thofe arts. 
 The florin, the planter, the hufDandman, the gardener, 
 when they are only as accompliihments to the man of 
 fortune, are great reliefs to a country life, and many 
 ways ufeful to thofe who are pofiefrcd of them. 
 
 But of all the diverfions of life there is none fo pro- 
 per to fill up its empty fpaces as the reading of ufeful 
 und entertaining authors : but this ! fi^all only men- 
 tion, becaufe it in fome meafure interferes with the 
 third method, which I (Irall propofe in another paper, 
 for the employment of our dead, inactive hours, and 
 which I fliall mention in general to be the purfuit of 
 knowledge. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. II. No. 93. L. 
 
 ANGER. y 
 
 A/\ 
 NGER is fo uneafy a gueft in the heart, that he 
 may be faid to be born unhappy who is of a rough and 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLAIdY. 77 
 
 choleric difpofidon. The moralifts have defined it to 
 be, a defire y renjenge for fqme injury offered. Men of hot 
 and headf tempers, are eagerly defirous for vengeance, 
 the very moment they apprehend themfeh^es injured : 
 whereas the cool and fedate watch proper opportuni- 
 ties to return grief for grief ta their enemy. By this 
 i)ienns it often happens tliat the choleric inflict difpro- 
 portioned puniflmients, upon flight, and fometimes 
 imaginary, offences: but the temperately revenge- 
 ful have leifure to vi^eigh the merits of the caufe, 
 and thereby either to fmother their fecretrefentments, 
 or to feek proper and adequate reparation for the 
 damages they have fuftained. Weak minds are apt 
 to fpeak well of the man of Fury, becaufe, when the 
 ftorm is over, he is fall of forrow and repentance : 
 but the truth is, he is apt to commit fuch ravages du- 
 ring his madnefs, that when he comes to himfelf he 
 becomes tame tlien, for the fame reafon that he ran 
 wild \y<t\Q\'&y only to give himfelf eafe ; and is a friend on- 
 ly to himfelf in both extremities. Men of this uin 
 happy make, more frequently than any others, expect 
 that their friends iliould bear with their inlirmitics : 
 their friends fliould in return defire them to correct 
 their innrmities. The common excufes, that they 
 cannot help it, that it was foon over, that they har- 
 bour no malice in their hearts, are arguments for par- 
 doning a bull or a maftiff, bui fkall never reconcile mc 
 to an intellectual favage. Why indeed fhould any 
 one imagine, that perfons independent upon him, 
 Yhould venture into his fociety, who hath not yet fo 
 far fubdued his boiling blood, but that he is ready to 
 do fomething the next minute which he can never re- 
 pair, and hath nothing to plead in his own behalf, biit 
 that he is apt to do mifchief as fall as he can ? Such 
 a man may be feared, he may be pitied, but can 
 never be loved. 
 
 I would not here be underftood, as if I meant to - 
 recommend flow and delit>erate malice ; I would only 
 obfar-ve, that men of moderation are of a more amia- 
 ble character than the ralh and inconfiderate ; but if 
 they do not hufoaiid the taleat thrtt tieavcn has be- 
 G *^ 
 
^S ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 {lowed oa them, they are as much more odious tlmn 
 the choleric, as the devil is more horrible than a 
 brute : It is hard to fay which of the two, whes. in- 
 jured, is more troublefome to him-felf, or hurtful to 
 his enemy : the one is boifterous and'gentle by fits, 
 dividing his life between guilt and repentance, no\r 
 all tempeft, again all funfliine -, the other has a fmooth- 
 er but more ladii^g anguiOi, lying under a per- 
 petual gloom ^ the latter is a cowardly man, the for- 
 mer a generous beaft. If he may be held unfortunate 
 who cannot be fure but that he may do fomcthing the 
 next minute which he fliall lament during his life, 
 what (hall we think of him who hath a foul fo infe6l- 
 ed, that he can nev^r be happy till Ire hath made an- i 
 other mnfa'able ? Vv'liat wars may we not imagine 
 perpetually taging in his breaft ? What dark ftrata- 
 gems, unworthy defigns, inhuman wiOies, dreadful 
 xelolutions ! A fnake curled in many intricate mazes, 
 ready to fting a traveller, and to hifs him in the pangs 
 of death, is no unfit em-blem of fuch an artful, un- 
 learchable projector. Were I to choofe an enemy, 
 whether (hould I wlfh for one that would flab me 
 .innmediately, or one that would give me an Italian 
 poifon, fubtil and lingernig, yet as certainly fatal as 
 the flroke of a flilletto. Let the reader determine 
 the doubt in his own mind. 
 
 There is yet a thhd fort of revenge, if it may bs- 
 called a third, which is compounded of the other two.; 
 I mean the midaken honour which hath too often a 
 place in generous breads. Men of good education, 
 thougli naturally choleric, reflrain their wrath fo far 
 as to feek convenient times for vengeance. The firi- 
 glt combat feems fo generous a way of ending con;-, 
 troverfies, that, till we have ftricl: laws, the r^umber 
 of widows 'and orphans, and I wifn I could net fri.y 
 of wretched fplrits, will be increafed. Of all th^ 
 medals which have been ftruck in honour of a neigh- 
 bouring monarch, there is not one which can give 
 him fo true a renown, as that upon tht fuccefs of his 
 -edirl {qy aboli/hing iht impious pradice of duelling, 
 
 WLaUncliiicd ipe at pref.nt to write upon.^hi^. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 79 
 
 fubjecl, was the fight of the following letters, which 
 I can afiure the reader, are genuine. They con- 
 cern two noble names among us ; but the crime of 
 which the gentlemen were guihy, bears too preva- 
 lently the name of honour, to need an apology to their 
 relations for reviving the mention of their duel. But 
 the dignity of wrath, and the ccxol and dtiiberate pre- 
 paration (by pjlhng different climes, and waiting conr 
 venient feaions) for murdering each other, when we 
 confider them as moved by a (tnk of honour, mull 
 raifeia the reader as much compaihon as horror. 
 
 J Mo^-.fiiur^ Monjieur Sackvillc. 
 
 '* I that am in France hear how much you attribute 
 to yourfelf in this time, that I have given the world 
 leave to ring your praifcb ^•*''*^** If you call in memo- 
 ry, whereas 1 gave you my hand laA, L told yoi. 1 
 referved the heart for a tiuer reconciliation. Nowi 
 be that noble gentleman my love once fpoke you, and 
 tome and do him right that could recite the trials you 
 owe your birth and country, were I not confident your 
 honour gives you the fame courage to do me right,, 
 that it did to ilo me wrong. Be mafter of your own 
 weapons and time •, the place wherefoever, I will wait : 
 on you. By doing this, you fliall fnortcn revf nge, . 
 and clear the idle opinion the world hath of both our 
 ^orth. EDWARD BR UCE.'^ 
 
 A Moftfaur, Monjteur le Raron de KInlofs. 
 
 ** As it fliall be always far from me to fcek a quar-. 
 rel, fo will I be always ready to meet with any that 
 defire to make trial of my valour, by fo fair a courle 
 as you require. A witnefs whereof yourfelf fhall bC;, , 
 who within a month fhall receive a ItricSl accou^it of. 
 time, place, and weapon, where you fliall find me rea- 
 dy difpofcd to give you honourable fatisfa6lion by him 
 that Ihall condua you thither. In the mean time,. 
 be as fecret of the appcintmcnt as it feemg you are de- 
 firou§ gfit. 
 
 « EDWARD SAGKVJLLE.'! 
 
3* ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 A Monfteur, Movjteur te Baron c'e Kinlofs. 
 
 <« I am ready at Ter^ofo, a town in 7.ealand^ to give- 
 you that fatisfuftlon your fword can render you, ac- 
 companied by a worthy gentleman for my fecond, in 
 degree a knight : and for your coming, I will not Hm- 
 it you a percmpto- y day, but defire you to make a de- 
 finite anc^ Ipeedy repair, for your own honour and fear 
 of prevention ; until which time you fhali find me 
 
 "EDWARD SACKVILLE. 
 
 " Tergcjo^ the i Gth of Aug. 1 6 1 3 ." 
 
 A Man/ieur^ Mi<y;fieur Dackville. 
 «* I have received your letter by your man, and ac- 
 
 lOV/li 
 
 I come 
 
 knov/ledge vou have dealt ncbly with me *, and now 
 le vvitli all pciTible hade to meet ynu. 
 
 EDWARD BRUC£/» 
 Guardian, Vol. II. No. J29. 
 
 Oh ! fatal love of fa jr. e I Oh glorious hgai ! 
 Only.dtfratii'-oe to the bra-ve and greaU 
 
 Addison's Campaign; 
 
 The gallant behaviour of the combatants may ferve 
 to raife in our minds a yet higher deteftation of that: 
 falfe honour which robs our country of men fo fifted^i 
 to fupport and adorn it. 
 
 Zir Edward Sackville-s Relation oj the Fight hetnveen him 
 and the Lord Bruce.. 
 
 WoriJySiry 
 
 jf\S I am not ignorant, fo ought I to be fenfible of ^ 
 the talle afperfions fome authorlefs tongues have laid 
 upon rne, in the report of thS unfortunate paiTage 
 wiiich lately happened between the lord x^ri.rr aad 
 xnyfelf, which as they are fpread here, fo I may juft* 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 8i 
 
 ly fear they reign alfo where you are. There are but 
 I two ways to refolve doubts of this nature ; by oath, 
 I or by KvorJ : The firft is due to magiltrates, commu- 
 nicable to his friends : the other to fuch as maliciouf- 
 ly flander and impudently defend their afTcrtion. 
 Your love, not my merit, afiures me, you hold mc 
 your friend, which elleem I am much defirous to re- 
 tain. Do me therefore the right to underiland thi 
 I truth of that, and in my behalf inform others, who 
 either are or may be infecled with fmiilcr rumour?, 
 much prejudicial to that fair opinion I dcfire to hoLJ 
 amongil all worthy perfons : and on the faith of .i 
 gentlemaa, the relation 1 iliall give is neither more 
 nor Icfs than the bare truth. The inclofed contains 
 the fir 11 citation, fent me from Pans by a S.o.'ch gen- 
 tleman, who delivered it to me in DerI>Yjhire, at my 
 Father-in-law's houfe. After it follows my then an- 
 fwer, returned him by the fame bearer. The next 
 is my accompiifliment of my fird promife, being a 
 particular alhgnation of place and weapon, which I 
 fent by a fervant of mine by poft from Rotterdamy 2ts 
 foon as I landtd there, 'i he receipt of which, joined 
 with an acknowledgement of my too fair carriage to 
 the dcceafed lord is teftified by tlie lail, which periods 
 the bufmefs, till we met at I ergofo in Zealand, it being 
 the ]ilacc allotted for rendezvous, where he, accom- 
 panied with one Mr. Cruivfoniy an EngUJh gentleman 
 for his fecond, a furgeon, and a man, arrived with all 
 the fpeed he could : And there having rendered him- 
 felf, I addreiled my fecond. Sir John Heidony to let him 
 underftand, that now all foUov^'ing fliould be done by 
 confent, as concerning the terms whereon we (hould 
 fight, as alfo the place. To our feconds^we gave pow- 
 er for their appointments, who agreed we ihould go 
 to Antuuerpi from thence to Bergen- op-Zocm^ where, in 
 the midway, but a village divides the States Territo- 
 ries from the Archduke'' s. And there was the deftined 
 ftage, to the end, that having ended, he that could, 
 might prcfently exempt himfelf from the juftice of 
 the country, by retiring into the dominion not offen- 
 ded. It was further concluded, that in cafe any (houjld, 
 
92 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 fall or flip, that then the combat {hould ceafe ; and he 
 whofe ill-fortune had fo fubjedtd him, w as to acknowl- 
 edge his life to have been in the other's hands : Biif'j 
 in cafe one party's fword ftiould break, becaufe that 
 could only chance by hazard, it v/as agreed that the 
 other fhould take no a'dv?intagej but either then be ma'dc 
 friends, or die upon even terms go to it again. Thus 
 thefe conclufions being each of them related to his 
 party, was by us both approved and alTented to. ACt 
 cordingly we embarked for Jnfzverp. And by re^-.ioii 
 • my lord, as I conceive, becaufe he could not hand* 
 fomely, without danger of difcovery, had not paived 
 the fvvord I fent him to P^ris ; bringing one of the 
 .fame length, but twice as broad, my fceond excepted' 
 againll it, ancladvifcd me to msitch my own, and fend' 
 him the choice, which I obeyed j it being, you know^j 
 the challenger's privilege to ele£l his weapon. At! 
 the delivery ofthefword, v/hi:h was performed by 
 ;k>ir Jo/m Heidon^ it pleafed the lord Bruce to choofe my 
 •own •, and then, pail expeCtatior!, he told him, that he 
 found himfelf fo far behind-hand, as a little of my. 
 blood would not fervehis turn, and therefore he was 
 now refolvedto have me alone, becaufe he knev/ (for 
 I will ufe his own words) That Jo ivorthy a gentlem,-n, 
 and my friend, could not endure to Jland bj^ ay: d fee him da. 
 that 'which he mujl, tofatiify himfelf (^nd lis honour, Htre- 
 ■Vpon Sir Jol.m ileido-i replied, that fuch intentions were 
 bloody and butcherly, far unntting fo noble a perfon- 
 age, who fhould dehre to bleed for reputation, not for 
 life j v^ithal adding, he thought himfelf injured, be- 
 ing come thus far, nov/ to be prohibited from execu- 
 ting thofe honourable offices he came for. The lord, 
 for anfwcr, only reiterated his former refolation j 
 whereupon Sir John leaving him the fword he had 
 eleded, delivered me the other, with his determina- 
 tions : The which, not for matter but manner, fo 
 moved me, as though to my remembrance, I Jiad not 
 ©f a long Vi^hile eaten more liberally than at dinner, 
 and therefore unfit for fuch an aclion (feeing the fur^ 
 geon hold a wound upon a full flomach much more 
 diingeroiis than otherwife.) I requefted mv furgcon to. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. S3 
 
 certify him, "I would prefentiy decide tlie difference, 
 rind there-fore he fliould prefentiy meet me on horfeback, 
 only waited on by our lurgeons, they being unarmed. 
 Togetlier we rode but one before the other, fome 
 tweh'e fcore about two Englj./h miles ; and tlien, paf- 
 (loi^ having fo weak an enemy to ail^iil, as my direc- 
 tion, eafily became N'lclor, and ufjng his power, made 
 me obedient t,o his commands. I being verily mad 
 with angtr, the lord Bruce Ihould fliird after my life 
 with a kijid of aflurcdnefs, feeing I had come fo far, 
 and needicf^ly, to give him leave to regain Ins loft re- 
 putation, I bade him alight, which with all willing- 
 nefs he quickly granted 5 and there, in a meadow, an- 
 ch deep in Witer at the leafl, bidding farewell to 
 cur doublets, in our fhirts began to charge each other ; 
 having afore commanded our furgeons to withdraw 
 thcmfelves a pretty diitance from us, conjuring them 
 b fides, as th«y expected our favours or their own 
 fafeties, not to Itir, but fulFer us to execute our plea- 
 fures. We being full refolved (God forgive us) to 
 difpntch each other by what me^ns we could, I made 
 a thurft at my en^my, but was (hort ; and in drawing 
 back my arm, I received a gieat wound thereon, 
 which I interpreted as a reward for my (liort ihoot- 
 ing ; but in revenge I preft in to him, though I then 
 miiTed him aI,fo, and then receiving a wound in my 
 right p;ip, which palTed level through my body, and 
 slmoft to my back*, and there we wreftled for the two 
 greatell and dearefl prizes we could ever expert trial 
 for, honour and life. In v/hich ftruggiing, my hand, 
 having but an ordinary glove upon it, loft one of her 
 fervant=^,, though tiie meaneft, which hung by a ficin, 
 and tollght yet remaincth as before ; and I am put in 
 hope one day ro recover the uf^ of it again. But at 
 laft., breatblefs, vet keeping our holds, there paiTed on 
 l3oth fides propoficions of quieting each other*s fwords ; 
 bi-twhen amity was dead, confidence could not live, 
 .^nd who ftiould quit firft was the queftion •, which 
 on neither part, either woukl perform ; and reftriv- 
 ing Ltgainatrrih with a kick and a wrench together, I 
 freed my long captivated weapon;, which incontinent- 
 
84 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY ^;' ? 
 
 ly levelling at his threat, bcirxg maftcr ftill of his, I 
 demanded if he would aflc his life or yield his fword ; . 
 both which, though in that im.mincnt danger, he 
 bravely denied to do. Myfelf being wounded, and ^ 
 feehng the lofs of blood, having three conduits run- !, 
 ning on me, began to make me faint ; and he coura- ^ 
 geoufly persuing not to accord to either of my pro- 
 pofitions ', through remembrance of his former bloo- 
 dy defire, and feeling of my eftatc, I fhruck at his 
 hiart, but with his avoiding, miffed my aim, yet paff.d 
 through the body, and drawing out m.y fword, repaft 
 it again, through another place ; when he cried O/i / 
 J amjlain ! feconding his fpeech with all the force he 
 had to cad me. But being too weak, after I had de- 
 fended his affault, I eafity became mafber of him, lay- 
 ing him upon his back -, when being upon him, 1 re-. 
 demanded if he would requefu his life, but it feemed , 
 he prized it not at fo dear a rate to be beholden for it ; 
 bravely replying, he yccrwf^?'// ; which anfwer of his 
 was lb noble and worthy, as I protell I could not find 
 in m.y heart to offer i im any more violence, only 
 keeping him down, till at length his furgeon, afar off, 
 cried out, he txcuU immediately die, if his njuounds icere net 
 flopped. Whereupon I afked him if he defired his fur- 
 geon (hould corn*, which he accepted of ; and fo be- 
 ing drawn away, I never offered to take his fword, ac- 
 counting it inhuman to rob a dead man, for fo I held 
 him to be. Thus this ended ! I retired to my fur- 
 geon, in whofe arms, after I had remained a while for 
 want of blood, I loll my fight, and withal, as I then 
 thought, my life alfo. But ftrong water and his dili- 
 gence quickly recovered me, when* I efcaped a great 
 danger ^ For my lord's furgeon when nobody dreamt 
 cf it, came full at me with his lord's fword, and had 
 not mine with my fword interpoffd himfelf, I had 
 been (lain by thofe bafe hands •, although my lord 
 Bruce^ weltering in his blood, and part all expe6tations 
 of life, conformably to all his former carri:^ge, v/hich 
 was undoubtedly noble, cried out, Rafcal ! hold thf 
 hand. So may I prosper as I have dealt fmcercly Avith 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY, t^ 
 
 you in this relation, which I pray you, with the in- 
 clofcil letter, deliver to my lord ckamberlain. And fo, 
 ^c.your*s, EDWARD SACKVI'LLE." 
 LotivanSf 8 til of S ep t . 1613. 
 
 GUARDIAN, Vol. II. No. 133. 
 
 A 
 
 ANTIOCHUS. 
 
 ^ NTIOCHUS, a Prince of gi-cat hopes, fell paf- .| 
 
 fionately in love with the vcung Queen Stratonicey who '\ 
 was his mother-in-law, and who had borne a fon to the 
 old king SiUucusy his father. The Prince -finding it 
 impofhble to extinguilli his palTion, ftU fick, and refu- 
 
 fed all manner of nourifhment, being determined to \ 
 
 put an end to that life which was become infupporta- j 
 
 ble. ; 
 
 ErafijhattiSy the phyfician, foon found that love was | 
 
 his diitcmper ; and obferving the alteration in his 1 
 
 pulfc and countenance, whenever Stratonke made him j 
 
 a vifit, was foon fatished that he was dying for his ■►^ 
 mother-in-bw. lOiowing the old King's tendernefs 
 for his Ton, when he one morning inquired of his 
 health, he told him, that the Prince's diftem.per was 
 
 love ; but that it was incurable, becaufe it v/as im- j 
 
 poiTible for liim to poiTefs the perfon v/hom he loved. ' 
 
 The Kinp, furprifcd at this account, dcdred to knov/ -.. 
 
 how his f on's paffion could be incurable ; why, Sir, re- i 
 
 plied Erajtjfatuiy becaufe he is in love with the perfoii ; 
 I am married to. 
 
 The old King immediately tonjured him by all his j 
 ■paft favours, to fave the hfe of his fon and fucceflor. 
 
 Sir, faid fr/vyJ^rarwjjWould your majefty but fancy your- ^ 
 felf in my place, you would fee the unreafonabicnefs 
 of what you defne.. Heaven is my witncfs, {avX Se* 
 
 leucusy I would refign even my Stratonice to fave my \ 
 
 Amiochu. At this the tears ran down his cheeks, 1 
 
 which when the Phyfician fav/, taking him by the , 
 
 hand. Sir, faid he, 'if thefe are your real fentiments> ( 
 
 the Ppnce's hfe is out of danger : It is Stratonice for \ 
 
 whoin he dies, ^^r/^-ara; immediately gave orders ior ^ 
 
S6 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY 
 
 folemnizing the marrbgc ; and the young queen^t i 
 fliew her obedience, verygeneroufly exchanged the fa- 
 ther for the fon. 
 
 Tatler, VoL m.No. 183, 
 
 ; ANTS. 
 
 In my lafl Saturday's paper, I fuppofed a mole hill 
 inhabited by pifmires or ants, to be a lively image of 
 •the earth peopled by human creatures. This fuppofi*- 
 stion will not appear too forced or ftrained to thofe 
 who are acquainted with the natural hiilory of thefe 
 little infers ; in order to which I fhall prefent my 
 reader with the extraft of a letter upon this c-urious 
 fubjeftj as It was pub! i (bed by the members of the 
 French academy, and fmce tranflated into £hglijh. I 
 muft confefs I was never better entertained than with 
 this narrative, which is of undoubted credit and au- 
 thority. 
 
 *Mn a room next to mine, which had been enxpty 
 for a long time, there was upon a window a box full 
 of earth, two feet deep, and fit to keep flowers in. 
 That kind oPparterre had been long uncultivated, and 
 therefore it was covered with old plaifter and a great 
 deal of rubbifli, that fell from the top of the houfe, 
 rmd from the walls, which, together with the earth 
 formerlv imbibed with water, m^ade a kind of dry and 
 barren foil. That place lying to the K^outh^ and cut of 
 the reach of the wind and rain, befides the neighbour- 
 hood of a,granary, was a moft delightful fpot oi ground 
 for ants ; therefore they had made three nefts there, 
 without doiibt for the fame reafon that men built cit- 
 ies in fruitful and convenient places, near fprings and 
 rivers. 
 
 Having a mind to cultivate feme, flowers, I. took a 
 view of that place, and rem.oved a tulip out of the 
 garden into that box : But calling my eyes upon the 
 ants, continually taken up with a thoufand cares^very 
 inconfiderablc with refped to us, but of the great- 
 $(t importance for them, they appeared to me iftorc 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 87 
 
 worthy of my curlofity than all the flowers in the 
 world. I quickly removed the tulip, to be the admir- 
 er and reilorer or that little commonwealtli. This 
 was the only thing they wanted ; for their policy, and 
 the order obft^rved among them, are more perfe<!i^ 
 than thofe of the wifefl republics ; and therefore they 
 have nothing to fear, unleis a new legillator fhould at- 
 tempt to change the form of their government. 
 
 I made it my bahnefs to procure them all forts of 
 conveniences ; I took out of the box everything that 
 might be troubltfome to them, and frequently vifitcd 
 my ants, and (ludied all their actions. i3:;ing uf*fd to 
 go to bed very late, I went to fee them work in a 
 nioon-fliiny night; and I frequently got up in the 
 night to take a view of their labours. 1 always found 
 fomc going up and down, and very bufy. One would 
 think that they never lleep Every body knows 
 that ants come out of their holes in the day-time, and 
 expofe to the fun the corn which they keep under 
 ground in the niglit.. Wlvat furprifed me r.t firil was, 
 my ants never brought out their corn but in the nighty 
 when the moon did fliine, and kept it under ground 
 in the day-time, which was contrary to what 1 had 
 feen, and faw flill praclifed by thofe infers ia other 
 places. I quickly found out the reafon of it. There 
 M'as a pigeon-hc'ufe not far from thence ; pigeons 
 and birds would hare eaten their corn, if tliey had 
 brought it out in the day-time. It is highly probable 
 they knew it;by experience ; and I frequently found 
 pigeons and birds in that place, v»hen I we^U to Ir in a 
 morning : I quickly delivered them from tliefe rob- 
 bers ; 1 frightened the birds away with fome pieces ci' 
 paper tied to the end of a ftring over the window : As 
 lor the pigeons, I drove them away feveral times ', and 
 when they perceived that the place was more frequen- 
 ted than before, they never came to it again. What 
 is mofl: admiiable, and what I could hardly believe, 
 if I did not know it by experience, is, that thofe ants 
 knew fome days after, that they had nothing to fear, 
 and began to lay out their corn in the fun. However, 
 perceived they were not fully convinced of being out- 
 
88 ADDISONIAN M.SGELLANY. 
 
 of danger, for they clurfl not bring out tlieir provIHons 
 all at once, but by degrees, firft in a fmall quantrty, 
 2ind without any great order, that ihty might quickly 
 carry them away in cafe of any misfortune, watching 
 i.nd looking every v/ay : At lail, being perfuaded that 
 they had nothing to fear, they brought out all their 
 corn, almod every day, and in good order, and carried 
 it in at niglit. 
 
 There is a (Iraight hole in every ant's neft, about 
 half an inch deep, c-.tk^ ilien it goes do^n {loping into 
 a place where they have magazines, which 1 take to 
 be a different place from that where they reft and eat ; 
 for it is highly improbable that an ant, which is a very 
 cleanly infe6l, and throws cut of her ncft all the fmall 
 remains of the corn on which (lie feeds, asl have cb- 
 frrved a thoufand times, would fill up her magazine, 
 and mix her corn with dirt and ordure. 
 
 The Cvorn that is hid up by ants would (hoot under 
 ground, if thofe infetfts did not take care to prevent it. 
 They bite off all the bsds before they lay it up ; and 
 tlierefore the corn which has lain in their nells, will 
 produce nothing. Any one may eafily make this 
 exnerimiCnt, and even plainly fee there is no bud in 
 their corn : But though the bud be bitten off, there 
 remains another inconvenience ; lliat corn muff needs 
 fweli and rot under ground, and therefore it could be 
 of no ufe to the nourifhment of ants. Thefe inie6ls 
 preveut that incoH/enience by their labour and induf- 
 try, and contrive the matter fo, that corn will keep as 
 dry in their nefts as in our gr .naries. 
 
 'ihey gather many fmall particles of dry er.rth, 
 "which they bring every day cut of their holes, and 
 lace them round to heat them in tlie fun : Every ant 
 rings a fmiall particle of tliat earth in her pincers, lays 
 it by the hole, and then gees and fetches another : 
 Thus, in lefs than a quarter of an hour, one may fee a 
 vafi: number of fuch f«:iall particles of dry earth, heap- 
 ed up round the hole : They lay their corn under 
 ground upon that earth, and cover it with^the fame. 
 They pertorm this work almoft every day, during the 
 heat of the fun ; and though the fun went from" the 
 
 I 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 8c? 
 
 vVindow about three or four o'clock in t'le afternoon, 
 they did not remove their corn and particles of earth,- 
 becaufe the ground was very hot, till the heat was 
 over. 
 
 If any one fiiould think that thofe animals Oioulcl 
 ufe fand, or fmall particles of brick or ftone, rather 
 than to take fo much pains about dry earth, I anfwer,- 
 that upon fuch anoccifion, nothing can be move pro- 
 per than earth heated in the fun. Corn does not 
 keep upon fand j befides a grain of corn that is cut, 
 being deprived of its bud, would be filled with fmall 
 fandy particles that could not eafily come out. To 
 which I add, that fand confifts of fuch fmall particle?, 
 that an ant could not take them up one after another ; - 
 and therefore thefe infects are to be feldom found near 
 rivers or in any very fandv ground. 
 
 As for the imall particles of brick and ftone, the 
 lead moiilnefs would join them together, and turn 
 them into a kind of mallick, which thofe infects could 
 not divide : Thofe particles flicking tog( ther, could 
 not come out of the ant's neit, and would fpoil its 
 fymmetry. 
 
 When ants have brought out thofe particles of earth, 
 they bring out their corn after the fame manner, and 
 place it round ihe earth : Thus one may fee two 
 heaps furrounding their hole, one of dry earth, and 
 the other of corn ; and then they fetch out the re- 
 mainder of dry earth, on which, doubtlefs, their corn 
 was laid up. 
 
 Thofe infe6bs never go about this work but when 
 the weather is clear, and the fun very hot. I obfer- 
 ved, that thofe little animals having one day brought 
 up their corn at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, remo- 
 ved it againft their ufual cuftom, before one in the af- 
 ternoon : The ftm being very hot, and- the (ky very 
 clear, I could perceive no reafon for it *, feut half an 
 hour after, the Iky began to overcaft, and there fell a 
 fmall rain, which the ants forelaw ; whereas the Mi^ 
 Ian almanack had foretold there would be no rain that 
 day. 
 
 I have faid before, that thofe ants which I did fo 
 li 2. 
 
9® 
 
 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 particularly confuler, fetched their corn out of a gar- 
 ret. I went very frequently into that garret : There 
 was fonneoM xrorn in it ; anci becaufe every grain was 
 not alike, I obfervcd that they chofe the belt. 
 
 I knew, by feveral experiments, that thofe little an- 
 imals take great cnre to provide themfelves with wheat 
 vhen tliey can find it, and always pick out the beft j 
 but they can make fiiift without it. When they can 
 get no wheat, they take rye, oats, millet, and even 
 crumbs of bread, but fcldom any barley, unlefs it be 
 in a time of a great fcarcity, and when nothing elfe 
 •tan be had. 
 
 Being willing to be informed more particularly of 
 their forecaft and induftry, I put a fmall heap of wheat 
 in a corner cf the room where they kept •, and to pre- 
 vent their fetching corn out of the garret, I fliut up 
 the windc ^ and iicpped all the holes. - Though ants 
 are very knowing, I do not take them to be conjurers, 
 and therefore they could not guefs that I had put 
 fome corn in that room. I perceived for feveral days, 
 that they were much perplexed, and went a great way 
 to fetch their proviiions. ' I was not willing fvK fome 
 time to make them more eafy, for I had a mind to 
 know whether they v/ould at lalt find out the treafure, 
 and fee it ai n ^reat uiilance, and whether fmellinj]: en- 
 abled them to Know what is good for their n:;urifh- 
 3Dnent. Thus they v/ere fome time in gre?.t trouble, 
 5ind took a great deal of pains : They went up and 
 idown a great way, looking out for fome grains of 
 corn; they were lometimes difappointed, and.fome- 
 times they did net like their corn, after many long and 
 paujful excurfions. "Vyiiat appeared to me wond'crful' 
 was, that none of them came home without bringing 
 fcjmething ; one brought a grain of wheat, another of 
 rye and oats, or a particle of dry earth, if fhe Could 
 get nothing elfe. 
 
 The window, upon which thefe ants had made their 
 fettlement, looked into a garden, and was two (lories 
 high. Some v/ent to the further end of the garden, 
 ethers to the filth ftory, in queft of fome corn *, it was 
 ;» very hard journey for them, efpecially when they 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ^i. 
 
 came home loaded with a pretty hrge grain of corn, 
 which needs muil be a heavy burthen fcr an ant, and 
 as much as Ihe can bear. The bringing of that grain 
 from the middle of the gardoi to the netl, tock up four 
 hours ; whereby one may judge of the ftrength and 
 prodigious labour of thofe little animals* It appears ^ 
 from thence, that an ant works as hard as a man, who 
 ftiould carry a very heavy load upon hisOioulders almoft 
 every day, for the fnacc of four leagues.. It is true, , 
 tliofe infects do not take fo much pains upon a flat 
 ground ; but then how great is the hardfliip of a pocr. 
 ant, when (he carries a grain of corn to the fecond (lo- 
 ry, climbing up a> wall with her head downwards ? 
 None can have a true notion of it, unlefs they fee^ 
 thofe little animals at work in fuch a fituation. The. 
 frequent flops they make in the moil convenient pla- 
 ces, are a plain indication of their wearincfs. Some., 
 of them were ftrangtly perplexed, and could not get; 
 to their journey's end : In fuch a cafe, the ftrongeil 
 ^nts, or thofe that are not fo weary,, having carried 
 tneir corn to thgir nefts, came down again to help 
 them. Some are fo unfortunate as to fall down with 
 their load, when they are almoft come home : When- 
 this happens, they feldom lofe their corn, but carry it, 
 up again. 
 
 I faw one of the fmalleft carrying a large grain of./ 
 wheat with incredible pains : When (he came to the. 
 box where the neft was, fhe made fo much hade,, that , 
 fhe fell, down. with her load, after a very laborious, 
 march : fuch an unlucky accident would have vc^xed a. 
 philofopher. 1 went down and found her with the. 
 lame corn in her paws -, fhe was ready to climb up ,, 
 again. The fame misfortune happened to her three, 
 times ; fometimes (lie fell in the middle of her way, ^ 
 and fometimes higher 5 but (lie never let go her hold, , 
 and was not difcouraged. At length her ftrength 
 failed her, (lie ftopt, and another ant helped her to 
 carry her load, which was one of the largelb and fineft 
 grains of wheat that an ant can carry. It happens 
 fometimes, that a corn flips out of their paws when 
 they are climbing up : They take hold of it again, 
 
92 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY.' 
 
 when they can find it ; otherwife they look for an- 
 other, or take fomething elfe, being aihamed to return |'^ 
 to their neil without bringing iomething : This I have 
 experimented by takingawaythe grain which they look- • 
 ed for. All thefe experiments may eafily be made by' 
 any one Vv'ho has patience enough : They do not re-- 
 quire fo great patience as that of ants •, bat fewpeo- • 
 pie are capable of it. 
 
 Guardian, Vol. II. No. 1 56^'5 
 
 Go to the Anty thou Sluggard ;. corfider her nxx^s^ and he nrnife^. 
 
 It has been obferved by writers of morality, that In ^ 
 order to quicken human induftry. Providence has fo > 
 contrived it, that our daily food is not to be procured 
 without much pa^ne and Labour, The chafe of birds ■: 
 and beads, the feveral arts of iiihing, with all the dif--v 
 ferent kinds of agriculture, are neceliary fcenes of bu- 
 fniefs., and give employment to the greatefl part o£ ' 
 mankind. If we look into the brute creation, we find 
 all its individuals engaged in a painfwl and laborious ^ 
 way of life, to procure a necefiary fubfiftence for thern^ - ^ 
 felves, or thofe that 2;row up under them : The pre- • • 
 fervation of their being . is the whole bufinefs of it t ; i 
 An idle man is therefore a monfter in the creation 5 . I 
 all nature is bufy about hirn j every animal he fees,: i 
 reproaches him. Let fuch a man who lies as a burthen t { 
 or dead weight on the fp&cies, and contributes nothing r. 
 either to the riches of the commouwealth, or to the. 
 maintainance of himfelf and family, confide*- that in- - 
 ffinct v/ith which Providence has endowed the ant,; 
 and by which is exhibited an example of induftry tO;- 
 rational crearares. This is fet forth under many fur^- 
 prifing inftances in the paper of yeiterday, and in the"' 
 conclufion of that narrative, which is as follows : . 
 
 " Thus my ants were forced to make Ihift for a - 
 livelihood, when I had ill ut up the garret out of which, 
 they ufed to fetch their provifions. . At lad, being.fen- 
 fiblc that it would be a long time before they could- 
 difcover the fmall heap of corn which I had laid up for . 
 them^ I refolded to fiiQw-it to them, . 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ^.3 
 
 " In order to know how far their Induflry could 
 reach, I contrived an expedient, which had good fuc- 
 cefs. The thing will appear incredible to thoie who 
 never confidered that all animals of the fame kind, 
 which form a Ibciety, nre more knowing than otliers.. 
 1 took one of the l.irgeft ants and threvv lier upon the 
 fniall heap of wheat : She was fo glad to find hevfelf 
 at liberty, that Oic ran away to her nefl without carry- 
 ing away a grain ; but {he obfcrved it : ?0r in an 
 liont afior, all my ants had notice given them of fuch 
 a provifjon, and I faw mcil of thcni very bufy in car- 
 rying away the corn I had laid up in the room. I 
 Je^ve it to you to judge, whether it may not be faid, 
 tliat they have a p.irticular way of communicating 
 their knowlcdg^'i to one another ; for otiierwife, how 
 could they know, one or two hours after, that tlure 
 was corn in the place ?"' It was quickly exhaulled, 
 and I put in more, but ia a fmall quantity, to know 
 the true extent of their appetite or prodigious avarice; 
 for I make no doubt but they lay up provifions againfl 
 the winter : We read it in holy fcripture ; a thcu- 
 fand experiments teach us the fame *, and 1 do not be- 
 lieve that an]' experiment has been made that (howa 
 the contrnry. 
 
 I have faid before, that there were three antsnefls in 
 the box OT P ar / err ey which foimed,if I may fay fo,thi-ce 
 I difTertnt cities, governed by the fame laws, and obferv- 
 ing the fame order, and the fame cuftoms. However, 
 there was this dill>rence,that the inhabitants of one of 
 thefe holes f'^emed to be more knowing and induRrious 
 than their neighbours : The ants of tiiat neit were dif- 
 pofed in better crdtr •, their corn was fmer; they had a 
 greater plenty of provKions ; their nefl was lurniflied 
 with more inhabitants, and they were bigger and 
 ftronger ; it was the principal end capital nelt : Nay, 
 I obferved that thofe ants were diilinguifhed from tne 
 ' reft, and had fomc preeminence over them. 
 
 Tliough the box full of earth where the ants had 
 made their f Jttlement, was generally free from rain, 
 et it rained fometimes upon it, when a certain wind 
 lew. It was a great inconvenience for thofe infedls .: 
 
 I 
 
^4 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 Ants are afraid of water , and when tliey go a great 
 way in queft of provifions, and are furprifed by tht 
 rain, they (lielter themfelves under fome tile, or iomc-^ 
 thing elfe, and do not come cut until the rain is over 
 1 he ants of the principal neft found out a . wonderful 
 expedient to keep out the rain : There wns a fmal 
 piece of flat flate, which tliey laid over the hole oi 
 their .nefl in the day time, when they forefaw it would 
 rain, and almolt every night. Above fJty of thefc 
 little animals, efpeciaily of the ftrongeft, iiirroundeci 
 that piece of flate, and drew it equally in wonderfu 
 Older : Tney removed it in the morning 5 and nothinc 
 could be more curious than to fee thoie little animal^ 
 rabout fuch a work. They had made the ground unJ 
 even about their neft, in fo much that the flate di6 
 not lie flat upon it, but left a free pafliage underneath 
 The ants in the two other nefts did not fo well fuo- 
 ceed in keeping out the rain : They laid over the hole 
 feveral pfeces of old and dry plaifler, one upon the 
 other ; but they were llili troubled with the rain, and 
 the next day they took a world of pains 10 repair the 
 damage. Hence it is, that thofe little inf-icls are fo fre 
 c^uentlyto be found under tiles, where they fettle them-i 
 felves to avoid the rain. Their neils are at all time's 
 covered with thofe tiles, without any incumbrance ; 
 and they lay out their corn and dry earth in the fun,' 
 about the tiles, as one may ice every day. I took 
 care to cover the two ants nefts that were troubled 
 with the rain ; as for the capital neft, there was no 
 need of exercifing my charity towards it.. 
 
 M. ^e la Loubere fays, in his relation of Siam, that in 
 a certain part of that kingdom, v.'hich lies open to 
 great inundations, all the ants make their fettiemtnts 
 upon the trees \ no ants nefts are to be feen anyv.'here 
 elfe. I need not infert here what the autlidr f^ys 
 about thefe infeds ; you may fee his relation. 
 
 Here follows a curious experiment which I made 
 upon the fame ground where I had, three ants nefts ; 
 I undertook to malce a fourth and went about it in the 
 following manner : In a corner of a kind of terrace, 
 at a confidcrable diftance from the box^ I found a hale 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 95 
 
 Varming with ants, much larger than thofe I had 
 ih"«cady lecn ; but thejr were not to well provided with 
 :orn, nor under (o good a government. I made a 
 lole in the box Hke that of an ant*s neil:, and laid, as 
 t were the foundation of anew city : Afterwards I 
 TQt as many ants as I could cut of the neit in the ter- 
 race, and put them into a bottle, to give th:m a new 
 habitation in my box ; and becaufe I was afraid they 
 would return to the terrace, I dellroyed thc*ir old neft, 
 pouring boiling water into the hole, to kill thofe ants 
 that remaiiied in it. In ttie next place, I filled the 
 new hole with the ants that were in the bottle ; but 
 none of them would ftav in it : I'hey went away in 
 lefs than two hours ; which made me believe that 
 it was impolhble to make a fourth fettlemcnt ia my 
 box. 
 
 Two or three days after going accidentally over the 
 terrace, I was very much furprifed to fee tiie ant's neft 
 which I had de{lioy<d, very artfully repaiied. I re- 
 folved then to deihoy it entirely, and to fettle thofe 
 ams in my box. To fucceed in my defign, 1 putfome 
 brlmllone and gunpowder into their hole, and fprung a 
 mine, whereby the whole iieft was overthrown ; and 
 then I carried as many ants as I could get, into the 
 place which 1 defigiied for them. It happened to be a 
 very rainy d:-'.y, and it rained all night, and therefore 
 I they remained in the new hols all that time. In the 
 I' morning, whe^i the rain was over, mod of them went 
 ti away to repair their old habitation ; but finding it im- 
 pra<S\icabie, by reafon of the fincll of the bri.nftone 
 and powder, which kills them, they came back again, 
 and fettled in the place I had appointed for them. 
 They quickly grew acquainted with their neighbours, 
 and ri^eeived from them all manner of alhftance out of 
 their' holes : As for the inllde of their nfeil, none but 
 themfelves were concerned- in it, according to the invi- 
 olable lavvr, eilabliihed among thofe an!;iQal$. 
 
 An ant never goes into any other ncft but her 
 own i and if five fnoald venture to do it, (lie would be 
 turned out and fcvcrely punifhed. I have often taken 
 aa^t.cuttti ttUC'iielt, and put her into another j but 
 
€}6 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ' 
 
 Ihe quickly came out, being warmly purfued bv two 
 or three cthtrr ants. I tried the lame experiment fev- '| 
 cral times with the T^me ant ; but at hift the other 
 ants grew impatient, and tore her to pieces. I have 
 often frighted fome ants with my fingers, and purfu- 
 ed them ;.s rar as another hole, topping all the palTages 
 to prevent their going to their own neit : It u as very 
 natural for thr,m to fly into the next hole. Many a 
 man would not be fo cautious, and would throw him- 
 feif out of the windows, or into a well, if he were 
 purfued by aflailms *, but the aiats I am fpeaking of, 
 avoided going into any hole but their own, and rather 
 tri:d all other ways of making their efcape. They 
 never fled irito another neft but at the lad extremity ; 
 andfc^ietimss rather chofe to be taken, as I have of- 
 ten experienced. It is therefore an inviolable cuftom 
 among thefe infe^ls, not to go into any other hole but 
 their own. They do not exercife hofpitality ; but 
 they are very ready to help one another out of their 
 holes. They pur dov/n their loads at the entrance of 
 a neighboring neli j and thofe that live in it carry 
 them in. They keep up a fort of trade among them- . 
 felves •, and it is not true, that thofe infe-fls are not j 
 'for lending : 1 know the contrary •, they lend their : 
 corn, they make exchanges, they are always ready to \ 
 ferve one another ; and 1 can aflure you, more time ^ 
 and patience would have enabled me to obferve a : 
 thoufand tilings more curious and wonderful than what ] 
 I have mentioned. For inflance, how they lend and '" 
 recover tiieir loans •, whether it be in the fame quan- ^ 
 tit'7, or with ufury ; whether they pay the ftrangers '^ 
 that work for them, &:c. I do not think it impoffible ' 
 to examine all thofe things ; and it would be a great ' 
 curiofity to know by what maxims they govern them- ^^ 
 felves : Perhaps fuch a knowledge might be of fome [ 
 ufc to us. > 
 
 They arc never attacked by any enemies in ab ody, ; 
 as it is reported of bees': Their only fear proceeds i 
 from bir(is, which fometimes eat their corn^ when they it; 
 lav it out ia the fun ; but they keep it under ground I 
 waen they are afraid of tliicves. It is faid that foinc i 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY 97 
 
 .^ birds eat them ; but I never faw any inftance of It. 
 They are alfo infefted by fmall worms, but they turn 
 thera out and kill them. I obferved that they punifli- 
 ;€d thole ants which probably had been wanting to 
 their duty ; nay, fometimes they killed them, which 
 they did in the following manner : Three or four ants 
 fell upon one, and pulled her feveral ways, till (he was 
 torn to pieces. Generally fpeaking, they live very 
 quietly ; from whence I infer they nave a very fevere'^ 
 difcipline among them, to keep fo good an order ; or 
 that they are great lovers of peace, if they have no oc- 
 cafion for any difcipline. 
 
 AVa.i there ever a greater union in ar-y common- 
 wealth ? Every thing is common among them j v, hicli 
 h not to be f:cn any where elfe. Bees, of which wc 
 are toid fuch wcndertul things, have each of them a 
 hole in their hives ; their honey is tlieir own ; every 
 bee minds her own concerns. The fame may be faiA 
 of a'l other animals. They frequently fight to de- 
 prive one another of their portion. It is not fo with 
 ants : They have nothing of their own : a grain o£ 
 corn which an ant carries nome, is depofitcd in a com- 
 mon flock *, it is not for her own ufe, but for the good 
 of the whole community : There is no dillindlion be- 
 tween a private and a common intercil ; an ant nevet 
 works for herfelf, but for the fociety. 
 
 Whatever misfortune happens to them, their cajc 
 and induiiry find out a remedy for it ; nothing dif- 
 courages them. If you deftroy their neils, they will 
 be rep.lired in two days : Any body may fee how dif- 
 ficult it is to drive them out ol" their habitations, with- , 
 out deftr.oying the inhabitants ; for, as long as there 
 are any left they will maintain their ground. 1 had 
 nlmoft forgot to tell you. Sir, that Mercury has hither- 
 to proved mortal poifon for them, and that it is the 
 mo'^ -:fFe£lual way of deftroying thefe in't£ls. lean 
 do fomething for them in this cafe : Perhaps you may 
 hear in a little time, that I have reconciled vhem to 
 Mercury" 
 
 Guardian, Vol- II. No. 157; 
 
9S ADDISONIAN M SC ILL ANY 
 
 I 
 
 ANXIETIES. 
 
 JlT miifl: be owned that fear is a very powerful paf- 
 fiouy fincc it is efleemed one of the grcateil virtuts to 
 fubdue it : It being iinplanted in us for our prefcrva- 
 tion, it is no wonder it llicks clofe to us as long as we 
 have any thing we are villitig to prefe've ; but as Hfe 
 and all its enjoyments would be fcarce woi -h the keep- 
 ing, if we were under a perpetual dread of loiing them, 
 it is the bufmefs of religion and philofophy to free us 
 from all unneccffary anxieties, and direiSl our fear to its 
 proper obje61:. 
 
 If we confider the painfulnefs of this paffion, and 
 the violeiit eff^ds it produces, we iliall fee how dan- 
 gerous it is to give way to it upon (light occafions : 
 oome have frightened themfelves into madnefs ; oth- 
 ers have given up their lives to thefe apprehenfion-. 
 The Vloyj of a man who grew grey in the fpace of one 
 flight's anxiety is very famous. 
 
 O f:Dx ! qiiam kr.ga es, qut:e Jacis una fentm ? 
 
 A tedious night ind:ed, that makes a young man 
 ^Id. 
 
 Thefe apprehenHons, if they proceed from a con- 
 fcioufncfs of guilt, are the fad vvarnings of reafon, and 
 may excite our pity, but admit of no remedy. When 
 the hand of the Almighty is vifibly lifted againft the , 
 impious, the heart of mortal man cannot withftaiid 
 him. We have this paHlon . fublimely reprefented in 
 the puniiliment of the Egyptians^ tormentejil with the 
 plague of darknefs, in the j^pocryphal book of Wifaoniy 
 afcribed to So'smo?i. " For when unrighteous men 
 thought to opprcfs the holy nation ; they being fliut 
 \ip in their houfes, prifoners of darknefs, and ffiter- 
 ■cd with the bonds of a long night, lay there exiled 
 from, the eti^^nal Providence, For while they fup* 
 pofed to lie hid in their fecret fins, they were fcatter- 
 ed under a dark veil of forgetfulnefs, being horribly 
 aftoniflied and troubled with flrange apparitions — For 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 9$^ 
 
 wickednefs condemned by her own witnefs, is very 
 timorous, and being opprcil^d with conicitiice, al- 
 ways forecafleth grievous things. For fear is noth- 
 ing elfe but a betraying of tlie faccours which reaibii 
 offcit th — For the whole world lliin.^d with clear hght, 
 and none were hindered in their labour. Over them, 
 only was fpread a heavy light, an image of that dark- 
 n^fs v/hich fhould afterwards receive them; but yet 
 wore th^Y unto themf»„lves more grievous than the 
 darknefs." 
 
 To fear fo juflly grounded, no remedy can be pro- 
 pcfcd ; but a man (wl o hath no great guilt hanojng 
 u, ion his mind, who walks w. t'le plain parh of jutiiee 
 a:id integriiy, and yet either by natural compltclion, 
 or confirmed prejudices, or ncg!e(51: of furious reflec- 
 tion; fuffl^rs liimklf to be moved by this abje6l and 
 ur.manly pafTion) would do wtU to conGdcr, that there 
 is nothing which deferves h.is fear, but that beneficent 
 Being who is his Friend, liis Prote6lor, his Father, 
 Were this one tliought llvong^y fixed in t!ic rnind^ 
 v^hat calamity would be dreadful ? What load can in- 
 famy lay upon us, when we are fure of the approba- 
 tion of him who will repay the dlfgrace of a moment 
 with ihe glory of eterniiy ? What fharpnefs is tliere. 
 in pain and difeafes, when they only hailen us on to- 
 ple.i Pares that will never fade ? What fling is in death, 
 when we are affured that it is only the beginning of 
 life ? A man who lives fo as not to fear to die, is in- 
 confident with himfelf, if he delivers himfelf up to any- 
 incidental anxiety. 
 
 The intrepidityof a jufl and good man is fo nobly fct 
 forth by Horace^ that it cannot be too often repeated, 
 
 T/:e man rcfolvd and ffeady to his f'uf?, > 
 
 l:ficxihle to ill, and ohjiinately juj}^ 
 
 May the rude rabble's inftlence defpife^ 
 
 Their fenfeJefs clamours and tuinuUucui cries ; 
 
 Tbe tyrant's fiercenefs he beguiles y 
 
 And the ftern bro~jOy and the harjh voice defies^ 
 
 And iMith juperior greatnej's fniiks. 
 
 tyotthe rcu^b. vihirl windy that df/6rrM 
 
ICO ADDISONIAN MISCKLLANY. 
 
 Adrians hlack gulphy and 'vexes itixith Jiorms^ 
 
 ^he fiubborn 'virtue of liis foul cmn move ; 
 
 I^'ot tke red arm of angry Jove, 
 
 *'That flingi the thunder from the fiy^ 
 
 j^nd gives it rage to rodr^ and firength to fly, 
 
 Sheuid the lu hole frame of nature round him hriaky 
 Jn ruin end corfufion hurl'dy 
 He unconcern d ixiould hear the mighty cracky 
 And frayid fe cure amid the falling nxjotld. 
 
 The vanity of fear may be yet farther illuflrated, if 
 we leHe^t, 
 
 Firjf, What we fear may not come to pafs. No hu- 
 man icheme can be fo accurately projected, but fomc 
 Jittie circumftance intervenint(, may fpoil it. He who 
 «iir€£ls the heart of man at his pleafure, and under- 
 ftands the thoughts long before, may, by ten thoufand 
 accidents, or an immediate change in the inclinations 
 of men, difconccrt the moft fubtle projects, and turn 
 it to the benefit of his own fervants. 
 
 In the next place we fhould confider, though the 
 €vil we imagine fliould come to pafs, it may be much 
 more fapportable than it fcemed to be. As there is 
 no profperous (late of life without its calamities, fo 
 there is no adverfity without its benefits. AFk the 
 great and powerful, if they do not feel the pangs of 
 t-nvy and ambition. Inquire of the poor and needy, 
 if they have not tafted the fweets of quiet and con- 
 tentment. Even under the pains of body, the infidel- 
 ity of friends, or the mifconflrudions put upon our 
 laudable actions, our minds (when for fome time ac- 
 • uftomed to thefc preflares) are fenfible of fccret flow- 
 ings of comfort, the prefent reward of a pious refig- 
 Tiation. The evils of this life appear like rocks and 
 ^>rccipices, rugged and barren at a diitance •, but at 
 uur nearer approach we find little fruitful fpots and 
 refrefiiing fpiings, mixed with the harflmefs and de- 
 formities of nature. 
 
 \xi the Lift place, we may comfort ourfelves with 
 this confideration, that, as the thing feared may not 
 teach U5; fo wc may not reach what we fear. Cujt 
 
.fSDISONIAN MISCELLANY. i6r 
 
 lives may not extend to that dreadful point which we 
 have in view. He who knows all our fallings, and' 
 will not fuiFer us to be tempted beyond our ftrength, 
 vis often pleafed in his tender feveritv, to feparate the 
 foul from its body and miferies together. 
 
 If we look forward to him for help, we (hall never 
 be in danger of falling down thefe precipices, which 
 eur impgination is apt to create. Like thofe who 
 Wcdk upcn a liae, if we keep our eye fixed upon one 
 point, we may ftep forward fecurely ; whereas an im- 
 prudent or cowardly glance on either fide v/ill infalli- 
 bly deilroy us. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VIII. No. 615, 
 
 APPARITIONS. 
 
 A- 
 
 \.T a little diftance from Sir Rogers houfe, among 
 tiie ruins of an old Abfeey, there is a lont^ walk of ag- 
 ed elms, which are fliot up fo very high, that when 
 one pafies under them, the rooks and crows that reft 
 upon the tops of them feem to be cawing in another 
 region. I am very much delighted with this fort of 
 noife, which I confider as a kind of natural prayer to 
 that Being who fupplies the wants of his whole crea- 
 tion, and who, in the beautiful language of the P/alms^ 
 teedeth the young ravens that call upon him. I like 
 this retirement the better, becaufe of an ill report It 
 lies under of being haunted j for which reafon (as I 
 have been told by the family) no living creature walks 
 in it befides the chaplain. My good friend the butler 
 defired me, with a grave face, not to venture myfelf 
 in it after fun-fet, for that one of the footmen had 
 been almoft frightened out of his wits by a Ipirit that 
 appeared to him in the fliape of a black horfe without a 
 head ; to which he added, about a month ago, one of 
 the maids coming home late that way with a pail o£: 
 milk on her head, heard fucha ruftling among the bufli-- 
 es that Ihe let it fall. 
 
^^2 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 I was taking i walk in this place lad night, between 
 tl e hours of nine and ten, and could not but fancy it 
 cne of the molt proper fcenes in the world for a ghofl 
 to appear in. The ruins of the abbey are fcattered 
 up and down on every fide, and half covered witk 
 ivv and elder bulhes, the harbours of feveral folitary 
 birds, which feldom make their appearance till the 
 dufk of the evening. The place was formerly a 
 church-yard, and has flill feveral marks in it of 
 graves and tomb-flones. There is fuch an echo 
 among tli" old ruins and walks, that if you ftamp but 
 a little louder than ordinary, you hear the found re- 
 peated. At the fame time the walk of elms, with the 
 croaking of the ravens, which from time to time are 
 heard from the tops of them, look exceedingly foU 
 tmn and venerable. Thefe obje£ts naturally raife 
 ■ferioufnefs and attention ; and wiien night heightens 
 the awfulncfs of the place, and pours out her fupernu- 
 ?nerary horrors upon every thing in it, I do not at all 
 wonder tliat weak minds fill it with fpedres and ap- 
 |raritions. 
 
 Mr. Locke^ in his chapter of the aiTociation of ideas, 
 has very curious remarks to ihew how by the prejudice 
 of education one idea often introduces into the mind 
 a whole fee that bear no refemblance to one another 
 in the nature of things. Among feveral examples of 
 this kind, he produces the foliowing inftance : The 
 ideas of goblins and fprights^ ha^ve really no more to do twiih 
 ■ 4arkr.ejs than light : Tei let but a fiolijh maid inculcate thefe 
 often ctt 'the tnind of a child, and raife them there together, 
 fofjlbly he fhall never he alle to feparate them again fa 
 long as he lives ; hut darknejs Jhail e^ver afiernjuards bring 
 twith it thcfe frightful ideas, and they pall be fo joined, that 
 he can no more hear the one than the other. As I was walk- 
 ing in this folitude, where the dufk of the evening 
 confpired with fo m.any other occafions of terror, t 
 cbferved a cow grazing not fnr from me, which an im- 
 agination that was apt to ftartl'e might eafily have con- 
 ilrued into a black horfe without a liead \ and I dare 
 fay the poor footman loft his wits upon fcxne fuch 
 iyivjal occafioa. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 103 
 
 My friend Sir P.oger has often told me, with a great 
 eleal of mirth, that at his firft coming to his eflate he 
 found three parts of his houfe almoll ufelefs ; that 
 the bsft room in it had the reputation of being, haun- 
 ted, and by that means was locked up ; that noifes 
 had been heard in his long gallery, fo that he could 
 not get a fervant to enter into it af>:er eight o'clock at 
 night ; that the door of one of his chambers was nail- 
 ed up, becaufe there went a ftory in the family, that a 
 Butler formerly had hanged himfelf in it, and that 
 Ris mother, who lived to a great age, had fhut up half 
 the rooms in the houfe, in which either her hufband, 
 a fon, or daughter, had died. The knight, feeing his 
 habitation reduced to fo fmall a compafs, and him- 
 ielf in a manner fliut out of his own houfe, upon, 
 the death of his mother orvi.^red all the apartments to 
 be flung open, and exerctf^d by his chaplain, who lay 
 in every room one after another, and by that means- 
 diiTipated the fears which had fo long reigned in the 
 family. 
 
 I Ihould not have been thus particular upon thefe 
 ridiculous horrors, did i not find them fo very much 
 prevail in all parts of the country. At the fame timej>. 
 I think a perfon who is thus terrified with the ima- 
 gination of ghofts and fpeitres much more reafonable 
 than one who, contrary to the reports of all hiftorians, 
 facred and profane, ancient and modern, and to the 
 t^, traditions of all nations, thinks the appearance of fpir- 
 ^ -its fabulous and groundlefs. Could not I give myfelf 
 up to this general teftimony of mankind, I ihould. 
 to the rebtion of particular perfons now living, awd 
 whom I cannot diftrull in other matters of fa£l. I 
 might here add, that not only the hiftorians, to whorR^ 
 we may join the poets, but likev/ife the philofophers 
 of antiquity have favoured this opinion. Lucre- 
 tius himfelf though by the courfe of his philofophy he- 
 was ol^^ed to maintain that the foul did not. exift'fep- 
 arate from the body, makes no doubt of the reality cf 
 apparitions, and that men have often appeared after., 
 their death. This I think very remarkable \ he v/as 
 fo prefTed with the matter of faft. which he could not: 
 
ic 4 ADDISONIAN^ M'lSCELLANY. 
 
 have the confidence to deny, tli^.t he was forced lO a C-^ 
 count for it by one of the moit abfurd, unphilofophi> ,, 
 cal notions that was ever ilarted. He tells us, that ^, 
 the furfaces of all bodies are pcrp':tuaMy flying oiT i 
 from their refpective bodies, one after another ; and 1 
 that thofe furfaces, or thin cafes, that included each 
 other whilfl they were joined iii the bcdy, like the 
 coats of an onion, are fomctimes feen entire whcrt 
 they are feparated from it ; by which means we often 
 behold the fhnpes and Ihadows of pe.fors who are ei- 
 ther dead or abfcnt. 
 
 I ftiall difmifs this pap'?r with a fiery, out of Jo.?* 
 fhus^ not fo much for the fiike of the (lory itfclf, as fcr-' 
 the moral reflecVJons with which the author concludes 
 it, and whirh I fhall here fct down in his own word?; 
 Glaphyruy the daughter of king Archelaui^ after the death 
 of her two firil hufbands, (being married to a third,, 
 who wns brother to her iirlt hufb/md, and fo paiTion-c 
 ately in^love with her th:U he turnrd off his former 
 M'ife to make room- for this marriage) had a very od,^ 
 kind of dreami She fancied that (he faw her firlt huf-- 
 band coming towards her, and that flie embraced hira 
 with great tender nefs 5 when, in the mid (I of the > 
 j?leafure which Oie exprefFed at the fight of him, he re-. 
 proached her after, the following manner : Glaphyra,. 
 fays he, thou, haft made good the old faying, that v/o- 
 men are not to be trufted. Was 1 not thchufband of 
 thy virginity ?. Have I not children by thee ? How , 
 couldlt thou forget our loves {o far as to enter into a 
 fecond marriage, and after that into a third \ nay, to,-^ 
 take for thy huiband a man who has fo fhamefullyij 
 crept into the bed of his brother ? However, for the;; 
 fake of our paft.loves, I iliali free thee frcm thy prefent?: 
 reproach, and raake thee mine forever. Glaphyra tol^- 
 this dream to feyeral women of her acquaintance, and': 
 died foon after. I thought this (lory might not be 
 ihapertinent.in this place, wherein I fpeak «?f thofe 
 kings ; befides that the example deferves to be taken - 
 notice of, as it contains a moft certain, proof of the 
 immortality of the foul, and of Divine Providence. If 
 any man thinks thefe fa^ls incredible^ let him enjoj; 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ic^ 
 
 Jiis own opinion Ijimfelf, but let him not diftitrb the 
 opinion of others, who by inltances of this nature are 
 excited to the ftudy of virtue. 
 
 Spectator, VoL II. No. 1 1 o. L. 
 
 C: 
 
 APPEARANCES. 
 
 HREMYLUS, who was an old and good man, 
 and with.ill exceeding poor, being defirous to leave fome 
 riches to his Ton, con fu Its the Oracle of ApcUo upon the 
 fubje^l. The Oracle bids him follow the firfi: man he 
 fhould fee upon his gouig out of the temple. The per- 
 fon he chanced to fee, was, to appearance, an old for- 
 did blind man ; but upon his following liim from 
 place to place, he at lall found by his own confeflion, 
 that he was FliHusy the God of Riches, and that he was 
 jud come out of the houfe of a mifer. Plutus farther 
 told him, that when he was a boy he ufed to declare, 
 that as foon as he came to age he would diflributc 
 wealth to none but virtuous and juft men ; upon 
 which Jupiter, confiderihg the pernicious confequences 
 of fuch a refolution, took his fight away from Inm, 
 and left him to flroll about in the world rn the blind 
 condition wherein Cliremylus beheld him. With much 
 ado ChreiK'jlus prevailed with lum to go to his houfe, 
 where he met an old woman in a tattered raiment, 
 who had been his gueft for many years, and whofe 
 name was Po'verty. The old woman lefufing to turn 
 out fo eafily as he would have her, he threatened not 
 only to banifli her his own houfe, but out of all Greecey 
 if fhe made any more words upon the matter. Pci/- 
 erty, on this occaiion, pleads her own caufe very nota- 
 bly, and reprefents to her old landlord, that, {hould 
 file be driven out of the country, all their trades, arts 
 and fciences would b : driven out w'ith her ; and that 
 if every one was rich, they would never be fupplied 
 with thofe pomps, ornaments, and conveniences of 
 life which made riches defirable. She like wife repre- 
 fented t© him the feveral advantages flie beftowed up- 
 on her votaries in regard to their lliape, their health. 
 
io(5 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. - 
 
 and their activity, by preftTvuig them froni goufg, 
 dropfies, unwieldinels, and interr.perance. But, what- 
 ever ihe hid to fay for hcrft.lf, Ihe was at iall forced' 
 to troop orr. 
 
 C/?r(?/ffv/«;immediatchy confiderec! how he might reftcre 
 Plufus to his fight, and, in order to it, conveyed h:m 
 to the temple of ^S/cu/atJus, who was famous for cures 
 and miracles of this nature. By this means the deity 
 recovered his ev^es, and began to make a right ufe of 
 them, by enriching every one that was dillinguiOicd 
 by piety towards the go'^s, and juilice towards men ; 
 and at the fame time by taking away his gifts frora. 
 the impious and undefervinfr. This produces feveral 
 merry inftnnces, till in the L.ri: a£^ Mercury defcends 
 with great complaints from the gods, that fmce the 
 good men v/ere grown rich they had received no fa- 
 crifices', which is confirmed by a prit.ft of J-ipiter^ 
 who enters with a remOnftrance, that flnce this late 
 innovation he was reduced to a fbarving co:iditicn, 
 atm could not live upon his office. Chrem.lus^ who ia 
 the beginning of the play was religious in his poverty^ 
 concludes it with a propofal wnicli was relifhed by all 
 the good men who were now grown rich as well as 
 himfelf, that they ihiould carry Plutus in a procefuon ta 
 the temple, and iiiflall him in the place of Jupiter, 
 
 This allegory inftrufled the Athenians in two points \. 
 firft, as it viTii^icatcd the conduil: of Providence in 
 its ordinary diftributions of wealth : and in the next 
 place, as it ihowed the great tendency of riches to 
 corrupt the morals of thafe who poff.riled them. 
 
 SrECTATOR, Vol. VI. No. 464. C. 
 
 APPETITES. 
 
 \ am now in the Hxty-fifrh 3^ear of my age, and hay- 
 ing been the greater pnrt of my days a man of plcafure, 
 the decay of my faculties is a ftagnation of my life. 
 But how is it, Sir, that my appetites are incrcafed up- 
 on me with the lofs of power to gratify them ? % 
 write this, like a criminal, tx) warn people to enter up^. 
 
ADDISON. AN MISCELLANY. 107 
 
 on what reformation they pleafe to make in them- 
 felves in their youth, and net expert they Ihiill be ca- 
 pable of it from a fond opinion fome have-^,. often in 
 thc-ir mouths, that if we do not leave our dciires they 
 will leave us. It is far otherwife ; I am now as vain 
 in my tlrcfs, and as flippant if i fee a pretty woman, 
 as when in my youth 1 Hood upon a bench m the pit 
 to furvey the whole circle of beauties. The folly is 
 fo fxtr.ivap^ant with me, and I went on with fo little 
 c] eck of iiy dciires o^ refignation of them, that I can 
 al]\ir. youj 1 very often, merely to entertain my own 
 thoughtj, f.t v^^itU rny fpecfackson, writing love let- 
 ters 10 th: beauties that have been long ilnce in their 
 graves. Tiiis is to warm my heart with the faint 
 memory of delights which were once agreeable to 
 me *, but how niueh happier would my life have been 
 now, if I couli have locked back on any worthy ac- 
 tion done for my country i if 1 had laid out that which 
 1 profufed in luxury and wantomiefs, in a^lo of gene- 
 rolity and chiii:y r I have lived a bachelor to this 
 day J and inllcad of a numerous offspring, with which 
 in the regular w^ys of life I might polhbly have de- 
 lighted myfelf, I have only to anu-ife inyfclf with the 
 repetition of old ftories and intrigues, which no one 
 Avill believe I cVjr was concerned in. I do not know 
 whether you have ever treated of it or not i but you 
 cannot fal: on a better fubjed, than that of the art of 
 growing old. In fuch a lecture you mufl propofe, 
 that no one fet his lie.irt upon v/hat is tranfient i that 
 beauty grows M-iinkLd while we are yet ga/ing at 
 her. The winy man fmks into an humouriit imper- 
 ceptibly, for want of reflecting that all things around 
 him are in a flux, and continually changing. Tlius he 
 is in the fpiice often or fifteen years furrounded by a 
 new fet of people, whofe manners are as natural to 
 them as his deiiglits, method of chinking and mode of 
 living, were foiinerly to him and his friends : but the 
 ■mifchief is, he looks upon the fame kind of errors 
 ^lieh he himfeif was guilty of, with an eye of fcorn, 
 and wiih that fort of ili-\vi!l which men entertain 
 -agaiiiil each otuv^r for diil^tsnt opinions. Thus a 
 
isS ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY, 
 
 1 
 
 crazy conflitution, and an uneafy mind is fretted with 
 vexatious paiTions, for young nien's doing foolilhly 
 what it is folly to do at all. Dt .ir Sir, this is my pre- 
 fent ft^te of mind j I hate thoie I fhould laugh at, 
 and envy thofe I contemn. The time of youth and 
 vigorous manhood, pafled the way in which I have 
 dilpofcd of it, is attended with thefe confcquences j but 
 to chole who live and pafs away time as they ought, 
 all parts of it are equally pleafant ; only the memory 
 of good and worthy a£lions, is a feaft which muft 
 eivc a quicker rejiHi to the foul than ever it could taftc^ 
 in the highcft enjoyments or jollities of youth. Ajj 
 for ne, if I fit down i:i my great chair, and begin to' 
 ponder, the vagaries of a child are not more ridicu- 
 lous than the circumltances which are heaped up in 
 my memory •, fine gowns, country dances, ends of 
 tunes, interrupted converfations, and midnight quar- 
 rels, are what mufb neceflarily compofe my foliloquy. 
 I beg of you to print this, that lome ladies of my ac- 
 quaintance and my years, may be perfuaded to wear 
 warm night-caps this cold feafon 5 and that my old 
 friend Juik I anvdry may buy him a cane, and not 
 creep with- the air of ftrut. I muft add to 3II this, 
 that if it were not for one pleafure, which I thought a 
 very mean one till of very ;ate years, 1 ihould have no 
 great fatisf aft ion left ; but if I live to the loth of 
 March, 17 14, and all my fecuiities are good,. I fhaU 
 be worth fifty thoufand pounds. 
 1 am, Sfty 
 
 Tour mofi humhle Serruant^ 
 
 JACK AFTERDAY. 
 Spectator, Vol. IV. No. 260. T. 
 
 Nature has implanted in us two very ftrong dc" 
 fires, hunger for the prefervation of the individual, 
 and lufl: for the fupport of the fpecies : or, to fpeak 
 more intelligibly, the former to continue our own 
 perfons, and the latter to introduce others into the 
 world. According as men behave themfelves with 
 regard to thefe appetites, they are above or below the 
 beafts of the field, which are incited by them without 
 x:hpice or refledion. But reafonable creatures cor- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLAXY ic^ 
 
 f"ccftvc<}: thefe incentives, and improve them into 
 <elep:nnt motives of friendfliip and fociety. It is chief- 
 ly from this homely foundation that we aie under the 
 Tu'ctihty of fteking for the agreeable companion and 
 the honourable miftrefs. By this cultivation of art 
 ;iTid reafon, our wants are made pleafures, and tlic 
 .gratiti cation of our defires, under proper reftridliona, 
 a work no way below our noblclt faculties. The 
 wifetl man may maintain his chara<5ler, and yet con- 
 lidcT in what manner h.^ fhall beil entertain his friend, 
 or divert his miftrefs : nay, it is fo far from being ;i 
 •derogation to him, that he can in no othtr inftmce 
 fliow fo true a talte of his life or his fortune. What 
 ■concerns one of the above-mentioned app. tites, as it is 
 J. /elevated into love, 1 {nail have abundant occafion to 
 i .4ifcourfe of, before I liave provided for the number- 
 -. S^h crowd of damfels I have propofed to take car<^ of. 
 The fubje6l of the prefent paper Ihall be tliat part of 
 -iociety winch owes its beginning to the common nc- 
 celuty of hunger. When that is con-fidcred as the 
 Support of our being, we may take it under the fame 
 •head, third alfo ; othcrvvife, when we aie purfuin^ 
 .the glutton, the drunkard may make his efcape. The 
 choice ot our diet and our companions at it, feems to 
 conhit in that which contributes moft to cheerfulnef;; 
 and refrefln-i^jnt ', and thefe arc beft confulted by fim- 
 plicity in the food, ajid fmcerity in the company. By 
 this rule are, in the 'firil place, excluded from pre- 
 tence to happinefs, all meals of itate and ceremony, 
 uliich are performed in dumb {how and greedy fulki- 
 ^cfs. At the boards of the great, they fav, you Ihall 
 iave a number attending Vv'ith as good' habits and 
 •■countenances as the gueils ; which only circumftance 
 ■ nmlt dcitroy the whole plea fwe of the renall : For If 
 fuch attemlants are introduced for<he dignity of their 
 appearance, mo left minds are Ihocked by confidering 
 -tlum as fpe61.itors ; or elfe look upon thcrn as equals, 
 .for whofc f^^rvit-ude they are in a kind of fuffering* 
 •1-t may be h'^re added, that the fnmptuous fide-board, 
 4-0 an ingenious eye has more the -stV of an altar than 
 2. tablj. The next abiurd way of enjoying aurfelves 
 
tio ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 at meals is, where the bottle is plied without beingj 
 railed for, v/here humour takes place of appetite, and 
 the good company are too dull or too merry to know 
 any enjoyment of their fenfes. 
 
 Though this part of time is abfoliitely neceffary to 
 fultaiii lufi it muft alfo be confidered, that life itfelf 
 is to the endlefs being of man but what a meal is to 
 this life, not valuable for itfelf, but for the' purpofe of 
 it. If there be any truth in this, the expence of 'many 
 hours this way is fomewhat uiraccountable ; and pla- 
 cing much thought either in too great fumptuoufnefs 
 and elegance in this matter, or wallowing in noife or 
 riot at it, are both, though not equally, unaccountable. 
 I have often conlidered thefe difterent people with ve- 
 ry great attention, and always fpeak of them with the 
 diftinclion of the Eaters and Swallowers. The Eaf- 
 ers facriSce all their fenfes and underftanding to thh 
 appetite : The Swallowers hurry themfelves out of 
 both, without pleafmg this or any other appetite at 
 •all. The latter are improved brutes ; the former de- 
 generated men. I have fometimes thought it would 
 not be improper to add to my dead and living men, 
 perlons in an intermediate ftate of humanity, under 
 the appellation of dozers. The dozers are a fe6l, who, 
 inftead of keeping their appetites in fubjeclion, live in 
 iubje<£i:io!i to them : nay^, they are fo truly flaves to 
 them, that they keep at too great a diftance ever to 
 come into their prefence. Within my own acquaint- 
 ance, I know thofe that I dare fay have forgot that they 
 ever were hungry, and are no lefs ftrangers to thirft 
 and wearinefs ; who are beholden to fauces for their 
 food, and to their food for their wearinefs. 
 
 I have often wondered, confidering the excellent 
 and choice fpirits that we have among our divines, that 
 they do not think of putting vicious habifs into a more 
 contemptible and unlovely figure than they do at pre- 
 fenr ; fo many men of wit and fpirit, as there are in 
 facred orders, have it their power to make the faihioa 
 'of their fide. The leaders in human fociety are more 
 'efFeftually prevailed upon this way than can be eafdy 
 •iriiagined. 1 have more than one in my thoughts ta- 
 
ADDSONIAN MISCELLANY, tit 
 
 pable of doing this againfl all the oppofirion of the 
 moft witty as well as the moil voluptuous. There 
 may be pofFibly more acceptable fubjeiSls, but fure 
 there are none more ufeful. It is viiible, that though 
 men's fortunes, circumilanccs, and pieafures, give 
 them prepoilelhons too flrong to regard any mention 
 either of punifhments or rewarcfs, they "will liflen to 
 what makes them inconfiderahle or mean in the ima-' 
 gination of others, and by degrees in their own. 
 
 I»: is certain fuch topics are to be touched u])on, in' 
 the light we mean, only by men of the moil confum- 
 mate prudence, as well as excellent wit : For thefe 
 diicouifes are to be made (if made to run into exam, 
 pie) before fuch as have their thoughts more intei't 
 upon the propriety than the reafcn of the difcourfe. 
 What indeed L^ads me into tliis way of thinking is, 
 that the laft tiling I read, was a fermon of the learned 
 Dr. Ssu/7if upon the ^cvujs cf pkafetntnefs. This admi- 
 rable difcourfe was made at court, where the preach- 
 er was too wife a man not to believe, the greateil ar- 
 gument in that place, againfT; the plcafures th^n in 
 vogue, mud be, that they 1o(l greater plcafures by 
 proiecuting the courfc they were in. The charmln* 
 difcourfe has iii it whatever wit or Vvifdcm can put to- 
 gether. This gentleman has a talent of making all 
 his faculties bear to the great end of his hallowed 
 profeihon. Happy genius ! He is the better man for 
 being a wit. The bed way to praife this author, is to 
 quote him ; and I think I may defy any man to fay a 
 greater thing of him or his ability, than that there 
 are no paragraphs in t?ie whole difcourfe I fpcak of, 
 below thefe which follow. 
 
 After haviag recommended the fatisfadlion of the. 
 mind, and the pleafure of confeicnce, he proceeds : 
 
 /hi envoblitfg propirty cf it is^ that il is f::ch a pUafui f as 
 rever Jritiates or ivearies \ for it profcrlj offcSis the fpirit^ 
 av.d a fpirit feels no ivearinefs^ as being pvivikged from the 
 caufcs of it- ^"■t can the Epicure /iaj fo of any cf the plea^ 
 fares that he fo much dotei upon ? Do they ret expire n.vh:le 
 they fat is/y, a fid, after a feuo minutes refrejhmer.t^ determine 
 in loathing and n in nieinefs ? Hqow fport is the interval Ce- 
 
lu'i ADDISONIAN M.SCELLANT. 
 
 twceen a pleafure ar.d a burden^ ! Ho^tj indifcernahle the Iran^ 
 ft ton ft om one to the o'her ! Pleafure do ells no hn^er upon the 
 appetite than the vecejfuks of nature, ixj/iick are quickly a?id 
 eofly prouided for ; and then all thutfolloxvs is a loc4d and an 
 ftpprejjion. Every morfcl to a fati.fcd hunger ^ is only a new 
 labour to a tired digejiion ; enjery draught to him that has 
 quenched his thirji^ is but a further quehchin^ of nature y ar.d a 
 pre-vi/ion for rheum and dijeajes j a di O'lX uing of the quicknefs ' 
 and acii^it . of the fpirits . 
 
 He ihui piolongs his 7nc<As, and facrifices his time as nx.ell 
 as his cona/cniences to his luxury ^ hojo quickly dots he ouift his 
 fUafure ! And then, hciv is all the foHo<v:ing time befoived 
 upon ceremony and fuyjeit I Till at length, afiet a Icng fuiij^ue 
 of euting and drinking., and buLUinji, he ccmludes the greet 
 nvork Of dining genietlhy and fo makes afift to rife f om ta^ 
 tle^ that he may lie do ULn upon his bed ; njcherty aft:r he has 
 ^Jlept himftifintofome nfe cf himfcf by much ado he Jiaggers ta 
 kis table again^ and there ails oxer the fame brulijh fcene . fa 
 that he piffcs kis nx'hole lif in a d^'z.ed c^ndiiianyhe nxeen fep- 
 jng and nvuking, qjjith a kind ef dr o-u-/inefs and conftfon upon 
 ins fnfs, nulticJi^ nxihat pleajure it can le^ is hard to concanje : 
 all thai is of it dwells upon the tip of his tO' (fue, and njjithin 
 the conipcfs of his palate, A ix'crthy' pr.Zt fr a mun to pur- 
 ihi'Js v^iththe lofs of his lime^his reafon and lunf'elf ! 
 
 Tatler, Vol. IV. No. 205. 
 
 APFLAUSE. 
 
 have often wondered that tlie Ji^xs Oiould con- 
 trive fuch a worthlefs greatntls ior the deliverer 
 whom they expelled, as to drcfs him up in extern/d. 
 j-.onip and pageantry, and rtprefent him to their ima- 
 ;<ination as making havock of liis creatures, and act- 
 ing With the poor ambiron of a Caf.r or an Alexander.. 
 >iow much more iL'uftrious doth he appear in hib real 
 <:haracl:er, when coiifidcied as the author of univcr- 
 i.d benevolence among men, as refining our paiTions, 
 exalting our nature, giving us vaft ideas of immoitali- 
 ty, and teaching us a contempt of tlvat little fliowy 
 ^ranileur wherein the fc^vs made the glory ci the 
 Mejfuh to confifl. 
 
ADDISONFAN MISCELLANY. ir:; 
 
 Nothing (fays Lovginui) can be great ^ the ccnietr.pt 
 of^hich is great. The poflePiion of wealth and riches 
 canaot give a man a title to grcatnefs, becaufe ir is 
 looked upon as agreatnefs of mind to contemn thefe 
 gifts of fortune, and to be above the defire of them. 
 I have been therefore incHned to think, tlwt there are 
 greater men who lie concealed among the fpecies, than 
 thofe who come out and draw upon themfelves the eye 
 and admiration of mankind. Virgil would never have 
 bee-n heard of, had not hisdomeftic misfortunes driven 
 him out of his obfcurity, and brought him to Rome. 
 
 If we fuppofe that there are fpirits or angels who 
 look into tiie ways of men, as it is highly probable 
 tliere are, both from reafon and revelation, how dif- 
 ferent are the notions which they entertain of us, from 
 thofe which we are apt to form of one another ! Were 
 they to give us their catalogue of fuch worthies as 
 are now living, how different would it be from that 
 which any of our fpecies would draw up ! ' 
 
 We are dazzled with the Iplendour of titles, the of- 
 tentation of learning, the noife of vidlories. They, on 
 the contrary, fee the philofopher in the cottage, who 
 poiTeiles his foul in patience and thankfulnefs, under 
 the prefiures of what little minds call poverty and dif- 
 trefs. They do not look for great men at the hcsd 
 of armies, or among the pomps of the court, but often 
 find them out in fhades and folitudes, in the private 
 walks and by-paths of life. The evening's walk of a 
 wife man is m.ore illuftrious in their figiit, than the 
 march of a General at the head of an hundred thou^ 
 fand men. A contemplation of God's works ; a vol« 
 untary a£l: of juftice to our own detriment ; a gene- 
 rous concern for the good of mankind •, tears that are 
 Ihed in filence for the mifery of others •, a private de- 
 fire of refentment broken and fubdued ; in fliort, an 
 unfeigned exercife of humility, or any other virtue ; 
 are fuch actions as are glorious in their fight, and de- 
 nominate men great and reputable. The mofl fa- 
 mous among us are often looked upon with pity,, 
 with contempt, or with indignation 5 while thofe who 
 K2 
 
114 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 are mon: obfcure among their own fpecies, are re- 
 giirded with love, with approbation and eftcem. 
 
 Vhe moral of the prtlent application amounts to 
 this, that we fliould not be led away by the cenfure 
 and applaule of men, but confider the iigure that eve- 
 ry pjricn will make at that time when wifdom fhall 
 be juilihed of her children, and nothing pafs for great 
 or iiluilrious, which is not an ornament and perfec- 
 tion to human nature. 
 
 The (lory of G^-^/, the x\cn. Lydi an monarch, is a 
 memorable inflance to our preftnt purpofe. The 
 oracle being alked by Gygts^ who was the happieft man: 
 replied, AgLuus. (^ygesy who expected to have heard 
 Iiimielf named upon this occahon, was much furpri- 
 fed, and very curious to know v^^ho this Jglaus fliould 
 be. After much inquiry, he was found to be an 
 obfcure countryman, who employed all his time in 
 cultivating a garden, and a few acres of ground about 
 his houfe. 
 
 Covuleyi agreeable relation of this flory, fhall clofe 
 this day's fpcculation. 
 
 ^hus Agla'uS, (a man ur.knoivn to 7ren^ 
 
 But the gcds kneuj^ and therefore lo'v^ d him then). 
 
 ^Thuslinj^d cbfcureU, then nnsithvut a naj/is, 
 
 AgLuS, no%v conjignd t' itemal fame. 
 
 Sor Gvges, ike rich kin^s luuksd and great y 
 
 Pre/um d at njcije Apo"iL*b Dclphicy^^^/, 
 
 .Prefunid to ajky O /bcu^ the fwhcle nvorld' s eye^ 
 
 Se.e'jl thou a man that happitr // //«// / ? 
 
 *J'he s^od^ 'who fcorri* d to flatter man, '"^/^^'V, 
 
 Ag^SLS happier is. But Gyges cryd, 
 
 In ^ jj ..lid rage, ivho can //w/ AglaaS le ? 
 
 We've Jieardas et ofno j'uchkivg as he. 
 
 And true it ivas through tli£ <ix:hole eartkaroundf 
 
 No king of fuck a name ivas to he found. 
 
 Is feme old hero oj that name ali^ve^ 
 
 Who his high rate ..cesfrom the gods deri've? , 
 
 Js it fome mighty Gea''ral luho has done 
 
 Wonders in fight,' and god like honours nuon P 
 
 Is it feme man of en4hjs wealth t' faid.ks ;_ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 115 
 
 Nonty none ofthefe ; nvho can thit AglaiJS he ? 
 
 Jlfter io-ig fearch^ and -vaiu inquiries pajiy 
 
 Li an objure Arcadidil 'valeat laji^ 
 
 ( I h' Arcadian life has always Jha^y beer) 
 
 AV.</-Sapho's tovin, (-which he but once had fee^) 
 
 1 his Ac;! a. IS, ^ti^ho Monarcos en'vy dreiVj 
 
 IVhoj'e hapf>inefi the gods Jlood ivitrefs tOy 
 
 This mighty Agla_S ilus Li b'nng found, 
 
 ^rith his o-iXn hands y in his ovon little ground. 
 
 Scy Gn^cious God, (if it may lai^ful hcy 
 
 Among tbcje foolijh gods to meniion thee) 
 
 ^0 let nil ady on Juch a prinjute JiagEy 
 
 ^I he Lift dull fcenes of my declining age ; 
 
 Jfier long toils and 'voyages in ^vainy 
 
 9 his quiet fort Ut my tnfs'd 'vefj'el gain ; 
 
 Of heav'r.l^ re/l this earnefi to me iend^ 
 
 Lit my Ljefleep, and learn to lo ve her end, 
 
 8FECTAT0R, Vol. VIII. No. 61c. 
 
 ARCADIAN. 
 
 JiJLAVING conveyed my reader into the fairy or 
 jiaftoral land, ar-d informed him what manner of life 
 the inhabitants of that region lead, I fliali in this day's • 
 paper give him fomiC .narks whereby he may difcover 
 whether he is impofed upon by thoie who pretend to 
 be of that country ; or, in other words, what are the 
 chara6leriilics of a true Arcadian. 
 
 From tlie foregoing account of the paRoral life, we 
 may difcover, that Gmplicity is neceffary in the char- 
 adlflir of iliepherds. Their minds muft be fuppofed 
 fo rude and uncultivated, that nothing but what is 
 plain and unaffected can come from them. Never- 
 thelcis w-e are not obliged to reprelent them dull and 
 ftupid, fince fine, fpirits were undoubtedly in the 
 world before arts were invented to polilh and adorn, 
 them. We may therefore introduce them with g0( d 
 fenfe, and even with wit, provided their manner c f 
 thinking be not too gallant or refined : for all men, 
 b^h the rude sjid polite, think and conceive things 
 
i 1 6 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 the fame way, (truth being eternally the fame t© all) 
 though they exprefs them very differently. For here 
 Hes the difference: men who by long lludy and expe- 
 rience have reduced their ideas to certain clailes, and 
 confider the general nature of things abRracied from 
 particiilars, exprefs their thoughts after a more con- 
 cife, lively, and furprifmg manner. Thofe who have little 
 ex'perience, or cannot abRracft, deliver their fenti- 
 ments in plain defcriptions, by circumftances, and thofc 
 obfervations which either ftrike upon the fenfes, or are 
 the firft mctions of the mind ; and though the for- 
 mer raifcs our admiration more, the latter gives more 
 pleafure, and fooths us more naturally. Thtis a: 
 courtly lover may fay to his miflrefs, 
 
 With thesfcr ever I in if:oo:is cculd reji, 
 Where never hu7}ian foci the ground has preji : .. 
 1 hcu e"" en from dungeons darknef can exclude y 
 And from a defurt banijh folitude, . 
 
 A (hepherd will content himfelf to fay the fame-.: 
 thing more fimply : 
 
 Ccmey Rofalind, Oh ! ccmeyfor tviihout thee 
 What pleafure can the country have for me P 
 
 Again, fmce fliepherds are not allowi-ed to make;de€pr' 
 jreflecStions, the addrefs required is fo to relate. an ac-- 
 tion, that the circumftances put together fVjallcaufs.' 
 the reader tore']e6l. Thus, by one delicate circum- 
 flance, Cory don telis AUxis xki2X he is the fined fongile^- 
 of the country : 
 
 Of [even fmooth joints a mello'VJ pift I ha-ue^ 
 Which vjith his aying breath Damaetas gave ', 
 A-^dfuid, thisy Corydon, / leave to thee. 
 For only thou defer-vjl it afer me. 
 
 As in another pafloral writer, after the fame man-' 
 ner, a (hepherd informs us how much his' niiErefs' • 
 likes him : 
 
 As I to cool me bathed one fultry day. 
 Fond Lydia lurking in thefedg^s lay , , 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. i,y 
 
 ^ ke ix.-amon laigh't}^ avd feetndin hnjie tofiy^ 
 Yet often Jhpfa^ and cfen furn'u b.r tye. 
 Ifevsr arefledion be p.irdo.iaMe in padomls, it is 
 when the thoi ght i:. fo ouviuus, that it comes cafily to 
 tliC mind ; as, m the following admirable inpiovc- 
 ment of /'/V^// and I htocmui : 
 
 Fair is my Jio^k, nor yet un^OfKcly /, 
 // liquid jGunlains Jiutter not. And ^jy 
 ^I'.ould liquid fountains Ji'iitcr us^ yei Jhow 
 The hor-aenn^foixj^rs up oeuulicui than ihey grow ? 
 A iecond characteriilic of a true Ihephcni, is fnn- 
 piicity of maimers, or innocence. Tins is fo obvioas 
 from what I have beiure advanced, that it v^ould be 
 but repetition to inlilt long upon it. 1 ihall only re- 
 niintl the reader, that as the pailoral life is fuppofcd 
 to be where miture is not much depraved, lineeri- 
 ty and truth will generally run through it. Some 
 iiight traidgvcllions ror the fake oi variety may be ad- 
 muied, winch in efledt will only icrve to fet oil the 
 {impiiclty ot it in general. I cannot better iliullrate 
 t\iid rule, than by tiie following example oi a iwain 
 \\lio foui:d his nniliefs aileep : 
 
 Once Delia j'/i'/Z, on e^Jy 7/iys recUnd ; 
 iJet louely lii/i.s half ture^ and rude the xvindy 
 1 jmoctlid her ccuis^ andjiole a fiient kij< : 
 LcfUiCmn n,. jheihtrd^^ if I Jia umijs, 
 
 A third iign of a Twain is, that fomething of reli- 
 gion, and even lupcrdition, is part of his cnarac^er. 
 ror ^e find that tiiofe who have lived eafy lives in the 
 country, and contemplate the works of nature, live in 
 the greateit awe of their Author. Nor doth Uiis hu- 
 mour prevail iefs now than of old J our ^etfants as 
 Imcerely believe the tales of goblins and fairies, as the 
 Heathens thofe of fauns, nymphs, aud hityrs. Hence 
 we find the works, of I'ir^il and l neccruui fprinkled 
 with left-handed ravens, blaited oaks, v» itehcrafts, 
 evil eyes, and the like. And i obieive with great 
 pleafure that our Engliih author of the paiiorals I 
 
ii8 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 have quoted hatli praftifed this fecret with admirable 
 judgment. 
 
 1 lliall yet add another mark, which may be obferV" 
 ed very often in the above-named poets, which is 
 agreeable to the character of flvjpherds, and alliecT 
 nearly to fuperftition •, I me.in the ufe of proverbial 
 fayings. I take the comm.on (imiiitudes in pallorals to* 
 be of the proverbial order, which are fo frequent, that 
 it is ncedlefs and v/ould be tirefome to quote thenj.' 
 I fliali onjy take notice upon this head, thac it is a nice' 
 piece of art to raife a proverb above the vulgar ftile, 
 and itiii keep it eafy and unaiTecled. Thus the old 
 wifii of God refx his foul is finely turned : 
 
 Then ^-?;7//£7 Sidney livdy the fnepherd'i friend \ 
 Eternal blejjings en his /hade attend . 
 
 Guardian, Vol. I. No. 23. 
 
 ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 AVING already fliewn hov-/ the fancy is afiecled 
 
 by the works of nature, and afterwards conildered in 
 general both the works of nature and of art, hovir 
 they mutually aiTifh and complete each other, in form- 
 ing fuch fcenes and profpe<Sls as are moil apt to de- 
 light the mind of tlie beholder, I (hall in this paper 
 throw together feme refie£i:ions on thac particular art 
 which has a more immediate tendency than any other 
 to produce thofe primiary pleafures of the imagination- 
 which have hitherto been the fubjecl of this difcourfe. 
 The art I miCan, is that of architedlur^, which I fnall 
 confuler only with regard to the light in which the 
 foregoing fpeculations have placed it, \^ithout entering 
 into thofe rules and maxims which tlie great mafters 
 of architecture have laid down and explained at large 
 in numberless treatifss upon that fubject. 
 
 Greattiefs in the works of architecture may be con- 
 fidercd as relating to the bulk and body of the fttuc- 
 ttire, or to the manner in M'hich it is built. As for 
 the ftrfl, we find the ancients, efpecially among the. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCEI.LANY. np 
 
 leaftern nations of the world, infinitely fuperior to the 
 moderns. 
 
 Not to mention the tower of Bahel, of which an 
 old author lays, the foundations were to be feen in his 
 time, which looked like a fpacious mountain ; what 
 ^cou'd be more noble than ilie walls of Babylon, its 
 hanging garders, and its temple oi Jupiter Beius^\\\^t 
 Tofe a mile hi;.':h, by eight feveral ftories, each Ilory a 
 furlong in hci;.;]it, and on the top of which was the 
 Babylonian obftrvatory ? I miglit here likewife take 
 i:otice of the huge rock that was cut into the figure of 
 Semirumis^ with the fmallcr rocks th:it lay by it in the 
 (nape ot tributivy kings ; the prodigious bafon or ar- 
 tificial like, vvnich took in the whole Euphrates^ till 
 fuch time as a r.cw canal was formed for its reception, 
 wilh the feveral trenches through which that river 
 was conveyed. I know there are perfons who look 
 upon forne of thefe \vond :rs of art as fabulous -, but 
 I cannot find any ground for fuch afufpicion, unlefs it 
 be that we have no fuch works among us at prefent. 
 There were indeed many greater advantages for buil- 
 ding in thofe times, and in that part of the world, 
 than have been met with ever fmoe. The earth was 
 extremely fruitful : men lived generally on pallurage, 
 which requires a much fmaller number of riinds than 
 agriculiuVe : there were few trades to employ the bu- 
 fy part of mankind, and fewer arts and fcienccs to 
 give Vvo'rk to men of fpeculative tempers ; and what 
 - is more than all the reft, the prince was abfolute ; fo 
 that when he went to war, he put himfelf at the head 
 ofaw^hole people; as we find Semiramis leading her 
 three millions to the field, and yet overpowered by 
 the number of her enemies. It is no wonder, there- 
 fore, when {lie was at peace, and turned her whole 
 thoughts on building, that flie could accom.plifh fo 
 
 treat works with fuch a prodigious multitude of la- 
 ourers \ befidcs that in her ciimate tliere was fmall 
 interruption of frofts and winters, which make the 
 northern workmen lie half the year idli ; I might 
 mention too among the benefits of the climate, what 
 Inftorians fay of the earth, that it fweated out a bitu- 
 
120 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 men cr natural kind of mortar, which is doubtlefs the 
 fame with that mentioned in holy writ, as contributing 
 to the {lru£lure of Bahd, Shme they ujed injhad of mor- 
 i&r. 
 
 \\\ Egypt we dill fee their pyramids, v/hich anfwer 
 to the dcfcriptions that have been made of them \ and 
 I qn;;fi:ion not but a traveJier might hnd out fome re- 
 mains of the Libyrinth that covered a v^'hole province, 
 and had a hundred temples difpofed among its feveral 
 quarters and divilions. 
 
 'j1ie vrail of China is one of thefe caRern pieces of 
 magni licence, which makes a figure even in the map. 
 rf the world, although an account of it would have 
 been thought fabulous, were not the wall itfelf Hill 
 extant. 
 
 We are obliged to devotion for the n cabled build- 
 lugs that have adorned the feveral countries of 
 world. It is this that has fet men to work on tem- 
 ples and public places of worihip, nt»t only that they 
 rr-ight, by the magniriecnce of the building, invite the 
 De'ty to'rcfde within it, but that fuch (tupendous I 
 works might at the fame time open the mind to vail 
 conceptions, and fit it to converfe with the Diviriry of 
 the place. For every rliing that is majciticj imprints 
 an awe and reverence on tiie mind of the beholder, 
 and itrikes it with the natural greutnefs of tiie foid. 
 
 In the fecond place, we are to conhder gr^atnej's of 
 wr.vher'w. architecture, which has fuch force upon the 
 imagination, that a fniall building, where it appears, 
 fliaJi give the mind nobler ideas than one of twen- 
 'ty times the bulk, where {)\t manner is ordinary and 
 hrtle. Thus perhaps a nran would have been more 
 afconiihed with the m.ajeRic air ^ that appeared in or>e 
 of l\Jif()as's flatues of Alxanu'er^ though no bigger 
 than the life, than he might have been with mount 
 Jtho^ h.ad it been cut into the figure of the hero, ac- 
 cording to the propofal of /^/^ Vy^/, with a river in one 
 hand, and a citv in tiie other 
 
 Let any one r^iiec^ on the difpofition of mind he 
 ^nds in himfel:^ at his firit entrance into the Pantheoit 
 of Rome J tuid how the imagination is fiijed with fome- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY lai 
 
 thing great and amazing ; and, at the fame time, con- 
 fider how httle in proportion he is affe£led with the 
 infide of a Gothic Cathedral, though it be five times 
 larger than the other ; which can arife from notliing 
 €lfe but the greatnefs of the manner in one, and the 
 meannefs in the other. 
 
 I have feen an obfervation upon this fubje£t in a 
 French author, which very much pleafed me ; it is 
 Monfieur treat's parallel of the ancient and modern 
 archite£i:ure. I {hall give it to the reader with the fame 
 terms of art he has made ufe of. ** I am obfcrving 
 (fays he) a thing, which in my opinion, is very curi- 
 ous, whence it proceeds, that in ti.j fame quantity o£ 
 fuperfices, the one manner feems great and magnifi- 
 cent, and the other poor and trifling ; the reafon is 
 fine and uncommon. I fay then, that to introduce 
 into architecture this grandeur of manner, we ought 
 foto proceed, that the divirion of the principal mem- 
 bers of the order may confill of but few parts ; that 
 they be all great, and of a bold and ample relievo and 
 fwelling ; and that the eye beholding nothing little or 
 mean, the imagination may be more vigoroufly touch- 
 ed and affected with the work that ftands before it. 
 For example ; In a cornice, if the gola or the cynati- 
 um of the corona, the coping, the modilions or deh- 
 tilli, make a noble fhew by their giaceful projeclions. 
 if we fee none of *hat ordinary confufion which is the 
 refult of thofe little cavities, quarter rounds of the af- 
 tragal, and I know not how many other intermingled 
 particulars, which produce no effed^ in great and maf- 
 fy works, and which very unprofitaoly take \ip 
 place to the prejudice of the principal member, it is 
 moft certain that this manner will appear folemn and 
 great ; as on the contrary, that it will have but a poor 
 and mean effe6t, where there is a redundancy of thofe 
 fmaller ornaments, which divide and fcatter the an- 
 gles of fight into fuch a multitude of rays, fo prefled 
 together, that the whole will appear but a confu- 
 fion." 
 
 Among all the figures in nrc]ute£lure, there arc 
 none that huve ^ greater uir^ "i^an the concave and the 
 
-122 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 convex -, and we find in all the antient and modem 
 aichitedture, as well in the remote parts of Chtna^ 
 as in countries nearer home, that round pillars and 
 vaulted roofs make a great part of thofe buildings 
 which are defigned for pomp and magnificence. The 
 reafon I take to be, becaufe in thofe figures we gene- 
 rally fee more of the body than in thofe of other kinds. 
 There are indeed figures of bodies, whei-ein the eye 
 may take in two thirds of the furface ; but as in 
 fuch bodies the fight muft fpiit upon feveral angles, it 
 does -not take in one uniform idea, but feveral ideas of 
 •the fame kind. Look upon the outfide of a dome, 
 your eye half furrounds it ; look up into the in fide, 
 and at one glance you have all the profpe^t of it. 
 'The entire concavity falls into your eye at once, the 
 light being at the centre that collects and gathers ifito 
 it the lines of the whole circumference. In a fquare 
 pillar, the fight often takes in hut a fourth part of the 
 furface ; and in a fquare concave, muft -move up and 
 down to the different fides, -before it is maiter of all 
 the inward furface. For this reafon the fancy is in- 
 finitely more fi:ruck with the view of the open air, 
 and Ikies, that pafi^es through an arch, than what 
 comes through a fquare or any other figure. The figure 
 of a rainbow does not contribute lefs to its magnifi- 
 cence, than the .colour to its beauty, as it is very poet- 
 ically defer ibed by the fan of Sirach : Lcok upon the rain- 
 honxiy and prat J e him that made it ; -very beautiful it is in its 
 brightnefi ; /; encompaj/estheheanjens ^vcith a glorious circle^ 
 and the hands of the Mojl High ha-ve herded it. 
 
 Having thus fpoken of that greatncfs Vv'hich af- 
 ;fe6'ts the mind ]r\ architecture, I might next fhew the 
 pleafure that rifes in the imagination from what appcnrs 
 new and beautiful in this art ; but as every beholder 
 has naturally a greater tafte of thefe two perfections 
 in every building which offers itfelf to view, than of 
 that which I have hitherto conCdered, I fiiall not trou- 
 ble my reader with any reflections upon it. It is fuf- 
 ^ficient for my prefent purpofe, to obferve that there is 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. i^ 
 
 nothing in this whole art which pleafes the imagina- 
 tion, but as it is great, uncommon, or beautiful. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VI. No. 415. O.- 
 
 A 
 
 ARGUMENTS. 
 
 ^VOID difputes as much as pofTible, in order to' 
 
 appear eafy and well-bred in converlation. You may 
 aflure yourfelf it requires more wit, as well as more 
 good humour, to improve rather than contradict the 
 notions of another; but if you are at any time ob- 
 hged to enter on an argument, give your reafons with 
 the utmoil coolnefs and modeity, two things which 
 fcarce ever fail of making an impreflion upon the 
 hearers. Befides, if you are neither dogmatical, nor 
 Ihovv cither by your words or a£lions that you are 
 full of yourfelf, all will more heartily rejoice at your 
 viclory j nay, (hould you be pinched in your argu-; 
 ment, you may make your retreat with a very good 
 grace : you were never pofitive, and are now glad to 
 bs better informed. This has made fome approve of 
 the Socracical way of reafoning, where, while you 
 fcarce affirm anything, you can hardly be caught in an 
 abfurdity, and though poffibly you are endeavouring 
 to bringover another to your opinion, which is firm- 
 ly fixed, you feem only to defire information from 
 him. 
 
 In order to keep that temper which is fo difficult, 
 and yet fo neceffary to obferve, you may pleafe to con- 
 fider, that nothing can be more unjuft or ridiculous, 
 than to beeangry with anotlier becaufe he is not of 
 your opinion. 'The intereft'^, education, and means 
 by which men attain their knowledge, are fo very dif- 
 ferent, that it is impoffible they fhould all think alike j 
 and he has at leail as much reaibn to be angry with 
 you, as you with him. Sometimes, to keep yourfelf 
 cool, it may be of fervice to alk yourfelf fairly, what 
 might have been your opinion, had you all the biaiies 
 of education or intereft your adverfary may polhb^y 
 have I. But if you contend for the honour of vidlory 
 
3 24 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 alone, you may lay down this as an infallible maxim, 
 that you cannot make a more falfe ftep, or give your 
 antagonifts a greater advantage over you, than by 
 ialling into a paflion. 
 
 When an argument is over, how many weighty 
 reafons does a man recoll€6t, which his heat and vio- 
 lence made him utterly forget ! 
 
 It is yet more ablurd to be angry with a man be- 
 caufe he does not apprehend the force of your reafons, 
 or gives weak ones of his own. If you argue for re- 
 putation, this makes your vi6lory the eafier ; he is cer- 
 talrdy, in all refpefrs, an object of your pity rather 
 than anger ; and if he cannot comprehend what you 
 do, you ought to thank nature for her favours, who 
 has given you fo much the clearer underflanding. 
 
 You may pleafe to add this connderiitlon^ that 
 among your equals no one values your anger, which 
 n-ly preys upon its mafter ; and perhaps you may 
 iiiiditnot very conGftent either with prudence or 
 your eafe, to punifb yourfeif v/henevcr you meet with 
 ;i fool or a knave. 
 
 Laflly, if you propofe to yourfeif tlie true end of 
 nrgument, which is information, it may be a feafona- 
 ble check to your pamon ; for if ycu fe arch purely 
 iifter truth, it will be ahrioft indifferent to you where 
 you find it. I cannot in this place omit an obferva- 
 tion which I have often made, namely, tliat norhing 
 procures a m.an more ePceero and lefs envy fiom the 
 whole company, than it he cboofc^s the part of mode- 
 rator, without engaging ifirecily on either fide in the 
 difpute. This gives him the charaftv r of impartial, 
 furniihes him with an opportunity of fifiijfg things 
 to the bottom, {hiowing his judgment, and of fome- 
 times making handfome compliments to each of the 
 Contending parties. 
 
 I ihall clofe this fubjeci: with giving you one cau- 
 tion : when you have gained a victory, do not pufh 
 it too far ; it is fufficient to let the company and your 
 adverfary fee it is in your power, but that you are too 
 generous to make ufe of it. 
 
 SrccTATOB, Vol. III. No. 197. X. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 1 25 
 
 ASTRONOMY. ;"- 
 
 xN fair weather, when my heart Is cheered, and I 
 feel that exaltation of fpirits which refults from light 
 and warmth, joined with a beautiful profpect of na- 
 ture, I regard myfelf as one placed by the hand of 
 God in the .midft of an ample theatre, in which the 
 fun, moon, and ftars, the fruits alfo, and vegetables of 
 the earth, perpetually changing their pofitions or their 
 afpe6ls, exhibit an elegant entertainment to th'e un- 
 derllanding as well as to the eye. 
 
 Thunder and lightning, rain and hail, the painted 
 bow, and the glaring comets, are decorations of this 
 mighty theatre : and the fable hemifphere fludded 
 with fpangles, the blue vault at noon, the glorious 
 gildings and rich colours in the horizon, I look on as 
 fo many fucceflive fcenes. 
 
 When I confider things in this light, metiiinks It is 
 a fort of impiety to have no attention to the courfe 
 of irature, and the revolutions of the heavenly bodies. 
 To be regardlefs of thofe phenomena that are placed 
 within our view, on purpofe to entertain our facul- 
 ties, and difplay the wifdom and power of their Crea- 
 tor, is an affront to Providence of the fame kind, 
 (I, hope It is not Impious to make fuch a fimile) as it 
 would be to a good poet, to fit out his play without 
 minding the plot or beauties of it. 
 
 And yet how few are there who attend to the dra- 
 ma of nature, its artificial ftru6lure, and thofe admira- 
 ble machines, whereby the paflions of a philofopher 
 are gratefully agitated, and his foul affeC-led with tiw 
 fweet emotions of joy and furprife ! 
 
 How many fox-hunters and rural fquires are to be 
 found InGreatBritain, wly^ are ignorant thdt they have 
 all tills while lived in a planet ; that the fun is leveral 
 thoufand times bigger than the earth ; a^id that there 
 are feveral other worlds within our view, greater and 
 more glorious than our own ! Ay,"but fays fome illite- 
 rate fellow, I enjoy the world, and leave others to 
 J^ 2 
 
126 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 conteHiplate it. Yes, you eat and drink, and runabout ; 
 that is, you enjoy it as a brute ; but to enjoy it as a va- 
 tionable being, is to know it, to befenfible of its great- 
 nefs and beauty, to be delighted with its harmony, and 
 by thefe relle6lions to obtain juft fentiments of the 
 Ahnighty Mind that framed it. 
 
 The man who, unembariaiTed with vulgar cares, 
 leifurely attends to the flux of things in h«aven and on 
 earth, and obfervcs the laws by fvhich they are gov- 
 erned, hath fecured to himfelf an eafy and convenient 
 feat, where he beholds with pleafure all that paffes on 
 the ftage of nature ; while thofe about him are, lome . 
 faft afieep, and others ftruggiing for the higheft places, 
 or turning their eyes from the entertainment pre- 
 pared by Providence, to play at pufli-pin with one an- 
 other. 
 
 Within this ample circumference of the world, the 
 glorious lights that are hung on high, the meteors m 
 the middle region, the various livery of the earth, and 
 the profuiion of good things that diftinguifh the fca- 
 fons, yield a profpecl v^-hich annihilates all human 
 grandeur. 
 
 GuARDiANj Vol. U. No. 169, 
 
 ATIIEISIvL 
 
 A 
 
 THEISM, by which T mean a difbelief of a Su^ 
 preme Being, ^nd confequently of a future itate, un- 
 der whatfoever titles it flielters itfelf, may liktwife 
 very /eafonably deprive a man of his cheerfulnefs of 
 temper. There is fo'-nething fo particularly gloomy 
 and offeniive to kuman nature in the profpe^t of non- 
 cxiflence, that I cannot but wonder with many ex- 
 cellent writers, how it is poH^J le for a man to outlive 
 the expeftation of it. For my part I think the being 
 of a God is fo little to be doubted, that it is almofl: 
 the only truth we arc fure of, and fuch a truth as we 
 meet with in every object, in every occurrence and 
 cv.ery thought. !£ we look into tke char a^Stcrs of this tribe- 
 
ADDSONIAN MISCELLANY. 127 
 
 of infidels, we generally find they are made up of 
 pride, fpleen, and cavil. It is indeed no wonder, tfi at 
 men wlio are uneafy to themfelves, fliould be fo to the 
 reft of the world ; and ho'A' is it poITible for a man to 
 be othei wife than uneafy in himfelf, who is in danger 
 every moment of loofing his entire exiflence, and drop- 
 ping into nothing ? 
 , Spectator, Vol. V. No. 381. L 
 
 There are two confiderations which have been of- 
 ten urged ngainfl Atheills, and which they never yet 
 could get over, 'i'he firft is, that the greatefl and 
 moil eminent pevfons of all ages have been againfl 
 them, and always complied with the public forms of 
 worlhip cllabliilied in their particular countries, when 
 there Vv^as nothing in them either derogatory to the 
 honour of the Supreme Being, or prejudicial to the 
 good of mankind. 
 
 The Plates and Cicero.; amcing the ancients, the Ba- 
 cons, the Bojlesy and the Lock^s a^nongour countrymen, 
 are all inftances of what I hai^e been faying ; not to 
 mention any of the Divines, however celebrated, 
 fmce our atlverfaries challenge all thofe, as men wlio 
 have too much intereft in this cafe to be impartial ev- 
 idences. 
 
 But what has been offered as a confuleration of 
 much more weight, is, not only the opinion of the 
 better fort, but the general confent of mankind to 
 this great truth \ which I think could not poihbly 
 have come to pafs, but from one of the three follow- 
 ing reafons ; either that the idsa of a God is innate 
 and co-exiflcnt with the mind itfelf j or that this 
 truth is fo very obvious, that it is difcovered by the 
 firil exertion of reafon in perfons of the moft ordi- 
 nary capacities; or laftly, that it has been delivered 
 down to us through all ages by a tradition from the 
 firft man. 
 
 The Atheifts are equally confounded, to which ev- 
 er 01 thefe tliree caufes we afTign it •, they have been 
 fo prefTed by this lafl argument from the general con- 
 lent of mankind, that after great fctuxh and pain they 
 
1 28 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 pretend to have found out a Nation of Atheifts ; I 
 mean that polite people the Hotteruots. 
 
 Idare not fliock my readers with a defcription of ^ 
 the cuftoms and manners of thefe barbarians, wha 
 are in every refpe6t- fcarce one degree above brutes, 
 having no language among them but a confufed |-a^- 
 ble, which is neither well underftood by themfelves or 
 others. 
 
 It is not however to be imagined how much the 
 A'heills have gloried in thefe their good Friends 
 and Allies. 
 
 If we boafl of a Socrates or a Seneca^ they may now 
 confront them with thefe great Phibfophers the Hot-^ 
 tentots. 
 
 Though even this point has, net without reafon, 
 been feveral times controverted, 1 fee no manner of 
 harm it could do religion, if we fliould entirely give 
 them up this elegant part of mankind. 
 
 Methinks nothing more ii^ows the weaknefs of their 
 caufe, than that no divifion of their fellow-creatures 
 joins with them, but thofe among whom they them- 
 felves own reafon is aimed defaced, and who have 
 little elfe but their fliape, which can entitle theni to 
 any place in the noecies. 
 
 Befides thefe poor creatures there have now and then 
 been inftances of a few crazed people in feveral na- 
 tions, who have denied theexiftence of a Deity, 
 
 The catalogue of thefe is however very ihort : Even 
 Vanini^ the moft celebrated champion for the caufe^ 
 profelTed before his judges, that he believed the exif- 
 tance of a God ; and taking a fkraw, v/hich lay be- 
 fore him on the ground, aiTured tliem that alone was 
 fuihcient to convince Iiim of it ; alledging feveral ar- 
 gumenteto prove that it was impoffible nature alone- 
 could create any thing. 
 
 I was the other day reading an account of Cafimir 
 Lifxyv/ki^ a gentlemian of Poland^ who was convicted 
 and executed for this crime. The manner of his pun- 
 ifliment was very particular : As foon as his body was 
 burnt, his afbes were put into a cannon, an_d fliot into . 
 the air towa'-ds Tartar;^. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 129 
 
 I am apt to believe, that if fomething like this 
 method of punifliment Ihould prevail in E/igiu/iUy^uch 
 is the natural good fcnfe of the Britijh nation, that 
 whether we rammed an athelft whole into a great 
 gun, or pulverifed our infidels, as they do in Poland^ 
 M^e ffiould not have many charges. 
 
 I fhould howtvcr propofe, while our ammunitioa 
 lafted, that inltcad of fartary, we fhould always keep 
 two or three cannons ready pointed towards the Cape 
 of Good-Ho^e^ in order to Ihoot our unbelievers into 
 the country cf the Hotientots. 
 
 In my opinion, a folemn judicial death is too great 
 an honour for an atheill ; though I mull allow, the 
 method of exploding him, as it is practiced in this lu- 
 dicrous kind of martyrdom, has fomething in it proper 
 enough to the nature of his offence. 
 
 There is indeed a great objedlion agalnft this man- 
 ner of treating them. Ztal for religion is of fo ac- 
 tive a nature, that it feldom knows where to reft \ for 
 which reafon I am afraid, after having difcharged our 
 atheiib, we might poihbly think of ihooting off our 
 fedaries ; and as one does not forefee the viclffitudes 
 ol human affairs, it might one time or other come to 
 a man's own turn to fly out of the mouth of a Demi- 
 ■culverin. 
 
 If any of my readers imagine that I have treated 
 thtfe gentlemen in too ludicrous a manner, I muft 
 confefs for my own part, I think reafoning agalnft 
 fuch unbelievers upon a point that ihocks the com • 
 mon fenfe of mankind, is doing them too great an 
 honour, giving them a figure in the eye of the world, 
 and making people fancy that they have more in them 
 than th:?y really have. 
 
 As for thofc perfons who have any fcheme of re- 
 ligious worfliip, I am for treating fuch with the ut- 
 moft tendcvnefs, and ftiould endeavour to fhow them 
 their error with the greateft temper and humanity ; 
 but as thefe mifcreant's are for throwing down religion 
 in general, for ftripping mankind of what themfelves 
 own is of excellent ufc in all great focieties, without 
 once offering to cftabiiili any thing in the room of it, 
 
ijo ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 I think the befl: way of dealing with them, is to region 
 their own weapons upon them, which are chofe of: 
 fcorn and mockery. 
 
 Spectator., Vol. V. No. 389. X«. 
 
 After having treated of thefe falfe zealots in reli- 
 gion, I cannot forbear mentioning a monftrous fpecies 
 of men, who one would not think had any existence 
 in nature, were they not to be met With in ordinary 
 converfation ; I mean the zealots in athcifm. One 
 would fancy that thefe men, though they fall fliort in 
 every other refpecl of rhofe who rnake a profelnon of 
 religion, would at ieaft outffiine them in this particu- 
 lar, and be exempt from that fmgle fault which feems 
 to grow out of the imprudent fervors of religion. 
 But fo it is, that infidelity is propagated with as much 
 feercenefs and contention, wrath and indignation, as 
 if the fafety of mankind depended upon it. There 
 is fomething fo ridiculous and perverfe in this kind, 
 of zealots, that one does not know how to fet them 
 out in their proper colours. They are a fort of 
 gamefters who are eternally upon the fret-, though 
 they play for nothing, they are perpetually teaHng 
 their friends to come over to them, though at the 
 fame time they allow that neither of them (hall get 
 any thing by the bargain. In ihort, the zeal of 
 fpreading atheifm is, if poflible, more abfurd than 
 atheifm itfelf. 
 
 Since I have mentioned this unaccountable zeal, 
 which appears in atheiils and inHdels, I mufl: farther 
 obferve, that they are likewifs in a m.oll particular 
 manner poile fled with the fpirit of bigotry. They 
 are wedded to opinions full of contradiction and im-. 
 pollibility, and at the fame time look upon the fmall- 
 eft difficulty in an article of faith as a fufficient rea« 
 fon for rejecSling it. Notions that fall in v ith the 
 common reafon of mankind, that are conformable to 
 the fenfe of all ages and nations, not to mention their 
 tendency for promoting the happinefs of focietics or 
 of particular perfons are exploded as errors rrid preju- 
 dices,; aixd fchemes erected in their ilead, that areaW 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 ^3* 
 
 together monftrous and Irrational, and require the 
 moft extravagant credulity to embrace them. I 
 would fain aik one of thofe bigoted infidels, fcppofing 
 'all the great points of atheifm, as the cafual or eter- 
 nal formation of the world, the materiality of a think- 
 ing fubftance, the mortality of the foul, the fortuitous 
 • organization of the body, the motion and gravity of 
 ■ matter, with the like particulars, were laid together, 
 and formed a kind of creed, according to the opin- 
 ions of the mofh celebrated atheiils ; I fay, fuppofe 
 ■fuch a creed was formed and impofed upon any one 
 people in the world, whether it would not require 
 an infinitely greater meafure of faith than any fet of 
 articles which they fo violently oppofe ? Let me there- 
 fore advife this generation of wranglers, for their own, 
 and for the public good, to aft at Icalt fo confidently 
 with themfelvcs, ds not to burn with zcai f«r rehgion, 
 and with bigotry for nonfenfe. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. IIL No. 185. C. 
 
 AUTHORS. 
 
 Y 
 
 PON the hearing of feveral late dlfputes con- 
 j'Ceraing rank and precedence, I could not forbear 
 amufing myfelf with forne obfervations which I have 
 ■'«nade upon the learned world, as to this gTer.t partic- 
 r^tiJar. By the learned world, I here .meai^, at large 
 all thofe who are any way concerned in works of lite- 
 rature, whether in the writing, printing, or the re- 
 pciUing part. To begin v/ith the writers, I have ob- 
 ferve<l that the author of a Folio, in all companies and 
 conveifations, fets himfclf above -Aklitarto ; the author 
 of a t^arto above the author of an O^lwvoy and fo on, 
 by a gradual defcent and fubordination, to an author 
 in T^L'jenty-fours. This dillinftion is fo well obferved, 
 that in an aiTcmbly of the learned, I have feen a Folio 
 writer pbce himfelf in an elbow-chair, when the au- 
 ^thor of a Duodecimo has, out of a juft deference to his 
 fuperior quaUty, feated loimfelf upon a fquab. In a 
 
132 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ^ 
 
 word, autiiOrs are ufually ranged in company after tli^, 
 fame manner as their works are upon a (lielF. 
 
 The mod minute pocket-author, has beneath him 
 the writers of all pamphlets, or works that are only 
 ititched. As for the Pamphleteer, he takes place of 
 none but of the authors of fnigle flieets, and of that 
 fraternity who publilh their labours on certain days> 
 or on every day of the week. I do not find that the 
 precedency among the individuals in this latter clafs 
 of writers is yet fettled. 
 
 For my own part, I have had fo ftrifl a regard to 
 the ceremonial which prevails in the learned world, 
 that I never prefumed to take place of a Pamphleteer, 
 till my daily papers were gathered into thofe two firft \ 
 
 volumes which have already appeared; after which.| 
 I naturally jumped over the heads, not only of allfj 
 Pamphleteers, but of every Oda^o writer in Greut- 
 Britain that had written but one book. I. am alfo in-'j 
 form.ed by m.y bookfeller, that fix Oda'vos have been % 
 always looked upon as an equivalent to a Folioy 
 which I take notice of the rather, becaufe I would 
 not have the learned world furprifed, if after the pub-. 
 Ijcation of half a dozen volum.es i take my place ac- 
 cordingly. When my fcattered forces are thus rai- 
 iied, and reduced into regular bodies, I flatter my- 
 fclf that I fhall make no defpicable figure at the head 
 of them. 
 
 Whether thcfe rules, which have been received time 
 out of mind in the commonwealth of letters, were not 
 originally eilabiiflied with an eye to our paper manu- 
 fa-^ure, I ihall leave it to the difcuiTion of others, and 
 fliall oi:]y remark farther in this place, that all print- 
 ers and bookfellers take the wall of one another, ac- \ 
 cording to the above-mentioned merits of the authors .'j 
 to whom they refpe6l.ively belong. \ 
 
 1 come now to that point of precedency which is ^ 
 fettled among the three learned profelfions, by the 
 vvifdom of our laws. I need not here take notice of < 
 the rank which is allotted to every Doctor in each of \ 
 thefe profelfions, who are all of them, though not fo 
 high as Jtinights, yet a degree abeve \Squiro> •, this 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 13. 
 
 'Ip.a order of men being the illiterate body of the na- 
 tion, are confequently thrown together in a clafs be- 
 low the three learned profeilions. I mention this 
 for the fake of feveral rural 'Squires, whofe reading 
 does not rife fo high as to th^ pnfem Jlate of Eng- 
 land, and who are often apt to ufurp that preceden- 
 cy which by the laws of the country is not due to 
 them. Their want of learning which has planted 
 them in this fituation, may in fome meafure extenu- 
 ate their mifdemeanor \ and our profeiTors ought to 
 pardon them when they oflend in this particular, con- 
 lidering that they are in a Itate of ignorance, or, as 
 we ufually fay, do not know their right hand from, 
 their left. 
 
 There is another tribe of perfons, who are retainers 
 to the learned world, and who regulate themfelves 
 on all occafions by feveral laws peculiar to their 
 body \ I mean the actors or players of both fexes : 
 Among thefe it is a ftanding and uncontroverted 
 principle, that a tragedian always takes place of st 
 comedian ; and it is very well known, the merry drolls 
 who make us laugh, are always placed at the lower 
 end of the table, and in every entertainment give v»-ay 
 to the dignity of the bulkin. It is a ftnge maxim. 
 Once a King and alnjoays a King. For this reafon, it 
 would be thought very abfurd in Mr. B-uJhck, notwith- 
 ftandingthe height and gracefulnefs of his peifon, t© 
 fit at the right hand of an ~ hero, though he were but 
 five feet high. The fame diftincLicn is obf^rved 
 among the ladies of the theatre : Queens ar.d Hero- 
 ines prelerve their rank in private converfation ; 
 while thofe who are waiting women and maids of 
 honour upon the flage, keep their diiiance alfo behind 
 the fcenes: ■ 
 
 I fhali only add, that by n parity of reafon, all wri- 
 ters of tragedy look upon it to be their due to be feat- 
 edor fainted tefore comic writers. Thofe who deal 
 in tragi-comedy, ufually take their feats between the 
 authors of either fide. There has been a long difpute 
 for precedency between the tragic and heroic poets. 
 Arijlotk would have the latter yield the Fai to the for- 
 M 
 
134 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 mer ; but Mr. Dryden and many others would never 
 fubmit to this decifion. Burkfque writers pay the 
 fame deference to the heroic, as comic-writers do to 
 their ferious brothers in the drama. 
 
 B/ this fhort table of laws, order is kept up, 
 and diitin6lion preferved in the whole republic of 
 letters. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VII. No. 529. O* 
 
 'F all the precautions with which you have In- 
 ftru61:ed the w^orld, I like that beft which is upon stat- 
 ural and fantafikal pleafure, becaufe it falls in very 
 much v/ith my own way of thinking. As you re- 
 ceive real delifrnt from what creates only imaginary 
 fatisfaction in others, fo do I raife.to myfelf all the 
 conveniences of life, by amufnig the fancy of the 
 world. I am, in a word, a member of that numer- 
 ous tribe who write for their daily bread. I Hourifli 
 in a dearth of foreign news *, and though I do not 
 pretend to the fpleen, I am never fo well as in the time 
 of a w^efterly wind. When it blows from that aufpi- 
 cicus point, I raife to myfelf contributions from the 
 Britip IJlcy by affrighting my fuperftitious countrymen 
 with printed accounts of murders, fpiriio, prodigies, 
 or monfters, according as my neceffities fuggeft to me : 
 i hereby provide for my beine. The laft fummer I 
 paid a ia.rge debt for brandy and tobacco, by a won- 
 derful defcrlption of a fitry dvaj^on, and lived ten days 
 together upon a whale and a mermaid. When winter 
 comes on^ I generally pluck up my fpirits, and have my 
 apparitions ready againft long dark evenings. From 
 No'vemher laft till Januan^ I lived entirely upon mur- 
 ders, and have iince that time had a comfortable fub- 
 (iftence from a plague and a famine. I made the 
 Pope pay for my beef and nautton laft lent, out of pure 
 (jpite to tr.e. Romijh religion j and at prefent my good 
 friend the king of S^weden finds me in clean linen, and 
 the Mufti gets ^le credit at the tavern. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 13^ 
 
 The aftonifhing accounts that I record, I ufually 
 enliven with wooden cuts and the like paltry cmbel- 
 lilhments. They adminifler to the curiofity of my 
 fellow-fubjeds, and not only advance religion and 
 virtue, but take reftlefs fpirits off from meddling with 
 the public affairs, I therefore cannot think myfelf air 
 uielefs burden upon earth ; and that I may ftill do 
 more in my generation, I fliall give the world in an 
 (liort time an hiltory of my life, (hidies, maxims, and 
 atchievements, provided my bookfeller advances a 
 round fum for my copy. 
 
 I am, 8cc. 
 
 Gl'ARDian, Vol. I. No. 58. 
 
 AVARICE. 
 
 i-VilOST of the trades, profeflions, and ways of liv- 
 ing among mankind, take their origin either from 
 the love of pleafure or the fear of want. The former, 
 when it becomes too violent, degenerates into Luxurj^ 
 and the latter into A'varice. As thefe two principles 
 of a£lion draw different ways, Perjius has given us a 
 very humorous rxcount of a young fellow who v/as 
 routed out of his bed, in order to be fent upon a long 
 voyage, by Avarice, and afterwards over-perfuaded and 
 kept at home by Luxur;. I fliall fit down at length 
 the pleadings of thefe two imaginary perfor.Sj as they 
 are in Mr. Drydeni> tranilation. 
 
 Wherher alone^ or in the harhfs lapy 
 When thcu <v:ouldyi take a la%y morninp nap, 
 Upi up, f2ys i^.VARlCE : thou f nor Jl\ain, 
 Streichejl thy liitibs^ and jauutiji, but ull in 'vaitty 
 ^J'he rugz^ed Tyrant no denial takes ; 
 Al his commav.d tlie univilling fiicigard ivakes. 
 V/kat niujl I do P He cries. wi:at ? ^ays his lord ; 
 Why rife, make ready ^ and go Jiraight aboard ', 
 With JiJh^frD!nY.U\\nz feaSy ihy <vejjel freight ; 
 Fla^y cafcr^ Coan uinss^ ibt '^reQioui ^Mcight 
 
] 
 
 J 36 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 Of pept>cr, a-'-.d Sabcail ineenfey take, 
 
 14'ilh thy OTvn hands y from the tirdcatneVs bach, 
 
 And ^ith pft-hufie thy running markets make 
 
 Be fur e to turn the penny ; lie and fhjenr^ 
 
 ^Tis n.vholefome fin : But Jove, t/.wu fq-/ff, tvi/I hear^ « 
 
 S^xern-y fool^ or fla-x e ; for the dilemmas even. 
 
 A tradejrruin thou^ and hope to go to Hea^ven ! 
 
 Rfolvd for fea^ the jla-ves thy baggage pack. 
 
 Each fuddled ivith his burden on his backy 
 
 Nothing retards thy 'voyage noxv, but He, 
 
 "That foft ^oolupluous Prince caWd LuxURY. 
 
 ylnd he may ajk this civil quepion : Friend, 
 
 IVhat doft thou make a fJiip-hoard? 'I o Hx;hat end s' 
 
 Art thou of Bethlem'j ndle College free, 
 
 Stark flareing mad, that ihou ^^vouldyi tempt the fea ? 
 
 Cuhh\{ in a cabin, on a maitrafs laid. ; 
 
 On a hi-onxjn Gcorge, nvith loufv faxjahber'' s, fed , 
 
 Dead luine, that fir.ks of the YiQX2i<:\\\0,fup 
 
 From a foul jack, or greafy maple cup : 
 
 Say^ njooukffi thou bear all this, to raife thy flora 
 
 From fix t tli* hundred to fix hundred mere? 
 
 Indulge, and to thy genius fcely gi've ; 
 
 For, not to live at eafe, is net to live, 
 
 Death ftalks behind thee, and each flyi-^g hour 
 
 Does fome loofe remnant cf iky Ife de-vour. 
 
 Live, ^jchilli thou li-vfi; for death "jcill make us all 
 
 A name, a ncthin^, but an eld Kvife''s tale. 
 
 K^peak ; w/// thou Avarice or Pieafure choofe 
 
 V c be thy Lord ? Take one, and one refufc. 
 
 When a government flouridies in conquefts, and is 
 iecure from foreign attacks, it naturally falls into all 
 xV-^^ pleafures of Iwxury •, and as thofe pleauires are -^ 
 very expenllye, they put thofe who are addicted to ^■ 
 ilicm upon railing frefli fuppiics'of money, by all the | 
 methods of rapacioufnefs and corruption \ fo that av- ' 
 arice and h.\xury often become one complicated prin- \ 
 ciple of action, in thofe whofe hearts are v.'holly fct ]; 
 upon eafe, magnificence, and pleafure. The moll el- i 
 egant and correal: of all the /.^-///i hillorlans, obferves, ■ 
 rhat in his time, when the mod formidable States in : 
 ihe world M'crc fubdued by the Romans, the Republic J 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 137 
 
 funk into thofe two vices of a quite dlficrent nature. 
 Luxury and Avarice ; and accordingly defcribes Catiline 
 as one who coveted the wealth of ocher men, at the 
 fame time thnt he fquanJ?red away his own. This 
 obfervation o\\ the Commonwealth, v/hen it was in the 
 height of pcv/cr and riches, holds good in ail govern- 
 ments that are lettled in a ilate of •:afe and profperity^ 
 At fuch times men r.-tluraily endeavour to outfliine 
 one another in pomp and fplendour ; and having no 
 fears to alarm them from abroad, indulge themfelves 
 in the enjoymcjit of all they can get in their pofleflTion ; 
 which naturally produces avarice, and an immoderate 
 purfuit after wealth and riches, . 
 
 As I was humouring myfclf in the fpeculation of 
 thefe two great principles of a6tion, I could not for- 
 bear throwing my thoughts into a little kind of allego- 
 ry or fable, with which I Ihall here prefent my reader. 
 
 There were two very povv-erful tyrants en.gngcd in a 
 perpetual war againft each other : the . name of the 
 firll was Luxury, and of the fecond Avarice. The aim 
 of each of them was no lefs than univerfal monarchy 
 over the hearts of mankind. Luxury had many Gene- 
 rals under him, who did him great fervice, as Pkafure^ 
 Mirth^ Pompy and Fajhion, Avarice was likewife very 
 fti ong in his officers, being faithfully fcrved by Hun- 
 gery indufiry^ Care, and Watchfulmfs. He had likewife a 
 privy counfellor, who Vvas always at his elbow, and 
 whifperlng fomething or other in his ear : The name 
 of this privy counfellor was Po'verfy. As Avarice con- 
 dueled himfelf by the eounfels of PoTeriy, his antago- 
 niil was entirely guided by the dilates and advice of 
 Plenty, who was his 6ril counfellor and miniller of 
 (late, that concerted ail his meafures v/ith him, and 
 never departed out of his fight. While thofe two 
 great rivals were thus contending for empire, their 
 conquefts were various : Luxury got polleflion of one 
 heart, and Avarice of another. The father of a family 
 would often range himfelf under the banners of Ava^ 
 rice, and the; fon under thofe of Luxury. The wife and 
 hufband would often declare themfelves of the two 
 diUcrent partivS ; Nay, the fame perfoa Y/Ould 'i^Ty 
 Ma- 
 
133 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 often fide with one in his youth, and revolt to the oth- 
 er in his old age. Indeed the wife men of the world 
 flood neuter ; but alas ! their numbers were inconf.d- 
 erable. At length, when ihefe two potentates had 
 wearied themfelves of waging war upon one another, 
 they agreed upon an interview, at which neither of' 
 their counfellors were to be prefent. It isfaid.that 
 Luxury began the parley, and after having reprefented 
 iIk: (late of war in which theyiwere engaged, t©ld his 
 enemy with a franknefs of heart which is natural to 
 him, that he believed they fhould be very good friends, 
 were it not for the in (ligation of Poverty , tliat perni- 
 cious counfcllor, who made an ill ufe of his car, and 
 iiiled him with grouiuilefs apprehenfions and jealouf- 
 ies. To this, A--varice replied, that he looked upon 
 'Plenty the hrft miiiilter of his antagoniil, to be a much 
 more deftru^live counfellor than Poverty ; for that he 
 was perpetually fuggciting pleafure, baniihing all the 
 ^leceiiary cautions againft want, and coniequently un»- 
 dermining tliofe principles on which the government 
 o( Jlvarice was founded. At laft in order to an accom- 
 modation they agreed upon this preliminary : That 
 each of them mcuid immediately difmifshis privy coun- 
 lellor. V\^hen things were thus far adjulted towards 
 a peace, all other differences were foon accommodated, 
 infomuch that for the future they refolved to live as 
 good friends and confederates, and to Ihare betVv-eea 
 them whatever conquefts were made on either fide. 
 Tor this reafon, w^e nov/ ^ni^ Luxury -and A-uarke taking 
 poiTeirion of the fame heart, and dividing the fame 
 perfon between them. To which I Avail only add, 
 that fince difcarding the counfellors above men- 
 tioned, Avarice fupplies Luxury in the room of Plenty, 
 as Luxury ^Tom^t^ Avarice in the place of Poverty. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. I. No. ^^. C. 
 
 BACON (Sir Francis.) 
 
 V_^NE of the moft extenfive and improved geniufes 
 wc have had anv inft^n^e of iis our o\yi\ natjon, or in 
 
ADDSONIAN MISCELLANY, 139 
 
 any other, was thnt of Sir Frarcis Bacon Lord Verulam» 
 '1 his great man by an extraordinary force of nature, 
 compais of thougiit, and indefatigable ftudy, aniafied 
 to hirnfcli fuch ihores of knowledge, as we cannot look 
 upon without amazement. His capacity feemed to 
 have grafpcd all that was revealed in books before his 
 time \ and not fatisfied with that, he began to llrike 
 out new tra6ts of fcicnce, too many to be travelled 
 over by one man in the compafs of the longelt life. 
 i'hefe, therefore, he would only mark down, like ini- 
 perfecl coaftings in maps, or fuppofed points of land, 
 to be farther diicovered and afcertained by the induf- 
 try of after ages, who Ihould proceed upon his notices 
 or conje6lures. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VIL No. 554. 
 
 Sir Francis Bacon was a man who, for greatnefs of 
 genius'arid compafs of knowledge, did honoui to Ms 
 age and country ; I could almoft fay, to human nUiire 
 itfelf.j He poflcil'ed at once all thofe extraordinary 
 talents which were divided among the greateft authors 
 of antiquity. He had the found, dillint-t, compr2- 
 henfive knowledge of Arijiotle, with all the beautiful 
 lightSj graces and embelliihments of Tully, One does 
 not know which to admire moft in his writings, the 
 flrength of reafon, force of ftylc, or the brightnefs of 
 imagination. 
 
 This author has remarked, in feveral parts of his 
 works that a thorough infight into philolophy makes a 
 good Ideliever, and that a fmattering in it naturally 
 produces fuch a race of defpicable infidels as the little 
 profligate v/riters of the prefejit ag<i, whom (I mud 
 confels) I have always accuied to myfelf, not fo much 
 for their want of faith, as their want of learning. 
 
 I v/as infinitely pleafed to find among the works of 
 this extraordinary man, a prayer of his own conipo^ 
 fing, which, for the elevation of thought and greatnefs 
 of expreiT.on, feems ratlier the devotion of an argel 
 than of a man. His principal fault fsems to h-.ve 
 been tlie excefs of that virtue which covers, a muki- 
 tude of faults. This betrayed him to fo great an i^; ■ 
 
140 ADDISONIAN' MISCELLANY. 
 
 dulgence towards his fervants, whovnade a corrupt uffll |^ 
 of it, that it dripped him of all thofe riches and hon- 
 ours which a long feries of merits had heaped upoa 
 him. But in this prayer, at the fame time. that we 
 find him prollrating himfelf before the great mercy- 
 feat, and humbled under afrii£lion3, which at that' 
 time lay heavy upon him, we fee him fupported by the: 
 fenfe of his integrity, his zeal, his devotion, and his, 
 love to mankind, which give him. a much greater 
 figure in the minds of thinking men, than that great- 
 nefs had done from which he was fallen. I {hall beg 
 leave to write down the prayer itfelf, with the title 
 to it, as it was found among his lordfliip's papers, 
 written in his own hand ; not being able to furnifh 
 my readers with an . entertainment more fuitable to** 
 this folemn time. 
 
 A Prayer, or FJalmymade hy my Lcrd Bacon, Chancellor, of *' 
 England. 
 
 ** Mod gracious Lord Gcd, my merciful Father 
 ■from my youth up, my Creator,' my Redeemer, my 
 Comforter. Thou, O Lord, founded and fearched 
 the depths and fecrets of all hearts ; thou acknowledg- 
 ed the upright of heart ; thou judged the hypocrite, 
 thou pondered m.an's doings as in a balance ; thou 
 meafured their intentions as with a line ; vanity and 
 crooked ways cannot be hid from thee. 
 
 Remem.ber, O Lord, how thy fervant had walked 
 before thee ; remember what I have &d fought, and 
 what hath been principal in my intentions. I have 
 loved thy aflemblies ; I have mourned for the divi- 
 £ions of thy Church ; I have delighted in the bright- 
 nefs of thy fanttuary. The vine which thy right 
 hand hath planted in this nation, I have ever prayed 
 tmto thee that it might have theiird and the latter rain^ 
 and that it might dretch its branches to the feas, and 
 to the floods. The date and bread of the poor and 
 opprefied have been precious in ray eyes ; I have ha- 
 ted all cruelty and hardnefs of heart -, I aave, though 
 in a defpifcd weed, procured the good of all men. if ^ 
 
ADDISONIAN ^^SCELLANY 141 
 
 any have been my enemies, I thought nvot of them, 
 neither hath the i'un almoft fet upon my difpleafure •, 
 but I have been, as a dove, free from fuperfluity of ma- 
 licioufnefs. Thy creatures have been my books, but 
 thy fcrintures much more : I have fought thee in the 
 courts, (ields, and gardens *, but I have found thee in 
 thy Temple. 
 
 Thoufands have been my fins, and ten thoufands 
 my tranfgre (lions ; but thy fanclifications have re- 
 mained with me, and my hcait, through thy grace, hath 
 been unquenched fire upon thine altar. 
 
 O Lord, my (Irength j I have, fince my yoath, met 
 '■A'ith thee in all my ways, by thy fatherly compaflions, 
 by thy comfortable chailifements, and by thy molt 
 viiible Providence. As thy favours have increafed 
 upon me, fo have thy corrections ; fo as thou haft 
 been always near me, O J.ord : i^nd ever, as my 
 worldly bleilmgs were exalted, fo lecret darts from 
 thee have pierced me ; and v.-'rev I have afcendcd be- 
 fore men, I have defcendcd ir- humiliation before thee. 
 And now, when I thought rnoft of peace and honour^ 
 thy hand is heavy upon me, and hath humbled me, 
 according to thy former loving kindnefs^ keeping me 
 {till in thy fatherly fchool, not as a baftard, but as a 
 child. Juft are thy judgments upon me for my fins, 
 which are more in number than the fands of the fea, 
 but have no proportion to thy mercies •, for what are 
 the fanc!s of the fea ? Earth, Heavens, and all thefe, 
 are nothing to thy mercies. Befides my innumer- 
 able fins, I confefs before thee, that I am debtor to 
 thee for the gracious talent of thy gifts and graces, 
 which I have neitlier put into a napkin, nor put it (as 
 I ought) to exchangers, where it might have made 
 beft profit, but m.i^ent it in things for which I am 
 leaft fit : So may I truly fay, my "foul hath been a 
 ftranger in the courfe of my pilgrimage. Be merciful 
 unto me, O Lord, for my Saviour's fake, a;id receive 
 me unto thy bofom, or guide me in thy ways. 
 
 Tatler, Vol. IV.' No. 267. 
 
142 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 BANKRUPTCY. If, 
 
 \_^TWAY, in his Tragedy of Fer.ke Pre/erved^ has 
 ^efcribed the mifery of a man whofe effects are- in the 
 hands of the law, with great, fnirit. The bitternefs 
 of being tht fcorn and laughter of bafe minds, the an 
 guifh of being infulted by men hardened beyond the 
 lenfe of fhame and pity, and the injury of a man*s for- 
 tune being wafted under pretence of juftice, are excel- 
 lently aggravated in the following fpeech of Pierre to- 
 Jajier : 
 
 I pafs'd thit 'very tnomer.i hy thy doors y 
 
 And fnind them guarded by a troop of ^villains : 
 
 The jOns of public rapine ivere defiroyiug, 
 
 ^key tcld me^ by the fentence cf the la-iVy 
 
 1 htey hiad coynmiffion to feize all thy fortune ', 
 
 Nay, fnorey Priuli's cruel hand had fign^d it. 
 
 Here food a ruff,an ivith a horrid face. 
 
 Lording it o'er a pile of tncffy platCy 
 
 fumbled into a heap for public fale. 
 
 ^here ivas another making 'villancus jijls 
 
 At thy undoing : He had ta\n foJJeJjion 
 
 Of all thy ant lent moji domeftic ornaments y 
 
 Rich hangings intermix' d and nvr ought ^vilh geld, 
 
 ^he '"jery ledi 'vchich on thy n.x:ed ding-night 
 
 Kecei'v'd thee to the arms ^/'Belvidera, 
 
 ^he fcene cf all tfiy joys, i.vere "violated 
 
 By the coarfe hands cf filthy dungeon njillainSy 
 
 And throivn amcngjl the common lumber. 
 
 Nothing indeed can be more unhappy than the con- 
 dition of bankruptcy. The calamity which happens 
 to us by ill fortune, or by the injury of otl^ers, has in 
 it fome confolation ; but what arifes from our own 
 mifbehaviour or error, is the ftatc of the mioft exquifite 
 forrow. "When a inan confiders not only an ample for- 
 tune, but even the very neceffaries of life^ his pretence 
 to food itfelf, at the mercy of his creditor?, he cannot 
 but look upon himfelf in the ftate of tr#'^ead, with 
 his cafe thus much worfe, that the bft oflice is per- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 143 
 
 •crmed by his adverfaries inftead of his friends. From 
 his hour the cruel world does not only take pofrefTion 
 ^f his whole fortune, but even of every thing elfe, 
 "iich had no relation to it. All his indifferent ac- 
 tions have new interpretations put upon thein ; and 
 thofe whom he has favoured in his former life, dif- 
 charged themfelves of their obligation to him, by join- 
 ing in the reproaches of his enemies. It is almofl 
 incredible that it fiiould be fo, but it is too often feeii 
 that there is a pride mixcft witli the impatience of thj£ 
 creditor ; and there are thcfe who would rather recov- 
 er their own by the downfall of a profperous man, than 
 be difcharged, to the common fatisfaclion of them- 
 feJves and their creditors. The wretched man, who 
 was latclv mafter of abundance, is now under the di- 
 rection of others *, and the wifdom, ceconcmy, gcod 
 fenfe and (kill in human life before, by reafon of his 
 prefent misfortune, are of no ufe to him in the dif- 
 pofition of any thing. The incapacity of an infant or 
 a lunatic is defigned for his provifion and accommo- 
 <lation ; but that of a bankrupt, without any mitiga- 
 tion in refpecl; of the accidents by which it arrived, is 
 calculated for his utter ruin, except there be a remain- 
 der ample enough, after the difcharge of his creditors, 
 to bear alfo the expence of rewarding thofe by whofe 
 means the eflecb of all his labour was transfered from 
 him. The man is to look on and lee others give di- 
 rections upon what terms and conditions his goods are 
 to be purehafed ; and all this done, not with an air of 
 truftces to dilpofe of his effedbs, but diftroyers to di- 
 vide and tear them to pieces. 
 
 There is fomethlng facied in mifery to great and 
 good minds ; for this reafon rll wUe lawgivers have 
 been extremelv tender how they let loofe even the man 
 who has righton his fide, to act with any mixture of 
 refentment againfl the defendant. Virtuous and 
 modeft men, though they be ufed with fome artifice, 
 and have it in their power to avenge themfelves, are 
 {\o'r in the application of their power, and are ever 
 CO illr?iined:-to go into righteous meafures *, they are 
 careful to dein'onilrate themfelves not only injured^ 
 
144 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 bat alfo that to bear it longer would be a means to mako 
 the oiFender injure others, before they proceed. — Such 
 men clap their hands upon their hearts, and confider 
 •what it is to have at their mercy the life of a citizen. 
 Such would have it to ffiy to their own fouls, if pofPi- 
 ble, that they were merciful, when they could have de- 
 {li^oyed, rather than, when it v/as in their power to 
 have fpared a man, they deflroyed.— This is due 
 to the common calamity of human life — due in 
 feme meafure to our very enemies. They who fcru- 
 ple doing the leaft injury, are cautious of exacting the 
 iitmoft juftice. Let ?ny one who .is converfant in the 
 variety of human life reflect upon it, and he will find 
 the man who wants mercy, has a tafte of no enjoy- 
 ment of any kind : There is a natural difrelidi of every 
 thing which is good in his very nature, and he is born 
 an enemy to the w^orld. He is ever extremely partial 
 to himfcif in all his actions, and has no fenfe of ini- 
 qiijty but from the pur.ifhm.cnt v.^hich fliall attend it. 
 The law of the land is his gofpel, and all his cafes of 
 confcience are determined by an attorney. Such men 
 knov/ not what it is to gladden the heart of a miferable 
 fellow man ; that riches are the inftruments of ferv- 
 ing the parpofes of heaven or hell, according to the 
 difpofition of the pofTeirori The wealthy can torment 
 or gratify all whom they have in their power, and 
 choofe to do one or ether as they are affected with 
 love or hatred to mankind. As for fuch who are 
 infenfible of the concerns of others, but m.erely as they 
 affect themfelves, thofe men are to be valued only for 
 their mortaHty, and as we hope better things from 
 their heirs. I could not but read with great delight 
 a letter from an eminent citizen who has failed, to 
 one who was intimate with him in li^e better fortune, 
 and able by his countenance to rptiieve his loft con- 
 
 _T is in vain to multiply words and ma^: apologies 
 fpr what is never to be defended by the beft advocate 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 145 
 
 in the world, the guilt of being unfortunate. All 
 that a man in my condition can do or fay, will be re- 
 ceived with prejudice by the generality of mankind, 
 but, I hope, not with you. You have been a great 
 inftrum^nt in helping me to get what I have loft, and 
 I know (for that reafon, as well as klndrtefs for me) 
 you cannot but be m pain to fee me undone. To 
 ihew you I am not a man incapable of bearing calam- 
 ity, I will, though a poor man, lay afide the diitinc- 
 tion between us, and talk with the frankncfs we did 
 when we were nearer to an equality. As all I do 
 will be received with prejudice, all you do will be 
 looked upon with partiality. What I defire of yoa 
 is, that you who are courted by all, would fmile upon 
 me, who am (hunned by all. Let that grace and fa- 
 vour which your fortune throws upon you, be turned 
 to make up the coldnefs and indifference that is ufed 
 towards me. All good and generous men will have 
 an eye of kindnefs for me for my own fake, and the: 
 reft of the world will regard m<i for yours. There is 
 a happy contagion in riches, as well as a deftru£live 
 one in poverty : the rich can make rich, without 
 parting with any of their ftore ; and the converfationt 
 of the poor makes men poor, though they borrow 
 nothing of them. How this is to be accounted for, I 
 know not ; but men's eftimation follows us according; 
 to the company we keep. If you are what you were: 
 to me, you can go a great way towards my recovery ; 
 ifyouarenot, my good fortune, if ever it returns, 
 will return by {lower approaches. 
 
 I am. Sir J ^r. 
 
 This was nnfwercd with a condefcenfion that did 
 not, by long impertinent profefTions of kindnefs, in-, 
 fult his diftrefs, but was as follows ; 
 
 Dear ToM, 
 
 JL am very glad to hear that you have heart enouglr 
 to begin the world a fecond time. I aflure you, f 
 do not think your xiumerous family at all dimin' 
 
1-4^ ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 ifhed (in the gifts of nature, for which I have ev- 
 er fo much admired them) by what has lately hap- 
 pened to you. I fliall not only countenance ycur 
 atiiirs with my appearance for you, but ihall ac- 
 commodate you with a confiderable fuKi, at com- 
 mon intereft, for three years. You knov/ I could 
 make more of it ; but 1 have fo great a love for 
 you, that I can wave opportunities of gain to help 
 you ; for I do not care whether they fay of me 
 after I am dead, that I had an hundred, or fifty 
 thoufand pounds more than I wanted when I was 
 
 iivin^. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VI. No. 45^- T. 
 
 BATH. .: 
 
 N public aflemblies there ate generally fome envi- 
 ous fplenetic people, who having no merit to procure 
 refpect, are ever finding fault with thofe who diftin- 
 guifh themfelves. This happens more frequently at 
 thofe places where the feafon of the year calls perfons 
 of both fexes together for the fake of their health. I 
 have had reams of letters from Bath^ Epfon^ Tunhriige^ 
 and St. Winifred s Well, wherein I could obferve, that 
 a concern for honour and virtue proceeded from the 
 want of health, beauty, 8cc. or fine petticoats. A la- 
 dy who fubfcribes herfelf EudofiayV^xxtts abitter invec- 
 tive agai nit C^^?^, the celebrated dancer ; but I have 
 learned, that fhe herfelf is lame of the rheumatilm. 
 Another, who hath been a prude ever fince fhe had the 
 fmali pox, is very bitter againft the coquettes, and their 
 indecent airs ; and a fharp wit hath fent wae a keen 
 epigram againft the gamefters ; but I took notice that 
 -it was not written upon gilt paper. , 
 
 Having had feveral ftrange pieces of intelligence 
 from the Bath ; as, that more conftitutions were 
 weakened there than repaired ; that tl^g^^plryficians 
 were nOtrnQX^ bvify ip dcjtroyiiig old lodiSi, than the 
 
ADDSONiAN MISCELLANY. ' Mf 
 
 young fellows in producing new ones •, with feveral 
 other common place ftvok^s of raillery •, I refolved to 
 look upon the company there, as I returned lately 
 out of the country. It was a great jeft to fee fuch a 
 grave ancient perfon* as I am, in an embroidered cap, 
 and brocade night-^own ; but, befides the neceffuy 
 of complying with the cultom, by thefe means I paf- 
 fed undilcovered, and had a plcamre I much covet, of 
 being alone in a crowd. It was no little fatisfacTtioii 
 to me, to view the mixed mafs of all ages and digni- 
 ties upon a level, partaking of the fame benefits of na- 
 ture and nungrmg in the iame divcrfions. I fome- 
 times entertained myfelf by obferving what a large 
 il'-iantity of ground was lild under fpreading petticoats, 
 vind what little patches of earth were covered' by crea-- 
 tiires with wigs'and hats, in comparifon with thofc 
 Ip.iccs "that were diftmguiflied by ilcimces, fringes, 
 a'idfuibulows. From the earth my fancy was di- 
 retkd to the water^ where tlie diil:in6lion of fex and 
 condiiion are concealed, and where the mixture of men 
 and women hath given occaficn to forne perfons of. 
 light imagination to compare the Bat/i to the fountain 
 of Sali;:a:is, whlch had the virtue of joining the two 
 fc-xer. in one pcrfon ; or to the ftream wherein Diana 
 wali^cd herfelf, Avhen ihe beilovv-ed horns on A^ieon, 
 I>ut by one of a feiious turn, tliofe fprings may rather 
 he likened to the St^gion waters, wliich made the bo- 
 dy invulnerable \ or to the river olLahsy one d-raught 
 of which wafhed awry all pain and anguifn in a mo- 
 ment. 
 
 As I have taken upon mz i name which obght to 
 abound hi humanity, I fhv'll make it my biifincfs in 
 this paper to cool and aii'v:.:ge thofe malignant hu- 
 Kvours of fcandal'vv'hich run throughout the body of 
 men and womsn there aflenibled \ and after the man- 
 ner of thofe faUiOus waters, I will endeavour to wipe 
 awav all foul afperfions, to rcllore bloom and vigou 
 to decayed reputations) and fet injured characters Li[: 
 on their le{^ again. I (liall here regulate myfelf by 
 the examoleof that good nian who ufed to talk -j^ixxx 
 gh^rity of the gveatcil: villains ; nor was he ever herad 
 
 r 
 
 LiD- 
 
?45 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 to fpeak with rigour of any one, till he affirmed with 
 ieverity that Nero was a wag. 
 
 Having thus prepared thee, gentle reader, I HiriU 
 sot fcruple to entertain thee with a panegyric upon 
 the gametlers. I have indeed fpoken incautioufly 
 heretofore of that clafs of men ; but I ihould forfeit 
 all titles to mocledy, Ihould I any longer oppofe the 
 common feiife of the nobility and gentry of the Ring- 
 tlom. Were we to treat all thcfe with contempt who 
 are the favourites of blind chance, few levees would 
 be crowded. It h not the height of fphere in vhich 
 a man moves, but the manner in which he afts, that 
 makes him truly valuable. When therefore I fee a 
 gentleman lofe his money with fereni^y, I recognize 
 wi him ail the great qualities of a philofopher. If he 
 itorms and invokes the gods, I lament-that he is not 
 placed at the head of a regiment. The great gravity 
 of the countenances round //^rr//c»'s table, puts me in 
 juind of a council-board ; and the indefatigable ap- 
 plication of the feveral combatants, furniflies me with 
 an unanfwetable reply to thofe gloomy mortals wlio 
 €enfure this as an idle life. In fliort, I cannot fee 
 any reafon why gentlemen fliould be hindered from 
 railing a fortune by thofe means which at the fam.e 
 time enlarge their minds : nor fliall I fpeak diilion- 
 ourably of fome little artifices and finclTe ufed upon thefe 
 occafions, fince the world is fo juft to any man who 
 is becdme a poUfriTor of wealth, as not to refpe£l him 
 fihe lefs for the methods he took to come by it. 
 
 Upon confiderations like thefe, the ladies fhare In 
 thele divcrfions. I muft own, that I receive great 
 pleaf'jre m feeing my pretty country-women engaged 
 in an aniufcment v/hich p;its them upon prodiicingfo 
 many virtues. Hereby tiiey acquire fuch a boldnefs 
 as raifes them nearer that lordly creature, Man. Here 
 they are taught fuch contempt of wealth, as may di- 
 late their minds, and prevent many curtain leaures. 
 Their natural tendernefs is a weaknefs here eafily un- 
 learned ', and I find my foul exalted, when I fee a lady 
 facrifice the fortune of her children with a§-little con- 
 cern as a spartan cxRomarr dame. In fuch a piace as 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY 149 
 
 tht Bath, I might urge, that the cafting of a die is in- 
 deed ths propereft exercife for a fair creature to afTill 
 the waters •, not to mention the opportunity it gives 
 to diiplay the well-turned arm, and to fcatter to ad- 
 vantage the rays of the diamond. But I am fatisfied 
 that thf gamefter-ladies have furmounted the Httle 
 vanities of fliewing their beauty, which they fo far 
 neglect as to throw their features into violent diflor- 
 tions, and wear away their lillies and roses in tedious 
 watching and reftlefs lucubrations. I fliould rather 
 obferve, that their chief paflion is an emulation o£ 
 manhood ; which I am the more inclined to believe, 
 becaufe, in fpite of all flanders, their confidence in 
 their virtue keeps them up all night with the moft 
 dangerous creatures of our fcx. It is to me* an un- 
 doubted argument of their eafe of confcience, that 
 they go dlrtclly from church to the gaming-tabk, 
 and fo highly reverence play, as to make it a great 
 part of their exercife on Sundays. 
 
 Th^ TVaier Pcsis are an hinoccnt tribe, and deferve 
 uil the encouragemerit 1 can give them. It would be 
 barbarous to treat tliofe authors with bitternefs, who 
 never ;vrite out oijeafon^ and whole works are ufeful 
 with the waters. I made it my care therefore to fweet- 
 en fome four critics wlio were fliarp upon a few fon- 
 nets, which, to fpeak in the language of the Bath^ 
 •wexQ mtxt Jlkaiies, I took particular notice of a 
 lenitive ekduary, which was wrapt up in fome of thcfe 
 gentle compofitions ; and am perfuaded that the pret^ 
 ty one who took it, was as much relieved by the cov- 
 er as the medicine. There are an hundred general 
 topics put into metre every year, ^nz. The lover is in- 
 famed in the n.valer ; or, he finds his death nvhsre he foitghi 
 his cure ; j^or, the nymph feels her civn pain^ ^without regard- 
 ing her Icver^s tortnetit. Thefe, being forever repeated, 
 have at prefent a very good efleS ; and a phyficiaii 
 aiTures me, that laudanum is almoil out of doors at the 
 Bath. 
 
 Tlie phyficiafts here are very numerous, but very 
 good natured. To thefe charitable gentlemen I owe 
 Jhat I was gured, in a wcak's time, of more dift«m- 
 ■ " ' N-3 - 
 
I5<5 ADDISONIAN MISCELL.\Nr. 
 
 pers than I ever had in my life. They had alnv){l 
 killed me with their humanity. A learned fellow- 
 lodger prefcribed me a little fometh'mg^ at my firft com- 
 jncj;, to keep up my fpirits ; and the next morning I 
 was fo enlivened by another, as to have an order to 
 bleed for my fever. I v/as proffered a cure for the 
 fcurvy by a third, and had a receipt for the dropfy 
 gratis before night. In vain did 1 modeftly decline 
 thefe favours -, for I vi^as awakened early in the morn- 
 ing by the apothecary^ who brought me a dofe from 
 one of my v/ell-wifhers. I payed him, 'but withal 
 told him ieverely. that I never took phylk. My land- 
 lord hereupon took me for an Italian merchant, that 
 fufpecrcd poifon ; but the apothecary, with more 
 fagacity, guelTed that I was certainly a phyfician my- 
 leif. 
 
 Tlie oppreiTion of civilities v/hich I underwent from 
 the fage gentlemen of the faculty, frightened me from 
 making fuch inquiries into the nature of thofe fprings, 
 as would have furnifhed out a nobler entertainment 
 upon the Baih^ than the loofe hints I have now thrown 
 together. Every man who hath received any benefit 
 there, ought, in proportion to his abilities, to improve, 
 adorn, or recommend it : a prince fiiould found hof- 
 pitals ; and the noble and rich may diffufe their am- 
 ple charities. Mr. ^ompicn gave a clock to the Bath \ 
 and I, ISieJler Ironftdcy have dedicated a Guardian. 
 
 Guardian, Vol. II. No. 174. 
 
 BEARDS. 
 
 VV HEN I was laft with my friend Sir Jloger, in. 
 tV?(iminj}er'-Ahleyi I obfcrved that he ftood Icnger than 
 ordinary before the baft of a venerable old man. I 
 was at a lofs to guefs the reafon of it, when after fome 
 *iiiie he pointed at the figure, and afked me if I 
 4id not think that our forefathers looked much wifer 
 in their beards than we do without them : for my 
 part, fays he, when I am walking in my gallery in the. 
 ^omitry, and fee my auccftors, who many of them died 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELJLANY. 151 
 
 before they were of my age, I cannot forbear regard- 
 ing them as fo many old patriarchs, and at the fame 
 time looking upon myfelf as an idle fmockfaced young 
 fellow. I love to fee your Abrahams, your I/aacsy and 
 your Jaoohsy as we have them in old pieces of tapeftry,, 
 with beards below their girdles, that cover half the 
 hangings. The knight added, if I would recommend 
 beards in one of my papers, and endeavour to rcftore 
 human faces to their ancient dignity, that upon a 
 month's warning he would undertake to lead up the 
 fafliion hlmfelf in a pair of whifkers. 
 
 I fmiled at my friend's fancy ; but after we parted, 
 could not forbear refle6ling on the metamorphofes our 
 faces have undergone in this particular. 
 
 The beard, conformable to the notion of my friend 
 Sir Roger^ was for many ages looked upon as the type 
 of wifdom. tucian more than once rallies the philofo- 
 phers of his time, who endeavoured to rival one an- 
 other with beards ; and reprefents a learned man who 
 flood for a profeflbrfliip in philofophy, as unqualified 
 for it by the fhortnefs of his beard. 
 
 u'EJianj in his account of Zoiius the pretended critic, 
 ^ who wrote againfl: Homer and Plato, and thought him- 
 felf wifer than all who had gone before him, tells us 
 that this Zoiius had a very long beard that hung down- 
 upon his bread, but no hair upon his head, which 
 he always kept clofe fliaved, regarding, it feems, the. 
 hairs of his head as fo m.any fuckers, which, if they 
 had been fufPered to grow, might have drawn away 
 the nourilhment from his chin, and by that means 
 have ftarved his beard. 
 
 I have read fome where, that one of the popes re- 
 fufed to accept an edition of a faint's works which' 
 were prefented to him, becaufethe faint, in his effigies 
 before the book, was drawn without a beard. 
 
 We fee, by thefe inftances, what homage the world 
 formerly paid to beards ; and that a barber was not 
 then allowed to make thofe depredations on the faces 
 of the learned, which have been, permitted of later 
 years. 
 
 Accordingly, feveral wife nations have been fo ex- 
 
nJ! 
 
 152 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 tremely jealous of the leall: rufHe olFerecl to iheir beards, 'Ijiij 
 that thiy fefiired to have fixed the point cf honour mifi 
 principally in that part. The Spaniards were won- I li 
 derfally tender in this particular. Don ^eve^'oj'm his Itai 
 third vifion on the laft judgment, has eanied thehia- 
 raour very far, when he cells us that one cf his vain- 
 glorious countrymen, after having received fentence, 
 was taken into cuflody by a couple of evilfpirits i fcri 
 but that his. guides happening to diforder his mufta- t 
 choes. they were forced to recompofe them with a t: 
 pair of curling-irons, before they could get him to 
 file oiF. 
 
 If we look into the hiflory of our own nation, v/e 
 fhall find that the beard flouriihed in the Saxo» Hep- 
 tarchy, but was very much difcouraged by the Nor- 
 man line. It (hot out, however, from time to time, 
 in.feveral reigns, under diiterent fliapcs. . The laft 
 effort it made feems to have been in Queen Mary^s 
 days, as the curious reader may find, if he pleafes to 
 perufe the figures of cardinal Poole and bifliop Gardi- 
 ner J though at the fame time I think it may be quef- 
 tioncd, if zeal againfc popery has not induced our 
 proteftant painters to extend the beards of thofe two 
 perfecutors beyond their natural dimensions, in order 
 to make them appear the more terrible. 
 
 I-fiftd but fev/ beards worth taking notice of in the 
 long, reign of king James tlie firfl. 
 
 During the civil wars, there appeared one which 
 makes too great a figure in fbory to be pafied over in 
 filence -, I mean that of the redoubted Hudibras, an ac- 
 count of which Butler has tranfmitted to pollerity in 
 the following lines : 
 
 His ta'wny heard vjos th* equal grace 
 Both of his <xvifdovi and his face ; 
 In cut and dye fo like a tyky 
 A fudden vie-iv it nAJculd heguile ; 
 The icpper part thereof ^-l^j as ^vhey. 
 The netheryorange 7hixt ixithgrsj. 
 
 The whifker continued for fome time among us 
 after the expiration of beards > but this is a fubjcCt 
 
ADDISONIAN l^IISCELLANY: 15'j 
 
 V'hich I fliall not here enter upon, having difcufled it 
 at large in a diftin6t treatife, which I kept by me ia 
 manufcript, upon the mvjlacho. 
 
 If my friend Sir Roger*s proje£l of introducing 
 beards fliould take efFedt, I fear the luxury of the 
 prefent age would make it a very expenfive fafhion. 
 There is no quellion but the beaux would foon pro- 
 vide themfelves with falfc ones of the lighted colours 
 ■and the moft immoderate lengths. A fair beard, of 
 the tapcftry fize Sir Roger feems to approve, could not 
 come under twenty guineas. The famous golden 
 beard of jEfculapius would hardly be more valuable 
 than one made in the extravagance of the fafhion. 
 
 Be fides, we are not certain that the ladies would 
 not come into the mode, when they take the air on 
 horfeback. They already appear in hats and feath- 
 ers, coats and perriwigs ; and I fee no reafon why we 
 may not fuppofe, that they would have their riding 
 Uards on the fame occafion. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. V. No. 331. X. 
 
 BEAUTY. 
 
 JnL friend of mine has two daughters, whom I will 
 call L^titia and Daphne. ' The former is one of the 
 greatefl beauties of the age in which fhe lives, the lat- 
 ter no way remarkable for any charms in her perfon. 
 Upon ihis one clrcumftance of their outward form, 
 the good and ill of their life feems to turn. Ltstitia 
 from her childhood, heard nothing elfe but commen- 
 dations of her fortune and complexion ; by which 
 means flie is no other than nature has made her, a 
 very beautiful outfule. The confcioufnefs of her 
 charms has rendered her infupportably vain and in- 
 folent towards all that have to do with her. Daphne, 
 who was almoil* twenty before one civil thing had 
 been faid to her, found herfelf obliged to acquire 
 fome accompIiOiments to make up for the want of 
 thofe attrat^iions which {lie faw in her fifter. Poor 
 i?.v/^«^ was feldom fubmitted toin a debate wherein 
 
154 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 {he was concerned ; her difcourfe had nothing to r£-- 
 commend it but the good fenfe of it ; and ihe was 
 always under a neceffity to have very well confidered 
 what Ihe was going to t?iy before Ihe uttered it •, while ', 
 Lcetitia was liftened to with partiality, and appiobaticn 
 fat in the countenances of thofe fiie converted v/ith, 
 before fhe communicated what flie had to fay. Thefe 
 caufes have produced fuitable efFecls ; and L^ethiais 
 as infipid a companion, as Daphne is an agreeable one. 
 Z^^-z/V/^?, confident of favour, has ftudied no arts to 
 pleafe ; Duphne^ defpairing of any inclination towards 
 her perfon, has depended only on lier merits Lcstitia 
 has always fomething in her air that is fullen, grave, 
 and difconrolate \ Ijaphne has a countenance that ap- 
 pears cheerful, open, and unconcerned. A young 
 gentleman this v^^inter faw L^stitia at a play> and be- 
 came her captive. His fortune was fiich', that he 
 wanted very little introdudion to fpeak his fentiments 
 to her father. The lover was admitted into the fami- 
 ly, where a concerned behaviour, fevere looks, and 
 diftant civilities, were the highclt favours he could 
 obtain from L^titia 5 while Daphr.e ufed him with the 
 gcod-humcur, familiarity, and innocence of a fider : 
 Infomuch that he would often fay to her, Dear Daph- 
 ne, ^LK^ert ihcu but as harjfonie as Lsititia. — She received 
 this language Vv'ith that ingenuous and pleafing mirth, 
 which is natural to a woman without delign. He 
 itill fighed in vain for Latitia^ but found certani relief 
 in the agreeable converfation of Dafhne, At lengthy 
 heartily tired v/ith the haughty impertinence \:.i Lcetttia^ 
 and charmed with the repeated inftances of good-hu^- 
 mour, Vv'hich he obferved in Z),7/A;;^, he one day told 
 the latter, that he had fomething fcofay to her he hoped 
 file would be pleafcd with — Faitb^ Dapline, (cont:n;ied 
 he,) I am in love 'ivi ill ihee, and defpife thy Jtjltr finceidy. 
 The manner of his declaring himfelf gave'his miflrefs 
 occafion for a very heartv laughter — nay^ fays he, / 
 hnoiv you 'i\:oidd laugh at me, lut VU ojli ycur father. He 
 did fo J the father received his intelligence with no 
 lefs joy than furprifc, and v/as very glad he had nov.- 
 .no care left but for his Beauty, which he thought 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 155? 
 
 he eoulJ carry to market at his leifure. I do not 
 know any thing that has pleafed me lb much, a 
 great while, as this conquell of my friend Daphne's, 
 All her acquaintance congratulate her upon her 
 chance-medley, and laugh at that premeditatiag mur- 
 derer her filter. As it is an argument of aligl.t 
 mind, to think the worfe of ourfelves for the imper- 
 fe(?tions of our perfons, it is equally below us to value 
 ourfelves upon the advantages of them. The fe- 
 male world fecm to be almoll incorrigibly gone aflray 
 Jn this particular ; for which renfon I fliall recom- 
 mend the following extract of a friend's letter to the 
 profefled Beauties, who are a people almoft as infuffer- 
 '.able as the profefled wits. 
 
 " Monfieur ^e St. Evremont has concluded one of 
 •his eilays with affirming, that the lail fighs of an hand- 
 <fome v/oman arc not fo much for the l®fs of her lite as 
 ,cf her beauty. Perhnps this raillery is purfued too 
 far \ yet it is' turned upon a very obvious remark, that 
 woman's ftrongert: paflion is for her own beauty, and 
 that fhe values it as her favourite difli notion. From 
 lienee it is that all arts which pretend to improve or 
 .preferve it, meet with fo general a reception among 
 the fex. To fay nothing of many falfe helps and con- 
 traband wares of beauty, which are daily vended in this 
 great mart, there is not a maiden gentlewoman of a 
 .good family in any county of South Britain, who^ has 
 not heard of the virtues of May dew, or is furnifhcfl 
 with fome receipt or other in favour of her complex- 
 .ion : and I have known a phyfician of learning and 
 fenfe, after eight vears fludy in the univcrfity, and a 
 courfe of travels into mofl countries in Europe, owe 
 ,.the fiift raifing of his fortune to a cofmetic wafh. 
 
 This has given me occafion to confider how fo uni- 
 •verfal a difpofition in womankind, which fprings from 
 -a laudable motive, the defirc of pleafing, and proceeds 
 upon an opinion not altogether groundlefs, that na*- 
 ture maybe helped by art, may be turned ±0 their ad- 
 vantage. And, methlnks, it would be an acceptable 
 icrv ice to take them out of tJie hands of quacks and 
 pretenders^ and to.prevent their impofing upon them- 
 
'\S^ ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 1 
 
 felves, by difcovering to them the true fecret and aft 
 of improving beauty. 
 
 In orde/i to this, before I touch upon it directly, iti 
 'will be neceflary to lay down a few preliminary max| 
 jms, viz. < 
 
 That no woman can be handfome by the force of 
 features alone, any more than {he can be witty only 
 by the help of fpeech. 
 
 That pride deftroys all fymmetry and grace, and af- 
 fe£lation is a more terrible enemy to fine faces than 
 the fmall-pox. 
 
 That no woman is capable of being beautiful, wha 
 is not incapable of being f alfe. 
 
 And, that what would be odious in a friend, is de-j 
 formity in a miftrefs. \ 
 
 From thefe few principles, thus laid down, it will ' 
 be eafy to prove, that the true art of affifting beauty, 
 confifts in embellifhing the whole perfon by the pro- 
 per ornaments of virtuous and commendable qualities. 
 By this help alone it is, that thofe who are the favour- 
 ite work of nature, or, as Mr. Dryden exprefles it, the; 
 porcelain clay of human kind, become animated, and 
 are in a capacity of exerting their charms ; and thofe 
 who feem to be neglected by her, like models wrought 
 in hafte, are capable in a great meafure of finifhmg ' 
 *w hat fhe has left imperfeS. 
 
 It is, methinks, a low and degrading idea"" of ] 
 that fex, which was created to refine the joys and 
 foften the cares of humanity by the moft agreeable 
 participation, to confider- them merely as objects 
 t)f fight. This is abridging them of thdr ^ na- 
 tural extent of power, to put them upon a level with 
 their piftures at Kneller^s. How much nobler is the 
 contemplation of beauty heightened by virtue, and 
 commanding our efteem and love, while it draws our 
 obfervation ! How faint and fpiritlefs are the charms 
 of a coquette, when compared with the real lovelinefs 
 oi Sophroniah innocence, piety, good-humour and truth; 
 virtues which add a new foftnefs to her fex, and even 
 beautify her beauty ! That agreeablenefs which muft 
 otherwife have appeared m longer in the modeft vir- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY 157 
 
 ^In, IS now preferved in the tender mmher, the pru- 
 dent friend, and the faithful wife. Colours artfully 
 fpread upon canvas may entertain the eye, but not af .• 
 fe6l the heart -, and (he who takes no care to add ta 
 the natural graces of her perfon any excelling qualities, 
 may be allowed ftili to amufe, as a picture, but not to 
 triumph as a beauty. 
 
 When j^^am was introduced by Milton^ defcribing 
 Enje in Paradife^ and relating to the angel the imprel- 
 fion he felt upon feeing her at her firft creation, he 
 does not reprefent her like a Grecian Venusy by her 
 Tnape or features, but by the luflre of her mind which 
 (lione in them, and gave them their power of charm- 
 
 Graceful in all herjiepsy Hea'v^n in hereje. 
 In every gejlure dignity and love ! 
 
 Without this eradiating power, the proudeft fair- 
 one ought to know, (whatever her glafs may tell her to 
 the contrary) that her molt perfect features are uni- 
 formed and dead. 
 
 I cannot better clofe this moral, than by a fhort 
 epitaph written by Ben Johnfony with a fpirit which 
 nothing could infpire but fuch an objed: as I have 
 beea defcribing ; 
 
 Underneath thisjlone dcth lie 
 As 7nuch virtue as could die ; 
 Whichy <when alivcy did vigour gi-ve 
 ^0 as much heauty as could live. 
 
 Splctator, Vol. L No. 33. R« 
 
 There is nothing which gives one fo pleafing a 
 profpeft of human nature, as tke contemplation o£ 
 wifdom and beauty. The latter is the peculiar por- 
 tien of that fex which is therefore called fair; but 
 the happy concurrence of both thefe excellencies in the 
 fame peribn, is a character too celeftial to be frequent- 
 ly met with. Beauty is an over-weaning, felf-fuffi- 
 cient thing, carelefs of providing itfelf any more fub- 
 ftantial ornaments ; nay, fo little does it confult its 
 own interefls, that it too often defeats itfelf, by be* 
 
 O 
 
158 ' ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 fraying that innocence which renders it lovely and derlil 
 {arable. As therefore virtue makes a beautiful wo- ^-, 
 man appear more beautiful, fo beauty makes a virtuous| 
 woman really more virtuous. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. IV. No. 302. T. 
 
 BEINGS. 
 
 JL HOUGH there is a great deal of pleafure in con- 
 templating the material world, by which I mean that 
 fyftem of bodies into which nature has fo curioully J 
 wrought the mafs of dead matter, with the feveral rela- 
 tions which thofe bodies bear to one another ; there is 
 ftill, methinks, fomething^more wonderful and furpri- 
 iing In contemplations on the world of life, by which I 
 mean all thofe animals with which every part of the 
 univerfeis fuinifhed. The material world is only the 
 iliell of the univerfe : the world of life are its inhabit- 
 ants. 
 
 If we confider thofe parts of the material world 
 which lie the neareft to us, and are therefore fubje6fc 
 to our obfervations and inquiries. It is amazing to con- 
 fider the infinity of animals with which it is (locked. 
 Every part of matter is peopled : every green leaf 
 fwaims with inhabitants : there is fcarce a fingle hu- 
 mour in the body of man, or of any other animal, in 
 which our glafles do not difcover myriads of living 
 creatures. The furface of animals is likewifc cover- 
 ed with other animals, which are in the fame manner 
 the bails of other animals that live upon It. Nay, we 
 iind in the moft folld bodies, as in marble itfelf, innu- 
 merable cells and cavities, that are crowded with fuch 
 imperceptible inhabitants, as are too little for the na- 
 ked eye to difcover. On the other hand if we look 
 into the more bulky parts of nature, we fee the feas, 
 lakes, and rivers, teeming with numberlefs kinds of 
 living creatures i we find every mountain and marfir, 
 wildernefs and wood, plentifully flocked with birds 
 aud beail* ; and every part of matter affording proper 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 15^ 
 
 neceflaries and conveniences for the livelihood of mul- 
 titudes which inhabit it. 
 
 The author of the Plurality of Worlds draws a very 
 g03d argument from this confideration, for th^ peopling 
 of every planet •, as indeed it feenis very probable, 
 from the analogy of reafon, that if no part of matter, 
 which we are acquainted with, lies wafte and ufelefs, 
 thofe great bodies which are at fuch a diftance from 
 us, (liould not be defart and unpeopled, but rather 
 they fliould be furnifhed with beings adapted to their 
 refpe6live fituations. 
 
 Exiftence is only a blefling to thofc beings which 
 are endowed with perception, and is in a manner 
 thrown away upon dead matter, any farther than as it 
 i; fubfervient to beings which are confcious of their ex- 
 igence. Accordingly we find, from the bodies which 
 lie under our obfervation, that matter is made only as 
 the bads and fupport of animals ; and that there is 
 no more of one, than what is necefTary for the exift- 
 ence of the other. 
 
 Infinite goodnefs is of fo communicative a nature, 
 that it feems to delight in the conferring of exiftence 
 upon every degree of perceptive being. As this is a 
 fpeculation which I have often purfued with- great 
 pleafuire to myfelf, I fhall enlarge farther upon it, b-y 
 confidering that part of the fcale of beings which 
 comes within our knowledge. 
 
 There are fome living creatures which are raifed 
 but juft above dead matter. To mention only that 
 fpecies of ftiell-£ft», which are formed in th<j tafliion 
 of a cone, that grow t© the furface of feveral rocks, 
 and immediately die upon being fevered from the 
 place where they grow. There are many other crea- 
 tures but one remove from thefe, which nave no oth- 
 er fenfebefides that of feeling and tafte ; others have 
 ftill an additional one of hearincr, othdis of fmell, and 
 others of fight. It is wondcriul to obferve, by what 
 a gradual progrefs thev/orld of life advances tnrough 
 a prodigious variety of fpecie.^, before a creature is 
 formed that is complete in all its fenfes ; and even 
 among^ thefe there is fuch a diftcrent degree of p,^r-- 
 
:i6o ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 fe£lion in the fenfe which one animal enjoys beyonci 
 what appe:#s in another, that though the fenfe in dif- 
 fercHt animals be diflinguiflied by the fame common 
 denomination, it feems almoft of a different nature. 
 If after this we look into the feveral inward perfec- 
 tions of cunning and fagacity, ©r what we generally 
 call inftinft, we find them rifing after the fame man- 
 ner imperceptibly one above another, and receiving ad- 
 ditional improvements, according to the fpecies in 
 which they are implanted. This progrefs in nature 
 38 fo very gradual, that the moft perfeft of an inferior 
 fpecies comes very near to the mod imperfed of that 
 T/hich is immediately above it. 
 
 The exuberant and overflowing goodnefs of the 
 Supreme Being, whofe mercy extends to all his 
 ■works, is plainly feen, as I have before hinted, from 
 his having made fo very little matter, atleaft what 
 falls within our knowledge, that does not fwarm 
 •with life ; nor is his goodnefs lefs feen in the diver- 
 /ity than in the multitude of living creatures. Had 
 he only made one fpecies of animals, none of the reft 
 would have enjoyed the happinefs of exiftence. He 
 has therefore fpecified in his creation every degree of 
 life, every capacity of being. The whole chafm of 
 nature, from a plant to a man, is filled up with di- 
 vers kinds of creatures rifing one over another, by 
 fuch a gentle and eafy afcent, that the little tranfi- 
 tions and deviations from one fpecies to another are 
 almoft infenfible. This intermediate fpace is fo well 
 hulbanded and managed, that there is fcarce a de- 
 gree of perception which does not appear in fome one 
 part of the world of life. Is the goodnefs or wifdom 
 of the Divine Being more manifested in this his pro- 
 ceeding ? 
 
 There is a confequence befides thofe I have alrea- 
 dy mentioned, which feems very naturally deduci- 
 bk from the foregoing confiderations. If the fcale 
 of being rifes, by fuch a regular progrefs, fo high as 
 man, we may by a parity of reafon fuppofe that it 
 {till proceeds gradually through thofe beings which 
 are of a fuperior nature to him ; fince there is an iu- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. i6r 
 
 uuitely greater fpace and room for different degrees of 
 perfedion between the Supreme Being and Man, 
 than between man and the mod defpicable infeft. 
 The coniequence of To great a variety of beings, 
 which are fuperior to us, from that variety which is 
 inferior to us, is made by Mr. Locke, in a paflage 
 which I flrall here fet down, after having premifv^d 
 that, notwitlidanding there is fuch infinite room be- 
 tween Man and his Maker for the creative .power to 
 exert itfelf in, it is impofTible that it (liould ever be 
 filledup, fince there will be ftill an infinite gap or 
 dillance between the higheil created being . and the 
 power which produced him. 
 
 That there fhould be vaoxQ /pedes of intelligent crea- 
 tures above us, than there are of fenfible or material 
 below us, is probable to me from hence -, that in all tlie 
 corporeal world we fee no chafms, or no gaps. All 
 quite down from us the defcent is by eafy fteps, and 
 a continued feries of things that in each remove differ 
 very little one from the other. There are fiflies that 
 have wings, and are not ftrangers to the airy region ; 
 and there are fome birds, that are inhabitants of the 
 water, whofe blood is as cold as fifhes, and their fleih 
 fo like in tafte, that the fcrupulous are allowed them 
 -on lifli days. There are animals fo near akin both to 
 birds and beafts, that they are in the middle between 
 both. Amphibious animals link the terreflrial and 
 aquatic together \ feals live at land and at fea, and 
 porpoifes have the warm blood and entrails of a hog ^ 
 not to mention what is confidently reported of mer- 
 maids or fea-men. There are fome brutes that feeni 
 to have as much knowledge and reafon as fome that 
 are called men j and the animal and vegetable king- 
 doms are fo nearly joined, that if you will take the 
 Jowefl of oae, and the highefl of the other, there will 
 fearce be perceived any great difi'erence between them 
 and fo on, till we come to the very loweft and tlie 
 moll inorganical parts of matter, we fhall find every 
 where that the feveral fpecies are linked together, and • 
 difler but in almoft infenfible degrees. And when we 
 QoaHder x\m infiiiite power and wifdom of the Maker, 
 
 U 2 
 
n52 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 we have reafon to think, that it is fuitable to the mag- 
 nificent harmony of the univerfe, and the gfeat de- 
 fign and infinite goodnefs of the Architect, that the 
 /lecies of creatures fhould alfo, by gentle degrees, af- 
 -cend upward from us toward his infinite perfedion, 
 as we fee they gradually defcend from us downwards : 
 which if it be probable, we have reafon then to be 
 perfuaded, that there are far more fpecies of creatures 
 above us, than there are beneath ; we being in de- 
 grees of perfection much more remote from the infi- 
 nite being of God, than we are from the loweft flate 
 of being, and that which approaches neareft to noth- 
 ing. And yet of all thofe diftincty^t'aVi we have no 
 clear diftinft ideas.^^ 
 
 In this fyflem of being, there is no creature fo won- 
 derful in its nature, and which fo much deferves our 
 particular attention, as Man, who fills up the middle 
 fpace between the animal and intellectual nature, the 
 vifible and invifible world ; and is that link in the 
 chain of beings which has been often termed the «'*•- 
 us utriu'fque mundu So that he who in one refpect is af- 
 lociated with angels and. .arch-angels, may look upon 
 a Being of infinite perfection as his father, and the 
 higheit order of fpirits as his brethren, may in an- 
 other refpe6t fay to ccrrupiion, thou art my father ; and ta 
 the <vjormj thou art my 7nother and myjtjter. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VII. No. 519. O.. 
 
 BILLS OF MORTALITY.. 
 
 \j PON taking my feat in a coffee -houfe, I often. 
 <!raw the eyes of the whole roo»i upon me when in- 
 the hotteft feafons of news, and at a time perhaps that 
 the Dutch mail is juft come in, they hear me afk the 
 coffee-man for his laft week's bill of mortality. I find 
 1 have been taken fometimes on this occafion for a 
 parifii SextoTiy fometimes for an Undertaker, and fome- 
 times for a Do£t©r of phyfic. In this however I am. 
 
 fuided by the fpLrit of a philofopher, as I take occa- 
 _on from hence \q reflect "pow the regular increafe 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 163 
 
 Tind dlmIni',ion of mankinOj ano. c-hfider the feveral 
 various ways through which we pafs ftom Hfe to im- 
 mortahty, I am very weli pN=afc:d with thefe weekly 
 admonitions that bring into luy mind fuch thoughts as 
 ought to be the daily entertainment of every reafona- 
 ble creature, and confuler with pleafure to myfeh'"^ by 
 wiiich of thofe deliverances, or as we commonlv call 
 thern, diitempers, I may polhbly make my efcape 
 out of this worl'/. of forrows into that condition of ex- 
 jftencc wiicrein I hope to be happier than it is pofTible 
 for me at prefeiit to conceive. 
 
 But this is not all the ufe I make of the above- 
 mentioned wr— kl/ paper. A bill of mortality is, in. 
 my opi.rion, an unanfwerable argument for a Provi- 
 dence. How can we, without fuppofing ourfelvea 
 under the coi.ftant care of a Supreme Being, give any 
 poihble account for that nice proportion which ws 
 find in every great city between the deaths and births 
 of its inhabitants, and between the number of males 
 and that of females who are brought into the world ? 
 What elfe could adjuft in fo exadt a manner the re- 
 cruits of every nation to its lofles, and divide thefe 
 new fupplies of people into fuch equal bodies of both 
 fcxes ? Chance could never hold the balance with fo 
 Heady a hand. Were we not counted out by an in- 
 telligent Supervifor, we fhould fom.etimes be over- 
 charged with multitudes, and at others wafte away in- 
 to a defart : we fhould be fometimes a Po/u/us k'tcrum^ 
 as Florus elegantly exprefles it, a generation of miles 'y 
 and at others, a fpecies of women. We may extend 
 this confideration to every fpecies of living creatures,, 
 and confider the whole animal world as an huge ar- 
 my made up of innumerable corps, if I may ufe that 
 term, whofe quotas have been kept entire near five 
 thoufand years, in fo wonderful a manner, that there 
 is not probably a fmgle fpecies loft during this long 
 traO: of time. Could we have general bills of mor- 
 tality of every kind of animals, or particular ones o£ 
 every fpecies in each continent and iiland, I could al- 
 moll fay in every wood, marfli, or mountain, wh*at 
 
i6| ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 aftonifiiing inllances would they be of that Provi- 
 dence which watches over all its v/crks ! 
 
 I have heard of a great man in the Romijh Churchy 
 who, upon reading thofe words in the 5th Chapter of 
 Genelis--A7:d all the days that Adam lii.gci^ ivcre r:if:e hundred: 
 and t hirf\y years y and he died j ant all the days ^/'Seth nxera. 
 nir.e hundred t'ivelve years ^ and hs died ; and all the days of 
 Methufebh ivere nine hundred ard fixty-nine years^ and he 
 dtea ; immrdiateiy fhut hirrjfelf up in a Convent, and 
 retired from the world, as not thinking any thing in? 
 this Hfe woith purfuing, which had no^ regard to an- 
 other. 
 
 The truth of it is, there is- nothing in hiflory which ' 
 is fo improving to the reader'as thofe accounts which ^ 
 we meet with of the deaths of eminent perfons, and 
 of their beliaviour in that drer.dful feafon. I may alfo 
 add, that there are no parts in hiftory which affe6t 
 and pleafe the reader in fo fenfibl'i a manner. The 
 reafon I take to be this, becaufe there is no other lingle 
 circumftance in the flory of any perfon, which can 
 poflibly be the cafe of every one who reads it. A 
 battle or a trium.ph are corije£lures in which not one 
 in a million is hkely to be engaged; but when we 
 fee a perfon et the point of death, we cannot foibeur 
 being attentive to every thing he fays or does, becaufe 
 we are fure that fome time or other we fliall ourfelvec 
 be in the fame melancholy circumftances. The Gen- 
 eral, the Statefman, or the Philofopher, are perhaps 
 characters which- we may* never act in ; but the dy- 
 ing m.an is one whom fooner or later we fhail certain- 
 ly refemble. 
 
 It is perhaps for the fame kind of reafon that few 
 books written in Englifh have been fo much perufed 
 as Dr. Sherlock's difcourfe upon death -, though at the 
 fame time Imuft own, that he who has n©t perufed 
 this excellent piece, has not perhaps read one of ihe 
 flrongeft perfuafives, to a religious life that ever was 
 written in any language. 
 
 The confideration with which I (hall clofe this ef- 
 fay upon death, is one of the moil ancient a^id mofl 
 beaten moral§ \\ux have been-rccomraeuded to par^-- 
 
ADDSONIAN MISCELLANY. 165 
 
 kind : But its being fo very common, and fo univer- 
 fally received, though it takes away from it the grace 
 of novelty, adds very much to the vi^eight of it, as it 
 (hews that it falls in with the general fenfe of man- 
 kind. In {hort, I would have every one confider, that 
 he is in this life nothing more than a paflenger, and 
 that he is not to fet up his reft here, but to keep an 
 attentive eye upon that ftate of being to which he 
 approaches every moment, and which will be forever 
 fixed and permanent. This fingle confideration 
 would be fuflicient to extinguifli the bitternefs of ha- 
 tred, the thirft of avarice, and the cruelty of ambi- 
 tion. 
 
 I am very much pleafed with the paflage of Jnti- 
 phanesy'3. very ancient poet, who lived near an hundred 
 years before Soerates, which reprefcnts the life of man 
 under this view, as I have here tranflated it, word for 
 word. " Be not grieved, (fays he) above meafure for 
 thy deceafcd friends ; they are not dead, but have on- 
 ly finiflied that journey which it is neceCary for every 
 one of us to take. We ourfelves muft go to that great 
 place of reception, in which they are all of them af- 
 lembled, and in this general ren^lezvous of mankind^, 
 live together in another ftage of being." 
 
 I think I have in a forai:;r paper taken notice of 
 thofe beautiful metaphors in fcripture, where life is 
 termed a pilgrimage, and thofe who pafs through it 
 are called ftraiigers and fojourners upon earth. I fhall 
 conclude this with a ftory. which 1 have fomewhere 
 read in the travels of Sir jolm Char din. That gentle- 
 man after having told us that the Inns which receive 
 the Caravans in Perfia, ajid the eaftern countries, are 
 called by the name of Cara^oanjariesy gives us a relation 
 to the following purpofe : 
 
 A Dervife, travelling through Tartary, being arrived 
 at the town of Balky went into the king's pahce by 
 miftake, as thinking it to be a public inn or caravanfii- 
 ry. Having looked about him foV fome time, he en- 
 tered into a long gallery, where he laid down his wal- 
 let and fpread his carpet, in order to repofe himfelf 
 upon itj after the manner of the eaftern nations. He 
 
\66 ADDISONIAN MIoCELLANY. 
 
 had not been long in this poflure before he; was dif- 
 covered by fome of the guards, who afked him what 
 was his bufmefs in that place : The Der^vife told him 
 he intended to take up his nights lodging in that cara^ 
 vanfary. The guards let him knov/ in a very angry 
 manner, that the houfc he was in was not a caravan- 
 fary, but the king^s palace. It happened that the king 
 himfelf paiTed through the gallery during this debate, 
 and fmiling at the miftake of the Dervijey afked him 
 how he could. pofTibly be fo dull as not to diftinguifh 
 a palace from a caravanfary : Sir, fays the Der^ji/c, give 
 me leave to afk your Majefty a queftion or two : Who 
 were the perfons who lodged in this houfe when Jt 
 was firft built ? The king replied, his Ancefiors, And 
 who fays the Dervi/e, was the laft- perfon that lodged 
 here ? The king replied, his Father. And who is, 
 fays the Der^ife^ the perfon that lodges here at pre- 
 fent ? The king told him, it nvat he himfelf. And who, 
 fays he, will be here after you ? The king anfwered^ 
 the young Prince his Son. Ah, Sir, fays the Der<vife^ a 
 houfe that changes its inhabitants fo olten, and receives 
 fuch a perpetual fucceflion of guefts, is not a palace, 
 but a caravanfary. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. IV. No. 289. L. 
 
 BLOCKHEADS. 
 
 HEN I came to ihe Coflfee-Houfe this evening-, 
 the man of the houfe delivered me a book very finely 
 bound.- When I received it, I overheard one of the 
 boys whifper another, and fay, it was a fine thing to 
 be a great fcholar I What a pretty book that is T It 
 has indeed a very gay outfidc, and is dedicated to me 
 by a very ingenious gentleman, who does not put his 
 name to it. The title of it, for the work is in Latin^ 
 is, Epiflolarum Obfcurorurn Vtrorum^ ad Dom. M. Ortuinum 
 Grctium, Vohmnia U. &c., — " The epiitles of the ob- 
 fcuie writers to Ortuinusy^ &:g. The purpofe of the 
 work is fignified in the dedication, in very elegant 
 language and fine raillery. It feems this is a colleo*- 
 
 I 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 1^7 
 
 tfon of letters, which fome profound blockheads who 
 lived before our times, have written in honour of each 
 other's abfurdities. They are moflly of the German 
 iiatlons, whence from time to time an inundation of 
 writers have flowed, more pernicious to the learned 
 world, than the fwarms of Gcths and Vandals to the 
 politic. It is, methinks, wonderful, that fellows 
 iliouldbe awake and utter fuch incoherent conceptions, 
 and converfe with great graviiy like learned men, 
 without the Ieart;tafle of knowledge or good fenfe. It 
 would have been an endlefs labour to have taken any- 
 other method of expofmg fuch impertinences, than by 
 an edition of their own works, where you fee their 
 follies, according to the ambition of fuch virtuofi, in 
 a moiC correal edition. 
 
 Looking over thefe accompliilied labours, I could 
 not but refle(Sl upon the immenfe load^^of writings 
 which the commonality of fcholars have puflied into 
 tke world, and the abfurdity of parents, who educate 
 crowds to fpend their time in purfuit of fuch cold and 
 fprightlefs endeavours to appear in public. It feems 
 therefore a fruitlefs labour, to attempt the corre£lioii 
 of the tafte of our cotemporaries, except it was in 
 our power to burn all the fenfelefs labours of our an- 
 ceflors. There is a fecret propen&ty in nature, from 
 generation to generation, in the blockheads of one 
 age, to admire thofe of another ; and men of the fame 
 imperfections are as great admirers of each other, as 
 thofe of the fame abilities. 
 
 This great mifchief of voluminous follies, proceeds 
 from a misfortune which happens in all ages, that 
 men of barren geniufes, but fertile imaginations, are 
 bred fcholars. This may at firft appear a paradox ; 
 but when we confider the talking creatures we meet hi 
 public places, it will no longer be fuch. Ralph ShaU 
 Iffiv is a young fellow that has not by nature any the 
 leaft propenfity to ftrike into what has not been ob- 
 ferved and faid, every day of his life, by others : But 
 with that inability of fpeaking any thing that is uncom- 
 mon, he has a great readlnefs at what he can fpeak of, 
 aiid his imaginatign ruiis iuto #\11 the different views of 
 
io8 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 the fubjtcl he treats of in a moment. If Ralph had 
 learning added to the common chit-chat of the town,he 
 would have been a difputant upon all topics that ever 
 were confidcred by men of his own genius. As for 
 my part, I never am teazed by any empty town-fellow, 
 but I blefs my ftars that he was not bred a fchohr. 
 This addition we muft confider, would have made him 
 capable of maintaining his follies ; • his being in the 
 wrong would have been :protected by fuitabie argu- 
 ments ; and when he was hedged in by logical terms 
 and falfe appearances, you muft have owned yourfelf ^ 
 convinced before you could then have got rid of him, 
 and the fliame of his triumph had been added to the 
 pain of his impertinence. 
 
 There is a lort of littlenefs in the minds of men of 
 wrong fenfe, which makes them much more infuffer- 
 able than me^ ^ fools, and has the farther inconvenience 
 of being attended by an endlefs loquacity ; for which 
 -reafon it would be a very proper work if fome well- 
 wifher to human fociety would confider the terms up- 
 on which people meet in public places, in order to 
 prevent the unfeafonable declamations which we meet 
 v/ith there. I remember in my youth it was an hu- 
 mour at theuniverfity, when a fellow pretended to be 
 more eloquent than ordinary, and had formed to him- 
 felfa plot to gain ail our admiration, or triumph over 
 us with an argument, to either of which he had no 
 manner of call ; I fay, in either of thefe cafes, it was 
 the humour to fliut one eye. This whimfical way of 
 taking- notice ta him of his abfurdity, has prevented 
 many a man from being a coxcomb. If amongfl 
 us, on fuch an occafion, each man offered a voluntary 
 rhetorician fome fnuff, it would probably produce the 
 lame efFe61:. As the matter now ftands, whether a 
 man will or not,he is obliged to be informed in what- 
 <iver another pleafes to entertain him with, though the 
 preceptor makes thefe advances out of vanity, and not 
 to inltrudl, but infult him. 
 
 There is no man will allow him who wants cour- 
 age, to be called a good foldier ; but men who want 
 good fenfe are very frequently not only allowed to be 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. i6^ 
 
 '' icholars but efteemed for being fuch. At the fame 
 time it muft be granted that as courage is the natural 
 parts of a foldier, fo is a good under Handing of a fchol- 
 ar. Such little minds as thefc, whofe produdlions are 
 colIe6led in a volume to which I have the honour to 
 be patron, are the inflruments for artful men to work 
 with, and become popular with the unthinking part o£ 
 mankind. In courts, they make tranfparent flatterers ; 
 in camps, oftentatious bullies ; in colleges unintelligi- 
 ble padants ; and their faculties are ufed accordingly 
 by thofe who lead them. 
 
 When a man who wants judgment is admitted into 
 the converfation of reafonable men, he (hall remember 
 fuch improper circumdanccs, and draw fuch ground- 
 lefs conciufions from their difcourfe, and that witb 
 fuch colour of fenle, as would divide the befl fet o£ 
 company that could be got together. It is juft thus 
 with a fool who has a familiarity with books : Her 
 ihall quote and recite one author againfl another, in 
 fuch a manner as fhall puzzle the befl underftanding 
 to refute him ; thougli the moft ordinary capacity may; 
 c-bferve, that it is only ignorance that makes the intri- 
 cacy. AH the true ufe of what we call learning is 
 to enoble and improve our natural faculties, and 
 not to difguife our imperfecSlions. It is therefore 
 in vain for folly to attempt to conceal itfelf by the ref- 
 uge of learned language. Literature does but make 
 a man more eminently the thing which nature made 
 him ; and Pclyglottes^ had he ftudied Icfs than he I\as, 
 ^nd writ only in his mother tongue, had been knowR 
 only in Great Britain for a pedant. 
 
 Tatler, Vol. IV. No. 197. 
 
 BLINDNESS. 
 
 y V HILE others are bufied in relatioifs which con- 
 cern the interefts of princes, the peace of nations, and 
 the revolutions of empires, I think (though thefe are 
 very great fubje£ls) my theme of difcourfe is fome- 
 times to be of matters of a much higher gonfjderatiQm 
 
-170 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 The flow fleps of Providence and Nature, and ftrangc 
 
 - CA^ents which are brought about in an inftant, are 
 
 what, as they come within our view and obfervation, 
 
 Ihall be given to the public. Such things arc not ac- 
 
 , companied with fliow and noife, and therefore feldom 
 
 . draw the eyes of the inattentive part of mankind, but 
 
 are very proper at once to exercife our humanity, 
 
 pleafe our imaginations, and improve our judgments,. 
 
 it may not be therefore unufeful to relate many cir- 
 
 cumftances which were obfervable upon a late cure 
 
 done upon a young gentleman who was born blind, 
 
 and on the 2^th of June laft received his fight, at 
 
 , the age of twenty years, by the operation ef an oc- 
 
 . culift. This happened no farther ofF than Ne'witig- 
 
 0on ; and the work was prepared for in the following 
 
 .manner : 
 
 The operator, Mr. Grants having obferved the eyes 
 f of his patient, and convinced his friends and relations, 
 among others the Reverend Mr. Cafwell^ miniflcr of 
 the place, that it was highly probable he could remove 
 the obftacle which prevented the ufe of his fight. AH 
 his acquaintance who had any regard for the young 
 inan or curiofity to be prefent when one of full ngc 
 and underftanding received a new fenfe, aflembled 
 ihemfelves on this occafion. Mr. Cafvcell being a gen- 
 tleman particularly curious, d^fired the whole compa- 
 ny in cafe the blindnefs fliould be curedj to keep fecret, 
 and let the patient make his own obfervations, without 
 the direction of any thing he had received by his 
 other fenfes, or the advantage of difcovernig his friends 
 ijy their voices. Among feyeral others, the mother, 
 Jbrethren, fifters, aud a young gentlewoman for whom 
 he had a paflion, were prefent. The work was per- 
 formed with great fkill and dexterity. When the pa- 
 tient firft received the dawn of lignt, there appeared 
 fuch an extacy in his a£tion, that he feemed ready to 
 fwoon away in furprife of joy and wonder. The lur- 
 geon flood before him witn his inftruments in his 
 hands. The young man obferved him from head to 
 foot ; after which he furveyed himfelf as carefully, 
 ,^nd feemed to compare him. to himfelf 5 and obferving 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ift 
 
 both their hands, feemed to think they were exactly ^ 
 alike, except the inllruments which he took for parts of 
 his hands. When he had continued in this amaze- 
 ment for foms time, his mother could not longer bear 
 the agitations of fo many paflions as thronged upon 
 her ;■ but fell upon his neck, crying out, My Son, my 
 Hon ! The youth knew her voice, and otould fpeak no 
 more than, O me ! are you my mother ? and faint- 
 ed. The whole room. you will eafily conceive, were 
 very ajletlionately employed in recovering him ; but 
 above all, the young gentlewoman who loved him, and 
 whom he loved, fliriekcd in the loudefl manner. That 
 voice feemed to have a fudden effedl upon him as he 
 recovered, and he Hiewed a double curiofity in obferv- 
 ing her as (he fpoke, and called to him ; till at lad hi:- 
 broke out, V/hat has been done to mc ? Whither am 
 1 carried ? Is all this about me the thing I have fo of- 
 ten heard of ? Is this the light ? Is this feeing ? Were 
 you always thus happy, when you friid you were al- 
 ways glad to fee each other ? Wliere is Tcm who ufed 
 to lead me ? But I could now, methinks go any where 
 without him. He offered to move, but feemed afraid 
 o-f every thing around him. When they faw his dif- 
 ikulty, they told him, till he became better acquaint- 
 ed with liis new being, he mufb let the fervant ftill 
 lead him. The boy was called for and prefented to 
 him. Mr. Cajhuel/ afked hirn what fort of being he 
 tcjok Tom to b'^ before he had feen him. He anfwer--^ 
 cd, he believed there was not fo much of him as of 
 himfelf ; but he fancied him the fame fort of crea- 
 ture. The noife of this fudden change made all the 
 neighbourhood throng to the place where he was. As 
 he faw the crowd thickening, he defired Mr. Ca/weU 
 to tell him how many there were in all to be feen,^ • 
 The gentleman fmiling, anfwered him, that it would 
 be very proper for him to return to his late condition, 
 and fufier his eyes to be covered till they had received 
 ftrength ♦, for he might remember well enough, that 
 by degrees he had from little and little come to the 
 ibength he had at prefent, in his ability of walking and - 
 moving •, and that it was the fame thing with his eyes^^ 
 
J 72 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 "which he faid would lofe the power of continuing to. 
 him that wonderful tranfport he was now in, except 
 he would be contented to lay afide the ofe of them 
 lill they were ftrong enough to bear the light without 
 io much feeling as he knew he underwent at prefent. 
 With much reluctance he was prevailed upon to have 
 his eyes bound, in which condition they kept him in a 
 dark room, till it was proper to let the organ receive 
 3ts obje6ls without further precaution. During the time 
 of this darknefs he bewailed himfelf in the moft dif- 
 irefTed manner, and accufed all his friends, compl^iin- 
 jng that fome incantation had been wrought upon him, 
 and fome ftrange magic ufed to deceive him into an 
 opinion that he had enjoyed what they call (ight. He 
 added, that the imprefnons then let in upon his foul 
 Vv'ould certainly diftradt him, if he were not fo at 
 prefent. At another time he would drive to name the 
 perfons he had feen among the crowd after he was 
 couched, and w©uld pretend to fpeak, in perplexed 
 ierms of his own making, of v\hat he in that fliort 
 time obferved. But on the 6th inftant it was thought 
 proper to unbind his head ; and the young woman 
 whom he loved was inflrucled to open his eyep ac- 
 cordingly, as well to endear herfelf to liim by fuch a 
 circumftance as to moderate his extacies by the per- 
 fuafion of a voice which had fo much power over him 
 as hers ever had.. When this beloved young woman 
 began to take off the binding off his eyes, ilie talked to 
 feim as follows : 
 
 ** Mr. William^ I am now taking the binding off; 
 though when I confider what I am doing, I tremble 
 with the apprehenfion, that (though I have from my 
 very childhood loved you, dark as you were, and 
 though you had conceived fo ftrong a love for me, 
 yet) you will find that there is fuch a thing as Beauty, 
 which may enfnare you into a thoufand pafTions, of 
 which you are now innocent, and take you from me 
 forever. But before I put myfelf to that hazard, tell 
 me in what manner that love you always profeffed to 
 me, ever entered into your heart j for its ufual admif- 
 fiou is at the eyes." 
 
ADDISQN'IAN MISCELLANY. 173 
 
 The young man anfwered/ "Dear £>><//«, if ' I am 
 to loie my fight, the foft pantings which I have always 
 feh- when I heard your voice ; if I am no more to dif- 
 tingui{h the flep or her I love when fhe approaches 
 me, but to change that fweet and frequent pleafure 
 for fuch an amazement as I knew the Httle time I late- 
 ly faw ; or, If I am to have any thing befides whicli 
 may take from me the fenfe I have of what appeared 
 moll pleafing to me at that time (which apparition it: 
 feems was you) pull out thefe eyes before they kad mc 
 to be ungrateful to you or unto myfelf. I wifli for 
 them but to fee you ; pull thena out, if they are to 
 make me forget you." 
 
 Lyc/ia was extremely fatisfied with thefe aflurances., 
 and pleafed herfelf with playing with his perplexities. 
 In all his talk to her, he Inewed but very faint ideas o£ 
 any tiling which had not been received at the ears, 
 and clofed his proteltations to her by faying, that i£ 
 he Vv'ere to fee Falentia and Barcelona whom he fuppof- 
 ed the moft efteemed of all women,' by the quarrel 
 there was about them, he would never like any other 
 but Lydia, 
 
 Tatler^-VoI. ILNa55/ 
 
 BOOKS. 
 
 RISTOTLE tells us, that the world is a copy ef 
 tranfcript of thofe ideas which are in the mind of the 
 firil being *, and that thofe ideas which are in the mind 
 of in;in, are a tranfcript of the world. To this we 
 may add, that words are the tranfcript of thofe ideas 
 whi'ch are in the mind of man, and that writing oc 
 printing are <-he tranfcript of words. 
 
 As the Supreme Being has exprefled, and as it were 
 printed his ideas in the creation, men exprefs their ideas 
 in books, which by the great invention of thefe latter 
 ages may laft as long as tlie fon and moon, and periih 
 only in the wreck ofnature. Thus Co^ley^ in his po- 
 em on the refurredlion, mentioning the deitruftiot* c£ 
 the univerfe, has thofe admirable lines ; 
 
174 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 I 
 
 iVIp^l; all the nvide extended Jky^ 
 
 And all the harmonious nxorlds on highy 
 
 And VirgilV /acred works , Jhall die. 
 
 There is no other mclhod of fixhig thofe thought* 
 which arife and difappear in the mind of man, and 
 tranfmitting them to the laft period of tim.e •, no other 
 method of giving permanency to our ideas, and pre- 
 ferving the knowledge of any particular perfon, when 
 his body is mixed with the common mafs of matter^ 
 and his foul retired into the world of fpirits. Books 
 are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind, 
 ■which are delivered down from generation to gene- 
 ration, as prefents to the pofterity of thofe who are 
 _yet unborn. 
 
 All other arts of perpetuating our ideas continue but 
 a fliort time. Statues can laft but a few thoufand of 
 jears, edifices fewer, and colours ftill fewer than ed~ 
 ifices. Michael Angelo^ Fontana^ and Rafhael^ will here- 
 after be what Phidias^ Fitru^ius, and Appelles^ are at 
 prefent j the names of great ftatuaries, architects, and 
 painters, whofe works are loft. The feveral arts are 
 cxprefled in mouldering materials : Nature finks un- 
 «der them, and is not able to fupport the ideas whicb 
 are imprefled upon it. 
 
 The circumftance which gives authors an advantage 
 above all thofe great mafters, is this *, that they can 
 multiply their originals, or rather can make copies of 
 their works, to what number they pleafe, which fliall 
 te as valuable]|as the originals themfelves. This gives 
 a great author fomething like a profpeti: of eternity, 
 but at the fame time deprives him of thofe other ad- 
 vantages which artifts meet with. The artift finds- 
 greater returns in profit, as the author in fame. What 
 an ineftimable price would a Firgil, or a Homer ^ a 
 Ciceroi or an Arijlotk bear, were their works, like a ftat- 
 ue, a building, or a pi<Slure, to be confined only in one 
 place, and made the property of a fingle perfon ! 
 
 If writings are thus durable, and may pafs from age 
 to age throughout the whole courfe of time, how 
 wrcful finQuId au author be gf committing any thing 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 175 
 
 to print that may corrupt pofterlty, and poifon the 
 minds of men with vice and error ! Writers of great 
 talents, who employ their parts in propagating immo- 
 rality and feafoning vicious fentimcnts with wit and 
 humour, are to be locked upon as the pcfts of fociety, 
 and the enemies of mankind. They leave books be- 
 hind them (as it is faid of thofe who die in dillem- 
 pers which breed an ill-will towards tlieir own fpe- 
 cies) to fcatter infe6lion, and dellroy their poTierity. 
 They a6t the counterparts of a Confucius or a Socrates, 
 and feem to have been fent into the w'orld to de- 
 prave human nature, and fmk it into the condition of 
 brutality. 
 
 I have fecn fome Roman Catholic authors who tell 
 us that vicious v/riters continue in purgatory, fo long 
 as the influence of their writings continues upon pos- 
 terity. For purgatory, fay they, is nothing clfe but 
 a cleanGng us of our fins, which cannot be faid to 
 be done away fo long as they continue to operate and 
 corrupt mankind. The vicious author, fay they, fms 
 after death ; and fo long as he continues to fin, fo 
 long mufl he expert to be puniflied. Though the 
 Roman Catholic notion of purgatory be indeed very 
 ridiculous, one cannot but think that if the foul, af- 
 ter death, has any knowledge of what paflcs in this 
 world, that of an immoral writer would receive 
 much more regret from the ftnfe of corrupting, than 
 fatiofaclion from the thought of plenfinghis furviving 
 admirers. 
 
 To take off from the fcveiity of this fpeculation, I 
 fhall conclude this paper with the ftory of an athcilti- 
 cal author, who at a time when he lay dangeroufly 
 fick, and liud defired the afhftance of a neighbouring- 
 Curate, confelTcd to him with great contriuon, that 
 nothing fat mere heavy at his heart, tlian tlie fenfe of 
 his having feduced the age by his writings, and that 
 their evil influence was Ukely to continue after death. 
 The Curate, upon farther examination, finding the 
 penitent in the utmoit agonies of defpair, and bein? 
 himfelf a man of learning, told him that he hoped his 
 cafe was not fo dcfperate as he apprehended, fince hz 
 
176 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY, 
 
 found that he was (o very fenfible of his fault, and fo 
 fnioerely repented of it. The penitent ftill urged the 
 evil tendency of his book to fubvert all religion, and 
 the little ground of hope there could be for one whofe 
 writings would continue to do mifchief when his body 
 was laid in aihes. The Curate, finding no other way 
 to comfort him, told him that he did well in being a^* 
 flicted for the evil defign with which he publiflied his 
 book, but that he ougfit to be very thankful that there 
 was no danger of its doing any harm ; that his caufe 
 was fo very bad, and his arguments fo weak, that he 
 did not apprehend any ill eftecls from it j in fliortthat 
 he might rtit fatisfied his book could do no more mif- 
 chief after his death, than it had done whilfl he was 
 living.. To which he added, for his farther fatisfac- 
 tion, that he did not believe any befides his particular 
 friends and acquaintance had. ever been at the pains of 
 reading it, or that any body after his death would ever 
 inquire after it. The dying man ha«i ftill fo much the 
 fmilty of an author in Him, as to be cut to the heart 
 with thefe confoJations ; and without anfwering the 
 good man, afi^ed his friends about him (with a peevifh- 
 nefs that is natural to a iick perfon) where they had 
 picked up fuch a blockhead •, and whether they thought 
 him a proper perfon to attend one in his condition: 
 The Curate finding that the author <iid not expedl to 
 be dealt with as a real and fincere penitent, but as a 
 penitent of importa»ce, after a faort admonition with- 
 drew, not quellioning but he iliould be a^ain fent for, 
 if the fickncfs grew defpcrate. The author however 
 recovered, and has fince written two or three other 
 trades with the fame fpirit, and, very luckily for his 
 poor foul, with the fame fuccefs. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. II. No. i66. C^ 
 
 BUSY PART t/ the World. 
 
 ^, ^^ANKIND is divided into two parts, the Bufy 
 and the Idle. The Bufy world may be divided into 
 the virtuous and the vicious ; the vicious again inta 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 177 
 
 the covetous, the ambitious, and the fenfual. The 
 idle part of mankind are in a date inferior to any of 
 thefe. Ail the other are engaged in the purfuil of 
 happincfs, though often mjfplaced, and are therefore 
 more likely to he attentive to fuch means as fnall be 
 propofed to them foi that end. The idle, who are 
 neither v/ife for this world nor the next, are emphatical- 
 ly called by Dr. Tdlotfon^ fools at large ; they propofe 
 to thcmfclvcs no end, but run adrift with every wind. 
 Advice would tlierefore be only thrown away upon 
 them, fincc they would fcarce take the pains to read it. 
 I fliali not fcitipue any of this worthlefs tribe with a 
 large Iiarrar.gue, but will leave them with thisfliort fay- 
 ing of Fl.iio J that labrur is preferable to idUnefsy as bright' 
 nejs to rujl. 
 
 The purfuits of the aclive part of mankind are either 
 In the paths of religion and virtue ; or, on the other 
 hand, in the roads to wealth, honour, or plcafure. I 
 fliall therefore compare the purfuits of Avarice, Am- 
 bition, and fenfual Delight, with their oppofite vir- 
 tues ; and ftiall confider which of thefe principles en- 
 gages men in a courfe of the greateft labour, fuifering, 
 and affiduity. MoO; men in their cool leafoning, are 
 willing to allow that a courfe of virtue will in the end 
 be rewarded the mod amply, but reprefent the way to 
 it as rugged and narrow. If therefore it can be made 
 to appear, that men llrugglc through as many troubles 
 to be miferable as they do" to be happy, my readers may 
 perhaps be perfuaded to be good when they hnd they 
 Ihall lofe nothing by it. 
 
 Firft, for A-vnrlce. The Mifcr is more induftrlous 
 than the Saint •, the pains of getting, the fears of iof- 
 ing, and the inability of enjoyed his wealth, have been 
 the mark of fatire in all ages. "Were his repentance 
 upon his negle6t of a good bargain, his forrow for be- 
 ing over-reached, his hope of improving a fum, and 
 his fear of falling into want, directed to their proper 
 obie£ls, they would make fo many diRxrent Chrijiian 
 graces and virtues. He may apply to himfelf a great 
 part of 5"^. Pcui's catalogue of fafferings ; in journeying 
 often ; in terils of ivatsrsy in perils cf rchbers^ in perils amo^ig 
 
178 ADDISONIAN MISCELLAN Y. 
 
 falfe brethren ; in fv:earir.efs and pai>ifulnefs^ in tvatchingr 
 often y in hunger and thirji^ in fajiings often, — At how muclv 
 1 ti^ expence might he lay up to hitnfelf treaftires in Hea^ven! 
 or, if I may in this place be allowed to add the faying, 
 of a great phiiofophcr, he may pro'vide fuch pcfejjtons as 
 fear neither arms nor Tnen, fwr Jove himfelf 
 
 In the fecond place, if we look upon the toils of Am-; 
 bition in the fame light as we have confidered thofe of 
 Avarice, we (liall readily own that far lefs trouble is- 
 requifite to gain lading glory, than the power and re- 
 putation of a few years •, or in other words, we may 
 with more eafe defervc honour than obtain it. The 
 ambitious man fliould remember Cardinal Wolfey's com- 
 pJaint ; *'Had I fervcd God with the fame application 
 wherewith I ferved my King, he would not have for- 
 laken me in my old age." The Cardinal here foftens- 
 his Ambition by the fpecious pretence of ferving his-. 
 King : whereas his words, in the proper conftrudion, 
 imply, that if, inflead of being acted by Ambition, he 
 had been a6ledby Religion, he Tnould have now found 
 the ccrr.lbrts of it, when the whole world turned its- 
 back upon him. 
 
 thirdly. Let US Compare the pains of the fenfual 
 with thofe of the virtuous, and fee which are heavier >' 
 in the balance. It may feem flrange at the fir ft view, 
 that the men of pleafure fliculd be advifed to change 
 their courfe, bccaufe they lead a painful life. Yet 
 when we fee them fo adtive and vigilant in quefl of 
 delight, under fo many difquiets, and the fport of fuch 
 various palhons, let them anfwer, as they can, if the. 
 pains they undergo do not overweigh their enjoyments. 
 The infidelities on the one part between the two fexes, 
 and the caprices on the other, the debafement of rea- 
 fon, the pangs of expectation, the difappointments in^ 
 pojTeflionSj the ftings of remorfe, tlie vanities and vex- 
 ations attending even the moft refined delights that 
 make up this bufinefs of life, render it fo filly and un- 
 comfortable, that no man is thought v.'ife till he has 
 got over it, or happy, but in proportion as he has clear- 
 ed himfelf from it. 
 
 The fum of all is this. — Man is made an a£tivc ^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 179 
 
 Being : Whether he walks in the paths of virtue or 
 vice, he is fure to meet with many diinculties, to prove 
 his patience, and excite his indultry. The fame, if 
 not greater labour, is required in the fervice of vice and 
 folly, as of virtue and wifdom. And he has this eafy 
 choice left him, whether with the ilrength he is mailer 
 of, he will purchafe happinefs or repentance. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VIII. No. 624. 
 
 CALAMITIES. 
 
 ,T is a very melancholy reflection, that men are ufu- 
 ally fo weak, that it is abfolutely neceil-iry for them to 
 .know forrow and pain, to be in their right fenfes. 
 'Profperous people (for happy there are none) are hur- 
 ried away with a fond fenfe of tlieir prcfent condition, 
 , and thoughtlefs of the mutability of fortune. Fortune 
 is a term which we mult ufeln fuch difcourfes as thefe 
 ^for what is wrought by the unfeen hand of the Difpo- 
 fer of all things. But methinks the difpofition of a 
 mind which is truly great, is that which makes misfor- 
 tunes and forrows little when they befall ourfelvcs, 
 .great and lamentable when they befall other men. 
 
 The mod unpardonable malefadlor in the world, 
 going to his »leath, and bearing it with compofure, 
 would win the pity of thofe who fliould behold kim ; 
 and this not becauie his calamity is deplorable, but be- 
 caufe he feems himfeif not to deplore it. We fufFer 
 for'him who is lefs fenfible of his own mifery, and are 
 inclined to defpife him who finks under the weight of 
 his diftrefles. On the other hand, without any touch 
 of envy, a temperate and well-governed mind looks 
 .down on fuch as are exalted with fuccefs, with a cer- 
 tain fliame for the imbecility of human nature, that 
 can fo far forget how liable it is to calamity, as to grow 
 giddy with only the fufpence of forrow, which is the 
 portion of all men. He therefore who turns his face 
 trom the unhappy man, who M'ill not look again when 
 his eye is call upon modeft forrow, who Iliuns afflic- 
 lion like contagion, does but pamper himfeif up for a 
 
i8» ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 facrifice, and contraft in'himfeif a greater aptitude to 
 mifery, by attempting to efcape it. A geritieman, 
 '^\'here I happened to oe laft night, fell into a dircourfe 
 which I thought (hewed a good difeerning in him : 
 He took notice, that whenever men have looked into 
 their hearts for the idea of true excellency, in human 
 nature, they have found it confift in fufftring after a 
 right manner, and with a good grace. Heroes are al- 
 ways drawn bearing forrows, llruggling with adverfi- 
 ties, undergoing all kinds of hardfhips, and having in ' 
 the fervice of mankind a kind of appetite to difficulties 
 and dangers. The gentleman went ^ on to obferve, 
 that it is from thisfecretfenfe of the high merit which 
 there is in patience under calamities, that the writers 
 of romances^ when they attempt to f urniflr out char- 
 a«Slers of the higheft excellence, ranfack nature for 
 things terrible ; they raife a new creation of monflers, 
 dragons, and giants ; where the danger ends, the hero 
 ceafes ; when he has won an empiie, or gained his 
 miftrefs, the reft of his fiery is not worth relating. 
 My friend carried his difcourfe fo far as to fay, that it 
 was for higher beings than men to join happinefs and 
 greatnefs in the fam.e idea •, but that in our condition 
 •wp have no conception of fuperlative excellence or he- 
 roifm, but as it is furrcunded with a fnade of diftrefs. 
 
 It is certainly the proper education we fliould give 
 ourfelves, to be prepared for the ill events and acci- 
 dents we are to meet with in a life fentenced to be a 
 fcene of forrow .: But inllead of this expeclation, we 
 foften ourfelves with profpects of conitant delight, 
 and deltroy in our minds the feeds of fortitude and 
 virtue, which flioukl fupport us in hours of anguifli. 
 The conftant purfuit of pleafure has in it fomething 
 infolent and improper for our being. There is a pret- 
 ty fober livelinefs in the Ode of Ibrace to Delius^ 
 where he tells him loud mirth or immoderate forrow, 
 inequality of behaviour either in profperity or adverfi- 
 ty, are ahke ungraceful in man who is born to die. 
 
 Moderation in both circumftances is peculiar to ge- 
 nerous minds. Men of that fort ever taile the gratifi- 
 cations of health, au4 all, other adviiiita^es of life, as if 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. i$i 
 
 they were liabk to part with them ; and when bereft 
 of them, refign them with a greatnefs of mind which 
 Iho'vvs they know their value and duration. The con- 
 tempt of pleafure is a certain preparatory for the con- 
 tempt of pain : Without this the mind is, as it were, 
 taken fuddenly by an unforefeen event ; but he who 
 hns always, daring health and profperity, been abfti- 
 nent in his fatisfaJtions, enjoys, in the worfl of difE-. 
 cuitier,, the reflection, that his anguifli is not aggrava- 
 ted with the comparifon of pad pleafures which up- 
 braid his prefent condition. 
 
 ^lully tells us a ilory of Pompey, v/hich gives us a 
 good tafte of tlie pleatant manner the men of wit and 
 philofophy had in old times of alleviating the diftreiTes 
 of life, by the force of reafon and philofophy. Pompej 
 when he came to Rhodes, h-didi a curiofity to vifit the fa- 
 mous philofopher PoJJidonius \ but finding him in his 
 Tick bed, he bewailed the misfortune that he (hould 
 not hear a difcourfe from him. But you may, an- 
 fwered Poffidonius^ and immediately entered into the 
 point of Stoical philofophy, which fays, pain is not an 
 evil. During the difcourfe, upon every pundlure he 
 felt from his diflemper, he fmiled and cried out, Pi*ln, 
 pain, be as impertinent and troub^efome as you pleafe^ 
 I never fhall own thou art an evil. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. IV. No. 312. T. 
 
 I 
 
 CMLIK—Her Hijicry. 
 
 r is not necefTary to look back into the firft years 
 of this young lady, whofe ftory is of confequence, on- 
 ly as her life has lately met with palTagcs very uncom- 
 mon. She is now in the twentieth year of her age, 
 and owes a ftri6l but cheerful education to the care 
 of an aunt, to whom flie was recommended by her dy- 
 ing father, whofe deceafe was haflened by an incon- 
 folable afHidion for the lofs of her mother. As Caliit 
 is the offspring of the moft generous paiTion that has 
 been known in our age, Ihe is adorned with as muck 
 beauty and grage as the moft celebrated of her fex pof- 
 
i82 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 fcfs ; but her domeflic life, moderate fortune, and re- 
 ligious education, gave her but little opportunity, and 
 lefs inclination, to be admired in public aflemblies. 
 Her abode has been for fome years at a convenient dif- 
 tance from the Cathedral of St. Paul's^ where her aunt 
 and fhe chofe to refide, for the advantage of that rap- 
 turous way of devotion which gives extacy to the plea- 
 sures of innocence, and in fome meafure is the imme- 
 ^liate poiTeffion of thofe heavenly enjoyments for which 
 they are addre^ed. 
 
 As you may trace the ufual thoughts of men in their 
 countenances, there appeared in the face of Calia a ; 
 cheerfulnefs, the conffcant companion of unaffected | 
 virtue, and a gladnefs which is as infeparable from I 
 true piety. Her every look and motion fpoke the 
 peaceful, mild, refigning, humble inhabitant that ani- 
 mated her beauteous body. Her air difcovered her 
 body a mere machine of her mind, and not that her 
 thoughts were employed in fludying graces and at- 
 tradlions for her perfon. Such wns Ccelia v/hen (lie 
 was firft feen by Palamede^ at her ufual place of worfhip. 
 Talamede is a young man of twenty-two, w ell-fa fliion- 
 cd, learned, genteel, and difcreet 5 the fen and heir of 
 a gentleman of a very great eftate, and himfelf pcfiefT- 
 cd of a plentiful one by the gift of an uncle. He be- 
 came enamoured with Calia \ and after having learn- 
 ed her habitation, had addrefs enough to communi- 
 cate his paiTion and circumftances with fuch an air of 
 good fenfe and integrity, as foon obtained permiffion 
 ,to vifit and profefs his inclinations towards her. Palw 
 mede^ prefent fortune and future expectations were no 
 way prejudicial to his addreiTes •, but after the levers 
 had pafled fometime in the agreeable entertainment of 
 a fuccefsful courtfhip, Calia one day took occafion to 
 interrupt Palamede in the midft of a very pleafing dif- 
 courfe of the happinefs he promifed himfelf in fo ac- 
 compliihed a companion, and alTuming a feiious air, 
 told him, there was another heart to be won before he 
 gained hers, which was that of his father. Palamede 
 feemed much difturbed at the overture, and lamented 
 ^to her, that his father vras one of thofe too provident 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 183- 
 
 pnrents who only place their thoughts upon bringing 
 riches into their families by marriages, and are wholly 
 infenfible of all other confiderations. But the ftricl- 
 nefs of Ccclias rules of life made her infiil upon this 
 demand : and the fon, at a proper hour, communica- 
 ted to his father the circumltances of his love, and the 
 merit of the objsft. The next day the father made her 
 a vifit. The beauty of her perfon, the fame of her 
 virtue, and a certain irrefiftible charm in her whole be- 
 haviour on fo tender and delicate an occafion, wrought 
 fo much upon him, in fpite of all prcpolleffions, that 
 he haftened the marriage with an impatience equal to 
 that of his fon. Their nuptials were celebrated, with 
 a privacy fuitable to the chara6ler and m.odefty of Cce^ 
 lia ; and from that day, until a fatal one lall week, 
 they lived together with all the joy and happinefs 
 which attended minds entirely united. 
 
 It lliould have been intimated, that Palamede is a flu- ' 
 dent of the Temple, and ufually retired thither early in - 
 the morning, C\elia ftill fleeping. 
 
 It happened a few days fince, that ihe followed him 
 thither to communicate to him fomething flie had 
 omitted in her redundant fondnefs to fpeak of the eve- 
 ning before. When (lie came to his apartment, the 
 fervant there told her, {he was coming with a letter to 
 her. Y/hile Calia, in an inner room, was reading an 
 apology from her hufband, that he had been fuddenly 
 taken by fome of his acquaintance to dine at Brentford^ 
 but that he fliould retvirn in the evening, a country 
 girl, decently clad, afked if thefe were not the cham« 
 bers of Mr. Palamede : She was anfwered, they wereyt- 
 but that he was not in town. The ftranger alked when 
 he was expe£led home : The fervant replied, fhe would 
 go in and ailc his wife. The young woman repeated 
 the word wife, and fainted. This accident railed no 
 lefs curiofity than amazement in dclia^ who caufed her 
 to be removed into the inner room. Upon proper ap- 
 plications to revive her, the unhappy young creature 
 returned to herfelf, and faid to delta, with an earnelt 
 and befeeching tone, are you really Mr. Palamedis 
 wife ? Calia replies, " I hope I do not look as if I 
 
184 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 were any other, in the condition you fee mc." The 
 ftranger anfwered, ** No, madam, he is my hufband :** 
 At the fame initant {he threw a bundle of letters into' 
 Calia's lap, which confirmed the truth of what flie af- 
 ferted. Their mutual innocence and forrow made 
 them look at each other as partners in diftrefs, rather 
 than rivals in love. The fuperiority of Ccslias under- 
 ^landing and genius, gave her an authority to examine 
 into this adventure, as if {lie had been offended;, and the 
 other the delinquent. The flranger fpoke in the fol-- 
 iowing manner : 
 
 " Madam, if it fhall pleafe you, Mr. Talamede having 
 an uncle of a good eftate near WinchejUr^ was bred up 
 at the fchool there, to gain the more of his good-will 
 by being in his fight. His uncle died, and left him the 
 eitate, which my hu{band now has. When he was a 
 mere youth, he let his affections on me ; but when he 
 could not gain his ends, he married me ; making me 
 and my mother, who is a farmer's widov/, fwear we 
 v^ould never tcil it upon any account whatfoever, for 
 that it would not look well for him to marry fuch an 
 one as me j befides that his father would cut him off 
 of the eflate. I was glad to have him in an honeft way, 
 and he now and then came and flaid a night 
 at our houfe. But very lately he came down to fee 
 us, with a fine young gentleman, his friend, who ftaid 
 behind there with us, pretending to like the place for 
 the fummer *, but ever fince mailer Falamede went, he 
 has attempted to abufe me, and I ran hither to acquaint 
 him with it, and avoid the wicked intentions of his 
 falfe friend.'* 
 
 Calia had no farther room for doubt, but left her 
 rival in the fame agonies fhe felt herfelf. Palamcde re- 
 turns in the evening, and finding his wife at his cham- 
 bers, learned all that had pafied, and haftened to C^//a's 
 lodgings. 
 
 It is much eafier to imagine than exprefs the fentl- 
 ments of either the criminal or the injured at this en- 
 counter. As foon as Palamede had found way for 
 fpeech, he confefTed his marriage, and his placing his 
 C<?iiipanion on purpofe to vitiate his wife, that he might 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 185 
 
 break through a marriage made in his nonage, and 
 devote his riper and knowing years to C^/^Vz. She 
 made him no anfwer, but retired to her tloicT. He 
 returned to the temple, where he foon after iccer-.sd 
 from her the followmg letter : 
 
 Sir, 
 
 YOU, who this morning were the befl, are now 
 the worfl of men who breathe the vital air. I am at 
 once ovcrv/helmed with love, hatred, rage, and dif- 
 dain. Can infamy and innocence live together ? I 
 feci the weight of the one too ftrong for the comfort 
 of the other. How bitter. Heaven, how bitter is my 
 portion ! How much have I to fay ! But the infant 
 which I bear about me, ftirs with my agitation. I am, 
 PalameJe, to live in fliame, and this creature to be 
 heir to it. Farewell for ever. 
 
 Tatler, Vol. IV. No. i9». 
 
 I 
 
 CATO— Tr^^^^ of. 
 
 have made it a rule to myfelf not to publifli any- 
 thing on a Saturday^ but what fliall have fome analogy 
 to the duty of the day enfuing. It is an unfpeakable 
 'pleafure to me, chat I have lived to fee the time when 
 I can obfefve fuch a law to myfelf and yet turn my 
 difcourfe upon what is done at the play-houfe. I am 
 fure the reader knows I am'going to mention the trage- 
 dy of Cato. The principal charadler is moved by no 
 con fi deration, but refpecl to that fort of virtue, the 
 fenfe of which is retained in our language under the 
 \\'oxA?> public fplr it. All regards to what is domeftic are 
 wholly laid afide, and the hero is drawn as having by 
 this m.otive fubdued inftinft itfelf, and taking com- 
 fort from the diftreiTes of his family, which are brought 
 upon them by their adherence to caufe of truth and 
 liberty. There is nothing uttered by CatOy but what 
 is worthy o£the bed of men; and the fentiments 
 which arc given him, are not only the moft warm for 
 0^3 
 
18.(5 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 the condudi of this life, but fuch as we may think; 
 need not be erafed, but confift with the happinefs o£ 
 the human foul in the next. This illuftrious charac- 
 ter has its proper influence on all below it. The oth- 
 er virtuous perfonages are, in their degree, as worthy 
 and as exemplary as the principal. The conduft of the 
 lovers (who are more warm though more difcreet than 
 ever yet appeared upon the ftage) has in it a conftant 
 fenfe of the great cataftrophe which was expected 
 from the approach of Cafar. But to fee the modefty 
 of an heroine, whofe country and family were at the 
 fame time in the mofh imminent danger, preferved, 
 whilfl: fhe breaks out into the moil fond and open ex- 
 preflions of her paffion for her lover, is an inilancc of 
 Tio common addrefs. Again to obferve the body of 
 2 gallant young man brought before us, who in the 
 bloom of his youth, in the defence of all that is good 
 and great, had received numberlefs wounds •, 1 fay, 
 to obferve that this dead youth is introduced only for 
 the example of his virtue, and that his death is fo cir- 
 cumftantiated that we are fatis}!«-.d, for all his virtue,, 
 St was for the good of the world and his own 
 family, that his v/arm temper was not to be 
 put upon farther trial, but his talk of life ended v/hile 
 it was yet virtuous, is an employment worthy the conr 
 federation of young Britons. We are obliged to au- 
 thors that can do what they will with us, that they do 
 not play our afFeclions and paflions againA ourfelves 5, 
 but to make us fo foon refigned to the death of Mar*- 
 tusy of whom we were fo fond, is a power that would 
 be unfortunately lodg^ed in a man without the love of 
 virtue. 
 
 Were it not that I fpeak on this occafion rather as, 
 a Guardian than a Critic, I could proceed to the ex- 
 amination of the juftnefs of each charadier, and take 
 notice that the Nxmidian is as well drawn as the Ra- 
 man, There is not an idea in all the part of Syphax^ 
 which does not apparently arife from the habits which 
 grow in the mind of an African ; and the fcene be- 
 tween Juha and his General, where they talk for and; 
 againft a liberal education, is full of mitru(^ion. Sj- 
 
At)DISONIAN MISCELLANY. 187 
 
 phax urges all that can be faid againft philofophy, as 
 it is made fubfcrvient to ill ends by men who abufe 
 their talents ; and JuU fets the lefs excellencies of 
 adivity, labour, patience of hunger, and ftrength of 
 body, which are the admired qualifications of a Numi- 
 Many m their proper fubordination to the accomplifli- 
 mcnts of the mind. 
 
 Guardian, Vol. L No. 33. 
 
 I 
 
 CELIBACY 
 
 Mr. Spfctatcr, 
 
 , who now write to you, am a woman loaded with 
 mjuries ; and the aggravation of my misfortune is, 
 that they are fuch as are overlooked by the generality 
 of mankind \ and though the mod affiiding imagina- 
 ble, not regarded as fuch in the general fenfe of the 
 world. 1 have hid my vexation from all mankind, 
 but have now taken pen, ink, and paper, and am re- 
 folved to unbofom myfelf to you, and lay before you 
 what grieves me and all the fex. You have very of- 
 ten mentioned particular hardfhips done to this or 
 that lady j but methinks you have not in any one 
 fpeculatiort dirediy pointed at the partial freedom 
 men take, the unreafonable conftoement women are 
 oblige^i to, in the only circumftance in which we are 
 neceii'aiily to have a commerce with them, that of 
 love. The cafe of celibacy is the great evil of our 
 nation ; and the indulgence of the vicious conduct of 
 men in tbi.t ilate, with the ridicule to which women 
 are expofed, though ever fo virtuous, if long unmar- 
 ried, is the root of the greateft irregularities of this 
 nation. To fhow you, Sir, that though you have 
 never given us the catalogue of a lady's library as you 
 promifed, we read good books of our own choofmg, 
 I fliall infert on this occafion a paragraph or two out 
 of Echard'^ Roman Hijiory.. In the 44th page of the fe- 
 cond volume, the author obferves, that Augufius^ upon 
 his return to Rome at the end of a war, received com- 
 plaints that too great a number of tlK young men of 
 
i88 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 quality remained unmarried. The Emperor the^-e- 
 upon ailembled the whole Equejirian order, and hav-^ 
 ing feparated the married from the fingle, did partic-. 
 ular honowrs to the former; but he told the latter,' 
 that is to fay, Mr. Spe3atcr, he told the bachelors, 
 " that their lives and a(Stions had been fo peculiar, 
 that he knew not by what name to call them ; not by 
 that of men, for they performed nothing that was 
 manly j not by that of citizens, for the city might 
 perifh notwithllanding their care ; not by that of 
 Romans, for they defigned to extirpate the Roman 
 name." Then proceeding to ftiow his tender care 
 and hearty afFedtion for his people, he farther told 
 them, " that the courfe of life was of fuch pernicious 
 confequence to the glory and grandeur of the Roman 
 nation, that he couid net choofe but tell them, that 
 sU other crimes put together could not equalize theirs: 
 for they were guilty of murder, in not fufrering thofe 
 to be born which fhould proceed from them ; of im- 
 piety, in caufing the names and honours of their an- 
 ceftors to ceafe : and of facrilege, in deftroying their 
 kind, which proceed from the imoiortal gods and hu- 
 man nature, the principal thing confecrated to them : 
 therefore they diflblved the government in difobeying 
 its laws ; betrayed their country, by making it bar- 
 ren and waile ; nay, and demolillied their city, in de- 
 priving it of inhabitants. And he was fenfible that 
 all this proceeded not from any kind of virtue or ab- 
 ilinence, but from a loofenefs and wajitonnefs, which 
 ought never to be encouraged in any civil government." 
 There are no particulars dwelt upon, that let us into 
 the condu6t of thefe young worthies whom this great 
 emperor treated with fo much juftice and indigna- 
 tion. But any one who obferves what pafles in this 
 town, may very v/ell frame to himfelf a notion of their 
 riots and debaucheries all night, and their apparent pre- 
 parations for them all day. It is not to be doubted, 
 but thefe Rom.ans never paiTed any of their time in- 
 nocently but when they were alleep, and never llept 
 but Vv^hiu they were weary and heavy with excefies, 
 and ilept only to prepare thernfelves for the repetitioa 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 189 
 
 •f them. If you did your duty as a Spe^ator^ you 
 would carefully examine into the number of births, 
 marriages and burials ; and when you had dedu£tecl 
 out of your deaths all fuch as went out of the world 
 without marrying, then cafl up the number of both 
 fexes born within fuch a term of years laft pad, you 
 might from the fingle people departed make fome ufe- 
 ful inferences or guefieshow many there are left un- 
 married, and raife fome ufeful fcheme for the amend- 
 ment of the age in that particular. I have not patience 
 to proceed gravely on this abominable libertinifm ; 
 for I cannot but reflect, as I am writing to you, upon 
 a cerj;ain lafcivious manner which all our young gen- 
 tlemen ufe in public, and examine our eyes with a 
 petulancy in their own, which is a downright affront 
 to modefty. A difdainful look on fuch an occafion is 
 returned with a countenance rebuked, but by avert- 
 ing their eyes from the woman of honour and decency, 
 to fome flippant creature, who will, a« the phrafe is, 
 be kinder. I muft fet dov/n things as they come into 
 my head, without (landing upon order. Ten thoufand 
 to one but the gay gentleman who ftared, at the fame 
 time is an houfekeeper •, for you muft know, they have 
 got into a humour of late of being very regular in their 
 fms, and a young fellow flrall keep his four maids and 
 three footmen with the greateft gravity imaginable. 
 There are no Icfs than fix of thele venerable houfe- 
 keepers of my acquaintance. This humour among 
 young men of condition, is imitated by all the world 
 below them \ and a general diffolution of^mcumers arifes 
 from this one fource of libertinifm, without fhame or 
 reprehenfion in the male youth. It is from this one 
 fountain that fo many beautiful helplefs young wo- 
 men are facrificed and given up to lewdnefs, fliame, 
 poverty, and difeafe. It is to this alfo that fo many 
 excellent young wcmen, who might be patterns of con- 
 jugal affeclion, and parents of a worthy race, pine un- 
 der unhappy pafTions for fuch as have not attention 
 enough to obferve, or virtue enough to prefer them 
 to their common wenches. Now, Mr. Spedator, I 
 muft be free to own to you that I myfelf fufler a tafte- 
 
 m 
 
19® ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 k{s, infipid being, from a confi deration I have for a- 
 man who would not, as he faid in my hearing, refigii 
 his liberty, as he calls it, for all the beauty and wealth- 
 the whole fex is polTefied of. Such calamities asj 
 thefe would not happen, if it could be poiTibly brought^ 
 about, that by fining bachelors as papift convi£ls, or: 
 the like, they were diftinguifhed to their difadvantage 
 from the reft of the world, who fall in with the mea- 
 fures of civil focieties. Left you fhould think that I 
 fpeak this as being, accorditig to the fenfelefs rude 
 phrafe, a malicious old maid, I fhall acquaint you L 
 am a woman of condition, not now three-and-twenty, 
 and Iiave had propofals from at leaft ten different 
 men, and the greater nuxnber of them have upon the 
 upfhot refuled me. Something or other is always 
 amifs, when the lover takes to fome new wench : a 
 fettlement is eafily excepted againft ; and there is ve- 
 ry little refource to avoid the vicious part of our 
 youth, but throwing one's felf away upon fome'lifelefs 
 blockhead, who, though he is without vice, is alfo 
 without virtue. Now-a-days we muft be contented 
 if we can get creatuies which are not bad j good are 
 not to be expedl^.d. Mr. SpeSIator^ I fat near you the 
 other day, and think I did not difpleafe your fpefta- 
 torial eye fight j which I fhall be a better judge of, 
 when I fee whether you take notice of thefe evils your 
 own way, or print this memorial didlated from the 
 difdainful^ heavy heart of 
 
 Sir^ycur mo ft Obedient^ i^c. 
 RACHAEL WELL AD AY. 
 Spectator, Vol VII. No. 528. T. 
 
 A 
 
 CENSURE. 
 
 GOOD confcience is to the foul, what health is 
 to the body ; it preferves a conftant eafe and ferenity 
 within us, and more than countervails all the calami- 
 ties and afflidions which can poflibiy befall us. I 
 know nothing fo hard for a generous mind to get over, 
 as calumny and reproach j and cannot find any meth- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY 191 
 
 od of quieting the foul under tliem, befides this fingle 
 one, of our being conicicus to ourfelvcs that we do 
 ?iiot deG^rve them. 
 
 I have ahvays bpen mightily pleafed with that paf- 
 fage in Don 2>uixote^ where the fantafticnl knight is re- 
 prefented as loading a gentleman of good lenfe with 
 praifes and eulogiums. Upon which the gentleman 
 makes this reflection to himfelf : HoV grateful Is praife 
 to human nature ! I cannot forbear being fecretly 
 pleafed with the commendations I receive, though I 
 am fenfible it is a madman that beflows them up,OBi 
 me. In the fanu* manner, though we are often lure 
 that the cenfures which are pafTed upon us, are utter- 
 ed by thofe who know nothing of us, and havt nei- 
 ther means nor abilities to form a right judgment of 
 us, we cannot forbear being grieved, at what they f.iy. 
 
 In order to heal this intirmity, which is fo natural 
 to the wifeil and bed of men, I have taken a particu- 
 lar pleafure in obferving the conduct of the old phil)- 
 fophers, how they bore themfeives up aguinfl: the m.d- 
 ice and detraftion of their enemies. 
 
 The way to fdence calumny, fiiys Bias^ is to be al- 
 ways exercifed in fuch things as are praife v.'orthy. 
 Socrates after having received fentence, told his friends 
 that he had always accufhomed himfelf to regard truth, 
 and not cenfure ; and that he was not troubled at his 
 condemnation, becaufe he knew himfelf free from 
 , guilt. It was in the fame fpirit tliat he heard the ac- 
 . cufation of his two great adverfaries, who had uttered 
 againfl him the moll virulent reproaches. " Anjtur 
 ' :3nd Melitus, (fays he) may procure fentence againil me, 
 but they cannot hurt m.e." This divine philofopher 
 was fo well fortified in his own innocenccthat he neg- 
 le6led all the impotence of evil tongues which were 
 engaged in his deilruclion. This was j)roperly the 
 fupport of a good confeience, that contradi£led the re- 
 ports which had been raifed againft him^ and cleared 
 him to himfelf. 
 
 Others of the philofophcrs rather chofe to retort the 
 mjury by a fmart reply, than thus to dif^rm it with 
 lefpeft to themfeives. They Ihow that it ilung them. 
 
192 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 though at the f?me time they had the addrefs to make 
 their aggreflbrs fufFer with them. Of this kind was 
 Arijiotle^ reply to one who purfued him with long and 
 bitter invec?^^?es. " You," fays he. " who 'are ufed to 
 fufFer reproachssj utter them with deUght : I, who 
 have not been ufed to utter them, take no pleafure in 
 hearing rhem." Diogenes was dill more fevere on one 
 who fpoke ill of h^iiii : " Nobody will beheve you when 
 you fpeik ill of mCj any more than they would believe 
 me iiiould i fpeak well of you." 
 
 In thefe, and many other inftances I could produce, 
 the bitternefs of the anfvv-er fufEciently teftifies the 
 uneafniefs of mind the perfon was under who made it. 
 I would rather advife my reader, if he has not in this 
 cafe the fecret confolation that he deferves no fuch re- 
 proaches as are call upon him, to follow the advice of 
 EpiSieius : " If any one fpeaks ill of thee, confider 
 whether he has truth on his fide ; and if fo, reform 
 thyfelf, that his cenfures may not affect thee." When 
 Anaximander was told that the very boys laughed at his 
 finging, " Aye," fays he, " then 1 mull learn 'to fmg 
 better." But of all the fayings of philofophers which 
 I have gathered together for my own ufe upon this oc- 
 calion, there are none which carry in them more can- 
 dour and good fenfc than the two following ones of 
 Plato : Being told that he had many enemies, who 
 fpoke ill of him ; " It is no matter,'* faid he, *' I will 
 live fo that none fiiall believe them." Hearing at 
 -another time that an intimate friend of his had fpoken 
 detraclingly of him, " I am fure he would not do it,'* 
 fays he, ** if he had not forne reafon for it." This is 
 the fureft as well as the nobleft way of drawing the 
 fting out of a reproach, and a true method of prepar- 
 ing a man for that great and only rehef againlt the 
 pains of calumny, a good confcience. 
 
 ^ I dcfigned in this elfay to fhow that there is no hap- 
 pinefs wanting to him who is poflelTed of this excel- 
 lent frame of mind, and that no perfon can be miferaWe 
 who is in the enjoyment of it. But I find this fubje6t 
 fo well treated in one of Dr. South'^ fermons, that I 
 (hall fill this paper with a paiTage of it, which cannot 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 193 
 
 l3ut make the man's heart burn within him, who reads 
 it with due attention. 
 
 That admirable author having (hown the virtue of a 
 good confcience in fupporting a man under the greats- 
 eft of trials and diilicuities of life, concludes with rep- 
 irefenting its force and efiicacy in the hour of death. 
 
 " The third and laft inftance, in which above all 
 others this confidence towards God does moft eminently 
 (liow and exert itfelf, is at the tinu of deaths which fure- 
 ]y gives the grand opportunity of trying both the 
 Jirength and otcr/^ of every principle. When a mar* 
 ihall be juft about to quit the ftage of this world, ta 
 put off his mortality, and to deliver up his laft accounts 
 to God, at which l*ad time his memory fliall ferve him 
 for little elfe but to terrify him with a frightful revieiv 
 of his paft life, and his former extra'vagances ftript of 
 all their pleafure, but retaining their guHt ; what is it 
 thsn that can promlfe him a fair paflage into the other 
 world, or a comfortable appearance before his dreadful 
 Jud^e when he is there ? Not all the/riends and interefis^ 
 all the riches and honours under Heaven, can fpeak io 
 much as a word for him^ or one word of comfort to hitn 
 >n that condition •, they may poffibly reproach, but they 
 cannot relieve him. 
 
 '' No, at this difconfolate time, when thebufy temp- 
 r:r fliall be more than ufually apt to vex and trouble 
 ■ lim, and the pains of a dying body to hinder and dif- 
 compofe him, and the fettlement of worldly affairs ti> 
 difturb and confound him ; and, in a word, all things 
 confpire to make his fick bed grievous and uneafy ; 
 nothing can then ftand up againll all thefe rains, and 
 ipeak life in the mid ft of death^ hut a clear confcience. And 
 the teftimony of that fliall make the comforts of Hea- 
 ven defcend upon his weary head like a refreftiing dew, 
 or fliower upon a parched ground ; itfliall givehimfome 
 .lively earnefts and fecret anticipations of his approach- 
 ing joy : it fliall bid his foul go out of the body undaunt- 
 edly, and lift up its head with confidence before faints 
 and angels. Surely the comfort which it conveys at 
 tliis fealbn is fomething bigger than ths capacities of 
 
194 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 mortality, mighty and unfpeakable, and not to be un- 
 derftood till it comes to be felt., 
 
 " And now, who would not quit all the plcajures, and 
 traffp and trlfiesy which are apt to captivate the heart of 
 man, andpurfue the greatefl rigours of piety and aufleri- 
 tics "of a good life, to purchafe to him fuch a confcience 
 as at the hour of death, when all the friend ihip in the 
 world ihall bid him adieu, and the^whole creation turns 
 its back upon him, fhall difmifs the foul, and clofe his 
 eyes with that bleffed fentence, Well done^ thou gcod and 
 faithfulfer<vant\ enter thou into the jOy of thy Lord J" 
 
 Guardian, Vol. 11. No. 135. 
 
 7he following Piece is Ext raffed from the EVANGELICAL 
 
 Magazine. 
 
 Parlour Religion exemplified in the Practice 9i Hono- 
 Rio, his Family and Friends. 
 
 HOSE to whom the Lord has given a plenty of 
 
 the good things of this world, have it in their power to 
 anticipate fomething of the employments and enjoy- 
 ments of Heaven, fo far. as the imperfedion of the 
 prefent ftate will permit ; for they have all things 
 richly to enjoy, they may chocfe their company, their 
 time, and entertainments, and in all things follow the 
 pious difpo fit ion of their hearts. It is an happinefs 
 for a religious man to vifit, or to be in a houle that 
 has a good man at its head. Such a houfe is that of 
 Honorio. 
 
 In the morning the parlour is decently prepared, and 
 ■warmed for the reception of the pious heads of tl>e 
 family, who come from their cham.ber fmiling with 
 gratitude to God, and good-humoured with their dili- 
 gent fervants. The little family during their infancy 
 are in the nurfery, and every thing that might inter- 
 rupt, is prohibited from entering the parlour, which is 
 at this hour a chapel for devotion. The clock having 
 ftruek the well-known hour, Honorio and his beloved 
 wife are feated, with the book of God before them. ; 
 the fervants enter with looks expreflive of the bappi- 
 
ADDISONIAN MlbCELLANY. , 195 
 
 'ijefs they feel in having the privilege of being God's 
 free m-^n, and joining their mafter and mi{lrefs»in his 
 fervice. Under the direcflion of Honorio, a fon of 
 praife to God for his mercies is offered up by this prim- 
 itive church ; and a portion of fcripture is read, that 
 their minds may become mare familiarly acquainted 
 with the facred oracles. This being done, they all bow 
 their knees to Him by whom the whole family in hea- 
 ven and earth is named ; and the good Honorio calls 
 upon his Lord and Mailer in heaven, with expreflions 
 of profound homage and humility ; bleffmg him for 
 the favours of the pall night, and the pleafure of feeing; 
 the light of the returning day. Like the ereat Higli- 
 Prielt he bears on his heart all his family oefore God, 
 and intreats for particular mercies according to the*, 
 knov^m ilate of his houfehold ; and puts himfclf and ;;]i 
 his affairs, both temporal and fpiritual, into the r.inds 
 of his heavenly father. He then gives them hii ben- 
 edi6tion, and they all arife. The happy fervants cheer- 
 ed and warmed with the aids of devotion, return to 
 their duty, each according to his place, and the heads 
 of the family, with their guefts (if fuch are piefent )rit 
 dov/n to breakfaft on the overflowing bounty of God's 
 providence. Bufinefs, or works of piety, perhaps, call 
 the mafter away, and the miftrefs, having given 'direc- 
 tions in her family, takes her ufuai feat and employ- 
 ment in her parlour. The Bible is laid near her, 10 
 be referred to as her belt friend and director, her ricli- 
 eft cordial in trouble, and moft faithful monitor in 
 doubtful cafes. Nor is Ihe fearful that any vifitor fliould 
 find her with this companion, for fhe defircs no com- 
 pany but thofe who love the fcripturcs. Slie is rather 
 of the fentiments of a well knov*'n female, who brought 
 her family Bible into her parlour, c^nd laying it on the 
 table, faid, " Lie there, thou bed of books, and keep 
 thou thy place whoever comes in." A pious vifitor 
 or two, or a minifter cf Chrill perhaps, drops in, in the 
 forenoon. If fo, the time is not wafted in unprofita- 
 ble talk, bu'c the parlour is honoured by being changed 
 into the fnnilitude of die holy mount. The heavenly 
 woman and her guefts enter into difcourfe, as Mofe* 
 
1^6 AEDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 and Ellas did, on what once pafTed at Jerufakm, when 
 Jefus gapve his life a ranfom for many •, and their ex- 
 perience fo confirn»s their interell in that work of love^ 
 that their hearts burn within them, and like St. Peter, 
 they find it good to be there. 
 
 The hour to dine being come, Honorio returns, and 
 probably brings a religious friend or two to his hofpit- 
 able manfion. The table being fpread with plenty, 
 •without oftentation, the provifion is fan(flified by the 
 prayer of Honorio, penetrated with a l^nfe of havirig- 
 forfeited every thing by fm, but having recovered ail 
 by the merit of his great Saviour, a remembiance oi 
 ivhcfe love makes every thing more fweetand refrefli- 
 ing. Having ufed, but not abufed, the bounties of 
 Providence, grateful acknov/Vlgements are returned 
 to the great Giver of every good gift j and the pious 
 few mingle profitable difcourfe with their wine, or 
 concert feme plan for fupplying the wants of thofe 
 who are in dittrefling circumllances. Towards even- 
 ing, a fele£l company grace the tea-table j and the in- 
 terefts of the Qofpel, with the beft means of Tpreading 
 its influence around them, become the fubjeds of their 
 converfation. Should national j^fFairs happen to b^ 
 •introduced, they exprefs their loyalty towards their 
 lawful fovereign, and their thankfulnefs to God for the 
 many invaluable privileges enjoyed by Engliflimen, 
 The hour of parting being come, the praifes of God 
 intrcducc the devotion of the evening, in which, as ia 
 the morning, the fcriptures aie read, and all the fami- 
 ly called to unite. Care is taken not to protracl this 
 lervice to an immoderate length, lell the children, on 
 account of their tender years, and the fervants, weari- 
 ed with the labour of the day, might be inclined to 
 ileep when their minds ought to be attentive. Noj? 
 is it hurried over as though it were of no importance ; 
 but fufficient time is taken reverently and decently to 
 thank God for his gocdnefs, earneflly to intreat him to 
 pardon their fins, and to commit themfelves into hii 
 care and prote6^ion. 
 
 O ye worldlings ! what can ye produce in the fcenes 
 ©f your lives that is worthy to be compared with thiii .^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 197 
 
 « The curfc of God," fays the fcripture, " is In the 
 dwellings of the wicked." Your pHrlours have no 
 blefTiiTg in them. Your children 'und fervants never 
 hear the name of God mentioned in them, ui/lefs it 
 be to blafpheme it. Your tables are unblefled. At 
 your banquets, Intemperance reigns, and modefly is 
 put to the blulh. The parlours I have been defcri- 
 bing are types of heaven, where due returns are made 
 to God for his bounty. Ye are deluded by what you 
 call rational amufements. Like children you divert 
 yourfelves in foolifh play, night after night, wailing 
 your time and fubftance." *• And the God in whofe 
 nands your breath is, and whofe are all your ways, 
 you have not glorified". Any thing that is ferious and 
 ufeful to your fouls, you will not once hear, much 
 lefs will you hear it repeated. ** And what will ye 
 do in the end thereof?'' O that ye were wife, that 
 you flioulJ confidcr your ways, and at lad make fomc 
 returns of gratitude to a gracious God for all his ben- 
 efits beflowed upon you. 
 
 FIDELIO. 
 
 CHARITY. 
 
 v^fs^HARITY Is a virtue of the heart, and not of 
 the hands, fays an old writer. Gifts and alms are the 
 cxprefiions, not the elTence of tliis virtue. A man 
 may bellow great fums on the poor and indigent with- 
 out being charitable, and may be charitable when he 
 is not able to beflow any thing. Charity therefore is 
 a habit of good-will or benevolence in the foul, which 
 clifpofcs us to the love, afliftance, and relief of man- 
 kind, cfpecially of thofe who fland in need of it. 
 The poor man who has this excellent frame of mindy 
 is no lefs intltled to the reward of this virtue, than 
 the man who founds a college. For my own part, I 
 am charitable to an extravagance this way : I never 
 faw an indigent perfon in my life, without reaching 
 out to him fome of this imaginary relief. I cannot 
 but fympathife with every one I iu€€t wbQ k in aiBi^** 
 Ha 
 
i5>8 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANYI 
 
 tion ; and if my abilities were equal to my wifiies>. 
 
 ^ere fliould be neither pain nor poverty in the world. 
 
 Guardian, Vol. II. No. 166^ 
 
 CHARMS. 
 
 Jt HERE is no charm in the female fex that can' 
 fupply the place of virtue. Without innocence, beau- 
 t!j is unlovely, and quality contemptible j good-breed- 
 dng degenerates into wantonnef^, and wit into impu- 
 dence. It is obferved, that all the virtues are repre- 
 sented by both painters and ftatuaries under female 
 Jliapes ; but if any one of them has a more particular 
 title to that fex, it is modefty, I fliall leave it to the di- 
 vines to guard them againfi: the oppofite vice, as they, 
 may be overpowered by temptations it is fufficient for 
 3ne to have warned them againft it, as they may be 
 Jtdi. aftray by inftinft. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VI. No. 395. X.. 
 
 B 
 
 CHASTITY. 
 
 UT as I am now talking to the woVid yet untaint- 
 ed, I wall venture to recommend ehaftity as the noblefb. 
 snale qualification. 
 
 It is, methinks, very unreafonable, that the difficul- 
 iy of attaining all other good habits, is what makes 
 ahem honourable ; but in this cafe, the very attempt 
 Ms become ridiculous : but in fpight of all the raille- 
 jy of the world, truth is ftill truth, and will have beau- 
 ties infeparable from it. I (liould, upon this occafion, 
 bring examples of heroic chaftity, were I not afraid^ 
 of having my paper thrown away by the modi fh part- 
 of the town, who go no farther at beft than the mere 
 abfence of ill, and are contented to be rather irre- 
 proachable than praife- worthy. In this particular, r. 
 gentleman in the court of Cyrus^ reported to his ma~ 
 jefty the charms and beauty of Panthea ; and ended 
 luj panegyric by telling lu»i> that fince he was at ieif* 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 1^9 
 
 ore, .he would carry him to vifit her. But tha' 
 pnnce,who is a verv great man to this day an- 
 fvvered the pimp, becaufe he was a man of qual- 
 ity, without roughnefs, and faid, with a fmile, If 
 I Jhould 'vifit her upon ycur iHirodudion notv I have leifure^ I 
 do kno-w bno^M but I might g") again upon her oixn invitationy 
 «when I ought to be better employed. Ijut when I caft about 
 all the indances which I h^ive met with in all my 
 reading, I find not one ^o generous, fo honefh* and fo 
 noble, as that oijcfph \i\ holj nxrit, Vvlien his mailer 
 had truicta him m unrefervedly (to fpeak it in the cm- 
 phcitical manner of the fcripturc)^^ kne^v not aught he 
 had^fave the bread n.vhich he did eat^ he was fo unhappy 
 as to appear irrefillibly beautiful to his miflrefs. But 
 when this Ihamelefs woman proceeds to folicit, how 
 gAllant is his anfwer ! Behold^ my majier ^-cttetb net 
 nuhat is ivith me in the houfe^ and kath committed all that 
 he hath to my hand : There is r. one greater in the houfe than.I \ 
 neither hath he kept baek any thing from me hut thee^ becaufe 
 thou art his ivifc. The fame argument whichabafc mind 
 would have made to itfelf, for coi«nmitting the evil, 
 was to this brave man the grcatcfl mctive for the 
 foi bearing it, that he could do it with impunity. The 
 malice and falOiood of the difappointed woman natu- 
 rally arofe on that occafion ; and there is but a fliort 
 ftep from the practice of virtue to the hatred of it. 
 It would be therefore worth ferious ccnfideration in 
 both fexes, and t\\Q matter is oT importance to thcm^ 
 to alk themfelves whetlier they v/ouid change light- 
 nefs of heart, indolence of mind, cheerful meals, un- 
 troubled (lumbers, and gentle difpofitions, for a con- 
 ftant puriency, which ihuts cut all things that a^^e 
 great or iauiiix^rcn-t, clouds tlie imagination with in- 
 fenfibiliry and prejudice to ail manner of delight, but 
 that which, is common to all creatures that extend 
 their fpccies. 
 
 A loofe behaviour, and an inattention to everything 
 that, is ferious, flowing from fome degree of this pet- 
 ulancy, is obfervable in the generality of youth ©f 
 Jboth fexes in this age. It is the one ccaimon face of 
 
 roit public meetings, and breaks in upon the fobrietyg 
 won't fay feverity, that we ought to exercife iu 
 
2»o ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 churches. The pert boys, and flippant girls, are but* 
 faint followers of thofe in the fame inclinations at, 
 more advanced years. I know not who can oblige* 
 them to mend their manners ; all that I pretend to is, 
 to enter my proteft that they are neither fine gentle- 
 men nor fine ladies for this behaviour. As for the- 
 I'Ortraitures which I would propofe, as the images of ■ 
 agreeable men and women, if they are not imitated or^^ 
 r ;gar«led, I can only anfwer, as I remember Mr. Dry- 
 &£a did upon the like o^cafion, when a young fellow,: 
 juft come from the play of Cldcmencs, told him in rail-. 
 Irry again ft the continency of his principal charader, 
 if I had been alone with a lady, I (hould not have 
 p.ilTed my time like your Spartan. That may be^ an-, 
 fwered the Bard, with a very grave face ; but gi've^ 
 »ic lea've to tell j, cu. Sir, you a^-e no Hero. 
 
 Guardian, Vol. I. No. 44. • 
 
 CHEERFULNESS. 
 
 is an unreafonable thing fome men expedl: of 
 their acquaintance : they are ever complaining that" 
 they are out of order, or difpleafed, or they knownot^ 
 how ; and are fo far from letting that be a reafon for- 
 retiring to their own homes, that they make it their 
 argument for coming into company. What has any" 
 body to do with accounts of a man's being indifpofed," 
 but his phyfician ? If a man laments in company,' 
 v.'liere the rell are in humour enough to enjoy them- 
 felves, he fnould not take it ill, if a fervant is ordered* 
 tc» prefent him with a porringer of caudle, or poflet- 
 drink, by way of admonition that he go home to bed.; 
 That part of life which we ordinarily underftand by 
 the word converfation, is an indulgence to the fociable 
 part of our make, and fhould incline us to bring our 
 proportion of good-will or good-humour among the 
 friends we meet with, and npt to trouble them withf 
 relations which muft of neceffity oblige them to a real 
 or feigned afili£lion. Cares, diftreffes, difeafes, unea- 
 finefies, and diflike§ of Qur C)wn, are by nQ means t« 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY 26 r 
 
 1>e obtruded upon our friends. If we would conGd- 
 er how little of this vicifiitude of mndoii and reft, 
 which we call life, is (pent with fatisfadlon, wc 
 (hould be ir.ore tender of our friends, than to bring 
 them little foirows which do not belong to ihem. 
 There is no real life but cheerful life ; therefore val- 
 etudinarians fiiould be fworn before they enter into 
 company, not to fay a word of them fe Ives till the 
 meeting breaks up. It is not here preter.ded, that we 
 fi)0uld be ai'vays fitting with chapletscf flowers round 
 cur heads, or be crowiied with rofes, in order to make 
 our entertainment agreeable to us ; but if (as it is 
 ufually obfervcd) they wlio rciblvc to be nerry, f^^ldoi-a 
 are fo, it will be much more unliktly for u? to be 
 well pleafed, if they are admitted who arc always 
 complaining they are fiid. Whatever we do we 
 fhouid keep up the cheerfulncfs of our fpirits, and 
 never let them fink below an incpnation at k^aft to be 
 well pleafed. The v/ay to this, is to keep our bodies 
 in exercife, our minds at eafe. That inilpid Hate 
 wherein neitherarein vigour, is not tobe accounted :ny 
 part of our portionof being. When wc are inthefatie- 
 fa£lion of fome innocent pleafure, or purfuit of fome 
 laudable defign, we are in the pcfTefiion of life, of hu- 
 man life. Fortune will give us difappointmenta 
 enough, and nature is attended with infirmities enough, 
 without our adding to the unhappy fide of our ac- 
 count by oui fpleen or ill-humour. Poor Cctiilus^ 
 among fo many real evils, a clironical diftempcr, and 
 a narrow fortune, is never heard to complain. That 
 equal fpirit of his, which any man may have, that 
 like him will conquer pride, vanity, and afle£lation, 
 and follow nature, is not to be broken, becaufe it 
 has no points to contend for. To be anxious for 
 nothing but what nature demands as neceilary, if It 
 io not the way to an eilatc, is the way^ to what men 
 aim at by getting an ellate. This temper will pre- 
 ferve healtlvin the body, as well as trai-.quility in the 
 mind. Co^us fees the world in a hurry, with tl\e 
 fame fcorn tliat a fobcr perfon fees a man drunk. Had 
 he been contented with what he ouglu to have been. 
 
202 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 how could, fays he, fucK a. on€ have met with fuch a 
 difappointment? If another had valued his millrefs for 
 "W'hat he ought to have Icved her, he had not been in • 
 her power : If her virtue had a part ol his naflion, her 
 levity had been his cure ; fne couid not then have 
 been falfe and amiable at the fame time. 
 
 Since we cannot promife ourfelves con flant health, 
 let us endeavour at fuch a temper as may be our beft 
 fuppcrt in the decay of it. Urar.ius has arrived at 
 that compofure of foul, and wrought himfelf up to- 
 fuch a negleft cf every thing with which the gene-- 
 rallty of mankTnd is enchaniedj that nothing but acute ■ 
 pains can give him difturbr.nce ; and againft thcfe- 
 too he v/iil tell his intimate friends he has a fecret • 
 wliich gives him prtftnt eafe. Uranius is fo thorough-.- 
 ly perfuaded of another life, and endeavours fo fin-** 
 ccrely to fecure an intereft in it, that he looks upon- 
 pain but as a quickening of his pace to an home, 
 where he fiialf be better provided for than in |.his. 
 prefent apartment. Inflead of the melancholy vltv/s \ 
 which others are apt to give themfelves, he will telh ': 
 you that he has forgot he is mortal, nor will he-.] 
 think of himfelf as fuch. He thinks, at the time of his-, 
 birth he entered into an eternal being j and the Ihort .; 
 article of death, he will not allow an interruption of< ^ 
 life, fincethat mom>ent is not of half the duration as is ■ ^ 
 his ordinary fleep. Thus is his being one uniform and- i 
 confident feries of cheerful diverfious and moderate . \ 
 cares, without fear or hope of futurity. Health tO; I 
 him is mort; than pleaiiue to another man, ar d fick- J 
 nefs lefs afTeciipg to him than indifpofition is to oth-> \ 
 ers. i 
 
 I mufl ccnfefs if one does net regard life after this- .-] 
 manner, none but ideots can pafs it away with any^ •; 
 tolerable patience. Take a fine lady wlio is of a de- 1; 
 licate frame, and you may .obferve, from the hour flie,- i 
 rifes, a certain wearinefs of all that pafTes about her. ; 
 I know more than one, who is much too nice to ht \ 
 quite alive. They are Tick of fuch (Irange frightful J 
 peopk that they meet ; one is fo aukvv^ard, and an- ( 
 other fo dilagreeable, that it looks like a penance to /i 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 203 
 
 • breathe the fame air with them. You fee this is fo 
 very true, that a great part of ceremony and good- 
 
 . breeding among the ladies, turns upon their uneafi- 
 
 vnefs : and I will undertake, if the how-do-ye fervants 
 of our women were to make a weekly bill of ficknefs, 
 
 '.as the parifli- clerks do of mortality, you would not find 
 ih an account of feven days one in thirty that was not 
 
 downright fick or indifpofed, or but a very little better 
 
 -than (lie was, and fo forth. 
 
 It is certain that to e«joy jife and licalth a5 a co!i- 
 
 'ilant feaft, we (liould not think pleafure neceilarv ; 
 but, if poflible , to arrive at an equality of mind. It 
 is as mean to be overjoyed upon occafions of good- 
 fortune, as to be dejc6led in circun^ftanccs of diitrefs. 
 
 .laughter in one condition, is as unmanly as weeping 
 in the other. We (hould not form our minds to ex- 
 
 :pe£l tranfport on every occafion, but know how to 
 make enjoyment to be out of pai)i. AiTibition, envy, 
 
 •vagrant delire, or impertinent mirth wi]i take up our 
 minds, without we can poflcfs ourfejves in that fobri- 
 
 •ety of heart, which is above all pleafures, and can be 
 
 •felt much bett>.r than dffcrlbed. But the ready way 
 1 believe to the right enjoyment of lil":, is, by a prof- 
 peft towards another, to have but a veiy mean opin- 
 
 .ion of it. A great author of our time has fet this in 
 an excellent light, when, with a philoibphic pity of 
 
 .human life, he fpoke of it in his //^eory of the earth in 
 the following manner : 
 
 " For what is this life, but a circulation of little 
 
 ^mean actions } We lie down and rifs again, drefs 
 and undrefr,, feed and wax hungry, work or play, and 
 are weary ; and then we lie down again, and the 
 ■circle returns. We fpend the day in trifles -, and 
 when the night comes, we throw ourfelves into the 
 :bed of folly amongft dreams ami broken thoughts, 
 'and wild imaginations ; our reafon lies afleep by us, 
 and we are for the time as arrant brutes as thofe that 
 lleep in the flails or In the fields. Are not the capaci- 
 ties of man higher than thefe ? And ought not his am- 
 bition, and expectations to be greater ? Let us be ad- 
 ventureis for another world ; it is at leaft a fair and 
 
rJSONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 1 , .T.ia there is nothing in this worth our 
 
 tho.: ;• our paflions. ' If we {hould be difappoint- 
 
 ed, Wf^ are iVilino worfe than the reft of our fellow- 
 mortrJs ; and if we fucceed in our expedlations we 
 all eternally happy". 
 
 Spectator, Vol. IL No. 143. T.i 
 
 I have always preferred cheerfulnefs to mirth ; the* 
 latter I confide; as an act, the former as an habit of the^ 
 mind. INIirth is fhort and tranfient, cheerfulnefs fix-i 
 ed and permanent. Thofe are often raifed into thef 
 greateft tranfports of mirth, who are fubje6t to the I 
 greateft depreffions of melancholy : on the contrary,, 
 cheerfulnefs, though it does not give the mind fuch 
 an exquifite gladnefs, prevents us from falling into; 
 any depths ot forrow. Mirth is like a flafli of light- 
 ning, that breaks through a gloom of clouds, and^ 
 Splitters for a moment : cheerfulnefs keeps up a kind 5 
 of day-light in the mind, and fills it with a fteady and., 
 perpetual ferenity. J 
 
 Cheerfulnefs of mind is of a ferious and compofedj 
 nature ; it does not throw the mind into a condition^ 
 improper for the prefent ftate of humanity, and is ve-j 
 ry confpicuous in the charafters of thofe who are look-:] 
 ed upon as the greateft philofophers among the heath- • 
 ens, as well as among thofe who have been deferved-^ 
 ly efteemed as faints and holy men among Chriftians. 
 
 If we confider cheerfulnefs in three lights, with re- 
 gard to ourfelves, to thofe we converfe with, and to 
 the great author of our Being, it will not a little re- 
 commend itfelf on each of thefe accounts. The man , 
 who is poftefled of this excellent frame of mind, is not 
 only eafy in his thoughts, but a perfect mafter of all 
 the powers and faculties of his foul. His imagina- 
 tion is always clear, and his judgement undifturbed : 
 His temper is even and unruffled, whether in action 
 or in folitude. He comes with a relifh to ail thofe 
 goods which nature has provided for him, taftes all 
 the pleafures of the creation which are! poured about 
 him, and does not feel the full weight of thofc acci-; 
 Rental evils which may befall him. ; 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 205 
 
 If we confider him in relation to the peifons whom 
 he converfes with, it naturally produces love and good 
 will towards him. A cheerful mind is not only dif- 
 pofed to be affable and obliging, but raifes the fame 
 good humour in thcfe who come within its influence. 
 A man finds himfelf pleafed, he does not know why, 
 with the cheerfulnefsof his companion. It is like a 
 fudden funfhine that av/akens a cheerful delight in the 
 mind, without her attending to it. The heart rejoices 
 of its o'vjn accord, and naturally flows out into friend- 
 fliip and benevolence towards the perfon who has fo 
 kindly an cffecl upon it. 
 
 V/hen I confider this cheerful (late of mind in it* 
 third relation, I cannot but look upon it as a conllant 
 habitual gr?Aitude to tlie great author of nature. An 
 inward clieerfuhieis is an implicit praife and thankf- 
 givlng to Providence under all its difpenfations. It 
 is a kind of acquiefccnce in the (late wherein we are 
 placed, and a fecrct approbation of the Divine Will in 
 his.conducl; towards man. 
 
 A man v»'ho utes his bed endeavours to live accord- 
 ing to the dictates of virtue and right reafon, has two 
 perpetual fourfes of cheerfulnefs in the confideration 
 of his ovvn nature, and of that Being on whom he has 
 a depjndance. If he looks into himfelf, he cannot 
 but rqoice in that exiflcnce which is fo lately beRowed 
 upon him, and which, after millions of ages, will be 
 itiil new, and (Ull ia its beginning. How many felf- 
 rongratulations naturally arife in the mind, when it re- 
 fleds on this its entrance into eternity, when it takes a 
 view of thofe improveable faculties which in a fevr 
 years, and even at its iirfl; fetting out, have made fo 
 confiderablc a progrefs, and which will be dill receiv- 
 ing an incrcafe of perfe(£lion, and confequently an in- 
 crcafe of happinefs ! The confcioufnefs of fuch a be- 
 ing fpreads a perpetual diffufion of joy through the 
 foul of a virtuous man, and makes him look upon 
 himfelf every moment as more happy than he knows 
 liov/ to conceive. 
 
 The fecond fource of cheerfulnefs to a good mind, 
 is its couruieration of that Being on whom we have 
 3 
 
our depcndance, and in whom, though we behold him 
 as yet in the firil faint difcoveries of his perfe6lions, 
 we fee every thing that we can imagine as great, glori- 
 ous, or amiable. We find ourfelves every where up- 
 held by his goodnefs, and furrounded with an immen- 
 fity of love and mercy. In fliort, we depend upon a 
 Being, who fe power .^qualifies him to make us happy 
 by an infinite means, whofe goodnefs and truth engage 
 him to make thofe happy who defire it of him, and 
 whofe unchangeablcnefs will fecure us in this happi- 
 nefs.to all eternity. 
 
 Such confiderations, which every one fliould per- 
 petually cherifh in his thoughts, will baniih from us 
 all that fecret heavinefs of heart which unthinking 
 men are fubjecb to, when they lie under no real afflic- 
 tion J all that anguifh which we may feel from any 
 evil which adtually opprelTes us, to which I may like- 
 wife add thofe little cracklings of mirth and folly that 
 are apter to betray virtue than fupport it ; and eftab- 
 lilh in us fuch an even and cheerful temper, as makes 
 us pleafing to ourfelves, to thofe with whom we con- 
 verfe, and to Him whom, we were made to pleafe. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. V. No. 391. I. 
 
 A cheerful temper joined with innocence will make 
 beauty attractive, knowledge delightfu), and wit good- 
 natured. It will lighten hcknefs, poverty, and afflic- 
 tion, convert ignorance iqto an amiable Gmphclty, and 
 render deformity itfelf agreeable. 
 
 Tatler, Vol. IV. No. 192. 
 
 CHERUBIMS AND SERAPHIMS. 
 
 ,^OME of the Rabbins tell us, that the Cherubim.s 
 are a fet of angels who know moii, and the Sera- 
 phims a fet of angels who love mofb. Whether this 
 diftindion be not altogether imaginary, I {hall not 
 here examine ; but it is highly probable, that among 
 the fpiritG of good men, there may be fome who will 
 be more plcafed with the employment of one l^acul: y 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 207 
 
 rhan of another, and this perhaps according to thofe 
 vivtuoUs habits or inclinations which have here taken 
 the deeped root, 
 
 :, Vol. VIII. No. 600. 
 
 A: 
 
 CHILDREN. 
 
 Mr. Spectator, 
 
 S your papers is part of the equipage of the tea** 
 table, i conjure you to print what I now write to you ; 
 for I have no other vay to communicate what I have 
 to fay to the fair fex, on the moffc important circum- 
 itances of life, even the care of children. I do not 
 underltand that you profefs your paper is always to 
 coniift of matters which are only to entertain the 
 learned and polite, but that it may agree with your 
 defign to publifli fome which may tend to the infor- 
 mation of mankind in general ; and when it does fo, 
 you do more than writing wit and humour. Give me 
 leave then to tell you, that of all the abufea that ever 
 you have as yet endeavoured to reform, certainly not 
 one wanted fo much your afllftance as the abufe in 
 nurfing children. It is unmerciful to fee, that a wo- 
 man endowed with all the perfections and bleflings ot 
 nature, can, as foon as flic is delivered, turn off her in- 
 nocent tender and helplefs infant, and give it up to a 
 woman that is (ten thoufand to one; neither in health 
 nor good condition, neither found in inind nor body, 
 that has neither honour nor reputation, neither Ioyq nor 
 pity for the poor babe, but more regard for the money 
 than the whole child, and never will take farther care 
 of it than what by all the encouragement of money and 
 prefcnts Ihe is forced to , like JE/op's eaith, which 
 would not nurfe the plant of another ground, although 
 never fo much improved, by reafon that plant was not: 
 of its own produ<Slion. And hnce another child is no 
 more natural to a nurfe, than a plant to a ftrangc and 
 different grou;iv., hov/ can it be fuppofed that the 
 child iliould thii7€ I And if it thrives; mult it not im- 
 
a€)8 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 bibe the grofs humours and qualities of the nurfe, like 
 a plant in a diirerent ground, or like a graft upon a dif- 
 ferent ftock ? Do not we obferve, that a lamb fucking, 
 a goat changes very much its nature, nay, even its fkin 
 and wool into the goat kind ? The povv-er of a nurfe 
 over a child, by infufing into it, with hsr milk, her 
 qualities and difpofition, is fufficiently and daily ob- 
 lerved. Hence carne that old faying concerning an 
 .ill-natured and malicious fellow, thr.«: he had im.bibed 
 Iiis malace with his nurfe's milk, or that feme brute 
 or other had been his nurfe. Hence Romulus and Re- 
 mus were faid to have been nurfed by a wolf, 1 eUphui 
 the fon of Hercules by a hind, Peleus the fen of Neptune 
 by a mare, and ^^.ifilus by a goat j not that they had 
 aaually fucked thofe creatures, as fome (impletons 
 have imagined, but that their nurfes had been fuch a 
 nature and temper, and infufed fuch into them. 
 
 Many inftances may be produced from good au- 
 thorities and daily experience, that children actually 
 fuck in the feveral paihons and depraved inclinations 
 of their nurfes ; as anger, malace, fear, melancholy, 
 fa.dnefs, defire, and averficn. This Diodorus^ Lib, 2. 
 witnefTeth when he fpeaks, faying, that NerQ the em- 
 peror's nurfe, had been very much addicted to drmk- 
 ing ; which habit N5ro received from, his nurfe, and 
 "was fo very particular in this that the people took fo 
 much notice of it, as inltead of Tibeilus Nero^ they call- 
 ed him Biherius Nero. The fame Dicdcrus alfo relates 
 cf Caligula^ predecefTor to Ncro^ that his nurfe ufed to 
 moiften the nipples of her breaft frequently Vvith blood, 
 to make Caligula taketlie better hold of them ; which, 
 fays Dicdorus^ was the caufe that made him fo blood- 
 ihirfty and cruel all his life-time after, that he not only- 
 committed frequent murder by his ov/n hand, but like- 
 wife wifhed that all human kind wore but one neck, 
 that he 'might have the pleafure to cut it ofF. Such 
 like degeneracies aftonifii the parents, who not know- 
 ing after whom the child can take>feeone incline to 
 Healing, another to drinking, cruelty, flupidity ; yet 
 all thefeare not minded. Nay, it is eafy to demon- 
 ftrate, that a child, although it be born from the befl 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 209 
 
 01 parents, may be corrupted from an ill-tempered 
 nurie. How many children do we fee daily brcugJ^t 
 up in fits, confumptions, rickets, &c. merely by fuck- 
 ing their nurfes when in a paifion or fury ! But indeed 
 almofl any diforder of the nurfe is a diforder to the 
 child ; and few nurfes can be found in this town, but 
 what labour under fome diftemper or other, the firlt 
 queition that is generally alked a young woman that 
 wants to be a nurie, why flie fliould be a nurfe to oth- 
 er peoples children ? is anfwered, by her having an ill 
 hulband, and that flie mud make iliift to live. I think 
 now this very anfwer is enough to give any body a 
 fliock, if duly confidered •, for an ill hufband may, on 
 ten to one if he does not, bring home to his wife an ilf 
 diftemper, or at leaft vexation and diflurbance. Be- 
 fides ilie takes the child out of mere neceility, her food 
 ^^•ill be accordingly, or clfe very coarfe at lead ; 
 whence proceeds an ill-conco6led and coarfe food foe 
 tiie child ; for as the blood, fo is the milk. Ancf 
 hence, I am very well aflurcd, proceed the fcurvy, tlie 
 evil and many other diflempsrs, I beg of you, for the 
 fake of many poor infants that may, and will be faveci 
 by weighing this cafe ferioully, to exhort the people 
 with the utmoit vehemence to let the children fuclc 
 their own mothers, both for the benefit of mother and 
 child ; for the general argument that a mother is 
 weakened by giving fuck to her children, is vain and 
 fimple. I will maintain that the mother grows ftron- 
 ger by it, and would have her health better than flis 
 would have otherwife : She will find it the greatefi: 
 cure and prefcrvative for the vapours and future mif- 
 carriasjes, much beyond any other remedy whatfoever. 
 Her children will be like giants ; whereas otherwife 
 they are but living fhadows, and like unripe fruit : 
 And certainly if a woman is ftrong^enough to bring 
 forth a child, fhe is beyond all doubt ftrong enough to 
 nurfe it afterwards, it grieves me to obferve and con- 
 fidcr how many poor children are daily ruined by 
 carelefs nurfes ; and yet how tender ougnt they to be 
 of a poor infant, fince tlie leafb hurt or blow, efpe^ially 
 S 2 
 
210 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY:. 
 
 upon the head, may make Tt fenfelefs, flupid, or other* 
 wife miferable for ever ! 
 
 But I cannot well leave this fubje6t ns yet •, for it 
 feems to me very unnatural, that a woman that has fed 
 a child as part of herfelf for nine months, fhould have 
 no defire to nurse it farther, when br®ught to light be- 
 fore her eyes, and when by its cries it implores her 
 affiftance and the office of a mother. Do not the very> 
 cruelefl of brutes tend their young ones with all the. 
 care and delight imaginable ? For how can flie be call- 
 ed a mother that does not nurfe her young ones ? The 
 earth is called the mother of all tilings, not becaufe ilie 
 produces, but becaufe flie maintains and nourimes 
 what (lie produces. The generation of the infant is 
 the effeci of defire, but the care of it arg^ues virtue and 
 choice. I- am not ignorant but that there arc fome 
 cafes?of neceiTity where a mother cannot give fuck;. 
 and then out of two evils the leaft mud be chofen :- 
 But there are fo very few, that I am fure in a thoufand. 
 there is hardly one real inftance. For if a woman 
 does but know that her huiband can fpars about- three 
 or fix fhlllings a week extraordinary (although this is 
 but feldom confidered) fhe certainly, with the afiiift- 
 ance of her goflips, will foon perfuade the good man 
 to fend the child to nuif?, and eafily impofe upon him 
 by pretending indifpofition. This cruelty is fuppoit- 
 €d by fafhion, and nature gives place to cuilom. 
 
 Siry2'cu>s, &c. 
 Spectatob., Vol. IIL No. 246. T* 
 
 CHRISTIAN CHURCH. - ; 
 
 J\S I was the other day taking a folitary walk in St. . ) 
 Faul'i>y\ indulged my thoughts in the purl'uit of a cer-- 1 
 tain analogy between the Fabrick and the Chriftiaii.^ 
 Church, in the largefl fenfe. The divine order and ^ 
 ceconomy of the one feemed to be emblematically fet i 
 forth by the juft, plain, and majeftic arcliiteclure of ' 
 the other : And as the one con fills of a great variety- ^ 
 ®f parts, united in the fhme regular defigii, according ^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 211 
 
 to the trued and mod exa<5t proportion, fo the other 
 contains a decent fubordination of members, vari- 
 ous facred inftituticnsj fublime doclrines> and folid 
 precepts of moridity digelled into the fame dsfi^n, and 
 v ith an adiiirable concurrence tending to one view, 
 the happincfs an(i exaltation of human nature. 
 . In the midfl of my contcmpLuion I beheld a fly up- 
 on one o£ the piJlars ; and it ftraightway came into 
 my head that this fame fly was a Free-thinker. For it 
 j-equired fome compreheuilon in the eye of the SpeSia- 
 for, to take in at one view, the various parts of the 
 building, in order to obferve their fymmetry and de- 
 fign. But to the fiy, whofe profpedt was confined to a 
 little part of one of the ftoncs of a fmgle pillar, the 
 joint beauty of the whole, or the diii:in£l ufe of its 
 parts, were inconfpicuous, arad nothing could appear 
 but fmali inequalities in the fm-facc of the hewn Itone, 
 which, in the view of that infed, feemcd {o man.y de- 
 formed rocks and precipices. 
 
 The thoughts of a Free-thinker arc employed on cer- 
 tain minute particularities of religion, the dihiculty of 
 a (ingle text, or the unaccountablentfsof fome llcp of 
 Providence or point of doclrinc to his narrow facul- 
 ties ; without comprehending the feope and defign of 
 chriitianity, the per left ion. to which k raifed tJie hu- 
 man nature, the liglit it hatli fl-ied abroad in the 
 world, and the ciofe connc6lion it hath, as well with 
 the good of public focieties, as v/ith thai of particular 
 perlbns. 
 
 Thjs raif^^d in me fome reflections, on that frame or 
 dif\:)oritici v/hich is called largenejs tf mind \ its ne- 
 ceiiity towards forming a true judj:^ment of things^ 
 au'.^, where tlie foul Is^ not incurably flintecl by na- 
 ture, v/iiat arc the likeliefb methods to give it en- 
 largement. 
 
 it is evident that philofophy doth open and enlarge 
 the mind by the j9;eneral views to which men are ha- 
 bitui.ied in that ^icudy, and by the contemplation of 
 moiw nuinv;rous and diftant objects than fail wirhin 
 the fphere of mankhid, in the ordinary purfuits of 
 iiic. H^nce it comes to prfs, that plulofophers judge 
 
a 12 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 of mod things very difFerently from the vulgar. Some 
 inftances of this may be feen in the Theateui of Plate, 
 where Socrates makes the following remarks among 
 others of the like nature. 
 
 " When a philcfopher hears ten thoufand acres 
 mentioned as a great eftate, he looks upon it as an in- 
 confiderable fpot, having been ufed to contemplate the 
 whole globe of earth ; or when he beholds a man ela- 
 ted with the nobility of his race, becaufe he can reck- 
 on a fevies ©f feven rich anceilors, the philofopher 
 thinks him a ftupid ignorant fellow, whcfe mind can- 
 not reach to a general view of human uature, which 
 would ihow him that we have all innumerable ancef*- 
 tors, among vv^hom are crowds of rich and poor, 
 kings and Haves, Greds and Barbarians.^^ Thus far 
 Socrates^ who was accounted v/ifer than the reft of the 
 heathens, for nf)tions which approach the neareft to 
 chviHianity. 
 
 As ail parts nnd branches oi philofophy or fpecula- 
 tive knowledge are ufeful in that refpe£t, aftronomy 
 as peculiarly adapted to remedy a little and narrow 
 fpirit ; in that fcience there are good reafons affigned 
 to prove the fun an hundred thoufand times bigger 
 than our earth. y.nd the diftance of the ftars fo prodi- 
 gious, that a cannon bullet, continuing in its ordinar— 
 ry rapid motion, would not arrive from hence at the 
 neareftof them for th€ fpace of an hundred and fifty 
 thoufand years. Thefe ideas wonderfully dilate and 
 expand the mind. There is fometking in the immen- 
 fuy of this diftance,, that ftiocks and overwhelms the 
 imagination ; it is too big for the grafp of a human 
 intelle6b : Eftates, provinces, and kingdoms vanifti at 
 its prefence. 
 
 But the Chrifiian Religion ennobleth and enlargetfe 
 the mind, beyond any other profeflion or fcience wnat- 
 foever.. Upon that fcheme, while the earth and the 
 tranGent enjoymente of this life ihrink into the nar- 
 rovveft dimenfions, and are accounted as the duji of 
 a balance^ the drop of a bucket^ jCa, lefs than nothing, the 
 intellectual world opens wider to our view : The 
 perfetiions of the Deity the nature and excellence 
 
I ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 213 
 
 virtue^ the dignity of the human foul, are difplayed 
 in the iargelb characters. The mind of man feems to 
 adapt itfeif to the different niiture of its objects ; it is 
 contratled and debafed by being converfant in little 
 and low thinos, and feels a proportioniible enlarement 
 arifiJig from the contemplation of thefe great and fub- 
 hme ideas. 
 
 The greatnefs of tilings is comparative; and this 
 d :C5 not hold in refpec^ of extenfion, but like- 
 Vvifi in refpeftt of dignity, duration, and all kinds 
 of perfc^Vion. Ailronomy opens the mind, and 
 ,,.: alters our judgment, with regard to the magnitude of 
 extended ikings ; but chridianity produces an univer- 
 fal greatntfs of foul. Philofophy increafeth our views 
 in every refpefl:, but chriilianity extends them to a de- 
 gree beyond the light of nature. 
 
 How mean mull the mod exalted potentate upon 
 earth appear to that Eye v/hlch takes in innumerable 
 orders of blelTedfpirits/difFering in glory and perfec- 
 tion ! How little muft the amufemehts of fenfe, and 
 the ordinary occupations of mortal men, feem to one 
 jwho is engaged in fo noble a purfuit, as the aOlmlla- 
 ,tlon of himfdf to the Deity, v/hich is the proper em- 
 ..ployment of every Chrillian! 
 
 y. And the improvement which grows from habitua- 
 ting the mind to the comprehenhve views of religion 
 ",mu"tl not be thought wholly to regard the underdafld- 
 ing. Nothing is of greater force to fubdui the inor- 
 . diuate motions of the he?,rt, and to regulate the wilL 
 Whether a man be aauated by liiis pallions or his rea- 
 fon, thefe are firfl wrought upon by fome objc6l, 
 . which ilirs the foul in pvoportion to its apparent di- 
 menfions. Hence irreligious men, whole fliort prof- 
 ^ pedis are filled with earth, and fenfe, and mortal life, 
 ; are invited, by thefe mean ideas, to aftlons propor- 
 ' tionably little 'and low. But a mind whofe views are 
 enlightened and extended by religion, is animated to 
 nobler purfuits by more fubiime and remote objedts. 
 
 There is not any inftance of weaknefs in the/ree- 
 ^ thinkers ihnt r.ufes' my indignation more, than their 
 'pretending to ridicule'Chriftians; as men of narrow 
 
214 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. , W. ts 
 
 imderftandings, and to pafs themfelves upbn the wcfrl 
 for perfons ot fupericr fenfe and more enlarged view 
 But 1 leave it to any impartial man to judge wliic 
 hath the nobfler fentiments, which the greater viev/s 
 he whofe notions are ftinted to a few miferable inletj; ^ 
 of fenfe, or he whofe fentiments are raifed above thr "^ 
 common tafte by the anticipation of thofe delight 
 which will fatiate the foul, v;hen the whole capacity o 
 her nature is branched out into new faculties ? H 
 who looks for nothing beyond this fliort fpan of dura 
 tion, or he whofe aims are co-extended with the end 
 lefs length of eternity ? Ke who derives his fpirit frorr' 
 the elementSj or he who thinks it was infpired by the 
 Almighty ? Guardian, Vol. I. No. 70 
 
 CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 
 
 Jl, HE great received articles of the Chriftian Relr 
 gion have been fo clearly proved from the authority o 
 that divine Revelation in which they are delivered,^ 
 that it is impofBble for thofe who have ears to hear, 
 and eyes to fee, not to be convinced of them ; but 
 were it poffible for any thing in the chriftian faith, to 
 be erroneous, I can find no ill confequences in adher- 
 ing to it. The great points of the incarnation and fuf- 
 ferings of our Saviour, produce naturally fuch habits 
 of virtue in tlie mind of man, that I fay, fuppofing it 
 were poflible for ug to be miftaken in them, the infi- 
 del himfelf muft at leaft allow, that no other fyftem of 
 religion can fo effetSlually contribute to the hightening 
 of morality. They give us great ideas of the dignity r 
 of human nature, and of the love which the Supreme : 
 Being bears to his creatures •, and confequently engage 
 us in the highefl acls of duty towards our Creator, our 
 neighbour, and ourfelves. How many noble arguments 
 has St. Paul raifed from the chief articles of our reli- 
 gion, for the advancing of morality in its three great 
 branches 1 To give a fmgle example in each kind, 
 what can be a ftronger motive to a firm truft and reli- 
 ance on the mercies of our Maker, than th-^ giving up 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 215 
 
 fon to fuffer for us ? What can make us love and 
 em even the mod inconfiderable of mankind, more 
 a the thought that Chriil died for him ? or what 
 pcfe us to f^t a ftritter guard upon the purity of our 
 n hearts, than our being members of Chrifl:, and a 
 t of the fociety of which that immaculate perfon is 
 head r But tliefe are only a fpccimen of thofe ad- 
 rablc enforcements of morality which the Apoftle 
 
 drawn from the hiftory our blefied Saviour. 
 If our modern inlidcis confidcrcd tlu fe matters with 
 it candour and ferioufnefs which tliey dcfcrve, we 
 mid not fee them act with fuch a fpint of bitternefs, 
 o^crancc, and malice. They would not be raifing 
 h infignificant cfivils, doubts, and fcruples, as may 
 ftarted againll every thing that is not capable of 
 thematical demonilration, in order to unfcttle the 
 nds of the ignorant, diRurb the public peace, fubvert 
 ity, and throw all things into confufion and dil- 
 ler. If none of thcfc reficclions can have any in- 
 ence on them, there is one that perhaps may, be- 
 ife it is adapted to their vanity, by wliich they feem 
 be guided, much more than their reafon. I would 
 ;refore have them confider that the wift-ft .lud bell of 
 all ages of the work!, have been thofe who 
 ed up to the religion of their country, when they 
 V nothing in it to oppofe morality, and to the belt 
 hts they had of the divine nature. Pythagcras's firft 
 e dire6ls us to wordiip tlie Gods, as it is ordp/med by 
 v; for that is the rnoft r.atural interpretation of the 
 icept. Sccrates, vvho was the mod renowned among 
 I Iieathens, both for wifdom and virtue, iu his lait 
 )ment5 defires his friends to ofier a cock to ^€fcula- 
 /, doubtlefs out of a fubmiilive deference to the ef- 
 )liihed vvorfliip of his country. Xer.ophoTj tells us, 
 It his Prince (v/hom he iets forth as a pattern of per- 
 ilion) when he found his death approaching, offered 
 ;ririce3 on the mountains to yie Perfean Jupiter^ and 
 I fun> according to the cujlom of the Perjians ; for thofe 
 : the words of the hillorian. Nay, the Epicureans 
 d atomical philofophers (bowed a very remarkable 
 )defty in this particular , for though the Being of 
 
216 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ,.] 
 
 a God was entirely repugnant to their fcbemes of na- 
 tural phlloiophy, they contented themfelves with tlW 
 denial of a Providence, averting at the fame time ih6\ 
 exiftence of Gods in general, becaufe they would not 
 {hock the common belief of mankind, and the religion 
 of their country. J 
 
 Spectator, Vol. III. No. i86. Lij 
 
 T 
 
 CHRISTIANS fdeir advantage,) | 
 
 countries, {o renowned of old, in the moil eleva- | 
 odons of theology and morality ? Is it the effe£t | 
 ir own parts and indufcrv } Have our common \ 
 
 ^^ O one who regards things with a philofophicali?; 
 eye, and hath a foul capable ot being delighted withf 
 the fenfe that truth and knowledge prevail among men,- 
 it mull be a grateful rcfle6lion to think that the fu- 
 blimeft truths, which amoi^g the heathens only here and 
 there one of brighter parts and more leifure than ordi- 
 nary could attain to, are nov/ grown familiar to thel 
 meanefl inhabitants of thefe nations. 1 
 
 Whence came this lurprifing change, that regions |j 
 formerly inhabited by ignorant and favage people, 
 fhould now outfhine ancient Greece ^ and the other eaf- 
 tern c 
 ted no 
 
 of our own parts and induicry 
 mechanics more refin.^d underfcandings than the an- 
 cient philoibphers ? It is owing to the God of truth,^^; 
 who came down from Heaven, and ccndefcended to 
 behimfelf our teacher. It is as we are ChriJIians, that. 
 we profefs more excellent and divine truths than the 
 reft of mankind. 
 
 If there be any oi xht frce-thi/rkers who are not direct 
 Atheifts, charity would incline one to believe them ig- 
 norant of what is here advanced : And it is for their 
 information that I write thi^ paper, the-defign of which 
 is to compare the ideas th»t Cliriilians entertain of the 
 being and attributes of a God, with the grofs notions 
 of the heathen world. Is it poflible for the mind of 
 man to conceive a more augult idea of the Deity, than 
 is fet forth in the Holy Scriptures ? i fhidi throw to- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 217 
 
 gether fome pafTages relating to this fubjedl:, which I 
 yropofe only as philcfophical fentiments, to be confid* 
 ered by Tl free-thinker. 
 
 " Though there be that are called Gods, yet to 113 
 there is but one God. He made the Heaven and 
 Heaven of Heavens, v*ith all their hoft ; the earth and 
 all things that are therein ; the feas and all that 1$ 
 therein : He faid, Let them be, and it was fo. He hath 
 ftrctched forth the Heavens. He hath founded the 
 earth, and hung it upon nothing. He hath fhut up 
 the fea with doors, and faid, Hitherto flialt thou come, 
 and no farther ; and here fhall thy proud waves be 
 (laid. The Lord is an invifible Ipirit, ni whom we live 
 and move, and have our being. He is the fountain of 
 life. He preferveth man and beaft. He giveth food 
 to all fieOi. In his hand is the foul of every living 
 thing, and the breath of all mankind. The Lord mak- 
 eth poor, and maketh rich. He bringeth low, and 
 lifteth up. He killeth and he maketh alive. He wound- 
 cth, and he healeth. By him kings reign, and princes 
 jdecree juftice ; and not a fparrow falleth to the ground 
 without him. AH angels, authorities and powers are 
 fubje£t to him. He appointeth the moon for feafons, 
 and the fun knoweth his going down. He thunder- 
 eth with his voice, and diredleth it under the whole 
 Heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 
 Fire and hail, fnow and vapour, wind and ftorm, ful- 
 fil his word. The Lord is king for ever and ever, and 
 his dominion is an everlafting dominion. The earth 
 and the heavens (hall perifh -, but thou, O Lord, re- 
 malneft. They all (hall wax old, as doth a garment, 
 and as a vefture flialt thou fold them up, and they {hall 
 be changed -, but thou art the fame, and thy years (hall 
 have no end. God-is perftcl: in knowledge j his un- 
 ^erflanding is infinite. He is the father of lights. He 
 looketh to the ends of the earth, and feeth under the 
 whole Heaven. The Lord beholdeth all the children 
 of men from the place of his habitation, and confider- 
 eth all their works. He knoweth our down-fitting 
 and uprifing. He compafleth our path, and counteth 
 <?ur iteps, Jle is acquainted with all our ways ; and 
 
218 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 when we enter our clofet, and ftiut our door, he feetli 
 us. He knoweth the things that come into our mind, 
 every one of them : And no thought can be wlth- 
 holden from him. The Lord is good to all, and his 
 tender mercies are over all his works. He is a father 
 of the fatherlefs, and a judge of the widow. He is the 
 God of peace, the father of mercies, and the God of 
 all comfort and confolation. The Lord is great ; and 
 we know him not -, his.greatnefs is unfearchable. Who 
 but he hath meafured the waters in the hollow of his 
 hand, and meted out the heavens with a fpan ? Thine, 
 O Lord, is the greatnefs, and the power, and the glory, 
 and the victory, and the majefty. Thou art very great, 
 thou art clothed with honour. Heaven is thy throne, 
 and earth is thy footftool." 
 
 Can the mind of a philofopher rife to a more juft 
 and magnificeht, and at the fame time a more amiable 
 idea of the Deity than is here fet forth in the flroiigeft 
 images and moft emphatical language ? And yet this 
 is the language of fhepherds and fifhermen. The illit- 
 erate Jews and poor perfecuted Chriftians retained 
 thefe noble fentiments, while the polite and powerful 
 nations of the earth were given up to that fottifh fort 
 of worftiip of which the following elegant defcription • 
 is extracted from one of the infpired writers. 
 
 " Who hath formed a God, and molten an image 
 that is profitable for nothing ? TRe fmlth with the 
 tongs both worketh in the coals, and falhioneth it with 
 hammers, and worketh it with the ftrength of his arms : 
 Yea, he is hungry, and his ftrength faileth. He drink- 
 cth no water and is faint. A man planteth an afh, 
 and the rain doth nourifti it. He burneth part thereof 
 in the fire. He roafteth flefh. He warmeth himfelf. 
 And the refidue thereof he maketh a God. He fail- 
 eth down unto it, and worfliippeth it, and prayeth un- 
 to it, and faith, deliver me, for thou art my God. None 
 confidereth in his heart, I have burnt part of it in the 
 fire *, yea, alfo, I have baked bread upon the coals there- 
 of -, I hav< roafted flefh and eaten it : And fhail i make 
 the refidue thereof an abomination ? Shall I fall down 
 to the ftock of a tree ?'* 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 2ig 
 
 In fuch circumflances as thefe, for a man to declare 
 for. free -thinking, and difcngage himfelf from the yoke 
 of idolatry, were doing honour to human nature, and 
 a work well becoming the great aflertors of reafon. 
 But in a church where our adoration is dire£led to the 
 Supreme Being, ai\d (to (ixy ^^^ lead) where is noth- 
 ing cither in the obje^l or manner of vvorfliip that 
 contradids the Ught of nature, there under the pretence 
 of free-thinking, to rail at the religious inftitutions o£ 
 their country, ihoweth an undiftinguifhing genius, that 
 millakes oppofition for freedom of thought. And, in- 
 deed, notwithdanding the pretences of fome few 
 Timon^om- /ree-t/!inkers,l can hardly think there are 
 men lo Rapid and inconfiftent with themfelves, as to 
 have a ferious regard for natural religion, and at the 
 fame time ufe their utmofk endeavours to deftroy the 
 credit of thofe facred writings, which, as they have been 
 the means of bringing thefe parts of the world to the 
 knowledge of natural religion, fo in cafe they lofe their 
 autlicrity over the minds of men, we ihould of courfe 
 liiik into the fame idolatry which we fee pra£tifed by 
 other unenlightened nations. 
 
 If a perfon who exerts himfelf in the modern way of 
 free-thinking be not a flupid idolator, it is undeniable 
 that he contributes all he can to the making other men 
 fo, either by ignorance or defign ; which lays him un- 
 der the dilemma, I will not fay of being a fool or knave, 
 but of incurring the contempt or detellation of man- 
 kind. 
 
 Guardian, Vol. II. No. 88. 
 
 The noble genius of Fir^il would have been exalted 
 ftiil higher, if he had the advantage of chriftianity. 
 According to our, fcheme of thoughts, if the word me- 
 mores in the front bf this paper were changed into fimiUs^ 
 it v.'ould have very much heightened the motive of vir- 
 tue in the reader. To do good and great adlions mere- 
 ly to gain reputation, and tranfmit a name to pofteri- 
 ty, is a vicious appetite, and will certainly enfhare the. 
 perfon who is moved by it, on fome occafions, into a 
 falfe delicacy for fear of reproach i and atothers, into 
 
32© ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 jirtifices which taint his mind, though they may enlai'ge 
 his fame. The endeavour to make men hke you, ra- 
 ther than mindful of you, is not fubjecl to fuch ill con» 
 fequences, but moves with its rev/ard in its own hand v 
 or, to fpeak more in the language of the world, a man 
 with this aim as happy is as a man in an ofhce, that is 
 paid out of money under his own dire6lion. There 
 have been very worthy examples of this felf- denying 
 virtue among us in this nation ; but I do not know of 
 a nobler example in this cafe, than that of the late Mr. 
 £cyle, who founded a lecture for the Proof cf the Chrij- 
 tian religion agairji aiheijfs^ a7id other noicrisus ir.Ji.'!els. The 
 reward of perpetual memory amongfl men, which 
 might pcflibly have fcmeiluic in this fublime charity, 
 was certainly confidered but in a fecond degree ; and 
 Mr Boyle had it in liis thoughts to make men imitate 
 him, as well as fpeak of him, when he was goneoiFour 
 
 Tlie world has received much good from this infti- 
 tution ; and the noble emulation of great mxcn on the 
 inexhauftible fubje£l of the effence, praife, and attri- 
 butes of the Deity, has had the natural effedl:, which 
 always attends this kind of contemplation ; to wit, 
 that he who writes upon it with a fmcere heart, very 
 eminently excels whatever he has produced on any 
 other occafion. It eminently appears from this obfer- 
 vation, that a particular bleffing has been bellowed on 
 this Le£tu^e. This great philofopher provided for us, 
 after his death, an employment not only fuitable to our 
 condition, but to his own at the fame time. It is a 
 light fit for angels, to behold the benefaftor and the 
 perfons obliged, not only in different places, but under 
 different beings, employed in the fame work. 
 
 This worthy man fludied nature, and traced all her 
 ways to thofe of her unfearchable Author. V/hen he 
 had found him, he gave this bounty for the praife and 
 contemplation of him. To one who has not run through 
 regular courfes of philofophical inquiries (the other 
 learned labourers in this vineyard will forgive mc) I 
 cannot but principally recommend the book, intitlcd, 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 223 
 
 T-hyftco Theology ; printed for William Innjs in St. Paul's 
 Church Yard. 
 
 It is written by Mr. Durhamy Re£lor of Vpminjler in 
 Eflex. I do not know what Vpminjler is worth ; but I 
 am fure, had I the beft living in England to give, I 
 (bould rot think the addition of it fufficient acknowl- 
 edgement of his merit, efpecially fmce I am informed, 
 th.it the fimplicity of his life is agreeable to his ufeful 
 knowledge and learning. 
 
 The praife of this author feems to me to be the grcat 
 perfpicuity and method which render his work intelli-- 
 gible and pleafing to people who are ftrangers to fuch 
 inquiries, as well as to the learned. It is a very defir- 
 abie entertainment to find occafions of pleafure and 
 fatisfadion in thofe objects and occurrences which we 
 have all our lives, perhaps, overlooked, or beheld with- 
 out exciting any refledlions that made us wifer or hap- 
 pier^ The plain good man does, as with a wand, 
 {how us the wonders and fpe£lacles in all nature, and 
 tlie particular capacities with which all living crea- 
 tures are endowed for their feveral ways of life ; how 
 the organs of creatures are made according to the dif- 
 ferent paths in which they are to move, and provide 
 for themfelves and families ; whether they are to creep, 
 to leap, to fwim, to fly, to walk ; whether the)^,are to 
 inhabit the bowels of the earth, the coverts of the 
 woods, the muddy or clear ftreams, to howl in forefts, 
 or converfe in cities. All life, from that or a worm 
 to that of a man, is explained •, and, as I may fo ipeak, 
 the wondrous works of the creation, by the obferva- 
 tions of this author, lie before us as obje£ls that cre- 
 ate love and admiration, which without fuch explica- 
 tions, flrike us only with confufion and amazement. 
 
 The man who, before he had this book, drefled and 
 went out to loiter and gather up fomething to enter- 
 tain a mind too vacant, no longer needs news to give 
 himfelf amufement 5 the very air he breathes fuggefts 
 abunuant matter for his thoughts. He will confider 
 that he has begun another day of life, to breathe with 
 all other creatures in the fame mafs of air, vapours 
 and clouds, which furround our globe j and pf all the 
 T 2- 
 
222 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY 
 
 numberlefs animals that live by receiving momentary 
 life, or rather momentary and new reprieves froiift 
 death, at their noftrils, he only ftands ere6t, confcious 
 and contemplative of the benefadtion. 
 
 A man who is not capable of philofophical reflec- 
 tions from his own education, will be as much pleafed 
 as with any other good news which he has not before 
 heard : The agitations of the wind, and the falling of 
 the rains, are what are abfolutely neceffary for his wel- 
 fare and accommodation. This kind of reader will be- 
 hold the light with a new joy, and a fort of reafona- 
 ble rapture : He will be led from the appendages 
 which attend and furround our globe, to the contem- 
 plation of the globe itfelf, the diftribution of the earth 
 and waters, the variety and quantity of all things pro- 
 vided for the tifes of our world : Then will his con- 
 templation, which was too diffufed and general, be lei 
 down to particulars, to different foils and mowldsy to 
 the beds of minerals and ftones, into caverns and vol- 
 canos, and then again to the tops of mountains, and. 
 then again to the £elds and valleys. 
 
 When the author has acquainted his reader with 
 the place of his abode, he informs him of his capacity 
 to make himfelf eafy and happy in it, by the gift o£ 
 fenfes, by their ready organs, by fhowing him the 
 ftru6lure of thofe organs, the difpofition of the ear for 
 the receipt of founds, of the noftril for fmell, the,: 
 iongue mr tafte, the nerves to avoid harms by our feel-^ 
 ing, and the eye by our fight. 
 
 The whole v;ork is concluded (as it is the fum of 
 fifteen fermons in proof of the exiftence of the Deity) 
 with refle6lions which apply each diftindt part of it to 
 an end, for which the author may hope to be rewarded 
 with an immortality much more to be delired, than 
 that of remaining in eternal honour among all the fons 
 of men. Guardian, Vol. II. No. 175. 
 
 CICERO'S Letters to his Wije, 
 
 Jt HE wits of this ifland, for above fifty years paft| 
 initead of corre^ing the vices of the age, have done 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ^23. 
 
 all they could to inflame them. Marriage has been 
 one of the common topics of ridicule that every flage. 
 fcribbler hath found his account in ; for whenever 
 there is an occafion for a clap, an impertinent jeft upon 
 matrimony is fuie to raife it. This hath been attend* 
 ed with very pernicious confequcnces. IMany a coun- 
 try 'Squire, upon his fetting up for a man of the town, 
 has gone home in the gaiety of his heart, and beat his 
 wife. A kind hufband hath been looked u\rc\\ as a 
 clown, and a good wife as a domefHc animal, unfit for 
 the company or converfation of the .^^j^- Mcnde. In 
 fliort, Separate beds, fdent tables, and folitary homes, 
 have been introduced by your men of wit aid pleafure 
 Of the age. 
 
 As I (hall always make it mv bulrneis to ilem the 
 torrents of pvejudice and vice, I Ihall take particular 
 care :o put an hon^lt father of a family in countenance, 
 and endeavour to remove all the evils out of that (late 
 of life which is either the moii happy or moil mifera- 
 ble that a man can be placed in. in order to this, let 
 us, if you pleafe, confider the wits and well bred per- 
 fons of former times. I have Tnown in another paper, 
 that Pliny, who was a man of the grcatcft genius, as 
 well as cf the firlt quality of his age, did l.-^l think it- 
 below him to be a kind huiband, and to treat his wife 
 as a friend, companion, and counfellor. I fhall give 
 the like inilance of another, who in all refpe6ts was a 
 much greater man than Pl':ny, and hath writ ^ whole 
 book of letters to his wife. They are not fo full of 
 turns as thofe tranilatcd out of the former author, who 
 writes very much like a modern, but are full of that 
 beautiful rnnplicity which is altogether natural, and is 
 the dillinguilhing character of the belt ancient wri- 
 ters. The author I am fpeaking of, is Cicero, vvlio, in 
 the following pafTages which I have taken out of his- 
 letters, (hows, that he he did not think, it inconfiftent 
 with the politenefs of his manners, or the greatnefs of 
 his wifdom, to ftand upon record in his domeilic char- 
 ader. 
 
 Ihefe letters were written in a time when he. was 
 
2 24 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. I 
 
 banlihcd from his country, by a faclion that then pre- 
 vailed at Rome. 
 
 CICERO TO TERENTIA. 
 
 I. 
 
 " I learn from the Letters of my friends, as well an 
 from common report, that you give incredible proofs 
 of virtui and fortitude, and that you are indefatigable 
 i;i all kinds oi good offices. How unhappy a man am 
 I, that a woman of your virtue, conftancy, honour, and 
 good nature, fliould fall into fo great diftrefies upon 
 mv account ! and* that my dear 'fullicla iliould be fo 
 iriQch afilic^ed for the fake of a father with whom fbe 
 had once fo much reafon to be pleafed ! How can I 
 njcntion little Cicero^ whofe firil knowledge of things 
 began v.dth the fc-nfc of his own mifery ! If all thi • had 
 happeaed by the decrees of his fate, as you would 
 kindly perfuade me, i could have borne it : but alas ! 
 it is ail befallen me by my ov/n indifcretion, who 
 thought I was beloved by thofe that eiivied me, and 
 did not join with them who fought my friendihip. — 
 At preft:nt, fmce my friends bid me hope, I fhall take 
 care of m^ health, tnat I may enjoy the benefit of your 
 affectionate fervices. Plancius hopes we may fome. 
 time or other come together into Italy. If ever I live 
 to fee that day, if I ever return to your dear embraces, 
 in ihortfif ever I again recover you and myfelf, I fhall 
 think our conjugal piety very well rewarded. — As for 
 what you write to me about felling your eftate, con- - 
 fider (my dear Terentia) confider, alas ! what would be j 
 the event of it. If our prefent fortune continues to •',' 
 opprefs us, what will become of our poor boy 1 My ' 
 tears flow fo fall, that I am not able to write any far- -J 
 ther ; and I would not willingly make you weep with - 1 
 me. Let us take care not to undo the child that is al- i 
 ready undone. If we can leave him any thing, a little ' < 
 virtue will keep him from want, and a little fQr-i-| 
 tune raife him in the world. Mind your health^^. 
 and let mc know frequently what you are doing. Rc= 
 member me to Tulliola and Cicero,'* 
 
I ADDISONIAN MI5CF.LLANY. 225 
 
 II. 
 
 ^* Do not fancy that I write longer ktters to any one 
 than to yourfelf, unlcfs when I chance to receive a 
 longer letter from another, which I am indifpenfably 
 obliged to anfwer in every particular. The truth of 
 it is, I have no fubjed: for a letter at prcfent •> aiid avS 
 my affairs now (land, there is nothing more painful to 
 me than writing. As for yon, and our dear -Tvllida^ I 
 nnot write to without abundance of tears -, for I fee 
 both of you miferable-, whom I alwayr, uiHied to be 
 happy, and whom I ^^ught to have made fo. — I mud 
 acknowledge, you have done ev;:ry thing for me with 
 the utmod fortitude, and the utmoft atreclion \ nor in- 
 deed is it more than I expeded from you ; though at 
 the fam.e time it is a great aggravation of my ill fortune, 
 that the aillidlions I fufFer can be releived only by 
 thofe which you undergo for my fake. For honelt 
 Valerius has written me a letter, which I couid not read 
 without weeping very bitterly ; wherein he gives me 
 an account of the puolic proceihon which you have 
 made for me at Rome. Alas ! my deared life, muft 
 then Tereniia, the darling of my foul, whcfe favour and 
 recommendations have been fo often fought by others 
 — mud my lerer.tia droop under the weight of forrow^ 
 ppear in the habit of a mourner, pour out floods of 
 tears, and all this for my fake : for my fake, who have 
 uiidone my family, by confulting the lafety of others ? 
 As for what you write about felling your houfe, I am 
 very much aflh£l:ed, that what is laid out upon my ac- 
 count may any way reduce you to mifery and want. 
 If we can bring about our defign, we may indeed re- 
 cover every tiling ; but if fortune pcrfids in perfccut- 
 jng us, how can I think of your facrificing for me the 
 poor remainder of your polreiTions ? No, my dearelt 
 life, let me beg you to let thofe bear my expences who 
 are able, and perhaps willing to do it *, and if you 
 would fliew your love to me, do not injure your health, 
 which is already too much impaired. You prefent 
 yourfcif before my eyes day and night ; I fee you la- 
 bouring amidd innumerable dilFicukies ; I am afraid 
 
226 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 leflyou n;ioulLi fmk under tlicm : but I find in you all ^^ 
 the qimlifications that are nccciliiry to fupport yoa j £ 
 be fure therefore to cherlfh your health, that you maV 
 comp-^.fs the end of your hopes and your endeavours'.' 
 Farewell, my Tere?3iia. mv heart's defire, farewel. ' i, 
 
 ^ m. -^'l 
 
 " ^RISTOCRITUS hath delivered to me three oi |;,J 
 your letters, vi^hich I have almoft defaced with my' ;. 
 tears. Oh ! my Terentiu I am confumed with grief,!.'^ 
 and feel the weight of your fuilerings more than of my 
 own. I am ijore mifcrable than you are, notwith- 
 llanding you are very m.uch fo *, .:.id that for this rea 
 
 (i 
 
 rr 
 
 city 
 
 therefore overwhelmed not only v/ith grief, but with 
 fname. I am aHiamed, that I did not <Jo my utmoft -j 
 for the heft of wives, and the dearefl of children. You 
 areever prefent before my eyes in your miourning, your 
 afFiidion, and your fickntfs. Amidft all which, there 
 fcarce appears to me the lead glimmering of hope- 
 However, as long as you hope, I will not defpair. — I 
 will do what you advife me. I have returned my 
 thanks to thofe friends whom you mientioned, and have 
 let them know, that you have acquainted me with their 
 good ofiices. I am fenfible of P^/o's extraordinary 
 zeal and endeavours to ferve me. Oh 1 would the 
 Gods grant that you and I might live together in thj 
 enjoyment of fucli a fon-in-law, and of our dear chil- 
 dren. — As for what you write of your coming to rrie, 
 if I defireit, I would rather you fliould be where you 
 are, becaufe I know you are my principal ag^nt at 
 Rome. If you fucceed, I fhall come to you : if not — 
 But I need fay no more. Be careful of your health, 
 and be aiiured, that nothing is, or ever was, fo dear 
 to me as yourfelf. Farewel, my Terentia *, I fancy 
 that I fee you, and therefore cannot command my 
 weaknefs lo far as to refrain from tears."" 
 IV. 
 *"' I do not write to vou as often as I might, becaufe, 
 notwith Handing I amafflided at all times, I aw quite 
 
 t 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 227 
 
 'overcome v/Itli forrow whilft I am writing to ycu, or 
 Mcling any letters that I receive from you. — If thefe 
 :vils are not to be removed, I mud defire to fee you, 
 my deareft life, as foon as polTible, and to die in your 
 embraces; fince, neither the Gods, whom you always 
 .■ireligioufly worOiipped, nor the m.;n whofi good I al- 
 '■'.ys promoted, have rev/arded us according to our de- 
 . 1 ts. What a dillreffed wretch ami ! Should I afic a weak 
 jwoman oppreffed with cares and ficknefs, to come and 
 liv« v/ith me ; or fliall I not aik her ? Can I live with- 
 out you ? But I find I muft. If there be any hopes 
 of my return, help it forward, and promote it as much 
 as you are able. But if all that is over, as I fear it is, 
 find out fome way or other of coming to me. Tills 
 you may be fure of, that I fnall not look upon myfeif 
 as quite undone whilft you arc with me. But what 
 will become of Tw/Z/Wa f You nniil; look to that; I 
 muft confefs, I am entirely at a lofs about her. What- 
 ever happens, we muft take care of the reputation and 
 marriage of that dear unfortunate girl. As for Cicero, 
 he (hall live in my bofom, and in my arms. I cannot 
 write any farther, my forrows will not let me — Sup- 
 port yourfelf, my dear Terentia, as well as you are able. 
 We have lived and flouriOied together amid ft the great- 
 eft honours : It is not our crimes, but our virtues 
 J that have diftrefled us. — Take more than ordinary care 
 of your health .'' I am more afflicted with your for- 
 rows than my own. Farewel, my Terentia, thou dear- 
 eft, faithfullell, and beft of wives." 
 
 Methinks it is a pleafure to fee this great man in his 
 family, who makes fo different a figure in xht forum or 
 jSenate of Rome. Every one admires the Orator and 
 the Conful ; but for my pait, I efteem the hulliand 
 and the father. His private charadler, with all the 
 little weakneffes of humanity, is as amiable, as the fig- 
 ure he makes in public is awful and majeftic. But at 
 the fame time that I love to furprife fo great an author 
 in his private walks, and to furvey him in his moft fa- 
 miliar lights, I think it would be barbarous to form to 
 ourfelves any idea of mean-fpiritednefs from thofe na- 
 
228 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY, 
 
 tural openings of his heart, and difburthening of hrS' 
 thoughts to a wife. He has written feveral other let-' 
 ters to the fame perfon, but no3Te v/ith fo great paflion 
 asthefe of which I have given the foregoing extracts. 
 It would be ill-nature, not to acquaint the EngUjb 
 reader, that his wife was fuccefsfui in her felicitations 
 for this great man, and faw her hufband return to the 
 honours of which he had been deprived, with all thc^ 
 pomp and acclamation thatufually attended the great^j 
 eft triumph. Tatler. Vol. ill. No. 159*,! 
 
 I 
 
 CLEANLINESS 
 
 S a mark oi pclitcnf fs. It is mriverfally agreed up- 
 on, that no one, unadorned with this virtue, can go 
 into company witliout giving a manifeR olrence. The 
 eaficr or higher any one's fortune is, this duty riles 
 proportionably. The different nations of the world 
 areas as much diftinguiihed by their cleanlincfs, as 
 by their arts and fciences. 1'he mere ' any country 
 is civilized, the more they confultthis part of polite- 
 nefs. We need but ccmpape our ideas of a female 
 Hottentot and an EngUJh beauty, to be fatisfied of the 
 truth of what hath been advanced. 
 
 In the next place, cleanlinefs may be faid to be thci' 
 foftei mother of love. Beauty indeed moft coir'mon- 
 ly produces that paffion in the m.ind, but cleanlinefs 
 preferves it. An indifferent face and perfon, kept in 
 perpetual neatnefs, has won many a heart from a pret- 
 ty flattern. Age itfelf is not unamiable, while it is pre- i j 
 ferved clean and unfullied : like a piece of metal con- 
 flantly kept fmooth and bright, we look on it .with 
 more pleafure than on a new veffel which is cankered jl| 
 with ruft. • \ 
 
 I might obferve farther, that, as cleanlinefs renders 
 us agreeable to others, fo it makes us eafy to ourfelves, 
 that ic is an excellent prefervative of health ; and that 
 feveral vices de{lru6tive both to mind and body, are 
 inconfiOient with the habit of it. But thefe reflections 
 I fhali leave to the leifure of my readers, and ihall ob- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 22^ 
 
 ferve in the third place, that it bears a great analogy 
 with purity of mind, and naturally infpircs refined 
 Icntiments and paflions. 
 
 We find from experience, that through the preva- 
 lence of cuftom, the moft vicious adions lofe their 
 horror, by being made familiar to us. On the con- 
 trary, thofe who live in the neighbourhood of good 
 examples, fly from the firfl appearance of what is 
 fhockin^T. Itfares with us much after the fiime manner, 
 as our ideas. Our fenfes, which are the inlets to all 
 the images conveyed to the mind, can only tranfmit 
 the imprefTion of fuch things as ufually furroundthem. 
 So that pure and unfullled thoughts are naturally fug- 
 gelled to the mind by thofe obje£ls that perpetually 
 encompafs us, when they are beautiful and elegant in 
 their kind. 
 
 In the eafl^ where the warmth of the climate make* 
 cleanlinefs more immediately neceffary than in colder 
 countries, it is made one part of their religion. The 
 J^willi law, (and the Mahometan, which in fome 
 things copies after it) is filled with bathings, puri- 
 fications, and other rites of the like nature. Though 
 there is the above-named convenient reafon to be af- 
 figned for thefe ceremonies, the chief intention un- 
 doubtedly was to typify inward purity and cleanli- 
 nefs of heart by thofe outward waihings. AVe read 
 feveral injundiions of this kind in the book of Deute- 
 rmomyy which confirm this truth ; and which are but 
 ill accounted for by faying as fome do, that they were 
 only inftituted for convenience in the defart, which. 
 othcrwife could not have been habitable for fo many- 
 years. 
 
 I fhall conclude this efiay with a (lory which I have 
 fome where read in an account of P^Iohometan fuper- 
 ftitions. 
 
 A Dervife of great fan(9:ity, one morning had the 
 misfortune, as he took up a cryftal cup, which was 
 confecrated to the prophet, to let it fall upon the 
 ground, and dafh it in pieces. His fon coming ia 
 Ibme time after, he flretchcd out his hand to blefs 
 him, as his manner was every morning ; but th^ 
 
230 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 youth going out, ftumbled over the threfliold, and 
 broke his arm. As the old man wondered at thefe 
 events, a caravan pafled by in its way from Mecca, 
 The Dewije approached it to beg a bleihng •, but, as 
 he ftrokedone of the holy camels, he received a kick 
 from the bealt,/ that forely bruifed him. His forrow 
 and amazement increafed upon him, till he recol- 
 lected, that through hurry and inadvertency he had 
 ;that morning come abroad without waflung his 
 4iands. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VIII. No. <53 r. 
 
 COMMERCE. 
 
 X HERE is not a place in the tovv^n which I fo 
 much love to frequent as the Royal Exchange. It gives 
 a fecret fatisfaction^ and, in feme meafure, gratifies 
 my vanity, as I am an EngUfimun^ to fee fo rich an af- 
 fembly of countrymen and foreigners confulting to- 
 gether upon the private bufinefs of munkind, and mak- 
 ing this metropolis a kind of emporium for the whole 
 earth. I muft confefs 1 look upon high change to be 
 a great council, in which all confidcrable nations have 
 their reprefcniatives. FaClors in the trading world 
 are what ambaffadors are in the politic world ; they 
 negodate atTairs, conclude treaties, and maintain a 
 good correfoondence b^^tv/een thofc wealthy focieties 
 of iVieu that arc dividrd from one another by feas and 
 oceans, or live on the different extremiiies of a conti- 
 nents I have often been pleafed to hear difputes ad.- 
 jufted between an inhabitant of japan and an alder- 
 man of La.don, or to fee a fubjeCt of the Great Mogul 
 entering into a league with one of the ( %ar of Uufcc- 
 <vy. I am infinitely delighted in mixing with thefe 
 feveral minifters of commerce, as they arc diflingulfli- 
 cd by their different walks and diflerent languages. 
 Soiietimes I am joflled among a body of Armenians ; 
 fomttimes I am lofl in a crowd of Jenvs ; and fome- 
 . times make one in a group of Dutchnen. I am a Dane^ 
 
 S-xMsdi^ cr Fnnchman^ at diiFerent times •, or rather fau- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 231 
 
 cy myfelf like the old phllofopher, who, upon being 
 allced what countryman he was, replied, that he was 
 a citizen of the world. v 
 
 Though I very frequently vifit this bufy multitude 
 of people, I am known to nobody there but my friend 
 Sir Andre^ujy who often fmiles upon me as he fees me 
 buftling in the crowd, but at the fame time connives 
 at my prefence without taking any farther notice o£ 
 me. There is indeed a merchant of Egypt ^ who juft 
 knows me by fight, having formerly remitted me fome 
 money to Grand Cairo \ but, as I am not verfed in the 
 modern coptick^ our conferences go no farther than a 
 bov/ and a grimace. 
 
 This grand fcene of bufinefs gives me an infinite 
 variety of folid and fubftantial entertainments. As I 
 am a great lover of m.ankind, my heart naturally over- 
 flov/s witli pleafure at the fight of a profperous anJ 
 happy multitude, infomuch that at many public io*' 
 kinnities I cannot forbear expreflrng my joy with 
 tears that have ftolen down my cheeks. For this 
 reafon I. am wonderfully delighted to fee fuch a body 
 of men thriving in their own private fortunes, and at 
 the fame time promoting the public flock \ or in oth- 
 er words, raifing eftates, for their own families, by- 
 bringing into their country v/hatever is wanting, and 
 carrying out of it whatever is fuperfiuous. 
 
 Nature feems to have taken a particular care to dif- 
 feminate her bleffnigs among the different regions of 
 the world, with an eye to this mutual intercourfe and 
 traffic among mankind, that the natives of the feve- 
 ral parts of the globe might have a kind of depend- 
 ance upon one another, and be united together by their 
 common intcrefts. Almoft every degree produces 
 fomething peculiar to it. The food often grows in 
 one country, and the fauce in another. The fruits o£ 
 Portugal are corre£l:ed by the products of Barbaaoes, 
 The infufion of a China plant fweet.ened with the pith 
 of an hidian cTiViQ. The Philippine iflands give a fla- 
 vour to our Euroepan bowls. The fingle drefs of a wo- 
 man of quality is often the produtl of an hu:«dred 
 cUnmtes. The muff and. the fan come together from 
 
,232 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 the difFerent ends of the earth. The fcarf is {ent 
 from the Torrid Zone, and the tippet from bencatk 
 the Pole. The brocade petticoat rifes out of the 
 Klines of Peru, and the diamond necklace out of the 
 bowels of Hi.idojian, 
 
 If we confider our own country in its natural prof- 
 peel, without any of the benefits and advantages of 
 commerce, what a barren, uncomfortable fpot of earth 
 falls to our fliare \ Natural hiftorians tell us, that no 
 fruit grows originally among us, bcfides hips and 
 haws, acorns and pig-nuts, with other delicacies of 
 the like nature : that our climate of itfelf. and with- 
 out the affiftance of art, can make no farther advan- 
 ces towards a plum than to a floe, and carries an ap- 
 ple to no greater perfection than a crab : that our 
 jnelons, our peaches, our figs, our apricots,. and cher- 
 ries, are ftrangers among us, imported in different 
 ages, and naturalized in our Englip gardens ; and that 
 they would all degenerate arid fall away into the trafh 
 of our own country, if they were wholly negledledby 
 the planter, and left to the mercy of our fun and foil. 
 Nor hastrafiic mors enriched our vegetable world, than 
 it has improved the whole face of nature among us. 
 Our (hips are laden with the harveft of every climate : 
 our tables 'are (tored with fpices, and oils, and wines : 
 our rooms are filled with pyramids of Chinay and 
 adorned with the workmanfhip of Japan : our morn- 
 ing's draught comes to us from tlie remoteft corners 
 of the earth : we repair our bodies by the drugs of 
 Amtrica, and repofe ourfslves under Indian canopies. 
 My friend Sir Andrew calls the vineyards of France our 
 gardens *, the fpicelilands our hotbeds j the Perfians 
 our filk weavers, and the Chinefe our potters. Nature 
 indeed furnifhcs us with the bare neceffaries of life ; 
 but traffic gives us a great variety of what is ufeful, 
 and at the fame times fupplies us with every thing 
 that is convenient and ornamental. Nor is it the 
 leail part of this our happinefs, that while we enjoy 
 the remoteft produds of the north and fouth, we are 
 free from thofe extremities of weather whicli give 
 ihej^ birtji : that our eyes are refreflied with the green. 
 
 ! 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 233 
 
 ieuls of Britain^ at the fame time that our palates are 
 Jeafted with fruits that rife between the tropics. 
 
 •*.For thefe reafons there are none more uieful mem- 
 bers in a commonwealth than merchants. They knit 
 mankind together in a mutual intercourfe of good of- 
 fices, diftribute the gifts of nature, find work for the 
 poor, and wealth to the rich, and magnificence to the 
 great. Our En^Ujh merchant converts the tin of his 
 own country into gold, and exchanges his wool 
 for rubies. The Mahometans are clothed in our Brit" 
 ijh m:inufa£ture, and the inhabitants of the frozen 
 rone warmed with the fleeces of our fiieep. 
 
 When I have been upon the change, I have ofteu 
 fancied one of our old kings (landing in his perfon,, 
 where he is reprefcnted in eifigy, and locking down, 
 iipjn the wealthy conccurfe of people with which that 
 place is every day filled. In this cafe how would he 
 be furpifed to hear all the languages of Europe fpoken 
 in this little fpot of Ills former dominions, and to fee 
 fo many private men, who in his time would have 
 been the vafials of ibme powerful Baron, negociating 
 like princes for greater furns of money than were for- 
 inerly to be met with in the royal treafury ! Trade, 
 without enlarging the Britijh territories, has given us a 
 kind of additional empire : it has multiplied the num- 
 ber of rhe rich, made our landed eftates infinitely more 
 valuable than they were formerly, and added to them 
 an acceflion of other eftates as valuable as the lands 
 themlelves. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. I. No. 6y, 
 
 COMMON PRAYER. 
 
 Jt HE well-reading of the common prayer is of fo 
 great importance, and fo much negleded, that I take 
 the liberty to olFer to your confideration fome parti- 
 culars on that fubjeft': and what more worthy your 
 obfervation than this, a thing fo public and of fo 
 high confequence ? It is tH^^d^-wmiferful, that the 
 frequent cxercife c)^*'?{^fl4UM ^#t"«nra1ie the perfor- 
 U 2 
 
234 ADDfSONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 mcrs of that duty more expert in it. This inability^ 
 as I conceive, proceeds from the little care that is ta- 
 ken of their reading, while boys, and at fchool, where, 
 when they have got into Latin, they are looked upon 
 as above Englifh, the reading of which is wholly ne<2:- 
 ic6ted, or at lead read to very little purpoCe, withe ut 
 any due obfervations made to thera of the proper ac- 
 cent and manner of reading : by this means they 
 have acquired fuch ill habits as will not eafily be re- 
 moved. The only way that I know of to remedy 
 this, is to propofe lome perfon of great ability that way 
 as a pattern for them ; example being moll effedlual 
 to convince the learned, as well as to in(lru£l the ig- 
 norant. 
 
 You mufl know. Sir, I have been a conflant frc- 
 
 <juenter of the church of England for above thefe four 
 
 years laft part, and till funday was fevennight never 
 
 <lifcovered, to fo great a degree, the excellence of the 
 
 common prayer ; when, being at St. James's,, Gar- 
 
 iick-HHl church, I heard the fcrmon read fo diftindtly,, 
 
 ib emphatically, and lo fervently, that it was next to 
 
 •an impoffibility to be unattentive. My eyes and my 
 
 thoughts could not wander as ufual, but were con- 
 
 iined to my prayers : I then confidered I addrelTed 
 
 myfelf to the Almighty, and not to a beautiful face. 
 
 And when I refle6ledcn my former performances of 
 
 .that duty, I found I had run it over as a matter of 
 
 form, in comparifon to the manner in which I then 
 
 clifcharged it. My mind was really affeded, and fer> 
 
 vent wifhes accompanied ray words. The confeflioa 
 
 "was read with fuch a refigned humility, the abfolution 
 
 with fuch a comfortable authority, the thaakfgivings 
 
 "with fuch a religious joy, as made me feel thofe af- 
 
 fei^ions of the mind in the manner I never did before*. 
 
 To remedy therefore the grievance above complained 
 
 of, I humbly propofe, that this excellent reader, upca 
 
 tjic next and every annual affembly of the clergy of 
 
 SiMr College y and all other conventions, fliould read 
 
 prayers before them : for then thofe who are afraid of 
 
 5:retching their mouths and fpoiling their foft voice,. 
 
 ^iU karn to r«ad witb cleaKicfa^ loijdaefs ai^d 
 
ADDISOKIAN MISCELLANY. 23.^ 
 
 ftrcngth. Others, who afFecl a rakifh negligent air by 
 folding their arms, and lolling on their book, will be 
 taught a decent bcKnvicnr, nnd comely ereiflion of bo- 
 dy. Thofc who read ib fad as if impatient of their 
 work, m:^y learn to fpeak deliberately. There is an- 
 other fort of pcrfons M'hom 1 call rindaric readers, as 
 being confined to no fet meafure : Thefe pronounce 
 five or fix words with great deliberation, and the five 
 or fix fubfequent ones with as great celerity ; the firft 
 part of a fentence with a very exalted voice, and the 
 latter part with a fubmiilive one; fometimes again 
 with one fort of a tone, and immediately after with a 
 very diiTcrent one. Thtte gentkmen will learn of my 
 admired reader an evennefs of voice and delivery. 
 And all who are innocent of thefe affectations, but 
 read with fuch an indif>crency asif thev did not un- 
 derftand the language, may then be iniormed of the 
 art of rcaditig inovmgly and fcrvfntly, how to place 
 the emphafis, and give tiie proper accent to each word, 
 and how to vary the voice according to the nature of 
 the fentence. There is certainly a very great differ- 
 ence between reading a prayer and a gazette, which! 
 beg of you to inform a fet of itaoers, whoafJedl, 
 forfooth, a certain g«ntieman«lil:e familiarity of tone, 
 and amend the language as they go on, crying, in- 
 ftead of fardonah and chjcl-veih^ f arsons and ahj'olvesi^ 
 Thefe are often pretty claffic.il fcholars, and would 
 think it an unpardonable Hn to read Virgil or Martisd 
 with fo little tafte as they do divine fervice. 
 
 This Indiffercncy f^^ems to me to arife from the 
 
 endeavour of avoiding the imputation of cant, and 
 
 the falfe notion of it. It will be proper therefore t» 
 
 trace the original and fignihcation of this word. 
 
 Cant is, by fome people, derived from one AndretM 
 
 iC/iv//. who, they Aiy, was a pvefbyterian miniiter ia 
 
 ^ome illiterate part of Scotland, who bv, exercife and 
 
 i-wfe had obtained the faculty, alias gi^t, of talking in 
 
 ^'t^^e pulpit in fuch a dialect, that it is faid he was un.. 
 
 derllood by none but his own ccng .egation. and not 
 
 by ^11 of them. Since Mr., C^Af'^ nme it has .been 
 
 i^underliood in a large fenfe, and fignifies all fuddea 
 
2^5 DDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 exclamaticns, whinings, unufual tones, and In fine SlI- 
 praying and preaching, like the unlearned of the pref- 
 byterians. But I hope a proper elevation of voice,, a 
 due cmphafis and accent, are noT'to come within 
 this defcription : So that our readers may (till be as 
 unlike the prefbyterians as they pleafe. The dilTen- 
 ters (1 mean fuch as I have heard) do indeed elevate 
 their voices, but it is with fudden jumps from the 
 lower to the higher parts of them , and that with fo 
 little fenfe or fkill, that their elevation and cadence- 
 is b'Awiing and muttering. They make ufe of 
 an emphafis, but fo improperly, that it is often 
 placed on fome very iniignificant particle, as up- - 
 on if or arj. Now, if the improprieties have fo 
 great an efTe^t on^ the people, as we fee they have, 
 how great an influence would the fervice of cur 
 church, containing the bcft prayers that ever were 
 compofed, and that in terms molt afFefting, mofb 
 humble, and moft exprefiive of our wants, and de- 
 pendance on the obje6t of cur worfhip, difpofedin 
 mofl proper order, and void of all confufion ; what 
 influence, I fay, would thefe prayers have, were they 
 delivered with a due emphafis and appofite rifing and 
 variation of voice, the fentencc concluded with a gen- 
 tle cadence, and, in a word, with fuch an accent and 
 turn of fpeech as is pecuHar to prayer 1 
 
 As the m.atter ofworOiip is now managed, in dif- 
 fcnting cop.gragations, you find infignificant words 
 and phrafes railed by a Uvely vehemence ; in our own- 
 churches, the m.oft exalted fenfe depreciated by a dif- 
 paflionate indolence. I remember to have heard Dr. 
 
 S — : e fav, in his pulpit, of the common prayer, 
 
 that, at leail:, it was as perfe£l as any thing of human 
 inftitution : If the gentlemen who err in this kind, 
 would pleafe to recolleft the many pleafantries they 
 have read upon thofe who recite good things with an 
 ill grace, they would go on to think that what in that 
 cafe is only ridiculous, in themfelves is impious. But 
 kaving this to their own reflections, I- fhaii conclude 
 this trouble with what Ccsfar faid upon the irregular- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. tjf 
 
 Hy of t jne in one who read before him, Dojfu reid^ «r 
 
 Spectator, Vol. II. No. 147. T. 
 
 I 
 
 COMPLAISANCE. 
 
 was the other day in company at my lady Lixants, 
 •when there came in among us their ^roufin Tc:», who 
 is one of tiioie country Tquires who fet up for plain 
 honed ^cnttcn,cn, who fpeak their minds. Tom is, in 
 fliort, a livily impudent, clown, and has wit enough 
 tohavo made himlelf a pleiifant companion,had it been 
 poliflic<i and rectified by good manners. T cm had 
 net been a quarter of an hour w-lth us, before he fet 
 every one in the com.pany a blufhiiig, by feme blunt 
 queition, or unlucky ubiervation. He afked the 
 iiparkler if her wit had yet got her a hufband ; and 
 told her eldeft fifter fhe looked a little wan under the 
 eyes, and that it was time for her to look about her, 
 it fhe did not defign to lead apes in the other world. 
 The good lady Lizard y who fuilers more than her 
 xlaagnters on fuch an occafion, defired her coufin 
 Thomasy with a fmile, not to be fo ftvere on his rela- 
 tions : to which the bcoby replied, with a rude country 
 laugh, if I be not millaken, aunt, you w^ere a mother 
 at iifteen ; and why, do you expe£l, that youi daugh- 
 ters fliould be maids tiii five-and-twenty ^. I endea- 
 voured to divert the difcourfe, when without taking 
 notice of what I faid, IMr. hofifidty fliys he, you fill my 
 coufms' heads with your line notions as you call 
 thdm ; can you teach them ro make a pudding ? I 
 muft confcfs he put me out of countenance with hi* 
 rullicraiileiy ; fo that I nia,de fome cxcufe, and left 
 the room. 
 
 This fellow's behaviour made me refle£l: on the 
 ufefulnefsof complailance, to m.»k;i all converfation 
 agreeable. This, though in itielf it be fcnrce reckon- 
 ed in the number of moral virtues, is that which gives 
 a luflire to every t ilent a man can be poflcfled of. It 
 was riaty\ advice to an unpoliftxd writer, that \^ 
 
238 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 (hould facrliice to the graces. In the fame manner I 
 would advife every man of learning, who would not 
 appear in the world a mere fcholar, or philofopher, to 
 make himfcif matter of the fecial virtue which I hav^i 
 here mentioned. 
 
 Complaifance renders a fuperior amiable, an equaf 
 agreeable, and an inferior acceptable. It fmooths 
 dilliiJ^Llon, fweetens converfation, and makes every 
 one in the^ company pleafed with liimfelf. It produ- 
 ces good-nature and mutual benevolence, encourages^ 
 the timorous, foothcs the turbulent, humanizes the 
 fierce, and dirtinguiflies a fociety of civilized perfons 
 from a confufion of favages. In a word, complaifance 
 is a virtue that blends all orders of men togetiier in a 
 friendlv intercourie of words and actions, and is fuit- 
 cd to that equality in human nature which every one 
 ought to confider, fo far as is confiftent with the order 
 and oeconcmy of the world. 
 
 If we could look into the fecretarrguifh and affliction 
 of every man's heart, wefhould often find, that more of 
 it arifes from little imaginary diftrefles, fuch as checks,^ 
 frowns, contradicLions, expreflions of contempt^ and 
 ^what ihake/peare reckons among other evils under the. 
 fun) 
 
 ~- " The provJ mail's contumely y 
 
 The infolence of c_ffi.ce, and the fpurns 
 
 'i hat patient merit of th'' unn.vorthy takes ^ 
 
 than from the more real pains and calamities of life. . I 
 The only method to remove thefe imaginary diftrefles 
 as much as poffible out of human life, would be the 
 univerfaj praclice of fuch an ingenious complaifance 
 as i have been here defcribing, which, as it is a vir- 
 tue, rriuy be defined to be, a ccnjiant endea^uour to pleafe | 
 tho/e 'VJith ^ivhom nxje con^verf ^ fo far as <we may do it. 1 
 innocentl:, I Ihall here add, that I know nothing fo. | 
 tiUe£lual to raife a man's fortune as complaifance, J 
 which recommends more to the favour of the great, ? 
 than wit, knov/ledge, or any other talent whatever. I 
 find this coniideration very prettily illufErated by n I 
 little wild Arabian tale, which I fkall.here abridge, ios \ 
 
 \ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCZLLANY./ 23^ 
 
 tiie fake of my reader, after having again warned him, 
 that I do not recommend to him fuch an impertinent 
 or vicious complaifance as is not confident with hon- 
 our and integrity. 
 
 " Schacaback being reduced to great poverty, and 
 having eat nothing for two days togetlier, made a vl- 
 fit to a noble ^^/-;;im^^ in /V;y/«, who was very hofpi- 
 table, but withal a great humourift. The Barmicide 
 was fitting at his table, that feemed ready covered for 
 an entertainment. Upon hearing Schacab^ck's com.- 
 ^laint, he defired him to fit down and fail on ; he 
 then gave him an empty plate, and aficed him how he 
 liked his rice foup : Schacabac, who was a man of 
 wit, andrefolved to coir. ply with the Burmecide in all 
 his humours, told him it w.;3 admirable, and at the 
 fame time, in imitation of the other, lifted up tlie emp- 
 ty fpoon to his mouth with great plcafure. The Bar- 
 mecide then alked him if he ever faw whiter bread : 
 Schacabacj who faw neither bread nor met —If I did 
 iiot like it, you may be fure, fays he, I Ihauld not eat 
 fo heartily of it. You oblige me mi^rhtily replied the 
 Barmecidey pray let me help you to this leg of a goofe. 
 Schacabac reached out his plate and received nothing 
 on it with great cheerfuinefs. As he v/as eatir.g 
 .very heartily on this mighty imaginary goofe, ?iv\ 
 crying up the fauce to the fkies, the B.trmec:de d-.ired 
 him to keep a corner of his ftom^ich for a rojfl jd 
 lamb fed with piftaeho nuts ; and after having called 
 for it as though it had really been ferved up, hnre is 
 a difii, fays he, that you will fee at nobody's tab'c 
 but my own. Schacabac was wonderfully; delighted 
 with the tafte of it, which is like nothing, ' fays he, I 
 ever eat before. Several other nice diOics weve ferv- 
 ed up in idea, which both of them commended, and 
 feaflied on after the fame manner. This was follow- 
 ed by an invifble dejjert^ no part of which delighted 
 Bcliacahac fo rnuch as a certain lozenge, >.\ hich the 
 B^imecide told him was a fweetmeat of his own invan- 
 tioii. SchjLcabac at length, being court: oufiy reproach- 
 ed by the Barmscidcy that he had no ftomach, and that 
 4)€ eat nothing, and at the fame time, being tired with 
 
Z49 ADDISONIAN ^fLSCELLANy. 
 
 moving his jaws up and down to no purpofe, defirei y 
 to he cxcufed, for that really he was fo full that he | 
 could not eat a bit more. Come then, fays the Bar- j 
 mecide, the cloih {h?dl be removed, and you fliall tafte of | 
 my wines, which, I may lay without vanity, are the I 
 befl in Perjia. He then filled both their glaiTes out 
 of an empty decanter. Schacabae would have excu- • 
 fed himfelf from drinking fo much at once, becaufc ' 
 he fald he was a little quarrclfome in his liquor ; how- : 
 ever being preft to it, he pretended to take it off, hav- j 
 ing before-hand praifed the colour, and afterwards i 
 the flavour. Eein^ plied with two or three other im- ; 
 aginary bumpers of different wines, equally delicious, 
 snd a little vexed with this fantaftic treat, he pre- ■ 
 tended to grow fluftered, and gave the Barmecide a i 
 good box on the ear ; but immediately recovering i 
 himfelf, Sir, fays he, I beg ten thoufand pardons, but 
 I told you before, that it was my misfortune to be i 
 quarreifome in my drink. The Barmecide could not 
 but fi-nile at the humour of his gueij, and inftead of 
 being angry at him, I find, fays he, thou art a com- 
 plaifant fellow, and defervefi: to be entertained in my 
 houfe. Since thou canft accommodate thyfelf to my 
 humour, we will now eat together in good earneft. 
 Upon which calling for his fupper, the rice-foup, the 
 goofe, the piffacho lamb, the fevcral other nice difhes, 
 with the dejjert, the lozenges, and all the variety of 
 Perfian wines were ferved up fucceffively, one after an- 
 other ; and Schacabae was feaRed in reality, with thofe 
 very things which he had before been entertained with 
 in imagination." 
 
 Guardian, Vol. II. No. 162. 
 
 CONJUGAL AFFECTION. 
 
 X WAS walking about my chamber this morning la 
 a very gay humour, when I faw a coach flop at my 
 door, and a youth about fifteen alighting out of it, 
 whom I perceived to be the eldeft fon of my bofom 
 friend, whom I gave fome account of in my paper of 1 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. ^4^ 
 
 -1 7tli of the lafl: month. I felt a fenfible pleafure rif- 
 ing in me at the fight of him, my acquaintance having 
 begun with his father when he was juft fuch a ftripling, 
 wnd about that very age. When he came up to me, fie 
 took me by the hand, and burft into tears — I was 
 
 , extremely moved, and immediately faid, child, how 
 h your father i He began to reply — my mother, 
 but could not go on for weeping. I went down with 
 him into the coach, and gathered out of him, that his 
 inother was then dying, and that while the holy man 
 •was doing the lad offices to her, he had taken tliat 
 time to come and call me to his father ^who he faid) 
 would certainly break his heart if I did not go and 
 comfort him. The child's difcretion in coming to mc 
 of his own accord,and the tendernefs he (bowed forhi* 
 parentsjwould have quite overpowered me,had I not re- 
 
 vfolved to fortify myfelf for the feafonable performances 
 of thofe duties which I owed to my friend. As wc 
 were going, I could not but reflecSi; upon the character 
 of that excellent woman, and the greatnefs of his grief 
 
 '►for the lofs of one who has ever been the fupport to 
 Jiim under all the affli6tions. How (tliought I) will 
 he be able to bear the hour of her death, that could not 
 "when I was lately with him, fpeak of a ficknefs, which 
 was then paft, without forrow? We were now got 
 pretty far into IVeJiminJlerj and arrived at my friend's 
 houfe. At the door of it I met Tanjonius, not without 
 a fecret fatisfa^lion to find he had been there. I had 
 formerly converfed with him at his own houfe ; and 
 as he abounds with that fort of virtue and knowledge 
 which makes religion beautiful, and never leads th© 
 converfation into the violence and rage of party di{^ 
 putes, I liftened to him with great pleafure. Our dif- 
 courfe chanced to be upon the fubje6l of death, whick 
 he treated with fuch a ftrength of reafon, and great- 
 nefs of foul, that inftead of being terrible, it appeared 
 to a mind rightly cultivated, altogether to be contem* 
 ned, or rather to be defired. As I met him at the door, 
 I faw in his face a certain glowing of grief and hu- 
 manity, heightened with an air of fortitude and refo- 
 
 Iwtiwi; vrhi^h, a^ I afterwards found, had fv^ch an irrc* 
 
242 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY, | 
 
 fiftible force, as to fufpend the pains of the dying,^nd1 
 the lamentation of thenearefl: friends who attended her. 
 I went up directly to the room where ihe lay, and 
 was met at the entrance by my friend, who, notwith- 
 ftanding his thoughts had been compofed a little before^ 
 at the fight of me turned awayhisface and wept. The lit- 
 tle family of children renev.^cd the ex^prefTions of their 
 forrow, according to their feveral ages and degrees of 
 underftanding. The elded daughter was in tears, bu- I 
 fied in attendance upon her mother ; others were \ 
 kneeling about the bed-fide : And what troubled mc | 
 mod w^as> to fee a little boy, who was too young to 
 know the reafon, weeping only becaufe his fiflers did. ' 
 The only one in the room who feemed refigned and ; 
 comforted, v/as the dying perfon. At my approach ! 
 to the bed-fide, fhe told me, with a low broken voice, 
 This is kindly done — take care of your friend— do not 
 go from him. She had before taken leave of her huf- 
 band and children, in a manner proper for fo folemn 
 a parting, and with a gracefulnefs peculiar to a woman 
 of her cnara£ter. My heart was torn to pieces to fee 
 the hufband on one fide, fuppreffing and keeping down 
 the fwellings of grief, for fear of difturbing her in her 
 laft moments ; and the wife even at that time con- 
 cealing the pains fhe endured, for fear of increafin^ 
 his affliction. She kept her eyes upon him for fome 
 moments after (he grew fpeechlefs, and foon after 
 clofed them for ever. In the moment of her depar- 
 ture, my friend (who had thus far commanded hira- 
 felf) gave a deep groan, and fell into a fwoon by her 
 bed-fide. The diftra£lion of the children, who tho't 
 they faw both their parents expiring together, and now 
 lying dead before them, would have melted the hard- 
 eft heart ; but they foon perceived their father recov- 
 er, whom I helped to remove into another room, with 
 a refolution to accompany him till the firft pangs of his 
 affliction were abated. I knew confolation would now 
 be impertinent, and therefore contented myfelf to fit 
 by him, and condole with him in filence. For I fh^ll 
 here ufe the method of an ancient author, who, in one 
 of his epiftles relating to the virtues and death of Ma-^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 243 
 
 myw/s wife, exprefles himfelf thus : " I fhall fufpend 
 b;c advice to this beft of friends, till he is made capa- 
 of receiving it by thofe three great remedies, (Ne~ 
 cejjttas ip/a, dies tonga, et fatietas dolorus) the necellity of 
 fabmilRon, length of time, and fatiety of grief." 
 
 In the mean time, I cannot but confider, with much 
 commiferation, the melancholy (late of one who has 
 had fuch a part of himfelf torn from him, and which 
 he miffes in every circumftance of life. His condi- 
 tion is like tliat of one who has lately loft his right 
 arm, and is every moment offering to lielp himfelf with 
 it. He does not appear to himfelf the fame i>erfon in 
 his houfe, at his table, in company, or in retirement ; 
 and lofes the relifli of all the pleafures and diverfions 
 that were become entertaining tahim by her participa- 
 tion of them. The moft agreeable obje<Sts recall the for- 
 row of her with whom he ufed to enjoy them. This 
 additional fatisfadllon, from the tafte of pleafures in the 
 fociety of one we love, is admirably defcribed in Mil- 
 isny who reprefents E-ve, though in Paradife itfelf, no 
 farther pleafed with the beautiful objecfts around her, 
 than as Ihe fees them in company with Adam^ in that 
 pafTagc {o inexpreffibly charming : 
 
 Iftth thee con-verjing I forget all time. 
 All feafons^ and their change ; all pie aft alike ^ 
 Sixjset is the breath of morn ^ her rifng fweety 
 With charm of earlitji birds ; pleafant thefitUy 
 Whsnfrjl on tftis delightful land he fpreads 
 His orient beamsy on herb, tree, fruit andfc^ver, 
 Glifning ivith deiv ; fragrant the fertile iarth 
 After fo ft fpon.'or:^ andjxvcet the coming on 
 Of grateful evening mild ; the fdent night. 
 With this herfohmn bird, and this fair moon. 
 And thefe the gems of Heaven, her far ry train. 
 But neither breath of morn nvhenjhe afcends 
 With charm of ear lief birds, nor rifingfun 
 In this delight lid land, nor kerb, fruit, fonvery 
 "Glift^ning iKith de^K}, r.or fragrance after Jho=i\eiSy 
 Nor grateful evning mild, nor f lent night, 
 l^th this herfolsmn mtr., nor ivalk by moon, 
 ^ glittering fi»'4iiht, without thee is fweet. 
 
 TatlkRj VoL II, Na. 1 14- 
 
i?44 ADDISONIAN. MISCELLAKY, * 
 
 CONJUGAL AFFLICTION. 
 
 Ckeaffidtyjulj 10. 
 
 HAVE lately married a very pretty body, wfio bo 
 ing fometJiIng younger and richer than myfelf, I was 
 advifed to go a wooing to her in a finer fuit of clothes 
 than ever I wore in my life j for I love to drefs plain, 
 and fuitable to a man of my rank. However, I gained 
 her heart by it. Upon the wedding day I put myfelf^ 
 according to cuftom, in another fuit nre-new, with 
 filver buttons to it. I am fo out of countenance a- 
 anong my neighbours upon being fo fine, that I hearti- 
 ly wifh my clothes well worn out. I fancy every bo- 
 ^y obferves me as I walk the ftreet ; and long to be va, 
 my old plain geer again. Befides, forfooth, they have 
 put me in a nik night gown, and a gaudy fool's cap, 
 and make me now and then (land in the window with. 
 It. I am afhamed to be dandled thus, and cannot look 
 in the glafs without blufhing to fee myfelf turned into 
 £vich a pretty little mailer. They tell me I muft ap» 
 pear in my wedding fuit for the nrft month at leart ; 
 «\fter which I am rcfolved to come again to my every 
 <!ay clothes, for at prefent every day is Sunday with mci. 
 Now in my mind, Mr. Ironfidey thrs is the wrongeft: 
 way ol proceedittg in the world. When a man's per- 
 fon is new and imaccuflomed to a young body, he does 
 X^ot want any tiling elfe to ftt him off. The novelty 
 of the lover has more charms than a wedding fuit. I 
 fliould think,therefore,that amanfliouldkcep his finery 
 for the latter feafons of marriage, and not begin to 
 drefs till the honey-moon is over. I have obferved at. 
 ai lord Mayor's feaft, that the fweet-meats do not 
 make their appearance till people are cloyed with beef 
 aad mutton, and begin to lofe their ftomachs- But, 
 infb^ad of this, v/e ferve up delicacies to our guefts 
 when their appetites are keen, and coarfe diet when 
 their bellies are full. As bad as I hate my filver-but- 
 toned coat and filk night-gown, I am afraid of leaving 
 them off, not knowing whether my wife would not re- 
 cent of her marriage when (he f^es what. a £lam. maa^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 245 
 
 flie. hasto her hufband. ^ Pray, Mr. Ironfidey write 
 fomething to prepare her for it, and let me know 
 whether you think (lie can ever love me in a hair but- 
 ton. /^/», ^r. 
 
 P. $. " I fdrgot to tell you of my white gloves; 
 which, they fay too, I muft wear all the firft month.' 
 
 My correfpondent*3 obfervations are very juft, and 
 may be ufeful in low life ; but to turn them to the ad- 
 vantage of people in higher Rations, I fhall raife the 
 moral, and obfsrve fomething parallel to the wooing 
 and the wedding-fuit, in the behaviour of performs ot 
 figure. After long experience in the world, and re- 
 fledliions upon mankind, I find one particular occafion 
 of unlrappy marriages, which, though very common, 
 is not Vviry much attended to. What I mean is this : 
 Every man, in the time of courtfliip, and in the firft 
 entrance of marriage, puts on a behaviour like my 
 corrcfpondent's holiday fuit, which is to laft no longer 
 than till he is fettled in the pofiefiion of his miftrefs. 
 He refigns his inclinations and underflanding to her 
 humour and opinion. He neither loves, nor hates, nor 
 talks, nor thinks in contradiction to her. He is con- 
 trolled by a nod, mortified by a frown, and tranfpert- 
 ed by a fmiie. The poor young lady falls in love with 
 this fupple creature, and expe6i:s of him the fame be- 
 haviour for life. In a little time flie finds that he has 
 a will of his own, that he pretends to difiike what fhc 
 approves, and that, inflead of treating her like a god- 
 defs, he ufes her like a woman. What ftill makes the 
 misfortune worfe, we find the moft abjedl flatterers 
 degenerate into the greateft tyrants. This naturally 
 fills the fpoufe with fullennefs and difconteut, fpleen 
 and vapour, which, with a little difcreet management, 
 make a very comfortable marriage. I very much ap- 
 prove of my friend Tc/n Truelove in this particular, ^m 
 made love to a woman of fenfe, and always treated her 
 as fuch during the whole time of cGurtfhip. His na- 
 tural temper and good breeding hindered him from d" 
 ing any thing difa^reeable, as hi,§ fipcerity and h? -.* 
 
 W 2 
 
24* ADDISONIAN MTSCELLANl?: 
 
 nefs of behaviour made himconverfe with her, before- 
 marriage, in the fame manner he intended ta continue - 
 to do afterwards. Tom would often tell her, madani^^ 
 you fee what fort of a man I am* If you will take 
 liie with all my faults about me, I promife to mend 
 rather than grow worfe. I remember, Tom was once ^ 
 hinting his diflike of fome little trifle his miftrefs had. 
 feid or done. Upon which Ihe a{ked hin^, how he 
 would talk to her after marriage, if he talked at this • 
 rate before ? No, madam, fays lom^ I mention this now 
 feecaufe vou are at your own difpofal ; were yo" s»t 
 mine, I fhould be too generous to do it. In fhdrt Tom.. 
 fucceeded, and has ever fmce been better than his 
 ^ord. The lady has been difappointed on the right 
 fide, and has found nothing more difagreeable in the 
 jiulband, than flie difcovered in the lover. 
 
 Guardian, VoU II. No. 113c 
 
 I 
 
 CX)NTENTMENT. 
 
 Enquiries after h^ppinefs, and niles for^ttaiiv. 
 Ing it, are not fo neceflary and ufeful to mankind as the : 
 arts of confolation, and fupporting one's feJf under af- « 
 :fli<^ion. The utmoft we can hope for in this world, 
 is contentment -, if we airii at any thing higher, we : 
 Ihall meet with nothing but grief and difappointment. 
 A man {hould dire£l aD his ftudies and endeavours at ^ 
 making himfelf eafy now, and happy hereafter. 
 
 The truth of it is, if all the happinefs ihat is difpcr- 
 fed through the whole race of mankind in this worldV^ 
 •were drawn together, and put into the pofieffion of .; 
 any (ingle man, it would not make a very happy being : 
 Though on the contrary, if the miferies of the whole. • 
 fpecies were fixed in a fingle perfon, they would make .> 
 a very miferable one. 
 
 I am engaged in thi5 fubject by the following letter^r. 
 "which, though fubfcribed by a fidlitious name^ I have 
 rtafon to bclUrye is not imaginary. 
 
"I 
 
 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 347 
 
 Mr* Spectator, 
 
 AM one of your diTciples, and endeavour-- to live 
 up to your rules, which I hope wilT incline you to pity^ 
 my conditien : I (hall open it to you in a very few 
 words. About three years fince, a gentleman, w^;om, 
 I am fure, you ycurfclt" would have approved, made 
 his addrefies to me. He had every thing to recom- 
 mend him but an eflate ; fo that my friends, who all 
 of them appla-uded his perfon, would not for the fake 
 of both of us favour his paflion. For my own part, I 
 rcfigned myfelf up entirely to the direclion of thofe 
 who knew the world much better thin myfelf, but Hill 
 lived in hopes that fome jmKfture or ether would make 
 me happy in the man whom, in my heart, I preferred 
 to all the world ; being determined, if I could not 
 have him, to have nobody elfe. About three months 
 ago I received a letter from him, acquainting me, that 
 by the deatli of an uncle he had a confiderable eftate 
 left him, which he faid was welcome to him upon no 
 other account, but as he hoped it would remove all 
 difficulties that lay in the way to our mutual happi- 
 ttefs. You may well fuppofc with how much joy I 
 received this letter,- which was followed by feveral 
 others filled with thofe exprelTions of love and joy, 
 which I verily believe nobody felt more Cncerely, nor 
 knew better hovv^ todefcribe, t^Min the,gentleman I am 
 fpeaking of.. But Si*, how (hall I be able to tell it you ?' 
 By the laft week's poft I received a letter from an in- 
 timate fricTid of this unhappy gentleman, acquainting 
 me that as he had jull fettled his afFairs,a{.'d was prepar- 
 ing for his journey, he fell fick, and died.^ It is impof* 
 fible to exprefs to you the diitrefs I arn in upon thi>oc- 
 eaCon. I can only have recourfe to my devotions, 
 and to the reading of good booksfor my confolation j 
 and as I always take a particular delight in thofe fre- 
 quent advioes and admonitions which you give the 
 p'ji>lic, it would be a very great piece of charity in you 
 to lend me your affiflance in this conjuncture. If af- 
 ter the reading of this letter you find yourfelf in a hu- 
 aaoux rather to rally and ridicule, thaa to comfort me. 
 
248 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. , 
 
 I defire you would throw it into the fire, and think no 
 more of it ; but if you are touched with my misfor- 
 tune, which is greater than I know how to bear, youc 
 counfels may very much fupDort, and will infinitely 
 oblige the atHiaed ' LEONORA." 
 
 A*difappointment in love is more hard to get over 
 than any other ; the paflion itfelf fo foftens and fub- 
 ducs the heart, that it difables it from ftruggling or 
 bearing up againft the woes and diflrefles which befall 
 it. The mind meets with other misfortunes in her 
 whole ftrength •, flie ft and s colle6led within herfelfji* 
 and fuftains the fhock with all the force which is natu- 
 ral to her ; but a heart in love has its foundation fap~ 
 ped, and immediately finks under the weight of acci- 
 dents that aie difagreeable to its favorite pafiion. 
 
 In afiii(51:ions men generally draw their confolations. 
 out of books of morality, which indeed are of great 
 ufe to fortify and flrengthen the mind againfl the im- 
 preilions of forrow. Monfieur St. E-vremont, who does 
 not approve of this method, recommends authors who 
 are apt to ftir up mirth in the mind of the readers, and 
 fancies Den ^ixotts can give more relief to an heavy 
 heart than Plutarch or Seneca ; as it is much eafier to 
 divert grief than to conquer it. This doubtlefs may 
 have its effecls on fome tempers. I fnould rather have 
 recourfe to authors of a quite contrary kind, that, give 
 us inftances of calamities and misfortunes, and fhow 
 human nature in its greatefl diftrefies. 
 
 If the affii61:ions we groan- under be very heavy, we" 
 fliall find fom.e confolation in the fociety of as great 
 fuffercrs as ourfelves, eipecially when we find our 
 companions m?n of virtue and merit. If our afflic- 
 tions are light, we fnall be comforted by the compari- 
 fon we make between ourfelves and our fellow fuffer- 
 crs. A lofs at fea, a fit of ficknefs, or the death of a 
 friend, are fuch trifles when we confuler whole king- 
 doms laid in afnes, families piit to the fwcrd, wretches 
 fhut up in dungeons, and the like calamities of man- 
 kind, that we are out of countenance for our owh 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 249 
 
 wcakncfs, if we fink under fuch little flrokes of for- 
 tune. • 
 
 Lee the difcon folate Leonora confider, that at the very 
 time in which flie ianguiflies for the iofs of her deceal- 
 cd lover, there are feveral parts of the world juft per- 
 ifliing in a fhipwreck ; others crying out for mercy in 
 the terrors of a death-bed repentance ; others lying un- 
 der the tortures of an infamous execution, or the like 
 dreadful calamities \ and (lie will find her forrows 
 ranifli at the appearance of thofe which are fo much 
 greater and more aftoniiliing. 
 
 (. I would faither propofe to the confideration of my 
 affli^ied difciple, that pcflibly what {he now looks up- 
 on as the greateil misfortune, is not really fuch in it- 
 fclf. For my own part, I quellion not but our foul# 
 m a feparate ftate will look back on their lives in quite 
 another view, than what they had of them in the body ; 
 and that what they now confider as misfortunes and 
 difappointments, will very often appera* to have been 
 cfcapes and bleffings. 
 
 The mind that hath any cafl towards devotion, na- 
 turally flies to it in its afflictions. 
 
 Spectatoh, Vol. II. No. 163. 
 
 I wa3 once engaged in difcourfe with a Roflcrufian a- 
 bout the great /e<rei. As tliis kind of men (I mean 
 tliofe of them who are not profefled cheats) are overrun 
 with enthufiafm and phiiofophy, it was very amuiing 
 to hear this religious adept defcanting on his pretended 
 difcovery. He talked of the fecret as of a fpirit which 
 lived within an emerald, and converted every thing that 
 was near it to the higheft perfection it is capable of. 
 It gives a luftre, fays he, to the fun, and water to the 
 diamond : It irradiates every metal, and enriches lead 
 vith all the properties of gold : it heightens fmoke 
 into flame, flame into light, and light into glory. He 
 farther added, that a fingle ray cfit diflipates pain, and 
 care, and nielanclioly, from the perfon on whom it 
 falls. In fliort, fays he, its pre fence naturally changes 
 every place into a kind of Heaven. After he had gone 
 on for fome time ia this unintelligible cant, I fouafi 
 
2^-o ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 that he jumbled natural and moral ideas together inter 
 the fame diicourfe, and that his great fecret was noth-' 
 ing elfe but content. 
 
 This virtue does indeed produce, in fome meafure, 
 all thofe effecls which the Aichymift ufually afcribes' 
 to what he calls the philofopher's ftone ; and if it does 
 not bring riches, it does the fame thing, by banijfhing • 
 the delire of them. If it cannot remove the difquie- 
 tudes arifing out of a man's mind, body, or fortune, 
 it makes him. eafy under them. It has indeed a kind- 
 ly influence on the foul of m.an, in refpe6l of every be- 
 ing to whom, he (lands related. It extinguifties all 
 murmur, repining, and ingratitude tovrards that Being' 
 who h.:3 allotted him his part to a£^ in this world, it' 
 defi;roys all inordinate ambition, and every tendency_ 
 to corruption, with regard to the community wherein' 
 he is placed. It gives fweetnefs to his eonverfation, 
 and a perpetual ferenity to all his thoughts. 
 
 Among the many methods which might be made 
 ufe of for the acquiring of this virtue, I fhall only- 
 mention the tv/o following. Firfl: of ail, a man fhould 
 always confider how much he has more than he wants' j 
 and fecondly, how mu^h mere unhappy he might bC' 
 than he really is. 
 
 Firft of all, a man fliould always confider how much, 
 he has more than he v/ants. I am wonderfully pleaf- 
 ed with the reply which Jrijiippus made to one who 
 condoled him upon the lofs of a farm : Why^ faid he, 
 / have three farms Jlrll^ and ycu have but one \fo that 1 cught 
 rather to he agisted for youy than you for me. On the con- 
 trary, fooiifh men are more apt to confider what they 
 have loft than what they poflefs , .'and to fix their eyes 
 upon thofe who are richer than themfelves, rather 
 than on thofe who are under greater difficulties. All 
 tlie real pleafures and conveniencies of life lie in a nar- 
 row compafs ; but it is the humour of mankind to be- 
 always looking forward, and ftraining after one who 
 Jias got the ilart of them in wealth and honour. For 
 this reafon, as there are none can be properly called 
 rich, who have not more than they want ; there are 
 few r*,i;h men in any of the politer nations but amon^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 251 
 
 . the middle fort of people, who keep their wiflies with- 
 in their fortunes', and have more wealth than they 
 know hov/ to enjoy. Peribns of a higher rank live in 
 a kind af fplendid povtrty, and are perpetually want- 
 . ing, becaufe, inflead of acquiefcing in the foiid plcaf- 
 ..ures of life, they endeavour to outvie one another in 
 iliadows and appearances. Men of fenfe have at all 
 .times beheld with a great deal of mirth this filly game 
 who is playing over their heads, and, by contracting 
 their defircs, enjoy all that fccret fatisfa6lion which 
 others are always in quell of. The truth is, this yWic- 
 ulous chace after imaginary pleafures cannot be fuiTi- 
 ciently expofed, as it is the great fource of thofe evils 
 Avhich generally undo a nation. Let a man's eftatc 
 be what it will, he is a poor man if he does not live 
 within it, and naturally fets himfclf to falc to any one 
 who can give him his price. When Pittacks^?St.Q,x the 
 death of his brother, who had left him a good eftate, 
 was offered a great fum of money by the king ciLjdia, 
 he thanked him for his kindnefs, but told him he had 
 already more by half than he knew what to do with. 
 In fliort, content is equivalent to wealth, and luxury 
 to poverty ; or, to give the thought a more agreeable 
 turn, <OHtent is nctural njosalth, fays Sccrates ; to which I 
 fliall add, luxury is artificial poverty. I fnall therefore 
 recommend to the conilderation of thofe who are al- 
 ways aiming after fuperfluous and imaginary enjoy- 
 ments, and will not be at tlie trouble of contracting 
 their defires, an excellent faying of Bion the philofo- 
 pher, namely, That no man has fo much carCy as he ixho en- 
 dea<vcurs after the mofi hzippinefs. 
 
 In the fecond place, every one ought to reflect: how 
 much more unhappy he might be than he really is. 
 The former confideration took in all thofe who are 
 fufEciently provided with the means to make them- 
 felves eafy ; this regards fuch as actually lie under 
 fome prcmire or misfortune. Thefe may receive great 
 alleviation from fuch a comparifon as the unhappy per- 
 fon may make between himfelf and others, or between 
 the misfortune which he fuffers, and greater misfor- 
 tunes whigh might have befallen him. 
 
2-52 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 I like the ftory of the honeft Dutchman who, upoa 
 breaking his leg by a fall from the main-maft, told the 
 ftanders by, it was a great mercy that it was not hi» 
 neck. To which, fince I have got into quotations, give 
 me leave to add the faying of an old philofopher, who 
 after having invited fome of his friends to dine with 
 him, was ruffled by his wife who ca.me into the room 
 in a pafTion, and threw down the table that flood before 
 them. Every cfte, fays he, /:as his calamity^ and he is a hap- 
 fy man nvho has no greater than this. We find an inflancc 
 to the fame purpofe in the life of Doctor Hamnondy 
 written by Bifhop TclL As this good man was trou- 
 bled with a complication of diflcmpers, when he had 
 the gout upon him, he ufed to thank God that it was 
 not the flone ; and when he had the flone, that he had 
 not both thefe diftempers in him at the fame time. 
 
 I cannot conclude this efTay without obferving that 
 there was never any fyftem befides that of chriftiani- 
 ty, which could effectually produce in the mind of man 
 the virtue I have been hitherto fpeaking of. In order 
 to make us content with our prefent condition, many 
 of the prefent philofophers tell us, that our difcontent 
 only hurts ourlelves, without being able to make any 
 alteration in our circumrtances ; others, that whatever 
 evil befalls us, is derived to us by a fatal neceflity, to 
 which die gods themfelves are fubje£t ; while others 
 very gravely tell the man who is miferable, that it is 
 neccflary he fhould be fo, to keep up the harmony of 
 theuniverfe, and that ^\t fchen:e of Providence would 
 be troubled and perverted were he otherwife. Thefe, 
 and the like confiderations, rather filence than fatisfy 
 a man. They may fliow him that his difcontent is 
 nnreafonable, but are by no means fufficient to relieve 
 it : They rather give defpair than confolation. In a 
 word, a man might reply to one of thefe comforters, 
 as Augujlus did to his fpiend who advifed him not to 
 grieve for the death of a perfyn whom he loved, be- 
 caufe his grief could not fetch him again : // is for tbaf 
 <vtry reafony faicl the Emperor, that I grieve. 
 
 On the contrary, religion bears a aiore tender regard 
 to human nature, it prifcxib^ to a very miferaWc 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 2^3^ 
 
 .man the means of bettering his condition ; nay, it 
 fhows him, that the b-^aring of his affli£bions as he 
 ought to do, will naturally end in the removal of 
 them ; it makes iiim cafy here, becaufe it can make 
 liim happy hereafter. 
 
 Upon the whole, a contented mind is the greatei: 
 blcfliiig a man can enjoy in this world ; and it in the 
 pref^nt life his happinels arifes from the fabduing of 
 hisdefires, it will arife in the next from tjie gratifica- 
 tion of them. 
 
 SrccTATOR, .Vol. VIII. No. 574. 
 
 CONVERSATION. 
 
 iVl.Y friend the Divine having been iifed witk 
 v/ords of complaifaiice (which he thinks could be pro- 
 perly applied to no one living, and I thmk could be 
 only fpokcn of him, and that in his abf^nce) was fo ex- 
 _ tremely offended with the exceilive way of fpeaking 
 civilities among us, that he made a difcourfe againft it 
 5Vt the club; which he concluded with this remark, 
 that he had not heard one compliment made in our 
 fociety iince its commencement. Every one was 
 pleafed with this conclufion ; and as each knew his 
 good-will to the rr ft, he was convinced that the many 
 profeffions of kindncfs and fervice which we ordinari- 
 ly meet with, are not natural w'ic-re the heart is well 
 ■inclined j but arc a proititution offpeech, fcldom in- 
 tended to mean any p;irt of what they exprirfs, never to 
 mean all they exprefs. Our reverend friend, upon 
 this topic, pointed to us two-or three paragraphs on 
 •thi$ fubjed; in tiic firil f'rmon of the firft volume of 
 the late archbiihop's pofthurnous works. I do not 
 know that I ever read any thing that pleafcd me more ; 
 and as it is the praife of Longinus^ that he fpeaks of 
 the fublime in a ftile fuitablc to it, fo one may fay of 
 this au'Jior upon fmcerity, that he abhors any pomp ' 
 of rhetoric on this occafion, a«d treats it with b moii 
 than ordinary fimplicity, at !>ace to be a preacher and 
 an example. With wnat command of himfelf does 
 X 
 
254 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY, 
 
 he lay before us, in the langugge and temper of his 
 profeilion, a fault, which oy the Icafl: liberty and 
 warmth of expreffion, would be the moft lively wit 
 and fatire ? But his heart was better difpofed ; and 
 the good man chaftifed the great wit in fuch a man- 
 ner, that he was able to fp-:ak as follows : 
 
 <^ -^-Among too many other inflances of the 
 
 great corruption and degeneracy of the age wherein 
 we live, the great and general want of lincerity iu 
 converfation is none of the lead. The world has 
 grown fo full of diffimulation and compliment, that 
 men's words are hardly any fignification of their 
 thoughts ; and if any man meafure his words by his 
 heart, and fpeak as he thinks, and do not e::prefs 
 more kindnsfs to every man, than men ufually have 
 for any man, he can hardly efcape the cenfure of want 
 of breeding. The old Er.gUJIi plainnefs and fmcerity, 
 that generous integrity of nature, and honefty of dif- 
 pofition, which always argues true greatnefs of mind, 
 and is ufually accompanied with undaunted courage 
 and refolution, is in a great meafure loft among us : 
 there hath been a long endeavour to transform us into 
 foreign manners and fafliions, and to bring us to a 
 fervile imitation of none of the beft of our neighbours 
 in fome of the word of their quahtics. The dialedk 
 of converfation is now-a-days fo fwelled with vanity 
 and compliment, and fo furteited (as I may fay) with 
 expreflions of kindnsfs and refpecl, that if a man who 
 lived an age or two ago ihould return into the world 
 again, he would xeally want a.di(3tionary to help^ him 
 to underftand his awn .language, and to know the true 
 intrinfic value of the phrafe in fafnion, and would 
 hardly at firll believe at what a low rate the higheil 
 {trains and expreflions of kindnefs imaginable do com- 
 monly pafs in current payment ; and vthen he ihould 
 come to underftand it, it would be a great while be- 
 fore he could bring himfelf with a good countenance 
 .aftl a good confcience to conyerfe with men upon 
 equal terms, and. in their own way. 
 
 And in truth it is hard to fay, whether it fhould 
 more proyoke our contempt or our pity, to hear wl^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. t^S 
 
 folemn expreflions of refpecfl and kindnefs will pafs 
 between men, almoft uprTii no occafion ; how great 
 honour and efteem they will declare for one whom 
 perhaps they never faw before, and how entirely they 
 are all on the fudden devoted to his fervice and inter- 
 cft, for no rcafon ; ho'v infinitely and eternally ob- 
 liged to Inm, for no benefit ; and how cxtiemely they 
 v/111 be concerned for him, yea, and affli£led too, for 
 no caiife. I know it is faid, in juilification of this hol- 
 low kind of converfation, that there is no harm, no 
 real deceit in compliment, but the matter is wdi 
 enough fo long as we underftand one another ; et tuer- 
 ha 'valcnt ut manmi \ i^ords are like money : and when 
 the current value of them V. generally underftood, no 
 man is cheated by them. This is fometliing, if fuch 
 words were any thing ; but being brought into the 
 accompt, they are mere cyphers. However, it is (lill 
 a jull matter of complaint, that (mccrity and plainnefs 
 are out of falhion, and that our language is running 
 into a lye ; that men have almoft quite perverted the 
 ufe of fpecch, and made words to fignify nothing 5 
 that the greatefl part of the converfation of man^kind 
 is little eife but driving a trade of diflimulation •, in- 
 fomuch that it would make a man heartily (ick and 
 weary of the world, to fee the little fincerity that isin 
 ufe and practice among men." ^ 
 
 When the vice is placed in this contemptible light, he 
 argues unanfwerably againft it, in words and thoughts^ 
 fo natural, that any man v/ho reads them, would 
 imagine he himfelf could have been tiie author of.them. 
 "If the fliow of any thing be good for any tlfing, I 
 am fure fincerity is better. For why does any man 
 difl'emble, or feem to be that which he is not, but be- 
 caufc he thinks it good to have fuch • a quality as he 
 pretends to .'* For to counterfeit and diiiemble, is to 
 put on the appearance of fome real excellency. Now 
 the bcft way in the world to feem to be any thing, is 
 really to be what he would feem to be. Befides, that it 
 is many times as troublefome to make good the pre- 
 tence of a good quality, as to have it; and if a man 
 have it not,, it is ten to ont btit he is dtfcovered to 
 
7s6 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. | 
 
 want it ; and then all his pains and labour to leem to 
 have it, is loft." 
 
 In another part of the fiime difcourfe he goes on 
 to .{hew, that all artifice muft naturally tend to tlie 
 difappointment of him who pra<Sl:ires it. 
 
 ** Whatfoever convenience may be thought to be 
 in faiihood and diflimulatlonj is foon over ; but the 
 inconvenience of it is perpetual, becaufe it brings a 
 plan under an everhfting jealoufy and fufpicion, fa 
 that he is not believed when he fpeaks truth, nor trufk- 
 . ed when perhaps he means hoiieflly. When a man 
 hath once forfeited the reputation of his integrity, h« 
 is fet fail, and nothing will then ferve his turn, neith* 
 er truth nor falfhood." 
 
 Spectator, Vol. II. No. 103. 
 
 The faculty of interchanging our thoughts with one 
 another, or what wc exprefs by the word con-veijationf 
 has always been rcprefented by moral writers as one; 
 of the nobleft privileges of jreafon, and which more 
 particularly lets mankind above the biute part of the 
 creation. 
 
 Though nothing fo much gains upon the afte^liona 
 7i% t\\\s extempore eloquence, which we have conftantly 
 occaiion for, and are obliged to pracSlife every day, we 
 fcry rarely meet with any who excel in it. 
 
 The converfation of mod men is difagreeable, not 
 fo m.uch for want of wit and learning, as of good- 
 breeding and difcretion. 
 
 If you refolve to pleafe, never fpeak to gratify any 
 particular vanity or paihon of your owh, but always, 
 with a defign either to divert or inform the company. 
 A man who only aims at one of thefe, is always eafy 
 iji his difeourfe. He is never out of humour at be- 
 ing interrupted, becaufe he confjders that thofe who 
 hear him are the beft judges whether what he was 
 faying could either divert or inform them. 
 
 A modeft perfon feldom fails to gain the good will 
 of thofe he converfes with, becaufe nobody envies 
 a man wko does not appear to be pleafed with hira- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. as 7 
 
 We {liould talk extremely little of ourfelves. In- 
 deed what can we fay ? It would be as imprudent to- 
 difcover our faults, as ridiculous to count over our 
 fancied virtues. Our private and domeftic affairs are 
 no lefs improper 10 be introduced in converfation. 
 Whiit does it concern the company how many horfes 
 you keep in your {lables ? Or whether your fervant 
 is moft knave or fool ? 
 
 A man may equally affront the company he is In 
 by engroffing all the talk, or obferving a contemptu- 
 ous filcnce. 
 
 Before you tell a ftory it may be generally not amif* 
 to draw a fnort characSler, and give the company a 
 true idea of the principal perfons concerned in it. 
 The beauty of mofl things confifting not fo much in 
 their being faid or done, as in their being faid or done 
 by fuch a particular perfon, or on fuch a particular 
 ^ccafion. 
 
 Notwithftanding all the ^vantages of youth, few 
 young people plcafe in converfation ; the reafon 
 13, tbr.t want of experience makes them pofitive, and 
 what they fay is rather with a defign to pleafe them- 
 fclves thiUJ any one elfe. 
 
 It is certain that age itfelf {hall maike many things 
 pafs weli enough, which would have been laughed at 
 in the mouth of one much younger. 
 
 Nothing, however, is more infupportablc to men of 
 fenf©, than an empty, formal man, who fpeaks in prov- 
 erbs, and decides all controverfies with a fhort fen- 
 tence. This piece of ftupidity is the more infutfera- 
 ble, as it puts on the air of wildom. 
 
 A prudent man v.-ill avoid talking much of any par- 
 ticular fcience, for which he is remarkably famoOs, 
 There is^not methinks an handfomer thing faid of Mr. 
 Coivley in his own life, than that none but his intimate 
 friends ever difcoveredhe was a great poet by his di^ 
 courfe, Befides the decency of this rule, it is certainly 
 founded in good policy. A perfon who talks of any 
 thing ht is already famous for, has little to get, but ^ 
 great deal to lofe. I might add, that he \riio is fom^ 
 times filent on a fubjeft wheve every oije is fati^fied 
 
f^ ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY, 
 
 he could Ipeak well, will often be thought no lefs 
 knowing in other matters, where perhaps he is wholly- 
 ignorant. 
 
 Women are frightened at the name of argument, 
 and are fooner convinced by an happy turn, or witty 
 cxpreflion than by demonftratron. 
 
 Whenever you commend, add your reafcns for do- 
 ing fo •, it is this which diftinguifhes the approbatiortJ 
 of a man of fenfe from the flattery of fycophaats, and 
 admiration of fools. 
 
 Raillery is no longer agreeable than while the whole, 
 company is pleafed with it. I would leaft of ail be 
 underftood to except the perfon rallied. 
 
 Though good humour, fenfe and diferetion can fel- 
 dom fail to make a man agreeable, it may be no ill pol- 
 icy fomethnes to prepare yourfelf in a particular m.an- 
 tier for converfation, by looking a little farther than 
 your neighbours into whatever is become a reigning 
 lubjeft : If our armies arc befieging a place ot im- 
 portance abroad, or our Houfe of Commons debating a- 
 bill of confequence at home, you can hardly fail of be- 
 ing lieard with pleafure, if you have nicely informed 
 yourfelf of the ftrength, fituation, and hiftory of the: 
 firfk, or of reafons for and again It the latter. It will 
 have the fame effedi, if when any fingle perfon begins 
 to make a noife in the world, you can learn fome of 
 the fmalleft accidents in his life or converfation, which 
 though they are too fine for the obfervation of the: 
 vulgar, give more fatisfadlion to men of fenfe, (as 
 they are the beft openings of a real character) than- 
 the recital cf his moft glaring a£lions. I know but 
 one ill confequence to be feared from this methodj 
 namely, that coming full charged into company, you 
 ihould refoive to unload, whether an handfome oppor- 
 tunity offers itfelf or not. 
 
 Though the afking- of queftions may plead for itfelf,, 
 the fjecious names of modefty, and a defire of infor- 
 mation, it afTbrds little pleafure to- the reft of the com- 
 pany who are not troubled with the fame doubts ; be- 
 W«s whicbj Ij/e whoaQss a quell i©a would 4o well t^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 259 
 
 confider that he lies wholly at the mercy o£ another 
 before he receives an anfwer. 
 
 Nothing is more Tilly than the pleafures fome people 
 tajce in what they call /peaking their minds. A man of 
 this make will fay a rude thing for the mere pleafure 
 of faying it, when an oppofite behaviour, full as in- 
 nocent, might have prcferved his friend, or made his 
 fortune. 
 
 It is not impofiible for a man to form to himfelf as 
 exQuifite a pleafure in complying with the humour 
 and fcntiments of others, as of bringing others over 
 to his own ; fince 'tis the certain fign of a fuperior 
 genius, that can take and become whatever drcfs it 
 pleafes. 
 
 I fiiall only add,, that befides what I have here faid, 
 there is fomething which can never be learnt but in 
 the company of the polite. The virtues of men are 
 catching as well as their vices, and your own obferva- 
 tions added to thefe, will foon difcovt-r what it is that 
 commands attention in one man, and makes you tired 
 and difpleafed with the difcourfe of another. 
 
 GuA?vDIAN, Vol. I. No. 25. 
 
 T. 
 
 COUNTRY GENTLEMAN. 7 
 
 HERE is no charafter more defervedly cfleem- 
 ed than that of a Country Gentleman, who underftands 
 the fituation in which Heaven and nature have plac- 
 ed him. \\t is father -to his tenants, and patron to his 
 neighbours, and is m.ore fuperior to thof:^ of lower for- 
 tune, by his benevolence than his polTeihons. He 
 juilly divides his tini€ between folitude and company, 
 ib as to ufe the one for the other. His life is fpent in 
 the good offices of an advocate, a referee, a compan- 
 ion, a mediator, and a friend. His counfel and knowj- 
 edge are a guard to the fimplicity and innocenee .of 
 thofe of lower talents, and the entertainment and hap- 
 pinefs of thofe of equal. When a man in a country 
 life has this turn, "as it is hoped thoufands have, he 
 Uvea iu a more happy gouditioiUhaii acy that is defcri- 
 
263 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 bed in the paftoral defcriptions of poets, or the vaiii 
 glorious foiitudes recorded by philofophers. 
 
 To a thinking man it would feem prodigious, that 
 the very fituation of a country Hfe, does not incline 
 men to a fcorn of the mean gratifications fome take in 
 it. lo ftand by a dream, naturally lulls the mind in- 
 to compofure and reverence ; to walk in (liades, diver- 
 fifies that pleafure ; and a bright funfhine makes a 
 man conHJjr all nature in gladnefs, and himfelf the 
 happicll being in it, as he is the moft confcious of her 
 gifts and enjoyments. It would be the moft imperti- 
 nent piece of pedantry imaginable, to form our plea- 
 fures by imitation of others. I will not therefore 
 mention ^cipio and Lcelius, who are generally produced 
 on this fubje^t as autlrorities for the charms of a ru- 
 ral life. He who does not feci the force of agreeable 
 views and fjtuations in his own mind, will hardly ar- 
 rive at the fatisfadion they bring from the reflections 
 of others. However, they who have a tafte that way, 
 are more particularly inflamed with defire whern they 
 fee others in the enjoyment of it, efpecially when men 
 carry into the country a knowledge of the world as 
 well as of nature. The leifure of fuch perfons is en- 
 deared and refined by reflections upon cares and in- 
 quietudes. The abfence of paft labours doubles pre- 
 fent pleafures, which is ftill augmented, if the perfon* 
 in folitude has the happinefs of being addicted to 
 letters. My coufln, Frank Bickerfiaff^ gives me a very 
 good notion of this fort of felicity in the following 
 letter :. 4 
 
 ■■• I 
 
 Sir, ; 
 
 ** I WRITE this to communicate to you the happi- j 
 
 nefs I have in the neighbourhood and cpnverfation of .; 
 
 the noble Lord, whole health you inquired after in \ 
 
 your la it. I have bought that little hovel which bor- 1 
 
 ders upon his royalty ; but am fo far from being cp^ ^ 
 
 prefled by his greatnefs, that I, who know no envy, ^ 
 
 and he, who is -above pride, mutually recommended | 
 ourfelvcs to each other by the difference of our ^■ciX-^-'h 
 
 tunes. He elteems me for being fo well pkafed witii ^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. %6i 
 
 a little, and I admire him for enjoying fo handfomely 
 a great deal. He has not tho. little taile of obferving 
 txie colour of a tulip, or the edging of a leaf of box, 
 but rejoices in open views, the re^ulariry ct this plan- 
 tat icn, and the wildnefs of another, as well as the fall 
 or a river, the rifing of a promontory, and all other 
 objc£ls fit to entertain a mind like hi?, tliat has been 
 long verfed in great and public amuicments. The 
 mind of the fouT is as much fecn in kilure as in bufi- 
 nefs. He has long lived in courts, and been admired 
 in ?.flenbli!^3, fo that he has added to exp-iiience a 
 mod charming eloquence, by which he communicates 
 to me the ideas of my own mind upon the obje^s we 
 meet with fo agreeably, that with his company in the 
 field, I at once enjoy the country and alancifcape of it. 
 He is now altering the courfe of canals and rivulets, 
 in which he has an eye to his neighbour's fatisfa£lion 
 as well as his own. He often makes me prefents by 
 turning the water into my grounds, and fends me fim 
 by their own dreams. To ^.void my thanks, he makes 
 jiatiire the initrumentof liis bounty, and docs all good 
 ofiices (o much with the air of a companion, that his 
 frankncTs hides his own condefcenficn as well as my 
 eratitude. Leave tlie world to itfelf and come 
 
 lee us. 
 
 Your afFe61:ionate Coufin," &c. 
 Tatler, Vol. m. No. 169. 
 
 CREATION. 
 
 *« J[ HE Spring with you has siready taken poflef- 
 fio'.i of the fields and woods : Now is the feafon of 
 folitude, nnd of moving complaints upon trivial fufler- 
 ings : Now the griefs of lovers begin to flow, and 
 their wounds to bleed afrefh. I too, at this diftance 
 from the fofter climates, am not without my difcon- 
 tents at prefent. You perhaps may laugh at me for a 
 mod romantic wretch, vvhen I have dH^loied to yoa 
 the occafion of rriy uneafin-^fs ; and yet I c ♦nrot help 
 thinking my unhappiaefs real^ in being confined to a 
 
252 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 region which is the very reverfe oi Patadife^. The fea- 
 foDS here are all of them uiipleafant, and the country 
 quite deilitute of rural charms. I have not heard a 
 bird fmg, Aor a brook murmur, nor a breeze whifper, 
 neither have I been blell with the fight of a flowery 
 meadow thefe two years. Every wind here is a tem- 
 ped, and every water a turbulent ocean. I hope, 
 when you reflecSt a little.you will not think the grounds 
 of my complaint in tlis leaft ftivolous and unbecom- 
 ing a man of ferious thought j fince the love of woods, 
 of fields and fiov/trs, of rivers and fountains, feems 
 to be a paflion implanted in our nature the moil early 
 of any, even before the fair fex had a being." 
 
 Could I tranfport myfelf with a wifh from one coun- 
 try to another, i fhould choofe to pafs my winter in 
 Spain y my fpring in Italy, my fummer in England^ and 
 my autumn in trance. Of all thcfe feafons there is 
 none that can vie with the fpring for beauty and <le- 
 lightfulnefs. It bears the fame figure among the fe.i- 
 fons of the year that the m.orning does among the di^- 
 vifions of the day, or youth among the ftages of life. 
 The Englijh fum.mer is pleafanter than that of any oth- 
 er country in Enrcp^ on no other account but becaufe 
 it has a greater mixture of fpring in it. The niildnefe 
 of our climate, with thofe frequent refrefnments of 
 dews and r^ns that fall among us, keep up a perpetu- 
 al cheerfulnefs in our fields, and fill the hotteft months 
 of the year with a lively verdure. 
 
 In the opening^ of the fpring, when all nature begins 
 to recover herfelf, the fame animal pleafure which 
 makes the birds ^v^g') and the whole brute creation re- 
 joice, riles very fenfibly in the heart of man. I know 
 none of the poets who have obferved fo well as Milton 
 thofe fecret overflowings of gladaefs which diffufe 
 themfelvcs through the mind of the beholder, upon 
 furveying the gay fcenes of nature : He has touched 
 upon it twice or thrice in his Paradife Loji, and de- 
 fcnbes it very beautifully under the name of vernal 
 delight, in that paflage where he reprefents the dcvii 
 himfclf as almoll fenfible of it. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 26 
 
 .Blo£om and fruits at once of golden hue 
 
 Aj^pear'dy iiuith ^ay ena^^.-ell'd colours mixt ; 
 
 On auhich the fun more glad imprefs' d his beams 
 
 Than in fair ev^ening clcud, or humid hozu 
 
 When God hath Jhs<iver d the earth ; fo loxely fern d 
 
 'J hat landffiip : And cf purest ho-iv purer air 
 
 Meets his approach, and to the heart i>f hires 
 
 Hf; Vernal delight, and joy all- to ^ri-ve 
 
 ^ Allfa.inef but defpair, ^c. 
 
 Many authors have written on the A'nnity of the 
 creatur^, and rcprefentetl the barrennefs of every thing 
 in this worki, and its incapacity of producing any 
 folid or fubilantial happinefs. As difcourfcs of tliis 
 nature are very ufeful to the feiifual and voUiptuous, 
 tliofe fpeculations which O^ew the bright iidc of things, 
 and lay forth thofe innocent entertainments which are 
 to be met with among tlie feveral object:) that encom- 
 pafs us, are no lefs beneficial to men of dark and mel- 
 ancholy tempers. It was for this reafon that I en- 
 deavoured to recommend a chccrfulnefs of mind in my 
 two lad Saturdays papers, and which I would ftiU in- 
 culcate, not only from the conlidt^ration of ourfelves, 
 I and of that Being on whom we depend, nor from the 
 jgeneral furvey of that univerfe in which we are placed 
 at prefent, but from refle£lions on the particular fea- 
 fon in which this paper is written. The creation is a 
 j perpetual feafl; to the mind of a good man, every 
 i thing he fees cheers and delights him : Providence 
 I has imprinted fo many fmiles on nature, that it isim- 
 pofTibie for a mind which is not funk in more grofs 
 I and fenfual delights, to take a furvey of them without 
 I fevcral fecret fenfations of pleafure. The Pfalmift has 
 in feveral of his divine poems cel'-:brated thole beauti- 
 ful and agreeable fceiies which mr.ke the heart glad, 
 and produce in it tliat vernal delight which I have be- 
 fore taken notice of. 
 
 Natural philofophy quickens this tafte of the crea- 
 tion, and recders it not only pleafing to the imagina- 
 tior>j but to the underflanding. It does not reft in the 
 murmur of brook^^and the melody of birds, in the fhaeie 
 iOf groves and woods, or in the embroidery of fields 
 
264 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 and meadows, but confiders the feven-1 ends of Provi- 
 dence which arc feived by them, a«d the wonders of 
 divine wrfdom which appear in them. It heightens 
 the .pleafurcs of the eye, and ralfes fuch a rational ad- 
 miration in the foul, as is litile inferior to devotion. 
 
 It is not in the power of every one to offer up this 
 kind of v/orfhip to the great Author of Nature, and to 
 indulge thefe more refined meditations of heart, which 
 are doubtlefs highly acceptable in his fight *, I fhall 
 therefore conclude this fhort eOay on that pleafure 
 which the mind naturally conceives from the prefent 
 "feafon of the year, by the recommending of a practice 
 for which every one has futficient abilities. 
 
 I would have my readers tindeavour to moralize this 
 natural pleafure of the foul, and to improve this "ver- 
 nal delight, as Milton calls it, into a chriftian virtue. 
 When we find ourfoU-es infpircd v/ith this pleafnig in- 
 ftin^t, this fecret fatisfa^tion and complacency, arifing 
 from the beauties of the creation, let us coniider to 
 whom we iland indebted for all thefe entertainments 
 of i'enfe, and who it is that thus opens his hand and 
 fills the world v.'ith good. The Apoftle inftrufts us 
 to take advantage of our prefent temper of mind, to 
 graft upon it fuch a religious exercife as is particular- 
 ly conformable to it, by that precept which advifes 
 thofe who are fad to pray, and thofe v.'ho are merry to 
 fing pfalms. The cheerfulncfs of hearts whiclinpvings 
 up in us from the furvey of nature's worksj is an ad- 
 mirable preparation for gratitude. The mind has 
 gone a great way towards praifc and thanfgiving that 
 is .filled with fuch a fecret gladneTs. A grateful re- 
 fle£l:ionon the fupreme canie who produces it, fan£ii- 
 fies it in the foul, and gives it its proper value. Such 
 an habitual difpofition cf mind confeciates every field 
 and wood, turns an ordinary walk ^to a morning or 
 evening facrifice, and will improve thofe tranfient 
 gleams of joy which naturally brighten up, ai'id refreih 
 the foul on fuch occafions, into an inviolable and per- 
 petual ftate of bUfs and happinefs. 
 
 SPECTATOR; Vol. V. No. 393v 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 26$ 
 HYMN OF GRATITUDE. 
 
 ^ HEN all thy monies, my Goii, 
 My riJJng fcul fuy^je.s ; 
 ^ran/ported ixith the ^-ieiv, Pm loft 
 In '-wonder y love, and praife. 
 
 hc^jc Jhall twords luith equal 'warmth 
 
 The gratitude declare, 
 ^hat glows nxithin my ra^vifh'd heart f 
 
 But thou cavji read it there, 
 
 7'hy Providence my life fujiain^dy 
 
 And all my n.i: ants redreft, 
 When in the fient luomb 1 lay^ 
 
 And hurg upon the breaft. 
 
 To all my if-eak complaints and <ries. 
 
 Thy mercy lent an ear. 
 Ere yet my feeble thoughts had learnt 
 
 To form thcmfel-ves in prayr. 
 
 Unnumbered comforts to my fotti 
 
 Thy tender care iefionudi 
 Before my irfant heart conceinj'd 
 
 From ^whence thefe comforts floiv'd, 
 
 V/ken iniheJlippWy paths of youth 
 
 With heedhfs fteps I ran, 
 %hine arm unjeen ccn-vefd mefafe. 
 
 And led me up to man, 
 Hlirough hidden dangers, toils, and deaths ^ 
 
 It gently cleared my 'way. 
 And through the pleafng fnares of 'vice, 
 ^Mcre to be feared than they. 
 
 When 'wvrn 'with ftcknefs oft haft thou 
 
 With health renew d my face t 
 And 'when in fins and for ro=ws funk, 
 
 Rc'viv'd my foul 'with grace. 
 
 Thy bounteous hand 'with ^worldly hlifs 
 
 Has made my cup run o er. 
 And in a kind and faithful friend 
 
 Has doubled all my ft ore, 
 X 
 
S.€6 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 Ten thoufand thoufand precious giftt 
 
 My daily thanks e>nploy , 
 IJor is the leaji a cheerful heart 
 
 That tajies thofe gifts iKithjoy, 
 Through e'very period of my life 
 
 ^ hy goodnefs Vll purfue; 
 .And after death in diftant ivorlds 
 
 The glorious theme reneiv- 
 When nature fails i and day and night 
 
 Di'viJe thy (works no mere, 
 My enjer- grateful heart, O Lord, 
 
 'i hy mercy Jhall adore, 
 J hrough all eternity to thee 
 ' J joyful fa ng Til raife. 
 
 For 0/ Eternitji^ too Jhort 
 
 To utter all thy praife. C. 
 
 Spectator/ Vol. VT. No. 453' 
 
 DEVOTION. 
 
 JiN my laft Saturday's paper I laid down fome 
 ..thoughts upon Devotion in general, and fhall here 
 Ihew what were the notions of the mod refined Hea- 
 thens on this fubje6t, as they are reprefented in Plato'% 
 dialogue upon prayer, entitled, Ahibiades the. Second, 
 /which doubtlefs gave occafion to Ju'venal\ tenth fa- 
 vtire, and to the fecond fatire of Perfus \ as the lail of 
 thefe authors has almoft tranfcribed the preceding di- 
 alogue, tntiil^dy Jlcibiades the i^/r/, in his fourth fa- 
 tire. 
 
 The Ipeakers in this dialogue upon prayer, are 
 Socrates and Ahibiades ; and the fubflance of it (when 
 drawn together out of the intricacies and digrelhons) 
 as follows : 
 
 Socrates meeting his pupil Ahibiades, as he was go^ 
 a ng to his devotions, and obferving his eyes to be fix- 
 ed upon the earth with great fericufnefsand attention, 
 tells him, that he had reafon to be thoughtful on that 
 occafion, fmce it was pofTibk for a man to bring down 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 267 
 
 > evils upon himfelf by his own prayers, and that thofe 
 things which the gods fend him in anfwer to his peti- 
 tions might turn to his deftruO.ion. This, fays he^ 
 may not only happen when a man prays for what he 
 knows is mifchievous in its own nature, as OsMpus im- 
 plored the gods to fow difTention between his fons , 
 but when he pravs for what he believes would be for 
 his good, and againft what he believes would be to his 
 detriment. This the philofopher fliews mufl necef- 
 farily happen among us, fince moft men are blinded 
 with ignorance, prejudice, or paffion, which hinder 
 them from fceiiig fuch things as are really beneficial to 
 them. For an inftance, he nfks Alcibia^esy\Nht\.\\zx he 
 would not be thorougiiiy pleafed and fatisfied, if that 
 Gcd, to whom he v/as going to addrefs himfelf, (hould 
 promife to make him ihe fovereign of the whole 
 earth ? Aldbiades anfwcrs, that he fliould doubtlefs look 
 upon fuch a promife as the greateft favour that could 
 be bellowed upon him. Socrates then aiks him, if, af- 
 ter receiving this great favour, he would be co.V- 
 tented to Joofe >his life ? Or if he would receive in 
 though he was fure he fliould make an ill ufe of it ? 
 To both of which queflions, Aldbiades anfwers in the 
 negative. Socrates then ihows him, from the examples 
 of oihersj how thefe might very probably be the eiTecls 
 of fuch a blelhng. He then adds, that other reputed 
 pieces of good fortune, as that of having a fon, or 
 procuring the highefl pcil in a government, are fub- 
 jtCi to the like fatal confcquences ; which neverthe- 
 lefs, fays he, men ardently defire, and would not fail 
 to pray for, if they thought their prayers might be ef- 
 fectual for the obtaining of them. 
 
 leaving eftabliHied this great point, that all the moft- 
 apparent ble flings in this life are obnoxious to fuch 
 dreadful confcquences, and that no man knov/s what 
 in the event would prove to him a bleffing or a 
 curfe, he' teaches Alcibiades after what manner he 
 ought to pray. 
 
 in the hrit place he recommends to him as the 
 model of his devotions, a fliort prayer which a Greek 
 f ostcom^ofcd for the uie of his friends, ia the fellow- 
 
c,6S ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 jng words; O Jupiter y give us tbc/e things nvhich ar$ gcod 
 for usy ^whether ihey &re fur h things as ixe •fray for^ or Juch 
 things as ixe do not pray for ; aiid remote from us thofe 
 things nxhich are hurtjul^ though they are fuch things as Oi'tf 
 fray for. 
 
 In the fecond place, that his dlfciple may aflc fuch 
 •things as are expedient for him, he ftiews him, that it 
 is abiblutely neceffary to apply himfelf to the ftudy of 
 true wifdom,and to the knowledge of that wliich is his l 
 chief good, and the mod fuitable to the excellency of ' 
 his nature. 
 
 In the third and laft place he iKforms him, that the 
 Ijeft methods he could make ufe of to draw down blef- 
 fmgs upon himfelfj and to render his prayers acceptable 
 would be to live in a conftant pra6i:ice of his duty to- 
 wards the gods, and towards men. Under this head . 
 he very much recommends a form of prayer the Lace'- | 
 demonians make ufe of, in which they petition the gods, 1 
 to gi'-ve them all good things fa long as they nvere 'virtueup, 
 "Under this head likewife he gives a very remarkable 
 account of an oraple to the following purpofe : 
 
 Vv''hen the Jthenians m the war with tlie Lacedemtmi- 
 ans received many defeats both by fea and land, they 
 ■fent a mefleiiger to the oracle of Jupiter Anunon^ to afk 
 ihe reafon why they who erecled- fo many tem,ples to 
 the gcdsj and adorned them with fuch cofcly offerings ; 
 why they who had inftituted fo many fellivals, and 
 accompanied them with fuch pomps and ceremonies; 
 in {hort, why they who had iJain fo many Hecatombs 
 at their altars, fnould be lefs fuccefsful than the Lacc- 
 demoniansy who fell fo fnort of them in all thefe particu- ) 
 lars. To this, fays he, the oracle made the following | 
 reply : / a7n better pleafed ixjiih the prayers of the Lacede- I 
 monians, than nvith all the oblations cp the Greeks. As 1 
 this prayer implied and encouraged virtue in thofe who ^ 
 made it ; the philofopher proceeds to fhew how the i 
 mod vicious man might be devout, fo far as victims \ 
 could make him, but that his offeriags were regarded \ 
 by the gods as bribes, and his petitions as blafphemies. j 
 He likewife quotes on this occafion two verfes out of \ 
 ^m^r^ ijj whigii the poet fays, that the fcent of tlici ■ 
 
A'D'DISONIAN MISCELLANY. 769 
 
 f^/^/A/zfacrifices was carried up to heaven by thc^vinds ; 
 but that it was not acceptable to the gods, who were 
 difpleafed with Priam and all his people. 
 
 The conclufion of this dialogue is very remarkable. 
 Socraies having deterred Akibiadei from the prayers and 
 facritices which he was going to offer, by fctting forth 
 the aboi'e-mentioncd difficulties of performing that 
 duty as he ought, add-s thefe words : We muji there* 
 fore IK) ait till fuch lime as njoe may learn ho^vj nxe ought to he- 
 have our/i In; cs towards the gods ^ and towards men. But 
 when will that time come, fays Alcibiades^ and who is 
 h that will inftrud us ? For I would fain fee this 
 man, whoever he is. It is one, fays Sscratesy who takes 
 care of you \ but as Homer tells us that Mi/ierva remov- 
 ed the mill from th? eyes of I^i5;/?f^^;, that he might plain- 
 Jy^ difcover both gods and men ; fo the darkncfs that 
 hangs upon your mind mufl; be removed before yoik 
 are able to difcern what is good and what is evil. Let 
 him remove from my mind, fays JLiliades, the dark- 
 nefs, and what eife he pltafes, I am determined to re- 
 fufe nothing he fhall order nie, whoever he is, fo that 
 I may becoMic the better man by it. The remaining 
 part of this dialogue is very obfcure : there is fome- 
 thing in it that would make us think Socrates hinted at 
 himlelf, when he fpoke of this divine teacher who 
 was to come into the v/ovld, did not he own that he 
 himfelf was in this rcfpscl as m.uch at a lofs, and irv 
 as great diflrefs, as the reft of mankind. 
 
 8ome learned men look upon this conclufion as a 
 prediftion of our Saviour, or at leaft that Socrates , like 
 the High-Prieft, prophefied unknowingly, and point- 
 ed at that divine teacher who v/as to come into the. 
 world fome ages after him. However that may be, 
 "we find that this great philofop her faw, by the light 
 of reafon, that it was fuitable to the goodnefs of the 
 Divine Nature, to fend a perfon into the world who 
 fliould inftru6l mankind in the duties of religion, and 
 in particular, teach them how to pray. 
 
 Whoever reads this abllract of Platc\ difcourfeoa 
 prayer, will, I believe, naturally make this reflection, 
 that the graet Founder of our religion, a$ wdl by U% 
 
 Y 2 ' , 
 
i7d ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 own example, as in the form of prayer which he taught 
 his difciples, did not only keep up to thofe rules which 
 the light of nature had fuggelled to this great phiio- 
 jTopher, but inftrucled his difciples in the whole ex- 
 tent of this duty, as well as of all others. He direct- 
 ed them to the proper objecSt of adoration, and taught 
 themi, according to the third rule above mentioned, to 
 apply themfelves to him in their clofets, v.'ithout fho\y 
 or ollentation, and to woriliip him in fpirit and in 
 truth. As the Lacedemonians in their form of prayer 
 implored the gods in general to give them all good 
 things fo long as they were virtuous ; we afk in par- 
 ticular that cur offences tnay be forgpuen^ as 'u;e forgive thoft 
 •fathers. If we look into the fecond rule which So^ratet 
 has prefcribed, namely, that we fhould apply our- 
 felves to the knowledge of fuch things as are belt for 
 us, this too is explained at large in the doclrines of the 
 'jofpel, where we are taught in feveral inftances to re- 
 gard thofe things as curfes which appear as blefiings> 
 in the eye of the world ; and on the contrary,. 
 to efteem thofe things as bleffings which to th« 
 generality of mankind appear as curfes. Thus 
 in the form which is prefcribed to us we, only 
 pray for that happinefs which is our chief good, and 
 the great end of our exiftenc*, v/hen we petition the 
 t5uprem>e Being for the coming cfhis kingdom., being fo • 
 »!icitous for no other tem.porai bleffings but our daily 
 Juftenance. On the other fide we pray againft nothing 
 but fin, and againft evil in general, leaving it wiih 
 Omnifcieiice to determine what is really fuch. If w^e 
 look into the firft rules of prayer by Socrates in 
 which he recommends the above-mentioned form of 
 the ancient poet, we find that form not only compre- 
 liended, but very much improved, in the petition, 
 "wherein we pray to the Supreme Being that^/Vw;/^ 
 viay be done \ which is of the fame force with that 
 form which our Saviour ufed when he prayed againft 
 the moft painful and moft ignominious of deaths, 
 ^■veverthekfsy not my nvill, but thine be done. This GOmpre- 
 henfive petition is the moft humble as well as the 
 
 i»Qft prwdent that 9^5 be offered up fiQin fhe gre^ 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 271 
 
 tureto his Creator, as it fuppofes the Supreme Being 
 wills nothhig but what is for our good, and that he 
 knows better than ourfeh^es what is fo. 
 
 Spectator, VoL III. No. 207. L. 
 
 If there were no other confequence of it, but barely 
 that human creatures on this day aflembled themfelves 
 before their Creator, without regard to their ufual 
 employments, their minds at leifure from the cares 
 of this life, and their bodies adorned with the bed at- 
 tire they can bcP.ow on them ; I fay, were this mere 
 outwavd celebration of a Sabbath all that is expected 
 from men, even that were a laudable dillinclion, and 
 and a purpofe worthy the human nature. But when 
 there is added to it the fublime pleafure of devotion, 
 our being is exalted abf)ve itfelf ; and he who fpends 
 a feventh day in the contemplation of the next life, 
 will not eafily fall into the corruptions of this in the 
 other fix. They who never admit thoughts of this 
 kind into their imaginations, lofe higher and fweeter 
 fatisfa^tions than can be laifed byi any other enter- 
 tainment. The mofi: illiterate man who is touched 
 with devotion, and ufes frequent exercifes of it, con- 
 tracts a certain greatncfs of mind, mingled with a no- 
 ble fimplicity, that raifes him above thofe of the fame 
 condition ; and there is an indehable mark of good- 
 n?fs in thofe who hncerely po/Iefs it. It is hardly 
 poiTible it fliould be otherwife ; for the fervors of a 
 pious mind will contract fuch an earneftnefs and at- 
 tention towards a better Being, as will make the ordi- 
 nary^ paHages of life go oft with a becoming indiffer- 
 ence. By this a man in the lowed condition will not 
 appear mean, or in the mod fplendid fortune, infolent. 
 As to all the intricacies and vicillitudcs under 
 which men are ordinarily entangled with the utmoft 
 forrow and paflion, one who is devoted to Heaven, 
 when he falls mto fuch difficulties, is led by a clue 
 through a labyrinth : As to this world, he does not pre- 
 tend to (kill m the mazes of it, but fixes his thoughts 
 upon one certainty, that he fliall foon be out of it. 
 And we may alk very boldly, what can be a more fure 
 ■fonfoIatiQn than to h^ve au Jiope in death ? Wh^a 
 
272 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANT, i 
 
 men are arrived at thinking of their very dlflblutionf a 
 with plenfure, hew few things are there that can b^ \ 
 terrible to them ? Certainly nothing 'can be dreadful I 
 to fuch fpirits, but what would make death terrible to i 
 them, fal(l:icod towards manor impiety towards Hea- ! 
 ven. To fuch as thefe, ?,s t-here are certainly many ] 
 fuch, the gratifications of innocent pleafures are dou- i 
 bled even with refleclions upqn their imperfedlion. , 
 The cir^ppolntinents which naturally attend the great 
 pTomifes we make ourfelves in expected enjoyments, 
 flrike no damp upon fuch men, but only quicken their 
 hopes of foon knov. ing joys \\hich are too pure to ad- 
 mit of allay or fatiety. 
 
 It is thought among the politer fort of mankind an 
 imperfe'ftion to want a relifh of any of thofe things 
 which refine cur lives. ' This is the 'foundation of the 
 acceptance which eloquence, mufic, and poetry make- 
 in the world •, and I kiiOW not why devotion, confid-- 
 cred merely as an exaltation of cur happinefs, ftiould 
 not at lead be fo far regarded as to be confidered. 
 It is poiTible the very inquiry would lead men into 
 fuch thoughts and gratifications as they did not expedl 
 to meet with in this place. Many a good acquaint- 
 ance has been, iofl from a trenerai prepofieflion in his 
 disfavour, and a fevere afpedl has often hid under it a j 
 very agreeable companion. 
 
 There are nodiftinguifhing qualities among men to 
 which there are not falfe pretenders ; but though 
 jione is mor« pretended to than that of devotion, 
 there are perhaps fewer fuccefsful impoftures in this * 
 kind than any other. There is fomething fo natively 
 greatand good in a perfon who is truly devout, that an 
 aukward man may as v/ell pretend to be genteel, as an 
 hypociiteto be pious. The confiraint in words and 
 adions are equally vifible in both cafes, and any thing 
 fet up in their room does but remove the endeavourers 
 the farther from their pre/tenfions. But however the 
 fenfeof tru£ piety is abated, there is no other motive 
 of aftion that can carry us through all the viciffitudes 
 of life with alacrity and refolution. But piety, like 
 pliilofophy, when it is fupe):iigi?d; d^es but make mea 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY, 373 
 
 appear the worfe for it ; and a principle that is but 
 half received, does but diflracl, inftead of guiding our 
 behaviour. When I relied: upon the unequal con- 
 cu£l oi Lotiusy I fee many things that run direclly 
 counter to his intereft ; therefore I cannot attribute 
 his labours for the public good to ambition. When I 
 confider his diffsrgard to his fortune, I cannot eftceni 
 him covetous. How then can I reconcile his neg- 
 led: of himfeif, and his zeal for others? I have long 
 fufpeded him to be a lltde pious : But no man ever 
 hid his vice with greater caution than he does his vir- 
 tue. It vi^as the praiie of a great Roman, that he had 
 rather be, than appear, good. But fuch is the ^eak- 
 neis of Lotiusy that 1 dare fay he had rather be efteem- 
 €d irreligious than devout. By 1 know not what im- 
 patience of railkry, he is wonderfully fearful of being 
 thought too great a believer. An hundred little devi- 
 ces are made ufe of to hide a time of private devotion : 
 and he will allow you any fufpicion of his being ill 
 employed, fo you do not tax him with being well. But 
 alas ! How mean is fuch a behaviour ? To boaft of 
 virtue is a mod ridiculous way of difappointing the 
 merit of it, but not fo pitiful as that of being afhamed 
 of it. How unhappy is the wretch who makes the 
 moil abfoiute and indepcndant motive of a6lion the 
 caufe of perplexity and inconflancy ! How much an- 
 other figure does Callkola make with all who know 
 him ! His great and fuperior mind, frequently exalt- 
 ed by the raptures of heavenly meditation, is to all his 
 friends of the fame ufe as if an angel were to appear 
 at the decilion of their difputes. They very well 
 underftand he is as much difmterefted and unbialTed 
 as fuch a being. He confiders all applications made 
 tohim as thofeaddreffes will effedl his own applica- 
 tions made to Heaven. All his determinations are 
 delivered with a beautiful humility •,. and he pronoun- 
 ces his decifions with the air of one who is more fre- 
 quently a fupplicant than a judge. 
 
 Thus humble, and thus great, is the man who is 
 moved by piety, and exalted by devotion. But be- 
 
274 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 holdtkis recommended by the mafterly hand ef a gfca^ 
 divine I have heretofore made bold with. 
 
 *' It is fuch a pleafure as can never cloy or over- 
 work the mind j a delight that grows and improves 
 under tliought an?' refle6tion ; and while it exercifes, 
 does alfo endear itfelf to the mind. All pleafnres 
 that aiFecl the body mull needs weai^, becaufe they 
 tranfport y and all tranfportation is a violence ; and- 
 no violence can be lading, but determines upon the 
 falling of the fpirits, which are not able to keep up 
 that height of motion that the pleafure of the fenfes • 
 raifcs iliem to. And therefore how inevitably does atj- 
 immoderate laughter end in a figh, which is only na- 
 ture's recovering itfelf after a force done to it : But' 
 the religious pleafure of a v/ell difpofed mind moves 
 gently, and therefore conftantly. It does not afFedt 
 by rapture and extacy, but is like the pleafure of health, . 
 greater and (Ironger than thofe that call up the fenfes 
 with grofferand more affedling impreflions. No man's 
 body is as ftrong as his appetites ; but heaven has cor- 
 re£ted the boundlefTriefs of his voluj)tuous defires by 
 ilintinghis ftrength, andcontraclinghiscapacities: The^ 
 pleafure of tl*e religious man is an eafy and a portable 
 pleafure, fuch an one as he carries iri his bofom, with-- 
 out alarming either the eye or the envy of the world. 
 A man putting all his pleafures into this one, is like a 
 traveller putting all his goods into one jewel ; the 
 value is the fame, and the convenience greater." 
 
 Tatler, Vol. iV. No. 21 K 
 
 I 
 
 DISCRETION. 
 
 HAVE often thought if the minds of men were:' 
 i-iid opesr, we fliould fee but little ditTerence batween- 
 that of the wife man and that of the fool. There are 
 infinite re-verias, numberlefs extravagances, and a per- 
 petual train of vanities which pafs through both. The 
 great difference is, that the firit knows how to pick 
 and cull his thoughts for converfation, by fupurelfrng 
 feme, and communicating others 5 whereas the ath- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 27J 
 
 er lets them all indifferently fly out in words. This 
 ibrt of difcretion, however, has no place in private 
 convcrfation between intimate friends. On fuch oc-' 
 cafions, the wifefl men very often talk like the weak- 
 eft ; for indeed the talking with a friend, is nothing 
 clfe but thinking louJ. 
 
 TuHyhis therefore very juftly expofed a piecept de- 
 livered by fwme ancient writers, that a man fliould 
 Jiv;: with his enemy in fuch a manner, as might 
 leave him Tcom to become his friend ; and wit^ 
 his friend in fuch a manner, that if , he became 
 his enemy, it (hould not be in his power to hurt 
 him. The firft p:\rt of this rule, which regards our 
 behaviour towards an enemv, is inJced very reafona- 
 ble, as we 1 as very prudciitid •, but the latter part of 
 it, which regards our behaviour towards a friend, fa- 
 vours more of cunning than of difcretion, and would 
 cut a man off from the grentcd pleafurcs^of life, whicli 
 :ir? the freedoms of converfaticn with a bofom friend. 
 Befides that vhen a friend is turned into an enemy, 
 and (as the fon of Sirach calls him) a betrayer of fe- 
 creto, the world is juft 'enough to accufc the perfidiouf- 
 . nefs of the friend, rather than the indifcretion of the 
 perfon who confided in him. 
 
 Difcretion does not only fhew itfelf in words, but in 
 all the ci^cumftances ofaa:ion; and is like an under- 
 agent of Providence, to guide and direct us in the or- 
 . dinary concerns of life. 
 
 There are many more fhining qualities in the mhid 
 of man, but there is none fo ufefui as difcretion ; it is 
 this indeed which gives a value to all the reft, which 
 fets them at work in their proper times and places, 
 and turns them to the advantage of the perfon who is 
 foffeffed of them. Without it learning is pedantry, 
 and wit impertinence ; virtue itfelf looks like weak- 
 nefs ; the bcft parts only qualify a man to be more 
 fprightly in errors, and active to his own prejudice. 
 
 Nor does difcretion only make a man the mafter of 
 his own parts, but of other men's. The difcreet 
 inan finds out the talents of thofe he converfes with, 
 aacl kuQWS how to apply them to proper ufe§. Ac* 
 
276 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 cordingly, if we look into particular communities and 
 divifions of men, we may obferve that it is the difcreet 
 man, not the witty, nor the learned, nor the bxavC) 
 who guides the converfation and gives meafures to 
 the fociety. A man with great talents, but void of 
 difcretion^ is like Polyphemus in the fable, ftrong and 
 blind, endued with an irrefillible force, which for 
 want of fight is of no ule to him. 
 
 Though a man has all other perfections, and wrrits 
 difcretion, he will be of no great confequence in the 
 world ; but if he has this fingle talent in perfe«Slion, 
 and but a common iliare of others, he may do what he 
 pleafes in his parcicular ftation of life. 
 
 At the fams time that I think difcretion the moil 
 ufeful talent ^ man can be mafter of, I look upon 
 cunning to be the accomplillmient of little, mean, un- 
 generous minds. Difcretion points out the nobleft 
 ends to us, and purfues the moft proper and lauda- 
 ble methods of attaining them : cunning has only pri- 
 vate, felfrih aims, and (licks at nothing which may 
 make them fucceed. Difcretion has large and ex- 
 tended views, and like a well-formed eye, commands 
 a whole horizon : cunning is a kind of Ihort-fighted- 
 ncfsj that difcovers the minuteil objects which are near 
 at hand, but is not able to difcern things at a diftance. 
 Dn^'cretion, the more it is difcovered, gives a greater 
 authority to the perfon who poUefles it : cunning, 
 when it is once detecSled, lofes its force, amd makes a 
 man incapable of bringing about even thofe events 
 which he might have done, had he pafled only for a 
 plain man. Difcretion is a perfe&ion of reafon, and 
 a guide to us in all the duties of life : cunning is a 
 kind of inftind, that only looks out after our imme- 
 diate intereft and welfare. Difcretion is only found 
 in men of ftrong fenfe and good underftanding :: cun«; 
 ning is often to be met with in brutes themfelves, and 
 in perfons who are but a few removes horn. them» 
 In (hort, cunning is only the mimicks of difcretion, 
 and may pafs upon weak men in the fame manner as 
 vivacity is often miftaken for wit, *nd gravity for wif-*' 
 dom. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 17^ 
 
 The caft of mind which is natural to a difcreet man, 
 r." ikes him look forward into futurity, and confider 
 Vv'hat will be his condition millions of ages hence, as 
 well* as what it is at prefent. He knows that the 
 iTiifery or happinefs which are referved for him in an- 
 other world, lofe nothing of their reality by being 
 placed at fo great a diftanee from him. The objects 
 do not appear little to him, becaufe they are remote. 
 He confulers that thofc pleaiures and pains which lie 
 3ud in eternity, approach nearer to him every moment, 
 and will be prefent with him in their full weight and 
 meafure, as muciias thofc pains and pleafures which 
 he feels at this very inftant. For this reafon he is 
 careful to fecure to himfelf that which is the proper 
 happinefs of his nature, and the ultimate def.gn of 
 his being. He carries his thoughts to the end of eve- 
 ry action, and confiders the moft diflant as well as the 
 moil immediate efFe£l:s of it. He ^fuperfedcs every 
 little profpecl of gain and advantage which offers it- 
 felf here, if he does not find it confident with his 
 views of an hereafter. In a word, his hopes are full 
 of im.iiortality, his fchemes are large and glorious, 
 and his condu(Si: faitable to one who knows his true 
 intcred, and how to purfue it by proper methods. 
 
 I have, in this elTiy upon Difcrction, conlidcred it 
 both as an accomplifiiment and as a virtue, and have 
 therefore dcfcribed it in its full extent ; not only as it 
 is converfant about worldly affairs, but as it regards 
 our whole exiflence ; not only as it is the guide of a 
 mortal creature, but as it is in general the di- 
 re61:or of a reafonable being. It is in this light 
 that difcretion is reprcfented by the wife man, 
 who fometimcs mentions it under the name of dif- 
 cretion, and fometimes under that of wifdom. It ii 
 indeed (as defcr"bed in the latter part of this paper) 
 the greatelt wifdom, but at the fame time in the pow- 
 er of every one to attain. Its iidvantages are infinite, 
 but its acquifitions eafy ; or to fpeak of her in the 
 words of the apocryphal writer, whom I quoted in 
 my lafl Saturday's paper, "wifdom is glorious, an4 
 never fadcth awav 5 yet ilie is eafily fecn of them thi^t 
 
^7^ ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 love her, and found of fuch who leek her ; fhe pre- 
 venteth them that feek her, in makhig themfclvts 
 l-:nown unto them. He that feeketh^her early, fliall 
 have no great travel, for he (hall fmd her at her door. 
 To think therefore of her, is perfection' of wifdom, 
 and whofo watcheth for her, fliall quickly be without 
 care ; for (lie goeth about feeking fuch as arev/orthy of 
 her, fheweth herfelf favourably unto them in the ways, 
 and meeteth them in every thought." 
 
 Spectator, Vel. III. No. 225. 
 
 DISTRESSES. s^ "^ 
 
 Xji.ETER the mind has been empioyec/on contem- 
 plations fuitable to its greatnefs, it is unnatural to run 
 into fudden mirth or levity ; but we mull let the foul 
 lubfide as it rofc, by proper degrees. My late confid- 
 erations of the ancient heroes, impreffed a certain 
 gravity upon my mind, which is much above the lit- 
 gratification received from Harts of humour and fancy, 
 and threw me into a pleafmg fadnefs. In this ftate of 
 thought I have been looking at the fire, and in a penfive 
 manner refleding upon the great calamities and niisfor- 
 tunes incident to human life ; among which tliere are 
 none that touch (o fenfibly as thofe which befal peifons 
 who eminently love, and meet v/itli faiai interruptions 
 t)f their happinefs, when they leaft expe^l it. The 
 piety of children to parents, and the affc^lion of par- 
 ents to their children, are the cfFedls of inftincl: : But 
 the affection between lovers and friends^ is founded on 
 reafon and choice, which has always made me think, 
 the forrows of the latter much more to be pitied than 
 Ihofe of the former. Fhe contemplation of diitreflbs of 
 this fort, foftens tiie mind of man, and makt s the heart 
 better. It v.xtiii^uiflies the feeds of envy and ill-will 
 towards mankind, correels the prid? of profperity, and \ 
 bears down all th^t fiercenefs and infolencc which are , 
 apt to get into the minds of the darin i; and fortunate. "•■ 
 For this reafon the wife Jtkeniu7is, in their theatrical ' 
 perfoiniances; laid'^beforv the eyes of the people the 
 
ADDISONIAN Il'TISCELLANY. 279 
 
 i greeted afflictions which could befal human life, and 
 ^' infenfiblv polifhed their tcn.pers by fuch reprefenta- 
 tions. Amonc; the moderns, indeed, there has arofe a 
 chimerical method of difpoiing the fortune of the per- 
 ions reprcfcntcdj according to what they call poetical- 
 jiiilice ; and letting none be unhappy but thoie who^ 
 dcftrve it. In inch cafes, an intelligent Spectator, if 
 lie is concerned, knows he ought not to be fo ; and cair 
 learn nothing: from fuch a tendernefs, but that he is a 
 weak creature, whofe paffipns cannot follow the dic- 
 tates of his unfcrftanding. It is very natiu'al, wheii 
 one is got into fuch a way of thinking,' to recollect 
 thofe exampleaof forrow, which have made the Rrong- 
 e!t imprellion upon our imaginations. An inftance 
 or two of fuch, you will give mc leave to communi-- 
 cate. 
 
 A young gentleman and lady, of ancient and hon- 
 ourable houics in Ccrnmall, had from their childhood 
 entertained for each other a generous and noble paf- 
 fiouj which had been long oppofed by t>ieir friends, by 
 rt.iifon of the inequality of their fortunes *, but their 
 con (lancy to each other, and obedience to thofe on 
 whom tiiey depended, wi ought fo much upon their 
 relations, that thefe celebrated lovers were at length 
 joined in marriage. Scon after their nuptials the 
 bridegroom was obliged to go into a foreign country, 
 to take care of a ccnllderable fortune which was left 
 him by a relation, and came very opportunely to im- 
 prove their moderate circumdances. They received 
 the congratulations of all the country on this occa-- 
 Con, and I remen^ber it was a comnion fentence hi 
 every one's mouth, jr;.-/'^ ha^ Faithful Lo-veis rci.i:arded. 
 
 Ke took this agreeable voyage, and fent home every 
 pcfl frefh accoun'ts of his fuccefs in his affiiirs abroad ;. 
 but at lad (though he defigned to return with the next:. 
 Inp) he lamented in his letters that bufinefs would de- ■ 
 '::aw him feme time longer from home, becaufc he 
 uould give himfelf the pleafure of an unexpected arri- 
 val. 
 
 The young lady, after the heat of the day, walked 
 >^ery evening on the Tea- ilxcre, near which ilie lived^ 
 
28b ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 with a familiar friend, her hwibn.nd's kinfvvoman, and 
 diverted herfelf with what obje61s they met there, or 
 upon difcourfe of the future methods of Hfe, in the 
 happy change of their circumfLanccs. They floo«jf 
 one evening on the fea fhore together, in perfcdt tran- 
 quility, obferving the fetting oi the fun, the calm face 
 cf the deep, and the filent heaving of the waves, which 
 gently rolled towards them.,- and broke at their feet ; 
 -when at a diftance the kinfwcman faw fomcthing 
 float on the waters which flie fancied was a cheit 5 
 snd with a fmile told her ihe faw it firft, and if it 
 came afhcre full of jewel's fne had a right to ir. They 
 both fixed their eyes upon it, and entertained them- 
 felves with the fubjeft of the wreck, the coulin flill 
 ^flertlng her right ; but prornifing, if it was a prize, 
 to give her a very rich coral for the child of which fhc 
 "was then big, provided fhe might be godmother. 
 Their rrjirth foon abate^l, when they obferved upon 
 the nearer approach, that it was a human body. The 
 young lady, who had a heart naturally filled with pity 
 and compaffion, made vnany meiaiKlioly reflections 
 on the occafion. Who knows (faid (lie) but this man 
 may be the only hope and heir of a wealthy houfe ; 
 the darling of indulgent parents, who are now in im- 
 pertinent mirth, and pleafmg themfelves with the 
 thoughts of offering him a bride they have got ready 
 for him ? Or, may he not be the mailer of a family, 
 that wholly depended upon his life ?. There may, for 
 ought we know, behalf a dozen fatherlefs children, 
 and a tender wife, now expofed to poverty by his 
 death. What pleafure m.lght lie have promifcd him- 
 felf in the different welcomes he was to have from her 
 and them ? But let us go away, 'tis a dreadful fight ! 
 The befl office we can do, is to take care that the 
 poor man (whoever he is) may be decently buried'. 
 She turned away, when a wave threw the carcafe on 
 the fhore. The kinfvvoman immediately flirieked 
 , out, O, my coufin ! and fell upon the ground. The 
 unhappy wife went to help her friend., when (lie favr 
 her own hufband at her feet, and dropt in a fwoon 
 upon the body. An old woman who had been tlic 
 
itDDISONIAN MISCELLANY. e^, 
 
 gentleman's nurfc, came out about this time to .c^ll 
 the ladies in to fupper, and found her child ^^^i^ie 
 ilways called him) dead on the fiiore, her miftrefs and 
 -dnfwoman both lying deadly him. Her lo'ud.Umen- 
 ':itions, and calling her young mailer to; life,..'£beiii 
 awakened tlie friend from her trance ; but the wife 
 was gone for ever. 
 
 When the family and neighbourliood got together 
 round the bodies, no one afted any quellionj but the 
 objetls before them told the dory.' 
 
 Incidents of this nature are the more moving, wheiji 
 they are drawn by perfons concerned in the cataftrc-- 
 pile, notwithftanding they are often opprefled beyond 
 the power of giving them in a diilincl light, except 
 we gather their forrow from their inability to fpeik it. 
 
 I have too original letters written both on the fame 
 -day, which arc to me cxquifite in their difierent kinds. 
 Theoccafion was this : A gentleman who had courted 
 a mofl- agreeable young woman, and won her heart, 
 obtained alfo the confent of Iier father, to wliom fjje 
 \io an only child. The old man had a fancy that 
 ^•;:y ihould be married' in the fame church where he 
 himielf v/as, in a villa^je in V/eJijnoreland^ and made 
 them fet out while he was laid up with the gout ^t 
 Loudon. The bridegroom took only his man, a^id the 
 bride her maid'r They liad the mofl agreeable jour- 
 ney imaginable tothe place of marriage \ from whence 
 the bridegroom writ the following letter to his wife's 
 father. 
 
 March i8, 1672. 
 
 '51 R, 
 
 "A: 
 
 FTER a very pleafant journey hither, we are 
 preparing for the happy hour in which I am to be your 
 fon. 1 allure you the bride carries it, in the eye of the 
 vicar v/ho married you, much beyond her mother^, 
 though he fays, your open lleeves, pantaloons, and 
 fhoulder knot^ made a much bettci (liew than \.\\q fin- 
 ical dicfs 1 am in. Howeycr, i am contented to be 
 ti»e fecond iine man this village ever faw, and fhatl 
 
in ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 rnake it very merry before night, becaufe I fhall wri'tc^, 
 Biyfeif from thence. 2'^our mojl dutiful Son^ 
 
 T. D. 
 « ITie bride gives her duty, and is as handfome a^ 
 an angel— lam the happieft man breathing." 
 
 The villagers were affembling about the churchy 
 and the happy couple took a walk in a priv?.te garden. 
 The bridegroom's man knew his mailer would leave 
 the place on a fudden after the v/edding, and feeing 
 hira drawing his piftols the night before, rook this op- 
 portunity to go into his chamber and charge thern.. 
 Upon their return from the gavdtn they went into that 
 room j and after a little fond raillery on the fubje6l ef 
 their courtiliip, the lever took up a piftol, which he 
 knew he had unloaded the night before, and prcfenting 
 it to her, faid, with the molt graceful air, while (lie 
 looked pleafed at his agreeable flattery, now, madam, 
 lepent of all thofe cruelties you hiive been guilty of to 
 Trie •, coniidcr before you die how often you have made 
 a poor wretch freeze under ^'our cafement j you fliall 
 die, you tyrant, you fnall die, with all thofe inftru- 
 vments of death and deftruction about you ; with that 
 enchanting fmile, thofe killing ringlets of your haiv; 
 <3ive. iire, faid (he, laughing. — He did fo, and flioe 
 her dead. Who can fpeak his condinon ? But he bore 
 it fo patiently as to call up his man. The poor wretcll 
 entered, and his mafter locked the door upon him. 
 Will, faid he, did you charge thefe plilols ? He an?- 
 fwered, yes. Upon Vv^hich he fl-iot him dead with that 
 remaining.. After this, amid a thcufand hi-oken- fobs, 
 piercing groans, and diftracled motions, he writ the 
 following letter to the father of his dead miflrefs : 
 
 SIR, 
 
 I. 
 
 WHO two hours ago told you truly I was the 
 happieft man alive, am now the moft miferable. Your 
 daughter lies dead at my feet, killed by my handj 
 through a miftake of my man's charging my piftols un- 
 known to me. Him have I murdered for it. Such 
 H niy wedding-day. — I will immediately follow niy 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 2S3 
 
 wife to her grave : But before I throw myfclf upon 
 my fvord, 1 command my ciiflradlon fo far as to ex^ 
 plain my ftory to yoiu I fear my heart will not keep 
 tx)gether till I have ftabbed it. Poor i^ood old man ! — 
 Remember, he vvlio killed your daughter died for it. 
 In the article of death I g.ve you. my thanks, and pray 
 for you, though I dare not for myfelV. If it be pofll- 
 ble, do not curfe me." 
 
 Tatler, Vol. II. No. 82. 
 
 It is prettily obferved by fomebcdy concer-iing.the 
 graat vices, that ihere are three which give pleifure, as 
 cevetoufneks, gluttony, and lufl ; one,"which taftes of 
 nothing but pain, as envy ; the rell have a mixture of 
 pleafure and pain, as ang\:'r and pride. But when a 
 man confiders the (late of his own mmd, about which 
 every member of the chriflian world is fuj^pofed at 
 this time to be employed, he will find that the bell de- 
 fence ngainfl vice, is preferving the worthieil part of 
 his own fplrit pure from any great ofFence aga-nil ih 
 There is a niagnanimity which makes us look upon 
 Gurfelves with difdain, after we have been betrayed by 
 fudden dcfire, opportunity of gain, the abfence of a 
 perfon who exceiis us, the fault ot a fervant, or the ill 
 lortune of an adverfary, into the gratiiicition of luft, 
 covetoufneiG, envy, rage, or pride;- i when the more 
 fublime pan of our foul is kept alive, and we have not 
 repeated infirmities till they are become vicious habits. 
 The vice of covetoufnefs is v/hat enters deeped in- 
 to the foul o~ any. other ; and you may have feen men, 
 otherwife the mjolt agreeable creatures in the v/orld, 
 fo feized uith the dchre. of being richer, that they 
 fliall ilartle at different things, and live in a continu<vl 
 guard and watch over themielves, from a remote fear 
 of expence. No pious-mm can be fo circumfpedl in 
 the care of his conlcience aG the covetous man is intha* 
 of his poclvct. 
 
 If a man would preferve his own fpirit, and his 
 natural approbation of higher and more worthy pur^. 
 fuits, he could n-'ver fall into this littlenefs, but hia 
 piind would be ftiii open to honour and virtue, in fpite 
 
2S4 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 of infirmities and relapfes. But what extremely dif-l 
 courages me in. my precautions as a guardian is, that:| 
 there is an univerial defeciion from the admiration of 
 -virtue. Riches and outward fpiendour have taken up j 
 the place of it ; and no man thinks he is mean, if he .] 
 is not poor. But, P.la5 ! this defpicable fpirit debafes 1 
 our very being, and makes our- pallions take a new ^ 
 turn from their natural bent. i 
 
 It v^'as a caufe of great forrow and melancholy to ] 
 me fome nights ago at a play, to fee a, croud in the ;■ 
 habits of the gentry oi England, ftupid to the noblcfh '; 
 fentim.ents we have. The circumllance happened in 
 "the {ctVit of dillrefs betw ixt Piercy and Anna Bullen :; 
 One of the..centinels(\vho flood on the ftage to prevent 
 th.e diforders which the mo ft unmannerly race of young 
 n:ien-th'at ever were {<t^w in any age frequently raife in 
 pubHc anxuinbHes) upon Vkrcy?, befeeching to be heard, 
 burd into tears ; upon which the greatck part of the 
 audience fell into a loud and ignorant laughter ; which 
 others, who were touched with the liberal compa/iion 
 in the poor fellow, could hardly fupprefs by their clap- 
 ping. But the man, vvithout the leaft confufion or 
 ihame in his countenance for what had happened, 
 wiped away the tears, and was ftiil intent upon the 
 play. The diftrefs ftill riling, the foldier was fo much 
 moved, tliat he was obliged to turn his face from the 
 audience, to their no fmail merriment. Pz>rf>' had the 
 gallanj:ry to take notice of this honefl heart ; and, as 
 I am told, gave him a crown to help him in his afflic- 
 tion. It is certain this poor fellow, in his humble con- 
 dition, had fuch a lively compaflion as a foul unwed- 
 ded to the world ; were it othcrwife, gay lights and 
 <lrefles, with appearances of people of fafl^^ion and 
 wealth, to which his fortune could not be familiar, 
 -would have taken up ail his attention and admira- 
 tion. 
 
 It is every tiling that is praife-wortliy, as v/ell as- 
 pure religion (according to a book too f:u:rf.:d for m.e to - 
 x\\ii(j:")to^iJitihefathsriefs and nuidovos -ui. their uffliciion, 
 find to keep himfelf unjpctt id from the ivorld livery flep 
 
 [|li;it '4 man makes beyond rxioderate and icafonable 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY., 2?s 
 
 p^-ovifioHj is taking fo much from the wonhinefs of 
 his own fpirit ; and he wko is entirely fet upont mak- 
 ing a fortune, is all that while undoing the man. He 
 niull: grow deaf to the wretched, citrange himfclf 
 from th.e agreeable, learn hardnefs of hearr, difrcliOi 
 every thing that is noble, and terminate all in his dcf- 
 picable fcif. Indulgence in any one immoderate de» 
 lire or appetite, engroiles the whole creature, and his 
 liie is facrificed to that one deHre or appetite ; but how 
 much otherwife is it with thoTe who preicrve aiiva 
 in them foiiiething that adorns their condition, and 
 
 fnews the m:in5 whether a prince or a b^gt^ar, above 
 I • r . fro ' 
 
 his tor tune. 
 
 I have juft now recorded a foot fcldier for the polltefl 
 man in the ^r;V.y'?> audience^ from the force of nature, 
 untainted with the (ingularity of an ill-applied educa* 
 tion. A good fplrit, that is not abufed, can add new 
 glories to the higlieft ftate in the world, as well as give 
 beauties to the meaneft. I fliall exemplify this by in- 
 f erring a prayer of Harry the fourth of France, jull be- 
 fore a battle, in which he obtained an intire vitlory. 
 
 LORD of hods, who can fee through the thick- 
 efl veil, and clofeil difguife, who viewed the bottom 
 of my heart, and the deeped defigns of my enemies, 
 who had in thy hands, as well as before thine eyes, 
 all the events which eoncern human Ufe — If tnoii 
 knov/ed that my reign vi-ill promote thy glory, and 
 the fafcty of thy people, if thou knowed that 1 have 
 no other ambition in my foul, but to advance the hc-M- 
 our of thy holy name, and the good of this date, fa- 
 vour, O great God, the judice of my arms, and re- 
 duce all the rebels to acknowledge him wljom thy fa- 
 cred decrees, and the order of a lawful fucceihon, have 
 made their fovereign : But if thy good Providence has 
 ordered it otherwife, and thou feeit tb/at I diall prove 
 one of thofe kings whom thou glved in thine anger, 
 take from me, O merciful God, my life and my crown, 
 make me this day a facritice to thy will, let my death 
 end the calamities of France, and let my blood be the 
 lad that is fpilt in this quarrel." 
 
2Br> ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 The king uttered this generous prayer in a voice;, 
 and with a countenance, that inrpiicd all who heard- 
 and beheld him with hke magna'nimity : Then.turfr- 
 ing to the iquadron, at the head of v/hich he defigned 
 to charge, " my fellow- ibldiers," faid he, *' as you run 
 my fortune, fo do I yours ; your flifety co?iri{i:s in-^ 
 keeping well your ranks; but if the heat of the adion 
 fhould force you to diforder, think of nothing but ral- 
 lying again ; if you lofe the fight of your colours and 
 Itandards, look roui-id for the white plume in my bea- 
 ver •, you Ihall fee it Vv'herever you are, and it fliall 
 lead you to glory and to vitlory." 
 
 The magnanimity of this illuilrious prince was fup- 
 ported by a firm reliance on Providence, which infpir- 
 edhim with a contempt of life, and an alTurance of 
 conquefl:. His geacrous fcorn of royalty, but as it con- 
 fided with the f-rvice of God, and good of his people, 
 is an infcance that the mind of m.an, when it is well 
 dilpofed, is always above its condition, even though it 
 be that of a monarch. 
 
 Guardian, Vol. I. No. 19. 
 
 DIVINE NATURE, 
 
 JL was yeflerday about fun- fit walking in the opeti' 
 fields, till the night irifeniibiy idl upon me. I at lirfl 
 smnfed myfelf \\ ith all the richnefs and variety of col- 
 ours, which appeared in the weflern parts of Heaven :. 
 in proportion as they faded away, and went out, feve- 
 ral liars and planets appeared one after another, till 
 the whole firmament u-as in a glow. The bluenefs o£ 
 the ^iher was exceedingly heightened and enlivened 
 by the ieafon of the year, and by the rays of all thofe 
 luminaries that palled ttirough it. The Galaxy appear- 
 ed in its mod beautiful white. To complete the 
 fcene, the full moon rofe at length in that clouded' 
 majefty, wdiich Milton takes notice of, and opened to 
 the eye a new picture of nature, which was more fine- 
 ly fiiaded, and difoofed among fofter lights, than that 
 which the fun had before difcovered to us- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 587 
 
 ^ As I was furveying the moon walking in her bvight- 
 ; jicfs, and taking her progrefs among the conlleila- 
 tions, a thought rofe in me which I believe very often 
 i -perplexes and difturbs men of ferioi^ and contempla- 
 j; tive natures : Duviti himielf fell into it in that reflec- 
 f tion, " when I confider the Pleavens, the work of thy 
 " fingers, the moon and the (lars which thou hall o.r- 
 r dained ; what is man tliat thou art mindful of him, 
 ; and the fon of man that thcai regnrdefl him 1" In the 
 I fame manner, when I confidcred that irifniite hod of 
 K ■itars, or, to fpeak more philofophiciily, of funs, which 
 f; were then filming upon me, with thoie innumerable 
 : fets of planets or worlds, which wtre moving round 
 . their rcfpcSlive funs ; when I flili enlarged the idea, 
 5 ,and fuppofed another Heaven of funs and worlds rif- 
 [ -ino; ftill above this which v^e difcovered, and thefe dill 
 (enlightened by a fupevior {irm:>ment of luminaries, 
 \ -which are planted at fo gre.\ta diflancej that they, may 
 ' appear to the inhabitants of the former as the flars do 
 ' .to us ; in fli.-^rt, wliile I puriued this thought, I could 
 nor but rt fle.df on that litde infi^^^dficant figure v/hich 
 I myfelf bore, amid the immenfuy ot God's works. 
 
 AVere the fun, which enlightens this part of the 
 ;creatlo:i, v/itli all the hod or planetary worlds that 
 move about hinij utterly exti^iguifficd and anniliik.ted, 
 they would not be miirev?! more tha'n a G;rain of fand 
 wpon the fea-diove. The fpace they poiiefs is fo ex- 
 .,;ceedingly little in comparifon of the whole, tint it 
 would fcarce make a ^'^«Hn the creation. The chafm 
 would be imperceptible to an eye,, that cou-Jd take iri 
 -the whole compafs of nature, ?x\v\ pafs from on; end 
 of the creation to the other j as it is poHible therd 
 may be fuch a fenfe in ourf-dves hereafter, or in crea- 
 tures*vvhich are at prefent more exalted than ourfelves. 
 We fee many ftars by the help of glailes, which we do 
 not difcover with our naked eyes ; and the {incr our 
 telefcopes, the more diil are our dilcoverics. Huvge^ 
 niiis carries this thought fo far, th.it he docs not think 
 it impoilible tliere may be dars whofe light has not yet 
 travelled down to us, fincc their fird creation. Thcie 
 is noqiKdion but the univeri^ has certain bounds fct 
 
?,88 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 to it ; but when we confider that it is the work of in- 
 finite power, prompted by infinite goodnefs, with an 
 infinite fpace to exert itfelf in, how can our imagina- 
 tion fct any bounds to it ? 
 
 To return, ther. fore, to^ my fird thought, I could 
 not but look upon myfelf with fecret horror, as a be- 
 ing that w^s not worth the fmalleil regard of one who 
 had fo great a work under his care and fuperintenden- 
 cy. I was afraid of being overlooked amid the im- 
 menfity of nature, and loft among that infinite variety 
 of creatures, which in all probability, fwarm through 
 all thefe iinmeafurable regions of matter. 
 
 In order to recover myfelf from this mortifying 
 thought, I confidered that it took its rife from tnofe 
 fiarrow conceptions, which v/e are apt to entertain of 
 the divine nature. 'We curfelves cannot attend to ma- | 
 ny different obje6ls at the fame time. If we are care- ] 
 ful to infpec\ lome things, we ]v.uii of courfe negle£k 
 others. This imperfe6tion, which wt obferve in our- 
 felves, is an imperfeclion that cleaves in fome degree 
 to creaturesof the higheft capacities, as they are crea- 
 tures, tliat is, beings of finite and limited natures. The 
 prefence of every cre;\tcd brinix is confined to a cer- 
 tain meafure of ipace, and confequent'ly his obferva- 
 tion is (tinted to a ccrtnii'i number of objects. The 
 fphere in which we move, and ac>, and undeifland, 
 is of a wider circumference to one creature than anoth- 
 er, according as we rife one above another in the fcale 
 of exiftence. - But the wided of thefe our fpheres has 
 its 'circumference. When therefore we reflect on the 
 divine nature, we are fo ufed and accultomed to this 
 imperfe6tion in ourfelves, that we cannot forbear in 
 fome meafure afcribing it to him in whom there is no 
 fhadow of imperfe£tion. Our reafon indeed ^ures 
 us that his attributes are infinite, but the poornefs of 
 our conceptions is fucb, that it cannot forbear fettihg 
 bounds to evry thing it contemplates, till our reafon 
 comes again to our fuccour, and throws down all thoie 
 little prejudices which rife in us unawares, and ar-e 
 natural to th^ mind of man. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. t^f 
 
 AVe (hall there fore utterly ejctinguilh this mdancho- 
 ly..tKaiight, of our being overlooked by our Maker in 
 tiie muUiplicity of his works, and the infinity of thofc 
 •bjeds among which he fcems to be inceflantly em- 
 ployed, if we confider, in the firft place, that he is 
 o.m'niprdent •, and in the fecond, that he is omni- 
 feie nt. 
 
 If v/e confider him in his omniprefence, his Being 
 pafiis through, actuates and fupports the whole frame 
 of nature. His creation, and every part of it, is full 
 of him. There is nothing he has made, that is either 
 •fo diiUnt, ki little, or fo incoijfiderable, which he does 
 not etllintially inhabit. Ilis fubftance is within the 
 fubllance of every being, whether material, or imma- 
 terial, and as intimately prefcnt to it, as that Being is 
 to itfelf. It would be 'an imperfcdlion in him, were 
 he able to rcniove out of oneplajj into another, or 
 tc withdraw himfelf from any thing he has created, 
 or from any part of that fpacc \Miich is diffufed an«l 
 fpread abroad to infinity. In fliort, to fpeak of him 
 in the language of the old philofopher, he is a Being 
 v/hofe centre is every whiCre, and his circumference no 
 where. 
 
 In the fecond place, he is omniicient as well as om- 
 nlprefent. His omnifcience indeed neceflarily and 
 naturally flows from his omniprefence ; he cannot but 
 fee cpnfcious of every motion that arifeb in the whole 
 material world, which he thus eilentially pervades, and 
 of»,eyery thought that is ftirring in the intelle&ual 
 world, to every part of which he is thus intimately 
 united. ^Several moralifts have confidered the crea- 
 tion as* the Temple of God, which he has built with 
 his own hands, and which is filkd with his prefence. 
 Others have confidered infinite fpace as the recepta- 
 cle, or rather the habitation of the Almighty : But the 
 »oblefl and moil exalted way of confidering this in- 
 finite fpace is that of Sir J/aac Newtoty who calls it the 
 Senforium of the godhead. Brutes and men have their 
 SeHforioUi or little Sen/onums, by which they apprehend 
 tilie prefence, and perceive the adlioiis of a few objc6h; 
 that lie contigious !o. them. Theirkqowledgeand ©b* 
 
2l9« ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY, 
 
 fcrvatlon turn within a very narrow circle. But ss 
 
 God Almighty cannot but perctive and know every 
 thing in which he refides, infinite fpace gives room to 
 infinite knowledge, and is, as it were, an organ to onv- 
 nifcience. 
 Were the foul fepatated from the body, and with one 
 glance of thought to ftart beyond the bounds of 
 the creation •, (hould it for millions of years continue 
 its progrefs through infinite 'fpace with the fame ac- 
 tivity, it would ftill find itfelf within the embrace of it's 
 Creator, and encompafl'ed round with the immenCty 
 of the 'godhead. While we are in the body, he is net 
 !efs prefent with us, becaufe he is concealed from us. 
 *< O that I knew where 1 might find him ! fays Job. 
 Behold I go forward, but he is not there ; and' back- 
 ward, but I cannot perceive him : On the left hand, 
 where he does work, but I cannot behold him : He 
 hideth himfclf on the right hand that I cannot fee 
 him." In ftiort, reafon as well as revehtion alTure us, 
 that he cannot be abfent from us, notwithftanding he 
 is undifcovered by us. 
 
 In this confideration of the Almighty's omnipre- 
 fcnce and omnifcience, every uncomfortable thought 
 vaniflies. He cannot but regard every thing that has 
 -being, efpecially fuch of his creatures who fear they 
 are not regarded by him. He is privy to all their 
 thoughts, and to that anxiety of heart in particular, 
 ^hich is ;ipt to trouble them on this occafion ; for, as 
 it is impofhble he fhould overlook any of his creatures, 
 fo we may be confident, that he regards, with an eye 
 of mercy, thofe who endeavour to recommend them- 
 fclves to his notice, and in an unfeigned humility of 
 heart think themfelves unworthy that he (liould be 
 mindful of them. 
 
 Spectator, Vol. VIIL No. ^6;» 
 
 DRESS. 
 
 Mr. Spectator, 
 
 " Jj^ HERE is an evil under the fun which has not 
 - yet come withia your fpeculgtioii» Ind is, the cenfuref 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 291^ 
 
 difefteem, and contempt which fomc young fellows 
 meet with from particular perfons, for the reafonable 
 methods they take to avoid them in general. This is 
 by appearing in a better thrcfs, than may feem to a re- 
 lation regularly confident wiih a fmall fortune ; and 
 therefore may occafion a judgment of a fuitable ex- 
 travagance in other particulars : But the difadvantage 
 with which the man of narrow circumftances aftsand 
 fpeaks, is fo feelingly fet forth in a little book called 
 the Chrijlian Herc^^ \\\M the appearing to be otherwife^ 
 is not only pardonable, but neceffary. Every one 
 knows the hurry of couclufions that are made in con- 
 tempt of a perfon who appears to be calamitous, which 
 makes it very excufable to prepare one's felf for the 
 company of thofe who are of a fuperior quality and for- 
 tune, by appearing to be in a better condition than 
 one is, fo far as fuch appearance fhall not make us re- 
 ally of worfe, 
 
 " It is a juftice due to the character of one who fuf- 
 fers hard reflections from any particular perfon upon 
 this account, that fuch perfons would inquire into his 
 raanner of fpending his time •, of which, though no 
 further infornration can be had than that he remains 
 fo many hours in his chamber, yet if this is cleared, to 
 imagine that a reafonable creature, wrung with a nar- 
 row" fortune, does not make the bed ufe of this retire- 
 ment, would be a conclufion extremely uncharitable. 
 From what has, or will be faid, I hope no confequence 
 can be extori.ed, implying, that I would have any 
 young fellov; fpend more time than the common Icil- 
 ure v/hich his Ihuiies require, or more money than his 
 fortune or allowance may admit of, in the purfuit of 
 an acquaintance with his betters \ for as to his time, 
 the grofs of that ought to be facred to more fubftan- 
 tial acquifitions i for each irrevocable moment of 
 which, he ought • to believe he (lands religioufly ac- 
 countable. And afe to his drcfs, I fliall engage myfelf 
 no farther than in the modefl defence of twoplain fuits 
 a year : For being pcrfeclly fitisfied in Eutrafulus^s^ 
 contrivance of making a Mohoch of a man, by prefcnt- 
 h)g, hiiii-v.ith laced and embroidered fuits, 1 would )af^ 
 
2gi ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 BO means be thought to controvert the conceit, by In- 
 Cnuating the advantages of foppery. It is an aflertioii 
 ■which admits of much proof, that a ftranger of toler- 
 able fenfe, drefled like a gentleman, will be better" re- 
 ceived by thofe of quality above him, than one of mucli 
 better parts, whofe drefs is regulated by the rigid no- 
 tions of frugality. A man s appearance falls within 
 the cenfure of every one who fees him ; his parts and 
 learning very few are judges of *, and even upon thefc 
 few, they cannot at firit be well intruded 5 for policy 
 and good-breeding will counfi^l him to be referved 
 among ftrangers, and to fuppo^rt himfelf only by the 
 iommoH fpirit -of converfadon. Indeed among the 
 injudicious, the words delicacy, idiom, fine images, 
 tlru61:ure of periods, genius, fiire, and the reft made ufe 
 of with a frugal and comely gravity, will maintain the 
 iigure of immenfe reading^ and the depth of criticifm. 
 " All gentlemen of fortune (at leaft the young and 
 middle aged) are apt to pride themfelves a little too 
 much upon their drefs, and cohfequently to value oth- 
 ers in fome meafure upon the fame confideration. 
 "With what confufion is a man of figure obliGjed to re- 
 turn the civilities of the hat to a perlon* whole air and 
 attire hardly intitle him to it ? For whom neverthelefs 
 the other has. a particular eilcem, though he is afliam- 
 ed to have it challenged in fo public a manner. It 
 mufl be allowed, that any young fellow who affi;£ls to 
 drefs and appear genteely, might with artificial man- 
 agement fave ten pounds a year ; as inftead of fine 
 Holland he might mourn in fackcloth, and in other 
 particulars be proportionably fhabby : But of what 
 lervice fhould this fum be to avert any misfortune,- 
 whilft it would leave him deferted by the few good 
 acquaintance he has, and prevent his gaining- any oth- 
 er ? As the appearance of an eafy fortune is necelTa- 
 ry towards making one, I don't know but it might be 
 of advantage fometimes to throw into one's dilcourfe 
 certain exclamations about bank-Jfock^-diXi^ to fliew a mar- 
 vellous furprife upon its fall, as well as the moft aff.c- 
 ted triumph upon its rife. The veneration md ref- 
 pe(^ which the prai^ice ,of a^i ages has preferved t© 
 
/i^D'ISCNlAN MISCELLANY. i^ 
 
 appearances, without doubt fuggeftcd to our tradef- 
 men that wife and politic cuftom, to apply and recom- 
 mend (henifelves to the public by all thofe decorations 
 upon their fign-pofts and houfes, which the mod emi- 
 lient hands in the neighbourhood can lurnifh them 
 with. What can be more aitra6li\'c toa man of let- 
 ters, than that iminenfe erudition of all ages and lan- 
 guages, which a {kilful bookfeiler, in conjunction with 
 a painter, iliali image upon his column and the extrem- 
 ities of his /hop ? 'fhe fame fpirit of maintaining a 
 handfome. appearance reigns among the grave andfolid 
 rpprentiges of the law (here I could be particularly- 
 dull in proving the word apprentice to be fignificant of 
 a b.^.ri liter) and you may ealily diltinguifhwho hasmofl 
 lately made his pretenfions to bufmefs, by the whiteft 
 and moft ornamental frame of his window : If indeed 
 the chamber is a ground room, and has rails before it, 
 the finery is of neccfl'ity more ex^><ided, and the pomp 
 of hufinefs better maintained. And what can be a 
 r;vca*er indication of the dignity ^f drefs, than that 
 buidcnfome finery, which is the regular habit of our 
 judges, nobles, and bifhops, with which upon certain 
 <i;iys we fee them incumbered ? And though it may 
 be faid, this is awful, and neceiiary for the dignltv of 
 tl>e Itatc, yet the wifelt of them have been remarkable 
 before they arrived at their prefent ftations, for being 
 tyen 'well dreffed pcrfons. As to my own part, I am near 
 thirty } and fince I left fchool have not been idle, 
 which is a modern phrafe for having ftudied hard. I 
 brought oil a clean fyftem of moral phiiofophy, and a 
 tolerable jargon of metaphyficks from the univerfity ; 
 fiAce that, I have been engaged in the clearing-part of 
 the perplexed ftile and matter of the law, which fo he- 
 reditarily dcfcends to all its profeflbrs. To all which 
 fevere fludies I have thrown in, at proper interims^ 
 the pretty learning of the claflics. • Notwithftanding 
 which, I am what Shake/pear calls, ajellow of mo mark or 
 kkelihood; which makes me underftand the more fully, 
 that ^mcQ the regular methods of making friends and 
 a fortune, by the mere force of a profeflion, is fo very 
 
 '\.:^wd&duac€fUin;a man fliouldtake all r^afo&^lc 
 
194 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 opportunities, by enlarging a good acquaintance, to 
 court that time and chance which is faid to happen t« 
 every man." 
 
 Spectator, Vol. V, No. 360. T. 
 
 DRINKING. 
 
 j,^ O vices are fo incurable as thofe whicfr-men arc 
 apt to glory in. One would wonder how diunken- 
 nefs (hould have the good luck to be of this number. 
 Anarcharfii^ being invited to a match of dnnking at 
 Corinthy demanded the prize very humouroufly, becauft 
 he vvas drunk before any of the reft of the company ; 
 for, fays he, when we run a race, he who arriv^esat 
 the goal firft is intitled to the reward : On the con- 
 trary, in this thirftv generation, the honour falls upon 
 him who carries oiT«he greatcft quantity of liquor, and 
 knocks down the reft of the company. I was thfe 
 ©ther day with hdleft Will Funnel the Wcji'$ax9>ty who 
 "was reckoning up how much liquor had palled through •. 
 him in the lait twenty years of his life, which acCordV 
 ing to his computation, amounted to twenty-three 
 hogiheads of Oiiiiober, four tons of port, half a kilder- 
 kin of fmall beer, nineteen barrels of cyder, and three 
 glalTes of champagne : Befides which, he had aflifted 
 at four hundred bowls of punch, not to mention fips^, 
 drams, and whets without number. I queilicn not 
 but every reader's memory will fuggeft to him feve- 
 ral ambitious young men, who are as vain in this par- 
 ticular as Will Funnel^ and can boaftof as glorious ex- . 
 ploits. 
 
 Our modern philofophers ohferve, that there is a 
 general decay of moifture in the globe of the earth. . 
 This they chiefly afcribe to the growth' of vegetables, 
 which incorporate into their own fubftance many flit- 
 id bodies that never return again to their former na- 
 ture : But with fubmiflion, they ought to throVinto 
 their account thofe innumerable rational beings which 
 letch their nouriftiment chiefly out of liquids -, efpe- 
 m^l wbeii wc cciiiid^r ^^\ i^enj compared wi&- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 2^$ 
 
 their fellow creatures, dvlnk much more than comes 
 to their fhare. 
 
 But however highly this tribe of people may think 
 of themfclves, a drunken man is a greater monfter 
 than arf^ that is to be found among ail the creatures 
 which God has made ; as indeed there is- no charao 
 t^ \vhich appears more defpicable and deform-ed, in 
 ine eyes of all reafonable perfons^ tlian that 5f a drunk- 
 ard. Bonofusy one of our own countrymen, who was 
 addl(Sled to this vice, having let up for a fliare in the 
 i?i7«a« Empire, and bemgcLfeatcfd in a great batti?, . 
 hanged himfelf. When he was feen by the army in 
 this melancholy fituation, notwithflanding lie had be- 
 haved liimfoif very bravely, the common jell was, that - 
 the thing they fa w hanging upon the tree before them 
 was !10l a man but a buttle. 
 
 This vice has very fatal efFc<fls on the mind, the 
 body, and fortune of the perfon who is devoted to it. 
 
 In regard to the miiui> it iiril of all difcovers every 
 flaw in it. The fober man,- by tlie ilrength of rea- 
 fon, may keep under and fubdue every vice or folly to 
 which he is moll iujlined ; but wine make* every la- 
 tent feed fprout up in the foul, and Ihew itfclf ; it 
 gives fury to the paflions, and force to thofe obiec^is 
 which are apt to produce tlicm. When- a young fel- 
 low complained to an old philofopher that his wffe 
 was not handforae : Put Ids water in your winc^ 
 fa)'S the philofopher, and you'll quickly make her fo« 
 Wine heightens indifference into love, love intojcal- 
 oufy, and jealoufy into madnefs. It often tarns the 
 good-natured man into an ideot, arrd the choleric in- 
 to an afiallin. It gives bitteinefs to rcfent-vient, it 
 makes vanity infupportable, and difplays every little 
 fpot of the foul in its utmoft deformity. 
 
 Nor does this vice only betray the hidden faults of 
 a man, and (hew them in the moft odious- colours, 
 but often occafions faulty to whic^h he is not naturally 
 fubje(3:. There is mere of turn than of truth iiTa 
 faying of 5'*,'7/ffl, that drunkennefs does not produce, 
 but difcovers faults. Common experience teaches 
 •lilt c«nu'»rjf\ Wv^t tkows a man om of himfe^ 
 
7g6 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 and infufes qualities into the mind, which (he is c 
 llranger to in her fober moments. The perfon you 
 converfe with after the third bottle, is not the fame 
 man who at firlt fat down at the table with you. Up- 
 on this maxim is founded one of the prettied fayings 
 I ever met with, wliich is infcribed to FuUius Sjrus, 
 ^i ebr'tum ludificat la:dit cibfentem j he who jeils upon a 
 man that^s drunk, injures the abfent. 
 
 Thus does drunkennefs a£l in dire£b contradiction 
 toreafon, whcfe bufinefs it is to clear the mind of , 
 every vice wliich has crept into it, and to guard it . ' 
 ?gainil all the approaches of any that endeavour to . 
 iTiake its entrance. But befides -thefe ill efte^ls which 
 this vice produces in the perfon who isadlually under 
 its dominion, it has ?.lfo a bad influence on the mind • 
 eyen in its iober moments, as it infenfibiy weakens 
 the underllanding, impaii*s the memory, and makes 
 thofe faults habitual v.'hich are produced by frequent - 
 cxcefics. 
 
 Specta rCR, Vol. VIII..N0. $^9^ 
 
 A method of fpending one's time agreeably, is a ■ 
 thing fo little ftudied, that the common amuiement' - 
 of our young gentlemen (efpecially of fuch as are at a 
 diftance from thofc of the firft breeding) is drinking. - 
 This way of entertainment has cuftom on its fide ; but^ 
 as much as it has prevailed, I believe there have been 
 very few* companies that have been guiity of excefs 
 this way, wber^ there have not happened more acci- 
 dents which make againft, than for the continuance of 
 it. It is very common that evenrsarife from a de=« 
 bauch, vi'hich are fatal, and always fuch as are difa- 
 greeable. With ail a man's reafon and good fcnfe 
 about him, his tongue is apt to utter things out of 
 mere gaiety of heart which may difpleafe his beft 
 friends. Who then would truft himfelf to the pow- 
 er of wine, without faying more agaiiiit it, than th^t 
 it raiies the imagination, and deprelTes the judgment ? - 
 Were there only this finglc confideration, that we are 
 fefs mailers of ourfelvcs when we drink in the leaft "^ 
 
 yroportioii above ihe eiitigencks ^l toil ^ I i^^y> w«lf'- 
 
^ ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 297 
 
 'tli'S all that could be cbjefted, it were fufiicient te 
 make us abhcr this vice. But we may go on to fay^ 
 that as he who drinks but a little is not maftcr ofhim- 
 felf, fo he who drinks much is a (lave to himfelf. As 
 for niy part, I ever efteemed a drunkard of all vicious 
 perfons the moil vicious : For if our ail ions are 10 
 be weighed, and confidcred according to the inten- 
 tion o^ them, what can we think of him Avho puts 
 Rimfelf into a circumilance whc-rein he can have no 
 ii'.tention at all, but incapaci'itcs himfelf for the du- 
 ties and oihces of life, by < fufpenfjon of all his facul- 
 ties ? If a man confiders that he cannot under the op- 
 prellion of drink be a friend, a gentlem.m, a mailer, 
 or a fubje<£I ; that he h-is fo long baniflied him- 
 felf from all that is dt ar, and given up all that is 
 facred to him, he would even then think of a debauch 
 with horror : But when he looks flill farther and 
 acknowledges, that he is not only expelled out of all 
 the relations of life, but alfo liable to offend againft 
 them all, what words can exprefs the terror and de- 
 teftation he would have of fuch a condition ? And 
 yet he ow^s all this of himfelf who fays he was drunk 
 lall: night. 
 
 As I have all along peviiiled in it, that all the vicious 
 in general are in a ilate of death, fo I think I m.ay add 
 to the non-exiilence of drunkards, that they died by 
 their own hands. He is certainly as guilty of fuicide 
 who pcriflies by a How, as he w^ho is difpatched by an 
 immediate poifon. In my 1 ift lucubration I propof- 
 ed the general ufe of water-gruel, and hinted that it 
 might not be amiis at this very feafon : But as there 
 are fome, whofe cafes, in regard to their families, will 
 not admit of delay, I have ufed my intereil in feveral 
 wards of the city, that the wholefome reftorative 
 above-mentioned, may be given in tavern-kitchens to 
 all the mornings draught men within the walls when 
 they call for wine before npon. For a further re- 
 ftraint and mark upon fuch perfons, I have given or- 
 ders, that in all the ofilces where policies are drawn 
 upon lives, fliall be added to tlie article which prohib- 
 its that the nomiaee fhould crofs the fea, thcfe words. 
 
298 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. f 
 
 Prevised aljo. Thai the above mentioned A B. pall not drinf^. 
 before dinner during the term fnemianed in this indenture, 
 
 I am not without hopes but by this methotl I {hall 
 bring fome unfizeable friends of mine into (hape, and: 
 breadth, as well as others who are languid and con-z 
 fumptive, into heahh snd vigour.' Moft of the felf-, 
 murderers whom I yet hinted at, ?.re fuch as preferve 
 a certain regularity in taking their poifon, and make it;, 
 mix pretty wtl! with their food : But the mod con-^ 
 fpicuous of thofe who deftroy themfelves, are fuch as- 
 in their youth fall into this fort of debauchery, and 
 Contra£t a certain uneafmefs of fpirit, which is not to 
 be diverted but by tippling as often as they can fall 
 into company in the day, and conclude witn dov/n- - 
 right drunkennefs at night. Thefe gentlemen ne-ver 
 know the fatisfadion of youth, but fkip the years of 
 manhood, and are decrepit foon after they are of age. 
 I was godfather to one of thefe old fellows. He is 
 now three and thirty, which is the grand climaderic 
 of a youKg drunkard. 1 went to vifit the crazy wretch 
 this morning, with no other purpofe but to rally him. 
 under the pain and uneafmefs of being fcb>"r. 
 
 But as our faults are double when they aiFecl other* 
 befides ourfelves, fo this \\cz is ilill more odious in a 
 married than a fnigle man.. He v»'ho is the hufband of 
 3 woman of honour, and comes home overloaded with . 
 wine, is dill more contemptible in proportion to the 
 regard we have to the unhappy conicrt of his beaf- 
 tialily. The imagination cannot fhape to itfeif any 
 thing more monfhrous and unnatural than the fami- 
 liarities betv/een drunkennefs and chaflity. The 
 wretched JJineay who is the perfe6"tion of beauty and 
 innocence, has long been thus condemned for life. 
 The romantic tales of virgins devoted to the jaws of 
 monfters, have nothing in them fo terrible as the gift . 
 of JJlr^a to that bacchanal. 
 
 The refiedion of fuch a match as fpotkfs innocence 
 with abandoned lewdnefs,is what puts this vice in the 
 worfi: figure it can bear with regard to others ; but 
 when it is loo^ced upon with refpecl only to the drunk- 
 ard himfelf, it has deformities enough to make it di^- 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. jyg 
 
 jplgrecable, which may be fummed up in a word, by al- 
 lowing, that he who rerig.ns his reaTon, is actually 
 guilty of all that he is liable to from the want of rea- 
 ^ n. Tatler, Vol. IV. No. 241. 
 
 ..Ali 
 
 DUELLING. 
 
 L p;allantry and fafliion, one would imagine, 
 thouid riic out of the religion and laws of that nation 
 wherein they prevail ; but alas ! in this kingdom, gay 
 >chara£lers, and thofe which lead in the pleafure and 
 inclinations of the faihioiiable world, are luch as are 
 'readied to praOice crimes the inoil abhorrent to na- 
 • ture, and contradictory to our faith. A chrn'llan and 
 a gentleman are made inconfiilent appellations of the 
 ifame perfon ; you are not to cxped: eternal life, if 
 vyou do not forgive injuries, and your mortal life is un- 
 comfortable, if you are not ready to commit a mur- 
 . der, in refentment for an allVont : For good fenfc as 
 .well as religion h (o utterly banifhed the world, that 
 men glory in their very paflions, and purfue trifles 
 with the utmofl vengeance •, fo little do they know that 
 •to forgive is the mod arduous pitch to which human na- 
 . ture can arrive : A coward has often fought, a coward 
 r has often conquered, but a coward never forgave. 
 The power of doing thai, flows from a ftrength of foul 
 confcious of its own force ; wlience it draws a cer- 
 tain fa fety, which hs erxmy is not of confideration 
 iiough to interrupt ; for 'tis peculiar in the make of 
 -. brave man to have his friends feem much above 
 him, his enemies much below him. 
 
 Yet though the negledl of our enemies may, foln- 
 tenle a forgivenefs as the love of them is not to be in 
 the lead accounted for by the force of conflitution, 
 but is a more fpiritual and refined moral introduced 
 by him who died for thofe that perfecuted him ; yet 
 very juftly delivered to us, when we confider ourfelves 
 offenders, and to be forgiven on the reafonable terms 
 of forgiving ; for who can afk what he will not be- 
 ftoMT ? Efpecialiy wiien that gift is attended with a 
 
3-«© ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 redemption from the cruelleft flavery to the moll ad^i J 
 ceptable freedom : For when the mind is in ccyntenv-3 
 plation of revenge, all its thoughts mud furcly be tor-l 
 tured with the alternate pangs of rancour, envy, ha- jfi| 
 tred, and indignation ; and they who profefs a fweet ' * 
 in the enjoyment of it, certainly never feh the confum- 
 mate blils of reconcihation : At/uch an inftawt the ' 
 falfe ideas we received, unravel ; and the fliynefs, the;>. 
 diftrufl, the fecret fcorns, and all the .baiii fatisfac-I 
 tions men had in each others faults and .misfortunes,! 
 are difpelled, and their fouls appear in tneir native] 
 whitenefs, without the Jeaft llieak of that malice or? 
 diftafte wliich fullied them : And perhaps thofe very 
 a6lions, which (whea;*ve looked at them in the oblique 
 glance v/ith which hatred dotli always fee things) were 
 horrid and odious ; when obferved with honeft and 
 open eyes, are beauteous and ornamentah 
 
 But if men are averfe.to us in the moll violent dc- ; 
 gree, and we can never bring them to an amicable 
 temper, then indeed we are to exert an obflinate op- 
 pofition to them ; and never let the malice of our 
 enemies have fo efFc61:ual an advantage over us, as tol 
 efcape our good- will : For the negle<Sled and defpifed tj 
 tenets of religion are (o generous, and in fo tran- 
 fcendant and heroic manner dlipofcd for public good, 
 that it is 'not in a man's power to avoid their influence. 5 
 for the Chriftiaais as much niclined' to your fesvice^ 
 •when your enemy, as the moral man when your 
 friend. 
 
 "But the followers of a crucified iSaviour muft: root 
 out of their hearts all fenfe that there is any thing 
 great and noble in pride or haughtinefs of fpirit ; yet 
 it will be vciy difficult to fix that idea in our fouls, 
 except we can'think as worthily of ourfelves, when we 
 pra6tife the contrary virtues ; we muft learn and be 
 convinced, that there is ftomething fublime arid hero- 
 ic in true meeknefs and humility, for they arife from. ' 
 a great, not a grovelling idea of things *, for as cer- 
 tainly as pride proceeds from a mean and riarrow view 
 of the little advantages about a man's felf, fo meek- 
 uefs is founded on the extended -contemplatiou of jhe f 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 30Z 
 
 place we bear in the univerfe, and a juft obfervation 
 how little, how empty, how wavering are our deepell ^ 
 refolves and counlels. And (as to a well taught ' 
 mind) when you have faid an haughty and proud 
 man, you have fpoke a narrow conception, little 
 fpirit, and defpicable carriage •, fo when you have faid 
 a man is meek and humble, you have acquainted us 
 that fuch a perfon has arrived at the hardell talk in 
 the world, in an univerfal obfervation round him, to 
 be quick to fee his own faults, and other men's virtues, 
 and at the height of pardoning every man fooner than 
 himfelf ; you have alfo given us to underftand, that 
 to treat him kindly, fmcerely and refpedfully, is but 
 a mere juftice to him who is ready to do us the fame 
 X)fficcs. This temper of foul keeps us always awake 
 to a juft fcnfe of things, teaches us that we are as well 
 a-kin to worms as to angels ; and as nothing is above 
 thefe, fo nothing below thofe. It keeps our under- 
 flanding tight above us, fo tliat all things appear to us 
 great or little, as they are in nature and the fight o£ 
 Heaven, not as they are gilded or fullied by accidents 
 or fortune. 
 
 It were tobe wifli^ that all men of fenfe would 
 think i> vvorth their while to reflect upon the dignity 
 cf chriftiaii virtues -, it would pofiibly enlarge their 
 fouls into luch a contempt of what faihion and preju- 
 dice have made honorable, that their duty, inclinatior^j, 
 and honour, would tend the fame way, and make all 
 their lives an uniform aft of religion and virtue. 
 
 As to the great cataftrophe of this day, on which 
 the Mediator of the world fufFered the greatefl indig- 
 nities, and death itfelf forthefalvation of mankind, it 
 would be worth gentlemen's confideration, whether 
 from his example it would not be proper to kil! all in- 
 clinations to revenge ; and examine whether it would 
 not be expedient to receive new notions of what is 
 great and honour^ible. 
 
 This is neceffary againft the day wherein he who 
 died ignominioully for us, '' ihall deCcend from Hea- 
 ven to be our judge, in majefty and giory." How 
 will the man who fliall die by the fword of pride aiiii 
 B b 
 
^^z ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 .wrath, and in contention with his brother, appear be^ 
 fore him, at ** whofe prefence nature fliall be in an 
 agony, and the great and glorious bodi.s of light be 
 obfcured \ when the fun (hall be darkened, and the 
 moon turned into blood, and all the powers of Heaven 
 fhaken ; when the Heavens themfelves fhall pafs away 
 with a great noife, and the elements difTolve with fer- 
 vent heat *,ik when the earth aifo, and all the works that 
 are therein, {hall be burnt up ?" 
 
 We may juftly damp in our minds the diabolical 
 madnefs, which prompts us to decide our petty ani- 
 mofities by the hazard of eternity, is, that in that one 
 •a<Sl the criminal does not only highly offend, but for- 
 ces himfelf into the prefence of his judge, that is cer- 
 tainly his cafe who dies in a duel. 1 cannot but re- 
 peat It, he who dies in a duel, knowingly offends God, 
 and in that very action ruflies into his offended pre- 
 fence. Is it poffible for the heart of man to conceive 
 a more terrible image than that of a departed fpirit in 
 this condition ? Could we but fuppcle it has but juft 
 left its body, and ftruck with the terrible refle^liopj 
 that to avoid the laughter of fools, and being the by- 
 word of ideots, it has now precif)ltated itfelf into the 
 den of demons, and the bowlings of eternal defpair, 
 how willingly now would it fuffer the imputation of 
 fear and cowardice, to have one moment left not to 
 tremble in.vam ? 
 
 The Scriptures are full of pathetical and wnrm pic- 
 tures of the condition of an happy or mifcrabie futu- 
 rity ; and, I am confident, that the frequent reading 
 ©f them would make the way to an happy eternity fo 
 agreeable and pleafant, that he who tries it will find 
 the difficulties, which he before fuffered in (hunning 
 the -iiurements.of vice,abforped in the pleafure he will 
 take in the purfuit of virtue : And how happy muft 
 that mortal be, who thinks himlelf in the favour of an 
 Almighty, and csn think of death as a thing which it 
 15 an infirmity not to defire. 
 
 Guardian, Vol. L No. 20. 
 
AlSblSONIAN MISCELLANY. 3^^ 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 Jl am very much at a lofs to cxprefs by any word' 
 that occurs to me in our language,that which is under- 
 lloccl by Indoles in Latin. The natural difpofitlon to 
 any particular art, fcience, profeilion or trade, is very 
 much to be confulted in the care of youth, and (Ludied 
 by men for their own conduct, when they form to 
 themfelves any fcfieme of life. It is wonderfully hard 
 indeed, for a man to judge of his own capacity im- 
 partiully. That may look great to me wliich may ap- 
 pear httleto another, andl may be carried by fond- 
 nefs towards myfelf fo far, as to attempt things too 
 high for my talents and accompliihments : But it is 
 not, methinks, fo very difficult a matter to make a^ 
 judgment of the abilities of others, efpetially of thofe 
 who are in their infancy. My common-place book" 
 dlrc^Vs me on this occafion to mention the dawning 
 cf greatnefs in Alexander^ who being aiked in his youth 
 \o contend for' a prize in the Olympic games, anf\ver- 
 ed he would, if he had kings to run againfl him. Caf-^ 
 ilusy who was one of the confpirators againft C.sfar^ 
 gave .;^ great a proof of liis temper, when in his ckdd- 
 hood lie ftruck a play-fellow, the fon of Sylta^ for lay- 
 ing his father was mailer of the Roman people . Scipio is 
 reported to have anfwered (when fome flatterers ai: 
 fup;* r were aflcing him what the Romans fliould do fof 
 a General after his death) take Marius. Marim was 
 then a very boy, and had given no inltances of his vaK 
 our •, but it was vifihle to^ScipiOf from the manners oL' 
 the youth, that he 'had a foul formed for the attempt" 
 and execution of great undertakings. I mud confefs, 
 I have very often witn much forrow bewailed the mis- 
 fortune of the children of Great Britain^ when I confi- 
 der the ignorance and undifcerning of the generality 
 cf fchoolmafters. The boafted liberty we talk of, is 
 but a mean reward for the long fervitude, the many 
 heart-aches and terror*;, to which our childhood is ex- 
 po fed in going through a giammar-fchool :^ Many of 
 thefe flupid tyrants exercile their cruelty without any 
 manner of diiUnQion of the capacities of children; or ' 
 
^04 ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 
 
 the int?entIon of parents in iheir behalf* 'Hiere are, 
 ir.5ny excellent tempers whicli are worthy to be ncur- 
 iflieci and cultivat-M \vith all poifible diligence and 
 care, that were never defigntd to be acquainted witk 
 jiriJiotUy'-rullyyQx yirgil \ and there are as many who 
 have capacities for underflanding every word thofc 
 great pcrions have writ, and yet were net born to have 
 any reliih of their writings. For want of this com- 
 mon and obviou§'dircerning in thoie who have the care 
 of youth, we have io many, hundred unaccountable, 
 creatures every age whipped up into G;Teat fcholars, 
 who are for ever near a right underflanding, and will 
 never arrive at it. Thefe are the fcandal of letters, 
 and thefe a:e generally the nicn who are to teach oth-. 
 ers. The fenle of fliame and honour is enough to 
 keep the world itf?lf in order witlicut corporeal punifh- 
 ment, much more to train the minds of uncoriupted 
 and innocent children. It happens, I doubt not, more 
 than once in a year, that: a lad is chafliied for a block- 
 head, w^hen it is good apprehenfion that -makes him 
 incapable of knowing what his teacher means : A brifk. 
 5maginaiion very often may lugged an error, which a 
 lad could not have fsllen into, il he had been as heavy 
 in conjecSturing, as his mafter in explaining : But there 
 is no mercy even towards a ivrong interpretation of 
 his meaning ; the fuijcrings of the fcholar's body are 
 to rectify the miftakes rf his mind. 
 
 lam confident that no boy, w:ho will not be allured 
 X<2 letters without blows, will ever 'be brought to any 
 tiling with them. A great or good inind mufl necef-. 
 iarily be the w'orfe for fuch inslignities *, and it is a fad 
 change to icfe of its virtue for the improvement of its 
 knowledge. No one whohas gone through what they 
 call a gr^at fchool, but mull remiembcr to have feeii 
 children of excellent and ingenuous natures (as has af- 
 terwards appeared in their manhcod) — I fay no ^man 
 has pafTed through this w'ay of education, but m.uft 
 have feen an ingenuous creature expiring vv^ith fhame, 
 with pale looks, befeeching forrow, and filcift tears, 
 throw up its honefl eyes, and kneel on its tender 
 knees, to an inexorable bigclthead, to be forgiven, t^e.: 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. 3^5: 
 
 M-fe quantity of a word in making a Latin verfe : Thc^ 
 child is puniilied, and the next day he commits a like" 
 crime, and fo a third with the fame confequence. I' 
 would fain aik any reafonable man, whether this lad,- 
 in the fimplicity of his native innocence, full of (hame, 
 and capable of any impreffion from that grace of foul,' 
 was not fitter for 'any purpofe in this hfe, than aft^r 
 that fpark of virtue is extingui{l;ed in him, though he« 
 is able to wri^r tvv'enty verfes in an evening ? 
 
 Seneca fays, after his exalted way of thinking, " as^ 
 the immortal gods never learnt any virtue, though they 
 are endued with all that is good : fo there are fome 
 'lien who have fo natural a propenfity to what they 
 iiould foUo'.v, that Jhey learn it almoft as foon as they^ 
 'icar it." Plants and vegetables are cultivated into thef 
 production of finer fruit than they would yield with- 
 oat that care ; zvA yet we cannot entertain hopes o£ 
 producing a tender, confcious fplrit into a(Sls of virtue, 
 without the fame methods as is ufed to cut timber, off- 
 give new flnpe to a piece of ftone. 
 
 *It is wholfy to this dreadful pradice that we may 
 attribute a certain hardnefs and ferocity which forne 
 iTieu, though liberally educated, carry about them in 
 all their bckavicur. To be bred like a gentleman, and 
 puniilied like a malefactor, mud,- as v/e fee it does, pro- 
 duce tiiat illiberal faucinefs wJiich we fee fometimesia 
 men of letters. 
 
 The Spartan l>oy who fufFcred the fox (which he had 
 ftolen and hid unaer his coat) to eat into his bowels, I 
 dare fay had not half the wit or petulance which we 
 learn at great fchooh among us : But the gloriou* 
 fenfe of honour, or rather fear of fliame, which he de- 
 monftrated iiFthat action^ was worth all the learning 
 in the world without it. 
 
 It is, methinks, a very melancholy confideration, 
 that a little negligence can fpoil us, but great induftry 
 is -necellary to improve us ; the moft e':ccellent natures 
 are foon depreciated, but evil tempers are long before 
 they are exalted into good habits. To help this b^ 
 punilhments, is the fimie thing as killing a man to cure 
 him oi a distemper jwhen he corner to-fuffer punilli- 
 
3o5 AD0ISONI ANT MISCELL AKY: 
 
 mentin that one circumftance, he is brought bfel3\T= 
 the exiftence of a rational creature, and is in the (late 
 of a brute that moves only by tlie admonition of 
 ftripcs. But fince this cuftom of educating by the 
 lafh, is fufFered by the gentry of Great- Britain, I 
 would urgie only tnat honed, ntavy lads may be dif- 
 mifled from ilavery fooner than they are at prefent. 
 and not whipped on to their fourteenth' or fifteenth 
 year, whether they expe6l any progref-* from them or 
 not. Let the child's capacity be forthwith examined, 
 and he fent to fome mechanic wav" of life,, withcut 
 refpe6l to his birth, if nature defigiied him for notic- 
 ing higher : Let him go before- be has^ancccniiy fuf- .1 
 fered, and is debafed into a deiTliclion of mind fcr : 
 ieing what it is no guilt to be, a plain man. ' I wculd- | 
 not here be fuppofed to have faid, that our learned I 
 men of either robe, who have been ivhipped at fchcci, j 
 are not ftill men of noble and liberal minds -, but I am .• j 
 fure they had been much more lb than they are, had ' 
 they never fuffered that in farr.y. . - 
 
 Sfectatok, Vol. IL.Ko. 157. T= - ; 
 
 I confideran^human foul withcnt cd'ac;:t-jon, like 1 
 
 marble in the quarry, Vv'hiLh fnevv'S none of its inlie-- -; 
 rent beauties, till the ikill CI the pcjiih'cr fetches out' 
 the colours, m.akesthe furface fliine and difccvers eve- • 
 •ry ornamental cloud, fpot-, and vein that runs through . 
 
 the body of it. Education,*'after' the .lame manner, .. ^ 
 
 wlien it works upon a noble mind,' draws out to view 1 
 every latent virtue and perfection, which without fuch . 
 help's, are never able to make their appearance. 
 
 if my reader will give me leave to change the allu- < 
 
 fion fo foon upon him, I fliall make ufe of the fame ' 
 
 iaftance to illuftrate the force of education, which Jr- } 
 
 j/i?//j has brought to explain.his do<ilrine of fubftan- .: 
 
 tial forms, when he tells us that a llatue lies hid in a r; 
 
 block of marble -, and that the art of the (latuary on^ 1 
 
 ly .clears away the fuperfluous nrratter, and removes.- ; 
 
 the rubbifh. The figure is in the ftone, the fculpture ^ 
 
 qnly finds it. What fcHiIpture is to a block of mar-- j 
 bie, education is to aa human foul. The philofopher,. 
 
ADDISONIAN MISCELLANY. W^tj 
 
 the faint, or the hero, the wife, the good, or the great 
 man, very often lie hid and concealed iir a Pk^bian, 
 which a proper education miglit have difinterred, and 
 have brought to light. I am therefore much delight- 
 ed with reading the accounts of fivage nations, and 
 with contemphttng thofe virtues which are wild and 
 uncultivated j to, fee couraor'; txertinc^ itfelf in fierce- 
 nefs, r;ifolution in • '^!lii^y, wiidom in cunning, pa- 
 tience in fullennefs rin(Mlerp lir. 
 
 Men's p;.fiioiis operate variouily, and appear in dif- 
 fer-^nt kinds cf i;6l:- ts-) r.ccording as they are more or 
 LTs r^dtified and fwaycd by reafoii. When one 
 hears of negroes, who upon the death of their maf- 
 ters, or upon changing their fervice, hang theiTifelves 
 upon the next ivce, -as it frequently happens in our 
 .^Wr/V/iv plantations — .vho can forbear .-".diiriring their 
 'ide!ity>t!.o' it exprelVcs itf«:!f info dreadful a maiinei ? 
 What might not llir.t favagc greatncfs of foul, which 
 nppears in thcfe poor wretches on many occafions,be 
 r.iifcd to, were it rightly cultivated ? And what co- 
 lour of ex^Ui'e c?-n there be for the contempt with 
 which , we treat this part cf our fpccies ? That we 
 iKould not put them upon the cf-'namon foot oi human ;- 
 ty, th<;t \ve Ihoidd onh/fctan*inlignificant fine upon the 
 man who murders them ; nay, we (hould as much as 
 iu us lies, cut them ciffrcm the profpeclsoi-happinefs 
 in another world as well as iii tiii's, and deny them 
 that whioh we look upon as the proper means for 
 attaining It ? 
 
 Since I am engaged on this fubjeO:,! cannot forbear 
 mentionmg a (lory which I have lulily heard, and 
 which is to Vv-eli attelted, that 1 have no manner of 
 reafon to fufpcdl; the truth of it. I may call it a kind 
 of wild tragedy, that palled about twelve years ago at 
 Jit. ChriJlopher\, one of our Britifh leewaxd iHaiid?, 
 The negroes who. were the perfons concerned in it, 
 were all of them the ihives of a gentleman whojs now 
 in England. 
 
 This gentleman had among his negroes, a young 
 woman, who was looked upon as a moil extraordina- 
 ry beauty by tligfe of her own cojTopkxion. He had 
 
368 ADbrSONIAN MISCELLANY." 
 
 at the fame time two young fellows who were llkea 
 wife negroes and flaves, remarkable for the comelinefs- 
 of their perfons, and for the friendihip which they 
 bore, to one another. It unfortunately happened, that 
 both of them fell in love with the female negra 
 above-mentioned, 'who would have been very glad to 
 have taken either of them for her hufband, provided 
 they could a^ree between thc^felves which fhould be 
 the 'man. But they were wbth. fo. paffionately in 
 love with her, that neither of them would think of 
 gaining her without his friend's confcnt. • The tcr*- 
 mcnts of thefe tv/o lovers were the difcourfe of -the 
 family to which they belonged, who could net forbear 
 obferving the (Irange complication of pafRons which 
 perplexed the hearts of the poor ne2[roes,who often 
 dropped expreilions of the uneafmefs tliey underwent, 
 aKd how impolFible it was for either of them ever to 
 be h?.ppy. - ■ ■ 
 
 Alter a long flruggle betvv'een love- and friendflilpt", 
 truth and jealcufy, they one day took a walk together 
 into a wood, carrying their miitrefs along with them : 
 Where after abundance of lamentations, they ftabbed 
 her to the heart, of whith ilie immediately died. A 
 Have who was at his T^'ork net far from the plsce 
 where this aft onifhing piece of cruelty was committed, 
 hearing the fhrieks of the dying perfons ran to fee 
 what was the occafion of them. He there difcover- 
 td the woman lying dead upon the ground, with the 
 two negroes on each fide of her, kiffing the dead 
 cerpfe, weeping over it, and beating- their breafts in 
 ihe utmoft agonies of grief and defpair. He immes- 
 diately ran to the -EngJiih. family with the i;ie\^s of 
 what he had ktn •, Vv'ho upon com.irg to the place, faw 
 the woman dead, and the two negroes expiring by 
 her with v/ounds they had given themfelves. 
 
 We fee in this amazing inllance of barbarity, what 
 ilrange diforders are bred in the minds of thofe men 
 whofe pafficns are not regulated by virtue, and difck- 
 plined by reafon. Though the a6lion which I have 
 recited, is in itfclf full of guilt and horror, it proceeded 
 froBi ^ temper of. mind wliich might have produc?4 
 
AD?)!§ONIAN MISCELLANY. 30^ 
 
 ▼cry noble fruits, had it been informed and guided 
 by a fuitable education." 
 
 It is therefore an unfpcnka! ie blefTiiig to be born in 
 thofe parts of the world wliere wii'iom and knowl- 
 edge tiourifh i ikough, it mu(> be coiifeiTcd, there are, 
 even in the fe p^'.rtSj feveral poc;> uninttrutied perfons, 
 who arc but llitle above the inhabitants of thofe na- 
 tions of which! h;ive been here Ipeaking •, ns thcfe 
 who have lijd the advanta^'es of a inorc lihciaJ. educa- 
 tion, rlio above one aiiotn^^r by feyerai dilTcrcm de- 
 grees of perfe£lion. For to retu-in to our ftatuo in 
 the block of marble, we fee it fo-^nctines only begun 
 to be chipped, fometimes rouglihewn, and cut juft 
 Iketchcd nito an human figure ; frmetimes we fee the 
 man appearing diif incSlly in all his limbs and features ^ 
 fometimes we fmd the figure wrought up to a great 
 elegancy, but feldom meet with any to which the 
 hand of a Phidias or Pri7A/V^/Vj could* not give feveral 
 nice touchings and finifliings. 
 
 Dlfcourfcs of morality, and re fie 61 Ions upon human 
 nature, are the bcft means we can make ufe of to im- 
 prove our miinds, and gain a true knowledge of our- 
 felvcs, and confequently to recover our fouls out of 
 the vice, ignorance, and prejudice, which naturally 
 clea/e to them. 1 have all along profeft myfelf in tins 
 p:iper a promoter of thefe great ends ; and I flatter 
 myfiif that I do from day to day contribute fomething 
 to the polifhing of men's miilds ; at leaflr my defign is 
 laudable, whatever the execution may be. 1 muft 
 confefs I am not a little ejicouraged in it by many 
 letters which I receive from unknown hands,' in ap- 
 probation of my endeavors ; and muft take this op- 
 portunity of returning my thanks to thofe who write 
 them, and excufnig myfelf for not inferting feveral of 
 them in my papers, which I am fcnfible M'ould be a 
 very great ornament to them. Should I publifli the 
 praifes which are fo well penned, they would do hon- 
 our to the perfons who write them, but my publifliing 
 of them would, I fear, be a fufhcient initance to the 
 v/,orld that I did not deferve them. 
 
 SPECTATOKy Vol. in. No. 215. C. 
 
3J« ADDISONIAN MISC 
 
 I fliall give the folio //ing letter no other recom-' 
 mendation, than 6y telling my readers that it comes 
 from .the fame hand with'that of laft Thurfday. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 ^' JL^^">I'ND you, according to my promife, fome far- 
 ther thoughts on the education of youth, in which I 
 intend to difcuisjih^t/amcus quellion, fixhether the edu^ 
 catim at a putlLC^j^^':ii,/cr under a private tutor, is to ke 
 frcfcmd. 
 
 " As fome of the greated men In mod ages have, 
 been of very diffv^rent opinions in this matter, I fhall 
 give a (hort account of what I think may be beft ur- 
 ged en both fides, and afterwards leave every perfoa 
 to determine for himfelf. ^ 
 
 " It is certain from Suetonius^ that the Romans 
 thought the education of t;heir children abufmefs pro- 
 perly belonging to the parents themfelves ; and Plu^ 
 tarchy in &f life of Marcus CaiOy tells US, that as fooa 
 as his fon was capable of learning, Cato would fufFer 
 no body to teach him but himfelf, though he had a 
 fervant named Chiky who was. an excellent gramnia-- 
 rlan, and who taught a great many other youths. 
 
 " On the contrary, the Greeks feemed more inclined 
 to public fchcols and feminaries. 
 
 *' A privat(;,education, promifes in the firfl place,, 
 virtue and good breeding ; a public fchool, manly af-. 
 furance, and an early knowledge in the ways of ths 
 world. 
 
 " Mr. Locke, in his celebrated treatife of Educatiirty 
 confefies that there are inconvcniencf s to be feared oiv 
 both fides : If, fays he, / keep my fon at heme, he is in dan- 
 ger cj hecoming my ycung majier : If I fend him abroad, it ii 
 Jcarce pcffjble to keep hitn from the reigning contagion of rude- 
 r.ep and 'vice. He <vjill perhaps be more innocent at home, but 
 mere ignorant of the nxiorld, and more piepiftj ijchen hs comes 
 abroad However, as tliis learned author afferts, that 
 virtue is much more difficult to be attained than a 
 knowledge of the world, and that vice is a more ftub- 
 bora^-as well as .^ more <iangero.us fault than Iheepilh-'^ 
 
AotIKiIAN miscellany. 31I 
 
 iiefs, he is altogether for a private education ; and the 
 more fo, becauTe he does not fee why a youth with 
 right management, might not attain the iame aflur- 
 ance in his father's houfe, as at a public fchool. To 
 this end he advifes parents to aftuliom their fons to 
 whatever flrange faces come to the houfe ; to take 
 them with them when they vifit their neighbours, and 
 to engage them in converfatlon with men of parts and 
 breeding. ' '> ' 
 
 " It may be objefted to this fif fegjod , that conver- 
 fatiop is not the only thing necefTatyf'ljut that unlefs 
 it be a converfation.with fuch as are in fome mcafure 
 their equals in part's and years, there can be no room 
 for emulation, contention, and feveral of the mod live- 
 ly paffions of the mind •, which, without being fome- 
 times moved by thefe means, may poflibly contract a 
 dullnefs and infenfibility. 
 
 ** One of the greateft writers our nation ever produ- 
 ced obferves, that a boy who forms parties, and makes 
 himfelf popular in a fchool or a colkge, would a£t: the 
 fame j^art with equal eafe in a fcnate, or a privy-coun- 
 cil : And Mr. OJbom^ fpeaking like a man vevfed in 
 lLi\z ways of the world, affirms, that the well laying 
 and carrying on, of a defign to rob an orchard, trains 
 up a youth infenfibly to caution, fecrecy, and clrcum- 
 fpcclion, and fits him for matters of greater impor- 
 tance. 
 
 " In (hort, a private education feems the moft natu- 
 ral method for the forming of a virtuous man : a pub- 
 lic education for the making a man of bufinefs. 
 The firft would furniOi out a good fubje6l for Plato^^ 
 republic, the latter a member for a community over- 
 run with artifice and corruption. 
 
 " It mull however, be confeffed, that a perfon at 
 the head of a public fchool, has fometimes fo many 
 boys under his dire£lion, that it is impoflible he fiiould 
 extend a due proportion of his care to each of them. 
 This is however, in reality, the fault of the age, in 
 'which we often fee twenty parents, who though each 
 cxpe<Sls his fon fiiould be made a fcholar, are not con- 
 ^e«ted altogether to make it worth while for any man 
 
31?. ADDISONIAN IVIIS 
 
 of a liberal education to take upon him the care of 
 their in{lru6tion. 
 
 *' In our great fchodls indeed this fault has been of 
 late years rectified, l^jhat v/e have at prefent not on- 
 ly ingenious men fot^fe; chief mafters, but fuch as 
 have proper ufhers and alTiflants und^r them. I muft 
 neverthelefs own that for want of the fame encourage- 
 ment in the cbu?Q:i^y,,,.wp have many a promifing genius 
 fpoiled and abi^dj^iTtSofe little feminaries. 
 
 " I am the^aMjRclined to this opinion, having 
 myfelf experiSfi^R*lfie ufage of two 'rural mafters, 
 each of them* v^ry unfit for the truft they took upon 
 them to difcharg€. The firft impofed much more up- 
 on me than my parts, though none of the weakell, 
 could endure; and ufed me barbaroufly for not per- 
 forming impoffibilities. The laiter was of quite anoth- 
 er temper ;* and a boy, who would run upon his er- 
 rands, wafh his cofFec-pot, or ring the bell, might have 
 as little converfation w 1th any of the claflics as he tho't 
 fit. I have known a lad of this place excufed his ex- 
 crcife for aflfifling the cook-maid ; and remember a 
 neighbouring gentleman s fon wasamongus five years, 
 moil of which time he' employed in airing and wa- 
 tering our mailer's grey pad. 1 fcorned to compound 
 for my faults, by doiUji any of thefe elegant offices, 
 and was accordingly the beft fcholar, and the word 
 ufed of any boy in the fchoof. 
 
 « I (hall conclude this difcourfe with an advantage 
 mentioned by ^««//V/a«, as ' accompanying a pubHc 
 way of education, which I have not yet taken notice 
 of ; namely, that we very^ often contract fuch friend- 
 {hips at fchool, as are a fervice to us all the following 
 parts of our lives. 
 
 « I {hall give you, under this head a ftory very well 
 known to feveral perfons, and which you may depend 
 upon as a real truth. 
 
 " Every one who is acquainted with Weftminfier 
 fchool, knows that there is a curtain which ufed to be 
 drawn acrofs the room, to feparate the upper fchool 
 from the lower. A youth happened byfome mifchance, 
 to tear the above-mentioned curtain ; The feverity of 
 
klAN MISCELLANY. 313 
 
 the mafter was too well known for the criminal to ex- 
 pert any pardon for fuch a fault ; fo that the boy, 
 who was of a meek ttrnpcfy-was terrified to death at 
 the thoughts of his appears n^flJMv hen his friend, who 
 fat next to him, bade him%^^||^good cheer, for that 
 he would take the fault onTlimfelf. He kept his word 
 accordingly. As foon as they were grown up to be 
 ner, the civil war broke out, inj^ijftjr'dur two friends 
 took the oppofite fides, one AjBj^Ilowed the par- 
 liament, the other the royal WtKKPii 
 
 ** As their tempers were dffl^l^lfie youth, who 
 ha.'! torn the curtain, endeavoured t^^Viife himfelf on 
 the civil lift, and the other, who had borne ihe blame 
 of ;t, on the military : The firft fucceeded fo well, 
 that he was in a (hort time made a judge under the 
 prctedlior. The other was engaged in the unhappy 
 cntcrprife of PenruJc'ock and Groove in the weft. I fup- 
 pcfe. Sir, I need not acquaint you with the event of 
 tlm undertaking. Every one knows that the royal 
 party was routed, and all the heads of them, an'iOiig 
 wliom was the curtain champion, imprifoned at Exe- 
 ter. It happened to be his friend's lot at that time to 
 go to the weltern circuit : The trial of the rebels, as 
 they were then called, was very fliort, 7in<l nothing; 
 now reniained but to pafs Fentence on them \ when 
 tlie judge hearing the name of his old friend, and-ob- 
 f.'rving his face more *tentively, which he had not 
 feen for many years, aflied him it he was not former- 
 ly a IVeJlminjier fcholar : By the anfwer, he was fooii 
 convinced that it was his former generous friend ; and, 
 without faying any thins; more ;it that ^ime, made the 
 bed of his Way to London, where employing all his 
 power and intereft with the protedlor, he faved his 
 friend from tke fate of his i^.hiippy afibciation. 
 
 '* The gentleman whofe lif^ was thus preferved by 
 the gratitude of his fchool- fellow, wks afterwards the 
 father of a fon, whom he hved to fee promoted in ihc 
 church, and who flill defervedly fdls one of the high- 
 eft .ftations in it. 
 
 Spectator,, Vcl. IV. No. ^i-i. X. 
 ^ Cc 
 
1 14 ADDISONIAN MKCl 
 
 The gentleman who obliges the worfrm general, 
 and me in particular, with his thoughts upon Educa- 
 tion, hasjuft fent me the ;:^pw;;ng letter : 
 
 Sir, H^Ut^ 
 
 *' Jl take the liberty tojenii you a fourth letter up- 
 on the Education^^^tilh.. In my lad I gave you my 
 thoughts about f^H|fedjj4lar talks, which I conceiv- 
 ed it might not b^jgEJ^HHRiix with their ufual exer- 
 cifes, inorder td^^^^Hpan early fea Toning of vir- 
 tue ; I fliall in tljBBBiK fome others, which I fancy 
 might contribute'w^ive them a right turn for the 
 world, and enable them to make their way in it. 
 
 *' The defign of learning, is, as I take it,either to ren- 
 tier a man an agreeable companion to himfelf, and 
 teach him to fupportf^litude with pleafure*, or if he is 
 not born to an eltate, to fupply that defeat, and fur- 
 nifli him with the means of acquiring one. A perfon 
 who applies himfelf to learning with the firft of thefe 
 viev/s, may be faid to ftudy for ornament, as he who 
 propofes to himfelf the fecond, properly ftudies for 
 life. The one does it to raife himfelf a fortune,the oth- 
 er to fet off that which he is already polTeffed of. But 
 as the far greater part of mankind are included in the 
 latter clafs, I fhall only propofe fome methods at pre- 
 ient for the fervice of fuch ^wj|^ expe£l to advance 
 ihemfelves i "» the world by th*eiriearning : In order to 
 which I f^ all premife, that m^y more eftates have 
 been acquired by little accomplifhments than by ex- 
 traordinary ones ; thofe quahties which make the 
 greateft figure in the eye of the world, not being al- 
 ways the mod ufeful in themfelvesj vx the moft ad- 
 vantageous to their owners, 
 
 «* The pofts which require men of fhining and un- 
 common parts to difchar^e them, are fo very few, that 
 many a great genius goes out of the world without 
 tver havmg had an opportunity to exert itfelf ; where- 
 as perfons of ordinary endowments meet with occa- 
 fions fitted to their parts and capacities every day in 
 the common occurrences of iif^. 
 
NIAN MISCELLANY. 315 
 
 «'I am acquainted with two perfons who were for- 
 merly fchool-fellows, aig.d j ^ ve been good friends ever 
 fmce. One of them ^yBfirM|^}y thought an impen- 
 etrable blockhead at ^(d^H^H^ maintained his re- 
 putation at the univer-/fflHjW^^^^ ^'^3 the pride of 
 his mailer, and the mo{Fc^ebrated perfon in the col- 
 lege of which he was a n:;^qf^ftLj^^e man of genius 
 is at prefent buried in a Q||i||HHphage of eight- 
 fcore pounds a year j wll^^^^^K:, with the bare 
 abilities of a common fcrivd^^^^Hkot an edate of 
 above an hundred thoufand P^^B^B 
 
 <* I fancy, from what I have laiafrfF will almoft ap- 
 pear a doubtful cafe to many a wealthy citizen, wheth- 
 er or not he ought to wifh His fon^fliould be a great ge- 
 nius ; but this I am fure of, that nothing is more ab- 
 furd than to give a lad the education of one, whom 
 nature has not favoured with any particular marks of 
 diftin^lion. 
 
 " The fault therefore of our grammar fchools is, 
 that every boy*is pufhed on to works of genius •, where- 
 as it would be far more advantageous for the greateft 
 part of them to be taught fuch little practical arts and 
 iciences as do not require any great fhare of parts to 
 be mafter of them, and yet may come often into play 
 during the courfe of a man's life. 
 
 " Such are all tl^ppyts of practical geometry. I 
 have known a man contrail a friendfhip with a minii- 
 ter of ftate, upon ci^f^^ng a dial in his window ; and 
 remember a clergyman who got one of the^beft bene- 
 fices of the wefl of England, by fettling a country^ 
 gentleman's affairs in fome method, and giving him 
 an exaft furvey of his eftate. 
 
 " While I am upon this fubje£l, I cannot forbear 
 mentioning a particular which is of ufe in every fta- 
 tion of life, and which methinks every mafter mould 
 teach his fcholars : I mean the writing of Englifh let- 
 ters. To this end, in Head of perplexing them with 
 Latin epifcles, themes, and vcrfes, th^re might be a 
 pur/tual correfpondenct eftabiiihed 'between two 
 boyb, who might adl: in any imaginary parts of bufi- 
 nels, or be allowed fometimes to i^ive a range to their 
 
2\6 ADDISONIAN MJfp 
 
 own fancies, and communri#te to ea^Kther whatever 
 trifies they thought fit, ^r^v-idg d neither of them ever 
 failed at the appoin^MHl|ffl|^nfwer his correfpou- 
 dent's '-^^^^^tmL 
 
 I beUeve I ^^y'tSKK^^KS^^^y ^^^^ ^^^^ generali- 
 of boys would ^^^^^BWv<^s more advantaged by 
 is cuflom, w^Hjlfa8K|g to be men, than by all 
 
 thi 
 
 the Greek an^l^^^^^Ba^^rs can teach them in 
 feven or eighty 
 
 The want ql^^^^HRGble in many learned per- 
 sons, who whn^^^H|padmiring the ftylcs of De- 
 ■mojihenes or C;V3(P||prphrafes tD exprefs themfclvcs 
 on the mcft ccmi-nbh cccafion. I have i^izn a letter 
 from one of thofe Latin orators, which would have 
 been defervedly laughed at by a common attorney. 
 
 Under this head of writing I cannot omit accounts 
 and fhort-hand, which are learned with little pains, 
 and very properly come into the number of fuch arts 
 as I have been here recommending. 
 
 You mud doubtlefs, Sir, obferve, - that I have hi- 
 therto chiefly infilled upon thefe things for fuch boys as 
 do not appear to have any thing extraordinary in their 
 natural talents, and confequently are not qualified for 
 the finer parts of learning ; yet I believe I might car- 
 ry this matter Hill farther, and venture to afiert, that a 
 3ad of genius has fometimes^^fion for thefe little 
 acquirements, to be, as it wcre^he fore-runners of his 
 parts, and to introduce him injji^the world. 
 
 Hiftorj is full of examples or perfons, who, though 
 they have had the largefl abilities, have been obliged 
 to infinuate themfelves into the favour of great men by 
 thefe trivial accomplifhments j as the complete gen- 
 tleman in fome of our modern comedies, makes his 
 firft advances tQ his miflrcfs under the difguife of a 
 painter, or a dancing-mafter. 
 
 The difference is, that in a lad of genius thefe ars 
 only lb many accomplifliments, which in another^ are 
 elTentials ; the one diverts himfclf with thein> the 
 otner works at them. In fliort, I look upon a great 
 genius, with thefe little additions, in the fame light as 
 I regard the grand Seignior, who is obliged by an ex- 
 
imClLLAI^r. 2ij 
 
 . to learn and pra£tife 
 
 need not have gone 
 
 where*feveral 
 
 Leopold the laft, 
 
 ard there are fev- 
 
 o be feen at Vi- 
 
 er in Europe 
 
 race to his 
 
 I have faidg 
 
 to the utmoft 
 
 'd endeavour to 
 
 j^refs commancfin the 
 fume handicraft trad 
 for my inftance farth 
 Emperors have done, 
 worked in wood *, 
 eral handicraft works 
 cnna, fo neatly turned, 
 might fafely own them 
 profeflion. 
 
 " I would not be thougl 
 to be a againft improving a 
 pitch it can be carried. A^' 
 ihew in this eflay, is, that there ma^' be methods ta- 
 ken to make learning advantageous even to the mean- 
 eit capacities." 
 
 Spectator, Vol. V. 'No. 353. X.- 
 
 *' /"\S-I walked the other day in a fine garden, and 
 obterved the great variety of improvements in plants 
 and flowers beyond what they otherwife would have 
 been, I was naturally led into a reflexion upon the 
 advantages of education, or modern culture ; how ma- 
 ny good qualities in the mind are loft, for want of 
 the like due care in nurHiig, and fkilfully managing 
 them J how virtues gm^oaked, by the multitude of 
 weeds which are fuifJered to grov/ among them j how- 
 excellent parts are ofi|||;i ftarvedand ufelefs, by being 
 planted in a wrong foil ; and how very feldom do thefe 
 moral feeds produce the noble fruits wliich might be 
 cxpecStcd from them, by a neglect of proper manur- 
 ing, neceffary pruning, and' an artful management of 
 bur tender inclinations and firft fpring of life : Thefe 
 "obvious fpeculations made ine at length conclude, that 
 "therd is a fort of yege'table prmciple in the miiKl of 
 every man when he comes into the world. In infants 
 the feeds lie. buried and undifcovered, till after a while 
 they fprout forth in a kind of rational lea^es^ whiclit 
 are ^wcrds -, and in due feafon ^\htjlo^Mers begin to ap- 
 pear in a variety of beautiful colours,and all the gaj 
 fiittfre^ etf youthful' fancy and imaginatioti j at kft 
 C c 2 
 
'31 8 ADDISONIAN 
 
 the fruit knits, and isfb 
 £rft, and four, 
 be gafeiiered ; ri 
 difcovers itfelf 
 mathematics, cl 
 tation. And th 
 turity, and ar 
 ousnourifh 
 further on 
 and found a 
 the vegetable 
 Ihining Jta/ia 
 jn motion ; 
 
 green, perhaps 
 tafte, and not fit to 
 re and application, it 
 6tions ot philofophy, 
 handfome argumen- 
 hey arrive at jufl ma- 
 ^ afford the moft vigor- 
 's of men. . I reflected 
 leaves before-mentioned, 
 variety among them as in 
 Id eafily obferve the fmooth 
 e nimble French afpen always 
 _ and Latin evergreens, the Spanijb 
 3-nyrtle, the Engl"((}? oak, the Scotch thiftle, the Irijh 
 iliambrogue, the prickly German^ and Dutch holly, the 
 rolijh and Ruffian nettle, b'efides a vafl number of exot- 
 3CS imported from j^fia, Africa^ and America. I faw fe- 
 veral barren plants, which bore only leaves, without 
 any hopes of flow^er or fruit : The leaves of feme were 
 .-fragrant and well-fliaped, of others ill-fcented and ir- 
 regular. I wondered at a fet of old whimfical botan- 
 Hfls, who fpend their whole lives in the contemplation 
 ©f fome withered Egyptian, Coptic y Armenicny or Chintfe 
 leaves, while others made it their bufinefs to colledk 
 in voluminous herbals, all the feveVal leaves of feme 
 •one tree. The flowers afforda mod diverting enter- 
 lainment, in a wonderful vffiR^r^ of figures, colours, 
 and fcenes ; however, moft oL*\hem withered foon, 
 cr at beft are but annuals. Som^^rofelTed fl^orills make 
 ihem their conftant fludy and employment, and def- 
 pife all fruit ; and now and then a few fanciful pco- 
 |)le fpend all their time in the cultivation of a fmgla 
 tulip, or a carnation j but the moil agreeable amufcr 
 nient feemstobe the-well-choonng, mixing, and bind- 
 ing together thefe flow^ers'in pleafing nofegays to prer 
 ient to ladies. The fcent of Italian iiO\\tx% is obfery- 
 c^, like their other perfumes to be too (Ircng, and to 
 hurt the brain ; that of the Trimh with glaring gaudy 
 rolours, yet faint and languid ; German 2in6., No^}-th em 
 Sowers have little or no fmell, or fometlnies an uiv- 
 fleaf^iU opc. The aaQknt$la4 ^i^W% to giyc .a,laflj- 
 
[ISCELLANY. 
 
 3^9 
 
 ing beauty, col 
 choice flowers, wl 
 few of the moderns 
 enough and agrecaL. 
 handiomely adorn an 
 nefs of them feems 
 to find a plant vigorous 
 ange-tree) at once beaut 
 flowers, and delicious noui 
 « Spe( 
 
 to fome of their 
 lis day, and whiLh 
 " are becoming 
 and do often 
 an over-fond- 
 irely happens 
 like an or- 
 fra grant 
 
 I. No 455. 
 
 Mr. Spectator, 
 
 " Ji GRE\V tall and wild at my mother's, who is a 
 gay widow, and did not care for fhewing me, till about 
 two years and a half ago ; at which lime my guardi- 
 an uncle fent me to a boarding-fchocl, with orders to 
 contradict me in nothing, for I had been mifufed 
 enough already. I had not been there more than a 
 month, when being in the kitchen, I faw fome oat- 
 meal on the drefltr ; I put two or three corns in my 
 mouth, liked it, dole a handful, went into my cham- 
 ber, chewed it, and for two months after never failed 
 taking toll of every pennyworth of Oatmeal that came 
 into the houfe : But one day playing with a tobacco- 
 pipe between my teeth|b|j|||iappened to break in my 
 mouth, and the fpitti 1.^0114 of the pieces left fuch a 
 delicious roughnefs on^|^- tc^gue, that I could not be 
 fatisfied till I had champid up the remaining part of 
 the pipe. I forfook the oatmeal, and ftuck to the 
 pipes three months, in which time I had difpenfed 
 with thirty-feven full pipes, all to the boles ; they 
 belonged to an old s^entleman, father to my govern- 
 efs — he locked up the clean ones. I left off eating 
 of pipes, and fell to licking of chalk. I was foon tir- 
 td of this j 1 thSi nibbled all the'rcd wax of our laft 
 ball tickets ; and three weeks after, the black wax 
 from the burying tickets of the old gentleman. Two 
 months after this I lived upon thunderbolts, a certain 
 Jong, round, bluifh {lone, which I found among the 
 gravel in our garden. I was. wonderfully delighted 
 
kering to 
 Tilready cod 
 have drellel 
 came for 
 
 32c ADDISONIi^^^^^Hnr. 
 
 with this -y but tlagMj^^^^SoP^rce, I faileiiec^' 
 tooth and nail u^^^^^^^B^rHl, which I fluck- 
 to almoil a ^^^^^fj^^^^^^^Bf^ ^t that time peekd. 
 and devouredf^^^^^^^^^Hpfds our neighbour V 
 yard. I "^^^^l^^^^^^^H^ happiell creature in 
 the world, ^n^^^^^^HVconfcience) I had eaten 
 quite throd^^^^^^^^K my chamber *, but now 
 1 became ^^^^^^^^^^B>g to ilir, and was obliged 
 to feek fo^^^^^^^^V I then took a flrange han- 
 ^^^^^fcranching them, and h^d 
 ^^^^K certain, as much as could 
 ^^HPoing-dinncr, when my uncle 
 Wr He was in the parlour with my 
 governefs, when I was called down. I went in, fell 
 on my knees, for he made me call him father ; and 
 when I expeded the blelhng I aiked for, the good gen- 
 tleman, in a fuiprize, turns himfelf to my governefs, 
 and aiks, whether this (pointing to me) was his daugh- 
 ter : This (added he) is the very p/i£lure of death. 
 My child was a plump-faced, hale, frefli-coloured> 
 
 E'ri ; but this looks as if ihe was half ftarved, a mere' 
 elcton. My governefs, who is really a good woman^ 
 alTured my father I had wanted for nothing •, and with- 
 al told him, I was continually eating feme trafh of 
 other, and that I was almoft eaten up with the green- 
 ficknefs, her orders being^jMr to crofs me. But this 
 :magniiied. but little on ip^^h^kr, v;ho prefently in a 
 kind of pet, paying for 1^ U(j|P^> took mc home with 
 .him, I had not been loxfg at home, but one Sunday 
 at church (1 (hail never forget it) I faw a young neigh-- 
 bouring gentleman that pleafed me hugely •, 1 liked 
 him of aii men I ever faw in my life ; and began to 
 with I could be as pleafmpr to him. The very next 
 day. he came, with his father, a vifiting to our houfe : 
 "We were left iilone together, with ^iredlions on both 
 iides to be in love with one another, and in three 
 ■weeks time we v/ere married. I regained my former 
 health and complexion, and afh now as ^appy as th& 
 day is long. Now, iMr. Spe£lator, I defire you would 
 find out feme name for thefe cravi?ig dararels, wheth- 
 er dignified or diftingwifhed uhder fome or all^he fol* 
 
lowing denon? 
 chenxersy Pipe cJu 
 fcranchers, iVall-peei 
 Sir, do your utmof , 
 cxpofixig this un2cc( 
 *he young ones of 
 fuch good luck as, 
 
 JCELLANY. 
 
 :21 
 
 , who 
 SIR 
 
 m. 
 
 ■eater St Oatmeal- 
 ' axnibbUrs^ Coal- 
 And, good 
 ^;ent them, by 
 iling among 
 )t meet with 
 
 [.No. 431. 
 
 riNis. 
 
 «v 
 
i 
 
 !> 
 
CON 
 
 >-] 
 
 
 Page. 
 
 Page. 
 
 T 
 
 Animnh, 
 
 68 
 
 JUlFE p/JJdi/on, 
 
 3 Amufements cf Life, 
 
 73 
 
 J h fence in Coni^erfation 
 Abfence of Lovers y 
 
 9 Anger 
 
 76 
 
 1 2 , Aniiochus^ 
 
 85 
 
 Abjiinence, 
 
 13 AntSy 
 
 - 86 
 
 Accounts^ 
 
 1 4. ' An\ ictissy 
 
 98 
 
 Jaians, 
 
 \(i Apparitions y 
 
 oaj- 
 
 Ad'vice, 
 
 18 Appear ancesy 
 
 I0> 
 
 Adverfity^ 
 
 20 Appetites y 
 
 106 
 
 Ad-vertifcmentSy 
 
 2 1 1 Applaufe, 
 
 . 1 12 
 
 Adulterers y 
 
 26] Arcadian y 
 
 115 
 
 AffeBatioHy 
 
 ibi/-i -"yhiteaurey , 
 
 118 
 
 Affedions^ 
 
 ' \jrun!enisy 
 
 ^23 
 
 Affli^wisy 
 
 -r^^myy 
 
 125 
 
 Age, 
 
 Agreeable Man, 
 
 34 
 
 ^f{:: 
 
 126 
 131 
 
 Agreeable in Company y 
 
 3^ 
 
 Avarice, 
 
 ^35 
 
 Allegoriesy 
 
 36 
 
 Bacon fSzr Francis J 
 
 138 
 
 Alexander, 
 
 45 
 
 Bankruptcyy 
 
 142 
 
 AllufionSy 
 
 47 
 
 Bath, Obfer nations en 
 
 the 
 
 Alcibiades, 
 
 48 
 
 Company^ 
 
 146 
 
 Ambition, 
 
 49 
 
 Beardsy 
 
 iqo 
 
 Amity, 
 
 55 
 
 Beauty, 
 
 '53 
 
 Ana erectly 
 
 59 
 
 Beings, 
 
 158 
 
 Anatomvy 
 
 60 
 
 bills of Mortality y 
 
 163? 
 
 Ancejiry, 
 
 64 
 
 Bloik heads. 
 
 166 
 
 Ancient Writers] 
 
 6; 
 
 Blindnefs, 
 
 169 
 
Boch, ■ ^^ 
 
 Bujy part of Use I^ 
 Cula/nujcs, 
 
 Caeiia, /^^r/i 
 
 Cthfwrk, 
 Fdrlfiur^ ^ili\ 
 
 Charms, 
 Ckajiit;-, 
 Cheer fulnefs, 
 C herulims and 
 
 phims, 
 Ctilc/reziy 
 Chrtjlian Church, 
 Chrijiian P.eligioi^ 
 Chri/itans, their "J 
 
 j1d<x: ant ages., \ 
 
 Cicero'.- Lexers // 
 
 his Wije/ 
 
 \ 
 
 207 
 210 
 214 
 2 16 
 
 2ZZ 
 
 ^^^^^■CTentia^ 
 
 224 
 
 ^^^^^^^^v 
 
 22rf 
 
 ^^^^^m 
 
 
 ^^^^F 
 
 230 
 
 ^^^^fFrayer, 
 
 233 
 
 ^^^m/c:nce. 
 
 ^hl 
 
 ^^Bi^^z/ JJlf^ionSf 
 
 240 
 
 ^^^iigiil Ajjii^iany 
 
 244 
 
 W^temment, 
 
 246 
 
 Wonver/atiofj, 
 
 253 
 
 WJountry Gentlemant 
 
 259 
 
 Cteation, 
 
 «0I 
 
 dymn of Gratitude, 
 
 265 
 
 De-votion, 
 
 266 
 
 Difc-eiion, 
 
 274 
 
 D'jlreJTes, 
 
 278 
 
 D limine N^turCy 
 
 2b6 
 
 Drefs, 
 
 290 
 
 Drinkingi 
 
 294 
 
 Dudiing, 
 
 299 
 
 hducation^ 
 
 303' 
 
 ■.^^ 
 
 <^