Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

confining all his regard to the gratification | talked of, though it be for the particular of his appetites, is capable but of short fits of pleasure-or the man who, reckoning himself a sharer in the satisfactions of others, especially those which come to them by his means, enlarges the sphere of his happiness?

cock of his hat, or for prating aloud in the boxes at a play, is in a fair way of being a favourite. I have known a young fellow make his fortune by knocking down a constable; and may venture to say, though it may seem a paradox, that many a fair one has died by a duel in which both the combatants have survived.

'The last enemy to benevolence I shall mention is uneasiness of any kind. A guilty or a discontented mind, a mind ruffled by 'About three winters ago, I took notice of ill-fortune, disconcerted by its own passions, a young lady at the theatre, who conceived soured by neglect, or fretting at disappoint- a passion for a notorious rake that headed ments, hath not leisure to attend to the ne-a party of catcalls; and am credibly incessity or unreasonableness of a kindness formed that the emperor of the Mohocks desired, nor a taste for those pleasures married a rich widow within three weeks which wait on beneficence, which demand after having rendered himself formidable in a calm and unpolluted heart to relish them. the cities of London and Westminster. The most miserable of all beings is the Scouring and breaking of windows have most envious; as, on the other hand, the done frequent execution upon the sex. But most communicative is the happiest. And there is no set of these male charmers who if you are in search of the seat of perfect make their way more successfully than love and friendship, you will not find it until those who have gained themselves a name you come to the region of the blessed, for intrigue, and have ruined the greatest where happiness, like a refreshing stream, number of reputations. There is a strange flows from heart to heart in an endless cir- curiosity in the female world to be acquaintculation, and is preserved sweet and un-ed with the dear man who has been loved tainted by the motion. It is old advice, if you have a favour to request of any one, to observe the softest times of address, when the soul, in a flash of good humour, takes a pleasure to show itself pleased. Persons conscious of their own integrity, satisfied with themselves and their condition, and full of confidence in a Supreme Being, and the hope of immortality, survey all about them with a flow of good-will; as trees which, like their soil, shoot out in expressions of kindness, and bend beneath their own precious load, to the hand of the ga-hind a cluster of very pretty country ladies, therer. Now, if the mind be not thus easy, it is an infallible sign that it is not in its natural state: place the mind in its right posture, it will immediately discover its innate propension to beneficence.'

No. 602.] Monday, October 4, 1714.
Facit hoc illos hyacinthos

Juv. Sat. vi. ver. 110.

This makes them hyacinths.

THE following letter comes from a gentleman who I find is very diligent in making his observations, which I think too material not to be communicated to the public.

'SIR,-In order to execute the office of the love casuist of Great Britain, with which I take myself to be invested by your paper of September 8, I shall make some farther observations upon the two sexes in general, beginning with that which always ought to have the upper hand. After having observed, with much curiosity, the accomplishments which are apt to captivate female hearts, I find that there is no person so irresistible as one who is a man of importance, provided it be in matters of no consequence. One who makes himself

by others, and to know what it is that makes him so agreeable. His reputation does more than half his business. Every one that is ambitious of being a woman of fashion, looks out for opportunities of being in his company; so that, to use the old proverb, "When his name is up he may lie a-bed."

'I was very sensible of the great advantage of being a man of importance upon these occasions on the day of the king's entry, when I was seated in a balcony be

who had one of these showy gentlemen in the midst of them. The first trick I caught him at was bowing to several persons of quality whom he did not know; nay, he had the impudence to hem at a blue garter who had a finer equipage than ordinary; and seemed a little concerned at the impertinent huzzas of the mob, that hindered his friend from taking notice of him. There was indeed one who pulled off his hat to him; and, upon the ladies asking who it was, he told them it was a foreign minister that he had been very merry with the night before; whereas in truth it was the city common hunt.

'He was never at a loss when he was asked any person's name, though he seldom knew any one under a peer. He found dukes and earls among the aldermen, very good-natured fellows among the privycounsellors, with two or three agreeable old rakes among the bishops and judges.

In short, I collected from his whole discourse, that he was acquainted with every body, and knew nobody. At the same time, I am mistaken if he did not that day make more advances in the affections of his mistress, who sat near him, than he could have done in half a year's courtship.

'Ovid has finely touched this method of

making love, which I shall here give my | My fair one is gone, and my joys are all drown'd, And my heart-I am sure it weighs more than a pound. reader in Mr. Dryden's translation.

'Page the eleventh.

"Thus love in theatres did first improve,
And theatres are still the scene of love;
Nor shun the chariots, and the courser's race;
The Circus is no inconvenient place.
Nor need is there of talking on the hand,
Nor nods, nor signs, which lovers understand;
But boldly next the fair your seat provide,
Close as you can to hers, and side by side,
Pleas'd or unpleas'd, no matter, crowding sit;
For so the laws of public shows permit.
Then find occasion to begin discourse,

Inquire whose chariot this, and whose that horse;
To whatsoever side she is inclin'd,
Suit all your inclinations to her mind.

Like what she likes, from thence your court begin,
And, whom she favours, wish that he may win."

'Again, page the sixteenth,

"O when will come the day by heaven design'd, When thou, the best and fairest of mankind, Drawn by white horses, shall in triumph ride, With conquer'd slaves attending on thy side; Slaves that no longer can be safe in flight, O glorious object! O surprising sight! O day of public joy, too good to end in night! On such a day, if thou, and next to thee Some beauty sits, the spectacle to see; If she inquires the names of conquer'd kings, Of mountains, rivers, and their hidden springs; Answer to all thou know'st; and if need be, Of things unknown seem to speak knowingly: This is Euphrates, crown'd with reeds; and there Flows the swift Tigris, with his sea-green hair. Invent new names of things unknown before; Call this Armenia, that the Caspian shore; Call this a Mede, and that the Parthian youth; Talk probably: no matter for the truth."

[blocks in formation]

'My time, O ye Muses, was happily spent, When Phoebe went with me wherever I went ;1 Ten thousand sweet pleasures I felt in my breast. Sure never fond shepherd like Colin was blest! But now she has gone, and has left me behind, What a marvellous change on a sudden I find! When things were as fine as could possibly be, I thought 'twas the spring; but, alas! it was she. II.

With such a companion to tend a few sheep, To rise up and play, or to lie down and sleep: I was so good-humour'd, so cheerful and gay, My heart was as light as a feather all day. But now I so cross and so peevish am grown; So strangely uneasy as never was known.

* Mr. John Byron, author of the two papers on dreaming, No. 586 and 593.

"It has been said, on good authority, that the Phœbe of this pastoral was Joanna, the daughter of Dr. Bentley, and that it was written, not so much from affection

to the daughter, as with the aim of securing the interest of the doctor, in promoting the author's views with regard to the fellowship for which, at the period of its composition, he was a candidate."

Drake's Essays, vol. iii. p. 216. Ansty made a most happy parody of these two lines in his Bath Guide.

"My time, my dear mother's, been wretchedly spent, With a gripe or a hickup wherever I went."

III.

The fountai◆ that wont to run swiftly along,
And dance to soft murmurs the pebbles among;
Thou know'st little Cupid, if Phoebe was there,
'Twas pleasure to look at, 'twas music to hear:
But now she is absent, I walk by its side,
And still as it murmurs do nothing but chide.
Must you be so cheerful, when I go in pain?

Peace there with your bubbling, and hear me complain.
IV.

'When my lambkins around me would oftentimes play,

And when Phoebe and I were as joyful as they,
How pleasant their sporting, how happy their time,
When spring, love, and beauty, were all in their prime
But now in their frolics when by me they pass,

I fling at their fleeces a handful of grass;
Be still, then I cry, for it makes me quite mad
To see you so merry while I am so sad.

V.

My dog I was ever well pleased to sec Come wagging his tail to my fair-one and me; And Phoebe was pleas'd too, and to my dog said, Come hither, poor fellow; and patted his head. But now, when he's fawning, I with a sour look Cry, Sirrah! and give him a blow with my crook. And I'll give him another; for why should not Tray Be as dull as his master, when Phoebe's away?

VI.

'When walking with Phoebe, what sights have I seen! How fair was the flower, how fresh was the green! What a lovely appearance the trees and the shade, The corn-fields and hedges, and every thing made! But now she has left me, though all are still there, They none of them now so delightful appear: "Twas nought but the magic, I find, of her eyes, Made so many beautiful prospects arise.

VII.

'Sweet music went with us both all the wood through, The lark, linnet, throstle, and nightingale too; Winds over us whisper'd, flocks by us did bleat, And chirp went the grasshopper under our feet. But now she is absent, though still they sing on, The woods are but lonely, the melody's gone: Her voice in the concert, as now I have found, Gave every thing else its agreeable sound. VIII.

Rose, what is become of thy delicate hue?
And where is the violet's beautiful blue?

Does aught of its sweetness the blossom beguile?
That meadow, those daisies, why do they not smile?
Ah! rivals, I see what it was that you dress'd
And made yourselves fine for; a place in her breast:
You put on your colours to pleasure her eye,
To be pluck'd by her hand, on her bosom to die.

IX.

How slowly time creeps, till my Phoebe return! While amidst the soft zephyr's cool breezes I burn! Methinks if I knew whereabout he would tread,

I could breathe on his wings, and 'twould melt down the lead.

Fly swifter ye minutes, bring hither my dear,
And rest so much longer for't when she is here.
Ah, Colin! old Time is full of delay,

Nor will budge one foot faster for all thou canst say.

X.

'Will no pitying power that hears me complain, Or cure my disquiet, or soften my pain? To be cur'd, thou must, Colin, thy passion remove: But what swain is so silly to live without love. No, deity, bid the dear nymph to return, For ne'er was poor shepherd so sadly forlorn, Ah! what shall I do? I shall die with despair!Take heed all ye swains, how ye love one so fair.'

No. 604.] Friday, October 8, 1714.

Tu ne quæsieris (scire nefas) quem mihi, quem tibi,
Finem Dii dederint, Luconoe; nec Babylonios
Tentaris numeros-
Hor. Od. xi. Lib. 1. ▲

Ah do not strive too much to know,
My dear Leuconoe,

What the kind gods design to do

With me and thee.-Creech.

THE desire of knowing future events, is | along, and I found in myself a strong inclione of the strongest inclinations in the mind nation to mingle in the train. My eyes of man. Indeed, an ability of foreseeing quickly singled out some of the most probable accidents is what, in the language splendid figures. Several in rich caftans of men, is called wisdom and prudence: but, and glittering turbans bustled through the not satisfied with the light that reason holds throng, and trampled over the bodies of out, mankind hath endeavoured to penetrate those they threw down; until, to my great more compendiously into futurity. Magic, surprise, I found that the great pace they oracles, omens, lucky hours, and the various went only hastened them to a scaffold or arts of superstition, owe their rise to this a bow-string. Many beautiful damsels on powerful cause. As this principle is founded the other side moved forward with great in self-love, every man is sure to be solici- gayety; some danced until they fell all tous in the first place about his own fortune, along; and others painted their faces until the course of his life, and the time and man- they lost their noses. A tribe of creatures ner of his death. with busy looks falling into a fit of laughter at the misfortunes of the unhappy ladies, I turned my eyes upon them. They were each of them filling his pockets with gold and jewels, and when there was no room left for more, these wretches, looking round with fear and horror, pined away before my face with famine and discontent.

If we consider that we are free agents, we shall discover the absurdity of such inquiries. One of our actions, which we might have performed or neglected, is the cause of another that succeeds it, and so the whole chain of life is linked together. Pain, poverty, or infamy, are the natural product of vicious and imprudent acts; as the contrary blessings are of good ones; so that we cannot suppose our lot to be determined without impiety. A great enhancement of pleasure arises from its being unexpected; and pain is doubled by being foreseen. Upon all these, and several other accounts, we ought to rest satisfied in this portion bestowed on us; to adore the hand that hath fitted every thing to our nature, and hath not more displayed his goodness in our knowledge than in our ignorance.

The prospect of human misery struck me dumb for some miles. Then it was, that to disburden my mind, I took pen and ink, and did every thing that has since happened under my office as Spectator. While I was employing myself for the good of mankind, I was surprised to meet with very unsuitable returns from my fellowcreatures. Never was poor author so beset by pamphleteers, who sometimes marched directly against me, but oftener shot at me from strong bulwarks, or rose up suddenly in ambush. They were of all characters and capacities, some with ensigns of dig

It is not unworthy observation, that superstitious inquiries into future events prevail more or less, in proportion to the improve-nity, and others in liveries; but what most ment of liberal arts and useful knowledge in the several parts of the world. Accordingly, we find that magical incantations remain in Lapland; in the more remote parts of Scotland they have their second sight; and several of our own countrymen have seen abundance of fairies. In Asia this credulity is strong; and the greatest part of refined learning there consists in the knowledge of amulets, talismans, occult numbers, and the like.

surprised me was to see two or three in black gowns among my enemies. It was no small trouble to me, sometimes to have a man come up to me with an angry face, and reproach me for having lampooned him, when I had never seen or heard of him in my life. With the ladies it was otherwise: many became my enemies for not being particularly pointed out; as there were others who resented the satire which they imagined I had directed against them. When I was at Grand Cairo, I fell into My great comfort was in the company of the acquaintance of a good-natured mus-half a dozen friends, who, I found since, sulman, who promised me many good offices were the club which I have so often menwhich he designed to do me when he be- tioned in my papers. I laughed often at came the prime minister, which was a Sir Roger in my sleep, and was the more difortune bestowed on his imagination by averted with Will Honeycomb's gallantries, doctor very deep in the curious sciences. (when we afterwards became acquainted,) At his repeated solicitations I went to learn because I had foreseen his marriage with a my destiny of this wonderful sage. For a farmer's daughter. The regret which arose small sum I had his promise, but was de- in my mind upon the death of my comsired to wait in a dark apartment until he panions, my anxieties for the public, and had run through the preparatory ceremo- the many calamities still fleeting before my nies. Having a strong propensity, even eyes, made me repent my curiosity; when then, to dreaming, I took a nap upon the the magician entered the room, and awakensofa where I was placed, and had the fol-ed me, by telling me (when it was too late,) lowing vision, the particulars whereof I that he was just going to begin. picked up the other day among my papers. I found myself in an unbounded plain, where methought the whole world, in several habits and with different tongues, was assembled. The multitude glided swiftly

This is pointed at the hirelings employed by the swift, Prior, Atterbury, Dr. Friend, Dr. King, Mr. Oldsministry in the last years of the queen's reign; Dr. worth, Mrs. Manley, &c

N. B. I have only delivered the prophecy of that part of my life which is past, it being inconvenient to divulge the second part until a more proper opportunity.

No. 605.] Monday, October 11, 1714.

Exuerint sylvestrem animum; cultuque frequenti,
In quascunque voces artes, haud tarda sequentur.
Virg. Georg. ii. 51.

-They change their savage mind.
Their wildness lose, and, quitting nature's part,
Obey the rules and discipline of art.-Dryden.

HAVING perused the following letter, and finding it to run upon the subject of love, I referred it to the learned casuist, whom I have retained in my service for speculations of that kind. He returned it to me the next morning with his report annexed to it, with both of which I shall here present my reader.

'MR. SPECTATOR,-Finding that you have entertained a useful person in your service in quality of love-casuist, I apply myself to you under a very great difficulty, that hath for some months perplexed me. I have a couple of humble servants, one of which I have no aversion to; the other I think of very kindly. The first hath the reputation of a man of good sense, and is one of those people that your sex are apt to value. My spark is reckoned a coxcomb among the men, but is a favourite of the ladies. If I marry the man of worth, as they call him, I shall oblige my parents, and improve my fortune; but with my dear beau I promise myself happiness, although not a jointure. Now I would ask you, whether I should consent to lead my life with a man that I have only no objection to, or with him against whom all objections to me appear frivolous. I am determined to follow the casuist's advice, and I dare say he will not put me upon so serious a thing as matrimony contrary to my inclination. I am, &c. FANNY FICKLE.

'P. S. I forgot to tell you, that the pretty gentleman is the most complaisant creature in the world, and is always of my mind; but the other, forsooth, fancies he has as much wit as myself, slights my lap dog, and hath the insolence to contradict me when he thinks I am not in the right. About half an hour ago, he maintained to my face that a patch always implies a pimple.'

As I look upon it to be my duty rather to side with the parents than the daughter, I shall propose some considerations to my gentle querist, which may incline her to comply with those under whose direction she is; and at the same time convince her that it is not impossible but she may in time, have a true affection for him who is at present indifferent to her; or, to use the eld family maxim, that, if she marries hrst, love will come after.'

The only objection that she seems to insinuate against the gentleman proposed to her, is his want of complaisance, which I perceive she is very willing to return. Now I can discover, from this very circumstance, that she and her lover, whatever they may think of it, are very good friends in their hearts. It is difficult to determine whether love delights more in giving pleasure or pain. Let Miss Fickle ask her own heart, if she doth not take a secret pride in making this man of good sense look very silly. Hath she ever been better pleased than when her behaviour hath made her lover ready to hang himself; or doth she ever rejoice more than when she thinks she hath driven him to the very brink of a purling stream? Let her consider, at the same time, that it is not impossible but her lover may have discovered her tricks, and hath a mind to give her as good as she brings. I remember a handsome young baggage that treated a hopeful Greek of my acquaintance, just come from Oxford, as if he had been a barbarian. The first week after she had fixed him, she took a pinch of snuff out of his rival's box, and apparently touched the enemy's little finger. She became a professed enemy to the arts and sciences, and scarce ever wrote a letter to him without wilfully misspelling his name. The young scholar, to be even with her, railed at coquettes as soon as he had got the word; and did not want parts to turn into ridicule her men of wit and pleasure of the town. After having irritated one another for the space of five months, she made an assignation with him fourscore miles from London. But, as he was very well acquainted with her pranks, he took a journey the quite contrary way. Accordingly they met, quarrelled, and in a few days were married. Their former hostilities are now the subject of their mirth, being content at present with that part of love only which bestows pleasure.

Women who have been married some after them a numerous train of followers, time, not having it in their heads to draw find their satisfaction in the possession of one man's heart. I know very well that ladies in their bloom desire to be excused in this particular. But, when time hath them discretion, their fondness settles on worn out their natural vanity, and taught its proper object. And it is probably for this reason that, among husbands, you will find more that are fond of women beyond their prime, than of those who are actually in the insolence of beauty. My reader will apply the same observation to the other sex.

I need not insist upon the necessity of their pursuing one common interest, and their united care for their children; but shall only observe, by the way, that married persons are both more warm in their love, and more hearty in their hatred than any others whatsoever. Mutual favours and obligations, which may be supposed to

be greater here than in any other state, | with him, made her his first minister of naturally beget an intense affection in ge- state, and continued true to her alone, until nerous minds. As, on the contrary, per- his marriage with the beautiful Elfrida, sons who have bestowed such favours have

a particular bitterness in their resentments,

when they think themselves ill-treated by No. 606.] Wednesday, October 13, 1714. those of whom they have deserved so much.

Besides, Miss Fickle may consider, that as there are often many faults concealed before marriage, so there are sometimes many virtues unobserved.

-longum cantu solata laborem Arguto conjux percurrit pectine telas.

-mean time at home

Virg. Georg. i. 294.

The good wife singing plies the various loom. To this we may add the great efficacy of 'MR. SPECTATOR,-I have a couple of custom and constant conversation to pronieces under my direction, who so often run duce a mutual friendship and benevolence gadding abroad, that I do not know where in two persons. It is a nice reflection, to have them. Their dress, their tea, and which I have heard a friend of mine make, their visits, take up all their time, and they that you may be sure a woman loves a man, go to bed as tired with doing nothing as I when she uses his expressions, tell his sto-am after quilting a whole under-petticoat. ries, or imitates his manner. This gives The only time they are not idle is while a secret delight; for imitation is a kind of they read your Spectators; which being artless flattery, and mightily favours the dedicated to the interest of virtue, I desire powerful principle of self-love. It is cer- you to recommend the long neglected art tain that married persons, who are possessof needle-work. Those hours which in this ed with a mutual esteem, not only catch age are thrown away on dress, play, visits, the air and way of talk from one another, and the like, were employed, in my time, but fall into the same traces of thinking in writing out receipts, or working beds, and liking. Nay, some have carried the chairs, and hangings, for the family. For remark so far as to assert, that the features my part, I have plied my needle these fifty of man and wife grow, in time, to resemble years, and by my good will would never one another. Let my fair correspondent, heart to see a couple of proud idle flirts have it out of my hand. It grieves my therefore, consider, that the gentleman recommended will have a good deal of her sipping their tea, for a whole afternoon, in own face in two or three years; which she a room hung round with the industry of must not expect from the beau, who is too their great grandmother. Pray, sir, take full of his dear self to copy after another. the laudable mystery of embroidery into And I dare appeal to her own judgment, if your serious consideration, and, as you have that person will not be the handsomest that a great deal of the virtue of the last age in is the most like herself. you, continue your endeavours to reform the present. I am, &c.'

We have a remarkable instance to our present purpose in the history of king Edgar, which I shall here relate, and leave it with my fair correspondent to be applied to herself.

In obedience to the commands of my venerable correspondent, I have duly weighed this important subject, and promise myself, from the arguments here laid down, that all the fine ladies of England will be ready, as soon as their mourning is over,* to appear covered with the work of their own hands.

This great monarch, who is so famous in British story, fell in love, as he made his progress through his kingdom, with a certain duke's daughter, who lived near Win- What a delightful entertainment must it chester, and was the most celebrated beauty be to the fair-sex, whom their native moof the age. His importunities and the vio- desty and the tenderness of men towards lence of his passion were so great, that the them, exempt from public business, to pass mother of the young lady promised him to their hours in imitating fruits and flowers, bring her daughter to his bed the next and transplanting all the beauties of nature night, though in her heart she abhorred so into their own dress, or raising a new creainfamous an office. It was no sooner dark tion in their closets and apartments! How than she conveyed into his room, a young pleasing is the amusement of walking maid of no disagreeable figure, who was among the shades and groves planted by one of her attendants, and did not want ad- themselves, in surveying heroes slain by dress to improve the opportunity for_the|their needle, or little cupids which they advancement of her fortune. She made so have brought into the world without pain! good use of her time, that when she offered This is, methinks, the most proper way to rise a little before day, the king could by wherein a lady can show a fine genius; and no means think of parting with her; so that, I cannot forbear wishing that several wrifinding herself under a necessity of disco-ters of that sex had chosen to apply themvering who she was, she did it in so hand-selves rather to tapestry than rhyme. some a manner, that his majesty was ex- Your pastoral poetesses may vent their ceeding gracious to her, and took her ever fancy in rural landscapes, and place desafter under his protection: insomuch, that

our chronicles tell us, he carried her along

* The general mourning on the death of queen Anne

« ZurückWeiter »