T.
Footnote 1:
Strenua nos exercet inertia: Navibus...
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Footnote 2:
Dr. Thomas Birch, in a letter dated June 15, 1764, says that this letter was by Mr. Philip Yorke, afterwards Earl of Hardwicke, who was author also of another piece in the
Spectator
, but his son could not remember what that was.
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Footnote 3:
Exactness.I cant quit this head without paying my Acknowledgments to one of the most entertaining Pieces this Age has produc'd, for the Pleasure it gave me. You will easily guess, that the Book I have in my head is Mr. A——'s Remarks uponItaly. That Ingenious gentleman has with so much Art and Judgment applied his exact Knowledge of all the Parts of Classical Learning to illustrate the several occurrences of his Travels, that his Work alone is a pregnant Proof of what I have said. No Body that has a Taste this way, can read him going fromRometoNaples, and makingHoraceandSilius Italicushis Chart, but he must feel some Uneasiness in himself to Reflect that he was not in his Retinue. I am sure I wish'd it Ten Times in every Page, and that not without a secret Vanity to think in what State I should have Travelled theAppianRoad withHoracefor a Guide, and in company with a Countryman of my own, who of all Men living knows best how to follow his Steps.
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Contents
Vere magis, quia vere calor redit ossibus—Virg.translation
The author of the
Menagiana
acquaints us, that discoursing one Day with several Ladies of Quality about the Effects of the Month of
May
, which infuses a kindly Warmth into the Earth, and all its Inhabitants; the Marchioness of S——, who was one of the Company, told him, That though she would promise to be chaste in every Month besides, she could not engage for her self in
May
. As the beginning therefore of this Month is now very near, I design this Paper for a Caveat to the Fair Sex, and publish it before
April
is quite out, that if any of them should be caught tripping, they may not pretend they had not timely Notice.
I am induced to this, being persuaded the above-mentioned Observation is as well calculated for our Climate as for that of
France
, and that some of our
British
Ladies are of the same Constitution with the
French
Marchioness.
I shall leave it among Physicians to determine what may be the Cause of such an Anniversary Inclination; whether or no it is that the Spirits after having been as it were frozen and congealed by
Winter
, are now turned loose, and set a rambling; or that the gay Prospects of Fields and Meadows, with the Courtship of the Birds in every Bush, naturally unbend the Mind, and soften it to Pleasure; or that, as some have imagined, a Woman is prompted by a kind of Instinct to throw herself on a Bed of Flowers, and not to let those beautiful Couches which Nature has provided lie useless.
However
it be, the Effects of this Month on the lower part of the Sex, who act without Disguise,
are
1
very visible. It is at this time that we see the young Wenches in a Country Parish dancing round a May-Pole, which one of our learned Antiquaries supposes to be a Relique of a certain Pagan Worship that I do not think fit to mention.
It is likewise on the first Day of this Month that we see the ruddy Milk-Maid exerting her self in a most sprightly manner under a Pyramid of Silver-Tankards, and, like the Virgin
Tarpeia
, oppress'd by the costly Ornaments which her Benefactors lay upon her.
I need not mention the Ceremony of the Green Gown, which is also peculiar to this gay Season.
The same periodical Love-Fit spreads through the whole Sex, as Mr.
Dryden
well observes in his Description of this merry
Month
:
For thee, sweet Month, the Groves green Livries wear,If not the first, the fairest of the Year;For thee the Graces lead the dancing Hours,And Nature's ready Pencil paints the Flow'rs.The sprightly May commands our Youth to keepThe Vigils of her Night, and breaks their Sleep;Each gentle Breast with kindly Warmth she moves,Inspires new Flames, revives extinguish'd Loves2.
Accordingly among the Works of the great Masters in Painting, who have drawn this genial Season of the Year, we often observe
Cupids
confused with
Zephirs
flying up and down promiscuously in several Parts of the Picture. I cannot but add from my own Experience, that about this Time of the Year Love-Letters come up to me in great Numbers from all Quarters of the Nation.
I receiv'd an Epistle in particular by the last Post from a
Yorkshire
Gentleman, who makes heavy Complaints of one
Zelinda
, whom it seems he has courted unsuccessfully these three Years past. He tells me that he designs to try her this
May
, and if he does not carry his Point, he will never think of her more.
Having thus fairly admonished the female Sex, and laid before them the Dangers they are exposed to in this critical Month, I shall in the next place lay down some Rules and Directions for their better avoiding those Calentures which are so very frequent in this Season.
In the first place, I would advise them never to venture abroad in the Fields, but in the Company of a Parent, a Guardian, or some other sober discreet Person. I have before shewn how apt they are to trip in a flowry Meadow, and shall further observe to them, that
Proserpine
was out
a Maying
, when she met with that fatal Adventure to which
Milton
alludes when he
mentions
—That fair FieldOf Enna, where Proserpine gathering Flowers,Herself a fairer Flower, by gloomy DisWas gathered—3
Since I am got into Quotations, I shall conclude this Head with
Virgil's
Advice to young People, while they are gathering wild Strawberries and Nosegays, that they should have a care of the
Snake in the Grass
.
In the second place, I cannot but approve those Prescriptions, which our Astrological Physicians give in their Almanacks for this Month; such as are a spare and simple Diet, with the moderate Use of Phlebotomy.
Under this Head of Abstinence I shall also advise my fair Readers to be in a particular manner careful how they meddle with Romances, Chocolate, Novels, and the like Inflamers, which I look upon as very dangerous to be made use of during this great Carnival of Nature.
As I have often declared, that I have nothing more at heart than the Honour of my dear Country-Women, I would beg them to consider, whenever their Resolutions begin to fail them, that there are but one and thirty Days of this soft Season, and that if they can but weather out this one Month, the rest of the Year will be easy to them. As for that Part of the Fair-Sex who stay in Town, I would advise them to be particularly cautious how they give themselves up to their most innocent Entertainments. If they cannot forbear the Play-house, I would recommend Tragedy to them, rather than Comedy; and should think the Puppet-show much safer for them than the Opera, all the while the Sun is in
Gemini
.
The Reader will observe, that this Paper is written for the use of those Ladies who think it worth while to war against Nature in the Cause of Honour. As for that abandon'd Crew, who do not think Virtue worth contending for, but give up their Reputation at the first Summons, such Warnings and Premonitions are thrown away upon them. A Prostitute is the same easy Creature in all Months of the Year, and makes no difference between
May
and
December
.
X.
Footnote 1:
is
and in first Reprint.
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Footnote 2:
This quotation is made up of two passages in Dryden's version of Chaucer's
Knights Tale
,
Palamon and Arcite
. The first four lines are from Bk. ii. 11. 663-666, the other four lines are from Bk. i. 11. 176-179.
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Footnote 3:
Paradise Lost
, Bk. iv. 11. 268-271.
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Contents
Pone me pigris ubi nulla campisArbor æstiva recreatur aura,Dulce ridentem Lalagen amabo,Dulce loquentem.Hor.translation
There are such wild Inconsistencies in the Thoughts of a Man in love, that I have often reflected there can be no reason for allowing him more Liberty than others possessed with Frenzy, but that his Distemper has no Malevolence in it to any Mortal. That Devotion to his Mistress kindles in his Mind a general Tenderness, which exerts it self towards every Object as well as his Fair-one. When this Passion is represented by Writers, it is common with them to endeavour at certain Quaintnesses and Turns of Imagination, which are apparently the Work of a Mind at ease; but the Men of true Taste can easily distinguish the Exertion of a Mind which overflows with tender Sentiments, and the Labour of one which is only describing Distress. In Performances of this kind, the most absurd of all things is to be witty; every Sentiment must grow out of the Occasion, and be suitable to the Circumstances of the Character. Where this Rule is transgressed, the humble Servant, in all the fine things he says, is but shewing his Mistress how well he can dress, instead of saying how well he loves. Lace and Drapery is as much a Man, as Wit and Turn is Passion.
Mr.Spectator,ThefollowingVerses are a Translation of aLaplandLove-Song, which I met with inScheffer'sHistory of that Country1. I was agreeably surprized to find a Spirit of Tenderness and Poetry in a Region which I never suspected for Delicacy. In hotter Climates, tho' altogether uncivilized, I had not wonder'd if I had found some sweet wild Notes among the Natives, where they live in Groves of Oranges, and hear the Melody of Birds about them: But aLaplandLyric, breathing Sentiments of Love and Poetry, not unworthy oldGreeceorRome; a regular Ode from a Climate pinched with Frost, and cursed with Darkness so great a Part of the Year; where 'tis amazing that the poor Natives should get Food, or be tempted to propagate their Species: this, I confess, seemed a greater Miracle to me, than the famous Stories of their Drums, their Winds and Inchantments.I am the bolder in commending this Northern Song, because I have faithfully kept to the Sentiments, without adding or diminishing; and pretend to no greater Praise from my Translation, than they who smooth and clean the Furs of that Country which have suffered by Carriage. The Numbers in the Original are as loose and unequal, as those in which theBritishLadies sport their Pindaricks; and perhaps the fairest of them might not think it a disagreeable Present from a Lover: But I have ventured to bind it in stricter Measures, as being more proper for our Tongue, tho perhaps wilder Graces may better suit the Genius of theLaponianLanguage.It will be necessary to imagine, that the Author of this Song, not having the Liberty of visiting his Mistress at her Father's House, was in hopes of spying her at a Distance in the Fields.IThou rising Sun, whose gladsome RayInvites my Fair to Rural Play,Dispel the Mist, and clear the Skies,And bring myOrrato my Eyes.IIOh! were I sure my Dear to view,I'd climb that Pine-Trees topmost Bough,Aloft in Air that quivering plays,And round and round for ever gaze.IIIMyOrra Moor, where art thou laid?What Wood conceals my sleeping Maid?Fast by the Roots enrag'd I'll tearThe Trees that hide my promised Fair.IVOh! I cou'd ride the Clouds and Skies,Or on the Raven's Pinions rise:Ye Storks, ye Swans, a moment stay,And waft a Lover on his Way.VMy Bliss too long my Bride denies,Apace the wasting Summer flies:Nor yet the wintry Blasts I fear,Not Storms or Night shall keep me here.VIWhat may for Strength with Steel compare?Oh! Love has Fetters stronger far:By Bolts of Steel are Limbs confin'd,But cruel Love enchains the Mind.VIINo longer then perplex thy Breast,When Thoughts torment, the first are best;'Tis mad to go, 'tis Death to stay,Away toOrra, haste away.April the 10th.Mr.Spectator,I am one of those despicable Creatures called a Chamber-Maid, and have lived with a Mistress for some time, whom I love as my Life, which has made my Duty and Pleasure inseparable. My greatest Delight has been in being imploy'd about her Person; and indeed she is very seldom out of Humour for a Woman of her Quality: But here lies my Complaint, Sir; To bear with me is all the Encouragement she is pleased to bestow upon me; for she gives her cast-off Cloaths from me to others: some she is pleased to bestow in the House to those that neither wants nor wears them, and some to Hangers-on, that frequents the House daily, who comes dressed out in them. This, Sir, is a very mortifying Sight to me, who am a little necessitous for Cloaths, and loves to appear what I am, and causes an Uneasiness, so that I can't serve with that Chearfulness as formerly; which my Mistress takes notice of, and calls Envy and Ill-Temper at seeing others preferred before me. My Mistress has a younger Sister lives in the House with her, that is some Thousands below her in Estate, who is continually heaping her Favours on her Maid; so that she can appear every Sunday, for the first Quarter, in a fresh Suit of Cloaths of her Mistress's giving, with all other things suitable: All this I see without envying, but not without wishing my Mistress would a little consider what a Discouragement it is to me to have my Perquisites divided between Fawners and Jobbers, which others enjoy intire to themselves. I have spoke to my Mistress, but to little Purpose; I have desired to be discharged (for indeed I fret my self to nothing) but that she answers with Silence. I beg, Sir, your Direction what to do, for I am fully resolved to follow your Counsel; who amYour Admirer and humble Servant,Constantia Comb-brush.I beg that you would put it in a better Dress, and let it come abroad; that my Mistress, who is an Admirer of your Speculations, may see it.
T.
Footnote 1:
John Scheffer, born in 1621, at Strasburg, was at the age of 27 so well-known for his learning, that he was invited to Sweden, where he received a liberal pension from Queen Christina as her librarian, and was also a Professor of Law and Rhetoric in the University of Upsala. He died in 1679. He was the author of 27 works, among which is his
Lapponia
, a Latin description of Lapland, published in 1673, of which an English version appeared at Oxford in folio, in 1674. The song is there given in the original Lapp, and in a rendering of Scheffer's Latin less conventionally polished than that published by the
Spectator
, which is Ambrose Philips's translation of a translation. In the Oxford translation there were six stanzas of this kind:
With brightest beams let the Sun shineOnOrra Moor.Could I be sureThat from the top o' th' lofty PineIOrra Moormight see,I to his highest Bough would climb,And with industrious Labour tryThence to descryMy Mistress if that there she be.Could I but know amidst what FlowersOr in what Shade she stays,The gaudy Bowers,With all their verdant Pride,Their Blossoms and their Sprays,Which make my Mistress disappear;And her in envious Darkness hide,I from the Roots and Beds of Earth would tear.
In the same chapter another song is given of which there is a version in
No. 406
of the
Spectator
.
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Contents
—Perituræ parcite chartæ.Juv.translation
I have often pleased my self with considering the two kinds of Benefits which accrue to the Publick from these my Speculations, and which, were I to speak after the manner of Logicians, I would distinguish into the Material and the Formal. By the latter I understand those Advantages which my Readers receive, as their Minds are either improv'd or delighted by these my daily Labours; but having already several times descanted on my Endeavours in this Light, I shall at present wholly confine my self to the Consideration of the former. By the Word Material I mean those Benefits which arise to the Publick from these my Speculations, as they consume a considerable quantity of our Paper Manufacture, employ our Artisans in Printing, and find Business for great Numbers of Indigent Persons.
Our Paper-Manufacture takes into it several mean Materials which could be put to no other use, and affords Work for several Hands in the collecting of them, which are incapable of any other Employment. Those poor Retailers, whom we see so busy in every Street, deliver in their respective Gleanings to the Merchant. The Merchant carries them in Loads to the Paper-Mill, where they pass thro' a fresh Set of Hands, and give life to another Trade. Those who have Mills on their Estates, by this means considerably raise their Rents, and the whole Nation is in a great measure supply'd with a Manufacture, for which formerly she was obliged to her Neighbours.
The Materials are no sooner wrought into Paper, but they are distributed among the Presses, where they again set innumerable Artists at Work, and furnish Business to another Mystery. From hence, accordingly as they are stain'd with News or Politicks, they fly thro' the Town in
Post-Men, Post-Boys, Daily-Courants, Reviews, Medleys
, and
Examiners
. Men, Women, and Children contend who shall be the first Bearers of them, and get their daily Sustenance by spreading them. In short, when I trace in my Mind a Bundle of Rags to a Quire of
Spectators
, I find so many Hands employ'd in every Step they take thro their whole Progress, that while I am writing a
Spectator
, I fancy my self providing Bread for a Multitude.
If I do not take care to obviate some of my witty Readers, they will be apt to tell me, that my Paper, after it is thus printed and published, is still beneficial to the Publick on several Occasions. I must confess I have lighted my Pipe with my own Works for this Twelve-month past: My Landlady often sends up her little Daughter to desire some of my old
Spectators
, and has frequently told me, that the Paper they are printed on is the best in the World to wrap Spice in. They likewise make a good Foundation for a Mutton pye, as I have more than once experienced, and were very much sought for, last Christmas, by the whole Neighbourhood.
It is pleasant enough to consider the Changes that a Linnen Fragment undergoes, by passing thro' the several Hands above mentioned. The finest pieces of Holland, when worn to Tatters, assume a new Whiteness more beautiful than their first, and often return in the shape of Letters to their Native Country. A Lady's Shift may be metamorphosed into Billet
s-
doux, and come into her Possession a second time. A Beau may peruse his Cravat after it is worn out, with greater Pleasure and Advantage than ever he did in a Glass. In a word, a Piece of Cloth, after having officiated for some Years as a Towel or a Napkin, may by this means be raised from a Dung-hill, and become the most valuable Piece of Furniture in a Prince's Cabinet.
The politest Nations of Europe have endeavoured to vie with one another for the Reputation of the finest Printing: Absolute Governments, as well as Republicks, have encouraged an Art which seems to be the noblest and most beneficial that was ever invented among the Sons of Men. The present King of
France
, in his Pursuits after Glory, has particularly distinguished himself by the promoting of this useful Art, insomuch that several Books have been printed in the
Louvre
at his own Expence, upon which he sets so great a value, that he considers them as the noblest Presents he can make to foreign Princes and Ambassadors. If we look into the Commonwealths of
Holland
and
Venice
, we shall find that in this Particular they have made themselves the Envy of the greatest Monarchies.
Elziver
and
Aldus
are more frequently mentioned than any Pensioner of the one or Doge of the other.
The several Presses which are now in
England
, and the great Encouragement which has been given to Learning for some Years last past, has made our own Nation as glorious upon this Account, as for its late Triumphs and Conquests. The new
Edition
which is given us of
Cæsar's
Commentaries, has already been taken notice of in foreign Gazettes, and is a Work that does honour to the
English
Press
1
. It is no wonder that an Edition should be very correct, which has passed thro' the Hands of one of the most accurate, learned and judicious Writers this Age has produced. The Beauty of the Paper, of the Character, and of the several Cuts with which this noble Work is illustrated, makes it the finest Book that I have ever seen; and is a true Instance of the English Genius, which, tho' it does not come the first into any Art, generally carries it to greater Heights than any other Country in the World. I am particularly glad that this Author comes from a
British
Printing-house in so great a Magnificence, as he is the first who has given us any tolerable Account of our Country.
My Illiterate Readers, if any such there are, will be surprized to hear me talk of Learning as the Glory of a Nation, and of Printing as an Art that gains a Reputation to a People among whom it flourishes. When Men's Thoughts are taken up with Avarice and Ambition, they cannot look upon any thing as great or valuable, which does not bring with it an extraordinary Power or Interest to the Person who is concerned in it. But as I shall never sink this Paper so far as to engage with Goths and Vandals, I shall only regard such kind of Reasoners with that Pity which is due to so Deplorable a Degree of Stupidity and Ignorance.
L.
Footnote 1:
Just published, 1712, by Dr. Samuel Clarke, then 37 years old. He had been for 12 years chaplain to the Bishop of Norwich, and Boyle Lecturer in 1704-5, when he took for his subject the
Being and Attributes of God and the Evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion
. He had also translated Newton's
Optics
, and was become chaplain to the Queen, Rector of St. Jamess, Westminster, and D. D. of Cambridge. The accusations of heterodoxy that followed him through his after life date from this year, 1712, in which, besides the edition of
Cæsar
, he published a book on the
Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity
.
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Contents