cries.For thee the East breath'd out a prosperous Breeze,Bright were the Suns, and gently swell'd the Seas.Thy Presence did each doubtful Heart compose,And Factions wonder'd that they once were Foes;That joyful Day they lost each Hostile Name,The same their Aspect, and their Voice the same.So two fair Twins, whose Features were design'dAt one soft Moment in the Mother's Mind,Show each the other with reflected Grace,And the same Beauties bloom in either Face;The puzzled Strangers which is which enquire,Delusion grateful to the smilingSire.From that fair Hill, where hoary Sages boastTo name the Stars, and count the heavenly Host,By the next Dawn doth great
Augusta
rise,Proud Town! the noblest Scene beneath the Skies.O'er
Thames
her thousand Spires their Lustre shed,And a vast Navy hides his ample Bed,A floating Forest. From the distant StrandA Line of Golden Carrs strikes o'er the Land
:
Britannia's
Peers in Pomp and rich Array,Before their King, triumphant, lead the Way.Far as the Eye can reach, the gawdy Train,A bright Procession, shines along the Plain.So haply through the Heav'n's wide pathless WaysACometdraws a long-extended Blaze;From East to Westburns through2th' ethereal Frame,And half Heav'n's Convex glitters with the Flame.Now to the Regal Towers securely brought,He plans
Britannia's
Glories in his Thought;Resumes the delegated Pow'r he gave,Rewards the Faithful and restores the Brave.Whom shall the Muse from out the shining ThrongSelect to heighten and adorn her Song?Thee,
Halifax.
To thy capacious Mind,O Man approved, is
Britain's
Wealth consigned.Her Coin (while
Nassau
fought) debas'd and rude,By Thee in Beauty and in Truth renew'd,An Arduous Work! again thy Charge we see,And thy own Care once more returns to Thee.O! form'd in every Scene to awe and please,Mix Wit with Pomp, and Dignity with Ease:Tho' call'd to shine aloft, thou wilt not scornTo smile on Arts thy self did once adorn:For this thy Name succeeding Time shall praise,And envy less thy Garter, than thy Bays.The Muse, if fir'd with thy enlivening Beams,Perhaps shall aim at more exalted Themes,Record our Monarch in a nobler Strain,And sing the opening Wonders of his Reign;Bright
Carolina
'
s heavenly Beauties trace,Her valiant
Consort
,
and his blooming Race.A Train of Kings their fruitful Love supplies,A glorious Scene to
Albion'
s ravish'd Eyes;Who sees by
Brunswick
'
s Hand her Sceptre sway'd,And through his Line from Age to Age convey'd.
Footnote 1:
artless Muse the
return
Footnote 2:
he burns
return
ContentsContents, p. 8
—postquam se lumine puroImplevit, stellasque vagas miratur et AstraFixa Polis, vidit quanta sub nocte jaceretNostra dies, risitque sui ludibria—Lucan.translation
The following Letter having in it some Observations out of the common Road, I shall make it the Entertainment of this Day.
Mr.SPECTATOR,'The common Topicks against the Pride of Man which are laboured by florid and declamatory Writers, are taken from the Baseness of his Original, the Imperfections of his Nature, or the short Duration of those Goods in which he makes his Boast. Though it be true that we can have nothing in us that ought to raise our Vanity, yet a Consciousness of our own Merit may be sometimes laudable. The Folly therefore lyes here: We are apt to pride our selves in worthless, or perhaps shameful Things; and, on the other hand, count that disgraceful which is our truest Glory.'Hence it is, that the Lovers of Praise take wrong Measures to attain it. Would a vain Man consult his own Heart, he would find that if others knew his Weaknesses as well as he himself doth, he could not have the Impudence to expect the publick Esteem. Pride therefore flows from want of Reflection, and Ignorance of our selves. Knowledge and Humility come upon us together.'The proper way to make an Estimate of our selves, is to consider seriously what it is we value or despise in others. A Man who boasts of the Goods of Fortune, a gay Dress or a new Title, is generally the Mark of Ridicule. We ought therefore not to admire in our selves, what we are so ready to laugh at in other Men.'Much less can we with Reason pride our selves in those things, which at some time of our Life we shall certainly despise. And yet, if we will give our selves the Trouble of looking backward and forward on the several Changes, which we have already undergone and hereafter must try, we shall find that the greater Degrees of our Knowledge and Wisdom, serve only to shew us our own Imperfections.'As we rise from Childhood to Youth, we look with Contempt on the Toys and Trifles which our Hearts have hitherto been set upon. When, we advance to Manhood, we are held wise in proportion to our Shame and Regret for the Rashness and Extravagance of Youth. Old Age fills us with mortifying Reflections upon a Life, mis-spent in the Pursuit of anxious Wealth or uncertain Honour. Agreeable to this Gradation of Thought in this Life, it may be reasonably supposed, that in a future State, the Wisdom, the Experience, and the Maxims of old Age, will be looked upon by a separate Spirit in much the same Light, as an ancient Man now sees the little Follies and Toyings of Infants. The Pomps, the Honours, the Policies, and Arts of mortal Men, will be thought as trifling as Hobby-Horses, Mock Battles, or any other Sports that now employ all the Cunning, and Strength, and Ambition of rational Beings from four Years old to nine or ten.'If the Notion of a gradual Rise in Beings, from the meanest to the most High, be not a vain Imagination, it is not improbable that an Angel looks down upon a Man, as a Man doth upon a Creature which approaches the nearest to the rational Nature. By the same Rule (if I may indulge my Fancy in this Particular) a superior Brute looks with a kind of Pride on one of an inferior Species. If they could reflect, we might imagine from the Gestures of some of them, that they think themselves the Sovereigns of the World, and that all things were made for them. Such a Thought would not be more absurd in Brute Creatures, than one which Men are apt to entertain, namely, That all the Stars in the Firmament were created only to please their Eyes and amuse their Imaginations. Mr.Dryden, in his Fable of theCock and the Fox, makes a Speech for his Hero the Cock, which is a pretty Instance for this Purpose,Then turning, said toPartlet,See, my Dear,How lavish Nature hath adorn'd the Year;How the pale Primrose and the Violet spring,And Birds essay their Throats, disus'd to sing:All these are ours, and I with Pleasure seeMan strutting on two Legs, and aping me.'What I would observe from the Whole is this, That we ought to value our selves upon those Things only which superior Beings think valuable, since that is the only way for us not to sink in our own Esteem hereafter.
Then turning, said toPartlet,See, my Dear,How lavish Nature hath adorn'd the Year;How the pale Primrose and the Violet spring,And Birds essay their Throats, disus'd to sing:All these are ours, and I with Pleasure seeMan strutting on two Legs, and aping me.
ContentsContents, p. 8
—Fallentis Semita Vitæ.Hor.translationMr.SPECTATOR,'In a former Speculation you have observed, that true Greatness doth not consist in that Pomp and Noise wherein the Generality of Mankind are apt to place it. You have there taken Notice, that Virtue in Obscurity often appears more illustrious in the Eye of superior Beings, than all that passes for Grandeur and Magnificence among Men.When we look back upon the History of those who have born the Parts of Kings, Statesmen, or Commanders, they appear to us stripped of those out-side Ornaments that dazzled their Contemporaries; and we regard their Persons as great or little, in Proportion to the Eminence of their Virtues or Vices. The wise Sayings, generous Sentiments, or disinterested Conduct of a Philosopher under mean Circumstances of Life, set him higher in our Esteem than the mighty Potentates of the Earth, when we view them both through the long Prospect of many Ages. Were the Memoirs of an obscure Man, who lived up to the Dignity of his Nature, and according to the Rules of Virtue, to be laid before us, we should find nothing in such a Character which might not set him on a Level with Men of the highest Stations. The following Extract out of the private Papers of an honest Country-Gentleman will set this Matter in a clear Light. Your Reader will perhaps conceive a greater Idea of him from these Actions done in Secret, and without a Witness, than of those which have drawn upon them the Admiration of Multitudes.Memoirs."In my 22d Year I found a violent Affection for my CousinCharles'sWife growing upon me, wherein I was in danger of succeeding, if I had not upon that Account begun my Travels into foreign Countries."A little after my Return intoEngland, at a private Meeting with my UncleFrancis, I refused the Offer of his Estate, and prevailed upon him not to disinherit his SonNed."Mem.Never to tell this toNed, lest he should think hardly of his deceased Father; though he continues to speak ill of me for this very Reason."Prevented a scandalous Law-suit betwixt my NephewHarryand his Mother, by allowing her under-hand, out of my own Pocket, so much Money yearly as the Dispute was about."Procured a Benefice for a young Divine, who is Sister's Son to the good Man who was my Tutor, and hath been dead Twenty Years."Gave Ten Pounds to poor Mrs.—, my FriendH—'s Widow."Mem.To retrench one Dish at my Table, till I have fetched it up again."Mem.To repair my House and finish my Gardens in order to employ poor People after Harvest time."OrderedJohnto let out Goodman D—'s Sheep that were pounded, by Night: but not to let his Fellow-Servants know it."Prevailed uponM. T.Esq., not to take the Law of the Farmer's Son for shooting a Partridge, and to give him his Gun again."Paid the Apothecary for curing an old Woman that confessed her self a Witch."Gave away my favourite Dog for biting a Beggar."Made the Minister of the Parish and aWhigJustice of one Mind, by putting them upon explaining their Notions to one another."Mem, To turn offPeterfor shooting a Doe while she was eating Acorns out of his Hand."When my NeighbourJohn, who hath often injured me, comes to make his Request to Morrow:"Mem.I have forgiven him."Laid up my Chariot and sold my Horses, to relieve the Poor in a Scarcity of Corn."In the same Year remitted to my Tenants a Fifth Part of their Rents."As I was airing to-day, I fell into a Thought that warmed my Heart, and shall, I hope, be the better for it as long as I live."Mem.To charge my Son in private to erect no Monument for me; but not to put this in my last Will.
Memoirs."In my 22d Year I found a violent Affection for my CousinCharles'sWife growing upon me, wherein I was in danger of succeeding, if I had not upon that Account begun my Travels into foreign Countries."A little after my Return intoEngland, at a private Meeting with my UncleFrancis, I refused the Offer of his Estate, and prevailed upon him not to disinherit his SonNed."Mem.Never to tell this toNed, lest he should think hardly of his deceased Father; though he continues to speak ill of me for this very Reason."Prevented a scandalous Law-suit betwixt my NephewHarryand his Mother, by allowing her under-hand, out of my own Pocket, so much Money yearly as the Dispute was about."Procured a Benefice for a young Divine, who is Sister's Son to the good Man who was my Tutor, and hath been dead Twenty Years."Gave Ten Pounds to poor Mrs.—, my FriendH—'s Widow."Mem.To retrench one Dish at my Table, till I have fetched it up again."Mem.To repair my House and finish my Gardens in order to employ poor People after Harvest time."OrderedJohnto let out Goodman D—'s Sheep that were pounded, by Night: but not to let his Fellow-Servants know it."Prevailed uponM. T.Esq., not to take the Law of the Farmer's Son for shooting a Partridge, and to give him his Gun again."Paid the Apothecary for curing an old Woman that confessed her self a Witch."Gave away my favourite Dog for biting a Beggar."Made the Minister of the Parish and aWhigJustice of one Mind, by putting them upon explaining their Notions to one another."Mem, To turn offPeterfor shooting a Doe while she was eating Acorns out of his Hand."When my NeighbourJohn, who hath often injured me, comes to make his Request to Morrow:"Mem.I have forgiven him."Laid up my Chariot and sold my Horses, to relieve the Poor in a Scarcity of Corn."In the same Year remitted to my Tenants a Fifth Part of their Rents."As I was airing to-day, I fell into a Thought that warmed my Heart, and shall, I hope, be the better for it as long as I live."Mem.To charge my Son in private to erect no Monument for me; but not to put this in my last Will.
ContentsContents, p. 8
Sed mihi vel tellus optem prius ima dehiscat,Vel pater omnipotens adigat me fulmine ad umbras,Pallentes umbras Erebi noctemque profundam,Ante, pudor, quam te violem aut tua jura resolvam.Ille meos, primos qui me sibi junxit, amoresAbstulit: ille habeat secum, servetque sepulchro.Virg.translation
I
am
obliged to my Friend, the
Love-Casuist
2
, for the following Curious Piece of Antiquity, which I shall communicate to the Publick in his own Words.
Mr.SPECTATOR,'You may remember, that I lately transmitted to you an Account of an ancient Custom, in the Manors of EastandWest-Enborne,in the County ofBerks,and elsewhere. If a Customary Tenant die, the Widow shall have what the Law calls herFree-Benchin all his Copyhold Lands, dum sola et casta fuerit,that is, while she lives single and chaste;but if she commits Incontinency, she forfeits her Estate; Yet if she will come into the Court riding backward upon a Black Ram, with his Tail in her Hand, and say the Words following, the Steward is bound by the Custom to re-admit her to herFree-Bench.Here I am,Riding upon a Black Ram,Like a Whore as I am;And, for myCrincum Crancum,Have lost myBincum Bancum;And, for my Tail's Game,Have done this worldly Shame;Therefore, I pray you Mr. Steward, let me have my Land again.'After having informed you that my LordCokeobserves, that this is the most frail and slippery Tenure of any inEngland, I shall tell you, since the Writing of that Letter, I have, according to my Promise, been at great Pains in searching out the Records of theBlack Ram; and have at last met with the Proceedings of the Court-Baron, held in that Behalf, for the Space of a whole Day. The Record saith, that a strict Inquisition having been made into the Right of the Tenants to their several Estates, by a crafty old Steward, he found that many of the Lands of the Manor were, by default of the several Widows, forfeited to the Lord, and accordingly would have enter'd on the Premises: Upon which the good Women demanded the Benefit of the Ram. TheSteward, after having perused their several Pleas, adjourn'd the Court toBarnaby-bright3, that they might have Day enough before them.'The Court being set, and filled with a great Concourse of People, who came from all Parts to see the Solemnity, the first who entered was the WidowFrontly, who had made her Appearance in the last Year's Cavalcade. The Register observes, that finding it an easy Pad-Ram, and foreseeing she might have further Occasion for it, she purchased it of the Steward.'Mrs.Sarah Dainty, Relict of Mr.John Dainty, (who was the greatest Prude in the Parish) came next in the Procession. She at first made some Difficulty of taking the Tail in her Hand; and was observed in pronouncing the Form of Penance, to soften the two most emphatical Words intoClincum Clancum: But the Steward took care to make her speak plainEnglishbefore he wouldlet her have her Land again.'The third Widow that wasbrought to this worldly Shame, being mounted upon a vicious Ram, had the Misfortune to be thrown by him; upon which she hoped to be excused from going thro' the rest of the Ceremony: But the Steward being well versed in the Law, observed very wisely upon this Occasion, that the breaking of the Rope does not hinder the Execution of the Criminal.'The fourth Lady upon Record was the WidowOgle, a famous Coquette, who had kept half a Score young Fellows off and on for the Space of two Years; but having been more kind to her CarterJohn, she was introduced with the Huzza's of all her Lovers about her.'Mrs.Sableappearing in her Weeds, which were very new and fresh, and of the same Colour with her whimsicalPalfrey, made a very decent Figure in the Solemnity.'Another, who had been summoned to make her Appearance, was excused by the Steward, as well knowing in his Heart, that the good Squire himself had qualified her for the Ram.'Mrs.Quickhaving nothing to object against the Indictment, pleaded her Belly. But it was remembred that she made the same Excuse the Year before. Upon which the Steward observ'd, that she might so contrive it, as never to do the Service of the Manor.'The WidowFidgetbeing cited into Court, insisted that she had done no more since the Death of her Husband, than what she used to do in his Life-time; and withal deSir'd Mr. Steward to consider his own Wife's Case, if he should chance to die before her.'The next in order was a Dowager of a very corpulent Make, who would have been excused as not finding any Ram that was able to carry her; upon which the Steward commuted her Punishment, and ordered her to make her Entry upon a black Ox.'The WidowMaskwell, a Woman who had long lived with a most unblemished Character, having turned off her old Chamber-maid in a Pet, was by that revengeful Creature brought in upon the black Ram Nine times the same Day.'Several Widows of the Neighbourhood, being brought upon their Tryal, they shewed that they did not hold of the Manor, and were discharged accordingly.'A pretty young Creature who closed the Procession, came ambling in, with so bewitching an Air, that the Steward was observ'd to cast a Sheep's Eye upon her, and married her within a Month after the Death of his Wife.'N. B.Mrs.Touchwoodappeared, according to Summons, but had nothing laid to her Charge; having liv'd irreproachably since the Decease of her Husband, who left her a Widow in the Sixty-ninth Year of her Age.'I am,Sir, &c.
Here I am,Riding upon a Black Ram,Like a Whore as I am;And, for myCrincum Crancum,Have lost myBincum Bancum;And, for my Tail's Game,Have done this worldly Shame;Therefore, I pray you Mr. Steward, let me have my Land again.
Footnote 1:
See
note
to
No. 608
.
return to footnote mark
Footnote 2:
See Nos.
591
,
602
,
605
,
614
, and
625
.
return
Footnote 3:
Then the 11th, now the 22nd of June, longest day of the year.
return
ContentsContents, p. 8
Audire, atque togam jubeo componere, quisquisAmbitione mala, aut argenti pallet amoreQuisquis luxuria—Hor.translation
Mankind is divided into two Parts, the Busie and the Idle. The Busie World may be divided into the Virtuous and the Vicious. The Vicious again into the Covetous, the Ambitious, and the Sensual. The idle Part of Mankind are in a State inferior to any one of these. All the other are engaged in the Pursuit of Happiness, though often misplaced, and are therefore more likely to be attentive to such Means, as shall be proposed to them for that End. The Idle, who are neither wise for this World, nor the next, are emphatically called by
Dr. Tillotson, Fools at large
. They propose to themselves no End, but run adrift with every Wind. Advice therefore would be but thrown away upon them, since they would scarce take the Pains to read it. I shall not fatigue any of this worthless Tribe with a long Harangue; but will leave them with this short Saying of
Plato
, that
Labour is preferable to Idleness, as Brightness to Rust.
The Pursuits of the Active Part of Mankind, are either in the Paths of Religion and Virtue; or, on the other Hand, in the Roads to Wealth, Honours or Pleasure. I shall therefore compare the Pursuits of Avarice, Ambition and sensual Delight, with their opposite Virtues; and shall consider which of these Principles engages Men in a Course of the greatest Labour, Suffering and Assiduity. Most Men, in their cool Reasonings, are willing to allow that a Course of Virtue will in the End be rewarded the most amply; but represent the Way to it as rugged and narrow. If therefore it can be made appear, that Men struggle through as many Troubles to be miserable, as they do to be happy, my Readers may perhaps be perswaded to be Good, when they find they shall lose nothing by it.
First
, for Avarice. The Miser is more Industrious than the Saint: The Pains of getting, the Fears of losing, and the Inability of enjoying his Wealth, have been the Mark of Satyr in all Ages. Were his Repentance upon his Neglect of a good Bargain, his Sorrow for being over-reached, his Hope of improving a Sum, and his Fear of falling into Want, directed to their proper Objects; they would make so many different
Christian
Graces and Virtues. He may apply to himself a great Part of St.
Paul's
Catalogue of Sufferings.
In journeying often; in Perils of Water, in Perils of Robbers, in Perils among false Brethren. In Weariness and Painfulness, in Watchings often, in Hunger and Thirst, in Fastings often,
—At how much less Expence might he
lay up to himself Treasures in Heaven
; or if I may, in this Place, be allowed to add the Saying of a great Philosopher, he may
provide such Possessions, as fear neither Arms, nor Men, nor
Jove
himself.
In the second Place, if we look upon the Toils of Ambition, in the same Light as we have considered those of Avarice, we shall readily own that far less Trouble is requisite to gain lasting Glory, than the Power and Reputation of a few Years; or, in other Words, we may with more Ease deserve Honour, than obtain it. The Ambitious Man should remember Cardinal
Woolsey's
Complaint.
'Had I served God, with the same Application, wherewith I served my King, he would not have forsaken me in my old Age.'
The Cardinal here softens his Ambition by the specious Pretence of
serving his King
: Whereas his Words in the proper Construction, imply, that if instead of being acted by Ambition, he had been acted by Religion, he should have now felt the Comforts of it, when the whole World turned its Back upon him.
Thirdly
, Let us compare the Pains of the Sensual, with those of the Virtuous, and see which are heavier in the Balance. It may seem strange, at the first View, that the Men of Pleasure should be advised to change their Course, because they lead a painful Life. Yet when we see them so active and vigilant in quest of Delight; under so many Disquiets, and the Sport of such various Passions; let them answer, as they can, if the Pains they undergo, do not outweigh their Enjoyments. The Infidelities on the one Part between the two Sexes, and the Caprices on the other, the Debasement of Reason, the Pangs of Expectation, the Disappointments in Possession, the Stings of Remorse, the Vanities and Vexations attending even the most refined Delights that make up this Business of Life, render it so silly and uncomfortable, that no Man is thought wise till he hath got over it, or happy, but in proportion as he hath cleared himself from it.
The Sum of all is this. Man is made an active Being. Whether he walks in the Paths of Virtue or Vice, he is sure to meet with many Difficulties to prove his Patience, and excite his Industry. The same if not greater Labour, is required in the Service of Vice and Folly, as of Virtue and Wisdom: And he hath this easie Choice left him, whether with the Strength he is Master of, he will purchase Happiness or Repentance.
ContentsContents, p. 8
—amoresA tenero meditatur Ungui—Hor.translation
The
Love Casuist
hath referred to me the following Letter of Queries, with his Answers to each Question, for my Approbation. I have accordingly consider'd the several Matters therein contained, and hereby confirm and ratifie his Answers, and require the gentle Querist to conform her self thereunto.
Sir,'I was Thirteen the Ninth of November last, and must now begin to think of settling my self in the World, and so I would humbly beg your Advice, what I must do with Mr.Fondle, who makes his Addresses to me. He is a very pretty Man, and hath the blackest Eyes and whitest Teeth you ever saw. Though he is but a younger Brother, he dresses like a Man of Quality, and no Body comes into a Room like him. I know he hath refused great Offers, and if he cannot Marry me, he will never have any Body else. But my Father hath forbid him the House, because he sent me a Copy of Verses; for he is one of the greatest Wits in Town. My eldest Sister, who, with her good Will, would call meMissas long as I live, must be married before me, they say. She tells them, that Mr.Fondlemakes a Fool of me, and will spoil the Child, as she calls me, like a confident thing as she is. In short, I am resolved to marry Mr.Fondle, if it be but to spite her. But because I would do nothing that is imprudent, I beg of you to give me your Answers to some Questions I will write down, and deSire you to get them printed in the SPECTATOR, and I do not doubt but you will give such Advice, as, I am sure, I shall follow.'When Mr.Fondlelooks upon me for half an Hour together, and calls meAngel, is he not in Love?Answer, No.'May not I be certain he will be a kind Husband, that has promised me half my Portion in Pin-money, and to keep me a Coach and Six in the Bargain.No.'Whether I, who have been acquainted with him this whole Year almost, am not a better Judge of his Merit, than my Father and Mother, who never heard him talk, but at Table?No.'Whether I am not old enough to chuse for my self?No.'Whether it would not have been rude in me to refuse a Lock of his Hair?No.'Shou'd not I be a very barbarous Creature, if I did not pity a Man that is always Sighing for my Sake?No.'Whether you would not advise me to run away with the poor Man?No.'Whether you do not think, that if I won't have him, he won't drown himself?No.What shall I say to him the next time he asks me if I will marry him?No.
The following Letter requires neither Introduction, nor Answer.
Mr.SPECTATOR,I wonder that in the present Situation of Affairs, you can take Pleasure in writing any thing but News; for, in a Word, who minds any thing else? The Pleasure of increasing in Knowledge, and learning something new every Hour of Life, is the noblest Entertainment of a Rational Creature. I have a very good Ear for a Secret, and am naturally of a communicative Temper; by which Means I am capable of doing you great Services in this way. In order to make my self useful, I am early in the Antichamber, where I thrust my Head into the thick of the Press, and catch the News, at the opening of the Door, while it is warm. Sometimes I stand by the Beef-Eaters, and take the Buz as it passes by me. At other times I lay my Ear close to the Wall, and suck in many a valuable Whisper, as it runs in a streight Line from Corner to Corner. When I am weary with standing, I repair to one of the neighbouring Coffee-houses, where I sit sometimes for a whole Day, and have the News as it comes from Court fresh and fresh. In short,Sir, I spare no Pains to know how the World goes. A Piece of News loses its Flavour when it hath been an Hour in the Air. I love, if I may so speak, to have it fresh from the Tree; and to convey it to my Friends before it is faded. Accordingly my Expences in Coach-hire make no small Article; which you may believe, when I assure you, that I post away from Coffee-house to Coffee-house, and forestall theEvening-Postby two Hours. There is a certain Gentleman who hath given me the slip twice or thrice, and hath been beforehand with me atChild's.But I have play'd him a Trick. I have purchas'd a pair of the best Coach-horses I could buy for Money, and now let him out-strip me if he can. Once more, Mr. SPECTATOR, let me advise you to deal in News. You may depend upon my Assistance. But I must break off abruptly, for I have twenty Letters to write.Yours in haste,Tho. Quid-nunc.
ContentsContents, p. 8