at the Old-Devil at Temple-bar, as a place sacred to mirth tempered with discretion, where Ben Jonson and his sons used to make their liberal meetings. Here the chief of the Staffian race appeared; and as soon as the company were come into that ample room, Lepidus Wagstaff began to make me compliments for choosing that place, and fell into a discourse upon the subject of pleasure and entertainment, drawn from the rules of Ben's club, which are in gold letters over the chimney. Lepidus has a way very uncommon, and speaks on subjects on which any man else would certainly offend, with great dexterity. He gave us a large account of the public meet

no regard to be had to what a man says, who can fall into so indecent a rage, and such an abject submission, in the same moment, for which I absolutely despise you." Upon which she rushed out of the room. Sir Harry staid some minutes behind, to think and command himself; after which he followed her into her bed-chamber, where she was prostrate upon the bed, tearing her hair, and naming twenty coxcombs who would have used her otherwise. This provoked him to so high a degree, that he forbore nothing but beating her; and all the servants in the family were at their several stations listening, whilst the best man and woman, the best master and mistress, defamed each other in a way that is not to be repeatedings of all the well-turned minds who had even at Billinsgate. You know this ended in an immediate separation: she longs to return home, but knows not how to do it: he invites her home every day, and lies with every woman he can get. Her husband requires no submission of her; but she thinks her very return will argue she is to blame, which she is resolved to be for ever, rather than acknowledge it. Thus, dear Jenny, my great advice to you is, be guarded against giving or receiving little provocations. Great matters of offence I have no reason to fear either from you or your husband.'

After this, we turned our discourse into a more gay style, and parted: but before we did so, I made her resign her snuff-box for ever, and half drown herself with washing away the stench of the musty.

But the wedding morning arrived, and our family being very numerous, there was no avoiding the inconvenience of making the ceremony and festival more public, than the modern way of celebrating them makes me approve of. The bride next morning came out of her chamber, dressed with all the art and care that Mrs. Toilet, the tire-woman, could bestow on her. She was on her wedding-day three-aud-twenty; her person is far from what we call a regular beauty; but a certain sweetness in her countenance, an ease in her shape and motion, with an unaffected modesty in her looks, had attractions beyond what symmetry and exactness can inspire, without the addition of these endowments. When her lover entered the room, her features flushed with shame and joy; and the ingenuous manner, so full of passion and of awe, with which Tranquillus approached to salute her, gave me good omens of his future behaviour towards her. The wedding was wholly under my care. After the ceremony at church, I was resolved to entertain the company with a dinner suitable to the occasion, and pitched upon the Apollo,

A large room at the Devil Tavern still bears this name, and the rules of Ben's club are still in gold letters over the chimney.

passed through this life in ages past, and closed
his pleasing narrative with a discourse on mar-
riage, and a repetition of the following verses
out of Milton.+

Hail, wedded love! mysterious law! true source
Of human offspring, sole propriety

In paradise, of all things common else.
By thee adulterous lust was driven from men
Among the bestial herds to range; by thee,
Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure,
Relations dear, and all the charities

Of father, son, and brother, first were known.
Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets,
Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced,
Present or past, as saints or patriarchs used.
Here Love his golden shafts employs; here lights
His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings:
Reigns here, and revels not in the bought smile
Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendeared,
Casual fruition; nor in court amours,

Mixed dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball,
Or serenade, which the starved lover sings
To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.'

In these verses, all the images that can come into a young woman's head on such an occasion are raised; but that in so chaste and elegant a manner, that the bride thanked him for his agreeable talk, ond we sat down to dinner.

Among the rest of the company, there was got in a fellow you call a Wag. This ingenious person is the usual life of all feasts and merriments, by speaking absurdities, and putting every body of breeding and modesty out of countenance. As soon as we sat down, he drank to the bride's diversion that night; and then made twenty double meanings on the word thing. We are the best bred family, for one so numerous, in this kingdom; and indeed we should all of us have been as much out of countenance as the bride, but that we were relieved by an honest rough relation of ours at the lower end of the table, who is a lieutenant of marines. The soldier and sailor had good plain sense, and saw what was wrong as well as another; he had a way of looking at his plate, and speaking aloud in an inward manner; and whenever the Wag mentioned the word thing or the words, that same, the lieutenant in that voice cried, Knock him

+ Paradise Lost, iv. 750.

HONOURED SIR,

October 6.

'I have lately contracted a very honest and undissembled claudication in my left foot, which will be a double affliction to me, if, according to your Tatler of this day, it must pass upon the world for a piece of singularity and affectation. I must, therefore, humbly beg leave to limp along the streets after my own way, or I shall be inevitably ruined in coachhire. As soon as I am tolerably recovered, I promise to walk as upright as a ghost in a tragedy, being Lot of a stature to spare an inch of height that I can any way pretend to. I honour your lucubrations, and am, with the most profound submission, Honoured Sir, Your most dutiful and

6

most obedient servant, &c.*

end of my room, where I placed bim in my
great elbow-chair; at the same time drawing
another without arms to it, for myself to sit by
him. I then asked him, at what time this
misfortune befell him?' He answered, 'between
the hours of seven and eight in the evening.'
I further demanded of him, what he had ate
or drunk that day? he replied, nothing but
a dish of water-gruel with a few plums in it.'
In the next place, I felt his pulse, which was
very low and languishing. These circumstances
confirmed me in an opinion, which I had en-
tertained upon the first reading of his letter,
that the gentleman was far gone in the spleen.
I therefore advised him to rise the next morn-
ing, and plunge into the cold-bath, there to
remain under water until he was almost
drowned. This I ordered him to repeat six
days successively; and on the seventh, to re-
pair at the wonted hour to my lady Haughty's,
and to acquaint me afterwards with what he
shall meet with there; and particularly to tell
me, whether he shall think they stared upon
him so much as the time before. The gentle.
man smiled; and by his way of talking to me,
showed himself a man of excellent sense in all
particulars, unless when a caue-chair, a round
or a joint-stool, were spoken of. He opened
his heart to me at the same time concerning
several other grievances; such as, being over-
looked in public assemblies, having his bows
unanswered, being helped last at table, and
placed at the back part of a coach; with many
other distresses, which have withered his coun-
tenance, and worn him to a skeleton. Finding
him a man of reason, I entered into the bottom
of his distemper. 'Sir,' said I,' there are more
of your constitution in this island of Great
Britain than in any other part of the world;
and I beg the favour of you to tell me, whether
you do not observe, that you meet with most
affronts in rainy days?' He answered candidly,
'that he had long observed, that people were
less saucy in sunshine than in cloudy weather.'
Upon which I told him plainly, his distemper No. 81.] Saturday, October 15. 1709.
was the spleen; and that though the world
was very ill-natured, it was not so bad as he
believed it.' I further assured him, that his
use of the cold-bath, with a course to Steel
which I should prescribe him, would certainly
cure most of his acquaintance of their rude-
ness, ill-behaviour, and impertinence.' My
patient smiled, and promised to observe my
prescriptions, not forgetting to give me an ac-
count of their operation. This distemper being
pretty epidemical, I shall, for the benefit of
mankind, give the public an account of the
progress I make in the cure of it.

Not doubting but the case is as the gentleman represents, I do hereby order Mr. Morphew to deliver him out a licence, upon paying his fees, which shall empower him to wear a cane until the thirteenth of March next; five months being the most I can allow for a sprain,

From my own Apartment, October 12. The author of the following letter behaves himself so ingenuously, that I cannot defer answering him any longer.

St. James's Coffee-house October 12. We received this morning a mail from Holland, which brings advice that the siege of Mons is carried on with so great vigour and bravery, that we hope very suddenly to be masters of the place; all things necessary being prepared for making the assault on the hornwork and ravelin of the attack of Bertamont, the charge began with the fire of bombs and grenadoes, which was so hot, that the enemy quitted their post, and we lodged ourselves on those works without opposition. During this storm, one of our bombs fell into a magazine of the enemy, and blew it up. There are advices, which say the court of France had made new offers of peace to the confederates; but this intelligence wants confirmation.

Hic manus ob patriam pugnando vulnera passi,-
Quique pii vates, et Phœbo digna locuti ;
Inventas ant qui vitam excoluere per artes,
Quique sui memores alios fecere merendo.

Virg. Æn. vi. 660,

Here patriots live, who, for their country's good,
In fighting fields were prodigal of blood;
Here poets worthy their inspiring god,
And of unblemish'd life, make their abode:
And searching wits, of more mechanic parts,
Who grac'd their age with new-invented arts:
Those who to worth their bounty did extend;
And those who knew that bounty to commend.

Dryden.

From my own Apartment, October 14. THERE are two kinds of immortality; that which the soul really enjoys after this life, and that imaginary existence by which men live in their fame and reputation. The best and

greatest actions have proceeded from the pros- | pect of the one or the other of these; but my design is to treat only of those who have chiefly proposed to themselves the latter, as the principal reward of their labours. It was for this reason that I excluded from my Tables of Fame all the great founders and votaries of religion; and it is for this reason also, that I am more than ordinary anxious to do justice to the persons of whom I am now going to speak; for, since fame was the only end of all their enterprises and studies, a man cannot be too scrupulous in allotting them their due proportion of it. It was this consideration which made me call the whole body of the learned to my assistance; to many of whom I must own my obligations for the catalogues of illustrious persons, which they have sent me in upon this occasion. I yesterday employed the whole afternoon in comparing them with each other; which made so strong an impression upon my imagination, that they broke my sleep for the first part of the following night, and at length threw me into a very agreeable vision, which I shall beg leave to describe in all its particulars.

that he thought might be of assistance to him in his march. Several had their swords drawn, some carried rolls of paper in their hands, some had compasses, others quadrants, others telescopes, and others pencils. Some had laurels on their heads, and others buskins on their legs; in short, there was scarce any instrument of a mechanic art, or liberal science, which was not made use of on this occasion. My good dæmon, who stood at my right hand during the course of this whole vision, observing in me a burning desire to join that glorious company, told me, he highly approved that generous ardour with which I seemed transported; but, at the same time, advised me to cover my face with a mask all the while I was to labour on the ascent.' I took his council, without enquiring into his reasons. The whole body now broke into different parties, and began to climb the precipice by ten thousand different paths. Several got into little alleys, which did not reach far up the hill, before they ended, and led no farther; and I observed, that most of the artizans, which considerably diminished our number, fell into these paths.

and lost more ground in a moment than they had gained for many hours, or could be ever able to recover. We were now advanced very high, and observed that all the different paths which ran about the sides of the mountain

We left another considerable body of adI dreamed that I was conveyed into a wide venturers behind us, who thought they had and boundless plain, that was covered with pro-discovered by-ways up the hill, which proved so digious multitudes of people, which no man very intricate and perplexed, that, after hav could number. In the midst of it there stooding advanced in them a little, they were quite a mountain, with its head above the clouds. lost among the several turns and windings; The sides were extremely steep, and of such a and though they were as active as any in their particular structure, that no creature which motions, they made but little progress in the was not made in a human figure could possi- ascent. These, as my guide informed me, were bly ascend it. On a sudden there was heard men of subtle tempers, and puzzled polities,... from the top of it a sound like that of a trum- who would supply the place of real wisdom pet; but so exceeding sweet and harmonious, with cunning and artifice. Among those who that it filled the hearts of those who heard it were far advanced in their way, there were with raptures, and gave such high and delight-some, that by one false step, fell backward, ful sensations, as seemed to animate and raise human nature above itself. This made me very much amazed to find so very few in that innumerable multitude, who had ears fine enough to hear, or relish this music with pleasure: but my wonder abated, when, upon look-began to meet in two great roads; which ing round me, I saw most of them attentive to three syrens, cloathed like goddesses, and distinguished by the names of Sloth, Ignorance, and Pleasure. They were seated on three rocks, amidst a beautiful variety of groves, meadows, and rivulets, that lay on the borders of the mountain. While the base and grovelling multitude of different nations, ranks, and ages were listening to these delusive deities, those of a more erect aspect, and exalted spirit, separated themselves from the rest, and marched in great bodies towards the mountain from whence they heard the sound, which still grew sweeter, the more they listened to it.

On a sudden, methought this select band sprang forward, with a resolution to climb the ascent, and follow the call of that heavenly music. Every one took something with him

insensibly gathered the whole multitude of travellers into two great bodies. At a little distance from the entrance of each road there stood a hideous phantom that opposed our further passage. One of these apparitions had his right hand filled with darts, which he brandished in the face of all who came up that way. Crowds ran back at the appearance of it, and cried out, Death. The spectre that guarded the other road was Envy. She was not armed with weapons of destruction, like the former; but by dreadful hissings, noises of reproach, and a horrid distracted laughter, she appeared more frightful than Death itself, insomuch, that abundance of our company were discouraged from passing any farther, and some appeared ashamed of having come so far. As for myself, I must confess, my heart

of fame, smiled with an ineffable grace at their meeting, and retired.

Julius Cæsar was now coming forward; and, though most of the historians offered their service to introduce him, he left them at the door, and would have no conductor but himself.

The next who advanced, was a man of a homely but cheerful aspect, and attended by persons of greater figure than any that appeared on this occasion. Plato was on his right hand, and Xenophon on his left. He bowed to Homer, and sat down by him. It was expected that Plato would himself have taken a place next to his master, Socrates; but on a sudden there was heard a great clamour of disputants at the door, who appeared with Aristotle at the head of them. That philosopher, with some rude

shrunk within me at the sight of these ghastly appearances; but, on a sudden, the voice of the trumpet came more full upon us, so that we felt a new resolution reviving in us; and in proportion as this resolution grew, the terrors before us seemed to vanish. Most of the company, who had swords in their hands, marched on with great spirit, and an air of defiance, up the road that was commanded by Death; while others, who had thought and contemplation in their looks, went forward in a more composed mauner up the road possessed by Envy. The way above these apparitions grew smooth and uniform, and was so delightful, that the travellers went on with pleasure, and in a little time arrived at the top of the mountain. They here began to breathe a delicious kind of æther, and saw all the fields about them covered with a kind of purple light, that made them reflectness, but great strength of reason, convinced with satisfaction on their past toils; and diffused a secret joy through the whole assembly, which showed itself in every look and feature. In the midst of these happy fields there stood a palace of a very glorious structure. It had four great folding-doors, that faced the four several quarters of the world. On the top of it was enthroned the goddess of the mountain, who smiled upon her votaries, and sounded the silver trumpet which had called them up, and cheered them in their passage to her palace. They had now formed themselves into several divisions; a band of historians taking their stations at each door, according to the persons whom they were to introduce.

the whole table, that a title to the fifth place was his due, and took it accordingly.

He had scarce sat down, when the same beautiful virgin that had introduced Homer, brought in another, who hung back at the entrance, and would have excused himself, had not his modesty been overcome by the invitation of all who sat at the table. His guide and behaviour made me easily conclude it was Virgil. Cicero next appeared and took his place. He had enquired at the door for one Lucceius to introduce him; but, not finding him there, he contented himself with the attendance of many other writers, who all, except Sallust, appeared highly pleased with the office.

We waited some time in expectation of the next worthy, who came in with a great retinue of historians whose names I could not learn, most of them being natives of Carthage. The person thus conducted, who was Hannibal, seemed much disturbed, and could not forbear complaining to the board, of the affronts he had met with among the Roman historians, who attempted,' says he, to carry me into the subterraneous apartment; and, perhaps, would have done it, had it not been for the impartiality of this gentleman,' pointing to Polybius, who was the only person, except my own countrymen, that was willing to conduct me hither.'

On a sudden, the trumpet, which had hitherto sounded only a march, or a point of war, now swelled all its notes into triumph and exultation. The whole fabric shook, and the doors flew open. The first who stepped forward was a beautiful and blooming hero, and, as I heard by the murmurs round me, Alexander the Great. He was conducted by a crowd of historians. The person who immediately walked before him, was remarkable for an embroidered garment, who, not being well acquainted with the place, was conducting him to an apartment appointed for the reception of fabulous heroes. The name of this false guide was Quintus Curtius. But Arrian and Plutarch, who knew better the avenues of this palace, conducted him into the great hall, and placed him at the The Carthaginian took his seat, and Pompey upper end of the first table. My good dæmon, entered with great dignity in his own person, that I might see the whole ceremony, conveyed and preceded by several historians. Lucan the me to a corner of this room, where I might poet was at the head of them, who, observing perceive all that passed, without being seen Homer and Virgil at the table, was going to myself. The next who entered was a charming sit down himself, had not the latter whispered virgin, leading in a venerable old man that was him, that whatever pretence he might otherblind. Under ber left arm she bore a harp, wise have had, be forfeited his claim to it, by and on her head a garland. Alexander, who coming in as one of the historians. Lucan was very well acquainted with Homer, stood was so exasperated with the repulse, that he up at his entrance, and placed him on his right muttered something to himself; and was heard hand. The virgin, who it seems was one of to say, that since he could not have a seat the nine sisters that attended on the goddess I among them himself, he would bring in one