Page images
PDF
EPUB

counded him; for the following passage had its present and personal, as well as its future and prophetic sense. 'I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth. My flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life. In thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.' C.

No. 472.] Monday, September 1, 1712.

-Voluptas

Solamenque malio

Virg. Æn. iii. 660. This only solace his hard fortune sends.-Dryden. I RECEIVED Some time ago a proposal, which had a preface to it, wherein the author discoursed at large of the innumerable objects of charity in a nation, and admonished the rich, who were afflicted with any distemper of body, particularly to regard the poor in the same species of affliction, and confine their tenderness to them, since it is impossible to assist all who are presented to them. The proposer had been relieved from a malady in his eyes by an operation performed by Sir William Read, and, being a man of condition, had taken a resolution to maintain three poor blind men during their lives, in gratitude for that great blessing. This misfortune is so very great and unfrequent, that one would think an establishment for all the poor under it, might be easily accomplished, with the addition of a very few others to those wealthy who are in the same calamity. However, the thought of the proposer arose from a very good motive; and the parcelling of ourselves out, as called to particular acts of beneficence, would be a pretty cement of society and virtue. It is the ordinary foundation for men's holding a commerce with each other, and becoming familiar, that they agree in the same sort of pleasure; and sure it may also be some reason for amity, that they are under one common distress. If all the rich who are lame with the gout, from a life of ease, pleasure, and luxury, would help those few who have it without a previous life of pleasure, and add a few of such laborious men, who are become lame from unhappy blows, falls, or other accidents of age or sickness; I say, would such gouty persons administer to the necessities of men disabled like themselves, the consciousness of such a behaviour would be the best julep, cordial, and anodyne, in the feverish, faint, and tormenting vicissitudes of that miserable distemper. The same may be said of all other, both bodily and intellectual evils. These classes of charity would certainly bring down blessings upon an age and people; and if men

were not petrified with the love of this world, against all sense of the commerce which ought to be among them, it would not be an unreasonable bill for a poor man in the agony of pain, aggravated by want and poverty, to draw upon a sick alderman after this form:

'MR. BASIL PLENTY,-Sir, you have the gout and stone, with sixty thousand pounds sterling; I have the gout and stone, not worth one farthing; I shall pray for you, and desire you would pay the bearer twenty shillings, for value received from, sir, your humble servant,

'LAZARUS HOPEFUL. 'Cripplegate, August 29, 1712.'

The reader's own imagination will suggest to him the reasonableness of such correspondences, and diversify them into a thousand forms; but I shall close this as I began upon the subject of blindness. The following letter seems to be written by a man of learning, who is returned to his study, after a suspense of ability to do so. The benefit he reports himself to have received, may well claim the handsomest encomium he can give the operator.

'MR. SPECTATOR,-Ruminating lately on your admirable discourses on the Pleasures of the Imagination, I began to consider to which of our senses we are obliged for the greatest and most important share of those pleasures; and I soon concluded that it was to the sight. That is the sovereign of the senses, and mother of all the arts and sciences, that have refined the rudeness of the uncultivated mind to a politeness that distinguishes the fine spirits from the barbarous gout of the great vulgar and the small. The sight is the obliging benefactress that bestows on us the most transporting sensations that we have from the various and wonderful products of nature. To the sight we owe the amazing discoveries of the height, magnitude, and motion of the planets, their several revolutions about their common centre of light, heat and motion, the sun. The sight travels yet farther to the fixed stars, and furnishes the understanding with solid reasons to prove, that each of them is a sun, moving on its own axis, in the centre of its own vortex, or turbillion, and performing the same offices to its dependant planets that our glorious sun does to this. But the inquiries of the sight will not be stopped here, but make their progress through the immense expanse to the Milky Way, and there divide the blended fires of the galaxy into infinite and different worlds, made up of distinct suns, and their peculiar equipage of planets, till, unable to pursue this track any farther, it deputes the imagination to go on to new discoveries, till it fill the unboundless space with endless worlds.

[ocr errors]

The sight informs the statuary's chisel

with power to give breath to lifeless brass and marble, and the painter's pencil to swell the flat canvass with moving figures actuated by imaginary souls. Music indeed may plead another original, since Jubal, by the different falls of his hammer on the anvil, discovered by the ear the first rude music that pleased the antediluvian fathers; but then the sight has not only reduced those wilder sounds into artful order and harmony, but conveys that harmony to the most distant parts of the world without the help of sound. To the sight we owe not only all the discoveries of philosophy, but all the divine imagery of poetry that transports the intelligent reader of Homer, Milton, and Virgil.

As the sight has polished the world, so does it supply us with the most grateful and lasting pleasure. Let love, let friendship, paternal affection, filial piety, and conjugal duty, declare the joys the sight bestows on a meeting after absence. But it would be endless to enumerate all the pleasures and advantages of sight; every one that has it, every hour he makes use of it, finds them, feels them, enjoys them.

"Again, in Samson Agonistes:

[graphic]

The enjoyment of sight then being so great a blessing, and the loss of it so territhe skill of that artist which can restore ble an evil, how excellent and valuable is the former, and redress the latter! My frequent perusal of the advertisements in the public newspapers (generally the most agreeable entertainment they afford,) has presented me with many and various benefits of this kind done to my countrymen by that skilful artist, Dr. Grant, her majesty's oculist extraordinary, whose happy hand hundreds in less than four years. Many has brought and restored to sight several Thus, as our greatest pleasures and have received sight by his means who came knowledge are derived from the sight, so blind from their mother's womb, as in the has Providence been more curious in the famous instance of Jones of Newington. I formation of its seat, the eye, than of the myself have been cured by him of a weakorgans of the other senses. That stupen-ness in my eyes next to blindness, and am dous machine is composed, in a wonderful ready to believe any thing that is reported manner, of muscles, membranes, and hu- of his ability this way; and know that many mours. Its motions are admirably directed who could not purchase his assistance with by the muscles; the perspicuity of the hu- money, have enjoyed it from his charity. mours transmits the rays of light; the rays But a list of particulars would swell my are regularly refracted by their figure; the letter beyond its bounds: what I have said black lining of the sclerotes effectually pre-in the like distress, since they may conbeing sufficient to comfort those who are vents their being confounded by reflection. It is wonderful indeed to consider how ceive hopes of being no longer miserable in many objects the eye is fitted to take in at this kind, while there is yet alive so able once, and successively in an instant, and at an oculist as Dr. Grant. I am the Specthe same time to make a judgment of their tator's humble servant, position, figure, or colour. It watches against 'PHILANTHROPUS." our dangers, guides our steps, and lets in all the visible objects, whose beauty and variety No. 473.] Tuesday, September 2, 1712. instruct and delight.

SIR,-I am now in the country, and employ most of my time in reading, or thinking upon what I have read. Your paper comes constantly down to me, and it affects me so much, that I find my thoughts run into your way: and I recommend to you a subject upon which you have not yet touched, and that is, the satisfaction some men seem to take in their imperfections: I think one may call it glorying in their insufficiency. A certain great author is of

though, at the same time, I know he lan-
guishes and repines he is not master of
them himself. Whenever I take any of
these fine persons thus detracting from what
they do not understand, I tell them I will
complain to you; and say I am sure you will
not allow it an exception against a thing,
that he who contemns it is an ignorant in
it. I am, sir, your most humble servant,
'S. T.'

opinion it is the contrary to envy, though | knowledge of them was rather a diminution perhaps it may proceed from it. Nothing than an advancement of a man's character; is so common as to hear men of this sort, speaking of themselves, add to their own merit (as they think,) by impairing it, in praising themselves for their defects, freely allowing they commit some few frivolous errors, in order to be esteemed persons of uncommon talents and great qualifications. They are generally professing an injudicious neglect of dancing, fencing, and riding, as also an unjust contempt for travelling, and the modern languages; as for their part, 'MR. SPECTATOR,-I am a man of a very they say, they never valued or troubled their heads about them. This panegyrical satire good estate, and am honourably in love. on themselves certainly is worthy of your I hope you will allow, when the ultimate animadversion. I have known one of these purpose is honest, there may be, without gentlemen think himself obliged to forget trespass against innocence, some toying by the day of an appointment, and sometimes the way. People of condition are perhaps even that you spoke to him; and when you but however that is, I am to confess to you too distant and formal on those occasions; see 'em, they hope you'll pardon 'em, for they have the worst memory in the world. that I have writ some verses to atone for One of 'em started up t'other day in some my offence. You professed authors are a confusion, and said, "Now I think on 't, I little severe upon us, who write like genam to meet Mr. Mortmain, the attorney, will insert my poem. You cannot imagine tlemen: but if you are a friend to love, you about some business, but whether it is to-how much service it would do me with my day or to-morrow, faith I can't tell." Now, fair one, as well as reputation with all my. to my certain knowledge, he knew his time to a moment, and was there accordingly. friends, to have something of mine in the These forgetful persons have, to heighten Spectator. My crime was, that I snatched their crime, generally the best memories a kiss, and my poetical excuse as follows: of any people, as I have found out by their remembering sometimes through inadvertency. Two or three of 'em that I know, can say most of our modern tragedies by heart. I asked a gentleman the other day, that is famous for a good carver, (at which acquisition he is out of countenance, imagining it may detract from some of his more essential qualifications,) to help me to something that was near him; but he excused himself, and blushing told me, "Of all things he could never carve in his life;" though it can be proved upon him that he cuts up, disjoints, and uncases with incomparable dexterity. I would not be understood as if I thought it laudable for a man of quality and fortune to rival the acquisitions of artificers, and endeavour to excel in little handy qualities; no, I argue only against being ashamed of what is really praise-worthy. As these pretences to ingenuity show themselves several ways, you will often see a man of this temper ashamed to be clean, and setting up for wit, only from negligence in his habit. Now I am upon this head, I cannot help observing also upon a very different folly proceeding from the same cause. As these above-mentioned arise from affecting an equality with men

I.

"Belinda, see from yonder flowers

The bee flies loaded to its cell:
Can you perceive what it devours?

Are they impaired in show or smell?

II.

"So, though I robb'd you of a kiss,

Sweeter than their ambrosial dew;
Why are you angry at my bliss?
Has it at all impoverish'd you?

III.

""Tis by this cunning I contrive,
In spite of your unkind reserve,
To keep my famish'd love alive,
Which you inhumanly would starve."

'I am, sir, your humble servant,

TIMOTHY STANZA.'

'Aug. 23, 1712. 'SIR, Having a little time upon my hands, I could not think of bestowing it better, than in writing an epistle to the Spectator, which I now do, and am, sir, BOB SHORT. your humble servant,

'P. S. If you approve of my style, I am likely enough to become your correspondent. I desire your opinion of it. I design it for that way of writing called by the judicious "the familiar."?

Asperitas agrestis et inconcinna

T.

of greater talents, from having the same No. 474.] Wednesday, September 3, 1712. faults, there are others that would come at a parallel with those above them, by possessing little advantages which they want. I heard a young man not long ago, who has sense, comfort himself in his ignorance of Greck, Hebrew, and the Orientals: at the same time that he published his aversion to those languages, he said that the

Hor. Ep. 18. Lib. 1. 6. Rude, rustic, and inelegant. 'MR. SPECTATOR,-Being of the number of those that have lately retired from the centre of business and pleasure, my uneasiness in the country where I am, arises

rather from the society than the solitude of it. To be obliged to receive and return visits from and to a circle of neighbours, who, through diversity of age or inclinations, can neither be entertaining nor serviceable to us, is a vile loss of time, and a slavery from which a man should deliver himself, if possible: for why must I lose the remaining part of my life, because they have thrown away the former part of theirs? It is to me an insupportable affiction, to be tormented with the narrations of a set of people, who are warm in their expressions of the quick relish of that pleasure which their dogs and horses have a more delicate taste of. I do also in my heart detest and abhor that damnable doc trine and position of the necessity of a bumper, though to one's own toast; for though it be pretended that these deep potations are used only to inspire gayety, they certainly drown that cheerfulness which would survive a moderate circulation. If at these meetings it were left to every stranger either to fill his glass according to his own inclination, or to make his retreat when he finds he has been sufficiently obedient to that of others, these entertainments would be governed with more good sense, and consequently with more good-breeding, than at present they are. Indeed, where any of the guests are known to measure their fame or pleasure by their glass, proper exhortations might be used to these to push their fortunes in this sort of reputation; but, where it is unseasonably insisted on to a modest stranger, this drench may be said to be swallowed with the same necessity, as if it had been tendered in the horn for that purpose, with this aggravating circumstance, that distresses the entertainer's guest in the same degree as it relieves his horses.

'To attend without impatience an account of five-barred gates, double ditches, and precipices, and to survey the orator with desiring eyes, is to me extremely difficult, but absolutely necessary, to be upon tolerable terms with him: but then the occasional bursting out into laughter, is of all other accomplishments the most requisite. I confess at present I have not that command of these convulsions as is necessary to be good company; therefore I beg you would publish this letter, and let me be known all at once for a queer fellow and avoided. It is monstrous to me, that we who are given to reading and calm conversation should ever be visited by these roarcrs: but they think they themselves, as neighbours, may come into our rooms with the same right that they and their dogs hunt in our grounds.

Your institution of clubs I have always admired, in which you constantly endeavoured the union of the metaphorically defunct, that is, such as are neither serviceable to the busy and enterprising part of mankind, nor entertaining to the retired and

speculative. There should certainly, there fore, in each country, be established a club of the persons whose conversations I have described, who for their own private, as also public emolument, should exclude, and be excluded, all other society. Their attire, should be the same with their huntsmen's, and none should be admitted into this green conversation piece, except he had broke his collar-bone thrice. A broken rib or two might also admit a man without the least opposition. The president must necessarily have broken his neck, and have been taken up dead once or twice: for the more maims this brotherhood shall have met with, the easier will their conversation flow and keep up; and when any one of these vigorous invalids had finished his narration of the collar-bone, this naturally would introduce the history of the ribs. Besides, the different circumstances of their falls and fractures would help to prolong and diversify their relations. There should also be another club of such men who have not succeeded so well in maiming themselves, but are however in th constant pursuit of these accomplishments. I would by no means be suspected, by what I have said, to traduce in general the body of fox-hunters; for whilst I look upon a reasonable creature full speed after a pack of dogs by way of pleasure, and not of business, I shall always make honourable mention of it.

'But the most irksome conversation of al others I have met with in the neighbour. hood, has been among two or three of your travellers, who have overlooked men and manners, and have passed through France and Italy with the same observation tha the carriers and the stage-coachmen do through Great Britain; that is, their stops and stages have been regulated according to the liquor they have met with in their passage. They indeed remember the names of abundance of places, with the particular fineries of certain churches; but their distinguishing mark is certain prettinesses of foreign languages, the meaning of which they could have better expressed in their own. The entertainment of these fine observers Shakspeare has described to consist

"In taking of the Alps and Appennines,
The Pyrenean, and the river Po:

and then concludes with a sigh:

"Now this is worshipful society!"

'I would not be thought in all this to hate such honest creatures as dogs; I am only unhappy that I cannot partake in their diversions. But I love them so well, as dogs, that I often go with my pockets stuffed with bread to dispense my favours, or make my way through them at neighbours' houses. There is in particular a young hound of great expectation, vivacity, and enterprise, that attends my flights wher ever he spies me. This creature observes

always of opinion every man must be so, to
be what one would desire him. Your very
humble servant,
J. R.'

to

*

my countenance, and behaves himself accordingly. His mirth, his frolic, and joy, upon the sight of me has been observed, and I have been gravely desired not to en'MR. SPECTATOR,-About two years ago courage him so much, for it spoils his parts; I was called upon by the younger part of a but I think he shows them sufficiently in the several boundings, friskings, and scour-country family, by my mother's side related ings, when he makes his court to me: but I to me, to visit Mr. Campbell, the dumb foresee in a little time he and I must keep man; for they told me that that was chiefly company with one another only, for we are wonders of him in Essex. I who always what brought them to town, having heard fit for no other in these parts. Having informed you how I do pass my time in the wanted faith in matters of that kind, was country where I am, I must proceed to tell not easily prevailed on to go; but, lest they you how I would pass it, had I such a for- should take it ill, I went with them; when, tune as would put me above the observance their past life; in short, had he not been my surprise, Mr. Campbell related all of ceremony and custom. My scheme of a country life then should prevented, such a discovery would have be as follows. As I am happy in three or come out as would have ruined the next four very agreeable friends, these I would design of their coming to town, viz. buying constantly have with me; and the freedom wedding clothes. Our names-though he we took with one another at school and the never heard of us before-and we endeavoured to conceal-were as familiar to him university, we would maintain and exert upon all occasions with great courage. as to ourselves. To be sure, Mr. SpectaThere should be certain hours of the day tor, he is a very learned and wise man. to be employed in reading, during which Being impatient to know my fortune, havtime it should be impossible for any one of ing paid my respects in a family Jacobus, us to enter the other's chamber, unless by he told me, after his manner, among sevestorm. After this we would communicate ral other things, that in a year and nine the trash or treasure we had met with, months I should fall ill of a fever, be given with our own reflections upon the matter; much difficulty recover; that, the first time over by my physicians, but should with the justness of which we would controvert I took the air afterwards, I should be adwith good-humoured warmth, and never spare one another out of that complaisant dressed to by a young gentleman of a plenspirit of conversation, which makes others tiful fortune, good sense, and a generous affirm and deny the same matter in a quar-man in the world, for all he said is come to spirit. Mr. Spectator, he is the purest ter of an hour. If any of the neighbouring gentlemen, not of our turn, should take it pass, and I am the happiest she in Kent. in their heads to visit me, I should look have been in quest of Mr. Campbell these upon these persons in the same degree ene- three months, and cannot find him out. mies to my particular state of happiness, Now, hearing you are a dumb man too, I as ever the French were to that of the pub-thought you might correspond, and be able lic, and I would be at an annual expense in spies to observe their motions. Whenever I should be surprised with a visit, as I hate drinking, I would be brisk in swilling bumpers, upon this maxim, that it is better to trouble others with my impertinence, than to be troubled myself with theirs. The necessity of an infirmary makes me resolve to fall into that project; and as we should be but five, the terrors of an involuntary separation, which our number cannot so well admit of, would make us exert ourselves in opposition to all the particulars mentioned in your institution of that equitable confinement. This my way of life I know would subject me to the imputation of a morose, covetous, and sin- No. 475.] Thursday, September 4, 1712. gular fellow. These and all other hard words, with all manner of insipid jests, and all other reproach, would be matter of mirth to me and my friends: besides, I would destroy the application of the epi-sideration, counsel cannot rule. thets morose and covetous, by a yearly relief of my undeservedly necessitous neighbours, and by treating my friends and domestics with a humanity that should express the obligation to lie rather on my side; and as for the word singular, I was VOL. II.

29

highly obliged to make his fortune, as he to tell me something; for I think myself has mine. It is very possible your worship, who has spies all over this town, can inform me how to send to him. If you can, I beseech you be as speedy as possible, and you will highly oblige your constant reader and admirer,

DULCIBELLA THANKLEY.'

Ordered, That the inspector I employ about wonders, inquire at the Golden-Lion, opposite to the Half-Moon tavern in Drurylane, into the merits of this silent sage, and report accordingly.

T.

-Que res in se neque consilium, neque modum
Habet ullum, eam consilio regere non potes.
Ter. Eun. Act i. Sc. 1.
The thing that in itself has neither measure nor con.

It is an old observation, which has been made of politicians who would rather ingratiate themselves with their sovereign, than promote his real service, that they

* Duncan Campbell announced himself to the public as a Scotch highlander, gifted with the second sight,

« PreviousContinue »