grounds of our difference was this, that when we had inquired into each other's circumstances, we found that at our first setting out into the world we should owe five hundred pounds more than her fortune would pay off. My estate is seven hundred pounds a year, besides the benefit of tin-mines. Now, dear Spec., upon this state of the case, and the lady's positive declaration that there is still no other objection, I beg you'll not fail to insert this, with your opinion, as soon as possible, whether this ought to be esteemed a just cause or impediment why we should not be joined; and you will for ever oblige Yours sincerely, of DICK LOVESICK. 'P.S.—Sir, if I marry this lady by the assistance your opinion, you may expect a favour for it.' 'Mr. SPECTATOR, I HAVE the misfortune to be one of those unhappy men who are distinguished by the name of discarded lovers; but I am the less mortified at my disgrace, because the young lady is one of those creatures who set up for negligence of men, are forsooth the most rigidly virtuous in the world, and yet their nicety will permit them, at the command of parents, to go to bed to the most utter stranger that can be proposed to them. As to me myself, I was introduced by the father of my mistress; but find I owe my being at first received to a comparison of my estate with that of a former lover, and that I am now in a like manner turned off, to give way to an humble servant still richer than I am. What makes this treatment the more extravagant is, that 309 the young lady is in the management of this way of fraud, and obeys her father's orders on these occasions without any manner of reluctance, but does it with the same air that one of your men of the world would signify the necessity of affairs for turning another out of office. When I came home last night I found this letter from my mistress : "SIR, "I HOPE you will not think it is any manner of disrespect to your person or merit that the intended nuptials between us are interrupted. My father says he has a much better offer for me than you can make, and has ordered me to break off the treaty between us. If it had proceeded, I should have behaved myself with all suitable regard to you; but as it is, I beg we may be strangers for the future. Adieu. LYDIA." 'This great indifference on this subject, and the mercenary motives for making alliances, is what I think lies naturally before you, and I beg of you to give me your thoughts upon it. My answer to Lydia was as follows, which I hope you will approve; for you are to know the woman's family affect a wonderful ease on these occasions, though they expect it should be painfully received on the man's side: "MADAM, "I HAVE received yours, and knew the prudence of your house so well, that I always took care to be ready to obey your commands, though they should be to see you no more. Pray give my service to all the good family. Adieu. "The opera subscription is full. CLITOPHON." Memorandum.-The censor of marriage' to consider this letter, and report the common usages on such treaties, with how many pounds or acres are generally esteemed sufficient reason for preferring a new to an old pretender; with his opinion what is proper to be determined in such cases for the future. 'Mr. SPECTATOR, "THERE is an elderly person, lately left off busi ness and settled in our town, in order, as he thinks, to retire from the world; but he has brought with him such an inclination to tale-bearing, that he disturbs both himself and all our neighbourhood. Notwithstanding this frailty, the honest gentleman is so happy as to have no enemy: at the same time he has not one friend who will venture to acquaint him with his weakness. It is not to be doubted but if this failing were set in a proper light, he would quickly perceive the indecency and evil consequences of it. Now, sir, this being an infirmity which I hope may be corrected, and knowing that he pays much deference to you, I beg that, when you are at leisure to give us a speculation on gossiping, you would think of my neighbour. You will hereby oblige several who will be glad to find a reformation in their grey-haired friend: and how becoming will it be for him, instead of pouring forth words at all 1 See No. 308. adventures, to set a watch before the door of his mouth to restrain his tongue, to check its impetuosity, and guard against the sallies of that little, pert, forward, busy person, which, under a sober conduct, might prove a useful member of a society. In compliance with whose intimations, I have taken the liberty to make this address to you. I am, SIR, Your most obscure Servant, 'Mr. SPECTATOR, PHILANTHROPOS.' • Feb. 16, 1712. "THIS is to petition you, in behalf of myself and many more of your gentle readers, that at any time when you may have private reasons against letting us know what you think yourself, you would be pleased to pardon us such letters of your correspondents as seem to be of no use but to the printer. 'It is further our humble request, that you would substitute advertisements in the place of such epistles; and that in order hereunto Mr. Buckley may be authorised to take up of your zealous friend Mr. Charles Lillie any quantity of words he shall from time to time have occasion for. 'The many useful parts of knowledge which may be communicated to the public this way will, we hope, be a consideration in favour of your petitioners. And your Petitioners, &c.' Note. That particular regard be had to this petition; and the papers marked letter R may be carefully examined for the future.1 T. 1 The signature R-one of Steele's—was not used after No. 134. No. 311. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 1712 [ADDISON. Nec Veneris pharetris macer est, aut lampade fervet : 'Mr. SPECTATOR,1 'I AM amazed that, among all the variety of characters with which you have enriched your speculations, you have never given us a picture of those audacious young fellows among us, who commonly go by the name of fortune-stealers. You must know, sir, I am one who live in a continual apprehension of this sort of people, that lie in wait, day and night, for our children, and may be considered as a kind of kidnappers within the law. I am the father of a young heiress, whom I begin to look upon as marriageable, and who has looked upon herself as such for above these six years. She is now in the eighteenth year of her age. The fortune-hunters have already cast their eyes upon her, and take care to plant themselves in her view whenever she appears in any public assembly. I have myself caught a young jackanapes, with a pair of silver-fringed gloves, in the very fact. You must know, sir, I have kept her as a prisoner of state ever since she was in her teens. Her chamber windows are cross-barred, she is not permitted to go out of the house but with her keeper, who is a staid relation of my own; I 2 1 This letter is said to be by John Hughes. See his 'Correspondence,' iii. 8. 2 See No. 30. |