wits do not apprehend the miseries that must necessarily flow from the degeneracy of manners; nor do they know that order is the support of society. Sir Roger and his mistress are monsters of the poet's own forming; the sentiments in both of them are such as do not arise in fools of their education. We all know that a silly scholar, instead of being below every one he meets with, is apt to be exalted above the rank of such as are really his superiors. His arrogance is always founded upon particular notions of distinction in his own head, accompanied with a pedantic scorn of all fortune and pre-eminence when compared with his knowledge and learning. This very one character of Sir Roger, as silly as it really is, has done more towards the disparagement of holy orders, and consequently of virtue itself, than all the wit that author or any other could make up for in the conduct of the longest life after it. I do not pretend, in saying this, to give myself airs of more virtue than my neighbours, but assert it from the principles by which mankind must always be governed. Sallies of imagination are to be overlooked, when they are committed out of warmth in the recommendation of what is praiseworthy; but a deliberate advancing of vice with all the wit in the world, is as ill an action as any that comes before the magistrate, and ought to be received as such by the people.

T.

No. 271.

I

Thursday, Jan. 10, 1712

[ADDISON.

Mille trahens varios adverso sole colores.

-VIRG., En. iv. 701.

RECEIVE a double advantage from the letters of my correspondents; first, as they show me which of my papers are most acceptable to them; and in the next place, as they furnish me with materials for new speculations. Sometimes indeed I do not make use of the letter itself, but form the hints of it into plans of my own invention; sometimes I take the liberty to change the language or thought into my own way of speaking and thinking, and always (if it can be done without prejudice to the sense) omit the many compliments and applauses which are usually bestowed

upon me.

Besides the two advantages above-mentioned, which I receive from the letters that are sent me, they give me an opportunity of lengthening out my paper by the skilful management of the subscribing part at the end of them, which perhaps does not a little conduce to the ease both of myself and reader.

Some will have it, that I often write to myself, and am the only punctual correspondent I have.1 This objection would indeed be material, were the letters I communicate to the public stuffed with my

1 In the same way Nick Doubt, in the Tatler (No. 91), wrote to Bickerstaff to inquire if he did not himself write a certain letter in self-praise. I must confess,' Bickerstaff replied, I am as likely to play such a trick as another; but that letter he speaks of was really genuine.'

own commendations, and if, instead of endeavouring to divert or instruct my readers, I admired in them the beauty of my own performances. But I shall leave these wise conjecturers to their own imaginations, and produce the three following letters for the entertainment of the day :

'SIR,

:

'I WAS last Thursday in an assembly of ladies, where there were thirteen different-coloured

1

hoods. Your Spectator of that day lying upon the table, they ordered me to read it to them, which I did with a very clear voice, till I came to the Greek verse at the end of it. I must confess I was a little startled at its popping upon me so unexpectedly. However, I covered my confusion as well as I could, and after having muttered two or three hard words to myself, laughed heartily, and cried, "A very good jest, faith." The ladies desired me to explain it to them, but I begged their pardon for that, and told them that if it had been proper for them to hear, they may be sure the author would not have wrapped it up in Greek. I then let drop several expressions, as if there was something in it that was not fit to be spoken before a company of ladies. Upon which the matron of the assembly, who was dressed in a cherry-coloured 2 hood, commended the discretion of the writer for having thrown his filthy thoughts into Greek, which

1 No. 265.

2 A favourite colour at the time. When the husband in No. 150 of the Tatler said, I thought Margarita sung extremely well last night,' his angry wife replied, I suppose she had cherrycoloured ribbons on.' 'No,' answered the husband, but she had laced shoes.'

6

was likely to corrupt but few of his readers. At the same time she declared herself very well pleased that he had not given a decisive opinion upon the new-fashioned hoods; "for to tell you truly," says she, "I was afraid he would have made us ashamed to show our heads." Now, sir, you must know, since this unlucky accident happened to me in a company of ladies, among whom I passed for a most ingenious man, I have consulted one who is well versed in the Greek language, and assures me upon his word, that your late quotation means no more, than that manners and not dress are the ornaments of a woman. If this comes to the knowledge of my female admirers, I shall be very hard put to it to bring myself off handsomely. In the meanwhile I give you this account, that you may take care hereafter not to betray any of your well-wishers into the like inconveniences. It is in the number of these that I beg leave to subscribe myself, TOM TRIPPIT.'1

'Mr. SPECTAtor,

I am

'YOUR readers are so well pleased with your character of Sir Roger de Coverley, that there appeared a sensible joy in every coffee-house upon hearing the old knight was come to town. now with a knot of his admirers, who make it their joint request to you that you would give us public notice of the window or balcony where the knight intends to make his appearance. He has already

1 In the original issue of the following number there was an 'Advertisement,' from the Parish Vestry: All ladies who come to church in the new-fashioned hoods are desired to be there before Divine Service begins, lest they divert the attention of the congregation.-RALPH.'

given great satisfaction to several who have seen him at Squire's Coffee-House. If you think fit to place your short face at Sir Roger's left elbow, we shall take the hint, and gratefully acknowledge so great a favour. I am, SIR,

Your most devoted humble Servant,

C. D.'

'SIR,

'KNOWING that you are very inquisitive after everything that is curious in nature, I will wait on you if you please in the dusk of the evening, with my show upon my back, which I carry about with me in a box, as only consisting of a man, a woman, and an horse.' The two first are married, in which state the little cavalier has so well acquitted himself that his lady is with child. The big-bellied woman and her husband, with their whimsical palfrey, are so very light that when they are put together into a scale an ordinary man may weigh down the whole family. The little man is a bully in his nature; but when he grows choleric, I confine him to his box till his wrath is over, by which means I have hitherto prevented him from doing mischief. His horse is likewise very vicious, for which reason I am forced to tie him close to his manger with a

1 The following advertisement of this show appeared in No. 326: By the desire of several Persons of Quality. To be seen some time longer over against the Mews' Gate, Charing Cross, a little man, 3 feet high, and 32 years old, straight and proportionable; his wife, 2 feet 9 inches, aged 30, now brought to bed after a long and tedious labour under the hands of several able physicians, being the least woman that ever was with child in Europe; likewise their little horse, 2 feet 4 inches high, which performs several wonderful actions by the word of command, being so small that it's kept in a box.'