of the foulness and thickness of the water; with them, and presently fell to singing and which had this effect, that it intoxicated those dancing: they took me by the hand, and so who drank it, and made them mistake eve-carried me away long with them. After I ry object that lay before them. Both rivulets had followed them a considerable while, I perwere parted near their springs into so many ceived I had lost the black tower of light, at others, as there were straight and crooked which I greatly wondered; but as I looked paths, which attended all along to their respec- and gazed round about me and saw nothing, tive issues. I began to fancy my first vision had been but 'I observed from the several paths many a dream, and there was no such thing in now and then diverting, to refresh and other-reality; but then I considered that if I could wise qualify themselves for their journey, to fancy to see what was not, I might as well the respective rivulets that ran near them have an allusion wrought on me at present, they contracted a very observable courage and and not see what was really before me. I was steadiness in what they were about, by drink-very much confirmed in this thought, by the ing these waters. At the end of the perspec-effect I then just observed the water of Worldlytive of every straight path, all which did end Wisdom had upon me; for as I had drank a in one issue and point, appeared a high pillar, little of it again, I felt a very sensible effect all of diamond, casting rays as bright as those in my head; methought it distracted and disof the sun into the paths; which rays had also ordered all there; this made me stop of a sudcertain sympathizing and alluring virtues in den, suspecting some charm or enchantment. them, so that whosoever had made some con- As I was casting about within myself what I siderable progress in his journey onwards to- should do, and whom to apply to in this case, wards the pillar, by the repeated impression of I spied at some distance off me a man beckonthese rays upon him, was wrought into an ha-ing, and making signs to me to come over to bitual inclination and conversion of his sight him. I cried to him, I did not know the way. towards it, so that it grew at last in a manner He then called to me, audibly, to step at least natural to him to look and gaze upon it, where- out of the path I was in; for if I stayed there by he was kept steady in the straight paths, which alone led to that radiant body, the beholding of which was now grown a gratification to his nature. any longer I was in danger to be catched in a great net that was just hanging over me, and ready to catch me up; that he wondered I was so blind, or so distracted, as not to see so imAt the issue of the crooked paths there minent and visible a danger; assuring me, that was a great black tower, out of the centre of as soon as I was out of that way, he would which streamed a long succession of flames, come to me to lead me into a more secure path. which did rise even above the clouds; it gave This I did, and he brought me his palm-full a very great light to the whole plain, which of the water of Heavenly-Wisdom, which was did sometimes outshine the light, and oppress-of very great use to me, for my eyes were ed the beams of the adamantine pillar; though straight cleared, and I saw the great black by the observation I made afterwards, it ap-tower just before me: but the great net which peared that it was not from any diminution of I spied so near me cast me in such a terror, light, but that this lay in the travellers, who that I ran back as far as I could in one breath, would sometimes step out of straight paths, without looking behind me. Then my benewhere they lost the full prospect of the radiant factor thus bespoke me: "You have made the pillar, and saw it but sideways: but the great wonderfullest escape in the world; the water light from the black tower, which was some-you used to drink is of a bewitching nature, what particularly scorching to them, would you would else have been mightily shocked at generally light and hasten them to their pro- the deformities and meanness of the place; per climate again. Round about the black tower there were, methought, many thousands of huge mis-shapen ugly monsters; these had great nets, which they were perpetually plying and casting towards the crooked paths, and they would now and then catch up those that were nearest to them: these they took up straight, and whirled over the walls into the flaming tower, and they were no more seen nor heard of. for beside the set of blind fools, in whose company you was, you may now behold many others who are only bewitched after another no less dangerous manner. Look a little that way, there goes a crowd of passengers; they have indeed so good a head as not to suffer themselves to be blinded by this bewitching water; the black tower is not vanished out of their sight, they see it whenever they look up to it: but see how they go sideways and with their ، They would sometimes cast their nets to eyes downwards, as if they were mad, that they wards the right paths to catch the stragglers, thus may rush into the net, without being bewhose eyes, for want of drinking at the brook fore-hand troubled at the thought of so miserathat run by them, grew dim, whereby they lost | ble a destruction. Their wills are so perverse, their way: these would sometimes very nar- and their hearts so fond of the pleasures of the rowly miss being catched away, but I could place, that rather than forego them they will not hear whether any of these had ever been run all hazards, and venture upon all the miso unfortunate, that had been before very hearty series and woes before them. in the straight paths. ،، See there that other company; though 'I considered all these strange sights with they should drink none of the bewitching water, great attention, until at last I was interrupted yet they take a course bewitching and deludby a cluster of the travellers in the crooked ing. See how they choose the crookedest paths, paths, who came up to me, bid me go along whereby they have often the bleck tower be hind them, and sometimes see the radiant co-fat; and nothing was a more standing jest, in lumn sideways, which gives them some weak all clubs of fashionable mirth and gay converglimpse of it! These fools content themselves sation. It was determined among those airy with that, not knowing whethhr any other critics, that the appellation of a sober man have any more of its influence and light than should signify a spiritless fellow. And I am themselves this road is called that of Super-apt to think it was about the same time that stition or Human Invention: they grossly over- good-nature, a word so peculiarly elegant in look that which the rules and laws of the place our language, that some have affirmed it canprescribe to them, and contrive some other not well be expressed in any other, came first scheme, and set off directions and prescriptions to be rendered suspicious, and in danger of for themselves, which they hope will serve their being transferred from its original sense to so turn." He showed me many other kinds of distant an idea as that of folly. fools, which put me quite out of humour with the place. At last he carried me to the right paths, where I found true and solid pleasure, which enteratined me all the way, until we came in closer sight of the pillar, where the satisfaction increased to that measure that my faculties were not able to contain it: in the straining of them I was violently waked, not a little grieved at the vanishing of so pleasing a dream.' 'Glasgow, Sept. 29. No 525.] Saturday November 1, 1712. That love alone, which virtue's laws controul, I must confess it has been my ambition, in the course of my writings, to restore, as well as I was able, the proper ideas of things. And as I have attempted this already on the subject of marriage in several papers, I shall here add some further observations which occur to me on the same head. Nothing seems to be thought, by our fine gentlemen, so indispensable an ornament in fashionable life, as love. A knight-errant,' says Don Quixote, 'without a mistress, is like a tree without leaves;' and a man of mode among us who has not some fair one to sigh for, might as well pretend to appear dressed without his periwig. We have lovers in prose innumerable. All our pretenders to rhyme are professed inamoratos; and there is scarce a poet, good or bad, to be heard of, who has not some real or supposed Saccharissa to improve his vein. IT is my custom to take frequent opportunities of inquiring, from time to time, what If love be any refinement, conjugal love must success my speculations meet with in the town. be certainly so in a much higher degree. There I am glad to find, in particular, that my dis- is no comparison between the frivolous affeccourses on marriage have been well received. tations of attracting the eyes of women with A friend of mine gives me to understand, from whom you are only captivated by way of amuseDoctor's-commons, that more licenses have ment, and of whom perhaps you know nothing been taken out there of late than usual. I am more than their features, and a regular and likewise informed of several pretty fellows, who uniform endeavour to make yourself valuable, have resolved to commence heads of families both as a friend and lover, to one whom you by the first favourable opportunity. One of have chosen to be the companion of your life. them writes me word that he is ready to enter The first is the spring of a thousand fopperies, into the bonds of matrimony, provided I will silly artifices, falsehoods, and perhaps barbagive it him under my hand (as I now do) that rities; or at best rises no higher than to a kind a man may show his face in good company of dancing-school breeding, to give the person after he is married, and that he need not be a more sparkling air. The latter is the parent ashamed to treat a woman with kindness who of substantial virtues and agreeable qualities, puts herself in his power for life. and cultivates the mind while it improves the behaviour. The passion of love to a mistress, even where it is most sincere, resembles too much the flame of a fever: that to a wife is like the vital heat. I have other letters on this subject, which say that I am attempting to make a revolution in the world of gallantry, and that the consequence of it will be that a great deal of the sprightliest wit and satire of the last age will I have often thought, if the letters written be lost; that a bashful fellow, upon changing by men of good-nature to their wives were to his condition, will be no longer puzzled how be compared with those written by men of to stand the raillery of his facetious compa- gallantry to their mistresses, the former, notnions; that he need not own he married only to plunder an heiress of her fortune, nor pretend that he uses her ill, to avoid the ridiculous name of a fond husband. Indeed, if I may speak my opinion of great part of the writings which once prevailed among us under the notion of humour, they are such as would tempt one to think there had been an association among the wits of those times to rally legitimacy out of our island. A state of wedlock was the common mark of all the adventurers in farce and comedy, as well as the essayers in lampoon and satire, to shoot withstanding any inequality of style, would appear to have the advantage. Friendship, tenderness, and constancy, dressed in a simplicity of expression, recommend themselves by a more native elegance, than passionate raptures, extravagant encomiums, and slavish adoration. If we were admitted to search the cabinet of the beautiful Narcissa, among heaps of epistles from several admirers, which are there preserved with equal care, how few should we find but would make any one sick in the reading, except her who is flattered by them? But in how different a style must the wise Benevolus, who converses with that good putation. Nor indeed could less be expected sense and good humour among all his friends, from one who had the happiness to receive write to a wife who is the worthy object of his her education from you, who in your house utmost affection? Benevolus, both in public was accustomed to every thing that was virand private, and all occasions of life, appears tuous and decent, and even began to love me, to have every good quality and desirable or- by your recommendation. For, as you had nament. Abroad he is reverenced and es always the greatest respect for my mother, teemed; at home beloved and happy The you were pleased from my infancy to form me, satisfaction he enjoys there settles into an to commend me, and kindly to presage I should habitual complacency, which shines in his be one day what my wife fancies I am. countenance, enlivens his wit, and seasons his cept therefore our united thanks; mine, that conversation. Even those of his acquaint-you have bestowed her on me; and hers, that ance, who have seen him in his retirement, you have given me to her, as a mutual grant of are sharers in the happiness of it; and it is joy and felicity. very much owing to his being the best and best beloved of husbands, that he is the most steadfast of friends, and the most agreeable of companions There is a sensible pleasure in contemplating| such beautiful instances of domestic life. The No. 526.] Monday November 3, 1712. Fortius utere loris. Keep a stiff rein. Ac Ovid, Met. Lib. ii. 127. Addison. happiness of the conjugal state appears height- I AM very loth to come to extremities with ened to the highest degree is capable of when the young gentlemen mentioned in the followwe see two persons of accomplished minds not ing letter and do not care to chastise them only united in the same interests and affec- with my own hand, until I am forced by protions, but in their taste of the same improve- vocation too great to be suffered without the ments and diversions. Pliny one of the finest absolute destruction of my spectatorial dig gentlemen and politest writers of the age in nity. The crimes of these offenders are plawhich he lived, has left us, in his letter to His-ced under the observation of one of my chief pulla, his wire's aunt, one of the most agreea-officers, who is posted just at the entrance of ble family pieces of this kind I have ever met the pass between London and Westminster. with. I shall end this discourse with a trans-As I have great confidence in the capacity, lation of it; and I believe the reader will be resolution, and integrity of the person deof my opinion, that conjugal love is drawn in it with a delicacy which makes it appear to be, as I have represented it, an ornament as well as a virtue. 'Pliny to Hispulla. To the Spectator General of Great Britain. grant it does look a little familiar, but I must call you puted by me to give an account of enormities, I doubt not but I shall soon have before me all proper notices which are requisite for the amendment of manners in public, and the instruction of each individual of the human species in what is due from him in respect to the As I remember the great affection which whole body of mankind. The present paper was between you and your excellent brother, shall consist only of the above-mentioned letand know you love his daughter as your own, ter, and the copy of a deputation which I have so as not only to express the tenderness of the given to my trusty friend, Mr. John Sly; best of aunts, but even to supply that of the wherein he is charged to notify to me all that best of fathers; I am sure it will be a pleasure is necessary for my animadversion upon the to you to hear that she proves worthy of her delinquents mentioned by my correspondent, father, worthy of you, and of your and her an- as well as all others described in the said depcestors. Her ingenuity is admirable; her utation. frugality extraordinary. She loves me; the surest pledge of her virtue; and adds to this a wonderful disposition to learning, which she has acquired from her affection to me. She I reads my writings, studies them, and even gets them by heart. You would smile to see the concern she is in when I have a cause to plead, and the joy she shows when it is over. She 'Being got again to the further end of the finds means to have the first news brought Widow's coffee-house, I shall from hence give her of the success I meet with in court, how I you some account of the behaviour of our hackam heard, and what decree is made. If I re-ney-coachman since my last. These indefat cite any thing in public, she cannot refrain igable gentlemen, without the least design. I from placing herself privately in some corner dare say, of self-interest or advantage to themto hear, where, with the utmost delight, she selves, do still ply as volunteers day and night feasts upon my applauses. Sometimes she for the good of their country. I will not trousings my verses, and accompanies them with ble you with enumerating many particulars, the lute, without any master except love, the but I must by no means omit to inform you of best of instructors. From these instances I an infant about six feet high, and between take the most certain omens of our perpetual twenty and thirty years of age, who was seen and increasing happiness; since her affection in the arms of a hackney-coachman, driving is not founded on my youth and person, which by Will's coffee-house in Covent-garden, bemust gradually decay, but she is in love with tween the hours of four and five in the afterthe immortal part of me, my glory and re-noon of that very day wherein you published a DEAR DUMB, 'I am, Dear Spec, For ever your's, 'MOSES GREENBAG. Esq. if you please.' memorial against them. This impudent young | with a note of his name, and despatch them to cur, though he could not sit in a coach-box you, that you may chastise him at your own without holding, yet would venture his neck to discretion. bid defiance to your spectatorial authority, or to any thing that you countenanced. Who he was I know not, but I heard this relation this morning from a gentleman who was an eye witness of this his impudence; and I was willing to take the first opportunity to inform you 'P. S. Tom Hammercloth, one of our coachof him, as holding it extremely requisite that men, is now pleading at the bar at the other you should nip him in the bud. But I am my-end of the room, but has a little too much veself most concerned for my fellow-templers, hemence, and throws out his arms too much fellow-students, and fellow-labourers in the to take his audience, with a good grace.' law, I mean such of them as are dignified and distinguished 'under the denomination of To my loving and well-beloved John Sly, hahackney-coachmen. Such aspiring minds have berdasher of hats, and tobacconist, between these ambitious young men, that they cannot en- the cities of London and Westminster. joy themselves out of a coach-box. It is, however, an unspeakable comfort to me that I can now Whereas frequent disorders, affronts, indigtell you that some of them are grown so bash-nities, omissions, and trespasses, for which ful as to study only in the night-time, or in the there are no remedies by any form of law, but country. The other night I spied one of our which apparently disturb and disquiet the young gentlemen very diligent at his lucubra- minds of men, happen near the place of your tions in Fleet-Street; and, by the way, I should residence; and that you are, as well by your be under some concern, lest this hard student commodious situation, as the good parts with should one time or other crack his brain with which you are endowed, properly qualified for studying, but that I am in hopes nature has the observation of the said offences; I do taken car to fortify him in proportion to the hereby authorize and depute you, from the great undertakings he was designed for. An- hours of nine in the morning until four in the other of my fellow-templars on thursday last afternoon, to keep a strict eye upon all perwas getting up into his study at the bottom of sons and things that are conveyed in coaches, Gray's-Inn-Lane, in order, I suppose to con-carried in carts, or walk on foot, from the city template in the fresh air. Now, sir, my re- of London to the city of Westminster, or from quest is, that the great modesty of these two the city of Westminster to the city of London, gentlemen may be recorded as a pattern to the within the said hours. You are therefore not rest; and if you would but give them two or to depart from your observatory at the end of three touches with your own pen, though you Devereaux-court during the said space of each might not perhaps prevail with them to desist day, but to observe the behaviour of all perentirely from their meditations. yet I doubt noc sons who are suddenly transported from but you would at least preserve them from be-stamping on pebbles to sit at ease in chariots, ing public spectacles of folly in our streets what notice they take of their foot acquainI say two or three touches with your own pen; tance, and send me the speediest advice, when for I have already observed Mr. Spec. that they are guilty of overlooking, turning from. those Spectators which are so prettily laced or appearing grave and distant to, their old down the sides with little c's, how instructive friends. When man and wife are in the same soever, they may be, do not carry with them coach, you are to see whether they appear that authority as the others. I do again there- pleased or tired with each other, and whether fore desire, that for the sake of their dear they carry the due mean in the eye of the necks, you would bestow one penful of your world, between fondness and coldness. You own ink upon them. I know you are loath to are carefully to behold all such as shall have expose them; and it is, I must confess, a thou-addition of honour or riches, and report whesand pities that any young gentleman who is ther they preserve the countenance they had come of honest parents should be brought to before such addition. As to persons on foot, public shame. And indeed I should be glad you are to be attentive whether they are pleasto have them handled a little tenderly at the ed with their condition, and are dressed suitfirst. but if fair means will not prevail, there able to it; but especially to distinguish such as is then no other way to reclaim them but by appear discreet, by a low-heel shoe, with the making use of some wholesome severities; decent ornament of a leather garter: to write and I think it is better that a dozen or two of down the names of such country gentlemen as, such good-for-nothing fellows should he made examples of, than that the reputation of some hundreds of as hopeful young gentlemen as myself should suffer through their folly. It is not however, for me to direct you what to do; but, in short if our coachmen will drive on this trade. the very first of them that I do find meditating in the street, I shall make bold to "take the number of his chambers,"* together * An allusion to the number of a hackney-coach. upon the approach of peace, have left the hunting for the military cock of the hat; of all who strut, make a noise, and swear at the drivers of coaches to make haste, when they see it is impossible they should pass; of all young gentlemen in coach-boxes, who labour at a perfection in what they are sure to be excelled by the meanest of the people. You are to do all that in you lies that coaches and passengers give way according to the course of business, all the morning in term-time towards West minster, the rest of the year towards the Ex- | inhumanly treated, and the husband publicly change. Upon these directions, together with stormed that he was made a member of too other secret articles herein enclosed, you are numerous a society. He had, it seems, listo govern yourself, and give advertisement tened most of the time my cousin and I were thereof to me, at all convenient and specta - | together. As jealous ears always hear doutorial hours, when men of business are to be ble, so he heard enough to make him mad; seen. Hereof you are not to fail. Given un- and as jealous eyes always see through magder my seal of office. T. 'THE SPECTATOR.' No. 527.] Tuesday, November 4, 1712. nifying glasses, so he was certain it could not be whom he had seen, a beardless stripling, but fancied he saw a gay gentleman of the temple, ten years older than myself; and for that reason, I presume, durst not come in, nor take any notice when I went out. He is perpetually asking his wife if she does not think the time long (as she said she should) You will easily find a worse woman; a better the sun until she see her cousin again. Pray, sir, never shone upon. I AM so tender of my women-readers, that I cannot defer the publication of any thing which concerns their happiness or quiet. The repose of a married woman is consulted in the first of the following letters, and the felicity of a maiden lady in the second. I call it a felicity to have the addresses of an agreeable man; and I think I have not any where seen a prettier application of a poetical story than that of his, in making the tale of Cephalus and Procris the history picture of a fan in so gallant a manner as he addresses it. But see the letters. MR. SPECTATOR, what can be done in this case? I have writ to him to assure him I was at his house all that afternoon expecting to see him. His answer is, it is only a trick of hers, and that he neither can nor will believe me. The parting kiss I find mightily nettles him, and confirms him in all his errors. Ben Jonson, as I remember, makes a foreigner, in one of his comedies, "admire the desperate valour of the bold English, who let out their wives to allencounters." The general custom of salutation should excuse the favour done me, or you should lay down rules when such distinctions are to be given or omitted. You cannot inagine, sir, how troubled I am for this unhappy | lady's misfortune, and beg you would insert 'It is now almost three months since I was this letter, that the husband may reflect upon in town about some business; and the hurry of this accident coolly. It is no small matter, the it being over, I took a coach one afternoon, ease of a virtuous woman for her whole life. and drove to see a relation, who married about I know she will conform to any regularities six years ago a wealthy citizen. I found her (though more strict than the common rules at home, but her husband gone to the Ex-of our country require) to which his particuchange, and expected back within an hour at lar temper shall incline him to oblige her. This the farthest. After the usual salutations of accident puts me in mind how generously Piskindness, and a hundred questions about friends istratus, the Athenian tyrant, behaved himself in the country, we sat down to piquet, played on a like occasion, when he was instigated by two or three games, and drank tea. I should his wife to put to death a young gentleman, have told you that this was my second time of because, being passionately fond of his daughseeing her since marriage; but before, she ter, he had kissed her in public, as he mether lived at the same town where I went to school; in the street. What," said he, "shall we so that the plea of a relation, added to the in-do to those who are our enemies, if we do thus nocence of my youth, prevailed upon her to those who are our friends?" I will not god-humour to indulge me in a freedom of trouble you much longer, but am exceedingly conversation as often, and oftener, than the concerned lest this accident may cause a strict discipline of the school would allow of. virtuous lady to lead a miserable life with a You may easily imagine, after such an ac-husband who has no grounds for his jealousy quaintance, we might be exceeding merry but what I have faithfully related, and oight without any offence; as in calling to mind to be reckoned none. It is to be feared too, how many inventious I have been put to in if at last he sees his mistake, yet people will deluding the master, how many hands forged be as slow and unwilling in disbelieving scanfor excuses, how many times been sick in dal as they are quick and froward in believ perfect health; for I was then never sick but at school, and only then because out of her company. We had whiled away three hours after this manner, when I found it past five; and, not expecting her husband would return until late, rose up, and told her I should go early next morning for the country. She kindly answered she was afraid it would be long before she saw me again; so, I took my leave, and parted. Now, sir, I had not been got home a fortnight, when I received a letter from a neighbour of theirs, that ever since that fatal afternoon the lady has been most ing it. I shall endeavour to enliven this plain "Parent of gods, (began the weeping fair), |