17 the application of their talents, and not by the eminence of those qualities abstracted from their use; I say, however just such a way of judging is, in all ages as well as this, the contrary has prevailed upon the generality of mankind. How many lewd devices have been preserved from one age to another, which had perished as soon as they were made, if painters and sculptors had been esteemed as much for the purpose as the execution of their designs? Modest and well-governed imaginations have by this means lost the representations of ten thousand charming portraitures, filled with images of innate truth, generous zeal, courageous faith, and tender humanity; instead of which satyrs, furies, and monsters are recommended by those arts to a shameful eternity.

The unjust application of laudable talents is tolerated in the general opinion of men, not only in such cases as are here mentioned, but also in matters which concern ordinary life. If a lawyer were to be esteemed only as he uses his parts in contending for justice, and were immediately despicable when he appeared in a cause which he could not but know was an unjust one, how honourable would his character be? And how honourable is it in such among us, who follow the profession no otherwise than as labouring to protect the injured, to subdue the oppressor, to imprison the careless debtor, and do right to the painful artificer? But many of this excellent character are overlooked by the greater number, who affect covering a weak place in a client's title, diverting the course of an inquiry, or finding a skilful refuge to palliate a falsehood: yet it is still called eloquence in the latter, though thus unjustly employed; but resolution in an assassin is according to reason quite as laudable as know

ledge and wisdom exercised in the defence of an ill

cause.

Were the intention steadfastly considered, as the measure of approbation, all falsehood would soon be out of countenance; and an address in imposing upon mankind would be as contemptible in one state of life as another. A couple of courtiers making professions of esteem would make the same figure after breach of promise, as two knights of the post convicted of perjury. But conversation has fallen so low in point of morality, that as they say in a bargain, 'Let the buyer look to it,' so in friendship he is the man in danger who is most apt to believe: he is the more likely to suffer in the commerce who begins with the obligation of being the more ready to enter into it.

But those men only are truly great who place their ambition rather in acquiring to themselves the conscience of worthy enterprises than in the prospect of glory which attends them. These exalted spirits would rather be secretly the authors of events which are serviceable to mankind, than without being such, to have the public fame of it. Where therefore an eminent merit is robbed by artifice or detraction, it does but increase by such endeavours of its enemies : the important pains which are taken to sully it, or diffuse it among a crowd to the injury of a single person, will naturally produce the contrary effect; the fire will blaze out, and burn up all that attempt to smother what they cannot extinguish.

There is but one thing necessary to keep the possession of true glory, which is to hear the opposers of it with patience, and preserve the virtue by which it was acquired. When a man is thoroughly persuaded that he ought neither to admire, wish for,

or pursue anything but what is exactly his duty, it is not in the power of seasons, persons, or accidents to diminish his value: he only is a great man who can neglect the applause of the multitude, and enjoy himself independent of its favour. This is indeed an arduous task; but it should comfort a glorious spirit that it is the highest step to which human nature can arrive. Triumph, applause, acclamation, are dear to the mind of man; but it is still a most exquisite delight to say to yourself, you have done well, than to hear the whole human race pronounce you glorious, except you yourself can join with them in your own reflections. A mind thus equal and uniform may be deserted by little fashionable admirers and followers, but will ever be had in reverence by souls like itself. The branches of the oak endure all the seasons of the year, though its leaves fall off in autumn; and these too will be restored with the returning spring.

No. 173. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1711

-Remove fera monstra, tuæque

[ADDISON.

Saxificos vultus, quæcunque ea, tolle Medusa.

-OVID, Met. v. 216.

'N a late paper I mentioned the project of an several

handicraft prizes to be contended for by our British artisans, and the influence they might have towards the improvement of our several manufactures. I have since that been very much surprised by the following advertisement which I find in the

1 No. 161.

Post-Boy of the 11th instant, and again repeated in the Post-Boy of the 15th:—

'ON the 9th of October next will be run for upon Coleshill Heath in Warwickshire, a Plate of six guineas value, three heats, by any horse, mare, or gelding that hath not won above the value of £5, the winning horse to be sold for £10, to carry 10 stone weight if 14 hands high; if above or under, to carry or be allowed weight for inches, and to be entered Friday the 5th at the Swan in Coleshill, before six in the evening. Also a plate of less value to be run for by Asses. The same day a Gold Ring to be Grinned for by Men.'

The first of these diversions that is to be exhibited by the 10 racehorses, may probably have its use; but the two last, in which the asses and men are concerned, seem to me altogether extraordinary and unaccountable. Why they should keep running asses at Coleshill, or how making mouths turns to account in Warwickshire, more than in any other part of England, I cannot comprehend. I have looked over all the Olympic Games, and do not find anything in them like an ass race, or a match at grinning. However it be, I am informed that several asses are now kept in body-clothes, and sweated every morning upon the heath, and that all the country fellows within ten miles of the Swan, grin an hour or two in their glasses every morning, in order to qualify themselves for the 9th of October. The prize which is proposed to be grinned for, has raised such an ambition among the common people of outgrinning one another, that many very discerning persons are afraid it should spoil most of the

faces in the county; and that a Warwickshire man will be known by his grin, as Roman Catholics imagine a Kentish man is by his tail.' The gold ring which is made the prize of deformity, is just the reverse of the golden apple that was formerly made the prize of beauty, and should carry for its posy the old motto inverted

Detur tetriori.2

Or to accommodate it to the capacity of the combatants

The frightfullest grinner,

Be the winner.

In the meanwhile I would advise a Dutch painter to be present at this great controversy of faces, in order to make a collection of the most remarkable grins that shall be there exhibited.

I must not here omit an account which I lately received of one of these grinning matches from a gentleman who, upon reading the above-mentioned advertisement, entertained a coffee-house with the following narrative:

1 Lambarde (Perambulation of Kent,' 1576) writes: Polydore Virgil (handling that hot contention between King Henry the Second and Thomas Becket) saith, that Becket (being at the length reputed for the king's enemy) began to be so commonly neglected, contemned, and hated, that when as it happened him upon a time to come to Stroode, the inhabitants thereabouts (being desiring to despite that good father) sticked not to cut the tail from the horse on which he rode, binding themselves with a perpetual reproach; for afterward (by the will of God) it so happened that every one which came of that kindred of men which had played that naughty prank, were born with tails, even as brute beasts be.' According to other versions, it was Sir Robert de Broc who cut off the horse's tail, for which he and others were excommunicated by the archbishop.

2Detur pulchriori' was the inscription on the golden apple which Paris awarded to Venus.