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give it a relish of truth; which is the natural food and nourishment of the understanding, as virtue is the perfection and happiness of the will.

an insight into things she had no notions of before. Lætitia is transported at having a new world thus opening to her, and hangs upon the man that gives her such agreeable informations. Erastus has carried this point still further, as he makes her daily not only more fond of him, but infinitely more satisfied with herself. Erastus finds a justness or beauty in whatever she says or observes that Lætitia herself was not aware of; and by his assistance she has discovered a hundred good qualities and accomplishments in herself, which she never before once dreamed of. Erastus, with the most artful complaisance in the world, by several remote hints, finds the means to make her say or propose almost what-them, eminent authors live upon them. Our bottle ever he has a mind to, which he always receives as her own discovery, and gives her all the reputation of it.

Erastus has a perfect taste in painting, and carried Lætitia with him the other day to see a collection of pictures. I sometimes visit this happy couple. As we were last week walking in the long gallery before dinner, "I have lately laid out some money in paintings," says Erastus; "I bought that Venus and Adonis purely upon Lætitia's judgment; it cost me threescore guineas, and I was this morning of fered a hundred for it." I turned towards Lætitia, and saw her cheeks glow with pleasure, while at the same time she cast a look upon Erastus, the most tender and affectionate I ever beheld.

Flavilla married Tom Tawdry; she was taken with his laced coat and rich sword-knot; she has the mortification to see Tom despised by all the worthy part of his own sex. Tom has nothing to do after dinner, but to determine whether he will pare his nails at St. James's, White's, or his own house. He has said nothing to Flavilla since they were married which she might not have heard as well from her own woman. He however takes great care to keep up the saucy ill-natured authority of a husband. Whatever Flavilla happens to assert, Tom immediately contradicts with an oath by way of preface, and,My dear, I must tell you you talk most confoundedly silly." Flavilla had a heart naturally as well disposed for all the tenderness of love as that of Lætitia; but as love seldom continues long after esteem, it is difficult to determine, at present, whether the unhappy Flavilla hates or despises the person most whom she is obliged to lead her whole life with.-X.

No. 507.] SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1712.
Defendit numerus, junctæque umbone phalanges.
Juv. Sat. ii. 46.

There are many authors who have shown wherein the malignity of a lie consists, and set forth in proper colours the heinousness of the offence. I shall here consider one particular kind of this crime, which has not been so much spoken to; I mean that abominable practice of party-lying. This vice is so very predominant among us at present, that a man is thought of no principles who does not propagate a certain system of lies. The coffee-houses are supported by them, the press is choked with conversation is so infected with them, that a partylie is grown as fashionable an entertainment as a lively catch or merry story. The truth of it is, half the great talkers in the nation would be struck dumb were this fountain of discourse dried up. There is, however, one advantage resulting from this detestable practice; the very appearances of truth are so little regarded, that lies are at present discharged in the air, and begin to hurt nobody. When we hear a party story from a stranger, we consider whether he is a whig or a tory that relates it, and immediately conclude they are words of course, in which the honest gentleman designs to recommend his zeal, without any concern for his veracity. man is looked upon as bereft of common sense, that gives credit to the relations of party-writers; nay, his own friends shake their heads at him, and con sider him in no other light than as an officious tool, or a well-meaning idiot. When it was formerly the fashion to husband a lie, and trump it up in some extraordinary emergency, it generally did execution, and was not a little serviceable to the faction that made use of it; but at present every man is upon his guard; the artifice has been too often repeated to take effect.

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I have frequently wondered to see men of probity, who would scorn to utter a falsehood for their own particular advantage, give so readily into a lie when it is become the voice of their faction, notwithstanding they are thoroughly sensible of it as such. How is it possible for those who are men of honour in their persons, thus to become notorious liars in their party? If we look into the bottom of this matter, we may find, I think, three reasons for it, and at the same time discover the insufficiency of these reasons to justify so criminal a practice.

In the first place, men are apt to think that the guilt of a lie, and consequently the punishment, may be very much diminished, if not wholly worn out, by the multitudes of those who partake in it. Though the weight of a falsehood would be too heavy Preserv'd from shame by numbers on our side. for one to bear, it grows light in their imagination THERE is something very sublime, though very fan- when it is shared among many. But in this case a ciful, in Plato's description of the Supreme Being; man very much deceives himself; guilt, when it that "truth is his body, and light his shadow." Ac- spreads through numbers, is not so properly divided cording to this definition, there is nothing so contra- as multiplied. Every one is criminal in proportion dictory to his nature as error and falsehood. The to the offence which he commits, not to the number Platonists had so just a notion of the Almighty's of those who are his companions in it. Both the aversion to every thing which is false and erroneous, crime and the penalty lie as heavy upon every inthat they looked upon truth as no less necessary than dividual of an offending multitude, as they would virtue to qualify a human soul for the enjoyment of upon any single person, had none shared with him a separate state. For this reason, as they recom- in the offence. In a word, the division of guilt is mended moral duties to qualify and season the will for like that of matter; though it may be separated into future life, so they prescribed several contempla- infinite portions, every portion shall have the whole tions and sciences to rectify the understanding. essence of matter in it, and consist of as many parts Thus, Plato has called mathematical demonstrations as the whole did before it was divided. the cathartics or purgatives of the soul, as being the But in the second place, though multitudes, who most proper means to cleanse it from error, and to join in a lie, cannot exempt themselves from the

guilt, they may from the shame of it. The scandal of a lie is in a manner lost and annihilated, when diffused among several thousands; as a drop of the blackest tincture wears away and vanishes, when mixed and confused in a considerable body of water; the blot is still in it, but is not able to discover itself. This is certainly a very great motive to several party-offenders, who avoid crimes, not as they are prejudicial to their virtue, but to their reputation. It is enough to show the weakness of this reason, which palliates guilt without removing it, that every man who is influenced by it declares himself in effect an infamous hypocrite, prefers the appearance of virtue to its reality, and is determined in his conduct neither by the dictates of his own conscience, the suggestions of true honour, nor the principles of religion.

is another sort of potentates, who may with greater propriety be called tyrants than those fast mentioned, both as they assume a despotic dominion over those as free as themselves, and as they support it by acts of notable oppression and injustice; and these are the rulers in all clubs and meetings. In other governments, the punishments of some have been alleviated by the rewards of others: but what makes the reign of these potentates so particularly grievous is that they are exquisite in punishing their subjects at the same time they have it not in their power to reward them. That the reader may the better comprehend the nature of these monarchs, as well as the miserable state of those that are their vassals, I shall give an account of the king of the company I ar fallen into, whom for his particular tyranny I shad call Dionysius; as also of the seeds that sprung up to this odd sort of empire.

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The third and last great motive for men's joining in a popular falsehood, or, as I have hitherto called Upon all meetings at taverns, it is necessary it a party-lie, notwithstanding they are convinced some one of the company should take it upon him to of it as such, is the doing good to a cause which get all things in such order and readiness as may every party may be supposed to look upon as the contribute as much as possible to the felicity of the most meritorious. The unsoundness of this principle convention; such as hastening the fire, getting a has been so often exposed, and is so universally ac- sufficient number of candles, tasting the wine with knowledged, that a man must be an utter stranger a judicious smack, fixing the supper, and being to the principles either of natural religion or Chris-brisk for the dispatch of it. Know, then, that Ditianity, who suffers himself to be guided by it. If a man might promote the supposed good of his country by the blackest calumnies and falsehoods, our nation abounds more in patriots than any other of the Christian world. When Pompey was desired not to set sail in a tempest that would hazard his life," It is necessary for me," says he, "to sail, but it is not necessary for me to live." Every man should say to himself, with the same spirit, “It is my duty to speak truth, though it is not my duty to be in an office." One of the fathers has carried this point so high as to declare he would not tell a lie, though he were sure to gain heaven by it. How. ever extravagant such a protestation may appear, every one will own that a man may say, very reasonably, he would not tell a lie, if he were sure to gain hell by it; or, if you have a mind to soften the expression, that he would not tell a lie to gain any temporal reward by it, when he should run the hazard of losing much more than it was possible for him to gain.

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onysius went through these offices with an air that seemed to express a satisfaction rather in serving the public than in gratifying any particular inclination We thought him a person of an exquiof his own. site palate, and therefore by consent beseeched him to be always our proveditor; which post, after he had handsomely denied, he could do no otherwise than accept. At first, he made no other use of his power than in recommending such-and-such things to the company, ever allowing these points to be disputable; insomuch that I have often carried the debate for partridge, when his majesty has given intimation of the high relish of duck, but at the same time has cheerfully submitted, and devoured his partridge with most gracious resignation. This submission on his side naturally produced the like on ours; of which he in a little time made such barbarous advantage, as in all those matters, which he fore seemed indifferent to him, to issue out certain edicts as uncontrollable and unalterable as the laws of the Medes and Persians. He is by turns outrageous, peevish, forward, and jovial. He thinks it our duty for the little offices, as proveditor, that in return all conversation is to be interrupted or promoted by his inclination for or against the present humour of the company. We feel, at present, in the utmost extremity, the insolence of office; how. ever, I, being naturally warm, ventured to oppose him in a dispute about a haunch of venison. altogether for roasting, but Dionysius declared himself for boiling with so much prowess and resolution, that the cook thought it necessary to consult his own safety, rather than the luxury of my proposition. With the same authority that he orders what we shall eat and drink, he also commands us where to do it: and we change our taverns according as be suspects any treasonable practices in the settling "In former ages all pretensions to dominion have the bill by the master, or sees any bold rebellion in been supported and submitted to, either upon ac-point of attendance by the waiters. Another reason count of inheritance, conquest, or election; and all for changing the seat of empire, I conceive to be such persons, who have taken upon them any so- the pride he takes in the promulgation of our slavery, vereignty over their fellow-creatures upon any other though we pay our club for our entertainments, even account, have been always called tyrants, not so in these palaces of our grand monarch. When he much because they were guilty of any particular has a mind to take the air, a party of us are com barbarities, as because every attempt to such a su-manded out by way of life-guard, and we march unperiority was in its nature tyrannical. But there der as great restrictions as they do. I we meet a

No. 508.] MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1712. Omnes autem et habentur et dicuntur tyranni, qui potestate sunt perpetua, in ea civitate quæ libertate usa est. For all those are accounted and denominated tyrants, who exercise a perpetual power in that state which was before

freo.

CORN. NEPOs in Milt. c. 8.

THE following letters complain of what I have frequently observed with very much indignation; therefore shall give them to the public in the words with which my correspondents, who suffer under the hardships mentioned in them, describe them :

"MR. SPECTATOR,

was

neighbouring king, we give or keep the way, according as we are out-numbered or not; and if the train of each is equal in number, rather than give battle, the superiority is soon adjusted by a desertion from one of them.

"Now the expulsion of these unjust rulers out of all societies would gain a man as everlasting a reputation as either of the Brutuses got from their endeavours to extirpate tyranny from among the Romans. I confess myself to be in a conspiracy against the usurper of our club; and to show my reading as well as my merciful disposition, shall allow him until the ides of March to dethrone himself. If he seems to affect empire until that time, and does not gradually recede from the incursions he has made upon our liberties, he shall find a dinner dressed which he has no hand in, and shall be treated with an order, magnificence and luxury, as shall break his proud heart; at the same time that he shall be convinced in his stomach he was unfit for his post, and a more mild and skilful prince receive the acclamations of the people, and be set up in his room; but, as Milton says,

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"Your most obedient humble Servant." "MR. SPECTATOR

I have no remedy but leaving very agreeable com-
pany sooner than I desire. This also is a heinous
aggravation of his offence, that he is inflicting ba-
nishment upon me. Your printing this letter may
perhaps be an admonition to reform him; as soon
as it appears I will write my name at the end of it,
and lay it in his way: the making which just repri-
mand, I hope you will put in the power of,
"Sir, your constant Reader,
"and humble Servant."

T.

No. 509.] TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1712. Hominis frugi et temperantis functus officium. TER. Heaut. act. iii. sc. 3. Discharging the part of a good economist. THE useful knowledge in the following letter shall have a place in my paper, though there is nothing in it which immediately regards the polite or the learned world; I say inmediately, for upon reflecupon his own affairs, in the prosperity or decay of tion every man will find there is a remote influence the trading part of mankind. My present correspondent, I believe, was never in print before; but what he says well deserves a general attention, though delivered in his own homely maxims, and a kind of proverbial simplicity; which sort of learning from attention to Virgil, Horace, Tully, Seneca, has raised more estates, than ever were, or will be, Plutarch, or any of the rest, whom, I dare say, this worthy citizen would hold to be indeed ingenious, but unprofitable writers. But to the letter:

"SIR,

"MR. WILLIAM SPECTATOR.

:

"I am a young woman at a gentleman's seat in the country, who is a particular friend of my father's, and come hither to pass away a month or two with his daughters. I have been entertained with the utmost civility by the whole family, and nothing has Broad-street, Oct. 10, 1712. been omitted which can make my stay easy and "I accuse you of many discourses on the subject agreeable on the part of the family; but there is a of money, which you have heretofore promised the gentleman here, a visitant as I am, whose behaviour public, but have not discharged yourself thereof. has given me great uneasinesses. When I first ar- But, forasmuch as you seemed to depend upon adrived here, he used me with the utmost complaisance; vice from others what to do in that point, have sat but, forsooth, that was not with regard to my sex; down to write you the needful upon that subject. and since he has no designs upon me, he does not But, before I enter thereupon, I shall take this opknow why he should distinguish me from a man in portunity to observe to you, that the thriving frugal things indifferent. He is, you must know, one of man shows it in every part of his expense, dress, those familiar coxcombs, who have observed some well- servants, and house; and I must in the first place, bred men with a good grace converse with women, and complain to you, as Spectator, that in these partisay no fine things, but yet treat them with that sort culars there is at this time, throughout the city of of respect which flows from the heart and the under- London, a lamentable change from that simplicity standing, but is exerted in no professions or compli- of manners, which is the true source of wealth and ments. This puppy, to imitate this excellence, or prosperity. I just now said, the man of thrift shows avoid the contrary fault of being troublesome in regularity in every thing; but you may, perhaps, complaisance, takes upon him to try his talent upon laugh that I take notice of such a particular as I am me, insomuch that he contradicts me upon all occa- going to do, for an instance that this city is declinsions, and one day told me I lied. If I had stucking if their ancient economy is not restored. The him with my bodkin, and behaved myself like a man, since he will not treat me as a woman, I had, I think, served him right. I wish, Sir, you would please to give him some maxims of behaviour in these points, and resolve me if all maids are not in point of conversation to be treated by all bachelors as their mistresses? If not so, are they not to be used as gently as their sisters? Is it sufferable that the fop of whom I complain should say that he would rather have such-a-one without a groat, than me with the Indies? What right has any man to make suppositions of things not in his power, and then declare his will to the dislike of one that has never offended him? I assure you these are things worthy your consideration, and I hope we shall have your thoughts upon them. I am, though a woman justly offended, ready to forgive all this, because

thing which gives me this prospect, and so much offence, is the neglect of the Royal Exchange; I mean the edifice so called, and the walks appertaining thereunto. The Royal Exchange is a fabric that well deserves to be so called, as well to express that our monarch's highest glory and advantage consists in being the patron of trade, as that it is commodious for business, and an instance of the grandeur both of prince and people. But, alas! at present it hardly seems to be set apart for any such use or purpose. Instead of the assembly of honourable merchants, substantial tradesmen, and knowing masters of ships: the mumpers, the halt, the blind, and the lame; your venders of trash, apples, plums; your ragamuffins, rake-shames, and wenches; have justled the greater number of the former out of that place. Thus it is, especially on the evening change;

tion of a proverb, which by vulgar efror is taken and used when a man is reduced to an extremity, whereas the propriety of the maxim is to use it when you would say there is plenty, but you must make such a choice as not to hurt another who is to come after you.

"Mr. Tobias Hobson, from whom we have the

so that what with the din of squallings, oaths, and cries of beggars, men of the greatest consequence in our city absent themselves from the place. This particular, by the way, is of evil consequence, for, if the 'Change be no place for men of the highest credit to frequent, it will not be a disgrace for those of less abilities to absent. I remember the time when rascally company were kept out, and the un-expression, was a very honourable man, for I shall lucky boys with toys and balls were whipped away ever call the man so who gets an estate honestly. by the beadle. I have seen this done indeed of late, Mr. Tobias Hobson was a carrier; and, being a man but then it has been only to chase the lads from of great abilities and invention, and one that saw chuck, that the beadle might seize their copper. where there might good profit arise, though the "I must repeat the abomination, that the walnut-dulier men overlooked it, this ingenious man was trade is carried on by old women within the walks, which makes the place impassable by reason of shells and trash. The benches around are so filthy, that no one can sit down, yet the beadles and officers have the impudence at Christmas to ask for their box, though they deserve the strapado. I do not think it impertinent to have mentioned this, because it speaks a neglect in the domestic care of the city, and the domestic is the truest picture of a man every where else.

the first in this island who let out hackney horses. He lived in Cambridge; and, observing that the scholars rid hard, his manner was to keep a large stable of horses, with boots, bridles, and whips, to furnish the gentlemen at once, without going from college to college to borrow, as they have done since the death of this worthy man. I say, Mr. Hobson kept a stable of forty good cattle always ready and fit for travelling; but, when a man came for a horse, he was led into the stabie, where there was great choice; but he obliged him to take the horse which stood next to the stable-door; so that every customer was alike well served according to his chance, and every horse ridden with the same justice; from whence it became a proverb, when what ought to be your election was forced upon you, to say, 'Hobson's choice.' This memorable man stands drawn in fresco at an inn (which he used) in Bishopsgatestreet, with a hundred pound bag under his arm, with this inscription upon the said bag:

"But I designed to speak on the business of money and advancement of gain. The man proper for this, speaking in the general, is of a sedate, plain, good understanding, not apt to go out of his way, but so behaving himself at home, that business may come to him. Sir William Turner, that valuable citizen, has left behind him a most excellent rule, and couched it in very few words, suíted to the meanest capacity. He would say, Keep your shop, and your shop will keep you. It must be confessed, that if a man of a great genius could add steadiness to his vivacities, or substitute slower men of fidelity to transact the methodical part of his affairs, such a one would outstrip the rest of the world: but business and trade are not to be managed by the same heads which write poetry, and make plans for the conduct of life in general. So, though we are at this day beholden to the late witty and inventive Duke of Buckingham for the whole trade and manufacture of glass, yet I suppose there is no one will aver, that, were his grace yet living, they No. 510.] WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1712.

would not rather deal with my diligent friend and neighbour, Mr. Gumley, for any goods to be prepared and delivered on such a day, than he would with that illustrious mechanic above-mentioned.

"No, no, Mr. Spectator, you wits must not pretend to be rich; and it is possible the reason may be, in some measure, because you despise, or at least you do not value it enough to let it take up your chief attention; which the trader must do, or lose his credit, which is to him what honour, reputation, fame, or glory, is to other sort of men.

The fruitful mother of a hundred more. "Whatever tradesman will try the experiment, and begin the day after you publish this my discourse to treat his customers all alike, and all rea sonably and honestly, I will ensure him the same success. "I am, Sir, your loving Friend, "HEZEKIAM THRIFT."

If

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I WAS the other day driving in a hack through Gerrard-street, when my eye was immediately catched with the prettiest object imaginable the face of a very fair girl, between thirteen and fourteen, fixed "I shall not speak to the point of cash itself, until at the chin to a painted sash, and made part of the I see how you approve of these my maxims in ge- landscape. It seemed admirably done, and, upon neral; but I think a speculation upon many a little throwing myself eagerly out of the coach to look at makes a mickle, a penny saved is a penny got, penny it, it laughed, and flung from the window. This wise and pound foolish, it is need that makes the old amiable figure dwelt upon me; and I was considerwife trot,' would be very useful to the world; and, ing the vanity of the girl, and her pleasant coquetry if you treated them with knowledge, would be useful in acting a picture until she was taken notice of, to yourself, for it would make demands for your and raised the admiration of her beholders. This paper among those who have no notion of it at pre-little circumstance made me run into reflections But of these matters more hereafter. If you did this, as you excel many writers of the present age for politeness, so you would outgo the author of the true strops of razors for use.

sent.

"I shall conclude this discourse with an explana

Alderman Thomas, a mercer, made this one of the mottos in his shop in Paternoster row.

upon the force of beauty, and the wonderful influence the female sex has upon the other part of the species. Our hearts are seized with their enchantments, and there are few of us, but brutal meni, who by that hardness lose the chief pleasure in them, can resist their insinuations, though never so much against our interest and opinion. it is common with women to destroy the good effects a man's following his own

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way and inclination might have upon his honour and arguments can be with her. It is a most miseand fortune, by interposing their power over him in rable slavery to submit to what you disapprove, and matters wherein they cannot influence him, but to give up a truth for no other reason, but that you had his loss and disparagement. I do not know there- not fortitude to support you in asserting it. A man fore a task so difficult in human life, as to be proof has enough to do to conquer his own unreasonable against the importunities of a woman a man loves. wishes and desires; but he does that in vain, if he There is certainly no armour against tears, sullen has those of another to gratify. Let his pride be in looks, or at best constrained familiarities, in her his wife and family, let him give them all the conwhom you usually meet with transport and alacrity. veniences of life in such a manner as if he were Sir Walter Raleigh was quoted in a letter (of a very proud of them; but let it be his own innocent pride, ingenious correspondent of mine) upon this subject. and not their exorbitant desires, which are indulged That author, who had lived in courts, camps, tra- by him. In this case all the little arts imaginable velled through many countries, and seen many men are used to soften a man's heart, and raise his pasunder several climates, and of as various complex- sion above his understanding. But in all concessions ions, speaks of our impotence to resist the wiles of of this kind, a man should consider whether the women in very severe terms. His words are as present he makes flows from his own love, or the follow :"What means did the devil find out, or what in-her slave; if from the former, her friend. We importunity of his beloved. If from the latter, he is struments did his own subtlety present him, as fittest and aptest to work his mischief by? Even the unquiet vanity of the woman; so as by Adam's hearkening to the voice of his wife, contrary to the express commandment of the living God, mankind by that her incantation became the subject of labour, sorrow, and death; the woman being given to man for a comforter and companion, but not for a counsellor. It is also to be noted by whom the woman was tempted: even by the most ugly and unworthy of all beasts, into whom the devil entered and persuaded. Secondly, What was the motive of her disobedience? Even a desire to know what was most unfitting her knowledge; an affection which has ever since remained in all the posterity of her sex. Thirdly, What was it that moved the man to yield to her persuasions? Even the same cause which hath moved all men since to the like consent; namely, an unwillingness to grieve her, or make her sad, lest she should pine, and be overcome with sorrow. But if Adam, in the state of perfection, and Solomon, the son of David, God's chosen servant, and himself a man endued with the greatest wisdom, did both of them disobey their Creator by the persuasion, and for the love they bare to a woman, it is not so wonderful as lamentable, that other men in succeeding ages have been allured to So many inconvenient and wicked practices by the persuasions of their wives, or other beloved darlings, who cover over and shadow many malicious purposes with a counterfeit passion of dissimulate sorrow and unquietness."

The motions of the minds of lovers are no where so well described as in the works of skilful writers for the stage. The scene between Fulvia and Curius, in the second act of Johnson's Cataline, is an excellent picture of the power of a lady over her gallant. The wench plays with his affections: and as a man, of all places of the world, wishes to make a good figure with his mistress, upon her upbraiding him with want of spirit, he alludes to enterprises which he cannot reveal but with the hazard of his life. When he is worked thus far, with a little flattery of her opinion of his gallantry, and desire to know more of it out of her overflowing fondness to him, he brags to her until his life is in her disposal. When a man is thus liable to be vanquished by the charms of her he loves, the safest way is to determine what is proper to be done; but to avoid all expostulation with her before he executes what he has resolved. Women are ever too hard for us upon a treaty; and one must consider how senseless a thing it is to argue with one whose looks and geslares are more prevalent with you, than your reason

laugh it off, and do not weigh this subiection to women with that seriousness which so important a circumstance deserves. Why was courage given man, if his wife's fears are to frustrate it? once indulged, you are no longer her guardian and When this is protector, as you were designed by nature; but, in compliance to her weaknesses, you have disabled yourself from avoiding the misfortunes into which they will lead you both, and you are to see the hour in which you are to be reproached by herself for that very complaisance to her. It is indeed the most difficult mastery over ourselves we can possibly attain, to resist the grief of her who charms us; but let the heart ache, be the anguish never so quick and painful, it is what must be suffered and passed through, if you think to live like a gentleman or be conscious to yourself that you are a man of honesty. The old argument, that "you do not love me if you deny me this," which first was used to obtain a trifle, by habitual success will oblige the unhappy man who gives way to it to resign the cause even of his country and his honour.-T.

No. 511.] THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1712.
Quis non inveniat turba quod amaret in illa?
OVID, Art. Am. i. 175.

-Who could fail to find,
In such a crowd a mistress to his mind?
"DEAR SPEC.,

to continue my epistolary correspondence with thee,
"FINDING that my last letter took, I do intend
on those dear confounded creatures, women. Thou
knowest all the little learning I am master of is
upon that subject: I never looked in a book, but for
their sakes. I have lately met with two pure stories
for a Spectator, which I am sure will please mightily,
if they pass through thy hands. The first of them
I found by chance in an English book, called Hero-
dotus, that lay in my friend Dapperwit's window, as
I visited him one morning. It luckily opened in
the place where I met the following account. He
tells us that it was the manner among the Persians
to have several fairs in the kingdom, at which all
to sale. The men who wanted wives came hither to
the young unmarried women were annually exposed
provide themselves. Every woman was given to the
highest bidder, and the money which she fetched
laid aside for the public use, to be employed as thou
shalt hear by-and-bye. By this means, the richest
people had the choice of the market, and culled out
the most extraordinary beauties. As soon as the
fair was thus picked, the refuse was to be distributed

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