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'From our office near the Hay-market, November 23,

" WORTHY SIR, 'Upon reading your Tatler on Saturday last, by which we received the agreeable news of so many deaths, we immediately ordered in a considerable quantity of blacks; and our servants have wrought night and day ever since, to furnish out the necessaries for these deceased. But so it is, sir, that of this vast number of dead bodies, that go putrifying up and down the streets, not one of them has come to us to be buried. Though we should be loath to be any hinderance to our good friends the physicians, yet we cannot but take notice what infection her majesty's subjects are liable to from the horrible stench of so many corses. Sir, we will not detain you; our case in short is this: here are we embarked in this undertaking for the public good: now, if people should be suffered to go on unburied at this rate, there is an end of the usefullest manufactures and handicrafts of the kingdom: for where will be your sextons, coffin-makers, and plumbers? what will become of your embalmers, epitaph-mongers, and chief mourners? We are loath to drive this matter any farther, though we tremble at the consequences of it; for if it shall be left to every dead man's discretion not to be buried until he sees his time, no man can say where that will end; but thus much we will take upon us to affirm, that such a toleration will be intolerable.

What would make us easy in this matter is no more, but that your worship would be pleased to issue out your orders to ditto Dead to repair forth with to our office, in order to their interment; where coustant attendance shall be given to treat with all persons according to their quality, and the poor to be buried for nothing: and for the convenience of such persons as are willing enough to be dead, but that they are afraid their friends and relations should know it, we have a back door into Warwick-street, from whence they may be interred with all the secrecy imaginable, and without loss of time, or hinderance of business. But, in case of obstinacy, for we would gladly make a thorough riddance, we desire a further power from your worship, to take up such deceased as have not complied with your first orders, wherever we meet them: and if after that there shall be complaints of any persons so offending, let them lie at our doors. We are, your worship's until death, The master and company

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' of Upholders.

'P. S. We are ready to give in our printed proposals at large; and if your worship approves of our undertaking, we desire the following advertisement may be inserted in your next paper:

'Whereas, a commission of interment has been

awarded against Doctor John Partridge, philomath, professor of physic and astrology; and whereas the said Partridge hath not surrendered himself nor shown cause to the contrary; these are to certify, that the company of upholders will proceed to bury him from Cordwainers-hall, on Tuesday the twentyninth instant, where any six of his surviving friends, who still believe him to be alive, are desired to come prepared to hold up the pall.

Note. We shall light away at six in the evening, there being to be a sermon.'

No. 100.] TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1709. Jam redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna. Virg. Ecl. iv. ver. 6. Returning justice brings a golden age. R. W.

Sheer-Lane, November 28.

I was last week taking a solitary walk in the garden of Lincoln's-Inn (a favour that is indulged me by several of the benchers, who are my intimate friends, and grown old with me in this neighbourhood) when, according to the nature of men in years, who have made but little progress in the advancement of their fortune or their fame, I was repining at the sudden rise of many persons who are my juniors, and indeed, at the unequal distribution of wealth, honour, and all other blessings of life. I was lost in this thought, when the night came upon me, and drew my mind into a far more agreeable contemplation. The heaven above me appeared in all its glories, and presented me with such a hemisphere of stars as made the most agreeable prospect imaginable to one who delights in the study of nature. It happened to be a freezing night, which had purified the whole body of air into such a bright transparent æther, as made every constellation visible; and, at the same time, gave such a particular glowing to the stars, that I thought it the richest sky I had ever seen. I could not behold a scene so wonderfully adorned and lighted up, if I may be allowed that expression, without suitable meditations on the author of such illustrious and amazing objects: for, on these occasions, philosophy suggests motives to religion, and religion adds pleasure to philosophy.

As soon as I had recovered my usual temper and serenity of soul, I retired to my lodgings, with the satisfaction of having passed away a few hours in the proper employments of a reasonable creature; and promising myself that my slumbers would be sweet, I no sooner fell into them, but I dreamed dream, or saw a vision, for I know not which to call it, that seemed to rise out of my evening meditation, and had something in it so solemn and serious, that I cannot forbear communicating it; though, I must confess, the wildness of imagination, which in a dream, is always loose and irregular, discovers itself too much in several parts of it.

Methought I saw the same azure sky diversified with the same glorious luminaries which had entertained me a little before I fell asleep. I was looking very attentively on that sign in the heavens which is called by the name of the Balance, when, on a sudden there appeared in it an extraordinary light, as if the sun should rise at midnight. By its increasing in breath and lustre, I soon found that it discern something like a shadow hovering in the approached towards the earth; and at length could midst of a great glory, which, in a little time after, I distinctly perceived to be the figure of a woman. I fancied at first it might have been the angel, or intelligence that guided the constellation from which it descended; but, upon a nearer view, I saw about her all the emblems with which the goddess of jusunspeakably awful and majestic, but exquisitely tice is usually described. Her countenance was beautiful to those whose eyes were strong enough to behold it; her smiles transported with rapture, her frowns terrified to despair. She held in her hand, a mirror, endowed with the same qualities as that which the painters put into the hand of truth.

There streamed from it a light, which distinguished itself from all the splendours that surrounded her, more than a flash of lightning shines in the midst of day-light. As she moved it in her hand, it brightened the heavens, the air, or the earth. When she had descended so low as to be seen and heard by mortals, to make the pomp of her appearance

more supportable, she threw darkness and clouds about her, that tempered the light into a thousand beautiful shades and colours, and multiplied that lustre, which was before too strong and dazzling, into a variety of milder glories.

In the mean time, the world was in an alarm, and all the inhabitants of it gathered together upon a spacious plain; so that I seemed to have the whole species before my eyes. A voice was heard from the clouds declaring the intention of this visit, which was to restore and appropriate to every one living what was his due. The fear and hope, joy and sorrow, which appeared in that great assembly, after this solemn declaration, are not to be expressed. The first edict was then pronounced, That all titles and claims to riches and estates, or to any part of them, should be immediately vested in the rightful owner.' Upon this, the inhabitants of the earth held up the instruments of their tenure, whether in parchment, paper, wax, or any other form of conveyance; and as the goddess moved the mirror of truth which she held in her hand, so that the light which flowed from it fell upon the multitude, they examined the several instruments by the beams of it. The rays of this mirror had a particular quality of setting fire to all forgery and falsehood. The blaze of papers, the melting of seals, and crackling of parchments, made a very odd scene. The fire very often ran through two or three lines only, and then stopped. Though I could not but observe that the flames chiefly broke out among the interlineations and codicils; the light of the mirror, as it was turned up and down, pierced into all the dark corners and recesses of the universe, and by that means detected many writings and records which had been hidden or buried by time, chance, or design This occasioned a wonderful revolution among the people. At the same time, the spoils of extortion, fraud, and robbery, with all the fruits of bribery and corruption, were thrown together in a prodigious pile, that almost reached to the clouds, and was called, The Mount of Restitution;' to which all injured persons were invited, to receive what belonged to them.

One might see crowds of people in tattered garments come up, and change cloaths with others that were dressed with lace and embroidery. Several who where Plums, or very near it, became men of moderate fortunes; and many others, who were overgrown in wealth and possessions, had no more left than what they usually spent. What moved my concern most was, to see a certain street of the greatest credit in Europe, from one end to the other, become bankrupt. The next command was, for the whole body of mankind to separate themselves into their proper families; which was no sooner done, but an edict was issued out, requiring all children to repair to their true and natural fathers.' This put a great part of the assembly in motion; for, as the mirror was moved over them, it inspired every one with such a natural instinct, as directed them to their real parents. It was a very melancholy spectacle to see the fathers of very large families become childless, and bachelors undone by a charge of sons and daughters. You might see a presumptive-heir of a great estate ask blessing of his coachman, and a celebrated toast paying her duty to a valet de chambre. Many, under vows of celibacy, appeared surrounded with a numerous issue. This change of parentage would have caused great lamentation, but that the calamity was pretty common; and that generally those who lost their children, had the satisfaction of seeing them put into the hands of their dearest friends, Men were no sooner

settled in their right to their possessions and their progeny, but there was a third order proclaimed, 'That all the posts of dignity and honour in the universe should be conferred on persons of the greatest merit, abilities, and perfection.' The handsome, the strong, and the wealthy, immediately pressed forward; but not being able to bear the splendour of the mirror, which played upon their faces, they immediately fell back among the crowd; but, as the goddess tried the multitude by her glass, as the eagle does its young ones by the lustre of the sun, it was remarkable, that every one turned away his face from it, who had not distinguished himself either by virtue, knowledge, or capacity in business, either military or civil. This select assembly was drawn up in the centre of a prodigious multitude, which was diffused on all sides, and stood observing them, as idle people use to gather about a regiment that are exercising their arms. They were drawn up in three bodies; in the first, were the men of virtue; in the second, men of knowledge; and, in the third, the men of business. It is impossible to look at the first column without a secret veneration, their aspects were so sweetened with humanity, raised with contemplation, emboldened with resolution, and adorned with the most agreeable airs, which are those that proceed from secret habits of virtue. I could not but take notice, that there were many faces among them which were unknown, not only to the multitude, but even to several of their own body.

In the second column, consisting of the men of knowledge, there had been great disputes before they fell into the ranks, which they did not do at last without the positive command of the goddess who presided over the assembly. She had so ordered it, that men of the greatest genius and strongest sense were placed at the head of the column. Behind these were such as had formed their minds very much on the thoughts and writings of others. In the rear of the column were men who had more wit than sense, or more learning than understanding. All living authors of any value were ranged in one of these classes; but, I must confess, I was very much surprised to see a great body of editors, critics, com mentators, and grammarians, meet with so very ill a reception. They had formed themselves into a body, and, with a great deal of arrogance, demanded the first station in the column of knowledge; but the goddess, instead of complying with their request, clapped them all into liveries, and bid them know themselves for no other but lackeys of the learned.

The third column were men of business, and con sisting of persons in military and civil capacities. The former marched out from the rest, and placed themselves in the front; at which the others shook their heads at them, but did not think fit to dispute the post with them. I could not but make several observations upon this last column of people; but I have certain private reasons why I do not think fit to communicate them to the public. In order to fill up all the posts of honour, dignity, and profit, there was a draught made out of each column of men, who were masters of all three qualifications in some degree, and were preferred to stations of the first rank. The second draught was made out of such as were possessed of any two of the qualifications, who were disposed of in stations of a second dignity. Those who were left, and were endowed only with one of them, had their suitable posts. When this was over, there remained many places of trust and profit unfilled, for which there were fresh draughts made out of the surrounding multitude, who had any appear

ance of these excellencies, or were recommended by those who possessed them in reality.

All were surprised to see so many new faces in the most eminent dignities; and, for my own part, I was very well pleased to see that all my friends either kept their present posts, or were advanced to higher. Having filled my paper with those particulars of my vision which concern the male part of mankind, I must reserve for another occasion the sequel of it, which relates to the fair sex.

No. 101.] THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1709.
Postquam fregit subsellia versu,
Esurit intactam Paridi nisi vendit Agaven.
Jur. Sat. vii. 87.

But while the common suffrage crown'd his cause,
And broke the benches with their loud applause;
His muse had starv'd, had not a piece unread,
And, by a player bought, supplied her bread.

Dryden.

men's land. From the beginning of November unti the opening of the campaign, he writ pamphlets and letters to members of parliament, or friends in the country. But sometimes he would relieve his ordinary readers with a murder, and lived comfortably a week or two upon strange and lamentable accidents. A little before the armies took the field, his way was to open your attention with a prodigy; and a menster, well writ, was two guineas the lowest price. This prepared his readers for his 'great and bloody news' from Flanders, in June and July. Poor Tom he is gone but I observed, he always looked ve after a battle, and was apparently fatter in a fighting year. Had this honest careless fellow lived unt now, famine had stared him in the face, and intrerupted his merriment; as it must be a solid afflicte to all whose pen is their portion.

As for my part, I do not speak wholly for my on sake in this point; for palmistry and astrology vá bring me in greater gains than these my papers; s that I am only in the condition of a lawyer, leaves the bar for chamber-practice. However, I be allowed to speak in the cause of learning itself. From my own Apartment, November 30. and lament that a liberal education is the only en THE progress of my intended account of what hap- which a polite nation makes unprofitable. All pened when justice visited mortals, is at present in-chanical artizans are allowed to reap the fruit of ther terrupted by the observation and sense of an injustice against which there is no remedy, even in a kingdom more happy in the care taken of the liberty and property of the subject than any other nation upon earth. This iniquity is committed by a most impregnable set of mortals, men who are rogues within the law; and, in the very commission of what they are guilty of, professedly own that they forbear no injury, but from the terror of being punished for it. These miscreants are a set of wretches we authors call pirates, who print any book, poem, or sermon, as soon as it appears in the world, in a smaller volume; and sell it, as all other thieves do stolen goods, at a cheaper rate. I was in my rage calling them rascals, plunderers, robbers, highwaymen. But they acknowledge all that, and are pleased with those, as well as any other titles; nay, will print them themselves, to turn the penny.

I am extremely at a loss how to act against such open enemies, who have not shame enough to be touched with our reproaches, and are as well defended against what we can say as what we can do. Railing, therefore, we must turn into complaint, which I cannot forbear making, when I consider that all the labours of my long life may be disappointed by the first man that pleases to rob me. I had flattered myself that my stock of learning was worth a hundred and fifty pounds per annum, which would very handsomely maintain me and my little family, who are so happy, or so wise, as to want only necessaries. Before men had come up to this barefaced impudence, it was an estate to have a competency of understanding.

An ingenious droll, who is since dead, (and indeed it is well for him he is so, for he must have starved had he lived to this day,) used to give me an account of his good husbandry in the management of his learning. He was a general dealer, and had his amusements as well comical as serious. The merry rogue said, When he wanted a dinner, he writ a paragraph of Table Talk, and his bookseller upon sight paid the reckoning.' He was a very good judge of what would please the people, and could aptly hit both the genius of his readers, and the season of the year, in his writings. His brain, which was his estate, had as regular and different produce as other

invention and ingenuity without invasion; but he
that has separated himself from the rest of man-
kind, and studied the wonders of the creation, the
government of his passions, and the revolution of the
world, and has an ambition to communicate the effect
of half his life spent in such noble enquiries, has no
property in what he is willing to produce, but is er
posed to robbery and want, with this melancholy and
just reflection, that he is the only man who is not
protected by his country, at the same time that be
best deserves it. According to the ordinary rules of
computation, the greater the adventure is, the greater
ought to be the profit of those who succeed in t
and by this measure, none have pretence of turning
their labours to greater advantage than pers
brought up to letters. A learned education, passing
through great schools and universities, is very er
pensive; and consumes a moderate fortune, before
is gone through in its proper forms. The purchase
of a handsome commission or employment, whi
would give a man a good figure in another kind
life, is to be made at a much cheaper rate. Now,
we consider this expensive voyage which is under
taken in the search of knowledge, and how few there
are who take in any considerable merchandize, bư
less frequent is it, to be able to turn what men baTM-
gained into profit; how hard is it, that the vert
small number who are distinguished with abilities "
know how to vend their wares, and have the god
fortune to bring them into port, should suffer be
plundered by privateers under the very cannon th
should protect them! The most eminent and usef
author of the age we live in, after having laid out a
princely revenue in works of charity and beneficere
as became the greatness of his mind, and the sancti
of his character, would leave the person in the wurd
who was the dearest to him, in a narrow condition
had not the sale of his immortal writings brough
her in a very considerable dowry; hough it was in-
possible for it to be equal to their value. Every n
will know, that I here mean the works of the
Archbishop of Canterbury, the copy of which wa
sold for two thousand five hundred pounds.

I do not speak with relation to any party; but has happened, and may often so happen, that men great learning and virtue cannot qualify themselves f

From my own Apartment, December 2.

A CONTINUATION OF THE VISION.

being employed in business, or receiving preferments. No. 102.] SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1709. In this case, you cut them off from all support, if you take from them the benefit that may arise from their writings. For my own part, I have brought myself to consider things in so unprejudiced a manner, that 1 esteem more a man who can live by the products of his understanding than one who does it by the favour of great men.

The zeal of an author has transported me thus far, though I think myself as much concerned in the capacity of a reader. If this practice goes on, we must never expect to see again a beautiful edition of a book in Great Britain.

justice, and disappeared, when, on a sudden, the THE male world were dismissed by the goddess of whole plain was covered with women. So charming sure; and as the celestial light of the mirror shone a multitude filled my heart with unspeakable pleaupon their faces, several of them seemed rather persuch who were brought before her to their trial. The sons that descended in the train of the goddess, than We have already seen the memoirs of Sir Wilclack of tongues, and confusion of voices, in this new iam Temple published in the same character and forced to command silence several times, and with assembly, were so very great, that the goddess was Tolume with the history of Tom Thumb, and the works of our greatest poets shrunk into penny books some severity, before she could make them attentive nd garlands. For my own part, I expect to see my important affair among womankind was then to be to her edicts. They were all sensible that the most ucubrations printed on browner paper than they are it present, and, if the humour continues, must be settled, which every one knows to be the point of orced to retrench my expensive way of living, and place. This had raised innumerable disputes not smoke above two pipes a-day. among them, and put the whole sex into a tumult. Mr. Charles Lillie, perfumer, at the corner of Beau- Every one produced her claim, and pleaded her preort-buildings, has informed me, that I am obliged that rung in my ears from all parts of the plain. tensions. Birth, beauty, wit, or wealth, were words o several of my customers for coming to his shop Some boasted of the merit of their husbands; others pon my recommendation, and has also given me fur- of their own power in governing them. Some pleadher assurances of his upright dealing with all who ed their unspotted virginity; others their numerous hall be so kind as to make use of my name to him. acknowledge this favour, and have, for the service mothers, and others as they were the daughters, of Some valued themselves as they were the f my friends who frequent his shop, used the force considerable persons. f magical powers to add value to his wares. By complishment unmentioned, or unpractised. The There was not a single ac my knowledge in the secret operations of nature, I whole congregation was full of singing, dancing, tossave made his powders, perfumed and lain, haveing, ogling, squeaking, smiling, sighing, fanning, he same effect as love-powder, to all ho are too

nuch enamoured to do more than dress at their mis

resses. His amber, orange-flower, musk, and civetiolet, put only into a handkerchief, shall have the

ame effect towards an honourable lover's wishes, as

f he had been wrapped in his mother's smock. Washbaus perfumed, camphired, and plain, shall restore complexions to that degree, that a country fox-hunter, who uses them, shall, in a week's time, look with a courtly and affable paleness, without using the bagnio or cupping.

N. B. Mr. Lillie has snuffs, Barcelona, Seville, musty, plain, and Spanish, which may be taken by a young beginner without danger of sneezing.

Sheer-lane November 30. Whereas several walking dead persons arrived within the bills of mortality, before and since the fifteenth instant, having been informed of my wartant given to the company of Upholders and being terrified thereat, it not having been advertised that privilege or protection would be allowed, have resolvforthwith to retire to their several an respective abodes in the country, hoping thereby elude any mission of interment that may issue ut against them; and being informed of such thr fallacious designs, I do hereby give notice, as well or the good the public, as for the great veneration I have for the before-mentioned useful society, that a process is gone out against them; and that, in case of contempt, they may be found, or heard of, at most coffeehouses in and about Westminster.

I must desire my readers to help me out from time to time in the correction of these my Essays; for, as a shaking hand does not always write legibly, the press sometimes prints one word for another; and when my paper is to be revised, I am perhaps so busy in observing the spots of the moon, that I have bot time to find out the errata that are crept into my Incabrations.

issue.

frowning, and all those irresistible arts which women put in practice, to captivate the hearts of reasonable it to be proclaimed, 'that every one should take place creatures. The goddess, to end this dispute, caused declaration gave great satisfaction to the whole asaccording as she was more or less beautiful.' This in all its beauties. Such as believed themselves sembly, which immediately bridled up, and appeared back, advancing forward, or making a false step, that graceful in their motion found an occasion of falling air. Such as had fine necks and bosoms were wOB they might show their persons in the most becoming derfully curious to look over the heads of the multitude, and observe the most distant parts of the assembly. Several clapt their hands on their foreheads, as helping their sight to look upon the glories that surrounded the goddess, but in reality to show fine hands and arms. The ladies were yet better pleas ed when they heard that, in the decision of this great controversy, each of them should be her own judge, and take her place according to her own opinion of herself, when she consulted her looking-glass.'

The goddess then let down the mirror of truth in a golden chain, which appeared larger in proportion as it descended, and approached nearer to the eyes of the beholders. It was the particular property of this looking-glass, to banish all false appearances, and show people what they are. The whole woman was represented, without regard to the usual external features, which were made entirely conformable to their real characters. In short, the most accomplished, taking in the whole circle of female perfections, were the most beautiful; and the most defective, the most deformed. The goddess so varied the motion of the glass, and p'aced it in so many different lights, that each had an opportunity of seeing herself in it.

It is impossible to describe the rage, the pleasure or astonishment, that appeared in each face upon its

representation in the mirror; multitudes started at their own form, and would have broke the glass if they could have reached it. Many saw their blooming features wither as they looked upon them, and their self-admiration turned into a loathing and abhorrence. The lady who was thought so agreeable in her anger, and was so often celebrated for a woman of fire and spirit, was frightened at her own image, and fancied she saw a Fury in the glass. The interested mistress beheld a Harpy, and the subtle jilt a Sphinx. I was very much troubled in my own heart, to see such a description of fine faces; but, at the same time, had the pleasure of seeing several improved, which I had looked upon as the greatest master-piece of nature. I observed, that some few were so humble as to be surprised at their own charms, and that many a-one, who had lived in the retirement and severity of a vestal, shined forth in all the graces and attractions of a siren. I was ravished at the sight of a particular image in the mirror, which I think the most beautiful object that my eyes ever beheld. There was something more than human in her countenance, her eyes were so full of light, that they seemed to beautify every thing they looked upon. Her face was enlivened with such a florid bloom, as did not so properly seem the mark of health, as immortality. Her shape, her stature, and her mien, were such as distinguished her even there, where the whole fair sex was assembled.

I was impatient to see the lady represented by so divine an image, whom I found to be the person that stood at my right hand, and in the same point of view with myself. This was a little old woman, who in her prime had been about five feet high, though at present shrunk to about three quarters of that measure. Her natural aspect was puckered up with wrinkles, and her head covered with gray hairs. I had observed all along an innocent cheerfulness in her face, which was not heightened into rapture, as she beheld herself in the glass. It was an odd circumstance in my dream, but I cannot forbear relating it. I conceived so great an inclination towards her that I had thoughts of discoursing her upon the point of marriage, when on a sudden she was carried from me; for the word was now given, that all who were pleased with their own images should separate, and place themselves at the head of their sex.

This detachment was afterwards divided into three bodies, consisting of maids, wives, and widows; the wives being placed in the middle, with the maids on the right, and widows on the left; though it was with difficulty that the two last bodies were hindered from falling into the centre. This separation of those who liked their real selves not having lessened the number of the main body so considerably as it might have been wished, the goddess, after having drawn up her mirror, thought fit to make new distinctions among those who did not like the figure which they saw in it. She made several wholesome edicts, which are slipped out of my mind; but there were two which dwelt upon me, as being very extraordinary in their kind, and executed with great severity. Their design was to make an example of two extremes in the female world; of those who are very severe on the conduct

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the offender, and what should be the end of all ishments, effectual for rooting out the crime. Upon this edict, which was as soon executed as published, the noise of the assembly very considerably abated. It was a melancholy spectacle, to see so many who had the reputation of rigid virtue struck dumb. A lady who stood by me, and saw my concern, told me, she wondered how I could be concerned for such a pack of ' I found, by the shaking of her head, she was going to give me their characters; but, by her saying no more, I perceived she had lost the command of her tongue. This calamity fell very heavy upon that part of women who are distinguished by the name of Prudes, a courtly word for female hypocrites, who have a short way to being virtuous, by showing that others are vicious. The second sentence was then pronounced against the loose part of the sex, that all should immediately be pregnant, who, in any part of their lives, had run the hazard of it. This produced a very goodly appearance, and revealed so many misconducts, that made those who were lately struck dumb repine more than ever at their want of utterance; though, at the same time, as afflictions seldom come single, many of the mutes were also seized with this new calamity. The ladies were now in such a condition, that they would have wanted room, had not the plain been large enough to let them divide their ground, and extend their lines on all sides. It was a sensible affliction to me, to see such a multitude of fair ones, either dumb, or big-bellied. But I was something more at ease, when I found that they agreed upon several regulations to cover such misfortunes. Among others, that it should be an established maxim in all nations that a woman's first child might come into the world within six months after her acquaintance with her husband; and that grief might retard the birth of her last until fourteen months after his decease.

This vision lasted until my usual hour of waking, which I did with some surprise, to find myself alone, after having been engaged almost a whole night in so prodigious a multitude. I could not but reflect with wonder at the partiality and extravagance of my vision; which, according to my thoughts, has not done justice to the sex. If virtue in men is more venerable, it is in women more lovely; which Milton has very finely expressed in his Paradise Lost, where Adam, speaking of Eve, after having asserted his own pre-eminence, as being first in creation and internal faculties, breaks out into the following rapture:

-Yet when I approach

Her loveliness, so absolute she seems,
And in herself complete, so well to know
Her own, that what she wills, or do, or say,
Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best,
All higher knowledge in her presence falls
Degraded, wisdom in discourse with her
Loses discountenanced, and like folly shews.
Authority and reason on her wait,
As one intended first, not after made
Occasionally. And, to consummate all,
Greatness of mind, and nobleness, their seat
Build in her loveliest, and create an awe
About her, as a guard angelic plac'd.'

of others, and of those who are very regardless of No. 103.] TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1709.

their own. The first sentence, therefore, the goddess pronounced was, that all females addicted to censoriousness and detraction should lose the use of speech;

a punishment which would be the most grievous to

-

-Hæ nugæ seria ducunt

In mala, derisum semel, exceptumque sinistre. Hor. Ars Poet. ver. 452.

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