No. 200. so much prevailed, as to give him the advantage with me, in all other refpects. My mother pleads ftrongly for Silvius; and ufes these arguments: That he not only has the larger eftate at prefent, but, by his good husbandry and management, increases it daily: that his little knowledge in other affairs will make him eafy and tractable; whereas, according to her, men of letters know too much to make good hufbands. To part of this, I imagine, I anfwer effectually, by faying, Philander's eftate is large enough; that they who think two thoufand pounds a year fufficient, make no difference between that and three. I eafily believe him lefs converfant in those affairs, the knowledge of which the fo much commends in Silvius; but I think them neither fo neceffary or becoming in a gentleman, as the accomplishments of Philander. It is no great character of a man to fay, he rides in his coach and fix, and understands as much as he who follows the plough. Add to this, that the converfation of these fort of men feems fo difagreeable to me, that though they make good bailiffs, I can hardly be perfuaded they can be good companions. It is poffible I may feem to have odd notions, when I fay, I am not fond of a man only for be-ing of, what is called, a thriving temper. To conclude, I own I am at a lofs to conceive, how good-fenfe fhould make a man an ill husband, or converfing with books, lefs complaifant.

CELIA.*

The refolution which this lady is going to take, fhe may very well fay, is founded on reafon; for, after the neceffities of life are ferved, there is no manner of competition between a man of a liberal education and an illiterate. Men are not altered by their circumstances, but as they give them opportunities of exerting what they are in themselves; and a powerful clown is a tyrant in the most ugly form he can poffibly appear. There lies a feeming objection in the thoughtful manner of Philander: but let her confider, which she shall oftener have occafion to wish, that Philander would speak, or Silvius hold his tongue.

'The

The train of my difcourfe is prevented by the urgent hafte of another correfpondent.

Mr. BICKERSTAFF,

July 14

THIS comes to you from one of those virgins of twenty-five years old and upwards, that you, like a patron of the diftreffed, promife to provide for; who makes it her humble request, that no occafional ftories or fubjects may, as they have for three or four of your last days, prevent your publishing the fcheme you have communicated to Amanda; for every day and hour is of the greatest confequence to damfels of fo advanced an age. Be quick, then, if you intend to do any fervice for

Your admirer,

DIANA FORECAST."

In this important affair, I have not neglected the proposals of others. Among them is the following sketch of a lottery for perfons. The author of it has proposed very ample, encouragement, not only to myfelf, but also to Charles Lillie and John Morphew. If the matter bears, I fhall not be unjust to his merit: I only defire to enlarge his plan; for which purpose I lay it before the town, as well for the improvement as the encouragement of it.

The amicable contribution for raising the fortunes of ten young ladies.

Imprimis, It is propofed to raife one hundred thoufand crowns by way of lots, which will advance for each lady two thousand five hundred pounds; which fum, together with one of the ladies, the gentleman that fhall be fo happy as to draw a prize, provided they both like, will be entitled to, under fuch restrictions hereafter mentioned. And, in cafe they do not like, then either party that refufes fhall be entitled to one thousand pounds only, and the remainder to him or her that fhall be willing to marry, the man being firft to declare his mind. But it is provided,

that

that if both parties fhall confent to have one another, the gentleman fhall, before he receives the money thus raised, fettle one thousand pounds of the fame in substantial hands; who fhall be as trustees for the faid ladies, and shall have the whole and fole difpofal of it for her ufe only.

Note, Each party fhall have three months time to confider, after an interview had, which shall be within ten days after the lots are drawn.

Note alfo, The name and place of abode of the prize fhall be placed on a proper ticket.

Item, They fhall be ladies that have had a liberal education, between fifteen and twenty-three; all genteel, witty, and of unblamable characters.

The money to be raised fhall be kept in an iron box; and when there shall be two thousand subscriptions, which amounts to five hundred pounds, it shall be taken out and put into the goldsmith's hand, and the note made payable to the proper lady, or her affigns, with a clause therein to hinder her from receiving it, until the fortunate perfon that draws her fhall firft fign the note, and fo on until the whole fum is fubfcribed for: and as foon as one hundred thousand subscriptions are completed, and two hundred crowns more to pay the charges, the lottery fhall be drawn at a proper place, to be appointed a fortnight before the drawing.'

Note, Mr. Bickerftaff objects to the marriageable years here mentioned; and is of opinion, they fhould not commence until after twenty-three. But he appeals to the learned, both of Warwick-lane and Bishopfgate-street, on this fubject.'

NO.

NO. 201. SATURDAY, JULY 22, 1710.

White's Chocolate-house, July 21.

IT has often been afferted in these papers, that the great fource of our wrong purfuits is the impertinent manner with which we treat women, both in the common and important circumftances of life. In vain do we fay, the whole fex would run into England, while the privileges, which are allowed them, do no way balance the inconveniencies arifing from thofe very immunities. Our women have very much indulged to them in the participation of our fortunes and our liberty; but the errors they commit in the ufe of either are by no means fo impartially confidered as the falfe fteps which are made by men. In the commerce of lovers, the man makes the addrefs, affails, and betrays; and yet ftands in the fame degree of acceptance as he was in before he committed that treachery: the woman, for no other crime but believing one whom the thought loved her, is treated with fhynefs and indifference at the best, and commonly with reproach and scorn. He that is past the power of beauty may talk of this matter with the fame unconcern, as of any other fubject: therefore I fhall take upon me to confider the fex, as they live within rules, and as they tranfgrefs them. The ordinary clafs of the good or the ill have very little influence upon the actions of others; but the eminent, in either kind, are thofe who lead the world below. The ill are' employed in communicating fcandal, infamy, and difeafe, like fu ries; the good diftribute benevolence, friendship, and health, like angels. The ill are damped with pain and anguifh at the fight of all that is laudable, lovely, or happy. The virtuous are touched with commiferation towards the guilty, the difagreeable, and the wretched. There are those who betray the innocent of their own sex, and folicit the lewd of ours. There are those who have abandoned the very memory, not only of innocence;

but

but fhame. There are thofe who never forgave, nor could ever bear being forgiven. There are thofe alfo who vifit the beds of the fick, lull the cares of the forrowful, and double the joys of the joyful. Such is the destroying fiend, fuch the guardian-angel, woman.

The way to have a greater number of the amiable part of womankind, and leffen the crowd of the other fort, is to contribute what we can to the fuccefs of well-grounded paffions; and therefore I comply with the request of an enamoured man, in inserting the following billet:

• MADAM,

Mr. BICKERSTAFF you always read, though me you will never hear. I am obliged, therefore, to his compaffion for the opportunity of imploring yours-I figh for the most accomplished of her fex. That is fo juft a diftinction of her, to whom I write, that the owning I think fo is no diftinction of me, who write. Your good qualities are peculiar to you; my admiration is common with thoufands. I fhall be prefent when you read this; but fear every woman will take it for her character, fooner than the who deferves it.'

If the next letter which prefents itfelf fhould come from the miftrefs of this modeft lover, and I make them break through the oppreffion of their paffions, I fhall expect gloves at their nuptials,

Mr. BICKERSTAFF,

You, that are a philosopher, know very well the make of the mind of women, and can beft instruct me in the conduct of an affair which highly concerns me. I never can admit my lover to speak to me of love; yed think him impertinent when he offers to talk of any thing else. What fhall I do with a man that always believes me? It is a ftrange thing, this diftance in men of fenfe! why do not they always urge their fate? If we are fini cere in our severity, you lofe nothing by attempting. If we are hypocrites, you certainly fucceed.”

From