Imatges de pàgina
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their heads are filled with vain ideas; and I heartily wish I could say that equipage and show were not the chief good of so many women as I fear

it is.

After this manner do both sexes deceive themselves, and bring reflections and disgrace upon the most happy and most honourable state of life; whereas, if they would but correct their depraved taste, moderate their ambition, and place their happiness upon proper objects, we should not find felicity in the marriage-state such a wonder in the world as it now is.

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Sir, if you think these thoughts worth inserting among your own, be pleased to give them a better dress; and let them pass abroad; and you will oblige

Your admirer,

A. B.'

MR. SPECTATOR,

6

As I was this day walking in the street, there happened to pass by on the other side of the way a beauty, whose charms were so attracting, that it drew my eyes wholly on that side, insomuch that I neglected my own way, and chanced to run my nose directly against a post; which the lady no sooner perceived, but she fell into a fit of laughter, though at the same time she was sensible that she herself was the cause of my misfortune, which in my opinion was the greater aggravation of her crime. I being busy wiping off the blood which trickled down my face, had not time to acquaint her with her barbarity, as also with my resolution, viz. never to look out of my way for one of her sex more: therefore, that your humble servant may be revenged, he desires you to insert this in one of your

No 26%. next papers, which he hopes will be a warning to all the rest of the women-gazers, as well as to poor

ANTHONY GAPE.'

MR. SPECTATOR,

'I DESIRE to know in your next, if the merry game of "The parson has lost his cloke," is not mightily in vogue amongst the fine ladies this Christmas, because I see they wear hoods of all colours, which I suppose is for that purpose. If it is, and you think it proper, I will carry some of those hoods with me to our ladies in Yorkshire: because they injoined me to bring them something from London that was very new. If you can tell any thing in which I can obey their commands more agreeably, be pleased to inform me, and you will extremely oblige

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Oxford, Dec. 29.

SINCE you appear inclined to be a friend to the distressed, I beg you would assist me in an affair under which I have suffered very much. The reigning toast of this place is Patetia; I have pursued her with the utmost diligence this twelvemonth, and find nothing stands in my way but one who flatters her more than I can. Pride is her favourite passion; therefore if you would be so far my friend as to make a favourable mention of me in one of your papers, I believe I should not fail in my addresses. The scholars stand in rows, as they did to be sure in your time, at her pew door; and she has all the devotion paid to her by a crowd of youths who are unacquainted with the sex, and have inex

perience added to their passion. However, if it succeeds according to my vows, you will make me the happiest man in the world, and the most obliged amongst all

'MR. SPECTATOR,

Your humble servants.'

'I CAME to my mistress's toilet this morning, for I am admitted when her face is stark naked: she frowned and cried pish when I said a thing that I stole; and I will be judged by you whether it was not very pretty. "Madam," said I, "you shall forbear that part of your dress; it may be well in others, but you cannot place a patch where it does not hide a beauty."

T.

N° 269. TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1711-12.

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I WAS this morning surprised with a great knocking at the door, when my landlady's daughter came up to me and told me that there was a man below desired to speak with me. Upon my asking her who it was, she told me it was a very grave elderly per son, but that she did not know his name. I imme diately went down to him, and found him to be the coachman of my worthy friend Sir Roger de Co

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verley. He told me that his master came to town last night, and would be glad to take a turn with me in Gray's-inn walks. As I was wondering with myself what had brought Sir Roger to town, not having lately received any letter from him, he told me that his master was come up to get a sight of Prince Eugene, and that he desired I would immediately meet him.

I was not a little pleased with the curiosity of the old knight, though I did not much wonder at it, having heard him say more than once in private discourse, that he looked upon Prince Eugenio (for so the knight always calls him) to be a greater man than Scanderbeg.

I was no sooner come into Gray's-inn walks, but

I heard my friend upon the terrace hemming twice

or thrice to himself with great vigour, for he loves to clear his pipes in good air (to make use of his own

rase) and is not a little pleased with any one who es notice of the strength which he still exerts in h morning hems.

I was touched with a secret joy at the sight of the old man, who before he saw me was engaged il conversation with a beggar-man that had asked an alms of him. I could hear my friend chide him for not finding out some work; but at the same time saw him put his hand in his pocket and give him sixpence.

Our salutations were very hearty on both sides, consisting of many kind shakes of the hand, and several affectionate looks which we cast upon one another. After which the knight told me my good friend his chaplain was very well, and much at my service, and that the Sunday before he had made a most incomparable sermon out of Dr. Barrow. I have left,' says he, all my affairs in his hands, and being willing to lay an obligation upon him, have

deposited with him thirty marks, to be distributed among his poor parishioners.'

He then proceeded to acquaint me with the welfare of Will Wimble. Upon which he put his hand into his fob and presented me in his name with a tobacco-stopper, telling me that Will had been busy all the beginning of the winter in turning great quantities of them; and that he made a present of one to every gentleman in the country who has good principles, and smokes. He added, that poor Will was at present under great tribulation, for that Tom Touchy had taken the law of him for cutting some hazel sticks out of one of his hedges.

Among other pieces of news which the knight brought from his country-seat, he informed me that Moll White was dead, and that about a month after her death the wind was so very high, that it blew down the end of one of his barns. But for my own part,' says Sir Roger, I do not think that the old woman had any hand in it.'

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He afterwards fell into an account of the diversions which had passed in his house during the holidays; for Sir Roger after the laudable custom of his ancestors, always keeps open house at Christmas. I learned from him that he had killed eight fat hogs for this season, that he had dealt about his chines very liberally amongst his neighbours, and that in particular he had sent a string of hogs-puddings with a pack of cards to every poor family in the parish. I have often thought,' says Sir Roger, it happens very well that Christmas should fall out in the middle of winter. It is the most dead uncomfortable time of the year, when the poor people would suffer very much from their poverty and cold, if they had not good cheer, warm fires, and Christmas gambols to support them. I love to rejoice their poor hearts at this season, and to see the whole village merry in my great hall. I

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