ments of a woman.' If this comes to the knowledge of my female admirers, I shall be very hard put to it to bring myself off handsomely. In the mean while I give you this account, that you may take care hereafter not to betray any of your wellwishers into the like inconveniencies. It is in the number of these that I beg leave to subscribe myself TOM TRIPPET.'

'MR. SPECTATOR,

'Your readers are so well pleased with your character of Sir Roger de Coverley, that there appeared a sensible joy in every coffee-house upon hearing the old knight was come to town, (No. 269) I am now with a knot of his admirers, who make it their joint request to you, that you would give us public notice of the window or balcony where the knight intends to make his appearance. He has already given great satisfaction to several who have seen him at Squires's coffee-house. If you think fit to place your short face at Sir Roger's left elbow, we shall take the hint, and gratefully acknowledge so great a favour. I am, Sir, 'Your most devoted humble servant,

'C. D.'

‹ SIR,

KNOWING that you are very inquisitive after every thing that is curious in nature, I will wait on you, if you please, in the dusk of the evening, with my show upon my back, which I carry about with me in a box, as only consisting of a man, a woman, and a horse. (a) The two first are married; in which state the little cavalier has so well acquitted himself, that his lady is with child. The

big-bellied woman and her husband, with their little whimsical palfry, are so very light, that when they are put together into a scale, an ordinary man may weigh down the whole family.-The little man is a bully in his nature; but when he grows choleric, I confine him to his box till his wrath is over, by which means I have hitherto prevented him from doing mischief. His horse is likewise very vicious; for which reason I am forced to tie him close to his manger with a packthread. The woman is a coquette; she struts as much as it is possible for a lady of two feet high, and would ruin me in silks, were not the quantity that goes to a large pincushion sufficient to make her a gown and petticoat. She told me the other day, that she heard the ladies wore coloured hoods, and ordered me to get her one of the finest blue. I am forced to comply with her demands while she is in her present condition, being very willing to have more of the same breed. I do not know what she may produce me; but provided it be a show, I shall be very well satisfied. Such novelties should not, I think, be concealed from the British Spectator: for which reason, I hope you will excuse this presumption in

L.

'Your most dutiful, most obedient,

' and most humble servant,

'S. T.

MR. SPECTATOR,

THE Occasion of this letter is of so great importance, and the circumstances of it such, that I know you will but think it just to insert it, in preference of all other matters that can present themselves to your consideration. I need not, after I have said this, tell you that I am in love. The circumstances of my passion, I shall let you understand as well as a disordered mind will admit. That cursed pickthank, Mrs. Jane! alas, I am railing at one to you by her name as familiarly as if you were acquainted with her as well as myself: but I will tell you all, as fast as the alternate interruptions of love and anger will give me leave. There is the most agreeable young woman in the world whom I am passionately in love with, and from whom I have for some space of time received as great marks of favour as were fit for her to give, or me to desire. The successful progress of the affair, of all others the most essential towards a man's happiness, gave a new life and spirit, not only to my behaviour and discourse, but also a certain grace to all my actions in the commerce of life in all things, though never so remote from love. You know the predominant passion spreads itself through all a man's transactions, and exalts or depresses him according to the nature of such passion. But alas, I have not yet begun my story; and what is making

sentences and observations when a man is pleading for his life? To begin then: this lady has corresponded with me under the names of love; she my Belinda, I her Cleanthes. Though I am thus well got into the account of my affair, I can not keep in the thread of it so much as to give you the character of Mrs. Jane, whom I will not hide under a borrowed name; but let you know that this creature has been, since I knew her, very handsome, though I will not allow her even she has been for the future, and during the time of her bloom and beauty, was so great a tyrant to her lovers, so overvalued herself and underrated all her pretenders, that they have deserted her to a man; and she knows no comfort but that common one to all in her condition, the pleasure of interrupting the amours of others. It is impossible but you must have seen several of these volunteers in malice, who pass their whole time in the most laborious way of life, in getting intelligence, running from place to place with new whispers, without reaping any other benefit but the hopes of making others as unhappy as themselves. Mrs. Jane happened to be at a place where I, with many others, well acquainted with my passion for Belinda, passed a Christmas evening. There was among the rest a young lady so free in mirth, so amiable in a just reserve that accompanied it, I wrong her to call it a reserve, but there appeared in her a mirth or cheerfulness which was not a forbearance of more immoderate joy, but the natural appearance of all which could flow from a mind possessed of a habit of innocence and purity. I must have utterly forgot Belinda to have taken no notice of one who was growing up to the

same womanly virtues which shine to perfection in her, had I not distinguished one who seemed to promise to the world the same life and conduct with my faithful and lovely Belinda. When the company broke up, the fine young thing permitted me to take care of her home. Mrs. Jane saw my particular regard to her, and was informed of my attending her to her father's house. She came early to Belinda the next morning, and asked her if Mrs. Such-a-one had been with her? No. If Mr. Such-a-one's lady? No. Nor your cousin Such-a-one? No. Lord, says Mrs. Jane, what is the friendship of women?-Nay, they may well laugh at it. And did no one tell you any thing of the behaviour of your lover, Mr. What-d'yecall, last night? But perhaps it is nothing to you that he is to be married to young Mrs.

on

Tuesday next? Belinda was here ready to die with rage and jealousy. Then Mrs. Jane goes on; I have a young kinsman who is clerk to a great conveyancer, who shall show you the rough draft of the marriage settlement. The world says, her father gives him two thousand pounds more than he could have with you. I went innocently to wait on Belinda, as usual, but was not admitted; I writ to her, and my letter was sent back unopened. Poor Betty, her maid, who is on my side, has been here just now blubbering, and told me the whole matter. She says, she did not think I could be so base; and that she is now so odious to her mistress for having so often spoke well of me, that she dare not mention me more. All our hopes are placed in having these circumstances fairly represented in the Spectator, which Betty says she dare not but bring up as soon as it is brought