/,./. I.
 
 THE 
 
 FEMALE 
 
 SPECTATOR. 
 
 B Y 
 Mrs ELIZA HAYWOOD. 
 
 FOUR VOLUMES. 
 
 VOLUME I. 
 
 G L A S G O \V: 
 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BY R. 
 AND A. DUNCAN. 
 
 MDCCLXXV.
 
 T 
 
 ^c 
 
 
 HER G R 
 
 A C'E 
 
 
 THE 
 
 
 
 D U G H 
 
 E S 
 
 S 
 
 O F 
 
 
 
 LEE 
 
 D S. 
 
 
 May it pleafeyour GRACE O 
 
 AS the chief view in publifhing thefb 
 Monthly Effays is to re&ify fome 
 errors, which, fmall as they may feem at 
 firft, may, if indulged, grow up into 
 greater, till they at laft become Vices, 
 and make all the misfortunes of our 
 lives ; it was necefiary to put them un- 
 der the protection of a lady, not only of 
 
 an unblemiihcd conduct, but alib of an 
 VOL. I. A 
 
 d/Sf\t
 
 D E D I G A T I O N. 
 
 exalted virtue, whofe example may in- 
 force the precepts they contain, <and is 
 herfelf a fhining pattern, for others to 
 copy after, of all thofe perfections I en- 
 deavour to recommend. 
 ;"' Jt is not, therefore, madam, that yot 
 are defcended from a Marlborough or a 
 Godolphin, dear as thofe patriot names 
 will ever be, while any fenfe of liberty 
 remains in Britons; nor on the account 
 of the -high rank you hold in th world, 
 nor for thofe charms with which Nature 
 has ib profufely , adorned your perfon ; 
 but for thofe innate graces, whicb, no 
 anceftry can give, no titles can embellifh, 
 nor no beauty atone for the want of, that 
 your Grace has an u&difputed right to 
 this offering, as the point .aimed at by the 
 work itfelf, gives it, in fome meafure, a 
 claim to your acceptance. 
 
 That promife, which the firil years of 
 
 life gave of a glorious maturity, we have 
 
 . feen compleated Iqng before your Grace
 
 D E D I CTAT I O N, 
 
 arrived at an age, which in others is re- 
 quilite to ripen wit into wifdom, and 
 conciliate the fparkling ideas of the one, 
 with the correcting judgment of the o- 
 ther. We beheld with admiration, how 
 Reafon out-ftripped Nature, even in the 
 moft minute circumftances and actions j 
 . but the crown of all, was- the happy 
 choice of a partner in that ftate which is 
 
 the chief end of our beings. There 
 
 fhone your penetration, when among fo 
 many admirers, you tingled out him wHo 
 
 alone was worthy of you. One, who 
 
 great as he is, is yet more good than 
 great ; and who has given fuch inflances 
 how much it is in the power of virtue to 
 ennoble nobility, as all muft admire, 
 though-few I fear will imitate. 
 
 Marriage, too long the jcft of fools, 
 and proftituted to the moft bafe and for- 
 did aims, to you, illuftrious. pair ! owes 
 its recovered fame, and proves its inflitu- 
 
 tion is indeed Divine. 
 A a
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 But this is no more than what every 
 one is full of; and in intreating your 
 Grace's protection to the following 
 flieets, I can only boaft of baing one a- 
 jnong the millions who pray, that length 
 of days and uninterrupted health may 
 continue that happinefs, to which no* 
 thing can be added, and that 
 
 With the moft profound Duty and Submiffion>. 
 May it pleafe Your GRACED 
 Your GRACE'S, 
 Moft humble, 
 
 Moft obedient, and moft 
 Faithfully devoted Servant, 
 
 The FEMALE SPECTATOR-
 
 T H 2 
 
 FEMALE SPECTATOR. 
 
 B O O K L 
 
 IT is very much- by the choice we make of." 
 fubjr&s for our entertainment, that the refin- 
 ed t:ut: uifimguilhes itfclf from the vulgar 
 and more'grofs. Reading is univerfally allowed" 
 to be one of the molt improving as well as agree- 
 able amutements; but. then to render it fo, one 
 fhould, among the number of books which are 
 perpetually iffuing from the prefs, endeavour to 
 finglc out fuch as promife to be moll conducive 
 to thofe ends. In. order to be as little deceived, as 
 pomble, I, for my own pan, love to get as weli'l 
 acquainted as I can with an author, before I run. 
 the riik of lofhig my time in perufing his workj 
 and as. I doubt not but mod people are of this way 
 of thinking, I (hall, in imitation of my learned" 
 Brother, of ever precious memory, give fome ac- 
 count of what I am, and thofe concerned with me x 
 in this undertaking ; and likewife of the chief intent . 
 cf the Lucubrations hereafter communicated, that 
 the reader, on cafling his eye over the four or fi-ve 
 fir ft pages, may judge how far the book may, or 
 may not be qualified to entertain him, and either, 
 accept, or throw it afide as he thinks proper : And . 
 4c;c I promife, that in the pictures I fliall give of 
 A3,
 
 2 THE FEMALE B.I, 
 
 myfelf andaflbciates,! will draw no fiatteringlines, 
 aflume no perfection that we are not in reality pof- 
 feffed of, nor attempt to fhadow over any defect 
 with an artificial glofs. 
 
 Asa proof of my fmcerity, I (hall, in the firft 
 place, aflure him, that for my own part I never 
 was a beauty, and am now very far from being' 
 young; (a confefllon he will find few of my fex 
 ready to make :) I fhall alfo acknowledge, that I 
 have run through as many fcenes of vanity and 
 folly as the grcateft coquet of them all. Orel's,, 
 equipage, and flattery, were the idols of my heart. 
 I fhould.have thought that day loft, which 
 did not prefent me with fome new opportunity of 
 JhewingSnyfelf. My life, for fome years, was 
 n continued round of what I then called pleafure, 
 and my whole time engroffed by a hurry of pro- 
 mifcuous diverfion-s. But whatever inconveni- 
 cncies fuch a manner of conduct has brought up- 
 on myfelf, I have this confolation, to think that 
 the public may reap fome benefit from it: The 
 company I kept was not, indeed, always fo well 
 chofen as it ought to have been, for the fake of 
 my own intereit or reputation; but then it was 
 general, and by confequencefurnifhed me,.not only 
 with the knowledge of many occurrences, which 
 c-therwife 1 had been ignorant of; but alfo enabled 
 jiie, when the too great vivacity of my nature be- 
 taine tempered with reflection,, to fee into the fc- 
 cret fprings which gave rife to the actions I had ei- 
 ther heard or been witnefs of; to judge of the 
 various paffions of the human mind v and difiinguifh, 
 ihofe imperceptible degrees by which they become 
 matters of the heart, and attain the dominion over 
 reafon. A thoufand odd adventures^ which,
 
 B. I SPECTATOR. 3 
 
 the time they happened, made flight impreffion on 
 me, and feemed to dwell no longer on my mind 
 than the wonder they occafioned, now rife frefh 
 to my remembrance; v/ith this advantage, that 
 the my fiery 1 then, for want of attention, imagined 
 they contained, is entirely vanifhed, and 1 find it 
 cafy to account for the caufe by the confequence. 
 
 With this experience, added to a genius to- 
 lerably extenfive, and an education more liberal 
 than is ordinarily allowed to perfons of my fex, I 
 flattered myfelf that it might be in my power to be 
 in fomemeafure both ufeful and entertaining to the 
 public; and this thought was ib foothing to thofe 
 remains of vanity, not yet wholly extinguished 
 in me, that I refolved to purfue it, and imme- 
 diately began to confider by what method I fhould 
 be moft likely to fucceed. To confine myfelf to 
 any one fubjedt, 1 knew could pleafe but one kind 
 of tafte, and my ambition was to be as univerfally 
 read as poffible. From my obfervation of human 
 nature, I found that curiofity had more or lefs a 
 fhare in every breaft; and my bufmefs therefore, 
 was to hit this reigning humour in fuch a manner, 
 as that the" gratification it fhould receive from 
 being made acquainted with other people's affairs,, 
 might at the fame time teach every one to regulate 
 their own. 
 
 Having agreed within myfelf on this impor- 
 tant point, 1 commenced author, by fetting down 
 many things, which being pleafing to myfelf, I 
 imagined would be fp to others; but on examining 
 them the next day, I found an infinite deficiency 
 both in matter and fiyle, and that there was an 
 abfolute neceflity for me to call in to my af- 
 fiance fuch of my acquaintance as were yual>
 
 4 THE FEMAL-E B. I. 
 
 fied for that purpofe. The firft, that occurred to- 
 me, I ihall diftinguifh by the name of MIRA, a 
 lady defcended from a family to which wit feems 
 hereditary, married to a gentleman every way 
 worthy of fo excellent a wife, and with whom ihe 
 lives in fo perfect a harmony, that having nothing- 
 to ruffle the compofure of her foul, or diflurb thofe- 
 fparlding ideas {he, received. from nature, and edu- 
 cation, left me no room to doubt that what the 
 t favoured me with would be acceptable to the pub- 
 lic. The next is a Widow of quality, who not 
 having, buried her vivacity in the tomb of her 
 lord, continues to make one in all the modiih di- 
 verfions of the times, fo far, I mean, as ihe finds 
 them confident with innocence and honour; and as- 
 dic is far from having the lead auilerity in her be- 
 haviour, nor is riged to the failings (he is wholly 
 free from herfelf, thofe of her acquaintance, who. 
 had been lefs circumfpecl:, fcruple not to make her 
 the confidante of fecrets they conceal from all the, 
 world befide. The. third, is the daughter of a, 
 wealthy merchant, charming as an angel, but en- 
 dued with, fo.mauyaccomplifhments, that to thofe 
 who know her truly, her beauty is the lead diftin- 
 guiihed part of her. This fine young creature I 
 ihall call Eu PHROSiNEjfince (lie has all the chear-* 
 fulnefs and fvveetnefs aicribed to that goddefs. 
 
 Thefe three approved my defign, aflured me of 
 all the help they could afford, and foon gave a 
 proof of it in bringing their feveral effays j but as 
 thereader, provided the entertainment be agreeable,, 
 will not be interefted from which quarter it comes, 
 whatever productions I fhallbe favoured with fronu 
 thefe ladies, or any others, I may hereafter corref-* 
 pond with, will be exhibited under the general titl%
 
 B. I. SPECTATOR. 5 
 
 of THE FEMALE SPECTATOR; and how many 
 contributors foever there may happen to be to the 
 vork, they are to be confidered only as feveral 
 members of one body, of which I am the mouth. 
 It is alfo highly proper I mould acquaint the 
 town, that to fecure an eternal fund of intelligence, 
 fpies are placed, not only in all the places of refort 
 in and about this great metropolis, but at Bath, 
 Tunbridge, and the Spaw, and means found out to 
 extend my fpeculations even as far asFrance, Rome 
 Germany, and other foreign parts j fo that nothing 
 curious or worthy remark can efcape mej and this 
 I look upon to be a more effectual way of penetra- 
 ting into the myfteries of the alcove, the cabinet, 
 or field, than if I had the power of invifibility, or 
 could, with a wifh, tranfport myfelf where-ever I 
 pleafed, fince with the aid of thofe fupernatural 
 gifts, I could ftill be in no more than one place at 
 a tkne; whereas now, by tumbling over a few pa- 
 pers from my emiflaries, I have all the fecrets of 
 Europe, at lead fuch of them as are proper for my 
 purpofe, laid open at one view. 
 
 I would, by no means, however, have what I 
 fay be conftrued into a defign of gratifying a vi- 
 cious propenfity of propagating fcandal: who- 
 ever fits down to read me with this view, will find 
 themfelves miftaken; for though I (hall bring real 
 fad~ls on the ftage, I fhall conceal the actors names 
 under fuch as will be conformable to their cha- 
 racters; my intention being only to expofe the 
 vice, not the perfon. Nor mall I confine myfelf 
 to modern tranfa&ions : whenever I find any 
 example among the anticnts, which may ferve to 
 illuftrate the topic I fhall happen to be upon, I 
 ihall make no fcrunle to infert it. An inftance of
 
 6 THE F E M A L E B. I. 
 
 (hining virtue in any age,, can never be too often 
 propofed as a pattern, nor the fatality of mifcon- 
 dutl too much imprefled on the minda of our 
 youth of both fexes-; and as the fole aim of the 
 following pages is to reform the faulty, and give 
 an innocent amufement to thofe who are not fo, all 
 poflible care will be taken to avoid every thing that 
 might ferve as food for the venom of malice and 
 ill-nature. Whoever, therefore, (hall pretend to 
 fix on any particular perfon the blame of actions 
 . they may happen to find recorded here, or make 
 what they call a key to thefe lucubrations, muft 
 expect to fee themfelves treated in the next publi- 
 cation with all the fevsrity fo unfair a proceeding, 
 merits. 
 
 And now, having faid as much as I think need- 
 ful of this undertaking,! fhall, without being either, 
 too greatly confident, or too anxious for the fuc- 
 cefs, fubmit it to the public cenfure. 
 
 " Of all the paffions given us from above, . 
 
 " The nobleft, fofteft, and the beft, is love,.- 
 fays a juftly celebrated poet; and I readily agree 
 that love in itfelf, when under the direction of 
 reafon, harmonizes the foul, and gives it a gentle, 
 generous turn j but I can by no means approve of 
 fuch definitions of that paffion as we find in plays, 
 novels, and romances. In nioft of thefe writings, 
 the authors feem to lay out all their art in ren- 
 dering that character moft intercfting, which moft 
 fets at defiance all the obligations, by the ftricl; 
 obfervarice of which, love alone can become a 
 virtue. They drefs their Cupid up in rofes, call 
 him the god of foft dcfires and ever-fpringing joys, 
 yet at the fame time give him the vindictive fury, 
 and the rage of Mars ; mew him impatient of
 
 8. i. SPECTATOR; 7 
 
 controul, and trampling over all the ties of duty, 
 friendmip, or natural affe&ion, yet make the mo- 
 tive fandify the crime. How fatal, how per- 
 nicious to a young and unexperienced mind muft 
 be fuch maxims, efpecially when drefled-up in all 
 the pomp of words! The beauty of the.expreffion 
 fleals upon the fenfes, and every mifchief, every 
 *roe that love occafions, appears a charm. 
 Thofe who feel the pafiion are fo far from endea- 
 vouring to repel its force, or being afhamed of 
 their attachment, however oppofite to reafon, that 
 they indulge,and take a pride in turning into ridi- 
 cule the remonftrances of their more difcerning 
 friends. But what is yet more prepofterous, and 
 more evidently (hews the ill effects of writing in 
 this manner, is, that we often fee girls too young 
 cither to be addrefled to on the fcore o( love, or 
 even to know what is meant by the paffion, affecl: 
 the languifhment they read of, roll their eyes, 
 fjgh, fold their arms, neglect every ufeful learn- 
 ing, and attend to nothing but acquiring the re- 
 putation of being enough a woman to know all the 
 pains and delicacies of love. 
 
 Mifs Tendcrilla is one of thofe I have defcrib- 
 cd: (lie was the other day invited to a concert, 
 and as foon as the mufic began to ftrike up, cried 
 out in a kind of dying tone, yet loud enough to 
 be heard by a great part of the aflcmbly, 
 
 " If mufic be the food of love, play on." 
 A young lady happened to be with her, who is 
 fuppofed to be very near entering into the marriage 
 ftate, but contents herfelf with difcovering what 
 fcntiments fhe is pofiefled of in favour of her in- 
 tcndedbridegroomonlytothofeintereftedin them. 
 She biuflied extremely at the extravagance of her
 
 8 THE FEMALE B. T. 
 
 companion, and the more fo, as fhe found the 
 eyes of every one turned upon her, and by their 
 fmiles and whifpers to each other, fhe wed that 
 they imagined Mifs hadburfl into this exclamation 
 merely on her account. A fmart gentleman, on 
 the next feat to them, took this opportunity of 
 rallying her very wittily, as he thought, on the dif- 
 covery her young confidante had made; and the 
 poor lady was in the utmofl confufion, until fhe 
 who had occafioned it, being vexed to find what me 
 had faid fo much iniftaken, and that no notice was 
 taken of herfelf, behaved in fuch a manner as left 
 no room to doubt which of them was the proper 
 object of ridicule. 
 
 How eafy were it now for a defigning fortune- 
 hunter to make a prey of this bib-and-apron he- 
 roine! The lefs qualified he was to render her 
 choice of him approved, and the more averfe her 
 friends appeared to fuch a match, the more would 
 fhe glory in a noble obftinacy of contemning their 
 advice,and facrificing her perfon and fortune to an 
 imaginary paflion for him ; and one has no need of 
 being a very great prophet to foretel, that if fhe is 
 not fpeedily removed from thofe who at prefent 
 have the caie of her, and fome other methods 
 taken than fuch as have hitherto been made ufe 
 of, to give her a more rational way of thinking, 
 that wealth her frugal parents hoard up, in order 
 to puichafe for her a laiting happinefs, will only 
 prove the bait for her deftrudtion. 
 
 1 am forry to obferve, that of late years this 
 humour has been flrangely prevalent among our 
 young ladies, fome of whom are fcarce entered in- 
 to <h -ir teens before they grow impatient for admi- 
 ration, and to be diitinguifhed in love-fongs and
 
 B.I. SPECTATOR. 9 
 
 verfes, expect to have a great buftle made about 
 them, and he who firft attempts to pcrfuade them 
 he is a lover, bids very fair for carrying his point. 
 Theeagernefs of their willies tobeaddrefTcd, gives 
 charms to the addrefs itfelf, which otherwife it 
 would not have; and hence it follows, that when a 
 young creature has fuffered herfelf to fall a victim. 
 to the artifices of her pretended lover, and her own 
 giddy whim, and is afterwards convinced of her 
 error, {he looks back with no lefs wonder than 
 iliame on her pad conduit, detefts the object of 
 her former imaginary paffion, and wifhes nothing 
 more than to be eternally rid 1 of the prefence o 
 him (lie once with fo much earneftnefs purfued. 
 
 It is not, therefore, from the inconstancy of 
 nature which men charge upon our fex, but from 
 that romantic vein which makes us fometimes i- 
 magine otirfelves lovers before AVC are fo, that we 
 frequently run fuch lengths to fhake off a yoke 
 we have fo precipitately put on. When once we 
 truly love, we rarely change : we bear the frowns 
 of fortune with fortitude and patience: we re- 
 pent not of the choice we have made, whatever 
 we fuffer by it; and nothing but a long continued 
 feries of flights and ill ufage from the object of our 
 affections can render him lefs dear. 
 
 To be well convinced of the fincerity. of the 
 man they are about to marry, is a maxim, with 
 g;eat juftice, always recommended to a young 
 Ja.ly; but I fay it is no lefs material for her future 
 happinefs, as well as that of her intended partner, 
 that (he fhould be well allured of her own heart, 
 and examine with the utmoft care, whether it be 
 re.il tendcrnefs, or a bare liking (he at prefent feels 
 for him; and as this is not to be done all at once, 
 
 VOL. I. B
 
 io THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 I cannot approve of hafty marriages, or before per- 
 fons are of fufficient years to be fuppofed capable 
 of knowing their own minds. 
 
 Could fourteen have the power of judging of 
 itfelf, or for itfelf, who that knew the beautiful 
 IVlartefia at that age, but would have depended on 
 her conduct! Martefia, defcended of the moft 
 illuflrious race, pofleffed of all that dignity of fen- 
 timent befitting her high birth, endued by nature 
 with a furprifing wit,, judgment, and penetration, 
 and improved by every aid of education! Mar- 
 tefia, the wonder and delight of all who faw or 
 heard her, gave the admiring world the greateft 
 expectations that (he would one day be no lefs ce- 
 lebrated for all thofe virtues which render amiable 
 the conjugal fhite, than fhe at that time was for 
 every other perfection that does honour to the fex. 
 
 Yet how, alas, did all thefe charming hopes va~ 
 niih into air! Many noble youths, her equals in 
 birth and fortune, watched her increafe of years for 
 declaring a pa flic n, which they feared as yet would 
 be rejefted by thofe who had the difpofal of her; 
 but what their refpeci and timidity forbad them to 
 attempt, a more daring and unfufpeted rival ven- 
 tured at, and fucceeded. in. Her unexperienced 
 heart approved hisperfon, and was pleafed with the 
 proteflations he made to her of it. In fine, the 
 novelty of being addreflcd in that manner, gave a 
 double grace to all he faid, raid fhe never thought 
 herfelf fo happy a.s in his converfation. His fre- 
 quent vifits at length were taken notice of; he was 
 denied the privilege of feeing her, and fhe was no 
 longer permitted to go out without being accom- 
 panied by fome perfon who was to be a fpy upon 
 iicr adieus. Shs ha.t! a -great fpirit, impatient of
 
 B.I. SPECTATOR. n 
 
 controuI,anJ this reftraiut ferved only to heighten 
 the inclination (lie before had to favour him: 
 (he indulged the moft romantic ideas of his merit 
 and his love: her own flying fancy invented a 
 thoufand melancholy foliloquies, and fet them 
 down as made by him in this feparation. It is not* 
 indeed, to be doubted, but that he was very much 
 mortified at the impediment he found in theprofe*. 
 cution of his courtihip; but whether he took this 
 method of disburdening his affliction, neither me 
 nor any body elfe could be allured. It cannot, 
 however, be denied, but that he purfued means 
 much more efficacious for the attainment of his 
 wiflies. By bribes, promifes, and intreaties, he 
 prevailed on a perfon who came frequently to the 
 boufe r to convey his letters to her, and bring baclc 
 her anfwers. This correfpondence was, perhaps,- 
 of greater fei vice to him, than had the freedom ot 
 their interviews not been prevented; ilie con- 
 fented to be his, a-nd to make good her word, ven- 
 tured her life, by descending from a two pair of 
 flairs window, by the help of quilt, blankets, and 
 other things fattened to it at the dead of night. . 
 His coach and fix waited to receive her at the end 
 of the ftreet, which reaching foon after break of 
 day, his chaplain made them too fait for any au- 
 thority to feparate. 
 
 As he was of an antient honourable family, and 
 his eltate very confiderable, her friends in a fhort 
 time were reconciled to what was now irremedi- 
 able, and they were looked upon as an extreme 
 happy pair. But foon, too foon, the Heeling plea- 
 fures lied, and in their room anguifh and bitter-* 
 nefs of heart fuccealed. 
 
 Mvutcfia, in a vifit fhe made to a lady of her 
 B 2
 
 n THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 intimate acquaintance, unfortunately happened 
 to meet the young Clitander; he was juft return- 
 ed frcm his travels, -had a handfome perfon, an in- 
 finity of gaiety, and a certain fomethirg in his 
 air and deportment which had been deftruclive to 
 the peace and reputation of many of our fex, 
 lie was naturally of an amorous difpofition, and 
 being fo, felt ail the force of charms, which had 
 ibme effect even on the moil cold and tempe- 
 .rate. Emboldened by former fucceffes, the know- 
 ledge Martcfia was another's dixl not hinder him 
 from declaring to her the paffion {he had infpired 
 him Vv'ith. She found a fecret fatisfaclion in 
 hearing him, which (he was yet too young to con- 
 ficler the danger cf, and therefore endeavoured not 
 to fupprefs until it became more powerful for her 
 to have done fo, even had me attempted it with all 
 her might j but the truth is, fhe began to experi- 
 ence in reality a flame fhe had but imagined her- 
 felf poffeffed of for him who was now her hu-f- 
 band, and was too much averfe to the giving her- 
 felf pain, to combat with an inclination which 
 feemed to her fraught only with delights. 
 
 The houfe where their acquaintance firft be- 
 gan, was now the fcene of their future meetings: 
 The rniftrefs of it was too great a friend to gallantry 
 herfelf, to be any interruption to the happinefs 
 they enjoyed in entertaining each other without 
 witnefles. How weak is virtue when love and 
 opportunity combine! Though no woman could 
 have more refined and delicate notions than Mar- 
 tefia, yet all were ineffectual againft the felici- 
 tations of her adored Clitander. One fatal mo- 
 ment deftroyed at once all her own exalted ideas of 
 honour and reputation, and the principles early in-
 
 B; I. SPECTATOR. 13 
 
 (lilled into her mind by her virtuous preceptors. 
 
 The confequence of this amour was a total 
 neglect of huiband, houfe, and family. Ilerfelf 
 abandoned, all other duties were fo too. So ma- 
 nifeft a change was vifible to all that knew her, 
 but mod to her huiband, as moft interested in it. 
 He truly loved, and had believed himfclf truly be- 
 loved by her. Loth he was to think his misfor- 
 tune real, and endeavoured to find fome other mo- 
 tive for the averfion me now expreffed for flay- 
 ing at home, or going to any of thofe places 
 where they had been accuftomed to vifit together; 
 but fhe either knew not to diffemble, or took fo 
 little pains to do it, that he was, in fpite of him- 
 felf, coapnced all that affection (he fo lately had 
 profeiJed, and given him testimonies of, was now 
 no more. He examined all his actions, and could 
 find nothing in any of them that could giveocca- 
 fion for fo fad a reverfe. He complained to her 
 one day, in the tendered terms,: of the fmall por- 
 tion fhe had of late allowed him of her conver- 
 fation: intreated, that if by any inadvertency he 
 had offended her, me would acquaint him with his 
 fault, which he affured her he would take care 
 never to repeat: aflced, if there was any thing iu 
 her fettlcment or jointure the could wiili to have 
 altered* and affured her {he need but let him kno\v 
 her commands to be inftantly obeyed. 
 
 To all this fhe replied, with the moft ffobbing 
 indifference, that Ihe knew not what he meant. 
 That as fhe had accufed him with nothing, he 
 had no reafon to think flie was diffatisfied. But 
 that people could not be always in the fame hu- 
 mour, arid defired he would not give hiinfelf nor
 
 14 THE FEMALE B. f. 
 
 her the trouble of making any farther interroga- 
 tories, 
 
 He muft have been infenfible, as he is known to 
 be the contrary, had fuch a behaviour not opened 
 his eyes; he no longer doubted of his fate, and 
 refolving, if poffible, to find out the author of it, 
 he caufed her chair to be watehed wherever fhe 
 went, and took fuch effectual methods as foon in- 
 formed him of the truth. 
 
 In the firft emotions of his rage, he was for 
 fending a challenge to this deftroyer of his happi- 
 nefs; but in his cooler moments he rejected that 
 defign as too injurious to the reputation of Marte- 
 fia, who \vas ilill dear to him, and whom he flat- 
 tered himfelf with being able one day to*reclaim. 
 
 It is certain, he put in practice every tender 
 flratagem that love and wit could furnifh him with 
 for that purpofe ; but fhe appearing fo far from be- 
 ing moved at any thing he eithar faid or did, that, 
 en the contrary, her behaviour was every day more 
 cold, he at laft began to expoflulate with her, gave 
 fome hints that her late condu&was not unknown 
 to him; and that though he was willing to for- 
 give what was part, yet, as a hufband, it was not 
 confident with his character to bear any future 
 infults of that nature. This put her beyond all 
 patience : fhe reproached him in the bittereft 
 terms for daring to harbour the leafl fufpicion of 
 her virtue, and cenfuring her innocent amufe- 
 ments as crimes ; and 'perhaps was glad of this 
 opportunity of tePiifying her remorfe for having 
 ever liflened to his vows, and curfing before his 
 face the hour that joined their hands. 
 
 They now lived fo ill a life together, that not 
 having fufficient proof for a divorce, he
 
 B. I. SPECTATOR. r$ 
 
 beds, and though they continued in one houfe, be- 
 haved to each other as ftrangers; never eat at the 
 fame table but when company was there, and then 
 only to avoid the queftions that would naturally 
 have been aflced had it been otherwife; neither of 
 them being defirous the world mould know any 
 thing of their difagreement. 
 
 But while they continued to treat each other in 
 a manner fo little conformable to their firft hopes, 
 or their vows pledged at the holy akar, Martcua 
 became pregnant. This gave the firft alarm to 
 that indolence of nature fhe hitherto had teftified; 
 her hufband would now have it in his power to fue 
 out a divorce; and though Ihe would have rejoiced 
 to have been Separated from him on any other 
 terms, yet (he could not fupport the thought of 
 being totally deprived of all reputation in the world. 
 She was not ignorant of the cenfures fhe incur- 
 red, but had pride and fpirit enough to enahle her 
 to defpife whatever was faid of her, while it was 
 not backed by proof; but the clearing one fhe was 
 now about to give, ftruck fhamc and confufion to 
 her foul. She left no means untried to produce an 
 abortion; but failing in that, me had no other re* 
 courfe than to that friend who was the confidante 
 of her unhappy pafiion, who comforted her as well 
 as flie could, and afiured her, that when the hour 
 approached, fhe need have no more to do than 
 to come directly to her houic, where every thing 
 fhould be prepared for the reception of a woman 
 in her condition. 
 
 To conceal the alteration in her ftiape, fhe pre- 
 tended indifpofition, faw little company, and wore 
 only loofe gowns. At length the fo much-dread- 
 fd moment came upon her at the dead of night)
 
 r<5 THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 and in the midft of all that rack of nature, made 
 yet more horrible by the agonies of her mind, me 
 rofe, rung for her woman, and telling her me had 
 a frightful dream concerning that lady, whom flic 
 knew (he had the greateft value for of any perfon 
 upon earth, ordered her to get a chair, for (he could 
 not be eafy unlefs me went and faw her herfelf. 
 The woman was ftrangely furprized, but her lady 
 was always ab fclute in her commands. A chair 
 was brought, and without any other company or 
 attendants than her own diftracted thoughts, ihe 
 was conveyed to the only afylum where (he thought 
 her fhame might find a flicker. 
 
 A midwife being prepared before, me was fafe- 
 ly delivered of a daughter, who expired almoft as 
 foon as born; and to prevent as much as pofiible, 
 all fufpicion of the truth, {he made herfelf be car- 
 ried home next morning, where me went to bed, 
 and lay feveral days, under pretence of having 
 fprained her ancle. 
 
 But not all the precautions me had taken were 
 effectual enough topreventfome people from guef- 
 fing and whifpering what had happened. Thofe 
 whofe nearnefs in blood gave them a privilege of 
 fpeaking their minds, fpared not to tell her ail that 
 was faid of her-, and thofe who durft not take that 
 liberty, (hewed by their diftant looks and referved 
 behaviour, whenever fhe came in prefence, how 
 little they approved her conduft. She was too 
 difcerning not to fee into their thoughts, nor was 
 her innate pride of any fervice to keep upherfpirita 
 on this occafion. To add to her difcontent, Cli- 
 tander grew every day more cool in his refpe&Sj 
 and me foon after learned he was on the point of 
 marriage with one far inferior to herfeli in evcrj
 
 B. I. SPECTATOR. f 7 
 
 charm both of mind and pcrfon. In fine, finding 
 hcrfelf deferted by her relations, and the greateft 
 part of her acquaintance, without love, without re- 
 fpedl:, and reduced to the pity of thofe, who per- 
 haps had nothing but a greater fhare of circum- * 
 fpe&ioa to boaft of, (he took a rcfolutiou to quit 
 England; and having fettled her affairs with her 
 hufband, who by this time had entered into other 
 amufements, and it is probable was very well fatif- 
 fied to be eafed of the conilrairit her prefence gave 
 him, readily confentedto remit her the fum agreed 
 between them, to be paid yearly to whatever part 
 of the world flie chofe to refide in; flic then took 
 leave of a country of which {he had been the ulol, 
 and which now feemed to her as too unjufl in not 
 being blind to what (he defired mould be con- 
 cealed. 
 
 Behold her now in a voluntary banimmcnt from 
 friends and country, and roaming round the world 
 in fruitlefs fearch of that tranquility fie could 
 not have failed enjoying at home in thebofcm of 
 a confort equally beloved as loving. Unhappy 
 charming ladyl born and endowed with every 
 quality to attract univerfal love and admiration, 
 yet by one inadvertent ftep undone, and loft to e- 
 vcry thing the world holds dear, and only the 
 more conipicuoufly wretched, by having been con-, 
 fpicuoufly amiable. 
 
 But methinks it would be hard to charge the 
 blame of indifcreet marriages on the young ladies 
 thcmfelves: parents are fometimes, by an over- 
 caution, guilty of forcing them into things, which, 
 otherwife, would be far flillant from their thoughts. 
 I am very certain it is not becaufe the Italian, Spa- 
 nifli, or Fortugucfe women are fo much warmer
 
 t THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 in their ccnftitutions than thofe of other nations, 
 but becaufe they are fo cruelly debarred from all 
 converfation with the men, that makes them fo 
 readily accept the firft offer that prefents itfelf. 
 Where opportunities are fcarce, they are glad to 
 fpeak their minds at once, and fear to deny, left it 
 fhould not be in their power afterwards to grant. 
 Even in Turkey, where our travellers boaft of hav- 
 ing had fuch fuccefs among the women, I have 
 known feveral who are married to Englifh gentle- 
 men, and permitted to live after the cuftom of 
 our country, who have made very excellent wives. 
 In France, the people are, queflionlefs, the gay- 
 eft and moft alert in the world, and allow the 
 greateft liberties to their women; yet to hear o 
 a clandeftine marriage among them is a kind of 
 prodigy; and tho' no place affords fcenes of gallan- 
 try equal to it in any degree of proportion, yet I 
 believe there is none where fewer falfe fteps are 
 made, or hufbands have lefs reafon to complain of 
 the want of chaftity in their wives. Nature in all 
 ages is abhorrent of reftraint ; but in youth efpe- 
 cially, as more headftrong and impetuous, it will 
 hazard every thing to break through laws it had 
 no hand in making. It therefore betrays a great 
 want of policy, as well as an unjuft aufterity, to 
 feclude a young lady, and shut her up from all in- 
 tercourfe with men, for fear she should find one 
 among them who might happen to pleafe her too 
 well. Chance may in a moment deftroy all that 
 the utmoft care can do; and I fay a woman is in 
 far lefs danger of lofing her heart, when every- day 
 furrounded with a variety of gay objecls, than 
 -when by forne accident (he falls into the conver- 
 fation of a fingle one. A g^l* who is continually
 
 *. L SPECTATOR. i 9 
 
 bearing fine tilings faid to her, regards them but as 
 words of courfe ; they may be flattering to her 
 vanity for the prefent,but will leave no impreflion 
 behind them on her mind : but fhe, who is a ftran- 
 ger to the gallant manner with which polite perfon* 
 treat our fex, greedily fwallows the fi.rH civil thing 
 faid to her, takes what perhaps is meant as a mere 
 compliment, for a declaration of love, and replies 
 to it in terms which either expofe her to the de- 
 figns of him who fpeaks, if he happens to have any 
 in reality, or if he has not, to his ridicule in all 
 company where he comes into. 
 
 For this reafon the country-bred ladies, who 
 are never fuffcred to come to town for fear their 
 faces fhould be fpoiled by the fmall-pox, or their 
 reputations ruined Ipy the beaux, become an eafier 
 prey to the artifices of mankind, than thofe who 
 have had an education more at large. As they 
 rarely flir beyond their father's pales, except to 
 church, the parfon, if he be a forward man, and 
 has courage to throw a love-fong, or copy of verfes 
 to Mifs over the wall, or flip it into her hand in 
 a vifit to the family, has a rare opportunity of ma- 
 king his fortune; and it is well when it happens 
 no worfe: many a fquire's daughter has clambered 
 over hedge and ftyle, to give a rampant jump into 
 the arms of a young jolly haymaker or ploughman. 
 
 Our London ladies arc indeed very rarely laid 
 under fuch reftrittons; but whenever it happens 
 to be the cnfc, as nature is the fame in all, the ccn- 
 fequence will be fo too. Would ever Eagaretta 
 have cottdefcended to marry the greafy footman 
 that run befcie li^r c ; air, had he not b^n thr only 
 n.an her over-c.ueful father permitted her to fpeak 
 to! Or would Amilnia have found any charms
 
 23 THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 in a Moufetrap, or Leathern Apron, had fhe been 
 indulged the converfation of a White Staff? 
 
 Seomamhe, to her misfortune, was brought 
 up under the tuition of her aunt Negratia a wo- 
 man extremely four by nature, but rendered 
 yet more fo by age and infirmity. Pail all the 
 joys of life herfelf, (he looked with a malicious 
 eye en every one who partook of them; cen- 
 fured the moft innocent diverfions in the fevered 
 manner-, and the leaft complaifance between per- 
 fons of different fexes, was, with her, fcanda- 
 lous to the lad degree. Her character was fo 
 well known, -that none but prudes, whofe defor- 
 mity was an antidote to defire, worn-out, fu- 
 p-rannuated rakes, who had out-lived all fenfe of 
 plr:afure, and canting zealots, whofe bread de- 
 pended on their hypocrify, frequented her houfe. 
 To this fort of company was the young, beau- 
 tiful, and naturally gay LSeomanthe condemned: 
 (he he'ard nothing but railing againft that way of 
 life, (he knew was enjoyed by others of equal rank 
 and fortune with herfelf, and which fhe had too 
 much good fenfe to look upon as criminal: fhe 
 thought people might be perfectly innocent, yet 
 indulge themfelves in fometimes going to a play 
 or opera; nor could be brought to believe the 
 court fuch a bugbear as fhe was told it was: 
 a laced coat arid a toupee wig had double charms 
 for her, as they were every day fo much preached 
 againft; and fhe never faw a coach pafs, wherein 
 were gentlemen and ladies, but the wiihed to be 
 among them, or a well-drefTed beau, with \vhorn 
 fhe did not languiih to be' acquainted. 
 
 At length her defires were fulfilled. Clofe as 
 {he was kept, th? report that Negratia had a
 
 B.I. SPECTATOR. 21 
 
 young lady in her houfe, who was miftrefs of a 
 large fortune on the day of marriage, reached the 
 ears of one of thofe harpies who purchafe to them- 
 felves a wretched fuftenance, by decoying the un- 
 wary into everlafling ruin. This creature, who 
 had been employed by one fo far a gentleman as to 
 be bred to no bufinefs, and whofe whole eftate was 
 laid out on his back, in hopes of appearing charm- 
 ing in the eyes of fome monied woman, v too 
 truly gueffed {he had found in Seomanthe what 
 (he fought. She came to the houfe under the pre- 
 tence of offering fome lace, holland, and fine tea, 
 extraordinary cheap : Negratia being what is called 
 a good houfewife, and a great lover of bargains, 
 readily admitted her; and while me was examin- 
 ing fome of the goods at a fmall dillance off, the 
 artful woman put a letter into Seomanthe's hand, 
 telling her it came from the fineft gentleman in the 
 world, who {he was fure would die, if (lie did not 
 favour him with an anfwer. The young lady took 
 it, blufhed, and put it in her bofom, but had not 
 time to make any reply to the woman, Negratia 
 that inftant coming towards them. As nobody un- 
 derftood her bufinefs better, {he managed it fothat 
 {he was ordered to come again the next day, when 
 {lie faid flie ihould have greater variety to me\r 
 their ladyihips. While {he was packing up her 
 bundles, (he winked onSeomanthe,and at thefame 
 time" gave her the moft befeeching look ; the mean- 
 ing of which, young and unexperienced as {he was, 
 the deflined victim but too well comprehended, 
 and was, perhaps, no lefs impatient for the fuccefs 
 of an adventure, the beginning of which afforded 
 her infinite fatisfa&ion. 
 
 She ran immediately to her chamber, (huther- 
 C
 
 22 THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 fell" in, and broke open her billet, which (he found 
 itiiucd with flames, darts, wounds, love, and 
 death ; the highefl encomiums on her beauty, and 
 the moft vehement imprecations of not out-living 
 his hope of obtaining her favour. Expreflions, 
 \vhieb would have excited only the laughter of a 
 woman who knew the world, but drew tears into 
 the eyes of the innocent Seomanthe. She imagined 
 he had fcen her either atchurch, or looking out of 
 the window, for flie was permitted to mew herfelf 
 in no other place; and doubted not but all he had 
 wrote to her of his love and defpair, was no lefs 
 true than what (he had heard delivered from the 
 pulpit. She looked upon herfe] fas too much obliged 
 by the paffion he had for her, not to write an an- 
 fwcrftill of ccmplaifance 5 and verydexteroufly gave 
 it to the woman, on her coming the next day. 
 
 On the enfuing Sunday fne fa\v a ftrange gentle- 
 man in the next pew to her; by the glances he ftole 
 at her every time he could do it without being 
 taken notice of, me fancied him the perfon who 
 had declared himfelf her lover, and was convinced 
 her conjecture had not deceived her, when being 
 kneeled down at her devotions, he found means, 
 v, hile every one had their fans before their faces, to 
 drop a letter on the bench (he leaned upon ; me 
 was not fo much taken up with the bufmefs (he 
 was employed about, as not to fee it immediately, 
 and throwing her .handkerchief over it, clapped it 
 into her pocket. The looks that paflcd between 
 them afterwards, during the time of divine fervice, 
 confirmed her in the opinion, that he was no lefs 
 charmed with her than he faid he was; and him, 
 that the fight of him had not deftroyed the impref- 
 ficn his letter by th-s old woman had made en i;er.
 
 B. I. SPECTATOR. 23 
 
 Both thought they had reafon to be highly f?.- 
 tisfied with this interview; butpoorSeomanthewas 
 up to the head and ears in love. The perfon of 
 the man was agreeable enough, and compared to 
 thofe Negratia had fuffered her to converfe with, 
 angelic. The prepofleflion ftie had for him at 
 leaft, rendered him fo in her eyes, and flic thought 
 every moment an age till (he got home to read this 
 fecond billet; the contents of which were of the 
 fame nature with the former, only a poftfcript 
 added, intreating flie would contrive fome means 
 to let him entertain her with his paffion, by word 
 of mouth. He mentioned the woman who fold 
 the things, and by whofe means he at firfl made; 
 a difcovery of it, and gave the directions where 
 (he lived j begged a meeting there, if poflible; at 
 leaft an anfwer, whether he might be fo happy cr 
 not; which, he told her, he would wait foe him- 
 felf early the next morning under her window, i 
 {he would be fo good as to throw it out. 
 
 She fighed at reading it; thought her fate very 
 hard that it was not in her power to comply with 
 the firft part of his requeit, but hefitated not in 
 the leaft if flie. ought to grant the other. She 
 fnatched the firft opportunity flie could lay hold 
 on, to prepare a letter, in which fhe let him know 
 how impoflible it was for her to come out; but 
 exprcflcd fuch a regret at not being able to do fo, 
 as fhe wed it would be ro difficult matter to pre- 
 vail on her to run the greateft lengths. 
 
 By the help of his advifer, he carried on a ccr- 
 refpondence with her, which ended in her con fen t 
 ing to quit Negratia for ever, and put herfclf under 
 his protection: In fine, flic packed up all her 
 C'loaths and jewels, threw the former from the 
 C 2t
 
 24 THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 window to the woman, who flood ready to receive 
 them on an appointed night; and having put the 
 other into her pocket, exchanged one fcene of hy- 
 pocrify for another, and flew from a life irkfome for 
 the prefent, to enter into one of lading mifery. 
 
 Early in the morning they were married, and 
 it is poffible paffed fome days in the ufual tranf- 
 ports of a bridal ftate; but when their place of 
 abode was difcovered by the friends and kindred 
 of Seomanthe, who, diftrafted at her elopement, 
 had fearched the whole town, in how wretched a 
 manner was fhe found! The villain had drawn 
 her whole fortune out of the Bank, robbed her 
 of all her jewels, and the ; beft of her apparel, had 
 {hipped every thing off, and was himfelf embarked 
 fhe knew not to what' place. The people of the 
 houfe where they lodged, perceiving him, whom 
 they expected to have been their paymafter, gone, 
 feized on the few trifles he had left behind, as fa- 
 tisfactipn for their rent, and were going to turn 
 the unfortunate Seomanthe cut of doors. 
 
 Not the fight of her cliftrefs, nor the lamen- 
 tations (lie made, which were pitiful enough to 
 have foftenea the moft rugged hearts, had any ef- 
 fect on that of Negratia, who thought no punifh- 
 ment too fevere for a perfon who had deceived her 
 caution : but fome others were of a more compaf- 
 fionate difpofition; they took her home with them, 
 and comforted her as well as they were able : flic 
 ftill lives with them a dependant on their courtefy, 
 which (lie is obliged to purchafe the continuance 
 of, by rendering herfelf fubfervient to all their hu- 
 mours. No news is yet arrived what courfe her 
 wicked hufband took; but it is fuppofed he is re- 
 tired either to France or Holland, being alraoft as
 
 . I. SPECTATOR. 25 
 
 much in debt here as all he wronged Seomanthe of 
 would difcharge; fo that there is little probability 
 of his ever returning, or if he did, that it would be 
 at all to the fatisfaction of his unhappy wife. 
 
 I was going on to recite fome other instances 
 of the mifchiefs, which, for the moft part* are the 
 confequence of laying young people under too 
 great a reftraint, when MIR A came in, and feeing 
 what I was about, took the pen out of my hand, 
 and told me I had already faid enough; if I pro- 
 ceeded to expatiate any farther on that head, I 
 fliould be in danger of being underftood to coun- 
 tenance an extreme on the other fide, which was 
 much more frequently fatal to our fex. 
 
 I yielded to her fuperior judgment, and need- 
 ed but few arguments to be convinced, that if un- 
 bridled youth were indulged in all the liberties it 
 would take, we fhould fcarce fee any thing but un* 
 happy objects before maturity arrived. 
 
 The great encouragement thefe later times 
 afford to luxury of every kind, can never be too 
 much guarded againfl by thofe who are charged 
 with the fir ft forming of the mind. Nature is in 
 itfelf abhorrent of vice; but the ingenious contri- 
 vers of fome of our modifh entertainments, have 
 found fuch ways to take oiF the dcformity that 
 there requires a more ftrong difcernment than 
 youth will ordinarily admit of, to diilinguifh it 
 from innocence. The glitter with which it is 
 adorned ftrikes the eye at a diftance, and you per- 
 ceive not the fpirit within, till, by too near an ap- 
 proach, you are in danger of being infe&ed with. 
 its venom. It was not in diverfions, fuch as our 
 modern mafqucrades in winter, and ridottoes ai 
 frefco hi fummer, that our auceftors pafled their
 
 a5 THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 evenings , both which, agreeable as they may fecm 
 for the prefent to the fenfes, have often given fource 
 to the mofl bitter agonies in the reflecting mind. 
 They appear to me as a daring attempt to in- 
 vert the very order of nature, efpecially the for- 
 mer, which begins at thofe hours when recrea- 
 tions ought to ceafe, and encroaches on the time 
 we fliould be preparing for that repofe the mind 
 and body ftand in need of. Thofe who efcape the 
 beft, are fureto lofe one day from life after every 
 mafquerade; but others, more delicate in their 
 conftitutions, contract colds,and various diforders, 
 which hang upon them a long while, and fome- 
 times never get rid of. Yet, how feverely treated 
 would our young gentlemen andladies think them- 
 felves, were they to be deprived of this elegant en- 
 tertainment, as they term it! "What can be 
 * { more innocent (faythey)than to fee fuch a num- 
 " ber of people together, all dreffed in different 
 " habits, fome talking, fome dancing, fome gam- 
 " ing, and the mufic all the time fweetly playing! 
 4t Then the repartees among us fo whet the wit! " 
 It is certain, indeed, that fome great families, 
 who continue the whole winter in the country, 
 frequently have what they call a mafquerade at 
 their houfes, to which all the neighbouring gentry 
 are invited, and nothing can be more agreeable 
 than thofe kind of entertainments. "Where a fe- 
 le& company are difguifed fo as not to be known 
 for a time to each other, a round of wit is perpe- 
 tually played off, and affords matter, by the plea- 
 fant miftakes fometimes made, for converfation 
 afterwards; for where every one is obliged to pull 
 off his mafk, and own himfelf for what he is, as 
 foon as the ball is over, nothing will Jbe faid or done
 
 B: I. SPECTATOR. 27 
 
 improper or indecent: but here it is quite % other- 
 wife; in thefe mercenary entertainments, the moft 
 abandoned rake, or low-bred fellow, who has 
 wherewithal to purchafc a ticket, may take the 
 liberty of utteringthe grofleft things in thechafteft 
 ear; and fafe in his difguife, go off without in- 
 curring either the fhame or punimment his beha- 
 viour deferves. "But, befides being fubjecled to the 
 infults of every pert coxcomb, who imagines him- 
 felf moft witty when he is moft (hocking to mo- 
 defty, I wonder ladies can reflect what creatures 
 of their own fex they vouchfafe to blend with in 
 thefe promifcuous afiemblies, without blufhing. 
 
 A witty gentleman of my acquaintance, but feme,- 
 what wild, told me, he never was fo much divert-^ 
 cd in his life as one night, when he faw the great- 
 eft prude in the nation, after having been accofted 
 with fome very odd expreflions, by one, who doubt- 
 lefs miftook her for another, run, as if to fhield 
 herfelf from his importunities,to a certain fille-de- 
 joye, to whom he had given a ticket, and cry out, 
 " O Madam, did you hear the filthy creature!" 
 
 I could not forbear acknowledging the ridicule 
 this lady incurred, was a juft punifliment for her 
 appearing in a place fo little conformable to the 
 aullerity fhe profefTed in other things; but at the 
 fame time tookthis opportunity of telling him, that 
 I thought women of honour had little obligations 
 to him, or any of thofe gentlemen, who, by mak- 
 ing prefents of tickets to fuch loofe creatures, in- 
 troduced them into company they otherwife would 
 never have the aflurance to approach. I added, 
 that, in my opinion, a greater affront could not be 
 put upon the fex . and that it was alfo ftrangely 
 impolitic to bring their miftrefles into an afTembJy,
 
 20 THE FEMALE B. f. 
 
 where chance might poffibly engage them in con- 
 verfatioh with their own wives or fillers. 
 
 To thefe laft words he anfwered, with a kind of 
 malicious fmile, <c No, Madam, we never give 
 " mafquerade tickets to them." Intimating., that it 
 was not with the approbation of the men, that the 
 ladies of their own families fliould frequent fuch 
 places; and therefore, if they happened to be af- 
 jfronted there, they muft condemn themfelves. 
 
 This put me in mind of an acquaintance of 
 mine, who is accounted a very good hufband, and 
 in effect is fo, though he took fomewhat an ex- 
 traordinary method to cure his wife of a too great 
 paffion (he had exprefled on their firfl marriage, 
 for going to thofe nocturnal revds. Notice was 
 BO fooner given of a mafquerade, than her eye& 
 fparkled with joy, the habit-maker was immedi- 
 ately fent for, and nothing was either talked or 
 thought on, but the drefs (he mould wear on the 
 approaching happy night. Not but he was con 
 vinced her intentions were perfectly innocent, as 
 (he never defired to go without him, and even tef- 
 tified an eagernefs that he would participate of a 
 pleafure which had fo many charms for herfelf: 
 but he was a man who knew the town, and the 
 dangers to which many women had been expofed 
 in thefe aflemblies ; befides, the expence was what 
 he could by no means relifh; and fearing to draw 
 on himfelf the character of a churlifh, or a jealous 
 hufband, if he gave either of thefe reafons for re- 
 ftraining her, he bethought himfelf of a ftratagem, 
 which fhould render her avoiding to go for the 
 future entirely her own act and deed. 
 
 He caufed, unknown to her, one of his intimate 
 fiiends to put on a habit fo exa&ly the fame with
 
 B. 1. SPECTATOR. 29 
 
 that he wore himfclf, that being of a pretty equal 
 flature, they could not be diftinguifhed from each 
 other when their mafks were on. The gentle- 
 man, in the midfl of a dance, flipt into the huf- 
 band's place, who immediately withdrew, and 
 abfcondcd till the ball was over. The poor lady, 
 little fufpe&ing the deception, kept clofe to her 
 fuppofed fpoufe the whole time, and when the 
 company broke up, was put by him into a hack- 
 ney coach, which had orders to drive to a tavern 
 in Pall-mall. She was a little furprized at finding 
 where (he was; but thinking it a whim of him, 
 whom it was her duty to comply with, fuffered 
 herfelf to be conducted into a room, where he, 
 plucking oft" his mafk, the fight of his face, and 
 his defiring fhe would do the fame, wilh fome 
 expreffions not very becoming the perfon fhe had 
 taken him for, fo alarmed and terrified her, that 
 fhe gave a great fhriek. The hufband, who had 
 followed them in another coach, came in that mo- 
 ment, and found her ringing the bell, calling for 
 the people of the houfe, and for a chair, that fhe 
 nrght be carried home, the gentleman ftruggling 
 with her, endeavouring all he could to prevail on 
 her to unmafk. He fo well acted his part, that 
 the perfon who employed him was highly diverted, 
 and had fufFered the farce to go on fome time 
 longer, had not the exceflive fright his wife was in 
 obliged him to put an end to it, which he did, by 
 plucking off his vizard, and taking her in his arms, 
 conjured her to compofe herfelf. "This accident, 
 " faid he, might have proved of ill confequencc 
 " indeed, had it not happened with my particular 
 " friend. I faw, and followed you with a refolu- 
 * tion to revenge the affront I imagined offered to
 
 3 o THE FEMALE B. r. 
 
 " me; I am now convinced it was all a miftakc on 
 " his fide, as well as yours. See here, continued he, 
 ff taking off his wife's mafk, who it is you have 
 " gallanted, and were about to be fo free with." 
 
 The gentleman affected to ftart, and be very 
 much amazed and afhamed of what he had done, 
 begged his friend's pardon, and the lady's, who he 
 faid he accofted, as thinking her a fine woman, 
 and meeting with no manner of repulfe, but, on 
 the contrary, that me was very defirous of keeping 
 as near to him as poflible, and fhunning all other 
 converfation, he had all the reafon in the world to 
 flatter himfelf, fhe would be no lefs fatisfied with 
 his company in another place. "But, faid he, I now 
 " perceive it was the likenefs of habits deceived 
 " her, and that while I was gaining a mittrefs, flic 
 '* doubted not but she was following a huiband." 
 
 This adventure occafioned a good deal of mer- 
 riment among them; but it had all the effect my 
 friend wi&hed it'should have on his wife. The 
 imagined danger she had been in, and the real ter- 
 ror it had given her, dwelt fo much upon her mind, 
 that she refolved never more to fet her foot with- 
 in a place where virtue and reputation were liable 
 to fuch hazards. He had the difcretion, however,, 
 to maintain inviolably the fecret of the trick he had 
 put upon her, which, had it been fo much as guef- 
 fed at by her, might, perhaps, have occafioned a 
 refentmentmore to the prejudice of his peace, than 
 the continuance of that immoderate love of an a- 
 mufement he did not approve could have been. 
 
 But what this gentleman contrived the appear- 
 ance of, has not been without its parallel in rea- 
 lity. Two noble families owe the ruin of their 
 peace, as well as their enmity to each other, whid\
 
 . !. SPECTATOR. 3 r 
 
 there is little likelihood will foon ceafe, to a fatal 
 miftake, occafioned by the unfortunate fimilitude 
 of habits, at one of thefe mafquerades. 
 
 Alcaics and Palmyra were married young; the 
 match was made by the kindred on both fides, and 
 their hearts not confulted in the affair: they liv- 
 ed together, not withftanding, in very good harmo- 
 r.y, neither t>f them having any attachment elfe- 
 where ; and though no more than a calm indiffe- 
 rence feemed to fubfifl between them, yet either 
 through chance, or caution, nothing happened for 
 a long time that could give the lead umbrage to 
 one or the other. His favourite amufements were 
 reading, walking, and the play-houfes. Hers were 
 giving and receiving vifits, and going to operas 
 and mafquerades. He never examined into what 
 company she went, nor did she ever give herfelf 
 the trouble to inquire in what manner he paffed 
 his time. She was infinitely gay and free in con- 
 Terfation, but behaved fo equally to all the men 
 of her acquaintance, that malice had found no room 
 to cenfure her, as guilty of a particular regard for 
 any one. The conduct of Alcaics was much the 
 fcme; he did juftice to the charms of every lady, 
 but feemed affefted by none: fo that jealoufywasa 
 paflion which this happy fenfible pair as yet had 
 never known. With how much tranquility might 
 life have glided on, until both had dropped into e- 
 ternity, and left the faireftreputation on their tomb, 
 had they continued as they were a few years long- 
 er? But their ill fate ordained it otherwife, and all 
 the unity becween them was neareft to a diflbluti- 
 oti, whenmoftit feemed eftablished and confirmed. 
 Palmyra, as flie never miffed a malquerade, 
 was there one night, whsn Alcaics, after {he was
 
 32 THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 gone, was alfo dragged thither by fome friends, 
 who would not be denied. Tho' he had not the 
 leaft relifli for that diverfion, yet being there, he 
 thought he fhould be laughed at not to behave in 
 the fame fafhion he faw others did, and prefently 
 fingled out a lady, whom he found had fome wit 
 and addrefs, for his partner. A lady, who had ac- 
 companied Palmyra, and happened to frand near, 
 difcovered him by his voice, which he did not at- 
 tempt to conceal. She ran immediately with the 
 news to his wife, who at firft did not believe it; 
 but the other made fo many proteftations, that he 
 was not only there, but was alfo deeply engaged 
 with his partner, and fhe was fure there was an 
 intrigue between them, that Palmyra, at laft, re- 
 folved to be convinced, and went to that part of 
 the room where her officious informer had told her 
 he was, and where fne found him, ill entertain- 
 ing the lady. A paffion me had never before ex- 
 perienced, now took pofleflion of her heart. She 
 knew (he was not deceived, (lie heard the voice of 
 her hufband diftin&ly, and to find him in a place 
 he had always pretended an averfion to, made her 
 look upon him as a diflembler, and that he but 
 feigned a diflike, in order to come'with the greater 
 privacy, and carry on his amours. In fine, (he 
 had now the moft difadvantageous idea of him, 
 that a wife, imagining herfelf not only injured,, 
 but impofed upon, could entertain. She had fome- 
 ' times an inclination to fpeak to him, and let him 
 fee he was detected; but her ill genius prevented 
 her from doing any thing that might have cleared 
 up this affair, and represented to her, that to fhew 
 her refentment in that public place, would draw 
 on her the ridicule of her acquaintance, and that
 
 B.I. SPECTATOR. 33 
 
 it would bs more prudent to obfcrve In? behaviour 
 during the ball, and afterwards follow him; and 
 in cale he went not home, purfue him to the 
 place of his rendezvous. 
 
 Accordingly (he kept her eye upon him 
 \vherever he turned, as much as was poiuble ior 
 her to do, amidft the throng which happened to 
 be there that night, and at length faw hi:n, as (he 
 thought, quit the room before the ailVmbly was 
 broke up. As (he had before loft light of the lady 
 he had been talking to, she doubted not but there 
 was an aflignation between them ; and finding he 
 ftepped into a chair, she took another and followed 
 till she found he entered in a houfe near Co vent- 
 Garden. She confidered but a moment what she 
 should do before she ordered the chairman to knock 
 at the door, which being opened, she defired the 
 fervant to shew her to the gentleman who was juft 
 come in. The fellow, not doubting but his ma- 
 fter expected this fair vifitor, conducted her up 
 ftairs, where she waited not long, before a very 
 handfome gentleman, habited exactly in the feme 
 manner she had feen her hulband, but now with- 
 out a mafk, came to her, and in the moft complai- 
 fent terms, begged to know her commands. 
 
 Vexed and confufed without meafure at the 
 difappointment, she replied abruptly, that she had 
 miftaken him for another, and turned haftily away 
 in order to go down ftairs; but he feized her by 
 the garment, and told her he should iil deferve 
 the bounty fortune had thrown in his way, if he 
 Coffered her to depart without letting her know she 
 could come in fearch of no man who would fet a 
 greater value on any condcfcenfion she should be 
 pleafed to grant him. 
 
 VOL, I. D
 
 34 THE FEMALE B. L 
 
 In fpite of the ill humour fhe was in, there was 
 fomewhat in the perfon and addrefs of this ftranger 
 that pleafed her, and it j uft then entering into her 
 head, that there was a poflibility he .might have 
 changed habits with Alcaics, as people fometimes 
 do at a mafquerade, either out of frolick, or the 
 better to carry on an intrigue, flic afked him, if 
 he had worn that habit the whole evening? To 
 which he anfwering in the affirmative, flie grew 
 more and more perplexed, but was certain (he 
 had not been deceived in the voice fhe had heard, 
 which was that of her hufband, and very differ- 
 ent from his who now fpoke to her. She then 
 ;<.fked farther, if he had not taken notice of a gen- 
 jeman in the fame habit with himfelf? To which 
 he faid, that he had obferved fuch a one, and that 
 . the perfon fhe meant was very much taken up 
 with a lady; but, added he with a fmile, " that 
 " lady was not flie, who now does him the honour 
 to appear fo much concerned about him." 
 
 Thefe words piqued Palmyra to the foul, and 
 attering herfelf that flie might learn fomething 
 farther, by entering into a converfation with him, 
 fufFered herfelf to be prevailed on to fit down; 
 and having told him fhe was the wife of the per- 
 fon flie enquired for, plucked off her maflc, in 
 order to fhew, that her face was not fuch as might 
 juflify the flight he had put upon her; and con- 
 jured him not to conceal any thing he knew of 
 the perfidy of her hufoand. 
 
 This gentleman whom I (hall call Lyfimon, 
 affured her, with a great deal of truth, that the 
 perfon who happened to be in the fame clrefs with 
 timfelf, and which made him take the greater eo-
 
 B.I. SPECTATOR. 35 
 
 tice of him, was utterly unknown to him; bufo 
 exaggerated the compliments he had heard him 
 make to the lady, that Palmyra was (juite loft in 
 fpite and jealous rage; which he perceiving, art- 
 fully blended his praifes of her beauty, with his 
 exclamations on the ingratitude of a hufband, \vho, 
 having fuch a wife, could have eyes for any other 
 charms, till vanity on the one fide, and revenge on 
 the other, rendered her in a fit difpofition to lifteil 
 to the pleas of a new flame; which he fo fuccefs- 
 fully puriued, that before naorning he not only 
 gained the entire poiTellion of her perfon, but of a 
 heart, which, till then, had been infenfible either 
 of the pains or joys of love. 
 
 It was fome hours paft day-break when ihe 
 came home; Alcaics had not got rid of the com- 
 pany who had carried him abroad, until pretty 
 near the fame time, fo was returned but jufl be- 
 fore her, and not yet in bed. He fcemecl not, 
 however, the lead furprized at her ftaying fo much 
 beyond the time Pae was accuftomed to come from 
 the mafquerade, ncr aflced any queftions concern- 
 ing it; and (he was too much engrofied by the 
 thoughts of Lyfimon, to take any notice tharflae 
 knew he had been there; and ail, perhaps, had 
 pafled over, if the filter of Alcaics, whofe houfe 
 was dire&Jy oppofire to that where Lyfimon lodg- 
 ed, had not unluckily feen her at his window, 
 adjufting her drcfs before fhe took her leivc. This 
 Ia<!y had fccretJy a paflion for him, and 1 -.J tskv'n, 
 all opportunities to throw herfelf in his way, in 
 hores of engaging him ; but he having either not 
 underftood, cr n?g'ecled ths advances (lie 
 the f i;ht of Palmyra made her not doubt, but it 
 was for her fake he had appeared To ftupid and un- 
 D a
 
 3 6 THE FEMAL.E B.I. 
 
 grateful. Fired with all the rage of jealcufy, re- 
 venge, and difappointment, (he came the next day 
 to the houfe of Alcales, and before his face, flew 
 on Palmyra, as a woman that had brought difho 
 nour on their family, and was unworthy of fo good 
 a hufband : repeated all (he knew of being with. 
 Lyfimon, and faid (he would bring her woman,, 
 and a man-fervant, whom me had called to fee 
 her at his window, to be witnefs to the truth of 
 what (he faid. So home a charge, and given by his 
 lifter, roufed Alcales from that indolence of temper 
 he had hitherto behaved with. His cheeks glowed, 
 but his heart was yet more inflamed. Palmyra, at 
 firft, denied the accufation, but finding the proofs 
 were too plain againft her, (he turned ihe whole 
 blame of this cruel cenfure upon her hufbandr 
 confefled that jealoufy and grief at feeing his en- 
 gagement at the mafquerade, had made her follow 
 a perfon whom (lie miflook for him-, but that as 
 to having any acquaintance with that gentleman, 
 on \vhof? fcori ihe was reproached, she utterly 
 deni-d it, or even that she knew his name. 
 
 Alcales likened to all she faid, without offering 
 to givelier the leaft interruption : but perceiving 
 <h; had done, replied, with a fmile that had fome- 
 thing in it which denoted a mingled malice and 
 difdain, " It is wondrous ftrange, madam, fince 
 " your exccfiive love for me 5 andtheterroryou were 
 ** in of a rival's fupplanting you in my affections, 
 " had carried you fuch lengths, how you cculd im- 
 u mediately, and without being convinced your 
 14 fufpicions were groundlefs, afTume fuch a com- 
 " pofednefs in your behaviour j you muft certain- 
 c< Jy have a more than ordinary command over.
 
 B. I. SPECTATOR. yj 
 
 44 your paflion.?, never fo much as to mention what 
 " gave you fo great pain." 
 
 Palmyra had little to alledge againft fo critical 
 an obfervation; but what she wanted in argument, 
 fhc made up with railing; endeavouring, as is 
 common in fuch cafes, to conceal her own faults 
 Ly exaggerating thole of her hufband. At laft tha 
 q'v.uei arrived to fuch a height, that she flew to 
 her chamber, packed up her jewels, and went to 
 her bi ether's houfe, where she complained loudly 
 of the injuftice she had received, .and made bitter 
 imprecations never to return to AJcales. 
 
 In the mean time he was fully, convinced of the 
 injury that had been done him, and in the heat of 
 his refentment fent a challenge to Lyfimcn, who 
 was too brave not to anfwer it. They fought, 
 and were both of them dangeroufly wounded. 
 The whole time that Alcales was confined to his 
 bed, neither Palmyra,, nor any of her friends, onco 
 fent to enquire after his health : this want of even 
 common complaifance, neither himfelf, nor rela^ 
 tions, have ever forgiven,, efpecially as they hear*.! 
 that Lyfimon was treated by them with mo: e rcfper. 
 Nothing could be more inveterate than the hatred 
 which has from that time been between the two 
 families. Palmyra kept her word and never favr 
 her hufband after; the only thing, perhaps, she 
 could have obliged him in. Afiured as he was of 
 her infidelity, proofs were wanting for a divorce; 
 therefore it was agreed by the lawyers appointed 
 by each party, that she should have the intereft o 
 her own fortune to live upon, ia what manner was 
 moft agreeable to her. They putt-.i with the fame 
 indifference, though with left tnnouiiity th.,i 
 met. He retired to his country fear, v/here he 
 D 3
 
 38 THE FEMALE B. t 
 
 Kill drags on a folitary gloomy life. She went to 
 France, where her beloved Lyfimon was gone, foon 
 after the recovery of his wounds ; but whether fhe 
 continues to find in his conversation fufficient to 
 ntcne for her lofs of innocence and reputation, is 
 very much to be queftioned. 
 
 But of all who ever fuffered by their curiofity, 
 or attachment to this dangerous diveriion, the cafe 
 cf the innocent Erminia was mod truly pitiable. 
 This young lady and her brother were the only 
 HTue of a very happy marriage, and both fhared 
 equally the tendernefs of their indulgent parents. 
 They were educated in the ftricleft rudiments of 
 pietyandvirtue,nndhadibmethingfo innately good 
 . ia their difpofmons, as made the practice of thofe 
 duties, which to others feem mod fevere, to them. 
 :i pleafure. The family lived in the country, and 
 came not to London but once in two or three 
 ylsars, and then flaid but a fhort time-, till the 
 young gentleman having finifhed his ftudies at 
 Cambridge, it was thought proper he fhould fee 
 mere cf the world, than he could poffibly do in 
 that retired part. But fearing he fhould fall into 
 the vices of the age, in cafe he was left too much 
 to him felf, they relolved on moving to town, in 
 
 to have him ftill under their own eye. 
 
 Accordingly a houfe was taken in a certain 
 
 fquare, and the whole family ca.ne up, and, not 
 
 to ieem particular, w^rc obliged to live after the 
 
 manner people do in town : Erminia was not nov/ 
 
 fixteen, and (as all new faces are, if tolera- 
 
 :.y: ] fome) was extremely taken notice of, yet 
 
 v.'.is not her young heart puffed up with the leaft 
 
 pride or vanity; and though llie had all thaL" 
 
 f.ihiefs which is the infeparable companies
 
 B.I. SPECTATOR. 39 
 
 of innocence and good-nature, yet it did never 
 tranfport her fo far as to take, or permit any of 
 thofe liberties, which (he faw fome of her new 
 acquaintance make no fcruple of. 
 
 Soon after their arrival winter came on, and 
 wherever either fhe or her brother went, nothing 
 was talked on but the mafquerade : neither of them 
 had ever feen one, and the eagernefs they obferv- 
 ed in others, excited a curiofity in them. Their 
 parents would net oppofe the inclination they ex- 
 prefled, and confented they Ihould go together j 
 but gave their fon a ftrict charge to be watchful 
 over his fifter, and never quit fight of her till he 
 brought her home to them again. Though this 
 was an entertainment unknown in England in 
 their gay time of life, and confequently they were* 
 flrangers to the methods praclifed at it, yet hav- 
 ing heard fomewhat of the dangers, they repeated 
 over and over the fame injunction to the young 
 gentlema'n, who allured them he would take the 
 fame care as if themfelves were prefent. 
 
 Alas! he little knew how impracticable it was 
 to keep his promife; they were no fooner entered, 
 than both were bewildered among the promifcuous 
 aflembly; the ftrange habit?, the hurry, the con- 
 fufion quite diftratled their attention. They kept 
 clofe to each other, indeed, for fome time; but 
 were foon feparated by a croud that came rufhing 
 between them, fome accofting the brother, others 
 the fifter. Thofe who talked to them eafily found 
 they were flrangers to the converfation of the 
 place, antl whifpering it about, our young country 
 gentry ferved as butts for the company to level 
 all the arrows of their wit againft. 
 
 Erminia had loft her brother for a confiderable
 
 4b THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 time, and was encompafied by perfons of both 
 fexes, whofe mode of fpcech was neither pteafing 
 to her, nor did fhe know how to ani'wer; at lail, 
 the fight of a blue domino, which was the habit 
 he went in, revived her, and fhe ran to the perfon 
 who wore it, and catching fait hold of him, " Dear 
 a Brother, cried ihe, let us go home. I have been 
 " frighted to death by thofe noify people yonder, 
 * I wonder what pleafure "any body can take in 
 u being here." 
 
 The peribn fne accofled made no reply; but 
 taking her under the arm, conducted her out as 
 fhe had defired, and went with her into a hackney 
 coach. Little fufpectirg the accident that had he- 
 fallen her, fhe attended not to what orders he gave 
 the coachman ; and, glad to find herfelf out of a 
 place which for her had fo few charms, entertain- 
 ed her fuppofed brother with a repetition of \vhst 
 had been faid to her, till the coach flopped at the 
 door of a great houfe: as it was not yet light, fhe 
 diftinguifhed it not from their own, and innocent:- 
 ly jumped out, and was within the entry before 
 fhe difcovered her miftake; but as fcon as fhe did> 
 * Blefs me, cried fhe, where have you brought 
 " me, brother?" She fullowed him, however, up 
 flairs, where he, pulling off his vizard, difcovered 
 a face fhe had never feen before. 
 
 Never was furprize and terror greater than thai 
 which now feized the heart of that unfortunate 
 young lady: fhe wept, fhe prayed, fhe conjured 
 him by every thing that is called facred, or worthy 
 of veneration, to fuffer her to depart; but he was 
 one, to whom, had fhe been lefs beautiful, her in- 
 nocence was a fufficient charm. The more averfe 
 nd fhocked Ihe feemed at the rude behaviour with
 
 B. I. SPECTATOR. 41 
 
 which he immediately began to treat her,the more 
 were his defircs inflamed ; and having her in his 
 power, and in a houfe where all her shrieks and 
 cries were as unavailing as her tears and intreaties, 
 he fatiated, by the moft barbarous force, his bafc 
 inclinations; and for a moment's joy to himfelf, 
 was the entire ruin of a poor creature, whofe ig- 
 norance of the world, and the artifices of man- 
 kind, alone had betrayed to him. 
 
 The cruel conqueft gained, he was at a lofs 
 how to difpofe of his prey: a thoufand times she 
 begged he would complete the villany he had be- 
 gun, and kill the wretch he had made; but thisww 
 what neither his fafety, nor perhaps his principle, 
 wicked as he was, would permit him to do. ' He 
 eafily found she was a girl of condition, and doubt- 
 ed not but she had friends who would revenge the 
 injury he had done her, could they by any means 
 difcover the author ; he therefore, after having in 
 vain endeavoured to pacify lit r, and prevail on her 
 to comply with his dellres of holding a fecret cor- 
 refpondence with him, compelled her to let him 
 bind a handkerchief over her eyes, that she might 
 not be able to defcribe either the houfe or ftreet 
 where she was abufed j then put her into a hackney 
 coach, which he ordered to drive into an obfcurc 
 dirty lane in the Strand, near the water-fide, where 
 he made her be fet down, and immediately drove 
 away with all the fpeed the horfes could make. 
 
 She no fooner found herfelf at liberty, than fhc 
 plucked the bandage from her eyes, ftie caft a 
 difconfolate look about, me knew not where (he 
 wasj but the fight of the water at fome little di- 
 ftance from her, tempted her more than once, as 
 Ihc has fince confefled, to throw herfelf into ic.
 
 4* THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 The precepts of religion, however, reflrained her, 
 and (he wandered backwards and forwards for 
 fome time, uncertain what to do; at length me 
 came to a more populous place, and feeing a chair, 
 made herfclf be carried home, though with what 
 agonies of fhame and grief is eafier to imagine 
 than deferibe. 
 
 The young gentleman, her brother, had all this 
 time been in the utmoft diftratlion; he no fooner 
 miffed, than he went in fearch of her round and 
 round the room, and through all the little avenues 
 that led to it; described her habit to the fervants, 
 and afked if they had feen fuch a lady; but all his 
 endeavours being fruitlcfs, he ran home, flattering 
 himfelf, that miffing him, me had gone before. 
 Not finding her there, he flew back again to the 
 Hay-market; made a fecond fearch,. a fecond in- 
 quiry, and that being as ineffectual as the firfr, his 
 grief and his defpair were beyond all bounds. He 
 truly loved his fifter, and doubted not but fome 
 very unhappy accident had befallen her; but what 
 involved him yet in greater horrors, was how he 
 (hould anfwer to his parents his fo ill acquitting 
 himfelf of the charge they laid on him concerning 
 her. Dreading their reproaches, and even yet 
 more the agonies they would feel at feeing him re- 
 turn without her, he flew about the flreets like 
 one totally deprived of reafon, until day being far 
 advanced, and every body he met flaring at him 
 as a perfon whom drink or madnefs had rendered 
 an objeft of derifion, mame, at laft, got the bet- 
 ter of his vexations, and he ventured to encoun- 
 ter what was more dreadful to him than death it- 
 felf. 
 
 The anxious parents could not think of going
 
 B.I. SPECTATOR. 43 
 
 to their repofe until their dear children were re- 
 turned in fafety; they had apprehenfions which 
 they could not account for, none having dared to 
 inform them that Erminia was miffing, or that 
 her brother, many hours before, had called at the 
 door to afk if me was come: but when they now 
 fa'w him enter with a confufed and dejected air, 
 and found their daughter was not with him, they 
 both at once cried out, in a tranfport of mingled 
 rage and grief, " Where is your fifler? what is 
 (t become of Erminia? do you approach us with- 
 " out her?" 
 
 The condition this poor youth was in, would 
 be very difficult to exprcfs; he trembled, hung 
 down his head, and his flowing eyes, let fall a 
 fhower of tears upon his bread, but had not power 
 to fpeak, until his father, impatient of knowing 
 even the word that could befal, commanded him 
 either to repeat what had happened, or that in- 
 ftant leave his fight for ever. "O Sir, (then cried 
 v he) what can I fay? my fitter is gone! all my 
 ' c .care in obeying your commands was vain, and 
 M am wholly ignorant how this misfortune hap* 
 pened." 
 
 Scarce had he fpoke thefe words, when the 
 ruined maid appeared. Father, mother, brother, 
 all ran at once to catch her in their arms; but 
 the (hock of returning to them as (he now was 
 rendered, worked too powerfully on theweaknefs 
 of her fpirits, to leave her in a condition to re- 
 ceive their embraces, and (lie fell into a fwoon, in 
 which (he continued a long time, though they im- 
 mediately undreiled, put her to bed, and ufed all 
 proper .means for her recovery. 
 
 On the return of her fenfes, flic fell into the
 
 44 THE FEMALE B. t 
 
 mod lamentable complaints, but could not be pre- 
 vailed upon, while her father and brother were in 
 the room, to reveal any thing of the occafion. 
 Her mother obferving their prefence was a re- 
 ftraint, defired them to withdraw; after which, 
 partly by commands, and partly by intreaties, but 
 more by mentioning all the evils that her imagi- 
 nation could fuggeft, at lafl the whole fad fecret 
 was revealed. 
 
 Never was fo difconfolate a family, and the 
 more fo, as they could by no means difcover the 
 brutal author of their misfortune; the precautions 
 he had taken rendered all their fearch in vain; 
 and when fome days after they prevailed on Er- 
 minia to go with them in a coach almoft through- 
 out London, yet could (he not point out either the 
 houfe or ftreet where her ravifher had carried her. 
 
 To fill the meafure of her woes, a young gen- 
 tleman arrived in town, who long had loved, and 
 had the approbation of her friends, and for whom 
 fhe alfo felt all the paffion that can infpire a vir- 
 tuous mind. He had by fome bufinefs been pre- 
 vented from accompanying the family in their re- 
 moval, but was now come full of the hopes of 
 having his defires compleated, by a happy mar- 
 riage with Erminia. 
 
 Melancholy reverfe of fate! Inflead of being 
 received with open arms, and that chearful wel- 
 come he had been accuflomed to, and had rea- 
 fbn to exper,, the moft heavy gloom appeared on 
 all the faces of thofe he was permitted to fee : but 
 Erminia no fooner heard of his arrival, than (he 
 (hut herfelf up in her chamber, and would by no 
 means be prevailed upon to appear before him. 
 To excufe her abfence, they told him fhe was in-
 
 B. I. SPECTATOR. 45 
 
 difpofed; but this feemed all pretence, becaufe the 
 freedom with which they had always lived together 
 might very well allow him the privilege of vifitirtg 
 her in her chamber. He complained of this altera- 
 tion ia her behaviour, and doubted not, at firft, 
 but it was occafioned by the preference they gave 
 lo fome new rival. The true reafon, however, 
 tould not be kept fo much a fecrer, but that it 
 was whifpered about, and he foon got a hint of it. 
 How ieniible a fhock it muft give him, may eafily 
 be conceived; but he got the better of it, and af- 
 ter a very little reflection, went to her father, told 
 liiu the affii&ing news he had heard, but withal 
 afi tired him, that as his love for Erminia was chief- 
 ly founded on her virtue, an a& of force could 
 not be efteemed any breach of it, and was ftill 
 ready to marry her, if me would confent. 
 
 This generofity charmed the whole family;, but 
 Erminia could not think of accepting the offer; 
 -the more fhe found him. worthy of htr atfe&ions 
 in her ftate of innocence, tlmlefs could {he fup- 
 port the (hame of being h?s, in the condition fhe 
 was: fhe told her parents, that fhe had taken a 
 firm refolution never to marry, and begged their 
 permifiion to retire to an aunt,' who was married 
 to an old clergyman, and lived in one of the mcft 
 remote counties in England. Dear as her prefence 
 was, they found fomething fo truly noble in her 
 way of thinking, that they would not oppofe it; 
 and even her lover, in fpite of himfelf, could not 
 forbear applauding what gave a thoufand daggers 
 to his hca.t. 
 
 Erminia, in a fliort time, departed for her coun- 
 try rdidence: nothing was ever more mournful 
 than the leave flic took of her rarcuts and bro- 
 
 VOL, 1. E
 
 46 THE FEMALE B. t. 
 
 ther; but not all the entreaties of her lover, by 
 meiTages and letters, could gain ib far upon her 
 mcdefty, as to prevail on her" to fee him; fhe fent 
 him, however, a letter, fuil of the moft tender ac- 
 knowledgments of his love and penerofity, and 
 with this he was obliged to be content. 
 
 It is not every woman would have refented 
 fach an injuty in thefame manner with Erminia; 
 and it muft be confefled, that her notions of ho- 
 nour and virtue had fomewhat fuperlatively deli- 
 cate in them. What a lofs then to the world to 
 be deprived of fo amiable an example, as fhe would 
 have doubtlefs proved, of conjugal truth, tender- 
 nefs, and a drift observance of every duty the men 
 fo much defire to find in her they make a partner 
 for life! How can her brutal ravifher reflect, as it 
 is impoffible but he fometimes muft, on the mif- 
 chiefs he has occafioned, without horrors, fuch as 
 mull render life a burden? Though he yet is hid 
 ia darknefs, and left no traces by which the public 
 may point the villain out, and treat him with 
 the abhorrence he deferves,his own thoughts muft 
 furely be the avengeraof his crime, and make him 
 more truly wretched than any exterior punifhment 
 could do. 
 
 It is true that accidents of this dreadful na- 
 ture but rarely happen; and heaven forbid they 
 ibould ever be more frequent! yet I am afraid they 
 fa-e much more fo than is publickly known: me- 
 tlunks, therefore, youth and innocence cannot be 
 too much upon itsguard, even againft dangers that 
 fcem moft remote: the fnares laid for it are fome- 
 times fo well concealed, that the moft penetrating 
 eye cannot difcover them; and fhe whoboafts the 
 greateft difcerament, is often entangled in them the
 
 15. I. SPECTATOR. 47 
 
 fooneft. The inadvertent and unwary are, indeed, 
 to be pitied; bat thofe who run wilfully, ami in 
 defiance, as it Avere, of all temptations, even tho* 
 they (hould efcape, merit little thanks from thtir 
 own fex, becaufe-they fet an ill precedent Icr 
 others, who, perhaps, may be lefs fortunate. 
 
 I cannot fay our fummer evenings public en- 
 tertainments, of which I think Vauxhall not only 
 the moft pleafant, butalib moil frequented by ths 
 great world, are liable to fuch unlucky accidents. 
 Every one there appears with the fame face which 
 nature gave him, and if intrigues arc carried on, it 
 mult, at Jeaft, be with the conunt of both parties; 
 yet here are dangerous excitements, mufic, flat- 
 tery, delightful groves, and fweet recefles, to lull 
 afleep trfe guardians of honour. A certain well 
 known gentleman, whofe acquaintance bodes no 
 good to the young and beautiful of our fex, has 
 often boafted that Vauxhail was the temple of 
 Flora, of which he has long been conftituted high- 
 prieft. I wifli there may not be too much truth in 
 what he fays; but for the vindication of fome la- 
 dies who have been lovers of a ramble crofs ths 
 water, I mud recite one inftance of a dilappoini- 
 ment he met with, much to his mortification, ani 
 which, for fome time, brought him under dif- 
 grace with the moft illuftrious of all his patrons. 
 
 As his chief employment is the fearch of beauty, 
 in which our modern fine gentlemen allow him to 
 have an cxquifite tafte, he one night fmgled out a, 
 young girl, who feemed to have comprifed iu her 
 every thing that could infpire an amorous inclina- 
 tion. Flavia, for fo I (hall call her, had two com- 
 panions with her of her own fex. He artfully in- 
 trod ucedhimfelf into their converfation,:uKli 
 E 2
 
 4 8 THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 that fhe whom he had pitched upon, had no lefs 
 vfit and addrefs, than (he had beauty. This, he 
 thought to hirnfelf was a conqueft worth obtain- 
 ing, and was refclved to fpare no pains in the at- 
 tempt, being certain that if he was fo happy to 
 fucceed in it, his reward would be proportionate 
 to the fervice. 
 
 The modeft and grave deportment with which 
 he behaved towards her and her friends, made 
 them,as they had no male acquaintance with them, 
 glad of his protection to fee them into a boat when 
 the company broke up. and the great croud and 
 hurry which there always is, rendered him, indeed, 
 fo very ufeful, that they could not, without being 
 guilty of too prudifh a referve, refufe permitting 
 him a paflage with them to the other fide; by this 
 means he got knowledge where they all lived, for 
 his compiaifance would need extend 'itfelf fo far as 
 lo fee each to her refpe&ive habitation. 
 
 Fiavia being the only perfon on whom he had 
 : defjgn, he went to wait on her the next day, 
 under pretence of inquiring after her health-, the 
 evening happening to be more cool than ordinary, 
 he faid he feared might have had fome ill effeft oa 
 a confutation fo delicate as her's. Fiavia, who 
 fufpecled not the ferpent that lay hid under fuch 
 fair behaviour, received him with the utmoft civi- 
 lity, but her mother with infinitely more: fhehad 
 been a woman of gallantry in her youth, and did 
 not think herfelf yet paft it, fo was very ready to 
 encourage the vifits of any perfon who made a 
 good appearance. She thanked him a thoufand 
 times over for the care he had taken of her daugh- 
 ter; and when encouraged by her manner of treat- 
 ing him, he a&edperrniffion to wait oa themfoms-
 
 B, I. SPECTATOR 49 
 
 times at tea-drinking, fhe a flu red him, nothing 
 could do her more honour and pleafure, than tocul- 
 tivate an acquaintance with a gentleman of his me- 
 rir. He now looked on half his work as done, and 
 by the dilpofition of the mother, judged he ihouM 
 find little difficulty in his deligns on the daughter-, 
 efpecially aa on inquiry into their circiimftances, 
 he found they were very low; that the father 
 of Fiavia, at his death,, had left a numerous family 
 unprovided for, and that the other children were 
 difperfed, fume with one relation, fome with an- 
 other, the mother beingable to fupport no more than 
 this one. In this confidence he went immediately 
 to the illuftrious, Rinaldo, and, after magnifying 
 his own zeal and jndufiry, to ferve his pleafures, 
 told him he had difcovered a-treafure of charms, 
 iit only for his poilctlion; and with fuch iuicious 
 phrafes painted to him every grace the beautiful 
 Fiavia was miltrtfs of, thatRinaldo was all on fire 
 to fee her. " If I find her fuch as you deicnbr, "' 
 faid he, " and I enjoy her by your means, i will 
 " deny you nothing you. Can alk." The other 
 bowed, and allured him he would bring her into 
 the Mall the next day, where his own eye mould 
 convince him of the truth. 
 
 This beiug agreed to, he went to the mother 
 of Fiavia, and intreated they would favour him 
 with their company to the Park, for he would not 
 hazard a refufal, by aiking the one without the 
 other; and betide,, thought it would be imprudent 
 to give them any room to fufpec~l his intentions.,, 
 till he mould know Rinaldo's ientimcnts. 
 
 They now looked on him as one of tbeir ac- 
 quaintance, and were not at all difpleafed to be 
 gallanted by a perfon who-made the figure he did. 
 
 3
 
 50 THE FEMALE' B. I; 
 
 In fins, they went; Rinaldo was there, met them 
 at feveral turns, and found nothing in Flavia but 
 what attracted his admiration. The laft time he 
 patted by them, " You are a happy man," faid he, 
 calling him by his name, " to have the conduct o 
 " fo much beauty." 
 
 This purveyor for the vices of other men was 
 highly pleafed to find the choice he had made 
 approved. Flavia blufhed; but her mother was 
 tranfported to fee by whom they were taken notice 
 of. All the time they continued walking after- 
 wards they were entertained with nothing but the 
 praifes of Rinaldo, his fine fhap? , his genteel air, 
 but above all, his good-nature, 'gcnerofity, and li- 
 berality to the ladies, were expatiated oa with all 
 the pomp that words could give them. 
 
 He proceeded no farther at that time; but the 
 next day, when he waited on Rinaldo to know his 
 commands, he found him all impatience for the 
 pofleffion of Flavia; on which he went direlly to 
 her, and made no fcruple of acquainting both her-, 
 ielf and mother with the paflion that illuftrious 
 perfon was infpired with, and at the fame time 
 made them the moft formal compliments of con- 
 gratulation on their good fortune. 
 
 The mother liftened to him with the moft rap- 
 tured attention, bhe already fancied herfelf in 
 Ler coach-and-fix, and a thonfand wild ideas of 
 grandeur, homage, and magnificence, ran through 
 her head in an inftant. She told him, that fhe 
 knew her duty better than to oppofe any thing the 
 great Punildo wifhed, and fhe hoped her daughter 
 would alfo receive the honour he did her with a 
 Becoming obedience. 
 
 this time fpoke not a word j the iwr
 
 B. I. SPECTATOR. 51 
 
 prize of fuch an offer, at firft, and the (hock it gave 
 her to hear her mother's reply afterwards, kept 
 her filcnt: but the bluihes, which, in realk^were 
 excited by her difdain, were taken onlyas the effect 
 of her modefty. Both of them urged her to fpeafc 
 and the emiflary of Rinaldo intreated to know from 
 her own mouth, what anfwer he {hould give his 
 patron : At laft, " Sir, (faid (he,) 1 am utterly 
 " unworthy of any regard from fo great.a perfon, 
 " and equally ignorant how to repay it any other- 
 { wife than by my prayers and good wimes. This 
 is all I can fay as to Rinaldo; but as to yourfelf, 
 " from whom I little expected fuch a propofal, be 
 " affured I am and will be virtuous." 
 
 With thefe words me flung out of the room, 
 leaving the perfon (he addreffed them to in a great 
 deal of confternation; but her mother foon brought 
 him into a better humour: me told him the girl 
 had forae romantic notions in her head, but me 
 {hould eafily bring her to a more juft fenfe of her 
 duty, when ihe talked to her in private; and there- 
 fore begged he would not mention her foolilh be- 
 haviour to Rinaldo, for me would undertake to pre- 
 pare her to receive his commands whenever he 
 pleafed. 
 
 It was then concluded between them, that me 
 {hould remove with her daughter to a fmall but 
 pleafant houfe they had on the banks of the river, 
 and which, indeed, was their ufual habitation, they 
 having only lodgings in town for the prefent, on 
 account of a law-fuit the mother of Flavia came 
 to follicit: that Ihe fhould have two or three 
 days, in order to bring her into fuch a difpofition, 
 as they wimed; and that when every thing was 
 ready, fhe would let him know by a letter, after
 
 5* THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 which Rinaldo might come privately to their; 
 houfe by water. 
 
 Our modern Pandarus was no fooner gonej. 
 than die flew to her daughter's chamber, wheie Ihe- 
 found her in tears. Sue called her a thoufUad fools,. 
 " What, (cried the,) do you, grieve for what any 
 <f other than yourfelf would rejoice in ? Do you 
 " confider who Rinaldo is? What he will here- 
 " after be? And what your fons, if you have 
 tf any by him, will be?" 
 
 To this Flavia replied as became a maid devot- 
 ed to virtue, begged me would inlift no farther on 
 a thing flic was determined never to confent to* 
 -and concluded with {Turing her, that Ihe mould 
 prefer the loweft Itatc in lire to ail the grandeur 
 in the world, if purcnafed at the expence of her 
 innocence. 
 
 The old lady's vexation was inexpreffible nt 
 finding her fo refractory to her defires; but refcf 
 lute not- to lofe the advantages {lie promifed to her- 
 felf and family by this propofal, {he left no means 
 untried to bend or perfuade her to compliance. 
 
 When they got to their little country feat, me 
 fet before her eyes the misfortunes they were at 
 prefent involved in, and endeavoured to convince 
 her, that the paffi.cn Rinaldo had for her, feemed a 
 peculiar mark of Divine Providence in their far 
 your; and that what would be a crime to grant to 
 any other man, was eruirely fanttified by his de- 
 gree,and woukl be approved on both byheaven and 
 earth. But finding thefe arguments of no weight, 
 and, that all the fophiftry me made ufe of was ia 
 vain, ih.- proceeded to threats, and even to blows.; 
 nay, denied her necefTary food, and ufed her with 
 a cruelty icarce to be paralleled in a mother. This
 
 8. L SPECTATOR. 53 
 
 method alfo failing, and the virtuous maid remain- 
 ing fixed in her refolution, {he again had recourfe 
 to perfuafion, till Flavia, quite tired out with 
 hearing the fame things fo often repeated, at laft 
 left off" making any reply; but was all the time 
 meditating how (he fhould avoid the ruin intended 
 her. 
 
 The mother now looked upon her filence as a. 
 kind of confent, and that it was only owing to an 
 obftinacy of nature, that (lie did not give it in 
 plain words. In this opinion (he fet her houfe in 
 the greateft order, and wrote to her good friend, 
 as fhe termed him, intimating that her daughter 
 now reptnted of her folly, and was in a difpoft- 
 tion to receive the honour of a vifit from Rinaldo 
 whenever he pleafed. To this fhe had a fpeedy 
 anfwer, and a day appointed for the coming of 
 that great perfon. 
 
 Fa via was foon apprized of it by the prepa- 
 rations making in the houfe, and the order given 
 her to drefs, and to appear in the bed manner flie 
 was able. " Whom am I then to fee, madam ?" de- 
 manded fhe, in a dejefted tone: her mother then 
 told her, that her illuftrious lover intended them 
 the honour of a vifit; " but (continued fhe,) I 
 ** will leave it to yourfelf how to behave towards 
 " him, and hope you have difcretion enough to 
 " manage him fo, as that the friendfiiip he now 
 " vouchfafes to have for us, may not be wholly loft." 
 
 This artful woman had two reafons for now 
 fpeaking to her in thefe mild terms; the one was, 
 that iflhe made ufe of the authority of a mother, 
 it might ruffle her features, and confequently ren- 
 der her lefs amiable in the eyes of Rinaldo; and 
 the other, that by pretending every thing would
 
 54 THE F EM ALE B. I. 
 
 be left to her own choice, fhe would be lefs averfe 
 to entertaining him, which was all (he wanted; 
 firmly believing a girl of her years would not 
 dare to refufe a perfon like him any thing he 
 {hould alk, though fhe might have courage to do 
 it to thofe employed by him. 
 
 The poor young creature, in the mean time, 
 laboured under the greateil diitra&ion of mind 
 how to avoid an interview, in which fhe could not 
 be affured of not lofing, by force, that which she 
 was always determined never to yield. She had 
 no friend on whom she could enough depend to re- 
 veal the fecret. At laft it came into her head to 
 apply to a certain clergyman, who lived about two 
 miles diftant from their houfe. He was a man pret- 
 ty far advanced in years, and had the reputation of 
 all the purity of manners befitting his facred func- 
 tion: she thought there could not be a more pro- 
 per perfon for one in her circumftances to confult, 
 or better able to advife how to shun the fnares laid 
 for her innocence. 
 
 Accordingly she rofe extremely early, and be- 
 fore any of the family were awake, dole out of 
 her mother's houfe, and made the bed of her way- 
 to that of this reverend guide, to whom, after fome 
 tears and fighs, which the fad compulfion of being 
 obliged to reveal the shame of one fo near to her 
 in blood occafioned, she related the whole pity- 
 moving ftory; and concluded with begging his 
 protection, till she could find fome means of get- 
 ting her bread, either in fervice, or by working, 
 with her needle. 
 
 The good doctor, who indeed, anfwered the 
 character given of him, heard her with amazement 
 and admiration j and after he had paufcd fome
 
 B.I. SPECTATOR. 55 
 
 time, told her, that confidering who were her fedu- 
 cers, he queftioned whether ever any age could af- 
 ford an example of the like virtue; " but, faid he, 
 * how can I protect you a^ainft the authority of a 
 " mother, feconded by the power of Rinaldo? 
 " There is, continued he, but one way, and that 
 *' is, by making you my wife. 1 know the difpa- 
 '* rity of our years, and that fuch an union may be 
 '* as irkfome to your inclinations, as the other is to 
 <* your virtue. I will not, therefore, urge it; but 
 * fear, that all the endeavours I can make will be 
 ** unavailing, without that tie, which even Rinal- 
 do himfelf will not prefume to violate." 
 
 Flavia was too much aftonished to be able to 
 make any immediate reply, yet teftified nothing 
 in her countenance that could give him room to 
 think she was averfe to his propofals, nor had she, 
 in reality, any reafon to be fo. He had a good be- 
 nefice, afmall eftate in land, no child, and a very 
 graceful perfon, tho' his face was fomewhat fur- 
 rowed by time. But what weighed more with her 
 than all other confiderations was, that a marriage 
 vith him would be a fure defence from all attacks 
 upon her honour, and deliver her from the power 
 of a mother, who, she had too much reafon to 
 believe, would, one time or other, give her up to 
 infamy. 
 
 But, not to be longer in relating this affair than 
 they were in agreeing on it, she neither had nor 
 affected any fcruplcs; and the coach that morning 
 fetting out for London, they took their paflage in 
 it, and were married the fame day. 
 
 The dillraclion which the mother of Flavia was 
 in when she was not to be found, may eafily be 
 gusffcdj but when RinalJo came, and received
 
 $6 THE FEMALE B. I. 
 
 fuch a baulk to his expectations, he was extremely 
 incenfed at firft againft the perfon who had fo much 
 affured him of a reception anfwerable to his warm- 
 eft wishes. The negotiator had little to fay in his 
 defence, but that " the girl was certainly run irmdj 
 " that he had never thought himfelf more fecure," 
 and begged pardoa in the moft fervile manner.- 
 That /eat perfon too much defpifed him to take 
 a J other revenge on him, than reporting how 
 inuch he had proved unfit for the employment he 
 valued himfelf upon: this was, however, a very 
 fevere punishment^ for whenever he attemptedany 
 thing of rhe like "nature, he was always reproached 
 with Flavia, and all h^ could do was inefficient 
 to retrieve his credit for a long time. 
 
 The virtue of Flavia has its reward in the great- 
 eft bleffing heaven can give, a mind perfectly 
 content. -She lives pleafed and happy in her lot, 
 and by her behaviour judges her hufband's choice, 
 and puts to fhame all thofe who at firft pretended 
 to cenfurefo unequal a match. 
 
 It is certain the ideas that arife in our minds., 
 when we refieft on temptations we have had the 
 power to fhun, are, beyond all defcription, fweet. 
 There is a laudable pride in triumphing over the 
 artifices of thofe that would feduce us, which dif- 
 fufes the higheft fatisfa&ion to the foul; but yet 
 we ought to be aware how we court 'dangers in the 
 aflu ranee of .overcoming them. We may flatter 
 ourfelves too far-, there is nothing more frequently 
 deceives us than our own hearts: and it is, me- 
 thinks venturing too far, to ftake that innate fet- 
 tled peace, which confcious innocence, tho' un- 
 tried, uumagnificd, affords agaiuft the precarious 
 hope of purchafing a public fame, which, how
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 57 
 
 ever juft, is yet in danger of being blafled by envy 
 and detraction. 
 
 B O O K IT. 
 
 WHEN firft myfelf and afManrs fet about 
 this undertaking, we agreed to lay down 
 certain rules to Be obferved among us, in order to 
 preferve that harmony which it is neceflary fhould 
 exift in all focieties, whether compofed of a great 
 or fmall number. One of the mod material 
 of which is to devote two evenings in every week 
 to the bufinefs we have engaged in. In the firft 
 of thefe meetings we communicate to each other 
 what intelligence we receive, and conlider on what 
 topics we (hall proceed. In the fecond, we lay our 
 feveral productions on the table, which being read 
 ovcr,j;very one has the liberty of excepting againft 
 orcenfuring whatever fheclifapproves; nothing be- 
 ing to be exhibited to the public, without the joint 
 concurrence of ail. The rendezvous is kept at my 
 lodgings, and I give ftricT: orders that no perfou 
 whatever (hall be admitted to interrupt our con- 
 fultations; but you may as well attempt to exclude 
 the lightning as the impertinence of fomc people. 
 I dare fay there are few of my readers who have 
 not, fome time or other in their lives, been plagued 
 wiih a buzzing fluttering kind of animal, \vhofc 
 love, for the time it lafts, is more troublefome than 
 the hate of any other created being that 1 know 
 of. 1 mean a race of mortals, who will tell you 
 VOL. I. F
 
 $8 THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 all their own fecrets in two hours acquaintance, 
 and from thence imagine, they have a right to 
 o:pet you mould be as communicative to them. 
 They will fee one whether one will or not; 
 there is no (hutting one's felf from them; they 
 burft in upon one at all hours, and purfue one 
 v-'herever one goes! they come galloping to re- 
 j eat every thing they fee or hear of; and one mutt 
 either be wholly rude, or baniih all thoughts of 
 one's own, however agreeable or necefTary, to lif- 
 ten to the vociferous trifle they are big with 
 snd the only confolation one has, is trie certainty 
 of getting rid of them the next new acquaintance 
 they make. 
 
 It was lately my misfortune to be faftened upon 
 by one of thofe Tempo-Amyarians, (if I may ven- 
 ture to call them fo, without offending the critics) 
 and during the zenith of her fondnefs of me, had 
 not a moment I could call my own. She came 
 one of thofe evenings we had fet apart for the 
 entertainment of the public, and in fpite of the 
 charge I had given, forced her paffage through 
 my fervants, and flew directly to the room where 
 we were fitting. As fhe entered without cere- 
 mony, fo fhe made no apology for the abruptnefs, 
 iho' fhe found I had company, and might eafily 
 nave feen, by my countenance, how little I was 
 pleafed with her vifit, if fhe had not been too te- 
 naqious of a welcome for the news (he brought, 
 which fhe told me v/as of fo much confequence, 
 that (lie could not have flept all night without 
 making me partaker of it;. 
 
 As it was not from a lady of her degree of un~ 
 derftanding, that I expe&ed any intelligence fit for 
 my purpofe, and wa very much, out of humour at
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 59 
 
 her prefence, I returned no anfwer to the compli- 
 ment {he made me; but {he feemed to take no 
 notice of my indolence in this point, and without 
 waiting to fee whether I ihould grow moreinqui- 
 Ctiveor not, began immediately to unlade herfelf 
 of the fardle fhe had brought with her. 
 
 She informed us (he had been at court that day, 
 had feen the fine lady Bloometta, it being the firlt 
 time of her appearance there fince her marriage, 
 defcribed every article of her drefs, told us how 
 'charming fhe looked, how all the young peers 
 envied the happinefs of old Fompilius, yet at the 
 fame time fneered at the unequal match, and feem- 
 ed to promife themfelves ibme agreeable confe- 
 quences from it. How fome, as he led her to the 
 prefence, crkd out " May and December .!" others, 
 " Fire and Frofl!" and a thoufand fuch like petty- 
 reflections, which the new- wedded pair could not 
 but expecTr, and any one might be allured would 
 be made, without being an eur-witneis of. 
 
 After having faid all fhe could on this affair, 
 fhe darted up, and with a promife, neither wifhed 
 nor rcquefted by me, of calling upon me early the 
 next morning, took her leave with as little cere- 
 mony as fhe had come in, and left us the liberty 
 of purfuing our own difcourfc. 
 
 However as good fpriugs fome time out of e 
 vil, this very interruption occafioned the conver- 
 fition to turn on a fubjecl which never can be too 
 much attended to, and the too great neglect of 
 which is the fource of almoft all the evils we cither 
 feel, or are witnefs of in private life. 
 
 I believe I fhall eafily be underftood to mean 
 Marriage, fince thu-re is no one thing on which 
 the huppinek of mankind fo much depends. It is 
 
 F 2
 
 6> THE FEMALE B. 11. 
 
 indeed the fountain-head of all the comforts we 
 can enjoy ourfelves, and of thofe we tranfmit to 
 our pofterity: It is the band which unites rot 
 only two perfons, but whole families in one com- 
 mon infeparable intereft: It is that which pre- 
 vents thofe num-berlefs irregularities, that would 
 elfe overthrow all order, and deftroy fociety ; but 
 then not to pervert the intention of fo neceflary 
 and glorious an inftitution, and rob it of every 
 blefluig it is full of, lies only in ourfclves. No vio- 
 lated vows before pledged to another, no clan- 
 deftine agreements made up by a hafiyand ungo- 
 verned paflVon, no fordid bargains where wealth, 
 not merit is the chief inducement, no notorious 
 tlifparity of years, of family, or humours, can ever 
 be productive of a lading concord, eilher between 
 the principals thcmfelves, or thofe in alliance with 
 them. Dirges, rather than Epithalamiums, ihould 
 be fung at nuptials fuch as thefe, and their friends 
 pity, not congratulate their let. 
 
 Pompilius had lived in very good harmony with 
 his former lady, and none would have condemned 
 him for paying his vows a fecond time at the al- 
 ter of Hymen, provided he had made choice of a 
 partner more agreeable to his prefent years. His 
 inclinations might not, indeed, have been gra- 
 tified to fo exquifite a degree, but then his judg- 
 ment had not been arraigned j nor had he forfeited 
 in age, that reputation of good fenfe he had ac- 
 quired in youth. How great a pity is it then, that 
 he fhould give way to the dictates of a paflion, the 
 gratification of which can afford him but a fliort- 
 lived joy; muft be injurious to his own charac- 
 ter, and doubly fo to the object of his affections! 
 
 What, if the charming Bloometta had been-
 
 B. IL SPECTATOR. 61 
 
 difappointed in her firft wifhes! What, if the 
 too fenfible Palcmon had preferred a little fordid 
 drofs to the pofleflion of the fined woman upon 
 earth, and her refentment at the indignity offered 
 to her youth and beauty, joined with the ambition 
 of her parents, had fet the pretenfionsof Pompilius 
 in an advantageous light, a moment's reflection 
 might have ferved to convince him of the motives, 
 and if he truly loved, have made him chufe to 
 recommend fome noble youth of his own family, 
 whofe merits might have obliterated whatever 
 fentiments (he had been poflefied of in favour of 
 Palemon! This indeed would have been a proof 
 of the mod generous affection, and at the fame 
 time of that command over himfelf, which is ex- 
 pected from perfons in his ftation. 
 
 But how much foever the united joys of love 
 and wine may be able to lull all thoughts of re- 
 morfe in a heart which feems intent only on in- 
 dulging its own defires,be they ever fo extravagant, 
 that of the fweet Bloometta muft endure pangs, 
 which every day will become more fevere, by the 
 efforts of her prudence to conceal them : What 
 conflicts between Gncerity and duty m ufl rend her 
 gentle bread, when her doating lord exacts from 
 her a return of his endearments! How muft flic 
 regret the fad neceflity of being obliged to feiga 
 what nature will not grant! Thofe tender lan- 
 guifhmentp, which, when mutual, afford mutual 
 tranfport, feem aukward and naufeous in the man 
 we do not love; and inftead.of more endearing 
 him to us, turn the indifference we before had to 
 him into averfion and contempt. In fine, there 
 are no words to exprefs the miferies of a loathed 
 j and flic who facrifices to pride or pique 
 F3
 
 62 THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 the pleafures of her youth, by marrying with the 
 man (he hates, will foon, though too late to repair 
 the irremediable mifchicf, repent in the utmofl 
 bitternefs of foul what flie has done. 
 
 Methinks it is with great injuftice that the ge- 
 nerality of the world condemn Ariftobulus of in- 
 gratitude, perfulioufnefs, and cruelty : he is indeed 
 an inftance, that love is not in our power j and 
 though his lady's late is much to be commifeiated, 
 his own is, in reality, no lefs deferving our com- 
 paffion. This nobleman, who for the graces of 
 his perfon had few equals, made many conquefls, 
 without the artillery of one fingle figh or protef- 
 tation: Celinda, to his great misfortune, was 
 among the number: Celinda, of illuilrious race, 
 heirels of vail pofleffions, and endued with many 
 perfections of mind and body; yet Celinda, whole 
 love has been the bane of ail his happinefs, long 
 did me conceal the fecret of her paflion from the 
 whole world, as well as from him who was the 
 object of it ; yet indulging the pleafure of feeing 
 him as much as poflible, frequented all places 
 where there was a probability of meeting him, till 
 finding that he paid her no other civilities, than 
 what her rank demanded, thofe foft emotions, 
 which in the beginning afforded only delightful 
 images, now degenerated into horrors, as they 
 approached nearer to defpair. She fell fick: the 
 phyficians foon perceived her diforder was of the 
 mind, and perfuaded thofe about her, to ufe their 
 utmoft endeavours for difcovering the caufe. In 
 vain were all the-entreaties of her friends-, in vain 
 the commands of the moft tender father; her 
 modefty refifted all, and it was not till (he was 
 judged by every one that faw her, as well as by
 
 B.1I. SPECTATOR. 63 
 
 hcrfelf, to be at the point of death, that fhe was 
 prevailed upon to confefs, that {he defired life on- 
 ly to behold Ariftobtfius. 
 
 Her father, who had before fufpe&ed the dif- 
 cafe, though not the pcrfon from whom the in- 
 fection came, was rejoiced to find that her incli- 
 nations had not difgraced his dignity; and allured 
 her, that if to fee Ariftobulus was of fo much con- 
 fcquence, (he {hould not only fee, but live with 
 him, till death {hould put a period to thathappi- 
 nefs. 
 
 He made this promife, in confidence that the 
 father of Ariftobulus would gladly accede to the 
 union of their families; nor was he deceived in 
 his conjecture; the propofal he made was received 
 with the utmoft fatisfation, and the marriage- 
 writings were drawn between them, before the 
 young lord, who happened at that time to be en 
 a party of pleafure in the country, knew that any 
 fuch thing was in agitation. * ^ 
 
 Celinda was immediately made acqiited 
 with this agreement, and from that momefljthe 
 long-abfent rofes refumed their places in her 
 cheeks, her wonted ftrength and vivacity returned, 
 and fhe was again the joy of all who knew her. 
 
 But a far different effect, alas! had the news 
 of this affair on him, who was with fo much vehe- 
 mence beloved by her. A fpeciul mefienger being 
 difpatched to bring him to London, he nofooner 
 was informed of the occafion, but he was feized 
 with the moft mortal anguiili ; he threw himfclf 
 at his father's feet, and with all the moving rhetoric 
 of dutiful affection, conjured him by that paternal 
 tcndernefs he had ever treated him with, and which 
 he had never bv.cn guilty of doing any thing i
 
 $4 THB FEMALE B. IT; 
 
 felt, not to infift on his fulfilling an engagement, 
 than which death could nor be more terrible. 
 
 Never was furprize greater than that of the 
 father of Ariftobulus, to hear him fpeak in this 
 manner; but it yet received a confiderable in- 
 creafe, when on demanding the reafons of his re- 
 fufal, and what objections he had to makeagainft 
 becoming the hufband of fo well-defcended, fo 
 rich, fo virtuous, and fo young a lady, he had 
 none to offer, but that he was not inclined to 
 marry, or if he were, had fomething in his nature 
 which oppofed any inclination in her favour. 
 
 The match was too advantageous to their 
 family, for the old peer to be put off with what 
 feemed to him fo trifling a motive, as mere want 
 of lovej he therefore refolved that his fon fhould 
 comply with his commands, and to that end en- 
 forced them by the moft terrible menaces, of ne- 
 ver feeing him more, and of cutting him off from 
 all his inheritance, except what was entailed upon 
 the title, which was very fmall, and little able to 
 fupport it. 
 
 This was a very great {hock to one who had 
 the higheft notions of grandeur, and a relifh for 
 all the expenfive pleafures of the young and gay. 
 He knew his father rigid, and obftinate to be 
 obeyed by all who had any dependence on him; 
 and doubted not, but his refentment would fway 
 him to do as he faid: he therefore repented he 
 had irritated him fo far, and begun to feign a lefs 
 averiion to the marriage; he begged to be for- 
 given, and promifed to vifit Celinda, in the hope, 
 he faid, that he fhould difcover more charms in her 
 convention, than he yet had been fenfible of, 
 His father feemed fomewhat pacified with this at;
 
 B. II. S P E C T A T O II. 6$ 
 
 furance, and bid him go and offer her a heart (he 
 well deferred, and he had too long delayed bc- 
 ftowing. 
 
 He did not, it is certain, deceive his father in 
 this point; he went, but went with a view very 
 different from what any one could have imagined 
 he would ever have conceived: in the room of 
 entertaining her with foft profeflions, which, per- 
 haps, are fornetimes made by thofewho mean them 
 as little as himfelf could have done, he frankly 
 confcffed, he had an averfion to the married ftate; 
 that it was not in his power to make a hufband, 
 fuch as fhe had rcafon to expect; and intreated 
 that fhe would order it Ib, that the nuptials, 
 which his father feemed fo bent on completing, 
 might be broke off on her fide. 
 
 How alarming fuch a requefl mufl be to one 
 who loved as fhe did, any one may judge ; but the 
 cxcefs of her tendernefs over-ruled all that pride 
 and fpirit, which is fo natural to \vcmenon fuch 
 occafions: fhe paufed a while, probably to fup- 
 prcfs the rifing fighs, but at length told him, that 
 what he defired was the only thing me could refufe 
 him; that her father was no lefs zealous than his 
 own for the alliance, and that fhe had been too 
 much accuftomed to obedience, to dare to difpute 
 his will in any thing he fcsmed fo bent upon. . 
 
 As nothing but his eternal peace could have 
 enforced him to have atled in this manner, with a 
 lady of her birth and fortune, and whofc accom- 
 plifhments, in fpiteof the little effet they had upon 
 him, he could not but acknowledge, he was afto- 
 niflied at the calmnefs with which fhe bore it; 
 and judging by that, her affedion could not be 
 kfs tender than he had been told, he left no ar-
 
 66 THE FEMALE B, IL 
 
 guments untried, to make that very affe&ion fub- 
 fervient to his aim, of being freed from all en- 
 gagements with her: but fhe ftill pleading the duty 
 fhe owed to him who gave her being,hegrewquite 
 defperate, and throwing off that complaifance be 
 had hitherto behaved with, told her, that if, for the 
 prefervation of his birth-right, he were compelled 
 to marry her, he neither could, nor would even 
 endeavour to love her as a wife; that fhe muft 
 expeft only uncomfortable days, and lonely wi- 
 dowed nights; and that it was not in the power 
 of the ceremony, nor in either of their fathers, to 
 convert an utter diilike into inclination. 
 
 To this cruel declaration (he replied coldly, that 
 as they were deftined for each other by thofe who 
 had the fole power of difpofing of their hands, it 
 was a very great misfortune their hearts could not 
 comply with the injunction; but as for her part, 
 fhe was determined to follow duty,though fhe fell 
 a martyr to it. 
 
 Though under the obedience of a daughter fhe 
 had the opportunity of veiling the fondnefs of a 
 lover, the honour of our fex greatly fuffered by fuch 
 a behaviour; but, poor lady, the excefs of her 
 paffion hindered her from feeing into the meannefs 
 of it; and at the fame time flattered her with the 
 belief, that in fpite of the averfion he now expref- 
 fcd, her treatment of him, and the tendernefs fhe 
 could make no fcruple of revealing to him iri all 
 its force, when fhe became his wife, would make 
 an entirechangeinhisfentiments,and itwouldnot 
 be in his power to avoid recompenfmg, with fome 
 degree cf affection, fo pure, fo conft^nt, and fo 
 violent a flame, as he would then be convinced fhe 
 long had felt for him.
 
 3. II. SPECTATOR. 67 
 
 Ariftobulus, after he had left her, again effay- 
 cd to work upon his father's mind; but all he 
 could urge being ineffectual, he yielded to be a 
 hufband, rather than fuffer himfelf to be cut off 
 from being an heir. A day was appointed for the 
 celebration of their nuptials, and they were mar- 
 ried with a pomp more befitting their quality, 
 than the condition of their minds. At night they 
 were put to bed with the ufual ceremonies; but 
 the moment the company withdrew he arofe, and 
 cbofe rather to pafs the hours till morning on a 
 couch alone, than in the embraces of a woman 
 who had indeed perfe&ions fufficient to have made 
 any man happy, who I. id not that antipathy in 
 nature, which there is no accounting for, nor get- 
 ting rid of. 
 
 It is not to be doubted but Celinda, not only 
 that night, but for a long time afterward, con- 
 tinued to put in pra&ice every tender ftratagem, 
 and ufed everyargument that her love, and the cir- 
 cumfhnces they now were in, could infpire; but 
 they were equally in vain, as the poet fays, 
 
 * ( Love fcorns all ties, but thofe that are his own." 
 
 Ariftobulus remained inflexible, and obftinately 
 bent never to be more of a hufband than the 
 name; neither time, nor her patient enduring the 
 indignity put upon her, 'have wrought the lead 
 alteration in her favour. Th:y live together in 
 one houfe, but lye not in the fame b:d; eat not at 
 the fame table; rarely fee each other, and their 
 very fervants appear as if of different families. 
 Years after years have rolled on in this manner, 
 yet (lie continues dill a virgin-bride; while he, 
 regardlefs of her love or grief, endeavours to lofe,
 
 69 THE FEMALE B. It 
 
 in the arms of other women, the difcontent which 
 a forced marriage has involved him in. 
 
 Few men, indeed, have ailed with that early 
 fmcerity, and openly declared their hatred, like 
 Ariftobulus, before marriage; but too many have 
 done it afterwards, and proved by their behaviour, 
 that they looked upon the facred ceremony but aa 
 a thing necefiary to be done, 'either for the fake of 
 propagating their families, or for clearing their 
 eftates from mortgages, or for the payment of 
 younger childr ens fortunes. Thefe, and various 
 other motives, might be affigned for the alliances 
 daily on foot; but to hear of one that promifes an 
 accomplifhment of all the ends propofed by the 
 firft intention of this inftitution, is a kind of pro- 
 digy, and to fay, " There goes a truly happy pair," 
 after the firft month, would call the fpeaker's ve- 
 racity in queftion. 
 
 Fame either fwells the number beyond its juft 
 extent, or there are now no lefs ;han twenty three 
 treaties of marriage either concluded, or on the 
 carpet, between perfons of condition, of which 
 fcarce the odd three afford the lead profpeCt of fe- 
 licity to the perfons concerned. 
 
 Can Mrs Tulip, in the autumn of her age, tho* 
 in her drefs gaudy as the flower whofe name (he 
 bears, imagine her antiquated charms will be able 
 to reclaim the wild, the rovingheart of young Brif- 
 common? Not but that gentleman has fenfe, ho- 
 nour, and good nature-, qualities which could not 
 fail of making him know what was due to the me- 
 rits of Claribella, had the condition of his fortune 
 permitted him to marry her. But his intended 
 bride mult become more contemptible in his eyes, 
 than even her gray hairs could make her, when
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 69 
 
 he reflects on the vanity which infatuates her fo 
 far, as to deprive her lovely niece of what might 
 have made the happihefs of her life, only to pur- 
 chafe to herfelf the name of wife to one young e- 
 nongh to be her fon. 
 
 Who fees Philimont and Daria together, with- 
 cut perceiving that nothing can be more adored 
 by Philimont than Daria; nothing more dear to 
 Daria than Philimont? Do not the equally ena- 
 moured pair feem to fhoot their very fouls at each 
 other, at every glance? Is Daria ever at the o 
 pera, the park, the play, without her Philimont? 
 Or does Philimont think any company enter- 
 taining, if Daria is abfent! Yet Philimont is on 
 the point of marriage with Emilia, and Daria has 
 been long betrothed to Belmour. Strange chec- 
 <juer-work of love and cleftiny! 
 
 What reafon has Sabina to boaft of charms fu- 
 perior to the reft of her fex, or flatter herfelf with 
 being always the object of Theomenes wifhes? 
 Have not his vows been proftituted to half the fine 
 women in town, and if he perfifted in thofe he 
 made to her, fo far as marriage, is it not becaufe 
 her fortune is larger than theirs, and more enables 
 him to difcharge thofe debts his extravagancies 
 have contracted. 
 
 How bitterly does Dalinda repent her giving 
 way to an inconfiderate paffion, which hurried 
 her to throw herfelf into the arms of the mean- 
 born, but meaner-foul'd, ill-natured Macro! She 
 imagined, as (he has fince confefled, that by mar- 
 rying one fo infinitely beneath her, (he would have 
 been fole miftrefs of herfelf and fortune-, that he 
 would never dare to take any privileges with the 
 one, without her permifiion, nor pretend to have 
 
 VOL. I. G
 
 70 THE FEMALE B. IL 
 
 the leaft command over the other; and that in- 
 ftead of being under the authority of a hufband, 
 {he fhould have found in him an obfequious flave: 
 But poor miftaken woman! Macro was no foon- 
 er poffeffed of the power than he made her fee a 
 fed reverfe to all her, expectations; he was fo far 
 fiom regulating the affairs of .her eftate and fa- 
 mily, according to her pleafure, cr as fhe had been 
 accuftomed to do, that he plainly fhewed he took 
 a pride in contradicting her: he confulted her 
 inclinations in nothing, and even before her face 
 gave commands, which he knew would be the 
 moft difagreeabk to her, and which, if me offered 
 to oppofe, told her, in the rudeft manner, that be 
 was mafter, and as fuch would be obeyed. At 
 firft fhe raved, reproached him with ingratitude > 
 and vowed revenge; but what alas! could fhe 
 do? fhe had taken no care that proper fettlements, 
 111 cafe of accidents? fhould be made, and was 
 afhametl to have recourfe-to any of her kindred, 
 whom fhe had difgraced and difobliged byfo un- 
 worthy a match. The refentment fhe teftified 
 therefore onlyferved to render her condition worfe, 
 and add new weight to the galling yoke fhe had 
 fo precipitately put on: he retrenched her equipage 
 and table ; fet limits even to her drefs; would 
 fuffer her neither to vifit, nor be vifited, but by 
 thofe he approved, which were all creatures or rela- 
 tions of his own, and fuch as fhe had not been ufed 
 to converfe with ; denied her even pocket-money; 
 took every meafure he could invent r.o break her 
 fpirit, and make her wholly fubfervient to his will, 
 till at laft his tyranny got the better, and he has 
 now reduced her to the moft abject flavery. 
 Tremble, Mariana, left your father's clerk ihould
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 7 r 
 
 prove another Macro; and rather endure the fhort- 
 lived pangs of combating an unhappy inclination, 
 than by yielding to it, run the hazard of miferies, 
 to which death alone can put a period. 
 
 A few days hence, it is faid, will crown the 
 mutual wifties ofMyrtano and the amiable Cleora. 
 The friends on both fides are contenting; the 
 marriage-articles are figned ; the fumptuous equi- 
 page prepared; the country-feat new beautified; 
 the bride-bed adorned ; and every thing com- 
 pleated, that induflrious oftentation can invent, to 
 make the ceremony, affected to be called private, 
 as pompous and magnificent as poflible : yet, how- 
 can Cleora affure herfelf of being always happy 
 in the conftancy of her Myrtano, when me is not 
 infenfible a lady equal to hcrfelf in tii th and for- 
 tune, and noway her inferior in the perfections 
 either of mind or perfon, is a melancholy inftance 
 of an unfortunate mutability in his nature! Did 
 he not once purfue Brilliante with all thofe dying, 
 ardours he has lately done Cleora ? Was not the 
 whole town witnefs of the adoration with which 
 he treated her? Nay, did he not for her fake com- 
 mit fome extravagancies, which as nothing but the 
 moft violent and real paflion could occafion, f<> 
 could be excufed by nothing left ? Yet did he not, 
 without even a pretence for it, all at once forfakc r 
 renounce, feem to forget he had ever loved this. 
 Brilliante, and declare himfdf the votary of 
 Cleora? 
 
 Ah Cleora! you triumph now, it is true, and 
 may you ever triumph, fince the divine rites 06 
 marriage make it criminal to wifh otherwif 
 much is to be feared, and very little to behopeJ,- 
 Nothing is more uncertain than inclinaticn; an-.t 
 G 3
 
 72 THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 a heart that once has varied, without being able 
 to affign any motive for its change, may poflibly 
 do the like again; and a time arrive, in which 
 yourfelf may (land in need of that commiferation, 
 your vanity and joy now hinder you from beftow- 
 ing on a lucklefs, though not undeferving rival; 
 while flie, cured of her abufed and ill-requitted 
 tendernefs, may fill the arms of a more conftant 
 man, and tafte the felicities of mutual truth with 
 higher relifh, by having been once deceived. 
 
 Bellair is a very accomplished" gentleman, has 
 a large eftate, and lives up to his income, with- 
 out going beyond it; is charitable to the poor; 
 liberal to merit, efpecially in diftrefs; hofpitable 
 and generous to his friends; punctual in the pay- 
 ment of his tradefmen ; keeps an handfome equi- 
 page, and a yet better table : is a lover of pleafure, 
 but a hater of vice; and, in ?. vrcrcl, has nothing 
 in his character that might not make a prudent 
 and good-natured woman happy in ahufband: he 
 had many oblique hints given him to that purpofe, 
 tut he liflened to none for a long time, nor feemed 
 inclined to alter his condition, till he faw Miferia. 
 lie had the pleafure, I cannot fay the bappiaefs, 
 to meet this young lady at a ball; (he was tall, 
 \vell-fhaped, had fomething extremely graceful in 
 her air in dancing; a face, though not exquifitely 
 beautiful, yet very agreeable; and the moft wiiv- 
 ning foftncfs in her converfation. and manner. 
 Such as (lie is, however, the heart of Bellair gave 
 her the preference to all he had ever feen before ; 
 and having made fome flight inquiry into her cha- 
 racter and fortune, defired her father's permiflion 
 to vifit her in the quality of a lover; the offer 
 iras too advantageous to be refufed, the old gentle-
 
 B. IL SPECTATOR. 73 
 
 man hefitated not to give his confent, andMiferia 
 H her new admirer with as much complai- 
 'hf modefty of her fex admitted. 
 .>",vks compleated the courtfhip; Bel- 
 lair married, and, after fome days, carried her 
 home: But, good gods. 1 what a change did Ihe 
 immediately caufe in his houfe ! A bill of fare be- 
 ing by his orders brought to her every morning* 
 4he ftrnck out three parts in four of the articles) 
 and when Bellair, on finding his table thus re~ 
 trenched, rembriftrated gently to her, that thers 
 was not fufficient for the fervants, fhe told him, 
 that fhe would therefore have the number of them 
 cHminifhed; that {he thought it a fin to keep fo 
 many idle fellows, who might ferve their coun- 
 try either abroad in the wars, or in hufbandry at 
 home; and as for the maid-fervants, inftead of 
 five,fhe was determined to keep no more than two. 
 She even took the liberty to defire he would 
 make lefs frequent invitations to his friends and 
 kindred; and as for the poor they were prefently 
 driven from the gate, nor dare appear in fight of 
 it again, for fear of being fent to the houfe of cor- 
 rection. 
 
 This kind of. behaviour makes him extremely 
 uneafy ; his difcontent increafes every day, as 
 none pafs over without affording him fome frefh 
 occadon. His reafon and his love are continually 
 at war; but the former has fo much the advan- 
 tage, that though he is loth to do any thing which, 
 ' may give offence to a. wife fo dear to him, yet he 
 is ftill more loth to become the jeft of his acquaint- 
 ance, for bearing farther with her failings than 
 becomes a man of fenfe and fpirit. He begins of 
 late to exert the authority of a hufband and in .
 
 74 THE FEMALE B. II; 
 
 fnite even of her tears, has re-taken fome of thofe 
 fervants fhe had difplaced, and put many things 
 relating to the oeconomy of his family nearer to 
 their former footing. As for Miferia, (lie frets in- 
 ceflantly; all that foftnefs in her eyes, which once 
 was fo enchanting, is now converted to a fullen 
 gloom ; her voice, her manner, is quite changed ; 
 fhe either fits in his company obftinatcly filent, 
 or fpeaks in fuch a fafhion,. as it would better be- 
 come her to be mute. The little fatisfaction he 
 finds at home, drives him to feck it abroad, and 
 every thing between them feems drawing to- 
 wards a mutual dhlike. And if that fhould hap. 
 pen, wliat confequences may poflibly enfue! Re- 
 ciprocal revilings on the facred ceremony which 
 united them! Every at of refentrnent again (I 
 each other! remorfe! hatred! fefaraticn! ruin,and 
 eternal lofs of peace to both! 
 
 A fympathy of humour is therefore no lefs to 
 fee confulted, than a fympathy of inclination, and 
 indeed 1 think more fo; for 1 have known feveral 
 married people who have come together, without 
 any thing of what we call the paffion of lovej 
 who, by happening to think the fame way, have 
 afterwards become extremely dear to each other: 
 whereas, on the contrary, fome who have met all 
 fi remind flame, have after wards, through an unhap- 
 py difagreement, even in very trifles, become ail 
 froft and fnow. There is a vanityin human nature, 
 which natters us that we always judge right, and 
 by confequence creates in us an efteem for thofe, 
 who are wife enough to be of the fame opinion we 
 are; in a word, a parity of fentiment is the ce- 
 ment of that lafting friendftiip, as well as mutual
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 7$ 
 
 confidence, in which the comforts of a married ~ 
 (late chiefly confift. 
 
 But though daily experience might convince us 
 how necefiary an ingredient this is to happinefs, 
 and that without it all the others are ineffectual* 
 yet it is the leaft of any thing xamined into; as 
 if the attainment of a prefent fatisfa&ion was the 
 fole intent of marriage, and it matter'd not what 
 confequences enfued. 
 
 It cannot indeed be in an acquaintance of a week 
 or a month, that one can be able to judge of the 
 difpofition of a perfon; parents, therefore, are 
 highly to blame when they condemn their chil- 
 dren to the arms of thofe, whom perhaps they have 
 never feen till a few days before the ceremony 
 paflcs, which is to unite them for ever* 
 
 What I have faid on this fcore rnaypoflibly be 
 looked upon as urged in defence of a late wedding, 
 which gives juil matter for aftonifhment to all the 
 world; fince it certainly could have been brought 
 about by nothing (will they fay) but a perfect 
 knowledge of that mutual fympathy of humour, 
 which I have been recommending as fo great an 
 efiential to the felicity of the marriage ftate. It 
 mutt be confefled, the artful Vulpone prevailed 
 on the charming Lindamira to think as he did in 
 one point; but that is what no more than thou- 
 fands have done, or they could never have been 
 united to the object of their wi(hes, and is the 
 confequence only of that paffion which arifes from 
 a liking of the perfon. 
 
 This, therefore, I am far from taking to be the 
 cafe; and 1 believe the reader will be of my opi- 
 nion, when I relate the progrcfs of thcfe myderi- 
 c-us nuptials, as it was communicated 10 me by a.
 
 7 $ TtfE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 Sylph, whofe bufinefs it is to attend every motion 
 of thofe, whom nature has diftinguiihed by fupe- 
 rior beauty. 
 
 liindamira from her very infancy gave a pro- 
 mife of charrm, which, as (he drew nearer to ma- 
 turity, ripened into the ct-noft perfe&ion : de- 
 fcended by her fathei's fide from a prince, \\ho> 
 while h-.: Ji_viai, v a 1 - juftiy the darling oi his people ; 
 and bv her nr'her's, from a hero, whole name 
 will ever be remembered with honour: bred up 
 in the Itri&dt piinciples of virtue, and never from 
 under the eye of parents diftinguilhed for every 
 ihining quality befitting their high dignity, but 
 for nothing more than conjugal affection. 
 
 Vulpone has no family to boaft of, being no 
 more than what one may call of the modern gen- 
 try, of which, heaven knows, thcfe latter ages have 
 been very fertile in producing; but to do juftice 
 to him,. he is no lefs indebted to his own merit', 
 than to favour, for promotions he has attained: 
 what he wants in birth, is made up in educa<- 
 tion, and envy cannot deny him, the character of 
 an accompliihed gentleman. 
 
 He had frequently the honour of yifiting the il- 
 laftrious parents of Lindamira, and was treated by 
 them with that civility, .which they thought his 
 good qualities., deferved. Little, alas! did they 
 forefeethe conference, or that their complaifance 
 would embolden him to lift up his eyes to the pof- 
 feflion of their lovely daughter; much lefs that a 
 young lady, fcarce eighteen, the idol of the court, 
 and an object of univerfal admiration, mould ever 
 condefccnd to entertain the lead tender emotiotis 
 for a man, by fome yeais paft the meridian of his 
 age, aad in every other refpeft fo infinitely hoc
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 77 
 
 inferior, that the diitance between them would 
 admit of no degree of companion. 
 
 Yet fo it happened! the god of foft defires gave 
 a proof how much his power can do in overturn- 
 in;; what has ever been looked upon as even an 
 antithefis in nature, and made this blooming 
 charmer, who daily faw unmoved the lovelieft, 
 nobleft, and moft accomplifhed youths die at her 
 feet, unable to refifl the felicitations of a man 
 older than her father. 
 
 Few were the opportunities he had of addreffing 
 her, but thofe he fo well improved, that before one 
 could well imagine fhe had forgiven his prdump- 
 tion in declaring the paifion he had for her, he pre- 
 vailed on her to re ward it byanaffurance ihe \vould 
 never confent to give her hand to another. 
 
 It is not to be doubted, but the correipondence 
 they held together was carried on with the ex- 
 tretneft circumfpecfcion; but love, like fire, is dif- 
 ficult to be concealed: not all the caution in the 
 world can hinder it from breaking out in one place 
 or another. Some of the family, before whom 
 it is poflible they might be lefs upon their guarJ, 
 as not thinking them of capacities to penetcate 
 into the fecret, took notice of fomc, paflages, which 
 feemed to them as derogatory to the dignity of 
 their young lady, and immediately difcovered it to 
 her mother, who that moment acquainted her lord 
 with what flte had been told. After confulting 
 together, tho' the thing appeared incredible, yet 
 they judged it improper to admit any future vifits 
 from a perfon of his Aation, after having been 
 fufpected of daring to hold a correfpondence with 
 their daughter. Vulponc was therefore in very- 
 civil terms, though without acquainting him with
 
 78 THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 the motives of this change of behaviour, defired 
 to refrain coming to their houfe, and a ftri& 
 watch at the fame time fet over every motion of 
 Lindamira. 
 
 They gave her not the leaft room however to 
 guefs they had any doubts a^ $p her conduct, as 
 believing, that if there was any truth in the infor- 
 mation that had been given them, (he would be lefs 
 cautious, by not thinking herfelf fufpe&ed, and 
 confequently they (hould arrive at the certainty 
 much eafier than by a formal accufation. 
 
 It muft be acknowledged, indeed, that this 
 ma'nner of acting was extremely prudent; but 
 Lindamira had her intelligence: thofe very fer- 
 vants, who made the difcovery to her mother, 
 could not help fpeaking of it among themfelvesj 
 her woman over heard what they faid, and ac- 
 quainted her lady, who by that means knew fo 
 well how to difguife her fentiments, and affect an 
 unconcern at what fecretly wrung her very heart- 
 firings, that her careful parents were deceived by 
 it, and in time perfectly affured in their minds, 
 that there was not the leaft ground for what they 
 had been told, while the lovejs had this confola- 
 tion, in abfence, to converfe by letters, which 
 were fecretly conveyed to each other by die means 
 of a confidante. 
 
 Three whole months pafled over in this man- 
 ner, in all which -time Vulpone fed not his fami di- 
 ed eyes with one fight of his Lindamira ; that art- 
 ful young lady, the better to lull all fufpicion,' en- 
 joining him never to come to any public place 
 when (he was to be there, of which (he always 
 took care to inform him ; becaufe as me feldom 
 went but with her mother;, or fome perfon who
 
 B. H. SPECTATOR. 74 
 
 might probably be a fpy on her actions, and could 
 not anfwer how far either her own countenance, 
 or that of her lover might betray what (he fo much 
 defired to conceal, fhe refolved to leave nothing 
 to chance, or give even the leaft fhadow of an ex- 
 cufe for being fent, as otherwise it is likely me 
 would have been to fome place, where it might 
 have beenimpoffible for her either to give or receive 
 the fatisfalkm (he now enjoyed of writing to her 
 dear Vulpone, and receiving from him every day 
 frefh proteftations of his love and conftancy. 
 
 At length an opportunity long languifhed for 
 arrived : Her mother had befpoke a front-row in 
 the ftage-box at the playhoure, but happening to 
 be a little indifpofed that day, or not in humour 
 for the entertainment, Lindamira could not be 
 excufed from going, a young lady, for whom the 
 family had a great regard, having been engaged to 
 accompany them. She immediately apprized 
 Vulpone of it, and alfo that they might fpeak to 
 each other with all the freedom they .could wifh, 
 as the perfon who would be with her was wholly 
 unacquainted with him. 
 
 Accordingly, they had not been in the box 
 three minutes before he came in, and the houfe 
 not being very full that night, there was nobody 
 in the box but themfelves, fo that they were in 
 no danger of having any thing they faid over- 
 fceard, the lady who came with Lindamira being 
 wholly intent on the play. 
 
 However it was what he whifpered in '-"T 
 ear that night, had the efficacy to draw froi: h r 
 a promife of running all hazard , and mn - : n<r 
 him the next morning. Accordingly, under pre- 
 tence of taking the air me went out early, and a
 
 8o THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 place being appointed for their meeting, the in- 
 diffoluble knot was tied; after which (lie returned 
 home, and all that day patted over, without the 
 leaft fufpicion of what was done. 
 
 On the next, fome perfon, either through de- 
 fign or accident acquainted her mother, that fhe 
 had been obferved in very clofe conference with 
 Vulpone in the box, and that they feemed fo much 
 taken up with each other, that they regarded nei- 
 ther the play nor the audience : that excellent 
 Jady was a little alarmed at the intelligence, yet 
 not knowing but that it might be of a piece with 
 that which fhe had formerly received, and faw no 
 proof of its being true, refolved not to give any 
 credit to this till fhe had more certainty, which (lie 
 thought fhe might eafily procure, by examining 
 the lady who went with her to the play. 
 
 But how greatly did her fears and her aflonifh- 
 merst increafe, when fitting at her toilet undreffing 
 herfelf for bed, her illuftrious confort came into 
 the room, and with a countenance more troubled 
 than fhe had ever feen him wear, commanded her 
 woman to quit the room, then aiked in a kind of 
 corifufed and hafly voice, where Lindamira was? 
 To which fhe replying, that fhe had lately left her, 
 and was retired to her own apartment; he re- 
 joined with a figh, that he doubted much if any 
 apartment in his houfe was her choice at prefent; 
 then proceeded to tell Ifer, that he was well 
 affured, by tbofe whofe eyes had convinced them 
 of the truth, ;hat Lindamira had been with Vul- 
 pone the morning before, that they were toge- 
 ther in a hackney-ccach T and drove very fail to- 
 wards the city; from which he could not but con- 
 clude they were either already married, or too far
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 8 c 
 
 engaged for her honour and reputation to break 
 off. He haddoubtlefs faid more, in the extremity 
 of rage and diicontent his foul was then enflamed 
 with, had not the tendernefs he had for his lady, 
 and the diforder which was vifible in her looks and 
 geftures, retrained him. 
 
 After the firfl emotions were a little over, the 
 fervants were one by one called up, and ftri& in- 
 quiry made concerning the delivery of any letters 
 or meflaijes to Lindamira; but all were either re- 
 ally ignoiant, or pretended to be fo, and no light 
 could be got from them into this affair, but that 
 flie had gone out early the morning before, at- 
 tended only by one footman, whom (lie left at 
 the Park-gate, and he f.iw her no more until fhe 
 returned home in a hackney-coach. 
 
 The whole night was palled in examining and 
 debating in what manner they fhould proceed to 
 come at the truth; the pailion they both were in 
 would not fuffer them to fee her with any degree 
 of moderation; fo it was at laft determined that 
 her father flioald write to her, which he did in 
 thefe terms: 
 
 " LJNDAMIRA, 
 
 " I hear ftrange things of you: if confcious 
 ** of having done nothing to cfFend parents, to 
 M whom you have been fo dear, nor to degrade the 
 " dignity of your birth, delay not to juftify your- 
 " felf, and convince us you have carried on no 
 <c clumlefline correfpondence with Vulpone, or 
 " any other man; but if guilty, beware how you 
 " attempt to deceive us, left a fecond fault fhould 
 *' render the fir II even lefs to be forgiven: y.>u 
 " have been educateii in the love of truth, prove 
 " at leaft that you have not fwervcd from all the 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 82 THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 " virtues inculcated into you by your careful in- 
 41 flruaors." 
 
 This he fent to her by her woman, who, in a 
 fmall fpace of time, returned with this reply, feal- 
 ed as the other had been. 
 
 " MOST EVER HONOURED PARENTS, 
 
 " It is poffible fome bufy perfon may have 
 " informed you of what I neither can nor will 
 " deny, though by acknowledging, 1 have no o- 
 " ther merit than by fincerity to plead my pardon. 
 " I confefs, then, I have ventured to clifpofe of 
 "' my felf without your permiffion, which be afTured 
 " I never would have elone, could I have enter- 
 <: tained theleafl hope of obtaining it; or if any 
 u thing lefs than the ruin of my eternal peace 
 14 threatened me, in being deprived of him who is 
 *' now myhufband. Pity, therefore, I befeech you, 
 " the fad extreme which enforced this action in 
 * k her, who in every other thing will always be o- 
 " beclient." LINDAMIRA VULPONE. 
 
 Sufpence now ceafed ; this iiluftrious pair now 
 knew all that their care would have prevented, 
 was irrevocably paffcd: How greatly they were 
 troubled, none but parents in the like circumflan- 
 ees can conceive; yet did their anger furmount 
 even their grief: the anfwer me fent feemed to 
 them fome what too bold, and tho' they had com- 
 manded her to declare the truth, they thought me 
 might have done it in more fubmiiiive terms ; and 
 looking on her as one that had abufed their indul- 
 gence, affronted their authority, difgraced their 
 family, and in a manner renounced all pretenfions 
 to meir favour, they fent an immediate order to 
 her to quit the houfe that in flan t, and never pre* 
 fume to Zee them more.
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 8j 
 
 Lindamira, on receiving this command, fent 
 repeated meflages, imploring their pardon and 
 blefllng, but they were deaf to all intreaties on 
 that fcore, and {he was obliged to depart-, after 
 which they retired to their country feal, to give a 
 Joofe to their difquiet,and avoid hearing any thing 
 on fo difagrceable a fubject. Vulpone alfo carried 
 his amiable bride into a fweet recefs he had pre- 
 pared for her, in cafe any accident fhould difco- 
 ver their marriage, before they intended it. 
 
 The town abounds with various conjectures on 
 what the event will be ; but I am of opinion it can- 
 not but be happy, provided that LinJamira conti- 
 nues to find in Vulpone the fame charms as fir ft in- 
 duced her to make choice of him, and her noble 
 parents vouchfafe to give a fanclion to their love. 
 
 Great preparations are now making for the 
 nuptials of beauBelfont gnd mifs Tittup: a . .hey 
 are both of the fame way of thinking,, and tco 
 much in love with their own dear felves to be m 
 much concern about each other, they may agree 
 well enough while they continue as they are; but 
 if a reformation mould happen on one fide without 
 the other, then what in any different circum- 
 ftance would be the greateft bleiling to the party 
 changed, would prove a curie to both; fmce it is 
 only by pei filling in follies of our own, we can 
 be able to endure them in thofe we are obliged to 
 live with: thebeft wifti that can be given them, 
 therefore, as a mutual converfion is not to be ex- 
 peted, is, that they may both be always the fa-ni 
 vain, fluttering, thoughtlcfs creatures they hav; 
 ever been-, fo will they pafs their days with cafe 
 and peace at home, and only be ridiculous abroad. 
 The cafe of Altizeera is extremely unhappy; 
 H a
 
 8 4 THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 who, endued with an excellent understanding her- 
 felf, was compelled, by the arbitrary will of her 
 father, to become the bride of the verieft fop in 
 town; a fool by nature, and rendered yet more 
 fo by a wrong education: he thinks he muft have 
 a judgment fuperior to his wife, becaufe he is a 
 man; and that it becomes him to contradict every 
 thirg fhe fays and does, becaufe he is a hufband. 
 Her good fenfe makes her fubmit to him as fuch ; 
 but ihe fears to open her mouth in any company 
 if he is prefent, left he fhould expofe his folly by 
 attempting to fhew his wit in finding fault with 
 what {lie utters., I know not how {he may forgive 
 him in her own mind; but am fure her acquaint- 
 ance neither can nor ought to do it, for depriving 
 them of the pleafure they might receive in her 
 converfation, by his ftupidity and arrogance. 
 
 I remember, feme year? ago, I heard a lady fay, 
 ilie imagined it was owing to our long peace, that 
 every public place abounded fo with coxcombs 
 and finikinsj and that if we once came to have a 
 war again, a more manly air and drcfs would be fo 
 much the fafhion, that thofe gentlemen who (laid 
 at home would naturally a ft eft it, and exchange 
 their foreign filk brocades for downright Englilh 
 cloth. Some accidents in life have fince that time 
 broke off our acquaintance, it would elfe have 
 given me fome pleafure to rally her miflake. "We 
 are now engaged in three -wars; threatened with 
 invafions, Popifh pretenders, plots, and what not! 
 Great fleets are equipping; huge armaments get- 
 ting ready; preffing for land and fea-fervice; our 
 fields are covered with tents ; our ftreets fwarm 
 with foldiers; in every quarter we hear drums 
 beating, trumpets founding; nothing but military
 
 B. IT. SPECTATOR. 9; 
 
 prcpanuions going forwards; yer, in my opinion, 
 our fine gentlemen appear every whit as clean, as 
 calm, anil unconcerned as ever, except when they 
 labour under the want of any of thofe commodi- 
 ties, the interruption of our commerce prevents 
 from being imported; and then indeed they com- 
 plain bitterly againft the times. One \vho can 
 endure no clothes that are not of the French cut, 
 cries, he is made a monfter by a dunce of an En- 
 glifh taylor: another is poifoned with ill fcent c , 
 and dies for fome i'refh orangerie and bergamot; 
 a third fays. " Pox on the Spanifh war, and thofe 
 " that forced our late minifter into it ; there is not 
 " a bit of right vermilion pafte now to be had!" 
 
 How long this over-delicacy will continae,hei- 
 ven knows ! but it is yet far from being extirpated. 
 Even among the military gentlemen, there are 
 fome, who being infected with it before they be- 
 came fo, find it an infuperable difficulty to bill-.? 
 themfelves to thathardinefs and neglect of perfo- 
 nal ornaments, which fuit the life of a foldier. 
 
 A perfon, who has had great dealings wkh the 
 Keau monde, and has lately been, obliged to deliver 
 up her books, on account of a ftatute of bankrupt- 
 cy awarded againft her, one of the affignccs, who 
 happens to be a particular acquaintance of mine, 
 took the pains to tranfcribe, as a great curiofity^ 
 the copy of a bill owing to her from a gentleman 
 now in the army, and made me a prefent of it. 
 As I am convinced all the items in it are genuine, 
 it afforded me a great deal of diverfion, and 1 be- 
 lieve will not be unacceptable to the public. 
 
 Cornet Lovely, debtor to Rebecca Facemend,, 
 
 June 6, 1743. 
 For a riding mafic to prevent fun-burn i I o
 
 8(5 THE FEMALE B. IT. 
 
 For a night mafic to take away freckles r i o 
 For 6 pounds of Jeflamin butter for ? ^ 
 
 the hair $ 6 6 
 
 For 12 pots of cold cream - - - i 10 O 
 For 4 bottles of Benjamin water - - i o o 
 For 30 pounds of perfumed powder - i 10 o 
 For 3 boxes of tooth-powder - - - o 15 o 
 For a fpunge tooth brufh ---026 
 For a hair tooth-brufli - - - - o i o 
 For 6 bottles of perfumed mouth-water i 4 o 
 For a filver comb for the eye-brows -050 
 For 2 ounces of jet powder for ditto - o 18 o 
 For 4 boxes" of fine lip-falve - - - I o o 
 For an ounce of beft Carmine --300 
 For 6 bottles of orange flower- water i i o o 
 For 12 pounds of almond pafie --660 
 For 2 pounds of Bergamot fnuff - 800 
 For 3 bottles of efTence ditto - - - i 10 o 
 For 6 pair of dog- ikin gloves - - i 10 o 
 
 Total 38 9 6 
 
 Such was the ammunition this doughty hero, it 
 feems, took with him; the lofs of which, had it 
 .happened to have fallen into the enemy's hands, 
 would probably have given him more concern than 
 routing of the whole army, provided his own dear 
 perfon had efcaped without a fear. 
 
 Frequent campaigns, however, it is to be hoped 
 will wear this effeminacy off, and the example 
 of others teach fuch new-fledged warriors, that if 
 they would 1 foar to glory, they muft entirely throw 
 afideall the foftcningluxuriesof their filken youth. 
 Not that there is any neceflity that a man muft 
 be a floven, becaufe he is a foldier, and neglel all 
 the decencies of life to prove his attachment to
 
 t.H. SPECTATOR. fc> 
 
 his vocation; there is an affe&ation in this alfo, 
 as well as the other; and I fhould fay, that offi- 
 cer, who, when he might have a good tent to de- 
 fend him from the weather, chofe to lye on the 
 bare earth, expofed to all the inclemencies of the 
 air, had an equal (hare of vanity with him who 
 had his pavilion hung with velvet and embroidery. 
 To endure all the toils and hardlhips of the field 
 with patience and intrepidity, to be fearlcfs of 
 danger when the duties of his poft commanded, 
 as highly laudable and emulative; but to run into 
 them without a call, and when bravery can be of 
 no fervice, is altogether idle; and courage in fuch 
 a one, like all other virtues, degenerates into a 
 vice, by being carried to an extreme. 
 
 But 1 am moft of all concerned when I hear 
 a man, having done a gallant action in the field, 
 is fo far puffed up with it, that he looks upon him- 
 felf as a little deitjyand that he may, in confide- 
 ration of" having been able to fulfil his duty in one 
 point, difpenfe with all other obligations. 
 
 Some time before the opening of the laft cam^ 
 paign, Amaranthus, a brave young officer, made 
 his addrefles to Aminta; his paffion had all the 
 effecl: hewifhed it Ihould have on her tender heart: 
 me either had too much confidence in rys ho- 
 nour, or too little artifice to conceal the fenti- 
 ments he had infpired her with: he was ravifh- 
 ed at the difcovcry; fwore never to be but her's, 
 and there pafled between them a folemn promife 
 of marriage on his return from Germany, for 
 which place it was expc&ed his regiment would 
 have orders fpeedily to embaik. 
 
 Each day fecmed to bring with it an increafe of 
 mutual tendernefs, and fcarce ever was there a
 
 3 THS FEMALE B. Ifc 
 
 pair, whofe love in its beginning promifed more 
 lading felicity. Amaranthus, in every a&ion, 
 teftifted h-2 had no will but that of his Aminta; 
 and Aminta, by all her behaviour, proved, that 
 whatever (lie commanded or intreatcd of her A- 
 maranthus, was only what flie knew he wimed (he 
 fhould do. 
 
 At length the fatal hour of feparation arrived, 
 accompanied with all thofe agonies which none 
 but thofe who love are able to conceive : glory, 
 which till now had been the darling idol of Ama- 
 ranthus' foul, loft all its charms, fince it tore him 
 from the fociety of Aminta; and Aminta, in being 
 about to be deprived of the prefence of Amaran- 
 thus, feemed to have no life but for complaints. 
 
 The cruel necefiity, however, muft be fubmit- 
 ted to: tears, fighs, embraces, and mutual protef- 
 tations of everlafting conftancy, compleated the 
 tender., but melancholy farewel: none that had 
 feen them part,, could have well diftinguifhed 
 which felt the deepeft anguifh; but if we confider 
 the nature of the circum'ftance, we (hall find the 
 difference muftbe wide. Amaranthus, doubdefs, 
 loved with the utmolt paffion at that time, and 
 was going to lofe, he knew not for how long, the 
 fight of her who was the object of his flame-, but 
 then fhat abfence was the fole misfortune he had 
 to ftruggle with: whereas Aminta had not only 
 the fame in an equal degree, but attended with 
 others of a more dreadful kind. The dangers to 
 which a "fife, far dearer to her than her own, muft 
 inevitably be expofed, filled her with apprehen- 
 fions, which (lie was fcarceable to fuppcrt. After 
 his departure, (he pa fifed the greateft part of her 
 time at the foot of the altar, offering up her vows
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 89 
 
 and prayers for his protection; nor could the in- 
 treaties of her dearefl friends prevail on her to 
 partake with them any of thofe diverfions and en- 
 tertainments her youth had formerly delighted in : 
 all the converfation (he coveted, was fuch as in- 
 formed her concerning the army; (lie was conti- 
 nually aflcing queftions on that head; was only 
 pleafed or fad, according as (he heard they were 
 near, or at a diftance from the enemy, the arri- 
 val of every courier gave a palpitation to her heart, 
 till the receipt of a letter from Amaranthus con- 
 vinced her, that her terrors as yet had been with- 
 out foundation. 
 
 He wrote to her feveral times before the battle 
 of Dettingen, in the lad of which he acquainted 
 her, that they were on the point of leaving Afchaf- 
 fenburgh, in order to join the forces at Hanau, 
 from which place (he might ex peel to hi?ar from 
 him a?ain. Welcome as all his letters wer?, this 
 afforded her a double portion of fatif faction; be- 
 caufe, in cafe of an engagement with the French, 
 the number of the combined armies would give 
 her left to fear from him who took up all her care. 
 
 But what became of her, when inflead of re- 
 ceiving the joyful intelligence fhe hoped, of having 
 made the enemy fly before them without a blow, 
 fhe heard there had been a terrible rencounter; 
 that great numbers of brave men had fallen on 
 both fides, and that Amaranthus was among the 
 number of the (lain? 
 
 It would be in vain to go about to defcribe 
 what it was (he felt; her grief and her defpair 
 were above all reprefentation, as they v. ere beyond 
 all bounds; fo I fhall only fay, that both were 
 too vialent to endure long continuance, but muft
 
 po THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 have found a period with her life, had (he not been 
 relieved by different and more comfortable news. 
 
 The wounds, which had occafioned the report 
 of his death, were dangerous indeed, but not mor- 
 tal ; and his friends had greater reafon to congra- 
 tulate than condole them, fince the manner in 
 which they were received, purchafed him immor- 
 tal honour. 
 
 It is certain he behaved with the utmofl intre- 
 pidity, and was fo far from being daunted by the 
 fall of others, that he feemed rather animated with 
 frefh courage to revenge their fate; and though 
 the legiment he was in fullered greatly, and he was 
 himfelf wounded in many places, yet he would not 
 be prevailed upon to quit the field, till an unlucky 
 blow upon the head quite lluiined him, and he 
 fell in all appearance, dead. 
 
 As his valour had gained him friends, even 
 1 , -aroon thcfe v.-ho were till now the lead acquainted 
 with his perfon, he was immediately taken up, but 
 for fome hours difcovered no fymptoms of breath j. 
 fo that it was- not ftrange, in the confuiion every 
 one was after the battle, that in the accounts tranf- 
 mitted of it, this young hero's name mould be in- 
 ferted in the lilt of thoie who were, killed. 
 
 Aminta heard of his recovery, and the praifes 
 which every one gave to his merit, with a plea- 
 fure conformable to the love flic had for him; but 
 could not help being a little alarmed when (he 
 found he had wrote to others, and (he who flattered 
 herfelf with being the firit to whom he would em- 
 ploy his pen, had not received the leafr line from 
 him fince the battle: but it is not without great 
 difficulty we bring ouifelves to have an ill opini- 
 on of thofe we love : her tcndernefs inventc.l ex-
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 91 
 
 cufcs for him, which, it is poflible, he would not 
 have had artifice to invent for himfelf, and chofe 
 to impute his filence to any caufe, rather than 
 neglect. The diflance between them was great; 
 couriers might not have opportunity to wait his 
 writing; the pcfi might mifcarry, or he might 
 poflibly be detached to fome place, whence nei- 
 ther courier nor poft could come; and what let- 
 ters he fent, might pafs through hands, which 
 he did not judge proper to intruft with the fecret 
 of his correfpondence with her. 
 
 In this manner did (he beguile defpair till his 
 return; and though (he refolved to accufe him, 
 doubted not but he would give fuch reafons for his 
 feeming unkindnefs, that (he would be obliged to 
 afk his pardon for. having been unjuft enough to 
 fufpeft him. 
 
 Far was flie from being truly unhappy, till 
 after fhe was informed of his arrival; and fevcral 
 days pafled over, without either feeing or receiv- 
 ing any meflage from him. This was, indeed, 
 what all her love and tendernefs wanted ingenuity 
 to account for, and fhe was now compelled, even 
 in fpite of herfeif, to think him ungrateful and 
 perfidious. Amazement, and fome little (hare of 
 pride, which never fails to exert itfclf in love 
 abufcd, prevented her fome time from fending to 
 him; at laft fhe wrote, reproached him with the 
 alteration in his behaviour, yet mingled her up- 
 brauiings with fo much f \veetnefs, as fhewed her 
 ready to forgive, whenever he came to intrcat it. 
 
 To this he returned an anftvcr extremely com- 
 plaifant, but fir from any thing thatcxpreflsd the 
 ardour of a lover; excufed himfelf by the hurry 
 of his affairs, for having not yet been able to wait
 
 9 2 THE FEMALE B. IT. 
 
 upon her; but affured her, he would not fail of 
 paying his refpe&s the firft leifure hour 5 conclud- 
 ed with telling her, that nobody could have a 
 greater regard for her than himfelf, and that he 
 fhould be proud of any opportunity to convince 
 her of it; and fubfcribed himfelf, not as he was 
 accuftomed, '< her eternal adorer," but " her 
 " moft humble and obedient fervant." 
 
 She muft have been the dulleft and mod infa- 
 tuated of her fex, had fhe not now feen (he had 
 intirely loft a heart fhe thought herfelf fo fecure 
 of, and had fo much gloried in: rage and grief 
 had alternately the pofTeffion of her foul; yet love 
 ftill retained a part, and wns fo blended with them 
 both, that it would not fuffer the one to grow into 
 difdain, nor the other to deftroy fome little re- 
 mains of hope, that ihe ihould one day be able to 
 reclaim him. 
 
 She was apt to imagine, that if once fhe faw 
 him, he could not behold thofe eyes, which he a 
 thoufand timeshad fwcrn were the lights of his life, 
 now drowned in tears, of which he was the caufe, 
 without refuming thofe emotions they had for- 
 merly infpired him with; but having waited his 
 expected vifit longer indeed than is ordinarily con- 
 fident with the impatience of a lover, and finding 
 he came not, fhe wrote a feccnd time, conjuring 
 him not to let her languifh in this uncertainty, 
 and told him, that fhe only begged to know, from 
 his own mouth, her fate, and after that would 
 never afk to fee him more. 
 
 This preffing mandate he complied with: the 
 fafhion in which fhe received'him may eafily be 
 guefTed at, by what has been faid of the violence 
 of her afFe&ion ; but the c:ccrfTive crUlnefs, and
 
 B.IL- SPECTATOR. 93 
 
 diftant air of his replies to all me faid, could not 
 be exprefied even by her, who was the witnefs of- 
 it; but the fum of what he gave her to underftand 
 was, that he was convinced a tender intercourfe 
 with the ladies took up too much of a foldier's 
 mind) and that he had made a refolution to em- 
 ploy all his in the duties of his function: he told 
 her, that were he in any other fituation, or could 
 think it compatible with that purfuit of fame he 
 was engaged in, to continue an amorous corre- 
 fpondence, Aminta fhould have the preference of 
 all her fex; but as he was circumftanced, he flat- 
 tered himfelf her good fenfe would induce her to 
 pardon this change of temper in him, fmce his 
 zeal for the fervicc of his king and country was 
 the only rival which had occafioned it. 
 
 It muft be acknowledged he deceived her not in 
 this lalt article; for, in fa&, the promotion he 
 had acquired, the applaufe of the whole army, 
 the praife beftowed on him by the general, and 
 the compliments made him by ladies of the firft 
 quality at his return, on account of his behaviour 
 at Dettingen, have fo much elated him, that he 
 is no longer the fame perfon : his once foft be- 
 feeching air is now converted into one all referved 
 and haughty; a fcornful tofs of the head; a carc- 
 lefs fling of the arms; eyes that feem intent rather 
 on things within himfelf, than any thing he can 
 find without; in fine, there appears fo thorough 
 a change in his whole manner, that if the geflures 
 of the body may be looked upon as any indication 
 of the affections of the mind, as qucfiionlefs they 
 may, his are full of felf-fufliciency : he feems 
 to think what he has done commands, as his due, 
 the love and refpeft of all who fee him, and that 
 
 VOL. 1. 1
 
 94 THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 it is beneath him even to regard, much lefs ima- 
 gine himfelf obliged by it. 
 
 Aminta had therefore the lefs to mortify her, 
 as it was not becaufe the fuperior beauty of any 
 other had fupplanted her in his affections, but 
 becaufe in reality he now thought no woman wor-* 
 thy of the ferious paffion of a man like himfelf. 
 
 She was, notwithftanding, utterly unable to 
 fupport the fliock, and no fooner found his heart 
 was irrecoverable, than defpifing all other con- 
 quefts, though fhe has youth, beauty and fortune 
 enough to make many, retired to a lone country 
 houfe, where (lie endeavours, among rural plea- 
 fures, to forget thofe of the great world, and in 
 the melody of the fweet inhabitants of the woods 
 and groves, lofe the memory of that voice by 
 which fhe was undone. 
 
 However fome people may approve this action 
 in Amaranthus, I cannot help thinking there is 
 more of the favage than the true hero in it; and 
 I am certain we muft give the lie to our fenfes, 
 and many modern great examples, as well as to 
 numbers in antiquity, if we fhould fay, that love 
 and glory are things incompatible; or that a wife 
 and prudent wife, be her paffion never fo violent, 
 will not always be too tender of her hufband's 
 intereft and reputation, to defire, that to prove 
 ' his regard to her, he fhould neglect any part of 
 what he owes to them. 
 
 That fiction of the poets, concerning the loves 
 of Mars and Venus, feems built on a very juft 
 foundation : women, in general, are obferved to 
 be moft fond of military gentlemen; and where- 
 fore is it fo? Surely not becaufe they wear red 
 coats! That many others do, who fometimes fit
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 95 
 
 behind a counter, and what is worfe have not 
 the heart to draw a fword, or fire- a piflol; but it 
 is, becaufe a foldier is fuppofed, at lead, to have 
 courage to defend, in any exigence, all who are 
 under his protection ; and alfo becaufe the cha- 
 racter of a brave man is, of all other, mod efteem- 
 ed in the world, as that of a coward is the mod 
 contemned. Will a woman, therefore, by arti- 
 fice or perfuafion, either directly or indirectly, 
 attempt to make the man {he loves, guilty of any 
 thing that might fully the luftre of that character 
 for which me loves him ? Would (lie not rather 
 pufti him on to actions, which might juftify the 
 choice (he made of him ? and whatever Ihe fuffer- 
 ed in abfence for him, or from the fears her ten- 
 dernefs fuggefted as to the dangers he encountered, 
 would me not value herfelf on furmounting them, 
 and take a laudable pride in proving how worthy 
 (he was of her hufoand's affection, by the regard 
 file had for his fame ? 
 
 I remember to have been one night at the play, 
 when the wife and two fons of a great admiral 
 came into the box; fome who knew them whif- 
 pered it to others, till a general murmur ran 
 throughout the houfe: all eyes, all tongues, all 
 hands were immediately employed to (how the love 
 and gratitude the aflembly had for the family of 
 that illuftrious hero. The voice of the people is 
 the beft trump of fame; it is not by fulfome pa- 
 negyricks, or by the praifes of an interefted few, 
 or by rewards, often partially beftowed, that true 
 merit is diflinguimed, but by the unfought, un- 
 biafled prayers and bleffings of the whole: the 
 acclamations bellowed on him fprang from thi 
 heart j his excellent lady fawand felt an inward 
 I a
 
 96 THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 fatisfalkm at it, which diffufed itfelf through all 
 her features, and gave an additional lufue to her 
 eyes; and yet, no doubt, flie mourned his tedious 
 abfence, languidied for his return, had often wept 
 in private, and given a looie to all the tender 
 anxiety the knowledge of thofe numberlefs and 
 imminent dangers, with which he was at that 
 jime furrounded, muft involve her in; yet his 
 glory, dearer to her than all the fatisfaHon his 
 prefence could have beftowed, dearer to her than 
 even his life, fince it was fo to him, enabled her 
 to take a pleafure even in the fufferings by which 
 he purchafed it. 
 
 Many fuch examples, which I have either 
 heard or read of, I could produce for the honour 
 of my fex in this point; but what the eye is wit- 
 uefs of ftrikes the moft, and makes the moft deep 
 and lading impreffion: I chufe, therefore; rather 
 to mention this lady, becaufe I doubt not but 
 many of my readers were fpetators, as well as 
 jmyfelf, of her amiable behaviour on this occafion ; 
 and perhaps alfo 'on many others, when I was not 
 fo happy to be prefent. 
 
 Some women, I know, have not ftrength of 
 fpirits to fupport the parting from a beloved and 
 loving hulband, without fuch agonies as might (tag- 
 ger the refolution of the bolder! man, render him 
 Icarce able to tear himfelf away, and when he does, 
 compelled by cruel duty, feem as if he had left 
 half his foul behind him; and yet thpfe very ladies 
 may be far from thinking the foftnefs of their fex 
 ought to be complied with, or would think that 
 hufband more worthy their affedion, who, to the 
 prejudice of his honour, mould humour her foible. 
 
 But in fuch cafes I would recommend the wife
 
 S. il, SPECTATOR. 97 
 
 of a late general as an example. Never woman 
 loved a hufband to a greater degree of fondnefs, 
 nor received a more grateful return of tenderncfi 
 and affection ; (he was one of thofe who could 
 ot bear the ihock of parting, without thofe emo- 
 tions I have been defcribing; and perceiving the 
 fight of her diforders had a greater effect: on him 
 than fhe wiflied them to have, intreated, that for 
 the future, whenever they were obliged to fepa- 
 rate, he would take no leave of her: he feemed 
 furprized that a greatnefs of foul, fuch as fhe tefli- 
 fied in making this requefl, could not enable her 
 to endure, with equal firmnefs, a misfortune which 
 was irremediable in the ftation he was, and- would 
 fain have refufed what (lie defired : " How unkind, 
 " faid he, and. how unjufl to your merits mufl I 
 " appear, if I fhould do as you would have me', 
 " And how {hall 1 flatter myfelf you will fuffer lefs 
 " when the news of my departure is brought to. 
 11 you, than if you actually faw me on horfe* 
 " back!" " No matter, replied fhe, what I mall 
 " fufFer, fince the foolifh timidity of my nature, 
 " will not permit me to govern myfelf as becomes. 
 " a perfon who has the honour to be. your wife; in. 
 *' will be more for my reputation, and your eafe. 
 <{ that theloofelgive my griefs may be in private." 
 With fuch kind of arguments fhe prevailed orv 
 him; and orders foon after arriving that he muft 
 repair to the army,, every thing was got ready for 
 his departure with all the fccrefy imaginable; not 
 the lead mention made of it to the family, nor by 
 any one who came to the houfe; and on a time, 
 prefixed, his equipage attended him at the gates, 
 ami he went forth with no other ceremony, thaa. 
 
 13
 
 9 8 THE FEMALE B7 II. 
 
 he was accuftomed to ufe when he was to return 
 the fame day. 
 
 All the tender adieus he had to make were fent 
 to her by letter, and how much foever fhe en- 
 dured, none but her woman was a witnefs; fhe 
 could command her pen, though not her eyesj 
 and returned him anfwers, fuch as convinced him 
 nothing was fo much defired by her as new addi- 
 tions to that reputation he had in fo many battles, 
 and amidfl fo many dangers, acquired. 
 
 The parting of friends and lovers is like the 
 parting of the foul and body, always moft eafy 
 when leaft warned of it. The preparations are 
 more terrible than the thing itfelf; and as reafon 
 is oftentimes too weak to overcome a natural ti- 
 midity, it is infinitely bed to be wholly ignorant 
 of the fhock we are to fuftain, till it arrives. 
 
 I wilh, however, there were more occafion 
 than there feems to be for this caution; it is 
 jny bufmefs, as a Spectator, to let as little as pof- 
 fible efcape me; and I am forry to obferve, that 
 my refearches prefent me with few inftanccs of 
 that conjugal tendernefs, which require fuch a 
 command over themfelves, as the above-mention- 
 ed lady endeavoured to attain. 
 
 Thefarewels married people ordinarily take of 
 each other, feem little more than mere matters of 
 form; and fome there are, who, after the moment 
 of feparation, appear like a prifoner juft got rid of 
 !is fetters ; they frifk and fkip about, as if they 
 knew not how enough to repair, by a prefent jol- 
 lity, the anxiety of their lats confinement. 
 
 .iin-Ja no fooner finds herfelf freed from 
 the pfefence of Romero, than fhe hurries from af- 
 fembly to aficmbly; gallants it with every pretty
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 99 
 
 fellow (he comes in company with; drives from 
 one end of the town to the other; fer.ds for gen- 
 tlemen out or" chocolate houfes, am* i0 the veriefl 
 rattle in nature. 
 
 Silax pretends the town is full of diftempers, 
 and perfuadeshis wife to go to their country feat 
 for the benefit of the air; but the coach which 
 carries her is fcarcely out of fight, before he fends 
 for half a dozen friends of his own way of think- 
 ing, as many ladies of pleafure to entertain them, 
 and converts every room in bis houfe into a bro- 
 thel : nothing but feafting, drinking, dancing, and 
 rioting is to be feen; till tired with debauchery, 
 and not till then, he retires to his wife, and lives 
 regular by way of penance. 
 
 Lelia adored Macrobius while prefent with her, 
 but the fervice of his country no fooner obliged 
 him to quit her arms, than (he fought confolation 
 in the embraces of his own brother; yet Macro- 
 bius had married her without a fortune, and ftill 
 continues to love her too well for his repofe. 
 
 Dorimon had made a figure little to be envied 
 by his neighbours, had he not been fortunate e? 
 nough to appear agreeable in the eyes of the young, 
 rich, and beautiful Clotilda; in fpiteofall the dif- 
 f uafions of her fr iends, flie married him, and makes 
 him the moft obiequious and tender wife; yet the 
 ungrateful Dorimon, quite infenfible of the obli- 
 gations he has to her, as well as of the charms 
 which could not fail to bind any other man, is 
 continually finding pretences to be abfent from 
 her, and pafles the greateft part of his time with 
 a loofe creature, whom chance brought him ac- 
 quainted with at a houfe of ill fame. 
 
 Can any one believe, that fouls like thcfe were
 
 ioo THE F E M A L E B. HV 
 
 ever paired in heaven! Might one not rather be 
 tempted to imagine, that fome daemon, enemy to 
 mankind, had been permitted to difpofe of them! 
 Thofe who feem moil formed for each other, and 
 fuited for mutual happinefs, are very rarely fuf- 
 fered to give any teftimonies here below of that 
 divine andprc-exifting union fo much talked on,, 
 but ftill by fome crofs intervening accident, fe- 
 vered and doomed to lots of different kinds. 
 
 Who can reflect on the ftrange circumftance 
 which pai ted Panthea from her dear and betroth- 
 ed Fidelio, without being, fcized v/ith the utmoft 
 amazement! But as there is fomewhat very re- 
 markable in the ftory of this young lady, and fev; 
 have been able to attain a perfect knowledge of 
 the truth, 1 think I fhould not fill the province I 
 have undertaken, if I omitted giving the public 3 
 full account of the particulars; and. to do that, I 
 mufl trace her misfortunes to their fountain-head, 
 which indeed was from the firft moment of hei 
 being. 
 
 Miietta, her mother, was miftrefs to the fub- 
 tle and opulent Lacroon, many years before tha 
 death of his lady, but had the artifice to engage 
 him in a covenant, that if he ever happened to ba 
 a widower, he fhould either marry her, or forfeit 
 to her a very large fum of money therein fpecified. 
 Fate feemed to favour her wifties; he became in a 
 condition for her to demand either the one or the 
 other. He knew himfelf bound, and hsfitated not 
 long before he confented to be the huiband of one, 
 for whom his pnflion was then greatly abated, ra* 
 ther than Puffer fo much money to go out of his 
 family. Panthea was at that time about eleven cr 
 twelve years old, but had been bred in the moft
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 101 
 
 private manner, and utterly ignorant of her pa* 
 rents; a perfon, who had been fervant to Miletta, 
 being intruded with the care of her, whatever (he 
 received was tranfmitted through her hands, to 
 whom fhe imagined herfelf fome diftant relation. 
 
 Miletta, who had always preferved fome fenfe 
 of reputation, was now more averfe than ever to 
 acknowledging her; and the poor girl was not at 
 all the happier for her mother's grandeur. 
 
 A flrange caprice in fome women! they are a- 
 fbamed of the fruits of their fin, though not of the 
 fin itfclf : every body knew {he was kept by La- 
 croon, for the gratification of his loofer hours, 
 nor was fhe fo weak as to imagine it a fecret; yet 
 could ihe not fupport the thoughts of being called 
 n mother, without being a wife, or, that even after 
 (he was fo, that fo glaring a proof mould appear 
 of her former tranfgreflion. 
 
 But it was for a very fhort time me enjoyed 
 the title fhe had fo much defired; fcarce had fhc 
 (hewn herfelf in her.fplcndor, before fhe was feiz,- 
 cd with a diftemper which puzzled the phyfician's 
 art to give a name to; fuch as it was, however, it 
 afte&ed both her mind and body; (he became deli- 
 rious, and at fome times had fuch violent fits of 
 frenzy, that they were obliged to tie her in her 
 bed; yet was all this without any fymptoms of a 
 fever: an inward wafting at the fame time preyed 
 on her vitals, and fo decayed her whole frame, that 
 in a few weeks fhe grew the moH: pity-moving 
 obje& that ever was beheld, and died little lament- 
 ed by any, except thofc who reaped the advan- 
 tage of h'er fecrcts. 
 
 After her death, Lacroon took it in his head to 
 C.U1 Tanthca home, acquainted her with her birth,
 
 lo* THE FEMALE B. IF. 
 
 and not only owned her as his daughter in the 
 face of the world, but treated her with all the 
 marks of a paternal care and affe&ion. 
 
 A change of fortune fo undreamed of, fo pro- 
 digious, could not but be tranfporting to a young 
 heart; (lie had now a croud of fervants, all ob- 
 fequious, and flying to obey her leaft commands; 
 her perfon was adorned with jewels, and the mofl 
 fkilful matters in their feveral profeffions attended 
 her every morning, to perfect her in all the ac- 
 complifhments of her fex, and the ftation to which 
 (he now was raifed; yet was fhe not elated fo far 
 as to give herfelf any unbecoming airs; and all 
 this ferved only to make her pleafed, not vain or 
 arrogant. 
 
 Envy muft allow, that though fhe is far from 
 being a beauty, there is fomewhat of a fweetnefs 
 in all her air and features that is very attractive; 
 and thofe who were the leaft inclined to converfe 
 with her on the fcore of her birth, if by chance 
 they happened into her company, were infenfibly 
 engaged riot only to continue in it, but alfo to 
 Vf'ifh the pleafure they took in being with her 
 might be renewed. 
 
 She had fcarce reached fifteen, before her youth- 
 ful charms were taken notice of by many worthy 
 perfons of the ether fex; but the moil powerful 
 effect they had to bcaft was on the heart of the 
 noble and accompliflied Fidelio. The paflion he 
 had for her made him overlook all thefcruples o- 
 thers raifed on the account of her mother's cha- 
 racter, and indeed on that of her father alfo; who, 
 for many reafons, was little efleemed by the ge- 
 nerality of mankind. 
 
 Lacroon was highly pleafed with his addreiTes
 
 B. II. SPECTATOR. 103 
 
 on the fcore of his quality; but Panthea for that 
 of his perfon and converfation. She loved him 
 long before her modefty would permit her to con- 
 fefs it; but at length her paffion broke through all 
 reftraints, and (he repaid the pain fhe had given 
 Kim by acknowledging flie felt an equal (hare. Af- 
 ter this declaration they engaged themfelves by a 
 folemn vow to live only for each other Alas, lit- 
 tle did either of them think they erred in doing 
 fo! Fidelio was entirely at his own difpofal, and 
 Panthea had received her father's pofitive com- 
 mands to omit nothing in her power for the bet* 
 t^r confirming his affections. 
 
 The confent, however, was to be afked in form, 
 which Fidelio did not fail to do in the mod fub- 
 miflive terms; and Lacroon, though he at firft, to 
 difguife his fatisfation, affected to delay the cere- 
 mony on account of Pantbea's extreme youth, 
 was eafily prevailed upon to fix the day, which 
 was no longer than was rcquifite to prepare for it 
 in a manner befitting the quality of the one, and 
 the riches of the other. 
 
 But fee the uncertainty of all human events! 
 This equally-enamoured pair, when they thought 
 themfelves mod fecure, and near being joined to 
 each other, were on the point of being feparated 
 eternally; and that too by a way the mod fevere 
 and mocking to them both, that the extremeft 
 malice of their fate could have invented: 
 
 Lncroon, to acquire the wealth he now is in 
 pofieflion of, has done fuch things as perhaps no 
 man before him ever did with impunity. Not 
 but he had been frequently called to account by 
 thofe whom he had injured, but his cunning, and 
 the corruption cf the timrs, ftill got him oiFj and
 
 K>4 TE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 thofe frequent efcapes having rendered him more 
 bold in vice, he at length arrived at that height, as 
 to add infults to injuftice, which fo provoked fome 
 perfons of greater credit than any who had yet ap- 
 peared againft him, that they refolved to under- 
 take the caufe, and either fink themfelves, or pro- 
 cure that punifhment on him his crimes deferved. 
 
 This happened fome few days before that which 
 was affigned for the nuptials of Fidelio and Pan- 
 thea. The lovers were wholly ignorant of this 
 misfortune, and paffed their hours in all the joys 
 which mutual affection, joined with innocence> 
 affords; while Lacroon was calling all his inven- 
 tion to his aid for means to remedy the fo much 
 dreaded evil. He had no hope but in Imperio, 
 whofe power was incouteftible, and had on many 
 lefs occafions flood his friend; but how to aflure 
 himfelf that he would exert it in this, he was for 
 fome time at a lofs. At laft the tutelar daemon,who 
 had hitherto never left him without fome fubter- 
 fuge, infpired him with one, if poflible more black 
 and horrid than ever he had yet been mafter of. 
 
 He remembered to have heard Imperio praife 
 the innocent charms of .Panthea, and refolved to 
 make no fcruple to effsr her up a facrifice to 
 {hame, if by her proftitution he could be preferved 
 from the juft profecution of his enemies. In fine, 
 he went directly to that great perfon, and intreat- 
 ed he would interpofe between him and thofs who 
 fought his ruin, and flily infinuated, that Panthea 
 would think heifelf bleft to be the flave of him 
 who was the deliverer of her father. 
 
 Imperio, juft in his own nature, had not that 
 ill opinion of Lacroon which he deferved, and 
 dpubtlefs would have done all he could for him i
 
 B. IT. SPECTATOR. 105 
 
 his exigence, without this offer; but being one of 
 the mod amorous men on earth, could not refufe 
 fo fweet a bribe as the pofieflion of a young virgin, 
 whom he had frequently looked upon with defiring 
 eyes. He therefore took Lacroon at his word, and 
 promifed in return to ufe all the influence he had 
 to make up matters between him and thofe anta- 
 gonifls from whom he had mod to fear. 
 
 Lacroon returned home with a joyful heart, as 
 being certain thofe who had the greateft malice to 
 him, loved and refpected Imperio too much to 
 difoblige him; but when he broke the matter to 
 Panthea, and told her, that inftead of being the 
 bride of Fidelio, (he muft prepare herfelf to be the 
 miftrefs of Imperio, he found difficulties which he 
 expected not from one fo young, and fo entirely 
 a dependent on him. She had even the courage 
 to tell him, fhe would die rather than forfeit her 
 virtue; to which he fcornfully replied, t( If your 
 *' mother had been a girl of fuch fqueamifh prin- 
 ** ciples, you had not come into the world to con- 
 " tradift my will." 
 
 This cruel reproach on her birth, and coming 
 from a father, joined with the part he acted in this 
 affair, ftruck her to the heart; fhe burft into tears, 
 was unable to fpeak another word, and was ready 
 to fink on the floor. He then repented what he had 
 faid, and finding the foftnefs of her nature would 
 be more eafily prevailed upon by gentle means, 
 " Be comforted, my child, refumed he, your mo- 
 " ther was the more dear to me, as I found her 
 "the more leadyto recompence my love ; I meant 
 ** not what I faid (hould give you pain ; you know 
 " I have the greateft tendernefs for you; I have 
 <c proved it, and hope you have gratitude enough 
 VOL. I. K
 
 Tctf THE FEMALE B. II. 
 
 " to be obedient, efpecially in a thing where my 
 " whole fortune, nay even my life is concerned." 
 
 He then proceeded to let her know he had ma- 
 ny enemies, and had no friend capable of ferving 
 him but Imperio; made ufe by turns of perfua- 
 ficns and menaces, till at length her virtue had 
 not flrength to refift their united force, and fhe 
 yielded to do what in reality her foul abhorred, 
 rather than, by refufing, be the occafion of her 
 father's ruin, and at the fame time be driven out 
 to mifery herfelf. 
 
 His point thus gained, Lacroon conduced her 
 himfelftothe houfe of Imperio, where me ftill 
 refides; but whether any better reconciled to her 
 fate, none but her own heart can determine. 
 
 As for Fidelio, it would be utterly impoflible 
 to exprefs the force of his grief and rage, when 
 he found his tender expectations of a lafting hap- 
 pinefs thus vanifhed into air : as his paffion for 
 Panthca had made him think her the moil perfect 
 of her fex, to find her falfe has given him an anti- 
 pathy to all womankind; he fhuns all converfation, 
 but fuch as join with him in invectives againfl love 
 and marriage; yetfometimes,whenhe thinks him- 
 fclf alone, cries out, "OPanthea, lovely, bewitch- 
 " ing maid! wherefore did heaven join fo fair a 
 " face with fo unchafte and perfidious a heart!" 
 
 In hope to cure the diforder of his mind, fome 
 fi lends prevailed on him to quit the town; but 
 this change of place has wrought no other change 
 in him, than to convert the wildnefs of his beha-i 
 viour into a profound melancholy, which it is 
 feared will be lafting. 
 
 I muft confefs the fate of this young gentleman 
 is greatly to be lamented ; but, methinks, the world
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. 107 
 
 }s too fevere upon poor Panthea: her youth, and 
 the authority of a father, than whom (he had na 
 other friend, may plead fomeexcufe for her want 
 of that fortitude and refolution, which alone could 
 have preferved her virtue. It is onLacroon alone 
 that the juft cenfures of her fall mould light: 
 Lacroon, guilty of crimes unnumbered, yet of 
 none more unnatural, more deteftable, than this 
 of feparating two hearts, which feemed by heaven 
 united, and feducing and betraying his owa child 
 to infamy and perdition. 
 
 B O O K III 
 
 METHINKS it is with great impropriety, 
 that people, when they fee an unfocial per- 
 fon, cry out, "How ill-natured fuch a one is!" 
 Nature in itfelf delights in harmony, is loving, 
 grateful, benevolent, pleafcd in itfelf, and plealVd 
 to fee others fo. Every one is born with quali- 
 ties fuited to fociety; and when they deviate, it 
 is not the eflecl of nature, but of the influence of 
 thofe vitious paflions, which, by their ill conditi- 
 ons, corrupt nature, and render it no longer what 
 it was: avarice, ambition, rage, envy and jea- 
 loufy, are the weeds that grow up in the foul ; and, 
 if indulged, will by degrees choak all the nobler 
 principles. How beautiful is natuie in infancy, 
 -before thofe turbulent paflions gather ftrength 1 
 and how beautiful would flie alfo be in maturity, 
 could thofe paflions be always under the govern- 
 ment of reafon ! 
 
 K 3
 
 ic THE FEMALE B. lit 
 
 Some may perhaps objeft, that I pretend to di- 
 vide what heaven in our compofition has thought 
 fit to blend : that paffions are in reality a part of 
 nature, and that none are born without fome fhare 
 of them. They may fay, that in childhood we 
 are no lefs aFeled for fuch trifles, as are conform- 
 able to our years, than at a riper age we are for 
 \vhat we then look on as more fubftantial benefits. 
 They all quote againft me this line of one of the 
 moft excellent of our Englifh poets, 
 
 " Men are but children of a larger growth.'* 
 
 To all this I readily agree; but then the paf- 
 fions of childhood are too weak to hurry to any 
 thing that can be called a vice, unlefs ftrongly in- 
 dulged indeed by thofe who have the care of us ; 
 and as they increafe in flrength, our own reafon, 
 which is given us, for a guide, increafes in propor- 
 tion alfo; fo that it is the undoubted bufinefs of 
 our parents and governors, to keep all dangerous 
 propensities in us under the greateft fubjedtion, 
 and preferve nature in its purity while we are 
 young, and our own to do it afterward, fmce the 
 infallible confequences of any neglect on thisfcore, 
 arc no lefs than to render us obnoxious to the 
 world, and irkfome to ourfelves. 
 
 I would not here be thought to mean, that the 
 referved, the fullen, the peevifh, or even the mo- 
 rofe, are always under the dominion of vitioms 
 paffions : a continued feries of difappointments, 
 calamities, ill-ufage, (which, lam forry to fay, is 
 the fure attendant on misfortune) or a long fit o 
 ficknefs, may in time make four the fweetell tem- 
 per -, but then the gloom which they occafion will 
 not render the perfon fo affeed cruel, bafe, CO*
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. 109 
 
 vetous, perfidious, or, in fine, any way wicked : 
 fuch a one may be tirefome, and looked upon as 
 a dead weight in company, but will never be found 
 dangerous, and the only mifchief he does is to 
 himfelf. 
 
 But where avarice prevails, all that is injurious 
 to mankind may be expected : 1 think under this 
 head almoft whatever is pernicious to fociety may 
 be ranged; fince, where it does not find other bad 
 qualities, it certainly creates them. It indeed de- 
 ftroys the very end of our being. A mean diltruft, 
 envy, hatred, and malice, will neither fuller us to 
 enjoy a moment's peace ourfelves, nor allow it to 
 others, when but fufpecled of a bare poflibility of 
 ftandingbetween us and ourdarling intereft. Con- 
 cord, that univerfal good, is entirely aboliflied by 
 it; every public virtue, every private obligation of 
 duty, gratitude, and natural afFe&ion, is facrificed 
 to particular views, which centre all in felf; and 
 to attain, neither fecret fraud nor open violence 
 are fpared. How many wars have been rendered 
 unfuccefsf ul ! how many well-laid fchemes dif- 
 concerted! how many communities broken and 
 diflblved! how many once flourimLng families 
 reduced to beggary, merely by the avarice of one 
 perfon, who found his interelt in the ruin of tha 
 whole! Nothing is more known than this truth, 
 and we often fee that thofe of the fame blood, 
 nay, who have fucked the fame milk, have proved 
 the mod cruel and inveterate enemies to each o- 
 ther. Shocking reflection ! let us quit it, and 
 turn our eyes on the contrail* 
 
 The worthy family, of which Euphrofine is a. 
 has, in a very late inflance, given us a molt
 
 no THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 amiable one, and will, I hope, be an example for 
 many others to imitate. 
 
 This beautiful young lady was addrefled by a 
 gentleman immenfely rich,but of more than twice 
 her age, and befides had nothing, either in his per- 
 fon or con verfation, capable of rendering hi magiee- 
 able to a delicate and refined tafte, fuch as her's. 
 He made his court to her father before he men- 
 tioned any thing of his paffion to herfelf; and at 
 the fame time accompanied his declaration with 
 offers of a nature few parents but would readily 
 have accepted. But he referred him to his daugh- 
 ter's inclinations, only afluring him, that he would 
 ]ay his commands on her to receive his vifits; and 
 that if me confented, he, for his part, mould be 
 extremely proud of his alliance. 
 
 With this the old lover was obliged to be con- 
 tent; and, fince he found it mufh be by rhetoric 
 his point was to be gained, endeavoured to prove 
 his paffion, and infpire one in her by thofe ways 
 he thought moft likely to fucceed: he entertained 
 her with all the amorous fpeeches he could re- 
 member out of plays, bought her all the favourite 
 airs in the opera for her fpinnetj cawied her to 
 Vauxhall gardens, and Ruckholt; and told her, 
 " That wherever (he came, ihe was the Venus of 
 ' the place." 
 
 Euphrofme, who is all obedience, knowing her 
 father authorized his fuit, durft neither repulfe, 
 nor make a jeft of it, but accepted his fine fpeech- 
 es, treats, and prefents, as coming from a man, 
 who, in all probability, fhe was deftined for : the 
 contempt (he had for him {he kept as an inviola- 
 ble fecret; and never fpoke of him to her dcareft 
 companions, nor even her brothers and fillers, but
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. t/i 
 
 with all imaginable refpeh The conftraint (he 
 put on herfelf by this behaviour, however, took 
 away great part of that chearfulnefs and vivacity 
 which had ufed to fparkle in her eyes; (he grew 
 much more refer ved in company than me had been, 
 jmd was often furprized with tears running down 
 her cheeks, when flie thought herfelf alone. 
 
 bhe was too dear to all belonging to her for fo 
 vifible a change not to be taken notice of, yet none 
 mentioned the leaft word to her concerning it; and 
 the courtfhip continued fo for near a month, when 
 the impatience of the lover, emboldened by his 
 miftrefs'obliging reception, madehimverypreffing 
 for a day being fixed to confummate his happinefs : 
 the anfwers fhe gave him on that head were, 
 that fhe was entirely at her father's difpofal, and 
 that it would not be becoming in her either to an- 
 ticipate or delay his pleafure. When he talked to 
 her father, he told him, that he had notyet examin- 
 ed his daughter's heart-, but when he had fo done, 
 he would either haften or prolong the time accord- 
 ing as he found her in a difpofition for it; always 
 concluding with reminding him, that, to render 
 them both happy, it was neceflary nothing mould 
 have the leaft air of conftraint on either iide. 
 
 This did not fatisfy the other; for, as lovers na- 
 turally flatter them/elves, he took all the civilities 
 paid him by Euphrofine, in obedience to her fa- 
 ther, for fo many proofs of her liking his perfon; 
 and, as he doubted not but fhe was no lefs defirous 
 than himfelf for a conclufton of the affair, feemed 
 to refent thefe delays, as much as he durft, to him 
 who had the fole difpofal of his miftrefs: he be- 
 came, however, fo urgent, that the father of Eu- 
 jhrefinc at length piomifed him to found her in-
 
 MS THE FEMALE B. in; 
 
 clinations the next day, and that he fliould then 
 know his refolution. 
 
 Accordingly heJfcnt for her into his clofet, and 
 having made her fit down by him, told her how- 
 impatient her lover was for the completion of his 
 wifhes, and the promifes he had given him of a 
 definitive anfwer; fet forth the paflion he had for 
 her in much better terms than he had ever done 
 for himfelf; and added, that he was fo far from de 
 firing any portion with her, that, on the firft de- 
 claration he had made to him of his love, he had 
 pretexted he would accept of nothing from him 
 but his confent. 
 
 " This, Euprofine, continued he, is the ftate of 
 " the cafe, and fuch the difinterefted kindnefs he 
 " has for you: you kaow that 1 have feveral chil- 
 " dren; that part of my fortune, which I mould 
 " give with you to a man who required it, will be a 
 ft considerable addition to their portions: you may 
 " believe alfo, there are not many fathers who 
 " would confult your inclination in this point; 
 " but, my dear child, I am not one of thofe. I am 
 t( fenfible, that true felicity does not confift in 
 " wealth alone, and think it both unjuftand cruel 
 " to. make thofe wretched to whom I have given 
 " being: Tell me, therefore, without referve, or 
 " fear of offending me, what your thoughts of this 
 u gentleman are, and whether you can love him, 
 " as it will be your duty to do, if you become his 
 "wife?" 
 
 The virtuous maid hung down her head at 
 thefe words, and faintly replied, " that the edu- 
 <; cation fhe had received would always inftruci 
 her to fulfil her duty." 
 
 Her father on this told her, there were two
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. 113 
 
 ways of fulfilling a duty, the one merely becaufc 
 it was fo, and the other becaufe it afforded a plea- 
 fure to one'* felf: "And, refumed he, I fhould 
 " be forry to fee you facrifice your peace to the 
 *' former. The melancholy I have obferved in 
 " you, ever fince this gentleman had mypermif- 
 " fion to vilit you as a lover, makes me think that 
 " the propofal is far from being agreeable; but, as 
 ft I may poffibly be miftaken, I would be convin- 
 *' ced by your laying open your whole heart to me 
 * c on this occafion." 
 
 Emboldened by fo much goodnefs, fhe at laft 
 ventured to declare, that if me never happened to 
 fee a man more agreeable, flie would chuie always 
 to live fingle : " However, Sir, continued fhe, as 
 " the match affords fome conveniency to you, and 
 " you approve of it, I refolvedfrom the firft mo- 
 " ment, to offer nothing in oppefition to your 
 * f will, but to endeavour to merit, in fome mea- 
 " fure, the indulgence you have treated me with, 
 " by an implicit obedience." 
 
 " No, no, my dear child, replied this excellent 
 " father, you well deferve to be left to the freedom 
 " of your choice, by your readinefs to refign it. 
 11 You fhall no more be troubled with the folici- 
 " tations of a perfon, whom I never expected you 
 " could regard in the manner his vanity has made 
 " him hope. This day fhall put an end to all your 
 *' difquiets on that fcore." 
 
 Euphiofine was about to thank him, as the con- 
 fideration he had of her peace deferved from her, 
 \vhcn the fudden entrance of her two brothers and 
 three filters obliged her to delay it. They had 
 heard of the propofal her lover had made of re- 
 linquifiiing her portion j and finding (lie was now
 
 114 THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 fent for by their father, and fliut up with him, 
 doubted not but it was in order to enforce her, 
 by his command, to make a choice it was eafy for 
 them to perceive was utterly againft her inclina- 
 tions. Urged by the necefllty they thought there 
 was of their interpofnion, they came together in 
 a body, and all at once falling at their father's 
 feet, conjured him not to fuffer any confiderati- 
 ons of intereft to them to prevail on him to ren- 
 der a fitter, fo juftly dear to them, unhappy, by a 
 match which they were well convinced, though 
 never frcm herfelf, could not be agreeable to her. 
 Some hung about his feet,'fome killed his hands, 
 and all lifted up their eyes, dreaming with tears, as 
 dreading the anfwer he fhould give to this requeft. 
 
 The tender father liftened to fo uncommon a 
 teftimony of fraternal affection, with a tranfport 
 mixed with aftonifhment; but, unwilling to in- 
 dulge the pleafure he took in feeing them thus, at 
 the expence of the pain and fufpence inflited on 
 them; " Rife! Rife, my dear, my worthy 
 tf children!" cried he, embracing them one after 
 another, " your fuit is granted before you thought 
 " of aiking it : neither Euphrcfine, nor any one of 
 *' you, ihall ever be compelled by my authority 
 " as a father, to give your hands where your hearts 
 " do not firftlead the way." 
 
 Nothing could equal the joy they felt at hear- 
 ing him fpeak in this manner, except the fatisfac- 
 tion their mutual tendernefs to each other afforded 
 them. Euphrofine, on her part, knew not how to 
 exprefs her gratitude and love either to the one or 
 the other. In fine, there was nothing to be feen 
 among this endearing family,but embraces, kifles, 
 and all the demonflraticns of the moft fond, uu-
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. 115 
 
 feigned affe&ion, flowing from minds perfectly at 
 cafe, and fatisfied with each other. 
 
 Oh! what could the greateft acquifitions of 
 fortune beftow, in any degree of competition, with 
 thofe pure and unmixed raptures, which arife from 
 the difinterefted love and friendfliip between per- 
 fons of the fame blood ! It is fure a pleafure 
 which no words can paint! No heart unfeel- 
 ing it conceive! <t pleafure infpired by nature, 
 confirmed by reafon, heavenly in itfclf, and laud- 
 able before God and man. 
 
 But befides the fatisfadion we feel within our- 
 fcives, and the efteem we acquire in the world by 
 living with our kindred in concord, there is a po- 
 licy in it, even as to the gratification of our moft 
 fordid view, which I wonder any body can be fo 
 blind as not to fee ; I mean that of fulfilling the old 
 proverb, "Laying up againfla rainy day." There 
 are few families fo unfortunate as to have none 
 among them profper; and when all are governed 
 by one common intereft, will not the fuccefs of 
 one be the advantage of the other? Life is an un- 
 certain ocean; numberlefs, namelefs dangers lurk 
 beneath the faircft furface: no one, at his firft 
 embarkation, can promife to himfelf he (hall go 
 thro' his voyage, unruffled with the florins which 
 from above, below, and every where impend.-* 
 Who then would not be glad to fecure fome 
 friendly bark at hand, whofe kind afliflance, in 
 cafe of a wreck, might fave him, and the rem- 
 nants of IMS fcattered fortune! 
 
 How well known, yet how little attended to, Is 
 that excellent flory of him, who having many chil- 
 dren, and finding the hour of his diflblution ap- 
 proaching fent for them all to come to bis bedfide;
 
 H6 TH FEMALE B. III. 
 
 then ordered a bundle of flicks well tied up to be 
 brought, and giving it into the hands of the eldeft, 
 commanded him to break it-, which having in vain 
 eflayed to do, the fecond brother took it, then the 
 third, and fo on, till they had all tried their feveral 
 ftrengths with equal fuccefs. " The thing is im- 
 " practicable, faid one of them, unlefs we cut the 
 ** bandage; fingiy we may eafily break them." 
 " True, replied the father; and fo, my fons, will 
 " it be impoflible to hurt any of you, while you 
 " continue in the bandage of love and unity; but 
 * if that fhould be once diffolved, your ftrength 
 ** is loft, and you are in danger of becoming a 
 " prey to every artifice of defigning man." 
 
 Love and friendfhip, they fay, will admit no 
 (hares in the heart; where either are fincereand 
 without referve it mult be between two perfons; 
 when a third comes in for any part, that intereft, 
 which ought to be entire, is divided, weakened, 
 and perhaps by different views thrown into con- 
 fufion; the maxim queftionlefs is juft as to the ge- 
 neral, but has nothing to Ho with the union which 
 ought to fubfift among thofe- of the fame family, 
 who, like fo many young branches of the fame 
 tree, if clofely knit together, are beft defended 
 from the Inclemency of the weather for being 
 numerous. 
 
 It is odd, methinks, that even pride of blood 
 fliould not influence thofe defcended from an illu- 
 ftrious houfe, to fupport, in fome meafureanfwer- 
 able to the dignity of their birth, thofe of their own 
 kindred, who may have happened to fall into mif- 
 fortunes. Are they not fenfible tha,t all the con- 
 tempt they are treated with by mean-foul'd crea- 
 tures, points obliquely at themfelves ? And cam
 
 B.III. SPECTATOR. 117 
 
 they know the miferable fhifts to which they are 
 frequently reduced for bread, without reflecting, 
 that the grandeur of the whole family fuffers in 
 thefe unhappy branches? 
 
 Strange infatuation! To what can be afcrib- 
 ed fo total a neglecT: of that which we owe to 
 heaven, ourfelves, and thofe belonging to us? 
 Where is the fatal fpell that flops up all the ave- 
 nues of the foul, and fuffers neither the dictates of 
 religion, the pleas of foft compafiion, nor the more 
 powerful impulfes of nature to our own ilefh and 
 blood, to gain th'eleaft admittance? Where but 
 in luxury, and a falfe pride of being able to outvie 
 each other in thofe expenfive vices former ages 
 would have blufhed to be found guilty of? 
 
 Did not the once difcreet and virtuous Lucillia 
 refufe fo poor a gift as half a guinea to a very near 
 relation, who once had been her equal in fortune, 
 but now, in the extremeft exigence, took the liberty 
 of petitioning her, yet went the fame evening to art 
 aflembly, where (he loft a thoufand piftolesat play! 
 
 Wonderful are the changes which difference 
 of times create! A few years fince, a gamefter 
 was the mofl dcfpicable character in lifej now, 
 whofe fociety more coveted than people of that 
 profefiion! All who had any reputation to lofe, 
 or dcfired to be thought well of by their. neigh- 
 bours, took care, whenever they indulged them- 
 fclves in that diverfion, to do it with as much pri- 
 vacy as poflible: but now, not to love play is to 
 be impolite: cards were then made ufe of only 
 as the amufement of a tedious winter's evening; 
 now all feafons are alike 5 they are the employment 
 of the year; and, at fome of our great Chocolate- 
 houics, many thoufand acres are often f wallowed 
 VOL. I. L
 
 ii8 THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 up before a dinner. Perfons who were obferved 
 to have fuperior flcill in play, were then diftin- 
 guiflied by the odious name of Sharpers, and, as 
 fuch avoided by all men of fenfe ! now they are 
 complimented with the title of great connoifleurs., 
 applauded for their underflanding in all the nice- 
 ties of the game; and that is looked upon as the 
 mod ufeful kind of learning, which teaches how 
 to circumvent an adverfary at the important bufi- 
 nefs ofWhift. 
 
 This vice of gaming, originally defcended from, 
 the worft of paffions, is certainly the moft perni- 
 cious of any to fociety. How great a misfortune 
 is it therefore that it mould become the mode, and 
 by being encouraged by perfons of figure and con- 
 dition, render the lower clafs of people (who are 
 always fond of imitating their fuperiors) ambitious, 
 as it were, of being undone in fuch good company! 
 
 To this unhappy propensity it is greatly owing 
 that fo many mops, lately well flocked and flou- 
 rifhing, are now fhut up, even in the heart of the 
 city, and their owners either bankrupts or mife- 
 rable refugees in foreign parts: nor is it to be 
 wondered at, when the honeft profit that might be 
 made of trade is neglected, for the precarious hopes 
 of getting more by play; the citizen will have but 
 little fhare with the courtier; and, to add to his 
 mortification, will find that the misfortunes, which* 
 attend this going out of his own fphere, ferve only 
 as a matter of ridicule to thofe very perfons who 
 reap the advantage of his folly. 
 
 We may date this extravagant itch of gaming, 
 which, like the plague, has fpread its contagion 
 through all degrees of people, from the fatal year 
 1720. The alluring profpect of making a great
 
 .111. SPECTATOR. 119 
 
 fortune at once, and without any labour or trouble, 
 fo infatuated the minds of all the ambitious, the 
 avaricious, and the indolent, that for a time there 
 feemed an entire ftagnation of all bufinefs, but 
 what was tranfaclcd by the brokers in. 'Change- 
 Alley. Then it was that (harping began to flou- 
 rifh in the nation, and has ever fince continued 
 under various fhapes. The great bubble of the 
 South Sea diflipated,a thoufand lefier ones, though 
 equally deftru&ive to honed induflry, fprung up: 
 new modes of ruin were every day invented: 
 lotteries on lotteries were continually drawing, 
 in which few, befide thofe who fet them up, had 
 any thing but blanks. Thefe the wifdom of the 
 legiflature thought fit to put a flop to ; but had not 
 power to extirpate the unhappy influence which 
 a long inattention to bufinefs had gained. The 
 people had been too much accuftomed to idlenefs 
 to return with any fpirit to their former vocations.: 
 they wanted the golden fruit to drop into their 
 laps, and frefii opportunities of renewing thofe chi- 
 merical expectations, by which already three parts 
 in four of the middling clafs had been undone. 
 Chance was the idol of their fouls; and when any 
 of their more fober friends remonflrated to them 
 the madnefs of quitting a certain fettled way of 
 getting a moderate living, for the fleeting, vifion- 
 ary fchsme of a luxurious one, they all returned 
 this common cant anfwer, " That they were 
 ** willing to put themfelves in fortune's way ; and, 
 " that they might -poflibly be as lucky as fome 
 ' others, who, being very poor before, bad now 
 " fet up great equipages, and made a fine figuie 
 in the world." 
 
 This it was that converted gaming from art 
 L *
 
 120 THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 araufement into a bufmefs, it being the only maN 
 tcrnow remaining, out of which their fo-much- 
 beloved catties in the air could be formed : one 
 night's good run at cards, or a lucky caft of the 
 dice, would repair all that had been loft in other 
 ventures, and every one thought it worth his while 
 to ftake his lad remains. 
 
 There are always a fet of artful people, who 
 watch to take advantage of any public frenzy. 
 Thefe foon difcovered the general bent, and, to 
 humour it with novelty, contrived various kinds 
 cf gaming which never had before been dreamed 
 of; by which every one, if it fo happened, might 
 arrive at the end of his defires. Numbers, by this 
 ftratagem, were taken in, who otherwlfe, perhaps, 
 by a confcious want of fkill in the old games, 
 would have been reflrained, flnce it requires ner- 
 ' ther thought nor ingenuity to be fuccefsful at thefe 
 new-invented tables. 
 
 I could name a certain fpot of ground, within 
 the liberties of Weftminfter, which contains no 
 lefs than fourteen public gaming-houfes in the 
 compafs of two hundred yards; all which are every 
 night crouded with a promifcuous company of 
 the great vulgar and the fmall, as Congreve ele- 
 gantly and juftly calls all fuch aflemblies. 
 
 To hurl the tennis-ball, or play a match at 
 cricket, are certainly robufb and manly exercifes; 
 they were originally invented to try and preferve 
 ftrength and activity, and to keep thofe of our 
 youth, who were not born to meaner labours, from 
 idlenefs and effeminacy. The playing at the latter 
 alfo, county againft county, was defigned to in- 
 fpire a noble emulation to excel each other in thofe 
 feats, which might render them more able to ferYfc
 
 B. Ill, SPECTATOR. 121 
 
 their king and country, when the defence of either 
 required them to take up arms. No mercenary 
 views had any (hare in the inftitution of thefe 
 games. honour was the only excitement; ap- 
 plaufe the only end propofed by each bold attemp- 
 ter. Thefe, alas ! of latter days, are but empty* 
 names; a thoufand pounds has more real. charms 
 than any are to be found in glory; gain, fordid 
 gain, is all that engrofles the heart, and adds trarif- 
 port to fuccefs. Without that, numbers, who 
 throng to give proofs of their activity, would ra- 
 ther chufe to pafs the time away in lolling over ,x 
 lady's toilet while {he is drefling, . or in his own., 
 eafy chair at home, liftening to the mufic of his. 
 footman's French horn. 
 
 "Will any one.fay, that this is true nature? 
 No, it is the vices which deform nature, and only 
 by being.too general and cuftomary, may be called . 
 a fecond na,ture.- Would ever natuce direct us to - 
 fearch into thebofom of the earth for gold ? or when 
 found, to idolize the ore our hands had dug? to 
 pride ourfelves,moreor Iefs 5 accordingtothequaa- 
 tity of the mining pelf we are matters of, and to 
 place all honour, virtue and renown in being rich ? 
 
 However, fince the world is fo much altered 
 from what it was in the true ftate of nature, and 
 there is now no fubfifling without fome portion of 
 this gold, we muft not affect to defpife it toomuch : 
 but as we ought not to IHten to the calls of avarice, 
 in acquiring it by indifcreet or fcandalous means; 
 fo when pofTefled of it, we ought not to faviOi it 
 away in trifles we have no occafionfor,and perhaps 
 had better be without. We mould reflect, that 
 our pofterity will have need of it as well as our- 
 fclves, and look on every extravagancy we. ate 
 
 13
 
 122 THE F-EM ALE B. IH/ 
 
 guilty of as a robbery of them; that we are no 
 more than tenants for life in whatever defcends to. 
 us from our parents ; and that we mould leave it 
 as intire and unembezzled as we received it from 
 them. Nor is the injuftice lefs, when we need- 
 lefsly, and to gratify an inordinate appetite, dif- 
 fipate thofe goods of fortune, we may have ac- 
 quired by our owninduftry. Children, being parts 
 of ourfelves, are born to fhare in our poflemons; 
 and nothing is more abfurd, in my opinion, than 
 the faying, of forne people,, " That their children 
 * f may labour for tliemfelves as they have done." 
 How are fuch parents certain they will be able fc 
 to do? A thoufand accidents may happen to ren- 
 der the utmoft efforts they can make of no effect j; 
 and when that is the cafe, how hardly 'muft a fori 
 think of a, father,. who> by a profufe and riotous 
 manner of living>. has reduced to (tarvihg, thofe 
 who derive their being from him? 
 
 Not that I would wifli any one to deny himfelf 
 the neceflaries, nor even the pleafures of life, for 
 the fake of his pofte;ity; but 3 .in all thefe things,, 
 there is a golden mean to be, obferved, which is 
 indeed no other than to follow nature, enjoy our- 
 felves while we live, and prudently referve fume- 
 thing for thofe to enjoy who are to live after us. 
 
 It is certain that no age, no nation, ever were 
 equal to us in luxury of all kinds. The mofl 
 private, low-bred man would be a Heliogabalus in 
 his table: and too m*ny women there are, who, 
 like Cleopatra, would not fcruple to fwallow a. 
 whole province at a draught. 
 
 Then as to drefs, they feem to fludy now not 
 what is mod becoming, but what will coft the. 
 moft; -no difference made between the young
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. 123 
 
 nobleman and the city-apprentice, except that the 
 latter is fometimes the greater beau: gold-head- 
 ed canes, watches, rings, fnuff-boxes, and laced 
 waiftcoats, run away with the fortune that fhould 
 let him- up in bufinefs, and frequently tempt him 
 to defraud his matter; who perhaps alfo, taken up 
 with his own private pleafures, examines too little 
 into his fhop affairs, and when the till is drained, 
 borrows a while to fupport his darling pride, then 
 finks at once into ruin and contempt. 
 
 Our fex is known to be fo fond of appearing 
 fine and gay, that it is no wonder the tradefmens 
 wives fhould even exceed their hufbands in the 
 article of drcfs; but it is indeed prodigious, that 
 fo many of them fhould, merely for the fake of 
 being thought able to afford any thing, deflroy the 
 reafonable end of finery, and render themfelves 
 aukward, nay prepofterous, indeed of genteel 
 and agreeable. When a gold and filver fluff, 
 enough to weigh a woman down, fhall be loaded 
 yet more with heavy trimmings, what opinion can 
 we have either'of the fancy or judgment of her 
 that wears it! And is not her neighbour, whom 
 to outflnne, perhaps, fhe has flrained her hufband's 
 purfc-ftrings for this coflly garment, infinitely 
 more to be liked in a plain Ducape or Almazen! 
 
 I am forry to obferve, that this falfe delicacy in 
 eating, drinking, apparel, furniture, and diverfi- 
 om, fo prevalent among us, has not only undone 
 half the nation, but rendered us extremely ridicu- 
 lous to foreigners, who are witncflcs of it. Thus 
 avarice introduces luxury, luxury leads us to con- 
 tempt, and beggary comes on space. 
 
 J, fear what t have faid on thefe topics will be 
 but ill relifhed by a great many of my readers j
 
 124 TlJE FEMALE B. Ilk 
 
 but if I have the good fortune to find it has had-. 
 an effect on any one of them, fo far as to caufs 
 them to fee the error they have been guilty of, I 
 {hall be the lefs chagrined at the refentment of the 
 wilfully blind. Times like thefe require corro- 
 fives, not balfams, to amend: the fore has al- 
 ready eaten into the very bowels of public happi- 
 nefs, and they muft tear away the infected part, or 
 become a nuifance to themfelvcs, and all about 
 them. 
 
 I remember to have formerly heard a ftory of 
 one Adulphus, the truth of which was ftrongl-/ 
 aflerted. This man, who it feems had an eftate 
 of 300 1. per annum, lived happy and contented 
 on it, till one afternoon, as he was fleeping in his 
 garden, he dreamed a perfon of a very venerabls 
 afpett came to him, and faidj." Adulphus! yous 
 * integrity, hofpitality, and. thofe other virtues 
 < ( you are poflefled of,, intitle you to a reward 
 " from above. This day twelvemonth, and at 
 " this hour'precifely, you {hall receive from my 
 " hands the fum of 30 5 oool." 
 
 This dream made a ftrong impreffion on him; 
 He fet it down in his pocket-book the moment 
 he awoke; and believing as firmly it would come 
 to pafs, as if an angel from heaven had really de- 
 fcended to him with this promife, he began to 
 confider in what manner he (hould live, and how 
 thetreafure mould be employed. Athoufandgrand 
 ideas prefently came into his head : he looked on 
 his houfe, he found it old, decayed, infinitely too 
 fmall for a man of the fortune he was to receive; 
 to lofe no more time, therefore, he fent for work- 
 men, and contracted with them to build it an 
 after an elegant plan he drew himfelf.
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. 12$ 
 
 A garden, which before was planted with all 
 things ufeful in a kitchen> was now converted in- 
 to a large court-yard in a femicircle, and en- 
 corapafled with a wall ornamented with gilded 
 Rower-pots; a fine portico, raifed with five fteps. 
 led to a hall one hundred and fifty feet fquare, 
 lined with cedar, and fupported by twelve marble 
 pillars, curiouily carved and cornifhed after the 
 Doric and Ionic manner: the cieling was lofty, 
 and painted with the flory of Orpheus and the 
 Bacchanalian dames, who, in their wild fury, tore 
 both the mufieian and lyre to pieces. On each 
 fide, a little avenue led to a range of handfome 
 parlours; and feme few paces farther two noble 
 Hair-cafes, which, t)y an eafy afcent, brought you, 
 the one to the right, and the other to the left wing 
 of the houfe, both which contained an equal num- 
 ber of lodging rooms. Over the great portico and 
 hall was a gallery with windows on both fides> 
 fo that there was a thorough profpecl: from the 
 great court-vard to tire gardens behind the houfe, 
 which had feven defcents, all laid out in- difFerent 
 parterres, and embellifaecl with ftatues and foun- 
 tains. The laft of them terminated in a wilder* 
 nefs, in which was a filh-pond, and near it feveral 
 curious grottoes, where m the noon-tide heats of 
 Auguft,you might feel all the coolnefs and fweets 
 of a May morning. 
 
 A great number of hands being employed, the 
 building was foon finimed ; and againft it was fo, 
 Adulphus had bcfpoke furniture fuitablc to it. 
 lie indeed fheweJ his good tarte in every thing 
 he did; every body allowed nothing could be 
 more complete, but at the fame time, as his in- 
 come was known to all about the country, it af-
 
 126 THE FEMALE B, III, 
 
 forded matter of difcourfe, by what means he was 
 become fo fuddenly rich, as to be able to erect 
 an edifice of fuch expence. They took upon 
 them to calculate how much it coft; and found, 
 that though there were many things in the old 
 building which might contribute, yet the whole 
 of what he muft infallibly lay out could not be 
 lefs than 10,000 1. Some thought he had found 
 hidden treafures; fome, that he was privately 
 married to a rich wife; others, lefs inclined to 
 judge favourable, faid he dealt with the devil. 
 Various were the conjectures of what he was a- 
 bout; but all were far diftant from the truth. A- 
 las! they knew not that he had been up to Lon- 
 don, and deeply mortgaged his paternal eftate to 
 purchafe marble, cedar, and other things, which 
 were not to be procured without; and as to the 
 artificers, he had fet the day of payment accord- 
 ing to his dream; and as his character was fair, 
 and he had always been accounted an honcft, fru- 
 gal man, not one of them but were perfectly fa- 
 tisfied. 
 
 He trufled not his moft intimate friends, how- 
 ever, with the fecret, by. what means fo great an 
 acceffion of fortune was to befal him; but was 
 always fo gay and eafy, that none doubted but he 
 was well affured of it himfelf. 
 
 At length the wifhed-for day arrived, againft 
 which time he had ordered a great collation to be 
 prepared; all his kindred, and feveralpf the neigh- 
 bouring gentry were invited, before whom he in- 
 tended to difcharge all his tradefmens bills. 
 
 The hour appointed by the vifion was, as near 
 as I can remember the fiery, about five; and he 
 no fooner heard the clock Itrike, than he begged
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. f 2f 
 
 the company's pardon for a moment, anil went into 
 his clofet, not in the Icaft doubting but he (hould 
 return loaded with wealth. He fat for fome time 
 in the moft pleating expectation, till the hour elap- 
 fingjhis heart began to be invaded with fome flight 
 palpitations. But what became of him, when not 
 only fix, but feven o'clock pafled over, and no guar- 
 dian angel, nor any meflage from him, arrive*!! 
 
 Perfons of his fanguine complexion, however, 
 do not eafily give way to defpair. To excufe the 
 difappointmeut, he flattered himfelf that this de- 
 lay had been entirely his own fault, and that as 
 the promife had been made to him while he was 
 deeping, fo he ought to have waited the perform- 
 ance of it in the fame fituation; befides, he did 
 not know but the noife and hurry he had in his 
 houfe might not be pleafing to thofe intellectual 
 beings, who delight in folitude and privacy. 
 Thefe were the imaginations which enabled him 
 to return to hie friends with a compofed counte- 
 nance, and firmly believing, that in the night he 
 {hould receive what his inadvertency in the day 
 had deprived him of, he told his creditors, that an 
 accident hadpoftponedthe fatisfa&ion he propofed 
 in difcharging the obligations he had to them, till 
 the next morning; but that, if they pleafedtocome 
 at that time, they might depend on being paid. 
 On this all retired well fatisfied, and Adulphus 
 pafled the remainder of the evening among his 
 guefts, with the fame jollity and good humour he 
 bad been in the whole day. 
 
 This, indeed, was the laft night of his tranqui- 
 lity. He went to bed and fell afleep, but no de- 
 lightful ideas prefcnted themfelvcs to him: he a-- 
 woke, and by the light of a candle which he kept
 
 1^8 TKE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 burning in the chimney, looked round the room 
 in hopes of feeing the dear money-bags lying ready 
 for him on the table, but found every thing juft 
 as he left it: he then put out the candle, ftill 
 flattering himfelf that darknefs would be more fa- 
 vourable. A little ruftling, which fome accident 
 foon after occafioned, made him certain that his 
 wiflies were now completed : out of bed he 
 jumps in tranfport, and feels in every corner, but 
 found nothing of what he fought; then lay down 
 again, in vain endeavouring to compofe himfelf to 
 reft. At length the morning brok'e, and he once 
 more, with withful eyes and aking heart, renewed 
 his fearch, alas! to the fame purpofe as before: 
 all he could fee were pictures, glafles, and other 
 rich furniture, which being unpaid for, ferved 
 only as fo many mementoes of his misfortune. 
 He now began to tremble for the confequences of 
 his too credulous dependence on a vifion; yet dill 
 unwilling to believe what gave him fo much hor- 
 ror, a new matter of hope ftarted into his head : 
 The promife was made to him that day twelve- 
 month, which it was certain was gone without any 
 effect qf what he had been made to expect; but 
 then he reflected, that it was not the fame day of 
 the week, and that poflibly this might bring him 
 better news. 
 
 He therefore ventured to tell his creditors, that 
 though a fecond delay had happened, they fhould 
 be all paid on the morrow. His character, and the 
 affurance with which he fpoke, prevented them 
 from being uneafy as yet; but when they came the 
 third time, and found that, inftead of having their 
 demands anfxvcred, Adulphus would not befeenby 
 them, but had (hut himfelf up in his chamber, and
 
 B. HI. SPECTATOR. 129 
 
 ordered his fervants to fay he was indifpofed, they 
 began to murmur; and fome of them, who had 
 been informed of his having mortgaged his eftate, 
 thought it was beft for them to take fome other 
 method of getting their money, than barely afking 
 for it, before all was gone. 
 
 Several proceiTes were prefently made out a- 
 gainfl him, and officers continually watching about 
 his houfe to take him ; but he kept himfelf fo clofe, 
 that all their endeavours were in vain for a long 
 time. His friends, being informed of all this, 
 could not conceive what had induced him to act 
 in the manner he had done, and came often to his 
 houfe on purpofe to interrogate him concerning his 
 affairs, and offer their affiftance in making them 
 up, in cafe there was a poflibiliry; but none of 
 them could ever get accefs to him; his grief, his 
 fhame, and his defpair, at finding the impofition 
 he had put upon himfelf, the injuflice it had made 
 him guilty of to others, and the inevitable ruin 
 that ftared him in the face, would not fuller him 
 to fee even thofe for whom he had the moft good- 
 will; and nothing is more ftrangs than that, in 
 the agonies of his foul, he did not lay violent hands 
 on his own life. 
 
 In fpite of all his caution he was at lad arrefted, 
 and thrown into prifon; and this occasioning a 
 thorough inquiry into his circumftances, it was 
 foon difcovercd, that he had made every thing a- 
 wny; bat the motive which had induced a man, 
 who had a]! his life, till this unhappy infatuation, 
 behaved with the greateft prudence and modera- 
 tion, was flill a fecret; and this fo incenfed all 
 xvho had any dealings with him, as making them 
 think he had only a defign to defraud them from 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 ? 3 o THE FEMALE B. HI. 
 
 the beginning, that they would Men to no terms 
 of accommodation. 
 
 The truth is, he was become too fenfible of his 
 folly to be able to declare it, till from* a full belief 
 that he had ben mad, he grew fo in reality, and 
 in his ravings difclofed what fhame, while he had 
 any remains of reflection, made him fo earneftly 
 conceal. 
 
 His golden dream, and the fad effect it had on 
 him, were now the talk of the whole town; and 
 thofe who had been mofl exafperated againft him, 
 now pitied him. His friends confulted together, 
 and the fine houfe and furniture were fold, as was 
 alfo his eftate, after clearing the mortgage, to pay 
 the creditors as far as the money would go j and on 
 this he was difcharged from prifon, but naked, 
 pennylefs, and in no condition of doing any thing 
 for his fubfiftence. 
 
 In this miferable condition, it was thought the 
 greateft charity that could be fhewn to him, was to 
 put him into Bedlam, where,as I am informed, he 
 regained his fenfes enough to relate the whole par- 
 ticulars of what before he had by darts imperfectly 
 difcoveredj but the wildnefs of his late diforder 
 being fucceeded by a deep melancholy, he never 
 once defired to quit the place and company he was 
 in, and after languishing fome months, died a 
 fad example of indulging profpects which are 
 merely fptculative. 
 
 I am afraid one need not give one's felf much 
 trouble to find, many Adulphufes in this kindgom j 
 and that if all who have acted like him, on as lit- 
 tle foundation, were to be accounted lunatics, new 
 hofpitals muft be erected, for that in Moorfields 
 vould not contain a thoufandth part.
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. 131 
 
 It is indeed a dreadful thing when people can- 
 not refolve to content themfelves with the fpherc 
 in which they are placed by heaven and nature. 
 It is this reftlefsnefs of the mind that occafions half 
 the mifchiefs which befal mankind: and yet we 
 are all, more or lefs, apt to have fome ihare of it; 
 every one wifhes for tbmething he ha-s not, and 
 that hinders him from enjoying properly what he 
 is poflefled of. We fancy we know better than 
 him that made us, what would befit us, and ac- 
 cufe Providence of partiality in the lot afligned us; 
 and how fond foever we may be of the writings of 
 the late celebrated Mr Pope, it is but rarely we 
 remember this maxim of his, and acknowledge- 
 with him, that 
 
 Whatever i, is right." 
 
 But thjs, as I faid before, is wholly owing to 
 the dominion we fuffer ill pafllons to get over us,, 
 and not to nature, which is eafily fatisfied, and ne- 
 ver craves a fuperfluity of anything. I have often 
 obferved,that the attainment of what we have pur- 
 fued with the moil eageruefs,has proved our great- 
 eft curfe; and I clare anfwer, that there are fearer 
 any of my readers but have, fome time or other, in 
 the courfe of their lives, experienced this truth. 
 
 Thoufands there are in this great metropolis, 
 who have, with the utmoft ardency, wifiied the 
 death of a parent, an elder brother, a hufbatid, or 
 a wife; and yet, a fmall time after, have found 
 the lofs of them the fevered misfortune that could 
 have befallen them. 
 
 In the defigns men have upon our fex, I appeal 
 to themfelves, if the feducing a wife or daughter 
 of a friend, has not brought on them worfc corn. 
 M z
 
 J32 THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 fequences, than the refufal of the gratification of 
 their paffion could poffibly have done. 
 
 Even in lefs unwarrantable aims, we often find 
 that the grant of what we afk is a greater cruelty 
 than the denial. Suppofe the partial favour of a 
 prince fhoukl confer any of the great offices of 
 ilate on a perfon, who had not abilities to dif- 
 charge his truft with any tolerable degree of ho- 
 nour, would it not have been better for fuch a 
 one to have continued in a private life, rather 
 than, by this exaltation, have his ignorance expo- 
 fed, and become the jeft of a fneering world, v/ho- 
 rejoice in an opportunity of ridiculing the foibles 
 of the great? 
 
 In fine, there is no one thing, let it wear ever 
 fo fair a face of happinefs, but the pofleffion of it 
 may render us miferable, either by its not being 
 eiTentially fo in itfelf, or by our own want of ca- 
 pacity to ufe it as we ought. 
 
 Not to be too anxious after any thing, is there- 
 fore the only fure means of enjoying that tranqui- 
 lity we but vainly depend upon, in the acquit! tion 
 of what our paffions make us look on for a time 
 as our greateil good. 
 
 O but, fome people will cry, thefe are ftupid 
 maxims: nature, in accuffoming itfelf to fuch a 
 ftate of indolence and inactivity, would fall into a 
 lethargy, and we mould be little better than walk- 
 ing ftatues. Paffions were given us to invigorate 
 the mind, and roufe us to noble and great actions j 
 and he that is born without them, or mortifies 
 them too much, is incapable of doing any thing 
 to ferve his God, his country, or himfelf. 
 
 This is undoubtedly true; and whoever under- 
 flands what 1 have faid in a contrary fenfe, does
 
 B. IB. SPECTATOR 133 
 
 an injury to my meaning. I am for having every 
 one endeavour to excel in whatever ftation or pro- 
 fefficn he has been bred; but I am for having none 
 attempt to go out of it, or to regard promotion 
 more than che means by which he aims- to acquire 
 it. He ought to have ambition enough to do all 
 - .ight make him worthy of being railed, but 
 a ; to make him capable of overleap- 
 ing all the barriers ol virtue to attain his end. I 
 would not have a lieutenant in the army llioot 
 fris captain in the back, for the fake of getting in- 
 to hi., poll; but 1 would have him behave fo as 
 to delerve a better. 
 
 But there is one very unfortunate propenfity 
 in moft of us; for I know not whether it may be 
 called a pailion, and that is the vanity of imagin* 
 ing we deferve much more than in reality we do* 
 This vanity, when not gratified, makes us murmur 
 and repine at thofe who have it in their power to 
 grant what we defire, and yet with-hold it from 
 us; it excites in us an envy and hatred againft 
 thofe who are in pofleflion of what we think b 
 due to us alone; it infpires us with a thoufand. 
 bafe artifices to undermine and ruin all who have 
 a fairer profpecl; than ourfelves. When a perfou 
 of this {tamp happens to fucceed in his aim, you. 
 may know him by a haughty ftrut, and contemp- 
 tuous tofs of the head to his inferiors, an air of 
 importance to his equals, and a fervile fawn on 
 all who can. any way contribute to exalting him 
 yet higher; for there are no bounds to the ambit- 
 tion of a felf-fufficient man. 
 
 " What crowds of thefe do we fee ev'ry day, 
 " At park, at opera, at court, and play I " 
 
 ML 3
 
 134 THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 Aperfon who, on the contrary, really rifes by 
 his merit, is affable and mild to all beneath him, 
 fociable among thofe of his own rank, and. pays 
 that regard to thofe above him, which their ftations 
 or intrinfic worth demand, but no farther; fuch'a 
 one is rejoiced at his good fortune, but not altered 
 in his humour: he forgets not what he was, nor 
 his former companions, and thinks himfelf not at 
 all the better man for being a greater. 
 
 '* What pity 'tis that fuch no more abound, 
 
 " Whofe modeft merit recompence has found."" 
 
 That confederation, however, nor a thoufand 
 rebuffs which a virtuous man often meets with in 
 the difcharge of his duty, or the attainment of 
 v/hat he has really purchafed by his good beha- 
 viour, will not deter him from going on in the 
 fame laudable courfe; becaufe it is pleafmg to 
 himfelf, and renders him infinitely more at eafe 
 in his own breafl", than he can ever feel, who by 
 indirect means, arrives at the higheft fummit of 
 his ambitious views. 
 
 Xeuxis, by a long feries of hypocrify, trea- 
 chery and deceit, pretended menaces on the one 
 fide, equally falfe friendfhips on the other, and 
 every artifice of wicked policy, has at lait forced 
 himfelf, as it were, into a feat, which neither his 
 birth, his parts, nor the mod fanguine wifhes of 
 his beft friends, could ever promife; yet how 
 wretchedly does his new grandeur fit upon him! 
 Do not his fullen looks, and contracted brow,, 
 denote a fecret remorfe, that preys upon his foul, 
 when, infteadpfthe refpecl: he flattered himfelf 
 vith, he meets only with in fulls, and that the dig- 
 nity fo unworthily conferred upon him, has ferved
 
 E.I1I. SPECTATOR. r 3 $ 
 
 but to render him the object of all good men's 
 contempt, and the deteflation of the vulgar! 
 
 From this lump of glutted avarice and Arollen 
 ambition, let us turn our eyes on brave Timoleon^ 
 whofe untainted virtue would honour the higheft 
 dignities, yet is poffeffed of none but thofe derived 
 to him from his illuftrious anccftors: uncourting, 
 uniudebted to favour, a native greatnefs {nines 
 through his whole deportment; confcious worth* 
 and innate peace of mind, fmile in his eyes, at once 
 commanding homage and affection : his name is 
 never mentioned but with bleflings; and the love 
 and admiration of all degrees of people give him 
 that folid grandeur which empty titles, and all tke- 
 pomp of arrogance, would but in vain aflumc. 
 
 Who then would fay it is not better to tieferve 
 than to receive? Who would not chufc to be a 
 Timoleon rather than a Xeuxis, did they well weigh 
 the difference of characters before too far entered 
 into the guilty labyrinth to be able to retreat? 
 
 There are, indeed, a fort of people in the world, 
 who are too proud to be obliged ; who think it 
 their glory to refufe favours, even though they 
 ftand in the greateft need of them, ami with 
 a cynical furlinefs, affront, inrtead of thanking 
 thofe who make offers of their friendship. This 
 is a difpofition which has nothing in it commen- 
 dable; but as it arifcs only from too much great- 
 nefs of mind, or what one may call honour over- 
 ftraincd, fuch a perfon can never be dangerous to 
 fbciety; and how little good foever he may be ca- 
 pable of doing to himfelf, he will be fure to do 
 no hurt to others. 
 
 In an age fo felfifli and gain-loving as this of 
 ours, there are but few examples of the kind 1
 
 135 t THS FEMALE R, IIF. 
 
 have mentioned j I fliall therefore prefent my rea- 
 ders with one which happened very lately, and 
 is, I think, pretty extraordinary. 
 
 Leolin, a gentleman defcended from one of 
 the bed families in Wales, and born to a conf?- 
 derable eftate, had, from his very early years, been 
 attached by the molt tender paffion to a young lady 
 called Elraira, an heirefs of 1600! a year, His 
 vows had all the fuccefs he could defirc; and if he 
 thought that all the charms of the whole f:>: \vers 
 united in his Elmira, me coul.: find nothing woi> 
 thy of her affection but her Leohn. i hei* lathers, 
 who had been long intimate friends, approved their 
 mutual flame; and when Leolin arrival at his 
 twentieth year, and Elmira to that Oi flxteen, 
 they refolved to join the hands of two perfons, 
 whofe hearts had been united even beiore they 
 knew either the nature, or the aim of the paffion 
 ' they were infpired with. 
 
 Accordingly the marriage-articles were drawr, 
 and great preparations were making to folem- 
 nize the nuptials, when within two or three days 
 of that which was intended to complete it, the 
 father of Elmira had the misfortune to fall off 
 his horfe and break his leg, which turning into a 
 mortification, was obliged to be cut off. Either 
 want of (kill in the furgeons, or his own obflinacy 
 in not fuffering the amputation to be above the 
 knee, proved fatal to him, and he died in twenty* 
 four hours after the operation. 
 
 This occafioned a melancholy delay of our 
 lovers happinefs. The virtuous and difcreet El- 
 mira could not think of devoting herfelf to the 
 joys and gaiety of a bridal ftate immediately after 
 the lofs of a parent to whom {he had been ex^
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. 137 
 
 tremely dear, and whofe indulgence (lie had al- 
 ways repaid with the moft fincere filial duty and 
 affe&ion. Leolin himfelf, who fhared in all her 
 forrows, durft not prefume to prefs it; and his 
 father was too great an obferver of decency, as 
 well as too much concerned for the death of his 
 good old friend, to urge the completion of an af- 
 fair, which though he very much defired, yet he 
 thought might be more agreeable to all the par- 
 ties concerned, when time had a little worn off 
 the prefent poignancy of grief. 
 
 The firft mourning being over, and the white 
 garments accompanied with fomewhat of a more 
 chearful afpecr., the paffionate Leolin began, by 
 degrees, to remind his charming miftrefs of her 
 engagement; and flic was half-confenting to put 
 an end to all his languiihnients, when a fecond, 
 and, in its conferences, more fatal difappoint- 
 ment than the former, came between them and 
 the felicity they expected. 
 
 The father of Leolin was taken fuddenly ill: 
 his indifpofition terminated in a violent fever,, 
 which in a very few days took him from the world; 
 but even this event, afHiding as it was to the fon, 
 proved a flight misfortune to that which immedi- 
 ately enfuecl. The funeral obfequies were no 
 fooner over, than the houfe of tht young gentle- 
 man was forcibly entered by officers, who carrie 
 to feizc on all he had, by virtue of a deed of gift 
 made, as they faid, by his father fome years be- 
 fore, to his brother's fon. Leolin, impetuous by 
 nature, oppofcd their paflage all he could; but 
 the number they brought with them by far ex- 
 ceeded thofe of liU fervatits, and they took pof- 
 icffion: on which he went to the houfe of a
 
 13$ THE FEMALE B. lff r 
 
 neighbouring gentleman, who had been an inti- 
 mate acquaintance of his father, complained to 
 him of his wrongs, and intreated his advice. 
 
 Not only this perfon, but the chief gentlemen 
 of the county, perfuaded him to have recourfe to 
 law; it feeming highly improbable, that any fa- 
 ther mould give away the inheritance of an only 
 fon, and fuch a fon as Leolin, who had never 
 done any thing to difoblige him, and of whom 
 he had always feemed extremely fond. 
 
 The kinfman, however, had his pretences,, 
 which, for the better understanding this myfte- 
 rious affair, I muft not pafs over in filence. The 
 mother of Leolin, when he was not above four or 
 five years old, eloped from her hufband, and took 
 refuge in France with a gentleman who had for- 
 merly courted her, and whom fhe continued to. 
 love, to the eternal ruin of all that ought to be 
 dear to womankind. 
 
 So manifeft a proof of her unchaflity, it is cer- 
 tain, made him difregard the young Leolin, for a 
 time, as dubious if he were really of his blood* 
 and wit'nefles were produced, who fwore they 
 had hea*rd him fay, " The baftard fhould never 
 *' inherit an acre of his- land;" and when they 
 anfwered, " That it would not be in his power to 
 " cut him- off," he rejoined, " No matter, there 
 " were other courfes to be taken." 
 
 This they depofcd that theyunderftood as meant, 
 by the deed of gift now produced; and that tho' 
 fince then he had treated Leolin as his fon, and 
 feemed to ufe him well, it was only to avoid any 
 farther noife being made in the world of his dif r 
 honour while he lived, deferring to flie w his refent- 
 merit to the mother on the fon, till after hisdeceafe.
 
 . lit SPECTATOR. i 3f 
 
 In fine, after a long procefs the trial came on, 
 and the kinfman had fo well concerted his inea- 
 fures, that, in fpite of all the probabilities that 
 were againft him, he got the better of Leolin; the 
 judge only, in confideration of his having been 
 bred a gentleman, and in the expectation of fo 
 large an cftate, ordering he {hould be allowed 200!. 
 per annum, out of fo many thoufands. 
 
 Few there were, however, who did not believe 
 him greatly wronged; nor could the jury them- 
 felves reconcile, to their own reafon, the verdil 
 they were obliged to give on the evidence, who 
 fwore fo pofitively, and corroborated their depofi- 
 ticns with fo many circumftances, that, in law, 
 there was no poffibility for the court to at other- 
 wife than it did on this occafion. 
 
 Leolin, who, for his many good qualities, had 
 always been highly esteemed and beloved in the 
 country where he was born, had many friendly of- 
 fers made him, and continual invitations from one 
 houfe to another; but he would accept of none, 
 avoided all converfation with thofe he was once 
 intimate with, and (hut himfelf up in a little farm- 
 houfe, ordering the people belonging to it to fuf- 
 fcr no perfon whatever to come to him. 
 
 But his behaviour, with regard to Elmira was 
 the rnofl aftonifhing, and what indeed excited me 
 to give this melancholy detail of his adventures. 
 During the continuance of the law-fuit, and 
 vhile he had hope of overcoming his adverfary, 
 he was fcarce ever from her; and, in fpite of the 
 vexation this cruel invafion of his birth-right had 
 ' involved him in, found always a fatisfadtion in her 
 unaltered and endearing converfation, which more 
 t . i compeafated for all the frovvas of fortune.
 
 140 THE FEMALE B. III.' 
 
 But the moment he was caft, that he was certain 
 his ruin was completed, he fhunned her even more 
 than all the world befide; and though her love, 
 and the engagements between them, made her not 
 to look upon it as a breach of modefty to write 
 tojiim, to conjure him in the moft preffing terms 
 to come to her, and aflured him the change in his 
 circumftances had wrought no change in her af- 
 fetion ; and that (lie was ready to make him a 
 prefent of that with herfelf, yet could fhe not 
 prevail on him to fee her. 
 
 In fine, from the moft affable and obliging of 
 mankind, he was now become the moft ftern, mo 
 rofe, and ill-tempered ; according to the poet, 
 
 " Great fouls grow always haugh.ty in diftrefe." 
 
 In vain a miftrefs fo lately beloved, admired, 
 almoft adored, now condefcended to folicit him 
 to accept all in her power to give: all the proofs 
 fhe gave him of her tendernefs, her conflancy, 
 her difinterefted paffion,, ferved but to add new 
 matter for his difcontent; and, to get rid of her 
 importunities, he at laft fent one letter in anfwer 
 to the many -obliging ones he had received from 
 her. A friend of mine happening to be with her 
 when it arrived, aflured me it contained thefe 
 lines : 
 
 " MADAM, 
 
 " I Believe there is no occafion for any affe- 
 " verations, that no man has ever loved with 
 " greater fincerity than 1 have done, or more paf- 
 *' fionately defired to be united to you for ever, 
 " while there remained the leatt hope of being fo 
 " without rendering both of us the fubject of ri- 
 " diculc. In fine, I have ftill too much regard
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. 141 
 
 " for you, to have it faid, you bought a hufband, 
 *' and for myfelf, to think of fubmitting to the 
 " flavifli dependance of a wife's fortune Were 
 " the balance on my fide, I fhould not act in this 
 " manner; but, as things are now circumftanced 
 <{ between us, I beg you will give neither your- 
 " felf or me any further trouble on this fcore; 
 " the moft prudent ftep you can take for the peace 
 *' of both, is to think of me no more, fmcel ne- 
 " ver can be, in the manner I once flattered my- 
 " felt" with being, 
 
 Yours, &c. LEOL1N. 
 
 " P. S. I quit the place I am in this very mo- 
 44 mcnt, nor '{hall make any perfon in the world 
 ** the confidante of my retirement; fo that no 
 " letters can poffibly come to my hands ; but have 
 * c ordered the honeft man who has been my hoft 
 " for fome time, to pay you 300!. which you may 
 4 * remember I borrowed of you while my unhappy 
 " law-affair was in agitation, and the intereft due 
 " upon the loan. Adieu for ever; be aflured, I 
 fl wiih you much better than you do yourfelf." 
 
 Poor Elmira read the letter with tears in her 
 eyes, and cried out, " O what a noble mind is 
 " here perverted! Qume changed from what he 
 " was, by an ill-judging and injurious world 1" 
 But when (he came to the poftfcript, and the man 
 counted the money to her on the table, (he grew 
 beyond all patience. " How meanly muft he 
 ' think of me I faid fhe. How little does he 
 know of Elmira!" And then again, " What! 
 > i( am I turned ufurer then!" Tliis litde indigna- 
 tion, however, foon fubfided, and gave way to 
 the fofter dictates of love and friendship: flic aflc- 
 -cd the farmer athouiand qucftions concerning his 
 VOL. I. N
 
 14* THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 behaviour; conjuredhim to deal fmcerely with her, 
 and to inform her, whether he had really leftliis 
 houfe or not, and, if he had, what road he took. 
 
 To this he replied with a great deal of truth j 
 that he had never feen a man fo changed as to his 
 humour, but that he did not think his brain was 
 any way difordered : that fome time pa ft he fent 
 for a money-fcrivener, and fold the annuity or- 
 dered him for life for loool. part of which he had 
 tlifpofed of in paying all the little debts he had 
 contracted fmce his misfortune, and had taken 
 the remainder with him: that he went on horfe- 
 -back, but could not fay what road, becaufe he 
 was forbid accompanying him even to the lane's 
 end that led to his houfe. 
 
 In the prefent emotions of her various paffions, 
 ilie would certainly have followed him herfelf, 
 could fhe have known what route to take, and 
 either brought him back or gone with him; but 
 as this was impoflible, fhe difpatched men and 
 -horfes every where fhe could think of, to each of 
 whom fhe gave little billets, befeeching him by 
 all he ever did or could love, to return to her, 
 and not make them both miferable by a foolifli 
 punctilio, which the fenfe of the injuries he had 
 fuftained alone had put into his head. 
 
 The fervants knowing their miftrefs's attach- 
 ment, and befides having a very great refpecl: for 
 Leolin, who had been always extremely affable 
 and liberal to them, fpared no pains to execute 
 their commiffion. 
 
 But all their endeavours were fruitlefs; Leolin, 
 doubtlefs, fiifpe&ing what would be the confe 
 -quence of his letter, and obftinate in his refolution, 
 -fuller any thing rather than be under the leaft
 
 B. Iir. S P E C T A T O K. r4? 
 
 obligation, even to the woman he loved, parted 
 through fuch bye-ways as eluded all their fearch. 
 
 He came up to London, where having furnifh- 
 ed himfelf with all things neceflary for a cam- 
 paign, he went a volunteer into the army. The 
 little regard he had for life, joined to his natural 
 impetuofity, hurried him into the thickeft dan- 
 gers, and he fell among many other gallant men 
 at the battle of v Dettingen. 
 
 An old officer, who had been an acquaintance 
 of his father's, faw and knew him on his firft 
 coming into the camp; and, having heard the ftory 
 of his misfortunes, offered him all the fcrvices in 
 his power; but Leolin reje&ed every thing that 
 might afford him any advantage, and continued de- 
 termined to the laft not to be obliged to any one. 
 
 It was this*gendeman, who, on the account 
 of his great age and many wounds, returning to 
 England after the campaign was over, brought 
 the account of him, who elfe perhaps might till 
 this moment have been vainly fought by the dif- 
 confolate Elmira. 
 
 So anxious, fo unhappy had (he been from the 
 time of his departure, that to hear he was no more 
 could fcarce add to it. The news, however, en- 
 couraged feveral gentlemen to make their addrefles 
 to her, which, while he was living, in any cir- 
 cumftances, they knew would have been in vain; 
 but they found his death of no fervice to their 
 fuit: his memory was ftill a rival, which all theic 
 efforts were too weak to furmount; to that fhe 
 affurcs thenvfhe is wedded, and to that will to her 
 laft breath continue conftant. 
 
 What now can we fay of this Leolin, but that 
 he was an honed, brave, and worthy man ! Can 
 N a
 
 144 THE FEMALE B. IIL 
 
 we help admiring him, at the fame time that we 
 condemn him ! And had not that unhappy obfti- 
 nacy, to which he fell a martyr, wounded at the 
 fame time the breaft of the generous, the fweet El- 
 mira, (hould we not have greatly compaffionated 
 a foible, which if we examine to the bottom, we 
 (hall find had its rife from a virtue in excels. 
 
 The love of freedom and independency, it 
 feem?, was his darling propenfity; and though he 
 had nothing in reality to fear from the excellence 
 of Elmira's nature, yet to know himfelf obliged, 
 and that there was even a poffibility for herfome 
 time or other to think he was fo, had fomewhat in 
 it which the greatnefs of his fpirit could not fub- 
 mit to bear. I am apt to believe, that had (lie 
 been reduced in the manner he was, and he been 
 poflefled of as many millions as he was born to 
 thoufand?, he would, with the utmoft pleafure, 
 have thrown them at her- feet, and found his 
 greateft felicity in her acceptance. 
 
 Such a man muft certainly have made a very- 
 great figure in the fenate, had he ever arrived at be- 
 ing a member of it; and for the good of my coun- 
 try, I fincerely wiih there were five hundred of th? 
 fame way of thinking. What in private life was 
 his greateft misfortune, would in a publicone have 
 rendered him of the higheft fervice to the pre- 
 fent age, and endeared his name to late pofterity. 
 No carefles, no penfions, no ribbands, no pre- 
 ferments, would have had any influence over a 
 perfon of his principles: refolute to fupport the 
 cative freedom of an Englifhman, he would hav r c 
 uttered his mind without referve; and the more 
 he had been offered by a court parafite for his 
 filence, the more warmly had he fpoke in the
 
 B.m. SPECTATOR. 145, 
 
 caufe of liberty. Perhaps, indeed, he might have 
 been too bold, and, for his particular mortification, 
 have occafioned the Habeas Corpus aft to be fuf- 
 pended; but what of that! It might have burt 
 fome individuals, but muft have been of general 
 fcrviee, and have opened the eyes of thofe, who,, 
 more through indolence and luxury, than corrup- 
 tion, were made blind. 
 
 So far I blame him, in. refuting a fine woman, 
 whom he loved, and who had an eftate which would 
 have put it in his power to be of ufe to his coun- 
 try, whi.ch, heaven knows, and he could not have, 
 been ignorant of, (lands in need of fuch funportsj, 
 but as he was very young, and the confederation. 
 of thefe things had not time to make the impref 
 fion it ought, I cannot but pity him, and lament; 
 the lofs which the public have in a. friend fo qua-- 
 lified to ferve the common- intereft. 
 
 ALL the young. and gay of both fexes, who are 
 advocates, for the tender paffion, I know, cannot 
 find in their hearts to forgive him: as to the- 
 confiderations 1 have mentioned, they will have 
 indeed but very little weight with them. The. 
 griefs of Elmira will be accounted of infinite more 
 confequence, and he will be looked upon'as a man 
 ofafavage and barbarous foul, who, to gratify 
 his pride,, could forfake a lady that fo truly loved, 
 an<i had made him fuch condefcenfions. I grant 
 that there was fomething cruel in the effects of his 
 behaviour to her, yet I cannot help vindicating 
 the caufe; and I think I cannot do it more effec- 
 tually, than by fetting a character of a quite oppo- 
 fite nature in the fame point of li^Kt with l>im. 
 "White is bed iJluitrated by being near to black;, 
 and the rough diamond, which at prefent appears 
 N 3
 
 {46 THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 of fo little value, will rife in a more juil eftima- 
 tion when placed near a common pebble. 
 
 Cleophil is what the world calls a fine gentle- 
 man; he is tall, well made, has a gay and lively 
 air, a good fancy in drefs, dances to perfection, 
 tells a thoufand agreeable ftories, and is very en- 
 tertaining in converfation. 
 
 Belliza, the only daughter of a late very e- 
 minent tradefman in the city, was the object of 
 his flame; for though he was the moft gallant 
 man imaginable among "all the ladies he came in 
 company with, yet to this alone he made his ad- 
 dreffes. It is certain, indeed, that nobody could 
 condemn the choice he made of her ; for befides 
 the large fortune it was expected would be given 
 her by her father, fhe had 2000!. left by her grand- 
 mother, which was entirely at her own difpofal. 
 Her wealth, however, was the lead motive to that 
 envy with which many young gentlemen faw the 
 favourable reception Cleophil was treated with by 
 her. The moft detracting of her own fex cannot 
 but allow her to have beauty, wit, virtue, good- 
 nature, and all the accomplifhments that can at- 
 tract both love and refpect; and as for thofe of 
 the other, there are few that fee, without feeling 
 for her fomewhat more than bare admiration. 
 
 Never was a more paflionate lover, to all ap- 
 pearance, than Cleophil ; he feemed jealous even 
 of the hours allowed for repofe, becauie they de- 
 * prived him of herprefence; and would fometimes 
 encroach on them, by bringing muficians under her 
 low, to ferenade her with fongs, either of his 
 own compofing, or which he pretended were fo. 
 
 She was extremely young, ignorant of the ar- 
 . .-iftancy of mankind, and as the
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. M ; 
 
 perfon of this admirer was agreeable to her, rea- 
 dily believed all he faid, and returned his profef- 
 fjons with the moft tender and fincerc ones on her 
 part: nothing feemed wanting to complete their 
 mutual felicity but her father's confent, whom, 
 (he was too dutiful to difobey, and could not yet 
 obtain. 
 
 The old gentleman had an idea of Cleophil very 
 different from what his daughter had entertained : 
 he looked on him as a man who. had too much 
 regard for intereft to be ib much in love as he pre- 
 tended: he had a penetrating judgment, and 
 eafily difcovered a great fund of felf-fufficiency; 
 and that arrogance and hypocrify were hid beneath 
 the fp.ecious fliew of honour, generofity, and ten- 
 dernefs. But as he found the young Belliza gave 
 him the preference to all who had made cilcrs of 
 the nature he did, he would not fuddenly thwart 
 her inclinations, but only feemed to delay what 
 indeed he was very unwilling ihould come to pafs. 
 lie imagined, that by repeated prolongations of 
 giving any definitive anfwer, either the patience 
 of the lover would be tired, or his daughter find 
 fomething in him which might give her caufe to 
 alter her prefent favourable opinion : he wifely 
 confideredy that all youth is headftrong, and that 
 whatever bent it takes, opposition oniy ferves to 
 render it more obdinate and blind to conviction; 
 ajid though the temper of IJelliza, in ether things, 
 nu'ht render her an exception to this general rule, 
 yet hf knew not how far 1'hc might be tranfported 
 by her paflion to act in a different manner from 
 ;t:iy other motive co;/ her to 
 
 i!'->. He therefore thought, by neither fccming to 
 contradict or approve her deGrcs, to give her au
 
 148 THE FEMALE B. Ill, 
 
 4 
 
 opportunity of difcovering herfelf, what would 
 not perhaps have gained the lead credit with her 
 from any other perfon. 
 
 The indifferent opinion he had of Cleophil, 
 and his knowledge of human nature, which can 
 feldom carry on a courfe of deceit for any long 
 time, without elapfing into fomething that betrays 
 itfelf, madeliim not doubt but this would happen 
 as indeed it did, but by a way little foreleen, QF 
 even apprehended by him. 
 
 He had at that time two (hips of his ov/n at fea,, 
 very richly laden, the return of which he was 
 daily expecting, when the melancholy news ar- 
 rived that the one was wrecked, and the other 
 taken by the Spaniards: feveraJ others alfo, iiL 
 which he had considerable fhares, met with the. 
 fame fate, fo that his credit, as well as his fpirits,. 
 was very much funk: bills came thick upon 
 him, and he foori became unable to difcharge 
 them; a {hock, which in the whole courfe of his 
 dealing he had never known before! Beliiza, in, 
 this exigence, intreated him to accept of her.zoool. 
 but he refufed it, telling her he knew not but his 
 other ventures abroad might be as unfuccefsful as 
 the laft had been, and if fo, thefum me was mif- 
 trefs of would be incapable of doing him any real 
 fervice, and it would add to his misfortune to 
 think, that for a fhort refpite for himfelf, he had 
 involved her in ruin with him. 
 
 This did not fatisfy the dutiful and tenderly 
 affe&ionate Beliiza; fhe continued to prefs him 
 with the uttnoft ardency not to reject her fair, 
 till he at laft allured her, that the demands on him 
 were fo large and numerous, that lefs than 4000], 
 would not prefeive his credit till the time in which
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. 149 
 
 he might reafon ably hope to hear from Hamburgh, 
 Turkey, and fome other places where he trafficked. 
 iShe then propofcd to break the matter to Cleophil, 
 who (he knew had a confiderable fum in the bank, 
 and doubted not but he would be glad of fuch an 
 opportunity to iliew the love and refpeft he had 
 for their family. 
 
 The father cooly anfwered, that fire might do 
 as fiie thought proper, and that if the young gen- 
 tleman obliged him in this point, he mould take 
 all the care he could not to let him be a lofcr. 
 
 It was not that he imagined his daughter would 
 have any fuccefs in this negociation that he per- 
 mitted her to attempt it, but becaufe he was wil- 
 ling fhe mould put a friendship, the had fo much 
 confidence in, to the teil. 
 
 Having obtained his permiffion, me fent im- 
 mediately for her lover, and in a few words re- 
 lated to him the prefent occafion there was for her 
 father to be fupplied with io much ready cafh, and 
 then added, thutas (he was in poffcflion of no more 
 than half the fum required, Hie did not doubt but 
 he would lay down the other part. 
 
 As Ihe had no anxiety in making this reque/T, 
 b^ca ufe allured in her own mind of its being grant- 
 ed, (he never thought of examining his counte- 
 nance while fhe was fpc-aking; which, if {he had, 
 it would have been eafy for her to perceive the 
 change that was in it. All the rapture with which 
 he: flew to receive her commands was now no 
 more, and in its place was fubftituted an air of 
 diflunce, mixed with furprize. When fhe had 
 done fpeaking, he told her, " he was extremely 
 forry for her father's misfortunes, but doubted 
 not, as he 'was a man very much beloved among
 
 150 THE FEMALE B. IIL 
 
 the perfons he dealt with, they would have pati- 
 ence with him till he could hear from abroad, and 
 would advife him rather to make a trial of their 
 good-nature, than put himfelf to anyftraits for the 
 money to pay them immediately." 
 
 " How, Cleophil! cried fhe, quite thunder- 
 " ftruck to hear him {peak in this manner, do you 
 " call it ftraits to make ufe, for a fhort time, of 
 " what his own daughter, and a perfon who has- 
 " pretended he wifhes nothing more than to be his 
 " fon, have it in their power to fumifh him with ! 
 < Sure he has a right to demand all we can do 
 " to ferve him!" 
 
 . " No doubt he has, madam, anfwered he, ftill 
 " more referved, and I fhould rejoice in any op- 
 " portunity to oblige him; but I am under an, 
 41 unfortunate engagement never to lend money 
 " on any account whatever: my father, at his 
 " death, exacted an oath from me, which there 
 ** is no poffibilky of my difpenfing with, nor do 
 ** I believe you will defire it of me." 
 
 " No, Cleophil, refumed (he,, almoft burfting 
 " with inward rage and grief, you never fhall be 
 " perjured at my requeft: too much already you 
 ' are fo in the falfe vows you have made of difin- 
 " terefted and inviolable love." 
 
 He made fome faint efforts to convince her of 
 the fincerity of his paffion; but (lie eafily faw they 
 were but words of courfe, and fuch as no maa 
 could well avoid fpeaking to a woman he had e- 
 ver pretended to love, and therefore replied to 
 them accordingly. 
 
 As he found now there was no poffibility of her 
 being miftrefs of that fortune, which as it proved 
 was the chief motive of his address, he was not
 
 B. III. S PECT AT OR. 151 
 
 at all concerned that his excufes had no greater 
 effect upon her ; and though when (he told him fhe 
 vvas afhamed to remember that fhe ever had any 
 confidence in him, or regard for him, he replied, 
 " that when fhe ceafed to think well of him, he 
 * fhould be the moft miferable of mankind}" yet 
 his eyes, and the accent of his voice fo little cor- 
 refponded with his words, that what he faid 
 feemed rather meant in irony than reality. 
 
 In fine, they entirely broke off: fhe obliged 
 him to take back all the prefents he had made her, 
 and the letters fhe had received from him, and de- 
 fircd he would return thofe fhe had fent to him as 
 foon as pofTible. At parting, to preferve the fine 
 gentleman, as he thought, he affeted an infinity 
 of grief, which, as fhe eafily faw through, fhe but 
 the more clefpifed him for, and for his lake almoft 
 the whole fex. 
 
 Now will I appeal to thofe who have been the 
 lead willing to excufe the behaviour of my Welch 
 Jhero, if the character of Leolin is notamiablewhen 
 compared with that of Cleophil. Belliza, indeed, 
 was lefs unhappy than Elmira, becaufe the mean- 
 nefs of foul which (lie difcovered in her lover,gave 
 an immediate cure to the inclination fhe had for 
 , his perfon; whereas the true greatnefs of Leolin's 
 way of thinking preferved a lading tendernefs in 
 his miftrefs, which made her partake in all his fuf- 
 ferings, and even continue devoted to his memory 
 when himfelf was no more. But to 'return : 
 
 When the father of Belliza thought his affairs 
 moft defperate, and there feemed not the lea ft pro- 
 bability of his bring able to retrieve himfelf, hea- 
 ven, by an unexpected way, fcnt him relief: A 
 brother of hi,, \vho had lived a long time in the
 
 152 THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 "Eaft Indies, and by his honeft induftry and fruga- 
 lity acquired a large fortune, died without iffue, 
 and left him the fole heir of all his wealth. The 
 news arrived juft as a ftatute of bankruptcy was 
 about to be taken out againil him ; which, accord- 
 ing to the cuftom of the world, made a great 
 change. He might now command what fums he 
 pleafed; nobody was in hafte to have their bills 
 difcharged; all, HkeTimon's friendsjn the play, 
 endeavoured to glofs over the terrors of their for- 
 mer treatment of him, and nothing was omitted to 
 regain that good- will from him they had but! too 
 juftly deferved to lofe forever. 
 
 Cleophil, above all, curfed his ill ftars: what 
 would he not now have done to reinftate himfelf 
 in Be'lliza's favour ! Belliza, now a greater for- 
 tune than ever, was more than ever adored by 
 him. He wrote; he prevailed on fcveral who 
 vifited her to fpeak in his behalf; he pretended 
 to fall fick on her account; ordered it to be given 
 out, that he had many times fince their quarrel 
 attempted to deftroy himfelf; tried every ftrata- 
 gem, employed every artifice, but all alike in 
 vain: the contempt (he had for him increafed 
 by the means he took to leflen it, and by much 
 exceeded all the inclination fhe ever had for him, 
 while me believed he merited it : me blefled the 
 misfortunes which had fhewn him to her in hio 
 proper colours, and made a firm refolution never 
 more to fuffcr herfelf to give credit to the profef- 
 fions of any one man, till her father fhould have 
 made a fufficient fcrutiny into his character and 
 temper, to be able to judge of his finceiity. 
 
 She found the happy effects of the prudent re- 
 ferve with which (he now behaved to all mankind.
 
 B. III. SPEC/TAT OR. 153 
 
 She was in a fhort time addrefled by a young gen- 
 tleman much fuperior in birth, fortune, and good 
 feufe to Cleophil, and had as great a (hare of real 
 affection for her as that unworthy lover had pre- 
 tended. Her father approved highly of him for a 
 fon, and me could not refufe her heart to fo ac- 
 complifhed a perfon, after being told by him, 
 whofe judgment ftie was determined to rely up- 
 on, that (lie could not err in doing fo. 
 
 They have been married fomewhat more than 
 a year, in which time he has made her mother of 
 a fine fon, who is the only rival either of them has 
 in the tendernefs of the other. The old gentle- 
 man has received all the effects he expected from 
 i.broad: They all live together in the mo ft perfect 
 harmony, and the fhort anxiety of mind they had 
 endured on the fcore of his lofles, ferves only to 
 give their prefent happinefs a higher relifli. 
 
 The (lory of this family, and many other fuch 
 like inftances which daily happen in the world, 
 methinks, fhould make whatever misfortunes we 
 may labour under for the prefent fit more eafy on 
 us, in the hope, that while the play of life conti- 
 nues, we have yet a chance for better fcenes. 
 
 I have fomcwhere read of an antient philofo- 
 pher, who, whenever any very ill accident bcfel 
 him, made invitations to his friends, entertained 
 them in the mod Aearful manner, and appeared 
 extremely happy in his mind: but, on the con- 
 trary, on the arrival of any thing for which other 
 people expect congratulations, he (hut himfelf up 
 in his chamber, fatted, wept, and in his whole 
 deportment had all the tokens of a perfon under 
 fome inconfolable affliction. On beihg afked the 
 reafon of a behaviour fo contradictory to that of 
 
 VOL. I. O
 
 ?54 THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 all mankind befides, he replied, <f Thofe who 
 ! wonder to fee me merry in advcrfity, and fad in 
 " a more profperous condition, do not confider 
 " what Fortune is, or do not righdy underftand 
 18 the nature of that fickle deity. Is fhe not ever 
 <! fleeting, ever changing, and generally from 
 ' one extreme to the other? How then, when 
 ** any good befals' me, can I avoid being under 
 the moft terrible apprehensions that an adequate 
 " evil will immediately enfue? And when any 
 *' mifchief has happened to me, have not I rea- 
 11 fon to rejoice in the expectation that the fame 
 " proportion of happinefs is at hand?" 
 
 The humour of this philofopher was very ex- 
 traordinary indeed, and one may juftly fay, he 
 drained the point beyond what it will well bear; 
 yet, upon the whole, there is fomewhat of reafon 
 in it, according to Mr Dryden: 
 
 " Good unexpected, evil unforefeen, 
 
 ' Appear by turns, as fortune fhifts the fcene." 
 
 But not to have recourfe to caprice or fiction 
 to enable us to fupport calamities which heaven 
 fometimes inflicts on us, we ought to confider, 
 that by well bearing them, we have the better 
 claim to hope an alternative in our favour. A 
 defponding temper is, of all others, the Icaft plea- 
 fing both to God and man; it fhews a diffidence 
 in the one, and to the other a want of that com- 
 plaifance which is due from us to fociety. 
 
 Can any thing, if we confider rightly, be more 
 rude than to difturb the chearfulnefs of whatever 
 converfation we come into, with a melancholy 
 detail of our private misfortunes! They are our 
 c\vn, and ours alone, and a man ought no more
 
 ft. III. SPECTATOR. .155 
 
 to \vli"h to Infect others with his grief, than with. 
 his difeafes. 
 
 Thofe who imagine they find cafe- in comphin- 
 'ing, are of a very mean and felfiih clifpofuion. A 
 great fpirit is almoft as much afhamed of pity as 
 of contempt; and a generous one will nerer en- 
 dure to excite that forrow from which pity natu- 
 rally flows. 
 
 Indeed, where prpximity of blood, or the more 
 binding ties of friendfhip, afford a reafonable ex- 
 pectation of relief in any exigence of fortune, it 
 would be a foolifh pride to with-hold the know- 
 ledge of it, and what they may juftly fufpetft was 
 owing to a want of that confidence which is the 
 only cement of a true affection, and alfo betray? 
 fcmewhat of a defpondency, which it is much, 
 better to try every thing, depend on every thing, 
 and even cheat ou.fclves into a belief of impofii- 
 bilities, rather than give way to 
 
 Foreigners will have it, that there is fomewhat. 
 in our climate which renders this unhappy pro- 
 penfity more natural to us than to any other na- 
 tion; and I believe the frequent changes in the 
 weather, and a certain heavinefs in the air at foms 
 feafons of the year, m?.y indeed contribute greatly 
 to it; but I fear there may alfo be other caufes 
 affigncd, \vhich it lies folely in ourfelvcs to re- 
 move, and which, if we do not fpeedily do, the- 
 reflections made upon us abroad will carry a fr- 
 verer fting than we are yet aware of. 
 
 Our climate, I fuppofe, is the fame it ever \va^ ; 
 
 our hcmifphere is no more clouded with vapours; 
 
 our winds no more variable than fome ages 
 
 a(l; yet I challenge any of the foreign ones to 
 
 O 2
 
 156 THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 produce half the number of fad examples of de- 
 ipondency than thefe latter ones have done. 
 
 Let us not therefore lay the whole blame of 
 thofe unhappy actions we daily hear of, on ele- 
 mentary caufes, or depreciate a climate which has, 
 and I hope again may be productive of thebrighteft 
 geniufes, and braveft fpirits that ever any country 
 had to boaft of. It is not the ill afpect of the ftars,. 
 nor the unkindly influence of the rnoon,has wrought 
 this effect on us, but our fall ingofr" from the virtues 
 of our anceftors: the change is in ourfelves; 
 and while all feem eager to undo, or be undone, 
 it is not to be wondered at, that the horrors of 
 eonfcious guilt on the one hand, and the contempt 
 1nd miferies of poverty on the other, fhould hurry 
 many of us to deeds of defperation. 
 
 The fatal fource of all the calamities we labour- 
 wnder, is an indulgence of thofe deflruc"live paf- 
 fions, which in their beginning might be eafily 
 rooted out; but ones fuffered to get head, not all 
 our refolution will have power to fubdue. Ava- 
 rice, ambition, luxury, and pride, are the very 
 tyrants of the mind: they act without council, 
 are above all reflraint, and having once depofed 
 Reafon from her throne, rendej hr even fubfer- 
 yient to their bafeft aims. 
 
 How then can thofe who have the care of youth 
 anf\ver to themfelves the neglect of fo material a 
 point, as not inculcating early into them an abhor- 
 rence of thefe deftruclive vices! This is a duty 
 \vhich principally belongs to parents; but when 
 other, no lefs indifpenfible, a vocations deny them 
 leifure for difcharging it;- ficknefs, or old age, 
 renders thm unable, or indolence unwilling, to
 
 B. IIL SPECTATOR. 157 
 
 -do it; the leaft they can do, is to chufe perfous. 
 properly qualified for this mighty truft. 
 
 Few people of condition, indeed, but take care 
 that thole they fet over their children fhall be fucb 
 as are capable of inftr lifting them in all the rao- 
 diili accomplishments of life; Jjut however necef- 
 fary that may be towards procuring them a charac- 
 ter of good breeding, it ought not to come into 
 competition with that of good reputation. Go- 
 vernors and governeilcs, therefore, fhould not fo 
 much be cholen lor their ficill in language, fen* 
 oing, dancing, playing on mufic, or having a 
 perfect knowledge of the beau-monde, as for their 
 fobriety, morality, and good conduct. Their ex- 
 ample ought- to be fuch as fhould enforce their 
 precepts, arid by mewing the beauty of a regular 
 life in themfelves, make their pupils fall in love- 
 with it, and endeavour an imitation. 
 
 It were almoft as well, if not entirely fo, to leave 
 a young gentleman to his own -management, as to 
 put him under the care of one, who, to endear 
 himfelf to him, fhaii flatter his vices, becaufe it is 
 giving him a fancb'on, as it were, for. -.ill the irre- 
 gularities he may take it in his head to commit.- 
 Too many inftances of this may be found among: 
 thofe who are at an infinite expence in travelling.-, 
 for improvement, yet bring home little bcfides tha 
 \vorft pa r t of the nations where they have been. 
 
 Would people cf fafhion but give themfelvo 
 time to reflect how great an afcendant the very 
 name of Governor has over their children, they 
 would certainly be more cautious on whom they, 
 conferred it. Methinks the fto-y of the young riclr 
 M'crcator, yet recent in every one's memory, 
 Jhould be a warning not only to the friends, but 
 O 5
 
 153 THE FEMALE B. III. 
 
 even to every gentleman himfelf who is going to 
 travel, to be well acquainted with the character 
 and principles of him who is to attend him in the 
 above-mentioned quality. 
 
 He was the only fon of a wealthy foreign mer- 
 chant, who lofmg both his parents while he was 
 yet an infant, was left to the guardianmip of two 
 perfons, of whofe integrity his father had many 
 proofs. Nor had the young Mercator any reafon 
 to complain of their abufing the truft repofed in 
 them. 
 
 Theyufed him with the fame tendernefs they 
 could have done had he been their only fon; 
 tl^ey put him to the beft fchools; they faw that 
 J-.c matters did their duty by him; and when he 
 had finifhed all that a home education could be- 
 llow, they thought fit to fend him, for his greater 
 improvement, to make the tour of Europe. 
 
 The only care they now had upon their hands,, 
 was to find a perfon whofe abilities for a governor 
 were well attefted. It is certain they fpared no 
 pains for that purpofe, and were at laft recom- 
 mended to one who had all the appearance of a fo- 
 ber gentleman, had travelled before in the capaci- 
 ty, and was well acquainted both with the langua- 
 ges and cufloms of thofe places which they in- 
 lended their young charge fhould fee. 
 
 It gave them a very great fatisfation to ima- 
 gine they had found one who fo well anfwered 
 their deOres; but Mercator much more, to be 
 under the direction of a perfon, who, he was well 
 convinced, would net be fevere on his pleafures. 
 This young gentleman was of an amorous confti- 
 tution, and contract-dan intimacy with a woman, 
 \vho, tho' far from being handfome in her perfon ?
 
 B. III. SPECTATOR. j 59 
 
 and of a chara&er the moft infamous that could 
 be, he was neverthelefs fond of to a very great 
 degree. He had happened to be in company with 
 the perfon who was afterwards made choice of for 
 his governor, at the lodgings of this proftitute, 
 and fome others of the fame profefllon; and when 
 hefawhim with his guardians, though he had now 
 affumed a very different air, well remembered he 
 was the fame with whom he had pafled more than 
 one night in rioting and debauchery. 
 
 In fine, they foon came to a perfect underftand- 
 rng of each other; and when the time arrived for 
 their departure, the complaifant governor was far 
 from oppofinghis pupil's taking this fille-de-joye 
 with him. 
 
 Paris was the firft place at which they flayed 
 any time; and our young traveller was fo taken 
 up with the gaieties he found there, that he was in 
 no hafte to quit it, which his governor perceiving, 
 thought fit to humour him in; and accordingly 
 they took a fine hotel, lived in the moft volup- 
 tuous manner, and Marian, for fol {hall call the 
 partner of the loofer pleafures of the unhappy 
 Mercator, fliared with them in all the wild frolics 
 they were continually inventing for the paffing 
 away thofe hours, which the careful guardians at 
 home flattered themfelves were employed in a far 
 different way. 
 
 After having wafted near a year in this man- 
 ner, JMercator was fuddenly taken fick; whether 
 the difeafe he laboured under was brought on him 
 by his excefles, or by any other more fecret caufe, 
 I will not take upon me to determine, nor do I 
 hear of any one that can be more pofitive; but
 
 i6o THE FEMALE B. lift 
 
 this is certain, that his diforder lay greatly in his 
 head, and he was often very delirious. 
 
 It is to be fuppofed, that in one of thefe fits it 
 was that the governor wrought on him to fend for 
 a prieft and a notary-public at the fame time ; tha 
 one married him to Marian, and the other drew 
 up a teftament, in which he bequeathed that wo- 
 man, by the name and title of his wife r the fum 
 of 6o,oool. and 40,000!. which was the 
 remainder of his fortune, to his dear fricu I 
 governor, as a recompence for the great care he 
 had taken both of his foul and body, 
 
 Thefe were the words of his will, which being 
 Cgned, fealed,.and in all points duly executed, in 
 the prefence of feveral witnefles, the teftator, ?s 
 having no more to do with life, or thofe he was 
 among having no more for him to do, expired, as 
 I have been told, in the mo ft intolerable agonies. 
 
 Marian, in thofe altered circumftances, fooa 
 after returned to England with him who (hared 
 in poor Mercator's fortune, and whom (he mar- 
 ried the moment the decency me now affected in 
 her new grandeur would permit. 
 
 The guardians and other friends of the deceaf- 
 ed gentleman, made all imaginable enquiry into 
 this bufmefs, but could receive only dark hints, 
 and fuch conjectures as were not fufficient to com- 
 mence a procefs upon : but with what vexation 
 they fee this wicked pair roll in their coach 
 and fix, and triumph in their guilt, any one may 
 imagine. 
 
 It will not be expected Ifhould comment en 
 this aftion, becaufe I have already faid the truth 
 of the particulars is yet hid in darknefs : what tirns 
 may produce, I know not ; but at prefent every
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 161 
 
 one is at liberty to judge as they think mod agree- 
 able to the nature of the thing. All I propofe by 
 relating it, is to remind thofe who have any young 
 gentlemen to fend abroad, that they cannot be too 
 fcrutinous into the principles & the perfons en-' 
 truited with the direction of them. 
 
 B O O K IV. 
 
 HOW glorious a privilege has man above all 
 other fublunary beings! who, though in- 
 digent, unpitied, forfaken by the world, and 
 even chained in a dungeon, can, by the aid of 
 divine contemplation, enjoy all the charms of 
 pomp, refpeft, and liberty! tranfport himfelf 
 in idea, to whatever place he willies, and grafp in 
 theory imagined empires! 
 
 Unaccountable is it, therefore, that fo many 
 people find an irkfomenefs in being alone, tho* 
 for never fo fmall a fpace of time! Guilt, in- 
 'decd, creates perturbations, which may well 
 make retirement horrible, and drive the felf-tor- 
 mcnted wretch into any company, to avoid the 
 agonies of rcmurfc; but I fpeak not of thofe who 
 are afraid to refleft, but of thofe who feem to me 
 iiot to have the power to do it. 
 
 There are feveral of my acquaintance of both 
 fexes, who lead lives perfectly inoffenfive, and 
 when in company appear to have a fund of viva- 
 city, capable of enlivening all the converfation 
 tlit-y come into; yet, if you happen to meet them
 
 162 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 after half an hour's folitude, are for fome minutes 
 the moft heavy lumpifh creatures upon earth. 
 Afk them if they are indifpofcd? they will drawl 
 out, " No, they are well enough." If any misfor- 
 tune has befallen them? ftill they anfwer, " No," 
 in the fame ftupid tone as before, and look, like 
 things inanimate, till fomething is faid or done to 
 reinfpire them. One would imagine they were 
 but half awake from a deep fleep; and indeed their 
 minds during this lethargy, may be faid to hare 
 been in a more ina&ive ftate than even that of 
 fleep, for they have not fo much as dreamed: but 
 I think they may juftly enough be compared to 
 clock work, -which has power to do nothing of 
 itfelf till wound up by another. 
 
 Whatever opinion the world may have of the 
 wit of perfons of this cafl, I cannot help think- 
 ing there is a vacuum in the mind; that they 
 have no ideas of their own; and only thro' cu- 
 ftom, and a genteel education, are enabled to talk 
 agreeably on thofe cf other people. A real fine 
 genius can never want matter to entertain itfelf: 
 and tho' on the top of a mountain, without focietyj. 
 and without books, or any exterior means of em- 
 ployment, will always find that within which will 
 keepit from being idle: memory and recolle&ion 
 will bring the tranfactions of pail times to view: 
 obfervaiion and difcernment point out the prefent 
 with their caufes; and fancy, tempered with 
 judgment, anticipate the future. This power of 
 contemplation and reflection it is that chiefly dif- 
 tinguifhes the human from the brute creation, and 
 proves that we have fouls which a;e in reality 
 fparks of that Divine, Omnifcient, Omniprefent 
 Being, whence we all boaft to be derived.
 
 B, IV. SPECTATOR. 163 
 
 The plcafurcs which an agreeable foclety be- 
 ftows, are indeed the moft elegant we can taftej 
 but even that company we like beft would grow 
 infipid and tircfome, were we to be for ever in it; 
 and lo a perfon who knows how to think juftly, it 
 would certainly be as great a mortification never 
 to be alone, as to be always fo. 
 
 Converfation, in effect, but furnifhes matter 
 for contemplation; it exhilarates the mind, and 
 fits it for reflection afterwards. Every new thing 
 we hear in company raifes in us new ideas in the 
 clofet or on the pillow; and as there are few peo- 
 ple but one may gather fomething from, either to 
 divert or improve, a good underflanding will, like 
 the induftrious bee, fuck out the various fweets, 
 and digeft them in retirement. But thofe who are 
 perpetually hurrying from onecompany toanother\ 
 and never fuffer themfelves to be alone but when 
 *veary Nature fummons them to repofe, will be 
 little ammended, tho' the maxims of a Seneca were 
 to be delivered to them in all the enchanting elo- 
 quence of a Tully. 
 
 But not to be more improved, is not the word 
 mifchief that attends an immoderate averfion to 
 folitude. People of this humour, rather than be 
 alone, fly into all company indifcriminately, and 
 fometimes fall into fuch as they have reafon to 
 repent their whole lives of having ever feen; for 
 tho' they may not poffibly reap any advantage from 
 thegood, their reputations mufl certainly, and per- 
 haps their morals and fortune too, will fuffer very 
 much from the bad; and where we do not give 
 curfelves leifure to chufe, it is rarely we happen or 
 t'(C former, as they are infinitely the fmallor num
 
 1 64 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 her, and alfo lefs eafy of accefs to thofe whofe 
 characters they are unacquainted with. 
 
 Many young perfons of both fexes owe their 
 ruin to this one unfortunate propenfity of loving 
 to be always in company; and it is the more dan- 
 gerous, as nobody takes any pains to conquer it in 
 themfelves, but on the contrary, are apt to miftake 
 it for a laudable inclination, and look on thofe who 
 preach up the happinefs of a more retired life, as 
 phlegmatic and vapoiuifh. I doubt not butl fhall 
 pafs for fuch in the opinion of many of my reader?, 
 who are too volatile to confider that it is not a ful- 
 len, cynical, total, avoiding of fociety that I recom- 
 mend, but a proper love of folitude at fome times, 
 to enable us to relifh with more pleafure,as well as 
 to be effentially the better for converfation at 
 others, and alfo to feleft fuch for our companions 
 as may be likely to anfwerboth thefe ends. 
 
 Nor is it only where there is a difference of 
 fex that I think youth ought to be upon its guard; 
 the dangers in that cafe are too univerfally allowed 
 to ftand in need of any remonftrances, and yet 
 perhaps are not greater than others which both 
 may happen to fall in among thofe of their own. 
 Are not aJmoft all the extravagances, parents with 
 fo much grief behold their children guilty of, ow- 
 ing to ill-chofen company? Great is the privi- 
 lege of example, and fome are fo weak as to think 
 they muft do as they fee others do. The fear of 
 being laughed at has made many a young gentle- 
 man run into vices to which his inclination was at 
 firft averfe; but, alas! by habitude become more 
 pleafmg to him, he has in his turn played the 
 tempter's part, and made it his glory to feduce 
 others as himfelf had been feduced. It is this love
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 16; 
 
 of company, more than the diverfions mentioned 
 in the bills, that make our ladies run galloping in 
 troops every evening to mafquerades, balls, and 
 aflemblies in winter, and in the fummer to Vaux- 
 hall, Ranelagh, Cuper's Garden, Mary-le-bon, 
 Sadler's Wells, both old and new, Goodman's 
 Fields, and twenty other fuch like places, which 
 in this age of luxury fenre as decoys to draw the 
 thoughtlefs and upwary together, and, as it were, 
 prepare the way for other more vinous excefles : 
 for there are, and of condition too, not a few (as I 
 am informed by the Gnomes who prefide over mid- 
 night revels) that, going with no other intention, 
 than to partake what feems an innocent recreation, 
 are prevailed upon by the love of company, either 
 to remain in thefe houfes,or adjourn to fome other 
 place of entertainment, till the fweet harbinger of 
 day, Aurora, awakes, and blufhes to behold the or- 
 der of nature thus perverted; nor then perhaps 
 would feparate, did not wearied limbs, heavy lan- 
 guid eyes, and dirty linen, remind them of re- 
 pairing to their refpe&ive habitations, where hav- 
 ing lain awhile, they rife, drefs, and go again in 
 queft of new company, and new amufements. 
 
 Heaven forbid, and I am far from fuggefting, 
 that to run fuch lengths as thefe mould be com- 
 mon to all who hate retirement and reflection: 
 fortune is fometimes kinder than our endeavours 
 merit, and by not throwing any temptations in our 
 ri our carelefsncfs of no worfe confe-- 
 qucnce than bcingdepdved of thofe folidp,ieafures 
 which flow from a confcioufnefs of having behaved 
 according to the dictates of honotti and reafon. 
 
 But fuppoie we make fome allowances to a few 
 of the very young and gay,efpecully the beauiuiiJ, 
 
 VOL. I. P
 
 i66 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 and high-born, who, by a miftaken fondnefs in 
 their parents, from the moment they were capable 
 of underftanding what was faid to them, heard 
 nothing but flattery, and are made to believe they 
 came into the world for no other purpofe than to 
 be adored and indulged, what can we fay for thofe 
 who had a different education, and are of riper 
 years? How little excufe is there for a gadding 
 matron, or for a woman who ought to have the 
 care of a houfe and family at heart! How odd 
 a figure does the mother of five or fix children 
 make at one of thefe nocturnal rambles; and how 
 ridiculous is it for a perfon in any trade or avoca- 
 tion to be, or affect to be, above the thought of all 
 oeconomy,and make one in every party of pleafure 
 that prefents itfelf ? Yet fuch as thefe are no pro- 
 iligies. All kinds of regulation and management 
 require fome fmall reflection and recefs from com- 
 pany, and thefe are two things fo terrible to fome 
 people, that they will rather fuffer every thing to 
 be ruined, than endure the fatigue of thought. 
 
 A young widow of my acquaintance, rich, beau- 
 tiful, and gay, had fcarce fullied the blacknefs of 
 her weeds, before fhe ventured to take for a fe- 
 cond hufband a man, who, had fhe once confider- 
 cd on what fhe was about to do, fhe would have 
 found had no one quality that could promife her 
 any felicity with him. He had not been married 
 a month before he loaded her with the moft grofs 
 nbufe, turned her innocent babes out of doors, 
 and affronted all her friends who came to reafon 
 with him on the injuftice and cruelty of his beha- 
 viour, i he unadviied ftep fhe had taken, indeed, 
 bat little merited compaffion for the event; but 
 the fweetnefs of difpofition with which fhe had
 
 B.IV. SPECTATOR. 167 
 
 always treated all who knew her, rendered it im- 
 poflible not to have a fellow-feeling of the cala- 
 mities fhe laboured under. A particular friend of 
 her's, however, took one day the liberty of aflcing 
 how ihe could throw away herfelf on a perfon fo 
 every way undeferving of her? To which fhe 
 made this fhort, but fincere reply: " Ah! fall 
 u fhe, it is a fad thing to live alone." To this 
 the other might have returned, that fhe could not 
 be faid to be alone, who had a mother to advife, 
 and three fweet children to divert her moft melan- 
 choly hours; but this would have been only add- 
 ing to her affliction, and her condition, being 
 now irremediable, required eonfolation. 
 
 Perhaps the reading this fhort detail of ihe mif- 
 fortune her inadvertency had brought upon her, 
 may give her fome palpitations which 1 fiiouUl 
 be forry to occafion; but as fhe is a much lament- 
 ed inftance of the danger to which any one may 
 be fubjected through want of a due reflection, I 
 could not forbear mentioning it as a warning to 
 others. 
 
 "When this immoderate defire of company re- 
 mains in perfons of an advanced age, tho' it threa- 
 tens lefs mifchief, it is more ridiculous than in 
 the younger fort. I know a lady, who, by her own 
 confeffion, is no lefs than fixty-five, yet in all that 
 long length of time has treafured up nothing in 
 her mind wherewith fhe can entertain herfelf two 
 minutes. She has been a widow for feveral year?, 
 has a jointure fufficient to fupport a handforr.c 
 equipage, is without children, or any other in- 
 cumbrance, and might live as much refpedted by 
 ' the world as (he is really contemned, could fhe 
 prevail on herfelf to reflect what fort of behaviour 
 P *
 
 163 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 would be mod becoming in a woman of her age 
 and circumftances. 
 
 But inftead of living in a regular decent man- 
 ner, fire roams from- place to place, hires lodgings 
 at three or four different houfes at the fame time, 
 lies one night at St James's, another at Covent- 
 -Garden, a third perhaps at Weftminfter, and a 
 fourth in the city: nor does flie look,on this as 
 a fujHcicnt variety : fhe has at this moment apart- 
 ments at Richmond, Hammerfmith, Kenfing- 
 ton, and Chelfea, each of which fhe vifits two or 
 three times-at lead every month; fo that her time 
 is paffed in a continual whirl from one home to 
 another, if any can be juftly called fo: but it feems 
 as if fhe had an averfion to the very name; for the 
 room fiie pays for, Hie dwells in the lead, feldom 
 eats in any of them, and forces herfelf as it were 
 intothofe of other people, where flie fends in a 
 ftock of provifion fufficient for the whole family^ 
 in order to purchafe for herfelf a welcome. But 
 as people ofany figure in the world would not ac- 
 cept of fuch favours, and thofe of good fenfe not 
 endure to be deprived of the privilege of thinking 
 their own thoughts, and entertaining their own 
 friends, it can be only the extremely neceffitous, 
 or thofe who have as little on their heads as her- 
 felf, that will fubmit to have their lodgings and 
 time taken up in this manner. 
 
 Poor woman! How does flie lavifii away a 
 handfome income ! how forefeit all pretenfions to 
 good underftartding and good breeding, merely fqr 
 the fake of being permitted to talk as much as fhe 
 pleafes without contradiction, and being never 
 alone but when afleep ! I have been told by thofe 
 who #re to be depended upon, that the moment fh
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. i6>> 
 
 is out of bed, fhe runs with her flays and petticoats 
 into the next neighbour's chamber, not being abl<5 
 to Jive without company even till (lie is drefled. 
 
 There are people fo uncharitable, as to- believe 
 fome latent crime hangs heavy on the minds of 
 all thofe who take fo much pains to avoid being 
 alone; but I am far from b?ing of that number; 
 it is my opinion, that neither this old rattle I 
 have mentioned,, nor many others who ak in the 
 fame manner, ever did a real hurt to any one. 
 Thofc who are incapable of thinking,. are certain- 
 ly incapable of any premeditated mifchief; and, 
 as I have already faid, feem to me a fet of infen- 
 Cbles, who never al of themfelves, but are acled 
 upon by others. 
 
 ore one pafles fo cruel a cenfure, one {hould 
 certainly examine, I mean' not the lives and cha- 
 racters, for they may deceive us, but at what point 
 of time this averfion to folitude commenced: 
 if from childhood, and fo continued even to the 
 extremefl old age, it can proceed only from a 
 weakncfs in the mind, and is defer ving our com- 
 paffion j but if from taking that fatisfadion in con- 
 templation and retirement, which every reafonable 
 foul finds in it, one fees a perfon has turned to the 
 reverfe, ftart, even while in company, at the bare 
 mention of quitting it, and flies folitude as an, 
 houfe on fire, one may very well fufped fomq fe- 
 cret crime has wrought fo great a tranfition, and 
 that any converfation, though the moft infipid and 
 worthlefs, feems preferable to that which the guil- 
 ty bread can furnifh to itfelf. 
 
 I am well aware, that there is another motive* 
 befiiles either a want of power to think, or a con- 
 fcioufnefs of having done what renders thought a
 
 iyo THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 pain, that induces many people to avoid being 
 alone as much as poflible; and that is, when the 
 mind is opprefied with any very fevere affli&ion. 
 To be able to reflect on our misfortunes, goes a 
 great way towards bearing them with that forti- 
 tude which is becoming the dignity of human na- 
 ture; but all have not courage to do it, and thofe 
 who have, would fink beneath the weight of grief, 
 Tvere they to indulge the memory of what occa- 
 fioned it. 
 
 This I am fenfible is the cafe of many who pafs 
 for perfons of good underftanding, and the ex- 
 cufe is allowed by the generality of the world as 
 a rcafonable one; but yet I muft beg their pardon,, 
 \vben 1 fay, that whatfoever fhare of fine fenfe 
 they may fliew in other things, they betray a very 
 great deficiency ui this. The relaxation which 
 ' noife nnd hurry may afford, is but fhortUived, and 
 are fo far from removing that burden which the 
 fpirit labours under, that they afterwards make it 
 i'cJt with double weight. 
 
 Some are fo madly ftupid, as to attempt to lofe 
 the thoughts of one evil, by running into others of 
 
 ,ps worfe confequence. I mean that of drink- 
 ing, nnd fome ether excefies, equally pernicious 
 both to fortune and conftitution; but how falfe a 
 ; this gives, I need only appeal to thofe who 
 
 made the trial. 
 
 Would fuch people be prevailed upon to make 
 a little reflection before it is" too late, they would 
 certainly have recourfe to more folid confolations. 
 Would not the works of fome of our moft ce- 
 
 ed poets divert a melancholy hour much 
 more than al! the rhodomontades of a v;-.^ue idle 
 
 . fation ! Would not the precepts of philo-
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. i 7 r 
 
 fophy, of which fo many excellent trcatifcs have 
 been wrote, give them more true courage than all 
 the bottle can infpire! And above all, would not 
 the duties of an entire fubmiflion and refignation 
 toihe Almighty Difpofer of all things, fo oftenand 
 fo ftrenuoufly recommended, be infinitely more 
 efficacious to quiet all perturbations of the mind, 
 than any vain amufements of what kind foever 1 
 
 It is not that I would perfuade anyone to a con- 
 tinual poring over books 5 too much reading, tho* 
 of the beft authors, is apt to dull the fpirits, and 
 deftroy that attention which alone can render this 
 employment profitable. A few good maxims, well 
 digelted by reflection, dwell upon the memory, 
 arid are not only a remedy for prefent ills, but al- 
 fo a kind of antidote agamft any future ones that 
 fate may have in flore.. 
 
 But it may be faid, that this advice can only be 
 complied with by perfons^f condition; and as for 
 the meaner part, it cannot be imagined that they 
 have either -time or capacities to enable them to 
 fquare themfeives by fuch rules: this indeed 
 mult be allowed ; but then it muft alfo be allowed, 
 that they can the lead afford to wafte what time 
 they have in fuch li uitlefs attempts as they gene- 
 rally make ufe of for forgetting their cares; and 
 as to their capacities, we arc to fuppofe that every 
 one ur.acrihuula the trade of buftnefs to which he 
 has been bred, and, in my opinion, nothing is 
 jhorepidin than that an induftrious application to 
 that, wauid be his beft relief for any vexation he 
 jiveri in, as well as the fureft means of a- 
 voiding falii;^ into others. 
 
 Upon the whole, it denotes a mcannefs of foul, 
 ot to be forgiven even in the loweft rank oi j to-
 
 tyz THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 pie, much lefsthofeofa more rch^ d ed ration, 
 when, to Ihun the remembiance perhaps of a L.i- 
 fling affli&ion, they run into ri regularities, each 
 of which their reaibu might in-oim them would 
 be productive of greater ills than any they yet had 
 to lament i and is io far from affording any relief, 
 that it ferves only to give new additions to their 
 former difquiets, according to the poet, juftly 
 defcribing this fever of the mind, 
 
 " Reftlefs they tofs, and turn about their fe- 
 
 verifh will, 
 "Whten ill their eafe muft come by lying ftill.** 
 
 But what can be more amazing, than that pcrfon?, 
 who have no one thing upon earth to incommode 
 them, ihould not be able to take any pleafure in 
 contemplating on the tranquilityof their fituationJ 
 Yet fo it is : there are thofe in the world, and in 
 the great world too, who being poffeffed of every 
 thing they can wifh, and frequently much more 
 than either they deferve, or could ever expecl:, 
 feem altogether infenfible of the benefits they re- 
 ceive from heaven, or any obligations they may 
 have to man. This, methinks, is an indolence 
 of nature, which can never be too much guarded 
 againft, becaufe whoever is guilty of it, becomes 
 ungrateful and unjuft, without knowing he is fc, 
 and incurs the cenfure of all who are acquainted 
 \vith him, for omiffions which himfelf is wholly 
 ignorant of, and if he were not fo, would per- 
 haps be very far from meriting. 
 
 The beautiful and noble widow, who is fo 
 good never to tail making one in our little fcciety, 
 was inclined to impute this thought' efs behavi- 
 our in many people to the negligence of thoiis
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 173 
 
 who, having the care of their education, did not 
 infpire them with proper notions of the ncceffity 
 tlure is for every body to enter fometimes into 
 themfelvcs; but we are all againfther in this point, 
 and (he was eafily convinced, that though this 
 was certainly a duty incumbent on all who had 
 the government of youth, yet without fome fliare 
 of a natural bent that way, no leffbns would be 
 effectual ; and that where the fpirits were too vo- 
 latile, any confinement, though for never fo fiiort 
 a fpace of time, would rather mope than render 
 them profitably ferious. 
 
 But u/ter all that has, or can be faid, the world 
 is more inclinable to excufc this defedl than any 
 other I know of; a perfon who loves to be al- 
 ways in company, and accept of any fort rather 
 than be alone, is accounted a good-natured h' arm- 
 let creature; and though it is impoflible they can- 
 be magnified for any extraordinary virtues or qua- 
 lifications, what they lofe in refpecH is for the moft 
 part made up with love. They have rarely any 
 enemies; and the rcafon is plain, they are gene- 
 rally merry, never contradict whatever is faid or 
 done, nor refufe any thing that is afked of them. 
 People of a middling underftanding like their con- 
 verfation; the moil weak are in no awe of 
 them ; and the wifeft wijl fometimes fuffer them- 
 fclves to be diverted by them: in fine, every 
 body is eafy with them, and how eafy they are 
 to thcmfelves in all events, there are innumerable 
 in fiances. 
 
 Belinda is defcended of a good family among 
 the gentry, is agreeable without being a beauty, 
 and has foincwhat of a fparkle in her converfa- 
 tion, which with manypeoplepafles forwitj fqr,
 
 174 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 as (he never gives herfelf the trouble to think 
 what (he is about to fay, butfpeaks all that comes 
 into her head, fome very fmart things frequently 
 fall from her, which, being reported afterwards in 
 other companies, ferve, in this undiftinguifhing 
 age, to eftabliih her chara&er. She came very ear- 
 ly into the great world, and her youth and a new- 
 face were fufficient to make her to be taken no- 
 tice of by Rinaldo, as his quality was to make her 
 pleafed and Tain of his addrefles; but that great 
 perfon looks upon it as derogatory to his dignity 
 to attach himfelf to any particular miftrefs, fo that 
 the amour between them continued no longer than 
 juil to fay there had been one. 
 
 Some women would have been inconfolable to 
 find themfelves no fooner gained than abandoned ; 
 their pride, if not their love, would have made 
 them regret the lofs of fo illuftrious an admirer; 
 but Belinda was juft the fame laughing, rallying, 
 romping creature as before; (he feemed no more 
 affected by this change, than (he had been at the 
 reproofs given to her by her friends on the firft ru- 
 mour of her intimacy with Rinaiclo; and Lavallie, 
 a man of no lefs gallantry and inconftancy, fuc- 
 ceeded to her affe&ion, if that kind of liking, 
 which ferves only to amufe an idle hour, is wor- 
 thy to be called fo. 
 
 Equally gay, inconfiderate, and regardlefs of the 
 ccnfure of the world, this intrigue was managed 
 with fo little circumfpe&ion, that it foon reached 
 the ears of Manella, the wife of Lavallie, a lady 
 infinitely fond of her hufband, and fo tenacious of 
 the rights of love, that even a tender glance to any 
 other wcma'n feemed the mod unpardonable inju- 
 ry to her. But though (he had been enough accuf-
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 175 
 
 tomed to vexations of that kind, to have inured a 
 perfon lefs vehement in her paffions to have borne 
 them with more patience, and the little advantage 
 fhe gained over him by publifhing all the difcove- 
 ries me made of his amours, might have made her 
 fee that it would have been greater prudence in her 
 to be filent; yet the greatnefs of her fpirit would 
 cot fuffer her to fit tamely down under the leaft 
 indignity offered to her love or beauty. She re- 
 proached him on the fcore of Belinda, with a bitter- 
 nefs which, perhaps to revenge, he perfifted in his 
 intrigue with that lady much longer than his incli- 
 nation, without having been thus provoked, would 
 have prompted him to; and the rage (he was in, 
 ferved (being reported to Belinda) to make that 
 thoughtlefs creature triumph in the power of her 
 own charms, and inftead of giving her the leaft 
 (hare of fhame or remorfe, afforded her matter of 
 merriment and ridicule. 
 
 Manella, finding all me could fay to her huf- 
 hand was far from working the effect fhe defired, 
 was refolved to fly to any extremities to break off 
 the intercourfe between him and this hated rival: 
 me knew very well that Rinaldo had once a 
 liking to that young lady,'and though he feemed at 
 prefent entirely diverted of his former inclinations, 
 yet me imagined it might pique" him to be told 
 that one he had honoured with his addrefles mould 
 condefcend to receive thofe of a perfon fo much 
 liis inferior; and therefore flattered herfelf that 
 he would not fail to lay his commands on Lavallie 
 to defifl. his vifits to her, efpecially when he had 
 fo plaufible a pretence for it, as the complaints of 
 a wife. 
 
 Slie therefore threw herfelf at his feet, inform-
 
 176 THE FEMALE B. IV, 
 
 cd him of every thing {he had heard, and, with a 
 fhower of tears, befeeched him to exert the autho- 
 rity he had over her perfidious hufband, to oblige 
 .him to return to his firft vows, and not entirely 
 break the heart of a woman, who had merited him 
 more for love than intereft, and had never fwerved, 
 even in thought from the duties of her place. 
 
 The noble Rinaldo eafily faw into the thing, 
 but would not feem to do fo; and would fain have 
 perfuaded Manella there was no foundation for her 
 fufpicions; but (lie was not to be fo eafily put off. 
 She renewed her intreatiesj he repeated the rea- 
 fons which convinced her of the injuilice done 
 her, and became fo importunate, that he at laft 
 promifed to fpeak to Lavallie to be at leaft more 
 circumfpecl: in his behaviour. 
 
 Whether this great perfon thought any far- 
 ther on it is uncertain, but chance and the inad- 
 vertency of the parties concerned gave the jealous 
 Manella a fufficient opportunity to vent all her 
 enraged foul was full of, on the psrfons who had 
 wronged her. 
 
 She happened one day to go to a millener's 
 where fhe was accuftomed to buy feme trifles be- 
 longing to her drcfs, and finding the miitrefs of 
 the houfe not in. the (hop, ran dire&ly up flairs, 
 where was kept a kind of lace chamber. 1 hough 
 fhe had been often there, and was perfectly ac- 
 quainted with the room, by accident flie puflied 
 Lhe door of another, which being but i ;.t 
 thrown to, without being locked, eafijy gar 
 admittance, and afforded her a profpecl: flie little 
 expected, her hufband and Belinda in a fituation, 
 fuch as might have afiared her of their guilt, had 
 fhe not been fo before.
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 177 
 
 Aftonithment at finding them in that place 
 for fome moments kept her filent, as (Lame and 
 vexation to be thus caught did them; but the mil- 
 lener, who hearing {he was come up flairs, and 
 fearing the confequence, came running into the 
 room, and was beginning to make fome au'kward 
 excufes, fuch as crying to Lavallie and Belinda, 
 " Good Heaven, how came you here! And you, 
 " Madam! to Manella. Blefs me! fure you ha\^ 
 " all miftaken the apartment! nobody ever comes 
 " into this room but for" " But for private pur- 
 (s pofes, infamous woman !" cried Manella, in a 
 voice quite hoarfe with paflion, which rofe with 
 fo much vehemence in her throat, as to render 
 what me faid fcarce intelligible; then flew at her, 
 at Belinda,, and her hufband, railing, flirieking, 
 fcratching, and throwing promifcuoufly the patch, 
 powder-boxes, and every thing that flood upon 
 the toilette: till Lavallie, recovered from the 
 confufion which the furprize of her firfl cnterance 
 had thrown him in, ran to her, held her hands, 
 and told her if (he did not behave with more mo- 
 deration, he would oblige her to it by worfe ufage. 
 
 This menace only ferved to give frefli addition 
 to her fury, and that ihcreafing her ftrength fhe 
 broke from him, and flying to the window, where 
 fhe perceived he had laid his fword, inftantly drew 
 it, and made at Belinda with fuch precipitation, 
 that it was as much as Lavallie could do to &ve 
 his miftrefs from feeling a fatal effeft of her de- 
 fpcration. 
 
 By fuperior force, however, he difarmed this 
 enraged amazon, though not without cutting his 
 own hands in the ftruggle. All this time there 
 vas fuch a mingled found of curfes, (bricks, cries
 
 178 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 of murder, and (lamping on the floor, as muft be 
 very alarming to thofe who heard it. 
 
 As this millener got infinitely more by her pri- 
 vate cuftomers than by her public, and kept a houfe 
 chiefly for the meeting of perfons of condition, 
 Rinaldo, who at that time had a new flame, and 
 was come to gratify it with the beloved objea, 
 heard this difturbance from an adjacent chamber; 
 and wholly unable to guefs the occafion, ran with 
 his fword in his hand to inform himfelf of the 
 truth, where the noife directed. 
 
 He came into the room juft as Lavallie had 
 wrenched from his wife's hand that weapon of de- 
 ftruftion, and feeing who was there, was no longer 
 at a lofs to know what had happened : his prefcnce, 
 however, ohjiged every one to more moderation, 
 and Belinda took this opportunity of running a- 
 way, which before flie could not do, the furious 
 Manella being between her and the door. The 
 millener now began to account for this accident in 
 a more plaufible manner than me had done before. 
 She faid, that Belinda being taken with a fudden 
 faintnefs, fhe had defired to lie down on her bed 
 in order to recover herfelf, and that fhe being af- 
 terwards bufy with cuftomers, had not feen La- 
 vallie enter, but imagined, that being but little 
 acquainted with the houfe, he had gone into that 
 room by miftake. 
 
 Lavallie took the hint flue had given, and pro- 
 tefted, that being directed up to the lace-chamber, 
 he had opened this door, as being the firft he came 
 to, and feeing a lady lie on the bed, he had the 
 curiofity to approach, in order to fee if he knew 
 her, and to rally her for trufting herfelf in that 
 pofbare in an unlocked chamber. *' As I drew
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 179 
 
 " nearer, continued he, I found it was Belinda, 
 *' and alfo by fome groans that fhe was indifpofed : 
 " good-manners, as well as good-nature, obliged 
 " me to enquire how (he did, and as I was trooping 
 " towards the bed, that (he might hear what 1 had 
 " to fay with the more eafe, Manella came into the 
 " room with a rage little becoming her character, 
 '* andloaded thatinnoccntlady and myfelf with the 
 " moft opprobrious reflection malice cculd invent." 
 
 All the time he was fpeaking, Maneila (hook 
 her head, and bit her lips till they even bled with 
 inward vexation; but the prefence of Rinaldo for- 
 bidding her to continue her reproaches in the fame 
 manner me had done before his entrance, (he only 
 faid, that Heaven, who knew how greatly (he was 
 injured, would, one time or other, revenge her 
 caufc. 
 
 The millener, who knew Rinaldo had reafon 
 to be of her (ide, began now in her turn to refent 
 the afperfion ManeLa endeavoured to caft upon 
 her houie, and faid in plain terms, that no reputa- 
 tion could be faie Irom the idle whims ot a jea- 
 lous wife. Lavallie affected to beg her pardon 
 for the injullice his wite was guilty of to her", and 
 curfed himielf for the unhappy mhtakc which had 
 occafioned all this confufion. 
 
 Rinaldo was highly diverted at this fcene in his 
 own mind, but would not add to Manila's afllic- 
 tion, by letting her fee how little he regarded it; 
 (he had, however, too much penetration not to 
 perceive, that neither complaints nor rcfentment 
 vjould be oi much fervice to her in that place, and 
 being almofl ready to burft with fpite and rage, 
 went out of the room, giving a look at Lavallie and 
 the woman of the houfe, which teftified how ill
 
 iSo THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 fhe was fatisfied with the fhallow excufes they had 
 made,and was indeed fo diftrafted in her thoughts, 
 that {he had almoft pafled the door before fhe re- 
 covered prefence enough of mind to pay to Ri- 
 naldo the refpedlhis dignity demanded. 
 
 Her abfence put an end to all the conftraint 
 they had been in; Lavallie was obliged to endure 
 a good deal of raillery on the occafion from Ri- 
 naldo, and afterwards to double the prefent he 
 always made to the millener, on account of the 
 confufion his wife had caufed in her houfe. 
 
 Whether this adventure put an end to the 
 amour he had with Belinda, is uncertain; but if 
 continued, it was with fo much caution, that the- 
 interviews between them were never afterwards 
 difcovered. 
 
 Manella finding fhe could no other way be re- 
 venged, took care to render this affair as public as 
 poffible; fo that Belinda met with the mod fevere 
 reproofs from all her friends for her ill conduct 
 yet fo infenfible was this unthinking lady either of 
 fname, or the prejudice it might be to her inte- 
 reft, to forfeit the love and efteem of her family, 
 that though (lie heard their admonitions with her 
 fenfual ears, thofe of her mind feemed wholly 
 deaf; nor could all that was faid to her make the 
 leaft alteration in her deportment, or prevail on, 
 her to give herfelf one moment's reflection. 
 
 Thus with the fame unmoved, unfhaken indo*- 
 lence fhe had ever behaved, did fhe go on, laugh- 
 ing, finging, dancing, coquetting among the gay 
 world for near two years, in which time no ma- 
 terial incident happened to her: the truth is, in- 
 deed, whatever was reported of her, fo little con- 
 cerned her, that her carelefsnefs blunted the edge
 
 U. IV. SPECTATOR. iSi 
 
 of fcandal, and had the fame effet as not to de- 
 ferve it would have had: people grew weary of 
 talking of what every one knew, and was made no 
 fecret of by the perfon whofe intereft it chiefly 
 was to have kept it fo. 
 
 In a long courfe of unregarded follies might (lie 
 have continued, till age and wrinkles had enforced 
 that folitude her own prudence was too weak to 
 make choice of, had not count Loyter profefled a 
 paffion of a different nature for her than any be- 
 fore him had pretended. 
 
 So greatly did he feem enamoured with her, that 
 he never was two hours abfent from her ; ^nd his 
 quality and attachment obliged all who were looked 
 upon as her former admirers to keep a greater di- 
 ftance. Her kindred and friends were tranfported 
 to hear with what refpecl: and tendernefs the ad- 
 drefles he made to her were accompanied; but 
 their rejoicing was very much abated, when, on 
 examining her on this account, they could not 
 find that he had ever once mentioned marriage to 
 her; and though he fwore ten thoufand oaths 
 that he was utterly unable to live without pof- 
 feffing her, he had not made one that it was his 
 intention to poflefs her by thofe ways which alone 
 could do honour to her family. As there feemed 
 fome reafon, however, to believe the regard he 
 had for her was infinitely more fmcere than any 
 who before had called themfelves her lovers, they 
 advifed, nay conjured her to omit nothing in her 
 power for improving it, and converting the de- 
 figns he had upon her into honourable ones, if 
 they were not fo already: all this me promifed 
 them to do, but thought no more of what they 
 had faid than the time they were fpeaking, and 
 0.3
 
 i8z THE FEMALE B. m 
 
 being herfelf quite eafy in the matter, made hep 
 lover fo too, by leaving him to do as inclination 
 fhould diret him. 
 
 This behaviour was an infinite trouble to all 
 \vho wifhed to fee her retrieve, by a happy marri- 
 age, the errors of her paft life ; but one more fan- 
 guine than the reft for her intereft, refolved to do 
 that for her which he found there was no poflibility 
 of prevailing on her to do for herfelf, and took an 
 opportunity of difcourfing with the count on the 
 affair. He at firft would have evaded all talk of 
 it, and made feveral efforts to give a turn to the 
 converfation; but finding himfelf clofely preffedj 
 he at lafl replied, that as Belinda and himfelf were 
 the chief perfons concerned, and were perfe&ly 
 fatisfied with each other's intentions, he thought 
 all interfering between them wholly unneceffary. 
 
 Thefe words were a little refented by the 
 friends of Belinda,and gave rife to fome expreflions 
 on both fides, which if either of them demanded 
 not that fatisfa&ion of the other, which is ufual 
 in fuch cafes between gentlemen, there wanted 
 but a very little of it. From this time, however, 
 their former intimacy was broke off: Belinda's 
 kinfman reproached her for that levity which had 
 like to have proved fatal to him ; and count Loyter, 
 to (hew how little he regarded the difpleafure of 
 any of her family, prevailed on that thoughtlefs 
 lady to come and live publickly at his houfe. 
 
 All the world now looked upon her as his mif- 
 trefs; and indeed how could it be otherwife! 
 She had an apartment fo near his own, that they 
 could with eafe pafs to each other, without being 
 known to do fo by any of the family; me went 
 abroad with him to all publick places ; (he had
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 183 
 
 the entire command of all his fervants ; (he did 
 the honours of his table whatever company was 
 there; yet was there not the lead mention of any 
 marriage between tlem: but in fpite of all 
 thefe circumftances,it is poflible they might be in- 
 nocent. 
 
 After having lived together in this manner, till 
 the talk of it (which never continues long on one 
 fubjecl) began to fubfide, the count all at once 
 declared his intention of making her his wife. 
 New equipages and new habits were prepared,- 
 invitations fent to the friends on both fides, and 
 they were really married at a time when it was 
 leaft to be hoped or expeded. 
 
 It muft be owned that there was fomething 
 fpiiited, and at the fame time truly honourable 
 in the behaviour of count Loyter on this occafion: 
 he would not be compelled to give any definitive 
 anfwer as to his defigns on a woman of Belinda's 
 character; but when he found himfelf free from 
 the perfecutions of her friends s and that they had 
 entirely given her over for loft, then did he (hew 
 the fmcerity of his paflion,- and entirely wipe off 
 all the afpeifions that had been caft on her upon 
 his account. 
 
 I fhould be glad there was a pofllbility of ex- 
 cufing Belinda alib; but alas! me confented to 
 live in his houfe without any certainty, or even a 
 promife of ever being his wife, and was, perhaps, 
 not the leaft furprized of any that heard it, that 
 (lie was made fo. 
 
 Her change of fortune has wrought no change 
 in her humour and conduct; and as fhe would be 
 commended for being no way elated with the gran- 
 deur me pofleflesjfo muft (he alfo be highly blamed
 
 i&4 THE FEMALE B. IV; 
 
 for not remembering her honour is now the proper- 
 ty of her lord, and that every light unbecoming 
 aclipn me is guilty of, is a reflection upon him. 
 
 I believe it would be very difficult to prove that 
 (he has ever wronged him in faft; but it is the 
 duty of every married woman to behave fo as not 
 even to be fufpe&ed. This Belinda has fenfe e- 
 nough to know, but not enough to remembe-r 
 that ihe knows. 
 
 Adonius, no lefs amorous and inconftant thaa 
 his brother Rinaldo, and much more endued with 
 thofe perfections which charm womankind, has 
 found in the now countefs Loyter graces, which, 
 till after me was another's, had not been difcover- 
 ed by him. The admiration he exprefles to have 
 for her, and the pleafure his converfation affords, 
 are of too much confequence to her happinefs not 
 to be indulged, bhe forgets the obligation fhe 
 has to her lord, and wholly taken up with this new 
 and illuftrious lover, is fcarce ever at home, but 
 when he vouchfafes to vifit there. It is certain, 
 that in the parties of pleafure fhe makes with him, 
 her hufband frequently is one; yet does not his 
 being feen with them fometimes take off the cen- 
 fure which their being together without him at 
 others too juftly incurs. 
 
 As yet the count is under no uneafinefs on ths 
 fcore : he looks on the fine things faid in his pre- 
 fence by Adonius to his wife, as proceeding only 
 from an excefs of complaifance; and imputes the 
 fatisfadion the takes in hearing them merely to 
 the little vanity of her fex; the rambles they 
 take together to the levity of both their humours; 
 and, inftead of being angry, often laughs at the 
 recital.
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. i* S 
 
 Not fo the young, the beautiful, the tender A- 
 nnadea fupports the being deprived of the fociety 
 of her adored Adonius; (he pines in fccrct, with- 
 out daring to complain, and now, too late, regrets 
 her eafy faith, which nattered her with the hopes 
 of fccuring to herfelf fo mutable a heart. 
 
 Rumour will have it, that not two moons fince, 
 deaf to all confiderations but thofe of gratifying 
 their mutual paffion, he ran the rifque of ruining 
 himfelf for ever with thofe on whom he depends, 
 and who had betrothed him to another; and (he, 
 of being (hamefully repudiated by that authority 
 whence there is no appeal; they both venturing 
 every thing that might enfue, to be united to each 
 other by a clandeiiine and unlicenfed marriage. 
 If fo, how great a change! the facred ceremony 
 has no power to bind Adonius: he thinks him- 
 felf under no obligations to continue conftant to a 
 wife fo much beneath him: and where fl.all flic 
 apply for juilice againft a hufband, whom to ac- 
 knowledge as fuch, would only incur the difplea- 
 fure of thofe ihe would oblige. 
 
 What fad efre6r,s do giving way to any paflion, 
 though of the mod tender kind, produce, efpeci- 
 ally in ourfcx! If Amadea thinks (he has fatisfied 
 her virtue, in granting nothing to her lover til! the 
 fanc'lion of marriage has converted inclination into 
 duty, what will fuch a marriage avail, when (he 
 durft not avow it? When the very prieft that, 
 joined their hands, (hall be obliged to dilbwn 
 his ever having performed that ceremony between 
 them; and when Adonius, whofe perfeverance in 
 love,and patience in enduring all that could be in- 
 flicted on him, could alone obtain forgivenefs; and 
 a fandion of ratifying what he had done, (hall be
 
 i8<5 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 fo far from taking any fuch meafures, that he fhall 
 teftify a joy in having made it void! What woe, 
 what mifery, what defpair, would then be the lot 
 of fo every way an abandoned wife. 
 
 Already has (he a tafte of what {he may juflly 
 apprehend will infallibly arrive in his prefent at- 
 tachment to Belinda; already does fhe feel the 
 cruel ftings of jealoufyand difappointment,and re- 
 flects with agonies not to be exprefled, on the ap- 
 proaching ills, which following the dictates of a 
 blind heedlefs difpofition, and perhaps fome mix- 
 ture of ill-judged ambition, muft involve her in. 
 
 It is certain, fhe is far from being that vain, 
 wild, unthinking creature that Belinda is; yet had 
 fhe thought juftly me never would have confented 
 to marry a perfon, where the character of wife muft 
 lay her under greater inconveniencies than even 
 that of a miftrefs. 
 
 As the principal dcfign of thefe fpeculations is, 
 therefore, to con eel thofe errors in the mind, 
 which are moft imperceptible, and for that reafon 
 the moftdangerouSjfuch examplesare not fetdown 
 but with a view of (hewing how the want of a 
 proper way of thinking in our youth involves our 
 whole future lives jn misfortunes, which frequent- 
 ly no reflection can afterwards retrieve. The ana- 
 tomifts, indeed, will tell you, that where there is 
 a defect in the texture of the brain, this incapacity 
 of reflection is mechanical, and confequently irre- 
 mediable; but by this way of reafoning they may 
 alfo pretend, (as it is certain many do) that all vices 
 are conftitutional, which I never can be brought 
 to allow, becaufe fuch an opinion would be im- 
 puting an error to the Author of our formation, 
 wholly deftroying the doctrine of free-will, and^
 
 S. IV. SPECTATOR. i$ 7 
 
 in fine, levelling human nature with the brutal, 
 which acts merely by inftinct. I grant that by 
 the-itructure of our parts we may have a more or 
 lefs propensity to good or evil, and alfo that the 
 foul has greater power of exerting itfelf, in what 
 \ve call reafon, through the organs of fome peo- 
 "ple, than it has in others; yet this is in a great 
 meafure to be helped, if thofe who have the care 
 of us when young, begin the work, and we our- 
 felves carry it on afterwards with that vigour and 
 application which it requires. 
 
 Socrates the philofopher was an inftance of this 
 truth, who being addicted to all manner of in- 
 temperance, gained the victory, by his reafon and 
 refolution, over each inordinate paflion, and was 
 the pattern of virtue and abftemioufnefs. 
 
 To know ourfelves, is agreed by all to be the 
 moft ufeful learning; the firft lefibns, therefore, 
 given us ought to be upon that fubject. The pa- 
 rents or governors of children can never anfwer 
 to themfelves a neglect in this point. Youth 
 (hould be tried and fifted; and when the favourite 
 propenfity is found out, it will be eafy either to 
 eradicate or improve it, according as it tends to 
 vice or virtue. 
 
 1 muft confefs, that where there is a kind of 
 heavy ftupidity, or xvhat they call too much mer- 
 cury in the difpofition, the one requires a great 
 deal of art to enliven, and the other no lefs to fix; 
 and, as they are direct contraries, fo contrary me- 
 thods fhould be made ufe of. But this is a duty 
 which ought not to be difpenfed with on account 
 of its difficulty, nor is perhaps fo hard a matter as 
 it feems, if we confider, that to give fpirit and 
 Tivacity to the dull, nothing but chearful objects
 
 m THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 fhould be prefented; and to the too wild and giddy, 
 thofe of the mod ferioua and afFe&ing nature. 
 
 Where an excefs of gaiety and the love of plea- 
 fure is predominant, the mind fliould be early 
 feafoned with the knowledge of the many difap- 
 pointments, difafters, and calamities, which are 
 the portion of the greatefl part of mankind. Pity 
 for the woes of others, and the certainty that no 
 condition or degree can allure itfelf with being de- 
 fended from the frowns of fate, will give a more 
 ferious turn to our ideas, and ferve very much to 
 abate that impetuofity which arifes from a too 
 great redundancy of fire or air in perfons of that 
 difpofition. 
 
 Few are fo happy as to be compofed of equal e- 
 lements; therefore, what is deficient in the confti- 
 tution, ought to be fupplied by judgment. The 
 earthy ftupid, and the watry phlegmatic, are to be 
 raifedbyexercife, mufic, dancing, and all fprightly 
 amufements : as the fiery choleric, and the airy 
 giddy, are to be tempered with their contraries. 
 
 But, as I have already taken notice, this me- 
 thod, though it mud not be omitted by the tu- 
 tors, will fail of fuccefs, if not feconded by the 
 endeavours of the pupils, when left to the ma- 
 nagement of themfelves; but where there is a 
 good foundation laid by thofe who have had the 
 care of inftructing us in our youth, it will be en- 
 tirely our own fault, if we afterwards fall into 
 very grofs irregularities. , 
 
 R.eflelion, therefore, and recollection, are as 
 neceflary for the mind as food is for the body: a 
 little examination into the affections of the heart 
 can be of no prejudice to the mod melancholy 
 conftitution, and will be of infinite fervicc to the
 
 fc. IV. SPECTATOR. 189 
 
 too fanguine. The unhappy may, pofiibly, by 
 indulging thought, hit on fome lucky ftratagem 
 for the relief of his misfortunes; and the happy 
 may be infinitely more fo, by contemplating on 
 his condition. 
 
 So great a pleafure do many people find in re- 
 tiring fometimes into themfelves, that they would 
 not be denied that privilege for any other enjoy- 
 ment whatfoever. 
 
 I once knew a gentleman, who had a wife of 
 tvhom he was infinitely fond, and whofe fociety he 
 preferred to all others in the world, at thofe times 
 when he was difpofed for converfation ; yet, if 
 (lie offered to difiurb his meditations, would grow 
 quite peevifh with her. So valuable to him was 
 the freedom of his thoughts, that he could not bear 
 an interruption, even tho' he knew it to be a proof 
 of love from her who was by fo much the cleared 
 part of himfelf. 1 remember I was one day at 
 his houfe, when his lady thinking he had been too 
 long alone, had, with a gentle force, dragged him 
 from his clofet. 1 wondered to fee him more than 
 ordinarily grave, and on inquiring into the caufe, 
 was anfwered by him in thefe terms: "'This dear 
 " creature (faid he) robs me of half the pleafure 
 '* of her love, by not permitting me to contem- 
 " plate on the blefiings I poffefs in her." 
 
 How then happens it, that fuch numbers deny 
 themfelves the .greateft fatisfaclion a reafonablc 
 being can enjoy, and which is alfo of fuch high 
 importance in every accident in life, that without 
 it we have no power, either to attain any good, 
 or defend ourfelves from any evil! 
 
 But fome people are fo ignorant as to imagine, 
 or fo wicked as to infinuate, that thofe who think 
 
 VOL. I. R
 
 ipo THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 much, and are lovers of folitude, feclude them- 
 felves, not from the world, but with a view of 
 doing fome mifchief to it- According to the fta- 
 tions they are in, they are judged capable of ru- 
 minating on greater or Jefler evils to mankind. 
 They will have a fedentaryftatefman to be plotting 
 treafon either againft his prince or country; a 
 fteward ftudying new methods to enlarge his bills ; 
 a tradefman to impofe upon his cuftomers; and 
 fo on, from the higheft to the loweft degree. 
 
 A few examples have, alas! but too much au- 
 thorized this opinion. We have feen great think- 
 ers who have only thought to aggrandize them- 
 felves on the ruins of thofe they pretend toferve; 
 great! prcfeffors, who have fpared no pains to gain 
 confidence for no other purpofe than to betray, 
 great advocates for liberty, only to enflave; and 
 great preachers up of juftice, only to purchafe fe- 
 curity for the worft of criminals. 
 
 So grofs an abufe of the faculty of thinking is, 
 indeed, turning the arms of heaven againft itfelf, 
 and forcing that facred reafon, which was given 
 us fora guide to virtue, to accompany us in the 
 paths of vice. To think of fuch purpofes, I rnuft 
 confefs, is infinitely worfe than not to think at 
 ail; becaufe the one tends to injure and opprefs 
 mankind in general, the other is for the moft part 
 hurtful only to the perfons themfelves. 
 
 Hypocrifyis deteftableboth to God and man: 
 we are told from an unerring mouth, that thofe 
 found guilty of it " fhall have the loweft place in 
 " hell;" andfureon earth theymeritthe moftcon- 
 temptible treatment from their fellow creatures! 
 When once the maflc of benevolence and fiucerity 
 is plueked from the face of the feeming angel, and
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. i pl 
 
 the grim treacherous fiend appears in his native 
 uglinefs, by fo much the more as our admiration 
 before was of him, will be our abhorrence of him 
 afterwards : we fball hate and fly him, as we 
 once loved and followed him: every body will be 
 ready to catch up a ftone to throw at him, and no 
 opportunities of infuhing him will be omitted. 
 
 Proteus, by fad experience, is convinced, that 
 all his arts are ineffectual to retrieve any part 
 of that efteem he once was happy in from all de- 
 grees of people. The beguiler can beguile no 
 more. By miftaken meafures, vainly aiming at 
 greater homage, like Lucifer, the pride-fwollea 
 bubble fell, at once, into the gulph of endlefs in- 
 famy and contempt, whence he can never hope to 
 rife. 
 
 Even the very ladies take a pleafure in giving 
 him all the mortification in their power; and as 
 our fex has the privilege of faying whatever we 
 have a mind to, without any danger of refcnt- 
 ment from the men, he often meets with .the fe- 
 vereft farcafms from thofe who have wit enough 
 to make them. 
 
 He was one day at cards with fome perfons of 
 condition, when being feized with a fudden vio- 
 lent pain in his fide, after diltorting his iace into 
 feveral difagreeable pofitions, he could not forbear 
 at laft crying out, " Oh, my fide! my fide!" On 
 which Tartilla, who was one of the company, 
 with a malicious fneer rejoined, " Your fide, Pro- 
 '* teus! I thought you had no fide now." Thele 
 words, which plainly alluded to his being aban- 
 doned by both parties, gave him,perhaps,an agony 
 more poignant than that he complained of, and 
 both together rendered him fo peevifh, that he re- 
 ft 2
 
 Ipi THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 plied haflily, and in a tone which was far from 
 his accuftomed politenefs, u Yes, madam, and a 
 *' back-fide too." This anfwer, grofs as it was, 
 gave not Tartilla the lead confufion; and with- 
 out any hesitation, " I do not know that," faid {he, 
 t( but all the world knows your wife has one." 
 
 All the company burft into a loud laughter at 
 this repartee, as the character of Proteus's wife 
 made it no lefs juft than fmart.; and he, having no- 
 thing to return to a piece of fetire which had fo 
 much truth in it, went out of the room ready to 
 burft between fhamc and unavailing fpite, leaving 
 his fair antagonifl to receive all the praifes her. 
 ready wit and preferice of mind deferred. 
 
 When people of fuch confideration in the world 
 are guilty of any notorious, indirect, or ridiculous 
 actions, they can expect no lefs than to become the 
 theme of every fatiric genius : but I think the jeer 
 which old Pompilius met with from his own fon, 
 on account of his being lately married to a lady 
 young enough to be his grand-daughter, was no, 
 lefs flinging than that I have been relating. 
 
 Some little time after thefeprepofterous nuptials 
 were confummated, the father and fon were toge- 
 ther at an affembly: feveral who had not before 
 that time feen old Pompilius fince the ceremony,, 
 congratulated him upon it in thephrafes common 
 on fuch occafions; and this turning the converfati- 
 on on the happinefs of the conjugal (late, one of 
 the company happened to afk the young gentleman 
 "Avhen he intended to marry? " Really, fir," an- 
 fwered he, " it is a thing I have not yet given my-. 
 ' felf any trouble about; for (added he, with a far- 
 cafticlook) the onlyladyl wifh to have for a wife, 
 " is the fifter of my mother-in-law; and the only
 
 B, IV* S P E C T A T O H. 193 
 
 " inducement Ihave to that, is becaufe I mighthave 
 " the honour of beingcalled brother by "my father." 
 
 Not even thofe whofe intereft it was to preferve 
 the good-will of Pompilius, had guard enough o- 
 ver themfelves to reftrain fmiling at fo unexpected 
 and fo fevere a reply from his fon before his face; 
 but thofe who regarded neither his favour nor re- 
 fcntment, laughed outright; and the old bride- 
 groom, finding what he had done thus publickly 
 fcofted at by his own blood, was in no lefs con- 
 fufion and incapacity of making any return than 
 he had once before been in, when employed to 
 give an account of a battle, while the dreadful 
 rear of the cannons were ftill in his ears, and all 
 the terrors of death before his eyes; nor could 
 now, as then, recover himfelf from it, till more 
 than half a dozen bottles of Burgundy (his ufual 
 ilint) had given him frefh fpirits. 
 
 It is certain, that of late years the family of the 
 Wrongheads have increafed to a prodigious num- 
 ber. We have feen fuch things as even the very re- 
 port of in former times would have been treated as 
 mere fiction; and, indeed, all the tales that romance 
 can furnifh us'with, come infinitely fhort of many 
 prefent characters. We have knight-adventurers, 
 who, like Don Quixote, when he fpurred Rofi- 
 nante to encounter with the windmill, by attempt- 
 ing to furmount imaginary dangers, run into real 
 ones. We have hypocrites and felf-favers,of whom 
 Sir Hudibrafs, in laying the whipping taflc on the 
 back of his poor 'fquire, is but an imperfect mo- 
 del. We have ourTherfites, our Pandarus's, our 
 Demagorus's too, in a much higher degree than 
 roet or hiftorian painted them. Difficult is 
 ii LO fay, whether wickednefs or folly moft abounds 
 R3
 
 194 THE FEMALE " B. IV, 
 
 among us ; and whether there are more people who 
 purchafe what they call happinefs at the expence 
 of their virtue, or who forfeit all pretenfions to 
 it by their madnefs: for there is nothing more 
 common than to fee thofe who, in court, in camp, 
 in town, and in country, take as much pains to 
 be undone, as others do to undo. 
 
 In fine, when one looks into the world, and con- 
 fides the prefent times and humours of mankind,, 
 one cannot help crying out with the poet, 
 " There is no wonder, or elfe all is wonder!'* 
 Yet to what can we impute all thofe miftakes,, 
 mifcarriages, or thofe cruelties, oppreffions, unna-. 
 tural actions, and the innumerable train of mif- 
 chiefs, which we either bring upon ourfelyes, on 
 inflicl on others, but to the want of thought, or 
 to thought mifapplied! The latter I again allow 
 to be of much worfe confequence than the former; 
 but as we are free-agents,- and the choice is in, 
 ourfelves whether we will be virtuous or vicious,, 
 it would be a poor excufe to fay, " We durft not 
 " think, left we mould think amifs." 
 
 Man was created little inferior to the angels>. 
 and it is his own fault that he is not very near as 
 happy too. This world is plentifully ftored with 
 every thing fuited to the nature of his being; and, 
 borne en the wings of facred contemplation, he 
 may alfo partake of heavenly raptures: but this 
 point I leave to divines! for though it is a truth 
 felf-evident, yet there are people who chufe rather 
 to be convinced by the learning of others, than by 
 the witnefles in their own breads. 
 
 A friend of mine, who with fome other Eng-* 
 lifh gentlemen was making the tour of Europe, 
 happened, as he paffed through one of the moft
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. i 95 
 
 wild and mountainous parts of France, tolofe his 
 company. On his firft finding himfelf alone, he 
 imagined, that having been in a deep mufing, they 
 bad gone on before without his obferving them, 
 therefore clapped fpurs tohishorfe in order to over- 
 take them: but having- rode fome miles without 
 feeing either any thing of them, or meeting any 
 perfon who could diret him to the town where 
 they had agreed to put up for that night, he was 
 extremely at a lofs, efpecially when he came where" 
 three roads met. To add to his misfortune, there 
 fell a very heavy rain, accompanied with a great 
 \vind, infomuch that he was obliged to make to- 
 wards a wood, which he faw at fome diftance, to 
 shelter himfelf and horfe from the fury of the fr.orm 
 which every moment feemed to gather ftrength. 
 
 The intermingling boughs of the trees for 
 fome little time defended him> but would not have 
 continued to v do fo much longer, and he was be- 
 ginning to give way to impatience ; when, on a 
 fudden, he heard a human voice call to him to turn 
 towards the right of a little mount, about fome 
 twenty yards from him. 
 
 He has aflured me, that never any mufic had 
 given him half the pleafure as the found of one of 
 his own fpecies did in that unfrequented wild. 
 He failed not to obey the (ummons, and prefently 
 perceived a man habited like a hermit, ftand at 
 the entrance of a cave beneath the mount. The 
 tempeit did not prevent him from coming forth 
 to meet his diltrefled traveller: he helped him to. 
 alight, tied his horfe under one of the thickefl; 
 trees, and then conducted him into his gloomy 
 l-.abitaticnj vuh all ihe politencfs of a firil-rate 
 sourticr.
 
 196 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 My friend was extremely furprized, not only at 
 his reception, but at the exceflive neatnefs of every 
 thing he faw in his cavern, which he found was 
 divided into two rooms: the firfl contained a table, 
 two eafy chairs, a fmall beaufet with glafles, and 
 fome china, loaded with the mod excellent fruits: 
 the other had in it only a couch, with a mat- 
 trefs and coverlid, one chair, and a shelf of books, 
 near which was fixed a little altar with a crucifix. 
 He could not help teflifying his admiration at the 
 contrivance of this habitation; and, as he fpoks 
 French very well, began to afk fome queftions 
 concerning it, and in what manner his holt could 
 be provided with necefiaries, as he faw no town, 
 nor even village, near that place. 
 
 To which the other replied with a fmile, that 
 his curiofity should be fully fatisfied ; " But firft 
 " (faid he) y<5u muft refresh yourfelf with fuch 
 ** things as this homely cell affords." 
 
 In fpeaking thofe words, he fpread a curious 
 damaflc "napkin on the table, and then fet plates of 
 pickles, feveral forts of frefh and dried fruits, fine 
 manchet, fromage, and a bottle of the beft Bur- 
 gundy. In fine, a more elegant afternoon's colla- 
 tion could not have been prefented in the moft o 
 pulent city, than what this cavern in the midil of 
 an unfrequented wood afforded. 
 
 The more the ftranger faw, the more he was 
 furprized; which the feeming hermit perceiving, 
 entertained him, while they were eating, with this 
 account of himfelr. 
 
 He told him, that he was not a conftant inha- 
 bitant of the place he found him in, but repairexl 
 thither occafionally, and when he was in the hu- 
 mour to indulge refls&ioa i that he wore that
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. J 9 y 
 
 habit, which was always held facred, even by the 
 moft profligate, to protect him from any infults in 
 ca!c he fhould happen to be feen by any of thofc 
 wretches, who, living on the plunder of travellers, 
 frequently, when purfued, took fhelter in that 
 wood; and that he was called the count de Mon- 
 taubin, and his ufual refidence in a caftle of his 
 own about twelve miles diltant. 
 * My friend, after paying him thofe refpets which 
 the knowledge of his quality demanded, exprefled 
 fome amazement that he fhould have occafion to 
 take the pains to come fo far, and.fubjeci; himfelf 
 to fo many inconveniencies, merely for the fake of 
 a retirement, which he might, doubtlefs, enjoy in 
 as full a manner at home, if he was difj.oied to let 
 his inclinations for folitude be fignified to his ac- 
 quaintance, 
 
 To which the count replied, that he pcrct4ve4 
 he was a flranger to the humour of ihe French na- 
 tion : that what he mentioned was a thing whol- 
 ly imp radii cable to a man of his quality: that 
 though he lived -at a confiderable diitance from 
 Paris, or any gieat city, his caftle was continually 
 crowded either with the neighbouring gentry, or 
 perfons who travelled that way; and that befides, 
 he was married to a lady of fo gay and volatile a 
 difpofition,that it was impoffiblcfor him ever to be 
 entirely alone. " To add to all this, continued he, 
 * { 1 have fcvcral children, and a numerous retinue 
 " of fervants, and though I fliould (hut myfelf up 
 " in the moft retired room I have, I could not (till 
 ft be free from interruption of one kind or other." 
 
 ** The mind, faid he, requires fome relaxation. 
 *< as well as the body; and when fatigued with 
 ** the hurry of thofc pleafures with which it is
 
 I 9 S THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 " expelled one mould entertain one's friends, here 
 " I retire, give a loofe to contemplation, and 
 " when I have recruited my fpirits, return again 
 <{ into the world, and tafte the joys of love and 
 " converfation with a much higher reliih than if 
 cc I never were abfent from them." 
 
 The Englifh gentleman could not help allow- 
 ing the juflnefs of his notion in this point, but ilill 
 thought it rtrange that he did not make choice of 
 fome place where he might be lefs expofed to acci- 
 dents, than in the wildnefs of this wood; but the 
 count, who it feems, was one of the molt com- 
 plaifant obliging perfons on earth, would not fuffer 
 him to remain in a fu [pence, which it was in his. 
 power to eafe, and therefore made no fcruple of 
 relating to him fome paflages of his former life, 
 which entirely banifhed all the difUcuhi^s he had 
 found in himfeif to reconcile to reaton a behaviour 
 that at firil appeared to have in it fo much oddity.- 
 
 The count in his younger years had the mif- 
 fortune to have a rencounter witlva nobleman, in 
 which he gave him fome wounds which he knew 
 not but were mortal. Befides the law, which in 
 that country is very fevere againft duelling, his an- 
 tagonift was a pericn in great favour with the king, 
 and he had little room to hope for mercy in cafe 
 the other died. To avoid the profecution, he fled 
 from Paris, and not doubting but all houfes where 
 they might expe6l to find him would be ftriclly 
 fearched, he concealed himfejf in this wocd, ac- 
 companied only by one faithful fervant, who hav- 
 ing been brought up with him, would not be pre- 
 vailed upon to quit him in fuch an extremity. 
 
 He aflured my friend, that they lived for near 
 three weeks on fuch provifion only as that dsfo-
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. i<;f 
 
 hte wild afforded; that for feveral days they could 
 not find a brook at which they might flake their 
 third, fo that the fruits they found on fome of the- 
 hedges ferved them both. as food and drink; and to 
 fecure themfelyes from the wolves by night, which 
 frequently prowled about that foreft, they were 
 obliged to take up their lodgings in the tailed trees 
 they could find. Nothing, he faid, but the pro- 
 tecting hand of heaven could have enabled them 
 to fuftain the hardfhips they were obliged to fuffer. 
 Atlaft, quite tired and worn out with defpair, death 
 feemed lefs terrible than the continuance of fuch a 
 life, and he ventured to fend his fervant to enquire 
 what was become of the wounded gentleman, and 
 at the fame time to procure fome place where he 
 might once more be accommodated with the ne- 
 ceffaries which the nature of his being required. 
 
 The fellow's return brought him the good news 
 .that his enemy was not only recovered of the hurts 
 he had received from him, but had alfo confefled 
 that himfelf had been the aggreflbr, and laboured 
 by all his friends to obtain the fame pardon for the 
 count as for himfelf: that every body expected 
 it would foon be Hgnsd, and that, though it was 
 not proper he mould appear in publick till it was 
 fo, yet, as all fearch after him was entirely over, 
 he might quit that dreadful fituation, and repair 
 to the lioufe of a relation, who would meet him at 
 the entrance of the foreft, and conduct him with 
 all manner of privacy. 
 
 Every thing happened according to his intelli- 
 gence; and lie had not been a week before the 
 royal clemency exerted itfelf in favour of both the 
 delinquents; who then, as great friends as before 
 they had been the contrary, went together to
 
 *<55 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 throw themfelves at the foot of the throne, and 
 pay their grateful acknowledgments. 
 
 The count concluded his little narrative with 
 faying, that though this adventure was fo happily 
 ended, the danger and hardfhips it had involved 
 him in, gave a much more ferious turn to his 
 humour than he had ever known before; that 
 during his abode in that folitary place, he had 
 found fo much matter for contemplation, that the 
 remembrance ftill dwelt, and ever would do fo, up- 
 on his mind; and though the ideas which he now 
 had demanded in privacy to indulge, yet they were 
 fo far from having anything melancholy or gloomy 
 in them, that they afforded him the moft icrene 
 and perfect fatisfaclion. 
 
 " You fee now, added he, the motives I hate 
 " for retiring myfelf fometimes from -the noife 
 " and hurry of the world; and as this place was 
 " my afylum in diftrefs, I cannot help having a 
 " kind of love for it, and think I ought in grati- 
 " tude to make it the fcene of my more pleafmg 
 ** meditations;! therefore made this cavern be 
 cut out of the mount, furnifhed it as you fee* 
 provided two chairs in cafe any diftreffed per- 
 t* fon fhould have occafion to take refuge here, as 
 " it has now happened; and I could wifh that I 
 " had taken the fame precaution as to a bed, for it 
 " now grows late, and 1 forefee the ftorm will not 
 " abate while you can depart with any fafety; 
 <{ but we will pafs the night as well as we can; I 
 < have a fufficient quantity of Burgundy within, 
 " and by the help of that and converfation, we 
 " may beguile the hours till morning, when my 
 " fervant will be here, and then I will beg the fa- 
 ." vour of your company to a place, where it will
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 201 
 
 " be in my power to entertain you in a fafliion 
 ' fi more agreeable to my inclination and your 
 * merit." 
 
 My friend then told him, how having loft his 
 company he could not do himfelf the honour to 
 accept his invitation, becaufe, he mufl make the 
 .bed of his way to the town where they had agreed 
 to ftay for that night; and faid, he did not doubt 
 but to overtake them, provided he could but find 
 his way out of the foreft. 
 
 Count Mcntaubiii afTured him, that what he 
 talked pf was no way to be performed ; that the 
 town he mentioned lay quite on the other fide of 
 the wood, which was wholly impracticable to be 
 pafFed without a guide, even though he had the 
 day inftead of the night before him, by reafon of 
 the many intricate turnings it contained : that the 
 great road was not only the fafeft but the neareft; 
 and as he had mifled it by turning into the wood, 
 be might by the affiflance of his fervant eafily re- 
 cover it : " But, faid he, as the man will be with 
 '* me, as he always is, extremely early, the beft 
 <c way will be to fend him to your friends, acquaint 
 them Avhere you arc, and engage them either to 
 come to you at my caftle, which luckily hap- 
 " pens to be fituated very near the road, or to 
 " tarry till you can reach them." 
 
 This expedient fcemed no lefs reafonable and 
 convenient to the gentleman, than it was kind and' 
 obliging in him that propofed it; snd being a man 
 perfectly free from all that troublefome formal 
 ceremony which half-bred people arc fo full of, he 
 agreed to it without any hcfitation or apologies. 
 
 The night glided almofl infenfibly away iu fuch 
 agreeable converfation, and Aurora had fcarce 
 
 VOL. I. S
 
 202 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 given place to the chariot of the fun, before the 
 fervant of count Montaubin arrived with a led 
 horfe, it being the day his lord had appointed for 
 his return home, and the wood altogether impaf- 
 fable for any wheel-carriage. 
 
 The ftorm having now entirely fubfided, every 
 thing feeraed more beautiful for the late rufHe it 
 had fuftained. So pleafing a wildnefs appeared 
 through the whole, that my friend was perfectly 
 charmed with it; and the count did not fail, du- 
 ring the time of their little journey, to fet forth all 
 the delights this rural fcene afforded. " Here, 
 faid he, we fee nature in its purity, juft as it came 
 ' from the hand of the Creator. What art, what 
 *' agriculture can equal the fweet confufion with 
 44 which every plant fprings up fpontaneous? 
 44 What a folemn reverence do thefe tall ancient 
 " trees excite? How ravifhing is the fragrancy 
 " of the air, that their fanning boughs waft to ue, 
 *' unmixed, unadulterated with any of thofe grofs 
 44 particles which the neighbourhood of cities con- 
 " ftantly fend forth? Here we enjoy untainted 
 4{ aether, partake the food of angels, new-wing 
 " our fouls, and almolt fpiritualize our dull mor- 
 "tality; yet, added he, how many live, and 
 4 < how many years did I live, without giving my- 
 " felf leave to know that Heaven had beftowed 
 4! fuch bleffings upon man!" 
 
 He further added, that he found an inward fa- 
 tisfaclion fuch as no tongue could exprefs, in his 
 meditations during the times of his thus fecluding 
 himfelf from fcciety, which was ordinarily no 
 more than four or five days together: that no 
 perfon whatever knew the place of his retirement 
 tut that faithful fervant, who came every morning
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 205 
 
 to receive his commands, and to bring him fuch 
 things as were needful. 
 
 With thefe kind of difcourfes they beguiled 
 the time, till being come into the great road, the 
 count difpatched his fervant to the inn where my 
 friend had informed him it was likely his compani- 
 ons might be found, with his compliments to them 
 unknown, and an earneft intreaty that they would 
 come to hiscaftle in fear ch of him they had loft, and 
 for whom they were doubtlefs in great trouble. 
 
 Thefe orders were no fooner given, than the 
 man who received them clapped fpurs to his horfe, 
 and was immediately out of fight; the count arid 
 his newgueft rode flowly,not only that they might 
 converfe with the more eafe, but alfo to favour the 
 poor animal, who was very much fatigued with 
 being expofed all night to the feverity of the wea- 
 ther, and whom the count-had it not in his power 
 to refrefli as he had done his rider. 
 
 A (hort time, however, brought them to a (late- 
 ly caftle, where the count entered by a back-gate, 
 of which he had the key, and having conducted 
 the ftranger into a magnificent anti-chamber, in- 
 treated his pardon for leaving him a few minutes; 
 after which he returned habited according to his 
 quality, and fo much changed from what he had 
 appeared in his hermit's drefs, that he was hardly 
 to be kno\vn: he then introduced him to his 
 lady, a very lovely woman, and five children, the 
 elded not exceeding eleven years of age, but were 
 all extremely beautiful and well made. My friend 
 beheld them with admiration, and after making 
 his proper compliments to each, faid to the count, 
 that not ail the elegant defcripticns he had given 
 .him of the charms of contemplation were half fo 
 S *
 
 204 THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 convincing to him, as to find they were capable of 
 rivalling in his efteem thofe he left at home. 
 
 The countefs prevented her hufband from ma- 
 king any return to this compliment, by replying 
 herfelf in fo gay and gallant a manner, as (hewed 
 her a lady whofe wit was not at all inferior to her 
 perfonal perfections. 
 
 They all breakfafted in her apartment, after 
 which they entered into an agreeable converfation, 
 which wag pleafmgly interrupted by the arrival of 
 the Englifh gentlemen. The joy to fee their friend 
 iafe, and in fuch good company, after having ima- 
 gined fome very ill accident had befallen him, did 
 not hinder them from receiving the welcome given 
 them by their illuftrious hofts, with a politenefs 
 that did not fhame the appearance they macie, and 
 both together concurred to convince thofe who 
 law them, that they were in reality perfons of fa- 
 mily and fortune. 
 
 The firft civilities being over, the count led them 
 into his gardens, which were laid out with all the 
 exa&nefs, propriety, and good fancy imaginable. 
 Here, parterres of flowers charmed the fenfes with 
 their fragrancyand beauty. there, bubbling foun- 
 tains, encompailed with grots, ornamented with 
 the richeft treafureof the lea, invited to foft repofe : 
 rnoft curious ftatues of ancient heroes and philo- 
 fophers, placed at the corner of each avenue, re- 
 minded the beholder of the happinefs pad times 
 enjoyed; and the fpacious walks, bordered with 
 trees, which met on the top, forming long arbours, 
 afforded a mod delightful fhade, and gave room to 
 thofe who walked to converfe without the trouble 
 of turning back to each other,asin the narrow pent- 
 alleys of fome gardens. He then conduced ther.i
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 2:5 
 
 into the chief apartments of the cattle, where they 
 found every thing fplendid and magnificent. In a 
 word, according to the defcription given me of it, 
 grandeur and elegance feemed to vie with each 
 other, which (hould excel in the attra&ive power. 
 
 When the time of dining arrived, the table 
 was fpread with all the delicacies of the feafon; 
 a continued round of fprightly wit rendered the 
 repafl yet more agreeable, and for the fpace of ten 
 days, (for fo long the count detained them,) they 
 were entertained in a manner, which (hewed the 
 hofpitality and politenefs of the French nation. 
 
 But my friend informed me, that during the 
 whole time they were there, fcarcean hour pafled 
 without introducing fome new guefl, and that every 
 night there was either a ball or concert. In fine, 
 they feemed to live only for diverfion; and the 
 count, though no man appeared more gay in com- 
 pany, would often in the midft of his hurry take 
 him afide, and fpeak in this manner: " You fee, 
 fir, how impoflible it is to indulge contempla- 
 f tion in this place, and may judge if a little re- 
 " cefs from fuch a profufion of thefe noify plea- 
 " fures, is not entirely neceflary for a man wh 
 " would not chufe to forget himfelf, and the ends 
 "for which he was created." 
 
 I muft confefs, that when I fir ft heard this flo- 
 
 ry, the veracity of which I had no reafon to call' 
 
 in queftion, the perfon who related it being of 
 
 undoubted integrity, I could not believe but this 
 
 count Montaubin had fome defect in the compo- 
 
 fure of his brain, which rendered hfm at fome 
 
 certain times a little delirious, and aflccd my friend' 
 
 ..it ahitude of the moon this nobleman wa* 
 
 accuilomed to go into this voluntary baniihment. 
 
 S 3
 
 aoS THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 The gentleman, who by this queftion faw into 
 my thoughts, afiured me I was greatly miflaken 
 in my conjectures; that the perfon I took to be 
 mad or whimtieal, was fo far from either, that he 
 never knew a man of a more juft way of think- 
 ing; that not only his converfation, but manner 
 of deportment in every thing was perfectly unex- 
 ceptionable; and that its being fo might greatly 
 be imputed to thofe-treflections he made in his re- 
 tirement. 
 
 I was then too gay, and Heaven knows too lit- 
 tle a lover of folitude, to be brought into his opi- 
 nion, and really made a jeft of it to all my acquain- 
 tance; but I have firice been of another mind, 
 and find there was much more to be admired than, 
 condemned in his thus fecluding himfelf from the 
 world for a time, that he might know the better 
 how to conduct himfelfin it at his return. 
 
 But I flill think there was a poflibility for him 
 to have enjoyed his beloved retirement in a place 
 more commodious and lefs dangerous than that 
 he made choice of. I am very well afl'ured there 
 are impertinents in the world, who, if they know 
 where one is, will come with a great deal of offi- 
 cious love, and in a manner drag one into com- 
 pany; but that could not be the cafe of the French, 
 count, who doubtlefs had many little houfes, to 
 iiiy of which he might have withdrawn, and with 
 the fame precaution been as effectually concealed 
 ;xs in this cavern. 
 
 I fhould have been glad fo have had my curi- 
 t'fity fatisfied in one point, and that was, whether 
 :he countefs his wife was let into the fecret of the 
 of his abode,and his reafons forfuch frequent 
 himfelf from her; but this my friend
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 207 
 
 was as ignorant of as myfelf, no mention being 
 ever made of it in the family that he heard of; 
 but he feemed inclined, as well as myfelf, to be- 
 lieve that (he was not kept in the dark in this ar- 
 ticle, by the perfect harmony that feemed to be 
 between them, which, without^ fhe was a very ex- 
 traordinary woman indeed, could not have fub- 
 fifted, if ignorant from what motives he deprived 
 her of his fociety. 
 
 It is certain there are very few married women, 
 efpecially if theylojfe their hufbands, who would 
 approve of fuch a* behaviour, even though they 
 \vere convinced they had no other excitements to 
 it than the count, but would be quite outrageous 
 to be left alone, without a perfect knowledge of 
 every particular that occafioned it. Madam de 
 Montaubin, therefore, could have no firch thing as 
 jealoufy in her nature, or (he muft, without all 
 tloubt, be acquainted with the whole of the affair. 
 
 But however that was, it is nothing to my pre- 
 fent purpofe; I only wifh that fome of our incon- 
 fiderates would ifnpofe upon themfelves the talk 
 of being fometimes alone, and am apt to believe 
 that thofe, to whom reflection is now the mod 
 irkfome thing imaginable, would, by frequent 
 ufing themfelves to it, find it at laft iufficient to 
 COmpenfitte for all they fuffered at firft from their 
 reluctance. 
 
 I know nothing more difficult than for perfons 
 of too airy and volatile a difpofuion, to bring 
 themfdvesto that habitude I am endeavouring to 
 recommend; nor is fuch a change to be expected 
 all at once, much lefs is if to be hoped for from 
 compulfion. You may fliut them all day into a 
 wcni, yet aik them en what they have becu think.-
 
 2o8 THE FEMALE B. I/. 
 
 ing, and they will tell you, on nothing but their 
 confinement. That, therefore, is the moil wrong 
 method can be taken : fuch people mud be footh- 
 cd, not menaced into reflexion; and I know of 
 no better means, than by laying before them fuch 
 books as may be moft likely to hit their fancy: 
 even thofe which ieem the lead calculated for im- 
 provement, provided they have nothing immoral 
 or incedent in them, will be of excellent fervice 
 to bring the mind to take delight in reading; and 
 when that is once accompli Lhed, others of a more 
 ferious nature may by degrees be recommended. 
 
 Painting, efpecially hiflory, landfcape, and 
 fea-pieces, is alfo an excellent promoter of reflec- 
 tion: fuch profpe&s charm the eye, and thence 
 gain an eafy paffage to the foul, exciting curiofity 
 in the moft indolent. It is impoffible to behold 
 nature thus delineated, without receiving an im- 
 preffion which will dwell upon the mind: we 
 {hall think of the great tranfac~\ions of part times, 
 the different fcenes which this wide earth affords 
 in its mountains, its vallk'S, its meadows, and it3 
 rivers, and all the lovelinsfs and horrors of the 
 furrounding deep, the fhips fmooth. failing with 
 a profperous gale, and the wrecked veffel bulged 
 againfta rock, or juft. finking in thofe fands which 
 lurk beneath the waves. Thefe representations 
 on the canvafs, I fay, will remain in our remem 
 brancewhen the object is withdrawn, aucl cannot 
 but infpire us with ideas at once delightful and 
 inftrutive : they will afford us an agreeable en- 
 tertainment within ourfelves, and we fhall no 
 longer be under a neceffity of fee-king it el few here. 
 
 It is true, that moft of our nobiiity and gentry 
 themfelves great admirers of this art, and
 
 B. IV. SPECTATOR. 20? 
 
 that when notice is given of any capital pictures 
 to be difpofed of by way of auction, the rooms 
 where they are to be exhibited are fufficiently 
 crowded; but the misfortune is, that three parts 
 in four of thofe numerous afiemblies are drawn 
 thither more by the defire of feeing one another, 
 than any other motive : they look on it as one 
 of the many ways of killing time; a morning's 
 amufement, and meet and laugh, make appoint- 
 ments for parties of pleafure, and fometimes for 
 gallantry : on fuch as thefe the works of a Ti- 
 tian, or a Pvaphae!, will have little force. There 
 are generals, who feem wholly unaffected by the 
 triumphs of old Rome; orators, who are unmoved 
 with the attitude of a Cicero or a Demofthenes; 
 and ladies, whofe hearts are incapable of feeling 
 either compaffion for a dying Lucretia, or admi- 
 ration of that famed Englifh princefs, who fucked 
 the pcifch from her hufband's wound. 
 
 The fame may likewife be faid of many who 
 frequent the theatres: they regard the actors 
 more than the characters they rcprefent, and feera 
 more interefted in the little quarrels they fome- 
 times have among themfelves, than in the fate of 
 the real heroes and heroines. The drefs, the 
 voice, the manner of Mr. Quin, Mr. Garrick, 
 Mr. Cibbcr, Mrs. Horton, Mrs. Clive, Mrs. 
 Woflington, c. &c. mail be the fubject of long 
 converfations, when not the leaft comment is 
 made, or notice taken of the cruelties of king 
 Richard, the caufelefc jealoufy of Othello, the filial 
 piety of Hamlet, the virtue of Andromache, the 
 reformation of lady Townly, and all thofc ftriking 
 characters which the poets either attempt to per- 
 p.r.uate or invent, as excitements to great actions
 
 2io THE FEMALE B. IV. 
 
 in feme, and leffons of morality and good conduct 
 in others. 
 
 Yet what is more truly pleafmg to a thinking 
 mind, than to fee the mofl remarkable paflages of 
 antiquity, the various manners of far diftant na- 
 tions, exhibited in the touching fcenes of well- 
 wrote tragedy! Or what more conducive to re- 
 forming whatever follies we are guilty of, than to 
 find them artfully expofed in the ungalling fatire 
 of genteel comedy! 
 
 To reform our manners, and correct our errors, 
 to infpire us with high ideas of honour and vir- 
 tue through the canal of pleafure, as the mod likely 
 means of conveying them into the foul, was un- 
 deniably the great end propofed in the inftitution 
 of the Drama ; and very many of the ancient, and 
 fome modern poets have happily fucceeded in it. 
 I have heard of perfons, who confcious of fome 
 fecret criip.e, have bren fo ftruck with the repre- 
 fcntation of it on the ftage, that they have gone 
 home, confeffed all, and paffed their whole future 
 lives in a kind of penance for their paft tranfgref- 
 fions. Herbert fays, 
 
 " A verfe may catch him who a fermon flies, 
 " And turn delight into a facrifice." 
 
 But then to be amended either by this or any 
 other method which can be taken for that purpofe, 
 we muft be a little attentive to the objects prefented 
 to us; which, I am forry to obferve, is feldom the 
 cafe of the audiences that of late frequent the 
 theatres: they feem difpofed to regard only what 
 makes them laugh : and even many of thofe, who, 
 in complaifance to perfons of a different way of 
 j udging,affec~l to be mod difiatisfied with the rnana-
 
 B. IV, SPECTATOR. an 
 
 gers of the playhoufes for introducingPantomime, 
 are in their hearts pleafed with nothing elfe. 
 
 Some again will boldly argue in the defence of 
 thofe dumb reprefentations:- they will tell you, 
 that the Italians, who are a very wife nation, 
 vouchiafe the higheft encouragement to them : 
 that there is a great deal of wit and ingenuity in 
 the contrivance of them; and that it mews the 
 fegacityand penetration of an audience to compre- 
 hend, by the motions of the performers, every 
 dcfign of the piece, as well as ifit^ere delivered 
 in fpeech. There is, I confefs, fome truth in this, 
 v/here people give themfelves the pains of obferva- 
 tion; but where they are too indolent to do that, 
 and are diverted only with the transformations of 
 a Harlequin, without any regard to the motives 
 he has for them, I fee no benefit they can receive 
 from fuch an entertainment, but what might arife 
 from feeing a common tumbler or rope-dancer. 
 
 In fine, there is nothing but what a thinking 
 mind may reap fome advantage from ; nor is there 
 any thing, be its intrinfic merit never fo great, 
 that a perfon without thought can be the better 
 for : it is like mufic to the deaf, or a beautiful 
 landfcape to the blind. 
 
 There is a mode of expreflion in every one's 
 mouth, though I am afraid unclerftood by a few, 
 and that is, when you would give the higheft 
 compliment to any one you fay he has a good tafle. 
 This is a character which all are ambitious of 
 acquiring, as it is looked upon to imply the utmoft 
 perfection of elegance and propriety in any thing 
 you undertake. To explain the difference of ths 
 true and falfe tafle, has employed the pens of many 
 great authors j and yet I think none have done ic
 
 2U2 THE FEMALE B, IV. 
 
 effectually enough to give the reader that diftindl 
 idea of it which is neceflary; for what is the true 
 tafte, but a fine fancy blended with a ftrong judg- 
 ment! What indeed, but that juft manner of 
 thinking I have been all this time recommending; 
 and what the falfe, but a heedlefs following the 
 notions of others! aiming to do as fome pcr- 
 fons, whofe reputation for a fine genius is efta- 
 bliflied, have done, without confidering that what 
 is infinitely becoming in one, often happens to be 
 the reverfe in another. There are a thoufand 
 circumftances which may render fuch an imitati- 
 on aukward and prepofterous, and juflly deferve 
 to be called falfe taftc. 
 
 It is therefore the bufinefs of every one, who 
 would make a finning figure in. life, avoid any 
 inconveniencies, reap any benefits, enjoy any per- 
 manent felicity themfelves, or beftow it on others, 
 to gain as perfect an acquaintance as in them lies, 
 by thought and application, both with what they 
 are, and what they ought to attempt to be. 
 
 B O O K V. 
 
 IN gratitude and complaifance to the firft cor- 
 refpondent the FEMALE SPECTATOR has yet 
 been favoured with, it is the opinion of our Society 
 that the entertainment prepared for this month 
 fhoulc be poftponed, in order to infert her obli- 
 ging letter, and purfue the theme me has been fo
 
 B, V. SPECTATOR. 213 
 
 good to give, which indeed cannot be too often 
 nor too flrenuoufly enforced. 
 
 To the FEMALE SPECTATOR. 
 
 " MADAM, 
 
 " Though you have not thought fit, in thofe 
 <f monthly lucubrations with which you have 
 " hitherto obliged the public, to invite any cor- 
 " refpondence, and I am wholly ignorant whether 
 4< a hint, communicated to you in this manner, 
 " will be acceptable j yet, as the intention of 
 '* your work is plainly to reform thofe errors in 
 tl conduct, which, if indulged, lead on to vices, 
 " fuch'as muft render us unhappy for our whole 
 '* lives, I cannot forbear acquainting you with my 
 '* fentiments on the undertaking, and how far I 
 " am pleafed or difpleafed with the execution. 
 
 " You are fenfible that every thing which ap- 
 " pears in print pafles through as many various 
 *' cenfures as there are opinions in the readers; 
 but I aflure you I am of that number which au- 
 ** thors call the courteous, and take a much greater 
 ' fatisfacr.ion in applauding than condemning. The 
 " praifes you receive from all the wife and virtuous, 
 *' I readily join in, and make as publick as my way 
 * f of life will permit. I am a zealous defender of 
 '" your caufe againft all the cavils of conceited ig- 
 " norance and open libertinilm ; and where I ima- 
 '** gine you fall a little fhort of my expectations, I 
 " am entirely filent. This I think is dealing with 
 " you as a friend, and you will not therefore take 
 * ( it ill if I fometimes play the part of a monitor, 
 *' and remind you both now, and as often as I 
 " (hall find occafion, of any millions, which can- 
 <* not be fuch as you may not eafily atone for in 
 
 VOL. I. T
 
 2T4 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 " the enfuingbook; or even venture to impart to 
 " you a few wandering notions of my own, fince 
 " I leave you at full liberty either to conceal or 
 " publifh them as you may judge proper. 
 
 " Nothing certainly can be more juft than 
 " your definition of the paffions, or more pathetic 
 '* than your reprefentation of the milchiefs they 
 " bring upon mankind; but I think you have 
 " touched fomewhat too flightly, or at leaft not 
 w been fo particular as might have been expected 
 *' from a Spectator, on fome of thofe innumerable 
 " ways that licenfed luxury has of late invented to 
 " footh, or rather to excite, the moft dangerous 
 " propenfities in youth. 
 
 " I am far from being of that auftere nature fome 
 " are, who make no allowances for the difference 
 *' of age, and deny to thofe under their tuition, the 
 *-' innocent recreations which theearly years of life 
 ** demand: on the contrary, I am for having 
 ' them partake, in a reafonable degree, every plea- 
 " fure this great world affords; but then I would 
 * not have any of thofe pleafures become a bufi- 
 " nefs, and engrofs the attention fo much as to 
 <e take it off from fubjeb of a more profitable 
 " kind, thereby rendering dangerous what is un- 
 " hurtful in itfelf, and making future time pay too 
 *< dearly for the enjoyment of the prefent. 
 
 " Some of our modern diverfion-mongers think 
 " it not enough to be every day contriving new en- 
 " tertainnients for our evenings amufement; the 
 *' morning too muft be taken up in them, as tho* 
 * we were born for nothing but recreation. Vaux- 
 c hall, Cuper's, and all thofe numerous places of 
 < rendezvous, except Ranelagh-Gardens, content 
 *< themfelves indeed with ingroffing that part o-
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 3*5 
 
 " our time in which bufinefs ufually gives way to 
 '* pleafure; but this latter is not fatisfied without 
 " encroaching on thofc hours which reafon and 
 " nature require mould be otherwife employed. 
 " There is not fo great a fpace of time between 
 <c me and youth, but lean very well remember, that 
 " after having paid my devotions to Heaver., wafh- 
 '* ed, drefled, and eat my breakfaft, the remaining 
 " hours till noon were chieily taken up with thofe 
 *' who inftru&ed me in working, dancing, mu fie, 
 *' wiiting, and thofe other necefiary accomplifh- 
 " ments of my fex; and thought that if I was al- 
 " lowed to take a little walk in St James's- Park, 
 " or in our own garden, in order to get a ftomach 
 M to my dinner, it was as much relaxation as I 
 " ought to expect. 
 
 " 1 trained up my only daughter in the fame 
 " manner 1 had been bred up myfelf, and had no 
 " reafon to fufpeci fhe was diflatisfied with this 
 '* regulation, till fhc arrived ather fourteenth year j 
 ** at which time Ranelagh unhappily gave notice 
 " there would be publickbreakfafting every morn- 
 * { ing. This gave a turn very vexatious to me, and 
 " prejudicial to the education I intended to be- 
 " (tow on her : 1 immediately difcovered a remifs- 
 '* nefs in all her former ftudies; and, at length, a 
 " total averfion to them. The French miltrefs is 
 <{ nowatroublefome companion-, theneedleamod 
 " odious employment; the fpinnetis untuned; the 
 tf mufick-books are thrown afide; nothing feems 
 <' worthy her regard, but how to appear in the 
 " gentecleft clifliabille at Ranelagh. Every morn- 
 *' ing my houfe is crowded with young ladies, to 
 " call mifs Biddy to go with them to breakfaft at 
 Ranelagh; nothing is talked of at their return 
 T 2
 
 216 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 * { but what was faid and done at Ranelagh ; and 
 *' in what drefles they fhall repair at night again 
 to that charming place; fo that the whole day 
 ' is entirely taken up with it. 
 
 " Tell me, dear Spectator, is it confiftent with 
 ** the character of a woman of prudence, to fufFer a 
 ** young creature, over whom Heaven and nature 
 '' has given me the fole authority, to conduct her- 
 ' felf in this fafhidn? Yet by what means is the 
 * c growing miichief to be fupprefled? When I 
 offer to fet any bounds to this wild career, I have 
 " only fullennefs and whimpering. athome,and no 
 * doubt cenfures abroad for my great feverity. In 
 < c vain are my remonftrances on mifpending time 
 * l in thofe giddy rambles; all I can fay makes not 
 *' the lead impreffion; and 1 dread to drive her to 
 " extremes, by laying thofe reftritions on her 
 4< which are neceflary to keep her at home Who 
 ' knows what lengths unthinking youth may run? 
 We often fee people of her years fatally inge- 
 < nious in contriving methods to difappoint the 
 4< utmoft vigilance of thofe who have the care of 
 " them ; and if, by endeavouring to preferve her 
 " from one danger, I fhould provoke her to throw 
 * { herfelf into others, Lfhould be inexcufable to 
 < myfelf. The dilemma I labour under on this 
 f fcore is terrible; I therefore conjure you, as 
 ' you cannot be infenfible of what many afflicted 
 <( parents, as well as myfeif,muft feel, in feeing all 
 " the fruit of their long care and teadernefsfonear 
 * ( being blafted, to fet forth, in the moft moving 
 *' and pathetic terms you can, the folly of gadding 
 eternally to thofe public places: convince our 
 '* young ladies of the lofs it is to themfelves, how 
 f ' much it dif^ualtfies them for all the facial duties,
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 217 
 
 " renders them neglectful of what they owe to 
 " Heaven, and to thofe who gave them being, and 
 " incapable of being either good wives, good mo- 
 " thers, good friends, or good miftreffes ; and 
 " thereby entails fure unhappinefs on their own 
 " future days, as well as on all thofe who havs 
 ** any relation to them. 
 
 *' A public reproof from you, may, perhaps, be 
 " more effectual than all the private admonitions 
 " of their friends, which they are too apt to look 
 " upon as words of courfe: the advice of a per- 
 " fon, who can have no other intereft in giving 
 " it, than the generous part (he takes in the happi- 
 * ( nefs of her fellow-creatures, will certainly fink 
 " into the foul of every one, not wholly loft to all 
 " fenfe of her own good, and complete the wifhes 
 " of a great number of your readers, as well as of 
 
 Your real admirer, 
 
 Hanover-Square, and moft humble fervanr, 
 Aug. 2, 1744. SARAH OLDFASHION. 
 
 " P. S. If the hopeslhave in the Spectator fhould 
 " fail me, I am refolved to fend Biddy to a rela- 
 " tion I have in Cornwall, whofe neareft neigh- 
 w bour is twelve miles diftant; and whence, if 
 " fhe continues her rambling humour, huge crag- 
 " gy rocks on the one fide, and no lefs dreadful 
 " mines on, the other, will be her only profpet." 
 
 The cafe of this lady, I mud confefs, is greatly 
 to be commiferated, and muft be felt by all who 
 either are, or have been mothers. Could children 
 be fenfible of the endlefs cares, the watchings, the 
 anxieties which attend paternal tender nefs, and how 
 im- edible it is for them to return in kind thofe o- 
 biigations, they would certainly avoid doing any 
 thing that might render fruitlefs the pains and h-
 
 218 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 bour employed for their intereft; gratitude,' as 
 well as felf-love, would make them ufe their utmoft 
 efforts to improve the education beftowed on them; 
 but how hard it is to bring young people to a juft 
 way of thinking, I have already taken notice of in 
 a former Spe&ator, as I have fomewhere read, 
 f * Experience vainly in our youth is fought, 
 ""And, with age purchas'd, is too dearly bought." 
 Too many there are, who know not how to live 
 in the world till they are ready to go out of it; 
 but, as Dryden fays,. 
 
 " Let life pafs through them like a leaky fieve." 
 Much therefore is it to be lamented, that fuch 
 encouragements are given to the natural giddinefs 
 of youth, and that the prevalence of example in 
 thofe of riper years fhould afford a fanction to thofe 
 jn whom the love of pleafure is lefs inexcufable. 
 Yet, after all, what are the mighty pleafures 
 which thefe walks afford? Have not moft of 
 our nobility who frequent them much more de- 
 lightful recefles of their own! Can either Rar 
 nelagh, or any of thofe places where they pay for 
 entrance, equal in elegance or magnificence many 
 of thofe gardens, which they need but ftep out of 
 their own apartments to enjoy the pleafures of! 
 Nobody fure will pretend to fay the contrary; 
 but then indeed it may be alledged, that to fuch 
 perfons, who by their high offices in the ftate, or 
 attendance at court, are obliged to keep much in 
 town, places of relaxation are both necefTary and 
 agreeable: it muft be acknowledged that they are 
 fo, and it would be the higheft injuftice, as well 
 as arrogance in a Spectator, to pafs any cenfure on 
 the great world for amufments, which are indeed
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 21? 
 
 prejudiciaf to the people of an inferior condition, 
 only by being indulged to an excefs. 
 
 But the misfortune is, that whatever is done 
 by perfons of quality prefently becomes the mode,- 
 which every one is ambitious of apeing, let it fuit 
 ever fo ill with their circumftances : it is not the 
 fine profpect that Ranelagh is happy in, the plea- 
 fant walks, the magnificent amphitheatre, nor the 
 melodious founds that ifiuefrom the orcheflra, that 
 make the afiembly there fo numerous; but the 
 vanity every one has of joining company, as it 
 were, with their fuperiors; of having it in their 
 power to boaft* when they come home, of the no- 
 tice taken of them by fuch a lord, or fuch a great 
 lady: to defcant upon their drefles, their behaviour, 
 and pretend, to difcover who likes who; what fine 
 new married lady cftqyets it with her huiband's 
 intimate; what duke- regards his wife with no 
 more than an enforced complaifance ; and whether 
 the fortune, or perfon, of the young heirefs, is 
 the object of her obfequious follower's flame. 
 
 This ridiculous defire of being thought to have 
 a knowledge of things, no lefs out of their fphere 
 to attain than unprofitable if acquired, is extreme- 
 ly prevalent in many people, efpecially among the 
 little gentry^ and is one of the chief motives which 
 draw them in fuch crowds to all places where their 
 fuperiors refort. 
 
 An afib&atum of this fort is not confined to any 
 age; we fee it from fixtten to fixty; but when it 
 happens to gain entrance in the mind of a lady fo 
 rery young as mifs Biddy, and is joined with that 
 vanity of attracting admiration, and a train of lo- 
 vers, which naturally arifes on the entrance into 
 tlicir teens, h it nut to be wondered at, that it is
 
 220 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 fo difficult to reftrain them from going to any 
 place which flatters them with the gratification of 
 their piide in both thefe points. 
 
 I am afraid, therefore, that Mrs Oldfafhion will 
 find all her endeavours for this purpofe unavail- 
 ing, unlefs (he has recourfe to force, which (he 
 feems little inclined to put in practice, and I can 
 by no means approve, as the remedy might prove 
 to be of worfe confequence than the difeafe: 
 much lefs would I advife her to fend her into 
 Cornwall. A young lady of her vivacity, and who 
 feems to have fo high a relifh for the pleafures of 
 the town, finding herfelf fnatched away from e- 
 very thing (he thinks a joy in life, and plunged 
 into fo frightful a folitude, would certainly be able 
 to preferve no degree of moderation. If of a mild 
 and gentle nature, inward repinings and a waft- 
 ing melancholy would prey upon her vitals, im- 
 pair her health and underftanding, and by de- 
 grees render her both ftupid and difeafed-, if, on 
 the contrary, there be the feeds of obftinacy and 
 perverfenefs in her foul, (he will refent the cruelty 
 (he imagines herfelf treated with; and, as confe- 
 deration is not to be expected at thofe years, per- 
 haps throw herfelf into much greater misfortunes 
 than fb.e was fent thither to avoid, merely to pre- 
 vent the too great caution of thofe who have the 
 power over her: -either of thefe con fe quenches 
 muft be terrible to a parent; fo that I am wholly 
 againft running fuch a hazard by exerting autho- 
 rity in this manner. 
 
 Alvario, a gentleman of fortune and figure in 
 the world, was left a widower with two daughters, 
 who, in right of their mother, were coheirefles of 
 an eftate of upwards of a thoufand pounds a-yeai ;
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 221 
 
 the eldeft, whom I fliall call Chriftabella, v?as ex- 
 tremely beautiful, and full of fpirit; but Lucilla, 
 her younger fifter, was of a fickly conftitution, 
 and confequently more dull, and lefs qualified or 
 inclined to converfation : fhe never cared for ihr- 
 ring out, or emeitaining any company at homej 
 but Chriftabella's airy difpofition would fcarce fuf- 
 fer her to be at home: the park, the play, the o- 
 pera, the drawing-room, were the idols of her 
 heart :- drefs, equipage, and admiration took up all 
 her thoughts. Youth, beauty, arid fortune are rare- 
 ly poffefled without an adequate proportion of va- 
 nity; and it muft be owned, this lady was not with- 
 out it : fhe plumed herfelf on the daily conquefts 
 her charms gained herj and though fhe had too 
 much wit to believe all the flattering declarations 
 made to her, by fome perfons who were not in a 
 condition to fulfil their pretences, yet (lie had not 
 power enough to defend her from taking pleafure 
 in them. 
 
 In fine, though perfectly innocent, even in 
 thought, of every thing to which virtue was repug- 
 nant, the gaiety of her behaviour rendered her li- 
 able to the ccn lures of fome, who take a malicious 
 pleafure in blafting the characters of thofe more 
 amiable than thcmfclves. Her father, who was 
 a man of gallantry himielf, and confequently too 
 ready to mifmterpret any little freedom taken by 
 our fex as the efFedl of an amorous inclination, 
 opened his ears to all the infinuations made hiiiy 
 by thofe of their kindred, who had no good- will 
 to Chriftabella, on account of her not being able 
 to reftrain herfelf from frequently throwing out 
 bitter jefts on fome of their too rigid rules: among 
 ; or rather at thsir head, was an old maiden
 
 ill THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 aunt, -who lived in the fame houfe, and was, as it 
 were, a kind of governante over the two young 
 ladies : this ill-natured creature picked up all the 
 ftories (he could from the enviers of her niece's 
 perfections, and reported them with the moft ag- 
 gravating additions, to Alvario, conjuring him to 
 lay his commands on her to be more circumfpect 
 in her conduct. 
 
 Chriftabella ftarted at finding herfelf accufed 
 of crimes which (he never had the leaft notion 
 of, and would have disd rather than been guilt/ 
 of ; but neither the ciifpleafure (he found it gave 
 her father, nor the regard {he had of her own re- 
 putation, were powerful enough to make her re- 
 trench any of thofe liberties (he had accuftorned 
 herfelf to take, and as me knew them to be only 
 fuch as (he could anfwer to her own honour, feem- 
 ed altogether indolent how they might appear in 
 the eye of the world. 
 
 In vain Alvario remonft-ated, menaced,, forbade 
 her, on pain of forfeiting all pretenfions to his fa- 
 vour, ever to come any more into fome company, 
 or be feen in fome places the had been ufed to fre- 
 quent : no confederations of the duty (he owed to 
 him as a parent were fufficient to reftrain her from 
 following her inclinations; and (he thought her- 
 felf more injured by his believing the afpertions 
 thrown on her, than fhe could injure him by her 
 difobedience. 
 
 It is highly probable, that the knowledge (he 
 was born to a fortune independent on him, went 
 a great way towards emboldening her to aft in this 
 manner: certain it is, that her conduct was fuch 
 as plainly teftified (he had but a fmall fhare either 
 of love or fear for him; which, fo enraged him^
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 223 
 
 as indeed he had juft caufe to be, that he made 
 her be locked up in her chamber, and fuffered her 
 to fee nobody but her aunt, whofe fociety {he 
 would have been glad to have difpenfed with, and 
 a maid-fervantj who came in to bring her food and 
 other necefl'aiies. 
 
 " But this confinement was fo far from humbling 
 the haughtinefs of her fpirit, that on the contrary 
 it rendered her more obftinate; and looking on the 
 treatment (lie received as the effect: of tyranny 
 rather than paternal care, me no longer confidered 
 Alvario as her father, but a cruel gaoler, to whom 
 (he would not condefcend to make the lead fub- 
 miffion; and when her aunt told her, that if me 
 would promife to make a better ufe of her liberty 
 than me had done, me would endeavour to prevail 
 with her brother to pardon what was part, (lie an- 
 fwered, that (he knew herfelf guilty of nothing that 
 required amendment, and therefore would not pre- 
 tend to make any alteration in her conduct. 
 
 In fine, ihe behaved with fo little natural affec- 
 tion or duty, that Alvario was foon convinced he 
 had taken the wrong method to bring her to a 
 better way of thinking, and repented he had not 
 made trial of more gentle means : but though he 
 extremely loved her, he thought it would be un- 
 becoming his character to be the firfl that fhould 
 recede i therefore continued her confinement, flat- 
 tering himfclf that me would in time petition him, 
 at lead for a releafe. 
 
 But while he was vainly expecting to bend a 
 fpirit fo untameable, (he was contriving means 
 to make her efcape at once from his houfe and 
 authority, refolving, if fhe could once get loofe, 
 to take lodgings, and oblige her father to put inu>
 
 224 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 her hands, or thofe of fome perfon flie would 
 nominate as her guardian, that part of the eftate, 
 which (he was too fenfible he could not with-hold 
 from her. 
 
 The firfl attempt (he made for this purpofe was 
 to get the maid that waited On her into her inte- 
 reft; but all the promifes (he made being ineffec- 
 tual to corrupt the integrity of this faithful crea- 
 ture, (he had recourfe to a ftratagem, which one 
 would be furprized to think fhould ever enter in- 
 to the head of one who was not yet arrived at her 
 fixteenth year. 
 
 Pen, ink, and paper, unhappily being not re- 
 fufed her, fhe wrote a great number of little billets, 
 complaining of the injultice fhe received from aa 
 inhuman father, who had locked her up on pur- 
 pofe to make her pine herfelf to death, that the 
 whole of the eftate might defcend to his other 
 more favoured daughter. Thefe fhe folded up, 
 and directed, 
 
 ' To any charitable perfon who fhall pa{s this 
 " way, and has companion enough to aflift an 
 '* abufed daughter in her efcape from the moft 
 " barbarous of all fathers." 
 
 Several of thefe letters fhe threw out of the win- 
 dow as foon as it was dark, but they were either 
 net feen and trod under foot, or fell into the hands 
 of fuch, as either knew not what to make of them, 
 or did not care to interfere in the affair. At 
 length, when fhe grew half diftra&ed at the {cu- 
 pidity and infenfibility of the world, and began to 
 defpair of the fuccefs fhe aimed at by this means, 
 as fhe was throwing out the laft flie intended to 
 make trial of, fate direV.ed it to light on the 
 ihoulder of a gentleman, who happened to be
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 225 
 
 knight-errant enough to attempt the relief of this 
 diftrefled damfel. 
 
 He Xaw from whence it fell by the light of a 
 lamp which was oppofite to the houfe, and heard 
 the window fhut juft as he took it up : the mo- 
 ment he came home he examined the contents, and 
 found fomething fo whimfical in the adventure, 
 that he refolved to fathom the bottom of it. He 
 was a man of no fortune, and had fupported the 
 appearance of a gentleman merely by gaming; fo 
 thought, that if the confined lady was really fuch 
 as her letter (ignified, he ought not to neglect what 
 liis good genius had thrown in his way, but make 
 u(e of the opportunity which gave him fuch fair 
 hopes of eftablifliing himfelf in the world. 
 
 Early the next morning he made it his bufi- 
 nefs to enquire among the neighbourhojcl into the 
 circumftancesof Alvario, and was foon informed 
 of the truth of every thing. To be afiiired that 
 the young lady, who implored affiftance, had art 
 eftate independent either of her father or any one 
 elfe, flattered his moftfanguine views; but which 
 way he fhould let her know how ready he was to 
 obey any injunction fhe fhould lay upon him for 
 the recovery of her liberty, was the great diffi- 
 culty. To write, he perceived, would be in vain ; 
 he fuppofed by the method fhe took, that fhe had 
 no perfon whom (he could confide in, either for 
 fending or receiving any letters; or if (he had, was 
 wholly ignorant who that perfon was : at lad, af- 
 ter various turns of invention, he bethought him- 
 felf of one, dangerous enough indeed, but fome- 
 what he thought was to be ventured. 
 
 The window from whence he found the letter 
 came, was but one (lory from the ground, and be< 
 
 VOL. I. U
 
 226 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 ing a back-room, looked into a little court, which, 
 though a thorough-fare, was not much frequented 
 in the night. He therefore refolved to climb it, 
 which he did by the help of a ftep-ladder he pro- 
 cured, and brought himfelf to the place about the 
 fame hour he had received the letter. As he made 
 not the leafl noife in mounting, he looked through 
 the glafs, and by the curtains not being entirely 
 clofed, faw the fair authorefs of the fummons fit- 
 ting in a melancholy pofture, leaning her head up- 
 on her hand : he found flie was alone, and ven- 
 tured to knock foftly againft the window: fhe 
 darted at the noife, but being of a difpofition far 
 from timid, ftepped toward the window, which he 
 immediately drew up on the outfide, and making 
 as low a bow as the pofture he was in would ad- 
 mit, " Be not alarmed, fair creature, faid he, I 
 " come to offer you that affiftance which this 
 <( mandate tells me your condition requires." In 
 fpeaking thefe words he prefented her with the 
 billet (he had thrown; the fight of which diflipa- 
 ting all the apprehenfions fhe might have on his 
 being there, on fome lefs agreeable defign, fhe 
 thanked him for the trouble he took, and the dan- 
 ger to which he expofed himfelf, in the moft grate- 
 ful and obliging terms : after this, as time would 
 not permit much ceremony on either fide, fhe in- 
 formed him, that the fervice fhe intreated of him 
 was firft to provide a lodging for her in fome houfe 
 of reputation, and that he would come again the 
 next night and help her to defcend from the win- 
 dow, there being no other way of her getting out 
 of the houfe. This he allured her of performing, 
 and fhe promifed him that fhe would return the 
 obligation with every mark of gratitude a virtuous
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 227 
 
 woman had to bellow, or a man of honour could 
 expect: after which he defcended, and me made 
 fafl her window, both of them highly fatisfied 
 with this interview, though for different realons; 
 (he full of hopes of regaining her dear liberty; 
 and he, of having it in his power to oblige her 
 to enter into a fecond, and more laiting con- 
 finement. 
 
 The gamefter was not remifs in any thing that 
 might contribute to the gaining fo rich a prize as 
 Chriftabella; he prepared a lodging for her, fur- 
 nifhed in a very complete manner, but it was at the 
 houfe of a perfon to whom he eommunicated the 
 whole of the affair, arid who had reafons to at in 
 fuch a manner as fhould forward his defigns. 
 
 When the appointed hour arrived, he repaired 
 to the window, where Chviftabella flood in full 
 expectation of his coming, and no fconer faw the 
 ladder fixed than (he defcended, without exacting 
 any other promife from her deliverer than what 
 (he had received from him the night before. - 
 
 Some hours before her departure, (he wrote a 
 letter to her father, and laid it in a place where 
 me was certain it would be found as foon as her 
 flight mould be difcovered. The terms in which 
 Ihe exprefied herfelf to him were as follow : 
 
 SI R, 
 
 " The cruel ufage I have received from you 
 " makes me imagine you forget you gave me be- 
 ing, and abfolves me from the duty I otherwife 
 * mould owe you as a father : 1 go for ever from 
 * { you, and expect you will not force me to take 
 { any meafures unbecoming the character of a 
 daughter, in order to gain poffeffion of my birth- 
 U 2
 
 228 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 ** right, which you have long enjoyed the ufe of, 
 *' and is high time fhould now devolve on, 
 S I R, 
 
 Your much injured daughter, 
 
 CHRISTABELLA.' 
 
 A coach that waited at the end of the ftreet 
 conveyed her to her new lodging, and the perfon 
 who attended her thither omitted nothing that 
 might infpire her with a high idea of his honour, 
 and alfo make her think he was not her inferior 
 either in birth or fortune. Late as it was, he 
 obliged her to fit down to a very elegant collation 
 he had caufed to be provided. 
 
 At firft (lie was highly delighted with her re- 
 ception ; but fuppcr was no fooner over than he 
 began to fpeak his mind more freely, and let her 
 know he had not taken all this pains but with a 
 view of becoming the mafter both of her perfon 
 and eftate : he made his declaration, however, in 
 the moft fubmiflive terms, and accompanied with 
 a fhew of the utmoft paflion and adoration of her 
 charms; and as me had been accuftomed to hear 
 profeflions of this nature, (he was not greatly dif- 
 pleafed with thofe he uttered, and affected to rally 
 what he faid with the fame gaiety (he had treated 
 her former admirers: but, alas! me foon found 
 he was not to be put off in that manner; he pref- 
 ied her for an immediate promife of marrying him 
 the next morning; told her that he was extremely 
 ferious in the affair, and expeted me mould be 
 fo too, and that he was determined not to quit 
 her prefence till he had an aflurance of being her 
 hufband. 
 
 She now began to tremble, and as fhe has con- 
 fefled, wifhed herfelf agaia under Alvario's roof;
 
 B. T. SPECTATOR. 229 
 
 (he was in the power of a man utterly a ftranger 
 to her, and who feemed refolute enough to at- 
 tempt any thing he had a mind to: no vifible 
 way of efcaping the danger with which her honour 
 was threatened, unlefs ihc complied with his de- 
 fires, offered itfelf to her: the more (he reflected 
 on her condition, the more dreadful it appeared; 
 and (he at laft, in fpite of all the greatnefs of her 
 fpirit, burfl into a flood of tears. 
 
 As he did not want wit, and exerted it all on 
 this occafion, he faid the moft endearing things to 
 her, laying the blame of the compulfion he was 
 obliged to make ufe of, on the excefs of his love, 
 and the apprehenfions he was in, that if he let flip 
 this opportunity, me would not hereafter liften to 
 his vows: he added alfo, that if the place of her 
 abode mould be difcovered by Alvario, the autho- 
 rity of a father might force her back into that con- 
 finement, from which (he had, but with the ut- 
 moft difficulty, got out of; whereas, when (he 
 was once a wife, all former duties and obligations 
 would be diflblved, and (he would be only under 
 the power of a hufband, to whom her will mould 
 ever be a law. 
 
 During this difcourfe a ftrange viciffitude of 
 different paflions rofe in her troubled mindj 
 fometimes foftened by the flattering expreflions of 
 his Jove and admiration, inflamed with rage at 
 others, when (he confidered that he had the bold- 
 nefs to think of forcing her inclinations : the in- 
 difcretion of trufting herfelf in the hands of a man 
 fo wholly a ftranger now (hewed itfelf to her in 
 its true colours; one moment (he argued mildly 
 with him how incompatible the laying her under 
 conftraint was, with the refpeft he pretended for
 
 230 THE FEMALE B'.'V. 
 
 her; the next, (he reproached him, and teftified 
 the utmoft fcorn at his proceeding; by turns de- 
 fcended to footh and to revile ; both which were 
 equally effectual: he replied to every thing (he 
 faid with all the humility of the moft befeeching 
 and obfequious love, yet the purport of his words 
 convinced .her the refolution he had taken was 
 unalterable, that fhe had no means of avoiding 
 being his, and that all in her own choice, was to 
 be his miftrefs, or his wife. 
 
 Great part of the night being now elapfed, 
 and no poffibility of prevailing with him, me at 
 length yielded to neceffity, and confented to marry 
 him; on which he left her to take what repofe fo 
 unexpected a change of fortune would permit; but 
 that no chance or contrivance might deprive him 
 of his hopes, obliged her to make the woman of 
 the houie the partner of her bed. 
 
 When at liberty to ruminate on the accident 
 had befallen her, the compulfion fhe was under 
 feemed to her the moft vexatious part of it : the 
 perfon andconverfation ofherintended bridegroom 
 had nothing in them difagreeable to her; he had 
 the appearance of a man of fafhion, and had fworn 
 a thoufand oaths that his birth and fortune were 
 fuch, as none of her kindred would have caufe to 
 blame her choice of him : he had told her his 
 name, which happening to be the fame of a very 
 great family, (tho', in reality, he was not at all 
 related to them) fhe imagined it would be no de- 
 meaning of herfelf to be called by it; therefore 
 eafily flattered herfelf that it was, as he pretended, 
 only the violence of the paffion me had infpired 
 him with, which made him take the methods he 
 did for the gratification of it: this vanity con^
 
 B.V. SPECTATOR. *u 
 
 tributcd greatly to her cafe, and made her, with 
 lefs relu&ance, perform the promife he had ex- 
 torted from her. 
 
 In fine, they were married, after which he car- 
 ried her into the country under the pretence of 
 diverting her, but in reality to elude any profe- 
 cution which might be made againft him for 
 ftealing an heirefs. 
 
 AlvariB, indeed no fooner found the letter (he 
 had left for him, than he fearched for her at e- 
 very houfe where it was known fhe had the leaft 
 acquaintance; and not being able to hear the 
 lead tidings of her, doubted not but fhe was gone 
 away with fome perfon for whom (he had a fecret 
 affection. 
 
 Chriftabella, in the mean time, grew perfect- 
 ly reconciled to her lot; and not in the leaft 
 doubting but her hufband was in reality of the fa- 
 mily and fortune he had told her, was continually 
 importuning him to demand the writings of the 
 eftate out of her father's hands; but he had too 
 much cunning to comply, and feeming not to 
 regard her wealth, fince he got pofleffion of her 
 perfon, won fo far upon her as to create in her a 
 molt perfect affe&ion; and it was not till after he 
 found himfclf aflured that fhe would not join in 
 any thing againft him, by being the mafter of her 
 heart, and that fhe was pregnant, that he brought 
 her to town, and fuffered their marriage to be de- 
 clared; but it no fooner was fo, than the whole 
 truth of his circumftances was alfo divulged: - 
 Alvario was like a man deprived of reafon ; all her 
 kindred aud friends were inconfclable; every one 
 who wilTiedhcr wclljnrr.azet! a:u! fhocked; and the 
 whole town full of no other fubje&of difcourfe*
 
 * 3 * THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 Chriftabella herfelf, at -the fir/I difcovery of 
 the deception had been put upon her, felt a re- 
 fentment, which nothing but her own behaviour 
 can defcribe: fhe threatened to abandon this 
 unworthy hufband, and leave him to that punifh- 
 ment the law inflits on the crime he had been 
 guilty of: fhe had even packed up her cloaths 
 and jewels for that purpofe; yet did his intreaties 
 and pretended paffion for her, added to*the con- 
 dition fhe was in, and the refle&ion how dread- 
 ful a reproach it would be to the child fhe was 
 to bring into the world, fhould the father of it be 
 brought to fo infamous a fate, prevail on her to 
 continue with him, and content herfelf with vent- 
 ing her indignation in the moft bitter terms flie 
 could invent: all which he bore with a {hew of 
 patience, as he knew it was not yet time to exert 
 any authority, but kept in mind every reviling 
 word, refolving to revenge it hereafter. 
 
 But not to fpin this little narrative to a too 
 tedious length, he had artifice, and fhe had good- 
 nature enough, tobring about an entire forgivenefs 
 on her part: (he did every thing he requefted 
 of her; fhe affiired whoever fpoke to her of the 
 affair, that no impofition had been pra&ifed on 
 her; that fhe knew before hand the true circum- 
 ftances of the perfon who was now her hufband; 
 and that the love (lie had for him made her over- 
 look the difparity between them. She employed 
 a lawyer to go to her father on the account of the 
 cftate, and before the affair was wholly determin- 
 ed, the death of her fifter gave her a right to the 
 whole; which Alvario, feeing there was no re- 
 medy, was obliged to refign. 
 
 The pofieffion of this eftate difcoveredto Chrr-.
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 233 
 
 ftabella how mifcrable flic was; the feemingten- 
 dernefs and fubmiffive temper of her hufband had 
 made her not doubt but (he always would be the 
 fole miftrefs both of her actions and fortune; but 
 all being now compleated, and he having nothing 
 more to fear from her difpleafure, he prefently 
 made her feel the effets of the power he had over 
 her, and that he had not forgot the difdain with 
 which fhe had treated him during the continuance 
 of her rage. 
 
 A fpirit like her's was not eafy to be broke; yet 
 did he accomplifh the talk in a very few months: 
 it is now her turn to fue, and often fue in 
 vain for a (mail (hare of her own wealth, which 
 he profufely lavifhes abroad among his former 
 companions, leaving her at home to lament alone 
 her wretched (late. 
 
 Never was a greater tyrant; he denies her even 
 the privilege of vifiting, or being vifited by thofe 
 who would wifli to continue a correfpondence with 
 her: as for her father and kindred, not one among 
 them would ever fee her fince her elopement, and 
 the difcovery of her marriage: no words can 
 paint the miiery of her condition, and to render 
 it worfe, there is not the lead appearance of any 
 relief but by death. 
 
 It is certain that the fate of fo difobcdient a 
 daughter, cannot excite much commiferation in 
 the world; but it ought to be a warning to all 
 parents, who wifh to fee their children happy, to 
 fludy carefully their difpofitions before they go 
 about to treat them with ungentle means, and ra- 
 ther condefcend to footh an obftinate temper, than 
 compel it to a change. Where there is vanity and 
 felf-fufficiency, it muft be only time and reflec-
 
 234 THE FEMALE B. V.. 
 
 tion that can convince them what they ought to 
 do ; and if, by laying fome pleafures in their way, 
 lefs prejudicial than thofe to which they are ad- 
 dicted, one could divide the inclination fo as to 
 render the former lefs ftrong, it might be eafy, by 
 degrees, to bring them to an indifference for all. 
 This is a method which might at leaft be made 
 trial of, and I fancy, would more often anfwer 
 the end than fail. 
 
 If Mrs Oldfafhion would, therefore, wean 
 Mifs Biddy from the immoderate delight (lie has 
 takenatprefentinRaneJagh-gardens,and thecom- 
 pany who frequent that place, it might be right 
 to vary the fcene; but in my opinion altogether 
 the reverfe to change it to one where onlydifoial 
 objects offering to the view, mould render the pail 
 more pleafing in idea, than they were even in en- 
 joyment. 
 
 Did not reafons of ftate, which the SPECTATOR, 
 muft not prefume to fathom, engage us at prefent 
 in a war with France, I mould advife to fend a 
 young lady too much bigotted to any one pleafure, 
 into that polite country, where me would find fo. 
 vaft a variety, as would give a quite different turn 
 to her temper, and make her defpife all that be- 
 fore feemed fo enchanting to her. 
 
 I forefee that many, on reading this paragraph, 
 will be aftonifhed, and cry out, that following this 
 counfel, fhe would lofe all relifli for the delights- 
 her own country affords, only to become more 
 fond of thofe of another! This objection at firft 
 may appear plaufible enough, but when conGder- 
 ed, will be found of no weight ; for befides the re- 
 membrance of thofe dear friends (he has left be- 
 hind, there is fomething of a natural partiality in
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 235 
 
 us all to the place which gave us birth, which would 
 make her in a fhort time with to return; fo that 
 of confequence, (he would be much fooner cured 
 of this immoderate love of pleafure, than by en- 
 joying it in a place where nothing is abfent to her 
 wifhes. 
 
 There are alfo two reafons which render the in- 
 dulging one's felf in all, or any particular kind of 
 diverfion, lefs prejudicial in France than it fre- 
 quently proves in England: the firft, becaufe 
 whatever time is fpent in them is fo far from be- 
 ing wholly loft, that it is rather an improvement, 
 than a diminution of the education we have before 
 received, as every body muft allow that knows any 
 thing of the cuftoms of that nation; the arrival 
 of a foreign lady is no fooner known, than fhe is 
 invited to partake of all th^ir entertainments: 
 fhe immediately enters into balls, aflemblies, maf- 
 /querades, arid a continual round of pleafure in the 
 palaces of princes, and houfes of perfons of the firft 
 quality, where fhe is treated with the utmoft ele- 
 gance and delicacy, ami hears nothing of thofe im- 
 pertinencies, and loole ribaldry, fhe is liable to be 
 perfecuted with, in thofe mixed companies at our 
 mercenary places of refort; where all, without 
 diftincUcn, are admitted for their money. A wo- 
 man of honour ought to tremble to think what 
 creatures may join in converfation with her in 
 fome of our public rendezvous, who will not fail 
 afterwards to boaft of an acquaintance with her; 
 and take notice of her as fuch if they happen to 
 fee her in any other place Few of our Er^lifh 
 beaux have the difcrction a French gentleimn had, 
 vho had been in the gallery at an opera in Paris, 
 and fitting near a fine lady, who being drcfled, as
 
 136 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 he thought, a little too gay for that part of the 
 houfc, he took for a fille de joye, and accofted with 
 all the freedoms ufed to women of that character: 
 - (he gave herfelf no pains to undeceive him, but 
 evaded fuffering him to attend her home, as he ex- 
 pelted to have done. Some days after, happening 
 to fee her go into court, attended by a great num- 
 ber of pages and footmen, he afked a perfon who 
 flood near, who that lady was, and was anfwered, 
 Madam de Charleroy, one of the princcfles of the 
 blood. Afhamed of his former behaviour to her, 
 he wasfculkingawayas faftas he could, but her pe- 
 netrating eyes immediately difcovered her would- 
 have-been gallant, and making him be called back, 
 '* What, monfieur, faid fhe ironically, is the lady 
 " you entertained with fo much freedom at the 
 " opera, a few nights fince, not worth a fingle fa- 
 <{ lute? O madam, returned he, with an admi- 
 " rable prefence of mind, in * Paradife we are on 
 " an equality, but now I know the refpecl: due to 
 ** Madam de Charleroy." On which fhe laughed, 
 and owned the blame was wholly her own, for in- 
 dulging a frolic, which carried her to a place, 
 where ihe could fo little be expected to be found. 
 
 Had this tranfa&ion happened at any of our pu- 
 blic diverfions, it is poflible the lady need not have 
 been at the trouble to have the gentleman called 
 back; he would have made her a low bow to mew 
 his breeding, and never refted till he had gone 
 through all the coffee-houfes in town, and enter- 
 tained the company with his intimacy with a cer- 
 tain great lady, whom, if he did not directly name, 
 
 * \ bye-word they have in Paris fjr the galleries; as we fay, 
 Among the goJt.
 
 $. V. SPECTATOR. 237 
 
 he would take care to defcribe in fuch a manner, 
 as every one fhould know. 
 
 I appeal to our ladies themfelves, if they have 
 not fometimes been put to the blufh, by being , 
 claimed as acquaintance by perfons of both fexes, 
 whom they have happened to join with in thofe 
 promifcuous affemblies; and by whom it is unbe- 
 coming of their characters even to be mentioned. 
 
 The other reafon I promifed to give why the 
 partaking of all kinds of divepfions in France is 
 not attended with the fame ill confequence as in 
 England, is this : the innocent freedoms allowed 
 in our lex, give no encouragement to thofe of the 
 other to expect fuch as are not fo; it being, with- 
 out all queftion, a place of the greateft gaiety, leaft 
 fcandal, and leaft room for it, of any in the world : - 
 the gentlemen there addrefs, prefent, and treat, 
 with no other view than to (hew their own gallan- 
 try ; and the ladies receive all the marks of refpel 
 that can be paid them, as the privilege of their fex, 
 and not as proofs of any particular attachment. 
 
 I am forry to fay, that in England, ladies, even 
 of the firft quality, are treated with very great in- 
 difference, except by thofe men who have a dcfign 
 upon them; and as for women of inferior condi- 
 tion, though pofiefled of the moft extraordinary 
 talents of mind or body, they may (hew themfelves 
 as much as theypleafe,inail public places, without 
 being able to make themfelves be taken notice of, 
 if they allow no hope of one day purchafing dif- 
 tindion at too dear a rate. 
 
 On the whole, therefore, as vanity, and the de- 
 fire of admiration, are th< chief motives which 
 induce our very young ladies to thefe continual 
 rambles, France is the only place vrhere they may 
 
 VOL. I. X
 
 i}3 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 find their inclinations gratified to its full extent, 
 without danger to their virtue, or prejudice to their 
 reputation. But as the enmity at prefent between 
 the two nations, renders fuch an excurfion im- 
 practicable, my correfpondent might fend mifs 
 Biddy, under the care of fome relation, or other 
 prudent perfon, if her affairs permit her not to go 
 herfelf, to Bath, Tunbridge, or Scarborough; in 
 fine, to any place where (he might be entertained 
 with fomething, that (hould render her forgetful 
 cf what (lie now fo much delights in. 
 
 It would be extremely fortunate for her, if, 
 while her paffion for the pleafures of Ranelagh are 
 in their zenith, one of her kindred or intimates 
 {hould happen to marry, and go down into the 
 country to celebrate their nuptials; to accom- 
 pany the new-joined happy pair, and be witnefs o 
 the rural fports, invented for their welcome, by 
 the innocent country people, would perhaps be a 
 fcene too novel not to have fome charms for her: 
 the woods, the fields, the groves, the fweet 
 purling dreams, the horn, the halloo of the huntf- 
 men, and the chearful ruddy countenance of thofe 
 who purfue the chace, afford alfo a pleafing varie- 
 ty of amufement. By ways like thefe, I fancy (he 
 inight be cheated, as it were, into a tafte more 
 fuited to make her happy, and brought to a more 
 regular way of thinking, without feeming to en-* 
 deavour it. 
 
 This is indeed a crifis which calls for the ut- 
 moft precaution in a parent: I am told by perfons 
 -who are always confulted oa every occafion that 
 relates to pleafure, that a fubfcription is intended, 
 fome fay actually on foot, for ridottos and maf- 
 querades at Ranelagh next winter; and if fo, our
 
 5. V. S P E C T A T O R. * 39 
 
 young ladies will probably live there all night as 
 well as all day. Whether Mr Heidegger will have 
 intereft enough to prevent this invafion of his pro- 
 vince, I know not; but if it mould go on, one may 
 venture to pronounce, without beingany great con- 
 jurer, that thofe no&urnal rambles will be found 
 of more dangerous confequence at Chelfea, than 
 they have proved at the Haymarket. 
 
 I communicated this piece of intelligence to. 
 a young lady, who at prefent pafles the grcateft 
 part of her time at Ranelagh, and never in my 
 life did I fee a creature fo tranfported : her eyes 
 fparkled, her lips quivered, all her frame was in 
 agitation, through eagernefs to know fomething 
 farther of this important affair; and when I men- 
 tioned the apprehenfions I had, that if fuch a de- 
 fign mould take place, it might be prejudicial to 
 the health of thofe who mould venture themfelves, 
 in the damps of winter, in- a place fo near the 
 water, "O madam, cried me, one cannot catch 
 " cold at Ranelagh!" I could not forbear, after 
 this, giving her fome broad hints of other incon- 
 veniencies, which might probably attend being fo 
 far from home, at hours that might encourage at- 
 tempts, no way agreeable to the modefty of our 
 fex; on which me only faid, " Lard, madam, 
 *' how you talk!" And all my admonitions had' 
 no other effe&, than to make her fhortan her vi- 
 fit; no doubt to impart the difcourfe we had to- 
 gether to fome of her acquaintance, and to ridi- 
 cule my want of tafte. 
 
 She has one motive, as I have been told by the 
 
 men, which, notwithftanding, (he would be very 
 
 unwilling to acknowledge, for her preferring maf~ 
 
 queradcs to ajl other public diver fioris; which is % 
 
 X *
 
 2 4 THE FEMALE B. V: 
 
 that fhe never had a handfome thing faid to her 
 out of a vizard; nature, it is certain, having not 
 been over-curious in the formationof her features, 
 and that cruel enemy to beauty, the fmall-pox, has 
 rendered them yet lefs delicate; but with the help 
 of new ftays once a month,- and ftrait lacing, fhe 
 has a tolerable fhape; but then her neck fuffers 
 for it, and, corifefles, in fcarlet blufhes, the con- 
 ftraintput upon herwaifl: this misfortune, how- 
 ever, (he conceals under a handkerchief, or pele- 
 rine, and high tucker, and never trips it in the 
 walks without feme fhare of admiration from 
 thofe who follow, and are not nimble enough to 
 overtake her. 
 
 A mafquerade may, therefore, well be the de- 
 light of her heart, where the advantageous part 
 of her only is revealed; yet though me cannot 
 be infenfible of what is amiable in herfelf, and 
 what the contrary, as (lie looks fo often in her 
 glafs, fhe was weak enough laft winter to lay her- 
 felf open to a rebuff at the mafquerade, which 
 occasioned' a good deal of raillery among thofo 
 ivho heard it. 
 
 To difplay all her perfections in the beft light 
 flie could, (he aflumed the habit of a Diana. A 
 green velvet jacket, fringed with filver, made fo 
 ftrait, that, as I heard, her chambermaid fprained 
 both her thumbs with buckling it on, very much 
 added to her natural ilendernefs: a filver cref- 
 cent glittered on her head, which had no other 
 covering than her hair, of which indeed fhe has a 
 great deal, and well coloured, braided with rows 
 cf pearl and flowers interfperfed; the vizard on, 
 it muft be owned fhe made a very complete figure,
 
 3. V. SPECTATOR. 14* 
 
 and attracted the eyes of a good part of the aflein- 
 bly who were there that night. 
 
 But that which flattered her ambition moft, was, 
 that the great Imperio took notice of her, and i- 
 magining that a real Venus might be hid under 
 the fi&itious Diana, ordered a nobleman who flood 
 near him, to go to her, and prevail with her to 
 come to the beauiet and unmafk. He, who was 
 not unaccuftomed to fuch employments, readily 
 flew to execute his commiffion, and, after having 
 brought her to the higheft pitch of vanity by th<5 
 mod extravagant compliments, to crown all, let 
 her know who it was that fent him, and on what 
 errand. Charmed as (lie was with the praifes hs 
 gave, it was fome time before flie yielded to do 
 as he defired; but at laft her refolution was fub- 
 dued, by the reflection that me ought not to re- 
 fufe any thing to Imperio; and fhe fuffered her- 
 .{elf to be conducted by him to the beaufet, near 
 which Imperio flood, who prefented her with a 
 glafs of wine with his own handy accompanied 
 with many compliments; both which me received 
 with a low obeifance, and at the fame time pluck- 
 cd ofFher malk. 
 
 But fatal was this complaifance to all her hopes :: 
 Imperio ftarted back, and above the neceflity of" 
 concealing the difappointment of his expectations v 
 " It will not do, my lord, faid he to the noble-* 
 " man, it will not do,, and I am forry I gave you. 
 " fo much trouble." 
 
 Several of the company, whom this adventure 
 had drawn to that part of the room, faw her facs 
 before (he could be quick enough to replace her 
 mafk; and a much greater number heard the words 
 Imoerio fpoke, as he turned from her-, fo that
 
 242 THE FEMALE B. V; 
 
 the whole time fhe ftaid afterwards, she was fa- 
 Juted with nothing but, " it will not do," and a 
 loud laugh. 
 
 Had she been miftrefs of refolution enough to 
 have refiftedtheimportunitiesof theemiffary-lord, 
 and the commands of Imperio, she would doubt- 
 lefs have heard many praifes of the charging Diana 
 repeated afterwards in company; whereas now 
 the my fiery was revealed, and the real Diana 
 1, her grenteft intimates could not forbear 
 laughing r?r the mortification she had received; 
 and on everv 'little difputc with any of them, the 
 way they took to be revenged, was to cry, ' It 
 '"will rot do." 
 
 Much more lovely women than the perfon I 
 have been fpeaking of, have fometirnes met with 
 little indignitiesand flights, which their pride could 
 ill fuftain: and, indeed, how should it be other- 
 wife ! The men are fo cenforious,that they lock on 
 all thofe of our fex, who appear too much at thefe 
 public places, as fetting themfelves up for fale,and 
 therefore taking the liberty of buyers, meafure us 
 with their eyes from head to foot; and as the moil 
 perfect beauty may not have charms for .all who 
 gaze upon her in this fcrutincus manner, few- 
 there are, if any, who have not found fome who 
 will pafs by her with a contemptuous tofs, no lefs 
 fignificant than the moft rude words could be. 
 
 * O wherefore then will net women endeavour 
 to attaSr; thofe talents 'which are fure of com- 
 manding refpecl! No form fo fauklefs, but the 
 inquiring eyes of wanton and ungenerous men 
 may find a blemifh in. But fhe who has not the 
 lead pretence to beauty, has it in her power, 
 v.cuid flic but once be prevailed upon to exert it>
 
 If. V. SPECTATOR. 243 
 
 to awe the boldeft, or moft affectedly nice liber- 
 tine into fubmiflion, and force him to confefs her 
 worthy of a ferious attachment. If even by indi r 
 gence of circumftances, or the unjuft parfimony 
 fome parents are guilty of, flie is denied the means 
 of cultivating her genius, and making herfelf mif- 
 trefs of thofe expenfive accompliihments, which 
 might render her whafe we call a mining figure 
 an the world, innocence, and modeity are ilill her 
 ownj they were born with her, they will coll 
 nothing to preferve, and, without the aid of any 
 other charm, will be a fure defence from all in- 
 fults. 
 
 Modefty is the chara&eriitic of our fex; it is 
 indeed the mother of all thofe graces for which we 
 can merit either love or eiteem: fweetnefs of 
 behaviour, meekncfs, courtefy, charily in judging 
 others, and avoiding all that would not fland the 
 tell of examination in ourfelves, flow from it: it 
 is the fountain-head as well as the guardian of our 
 chaftity and honour, and when it is once thrown 
 off, every other virtue grows weak, and by degrees 
 is in danger of being wholly loll: she who is 
 poffeffvd of it can be guilty of no crime, but she 
 who forfeits it is liable to fall into all. 
 
 How far it is confident with that decent referve, 
 or even that foftnefs fo becoming in womankind, 
 I leave any. one to judge, who has been witnefs in 
 what manner fome ladies come into public affcm- 
 blies: they do not walk but (Iraddle, and fome- 
 times run with a kind of fiifkand jump; throw 
 their enormous hoops almoft in the faces of thofe 
 who pafs. by them', ftretch out their necks, and 
 roll their eyes from fide to fide, impatient to take 
 ike whole company at one viewj and if they ha
 
 244 TH-E FEMALE B. V. 
 
 pen to fee any one d reflect lefs exact, according to 
 the mode, than themfelves, prefently cry out,- 
 "Antiquity to perfection! A picture of the 
 " laft age !" then burft into a laugh loud enough 
 to be heard at two or three furlongs diftant; hap- 
 py if they can put the unfortunate object of their 
 ridicule out of countenance. Can fuch a beha- 
 viour pafs upon the world for modefty, good-man- 
 ners, or good-nature? 
 
 I do not pretend to fay, that all the ladies who 
 give themfelves an air of boldnefs, merely becaufs 
 it is the falhion, are guilty of any thing which may 
 arraign their chaftity; many may be innocent in 
 aV,, who are not fo in shew : but are they not then 
 greatly cruel to themfelves to aflame the appear- 
 ance of vices they are free from ? Some are placed 
 fo high as to have their aclions above the reach of 
 fcandal; and others, by their avowed manner cf 
 life,- render themfelves below it; but it is to thofs 
 I fpeak who have reputation to lofe, and who are 
 not altogether fo independent, as not to have it 
 their intereft to be thought well of by the world. 
 
 Far be it from me to debar my fex from going 
 to thofe public diverfions, which, at prefent, make 
 fo much noife in town : none of them but may 
 be enjoyed without prejudice, provided they are 
 frequented in a reafonable manner, and behaved 
 at with decency ; it is the immoderate ufe, or 
 rather the abufe of any thing, which renders the 
 partaking it a fault. What is more agreeable than 
 freedom in converfation ; yet when it extends to 
 levity and wantonnefr, what more contemptible 
 and odious! Some pleafureis doubtlefs neceflary 
 to the human fyflem;. taken in moderation, it in- 
 yigorates both mind and body; but indulged to
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 24^ 
 
 excefs is equally pernicious: in fine, it ought 
 never to break in upon thofe hours, which, with 
 greater propriety, might de devoted to bufinefsin 
 perfons of maturity, and to improvement in the 
 younger fort. 
 
 Time, always precious, can never be more fo 
 than in our early years; the firft ideas make 
 the flrongeft and moll lading impreffion: while 
 the genius is free, and unclogged with any of the 
 cares of life, and the foul ats through the organs 
 of the body, uninterrupted with any paffions, dif- 
 eafes, or diiafters, then it is that we mould endea- 
 vo.ur to lay in a ftock of knowledge for our whole 
 lives; to acquire thofe accomplishments which 
 alone deferve, and will certainly attract refpeft; 
 and to eftabliih foiid principles of virtue, which 
 hereafter growing up into practice, will conduce 
 to the happinefs of all about us, as well as of our- 
 fclves. 
 
 This crifis, if once neglected, can never be re- 
 trieved, and will fooner or later be attended with 
 a fevere repentance. How melancholy a thing 
 muft it be for a lady to hear others, who have 
 better hufbanued the ineftimable moments, ex- 
 tolled for perfections flie is confcious me might 
 have excelled in, had me not ralhly and inadver- 
 tently let flip the golden opportunity. 
 
 Nor are the hours employed in pleafu're all 
 that are loft by it, efpccially when it happens to be 
 of that fort which takes us much out of our own 
 houfes: the idea of it is apt to render ns indo- 
 lent in our arT;\irs, even the little time we are at 
 home. Where the heart is, the thoughts will 
 continually be when the body is abfent: the 
 topic engroffes too much of the mind, and
 
 2}6 THE FEMALE B. V* 
 
 occafions an inattention to every thing but itfelf. 
 It is not, therefore, greatly to be wondered at, that 
 young ladies, who cannot be expected to have 
 that folidity which experience only teaches, fhould 
 feem fo carelefs in improving time, when we fee 
 very many of thofe who have been married years, 
 negle6t their hufbands, children and families, to 
 run galloping after every new entertainment that 
 is exhibited. 
 
 But as there is great room to fear the prefent 
 age is too far loft in luxury and indolence to Men 
 to any remon (trances, I would fain perfuade the 
 very young ladies to adt fo as to render the next 
 more prominng. 
 
 As marriage is a thing which they will one day 
 think of, and a good huiband is both a natural and 
 laudable wifh, who would not endeavour to render 
 herfelf deferving the lafting affe&ion of a man of 
 fenfe? fuch a one, who, as Mr. Rowe elegantly 
 exprefTes it, will be always 
 
 " Pleas'd to be happy, as flic's pleas'd to blefs, 
 
 " And confcious of her worth can never love 
 " her lefs." 
 
 Somany youngcharmers are continually fpring- 
 ing up, and the men grow fo exceflively delicate in 
 their taile, that beauty, in their eyes, feems to 
 have loft all its bloom at fixteen or feventeen; and 
 how great a flab muft it be to the vanity of a wo- 
 man, who, at five-and-twenty, finds herfelf either 
 not married at all, or to a hufband who regards 
 her no otherwife than as a withered rofe! for fo 
 it will ever be, whatever the ladies may flatter 
 themfelves with, where there is no tie more ftrong 
 than merely perfonal perfection, to bind the natu- 
 rally roving and inconflant heart. Convinced by
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 247 
 
 fad experience of this truth, in vain fhe looks back 
 upon her mifpent days: in vain, with heart- 
 felt tears, regrets the time fhe has lavifhed in trifles 
 unworthy of her; in vain effays to atone for 
 paft follies by a quite contrary behaviour: all 
 (he can do is now too late ; with her, alas ! the 
 fun of hope, of admiration, of flattery and plea- 
 fure, is fet for ever, and the dark gloom of cold 
 . neglect: and loathed obfcurity envelopes all her 
 future life. 
 
 Amafina had a form fo every way exact, that 
 envy itfelf could find nothing to object againft 
 it: all other beauties loft their charms when fhe 
 appeared, and feemed but as Uars in the prefence 
 of the fun; (he was what the fong defcribcs, 
 ** Faireft among the fair." 
 
 Her high birth, and the accomplifhments fhe 
 was miftrefsof, heigrrened tlu grace-; of her per- 
 fon, and fcarce any age ever produced an object 
 of more univerfal admiration. But of all the ad- 
 drefles made to her, thofe of Palamon were the 
 mod countenanced by her nobje parents, and agree- 
 able to herfelf: his virtue, good-fenfe, and breed- 
 ing, made him refpected by them, as the grace- 
 fulnefs of his perfon gave him the advantage in her 
 eyes, above all others who pretended to her, tho' 
 fome there were whofe eflates were far fuperior, 
 and whofe declarations of love were alfo accom- 
 panied with a greater fliew of vehemence. 
 
 Palamon, it is certain, was a lover of that fort 
 which all women who judge as they oughr to do, 
 would approve; his profeflions were accompa- 
 nied \yith no adulations, no extravagancies; his 
 pafuon was perk-clly fincere and tenrler, but was 
 &r from either jealoufy or impetuofity: he could
 
 54$ THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 know his rivals without challenging them to fight, 
 and could bear the little flights (he fometimes af- 
 fected to treat him with, and not immediately 
 fwear he would threw himfelf upon his fword. 
 
 Amafina, too confcious of her charms, was 
 fometimes very uneafy that fhe could render him 
 no more fo ; and imagining fhe had begun to place 
 her affections on a man who had not that defe- 
 rence for her which fhe merited, made ufe of her 
 utmoft efforts to withdraw it: to this end (he 
 indulged her natural propenfity to gaiety, in going 
 to all public places; liftened to the vows of every 
 one who prefumed to make them; and in fine, 
 became a perfect coquet: this method feemed to 
 her the only one to render him more affiduous, 
 and at the fame time to regain that liberty for her 
 own heart which fhe found the inclination fhe had 
 to him above all overmen, was beginning to en- 
 thral. " All I defire in the world," faid (he one 
 day to a perfon who afterwards repeated it to me, 
 *' is to fee the infenfible Palamon dying with de- 
 < c fpair at my feet; and that I may, from my very 
 " heart, defpife and hate him." 
 
 How fuccefsful foever this way of proceeding 
 may fometimes have been found, it was far from 
 anfwering the end Amafina propofed by it; and 
 inftead of rendering Palamon more fubmiflive than 
 he had been, made her appear to him every way 
 lefs worthy of refpecl;. , 
 
 As he truly loved her, and looked on her as a 
 woman who was fliortly to be his v/ife, all the 
 little levities of her behaviour feemed to him as fo 
 many wounds to his own honour; and he could 
 not therefore forbear reprefenting to her, how un- 
 worthy of them both it was, that ILe (hould be fd
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 249 
 
 frequently feenat places, and with company, which 
 he told her he was fure me muft be fenfible herfelf, 
 gave occafion of cenfure to malicious tongues. 
 
 She affected to refent the liberty he took, but 
 was in her heart pleafed to find he was piqued at 
 what flie did, becaufe (he took it as a proof of his 
 love, as indeed it was ; but then she too much de- 
 pended on the force of that love, and flattered her- 
 felf with a belief, that at lad it would humble him 
 into that tame enduring admirer she wished: to 
 this end, therefore, she ftudied eternally how to 
 give him fresh matter of difquiet; she contrived 
 to be always abroad at thofe hours when she ex- 
 pelled him to vifit her; she pafled her whole days 
 in going from onepublic place toanother; would 
 often leave word at home that if he deGred to fee 
 her, he might come to lady Diamond's, mifs Toy- 
 well's, or fome other of her female acquaintance, 
 whofe comluft she knew he the moft difapproved 
 of any she had : she fuffered beau Trifle, a crea- 
 ture whofe converfation was shuned by every wo- 
 man of prudence, to romp with her before his 
 face; and in fine, did ever a violence to her own 
 inclinations, as well as to her reputation, only to 
 make trial how far the love Palamon had for her 
 would compel him to bear. 
 
 Poor unthinking lady! little did she forefee the 
 confequences of this behaviour; and being guil- 
 ty of no real crime, was too neglectful what the 
 appearance of it would in time fubjecT: her to: 
 her mother, tho' a woman of gaiety herfelf, 
 was vexed to find her daughter give into fuch ex- 
 cefles,as all her friends and kindred highly blamed 
 her fop permitting,and did all in her power to pre- 
 vail on ner to be at kaft more cautious to. prevent 
 
 Vol. I. Y
 
 * 5 o THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 fcandal : but Amafina contented herfelf with liften- 
 ing to her reproofs without being at all amended 
 by them; and thinking she was the bed judge of 
 her own actions, perfifte'd as she had begun, till by 
 long affumingaboldnefs, which atfirft was far from 
 being natural to her, she at lad really loft all that 
 fimplicity and fweet timidity fo becoming in a vir- 
 gin date; fierce fires now fparkled in her eyes; 
 her voice became more shrill; she talked in- 
 ceflantly; she laughed aloud; she blushed not 
 at hearing a loofe fong, nor darted at freedoms she 
 would once have thought a violation of decency 
 and good manners. 
 
 Palamon was both furprized and grieved to 
 find this change in a perfon whom he loved with 
 the utmoft tenderncfs, and had flattered himfelf 
 of being one day happy with : he intreated her 
 with all the moving eloquence of an honourable 
 affection, that for her own fake, if not for his, 
 she would reflect QS. her prefent conduct, and re- 
 turn once more to'her amiable former felf : he 
 reprefented to her, how unworthy of her conver- 
 fation fome of thofe were who now were honour- 
 ed with it; the little folid happinefs was to be 
 found in thofe noify and tumultuous pleafures, 
 to which she had, of late, too much devoted her 
 time; and touched, though with all the gentlenefs 
 he could, on the cenfures she incurred, and the 
 dangers she was liable to fall into, by thus indifcri- 
 minately fuffering herfelf to be led into all forts of 
 company, and even into places reforted to by the 
 mod irregular of both fexes. 
 
 Thefe remondrances she fometimes affected 
 to ridicule, and at others to refent; not but she 
 had too much fenfe not to allow the judice of 
 them; but as her whole aim in acting in the manner
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 251 
 
 she did, was to bring him to fuch a temper of 
 mind as to fubjedl his very reafon to her will, and 
 to think every thing jultifiable (he did, (he refolved 
 to make no alteration in her conduct, till he 
 fhould fay with the lover, in one of Mrs Cent- 
 livre's comedies, 
 
 " No follies fatal to the fair can prove, 
 ** All things are beauties in the nym ph we love/* 
 Some men, it is certain, have behaved with tha* 
 flavilh dependence before marriage, who afterwards 
 have become very tyrants, and made their wives 
 dearly pay for all the fubmiilions they exacted from 
 them while they were miflrefles. 
 
 Palamon, however, was of a quite contrary 
 difpofition: he did not defire to marry Amafina 
 but with a view of living with her in that happy- 
 equality which was doubdefs intended by the iu- 
 ftitution; and though nothing could be more fin- 
 cere and ardent than the paffion he had for her, 
 yet he could neither think of making her his wife 
 while (he continued in this inordinate love of un- 
 becoming pleafures, nor of exerting the power of 
 a hufband in order to reclaim her: the one he 
 knew was inconfiftent with his honour, the other 
 with his peace of mind, both which were extremely 
 dear to him ; and though on many occafions he 
 had room to believe he was not indifferent to .her, 
 yet as he found the regard (he had for him was not 
 of force enough to reftrain her from being guilty 
 of any one thing he had tefl ified his difapprobation 
 of, he refolved rather to break off with her irv- 
 tirely, and futfer all the pangs fuch a parting mail 
 inflict, than fubjecl himfelf to others of a yet more 
 alarming kind, and which might probably be as 
 Lifting as his life. 
 
 Y 2
 
 25* THE FEMALE B.V. 
 
 With what prodigious difficulty he brought 
 himfeif to determine in this fafliion, none but 
 thofe poffeffed of an equal (hare of affection can 
 poffibly conceive; fo I fhall only fay that it was 
 fuch, as he flood in need of all his fortitude and 
 good underdanding to furmount.. I have been 
 told by one who knew him well, and was indeed 
 the confidante of his mofl fecret thoughts, that he 
 has feen him in agonies fuch as he often feared 
 would have been mortal, and which he imagined, 
 till he was convinced to the contrary, would have 
 got the better of all his refolution; fo hard it is 
 to wean the heart from an objecl: it has been long 
 accuftomed to love, and which has fome merits to 
 atone for its defects ! 
 
 Had 'Amafina feen him in thefe conflicts, it is 
 probable her good nature would have been too 
 itrong for her vanity, and fhe would have abated 
 fome part of thofe fubmiflions fhe expected from 
 him, in confideration of the rack he fultained ; and 
 thought that that alone was fufficient to prove the 
 height of paflion fhe wifhed to infpi-re in the man 
 on whom (he intended to beftow herfelf. 
 
 But it was not her good fortune to be informed 
 of any part -of what he fuffered; he revealed 
 himfeif to none that would betray it to her, and 
 the greatnefs of his fpirit would not permit him to 
 behave in her prefence, fo as to enable her to pe- 
 netrate into his foul; fo that (he knew no more 
 than that he had the prefumptionto attempt bring- 
 ing her over to his way of thinking, and obliging 
 her to live according to his rules, and for that very 
 reafon thought fhe mould be guilty of an injuftice 
 to herfelf not to (hew him the vanity of fuch an 
 eflay, and that fhe knew he ought rather to be
 
 B.V. SPECTATOR. 253 
 
 pleafed with every thing {he did merely becaufe 
 ihe did it. 
 
 This kind of flruggle between them, and that 
 Palamon had with himfelf, continued for fome 
 time; but at laft his love, infulted by additional 
 provocations, yielded to his reafon; and all the 
 fpells her inchanting beauty hadlaid upon him, loft 
 their power at once : he fat down, and in the pre*. 
 fence of that friend, who was the fole repofitory of 
 his fecrets, wrote to her in the following terms r 
 
 To the lovely thoughtlefs AMASINI. 
 
 " Since, unjuft and cruel to yourfelf, as well? 
 tf as to the mod fincere paflion ever heart was pof- 
 " fefled of, you prefer thofe trifling diverfions, un- 
 " worthy to be called pleafures,and the gallantries 
 <* of men, whom, I have ftill too good an opinion 
 '< of you not to aflure myfelf, you in realit-y de- 
 "fpife, to your own reputation and my eternal 
 ** peace; you ought not, nor I flatter myfelf will,, 
 " accufe me of inconftancy, if 1 no longer fuhmit 
 " to mingle with the herd, whofe addrefies yo'i 
 have, of late, not only permitted but encou- 
 raged; nor can I think of pafling my whole Ufa 
 '* with a lady, who feems determined to devote all 
 <c her's in fcenes no way fuited to render the mar* 
 " riage-ftate agreeable: my intreaties, my re- 
 ' monftrances, my difquiets, my very tears have-. 
 " not only been ineffectual to -prevail on you ta 
 make the lead alteration in your conduct, but 
 have ferved as matter of ridicule and deiiliou 
 " among your more gay acquaintance; you (hall, 
 " therefore, no more be perfecuted. with them. 
 " And now I take my everlalling leave, which I 
 " had done in perfon, having often been to wait
 
 2 J4 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 on you for that purpofe, but heard you were in 
 " places, where I thought it inconfiftent with that 
 " character I would always endeavour to preferve, 
 to go feek you in. With what difficulty I 
 " brought myfelf to this refolution, I need not 
 tell you, who are enough fenfible of the force 
 your charms have had upon me; but I am the 
 more confoled, as it cannot but be agreeable to 
 you, ft nee you have taken fo much pains to en- 
 able me to accomplifh fo painful a talk, and to 
 convince me it is the only thing can be accept* 
 able to you from 
 
 " The unfprtunate PALAMON- 
 i{ P. S. I cannot reftrain my pen from bidding 
 " you once more farewel, and wilhing you 
 may find in fome more happy man, thofe 
 " merits which may prevail on you to render 
 * s him completely blefl, by refuming thofe* 
 * { perfections, which, perhaps, your diflike 
 *' of me made you, for a time, fufpend." 
 Amafina was at a mafquerade when this let- 
 ter arrived, fo that it came not to her hands till 
 the next morning at her return a bitter fequel of 
 the laft night's pleafure ! Amazement and rage 
 at firft tq&k up all her thoughts, and left no room 
 for admittance to the fofter paffions : (lie knew 
 not Ihe either loved Palamon, or was grieved at 
 feeing forfaken by him ; but a few moments after 
 convinced her fhe did both : fhe went not now to 
 bed as was her cuftom after coming from the Hay- 
 market; no repofe remained for her heart or 
 eyes ; by turns fhe wept and raved, upbraided 1 
 the inconftaney of Falamon, and her own want of 
 charms; curfed thdhaughtinefs of his fpirit, and 
 her inability of bending it j and laid the blame of
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. * S5 
 
 her misfortune on every thing but that which a- 
 lone was the occafion, her own ill conduct. 
 
 She was in agitations, fuch as were very near 
 throwing her into fits, when Armico her brother 
 happened to come into her chamber, and alking 
 the meaning of that diforder, which was vifible 
 in all her air and countenance, " Palamon," 
 cried (he, at the fame time burfting into a flood cf 
 tears, " has ufed me ill." 
 
 " How!" cried the impatient Armico, who was 
 a kind of a Chamont, and had no lefs affc&ion for 
 lab fitter than the poet has beftowed on that young 
 warrior, " Quick, let me know in what, that 
 ** I may fly to revenge your caufe." 
 
 " Read there," replied me, pointing to the let- 
 ter which lay open on the table; " he has the im- 
 ** pudencc to renounce his vows, to abandon me, 
 <* and then lay the blame of his falfehood on my 
 ** innocent diverfions." 
 
 Armico took fire immediately,and without giv- 
 ing himiclf the trouble of examining any farther 
 than five or fix lines, fwore that Palamon was a 
 villain, and that he would not fuffer the honour 
 of his family to be abufcd; and a thoufand fuch- 
 like fpe.eches, which rafli young men are apt to - 
 make on caufes of this nature, however ground- 
 lefs or imaginary. Purfuing the dictates of his 
 rage, and without giving himfelfany time for re- 
 fleftion, he flew out of the room, and fenta chal- 
 lenge to Palamon, requiring him to meet him at a 
 place he mentioned, and was proper enough for 
 the purpofe, with fvvord and piftol, to anfwer the 
 indignity he had offered to their family, in the per- 
 fon of Amafma. 
 
 This he fent by his valet de cliambre, whom ho
 
 256 THE FEMAL! 3. V; 
 
 charged to bring back an anfwer; but he foori re- 
 turned, letting him know it was not in his power 
 to obey him, Palamon having left London the 
 evening before, in order to retire to his country- 
 feat. 
 
 Armico at firft was enraged at the difappoint* 
 ment of that revenge he imagined hirnfelf fure of 
 taking on Palamon; but his pailion foon after growl- 
 ing more cool,hedid not think fit to followhim; o 
 peciallyas his father > being informed the fame day 
 of all that had happened, abfolutely fctbade him to 
 make any noife of the affair, and feemed to ac- 
 knowledge, that Palamon had behaved no other- 
 wife than as a reaionable man, and Amafiua, thut 
 if (lie looked on the lofs of him as a misfortune, 
 had nobody in reality to accufe but herfelf. 
 
 Palamon, in fat, had no fooner difpatched his 
 letter to Amafina than he wifhed it back: a flood 
 of tendernefs returned upon his heart, and made 
 her appear lefs faulty than he before had thought 
 her: he had accufed himfelf of having taken his 
 farewel in too harih and unbecoming terms, and 
 wifhed he had at lead done it with more ibftnefs ; 
 but on hie fervant's return, and informing him fhe 
 was gone to the mafquerade, he'grew more fatif- 
 fied with what he had done; and convinced it was 
 right to part with a woman, whom there was net 
 the leati appearance of ever being, happy with, to 
 prevent the interpofition of friends, and put it out 
 of his own power to recede from what he had 
 wrote, abfence feemed to him the only fure way: 
 therefore without any longer delay than the time, 
 his horfes were putting to the chariot, quitted the 
 town immediately, taking with him that above- 
 mentioned friend, whofe advice and company he
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 257 
 
 knew would ftrengthen him in his refolution, and 
 confole him in the pains he endured, while tear- 
 ing the once precious image of Amafina from his 
 heart. 
 
 To be told of his departure, inflicted on that 
 unhappy lady agonies more cruel than all his letter 
 had done: (he now was aflured he was in ear- 
 ned; that he was inevitably loft; and by the 
 violence of her grief, knew the violence of the 
 love -that had occafioned it: all the pride, the vain 
 defire of conquering his reafon, and rendering it- 
 fubfervicnt to her will, which had prompted her 
 to al as (lie dki, was now no more : gladly 
 would me have yielded to relinquifh every joy for 
 that of retrieving his affe&ions ; and perhaps, even 
 descended to confefs how far (he had been toblame, .- 
 had he been prefent to defire it of her; but he was 
 at too great a diftance, and to write (he thought 
 would be demeaning herfelf too much, and might 
 jnake him rather defpife than love her. 
 
 All he fo long, and with fo much ardency, in 
 vain attempted to bring to pafs, while he was pre- 
 fent and continued to admire her, was however ef- 
 fected by his forfaking her. What was denied to 
 love, defpair enfoiced! She looked back with won- 
 der and deteflation on thofe irregularities which 
 had deprived her of him; and it became as great 
 a prodigy now to fee her in any public place of dt- 
 verfion,as it had lately been to find her abfent: 
 (he has, ever fince his breaking with her, been that 
 refeived, that pruden; Amafina he had fo much 
 wifhed to find her, and which would have made 
 him the happkft of mankind; but it is now too 
 late to be any other than a matter of indifference 
 to him; and is accompanied with a misfortune to
 
 258 THE FEMALE F. V. 
 
 herfelf, whrch is, that the remembrance of his paf- 
 fion, and the ill return (he made, will not permit 
 her to entertain the leafl regard for any other man, 
 though ftill addrefied by the nobleft youths of 
 Britain. 
 
 Palamon had not been many months in the 
 country, before he became acquainted with a 
 young lady, who, though not altogether fo re- 
 fplendent a beauty as Amafina, wanted not charms 
 to render any man fdrgetful of a miftrefs, by 
 whom he thought himfelf ill treated; and had be- 
 fides, all thofe perfections of the mind, which Pa- 
 lamon fet fo high a value on: in fine, he made 
 his addreiFes to her, was received by her relations 
 with the higheft approbation, and by herfelf with a 
 modeft kindnefs : the courtmip lafled no longer 
 than decency required: the equally defired cere- 
 mony completed both their wifties, and they con- 
 tinue mutual patterns of conjugal affe&ion ; while 
 poor Amafina fuffers her bloom to wither in fecrct 
 repinings and unavailing repentance, her affliction 
 heavier to be borne by the endeavours ihe makes 
 to conceal it. 
 
 By this example young ladies ought to be warn- 
 ed how dangerous it is to fport with the affections 
 of a man of ferife: a fop, a fool, who has no fenfi- 
 bility of what is owing to the woman he addreffes, 
 or to himfelf, may think the little artifices, which 
 fome make ufe of, in order to inflame their lovers, 
 as a pretty amufement, and be delighted with thofe 
 jealoufies which neither give him real pangs, nor 
 the ecclairciflement of any real pleafure; but the 
 man who loves fincerely, and fees through fuch, 
 idle ftratagems, cannot but refent, and at la ft de- 
 fpife them.
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 2^9 
 
 Too many I fear arc in Amafina's cafe, and for 
 the gratification of a whim, of a moment's dura- 
 tion, have facrificed what would have made the 
 happinefs of their whole lives. According to that 
 great difcerner of nature, the immortal Shakefpeare, 
 nothing is fo much deGred by women as to have 
 their own will; but as it is impoflible for any one, 
 of what ftation foever, to enjoy it in every thing, 
 we ought to confider and weigh well in what we 
 can, with the leaft mortification to ourfelves, en- 
 dure to be debarred from it, and not hazard the 
 higheft wifh our fouls can form to the attainment 
 of the meaneft: but what Sir John Suckling 
 wrote extempore, on the fight of two lovers quar- 
 relling about a trifle, may very well be applied to 
 a number of our prefent pretended devotees to 
 Cupid> of both fexes. 
 
 " Lovers, like little girls and boys, 
 
 " Cry for hearts, as they for toys; 
 
 " Which when once gain'd in childim play, 
 
 " They wantonly do throw away." 
 
 After all, no young lady, if me thinks at all, 
 can think the indulging herfeH too much in the 
 modim diverfions of the age will ever be agreeable 
 to any man, whofe good opinion it is worth her 
 while either to infpire or preferve: nor can (he 
 anfwerit to her reafon, that (he takes more pains 
 to engage the idle flatteries of a few unmeaning 
 coxcombs, than the folid praifcs of a man of vir- 
 tue and good fenfe. 
 
 But I am fenfible all this is talking to the wind : 
 mufic, dancing, love, and gallantry, are favour- 
 ite amufements with the young and gay: they 
 will purfue them wherever they are to be found. 
 Ir is, therefore, a great pity, methinks, that peo-
 
 $60 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 pie of fafhion have not frequent entertainments of 
 this nature at their own houfes ; where only fe- 
 leCt companies being admitted, all the dangers, 
 the indecencies, the mifchiefs, which attend ram- 
 bling to public afiemblies, would be avoided : the 
 gentlemen, knowing who they were among, would 
 treat the ladies with the refpect due to them, and 
 exert all their wit and addrefs to render them- 
 felves agreeable : the ladies might be as pleafant 
 as they pleafed; all innocent freedoms are allow- 
 able with men of honour and good fenfe : no 
 mifconftru&ions are made, either through igno- 
 rance or ill nature, on what pafles in converfati- 
 on , all is free arid eafy, and the prefent fatisfac- 
 tion is not hereafter embittered with any remorfe 
 or anxiety. 
 
 In fine, my fpectatoriar" capacity will permit me 
 to approve of no other entertainments which are 
 paid for, and at which all people, without diftinc- 
 tion, have an equal privilege for their money, than 
 thofe which are exhibited on the theatres; for 
 there, though it is poflible the moft abandoned 
 proftitute may thruft herfelf into the fame box with 
 the fi/tt duchefr, and even have the arrogance 
 to lay hold of that opportunity of fpeaking to her, 
 yet fuch inftanees very rarely, if ever, happen; 
 not becauie fuch wretches want either impudence 
 or vanity enough to mix, as much as they can, 
 with the great and virtuous part of their fex in 
 thefe, as well as in any other public place, but 
 becaufe they know it is not their intereft to do it. 
 Thr defign they have in coming there would be 
 totally overthrown by fuch a behaviour; fince 
 the moft profefled and avowed libertine would be 
 alhamed and afraid to accoft them in the fight or
 
 B.V. SPECTATOR. 261 
 
 hearing of thofe noble perfonages, or even any lady 
 of reputation: the play-houfe will not admit of 
 thofe freedoms, which may eafily be taken either 
 at Ranelagh, Vauxhall, &c. &c. or the mafque- 
 rade, where a man may lead his little miftrefs of 
 an hour out through a private walk, or run away 
 with her in a vizard, without being obferved by the 
 reft of the company. 
 
 It is indeed but of latter years that vice has 
 dared to appear barefaced at the theatres; loofe as 
 the age is faid to have been in the reign of king 
 Charles II. I am told no woman of an infamous 
 character ever came there without a mafk, and 
 long fince then, throughout the days of his fuc- 
 ceflbrs, James, William, and Mary,and the greatcft 
 part, if not all thofe of queen Anne, they retained 
 that modeft mark of a lewd life, or exchanged it 
 for a black-hood, pulled over their faces, after the 
 manner of a veil, which diilinguiflied, and at the 
 fame time concealed them from the virtuous part 
 of the audience; fo that there was then no poffi- 
 bility of any difagreeable intermixtures; nor is 
 there any danger of it now for the reafon above 
 alledged. 
 
 No objections, therefore, can be made againfl 
 ladies frequenting the theatres on thofe accounts, 
 for which thofe others, at prefent more encouraged 
 places of refort, ought juftly to be avoided. 
 
 Befules, a good play is an elegant entertain, 
 mcnt for thofe of the brighteft and moft elevated 
 capacities, and cannot but afford fome improve- 
 ment to the dulleft and lead informed: it alfo 
 engrofles no more of the time than may very well 
 be fpared from all other avocations, whether of 
 fludy or bufinefsj nor breaks in upon thofe hours 
 
 VOL. I. Z
 
 26z THE FEMALE 3. V. 
 
 which decency, and the confederation of our 
 health, fhould devote to repofe. 
 
 It muft be allowed, that there is no kind of 
 diverfion whatever, in which three hours may fo 
 agreeably and profitably be fpent; and among the 
 many misfortunes of the prefent age, 1 think the 
 vifible decay of the ftage may well be accounted 
 not the leaft; fince nothing can be a greater proof 
 how much the general talte is vitiated, than to 
 neglccT: an entertainment in which pleafure and 
 inftru&ion are blended, ^for others, which the beft 
 that can be faicl of them is, that they afford fome 
 amufement to the fenfes. 
 
 Nothing to me feems more ridiculous than to 
 hear thofe reafons which the trading part of the 
 nation, and fome of the inferior gentry, give for 
 their averfion to that portion of the drama, which 
 is called tragedy : " We have tragedy enough 
 " at home, fay they; involved in wars, burthened 
 " with taxes, and in continual terrors of worfe 
 " confequences, our fpirits want exhilaration, 
 " not depreffion; our own miferies, and in all 
 " probability thofe of our pofterity, afford us too 
 " many fad ideas, without adding to them by me- 
 <c lancholy repreientations on the ftage." 
 
 Methinks there is a riarrownefs of conception 
 in people who argue in this manner, which de- 
 ferves compaflion : it (hews, they have capacities 
 for nothing farther than \vhat is called the tale 
 or fable of the piece; and either, through want of 
 attention or underftanding, cannot take in thofe 
 beautiful morals and reflections, which in all good 
 tragedies fhew, that the misfortunes to which life 
 is incident are not difplayed, but with a view of 
 enabling perfons to undergo, with the more forti-
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 263 
 
 tude and patience, ills which they find have been 
 inflicted on others. 
 
 But where nature, or the want of proper edu- 
 cation, denies this intended benefit, thofe perfons 
 whom the folemn fcene too much affects, have not 
 the fame excute for with-holding their encourage- 
 ment to comedy; fince, to forget their cares is 
 all they want, the fock may afford what the bufkin 
 cannot give: they will fee the follies and mif- 
 takes both of the great and low world agreeably 
 ridiculed; and if they do not amend their own, 
 they may at lead laugh at thofe of other people. 
 
 It is not, however, to this part of the nation I 
 am at prefent pretending to give advice, nor is it 
 owing to thofe motives I have mentioned, that 
 our young ladies of condition fliun theatrical di- 
 verfionsfor mafquerades,affemblies,and ridottoes: 
 the calamities of the times affect not them: all 
 within their gentle bofoms is harmony, and joy, 
 and peace: they can condole with Melpomene, 
 and not be depreffed by the diftreffes ihe preientf ; 
 and can never want a difpofrtion to laugh with 
 Thalia. 
 
 Thefe, who are themfelves the real mufes, and 
 by their charms infpire all that is attributed to the 
 tuneful Nine, fliould not, methinks, difdain the 
 effects of their own influence. Did they vouch- 
 fafe to fpaikk in the boxes as formerly, the poets 
 would write with double energy, and the players 
 act with double fpirit. What at prefent is want- 
 ing to anfwer the ends propofed by the inftitution 
 of the drama, is chiefly owing to their having, of 
 late years, withdrawn their accultomed favours. 
 
 Some ladies indeed have (hewn a truly public 
 fpirit in refcuing the admirable, yet ajmofl forgot- 
 Z 2
 
 264 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 ten Shakefpear, from being totally funk in obli- 
 vion: they have generoufly contributed to raife 
 a monument to his memory, and frequently ho- 
 noured his works with their prefence on the ftage: 
 -an .a&ion, which deferves the higheft enco- 
 miums, and will be attended with an adequate 
 reward; fince, in preferving the fame of the dead 
 bard, they add a brightnefs to their own, which 
 will (hine to late pofterity. 
 
 Yet I could wim this benevolence of nature 
 were expended farther: it is a melancholy re- 
 flection to a poet, that he muft be dead before he 
 can arrive at the end of his ambition : there are 
 many living authors, who, we cannot deny, merit 
 fome portion of regard ; and if, while depreffed, 
 neglected, and perhaps ill-treated, they force, as 
 it were, our approbation, how infinitely more 
 would they be capable of exciting it, if cheriihed 
 and encouraged! as I remember to have fome- 
 where read, 
 
 " As tender plants by kindly influence live,, 
 *' So favour is the fun makes poets thrive." 
 Let us not therefore lavifh all our garlands 
 on the grave, but referve fome chaplets for the 
 living brows of thofe who make it their endeavours 
 to pleafe us : gratitude requires it of us-, juftice, 
 good-nature, and good-manners, demand fome 
 return on our parts; and if even all thofe pleas 
 were filent, felf-intereft ought to oblige us to it. 
 If we confider ferioufly, we mall find that it is 
 the greateft robbery we can commit againft our- 
 felves, when we refufe encouragement to works 
 of wit and ingenuity; for befides the countenan- 
 cing thofe perfections in others, being a proof we 
 want not fome (hare of them ourfelves, how many
 
 B. V. SPECTATOR. 265 
 
 ladles have there been, the fame of whofe endow- 
 ments had properly exifled no longer than their 
 own lives, or of fome particular admirers, which 
 are now immortalized in the poet's fong! Had 
 Sacharifla been poffefled of more perfections than 
 even Waller has afcnbed to her, they would long 
 fince have been forgot, did fhe not Itill live in his 
 inimitable lines. 
 
 It is not that our fex have not the defire of ad- 
 miration as much at heart as ever; on the con- 
 trary, the love of praife was never more predomi- 
 nant: and that they aim to acquire it by ways fo 
 widely different from what before was ever prac- 
 tifed by our Britifli ladies, fince the firft civilizing 
 of the country, feems to me entirely occafioned 
 by the example of fome few perfons, who, though 
 in an elevated itation, being hoydens in their own 
 nature, have eftablifhed into a famion thofe cuf- 
 toms among us, which would have incurred the 
 fevereft fatire in the days of our anceftors. 
 
 Our very drefs too much correfponds with the 
 airs, which none now can be accounted genteel 
 without afiuming: one while we are tranfmo- 
 grified into milk-maids; then into a kind of A- 
 mazonians, half men, half women; and a tru- 
 ly modifli lady looks now, by turns, every thing 
 but a gentlewoman. 
 
 For my part, 1 think I fee fo great a tendency 
 towards barbarifm and rufticity among us, that I 
 expect, if the queen of Hungary's arms continue 
 to prevail as they have done, we (hall have patterns 
 fent over to us of the habits worn by the Pandour 
 and Talpack ladies, in order to regulate ourfelves 
 according totluir mode, in honour of the afiiilance 
 their hulbands have afforded in the prefent war.
 
 266 THE FEMALE B. V. 
 
 Wild Infatuation ! Strange prevalence of example! 
 
 In fine, there is nothing fo difagreeable, fo 
 Shocking to the natural foftnefs and modefty of our 
 fex, as well as to good fenfe and good breeding, 
 that we may not in time degenerate into, if we 
 proceed to un woman ourfelves by the fame fwift 
 degrees we have done; and a few, very few years 
 more will reduce us to that favage wildnefs, which, 
 it is faid, the Phoenicians firft found us in. 
 
 However, as extremes are feldom of a long con- 
 tinuance, it is to be hoped the prefent humour 
 will take a different turn; that our ladies will 
 defpife all unworthy imitations, ceafe to compli- 
 ment away their characters to any perfon or per- 
 fons whatever, and once more depend on their own 
 good fenfe for the guide of their behaviour; and 
 then they cannot fail of exciting all that love, ad- 
 miration, and efteem, which it is no lefs laudable 
 than natural to be pieafed with. 
 
 BOOK VI. 
 
 THERE is one quality, which has fomewh'at 
 fo heavenly in it, that by fo much the more 
 we are poflefled of it, by fo much the more we 
 draw nearer to the great Author of Nature. Of 
 all the virtues, it is that which moft finds its 
 reward within itfelf, and at the fame time mofl 
 endears us to fociety; atoning for almoft every 
 other deficiency: of all the beauties, it is that 
 which attracts the moil lafting admiration, gives
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 2 5; 
 
 the greateft charm to every thing we fay or do, 
 and renders us amiable in every flage of life. 
 
 Yet it is no more than what is in the pQwer 
 of every one, with the help of a very little appli- 
 cation, to attain : it is, indeed, no other than 
 an affability of manners and behaviour, or what is 
 coznmonly called good-nature; but then it mud 
 be permanent, fincere; not aflumed or affe&ed, 
 but flowing from a real benevolence of mind > 
 which takes delight in contributing all it can to 
 the welfare of others. 
 
 It was always my opinion, that good fenfe will 
 make good-nature; becaufe it (hews us what is our 
 true intereft and happinefs; and whatever fome 
 people fay to the contrary, I never will believe a 
 perfon can be poflefled ef the one, without fome 
 lhare of the other. A man may, indeed, be an 
 excellent mathematician, philofopher, theologift, 
 lawyer, or poet; have learning, memory, fancy, 
 ingenuity, to a fuperlative degree; yet if in his 
 deportment there be any tincture of arrogance, 
 peevirtmefs, morofenefs, fullennefs,or any of thofe 
 indications by which ill-nature may be known, I 
 will not allow him to have a clear and ftrong 
 judgment. When any extraordinary endowment 
 makes him treat with contempt or impatience the 
 ideas of thofe who are lefs learned, or have lefs 
 bright capacities, it mews his own to be clouded; 
 and whatever fparkles may fometimes iflue forth, 
 there is ftill a dark and uninformed corner in his 
 foul, which hinders him from being the perfect 
 great man. 
 
 Good-nature is religion too, in the higheft 
 meaning of the word; becaufe it will not fuffer 
 us to do by any one what we would riot willingly
 
 i6S THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 nave done to ourfelves: and though I am far from 
 thinking that thofe who have not this happy dif- 
 pofition of mind are wicked, yet this I venture to 
 affirm, that thofe who are really pofiefled of it, 
 never can be fo. 
 
 A perfon may be a drift obferver of the ten 
 commandments, yet do a great deal of mifchief in 
 the world: he may defpife all mean and bafe ac- 
 tions, and have in the utmoft abhorrence the more 
 capital offences; yet, by a teizing or contemptu- 
 ous behaviour, drive, as it were, thofe about him 
 to be guilty even of the worft, and fo become the 
 author, though not the actor of the crime. 
 
 A certain noble perfon, who in his time was 
 looked upon as the arbiter of wit, found among 
 the many pieces which were every day laid on his 
 toilet for his infpection, one which had been left 
 by a namelefs author, with a letter, moft humbly 
 requefting his lordfhip's judgment on the perfor- 
 mance : this, it feems, was a dramatic poem, en- 
 titled, Mariamne; and whether it was wrote with 
 that fkill and energy a ftory fo affecting as that 
 of the Jewifh princefs merited, or whether it only 
 feemed to fall fliort by any ill-humour the illu- 
 ftrious reader might happen to be in at that time-, 
 is uncertain; but he was fo little fatisfied with the 
 piece, that he had no fooner looked it over, than 
 taking up his pen haftily, he wrote on the outfide, 
 and juft under the title, thefe lines: 
 
 " Poet, whoe'er thou art, G d d n thee; 
 
 c Go hang thyfelf, and burn thy Mariamne." 
 
 This was all the anfwer he vouchfafed to give, 
 and on the gentleman's calling fome days after, 
 was accordingly delivered to him by the valet de 
 chambre.
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 16$ 
 
 The fondnefs which mod young authors have 
 for their firft performance, made him impatient to 
 fee how his had been received ; but the (hock wai 
 fo great on finding the cruel fentence patted upen 
 him, that he executed it immediately,candemning 
 to the flames his play, and his neck to a halter 
 made of his own garters. Nobody can fuppofe 
 the noble lord either intended or defired fo difmal 
 an effect. of the feverity he had ufed to one alto- 
 gether unknown to him, and who poflibly might 
 be a man of fome merit, though he did not hap- 
 pen to be an excellent poet. It was, however, a 
 piece of ill-nature, which thofe who are full of 
 take all opportunities to vent; and I mention it 
 only to (hew what fatal confequence the derifionof 
 perfons on whom we depend may poffibly produce. 
 It looks indeed as if this poor poet wanted both 
 fpirit and prefence of mind; for had he been ma- 
 fter of either, he might eafily have retorted on the 
 peer>and obliged him in his turn to take fhamcto 
 himfelf: fince I think there could ivot well be 
 greater improprieties in the play,*than in the judg- 
 ment he pafled upon it; as any one will fee 
 who confiders his lordfhip's bidding " him hang 
 " himfelf," and afterward adding, " burn thy 
 " Mariamne;" the fecdnd part of which injunction 
 was impofilble to be performed after the fulfill- 
 ing of the former. This therefore, was with all 
 fubmiflion to the memory of fo great a man, a fo- 
 lecifm in phrafe, which the very trials at the Old- 
 Bailey might have inflructed anyone to avoid. 
 
 The cruel lines were however wrote inftanta- 
 neoufly, and doubtlefs, as 1 before obferved, to 
 gratify a fpleen, which in that moment got the 
 better of all other confidcrations ; but I appeal
 
 270 THE FEMALE 8. VI; 
 
 to all the world, and would to his lordfliip's own 
 cooler thoughts, were he living, if it had not been 
 a greater proof of his underftanding, as well of 
 tbat good manners and good-will we all owe to 
 one another, if he had teftified his difapprobation 
 of the piece, modeflly fubmitted to his cenfure, 
 with lefs abruptnefs : nay, it could not have been 
 in the leaft derogatory to his dignity, had he con- 
 defcended to point out in what particulars he had 
 fwerved from the rules of poetry, and even advifed 
 him what emendations he might make in that per- 
 formance, and how he might avoid falling into the 
 like errors in ahy future attempt. 
 
 It is certainly a fiend-like difpofition to be 
 pleafed with giving pain; yet how have I feen 
 fome people exult and triumph in their power of 
 doing it! and the more difquiet they are capable 
 of fpreading, the more confiderable they imagine 
 themfelves. Ridiculous infatuation of ill -judging 
 pride! Does not a wafp, or even a common fly, 
 buzzing about one's ears inflict a temporary un- 
 eafinefs? Not the moft infignificant reptile the air 
 or earth affords, but has the power of being vexa- 
 tious to us for a while, and is the rival of the ill- 
 natured, who, by being fuch, but vainly boafls of 
 a fuperioj reafon. 
 
 Perfons of this temperament diffufe a gloom 
 wherever theyeome; no fooner they appear, than 
 converfation is at a {land, mirth is checked, and 
 every oneprefent feemsto have catched fome (hare 
 of the infection: whereas, on the contrary, the 
 fight of one who is known to have good-nature, in- 
 vigorates like the fun, infpires a chearfulnefs 
 where it before was wanting, and heightens what 
 it finds.
 
 B. VL SPECTATOR. 271 
 
 Whoever reflects on any two perfons in whom 
 this contraft in humour is vifible, will naturally 
 fhun the one, and court the fociety of the other, 
 even though they have no concern with either: 
 but where there is any kind of dependence, or a 
 neceffity of living with, or being much with one 
 of them, the influence muft be felt in proportion to 
 the good or bad qualities of which-ever it happens 
 to be. 
 
 A fweetnefs of difpofition is what every one 
 wifhes to find in thofe they are obliged to live 
 with, and it is the more endearing according to the 
 authority of the perfon's ftation. When the heads 
 of a family are in amity with each other, and be- 
 have with gentlenefs and humanity to all beneath 
 them, how perfect is the harmony that reigns 
 throughout! If there happens to be any dogged or 
 ill-natured perfons among them, they will either 
 conceal or endeavour to rectify their humours by 
 the example of their fuperiors; and a chearful and 
 ready application to their feveral duties Renders all 
 things eafy, foftens the afperity of crofs accidents, 
 and gives a double relim to profperity. 
 
 But when thofe, whofe province it is to go- 
 vern, fhew a diflatisfaction with each other, and 
 receivewith imperioufnefs andpeeviGmefsthefer- 
 vice done by their inferiors, how unhappy does it 
 make all about them! A general difcontent runs 
 through the whole; the commands of fuch people 
 are obeyed with reluctance; they may be feared, 
 but they cannot be truly loved; and their very 
 children are capable of paying them no more than 
 an exterior duty. But mod terrible of all is it for 
 either him or her, who, by nature mild and gentle, 
 flnres the bed of one of a contrary difpofition}
 
 2 7 * THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 when, infte^ad of fond endearments, they find them- 
 felves accofted with teftimonies of difguft, or fuch 
 as may very well be taken for it ; when, infitad 
 of foft repofe, they have only fiumbers, broken by 
 diftra&ing dreams, the effects of waking quarrels ; 
 when, inllead of thofe amicable confultations which 
 the aiFairs of two people, whofe interefts are one, 
 demands, they are treated with either fullen fi- 
 lence, reproaches, or equally provoking unreafona- 
 ble contradiction-, what words can paint the mi- 
 fery of fuch a forced enduring ! 
 
 Still worfe is it where two perfons equally 
 harfh and unfociable happen to be united in mar- 
 riage. Where ill conditions clafh, and both feem 
 to vie which (hall create the moft difquiet to all 
 related or belonging to them, as well as to each 
 other, they form an epitome of hell wherever they 
 come, and well may be compared to the tormenting 
 fiends, who capable of feeling no reft, no comfort 
 in their own bofoms, deny it, as much as in them 
 lies, to all befides. 
 
 There are two fources from whence what is 
 called ill-nature proceeds; the one is from the feeds 
 of tyranny in the foul; the other, only from habit 
 or accident : the former is hardly ever to be eradi- 
 cated; fair means will but footh, and ferve rather 
 to confirm than abate the impetuous propenfity; 
 and rough meafures, though never fo ftrenuoufly 
 purfued, will fcarce be able to fubdue it; but the 
 latter may eafily be removed by one's own reafon 
 and reflection, without any other affiftance. 
 
 I have known feveral inftances where perfons 
 who, en a ftricT: examination into themfelves, find- 
 ing a tendency to fall into fbme one or other of 
 thofe many different modes, in which ill-nature up-
 
 B. VT. SPECTATOR. 273 
 
 pears, have by theftrength of resolution, been able 
 to throw them off; ami by keeping a conftanr 
 guard over all their words and actions, even in the 
 minuted matters, fo rcftrained all turbulent emo- 
 tions from breaking out, that they have in time en- 
 tirely fubfided, and never after returned. 
 
 This is a tafk which methinks all people, be 
 they of what condition or degree foever, ought to 
 impofe upon themfelves: religion, morality, and 
 even common policy, require it of them; and 
 whatever difficulties they find, or pains they take, 
 while making the eTay, I am well aflured both 
 will be much more than corripenfated for in the 
 accomplimment. 
 
 In order to enable us to do this with the more 
 eafe, we mould confider who are the objects on, 
 whom we have the power of difcharging our ill- 
 humour. Are they not fuch as fate has in fome 
 meafure fubje&ed to us? for it is not our fupe- 
 riors, or thofe of equal circumftances with our- 
 felves, will brook ungentle treatment, and few there 
 are who tempt the confequences. We fhould there- 
 fore reflect, that old-age, infancy, the poor, the 
 fickj in fine, whatever is helplefs of itfelf, and 
 flands in need of tendernefs, has an imlifputable 
 claim to it-, and as it is only over fuch we dare 
 t flu me the privilege of infulting, how truly mean, 
 bafe and ungenerous, as well as wicked, it is, to 
 make ufe of the means our happier ftars have given 
 us, to add to the affliction of thofe whom it is cer- 
 tainly our duty to confole. 
 
 In fafit, there would be no fuch thing as cala- 
 mity in the world, did every member of this great 
 body behave with any tolerable degree of good- 
 nature and humanity to the others. Good-nature 
 
 VOL. I. A a
 
 274 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 is the cement of love and friendftiip, the bandage 
 of fociety, the rich man's plcafure, and the poor 
 man's refuge. Peace, harmony, and joy reign 
 where it fubfifts, and all is difcord and confufion 
 where it is banifhed. 
 
 But as all other vices, fo a fournefs of humour 
 isalfo more unbecoming in women than in men: 
 a virago, how much foever fhe may be blown up 
 with felf-conceit,to imagine that to domineer, and 
 rail, and bounce, denotes her a perfon of wit and 
 oeconomy, is as defpicable a character as any I 
 know; and is defervedly fh>nned and hated by 
 the more gentle of her own fex,and ridiculed and 
 laughed at by all in general of the other. 
 
 Softnefs and affability fhould go hand in hand 
 with modefty; and where the former are intirely 
 wanting, one may very well fufpecl: fome defici- 
 ency in the latter. But as a depravity of manners 
 fhews itfelf in various fhapes, the fullen and 
 thwarting difpofition is often as perplexing as the 
 afluming and violent: unhappy are all who con- 
 trat an intimacy with a woman of either of thefe 
 tempers; but greatly to be pitied is the hufband, 
 the child, and the fervant of fuch a wife, a mo- 
 ther, and a miftrefs. 
 
 I have often thought it ftrange, that fome la- 
 dies, who think no expence of time or money too 
 much for any thing they are told will afford either 
 addition or fupporttotheirperfonalcharms, fhould, 
 by an ill difpofition of mind, deftroy what all the 
 arts they make ufe of never can repair. Ill-nature 
 is a greater enemy to beauty than the fmall-pox 
 ever was; it gives a difagreeable depth to all the 
 lines of the face; it finks the cheeks; throws a 
 difagreeable deadnefs, or * fiery rednefs into the
 
 B, VI. 5 P E C T A T O R. 275 
 
 eye, according as the malady proceeds from an ex- 
 c--fs of phlegm or choler; it fwells the lip, fades 
 the complexion, contra&sthe brow, and brings on 
 a decay before the time. Sure, if they who plume 
 themfclves chiefly on their attractions, would con- 
 fider this, it would occafion a prodigious alteration 
 in the behaviour of many of them! 
 
 Some few there are, indeed, to whom Nature 
 has been fo prodigal of her favours, that it is not 
 even in their own power to leffen the magnetfc 
 force of their charms; and thefe may maintain 
 their dominion over their lovers, and perhaps feern 
 faultlcfs fora time: but when once marriage has, 
 as the poet fays, dcbafed the imperious miflrefs 
 into wife, all that blaze of beauty, which lately 
 was beheld with awe and admiration, becomes fa- 
 miliar to the hufband's eye; the luftre of it 
 dazzles him no longer, and he diftinguiflics the 
 errors which before he was incapable of imagining 
 were hid under it. He then perhaps difcovers 
 pride, vanity, felf-fufficiency, a contempt of every- 
 thing befides herfelf, and all the follies, afcribed 
 to the weakeft of her fex, peep out through that 
 form his paffion had once made him look upon as 
 all perfection. Amazed and angry with the "de- 
 ception it had put upon him, he attempts to re- 
 form and bring the charmer back to what he lately 
 thought her-, perfuades, remonftrates, threat- 
 ens; all, alas! too often proves in vain: incor- 
 rigible, and determined to perfift, (he accufes his 
 too great penetration; reproaches in her turn; 
 mutual indifference cccafions mutual flights; they 
 end one quarrel but to begin another, and their 
 whole future lives are fure to be one continued 
 fciies of difcord. 
 
 A a 2
 
 276 THE FEMALE B. Vl. 
 
 This is fo common a cafe, that I am furprifed 
 and grieved to find any married woman can ex- 
 peel to maintain an authority with, much lefs over 
 her hufbandj but byfuch arms as are allowed alone 
 prevalent in our lex. When a woman umvo- 
 manizes herfelf, renounces the foftnefs of her na- 
 ture, and idly boafts of having it in her power to 
 conquer, man has a right to exert his ftrength, and 
 fhew her the vanity of her attempt. Complai- 
 fance, tendernefs, and fidelity, will always have 
 charms for a man of understanding; but rough 
 meafures will never get the better of any thing but 
 a fool. 
 
 To this it may be alledged, that it is frequently 
 the lot of a woman of true fenfe to be joined to a 
 man of mean capacity, and fo refractory in his 
 humour, that though fhe does all in her power to 
 pleafe, him, yet he is diflatisfied with her beha- 
 viour; and it would be too meanly fubmiflive in 
 her to continue any marks of tendernefs to a per- 
 fon fo altogether unworthy of them. I grant, 
 that a wife thus circumftanced is very unhappy, 
 but muft think ihe would but render herfelf more 
 fo by ftruggling with her chain: the verieft cox- 
 comb of them all is fenfible of a hufband's power, 
 and frequently exerts it the more as he has lefs 
 reafon to do fo; for her own peace therefore fhe 
 ought to do nothing that may ftir up his ill-hu- 
 mour and if all is ineffectual, bear with him as 
 much as poffible. 
 
 I know very well that this is a doctrine will 
 found but harfhly in the ears of moft wives; but 
 1 appeal to any of thofe who have made the trial, 
 whether they ever found any thing was gained by 
 robuftnefs.
 
 B. VT. SPECTATOR. '277 
 
 In fine, there are no provocations, no circum- 
 ftances in life, that 1 can allow to be a fufficient 
 excufe for ill-nature: on fome occafions, it is nei- 
 ther unju't nor impolitic to refent being treated 
 \vith it; but we (hould never return it in the fame 
 manner, fince there are many other ways to (hew 
 we are fcnfible of an affront, without imitating 
 that which we complain of when offered to our- 
 fclves. 
 
 Much lefs ought we, when at any time we ima- 
 gine ourfelves hardly dealt with by thofe, where 
 duty, intereft, or any other confideration, obliges 
 us to fubmit to without any (hew of refcntmenr,- 
 to v? nt the inward difcontent it may occafion in 
 us on others who have no way contributed to ag- 
 grieve us: that were to ptinifh the innocent for 
 the fake of the guilty; yet 1 am forry to obferve 
 it is but too frequently pradi fed by perfons of both 
 fcxes, and of all ages and degrees. 
 
 How often have I feen people, after having met 
 with fome matter of difquiet abroad, come home 
 and revenge themfelves on all they find in their 
 way ! Wife, children, fervants, down to the fa- 
 vourite dog, felt the effects of an ill-humour^ 
 which the poor creatures have been fo far from 
 doing any thing to excite, that they even know 
 not the meaning of. 
 
 Nay, there are fome fo far gone in this folly, 
 that it extends even to things inanimate and infeu- 
 fible of the ill ufage they fuftain; as many a fhat- 
 tered fet of china, glafies, tables, chairs, and other 
 Wenfils,are a proof. What monftrousftupidityis 
 this! What can a by-flander think of the unJ.cr- 
 fhnding of any one who afts in this mad manner f 
 
 Nor do the bad effects of ill-nature ahvay? ftop 
 Aa 3
 
 278 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 here. If he who receives the firft offence re- 
 venges, it on another, that perfon may perhaps 
 fall on a third by the fame motive ; he on a fourth; 
 and fo on, ad infinitum ; fo that not one, but 
 many families, fufFer for the mifbehaviour of a 
 finale perfon. 
 
 Many are the pretences which thofe, afhamed 
 of fuch exploits, will make after being guilty of 
 them: they will tell you, that they are troubled 
 with the overflowing of the gall; that they have 
 the vapours, the fpleen, or lownefs of fpirits, 
 which being diflempers of the body, they cart no 
 more help acling in the manner they do, when the 
 fit is on them, than a min in a high fever can help 
 raving. It is true, indeed, that thefe are diflein- 
 pers of the body; but when we confider how great 
 an influence the mind has over the body, I believe 
 we fhall be forced to acknowledge, that in recti- 
 fying the errors of the one, we (hall,, in a great 
 * meafure, prevent not only thefe, but many kinds 
 of difordcrs in the other. 
 
 What numbers have pined themfelves into con- 
 fumptions by immoderate grief! How dreadful 
 a ravage has furious paflion occaficned among the 
 human ipecies, under the names of fevers, pleu- 
 rities, convulfions! It is notorious, and no phy- 
 lician will deny it, that the violent agitations of 
 the mind have made more filicides, than poifon, 
 ivv'Oid, or halter. 
 
 Well then may pur ill-conditions create a con- 
 tinual reftlefsnefs within, difturb the motion of the 
 animal fpirits, and bring on the diforders above- 
 mentioned; fo that the excufes made on this fcore 
 i'erve rather to exaggerate than alleviate the fault. 
 
 1 do not fay that the mind has in all conflituti-
 
 E/Vt. SPECTATOR. 279 
 
 ons fo much the direction of the body, as to ren- 
 der it fickly or healthy, and prolong or fhorten life 
 merely by its own operation ; but 1 will venture to 
 affirm, that in fame it has, and that there are none 
 but feel its efFedls in a more or lefs degree. 
 
 I am very fenfible there are difeafes which we 
 inherit from oui paierts, others that are contraled 
 in our iniai.cy, and that alter we arrive at maturi- 
 ty, too much fleep or over- watching, violent colds, 
 or excciFive heats, unwholeibme food, bad air, too 
 vehement or too little exerciie, and a thoufand 
 other accidents, in which the mind has no part, 
 may breed diflempers in the body, and haflen dif- 
 folution-, but even then, according to the good or 
 bad affections of the mind, they are greatly mode- 
 rated, or rendered more viruleiit. 
 
 This is fo plain and obvious a maxim, that it 
 {lands in need of no examples to illuftrate the truth, 
 of it; yet I cannot forbear making mention of one, 
 which filled all who had the oppoitunity of know- 
 ing it with admiration. 
 
 A perfon, with whom I am intimately acquaint- 
 ed, laboured under a fevere indifpofition of more 
 than feven years duration; often have 1 feen the 
 ilruggles between life and death ; often have the 
 animal functions been at a ftand, and leemed to 
 ceafe for ever; yet did me at Jait get the better 
 of this rack of nature, recovered her fo long loft 
 health and ftrength; and thofe who had taken 
 of her, as they had all the reafcn in the world to 
 imagine, their laft farewel, now behold her in 
 more perfed cafe than many of them arc them- 
 felves. The cure was wonderful, and the more 
 fo as not accompli {hed by the power of medicine, 
 as the phyficians themfchesucaminoufly agreed^
 
 28o THE FEMALE B. VI, 
 
 but merely by her own confummate patience, 
 conftant chearfulnefs, and fteady fortitude, in the 
 midft of all the agonies fhe fuftained. To add to 
 her diftemper, and at the fame time to her glory 
 in furmounting them, me had alib many fecret 
 woes to combat with, the leaft of which was fuf- 
 ficient to have overwhelmed a mind not refolved 
 to be above all tilings, in this world, and entirely 
 refigned to the will of the fupreme Being. 
 
 For this one inftance of true heroiim and mag* 
 naaimity, 1 could produce a great number of others 
 of a different nature. Few, if any families, have 
 been without one or more perfons in it, who, by 
 their careleflnefs in reftraining thofe inordinate 
 emotions, to which the mind is fo liable, have 
 brought forne fearful ailment in the body, and 
 then with an equal meannefs have funk under it. 
 
 Thaumantius is allowed by all his acquaint- 
 ance to be one of th-e greateft valetudinarians in 
 the world. He trembles at the very mention of 
 a diftemper, though in a fingle perfon, and at the 
 diftance of many miles, and confults his phy- 
 ficians, whether fome fymptoms, he prefently 
 imagines he feels within himfelf, be not an indica- 
 tion of his having catcihed it : he flies the to r .va 
 on the leaft increafe of the bills of mortality, and 
 returns to it on the news of even an infant's being 
 fick in the country. In fummer he is apprehen- 
 five of a fever, in winter of an ague. Autumn 
 and the fpring threaten fome change in the confti- 
 tution, which he is fure to think will be for the 
 worfe. He was told that the attitudes of the body- 
 in fencing opened the bread, and thereby prevent- 
 ed all diftempers of the lungs, on which he pafled 
 three parts in four of his time in that
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 281 
 
 but afterwards happening to hear one fay, the mo- 
 tion was too violent and precipitate, and might 
 pofiibly occafion languors and fainting fweats, 
 hurtful to the human fyltem, he threw away his 
 foil:, and never fince could be perfuaded to wear 
 a fword, leit fome affront fliould provoke him to 
 draw it to the prejudice of his mufcles. Wfcen 
 the wind is in theeaft, it affects his eyes; if in the 
 north, it gives him cold; in the fouth, it deftroys 
 his appetite; in the weft, it fpoils his digeflion; 
 it can veer to no point of the compafs without af- 
 fecting him, and every change brings with' it new 
 terrors. Nor fun, nor moon, nor air, can fatisfy 
 him for three minutes together; and the conti- 
 nual anxiety he is in at every little motion, either 
 of celeftial or terreftrial bodies, has at length 
 brought him into a kind of jxeeviflinefs, which it 
 is much to be feared will caufe, in a fhort time, 
 fome of thofe diftempers he is fo fearful of, and 
 takes fuch an over-care to avoid. 
 
 Mirandola had once a very graceful perfon, fine 
 eyes, and a complexion rather too delicate for his 
 fex: his whole ambition was to be weil with the 
 ladies; but envy at his younger brother's good 
 fortune, has worn him to a fkeleton, given afour- 
 nefs to his features, and fpread a livid palencfs o- 
 ver his face, rendering him rather an object of pi- 
 ty than admiration. 
 
 Placida, finding the charms of her perfon de- 
 cays, deflroys thofe which flie might retain even 
 in old age, by becoming difcontented in herfelf, 
 and harlh in her behaviour to others. 
 
 Draxalla, poffeffed of an imagination that her 
 hufband had- not that affection for her he pre- 
 tended, and (he believed her due, became fo ter-
 
 282 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 magant a wife, and continued fo long to perfecute 
 him with caufelefs jealoufies, that he grew at laft 
 weary of her fociety; in faft, fought confolation 
 for his difquiets at home in the arms of a more 
 endearing companion abroad ; leaving her to pine 
 almoft to death, for a misfortune her own ill tem- 
 per had been the occafion of. 
 
 Thus fo many people, by the fear of imagi- 
 nary ills, create to themfelvcs real ones; and o- 
 thers, by endeavouring to fly a danger which feems 
 to threaten, run into far worfs which they never 
 thought on. 
 
 As fancy is never idle, and however indolent 
 and fupine the body, it will be always preferring 
 ideas to the mind of one kind or other, we mould 
 make it our principal care to cherifli only fuch as 
 afford a pleating profpet; and when any black 
 and horrid images would force themfelves upon 
 us, to expel them as much as lies in our power. 
 Sad thoughts will grow upon us if indulged, 
 and not only thew whatever is difagreeable in it- 
 felf in a moil hideous form, but alfo make what 
 is moft capable of delighting become odious; all 
 places will be irkfome; all company diftaftefui; 
 we (hall hate our very felves, and even life itfelf 
 at laft will feem a burthen; and then but I for- 
 bear to mock the reader wiih a repetition of thofe 
 fatal confequence?, which too frequently, efpeci- 
 ally of late years, have attended fuch a fituation 
 of mind. 
 
 But fuppofing we are enabled by Him, who 
 alone has ihe power over life and death, to refrain 
 from any aft of defperatibn either on ourfelves 
 or others, it is impoflible for us, while in this lelf- 
 tormenting ftate, to perform any of the duties of
 
 B..VI. SPECTATOR. 283 
 
 9. good chriftian, or a good moralift. All love 
 and affetion ceafes in us. We feel no commi- 
 feration for the woes, nor partake in the felicity 
 of our neighbours. On the contrary, to fee any 
 one chearful affords new matter for our difpleafure, 
 and we drive by a thoufand ill-natured actions to 
 deftroy it. Unable to take any fatisfaftion but 
 that hellifh one of giving pain, all about us, as I 
 have already taken notice,, are fure to feel the ef- 
 feb of our little malice; and I know not whe- 
 ther this venting our fpleen, and infuflng fome 
 degree of it in others, especially thofe of a weak 
 conftitution, thereby contributing to diforders de- 
 itru&ive of their health, though to kill may be far 
 from our intention, is not in reality to be guilty 
 of man-flaughter at lead. 
 
 Vapours, fpleen, a dejection of fpirits, or by 
 what name foever this epilepfy of the mind is call- 
 ed, whether it proceeds from a real or imagined 
 caufe, is certainly the word mifchief one can fall 
 into. It puzzles the phyfician's art, becaufe the 
 remedy is only in ourfelves; and we are incapable 
 of applying itafter the difeafe has gathered drength. 
 Few are ever cured of it, but all may prevent it 
 by a timely care. If therefore we defire a long 
 life, or to enjoy any of its bleflings, let us begin 
 early to harmonize the mind, to feafon it with a 
 tlefire of doing good, to preferve an unfliaken 
 chearfulnefs in whatever dation we may happen 
 to be placed, to be always refigned to the great 
 Difpofer of all things, to keep peace within our 
 own bofoms, and accudom ourfelves to afts of 
 benevolence, affability, and good-humour to all 
 \ve conveife or have any dealings with. Such fen- 
 ti meats, and fuch a behaviour, are the only ami-
 
 iS4 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 dotes againft thofe poifonous conditions which 
 corrupt the manners, pervert the underftanding, 
 and rob us of every thing that either is or ought 
 to be dear to us. 
 
 I doubt not but I fhall be condemned by fome 
 of my readers, for having exprefied myfclf with 
 too much warmth on this fubje&; and by others 
 for having omitted faying many things which 
 the authority of holy writ gives me a fufficient 
 warrant to have urged. As to the firft, the me- 
 lancholy inftances I daily fee, or am credibly in- 
 formed of, joined with the good- will I bear to 
 mankind in general, would not permit me to be 
 more cool; and as to the other, I thought it 
 proper to leave the ftrongeft part of the argument 
 to the reverend clergy, who can beft handle it, and 
 whofe province it is. Certainly there is nothing 
 more demands their prefent care, or would more 
 teftify their zeal and charity for the happy few, 
 who in thefe times of libertinifm ftill continue to 
 think that attending to divine fervice is a duty in- 
 cumbent on them, and not to be difpenfed with. 
 
 Let the modifh contemners of all facred rites 
 laugh at me as much as they pleafe, I fhall not be 
 afhamed to give it as my firm belief, that not only 
 all the irregularities and extravagancies I have men- 
 tioned, but many more, on which 1 have yet been 
 filent, owe their rife chiefly to the vifible decay of 
 religion among us. If we throw off all regard 
 for that Omnipotence to whom we owe our being, 
 our preiervation, and our future hopes, well may 
 all confideration of cur fell-creatures ceafe. If 
 we level the dignity of human nature with that 
 of the brutes, it cannot but be expected we mould 
 atas they do; and if we renounce all prctenfions
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 28? 
 
 to another world, it ought not to be wondered at, 
 that while we are in this, we fhould think our- 
 felves bound to obey no rules but the dictates of 
 our own will, and even quit it when no longer 
 Capable of purfuing our wicked inclination. 
 
 The greateft fceptic of them all readily acknow- 
 ledges, that religion is good for focicty, and ftrikes 
 an awe into vice; how then is it confident with 
 that mighty reafon on which they vaunt them- 
 felves,or that morality they pretend to as the guide 
 of their actions to depreciate an inftitution, which, 
 by their own confeffion, is fo conducive to the 
 peace and happinefs of mankind? 
 
 But though there be fome who doubtlefs ima- 
 gine they can fathom infinity with the fhallow 
 plummets of their own weak reafon, and make 
 life (with all their might) of what fliare they are 
 pofiefled of in oppotition to him who gave it, 1 
 am ftrongly of opinion, that the bulk of thofe who 
 affect to turn things facred into ridicule, think 
 quite otherwife in their own hearts : they fee clear 
 enough the truths which they will not own, and 
 but pretend to be purblind in their faith, as many 
 of our modern fine gentlemen do in their fenfual 
 optics, merely in complaifance to others,who have 
 in reality thofe defects. 
 
 How ample a field for ebfervation now opens to 
 my view! But I may pofiibly be accufed as hav- 
 ing already gone too great lengths for a FEMALE 
 SPECTATOR: and 1 muil indeed confeis, that 
 fome late fad events which have happened, and 
 others which threaten in families for whom 1 have 
 the greateft regard, have taken me fomewrmt out 
 of my way, but I fliall eafily get home again, and 
 return to my old path, 1 hope to the fatisfiiction 
 
 VOL. I. B b
 
 286 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 and emolument of thofe for whofe fake this un- 
 dertaking was principally fet on foot. 
 
 Of all the miftakes mankind are guilty of in 
 domeftic affairs, there is none greater, or more 
 prevents the attainment of our wiflies, be they of 
 what kind foever, than attempting to acquire it 
 merely by compulfion. The proud and felf-willed 
 perfon finds others as little condefcending as him- 
 felf, and the one ferves to harden the other in 
 obftinaoy and perverfenefs. 
 
 Whereas, on the contrary, a fweet gentle be- 
 haviour fteals upon the-foul by imperceptible de- 
 grees, and melts the moft obdurate heart. In 
 feeming to yield, it vanquifhes; and though the 
 victories it gains are often flow, yet they are en- 
 tire and permanent. There is fomewhat in hu- 
 man nature, through the corruption of ill habits 
 cr paffions, that will not fuffer it always to hold 
 out agarnft a continued benevolence and foftnefs. 
 
 The prefent age affords a royal example of this 
 truth. We have feen a hero labouring under the 
 difpleafure of his king and father, difgraced, me- 
 naced, imprifoned, and at laft compelled to give 
 his hand to a princefs far whom at that time he 
 had not the leaft inclination. He wedded her, it 
 is true; the ceremony of the church was per- 
 formed; but that was all. The rites of marriage 
 remained incomplete; nor could any confidera- 
 tion prevail on him to become more a hufband 
 than in name. Long did fhe continue a Virgin- 
 ia iJe, long fmother her fecret difcontents; fhe 
 complained not of his injuftice even to himfelf, 
 but preferved an unfhaken complaifance and ten- 
 dernefs to him in private ; and in public aflumed 
 a chsarfulnefs, which was aftcnifhing to himfelf,
 
 B. VI. SPEC TAT OH. 
 
 as w:;ll as to thofe who being about him could not 
 
 avoid being made acquainted with the fecret of 
 
 his behaviour, and, at the fame time, (hewed her 
 
 to others as a princefo poflefled of all fhe had to 
 
 jrifh. 
 
 The death of his royal father, at lafir, put an 
 end to the conftraint both had fo long endured, 
 and the poor priricefs expected nothing lets than 
 that, as their marriage had not been contaminated^ 
 he would begin his reign by difanulling it. 
 
 After the chief of the nobility had paid their 
 compliments to their new fovereign, on his accef- 
 fion to the throne, they all came into her apart- 
 ment on the fame occalion; bat the greateft part 
 of them more out of form, than any belief they 
 had {he would enjoy the title they now gave her: 
 fhe received their congratulations however \virii 
 her ufual affability, though with a heart full of the 
 extremeft perturbations, convinced \vlthinherfelf 
 that the refpet flic now received, was no more 
 than a pageantry of greatnefs, a mimic ftate, which 
 would only ferve to heighten her difgrace, when 
 the king's intentions towards her ihould be re- 
 vealed. 
 
 But how did her diforders and her apprchsnfi- 
 ons magnify, when the room being very full, fhe 
 faw thofe at the lower end fall back to mate way 
 for his majefty, who in perfon was juft entering! 
 She now not doubted but this unexpected viiit 
 was made to let her know (he muft remove from 
 his palace, and that he had the cruelty to add to 
 the mortification it muft give her, by telling her 
 fo in the prefence of thofe who were at that in- 
 fiant making their court to her. 
 
 Scarce had fhe the power to rife from the chair 
 13 b j
 
 i88 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 (he fat on, to receive him; and whence did fo, 
 her trembling limbs refufed to bear her weight, 
 and fhe was obliged to lean on a lady's arm who- 
 flood next her. She was endeavouring, however, 
 to make fome apology for the diforders fhe was 
 fenfible were but too vifible in her countenance, 
 when he prevented her, by approaching with 
 words to this effect: 
 MADAM, 
 
 " The whole kingdom knows with what re- 
 f{ luftance I accompanied you to the altar, and 
 " you know the manner in which I have lived 
 " with you ever fince: both thefe reflections may 
 <* give you fome reafon to imagine, that as I am 
 tf now the mafter of my actions, I fhall renounce 
 " thofe obligations, which I was but compelled to 
 <c enter into, and which on my part have never 
 " been fulfilled: but know, madam, that your 
 " patience, tendernefs, forgiving fvveetnefs of dif- 
 *' pofition, and a thoufand other virtues of the 
 " mind, have long fince opened my eyes to the 
 c< beauties of your perfon; though there was fome- 
 " thing in my nature, call it by what name you 
 *' pleafe, that would not fufFer me to confefs it, 
 ' till I could do fo in a manner as fhould convince 
 <c you, and all the world, that it was the effecl: of 
 <{ my own free-will: that opportunity is arrived; 
 <{ and I now invite you to partake with me a 
 11 throne you are fo worthy to fill, and a bed you 
 C{ have been too long abfent from. Let this me- 
 " mory of my paft injuftice to your merit be for- 
 " gotten, or remembered only to increafe your tri- 
 ** umph in furmounting it." 
 
 The beginning of this fpeech feeming to con- 
 firm all that her moft dreadful apprehenfions had
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 289 
 
 fuggefted, fo overcame her fpirits, that the latter 
 part of it would hardly have been intelligible to 
 her, had (he not on his concluding it found her- 
 felf within his arms, locked in the moft tender and 
 ftrenuous embrace; a favour he had never granted 
 her before, and which now affured her of the fo 
 fortunate reverfe in her condition. 
 
 The eyes of the whole illuftrious afiembly were 
 filled with tears of joy at this moving fcene; 
 which fo divided their admiration, that they knew 
 not which deferved it moft, the virtues of the 
 queen, which had occafioned a change the mod 
 unexpected that could be, or the generofity of the 
 king in rewarding it. 
 
 What then mud that amiable princefs herfelf 
 feel on fo fuclden a tranfition from a ftate of the 
 fevereft anxiety and grief, to one all happinefs 
 and joy! To find, infleadof an implacable aver- 
 iion and difdain, proofs of the ftrongeft affection 
 and refpect; inftead of the difgrace (lie thought 
 immediate and inevitable, to be lifted to the part- 
 nerfhip of fovereign power j inftead of being 
 reduced to the pity of the world, to become the 
 pride and envy of it; and to reflect that all this 
 was wholly owing to her own conduct and tem- 
 per, was fuch accumulated felicity, as more than 
 compenfated for the fufFerings (lie had undergone! 
 This, I think, is a fliining inflance what won- 
 ders good-nature, and the qualities arifing from it, 
 are capable of producing. How wretched had 
 this now happy princefs been, had me returned 
 the indifference of her illuftrious fpoufe with ful-' 
 len difcontent, fecret reproaches, open complain- 
 ing, or any other marks of refentment for the 
 affront offered to her youth and beauty, and how 
 Bb 3
 
 290 THE FEMALE B. VI, 
 
 greatly would fuch a behaviour have juftified his 
 diflike! On the other hand, how amiable did 
 fhe appear to him, adorned with mecknefs and 
 good-nature; and how eafily did that great heart 
 unmoved, unfliaken by the tempeft; of authority, 
 bow clown and yield itfelf to the more prevailing 
 force oflove and foftnefs! 
 
 Such inftances rarely happen in perfons of this 
 exalted ftation; and when they do, attract the eyes 
 of the wbcle admiring world : but there have been 
 thofe, who, though in a lower fphere of life, have 
 behaved in a manner no lefs worthy of imitation. 
 
 Dorimon and Alithea \vere married almoft too 
 young to know the duties of the ftate they enter* 
 ed into; yet both being extremely good-natured,, 
 a mutual defire of obliging each other appeared 
 in all their words and actions; and tho' this com- 
 plaifance was not owing to thofe tender emotions 
 which attract the heart with a refiftlefs force, and 
 bear the name of love, yet were the effects fo 
 much the fame as not to be diftinguifhed. 
 
 The firfl year of theijc marriage made them 
 the happy parents' of an heir to a plentiful eftate. 
 ~~The kindred on both lutes feerned to vie with 
 each other, which fhould give the greateft tefti- 
 monies of their fatisfaction. All their friends 
 congratulated this addition to their felicity; and, 
 for a time, the moil perfect joy and tranquility 
 reigned, not only in their own family, but in all 
 thofe who had any relation to them. 
 
 Alithea, after (he became a mother, began to 
 feel, by degrees, a greater warmth of affection for 
 him that made her fo; and having no rcafon to 
 doubt an equal regard from him, thought herfelf 
 as happy as woman could be, and that there were
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 291 
 
 joys in love greater than before (lie had any no- 
 tion of. 
 
 Quite other wife was it with Dorimon; the time 
 indeed was now arrived, which taught him what 
 it was to love. The hopes, the fears, the anxie- 
 ties, the impatiencies, all the unnumbered carea 
 which are attributed to that paffion, now took pof- 
 fefiion of his heart: he pined, he languifhed, 
 but alas! not for his wife. He had unhappily 
 feen a young lady at the opera, who had charm* 
 for him, which he had never feen in the whole 
 fex before. As he happened to fit in the fame 
 box with her, he had an opportunity of fpeaking 
 to her, which though only on ordinary fubje&s, 
 every anfwer fhe made to what he faid, feemed to 
 kirn to difcover a profufion of wit, and gave him 
 the moft longing defire to be acquainted with her. 
 
 Fortune, favourable to his withes, prefented her 
 to him the next day in the park, accompanied 
 with a lady and gentleman, the latter of whom he 
 had a flight knowledge of: he only bowed to 
 them the firft turn, but gathered courage to join 
 company with them on the fecond; and perceiv- 
 ing that it was to the other lady that the gentle.- 
 man feemed moft attached, he was at the greater 
 liberty to fay a choufand gallant things to her, who 
 was the object of his new flame. 
 
 Melifla, for fo I fhall call her, was vain, gay, 
 and in every refpeft one of thofe modifh ladies, 
 cf which a former SPECTATOR has given a de- 
 fcription: (he received the compliments he made 
 her in a manner, that made him fee his convcr- 
 fation was not difagreeable to her; and fome men- 
 tion happening to be made of a mafquerade that 
 night, (he told him, as if by chance, that fix
 
 2 pz THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 to be there, and that her fair companion and her- 
 felf were going to befpeak habits at a ware-houfe 
 fhe mentioned, as foon as they left the Park. 
 
 The hint was not loft upon him, and thinking 
 that it would feem too prefuming to alk leave to 
 wait on her at her houfe, the firft time of being in 
 her company, he refolved to make it his bufinefs 
 to find out, if poflible, what habit (he made choice 
 of to go to the mafquerade, where the freedom 
 of the place might give him a better opportunity 
 of teflifying the defire he had of improving an ac- 
 quaintance with her. 
 
 Accordingly, after their quitting him at the 
 Park-gate, he followed at a diftance the two chairs 
 that waited for them, and placing himfelf neaF 
 enough the habit-fhop, to fee whoever went in 
 or out, found his flame had not deceived him in 
 what (he faid. The ladies having difpatched what 
 they came about, went again into their chairs. 
 They were no fooner gone than he went into the 
 {hop, and on a pretence of ordering a domino for 
 himfelf, fell into difcourfe with the woman be- 
 hind the counter, whom he eafily prevailed on to 
 let him know, not only what habits the ladies who 
 had juil left her had befpoke,, but alfo of what 
 condition and character they were. She inform- 
 ed him, that Melifla had a large fortune, and her 
 parents being dead was under the care of guar- 
 dians, whom, notwithftanding, (he did not live 
 with, but had lodgings herfelf near Grofvenor- 
 fquare: that fhe kept a great deal of company, 
 was what the world called a coquet, but had hi- 
 therto preferved her reputation; that the lady 
 who was with her was the daughter of a country 
 gentleman fomewhat related to her, how nearly
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 293 
 
 (he could not tell, but heard me was on the point 
 of marriage with a perfon of rank. 
 
 Dorimon was tranfported at this intelligence, 
 as it feemed to promife him an eafy accefs to her 
 acquaintance, and the privilege of vifiting her; 
 which probably in thefe early days of his paffion, 
 was all he aimed at, or if he thought on any thing 
 farther, the difficulties in accompliihinghis defire 
 feemed lefs formidable than . they would have 
 done, had (he been of a more referred temper, 
 were already married or under the direction of 
 parents. 
 
 Never did time appear fo tedious as that be- 
 fore the hour of going to the mafquerade: hia 
 impatience brought him there the very firft, and 
 by that means he had an opportunity of obferving 
 every one as they came in : Melifla, he was 
 told, would be in the habit of a nun; and though 
 there were feveral drefled in that manner, yet he 
 diftinguimed her from the others by her tallnefe 
 the moment (he appeared. 
 
 He acceded her with the ufual phrafes of 
 " Do you know me?" and " I know you;" but 
 was not long before he made her fenfible of his 
 more particular attachment; and told her, that 
 having loft his heart that morning in the park, it 
 now directed him how to difcover the lovely thief, 
 though difguifed, amidft fo numerous an aflembly. 
 
 This, and fome other expreffions of the fam\; 
 nature, convincing her that he was the gentleman 
 who had made her fo many compliments in the 
 morning, immediately flattered her vanity with a 
 new conqueft; and as flie found him a perfon of 
 wit, and doubted not of his being a man of con- 
 dition by his appearance, refolved to omit nothing
 
 294 THE FEMALE B. Vl. 
 
 that might fecure him; accordingly, as all true 
 coquets do at firft, {he aftetted to liften with a 
 pleafed attention to the afiurances he gave her of 
 his paffion, an^ frequently let fall fome words, as 
 if they efcaped her inadvertently, that might make 
 him think (he would not be ungrateful if he per- 
 fifted in giving her teftimonies of a conftant flame. 
 Ladies of her chara&er have always this maxim 
 at heart, 
 
 " Kindnefs has refiftlefs charms, 
 " All things elfe but faintly warms: 
 <{ It gilds die lover's fervile chain, 
 " And makes the flave grow pleas'd and vain." 
 But the misfortune is, that fuch a behaviour 
 for the moft part proves fatal to themfelves in the 
 end: they toy fo long with the darts of love, that 
 their own bofomsare frequently pierced when they 
 little think of it; and the deluding fhe, who has 
 made numbers languifh, becomes a prey perhaps 
 to one who leaft merits or regards the victory he 
 gains. 
 
 Dorimon, however, was tranfported to find the 
 offer he had made her of his heart fo well receiv- 
 ed, and made fo good ufe of the opportunity fhe 
 gave him of entertaining her the whole time of 
 the mafquerade, that he obtained her permiflion to 
 attend her home, and as it was then too late for 
 them to continue their converfation, to vifit them 
 the next day in the afternoon. 
 
 This quite eftablifhed an acquaintance between 
 them; he went every day to fee her; (he admit- 
 ted him when all other company were denied; he 
 had always the preference of waiting on her to the 
 park, the opera, the play, and, in fine, wherever 
 {he went; and when fome of her more prudent
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 295 
 
 friends took notice of their being fo frequently to- 
 gether, and had heard that he was a married man, 
 fhe only laughed at their remonftrances, and re- 
 plied, that as fhe had no farther concern with him 
 than merely to gallant her about to public places, 
 fhe had no bufinefs to enquire into his private cir- 
 cumftances; that if he were married, his wife 
 only had to do with it;, and as for her own part, 
 me thought him a very pretty fellow, and quite 
 fit for the ufe (he had made of him; adding, that 
 i-f (he were miftrefs of his heart, it was indifferent 
 to her who had his hand. 
 
 Meliffa, it is probable, had indeed no other 
 view in entertaining Dorimon and receiving his 
 addreffes, than the fame fhe had in treating with 
 a like behaviour numbers before him, merely for 
 the foke of hearing herfelf praifed, and giving 
 pain, as fhe imagined, to others of her admirers, 
 who were lefs frequently admitted. 
 
 But how dangerous a thing it is to have too 
 great an intimacy with a perfon of a different fex, 
 many of a greater (hare of difcretion than Melifla 
 have experienced. This unwary lady, in medita- 
 ting new arts, the more to captivate her lover, 
 became enfnared herfelf; in fine, (he liked, fhe 
 loved, as much as any woman of that airy and vo- 
 latile difpofition can be faid to love: what (he 
 felt for him, however, had all the effects which 
 the moft ferious paflion in one of a different tern- 
 per could have produced, arid Dorimon had as 
 ample a gratification of his defires, as his moft 
 fanguins hopes could have piefented him an 
 icka of. 
 
 Alithea, all this while loft ground in his affec- 
 tion; fhc every day teemed lefs fair, and what-
 
 296 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 ever (he faid or did had in it a kind of aukward- 
 nefs, which before he was far from difcovering in 
 her: every thing was now difpleafing in her. If 
 endearing, her fondnefs was childiih and filly; 
 and if fhe was more referved, fallen and ill- 
 natured. One moment he was out of humour 
 if fhe fpoke, the next offended at her filence. 
 He was continually feeking fome pretence to find 
 fault with the moft juftifiable conduit that ever 
 was, and even vexed that he had nothing in reality 
 to condemn. An unhappy, but certain confe- 
 quence of a new attachment, which, not content 
 with the injury it does, alfo adds to it by ill hu- 
 mour, and a wim of fome occafion to hate the ob- 
 ject we no longer love. 
 
 The poor lady could not but obferve this alte- 
 ration in his behaviour; but as {he was far from 
 gueffmg the real motive, imputed it to fome un- 
 lucky turn in his affairs, though of what nature 
 flie could not imagine, he having a large fortune 
 fettled on him at their marriage, befide the rever- 
 fion of what his father should die poffeffed of, and 
 was in the power of nobody to deprive him of. 
 
 On the firft notice she took of his difcontent, 
 she aflted him as became a tender and affectionate 
 wife, if any thing had happened either from her 
 family or his own to give him fubjecl: of com- 
 plaint? But he anfwering with peevishnefs, she 
 defifted from any farther inquiry, judging, as he 
 did not think proper to trud her with the fecret, 
 it would but add to his difquiets to teilify a de- 
 fire of knowing it. 
 
 For more than a whole year did she combat 
 his ill-humour with fweetnefs, gentlenefs,and the 
 moft obliging behaviour j and though she began
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 397 
 
 to think herfelf loft to his arTedlion, bore even that 
 affli&ing reflection with the mod fubmiffive pa- 
 tience, ilill flattering herfelf, that if it were even 
 fo, he would one day confider she defer ved not 
 her ill fortune. 
 
 Jealoufy was, however, a pafiion she was whol- 
 ly unacquainted with : many very beautiful ladies 
 often viiited at her houfe, and she had never feen 
 the leaft propenfity in him to gallantry with any 
 of them; he rather behaved to them with a 
 greater referve than was confident with the good 
 breeding and complaifance which might have been 
 expected from a man of his years; fo that (lie ima- 
 gined rather a difgurt to the whole fex was grow- 
 ing on him, than any particularattachment to one. 
 Thus did her innocence and unfufpecting na- 
 ture deceive her, till one day a female friend, more 
 bufy than wife, opened her eyes to the true reafon 
 of her hufband's coldnefs. 
 
 This lady, by means of a fervant-maid (he had 
 lately entertained, and who had lived with Me- 
 lifla long enough to know the whole fecret of her 
 amour with Dorimon, and was difmifled on fome 
 diflike, was made acquainted with all that pafled 
 between that guilty pair. She learned from this 
 unfaithful creature, that Melifla had been made a 
 mother by Dorimon, and that the child was dif- 
 pofed of to a perfon, who, for a prefent of fifty 
 guineas, had taken the folc charge cf it, fo as it 
 ihould never appear to the difgrace of the unna- 
 tural parents. Not the moft minute circumftance 
 relating to the affair but was betrayed by this 
 wretch, partly in revenge for her having been 
 difcarded by her former lady, and partly to gain 
 VOL. I. C c
 
 298 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 favour with the prefent, who, fhe eafily perceived, 
 loved to hear news of this kind. 
 
 Alithea would fain have treated this account 
 as fabulous, and have perfuaded her friend to re- 
 gard it only as a piece of malice in the reporter; 
 but the other was pofitive in her afiertion, and 
 told her it was utterly impoffible for fuch a crea- 
 ture to drefs up a fiction with fo many particulars, 
 and fuch a fhew of truth; " Befides, added (he, 
 " if there was nothing in it, we might eafily dif- 
 *' prove all fhe has faid, by going to the woman 
 <{ who has the care of the child, and w'hofe name 
 " and place of abode (lie has told me." 
 
 Compelled at laft to believe her misfortune but 
 too certain, a while fhe gave loofe to tears, and to 
 complainings, but her good fenfe, as well as good- 
 nature, foon got the better of her burft of paffi- 
 on; and when her friend aflced her in what man- 
 ner fhe would proceed, in order to do herfelf juf- 
 tice, " What can, I do, replied this .charming 
 " wife, but endeavour to render myfelf more obli- 
 t( ging, more pleafant, more engaging, ifpoffible, 
 " than my rival, and make Dorimon iee, he can 
 " find nothing in MelifTa that is wanting in me.'* 
 
 " O Heaven! cried the lady, can you forgive 
 " fuch an injury?" tc Yes, refumed Alithea, lli- 
 " fling her fighs as much as fhe was able, Love 
 <{ is an involuntary paflion." " And will you not 
 <* upbraid him with his ingratitude, and expofe 
 " Melifla!" fakl fhe. " Neither the one nor the 
 " other, anfwered AJithea coldly : Either of thefe 
 " methods would indeed render me unworthy of a 
 " return of his affection; and I conjure and be- 
 " feech you, added she, by all the friendship I 
 " flatter myfelf you have for rne, that you svill
 
 15. VI. SPECTATOR. 299 
 
 <( ncvermakethe lead mention of this affair to any 
 " one in the world." 
 
 This moderation was aftonishing to the perfon 
 who was-witnefs of it; however she promifed to 
 be intirely filent r fmce it was requefted with fo 
 much earneftnefs; but how little she was capable 
 of keeping her word, rnoft of her acquaintance 
 could teltify, to whom not only the fault of Do- 
 rimon, but the manner in which his wife received 
 the account of it, was not three days a fecret. 
 
 Alithea was no fooner left alone, and at liber- 
 ty to meditate more deeply on the shocking in- 
 telligence she had received, than she again began 
 to fancy there was a-poffibility of its being falfe, 
 the fufpence, however, feeming more uneafy to 
 her than the confirmation could be, refolved to be 
 more fully convinced of the truth, if there was 
 any means of being fo. 
 
 Accordingly she made an old woman, who had 
 been her nurfe in her family, and whofe fidelity 
 and difcretion she could depend upon, her confi- 
 dante in this affair; and it was concluded be- 
 tween them, that a fpy should be employed to 
 follow Dorimon at a diftance wherever he went, 
 and alfo make a private' inquiry into the beha- 
 viour and chara&er of Melifia among the neigh- 
 bours who lived near her. 
 
 A very little fearch ferved to unravel the my- 
 ftery, and corroborate all that had been faid to her 
 concerning it. The emifiary foon learned that 
 Dorimon failed not one day in his vifits to this en- 
 grofierofhis heart; that they were often feen 
 to go out together in a hackney-coach in the be- 
 ginning of the evening, and that the lady returned 
 not till near morning: that (he had been ob- 
 Cc a
 
 
 3 oo TBE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 ferved fome months paft, to be more grofs than 
 ufual, and had affected to wear a loofe drefs-, 
 that (lie had been abfent from her lodgings three 
 or four days, came home very much indifpofed, 
 and kept her bed for more than a week, yet had 
 neither phyfician nor apothecary to attend her; and 
 on the whole, it was believed by every body, that 
 ine had been in that time delivered of a child. 
 
 The unhappy wife of Dorimon, now as much 
 affured of his perfidy as fhe could be without ocu- 
 lar dcmonftration, fet herfelf to bear it with as 
 much patience as fhe was able; which was indeed 
 fufficient to render her behaviour fuch as mads 
 him certain in his own mind, that she had not the 
 kail fufpicion of the wrong he did her; and alfo 
 compelled him very often to accufe himfelf for 
 being gu-ilty of what he could not anfwer to his 
 reafon, yet had not ftrength enough of refolution 
 to refrain, even though the conduct of Melifla, 
 who could not help coquetting with others, even 
 before his face, occafioned him to have many quar- 
 rels with her, and made him fee,, in fpite of the 
 pa (lion he itill continued to have for her, the dif- 
 ference between a miilrefs and a wife. 
 
 Whenever Alithea reflected on this change ia 
 her hufband, as she had little elfe in her mind, 
 there was no part in the adventure appeared more 
 ft range to her, than that a lady born and educated 
 in the manner she knew Melifla was, and who 
 has fo far yielded to the temptations of her paflion, 
 as to throw off all modefty and honour for the gra- 
 tification of it, should have fo little regard for the 
 innocent babe, the produce of her guilty flame, as 
 to abandon it to miferies of she knew not what 
 kind This was a barbarity she thought exceeded
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 301 
 
 the crime to which it owed its birth, and flic 
 more readily forgave the injury done to herfelf, 
 than that to the helplefs infant. 
 
 The more fhe renccled, the more (he was af- 
 tonilhed, that womankind could aft fo contrary 
 to nature; and by often picturing to herfelf the 
 woes to which this poor deferted child might pro- 
 bably be expofed, became at length fo difiblved in 
 foft compaflion, as to form a refolution, which I 
 believe, few befide herfelf were ever capable of. 
 
 She had been informed, by her officious friend., 
 both- of the name and habitation of the woman 
 \vuh whom this poor little creature had been left; 
 and without making any one perfon privy to he? 
 defign, muffled herfelf up in hsr capuchin, and 
 went in a hackney-chair to her houfci the other 
 received her with a great deal of refpeland kind* 
 jiefi, imagining fhe was come on the fame bufinefs 
 Molina, and many bsfides her, who love the crime, 
 but hate the fliame of being, detected in it, had 
 done. She was immediately conducted into a- 
 private room, and told, that me might be free ia 
 communicating any thing to her r for fhe was a per- 
 fon who had been intruded by thofe who would 
 not be thought guilty of a falfe ftep lor the world. 
 
 The virtuous Alithea blufhed, even at beiii^ 
 fufpected by this woman to be guilty of an act her 
 foul Ihuddercd at the thoughts another could com- 
 mit, and foon put an end to the harangues fhe waj 
 making on her own care, fkill,.and fidelity:" I 
 "come not," faid the wife of Dorimon, " on ths 
 ** bulincfs you feem to think, yet that which no 
 " lefs requires your fecrccy : 1 have no unhappy 
 ** infant to leave with you-; but to eafe you of one 
 * whom you have lately taken charge of." 
 Cc 3
 
 302 THE FEMALE B. Vt 
 
 The midwife looked very much furprized to 
 hear her fpeakin this manner, and knew not well 
 what anfwer to make-, but Alithea foon put an end 
 to her fufpence, by telling her that ihe was in the 
 fccret of the lady who wasxlelivered of a child at her 
 houfe fuch a time, which (he mentioned exactly to 
 her, and who had given fifty guineas to be eafed 
 for ever of the trouble of it. " i am," faid Alithea,. 
 41 a near relation of that gentleman to whom the lit- 
 " tie wretch owes its being, and who cannot con- 
 " fent that any thing which does fo, though begot 
 " in an unwarrantable way,fhould be deferted and 
 " expofed in the fafhion fuch children often are : 
 " I- therefore defire,. that, if alive, you will let me 
 " fee it, that I may provide for it in a different 
 * { way than it can be expected you fliould do for 
 " the poor pittance left you by the mother." 
 
 The woman then began to expatiate on the im- 
 poffibility of her taking the care fhe could wifh to 
 do of children left with her on thofe terms; but, 
 that Heaven knew, fhe did all fhe could, and often 
 laid out more than fhe received. She afTured her 
 that the child fhe inquired after was alive, and a 
 -fine boy; and that he was with a perfon who in- 
 deed nurfed for the parifh, but was a very good 
 woman, and did. her duty, 
 
 41 That may be," faid Alithea; "but I mufthave 
 "him removed; and if you can provide another, 
 u who may be depended upon, I have orders from 
 " the father to fatisfy you for your trouble, in a 
 more ample manner than you can defire : in the 
 " mean time," continued (he, putting five guineas 
 into her hand, "take this as an earneft, and let 
 v< the child be brought here to-morrow about this. 
 " time, and a new nurfe whom you can recom
 
 fc. VT. SPECTATOR. 303- 
 
 M mend, and I will give them a meeting." 
 
 A great deal of farther tliicourfe patted between 
 them on this affair, on the conclufion of which 
 the woman agreed to do whatever was required? 
 of her; and was dcubtlefs no lefs rejoiced at the 
 offer made by this unknown lady, than fhe was 
 that by accepting of k fhe fhould preferve from 
 mifery an innocent creature, who though {he had 
 not feen, fhe fek a kind of natural affection for, 
 as being Dorimon's. 
 
 This excellent pattern of good-nature and con- 
 jugal love, took with her the next day every thing, 
 beiitting a child to wear whom (he was determined 
 to make her own by adoption; and no fooner faw 
 him in his new nurfe's arms, than fhe took him,, 
 embraced and kifled him with a tendernefs little 
 lefs- than maternal; and having agreed upon terms 
 for him, made him be drefled in her pretence in 
 the things fhe had brought, which were very rich, 
 and had belonged to her own fon at his age; and 
 every thing being fettled highly to the fatisfaftion 
 of all parties concerned,, returned home with a fe- 
 cret contentment in her mind, which no words 
 are able to exprefs. 
 
 Nor was this a fudden flart of goodnefsand ge- 
 nerofity which 1 have known fome people to have 
 manifested for a time, and afterwards repented of: 
 the more fhe refleded on what fhe had done, 
 the more pleafure {he felt in it She never let a 
 week pafs over without going to fee her charge, 
 and hovr the perfon intrufled with him behaved. 
 Had he been in reality her own,.and heir of the 
 greateft pofTeffions, her diligence in looking after 
 the management of him could not beTnore. 
 
 Dorimon all this -while perfifled in his attack-
 
 
 304 TflE FEMALE B. VT. 
 
 ment to Meliffa, though her ill conduct gave him 
 fuch frequent occafions of quarrelling with her, 
 that they were feveral times on the point of fee* 
 ing each other no more. The long intimacy be- 
 tween them, however, gave fufficient room forcen- 
 fure: thofe leaft inclined to judge the worft of 
 things, could not help faying, that it looked ill 
 for a married man to appear in all public places 
 without his wife, and in company with a lady 
 whom me was not even acquainted with; but o 
 thers there were who were informed of their more 
 guilty meetings in private, and talked with fo 
 little referve on the occafion, that what was faid 
 reached the ears of the kindred of them both : 
 thofe of Alithea's were extremely troubled and in- 
 cenfed at the indignity offered to a woman whofe 
 behaviour not envy itfelf could traduce-, but d&- 
 firous of being better informed of the truth than 
 by common fame, they aficed her many queftionc-, 
 concerning the conduct of her hufband towards 
 her j and ^ave fome hints, plain enough to be unr 
 derftood, that the world had but an ill opinion of 
 him on that head.. 
 
 To all which this excellent wife replied with 
 an air that (hewed how little me was pleafed with 
 any difcourfcs of that nature; telling them, thai 
 the idle fcandal of perfonsj who made it their bu- 
 finefs to pick meanings out of nothing, ought to be 
 defpifed, not liftened to; that {he herfelf, who 
 muft be allowed the befl judge, found nothing hi 
 Dorimon's manner of living with her to complain 
 of; and that {he mould never believe that perfon 
 wifhed her well, who endeavoured to fill her mind 
 with any fufpjcions on that fcore. 
 
 Thefe anlwers at length filenced all who. took.
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 30$ 
 
 an intereft in her happinefs ; her friends wifely re- 
 flecting, that though all they had heard of Dori- 
 mon were true, the greatefl addition that could be 
 to her misfortune, was to be convinced of it. 
 
 But the father of Dorimon, who was a perfon 
 of great lobriety, and to whom the virtues of Ali- 
 thea had rendered her extremely dear, was lefs 
 eafily put off than thofe of her own blood. He 
 chid his fon in the fevered manner; and on his 
 denying what he was accufgd of, and throwing 
 out fome infinuation?, as if he imagined his wife 
 had uttered fomecomplaintsagainfthim, "No," 
 faid the old gentleman, " (he bears the wrongs 
 " you do her but with too much patience; and 
 * c either not fees, or pretends not to fee, what is 
 '* obvious to the whole town befide." He then 
 ran into many encomiums on the fweetnefs of her 
 difpofirion; faid, that whether her complaifance. 
 toward him were owing either to an unfufpecting 
 nature, or to her prudence in aiming to regain his 
 love byfuch ways as were moft likely to fucceed, 
 either of thcfe qualities ought not to lofe their 
 merit with a man of undcrltanding; " and me- 
 " thinks," added he, " mould make you afhamed 
 *' as often as you reflect that you have aled fo as 
 " to oblige her to exert all htr love and virtue to 
 " forgive. " 
 
 :c kind of difccurfcs loft not all their ef- 
 fect on Dorimon: he had often been artonimedv 
 tint all the rumours which had been fprcad con- 
 cerning his amour with MeliiTa,and which feemed 
 to him next to an impoflibility not to have reached 
 the ears of his wife, had never occafioned her to 
 let fall fome hints at leaft, as if (he feared a rival 
 in his heart. He very well knew flic wanted not
 
 3o6 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 a great fhare of difcernment in other things, and 
 to be blind to that alone wherein Hie had the moft 
 concern, he never could account for. He had of- 
 ten heard from his acquaintance, and fometimes 
 been a witnefs of the behaviour of women to their 
 hufbands on thefubject of jealoufy; and found that 
 of Alithea fo widely different from all he had been 
 told of others, that he could not help being ex- 
 tremely puzzled what motive to afcribe it to; but 
 was obliged to acquiefce in his own mind with the 
 remonftrance made by his father, that whether it 
 were owing to her own innocence, which would not 
 fuffer her to think another could be guilty } or to 
 the ftrength of refolution and difcretion which en- 
 abled her to bear the injury done to her, he was, 
 however, either way- more fortunate than any huf- 
 band he knew of in the like ciicumftances; and in 
 fpite of- his faulty inclination for Mclifia, prefent- ' 
 e<i her to his cooler thoughts in the moft amiable 
 light. 
 
 It is highly probable, that in maturely balancing 
 the folid merits of the wife, againfl the light and 
 trifling allurements of the miftrefs, he would in 
 time have biought himfelf to do jultice to the one, 
 aiid entirely ceafed to have any regard for the o- 
 taer; but the virtues of Alithea had already fuf- 
 tained a fufficient trial, and Heaven thought fit to 
 reward them, when (he, fo long inured to fuffcr- 
 ing, leaft expected a relief. 
 
 By accuftoming herfelf to perform the duties of 
 a mother to the child of Melifla, flie grew really 
 to love him as fuch; and what at firft was only 
 pity, converted by degrees into a tender affection. 
 When Dorimon was abroad, me would often 
 order him to be brought to her, and fending tor
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 307 
 
 her own at the fame time, diverted herfelf with ob- 
 ferving the little grimaces which the two infants 
 would make at each other. She was one day em- 
 ployed in this manner, when Dorimon unexpect- 
 edly returned, and came directly into the room 
 where they were : whatever indifference he had 
 for his wife, he had always fhewn the greateft ten- 
 dernefs to her fon, and he now took him in his 
 arms and kified him, as was his cuftom to do. 
 "Here is another little one,"faid Alithea, failing, 
 "who claims fome portion of your kind nets too," 
 and at the fame time prefented Melifla's child to 
 him. " By what right, madam?" replied Dori- 
 mon, in the fame gay tone. " \s he is mine," re- 
 Aimed his wife " Yours!" cried he. " Yes," 
 anfwered (he, "he is mine by adoption, and I muft 
 Hhave you look upon him as your's alfo." *' My 
 " com plaifance for you may carry me great lengths," 
 faid he; " but as I know you do nothing without 
 " being able to give a reafon, I mould be glad to 
 " learn the motive of fo 'extraordinary a requeft." 
 
 One of the children beginning to whimper a lit- 
 tle, Alithea ordered the nurfes to take them both into 
 another room ; and finding Dorimon in an exceed- 
 ing good humour, was pufhed on by an irrefiftible 
 impulfe, to fpeak to him in the following manner: 
 
 " The infant you faw," faid fhe in a more fe- 
 rioustone than before," and whom I have in reality 
 * f taken under my care, owes its being to two per- 
 <c fons of condition ; but being illegally begot, the 
 " care of reputation prevailed above nature; and 
 " this innocent produce of an inconfulerate pafTion 
 " I found abandoned; a wretched caft-away, ei- 
 " thcr to pcriih, or furviving, furvive but to mifc- 
 *' ries much worfc than death.- The thought was
 
 3o8 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 " fhocking to me, and I refolved to fnatch him 
 " from the threatened woes, and provide for him 
 '* out of my private purfe, in fuch a manner as 
 '* may not make his life hateful to him." 
 
 " An attion truly charitable," faid Dorimon a 
 little perplexed; " but this is not the reafon I ex- 
 " pelted, fince by the fame rule your pity might 
 <( be extended to hundreds, whom, doubtlefs, you 
 " may find expofed in the like manner. It mull, 
 <{ therefore, be fome plea more forcible than mere 
 " compaflion that attaches you particularly to this 
 child." 
 
 Alithea, who had forefeen what anfwer her huf- 
 band would make, was all the time he was fpeak- 
 ing, debating within herfelf, whether it would be 
 bed for her to evade, or to confefs the truth of 
 this affair; and not being able to determine as yet, 
 appeared no lefs confufcd and diforde'red than (he 
 would have been, if about to make an acknow- 
 ledgment for fome great offence: at laft, " A 
 *' plea there is indeed," faid (he, " but" here 
 her voice and courage failed her, and fhe was ut- 
 terly unable to give him the fatisfa&ion he afked. 
 Dorimon was confounded beyond meafure, and 
 not knowing what to think of a behaviour fo new, 
 ami which feemed to denote fhe- laboured with 
 fome fecrct of great importance, he looked fted- 
 faftly on her for fome minutes; and perceiving 
 that me changed colour, and had her eyes fixed 
 on the earth, grew quite impatient for the certain- 
 ty of what, as he has fmce confeffed, he then be- 
 gan to conceive, cried out, " What plea? What 
 myftery?" 
 
 " A myftery," replied fhe, u which I had much 
 " rather you would gnefs at than oblige me to un-
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 309 
 
 " ravel. Oh Dorimon!" continued fhe, after a 
 paufe, " is there no in(lint in nature that can in- 
 ' form you ; my affection for the father, makes his 
 " offspring, of whomfoever born, dear to me? I 
 " cannot hate Melifla fo much as I love Dorimon; 
 " and while lam performing the offices of a mother 
 " to this child, forget the (hare me has in him, to 
 ** remember what I owe to him as yours." 
 
 The reader's own imaginations mult here fup- 
 ply the place of defcription. Impoilible it is for 
 any words to give a juft idea of what a hufband, 
 circumftanced like Dorimon, mud feel ! To have 
 his fault thus palpably made known to her, whom 
 he rnoft defired mould be ignorant of it, to re- 
 ceive the higheft obligations, where he could have 
 expected only refentment, and to hear the de- 
 tection of what he had done difcovered to him by 
 the injured perfon in fuch a manner as if herfelf, 
 not he, had been the criminal, fo hurried his 
 thoughts between remorfe, aftonimment, anal 
 fliame, as left him not the power of making the 
 leaft reply to what fhe faid: he walked feveral 
 turns about the room in a difordered motion, en- 
 deavouring to recover a prefence of mind, which 
 feemed fo neceflary on this occailon, but in vain; 
 and at laft, throwing himfelf into an eafy chair, 
 juft oppofite to that in which his wife was fitting, 
 " Good God!" cried he, " am I awake! Can 
 *' it be poffible there is fuch a woman in the 
 world." 
 
 The fweet-tempered Alithea could not fee him 
 in thefe agitations without a concern, which made 
 her almoft repent her having cccafioned them : * 
 {he ran hallily to him,and throwing her arms about 
 his neck, " My dear, dear Dorimon," faid ihe, " let 
 
 VOL. I. D d
 
 3 io THE FEMALE B. VI, 
 
 c it not trouble youthatlamin pofleffionofafecret 
 which I neither fought after, nor, when in a man- 
 cc ner forced upon me, ever divulged to any perfon in 
 " the world. Confider me as I am your wife, 
 part of yourfelf, and you will then be allured 
 * you can be guilty of no errors which I fhall 
 *-' not then readily excufe, and carefully conceal. 
 Judge of my fmccrity," continued fhe, re- 
 newing her embraces, " by my behaviour, which 
 * f you are fenGble has not the lead been changed 
 " by mv knowledge of this affair.** 
 
 " O Alithea," cried he, prefiing her tenderly to 
 his bofom, " I am indeed fenfible how little I have 
 <( deferved fuch proofs of your amazing goodnefs; 
 my foul overflows with gratitude and love; 
 " yet how can I atone for my paft crimes?" 
 " By mentioning it no more," interrupted fhe, 
 and to let me fhare in that heart my want of 
 < charms denies me the hopes of filling wholly." 
 
 To thefe endearing words he anfwered only in 
 broken fentences, but fuch as more teftified what 
 fhe wimed to find in him towards her, than the 
 mod eloquent fpeeches could have done. She 
 now was convinced that the vidory fhe had gain- 
 ed over him was perfect and fincere, and would 
 have known a tranfport without alloy, but for the 
 tender pain it gave her to find fo^nuch difficulty 
 in perfuading him to forgive himfelf. 
 
 He held her fitting on his knee, with his arms 
 round her waift, while fhe related to him the means 
 by which (he was made acquainted with his crime; 
 concealing no part of what either fne heard, the 
 fteps lhe took after the knowledge of her misfor- 
 tune, and the various emotions which paiTed in 
 her foul, during the long feries of his indifference
 
 . IV. SPECT AT OR. 311 
 
 to her; in all which- he found fomething to ad- 
 mire; and the more he law into the greatnefs, 23 
 well as fweetnefs of her mint!, the more his love 
 and aftonifhment increafed. 
 
 The fir ft proof he gave her, that fhe fhouli 
 have nothing for the future to apprehend on the 
 fccre of Mclifla, was to write a letter to that lady; 
 wherein he acquainted her, that, fenfible of the 
 injury he had done the be ft of wives and women, 
 he \vas determined to purfue no pleafures in which 
 flie did not participate. He reprefented to her 
 the (ha me and folly of carrying on an intrigue ci' 
 the nature theirs had been, in the moft pathetic 
 terms; and advifed her to think of Jiving fo as tor 
 regain that reputation in the world, which he was 
 obliged to confefs, he had contributed to make her 
 lofej aflured her, that the refolution he had 
 now made, of feeing her no more, was not to be 
 fhaken by any arguments in her power to make 
 ufe of; therefore begged fhe would endeavour to 
 follow his example, and forget all that had pa fled 
 between them. 
 
 This, he Chewing to Aliihea, gave her a new 
 opportunity of exerting her good-nature Shs 
 made him write it over again, in order to (often 
 fome expreffions in it, which fhe would have it 
 were more harfh than was becoming in him to a 
 woman he had once loved j and perhaps would 
 have rendered it at laft too gentle for the purpofe 
 it was inter.'cd, could fhe have prevailed on him 
 to alter it according to the diclates of her own 
 compaffionate and forgiving foul. But he belt 
 knew the temper of the perfon he had to deal with, 
 and would not bid her adieu in fuch a manner as 
 Dd z
 
 312 THE 'FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 Should give her the leaft room to flatter herfelf it 
 would not be his laft. 
 
 Though he defired no anfwer, he received one, 
 filled with the mofl virulent reproaches on him- 
 felf, and mingled with many contemptuous re- 
 fletions on his wife. The firft, he was unmoved 
 atj but the o^her totally deftroyed all the remains 
 of regard and confideration he had for her. He 
 tore the letter into a thoufand pieces; and to fhew 
 this injurious lady the contempt and reientment 
 with which he had treated what me faid, gathered 
 up the fcattered fragments, and fent them back 
 to her under a fealed cover, but without writing 
 2 word. 
 
 After this he was entirely eafy; Meliffa made 
 no efforts to regain him, but contented herfelf with 
 railing againfthim and theinnocent Alithea where- 
 ever fhe went; but moft people knowing the mo- 
 live, her malice had no other cffec"l than to make 
 herfelf laughed at: fhe foon, however, entered 
 into a new amour, and in the noife that made, all 
 talk of her former engagement was laid afide; 
 while the happy Alithea enjoyed the recompence 
 of her virtue, in the continued tendernefs of a huf- 
 band, whenever could.have loved her half fo well 
 had he not loved elfewhere, becaufe he never could 
 have had an opportunity of being fo well acquain- 
 ted with thofe virtues in her, which were the 
 ground of his affe&ion. 
 
 The compafiion fhe had fhewn for the child of 
 Meliffa was not a temporary ftart of goodnefs; 
 fhe perfifted in the moft tender care of him, 
 had him educated in the fame manner with her 
 own, and, to alleviate the misfortune of his 
 birth, engaged Dorimon to fet apart a considerable
 
 a. VI, SPECTATOR. 313 
 
 fum of money, in order to put him into a bufinefr, 
 \vhich, when ha grows of years to undertake if, 
 will, according to all human probability, be his 
 Q\vn fault if he does not fucceed in. 
 
 I have been the more tedious in this narrative, 
 becaufe I think there is no particular in the con~ 
 duel: of the amiable Alithea that ought to b>i 
 omitted, or may not ferve to (hew how much a 
 perfect good-nature may enable us to fuftain, and 
 to forgive. 
 
 I would have no hufband, however, depend on 
 this example, and become a Dorimcn in expecta- 
 tion of finding an Alithea in his wife: it is put- 
 ting the love and virtue of a woman to too fevere 
 a teit; and the more he thinks her capable of for- 
 giving, the kfs ought he to offend. 
 
 Numberlels are the branches of good-nature ! 
 Numberlefs are the benefits we receive ourfelves 
 by it, and confer on others! Yet 1 have obferved 
 that this admirable quality,, though in every one's 
 mouth, is undcrftood but by few: mod people are 
 apt to confound it with another, which indeed, in 
 fome refpecb, has very much the appearance of 
 it, but is in reality far (hoit of it in value. It 
 may juitly be called the hand- maid of that great la- 
 dy; it obeys her commands, delivers her decrees, 
 and waits on aJl her actions; but can do little of 
 itfeif, and mould never be put in comparifon. 
 
 What I mean, is an eafy freedom of behaviour, 
 a ready compliance with any thing propofed in 
 company, an endeavour to divert and preafe, and 
 fometimesan hofyitality and liberality; and yet a 
 perfon may be all this, without that good-nature I 
 have ;'.tte;nptcd to defcribe, and which is able to 
 work fuch prodigious efiefts. The term I would 
 Drf 3
 
 3 14 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 therefore give this inferior good-quality, is good- 
 humour; and how wide a difference there is'be- 
 tween that and good-nature few but have experi 
 enced. 
 
 Not but it has its virtues, though in a lefs ex- 
 tenfive degree, and not equally permanent. Meer- 
 good-humour,ifabufed,willdegenerateintoits re- 
 verfe; but good-nature is always the fame, and in- 
 capable of changing: like the divine Source, of 
 which it is an emanation, it returns injuries with 
 benefits-, it endeavours to work on the bad heart 
 that offers them, by foft perfuafion, and pities 
 what it cannot mend. In fine, good-humour is 
 obliged to others for its fupport, good-nature only 
 to itfelf. 
 
 As they, however, appear fo much alike, that 
 without a long and perfect acquaintance with the 
 perfon they are not to be diftinguifhed, and are 
 often miftaken even by ourfelves, a little retrofpeft 
 into our actions, and the fource of them, is abfo- 
 lutely necefiary ; and then whofoever is poflefled 
 of the one may, without much difficulty, improve 
 it into the other. 
 
 There is no one thing which affords a greater 
 proof of good-nature than being communicative, 
 and imparting, as much as in us lies, what degree 
 of knowledge we are poflefled of, to thofe who 
 may have lefs extended capacities, or fewer advan- 
 tages of improvement. Good-humour will make 
 us ready to acknowledge and commend, perhaps 
 beyond what it even merits, any excellence we find 
 "in another; but good-nature will make us take 
 the pains of inftru&ing how that excellence maybe 
 heightened. Good-humour fhuns not an oppor- 
 tunity cf obliging j but good-nature i&induftrious
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 31$ 
 
 in feeking out as many as it can. Good-humour 
 frequently promifes more than is in its power to 
 perform; but good nature does more than it gives 
 you reafon to expect. 
 
 Thefe are fome of the many marks by which, 
 with a little application, you may know the diffe- 
 rence between them; and it certainly is the bufi- 
 nefs of every prudent perfon to make this difco- 
 very in all thofe they have any dealings with, or 
 dependence upon; becaufe otherwife they may be 
 deceived into too high an opinion of the one, and 
 fail in their due regard to the other. 
 
 There are people in the world, who feel no 
 fatisfa&ion equal to that of doing good; who 
 wait not to be aflced to do every thing in their 
 power to ferve you; -and will not fcruple to do 
 a fmall prejudice to themfelves,. if by it they may 
 procure a great advantage to their neighbours :- 
 yet, notwithstanding all this innate benevolence 
 and fweetnefs of difpofition, have fo ungracious a 
 manner in conferring favours, that the receiver 
 lofes half the fatisfa&ion of the benefit, and the 
 giver more than half the praifes due to his gene- 
 rofity. The foul of fuch a one, has in it all thofe 
 heavenly qualities which make up what we call 
 good-nature; but there are oftentimes deficiencies 
 either in the education or temperament of a per- 
 fon, which will not fuffer it to ihine forth with 
 that unblemifhed luftre that fo much attracts the 
 love and admiration of mankind; and the high c it 
 character he bears from thofe moft obligated to 
 him, is that of a furly good man. 
 
 A benefit beftowed in a pcevifh, fullen, or die* 
 tatorial way, is making one feel too fcverely the 
 neccflity we are under of receiving it; and fom*
 
 3 16 THE FEMALE B. VI. 
 
 there are fo delicate, that they would rather chufe 
 to remain under the moft cruel diftreffes, than be / 
 relieved from them by a perfon of this caft. 
 
 Good-humour is therefore the proper channel 
 through which the benefits flowing from good-na- 
 ture ought to be conveyed, in order to compofe a 
 truly amiable character. 
 
 I doubt not but my readers will underftand,that 
 by good-humour I mean courtefy, affability, chear- 
 fulnefs,and that certain foftnefs of manners which 
 is fo engaging to all we come among; but more 
 particularly to thofe who are any ways obliged to 
 US.T Thofe qualities, I think, may with propriety 
 enough, be compared to fo many fweetly purling 
 ftreams, which, though too fhallow to afford us 
 any great advantages, delight and charm us with 
 their gentle murmurs; and good-nature to the 
 capacious river which feeds their currents, and is 
 the fource of all the pleafures they produce; yet, 
 but for thefe outlets, would be apt to fwell into a 
 roughnefs difagreeable both to the eye and ear o 
 all who approach its banks. 
 
 Surinthus and Montano are two gentlemen 
 who have an equal propenfity to atlions of gene- 
 rofity and benevolence, yet are perfect oppofites ia 
 their manner of conducting them. A merchant 
 in the city, who had been in a very great intimacy 
 with them both for a long time, happened by fome 
 loffes at fea, and other difappointrnents r to be very 
 much diftrefied in his circumflances: bills came 
 fail upon him, and though he paid while he was 
 able, and frequently put himfelf to the utmoft in~ 
 conveniency to do fo, being willing to prefer ve his 
 credit, in the hope of better fuccefs in other ven- 
 jures he had abroad j yet he was j uft upon the point
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. $17 
 
 of breaking, when one day Surinthus having heard 
 whifpzrs of his condition, came to hi:n, and ac- 
 coiling him in an abrupt manner, " What," iiii.i 
 he, " is it true that you arc undone? they tell 
 " me you muftbecome a bankrupt in three or four 
 " days, and that there is no poffibility of your 
 " holding out longer." 
 
 The mei chant was extremely fhocked, but con- 
 fefled that what he had heard was but too true ; 
 and that he mud yield to his hard fate unlefs he 
 could raife a thoufand pounds immediately; which 
 fum he faid, would make him perfe&ly eafy till 
 the arrival of a fhip, by which he hoped better 
 news. 
 
 <( That is uncertain," replied Surinthus, with 
 his former roughnefs; " however, 1 will advance 
 " the money for you: call on me two or three 
 " hours hence, and 1 will have it ready. But," 
 continued he, , u you have certainly been guilty of 
 
 " len into thefe misfortunes;" then proceeded 
 to tell him he did not like his dealing with fuch 
 a one, and fuch a one ; and his trading to this or 
 that part of the world; and that, indeed, he had 
 for a good while expefted it would come to this. 
 
 So true are the poet's words: 
 When things go ill, each fool pretends t' advife^ 
 And, if more happy, thinks himfelf more wife." 
 
 All this the poor merchant was obliged to k r, 
 for the fake of the favour he was to do hutt ; which 
 Tva?, indeed, truly generous and friendly, though 
 offered in a fathion a little galling to one who was 
 himfelf a man of great fpirit, and had been more 
 accuftomed to confer than to receive obligations,
 
 3i8 THE FEMALE B. V5. 
 
 But he had fcarce time to reflect on this adven- 
 ture, before he was told Montano defired to fpeak 
 to him. 
 
 This gentleman, who had heard the Tame news 
 Surinthus had done, and inftigated by the fame 
 motive, came to make an offer of his fervice, tho* 
 in a manner altogether the reverfe. -He took not 
 the If aft notice of his misfortune; and behaving 
 with his ufual cheerfulnefs and complaifance,afteF 
 feme talk on ordinary affairs, "I am glad," faid he, 
 " I was fo fortunate to find you at home; for Ihavd 
 " a rcqueft to make to you, \\ hich your compliance 
 " with will cafe me of a great deal of trouble." 
 
 The merchanthaving allured him, thatheihouhi 
 rejoice in any opportunity of obliging him, "lhave 
 " juft received fifteen hundred pounds," refumei 
 the other; "and to tell you the truth, I do net 
 " know hew to difpofe of it; I do not care to 
 " keep fuch a fum in my houfe, and I have no 
 [J hanker at; nrefenr, nor any way of laying it out 
 to my mind; I fliould therefore be infinitely 
 " obliged to you, if you would take it and thro.v 
 '' it into trade. Ikncwpeifons of ycur great deal- 
 " ings in the world can at any time have opporta- 
 " nities of getting rid of money to advantage." 
 
 Two fuch offers in one day, arid from gentle- 
 men who had no other obligations to him, than 
 fuch as were reciprocal and common between per- 
 fons of equal fortunes and conditions, might very 
 wc*l aftonifh him; but the engaging manner in 
 which the latter was made, did much more fo. 
 However, as he was not perfectly affured Montano 
 was acquainted with his neceffities, he could not 
 think of abufing fo generous a friend (hip, and
 
 B. VI. SPECTATOR. 31$ 
 
 therefore frankly difclofed to him all he knew be- 
 fore as well as himfelf. 
 
 While he was making the detail of his loffes, 
 the other gave him frequent interruptions, telling 
 him, that fuch accidents were no prodigies among 
 men of bufmefs; that what one year took away, 
 another -might return; and that he was fo far 
 from thinking a much greater fum than he had 
 mentioned would be unfafe in his hands, that no- 
 thing could give him a more fenfible mortification 
 tlian his not accepting it." 1 do affure you, Sir, 
 11 I offer you no more than what I can very well 
 u fpare; and if fortune mould be fo unjuft to your 
 " merits, as not to enable you to return it in one, 
 " two, three years, or longer, my affairs will fuf- 
 " fer nothing by the delay, and I mould take it 
 " unkindly, mould you ever think of the affair 
 " with any fort of concern, till it entirely fuits 
 " with your convenience to repay it." 
 
 With words like thefe the merchant was pre- 
 vailed on to accept the money; and as foon as he 
 had received it, he went to his more furly friend, 
 and after having returned thofe grateful acknow- 
 ledgements, which it muft be confeffed he merit- 
 ed, told him, that an unlooked-for piece of good- 
 fortune had happened, which gave him the means 
 of fatisfying his creditors, without that kind aflift- 
 ance he had been fo generous to offer. 
 
 Surinfcaus feemed neither pleafed nor difpleaf- 
 ccl, but in his own rough fafliion, though honeft 
 meaning, faid, it was very well; that he fliould 
 Inve been welcome to the money if he had want- 
 ed it ; and that if ever he happened to have occa- 
 fjon again, he might know where to find a friend. 
 
 Now though anyotjcin the fame circumftarccs
 
 *:o THE FEMALE, Sec. B. VI. 
 with this merchant, would think it a great bleffing 
 to meet with a friend like Surinth us, yet everybody 
 muft allow that the weight of fuch an obligation 
 fat much 15ghter,by the engaging manner in which 
 Montano conferred it. 
 
 Strange it appears to me, that feme perfons, 
 who go very great lengths to ferve their friends, 
 fhould not go a little farther, and adorn their boun- 
 ties with good-humour, fince it would coft them 
 nothing, and is no lefs conducive to the happinds 
 of the receiver, than the more expcnfive part of 
 the obligation. 
 
 Certain it is, they do not fee this deficiency in 
 themfelves, or they would never leflen the merit 
 of their favours, by a wrong manner of conducting 
 them; efpecially as it is an error in behaviour fa 
 eafily avoided. 
 
 I would, therefore, fain perfuade every one who 
 is about to give a proof of his good-nature in any 
 friendly and benevolent office, to contrive it fo, 33 
 that what he does may feem a favour to himfelf. 
 This it was that made the offer of Montano fo 
 much more acceptable than that of Surinthus : 
 this fets a double value on the fmalleil obligations, 
 and makes the receiver eafy under the greateft. 
 
 THE END OF THE SIXTH BOOK.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 AUTHOR, her character, Page 3 
 
 ** Arminia, her "bad tafle, 19 
 
 Alcaics and Palmyra tlicir (lory, 31 
 
 Ariftobulus, how cxcufable, 6l 
 
 Antipathy in nature not to be worn off, 67 
 
 Alt zeu-a, much to be pitied 83 
 
 Amaranthus, his pafllon for Aminta, 87 
 
 Applaufe, how intoxicating, 91 
 
 Avarice, the worll of paflions, 109 
 
 Adulphus, ruined by a dream, .124. 
 
 Ambition has no bounds, 133 
 
 Aftions unhappy, the true caufe, 157 
 
 Avenlon to lolitiule, a fault, 163 
 
 Adonius, his charafter, 184 
 
 Amadea, her caufcs for grief, I 9 5 
 
 Abufc of thinking, worfe than -not thinking at all, ^ J 9 O 
 
 Adventure of a traveller, "*94 
 
 Auctions greatly frequented, *c>8 
 
 Alvaro, unhappy in his chilcWn, ft-O 
 
 Accomplifhments, which moft valuable,.. 243 
 
 Amafma, how made unhappy, 247 
 
 Armico, too hafty in his judgment, 55 
 
 Admiration, by what preierved, 266 
 
 Alithca, an infhncc of her generofity, 302 
 
 "DLUE domino, caufe of a fad milfoke, . 40 
 
 ** Brother, his diftrefs, 4* 
 
 Blodmetta, her unhappy condition, 59 
 
 Ik-Hair and Miferia, an ill matched couple, 73 
 Beau Uelfor.t and Mifs Tittup, the belt \vi(h can be ir.uJe for 
 
 them, 3 
 
 Bedlam, who fit for it, 130 
 
 Bellizo, her hiftory, 146 
 
 Belinda, her adventures, . 173 
 
 Britifh ladies different from what they were formerly, 265 
 
 Beauty, hurt by ill-nature, 274 
 
 Body, how far influenced by the mind r 279 
 Benefits, the manner in which they ought to be conferred, 3^9 
 
 CL IT A N D F. R> fuccefsful in love-affairs, 1 1 
 
 Country ladies, eafily feduced, 3$ 
 
 Caution, neceMary in parents, 39 
 Clergyman, a remarkable inftance of one, 
 
 Celinda, unfortunate in her love, 61 
 
 Clcora, a warning to her, 71 
 
 Cleophil, his ungenerous behaviour, 150 
 
 Caprice of a philofopHcr, 154 
 
 Climate of England the fame as ever, if j 
 
 Contemplation, how pleafm^in all fhtions, J6r 
 
 y, madame, her adventure at the opfl-a, z?'t 
 
 Grids not to be ncglccUd, 245 
 
 Compulfion, hateful to all reafonable beings, 286 
 
 Comphifance, always ncccflary, 313 
 VOL. I. Ee
 
 I N 1} E X. 
 
 DALIND A, her mean fpirit, Page 69 
 
 Diftruft, a bafe paflion, 109 
 
 Diverfion-mongers, very induftrious, 2l6- 
 
 Difobedience, juftly punifhed, 34 
 
 Draxalla, an inftance of felf-created wretchednsfs,. 381 
 
 Dorimon, how reclaimed, 307 
 
 pUPHROSINE, her charafter,, 4 
 *" F.rminia, how ruined, 
 
 Effeminacy in the army cenfiired, 85 
 
 Examples of unhappy marriages, 99 
 
 Elmira, an extraordinary cafe, 136 
 
 Elements, feldom blended equally, 289 
 Englifh ladies, treated with too Ule refpeft, and wherefore, 237 
 
 Examination into otirfelves neceffary, 27* 
 
 fR E N C H ladies, feldom make an ill ufe of liberty, 18 
 
 *" Flavia, her adventures, 47 
 
 Father, the locdid e.ontrivan^e of one, 105; 
 
 fidelio, hisdefpair, ic6 
 
 I ortune, the author and breaker of mod friendfMps, 150 
 
 Free-will, not to be doubted, 194 
 France, the many innor.yit. diverfions to be., found there, 234 
 
 Fop, may be trifled with, 259, 
 
 Fr.ncy, never idle, 281 
 Favours, the merit of them lefleed by an iU manner ,of be- 
 
 ftowing, 3 2 9 
 
 ** I R L S, naturally -?i?jn, . 7 
 
 ^^ Genercfity of a lover, AS 
 
 Glory and love, not incompatible,- 94 
 
 Oaming and gamefters, ho\v treated, 1*8 
 
 Grant of owr-defiyes often imlwppv,,. I :f 
 
 Good -breeding inferior to reputation, 157 
 
 Gaiety in excels, how to be corrected, iSf 
 
 Gratitude, highly due to parents, 219 
 
 Good-nature, what it is, 267 
 
 ar_4 good-humour, .in what they differ, 3^3 
 
 28 
 AS 
 
 Home n-ews, ^3 
 
 3iappinefs, doubly, welcome after adverGty,. 153 
 'Hope ought to be encouraged, 
 
 Hoydens, fome naturally fo, 26^ 
 
 TEA LOUSY, the r p;te it occafions, 25 
 
 J Impertinence of fome people, 5,^ 
 
 Inftance of public gratitude, 95 
 
 Inaperso, a lover of beauty, l4 
 
 Inrii'-ffion made by a dream, I%J. 
 
 Iraperio, the mortification he gave a lady, 2,-f, 
 
 Inconiiflcncies in Ic^e, 243 
 
 Ill-nature, the lource of it, 274 
 
 Infancy, a claim to tendernefs, 275 
 
 KEY to the FEMALE SPECTATOR, forbid,. 6 
 
 Kindaefs, ill repaid, J^o 
 
 , _ , . 
 
 TJ U S BA ND, the innocent ftratagem. of one, 
 Honour, an inftance of it,
 
 I N D E X. 
 
 LOY3, when to be approved, Page $ 
 
 Liking, often taken for Ipvc, ib. 
 
 Luxury, the encouragement it finds,, 3,$ 
 
 Lindamira, her ftory, 76 
 
 Lacroon, his character,. IOO 
 
 Lotteries, numerous of tate, llS 
 
 Leolin and Elmira, their ftory, 136 
 
 Layallie, his amour with Belinda^ 174 
 
 I.oytcr, count, an odd proceeding in him, l8l 
 
 Letter of Sarah Oldfafhion's, 3IJ 
 
 Life, what time of it is beft for improvement,. l8 
 
 MI R A, her character, 4 
 
 Martefia, her adventures,. :a 
 
 Marriages, hafty, feldom happy, If 
 
 Mafquerades, how prejudicial, . 25 
 
 Macro, his brutality, 69 
 
 Mariana, a feaioDnble warning to her, 7* 
 Myrtano and Clcora, what may be expeCteJ from their union, 71 
 
 Milctta, her atfefted modefty, IOI 
 
 Mercator, his ftory, 157 
 
 Manella, troublefome in her conjugal affec^loo^ 174 
 
 Man, the dignity of his fpecics, 194 
 
 Mind, delights in contemplation, 107 
 
 Montuubin, count, his ftory, 2OI 
 
 Mode, not always to be followed, ai0 
 
 Modefty, the chief grace of women* 443 
 
 Mariamne, a play fatal to the author, 268 
 
 Manflaughter, a new way of being guilty of it s8j 
 
 MelifTa, a great coquette, 39$ 
 
 Myftery, plealingly unravelled, 310 
 
 Montano, the manner of his conferring obligations,, 318 
 
 "VJEGRATjIA, her*eharafterv. 2O 
 
 ^ Nothing cytaJn tiU poflefied,. 103 
 
 Nature corrupted by the pafTions, 107 
 
 Numbers make their own misfortunes,, 280 
 
 , cenfured, 85 
 
 PARENTS, fometimes in fa^ilt, 17 
 
 Pride, when laudable, r<J 
 
 Porr.pilius, his marriage, why blamed, 60 
 
 Philimont aod Daria, their capricious dtftiny,. 69 
 
 Peace, a promoter of finikins, fy 
 
 Panthea, her fad dilerrnrv, i^e 
 
 Pofterity, how far to be regarded, j ^^ 
 
 Paffions, duly regulated, of feryice to us,, 134 
 
 Philofopher, his remark, 1^.4 
 
 Pantomimes, how ufeful, 2 JO 
 
 Poetry, not enough encouraged, 264 
 
 Pretences, various, for ill humour, 578 
 
 Vaticnce, an extraordinary example, aSo 
 
 UESTION proper to be afked, 17 
 between married people, matter of ridipilc 
 
 for others, i;<j
 
 "^ book is '"''T 1 - 
 T> i i ^Jt-i .jient, Page ^ 
 
 " R ics obfei i. / the FEMALE SPECTATOR, 5 
 
 Rebecca Facemend, her bill* 
 
 Refolva, the obftinacy of one,, 14 
 
 Regret, an inftance of it, 1.5 
 
 Recollection neceflary, I' 
 
 Ranelagh too much frequented, I 
 
 Refpecfr, how attracted, r.. 
 
 Religion, when real, excites good-nature, 2', 
 
 Royal example of generofity, 28 
 
 CEOMANTHE, her ftory, 
 *' Sympathy of humours requisite to make marriage happy, 7 
 Source, the true one of our calamities, i.< 
 
 Solitary life hated by molt, 16 
 
 Socrates, an inftanct that virtue is to be acquired by application, 1 8 
 Saicafm of a lady to an apouate patriot, 19 
 
 Sneer of a fon on his father's marrying a very young wife, 
 Subfcriptions intended for mafqueraJes at Ranelagb, 
 Stage affords the nobleft diversion, 
 Softnefs, the moft prevailing aims c" women, 
 Sceptic confcffes too much without he confcfTed more, 28 
 
 Surinthus, his furly friendlhip, 31 
 
 'TTE NDERILLA, her romantic turn, 
 
 ^ True love unchangeable, 
 Temptations overcome are pleafures, 
 Tempo-Amiarians, what they are, 
 Tulip, Mrs. her folly, 
 Tennis, a manly exercife, 
 Ti.noleon, his charaGer, 
 Trial of a lover, 15 
 
 Tragedy, its intent, 21 
 
 Tafte, the difference of the falfe and rlie true tafte, 2] 
 
 Talpack ladies, their habits may probably become our mode, z( 
 Thaumantius, a great valetudinarian, "i\ 
 
 VTA U X-H AJL.L, the temple of Flora, t 
 
 " Vulpone, his ftrange fuccefs, 
 
 Unity among kindred recommended, i; 
 
 Vizards, when worn at the theatres, 26 
 
 Virago, how ridiculous, 
 Vapours, an epilepfy of the mind, 
 "%\, O RLD, the ridicule of it on unfuitable matches, 
 
 * * Women, why fond of military gentlemen, o. 
 
 Wife of a late general, her behaviour, o 
 
 Wlr.ft, the game much admired, 11 
 
 Widow, her reafon for marrying, 16- 
 
 Widow, her rambling humour, 16! 
 
 _/^EUXIS, a confummate hypocrite, 13. 
 
 YOUTH and age difagreeable to each cth-ir, 
 
 THE END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

 
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