THE TATLER. every night in the week; but could never find the original of the picture which dwelt in his bosom. In a word, his attention to any thing but his passion was utterly gone. He has lost all the money he ever played for, and been confuted in every argument he has entered upon, since the moment he first saw her. He is of a noble family, has naturally a very good air, and is of a frank, honest temper; but this passion has so extremely mauled him, that his features are set and uninformed, and his whole visage is deadened by a long absence of thought. He never appears in any alacrity but when raised by wine; at which time he is sure to come hither and throw away a great deal of wit on fellows who have no sense further than just to observe, that our poor lover has most understanding when he is drunk, and is least in his senses when he is sober.* The reader is desired to take notice of the article from this place, from time to time, for I design to be very exact in the progress this unhappy gentleman makes, which may be of great instruction to all who actually are, or who ever shall be in love. Will's Coffee-house, April 8. [No. 1. this gentleman, they pitied Mark Anthony of Rome, Hamlet of Denmark, Mithridates of Pontus, Theodosius of Greece, and Henry the Eighth of England. It is well known, he has been in the condition of each of those illustrious personages for several hours together, and behaved himself in those high stations, in all the changes of the scene, with suitable dignity. For these reasons, we intend to repeat this late favour to him on a proper occasion, lest he, who can instruct us so well in personating feigned sorrows, should be lost to us by suffering under real ones. The town is at present in very great expectation of seeing a comedy now in rehearsal, which is the twenty-fifth production of my honoured friend Mr. Thomas D'Urfey; who, besides his great abilities in the dramatic, has a particular talent in the lyric way of writ unknown to the ancient Greeks and Romans, ing, and that with a manner wholly new and wherein he is but faintly imitated in the translation of the modern Italian operas. St. James's Coffee-house, April 11. he an Letters from the Hague of the sixteenth, say that Major-general Cadogan was gone to BrusOn Thursday last was acted, for the benefit for assembling the whole force of the allies in sels, with orders to disperse proper instructions of Mr. Betterton, the celebrated comedy called Flanders, in the beginning of the next month. Love for Love.t Those excellent players, Mrs. The late offers concerning peace were made in Barry, Mrs. Bracegirdle, and Mr. Dogget, the style of persons who think themselves upon though not at present concerned in the house, equal terms; but the allies have so just a sense acted on that occasion. There has not been of their present advantages, that they will not known so great a concourse of persons of dis- admit of a treaty, except France offers what is tinction as at that time; the stage itself was covered with gentlemen and ladies, and when same time, we make preparations as if we were more suitable to her present condition. At the the curtain was drawn, it discovered even there, alarmed by a greater force than that which we a very splendid audience. This unusual en- are carrying into the field. Thus this point couragement, which was given to a play for seems now to be argued sword in hand. This the advantage of so great an actor, gives an undeniable instance, that the true relish for manly being asked the names of those who were to be was what a great generalt alluded to, when entertainments and rational pleasures is not plenipotentiaries for the ensuing peace, wholly lost. All the parts were acted to perfec-swered with a serious air, "There are about tion: the actors were careful of their carriage, a hundred thousand of us." Mr. Kidney, who and no one was guilty of the affectation to in- has the ear of the greatest politicians that come sert witticisms of his own; but a due respect hither, tells me, there is a mail come in to-day was had to the audience for encouraging this with letters, dated Hague, April the nineteenth, accomplished player. It is not now doubted but N. S. which say, a design of bringing part of plays will revive, and take their usual place in our troops into the field, at the latter end of this the opinion of persons of wit and merit, notwith-month, is now altered to a resolution of marchstanding their late apostacy in favour of dressing towards the camp about the twentieth of and sound. This place is very much altered the next. Prince Eugene was then returned since Mr. Dryden frequented it; where you used to see songs, epigrams, and satires, in the hands of every man you met, you have now only a pack of cards; and instead of the cavils about the turn of the expression, the elegance of the style, and the like, the learned now dispute only about the truth of the game. company is altered, all have shown a great reBut however the spect for Mr. Betterton; and the very gaming part of this house have been so touched with a sense of the uncertainty of human affairs (which alter with themselves every moment) that in *Edward Lord Viscount Hinchinbroke, mentioned afterwards under the name of Cynthio. He died in the lifetime of his father, Oct. 3, 1722. See No. 5. and No. 22. † By Congrove. Published in quarto, 1695. thither from Amsterdam. He sets out from Brussels on Tuesday: the greater number of the general officers at the Hague, have order's to go at the same time. The squadron at Dunkirk consists of seven vessels. There happened the other day, in the road of Scheveling, an engagement between a privateer of Zeeland and thirty-three picces of cannon was taken and one of Dunkirk. The Dunkirker, carrying his age, was born in 1635, came upon the stage in 1656, seventh production, according to the list of his plays in brought into the Texel. It is said, the courier of | Monsieur Rouille is returned to him from the court of France. Monsieur Vendosme, being reinstated in the favour of the dutchess of Burgundy, is to command in Flanders. Mr. Kidney added, that there were letters of the seventeenth from Ghent, which give an account that the enemy had formed a design to surprise two battalions of the allies which lay at Alost; but those battalions received advice of their march, and retired to Dendermond. Lieutenant-general Wood appeared on this occasion at the head of five thousand foot, and one thousand horse; upon which, the enemy withdrew without making any farther attempt. From my own Apartment. happened among my acquaintance. A young gentleman of a great estate, fell desperately in love with a great beauty of very high quality, but as ill-natured as long flattery and an habitual self-will could make her. However, my young spark ventures upon her like a man of quality, without being acquainted with her, or having ever saluted her until it was a crime to kiss any woman clse. Beauty is a thing which palls with possession; and the charms of this lady soon wanted the support of good-humour and complacency of manners Upon this, my spark flies to the bottle for relief from satiety. She disdains him for being tired with that for which all men envied him; and he never came home, but it was-"Was there no sot that would stay longer? would any man living but you? did I leave all the world for this usage?” to which, he-" Madam, split me, you are very impertinent !" In a word, this match was wedlock in its most terrible appearances. She, at last, weary of railing to no purpose, applies to a good uncle, who gives her a bottle he pretended he had bought of Mr. Partridge the conjurer. "This," said he, "I gave ten guineas for. The virtue of the enchanted liquor (said he that sold it) is such, that if the woman you marry proves a scold, (which it seems, my dear niece, is your misfortune, as it was your good mother's before you,) let her hold three spoonfuls in her mouth for a full half hour after you come home-." But I find I am not in humour for telling a tale, and nothing in nature is so ungraceful as story-telling against the grain; therefore take it as the author has given it you. I am sorry I am obliged to trouble the public with so much discourse upon a matter which I at the very first mentioned as a trifle, viz. the death of Mr. Partridge, under whose name there is an almanack come out for the year 1709; in one page of which, it is asserted by the said John Partridge, that he is still living; and not only so, but that he was also living some time before, and even at the instant when I writ of his death. I have in another place, and in a paper by itself, sufficiently convinced this man that he is dead, and, if he has any shame, I do not doubt but that by this time he owns it to all his acquaintance; for though the legs and arms and whole body of that man my still appear, and perform their animal functions; yet since, as I have elsewhere observed, his art is gone, the man is gone. I am, as I said, concerned that this little matter should make so much noise; but since I am engaged, I take myself obliged in honour to go on in my lucubrations, and by the help of these arts, of which I am master, as well as my skill in astrological speculations, I shall, as I see occasion, proceed to confute other dead men who pretend to be in being, although Sighed out the usual time, then wed the dame; they are actually deceased. I therefore give all men fair warning to mend their manners; for I shall, from time to time, print bills of mortality; and I beg the pardon of all such who shall be named therein, if they who are good for nothing shall find themselves in the number of the deceased. THE MEDICINE. A Tale-for the Ladies. Miss Molly, a famed toast, was fair and young, Possessed, he thought, of every joy of life: And this, Sir John, is every day the trade. "Hey! hoop! d'ye hear my damned obstreperous spouse, To an old uncle oft she would complain, Beg his advice, and scarce from tears refrain. A water-bottle's brought for her relief; The bonny knight reels home exceeding clear, "Why, how now, Molly, what's the crotchet now?" allies, they have had no other effect, but to make all the members concerned in the alliance more doubtful of their safety, from the great offers of the enemy. The emperor is roused by this alarm, and the frontiers of all the French dominions are in danger of being insulted the ensuing campaign. Advices from all parts confirm, that it is impossible for France to find a way to obtain so much credit as to gain any one potentate of the allies, or conceive any hope for safety from other prospects. From my own Apartment, April 13. I find it of very great use, now I am setting up for a writer of news, that I am an adept in astrological speculations; by which means, I avoid speaking of things which may offend great persons. But, at the same time, I must not prostitute the liberal sciences so far, as not to utter the truth in cases which do immediately concern the good of my native country. I must, therefore, contradict what has been so assuredly reported by the news writers of England, that France is in the most deplorable condition, and that their people die in great multitudes. I will therefore let the world know, that my correspondent by the way of Brussels, informs me upon his honour, that the gentleman who writes the gazette of Paris, and ought to know as well as any man, has told him, that ever since the king has been past his sixty-third year, or grand climacteric, there has not died one man of the French nation who was younger than his majesty, except a very few who were taken sud. denly near the village of Hockstet in Germany; and some more who were straitened for lodging at a place called Ramilies, and died on the road to Ghent and Bruges. There are also other things given out by the allies, which are shifts below a conquering nation to make use of. Among others, it is said there is a general murmuring among the people of France, though at the same time, all my letters agree, that there is so good an understanding among them, that there is not one morsel carried out of any market in the kingdom but what is delivered upon credit. No. 3.] Saturday, April 16, 1709. Juv. Sat. i. 85, 86. Quicquid agunt homines- P. St. James's Coffee-house, April 13. Letters from Venice say, the disappointment of their expectation to see his Danish majesty has very much disquieted the court of Rome. Our last advices from Germany inform us, that the minister of Hanover has urged the council at Ratisbonne to exert themselves in behalf of the common cause, and taken the liberty to say, that the dignity, the virtue, the prudence of his electoral highness, his master, were called to the head of their affairs in vain, if they thought fit to leave him naked of the proper means to Will's Coffee-house, April 14. make those excellencies useful for the honour THIS evening the comedy called the Country and safety of the empire. They write from Wife, was acted in Drury-lane, for the benefit Berlin of the thirteenthi, O. S. that the true de- of Mrs. Bignell. The part which gives name sign of general Fleming's visit to that court was to the play was performed by herself. Through to insinuate, that it will be for the mutual in- the whole action she made a very pretty figure, terest of the king of Prussia and king Augustus, and exactly entered into the nature of the part. to enter into a new alliance; but that the min- Her husband, in the drama, is represented to isters of Prussia are not inclined to his scnti- be one of those debauchees who run through ments. We hear from Vienna, that his imperial the vices of the town, and believe, when they majesty has expressed great satisfaction in their think fit, they can marry and settle at their high mightinesses having communicated to him the whole that has passed in the affair of a peace. Though there have been practices used by the agents of France, in all the courts of Europe, to break the good understanding of the * An humorous compliment to the duke of Marlborough, who, as Mr. Steele insinuates, so reduced the French, that they had now, neither more young men to go to war, nor more ready money to carry to market. By Wycherley. It was first acted in 1683. After the play, we naturally stroll to this coffee-house, in hopes of meeting some new poem or other entertainment among the men of wit and pleasure, where there is a dearth at present. But it is wonderful there should be so few writers, when the art is become merely me. chanic, and men may make themselves great that way by as certain and infallible rules as you may be a joiner or a mason. There happens a good instance of this in what the hawker has just now offered for sale, to wit, "Instructions to Vanderbank: A Sequel to the advice to the Poets: a Poem, occasioned by the glorious success of her Majesty's arms under the command of the Duke of Marlborough, the last year in Flanders."* Here you are to understand that the author, finding the poets would not take his advice, troubles himself no more about them; but has met with one Vanderbank,† who works in arras, and makes very good tapestry hangings: therefore, in order to celebrate the hero of the age, he claps together all that can be said of a man that makes hangings : ease. His own knowledge of the iniquity of the | punishing great crimes and exposing the abanage, makes him choose a wife wholly ignorant doned. Therefore, as I design to have notices of it, and place his security in her want of skill from all public assemblies, I shall take upon me to abuse him. The poet on many occasions, only indecorums, improprieties, and negligences, where the propriety of the character will admit in such as should give us better examples. After of it, insinuates, that there is no defence against this declaration, if a fine lady thinks fit to gigvice, but the contempt of it: and has, in the gle at church, or a great beau come in drunk to natural ideas of an untainted innocent, shown a play, either shall be sure to hear of it in my the gradual steps to ruin and destruction which ensuing paper; for, merely as a well-bred man, persons of condition run into, without the help I cannot bear these enormities. of a good education to form their conduct. The torment of a jealous coxcomb, which arises from his own false maxims, and the aggravation of his pain, by the very words in which he sees her innocence, makes a very pleasant and instructive satire. The character of Horner, and the design of it, is a good representation of the age in which that comedy was written; at which time, love and wenching were the business of life, and the gallant manner of pursuing women was the best recommendation at court. To this only, it is to be imputed, that a gentleman of Mr. Wycherly's character and sense, condescends to represent the insults done to the honour of the bed, without just reproof; but to have drawn a man of probity with regard to such considerations had been a monster; and a poet had at that time discovered his want of knowing the manners of the court he lived in, by a virtuous character in his fine gentleman, as he would show his ignorance by drawing a vicious one to please the present audience. Mrs. Bignell did her part very happily, and had a certain grace in her rusticity, which gave us hopes of seeing her a very skilful player, and in some parts, supply our loss of Mrs. Verbruggen. I cannot be of the same opinion with my friends and fellow-labourers, the Reformers of Manners, in their severity towards plays; but must allow, that a good play, acted before a well-bred audience, must raise very proper in-show how great an hero the poet intends, he citements to good behaviour, and be the most provides him a very good horse: quick and most prevailing method of giving Champing his foam, and bounding on the plain, young people a turn of sense and breeding. Arch his high neck, and graceful spread his mane. But as I have set up for a weekly historian, I Now as to the intrepidity, the calm courage, resolve to be a faithful one; and therefore take the constant application of the hero, it is not this public occasion to admonish a young noble-necessary to take that upon yourself: you may, man, who came flustering into the box last night, in the lump, bid him you employ raise him as and let him know how much all his friends high as he can; and if he does it not, let him were out of countenance for him. The women answer for disobeying orders. sat in terror of hearing something that should shock their modesty, and all the gentlemen in as much pain, out of compassion to the ladies, and perhaps resentment for the indignity which was offered in coming into their presence in so disrespectful a manner. Wine made him say nothing that was rude, therefore he is forgiven, upon condition he never will hazard his offend. ing more in this kind. As I just now hinted, I own myself of the "Society for Reformation of Manners."* We have lower instruments than those of the family of Bickerstaff for This Society began in 1690; an account of the progress made in suppressing profaneness and debauchery by its means, was published yearly. The last account is from Dec. 1737 to Dec. 1738. The total number of persons prosecuted by this Society, in or near London, during these forty-four years, is calculated at about 101.683, c." Such as are curious, may see a fuller account of it, in Stow's Survey of London, edit. 1755, vol. i. p. 144. Then artist, who does nature's face express, Spin a bright story, or a passion weave; Let fame and victory in inferior sky Hover with balane'd wings, and smiling fly against an ensuing campaign, as well as a space * By Sir Richard Blackmore. See Spect. Nos. 6. 339. Tat. No. 14. contains a very proper apology for this raillery. †This man was inimitable in his way; no person ever represented nature more happily in works of tapestry. From my own Apartment, April 15. It is a very natural passion in all good members of the commonwealth, to take what care they can of their families. Therefore, I hope the reader will forgive me, that I desire he would go to the play called, the Stratagem,* this evening, which is to be acted for the bene. fit of my near kinsman Mr. John Bickerstaff.t I protest to you, the gentleman has not spoken to me to desire this favour: but I have a respect for him, as well in regard to consanguinity, as that he is an intimate friend of that famous and heroic actor, Mr. George Powel; who formerly played Alexander the Great in all places, though he is lately grown so reserved, as to act it only on the stage.f out all that can be said in his way whom you | sieur Bernard, that they cannot discharge the employ to set forth your worthy. Waller and demands made upon them, has quite dispirited Denham had worn out the expedience of "Ad- all those who are engaged in the remittances vice to a Painter:" this author has transferred of France. the work, and sent his Advice to the Poets; that is to say, to the Turners of Verse, as he calls them. Well, that thought is worn out also; therefore he directs his genius to the loom, and will have a new set of hangings in honour of the last year in Flanders. I must own to you, I approve extremely this invention, and it might be improved for the benefit of manufactory: as, suppose an ingenious gentleman should write a poem of advice to a calico printer; do you think there is a girl in England that would wear any thing but the "Taking of Lisle," or, "The Battle of Oudenarde?" They would certainly be all the fashion until the heroes abroad had cut out some more patterns. I should fancy small skirmishes might do for under-petticoats, provided they had a siege for the upper. If our adviser were well imitated, many industrious people might be put to work. Little Mr. Dactile, now in the room, who formerly writ a song and a half, is a week gone in a very pretty work, upon this hint: he is writing an epigram to a young virgin who knits very well; (it is a thousand pities he is a jacobite ;) but his epigram is by way of advice to this damsel, to knit all the actions of the pretender and the duke of Burgundy's last campaign in the clock of a stocking. It were endless to enumerate the many hands and trades that may be employed by the poets, of so useful a turn as this adviser. I shall think of it; and, in this time of taxes, shall consult a great critic employed in the custom-house, in order to propose what tax may be proper to be put on knives, seals, rings, hangings, wrought beds, gowns, and petticoats, where any of these commodities bear mottoes, or are worked upon poetical grounds. St. James's Coffee-house, April 15. Letters from Turin of the third instant, N. S. inform us, that his royal highness employs all his address in alarming the enemy, and perplexing their speculations concerning his real designs the ensuing campaign. Contracts are entered into with the merchants of Milan for a great number of mules to transport his provisions and ammunition. His royal highness has ordered the train of artillery to be conveyed to Susa before the twentieth of the next month. In the mean time, all accounts agree, that the enemy are very backward in their preparations, and almost incapable of defending themselves against an invasion, by reason of the general murmurs of their own people; which, they find, are no way to be quieted but by giving them hopes of a speedy peace. When these letters were despatched the marshal de Thesse was arrived at Genoa, where he has taken much pains to keep the correspond. ents of the merchants of France in hopes that measures will be found out to support the credit and commerce between that state and Lyons: but the late declaration of the agents of Mon * Prince Eugene. No. 4.] Tuesday, April 18, 1709. Quicquid agunt homines -nostri est farrago libelli. Juv. Sat. i. 85, 86. "Whate'er men do, or say, or think, or dream, Our motley paper seizes for its theme." P. 'It is usual with persons who mount the stage for the cure or information of the crowd about them, to make solemn professions of their being wholly disinterested in the pains they take for the public good. At the same time, those very men who make harangues in plush doublets, and extol their own abilities and generous inclinations, tear their lungs in vending a drug, and show no act of bounty, except it be, that they lower a demand of a crown to six, nay, to one penny. We have a contempt for such paltry barterers, and have therefore all along informed the public, that we intend to give them our advices for our own sakes, and are labouring to make our lucubrations come to some price in money, for our more convenient support in the service of the public. It is certain, that many other schemes have been proposed to me; as a friend offered to show me a treatise he had writ, which he called, The whole Art of Life; or, The Introduction to great Men, illustrated in a Pack of Cards.' But, being a novice at all manner of play, I declined the offer. Another advised me, for want of money, to set up my coach, and practise physic; but, having been bred a scholar, I feared I should not succeed that way neither, therefore, resolved to go on in my present project. But you are to understand that I shall not pretend to raise a credit to this work upon the weight of my politic news only; but, as my Latin sentence in the title-page informs you, shall take any thing that offers for the subject of my discourse. Thus, new persons, * The Beaux Stratagem, by G. Farquhar. Acted at the Hay-market, 4to. 1707. It was begun and finished under the illness of which he died during the run of his play. in the course of six weeks, while the author laboured A real player of that name. A delicate animadversion on the irregularity of Mr. Powel, who, about this time, began to sink in his reputation by abandoning himself to drunkenness. |