No. 392.] Friday, May 30, 1712. Per ambages et ministeria deorum ræcipitandus est liber spiritus. By fable's aid ungovern'd fancy soars, And claims the ministry of heav'nly powers. Petron. to me, that is was pleasantly said, had I been little enough, she would have hung me at her girdle. The most dangerous rival I had, was a gay empty fellow, who by the strength of a long intercourse with The transformation of Fidelio into a look- Narcissa, joined to his natural endowments, ing-glass. 'MR. SPECTATOR,-I was lately at a tea-table, where some young ladies entertained the company with a relation of a coquette in the neighbourhood, who had been discovered practising before her glass. To turn the discourse, which from being witty grew to be malicious, the matron of the family took occasion from the subject to wish that there were to be found amongst men such faithful monitors to dress the mind by, as we consult to adorn the body. She added, that if a sincere friend were miraculously changed into a looking-glass, she should not be ashamed to ask its advice very often. This whimsical thought worked so much upon my fancy the whole evening, that it produced a very odd dream. Methought that, as I stood before my glass, the image of a youth of an open ingenuous aspect appeared in it, who with a shrill voice spoke in the following manner: "The looking-glass you see was heretofore a man, even I, the unfortunate Fidelio. I had two brothers, whose deformity in shape was made up by the clearness of their understanding. It must be owned, however, that (as it generally happens) they had each a perverseness of humour suitable to their distortion of body. The eldest, whose belly sunk in monstrously, was a great coward, and, though his splenetic contracted temper made him take fire immediately, he made objects that beset him appear greater than they were. The second, whose breast swelled into a bold relievo, on the contrary, took great pleasure in lessening every thing, and was perfectly the reverse of his brother. These oddnesses pleased company once or twice, but disgusted when often seen; for which reason, the young gentlemen were sent from court to study mathematics at the university. had formed himself into a perfect resemblance with her. I had been discarded, had she not observed that he frequently asked my opinion about matters of the last consequence. This made me still more considerable in her eye. "Though I was eternally caressed by the ladies, such was their opinion of my honour, that I was never envied by the men. A jealous lover of Narcissa one day thought he had caught her in an amorous conversation: for, though he was at such a distance that he could hear nothing, he imagined strange things from her airs and gestures. Sometimes with a serene look she stepped back in a listening posture, and brightened into an innocent smile. Quickly after she swelled into an air of majesty and disdain, then kept her eyes half shut after a languishing manner, then covered her blushes with her hand, breathed a sigh, and seemed ready to sink down. In rushed the furious lover; but how great was his surprise to see no one there but the innocent Fidelio with his back against the wall betwixt two windows! "It were endless to recount all my adventures. Let me hasten to that which cost me my life, and Narcissa her happiness. "She had the misfortune to have the small-pox, upon which I was expressly forbid her sight, it being apprehended that it would increase her distemper, and that I should infallibly catch it at the first look. As soon as she was suffered to leave her bed, she stole out of her chamber, and found me all alone in an adjoining apartment. She ran with transport to her darling, and without mixture of fear lest I should dislike her. But, oh me! what was her fury when she heard me say, I was afraid and shocked at so loathsome a spectacle! She stepped back, swollen with "I need not acquaint you, that I was very rage, to see if I had the insolence to rewell made, and reckoned a bright polite peat it. I did, with this addition, that gentleman. I was the confidant and darling her ill-timed passion had increased her of all the fair; and if the old and ugly spoke ugliness. Enraged, inflamed, distracted, ill of me, all the world knew it was because she snatched a bodkin, and with all her I scorned to flatter them. No ball, no as-force stabbed me to the heart. Dying, I sembly, was attended till I had been consulted. Flavia coloured her hair before me, Celia showed me her teeth, Panthea heaved her bosom, Cleora brandished her diamond; I have seen Cloe's foot, and tied artificially the garters of Rhodope. preserved my sincerity, and expressed the truth though in broken words; and by reproachful grimaces to the last I mimicked the deformity of my murderess. "Cupid, who always attends the fair, and pitied the fate of so useful a servant as "It is a general maxim, that those who I was, obtained of the destinies, that my dote upon themselves can have no violent body should remain incorruptible, and reaffection for another; but on the contrary, tain the qualities my mind had possessed. I found that the women's passion rose for I immediately lost the figure of a man, and me in proportion to the love they bore to became smooth, polished, and bright, and themselves. This was verified in my to this day am the first favourite of the amour with Narcissa, who was so constant ladies." T. 2 No. 393.] Saturday, May 31, 1712. Nescio qua præter solitum dulcedine læti. LOOKING Over the letters that have been sent me, I chanced to find the following one, which I received about two years ago from an ingenious friend who was then in Denmark, 'Copenhagen, May 1, 1710. 'DEAR SIR,-The spring with you has already taken possession of the fields and woods. Now is the season of solitude, and of moving complaints upon trivial sufferings. Now the griefs of lovers begin to flow, and the wounds to bleed afresh. I, too, at this distance from the softer climates, am not without my discontents at present. You may perhaps laugh at me for a most romantic wretch, when I have disclosed to through the mind of the beholder, upon Blossoms and fruits at once a golden hue Many authors have written on the vanity of the creature, and represented the barrenness of every thing in this world, and its incapacity of producing any solid or substantial happiness. As discourses of this nature are very useful to the sensual and you the occasion of my uneasiness: and yet the bright side of things, and lay forth voluptuous, those speculations which show I cannot help thinking my unhappiness those innocent entertainments which are to real, in being confined to a region which is the very reverse of Paradise. The seasons be met with among the several objects that here are all of them unpleasant, and the encompass us, are no less beneficial to men country quite destitute of rural charms. I of dark and melancholy tempers. It was have not heard a bird sing, nor a brook for this reason that I endeavoured to remurmur, nor a breeze whisper, neither commend a cheerfulness of mind in my two have I been blest with the sight of a flow-last Saturday's papers, and which I would ery meadow, these two years. Every wind still inculcate, not only from the considerahere is a tempest, and every water a tur- tion of ourselves, and of that Being on whom we depend, nor from the general survey of I hope, when you reflect a little, you will not think the grounds of my that universe in which we are placed at complaint in the least frivolous and unbe-present, but from reflections on the particular season in which this paper is writcoming a man of serious thought; since the love of woods, of fields and flowers, of rivers ten. The creation is a perpetual feast to and fountains, seems to be a passion im- the mind of a good man; every thing he sees planted in our natures the most early of any, cheers and delights him. Providence has even before the fair sex had a being. I imprinted so many smiles on nature, that it is impossible for a mind which is not sunk in more gross and sensual delights, to take a survey of them without several secret sensations of pleasure. The psalmist has, in several of his divine poems, celebrated those beautiful and agreeable scenes which make the heart glad, and produce in it that vernal delight which I have before taken notice of. bulent ocean. am, sir, &c. Could I transport myself with a wish, from one country to another, I should choose to pass my winter in Spain, my spring in Italy, my summer in England, and my autumn in France. Of all these seasons there is none that can vie with the spring for beauty and delightfulness. It bears the same figure among the seasons of the year, that the morning does among the divisions of the day, or youth among the stages of life. The English summer is pleasanter than that of any other country in Europe, on no other account but because it has a greater mixture of spring in it. The mildness of our climate, with those frequent refreshments of dews and rains that fall among us, keep up a perpetual cheerfulness in our fields, and fill the hottest months of the year with a lively verdure. In the opening of the spring, when all nature begins to recover herself, the same animal pleasure which makes the birds sing, and the whole brute creation rejoice, rises very sensibly in the heart of man. I know none of the poets who have observed so well as Milton those secret overflowings of gladness which diffuse themselves Natural philosophy quickens this taste of the creation, and renders it not only pleasing to the imagination, but to the understanding. It does not rest in the murmur of brooks and the melody of birds, in the shade of groves and woods, or in the embroidery of fields and meadows; but considers the several ends of Providence which are served by them, and the wonders of divine wisdom which appear in them. It heightens the pleasures of the eye, and raises such a rational admiration in the soul as is little inferior to devotion. It is not in the power of every one to offer up this kind of worship to the great Author of nature, and to indulge these more refined meditations of heart, which are doubtless highly acceptable in his sight; I shall therefore conclude this short essay on that pleasure which the mind naturally - conceives from the present season of the verses, and working from the observation year, by the recommending of a practice of such their bias in all matters wherein he for which every one has sufficient abilities. has any intercourse with them: for his ease I would have my readers endeavour to and comfort he may assure himself, he need moralize this natural pleasure of the soul, not be at the expense of any great talent or and to improve this vernal delight, as Mil- virtue to please even those who are poston calls it, into a Christian virtue. When sessed of the highest qualifications. Pride, we find ourselves inspired with this pleasing in some particular disguise or other, (often instinct, this secret satisfaction and compla- a secret to the proud man himself) is the cency arising from the beauties of the crea- most ordinary spring of action among men. tion, let us consider to whom we stand in- You need no more than to discover what a debted for all these entertainments of sense, man values himself for; then of all things and who it is that thus opens his hand and admire that quality, but be sure to be failfills the world with good. The apostle in- ing in it yourself in comparison of the man structs us to take advantage of our present whom you court. I have heard, or read, temper of mind, to graft upon it such a re- of a secretary of state in Spain, who served ligious exercise as is particularly conform- a prince who was happy in an elegant use able to it, by that precept which advises of the Latin tongue, and often writ dethose who are sad to pray, and those who spatches in it with his own hand. The king are merry to sing psalms. The cheerful- showed his secretary a letter he had writness of heart which springs up in us from ten to a foreign prince, and, under the colour the survey of nature's works, is an admira- of asking his advice, laid a trap for his apble preparation for gratitude. The mind plause. The honest man read it as a faithhas gone a great way towards praise and ful counsellor, and not only excepted against thanksgiving, that is filled with such secret his tying himself down too much by some gladness-a grateful reflection on the su- expressions, but mended the phrase in =preme cause who produces it, sanctifies it others. You may guess the despatches in the soul, and gives it its proper value. that evening did not take much longer Such an habitual disposition of mind conse-time. Mr. Secretary as soon as he came to crates every field and wood, turns an ordinary walk into a morning or evening sacrifice, and will improve those transient gleams of joy which naturally brighten up and refresh the soul on such occasions, into an inviolable and perpetual state of bliss and happiness. I. No. 394.] Monday, June 2, 1712. nullo modo.-Tull. It is obvious to see, that these things are very accept able to children, young women, and servants, and to such as most resemble servants; but that they can by no means meet with the approbation of people of thought and consideration. his own house, sent for his eldest son, and communicated to him that the family must retire out of Spain as soon as possible: 'for,' said he, the king knows I understand Latin better than he does.' This egregious fault in a man of the world should be a lesson to all who would make their fortunes; but regard must be carefully had to the person with whom you have to do; for it is not to be doubted but a great man of common sense must look with secret indignation, or bridled laughter, on all the slaves who stand around him with ready faces to approve and smile at all he says in the gross. observe a superior talking half sentences, It is good comedy enough to and playing an humble admirer's countenance from one thing to another, with such perplexity, that he knows not what to sneer I HAVE been considering the little and in approbation of. But this kind of comfrivolous things which give men accesses to plaisance is peculiarly the manner of courts; one another, and power with each other, in all other places you must constantly go not only in the common and indifferent ac- further in compliance with the persons you cidents of life, but also in matters of greater have to do with, than a mere conformity of importance. You see in elections for mem-looks and gestures. If you are in a country bers to sit in parliament, how far saluting life, and would be a leading man, a good rows of old women, drinking with clowns, stomach, a loud voice, and rustic cheerfuland being upon a level with the lowest part ness, will go a great way, provided you are of mankind in that wherein they themselves able to drink, and drink any thing. But I are lowest, their diversions, will carry a was just now going to draw the manner of candidate. A capacity for prostituting a behaviour I would advise people to practise man's self in his behaviour, and descending to the present humour of the vulgar, is perhaps as good an ingredient as any other for making a considerable figure in the world; and if a man has nothing else or better to think of, he could not make his way to wealth and distinction by properer methods, than studying the particular bent or inclination of people with whom he con under some maxim; and intimated, that every one almost was governed by his pride. There was an old fellow about forty years ago so peevish and fretful, though a man of business, that no one could come at him; but he frequented a particular little coffeehouse, where he triumphed over every body at trick-track and backgammon. The way to pass his office well, was first to be insulted for his entertainment, he lifted up a door that was placed by his footstool. its rising, there issued through it st din of cries as astonished the philoso Upon his asking what they meant, Ju told him they were the prayers that sent up to him from the earth. Menij amidst the confusion of voices, which so great that nothing less than the e Jove could distinguish them, heard words "riches, honour," and "long 1 repeated in several different tones and guages. When the first hubbub of so was over, the trap-door being left o the voices came up more separate and .. tinct. The first prayer was a very odd it came from Athens, and desired Juj through the mind of the beholder, Many authors have written on the the creature, and represented thro , and the wounds to bleed afresh. I, renness of every thing in this world, a at this distance from the softer climates, incapacity of producing any solid a without my discontents at present stantial happiness. As discourses d You may perhaps laugh at me for a most matic wretch, when I have disclosed to nature are very useful to the sens the bright side of things, and lay in you the occasion of my measiness: and yet voluptuous, those speculations which I cant help thinking my unhappiness those innocent entertainments which mal, in being confined to a region which the very reverse of Paradise. The seasons be met with among the several obj of dark and melancholy tempers here are all of them unpleasant, and the encompass us, are no less beneficial m Country quite destitute of rural charms I have not heard a bird sing, nor a brook for this reason that I endearound mar, or a breeze whisper, neither commend a cheerfulness of mind in m have I been blest with the sight of a flow-last Saturday's papers, and which I tion of ourselves, and of that Being ery meadow, these two years. Every wind still inculcate, not only from the here is a tempest, and every water a turlent com I hope, when you reflect ttle, you will not think the grounds of my complaint in the least frivolous and unbeticular season in which this paper i coming a man of serious thought; since the love of woods, of fields and flowers, of rivers ten. The creation is a perpetual fa and fountains, seems to be a passion in- the mind of a good man; every thing le planted in our natures the most early of any, cheers and delights him. Providen is impossible for a mind which is not even before the fair sex had a being, imprinted so many smiles on nature, in more gross and sensual delights, t Could I transport myself with a wish, a survey of them without seven from one country to another, I should choose sensations of pleasure. The sinist pass my winter in Spain, my spring in in several of his divine poems, aly, my summer in England, and my au- those beautiful and agreeable scenes tum in France. Of all these seasons there make the heart glad, and produce is is one that can vie with the spring for vernal delight which I have befre beauty and delightfulness. It bears the notice of gure among the seasons of the year, Natural philosophy quickens this that the morning does among the divisions of of the creation, and renders it at the day, or youth among the stages of life pleasing to the imagination, but to the The English summer is pleasanter than that derstanding. It does not rest in the of any other country in Europe, on no other mur of brooks and the melody of li account but because it has a greater mix-the shade of groves and woods, an ture of spring in it. The mildness of our embroidery of fields and meadows; b climate, with those frequent refreshments siders the several ends of Providence w of dews and rains that fall among us, keep are served by them, and the wunders raises such a rational admiration pa perpetual cheerfulness in our fields, divine wisdom which appear in them and fill the hottest months of the year with heightens the pleasures of the eye Alively verdure In the opening of the spring, when all soul as is little inferior to devotion nature begins to recover herself, the same It is not in the power of every o pleasure which makes the birds offer up this kind of worship to the g the whole brute creation rejoice, Author of nature, and to indulge t very sensibly in the heart of man. I more refined meditations of heartw as Milan those secret overflow-Ishall therefore conclude this short e e of the poets who have observed are doubtless highly acceptable in his s of glass which diffuse themselves/n that pleasure which the mind matu ML S family took ca mind by, a ed so much up shrill race sp "The book fore a man, ev I had two blen shape was made understanding. ever, that a had each a pene to their distur whose belly sunk great coward, t contracted tempe mediately, > present season of the verses, and working from the observation appear greater the cond, whose breast c lievo, on the contrary, as in lessening every the reverse of his e pleased compar ace gusted when den the young gentle to study matheman well made, and recline gentleman. I va dem all the Ear, at 2 ill of me, al dhe vox as I scorned to face Ser sembly, was June 2, 1712. I. mulierculis et servis et ser- hese things are very accept n. idering the little and This egregious fault in a man of the world should be a lesson to all who would make their fortunes; but regard must be carefully had to the person with whom you have to do; for it is not to be doubted but a great man of common sense must look with secret indignation, or bridled laughter, on all the slaves who stand around him with ready faces to approve and smile at all he says in the gross. observe a superior talking half sentences, It is good comedy enough to and playing an humble admirer's countenance from one thing to another, with such perplexity, that he knows not what to sneer in approbation of. But this kind of com1 give men accesses to plaisance is peculiarly the manner of courts; wer with each other, in all other places you must constantly go on and indifferent ac- further in compliance with the persons you in matters of greater have to do with, than a mere conformity of in elections for mem-looks and gestures. If you are in a country nent, how far saluting life, and would be a leading man, a good drinking with clowns, stomach, a loud voice, and rustic cheerfulel with the lowest partness, will go a great way, provided you are herein they themselves able to drink, and drink any thing. But I iversions, will carry a was just now going to draw the manner of city for prostituting a behaviour I would advise people to practise aviour, and descending under some maxim; and intimated, that ur of the vulgar, is per- every one almost was governed by his pride. redient as any other for There was an old fellow about forty years ole figure in the world; ago so peevish and fretful, though a man of othing else or better to business, that no one could come at him; not make his way to but he frequented a particular little coffeetion by properer me- house, where he triumphed over every body ; the particular bent or at trick-track and backgammon. The way le with whom he con- to pass his office well, was first to be insulted |