tables, and oil, it is the established rule of this order, not to admit of any eatable but what simple nature abhors, and till the texture of its parts is so totally transubstantiated, that it cannot come under the denomination of fish, flesh, or good red herring.

"To such a degree, likewise, has their spirit of mortification carried them, that, being sensible that the most real indulgence, the most natural and homogenial beverage to the constitution of man, is pure limpid element, they have therefore banished that delightful liquid from their meals, and freely exposed themselves even to the most excruciating tortures, by daily swallowing certain potions of various kinds, the ill effects of which to the human body are well known; and for their further penance, they have adopted nauseous medicinal waters, for their miserable inky drink.

"But it is in the dead time of the night, when the herd of ordinary mortals repose from their labours, that these devotees perform their greatest acts of self-severity; for the conduct of which they have three or four established rituals, composed by the celebrated father Hoyle.

"This famous seminary, like that of some colleges, is divided into senior and junior fellows. The juniors, to a certain number at a time, not content with their ordinary acts of probation, exert a most extraordinary effort of devotion.

"Imagining that the mortification of the body alone is not sufficient for the pious gratification of their exalted zeal, and considering how meritorious it would be to extend the same severity to the faculties of the mind, they have attained such a spiritual domination over the soul, as to be able to renounce all its most pleasing emotions, and to give it up without remorse, to be tortured by the most painful vicissitudes of hope and fear. Such is the

wonderful effect of long habit, unwearied exercise and abstracted vigils!

"In order to facilitate this toilsome penance, and to enable themselves totally to subdue all ideas whatsoever, which have no connexion with those two passions, they have contrived incessantly to toss about two cubical figures, which are so devised as to fix the attention, by certain mystical charac ters, to one or other of the aforesaid passions; and thus they will sit for many hours, with only the light of one large taper in the middle of the altar, in the most exquisite and convulsive agonies of the most truly mortified and religious penitents. In short, neither the Indian nor Chinese bonzes, nor the Italian or Spanish visionaries, in all their various distortions and penances, came up to these. And here, by the way, I cannot but remark with pleasure the great talents of my countrymen for carrying every thing they undertake to greater perfection than any other nation.

"The second of these seminaries was founded upon the model of the first, and consists of a number of Gray Friars, remarkable for a rigorous abstinence, and indefatigable devotion. They just preserve their beings with a little chocolate or tea. They are dedicated to the great St. George, and are distinguished by the composure of their countenances, and their extraordinary taciturnity.

"The third order is that of St. James: the members of which are known by the appellation of Scarlet Friars. It consists of a multitude of brothers, who are not near so strict as the two former orders, and is likely to become vastly numerous, under the auspices of its great patron, whose bulk is adorned by jollity and good-humour; and who is moreover very strictly a good liver.

“Now, Mr. Fitz-Adam, let me ask you whether

these three laudable institutions are not plainly owing to that principle which I have-assigned in the beginning of my letter? For what other motive could prompt men to forsake their own elegant houses, to sacrifice domestic and conjugal satisfactions, to neglect the endearing rites of hospitality, in order to cloister themselves among those, with whom they can have no connexion, but upon the aforesaid principles?

"But since such is the general bent of the human mind, it is become a fit subject for the World to consider by what methods these seminaries may be so multiplied, as to comprehend all ranks and orders of men and women. And if fifty new churches were thought few enough to keep pace with the zeal of good queen Ann's days, I believe, Mr. Fitz-Adam, you will not think five hundred large mansions of the kind I am speaking of, will be too many for the present. I am, 66 'Yours, &c.

"J.T."

No. 28. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1753.

-Pauci dignoscere possunt

Vera bona, atque illis multùm diversa.

JUV. SAT. X. 2.

It is a common observation, that though happiness is every man's aim, and though it is generally pursued by a gratification of the predominant passion, yet few have acuteness enough to discover the points which would effectually procure the long

sought end. One cannot but wonder that such intense application as most of us bestow on the cultivation of our favourite desires, should yet leave us ignorant of the most essential objects of our study. For my part, I was so early convinced of the truth of this observation, that, instead of searching for what would contribute most to my own happiness, I have spent great part of my life in the study of what may extend the enjoyment of others. This knowledge I flatter myself I have discovered, and shall now disclose to the world. I beg to be attended to: I beg mankind will believe that I know better than any of them what will ascertain the felicity of their lives. I am not going to impart so great, though so often revealed, a secret, as that it is religion or virtue ; few would believe me, fewer would try the recipe. In spite of the philosophy of the age, in spite of the gravity of my character, and of the decency which I hope I have hitherto most sanctimoniously observed, I must avow my persuasion that the sensual pleasure of love is the great cordial of life, and the only specific for removing the anxieties of our own passions, or for supporting the injuries and iniquities which we suffer from those of other men.

• Well!' shall I be told, and is this your admirable discovery? Is this the arcanum that has escaped the penetration of all inquirers in all ages? What other doctrine has been taught by the most sensible philosophers? Was not this the text of the sermons of Epicurus? Was not this the theory, and practice too, of the experienced Alcibiades? What other were the tenets of the sage lord Rochester, or of the missionary, saint Evremont?' It is very true; and a thousand other founders of sects, nay of religious orders have taught-or at least practised, the same doctrines. But I pretend

to introduce such refinements into the system of sensuality, as shall vindicate the discovery to myself, and throw at a distance the minute philosophers, who, if they were my forerunners, only served to lead the world astray.

Hear, then, in one word, the mysterious precept! 'Young women are not the proper object of sensual love: it is the matron, the hoary fair, who can give, communicate, insure happines." I might enumerate a thousand reasons to enforce my doctrine; as the fickleness of youth, the caprices of beauty and its transient state, the jealousy from rivals, the distraction from having children, the important avocations of dress, and the infinite occupations of a pretty woman, which endanger or divide her sentiments from being always fixed on the faithful lover; and none of which combat the affections of the grateful, tender, attentive matron. But as one example is worth a thousand reasons, I shall recommend my plan by pointing out the extreme happiness which has attended such discreet heroes as are commemorated in the annals of love for having offered up their hearts at ancient shrines; and I shall clearly demonstrate by precedents, that several ladies in the bloom of their wrinkles have inspired more lasting and more fervent passions, than the greatest beauties who had scarce lost sight of their teens. The fair young creatures of the present hour will forgive a preference which is the result of deep meditation, great reading, and strict impartiality, when they reflect, that they can scarce contrive to be young above a dozen years, and may be old for fifty or sixty; and they may believe me, that after forty they will value one lover more than they do twenty now; a sensation of happiness, which they will find increase as they advance in years. I cannot but observe with pleasure, that the