rage, and in the middle of the sentence there to think right, does not know how to convey was a stroke of self-pity which quite unmanned his thoughts to another with clearness and me. Be pleased, sir, to print this letter, that perspicuity. Aristotle, who was the best critic when I am oppressed in this manner at such an was also one of the best logicians that ever interval, a certain part of the audience may appeared in the world. not think I am out; and I hope, with this allowance, to do it with satisfaction. I am, Sir, Your most humble servant, 'GEORGE POWELL.' 'MR. SPECTATOR, Mr. Locke's Essay on Human Understanding would be thought a very odd book for a man to make himself master of, who would get a reputation by critical writings; though at the same time it is very certain, that an author who has not learned the art of dis 'As I was walking the other day in the Park, tinguishing between words and things, and of I saw a gentleman with a very short face; Iranging his thoughts and setting them in prodesire to know whether it was you. Pray in-per lights, whatever notions he may have, will lose himself in confusion and obscurity. form me as soon as you can, lest I become the might further observe that there is not a Greek or Latin critic, who has not shown, even in the style of his criticisms, that he was a master of all the elegance and delicacy of his native tongue. most heroic Hecatissa's rival. Your humble servant to command, DEAR MADAM, 'It is not me you are in love with, for I was very ill, and kept my chamber all that day. 'Your most humble servant, 'THE SPECTATOR.' T. No. 291.] Saturday, February 2, 1711-12. -Ubi plura nitent in carmine, non ego paucis Hor. Ars. Poet. ver. 351. But in a poem elegantly writ, The truth of it is, there is nothing more absurd, than for a man to set up for a critic, without a good insight into all the parts of learning; whereas many of those, who have endeavoured to signalize themselves by works of this nature, among our English writers, are not only defective in the above-mentioned particulars, but plainly discover, by the phrases which they make use of and by their confused way of thinking, that they are not acquainted with the most common and ordinary systems of arts and sciences. A few general rules extracted out of the French authors, with a certain cant of words, has sometimes set up an illiterate heavy writer for a most judicious and formidable critic. I HAVE now considered Milton's Paradise Lost under those four great heads, of the fable, the characters, the sentiments, and the lanOne great mark, by which you may discover guage; and have shown that he excels in gen-a critic who has neither taste nor learning, is eral, under each of these heads. I hope that this, that he seldom ventures to praise any I have made several discoveries which may ap- passage in an author which has not been before pear new even to those who are versed in criti- received and applauded by the public, and that cal learning. Were I indeed to choose my rea- his criticism turns wholly upon little faults, ders, by whose judgment I would stand or and errors. This part of a critic is so very easy fall, they should not be such as are acquainted to succeed in that we find every ordinary reader only with the French and Italian critics, but upon the publishing of a new poem, has wit also with the ancient and modern who have and ill-nature enough to turn several passages written in either of the learned languages. Above all, I would have them well versed in the Greek and Latin poets, without which a man very often fancies that he understands a critic, when in reality he does not comprehend his meaning. It is in criticism as in all other sciences and speculations; one who brings with him any implicit notions and observations, which he has made in his reading of the poets, will find his own reflections methodized and explained and perhaps several little hints that had passed in his mind, perfected and improved in the works of a good critic, whereas one who has not these previous lights is very often an utter stranger to what he reads, and apt to put a wrong interpretation upon it. of it into ridicule, and very often in the right Frrors, like straws, upon the surface flow; A true critic ought to dwell rather upon excellencies than imperfections, to discover the concealed beauties of a writer, and communicate to the world such things as are worth their observation. The most exquisite words and finest strokes of an author, are those which very often appear the most doubtful and exceptionable to a man who wants a relish for polite learning; and they are these, which a sour undistinguishing critic generally attacks with the greatest violence. Tully observes, Nor is it sufficient that a man, who sets up that it is very easy to brand or fix a mark upfor a judge in criticism, should have perused on what he calls verbum ardens, or, as it may the authors above-mentioned, unless he has be rendered into English, a glowing bold exalso a clear and logical head. Without this pression,' and to turn it into ridicule by a cold talent he is perpetually puzzled and perplexed ill-natured criticism. A little wit is equally amidst his own blunders, mistakes the sense capable of exposing a beauty, and of aggraof those he would confute, or, if he chances vating a fault: and though such a treatment of an author naturally produces indignation in required, to give a claim of excelling in this the mind of an understanding reader, it has or that particular action. A diamond may however its effect among the generality of want polishing, though the value be still inthose whose hands it falls into, the rabble of trinsically the same; and the same good may mankind being very apt to think that every be done with different degrees of lustre. No thing which is laughed at, with any mixture of man should be contented with himself that he wit, is ridiculous in itself. barely does well, but he should perform every thing in the best and most becoming manner that he is able.. Such a mirth as this is always unseasonable in a critic, as it rather prejudices the reader than convinces him, and is capable of making Tully tells us he wrote his book of Offices, a beauty, as well as a blemish, the subject of because there was no time of life in which derision. A man who cannot write with wit some correspondent duty might not be praeon a proper subject, is dull and stupid; but one tised; nor is there a duty without a certain who shows it into an improper place, is as im- decency accompanying it, by which every pertinent and absurd. Besides, a man who virtue it is joined to will seem to be doubled. has the gift of ridicule is apt to find fault with Another may do the same thing, and yet the any thing that gives him an opportunity of action want that air and beauty which disexerting his beloved talent, and very often tinguish it from others; like that inimitable censures a passage, not because there is any sunshine Titian is said to have diffused over fault in it, but because he can be merry upon his landscapes; which denotes them his, and it. Such kinds of pleasantry are very unfair has been always unequalled by any other and disingenuous in works of criticism, in person. which the greatest masters, both ancient and modern, have always appeared with a serious I and instructive air. There is no one action in which this quality am speaking of will be more sensibly perceived, than in granting a request, or doing an As I intend in my next paper to show the office of kindness. Mummius, by his way of defects in Milton's Paradise Lost, I thought consenting to a benefaction, shall make it lose fit to premise these few particulars, to the end its name; while Carus doubles the kindness that the reader may know I enter upon it as and the obligation. From the first, the desiron a very ungrateful work, and that I shall just ed request drops indeed at last, but from so point at the imperfections, without endeavour-doubtful a brow, that the obliged has almost ing to inflame them with ridicule. I must also as much reason to resent the manner of beobserve with Longinus, that the productions stowing it, as to be thankful for the favour it of a great genius, with many lapses and in- self. Carus invites with a pleasing air, to give advertencies, are infinitely preferable to the him an opportunity of doing an act of humaniworks of an inferior kind of author, which are ty, meets the petition half way, and consents scrupulously exact, and conformable to all the to a request with a countenance which prorules of correct writing. claims the satisfaction of his mind in assist ing one's fellow creatures; that may show good nature and benevolence overflowed, and do not, as in some men, run upon the tilt, and taste of the sediments of a grudging, uncommunicative disposition. I shall conclude my paper with a story outing the distressed. of Boccalini, which sufficiently shows us the The decency then that is to be observed in opinion that judicious author entertained of liberality, seems to consist in its being perthe sort of critics I have been here mention-formed with such cheerfulness, as may express ing. A famous critic, says he, having gather- the god-like pleasure to be met with, in obliged together all the faults of an eminent poet, made a present of them to Apollo, who received them very graciously, and resolved to make the author a suitable return for the trouble he had been at in collecting them. In order to this, he set before him a sack of wheat, as it had been just thrashed out of the sheaf. He then bid him pick out the chaff from among the corn, and lay it aside by itself. The critic applied himself to the task with great industry and pleasure, and, after having made the due separation, was presented by Apollo with the chaff for his pains. No. 292.] L. Monday, February 4, 1711-12. Illam, quicquid agit, quoquò vestigia flectit, Componit furtim, subsequiturque decor. Tibul. Eleg. ii. Lib. 4.8. Whate'er she does, whene'er her steps she bends, Since I have intimated that the greatest decorum is to be preserved in the bestowing our good offices, I will illustrate it a little by an example drawn from private life, which carries with it such a profusion of liberality, that it can be exceeded by nothing but the humanity and good-nature which accompanies it. It is a letter of Plineys', which I shall here translate, because the action will best appear in its first dress of thought, without any foreign or ambitious ornaments. Pliny to Quintilian. Though I am fully acquainted with the contentment and just moderation of your mind, and the conformity the education you As no one can be said to enjoy health, who have given your daughter bears to your own is only not sick, without he feel within himself character; yet since she is suddenly to be a lightsome and invigorating principle, which married to a person of distinction, whose will not suffer him to remain idle, but still figure in the world makes it necessary for her spurs him on to action; so in the practice of to be at a more than ordinary expense, in every virtue, there is some additional grace clothes and equipage suitable to her husband's : -Ne non procumbat honesté. Ovid. Fast Lib. 3. 833. Twas her last thought, how decently to fall. 'MR. SPECTATOR, quality; by which, though her intrinsic worth be not augmented, yet will it receive both ornament and lustre and knowing your estate to be as moderate as the riches of your mind are abundant, I must challenge to myself some part of the burden; and as a parent of 'I am a young woman without a fortune; your child, I present her with twelve hundred but of a very high mind: that is, good sir, I and fifty crowns, towards these expenses; am to the last degree proud and vain. I am which sum had been much larger, had I not ever railing at the rich, for doing things which, feared the smallness of it would be the great-upon search into my heart, I find I am only est inducement with you to accept of it. Fare- angry at, because I cannot do the same my well.' self. I wear the hooped petticoat, and am all in calicoes when the finest are in silks. It is a dreadful thing to be poor and proud ; ́therefore, if you please. a lecture on that subject for the satisfaction of Z. Your uneasy humble servant, Πᾶσιν γὰρ εὐφρονᾶσι συμμαχει τύχη. Frag. vet. Poet. Thus should a benefaction be done with a good grace, and shine in the strongest point of light; it should not only answer all the hopes and exigencies of the receiver, but even outrun his wishes. It is this happy manner of behaviour which adds new charms to it, and softens those gifts of art and nature, which otherwise would be rather distasteful than No. 293.] Tuesday, February 5, 1711-12. agreeable. Without it valour would degenerate into brutality, learning into pedantry, and the genteelest demeanour into affectation. Even Religion itself, unless Decency The prudent still have fortune on their side. be the handmaid which waits upon her, is apt THE famous Grecian, in his little book to make people appear guilty of sourness and wherein he lays down maxims for a man's adill-humour: but this shows Virtue in her first vancing himself at court, advises his reader to original form, adds a comeliness to Religion, associate himself with the fortunate, and to and gives its professors the justest title to the shun the company of the unfortunate; which, beauty of holiness.' A man fully instructed notwithstanding the baseness of the precept in this art, may assume a thousand shapes, to an honest mind, may have something useful and please in all; he may do a thousand ac-in it, for those who push their interest in the tions shall become none other but himself; not world. It is certain a great part of what we that the things themselves are different, but call good or ill fortune, rises out of right or the manner of doing them. wrong measures and schemes of life. When I If you examine each feature by itself, Ag- hear a man complain of his being unfortunate laura and Calliclea are equally handsome, but in all his undertakings, I shrewdly suspect him take them in the whole, and you cannot suffer for a very weak man in his affairs. In conforthe comparison: the one is full of numberless mity with this way of thinking, Cardinal Richenameless graces, the other of as many name-lieu used to say, that unfortunate and impruless faults. The comeliuess of person, and the decency of behaviour, add infinite weight to what is pronounced by any one. It is the want of this that often makes the rebukes and advice of old rigid persons of no effect, and leave a displeasure in the minds of those they are directed to: but youth and beauty, if accompanied with a graceful and becoming severity, is of mighty force to raise, even in the most profligate, a sense of shame. In Milton, the devil is never described ashamed but once, and that at the rebuke of a beauteous angel; So spake the cherub; and his grave rebuke, dent were but two words for the same thing. As the cardinal himself had a great share both of prudence and good fortune, his famous antagonist, the Count d'Olivares, was disgraced at the court of Madrid, because it was alleged against him that he had never any success in his undertakings. This says an eminent author, was indirectly accusing him of imprudence. Cicero recommended Pompey to the Romans for their general upon three accounts, as he was a man of courage, conduct, and good fortune. It was, perhaps, for the reason abovementioned, namely, that a series of good fortune supposes a prudent management in the person whom it befalls, that not only Sylla the dictator. but several of the Roman emperors, as is still to be seen upon their medals, among their other titles, gave themselves The care of doing nothing unbecoming has that of Felix or fortunate. The heathens, inaccompanied the greatest minds to their last deed, seem to have valued a man more for moments. They avoided even an indecent his good fortune than for any other quality, posture in the very article of death. Thus which I think is very natural for those who Cæsar gathered his robe about him, that he have not a strong belief of another world. might not fall in a manner unbecoming of For how can I conceive a man crowned with himself; and the greatest concern that ap- any distinguishing blessings, that has not peared in the behaviour of Lucretia when she stabbed herself, was, that her body should lie in an attitude worthy the mind which had in habited it: some extraordinary fund of merit and perfection in him which lies open to the Supreme eye, though perhaps it is not disco vered by my observation? What is the rea- extraordinary event. It is well known how son Homer's and Virgil's heroes do not form the King of Spain, and others who were the a resolution, or strike a blow, without the enemies of that great princess, to derogate conduct and direction of some deity? Doubt-from her glory, ascribed the ruin of their fleet less, because the poets esteemed it the great rather to the violence of storms and tempests, est honour to be favoured by the gods, and than to the bravery of the English. Queen thought the best way of praising a man was, Elizabeth, instead of looking upon this as a to recount those favours which naturally im- diminution of her honour, valued herself upon plied an extraordinary merit in the person on such a signal favour of Providence, and acwhem they descended. cordingly, in the reverse of the medal abovementioned, has represented a fleet beaten by a tempest, and falling foul upon one another, with that religious inscription, Afflavit Deus, et dissipantur,' 'He blew with his wind, and they were scattered.' successes. name.' Those who believe a future state of rewards and punishments act very absurdly, if they form their opinions of a man's merit from his But certainly, if I thought the whole circle of our being was included between our births and deaths, should think a It is remarked of a famous Grecian general, man's good fortune the measure and standard whose name I cannot at present recollect,* of his real merit, since Providence would have and who had been a particular favourite of no opportunity of rewarding his virtue and Fortune, that, upon recounting his victories perfections, but in the present life. A virtu- among his friends, he added at the end of seous unbeliever, who lies under the pressure veral great actions, And in this Fortune had of misfortunes, has reason to cry out, as no share.' After which it is observed in history, they say Brutus did, a little before his death: that he never prospered in any thing he underO virtue, I have worshipped thee as a sub-took. stantial good, but I find thou art an empty As arrogance and a conceitedness of our own abilities are very shocking and offensive to men But to return to our first point. Though of sense and virtue, we may be sure they are Prudence does undoubtedly in a great mea- highly displeasing to that Being who delights sure produce our good or ill fortune in the in an humble mind, and by several of his disworld, it is certain there are many unforeseen pensations seems purposely to show us that our accidents and occurrences, which very often own schemes, or prudence, have no share in pervert the finest schemes that can be laid by our advancements. human wisdom. The race is not always to Since on this subject I have already admitted the swift, nor the battle to the strong.' No- several quotations, which have occured to my thing less than infinite wisdom can have an memory upon writing this paper, I will conabsolute command over fortune; the highest clude it with a little Persian fable. A drop of degree of it, which man can possess, is by no water fell out of a cloud into the sea, and findmeans equal to fortuitous events, and to such ing itself lost in such an immensity of fluid contingencies as may rise in the prosecution matter, broke out into the following reflection: of our affairs. Nay, it very often happens, Alas! What an inconsiderable creature am that prudence, which has always in it a great I in this prodigious ocean of waters! My exmixture of caution, hinders a man from being istence is of no concern to the universe; I am so fortunate as he might possibly have been reduced to a kind of nothing, and am less than without it. A person who only aims at what the least of the works of God.' It so happened is likely to succeed, and follows closely the that an oyster, which lay in the neighbourhood dictates of human prudence, never meets with of this drop, chanced to gape and swallow it those great and unforeseen successes, which up in the midst of this its humble soliloquy. are often the effect of a sanguine temper or a The drop, says the fable, lay a great while more happy rashness; and this perhaps may hardening in the shell, until by degrees it was be the reason, that, according to the common ripened into a pearl, which falling into the observation, Fortune, like other females, de- hands of a diver, after a long series of advenlights rather in favouring the young than the old. may tures, is at present that famous pearl which is fixed on the top of the Persian diadem. No. 294.] Wednesday, February 6, 1711-12. Upon the whole, since man is so short-sighted a creature and the accidents which happen to him so various, I cannot but be of Dr. Tillotson's opinion in another case, that were there any doubt of a Providence, yet it certainly would be very desirable there should be such a Being of infinite wisdom and good-much reverence for virtue. ness, on whose direction we might rely in the conduct of human life. INSOLENCE is the crime of all others which It is a great presumption to ascribe our suc-every man is apt to rail at; and yet there is cesses to our own management, and not to *Timotheus the Athenian. esteem ourselves upon any blessing, rather as This beautiful little apologue in praise of modesty, it is the bounty of heaven: than the acquisition the writer had probably read in Chardin's Travels, (vol. of our own prudence. I am very well pleased iii. p. 189, 4to.) The original is in the Bustan, or Garwith a medal which was struck by Queen Eli-den, a work of the celebrated Persian poet Hafiz. The learned reader will find both the original and two Latin zabeth, a little after the defeat of the invinci-versions of it, in sir William Jones Poeseos Asiatica ble armada, to perpetuate the memory of that Commentarii, p. 348–352. one respect in which almost all men living are gives the price of one half yard of the silk toguilty of it, and that is the case of laying a wards clothing, feeding, and instructing an greater value upon the gifts of fortune than innocent helpless creature, of her own sex, in we ought. It is here in England come into one of these schools. The consciousness of our very language, as a propriety of distinction, such an action will give her features a nobler to say, when we would speak of persons to their life on this illustrious day,* than all the jewels advantage. They are people of condition.' that can hang in her hair, or can be clustered There is no doubt but the proper use of riches in her bosom. It would be uncourtly to speak implies, that a man should exert all the good in harsher words to the fair, but to men one qualities imaginable; and if we mean by a may take a little more freedom. It is monman of condition or quality, one who, accord-strous how a man can live with so little reing to the wealth he is master of, shows him-flection, as to fancy he is not in a condition self just, beneficent, and charitable, that term very unjust and disproportioned to the rest of ought very deservedly to be had in the highest mankind, while he enjoys wealth, and exerts veneration; but when wealth is used only as no benevolence or bounty to others. As for it is the support of pomp and luxury, to be this particular occasion of these schools, there rich is very far from being a recommendation connot any offer more worthy a generous mind. to honour and respect. It is indeed the greatest Would you do an handsome thing without reinsolence imaginable, in a creature who would turn; do it for an infant that is not sensible feel the extremes of thirst and hunger, if he of the obligation. Would you do it for public did not prevent his appetites before they call good; do it for one who will be an honest upon him, to be so forgetful of the common artificer. Would you do it for the sake of necessities of human nature, as never to cast heaven; give it to one who shall be instructed an eye upon the poor and needy. The fellow in the worship of Him for whose sake you give who escaped from a ship which struck upon a it. It is, methinks, a most laudable institution rock in the west, and joined with the country this, if it were of no other expectation than people to destroy his brother sailors, and make that of producing a race of good and useful her a wreck, was thought a most execrable servants, who will have more than a liberal, creature; but does not every man who enjoys a religious education. What would not a man the possession of what he naturally wants, and do in common prudence, to lay out in purchase is unmindful of the unsupplied distress of other of one about him, who would add to all his men, betray the same temper of mind? When orders he gave the weight of the commanda man looks about him, and, with regard to ments, to enforce an obedience to them? for riches and poverty, beholds some drawn in one who would consider his master as his fapomp and equipage, and they, and their very ther, his friend, and benefactor, upon easy servants, with an air of scorn and triumph, terms, and in expectation of no other return overlooking the multitude that pass by them; but moderate wages and gentle usage? It is and in the same street, a creature of the same the common vice of children to run too much make, crying out, in the name of all that is among the servants; from such as are educated good and sacred, to behold his misery, and in such places they would see nothing but lowgive him some supply against hunger and liness in the servant, which would not be disnakedness; who would believe these two beings ingenuous in the child. All the ill offices and were of the same species? But so it is, that defamatory whispers, which take their birth the consideration of fortune has taken up all from domestics, would be prevented, if this our minds, and as I have often complained, charity could be made universal: and a good poverty and riches stand in our imaginations man might have a knowledge of the whole life in the places of guilt and innocence. But in of the persons he designs to take into his house all seasons there will be some instances of per- for his own service, or that of his family or sons who have souls too large to be taken with children, long before they were admitted. popular prejudices, and while the rest of man- This would create endearing dependencies : kind are contending for superiority in power and the obligation would have a paternal air and wealth, have their thoughts bent upon the in the master, who would be relieved from necessities of those below them. The charity much care and anxiety by the gratitude and schools, which have been erected of late years, diligence of an humble friend attending him as are the greatest instances of public spirit the his servant. I fall into this discourse from a age has produced. But indeed, when we con-letter sent to me, to give me notice that fifty sider how long this sort of beneficence has been boys would be clothed, and take their seats (at on foot, it is rather from the good management the charge of some generous benefactors) in of those institutions, than from the number or St. Bride's church, on Sunday next. I wish I value of the benefactions to them, that they could promise to myself any thing which my make so great a figure. One would think it correspondent seems to expect from a publiimpossible that in the space of fourteen years cation of it in this paper; for there can be there should not have been five thousand nothing added to what so many excellent and pounds bestowed in gifts this way, nor sixteen learned men have said on this occasion. But hundred children, including males and females, that there may be something here which would put out to methods of industry. It is not allowed me to speak of luxury and folly with the severe spirit they deserve; I shall only therefore say, I shall very readily compound with any lady in a hooped petticoat, if she move a generous mind, like that of him who wrote to me, I shall transcribe an handsome paragraph of Dr. Snape's sermon on these cha * Queen Anne's birth-day, February G |