perfection? We know not yet what we | besides himself; for if by chance he has shall be, nor will it ever enter into the been surprised into a short nap at sermon, heart of man to conceive the glory that will upon recovering out of it he stands up and be always in reserve for him. The soul, considered with its Creator, is like one of those mathematical lines that may draw nearer to one another for all eternity without a possibility of touching it: and can there be a thought so transporting, as to consider ourselves in these perpetual approaches to Him, who is not only the standard of perfection but of happiness..

No. 112.] Monday, July 9, 1711.

Αθανάτους μεν πρώτα θεους, νομω ως διακείται,
Τιμπ

First, in obedience to thy country's rites,
Worship th' immortal gods.

L.

Pythag.

looks about him, and if he sees any body else nodding, either wakes them himself, or sends his servants to them. Several other of the old knight's particularities break out upon these occasions. Sometimes he will be lengthening out a verse in the singing Psalms, half a minute after the rest of the congregation have done with it; sometimes when he is pleased with the matter of his devotion, he pronounces 'Amen,' three or four times to the same prayer; and sometimes stands up when every body else is upon their knees, to count the congregation, or see if any of his tenants are missing.

I was yesterday very much surprised to hear my old friend, in the midst of the service, calling out to one John Matthews to mind what he was about, and not disturb the congregation. This John Matthews it seems is remarkable for being an idle fellow, and at that time was kicking his heels for his diversion. This authority of the knight, though exerted in that odd manner which accompanies him in all circumstances of life, has a very good effect upon the parish, who are not polite enough to see any thing ridiculous in his behaviour; besides that the general good sense and worthiness of his character make his friends observe these little singularities as foils that rather set off than blemish his good qualities.

I AM always very well pleased with a country Sunday, and think, if keeping holy the seventh day were only a human institution, it would be the best method that could have been thought of for the polishing and civilizing of mankind. It is certain the country people would soon degenerate into a kind of savages and barbarians, were there not such frequent returns of a stated time, in which the whole village meet together with their best faces, and in their cleanliest habits, to converse with one another upon indifferent subjects, hear their duties explained to them, and join together in adoration of the Supreme Being. Sunday As soon as the sermon is finished, nobody clears away the rust of the whole week, not presumes to stir till Sir Roger is gone out of only as it refreshes in their minds the notions the church. The knight walks down from of religion, but as it puts both the sexes upon his seat in the chancel between a double appearing in their most agreeable forms, row of his tenants, that stand bowing to and exerting all such qualities as are apt him on each side: and every now and then to give them a figure in the eye of the vil-inquires how such a one's wife, or mother, lage. A country fellow distinguishes him- or son, or father do, whom he does not see self as much in the churchyard, as a citizen at church; which is understood as a secret does upon the Change, the whole parish-reprimand to the person that is absent. politics being generally discussed in that The chaplain has often told me, that upon place either after sermon or before the bell a catechising day, when Sir Roger has been rings. pleased with a boy that answers well, he My friend Sir Roger being a good church-has ordered a Bible to be given him next man, has beautified the inside of his church day for his encouragement; and sometimes with several texts of his own choosing. He accompanies it with a flitch of bacon to his has likewise given a handsome pulpit-cloth, mother. Sir Roger has likewise added five and railed in the communion-table at his pounds a year to the clerk's place; and that own expence. He has often told me, that he may encourage the young fellows to make at his coming to his estate he found his pa- themselves perfect in the church-service, rishioners very irregular; and that in order has promised upon the death of the present to make them kneel and join in the re-incumbent, who is very old, to bestow it sponses, he gave every one of them a has- according to merit.

sock and a common-prayer-book: and at The fair understanding between Sir Roger the same time employed an itinerant sing-and his chaplain, and their mutual concuring-master, who goes about the country for that purpose, to instruct them rightly in the tunes of the Psalms; upon which they now very much value themselves, and indeed outdo most of the country churches that I have ever heard.

As Sir Roger is landlord to the whole congregation, he keeps them in very good order, and will suffer nobody to sleep in it

rence in doing good, is the more remarka-
ble, because the very next village is famous
for the differences and contentions that rise
between the parson and the 'squire, who
live in a perpetual state of war.
The par
son is always preaching at the 'squire; and
the 'squire, to be revenged on the parson,
never comes to church. The 'squire has
made all his tenants atheists and tythe-

stealers; while the parson instructs them every Sunday in the dignity of his order, and insinuates to them, in almost every sermon, that he is a better man than his patron. In short, matters have come to such an extremity, that the 'squire has not said his prayers either in public or private this half year; and that the parson threatens bim, if he does not mend his manners, to pray for him in the face of the whole congregation.

Feuds of this nature, though too frequent in the country, are very fatal to the ordinary people; who are so used to be dazzled with riches, that they pay as much deference to the understanding of a man of an estate, as of a man of learning; and are very hardly brought to regard any truth, how important soever it may be, that is preached to them, when they know there are several men of five hundred a year who do not be

lieve it.

No. 113.] Tuesday, July 10, 1711.

L.

-Hærent infixi pectore vultus.
Virg. Æn. iv. 4.
Her looks were deep imprinted in his heart.

IN

my

it received that stroke which has ever since
affected his words and actions. But he went
on as follows.

I came to my estate in my twenty-
second year, and resolved to follow the steps
of the most worthy of my ancestors who
have inhabited this spot of earth before me,
in all the methods of hospitality and good
neighbourhood, for the sake of my fame;
and in country sports and recreations, for
the sake of my health. In my twenty-third
year I was obliged to serve as sheriff of the
county; and in my servants, officers, and
whole equipage, indulged the pleasure of a
young man (who did not think ill of his own
person,) in taking that public occasion of
showing my figure and behaviour to ad-
vantage. You may easily imagine to your-
self what appearance I made, who am
pretty tall, rid well, and was very well
dressed, at the head of a whole county,
with music before me, a feather in my hat,
and my horse well bitted. I can assure
you, I was not a little pleased with the
kind looks and glances I had from all the
balconies and windows as I rode to the hall
where the assizes were held. But when
I came there, a beautiful creature, in a
widow's habit, sat in court to hear the event
first description of the company in of a cause concerning her dower. This
which I pass most of my time, it may be re- commanding creature, (who was born for
membered, that I mentioned a great afflic- the destruction of all who behold her,) put
tion which my friend Sir Roger had met with on such a resignation in her countenance,
in his youth; which was no less than a disap- and bore the whispers of all around the
pointment in love. It happened this even- court with such a pretty uneasiness, I war-
ing, that we fell into a very pleasing walk rant you, and then recovered herself from
at a distance from his house. As soon as one eye to another, until she was perfectly
we came into it, 'It is,' quoth the good old confused by meeting something so wistful
man looking round him with a smile, 'very in all she encountered, that at last, with a
hard, that any part of my land should be murrain to her, she cast her bewitching
settled upon one who has used me so ill as eye upon me. I no sooner met it but I
the perverse widow did; and yet I am sure bowed like a great surprised booby; and
I could not see a sprig of any bough of this knowing her cause was to be the first which
whole walk of trees, but I should reflect came on, I cried, like a great captivated
upon her and her severity. She has cer- calf as I was, "Make way for the defend-
tainly the finest hand of any woman in the ant's witnesses." This sudden partiality
world. You are to know, this was the place made all the county immediately see the
wherein I used to muse upon her; and by sheriff also was become a slave to the fine
that custom I can never come into it, but widow.-During the time her cause was
the same tender sentiments revive in my upon trial, she behaved herself, I warrant
mind, as if I had actually walked with that you, with such a deep attention to her
beautiful creature under these shades. I business, took opportunities to have little
have been fool enough to carve her name billets handed to her counsel, then would
on the bark of several of these trees; so un- be in such a pretty confusion, occasioned,
happy is the condition of men in love, to you must know, by acting before so much
attempt the removing of their passion by company, that not only I, but the whole
the methods which serve only to imprint it court was prejudiced in her favour; and all
deeper. She has certainly the finest hand that the next heir to her husband had to
of any woman in the world.'
Here followed a profound silence; and lous, that when it came to her counsel to
urge, was thought so groundless and frivo-
displeased to observe my friend reply, there was not half so much said as
falling so naturally into a discourse, which every one besides in the court thought he
I had ever before taken notice he indus- could have urged to her advantage. You
triously avoided. After a very long pause, must understand, sir, this perverse woman
he entered upon an account of this great is one of those unaccountable creatures that
circumstance in his life, with an air which secretly rejoice in the admiration of men,
I thought raised my idea of him above what but indulge themselves in no further con-
I had ever had before; and gave me the sequences. Hence it is that she has ever
picture of that cheerful mind of his, before had a train of admirers, and she removes

was not

I

from her slaves in town to those in the deliver all his sentiments upon the matter country, according to the seasons of the when he pleases to speak." They both year. She is a reading lady, and far gone kept their countenances, and after I had in the pleasures of friendship. She is al- sat half an hour meditating how to behave ways accompanied by a confidant, who is before such profound casuists, I rose up and witness to her daily protestations against took my leave. Chance has since that time our sex, and consequently a bar to her first thrown me very often in her way, and she steps towards love, upon the strength of as often directed a discourse to me which I her own maxims and declarations. d do not understand. This barbarity has However, I must needs say, this accom-kept me ever at a distance from the most plished mistress of mine has distinguished beautiful object my eyes ever beheld. It is me above the rest, and has been known to thus also she deals with all mankind, and I declare Sir Roger de Coverley was the you must make love to her, as you would tamest and most humane of all the brutes conquer the Sphinx, by posing her. But in the country. I was told she said so by were she like other women, and that there one who thought he rallied me; and upon were any talking to her, how constant must the strength of this slender encourage- the pleasure of that man be, who could ment of being thought least detestable, I converse with a creature But, after all, made new liveries, new-paired my coach- you may be sure her heart is fixed on some horses, sent them all to town to be bitted, one or other; and yet I have been credibly and taught to throw their legs well, and informed-but who can believe half that is move altogether, before I pretended to said!-after she had done speaking to me, cross the country, and wait upon her. As she put her hand to her bosom, and adsoon as I thought my retinue suitable to the justed her tucker. Then she cast her eyes character of my fortune and youth, I set a little down, upon my beholding her too out from hence to make my addresses. earnestly. They say she sings excellently; The particular skill of this lady has ever her voice in her ordinary speech has somebeen to inflame your wishes, and yet com- thing in it inexpressibly sweet. You must mand respect. To make her mistress cf know I dined with her at a public table the this art, she has a greater share of know- day after I first saw her, and she helped ledge, wit, and good sense, than is usual me to some tansy in the eye of all the geneven among men of merit. Then she is tlemen in the country. She has certainly beautiful beyond the race of women. If the finest hand of any woman in the world. you will not let her go on with a certain I can assure you, sir, were you to behold artifice with her eyes, and the skill of beauty, she will arm herself with her real charms, and strike you with admiration instead of desire. It is certain that if you were to behold the whole woman, there is that dignity in her aspect, that composure in her motion, that complacency in her manner, that if her form makes you hope, her merit makes you fear. But then again, she is such a desperate scholar that no country gentleman can approach her without being a jest. As I was going to tell you, when I came to her house, I was admitted to her presence with great civility; at the same time she placed herself to be first seen by me in such an attitude, as I think you call the posture of a picture, that she discovered new charms, and I at last came towards her with such an awe as made me speechless. This she no sooner observed but she made her advantage of it, and began a discourse to me concerning love and honour, as they both are followed by pretenders, and the real votaries to -them. When she discussed these points in à discourse, which I verily believe was as learned as the best philosopher in Europe could possibly make, she asked me whether she was so happy as to fall in with my sentiments on these important particulars. Her confidant sat by her, and upon my being in the last confusion and silence, this malicious aid of her's turning to her, says, "I am very glad to observe Sir Roger pauses upon this subject: and seems resolved to

her, you would be in the same condition; for as her speech is music, her form is angelic. But I find I grow irregular while I am talking of her; but indeed it would be stupidity to be unconcerned at such perfection. Oh, the excellent creature! she is as inimitable to all women as she is inaccessible to all men.'

I found my friend begin to rave, and insensibly led him towards the house, that we might be joined by some other company; and am convinced that the widow is the secret cause of all that inconsistency which appears in some parts of my friend's discourse; though he has so much command of himself as not directly to mention her, yet according to that of Martial, which one knows not how to render into English, Dum tacet hanc loquitur. I shall end this paper with that whole epigram, which represents with much humour my honest friend's condition:

Quicquid agit Rufus, nihil est, nisi Nævia Rufo,
Si gaudet, si flet, si tacet, hanc loquitur:
Conat, propinat, poscit, negat, annuit, una est
Nævia; si non sit Nævia, mutus erit.
Scriberit hesterna patri cum luce salutem,
Navia lux, inquit, Nevia numen, ave.
Epig. 69. 1. i.

Let Rufus weep, rejoice, stand, sit, or walk,
Still he can nothing but of Nævia talk;
Let him eat, drink, ask questions, or dispute,
Still he must speak of Nevia, or be mute.
He writ to his father, ending with this line,
I am, my lovely Navia, ever thine.'

R.

No. 114.] Wednesday, July 11, 1711.

-Paupertatis pudor et fuga

behaviour would in a short time advance
them to the condition which they pretend to.

*

Laertes has fifteen hundred pounds a Hor. Lib. 1. Ep. xviii. 34. year, which is mortgaged for six thousand -The dread of nothing more pounds; but it is impossible to convince Than to be thought necessitous and poor.-Pooly. him, that if he sold as much as would pay ECONOMY in our affairs has the same off that debt, he would save four shillings Effect upon our fortunes which good-breed-in the pound, which he gives for the vanity ng has upon our conversation. There is a of being the reputed master of it. Yet if pretending behaviour in both cases, which Laertes did this he would perhaps be easier nstead of making men esteemed, renders in his own fortune; but then Irus, a fellow hem both miserable and contemptible. of yesterday, who has but twelve hundred a We had yesterday, at Sir Roger's, a set of year, would be his equal. Rather than this country gentlemen who dined with him: shall be, Laertes goes on to bring well-born and after dinner the glass was taken, beggars into the world, and every twelveby those who pleased, pretty plentifully. month charges his estate with at least one Among others I observed a person of a year's rent more by the birth of a child. tolerably good aspect, who seemed to be more greedy of liquor than any of the company, and yet methought he did not taste it with delight. As he grew warm, he was suspicious of every thing that was said, and as he advanced towards being fuddled, his humour grew worse. At the same time his bitterness seemed to be rather an inward dissatisfaction in his own mind, than any dislike he had taken to the company. Upon hearing his name, I knew him to be a gentleman of a considerable fortune in this county, but greatly in debt. What gives the unhappy man this peevishness of spirit is, that his estate is dipped, and is eating out with usury; and yet he has not the heart to sell any part of it. His proud stomach, at the cost of restless nights, constant inquietudes, danger of affronts, and a thousand nameless inconveniences, pre- These different motives produce the exserves this canker in his fortune, rather cesses which men are guilty of in the negthan it shall be said he is a man of a fewer ligence of and provision for themselves. hundreds a year than he has been com- Usury, stock-jobbing, extortion, and opmonly reputed. Thus he endures the tor-pression, have their seed in the dread of ment of poverty, to avoid the name of being want; and vanity, riot, and prodigality, less rich. If you go to his house you see from the shame of it: but both these exgreat plenty; but served in a manner that shows it is all unnatural, and that the master's mind is not at home. There is a certain waste and carelessness in the air of every thing, and the whole appears but a covered indigence, a magnificent poverty. That neatness and cheerfulness which attends the table of him who lives within compass, is wanting, and exchanged for a Certain it is, that they are both out of libertine way of service in all about him. nature, when she is followed with reason This gentleman's conduct, though a very and good sense. It is from this reflection common way of management, is as ridicu- that I always read Mr. Cowley with the lous as that officer's would be who had but greatest pleasure. His magnanimity is as few men under his command, and should much above that of other considerable men take the charge of an extent of country as his understanding; and it is a true disrather than of a small pass. To pay for, tinguishing spirit in the elegant author who personate, and keep in a man's hands, a published his works, to dwell so much upon greater estate than he really has, is of all the temper of his mind and the moderation others the most unpardonable vanity, and of his desires. By this means he rendered must in the end reduce the man who is his friend as amiable as famous. That guilty of it to dishonour. Yet if we look state of life which bears the face of poverty round us in any county of Great Britain, with Mr. Cowley's great vulgar,† is.admiwe shall see many in this fatal error; if that may be called by so soft a name, which proceeds from a false shame of appearing what they really are, when the contrary

Laertes and Irus are neighbours, whose
way of living are an abomination to each
other. Irus is moved by the fear of pover-
ty, and Laertes by the shame of it. Though
the motive of action is of so near affinity in
both, and may be resolved into this, 'that to
each of them poverty is the greatest of all
evils,' yet are their manners very widely
different. Shame of poverty makes Laer-
tes launch into unnecessary equipage, vain
expense, and lavish entertainments. Fear
of poverty makes Irus allow himself only
plain necessaries, appear without a ser-
vant, sell his own corn, attend his labour-
ers, and be himself a labourer. Shame of
poverty makes Laertes go every day a step
nearer to it; and fear of poverty stirs up Irus
to make every day some further progress
from it.

cesses are infinitely below the pursuit of a
reasonable creature. After we have taken
care to command so much as is necessary
for maintaining ourselves in the order of
men suitable to our character, the care of
superfluities is a vice no less extravagant,
than the neglect of necessaries would have
been before.

*Viz. the land-tax.

Hence, ye profane, I hate ye all,
Both the great vulgar and the small.
Cowley's Par. of Horace, Od. 3. i.

rably described; and it is no small satisfac- | the bowels, bones, tendons, veins, nerves, tion to those of the same turn of desire, that and arteries, but every muscle and every he produces the authority of the wisest men ligature, which is a composition of fibres, of the best age of the world, to strengthen that are so many imperceptible tubes or his opinion of the ordinary pursuits of man- pipes interwoven on all sides with invisible kind. glands or strainers.

It would methinks be no ill maxim of life, if, according to that ancestor of Sir Roger, whom I lately mentioned, every man would point to himself what sum he would resolve not to exceed. He might by this means cheat himself into a tranquillity on this side of that expectation, or convert what he should get above it to nobler uses than his own pleasures or necessities. This temper of mind would exempt a man from an ignorant envy of restless men above him, and a more inexcusable contempt of happy men below him. This would be sailing by some compass, living with some design; but to be eternally bewildered in prospects of future gain, and putting on unnecessary armour against improbable blows of fortune, is a mechanic being which has not good sense for its direction, but is carried on by a sort of acquired instinct towards things below our consideration, and unworthy our esteem. It is possible that the tranquillity I now enjoy at Sir Roger's may have created in me this way of thinking, which is so abstracted from the common relish of the world: but as I am now in a pleasant arbour, surrounded with a beautiful landscape, I find no inclination so strong as to continue in these mansions, so remote from the ostentatious scenes of life; and am at this present writing, philosopher enough to conclude with Mr. Cowley,

'If e'er ambition did my fancy cheat,
With any wish so mean as to be great;
Continue, Heav'n, still from me to remove
The humble blessings of that life I love.'

No. 115.] Thursday, July 12, 1711.
-Ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.

T.

Juv. Sat. x. 356.

Pray for a sound mind in a sound body.

This general idea of a human body, without considering it in its niceties of anatomy, lets us see how absolutely necessary labour is for the right preservation of it. There must be frequent motions and agitations, to mix, digest, and separate the juices contained in it, as well as to clear and cleanse that infinitude of pipes and strainers, of which it is composed, and to give their solid parts a more firm and lasting tone. Labour or exercise ferments the humours, casts them into their proper channels, throws off redundancies, and helps nature in those secret distributions, without which the body cannot subsist in its vigour, nor the soul act with cheerfulness.

I might here mention the effects which this has upon all the faculties of the mind, by keeping the understanding clear, the imagination untroubled, and refining those spirits that are necessary for the proper exertion of our intellectual faculties, during the present laws of union between soul and body. It is to a neglect in this particular that we must ascribe the spleen which is so frequent in men of studious and sedentary tempers, as well as the vapours to which those of the other sex are so often subject.

neces

Had not exercise been absolutely sary for our well-being, nature would not have made the body so proper for it, by giving such an activity to the limbs, and necessarily such a pliancy to every part, as produce those compressions, extensions, contortions, dilatations, and all other kinds of motions that are necessary for the pre servation of such a system of tubes and glands as has been before mentioned. And that we might not want inducements to engage us in such an exercise of the body as is proper for its welfare, it is so ordered that nothing valuable can be produced without it. Not to mention riches and honour, even food and raiment are not to be come at without the toil of the hands and sweat of the brows. Providence furnishes materials, but expects that we should work them up ourselves. The earth must be laboured before it gives its increase, and when it is forced into its several products, A country life abounds in both these how many hands must they pass through kinds of labour, and for that reason gives a before they are fit for use! Manufactures, man a greater stock of health, and conse-trade, and agriculture, naturally employ quently a more perfect enjoyment of himself, than any other way of life. I consider the body as a system of tubes and glands, or, to use a more rustic phrase, a bundle of pipes and strainers, fitted to one another after so wonderful a manner as to make a proper engine for the soul to work with. This description does not only comprehend

BODILY labour is of two kinds, either that which a man submits to for his livelihood, or that which he undergoes for his pleasure. The latter of them generally changes the name of labour for that of exercise, but differs only from ordinary

labour as it rises from another motive.

more than nineteen parts of the species in twenty; and as for those who are not obliged to labour, by the condition in which they are born, they are more miserable than the rest of mankind, unless they indulge themselves in that voluntary labour which goes by the name of exercise.

My friend Sir Roger has been an inde