be more serious than ordinary, began the
tune of The Children in the Wood. He
went through part of it with good success,
when on a sudden the wit at his elbow, who
had appeared wonderfully grave and atten-
tive for some time, gave him a touch upon
the left shoulder, and stared him in the face
with so bewitching a grin, that the whistler
relaxed his fibres into a kind of simper, and
at length burst out into an open laugh. The
third who entered the lists was a footman,
who in defiance of the_merry-andrew and
all his arts, whistled a Scotch tune, and an
Italian sonata, with so settled a countenance
that he bore away the prize, to the great
admiration of some hundreds of persons,
who, as well as myself, were present at this
trial of skill. Now, sir, I humbly conceive, 'To begin then with his increase of sub-
whatever you have determined of the grin- jects. From the time he came of age, and
ners, the whistlers ought to be encouraged, has been a manager for himself, all the
not only as their art is practised without people he had acquired were such only as
distortion, but as it improves country mu- he had reduced by his wars, and were left
sic, promotes gravity, and teaches ordinary in his possession by the peace; he had con-
people to keep their countenances, if they quered not above one-third part of Flan-
see any thing ridiculous in their betters: be-ders, and consequently no more than one-
sides that it seems an entertainment very third part of the inhabitants of that pro-
particularly adapted to the Bath, as it is vince.
usual for a rider to whistle to his horse
when he would make his water pass. I
am, sir, &c.

greatest conqueror of our age, till her ma-
jesty's armies had torn from him so many
of his countries, and deprived him of the
fruit of all his former victories. For my
own part, if I were to draw his picture, I
should be for taking him no lower than to
the peace of Ryswick, just at the end of his
triumphs, and before his reverse of fortune:
and even then I should not forbear thinking
his ambition had been vain, and unprofit-
able to himself and his people.

'As for himself, it is certain he can have
gained nothing by his conquests, if they
have not rendered him master of more sub-
jects, more riches, or greater power. What
I shall be able to offer upon these heads, I
resolve to submit to your consideration.

'POSTSCRIPT.

About one hundred years ago the houses in that country were all numbered, and by a just computation the inhabitants of all sorts could not then exceed 750,000 souls. After having despatched these two imAnd if any man will consider the desolation portant points of grinning and whistling, I by almost perpetual wars, the numerous hope you will oblige the world with some discretion upon the people, and how much reflections upon yawning, as I have seen it of their commerce has been removed for practised on a twelfth-night, among other Christmas gambols, at the house of a very little reason to imagine that their numbers more security to other places, he will have worthy gentleman, who always entertains have since increased; and therefore with his tenants at that time of the year. They one-third part of that province that prince yawn for a Cheshire cheese, and begin can have gained no more than one-third

armies that have lived almost ever since at

about midnight, when the whole company part of the inhabitants, or 250,000 new sub-
is disposed to be drowsy. He that yawns jects, even though it should be supposed
widest, and at the same time so naturally they were all contented to live still in their
as to produce the most yawns among the native country, and transfer their allegiance
spectators, carries home the cheese. If you to a new master.
handle this subject as you ought, I question

not but your paper will set half the king-venient situation for trade and commerce,
"The fertility of this province, its con-
dom a-yawning, though I dare promise you its capacity for furnishing employment and
it will never make any body fall asleep.

L.

subsistence to great numbers, and the vast
armies that have been maintained here,
make it credible that the remaining two-
thirds of Flanders are equal to all his other

No. 180.] Wednesday, September 26, 1711. conquests; and consequently by all, he can

-Delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.
Hor. Lib. 1. Ep. ii. 14.

The monarch's folly makes the people rue.-P.

mer whom

not have gained more than 750,000 new
subjects, men, women, and children, espe-
cially if a deduction shall be made of such
as have retired from the conqueror, to live
under their old masters.

THE following letter has so much weight
and good sense, that I cannot forbear insert
ing it, though it relates to a hardened sin-
"It is time now to set his loss against his
forming, viz. Lewis XIV. of France.
have very little hopes of re-profit, and to show for the new subjects he
had acquired, how many old ones he had
lost in the acquisition. I think that in his
MR. SPECTATOR,-Amidst the variety wars he has seldom brought less into the
of subjects of which you have treated, I field in all places than 200,000 fighting
could wish it had fallen in your way, to ex-men, besides what have been left in garri-
pose the vanity of conquests. This thought sons: and I think the common computation
would naturally lead one to the French is, that of an army, at the end of a cam-
king, who has been generally esteemed the paign, without sieges or battles, scarce four-

fifths can be mustered of those that came | Lewis? This the immortal man, the tout into the field at the beginning of the year. puissant, or the almighty, as his flatterers His wars at several times, until the last have called him? Is this the man that is so peace, have held about twenty years; and celebrated for his conquests? For every if 40,000 yearly lost, or a fifth part of his subject he has acquired, has he not lost armies, are to be multiplied by twenty, he three that were his inheritance? Are not cannot have lost less than 800,000 of his his troops fewer, and those neither so well old subjects, and all able-bodied men; a fed, clothed, or paid, as they were formerly, greater number than the new subjects he though he has now so much greater cause had acquired. to exert himself? and what can be the reason of all this, but that his revenue is a great deal less, his subjects are either poorer, or not so many to be plundered by constant taxes for his use?

'But this loss is not all. Providence seems to have equally divided the whole mass of mankind into different sexes, that every woman may have her husband, and that both may equally contribute to the continuance of the species. It follows then, that for all the men that have been lost, as many women must have lived single, and it were but charity to believe, they have not done all the service they were capable of doing in their generation. In so long a course of years great part of them must have died, and all the rest must go off at last, without leaving any representatives behind. By this account he must have lost not only 800,000 subjects, but double that number, and all the increase that was reasonably to be expected from it.

It is said in the last war there was a famine in his kingdom, which swept away two millions of his people. This is hardly credible. If the loss was only of one-fifth part of that sum, it was very great. But it is no wonder there should be famine, where so much of the people's substance is taken away for the king's use, that they have not sufficient left to provide against accidents; where so many of the men are taken from the plough to serve the king in his wars, and a great part of the tillage is left to the weaker hands of so many women and children. Whatever was the loss, it must undoubtedly be placed to the account of his ambition.

"And so must also the destruction or banishment of 3 or 400,000 of his reformed subjects; he could have no other reasons for valuing those lives so very cheap but only to recommend himself to the bigotry of the Spanish nation.

How should there be industry in a country where all property is precarious? What subject will sow his land, that his prince

'It is well for him he had found out a way to steal a kingdom;* if he had gone on conquering as he did before, his ruin had been long since finished. This brings to my mind a saying of King Pyrrhus, after he had a second time beat the Romans in a pitched battle, and was complimented by his generals: "Yes," says he, "such another victory and I am quite undone." And since I have mentioned Pyrrhus I will end with a very good, though known, story of this ambitious madman. When he had shown the utmost fondness for his expedition against the Romans, Cyneas, his chief minister, asked him what he proposed to himself by this war?" Why," says Pyrrhus, "to conquer the Romans, and reduce all Italy to my obedience." "What then?" says neas. "To pass over into Sicily," says Pyrrhus, "and then all the Sicilians must be our subjects. "And what does your majesty intend next?" " Why truly," says the king, "to conquer Carthage, and make myself master of all Africa." And what, sir," says the minister, "is to be the end of all your expeditions?" "Why then," says the king, "for the rest of our lives we will sit down to good wine." plied Cyneas, "to better than we have now before us? Have we not already as much as we can drink?"

دو

Cy

How, sir," re

'Riot and excess are not the becoming characters of princes; but if Pyrrhus and Lewis had debauched like Vitellius, they had been less hurtful to their people. Your humble servant,

T.

'PHILARITHMUS.'

His lacrymis vitam damus, et miserescimus ultro.
Virg. Æn. ii. 145.
Mov'd by these tears, we pity and protect.

filled with touches of nature than of wit
I AM more pleased with a letter that is
The following one is of this kind;

may reap the whole harvest? Parsimony No. 181.] Thursday, September 27, 1711. and frugality must be strangers to such a people; for will any man save to-day, what he has reason to fear will be taken from him to-morrow? And where is the encouragement for marrying? Will any man think of raising children, without any assurance of clothing for their backs, or so much as food for their bellies? And thus by his fatal ambition, he must have lessened the number of his subjects, not only by slaughter and destruction; but by preventing their very births, he has done as much as was possible towards destroying posterity

itself.

'SIR,-Among all the distresses which happen in families, I do not remember that you have touched upon the marriage of children without the consent of their pa rents. I am one of these unfortunate per

Is this then the great, the invincible *The kingdom of Spain, seized by Louis XIV. in 1701.

Sons. I was about fifteen when I took the liberty to choose for myself; and have ever since languished under the displeasure of an inexorable father, who, though he sees me happy in the best of husbands, and blessed with very fine children, can never be prevailed upon to forgive me. He was so kind to me before this unhappy accident that indeed it makes my breach of duty, in some measure, inexcusable; and at the same ime creates in me such a tenderness towards him, that I love him above all things, and would die to be reconciled to him. I have thrown myself at his feet, and beSought him with tears to pardon me; but he always pushes me away, and spurns me from him. I have written several letters to him, but he will neither open nor receive them. About two years ago I sent my little boy to him, dressed in a new apparel; but the child returned to me crying, because he Said his grandfather would not see him, and had ordered him to be put out of his house. My mother is won over to my side, but ares not mention me to my father, for fear of provoking him. About a month ago he lay sick upon his bed, and in great danger of his life: I was pierced to the heart at the news, and could not forbear going to inquire after his health. My mother took this opportunity of speaking in my behalf: she told him, with abundance of tears, that I was come to see him, that I could not speak to her for weeping, and that I should certainly break my heart if he refused at that time give me his blessing, and be reconciled to me. He was so far from relenting towards me, that he bid her speak no more of me, unless she had a mind to disturb him n his last moments; for, sir, you must know hat he has the reputation of an honest and religious man, which makes my misfortune so much the greater. God be thanked he is since recovered: but his severe usage has given me such a blow, that I shall soon sink under it, unless I may be relieved by any mpressions which the reading of this in your paper may make upon him. I am, sir, &c.'

species of brute creatures, as indeed the
whole animal creation subsists by it.

This instinct in man is more general and
uncircumscribed than in brutes, as being
enlarged by the dictates of reason and duty.
For if we consider ourselves attentively,
we shall find that we are not only inclined
to love those who descend from us, but that
we bear a kind of Topy, or natural affec-
tion, to every thing which relies upon us
for its good and preservation. Dependence
is a perpetual call upon humanity, and a
greater incitement to tenderness and pity,
than any other motive whatsoever.

The man, therefore, who, notwithstanding any passion or resentment, can overcome this powerful instinct, and extinguish natural affection, debases his mind even below brutality; frustrates, as much as in him lies, the great design of Providence, and strikes out of his nature one of the most divine principles that is planted in it.

Among innumerable arguments which might be brought against such an unreasonable proceeding, I shall only insist on one. We make it the condition of our forgiveness that we forgive others. In our very prayers we desire no more than to be treated by this kind of retaliation. The case therefore before us seems to be what they call a case in point;' the relation between the child and father, being what comes nearest to that between a creature and its Creator. If the father is inexorable to the child who has offended, let the offence be of never so high a nature, how will he address himself to the Supreme Being, under the tender appellation of a Father, and desire of him such a forgiveness as he himself refuses to grant?

To this I might add many other religious, as well as many prudential considerations; but if the last-mentioned motive does not prevail, I despair of succeeding by any other, and shall therefore conclude my paper with a very remarkable story, which is recorded in an old chronicle published by Freher, among the writers of the German history.

Eginhart, who was secretary to Charles Of all hardnesses of heart there is none so the Great, became exceeding popular by nexcusable as that of parents towards their his behaviour in that post. His great abilíhildren. An obstinate, inflexible, unfor- ties gained him the favour of his master, iving temper is odious upon all occasions; and the esteem of the whole court. Imma, out here it is unnatural. The love, tender- the daughter of the emperor, was so pleased less, and compassion, which are apt to with his person and conversation, that she rise in us towards those who depend upon fell in love with him. As she was one of is, is that by which the whole world of life the greatest beauties of the age, Eginhart supheld. The Supreme Being, by the answered her with a more than equal reranscendent excellency and goodness of turn of passion. They stifled their flames is nature, extends his mercy towards all for some time, under apprehension of the is works; and because his creatures have fatal consequences that might ensue. Egot such a spontaneous benevolence, and inhart at length, resolved to hazard all, ompassion towards those who are under rather than live deprived of one whom eir care and protection, he has implanted his heart was so much set upon, conveyed them an instinct, that supplies the place himself one night into the princess's apartthis inherent goodness. I have illus-ment, and knocking gently at the door, was ated this kind of instinct in former papers, admitted as a person who had something to nd have shown how it runs through all the communicate to her from the emperor. He

was with her in private most part of the respondents, two of which you shall have night; but upon his preparing to go away as follows:

about break of day, he observed that there

had fallen a great snow during his stay with 'MR. SPECTATOR,-It is wonderful to the princess. This very much perplexed me that among the many enormities which him, lest the prints of his feet in the snow you have treated of, you have not menmight make discoveries to the king, who tioned that of wenching, and particularly often used to visit his daughter in the morn- the ensnaring part. I mean that it is a ing. He acquainted the princess Imma thing very fit for your pen, to expose the with his fears; who, after some consulta-villany of the practice of deluding women tions upon the matter, prevailed upon him You are to know, sir, that I myself am a to let her carry him through the snow upon woman who have been one of the unhappy her own shoulders. It happened, that the that have fallen into this misfortune, and emperor, not being able to sleep, was at that by the insinuation of a very worthless that time up and walking in his chamber, fellow who served others in the same manwhen upon looking through the window he ner, both before my ruin, and since that perceived his daughter tottering under her time. I had, as soon as the rascal left me, burden, and carrying his first minister so much indignation and resolution, as not across the snow; which she had no sooner to go upon the town, as the phrase is, but done, but she returned again with the ut- took to work for my living in an obscure most speed to her own apartment. The place, out of the knowledge of all with emperor was extremely troubled and asto- whom I was before acquainted. nished at this accident: but resolved to It is the ordinary practice and business speak nothing of it until a proper opportu- of life, with a set of idle fellows about this nity. In the mean time, Eginhart knowing town, to write letters, send messages, and that what he had done could not be long a form appointments with little raw unthink secret, determined to retire from court; ing girls, and leave them after possession and in order to it, begged the emperor that of them, without any mercy, to shame, inhe would be pleased to dismiss him, pre-famy, poverty, and disease. Were you to tending a kind of discontent at his not hav-read the nauseous impertinences which are ing been rewarded for his long services. The emperor would not give a direct answer to his petition, but told him he would think of it, and appointed a certain day when he would let him know his pleasure. He then called together the most faithful of his counsellors, and acquainting them with his secretary's crime, asked them their advice in so delicate an affair. The most of them gave their opinion, that the person could not be too severely punished, who had thus dishonoured his master. Upon the whole debate, the emperor declared it was his opinion, that Eginhart's punishment would rather increase than diminish the shame of his family, and that therefore he thought it the most advisable to wear out the memory of the fact, by marrying him to his daughter. Accordingly, Eginhart was called in, and acquainted by the emperor, that he should no longer have any pretence of complaining his services were not rewarded, for that the princess Imma should be given him in marriage, with a dower suitable to her quality; which was soon after performed accordingly. L.

you

ink

rui

written on these occasions, and to see the silly creatures sighing over them, it could not but be matter of mirth as well as pity. A little 'prentice girl of mine has been for some time applied to by an Irish fellow, who dresses very fine, and struts in a laced coat, and is the admiration of seamstresses who are under age in town. Ever since have had some knowledge of the matter, have debarred my 'prentice from pen, and paper. But the other day he bespoke some cravats of me: I went out of the shop and left his mistress to put them up in band-box, in order to be sent to him wher his man called. When I came into th shop again, I took occasion to send he away, and found in the bottom of the bo written these words, "Why would a harmless creature that loves you?" The in the lid, "There is no resisting Stre phon." I searched a little further, and foun in the rim of the box, "At eleven o'cloc at night come in a hackney-coach at th end of our street. "This was enough alarm me; I sent away the things, and too my measures accordingly. An hour or tw before the appointed time I examined m young lady, and found her trunk stuffe with impertinent letters and an old scr of parchment in Latin, which her lover ha sent her as a settlement of fifty pounds year. Among other things, there was al the best lace I had in my shop to ma him a present for cravats. I was very gla of this last circumstance, because I cou very conscientiously swear against him th he had enticed my servant away, and w her accomplice in robbing me: I procur a warrant against him accordingly. Eve

hing was now prepared, and the tender | dalous, half the fine things that have been
our of love approaching, I who had acted writ by most of the wits of the last age
or myself in my youth the same senseless may be burned by the common hangman.
part, knew how to manage accordingly; Harkee, Mr. Spec, do not be queer; after
herefore, after having locked up my maid, having done some things pretty well, don't'
nd not being so much unlike her in height begin to write at that rate that no gentle-
nd shape, as in a huddled way not to pass man can read thee. Be true to love, and
or her, I delivered the bundle designed to burn your Seneca. You do not expect me
e carried off, to her lover's man, who came to write my name from hence, but I am
with the signal to receive them. Thus I your unknown humble, &c.'
T.
ollowed after to the coach, where, when I
aw his master take them in, I cried out,

Ιδμεν ψευδία πολλα λέγειν ετυμοισιν ομοίως,
Ιδμεν δ' ευτ, εθελωμεν, άληθες μυθήσασθαι. Hesiod.
Sometimes fair truth in fiction we disguise;
Sometimes present her naked to men's eyes.

Thieves! Thieves! and the constable with No. 183.] Saturday, September 29, 1711,
is attendants seized my expecting lover.
kept myself unobserved until I saw the
rowd sufficiently increased, and then ap-
Deared to declare the goods to be mine;
nd had the satisfaction to see my man of
mode put into the round-house, with the
FABLES were the first pieces of wit that
tolen wares by him, to be produced in made their appearance in the world, and
vidence against him the next morning. have been still highly valued, not only in
This matter is notoriously known to be times of the greatest simplicity, but among
act; and I have been contented to save my fable of the trees* is the oldest that is ex-
the most polite ages of mankind. Jotham's
prentice, and to take a year's rent of this
mortified lover, not to appear farther in tant, and as beautiful as any which have
he matter. This was some penance; but, been made since that time. Nathan's fable
sir, is this enough for villany of much more of the poor man and his lambt is likewise
pernicious consequence than the trifles for more ancient than any that is extant, be-
which he was to have been indicted? Should sides the above-mentioned, and had so good
not you, and all men of any parts or honour, an effect, as to convey instruction to the ear
put things upon so right a foot, as that such of a king without offending it, and to bring
rascal should not laugh at the imputation the man after God's own heart to a right
of what he was really guilty, and dread sense of his guilt and his duty. We find
being accused of that for which he was ar- and if we look into the very beginning of
Æsop in the most distant ages of Greece;
rested?
mutiny among the common people appeas-
the commonwealth of Rome, we see a
ed by a fable of the belly and the limbs,
which was indeed very proper to gain the
attention of an incensed rabble, at a time
when perhaps they would have torn to
pieces any man who had preached the
same doctrine to them in an open and direct

In a word, sir, it is in the power of you, and such as I hope you are, to make it as infamous to rob a poor creature of her honour as her clothes. I leave this to your consideration, only take leave (which I cannot do without sighing,) to remark to you, that if this had been the sense of man

kind thirty years ago, I should have avoided a life spent in poverty and shame. I am, sir, your humble servant,

'ALICE THREADNEEDLE.'

arridan, am

'Round-house, Sept. 9.

The

manner. As fables took their birth in the
very infancy of learning, they never flour-
ished more than when learning was at its
greatest height. To justify this assertion,

shall put my reader in mind of Horace,

the greatest wit and critic in the Augustan
age; and of Boileau, the most correct poet
among the moderns; not to mention La
Fontaine, who by this way of writing is
come more into vogue than any other au-
thor of our times.

The fables I have here mentioned are

MR. SPECTATOR,I am a man of pleaure about town, but by the stupidity of a full rogue of a justice of peace, and an inolent constable, upon the oath of an old imprisoned here for theft, when I designed only fornication. nidnight magistrate as he conveyed me dong, had you in his mouth, and said, this raised altogether upon brutes and vegetawould make a pure story for the Spectator. bles, with some of our own species mixed hope, sir, you won't pretend to wit, and among them, when the moral hath so reake the part of dull rogues of business. quired. But besides this kind of fable, there The world is so altered of late years, that is another in which the actors are passions, here was not a man who would knock virtues, vices, and other imaginary persons own a watchman in my behalf, but I was arried critics will have it, that the Iliad and Odysad been a pick-pocket. At this rate, sey of Homer are fables of this nature; and here is an end of all the wit and humour that the several names of gods and heroes the world. The time was when all the are nothing else but the affections of the onest whoremongers in the neighbourmind in a visible shape and character. food would have rose against the cuckolds n my rescue. If fornication is to be scanJudges ix. 8-15. † 2 Sam. xii. 1-4 Liv. Hist. lib. ii. seet. 82, &c. Florus, lib. i. e. 23.

of the like nature. Some of the ancient

7