WIVERSITY OF COLORADO PIRMADIES 'MARY COMFIT. 'If I observe he cannot speak, I'll give m time to recover himself, and ask him Ow he does.' 'Mile-End-Green, March 6, 1711-12. | sometimes a partridge, or a quail, or a 'MR. SPECTATOR,-Here is a young wheatear, or the pestle of a lark, were an walks by our door every day about the cheerfully purchased; nay, I could be consk of the evening. He looks up at my tented though I were to feed her with indow, as if to see me; and if I steal to- green peas in April, or cherries in May. ards it to peep at him, he turns another But with the babe she now goes, she is ay, and looks frightened at finding what turned girl again, and fallen to eating of was looking for. The air is very cold; chalk, pretending it will make the child's d pray let him know, that if he knocks at skin white; and nothing will serve her but Le door he will be carried to the parlour I must bear her company, to prevent its re, and I will come down soon after, and having a shade of my brown. In this, howve him an opportunity to break his mind. ever, I have ventured to deny her. No 'I am, sir, your most humble servant, longer ago than yesterday, as we were coming to town, she saw a parcel of crows so heartily at breakfast upon a piece of horse-flesh, that she had an invincible desire to partake with them, and (to my infinite surprise) begged the coachman to cut her off a slice, as if it were for himself, which the fellow did; and as soon as she came home, she fell to it with such an appetite, that she seemed rather to devour than eat it. What her next sally will be I cannot guess, but, in the mean time, my request to you is, that if there be any way to come at these wild unaccountable rovings of imagination by reason and argument, you would speedily afford us your assistance. This exceeds the grievance of pinmoney; and I think in every settlement there ought to be a clause inserted, that the father should be answerable for the longings of his daughter. But I shall impatiently expect your thoughts in this matter; and am, sir, your most obliged and most faithful humble servant, T. B. think the much as DEAR SIR,-I beg you to print this ithout delay, and by the first opportunity ve us the natural causes of longing in woen; or put me out of fear that my wife will e time or other be delivered of someing as monstrous as any thing that has et appeared to the world; for they say the ild is to bear a resemblance of what was esired by the mother. I have been mared upwards of six years, have had four hildren, and my wife is now big with the fth. The expenses she has put me to, in rocuring what she has longed for during er pregnancy with them, would not only ave handsomely defrayed the charges of e month, but of their education too: her ncy being so exorbitant for the first year two, as not to confine itself to the usual jects of eatables and drinkables, but runing out after equipages and furniture, and e like extravagances. To trouble you nly with a few of them: when she was ith child of Tom, my eldest son, she me home one day just fainting, and told 'Let me know whether you next child will love horses as Molly does china-ware." T. e she had been visiting a relation, whose No. 327.] Saturday, March 15, 1711-12. usband had made her a present of a chaot and a stately pair of horses; and that he was positive she could not breathe a eek longer, unless she took the air in the ellow to it of her own within that time. his, rather than lose an heir, I readily omplied with. Then the furniture of her est room must be instantly changed, or me should mark the child with some of the ightful figures in the old fashioned tapesY. Well, the upholsterer was called, and er longing saved that bout. When she ent with Molly she had fixed her mind pon a new set of plate, and as much china would have furnished an Indian shop: ese also I cheerfully granted, for fear of eing father to an Indian pagod. Hitherto found her demands rose upon every conession; and had she gone on, I had been ined: but by good fortune, with her third, hich was Peggy, the height of her imagiation came down to the corner of a venison sty, and brought her once even upon her ees to gnaw off the ears of a pig from the it. The gratifications of her palate were asily preferred to those of her vanity; and -Major rerum mihi nascitur ordo. Virg. Æn. vii. 43. His wonder was, to find unwaken'd Eve Her hand soft touching, whisper'd thus Awake, I cannot but take notice, that Milton, in the conferences between Adam and Eve, had his eye very frequently upon the book of Canticles, in which there is a noble spirit of eastern poetry, and very often not unlike what we meet with in Homer, who is generally placed near the age of Solomon. I think there is no question but the poet in the preceding speech remembered those two passages which are spoken on the like occasion, and filled with the same pleasing images of nature. 6 saged on this occasion, the particulars of it So cheer'd he his fair spouse, and she was cheer'd, The morning hymn is written in imitation of one of those psalms where, in the overflowings of gratitude and praise, the psalmist calls not only upon the angels, but upon the most conspicuous parts of the inanimate creation, to join with him in extolling their common Maker. Invocations of this nature fill the mind with glorious ideas of God's works, and awaken that divine enthusiasm which is so natural to devotion But if this calling upon the dead parts of nature is at all times a proper kind of wor ship, it was in a peculiar manner suitable to our first parents, who had the creation fresh upon their minds, and had not seen the various dispensations of Providence, those many topics of praise which might nor consequently could be acquainted with afford matter to the devotions of their pos terity. I need not remark the beautiful spirit of poetry which runs through this whole hymn, nor the holiness of that resothat|lution with which it concludes. My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away! for, lo! the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. The fig-tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away! Come, my beloved! let us go forth into the field, let us get up early to the vineyards, let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grapes appear, and the pomegranates bud forth.' His preferring the garden of Eden to -Where the sapient king Held dalliance with his fair Egyptian spouse, shows that the poet had this delightful scene in his mind. Eve's dream is full of those high conceits engendering pride, which, we are told, the devil endeavoured to instil into her. Of this kind is that part of it where she fancies herself awakened by Adam in the following beautiful lines: Why sleep'st thou, Eve? Now is the pleasant time, The cool, the silent, save where silence yields Having already mentioned those speeches which are assigned to the persons in this poem, I proceed to the description which the poet gives of Raphael. His depar ture from Before the throne, and his flight through the choirs of angels, is finely ima gined. As Milton every where fills his poem with circumstances that are marvellous and astonishing, he describes the gate of heaven as framed after such a manner that it opened of itself upon the approach of the angel who was to pass through it. The poet here seems to have regarded two or three passages in the 18th Iliad, as An injudicious poet would have made that in particular where, speaking of VulAdam talk through the whole work in such can, Homer says that he had made twenty sentiments as these: but flattery and false- tripods running on golden wheels; which, hood are not the courtship of Milton's upon occasion, might go of themselves to Adam, and could not be heard by Eve in the assembly of the gods, and, when there her state of innocence, excepting only in a was no more use for them, return again dream produced on purpose to taint her after the same manner. Scaliger has ral imagination. Other vain sentiments of the lied Homer very severely upon this point, same kind, in this relation of her dream, as M. Dacier has endeavoured to defend it will be obvious to every reader. Though I will not pretend to determine whether, in the catastrophe of the poem is finely pre- this particular of Homer, the marvellous es not lose sight of the probable. As the raculous workmanship of Milton's gates not so extraordinary as this of the tripods, I am persuaded he would not have menoned it, had he not been supported in it a passage in the Scripture which speaks wheels in heaven that had life in them, d moved of themselves, or stood still, in nformity with the cherubims, whom they companied. There is no question but Milton had this -Forth rush'd with whirlwind sound I question not but Bossu, and the two heels. with the figure of Eve ministering at the table; are circumstances which deserve to be admired. Raphael's behaviour is every way suitable to the dignity of his nature, and to that character of a sociable spirit with which the author has so judiciously introduced him. He had received instructions to converse with Adam, as one friend converses with another, and to warn him of the enemy, who was contriving his destruction: accordingly, he is represented as sitting down at table with Adam, and eating of the fruits of Paradise. The occasion naturally leads him to his discourse on the food of angels. After having thus entered into conversation with man upon more indifferent subjects, he warns him of his obedience, and makes a natural transition to the history of that angel who was employed in the circumvention of our first parents. Had I followed Monsieur Bossu's method in my first paper on Milton, I should have dated the action of Paradise Lost from the beginning of Raphael's speech in this book, as he supposes the action of the Æneid to Raphael's descent to the earth, with the begin in the second book of that poem. I gure of his person, is represented in very could allege many reasons for my drawing vely colours. Several of the French, the action of the Æneid rather from its imalian, and English poets, have given a mediate beginning in the first book, than ose to their imaginations in the description from its remote beginning in the second; angels; but I do not remember to have and show why I have considered the sacket with any so finely drawn, and so con- ing of Troy as an episode, according to the rmable to the notions which are given of common acceptation of that word. But as em in Scripture, as this in Milton. After this would be a dry unentertaining piece aving set him forth in all his heavenly of criticism, and perhaps unnecessary to those who have read my first paper, I shall lumage, and represented him as alighted pon the earth, the poet concludes his de-not enlarge upon it. Whichsoever of the cription with a circumstance which is alto- notions be true, the unity of Milton's acther new, and imagined with the greatest tion is preserved according to either of rength of fancy. Raphael's reception of the guardian anels, his passing through the wilderness of weets, his distant appearance to Adam, ave all the graces that poetry is capable bestowing. The author afterwards gives a particular description of Eve in her omestic employments: Bo saying, with despatchful looks in haste Though in this, and other parts of the The natural majesty of Adam, and, at e same time, his submissive behaviour to e superior being who had vouchsafed to his guest; the solemn hail' which the gel bestows upon the mother of mankind, them; whether we consider the fall of man in its immediate beginning, as proceeding from the resolutions taken in the infernal council, or, in its more remote beginning, as proceeding from the first revolt of the angels in heaven. The cccasion which Milton assigns for this revolt, as it is founded on hints in holy writ, and on the opinion of some great writers, so it was the most proper that the poet could have made use of. The revolt in heaven is described with great force of imagination, and a fine variety of circumstances. The learned reader cannot but be pleased with the poet's imitation of Homer in the last of the following lines: At length into the limits of the north Homer mentions persons and things, which, he tells us, in the language of the gods are called by different names from those they go by in the language of men. Milton has imitated him with his usual judgment in this particular place, wherein So spake the seraph Abdiel, faithful found His loyalty he kept, his love, his zenl: No. 328.] Monday, March 17, 1711-12. Nullum me a labore reclinat otium. Duncombe. he has likewise the authority of scripture make no question, you will come over to to justify him. The part of Abdiel, who mine. You are not to imagine I find fanl was the only spirit that in this infinite host that she either possesses or takes delight in of angels preserved his allegiance to his the exercises of those qualifications I just Maker, exhibits to us a noble moral of re- now mentioned; it is the immoderate fondligious singularity. The zeal of the sera-ness she has to them that I lament, and phim breaks forth in a becoming warmth that what is only designed for the innocent of sentiments and expressions, as the cha- amusement and recreation of life is become racter which is given us of him denotes the whole business and study of hers. The that generous scorn and intrepidity which six months we are in town, (for the year is attends heroic virtue. The author doubt- equally divided between that and the counless designed it as a pattern to those who try,) from almost break of day till noon, live among mankind in their present state the whole morning is laid out in practising of degeneracy and corruption: with her several masters; and to make up the losses occasioned by her absence in summer, every day in the week their attendance is required; and, as they are all people eminent in their professions, their skill and time must be recompensed accordingly. So, how far these articles extend, I leave you to judge. Limning, one would think, is no expensive diversion; but, as she manages the matter, it is a very considerable addition to her disbursements; which you will easily believe, when you know she paints fans for all her female acquaintance, and draws all her relations' pictures, in miniature: the first must be mounted by nobody but Colmar, and the other set by nobody but Charles Mather. What follows is still much worse than the former; for, as I told you, she is a great Mr. Spectator,—As I believe that sums she expends in embroidery; for, be artist at her needle, it is incredible what this is the first complaint that ever was sides what is appropriated to her personal made to you of this nature, so you are the first person I ever could prevail upon my handkerchiefs, purses, pin-cushions, and use as mantuas, petticoats, stomachers, self to lay it before. When I tell you I working aprons, she keeps four French have a healthy, vigorous constitution, a protestants continually employed in mak plentiful estate, no inordinate desires, and ing divers pieces of superfluous furniture, am married to a virtuous lovely woman, as quilts, toilets, hangings for closets, beds, who neither wants wit nor good-nature, and window-curtains, easy chairs, and tabou by whom I have a numerous offspring to rets: nor have I any hopes of ever reclaim perpetuate my family, you will naturally ing her from this extravagance, while she conclude me a happy man. But notwith- obstinately persists in thinking it a notable standing these promising appearances, I piece of good housewifery, because they am so far from it, that the prospect of being are made at home, and she has had some ruined and undone by a sort of extrava- share in the performance. There would gance, which of late years is in a less de- be no end of relating to you the particulars of gree crept into every fashionable family, the annual charge, in furnishing her store deprives me of all the comforts of my life, room with a profusion of pickles and pre and renders me the most anxious, miserable man on earth. My wife, who was the serves; for she is not contented with having only child and darling care of an indulgent in which she consults an hereditary book every thing, unless it be done every way, mother, employed her early years in learn- of receipts: for her female ancestors have ing all those accomplishments we generally been always famed for good house-wifery, understand by good breeding and polite one of whom is made immortal by giving education. She sings, dances, plays on the her name to an eye-water, and two sorts of lute, and harpsichord, paints prettily, is a puddings. I cannot undertake to recites all perfect mistress of the French tongue, her medicinal preparations, as salves, sere and has made a considerable progress in cloths, powders, confects, cordials, ratafia, Italian. She is besides excellently skilled in persico, orange-flower, and cherry-brandy all domestic sciences, as preserving, pick-together with innumerable sorts of simple ling, pastry, making wines of fruits of our waters. But there is nothing I lay so much own growth, embroidering, and needle- to my heart as that detestable catalogue of works of every kind. Hitherto, you will counterfeit wines, which derive their names be apt to think, there is very little cause of from the fruits, herbs, or trees, of whose complaint; but suspend your opinion till I have further explained myself, and then, I * A well-known toyman in Fleet-street at the time juices they are chiefly compounded. They readings, and the like, is what in all ages are loathsome to the taste, and pernicious persons extremely wise and learned have to the health; and as they seldom survive had in great veneration. For this reason I the year, and then are thrown away, under cannot but rejoice at the following epistle, a false pretence of frugality, I may affirm which lets us into the true author of the they stand me in more than if I entertained letter to Mrs. Margaret Clark, part of all our visitors with the best burgundy and which I did myself the honour to publish champaign. Coffee, chocolate, and green in a former paper. I must confess I do not imperial, peco, and bohea teas, seem to be naturally affect critical learning; but findtrifles; but when the proper appurtenances ing myself not so much regarded as I am of the tea-table are added, they swell the apt to flatter myself I may deserve from account higher than one would imagine. I some professed patrons of learning, I could cannot conclude without doing her justice not but do myself the justice to show I am in one article; where her frugality is so re- not a stranger to such erudition as they markable, I must not deny her the merit smile upon, if I were duly encouraged. of it; and that is in relation to her children, However, this is only to let the world see who are all confined, both boys and girls, what I could do: and shall not give my to one large room in the remotest part of reader any more of this kind, if he will forthe house, with bolts on the doors and bars give the ostentation I show at present. to the windows, under the care and tuition of an old woman, who had been dry nurse 'March 13, 1711-12. to her grandmother. This is their residence 'SIR,-Upon reading your paper of yesall the year round; and as they are never terday, I took the pains to look out a copy allowed to appear, she prudently thinks it I had formerly taken, and remembered to needless to be at any expense in apparel or be very like your last letter: comparing learning. Her eldest daughter to this day them, I found they were the very same; would have neither read nor wrote, if it and have, underwritten, sent you that part had not been for the butler, who, being the of it which you say was torn off. I hope son of a country attorney, has taught her you will insert it, that posterity may know such a hand as is generally used for en- it was Gabriel Bullock that made love in grossing bills in Chancery. By this time I that natural style of which you seem to be have sufficiently tired your patience with fond. But to let you see I have other mamy domestic grievances; which I hope you nuscripts in the same way, I have sent you will agree could not well be contained in a inclosed three copies, faithfully taken by narrower compass, when you consider what my own hand from the originals, which a paradox I undertook to maintain in the were wrote by a Yorkshire gentleman of a beginning of my epistle, and which mani- good estate, to madam Mary, and an uncle festly appears to be but too melancholy a of hers, a knight very well known by the truth. And now I heartily wish the rela- most ancient gentry in that and several tion I have given of my misfortunes may other counties of Great Britain. be of use and benefit to the public. By the exactly followed the form and spelling. I example I have set before them, the truly have been credibly informed that Mr. Wilvirtuous wives may learn to avoid those liam Bullock, the famous comedian, is the errors which have so unhappily misled descendant of this Gabriel, who begot Mr. mine, and which are visibly these three; William Bullock's great-grandfather, on First, in mistaking the proper objects of the body of the above-mentioned Mrs. Marher esteem, and fixing her affections upon garet Clark. As neither Speed, nor Baker, such things as are only the trappings and nor Selden, take notice of it, I will not predecorations of her sex: Secondly, in not tend to be positive; but desire that the letter distinguishing what becomes the different may be reprinted, and what is here restages of life. And, lastly, the abuse and cor- covered may be in Italics. I am, sir, your ruption of some excellent qualities, which, daily reader.' if circumscribed within just bounds, would have been the blessing and prosperity of her family; but by a vicious extreme, are like to be the bane and destruction of it.' T. I have • To her I very much_respect, Mrs. Margaret Clark. 'Lovely, and oh that I could write loving, Mrs. Margaret Clark, I pray you let affection excuse presumption. Having been so happy as to enjoy the sight of your sweet No. 328.*] Monday, March 17, 1711-12. countenance and comely body sometimes Delectata illa urbanitate tam stulta. Petron. Arb. Delighted with unaffected plainness. THAT useful part of learning which consists in emendations, knowledge of different The above Paper was very early substituted for here reprinted from the original folio, numbered, as at the one now immediately following, which latter is first, 326 VOL. II. when I had occasion to buy treacle or liquorish powder at the apothecary's shop, am so enamoured with you, that I can no more keep close my flaming desire to become your servant. And I am the more bold now to write to your sweet self, because I am now my own man, and may match where I please; for my father is taken away; and now I am come to my |