tes. 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 clears away the rust of the whole week, not only as it refreshes in their minds the notions of religion, but as it puts both the sexes upon appearing in their most agree able forms, and exerting all such qualities as are apt to give them a figure in the eye of the village. A country fellow distinguishes himself as much in the church-yard, as a citizen does upon the 'Change, the whole parish-politics being generally discussed in that place either after sermon or before the bell rings. which is understood as a secret reprimand to the person that is absent. The chaplain has often told me, that upon a catechising day, when Sir Roger has been pleased with a boy that answers well, he has ordered a bible to be given him next day for his encouragement; and sometimes accompanies it with a flitch of bacon to his mother. Sir Roger has likewise added five pounds a year to the clerk's place; and that he may encourage the young fellows to make themselves perfect in the church service, has promised upon the death of the present incumbent, who is very old, to bestow it according to merit. ADDISON. L. The fair understanding between Sir Roger and his chaplain, and their mutual concurrence in doing good, is the more remarkable, because the very next village is famous for the differences and contentions that rise between the parson and the My friend Sir Roger, being a good churchman, 'squire, who live in a perpetual state of war. The has beautified the inside of his church with several parson is always preaching at the 'squire: and the texts of his own choosing. He has likewise given 'squire, to be revenged on the parson, never comes a handsome pulpit-clotli, and railed in the com-to church. The 'squire has made all his tenants munion table at his own expense. He has often atheists and tythe-stealers; while the parson intold me, that at his coming to his estate he found structs them every Sunday in the dignity of his orhis parishioners very irregular; and that in order der, and insinuates to them in almost every serto make them kneel and join in the responses, he mon, that he is a better man than his patron. In gave every one of them a hassock and a common-short, matters are come to such an extremity, that prayer book and at the same time employed an the 'squire has not said his prayers either in public itinerant singing-master, who goes about the coun- or private this half year; and that the parson try for that purpose, to instruct them rightly in the threatens him, if he does not mend his manners, to tunes of the psalms; upon which they now very pray for him in the face of the whole congregation. much value themselves, and indeed outdo most of Feuds of this nature, though too frequent in the the country churches that I have ever heard. country, are very fatal to the ordinary people; As Sir Roger is landlord to the whole congre- who are so used to be dazzled with riches, that gation, he keeps them in very good order, and they pay as much deference to the understanding vill suffer nobody to sleep in it besides himself; of a man of an estate, as of a man of learning; for if by chance he has been surprised into a short and are very hardly brought to regard any truth, nap at sermon, upon recovering out of it he stands how important soever it may be, that is preached up and looks about him, and if he sees any body to them, when they know there are several men of else nodding, either wakes them himself, or sends five hundred a year who do not believe it. his servants to them. Several other of the old knight's particularities break out upon these occa sions. 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 In my first description of the company in which I count the congregation, or see if any of his tenants pass most of my time, it may be remembered, that are missing. I mentioned a great affliction which my friend Sir was yesterday very much surprised to hear my Roger had met with in his youth;* which wano oid friend, in the midst of the service, calling out less than a disappointment in love. It happened to one John Matthews to mind what he was about, this evening, that we fell into a very pleasing walk and not disturb the congregation. This John at a distance from his house. As soon as we came Matthews, it seems, is remarkable for being an idle into it, It is,' quoth the good old man, looking fellow, and at that time was kicking his heels for round him with a smile, very hard, that any part his diversion. This authority of the knight, though of my land should be settled upon one who has exerted in that odd manner which accompanies him used me so ill as the perverse widow did; and yet in all circumstances of life, has a very good effect I am sure I could not see a sprig of any bough of upon the parish, who are not polite enough to see this whole walk of trees, but I should reflect upon any thing ridiculous in his behaviour; besides that her and her severity. She has certainly the finest the general good sense and worthiness of his cha-hand of any woman in the world. You are to racter make his friends observe these little singu- know, this was the place wherein I used to muse larities as foils that rather set off than blemish his upon her: and by that custom I can never come good qualities. into it, but the same tender sentiments revive in As soon as the sermon is finished, nobody pre- my mind, as if I had actually walked with that sames to stir till Sir Roger is gone out of the church. beautiful creature under these shades. I have been The knight walks down from his seat in the chan-fool enough to carve her name on the bark of secel between a double row of his tenants, that stand veral of these trees; so unhappy is the condition bowing to him on each side; and every now and of men in love, to attempt the removing of their then inquires how such an one's wife, or mother, or on, or father do, whom he does not see at church; N° 113. TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1711. e Hærent infixi pectore vultus. 6 See No. 2. passion by the methods which serve only to imprint it deeper. She has certainly the finest hand of any woman in the world.' Here followed a profound silence; and I was not displeased to observe my friend falling so naturally into a discourse, which I had ever before taken notice he industriously avoided. After a very long pause, he entered upon an account of this great circumstance in his life, with an air which I thought raised my idea of him above what I had ever had before; and gave me the picture of that cheerful mind of his, before it received that stroke which has ever since affected his words and actions. But he went on as follows: fidant, who is witness to her daily protestations against our sex, and consequently a bar to her first steps towards love, upon the strength of her own maxims and declarations. 'However, I must needs say, this accomplished mistress of mine has distinguished me above the rest, and has been known to declare Sir Roger de Coverley was the tamest and most humane of all the brutes in the country. I was told she said so, by one who thought he rallied me; but upon the strength of this slender encouragement of being thought less detestable, I made new liveries, newpaired my coach-horses, sent them all to town to be bitted, and taught to throw their legs well, and 'I came to my estate in my twenty-second year, move altogether, before I pretended to cross the and resolved to follow the steps of the most worthy country, and wait upon her. As soon as I thought of my ancestors who have inhabited this spot of my retinue suitable to the character of my fortune earth before me, in all the methods of hospitality and youth, I set out from hence to make my adand good neighbourhood, for the sake of my fame; dresses. The particular skill of this lady has ever and in country sports and recreations, for the sake been to inflame your wishes, and yet command reof my health. In my twenty-third year I was spect. To make her mistress of this art, she has a obliged to serve as sheriff of the county; and in my greater share of knowledge, wit, and good sense, servants, officers, and whole equipage, indulged than is usual even among men of merit. Then she the pleasure of a young man (who did not think ill is beautiful beyond the race of women. If you of his own person) in taking that public occasion will not let her go on with a certain artifice with of showing my figure and behaviour to advantage. her eyes, and the skill of beauty, she will arm her. You may easily imagine to yourself what appear- self with her real charms, and strike you with adance I made, who am pretty tall, rid well, and miration instead of desire. It is certain, that if was very well dressed, at the head of a whole you were to behold the whole woman, there is that county, with music before me, a feather in my hat, dignity in her aspect, that composure in her moand my horse well bitted. I can assure you, I was tion, that complacency in her manner, that if her not a little pleased with the kind looks and glances form makes you hope, her merit makes you fear. I had from all the balconies and windows as I But then again, she is such a desperate scholar, rode to the hall where the assizes were held. But that no country-gentleman can approach her withwhen I came there, a beautiful creature in a wi-out being a jest. As I was going to tell you, when dow's habit sat in court to hear the event of a I came to her house I was admitted to her precause concerning her dower. This commanding sence with great civility; at the same time she creature (who was born for the destruction of all placed herself to be first seen by me in such an atwho behold her) put on such a resignation in her titude, as I think you call the posture of a picture, countenance, and bore the whispers of all around that she discovered new charms, and I at last came the court with such a pretty uneasiness, I warrant towards her with such an awe as made me speechyou, and then recovered herself from one eye to less. This she no sooner observed but she made another, until she was perfectly confused by meet her advantage of it, and began a discourse to me thag something so wistful in all she encountered, that concerning love and honour, as they both are fol last, with a murrain to her, she cast her bewitch-lowed by pretenders, and the real votaries to them. afg eye upon me. I no sooner met it but I bowed When she discussed these points in a discourse, ike a great surprised booby; and knowing her which I verily believe was as learned as the best cause to be the first which came on, I cried, like a philosopher in Europe could possibly make, she captivated calf as I was, "Make way for the de- asked me whether she was so happy as to fall in fendant's witnesses." This sudden partiality made with my sentiments on these important particu all the county immediately see the sheriff also was lars. Her confidant sat by her, and upon my bebecome a slave to the fine widow. During the time ing in the last confusion and silence, this malicious her cause was upon trial, she behaved herself, I aid of hers turning to her, says, "I am very glad to warrant you, with such a deep attention to her observe Sir Roger pauses upon this subject, and business, took opportunities to have little billets seems resolved to deliver all his sentiments upon handed to her counsel, then would be in such a the matter when he pleases to speak." They both pretty confusion, occasioned, you must know, by kept their countenances, and after I had sat half an acting before so much company, that not only I but hour meditating how to behave before such pro the whole court was prejudiced in her favour; and found casuists, I rose up and took my leave. Chance all that the next heir to her husband had to urge, has since that time thrown me very often in her was thought so groundless and frivolous, that when way, and she as often has directed a discourse to it came to her counsel to reply, there was not half me which I do not understand. This barbarity so much said as every one besides in the court has kept me ever at a distance from the most beau thought he could have urged to her advantage. tiful object my eyes ever beheld. It is thus also You must understand, sir, this perverse woman is she deals with all mankind, and you must make one of those unaccountable creatures that secretly love to her, as you would conquer the sphinx, by rejoice in the admiration of men, but indulge them posing her. But were she like other women, and selves in no further consequences. Hence it is that there were any talking to her, how constant that she has ever had a train of admirers, and she must the pleasure of that man be, who could conremoves from her slaves in town to those in the verse with a creature-But, after all, you may be country, according to the seasons of the year. She sure her heart is fixed on some one or other; and is a reading lady, and far gone in the pleasures of yet I have been credibly informed--but who can friendship. She is always accompanied by a con- believe half that is said! after she had done speak ab anc ing to me, she put her hand to her bosom, and ad- usury; and yet he has not the heart to sell any I found my friend begin to rave, and insensibly No 114. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1711. · Paupertatis pudor et fuga HOR. Ep. 18. l. 1. v. 24. The dread of nothing more POOLY. we 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 behaviour would in a short time advance them to the condition which they pretend to.. Laertes has fifteen hundred pounds a year, which is mortgaged for six thousand pounds; but it is impossible to convince him, that if he sold as much as would pay off that debt, he would save four shillings in the pound,* which he gives for the vanity of being the reputed master of it. Yet if Laertes did this, he would perhaps be easier in his own fortune; but then Irus, a fellow of yesterday, who has but twelve hundred a year, would be his equal. Rather than this shall be, Laertes goes on to bring well-born beggars into the world, and every twelvemonth charges his estate with at least one year's rent more by the birth of a child. Laertes and Irus are neighbours, whose way of living are an abomination to each other. Irus is moved by the fear of poverty, and Laertes by the shame of it. Though the motive of action is of so near affinity in both, and may be resolved into ECONOMY in our affairs has the same effect upon this, that to each of them poverty is the greatest our fortunes which good-breeding has upon our of all evils,' yet are their manners widely different. conversation. There is a pretending behaviour in Shame of poverty makes Laertes launch into unneboth cases, which, instead of making men esteemed, cessary equipage, vain expense, and lavish enterrenders them both miserable and contemptible. We tainments. Fear of poverty makes Irus allow had yesterday at Sir Roger's a set of country gen- himself only plain necessaries, appear without a tlemen who dined with him: and after dinner the servant, sell his own corn, attend his labourers, glass was taken, by those who pleased, pretty and be himself a labourer. Shame of poverty plentifully. Among others I observed a person of makes Laertes go every day a step nearer to it: a tolerable good aspect, who seemed to be more and fear of poverty stirs up Irus to make every greedy of liquor than any of the company, and yet day some further progress from it. methought he did not taste it with delight. As he These different motives produce the excesses grew warm, he was suspicious of every thing that which men are guilty of in the negligence of and Was said, and as he advanced towards being fud-provision for themselves. Usury, stock-jobbing, dled his humour grew worse. At the same time his extortion, and oppression, have their seed in the bitterness seemed to be rather an inward dissatis- dread of want; and vanity, riot, and prodigality, faction in his own mind, than any dislike he had from the shame of it; but both these excesses are taken to the company. Upon hearing his name, I infinitely below the pursuit of a reasonable creaknew him to be a gentleman of a considerable ture. After we have taken care to command so fortune in this county, but greatly in debt. What much as is necessary for maintaining ourselves in gives the unhappy man this peevishness of spirit 15, that his estate is dipped, and is eating out with * Land-tax. the order of men suitable to our character, the stock of health, and consequently a more perfect care of superfluities is a vice no less extravagant, enjoyment of himself, than any other way of life. than the neglect of necessaries would have been I consider the body as a system of tubes and before. glands, or to use a more rustic phrase, a bundle Certain it is, that they are both out of nature, of pipes and strainers, fitted to one another after when she is followed with reason and good sense. so wonderful a manner as to make a proper engine It is from this reflection that I always read Mr. for the soul to work with. This description does Cowley with the greatest pleasure. His magnani- not only comprehend the bowels, bones, tendons, mity is as much above that of other considerable veins, nerves, and arteries, but every muscle and men, as his understanding; and it is a true distin- every ligature, which is a composition of fibres, guishing spirit in the elegant author* who pub-that are so many imperceptible tubes or pipes lished his works, to dwell so much upon the temper interwoven on all sides with invisible glands or of his mind and the moderation of his desires. By strainers. this means he has rendered his friend as amiable This general idea of a human body, without conas famous. That state of life which bears the face sidering it in the niceties of anatomy, lets us see of poverty with Mr. Cowley's great vulgar,t is how absolutely necessary labour is for the right admirably described; and it is no small satisfac-preservation of it. There must be frequent motion to those of the same turn of desire, that he tions and agitations, to mix, digest, and separate produces the authority of the wisest men of the the juices contained in it, as well as to clear and best age of the world, to strengthen his opinion of cleanse that infinitude of pipes and strainers of the ordinary pursuits of mankind. which it is composed, and to give their solid parts It would, methinks, be no ill maxim of life, if a more firm and lasting tone. Labour or exercise according to that ancestor of Sir Roger whom I ferments the humour, casts them into their proper lately mentioned, every man would point to him-channel, throws off redundancies, and helps nature self what sum he would resolve not to exceed. in those secret distributions, without which the He might by this means cheat himself into a tran- body cannot subsist in its vigour, nor the soul act quillity on this side of that expectation, or convert with cheerfulness. what he should get above it to nobler uses than his I might here mention the effects which this has own pleasures or necessities. This temper of mind upon all the faculties of the mind, by keeping the would exempt a man from an ignorant envy of understanding clear, the imagination untroubled, restless men above him, and a more inexcusable and refining those spirits that are necessary for the contempt of happy men below him. This would proper exertion of our intellectual faculties, during be sailing by some compass, living with some de- the present laws of union between soul and body. sign; but to be eternally bewildered in pros-It is to a neglect in this particular that we must pects of future gain, and putting on unnecessary ascribe the spleen, which is so frequent in men of armour against improbable blows of fortune, is a studious and sedentary tempers, as well as the vamechanic being which has not good sense for its pours to which those of the other sex are so often direction, but is carried on by a sort of acquired subject. instinct towards things below our consideration, Had not exercise been absolutely necessary for and unworthy our esteem. It is possible that the our well-being, nature would not have made the tranquillity I now enjoy at Sir Roger's may have body so proper for it, by giving such an activity created in me this way of thinking, which is so to the limbs, and such a pliancy to every part, as abstracted from the common relish of the world: necessarily produce those compressions, extenbut as I am now in a pleasing arbour surrounded sions, contortions, dilations, and all other kinds of 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 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. A country life abounds in both these kinds of labour, and for that reason gives a man a greater • Dr. Thomas Sprat, Bishop of Rochester. +Hence, ye profane, I hate ye all, Both the great vulgar and the small.' Cowley's Paraph, of Horace. Bk. 3. Od. 1. motions that are necessary for the preservation 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 procured 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 la boured before it gives its increase; and when it is forced into its several products, how many hands must they pass through before they are fit for use! Manufactures, trade, and agriculture, naturally employ 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 indefatigable man in business of this kind, and has hung several parts of his house with the trophies of his former labours. The walls of his great hall are covered with the horns of several kinds of deer that he has killed in the chase, which he thinks the most valuable furniture of his house, as they afford him frequent topics of discourse, and show that he has not been idle. At the lower end of the ball is a 113 re perfec of Efe tubes and a bunde other afte per engine ptics des tendo Tuscle and of fibres, or p glands ets s the r fuentes de exers No 116. FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1711. --- Vocal ingenti clamore Citharon, Taygetique canes —— VIRG, Georg. iii. large otter's skin stuffed with hay, which his mother ordered to be hung up in that manner, and the knight looks upon with great satisfaction, because it seems he was but nine years old when his dog killed him. A little room adjoining to the hall is a kind of arsenal filled with guns of several sizes and inventions, with which the knight has made great havock in the woods, and destroyed many thousands of pheasants, partridges, and woodThe echoing hills and chiding hounds invite. cocks. His stable-doors are patched with noses that belonged to foxes of the knight's own hunting THOSE who have searched into human nature obdown. Sir Roger showed me one of them that for serve, that nothing so much shows the nobleness distinction sake has a brass nail struck through it, of the soul, as that its felicity consists in action. which cost him above fifteen hours riding, carried Every man has such an active principle in him, him through half a dozen counties, killed him a that he will find out something to employ himself brace of geldings, and lost above half his dogs. upon, in whatever place or state of life he is postThis the knight looks upon as one of the greatest ed. I have heard of a gentleman who was under exploits of his life. The perverse widow, whom close confinement in the Bastile seven years; I have given some account of, was the death of during which time he amused himself in scattering several foxes; for Sir Roger has told me that in a few small pins about his chamber, gathering them the course of his amours he patched the western up again, and placing them in different figures on door of his stable. Whenever the widow was cruel, the arm of a great chair. He often told his friends the foxes were sure to pay for it. In proportion afterwards, that unless he had found out this piece as his passion for the widow abated and old age of exercise, he verily believed he should have lost came on, he left off fox-hunting; but a hare is not his senses. yet safe that sits within ten miles of his house. After what has been said, I need not inform my There is no kind of exercise which I would so readers, that Sir Roger, with whose character I recommend to my readers of both sexes, as this of hope they are at present pretty well acquainted, fiding, as there is none which so much conduces to has in his youth gone through the whole course of health, and is every way accommodated to the those rural diversions which the country abounds body, according to the idea which I have given of in; and which seem to be extremely well suited it. Doctor Sydenham is very lavish in its praises; to that laborious industry a man may observe here and if the English reader will see the mechanical in a far greater degree than in towns and cities. effects of it described at length, he may find them I have before hinted at some of my friend's exin a book published not many years since, under ploits :* he has in his youthful days taken forty the title of the Medicina Gymnastica. For my own coveys of partridges in a season; and tired many part, when I am in town, for want of these oppor- a salmon with a line consisting but of a single hair. tunities, I exercise myself an hour every morning The constant thanks and good wishes of the neighupon a dumb bell that is placed in a corner of my bourhood always attended him, on account of his room, and pleases me the more because it does remarkable enmity towards foxes; having deevery thing I require of it in the most profound stroyed more of those vermin in one year, than it silence. My landlady and her daughters are so was thought the whole county could have prowell acquainted with my hours of exercise, that duced. Indeed the knight does not scruple to own they never come into my room to disturb me among his most intimate friends, that in order to whilst I am ringing. establish his reputation this way, he has secretly When I was some years younger than I am at sent for great numbers of them out of other counpresent, I used to employ myself in a more labo- ties, which he used to turn loose about the country rious diversion, which I learned from a Latin trea- by night, that he might the better signalize himise of exercises that is written with great erudi-self in their destruction the next day. His hunttion it is there called the naiz, or the ing horses were the finest and best managed in fighting with a man's own shadow, and consists in all these parts. His tenants are still full of the the brandishing of two short sticks grasped in each praises of a grey stone-horse that unhappily staked hand, and loaden with plugs of lead at either end. himself several years since, and was buried with This opens the chest, exercises the limbs, and great solemnity in the orchard. gives a man all the pleasure of boxing, without the Sir Roger being at present too old for fox-huntalows, I could wish that several learned mening, to keep himself in action, has disposed of his would lay out that time which they employ in beagles and got a pack of stop-hounds. What these controversies and disputes about nothing, in this want in speed, he endeavours to make amends for method of fighting with their own shadows. It by the deepness of their mouths and the variety tight conduce very much to evaporate the spleen of their notes, which are suited in such a manner to which makes them uneasy to the public as well as each other, that the whole cry makes a complete concert. He is so nice in this particular, that a To conclude, as I am a compound of soul and gentleman having made him a present of a very body, I consider myself as obliged to a double fine hound the other day, the knight returned it by scheme of duties; and think I have not fulfilled the servant with a great many expressions of civithe business of the day when I do not thus employ lity; but desired him to tell his master, that the the one in labour and exercise, as well as the other dog he had sent was indeed a most excellent bass, 1 study and contemplation. to themselves. ADDISON. See Nos. 2 and 113. L. +By Jerome Mercurialis, an Italian physician; entituled, Gymnastica apud Antiques, &c. This author published an ition of Hippocrates' works in Greek and Latin, with notes, 9, and died at Forli, 1000. but that at present he only wanted a countertenor. Could I believe my friend had ever read Shakspeare, I should certainly conclude he had taken the hint from Theseus in the Midsummer Night's dream : T S. No. 115. |