Τιμα

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, looks about him, and if he sees any body considered with its Creator, is like one of else nodding, either wakes them himself

, those mathematical lines that may draw or sends his servants to them. Several nearer to one another for all eternity with other of the old knight's particularities out a possibility of touching it: and can break out upon these occasions. Sometimes there be a thought so transporting, as to he will be lengthening out a verse in the consider ourselves in these perpetual ap- singing Psalms, half a minute after the rest proaches to Him, who is not only the of the congregation have done with it; somestandard of perfection but of happiness. times when he is pleased with the matter

L. of his devotion, he pronounces 'Amen,'

three or four times to the same prayer;

and sometimes stands up when every body No. 112.] Monday, July 9, 1711. else is upon their knees, to count the con

gregation, or see if any of his tenants are Αθανατους μεν πρωτα θεους, νομω ως διακειται,

Pythag.

missing.

I was yesterday very much surprised to First, in obedience to thy country's rites,

hear my old friend, in the midst of the serWorship th' immortal gods.

vice, calling out to one John Matthews to I am always very well pleased with a mind what he was about, and not disturb country Sunday, and think, if keeping holy the congregation. This John Matthews it the seventh day were only a human insti- seems is remarkable for being an idle feltution, it would be the best method that low, and at that time was kicking his heels could have been thought of for the polish - for his diversion. This authority of the ing and civilizing of mankind. It is certain knight, though exerted in that odd manner the country people would soon degenerate which accompanies him in all circumstances into a kind of savages and barbarians, were of life, has a very good effect upon the pathere not such frequent returns of a stated rish, who are not polite enough to see any time, in which the whole village meet to- thing ridiculous in his behaviour; besides gether with their best faces, and in their that the general good sense and worthiness cleanliest habits, to converse with one an- of his character make his friends observe other upon indifferent subjects, hear their these little singularities as foils that rather duties explained to them, and join together set off than blemish his good qualities. 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 ít 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 chance 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 rence in doing good, is the more remarkathat purpose, to instruct them rightly in the ble, because the very next village is famous tunes of the Psalms; upon which they now for the differences and contentions that rise very much value themselves, and indeed between the parson and the 'squire, who outdo most of the country churches that I live in a perpetual state of war. "The parhave ever heard.

son is always preaching at the 'squire; and As Sir Roger is landlord to the whole the 'squire, to be revenged on the parson, congregation, he keeps them in very good never comes to church. The 'squire has order, and will suffer nobody to sleep in it made all his tenants atheists and tythestealers; while the parson instructs them it received that stroke which has ever since every Sunday in the dignity of his order, affected his words and actions. But he went and insinuates to them, in almost every ser-on as follows. mon, that he is a better man than hís pa- 'I came to my estate in my twentytron. In short, matters have come to such second year, and resolved to follow the steps an extremity, that the 'squire has not said of the most worthy of my ancestors who his prayers either in public or private this have inhabited this spot of earth before me, half year; and that the parson threatens in all the methods of hospitality and good bim, if he does not mend his manners, to neighbourhood, for the sake of my fame; pray for him in the face of the whole con- and in country sports and recreations, for gregation.

the sake of my health. In my twenty-third Feuds of this nature, though too frequent year I was obliged to serve as sheriff of the in the country, are very fatal to the ordi- county; and in my servants, officers, and nary people; who are so used to be dazzled whole equipage, indulged the pleasure of a with riches, that they pay as much defer- young man (who did not think ill of his own ence to the understanding of a man of an person,) in taking that public occasion of estate, as of a man of learning; and are very showing my figure and behaviour to adhardly brought to regard any truth, how vantage. You may easily imagine to yourimportant soever it may be, that is preached self what appearance I made, whó am to them, when they know there are several pretty tall, rid well, and was very well men of five hundred a year who do not be- dressed, at the head of a whole county, lieve it

L. 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 No. 113.] Tuesday, July 10, 1711, kind looks and glances I had from all the

balconies and windows as I rode to the hall -Hærent infixi pectore vultus.

where the assizes were held. But when

Virg. Æn. iv. 4. Her looks were deep imprinted in his heart.

I came there, a beautiful creature, in a

widow's habit, sat in court to hear the event In my 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 waring, 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 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 defendtainly 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 erough 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 1, 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.:

urge, was thought so groundless and frivoHere followed a profound silence; and I lous, that when it came to her counsel to was not 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 hé 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 conI 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

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. 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 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 creatureBut, 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 of 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 her, you would be in the same condition; beauty, she will arm herself with her real for as her speech is music, her form is ancharms, and strike you with admiration in- gelic. But I find I grow irregular while I stead of desire. It is certain that if you am talking of her; but indeed it would be were to behold the whole woman, there is stupidity to be unconcerned at such perfecthat dignity in her aspect, that composure tion. Oh, the excellent creature! she is as in her motion, that complacency in her inimitable to all women as she is inaccessimanner, that if her form makes you hope, ble to all men.' her merit makes you fear. But then again, I found my friend begin to rave, and inshe is such a desperate scholar that no sensibly led him towards the house, that country gentleman can approach her with- we might be joined by some other comout being a jest. As I was going to tell pany; and am convinced that the widow is you, when I came to her house, I was ad- the secret cause of all that inconsistency mitted to her presence with great civility; which appears in some parts of my friend's at the same time she placed herself to be discourse; though he has so much command first seen by me in such an attitude, as I of himself as not directly to mention her, think you call the posture of a picture, that yet according to that of Martial, which one she discovered new charms, and I at last knows not how to render into English, came towards her with such an awe as Dum tacet hanc loquitur. I shall end this made me speechless. This she no sooner paper with that whole epigram, which observed but she made her advantage of it, represents with much humour my honest and began a discourse to me concerning friend's condition: love and honour, as they both are followed by pretenders, and the real votaries to Quicquid agit Rufus, nihil est, nisi Nævia Rufo, them. When she discussed these points in

Si gaudet, si flet, si tacet, hanc loquitur: a discourse, which I verily believe was as

Cænat, propinat, poscit, negat, annuit, una est

Nævia; si non sit Nævia, mutus erit. learned as the best philosopher in Europe Scriberit hesterna patri cum luce salutem, could possibly make, she asked me whether Nævia lux, inquit, Næyia numen, ave. she was so happy as to fall in with my sen

Epig. 69. 1. i. timents on these important particulars. Her

• Let Rufus weep, rejoice, stand, sit, or walk, confidant sat by her, and upon my being Still he can nothing but of Nævia talk; in the last confusion and silence, this ma- Let him eat, drink, ask questions, or dispute, licious aid of her's turning to her, says, “I

Still he must speak of Nævia, or be mute.

He writ to his father, ending with this line, am very glad to observe Sir Roger pauses I am, my lovely Nevia, ever thine.' upon this subject: and seems resolved to

R.

No. 114.] Wednesday, July 11, 1711. behaviour would in a short time advance

them to the condition which they pretend to. -Paupertatis pudor et fuga

Laertes has fifteen hundred pounds a Hor. Lib. 1. Ep. xviii. 34.

year, which is mortgaged for six thousand -The dread of nothing more Than to be thought necessitous and poor.--Pooly.

pounds; but it is impossible to convince

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 ing 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 instead of making men esteemed, renders in his own fortune; but then Irus, a fellow them 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 Laertes and Irus are neighbours, whose more greedy of liquor than any of the com- way of living are an abomination to each pany, and yet methought he did not taste other. Irus is moved by the fear of poverit with delight. As he grew warm, he was ty, and Laertes by the shame of it. Though suspicious of every thing that was said, and the motive of action is of so near affinity in as he advanced towards being fuddled, his both, and may be resolved into this, 'that to humour grew worse. At the same time his each of them poverty is the greatest of all bitterness seemed to be rather an inward evils,' yet are their manners very widely dissatisfaction in his own mind, than any different.—Shame of poverty makes Laerdislike he had taken to the company. Upon tes launch into unnecessary equipage, vain hearing his name, I knew him to be a gen- expense, and lavish entertainments. Fear tleman of a considerable fortune in this of poverty makes Irus allow himself only county, but greatly in debt. What gives plain necessaries, appear without a serthe unhappy man this peevishness of spirit vant, sell his own corn, attend his labouris, that his estate is dipped, and is eating ers, and be himself a labourer. Shame of out with usury; and yet he has not the poverty makes Laertes go every day a step heart to sell any part of it. His proud nearer to it; and fear of poverty stirs up Irus stomach, at the cost of restless nights, con- to make every day some further progress stant inquietudes, danger of affronts, and from it. 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 cesses are infinitely below the pursuit of a shows it is all unnatural, and that the mas- reasonable creature. After we have taken ter's mind is not at home. There is a cercare to command so much as is necessary tain waste and carelessness in the air of for maintaining ourselves in the order of every thing, and the whole appears but a men suitable to our character, the care of covered indigence, a magnificent poverty. superfluities is a vice no less extravagant, That neatness and cheerfulness which at- than the neglect of necessaries would have tends the table of him who lives within been before. 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 considerablemen 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,t is admiwe shall see many in this fatal error; if that may be called by so soft a name, which

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 This general idea of a human body, withlife, if, according to that ancestor of Sir out considering it in its niceties of anatomy, Roger, whom I lately mentioned, every lets us see how absolutely necessary labour man would point to himself what sum he is for the right preservation of it. There would resolve not to exceed. He might by must be frequent motions and agitations, this means cheat himself into a tranquillity to mix, digest, and separate the juices on this side of that expectation, or convert contained in it, as well as to clear and what he should get above it to nobler uses cleanse that infinitude of pipes and strainthan his own pleasures or necessities. ers, of which it is composed, and to give This temper of mind would exempt a man their solid parts a more firm and lasting from an ignorant envy of restless men above tone. Labour or exercise ferments the him, and a more inexcusable contempt of humours, casts them into their proper happy men below him. This would be channels, throws off redundancies, and sailing by some compass, living with some helps nature in those secret distributions, design; but to be eternally bewildered in without which the body cannot subsist in prospects of future gain, and putting on its vigour, nor the soul act with cheerfulunnecessary armour against improbable ness. blows of fortune, is a mechanic being which I might here mention the effects which has not good sense for its direction, but is this has upon all the faculties of the mind, carried on by a sort of acquired instinct by keeping the understanding clear, the towards things below our consideration, imagination untroubled, and refining those and unworthy our esteem. It is possible spirits that are necessary for the proper that the tranquillity I now enjoy at Sir exertion of our intellectual faculties, during Roger's may have created in me this way the present laws of union between soul and of thinking, which is so abstracted from body. It is to a neglect in this particular the common relish of the world: but as I that we must ascribe the spleen which am now in a pleasant arbour, surrounded is so frequent in men of studious and sewith a beautiful landscape, I find no in- dentary tempers, as well as the vapours clination so strong as to continue in these to which those of the other sex are so often mansions, so remote from the ostentatious subject. scenes of life; and am at this present wri- Had not exercise been absolutely necesting, philosopher enough to conclude with sary for our well-being, nature would not Mr. Cowley,

have made the body so proper for it, by • If e'er ambition did my fancy cheat,

giving such an activity to the limbs, and With any wish so mean as to be great;

such a pliancy to every part, as necessarily Continue, Heav'n, still from me to remove produce those compressions, extensions, The humble blessings of that life I love.'

T.

contortions, dilatations, and all other kinds of motions that are necessary for the preservation of such a system of tubes and

glands as has been before mentioned. And No. 115.)

Thursday, July 12, 1711. that we might not want inducements to en-Ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.

gage us in such an exercise of the body as

is proper for its welfare, it is so ordered Pray for a sound mind in a sound body.

that nothing valuable can be produced

without it. Not to mention riches and hoBodily labour is of two kinds, either nour, even food and raiment are not to be that which a man submits to for his liveli- come at without the toil of the hands and hood, or that which he undergoes for his sweat of the brows. Providence furnishes pleasure. -The latter of them generally materials, but expects that we should work changes the name of labour for that of them up ourselves. The earth must be laexercise, but differs only from ordinary boured before it gives its increase, and labour as it rises from another motive. 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 him- more than nineteen parts of the species in self, than any other way of life. I consider twenty; and as for those who are not the body as a system of tubes and glands, obliged to labour, by the condition in which or, to use a more rustic phrase, a bundle they are born, they are more miserable of pipes and strainers, fitted to one another than the rest of mankind, unless they inafter so wonderful a manner as to make a dulge themselves in that voluntary labour proper engine for the soul to work with. which goes by the name of exercise. This description does not only comprehend My friend Sir Roger has been an inde

Jud. Sat. X. 356.