Contents：
IntroductionPublicCreditHouseholdSuperstitionsOperaLionsWomenandWivesTheItalianOperaLampoonsTrueandFalseHumourSaGaYeanQuaRashTow’sImpressionsofLondonTheVisionofMarratonSixPapersonWitFriendshipChevy-Chase（TwoPapers）
ADreamofthePaintersSpareTime（TwoPapers）
CensureTheEnglishLanguageTheVisionofMirzaGeniusTheodosiusandConstantiaGoodNatureAGrinningMatchTrustinGodINTRODUCTION。
Thesixty-fourthvolumeofthisLibrarycontainsthosepapersfromtheTatlerwhichwereespeciallyassociatedwiththeimaginedcharacterofISAACBICKERSTAFF，whowasthecentralfigureinthatseries;andinthetwenty-ninthvolumethereisasimilarcollectionofpapersrelatingtotheSpectatorClubandSIRROGERDECOVERLEY，whowasthecentralfigureinSteeleandAddison’sSpectator。Thosevolumescontained，nodoubt，someofthebestEssaysofAddisonandSteele。ButintheTatlerandSpectatorarefullarmouriesofthewitandwisdomofthesetwowriters，whosummonedintolifethearmyoftheEssayists，andleditontokindlywaragainsttheforcesofIll-temperandIgnorance。Envy，Hatred，Malice，andalltheirfirstcousinsofthefamilyofUncharitableness，arecaptainsunderthosetwocommanders-in-chief，andwecanlittleaffordtodismissfromthefieldtwoofthestoutestcombatantsagainstthem。InthisvolumeitisonlyAddisonwhospeaks;andinanothervolume，presentlytofollow，therewillbethevoiceofSteele。
Thetwofriendsdifferedintemperamentandinmanyoftheoutwardsignsofcharacter;butthesetwolittlebookswillverydistinctlyshowhowwhollytheyagreedastoessentials。ForAddison，Literaturehadacharmofitsown;hedelightedindistinguishingthefinergracesofgoodstyle，andhedrewfromthetruthsoflifetheprinciplesoftasteinwriting。ForSteele，Literaturewasthelifeitself;helovedatruebookforthesoulhefoundinit。SoheagreedwithAddisoninjudgment。Butthesixpaperson\"Wit，\"
thetwopaperson\"ChevyChase，\"containedinthisvolume;theelevenpaperson\"Imagination，\"andthepaperson\"ParadiseLost，\"
whichmaybegiveninsomefuturevolume;wereinaformofstudyforwhichAddisonwasfarmoreaptthanSteele。Thusasfellow-
workerstheygaveabreadthtothecharacterofTatlerandSpectatorthatcouldhavebeenproducedbyneitherofthem，singly。
Thereaderofthisvolumewillneversupposethattheartist’spleasureingoodartandinanalysisofitsconstituentsremoveshimfromdirectenjoymentofthelifeabouthim;thathemissesarealcontactwithalltheworldgivesthatisworthhistouch。Goodartisbutnature，studiedwithlovetrainedtothemostdelicateperception;andthegoodcriticisminwhichthespiritofanartistspeaksis，likeAddison’s，calm，simple，andbenign。PopeyearnedtoattackJohnDennis，aroughcriticoftheday，whohadattackedhis\"EssayonCriticism。\"Addisonhaddiscouragedaverysmallassaultofwords。WhenDennisattackedAddison’s\"Cato，\"Popethoughthimselffreetostrike;butAddisontookoccasiontoexpress，throughSteele，aseriousregretthathehaddoneso。Truecriticismmaybeaffected，asAddison’swas，bysomebiasinthecanonsoftasteprevalentinthewriter’stime，but，asAddison’sdidintheChevy-Chasepapers，itwilldissentfromprevalentmisapplicationsofthem，anditcanneverassociateperceptionofthepuresttruthandbeautywithpettyarrogance，norwillitsospeakastogivepain。WhenWordsworthwasrememberingwithlovehismother’sguidanceofhischildhood，andwishedtosuggestthatthereweremotherslesswiseintheirways，hewaschecked，hesaid，bytheunwillingnesstojointhoughtofher\"withanythoughtthatlooksatothers’blame。\"SoAddisonfelttowardshismotherNature，inliteratureandinlife。Heattackednobody。Withalight，kindlyhumour，thatwasneverpersonalandnevercouldgivepain，hesoughttosoftentheharshlinesoflife，abateitsfollies，andinspirethetemperthatalonecanovercomeitswrongs。
Politics，inwhichfewthenknewhowtothinkcalmlyandrecognisetheworthofvariousopinion，SteeleandAddisonexcludedfromthepagesoftheSpectator。Butthefirstpaperinthisvolumeisupon\"PublicCredit，\"anditdidtouchonthepositionofthecountryatatimewhentheshockofchangecausedbytheRevolutionof1688-89，andalsothestrainofforeignwar，werebeingseverelyfelt。
H。M。
PUBLICCREDIT-
QuoiquisqueferestudiodevinctusadhaeretAutquibusirebusmultumsumusantemoratiAtqueinquorationefuitcontentamagismens，Insomniscademplerumquevidemurobire。
LUCR。，iv。959-
Whatstudiesplease，whatmostdelight，Andfillmen’sthoughts，theydreamthemo’eratnight。
CREECH。
Inoneofmyrambles，orratherspeculations，Ilookedintothegreathallwherethebankiskept，andwasnotalittlepleasedtoseethedirectors，secretaries，andclerks，withalltheothermembersofthatwealthycorporation，rangedintheirseveralstations，accordingtothepartstheyactinthatjustandregulareconomy。ThisrevivedinmymemorythemanydiscourseswhichIhadbothreadandheardconcerningthedecayofpubliccredit，withthemethodsofrestoringit;andwhich，inmyopinion，havealwaysbeendefective，becausetheyhavealwaysbeenmadewithaneyetoseparateinterestsandpartyprinciples。
Thethoughtsofthedaygavemymindemploymentforthewholenight;
sothatIfellinsensiblyintoakindofmethodicaldream，whichdisposedallmycontemplationsintoavision，orallegory，orwhatelsethereadershallpleasetocallit。
MethoughtsIreturnedtothegreathall，whereIhadbeenthemorningbefore;buttomysurprise，insteadofthecompanythatI
leftthere，Isaw，towardstheupperendofthehall，abeautifulvirgin，seatedonathroneofgold。Hername，astheytoldme，wasPublicCredit。Thewalls，insteadofbeingadornedwithpicturesandmaps，werehungwithmanyActsofParliamentwritteningoldenletters。AttheupperendofthehallwastheMagnaCharta，withtheActofUniformityontherighthand，andtheActofTolerationontheleft。AtthelowerendofthehallwastheActofSettlement，whichwasplacedfullintheeyeofthevirginthatsatuponthethrone。BoththesidesofthehallwerecoveredwithsuchActsofParliamentashadbeenmadefortheestablishmentofpublicfunds。Theladyseemedtosetanunspeakablevalueupontheseseveralpiecesoffurniture，insomuchthatsheoftenrefreshedhereyewiththem，andoftensmiledwithasecretpleasureasshelookeduponthem;but，atthesametime，showedaveryparticularuneasinessifshesawanythingapproachingthatmighthurtthem。
Sheappeared，indeed，infinitelytimorousinallherbehaviour：andwhetheritwasfromthedelicacyofherconstitution，orthatshewastroubledwithvapours，asIwasafterwardstoldbyonewhoI
foundwasnoneofherwell-wishers，shechangedcolourandstartledateverythingsheheard。Shewaslikewise，asIafterwardsfound，agreatervaletudinarianthananyIhadevermetwith，eveninherownsex，andsubjecttosuchmomentaryconsumptions，thatinthetwinklingofaneye，shewouldfallawayfromthemostfloridcomplexionandthemosthealthfulstateofbody，andwitherintoaskeleton。Herrecoverieswereoftenassuddenasherdecays，insomuchthatshewouldreviveinamomentoutofawastingdistemper，intoahabitofthehighesthealthandvigour。
Ihadverysoonanopportunityofobservingthesequickturnsandchangesinherconstitution。Theresatatherfeetacoupleofsecretaries，whoreceivedeveryhourlettersfromallpartsoftheworld，whichtheoneortheotherofthemwasperpetuallyreadingtoher;andaccordingtothenewssheheard，towhichshewasexceedinglyattentive，shechangedcolour，anddiscoveredmanysymptomsofhealthorsickness。
Behindthethronewasaprodigiousheapofbagsofmoney，whichwerepiledupononeanothersohighthattheytouchedtheceiling。Theflooronherrighthandandonherleftwascoveredwithvastsumsofgoldthatroseupinpyramidsoneithersideofher。ButthisI
didnotsomuchwonderat，whenIheard，uponinquiry，thatshehadthesamevirtueinhertouch，whichthepoetstellusaLydiankingwasformerlypossessedof;andthatshecouldconvertwhatevershepleasedintothatpreciousmetal。
Afteralittledizziness，andconfusedhurryofthought，whichamanoftenmeetswithinadream，methoughtsthehallwasalarmed，thedoorsflewopen，andthereenteredhalfadozenofthemosthideousphantomsthatIhadeverseen，eveninadream，beforethattime。
Theycameintwobytwo，thoughmatchedinthemostdissociablemanner，andmingledtogetherinakindofdance。Itwouldbetedioustodescribetheirhabitsandpersons;forwhichreasonI
shallonlyinformmyreader，thatthefirstcouplewereTyrannyandAnarchy;thesecondwereBigotryandAtheism;thethird，theGeniusofacommonwealthandayoungmanofabouttwenty-twoyearsofage，whosenameIcouldnotlearn。Hehadaswordinhisrighthand，whichinthedanceheoftenbrandishedattheActofSettlement;andacitizen，whostoodbyme，whisperedinmyear，thathesawaspongeinhislefthand。Thedanceofsomanyjarringnaturesputmeinmindofthesun，moon，andearth，intheRehearsal，thatdancedtogetherfornootherendbuttoeclipseoneanother。
Thereaderwilleasilysuppose，bywhathasbeenbeforesaid，thattheladyonthethronewouldhavebeenalmostfrightedtodistraction，hadsheseenbutanyoneofthespectres：whatthenmusthavebeenherconditionwhenshesawthemallinabody？Shefainted，anddiedawayatthesight。
Etnequejamcolorestmistocandorerubori;
Necvigor，etvires，etquaemodoriseplacebant;
Neccorpusremanet——。
OVID，Met。iii。491-
Herspiritsfaint，Herbloomingcheeksassumeapallidteint，Andscarceherformremains。
Therewasasgreatachangeinthehillofmoney-bagsandtheheapsofmoney，theformershrinkingandfallingintosomanyemptybags，thatInowfoundnotaboveatenthpartofthemhadbeenfilledwithmoney。
Therest，thattookupthesamespaceandmadethesamefigureasthebagsthatwerereallyfilledwithmoney，hadbeenblownupwithair，andcalledintomymemorythebagsfullofwind，whichHomertellsushisheroreceivedasapresentfromAEolus。Thegreatheapsofgoldoneithersidethethronenowappearedtobeonlyheapsofpaper，orlittlepilesofnotchedsticks，bounduptogetherinbundles，likeBathfaggots。
WhilstIwaslamentingthissuddendesolationthathadbeenmadebeforeme，thewholescenevanished。Intheroomofthefrightfulspectres，therenowenteredaseconddanceofapparitions，veryagreeablymatchedtogether，andmadeupofveryamiablephantoms：
thefirstpairwasLibertywithMonarchyatherrighthand;thesecondwasModerationleadinginReligion;andthethird，apersonwhomIhadneverseen，withtheGeniusofGreatBritain。Atthefirstentrance，theladyrevived;thebagsswelledtotheirformerbulk;thepilesoffaggotsandheapsofpaperchangedintopyramidsofguineas：and，formyownpart，IwassotransportedwithjoythatIawaked，thoughImustconfessIwouldfainhavefallenasleepagaintohaveclosedmyvision，ifIcouldhavedoneit。
HOUSEHOLDSUPERSTITIONS。
Somnia，terroresmagicos，miracula，sagas，Nocturnoslemures，portentaqueThessalarides？
HOR。，Ep。ii。2，208。
Visionsandmagicspells，canyoudespise，Andlaughatwitches，ghosts，andprodigies？
Goingyesterdaytodinewithanoldacquaintance，Ihadthemisfortunetofindhiswholefamilyverymuchdejected。Uponaskinghimtheoccasionofit，hetoldmethathiswifehaddreamtaverystrangedreamthenightbefore，whichtheywereafraidportendedsomemisfortunetothemselvesortotheirchildren。Athercomingintotheroom，Iobservedasettledmelancholyinhercountenance，whichIshouldhavebeentroubledfor，hadInotheardfromwhenceitproceeded。Wewerenosoonersatdown，but，afterhavinglookeduponmealittlewhile，\"Mydear，\"saysshe，turningtoherhusband，\"youmaynowseethestrangerthatwasinthecandlelastnight。\"
Soonafterthis，astheybegantotalkoffamilyaffairs，alittleboyatthelowerendofthetabletoldherthathewastogointojoin-handonThursday。\"Thursday！\"saysshe。\"No，child;ifitpleaseGod，youshallnotbeginuponChildermas-day;tellyourwriting-masterthatFridaywillbesoonenough。\"Iwasreflectingwithmyselfontheoddnessofherfancy，andwonderingthatanybodywouldestablishitasarule，toloseadayineveryweek。Inthemidstofthesemymusings，shedesiredmetoreachheralittlesaltuponthepointofmyknife，whichIdidinsuchatrepidationandhurryofobediencethatIletitdropbytheway;atwhichsheimmediatelystartled，andsaiditfelltowardsher。UponthisI
lookedveryblank;andobservingtheconcernofthewholetable，begantoconsidermyself，withsomeconfusion，asapersonthathadbroughtadisasteruponthefamily。Thelady，however，recoveringherselfafteralittlespace，saidtoherhusbandwithasigh，\"Mydear，misfortunesnevercomesingle。\"Myfriend，Ifound，actedbutanunderpartathistable;and，beingamanofmoregood-naturethanunderstanding，thinkshimselfobligedtofallinwithallthepassionsandhumoursofhisyoke-fellow。\"Donotyouremember，child，\"saysshe，\"thatthepigeon-housefelltheveryafternoonthatourcarelesswenchspiltthesaltuponthetable？\"——\"Yes，\"sayshe，\"mydear;andthenextpostbroughtusanaccountofthebattleofAlmanza。\"ThereadermayguessatthefigureImade，afterhavingdoneallthismischief。IdespatchedmydinnerassoonasI
could，withmyusualtaciturnity;when，tomyutterconfusion，theladyseeingmequittingmyknifeandfork，andlayingthemacrossoneanotheruponmyplate，desiredmethatIwouldhumourhersofarastotakethemoutofthatfigureandplacethemsidebyside。
WhattheabsurditywaswhichIhadcommittedIdidnotknow，butI
supposetherewassometraditionarysuperstitioninit;andtherefore，inobediencetotheladyofthehouse，Idisposedofmyknifeandforkintwoparallellines，whichisthefigureIshallalwayslaytheminforthefuture，thoughIdonotknowanyreasonforit。
Itisnotdifficultforamantoseethatapersonhasconceivedanaversiontohim。Formyownpart，Iquicklyfound，bythelady’slooks，thatsheregardedmeasaveryoddkindoffellow，withanunfortunateaspect：forwhichreasonItookmyleaveimmediatelyafterdinner，andwithdrewtomyownlodgings。Uponmyreturnhome，Ifellintoaprofoundcontemplationontheevilsthatattendthesesuperstitiousfolliesofmankind;howtheysubjectustoimaginaryafflictions，andadditionalsorrows，thatdonotproperlycomewithinourlot。Asifthenaturalcalamitiesoflifewerenotsufficientforit，weturnthemostindifferentcircumstancesintomisfortunes，andsufferasmuchfromtriflingaccidentsasfromrealevils。Ihaveknowntheshootingofastarspoilanight’srest;
andhaveseenamaninlovegrowpale，andlosehisappetite，uponthepluckingofamerry-thought。Ascreech-owlatmidnighthasalarmedafamilymorethanabandofrobbers;nay，thevoiceofacrickethathstruckmoreterrorthantheroaringofalion。Thereisnothingsoinconsiderablewhichmaynotappeardreadfultoanimaginationthatisfilledwithomensandprognostics：arustynailoracrookedpinshootupintoprodigies。
IrememberIwasonceinamixedassemblythatwasfullofnoiseandmirth，whenonasuddenanoldwomanunluckilyobservedtherewerethirteenofusincompany。Thisremarkstruckapanicterrorintoseveralwhowerepresent，insomuchthatoneortwooftheladiesweregoingtoleavetheroom;butafriendofminetakingnoticethatoneofourfemalecompanionswasbigwithchild，affirmedtherewerefourteenintheroom，andthat，insteadofportendingoneofthecompanyshoulddie，itplainlyforetoldoneofthemshouldbeborn。Hadnotmyfriendfoundthisexpedienttobreaktheomen，I
questionnotbuthalfthewomeninthecompanywouldhavefallensickthatverynight。
Anoldmaidthatistroubledwiththevapoursproducesinfinitedisturbancesofthiskindamongherfriendsandneighbours。Iknowamaidenauntofagreatfamily，whoisoneoftheseantiquatedSibyls，thatforebodesandprophesiesfromoneendoftheyeartotheother。Sheisalwaysseeingapparitionsandhearingdeath-
watches;andwastheotherdayalmostfrightedoutofherwitsbythegreathouse-dogthathowledinthestable，atatimewhenshelayillofthetoothache。Suchanextravagantcastofmindengagesmultitudesofpeoplenotonlyinimpertinentterrors，butinsupernumerarydutiesoflife，andarisesfromthatfearandignorancewhicharenaturaltothesoulofman。Thehorrorwithwhichweentertainthethoughtsofdeath，orindeedofanyfutureevil，andtheuncertaintyofitsapproach，fillamelancholymindwithinnumerableapprehensionsandsuspicions，andconsequentlydisposeittotheobservationofsuchgroundlessprodigiesandpredictions。Forasitisthechiefconcernofwisementoretrenchtheevilsoflifebythereasoningsofphilosophy，itistheemploymentoffoolstomultiplythembythesentimentsofsuperstition。
Formyownpart，IshouldbeverymuchtroubledwereIendowedwiththisdiviningquality，thoughitshouldinformmetrulyofeverythingthatcanbefallme。Iwouldnotanticipatetherelishofanyhappiness，norfeeltheweightofanymisery，beforeitactuallyarrives。
Iknowbutonewayoffortifyingmysoulagainstthesegloomypresagesandterrorsofmind;andthatis，bysecuringtomyselfthefriendshipandprotectionofthatBeingwhodisposesofeventsandgovernsfuturity。Hesees，atoneview，thewholethreadofmyexistence，notonlythatpartofitwhichIhavealreadypassedthrough，butthatwhichrunsforwardintoallthedepthsofeternity。WhenIlaymedowntosleep，IrecommendmyselftoHiscare;whenIawake，IgivemyselfuptoHisdirection。Amidstalltheevilsthatthreatenme，IwilllookuptoHimforhelp，andquestionnotbutHewilleitheravertthem，orturnthemtomyadvantage。ThoughIknowneitherthetimenorthemannerofthedeathIamtodie，Iamnotatallsolicitousaboutit;becauseIamsurethatheknowsthemboth，andthatHewillnotfailtocomfortandsupportmeunderthem。
OPERALIONS。
Dicmihi，sifiastuleo，qualiseris？
MART。，xii。93。
Wereyoualion，howwouldyoubehave？
ThereisnothingthatoflateyearshasaffordedmatterofgreateramusementtothetownthanSigniorNicolini’scombatwithalionintheHaymarket，whichhasbeenveryoftenexhibitedtothegeneralsatisfactionofmostofthenobilityandgentryinthekingdomofGreatBritain。Uponthefirstrumourofthisintendedcombat，itwasconfidentlyaffirmed，andisstillbelieved，bymanyinbothgalleries，thattherewouldbeatamelionsentfromthetowereveryoperanightinordertobekilledbyHydaspes。Thisreport，thoughaltogethergroundless，souniversallyprevailedintheupperregionsoftheplayhouse，thatsomeofthemostrefinedpoliticiansinthosepartsoftheaudiencegaveitoutinwhisperthatthelionwasacousin-germanofthetigerwhomadehisappearanceinKingWilliam’sdays，andthatthestagewouldbesuppliedwithlionsatthepublicexpenseduringthewholesession。ManylikewiseweretheconjecturesofthetreatmentwhichthislionwastomeetwithfromthehandsofSigniorNicolini：somesupposedthathewastosubduehiminrecitativo，asOrpheususedtoservethewildbeastsinhistime，andafterwardstoknockhimonthehead;somefanciedthatthelionwouldnotpretendtolayhispawsuponthehero，byreasonofthereceivedopinionthatalionwillnothurtavirgin：severalwhopretendedtohaveseentheoperainItaly，hadinformedtheirfriendsthatthelionwastoactapartinHighDutch，androartwiceorthricetoathoroughbassbeforehefellatthefeetofHydaspes。Toclearupamatterthatwassovariouslyreported，I
havemadeitmybusinesstoexaminewhetherthispretendedlionisreallythesavageheappearstobe，oronlyacounterfeit。
ButbeforeIcommunicatemydiscoveries，Imustacquaintthereaderthatuponmywalkingbehindthesceneslastwinter，asIwasthinkingonsomethingelse，Iaccidentallyjostledagainstamonstrousanimalthatextremelystartledme，and，uponmynearersurveyofit，appearedtobealionrampant。Thelion，seeingmeverymuchsurprised，toldme，inagentlevoice，thatImightcomebyhimifIpleased;\"for，\"sayshe，\"Idonotintendtohurtanybody。\"Ithankedhimverykindlyandpassedbyhim，andinalittletimeaftersawhimleapuponthestageandacthispartwithverygreatapplause。Ithasbeenobservedbyseveralthatthelionhaschangedhismannerofactingtwiceorthricesincehisfirstappearance，whichwillnotseemstrangewhenIacquaintmyreaderthatthelionhasbeenchangedupontheaudiencethreeseveraltimes。Thefirstlionwasacandle-snuffer，who，beingafellowofatesty，cholerictemper，overdidhispart，andwouldnotsufferhimselftobekilledsoeasilyasheoughttohavedone：besides，itwasobservedofhim，thathegrewmoresurlyeverytimehecameoutofthelion，andhavingdroppedsomewordsinordinaryconversation，asifhehadnotfoughthisbest，andthathesufferedhimselftobethrownuponhisbackinthescuffle，andthathewouldwrestlewithMr。Nicoliniforwhathepleased，outofhislion’sskin，itwasthoughtpropertodiscardhim：anditisverilybelievedtothisday，that，hadhebeenbroughtuponthestageanothertime，hewouldcertainlyhavedonemischief。Besides，itwasobjectedagainstthefirstlion，thatherearedhimselfsohighuponhishinderpaws，andwalkedinsoerectaposture，thathelookedmorelikeanoldmanthanalion。
Thesecondlionwasatailorbytrade，whobelongedtotheplayhouse，andhadthecharacterofamildandpeaceablemaninhisprofession。Iftheformerwastoofurious，thiswastoosheepishforhispart;inasmuchthat，afterashortmodestwalkuponthestage，hewouldfallatthefirsttouchofHydaspes，withoutgrapplingwithhim，andgivinghimanopportunityofshowinghisvarietyofItaliantrips。Itissaid，indeed，thatheoncegavehimaripinhisflesh-colourdoublet：butthiswasonlytomakeworkforhimselfinhisprivatecharacterofatailor。Imustnotomitthatitwasthissecondlionwhotreatedmewithsomuchhumanitybehindthescenes。
Theactinglionatpresentis，asIaminformed，acountrygentleman，whodoesitforhisdiversion，butdesireshisnamemaybeconcealed。Hesaysveryhandsomely，inhisownexcuse，thathedoesnotactforgain;thatheindulgesaninnocentpleasureinit，andthatitisbettertopassawayaneveninginthismannerthaningaminganddrinking：butatthesametimesays，withaveryagreeablerailleryuponhimself，thatifhisnameshouldbeknown，theill-naturedworldmightcallhim\"theassinthelion’sskin。\"
Thisgentleman’stemperismadeoutofsuchahappymixtureofthemildandthecholeric，thatheoutdoesbothhispredecessors，andhasdrawntogethergreateraudiencesthanhavebeenknowninthememoryofman。
Imustnotconcludemynarrativewithouttakingnoticeofagroundlessreportthathasbeenraisedtoagentleman’sdisadvantage，ofwhomImustdeclaremyselfanadmirer;namely，thatSigniorNicoliniandthelionhavebeenseensittingpeaceablybyoneanother，andsmokingapipetogetherbehindthescenes;bywhichtheircommonenemieswouldinsinuatethatitisbutashamcombatwhichtheyrepresentuponthestage：butuponinquiryIfind，thatifanysuchcorrespondencehaspassedbetweenthem，itwasnottillthecombatwasover，whenthelionwastobelookeduponasdeadaccordingtothereceivedrulesofthedrama。Besides，thisiswhatispractisedeverydayinWestminsterHall，wherenothingismoreusualthantoseeacoupleoflawyers，whohavebeentearingeachothertopiecesinthecourt，embracingoneanotherassoonastheyareoutofit。
IwouldnotbethoughtinanypartofthisrelationtoreflectuponSigniorNicolini，who，inactingthispart，onlycomplieswiththewretchedtasteofhisaudience：heknowsverywellthatthelionhasmanymoreadmirersthanhimself;astheysayofthefamousequestrianstatueonthePont-NeufatParis，thatmorepeoplegotoseethehorsethanthekingwhositsuponit。Onthecontrary，itgivesmeajustindignationtoseeapersonwhoseactiongivesnewmajestytokings，resolutiontoheroes，andsoftnesstolovers，thussinkingfromthegreatnessofhisbehaviour，anddegradedintothecharacteroftheLondonPrentice。Ihaveoftenwishedthatourtragedianswouldcopyafterthisgreatmasterinaction。Couldtheymakethesameuseoftheirarmsandlegs，andinformtheirfaceswithassignificantlooksandpassions，howgloriouswouldanEnglishtragedyappearwiththatactionwhichiscapableofgivingadignitytotheforcedthoughts，coldconceits，andunnaturalexpressionsofanItalianopera！Inthemeantime，IhaverelatedthiscombatoftheliontoshowwhatareatpresentthereigningentertainmentsofthepoliterpartofGreatBritain。
Audienceshaveoftenbeenreproachedbywritersforthecoarsenessoftheirtaste;butourpresentgrievancedoesnotseemtobethewantofagoodtaste，butofcommonsense。
WOMENANDWIVES。
Parvalevescapiuntanimos-
OVID，ArsAm。，i。159。
Lightmindsarepleasedwithtrifles。
WhenIwasinFrance，Iusedtogazewithgreatastonishmentatthesplendidequipages，andparty-colouredhabitsofthatfantasticnation。IwasonedayinparticularcontemplatingaladythatsatinacoachadornedwithgildedCupids，andfinelypaintedwiththeLovesofVenusandAdonis。Thecoachwasdrawnbysixmilk-whitehorses，andloadenbehindwiththesamenumberofpowderedfootmen。
Justbeforetheladywereacoupleofbeautifulpages，thatwerestuckamongtheharness，and，bytheirgaydressesandsmilingfeatures，lookedliketheelderbrothersofthelittleboysthatwerecarvedandpaintedineverycornerofthecoach。
TheladywastheunfortunateCleanthe，whoafterwardsgaveanoccasiontoaprettymelancholynovel。Shehadforseveralyearsreceivedtheaddressesofagentleman，whom，afteralongandintimateacquaintance，sheforsookupontheaccountofthisshiningequipage，whichhadbeenofferedtoherbyoneofgreatrichesbutacrazyconstitution。ThecircumstancesinwhichIsawherwere，itseems，thedisguisesonlyofabrokenheart，andakindofpageantrytocoverdistress，forintwomonthsafter，shewascarriedtohergravewiththesamepompandmagnificence，beingsentthitherpartlybythelossofoneloverandpartlybythepossessionofanother。
Ihaveoftenreflectedwithmyselfonthisunaccountablehumourinwomankind，ofbeingsmittenwitheverythingthatisshowyandsuperficial;andonthenumberlessevilsthatbefallthesexfromthislightfantasticaldisposition。Imyselfrememberayoungladythatwasverywarmlysolicitedbyacoupleofimportunaterivals，who，forseveralmonthstogether，didalltheycouldtorecommendthemselves，bycomplacencyofbehaviourandagreeablenessofconversation。Atlength，whenthecompetitionwasdoubtful，andtheladyundeterminedinherchoice，oneoftheyoungloversveryluckilybethoughthimselfofaddingasupernumerarylacetohisliveries，whichhadsogoodaneffectthathemarriedhertheveryweekafter。
Theusualconversationofordinarywomenverymuchcherishesthisnaturalweaknessofbeingtakenwithoutsideandappearance。Talkofanew-marriedcouple，andyouimmediatelyhearwhethertheykeeptheircoachandsix，oreatinplate。Mentionthenameofanabsentlady，anditistentoonebutyoulearnsomethingofhergownandpetticoat。Aballisagreathelptodiscourse，andabirthdayfurnishesconversationforatwelvemonthafter。Afurbelowofpreciousstones，ahatbuttonedwithadiamond，abrocadewaistcoatorpetticoat，arestandingtopics。Inshort，theyconsideronlythedraperyofthespecies，andnevercastawayathoughtonthoseornamentsofthemindthatmakepersonsillustriousinthemselvesandusefultoothers。Whenwomenarethusperpetuallydazzlingoneanother’simaginations，andfillingtheirheadswithnothingbutcolours，itisnowonderthattheyaremoreattentivetothesuperficialpartsoflifethanthesolidandsubstantialblessingsofit。Agirlwhohasbeentrainedupinthiskindofconversationisindangerofeveryembroideredcoatthatcomesinherway。A
pairoffringedglovesmaybeherruin。Inaword，laceandribands，silverandgoldgalloons，withthelikeglitteringgewgaws，aresomanylurestowomenofweakmindsorloweducations，and，whenartificiallydisplayed，areabletofetchdownthemostairycoquettefromthewildestofherflightsandrambles。
Truehappinessisofaretirednature，andanenemytopompandnoise;itarises，inthefirstplace，fromtheenjoymentofone’sself，and，inthenext，fromthefriendshipandconversationofafewselectcompanions;itlovesshadeandsolitude，andnaturallyhauntsgrovesandfountains，fieldsandmeadows;inshort，itfeelseverythingitwantswithinitself，andreceivesnoadditionfrommultitudesofwitnessesandspectators。Onthecontrary，falsehappinesslovestobeinacrowd，andtodrawtheeyesoftheworlduponher。Shedoesnotreceiveanysatisfactionfromtheapplauseswhichshegivesherself，butfromtheadmirationsheraisesinothers。Sheflourishesincourtsandpalaces，theatresandassemblies，andhasnoexistencebutwhensheislookedupon。
Aurelia，thoughawomanofgreatquality，delightsintheprivacyofacountrylife，andpassesawayagreatpartofhertimeinherownwalksandgardens。Herhusband，whoisherbosomfriendandcompanioninhersolitudes，hasbeeninlovewithhereversinceheknewher。Theybothaboundwithgoodsense，consummatevirtue，andamutualesteem;andareaperpetualentertainmenttooneanother。
Theirfamilyisundersoregularaneconomy，initshoursofdevotionandrepast，employmentanddiversion，thatitlookslikealittlecommonwealthwithinitself。Theyoftengointocompany，thattheymayreturnwiththegreaterdelighttooneanother;andsometimesliveintown，nottoenjoyitsoproperlyastogrowwearyofit，thattheymayrenewinthemselvestherelishofacountrylife。Bythismeanstheyarehappyineachother，belovedbytheirchildren，adoredbytheirservants，andarebecometheenvy，orratherthedelight，ofallthatknowthem。
HowdifferenttothisisthelifeofFulvia！Sheconsidersherhusbandashersteward，andlooksupondiscretionandgoodhousewiferyaslittledomesticvirtuesunbecomingawomanofquality。Shethinkslifelostinherownfamily，andfanciesherselfoutoftheworldwhensheisnotinthering，theplayhouse，orthedrawing-room。Shelivesinaperpetualmotionofbodyandrestlessnessofthought，andisnevereasyinanyoneplacewhenshethinksthereismorecompanyinanother。Themissingofanoperathefirstnightwouldbemoreafflictingtoherthanthedeathofachild。Shepitiesallthevaluablepartofherownsex，andcallseverywomanofaprudent，modest，retiredlife，apoor-spirited，unpolishedcreature。WhatamortificationwoulditbetoFulvia，ifsheknewthathersettingherselftoviewisbutexposingherself，andthatshegrowscontemptiblebybeingconspicuous！
IcannotconcludemypaperwithoutobservingthatVirgilhasveryfinelytoucheduponthisfemalepassionfordressandshow，inthecharacterofCamilla，who，thoughsheseemstohaveshakenoffalltheotherweaknessesofhersex，isstilldescribedasawomaninthisparticular。Thepoettellsus，thatafterhavingmadeagreatslaughteroftheenemy，sheunfortunatelycasthereyeonaTrojan，whoworeanembroideredtunic，abeautifulcoatofmail，withamantleofthefinestpurple。\"Agoldenbow，\"sayshe，\"hunguponhisshoulder;hisgarmentwasbuckledwithagoldenclasp，andhisheadcoveredwithahelmetofthesameshiningmetal。\"TheAmazonimmediatelysingledoutthiswell-dressedwarrior，beingseizedwithawoman’slongingfortheprettytrappingsthathewasadornedwith：-
Totumqueincautaperagmen，Faemineopraedaeetspoliorumardebatamore。
AEn。，xi。781-
SogreedywasshebentOngoldenspoils，andonherpreyintent。
DRYDEN。
Thisheedlesspursuitaftertheseglitteringtrifles，thepoet，byaniceconcealedmoral，representstohavebeenthedestructionofhisfemalehero。
THEITALIANOPERA-
EquitisquoquejammigravitabaurevoluptasOmnisadincertosoculos，etgaudiavana。
HOR。，Ep。ii。1，187。
Butnowournoblestooarefopsandvain，Neglectthesense，butlovethepaintedscene。
CREECH。
ItismydesigninthispapertodeliverdowntoposterityafaithfulaccountoftheItalianopera，andofthegradualprogresswhichithasmadeupontheEnglishstage;forthereisnoquestionbutourgreat-grandchildrenwillbeverycurioustoknowthereasonwhytheirforefathersusedtosittogetherlikeanaudienceofforeignersintheirowncountry，andtohearwholeplaysactedbeforetheminatonguewhichtheydidnotunderstand。
ArsinoewasthefirstoperathatgaveusatasteofItalianmusic。
ThegreatsuccessthisoperametwithproducedsomeattemptsofformingpiecesuponItalianplans，whichshouldgiveamorenaturalandreasonableentertainmentthanwhatcanbemetwithintheelaboratetriflesofthatnation。Thisalarmedthepoetastersandfiddlersofthetown，whowereusedtodealinamoreordinarykindofware;andthereforelaiddownanestablishedrule，whichisreceivedassuchtothisday，\"Thatnothingiscapableofbeingwellsettomusicthatisnotnonsense。\"
Thismaximwasnosoonerreceived，butweimmediatelyfelltotranslatingtheItalianoperas;andastherewasnogreatdangerofhurtingthesenseofthoseextraordinarypieces，ourauthorswouldoftenmakewordsoftheirownwhichwereentirelyforeigntothemeaningofthepassagestheypretendedtotranslate;theirchiefcarebeingtomakethenumbersoftheEnglishverseanswertothoseoftheItalian，thatbothofthemmightgotothesametune。ThusthefamousswiginCamilla：
\"Barbarasit’intendo，\"&c。
\"Barbarouswoman，yes，Iknowyourmeaning，\"
whichexpressestheresentmentsofanangrylover，wastranslatedintothatEnglishlamentation，\"Frailarealover’shopes，\"&c。
AnditwaspleasantenoughtoseethemostrefinedpersonsoftheBritishnationdyingawayandlanguishingtonotesthatwerefilledwithaspiritofrageandindignation。Ithappenedalsoveryfrequently，wherethesensewasrightlytranslated，thenecessarytranspositionofwords，whichweredrawnoutofthephraseofonetongueintothatofanother，madethemusicappearveryabsurdinonetonguethatwasverynaturalintheother。IrememberanItalianversethatranthus，wordforword：
\"Andturnedmyrageintopity;\"
whichtheEnglishforrhyme’ssaketranslated：
\"Andintopityturnedmyrage。\"
BythismeansthesoftnotesthatwereadaptedtopityintheItalianfelluponthewordrageintheEnglish;andtheangrysoundsthatwereturnedtorageintheoriginal，weremadetoexpresspityinthetranslation。Itoftentimeshappened，likewise，thatthefinestnotesintheairfelluponthemostinsignificantwordsinthesentence。Ihaveknowntheword\"and\"pursuedthroughthewholegamut;havebeenentertainedwithmanyamelodious\"the;\"andhaveheardthemostbeautifulgraces，quavers，anddivisionsbestowedupon\"then，\"\"for，\"and\"from，\"totheeternalhonourofourEnglishparticles。
ThenextsteptoourrefinementwastheintroducingofItalianactorsintoouropera;whosangtheirpartsintheirownlanguage，atthesametimethatourcountrymenperformedtheirsinournativetongue。ThekingorherooftheplaygenerallyspokeinItalian，andhisslavesansweredhiminEnglish。Theloverfrequentlymadehiscourt，andgainedtheheartofhisprincess，inalanguagewhichshedidnotunderstand。Onewouldhavethoughtitverydifficulttohavecarriedondialoguesafterthismannerwithoutaninterpreterbetweenthepersonsthatconversedtogether;butthiswasthestateoftheEnglishstageforaboutthreeyears。
Atlengththeaudiencegrewtiredofunderstandinghalftheopera;
andtherefore，toeasethemselvesentirelyofthefatigueofthinking，havesoordereditatpresent，thatthewholeoperaisperformedinanunknowntongue。Wenolongerunderstandthelanguageofourownstage;insomuchthatIhaveoftenbeenafraid，whenIhaveseenourItalianperformerschatteringinthevehemenceofaction，thattheyhavebeencallingusnames，andabusingusamongthemselves;butIhope，sinceweputsuchanentireconfidenceinthem，theywillnottalkagainstusbeforeourfaces，thoughtheymaydoitwiththesamesafetyasifitwerebehindourbacks。Inthemeantime，Icannotforbearthinkinghownaturallyanhistorianwhowritestwoorthreehundredyearshence，anddoesnotknowthetasteofhiswiseforefathers，willmakethefollowingreflection：
\"Inthebeginningoftheeighteenthcentury，theItaliantonguewassowellunderstoodinEngland，thatoperaswereactedonthepublicstageinthatlanguage。\"
Onescarceknowshowtobeseriousintheconfutationofanabsurditythatshowsitselfatthefirstsight。Itdoesnotwantanygreatmeasureofsensetoseetheridiculeofthismonstrouspractice;butwhatmakesitthemoreastonishing，itisnotthetasteoftherabble，butofpersonsofthegreatestpoliteness，whichhasestablishedit。
IftheItalianshaveageniusformusicabovetheEnglish，theEnglishhaveageniusforotherperformancesofamuchhighernature，andcapableofgivingthemindamuchnoblerentertainment。
Wouldonethinkitwaspossible，atatimewhenanauthorlivedthatwasabletowritethePhaedraandHippolitus，forapeopletobesostupidlyfondoftheItalianopera，asscarcetogiveathirdday’shearingtothatadmirabletragedy？Musiciscertainlyaveryagreeableentertainment：butifitwouldtaketheentirepossessionofourears;ifitwouldmakeusincapableofhearingsense;ifitwouldexcludeartsthathaveamuchgreatertendencytotherefinementofhumannature;ImustconfessIwouldallowitnobetterquarterthanPlatohasdone，whobanishesitoutofhiscommonwealth。
Atpresentournotionsofmusicaresoveryuncertain，thatwedonotknowwhatitiswelike;only，ingeneral，wearetransportedwithanythingthatisnotEnglish：soitbeofaforeigngrowth，letitbeItalian，French，orHighDutch，itisthesamething。Inshort，ourEnglishmusicisquiterootedout，andnothingyetplantedinitsstead。
Whenaroyalpalaceisburnttotheground，everymanisatlibertytopresenthisplanforanewone;and，thoughitbebutindifferentlyputtogether，itmayfurnishseveralhintsthatmaybeofusetoagoodarchitect。Ishalltakethesamelibertyinafollowingpaperofgivingmyopinionuponthesubjectofmusic;
whichIshalllaydownonlyinaproblematicalmanner，tobeconsideredbythosewhoaremastersintheart。
LAMPOONS。
SaevitatroxVolscens，necteliconspicitusquamAuctorem，necquoseardensimmitterepossit。
VIRG。，AEn。ix。420。
FierceVolscensfoamswithrage，and，gazinground，Descry’dnothimwhogavethefatalwound;
Norknewtofixrevenge。DRYDEN。
Thereisnothingthatmorebetraysabase，ungenerousspiritthanthegivingofsecretstabstoaman’sreputation。Lampoonsandsatires，thatarewrittenwithwitandspirit，arelikepoisoneddarts，whichnotonlyinflictawound，butmakeitincurable。ForthisreasonIamverymuchtroubledwhenIseethetalents’ofhumourandridiculeinthepossessionofanill-naturedman。Therecannotbeagreatergratificationtoabarbarousandinhumanwit，thantostirupsorrowintheheartofaprivateperson，toraiseuneasinessamongnearrelations，andtoexposewholefamiliestoderision，atthesametimethatheremainsunseenandundiscovered。
If，besidestheaccomplishmentsofbeingwittyandill-natured，amanisviciousintothebargain，heisoneofthemostmischievouscreaturesthatcanenterintoacivilsociety。Hissatirewillthenchieflyfalluponthosewhooughttobethemostexemptfromit。
Virtue，merit，andeverythingthatispraiseworthy，willbemadethesubjectofridiculeandbuffoonery。Itisimpossibletoenumeratetheevilswhicharisefromthesearrowsthatflyinthedark;andI
knownootherexcusethatisorcanbemadeforthem，thanthatthewoundstheygiveareonlyimaginary，andproducenothingmorethanasecretshameorsorrowinthemindofthesufferingperson。Itmustindeedbeconfessedthatalampoonorasatiredonotcarryinthemrobberyormurder;butatthesametime，howmanyaretherethatwouldnotratherloseaconsiderablesumofmoney，orevenlifeitself，thanbesetupasamarkofinfamyandderision？Andinthiscaseamanshouldconsiderthataninjuryisnottobemeasuredbythenotionsofhimthatgives，butofhimthatreceivesit。
Thosewhocanputthebestcountenanceupontheoutragesofthisnaturewhichareofferedthem，arenotwithouttheirsecretanguish。
IhaveoftenobservedapassageinSocrates’sbehaviourathisdeathinalightwhereinnoneofthecriticshaveconsideredit。Thatexcellentmanentertaininghisfriendsalittlebeforehedrankthebowlofpoison，withadiscourseontheimmortalityofthesoul，athisenteringuponitsaysthathedoesnotbelieveanythemostcomicgeniuscancensurehimfortalkinguponsuchasubjectatsuchatatime。Thispassage，Ithink，evidentlyglancesuponAristophanes，whowritacomedyonpurposetoridiculethediscoursesofthatdivinephilosopher。IthasbeenobservedbymanywritersthatSocrateswassolittlemovedatthispieceofbuffoonery，thathewasseveraltimespresentatitsbeingacteduponthestage，andneverexpressedtheleastresentmentofit。
But，withsubmission，IthinktheremarkIhaveheremadeshowsusthatthisunworthytreatmentmadeanimpressionuponhismind，thoughhehadbeentoowisetodiscoverit。
WhenJuliusCaesarwaslampoonedbyCatullus，heinvitedhimtoasupper，andtreatedhimwithsuchagenerouscivility，thathemadethepoethisfriendeverafter。CardinalMazarinegavethesamekindoftreatmenttothelearnedQuillet，whohadreflecteduponhiseminenceinafamousLatinpoem。Thecardinalsentforhim，and，aftersomekindexpostulationsuponwhathehadwritten，assuredhimofhisesteem，anddismissedhimwithapromiseofthenextgoodabbeythatshouldfall，whichheaccordinglyconferreduponhiminafewmonthsafter。Thishadsogoodaneffectupontheauthor，thathededicatedthesecondeditionofhisbooktothecardinal，afterhavingexpungedthepassageswhichhadgivenhimoffence。
SextusQuintuswasnotofsogenerousandforgivingatemper。UponhisbeingmadePope，thestatueofPasquinwasonenightdressedinaverydirtyshirt，withanexcusewrittenunderit，thathewasforcedtowearfoullinenbecausehislaundresswasmadeaprincess。
ThiswasareflectionuponthePope’ssister，who，beforethepromotionofherbrother，wasinthosemeancircumstancesthatPasquinrepresentedher。AsthispasquinademadeagreatnoiseinRome，thePopeofferedaconsiderablesumofmoneytoanypersonthatshoulddiscovertheauthorofit。Theauthor，relyinguponhisholiness’sgenerosity，asalsoonsomeprivateovertureswhichhehadreceivedfromhim，madethediscoveryhimself;uponwhichthePopegavehimtherewardhehadpromised，but，atthesametime，todisablethesatiristforthefuture，orderedhistonguetobecutout，andbothhishandstobechoppedoff。Aretineistootriteaninstance。EveryoneknowsthatallthekingsofEuropewerehistributaries。Nay，thereisaletterofhisextant，inwhichhemakeshisboastthathehadlaidtheSophiofPersiaundercontribution。
ThoughinthevariousexampleswhichIhaveheredrawntogether，theseseveralgreatmenbehavedthemselvesverydifferentlytowardsthewitsoftheagewhohadreproachedthem，theyallofthemplainlyshowedthattheywereverysensibleoftheirreproaches，andconsequentlythattheyreceivedthemasverygreatinjuries。Formyownpart，IwouldnevertrustamanthatIthoughtwascapableofgivingthesesecretwounds;andcannotbutthinkthathewouldhurttheperson，whosereputationhethusassaults，inhisbodyorinhisfortune，couldhedoitwiththesamesecurity。Thereisindeedsomethingverybarbarousandinhumanintheordinaryscribblersoflampoons。Aninnocentyoungladyshallbeexposedforanunhappyfeature;afatherofafamilyturnedtoridiculeforsomedomesticcalamity;awifebemadeuneasyallherlifeforamisinterpretedwordoraction;nay，agood，atemperate，andajustmanshallbeputoutofcountenancebytherepresentationofthosequalitiesthatshoulddohimhonour;soperniciousathingiswitwhenitisnottemperedwithvirtueandhumanity。
Ihaveindeedheardofheedless，inconsideratewritersthat，withoutanymalice，havesacrificedthereputationoftheirfriendsandacquaintancetoacertainlevityoftemper，andasillyambitionofdistinguishingthemselvesbyaspiritofrailleryandsatire;asifitwerenotinfinitelymorehonourabletobeagood-naturedmanthanawit。Wherethereisthislittlepetulanthumourinanauthor，heisoftenverymischievouswithoutdesigningtobeso。ForwhichreasonIalwayslayitdownasarulethatanindiscreetmanismorehurtfulthananill-naturedone;forastheonewillonlyattackhisenemies，andthosehewishesillto，theotherinjuresindifferentlybothfriendsandfoes。Icannotforbear，onthisoccasion，transcribingafableoutofSirRogerL’Estrange，whichaccidentallyliesbeforeme。Acompanyofwaggishboyswerewatchingoffrogsatthesideofapond，andstillasanyofthemputuptheirheads，theywouldbepeltingthemdownagainwithstones。\"Children，\"saysoneofthefrogs，\"youneverconsiderthatthoughthisbeplaytoyou，’tisdeathtous。\"
Asthisweekisinamannersetapartanddedicatedtoseriousthoughts，Ishallindulgemyselfinsuchspeculationsasmaynotbealtogetherunsuitabletotheseason;andinthemeantime，asthesettlinginourselvesacharitableframeofmindisaworkveryproperforthetime，Ihaveinthispaperendeavouredtoexposethatparticularbreachofcharitywhichhasbeengenerallyoverlookedbydivines，becausetheyarebutfewwhocanbeguiltyofit。
TRUEANDFALSEHUMOUR-
Risuineptoresineptiornullaest。
CATULL。，Carm。39inEgnat。
Nothingsofoolishasthelaughoffools。
Amongallkindsofwriting，thereisnoneinwhichauthorsaremoreapttomiscarrythaninworksofhumour，asthereisnoneinwhichtheyaremoreambitioustoexcel。Itisnotanimaginationthatteemswithmonsters，aheadthatisfilledwithextravagantconceptions，whichiscapableoffurnishingtheworldwithdiversionsofthisnature;andyet，ifwelookintotheproductionsofseveralwriters，whosetupformenofhumour，whatwild，irregularfancies，whatunnaturaldistortionsofthoughtdowemeetwith？Iftheyspeaknonsense，theybelievetheyaretalkinghumour;
andwhentheyhavedrawntogetheraschemeofabsurd，inconsistentideas，theyarenotabletoreaditovertothemselveswithoutlaughing。Thesepoorgentlemenendeavourtogainthemselvesthereputationofwitsandhumorists，bysuchmonstrousconceitsasalmostqualifythemforBedlam;notconsideringthathumourshouldalwayslieunderthecheckofreason，andthatitrequiresthedirectionofthenicestjudgment，bysomuchthemoreasitindulgesitselfinthemostboundlessfreedoms。Thereisakindofnaturethatistobeobservedinthissortofcompositions，aswellasinallother;andacertainregularityofthoughtwhichmustdiscoverthewritertobeamanofsense，atthesametimethatheappearsaltogethergivenuptocaprice。Formypart，whenIreadthedeliriousmirthofanunskilfulauthor，Icannotbesobarbarousastodivertmyselfwithit，butamratherapttopitytheman，thantolaughatanythinghewrites。
ThedeceasedMr。Shadwell，whohadhimselfagreatdealofthetalentwhichIamtreatingof，representsanemptyrake，inoneofhisplays，asverymuchsurprisedtohearonesaythatbreakingofwindowswasnothumour;andIquestionnotbutseveralEnglishreaderswillbeasmuchstartledtohearmeaffirm，thatmanyofthoseraving，incoherentpieces，whichareoftenspreadamongus，underoddchimericaltitles，arerathertheoffspringsofadistemperedbrainthanworksofhumour。
Itis，indeed，mucheasiertodescribewhatisnothumourthanwhatis;andverydifficulttodefineitotherwisethanasCowleyhasdonewit，bynegatives。WereItogivemyownnotionsofit，I
woulddeliverthemafterPlato’smanner，inakindofallegory，and，bysupposingHumourtobeaperson，deducetohimallhisqualifications，accordingtothefollowinggenealogy。Truthwasthefounderofthefamily，andthefatherofGoodSense。GoodSensewasthefatherofWit，whomarriedaladyofacollaterallinecalledMirth，bywhomhehadissueHumour。Humourthereforebeingtheyoungestofthisillustriousfamily，anddescendedfromparentsofsuchdifferentdispositions，isveryvariousandunequalinhistemper;sometimesyouseehimputtingongravelooksandasolemnhabit，sometimesairyinhisbehaviourandfantasticinhisdress;
insomuchthatatdifferenttimesheappearsasseriousasajudge，andasjocularasamerry-andrew。But，ashehasagreatdealofthemotherinhisconstitution，whatevermoodheisin，heneverfailstomakehiscompanylaugh。
Butsincethereisanimpostorabroad，whotakesuponhimthenameofthisyounggentleman，andwouldwillinglypassforhimintheworld;totheendthatwell-meaningpersonsmaynotbeimposeduponbycheats，Iwoulddesiremyreaders，whentheymeetwiththispretender，tolookintohisparentage，andtoexaminehimstrictly，whetherornoheberemotelyalliedtoTruth，andlineallydescendedfromGoodSense;ifnot，theymayconcludehimacounterfeit。Theymaylikewisedistinguishhimbyaloudandexcessivelaughter，inwhichheseldomgetshiscompanytojoinwithhim。ForasTrueHumourgenerallylooksseriouswhileeverybodylaughsabouthim，FalseHumourisalwayslaughingwhilsteverybodyabouthimlooksserious。Ishallonlyadd，ifhehasnotinhimamixtureofbothparents——thatis，ifhewouldpassfortheoffspringofWitwithoutMirth，orMirthwithoutWit，youmayconcludehimtobealtogetherspuriousandacheat。
TheimpostorofwhomIamspeakingdescendsoriginallyfromFalsehood，whowasthemotherofNonsense，whowasbroughttobedofasoncalledPhrensy，whomarriedoneofthedaughtersofFolly，commonlyknownbythenameofLaughter，onwhomhebegotthatmonstrousinfantofwhichIhavebeenherespeaking。IshallsetdownatlengththegenealogicaltableofFalseHumour，and，atthesametime，placeunderitthegenealogyofTrueHumour，thatthereadermayatoneviewbeholdtheirdifferentpedigreesandrelations：-
Falsehood。
Nonsense。
Phrensy。——Laughter。
FalseHumour。
Truth。
GoodSense。
Wit。——Mirth，Humour。
Imightextendtheallegory，bymentioningseveralofthechildrenofFalseHumour，whoaremoreinnumberthanthesandsofthesea，andmightinparticularenumeratethemanysonsanddaughterswhichhehasbegotinthisisland。Butasthiswouldbeaveryinvidioustask，IshallonlyobserveingeneralthatFalseHumourdiffersfromtheTrueasamonkeydoesfromaman。
Firstofall，heisexceedinglygiventolittleapishtricksandbuffooneries。
Secondly，hesomuchdelightsinmimicry，thatitisallonetohimwhetherheexposesbyitviceandfolly，luxuryandavarice;or，onthecontrary，virtueandwisdom，painandpoverty。
Thirdly，heiswonderfullyunlucky，insomuchthathewillbitethehandthatfeedshim，andendeavourtoridiculebothfriendsandfoesindifferently。For，havingbutsmalltalents，hemustbemerrywherehecan，notwhereheshould。
Fourthly，Beingentirelyvoidofreason，hepursuesnopointeitherofmoralityorinstruction，butisludicrousonlyforthesakeofbeingso。
Fifthly，Beingincapableofanythingbutmockrepresentations，hisridiculeisalwayspersonal，andaimedattheviciousman，orthewriter;notatthevice，oratthewriting。
Ihavehereonlypointedatthewholespeciesoffalsehumorists;
but，asoneofmyprincipaldesignsinthispaperistobeatdownthatmalignantspiritwhichdiscoversitselfinthewritingsofthepresentage，Ishallnotscruple，forthefuture，tosingleoutanyofthesmallwitsthatinfesttheworldwithsuchcompositionsasareill-natured，immoral，andabsurd。ThisistheonlyexceptionwhichIshallmaketothegeneralruleIhaveprescribedmyself，ofattackingmultitudes;sinceeveryhonestmanoughttolookuponhimselfasinanaturalstateofwarwiththelibellerandlampooner，andtoannoythemwherevertheyfallinhisway。Thisisbutretaliatinguponthem，andtreatingthemastheytreatothers。
SAGAYEANQUARASHTOW’SIMPRESSIONSOFLONDON。
Nunquamaliudnatura，aliudsapientiadicit。
JUV。，Sat。xiv。321。
Goodtasteandnaturealwaysspeakthesame。
WhenthefourIndiankingswereinthiscountryaboutatwelvemonthago，Ioftenmixedwiththerabble，andfollowedthemawholedaytogether，beingwonderfullystruckwiththesightofeverythingthatisneworuncommon。Ihave，sincetheirdeparture，employedafriendtomakemanyinquiriesoftheirlandlordtheupholstererrelatingtotheirmannersandconversation，asalsoconcerningtheremarkswhichtheymadeinthiscountry;fornexttotheformingarightnotionofsuchstrangers，Ishouldbedesirousoflearningwhatideastheyhaveconceivedofus。
Theupholstererfindingmyfriendveryinquisitiveaboutthesehislodgers，broughthimsometimesincealittlebundleofpapers，whichheassuredhimwerewrittenbyKingSaGaYeanQuaRashTow，and，ashesupposes，leftbehindbysomemistake。Thesepapersarenowtranslated，andcontainabundanceofveryoddobservations，whichI
findthislittlefraternityofkingsmadeduringtheirstayintheIsleofGreatBritain。Ishallpresentmyreaderwithashortspecimenoftheminthispaper，andmayperhapscommunicatemoretohimhereafter。InthearticleofLondonarethefollowingwords，whichwithoutdoubtaremeantofthechurchofSt。Paul\"Onthemostrisingpartofthetowntherestandsahugehouse，bigenoughtocontainthewholenationofwhichIamtheking。OurgoodbrotherETowOKoam，KingoftheRivers，isofopinionitwasmadebythehandsofthatgreatGodtowhomitisconsecrated。TheKingsofGranajarandoftheSixNationsbelievethatitwascreatedwiththeearth，andproducedonthesamedaywiththesunandmoon。Butformyownpart，bythebestinformationthatIcouldgetofthismatter，Iamapttothinkthatthisprodigiouspilewasfashionedintotheshapeitnowbearsbyseveraltoolsandinstruments，ofwhichtheyhaveawonderfulvarietyinthiscountry。Itwasprobablyatfirstahugemisshapenrockthatgrewuponthetopofthehill，whichthenativesofthecountry，afterhavingcutintoakindofregularfigure，boredandhollowedwithincrediblepainsandindustry，tilltheyhadwroughtinitallthosebeautifulvaultsandcavernsintowhichitisdividedatthisday。Assoonasthisrockwasthuscuriouslyscoopedtotheirliking，aprodigiousnumberofhandsmusthavebeenemployedinchippingtheoutsideofit，whichisnowassmoothasthesurfaceofapebble;andisinseveralplaceshewnoutintopillarsthatstandlikethetrunksofsomanytreesboundaboutthetopwithgarlandsofleaves。Itisprobablethatwhenthisgreatworkwasbegun，whichmusthavebeenmanyhundredyearsago，therewassomereligionamongthispeople;fortheygiveitthenameofatemple，andhaveatraditionthatitwasdesignedformentopaytheirdevotionin。Andindeed，thereareseveralreasonswhichmakeusthinkthatthenativesofthiscountryhadformerlyamongthemsomesortofworship，fortheysetaparteveryseventhdayassacred;butuponmygoingintooneoftheseholyhousesonthatday，Icouldnotobserveanycircumstanceofdevotionintheirbehaviour。Therewas，indeed，amaninblack，whowasmountedabovetherest，andseemedtouttersomethingwithagreatdealofvehemence;butasforthoseunderneathhim，insteadofpayingtheirworshiptothedeityoftheplace，theyweremostofthembowingandcurtsyingtooneanother，andaconsiderablenumberofthemfastasleep。
\"Thequeenofthecountryappointedtwomentoattendus，thathadenoughofourlanguagetomakethemselvesunderstoodinsomefewparticulars。Butwesoonperceivedthesetwoweregreatenemiestooneanother，anddidnotalwaysagreeinthesamestory。Wecouldmakeashifttogatheroutofoneofthemthatthisislandwasverymuchinfestedwithamonstrouskindofanimals，intheshapeofmen，calledWhigs;andheoftentoldusthathehopedweshouldmeetwithnoneoftheminourway，forthat，ifwedid，theywouldbeapttoknockusdownforbeingkings。
\"OurotherinterpreterusedtotalkverymuchofakindofanimalcalledaTory，thatwasasgreatamonsterastheWhig，andwouldtreatusasillforbeingforeigners。Thesetwocreatures，itseems，arebornwithasecretantipathytooneanother，andengagewhentheymeetasnaturallyastheelephantandtherhinoceros。Butaswesawnoneofeitherofthesespecies，weareapttothinkthatourguidesdeceiveduswithmisrepresentationsandfictions，andamuseduswithanaccountofsuchmonstersasarenotreallyintheircountry。
\"Theseparticularswemadeashifttopickoutfromthediscourseofourinterpreters，whichweputtogetheraswellaswecould，beingabletounderstandbuthereandthereawordofwhattheysaid，andafterwardsmakingupthemeaningofitamongourselves。Themenofthecountryareverycunningandingeniousinhandicraftworks，butwithalsoveryidle，thatweoftensawyoung，lusty，raw-bonedfellowscarriedupanddownthestreetsinlittlecoveredroomsbyacoupleofporters，whowerehiredforthatservice。Theirdressislikewiseverybarbarous，fortheyalmoststranglethemselvesabouttheneck，andbindtheirbodieswithmanyligatures，thatweareapttothinkaretheoccasionofseveraldistempersamongthem，whichourcountryisentirelyfreefrom。Insteadofthosebeautifulfeatherswithwhichweadornourheads，theyoftenbuyupamonstrousbushofhair，whichcoverstheirheads，andfallsdowninalargefleecebelowthemiddleoftheirbacks，withwhichtheywalkupanddownthestreets，andareasproudofitasifitwasoftheirowngrowth。
\"Wewereinvitedtooneoftheirpublicdiversions，wherewehopedtohaveseenthegreatmenoftheircountryrunningdownastag，orpitchingabar，thatwemighthavediscoveredwhowerethepersonsofthegreatestabilitiesamongthem;butinsteadofthat，theyconveyedusintoahugeroomlightedupwithabundanceofcandles，wherethislazypeoplesatstillabovethreehourstoseeseveralfeatsofingenuityperformedbyothers，whoitseemswerepaidforit。
\"Asforthewomenofthecountry，notbeingabletotalkwiththem，wecouldonlymakeourremarksuponthematadistance。Theyletthehairoftheirheadsgrowtoagreatlength;butasthemenmakeagreatshowwithheadsofhairthatarenoneoftheirown，thewomen，whotheysayhaveveryfineheadsofhair，tieitupinaknot，andcoveritfrombeingseen。Thewomenlooklikeangels，andwouldbemorebeautifulthanthesun，wereitnotforlittleblackspotsthatareapttobreakoutintheirfaces，andsometimesriseinveryoddfigures。Ihaveobservedthatthoselittleblemisheswearoffverysoon;butwhentheydisappearinonepartoftheface，theyareveryapttobreakoutinanother，insomuchthatIhaveseenaspotupontheforeheadintheafternoonwhichwasuponthechininthemorning。\"
Theauthorthenproceedstoshowtheabsurdityofbreechesandpetticoats，withmanyothercuriousobservations，whichIshallreserveforanotheroccasion：Icannot，however，concludethispaperwithouttakingnoticethatamidstthesewildremarkstherenowandthenappearssomethingveryreasonable。Icannotlikewiseforbearobserving，thatweareallguiltyinsomemeasureofthesamenarrowwayofthinkingwhichwemeetwithinthisabstractoftheIndianjournal，whenwefancythecustoms，dresses，andmannersofothercountriesareridiculousandextravagantiftheydonotresemblethoseofourown。
THEVISIONOFMARRATON。
Feliceserroresuo-
LUCANi。454。
Happyintheirmistake。
TheAmericansbelievethatallcreatureshavesouls，notonlymenandwomen，butbrutes，vegetables，nay，eventhemostinanimatethings，asstocksandstones。Theybelievethesameofallworksofart，asofknives，boats，looking-glasses;andthat，asanyofthesethingsperish，theirsoulsgointoanotherworld，whichisinhabitedbytheghostsofmenandwomen。Forthisreasontheyalwaysplacebythecorpseoftheirdeadfriendabowandarrows，thathemaymakeuseofthesoulsofthemintheotherworld，ashedidoftheirwoodenbodiesinthis。Howabsurdsoeversuchanopinionasthismayappear，ourEuropeanphilosophershavemaintainedseveralnotionsaltogetherasimprobable。SomeofPlato’sfollowers，inparticular，whentheytalkoftheworldofideas，entertainuswithsubstancesandbeingsnolessextravagantandchimerical。ManyAristotelianshavelikewisespokenasunintelligiblyoftheirsubstantialforms。IshallonlyinstanceAlbertusMagnus，who，inhisdissertationupontheloadstone，observingthatfirewilldestroyitsmagneticvirtues，tellsusthathetookparticularnoticeofoneasitlayglowingamidstaheapofburningcoals，andthatheperceivedacertainbluevapourtoarisefromit，whichhebelievedmightbethesubstantialformthatis，inourWestIndianphrase，thesouloftheloadstone。
ThereisatraditionamongtheAmericansthatoneoftheircountrymendescendedinavisiontothegreatrepositoryofsouls，or，aswecallithere，totheotherworld;andthatuponhisreturnhegavehisfriendsadistinctaccountofeverythinghesawamongthoseregionsofthedead。Afriendofmine，whomIhaveformerlymentioned，prevailedupononeoftheinterpretersoftheIndiankingstoinquireofthem，ifpossible，whattraditiontheyhaveamongthemofthismatter：which，aswellashecouldlearnbythosemanyquestionswhichheaskedthematseveraltimes，wasinsubstanceasfollows：
Thevisionary，whosenamewasMarraton，afterhavingtravelledforalongspaceunderahollowmountain，arrivedatlengthontheconfinesofthisworldofspirits，butcouldnotenteritbyreasonofathickforest，madeupofbushes，brambles，andpointedthorns，soperplexedandinterwovenwithoneanotherthatitwasimpossibletofindapassagethroughit。Whilsthewaslookingaboutforsometrackorpathwaythatmightbeworninanypartofit，hesawahugelioncouchedunderthesideofit，whokepthiseyeuponhiminthesamepostureaswhenhewatchesforhisprey。TheIndianimmediatelystartedback，whilstthelionrosewithaspring，andleapedtowardshim。Beingwhollydestituteofallotherweapons，hestoopeddowntotakeupahugestoneinhishand，but，tohisinfinitesurprise，graspednothing，andfoundthesupposedstonetobeonlytheapparitionofone。Ifhewasdisappointedonthisside，hewasasmuchpleasedontheother，whenhefoundthelion，whichhadseizedonhisleftshoulder，hadnopowertohurthim，andwasonlytheghostofthatravenouscreaturewhichitappearedtobe。
Henosoonergotridofhisimpotentenemy，buthemarcheduptothewood，and，afterhavingsurveyeditforsometime，endeavouredtopressintoonepartofitthatwasalittlethinnerthantherest，when，againtohisgreatsurprise，hefoundthebushesmadenoresistance，butthathewalkedthroughbriarsandbrambleswiththesameeaseasthroughtheopenair，and，inshort，thatthewholewoodwasnothingelsebutawoodofshades。Heimmediatelyconcludedthatthishugethicketofthornsandbrakeswasdesignedasakindoffenceorquicksethedgetotheghostsitinclosed，andthatprobablytheirsoftsubstancesmightbetornbythesesubtilepointsandprickles，whichweretooweaktomakeanyimpressionsinfleshandblood。Withthisthoughtheresolvedtotravelthroughthisintricatewood，whenbydegreeshefeltagaleofperfumesbreathinguponhim，thatgrewstrongerandsweeterinproportionasheadvanced。Hehadnotproceededmuchfurther，whenheobservedthethornsandbrierstoend，andgiveplacetoathousandbeautifulgreentrees，coveredwithblossomsofthefinestscentsandcolours，thatformedawildernessofsweets，andwereakindofliningtothoseraggedsceneswhichhehadbeforepassedthrough。Ashewascomingoutofthisdelightfulpartofthewood，andenteringupontheplainsitenclosed，hesawseveralhorsemenrushingbyhim，andalittlewhileafterheardthecryofapackofdogs。Hehadnotlistenedlongbeforehesawtheapparitionofamilk-whitesteed，withayoungmanonthebackofit，advancinguponfullstretchafterthesoulsofaboutahundredbeagles，thatwerehuntingdowntheghostofahare，whichranawaybeforethemwithanunspeakableswiftness。Asthemanonthemilk-whitesteedcamebyhim，helookeduponhimveryattentively，andfoundhimtobetheyoungprinceNicharagua，whodiedabouthalfayearbefore，and，byreasonofhisgreatvirtues，wasatthattimelamentedoverallthewesternpartsofAmerica。
Hehadnosoonergotoutofthewoodbuthewasentertainedwithsuchalandscapeoffloweryplains，greenmeadows，runningstreams，sunnyhills，andshadyvalesaswerenottoberepresentedbyhisownexpressions，nor，ashesaid，bytheconceptionsofothers。
Thishappyregionwaspeopledwithinnumerableswarmsofspirits，whoappliedthemselvestoexercisesanddiversions，accordingastheirfanciesledthem。Someofthemweretossingthefigureofaquoit;otherswerepitchingtheshadowofabar;otherswerebreakingtheapparitionofahorse;andmultitudesemployingthemselvesuponingenioushandicraftswiththesoulsofdepartedutensils，forthatisthenamewhichintheIndianlanguagetheygivetheirtoolswhentheyareburntorbroken。Ashetravelledthroughthisdelightfulscenehewasveryoftentemptedtoplucktheflowersthatroseeverywhereabouthiminthegreatestvarietyandprofusion，havingneverseenseveraloftheminhisowncountry：
buthequicklyfound，thatthoughtheywereobjectsofhissight，theywerenotliabletohistouch。Heatlengthcametothesideofagreatriver，and，beingagoodfishermanhimself，stooduponthebanksofitsometimetolookuponananglerthathadtakenagreatmanyshapesoffishes，whichlayflouncingupanddownbyhim。
IshouldhavetoldmyreaderthatthisIndianhadbeenformerlymarriedtooneofthegreatestbeautiesofhiscountry，bywhomhehadseveralchildren。ThiscoupleweresofamousfortheirloveandconstancytooneanotherthattheIndianstothisday，whentheygiveamarriedmanjoyofhiswife，wishthattheymaylivetogetherlikeMarratonandYaratilda。MarratonhadnotstoodlongbythefishermanwhenhesawtheshadowofhisbelovedYaratilda，whohadforsometimefixedhereyeuponhimbeforehediscoveredher。Herarmswerestretchedouttowardshim;floodsoftearsrandownhereyes;herlooks，herhands，hervoicecalledhimovertoher，and，atthesametime，seemedtotellhimthattheriverwasunpassable。
Whocandescribethepassionmadeupofjoy，sorrow，love，desire，astonishmentthatroseintheIndianuponthesightofhisdearYaratilda？Hecouldexpressitbynothingbuthistears，whichranlikeariverdownhischeeksashelookeduponher。Hehadnotstoodinthisposturelongbeforeheplungedintothestreamthatlaybeforehim，andfindingittobenothingbutthephantomofariver，stalkedonthebottomofittillhearoseontheotherside。
AthisapproachYaratildaflewintohisarms，whilstMarratonwishedhimselfdisencumberedofthatbodywhichkeptherfromhisembraces。
Aftermanyquestionsandendearmentsonbothsides，sheconductedhimtoabower，whichshehaddressedwithherownhandswithalltheornamentsthatcouldbemetwithinthosebloomingregions。Shehadmadeitgaybeyondimagination，andwaseverydayaddingsomethingnewtoit。AsMarratonstoodastonishedattheunspeakablebeautyofherhabitation，andravishedwiththefragrancythatcamefromeverypartofit，Yaratildatoldhimthatshewaspreparingthisbowerforhisreception，aswellknowingthathispietytohisGod，andhisfaithfuldealingtowardsmen，wouldcertainlybringhimtothathappyplacewheneverhislifeshouldbeatanend。Shethenbroughttwoofherchildrentohim，whodiedsomeyearsbefore，andresidedwithherinthesamedelightfulbower，advisinghimtobreedupthoseotherswhichwerestillwithhiminsuchamannerthattheymighthereafterallofthemmeettogetherinthishappyplace。
Thetraditiontellsusfurtherthathehadafterwardsasightofthosedismalhabitationswhicharetheportionofillmenafterdeath;andmentionsseveralmoltenseasofgold，inwhichwereplungedthesoulsofbarbarousEuropeans，whoputtotheswordsomanythousandsofpoorIndiansforthesakeofthatpreciousmetal。
Buthavingalreadytoucheduponthechiefpointsofthistradition，andexceededthemeasureofmypaper，Ishallnotgiveanyfurtheraccountofit。
SIXPAPERSONWIT。
Utpicturapoesiserit-
HOR。，ArsPoet。361。
Poemslikepicturesare。
Nothingissomuchadmired，andsolittleunderstood，aswit。NoauthorthatIknowofhaswrittenprofessedlyuponit。Asforthosewhomakeanymentionofit，theyonlytreatonthesubjectasithasaccidentallyfallenintheirway，andthattooinlittleshortreflections，oringeneraldeclamatoryflourishes，withoutenteringintothebottomofthematter。Ihope，therefore，IshallperformanacceptableworktomycountrymenifItreatatlargeuponthissubject;whichIshallendeavourtodoinamannersuitabletoit，thatImaynotincurthecensurewhichafamouscriticbestowsupononewhohadwrittenatreatiseupon\"thesublime，\"inalowgrovellingstyle。Iintendtolayasideawholeweekforthisundertaking，thattheschemeofmythoughtsmaynotbebrokenandinterrupted;andIdarepromisemyself，ifmyreaderswillgivemeaweek’sattention，thatthisgreatcitywillbeverymuchchangedforthebetterbynextSaturdaynight。IshallendeavourtomakewhatI
sayintelligibletoordinarycapacities;butifmyreadersmeetwithanypaperthatinsomepartsofitmaybealittleoutoftheirreach，Iwouldnothavethemdiscouraged，fortheymayassurethemselvesthenextshallbemuchclearer。
AsthegreatandonlyendofthesemyspeculationsistobanishviceandignoranceoutoftheterritoriesofGreatBritain，Ishallendeavour，asmuchaspossible，toestablishamongusatasteofpolitewriting。ItiswiththisviewthatIhaveendeavouredtosetmyreadersrightinseveralpointsrelatingtooperasandtragedies，andshall，fromtimetotime，impartmynotionsofcomedy，asI
thinktheymaytendtoitsrefinementandperfection。Ifindbymybookseller，thatthesepapersofcriticism，withthatuponhumour，havemetwithamorekindreceptionthanindeedIcouldhavehopedforfromsuchsubjects;forwhichreasonIshallenteruponmypresentundertakingwithgreatercheerfulness。
Inthis，andoneortwofollowingpapers，Ishalltraceoutthehistoryoffalsewit，anddistinguishtheseveralkindsofitastheyhaveprevailedindifferentagesoftheworld。ThisIthinkthemorenecessaryatpresent，becauseIobservedtherewereattemptsonfootlastwintertorevivesomeofthoseantiquatedmodesofwitthathavebeenlongexplodedoutofthecommonwealthofletters。Therewereseveralsatiresandpanegyricshandedaboutinanacrostic，bywhichmeanssomeofthemostarrantundisputedblockheadsaboutthetownbegantoentertainambitiousthoughts，andtosetupforpoliteauthors。Ishallthereforedescribeatlengththosemanyartsoffalsewit，inwhichawriterdoesnotshowhimselfamanofabeautifulgenius，butofgreatindustry。