misapplied advantages with which nature and fortune have blessed him. But you have a soul animated with nobler views, and know that the distinction of wealth and plenteous circumstances, is a tax upon an honest mind, to endeavour, as much as the occurrences of life will give him leave, to guard the properties of others, and be vigilant for the good of his fellowsubjects.

This generous inclination, no man possesses in a warner degree than yourself; which that heaven would reward with long possession of that reputation into which you have made so early an entrance, the reputation of a man of sense, a good citizen, and agreeable companion, a disinterested friend, and an unbiassed patriot, is the hearty prayer of,

SIR,

Your most obliged,

and most obedient,

humble servant,

THE GUARDIAN.

THE

PUBLISHER TO THE READER.

Ir is a justice which Mr. Ironside owes gentlemen

who have sent him their assistances from time to time, in the carrying on of this Work, to acknowledge that obligation, though at the same time he himself dwindles into the character of a' meer publisher, by making the acknowledgment. But whether a man does it out of justice or gratitude, or any other virtuous reason or not, it is also a prudential act to take no more upon a man than he can bear. Too large a credit has made many a bankrupt, but taking even less than a man can answer with ease, is a sure fund for extending it whenever his occasions require. All those Papers which are distinguished by the mark of an Hand, were written by a gentleman who has obliged the world with productions too sublime to admit that the Author of them should receive any addition to his reputation, from such loose occasional thoughts as make up these little treatises. For which reason his name shall be concealed. Those which are marked with a Star, were composed by Mr. Budgell. That upon Dedications, with the Epistle of an Author to Himself, The Club of little Men, The Receipt to make an Epic Poem, The Paper of the Gardens of Alcinous, and the Catalogue of Greens, That against Barbarity to Animals,

6

THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER.

and some others, have Mr. Pope for their Author. Now I mention this Gentleman, I take this opportunity, out of the affection I have for his person, and respect to his merit, to let the world know, that he is now translating Homer's Iliad by subscription. He has given good proof of his ability for the work, and the men of greatest wit and learning of this nation, of all parties, are, according to their different abilities, zealous encouragers, or solicitors for the work.

But to my present purpose. The Letter from Gnatho of the Cures performed by Flattery, and that of comparing Dress to Criticism, are Mr. Gray's. Mr. Martin, Mr. Philips, Mr. Tickell, Mr. Carey, Mr. Eusden, Mr. Ince and Mr. Hughes, have obliged the town with entertaining Discourses in these Volumes; and Mr. Berkeley, of Trinity College in Dublin, has embellished them with many excellent arguments in honour of religion and virtue. Parnelle will I hope forgive me that without his leave I mention, that I have seen his hand on the like occasion. There are some Discourses of a less pleasing nature which relate to the divisions amongst us, and such (lest any of these Gentlemen should suffer from unjust suspicion,) I must impute to the right Author of them, who is one Mr. Steele, of Langunnor, in the County of Carmarthen, in South Wales.

Mr.

THE

GUARDIAN.

N° 1. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1713.

-Ille quem requiris.

He, whom you seek.

MART. Epig. ii. 1.

THERE is no passion so universal, however diversified or disguised under different forms and appearances, as the vanity of being known to the rest of mankind, and communicating a man's parts, virtues, or qualifications, to the world: this is so strong upon men of great genius, that they have a restless fondness for satisfying the world in the mistakes they might possibly be under, with relation even to their physiognomy. Mr. Airs, that excellent penman, has taken care to affix his own image opposite to the title-page of his learned treatise, wherein he instructs the youth of his nation to arrive at a flourishing hand. The Author of The Key to Interest, both simple and compound, containing practical rules plainly expressed in words at length for all rates of interest and times of

payment for what time soever, makes up to us the misfortune of his living at Chester, by following the example of the above-mentioned Airs, and coming up to town, over against his title-page, in a very becoming periwig, and a flowing robe or mantle, inclosed in a circle of foliages; below his portraiture, for our farther satisfaction as to the age of that useful writer, is subscribed Johannes Ward de civitat. Cestriæ, ætat. suæ 58. An. Dom. 1706.' The serene aspect of these writers, joined with the great encouragement I observe is given to another, or what is indeed to be suspected, in which he indulges himself, confirmed me in the notion I have of the prevalence of ambition this way. The author whom I hint at shall be nameless, but his countenance is communicated to the public in several views and aspects drawn by the most eminent painters, and forwarded by engravers, artists by way of mezzo-tinto, etchers, and the like. There was, I remember, some years ago, one John Gale, a fellow that played upon a pipe, and diverted the multitude by dancing in a ring they made about him, whose face became generally known, and the artists employed their skill in delineating his features, because every man was a judge of the similitude of them. There is little else, than what this John Gale arrived at, in the advantages. men enjoy from common fame; yet do I fear it has always a part in moving us to exert ourselves in such things, as ought to derive their beginnings from nobler considerations. But I think it is no great matter to the public what is the incentive which makes men bestow time in their service, provided there be any thing useful in what they produce; I

* Dr. Sacheverell, who was highly honoured in this way, being placed in effigy on handkerchiefs, fans, urinals, &c.