Obrázky na stránke
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

N° LXIX. THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1755.

DIGNIOR EST VESTRO NULLA PUELLA CHORO.

BEHOLD A TRAIN OF FEMALE WITS ASPIRE,
WITH MEN TO MINGLE IN THE MUSES' CHOIR.

Na vifit which I paid the other day

was agreeably furprifed by having two little volumes put into my hands, which have been lately published under the title of Poems by Eminent Ladies.' Thefe volumes are, indeed, (as the author of the preface has remarked) the 'moft folid compliment that can poffi bly be paid to the fair fex.' I never imagined that our nation could boast so many excellent Poeteffes, (whofe works are an honour to their country) as were here collected together: and it is with the higheft fatisfaction I can affure my female readers in particular, that I have found a great number of very elegant pieces among the compofitions of thefe ladies, which cannot be furpaffed (I had almoft faid, equalled) by the most celebrated of our male-writers.

The pleasure which I received from reading these poems, made fuch an impreffion on my mind, that at night, as foon as I fell asleep, my fancy prefented to me the following dream. I was tranfported, I know not how, to the regions of Parnaffus; and found myfelf in the Court of Apollo, furrounded by a great number of our most eminent poets. A caufe of the utmost importance was then depending, and the debate was, whether the English ladies, who had diftinguished themfelves in poetry, fhould be allowed to hold the fame rank, and have the fate honours paid them, with the men. As the moderns were not permitted to plead in their own fuit, Juvenal was retained on the fide of the male poets, and Sappho undertook the defence of the other fex. The Roman Satirift, in his fpeech at the bar, inveighed bitterly against women in general, and particularly exclaimed against their dabbling in literature: but when Sappho came to let forth the pretenfions which the ladies juftly had to

TIBULL.

W

poetry, and especially in love affairs, relift

tunity of the Mufes in favour of their own lex. He therefore decreed, that all thofe females, who thought themfelves able to manage Pegafus, should immediately fhew their kill and dexterity in riding him.

Pegafus was accordingly brought out of the ftable, and the Mufes furnished him with a fide-faddle. All the ladies, who had courage enough to venture on his back, were prepared to mount: but as a great difpute arofe among fome of the competitors about precedency, (each of them claiming a right to ride firft) it was at length agreed that they should get into the faddle according to feniority.

Upon this a lady advanced; who, though he had fomething rather extravagant in her air and deportment, yet had a noble prefence, that commanded at once awe and admiration. She was dreffed in an old-fashioned habit, very fantastic, and trimmed with bugles and points; fuch as was worn in the time of King Charles the Firit. This lady, I was informed, was the Duchefs of Newcastle. When he came to mount, fhe fprung into the faddle with furprising agility, and giving an entire loofe to the reins, Pegatus directly fet up a gallop, and ran away with her quite out of fight. However, it was acknowledged, that the kept a firm feat, even when the horse went at his deepest rate; and that the wanted nothing but to ride with a curbbridle. When he came to difmount, Shakespeare and Milton very kindly offered their hand to help her down, which the accepted. Then Euterpe came up to her with a finile, and begged her to repeat thofe beautiful lines against Melancholy, which, fhe faid, were fo extremely picturefque. The Duchefs, with a most pleafing air, immediately began

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

She loves to live, and there alone she dwells.
There leave her to herfelf alone to dwell,
While you and I in mirth and pleasure fwell.

All the while that thefe lines were re-
peating, Milton feemed very attentive;
and it was whifpered by fome, that he
was obliged for many of the thoughts in
his L'Allegro and Il Penferofo to this
Indy's Dialogue between Mirth and
Melancholy.

The celebrated Orinda, Mrs. Catherine Philips, was next placed in the faddle, amid the fhouts and applaufes of the Lords Rofcommon and Orrery, Cowley, and other famous wits of her time. Her drefs was fimple, though of a very elegant make: it had no profufe ornaments, and approached very nearly to the cut and fashion of the prefent age. Though the never ventured beyond a canter or a hand-gailop, the made Pegafus do his paces with fo much ease and exactness, that Waller himfelf own ed he could never bring him under fo much command. After her, Mrs. Kil ligrew, affitted by Dryden, and feveral other ladies of that age, took their turns to ride and every one agreed, that (making fome allowance for their fex) they could not be excelled by the moit experienced riders among the men.

A bold mafculine figure now pufhed forward, in a thin, airy, gay habit, which hung fo loofe about her, that the appeared to be half undreft. When the came up to Pegafus, the clapped her hand upon the fide-faddle, and with a

fpring leaped acrofs it, faying that he
would never ride him but aftride. She
made the poor beaft frifk, and caper,
and curvet, and play a thousand tricks;
while the herfelf was quite unconcerned,
though the fhewed her legs at every mo-
tion of the horse, and many of the Mufes
turned their heads afide blufhing. Tha-
lia, indeed, was a good deal pleafed with
her frolics; and Erato declared, that
next to her favourite Sappho the fhould
always prefer this lady. Upon enquir
ing her name, I found her to be the free-
fpirited Mrs. Behn. When he was to
difimount, Lord Rochefter came up and
caught her in his arms: and repeating
part of her Ode to Defire-

To a myrtle bower
He led her, nothing loth.-

MILTON,

I had now the pleafure to fee many ladies of our own times, whose names I was very well acquainted with, advance towards Pegafus. Among the reft, I could not but wonder at the aftonishing. dexterity with which the admired Mrs. Leapor of Brackley guided the horse, though he had not the leaft affiftarce from any body. Mrs. Barber of Ireland was affifted in getting upon the faddle by Swift himself, who even condefcended to hold the ftirrup while the mounted. Under the Dean's direction fhe made the horse to pace and amble very prettily: notwithstanding which, fome declared, that the was not equal to her friend and countrywoman, Mrs. Grierfon.

Another lady, a native of the fame kingdom, then briskly stepped up to Pegalus; and defpifing the weak efforts of her husband to prevent her, the boldly jumped into the faddle, and whipping and cutting, rode away furiously helter fkelter over hodge and ditch, and trampled on every body who came in her road. She took particular delight in driving the poor horfe, who kicked and winced all the while, into the most filthy places ; where the made him fling about the dirt and mire, with which the befpattered almost every one that came near her. Sometimes, however, fhe would put a stop to this mad career; and then the plainly

* Poems by Eminent Ladies, Vol. II. Page 200.
Ditto, Page 199 N. B. This lady, it is fuppofed, wrote before Milton.
Ditte, Vol. I. Page 167.

convinced

convinced us, that the knew as well how to manage Pegasus as any of the females who had tried before her. Being told that this lady was no other than the celebrated biographer of her own actions, Mrs. Pilkington, I had the curiofity to take a nearer view of her; when step

ping up towards her, and offering my afiiftance to help her down, methought the returned my civility with such an uncourteous dap on the face, that (though I awaked at the inftant) I could not help fancying for fome time that I felt my cheek tingle with the biow. W

N° LXX. THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1755.

CAUSAM HANČ JUSTAM ESSE IN ANIMUM INDUCITE, UT ALIQUA PARS LABORIS MINUATUR MIHI.

WRITE, CORRESPONDENTS, WRITE, WHENE'ER YOU WILL; 'TWILL SAVE ME TROUBLE, AND MY PAPER FILL.

Y publisher having acquainted

volume with this number, I fhall take the opportunity to throw together several letters which I have received in the course of this work, and to balance with all my correfpondents: at the fame time affuring them, that I fhall be very glad to open a fresh account with them in my next volume.

In the infancy of this undertaking, I was honoured with the following very kind billet from a brother of the quill; the terms of which I am forry it was not in my power to comply with.

[blocks in formation]

TER.

fupport to this pecuniary intercourfe.

niencies of life, are as necessary to an author, as pen, ink, and paper: and I remember to have feen, in the poffeffion of Mr. Tonfon, a curious manufcript of the great Dryden himself, wherein he petitions his book feller to advance a fum of money to his taylor.

The next letter comes likewise from an author, who complains of an evil, which does not, indeed, often affect many of our fraternity; I mean the cuftom of giving money to fervants.

DEAR MR. TOWN,

I Have been happy all this winter in

having the run of a nobleman's table, who was pleased to patronize a work of mine, and to which he allowed me the honour of prefixing his name in a dedication. We geniufes have a spirit, you know, far beyond our pockets: and (befides the extraordinary expence of new cloaths to appear decent) I affure you I have laid out every farthing that I ever received from his lordship's bounty, in tips to his fervants. After every dinner I was forced to run the gantlope through a long line of powdered pickpockets: and I could not but look upon it as a very ridiculous circumftance, that I fhould be obliged to give money to a fellow who was deffed much finer than myfelf. In fuch a cafe, I am apt to confider the fhowy waistcoat of a foppish footman, or butler out of livery, as laced down with the fhillings and half-crowns of the guests.

I would therefore beg of you, Mr. Town, to recommend the poor author's

cafe

cafe to the confideration of the gentle men of the cloth; humbly praying, that they would be pleased to let us go fcotfree as well as the clergy. For though a good meal is in truth a very comfortable thing to us, it is enough to blunt the edge of our appetites, to confider that we must afterwards pay fo dear for our ordinary. I ani, Sir, your humble fervant,

JEFFERY BAREBONES.

By fome of my papers I find I have drawn upon me the cenfure, not only of the Free-thinkers, but of the Moravians, Methodifts, and other numerous fe&taries, which have lately ftarted up in oppofition to our eftablifhed religion. The following letter, occafioned by my fixty-first number, bears about it fo many marks of an original, that it cer tainly comes from one of their teachers, who (as his file finells fo much of the craft) is undoubtedly fome infpired fhoe-maker, or enlightened bricklayer. I have therefore printed it without any alteration, except in the fpelling.

STR,

MR. CONNOISSEUR.

I Have taken the pains as ufual to read your paper; and as you receive letters, I thought proper among the reft to fend one alfo, to let you know, that I did not know that a cat was capable of conftituting a religious fociety before. A prieft may, 'tis true; and fo may another rational creature, and perhaps an old woman alfo. But, Sir, you argue, that what a French fool or lunatic fays on this head, is true; but you make more out, I obferve, from the old woman and the leathern apron, than you do of the cat. For, if old women will, or does conftitute a religious fociety, I understand from the foundation you feem to argue, that you are as much an old woman as they. For to argue or reafon from an old woman's story, and for all your learning, and policy, and cunningness and judgment, you seem to have, you have but little of yourself; and as you feem to ridicule religion, and compare it to atheism or lunacy, I would beg the favour to know, Sir, what religion You are of: but by your talk I fear you are of none at all.

This New Doctrine, Sir, that you revile, is the real Gofpel, which you will find fo, if you hear it, and compare it

with the Scriptures, if you believe any Scripture at all. For you fay, Sir, that the most extraordinary tenets of religion are very fuccefsfully propagated under the fanction of leathern aprons inftead of caflocks. Well, and fuppofe it is: you acknowledge it is received by well difpofed people; and if it is, then it is plain, as you ridicule it, you are not one of thefe well difpofed. But, Sir, this New Doctrine, as you call it, is not only propagated under the fanction of leathern aprons, by barbers, bricklayers, and the like, but by many of the clergy now in the established church: and if you often went to hear them, but not as a critic to carp at what is there fpoken, you would understand more what this New Doctrine meant, and whether it drives men to enthusiasm, and the like, or no.

Sir, what you touch on the Moravians, I will not fay any thing about or against: for perhaps it is too true. But, Sir, I would advife you to know a little more of religion experimentally for yourfelf, before you pretend to condemn others. And, Sir, if you are informed that there will be a mad-house built on the ground where the Foundery stands, or the Methodists Meeting-house, as you call it, perhaps there may be as many criticising lunatics in it as religious ones; and very likely more. Sir, I beg you would take care you don't bother your brains too much about other people's affairs; left I should have the pain, not the pleasure, of feeing you there.

I have just given you a sketch of the ridiculing the New Doctrine, and wish you could find fome better employ, if fo be it was with a leathern apron before you, for I think it would become you better than this point does. Sir, I hope you will excufe my freedom with you, as others muit your's with them.

Your humble fervant,

[blocks in formation]

creafe among the other fex in the order of GENTLEMEN.

Befides thofe who are univerfally acknowledged of this rank from their birth and fituation in life, the courtesy of England alfo entitles all perfons who carry arms to that dignity: fo that his Majefty's three regiments of guards are compofed entirely of Gentlemen'; and every priggith fellow, who can clap a queue to his peruke, and hang a word aukwardly dangling by his fide, from thence affumes the importance as well as name of a Gentleman. Idlenefs and ignorance being too often the difgrace of thofe who are Gentlemen born and bred, many inveft themfelves with that dignity, though with no other qualifications. If the pride, poverty, or neglect of parents, has prevented their fon from being bound apprentice, or if the idle rafcal has fhewn his indentures a light pair of heels, in either cafe Tom is of no trade, and confequently a Gentleman. I know at this time a man, who came from Ireland laft fummer with an hayfork, but before winter raifed himself to the rank of a Gentleman; and every day I go to Windmill Street, I fee a very honourable Gentleman betting large fums of money, whom I formerly remember Marker of the Tennis Court. Add to this, that all attorneys clerks, apprentices, and the like, are Gentlemen every evening; and the citizen (who drudges all the reft of the week behind the counter) every Sunday, together with his laced waistcoat and ruffles, puts on the Gentleman. Every author, Mr. Town, is a Gentleman, if not an Efquire, by his profeffion; and all the players, from King Richard to the Lieutenant of the Tower, are Gentlemen.

The body of Gentlemen is ftill more numerous; but I have not leiture at prefent to climb up to garrets, or dive into cellars after them. I thall only obferve, that many of the above-mentioned members of this orde die with the fame reputation that they lived, and go out of the world, like Squire Maclean, or Gentleman Harry.

Your humble fervant, &c.

Before I dimifs this new edition of my work, 'I think if my duty to return thanks to my kind readers for their candid reception of thete Papers, as they

were separately published : though I cannot but be fenfible, that either through hafte, inadvertence, or other avocations, they unavoidably abounded with many faults; from which I have endeavoured to clear them as much as poflible in their prefent form. Mr. Faulkner of Dublin is very welcome, therefore, to his Irish edition, printed literatim from my Folio; in which, I dare fay, the very errors of the prefs are molt religiously preferved.

I cannot but regret, indeed, that there is ftill wanting one principal ornament to thefe little volumes; I mean the DEDICATION. Not that there are wanting perfons highly deferving of all the praifes which the mott obfequious and moft devoted Author could possibly lavifh on them: for in all ages, and in all nations, thefe have always abounded. Latin Authors, for example, have never failed to pay their compliments to the illuftrious family of the Ifimi; such as the laudatiffimi, the eminentiffimi, the commendatiffimi, the famigeratiffimi, the doctiffimi, the nobiliffimi, &c. and among our own writers no lefs refpect has been fhewn to the numerous race of the most famous, the met ingenious, the most learned, the most eminent, &c. It is but juftice, that thofe who offer the incenfe, fhould live by the altar: yet, notwithstanding I gave notice to any Rich Citizen, Nobleman, or Others, that my dedication should be difpofed of to the Bett Bidder, I have received no overtures on that head. In the City, this Courfe of Exchange has not yet been established; and among people of quality, the market has been overftocked, and flattery is become a mere drug; while fome of them, who have taken up the trade themfelves, have, perhaps, confidered me as a rival or interloper in the business.

It remains only to give an account of the Authors concerned in this work. I am forry that I do not know the names of any of the Volunteers, to whom I have been greatly indebted: and as to thofe who have engaged for the drudgery of the week, various conjectures have been formed about them. Some are fure that the papers figned T are written by Mr. Such an One-because it is the firth letter of his name; and others, by Another-because it is not: O is the mark of the Honourable

'or

« PredošláPokračovať »