hair; is not fleet, but when he grapples, bites even to the marrow.

Spring, a little French greyhound, that lately made a false trip to Tunbridge.

Sly, an old battered fox-hound, that began the game in France.

'Lightfoot, a fine-skinned Flanders dog, that belonged to a pack at Ghent; but, having lost flesh, is gone to Paris for the benefit of the air.

With several others, that in time may be worth notice.

• Your familiar will see also, how anxious the keepers are about the prey, and indeed not without very good reason, for they have their share of every thing; nay, not so much as a poor rabbet can be run down, but these carnivorous curs swallow a quarter of it. Some mechanics in the neighbourhood, that have entered into this civil society, and who furnish part of the carrion and oatmeal for the dogs, have the skin; and the bones are picked clean by a little French shock that belongs to the family, &c.

'I am, SIR,

"Your humble servant, &c.

'I had almost forgot to tell you, that Ringwood bites at Hampstead with false teeth"."

N° 71. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1709.

Quicquid agunt homines

I

nostri est farrago libelli.

Whatever good is done, whatever ill

JUV. Sat. i. 85, 86.

By human kind, shall this collection fill.

From my own Apartment, September 21.

HAVE long been, against my inclination, employed in satire, and that in prosecution of such persons who are below the dignity of the true spirit of it; such who, I fear, are not to be reclaimed by making them only ridiculous. The sharpers shall, therefore, have a month's time to themselves, free from the observation of this paper; but I must not make a truce without letting them know, that at the same time I am preparing for a more vigorous war: for a friend of mine has promised me, he will employ his time in compiling such a tract, before the session of the ensuing parliament, as shall lay gaming home to the bosoms of all who love their country or their families; and he doubts not but it will create an act, that shall make these rogues as scandalous as those less mischievous ones on the high road.

I have received private intimations to take care of my walks, and remember there are such things as stabs and blows but as there never was any thing in this design which ought to displease a man of honour, or which was not designed to offend the rascals, I shall give myself very little concern for finding what I expected, that they would be highly provoked at these lucubrations. But though I utterly despise the pack,

I must confess I am at a stand at the receipt of the following letter, which seems to be written by a man of sense and worth, who has mistaken some passage that I am sure was not levelled at him. This gentleman's complaints give me compunction, when I neglect the threats of the rascals. I cannot be in jest with the rogues any longer, since they pretend to threaten. I do not know whether I shall allow them the favour of transportation'.

September 13.

· MR. BICKERSTAFF, 'OBSERVING you are not content with lashing the many vices of the age without illustrating each with particular characters, it is thought nothing would more contribute to the impression you design by such, than always having regard to truth. In your Tatler of this day, I observe you allow, that nothing is so tender as a lady's reputation; that a stain once got in their fame is hardly ever to be washed out. This you grant, even when you give yourself leave to trifle. If so, what caution is necessary in handling the reputation of a man, whose well-being in this life, perhaps, entirely depends on preserving it from any wound, which, once there received, too often becomes fatal and incurable? Suppose some villanous hand, through personal prejudice, transmits materials for this purpose, which you publish to the world, and afterwards become fully convinced you were imposed on; as by this time you may be of a character you have sent into the world; I say, supposing this, I would be glad to know, what reparation you think ought to be made the person so injured, admitting you stood in his place. It has always been held, that a generous education is the surest mark of a generous mind. The

* See N° 56, 57, 59, 60, 61, 65, 66, 68, and 70.

former is indeed perspicuous in all your papers; and I am persuaded, though you affect often to shew the latter, yet you would not keep any measures, even of Christianity, with those who should handle you in the manner you do others. The application of all this is from your having very lately glanced at a man, under a character, which were he conscious to deserve, he would be the first to rid the world of himself; and would be more justifiable in it to all sorts of men, than you in your committing such a violence on his reputation, which perhaps you may be convinced of in another manner than you deserve from him.

A man of your capacity, Mr. Bickerstaff, should have more noble views, and pursue the true spirit of satire; but I will conclude, lest I grow out of temper, and will only beg you, for your own preservation, to remember the proverb of the pitcher. 'I am your's,

'A. J.'

The proverb of the pitcher I have no regard to; but it would be an insensibility not to be pardoned, if a man could be untouched at so warm an accusation, and that laid with so much seeming temper. All I can say to it is, that if the writer, by the same method whereby he conveyed this letter, shall give me an instance wherein I have injured any good man, or pointed at any thing which is not the true object of raillery, I shall acknowledge the offence in as open a manner as the press can do it, and lay down this paper for ever.

There is something very terrible in unjustly attacking men in a way that may prejudice their honour or fortune; but when men of too modest a sense of themselves will think they are touched, it is impossible to prevent ill-consequences from the most in

nocent and general discourses. This I have known happen in circumstances the most foreign to theirs who have taken offence at them. An advertisement lately published, relating to Omicron', alarmed a gentleman of good sense, integrity, honour, and industry, who is, in every particular, different from the trifling pretenders pointed at in that advertisement. When the modesty of some is as excessive as the vanity of others, what defence is there against misinterpretation? However, giving disturbance, though not intended, to men of virtuous characters, has so sincerely troubled me, that I will break from this satirical vein; and to shew I very little value myself upon it, shall for this month ensuing leave the sharper, the fop, the pedant, the proud man, the insolent; in a word, all the train of knaves and fools, to their own devices, and touch on nothing but panegyric. This way is suitable to the true genius of the Staffs, who are much more inclined to reward than punish. If, therefore, the author of the above-mentioned letter does not command my silence wholly, as he shall if I do not give him satisfaction, I shall for the abovementioned space turn my thoughts to raising merit from its obscurity, celebrating virtue in its distress, and attacking vice by no other method, but setting innocence in a proper light.

Will's Coffee-house, September 20.

I find here for me the following letter:

" ESQUIRE BICKERSTAFF,

FINDING your

advice and censure to have a good ef fect, I desire your admonition to our vicar and schoolmaster, who, in his preaching to his auditors, stretches

2 See N° 62.