room.

There is a cheerfulness in such repasts, which is very delightful to tempers which are so happy as to be clear of spleen and vapour; for to the jovial, to see others pleased is the greatest of all pleasures.

But since age and infirmities forbid my appearance at such public places, the next happiness is to make the best use of privacy, and acquit myself of the demands of my correspondents. The following letter is what has given me no small inquietude, it being an accusation of partiality, and disregard to merit, in the person of a Virtuoso; who is the most eloquent of all men upon small occasions, and is the more to be admired for his prodigious fertility of invention, which never appears but upon subjects which others would have thought barren. But, in consideration of his uncommon talents, I am contented to let him be the hero of my next two days, by inserting his friend's recommendation of him at large.

"DEAR COUSIN,

Nando's, Feb. 28, 1709. "I am just come out of the country, and upon perusing your late Lucubrations, I find Charles Lillie to be the darling of your affections; that you have given him a place, and taken no small pains to establish him in the world; and at the same time have passed by his name-sake at this end of the town, as if he was a citizen defunct, and one of no use in a commonwealth. I must own, his circum stances are so good, and so well known, that he does not stand in need of having his fame published to the world; but, being of an ambitious spirit, and an aspiring soul, he would be rather proud of the honour, than desirous of the profit, which might result from your recommendation. He is a person of a particular genius, the first that brought

toys in fashion, and baubles to perfection. He is admirably well versed in screws, springs, and hinges, and deeply read in knives, combs, or scissors, buttons, or buckles. He is a perfect master of words, which, uttered with a smooth voluble tongue, flow into a most persuasive eloquence; insomuch, that I have known a gentleman of distinction find several ingenious faults with a toy of his, and show his utmost dislike to it, as being either useless or ill-contrived; but when the orator, behind the counter, had harangued upon it for an hour and a half, displayed its hidden beauties, and revealed its secret perfections, he has wondered how he had been able to spend so great a part of his life without so important an utensil. I will not pretend to furnish out an inventory of all the valuable commodities that are to be found at his shop.

"I shall content myself with giving an account of what I think most curious. Imprimis, his pocketbooks are very neat, and well contrived, not for keeping bank-bills, or goldsmiths' notes, I confess; but they are admirable for registering the lodg ings of Madonas, and for preserving letters from ladies of quality. His whips and spurs are so nice," that they will make one that buys them ride a foxhunting, though before he hated noise and early rising, and was afraid of breaking his neck. His seals are curiously fancied, and exquisitely well cut, and of great use to encourage young gentlemen to write a good hand. Ned Puzzle-post has been ill used by his writing-master, and writ a sort of a Chinese, or downright scrawlian: however, upon his buying a seal of my friend, he is so much im. proved by continual writing, that it is believed in a short time one may be able to read his letters, and find out his meaning, without guessing. His pistols and fusees are so very good, that they are fit to be

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laid up among the finest china. Then his tweezer-. cases are incomparable: you shall have one not much bigger than your finger, with seventeen several instruments in it, all necessary every hour of the day, during the whole course of a man's life. But if this Virtuoso excels in one thing more than ano ther, it is in canes. He has spent his most select hours in the knowledge of them; and is arrived at that perfection, that he is able to hold forth upon canes longer than upon any one subject in the world. Indeed, his canes are so finely clouded, and so well made up,, either with gold or amber heads, that I am of the opinion it is impossible for a gentleman to walk, talk, sit, or stand, as he should do, without one of them. He knows the value of a cane, Sir by knowing the value of the buyer's estate. Timothy Shallow has two thousand pounds per annum, and Tom Empty one. They both at several times bought a cane of Charles; Sir Timothy's cost ten guineas, and Tom Empty's five. Upon comparing them, they were perfectly alike. Sir Ti mothy, surprised there should be no difference in the canes, and so much in the price, comes to Charles: Damn it, Charles,' says he, you havẹ sold me a cane here for ten pieces, and the very Lord! Sir Ti same to Tom Empty for five.' mothy,' says Charles, I am concerned that you, whom I took to understand canes better than any baronet in town, should be so overseen! Why, Sir Timothy, your's is a true Jambee, and Esquire Empty's only a plain Dragon.'

"This Virtuoso has a parcel of Jambees now growing in the East-Indies, where he keeps a maŋ on purpose to look after them, which will be the finest that ever landed in Great-Britain, and will be fit to cut about two years hence. Auy gentleman may subscribe for as many as he pleases. Sub

scriptions will be taken in at his shop at ten guineas each joint. They that subscribe for six shall have a Dragon gratis. This is all I have to say at present concerning Charles's curiosities; and hope it may be sufficient to prevail with you to take him into your consideration, which if you comply with, you will oblige

"Your humble servant.

"N. B. Whereas there came out, last Term, several gold snuff-boxes, and others: this is to give notice that Charles will put out a new edition on Saturday next, which will be the only one in fashion until after Easter. The gentleman that gave fifty pounds for the box set with diamonds, may show it until Sunday night, provided he goes to church; but not after that time, there being one to be published on Monday, which will cost fourscore guineas."

No 143. THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1709-10.

Sheer-lane, March 8.

I was this afternoon surprised with a visit from my sister Jenny, after an absence of soine time. She had, methought, in her manner and air, something that was a little below that of women of the first breeding and quality, but at the same time above the simplicity and familiarity of her usual deportment. As soon as she was seated, she began to talk to me of the odd place I lived in, and begged of me to re

move out of the lane where I have been so long acquainted; "for," said she, "it does so spoil one's horses, that I must beg your pardon if you see me much seldomer, when I am to make so great a journey with a single pair, and make visits, and get home the same night." I understood her pretty well, but would not; therefore desired her, "to pay off her coach, for I had a great deal to talk to her." She very pertly told me," she came in her own chariot." "Why," said I, "is your husband in town? and has he set up an equipage?"

No," answered she, "but I have received five hundred pounds by his order; and his letters which came at the same time, bad me want for nothing that was necessary."

I was heartily concerned at her folly, whose affairs render her but just able to bear such an expence. However, I considered, that, according to the British custom of treating women, there is no other method to be used, in removing any of their faults and errors, but conducting their minds from one humour to another, with as much ceremony as we lead their persons from one place to another. I therefore dissembled my concern; and in compliance with her, as a lady that was to use her feet no more, I begged of her, after a short visit, "to let me persuade her not to stay out until it was late, for fear of catching cold as she went into her coach in the dampness of the evening." The malapert knew well enough I laughed at her; but was not ill pleased with the certainty of her power over her husband, who, she knew, would support her in any humour he was able, rather than pass through the torment of an expostulation to gainsay any thing she had a mind to.

As soon as my fine lady was gone, I writ the following letter to my brother;