he followed me down stairs, he very obligingly offered his assistance in the framing of any advertisements which might be necessary or conducive to the sale of my work. He then shewed me, as specimens of his talents in this species of writing, an essay on leather breeches, made upon mathematical principles, and a recommendation of the concave razor. These, he observed, were works of a lighter kind, and such as he called ɛmra woinika, or the amusements of Paddington. I thanked him, but declined the acceptance of his offer.

Upon my return home, I found three or four visitants had called upon business similar to Mr. Scribe's. Amongst whom an Hibernian stay-maker, from the Borough, wished to enlist in my service, and in testimony of his abilities had left a parcel of dreams of his own composing, which are ushered in by complaints of his inability to sleep. A French Marquis, to whom the air of Great Britian had been recommended by his physicians, left word, that, having nothing else to do, he had condescended, during his residence in this island, purely from his penchant for the science, and pour passer le temps, to instruct the noblesse in dancing. This course of life, he very properly observed, gave him many opportunities of furnishing me with intelligence from the beau

L

monde, and accordingly my readers will frequently see how things go on from the authentic information of the Marquis.

No. XII.

SATURDAY, June 2, 1787.

I MADE an entrance, in a former paper, on the important subject of Visiting, and distinguished the different kinds of visits now in vogue amongst us, with their excellences and defects.

It is hard, indeed, to guess at the pleasure of assembling in very large parties. There is much heat, hurry, and fatigue, to all who are concerned. The essence of the entertainment seems to consist in a crowd, and none appear to be perfectly happy, while they can stir hand or foot. At least, this is the case with the lady of the house, whose supreme felicity it is, to be kept in equilibrio, by an equilateral pressure from all quarters. Fixed in her orb, like the sun of the system, she dispenses the favour of her nods and smiles on those bodies, which I wish I could say―move around her; but that they cannot do.

But though pleasure be not obtained, trouble

perhaps, it may be said, is saved, by receiving a multitude at once, instead of being subject to their perpetual incursions in separate bodies; and when the polite mob has been at my house, I am at rest for some time.-True: but then there is a reciprocity; and as others have assisted in making your mob a decent and respectable one, you must do the same by them, and every evening will pass in this rondeau of delights; a vortex, out of which none can emerge, and into which more and more are continually drawn, for fear of being left in solitude; as all who wish to visit will very soon be obliged to visit after this method, or not at all. From the metropolis the fashion has made its way into provincial towns, all the visitable inhabitants of which will be assembled together at one house or other, through the winter; and this, though perhaps there is not a single person among them, who does not dislike and complain of the custom, as absurd and disagreeable.

For the conduct of these visits no directions can be laid down; but concerning others (while any such shall remain) where a moderate company of neighbours meet, to pass a little time in conversation, some observations may be offered.

They are useful, and indeed necessary, to main

tain a friendly and social intercourse, without which we are not in a capacity to give or receive help and assistance from each other.

They are useful to cheer and refresh the spirits after business, and may render us fitter to return to it again.

They are useful, when they are made with a view of relieving and comforting such as are afflicted and distressed; and that, not only in great and signal troubles, but the common cares and concerns of life; of advising, exhorting, and consoling such as, having weak and low spirits, are oppressed by anxiety and melancholy; of which in England the number always has been, and always will be, very considerable. Time is well employed in these and the like good offices, where a friend is the best physician. The very sight of a cheerful friend is often like the sun breaking forth in a cloudy day. A melancholy person is at least as much the object of charity as a sick one. The cheerful owe this duty to those who are otherwise; and enjoy, themselves, the most refined and exalted kind of pleasure, when they find their endeavours to succeed.

Visits are useful, when they become the means of acquiring or communicating useful knowledge, relative to the conduct of life, in concerns either

personal or domestic; or, even when no such knowledge is obtained, if by innocent mirth, pleasant tales, &c. people are brought into good humour, and kept in it. No recreation is more truly serviceable and effectual than this: and it is said of Archbishop Williams, that, "the greater the per"formance he was about to undertake (whether a

speech, a sermon, or a debate), the more liberty "and recreation he first took, to quicken and open "his spirits, and to clear his thoughts."

By visiting, opportunities are offered of introducing occasionally matters literary and religious, new publications, &c. For though, perhaps, this is not so often done as it might be, when people meet; yet it cannot be done at all, unless people do

meet.

To render visits lively and agreeable, where the company is small, and it can be managed conveniently, the conversation should be general. The ladies, by their sprightliness, should animate the gentlemen; and the gentlemen, by their learning, inform the ladies. Instead of this, the gentlemen too often lay their heads together, on one side of the room, and talk on subjects of literature or politics; leaving the ladies to settle the articles of caps and gowns, blonds and gauzes, on the other; which is hardly fair,