No. 581. MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 1714. Sunt bona, sunt quædam mediocria, sunt mala plura, Some good, more bad, some neither one nor t'other. I AM at present sitting with a heap of letters before me, which I have received under the character of Spectator. I have complaints from lovers, schemes from projectors, scandal from ladies, congratulations, compliments, and advice in abundance. I have not been thus long an author to be insensible of the natural fondness every person must have for their own productions; and I begin to think I have treated my correspondents a little too uncivilly in stringing them altogether on a file, and letting them lie so long unregarded. I shall, therefore, for the future, think myself at least obliged to take some notice of such letters as I receive and may possibly do it at the end of every month. In the mean time I intend my present paper as a short answer to most of those which have been already sent me. The public, however, is not to expect I should let them into all my secrets; and, though I appear abstruse to most people, it is sufficient if I am understood by my particular correspondents. My well-wisher Van Nath is very arch, but not quite enough so to appear in print. Philadelphus will, in a little time, see his query fully answered by a treatise which is now in the press. It was very improper at that time to comply with Mr. G. Miss Kitty must excuse me. The gentleman who sent me a copy of verses on his mistress's dancing, is, I believe, too thoroughly in love to compose correctly. I have too great a respect for both the universities to praise one at the expense of the other. Tom Nimble is a very honest fellow, and I desire him to present my humble service to his cousin Fill Bumper. I am obliged for the letter upon prejudice. I may, in due time animadvert on the case of Grace Grumble. The Petition of P. S. granted. That of Sarah Loveit refused. I thank Aristippus for his kind invitation. My friend at Woodstock is a bold man, to undertake for all within ten miles of him. I am afraid the entertainment of Tom Turnover will hardly be relished by the good cities of London and Westminster. I must consider further of it, before I indulge W. F. in those freedoms he takes with the ladies' stockings. I am obliged to the ingenious gentleman who sent me an ode on the subject of a late Spectator and shall take particular notice of his last letter. When the lady who wrote me a letter, dated July the 20th, in relation to some passages in a Lover*, will be more particular in her directions, I shall be so in my answer. The poor gentleman who fancies my writings could reclaim a husband who can abuse such a wife as he describes, has, I am afraid, too great an opinion of my skill. Philanthropos is, I dare say, a very well-meaning man, but is a little too prolix in his compositions. * Qu.? Love letter. Constantius himself must be the best judge in the affair he mentions. The letter dated from Lincoln is received. Arethusa and her friend may hear further from me. Celia is a little too hasty. Harriet is a good girl, but must not courtesy to folks she does not know. I must ingenuously confess my friend Samson Benstaff has quite puzzled me, and writ me a long letter which I cannot comprehend one word of. Collidan must also explain what he means by his 'drigelling.' I think it beneath my Spectatorial dignity to concern myself in the affair of the boiled dumpling. I shall consult some literati on the project sent me for the discovery of the longitude. I know not how to conclude this paper better than by inserting a couple of letters which are really genuine, and which I look upon to be two of the smartest pieces I have received from my correspondents of either sex: "BROTHER SPEC, "WHILE you are surveying every object that falls in your way, I am wholly taken up with one. Had that sage who demanded what beauty was, lived to see the dear angel I love, he would not have asked such a question. Had another seen her, he would himself have loved the person in whom Heaven has made virtue visible; and, were you yourself to be in her company, you could never, with all your loquacity, say enough of her good-humour and sense." send you the outlines of a picture, which I can no more finish, than I can sufficiently admire the dear original. The gentleman who sent me a copy of verses on his mistress's dancing, is, I believe, too thoroughly in love to compose correctly. I have too great a respect for both the universities to praise one at the expense of the other. Tom Nimble is a very honest fellow, and I desire him to present my humble service to his cousin Fill Bumper. I am obliged for the letter upon prejudice. I may, in due time animadvert on the case of Grace Grumble. The Petition of P. S. granted. That of Sarah Loveit refused. I thank Aristippus for his kind invitation. My friend at Woodstock is a bold man, to undertake for all within ten miles of him. I am afraid the entertainment of Tom Turnover will hardly be relished by the good cities of London and Westminster. I must consider further of it, before I indulge W. F. in those freedoms he takes with the ladies' stockings. I am obliged to the ingenious gentleman who sent me an ode on the subject of a late Spectator and shall take particular notice of his last letter. When the lady who wrote me a letter, dated July the 20th, in relation to some passages in a Lover*, will be more particular in her directions, I shall be so in my answer. The poor gentleman who fancies my writings could reclaim a husband who can abuse such a wife as he describes, has, I am afraid, too great an opinion of my skill. Philanthropos is, I dare say, a very well-meaning m but is a little too prolix in his compositions. * Qu.? Love letter. Constantius himself must be the best judge in the affair he mentions. The letter dated from Lincoln is received. Arethusa and her friend may hear further from me. Celia is a little too hasty. Harriet is a good girl, but must not courtesy to folks she does not know. I must ingenuously confess my friend Samson Benstaff has quite puzzled me, and writ me a long letter which I cannot comprehend one word of. Collidan must also explain what he means by his 'drigelling.' I think it beneath my Spectatorial dignity to concern myself in the affair of the boiled dumpling. I shall consult some literati on the project sent me for the discovery of the longitude. I know not how to conclude this paper better than by inserting a couple of letters which are really genuine, and which I look upon to be two of the smartest pieces I have received from my correspondents of either sex: "BROTHER SPEC, Had "WHILE you are surveying every object that falls in your way, am wholly taken up with one. that sage who demanded what beauty was, lived to see the dear angel I love, he would not have asked such a question. Had another seen her, he would himself have loved the person in whom Heaven has made virtue visible; and, were you yourself to be in her company, you could never, with all your loquacity, say enough of her good-humour and sense." send you the outlines of a picture, which I can no more finish, than I can sufficiently admire the dear original. "I am, "Your most affectionate brother, "CONSTANTIO SPEC." I |