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Mr. Sykes, the curate of the next parish, has been refused, for having the run of the squire's kitchen, and the combing of my lady's lap-dog. Mr. Barnaby, the churchwarden, has complained of fleas, and the smell of parsnips, ever since he came to propose himself. When this gentleman is disposed to be facetious, he suggests the idea of a parasitical club, on the plan of one that was formerly established among the turnspit-dogs, when this fraternity was in its full glory and consequence, who were observed to meet every morning in the Grove at Bath, for the sake of business, friendship, or gallantry, and then distribute themselves about the town according to their different destinations.

We have a rooted abhorrence of all gamesters, liars, and debauchees : we are therefore particularly on our guard against all such as have aspired to the infamy of certain great connections. Bad husbands and sons, and all those who sin against these sacred duties and charities of life, we include under one solemn sentence of proscription.

of

We are very shy of a man who, after the age fifty, continues to be called Dick or Jack such-a-one; such men have probably sacrificed too much to notoriety to deserve respect.

We give little encouragement to geniuses, as geniuses are at present; whose wit principally consists in a habit of negligence, uncleanliness, and absence, and arises out of their want of judgement.

We have also a prejudice against a description of persons who are called ingenious gentlemen, who have in general no other claim to this title than what is derived from the solution of an enigma in the Lady's Magazine, or a contribution to the Poets' Corner. A rage for riddles and impromptues, were it to get footing among us, would be a mighty hin

It creates a

drance to the flow of conversation. kind of scramble in the mind of one that has a turn for these pleasantries, and scatters abroad his ideas like a ruined ant's nest; while those who are used to reason right forward, and to keep a steady point in view, are forced to sit in vacant silence, with their faculties bound up in a stupid thraldom.

It is the humour of our society to denominate all such as cannot be admitted among us, outlaws; which general term is meant to answer to the Bapbapo of the Greeks, with this difference, that the reproach conveyed in it does not fall indiscriminately on such as are without the circle, but merely on those to whom all entrance into it is for ever barred.

I shall conclude my paper of to-day with informing my readers, that the gentleman who hath had the principal share in drawing up our code of laws, is a Mr. Anthony Allworth, a most valuable member of this our society, of whom I shall have frequent occasion to speak in the course of my speculations, when I wish to hold up a more animated picture than ordinary of sublime virtue and practical religion. This gentleman is now in his seventieth year, and keeps himself in health by the diversion of his mind, and the exercise of his body, in his unwearied search after objects for his beneficence. He was one of our earliest members, and still suffers no weather to prevent his constant attendance. As he passes through many scenes in the course of every day, he never fails to introduce some agree able or pathetic story, that sends us away more cheerful, or more resigned. His examples and admonitions are principally instrumental in conciliating new members, and rendering them more docile and tractable: he has completely won Mr.

Blunt's esteem; and has never been known to raise the echo himself, but in the cause of unprotected innocence, or forsaken truth.

N° 4. TUESDAY, MARCH 20.

Licet superbus ambules pecuniâ,

Fortuna non mutat genus.

Fortune cannot change your blood,
Although you strut as if it could.

HORAT.

In this land of industry and commerce, where fortunes are ever in a constant flux, it is curious to observe the rapid changes which perpetually occur in the consequence and figure of different individuals. These revolutions have, without doubt, their social advantages: they break the force of pride, which is always attended with an exclusive spirit; they open a wider field for the emulation of talents; and by diffusing the feelings of fellowship, and the ties of affinity among us, give a freer range to the duties of benevolence and the practice of virtue. If such be a natural result of this community and participation of riches and honour, it is painful to observe the exceptions exhibited in the conduct of certain individuals. There are some ordinary spirits among us, who, having just emerged, by a perverse partiality of fortune, from the lowest conditions, conceive that the only way of showing themselves qualified to maintain their new character, is to manifest an extreme scorn of the old

one; and that, to evince an elevation of mind proportioned to their rise of fortune, they have only to discard the associates and witnesses of their humble beginnings.A gentleman who finds himself in this description of deserted friends, has made the following complaint to me, by letter, permitting me to make my own use of it.

To the Rev. Simon Olive-branch.

Dear Simon,

Oxford.

You remember, no doubt, your old fellow-collegian Tom Varnish, whose principal recommendation was his apparent good-nature, and his companionable qualities. You will be surprised to hear, that, by a fortunate connection, he is become dean of

The first time I saw him after his preferment, I stretched out my hand to him, to wish him joy, in quality of an old friend and associate, but could only grasp the tip of his longest finger: he made me, however, a very polite bow, and told me his dinner was always on table at half after five, if I ever came his way. He left me in such utter surprise, that I was fixed on the spot for some moments. It occurred to me, however, upon a little reflection, that this must have been a mere joke, which would serve us to laugh over at some snug meeting at the deanery. His subsequent conduct has undeceived me; and I plainly see that I am never to be acknowledged on the ancient footing. I own I should feel a very violent indignation towards this poltroon, and should be provoked to some signal revenge, if such behaviour did not in a great measure carry its punishment with it; but I observe, that since his elevation there are fewer smiles on his countenance, and there seems to be a constraint in his looks and demeanour, which

betrays an inward perplexity, the constant companion of pride. There is always, methinks, a sort of treason in these abuses of friendship, that leaves a conscious stain upon the mind; a secret sense of unworthiness, that sinks us amidst our triumphs, and falsifies our greatness.

I happened to meet him the other day in a large company, where it was my fortune to be seated next to him. I thought this a favourable opportunity for pressing some anecdotes home to his recollection, that might stir up some ancient regards, if any were left at the bottom of his mind. I talked to him of the old tree, under whose shade we had passed so many hours, in reading a story of Chaucer, a play of Shakspeare, or the humours of the knight of La Mancha. I reminded him of our names cut out together on the examining-chair in the schools. I told him, that his likeness was still hanging over my mantle-piece, which brought to my mind a thousand soothing remembrances of my youth; and that I often pleased myself with contemplating the unconsciousness that appeared in my friend's countenance, of any views towards that elevation which he has since experienced. I assured him, that our little laundress, though not in the pride of her looks, was still fresh, florid, and good-natured; and often talked of Tom Varnish's genteel leg, and sociable temper.

All this, however, appeared to give him rather offence than pleasure. At the mention indeed of Miss Jenny, his eyes seemed to sparkle a little, and his fingers involuntarily moved towards his band, which had formerly passed through the renovating hands of the pretty laundress. I returned home, chagrined at the littleness of human pride, and the sorry make of our minds, which can be content thus

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