From _Thursday, Feb. 2_, to _Saturday, Feb. 4, 1709-10_.
Ingenio manus est et cervix caesa.--JUV., Sat. x. 120.
* * * * *
_From my own Apartment, February 3._
When my paper for to-morrow was prepared for the press, there came in
this morning a mail from Holland, which brought me several advices from
foreign parts, and took my thoughts off domestic affairs. Among others,
I have a letter from a burgher of Amsterdam, who makes me his
compliments, and tells me, he has sent me several draughts of humorous
and satirical pictures by the best hands of the Dutch nation. They are a
trading people, and in their very minds mechanics. They express their
wit in manufacture, as we do in manuscript. He informs me, that a very
witty hand has lately represented the present posture of public affairs
in a landscape, or rather sea-piece, wherein the potentates of the
Alliance are figured as their interests correspond with, or affect each
other, under the appearance of commanders of ships. These vessels carry
the colours of the respective nations concerned in the present war. The
whole design seems to tend to one point, which is, that several
squadrons of British and Dutch ships are battering a French man-of-war,
in order to make her deliver up a long-boat with Spanish colours. My
correspondent informs me, that a man must understand the compass
perfectly well, to be able to comprehend the beauty and invention of
this piece, which is so skilfully drawn, that the particular views of
every prince in Europe are seen according as the ships lie to the main
figure in the picture, and as that figure may help or retard their
sailing. It seems this curiosity is now on board a ship bound for
England, and with other rarities made a present to me. As soon as it
arrives, I design to expose it to public view at my secretary Mr.
Lillie's, who shall have an explication of all the terms of art; and I
doubt not but it will give as good content as the moving picture in
Fleet Street.[64]
But above all the honours I have received from the learned world abroad,
I am most delighted with the following epistle from Rome:
"_Pasquin of Rome, to Isaac Bickerstaff of Great Britain, greeting._
"SIR,
"Your reputation has passed the Alps, and would have come to my
ears by this time, if I had any. In short, sir, you are looked upon
here as a Northern droll, and the greatest virtuoso among the
Tramontanes. Some indeed say, that Mr. Bickerstaff and Pasquin are
only names invented, to father compositions which the natural
parent does not care for owning. But however that is, all agree,
that there are several persons, who, if they durst attack you,
would endeavour to leave you no more limbs than I have. I need not
tell you that my adversaries have joined in a confederacy with Time
to demolish me, and that, if I were not a very great wit, I should
make the worst figure in Europe, being abridged of my legs, arms,
nose, and ears. If you think fit to accept of the correspondence of
so facetious a cripple, I shall from time to time send you an
account of what happens at Rome. You have only heard of it from
Latin and Greek authors; may, perhaps, have read no accounts from
hence, but of a triumph, ovation, or apotheosis, and will,
doubtless, be surprised to see the description of a procession,
jubilee, or canonisation. I shall however send you what the place
affords, in return to what I shall receive from you. If you will
acquaint me with your next promotion of general officers, I will
send you an account of our next advancement of saints. If you will
let me know who is reckoned the bravest warrior in Great Britain,
I'll tell you who is the best fiddler in Rome. If you will favour
me with an inventory of the riches that were brought into your
nation by Admiral Wager,[65] I will not fail giving you an account
of a pot of medals that has been lately dug up here, and are now
under the examination of our ministers of state.
"There is one thing in which I desire you would be very particular.
What I mean is an exact list of all the religions in Great Britain,
as likewise the habits, which are said here to be the great points
of conscience in England, whether they are made of serge or
broadcloth, of silk or linen. I should be glad to see a model of
the most conscientious dress amongst you, and desire you would
send me a hat of each religion; as likewise, if it be not too much
trouble, a cravat. It would also be very acceptable here to receive
an account of those two religious orders which are lately sprung up
amongst you, the Whigs and the Tories, with the points of doctrine,
severities in discipline, penances, mortifications, and good works,
by which they differ one from another. It would be no less kind if
you would explain to us a word which they do not understand even at
our English monastery toasts, and let us know whether the ladies so
called are nuns or lay-sisters.
"In return, I will send you the secret history of several
cardinals, which I have by me in manuscript, with gallantries,
amours, politics, and intrigues, by which they made their way to
the Holy Purple.
"But when I propose a correspondence, I must not tell you what I
intend to advise you of hereafter, and neglect to give you what I
have at present. The Pope has been sick for this fortnight of a
violent toothache, which has very much raised the French faction,
and put the conclave into a great ferment. Every one of the
pretenders to the succession is grown twenty years older than he
was a fortnight ago. Each candidate tries who shall cough and stoop
most; for these are at present the great gifts that recommend to
the apostolical seat, which he stands the fairest for, who is
likely to resign it the soonest. I have known the time when it used
to rain louis-d'ors on such occasions; but whatever is the matter,
there are very few of them to be seen at present at Rome, insomuch
that it is thought a man might purchase infallibility at a very
reasonable rate. It is nevertheless hoped that his Holiness may
recover, and bury these his imaginary successors.
"There has lately been found a human tooth in a catacomb, which has
engaged a couple of convents in a lawsuit; each of them pretending
that it belonged to the jawbone of a saint who was of their Order.
The colleges have sat upon it thrice, and I find there is a
disposition among them to take it out of the possession of both the
contending parties, by reason of a speech which was made by one of
the cardinals, who, by reason of its being found out of the company
of any other bones, asserted, that it might be one of the teeth
which was coughed out by AElia, an old woman whose loss is recorded
in Martial.[66]
"I have nothing remarkable to communicate to you of State affairs,
excepting only, that the Pope has lately received a horse from the
German ambassador, as an acknowledgment for the kingdom of Naples,
which is a fief of the Church. His Holiness refused this horse from
the Germans ever since the Duke of Anjou has been possessed of
Spain; but as they lately took care to accompany it with a body of
ten thousand more, they have at last overcome his Holiness's
modesty, and prevailed upon him to accept the present. I am,
"Sir,
"Your most obedient,
"Humble Servant,
"PASQUIN.
"P.S. Morforio is very much yours."[67]
[Footnote 63: There is the following note in No. 130 (orig. folio):
"Errata in the last. Insert the following motto, which was overlooked by
the printer," &c. "Col. 2, line 16, for Oration read Ovation." Probably
this paper, No. 129, was by Addison, not only because of these
corrections, but because of the allusions to medals, &c., in the letter
from Pasquin. The paper is, however, not included in Addison's Works.]
[Footnote 64: "To be seen daily, at the Duke of Marlborough's Head in
Fleet Street, a new moving picture, drawn by the best hand, with great
variety of curious motions and figures, which form a most agreeable
prospect. It has the general approbation of all who see it, and far
exceeds the original formerly shown at the same place.--N.B. This
picture was never exposed to public view, before the beginning of the
present year 1710" (No. 127, Advertisement). "The famous and curious
original moving picture, which came from Germany, that was designed for
the Elector of Bavaria, is still to be seen at the Duke of Marlborough's
Head, in Fleet Street;" &c.--_Postman_, March 1-3, 1709 [-10].]
[Footnote 65: Charles Wager was first made a captain at the battle of La
Hogue by Admiral Russell, who recommended him on the most important
services. He was sent commodore to the West Indies in 1707, where he
attacked the Spanish galleons, May 28, 1708, with three ships, though
they were fourteen in number drawn up in line of battle, and defeated
them. His services Queen Anne distinguished by sending him a flag as
Vice-admiral of the Blue, intended for him before this engagement, and
by honouring him at his return with knighthood. His share of prize-money
amounted to 100,000_l._ But the riches he acquired, on this and other
occasions, were regarded by him only as instruments of doing good;
accordingly he gave fortunes to his relations, that he might see them
happy in his lifetime; and to persons in distress, his liberality was
such, that whole families were supported, and their estates and fortunes
saved, by his generosity. He was promoted to be Rear-admiral of the Red,
November 9, 1709; and in that year was returned for Portsmouth to
Parliament, where he continued to sit till his death. In April 1726, he
was sent up the Baltic as Vice-admiral of the Red, with a large fleet on
an important expedition; and performed all that could be expected from
the wisdom and skill of an English admiral. He dined with the King of
Denmark; had an audience of the King of Sweden; and exchanged many
civilities with Prince Menzikoff, then Prime Minister of Russia. He was
appointed Comptroller of the Navy in February 1714; a Lord of the
Admiralty in March 1717; and, on the death of Lord Torrington in January
1732-3, he was placed at the head of that Board, and appointed president
of the corporation for relief of poor sea-officers' widows, and also
president of the corporation of the Trinity House. He was appointed one
of the Lords Regent in 1741; Vice-admiral of England and Treasurer of
the Navy in 1742; and died May 24, 1743, aged 77. A prudent, temperate,
wise, and honest man, he was easy of access to all, unaffected in his
manners, steady and resolute in his conduct, affable and cheerful in his
behaviour, and in time of action or imminent danger was never hurried or
discomposed (Nichols).]
[Footnote 66: "Epig." i. 20.]
[Footnote 67: See No. 130, Advertisement.]