[157] See No. 66.
[158] Printed in Swift's Works.
[159] No. 66.
[160] _Cf._ Rabelais, Book I., chap. xli.
[161] "Ars Poet.," 102.
[162] "Ars Poet.," 104.
[163] See No. 54.
[164] Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury, whom Dryden describes as "a
portly prince, and goodly to the sight," "black-browed and bluff."
[165] Cicero, "De Oratore," i. 19.
[166] James Ford. In answer to an application for advice from a
stammerer, the _British Apollo_ for Jan. 23 to 25, 1710, said: "For
further advice we refer you to Mr. Ford at Kensington, who has not only
recovered several who stammered to a regular speech, but also brought
the deaf and dumb to speak, an instance whereof hath been known by a
gentleman of our society." The _Postman_ for Oct. 21, 1703, contained
the following advertisement: "James Ford, formerly living at Christ's
Hospital, in Charterhouse Yard and Cecil Street, who removes stammering
and other impediments in speech, and teaches foreigners to pronounce
English like natives; and has lately brought a child to speak, that
was born deaf and dumb; is now removed to Newington Green, where he
keeps a tutor in his house, that children may not lose their learning.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays he is to be met with at Mr. Meriden's,
sword cutler, at the corner of Exchange Alley, at Exchange time, and
at the Rainbow Coffee-house, by Temple Bar, at six in the evening on
Thursdays." In a letter now in the British Museum (Sloane MS., 4044),
Ford asked Sir Hans Sloane to examine certain persons whom he claimed
to have cured.
[167] See No. 62.
[168] False dice.
No. 71. [STEELE.
From _Tuesday, Sept. 20_, to _Thursday, Sept. 22, 1709_.
_From my own Apartment, Sept. 21._
I have long been against my inclination employed in satire, and that
in prosecution of such persons who are below the dignity of the true
spirit of it; such who I fear are not to be reclaimed by making them
only ridiculous. The sharpers therefore shall have a month's time to
themselves free from the observation of this paper; but I must not make
a truce without letting them know, that at the same time I am preparing
for a more vigorous war; for a friend of mine has promised me, he will
employ his time in compiling such a tract before the session of the
ensuing Parliament, as shall lay gaming home to the bosoms of all who
love their country or their families; and he doubts not but it will
create an Act, that shall make these rogues as scandalous as those less
mischievous ones on the highroad. I have received private intimations
to take care of my walks, and remember there are such things as stabs
and blows: but as there never was anything in this design which ought
to displease a man of honour, or which was not designed to offend the
rascals, I shall give myself very little concern for finding what I
expected, that they would be highly provoked at these lucubrations. But
though I utterly despise the pack, I must confess I am at a stand at
the receipt of the following letter, which seems to be written by a man
of sense and worth, who has mistaken some passage that I am sure was
not levelled at him. This gentleman's complaints give me compunction,
when I neglect the threats of the rascals. I can't be in jest with the
rogues any longer, since they pretend to threaten. I don't know whether
I shall allow them the favour of transportation.
"MR. BICKERSTAFF,
_Sept. 13._
"Observing you are not content with lashing the many vices of the
age, without illustrating each with particular characters, it is
thought nothing would more contribute to the impression you design
by such, than always having regard to truth. In your _Tatler_ of
this day,[169] I observe you allow, that nothing is so tender as a
lady's reputation; that a stain once got in their fame, is hardly
ever to be washed out. This you grant even when you give yourself
leave to trifle. If so, what caution is necessary in handling
the reputation of a man, whose wellbeing in this life perhaps
entirely depends on preserving it from any wound, which once there
received, too often becomes fatal and incurable? Suppose some
villainous hand, through personal prejudice, transmits materials
for this purpose, which you publish to the world, and afterwards
become fully convinced you were imposed on (as by this time you
may be of a character you have sent into the world); I say,
supposing this, I would be glad to know, what reparation you think
ought to be made the person so injured, admitting you stood in his
place. It has always been held, that a generous education is the
surest mark of a generous mind. The former is indeed perspicuous
in all your papers; and I am persuaded, though you affect often
to show the latter, yet you would not keep any measures (even
of Christianity) with those who should handle you in the manner
you do others. The application of all this is from your having
very lately glanced at a man, under a character, that were he
conscious to deserve, he would be the first to rid the world of
himself; and would be more justifiable in it to all sorts of men,
than you in your committing such a violence on his reputation,
which perhaps you may be convinced of in another manner than you
deserve from him.
"A man of your capacity, Mr. Bickerstaff, should have more noble
views, and pursue the true spirit of satire; but I will conclude,
lest I grow out of temper, and will only beg for your own
preservation, to remember the proverb of the pitcher.
"I am Yours,
A. J."
The proverb of the pitcher I have no regard to; but it would be an
insensibility not to be pardoned, if a man could be untouched at so
warm an accusation, and that laid with so much seeming temper. All I
can say to it is, that if the writer, by the same method whereby he
conveyed this letter, shall give me an instance wherein I have injured
any good man, or pointed at anything which is not the true object
of raillery, I shall acknowledge the offence in as open a manner
as the press can do it, and lay down this paper for ever. There is
something very terrible in unjustly attacking men in a way that may
prejudice their honour or fortune; but when men of too modest a sense
of themselves will think they are touched, it is impossible to prevent
ill consequences from the most innocent and general discourses. This I
have known happen in circumstances the most foreign to theirs who have
taken offence at them. An advertisement lately published, relating to
Omicron,[170] alarmed a gentleman of good sense, integrity, honour, and
industry, which is, in every particular, different from the trifling
pretenders pointed at in that advertisement. When the modesty of some
is as excessive as the vanity of others, what defence is there against
misinterpretation? However, giving disturbance, though not intended, to
men of virtuous characters, has so sincerely troubled me, that I will
break from this satirical vein; and to show I very little value myself
upon it, shall for this month ensuing leave the sharper, the fop, the
pedant, the proud man, the insolent; in a word, all the train of knaves
and fools, to their own devices, and touch on nothing but panegyric.
This way is suitable to the true genius of the Staffs, who are much
more inclined to reward than punish. If therefore the author of the
above-mentioned letter does not command my silence wholly, as he shall
if I do not give him satisfaction, I shall for the above-mentioned
space turn my thoughts to raising merit from its obscurity, celebrating
virtue in its distress, and attacking vice by no other method but
setting innocence in a proper light.
_Will's Coffee-house, Sept. 20._