[259] In the _Postman_ for August 19, 1702, the person mentioned in Dr.
Burnet's Travels from Basel, in Switzerland, advertises his arrival,
and his having brought several sorts of wind-guns and horse-pistols,
made for the late K. William, to be shown at the price of sixpence
apiece; but he hopes the nobility will be induced to give more, as he
has some curiosities besides, not mentioned.
"There is in Basel a gunsmith that maketh wind-guns, and he showed
me one, that as it received at once air for ten shot, so it had this
peculiar to it, which he pretends is his own invention, that he can
discharge all the air that can be parcelled out in ten shot at once
to give a home blow. I confess those are terrible instruments, and
it seems the interest of mankind to forbid them quite." (Burnet's
"Letters," &c., 1687, page 236, quoted by Nichols.)
[260] This article is by Addison.
[261] Thoinet Arbeau, a dancing-master at Paris, who was the inventor
of the art of writing dances in characters, called orchesography.
Music, about the year 1709, was generally printed in most countries, as
well as in England, on letterpress types. Engravings on copperplates
were used almost eighty years before in Italy, and the music of many
single songs was engraved here about the year 1700, by one Thomas
Cross. (See Hawkins's "History of Music," 1776, ii. 132-133, v. 107.)
No. 89. [STEELE.
From _Tuesday, Nov. 1_, to _Thursday, Nov. 3, 1709_.
Rura mihi placeant, riguique in vallibus amnes,
Flumina amem sylvasque inglorius.
VIRG., Georg. ii. 485.
_Grecian Coffee-house, Nov. 2._