O far as our observation enables us to form an idea of the actions of others, it never fails to imprefs on our minds fome sense of their propriety and reftitude; but if this be more clofely examined, it will, I am perfuaded, be found ftrictly to regard propriety and rectitude, in the plain meaning of the words, no further than to strangers; for among our friends and acquaintance the reference or comparison does not so much depend on real rectitude, as a conformity with that line of conduct they have generally pursued, and which conftitutes what is ufually termed character. Now if a person acts conformable to that, we never, in common transactions, fcrutinize every particular action according to the rigid rules of ftrict propriety; for we may observe, that we form as instantaneous, and, in general, as just an idea how any one would act, either in faying, doing, or suffering, as we do of their supposed articulation, or accent in pronouncing any word we do not recollect ever to have heard them ufe. This being the general standard or criterion by which we meafure, or try the words, or actions of others, is the reason why the fmalleft deviation, either to the right or the left, equally furprises us to obferve

HORACE.

a perfon remarkable for loquacity, fitting filent in a circle of convivial friends, or to hear another of auftere gravity, burft into an uncommon loud fit of laughter at a trifling incident, or common turn of wit, affects us equally as to hear an illiterate person use a scientifical word with the ut most propriety both in fenfe and accent, or a person of known erudition, accidentally misplace or misapply one. And to obferve an abandoned perfon, whose corrupted heart places its felicity in low wit and obscenity, remain filent when a favourable opportunity offers of introducing one of his favourite common-place puns, or a perfon of exemplary fanctity and purity of manners, betrayed by a fudden guft of paffion into actions or expreffions far beneath himself, surprises us ftill more; but in either case the person does not lose his reputation; the one is an agreeable, and the other a very difagreeable furprise, and among people of confined intelligence, is an inexhauftible fource of converfation; from whence we may observe, that we form our opinion of a person's conduct, rather from what we suppose he will do, than what he does. Now respecting a stranger, of whom we have no rule to judge by, we are more apt to try their actions, and form an

opinion

opinion of them by the nicer models of propriety and rectitude; and as in the former cafe, our expectation amounts almost to a certainty of their acting in conformity with their own character: fo in this (as we always are wishing to fee that perfection, we feel our own, and see our friends deficiency in) our hopes awaken our expectation of feeing them at up to this model, to almost as great a degree of probability as the other approaches to certainty; and in proportion as we find ourselves repeatedly difappointed, do we withdraw our confidence, and form in our own minds an idea of their character as of others feeling at each difappointment of this kind, and in proportion as our expectations were raised, a something which does not displease us, at each new inftance of human fallibility; adducing fuch fresh arguments in defence of our own vices as we can deduce from their conformity therewith, or prefuming on our own fortitude or prudence when in any weakness to which we are not addicted.

Now as we, after many years experience, are apt to feel ourselves hurt on one fide, and rather apt to arrogate on the other, by the fallibility of those from whom nothing but our curiofity had taught us to expect any thing exemplary; I have reflected, and that with the deepest concern, on the precarious fituation of children in this refpect, and how careful every one concerned in their welfare or tuition, ought to be, not to act contrary to the documents and advice they give; for as every one is more than ftranger to them, what we experience in our expectatios of strangers, is more than doubly felt even with regard to their own parents; and as the love of liberty, even more than that of credulity, is inherent in our very nature, any deviation in us from the rules we prescribe, helps more and more to confirm the fufpicion their hopes had flattered them. with of our fallibility, and confequently inspires them with hopes that the reftraint they lie under originates in, and will end with, parental authority, and that nothing but a few years are wanting to leave them at liberty to gratify every wifh (wants they have few, did they but know their happiness); and, ftrangers to the idea of flavery to fin, and the refiftlefs impulfe of ill habits and gratifications, they in the height of expectation, conftrue every deviation from the rules prefcribed them, to be the refult of cool deliberation in ther fuperiors, and confequently hat there must be fome hidden fecret pleasure, which it can be no harm for them to partake of, any more than another, whofe fuperior years

give them a claim to preference in understanding which they think would induce them to refrain, if there was that danger in those practises which has been represented unto them: and while this is the cafe, while fuperior difcernment will pufillanimously fuffer itself to be drawn into low, vulgar, enjoyments, thereby blasting by keen remorse that happiness their own soul informs, affures, and convinces them, is within their reach; it will be impoffible for the moft pathetic language experienced piety can adopt, to restrain inexperienced minds; impelled by thefe confiderations on one fide, and flushed with fome little exhilarating fucceffes on the other, they push off from fhore in pursuit of pleasure, and calmly think that the voice of experience fympathetically warning them of the danger they run, is pretty well rewarded if it come off without contempt; any hazard the fage adviser may have run, or any inftances he may adduce of premature pain and infirmity, in consequence of youthful pleasure, feem rather to them to imply fome palpable defect in the juvenile understanding, to result from fome ill chofen connec tions, which their fuperior prudence is to prevent, or from a petulancy of difpofition towards those pleasures which he can no longer enjoy. B.

To the NEW SPECTATOR. Mr. SPECTATOR,

THE influence of fuperftition on weak minds is aftonishingly great; and a few centuries ago, the learned as well as the ignorant of this kingdom, could not refift its fway.

AMONGST the variety of inftances mentioned of the interference of the Holy Virgin, there is one preferved in a record lodged in the Tower worthy of inveftigation. It is dated in the 31ft. of Edw. III. 1347, and the copy of the record is as follows:

"THE King, to all bailiffs and other his liege "fubjects, to whom thefe prefents fhall come, "Greeting: Be it known unto you, that, where"as Cecily who was the wife of John Rygeway, "was lately indicted for the murder of the faid "John, her husband, and brought to her trial "for the fame, before our beloved and faithful "Henry Grove, and his brother judges at Not"tingham; but that continuing mute, and refu"fing to plead to the said indictment, she was "fentenced to be committed to close custody, "without any victuals or drink, for the space of "forty days, which she miraculously, and even

❝ contrary

66

upon her; and our will and pleasure is, that "fhe be freed from the faid prifon, and no far"ther trouble given her upon the account of the "faid fentence. In witnefs, &c."

As I do not recollect having read any account of this extraordinary tranfaction, which muft, doubtless, have caufed much speculation at that time, I fhall be greatly obliged to any of your correfpondents who can inform me of any further particulars refpecting this matter, and am, Yours, &c.

ANTIQ.

To the NEW SPECTAT o R. Friend SPEC,

I AM a great admirer of new maxims, and contemplate with pleasure the progress of fashion in fentiment, as well as in drefs. I am, therefore, very much delighted to find the ridiculous maxim, fo repeatedly inculcated in former times, "Not to praife thyfelf," is now become obfolete, as are many others of the fame kind, which are, no doubt, justly rejected, as not being founded on nature, for, to pursue the dictates of nature, is now the ton philofophic. It is to be observed, that this pursuit of mere nature is confined to the actions and paffions of mankind, and not to their arts or sciences; any thing relating to thofe, muft now be regulated in oppofition to nature, otherwife the effects of the fublime and wonderful are loft. Thus modern poets and modern musicians are too polite and too fashionable to attempt agitating your mind, by exciting the paffions, and wish only to raise a gentle emotion of furprize; and I cannot but acknowledge, that they have carried this piece of delicacy to the very pinnacle of perfection.

ONE improvement, like one misfortune, is generally the mother of another; so the rejection of the old maxim, "Not to praise thyself," was, conformable to the dictates of nature, immediately followed with the rejection of another, "Not to speak against thy neighbour;" the abolition of which laft maxim has evidently many advantages attending it; for men, by extolling themselves, might fometimes be tempted to impofe on credulity, and endanger the intereft of their

fellow-creatures, but by the abolition of the laft maxim, this effect is, in a great measure, happily defeated.

ALL old fyftems have their partizans. I be lieve there are people who fecretly favour the Ptolomy system, in oppofition to that of Copernicus; and I am not unacquainted with fome families, who obftinately adhere to the old divifion of time, and dine at one o'clock in the day, instead of five; go to bed at ten, and rife at fix, and fo invert the very order of nature. And thus it happens refpecting the before-mentioned maxims, they of the old party, call speaking in praise of ourselves, vanity; and expofing the defects of our neighbours, they call fcandal. However, it is thought that as the old party is very weak, it will shortly be brought over, for every one of its adherents is already fufpected of a latent affection, for the new system.

THE rejection of two rules, which hung like dead-weights upon the tongue, has given to conversation a freedom which conftitutes its spirit, and is indeed its chief ornament, and has afforded mankind the means of knowing each other much better than they could otherwife have attained. Some, indeed, do not scruple to affert, that they know their neighbours as well as, perhaps better than, themselves.

THESE are confiderations which I earnestly fubmit to your SPECTATORSHIP's mature deliberation, and wish to be favoured with your fentiments on the old and new systems alluded to by Yours, &c.

FOSTER FASHION.

To the NEW SPECTATOR.

Too LOVING BY HALF!

Mr. SPECTATOR,

Covent-Garden. PERMIT me to make a few obfervations on the comic opera, performed, for the first time, last night, for the benefit of Mrs. Martyr. It is the production of Mr. Horatio Robson, who, from the unlimited, and deferved applaufe, which Too Loving by Half, experienced laft night from a refpectable and numerous audience, I have no doubt, will again delight the public with a specimen of his comic powers. Some part of the mufic was judiciously compiled, in particular an Italian air, by Mrs. Martyr, in which she gave repeated teftimonies of the excellency of her voice. A Duet, by Brett, and Mrs. Bannifter, begining with "Sweet is the breath of love," and a Trio, by Dibdin, were beautiful. Altogether it was light, and pretty. But, why fhould the new mufic, as fome

time ago, advertised, by a favourite composer, be laid afide? Whether that disappointment arose from the falfe judgment of the author, affectation of the performers, or idleness in the band, I have not been able to discover; but it is a reflection on all three, and it is what every manager ought to prevent. An entire compilation, not only deprives the public of variety; but destroys every effort of rifing genius.

THE dialogue is natural, easy, and sprightly, and kept the house in a perpetual laugh. The characters of Quick and Wewitzer, are ably written, and were particularly well fupported; indeed the latter, efpecially, never appeared to fo much advantage. Some of the performers were rather imperfect in their parts, but on the whole, did the piece juftice. Mrs. Martyr, in the plain drefs of a waiting-maid, looked as lovely, and fung as charming as ever.

THE manager will do himself, the town, and the author much injustice if he does not present it as an after-piece. From this specimen, the public may reasonably expect much future entertainment from the pen of Mr. Robson. I am, Sir, yours, &c. THEATRICUS,

Bedford-Arms.

Hence the chafte thrillings which enhance
Thy scenes above mirth's festive dance.
Hence to thy fad and folemn fhews,
Thy ftrongly imitated woes,
In fearch of pure delight,

The good and tender flock to weep:

In Pity's balm their bofoms steep,
And buy with tears the consciousness of right!

Go, the foul's mifirefs! teach the gay
Whom flern misfortune hath not taught,
To feel and pity as they ought.

Shew them that life has cloudsand forms,
A fun that burns as well as warms,

And eyes that ach with grief while they unconscious play.
But ah! fad goddefs! go not nigh
The haunts of real mifery.

The foul that's wounded ill can bear

The pictur'd image of despair:

And wounds which lenient time has heal'd,

Or dull oblivion's veil conceal'd,
Will bleedafresh when thou art view'd:

Nor let thy vifions all too rude,
On love's fequefter'd walks intrude.
What can't thou teach the gentle breast,
By that foul-foftening power possest,

But frantic fears and ten-fold care,
Heart-rending horror and despair?
Whatever fatal tale is shown,
The anxious lover views his own:
In that dark glass his fortune reads,

And finks beneath a fancy'd doom;
His nymph, and not Monimia bleeds,--
'Tis fhe that groans in Juliet's tomb!

Here then, Melpomene, forbear; thy lore, Tho' it fhou'd teach, would torture more; They who with passion burn, or droop with woe, Have feelings but too quick, and tears too apt to flow!

To the NEW SPECTATOR.

Dear SPEC!

AMONGST the variety of matters which engage the attention of those who daily perambulate this metropolis, there is none which more forcibly strike my mind than the general prevalence of BALLOON FASHIONS!

Every thing is a la balloon; and though the famous aerostatic machine of Monf. Mongolfier is become a stale article, yet the balloon is likely to pervade every part of our summer dresses, especially amongst the ladies, who lately confined themselves to balloon hats and caps, but have now gowns called balloon, from their colour, as if a balloon fhould neceffarily be of any particular colour; the petticoat, which was formerly fringed, is now furbelowed and puffed, a la balloon; even the fhoes are decorated with balloon rofes,

rofes, and I am credibly informed that the balloon garter will fhortly make its appearance.-The balloon hat has confiderably extended its dimenfions; its circumference is equal to that of a common-fized umbrella, and, I fuppofe, it is meant to answer the fame purpose. A lady, in one of these, looks as if fhe had got a round tea-board on her head, with an enormous flop bason, and two dozen of cups and faucers. The balloon cap has affumed no regular form; and though a part of the drefs which one would imagine well calculated to be rendered balloonish, the milliners fail in all their attempts on the subject.

I HAVE here a fine opportunity of being very witty on the subject of inflammable air; and might amufe myself with thoroughly diffecting the dress of a woman of fashion, were I not apprehensive of encroaching on the prerogative of those admirable writers who furnish our libraries with Light Summer-reading for Ladies, &c.

way

into the

THE Balloon has not only pervaded every of drefs, but it has found its part heads and fhops of confectioners: and Balloon bifcuits and fweetmeats are now as common as fugar-plumbs; whilst instead of Hot Spice Nuts, the barrow-m..n vociferates, Fine Balloon-Gingerbread, fmoaking hot!

WHAT is still more remarkable than all this, the balloon has found its way to the bar and the pulpit. When a man has been at law for a certain time, and is at length non-fuited, the gentlemen of the long robe have found it extremely difficult to make their clients understand that term, and have, therefore, wifely adopted the word Ballooned, which certainly conveys their meaning better by half. When a man is nonfuited, he neither knows what is done, nor what he is to do; but the most ignorant man knows that when he is Ballooned, it is his business to fly.

WITH respect to the pulpit it has of late been too much infected with inflammable air; and too many of the clergy too much resemble an air balloon: the people fee them exalted like a balloon, and many pay for feeing them who cannot

difcover their use.

BUT of all the learned profeffions, Phyfic has made the most wonderful progress in the balloon manufactory. There is fcarcely one of the faculty who does not daily send men and women on aerial expeditions, not only into other countries, but into other worlds; and they have brought their balloons to fuch perfection that many of their customers lofe fight of the earth in a few minutes.

THUS almost every branch of business has its balloons, and happy is the man that can fly the highest !

EXHIBITION.

Somerfet-Houfe.

AMONGST the landscapes in this year's Exhibition, are feveral by Loutherbourg, and executed with his usual skill. His view of "Bra"ther Bridge, which divides Weftmoreland "from Cumberland," is a noble painting, admirably picturefque, and highly finished. His "Dove-dale in Derbyshire," and "Matlock

High-Torr," are pleasing pictures, and exact reprefentations of thofe romantic fcenes." A fylvan scene, taken at the top of a cascade in "Weftmoreland," by Thompfon, is a delightful fubject, and well executed. Such scenes, indeed, are fit for the contemplation of genius.

"Moses receiving the law on Mount Sinai,” painted by Mr. Welt, for his Majesty's chapel in Windfor Castle, is the principal picture in the Exhibiton; and a piece in which the painter has difcovered great genius in the design, and no less skill in the execution. The figure of Mofes is extremely ftriking: he is reprefented standing with a table in each hand, the left being extended into the cloud over his head, where the finger of the deity is supposed to inscribe on that table a part of the law. Mr. Weft has judiciously omitted attempting that which, admits not of delincation: and of which no human being can have any conception the figure of the deity. He has endeavoured to convey an idea of the presence of God, by the grandeur and awful folemnity of the scene: the venerable group, which fills the lower part of the piece, confifting of Aaron and the elders, are covered, fenfible of the as it were, with light, and appear prefence by declining their heads, being unable to bear the splendour with which the deity is furrounded. Jofhua, who accompanied Mofes to the top of the mount, is, with great propriety and beauty, represented by a young man, holding a scroll, proftrate on the mount.

WHILST the effulgence of the light, and the noife of the thunder vifibly affect Aaron and the elders of the people, Mofes is seen in the midst of the cloud and whirlwind with firmness looking into the blaze of light.

In this excellent production, Mr. West has happily united the exertions of genius and the powers of painting. The light and the shade, the diftribution of colours, the amazingly expreffive characters of the heads, and the beauty of the draperies, all contribute to stamp immortality on this picture.

THE