C H A R Α C Τ Ε

A C T E R S

OF

NATIONS,
STATES,
PRINCES,
PEERS,

JUDGES,
COUNSELLORS,
SENATORS,
GAMBLERS,

POETS,
PLAYERS,
PIMPS, AND
PARASITES:

WITH AN EXQUISITE GROUP OF LADIES,

HIGHLY FINISHED.

SELECTED FROM THE MOST DISTINGUISHED
ENGLISH PO E TS,

Ρ Ε

Printed for JOHN FIELDING, NO 23, Pater-Noster-Row.

MDCC LXXXI.
[Price TWO SHILLINGS and SIX-PENCE.]

828 W 9306

P R E F A CE.

F A C

WHEN the idea of publishing a pamphlet of this kind first fruck

the compiler, be considered that, exclufve of its holding forth to the public view a pi&ture of modern times, manners and characters, it would comprize many of the effential beauties of our best English Poets, and be worthy of preservation on that account, if it had nothing else to recommend it.

How far he has succeeded in the application of particular pasages to particular characters, must be left to the decison of the reader; but he can truly assert, that he has not knowingly applied a single passage ta: any character, which had been used in preceding compilations of a fimilar caft. If he has painted virtue in her fairest form, and held up vice to the public contempt and derifion, he has obtained the objeet of his wishes.

Virtue never appears more amiable than when seated on the throne. of beauty; and there are, as the Poet observes, many characters which,

Safe from the bar, the pulpit, and the throne,
Are touch'd and sham'd by ridicule alone..

If any of these characters can be shamed into the practice of virtue,,
one great end of this publication will be obtained. At any rate, the
pamphlet will be confidered as amusing, by oboje who read for amuse:
ment only.

Ev'

a

P R E F A C E.

А Е. In this little piece there are some characters so very flagitious, that 71ot to attempt to expose them, might have been conßdered as a tacit

approbation of them; and there are others so perfectly exemplary, that not to have beld them up as the brightest patterns, would have argued an indifference in the cause of virtue. At the same time we must acknowledge a third sort of the humdrum kind; who have little of vice or of virtue to drag them forth to the public view, and who are only distinguished by their peculiarities, as an ass is known by the length of his ears; and who would not therefore have been dignified with a place in this collection, but that their rank in life had given them precedence in other places. If we have endeavoured to raise an harmless laugh at their expence, we have done them more credit than they had a right to expect. If we have offended we care not.-" Let the galld jade go

“ wince; our withers are unwrung.”

?;

N;

London, April 14, 1781. In, a few Days will be Published, Price One Shilling and Six-pence,

N Α Τ Η A A PHILOSOPHICAL DRAM A. Written in German by the Celebrated Mr. Lesling, Librarian to His Most Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick, and translated into Englija

By R. E. RA S P E.
Printed for J. Fielding, N° 23, Pater-Nofer-Row : Of whom may be had juft

Published, Price Two Shillings,
L E T T E R S

PER DIT A

TO A
J

E

WITH THE I SR A E L I TE's A N S W E R S.

FROM

W;

CHARACTERS APPLIED..

KING AND QUEEN.

G.

O with me
To bless this twain, that they may prosp'rous be

SHAKESPEARE. And honour'd in their iffue.

THE K

peace.

'Tis the office, 'Tis the first duty of the magistrate, To guard the people's welfare, and secure, As far as human wisdom can secure Their future .

C. JOHNSON. The Q She sat like patience on a monument Smiling at grief.

SHAKESP. To be good is to be happy; angels Are happier than men, because they're better. Guilt is the source of sorrow; 'tis the fiend, Th’avenging fiend, that follows us behind With whips and stings: The bless’d know none of this, But rest in everlasting peace of mind, And find the height of all their heaven is goodness. Rowe.

P