THE RAMBLER. Numb. I. Tuesday, March 20, 1750, Cur tamcn hoc libeat potiut deeurrere campo, Si'uacat, et placiM rationem admitsitis, cdam. Juv. Why to expatiate in this beaten field, Why arms, oft us'd in vain, I mean to wield; If time permit, and candour will attend, Some satisfaction this essay may lend. Elphinstom. THE difficulty of the first address on any new occasion, is selt by every man in his transn actions with the world, and consessed by the settled and regular forms of falutation which necessity has introduced into all languages. Judgment was wearied with the perplexity of being forced upon choice, where there was no motive to preserence; and it was found convenient that some easy method of introduction should be established, which, is it wanted the allurement of novelty, might enjoy the security of prescription. Vo*.. V. B Perhaps Perhaps sew authors have presented themselves before the publick, without 'wishing that such ceremonial modes of entrance had been anciently established, as might have freed them from thofe dangers which the desire of pleasing is certain to produce, and precluded the vain expedients of softening censure by apologies, or rousing attention by abruptness. Theepick writers have found the proemial part of the poem such an addition to their undertaking, that they have almost unanimously adopted the first lines of Homer, and the reader needs only be informed of the subject, to know in what manner the poem will begin. But this solemn repetition is hitherto the peculiar distinction of heroick poetry; it has never been legally extended to the lower orders of literature, but seems to be considered as an hereditary privilege, to be enjoyed only by thofe who claim it from their alliance to the genius of Homer. The rules which the injudicious use of this prerogative suggested to Horace, may indeed be applied to the direction of candidates sor inserior same; it may be proper for all to remember, that they ought not to raise expectation which it is not in their power to satissy, and that it is more pleasing to see smoke brightening into flame, than flame sinking into smoke. This precept has been long received, both from regard to the authority of Horace, and its consormity to the general opinion of the world; yet there' have been always some, that thought it no deviation from modesty to recommend their own labours, and imagined themselves intitled by indisputable merit to an exemption from general restraints, and to elevations not allowed in common life. They, perhaps^ believed, that when, like Thucydides, they bequeathed to mankind x7iiua it del, an estate for ever, it was an additional favour to insorm them of its value. It may, indeed, be no less dangerous to claim, on certain occasions, too little than too much. There is something captivating in spirit and intrepidity, to which we often yield, as to a resistless power; nor can he reasonably expect the confidence of others, who too apparently distrusts himself. Plutarch, in his enumeration of the various occasions, on which a man may without just offence proclaim his own excellencies, has omitted the case of an author entering the world; unless it may be comprehended under his general position, that a man may lawsully praise himself for thofe qualities which cannot be known but from his own mouth; as when he is among strangers, and can have no opportunity of an actual exertion of his powers. That the ease of an author is parallel will scarcely be granted, because he necessarily discovers the degree of his merit to his judges, when he appears at his trial. Byt it should be remembered, that unless his judges are inclined to favour him, they will hardly be persuaded to hear the cause. In love, the state which sills the heart with a degree of solicitude next that of an author, it has been held a maxim, that success is most easily obtained by indirect and unperceived approaches; he who too soon prosesses himself a lover, raises obstacles to B 2 his his own wishes, and thofe whom disappointments having taught experience, endeavour to conceal their passion till they believe their mistress wishes for the discovery. The same method, is it were pra£ticable to writers, would save many complaints of the severity of the age, and the caprices of criticism. If a man could glide imperceptibly into the savour of the publick, and only proclaim his pretensions to literary honours when he is sure of not being rejected, he might commence author with better hopes, as his sailings might escape contempt, though he shall never attain much regard. But since the world suppofes every man that writes, ambitious of applause, as some ladies have taught themselves to believe that every man intends love, who expresses civility, the miscarriage of any endeavour in learning raises an unbounded contempt, indulged by most minds without scruple, as an honest triumph over unjust claims, and exorbitant expectations. The artisices of thofe who put themselves in this hazardous state, have therefore been multiplied in proportion to their sear as well as their ambition; and are to be looked upon with more indulgence, as they are incited at once by the two great movers of the human mind, the desire of good, and the sear of evil. For who can wonder that, allured on one fide, and frightened on the other, some should endeavour to gain savour by bribing the judge with an appearance of respect which they do not seel, to excite compassion by consessing weakness of which they are not convinced, and others to attract regard by a shew of openness and magnanimity, by a daring prosession of their own deserts, deserts, and a publick challenge of honours and rewards. The ostentatious and haughty display of themselves has been the usual resuge of diurnal writers, in vindication of whofe practice it may be faid, that what it wants in prudence is supplied by sincerity, and who at least may plead, that is their boasts deceive any into the perufal of their persormances, they desraud them of but little time. •— Quid enlm? Concurritur—hort e The battle join, and, in a moment's flight, Death, or a joysul conquest, ends the fight. Francis. The question concerning the merit of the day is soon decided, and we are not condemned to toil through half a folio, to be convinced that the writer has broke his promise. It is one among many reasons for which I purpose to endeavour the entertainment of my countrymen by a short esfay on Tuesday and Saturday, that I hope not much to tire those whom I shall not happen to please; and is I am not commended for the beauty of my works, to be at least pardoned for their brevity. But whether my expectations are most fixed on pardon or praise, I think it not necesfary to discover; for having accurately weighed the reasons for arrogance and submission, I find them so nearly equiponderant, that my impatience to try the event of my first persormance will not suffer me to attend any longer the trepidations of the balance. B 3 There |