undergo do not outweigh their enjoyments. The infidelities on the one part between the two fexes, and the caprices on the other, the debasement of reafon, the pangs of expectation, the disappointments in poffeffion, the ftings of remorfe, the vanities and vexations attending even the most refined delights that make up this bufiness of life, render it fo filly and uncomfortable, that no man is thought wife until he hath got over it, or happy, but in proportion as he hath cleared himself from it.

The fum of all is this. Man is made an active being. Whether he walks in the paths of virtue or vice he is fure to meet with many difficulties to prove his patience and excite his industry. The fame, if not greater labour, is required in the service of vice and folly as of virtue and wifdom; and he hath this eafy choice left him, whether, with the ftrength he is master of, he will purchase happiness or repentance.

Advertised, the fales by auction of the Library of THOMAS TYRRILL of the Temple, Efq. and Bibliotheca Seletiffima, being the collection of Harry Mullings, Efq. and a phyfician deceased; to be fold Nov. 15, by Thomas Ballard, Bookfeller, at "The Rifing Sun" in Little Britain. SPECT. in folio. N° 619. Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1714.

N. B. The papers in this eighth volume of the SPECTATOR are not lettered at the ends, or diftinguifhed by Signatures, as in the other volumes; but it feems very probable that ADDISON was the author of this and the preceding paper.

N° 625.

N° 625. Friday, November 26, 1714.

T

followingl etter of queries, with his anfwers to each queftion, for my approbation*. I have accordingly confidered the feveral matters therein contained, and hereby confirm and ratify his answers, and require the gentle querift to conform herself thereunto.

I

• SIR,

WAS thirteen the 9th of November laft, and must now begin to think of fettling myself in the world, and fo I would humbly beg your advice, what I must do with Mr. Fondle, who makes his addreffes to me. He is a very pretty man, and hath the blackeft • eyes and whiteft teeth you ever faw. Though he is but a younger brother, he dreffes like a

of quality, and nobody comes into a room like him. I know he hath refufed great offers, and if he cannot marry me he will never have any body else. But my father hath forbid

See SPECT. N° 591, N° 602, N° 605. N° 614, and N° 623.

• him

351 him the house, because he fent me a copy of verfes; for he is one of the greatest wits in 'town. My eldeft fifter, who with her good will would call me Mifs as longas I live, • must be married before me they say. She 'tells them that Mr. Fondle makes a fool of me, and will fpoil the child, as fhe calls me, like a confident thing as fhe is. In fhort, I am re• folved to marry Mr. Fondle, if it be but to fpite her. But, because I would do nothing • that is imprudent, I beg of you to give me 'your anfwers to fome queftions I will write ' down, and defire you to get them printed in the SPECTATOR, and I do not doubt but you • will give fuch advice, as, I am fure, I fhall • follow.

• When Mr. Fondle looks upon me for half an hour together, and calls me Angel, is he 'not in love?'

Answer, No.

May not I be certain he will be a kind hufband, that has promised me half my portion in pin-money, and to keep me a coach and fix in the bargain?'

No.

• Whether I, who have been acquainted with ' him this whole year almoft, am not a better judge of his merit than my father and mother, 'who never heard him talk but at table?'

No.

• Whether I am not old enough to choose ' for myself?'

No.

• Whether

• Whether it would not have been rude in me to refuse a lock of his hair?'

No.

• Should not I be a very barbarous creature, • if I did not pity a man who is always fighing ' for my fake?'

No.

• Whether you would not advise me to run with the poor man ?'

away

No.

• Whether you do not think, that if I will • not have him, he will not drown himself?' No.

• What shall I fay to him the next time he afks me if I will marry him?'

No.

The following letter requires neither introduction nor answer.

I

• Mr. SPECTATOR,

WONDER that in the prefent situation of affairs, you can take pleasure in writing any thing but news; for in a word, who ' minds any thine elfe? The pleasure of increafing in knowledge, and learning fomething 6 new every hour of life, is the nobleft enter⚫tainment of a rational creature. I have a very

good ear for a fecret, and am naturally of a 'communicative temper; by which means I am capable of doing you great fervices in this way. In order to make myfelf useful, I am

early

early in the antichamber, where I thruft my head into the thick of the press, and catch the news, at the opening of the door, while it is warm. Sometimes I ftand by the beafeaters, and take the buz as it paffes by me. • At other times I lay my ear close to the wall, ⚫ and fuck in many a valuable whisper, as it runs in a straight line from corner to corner. When I am weary with ftanding, I repair to one of the neighbouring coffee-houfes, where I fit ⚫ fometimes for a whole day, and have the news 6 as it comes from court fresh and freth. In

short, fir, I fpare no pains to know how the ⚫ world goes. A piece of news lofes its flavour when it hath been an hour in the air. I love, • if I may fo fpeak, to have it fresh from the tree; and to convey it to my friends before it is faded. Accordingly my expenfes in coach• hire make no fmall article: which you may believe when I affure you that I poft away • from coffee-house to coffee-house, and forestall the Evening-poft by two hours. There is a certain gentleman, who hath given me the flip twice or thrice, and hath been beforehand ⚫ with me at Child's. But I have played him a trick. I have purchased a pair of the best • coach-horfes I could buy for money, and now let him out-strip me if he can. Once more, • Mr. SPECTATOR, let me advise you to deal in You may depend upon my affiftance.

6

news.

But I must break off abruptly, for I have

twenty letters to write.

Yours, in hafte,

Tho. Quid-nunc.

VOL. VIII.

A a

N° 626,