-

tortures he gives my foul, common humanity, if not generofity, would induce him to reftrain them. Yet I cannot think this treatment proceeds from illnature or tyranny, but a peevifh, hafty, unthinking temper which he gives way to, and fometimes carries to a great height.

It, Sir, this letter, and your thoughts on it, fhould have that effect which I am apt to think they will, you may have the pleasure of this reflection, that you have made one man happy, by obliging, Four's, &c.

This cafe of my correfpondent feems deferving of compaffion, as nothing can fhock a generous mind more, than under the notion of friendship to be drag ging the galling chain of flavery. I remember an obfervationof a Gentleman, which, tho' it then feem'd very odd, I have fince found to be a very juft maxim. In friendship, [faid he,] forgetfulness is fometimes as neceflary as memory. That is, To keep up the bonds of friendship, no man fhould remember the benefits he has conferr'd; for he who does his friend a courtesy, makes it none if he puts him in mind on't if he expects a return, he is kind to himself, and not his friend; and then it is a traffick, and not beneficence. Whoever tells another of the favour he has done him, cancels the friendship. Seneca admirably obferves, Beneficii inter duos lex eft, Alter flatim oblivifci debet dati, alter accepti nunquam; Qui dedit benefici um, taceat; narret, qui accepit. Between two friends it is the law of kindness, That he that does it should forget it prefent ly; but he who receives it, never let him that confers it hold his tongue, but him that takes it tell of it.

I would have the barrifter of whom the letter complains, reflect how noble is the action, when a man does acts of friendship from his own genuine good. nefs, and when he does not care any should know it but his friend alone. On the contrary, to what cenfure does he lay himself open, by boasting of what he calls friendship, but which is in reality more the effect of pride and love of tyranny, than good-nature and benefi

cence? I cannot conclude this fubje&t without giving my readers a tranflation of a very pretty epigram of Martial's, in which he is juftly fevere on his friend, who had boasted of fome favours he had receiv'd from him.

To my friend POSTHUMUS.

Your favours done me I remember fill; Still have them in my mind, and ever will: But then, why am I fuch a filent elf? To none I tell them. ・Why? — you tell yourfelf.

me.

Let me to any one your favours tell,
He flops me fhort, and fays he knows it well:
He anfwers frait, Why he himself told
If I reply, Pray how can that, Sir, be?
Some things two can't perform here one
[may do:
Blieve me, tho' much you gave me to enjoy,
If you wou'd have me fpeak, be filent you.
Your boastful tongue your bounty wou'd de-
ftroy.

CRAFTSMAN, Jan. 3.

A Scheme for a difinterested A-
A Scheme for a difinterested Ai
Mr D'Anvers,

F we look into the history of the pre-
fe

fent ftates of Europe, we fhall find that each of them has made a more or lefs figure in the world, as they were directed and influenced by men who could have no other view than the good of their country. We have an eminent proof of this in the history of France, which, under three Cardinals, has arrived at a pitch of grandeur that makes all Europe jealous. But what is moft remarkable in the miniftry of these churchmen is, that they all came into the administration when the affairs of that kingdom were at a very low ebb. Cardinal Richelieu had the difadvantage of acting at a time, when the greatnefs of the houfe of Auftria gave the fame apprehenfions to Europe that the house of Bourbon does now; and when the Proteftant intereft was very strong, and very unfavourable to his fchemes. Cardinal Mazarine, befides the difadvantage of being a foreigner, fucceeded to the helm at a juncture, when it was thought impoffible a prime minifter could keep his footing; when France was di

ftracted

stracted with civil commotions; when almoft every man of fenfe, quality and courage in the nation was his enemy, and only a weak irrefolute woman his friend. And the prefent Cardinal came to the government upon the back of the three moft dreadful calamities that can befal any country; a ruinous, unfuccefsful war, a long minority, and a total bankruptcy of publick credit.

The reflecting upon this, led me into a confideration upon the reafons why that nation should thrive fo well under the direction of churchmen; and after the most ferious research, I can affign no other reason for it, than that their celibacy gave them more time to look after the affairs of the publick, and they had fewer private confiderations with regard to their own families, to divert their attention from the affairs of government. As the good of my own country is always uppermoft in my thoughts, I immediately fet my brains to work, that I might find somewhat in this obfervation which might be of ufe to the conftitution of G. Britain.

In the first place then, I have, with the greatest attention, examined into the great ground of difference betwixt the court and country party, which I find to be the great number of placemen in pt. As on the one hand I cannot approve that the executive and legiflative powers of the conftitution should be lodged in the fame men; fo, on the other, I think that at this time of day it is a ridiculous romantick scheme, to pretend to a difinterested Platonick fy ftem of government. Upon the whole, therefore, every fenfible man muft agree with me and the Rd author of a late Letter to a member of parliament, that placemen ought to fit in pt. But then I do not know if I fhall have the honour of being feconded by that learned Gentleman, in saying, that if a way could be fallen upon to render placemen in p t difinterested, it were highly to be wifhed, from the examples I have already laid down.

One of the principal objections to the fcheme of government which now prevails is, That minifters and placemen

have fo many fons and relations to provide for, that they facrifice the good of their country to their partial views and affections. Now, as it is certain, that as long as men are men, they will take care of their own, the only way that this evil can be prevented is, by putting them out of the temptation, and making them as little MEN as p fible. Therefore, in pure compaffion to my country, and that her bleeding wounds may be healed, I humbly propofe, That, from and after the 24th day of June 1741, every m-ft-r and p-cem-n in pfhould fubmit to the operation of being emafculated, alias c-A-ted.

As I forefee numberlefs objections will be made to this infallible and, I am fure, well meant proposal, I fhall here obviate the principal of them; and if after that, any Zoilus fhould carp, and infift upon unreafonable objections, he will but expofe himfelf, and I hope every good patriot will be of my fide."

In the first place, therefore, I perceive, it will be faid, That the Gentlemen who have fons and relations already, will be then equally fond of providing for them as now. But I anfwer that objection from the celebrated traveller, Tavernier; who informs us, that in thofe Eastern countries, where almoft the whole miniftry is c-ft-ted, or compofed of eunuchs, tho' the operation is not performed till they are adult elderly men, yet their conftitution and affections after that receive an entire alteration; they no longer regard either their relations or friends, and make the glory and pleasure of their mafter their fole aim.

The next objection I forefee, is, That a great part of the fair fex must be then unbußbanded. But I fhould be forry if ever the British should fall fhort of the Roman Ladies, in their love for their country. These laft, we know, fuffered with a patient unrepining chaftity, almost a whole lifetime of absence from their hufbands, when the good of their country was in queftion. But if this fhould feem too fevere, I make no doubt but that, upon proper applica

tion, their cafe will be taken under the confideration of the legislature, who certainly has the power to relieve them in the most effectual manner.

Another objection that may be made is, the contemptible figure we fhould then make in the eyes of foreigners. But I answer, it would have the direct contrary effect: for nothing ftrikes foreign courts with fuch a dread as a difinterested British miniftry; which, by following my propofal, ours would then be. But admitting they fhould take it in their heads to affront us in the manner they have done for fome years paft, yet still I affirm the national honour could not fuffer, because our minifters would not then be obliged to resent any treatment as men ought to do; and we should hear no more fuch fneers in the mouths of both our friends and foes, as, Would any other fet of men put up with fuch infults, &c.?

Another objection I fhall take notice of is, the danger and pain of the operation. But we are to confider, that there is no pleasure without pain; and every man will before-hand know what he is to endure. As to the danger attending it, I confefs, it gives me fome concern; and I could chufe to give up my whole scheme, rather than endanger the life of the leaft of our most excellent mft-rs or p-cem-n. But after the most ferious enquiry, I find the operation is by no means fo dangerous as it is reprefented. Juvenal tells us, that it was very commonly perform'd upon young. fellows grown up to men; and all travellers, efpecially the one I have already quoted, agree, that when it is properly and cleverly executed, it is a very Tafe operation. There is one thing, indeed, that I must not conceal from my readers, that it must be performed in the most effectual manner, neque, quidem, fexus veftigia reflent; they who have heard the ftory of a Grand Seignior's feeing a gelding cover a mare, know what I mean. But I have fo, great an opinion of our prefent excellent a-n, that, I believe, this circumftance would not in the leaft difcourage them.

Another objection, which I do not know if it is worth taking notice of, is, That it might be a means of hindering the propagation of his Majefty's fubjects. But the populoufness of those countries where the clergy live in celibacy, is a fufficient answer to that objection.

Having thus, I think, fufficiently anfwer'd the objections, I will now point out fome of the advantages, befides what I have already mentioned, attending this fcheme. In the first place therefore, a confiderable fum of money may every year be kept within the nation, which is now carried off by Italian fingers; for, if my scheme fhall be followed, a clear pipe will be as much a qualification of a great man, as a clear confcience is now; and finging will be fo much in vogue, that it will be no difgrace for the greatest man to perform in publick.

În the next place, fuch an operation would render our minifters much more expert ftatesmen and politicians, than with all their great abilities they now are. Every body knows that women are in the fecrets of all the intrigues and projects of every court in Europe; now, if our minifters were of that harmless fpecies of animals, no husband, even the most jealous Spaniard, would be uneafy that his wife should be in their company; and no wife, even the most modeft and chaste, would blush to discover her greateft fecrets to fo gentle a creature. As a proof of this, I could venture to put it to the great negotiator himself, whether he did not find it a very great inconveniency, that he was a handfome, well-made Gentleman ? and if he was not often, by the jealoufy of hufbands, and coynefs of the ladies, deprived of many advantages, with regard to intelligence, that he could have easily enjoy'd, had it not been for his virility and manly accomplishments? Nay I will venture to fay, that if we had fuch an Ambaflador as I describe, at the court of Madrid, instead of Don B―n K―n, we fhould have prevented the present war. Any body who will take the pains to read the Country Wife, of the inimitable

Mr

of what I have now advanced. Your's, ALI BEG.

CRAFTSMAN, Jan. 17.
Of National Corruption.

ever, hiftorians remark, that it was in this parliament that fuch practices were first used. But it muft likewife be added, that it was one of the principal caufes of Richard's deftruction."

The fame author likewife tells us,

Cipally confiited in an undue m-1 in fluence on those who have a right of electing members to ferve in pt, or on the members of pt themselves. If thefe influences take place, a p― fo chofen, or fo managed, is much more properly a reprefentative of the my than of the people, and will in all probability conduct themfelves accordingly.

Our hiftorians have informed us, that the electing and managing of parliaments by corrupt methods were first pra&tifed in the reign of Richard II. a reign which, for the wickednefs of the miniftry, the weakness of the prince, and his unhappy catastrophe, will be for ever remembered. Rapin tells us, that this King, in order to bring about fome vile defigns, had taken all neceffary meafures to have a parliament at his devotion. "Some time fince [fays my author] he had changed all the Sheriffs of the kingdom, and fuffered none, but what had promised to be fubfervient to his defigns. He had taken the fame precautions, with refpect to all officers that had credit and power in the boroughs and counties. So, by means of the magiftrates, and perfons in publick pofts, he had caufed fuch reprefentatives to be chofen as he had fecured beforehand. If any were elected not agreeable to him, the Sheriffs were ordered not to return them, but to caufe others to be chofen in their room. Befides, as the house of Commons were the fole judges in the affair of elections, he was well affured, that fuch a parliament would confirm or reject whom he pleased.

It must not be thought very difficult [continues this author] for a King of England to execute fuch a project. Experience has fince confirmed, on numberlefs occafions, that, by the like ways, it is very poffible to caule reprefentatives

Richard to be depofed for ufurping an arbitrary power contrary to the laws, yet he himself plainly fhewed, by certain proceedings, he would have been glad to govern with an abfolute authority. This chiefly appeared in the elections of members of parliament. By the directions of the court, certain artifices were practifed, to render the freedom of voting of no ufe, fince the Sheriff's took the liberty to return fuch reprefentatives as had not a majority of votes. This is a thing of fo fatal a confequence, that it may be affirmed, the liberty of the English will no longer fubfift, than whilft the privilege of freely electing their reprefentatives in parliament ftands inviolated. If once the fovereign comes to chufe what reprefentatives he pleases, the bounds of the royal authority will be in the end fo enlarged, that nothing but the mere fhadow of liberty will remain."

If we were to make our obfervations on the reigns fucceeding thofe already taken notice of, even down to the times immediately preceeding our own, it would appear that this corruption was only practifed under bad adminiftrations.

When the actions of a miniftry are wholly directed to the good of the publick, there can be no occafion for fuch a miniftry to practise corruption. If a miniftry affiduoufly apply themselves, during a time of peace, to pay off the nation's debts, and demand no fupplies of money but what are abfolutely neceffary for publick occafions, and mifapply no part of what may be raised ; if wife and incorrupt judges are appointed to prefide in courts of judicature, and all other proper measures taken that juftice may be speedily and impartially executed; if the manufa ctures of a country are encouraged, its foreign trade promoted as much as poffible; the fubjects both at home and

abroad,

abroad, fupported in all their rights and privileges; if no unneceffary wars are entered into ; but if fuch as fhould at any time become unavoidable, are fo managed that our coafts and our trading fhips may be carefully protected, and the enemy attacked and annoyed with all poffible vigour : if a ministry, I fay, conduct the nation's affairs in this manner, what occafion can there be to corrupt a people or a pt? Both must be fenfible of the benefits they enjoy, and it will be out of the power of the moft artful men, to create an ill opinion of fuch an administration.

But it must be acknowledged, that national corruption is abfolutely neceffary to the fafety of a mr who fhall neglect or mifmanage all publick affairs, and whofe fole view may be to engrofs honours and riches to himself, his family and dependents. His bufinefs will be, to corrupt those who might otherwife call him to account for his ill actions, and make them fharers in the pillage of his country. One great ufe of our p- -ts is, their being a terror to evil m -rs; and fo long as our pts are without any undue attachment to mrs, fuch pts will be an effectual check to ill practices, and will in the end be always too hard for wicked m-rs; but if any m ―r hereafter, instead of quarrelling with pts, which has generally been deftructive to the m-————r', fhould be fo artful as either to procure ap-t to be chofen to his mind, or by undue influences gain the majority of a p after it is chofen, what may he not then bring about? what may he not then act with impunity? UNIVERSAL SPECTATOR, No 618 Mr Stonecafile,

commands, or difobey them, is equally diffatisfied, and finding faults is the business, as well as joy of her life. But as their are innumerable examples of this ridiculous peevishness of tempers in mafters and mifiresses, by your cenfure on fuch conduct you would do a publick fervice, and moft particularly oblige, Yours, &c. SARAH WAITWELL.

Nothing is more unjuft, as well as tormenting to themselves, than this diffatisfied temper which Mrs Sarah complains of. I shall make no ferious differtation on it, but fhew the folly of it in the strongest light by an extract of a scene from a French play, where this peevish humour is pleasantly exposed. POLYDORE, AURELIA, TOILETTE. Pol. S my father come home, Toilette? Im Toil. No, Sir.

Aur. When he comes, let him fay or do what he will, we are refolved to please him.

Toil. Please him! they must be cunning who can do that. He is a ter rible mortal, upon my word.-No fervant, male or female, can stay with him above five or fix days. When we want a fervant, it is in vain to think of getting one in the neighbourhood, or even in the whole city: we are forced to fend into the country where they never heard of Dr Chagrin, the Phyfician.Somebody knocks, and fmartly too."

Pol. See who it is.

Aur. Undoubtedly our father. Toil. No, thank our stars, 'tis your uncle Gentle.

Enter Gentle.

Pol. Have you heard of my father's refolution of marrying us fuddenly against our inclination

Gen. I have just now been talking to him on that fubject. He is juft at

pofe every human folly or error, I wish you would take notice of the peevish ill-nature which fome perfons fhew on all occafions to their fervants, as if they had taken a refolution to be pleafed with nothing. This complaint I am fenfible is juft, as I am chambermaid to a Lady, who, if I obey her VOL. III.

endeavour to reduce him to reafon.

Dr. Chagrin. [within.] Thomas Toilette- Toilette, Thomas!-Polydore, Aurelia-Rogue, Huffey-where are you all?

Gen. Begone, I fay, Toilette shall bring you an account

To Polydore and Aurelia.
D

Chag