NUMBER VI. ON IDLE CURIOSITY, AND MORTIFYING CONJECTURES. Not that it boots the world a little, SUSPEND then your curiosity, gentle reader, and exercise your judgment, without searching into the birth, parentage, kindred, reputation, or motives of the writer; nor endeavour to grope out his whole pedigree and connexions as criterions, by which to guide your opinion of his works. Let it suffice, that an author is a human being like unto yourself. Whether old or young, rich or poor, male or female; whether dignified by a dashing title, or honourable without one; are circumstances of little importance to those who are inclined to search for SOMETHING NEW. "Authors," it has been observed, "are seldom held in the same esteem by near approach, as they are by being viewed from afar." At all events, it is an awful thing to stand the test of scrutiny. The most confident have been known to shrink from it; and the timid dare not encounter it. These considerations should justify the concealment of a name, where the author's feelings suggest the propriety of it. The writer of a book, it must be confessed, however brilliant his talents, is in a pitiable plight. He is not only exposed to universal criticism, but has a thousand other mortifications to encounter, both in private and in public, both from friend and foe. One finds fault with his style, another with his language; a third concludes he is reduced to the necessity of living by his wits; a fourth sarcastically observes that he has no wit to live by; a fifth that he thinks himself mighty clever ; a sixth that he is nevertheless a mere blockhead; a seventh stares him out of countenance, as she whispers to her neighbour behind her fan; an eighth wonders, for folks will wonder in this wonderful age, what possible motives he can have for publishing his thoughts to the world; and a ninth supposes that he is aspiring to the celebrity of a Scott, an Addison, or a Johnson, according to the nature of his writings; and that he seems to have vanity enough to imagine that his opinions will have a mighty effect on the minds of his readers; but he's mistaken, says a tenth, we can judge, perhaps, much better than he can write ; with all his profundity of knowledge or exuberance of imagination! I only wonder at his presumption. Query. Which of the two has the greatest F presumption, or the largest share of vanity; he who writes, or he who criticises? At all events, the latter has the easiest part to perform, and runs less hazard of suffering in his reputation. For, as the ingenious Author of a celebrated Novel has observed, "Though all are not able to write books--all conceive themselves able to judge them." Still so guarded are these critics, that few will venture to give their own candid opinion of a work, until it has passed the ordeal of criticism in the public prints; lest their judgment might be called in question, should they happen not to be in unison with the oracle delivered therein. "To promote morality and to repel mischievous invasions on the good order of society is, at all events, a duty we owe to the king, our country, and ourselves ;” observed Scriblerus, “and must be deemed a commendable undertaking by every well-disposed member of the community, whether the effect be produced or not." "Commendable enough it may be, but methinks it is not a little presumptuous in a private individual, that nobody knows or cares about, to talk of repelling encroachments of the nature you describe, and of promoting the morality of a nation!" observed a fair friend. "You argue bravely, and aspire to no little renown in the world, methinks.-But no doubt, you are propelled by stronger motives than philanthrophy, loyalty, or patriotism,”—added she, with a sarcastic smile. "You may be mistaken," said he, "but if such be your conclusions, it might be as difficult, perhaps, to convince you of your mistake, as it would be unnecessary for me to declare my motives. Some write for this cause, some for that, and few possibly are actuated by the spring by which they profess to be put in motion. At all events, no one should suffer himself to be deceived with the impression that his exertions are needless, because abler hands may be at work. Supineness and apathy, under such circumstances, are reprehensible. "A person of moderate abilities, however obscure the individual, however private his station, may render a service to his country, by stimulating his fellow-man to deeds of honour, justice, and humanity; and exercising his powers for the preservation of social virtues. But lest you should suspect me of insincerity, I shall away with this subject; and whether stimulated, as you seem to intimate, by the desire of fame-the hope of gain -or the solicitations of friends-I shall now leave you to guess. Were I brought to confession, the latter might be thought too compliant, the former too presumptive: and as to profit, that is usually divided between the bookseller and the printer; who make a tolerable living by the wits of their employers, while the author, excepting in extraordinary cases, seldom comes off even second best. So that_______ ` ` "You would fain make us believe that you - write pro bono publico at last," interrupted his fair banterer. "In this age of incredulity," answered he, "it would be in vain, I fancy, to attempt to make you or any one else believe what you are inclined to doubt but I must confess, though I cannot aspire to fame, that public spirit prompts me to exercise my faculties as far as I am able, for the good of the community at large; and the pen of some ready writer, whose name may give importance to argument, may probably gather renown, from hints and suggestions made by an humble individual. If statements, however, are solid and convincing, it is of little consequence by whom they are made. "To be the little propelling instrument to set some giant genius at work, would be my greatest pride; I shall persevere therefore in my design, and make the attempt, in spite of your raillery, and perhaps, bring you to book by and bye, if you don't mend your manners. The exposure of slight improprieties, it is well known, has considerable effect upon the economy of human life. To reflect on the follies of the age we live in, has ever been considered worthy of the poet and the moralist. Even trifling errors, when held up to public view, shrink from the exposure, and are contemplated with aversion. Consequently, the humble writer of the common occurrences of life, may be as instrumental in improving the manners of the people, as the greatest philosopher, with all |