it may be fadly apprehended their miferies will begin where the others will end; and that the poors honesty and induftry, humility and refignation to the will of Providence, will be amply rewarded, when the irreligious and un- A grateful fons of fortune will receive the juft cenfure and punishment of their conduct. O I am, Sir, Yours, &c. B the je ne fai quoi of their addrefs, or the elegance of their tafte. I look upon the dress to be an indication of the mind; nor do I think, from the observations have made, that I am deceiv'd in my opinion: When I fee a man clean and genteely plain, drefs'd in the manufacture of Great Britain,whofe appearance fhews more a study for decency than finery, I fcruple not to judge that perfon a man of fenfe, a useful subject, and an honest Englishman: On the other hand, when UNIVERSAL SPECTATOR, Jan. 13. I behold a fop, drefs'd up in a tawdry Ne of the greatest wits of the pre- finery, or a coxcomb defcending in his fent age has fix'd the univerfal habit to the imitation of the lowest paffion of mankind to be the love of clafs, I venture fafely to give them the fame; for whether from the generous character of vain-conceited, empty, infprings of virtue, or the depreciated ones fignificant wretches: But however in of folly, ambition may take its fource, C fignificant they may appear, we have it is that which in fact is the chief go- at present a reigning ambition among vernment of our actions: It is from our young Gentlemen of degrading themthis paffion that the defire of becoming felves in their apparel to the class of the remarkable and particular fo generally fervants they keep. It may at firft feem prevails; for molt people covet the notice very extraordinary that thefe fparks and admiration of others, imagining that D fhould act thus to gain admiration: thereby they in reality become wonder- But from what other caufe can it be ful and extraordinary. Though all men that my Lord Jehu wears a plush frock, are in fome degree actuated by this prin- a little narrow-edg'd lac'd hat, a cociple, yet it appears differently in each, lour'd handkerchief, and in this habit according to the temper and inclination drives a motley fet of horses, and a of the perfon whom it actuates upon: coach of his own, built by his own di when it meets with bold enterprizing rections, in humble imitation of those fpirits, it makes them heroes; when which carry paffengers on the road? it with covetous difpofitions, mifers; coun- is the knowledge of his own abilities try 'Squires it converts into hunt/men which dictates this conduct: How plea and jockeys, and our London petit maitres fing is the reflection to him, that when into fops and coxcombs. F he goes through a country-town, fitIn this paper I fhall not undertake to ting with becoming grace in his box, comment on all the effects which the he hears the people fay, There goes my love of fame has on mankind in general, Lord Jebu! His great abilities in but fhall confine my obfervations on driving, his exactnefs of fimilitude in how ftrangely it operates on the laft drefs, and his affability to his brethren fpecies of perfons I mention'd, our Lon- G of the whip, muft give his Lordship a don beaux efprits. The young fellows of fenfible fatisfaction, that this particula this metropolis, who have an ambition rity makes him as well known in most to be remarkable, without any one good roads throughout England, as the hoor amiable quality to make them fo, neft fellows themselves who drive the immediately have recourfe to dress; an ftages. I will not undertake to fay, oddnefs and particularity in this refpect H whether it is in imitation of his Lordmakes them diftinguifh'd, and draws the fhip, or whether the product of their eyes of the world upon them: but tho'. own fertile genius's, but I have lately it fhould be with the utmost contempt, obferv'd a great number of fmart young they attribute it to another cause, as fellows, drefs'd in the manner of my either the genteelneis of their perfons, Lord; a narrow-edg'd Hat flapped E down, down, a plain fhirt, buck-fkin breeches, and an India handkerchief round the neck, feem to conftitute the character of a pretty fellow. There are another many enormities which you A take notice of, you will not entirely overlook this, which I would just make bold to men2 tion to you, as a thing that has contributed to the difturbance of many of your fair readers. fet of fparks who chufe rather to appear as jockeys, and it is feldom or never they are to be feen without boots, To be fhort, Sir, the thing is this: whips in their hands, and black caps There are a company of young fparks instead of hats. Another class of these about town, who make it their chief gentry disguise themselves in rag and bufinefs to ramble up and down, from duffel coats, which it feems are politely one beauty to another, in order, if termed wrap rafcals; and in fhort, dark B poffible, to gain the good graces of wigs, and dirty linnen; chufing rather to young Ladies (if I may use the exprefappear like pick-pockets than Gentlemen. fion) on no other intent than to bring My country readers may wonder that I diftrefs and vexation upon them. fhould inftance thefe perions as examples of ambition; but they will allow them to be candidates for publick notice, when I inform them that in thefe habits they appear with a kind of pride in all the publick places about town: They have at laft carried it fo far, that in thofe dreffes they come into the boxes at the theatres; and where one would D expect to fee a genteel polite circle, we view Ladies of the first Quality and diftinction furrounded by a parcel of men who look like ftage-coachmen, jockeys and pick-pockets. As this manner of drefs is accompanied with as rude a manner of behaviour, I advise these young sparks not to have fo great a defire of being diftinguifhed for the oddity of their appearance; but instead of that ardent emulation they fhew to imitate the inferior clafs of mankind, they would exert their rational faculties, and endeavour to feem, as well by their habit as converfation, men of common-fense and common good-manners. This they lay a foundation for by all the fymptoms of flames, tortures, racks, Cand burnings, and a thousand fuch expreffions, which a wandering genius (together with a long experience) has richly furnished them with. When they first approach the fair, it is with all the cant of a languifhing adorer, utter'd in a continual round of flatteries, and a repetition of the farbe things; which complaints perhaps have engaged the attention of most of the reigning toafts, one time or other. By this means these wandring lovers have E got a peculiar knack of ingratiating themselves into the favour of the female world: And befides fuch expreffions as are above mention'd, they endeavour to win upon the affections of the creature they hope to betray, by telling her fhe F is the perfection of all felicity; that in her perfon alone all the lovely attractives of beauty, as well as the moft confpicuous marks of greatnefs, are affembled together; that nature form'd her to be the object of thoughts, G the adamant of all loves, and the centre of celeftial beauty; in fine, that heaven is in her fmiles, and defpair in her frowns. There is another clafs of pretty-fellows whom the love of fame ftrangely affects, and whofe conduct the following correfpondent very juftly complains of. I fhall infert the Lady's letter Thus, by degrees, the heart of the here, but fhall more particularly confi- fair creature is melted to pity and coinder her complaint in fome future lucu- H paffion, and by this means ten thousand bration. diftractions immediately enter, through the falfenefs and perjury of thefe admirers; for no fooner have they gain'd their point, but this pretended flame is extinguifh'd, and they are engaged in difplaying their love to another, in or Sir, To Mr. Stonecafle. S your paper is in fome measure calculated for the benefit and advantage of the fair fex, I hope, among the der der to infnare her heart also, and fo the than those common pofitions; That poor creature is left in the utmost per- PRINCES may beftow their favours_as plexity to rescue herself out of it the they pleafe, and, Every body may do what best way fhe is capable; though, per- they will with THEIR OWN; for, achaps, it is attended with many heavy cording to this facred doctrine, we are fighs, and gloomy reflections of love, A not allowed to make any partial or jealoufy, anger and forrow, till the whole corrupt uses of whatever we are poffoul is drenched in a sea of sorrow. TH SOPHIA. feffed. Dear Mr. Spectator, if you have any Princes, were the partiality of felf regard for our fex, don't fail of ex- fet afide, would not beftow their favours pofing these fort of perfons to the where there was not fome merit. I world, (in your next paper, if poffible) B do not mean the merit of flattering fathat thofe of our fex, who may not be vourite vices; or gaining power for arapprized of them, may by that means bitrary purposes; but arifing from juelcape the poifon of their darts; by flice and benevolence. Minifters would which you will oblige many of your not, in this cafe, grow rich, at the exconftant readers and admirers, and par- pence of the publick.- Soldiers would ticularly C not plunder the innocent and defenceless. The Spaniard would not invade our proCRAFTSMAN, Jan. 20. perty, or we ourselves the liberty and property of one another. In following `He unsteadiness and variety in hu- this law, the judge would put himself man nature proceed more from into the state of the prifoner, and with affections than reafon. Tempers differ, D concern pronounce that fentence, which and fashions change; but, in matters of his office obliges him to do. He would judgment, moft agree. I would not be be fo far from aggravating the feverity understood to mean any thing farther of the law, that he would know himthan what is necessary for order and fo- felf to have as little power as any in the ciety. This opinion the great Lawgiver court, where he is confined to certain himself feems to confirm; when he E rules, from which he hath no more right gave that command, Do as you would to depart, than to commit facrilege or be done by, which fubmits to an equi- murder. Had this law generally pretable determination of the refpective vail'd, penal laws would have been useagent, thofe actions by which others lefs; for each man, being endowed with are influenced. This injunction is found-the fame good difpofition towards his ed on truth and juftice. Confcience and neighbour as himself, would have been felf-conviction are the strongest eviden- more concerned about doing right, than ces to produce the former; and when afraid of lofing possessions. - Ambition that is cleared, but a small share of ca- and avarice would have had no exipacity is required to judge uprightly, ac- ftence; but diffidence and fear of partiacording to this law. As the word power lity, in our cafes, might have made it is taken in the common acceptation, G expedient to fubftitute magiftrates, who there is no fuch thing lodged with any would have been chofen from amongst man; I mean, every body is enjoined the wifeft of the people.-Juftice would to follow the dictates of reafon and vir- never have been delayed; for as ftipentue; and, as human perfection will diaries think they cannot do too little aid, to shun the inticements of vice and for their wages, virtuous men are indeperfonal affections. Every breach of this H fatigable in their purfuits of doing law is an injuftice to mankind in ge- good. The jargon of Westminster neral;, and the higher stations thofe per- Hall would have been as useless, as it Jens are placed in, who tranfgrefs it, hath been pernicious. In all probabithere is the greater number of fuffer- lity, this was one of the perfections which the error of our firft parents loft. But that is a fpeculation very re .-Nothing can be more contrary to the intent of this divine command, F mote. Extruite immanes fcopulos, attollite turres ; Claudian. con. Hon. 4. p. 633. on the fame vices. But happy would it be for us, if it were a little more confidered, that the difference is not fo great in the laws themselves, as in the magiftrates; and that the vigilance and A fteadiness of the latter would be much more conducive to the well-ordering of a nation, than fevere and fanguinary punishments. B The greatest punishments are defign'd As nothing hath been yet fufficient for the greatest and most hardned offento fecure us against the rapacious and ders; but vice, before it becomes habiabandon'd, we find ourselves under the tual, may be easily check'd; and that is greater neceffity to exert our utmost en- the duty of a careful magiftrate.-Would deavours, for our defence and protection.. not a magiftrate deferve much better of It would be needlefs to prove, that his country, who preferved the lives of let larus be ever fo wifely ordained, if men, by forcing them into industry and they are not vigorously executed, it were C labour, than in procuring them to be better they had never been made; tho', hanged for offences, which idleness and in our own country, when the legifla- want had tempted them to commit?ture hath had bills under confideration, Though the latter ought to be done, the I have heard a certain fet of people, former ought not to be left undone. without doors, argue for paffing a bill, in terrorem, though at the fame time D they could not deny that it was too severe for execution. I have been aftonished to think how ftrangely ignorant, or knavish, and how ready for flavery fuch wretches must be. Surely, las not fit to be executed, are not fit to be E made. 1 The integrity and gravity of ministers of justice commands an awe and reverence from the lower people, and refpect from all. In commune jubes fi quid, cencefque te Primus jussa fubi; tunc obfervantior æqui Claud. con. Hon. 4. v. 206. This was very good advice to a young Emperor; and in free ftates, where the people have the greatest share in making their own laws, it is likewife good advice to the fubordinate magiftrates. I am fo ftrong in these fentiments, that I fincerely think, where offences are frequently and notoriously committed, and the laws against them not duly executed, for a certain time, fuch laws F ought to be abrogated of course, without any particular repeal of the legiflature; for a nation that can fubfift without punishing offenders, may fubfift without the power of punishing them. This might poffibly be attended with the G good confequence of making magiftrates exert themselves; and the fear of lofing laws would be a fort of obligation to have them duly executed; which might, fome degree, prevent any underhand or collufive gain made by trading Jufti-Hin force, which they know will be aces, if there ever should be fuch men. Where it happens that magiftrates are diffolute in their morals, or partial in the adminiftration of the laws; if they affume to themfelves a power of difpenfing with some laws, and to fome people; whilft they put others rigorously greeable to their pay-mafters; or threaten to put others in force, from which most contributions may be raised, fuch polluted management will render the laws themselves odious. The bare increaft of a crime, is notë always always a reason for making punishments rary lenity. But when minifters and ma more fevere.- Cautious law-makers giftrates are earnest to multiply penal ought to have full fatisfaction that the laws, and not as vigorous in the execumagiftrates have faithfully and diligently tion of them, it may be more ftrongly done their duty, and that the growth of concluded, that they act from a thirst the offence hath arisen from the infuffi- A of power, not a principle of justice, and ciency of the law, and not from any ne- that their least aim is the making people glect in the minifters of juftice; for if boneft.-They only wait for a convenithe defect is owing to them, it would ent opportunity of fubjecting the whole be as ridiculous to give thofe men larger to their ambitious purposes; and give no powers, who did not know how to use other reafon for enlarging their firength, what they had already, as to put a fword B than that they may have a more coerinto the hands of a madman. cive influence over their fellow-fubjects; which is the best reafon, that can be given, for not trufting them with it. Let Solon's reflection be a warning to D us. 66 "If you now fmart, faid he, blame not the heavenly Powers; for they are good. The fault is only our own. We gave him all our forts; we took the chain, and now he makes us flaves; yet we complain.". Nemo prudens punit, quia peccatum eft, fed ne peccetur-But if vengeance is more concern'd in the forming of laws than juftice; if fevere penalties are increas'd, upon the fuggeftion of a few; or, per- C" haps, on account of a private pique, and to ferve particular ends: one may venture to fay that they are fhots at random amongst a croud, by which many will be hurt, but nobody knows I have often confider'd, whether it upon whom the bullet may light.- would not be most adviseable, in a free The most confiderate magiftrates will fate, to have but few penal laws, and execute fuch larvis with reluctance; and thofe not very fevere, but to be exe the feverer the penalties are, the greater cuted without remiffion.-A Prince, let will be the oppofition and difobedience him be ever fo wife and good, cannot of the people.-Such partial laws will poffibly judge of proper objects for his never be fubmitted to, in the ordinary E forgiveness, but as reprefented by percourfe of juftice: and whenever it is ne- fons about him: and how confcientious ceflary to add extraordinary force, in the fuch men are not to mifufe the royal place of legal authority, to aid the civil clemency, or how deteftable it will be in power; I fay, whenever these things them to barter their mafter's mercy in happen in a country, that ever was free, order to fill their own pockets, we may let them boaft of their conftitution and Feafily guefs, if the courtiers and miniliberties as much as they please; but fters of this age are like those mention'd their wife neighbours will thake their in history; for in Ben. Johnfon's time, heads, and either pity, or infult their there seems to have been something of forlorn condition. this kind of traffick in England: Of all delinquents, none can do fo much mischief as minifters and magi- G frates.-Common rogueries fall upon particulars only; but the mifdeeds of rulers may be publick calamities.Whoever therefore injudiciously curbs the people, in order to increase the power of place-men, ties up a dwarf to unfhackle H a giant. It is the fame thing as if one's head was to be cut off, in order to cure the tooth-ach. The mildest execution of penal laws cannot justify a fuperfluous addition of power; for policy may produce a tempo RIDWAY robb'd DUNCOTE of three hundred pound; RIDWAY was taken, arraign'd, and But for his money was a courtier found The courtier is become the greateft It is a very wife maxim, never to place more power in any branch of a Dz ftate, |