Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

to every actual proprietor; particularly to many widows and orphans, who being bound to depend upon the funds for their whole subsistence, could not possibly retreat from the approaching danger. But this evil, after many unsuccessful attempts of the legislature to conquer it, was, like many other, at length subdued by its own violence; and the reputable stock brokers seem now to have it in their power effectually to prevent its return, by not suffering the most distant approaches of it to take footing in their own practice, and by opposing every effort made for its recovery by the desperate sons of fortune, who, not having the courage of highwaymen, take 'Change Alley rather than the road, because though more injurious than highwaymen, they are less in danger of punishment by the loss either of liberty or life.

With respect to the other patrons to whose encouragement these tables have been recommended, the proprietors of the public funds, who are busy in the improvement of their fortunes, it is sufficient to say, that no motive can sanctify the accumulation of wealth, but an ardent desire to make the most honourable and virtuous use of it, by contributing to the support of good gov ernment, the increase of arts and industry, the rewards of genius and virtue, and the relief of wretchedness and

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

To a benevolent disposition, every state of life will afford some opportunities of contributing to the welfare of mankind. Opulence and splendour are enabled to tlispel the cloud of adversity, to dry up the tears of the widow and the orphan, and to increase the felicity of all around them; their example will animate virtue, and retard the progress of vice. And even indigence and obscurity, though without power to confer happiness, may at least prevent misery, and apprize those who are

and 128, are now They have hith

* Five of these papers, Nos. 39, 67, 74, 81, restored to this edition of Dr. Johnson's works. erto been omitted probably owing to Sir John Hawkins having made use of some incorrect copy of the Adventurer from whence he selected what were written by Dr. Johnson. Mr. Boswell's account of this paper is in many respects erroneous. See BRITISH ESSAYISTS, Preface to the Adventurer, p. 30-35.

[blocks in formation]

blinded by their passions, that they are on the brink of irremediable calamity.

Pleased, therefore, with the thought of recovering others from that folly which has imbittered my own days, I have presumed to address the Adventurer, from the dreary mansions of wretchedness and despair, of which the gates are so wonderfully constructed, as to fly open for the reception of strangers, though they are impervious as a rock of adamant to such as are within them ;

.....Facilis descensus Averni ;

Noctes atque dies patet atri janua Ditis;

Sed revocare gradum, superasque evadere ad auras,
Hoc opus hic labor est.

VIRG.

The gates of hell are open night and day;
Smooth the descent, and easy is the way;
But to return and view the cheerful skies;
In this the task and mighty labour lies.

DRYDEN,

Suffer me to acquaint you, sir, that I have glittered at the ball, and sparkled in the circle; that I have had the happiness to be the unknown favourite of an unknown lady at the masquerade, have been the delight of tables of the first fashion, and the envy of my brother beaux; and to descend a little lower, it is, I believe, still remembered, that Messrs. Velours and d'Espagne stand indebted for a great part of their present influence at Guildhall, to the elegance of my shape, and the graceful freedom of my carriage.

1

[graphic]

d into the world very young, with an elead a large estate, it was not long before I myself from the shackles of religion; for I ed to the pursuit of pleasure, which accordtions consisted in the unrestrained and uncations of every passion and every appetite; ould not be obtained under the frowns of a tator, I considered religion as my enemy; ng to treat her with contempt and derision, le delighted, that the unfashionableness of ce, and the unanimated uniformity of her rded frequent opportunities for the sallies of

g now that I was sufficiently qualified to scruples, I imparted my remarks to those emale favourites, whose virtue I intended to I was well assured, that pride would be able a weak defence, when religion was subverts my success below my expectation; the sure is too strongly implanted in the female affer them scrupulously to examine the vauments designed to weaken restraint; all are believe, that whatever thwarts their inclina e wrong; little more, therefore, was requirthe addition of some circumstances, and the on of others, to make merriment supply the emonstration; nor was I so senseless as to

offer arguments to such as could not attend to them, and with whom a repartee or catch would more effectually answer the same purpose. This being effected, there remained only" the dread of the world;" but Roxana soared too high, to think the opinion of others worthy her notice; Lætitia seemed to think of it only to declare, that "if all her hairs were worlds," she should reckon them "well lost for love ;" and Pastorella fondly conceived, that she could dwell for ever by the side of a bubbling fountain, content with her swain and fleecy care; without considering that stillness and solitude can afford satisfaction only to innocence.

It is not the desire of new acquisitions, but the glory of conquests, that fires the soldier's breast; as indeed the town is seldom worth much, when it has suffered the devastations of a siege; so that though I did not openly declare the effects of my own prowess, which is forbidden by the laws of honour, it cannot be supposed that I was very solicitous to bury my reputation, or to hinder accidental discoveries. To have gained one victory, is an inducement to hazard a second engagement; and though the success of the general should be a reason for increasing the strength of the fortification, it becomes, with many, a pretence for an immediate surrender, under the notion that no power is able to withstand so formidable an adversary; while others brave the danger, and think it mean to surrender, and dastardly to fly. Melissa, indeed, knew better; and though she could not, boast the apathy, steadiness, and inflexibility of a Cato, wanted not the more prudent virtue of Scipio, and gained the victory by declining the contest.

« ZurückWeiter »