233 tiniac from raisins and brown sugar: but when these had been kept to a proper age, and were fit to be drank, we had this only consolation, that they were the best vinegar that could be used for our pickles. Our October, which she contrives to brew with as much bran as malt, and mugwort instead of hops, grew dead in the casks, before it had sufficiently fermented; and when we had bottled it off, it burst above twenty dozen bottles, and the remainder was sour. My wife also bought a still, with it's whole apparatus, that she might make Plague and Hysteric Water, for her own use, and to give away among her poor neighbours: but at one time the head of the still flew off, and laid her under the surgeon's hands for three months; and at another, it took fire, and had like to have burnt the house down. To this account I should likewise set down the charge of our apothecary's shop, in preparing ointments for scalds, salves for burns, and other family medicines; in all which I know to my cost, the old saying was inverted, and we lost eleven pence out of a shilling.

You must know, Sir, that (besides her domestic economy) my provident dear is a most passionate admirer of a pennyworth in any shape; and is one of those prudent good ladies, who will purchase any thing, of which they have no need, merely because they can have it a bargain. It would be doing much service to many other poor gentlemen as well as to me, if you could convince these thrifty females, that to purchase useless commodities at any price, can never be good housewifery, and that however nearly they may drive their bargains, there is just so much money flung away, as the purchase costs. We have as much linen by us as would set up a piece-broker, which my wife has purchased under prime cost of the Scotch pedlars, that came to our door; and I am sure we have cast-off clothes sufficient to furnish a sale-shop, which

she has bought of ladies' maids for a mere trifle. She is a frequent customer to pretended smugglers, that whisper in your ear, and offer you right India handkerchiefs made at Spitalfields. But above all, she constantly attends the several Auctions of the Stock in Trade of eminent Tradesmen, that were never heard of, and the household furniture, plate, china, &c. of Baronets and Squires, that never existed but in the brain of the Auctioneer. Here she meets with such excellent pennyworths, that, as my pantry is stored with more provisions than we can dispense with, every room in my house is crammed up with useless beds, tables, chests of drawers, curiosities, peruke-pated beaux and fine ladies (beauties of their times) that are good for nothing but to hide the bare walls of a garret. In short, Sir, unless you can prevail with her to forego the wonderful advantages of making such exquisite purchases, as (she says) all the world would jump at, I shall very soon be quite a beggar: for if she goes on at this rate buying things for nothing, as she calls it, I shall shortly have nothing to buy withal.

As these valuable purchases are daily multiplying upon my hands, and as my house is become a repository for the refuse of sales and auctions, the only method I can think of at present to get rid of them, is to make an auction myself. For this purpose I have drawn out a catalogue; and have sent you the following specimen, that by it you may judge of the rest of my curiosities.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION.

In the First Day's Sale (among other Particulars equally
curious) will be included

A whole sheet print of King Charles on horseback, by
Mr. Henry Overton, finely coloured.

Mary Queen of Scots, by the same master, done after
the life, and painted upon glass; the right eye
cracked, and the nose a little scratched.

A cavital picture of Adam and Eve in cross-stitch.
Noah's Ark, in tent-stitch, it's companion.

Fair Rosamond's Bower, in Nun's work, by the same
hand.

A lively representation of Chevy Chase, in lignum
vitæ, rose wood, and mother of pearl, curiously
inlaid.

Several lesser pieces of birds, beasts, fruits, and
flowers; copied from nature in coloured silks, stained
feathers, and painted straw.

Merlin's Cave, in shell work; composed of above
a thousand beautiful shells, with a cascade of look-
ing-glass playing in the middle.

A most curious Tea-table of rare old japan; with
the edges broke off, and one of the legs standing.
A most rare and inestimable collection of right old
china; consisting of half a punch-bowl, three parts
of a dish, half a dozen plates joined together with
wires drilled through their middles a sugar-dish

with a piece broke off the side, a tea-pot without a spout, another without a handle, and five odd cups and saucers, the cracks neatly joined with white paint. Some large and elegant jars and vases in papier macheè. Several figures of dogs, monkeys, cats, parrots, mandarins, and bramins, of the Chelsea and Bow manufactory.

To which will be added,

A small, but well chosen
COLLECTION

OF

MODERN BOOKS;

CONSISTING of

Pope's Works, and all our best authors-published in ink-stands, tea-chests and quadrille-boxes for fishes and counters.

Miss in her Teens-The Fool in Fashion-All for Love The Way to win him-She would if she could-Much Ado about Nothing-bound together, for the use of the fair sex, in a complete set of dressing boxes.

A new form of Self Examination-in a snuff-box with a looking-glass in the lid of it.

The Spiritual Comfort, or Companion for the Closetin a small pocket volume, containing a bottle of cordial water.

The Posthumous Works of Lord Viscount Bolingbroke -in a close-stool.

I am, Sir, your humble servant &c.

T

N° 92. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1755.

O nata mecum Consule Manlio,
Seu tu querelas, sive geris jocos,
Seu rixam, et insanos amores,

Seu facilem, pia testa, somnum;
Descende.

HOR.

Brisk wine some hearts inspires with gladness,
And makes some droop in sober sadness;
Makes politicians sound to battle,
And lovers of their mistress prattle;
While with potations pottle deep"
It lulls the serious sot to sleep.

DRINKING is one of those popular vices, which most people reckon among their venial failings; and it is thought no great blot on a man's character, to say he takes his glass rather too freely. But as those vices are most dangerous and likely to prevail, which, if not approved, are at least commonly excused, I have been tempted to examine, whether drinking really deserves that quarter it receives from the generality of mankind: and I must own, that after a strict attention to the principal motives, that induce men to become harddrinkers, as well as to the consequences, which such excesses produce, I am at a loss to account for the received maxim, that " in good wine there is truth;" and should no more expect happiness in a full bowl, than chastity in the bar of a tavern.

The incentives to this practice are some of them very shocking, and some very ridiculous; as will per. haps appear from the following characters.

Poor Heartly was blest, with every noble qualifica