severe aspect has often hid under it a very agreeable companion. There are no distinguishing qualities among men to which there are not false pretenders; but though none is more pretended to than that of devotion, there are, perhaps, fewer successful impostors in this kind than any other. There is something so natively great and good in a person that is truly devout, that an awkward man may as well pretend to be genteel, as a hypocrite to be pious. The constraint in words and actions are equally visible in both cases; and any thing set up in their room does but remove the endeavours farther off from their pretensions. But, however the sense of true piety is abated, there is no other motive of action that can carry us through all the vicissitudes of life with alacrity and resolution. But piety, like philosophy, when it is superficial, does but make men appear the worse for it; and a principle that is but half received does but distract, instead of guiding our behaviour. When I reflect upon the unequal conduct of Lotius, I see many things that run directly counter to his interest; therefore I cannot attribute his labours for the public good to ambition. When I consider his disregard to his fortune, I cannot esteem him covetous. How then can I reconcile his neglect of himself, and his zeal for others? I have long suspected him to be a 'little pious;' but no man ever hid his vice with greater caution, than he does his virtue. It was the praise of a great Roman,' that he had rather be, than appear, good.' But such is the weakness of Lotius, that I dare say he had rather be esteemed irreligious than devout. By I know not what impatience of raillery, he is wonderfully fearful of being thought too great a believer. A hundred little devices are made use of to hide a time of private devotion; and he will allow you any suspi cion of his being ill employed, so you do not tax him with being well. But, alas! how mean is such a behaviour! To boast of virtue is a most ridiculous way of disappointing the merit of it, but not so pitiful as that of being ashamed of it. How unhappy is the wretch, who makes the most absolute and independent motive of action the cause of perplexity and inconstancy! How different a figure does Calicolo make with all who know him! His great and superior mind, frequently exalted by the raptures of heavenly meditation, is to all his friends of the same use, as if an angel were to appear at the decision of their disputes. They very well understand, he is as much disinterested and unbiassed as such a being. He considers all applications made to him, as those addresses will affect his own application to Heaven. All his determinations are delivered with a beautiful humility; and he pronounces his decisions with the air of one who is more frequently a supplicant than a judge. Thus humble, and thus great, is the man who is moved by piety, and exalted by devotion. But behold this recommended by the masterly hand of a great divine I have heretofore made bold with. It is such a pleasure as can never cloy or overwork the mind; a delight that grows and improves under thought and reflection: and while it exercises, does also endear itself to the mind. All pleasures that affect the body must needs weary, because they transport; and all transportation is a violence; and no violence can be lasting; but determines upon the falling of the spirits, which are not able to keep up that height of motion that the pleasure of the senses raises them to. And therefore how inevitably does an immoderate laughter end in a sigh, which is only nature's recovering itself after a force done to it! but the religious pleasure of a well-disposed mind CONTENTS TO VOL. V. No. 210. VISIT to a Censorious Lady of Quality-Letters from an old Maid-Continental Intelligence 211. Uses of Sunday-On Devotion Steele. 212. On Simplicity of Ornament-Letters on an Ass in the Lion's Skin-From a Virgin, &c. Steele. 213. On Dissimulation and Simulation-Tom Trueman, a Hero in Domestic Life Steele. 214. On the Rigid and the Supple-Account of a Political Barometer Steele. 215. Account of a Flatterer-And a common Jester -Case of a Widow-Petition of the Linen Drapers Steele. Addison. 216. Taste of the Virtuosi-Legacy of a Virtuoso Death of Mr. Partridge 217. On Scolds-The Author's Notice that he means to be much wittier Steele. Addison. 218. On the Names given by Gardeners to Flowers -A Visit to a Garden 219. Impertinence of professed Wits-Character of Tom Mercer-Letters and Petitions Steele. 20. Account of the Church Thermometer. Addison. 21. Letter from the Virtuoso's Widow-From a Scold-Cure for Scolding 22. Riots at Nottingham-Midnight Frolics-Serenades improper for this Country 223. Evils of Jointures and Settlements-Orders 225. On improper Familiarities 226. Life of Margery, alias John Young, commonly called Dr. Young Steele. No. 227. Case of an envious Man Steele. 228. Letters from High Church-On Almanack Weather-From a Writer of Advertisements Steele. Addison. 229. Remarks on the Author's Enemies-Fable of the Owls, Bats, and the Sun 230. Improprieties of Phrase-Affectation of Politeness-Vulgarisms Swift. 231. The Taming of the Shrew-Present of Wine Steele. 232. Letter from the Upholsterer-Rage for Politics Steele. 233. History of Joseph and his Brethren Steele. 234. Letters on Education: Greenwood-Devotion 235. On Parental Partiality Steele. Steele. 236. Account of the Migration of Frogs into Ireland Steele. 237. Effects of the Touch of Ithuriel's Spear, a Dream (probably) Addison. 238. Description of a City-shower: Swift-Prose Part of the Paper Steele. 239. Remarks on the Author's Enemies-The Examiner Addison. 240. On the Science of Physic-Quacks of the Time Addison. 241. On Drinking-Improper Behaviour at Church --On By-words-Fee at St. Paul's 242. On Raillery and Satire-Horace and Juvenal Steele. Steele. 243. Adventures of the Author when Invisible Addison. 244. On Eloquence-Talents for ConversationPedantry 245. Advertisement of Lady Fardingale's stolen Goods-Letter from a Black Boy Steele. Steele. |