not quality, but innocence, which exempted men from reproof that vice and folly ought to be attacked wherever they could be met with, and especially when they were placed in high and conspicuous stations of life. 5 He further added, that my paper would only serve to aggravate the pains of poverty, if it chiefly exposed those who are already depressed, and in some measure turned into ridicule, by the meanness of their conditions and circumstances. He afterwards proceeded to take notice 10 of the great use this paper might be of to the public, by

reprehending those vices which are too trivial for the chastisement of the law, and too fantastical for the cognisance of the pulpit. He then advised me to prosecute my undertaking with cheerfulness, and assured me, that 15 whoever might be displeased with me, I should be approved by all those whose praises do honour to the persons on whom they are bestowed.

The whole club pays a particular deference to the discourse of this gentleman, and are drawn into what he says 20 as much by the candid ingenuous manner with which he delivers himself, as by the strength of argument and force of reason which he makes use of. Will Honeycomb immediately agreed, that what he had said was right; and that, for his part, he would not insist upon the quarter 25 which he had demanded for the ladies. Sir Andrew gave up the city with the same frankness. The Templar would not stand out; and was followed by Sir Roger and the Captain; who all agreed that I should be at liberty to carry the war into what quarter I pleased; provided I 30 continued to combat with criminals in a body, and to assault the vice without hurting the person.

This debate which was held for the good of mankind, put me in mind of that which the Roman triumvirate were formerly engaged in for their destruction. Every man at first stood hard for his friend, till they found that by this means they should spoil their proscription: and at last 5 making a sacrifice of all their acquaintance and relations, furnished out a very decent execution.

Having thus taken by resolutions, to march out boldly in the cause of virtue and good sense, and to annoy their adversaries in whatever degree or rank of men they may 10 be found, I shall be deaf for the future to all the remonstrances that shall be made to me on this account. If Punch grows extravagant, I shall reprimand him very freely if the stage becomes a nursery of folly and impertinence, I shall not be afraid to animadvert upon it. 15 In short, if I meet with anything in city, court, or country, that shocks modesty or good manners, I shall use my utmost endeavours to make an example of it. I must however intreat every particular person who does me the honour to be a reader of this paper, never to think 20 himself, or any of his friends or enemies, aimed at in what is said: for I promise him, never to draw a faulty character which does not fit at least a thousand people : or to publish a single paper, that is not written in the spirit of benevolence, and with a love to mankind.

C.

25

SIR ROGER AT HOME. [ADDISON.]

No. 106. MONDAY, JULY 2, 1711.

HINC tibi copia

Manabit ad plenum, benigno

Ruris honorum opulenta cornu.

HOR. LIB. I. OD. xvii. 14.

HERE plenty's liberal horn shall pour
Of fruits for thee a copious show'r,

Rich honours of the quiet plain.

HAVING often received an invitation from my friend Sir Roger de Coverley to pass away a month with him in the country, I last week accompanied him thither, and am settled with him for some time at his country-house, 5 where I intend to form several of my ensuing speculations. Sir Roger, who is very well acquainted with my humour, lets me rise and go to bed when I please; dine at his own table or in my chamber, as I think fit, sit still and say nothing without bidding me be merry. TO When the gentlemen of the country come to see him, he only shews me at a distance: as I have been walking in his fields I have observed them stealing a sight of me over an hedge, and have heard the knight desiring them not let me see them, for that I hated to be 15 stared at.

I am the more at ease in Sir Roger's family, because it consists of sober and staid persons: for as the knight

66

COVERLEY HALL.