Page images
PDF
EPUB

uniform, but of different Sizes, &c. according to the different Geniuses and Difpofitions of those who are to be admitted. In this Point too the Situation of the Chambers ought to be obferved; for Inftance, the Compilers of Vade-mecum's, Abridgmentmakers, &c. fhould be ftationed in the Cellars under Ground; the Ode Writers next to the Sky-light; the Tranflators on the Ground-Floor; and the Epic and Dramatic Authors on the first and fecond Stories. In the Midft of the Whole I would have a large Hall, where the whole Society fhould meet three Times a Day, to be provided at every Meal with Dishes adapted to their Conftitutions: for Care must be had, that the Gentlemen who foar" above the vi "fible diurnal Sphere," do not eat of Beef, or any other Meat that is, subject to clog the Intellects; but be fed, as Pindar and the Bards of old were, with Food that clates and puts the Fancy on the Wing. This College should be governed by a President and Twelve Directors, all of whom have been Book, fellors in London for the Space of Seven Years before the Time they are elected fuch, that they may be thereby qualified to judge properly of the Pretenfions of the Candidates to this Charity. Every Candidate must have the Recommendation of one or more of the Directors, and a Certificate under the Hands and Seals of four of the Company of Stationers, that he has been Mufe-rid for ten Years, in fuch a Manner as to be entirely incapacitated for any other Vocation in Life. If thefe Things feem clear, the Perfon fhall be admitted without any farther Trouble, except it is proved he is worth

Money,

[ocr errors]

Money, for a rich Man must be as incapable to en ter this Hospital as the Kingdom of Heaven.

We next come to the Choice of proper Servants and Attendants. Now, as there are in the three Kingdoms innumerable Footmen and Chamber Maids, who spend beft part of their Time with Lee and Otway, and daily condemn Fate for having placed People of their uncommon Talents in fuch a Situa tion, as to be fubject to be called every Moment from the heroic Company of Alexander and Roxana, and fent to converse, much against their Inclinations, with the Dregs of the People; I would have all fuch as are difpofed to live retired, and to have frequent Opportunities of converfing not only with dead Poets but living Wits, come and offer their Service to the Hospital; where they fhall be furnished with every thing neceffary for Life, and be allowed, af ter the little Labour that shall be required of them is over, ftated Hours for their favorite Studies.

When these things are all fettled, and a handsome Subscription opened, the Legiflature, no doubt, will give Encouragement to fo noble, useful, and charitable a Foundation, by establishing the Lands and Funds raised for its Support by parliamentary Authority; and, if it would not be looked upon as Prefumption to give a Hint to fo wife and auguft an Affembly, a Tax might be laid, which would bring in vaft Sums annually, and at the fame Time be no Burthen to the industrious Subject, but on the contrary tend to promote every Branch of Trade in the

Nation. The Tax I mean fhould be upon that unprofitable Commodity, that abounds fo much in thefe Kingdoms, commonly called Scribling. There should be in every Parish an Infpector into this Manufactory (suppose the Parfon), who should take his Rounds once a Week, like the Exciseman, to vifit those that are Dealers, and receive the limited Duty; and, to obviate any Fraud, very large Penalties fhould be laid upon all fuch, as fhould clandeftinely make Verfe or Profe, or a Mixture of both (which I think is most in request at present), without previously acquainting the ecclefiaftical Officer, or at leaft informing him immediately after. This Expence would hinder many an Attorney's Clerk and Prentice from Phillifing away his Time, and keep him from being reduced at last to the Hospital.

Should it be objected, by the Proprietors of the Magazines, or other periodical Mifcellanies, that fuch a Tax would deprive them of many an ingenious Performance both in Verse and Profe, the Grievance may be redreffed by applying to the Directors, and compounding with them for fo much a Year for all their Authors in a Lump, as thofe People do with Commiffioners of Turnpikes, who live near the Gate. Thus, Sir, having thrown together fome loose Thoughts of my own, I leave you and the Reader to make what farther Improvements upon the Project you are able.

I am

Your moft Humble Servant, &.
A PA-

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]

In the Manner of PLUTARCH:

Between a moft celebrated

Man of FLORENCE;

And ONE, fcarce ever heard of, in

ENGLAND.

By the Reverend Mr. SPENCE.

--Parvis componere magna.-VIRGIL.

Firft Printed in the Year 1757.

VOL. II.

Y

THE

« PreviousContinue »