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the fnarling Critic to produce any thing like it. I fpeak only of the Style; for I will not deny, that fometimes he will condefcend to feal an Hint from another, as may be feen in the Specimens I have given. But how does he steal it? No otherwise than like those, who (as Garth says of Dryden) steal Beggars Children, only to cloath them the better.

Another Object of this Mimic's Raillery is, that fweet Placability of Temper, which obliges a refined Gentleman to put up even repeated Injuries and Affronts, rather than avenge them by the ufual Method of demanding Satisfaction.

I am not apprehenfive that this Part of his Character is lefs defenfible than the reft. I could produce fome tolerable Arguments against Duelling, drawn from certain Principles, which were once looked upon to be the Rules of Human Conduct. I could easily prove, that the fingle Combat is derived from Gothic Manners, and is abfolutely inconfiftent with the Character of a Gentleman. But fuch Reafonings as these are neither fo well adapted to the Times, nor fo pertinent to the Caufe I have undertaken. Waving then this kind of Defence, upon this fingle Argument I lay my whole Strefs The "Pretty Gentleman will not fight,-because-He is "not able."

And can any Man produce a better Reason for not doing a Thing, than to make it manifeft cannot ?

that he

Behold

Behold that tender Frame! Those trembling Knees! Those feeble Joints! Obferve that fine Complexion! Examine that smooth, that Velvety Skin! View that Pallor which spreads itself over his Countenance! Hark, with what a feminine Softness his Accents fteal their Way through his half-opened Lips! Feel that foft Palm! Those slender Fingers, accustomed only to handle Silks and Ribbons, the eafy-piercing Needle, or foft-gliding Shuttle; but unpractifed in the rough Exercifes of Warlike Weapons! Mark all thefe, and a Thoufand other gentle Imbecillities, and then tell me, impartial Reader, whether fuch a Being is formed for Battle?--You cannot think it: You will not fay it. I will therefore venture to affirm, that He is fo far from deferving Contempt and Ridicule, when he declines the Combat, that he merits our Efteem and Applause. He therefore who is fo base as to affront, or fend a Challenge to fuch a Perfon, is an arrant Coward. For would a Man of Honour draw his Sword upon a Lady? And to say the Truth, The Pretty Gentleman is certainly formed in a different Mould from that of Common Men, and tempered with a purer Flame. The whole Syftem is of a finer Turn, and fuperior Accuracy of Fabric, infomuch that it looks as if Nature had been in doubt, to which Sex fhe should affign Him.

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Now this Contexture of his Organs, and the Tone of his Spirits approaching fo very near That of the Fair, has rendered Him liable to the fame gentle Impreffions,

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Impreffions, and Alarms of Fear. Does Calia fet up a Scream at the Apprehenfion of the leaft Danger? Delicatulus is as eafily intimidated, and fcreams with as pretty an Accent. Do the Weakness of Lady Betty's Nerves fubject her to Fits and Swoonings? Tenellus likewife has his Hyfterics, and dies away with as foft a Graçe. It is to attain these and fuch like Accomplishments, that they make frequent Vifits to the Ladies; though fome flanderous Perfons would make us believe, that they have another Motive, and intimate I know not what, vitious Designs, that are too indecent even to be mentioned, But I can affure the World, there is not the leaft Foundation for the base Suggestion. This Attendance, I know, takes its Rife from Caufes, with which the Appetite for That Sex has no Manner of Connexion. So pure are their Morals! So inviolable their Modefty! Amazing Continence! And yet, our Wonder is leffened, when we confider what Methods they pursue to fence against the Allurements of Female Charms. They are certainly the most sober and temperate Beings that ever exifted. It is an inviolable Maxim with them, to refrain from every Indulgence, which is apt to irritate the Blood, and excite the Pruriency of Defire.

Old English Roaft Beef is, indeed, properly adapted to Old English Manners; fince, as all Phyficians obferve, the Quality of our Food communicates itfelf to the Mind. Therefore at the Table of a Pretty Gentleman, you never fee the Flesh of a fullgrown Animal. Chickens of a Week old, Veal

Sweet

Sweet-breads, or a Leg of Lamb, and now and then Pigs-petitoes, are their highest Indulgence. But the ufual Food is Cheefe-cakes, White-pot, Tanzeys, and Flommery. And can it be thought that this abftemious Restriction is a proper Subject of Raillery, when a certain celebrated Writer, amidst the Praises he bestows on his noble Patron, mentions this as his finishing Excellence; "That he lived upon Panada "and Water-gruel [c]." I mention this, because it is the Obfervation of one who never fhewed any Favour to Modern Elegance.

As to Wine, it is abfolutely their Averfion. And indeed, fo Delicate is their Frame, that even the Moderate Indulgences of the Fair would ill-agree with these more tender Males. "The First Glass,

faid a Pretty French Author, I may drink for my"felf; a Second for my Friend; but if a Third, it is "for my Enemy." Our Youths feldom go fo far as a Second; and whenever That happens, 'tis fure to be followed with bitter Reflexions. "What do you "think? (faid Umbratilis to Lord Molly.) I was "the most abominable Rake laft Night! Do you "know? I drank Two Glaffes of Claret after my Flommery.

"Oh fie! you naughty Child! what a Paw "Trick was that! as I hope for Mercy, you de"serve to be foundly Wh-t, fo you do."

Two Glaffes only! No more! And yet merited fuch a rigorous Animadverfion. But, perhaps, even [c] Middleton's Life of Cicero. Dedication.

that

that small Quantity might be too much for the Infan- ̈ tine Conftitution; to which Nature points out a more fuitable Liquor, of a Soft and Delicious Kind, emulged from the falutiferous Cow, or the thin Juices of the Gentle Afs'; the Temperament of whofe Fluids is productive of a correfpondent Temperament in the Perfon, who accuftoms himself to these affimilating Draughts.

I have already detained the Reader fo long, that I shall not trespass upon his Patience, by giving a Detail of the numerous Artifices, which are exhibited in the important Hours that are employed in decorating their Persons. Were you to behold Narciffus at his Toilet, how would you be charmed with the Order and Difpofition! Did you view this lovely Youth whilft he takes his exterior Form into a moft exact Adjustment, you must ftand amazed at all the Pretty Wonders of his Art. What Pains! What ́ Care! What Study! What Address! To arch that Eye-brow! To foften that Hand, and to Curl those lovely Locks! Whilft all the Graces attend as invifible Handmaids, to finish the Work of Elegance. And when the bufy Scene is over, and he is decorated in every minute Circumftance with the most Perfect Concinnity ; behold, with what a foft Air and sweet Complacency he prefents himself to View, and like Horace's Barine coming from her Toilet,

enitefcit

Pulchrior multò, Juvenumque prodit

Publica cura.

Thus

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