This cutting Reproof, just and seasonable as it was, would hardly have passed uncensured by the Fraternity, had it not been excufed by the high Provocation, which occafioned it. The other Day, when the whole Body was affembled, they had the Patience to perufe that abominable Farce now under my Correction. "It is the most astonishing Thing in Nater, cries "Tenellus, that fo low a Performence should meet <wi' fuch pop'ler Applause !-O Lard ! O Lard! "as I hope for Mircy, replies Lepidulus, there's "re'lly now nothing at all furprizing in the Cafe; " for pop'ler Fame is nothing but Air; and Air "(as you Scholars tells us) natʼrally presses into a Vacuum. He-he-he-he!" Though this was a keen Conceit, yet as it reflected Honour on the Community, it was fo highly relished, that they had certainly broke out into a loud Laughter, were it not that fuch Burfts. of Mirth are looked upon as the Marks of savage Manners. A governed Smile, or fo-they judge to be not at all ungraceful. Nay, an Half-Laugh. upon a very extraordinary Occafion, is not esteem, ed a Departure from Decorum. But then, the utmost Caution imaginable is taken, that it proceed no farther. And it is pleafant enough to fee the little Difficulties they struggle with in fuppreffing the Inclination. The tickling Sense of the home felt Conceit, puts the rifible Features into Motion; but then it is inftantly checked by the quick Impulfe of fine Senfation. The one promps to give full Vent to the rifing Joy; the other bids-forbear. It is this pretty Altercation, which 1 which produces that tempered Laugh, which plays with fuch a Grace on the Countenance of a Pretty Gentleman. By what I have already advanced, the Reader may probably perceive, that their Language and. Diction has the most effential Requifite of Style, and that the Sound always ecchos to the Senfe. But fince this Part of the Character has been a Subject of our Mimic's Raillery, I fhall produce fuch Inftances, as will inconteftably demonftrate the Truth of my Affertion. Some Time ago, four or five of these elegant Youths were invited to dine at Lady Betty's. 'The first Dish that was ferved up happened to be a Leg of Lamb and Spinage; at the Sight of which Fannius inftantly fainted away. "Oh Lard - fays Timidulus, fetch fome "Draps. Take away the Dish, cried, Molliculo, "Perhaps he has fome 'Tipathy to Lamb. No,, "no, replies Tenellus, he has evermore his Hyf"terics at this Time of the Year.-Let him a"lone, for He'vn's Sake! don't croud about'm; "he'll come to himself presently.-Feteh a "little Pepper-mint-water, fays Cattilus, it is By this Time, Fannius finding his Spirits return, gently lifted up his Head,-and after half a Dozen Sighs" Heigh! Hoh! Where am I? Well-I proteft—I am quite-ashamed to to-But-do you know, whenever I fee a Leg of Lamb and Spinage, it is fo like-that it puts ❝me in mind of-[Here be burst out into a Flood of Tears]-It puts me in mind of my dear,dear Bitch Chloe-funning herself upon a Grass"Plot! "Plot! What a dull Creter was I, replied the Lady, that I could not think of this! But upon "my Veracity! I never heard a Syllable that It was fure the most engaging Chloe was. "Company! And had the foftest Coat! Well! "It was an infinitely pretty Creter ! "Oh dear Me'me! replied Fannius-Not a "Word more, I entreat you-Your Favor is an "Antidote against all Misfortunes." Upon this the dried up his Tears; the Company fat down again, and all was well. I have given this Narrative not only as a beautiful Specimen of their Language, but as an exemplary Instance of great Humanity of Temper. Nor are they lefs excellent in what is commonly called the Epiftolary Style, but more properly Miffive Converfation: The Reader will be fullyconvinced of this, if he gives his Attention to the following Specimens. A CARD. "Lord Molliculo's Compliments to Sir Roley: "Tenellus hopes did not ketch Cold laft Night "when he went from th' Oppera-shall be "proud of his Cumpany at Cards next Wenfday fennit, to meet Lady Betty, and begs will " not fail." 66 When the Sentiments are committed to Paper,, the Diction rifes to an higher Pitch, preferving at. the fame time, a great Degree of the kindred: Form.. COPY CUPY of a LETTER from Sir Thomafin Lepidulus, to Narciffus Shadow, Efq. I Mi Dere Nelly, Expected yu wud ba' retorted upon that brootal Monftir, who, atak'd yu laft Nite at Lady Betty's.-Yu certinly had it in yure Pour ; but upon matuer D'liberation, I vew, I think yu was in the Right to turn it off, and treat the Retch wi' good Manners. Tu fine Geniuses who 'clypfes every body, certainly for that Refon ows every body inf'nite Ci vility. Pour Pufs is better this Morning-Fever pretty much abated. Pray, mi Dere, how is pure Cold? I tho't yu was vastly boarfe laft Nite. Better not ftir abroad-Weather's extremely piercing. I bate this deteftable Climate, as much as-Yu will fupply the ref Adieu, dere Neffy, Yours infinitely, T. LEPIDULUS. Narciffus read this Letter to his Valet; and having talked the Subject over with him, not perhaps to borrow any of the Fellow's Sentiments, but to give Rife to fome in himfelf, wrote the following Anfwer Proteft to you, my dear Leppy, I was feveral Times upon the Point of breaking out with the Sharpness of Rebuke. Was there ever such a nau Leous feous Creter? To confefs the Truth,—I fbud certainly bave been severe upon him, but that it is much more becoming a Gentleman, not to say any thing subject to inconvenient Interpretations. The Fellow is what you call sprightly-but has not the leaft Tincture of Delicacy about him. Pray, have you feen the New Play? I fhe'n't be efy till I have yure Opinion. My Sufpicions are confirmed. Amoriculus (wud You believe it?) the abominable Man is, bona fide, become a Parent by bis Criminal Gratifications. Adieu, Deary! Love me as I do You-and more if You can. Yours for ever,, P. S. Half Hour past 2. N. SHADOW. And what now have the Sons of Momus to object against the Style of a Pretty Gentleman Here is every Requifite in Fine Writing: Here is Brevity, Softness, Propriety, and Ease. Happily freed from the Shackles of connecting and reftraining Rules, the Diction roves and wanders, now here, now there; and, with a wondrous Facility, glides fo imperceptibly from one Flower to another, that the most fubtile Penetrator would be at a Lofs tofind, where This ends, and where That begins. Some Negligences there are indeed; but they are fuch as must be allowed the trueft Ornaments of Speech.Let any Man examine the Letters I have here faithfully tranfcribed, and tell me whe ther |