they were so generally dispersed in single sheets, and have since been printed in so great numbers, that it is to be hoped they have made some proselytes to the interests, if not to the practice of 5 wisdom and virtue, among such a multitude of readers.

I need not remind this learned gentleman, that Socrates, who was the greatest propagator of morality in the heathen world, and a martyr for Io the unity of the Godhead, was so famous for the exercise of this talent among the politest people of antiquity, that he gained the name of (ò Eipwv) the Droll.

There are very good effects which visibly arose 15 from the above-mentioned performances, and others of the like nature; as, in the first place, they diverted raillery from improper objects, and gave a new turn to ridicule, which for many years had been exerted on persons and things of a sacred and 20 serious nature. They endeavoured to make mirth instructive, and if they failed in this great end, they must be allowed at least to have made it innocent. If wit and humour begin again to relapse into their former licentiousness, they can never hope for ap25 probation from those who know that raillery is use

less when it has no moral under it, and pernicious when it attacks any thing that is either unblamable or praiseworthy. To this we may add, what has been commonly observed, that it is not difficult to 30 be merry on the side of vice, as serious objects are the most capable of ridicule; as the party,1 which naturally favours such a mirth, is the most numer

1 1716, party which naturally favour.

ous; and as there are the most standing jests and patterns for imitation in this kind of writing.

In the next place: such productions of wit and humour, as have a tendency to expose vice and folly, furnish useful diversions to all kinds of read- 5 ers. The good, or prudent man may, by these means, be diverted, without prejudice to his discretion, or morality. Raillery, under such regulations, unbends the mind from serious studies and severer contemplations, without throwing it off 10 from its proper bias. It carries on the same design that is promoted by authors of a graver turn, and only does it in another manner. It also awakens reflection in those who are the most indifferent in the cause of virtue or knowledge, by setting before 15 them the absurdity of such practices as are generally unobserved, by reason of their being common or fashionable; nay, it sometimes catches the dissolute and abandoned before they are aware of it; who are often betrayed to laugh at themselves, and 20 upon reflection find, that they are merry at their own expense. I might farther take notice, that by entertainments of this kind, a man may be cheerful in solitude, and not be forced to seek for company every time he has a mind to be merry.

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The last advantage I shall mention from compositions of this nature, when thus restrained, is, that they show wisdom and virtue are far from being inconsistent with politeness and good humour. They make morality appear amiable to people of 30 gay dispositions, and refute the common objection against religion, which represents it as only fit for gloomy and melancholy tempers. It was the motto

of a bishop very eminent for his piety and good works in King Charles the Second's reign, Inservi Deo et laetare, Serve God and be cheerful. Those therefore who supply the world with such entertain5 ments of mirth as are instructive, or at least harmless, may be thought to deserve well of mankind; to which I shall only add, that they retrieve the honour of polite learning, and answer those sour enthusiasts who affect to stigmatize the finest and 10 most elegant authors, both ancient and modern, (which they have never read) as dangerous to religion, and destructive of all sound and saving knowledge.

Our nation are such lovers of mirth and humour, 15 that it is impossible for detached papers, which come out on stated days, either to have a general run, or long continuance, if they are not diversified, and enlivened from time to time, with subjects and thoughts, accommodated to this taste which so 20 prevails among our countrymen. No periodical author, who always maintains his gravity, and does not sometimes sacrifice to the Graces, must expect to keep in vogue for any considerable time. Political speculations in particular, however just and 25 important, are of so dry and austere a nature, that they will not go down with the public without frequent seasonings of this kind. The work may be well performed, but will never take, if it is not set off with proper scenes and decorations. A mere 30 politician is but a dull companion, and, if he is always wise, is in great danger of being tiresome or ridiculous.

Besides, papers of entertainment are necessary to

increase the number of readers, especially among those of different notions and principles; who by this means may be betrayed to give you a fair hearing, and to know what you have to say for yourself. I might likewise observe, that in all political writ- 5 ings there is something that grates upon the mind of the most candid reader, in opinions which are not conformable to his own way of thinking; and that the harshness of reasoning is not a little softened and smoothed by the infusions of mirth and 10 pleasantry.

Political speculations do likewise furnish us with several objects that may very innocently be ridiculed, and which are regarded as such by men of sense in all parties; of this kind are the passions of 15 our stateswomen, and the reasonings of our foxhunters.

A writer who makes fame the chief end of his endeavours, and would be more desirous of pleasing than of improving his readers, might find an inex- 20 haustible fund of mirth in politics. Scandal and satire are never-failing gratifications to the public. Detraction and obloquy are received with as much eagerness as wit and humour. Should a writer single out particular persons, or point his raillery 25 at any order of men, who by their profession ought to be exempt from it; should he slander the innocent, or satirize the miserable; or should he, even on the proper subjects of derision, give the full play to his mirth, without regard to decency and 30 good manners; he might be sure of pleasing a great part of his readers, but must be a very ill man, if by such a proceeding he could please himself.

No. 47.

FRIDAY, JUNE 1. [1716.]

Cessit furor, et rabida ora quierunt. VIRG.

I QUESTION not but most of my readers will be very well pleased to hear, that my friend the foxhunter, of whose arrival in town I gave notice in my forty-fourth paper, is become a convert to the 5 present establishment, and a good subject to King George. The motives to his conversion shall be the subject of this paper, as they may be of use to other persons who labour under those prejudices and prepossessions, which hung so long upon the 10 mind of my worthy friend. These I had an opportunity of learning the other day, when, at his request, we took a ramble together, to see the curiosities of this great town.

The first circumstance, as he ingeniously con15 fessed to me (while we were in the coach together) which helped to disabuse him, was seeing King Charles I. on horseback, at Charing Cross; for he was sure that prince could never have kept his seat there, had the stories been true he had heard in 20 the country, that forty-one was come about again.

He owned to me that he looked with horror on the new church that is half built in the Strand, as taking it at first sight to be half demolished: but upon inquiring of the workmen, was agreeably sur25 prised to find, that instead of pulling it down, they were building it up; and that fifty more were raising in other parts of the town.

To these I must add a third circumstance, which I find had no small share in my friend's conversion.