The Tatler: With Notes and a General Index ; Complete in One Volume

268. Petition on Coffee-house Orators and News-
readers, with the Author's Remarks
Letters on Love and Friendship-Plagius
preaching Tillotson's Sermons

240. The Science of Physic-Quacks of the Time

241. On Drinking-Improper Behaviour at Church

-On By-words-Fee at St. Paul's

242. On Raillery and Satire-Horace and Juvenal

243. Adventures of the Author when invisible Addison. 270. Letter on the Dress of Tradesmen-Petition

244. On Eloquence-Talents for Conversation-

of Ralph Nab, the Hatter-Of Elizabeth

Slender, Spinster-Letter to Mr. Ralph

Incense, Chaplain

271. Conclusion, Design of the work, and Ac-

knowledgement of Assistance

GENERAL INDEX

Steele.

ORIGINAL DEDICATIONS.

VOLUME THE FIRST.

TO MR. MAYNWARING.*

SIR,-The state of conversation and business in this town having been long perplexed with Pretenders in both kinds; in order to open men's eyes against such abuses, it appeared no unprofitable undertaking to publish a Paper, which should observe upon the manners of the pleasurable, as well as the busy part of mankind. To make this generally read, it seemed the most proper method to form it by way of a letter of intelligence, consisting of such parts as might gratify the curiosity of persons of all conditions, and of each sex. But a work of this nature requiring time to grow into the notice of the world, it happened very luckily, that, a little before I had resolved upon this design, a gentleman had written predictions, and two or three other pieces in my name, which rendered it famous through all parts of Europe; and, by an inimitable spirit and humour, raised it to as high a pitch of reputation as it could possibly

arrive at.

By this good fortune, the name of Isaac Bickerstaff gained an audience of all who had any taste of wit; and the addition of the ordinary occurrences of common Journals of News brought in a multitude of other readers. I could not, I confess, long keep up the opinion * Arthur Maynwaring, Esq.

of the town, that these Lucubrations were written by the same hand with the first works which were published under my name; but, before I lost the participation of that author's fame, I had already found the advantage of his authority, to which I owe the sudden acceptance which my labours met with in the world.

The general purpose of this Paper is to expose the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our discourse, and our behaviour. No man has a better judgment for the discovery, or a nobler spirit for the contempt of all imposture, than yourself; which qualities render you the most proper patron for the author of these Essays. In the general, the design, however executed, has met with so great success, that there is hardly a name now eminent among us for power, wit, beauty, valour, or wisdom, which is not subscribed for the encouragement of these volumes. This is, indeed, an honour, for which it is impossible to express a suitable gratitude; and there is nothing could be an addition to the pleasure I take in it but the reflection, that it gives me the most conspicuous occasion I can ever have, of subscribing myself, Sir, Your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble servant, ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.

VOLUME THE SECOND.

TO EDWARD WORTLEY MONTAGUE, ESQ*.

SIR,-When I send you this volume, I am | many of their excellences, which I had not obrather to make you a request than a Dedication. served until you pointed them to me. I am I must desire, that if you think fit to throw very proud that there are some things in these away any moments on it, you would not do it after reading those excellent pieces with which you are usually conversant. The images which you will meet with here, will be very faint, after the perusal of the Greeks and Romans, who are your ordinary companions. I must confess I am obliged to you for the taste of

*Second son of the Hon. lady Wortley Montague, and grandson of Edward Montague, the first Earl of Sandwich.

papers which I know you pardon ;* and it is no small pleasure to have one's labours suffered by the judgment of a man, who so well understands the true charms of eloquence and poesy. But I direct this address to you; not that I think I can entertain you with my writ ings, but to thank you for the new delight I

*This seems to amount to a declaration that E. Wortley Montague, Esq. was himself a writer in these papers.

have, from your conversation, in those of other

men.

May you enjoy a long continuance of the true relish of the happiness heaven has bestowed upon you! I know not how to say a more affectionate thing to you, than to wish that you may

be always what you are; and that you may ever
think, as I know you now do, that you have a
much larger fortune than you want. I am,
Sir, your most obedient, and most humble ser-
vant,
ISAAC BICKERSTAFF.

VOLUME THE THIRD.

TO THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM LORD COWPER, BARON OF WINGHAM.

you, but I shall behold you, as lately, defending the brave and the unfortunate.*

When we attend to your lordship engaged in a discourse, we cannot but reflect upon the many requisites which the vain-glorious speakers of antiquity have demanded in a man who is to excel in oratory; I say, my lord, when we

MY LORD,-After having long celebrated the superior graces and excellences, among men, in an imaginary character, I do myself the honour to show my veneration for transcendent merit under my own name, in this address to your lordship. The just application of those high accomplishments of which you are master, has been an advantage to all your fellow-sub-reflect upon the precepts by viewing the examjects; and it is from the common obligation you have laid upon all the world, that I, though a private man, can pretend to be affected with, or take the liberty to acknowledge, your great talents and public virtues.

It gives a pleasing prospect to your friends, that is to say, to the friends of your country, that you have passed through the highest offices, at an age when others usually do but form to themselves the hopes of them. They may expect to see you in the house of lords as many years as you were ascending to it. It is our common good, that your admirable eloquence can now no longer be employed, but in the expression of your own sentiments and judgment. The skilful pleader is now for ever changed into the just judge; which latter character your lordship exerts with so prevailing an impartiality, that you win the approbation even of those who dissent from you, and you always obtain favour, because you are never moved by it.

This gives you a certain dignity peculiar to your present situation, and makes the equity, even of a lord high chancellor, appear but a degree towards the magnanimity of a peer of Great Britain.

Forgive me, my lord, when I cannot conceal from you, that I shall never hereafter behold

ple, though there is no excellence proposed by those rhetoricians wanting, the whole art seems to be resolved into that one motive of speaking, sincerity in the intention. The graceful manner, the apt gesture, and the assumed concern, are impotent helps to persuasion, in comparison of the honest countenance of him who utters what he really means. From whence it is, that all the beauties which others attain with labour, are in your lordship but the natural effects of the heart that dictates. It is this noble simplicity, which makes you surpass mankind in the faculties wherein mankind are distinguished from other creatures, reason and speech.

If these gifts were communicated to all men in proportion to the truth and ardour of their hearts, I should speak of you with the same force as you express yourself on any other subject. But I resist my present impulse, as agreeable as it is to me; though, indeed, had I any pretensions to a fame of this kind, I should, above all other themes, attempt a panegyric upon my lord Cowper; for the only sure way to a reputation for eloquence, in an age wherein that perfect orator lives, is to choose an argument, upon which he himself must of necessity be silent. I am, my lord, your lordship's most devoted, most obedient, and most humble servant, RICHARD STEELE.

*The duke of Marlborough.

VOLUME THE FOURTH.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES, LORD HALIFAX.

From the Hovel at Hamptonwick,
April 7, 1711.
MY LORD, When I first resolved upon do-
ing myself this honour, I could not but indulge

a certain vanity, in dating from this little covert, where I have frequently had the honour of your lordship's company, and received from you very | many obligations. The elegant solitude of this

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