Mankind. But that he is miuaken in his Cal- culation, Experience generally convinces us: none being found more impotent in them- felves, of lefs command over their Paffions, lefs free from Superftition and vain Fears, or lefs fafe from common Impoflure and Delufion, than the noted Head-pieces of this damp. Nor is this a wonder. The Speculation in a man- ner befpeaks the Practice. There needs no formal Deduction to make this evident. A fmall Help from our familiar Method of Solilo- quy may ferve turn: and we may perhaps de- cide this matter in a more diverting way; by confronting this fuper-fpeculative Philofophy with a more practical fort, which relates chiefly to our Acquaintance, Friendfhip, and good Correfpondence with our-f elves.
On this account, it may not be to my Pleader's difadvantage, if forgetting him for a-while, I apply chiefly to my-Jelf; and, as occafion offers, attumethatfelf-converfantPraflice, which I have pretended to difclofe. 'Tis hop'd there- fore, he will not efteem it as ill Breeding, if I lofe the ufual regard to his Prefence. And fhou'd I fall infenfibly into one of the Pa- roxyfms defciib'd; and as in a fort of Phrenzy, enter into high Expoflulation with my-felf; he will not furely be offended with the free Language, or even with the Reproaches he hears ADVICE to an Author. 293 hears from a Perfon who only makes bold with whom he may.
I F A Paftenger fhou'd turn by chance into a Watchmaker's Shop, and thinking to inform himfelf concerning Watches, fhou'd inquire, of what Metal, or what Matter, each part was compos'd; what gave the Colours, or what made the Sounds; without examining what the real Ufe was of fuch an Inftrument; or by what Movements its End was be ft at- tain'd, and its perfection acquir'd: 'tis plain that fuch an Examiner as this, wou'd come fhort of any Underftanding in the real Nature of the Inftrument. Shou'd a Philofopher, af- ter the fame manner, employing himfelf in the Study of human Nature, difcover only, what Effects each Paflion wrought upon the Body; what change of Afpect or Feature they producd; and in what different manner they affected the Limbs and Mufcles; this might poffibly qualify him to give Advice to an Anatomift or a Limner, but not to Mankind or to Himfelf: Since according to this Survey he confider'd not the real Operation or Ener- gy of his Subject, nor contemplated the Man, as real Man, and as a human Agent; but as a Watch or common Machine.
T4 -The 294 ADVICE to an Author.
ct The PafTion of Fear (as a * modern Phi- " lofopher informs me) determines the Spi- tc rits to the Mufcles of the Knees, which are 44 inflantly ready to perform their Motion; by " taking up the Legs with incomparable Ce- 14 lerity, in order to remove the Body out of " harm's way." — Excellent Mechanifm! But whether the knocking together of the Knees be any more the cowardly Symptom of Flight, than the chattering of the Teeth is the flout Symptom of Refinance, I fhall not take upon me to determine, in this whole Subject of In- quiry I fhall find nothing of the leaft Stif- concernment. And I may depend upon it, that by the moil refin'd Speculation of this kind, I fhall neither learn todiminifh my Fears, or raife my Courage. This, however, I may be afford of, that 'tis the Nature of Fear, as well as of other Paflions, to have its Increafe and Decreafe, as it is fed by Opinion, and in- fluenc'd by Cuftom and Practice.
These Paflions, according as they have the Afcendency in me, and differ in propor- tion with one another, affect my Character, and make me different with refpect to my-felf and others. I mufti therefore, of neceffity find * MoTiGfur Des Cartes, in his Treatife of the Paffions.
Redrefs ADVICE to an Author, 295 Redrefs and Improvement in this cafe, by re- flecting juftiy on the manner of my own Motion, as guided by Affections which depend fo much on Apprehenfion and Conceit. By examining the various Turns, Inflections, Declenfions, and inward Revolutions of the PaJJions, I muft un- doubtedly come the better to underftand a hu- man Breaft, and judge the better both of others and my-Jelf. 'Tis impoflible to make the leafl advancement in fuch a Study, without acquir- ing fome Advantage, from the Regulation and Government of thofe Paffions, on which the Conduct of a Life depends.
For inftance, if Superstition be the fort of Fear which mod opprefles; 'tis not very ma- terial to inquire, on this occafion, to what Parts or Districts the Blood or Spirits are immedi- ately detachd, or where they are made to ren- devouz. For this no more imports me to un- derftand, than it depends on me to regulate or change. But when the Grounds of this fuper- ftitious Fear are confider'd to be from Opini- on, and the Subjects of it come to be thorowly fearch'd and examin'd; the Paffion it-felf muft neceffarily diminim, as I difcover more and more the Impoflure which belongs to it.
In In the fame manner, if Vanity be from Opinion, and I confider how Vanity is conceiv'd, from what imaginary Advantages, and incon- fiderable Grounds; if I view it in its exceflive height, as well as in its contrary o'epreffion; 'tis impoffible I fhou'd not in fome meafure be reliev'd of this Diflemper.
* Laudis amore tumes? Sunt ccrta Piacula Sunt verba et voces quibus hunc lenire dolerem PoJJis, et magnam morbi deponere partem.
The fame muft happen in refpect. of Anger, Ambition, Love, Dcfire, and the other Paffions from whence I frame the different Notion I have of Interejl. For as thefe Paflions veer, my Inter ejl veers, my Steerage varys and I make al- ternately, now this, now that, to be my Courfe and Harbour. The Man in Anger, has a dif- ferent Happinefs from the Man in Love. And the Man lately become covetous, has a diffe- rent Notion of Satisfaclion from what he had before, when he was liberal. Even the Man in Humour, has another Thought of Interejl and Advantage than the Man out of Humour, Hor. Epift. 1. lib. 1.
or ADVICE to an Author. 297 or in the lead diflurb'd. The Examination, therefore, of my Humours, and the * Inojjiry after my PaJJions muft necelTarily draw along with it the Search and Scrutiny of my Opinions, and the fincere Consideration of my Scope and End. And thus the Study of human Affection cannot fail of leading me towards the Know- ledge of human Nature, and of My-self.
This is the Philofophy, which, by Nature, has the Pre-eminence above all other Science or Knowledge. Nor can this furely be of the fort call'd t vain or deceitful; fince it is the only means by which I can difcover Vanity and Deceit. This is not of that kind which depends on f Genealogy s or Traditions, and t mini/lers Quejlions and vain Jangling. It has not its Name, as other Philofophys, from the mere Subtlety and Ni- cety of the Speculation; but, by way of Excel- lence, from its being fuperior to all other Spe- culations; from its prefiding over all other Sciences and Occupations; teaching the Mea- fure of each, and afligning the juft Value of every-thing in Life. By this Science Religion it-felf is judg'd, Spirits are fearch'd, Prophecys prov'd, Miracles diftinguiuYd: the fole Meafure * See Inquiry, viz. Tieatlfe IV. of thefe Volumes.
ver. 4, Sc 6- and Ch. vi. ver. 20.
and and Standard being taken from moral Rectitude, and from the Difcernment of what is found and juft in their Affeclions. For if the * Tree is known only by its Fruits; my full Endeavour muft be to diftinguifh the true Tafte ot Fruits, refine my Palat, and eftablifh a juil Relifh in the kind. So that to bid me judge Authority by Morals^ whilft the Rule of Morals, is fuppos'd f de- pendent on mere Authority and Will; is the fame in reality as to bid me fee with my Eyes fliut, meafure without a Standard, and count without Arithmetick.
And thus Philosophy, which judges both of her-felf, and of every thing befides; difcovers her own Province, and chief Command; teaches me to diftinguifh between her Perfon and her Likenefs; and fhews me her immediate and real felf, by that fole Privilege of teaching me to know my-jdf, and what belongs to me. She gives to every inferior Science its juft rank; leaves fome to meafure Sounds; others to fcan Syllables; others to weigh Vacuums, and define Spaces, and Extenjions: but referves to her-felf her due Au- thority, and Majefty; keeps her State, and antient Title of Vita Dux, Virtutis Indagatrix, and ' Lu se, Ch. vi. ver. 43, 44. and Mat. Ch. vii. ver. 16. See VOL.
the ADVICE to an Author. ggg the reft of thofe juft Appellations which of old belong'd to her; when (he merited to be apof- trophiz'd, as- (he was, by the * Orator: 4t Tu "■ Lwentrix Icgum, tu Magi/Ira mortem et dijapli- " ncu. * * * EJl autein units dies bene et ex prcecep- ' ' lis tins actus, peccanti immortalitali anteponendus.'' * Excellent Miftrefs! but eafy to be miftaken.r whilll fo many Handmaids wear as illuftrious Apparel; and fome are made to outfhine her far, in Drefs, and Ornament.
In reality, how fpecious a Study, how ta- le mn an Amufement is rais'd from what we call Philosophical Speculations I the Formality s oj Ideas their Compofitions, Comparifons, Agreement, and Difagreement'l — —What can have a better Appearance, or bid fairer for genuine and true Philosophy? Come on then.
Let me philofophize in this manner; if this be indeed the way I am to grow wife. Let me examine my Ideas of Space and ' Subjlance: Let me look well into Matter and its Modes; if this be looking into My-self; if this be to im- prove my Under/landing, and enlarge my Mind. For of this I may foon be fatisfy'd/ Let me obferve therefore, with diligence, what pafles here; what Connexion and Confiftency, what Agreement or Difagreement I find within: * Cicero, TvJc, Qucji. lib. 3.
Whether, 300 ADVICE to an Author.
44 Whether according to my prefent Ideas, '.' that which I approve this Hour, I am like " to approve as well the next: And in cafe it ' t be otherwife with me; how or after what 14 manner, I fhall relieve my-felf; how afcer- tv tain my Ideas, and keep my Opinion, Liking, 41 and Efteem of things, the fame." If this re- mains unfolv'd: if I am ftill the fame Myf- tery to my-felf as ever: to what purpofe is all this reafoning and acutenefs? wherefore do I admire my Philofopher, or Study to become fuch a one, my-felf?
To-day things have fucceeded well with me; confequently my Ideas are rais'd: 4t 'Tis a Ene 44 World! AH is glorious! Every thing de- 44 lightful and entertaining! Mankind, Con- 44 verfation, Company, Society; What can be 14 more defirable?" To-morroio comes Difap- pointment, CrofTes, Difgrace. And what fol- lows? 44 O miferable Mankind! Wretched 44 State! Who wou'd live out of Solitude? " Who wou'd write or act for fuch a World?" Philofopher! where are thy Ideas? Where is Truth, Certainty, Evidence, fo much talk'd of? 'Tis here furely they are to be maintain'd, if any where, 'Tis here I am to preferve fome jiijt DijHnfiions, and adequate Ideas; which if I cannot do a jot the more, by what fuch a Philofophy can teach me, the Philofophy is in this ADVICE to an Author. 301 this refpecl impofing, and delufive. For what- ever its other Virtues are; it relates not to Me my-felf, it concerns not the Man, nor any other- wife affecls the Mind than by the conceit of Knowledge, and the falfe AfTurance rais'd from a fuppos'd Improvement.
Again. What are my Ideas of the World, of Pleafure, Riches, Fame, Life? What Judg- ment am I to make of Mankind and human Affairs? what Sentiments ami to frame? What Opinions? what Maxims? If none at all; why do I concern my-felf in Speculations about my Ideas f What is it to me, for inftance, to know what kind of Idea I can form of Space? 44 Di- 44 vide a folid Body of whatever Dimention, 44 (fays a renown'd modern Philofopher:) And 14 'twill be impomble for the Parts to move 11 within the bounds of its Superficies; if there 44 be not left in it * a void Space, as big as 44 the lead part into which the faid Body is '■ divided.''
Thus the Atomifl, or Epicurean, pleading for a Vacuum. The Plenitudinarian, on the other fide, brings his Fluid in play, and joins the Idea of Body and Extenfwn. 44 Of this, fays one, 44 I have clear Ideas. Of this, fays the other, I Tbefe are the words of the paiticular Author cited, can 302 ADVICE to an Author.
cc can be certain. And what, fay I, if in the ct whole matter there be no certainty at all?" For Mathematicians are divided: and Mechanicks proceed as well on one Hypothecs as on the other. My Mind, I am fatisfy'd, will proceed either way alike: For it is concern'd on nei- ther fide. " Philofopher! let me hear conct cernins what is of fome moment to me." " Let me hear concerning Life; what the right tl Notion is; and what I am to (land to, upon lt occafion: that I may not, when Life feems tl retiring, or has run it-felf out to the very *' Dregs, cry Vanity! condemn the World, and " at the fame time complain, that Life is jliort tl and paffmgV For why fo fiiort indeed, if not found Jiueel f Why do I complain both ways? Is Vanity, mere Vanity, a Happinefs? Or can Mifery pajs away too foon?
This is of moment to me to examine. This is worth my while. If, on the other fide, I cannot find the Agreement or Difagreement of my Ideas in this place; if I can come to no- thing certain here; what is all the reft to me? What fignifys it how I come by my Ideas, or how compound 'em; which zrefmple, and which complex? If I have a right Idea of Life, 'now when perhaps I think nightly of it, and re- iolve with my-felf, lt That it may eafily be '■'• laid down on any honourable occafion of cc Service ADVICE to an Author. 303 " Service to my Friends, or Country;" teach me how I may preferve this Idea: or, at lead, how I may get fafely rid of it; that it may trouble me no more, nor lead me into ill Ad- ventures. Teach me how \ came by fuch an Opinion of Worth and Virtue; what it is, which at one time raifes it fo high, and at another time reduces it to nothing; how thefe Diftur- bances and Fluctuations happen; ■' By what " Innovation, what Compoftion, what Inierven- " tion of other Ideas." If this be the Subject of the Philofophical Art; I readily apply to it, and embrace the Study. If there be nothing of this in the Cafe; I have no occafion for this fort of Learning; and am no more defi- rous of knowing how I form or compound thofe Ideas which are mark'd by Words, than I am of knowing how, and by what Motions of my Tongue or Palat, I form thofe articulate Sounds* which I can full as well pronounce, without any fuch Science or Speculation.
SECT. II.
UT here it may be convenient for me to quit my-felf a-while, in favour of my Reader; left if he prove one of the uncourteous fort, he fhou'd raife a confiderable Objection in this place. He may aOc perhaps, " Why tl a Writer for Self-entertainment fhou'd not keep Vol. I. U " his 304 ADVICE to an Author.
4t his Writings to himfelf, without appearing tl in Public k or before the World."
In anfwer to this I fliall only fay, that for appearing in Publick, or before the World, I do not readily conceive what our worthy Objeclor may underfland by it. I can call to mind, indeed, among my acquaintance, certain Mer- chant-Adventurers in the Letter-Trade, who- in correfpondence with their Faclor-Book- feller, are enter'd into a notable Commerce with the World. They have directly, and in due Form of Preface, and Epijlle Dedicatory, folicited the 'Publick, and made Intereft with Friends for Favour and Protection on this account. They have ventur'd, perhaps, to join fome great Man's Reputation with their own; having obtain'd this Permimon to addrefs a Work to him, on prefumption of its palling for fome- thing confiderable in the Eyes of Mankind. One may eafily imagine that fuch patroniz'd and avow'd Authors as thefe, wou'd be fhreudly difappointed if the Publick took no notice of their Labours. But for my own part, 'tis of no concern to me, what regard the Publick be- llows on my Amufements; or after what man- ner it comes acquainted with what I write for my private Entertainment, or by way of Advice to fuch of my Acquaintance as are thus defperately embark'd.
Tis ADVICE to an Author. 305 'Tis requifite, that my Friends, who perufe thefe Advices, fhou'd read 'em in better Cha- racters than thofe of my own Hand-writing. And by good luck I have a very fair Hand offer'd, which may fave me the trouble of re- copying, and can readily furnilh me with as many handfom Copys as I wou'd defire, for my own and Friends Service. I have not, indeed, forbid my Amanuenfs the making as many as he pleafes for his own Benefit. What I write is not worth being made a My fiery. And if it be worth any one's purchafmg; much good may do the Purchafer. Tis a frajfck I have no (hare in; tho I accidentally furnifh the Subject matter.
And thus am I no wife more an Author, for being in Print. I am confcious of no ad- ditional Virtue, or dangerous Quality, from having lain at any time under the weight of that alphabetick Engine call'd the Prefs. I know no Conjuration in it, either with refpecl to Church, or State. Nor can I imagine why the Machine fhou'd appear fo formidable to Scho- lars, and renown'd Clerks; whofe very Myf- tery and Foundation depends on the Letter- Manufaclure. To allow Benefit of Clergy, and to refrain the Prefs, feems to me to have fome- thing of Crofs-purpofe in it. I can hardly U 2 think U 2 think think that the Quality of what is written can be alter'd by the Manner of Writing; or that there can be any harm in a quick way of copy- ing fair, and keeping Copys alike. Why a Man may not be permitted to write with Iron as well as Quill, I can't conceive; or how a Writer changes his Capacity, by this new Drefs, any more than by the wear of Wove- Stockins, after having worn no other Manu- facture than the Knit.
SO MUCH for my Reader; if perchance I have any befides the Friend or two above- mention'd. For being engag'd in Morals, and indue d to treat fo rigorous a Subject, as that of Self-examination; 1 naturally call to mind the extreme Delicacy and Tendernefs of mo- dern Appetites, in refpecl of the Philqfophy of this kind. What Dillafle poffrbly may have arifen from fome medicinal Dofes of a like na- ture, adminifter'd to raw Stomachs, at a very early Age, I will not pretend to examine. But whatever Manner in Philofophy happens to bear the ieafl refemblance to that of Cate- ckifm, cannot, I'm perfuaded, of it-felf, prove very inviting. Such a fmart way of quellion- ing our-leives in our Youth, has made our Manhood more averfe to the expoftulatory Dif- cipline. And tho the metaphyseal Points of our our ADVICE to an Author. 307 our Belief are by this method, with admirable Care and Caution, inflill'd into tender Minds; yet the manner of this anticipating Philofophy, may make the After-work ofReafon, and the in- ward Exercife of the Mind, at a riper Age,proceed the more heavily, and with greater reluctance.
It muO; needs be a hard Cafe with us, after having pafs'd fo learn'd a Childhood, and been inftrucled in our own and other higher Natures, Efjences, incorporeal Sub/lances, Perfona- lilys, and the like; to condefcend at riper Years to ruminate and con over this Leflbn a fecond time. 'Tis hard, after having, by fo many per- tinent Interrogatorys, and decifive Sentences, declar'd Who and What we are; to come lei- furely, in another view, to inquire concern- ing our real Self, and End, the Judgment we are to make of Interest, and the Opinion we Jhoud have of Advantage and Good: which is what mult neceffarily determine us in our Conduct, and prove the leading Prin- ciple of our Lives.
Can we bear looking a-new into thefe Myf- terys? Can we endure a new Schooling, after having once learnt our Leffon from the World? Hardly, I prefume. For by the Lef- fon of this latter School, and according to the Senfe I acquire in Converfe with prime Men; U 3 flioud U 3 flioud fhou'd I at any time afk my-felf, What govern d me? I fhou'd anfwer readily, My interefl. 44 But what is Inter ejif And how govern d? 44 By Opinion and Fancy. Is every 14 thing therefore my Interefl which I fancy 44 fuch? Or may my Fancy poflibly be wrong? It may. If my Fancy of Interefl therefore be wrong; can my Purfuit or Aim be right? Hardly fo. Can I then be fuppos'd to hit, when I know not, in reality, fo much as how to aim?"
i i e t My chief Interefl, it feems therefore, mufl be to get an Aim; and know certainly where my Happinefs and Advantage lies. 44 Where elfe can it lie, than in my Pleafure; ct fince my Advantage and Good mufl ever be " pleafing: and what is p leafing, can never be " other than my Advantage and Good? 11 Excellent! Let Fancy therefore govern, and " Inter eft be what toe pleafe. For if that which " pleafes us be our Good, * becauje it pleafe s us; lt any-thingmaybe our Interest or Good. " Nothing can come amifs. That which we 41 fondly make our Happinefs at one time, we 41 may as readily un-make at another. No- ' one can learn what real Goon is. Nor can 41 any-one upon this foot be faid to underftand 44 his Interest."
Here, ADVICE to an Author. 309 Here, we fee, are ftrange Embroils!
But let us try to deal more candidly with our- felves, and frankly own that * Pleajure is no rule of Good; fmce when we follow Pleafure merely, we are difgufled, and change from one fort to another: condemning that at one time, which at another we earneflly approve; and never judging equally of Happinefs, whilft we follow Pajjion and mere Humour.
A Lover, for inftance, when {truck with the Idea or Fancy of his Enjoyment, promifes himfelf the highefl Felicity, if he fucceeds in his new Amour. — He fucceeds in it; finds not the Felicity he expected: but promifes himfelf the fame again in fome other. — The fame thing happens: He is difappointed as before; but (till has Faith. — Weary d with this Game, he quits the Chace; renounces the wz*yof Court- fhip and Intrigue, and detefls the Ceremony and Difficulty of the Pleafure. A new Spe- cies of Amours invites him. Here too he meets the fame Inquietude and Inconftancy.- Scorning to grow fottijh, and plunge in the loweft Sink of Vice, he fhakes off his Intem- perance; defpifes Gluttony and Riot; and hear- kens to Ambition. He grows a Man of Bufi- nefs, and feeks Authority and Fame.
U 4 Quo 310 ADVICE to an Author.
* Quo Uneam vultus mutantem Pro tea nodof Lest this therefore fhou'dbe my own cafe; let me fee whether I can controul my Fancy, and fix it if poflible, on fomething which may hold good. When I exercife my Reafon in moral Subjects; when I employ my Affection in friendly and focial Actions, I find I can fin- cerely enjoy my f elf. If there be a Pleafuue therefore of this kind; why not indulge it? or what harm wou'd there be, fuppofmg it fhou'd grow greater by Indulgence; If I am lazy, and indulge my-felf in the languid Plea- fure; I know the harm, and can forefee the Drone. If I am luxurious, I know the harm of this alfo, and have the plain profpecl of the Sot. If Avarice be my Plcafure; the End, I know, is being a Mifer. But if Honesty be my Delight, I know no other confequence from indulging fuch a Paffion, than that of growing better naturd, and enjoying more and more the Plea- fur es of Society. On the other hand, if this honed Pleafure be loft by knavifh Indulgence, and Immorality, there can hardly be a Satisfaction left of any kind; fince Good-nature and tfocial Affection ADVICE to an Author. 311 Affeclion are fo efTential even to the Pleafures of a Debauch.
If therefore the only Pleafure I can freely and without referve indulge, be that of the honcji and moral kind; if the rational and fa- cial Enjoyment be fo conflant in it-felf, and fo effential to Happinefs; why fhou'd I not bring my other Pleafures to correfpond and be Friends with it, rather than raife my-felf other Pleafures, which are deftruclive of this Foundation, and have no manner of Corre- fpondency with one another?
Upon this bottom let me try how I can bear the Aflault of Fancy, and maintain my-felf in my moral Fortrefs, againft the Attacks which are rais'd on the fide of corrupt Inter eji and a wrrong Self. When the Idea of Pleafure itrikes, I afk my-felf: tl Before I was thus " flruck by the Idea, was any thing a mifs lt with me? No. Therefore remove the '■'• Idea, and I am well. But having this M Idea fuch as I now have, I cannot want 14 the Thing, without regret. See, there- " fore, which is befl: either to fuffer under " this Want, till the Idea be remov'd; or by 11 fatisfying the Want, confirm not only this ,,L Idea, but all of the fame ftamp!"
In In reality, has not every Fancy a like Pri- vilege of palling; if any Jingle one be admitted upon its own Authority? And what mull be the Iflue of fuch an OEconomy, if the whole fantaflick Crew be introduc'd, and the Door refus'd to none? What elfe is it than this Ma- nagement which leads to the moit diflolute and profligate of Characters? What is it, on the contrary, which raifes us to any degree of Worth or Steddinefs, befides a di reel con- trary Practice and Conduct; Can there be Strength of Mind; can there be Command over ones felf; if the Ideas of Pleafure, the Sug- geftions of Fancy, and the ftrong Pleadings of Appetite and Defire are not often withftood, and the Imaginations foundly reprimanded, and brought under fubjection?
Thus it appears that the Method of exa- mining our Ideas is no pedantick Practice. Nor is there any thing un-galante in the man- ner of thus queftioning the Lady-Fancys, which prefent themfelves as charmingly drefs'd as pof- fible tofolicit their Caufe, and obtain a Judg- ment, by favour of that worfe Part, and corrupt Self, to whom they make their Application.
It may be juftly faidofthefe, that they are veiy powerful Solicitrejf&s. They never feem ADVICE to an Author. 313 feem to importune us; tho they are ever in our eye, and meet us whichever way we turn. They undernand better how to manage their Appearance, than by always throwing up their Veil, and (hewing their Faces openly in a broad Light, to run the danger of cloying our Sight, orexpoiing their Features to a Uriel; Examination. So far are they from fuch for- wardnefs, that they often (land as at a dif- tance; fuffering us to make the nrft advance, and contenting themfelves with difcovering a Side-face, or bellowing now and then a glance in a myfterious manner, as if they endeavour'd to conceal their Perfons.
One of the raoft dangerous of thefe Enchan- trejfes appears in a fort of difmal Weed, with the moll mournful Countenance imaginable; often calling up her Eyes, and wringing her Hands; fo that 'tis impoflible not to be mov'd by her, till her Meaning be confider'd, and her Impofture fully known. The Airs fhe bor- rows, are from the tragickMufe Melpomene. Nor is me in her own Perfon any way amiable or attractive. Far from it. Her Art is to render her-felf as forbidding as poflible; that her Sifters may by her means be the more alluring. And if by her tragick Afpecl, and melancholy Looks, fhe can perfuade us that Death (whom fhe reprefents) is fuch a hideous 314 ADVICE to an Author.
hideous Form; fhe conquers in behalf of the whole fantaftick Tribe of wanton, gay, and fond Defires. Effeminacy and Cowardice in- itantly prevail. The poo reft Means of Life grow in repute, when the Ends and yufi Con- ditions of it are fo little known, and the Dread of parting with it, rais'd to fo high a degree. The more eagerly we grafp at Life, the more impotent we are in the Enjoyment of it. By this Avidity, its very Lees and Dregs are fwal- low'd. The Ideas of fordid Pleafure are ad- vanc'd. Worth, Manhood, Generofity, and all the nobler Opinions and Sentiments of ho- neft Good, and virtuous Pleafure. difappear, and fly before this Queen of Terrors.
'Tis a mighty Delight which a fort of Counter-Philofophers take in feconding this Phantom, and playing her upon our Under- ftandings, whenever they wou'd take occafion to confound em. The vicious Poets employ this Spedler too on their fide; tho after a diffe- rent manner. By the help of this tragick Aclrefs, they gain a fairer Audience for the luxurious Fancys, and give their Erato's, and other playlom Mufes a fuller Scope in the fupport of Riot and Debauch. The gloomy Erofpecl of Death becomes the Incentive to Plea- fures of the ioweit Order. AJIies and Shade, the Tomb and Cyprefs, are made to ferve as Foils to Luxury.
ADVICE to an Author. 315 Luxury. The Abhorrence of an infenfible State makes mere Vitality and Animal-Senfation highly cherifh'd.
* Indulge Genro: carpamus dulcia, noftrum eft Quod v wis: Cum, et Manes, el Fabula fies.