I need not remind this learned Gentleman, that Socrates, who was the greatest Propagator of Morality in the Heathen World, and a Martyr for the Unity of the Godhead, was fo famous for the Exercise of this Talent among the politeft People of Antiquity, that he gained the Name of (*Fipar) the Drole.

There are very good Effects which visibly arose from the above-mentioned Performances and others of the like Nature; as, in the first place, they diverted Rallery from improper Objects, and gave a new turn to Ridicule, which for many Years had been exerted on Perfons and Things of a facred and ferious Nature. They endeavour'd to make Mirth Inftructive, 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 relapfe into their former Licentioufnefs, they can never hope for Approbation from thofe who know that Rallery is useless when it has no Moral under it, and Pernicious when it attacks any thing that is either unblameable or praife-worthy. To this we may add, what has been commonly observed, that it is not difficult to be merry on the fide of Vice, as ferious Objects are the most capable of Ridicule; as the Party, which naturally favour fuch a Mirth, is the most numerous; and as there are the most ftanding Jefts and Patterns for Imitation in this kind of Writing.

In the next place: Such Productions of Wit and Humour, as have a Tendency to expofe Vice and Folly, furnish ufeful Diverfions to all kinds of Readers. The good or prudent Man may, by thefe Means, be diverted without Prejudice to his Difcretion, or Morality. Rallery, under fuch Regulations, unbends the Mind from ferious Studies

and

and feverer Contemplations, without throwing it off from its proper Bias. It carries on the fame Design that is promoted by Authors of a grave Turn, and only does it in another manner. It also awakens Reflexion in those who are the most indifferent in the Caufe of Virtue or Knowledge, by fetting before them the Abfurdity of fuch Practices as are generally unobferved, by reafon of their being Common or Fashionable: Nay, it fometimes catches the Diffolute and Abandoned before they are aware of it: who are often betrayed to laugh at themselves, and upon Reflexion find, that they are merry at their own Expence. I might farther take notice, that by Entertainments of this kind, a Man may be chearful in Solitude, and not be forced to feek for Company every time he has a mind to be merry.

The laft Advantage I fhall mention from Compofitions of this Nature when thus reftrained, is, that they fhew Wisdom and Virtue are far from being inconfiftent with Politeness and good Humour. They make Morality appear amiable to People of gay Difpofitions, and refute the common Objection against Religion, which reprefents it as only fit for gloomy and melancholy Tempers. It was the Motto of a Bifhop very eminent for his Piety and good Works in King Charles the Second's Reign, Infervi Deo & Latare, Serve God and be 'chearful.' Those therefore who fupply the World with fuch Entertainments of Mirth as are inftructive, or at leaft harmless, may be thought to deferve well of Mankind; to which I fhall only add, that they retrieve the Honour of polite Learning, and answer those four Enthufiafts who affect to ftigmatize the finest and

moft

moft elegant Authors, both ancient and modern, (which they have never read) as dangerous to Religion, and destructive of all sound and faving Knowledge.

Our Nation are fuch Lovers of Mirth and Humour, that it is impoffible for detached Papers, which come out on ftated Days, either to have a general Run, or long Continuance, if they are not diverfify'd and enlivened from time to time, with Subjects and Thoughts, accommodated to this Tafte, which fo prevails among our Countrymen. No Periodical Author, who always maintains his Gravity, and does not fometimes facrifice to the Graces, muft expect to keep in vogue for any confiderable time. Political Speculations in particular, however Juft and Important, are of fo dry and auftere a Nature, that they will not go down with the Publick without frequent Seasonings of this kind. The Work may be well performed, but will never take, if it is not fet off with proper Scenes and Decorations. A mere Politician is but a dull Companion, and, if he is always wife, is in great Danger of being tirefom or ridiculous.

Befides, Papers of Entertainment are neceffary to increase the Number of Readers, especially among those of different Notions and Principles; who by this Means may be betray'd to give you a fair Hearing, and to know what you have to fay for yourself. I might likewise observe, that in all political Writings there is fomething 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 foftned and smoothed by the Infufions of Mirth and Pleasantry.

Political Speculations do likewise furnish us with several Objects that may very innocently be ridiculed, and which are regarded as fuch by Men of Sense in all Parties; of this kind are the Paffions of our States-women, and the Reasonings of our Fox-hunters.

A Writer who makes Fame the chief End of his Endeavours, and would be more defirous of pleafing than of improving his Readers, might find an inexhaustible Fund of Mirth in Politicks. Scandal and Satire are never-failing Gratifications to the Publick. Detraction and Ŏbloquy are received with as much Eagernefs as Wit and Humour. Should a Writer fingle out particular Perfons, or point his Rallery at any Order of Men, who by their Profeffion ought to be exempt from it; fhould he flander the Innocent, or fatirize the Miferable; or fhould he, even on the proper Subjects of Derifion, give the full Play to his Mirth, without regard to Decency and Good-manners; he might be fure of pleafing a great part of his Readers, but must be a very ill Man, if by fuch a Proceeding he could please himself.

N° 46

Monday, May 28.

- malè ominatis

Parcite verbis:

Hic dies, verè mihi feftus, atras
Eximet curas; ego nec tumultum
Nec mori per vim metuam, tenente
Cæfare terras.

Hor. Od. 14. 1. 3. v. 11、

Let fall no inaufpicious Word:

This Day, to me a real Feast,

Black Cares fhall banish from my Breaft;

I'll fear no Tumult, fear no Pains,
Nor violent Death, while Cæfar Reigns.

T

CREECH.

HE ufual Salutation to a Man upon his Birth-day among the ancient Romans was Multos et Felices; in which they wifhed him many happy Returns of it. When Auguftus celebrated the Secular Year, which was kept but once in a Century, and received the Congratu lations of his People on that Account, an eminent Court-Wit faluted him in the Birth-day Form (Multos et Felices) which is recorded as a beautiful Turn of Compliment, expreffing a Defire that he might enjoy a happy Life of many Hundreds of Years. This Salutation cannot be taxed with Flattery, fince it was directed to a Prince, of whom it is faid by a great Hiftorian, It had been happy for Rome, if he had never been born, or if he had never died. Had he never been born, Rome would, in all Probability, have recovered its former Liberty: Had he never died, it

would