Chapter 7
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C H A P. VII.
Strange Times! that weep with Laughing, not with Weeping.
I Will now introduce to my Reader's Consideration Shakespeare's Timon of Athens; a Subject, or prevailing Diversion, which, if Novelty has any Charms, cannot fail of pleasing.
The Poet's Eye, in a fine Frenzy rolling, Doth glance from Heav'n to Earth, from Earth to Heav'n,
faith Shakespeare: But it may roll and glance for ever, without being able to discover in what small imperceptible Labyrinth of the human Mind the Seeds are sown, which can branch out into the most unaccountable Invention.
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It seems, like the Goddess in the Dunciad, to have been born of the human Brain; and when the Phantom was brought forth, it was called a Humbugg. I have not the least Intention to insinuate to my Readers, that they are so ignorant of the Manners and Customs of their own Nation, as to be unacquainted with this Diversion; but only claim the Honour of being the first who hath recorded this memorable Entertainment. Altho' if there is any Person now compiling a Volume of Travels through Europe, in which the Article of the Customs and Manners of Nations is inserted, the Account of the present reigning Fashions in England must be very deficient, if this so principal a Part of them is omitted.
It has indeed been conjectured, that this Weed is so truly exotic, that it was at first transplanted from a Race of Beings who are not visible to our Sight; and also that Milton points at it, when he relates the frippery @ of the in
fernal
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infernal Powers, which are vented on so serious an Occasion.
Other Critics there are, who imagine Shakespeare had some Notion of it; for when Polonius hasteneth to inform Hamlet of the Arrival of the Players at Elsinor, he, having before heard that News, checks the old Man's Joy; by answering only in the short Monosyllable (Buz). It is therefore remarked, that the Word Buz is, by the Change of the last Letter, a Corruption of the Word Bug, and that Hum was left out for the Sake of Brevity: In the same manner as a late celebrated Genius hath recorded, in his Introduction to Polite Conversation, the Method of paring Words into a polite Sound in his Days; such as, " Verdi, for Verdict; Lard, for Lord; Larning, for Learning;" together with some Abbreviations exquisitely refined, as "pozz, for positively; Mob, for Mobile; Phiz, for Physiognomy; Rep, for Reputation; Plenipo, for Plenipotentiary;
incog,
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incog, for incognito; Hipps, or Hippo, for Hypocondriack; bam, for bamboozle; and bamboozle, for God knows what *."
Hamlet's sneering at the old Man's being deceived, and his having then undertaken to personate a Lunatic, casts a small Glimpse of Probability over this Conjecture that he meant a Humbugg; but as there is not, throughout all the Works of Shakespeare, any other Passage that gives the least Authority for such a Change of Words, it appears something more judicious to let the Expression in Hamlet remain as it was before; lamenting poor Shakespeare's Ignorance, and claim for our own Age the Honour of this Invention: For
*It is observable, that most of these Words (as plainly appears by the Records of the present Times) descended regularly, like all old Fashions, to the Slip-slops; that is, such Waiting-maids as claim the Inheritance of their Ladies Affectations; and thence made their Exit, leaving room for others of equal Dignity and Importance.
altho
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altho' our Ancestors were certainly very deficient in that Vivacity, which so remarkably adorns the present Times, yet there is no Reason to imagine that they were so totally insipid, as to bury so valuable a Discovery in Oblivion, if they had been so fortunate as to have arrived at such a Piece of Knowlege.
This Diversion is not only the Offspring of Deceit, but, unlike all the other Children of that Parent, boldly owns, nay even ostentatiously boasts, its Original. To say the Thing that is not, so astonishing and hateful to Swift's Houybnbnms; to practise Treachery, to plain the Way to our own Promotion; and undermine the Designs of our Friends, with a partial View to Self-jnterest; are Actions neither new nor wonderful, and have been justly the Subjects of Satire throughout all Ages: But Falsehood, however black in itself, has hitherto ever had the Modesty to endeavour to conceal its Deformity, under the borrowed Veil of some specious
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specious Name, such as Policy, Foresight, Prudence, &c. But to deceive, in order to imagine we have made a Jest,. and then to plume ourselves on our own Ingenuity, is nothing more than a tacit Confession, that we hunger and thirst after Wit, which swiftly flies our Pursuit; and that, being hard driven for a Prop to our own Self-conceit, we are obliged to substitute any Buffoonery in the Place of that Wit we cannot by all our Endeavours attain.
The Word Le is banished from all polite Assemblies; and if applied to Gentlemen, they are ready to venture their Lives, and act in Defiance of the Religion they profess, to revenge the Affront: But when the Fact which fairly deserves that Appellation, is sheltered under that melodious sounding Epithet of Humbugg, it suddenly. changes its Nature into all that's amiable; and, instead of Shame, it is accompanied with envied Applause; and
the
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the Gentleman, who would immediately draw his Sword on the bold Man who should venture to apply the banished Word to him, will, without the least Scruple, seriously tell a detrimental Falsehood of his Friend by his own Professions. And if any Person, so unfortunate as not to have been initiated in this fashionable, rational Diversion, should caution the defamed Absent to place no Confidence in such Friendship; a Declaration that it is only a Humbugg, gains the Laugh of Applause; the Sneer of Ridicule falls to the Share of the Person abused; and the great Glories of the Humbugger are spread abroad with Envy and Emulation, by all those Persons who wrestle and strive with all their Might to ob- tain such Glories. Neither theVictor at the Olympic Games in Greece, nor the General in the triumphal Carr at Rome, could be more elated with their Ho- nours, than the true genuine Humbuggers are with their successful Achievements.
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It hath always been the Sport arid Privilege of Folly; to laugh at Men of Sense; and the Characteristic of Understanding, calmly and steadily to submit to such Laughter with an undisturbed Tranquility. But when Falsehood loses its Name, and assumes the Form of Wit or Mirth, the Multitude are too apt to overbear the better-Judgment of the Few, and particularly in the dangerous Season of Youth, which, by its volatile Vivacity and fluctuating Spirits, is resembled by some Philosopher to a State of Drunkenness; then the human Mind is often perverted, altho' possessed of a much superior Understanding than the vain Corrupter can justly boast.
There seemeth to be implanted in the human Mind, a natural Delight in borrowing the Forms, and mimicking the Manners, of those Persons for whom we have any Degree of Respect. Little Girls introduce their Request to one another to join in their Diversions, by the Expression let us make believe
Visiting.
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Visiting. It is pleasant to be a Spectator at this Scene unknown to the little Actors in the Play, and to observe, that from their Size only, they are to be distinguished from the Persons whose Manners they are imitating: Their Eyes fail not to sparkle at the Compliments made them in the borrowed Personages they assume, and their little Bosoms heave with Indignation at a smart Joke (for Wit and Jesting are not excluded the Nursery), levelled at them in the supposed Persons of Mothers and Grandmothers; Miss, of four Years old, resents the least Neglect of her future Offspring, then represented by the Wax or Paste Doll, with. as much Warmth and Anger, as her Mother doth the Disrespect of her living Daughter.
The Love of making believe exerts itself thus innocently, during the State of Infancy; but it requires Maturity to invent a Method of making Falsehood eligible. The Man who deceives others
for
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for the Sake of any Acquisition, which he has made himself believe it is his own Interest to obtain at any Price, with all the glaring Folly which he nourisheth in his own Bosom, is however, in the Degrees of Understanding, far above the Man whose groveling Spirit condescends to mimick his insidious Ways, only for the Reputation of having made a Jest. In the former Case, the Temptation comes in the Shape of something that has the fallacious Appearance of worldly Good; but in the latter, its very outside Show is nothing more than mere Froth and Emptiness.
When the Palm of Applause is to be obtained for Actions which are in themselves shameful, a dangerous Stumbling block is placed in the Paths of the Unwary, which requireth the strictest Guard over every Degree of human Vanity to escape. From this Delight in the Language of Deceit, its next Progress is to insinuate itself into our Practice, nay it hath already begun to
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make Advances thereunto; and, as not a great while ago, Letters were written with dark Menaces, that, if a fixed Sum of Money was not laid in an appointed Place, Ruin and Destruction should be the Consequence; so now threatening Letters are written for no other Purpose than to enjoy this pleasant Sport; no matter at what, or at whose Expence.
A Lady of Fashion, who was going to the Bath, received a Letter the Evening before her intended Journey, to intreat her by all means to suspend her Intention; for that some terrible Danger awaited her on the Road.
The Lady however disappointed the Letter writer, and would not be baulked in her Purpose; she arrived very safely at the End of her Journey: No doubt but that the Inventors of this noble Humbugg had employed much Time and Labour before they could hit on such a Piece of Ingenuity; and very sensibly felt the ill Success of their
Scheme
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Scheme to prevent the Lady's Journey, whether the Design of it was only for Pleasure, or thought necessary for her Health.
Another Person, who was so over burdened with Wit, that he could not find Methods enough to vent it, very ingeniously set it abroad that a Fire had happened in the Rooms at Bath, when they were crowded with Company; and that much Mischief was the Consequence. It must be confessed, the Place on which to fix the Report was judiciously chosen; such a Concourse from all Parts of the Three Kingdoms, as well as Foreigners, continually coming to Bath, as must necessarily spread the Terror for Relations and Friends, who were known to be there, very widely; and consequently the Jest must travel a great way.
By Means like these, by degrees, all Indignation at Treachery will be lost;
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it will grow familiar enough to raise a Smile on such Instances of it, as will only bring past Delights to Remembrance.
There is one Danger that appears necessary for every Practitioner in this Act seriously to take into Consideration; namely, lest Deceit should become so habitual, that the Cause for which it was first embraced should be forgot, and the Jest be lost; and then Falsehood must stand forth in all her true and native Colours: For if the Jest should be once dropped, it is generally so very small, that, like Tom Thumb, a Man might as well seek for a Needle in a Pottle of Hay, as to attempt to discover it again. Surely we may say of Men, who make this Practice their Sport, what Isabella, in Measure for Measure, says of Men in Authority, That they
Play
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Play such fantastic Tricks before high Heav'n,
As makes the Angels weep; who, with our Spleens,
Would all themselves laugh mortal.*
And
*This seems to be the finest Satire on the Lovers of Ridicule that ever was penn'd. Our Saviour himself tells us, that there shall be Joy in Heaven over one Sinner that repenteth; and therefore Shakespeare, who is the most remarkable of all Writers of his kind, for various Strokes which have some Allusion to what is said in the Sacred Writings, seems to go on sure Grounds for his Conjecture that the Angels also are induced by Compassion to lament our Follies. And there is a Beauty in his Use of the Word Spleen on this Occasion, which, if considered, renders it most admirable; for nothing is more common than the Use of the Word Spleen in a metaphorical Sense; and we often say, that a Man is filled with Spleen against another, when he envies or hates him: So that Shakespeare not only means, that, if the Angels were endued with our perishable Organs, they would laugh themselves out of Immortality at our Follies (according to Theobald's Note); but also, that if, instead, of the Excellence of their Nature, which makes
them
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And certainly a noble Employment it is for rational Creatures, to practise that with Emulation, which would induce Angels to weep, and set Monkeys a grinning.
them weep for our Follies, they were endued with our Envy and Malice, they would laugh with Derision till they became mortal, and brought themselves down to a Level with Mankind.
Chapter 8
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CHAP. VIII.
A Character.
CHARACTERS either described in Writing, or personated on the Theatre, are. in a great measure disliked, or approved, in proportion to the Acquaintance the Reader, or the Audience, have before had with them. My Lord Foppington, and Sir Fopling Flutter, by their Names on the Bills, could formerly, at any time, croud the Playhouse with Spectators; but that Species of Coxcombs are now as much out of Mode as the very Dresses in which they were represented; and if they were at this time to come on the Stage as new Characters, it might perhaps be doubted whether they were the Produce of Nature, or of the Author's
Brain
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Brain only. Frible also so judiciously chose the Season of his Appearance, that he was was immediately acknowledged by the Audience as their Acquaintance, and consequently received with due Applause: And I hope the Character I am now about to introduce will not be in such an unfortunate Situation, as to be esteemed a Creature that nobody knows; but that he will be owned as an Acquaintance by some Part at least of the World.
Sir Harry Cleveland was just entered into his 22d Year; was tall, well-proportioned, with an agreeable and lively Countenance. His Estate, at a moderate Computation, produced 4000 l. per Annum; his Education had been liberal, and his Understanding sufficient to have made a considerable Figure in his Country; he had, from the first Dawn of his Capacity, placed a Delight in Study, which was uncommon in a young Man of his Age; by which means he had not only acquired great
Know
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Knowlege in Languages, but also a very competent Degree of general Learning. He was chearful in his Conversation, and pleasing in his Manner of Address. Such was Sir Harry Cleveland, when, for a small Indisposition, he was advised to the Bristol Waters, and at the same time told that it was necessary for his Health, whilst he was there, to avoid Study, and lead a Life of Dissipation. He loved Retirement; and as soon as he came more into the World, it seemed to him as if he was entered into a wild Wood, where the Paths were so obscure that he knew not which Way to trace them. He before imagined that he could bear a Part in any Conversation; but soon found that he was absolutely mistaken, and that he was perfectly ignorant of all Things that could be of any Utility to his present Purpose.
I have somewhere read a Sentence, which imports Advice to forbear teaching Youth any thing, which it will be
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afterwards necessary for them to unlearn. Sir Harry Cleveland was now obliged to forget, or at least to lay perfectly aside, all the Ideas which he had been imbibing from his Infancy. He had a great deal of Humour; but it resembled that which is to be found in the Comedies of Terence or Moliere; and consisted in short, simple Strokes of Nature; which were either unintelligible to his present Company, or esteemed as much too serious for Conversation, as if he had introduced a Subject of the gravest Philosophy. He did not like to act the Part continually of a Mute; and yet perceived plainly, that he was not qualified to speak with any Propriety. Bon-mots, Small talk, and the constant Repetition of some fashionable Word, at all Times, and on all Occasions, whether applicable to the Subject or not, were all to him so much Gibberish; and the famous wild Boy could not stare more when first he
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heard human Language, than Sir Harry did at all this valuable Politeness.
The first Employmeint Sir Harry found was entering to a Party at Cards. If his Tongue was useless, he thought however he could use his Hands; and would at that time rather have played at Push pin, than have been totally idle. Custom brought this to be pleasing to him; and as the Love of Money had no Place in his Heart, he was willing to play as deep as any of his Companions; but still he had a natural Love of Society, which rendered him desirous of mutually receiving and com municating his Ideas. He could not possibly think of undertaking such an Herculean Labour, as to make Numbers conform to his Customs;
(To mend the World's a vast Design)
and therefore set about the easier Task of conforming himself to them. Day by Day he improved; strove manfully
with
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with all the Knowlege he had before attained to keep it down, and at length arrived at the Summit of his Wishes, by concealing his Understanding. He, like Varsac, in Les Egarements du Coeur & de L'Esprit, was as fearful of letting it be seen that he had any Sense, as ever any human Creature was of exposing his Folly: And now he entered thoroughly into that kind of Conversation painted in this lively Manner by the before mentioned Varsac; of which, for the Benefit of any Readers who do not readily read French, I have given the Substance in English:
"Conversation, to be lively, cannot dwell too short a time on any one Subject; and even the Speaker, who but seldom opens his Mouth, must suffer himself to be interrupted by some
La Conversation, pour être vive, ne soauroit etre affez peu suivie , Il faut que quelqu'un qui parle guere, se laisse interrompre partme Femme
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"some Lady, who cannot abstain from sporting Sentiments; and who also, in the midst of the great Number of Ideas with which so noble a Subject inspires her, and of which she was so perfect a Mistress, is obliged to listen to some poetic Gallantry; and the Singer, in his Turn (altho' to the great Regret of the Company) 'must give way to a Fragment of Morality. This also is quickly interrupted, that nothing may be lost of a scandalous History; which, whether related well or ill, is attended to with great Pleasure; but yet is immediately cut off, by some trifling or false
Femme qui veut parler Sentiment; que celle-ci, au milieu de toutes les Idées que lui fait naître un Sujet si noble, et qu'elle possede si bien, se taise pour écouter un Couplet galamment obscêne; que celui, ou celle qui le chante, cede, au grand regret de tout le Monde, la Place a un Fragment de Morale; qu'on se hâte d'interrompre, pour ne rien: perdre d'une Histoire médisante, qui, quoiqu' écoutée avec un extrême. Plaisir, biea ou mal contée, est coupée par des Reflexions
usées
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"false Reflexions on Music or Poetry: These also, by degrees, disappear, and are followed by political Remarks on Government; which are abridged, by a hasty Transition to some remarkable Incident that happened at Play: And at last a Petimaitre, after having being in a long Resverie, crosses the Circle, and throws all into Confusion, to inform some Lady that she hath not put on a sufficient Quantity of Red, or that she is as handsome as an Angel."
It is observable, that the follies and Vices of the Mind, in many Particulars, bear a great Analogy with the
ufŽes on fausses, sur la Musique, ou la Poesie, qui disparoissent peu-à-peu; & sont suivies par des Idées politiques sur le Gouvernment, que le récit de quelque Coups singuliers arrivez au jeu abrégent dans le tems qu'on y compte le moins; & qu'enfin un Petit-maître, après avoir long tems rêvé, traverse le Circle, dérange tout, pour aller dire a un Femme, qu'elle n'a pas assez du rouge, ou qu'il la trouve belle comme un Ange.
Dis
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Distempers of the Body; insomuch that several Terms appropriated to the one are as applicable to the other, and are in this Sense made use of by many Authors of Authority. This Analogy is not more apparent in any one In- stance, than that all malignant Infections seize the most vigorous Constitutions of both Sexes with the greatest Force; and it is often seen, that, when any epi- demic Distemper creeps into a Family, it becomes even mortal to the Strong, and leaves the Weak and Languid to continue on in the State of Health they were in before.
Sir Harry Cleveland came into the World with a Mind healthy, and full of Vigour; but when he began to be infected, with the Foolishness of vain Customs, he ran greater Lengths than such Persons as had never known what a sound Mind was; he concealed his good Sense from others, lest he should be ridiculed for being over-wise, thought pedantic, or lie under that terrible
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rible Censure of being deficient in the Knowledge of the World, till he stifled even the Appearance of it to himself; and his Imagination, which was naturally strong, played such Tricks with him, as quite overturned every other Faculty but itself. The Sense of Shame is very forcible in ingenious Minds; and however absurd it may be for a Man, who is endued with a good Understanding, to be laughed out of his own better Judgment, by those Persons of whose Sense he has buta very mean Opinion; yet that the Fact is commonly true, is indisputable.
Sir Harry first connected himself with the World by entering into Parties of Play; then he proceeded to damp all his former Ideas, to unburden himself of all the Knowlege he had ever colleced together, and to agree perfectly with Ralpho, in calling
Learning, that Cobweb of the Brain,
Profane, erroneous, and vain;
A Trade
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A Trade of Knowledge, as replete
As others are with Fraud and Cheat:
A Cheat that Scholars put upon
Other Men's Reason, and their own;
A Fort of Error, to ensconce
Absurdity and Ignorance;
That renders all the Avenues
To Truth impervious and abstruse,
By making plain Things in Debate,
By Art, perplex'd and intricate.
HUDIBRAS.
And therefore he chose now to become a Scholar to the Admirers of Bon-mots, Small-talk, &c. and at last finished his Character, by becoming a Proficient in the Mystery of Humbugging: He was now courted and applauded; esteemed a fine Gentleman, and complimented with being a Proficient in the Knowlege of the World; an Expression marked out by Dean Swift as "The Language of Idiots."
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Every Pursuit of the human Mind is of a restless Nature, and partakes of that most turbulent of all Passions, Ambition itself. In fact, every Pursuit, the End of which is human Applause, is Ambition; altho' differently modified from that Passion, to which we generally give that Appellation; and doubtless Sir Harry, when he had been long enough a Practitioner in this Art of Deceit, to be fully accomplished in his Profession, felt just the same Gratification after he had obtained a visible Victory over some other noted Humbugger, as a Hero has enjoyed after a decisive Battle; and loud Laughter was to him the pleasing Acclamations of his Triumph; his very Countenance shared in the Practice of Deceit: For, like Milton's Belial,
A fairer Person lost not Heav'n; be seem'd For Dignity compos'd, and high Exploit: But all was false and hollow.
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It was reported, that so wholly was Sir Harry at last engrossed by this favourite Amusement, his Imagination was employed in inventing Schemes to put it in Practice; and even that sometimes, for fear they should be lost, he committed them to Writing; but as this doth not appear, with an Air of Probability, I would by no means affirm it to be Truth: But if it is really Fact, perhaps in the End he may be of such eminent Service to his Country, as to reduce this ingenious Art to a regular Science; and it may become no uncommon Thing to see advertised,
The whole Art of Humbugging taught and explained the easiest Manner, by John Trickey, in Grosvenor-street, Grosvenor-square.
N. B. Young Gentlemen and Ladies may be waited on at home, at the very moderate Consideration of Two Guineas per Week.
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It may then become one great Part of genteel Education, and Sir Harry may have the Satisfaction of reflecting, that he shall be the Means of saving Posterity from suffering the laborious Talk he himself had undergone, of unravelling all the whole Work of his Education, in order to qualify himself to converse with the World.
O fatal Change! O horrid Transformation! So a majestic Temple, sunk to Ruin, Becomes the loathsome Shelter and Abode Of lurking Serpents, Toads, and Beasts of Prey; And scaly Dragons hiss, and Lions roar, Where Wisdom taught, and Music cham'd before.
LILLO's Fatal Curiosity.
Sir Harry Cleveland must have been deficient in this his new-acquired Character, if he had excluded any Transactions with the Ladies out of his Scheme; he only varied his Manner of them; he spread no false Rumours;
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but to them was liberal of Professions, in which his Heart had not the least Share. It was a heathen Sentiment, That the Gods laugh at Lover's Vows; but it never was any Body's Sentiment, That they laugh at the Vows made by Persons, who have no Claim to the Name of Lovers. By the Seriousness of Sir Harry's Manner, he enjoyed the Pleasure of deceiving several Ladies; many violent Quarrels he caused, and suddenly broke asunder many of those firm Friendships, which had subsisted from the Time the Acquaintance of the Friends began at the Hot-Wells; and if neither Sir Harry Cleveland, nor any other Lover, agreeable or disagreeable (so that the Name of Lover, or rather Admirer, might be attributed to him), had interfered, might perhaps have continued during the whole Season.
Lady Dellwyn had a great Share of Sir Harry's professed Admiration. Her Ladyship could not prevail on herself to undergo so hard a Task, as to neglect
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any Compliments made her by a Man of Sir Harry's Figure and Rank; yet he did not obtain his desired End. She perceived that his Gallantry was too general, and in reality was not deceived; however the Complacency with which she admitted his Conversation, imposed on him the Belief, that she was the Dupe of his Professions; which Belief, in respect to himself, was the same thing as even the Fact itself.
It is droll to be a Spectator only, and not an Actor, of many Scenes in Life; and to see how very frequently Deception returns on the Head of its most assiduous Practisers, and ends where Charity begins (Oh! that it never ended there also), even at home.
If this noble Diversion should increase and spread in proportion to its Beginning, Posterity must be greatly entertained, and imbibe a very honourable Opinion of their Ancestors, when, reading the History of these our
Times
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Times, they shall see at the Close of the Year) in the Account of the several. Deaths of remarkable great Men, some such summary Characters as these:
At the latter End of this Year died Sir Harry Cleveland, the most noted Humbugger of his Time, to the great Regret of all true Lovers of that famous Diversion. He left behind him no other Works but a Scheme for the better Regulation of that ingenious Invention.
Chapter 9
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CHAP. IX.
Another Character.
CAPTAIN Drumond, who watched every Opportunity to assume that Form which might be the most conducive to the settled Purpose of his Life, esteemed himself fortunate in meeting with Sir Harry Cleveland. All Fashions which naturally tend to banish Thought and Reflexion, are of singular Advantage to the artful and designing Part of Mankind; who can deceive without jesting, and have a private View in flattering such Affectations. The loud Laughs of Applause, which Captain Drumond was always ready to bestow on every Jest, even at- tempted by Sir Harry, enabled him to impose himself, as an eligible Compa-,
nion,
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nion, on a Man whose Understanding was greatly superior to his own. When Flattery becomes necessary to a Man's Happiness, he must condescend to converse with such Company as are both able and willing to give him that Gratification.
Captain Drumond, carried this Humour of jesting to such an immoderate Height, that every Word, which had not that Tendency, was treated by him with utter Contempt. Expressions thrown out carelessly in the Hours of Mirth and Freedom, by great Geniuses, by the Misapplication of the Ignorant, or Mischievous, become either dangerous or glaringly absurd; and because Dr. Swift said "Vive la Bagatelle," that Expression must be adopted by many Persons, who are so truly Bagatelles themselves, that, whilst they live, it cannot die, or be absent from whatsoever Place they are present in. Trifling is truly pleasing in the leisure Hours of Men of Sense; but it becomes disgustful from.
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from such Persons as can never do any thing else; and who therefore present us thereby with no Variety, but one continued Sameness drags thro' every tedious Hour.
That Cicero and Atticus were found in a rural Retreat, diverting themselves with boyish Plays; is a Fact thought worthy to be recorded in History; as it is a Proof of a great Command of their Minds and Faculties, when they could alternately trifle and follow serious Business. But it is observable, that this is esteemed worthy of being remembered only because it was Cicero and Atticus; but if this had been their constant Employment, neither their Names, nor this Fact, had ever been transmitted to Posterity; and the Number 100000000000000, in whatever Rank or Station they are placed, may mimic Infancy, in every other respect but in its Innocence, as long as they live, and yet the Moment they lose their Breath, will be the same Point of Time in
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which their Memory will be buried in Oblivion.
Captain Drumond was ready at all Seasons to take Advantage of every Weakness he observed in another, and in this Particular was very acute and penetrating; for there is scarcely any Man so void of Capacity, but that, if his whole Study is fixed on one Point only, he may obtain in that some Degree of Proficiency, especially if he chuses what is proportionable to his Faculties; and in this Captain Drumond was judicious; for human Weakness must be ever in his Remembrance, unless he had indeed been so uncommon a Character as to have forgot himself. He saw nothing lovely for its own Sake; he was no Follower of that Sect of Philosophers, who find Virtue to have Charms in herself alone, but had a View to somewhat which he thought a more substantial Reward; and made his Interest, in the too common Acceptation of the Word, as it
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concerns pecuniary Advantages only, the principal End of his Consideration.
Neither Divinity, Philosophy, Arts, or Sciences, had the Power of engaging his Attention to Reading: His Prey lay amongst the Living, and not amongst the Dead, unless when he fancied he could extract to himself any kind of Profit, by casting Reproaches on their Memory, and then his best Friends were not spared; neither was Truth or Falsehood worthy his Deliberation. Writings of Imagination he despised; his whole Stock of Knowlege seemed to be centered in a few political Maxims, by which he constantly regulated his Conduct; altho' he had either read The Life of Jonathan Wild, or his native Genius was sufficient to form Rules very like those of that renowned great Man; for his every Action was a Proof, that he had gleaned up every selfish Maxim that ever the human Imagination hath invented.
Satires
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Satires which are general, and against Vice itself, he called morose, and ill-natured; but such as are particular, and so heightened to his Palate as to give him an Opportunity of venting private Calumny, he never failed of adopting. Human Nature in general, he loved to praise; but was very unwilling to allow any Virtue to Individuals, except to such Persons of whom he was conscious that he was singular in his Opinion; and that therefore he could not establish their Reputations; and then the Utterance of false Praise was to be a Proof of his great Candour and Humanity: He had heard the common and true Observation, That Vanity has a great Influence on the Actions of Mankind; and therfore to the most disinterested Benevolence and Generosity, nay even to such as are visibly the Effect of that grand Christian Virtue, Charity, he gave the Name of Vanity; and then plumed himself on the Depth of his own Penetration.
There
Page 284
There was one Person indeed, whom he cordially allowed to be in Possession of every Virtue, and that was no other than himself ; and yet there was something within, that bad him be very suspicious, lest he should be so unhappy as to admire himself without a Rival: And therefore he thought it prudent not to trust his Fame to the Report of others, but to make himself "The little Hero of each Tale."
I would not wrong an Enemy; I make it my Business to do good ; I am so industrious, that I hardly give myself Time for necessary Refreshment and Repose ; were Expressions ever in his Mouth : And as he had a Hesitation in his Speech, he frequently repeated I, I, I, I, half a dozen times, before the weighty Sentences of his own Praises could find an Utterance. He perceived that it was as necessary to publish his own uncommon Goodness, as it is for the Boy in The Rehearsal to
declare
Page 285
declare to the Audience, "I am the bold "Thunder ;" or the Girl to introduce herself with the Words, "The brisk "Lightning, Lightning I;" no human Sagacity being acute enough to find it out, unless they were informed of it.
Sometimes Captain Drumond was seized with a sudden Fit of Humility; and on such Occasions a Torrent of Self-accusation flowed from his Lips ; but behold the Mountain brought forth a Mouse, and his great Crime always turned out to be some Act of Imprudence, which was caused by his great Compassion and Good-nature ; and which was not however of Magnitude sufficient to be perceptible to the Person, for whose Sake he had been guilty of this mighty Piece of Improvidence.
Mr. Addison observes, in The Spectator, That common Proverbs are built on the Experience of Mankind ; and there-
fore
Page 286
fore are for the most part evidently true. If the vulgar Proverb, that when a Man is forced to publish his own Praises, he lives by bad Neighbours, has any Truth in it, no Man surely can be more unfortunate in his Neighbourhood than Captain Drumond was: But what would add greatly to the Energy of this Proverb, is an Addition which I believe may be made to it with great Propriety; namely, That a Man, who finds himself under a Necessity of thus venting his own Commendations, is very justly conscious that his Neighbours Reports of him are founded in Reality.
La Bruyere remarks, That the Man who talks much in his own Praise, knows not even the Art of counterfeiting Goodness; and this undoubtedly was true with regard to himself ; for one half Glance of his Eye would have pierced through all the Fallacy of such a Character: But Reflexion and Con-
sideration
Page 287
sideration were habitual to La Bruyere; whereas the Persons to whom Captain Drumond chose to display his innumerable Virtues, esteemed it much more eligible to take them upon Trust, than to impose on themselves the insupportable Labour of Thinking.
It was a favourite Opinion of Captain Drumond's, That all Mankind are, on some blind Side or other, to be cajoled his Converse with such Persons as he imagined he could extract any Advantage from, began with this Method : But whenever he met with an Exception to this Rule, and was disappointed in his Hopes, his soothing Words were all turned into Bitterness. Like the Wasp, he was provided both with Honey and a Sting ; and on whomsoever Oversweetness disgusted, he darted the Venom of his Sting. This Method answered several Purposes; the Rage with which he was brim-full at finding himself de-
ceived,
Page 288
ceived, was revenged; the only Way he had of becoming an Object of Terror to his Majesty's liege Subjects, was through this Vehicle of Abuse, which weak Minds are sometimes afraid of. And when he found a Man deaf to his Flattery, and equally and steadily superior to all the Efforts of his mean Malice, then, like a Lunatic, he begins to practise at home; and flattered him- self, that by throwing Dirt, he should be able to baffle the ill Effects of another's bad Opinion: And with whatsoever his Heart was filled, his Mouth then gave Utterance to such Ideas only, as are best expressed in their native Language of Scurrility. This Character hath been more particularly, delineated, to shew by what Wretches Men (of otherwise good Understandings) are to be imposed on, when they think it necessary to be flattered for any favourite Folly.
Sir
5
Page 289
Sir Harry Cleveland would have esteemed a Moment's precious Time to be very injudiciously squandered away, in which he had forced himself from the Consideration of his favourite Scheme, to examine and discover the true Character of this his Companion; nay, he called him Friend, and as such he used him: For even true Friends could not better accommodate each other's Wants. When Sir Harry had so unfortunate a Day in his Calendar that the Laugh went against him, he had a sure Resource in the Evening, by Captain Drumond's Complacency; who was the willing Butt of his Ridicule: And Captain Drumond, who was so much of a Philosopher, that he had but one earnest Pursuit in the World, found a bountiful Supply for that one, in Sir Harry Cleveland's Fortune. Thus they played the Game into each other's Hands ; and, unlike most Gamesters, each of them was perfectly satisfied with his own Share of the Profits. Cap-
VOL. I.
Page 290
Captain Drumond divided his Hours and his Stratagems between Sir Harry Cleveland and Lord Dellwyn; the former was the most liberal, and consequently the most valuable Friend for the Time present; but then Sir Harry was young, his Understanding was by no means despicable, only unfortunately overshadowed by a whimsical Affectation of a fashionable Folly; and the Captain very prudently considered, that Sir Harry might possibly in time, like AEneas, break through the Cloud, and be visible in his own natural Form; and that then he could by no means be any longer necessary to Sir Harry's Pleasure: For a Man who is inwardly conscious that he steadily pursues an eligible Path, has no more Occasion for a Flatterer to tell him so, than a Man, whose Time is all filled up with useful Employments, hath a Necessity for the Tricks of a Monkey, for an Amusement to his Mind.
It
Page 291
It was therefore thought adviseable by Captain Drumond to take fast hold of Lord Dellwyn, whose Habits had been too long rooted to admit of any Suspicion that they would change while Life lasted: Besides, there was yet another Motive for frequenting Lord Dellwyn's; which, altho' it was always kept in due Subordination to his Interest, yet, where he could make them coincide, was esteemed an additional Advantage.
Altho' Love was greatly beneath a Man of his profound Wisdom; yet he was not intirely insensible to the Attraction of Beauty, and he imagined he might make a double Use of Lord Dellwyn's Friendship, without the least Impeach- ment of his Understanding; but, on the contrary, when the Standard of Cunning is erected, and its Banner displayed, every successful Piece of Art is accounted fresh Matter of Triumph. The Word Treachery dares not come
forth;
2
Page 292
forth; but the military Term of Stratagem is adopted to veil Deceit. Lady Dellwyn was very handsome, and Captain Drumond thought her also worthy of some of his Contrivances.
END of the FIRST VOLUME.
CHAP. IX.
Another Character.
CAPTAIN Drumond, who watched every Opportunity to assume that Form which might be the most conducive to the settled Purpose of his Life, esteemed himself fortunate in meeting with Sir Harry Cleveland. All Fashions which naturally tend to banish Thought and Reflexion, are of singular Advantage to the artful and designing Part of Mankind; who can deceive without jesting, and have a private View in flattering such Affectations. The loud Laughs of Applause, which Captain Drumond was always ready to bestow on every Jest, even at- tempted by Sir Harry, enabled him to impose himself, as an eligible Compa-,
nion,
Page 279
nion, on a Man whose Understanding was greatly superior to his own. When Flattery becomes necessary to a Man's Happiness, he must condescend to converse with such Company as are both able and willing to give him that Gratification.
Captain Drumond, carried this Humour of jesting to such an immoderate Height, that every Word, which had not that Tendency, was treated by him with utter Contempt. Expressions thrown out carelessly in the Hours of Mirth and Freedom, by great Geniuses, by the Misapplication of the Ignorant, or Mischievous, become either dangerous or glaringly absurd; and because Dr. Swift said "Vive la Bagatelle," that Expression must be adopted by many Persons, who are so truly Bagatelles themselves, that, whilst they live, it cannot die, or be absent from whatsoever Place they are present in. Trifling is truly pleasing in the leisure Hours of Men of Sense; but it becomes disgustful from.
Page 280
from such Persons as can never do any thing else; and who therefore present us thereby with no Variety, but one continued Sameness drags thro' every tedious Hour.
That Cicero and Atticus were found in a rural Retreat, diverting themselves with boyish Plays; is a Fact thought worthy to be recorded in History; as it is a Proof of a great Command of their Minds and Faculties, when they could alternately trifle and follow serious Business. But it is observable, that this is esteemed worthy of being remembered only because it was Cicero and Atticus; but if this had been their constant Employment, neither their Names, nor this Fact, had ever been transmitted to Posterity; and the Number 100000000000000, in whatever Rank or Station they are placed, may mimic Infancy, in every other respect but in its Innocence, as long as they live, and yet the Moment they lose their Breath, will be the same Point of Time in
which
Page 281
which their Memory will be buried in Oblivion.
Captain Drumond was ready at all Seasons to take Advantage of every Weakness he observed in another, and in this Particular was very acute and penetrating; for there is scarcely any Man so void of Capacity, but that, if his whole Study is fixed on one Point only, he may obtain in that some Degree of Proficiency, especially if he chuses what is proportionable to his Faculties; and in this Captain Drumond was judicious; for human Weakness must be ever in his Remembrance, unless he had indeed been so uncommon a Character as to have forgot himself. He saw nothing lovely for its own Sake; he was no Follower of that Sect of Philosophers, who find Virtue to have Charms in herself alone, but had a View to somewhat which he thought a more substantial Reward; and made his Interest, in the too common Acceptation of the Word, as it
concerns
Page 282
concerns pecuniary Advantages only, the principal End of his Consideration.
Neither Divinity, Philosophy, Arts, or Sciences, had the Power of engaging his Attention to Reading: His Prey lay amongst the Living, and not amongst the Dead, unless when he fancied he could extract to himself any kind of Profit, by casting Reproaches on their Memory, and then his best Friends were not spared; neither was Truth or Falsehood worthy his Deliberation. Writings of Imagination he despised; his whole Stock of Knowlege seemed to be centered in a few political Maxims, by which he constantly regulated his Conduct; altho' he had either read The Life of Jonathan Wild, or his native Genius was sufficient to form Rules very like those of that renowned great Man; for his every Action was a Proof, that he had gleaned up every selfish Maxim that ever the human Imagination hath invented.
Satires
Page 283
Satires which are general, and against Vice itself, he called morose, and ill-natured; but such as are particular, and so heightened to his Palate as to give him an Opportunity of venting private Calumny, he never failed of adopting. Human Nature in general, he loved to praise; but was very unwilling to allow any Virtue to Individuals, except to such Persons of whom he was conscious that he was singular in his Opinion; and that therefore he could not establish their Reputations; and then the Utterance of false Praise was to be a Proof of his great Candour and Humanity: He had heard the common and true Observation, That Vanity has a great Influence on the Actions of Mankind; and therfore to the most disinterested Benevolence and Generosity, nay even to such as are visibly the Effect of that grand Christian Virtue, Charity, he gave the Name of Vanity; and then plumed himself on the Depth of his own Penetration.
There
Page 284
There was one Person indeed, whom he cordially allowed to be in Possession of every Virtue, and that was no other than himself ; and yet there was something within, that bad him be very suspicious, lest he should be so unhappy as to admire himself without a Rival: And therefore he thought it prudent not to trust his Fame to the Report of others, but to make himself "The little Hero of each Tale."
I would not wrong an Enemy; I make it my Business to do good ; I am so industrious, that I hardly give myself Time for necessary Refreshment and Repose ; were Expressions ever in his Mouth : And as he had a Hesitation in his Speech, he frequently repeated I, I, I, I, half a dozen times, before the weighty Sentences of his own Praises could find an Utterance. He perceived that it was as necessary to publish his own uncommon Goodness, as it is for the Boy in The Rehearsal to
declare
Page 285
declare to the Audience, "I am the bold "Thunder ;" or the Girl to introduce herself with the Words, "The brisk "Lightning, Lightning I;" no human Sagacity being acute enough to find it out, unless they were informed of it.
Sometimes Captain Drumond was seized with a sudden Fit of Humility; and on such Occasions a Torrent of Self-accusation flowed from his Lips ; but behold the Mountain brought forth a Mouse, and his great Crime always turned out to be some Act of Imprudence, which was caused by his great Compassion and Good-nature ; and which was not however of Magnitude sufficient to be perceptible to the Person, for whose Sake he had been guilty of this mighty Piece of Improvidence.
Mr. Addison observes, in The Spectator, That common Proverbs are built on the Experience of Mankind ; and there-
fore
Page 286
fore are for the most part evidently true. If the vulgar Proverb, that when a Man is forced to publish his own Praises, he lives by bad Neighbours, has any Truth in it, no Man surely can be more unfortunate in his Neighbourhood than Captain Drumond was: But what would add greatly to the Energy of this Proverb, is an Addition which I believe may be made to it with great Propriety; namely, That a Man, who finds himself under a Necessity of thus venting his own Commendations, is very justly conscious that his Neighbours Reports of him are founded in Reality.
La Bruyere remarks, That the Man who talks much in his own Praise, knows not even the Art of counterfeiting Goodness; and this undoubtedly was true with regard to himself ; for one half Glance of his Eye would have pierced through all the Fallacy of such a Character: But Reflexion and Con-
sideration
Page 287
sideration were habitual to La Bruyere; whereas the Persons to whom Captain Drumond chose to display his innumerable Virtues, esteemed it much more eligible to take them upon Trust, than to impose on themselves the insupportable Labour of Thinking.
It was a favourite Opinion of Captain Drumond's, That all Mankind are, on some blind Side or other, to be cajoled his Converse with such Persons as he imagined he could extract any Advantage from, began with this Method : But whenever he met with an Exception to this Rule, and was disappointed in his Hopes, his soothing Words were all turned into Bitterness. Like the Wasp, he was provided both with Honey and a Sting ; and on whomsoever Oversweetness disgusted, he darted the Venom of his Sting. This Method answered several Purposes; the Rage with which he was brim-full at finding himself de-
ceived,
Page 288
ceived, was revenged; the only Way he had of becoming an Object of Terror to his Majesty's liege Subjects, was through this Vehicle of Abuse, which weak Minds are sometimes afraid of. And when he found a Man deaf to his Flattery, and equally and steadily superior to all the Efforts of his mean Malice, then, like a Lunatic, he begins to practise at home; and flattered him- self, that by throwing Dirt, he should be able to baffle the ill Effects of another's bad Opinion: And with whatsoever his Heart was filled, his Mouth then gave Utterance to such Ideas only, as are best expressed in their native Language of Scurrility. This Character hath been more particularly, delineated, to shew by what Wretches Men (of otherwise good Understandings) are to be imposed on, when they think it necessary to be flattered for any favourite Folly.
Sir
5
Page 289
Sir Harry Cleveland would have esteemed a Moment's precious Time to be very injudiciously squandered away, in which he had forced himself from the Consideration of his favourite Scheme, to examine and discover the true Character of this his Companion; nay, he called him Friend, and as such he used him: For even true Friends could not better accommodate each other's Wants. When Sir Harry had so unfortunate a Day in his Calendar that the Laugh went against him, he had a sure Resource in the Evening, by Captain Drumond's Complacency; who was the willing Butt of his Ridicule: And Captain Drumond, who was so much of a Philosopher, that he had but one earnest Pursuit in the World, found a bountiful Supply for that one, in Sir Harry Cleveland's Fortune. Thus they played the Game into each other's Hands ; and, unlike most Gamesters, each of them was perfectly satisfied with his own Share of the Profits. Cap-
VOL. I.
Page 290
Captain Drumond divided his Hours and his Stratagems between Sir Harry Cleveland and Lord Dellwyn; the former was the most liberal, and consequently the most valuable Friend for the Time present; but then Sir Harry was young, his Understanding was by no means despicable, only unfortunately overshadowed by a whimsical Affectation of a fashionable Folly; and the Captain very prudently considered, that Sir Harry might possibly in time, like AEneas, break through the Cloud, and be visible in his own natural Form; and that then he could by no means be any longer necessary to Sir Harry's Pleasure: For a Man who is inwardly conscious that he steadily pursues an eligible Path, has no more Occasion for a Flatterer to tell him so, than a Man, whose Time is all filled up with useful Employments, hath a Necessity for the Tricks of a Monkey, for an Amusement to his Mind.
It
Page 291
It was therefore thought adviseable by Captain Drumond to take fast hold of Lord Dellwyn, whose Habits had been too long rooted to admit of any Suspicion that they would change while Life lasted: Besides, there was yet another Motive for frequenting Lord Dellwyn's; which, altho' it was always kept in due Subordination to his Interest, yet, where he could make them coincide, was esteemed an additional Advantage.
Altho' Love was greatly beneath a Man of his profound Wisdom; yet he was not intirely insensible to the Attraction of Beauty, and he imagined he might make a double Use of Lord Dellwyn's Friendship, without the least Impeach- ment of his Understanding; but, on the contrary, when the Standard of Cunning is erected, and its Banner displayed, every successful Piece of Art is accounted fresh Matter of Triumph. The Word Treachery dares not come
forth;
2
Page 292
forth; but the military Term of Stratagem is adopted to veil Deceit. Lady Dellwyn was very handsome, and Captain Drumond thought her also worthy of some of his Contrivances.
END of the FIRST VOLUME.
Notes to Vol. 1, Book 2, Chapters 7-9
Notes to Chapter 7
Strange Times! that weep with Laughing, not with Weeping from Timon of Athens by William Shakespeare, "Strange Times! that weep with laughing, not with weeping" (IV, III).
Timon of Athens The title character in William Shakespeare's play, Timon of Athens. Timon is a generous and wealthy man, but when Timon is in need of cash after going bankrupt, his friends do not reciprocate his financial generosity, which causes him to greatly despise mankind.
The Poet's Eye, in a fine Frenzy rolling,/ Doth glance from Heav'n to Earth, from/ Earth to Heav'n
from William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, Theseus says, "The Poet's Eye, in a fine Frenzy rolling, Doth glance from Heav'n to Earth, from Earth to Heav'n" (V, i). This quote suggests the vast imagination of a poet that always seeks inspiration.
Humbugg: "A slang or cant word which came into vogue c1750" (OED).
Milton: John Milton (1608-1674), writer of poetry and prose. He is well-known for his work Paradise Lost.
infernal: from John Milton's Paradise Lost. Milton uses the word "infernal" several times throughout the work to evoke the image of Satan and the underworld.
for when Polonius hasteneth to inform Hamlet of the Arrival of the Players at Elsinor, he, having before heard that News, checks the old Man's Joy; by answering only in the short Monosyllable: from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. This scene that is described occurs in Act two, scene two.
In the same manner as a late celebrated Genius hath recorded, in his Introduction to Polite Conversation:
reference to "Polite Conversation in Three Dialogues," by Jonathan Swift (1667-1745).
Houybnbnms: reference to Jonathan Swifts's work Gulliver's Travels. Houybnbnms are a race of horses that base their beliefs off reason and have a peaceful society.
Buffoonery: "The practice of a buffoon; low jesting or ridicule, farce" (OED).
Le: A French word.
Epithet: "An adjective indicating some quality or attribute which the speaker or writer regards as characteristic of the person or thing described" (OED). This word first came into use in 1588.
Olympic Games in Greece: Held in honor of Zeus, the king of gods, the Olympic games began over 2,700 years ago in Olympia, Greece.
General in the triumphal Carr at Rome: A lavish, extraordinary crowning ceremony for the Roman general in Ancient Rome. For his accomplishments and military successes the roman general would be adorned with gold-embellished fashions and carried throughout Rome to be celebrated by the entire society.
Mirth: "Pleasurable feeling; enjoyment, gratification; joy, happiness. Often used of religious joy and heavenly bliss" (OED).
Fallacious: "Of an argument, syllogism, etc.: Containing a fallacy" (OED).
Bath: A city in England. Bath is known for its hot springs and tourist attractions.
Baulked: "To check, hinder, thwart (a person or his action)" (OED). The word first came into use in 1393.
Rooms at Bath: Beautiful assembly rooms designed by John Wood (1704-1754).
Tom Thumb: The History of Tom Thumb (1621) was the first English folklore work printed in English. Tom Thumb is tiny in size, which is most likely why Fielding uses this character to make a comparison.
Isabella, in Measure for Measure: Measure for Measure (1603) is a play written by William Shakespeare. Isabella is the sister of Claudio's, a young gentleman.
Play such fantastic Tricks before high Heav'n, As makes the Angels weep; who, with our Spleens, Would all themselves laugh mortal: from the play Measure for Measure (Act 1, Scene VII) by William Shakespeare.
Theobald's Note: Lewis Theobald (1688-1744) editor and author however, he is best known for his Shakespearean editing.
Lord Foppington: A character in Colley Cibber's (1664-1726) comedic play The Relapse (1696). Cibber himself plays Lord Foppington, a man that is tempted by lust, and whose reputation is exposed.
Sir Fopling Flutter: Also known as The Man of Mode, Sir Fopling Flutter (1676) is a comedic play written by George Etherege (1636-1692). The play is set in London during Restoration.
Comedies of Terence: Publius Terentius Afer (195/185-159 BC) also know as Terence was a playwright. Terence arranged to have his plays performed in the Roman Republic. Due to his North African decent, Terence was originally a slave, however, his talents impresses his owner, who eventually set him free.
Moliere: Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622-1673) also known as Moliere, is a french playwright that is proclaimed in the West to be the master of comedy.
Bon-mots: "[French = 'good saying'.] A clever or witty saying; a witticism, repartee" (OED). This word first came into use in 1735.
Herculean Labour: After being tricked by Goddess Hera, The Labors of Hercules (600BC) is the punishment that was bestowed upon Hercules after he lost his mind and killed his wife and child. Hercules, with the help of other Gods, overcame the labors and became known as the Greece's most loved hero.
Varsac, in Les Egarements du Coeur & de L'Esprit: Full title: Les Égarements du c?ur et de l'esprit ou Mémoires de M. de Meilcour, English translation: Strayings of the Heart and Mind, or Memoirs of M. de Meilcour (1736-1738). Written by Crebillon Fils, the novel is essentially about the character M. de Meilcour and his education, which is shaped by his personal relationships.
Femme: "Femme qui veut parler Sentiment; que celle-ci, au milieu de toutes les IdŽes que lui fait na”tre un Sujet si noble, et qu'elle possede si bien, se taise pour Žcouter un Couplet galamment obscne; que celui, ou celle qui le chante, cede, au grand regret de tout le Monde, la Place a un Fragment de Morale; qu'on se h‰te d'interrompre, pour ne rien: perdre d'une Histoire mŽdisante, qui, quoiqu' ŽcoutŽe avec un extrme. Plaisir, biea ou mal contŽe, est coupŽe par des Reflexions usŽes."
English Translation: Woman who wants to talk Feelings; the latter, in the midst of all that makes him "be a subject so noble, and so it possesses, be silent for a Verse gallantly not obscene?; that, or the one that sings, cede, to the great regret of all World Place a Fragment of morality; that is he interrupt for nothing: losing a History, which ALTHOUGH with me?
ufŽes: "ufŽes, on fausses, sur la Musique, ou la Poesie, qui disparoissent peu-ˆ-peu; & sont suivies par des IdŽes politiques sur le Gouvernment, que le rŽcit de quelque Coups singuliers arrivez au jeu abrŽgent dans le tems qu'on y compte le moins; & qu'enfin un Petit-ma”tre, aprs avoir long tems rvŽ, traverse le Circle, dŽrange tout, pour aller dire a un Femme, qu'elle n'a pas assez du rouge, ou qu'il la trouve belle comme un Ange."
English Translation: "is false, the music, or Poetry, disappearing little - little & Are followed by policies on Government, that some singular Hits to get to play in the time that it has the least; & Finally "after? have long, through the Circle all, to go and tell a woman that she does not have enough of the red, or it is the beautiful as an angel."
Hudibras: "In the metre or after the manner of Hudibras, the celebrated mock-heroic satirical poem of Samuel Butler published in 1663-78; burlesque-heroic" (OED). The word first came into use in 1712.
Dean Swift: Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) became Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. Swift was a writer, poet, cleric and politician.
LILLO's Fatal Curiosity: George Lillo (1691-1739) was a playwright, he wrote Fatal Curiosity in 1737.
Notes for Chapter 9
Jonathan Swift (30 November 1667 – 19 October 1745): Satirist and essayist. Author of famous and popular works such as Gulliver's Travels and A Modest Proposal.
Vive la Bagatelle: French for "Bagatelle lives"; bagatelle is a thing regarded as too unimportant or easy to be worth much consideration; trifle *source: OED
Cicero and Atticus: Titus Pomponius Atticus, born Titus Pomponius (112/109 BC - 35/32 BC), came from an old but not strictly noble Roman family. He was a celebrated editor, banker, and patron of letters. He is best remembered as the closest friend of orator and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero as well leading contemporaries of upper class Roman society. Cicero's treatise on friendship, De Amicitia was dedicated to him. Atticus was known for his elegant taste, sound judgment and financial acumen. *source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titus_Pomponius_Atticus
He saw nothing lovely for its own Sake; he was no follower of that Sect of Philosophers: Aesthetics (also spelled æsthetics and esthetics) is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of art, beauty, and taste, with the creation and appreciation of beauty.[1][2] It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste.[3] More broadly, scholars in the field define aesthetics as "critical reflection on art, culture and nature."[4][5]. The slogan "beauty for beauty's sake" comes from this philosophical view. *source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetics
The Life of Jonathan Wild: Jonathan Wild (1682/3 - 24 May 1725) was a London underworld figure, notable for operating on both sides of the law, posing as a public-spirited crimefighter, titled 'Thief Taker General'. Wild was exploiting a strong public demand for action during a major London crime wave in the absence of any effective police force. As a powerful gang-leader himself, he became a master manipulator of legal systems, collecting the rewards offered for valuables he had stolen himself, bribing prison-guards to release his colleagues, and blackmailing any who crossed him. After his arrest and a failed suicide attempt, he was hanged at Tyburn before a massive crowd. He was featured in novels, poems and plays, some of them noting parallels between Wild and the contemporary Prime Minister Walpole, known as The Great Corrupter. *source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Wild
Calumny: The making of false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage their reputation; slander *source: OED
The little Hero of each Tale: Throughout her personal travel narrative "Letters Written in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark", Mary Wollstonecraft ponders the relationship between society and the individual. In this work she turns inward, explicitly arguing for the value of personal experience. In the advertisement for the work, also published as a preface, she explains her role as the "hero" of the text: "In writing these desultory letters, I found I could not avoid being continually the first person - 'the little hero of each tale.'..." *source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letters_Written_in_Sweden,_Norway,_and_Denmark
La Bruyere: Jean de La Bruyère (16 August 1645 - 11 May 1696) was a French philosopher and moralist. *source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_La_Bruyère
Scurrility: The quality or state of being scurrilous: Making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation *source: OED
AEneas: In Greco-Roman mythology, Aeneas (Greek: Aineías, possibly derived from Greek word for"praise") was a Trojan hero, the son of the prince Anchises and the goddess Aphrodite (Venus). His father was the second cousin of King Priam of Troy. *source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeneas