[All that precedes the article dated from White's chocolate-house, in this paper, was re-printed verbatim at the beginnings of N° 2, and 3. The first four numbers of the Tatler were given gratis.] THE FOLLOWING ADVERTISEMENT WAS AFFIXED TO THE ORIGINAL PAPER IN FOLIO. A vindication of Isaac Bickerstaff, esq. against what is objected to him by Mr. Partridge in his Almanack for the present year 1709.' By the said Isaac Bickerstaff, esq. London, printed in the year 1709. N° 2. THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1709. Quicquid agunt homines nostri est farrago libelli. Whatever good is done, whatever ill JUV. Sat. i. 85, 86, By human kind, shall this collection fill. Will's Coffee-house, April 13. THERE has lain all this evening on the table the following poem. The subject of it being matter very useful for families, I thought it deserved to be considered, and made more public. The turn the poet gives it is very happy; but the foundation is from a ler, to point out the respective writers, we have affixed the name of Steele (the ostensible author) to those papers respecting the writers of which there remains any doubt. -Internal evidence, and inquiry, have, however, enabled us to ascertain the names in many instances.-See the preface to the fourth volume, and No 271, ance. real accident which happened among my acquaintA young gentleman of a great estate fell desperately in love with a great beauty of very high quality, but as ill-natured as long flattery and an habitual self-will could make her. However, my young spark ventures upon her, like a man of quality, without being acquainted with her, or having ever saluted her, until it was a crime to kiss any woman else. Beauty is a thing which palls with possession, and the charms of this lady soon wanted the support of good-humour and complacency of manners. Upon this, my spark flies to the bottle for relief from satiety. She disdains him for being tired with that for which all men envied him; and he never came home, but it was-Was there no sot that would stay longer? Would any man living but you? Did I leave all the world for this usage?' to which he—' Madam, split me, you are very impertinent!' In a word, this match was wedlock in its most terrible appearances. She, at last weary of railing to no purpose, applies to a good uncle, who gives her a bottle he pretended he had bought of Mr. Partridge the conjurer. This,' said he, 'I gave ten guineas for. The virtue of the enchanted liquor (said he that sold it) is such, that if the woman you marry proves a scold, (which, it seems, my dear niece, is your misfortune, as it was your good mother's before you) let her hold three spoonfuls in her mouth for a full half hour after you come home-" But I find I am not in humour for tell ́ing a tale; and nothing in nature is so ungraceful as story-telling against the grain; therefore take it as the author' has given it you. Mr. William Harrison. See Nichols's Select Collection of Poems, 1781, vol. vii. THE MEDICINE. A TALE-FOR THE LADIES. Miss Molly, a fam'd toast, was fair and young, Sir John was smitten, and confess'd his flame, Madam lov'd money, and the knight lov'd wine. And, what Sir John, you'll get your usual dose1 Resolv'd to break my heart, as well as rest.' 'Hey! hoop! d'ye hear, my damn'd obstrep'rous spouse, What, can't you find one bed about the house? Will that perpetual clack lie never still? Some couch and distant room must be my choice, With snarling meals, and each a sep'rate bed. Three spoonfuls take, hold in your mouth-then mum. A water-bottle's brought for her relief; The bonny knight reels home exceeding clear, Entering, he cries,- Hey! where's our thunder fled! No hurricane! Betty, 's your lady dead? Madam, aside, an ample mouthful takes, Court'sies, looks kind, but not a word she speaks: "Why, how now, Molly, what's the crotchet now?' She smiles, and answers only with a bow. Then clasping her about- Why, let me die! 'Nay, kiss me, Molly,-for I'm much inclin'd :' 'Twas us'd and gone-then midnight storms arose, St. James's Coffee-house, April 13. LETTERS from Venice say, the disappointment of their expectation to see his Danish majesty has very much disquieted the court of Rome. Our last advices from Germany inform us, that the minister of Hanover has urged the council at Ratisbonne to exert themselves in behalf of the common cause, and taken the liberty to say, that the dignity, the virtue, the prudence of his electoral highness, his master, were called to the head of their affairs in vain, if they thought fit to leave him naked of the proper means to make those excellencies useful for the honour and safety of the empire. They write from Berlin of the thirteenth, O. S. that the true design of general |