9 The fondness of every man for his profession. The gradual improvement of manufactures 10 Four billets with their answers. Remarks on mas- 11 The folly of anger. The misery of a peevish old 12 The history of a young woman that came to Lon- 13 The duty of secrecy. The invalidity of all excuses 14 The difference between an author's writings and 15 The folly of cards A Letter from a Lady that 76 The dangers and miseries of literary eminence 17 The frequent contemplation of death 'necessary to 18 The unhappiness of marriage caused by irregular 19 The danger of ranging from ope study to another. The importance of the early choice of a pro- 20 The folly and inconvenience of affectation 21 The anxieties of literature not less than those of publick stations. The inequality of authors 22 An allegory on wit and learning 23 The contrariety of criticism. The vanity of obj Page . · 176 . . 24 The necessity of attending to the duties of common life. The natural character not to be forsaken Isr 25 Rashness preferable to cowardice. Enterprize not 26 The mischief of extravagance, and misery of de- 27 An author's treatment from six patrons 28 The various arts of self-delusion 29 The folly of anticipating misfortunes 30 The observance of Sunday recommended. An 31 The defence of a known mistake highly culpable 194 32 The vanity of stoicism. The necessity of patience 20% 33 An allegorical history of rest and labour 34 The uneasiness and disgust of female cowardice 214 35 A marriage of prudence without affection 36 The reasons why pastorals delight 37 The true principles of pastoral poetry 38 The advantages of mediocrity. An Eastern fable 240 39 The unhappiness of women whether single or mar- 40 The difficulty of giving advice without offending 252 42 The misery of a modish lady in solitude 43 The inconveniencies of precipitation and confidence 270 44 Religion and superstition, a vision 45 The causes of disagreement in marriage 46 The mischiefs of rural faction . . . . 301 . . . . . 318 No. Pago 49 A disquisition upon the value of fame 306 50 A virtuous old age always reverenced . . • 312 31 The employments of a housewife in the country 52 The contemplation of the calamities of others, a remedy for grief 325 53 The folly and misery of a spendthrift 331 54 A death-bed the true school of wisdom. The effects of death upon the survivors . 55 The gay widow's impatience of the growth of her daughter. The history of Miss Maypole 343 56 The necessity of complaisance. The Rambler's grief for offending his correspondents 349 57 Sententious rules of frugality 355 336 . . . THE RAMBLER. N° 1. TUESDAY, MARCH 20. 1750. TH Cur tamen hoc libeat potius dcurrere campo, JUV. ELPHINSTON. occasion, is felt by every man in his transactions with the world, and confessed by the settied and regular forms of salutation which necessity has introduced into all languages. Judgment was wearied with the perplexity of being forced upon choice, where there was no motive to preference ; and it was found convenient that some easy method of introduction should be established, which, if it wanted the allurement of novelty, might enjoy the security of prescription. Perhaps few authors have presented themselves before the public, without wishing that such cerco VOL. IV. A monial modes of entrance had been anciently established, as might have freed them from those dangers which the desire of pleasing is certain to produce, and precluded the vain expedients of softening censure by apologies, or rousing attention by abruptness. The epick writers have found the proemial part of the poem such an addition to their undertaking, that they have almost unanimously adopted the first lines of Homer, and the reader needs only be informed of the subject, to know in what manner the poem will begin. But this solemn repetition is hitherto the peculiar distinction of heroick poetry ; it has never been legally extended to the lower orders of literature, but seems to be considered as an hereditary privilege, to be enjoyed only by those who claim it from their alliance to the genius of Homer. The rules which the injudicious use of this prerogative suggested to Horace, may indeed be applied to the direction of candidates for inferior fame; it be proper for all to remember, that they ought not to raise expectation which it is not in their power to satisfy, and that it is more pleasing to see smoke brightening into flame, than flame sinking into smoke. This precept has been long received, both from regard to the authority of Horace, and its conformity to the general opinion of the world ; yet there have been always some, that thought it no deviation from modesty to recommend their own labours, and imagined themselves intitled by indisputable merit to an exemption from general restraints, and to elevations not allowed in common |
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