9 The fondness of every man for his profession. The gradual improvement of manufactures 51 56 63 70 12 The history of a young woman that came to Lon- 19 The danger of ranging from one study to another. 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 obi tion. An author obliged to depend up 24 The necessity of attending to the duties of common life. The natural character not to be forsaken 151 30 The observance of Sunday recommended. An 31 The defence of a known mistake highly culpable 194 34 The uneasiness and disgust of female cowardice 35 A marriage of prudence without affection 36 The reasons why pastorals delight 37 The true principles of pastoral poetry 43 The inconveniencies of precipitation and confidence 270 44 Religion and superstition, a vision 45 The causes of disagreement in marriage 51 The employments of a housewife in the country 336 55 The gay widow's impatience of the growth of her 56 The necessity of complaisance. The Rambler's 57 Sententious rules of frugality 342 THE RAMBLER. N° 1. TUESDAY, MARCH 20. 1750. Cur tamen hoc libeat potius dcurrere campo, Why to expatiate in this beaten field, TH JUV. ELPHINSTON. 'HE difficulty of the first address on any new occasion, is felt by every man in his transactions with the world, and confessed by the settled 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 cerc 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 may 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 |