following a train of argument on this head; but it is even found extremely difficult to make them comprehend the meaning of these simple words, Danger, Risk, Ruin, Destruction, Contempt, Poverty, Soul, Body, &c.; although the thing signified by such words be so very obvious to every one else, that it seems to be a miracle that they should miss it. But the cause of this 'I purpose very clearly to prove in my intended publication, and now return to the History of the JEZEBEL.

It has been remarked as a wise provision of Nature, that noxious animals are seldom longlived. Whether this be owing to any peculiarity in their constitution, or that their voracious disposition inclines them to devour substances that destroy them, or that, the world being generally in league against them, they are allowed, when caught, to perish by neglect or confinement, are questions which may, perhaps, come to be discussed in my intended work. It may be sufficient to notice, that as they arrive at perfection sooner than any other animals, so their decay is likewise more rapid, and instances of premature old age are frequent among them. It is also peculiar to them, that when they perceive themselves on the decline, they court the closest confinement, and wish,

if one may judge from appearances, to be forgotten. It is no less peculiar to them, that when one happens to fall into this state, she is immediately shunned by the whole of her species, as well as by those who formerly took pleasure in keeping and feeding her in the most luxurious manner. It is said, indeed, by some who have been present on such occasions, that nothing can be more shocking than one of these creatures when dying, either in private or publick; for many of them have departed this life in so public a manner as to be gazed at by thousands, but without any of those feelings of sympathy which accompany death in other

cases.

The appearances on dissection are rather singular. The principal difference between them and other animals is, that they have no heart. What appears to have been intended for the seat of the tender affections, and mild and gentle feelings, is completely worn away; but in the room of it, a quantity of a fiery substance is often found, or a subtle fluid, which so perpetually changes its properties, that no analysis has yet been sufficient to resolve it into any thing steady or useful. There is some appearance of brain, but so twisted, contorted, and shaped into so many crooked and unaccount

able forms, that a Materialist would be apt to think such a brain could be the parent only of low cunning, deceit, and treachery. From frequent dissections, indeed, some Anatomists. have been of opinion, that the JEZEBEL partakes very much of the nature of the shark and of the crocodile. It is certain that the tears which they are frequently observed to shed, and which they shed with the utmost facility, are entirely of the crocodile kind. Their tears, likewise, it ought to have been before mentioned, are of a very peculiar sort, having no connexion whatever with real pain, distress, sorrow, or any of the causes which produce weeping in the human species; but they flow most plentifully at the sight of a new chariot, a sideboard of plate, a set of china, or any other of those singular substances which this creature is known to devour with the utmost greediness.

From this brief description of the JEZEBEL, my Readers may conceive some opinion of the animal, and may be enabled to form some judgment of the expediency of lessening the breed of a creature so unnatural and noxious. Indeed, if in these times we only consider the quantity of necessaries and luxuries such a creature consumes in the most wasteful manner, it

is argument enough to induce us to take into consideration the means of lessening their numbers. When, however, in addition to this, we find that they answer no one good purpose in the creation, and that the mischief they occasion to families and individuals is greater than can often be calculated, it becomes no longer a question, but an imperious duty, to describe them in such a manner as to alarm the persons who have hitherto been apt to gratify their taste by keeping one or two of these noxious creatures. Whether the present attempt can produce that effect, may be doubtful; but the purpose would be effectually answered, if they who have had more frequent opportunities of studying the properties of the animal were to contribute their observations and experience; and, if a junction was formed between the remarks of two classes of persons who seldom meet, the Moralists and the Jailors. If we examined not only the establishment but the prison, and drew comparisons between the equipage of the banquet and the discipline of the bridewell, we might be enabled to form such correct notions on the subject as might unveil the native deformity of the JEZEBEL, and send her to feed in the streets and highways,

among the less vicious of her species, who have no protection either from the silent approaches of penitence, or the unavoidable progress of disease and misery.

THE PROJECTOR. N° 94.

"To vice industrious; but to nobler deeds
Timorous and slothful."

MILTON.

April 1809.

THERE HERE are few vices more generally censured by Moralists than Idleness. It is represented

as not only the greatest of evils, but the occasion of all evil; and so many shocking pictures and characters are drawn of idle men and women, that we are inclined to question whether they have been taken from originals. But, with due submission to my predecessors, who have presented Idleness to their readers, either as an example or a warning, I have some doubt whether the subject has ever been handled with philosophical precision, and whether they have begun where they ought;