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of the shop, he had not an idea, nor any inclination to acquire one, they asked him, how he spent his time. To answer this he had no objection: Gentlemen, when you know one day, you know all. I get up every morning by day-break, or about six o'clock — always was an early riser- then I walk down the lane to the Fox and Grapes, and there I have a little purl, and get into conversation with the farmers' men- come home to breakfast — after breakfast I take a walk again to the Fox and Grapes; by this time the papers are come in, and I read the papers then I come home, and dress for dinner :- after dinner, as I have nobody but my wife and daughter, and it is lonesome talking with them, I take a walk again to the Fox and Grapes, and have some rum and water, and smoke a pipe with Old Jerry, the landlord- then I come home and have some tea: and in the evening, as one can't stay by oneself, I walk again to the Fox and Grapes, and there I spend the evening with the club —and get home about eleven, when Robert comes with the lanthorn."

To some, this may appear a perfect course of idleness; but, were our college erected, I doubt not but that my friend Humphrey might obtain some instructions that would greatly im

prove his plan, especially as, of late, a dropsical and rheumatic habit has interrupted his scheme of idleness, and has convinced him of what he was very unwilling to believe, namely, that a time would arrive, a time for which he had made no preparation, when he could neither go to the Fox and Grapes, nor the Fox and Grapes come to him.

But what would be perhaps the most important consideration in the institution of a College for Idlers, is the present unhappy state of amusements. And here there is a wonderful difference of opinion, moralists holding that our amusements are too numerous for the busy; while the persons who are the subjects of this paper contend that they are too few for the idle. Both opinions, however, may be right, although the parties are not likely to unite in removing their respective grievances. But certainly the interests of the indolent and of the trifling seem to require some addition to be made to the pleasurable modes of getting rid of the enemy Time: and it is not a little to the credit of modern ingenuity, that so many additions have lately been made to the stock both of public and private amusement. The hours of meeting, too, are under such wise regulations, that not only the day, but the night

may be idled away very comfortably, and with no other intervals than what are necessary for the delightful rattling over the stones from house to house.

By thus submitting the art of idleness to the judgment of scientific lecturers, and reducing the whole to a regular system, there can be no doubt that the situation of idlers might be considerably improved: and I throw out a proposal for a new College, with perfect confidence that, whether it be carried into execution or not, they will not entertain a worse opinion of the PROJECTOR.

I might, therefore, leave the subject to its fate, were it not requisite to throw out some hint, by which the lovers of Idleness might in the mean time profit. As it is the custom for citizens to retire from business at a certain time of life, for which they are seldom fitted by previous knowledge or resources of mind; perhaps it might not be amiss if those who have followed the trade of idleness were likewise to retire from their fatigues, and try whether there are not employments to be found less laborious, more pleasant, and more useful; and rendered so by a conviction of the shortness and uncertainty of that time, which had hitherto appeared so long and so tiresome.

THE PROJECTOR. No 75.

"The Power of Beauty I remember yet,

Which once inflam'd my soul, and still inspires my wit."

DRYDEN.

October 1807.

A FEW days ago I had the honour to receive the following laconic epistle, which, however, I dare scarcely venture to call "inconsistent with the loquacity of the sex," although my correspondent may think herself entitled to take such a liberty.

"MR. PROJECTOR,

"WE are indebted to you for many excellent papers on general subjects, but which after all principally concern the men. Cannot you find time to give us your thoughts on topicks which more particularly relate to our sex? I presume you are not very old; and if you were, I am sure old fellows are more gallant now-adays than young ones. — Begin then, and I will give you a subject What do

you

think

of Beauty?

"You may print this or not, as you please. It is short enough to be inconsistent with the loquacity of the sex to which I belong, and am, Mr. PROJECTOR,

Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes: I suspect those correspondents who begin with compliments; and should not be surprised if Letitia has suggested the subject of beauty, to entrap me into discussions that may not be very acceptable. Although not so very old, as she seems to hint in a sly way, I certainly do not find much inclination to talk with those raptures on the subject of beauty which I once felt, and which render opinions so generally acceptable. It is frequently found that lovers and criticks lose a great deal of their enthusiasm for girls and poems when they advance years, and when they are not so fit for addressing the one, or relishing the other, as they were in their more lively days. On the other hand, however, the absence of enthusiasm affords more scope to judgment, and where there are but few rapturous exclamations, there may be a good deal of sound sense. Without therefore attributing to myself these essential qualities in discussion, I shall endeavour to com

in